Corey Seager's Return to Dodger Stadium: A Bittersweet Homecoming
First Visit Since 2021 Departure
Corey Seager returned to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night for the first time in the regular season since leaving as a free agent after the 2021 season. However, fans were disappointed to find out that he wasn’t in the Texas Rangers’ lineup due to a left hamstring injury that has sidelined him. Seager remains day-to-day with the injury, and Tuesday marked the fourth consecutive game he has missed.
A Legacy in Dodger Blue
Seager first returned to Dodger Stadium during the 2022 All-Star Game, but this regular-season visit was meant to rejuvenate memories for both the player and the fans. The 30-year-old shortstop established his reputation while wearing Dodger blue. His accolades include winning the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year award, becoming an All-Star in his first two full seasons, and leading the Dodgers to the 2020 World Series title during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with earning NL MVP and World Series MVP honors.
Unfamiliar Territory
Despite the myriad of memories and achievements in Dodger Stadium, Seager admitted to feeling a bit disoriented upon his return. He was unfamiliar with the visiting clubhouse, stating, "It got a little confusing for Seager, who wasn’t familiar with the visiting clubhouse." The nostalgia and strangeness coexisted as he navigated new spaces in an old, cherished location.
A Star with the Rangers
Entering free agency, Seager signed a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Rangers, and his performance with Texas has been nothing short of remarkable. He earned All-Star selections in both 2022 and 2023, and led the Rangers to a World Series championship, securing another World Series MVP title in the process.
High Regard from Old Acquaintances
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts holds a high opinion of Seager, recalling him as a "superstar, just a heady baseball player, great competitor and performed really well on the biggest of stages." Roberts personally believes, "Any team is better with Corey Seager."
Reconnecting and Reflecting
Seager spent time reconnecting with old teammates, taking this return as a moment to reflect on his journey. Seager remains optimistic about his injury status, claiming, "Definitely trending. It’s positive."
He also acknowledged the disorientation that comes with change, commenting, "They taught me how to win, how to do things the right way. It’s a first-class organization, and you try to bring that to another first-class organization."
Reflecting on his swift journey to success with the Rangers, Seager remarked, "I don’t know if you ever thought it would be that fast. Just kind of clicked at the right time and got hot in the playoffs, and it turns into that."
A Bittersweet Homecoming
Corey Seager’s return to Dodger Stadium may have been bittersweet due to his inability to play, but his journey remains a compelling story of growth, perseverance, and triumph in the world of baseball. The nostalgia of Dodger Stadium brought back memories and reflections, serving as a reminder of how far he has come and what he has yet to achieve.
"This organization kind of raised me, kind of made me the man I am today, taught me the game of baseball, made a lot of friends, made a lot of buddies, had a lot of good times out there, so all those memories kind of flash back as you’re pulling in," said Seager. It’s hard not to play every day when you want to be out there with your guys, and some of his former colleagues even turned to him for guidance in the new setting. "I had some guys ask me where to go, and I didn’t know. It’s been a lot of firsts, for sure."
Corey Seager’s story remains one worth following. His return to Los Angeles was more than a simple visit; it was a marker of success, a moment of reflection, and a bittersweet reminder of how far both he and the Dodgers have come since parting ways.