The Roller Coaster 2020 World Series
By: Michael Sunderland
Tags: Sports, Dodgers, Baseball, World Series, MLB

I really enjoyed the 2020 baseball season. Maybe because it was only a 60-game regular season, and every game felt consequential. Maybe it was because of the long layoff of professional sports and the desire to return to some normalcy. The 2020 MLB playoffs was filled with drama and controversy and concluded with the Dodgers defeating the Rays for their 1st World Series since Kirk Gibson. Let’s take a look back at some of the memorable moments of the World Series.

Justin Turner COVID Controversy and On-Field Celebration

The World Series had just ended. The Dodgers had won, and the MLB had successfully finished a season that was in doubt many times. Moments later, Fox cut to the breaking news that Turner received a positive COVID test mid-game, casting an immediate shadow over the World Series victory. Most of the players were now wearing masks during the on-field celebration, and many questions were raised about how Turner got this result so late into the game. Was there some MLB conspiracy going on?

It got more bizarre. Turner was seen on the field mask-less in close proximity to his coaches, teammates, and their families after the game despite being told to stay isolated.

An investigation by the MLB is forthcoming. To me, this really overshadows the conclusion of the season. It shows that many of the players didn’t really take the precautions against COVID that seriously. Yes, it was a World Series win and celebration, but it was definitely not a good look or good example for the public.

Kevin Cash’s Blake Snell Decision

This will go down as one of the worst managerial decisions in baseball history. Blake Snell was absolutely dealing with 9 Ks and 2 hits into the 6th inning and had given up a soft base hit to Austin Barnes before the lineup was turned over to Mookie Betts and the top of the order. Kevin Cash decided to take Snell out, causing outrage and despair not only from Snell but from most of the people watching the game.

Yes, Snell and most pitchers are much worse in their 3rd time through the order. But I think you have to keep riding him until he got into some real danger. At some point, you need to let go of the numbers and ride the hot hand. If Snell gives up a run there, take him out, but he still had the shutout going. Most of the Dodgers subsequently expressed their relief at seeing Snell go:

Cash brought in Nick Anderson, who had a dominant regular season and a great season last year too with an insane K rate, but who seemed to be running on fumes recently. The Rays had their stable of relievers, but it had been taxed. The Dodgers immediately took a lead they would not relinquish, and the momentum had clearly shifted.

The backlash against analytics will inevitably become louder after this game. There’s a good chance the Rays would have still lost this game if Snell was kept in, but it was not a good look for Cash. However, it’s also interesting to point out that the Dodgers won a World Series-clinching game with a bullpen game, something that most baseball traditionalists would not endorse.

Game 4 Brett Phillips Mayhem

Despite the Rays losing the World Series, we still have the pure joy and wildness of Game 4, one of the most exciting games in World Series history. A tight game going back and forth, back and forth, culminating in little-used Brett Phillips becoming the hero after a bizarre play of a booted outfield ball by Chris Taylor, the catcher Will Smith dropping the ball, and Kenley Jansen watching helpless from the mound.

The Legend of Randy Arozarena

Look at the contrast of the Rays and Dodgers, particularly on offense. They matched up pretty equally on the mound, but the Dodgers are loaded with big name hitters: Betts. Bellinger. Seager. Turner. Muncy. Even role players like Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez would be some of the bigger names on the Rays’ team.

The Rays had a lineup of players that few casual fans had even heard of. Austin Meadows had a great season last year but struggled this year. Kevin Kiermaier is a great glove in center. Ji-Man Choi amazed with his flexibility and agility:

Yet, the Rays on paper didn’t have any big name players to rival the Dodgers’ stacked lineup.

Enter Randy Arozarena.

10 postseason homers, a new record. The new postseason record in hits too. He has become a legend, and he will still have rookie status for next season.

The Kershaw Narrative

This one faded more to the background, as many people wanted to see Kershaw still struggle in the postseason. Kershaw put that to rest with a solid overall postseason and World Series. He may be eclipsed by Walker Buehler as the clear ace, but Kershaw has his ring, silenced the doubters, and is on his way to the Hall of Fame.

Rob Manfred?

Manfred, the guy who called the World Series trophy a piece of metal when referring to the Astros’ cheating ways, was booed pretty audibly yesterday even though the crowd was obviously not at full capacity. Let’s just say his speaking in the postgame ceremonies seemed…odd.

The Rays’ Shortstop

Willy Adames seemed like he was featured hundreds of times in the dugout cheering on his teammates, yet he struggled really badly at the plate, including watching the final strike go by to end the game. I just wanted to point out to get ready…for Wander Franco, top overall prospect in the game. Expect to see Franco debut sometime in 2021.

MVP

Corey Seager got the World Series MVP following up on his LCS MVP as well. I can’t argue with the numbers, but I would have gone with Mookie Betts for his game-changing contributions at the plate, in the field, and on the base paths. Betts took this super-talented Dodgers’ team and took it over the hump with his dynamic play.

The Betts vs Trout overall top player debate will inevitably increase in the coming months. I would still take Trout, but Betts was awesome this postseason and made the Red Sox nation feel pretty bad.