The winning locker room after a big game is always a joyous place, and reporters usually get highly predictable interviews with celebrating players offering clichéd terms (“team effort,” “one game at a time,” etc.)
But Spectrum SportsNet LA host/reporter Kirsten Watson came across an interesting situation Sunday night after the Los Angeles Dodgers punched their ticket to the World Series with a win over the New York Mets in Game 6 of the National Championship League Series.
As champagne sprayed around the locker room, Watson talked with reliever Brent Honeywell Jr.
The Dodgers are a team built around superstars, players such as Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Honeywell, who appeared in 18 games with the Dodgers this year, is at the other end of the MLB spectrum. The 2014 second-round pick has battled injuries (four elbow surgeries) and didn’t pitch at all from 2018-2020.
Honeywell has spent time with four different MLB organizations, and was designated for assignment by both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Dodgers in 2024.
So Honeywell is the epitome of the guy who can’t believe his good fortune when Watson walked up for her interview. He struggled to keep his emotions in check.
“How special is it to now be going on to the World Series?” Watson asked.
“I was just thinking about it … I don’t think it’s set in yet,” Honeywell responded. “I wanted to get this one (series) over with, as soon as we could.
“There’s a lot of people in my life that I have to thank for this.” Honeywell paused and put his hand to his eyes, clearly emotional.
Watson came to the rescue to give him time to recover.
“This is a dream, so many people have, to be living this out,” she said. “I know it’s hard to put into words. To share this moment with these guys, I have to imagine it’s special.”
By now, Honeywell’s teammates seemed to notice his struggles. Someone came over and poured champagne over his head to help lighten the mood.
“My younger self is freakin’ out,” Honeywell said. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do my whole life.”
Congratulations to Honeywell for being persistent through tough times and finally living his dream. And kudos to Watson for helping guide him through an emotional — and memorable — interview.
[SportsNet LA]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.