Dodgers: Alex Verdugo Says Goodbye To LA in Heartfelt Message on Social Media
Dodger fans everywhere have been reveling in the acquisition of Mookie Betts and David Price. Somewhat lost in the excitement of getting an MVP and a WS hero for one player, has been the fact that that players is Alex Verdugo. Alex Verdugo himself offered a very sweet goodbye.
Alex Verdugo was drafted by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft as an 18-year-old. He rose through the system and made his debut as a 21-year-old. The kid literally grew up with this club and members of the organization.
Hit Me Where It Hurts
I’ll be completely honest. When the trade was announced I said to another member of our Dodgers Nation crew, “I’ll definitely miss hearing ‘Volver, Volver’ at Dodger Stadium.” I will absolutely miss it. Alex Verdugo, of Mexican descent, chose this song as his walk-up and it was a brilliant decision. Dodger Stadium went absolutely bonkers when the song, by Mexican musical icon Vicente Fernandez, came onto the loud speakers. It was this song that got me writing again after the Dodgers lost to the Nationals in the NLDS last October. It was one of the pieces I was most proud of.
When I read Alex Verdugo’s goodbye, I was ready to read it quickly and write him off. His goodbye hit me a little harder than I thought.
Bendicion
At the end of his heartfelt goodbye where he thanked basically the entire Dodgers organization and city of LA, he hash-tagged #Bendicion and #vivalarazamx. “Bendicion” means blessing in Spanish, and it holds a reverence that does not quite capture in English. “Viva La Raza” translates to “long live the race.” The “mx” at the end of it is a reference to his Mexican heritage.
It has been well documented, the Mexican connection to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Alex Verdugo choosing “Volver, Volver” as his walk-up was an instant acknowledgment of that. Alex Verdugo wearing the Dodgers jersey wasn’t just a blessing for Alex Verdugo, it was a blessing for us all.
Best of luck in Boston, Dugie! Show them that kid is naaaaaasty.
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When this team falls short again and Betts bails this will be a huge mistake
That’s what I’m thinking too…
That’s exactly what I thought when I heard the “Rental” we took with Betts.
Yeah… For whatever reason I’m also kinda sad about Verdugo leaving. I have him pegged as someone who is going to become a really good player….I fear we may have traded a future Yelich type player. We should start working on a way to eventually get him back.
As it is my sincere belief that Verdugo will be an amazing player, I feel a sense of loss. Its not just about his talent though. Verdugo brought an energy and love for playing the game that you do not see all the time. It was obvious that Verdugo enjoyed being a part of the Dodgers and appeared to do his best to bring it every game he played. Like you, I am completely down with the “working on a way to eventually get him back.” But in the interim, I wish Alex Verdugo the best.
Agree. The rest of the young Dodgers fed off that energy. They’ll need that energy in October. The key piece in this trade should have been Kiebert Ruiz, especially with Will Smith there for the next 10 years…
So sad to be losing Dugie. Not since Fernandomania have I fallen for a player head over heels. btw, I’m 63. He brought his true Dugie self full of enthusiasm and talent. Wishing him the best in Boston and hope one day he’ll Volver.
What a classy good-bye! I am going to miss Alex Verdugo’s enthusiasm and pure joy when playing. I am so sorry to see him go and wish him the best wherever he plays. Maybe he will wear Dodger blue sometime again in the future. Godspeed, Alex!
Alex is a great kid and it was a pleasure to have him here. I see his back is still hurting and he will miss the start of the season. He is too young to have back problems. Apparently a factor in the decision to trade him.
After Mookie has a down season and Duggie becomes a star right away in Boston then dumb mgmt will start to realise their mistake.I understand their pressure to win now but Dodgers will win but didn’t need betts.Their starting pitching will be the difference.Watch as Kershaw wins 4th cu young.Urias becomes second ace followed by May and Buhler.Dodgers 4 Aces nobody comes close.
I know Buhler fans think he’s already the number 1 ace but he’s not consistent there was a time where his era was real high.Mgmt already said Urias to the starting rotation and his limit will be 150 innings good enough for 25 starts.averaging 5 or 6 innings.May wil be another ace.Kersh 20 wins Urias 18 wins,May 17 wins Buhler 15 wins.Also expect kersh to gain 2 miles per hour on his fastball it’s been over 2 years with no back problems.Last time his fastball was 93 his era was under 2.00.
Alex I hope you tear it up in the A.L. Best of luck and God Bless you brother. I will always remember you coming up to the plate and ” Volver Volver” would play over the p.a. system, those of us Latinos who know the song knew what it meant and it brought back memories of family to a lot of us. Thank You….