Former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly offered a candid and wide-ranging perspective on the organization’s approach to winning during a recent appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.

While acknowledging that the Dodgers’ aggressive spending often frustrates fans around the league, Kelly framed the franchise’s philosophy as one rooted in constant innovation and long-term legacy.

According to Kelly, the Dodgers’ mindset mirrors that of a global brand rather than a traditional sports team. He likened the organization’s pursuit of improvement to Apple’s annual release of new iPhones, even when the product is already considered the best on the market.

“The Dodgers are always trying to enhance their product,” Kelly explained. “They put it on the field. Even when you’re the best, you don’t stop trying to improve.”

That mentality, Kelly said, comes directly from ownership. The Dodgers’ owners are not only willing to spend, but they are deeply competitive by nature, whether in business, sports, or even high-risk hobbies. Kelly referenced one owner’s passion for off-road racing as an example of that relentless drive to win, no matter the arena.

For Kelly, the motivation goes beyond wealth or headlines. He believes the organization is focused on how it will be remembered in sports history.

“They don’t want to be remembered for being rich,” Kelly said. “They want to be remembered for cementing their legacy.”

Kelly went even further, suggesting that the Dodgers have reached a level few franchises across any sport have ever attained. In his view, the organization currently stands at the top of the professional sports landscape, not just in baseball, but across football, basketball, soccer, and hockey as well.

During his time in Los Angeles, Kelly witnessed executives from other sports organizations quietly observing the Dodgers’ operation. Presidents, general managers, and coaches from teams around the world, including major European soccer clubs and NFL franchises, were eager to understand what drives sustained success in Chavez Ravine.

That attention, Kelly noted, is the clearest sign of excellence. When competitors start “peeking behind the curtain,” it usually means a franchise has set the standard.

Yet Kelly also acknowledged the challenge that comes with sustained dominance. Baseball, perhaps more than any other sport, relies heavily on luck. Remaining successful year after year is often harder than reaching the top in the first place.

“When you’re able to contain success in a sport like baseball,” Kelly said, “that’s when you know you’re at the top of the mountain.”

For the Dodgers, that mountain remains firmly within reach.

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