Absolutely not – By Nick Zoll, Contributor
If you’re searching for an example of a title that should have an asterisk, look no further than the 2017 World Series. The Houston Astros deliberately cheated their way to a World Series title(*), and it was proven that they used these immoral tactics throughout the 2017 postseason to obtain the coveted “piece of metal.”
In a season overshadowed by the presence of COVID-19, people are quick to discredit the Dodgers’ 4-2 series win against the Tampa Bay Rays. But why? Considering the absence of home-field advantage, expanded playoffs and a shortened season, an argument can be made that the 2020 title was a more difficult path than previous Fall Classics.
The Dodgers, being the best team in their respective league (finishing the season 43-17), would have benefited from having the majority of their games at Dodger Stadium. Instead, they had to adjust to a new stadium: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. For all of MLB’s teams, the reward for finishing atop the standings was extinguished in 2020.
In addition, this year’s playoffs were expanded which, if anything, made the playoff run more difficult for Los Angeles. An extra two games were added to the schedule, as they were matched up against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round.
Finally, a shortened season turned the 2020 regular season into a sprint instead of the usual marathon. Los Angeles is an elite squad, but more importantly, their depth is among the best in the major leagues. Had they played 162 games in a normal season, the Dodgers would have distanced themselves even further from the San Diego Padres and others because they are more equipped to do so over a longer period of time.
A title should have an asterisk if teams weren’t on an equal playing field in terms of competitiveness. In this case, the Dodgers’ 2020 championship season should not have an asterisk. In fact, it is the exact opposite of an unfair or easy title run.
Sorry, Dodgers, it should – By Mason Klemm, Contributor
This season of Major League Baseball was like no other. For that reason, the championship doesn’t deserve to be remembered like any other.
While the Dodgers did have an impressive season – toting the best record in the league on their way to a seventh World Series title – you can’t judge a season based on only 60 games.
Take, for example, the Washington Nationals. They won the World Series in 2019, but 60 games into that season, they were 27-33. That would’ve left them fourth in the National League East and 13th in the NL, missing the postseason.
As we know, those 60 games did not define their season. A team could’ve made a comeback and won it all this year as well, but with this shortened season, we will never know.
The regular season as a whole was not a good indication of which team was the best this year. Teams only played other teams from their division or the corresponding division in the other league.
Los Angeles only played teams from the NL West and the AL West, arguably the two least competitive divisions in the major leagues. Their record may have been the best, but they didn’t play every team, so it’s not clear how good they really were.
A new MLB rule will also taint the Dodgers’ win: 7-inning doubleheaders. MLB implemented this rule to shorten game times for fans and players who have to go through two games in one day, and it was mostly used as makeup games for teams and their opponents struck by COVID-19 in the clubhouse.
Many, if not all, teams had to play at least one 7-inning doubleheader this season, and some played more than others. For example, the St. Louis Cardinals played 19 doubleheaders this season, and they made the playoffs. The Miami Marlins played in 14 doubleheaders, and they had one of their best seasons in recent memory.
A lot can happen in the last two innings of a game, so some of the wins that got teams into the postseason could have been losses that kept them out if nine innings were played.
Sorry, Dodgers fans, but the scheduling and rule changes caused by the pandemic means there will always be an asterisk next to the 2020 MLB season.
