There are members of the 2017 Houston Astros who would be violently unwanted by the Dodgers clubhouse.
Jake Marisnick, apparently, is not one of them.
A 32-year-old outfield journeyman who had his best season playing for the Astros’ infamous sign-stealing team, Marisnick was welcomed into the Dodgers clubhouse with open arms on Friday after signing with the team this week.
His story was well known, as one of the seven pillars of that Houston team still in the majors.
The Dodgers’ feelings about the scandal, which culminated in the team’s loss to the Astros in the 2017 World Series, remain largely unchanged, though their anger has waned over time.
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Still, Marisnick’s arrival was endorsed by Austin Barnes (Marisnick’s high school teammate), Chris Taylor (who briefly played travel ball with him growing up), and even Clayton Kershaw (who vacationed with him. during the off-season).
“I love Jake,” Kershaw said. “I think he had to deal with it for a long time. I think he’s remorseful for it too, which is probably all you can ask for at this point. He’s a good guy. He will help our clubhouse for sure.
And, as the veteran pitcher noted, “at least it’s not one of the other guys.”
Indeed, other members of that Astros team would have found a different reception with the Dodgers, whose three remaining members of this 2017 World Series are Kershaw, Barnes and Taylor.
Last offseason, the team didn’t seriously pursue shortstop Carlos Correa in part because of concerns about how he would be received by the clubhouse and the fanbase. Marisnick, however, is seen differently.
He was more of a part-timer on this Astros team, a bat at the bottom of the order who, despite career highs in homers (16) and the most slugging on-base percentage (.815), was more valued for his defense in center field.
“He wasn’t really the guy who was running the ship there,” Barnes said.
Marisnick also did not play against the Dodgers in this World Series, missing the entire postseason with a hand injury.
“I’m not as mad at him because he wasn’t in the lineup,” said Kershaw, whose six-point start in Game 5 has long been speculated to be affected by the hitting system. bins from the Astros. “Selfishly, I guess, he didn’t really affect me.”
Marisnick’s reputation also extends beyond his time in Houston.
As a high school student, he was a year behind Barnes at Riverside Poly, a connection that led to a lifelong friendship between the two, who worked together in past offseasons.
“He got nothing and he fought,” Barnes said of Marisnick’s 11-year career, which has endured despite his .228 batting average. “I think he can help us win.”
Taylor, who was teammates with Marisnick in a travel ball tournament growing up, said this team is ready to move on.
“[Jake and I] go back, and we’re just glad he’s here to help us win,” Taylor said. “We are not really focused on past seasons. We’re just looking forward to winning the World Series this year.
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Above all, Marisnick felt remorse over the scandal, telling reporters in 2020 that he regretted not doing more to stop the theft of signs.
“Surely you knew something was going too far,” Marisnick said then, shortly after the scandal became public knowledge. “That’s where, as someone who was there, not talking, I think that’s something I really regret.”
Marisnick struck a similar tone Friday in his first appearance as a Dodger.
“Just be open about it and talk if anybody wants to talk,” he said. “People make mistakes in this world and if you make a mistake and you’re open about it and talking about it, it usually goes a little better. I’m open if there are any questions here.
Already, Marisnick says, Barnes had wowed him about the situation, lightening the mood. Marisnick added that he also has no hesitation in signing with the Dodgers, happy to join a contending club after playing for six teams – none of them making the playoffs – since being traded. by Houston after the 2019 season.
“Any time you come to a team of this caliber and with these players here, it’s exciting,” Marisnick said. “I can not wait to be there.”
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Marisnick will likely be a squad option against left-handed pitchers and give them the defensive help they need at center.
“I was excited,” manager Dave Roberts said upon learning of Marisnick’s signing, “to have a veteran who understands the role, to hit left-handers and lock down the outfield when he plays.”
Roberts also downplayed Marisnick’s story.
“For me to continue to harbor ill will, certainly against a player like that, is not beneficial,” Roberts said. “I’m super excited. I’m sure our fans will love it.”
On that last point, Marisnick wasn’t so sure — understanding that even if his new teammates embraced him, his new fanbase might take longer to win.
“I hope to go out and help this team win ball games,” he said. “We’ll see where it goes from there.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.