Steve Webb
BRONX, NY — In a pregame interview before Game 2 of the World Series against the Yankees, Dodgers relief pitcher Brent Honeywell gave insight into the bullpen’s mindset and the strategies they’re employing during the series. When asked about how the team is adjusting to a change in venue from Dodger Stadium to Yankee Stadium, Honeywell remarked, “We know our job, we know what we have to do…we want to play good baseball all around, not so much on one side of the ball. We want to play good ball all the way around.”
Reflecting on the season’s challenges, Honeywell acknowledged the Dodgers’ struggles with injuries and the bullpen’s responsibility to step up. “The one that kind of raised everybody’s radar up a little bit was [when] we were in Atlanta…and it was kind of the time where we said we got to buckle down here, bear down and play some ball and win a game any way we can,” he explained.
Discussing his experience pitching at Yankee Stadium, Honeywell described the unique intensity of the atmosphere. “I’ve thrown here before…I’ve had a good one, I’ve had a rough one…but it’s Yankee Stadium in the World Series; I’ve never done that before,” he shared.
When asked about how the journey has impacted him personally, Honeywell became reflective. “I want to go out and I want to try and win a World Series any way I can,” he said. “It means a lot to my family and my friends and stuff at home, and especially to the people that have helped me get to where I’m at throughout baseball.” He added that his family and friends “always told me that [to] just try and be a part of one of the best, and that’s what this is about.”
The bullpen’s resilience and flexibility have been critical, especially in “bullpen games” where multiple pitchers contribute innings. Honeywell said, “Each guy…go[es] out and get[s] the outs they’re asked to get…it’s all about giving a different look.” Confident in their approach, Honeywell asserted, “I’ll put our bullpen up with any bullpen I’ve ever been on and any bullpen that I’ve ever seen.”
Another topic that surfaced was Honeywell’s unique pitch, the screwball, which has gained attention for its rarity. When asked if he’s taught it to any of his teammates, he laughed, “It’s harder to do with older guys…teaching younger kids to do it is a little bit easier, but teaching older guys like Daniel Hudson is a tough one.”
Much of Honeywell’s success has been attributed to the support and guidance of bullpen coach Josh Bard. “Bardo’s been a blessing to me personally, but I know to the bullpen…we need him,” Honeywell emphasized. “He does a heck of a job day in and day out…making sure that we’re ready to go.” Bard, he added, “wants to win more, if not as much, as I do, and that to me goes a long way.”
Ultimately, Honeywell summed up the bullpen’s approach and camaraderie: “We’re gelling as a team right now and have been for the last few months, and it’s been fun to be a part of.” With each player committed to supporting one another, Honeywell is confident that the Dodgers are united in their pursuit of the championship.
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