Marty’s musings: the Los Angeles Dodgers are the 2020 World Champions

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting this week’s key pitching matchups.

Tampa Bay gave Los Angeles a good run for their money, but the Dodgers took home the Commissioner’s Trophy / Hunk of Metal last week. It wasn’t without controversy, as a COVID positive Justin Turner decided to masklessly celebrate with his team.

After a wild season, the 2020/2021 hot stove is upon us.

News & Notes

1 - Player on the Dodgers, Justin Turner, who tested positive and was removed from series clinching game six. Turner decided to come out and celebrate anyway, kissing the trophy, hugging teammates. Sad that this is the foremost image of MLB after what had been a largely successful season.

2 - MVP awards earned by Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, who won MVP honors in both the NLCS and World Series. His five NLCS homers were pivotal in getting LA to the World Series, and his numbers improved from there. Last Friday I summarized Seager’s eye-popping postseason numbers.

95 - Percent ownership-stake for Steve Cohen, who was approved by the owners as the next owner of the New York Mets. Cohen’s firm SAC Capital Advisors had pleaded guilty to criminal fraud charges in the past.

76 - Year old Tony La Russa was named the new manager for the young-and-fun Chicago White Sox. It’ll be interesting to see how the seasoned skipper relates and motivates a diverse roster of fun young players. White Sox fans were largely bearish on the move, and it’s become clear that this was an owner decision not exactly welcome by the front office.

150 - Days until Opening Day 2021. What the country looks like at that point is anyone’s guess...