When the Los Angeles Dodgers were in search of a right-handed hitting outfielder earlier this season due to a rib injury Mookie Betts suffered, they reunited with Trayce Thompson by acquiring him from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.
Thompson wound up earning his way to regular playing time and was in the Dodgers lineup for all four games of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres. After consecutive starts in left field, he played center field in Games 3 and 4.
When the NLDS shifted to Petco Park, Thompson was supported by his brother, Golden State Warriors All-Star and four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson being in attendance. Klay made his way to San Diego one night after playing in the Warriors’ final preseason game.
Then following their season opener, he joined the “Inside the NBA” set and reflected on Trayce’s journey and the stress that comes with postseason baseball:
“He made a great play in center field. I’m proud of him because he had a journey similar to mine. He was in the Minor for a year and a half at 30 years old, and he could’ve been like, ‘Man, I’m going to hang it up. I gave everything I had,’ but he grinded. I was there in the building, the Padres got a great team. … I finally understood watching him out there why I never beat him in wiffle ball. Man, playoff baseball is stressful. Basketball is cool because it’s so back and forth. But you sit there and just wait pitch to pitch, it’s not good for your heart.”
Although there was hope within the Thompson family that another champion would be crowned, the Dodgers’ cold offense led to the Padres winning the NLDS in four games. Trayce went 2-for-13 with one run scored, three walks and six strikeouts in his first postseason experience.
Klay had previously watched his older brother play for the Dodgers at various points in his career, including earlier this season when they faced the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
Klay & Trayce support Kershaw’s Challenge Ping Pong 4 Purpose
This year saw the return of Kershaw’s Challenge Ping Pong 4 Purpose at Dodger Stadium, with Clayton and Ellen Kershaw hosting the signature event for an eighth time.
The Thompson brothers, Dodgers teammates, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Brad Paisley, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Mario Lopez were among those in attendance.
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