In 2024, the journeyman pitcher made two appearances for the Dodgers in Miami, during which he was memorable for both good and bad.
I will always remember where I was when I think of Zach Logue. Like Tony Wolters in 2022, I will always think of the monstrosity of a sandwich when I think of Logue, which I will explain momentarily.
Logue started the year with the Atlanta Braves organization, pitching primarily for Triple-A Gwinnett. He was a swingman there, appearing in 25 games, starting in 13 and finishing six.
Atlanta called Logue up to the major league club for doubleheader depth coverage against the Cincinnati Reds on July 24. At the time, Logue had a 3.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts to 20 walks over 73 innings.
Unfortunately for Logue, the second game of the doubleheader was rained out, and Atlanta optioned him back to Triple-A Gwinnett without him appearing in a game. On August 9, Atlanta recalled Logue for coverage, only to option him back to Triple-A four days later without appearing in a game.
Before feeling too sorry for Logue, it is worth pointing out that he pitched 57 innings for the Oakland Athletics in 2022, compiling a 3-8 record with a 6.79 ERA, and 11 innings for the Detroit Tigers in 2023 with a 7.36 ERA.
When the rosters expanded on September 1, Atlanta designated Logue for assignment to make room for the newly-acquired John Brebbia. On September 5, Logue declined the assignment and elected to become a free agent. Overall, he pitched in 90⅔ innings of work, compiling a 5-6 record and a 2.68 ERA while at Triple-A.
On September 12, the Dodgers signed Logue to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He pitched three innings and gave up a run, striking out one against Tacoma.
As we covered in the misadventures of Bobby Miller, the Dodgers were desperate for bullpen coverage at this point of the season, so when Miller was optioned for the last time in 2024, Logue was called up to the Dodgers on September 18.
While with the Dodgers, Logue wore number 62. That night, Logue got into his first major league game of 2024 against the Miami Marlins.
Michael Elizondo / True Blue LA
What does Logue have to do with a sandwich, you ask?
After the dreadful Miller start the day before, I needed a palate cleanser for my sanity. At the urging of our own David Young, I found relatively cheap seats in the PNC Club at loanDepot. These were the “best” seats at the ballpark, with most food and drink included.
Around the fifth inning, I got peckish, so I ordered the sandwich you see below from the MLB Ballpark app for no charge.
If you blinked, you missed the Dodgers’ sixth. Anyway, food is included with my seats tonight and I see this monstrosity.
It doesn’t work. The elements by themselves are pretty good. Together though.
6-0, Dodgers, @truebluela. pic.twitter.com/kNNtYlEEdP
— Eli and Adric (@Eli_at_TBLA) September 19, 2024
The sandwich, which really could not be called a burger, was called “Cheat Day!” It was a double patty “burger” with jalapeño powder sugar-topped funnel cake for buns and tequila-smoked cheddar.
It didn’t work. The individual components were not bad, but the combination failed to gel or have any structural integrity when one tried to eat it as intended. While I was trying to eat the stupid sandwich, Logue entered the game, which was 6-0 at the time.
Logue lasted nine pitches, surrendering three hits, two runs, and a runner to be inherited.
Dave Roberts and I likely came to the same conclusion about two wildly different things at the same moment: “This isn’t working. I need to do something else.” Blake Treinen was summoned into the game to restore order, and he did after allowing the inherited runner to score.
For those keeping score, Logue had an infinite ERA in 2024 for allowing three runs and failing to record an out in the time it took for me to obtain and abandon eating my terrible snack.
However, nature and baseball abhor a statistical oddity.
The next day, while Shohei Ohtani was having the literal best day in baseball history. I noticed with mild surprise and sore throat when Roberts summoned Logue again in the bottom of the eighth inning of the Dodger rout.
After Logue immediately surrendered a single, the dream of an infinite ERA season died in a single pitch. Logue now had an ERA and was just a left-handed Connor Brodgon with extra steps. He struck out four and closed the game out in a non-save (three-inning or otherwise) situation.
The Dodgers optioned Logue on September 20. He threw 43 pitches at the major league level in the season over two games. According to Baseball Savant, he had a five-pitch mix, mostly relying on his fastball. Although Logue did not make the postseason roster, he can still say he was part of the championship club.
On November 22, the Dodgers non-tendered both Logue and Brent Honeywell, ending their respective tenures with the team for now.
With all due respect, most Dodger fans would likely be unable to pick Logue out of a lineup of relievers who appeared for the Dodgers in 2024. But odds are, you will remember this anecdote about the odd “Cheat Day!” sandwich in Miami and its relation to Zack Logue.
2024 particulars
Age: 28
Stats: 2 G, 2 IP, 4 K, 0 BB, 18.00 ERA, 2.83 xERA, 5.67 FIP
Salary: unknown
Game of the year
No disrespect to Gwinnett or Oklahoma City, but I am not picking a minor league game for Logue’s game of the year. Therefore, Logue’s two innings of one-run work to close out Shohei Ohtani’s party in Miami on September 19 wins the nod.
Michael Elizondo / True Blue LA
Roster status
Logue is a free agent.