PHOENIX – Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their twelfth National League West Division title in thirteen years, while Clayton Kershaw reflected on his possible last participation in a divisional championship celebration.
The left-handed pitcher expressed his feelings after Thursday’s 8-0 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw, eleven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner, announced his retirement last week after the postseason. He won his first divisional title in 2008, in his rookie year. The celebration was a moment of joy for the team.This is what I’m going to miss. Pitching is great and I love it too, but doing this with a group of guys, all working towards a collective goal, the camaraderie… That’s really special.
Clayton Kershaw
Freddie Freeman, who hit two home runs on Thursday, highlighted the importance of this achievement. Los Angeles, which reached 90 wins for the twelfth consecutive season, will play in a wild card series for the first time since the best-of-three round was added in 2022.Winning the division title can never be taken for granted. We feel like we’re really starting to click.
Freddie Freeman
Dave Roberts has reached the playoffs in his 10 years as Dodgers manager, nine times as division winner. LA won the World Series last season.You only play this game for a limited time, so you only have so many opportunities to do this. I feel great. I really didn’t do anything in the first half of the season, so I got a lot of rest and I’m happy to help.
Mookie Betts
Roberts emphasized that what was achieved before doesn’t matter, but rather the confidence in the team and the pursuit of the championship.This was expected. We did it, maybe a little later than we expected. But I am happy with the way we are playing. I think we are better because of all the adversity and we are playing our best baseball now.
Dave Roberts
