Remembering the 2016 Dodgers On and Off the Field

Looking Back on the 2016 Dodgers

A New Field General

Dave Roberts took the helm after Don Mattingly and the Dodgers agreed to part ways. Roberts had been the bench coach for the San Diego Padres under Bud Black. It was reported that the Los Angeles brass had someone else in mind. However, Roberts blew them away during the interview process and made himself the front-runner. Most were underwhelmed by the hire, but the new head man proved popular with his players. The lingering question would be, was Roberts the man to get the Dodgers their first championship since 1988?

A Bumpy Start

The Dodgers beat the Padres on Opening Day. However, the month of April produced a losing record. May and June were winning months, but it wasn’t until August that the Dodgers would catch their natural rival San Francisco Giants in the standings. Los Angeles ended the season with a 91-71 record. Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw led the way on the mound while Justin Turner, a former non-roster invitee to spring training, fueled the Dodgers’ offense at the plate. They clinched the National League Division when they won their final regular-season home game against the Colorado Rockies.

Postseason Progress?

The Dodgers had been bounced out of the postseason in the Division Series the previous two years. 2016 would see them meet a challenging opponent in the Washington Nationals, and they opened the postseason on the road. Los Angeles and Washington would split two games in D.C. and then split two games at Dodger Stadium. It would all come down to a pivotal Game Five. It was a pitcher’s duel for most of the contest, and the Dodgers clung to a slim lead. Roberts called on Clayton Kershaw to get the final two outs of the ninth inning. Kershaw did, and the Dodgers moved on to play for the pennant.

Disappointed Again

The Dodgers faced the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series. Despite taking a 2-1 lead in the series, the Cubs, thanks to their pitching depth, beat Los Angeles in six games, and eventually became World Champions, breaking their 108-year curse.

The End of an Era

“Hi everybody, and a very pleasant evening to you, wherever you may be.” Vin Scully may not have been on the diamond, but no one else shaped the modern history of Dodgers baseball simply with the sound of his voice. Scully could call a game better than anyone in the business. He knew when to weave a story into the play-by-play, and he knew when to be quiet and let the crowd speak for itself. He was a study of endurance and excellence. 2016 was the last year in the broadcast booth of a 67-year run, a feat that will likely never be matched.

The Dodgers didn’t win the ultimate prize in 2016, but the seeds of sustained success were planted, the fruits of which they enjoy to this day.