Corey Seager Returns to Dodger Stadium
On Tuesday night, Corey Seager made an emotional return to Dodger Stadium for the first time during a regular season game since his departure as a free agent after the 2021 season. However, fans were disappointed to find that Seager wasn't in the Texas Rangers' lineup due to a left hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined. This injury has rendered Seager day-to-day, marking Tuesday as the fourth consecutive game he has missed.
Seager first revisited Dodger Stadium during the 2022 All-Star Game, but this recent return carried deeper sentiments for the 30-year-old shortstop who established his reputation in Dodger blue.
A Storied Career
Seager’s career began to shine early on as he clinched the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year award. He became an All-Star in his first two full seasons and played a pivotal role in leading the Dodgers to the 2020 World Series title during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning both the NL MVP and World Series MVP honors in the process.
Despite his illustrious past with the Dodgers, Seager admitted to feeling a bit disoriented upon his return to Dodger Stadium, stating he was unfamiliar with the visiting clubhouse. “It got a little confusing for me because I wasn’t familiar with the visiting clubhouse,” Seager shared.
After entering free agency, Seager signed a monumental $325 million, 10-year deal with the Rangers. His performance with Texas has continued to be remarkable, earning All-Star selections in both 2022 and 2023, and leading the Rangers to a World Series championship, where he was again named World Series MVP.
High Praise from Dave Roberts
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts holds a high opinion of Seager. “Any team is better with Corey Seager,” Roberts stated, recalling Seager as a “superstar, just a heady baseball player, great competitor and performed really well on the biggest of stages.”
During his visit, Seager spent time reconnecting with old teammates and reflecting on his journey. “This organization kind of raised me, kind of made me the man I am today, taught me the game of baseball, made a lot of friends, made a lot of buddies, had a lot of good times out there, so all those memories kind of flash back as you’re pulling in,” Seager commented.
Seager acknowledged the disorientation that comes with change, mentioning, “I had some guys ask me where to go and I didn’t know. It’s been a lot of firsts, for sure.”
Optimism Despite Injury
Although Seager’s return to Dodger Stadium was bittersweet due to his inability to play, he remains optimistic about his injury status. “Definitely trending. It’s positive,” Seager said regarding his recovery. He also expressed a longing to be back on the field, stating, “It’s hard not to play every day. You want to be out there with your guys.”
Seager also reflected on the rapid success he's found with the Rangers, remarking, “I don’t know if you ever thought it would be that fast. Just kind of clicked at the right time and got hot in the playoffs and it turns into that.”
In his reflection, Seager credited the Dodgers for teaching him how to win and carry out responsibilities the right way, adding, “They taught me how to win, how to do things the right way. It’s a first-class organization and you try to bring that to another first-class organization.”
A Compelling Journey
Corey Seager’s journey is a compelling story of growth, perseverance, and success in the world of baseball. Despite the injury and the unfamiliarity of the opposing clubhouse, Seager’s return to Dodger Stadium was a heartfelt tribute to his accomplishments and the lasting impact he has had on both the Dodgers and the Rangers.
As Seager continues to recover, fans from both Los Angeles and Texas will undoubtedly be eager to see him back on the field, performing at the high level that has become synonymous with his name.