As is the case in almost every league in the world, the number one public enemy is the best team or the champion of a season.
In the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs have been the team everyone wants to see lose, while in MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers are starting to become that rival that no one wants to see win.
With great stars on their roster, several of the best in the world, plus a World Series title won in October 2024, the Dodgers have only reinforced an already powerful team with the presence of players such as Ohtani, Betts and Freeman.
In the offseason, the Blue Boys managed to secure the services of great players and extended some contracts of their valuable players.
Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Michael Conforto, Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott, Teoscar Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw, Kike Hernandez and Blake Treinen signed or retained their contracts.
The Dodgers make a lot of money, but that money is well spent as they are one of the franchises that makes the most dollars and they use that to be a better team.
The hatred of the Dodgers fans contrasts with the thinking of the players
MLB fans may hate them, but MLB players have a very different perspective, including one of the biggest figures in all of baseball, such as Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies.
After the Phillies beat the Dodgers 3-2 on Friday night, in what was the Californians’ first loss of the season, the Philadelphia first baseman had a pregame chat on Friday, and was blunt when asked about the money the Dodgers move to get the best players.
I don’t know if people will like this, but I think only losers complain about what they’re doing. I think they’re a great team, they’re a great organization; that’s why guys want to go there to play.
“Los Angeles is a fantastic city to play in, obviously. They’re the mecca of pretty much everything, right? From food to nightlife to sports… from the Dodgers to the Lakers and anybody,” Harper added.
Unlike many of the other teams, the Dodgers are looking to win no matter what and against whoever they face, and that should be rewarded.
The Phillies are the Dodgers’ best competition in the National League
The Phillies’ management and ownership also get it, which is why they have invested to put their team in the best possible position.
Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola… the Phillies have invested as much as anyone. And it’s been worth it.
It is true that the Dodgers are the best team in baseball and the favorites to win the World Series again.
However, the Phillies are clearly the second-best team. And given the way the sport works, they have as good a chance of winning a championship as Los Angeles.
Harper perfectly explains how the Dodgers accumulate talent. It’s not just about spending, it’s about taking advantage of their natural advantages, building a locker room and infrastructure that players want to incorporate and striving where others don’t.
Players get it, and fans should too.
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