Hanser Alberto was among the new additions to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2022 season, and while he didn’t make much of an impact at the plate, he found other ways to provide value.
Alberto made 10 appearances out of the bullpen, which set an MLB record for most games pitched by a position player. The 30-year-old’s biggest contributions came in the clubhouse, however, where his joyful presence helped keep the mood light.
“It’s funny. Hanser, man, he’s just catalyst that in the clubhouse that keeps us all loose, keeps us having fun,” Mookie Betts said earlier this year. “He’s always dancing and always making a smile. Just a very important person to have.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is also fond of Alberto and believes he had a similar impact on the team as Albert Pujols in 2021. “I think in a different capacity, Albert did that for our club last year when he came over,” Roberts said.
“You’ve got to have guys that know their roles. Hanser knows his role and he has so much gratitude putting on the Dodgers uniform every night. Being ready when called upon is important, and he does add a lot of joy and fun to the clubhouse.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that are pretty straight-laced, and I don’t know if it’s bad these days to say it, but blue-collar, and just kind of go out there and play and not really emotional. He brings that out in our guys, which is great, especially when you’re going through the grind of Spring Training, 162 (games) and expect to play through October. The numbers that he might have, he’s much more impactful than the line score.”
Alberto was not included on the Dodgers’ National League Division Series roster but he continued being an important member of the clubhouse.
L.A. holds a $2 million club option and $250,000 buyout on Alberto for the 2023 season, and given how much he means to the team, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they pick it up. Options must be exercised or declined by the fifth day after the World Series.
Hanser Alberto among Dodgers who received votes for 2022 Roy Campanella Award
Freddie Freeman was named the recipient of the 17th annual Roy Campanella Award, which is voted on by Dodgers players and coaches, but Alberto also received consideration.
“This is one of the years that more players on this club got individual votes than ever before, which is a credit to a lot of candidates,” Roberts said. “He was the majority vote-getter, but I kind of brought Hanser to light a little bit too in the sense that he got a handful of votes.
“You’re talking about Roy Campanella, who obviously was a great player, but what he meant to the clubhouse he was a part of, Hanser in a lot of ways has done that for us. Being a big cheerleader at the end of the bench, showing up positive to work every day, pitching, taking down innings when we’ve needed it. Everything about him screams good teammate.”
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