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It’s a busy day for L.A. sports. Here’s what to know
The Fall Classic returns to Los Angeles this afternoon, even if fall weather hasn’t quite settled in.
The L.A. Dodgers face the New York Yankees in a classic World Series matchup. This will be the 12th time the Dodgers and Yankees battle for the major league championship.
Here’s what to know about the series’ impact and atmosphere in L.A. as the city hosts Games 1 and 2.
History in the making
It gives me no pleasure to note that the Yankees took 8 of the previous 11 series, though L.A. beat New York the last time they met in 1981. Times assistant sports editor Houston Mitchell dove into all that World Series history earlier this week.
Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a double against the Padres.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Angelenos have been electrified this season with the arrival of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Now two of the best hitters in baseball — Ohtani and Yankee Aaron Judge — will take the field as the two winningest teams in baseball play the best-of-seven series.
That presents baseball fans — and MLB — with a golden opportunity, Times sportswriter Bill Shaikin explained:
“Major League Baseball has a once-in-a-lifetime player in the World Series, a once-in-a-generation clash of the titans as the matchup, a blessed chance to reclaim at least some of the verity behind the phrase ‘national pastime.’”
And if you’re reading this and rooting for New York for some reason, The Times’ Christopher Reynolds offers some perspective in his recent unserious guide for Yankees fans in L.A.:
“You’re rooting…