Don't Hate the Player

This year... Halloween was extra special, because it's the first time in as long as I can remember that I had the chance to sit down and watch a World Series game from start to finish.  I'm limited to a handful of streaming services and Fox isn't one of them.  However I helped pass out candy at my homegirl's house and she had the game on.  What an awesome game!

I figured Yamamoto and the Dodgers would win Game 6, but had no idea it would be that exciting.  I also predicted that the Blue Jays would win Game 7.  Oops.  Guess it's a good thing I'm not a betting man.  In fact, I had a Blue Jays celebration post in the works.  Unfortunately it'll be scraped and substituted with this post which will highlight my favorite Los Angeles Dodgers.

The key difference is I was going to list my all-time favorite Blue Jays.  However the Dodgers have so many current players I actually enjoy following and collecting, I decided to focus only on them.

Let's start with an honorable mention...

Honorable Mention:  Freddie Freeman

2023 Topps 1988 Topps #T88-59

I've been a fan of Freeman since he was with the Atlanta Braves.  He hits for average and has a likable personality, just like the guy in the #5 spot...

#5:  Mookie Betts

2021 Finest Flashbacks #119

Mookie sort of struggled at the plate against the Blue Jays, but that single on Friday in the top of the third drove in two runs and helped them win that game.  Honestly... as much as I dislike the Dodgers... the beauty of that team is that lineup is so deep and almost everyone contributed at one point or another.

#4:  Roki Sasaki

2024 Topps Now Off-Season #OS-13

Man... I was so bummed that Sasaki didn't sign with the Padres.  But from his point of view, I totally understand.  Less than a year after joining the Dodgers, he's a World Series Champion.  That's pretty cool.  A big piece of the credit has to go to this guy...

#3:  Yoshinobu Yamamoto

2025 Topps #231

This guy was so fun to follow in the series.  I was so torn, because I wanted the Blue Jays to score enough runs to win the game... but not necessarily off of Yamamoto.  The exception was when he relieved Snell in the bottom of the 9th in Game 7.  I was really hoping Kirk would single off of him, end the game, and give Snell the loss.

#2:  Clayton Kershaw

2023 Topps Chrome Titans #CT-1

Kershaw has been one of my favorite pitchers since the early 2010's.  Like Freeman and Betts, he seems like a good guy.  But I really started rooting for him, because he was such a dominating lefty.  I'm glad he stayed with the Dodgers his entire career.  Can't wait until he receives the call from Cooperstown in a few years.

#1:  Shohei Ohtani

2024 Topps Update 1989 Topps #89US-12

This guy is the most exciting baseball player in my lifetime... and that's saying a lot, because I've had the pleasure of watching guys like Rickey, Griffey, and Barry.  And it's not just that he's the greatest player in the game, it's also how he plays the game.  This guy is the classiest of the classy.

I might not be happy that the Dodgers won the World Series again... but I am happy for these six guys.  Congratulations to them, the rest of the Dodgers organization, and their fans... especially the ones in our card blogging community.

Speaking of Dodger bloggers, Greg over at Night Owl Cards sent me a care package a few weeks ago and targeted my two favorite teams:

I haven't been this excited about A's baseball in years, but their young core is super talented and fun to watch.  It's a shame that the owner sucks and has no interest in building a winning team like the Dodgers.

Luckily my other favorite team does:

The Padres had a great season and I was happy to see them make the playoffs again.  However it'll be interesting to see if Cease, Suarez, and/or Arraez are with them next season.  If none of them return, that's a lot of talent exiting the roster.  Whatever happens, I hope ownership continues to try to build a team that can compete with Ohtani and company.

If not, well at least Padres fans will always have this guy:

2000 Pacific Private Stock PS-2000 #48

Thank you Greg for the care package... and congratulations!

Happy Monday and sayonara!