Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Chris Taylor Felt ‘Fortunate’ Hitting Walk-Off Home Run In NL Wild Card Game
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Chris Taylor Felt ‘Fortunate’ Hitting Walk-Off Home Run In NL Wild Card Game

Matthew Moreno
October 7, 2021
4 Min Read
Matt Beaty, Cody Bellinger, Will Smith, Steven Souza Jr., Chris Taylor, Justin Turner, walk-off win, 2021 National League Wild Card Game
Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers faced two intertwined questions with their lineup for the National League Wild Card Game: who would start at first base and in center field? In a mild surprise, Chris Taylor was not the answer for the outfield.

Instead, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts elected to pencil in Matt Beaty at first base and Cody Bellinger in center field. “My confidence in Chris as a baseball player hasn’t changed,” Roberts said before his club faced the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I think that certainly he’s been grinding the second half. He really has. But we’re going to need him.”

Taylor wound up entering as part of a double-switch in seventh inning. He later delivered a walk-off home run — the fourth in Dodgers postseason history — to keep the team’s World Series defense alive and put them in the NL Division Series.

“I know obviously it’s a little different not starting the game,” Taylor said after his heroics. “I was just trying to stay ready off the bench. I knew there was a really good chance I was going to come in at some point, just the way we operate.

“I was trying to be ready when my number was called. These are the type of moments that you dream about and you live for, and to be able to look back on this for the rest of my life, I’m just fortunate that I was able to come through in that spot.”

Taylor’s career arc reached new levels since getting traded to the Dodgers. A middling utility man with the Seattle Mariners, he has further enhanced that ability to become an All-Star and integral part of a perennial World Series contender.

“It’s been quite a journey. I think I am a believer that everything happens for a reason, and there’s highs and lows,” Taylor said. “Everything I’ve been through, all the struggles, the successes, everything has brought me to this point.

“I think this is right where I’m supposed to be, with this team. I’m very fortunate.”

Taylor focused small, feeling healthy

Part of Taylor’s slump during the second half was playing through a lingering neck issue that may now be in the past. “It feels good,” he said.

“The last week or so it’s felt a lot better. I felt like I haven’t been thinking about it when I’m playing, which is good. I feel like it shouldn’t be an issue going forward.”

As for the dramatic home run, Taylor simply wanted to put the ball in play once Cody Bellinger stole second base.

“I was just trying not to do too much and get a pitch,” he explained. “I chased that first [slider] in the dirt. Kind of wanted to see it up and try to stay right-center. He kind of left it over the middle of the plate for me and I was able to get it up in the air to left.”

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!

Total
5
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 5
Share 0
TAGGED:2021 National League Wild Card GameChris TaylorLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dodgers News

Baseball Prospectus Reveals Dodgers 2018 Top-10 Prospects List

November 21, 2017
November 21, 2017
J.D. Martinez, Freddie Freeman dance
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: J.D. Martinez Named National League Player Of The Week For September 18-24

September 25, 2023
September 25, 2023
Dave Roberts, Dodgers City Connect
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Takes Blame For Trying To Have Zach McKinstry Pitch

June 5, 2022
June 5, 2022
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Dodgers City Connect
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman & Clayton Kershaw Among Top Selling Jerseys For First Half Of 2023 Season

July 14, 2023
July 13, 2023

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어