The 2021 season of the MLB It was consecrating for Chris Taylor. The Virginia Beach player reached his 31 years of age just when his sporting maturity has said present.
Taylor made his first All-Star roster inclusion in 2021 and on many occasions this season it seemed he was the only player to carry the log to Dodgers games. The utility player participated in 148 team games and less receiver and first baseman was seen defending the rest of the playing positions.
CT3, as he is known by Dodgers fans, was the team’s fourth pusher, preceded by Max Muncy, Justin Turner and Will Smith. He was also the second scorer only surpassed by Muncy and Mookie Betts.
It’s Chris Taylor’s game! ????⚾️pic.twitter.com/socnGyFS9P
— Larissa Valenzuela (@ilarissav19) October 22, 2021
But the postseason was really his sweet spot. He had the second best section of the group in terms of offensive average with .351 and 1.202 OPS. He led the team with four home runs and 12 RBIs. He also achieved four doublets and managed not to be the leader in pochados for the franchise, his main weakness.
#Dodgers and Chris Taylor’s 3 hits win game 5 and this is 3-2 #NLCS #Postseason
Game 6-7 Saturday and Sunday in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/uebbucA5kZ
— Baseball For Today (@BaseballFor2day) October 22, 2021
Let’s remember that he was the man who led the Dodgers to the Wild Card Series after that homer in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals with the game tied. With running backs I hit .400 with three homers and 11 RBIs. His OPS in that situation was 1,540. A true oasis in the offensive desert of the Dodgers in important moments.
Chris Taylor dresses up as a hero!
He hit a two-run homer in the ninth and the #Dodgers they beat 3-1 to #Cardinals to advance to the next round against #SFGiants starting Friday. pic.twitter.com/oOJgz6w9G5
— Puro Beisbol (@purobeisbolmx) October 7, 2021
Everything for the start of free agency. The Dodgers don’t have a player in their system trained and ready to relieve him. At least not with the quality that Chris took the baton from Kike Hernández.
But the controversy arises when Andrew Friedman, Director of Baseball Operations for the Dodgers said at a press conference: “We need someone to step up and do like Eddie Rosario.”
Chris Taylor is the first player in the history of #Postseason with 3HR in an elimination match. #Dodgers #NLCS @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/QfZSoBvgpY
— Baseball For Today (@BaseballFor2day) October 22, 2021
Maybe Andrew couldn’t watch every game. A man as successful as Freeman worries about 2022 and the continuation of Chris after a comment like this.
“We needed someone to step up and pull an Eddie Rosario.” — #Dodgers president Andrew Friedman on the team’s offensive struggles in the #postseason
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) October 27, 2021
The market is just beginning. The biggest emotions will be for the end but Chris Taylor will surely be one of the most sought-after boyfriends in the winter market.
And to ignite all the speculation he has already shaved his beard.
