The 2024 World Series was a win for Asians and Asian Americans

Most obviously, L.A. won because they have the best baseball player in the world, and likely one of the greatest of all time. Japanese designated hitter Shohei Ohtani put together a transcendent season as the first player in MLB history to compile 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a year, and carried that dominance through the World Series despite dislocating his shoulder in game two of the series.

Ohtani is also, remarkably, one of the best pitchers in the world, but didn’t pitch this year because of elbow surgery. Fortunately, the Dodgers pitching staff could lean on his fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who got the dominant win in game two, holding the Yankees to just one run and one hit over about six innings. He and Ohtani have received star billing and the contracts to show for it, and they proved to be worthwhile in the end.

The Dodgers also received star turns from their lesser-known stars, perhaps most notably Korean American utility player Tommy Edman. A midseason acquisition from the Cardinals, Edman stepped up across multiple spots in the lineup, and really showed out in the National League Championship Series, being named NLCS MVP with 11 hits and 11 RBIs over six games.

Managing such a deep team with such massive stars can be a complex task, and Roberts deserves his flowers for his work this year. Born to a Japanese mother and Black father, Roberts became the first manager of Asian descent (and just the second Black manager) to win a World Series when he first won with the Dodgers in 2020. In that time, he’s also found his voice as an advocate for his community. "As the manager of the Dodgers, I've kind of embraced the idea that I have to be more of a spokesman and speak on what's right, what's wrong," Roberts told KABC7 in 2023. "The Asian hate which is going on, that could be my mom."

Dave Roberts became the first manager of Asian descent to win a World Series in 2020.

Conor P. Fitzgerald/Shutterstock.com

And despite the Yankees loss, it’s well worth mentioning their shortstop. Filipino American Anthony Volpe dazzled in game four to keep the Yankees alive, going two for three, with a grand slam, three runs scored, and two stolen bases to accompany stalwart defense. At just 23 years old, fans may look back on this game as Volpe’s coming-out party as a true star.

For the Asian and Asian American stars on baseball’s biggest stage, this World Series was both a culmination, as well as a sign of more greatness to come. The Dodgers and Yankees will surely be among the favorites to emerge as champions next  year—who else will emerge remains to be seen.