Dodgers News: Bill Plaschke Thinks Dodgers May Finally End World Series Drought
The Dodgers are projected to again be one of the best teams in the NL. The Los Angeles Times‘ most famous columnist envisions something more.
Plaschke said in three decades, he’s never called a team making a World Series run this early. He stopped short of doing that this time, but said if L.A. stays healthy, the 29-year streak of no World Series appearances could reach its end.
These Dodgers of March have real shot at late October https://t.co/dCF1IiZLVl
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) March 5, 2017
Plaschke quoted several players about the attitude. The team has adopted a “World Series or bust” mindset, it seems. He said the overall mentality of the team is the difference. It’s a group with the togetherness that can propel it further than previous years.
“The momentum began last fall, when all the craziness of the summer roster moves and rotation turns began to finally make sense,” Plaschke writes. “By the time the Dodgers began the playoffs, the plate appearances had become unselfish, the relief pitchers didn’t care about their roles, and everyone — witness Charlie Culberson — truly believed he could be the hero.”
He’s right. There was a clear shift mentally last year. Credit Dave Roberts, veteran leadership, the front office; it doesn’t matter, it happened. The Dodgers kept the team together, with a couple players taking less money to continue being a part of the franchise.
Logan Forsythe, Los Angeles’ top offseason acquistion, fits the culture to a tee. He is another veteran leader who was extremely well-respected in Tampa Bay. Sergio Romo is a similar case. He won three championships with the Giants and stayed with an organization that is the model of consistency – staff, player and performance-wise.
The Cubs are still the odds-on favorites, but the Dodgers are coming back with a vengeance. As Plaschke noted, health is the most important factor. But none of us should be surprised if the boys in blue finally break through.
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