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Former Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Chris Taylor made an emotional return to Dodger Stadium on Wednesday evening to throw the first pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals. Taylor, who spent the majority of his 12-season career with the organization, reflected on his deep connection to the team and the city. During his time in Los Angeles, he established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise’s success, and he expressed that his primary identity remains tied to the Dodgers organization.
Taylor’s tenure with the club included multiple championship runs and postseason moments that defined his career. He was honored by his former teammates—including Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman, Kiké Hernandez, and Mookie Betts—who presented him with his World Series ring before the game. Though Taylor was released early in the 2025 season, he remained eligible to receive the championship ring after the Dodgers won the World Series. The veteran player noted that he maintains close relationships with many of his former teammates and continues to follow the organization closely.
Taylor’s postseason resume speaks to his value during his Dodgers years. He shared co-MVP honors during the 2017 National League Championship Series and made the All-Star team in 2021. His clutch performances included a walk-off home run in a wild card game and three homers in a League Championship Series contest. Across 19 playoff series with Los Angeles, he compiled nine home runs and 26 RBIs while batting .247 with a .441 slugging percentage.
Now enjoying retirement, Taylor expressed contentment with his decision to step away from playing, despite acknowledging the transition was challenging. He noted that watching games with family—something he never experienced during his playing career—now represents an unexpected pleasure of his life after baseball.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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