The Los Angeles Dodgers are halfway across the world in Seoul, South Korea, to get their 2024 campaign started.
The main focus of this trip is to start the season 2-0 against their division rivals, the San Diego Padres. While all eyes will be on Wednesday and Thursday for the Boys in Blue, a more critical goal between the days of the games is a hand.
The Dodgers are a relatively new team, so this trip is vital to build a special bond. Many of L.A.’s impactful guys are new, like Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernández, and James Paxton, to name a few. During this grueling and important 162-game season, players must build a bond to be the last team standing.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows the importance of it, which is why he believes this trip to Korea will do just that. Roberts spoke to the media, saying that Los Angeles is using this trip to build team chemistry.
“Teams that seem to be in it every year, there is a bond that I think is created that withstands ups and downs,” Roberts said. “I think this is going to be good for our guys. Yeah, you can’t win the World Series in March. But I do think [it could help our] guys create a bond, and also a way to play.”
The goal is to win title number eight; however, it won’t happen with a group of guys out of sync. The Boys in Blue have to be like a family. These players are with each other every day, whether they like it or not. The outside camaraderie is just as important as the baseball, and Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts understands that importance.
“I think it’s definitely a team-building thing, team chemistry thing,” Betts said. “Walking around together. Eating breakfast together. Being in the hotel together. We’re all learning the culture together. I think it’s super cool.”
A more united team is, more often than not, the better team. The Dodgers have the talent, but will they be the most together unit? We shall see.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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