Ben Rotvedt’s Surprising Journey with the Dodgers

TORONTO — There’s been this running joke that Ben Rotvedt didn’t really exist, at least not during most of his time with the Yankees. But there he was Friday night, standing in the Dodgers’ first base line for the pregame ceremony before Game 1 of the World Series. The team had made it this far not just with their stars and impressive rotation, but also thanks to Rotvedt stepping up when both catchers went down with injuries early in September.

Rotvedt, who hadn’t pitched for the Dodgers before being traded from the Rays, played with a lot of energy, helping his team fight for the division title. He started the first four playoff games leading up to the series in Rogers Center, showcasing his potential.

“It was crazy,” Rotvedt said Thursday. “I tell people that maybe I should’ve done it or, um, I would’ve done it, but I don’t think about it too much. I just focus on living each day as best as I can. That’s what makes our team so solid—nobody overthinks too much in the moment.”

“So, it was really cool to play a part and then just sit back to observe how everyone else works.”

All-Star catcher Will Smith returned by Game 3 of the National League series, which pushed Rotvedt back to his backup role. But it was Smith’s hairline fracture on September 3 that prompted Rotvedt’s call-up from Triple-A. A couple of days later, top prospect Dalton Rushing fouled a ball off his shin, leaving Rotvedt as the next man up.

Rotvedt’s debut for the Dodgers was on September 6 against Camden Yards, where he caught Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was on the brink of a no-hitter. Just two nights later, he was behind the plate again while Tyler Glasnow and Blake Treinen combined to pitch a no-hitter against the Rockies.

“The way it all unfolded was crazy,” Rotvedt said. He also noted that he hit some important hits during that stretch, despite not being known for his bat. “Everything just happened so quickly. I did my best to stay in the moment, and it all worked out. You really don’t learn as much unless you’re thrown into the deep end. It was a tough experience, but also really rewarding. I’m thankful for it.”

Rotvedt quickly gained insight into the Dodgers’ pitching lineup, which included stars like Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Clayton Kershaw, Yamamoto, and Glasnow—all established names in the game.

He returned for the 2023 season with the Yankees, where he became Gerrit Cole’s primary catcher during the latter part of his Cy Young campaign.

“He’s improved my skills as a catcher, guiding me on game strategies, how to handle the lineup, and preparing for games,” Rotvedt mentioned. “Coming here taught me to respect the veterans—how they want to pitch and the expectations around them. It’s been a great learning experience, and I’m really grateful for it.”

Interestingly, the trade that brought Rotvedt to the Yankees, alongside Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson before the 2022 spring training, didn’t fully pan out. Yet, in an unexpected turn, either Rotvedt or Kiner-Falefa (now with the Blue Jays) will get a World Series ring this year after contributing to their teams. Donaldson, meanwhile, made an appearance by throwing the first pitch before Game 2 of the ALCS but did not participate in the game.

“Ben has been the unsung hero,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after the National League Wild Card Series. “He stepped in to replace an All-Star catcher and earned the pitchers’ trust. He’s selfless, a good receiver, and understands his role as a hitter… He’s been fantastic.”