Don Mattingly had endured the worst and best of the summer of 2020, having navigated a coronavirus outbreak in his clubhouse and also leading the Miami Marlins to their first postseason in 17 years. He went home after two rounds. Thoughts of the game, the season and all that came with them still fresh, he turned on his television to learn how it would turn out.
Baseball pushed through the health, competitive, labor and economic uncertainties well enough, proving itself ever resilient if not unflawed. It crowned a champion most agreed was worthy and legitimate.