Is Austin Barnes as Bad as You Think?

March 17, 2024

I am just going to jump right into this one: In 2023, the best Caught Stealing Rate by Catchers was +9. That means that the best catcher was good for +9 Runs Over League Average. Will Smith was -1 Run Below Average and Austin Barnes was -4 Runs Below League Average. If Austin Barnes is one of the worst throwing catchers in MLB, then Will Smith is right there with…

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The Dodgers Player Development Machine

March 12, 2024

Under Andrew Friedman’s leadership since 2015, the Dodgers have a winning percentage of . 623 (845-512), including a franchise record 111 wins in the 2022 season as well as a club-best . 717 winning percentage during the shortened 2020 season (43-17).There is a lot more to the Dodgers Player Development that just coaching and one-on-one sessions. Entering his tenth season with the club after being named to the post on October 14,…

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Seven With Thirty?

February 29, 2024

Is that even possible? It’s never been done. Seven players on one team with at least thirty home runs? That’s not possible… is it? The Dodgers had four players with 30 HR once, but the 2019 Twins and the 2023 Braves are the only clubs in history to have five players reach the 30-homer mark. The Dodgers could obliterate it this year as they have seven (count ’em 7) players…

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Okey Dokey

February 27, 2024

IF Spring Training were an audition and IF the backup catcher spot were up for grabs, Chris Okey might have a leg up after his two-hit game yesterday, which featured a 3-run home run. However, Austin Barnes is the backup catcher and it will likely stay that way for the rest of this year… barring injury of course! Why is that? you might ask, and that is a very good…

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Defense: Just How Important is it?

October 3, 2023

You ask 100 fans that question, you might get 100 different answers. One thing is for certain, bad defense is going to cost you games. It cost the Dodgers a game only yesterday. Max Muncy blew what should have been an easy double-play grounder, and the Giants won, 2-1. As of today, the Dodgers are the 10th best fielding team in the majors. 6 playoff teams are ahead of them….

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Q & A

August 25, 2023

QUESTION: “Bellinger’s hitting is “Suspicious” How in the hell does he re-become a 300+ hitter after being soooo friggen terrible? The first memory of being a Dodger Fan is sitting in a barber shop in Van Nuys getting a Butch and on the TV Maury Wills stole his 82nd base. I’m sure there are a few examples of players getting dumped by the Dodgers and becoming MVP material including a…

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The Rest of the Story…

July 12, 2023

As most of us old guys remember, Paul Harvey was an American radio broadcaster for ABC News Radio. From 1951 to 2008, his programs reached as many as 24 million people per week. He broadcast News and Comments each morning and mid-days on weekdays and at noon on Saturdays. His famous “The Rest of the Story” segments were amazing! Here’s one in case you don’t remember: Well, now I am…

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Quick Pitches & Hits

June 9, 2023

8 W; 4 L; 2.95 ERA; 1.09 WHIP; 70 IP; 93 K’s – Not bad for an old man. Enjoy his last season as a Dodger – I hear he is seething, and it is his right! Has it ever occurred to anyone that maybe Clayton has figured out his back problem? I GUARANTEE that Andrew Friedman will not pay Ohtani anything close to $500 Million! Whoever gets him will…

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Unconventional Thinking

April 30, 2023

Unconventional thinking is the ability to imagine new possibilities and solve complex problems that have eluded other people. Being unconventional is an essential element in doing original work or creating original ideas. Right now, the Dodgers could use a heavy dose of unconventional thinking. Let’s jump right into where I think the problems are the greatest. Before, I start: That was Vintage Kershaw last night! The Old Man is still the Ace!…

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SS Looks Good on Mookie

April 24, 2023

Or… maybe it’s more like, “Mookie looks good on SS.” Either way, I think this is one of those situations whereby Mookie could transition to SS seamlessly. The Dodgers play injuries very close to the vest, but I have to believe that there is talk within the Dodge Front Office of Will Smith changing positions (call it Joe Mauer Syndrome). The most logical place right about now is LF. He…

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