Picture: World Series champ Walker Buehler poses with wife and daughter in front of lit-up Christmas tree to ring in festive season
Walker Buehler's tumultuous season was a mere afterthought on October 30, when millions watched the Dodgers pitcher strike out Alex Verdugo of the Yankees to win the World Series for the Dodgers. Now, Buehler is making the most of his offseason.
On Sunday, Buehler took to Instagram to show off a heartwarming image of himself, his wife McKenzie, and their daughter Finley. Set against the backdrop of a large Christmas tree, the Buehler family was ringing in the holiday season in style.
Although Buehler was responsible for the final out against the New York Yankees that won LA their World Series, the Kentucky native battled injuries all season. These issues contributed to one of Buehler's worst regular seasons of his career.
After missing all of 2023 with injuries, Walker Buehler had big hopes for 2024. However, after coughing up seven earned runs in four innings against the Colorado Rockies on July 18, Buehler was relegated to the IL. In sixteen starts for the Dodgers in 2024, Buehler finished with a 5.38 ERA and a record of 1-6.
Buehler came back for Game 3 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres and allowed six earned runs in five innings. Just when many observers thought that Buehler's status as an elite pitcher was in peril, the 30-year-old right-hander turned on the jets.
"Just a reminder that Walker Buehler has given up ONE run in 19 career World Series innings, that’s a 0.47 ERA #LetsGoDodgers" - Dodgers Muse
Through the 2024 NLCS and World Series, Buehler began to pitch more like his former self. In ten innings between those two series', Buehler allowed just six hits and struck out seven while allowing zero runs.
Walker Buehler enters free agency with strong bonafides
Although Buehler did not receive a qualifying offer from the Dodgers, his performance in the 2024 postseason will help him as he seeks a new deal. As Mookie Betts said of his ex-teammate during the postseason:
"There's a lot of questions about him, but when those lights turn on, this is the real Walker Buehler"
Whichever team manages to sign Walker Buehler, it is clear from the smiles of himself and his loving family, that they are the priority right now. A two-time All-Star, it is likely that Buehler is closer than many think to finding a new team to call his own.