The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox just before the start of Spring Training this year to acquire Mookie Betts and David Price as they looked to end the franchise’s World Series drought.
While Betts’ was the headliner of the deal, his one year of club control at the time led to some questions about the future. Price, on the other hand, still had three years remaining on his contract and figured to in L.A. through the 2022 season.
Of course, the Dodgers wound up signing Betts to a 12-year contract extension and Price ultimately opted out of the 2020 season out of consideration for his family with respect to concerns with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Both Betts and Price have had nothing but good things to say about the Dodgers organization and fanbase. That continued when Price recently appeared on the “Big Swing” podcast and noted out how well Dodgers fans travel for road games:
“If we’re playing games in the West Coast region and fans know next week they can drive or fly to Colorado and buy a ticket to a game to watch us play, I think we would have a lot of fans. Dodger fans travel extremely well. I remember last year when the Dodgers came to Fenway, that was probably the most of the opposing team’s color I’ve seen in Fenway in my entire career in the big leagues. Dodgers fans travel well. I think they would overtake opposing stadiums.”
The Dodgers’ fan group known as Pantone 294 takes trips to opposing stadiums every year in support of the team, and one of those in 2019 was to Fenway Park, which Price alluded to.
Price has seen it from afar, and while he eventually will be able to see it up close, that was not a guarantee heading into this season. Fans were not permitted to attend games until the National League Championship Series that was played at Globe Life Field.
Dodgers fans make presence felt
Several Dodgers players remarked how the environment changed with fans in attendance for the NLCS and again the World Series. L.A. supporters appeared to be outnumbered by Atlanta Braves fans, but then had a stronger showing for the World Series matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays.
“There were so many Dodger fans here tonight. This place was all Dodger fans the whole time,” Clayton Kershaw said after Game 6. “It was only 10,000 people here tonight or whatever, but I bet 9,000 of them were Dodger fans who all stuck around after and cheered for us.”
Make sure to follow us on Instagram! It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
