Jake Reiner is leaning into his passions to feel close to his deceased father, Rob.
Jake returned to his podcast The Incline: Dodgers Podcast for the first time since his parents, Rob and Michele, were murdered, allegedly by his younger brother, Nick. Jake took a moment to acknowledge the deeply tragic loss in the new episode out on Thursday, sharing:
“When it comes to the Dodgers, you know, my first love, is something that I’ve always connected with my dad first and foremost, and it’s something that I will continue to connect with him for the rest of my life.”
Jake and Rob shared a huge love of baseball, and back in 2023, Rob told People that he and his son “would go to at least 25 or 40 games a year.” Wow!
It’s so bittersweet to have something like that tied to a late loved one. We’re sure it’ll be difficult reengaging with baseball, but hopefully it’ll always help him feel a close connection with his dad.
Related: Nick Ready To Tell All As Family Wants ‘Nothing To Do With’ Him
In the podcast, Jake went on to say it felt like “a good time to come back,” though he “didn’t wanna just jump on the podcast and start talking about the Dodgers’ offensive woes or bullpen woes without, you know, addressing some things first.” That’s why he first broke his silence on the tragedy in a Substack essay last month.
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Jake thanked everyone “near and far” for “all the love” and support “since everything’s happened.” He continued:
“I couldn’t appreciate that more. I felt it was time to come back to the podcast. I was thinking about it for a really long time and [have] been talking to Kevin about it for a while now.”
He furthered:
“I felt like I wanted to put my words out there and let people in as to the kind of people that they were at home. And for those that really knew and loved them, I felt it important to share that.”
While he knows “everyone’s grief is unique to them,” he felt it was important to connect with people about grief.
With that said, he encouraged everyone to read his essay or check out his Instagram for “more in-depth” comments about his parents, noting he wants his podcast to be about the Dodgers, not this family tragedy. Jake concluded:
“I’m really honored to be back. It’s been a long time coming.”
It’s nice to see Jake start the process of returning to things that bring him joy as he navigates this devastating loss. We’re sending him and Romy so much love throughout this unimaginably painful experience!
Thoughts? Let us know (below).
[Image via MEGA/WENN & Michele Reiner/Instagram]
