The Dodgers are built around a core group of players who have led the team to dominance in the National League West and into the last several postseasons. Now, they are attempting to accomplish something that no other Dodgers team has accomplished ever – winning back-to-back World Series.
Five of the six “Boys of Summer” (as they were affectionately called) are in Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame: Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, and Duke Snider. And though the sixth, Carl Furillo, is not, he was a two-time All-Star and is a two-time World Series Champion. Yet these historic Dodgers won their first – and only – World Series together in 1955 as Brooklyn Dodgers.
Back (L to R): Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Duke Snider (MLB)
After moving west in 1958, the Los Angeles Dodgers won championships in 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988, 2020, and 2024, none of which were back-to-back.
The 2025 Dodgers have four players who seem destined for Cooperstown five years after their careers are over: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Ohtani). This core group of likely future Hall of Famers also have catcher Will Smith (perhaps a future HOF candidate), outfielder Teoscar Hernández, and third baseman Max Muncy in their midst.
It seems impossible, but this is an aging group of players. The playing ages at the start of the 2026 season: Smith (31), Ohtani (31), Betts (33), Hernández (33), Muncy (35), and Freeman (36). Kershaw, who will be 38 on Opening Day 2026, has already announced that he will retire at the end of this season. As such, the 2025 postseason may be the Last Dance for this collective group. There is no doubt that Betts, Freeman, Ohtani, and Smith will return, but it will not be surprising to see Hernández and Muncy replaced by younger players as the team begins the inevitable retooling process to assure future postseasons and championships.
If this is indeed The Last Dance for this core group, then make it a memorable one. Nothing would be sweeter than going back-to-back for the first time in Dodgers history.
Go Dodgers!
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