Thirty-six years earlier than the received the 2024 World Sequence title, and 6 years earlier than Walker Buehler was born, legendary pitcher Orel Hershiser helped the franchise win their sixth World Sequence title in 1988.
Hershiser pitched probably the greatest seasons in MLB historical past that yr. Hershiser led the Nationwide League in wins and received the Cy Younger award. He pitched 15 full video games and posted a 2.26 ERA, third in MLB. He got here up much more clutch in the course of the postseason, changing into the primary pitcher to win the Cy Younger award, League Championship MVP, and World Sequence MVP in the identical season.
Within the 1988 NLCS, Hershiser began Video games 1, 3, and seven, pitching a whole recreation shutout in Recreation 7. He even got here in throughout Recreation 4 to report the save. He began two video games in the course of the World Sequence and helped clinch the ’ 1988 World Sequence victory.
Twenty-six years later, it was Buehler who got here up clutch for the to clinch the World Sequence title. Walker Buehler has channeled Los Angeles pitching legend Orel Hershiser all through the 2024 MLB postseason. After pitching 4 scoreless innings throughout Recreation 3 of the NLCS, Buehler referred to as Hershiser and requested to put on the jersey he wore in the course of the 1988 World Sequence
“He mentioned, ‘Man I like that jersey you wore within the ’88 World Sequence with the white piping. Can I put on it to my subsequent begin?’” Hershiser recalled on Territory.
Hershiser had his spouse FedEx the jersey to Buehler from out of state, and the jersey arrived in time for Buehler to put on it in the course of the ’ celebrations after profitable the NLCS. Buehler wore the jersey once more for Recreation 1 of the World Sequence towards the New York Yankees.
Buehler would begin Recreation 3 of the World Sequence, pitching 5 extra scoreless innings towards the Yankees. Two days later in Recreation 5, the held a slender 7-6 lead over the Yankees with the sport on the road getting into the ninth inning. Buehler returned to the mound and pitched the ultimate inning of the World Sequence. He struck out two, together with the ultimate batter to clinch the sequence and title.
Now, Buehler is celebrating the championship by sporting Hershiser’s traditional 1988 jersey as soon as once more on the ’ parade.
Buehler and Hershiser’s relationship goes again to Buehler’s first spring coaching. Hershiser recalled that his relationship with Buehler started throughout Buehler’s first spring coaching when then pitching coach Rick Honeycutt advised that Hershiser “get near Walker.”
Hershiser was a part of Buehler’s growth as each a participant and individual. He watched Buehler undergo two Tommy John surgical procedures and wrestle on the mound at instances. This week, he received to see the participant referred to as “Buehldog,” a homage to his nickname “Bulldog,” characterize him by profitable the World Sequence along with his jersey in hand.
Photograph Credit score: Brad Penner-Imagn Pictures
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