“I wish I would’ve done better this year.” Kyle Tucker recognizes what every Los Angeles Dodgers fan has been thinking this season. After coming to LA, Tucker’s production at the plate nose-dived, especially at his home park. As a result, the boos from disappointed fans have haunted him over the past couple of games. However, Dodger Stadium had an entirely different experience in store for him on Friday night.
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“Kyle Tucker got a prolonged ovation from the Dodger Stadium crowd for his first at-bat,” Jack Harris wrote on X. “Dodger fans had been trying to organize a positive reception for him leading up to tonight, amid his recent struggles.”
129 games in, and the Dodgers are yet to reap the benefits of the 4-year, $240 million contract Kyle Tucker signed ahead of the season. At Los Angeles, his numbers are below average, slashing .230/.325/.364 with a career-worst .690 OPS. His struggles at the plate are much more pronounced at Dodger Stadium compared to road games (.271 BA). He is hitting .186/.285/.267 in home games with 2 homers. He also snapped a 26-at-bat hitless streak, the longest in his career, against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.
Tucker’s struggle at home has become so evident that manager Dave Roberts even gave him a rest day during a homestand. On top of his offensive slump, defensive misplays only sparked fan frustration. Against the Brewers, Dodger Stadium erupted in boos after Tucker dropped a routine catch. Fans let him hear it against the Rockies, when he made a similar misplay on an easy pop-up. Kyle Tucker was in tears in the dugout. Following that incident, the Dodgers fans took a different route this time.
During the Dodgers’ 5-4 extra-innings win over the Pirates, the fans serenaded Tucker with cheers and a prolonged standing ovation. The applause started during the pregame introductions and resumed every time Tucker was in action, be it his first at-bat in the bottom of the second against the Pirates’ Bubba Chandler or the running catch he made in the first inning.
For his part, Tucker is also trying to snap out of the slump he has found himself in throughout the season. With not much working out for Tucker, the Dodgers outfielder broke routine in hopes of a positive change. For the first time this season, Tucker took batting practice on the field.
“I haven’t been hitting great this year, so I figured I’d try something else,” Tucker said, per The Athletic. “Hopefully, it helps.”
Unfortunately, the effect of the standing ovation or the on-field batting practice was not visible during his at-bats on Friday. Tucker drew a walk but remained hitless during his 4 at-bats against the Pirates.