The 2024 MLB season concluded, as it always does, with the World Series. This year’s edition was meant to be the most engrossing struggle for a generation. The two iconic teams of baseball, indeed on the list of any truly global brands, went at it in the Fall Classic.
Not only was it the first Dodgers – Yankee end of season battle in over four decades, it was also the clash of the two biggest stars of the game – Shohei Ohtani v Aaron Judge. Shohei turned up. Judge didn’t.
It therefore wasn’t a surprise to see the final scoreline – the Dodgers pummelled the show ponies 4 games to 1. The Yankees had the biggest winning margin of any of the games in their sole victory, but the LA ascendency was never really in question.
Freddie Freeman created history by hitting home runs in each of the first 4 games. Adding these to the final 2 games of the Braves WS win of 2021 where he homered, he boasts the only ever stretch of 6 straight games of hitting it into the stands. Naturally, he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The Dodgers had the best record in the regular season. They had big name players that looked at home throughout the postseason. The Yankees, too, had a great season and looked good for the first two series in October. Falling at the final hurdle is in keeping with their recent history of underperforming.
Honourable mention goes to the Mets. They had a lot of momentum going into the post-season. They were brilliant in the wild card and divisional series. However, they too were unable to match it with the Dodgers. LA beating both Big Apple teams to take the trophy was a nice coda.
Looping back to Shohei Ohtani. This year really belonged to him. After many years with the Angels and not tasting postseason action, his move across town to the Dodgers has reaped immediate rewards.
He didn’t pitch this season. He was their designated hitter. And, boy, can he hit! His numbers were outrageous. Americans have fallen for a bloke who can’t speak English. I dare say he’ll avoid deportation if the Orange One gets back in.
While the sun sets on ballparks stateside, we have the dawn of the upcoming Australian Baseball League season. The quality of games is improving every year. If at a loose end this summer, go and check it out. It’s a lot more chilled than the MLB and that is a beautiful thing.
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Thanks, Ruminator – always good to see some MLB material on the Almanac.
And jeez, Shohei Ohtani is potentially an all-time great, isn’t he?
Thanks for this Brian.
I watched the post-season as much as I could, like most years, but I just can’t keep up with the preceding 162 games day-by-day.
As per usual I really enjoyed the MBL World Series. Freddie Freeman was the difference between the 2 sides. I wonder how many realize he shares his name with that comic book superhero of yester year, namely Captain Marvel Junior. When newsboy Freddie Freeman said the name of his hero, Captain Marvel, a magic bolt of lightening transformed him into Captain Marvel Junior. Elvis Presley was a really big fan of Junior and had quite a big collection of his comics. I am also a fan of Mookie Betts, a smooth moving outfielder and good hitter.
Interesting how hated the Yankees are in America, sort of like Collingwood and Carlton are here. When they do baseball movies, like Major League, the Yankees are always the ones our heroes have to beat.
When I was in Hawaii for a week, there was another California team, the Angels, on teev. They were not as successful as the Dodgers, but when they finally won the commentators had this to say: that food tastes better, the sun shines brighter, and life is sweeter when your team wins. Ain’t that the truth!