Is DEI Causing the Dodgers to DIE?

Posted By on September 6, 2025

Insofar as I can tell, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only team that actively promotes its DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) approach. To me, as a fan, this is simply an attempt at virtue signaling. Virtue signaling occurs when a person publicly expresses specific moral values, opinions, or attitudes—often about social or political issues—to demonstrate to others that they are a “good” or “morally virtuous” person, rather than out of genuine conviction or intent to act. On the Dodgers’ home page, they announce to the world that they are DEI.

In fact, the Dodgers have a committee that is comprised of twelve people whose job is described as this:

"The Dodgers Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is a senior level policymaking entity charged with embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategies into every aspect of the organization to leverage our innovative workforce, compete in the marketplace and serve the community. The Committee is a collaborative effort across the organization."

DEI started out as a noble way to help others, but outcomes in baseball and other sports are merit-based, not based on how DEI you might be. If I am flying on an airplane, I want the Air Traffic Controller to be the best damn ATC there is. I don’t care about his ethnicity or the color of his skin. A few years ago, when I was looking for a cardiologist, I did not care about their ethnicity or the color of their skin. After weeks of searching and interviewing, I chose three, and none of them looked like me:

Dr. Devarpalli became a close friend, and Drs. Hussein and Bhargava (both from the Cleveland Clinic) are known as some of the best in their profession. DEI was never a factor. I wanted merit-based care. For my shoulder replacement, I chose a very young doctor, Dr. Michael Bender, based on his references and recommendations of Orthopedic Surgeons throughout Indiana.

While he looks more like me, that was a non-factor. His skill was unparalleled and was only exceeded by his faith. Right before surgery, he asked if he could pray with me. That blew me away. He is a man of great skill and even greater humility… and the staff (even the orderlies) all love him. Again, I didn’t want a DEI hire – I wanted the best damn shoulder surgeon I could find, and 10 days post op, I am sure I got him.

This is not About Politics… It’s About Common Sense!

  • The Dodgers decided to “become pigs” after winning the World Series in 2024 and added two of the top closers in baseball in 2024 in Yates and Scott… because they could.
  • The Dodgers signed Conforto and Teoscar, knowing that neither was good defensively.
  • The Dodgers allowed or even promoted Ohtani to pitch and hit, not because they needed another pitcher but because that was what he wanted. He was elevated over the team’s needs!
  • The Dodgers became a diverse team with Japanese players and their interpreters, as well as a Korean player and his interpreter. Did this make them a closer team?
  • The Dodgers stuck with Conforto, even though they cut others who outperformed him. Is he DEI? His mom is Puerto Rican, and his father is Italian. I am only being Half Funny about that.
  • When the Dodgers cut Austin Barnes and CT3, did they lose their heart and soul?
  • Did the Dodgers hire coaches and trainers based on the color of their skin, race, sex, or other criteria instead of their qualifications? Maybe that’s why there have been sooooooo many injuries.
  • Maybe this is not really a team, but an assemblage of DEI hires. I have news for you: YOU DON’T WIN GAMES ON VIRTUE SIGNALING, ‘ER DEI. You win based on beating your competition.
  • There are places for DEI… baseball ain’t the place.
  • I am not sure this is a team anymore. Merit does not seem to matter. Conforto should have been gone long ago. Alex Freeland is better than Conforto, but he is back in the minors, while Conforto is still looking pathetic.
  • If the Dodgers remain DEI, then I can only assume that they are committed to mediocrity! If so, I am gone.

A few years ago, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was heralded as the solution to workplace inequities. It promised a future where marginalized voices, justice-impacted individuals, and underrepresented communities could find a fair footing in a corporate world long shaped by systemic bias. Yet today, DEI stands on shaky ground, branded as divisive, politicized, and expendable. Some of you will probably call me a racist… because that is your “go to.” I don’t care – it’s not true, but whatever. Something is not right with this team, and it starts at the top… the very top!

This article has 38 Comments

  1. I 100% agree with you Mark that this is NOT a team. It has become UNWATCHABLE! This is NOT our year! We all have praised AF in the past for his excellent moves, but now it is time to chastise him for his poor offseason signings.

