Alex Call – Los Angeles Dodgers OF on his crazy 2025, winning the World Series and God’s grace

Alex Call – Los Angeles Dodgers OF on his crazy 2025, winning the World Series and God’s grace

What’s up y’all? It’s Matt Forte here again with Sports Spectrum. I’m here at the MLB PAO Conference, but I got my guy who has been on with me before, but I get to talk to him in person, Alex Call of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he is in a much different capacity than when we first talked. And dude, it’s been a whirlwind, right? Yeah. So, how how is it like let’s walk through that first of all because when we first talked uh you were in was it minor league? I mean, yeah, the first I mean going back to last year even I was in Triple A for majority of the season before getting called up and having you know an amazing stretch. Um but yeah, then you know starting off with Washington this year and you know having high hopes for our season and you know kind of didn’t go the way we wanted it right away and then finding yourself traded at the deadline to the World Series favorites and just you know what a whirlwind. Yeah. talk just I want to ask you about the transition aspect of that because you start off with the nationals and like being you know when you play for a team you’re like I’m on this team and then being traded at the trade deadline you can kind of either have a a multitude of different like thoughts you know like man these dudes traded me you could be bitter about that but then also you could kind of be like well I’m going to the Dodgers so um you know how how was the how was the transition and then mentally behind it because that’s a bigger part of the game than really physical mentally. How was the transition of being able to just kind of, you know, uh, at that point in the season be able to go to a team that ends up winning the World Series? Yeah, I mean, I had a great time with the Nats. I spent, you know, parts of four seasons there, you know, made a lot of good friends um, all throughout the organization and, yeah, yeah, had a great time there. And but you could kind of see like the way that things were moving. um you know it’s a possibility I could get dealt here at the trade deadline and I know how hard it is to actually make something go through like everyone’s like oh I could possibly get traded or whatever but I know it’s actually hard to make a deal actually happen so you know I was watching the ticker and I actually I got a phone call from one of my former hitting coaches saying like hey the Yankees are checking in on you like doing their due diligence they might you know try to get you and I’m like wow the Yankees like that’s a I mean that’s that’s a big name right there. And uh so then we get close to the deadline and more like Phillies are talking about and then all of a sudden, you know, I get a call from Mike Dearalo, the GM of the Nats, and it’s like, “Hey, we’re trading the Dodgers.” And I’m like, “The Dodgers? Like the the World Series favorites? Like, man, they want uh they want me like they already have the best team ever.” So, it’s like uh just going over there and being like, man, okay, here we go. Um, I’m not really sure what to expect, you know, mentally. Like, you’re right. It’s a big deal. Like, you got to pack up your whole apartment. You got to get out the next day. We we I flew right to Tampa Bay and, you know, dive right in with the team. And, you know, you’re walking into the locker room with, you know, some of the best players ever. and you’re not really sure what to expect, but they uh did a great job just making V feel welcome and being like, “Hey, you know, we love what you do, how you play, and um we’re not going to expect you to do anything different except that.” So, that made it really easy for me to just be myself and have fun playing the game and try to contribute on this team in some way. And um you know, it was pretty clear what my role was going to be. So, it was easy to kind of just operate in. Yeah. Is that is that gratifying? you know, when you talk about the spiritual aspect of it and if we go and look back at your career and and you know, where you where you were and then um you know, where God has taken you and then just like the faithfulness of being able to follow him in the times where you like there is a lot of uncertainty, but then when when someone says, “Hey, we believe in you and we want you.” Yeah. That’s a that’s a whole different kind of feeling. Yeah. I mean, it’s truly I you know, I’ve been a believer for a long time, you know, praise God. I had great parents and but just continually growing in my faith getting stronger and I you know I’ve always been a journaler um you know as my daily quiet time with the Lord just journal what’s going on how I’m feeling and there were some times where it just didn’t look good in my career like I was struggling in double A and you know different parts of my my career and not really sure if I would actually get a chance. I always believed in myself, but I remember looking back at my I remember writing in my journal and just, you know, being like, “God, this is uh, you know, this is where you have me. I know it’s a struggle right now, but I’m going to praise you. You know, I know