The Dodgers’ Secret Weapon
In a culture obsessed with being noticed, Tommy Edman has built a career Around Being needed. Championship organizations understand the difference.
By Jason Burrell | South Bay Black Journal
When Tommy Edman became healthy enough to return to the Dodgers this week, the organization didn’t ask whether they had room for him.
They made room for him.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary roster move. Tommy Edman was activated. Santiago Espinal was designated for assignment. Baseball moves on.
But championship organizations reveal what they truly value by the decisions they make. Roster spots in Major League Baseball are valuable. Every spot represents opportunity. Every move carries consequences. When one player returns, another player usually loses his place.
The Dodgers never hesitated.
Tommy Edman was coming back.
That decision tells us everything.
The Dodgers know exactly what Tommy Edman means to their team.
He can play multiple positions.
He gives manager Dave Roberts lineup flexibility.
He can start.
He can come off the bench.
He can play infield. He can play Outfield.
He’s a proven postseason performer.
Most importantly, he helps the Dodgers win in October.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sees that value firsthand: “I think if you look at every win that he’s in the game, he is one of those guys that there’s something he did to help you win,” Roberts said. “There really is, whether it’s in the box score or not. I love those players, and he just kind of prides himself on that.”
Roberts wasn’t describing statistics. He was describing trust.
But actions speak louder than press conferences.
The Dodgers didn’t create a roster spot for Tommy Edman because he is their biggest star.
They created one because they know what he allows them to become.
A more flexible team.
A more dependable team.
A more complete team,
And that’s why Tommy Edman matters.
Most fans evaluate players through home runs, batting averages, jersey sales, and social media popularity.
Championship organizations ask a different question. How many problems does this player solve?
Tommy Edman solves a lot of problems.
Need a second baseman? He can do that.
Need a shortstop? He can do that.
Need a center fielder? He can do that too.
Need a stolen base?
Need a sacrifice bunt?
Need a professional at bat late in the game?
Need someone willing to place the team’s needs above his own?
Tommy Edman can do all those things.
He’s the baseball equivalent of an offensive lineman in football.
Nobody buys a ticket to watch the left tackle.
But everybody notices when the quarterback is running for his life.
Nobody rushes to buy their jerseys. But everybody notices when they’re missing.
The same is true for Tommy Edman.
His value isn’t always visible.
His impact is undeniable!
Some players help a team because of what they do. Tommy Edman helps a team because of what he allows everyone else to do!
His versatility creates freedom.
His reliability creates trust.
His willingness to embrace any role allows stars to remain stars.
Shohei Ohtani can focus on being Shohei Ohtani.
Mookie can focus on being Mookie.
Freddie can focus on being Freddie.
Tommy Edman absorbs the chaos.
He solves the problems.
And every championship team needs someone willing to do that.
Watching Edman reminds me of former St. Louis Cardinals great Jose Oquendo.
Cardinals fans nicknamed Oquendo “The Secret Weapon” because he could seemingly play anywhere and do anything. More importantly, he never complained.
No excuses.
No ego.
No demands.
Just solutions.
There’s a little Jose Oquendo in Tommy Edman.
There’s also a little Tim Duncan.
Duncan spent nearly two decades becoming one of the greatest players in NBA history while rarely demanding attention. He cared more about winning than recognition. His greatness wasn’t built on self-promotion. It was built on sacrifice, consistency, and doing whatever his team needed.
That same spirit exists inside Tommy Edman, and if we’re going to be honest, there’s a little Dennis Rodman in there as well.
Not because of the rebounds.
Not because of the personality.
But because Rodman understood that greatness is often found in doing the jobs others won’t do.
Michael Jordan could focus on scoring.
Scottie Pippen could focus on creating.
Rodman handled the dirty work.
Every championship team has a player like that.
Someone willing to sacrifice recognition for results.
Someone willing to do the little things.
Someone willing to serve.
The Dodgers have one.
His name is Tommy Edman.
The beautiful thing about sports is that they often mirror life.
Families need Tommy Edmans.
Businesses need Tommy Edmans.
Churches need Tommy Edmans.
Communities need Tommy Edmans.
Everyone can solve problems.
Everyone can make the people around them better
Our culture teaches us to pursue visibility.
Tommy Edman teaches the value of usefulness.
There’s a difference.
Visibility says, “Look at me.”
Usefulness says, “How can I help?”
One gets attention.
The other wins championships.
The Dodgers didn’t make room for Tommy Edman because he’s their biggest star.
They made room for him because they trust him.
They trust his preparation.
They trust his versatility.
They trust him when the lights are brightest.
And championship organizations do that for players they trust.
The world celebrates people who are noticed.
Championships are often won by people who are needed.
Tommy Edman reminds us there is a difference.
And sometimes, the most valuable person in the room is the one nobody is talking about.
