The “MVP!” chants echoed throughout Dodger Stadium when Shohei Ohtani came to bat in the eighth inning Sunday night. No surprise there. The Dodgers slugger has been serenaded with such chants for most of the season and will likely be a unanimous choice to win the National League most valuable player award in November.
But when those same chants returned three batters later, as Dodgers cleanup man Tommy Edman, all 5-foot-10, 193 pounds of him, stepped into the box for his final at-bat of an NL Championship Series-clinching 10-5 Game 6 victory over the New York Mets? Now that was a shocker.
“Yeah, I could hear them — it was crazy,” Edman said amid another rollicking clubhouse celebration filled with sparkling wine, beer, cigar smoke and heart-thumping music. “Definitely nothing I ever expected. To be in this situation is pretty wild.”
On a rollicking Sunday night at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers silenced the critics, embraced their birthright and returned to the World Series.
And warranted. On a team full of superstars, including a soon-to-be three-time MVP in Ohtani, former MVPs in Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Clayton Kershaw, it was Edman who hoisted the NLCS MVP trophy above his head on the victory stand as his teammates, coaches and a crowd of 52,674 cheered him on.
And what did that trophy feel like?
“Heavy,” said Edman, the unassuming utility man who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade-deadline deal. “It felt awesome picking it up.”
Edman did much of the heavy lifting for the Dodgers on Sunday night, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead with his two-run double to left field in the first inning — the first lead change in an NLCS marked by lopsided scores — and following Teoscar Hernández’s leadoff single in the third with a two-run home run to left-center for a 4-1 lead.
The switch-hitter reached on a fielder’s-choice grounder and scored in the eighth to cap an NLCS in which he hit .407 (11 for 27) with a 1.023 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, one homer, three doubles and 11 RBIs, tying Corey Seager’s franchise record for RBIs in an NLCS, set in 2020 against the Atlanta Braves.
“It’s pretty crazy, especially with the history of the organization, to have tied that [RBI] record,” Edman said. “But it’s a testament to the guys on the team. Our whole lineup was really good. I kept getting up with guys on base and had a lot of opportunities to drive in runs.”
Edman had an RBI double and a two-run double out of the cleanup spot in a 10-2 Game 4 victory over the Mets in New York. He said batting fourth “is still weird to me,” and even manager Dave Roberts said, “I never imagined when we acquired him that he’d be hitting fourth in a postseason game.”
But with middle-of-the-order hitter Freeman sidelined by a right-ankle sprain, the Mets starting left-hander Sean Manaea — who limited the Dodgers to two earned runs and two hits in five innings of New York’s 7-3 Game 2 victory — and Edman a far more dangerous hitter from the right side, it was the right choice Sunday night.
After Ohtani led off the bottom of the first with a single to center and took third on Teoscar Hernández’s single off the center-field wall, Edman fell behind 1-and-2 in the count but stayed back on a 79-mph, down-and-away sweeper, poking a two-run double into the left-field corner for a 2-1 lead.
“Manaea actually made a really good pitch with the backdoor sweeper,” said Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations. “His ability to ride that out and hook it down the line, I think, was really deflating for Manaea.”
Edman’s third-inning homer, with Teoscar Hernández aboard, was a bit of a dagger. Manaea got ahead with another 1-2 count and tried to slip a 91-mph fastball above the zone past Edman, who barreled up a ball that left his bat at 104 mph and traveled 406 feet over the left-center field wall for a 4-1 lead.
“I heard some people call him ‘Little Guy Tommy’ on TV, but there’s nothing little about his bat,” fellow utility man Kiké Hernández said. “He has a lot of pop, especially from the right side. He carried the offense in this series. He’s locked in. Got the job done. MVP.”
Edman opened the playoffs in center field but moved to shortstop in the third game of the NL Division Series against San Diego, when Miguel Rojas aggravated a left-adductor strain. Rojas is hoping to return for the World Series against the New York Yankees, but if he is activated, it will likely be as a reserve.
After overcoming adversity by never giving up on themselves, the Dodgers defeat the New York Mets 10-5 in the NLCS to set up a showdown with the Yankees.
