Interestingly, three of the top four most popular MLB jerseys (based on sales data from Fanatics and MLB.com) in 2025 are Dodger players (1. Ohtani, 3. Freeman, and 4. Betts). I’ve got no data to support my take, but I think public perception of the Dodgers and Newsome/California politics are more separate than related. I’ve heard several references to the Dodgers as the new “evil empire” i.e., what the Yankees were in the 90s and early 2000s, meaning a big money ball club, which led many, including myself, to root for anyone other than the Yankees. There’s also the American penchant for rooting for the underdog. My distaste for the Yankees was never about politics or perceptions of the city’s culture. Moreover, many outside Southern California see the Dodgers as a metaphor for “Hollywood” lifestyle and culture (like the “Showtime Lakers”) which America loves to hate but also can’t seem to get enough of. Of course, we live in much more politically polarized times, so maybe there’s something to your take.
My guess is jersey sales are due to sheer population density in L.A. county. But I think you are right about the Hollywood metaphor. I also think most negative perceptions of California are misguided. Personally I think California is beautiful and L.A. is one of the greatest cities in the world. However, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that negative perceptions of California will ultimately prove to be Newsom's biggest political hurdle.
Interestingly, three of the top four most popular MLB jerseys (based on sales data from Fanatics and MLB.com) in 2025 are Dodger players (1. Ohtani, 3. Freeman, and 4. Betts). I’ve got no data to support my take, but I think public perception of the Dodgers and Newsome/California politics are more separate than related. I’ve heard several references to the Dodgers as the new “evil empire” i.e., what the Yankees were in the 90s and early 2000s, meaning a big money ball club, which led many, including myself, to root for anyone other than the Yankees. There’s also the American penchant for rooting for the underdog. My distaste for the Yankees was never about politics or perceptions of the city’s culture. Moreover, many outside Southern California see the Dodgers as a metaphor for “Hollywood” lifestyle and culture (like the “Showtime Lakers”) which America loves to hate but also can’t seem to get enough of. Of course, we live in much more politically polarized times, so maybe there’s something to your take.
My guess is jersey sales are due to sheer population density in L.A. county. But I think you are right about the Hollywood metaphor. I also think most negative perceptions of California are misguided. Personally I think California is beautiful and L.A. is one of the greatest cities in the world. However, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that negative perceptions of California will ultimately prove to be Newsom's biggest political hurdle.