it’s not going great, but I don’t need baseball to make me happy. I’m so grateful that you have given me this opportunity to play. I’m so grateful that you died on the cross for me. I’m so grateful that like I have everything that I need in you that I can just go out there and yeah, maybe it’s not going very good for me right now, but I can just praise you and play this game that I love without the pressure of having to perform like I have to make it to the major leagues. I have to do this all I need to keep playing. I need to whatever. Instead, I can just go out there, be free and play because I know that all the work has already been done on the cross and I have everything that I need. so I can just take the bonus that all this, you know, whatever everything else is just bonus for me. And so it was just um, you know, super cool to just take a step back from, okay, uh, I feel like I’m kind of established now in the major leagues and now the best team wants me to play a role on their team. It’s just really gratifying and just being like, man, they they thought that what I was doing, they wanted some of that. And uh just from the road that I’ve been on and all the you know the time that you know me and God have had together just you know encouragement from the Bible and all this different stuff. It’s just it’s it’s great to look back on and reminisce. Yeah. It was not like you just got traded and were able to just ride the wave and then get a get a ring or the championship. You actually contributed to you know these games and especially in the World Series when you know I actually was like I’m checking this out. this because those games going I was like this is I tweeted it and Jason Romano who’s you know on sports spectrum with us was like uh you know I was like this is one of the most exciting games that I’ve seen or series that I’ve seen because it’s so back and forth especially in the last game and uh so how did it feel like when you were able to contribute and be able to go out there as an outfielder but also u you know hitting the ball? Yeah, I mean it was uh super special to like because right away again it’s like I get traded in. It’s like, “Oh my gosh, I’m going to the World Series.” Like the Dodgers are the favorites, you know? I’m actually going to get to live out this childhood dream and play in the World Series. And then you get there and um it’s like this whole thing where this is it. This is the World Series. This is what you’ve been dreaming about. and you’re just hoping for a chance to, you know, I know my role on the team and, you know, ready to contribute at any moment, whatever, you know, they ask of me. So, not really sureing like what my role is going to or what uh when’s my chance going to be. I know I’m going to be in at some point, but like just being ready and then going out there and um you I got to start game five. Um, so I’m like I I need, hey, can I get this lineup card like after the game cuz it’s like how many people have their name etched in the World Series lineup card, you know, next to show Otani and Muki Betts and Freddy Freeman and Will Smith and all the guys down the line. I mean, just incredible. And there’s my name, you know. Uh, and so it’s something that just super cool to think about. No one can ever take it away from me. Um, and then just being involved in that game, honestly, like it’s the World Series. it’s a huge deal. But like I felt uh I felt pretty peaceful about you know like hey I’m ready for this. You know this is I know how I’ve trained, how I’ve prepared, how I’ve uh you know uh you know practiced these situations in my mind. Um and I’m ready for it. And so it was fun to just be able to go out there and compete really with freedom. Um you know again from the freedom in Christ knowing that like if I do good in this game or not like it’s not going to define who I am. I’m just grateful for this moment that God’s given me, God’s blessed me with and uh you know, I’m just gonna take full advantage of it and it was super fun. Yeah. So, you you got to represent the Dodgers at u the Lakers game as well as as I think it was the Kings game. Yeah. Lakers Kings back to back and u how was that kind of experience, you know, on the other side of, you know, winning the championship? Yeah, I mean just being able to um kind of take a a parade lap, you know, like going through LA, we had the parade and um then the next day we go to the Lakers game and next day after that go to the Kings game and just kind of getting treated, seeing all the fans super excited about, you know, just what we were able to accomplish and they get to be a part of it and um you know, just kind of soaking it in just it’s really a surreal moment when again you just kind of come full circle and look back to where you started and you know, just River Falls, Wisconsin and to Ball State and grinding through the minor leagues and then all of a sudden on find your way uh to the Dodgers and on a World Series championship team and going through LA, you know, having everybody wave at you and um just be super excited about what our team just did. Um so really just a surreal time and really fun to soak it all in. I mean, why not? You know, it could it should it’s kind of a once in a lifetime