The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-1, in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday, winning their first Fall Classic since 1988. It was a historic win for one of baseball’s most storied franchises, as shortstop Corey Seager was named World Series MVP, this after posting a 1.256 OPS against the Rays.
Thus ends the 2020 MLB season, which left JR SportBrief feeling, well, a little unsatisfied.
“Major League Baseball, I just feel cheated for what we saw this year,” JR said on CBS Sports Radio. “Congratulations to the Dodgers. It just doesn’t feel right. The NBA had a whole season for the most part, had a stoppage, picked things up, finished up. The NHL had their season, had to stop, picked things up, crowned their champion. Major League Baseball gave you two months, gave you the playoffs and said, ‘Here’s your World Series champion.’ Leaves a whole lot left to be desired.”
The Dodgers (43-17) finished with the best record in baseball this year, reaching the playoffs for the eighth straight season. They went 13-5 in the playoffs, beating the Brewers, Padres and Braves to reach the World Series for the third time in four years. Los Angeles trailed Atlanta 3-1 in the NLCS but fought back to win the series.
The Rays, meanwhile, reached the World Series for the first time since 2008.
“Could they have done things different?” JR asked of Major League Baseball. “I don’t know. I can tell you this much: next year, I’d love to see the Dodgers and the Yankees. I’d sign up for that over the course of 162 games. The Dodgers, they need to be happy they finished and closed things out tonight – because what would the story be? The Dodgers have the benefit of the doubt right now of winning the World Series, going back to Los Angeles and not having to worry about a thing until February.”
The 2020 season unfolded against the backdrop of COVID-19. Well, Dodgers star Justin Turner was forced to leave Game 6 after testing positive for the virus. He finished 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
“Can you imagine if we were heading into Game 7 of the World Series [Wednesday] night and one of the star players on the Dodgers wasn’t available because of COVID?” JR asked. “And if he has it and Major League Baseball has been in a bubble, then wouldn’t it be logical [to think] someone else might have it as well? That’s something Major League Baseball doesn’t have to worry about, that’s something the Dodgers don’t have to worry about, that’s something that the Rays don’t have to worry about – at least in [the] prism of playing baseball.
“But the Dodgers, they are your World Series champs from a two-month tournament of a season and a postseason, and it just doesn’t feel the same. It doesn’t feel complete.”