The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a hot start in the National League Championship Series, holding a commanding 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.
With back-to-back wins under their belt and the ultimate goal of securing another World Series title, optimism is high in Los Angeles. However, team part-owner and NBA legend Magic Johnson is reminding fans that the journey is far from over.
After Game 2, Johnson took to X to deliver a grounded message. “Dodger Nation, we haven’t accomplished anything yet in this Series vs. the Brewers.
We have to continue to stay focused, mentally and physically, and play good baseball!” he wrote.
It’s a clear call for focus, a quality Johnson knows well from his championship years with the Lakers. His legacy is rooted in discipline and patience, not premature celebration. That’s the kind of championship mindset he hopes to see echoed in this Dodgers team.
So far, the team has looked sharp. Game 1 featured a strong pitching performance from Blake Snell, who guided the Dodgers to a 2-1 win. Game 2 saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominate on the mound, leading the team to a 5-1 victory.
With the series now shifting back to Los Angeles, Game 3 on Thursday will be a chance for the Dodgers to tighten their grip on the series.
But the message from within the clubhouse is consistent. Outfielder Kiké Hernandez echoed Johnson‘s sentiment, emphasizing that no one should be celebrating yet.
The Dodgers have not won anything – not the series, and certainly not the championship. Potential matchups against the Blue Jays or Mariners loom in the World Series, making it essential for the Dodgers to stay locked in.
History offers a cautionary tale
Baseball fans don’t have to look far for an example of what can go wrong when confidence turns into complacency. The 2004 New York Yankees serve as a cautionary tale.
That team featured some of baseball’s biggest stars, including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera. After taking a 3-0 lead over the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, they looked destined for the World Series – especially after a 19-8 Game 3 blowout.
But the Red Sox famously stormed back, starting with a dramatic Game 4 comeback that featured Dave Roberts stealing second, Bill Mueller tying the game, and David Ortiz walking it off.
The Yankees lost the next three games and the series, completing one of the most shocking collapses in sports history.
Johnson‘s warning is well-timed. The Dodgers have the roster, the momentum, and the experience. But nothing is promised in October. The focus now is on finishing the job, one game at a time.
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