Jack Flaherty, who was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a midseason trade from the Detroit Tigers, quickly developed a professional relationship with manager Dave Roberts despite only playing for the Dodgers during the 2024 season. The two were seen together at a Chargers game on November 25, which reflected the bond they had built during the short time Flaherty spent in Los Angeles. Over the course of 15 starts, including both regular season and postseason games, their interactions on the mound remained minimal, as Roberts generally had a clear idea of how to manage Flaherty’s outings.
Flaherty, known for his consistency, averaged about five innings per start during the regular season, handing the game over to the bullpen after each of his appearances. He reached at least five innings in nine out of ten regular season starts, with his longest outing being 7.1 innings against the Cleveland Guardians on September 8. The one instance where Flaherty had a notable mound interaction with Roberts came during a game on August 9 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Flaherty, in only his second start for the Dodgers, reached the fifth inning and expected Roberts to pull him, as had been the case in previous starts. However, Flaherty, feeling confident, told Roberts that he was good to continue. The conversation went as follows:
Roberts approached Flaherty to signal that he was done for the day, but Flaherty pushed back, telling him he could keep going. According to Flaherty, he felt as though he could pitch 150 pitches that day and wanted to continue. Surprised by the response, Roberts agreed, allowing Flaherty to stay on the mound, where he ultimately threw 110 pitches before Roberts came to take him out. This rare instance of a pitcher advocating for his continued presence on the mound was out of the ordinary for the Dodgers under Roberts’ management, where pitchers typically don’t exceed 100 pitches without being pulled. This incident left other Dodgers pitchers baffled, as it was unusual for a pitcher to go over 100 pitches, especially so early in his Dodgers career.
Despite this rare exchange, Flaherty acknowledged that Roberts was usually straightforward when managing his outings, typically either offering encouragement or giving him a direct signal to step down. In most games, Roberts’ communication was limited to brief, supportive remarks like, “Good job,” or, “We’re going to get you,” or in cases where Flaherty struggled, Roberts would tell him, “We’re going to pick you up and go win this game.” This straightforward approach worked well, as Flaherty’s performance on the mound contributed to the Dodgers’ success. In regular-season games started by Flaherty, the Dodgers boasted a 7-3 record, a positive outcome overall.
The postseason, however, presented a different challenge for Flaherty. While he started five games, his effectiveness was inconsistent, though the team still won three out of those five games. Despite this, the Dodgers’ overall success with Flaherty on the mound demonstrated that their trust in his abilities paid off.
In addition to his role as a pitcher for the Dodgers, Flaherty’s commitment to charitable work was also highlighted in 2024. Through connections, he collaborated with Erewhon, an upscale supermarket, to create a signature smoothie. The proceeds from the sale of this smoothie were donated to the Tyler Skaggs Foundation, a cause Flaherty strongly supported. This partnership allowed Flaherty to contribute to a charitable organization while also leveraging his platform in a positive way.
In summary, although Flaherty’s time with the Dodgers was relatively short, his relationship with manager Dave Roberts was marked by mutual respect and understanding. Flaherty’s rare mound interaction with Roberts, where he convinced the manager to let him continue pitching despite Roberts’ usual approach, is a testament to his confidence and determination. While the Dodgers’ pitching staff generally followed Roberts’ direct management style, Flaherty’s ability to advocate for himself in a critical moment stands out. The Dodgers’ overall success with Flaherty, both in the regular season and postseason, and his charitable efforts through partnerships such as the one with Erewhon, helped define his 2024 season.
