LOS ANGELES -- The 2024 Dodgers don’t win the World Series without Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, and that much was evident based on the representation during Monday’s pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium.
A large contingent including former MVPs Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman presented McCullough with his World Series ring, gold-trim jersey and cap in his return to Los Angeles for the first time since taking over as Miami’s skipper.
“That was special,” McCullough said. “It was. To see so many former colleagues, staff members and players come out there, it was a special time for me, and I appreciate the gesture by the Dodgers and [manager Dave Roberts] and his whole crew for doing that and making that a special moment for me. It was classy.”
Former Marlin Miguel Rojas, who is in his third season of his second stint with the Dodgers, remembered speaking to McCullough while he was going through the interview process into the postseason. McCullough was grateful to be part of the World Series run but also looking forward to a new opportunity.
Their conversation continued into the offseason when McCullough’s son attended Rojas’ son’s birthday party. Both kids became friends in Los Angeles and the families call South Florida home over the winter.
“We were talking about how big of a challenge it was going to be, but he was so happy, and you can see it on his face, how happy he was to have a group of young players, kind of develop them together,” Rojas said. “All I wish for him is the best, and they've been playing really good baseball, and it looks like they're fighting every single out, and that's all you can ask for when you're getting that opportunity.”
Roberts also chatted with McCullough over the offseason about the new gig. Roberts, who is a two-time World Series-winning skipper and the 2016 National League Manager of the Year, called McCullough a “game-changer” on the ’24 Dodgers, in particular his impact on Ohtani’s historic 50/50 season.
McCullough spent four seasons as Los Angeles’ first-base coach, helping the outfield to prevent runs and baserunners be aggressive but smart. Before then, McCullough served as Minor League field coordinator for the Dodgers (2015-20) during his 10 years in the organization.
“Clayton is a very, very special person, a very special coach, and the Marlins got a really good one,” Roberts said. “We miss him a ton, and he helped us win a championship. I think for me, he’s just a guy that loves people, loves players, loves the game, always wants to learn and really see people thrive. And I think that that’s really a good trait for a manager always, and also still willing to have the hard conversations, to challenge people.
“He brings energy every day, and certainly the Marlins are playing good baseball. As I was talking to Clayton today, he said that, I think, there were 18 players this year that made their Opening Day debut for the roster for the Marlins. It’s a little different than our club, but there’s a lot of talent there, and they’re playing good baseball. So I miss him dearly, but I’m happy to see that he can sort of make his own way now.”
As McCullough walked back to the visiting dugout with his ring, jersey and cap, the Marlins stood on the dugout railing applauding with the Dodgers and their fans. A couple hours later, Dane Myers crushed a game-tying grand slam in the sixth to cap a five-run rally, but upstart Miami lost, 7-6, in the 10th.
If the Marlins’ organizational revamp goes according to plan, they will continue playing highly contested matchups with the top teams and compete for titles in the future.
“You want someone who's seen it all,” Connor Norby said. “He's lost in the World Series. He's won the World Series. He's been around the best players in the game. He's seen greatness and seen what elite players do day in and day out. And that can only help, especially guys like me, and guys that look up to that type of stuff and want to know what they're doing that maybe I'm not, that I can maybe implement in my own game to help take that next step.
“And really for all of our guys, it's such a great thing to lean on and look to, and ask questions, because he has the answers. Not many people do. Winning the World Series is hard, and he's done it, and that's something we are proud of that he's done. But now it's like, ‘All right, now it's our turn.’ We're building towards that.”