Incredible story of how the Dodgers pitching staff changed reliever's career

Months before Anthony Banda punched a paper towel dispenser in frustration in the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse, he found himself at a significant crossroads in his career.

Last winter, Banda seriously considered retiring as he became disillusioned after years of struggle. To clear his head, he took a month off from throwing, a decision that would prove crucial to his journey.

During his break, Banda volunteered as a coach for his nephew's high school team. This experience reignited his passion for baseball and helped him rediscover the joy of the game, allowing him to throw hard again. By May he was back in the professional ranks, being signed and subsequently traded, marking a new beginning in his career.

As the Dodgers prepare for the National League Division Series, Banda has emerged as a valuable member of the bullpen and shown significant change.

What's notable is that he incorporated a pitch he had never thrown before joining the Dodgers – his slider.

“That,” Banda told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, “is the beauty of baseball.”

Since moving to the Dodgers' bullpen in May, Banda has put up impressive numbers, posting a 3.08 ERA over 49 and two-thirds innings. His fastball remains impressive, reminiscent of his days as a standout prospect with the Arizona Diamondbacks and his significant return for the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, brief stints with teams like the Mets, Pirates, Blue Jays, Yankees and Nationals had taken their toll and left Banda searching for stability.

The change of scenery proved beneficial, especially when developing his new slider. Dodgers assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness recognized Banda's unconventional grip on the pitch, in which he only touched the ball with three fingers.

He made a simple suggestion to Banda: Use a “spike” grip, where the nail of his index finger digs into the seam to improve the movement and spin of the pitch. The instruction was simple: Aim for the middle, throw it like a fastball and release it.

“It clicked straight away,” said Banda.

“It was like a thank you moment. I went through, what, 11 organizations? And no one could find that for me. He did it within 24 hours.”

According to Ardaya, Banda threw the slider about 28.2 percent of the time and hitters managed to hit just .154 against it, demonstrating its effectiveness and minimal damage caused.

Banda's journey from volunteering on his nephew's high school baseball team to making a significant impact in the Major League Baseball postseason is remarkable.

The dream of competing for a World Series championship is now more within reach than ever.

“I always dreamed of this,” Banda said. “To see the team I’m on win the World Series, that’s why we play the game.

He concluded by looking at the emotions a win would bring up in him, saying, “In the end, when we get there and do it, you'll probably see a few tears of joy or something like that.” I don't know what “I'm going to feel like I'm going to feel it, but in the end I know it was a hell of a ride.”