Editorials

Dodgers: 3 Years Ago Corey Seager Made His Major League Debut

On Thursday September 3, 2015 Corey Seager was called up to make his Major League debut against the Padres, in San Diego. I’m going to chronicle his debut from my perspective that day to mark the 3 year anniversary of his debut.

It all started with this tweet and my reaction:



Since it was a Thursday and work was busy, I was not planning to go down the Petco Park to watch the Dodgers play the Padres. Once I found out Seager was playing, I found a single ticket in a section where I’d actually sat behind Andrew Friedman a few months earlier. Field Box 108 is where I ended up, as Dodger VIPs sit in the front of that section sometimes.

Seager before 1st game

As I settled in I noticed Adrian Gonzalez’s parents were in the front row. During the last bit of warmups Corey went over and signed some autographs a couple of sections over (bummer for me, I still have nothing signed from him). Corey was batting 8th in the lineup and playing shortstop. Here was the Dodgers starting lineup for that night:

  1. Joc Pederson CF
  2. Chase Utley 2B
  3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
  4. Justin Turner 3B
  5. Carl Crawford LF
  6. Yasmani Grandal C
  7. Scott Van Slyke RF
  8. Corey Seager SS
  9. Mat Latos P

Corey did not make a plate appearance in the first inning but did have assist in the bottom of the first. I got a text to meet a friend as the 2nd inning started so I headed over to meet them. We were behind the home plate seats when Corey made his first plate appearance against Colin Rea. With Carl Crawford on third Corey ended up striking out looking.

The First Hit

By the time of his second at bat in the top of the 5th inning the Dodgers were down 4-0 with Mat Latos was pitching. With Rea still on the mound Corey ripped a line drive double into right field.

Seager Parents during debut

After his first hit and with all the cameras on his parents I started getting texts saying I was behind Corey’s parents and one sent me the picture on the right. Yes, I’m the dude with the old man reading glasses while the at bat is going on. A great look and a great appearance on TV as ESPN showed this highlight later. It’s the price I pay for checking Twitter or checking the umpire calls on the MLB At Bat application.

Within family and friends the old man glasses are a bit of legend. There was game earlier this year (2018) when one of my former players I managed in Little League, Daniel Drew, texted me “Activate Old Man Glasses”. It’s all part of the memories of Corey Seager’s debut.

The Second Hit

In the 6th inning, the Dodgers were down 4-3 with Crawford and Grandal on 2nd and 3rd. There was one out and Marc Rzepczynski, a lefty specialist, was pitching when Corey came up for his third at bat. He proceeded to knock in the 2 base runners with a line drive single to center.

As a parent it was awesome to be able to congratulate Corey’s parents during this game. The guys sitting to my right were brothers Justin and Jason Brower, players in the same high school program as my son. We all knew how hard it is to get to the higher levels and to see Corey’s parents exhibit so many emotions during his debut was special.

Something that was also memorable from the game was when Chase Utley received a double play throw and Justin Upton was called safe. The replay confirmed that Utley had not touched 2nd on the play but the GIF below of Upton’s surprise of the safe call is classic.

The game was a back and forth battle but the Dodgers bullpen, filled with names like Howell, Johnson and Nicasio, could not hold a lead. The 4 earned runs on starter Mat Latos didn’t help either as the Dodgers lost 10-7.

Memories

As Dodger fans we really want to win the World Series and I want it bad. However, no matter how the season ends, there are many memorable moments that occur. When you have the chance to listen, watch or attend something amazing at a baseball game nothing can take it away. Being there for Corey Seager‘s Major League debut was one of those times for me. Even though Corey is out for the rest of the 2018 season he is a foundational piece for the Dodger future. I look forward to seeing his return to MLB in 2019. Hopefully, it is as memorable as his debut.

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Tim Rogers

A fan of the Dodgers since 1973 since I got my first baseball cards while living in Long Beach. I came to San Diego for college and never left nor did I ever switch my Dodgers' allegiance. Some know me as the "sweater guy". #ProspectHugger

2 Comments

  1. The Dodgers are facing an eminent decision…Whom should they keep…Seager or Machado? That is the question. For me right now, it’s easy: Machado.

  2. Great article. Love watching the Dodgers young talent. Also an O.C. native who is now a San Diego transplant with deep roots planted. But, I bleed blue, thru and thru

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