Dalton Rushing is fine with waiting. It’s not that he doesn’t want to make his big league debut; he would just prefer to have a larger role when it comes to helping the team win.
“I know that I’ll get to play with these guys at some point throughout this year,” Rushing said. “My only goal is … [to] win the last game. It’s an easy goal to go by in this clubhouse. That’s the standard year in, year out. That’s what I love most about this organization. You shoot for the highest star.”
The standard that has been set in the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse starts with manager Dave Roberts, a leader who Rushing can’t wait to play for.
“I’ve got to speak to him a handful of times, I got to spend a little bit of time with him during the postseason last year,” Rushing told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “I think that was the coolest time. I got to play scrimmages, taxi squad grouping, all that stuff. It was cool to just be around those guys around that time of the year. the cool things that are going on in their lives, I’m getting to be a small little piece of which is pretty cool.
“I had a few converstions with him and I really admire his desire to win. I admire his fire that’s deep deep in but you don’t really see it like you do in some managers in baseball and he doesn’t really express it as much but when he does, I feel like the message gets across a little more. From the outside-looking-in it’s very exciting to play for a guy like him.”
Some believe Rushing could play in majors now, but where would he play?
Rushing is blocked by two-time All-Star Will Smith behind the plate and he lacks experience everywhere else.
Therefore, he is preparing to be a backup to Smith for whenever his number is called and his hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“He’s doing whatever is asked of him,” Roberts said. “You can tell he’s very observant. He’s watching a lot, as he should. He’s listening to conversations, he’s talking to pitchers, getting to build that relationship with pitchers. He’s really growing quickly.”
Whenever Rushing’s time comes, he will be ready.