thing. Hopefully we can run it back again. But um you know it’s it could be once in a lifetime. So just soak it up. Yeah. Yeah. It’s important to enjoy the wins, right? Cuz we can kind of sometimes get so strict like oh that’s maybe that’s prideful to it’s like no like God wants to celebrate with you too, right? It’s okay to do that. I know. Um but let’s let’s talk about um kind of the the the polar opposites of like kind of when you had a season ended with injury at at one point and then kind of that whole transition so of where you you know ended this season you know kind of proverbially like on top mountain top um you know what has God taught you throughout that whole time of kind of differences? Yeah I mean for me it’s all about perseverance, patience, peace and joy. Um, I feel like just those have always been the things that God’s written on my heart and always been impressing on my heart trying to um just teach me and also uh have me go through to share with others, you know, because it’s not always going to be great. Um, but you know, God works all things for the good of those who love him. You don’t always know when that’s going to be or how it’s going to be. But if you’re faithful with him every day, then you can get you you have your joy from him. You have your joy from the quiet time with him. You read in the in the word and you get encouragement from that. And no matter what you’re going through, whether it’s a season ending injury, whether it’s, you know, a slump or something like that, it’s like, “Hey, God, you’re with me here. You’re you’re sustaining me. You give me all that I need. And I know that we’re going to get through it. And even if we don’t and my career’s ending tomorrow, I’m still going to be okay because I got your love.” And I think that just for me has continually been impressed upon my heart. And anytime the gang gets too big or you know gets too close to an idol, it’s like that always comes back to my heart. It’s like you don’t need this. All you need is me, you know, and I got you. And so like and then just to actually see the his faithfulness prevail and you know end on the mountain top. I mean, that doesn’t mean that just because you you love Jesus and you’re, you know, try to be faithful in your walk doesn’t mean you’re going to have amazing things happen to you. But he does love to bless his children. And it’s all throughout scripture. Yeah. And so when he pours out the blessing on you, soak it up. Soak it in. And that’s where I’m at right now. Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, it’s it’s it’s a great thing to see it, too. You can see it in your in your eyes. You can hear it in your voice. But when we talked originally on the podcast, there’s no really difference. There’s no real difference that I could say. And you can tell the joy and that’s what it’s about. It’s like God will give you his peace, but also that eternal joy that no matter circumstantially, Amen. where you are in your career, cuz you said it, it hit the nail on the head. Just because I praise God or like have him forefront of my life don’t mean everything is going to go well. Doesn’t mean I’m going to win a World Series or whatnot. But when he does bless his children, uh he’s always going to do something that’s like I’m not I’m not going to predict what God is going to do. So it’s amazing to, you know, be a witness of that and to talk about that. I think that’s encouraging to those who may be listening or um maybe in a certain place in their own life and and trying to understand how do I stay rooted whether the the circumstances are bad or whether they’re good and um you know I think uh that is kind of is what has carried you especially doubt into fatherhood. You have a a baby at home and you have one on the way as well pretty soon and uh congratulations as well. But thanks. Um, talk a little bit about fatherhood and and what are the what are the things that cuz I know when I had my children, you know, when they’re really young and babies, I started to see God’s character because of how I looked at them. And also how he looks at us because I’m like, man, they do some dumb stuff, but I still love him, you know? Yeah. I mean, fatherhood’s been amazing. um that feeling you just described of how God is looking at us and how I’m looking at my son. It’s almost like I can’t believe that God looks at me that same way because I’m looking at my son with just so much love and so much joy and so much like this is my boy, you know, and that’s just such a it’s just such an intimate level, you know, and to think about the God of the universe and having that feeling for every one of us, it’s overwhelming to you can’t comprehend it. Um, but that’s the kind of God we have. And, uh, you know, just being a dad has been so much fun. You know, we’re at a phase where it’s like if I’m sitting down, you know, and he wants to go play, he just pulls my finger and says, you know, let’s go. And I’m like, “All right, it’s time to play.” And so, we just enjoy that. And in this season, we’ve had a nice routine of just playing in the morning and then, you know, going to work. Um, but now being in the offseason, it’ll be good to just kind of play all day basically, you know, and try to tire him out and it’s just fun to see all the phases and how he grows and um, you know, I was never like super big into kids if I’m being honest. And then when you have your own, it’s like you just have a whole different perspective and a whole different life change that is truly amazing. So, um, for, you know, I just encourage everybody to to experience it. