A Triumph Forged in Pain
Four months after the Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series, the most poignant memories for many players and staff are not the triumphs but the battles. The Dodgers’ championship run was marked by relentless adversity, with injuries and physical limitations plaguing the team from the regular season through the Fall Classic. Despite the setbacks, the team’s resilience and determination have become sources of immense pride. "We all wanted to win," third baseman Max Muncy said. "But we were all going through something."
The Battle Within
Injuries were a recurring theme throughout the 2024 season. The pitching staff was never fully healthy, and the grueling regular season, which began in South Korea and ended with a tense division race, left the lineup constantly on the verge of collapse. By the time the playoffs rolled around, several key players were far from 100%. Freddie Freeman’s well-documented struggles with a severely sprained ankle and broken rib cartilage, and Shohei Ohtani’s torn labrum, were just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, players like Muncy, Will Smith, Gavin Lux, and Michael Kopech were all fighting their own battles.
The Relief Corps’ Sacrifice
Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech, who made 10 playoff appearances, was dealing with forearm inflammation that left him operating at about 60% capacity. "I was still able to throw 100 mph, but it was a lot more effort," Kopech said. "I was determined to figure it out." Similarly, Alex Vesia, another high-leverage reliever, suffered an intercostal muscle injury during the National League Division Series. Despite the severity of the injury, Vesia underwent extensive treatment and returned for the World Series, recording a save in Game 2. "We had a small window, but we made a plan, we stuck to it, and it worked out," Vesia said.
Lineup Struggles and Perseverance
The Dodgers’ lineup was equally battered. Gavin Lux, the team’s primary second baseman, was plagued by a hip flexor injury but still started in 11 playoff games and delivered a crucial sacrifice fly in the World Series. Shortstop Miguel Rojas played with a tear in his adductor muscle and underwent surgery in the offseason. Will Smith, who started all 16 postseason games behind the plate, battled an undisclosed bone bruise on his ankle since June. Third baseman Max Muncy, who missed three months with a severe oblique strain and displaced rib, continued to face issues throughout the postseason. "You obviously trash your body," Muncy said. "But we were all doing that."
The Final Hurdle
The Dodgers’ final challenge came during the World Series. In Game 2, Shohei Ohtani injured his shoulder sliding into second base, tearing his left labrum. Despite the severity of the injury, Ohtani’s determination was nothing short of miraculous. "When you pop your shoulder out like he did, you usually can’t raise your arm above your head," Freddie Freeman said. "And I watched him walk in on workout day in New York and raise his arm completely over his head." Ohtani’s resilience not only inspired his teammates but also added an extra layer of meaning to the Dodgers’ championship victory.
A Legacy of Resilience
Looking back, the Dodgers’ World Series triumph is even more rewarding because of the physical and emotional toll it took. The team’s ability to push through injuries and setbacks forged everlasting bonds between the players. "You’ve gone through the wears and tears of a full season already, you’re feeling it, and then you have another month where you’re competing to win while you’re banged up," Kopech said. "Everything is a risk versus reward. But the higher the risk, usually the higher the reward." The Dodgers’ 2024 season is a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance.
