After spending some time in Japan for the Tokyo Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers resumed their 2025 regular season against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium.
That put the Dodgers on a collision course to face Jack Flaherty, whose first start since becoming a World Series champion came against the team he won it with.
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Flaherty was a key member of the Dodgers rotation down the stretch and into the playoffs after the Tigers traded him at the deadline last season. He returned to the Tigers on a two-year, $35 million contract, but not after achieving every player’s dream of winning a World Series with their hometown team.
Being back at Dodger Stadium had Flaherty reminiscing about his experiences of the 2024 season, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“I’m as thankful as you guys are that we were able to get it done and we were able to win the whole thing,” Flaherty said Thursday. “That’s what we all want as players. That’s what I hope every fan wants, is to win.
“To be able to be on that side and be able to finish it off was special. And then, the reception and everything, that was special, for the entirety of the offseason when I was back around here.”
The storybook-like quality of Flaherty’s journey with the Dodgers last season is not lost on him and he is truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to provide his city and community with such a joyous moment:
“It’s so special,” he said. “It’s an incredible thing to think about and an incredible thing to be a part of. I got lucky enough to be on a team that got to win it in the fashion we did and make it happen in the way that we did.
“Growing up here and being a part of this — this city and this community — to give it all back and live it out in real time was awesome.”
On a day of celebration where the Dodgers received their World Series rings, Flaherty nearly played spoiler. He pitched four no-hit innings before running into some trouble.
Flaherty protected the Tigers’ 2-0 lead until Freddie Freeman’s home run tied the game in the sixth inning. Next for the Southern California native is receiving his Dodgers World Series ring on Saturday.
Jack Flaherty was ‘savior’ for Dodgers
While Flaherty wasn’t necessarily the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher last season, he was arguably their most important. His arrival came at a point in their season where the Dodgers needed stability after a series of injuries to their rotation put the team in a deep hole.
“Somewhat of a savior, to be honest with you,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said when asked to reflect on Flaherty’s arrival.
“We were in a position last year where we were reeling with starting pitching, and we needed someone who could take the baseball every fifth day, to go pitch meaningful innings, give us a chance to win and kind of stabilize things on the pitching side. And Jack, a hometown guy, it was his dream to pitch for the Dodgers, and he delivered.
“So he’s going to be a friend of mine for life and I couldn’t have been more happy. He was the right person at the right time for our club. And I’m happy that he got family and friends who got to see him in a Dodger uniform, get a championship ring.
“And now we can go beat him up today, and we’ll give him his ring tomorrow.”
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