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   “If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?” – Joe Namath  

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There are some players who will join a team and have the power to change the whole inner dynamic. In a year when the Dodgers needed extra fun in the clubhouse and on the field, shortstop Miguel Rojas has been a welcome, if not playful, addition. He can usually be seen pumping players up before games in the dugout and setting the energy for the club.

Rojas made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 2014 and played 85 games for the Boys in Blue. He was eventually traded in the offseason to the Miami Marlins in a deal where Los Angeles acquired utility player Kiké Hernández and catcher Austin Barnes.

Rojas remained with the Marlins from 2015 through 2022. He got traded back to the Dodgers before this season began for minor league infielder Jacob Amaya.

The 34-year-old Los Teques, Venezuela native, who is affectionately referred to as “Miggy Ro” by teammates and fans, has taken over shortstop for the majority of the season after Gavin Lux was injured during Spring Training. He has been spelled by All-Star infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts, utility player Chris Taylor, and more recently Kiké Hernández and infielder Amed Rosario.

With Rojas getting the bulk of his playing time at shortstop, his defense has been an asset in the infield, so much so that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts feels he should absolutely be in the running for a Gold Glove award. His at-bats have not been as consistent as he would like though, but not for lack of heart or effort. He definitely holds himself to a high standard.

Before Sunday’s matchup, Rojas mentioned to Southern California News Group’s J.P. Hoornstra that “This is the most fun he’s ever had in his career even though this is the worst he’s ever hit in his career.” When Roberts was asked before the game if Rojas has ever gotten down on himself, the skipper had some thoughts on the subject.

“I see him get down all the time. There’s a difference, though, between getting down and frustrated. But moving on to the next play,” Roberts explained. “Miguel does that as well as anybody I’ve seen. He expects a lot of himself at the bat. It hasn’t been consistent, but every time he gets in there, there’s compete, there’s fight.”

Doc continued, “He will get big hits for us this postseason, I am certain of it. I believe it, I see it. For me, the defense, I’ll take his defense against anybody at shortstop. A big reason why our pitching staff has been so much better the second half is because of him.”

Sunday afternoon, Rojas played a key role in LA being the first to score against the Atlanta Braves after a pitchers’ duel through the better part of five innings. When rookie centerfielder James Outman walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, “Miggy Ro” answered with a double to bring his teammate in, allowing the Boys in Blue to strike first. Rojas, who was batting ninth in the lineup, came around to score when Mookie Betts singled, giving the Dodgers a two-run lead.

Both Doc and Rojas agreed on the importance of the bottom of the order, especially with the dynamic duo Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman hitting in the one and two spots in the batting order and due up after nearly every Rojas at-bat.

“It’s huge,” Roberts shared. “I think that the bottom of the order and understanding what that part of the order means. When to take walks, when to hit behind a runner, things like that. Miguel is really understanding, you know, the value in his role there. And if he can hit behind runners, take walks when needed, get a hit with guys in scoring position with two outs. You know, those are huge things, especially to turn that lineup over. He did that today.”

Rojas backed up what his skipper had to say, “For me, personally, I feel like I can be a weapon in the bottom of the lineup. And I know it doesn’t have to be, like today, an extra-base hit to drive a run. But getting on base for them is really important. I’ve been concerned about production and getting myself going into the September and October months and all that. But at the end of the day all I want is to be a productive at-bat in the bottom of the line up for them to do what they’ve been doing. You know, we have top three MVP candidates in the top of our lineup and we have to be on base for them. So I’m pretty aware of the situation of where I’m at and I’m going to keep working to try to get on base for them.”

The Dodgers would win 3-1 Sunday afternoon, avoiding a sweep by the NL East-leading Braves. Rojas believes it is because the team refused to lay down and just roll through the motions. He said they took care of business and did what needed to be done to support their pitcher and win the game.

Los Angeles will have Monday off before the next series on the road against the Miami Marlins. After eight seasons with the “fighting fish”, Rojas admitted this series will be emotional for him, and he knows a lot of people over there. At the same time, he is looking forward to playing in Miami again.

As August gives way to September, here’s to the Dodgers continuing to give it their all and ‘go all the way’ – especially with Miguel Rojas adding some fun as they go.

Let’s go Dodgers!

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