Fernando Tatis Jr. has been nothing short of a lightning rod since making his MLB debut in 2019, viewed at times as one of the rising stars in the sport but also facing criticism and shame for a PED suspension in 2022.
Tatis has additionally been at the center of memorable, if not contentious moments, between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. The latest of which saw him twice hit by a pitch during the four-game series that was just completed at Dodger Stadium.
The first Tatis hit by pitch was a fastball to his back, which drew cheers from several fans in attendance. Tatis understandably offered somewhat disparaging remarks when asked about that response from Dodgers fans, and he also spoke negatively about Dodger Stadium, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic:
Yet, on Wednesday, Tatis said it did not rank among his favorite venues. He had been asked about the home crowd’s cheering the previous night when he took a fastball in his back.
“Everybody knows Dodgers fans,” he said. “It’s part of the circus.”
When asked about playing at Dodger Stadium, Tatis paused and chuckled.
“I just don’t like it,” he said. “I don’t like it at all.”
During the National League Division Series in 2024, Tatis said he enjoyed a “wild” relationship with Dodger fans.
And despite not being fond of the ballpark, Tatis has certainly enjoyed plenty of success at Dodger Stadium. In 38 career games there during the regular season, he’s hit .297/.363/.579 with five doubles, 12 home runs and 23 RBI.
The 12 home runs are Tatis’ second-most at any stadium in his career. It expectedly trails the 71 he’s slugged at Petco Park, and it’s just ahead of Tatis’ 10 home runs at Oracle Park.
One of Tatis’ home runs in the Dodgers’ home ballpark is part of an exclusive group that has been hit out of Dodger Stadium entirely. And of course it’s where his father hit two grand slams in one inning, an accomplishment that has not been repeated in MLB history.
Do the Dodgers hit Fernando Tatis Jr. a lot?
Dodgers pitchers have now hit Tatis six times in his career, which is the most by any Padres opponent. However, that is not first on the list when examining the rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers.
Will Smith has been hit by a pitch 11 times when playing against the Padres, and Max Muncy is second on the list for their head-to-head meetings with nine. Tatis and Mookie Betts then are tied with six times each.
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