Xander Bogaerts has always exuded confidence in his abilities, but his recent comments following the Padres’ loss to the Dodgers in the 2024 NLDS have sparked controversy. After a disappointing five-game exit, the $280 million infielder boldly claimed that the Padres were the better team, despite the Dodgers advancing. In a sport where success is measured by wins, his statement didn’t sit well with fans, especially those in Los Angeles, who pointed to the scoreboard and the Dodgers’ postseason resilience as the ultimate proof of superiority.
The Padres entered the playoffs with high expectations, boasting a star-studded lineup and hopes of a deep postseason run after a turbulent regular season. However, talent alone wasn’t enough in October. Despite the Dodgers dealing with injuries and a shaky pitching rotation, they rose to the occasion when it mattered most, leaving the Padres searching for answers and solidifying their status as the better team.
Bogaerts’ remark—“I thought we were a better team. We just didn’t win”—quickly went viral, igniting debates among fans and analysts. While some appreciated his confidence, others saw it as an excuse. Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas even admitted that, on paper, the Padres appeared stronger. “If you put both teams side by side, we didn’t have the advantage in that series,” Rojas said. However, he emphasized that the Dodgers’ ability to execute in clutch moments and maintain composure under pressure made the difference.
Social media reactions were mixed. Dodgers fans were quick to dismiss Bogaerts’ claim, pointing to their team’s playoff pedigree and ability to perform when it counts. One fan tweeted, “That’s fine. I’m ok for Dodgers to not be the best team but win the World Series!!” Others highlighted the Dodgers’ resilience, noting their ability to bounce back from a 10-2 loss in Game 3 with strong pitching and timely hitting. “Dodgers stuck together and didn’t collapse under pressure—that’s how they beat those bums,” one user commented.
Critics also questioned the basis of Bogaerts’ assertion. The Dodgers finished the regular season with a better record (98-64) than the Padres (93-69) and won the NLDS 3-2, including two shutout victories. As one fan put it, “Dodgers had the better regular season record and beat them in the playoffs. Exactly what is he basing his ‘better’ on?”
The debate underscores a fundamental truth in sports: games are won on the field, not on paper. As another user sarcastically remarked, “And that’s why you play the game, people! Otherwise, let’s just vote on who’s got the best team. 2025—Dodgers! Ok! Give us our trophy, please! Thank you!” Ultimately, the Dodgers’ ability to overcome adversity and deliver in critical moments proved they were the better team in 2024. For fans, winning is what defines greatness, and Bogaerts’ claim, while confident, falls flat in the face of the Dodgers’ postseason triumph. If the “better team” doesn’t win, what does being better really mean?
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