LOS ANGELES − It was everything Jack Flaherty dreamed of being born and raised in nearby Burbank.
Growing up to be a major-league baseball player, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning the World Series, and getting his World Series ring in front of friends and family.
Only, this one had a bit of a twist.
Flaherty, who won the championship with the Dodgers last season, received his ring on Saturday, but there was no elegant production. The Dodgers ownership group wasn’t standing on stage.
Flaherty walked out wearing a Detroit Tigers sweatshirt and got a bear hug from former teammate Mookie Betts, who presented him a Dodgers gold-lettered championship uniform. He was also greeted by manager Dave Roberts and about 10 of his former teammates. And then he received his World Series ring from Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior.
Flaherty became emotional after the ceremony, hugging his mother in a long embrace, and then taking pictures with his family afterwards.
And finally, for Flaherty, there is closure.
He arrived at the trade deadline from the Tigers last season, helped lead the Dodgers to the NL West title, going 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA, covering 55 ⅓ innings in the regular season. One of just three healthy starting pitchers, he helped guide the Dodgers through October, making five starts. He started Game 1 of the NLCS against the New York Mets, Game 1 of the World Series and their Game 5 clinching victory against the New York Yankees.
“He was a true professional who really wants to be great,’’ Dodgers three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw said. “And he goes about his business great. Great addition to our team last year.
“It helped us out a ton.’’
Simply, the Dodgers don’t win the World Series without the man.
“Somewhat of a savior, to be honest with you,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Jack, hometown guy, it was his dream to pitch for the Dodgers, and he delivered.
“So, he’s going to be a friend of mine for life. … He was the right person at the right time for our club. And I’m happy that he got family and friends to see him in a Dodger uniform.”
Flaherty, who had to watch the Dodgers’ ring ceremony from the Tigers’ bullpen as he warmed up before the game Friday, stopping long enough to clap for Kershaw when he received his ring, badly wanted to be part of the festivities. Yet, since he was starting, he had to wait with emotions searing through his body.
“It kind of felt like my first time back here,’’ Flaherty said, “my first start in 2018 where it was more emotion than heart rate or anything. It was almost out-of-body-ish.”
Flaherty had tried to downplay his emotions to family and friends before he arrived into town, but who was he kidding? The truth is that he wanted to be back in a Dodger uniform, pleading his case all winter. Yet, the Dodgers instead signed two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract in November. Two months later, they signed Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki to a $6.5 million signing bonus.
The cruel reality for Flaherty is they no longer needed him.
“The whole focus on this winter,” Flaherty said, “was figuring out where the best place was for me to end up and let the pieces fall where they may.”
Flaherty wound up back with the Tigers, signing a two-year, $45 million contract, but no matter how much he wanted to return, those glorious memories will never fade.
“It’s an incredible thing to think about,’’ Flaherty said, “and an incredible thing to be a part of. I got lucky enough to be on a team that got to win it in the fashion we did.
“Growing up here and being a part of this, to give it all back and live it out in real time was awesome.”
The ultimate dream, of course, would have been for Flaherty to do everything in his power Friday to help keep the Dodgers from winning another title. He had a no-hitter for four innings. He was pitching a shutout through five innings. But then there was Freddie Freeman hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning, ending his night, and was serenaded by the fans with a loud, appreciative ovation.
“It means a lot,’’ Flaherty said, “especially growing up here and spending a lot of time here. It was very special.”
Now, the ultimate dream, he said, is to help the Tigers win their first World Series since 1984.
“I wish he would have stayed with us, selfishly, but it was awesome watching him and win a World Series,’’ Tigers outfielder Riley Greene said. “When he signed back here, I shot him a text with some words I can’t say, but I’m very excited.’’
Considering the Tigers came roaring back to reach the postseason, stunned the Houston Astros, and came within one game of beating the Cleveland Guardians in the Division Series, who knows what would have happened if they had kept Flaherty.
Tigers Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal hates to ponder the thought, knowing that while they certainly could have used Flaherty, they also received valuable shortstop Trey Sweeney in the deal. All he knows is that he wants that piece of jewelry that Flaherty will be wearing.
“I wasn’t a fan of trading him away,’’ Skubal said. “I didn’t want him to go. But I’m happy for him because he ended up getting the ring that I’m striving to get.
“I want to see it. I’ll probably wear it. I can’t wait to see which finger fits for me.
“He has what we all want.’’
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