As we sit right here in mid-August, the established order is in impact for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
They’re 25 video games above .500, lead the NL West by 9 and a half video games, and appear to be a group that might contend in October.
It wasn’t all the time that means although.
As lately as early July, the Dodgers had been wanting up within the division and a deep October run appeared like a steep process except adjustments had been made in brief order.
And now that the mud has cleared on a largely murky first half of the season, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts had an opportunity to consider the totality of this 12 months’s group — and he made a somewhat daring assertion.
“That is my favourite group I’ve ever had,” says supervisor Dave Roberts, who has led the Dodgers to a World Collection title, three pennants, six division titles and 7 playoff berths whereas posting the best successful share of any supervisor in Dodger historical past.”
Through Bob Nightengale of USA At this time
On the floor, that wouldn’t appear to be the case, given the group’s murky begin and the pitching workers’s inconsistency till just a few weeks in the past.
However the group has gotten outcomes. Outcomes that Roberts credited to the group’s unselfishness.
“I like this membership. I imply, I actually adore it. It’s as tight-knit group as I’ve seen. It’s a really unselfish group. Once I’m asking pitcher to pitch in numerous roles, and for hitters to play in several roles, and for guys to no matter it takes to win a ballgame, that’s being a superb teammate. I’ve bought 26 of these guys. That has been our secret sauce all through the accidents, the inconsistencies.
through USA At this time
The Dodgers are within the midst of one in every of their greatest eras in franchise historical past underneath Roberts’ management, and he made positive to reward the group’s successful tradition — a tradition at present led by do-it-all celebrity Mookie Betts and Gold Glove first baseman Freddie Freeman amongst others — as one purpose for that success.
“There have been low expectations exterior our clubhouse, however I’ll inform you this: ‘Good groups discover methods to win.’ Conversely, there are groups that simply don’t know win.”
through USA At this time
The 2023 Dodgers have put that rocky begin firmly within the rearview mirror, which can function classes to take ahead in a 12 months that the group hopes will finish with them once more hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy as World Collection champions.
That’d be a becoming finish for a group that their supervisor known as his most favourite. And that’s some excessive reward given the caliber of squads Roberts has presided over via his years in Los Angeles.
Picture Credit score: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports activities