For the first time since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions. The club defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 to secure their seventh title in franchise history.
Seven Dodgers pitchers factored into the clinching victory, but Kenley Jansen was not part of the group. Julio Urias was credited with the save after logging 2.1 perfect innings.
“It’s a team, man. Julio was throwing the ball pretty well. I’m ready to pitch whenever the phone rings. Yes, we all want that moment, but Julio was throwing the ball really well,” Jansen said.
“It’s awesome. I feel like I’m a true Dodger now. The trophy is going back to L.A. It’s an awesome feeling. I will cherish and remember this moment my whole life. My kids are here with me. When they get older I can remind them of this moment.”
Jansen had his struggles during the postseason, but particularly struggled in the World Series, allowing three runs across his two appearances.
He last pitched in Game 4, when he was charged with a blown save after giving up two hits, two runs (one earned) and a walk over two-thirds of an inning pitched.
The performance allowed the Rays to even the series, but the Dodgers bounced back with two consecutive wins to clinch the World Series. “You’ve got to earn everything in life. This was the way God wanted us to go through,” Jansen said.
“Every day I go on my knees and pray to God. I feel like this was God’s way. We learned a lot, I learned a lot. Going through all that adversity, we all fought. We all went through the ups and downs, and here we are today. We can say we’re world champs.
Jansen relieved to finally win World Series
For Jansen, who has been part of the Dodgers organization since 2004, finally winning a World Series championship after years of postseason frustrations brings him at ease. “A sigh of relief,” he said.
“We finally made it. We are world champs. Nobody can take this away from us. We worked hard for it and it’s well deserved. I’m proud of every single teammate. We all did it. To the city of L.A., this is well deserved for you guys. You guys needed it the most.”
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