Edman, who is batting .341 (15 for 44) with an .810 OPS, one homer, three doubles and 12 RBIs in 11 playoff games, will likely remain at shortstop, and Kiké Hernández, who is batting .303 (10 for 33) with an .863 OPS, two homers and five RBIs, will remain in the lineup in center field or at third base.
“I think Tommy was undoubtedly the MVP,” Ohtani said in Japanese. “Not just in this series … he came in the middle of the season, but he did really good work, including things that don’t show up in numbers. I think he’s a wonderful player.”
Added Roberts: “I trust him. The guys trust him. He’s made huge defensive plays for us and had huge hits. We’re just very fortunate to have a player like Tommy.”
Edman missed the first four months of the season while recovering from wrist surgery and an ankle sprain and didn’t even play his first game with the Dodgers until Aug. 19. He hit .237 with a .711 OPS, six homers and 20 RBIs in 37 games, and though he closed the season in a two-for-30 slump, he has found his stroke in October.
Another big night at the plate for Edman, capped by an NLCS MVP award, made for an emotional night in section 105 of the Loge level of Dodger Stadium, where the Edman family, including father John, Tommy’s baseball coach at La Jolla Country Day School, were sitting.
“We definitely got a little teary-eyed,” John Edman said. “I mean, it was obviously a hard season for him with the injury not knowing when he was going to be ready, and I think he was pretty frustrated. For it to turn out like this is so special.
“When he hit the double, we went nuts. When he hit the home run, the whole section went nuts. And the MVP chants … that blew me away. It was amazing.”
The Unlikely Hero of the Dodgers' Championship Run
It's not often that a player who missed the first four months of the season and was acquired at the trade deadline ends up being the MVP of the National League Championship Series. But that's exactly what happened with Tommy Edman, who joined the Dodgers on August 19th and quickly became a crucial part of their championship run.
Edman was a key contributor for the Cardinals for years, but he was sidelined for most of the 2024 season due to injuries. When the Dodgers acquired him in July, it was a gamble. No one could have predicted how he would perform in the playoffs, especially with his lack of playing time.
But Edman, a switch-hitter with a proven track record, found his swing just in time for the playoffs. He hit .407 with 11 RBIs in the NLCS, including a clutch two-run homer in Game 6, and he tied a franchise record for RBIs in a postseason series.
His versatility also made him a valuable asset. He played both center field and shortstop for the Dodgers, showcasing his adaptability and athleticism. He was a key factor in the Dodgers' NLCS victory, and he'll be a crucial player for them as they prepare for the World Series against the New York Yankees.
The Future is Bright for Edman
Edman's playoff performance is a testament to his talent and determination. He bounced back from injuries, found his rhythm in the playoffs, and became an essential part of the Dodgers' championship run. With a bright future ahead of him, Edman is already proving that he's a valuable asset to the Dodgers, and his contributions are sure to be essential to their World Series hopes.
A Journey from Injury to MVP
Edman's journey is a story of perseverance. He faced numerous challenges during the season. The injuries, the constant rehab, the pressure to perform after a long layoff, and the uncertainty of his future with the Dodgers. But he never gave up hope. He worked hard, trusted his abilities, and ultimately, found his way back to the top of the game.
Edman's performance in the NLCS is a reminder that even the most unexpected players can make a huge impact. He went from a player with limited opportunities to the MVP of the NLCS, proving that anything is possible with dedication, hard work, and a bit of luck. And the Dodgers are thrilled to have him on their roster.
Edman's Impact Extends Beyond the Numbers
Edman’s impact on the Dodgers goes beyond just his hitting and fielding. He's a positive presence in the clubhouse, a leader by example, and a player who inspires his teammates. His energy, enthusiasm, and determination are contagious, and his impact on the team’s chemistry is immeasurable.
The Dodgers are fortunate to have a player like Edman on their roster. He's a talented, versatile, and dedicated player who is capable of making a significant impact on their World Series aspirations. He is a shining example of a player who overcome obstacles to achieve greatness.
