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After a Major League Baseball season unlike any other, the Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in Game 6 to win the best-of-seven series four games to two.
Los Angeles has waited 32 years for this moment – and it came during a pandemic, in front of a limited crowd of predominantly Dodgers fans at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. It also comes just over two weeks after the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship for the first time in 10 years.
It was a World Series matchup that provided a thrilling finish to the MLB season. In a way, that’s remarkable, as seven months ago, it was tough to believe that a season would even be possible because of the pandemic.
And on Tuesday night, MLB couldn’t escape coronavirus fears. Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was removed from Game 6 before it ended because he received a positive Covid-19 test. The on-field celebration took place with the Dodgers wearing masks.
“It’s a bittersweet night for us,” MLB commissioner Manfred said in an on-field interview on FOX Sports. “We’re glad to be done. I think it’s a great accomplishment for our players to get the season completed, but obviously we’re concerned when any of our players test positive. We learned during the game that Justin was a positive. He was immediately isolated to prevent spread.”
On Twitter, Turner thanked those who reached out to him.
“I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA,” Turner wrote.
Turner, however, would return to the field to celebrate with his teammates.
While it was the Dodgers’ third World Series appearance in the last four years, they had not won it all since 1988 – a full decade before the Rays’ inaugural season. This was Tampa’s second World Series appearance, the other coming in 2008.
“I had a crazy feeling that came to fruition,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s just a special group of players, organization, just all that we’ve kind of overcome, I just knew that we weren’t going to be denied this year.”
Snell’s outing not enough for Rays; Seager wins World Series MVP
Courtesy of a Randy Arozarena first inning home run, the Rays had a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, and their starter, Blake Snell, was pitching a gem. He went 5 1/3 innings, striking out nine, but Snell – after 73 pitches – was pulled by manager Kevin Cash after giving up a hit to Austin Barnes.
It’s a decision that will likely be discussed by fans during the offseason, if not longer.
Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to win the baseball World Series in Game 6 on Tuesday, October 27, in Arlington, Texas.
David J. Phillip/AP
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates after a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning of Game 6.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Rays look on from the dugout during the ninth inning.
Rob Carr/Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts celebrates after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Family members of the Los Angeles Dodgers walk on the field to celebrate with the team.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates with the trophy. He had to be pulled in the middle of Game 6 after testing positive for Covid-19. He returned to the field for the postgame celebrations.
Eric Gay/AP
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw holds up the trophy after the team's win.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning.
David J. Phillip/AP
Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the dugout. Seager was named World Series MVP.
Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the sixth inning.
David J. Phillip/AP
Rays' Mike Zunino chases a wild pitch by Nick Anderson in the sixth inning.
Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Victor Gonzalez of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after striking out the side against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers fans pose for a photo prior to Game 6.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi tags out Los Angeles Dodgers' Austin Barnes during the third inning.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers react to a Max Muncy solo home run in the fifth inning during Game 5 of the World Series at Globe Life Field on Sunday, October 25, in Arlington, Texas.
Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen exults after striking out Willy Adames of the Rays to secure the 4-2 victory in Game 5.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes tags out Rays left fielder Manuel Margot trying to steal home during the fourth inning.
Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Chris Taylor of the Dodgers successfully tags out the Rays' Randy Arozarena as he attempted to steal second base during the third inning.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Rays catcher Mike Zunino is unable to field a wild pitch with Justin Turner of the Dodgers at the plate during the first inning.
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Dodgers pitching ace Clayton Kershaw was the starting pitcher against the Rays in Game 5 and earned his second win of the Series.
Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Rays' Brett Phillips celebrates after hitting a two-run walk-off single to beat the Dodgers 8-7 in Game 4 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, October 24.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The Rays' Randy Arozarena slides into home plate during the ninth inning to score the winning run in Game 4.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The Dodgers' Justin Turner slides into second base with a double in the seventh inning during Game 4.
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The Dodgers' Max Muncy is tagged out at second base by the Rays' Willy Adames during the fifth inning.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The Rays' Randy Arozarena hits a home run against the the Dodgers during the fourth inning.
David J. Phillip/AP
The Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez is forced out at first by the Rays' first baseman Yandy Diaz during the third inning.
Eric Gay/AP
The Dodgers' Corey Seager slides into home plate safely with a run against the Rays during the fifth inning.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The Dodgers beat the Rays 6-2 in Game 3 on Friday, October 23, taking a 2-1 series lead. Here, Rays' first baseman Ji-Man Choi tags out Mookie Betts at first base during the eighth inning.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
The Dodgers' Mookie Betts steals second base against Willy Adames during the sixth inning of Game 3.
