There is no kind or gentle way to say it – the baseball off-season sucks, period.

As a result, anything that happens during the off-season that involves Dodgers players – especially extremely popular Dodgers players – usually makes the headlines.

Such occurred on Thursday evening, when the NHL Pacific Division third place LA Kings took on the Atlantic Division fifth place Detroit Red Wings at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

Although the game didn’t end well for the locals with a 4-3 shootout loss, there were two rather noteworthy Kings fans in attendance for Dodgers Night hosted by the LA Kings – Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler and Dodgers right fielder/utility infielder Mookie Betts.

As Dodgers fans know all too well, the 29-year-old Buehler, who was drafted by the Dodgers in the first round in 2015 out of Vanderbilt University, spent the entire 2023 season on the IL recovering from his second Tommy John surgery.

“My goal since last year (2022) has been to return to a Major League mound this season (2023),” Buehler said in a prepared statement in early 2023. “After many conversations with my doctor, the Dodgers’ front office, training staff and my family, we concluded that waiting until next season (2024) is the right course of action. I am disappointed that I will not be able to help this team go after a title in the 2023 postseason, but I look forward to returning fully healthy in 2024 and bringing another World Series to L.A.”

Betts, on the other hand, had an outstanding 2023 season, slashing .294/.373/.527, with a team best 39 home runs and a team best 107 RBIs, earning the 31-year-old Nashville, TN native and fifth round draft pick in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox out of Overton High School in Nashville an invitation to his seventh MLB All-Star Game.

Dodgers fans were also treated to the familiar sounds of Dodger Stadium and Crypto.com Arena organist Dieter Ruehle, who drew a loud cheer when he played “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

The bad news is that Opening Day 2024 for Buehler, Betts, the Dodgers, and Dodgers fans is still 83 days away on March 28, 2024.

The good news is that Opening Day 2024 for Buehler, Betts, the Dodgers, and Dodgers fans is only 83 days away.

Play Ball!

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