In the world of Major League Baseball, few franchises evoke as much passion—both positive and negative—than the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the years, the Dodgers have established themselves as one of the most successful and storied teams in MLB history, with a massive fanbase that spans the globe. But their success has also made them a divisive force within the league, especially in their NL West division. For many, the Dodgers represent the pinnacle of dominance, but for others, especially rival fans, they’re a symbol of everything that is wrong with the sport—a rich, powerhouse team that seemingly always has the upper hand.
Now, with the recent signing of Japanese pitching sensation **Roki Sasaki**, the Dodgers have added yet another star to their already loaded roster, intensifying the debate around their dominance. Fans from all corners of baseball are reacting to Sasaki’s decision to join the Dodgers, and for many, it’s bringing back memories of the hatred that older generations had toward another New York-based powerhouse: the Yankees. In a world where team loyalty runs deep, Sasaki’s arrival in LA is seen by some as a modern-day shift in the balance of power that could create a whole new generation of fans who view the Dodgers the same way fans of the past viewed the Yankees.
But what does this move mean for the Dodgers, for the rivalry in the NL West, and for the future of MLB? Let’s take a deep dive into the fan reactions, the implications of Sasaki’s signing, and why this move is reminiscent of the years of animosity directed at the New York Yankees in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
### The Phenomenon of Roki Sasaki
Before we get into the fan reactions, it’s important to understand who Roki Sasaki is and why his signing is such a big deal. Sasaki, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, has been one of the most hyped prospects to emerge from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in recent memory. His combination of elite fastballs that regularly touch triple digits, a devastating splitter, and sharp breaking pitches has drawn comparisons to some of the best pitchers in the history of the game.
Sasaki has already shown his dominance in Japan, throwing a perfect game in 2022, a rare feat in professional baseball, and his potential is limitless. The Dodgers, with their history of developing international talent and their deep pockets, were always a prime candidate to land Sasaki. His signing is a massive coup for the team, further adding to an already star-studded roster that includes players like **Mookie Betts**, **Freddie Freeman**, and **Clayton Kershaw**.
While the Dodgers’ ability to sign high-profile talent isn’t new, Sasaki’s arrival is seen by many as the final straw in an increasingly lopsided NL West, where the Dodgers already hold a firm grip on the division year after year. For fans of rival teams like the **San Francisco Giants**, **San Diego Padres**, and **Arizona Diamondbacks**, this signing feels like yet another example of the Dodgers’ unchecked power, and it’s igniting reactions across the baseball world.
### Fans React: The Dodgers’ Modern-Day Yankees
As soon as news broke that Roki Sasaki had signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, fans took to social media and various forums to express their thoughts. What quickly became clear was that a significant portion of the MLB fanbase viewed the Dodgers’ acquisition of Sasaki as the culmination of the team’s growing dominance—one that mirrored the way previous generations viewed the New York Yankees during their heyday.
“I’m really starting to feel like kids today are going to hate the Dodgers the way we grew up hating the Yankees,” one fan wrote on Twitter, capturing the sentiment of many across the league. The tweet struck a chord, as it succinctly described the frustration that long-time fans of smaller-market teams or perennial underdogs have been feeling in recent years. The Yankees, historically known for their immense payroll and acquisition of top-tier talent, had long been seen as the villains of baseball, and the Dodgers, with their massive budget and constant influx of star players, are starting to earn that same reputation.
The comparison to the Yankees is inevitable. For decades, the Bronx Bombers were a team that consistently won, and their wealth and success were seen as sources of frustration by fans of other teams. Much like the Dodgers now, the Yankees were able to buy top talent year after year, ensuring they remained at the top of the league’s hierarchy. Whether it was the acquisition of free agents or their ability to lure star players to New York, the Yankees’ dominance bred resentment from fans of teams that had to scrape by with limited budgets and homegrown talent.
With the Dodgers’ sustained success and their ability to constantly add high-profile players—whether through free agency, trades, or international signings—fans of other teams are beginning to feel the same way they did when the Yankees seemed unbeatable. It’s a feeling that can be frustrating, especially for teams like the Padres, who made aggressive moves in recent seasons to build a competitive roster only to be overshadowed by the Dodgers’ firepower.
### The Growing Rivalry in the NL West
The rivalry between the Dodgers and teams like the Padres and Giants has been growing over the years, but Sasaki’s arrival is likely to take it to a new level. Fans in San Diego, for example, have watched as their team has built a roster capable of challenging the Dodgers, only to see Los Angeles reload every offseason with more talent. While the Padres have made significant strides, with stars like **Fernando Tatis Jr.** and **Manny Machado**, the Dodgers continue to be the measuring stick in the division.
For Giants fans, the frustration is even more palpable. The Dodgers have consistently outperformed San Francisco in recent years, even as the Giants had a remarkable 2021 season that saw them win 107 games. But despite that success, the Dodgers’ star power—especially with acquisitions like Mookie Betts and now Sasaki—has made it seem like the Giants can never fully match up. Giants fans, many of whom remember the intense rivalry of the late 2000s and early 2010s, are now watching as their team falls further behind in the talent race.
For these fans, Sasaki’s signing with the Dodgers feels like an unfair advantage, reinforcing the idea that the Dodgers are playing a different game than everyone else in the NL West. Some fans have even joked that the “real” competition is no longer about winning the division but about trying to make the playoffs in a division where the Dodgers dominate year after year.
### Is This Bad for Baseball?
While some fans express frustration at the Dodgers’ continued dominance, it’s worth considering the broader impact of this signing on the sport of baseball. On one hand, having a team like the Dodgers—filled with talent and high-profile stars—can help bring attention to the game. A successful Dodgers team with Roki Sasaki leading their rotation will draw eyes, both domestically and internationally, especially as Japanese players have increasingly become global stars.
However, there’s also the risk of alienating fans in smaller markets or teams that aren’t as financially competitive. If the Dodgers continue to dominate year after year, it could create a sense of inevitability in the sport, where smaller-market teams feel like they’re merely playing for second place. This can lead to diminished fan engagement and a perception that the game is more about money than merit.
### Conclusion: The Dodgers as Baseball’s New Villains?
The signing of Roki Sasaki by the Los Angeles Dodgers has sparked a wave of reactions from fans across MLB, many of whom feel a sense of déjà vu, recalling the way previous generations of baseball fans viewed the New York Yankees. The Dodgers’ continued success, bolstered by massive financial resources and the acquisition of top-tier talent, has positioned them as the team to beat in the NL West—and perhaps all of baseball.
For fans of rival teams, Sasaki’s signing is a stark reminder of the Dodgers’ power, and for many, it’s creating a new generation of baseball fans who will hate the Dodgers the way their parents hated the Yankees. Whether you love or hate them, one thing is clear: the Dodgers’ star-studded roster and their ability to add top talent is making them the most dominant force in baseball—and for some, the team to root against.