ST. LOUIS — Tommy Edman has completed nearly every little thing a participant can do at Busch Stadium, however as he arrived with the Dodgers on Friday afternoon, he realized he had one thing to study. Edman, who was drafted by the Cardinals in 2016 and made his Main League debut with the group in 2019, didn’t know methods to discover the batting cage — or something in any respect — within the guests’ clubhouse.
“Strolling into the doorway to the stadium, you are available in by means of the identical entrance within the parking zone however [go] by means of a distinct door,” Edman defined. “I used to be like, ‘OK, that is totally different.’”
He delivered his first profession hit in opposition to his former group with a pointy single to proper subject within the prime of the seventh inning, reaching first base to seek out former teammate Willson Contreras ready with a welcoming embrace.
“It was actually cool,” Edman stated of the ovation within the aftermath of a 5-0 Dodgers loss. “Simply to get acknowledged after taking part in for this group for quite a few years, it was a extremely particular second for me, for positive. I’m very grateful for everyone who confirmed up in the present day.”
There are a variety of variations for Edman because the final time he was at Busch Stadium. He was traded to Los Angeles on the 2024 Deadline in a three-way deal which noticed the Dodgers ship Miguel Vargas and two Minor Leaguers to the White Sox in change for Edman and Michael Kopech, and on the time, he was on the injured checklist, recovering from wrist surgical procedure.
Inside 4 months, he was a world champion and the MVP of the NLCS, a useful piece of the Dodgers’ lineup, and signed a long-term contract extension which can maintain the San Diego native near house for the majority of his remaining profession.
“I suppose it’s already been nearly a 12 months now that I’ve been with the Dodgers,” he stated. “It’s positively passed by in a short time, however on the similar time, I really feel like I’ve gotten very shut with everyone within the Dodgers’ group.”
Edman received his solely profession Gold Glove with the Cardinals, receiving the award at second base in 2021. In his 5 seasons as a Cardinal, Edman posted a .265 batting common and .726 OPS, stealing 106 bases and hitting 53 homers whereas supplying top-notch protection at each place apart from first base, pitcher and catcher.
“I am only a younger, 24-year-old man simply strolling into the clubhouse,” Edman recalled of his debut with St. Louis. “I wasn’t an enormous prospect or something, so simply being tremendous nervous and now coming again right here, it is positively — I really feel type of a way of familiarity.”
Requested what precisely Edman would say he’s now, if he was younger then, the 30-year-old cracked a wry smile and provided, “being skilled. Skilled and sensible.”
He additionally made historical past in 2023 by representing Workforce Korea within the World Baseball Basic, the place he was teammates with now-fellow Dodger Hyeseong Kim. Edman, whose mom was born in Korea, was the primary American-born participant to symbolize that nation in a serious worldwide match.
Resulting from being injured when traded, Edman didn’t have the chance to say a correct goodbye to the followers in St. Louis on the sector, and he was wanting ahead to the prospect to show how a lot he appreciated the help he obtained over his 5 seasons as a Cardinal.
“It was type of abrupt final 12 months, getting traded on the Deadline simply seemingly out of nowhere,” he defined. “Haven’t been again in St. Louis since then.”
“I believe it’s going to be emotional,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated pregame. “It’s the primary group and solely group that gave him a shot early, proper? A lot of pals with the coaches, gamers, the followers respect him as these followers respect each participant. I believe it’s going to be considerably emotional. It’s gonna be nice.”
One other harm nearly spoiled his return. Edman frolicked on the injured checklist earlier this season with a sprained proper ankle, which he irritated earlier this week in opposition to the Mets. He entered as a pinch-hitter within the seventh inning Tuesday, however didn’t seem Wednesday.
Whereas there have been considerations he is perhaps compelled to return to the IL, relaxation did the trick, and Edman stated Friday that he was taking part in at full energy, and was greater than able to make his return.
“One of many biggest issues about Cardinals followers is simply appreciating the historical past, what former gamers have poured into their time right here,” Edman stated. “It’s simply nice seeing Cardinals followers once more. They’ve acquired nice help for the group, and I’ve nothing however good phrases for these guys.”
They usually, for him — Edman’s first plate look was heralded by the gang coming to its toes in unison to supply a loud cheer. Edman tipped his helmet, one final acknowledgement of the place the place his profession started, and went proper again to the place it continues.
