Dodgers Legend Went ‘Heavy And Hard’ In Edwin Diaz Recruitment

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a surprising splash during the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings.

Despite the Dodgers already carrying a leading payroll with numerous long-term contracts on the books and a prevailing belief that the New York Mets would re-sign him, All-Star closer agreed to join the reigning champions in a surprising coup.

There has been plenty of speculation about the reasons behind Diaz’s decision to leave the Mets.

“One fact that didn’t help the Mets in their pursuit of Diaz: the pitcher, according to a source, was unhappy with the organization’s decision to dump pitching coach Jeremy Hefner after the season,” Mike Puma reported for the New York Post. “Diaz also may have been influenced by his younger brother Alexis, who pitched for the Dodgers last season and spoke highly of the organization’s staff and infrastructure, according to a source.”

Those factors, as well as a chance to play for a World Series championship, all might have made a difference in Diaz’s decision. But now a former Dodgers outfield great has said his own recruitment efforts might have helped to push the deal as well.

“I was at a table for the awards show with Edwin Diaz and that was the first thing I said to him as soon as we sat down was, ‘You’re going to sign with the Dodgers right?’ And of course, he gave me that smirk and I sat there now for the entire two-hour event and talked up the Dodgers to him the whole time,” Andre Ethier revealed, referring to the recent MLB Awards ceremony, during an interview with “Dodger Talk.” “I was one of the first ones to go heavy and hard after him that he should be a Dodger.”

Though it’s hard to say just how much Ethier’s recruitment efforts factored into the decision, his words should carry some weight. Ethier retired after a legendary, 12-year career with the franchise, which included two All-Star appearances, a Silver Slugger Award, a Gold Glove Award and a season of Most Valuable Player Award votes.

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In 2011, Ethier logged the second-longest consecutive games hitting streak in franchise history at 30 games. He also tied the Dodgers’ record for the most hits in the month of April.

After spending his entire career with the Dodgers, Ethier is still a legendary figure in the minds of many fans. And now, as a recruiter for the team, the former outfielder is adding some more credentials that could help cement his status with the franchise well after his playing days have ended.

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