When it came time to decide on nicknames that would be on their jerseys during Players Weekend, Austin Barnes opted for ‘Sam.’ The odd choice was because Chase Utley didn’t know Barnes’ name when the versatile catcher was with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016.
Now, Kyle Farmer can relate. An injury to Justin Turner created an unexpected opportunity on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, which Farmer earned, in part because he boasts the same versatility as Barnes.
On Sunday, Farmer delivered a go-ahead double in the 10th inning that proved the difference for the Dodgers in their win against the San Francisco Giants. The game-winning hit was Farmer’s second of his career.
Coincidentally, both have come against the Giants. But that wasn’t enough for Kenley Jansen to recall his teammate’s name during a postgame interview, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
#Dodgers Kenley Jansen also credited the game-winning RBI double to "Whatshisname" during post-game interview. I offered to introduce him to Kyle Farmer.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 8, 2018
One day later, Farmer had fun with exchange:
We still haven’t met yet. https://t.co/rQbU3webLP
— Kyle Farmer (@kFarm17) April 9, 2018
Jansen was also sure to give his teammate proper due on social media:
KYLE came up big man 🙏 is what I meant to say. Great game bro. 🙌 @kFarm17
— Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) April 9, 2018
Farmer’s double off the right-field wall not only won the game for the Dodgers, it was also his first RBI of the season. Although many assumed Farmer is only on the roster until Turner is reinstated from the disabled list, manager Dave Roberts said that’s not a forgone conclusion.
What might already be decided is Farmer’s nickname, should MLB bring back Players Weekend this season.
