LOS ANGELES — On June 14, 2025, Joe Kelly finally received the hardware he helped earn: his 2024 World Series championship ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The moment, celebrated in a pregame clubhouse ceremony at Dodger Stadium, marked another milestone in Kelly’s unique and colorful career—a journey that has made him one of the most memorable relievers of his era.
Kelly’s road to this ring was anything but straightforward. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 MLB Draft, he made his debut in 2012 and would go on to pitch for multiple teams, including the Red Sox, with whom he won a title in 2018. As a Card, he is most known to Dodger fans for nailing Hanley Ramirez in the ribs in the playoffs, which many fans think might have led to the team’s premature exit from the postseason. His time in Boston brought him into the national spotlight—not only for his fiery fastball, but for his playoff performances and fearless attitude. When the Dodgers signed him ahead of the 2019 season, they were bringing in a pitcher who had just helped beat them in the previous year’s World Series.
His first stint in Los Angeles had its ups and downs. In 2019, Kelly struggled with consistency. But by 2020, he had found his footing—and his place in the hearts of Dodgers fans. That season, amid the fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, Kelly became a folk hero. After throwing a pitch near Alex Bregman’s head and then mocking Carlos Correa with a pouty face, he was suspended eight games by MLB, but celebrated by Dodger Nation. Though the incident drew controversy, it made Kelly a symbol of accountability in a sport still grappling with questions of integrity.
More importantly, Kelly backed up his reputation with results. In the 2020 postseason, he played a key role out of the bullpen as the Dodgers finally broke through to win their first championship since 1988. He allowed just one earned run over 5⅓ innings that October. Injuries would hamper him in 2021, and after a brief stint with the White Sox in 2022-23, he made his way back to L.A. at the 2023 trade deadline, and again for the 2024 stretch run.
He didn’t exactly know where the ball was going every time it left his hand, and his tenure with the Dodgers was spotty at best (he never matched the number he did on the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series (0.00 ERA over five World Series games), but his time with team was serviceable, if not brilliant: a 3.72 ERA in 161 appearances spread over five seasons. However, more than most sporting that statline, Kelly made an impact on the Dodgers’ culture.
Despite missing the first half of 2024 with a shoulder strain, Kelly returned in July and proved to be a vital bullpen piece down the stretch. He appeared in 35 games for the Dodgers that season, recording 35 strikeouts in 32 innings. His postseason contributions were part of a collective bullpen effort that helped the Dodgers capture their second title in five years. Kelly didn’t need to say much about what the ring meant to him—but his actions throughout the playoffs spoke volumes.
Off the field, Kelly’s larger-than-life personality continued to shine. Whether dressing up in disguises for team interviews, salsa dancing in minor league promos, or clowning around on social media, he remained a source of levity and energy in the clubhouse. And in interviews, he stayed true to his unpredictable nature.
Following the Dodgers’ five-game World Series win over the Yankees, Kelly didn’t hold back. Speaking on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, he said, “All we knew is that we had to just play regular Dodger baseball… We didn’t have to do anything crazy, and we were going to win the World Series. It’s facts.” He also called the Yankees “lazy” and said they were “probably the eighth or ninth best team in the postseason.” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman later responded, calling the remarks “a little personal.” Sorry Brian, sometimes the truth hurts.
This isn’t the first time Kelly’s words—and actions—have drawn attention. But through it all, one thing has remained clear: he’s fiercely loyal to the Dodgers. After the 2024 season, Kelly told AM570 LA Sports that it was “Dodgers or bust” for him and that he would rather retire than pitch elsewhere. And when asked about what it meant to earn another ring, he said, “It would be cool to give it to all my sons,” acknowledging the family legacy behind his achievements.
Now with three championship rings—one each from Boston (2018), Los Angeles (2020), and Los Angeles again (2024)—Kelly’s resume speaks for itself. But stats and jewelry only tell part of the story. What makes Joe Kelly stand out is his unique blend of competitiveness, comic relief, and candid honesty. He’s a reliever who embraces chaos, rallies his teammates, and never pretends to be anyone he’s not.
As he slid on his 2024 World Series ring, there was no need for theatrics or scripted speeches. The moment spoke for itself: Joe Kelly, once again, had played his role—and then some—in helping deliver a title to Los Angeles. The fans already knew. Now he has the ring to prove it.
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Love Mariachi Joe, bring him back! 💙