After waiting more than three decades to end their World Series drought, the Los Angeles Dodgers were crowned champions in a year and season unlike any other in MLB history. They were part of the first-ever neutral site World Series and other changes included a ban on the traditional clubhouse celebration.
Players were able to come together on the field, where they remained for roughly one hour before retreating back to their hotel for a muted gathering. Hopes of a World Series parade — and potentially a joint event with the L.A. Lakers — were dashed by the ongoing pandemic.
Now the Dodgers are back together, with Tuesday marking the first full-squad workout of Spring Training. Several players have already cited last year’s championship as motivation rather than reason for a letdown this year, with Max Muncy among them.
“The whole reason you play the game is to win. Just because we won once doesn’t mean it’s over. My goal is to win every single year, and that’s really all I care about at this point. I want to win every single game we can,” he said.
“For me, the personal stats have never mattered. I want to go out there and win as many championships as we can win.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he would be open to the team holding a pseudo World Series celebration during Spring Training. MLB’s health and safety protocols make organizing such a gathering unlikely, though Muncy is more concerned with repeating.
“My goal to celebrate the championship is to go out there and win another one, and then we can have a real celebration,” he said.
Dodgers’ odds to win 2021 World Series
Headlines throughout much of the offseason were dominated by the San Diego Padres, who added the likes of Yu Darvish and Blake Snell to their rotation. More recently, the Padres signed Fernando Tatis Jr. to a 14-year contract extension.
Flying much more under the radar, the Dodgers traded for Corey Knebel, re-signed Blake Treinen, added Trevor Bauer and eventually came to terms with Justin Turner as well.
They are projected to not only finish with the best record in baseball this season, but are favored on 2021 World Series odds.
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