The Los Angeles Dodgers did not have an aggressive trade deadline and fell short in adequately addressing their biggest need, but they still managed to make at least one impactful move with the acquisition of Ben Rortvedt.
Future contributions from new prospects who joined the organization, Adam Serwinowski and James Tibbs III, remains to be seen, but Rortvedt quickly became a fan favorite.
“It’s really cool. Any kind of support is awesome. I know it comes in waves. This game is hard, so when you get support, it means a lot, it’s really cool,” Rortvedt told DodgerBlue.com.
He has tried his best to not pay too much attention to a rise in popularity, but has noticed a difference at Dodger Stadium.
“Hearing my name announced here with kind of no claps, to hearing a couple now, it’s a small thing that’s cool,” he said.
Rortvedt has also made a name for himself within the Dodgers organization, earning the praise from Blake Snell, manager Dave Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, among others. That’s played a part in Rortvedt earning a spot on the playoff roster for the Wild Card Series.
Meanwhile, a definitive nickname hasn’t emerged in the clubhouse yet, but he’s open to whatever sticks.
“I have some nicknames that are thrown around, but I’ve never really been a nickname guy,” Rortvedt said. “I mean, my name is short. My last name is super difficult to say, so whatever they want to call me, it’s good.”
“Benny Ro” is one that has been gaining steam among the fanbase and received the seal of approval from the man himself.
Ben Rortvedt’s walk-up song lore
Rortvedt’s walk-up song has become part of his brand since joining the Dodgers. The saxophone solo gained notoriety through its use in a meme of the Pokémon Squirtle playing the instrument.
“Yeah, I think the first time I saw it, it was a meme of a turtle on a trumpet or something. Squirtle,” Rortvedt said. “And then it was always catchy, and it got stuck in my head a whole day, I want to say.
“I never knew what song it was, and then I found the song, and I would play it as a joke in the cages sometimes when I was with some of my friends.
“And then I actually had it as my walk-up song with the Rays, not last year, but the year before. I really liked it, and a lot of people liked it. I strayed away from it this year, but I came back to it.”
The soundbite comes from the song “Run Away” by Moldovan musical group SunStroke Project and Moldovan singer Olia Tira. They performed the song representing Moldova in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, which can be found on YouTube.
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