LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the World Series and looking to make history.
Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and the rest of the Boys in Blue are facing the Blue Jays in the Fall Classic, with Toronto having home-field advantage in the series.
Los Angeles can become the first team since the New York Yankees 25 years ago to win consecutive championships.
As fans get ready for Game 1 Friday, here are some fun facts about this Dodgers team you may not know.
World Series history
L.A. is back in the World Series for the fifth time since 2017 and is looking to win its third title in six years. The Dodgers have won eight championships, including one when the team was in Brooklyn.
Kiké Hernández
Utility player Kiké Hernández can become the Dodgers’ all-time leader in postseason games played in this World Series. Hernández has played in 85 Dodgers playoff games, one shy of Justin Turner’s record of 86. Having played in all games in this postseason run, Hernández can surpass Tuner’s mark as early as Game 2 of the World Series.
Freddie Freeman
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has dual American-Canadian citizenship. His parents were born in Canada, and Freeman played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic in 2017 and 2023.
Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani has another chance at history. The two-way star is the front-runner to win the regular-season National League MVP and was already named NLCS MVP. Only six players have won a regular-season MVP and then another MVP award in the playoffs (LCS or World Series MVP) in the same year. Pirates Hall of Famer Willie Stargell is the only player to win NL MVP, NLCS MVP and World Series MVP in one season – something that’s still possible for Ohtani.
During his free agency, it was widely reported that the Blue Jays were finalists to land Ohtani but he chose to sign with the Dodgers. The Blue Jays were also a finalist in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes this past offseason before he eventually signed with the Dodgers.
Dave Roberts
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts became the second Black manager to win the World Series and the first ever of Asian descent after the Dodgers won in 2020.
Will Smith
If the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays, it’ll be the sixth straight year a player named Will Smith has won the World Series. Dodgers catcher Will Smith won in 2020 and 2024, and pitcher Will Smith won a World Series title each year from 2021-2023 with three different teams.
Payroll
The Dodgers’ total payroll allocations of $350 million ranks first in all of baseball and its active roster payroll is about $268 million, according to Spotrac. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays rank fifth in total payroll allocation ($255 million) and seventh for their active roster ($160.4 million.)
Attendance
The Dodgers this regular season drew more than 4 million fans to Dodger Stadium, the highest attendance in franchise history and the most of any team this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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