  2. Mark, my honest opinion is that the Dodgers held on to Conforto b/c AF is hoping to get the most out of that lousy contract. It isn’t working, but I believe that is what he’s thinking.

    We all know that it was time to cut bait long ago, but Dodger brass have been saying Conforto’s metrics, notably, hard hit balls, show that he’s been unlucky. I don’t believe that for a minute but I don’t think him staying on the roster has anything to do with his ethnicity.

    Austin Barnes is ethnically Mexican-American. (He played for Mexico in the WBC). If we were arguing that DEI has an impact on roster decisions, the argument is invalid.

    Re: Austin Barnes. He was a team leader, there’s no doubt about that. Some believe he should be brought back now with the injuries to Smith and Rushing. Would he come back after all that has happened? He’d definitely be there for his ability to call a game, but his defense has slipped, a lot. He couldn’t even cut it in Triple A while in the Giants org. I think he’s done as a player. He’d be great as a manager though.

    I’m no fan of DEI. I think the Dodgers org is packed full of DEI hires in the front office. The poor decisions like the controversial spoofing trans nuns involvement with the team last year as well as several promotional days have shown their influence, but I don’t think those hires have impacted on-field decisions. Just my .02

    2. It’s the people who tell me how virtuous they are that I have questions about.

      If someone tells me “Well, I am a Christian” in a context that somehow makes it seem that I should trust them more… I trust them less.

  4. The 2 Japanese players on the team were on the team last year. But they might be contributing to divisiveness now? Or is the addition of a Korean player tipping the scales? I don’t see it. Kim was sent down when he didn’t perform. He came back up and played well enough to make Taylor expendable. Was that a wrong decision? Is it just a coincidence that the team’s performance has deteriorated since he left? If so, how does a strikeout machine (Taylor) make the team better?

    Teo was critical to the Dodgers winning last year. So signing him was not a crazy idea. What is crazy is continuing to play him in right field. So is the continued use of Conforto. Why are they doing this I haven’t the foggiest idea. Is it DEI? Or the lack of a good CF kept all 3 outfielders in positions they are not best suited for? Until Edman is back, I’d rather see Kim in LF.

    The Dodgers were playing good baseball until late June. They seem to have collectively hit a wall. Is this because of DEI? Or is it because a long season last year, coupled with an early start to this season has taken its toll on the team? It could explain why the team seems only capable of playing well against better teams.

  5. they have PLENTY of players who can play center field, left field, right field,ss2nd, 3rd. what they don’t have is plenty of hitters!

  6. Ok. So everyone can have their opinion. So I think your DEI angle is ridiculous. Not saying I am for or against DEI. But the same front office fielded a team that has won 2 World Series in recent years. Which you have constantly harped on until today. Two days ago you were singing a different tune. They were expecting Conforto to come thru like Teo or JD Martinez or Heyward in his first year. Other deals haven’t worked out and guys are injured. If we go out in first round there can be an Autopsy. Certainly SD is struggling also. If we win it all or advance to WS—All will be forgotten

  7. 7:05 PM ET

    Dodgers (78-63)
    Orioles (65-76)

    SP Y. Yamamoto R
    11-8 2.82 ERA
    SP Trevor Rogers L
    8-2 1.39 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    SS Mookie Betts R
    RF T. Hernandez R
    1B F. Freeman L
    LF Alex Call R
    CF Andy Pages R
    2B Miguel Rojas R
    3B E. Hernandez R
    C Ben Rortvedt L

    75° Wind 6 mph

  8. My first comment on this site. I have been a Dodgers fan since 1954. While there have been many great years there have been just as many, or more, bad ones. When we look back at this season , even if our hopes are met, injuries will have been a major factor. In going forward the Dodgers and MLB in general need to take a serious look at that.
    To somehow suggest that DEI in the front office, or on the field, may be what is wrong is borderline ridiculous . What matters is how successful those players we have are able to work together as a TEAM.

    1. It’s easy to dismiss and say it is ridiculous. That is an opinion. Articulate why it is ridiculous.

      Why have the Dodgers had so many injuries? Were the training staff hired by DEI or merit?

