Dodgers News: Dodger Stadium Crowd Almost Brought James Outman to Tears
Dodgers rookie outfielder James Outman made his Dodger Stadium debut on Opening Day against the Diamondbacks on Thursday. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut last season, but played all four games on the road. So, on Thursday, he finally got to play in front of the home fans.
It didn't take long for the up-and-coming star to wow the Dodger Stadium crowd. After walking and striking out in his first two at-bats, Outman came up in the 6th inning of a 5-2 ball game, and crushed a home run to left-center field.
After the game, Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation asked Outman what it was like playing in front of the Dodger Stadium crowd for the first time.
"It was gonna bring me to tears at the beginning," Outman said. "It's pretty crazy being on the field level and hearing those fans."
Outman is very quickly becoming a fan favorite in Los Angeles, and it's easy to see why. In his first MLB at-bat in 2022, he hit a home run. Then, he raked in Triple-A, raked in spring training and made the Dodgers Opening Day roster. And in his first game at Dodger Stadium, he hits a home run, the only long ball of the game.
To start the year, Outman is going to get the "lion's share" of at-bats against right-handed pitching, according to manager Dave Roberts. I don't think any Dodger fan is going to have a problem with that.
