Dynasty derailed: Inside the October issues keeping the Dodgers from another World Series

LOS ANGELES — Wearing a plaid sports coat and self-assured grin, Andrew Friedman ascended the Dodger Stadium podium in February 2021 like a conquering hero, the reigning monarch of a Dodger-blue empire that finally captured baseball's throne.

Four months earlier, the Dodgers had won a long-awaited World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season — the first for Friedman as president of baseball operations and for his bosses, Mark Walter and the rest of Guggenheim Baseball Management, as the well-funded owners.

Then, in a blockbuster move, the Dodgers seemingly won the winter too — adding reigning National League Cy Young Award-winner Trevor Bauer to an already loaded roster.

After a 32-year wait for one title, more championships suddenly seemed poised to follow.

The birth of a dynasty, many pundits predicted, was unfolding. And as Friedman introduced Bauer at a news conference in Dodger Stadium that afternoon, he couldn't help but smile.

"It's about doing everything we can to go out and defend a title," Friedman declared. "And hopefully, we can do it with fans in the stands in Dodger Stadium."

Three seasons later, those fans are back but still waiting.

For another World Series title. For an October run that ends in triumph, not anguish. For that potential dynasty to be realized before it's too late.

Ever since that 2020 season, the Dodgers have suffered a series of missteps, miscalculations and misfortunes in their hunt for another championship. They've squandered three straight 100-win seasons with three early, unexpected playoff exits and are 3-10 in their last 13 postseason games.

The culprits have ranged from subpar starting pitching to poor situational hitting, ill-timed offensive slumps to inexplicable superstar