Corey Seager's Bittersweet Return to Dodger Stadium
Homecoming Marred by Injury
Corey Seager came back to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night for the first time in the regular season since his departure as a free agent after the 2021 season. However, fans were disappointed to find that he wasn’t in the Texas Rangers’ lineup due to a left hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined. Seager remains day-to-day with the injury, and Tuesday marked the fourth consecutive game he’s missed.
Seager first returned to Dodger Stadium during the 2022 All-Star Game, but this visit carried a different weight. The 30-year-old shortstop, who established his reputation in Dodger blue, admitted to feeling a bit disoriented upon his return. He was unfamiliar with the visiting clubhouse, a foreign environment compared to the home he once knew so well.
A Stellar Career in Los Angeles
Seager's time with the Dodgers is filled with accolades and memorable moments. He won the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year award and became an All-Star in his first two full seasons. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the Dodgers to the 2020 World Series title and earned NL MVP and World Series MVP honors in the process. "This organization kind of raised me, kind of made me the man I am today," Seager reflected. "They taught me how to win, how to do things the right way."
A New Chapter in Texas
After entering free agency, Seager signed a massive $325 million, 10-year deal with the Rangers. His performance with Texas has been nothing short of remarkable. He earned All-Star selections in both 2022 and 2023 and led the Rangers to a World Series championship, where he was named World Series MVP. "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," Seager commented on the unexpected success.
Despite his success with the Rangers, Seager's return to Dodger Stadium was also a time to reflect on his journey. "It’s hard not to play every day. You want to be out there with your guys," he said. The sentiment was echoed by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who holds a high opinion of Seager. "Any team is better with Corey Seager," Roberts stated, recalling him as a "superstar, just a heady baseball player, great competitor and performed really well on the biggest of stages."
Looking Ahead
Seager remains optimistic about his injury status, saying, "Definitely trending. It’s positive." Despite the disorientation that comes with change, Seager acknowledged the foundational role the Dodgers played in his growth. "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," Seager noted. Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, "This organization kind of raised me, kind of made me the man I am today."
While Corey Seager’s return to Dodger Stadium was bittersweet due to his inability to play, his journey remains a compelling story of growth, perseverance, and success in the world of baseball. From his formative years in Los Angeles to his stellar performance with the Rangers, Seager's career continues to evolve, promising many more memorable moments in the future.