The sting of the New York Yankees' 2024 World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers continues to resonate within the team, according to manager Aaron Boone. The Dodgers' current series in The Bronx marks their first return to Yankee Stadium since clinching the championship in October 2024.
Boone described the aftermath of coming up short in the World Series as leaving a "scar." "The disappointment of getting to the end and playing for it all and coming up short, that’s one of those things that leaves a scar," he said.
World Series Rematch in The Bronx
The 2024 World Series, which concluded in five games, saw the Yankees blow leads in crucial Game 1 and the decisive Game 5. In the clincher, the Yankees held a 5-0 advantage before a series of errors and misplays allowed the Dodgers to rally for the victory. This marked the Yankees' first World Series appearance since winning the title in 2009.
Despite facing significant injuries to key players such as Edwin Díaz, Tyler Glasnow, Will Smith, and Blake Snell, the Dodgers entered the current series with the best record in baseball. They are considered heavy favorites to return to and win the World Series for a third consecutive year.
The Yankees are also contending with their own injury concerns, notably Aaron Judge's fractured right rib. Regardless of the present circumstances, Boone acknowledged the significance of the matchup.
"Any time we play the Dodgers, whether it’s here, whether it’s in [Los Angeles], it’s always big. It always feels big," Boone commented. "There are a lot of eyeballs on it, obviously. These are the kinds of series that I think are good for the 162-[game season]. You have the grind of the 162; you have those different series that feel a little bigger. This is one of those."