Former Dodger Shane Greene Brings Pitcher’s Perspective to Blue Dynasty Unplugged

Blue Dynasty Unplugged welcomed its biggest guest yet as former Dodgers pitcher and 2019 All-Star Shane Greene joined George Contoyannis, Priscilla and Bobby Hainline for an in-depth conversation about life in the Major Leagues and the Dodgers’ path toward October.

Greene brought a perspective that cannot be found simply by studying statistics.

The 10-year Major League veteran explained the pressure facing late-inning relievers, the challenge of joining a new team during the season and the importance of the relationship between a pitcher and catcher. He also shared his thoughts on the Dodgers winning another NL West title, Blake Snell’s groin injury, Edwin Díaz’s postseason candidacy, Shohei Ohtani’s recovery and Josue De Paula’s impressive introduction to the majors.

Greene Reflects on His Dodgers Experience

Greene pitched for the Yankees, Tigers, Braves, Dodgers and Cubs during his Major League career.

He earned an All-Star selection while serving as Detroit’s closer in 2019 before being traded to Atlanta later that season. Greene eventually joined the Dodgers during the 2021 season and returned to the organization in 2022.

During the podcast, Greene spoke candidly about the unpredictable nature of professional baseball and what it feels like to be designated for assignment.

“The business will forever be a business,” Greene said. “As a player, you’ve got to kind of roll with the punches and understand that timing is everything.”

He also explained how service time affects a player’s options after being removed from a 40-man roster, offering listeners a firsthand look at a process that can be confusing even for players experiencing it.

The Challenge Pitchers Face After A Trade

One of Greene’s most revealing observations concerned the difficulty of being traded during the season.

A new pitcher does not simply change uniforms and report to another clubhouse. He must quickly establish trust with an unfamiliar catcher while carrying the expectations that accompanied the trade.

Greene experienced that pressure when Detroit traded him to Atlanta in 2019. He had been an All-Star and successful closer for the Tigers, while the Braves acquired him to help stabilize their bullpen during a postseason race.

The relationship with a catcher, Greene explained, can be a significant part of a pitcher’s success.

“You have to figure out how to do that on the run,” Greene said. “You have to figure out how to do that with a new guy in the trenches with you.”

That insight also shaped the discussion about Tarik Skubal developing a connection with Will Smith. Greene believes their results should continue improving as they learn more about each other and strengthen that relationship.

Dodgers’ Division Celebration Still Carries Meaning

The episode came one day after the Dodgers captured their fifth consecutive NL West championship and their 13th division title in 14 seasons.

Division celebrations have become familiar to Dodgers fans, but Greene cautioned against allowing that sustained success to diminish what the accomplishment means inside the clubhouse.

Although several Dodgers have experienced numerous champagne celebrations, other players may have reached the postseason for the first time.

“You can’t take those moments for granted,” Greene said. “There are guys in that locker room that have never done it and maybe never do it again.”

For the Dodgers, however, winning the division represents the beginning of the larger challenge.

“This is when the Dodgers’ season really starts,” Greene said.

Greene Explains The Pressure Facing Bullpen Pitchers

Greene’s experience as a closer provided a revealing look at the pressure surrounding late-inning relievers.

Most relievers entering high-leverage situations are being handed a lead. If they struggle, an entire team and fan base can go from expecting a victory to dealing with a loss within minutes.

“You have to be perfect, and nobody’s perfect,” Greene said.

That pressure only intensifies in October.

According to Greene, postseason relievers must be prepared from the first pitch because every inning can create a situation that determines the game.

“Every inning’s like the ninth inning in the playoffs,” Greene said. “It’s exhausting, but it’s also the best, most fun baseball you’ll ever play in your life.”

Why Greene Would Continue Trusting Edwin Díaz

The bullpen discussion naturally turned toward Díaz, who is fighting to prove he belongs on the Dodgers’ postseason roster.

Greene offered a different way to evaluate a struggling veteran during a rehab assignment.

A pitcher who has spent much of his career working in front of packed stadiums during high-leverage situations may struggle to recreate the same intensity in a Minor League rehabilitation appearance. The lack of adrenaline can give the pitcher more time to think about his mechanics and recent struggles.

For Greene, the most important questions would concern Díaz’s health and readiness.

“If Díaz is my guy, I don’t care what his rehab outings or innings look like,” Greene said. “I’m going to ask him, ‘How do you feel? Do you feel healthy? Are you ready to go?’”

If the answer to those questions is yes, Greene said he would continue trusting him.

That does not guarantee Díaz a postseason position, but it illustrates why a difficult rehab appearance may not tell the Dodgers everything they need to know.

Social Media Criticism Can Leave Players Feeling Isolated

Greene also described the messages professional athletes can receive following poor performances.

Fans have every right to be disappointed, he said, but threats and personal attacks cross a clear line. Players already understand when they have failed to execute and are not intentionally performing poorly.

Continued hostility can make an athlete struggling with confidence feel isolated.

“You start to feel like you’re on an island all by yourself,” Greene said. “It’s really difficult to swim to shore when you’re all alone.”

Greene encouraged Dodgers fans to support players such as Díaz and Kyle Tucker as the postseason approaches. Stringing together a few successful performances can rebuild confidence, but that process becomes more difficult when a player feels the entire fan base has turned against him.

Blake Snell’s Injury Creates Another October Question

Blake Snell’s left-groin injury was one of the episode’s more serious Dodgers topics.

Greene never experienced a significant lower-body injury during his career, but he explained that groin problems can be difficult for pitchers because they may not fully reveal themselves until the intensity increases.

A pitcher can feel healthy during controlled activity before discovering that the injury remains an issue once a hitter steps into the box and the adrenaline begins flowing.

If Snell cannot return for the beginning of the postseason, Greene believes the Dodgers have the organizational depth to adjust, potentially including a bullpen game.

“If there’s a team that can make it look like a small loss, it’s the Dodgers,” Greene said.

Greene Sees Something Special In Josue De Paula

Greene was also impressed by the composure De Paula has displayed during his first experience in the majors.

The young outfielder has shown patience at the plate and has not appeared intimidated by Major League pitching or the circumstances surrounding his promotion.

“He looks like a pro’s pro,” Greene said. “The lights aren’t too bright for him.”

Greene even raised the possibility that De Paula’s youth and fearlessness could make him an unexpected postseason contributor if he finds a pathway onto the roster.

“He could be the superstar of the postseason and not even know what he’s doing out there because it all happened so fast for him,” Greene said.

De Paula’s postseason eligibility and the Dodgers’ final roster decisions still have to be resolved, but his early performance has clearly made an impression.

Greene also approved of De Paula’s home-run celebration.

“I’ve always been a fan of the bat flip,” Greene said. “If you hit the ball that far, you’re allowed to do whatever you want.”

A Look Inside October Baseball

The conversation gave Blue Dynasty listeners something beyond another breakdown of the standings or postseason roster.

Greene provided an inside look at the emotions players experience when they are traded, demoted, criticized or asked to protect a narrow lead with an entire stadium waiting for them to fail.

George guided the conversation through the Dodgers’ biggest October questions, while Priscilla and Bobby added their perspectives on the bullpen, Smith’s return, Díaz’s struggles and the excitement surrounding another division championship.

The episode concluded with Blue Dynasty’s “Call Your Shot” segment for the opening game of the Giants series. Greene selected Tyler Glasnow, Priscilla chose Smith, Bobby picked De Paula and George went with Mookie Betts.

The complete conversation with Greene is available on the newest episode of Blue Dynasty Unplugged on YouTube and podcast platforms.