The 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers ended a 32-year championship drought, defeating the Rays 4-2 in baseball’s pandemic-shortened season and neutral-site playoffs.
Breaking the Curse
After years of playoff heartbreak (2017 World Series loss to Astros, 2018 loss to Red Sox), the Dodgers finally broke through. Corey Seager won World Series MVP (.400 BA, 2 HRs), while Clayton Kershaw exorcised his playoff demons with dominant performances.
Mookie Betts (acquired from Boston) delivered in his first Dodgers season. Manager Dave Roberts, criticized for past playoff decisions, was vindicated.
Pandemic Asterisk Debate
The 60-game regular season and bubble playoffs sparked debates about legitimacy — critics called it an “asterisk title,” while defenders noted the intensified pressure of postseason-or-bust from Day 1. The Dodgers’ talent was undeniable: MVP-caliber players Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, and Kershaw.
Sources: Dodgers.com History