Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Jack Flaherty is ready to fulfill a lifelong dream as he takes the mound for the Dodgers in Game One of the World Series. For the Southern California native, the opportunity to pitch for the team he grew up rooting for is nothing short of surreal. “I don’t really have any words for it. I’m just looking forward to Friday,” he said during a recent interview, reflecting on the anticipation building up to the Fall Classic.
One of the key storylines leading up to Game One is Flaherty’s relationship with teammate Tommy Edman, who joined the Dodgers midseason. “Tommy’s a dog,” Flaherty stated emphatically. “He always has been since he came up when we were in St. Louis. What he was able to do in 2019, filling in at second, third—it didn’t matter. He was unbelievable defensively, and the bat came along as well.” Flaherty praised Edman’s versatility, noting his ability to contribute from multiple positions, including center field and shortstop. “He works really hard. He’s versatile. That’s something every ball club would like to have,” Flaherty added.
The Dodgers’ ace knows that the Yankees, their World Series opponent, present a significant challenge, but he is not intimidated. “It’s a really good team,” he said. “When you end up at this point, there are two teams left. Every team you face, you’re going to get everybody’s best shot. You’ve got to look forward to facing the best of the best that are out there.”
Flaherty’s own journey to the World Series has been anything but straightforward. After starting the year with the Detroit Tigers, he was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline. Although rumors swirled about a possible move to the Yankees, he is content with how things worked out. “I didn’t really give much to my family in terms of what I was hearing with the deadline. Things turned out the way that they did, and we’re here with LA,” he said. “It’s crazy to think I could have been on the other side of this, but I’m happy for the situation I’m in.”
His preparation for this pivotal start has been meticulous, with a focus on refining small adjustments. “The mindset stays the same, whether it’s the regular season or the World Series. The adjustments are from pitch to pitch. You don’t have to reinvent everything; it’s just about figuring out what those small adjustments are,” Flaherty explained. Reflecting on his Game Five start in the NLCS, where his velocity dipped slightly, he said, “It’s usually just timing. Sometimes you’re pushing the ball, or your lower half gets off. You’ve just got to compete and give everything you’ve got, no matter what your stuff is.”
Pitching on baseball’s grandest stage brings back memories of attending Dodger games as a child. “I can’t think of a specific first memory,” Flaherty admitted. “I just remember being in Little League and coming here for Little League night, sitting in left field, watching Barry Bonds get booed.” Now, he has the chance to create new memories at Dodger Stadium, but this time as the one taking the mound.
As for handling the magnitude of the moment, Flaherty credits his family and close friends for keeping him grounded. “They remind me that it’s never as big of a situation as everybody else is going to make it seem. It feels like you’re 15 years old again sitting with them,” he said. With Game One looming, Flaherty is ready to set the tone and help bring a championship back to his hometown.
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