Dodgers bet on Snell as a potential postseason ace

Left-hander views his controversial exit in 2020 World Series as a valuable lesson.

- BY JACK HARRIS

RONALD MARTINEZ Getty Images TAMPA BAY RAYS manager Kevin Cash removes ace Blake Snell, center, during the sixth inning of Game 6 in the 2020 World Series against the Dodgers.

Blake Snell did not sound bitter. Somehow, he was not racked with regret.

Rather, when asked at his introductory Dodgers news conference this past offseason about the most infamous moment of his career, he took a brief moment to think. Then, unexpectedly, he expressed gratitude instead.

Five years ago, Snell was pitching the game of his life in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series. With his Tampa Bay Rays facing elimination against the Dodgers, he had answered the bell with five one-hit, nine-strikeout, virtually flawless Fall Classic innings.

What happened next remains controversial to this day. Snell gave up a one-out single in the sixth inning to Austin Barnes. Rays manager Kevin Cash came to the mound with a stunningly quick hook. The Dodgers went on to mount a rally against the Tampa Bay bullpen, ending a three-decade title drought while the left-handed ace watched from the bench. And in the aftermath, the second-guessing of the decision was as immediate as it was decisive.

Almost everyone else in the baseball world thought Snell should have stayed in.

Over time, however, the pitcher himself came to view it as a valuable lesson.

"It was a moment in my life that I'm very appreciative of," Snell said this winter, donning a Dodger blue jersey for the first time after signing with the club for $182 million as a free agent.

"If I wanted to stay out there longer, I should have done a better job before that game to make that decision easier on Kevin. It’s ultimately up to me to bea better pitcher there in that moment.”

Five years later, he’s about to get his chance for postseason redemption.