LOS ANGELES – When the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in October, it was the franchise's first world championship since the 1988 season. With so many alterations to this season, including a shortened regular season and expended playoffs, one thing was very familiar as the Dodgers took their place atop the National League West for the eighth straight season.
A key cog in the Dodgers' front office has been Haverford College graduate Josh Byrnes '92 who joined the team in November of 2014 as the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations. Holding this position during each of the Dodgers' last six divisional titles, Byrnes has been instrumental in making the Dodgers a mainstay in the MLB playoffs.
Haverford's connection to MLB front office's runs deep with Byrnes being one of the earlier examples. It was the Haverford connection that originally got Byrnes his professional start as Ron Shapiro '64, a well-renowned attorney, sports author, and best-selling author, helped introduce Byrnes to his son, then-Cleveland Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro. Starting as an intern, Byrnes worked his way up Scouting Director with the Indians. He would ultimately go on to hold prominent front office positions with the Rockies, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, and Padres before assuming his current role with the Dodgers.
During his time at Haverford, Byrnes was a four-year letterwinner on the baseball team who was selected as captain during his senior season. Honored with the Gregory Kannerstein Award '63 prior to his graduation, Byrnes was also selected as the team's MVP (George Haines Buzby Award) in 1991. He graduated from Haverford holding school records in hits (142), doubles (29), triples (7), home runs (14), RBI (106), total bases (227), games played (128), and games started (128).
Byrnes, who is one of two Haverford alumnus currently working the Dodgers, recently reflected on his career in Major League Baseball and the most recent championship. Pat O'Shea '18, an Advance Scouting Analyst for the Dodgers, will be profiled later this week.
Question/Answer with Josh Byrnes '92
What is your role/major responsibilities in the Dodgers organization?
Primarily, I oversee our Scouting and Player Development. I also have input into our major league roster and have frequent communication with our major league players and coaches. Part of my role is to keep our organization connected through various departments.
As one of the first Haverford alums to break into the Major League Baseball's front offices, what challenges did you face coming from a Division III playing background?
I was fortunate to start my journey with a front office in Cleveland that was very inclusive and forward-thinking. I had great mentors there and was given access and responsibility at a young age. So, my lack of professional playing experience was not a huge impediment at the time (even if that wasn't the prevailing feeling across the industry).
You were also part of the Red Sox organization when they won their World Series to snap an extended streak, how does the Dodgers' championship compare with that experience?
The title with the Red Sox will probably always hold the #1 spot for me. We broke an 86-year drought. We beat our arch-rivals and came back from a 3-0 series deficit. The storylines were incredible. That said, this title with the Dodgers comes very close. We broke a 32-year drought. In both places, the unity within the organization was incredibly strong.
Without giving away any organizational strategy, what has the Dodgers organization done that has allowed them to sustain this run of success (8 straight division titles)?
At the top of our organization, we all share a vision of who we want to be and how we intend to sustain success. We are committed to Scouting and Development which helps with roster depth, staying young and managing our payroll. We have been very disciplined and patient with any trades or free agent signings. Certainly, our fans and media have questioned that patience at times. But, waiting for Mookie Betts (the right player for such a large investment) and not trading players like Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias (when they were minor league prospects) have been decisions that reflect our guiding philosophy.
You have been with the Dodgers since 2014 and have never lost the Division. What does it mean to the city of Los Angeles to finally win the World Series?
The fans of Los Angeles are incredible. Our attendance speaks for itself. In reality, the championship-or-bust mentality can be very pressurized. Within that pressurized environment, our team has been able to enjoy every day of the ride and every divisional title...without losing sight of the #1 goal. More than anything, I think championship seasons provide lifelong memories. In a challenging year for everyone, I'm glad we were able to provide some fond memories for 2020.
What was the greatest challenge the Dodgers organization faced with the abbreviated 60 game schedule? What major changes, if any, to the team's strategy entering the season were instituted after spring training was initially suspended in March?
As you might expect, the daily routine was totally altered. The hours spent at the ballpark, how the players ate, watched video, reviewed scouting reports, lifted weights, hit in the cage, sought treatment for injuries, etc. Everything was different. We also knew that the revised playoff structure didn't deliver much of an advantage for winning the division. So, our players stayed focused and were able to play at a high level even though all of the routines were changed and the ballparks were empty.
What do you see as some of the potential challenges next year's team will face as they enter the 2021 season as defending champions?
Complacency is always the concern. As we know, winning a division (much less a World Series title) requires a lot of dedication. So, when we return to the field next season, we need to embrace the challenge of a new season and compete as hard as ever. I am sure that we will.