Bucs Beat Q&A: Caleb Ferguson on pitching at Dodger Stadium for the 1st time as visitor

Caleb Ferguson, LHP

How much are you looking forward to returning to Dodger Stadium after playing there from 2018-23?

Definitely. It’s great pitching out there. The weather is sick, but first time going back as an opponent. It’s probably going to be a little bit weird but I feel like because it’s a couple years-post it’s not going to be as bad. I’m kind of over the whole thing. It’ll definitely be a little bit weird. I still know a lot of people that are over there, so I’ll be able to say hi to all of those guys. Outside of the weather, I think this is probably my actual favorite stadium, PNC Park. It’ll be cool to go out there and see some people I built relationships with over the course of five or six years with the Dodgers.

What was it like to win the World Series in 2020 and not have a parade?

I was actually hurt. I blew out in ’20 and I had TJ (Tommy John surgery). I got hurt in San Diego and I drove back up to L.A. that night, the same night I came out of the game, to see Dr. (Neal) ElAttrache. I had the surgery done right around when the playoffs were about to start. The team offered for me to come back out, but I would’ve had to watch it from the stands because I wasn’t doing any of the quarantine stuff.

What makes Dodger Stadium special to you?

It’s just historic. Jackie Robinson Day, with the history Jackie Robinson has out there, you go full uni with both teams wearing 42. And they bring people out to give speeches. Some of the stories you hear are really cool. You don’t get that everywhere. To be able to experience four or five Jackie Robinson Days like that, you learn how important it really is to the game and to certain cultures.

Do you have a favorite personal memory at Dodger Stadium?

My wife and I welcomed our son, Brooks, in L.A. Actually, my first real Father’s Day was there in 2023. It was a pretty cool experience. He came down on the field pregame. Your kid gets to throw out the first pitch, so my wife, Carissa, threw out the first pitch while holding him and I was catching it. It was very special. There’s a photo of it in his room. The LA Times even did an article about it. That’s probably the best memory, the first Father’s Day.