Edman lead Dodgers to World Series

Dennis J. Freeman
4 min readOct 21, 2024

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Edman lead Dodgers to World Series

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed to the World Series and will face the New York Yankees in a dream matchup of MLB giants.

The biggest stars and maybe the two best baseball players in the world were fantastic in the NLCS. Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts batted well over .300 and combined to produce 4 home runs, 15 RBIs, 15 runs, and 14 walks in the series.

Facing Betts and Ohtani back-to-back in the lineup is already not fair for opposing pitchers, but neither was even the best Dodger at the plate. Tommy Edman took home the hardware, tying Corey Seagers’ record for RBIs (11) by a Dodgers player in the NLCS on his way to claiming the series MVP.

Edman doubled and homered in his first two plate appearances in the 10–5 Game 6 win. He has set the tone all postseason long and has come through every time he is called upon.

Unstoppable.

Tommy Edman is your NLCS MVP! pic.twitter.com/rUy2oaC2Be

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2024

“A huge part of that is a testament to the guys on the team. We had really good at-bats throughout the series. Our whole lineup was really good. Any number of guys could have won MVP,” said Edman. “I kept getting up with guys on base and had a lot of opportunities to drive runs in.”

The New York Mets’ game plan was to work around the two former MVPs at the top of the lineup when possible, but this strategy ended up being a double-edged sword. When they attacked Betts and Ohtani, they delivered, and when they walked them, Edman knocked them in.

The Dodgers traded for Edman at the deadline, and his addition to the team has become one of the best acquisitions in the league this year. No one could have imagined he would outperform the superstars, especially in a series where Betts and Ohtani exceeded expectations.

“Tommy, I think, clearly is the MVP. He does things, not just this postseason but during the regular season, contributing in places where it doesn’t really reflect on the stat line,” said Ohtani. “I think the common theme has been a lot of different guys have been stepping up over the course of the season.”

This team has been through a lot this year. Most organizations would crumble if they lost the number of starting pitchers due to injuries that the Dodgers have, but they did not make any excuses and stuck to the course. The togetherness of the group might be the most important aspect of their run to claim the National League pennant.

LOS ANGELES, CA — OCTOBER 13: Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a one RBI single in the fourth inning during Game 1 of the NLCS presented by loanDepot between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

“Something that stood out for us in 2020 when we were able to win it all was the unity that we had,” said Kike Hernandez. “If we were a family going into Spring Training, we left the World Series as almost blood brothers. I think part of the chemistry that we have in this locker room was what allowed us to come back from a 2–1 deficit against the Padres in the NLDS.”

“We want it as individuals, but we also want it for each other. And when you’re part of a team and part of a series like this one, where it’s going to take every individual in that locker room to be able to not only win today but to win a series, it’s enormous. And I think the chemistry and the unity in that locker room is as good as any team I’ve ever been a part of,” continued Hernandez.

FOUR MORE. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/SUKFP6khUP

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2024

Not only does a Los Angeles Dodgers versus New York Yankees matchup feature two historic franchises in the biggest markets, but both are certified superteams comprised of many of the best players in the league.

“I think the whole world was looking forward or hoping for this potential matchup, this showdown. It’s going to be great. They’re a very talented team. But I think for us, it’s kind of one game at a time but appreciating the fact that we’ve still got four wins to take care of business,” said Dave Roberts.

Get your popcorn ready. This World Series is what baseball fans have been waiting for.

Top Image Caption: LOS ANGELES, CA — LOS ANGELES, CA — OCTOBER 13: Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to first after hitting a one RBI single in the fourth inning during Game 1 of the NLCS presented by loanDepot between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Dennis J. Freeman
Dennis J. Freeman

Written by Dennis J. Freeman

The storyteller. More than a journalist. I write about sports and social justice. Editor of News4usonline.com and Black Sports United. Howard University alum.

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