In setting their postseason roster for the Wild Card Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers decided on Matt Beaty, Terrance Gore and Keibert Ruiz for the final spots on the position player side. Each of the three was a bit of a surprise, but their value was evident.
In Gore’s case, it marked only his second time being up with the Dodgers this year. He was signed to a Minor League contract in February and designated for assignment at the end of July. Gore cleared waivers one week later and was outrighted to the Dodgers’ alternate training site.
But not before some deliberation on his end. “I’m going to be honest, I was really close to actually going somewhere else,” Gore revealed prior to Game 2 against the Milwaukee Brewers. “But I don’t know, something told me just stick it out, grind it out and work on my craft down at USC at the alternative site and that’s what I did.
“I was really, really close to actually going to another team, but something just told me to hang it out. I love the club. I even told my agent I really like the Dodgers.”
Much of Gore’s affinity for the organization stems from the learning new techniques and taking advantage of the Dodgers’ resources.
“I don’t know what it is about the Dodgers but the way you guys go about your business and the way you teach players to play the game of baseball like mechanics, you got so much stuff I’ve never even seen in my life,” Gore said.
“Really blown away by the stuff and technology you guys have over at the Dodgers. … You guys got like a DVR. It puts up any pitcher you want to and it throws a pitch at you. It literally looks like the pitcher is in front of you and you hit off of it. Stuff like that, I’ve never seen anything like that.
“All the hitting drills, the hitting coaches, the tennis balls, Will Smith had a neck brace on his neck one time. I came over here and I was like, ‘What in the world is going on over here?’ But after a while it clicked to me what these guys are actually doing. Everything is for a purpose. I was just really amazed.”
Roberts identifies with Gore
The sole purpose the Dodgers carried Gore on their active roster for the Wild Card Series — and potentially for the postseason moving forward — is his speed threat. It’s similar to manager Dave Roberts’ career and arguably the most important stolen base in MLB history.
“I am maybe a little bit bias toward a player like that,” Roberts said of Gore.
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