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. And and then um so I got a bone to pick with you because man, you know, you know, we we we see eye to eye on a lot of things and and uh and since we first talked and I kind of figured out where you were from. Yep. And uh and I didn’t want to ask the question, but I I kind of found out through the grapevine that, you know, you’re you’re a Packers guy. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Um so what what’s the uh prediction for the rest of the season with those guys? you know, I think they’re struggling right now as we talk about this, but I’m not sure when this is going to air, but yeah. Um, you know, what do you think about the the Packers right now? You know, I think it’s probably the best defense that I’ve seen really in my I mean, 2010, you know, we had a good defense when we won the Super Bowl. Um, but outside of that, it it had been uh I I just haven’t seen one this good. I feel like, you know, getting Micah Parsons from the Cowboys. I mean just extreme when I saw the saw the news about that I was like what like that’s what everybody wants but like whatever the fans want that never actually like happens and this actually happened. So that’s been super cool to like just watch him go out and do his thing and create pressure and so defense you know wins championships is what they say and I think the offense has enough weapons to you know make it happen. I believe in Jordan Love for sure. I already I I think Jordan loves a Dodger fan, so maybe I can, you know, meet him one day. But, uh, you know, it was, uh, I think they’ll be just fine. I think, uh, it’ll just matter if the if if the offense can kind of mesh and gel at the right time at the end of the season and get hot because I think that they’re not going to have to score like crazy, you know, like 21 points should win the game, honestly, if I’m thinking uh, with that defense. So, it should be exciting times. Yeah, defense does win championships, but uh us offensive guys, we try to ruin it. Um and I’m pretty sure Jordan would be willing to meet you. Jordan, you ever see this? Invite Alex out to a game, shake his hand so maybe that the World Series juju will rub off on you guys. But my bears are going are going to stop that. So, uh we hopefully do that. But yeah, uh last question for you is um coming up uh you know just you know in in the the transition of your life and how everything has kind of gone. Uh we love to ask this question on like at the end of the podcast and it’s just today who is Jesus to you like you know it’s a it’s a broad question and it’s just kind of like what do you feel like who is Jesus to you right now? Yeah, Jesus is my foundation, my rock. Um, you know, he’s the he’s the uh he’s really the motivation. You know, it’s uh because of what he’s done for me on the cross as being, you know, savior and lord of my life. I’m just moved in my heart to try to be like him and to try and, you know, like uh my teammate Blake Trinan said a couple weeks ago, you know, make heaven crowded, you know, and I want my light to shine because I understand what Jesus has done for me. Um, and I want I want other people to see Jesus in me. And so that’s my goal every day um with my teammates, with my friends and family, no matter what I’m doing. Um, you know, I like to that’s what I write on my baseball cards. Matthew 5:16, you know. Um, so letting that light shine for me, it’s it’s really what I’m all about and uh Jesus is is completely taken over my heart and uh has moved me to try and and do that each and every day. Amen. Amen. Well, man, we appreciate your time and coming on and, you know, letting us kind of get a sneak peek into what it feels like to win a World Series and kind of the whole whirlwind of your your life in the past uh 12 months. But thank you for your time and uh thanks for coming on Sports Spectrum again. No problem. Yeah, I always appreciate it. You know, love this time.

Alex Call is an outfielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was traded to Los Angeles from the Washington Nationals on July 31, 2025 and helped lead the Dodgers to the 2025 World Series.

Call was originally selected in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He was traded to Cleveland in 2018 and spent the next four years in the minors with the Indians/Guardians organization, before making his MLB debut in July 2022. He was selected off waivers by Washington in 2023 and played in 128 games for the Nationals that season, hitting eight home runs. In 2024, Call played in 30 games with the Nationals and hit .343 with five stolen bases in 99 at-bats.

Today on the podcast, Alex Call talks to Matt Forte on his journey to the Dodgers, winning a World Series, lessons God taught him this year and being content in Christ.

For more, check out our website – http://SportsSpectrum.com

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