Corey Seager's Long-Awaited Return to Dodger Stadium
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. 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.
Early Career Achievements
Seager first returned to Dodger Stadium during the 2022 All-Star Game. The 30-year-old shortstop established his reputation in Dodger blue long before he donned a Rangers jersey. Seager won the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year award and became an All-Star in his first two full seasons. He led the Dodgers to the 2020 World Series title during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he earned NL MVP and World Series MVP honors. Upon his return to Dodger Stadium, Seager admitted to feeling a bit disoriented. He was unfamiliar with the visiting clubhouse, a stark reminder of how much had changed since his days with the Dodgers.
Transition to Texas Rangers
Seager entered free agency and signed a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Rangers. His performance with Texas has been remarkable. He earned All-Star selections in both 2022 and 2023 and led the Rangers to a World Series championship, where he was once again named World Series MVP. Despite his success, Seager found Tuesday’s return bittersweet due to his inability to play. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts holds a high opinion of Seager. Roberts recalled Seager as a "superstar, just a heady baseball player, great competitor and performed really well on the biggest of stages." Roberts said, "Any team is better with Corey Seager."
Reflections on Return
Seager spent time reconnecting with old teammates and reflected on his journey. He remains optimistic about his injury status, saying, "Definitely trending. It’s positive." Seager acknowledged the disorientation that comes with change, commenting, "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." He also remarked, "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."
His return to Dodger Stadium may have been bittersweet due to his inability to play, but Seager’s journey is a compelling story of growth, perseverance, and success in the world of baseball.
Quotes from Seager
Reflecting on his experiences and the recent changes, Seager had this to say about his return: "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 added, "It’s hard not to play every day. You want to be out there with your guys." He also commented on the challenges of returning to a stadium as a visitor, saying, "I had some guys ask me where to go and I didn’t know. It’s been a lot of firsts, for sure."
In discussing how the Dodgers influenced his approach to the game, he noted, "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." Finally, reflecting on his rapid success with the Rangers, Seager said, "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."