Baseball legend Clayton Kershaw boldly declares that the Los Angeles Dodgers' rise to dominance is not just good for the team, but essential for the sport itself. This statement, coming from a pitcher who helped steer the Dodgers to three World Series titles during his illustrious 18-year career, is sure to spark debate among fans. But here's where it gets controversial: Kershaw draws a parallel between the current Dodgers dynasty and the late 1990s and early 2000s Yankees, a comparison that might ruffle some feathers.
During a recent interview on Literally! With Rob Lowe, Kershaw reflected on his childhood, recalling how the Yankees were the team to beat, consistently dominating the World Series. “That’s good for baseball,” he insisted. “Having a team you either passionately root for or fiercely despise because of their success—that’s what drives engagement.”
Kershaw, widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, retired after the 2025 season, leaving behind a legacy that includes 11 All-Star selections, three NL Cy Young Awards, an NL MVP title, a Gold Glove, and membership in the exclusive 3,000-strikeout club. His final season saw him post an 11-2 record with a 3.36 ERA in 23 starts, capped by a crucial relief appearance in Game 3 of the World Series.
Despite battling injuries in his later years, Kershaw remained a cornerstone of a Dodgers organization that has not only secured back-to-back World Series titles but has also appeared in four of the last eight Fall Classics. Their success is no accident—it’s the result of an aggressive strategy to acquire top-tier talent. Think Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Blake Snell—all household names now donning Dodger blue.
This offseason, the Dodgers continued their spending spree by signing former Mets closer Edwin Diaz, further cementing their status as the league’s powerhouse. Their dominance has even caught the attention of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who told ESPN that the Dodgers’ profitability “could be more sustainable than the old Yankees, making it a bigger challenge for the league.”
And this is the part most people miss: With MLB’s collective bargaining agreement expiring next December, talks of a salary cap are heating up. The Dodgers’ spending-and-winning model could become Exhibit A in a potential lockout, raising questions about the future of the sport’s financial structure.
Kershaw, however, remains unfazed. He argues that the Dodgers’ global appeal—highlighted by their ability to attract Japanese stars and the international attention they garnered by defeating the Blue Jays in the 2025 World Series—is a net positive for baseball. “You don’t want indifference,” he said. “This postseason, with our Japan fan base and the games in Canada, was the most-watched in years. That’s good for the sport.”
But here’s the question that’ll keep fans talking: Is the Dodgers’ dominance a boon for baseball, or does it create an unsustainable imbalance? Kershaw’s take is clear, but what’s yours? Let’s hear it in the comments—agree or disagree, this debate is far from over.
