Miguel Rojas on LA Dodgers’ Culture of Excellence in 2023

While it hasn’t always led to World Series triumphs, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain unwavering in their pursuit of victory. This commitment to winning is deeply ingrained in the organization’s DNA, and they demand nothing less than excellence every single season. Despite recognizing that a championship is not guaranteed annually, the Dodgers consistently position themselves as contenders. This remarkable consistency sets them apart, especially when compared to other teams that struggle to string together consecutive winning seasons.

One individual intimately familiar with the Dodgers’ organizational mindset is shortstop Miguel Rojas. Having first joined the team back in 2014 and returning in 2023, Rojas has witnessed firsthand how different franchises operate. He holds deep appreciation for what the Dodgers have built over the years. Rojas recently sat down with analyst Chris Rose to share his insights on the 2023 season.

Rojas played a pivotal role in the 2023 Dodgers, despite occasional challenges with his batting. His season concluded with a batting average of .236, accompanied by five home runs and 31 runs batted in.

“This organization expects excellence,” Rojas said. “They go into spring training every single year with an opportunity to win the World Series. When you put this uniform on, you know you’re playing for the championship.”

Originally acquired as a depth player, Rojas found himself thrust into the starting lineup due to an unfortunate injury to Gavin Lux, the team’s starting shortstop. However, Rojas’s leadership and veteran experience proved invaluable, significantly contributing to the team’s performance. This contribution cannot be overstated.

“In spring training, we had a really good meeting,” Rojas said. “Dave Roberts was in the middle of the room, and asked all the new guys that we got there why we chose the Dodgers. A couple of us got here via trade but when I got the call, I got the option of saying, ‘No I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to go to the Dodgers to be a utility player.’ What I recapped from that meeting was that everybody is in this clubhouse to win. If we don’t win the World Series this year, it’s going to be a failure, and we’re going to have to do something to win the next year.”

Even in a season that was initially perceived as a step back, Rojas firmly believes that anything less than a World Series victory would constitute a failure for the Dodgers. The team is leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of another World Series title, and they undeniably possess the qualities of championship contenders. While the Dodgers’ roster may appear less conventional in some aspects, their unyielding desire to win has remained unshaken throughout the year. This unwavering commitment to excellence has been evident in their performance all season long.