LOS ANGELES — On Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a move that landed with an emotional weight with many longterm fans: veteran utilityman Chris Taylor was designated for assignment. For many, it’s the end of an era—one defined not by superstardom, but by quiet excellence, unrelenting grit, and a string of unforgettable postseason memories.
When the Dodgers acquired Taylor from the Seattle Mariners in June 2016, it barely made a blip in the news cycle. He was a light-hitting infielder struggling to stay in the majors. What followed was one of the most remarkable transformations in recent Dodgers history. In Los Angeles, Chris Taylor became not just a mainstay but a symbol of the team’s identity—versatile, selfless, and clutch.
From 2017 to 2023, Taylor was the Dodgers’ Swiss Army knife, regularly playing five or more positions each season, including shortstop, second base, and all three outfield spots. His ability to slot in wherever needed allowed the Dodgers to weather injuries, juggle lineups, and stay flexible without skipping a beat.
Over the course of his ten seasons in L.A., Taylor played in 1,007 games and amassed:
- 108 home runs
- 423 RBIs
- 184 doubles
- 81 stolen bases
- .250 career batting average
- .749 OPS
- 16.2 WAR (per Baseball-Reference)
But Chris Taylor’s true legacy isn’t just in numbers—it’s in the moments.
Dodger fans will never forget October 6, 2021. With the Dodgers and Cardinals locked in a tense, win-or-go-home Wild Card Game, Taylor stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth and delivered a walk-off two-run home run into the L.A. night. It was a Hollywood ending in every way, and it was classic CT3: understated, unexpected, unforgettable.
That wasn’t his only brush with postseason glory. In Game 5 of the 2021 NLCS, Taylor slugged three home runs—only the 11th player in MLB history to do so in a playoff game—helping the Dodgers stave off elimination against the Braves. And back in 2017, he shared NLCS MVP honors with Justin Turner, hitting .316 with two homers to push the Dodgers into the World Series for the first time in 29 years.
He was also part of the team that broke the drought and won it all in 2020. Then again in 2024. Two rings. Dozens of October memories. One player who always rose to the moment.
In 2021, Taylor was recognized with an All-Star selection—his first and only nod—which felt like long-overdue acknowledgment for a player who never sought the spotlight but always deserved it. That season, he hit 20 homers, drove in 73 runs, stole 13 bases, and played six different defensive positions.
Even as his role diminished in 2024 and 2025, Taylor remained a valued veteran presence in the clubhouse. But this season, through 35 games, he had managed just a .200 batting average and a .457 OPS in limited playing time. With Hyeseong Kim emerging and Tommy Edman returning from injury, the Dodgers faced a difficult roster crunch—and Taylor, ever the team player, was the odd man out.
Manager Dave Roberts and President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman both acknowledged how painful the decision was. Taylor’s name is woven into the fabric of a decade of Dodger dominance. He may never have been the face of the franchise, but his fingerprints are all over its greatest moments.
Chris Taylor’s legacy is one of resilience and humility. He was the guy who never complained, who never coasted, and who never let the moment get too big. Whether it was a Wednesday in Pittsburgh or a pennant-deciding game at Chavez Ravine, Taylor showed up. Again and again.
Whatever happens next in his career, CT3 will always be remembered in Los Angeles as a player who gave everything to the Dodgers—and made the fans proud every time he took the field.
Thank you, Chris Taylor. You’ll always be one of the good ones.
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