“Arrogant and disrespectful to the Jays”; “What a jerk” - Fans react as Kike Hernandez claims Dodgers won World Series Championship in slump

The Los Angeles Dodgers headed into the 2025 season as one of the favorites to win the World Series and the National League West team lived up to the tag by defending their title against a resilient Toronto Blue Jays over seven games.

While the Dodgers were pushed to their limits by the American League East team, veteran outfielder Kike Hernandez said the defending champions didn't play and still won the Fall Classic.

"We never really got up, and never got down," Mookie Betts said on his podcast.

Hernandez chimed in by backing his teammate's statement:

"We won a World Series and we didn't play good at all, throughout the playoffs."

Fans reacted to the Dodgers utility star's comment in the wake of their World Series win.

"I don't care about the "bought a championship" stuff - I'm a Mets fan after all - but why even say what he said, it just comes off as arrogant and disrespectful to the Jays. You won, cool, just take the win without being a tosser." "What a jerk." "Blue jays and Phillies and Astros and madres and Yankees fans crying rn 🤣🤣" "That’s not a flex. Buying a championship is not cool." "Can't even give opponents credit, you didn't play good because the opposing pitching staff held you to not playing good."

Dodgers catcher Will Smith hopes for Kike Hernandez's return to Dodgers

Kike Hernandez, who returned to the Dodgers on a one-year deal earlier this year to win his third World Series with the team, has become a free agent after their postseason success.

Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who struck a decisive go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the World Series, wants the veteran outfielder to return to the team in the offseason.

“Those are two guys who are leaders on the team that contributed a lot this year," Smith said. (Rojas) home run, (Hernandez) what he does. It’s more than that. You see it off the field, you see it in the clubhouse from those guys. Personally, I’d love to have them back. I know I’m sure we’re going to be trying to get them back. Love those guys and hopefully they’re back with us next year.”

While Hernandez's future remains uncertain, Rojas has expressed his desire to finish his career with the Dodgers by playing one more season with the NL West team.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash