From Oklahoma City to the World Series
Pitcher Walker Buehler recorded the final three outs of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season to earn a save. Infielder Kiké Hernández tied for the team lead with two hits. Infielder Gavin Lux recorded a RBI. Catcher Will Smith scored a run. While Buehler, Hernández, Lux and Smith each contributed to
Pitcher Walker Buehler recorded the final three outs of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season to earn a save.
Infielder Kiké Hernández tied for the team lead with two hits. Infielder Gavin Lux recorded a RBI. Catcher Will Smith scored a run.
While Buehler, Hernández, Lux and Smith each contributed to the Dodgers’ championship-clinching Game 5 win of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium Oct. 30, they have something else in common. They all are former Oklahoma City players who also took the field at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark during their careers.
In fact, a total of 14 Dodgers on the 26-man 2024 World Series roster are former Oklahoma City players and 18 of the players on the Dodgers’ World Series roster donned an Oklahoma City uniform at some point since the affiliation between the teams began in 2015, including those who did so as part of Major League Rehab Assignments.
Additionally, a total of 12 players on the Dodgers’ World Series roster played with Oklahoma City at some point during the 2024 season, including eight players who spent time on OKC’s Triple-A roster as part of Major League Rehab Assignments.
Key pieces of the foundation that led to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2024 World Series Championship took shape in Oklahoma City — and the organization’s winning ways have not been limited to the Major League level since OKC’s affiliation with the Dodgers began in 2015.
“Yes, the Dodgers have a big Major League payroll, but they are unwavering in their commitment to player development, and it shows,” said Alex Freedman, OKC Comets Director of Communications and Broadcasting. “During the Dodgers affiliation, OKC has had a winning record in eight of nine seasons. There is a standard throughout the organization that although player development is the highest priority, winning is especially important. It sounds basic, but it’s not true in all organizations. Even when our team is going through a rough patch, you still go into every game expecting to win.”
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