A Lot of Sacrifices: During World Series Run, Dodgers Were More Banged Up Than They Let On

The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball, boasting a roster filled with talent, a rich history, and an insatiable hunger for championship glory. Their World Series appearances, particularly in the 2020 season, were filled with drama, excitement, and triumph. However, behind the scenes, the team was dealing with more than just their opponents. Throughout the campaign, key players were nursing injuries that they worked hard to mask, ultimately pushing through to secure the franchise’s first World Series title in 32 years. As it turns out, the Dodgers’ run to the 2020 World Series was not just a triumph of skill, strategy, and teamwork, but also a testament to the perseverance and sacrifices made by the players who played hurt for the greater good of the team.

While the general public and even many fans were caught up in the excitement of the postseason, few knew the full extent of the injuries that the players were battling. Throughout the months of the regular season, the Dodgers leaned heavily on their depth, but the playoffs revealed just how much some of their star players had to push through pain and discomfort to reach the ultimate goal. The narrative of their 2020 World Series win, often celebrated for its stellar pitching and explosive offense, is incomplete without recognizing the toll injuries took on the team and the sacrifices made by individual players.

1. The Context of the 2020 MLB Season

The 2020 MLB season was unlike any other in the history of the sport. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the season was reduced to a mere 60 games, a fraction of the typical 162-game schedule. This compressed timeframe put additional stress on every team, and it was particularly challenging for the Dodgers, who had several players returning from injuries. Moreover, teams had to adapt to new protocols, which meant that rest and recovery strategies had to be adjusted in ways not seen before.

For the Dodgers, a team built on a foundation of both offensive firepower and pitching depth, the season was not only a test of skill but also a mental endurance challenge. Managing injuries while trying to maintain a high level of performance was an unavoidable storyline that many fans were unaware of, at least until the postseason arrived.

2. Key Players Battling Injuries

Cody Bellinger: A Shoulder Battle

Cody Bellinger, the Dodgers’ dynamic outfielder and former National League MVP, had been struggling with an injury to his shoulder for much of the 2020 season. While he was still able to contribute offensively, his performance was often not up to the standard that fans had come to expect from the young star. Bellinger had suffered a shoulder injury while celebrating a home run earlier in the season, and it hampered his swing for much of the year.

Despite this, Bellinger continued to battle through the discomfort, often opting to play through pain instead of sitting out. His resilience paid off in the postseason, when he made a game-winning home run in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Atlanta Braves. The injury, however, continued to bother him, and it was clear that his ability to swing the bat freely was hindered.

Perhaps the most telling moment of his struggles came after his dramatic Game 7 homer, when Bellinger appeared to re-injure his shoulder during his celebratory fist-pump. That moment served as a stark reminder of the physical toll that the season was taking on him. Despite this, Bellinger was able to recover quickly enough to help the team clinch the World Series title, but his injury was a testament to the sacrifices being made behind the scenes.

Justin Turner: A Lingering Hamstring Issue

Third baseman Justin Turner was another key player dealing with a persistent injury. Turner, known for his consistency and leadership on the field, had been struggling with a hamstring issue for much of the season. This injury affected his range at third base and his ability to move with the same agility he was known for. Nonetheless, Turner played through the pain, working diligently with the training staff to ensure that he was in the lineup when it mattered most.

Despite the discomfort, Turner’s leadership remained invaluable to the Dodgers’ playoff run. He was a catalyst for the offense during the World Series, providing clutch hits at key moments. It wasn’t until the final game of the World Series that Turner was forced to leave the game early, after testing positive for COVID-19. However, by that point, Turner had already played through a substantial portion of the postseason while dealing with his hamstring injury, offering an example of how players were sacrificing personal comfort for the greater good of the team.

Max Muncy: A Wounded Hand

Max Muncy, the Dodgers’ versatile first baseman, was another player who found himself dealing with an injury that threatened to derail his postseason performance. Muncy had been playing through pain in his hand and wrist after being hit by a pitch earlier in the season. The injury, which affected his grip and power at the plate, was clearly noticeable during the regular season. Yet, Muncy continued to show up, grinding out at-bats and contributing to the Dodgers’ overall success.

In the postseason, Muncy was a key part of the Dodgers’ offense, even though his usual power was compromised by his injury. His ability to get on base, battle through long at-bats, and contribute in ways other than hitting home runs was vital in the Dodgers’ success. His injury was something that many fans did not see, but it was one of the many sacrifices that the team made in their quest for a championship.

3. Pitching Staff: Injuries to Key Arms

The Dodgers’ pitching staff, one of the most formidable in the league, was also not immune to injury. While the team had the luxury of depth, key pitchers had to push through significant pain to make their appearances in the postseason.

Clayton Kershaw: An Achilles’ Heel

Clayton Kershaw, the face of the franchise and one of the best pitchers in baseball, had his own set of challenges during the postseason. Kershaw, who had been battling a back issue for years, was also dealing with discomfort in his lower back during the playoffs. Despite these issues, he delivered a gutsy performance during the World Series, pitching with a level of determination that was emblematic of his career.

Kershaw had been criticized in the past for his struggles in the postseason, but in 2020, he silenced those critics by delivering two key victories in the World Series. His performance was especially poignant given his history with back problems, which required him to constantly manage pain and discomfort. Kershaw’s willingness to sacrifice personal health for the team’s success helped the Dodgers reach the pinnacle of baseball.

Walker Buehler: Pitching Through Discomfort

Walker Buehler, the Dodgers’ young ace, had also been battling a nagging blister issue on his finger that caused him significant discomfort throughout the postseason. Buehler, known for his electric stuff and poise in big moments, fought through the pain in order to take the mound and help the team win the title. His ability to battle through the blister problem without letting it affect his performance was another example of the sacrifices being made for the team.

4. The Mental and Physical Toll of Playing Hurt

The 2020 postseason was a grind for all players, but the added burden of injury made it even more difficult. From the pressure of competing in a shortened season to the uncertainty of a pandemic-riddled world, the players on the Dodgers had to dig deep into their mental reserves to push through. For many of them, injuries were not just physical but mental obstacles they had to overcome, especially in such high-stakes moments.

The ability to play through injuries while maintaining a high level of performance is what sets great players apart. It requires both physical endurance and an unwavering focus. The mental fortitude of these players cannot be understated. Their ability to compartmentalize pain and remain focused on the ultimate goal of winning a World Series was perhaps the greatest sacrifice of all.

5. A Championship Built on Sacrifice

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship was not simply a product of talent; it was a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and grit. Behind the shining moments of Cody Bellinger’s clutch home run, Justin Turner’s leadership, and Clayton Kershaw’s redemption, there were countless moments of pain, discomfort, and hidden struggles. These players fought through their injuries for the good of the team, knowing that their individual discomforts were secondary to the ultimate goal of winning a championship.

Their sacrifices were not in vain. The Dodgers finally broke their 32-year championship drought, bringing home the coveted trophy and solidifying their place in history. While the victory was celebrated by millions of fans, the true story of the 2020 World Series run lies in the sacrifices made by the players who, despite being more banged up than anyone knew, pushed through and delivered when it mattered most.

In the end, the 2020 Dodgers weren’t just a team of talented players—they were a team of warriors, each of whom made significant sacrifices to achieve the ultimate glory. Their World Series win was not just a testament to their skill, but to the mental and physical toll that the journey to the championship exacted from them. It was a victory that would not have been possible without the countless sacrifices made along the way.