The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering the 2024 postseason aiming to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series titles, a feat that underscores their sustained dominance in baseball. After a 100-win regular season and securing the division crown, the Dodgers face the Atlanta Braves in a best-of-five division series starting Saturday, continuing a run shaped by a core group that has fueled this era of success.
This core includes Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Miguel Rojas, Will Smith, Max Muncy, and Kiké Hernández—players whose building of a clubhouse culture and work ethic has been described as critical to the Dodgers’ achievements. Several of these veterans are now in their mid-30s, making this potential three-peat both a milestone and a possible last chapter for some. Betts, Freeman, and teammates acknowledge the window for this group is narrowing as age and physical demands take their toll. Rojas, at 37, is considering retirement, and Hernández is on an expiring contract.
Despite their age, these players continue to contribute meaningfully. Yet their 2024 numbers reflect some decline from previous seasons, with Freeman posting a lower slugging percentage than usual, Betts recording his lowest wins above replacement since his rookie year, and Hernández missing significant time due to injury. Star acquisition Shohei Ohtani has also faced setbacks, including injuries that limited his two-way performance and led to his first stint on the injured list since joining the Dodgers.
Off the field, uncertainties loom with the collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and its players set to expire in December. A work stoppage appears likely, casting a shadow over the months ahead. Additionally, a federal investigation into Dodgers owner Mark Walter has introduced further complications, raising questions about the franchise’s future operations.
The Dodgers’ substantial payroll—estimated at $432 million—has made the team a focal point in ongoing debates about imposing a salary cap in MLB. The players reject the notion that their success is solely a product of spending, highlighting instead the organization’s culture, scouting, development, and internal standards as key contributors. Muncy described the Dodgers’ approach as more than financial muscle, emphasizing the "right systems" and "work ethic" as foundations of their achievements.
As the off-field labor negotiations unfold, the Dodgers’ veterans maintain focus on the immediate goal: securing another championship. Hernández voiced a willingness to accept uncertainty around contract negotiations if it results in another title. Freeman echoed this outlook, stressing the desire to extend the championship window as long as possible while acknowledging that some teammates’ careers may soon conclude.
This October marks another significant moment for the Dodgers, whose consistent postseason presence now equals a record 14 straight appearances. The core players reflect on the deep bonds forged over years together on the field, viewing their pursuit as more than individual success but as a collective legacy. "It’s a brotherhood. It’s a family," Muncy said, underscoring the players’ shared commitment to sustaining the franchise’s winning tradition beyond their own tenures.
As the Dodgers embark on this campaign, their focus remains clear: to overcome the challenges posed by time, health, and external pressures in pursuit of extending one of baseball’s most remarkable dynasties.