Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker is coming out of a lengthy slump, and fans of the Boys in Blue are left with the question of how to welcome the $240 million man back to LA.
Tucker was hitless in seven straight games before he hit a double on Tuesday to break a 0-for-26 hitless streak.
He followed that up with a two-hit game on Wednesday, showing that he might be back on track.
Those games were in Colorado, however, and he’s notably struggled more at home than on the road.
Dodgers fans debate how to support Kyle Tucker
Some Dodgers fans believe he needs to feel the positivity in Dodger Stadium like with a standing ovation, something supporters did last year for Mookie Betts when he was in a similar situation.
On “Dodgers Nation Live,” Noel Sanchez said he thinks a public show of support would be helpful to Tucker.
“I think an ovation for Kyle Tucker would be pretty nice. I think it would be great to show him that yes, your first season hasn’t gone the best. We haven’t gotten to know you that much, but we’ve still got your back. We still believe you can be a piece to help us win the World Series,'” Sanchez said.
Dodger Dan, though, thought it might be a bad idea.
“I don’t know if the extra attention is necessarily what he wants or needs,” Dodger Dan said. “That is a lot of focus on him. He seems like a lowkey guy … I don’t mean to poopoo on the ovation thing, but I’m just not a big believer in the magic of it.”
Fans seemed similarly split on the idea.
“Why not give a standing ovation for everyone? I love all my Dodger players. But I get the point of this post, it’s not unlike when Roki was feeling down. I’m all in for a standing ovation for King Tuck,” wrote @sd.kyo.
“The team is only as strong as the least performing players so we gotta pull them all up and that’s what we’re gonna do because we need them,” added @photospice.
Others, though, indicated that they don’t believe such adulation is warranted yet.
“Standing O for simply playing below expectations? Nah,” said @sr.camarena.
What do you think? Should Kyle Tucker get a standing ovation Friday night? Will he?
2 Responses
It seems like every time the Dodgers sign a big name with high expectations and hands them the keys to Fort Knox, he becomes the next Michael Conforto or Edwin Diaz. No to a standing ovation. They need to earn their keep. The people who should be getting a standing ovation are the fans who are doling out hundreds of dollars to watch an under-performing team.
He doesn’t seem to give 100% so no. Respect must be earned.