Dodgers News: Josh Reddick Addresses Viral Yamamoto Tweet but Refuses to Apologize
LOS ANGELES, CA—When the Los Angeles Dodgers finally overcame their previous hurdles in 2017 to win their first National League Pennant since 1988, the excitement was immense. However, it was equally heartbreaking when they lost to the Houston Astros in seven games.
However, the Dodgers rebounded the following season, reaching the Fall Classic once more but losing to the dominant Boston Red Sox in five games.
The team took another step back the next season, losing to the eventual World Series champion Washington Nationals in the best-of-five National League Division Series.
Shortly after the offseason began, a shocking story emerged: the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
We all understand the story by now: a few trash can bangs here and there, along with the Astros’ home dominance, have forever tainted 2017.
Many Dodgers fans still feel the wound deeply, even after winning their third World Series title since 2020. Among the players, no one is likely more disliked than Josh Reddick, the former Dodgers outfielder and 2017 Astro.
Since then, Reddick has remained one of the most disliked players and has continued to Direct that energy toward Dodgers fans on social media, frequently making remarks about his former team.
However, one tweet rubbed fans the wrong way more than any other.
After the Dodgers signed Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million contract, Reddick quickly criticized the move, saying, “How do you give a guy $325 million without ever throwing a pitch in MLB?”
Well, fast forward just two short years, and it’s safe to say that tweet has backfired immensely for the former pro, a situation that was brought up on a recent episode of Foul Territory.
Reddick chose not to apologize for his position but recognized that Yamamoto has done an admirable job in his first two seasons.
“I’d say it tomorrow if somebody else signed for that much money. But you know what? I was wrong on this one. I’ve said it on our podcast with Chandler (Rome) and Tyler Stafford, but here it is. I was wrong. Like you said, it was an opinion. I had it, and the opinion was wrong.”
Although Reddick acknowledged he was mistaken about the situation, he still chose not to apologize for his comments, which is understandable.
“He’s obviously a very, very talented pitcher. We saw what he could do in the postseason, we saw what he could do in the regular season. So I tip my cap to him. He’s obviously very good. I was wrong, Dodgers fans. Do I apologize? Probably not. But good for him. He’s a great pitcher. I’m glad I don’t have to face him, because that splitter is terrifying.”
Over his two years with the Dodgers so far, Yamamoto has a record of 19-10 with a 2.66 ERA, 2.83 FIP, and 1.03 WHIP across 48 starts. He was sidelined for nearly three months in 2024 due to a right shoulder injury, but otherwise played a crucial role in the Dodgers’ consecutive World Series championships.
This was particularly evident this year, with Yamamoto pitching in three World Series games (two as a starter). Despite starting the night before, Yamamoto heroically delivered 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Game 7.
Additionally, after securing a second straight World Series victory with the Dodgers, Yamamoto was a finalist for the National League Cy Young Award this season but finished behind the eventual winner, second-year player Paul Skenes.
It’s fair to say Reddick and several players from the 2017 Astros will never regain favor with Los Angeles, but it’s amusing to tease him with this tweet whenever possible.
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