The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series behind key performances from several players, including handing the ball to Walker Buehler to close out the New York Yankees in Game 5.
It was a fitting moment for the Dodgers’ former first-round draft pick who endured struggles throughout the year in his quest to return from a second career Tommy John surgery.
Buehler not only answered the bell for the Dodgers but arguably rescued them amid a pitching shortage. He did so while appearing on just one day of rest.
That amounted to a second World Series title for the right-hander and he now has been recognized with Walker Buehler Day in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, per Karyn Czar of the WUKY News:
“Whereas we congratulate Walker on his many achievements and wish him continued success.” Mayor Gorton laughed as Finley cooed into the mic. Gorton continued, “See, this is the kind of excitement we are all about. Now therefore, I, Linda Gordon, mayor of Lexington, do hereby declare November 18, 2024, Walker Buehler Day in Lexington. Congratulations.”
Buehler announced a donation of physical therapy equipment was made to local first responders on behalf of the Buehler Family Foundation. Leaving an imprint on matters beyond just baseball is an area that he holds in fairly high regard:
“Being born and raised here and our family being here, my wife’s family from being here, I think, you know, having some sort of legacy here is, you know, the important thing for me. Obviously, the baseball stuff. There there’s millions of kids who play baseball and some of us get lucky enough to get to the major leagues, but I think doing something with it that’s positive is kind of what I want to do in the end,” Buehler said.
The 30-year-old still calls Lexington his home, residing in the area he grew up in. Buehler’s career with the Dodgers has left an imprint on baseball, and the love for his hometown is a continued opportunity to remain tied to his roots.
Buehler attended Clay High School and recently hosted the fifth annual Buehler Family Foundation golf event.
Will Walker Buehler return to the Dodgers?
Buehler wasn’t sharp in his return from his second Tommy John surgery over the course of the regular season, but proved to be plenty electric in the playoffs.
That served as a springboard into free agency, where the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs are among the teams with reported interest in Buehler thus far.
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