ST. LOUIS -- Tommy Edman has done just about everything a player can do at Busch Stadium, but as he arrived with the Dodgers on Friday afternoon, he realized he had something to learn. Edman, who was drafted by the Cardinals in 2016 and made his Major League debut with the team in 2019, didn’t know how to find the batting cage -- or anything at all -- in the visitors’ clubhouse.
“Walking into the entrance to the stadium, you come in through the same entrance in the parking lot but [go] through a different door,” Edman explained. “I was like, ‘OK, this is different.’”
He delivered his first career hit against his former team with a sharp single to right field in the top of the seventh inning, reaching first base to find former teammate Willson Contreras waiting with a welcoming embrace.
“It was really cool,” Edman said of the ovation in the aftermath of a 5-0 Dodgers loss. “Just to get recognized after playing for this team for a number of years, it was a really special moment for me, for sure. I’m very grateful for everybody who showed up today.”
There are a lot of differences for Edman since the last time he was at Busch Stadium. He was traded to Los Angeles at the 2024 Deadline in a three-way deal which saw the Dodgers send Miguel Vargas and two Minor Leaguers to the White Sox in exchange for Edman and Michael Kopech, and at the time, he was on the injured list, recovering from wrist surgery.
Within four months, he was a world champion and the MVP of the NLCS, an invaluable piece of the Dodgers’ lineup, and signed a long-term contract extension which will keep the San Diego native close to home for the bulk of his remaining career.
“I guess it’s already been almost a year now that I’ve been with the Dodgers,” he said. “It’s definitely gone by very quickly, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve gotten very close with everybody in the Dodgers' organization.”
Edman won his only career Gold Glove with the Cardinals, receiving the award at second base in 2021. In his five seasons as a Cardinal, Edman posted a .265 batting average and .726 OPS, stealing 106 bases and hitting 53 homers while supplying top-notch defense at every position other than first base, pitcher and catcher.
“I'm just a young, 24-year-old guy just walking into the clubhouse,” Edman recalled of his debut with St. Louis. “I wasn't a huge prospect or anything, so just being super nervous and now coming back here, it's definitely -- I feel kind of a sense of familiarity.”
Asked what exactly Edman would say he is now, if he was young then, the 30-year-old cracked a wry smile and offered, “being experienced. Experienced and wise.”
He also made history in 2023 by representing Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic, where he was teammates with now-fellow Dodger Hyeseong Kim. Edman, whose mother was born in Korea, was the first American-born player to represent that nation in a major international tournament.
Due to being injured when traded, Edman didn’t have the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to the fans in St. Louis on the field, and he was looking forward to the chance to demonstrate how much he appreciated the support he received over his five seasons as a Cardinal.
“It was kind of abrupt last year, getting traded at the Deadline just seemingly out of nowhere,” he explained. “Haven’t been back in St. Louis since then.”
“I think it’s going to be emotional,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said pregame. “It’s the first team and only team that gave him a shot early, right? Lots of friends with the coaches, players, the fans appreciate him as these fans appreciate every player. I think it’s going to be somewhat emotional. It’s gonna be great.”
Another injury almost spoiled his return. Edman spent time on the injured list earlier this season with a sprained right ankle, which he irritated earlier this week against the Mets. He entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning Tuesday, but did not appear Wednesday.
While there were concerns he might be forced to return to the IL, rest did the trick, and Edman said Friday that he was playing at full strength, and was more than ready to make his return.
“One of the greatest things about Cardinals fans is just appreciating the history, what former players have poured into their time here,” Edman said. “It’s just great seeing Cardinals fans again. They’ve got great support for the team, and I have nothing but good words for those guys.”
And they, for him -- Edman’s first plate appearance was heralded by the crowd coming to its feet in unison to offer a loud cheer. Edman tipped his helmet, one last acknowledgement of the place where his career began, and went right back to where it continues.