Los Angeles, CA – As the Dodgers enter a pivotal stretch of the season, Chris Taylor – one of the team’s most reliable and private players – is facing the biggest personal heartbreak of his life.
On Tuesday afternoon, Taylor unexpectedly missed practice at Dodger Stadium. Later, in a short but emotional post on his personal Instagram, he confirmed that his grandfather – who was his biggest inspiration for baseball – had passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
“He taught me how to hold my first glove… now I have to learn to let go of him”
In the post, Taylor called his grandfather “an unsung hero” who sat in front of the TV every night to watch the Dodgers, even though his memory was no longer intact.
“He called me one day and asked why I wasn’t playing yesterday… when I was starting. When my mom said, ‘I miss you, even if I don’t remember you,’ I started crying,” Taylor wrote.
“And I’ve never seen my dad cry — until my grandpa died.”
The locker room fell silent upon hearing the news. According to a team source, the entire Dodgers squad observed a moment of silence before Wednesday morning’s team meeting. Head coach Dave Roberts said:
“Chris is a guy who never complains. But when he spoke, his voice shook, and everyone knew: this wasn’t just a loss — it was a deep wound.”
Teammates including Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Kiké Hernández sent messages of support directly to Taylor, who is expected to miss at least the next two games to return to his hometown of Virginia for the funeral.
Hero of the quiet moments
Chris Taylor was the MVP of the 2021 NLCS, a hero of the survival games, but rarely appeared in the media with his personal life. His choice to share this heartbreaking moment has deeply moved the online community.
Thousands of fans commented:
“Thank you for showing us a part of the real you.”
“You are not just a player, you are a living inspiration.”
When family is the motivation – and pain turns into strength
Even without his grandfather watching like before, Chris Taylor said:
“I will play the rest of this season for him. Because I know, every swing, he is still watching – from a place where there is no more sickness, no more forgetfulness, only love.”
Chris Taylor – not just a utility man on the field. He is a testament to the simple thing: baseball is family. And sometimes, the most painful throw doesn’t come from the opponent – but from the silence in your own heart.