Steve Webb
NEW YORK, NY — The Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series title in a thrilling 7-6 win over the New York Yankees in Game 5. Manager Dave Roberts expressed a mix of relief, pride, and gratitude during the postgame interview as he reflected on a hard-fought series that was anything but straightforward.
When asked how he felt after the high-stakes game, Roberts admitted he hadn’t planned for the intense twists the game had taken. “Certainly a lot of emotions,” he said. “From the way it started to certainly the way it finished.” Roberts praised his players for their resilience, especially in the face of the Yankees’ momentum. “Garrett [Cole] was throwing the heck out of the baseball,” he remarked. “For us to keep scratching and clawing…what Walker [Buehler] did, what Blake [Treinen] did, all those guys…it was huge.”
The game swung heavily in the fifth inning, where the Dodgers capitalized on Yankee errors to seize control. Despite a great play from Aaron Judge earlier in the game, a defensive miscue opened the door for the Dodgers. “When you give a good team extra outs, it was just great for us to take advantage of it,” Roberts explained. It was a pivotal moment that underscored the Dodgers’ ability to stay composed and opportunistic under pressure.
One of the game’s standout performances came from pitcher Walker Buehler, who entered unexpectedly in the seventh inning. When asked about his decision to bring in Buehler, Roberts credited the pitcher’s poise and competitive spirit. “The experience, the pedigree…he wasn’t going to run from the moment,” Roberts said. Buehler came up big in the seventh, fanning two crucial batters and helping the Dodgers keep their narrow lead.
Roberts also took time to highlight the efforts of outfielder Mookie Betts, who played a key role in the game and throughout the playoffs. Betts’ grit and hustle were evident, with key contributions on both offense and defense. “I’m really excited for him,” Roberts said. “Going into the postseason, that’s all people were talking about — how he didn’t perform. He blocked out the noise and focused on helping us win.” Betts’ success in the postseason was a welcome rebuttal to critics and a testament to his work ethic.
Reflecting on the season, Roberts acknowledged the difficulties the team faced, including injuries to key players and the challenge of maintaining the best record in baseball. Yet he emphasized that the team never lost its focus. “Our guys fought and played every day the right way,” he said, underscoring the strength of the Dodgers’ organization from top to bottom. Despite the odds, they “kept going,” which ultimately led them to this triumphant moment.
The season’s challenges were many, but they only seemed to galvanize the team’s determination. Roberts shared that, throughout the year, young players gained valuable experience filling in for injured veterans, helping to strengthen the squad as they entered the postseason. “We didn’t have the pitching, and trying to get as much as I could out of Jack [Flaherty] speaks to the need we had,” he said. Every member of the roster, including Buehler and veteran Freddy Freeman, stepped up and helped pave the way to victory.
Roberts also took a moment to speak about Shohei Ohtani, who made a significant impact on the team and their fanbase. “There’s no way to quantify what he’s done for our ball club, the Dodgers’ fan base, domestically and globally,” Roberts said. Ohtani’s presence both on and off the field added a new dimension to the Dodgers and further energized the team. Playing through a shoulder injury, Ohtani’s commitment demonstrated his willingness to fight alongside his teammates, inspiring respect and admiration from both fans and the baseball community.
With a championship parade scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Friday, Roberts remarked on the emotional significance of this victory. Coinciding with the birthday of Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela, the parade will be both a celebration and a tribute. “I know he’s smiling right now,” Roberts said of Valenzuela. “He’d be very proud of this organization.”
Winning a second World Series title elevates Roberts into rare company, joining Dodgers icons like Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda. “Humbling,” Roberts said when asked about joining this elite club. “I never thought I’d be in that conversation.” Although he’s quick to credit the Dodgers’ organization and his players for his success, Roberts also recognized the personal satisfaction this championship brought him. “This is something I really wanted,” he said. “There were some guys that were here with me in 2020, and we didn’t get the parade then…I’m proud of a lot of guys.”
Reflecting on past criticism, Roberts stayed composed, choosing to “take the high road” but adding that winning the World Series is no easy feat, even for a team as well-prepared as the Dodgers. “There’s a reason why there hasn’t been a repeat champion since the Yankees did it,” he pointed out. “I’m going to be in the moment and enjoy the heck out of this one.”
Roberts shared his admiration for Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone, who, despite the fierce rivalry, congratulated Roberts in person. The two managers share a mutual respect, each understanding the high expectations they face in their roles.
With this championship, Roberts has solidified his place in Dodgers’ history and reaffirmed the team’s dominance in recent years. As they look to carry this momentum forward, Roberts and the Dodgers are well on their way to establishing a “golden era” of baseball in Los Angeles. For now, though, Roberts is content to savor this hard-earned victory, with his eyes set on an even brighter future for the Dodgers.
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