Wanted man
Los Angeles Dodgers fans are clamoring for outfielder Andrew Toles be promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City and have started the social media campaign #FreeToles.
The hashtag was prominent for the past two months to the point it was even hard for a big league manager to miss. #FreeToles.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans clamored for outfielder Andrew Toles be promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City. They made T-shirts with the hashtag below his bearded face. They started a social media campaign.
“Social media is blowing up,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters April 14. “Free Toles. Free Toles. Who started that? My phone blows up on the social media thing, I get Toles emails all night long. He’s coming. He’s coming.”
Toles has played only 79 games for L.A., but he’s grabbed the love of fans. Injuries have wrecked the better part of the past year and they still want to see the explosive outfielder.
But what draws people to the 26-year-old Toles?
“Toles is an interesting cat, but he’s a man of the people,” said OKC catcher Kyle Farmer, who grew up playing against and with Toles in Georgia. “Everybody loves Toles. He went up there and made a splash. Fans love that in L.A. they love an exciting guy to watch.”
Toles batted .314 in his first big league stint in 2016. Last season, he was off to a better start with his power before a knee injury cost him the year. He had a big spring training, but still opened the year in OKC.
Fans flooded social media with the hashtag as L.A. struggled.
Toles is aware of the social media movement, calling it “funny at first.” He just isn’t concerned about it. He wants to be back in the big leagues.
He opened this year in OKC scorching at the plate, but then his hamstring balked.
For seven weeks, Toles worked to get back, suffering a setback after it initially appeared he would miss only three weeks. Once he was in Arizona rehabbing, it was discovered his leg had yet to regain its full strength.
Toles said his glute was misfiring.
“It’s kinda frustrating, but it’s over now,” Toles said.
Toles rejoined the Dodgers on June 5, hitting in his first four games. He entered Thursday with a .321 average and .387 on-base percentage.
But his spot in L.A.’s outfield may no longer be there. The Dodgers are catching fire. That means the wait may be a little longer.
“I’m going to do what I can do,” Toles said.