The Los Angeles Dodgers became the 2024 World Series champions by defeating the New York Yankees 4-1. The series started on October 25 and the final game took place on October 30 at Yankee Stadium.
This was the Dodgers first appearance in the World Series since 2020. Fans were hungry for a “real” championship, since some people claimed 2020 “wasn’t a true win” because of the Covid-19 shortened season. The last time the Yankees appeared in the World Series was in 2009. To get to the World Series the Dodgers beat the Mets 4-2 and the Yankees beat the Guardians 4-1. The two teams have met for the World Series 12 times, the last time being in 1981.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was named the MVP of the World Series for hitting four home runs, twelve RBI’s, five runs and six hits, as well as hitting an unforgettable walk-off grand slam during the first game of the series. Although Freeman was faced with many challenges throughout the series, such as being out for days at a time with his sick son and having a sprained ankle, he still managed to play through the series helping the Dodgers.
In game five of the series the Dodgers were losing 5-0 the first four innings until inning five when the Dodgers had two outs with two people on base. Mookie Betts hit a slow grounder to first and the Yankees first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, failed to get to first base in time, giving the Dodgers the opportunity to score a run. After that, Freeman hit the ball into the outfield allowing Will Smith to score another run. Lastly, Teoscar Hernandez bounced the ball off the wall and Betts and Freeman were able to score two more runs, tying the game with four innings left.
During the ninth inning of game five, the Dodgers managed to score one final run making the score 6-5, meaning they needed three more outs for the win. First up to bat for the Yankees was Anthony Volpe. The second batter, Austin Wells, struck out, and the last strikeout was Alex Verdugo.
After the game, the Dodgers ran out on the field to celebrate their win together. Players who have been on the team for numerous years were very excited to finally have their long awaited parade because in 2020 they were unable to have a parade because of Covid-19.
Unfortunately former Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela passed away at the age of 63 on October 22, 2024. Valenzuela played for the Dodgers from 1980-1990, playing 11 seasons in his 17-year career. Three days after his passing on October 25 the first game of the World Series was played at Dodger Stadium and the Dodgers won 6-3. Fortunately, the Dodgers won the series on October 30th and their parade was two days later November 1st Valenzuela’s birthday. As fans gathered together in the streets of downtown Los Angeles while waiting for the parade to start, they began to sing Happy Birthday to Valenzuela.
