There has been little love lost between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros since Major League Baseball determined electronic sign stealing was prevalent during the 2017 World Series. Dodgers players were among the most critical of the Astros, who showed little remorse.
That tension boiled over early into the season as an exchange between Joe Kelly and Carlos Correa caused benches to clear in the series opener at Minute Maid Park. Kelly was suspended eight games — which was reduced to five after his appeal.
The teams concluded the two-game set in Houston without another incident, and also played twice more at Dodger Stadium free of any dustup. However, the Astros were greeted by a large group of Dodgers fans as their buses pulled into Chavez Ravine and a banner flew over the field.
With MLB utilizing bubbles for the postseason, the Astros are back at Dodger Stadium for the American League Division Series. They held a workout Saturday and were met by a smaller group of angered fans, which Josh Reddick said was a let down, per Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times:
Josh Reddick on the #Dodgers fans who jeered the #Astros as their bus pulled into Dodger Stadium last month: "I thought there would be more. I was kind of disappointed. There wasn't enough out there."
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) October 3, 2020
While the Dodgers generally did not name specific Astros players they were angry with in the aftermath of MLB’s findings, Josh Reddick has taken on plenty of criticism and vitriol from fans. Though, that frankly began when Reddick struggled with the Dodgers.
Players, Roberts support Dodgers fans
The fans who lined the entrance at Dodger Stadium to boo the Astros last month were supported by Dodgers players as they also made their way in. Several honked or stuck a hand out of their window to show their appreciation of the support.
“I loved it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think they have every right to do whatever they feel to express their feelings. I thought it was great. It just shows the passion the Dodger fans have.”
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