Walker Buehler reflects on his Dodgers legacy, brutal Tommy John recovery, and evolution with the Padres—while delivering sharp insight on MLB’s spending, rivalry with Los Angeles, and the future of baseball.
in the Fall Classic. Game 5 at Yankee Stadium. Pitching on just one days’ rest, here comes Buehler to get the final three outs to win the World Series. Buehler struck out his former teammate Alex Verdugo on a curveball in the dirt.
He outstretched his arms and stared at the Dodgers dugout like a gladiator in the Roman Coliseum that just vanquished his opponent. Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after he closes out the 9th inning. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 to win the World Series. “It’s a super surreal moment,” said Buehler, reflecting back on the final pitch he threw in a Dodgers uniform. “I spent a lot of years in LA, for that to be my last pitch is something I’ll always look back fondly on.”UConn hero's girlfriend celebrates his iconic March Madness shot after wild comeback At 31 years old and now a father, Buehler is more mature and appreciative than ever before. He’s had to evolve as a pitcher as well. “I would love to throw 100 mph,” Buehler admitted. “But I have to use it a little more selectively than I used to.”“It sucks,” he said bluntly. “The second Tommy John is horrific and the timing of mine in terms of my career was really tough. Right now, I’m grateful to be able to wake up and my elbow doesn’t hurt. Overall, I’m happy to be playing professional baseball.”San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn ImagesThat’s not the voice of a flamethrower chasing radar guns. That’s the voice of a pitcher who understands survival. Who understands that dominance now has to be manufactured, not unleashed.“Now I’m having to mix and match,” he said. “Guys are going to see the same pitch multiple times. That’s a new thing for me… I’m getting back to the way I pitched in college.”Because pitchers who learn how to think — really think — tend to last longer than the ones who rely on sheer force alone. “He’s learning how to be a pitcher which is cool to see,” said Buehler’s new manager Craig Stammen. “He was a thrower that was a pitcher back when he was with the Dodgers. His fastball was elite, but now he’s learning how to pitch, mix speeds, throw to both corners. It’s fun to see him evolve into a real pitcher.” Despite being a two-time All-Star and World Series Champion, Buehler had to earn his spot in San Diego. Invited to camp as a non-roster invitee, Buehler signed a minor league contract with the Padres. After a strong spring, he made the opening day roster and will take the mound Monday night against the Giants.“Rivalries are a thing and we feel them on the field,” Buehler said. “But largely rivalries are for fanbases.”“They’re the defending champs,” he added. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of confidence… hopefully we make a run at it.” That’s it. That’s the rivalry, stripped down to its bones. Two heavyweights. Same division. Same goal. No need for theatrics. Buehler sees the Dodgers more clearly than most. He lived inside the system while it was transforming — while it was shedding its homegrown skin and becoming something colder, sharper, more efficient.“I was part of a couple of those World Series,” said Buehler of the Dodgers, who have won three World Series titles in six years, and are going for a three-peat in 2026. “I don’t think they are ruining baseball in any form,” Buehler said, pushing back on the loudest narrative in the sport. “The way the Dodgers are operating now is so much closer to how 29 other owners could act.”Walker Buehler and Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as the the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024. Buehler is calling out what most players in the league believe as well. The Dodgers aren’t the problem, it’s the other 20-something owners that aren’t spending that are the problem. “The spending of free agents is the rising of the tide, maybe LA had to be the first to do it, but 29 other teams need to follow suit just like they did with the development in the minor leagues,” said Buehler. “There are some cities that can make the argument that they don’t have the money, but I think 25 other owners do.”“I understand it,” he said. “But I don’t agree with it. We’ve seen it in every other league and it doesn’t work.” Because a cap won’t fix ambition. It won’t force owners to care. It won’t suddenly make organizations invest in winning.“There’s a lot of organizations that need good players, and everyone wants to get mad about the Dodgers getting another great player. The floor level for some of these teams have to improve,” said Buehler. “The game is getting younger because the high end is getting more expensive and the low end is just using first three-year minimum players.”San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler looks on from the dugout in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesBuehler refuses to play along with lazy narratives dominating the headlines when it comes to baseball. Which is what will make is return to Dodger Stadium this summer so fascinating. “I guess we’ll have to see,” he said of the reception he thinks he’ll get now that he’s with the hated Padres. “Hopefully all in all it’s neutral.” Neutral doesn’t feel right for Buehler. He’s not just a former Dodger. He’s a World Series hero. And even though he’s now residing inside enemy territory, that doesn’t make him a villain.He’s a pitcher who lost his arm, found his mind, and now has to prove that thinking can be just as lethal as throwing hard. The dynasty he helped build is still standing tall. Still spending. Still winning.Watch CBS broadcasters react to UConn's shocking March Madness miracleUConn hero's girlfriend celebrates his iconic March Madness shot after wild comebackWalker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after he closes out the 9th inning. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 to win the World Series. San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn ImagesWalker Buehler and Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as the the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024. San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler looks on from the dugout in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Stream It Or Skip It: 'Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole' On Netflix, Where A Troubled Detective Tracks Down A Serial Killer Who Is Terrorizing Oslo
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