      To not consider that is beyond ridiculous… It’s insane!

      In the last two years, the Dodgers have had (by far) the most days lost to the IL of any MLB team! That’s a fact!

      I think you have to look at every possibility!

      I am not afraid to say uncomfortable stuff!

      Here’s the breakdown and it’s not even close:
      IL

  9. If there is any consolation in all of this, San Diego
    is playing even worse than the Dodgers. The magic number has actually gone down 5 games during the losing streak and if the Dodgers play .500 ball the rest of the way, (big “IF” but certainly doable), the Padres will have to finish 14-7 (.667 pace) to pass them.

    Time to turn this thing around and run off with a winning streak.

    Things could be worse. We don’t have Framber Valdez as our ace.

    1. … and to think that they “GUTTED THE FARM” (their organization is now ranked #30) in order to win now.

    1. Have a take and don’t suck!

      The more resistance I get, the closer I get to the truth!

      If you proclaim on your website that you are all about DEI, then when I find out you have lost 30% more days to the IL than any other team (teams that in fact, do not proclaim DEI) then I question that!

      1. I feel in the past one of the criticisms of LA, and Baseball as a whole is that there are not enough American Blacks in the sport. Where they are a majority in NFL and NBA. So I don’t know the rosters of other teams, But while there are some mixed race players on the team (Mookie). I don’t think there are ANY all American Blacks on LA. So if you look at the list of players on the IL, they are all ‘white’. Its clear Black athletes’ have a different muscular makeup. So if we had more Blacks on the team, perhaps there would be fewer on the IL. With the conclusion that we need MORE DEI players.
        Now of course you might think this is ridiculous, (or not), And I am not even saying I believe it. But it makes as much sense as Marks premise. I don’t know maybe Mark is having withdrawal symptoms from being on pain meds. But I think we need to move on from this topic.

      2. Or are you confusing correlation with causation? You stated above “ Were the training staff hired by DEI or merit?”. You identified a problem (injuries) but you yourself don’t know the answer. Your stating an opinion just like Dodgerfanfiorlife. Which is fine. One I and others disagree with, some who agree with you. That’s ok, that’s what this site is for

        1. Do the Dodgers training staff have more DEI hires than other teams? I don’t know. But I DO know we have one of the fewest rainouts and postponements of any team with outdoor stadiums. So I am countering Marks OPINION with an actual FACT. So I am proposing that low humidity is causing all these injuries.

  11. Is it just me, or do I think Teo looks heavier, fatter, than last season? Okay, not fat as such, since he’s a muscular guy, but I see him as slower, almost like Comforto.

  12. Just as the Dodgers recently had a good winning streak, and then they’ve lost 4, I feel that today begins a new good streak and until the end.p

    No more “game is over” in the first inning!

  15. Kudos to you Mark. My cardiologists are Arabic and a Jew, my orthopedic surgeon is American born Irish my GP is black, my stint Dr is Indian and my favorite baseball player is Japanese. I don’t give a rat’s ass who works on my car, body or my Dodgers as long as they perform at their best. And right now I’m having issues with my Dodgers. Miggy just hit a double so he must be listening.

    Love this site!

    2. just when i thought we’d turn the corner…another wall.
      i have a bad feeling tanner scott is gonna send us home early.
      still a’lotta games to play.
      but dang.
      c’mon dodgers.

  21. How do you support Treinen? And how do you bring in a lefty to face a righty? I know , I know it has to do with matchups beyond our knowledge but this is the worst I recall. Such a great effort by Yamamoto. Wow!!

  22. WOW is right!
    I missed the first 8-innings as I was at the beach babysitting our granddaughter – I check the score to see a 3-0 lead and an no-hitter, so I turned on the app.
    This is about a “Low” as you go as a team – talk about a colossal failure!
    I mean how many other teams up 3-0 with 2-outs in the 9th of a no-hitter have lost before???

    I was thinking the Dodgers would figure it out inspite of the past 2-months.
    NOW I AM NOT SURE THEY HAVE IT IN THEM.

    The next few games should provide an indication.

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