Rob Carr/Getty Images
Willy Adames hits a RBI-double against the Dodgers during the fifth inning.
David J. Phillip/AP
The Dodgers' Austin Barnes lays down a RBI bunt during Game 3's fourth inning.
David J. Phillip/AP
The Dodgers' Corey Seager runs the bases during the third inning.
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Joc Pederson catches a fly ball in the second inning of Game 3.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The Dodgers' Justin Turner celebrates his home run during Game 3's first inning.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
The Rays' Choi stretches to make the putout against Mookie Betts during Game 3's first inning.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Fans watch batting practice before Game 3.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Joey Wendle drives in two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 2 in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, October 21. The Rays tied up the series after beating the Dodgers 6-4.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws a pitch during the first inning of Game 2.
David J. Phillip/AP
Rays outfielders Kevin Kiermaier, left, and Manuel Margot fail to catch a fly ball hit by Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts leads off of first base in the fifth inning.
Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner and former NBA player Magic Johnson watches Game 2.
Tim Heitman/USA Today Sports
Brandon Lowe and Willy Adames celebrate after Lowe's two-run home run in the fifth inning of Game 2. Lowe hit two home runs in the game.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger celebrates his two-run home run in the fourth inning of Game 1 on Tuesday, October 20. The Dodgers defeated the Rays 8-3 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Eric Gay/AP
Cody Bellinger robs a home run in the ninth inning
Cooper Neill/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts slides safely into home around the glove of Rays catcher Mike Zunino in the fifth inning.
David J. Phillip/AP
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier hits a home run in the fifth inning of Game 1.
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Mike Kim and Jacob Zelaya cheer from their car while watching the game outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Major League Baseball decided to play all World Series games at a neutral site in Arlington, Texas.
Ashley Landis/AP
A ground ball hops over the outstretched glove of Rays shortstop Willy Adames.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts celebrate after Bellinger's fourth inning home run.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers the first pitch of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports
Fans attend Game 1 of the World Series. The MLB sold a limited number of tickets for the series.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena stands in the on deck circle during Game 1.
Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Tyler Glasnow of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during Game 1. Glasnow gave up six runs in the series opener.
Cooper Neill/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Fans attempt to catch a foul ball.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Jets fly over Globe Life Field in Arlington before the start of Game 1.
Eric Gay/AP
The umpire crew, all wearing masks due to coronavirus protocols, stands at home plate before Game 1.
Eric Gay/AP
Nurse Jamie Edens, left, throws the ceremonial first pitch to her husband and fellow nurse Ryan Edens before Game 1. The couple was joined nurse Brittney Burns and nurse practitioner Erika Combs.
Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988
From there, the Dodgers capitalized. With Nick Anderson pitching for Tampa, Mookie Betts doubled, advancing Barnes to third. An Anderson wild pitch brought Barnes home, as Betts moved to third. One play later, Betts slid home safe, scoring the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice hit by Corey Seager. Seager would go on to win World Series MVP honors.
Betts’ solo home run in the bottom of the eighth gave the Dodgers an insurance run.
The Dodgers and Rays had the two best records in the 2020 season, but they used different philosophies to get to this point. Los Angeles has one of the highest payrolls in baseball, at $107.9 million, while Tampa has one of the lowest, at $28.3 million.
Pandemic alters 2020 season
The coronavirus pandemic put the brakes on MLB during spring training in March. The regular season start got pushed back, and it took time for team owners and the players to come to terms on what it would look like.
The 2020 regular season took place without fans, and it was shortened to 60 games instead of the usual 162. There was no bubble, like in other sports such as the NBA, WNBA and NHL. Teams traveled and used their own home stadiums, with the exception of Canada’s Toronto Blue Jays, who had to move to Buffalo, New York, in order to play this season.
There were other departures from the normal MLB rules during the regular season. The National League implemented the use of the designated hitter for the first time in history. If a game required extra innings, each half inning began with a runner on second base. Also added were seven-inning doubleheader games – which were utilized in major part because of Covid-19 outbreaks on the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.
This postseason had more teams (16) than in years past, and the division series, league championship series and World Series games were played at neutral sites. The only games with fans were at Globe Life Field – the host of the National League Championship Series and World Series – with a maximum amount of 11,500 tickets available for each game.
An unorthodox season culminated with the Dodgers – in their eighth consecutive year in the playoffs – finally finishing what they started, with the best baseball team of 2020 winning the 116th World Series.
“I’ve been saying World Series champs in my head over and over again just to see if it will sink in,” said longtime Dodgers ace and surefire future hall of famer Clayton Kershaw. “I can’t put it into words yet. I’m just so very thankful to be a part of this group of guys.”