MLB vs MLBPA

December 4, 2021

On August 12, 1994, the MLB Players walked off and the player strike began.  The strike ended 232 days later on April 2, 1995, making it the longest such stoppage in MLB history.  Who is hurting?  The fans.  The same people they (both sides) are trying to keep coming to games, parking, and buying concessions and souvenirs. It is hard to measure attendance due to the pandemic precautions from both…

Read More >>

Amphetamines and Steroids. They Are Both Pharmaceutical Supplements To Improve Performance

November 24, 2021

The discussion between Bear and B&P on the use of drugs in Baseball got me to thinking.  Drugs of some kind have been in vogue in some fashion as long as I have been following baseball.   I may not have been aware of it, but it was prevalent.  A number of former players have become open with their confessions. Bear on numerous occasions has expressed in his opinion, steroid users…

Read More >>

MLB Dates and LAD Roster Manipulation

November 4, 2021

Now that the WS is over, the MLB calendar is set (maybe).  Maybe because we have no idea what will become of the CBA after the current CBA expires on 12-1.    Tentatively, the MLB dates: November 3 – 160 players were declared Free Agents.  The Dodgers have 11. November 3 – 7 – Free agents can only negotiate with their most recent team. November 7 – Options must be exercised….

Read More >>

Why Sam Fuld?

December 23, 2020

On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, the Philadelphia Phillies hired Sam Fuld to be their General Manager, with no real experience in front office player personnel decision making.  It is incredulous to me that an industry such as MLB can continue to operate in the manner they are currently operating.  It is one thing to talk about Social Injustice as MLB continues to do, and then another thing to do something…

Read More >>

Clayton and Mookie Lead LAD Over Rays in Game 1

October 21, 2020

The Franchise opened the 2020 World Series and had a game fairly reminiscent of his 2017 Game 1 against the Assterisks.  Back in his home town, Clayton Kershaw threw a non-stressful 6.0 innings, and left with an 8-1 lead.  He allowed 1 run on 2 hits.  He issued a one out walk to Randy Arozarena in the first, and then proceeded to sit down 13 consecutive batters before Kevin Kiermaier…

Read More >>

It Is Time For Me To Say Goodbye

October 3, 2020

When I took over the administration of LA DodgerTalk , I said that I would continue as long as I enjoyed what I was doing.  The time has come for me to announce that it is no longer fun for me.  I was offered an opportunity to consult on back office procedures for a non-profit company involved with School Choice, and I have decided to accept the challenge.  I have…

Read More >>

We The Fans

September 11, 2020

As baseball aficionados we all know who should play, who should play where, what the best batting lineup should be, how to “correct” batting stances, etc.  We are all more knowledgeable than the Presidents of Baseball Operations, or the managers, or the pitching coaches, or the hitting coaches.  We have all played the game, some at advanced levels. But to my knowledge, nobody on this site has ever climbed the…

Read More >>

What Does the Future Hold for Raul Ibanez?

February 6, 2019

Last week Mark kind of stole my thunder with his remarks about Raul Ibanez who is a Special Assistant now to Andrew Friedman. He had signed with the Dodgers in February of 2016 along with Greg Maddux. The reasons for my interest in Raul Ibanez was that first, it was recently rumored he had an opportunity to move to another organization and didn’t. Secondly, suggestions were made that others were deserting…

Read More >>

Now To The NLDS

October 4, 2018

Now that the Dodgers are in the NLDS, I thought I would take a look back to see how they got here.  While I never gave up hope, I absolutely had my doubts.  I had concerns about how the team was structured, and in game management.  It became apparent that the primary focus for the front office was to get below and stay below the competitive balance tax threshold. If…

Read More >>

Chicks (and FAZ) Dig the Long Ball

July 21, 2018

There has been a lot of discussion about the state of the game with respect to Home Runs and Strikeouts. Many of us remember when hitting wasn’t so much hit or miss as it is today, and for many of us remember the game was more enjoyable when teams were “producing” runs.  But the HR has always been the attention grabber.  The first and arguably the most prodigious HR hitter…

Read More >>