Dodgers: Dave Roberts Altered In-Game Strategy Due to Presence of Steph Curry

As as been noted, Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry was in the crowd at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night to watch the Dodgers beat the Twins, 10-3. Curry was there to see his friend Trayce Thompson, an outfielder for the Dodgers who happens to be the younger brother of Curry’s longtime teammate, Klay Thompson.

According to J.P. Hoornstra in the Orange County Register, Curry’s presence at Dodger Stadium was not lost on Trayce, who referred to Steph as “another family friend.”

“It’s pretty cool. (Curry) is a busy guy. He’s got three awesome kids, a beautiful wife, great family, everything. It’s cool.”

Trayce and Klay were both born near the tail-end of their father Mychal’s NBA career, but being the sons of an NBA star probably had them somewhat accustomed to fame even before they both reached the highest level of their respective sports. Still, having a future Hall-of-Famer show up to a game just to watch you has to be pretty cool.

Another person who took note of Curry’s presence was Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Trayce Thompson wasn’t in the starting lineup, with the team facing a right-hander and needing to figure out what they have in the newly acquired Joey Gallo. For the first seven innings, it looked like Steph might have made the trip to Dodger Stadium for nothing.

Lucky for everyone, the Dodgers put a beating on Twins started Joe Ryan, and by the time the bottom of the eighth rolled around, they had a big lead and an opportunity to get Mookie Betts out of the game a little early. As Hoornstra notes:

“So it was that Roberts, noticing Curry in the Dodger Stadium owners’ box, decided to send Thompson up to pinch hit for Mookie Betts in the eighth inning. Curry aimed his smartphone toward the field to capture the at-bat. Thompson doubled.”

Steph, showing that he bleeds Dodger Blue deep down inside, was heading for the exits to try to beat traffic. Roberts saw that and sprung into action:

After he left his seat, Dave Roberts was like he can’t leave yet, Trayce is about to pinch hit! Got Alan’s attention and he went and told Steph!

Love when things play out the way they do!! https://t.co/BbwyCOOGyl

— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) August 10, 2022

One of the benefits of having a big lead in the game and in the division is that, every once in a while, you can send a guy up to pinch-hit simply because it will make Steph Curry happy. It appears that’s what Doc did, and Trayce rewarded him with a double and a run scored.

The next time you think what you do in the stands doesn’t matter … well, that’s actually true, but only because you’re not Steph Curry.

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