While we wait for millionaires and billionaires to divvy up divvy up $11 Billion, here is a look back at the 2021 Dodger season.
By any measure, save one (the WS), the Dodgers had an amazing season. Stellar regulars in Seager, Turner, Muncy, Betts, Bellinger, Kershaw and Buehler. Urias and Smith emerged as stars. CT3's post season was other-worldly. We saw three future HoF'ers in Kershaw, Scherzer and Pujols. And we had a good mix of characters in Graterol, Mad Max and mariachi Joe Kelly. As a bonus, Trae Turner won the batting title and swiped more than a few bases.
Some random bests of the past season:
Personal Best Dodger Moment of the Season: My lone trip to Dodger Stadium was a post season game against the Braves. With the game ready to start, Vin Scully appeared on the outfield big screen, and we (the crowd) joined Vin in announcing that phrase we all know and love -- "It is time for Dodger baseball." With one man, uttering one sentence, young and old shared 60+ years of LA Dodgers baseball. Hands down, best moment of the season.
Season's Best Feel Good Moments: There were a lot. I think of Mookie Betts securing a Reds rookie's first home run ball, then giving the fan who caught the homer an autographed bat. I also have to mention the Field of Dreams game in Iowa -- which was a masterpiece production and game. Also anything involving Albert Pujols.
Best Turn Around Stories: Jansen and Bellinger. Both those guys have had long periods where they were the league's best, but last year both had brutal slumps. In mid-season, Jansen blew several saves and many were calling for a new closer. Bellinger was so bad that pitchers were hitting better than he was. But they eventually turned things around. I really like both those guys.
Season's Funniest Moment: Joe Kelly trading his Dodger jersey for a mariachi's jacket. The mariachis then got a life size cardboard cut out of Kelly in his new jacket and included the cardboard Kelly in their stadium performances. The whole thing was hilarious. I could also add the time Dave Roberts came out to relieve Max Scherzer and Scherzer refused to give him the ball and shook Roberts' hand instead. Bad form to show up Roberts, but still funny.
Best Response to the Defensive Shift: I wouldn't outlaw it, but I'm not a fan of the shift. I did enjoy seeing Justin Turner beat the shift by slapping singles to right field.
Worst Proposed Rule Change: Looks like the National League is going to the DH. But, Julio Urias made a great case last year for letting pitchers hit.
Most Unifying Team: It seemed to me that most everyone was rooting for the Atlanta Braves to win the WS. So, because vast swaths of the county joined together in their dislike of the Astros, the Astros are the most unifying team.
Most Perplexing Story: Dodgers uncharacteristically throwing down $100M on a three-year deal for Trevor Bauer, who then was suspended by MLB after allegations of sexual assault, which he denied. Before he became a Dodger, I followed Bauer on his "Momentum" channel. His videos were upbeat, good natured baseball fun. The allegations are shocking and a huge contrast to his programming. Don't know how all this shakes out.
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