does it mean a thing if it ain't got that ring?

"it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."

even if you believe that old adage, attributed to grantland rice, to be true, i believe that most dodger fans were disappointed with the outcome of the 2022 season. 111 wins in the regular season but an early exit (at the hands of the padres, no less) in the postseason was not the outcome hoped for or even expected.

in my lifetime, the dodgers have won eight pennants and three world series championships. in 1990, panini gave me stickers to commemorate the first two titles - 1981

and 1988

in 2021, there were a couple of cards that used this photo of clayton kershaw showing off his 2020 ring

this card is from 2021 stadium club chrome.

i had hoped to see some 2023 cards celebrating the dodgers as world champions, and i will hope to see some 2024 cards doing the same. it's a hope i have every year - a hope and not an expectation. i do think the dodgers, thanks to the departures of some key 2022 contributors, are primed for a down year by their standards, but we know that their front office will make a move at the trade deadline to enhance their chances of playing in the postseason. 

i hope it happens, but please, with the new season kicking off tomorrow, at least beat the padres. and the giants. and the rockies. and the diamondbacks. so yeah, win the division and then bring the ring.

seeing the season end with your team's catcher heading out to the mound to celebrate with the pitcher

is the best. and yes, i know that julio urias card features a photo taken just after the last out of the 2020 nlcs, but you get the idea.

play ball!