When the Chicago Cubs visited Dodger Stadium back in June, the Los Angeles Dodgers played a video tribute and presented Joc Pederson with his 2020 World Series ring during a pregame ceremony before the first game of the series.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner were among those to embrace Pederson behind home plate. He also received a standing ovation from fans.
While that was presumed to be his final trip to Dodger Stadium this year, a trade to the Atlanta Braves changed that. Pederson was given a warm reception for his pinch-hit appearance on Monday night, and again Tuesday when he started in center field.
Though, some of the warm feelings were erased when Pederson tomahawked a Walker Buehler fastball out of the zone for a solo home run that broke the scoreless tie.
“I know I’m going to get a text or whatever from him now,” Buehler said after the Dodgers’ comeback win.
“I’m not too sure how I feel about that. People aren’t supposed to hit that pitch that way. Joc certainly has some skills in doing things like that, that not many people can. We got the win, and that’s all I really care about.”
Although it appeared Pederson may have said something in Buehler’s direction after the impressive blast into the right field pavilion, that wasn’t the case, and perhaps for the best.
“He didn’t say anything,” Buehler said. “I’m glad he didn’t.”
The 2021 National League Cy Young Award candidate held the Braves to just two runs over six innings. Buehler has now logged at least that many innings in 26 of 27 starts this season, and turned in seven frames in 12 of those.
Though, Buehler wasn’t particularly thrilled with his performance against the Braves. “Will kind of navigated me through, got me in and out of there a little bit,” he said.
“A couple runs but something to work on. I think Will really steered me well.”
Joc jams
Pederson’s time with the Dodgers is remembered fondly by manager Dave Roberts and several former teammates. When the Dodgers were playing at Wrigley Field earlier this season, Turner said he most missed Pederson’s home run celebrations.
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