There are two outs and two baserunners within the high of the eighth inning of a World Collection recreation in Dodger Stadium, the Houston Astros are down by two, and to the plate comes pinch-hitter Jason Heyward, whose final at-bat in Chavez Ravine produced a game-winning, pinch-hit three-run dwelling run for the Dodgers on Aug. 20.
Are you able to think about?
Heyward claims he hasn’t entertained the thought, although the situation would give the 35-year-old outfielder an opportunity to precise revenge on the group that designated him for project two days after his dramatic eighth-inning homer off Seattle nearer Andrés Muñoz gave the Dodgers a 6-3 victory over the Mariners.
“We’ve obtained numerous stuff to care for earlier than that occurs,” stated Heyward, who signed with the American League West-leading Astros on Aug. 29 and is in Anaheim for a three-game weekend collection towards the Angels.
“If I’m fascinated by stuff like that, then I’m not fascinated by what I’ve to do tonight. I’m considering too far forward. I’ve a chance proper right here in entrance of me.”
Typical Heyward. Staying “the place my ft are,” as he likes to say, remaining humble, performing like a real skilled, a few of the traits that made him one of the vital revered and well-liked gamers on the Dodgers and have endeared him to his new teammates in Houston.
“Whenever you convey somebody in like that, it was greater than a necessity we had in proper subject,” Astros supervisor Joe Espada stated. “It’s his expertise, the respect he has from teammates and coaches, a voice that might affect a few of your youthful gamers and match proper in with our profitable tradition.
“He’s been precisely what we anticipated and extra, as a result of he’s not solely contributing on the sphere, he has a voice, and he’s not afraid of opening up and serving to our guys. He gained in Chicago. He gained in L.A. He is aware of what that air of profitable seems like.”
Heyward made a superb first impression in his Astros debut with a two-run double in a 6-3 win over Kansas Metropolis in Minute Maid Park on Aug. 29. He hit a two-run homer in Houston’s 6-3 win over Oakland on Thursday.
There wasn’t a lot in between. The left-handed-hitting Heyward has made 5 begins in proper subject, because the Astros ease starter Kyle Tucker again from a right-shin fracture, and Heyward entered Saturday with a .143 common (three for 21) and 4 RBIs in 12 video games.
“The problem is that your function is just not essentially going to be outlined — t’s at all times going to be what’s greatest to assist the group win,” stated Heyward, who has been traded as soon as and launched twice however had by no means switched groups in-season throughout his 15-year profession.
“To return to a brand new clubhouse this late, you need to get acclimated and as comfy as you may straight away. You must do this at an expedited tempo, since you additionally need to focus in your job and assist the group win.”
Heyward’s contributions don’t at all times present up within the field rating. He struck out in two at-bats towards Arizona final weekend, however he had a hand within the Astros profitable two of three video games from the Diamondbacks.
“That was a group he’s seen numerous, so in our pre-series assembly, he had numerous info to share,” Espada stated. “When one in all their pitchers got here in from the bullpen, he grew to become type of a hitting coach, as a result of he’s confronted these guys and sees patterns, so he helps guys out. That’s been enormous.”
Houston reliever Caleb Ferguson, a Dodgers teammate of Heyward in 2023, has already seen the management qualities Heyward displayed in Los Angeles.
“To see a participant who’s had a profession like his be locked in each single pitch, whether or not he’s enjoying or not enjoying, can open some eyes,” Ferguson stated. “It’s like, ‘Wow, OK, all the pieces they do is with intent,’ and I believe it’s good.”
Heyward, who helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Collection, signed a minor league take care of the Dodgers and hit .269 with an .813 on-base-plus-slugging share, 15 homers and 40 RBIs in 124 video games in 2023.
He returned on a one-year, $9-million deal this season however missed six weeks of April and Could due to a again harm, two weeks of July due to a knee harm and hit .208 with a .682 OPS, six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 video games.
Heyward was lowered to a pinch-hitting function when Mookie Betts moved from shortstop again to proper subject upon coming back from a left-hand fracture on Aug. 12. With the Dodgers needing a spot for veteran utility man Chris Taylor, Heyward was the odd man out in a roster crunch.
“I don’t suppose I’ve to be bitter [toward the Dodgers],” Heyward stated. “I left it on the market on the sphere. It’s a part of the sport, a part of the enterprise. The folks within the entrance workplace are at all times going to do what they suppose is greatest for the group to win, and that’s that.”
Espada didn’t understand how Heyward’s Dodgers profession ended earlier than a reporter knowledgeable him of the pinch-hit homer on Friday. It seems Heyward’s last hit for his former group helped his new group retain a five-game AL West lead over the Mariners that evening.
“Wow, effectively thanks, Jason Heyward,” Espada stated, “after which he comes right here and he’s serving to us win video games, too.”