The Los Angeles Dodgers’ search for a starting pitcher at the July 30 trade deadline led them to acquiring Jack Flaherty in a last-minute deal with the Detroit Tigers.
The right-hander was inconsistent during the playoffs but had impressive performances in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series and again to begin the World Series against the New York Yankees.
In addition to his success on the mound, Flaherty was responsible for several hilarious moments during the Dodgers’ ensuing celebrations. He struggled to dap up Orel Hershiser after having a little too much to drink at the World Series parade.
Flaherty also convinced Shohei Ohtani to take a tequila shot after some initial hesitation, via “Run It Back On FanDuel TV:”
“After every series that we won, we would take a tequila shot as a team. I always ended up next to Sho, and we would take our tequila shots together. It took a lot of convincing that day to get him to do it. Eventually he finally did it.”
A viral video showed that Ohtani initially said no to taking the shot before finally agreeing to do it. Judging by the look on his face, the two-way star appeared to immediately regret the decision.
Flaherty was only with the Dodgers for parts of three months, but clearly became a popular figure in the clubhouse. He is now a free agent and has drawn interest from several teams, including the Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels.
Jack Flaherty ‘never wants to leave’ Dodgers
Flaherty, whose trade to the Dodgers marked a homecoming, expressed a desire to re-sign with the team.
“This is unbelievable. Seeing Freddie pictures everywhere, Freddie (Freeman) is the freaking man. I love that dude. I would give him a kiss right now. The city is showing out. It’s unbelievable,” Flaherty said of the support from Dodgers fans along the parade route in downtown Los Angeles.
“This is unbelievable. I never want to leave. I never want to leave. I just never want to leave.”
