PRIYA COOPER / SPORTS EDITOR

The Los Angeles Dodgers did the impossible, coming back from a major deficit to turn around and win the world series. The Dodgers beat the New  York  Yankees 7-6  at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 30. 

In   this    7-6  victory,  the  Dodgers ushered in their celebration the  hard way,  becoming  the  first  team in a World Series-clinching  win  to come back from being down  five or more runs. They also became the first team in MLB postseason history to do so.

Following an exhilarating game and victory, Dodgers right fielder and shortstop, Mookie Betts, captured the spirit of the team in a post-game interview broadcasted on the MLB website.

“We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in this clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love. It was grit. It was just  a  beautiful  thing.  I’m just proud of us, and I’m just happy for us.”

In contrast, Yankees players are  feeling  the   consequences of the loss. Yankees’ right fielder, Aaron Judge, helped give the Yankees an early lead, but a bad play  in   the  field  in  the  fifth   inning also helped  the Dodgers get back in the game. Judge dropped an easy catch which ended up being disastrous for the Yankees and led to them losing their 5-0 lead entirely.  Judge expressed his disappointment  to the media which was  reposted by Sports Illustrated. 

Dodgers celebrate their first World Series win since 2020 with family and friends at home stadium. Photo courtesy of @dodgers/Instagram

“I think falling short in the World  Series  will stick with me until I die, probably,” Judge said. 

Most of California is celebrating the World Series title, as the Yankees are notorious   for being   one of the most hated teams in the league. However, most USD  students  and San Diego Padres fans are still bitter  about the Padres elimination  from the playoffs at the  Dodgers  hands.  The  loss  took  place only a few weeks  ago and  is still  fresh in many fans’ minds. USD junior Quentin Bardin, who is  from  the  San Diego area  and  is a diehard Padres fan, expressed his distaste for the Dodgers  winning  the World Series. 

“If  I had a million dollars I would win the World Series too,” Bardin said. “The Dodgers aren’t even that impressive. It’s all about the money rather than skill these days.” 

The 2024 World Series certainly wasn’t without any drama. An incident involving two Yankees fans in game four continues to dominate most sports conversations, even after the season has concluded. 

During game   four of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, Los Angeles led the best-of-seven series, 3-0. In the bottom of the first inning, Betts ran to the right field line and corner wall to catch a foul ball from Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres. Betts jumped with his glove, reaching above  the  outfield’s wall, and as he appeared  to catch  the ball, a fan in  the  front  row  grabbed  onto his glove. The fan then attempted  to  pry  open Bett’s glove with both hands and managed to knock the ball  back  onto  the  field  to  disrupt the play.  Another fan, seated next to the original Yankees fan, grabbed onto Betts’ other hand to keep him from fighting back. The umpire ended up ruling fan interference, and the interaction did a fair job of summing up the intensity of  the rivalry throughout the series, as well as fans  emotions  around  the  games.  

Even USD students from Los Angeles  have   varied  loyalties.  USD junior Sean Hudson, though being from LA, grew up a Yankees fan and  had some input on the last few games as things got more intense. 

Dodgers fans come out for the World Series parade. Photo courtesy of @dodgers/Instagram

“The two Yankees players that grabbed the ball out [of] Mookie Betts hands were valid,” Hudson said. “It was definitely an interference of play  but as a Yankees fan it felt okay.” 

On the other hand USD junior and Dodgers fan Isabella Sabbarese was more than pleased with the outcome of this year’s World Series. 

“I  was  scared  to  wear  my  jersey on campus after the win, but I have supported the Dodgers my whole life and couldn’t be more happy with the result,” Sabbarese said. 

This Dodgers’ victory is a historic milestone for California and the City of Los Angeles, and will be celebrated by their fans for years to come despite the controversy. Padres and Yankees fans   alike might feel  a bit differently about the triumph that has   crowned  the 2024  MLB season.  The MLB regular season will start up again in late March or early April. 

LA Dodgers presented with the World Series trophy. Photo courtesy of @dodgers/Instagram