Though he may have grown up imagining himself on the biggest stage, Dodgers rookie pitcher Gavin Stone is now here at the major league level and poised to play a role in the team's playoff pitching plans.
Talking about his biggest inspirations to make it to the big leagues, the young righty spoke about growing up as a Cardinals fan and how two of his current teammates were some of the names he idolized years ago.
"Joe Kelly for sure. Like I said, he was my favorite pitcher growing up," Stone said. "Meeting him that was pretty sick. And Lance (Lynn). Lance was a big part of the Cardinals whenever he was there. So those two, definitely special."
Coming back to LA in a trade from the White Sox, Joe Kelly's second stint in LA hasn't just brought admiration from fans at the Ravine, but also Stone who grew up a fan of his when he was pitching for St. Louis in previous seasons.
Joining Kelly in the deal at the deadline, Lance Lynn's home run issues may not have been solved while in Dodger blue, but as an inning eater and a provider of length for the bullpen, the now three-time teammate of Kelly has inspired Stone with his own performances in LA, as well.
Even as the hated rival of the Dodgers in the early part of the 2010s, the Cardinals' success included two World Series appearances and one win in 2011, a victory that surely inspired Stone as a child to pitch like both Lynn and Kelly.
Now taking wisdom from his veteran teammates both as a starter and reliever for the team this year, the rookie's role for the roster hasn't quite been defined as he's done both bulk relief work on bullpen days and has started games, most recently against the Padres.
Whatever the case may be, Stone doesn't have to imagine what it could be like to play alongside his idols as the young Cardinal supporter is now a Dodger alongside those he can now call peers rather than simply being a fan.
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