Let’s face it, winning a World Series championship is extremely difficult, cheating notwithstanding. There is no greater example of this than having witnessed the Dodgers win seven consecutive National League West Division titles only to fall short in the NL Championship Series or even the World Series itself … again, cheating notwithstanding.

Although the horrific January 26 helicopter crash that took the lives of one of LA’s – and the world’s – most beloved sports legends, his beautiful 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others rocked the entire world, could Kobe Bryant’s tragic death actually give the Dodgers an added incentive to ‘win it all’ in 2020, as some are suggesting?

There is no disputing that such a thought is a feel-good thing, especially while we are all still grieving over the deaths of Kobe and the others. But it’s probably safe to say that the Dodgers already did everything within their collective powers to not only win seven consecutive division titles but to actually make it to the World Series in two of the last three years … once again, cheating notwithstanding.

Bovada oddsmakers are already predicting that the 2020 World Series will feature the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers; an absolute dream World Series for longtime fans of both teams. They are also currently giving the Yankees a slight (+333 to +600) edge to win it. But being practical and (desperately) trying to put painful Kobe Bryant (et al.) emotions aside, it’s hard to believe that ‘The Kobe Factor’ will have an impact on a World Series that is a minimum of 167 games – and 264 days – away.

…but you just never know.

Play Ball!

  *  *  *  *  *  *