Congratulations to Michael Kopech.
The Los Angeles Dodgers reliever just won his first World Series title over the New York Yankees in five games in a postseason performance that’s best classified as solid for the 28-year-old.
He wasn’t the Dodgers’ best arm (because Walker Buehler exists, among other things), but he was solid enough to earn manager Dave Roberts’ trust in October with 10 strikeouts over nine innings with a 3.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.
DODGERS WORLD SERIES COMMEMORTIVE BOOK: Order it here!
Kopech, however, accomplished something much more astounding. Something he can hold over every one of his Dodgers teammates. He will now be credited with being a member of the worst MLB team of all time the same year he won the World Series.
Up until late July, Kopech was a part of the 121-loss Chicago White Sox. He was ultimately dealt to Los Angeles at the trade deadline as part of a three-team swap that sent Kopech, Tommy Edman and Oliver Gonzalez to the Dodgers while the St. Louis Cardinals received Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham. Chicago received Miguel Vargas, Alexander Albertus and Jeral Pérez.
That trade proved crucial for Los Angeles as Edman earned National League Championship Series MVP against the New York Mets.
Vargas, the centerpiece of the return from the Dodgers, slashed .104/.217/.170 for the White Sox over 42 games after the trade.
Congrats, once again, to Michael Kopech for escaping baseball hell and reaching immortality only a few months later. Anything is truly possible.
From worst to first 🔥
Michael Kopech is a World Series champion pic.twitter.com/vl0FwyqsfP
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) October 31, 2024
On July 7, Michael Kopech stood at his locker and answered all questions after Jake Burger’s walkoff blast ended a 9h-inning rally against the White Sox closer. A standup moment through a rough day.
On Oct. 30, Kopech is a World Series champion. Solid individual, great story
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) October 31, 2024
Michael Kopech gets that parade we used to talk about in Chicago.
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) October 31, 2024
