I am sorry to take you all away for a moment from the relief pitching situation with the Dodgers. Well, not really sorry as I don’t get too caught up in the inning-to-inning or game-to-game events. It is a marathon and I fully expect to be cheering for the Dodgers in the World Series with a very good chance of winning. In other words, I have confidence in the team and in the front office. I am not sure how my worrying now would be of much help.
It doesn’t make my season any better by getting irritated over a Dylan Floro blow out or with a manager who sent him out there or with a front office who acquired him. It makes my day a whole lot better by looking at the good things that happen every game, regardless of the outcome, by watching the minor league situation and especially embracing the human elements surrounding the players.
Today on Sirius XM Satellite Radio two songs came on relatively close together. One was Glen Campbell’s,“The Hand that Rocks the Cradle”, and the other, “No Charge”, by Melba Montgomery. Besides being a couple of the many songs I really enjoy and the era they came from that I miss, they reminded me of my Mom and another layer of baseball that often tends to go unnoticed. That is, the many, many Baseball Moms that go to bat with their sons every game, every at bat, every pitch. I know it is not always the case, but when parents get to watch their son making his MLB debut, the father usually sits and savors the moment, while the mother is cheering wildly, up on her feet when their son gets his first hit or records his first strikeout on the mound. I recall that scene when Will Smith debuted with the Dodgers and got that hit or threw out that runner.
We often hear of the closeness of fathers and their sons as the sons head out on their baseball careers often following a path their fathers took. And rightfully so, as fathers do so much to help their sons along the way playing ball with them as youngsters, encouraging them and often coaching them. Not enough can be said about these men who share a dream with their sons.
Back to that other level in baseball that up until recently has gotten little attention and rarely makes the news. That level is a second significant springboard in the life of young baseball players and remains so as they become MLB players. Baseball Moms ordinarily do not play ball with their sons or coach them. They help them with all the other parts of living as they develop as baseball players. That is, making sure they eat well, sleep properly, take them to games, tend to scraps and bruises ,wash their uniforms, comfort them when things do not go as well as they hoped, and so much more. Baseball Moms give them the most precious of all commodities. That is, making time for them among all the other things moms do. Often they are a single working parent, yet have time for their sons and baseball. At times they must be exhausted but one would never know it.
Baseball Moms may well be among the least appreciated levels in baseball. Perhaps the least appreciated among the general fan base but not with their sons. I took a quick look at what some sons have said about the support given them by their mothers.
Cory Bosecker is a recent graduate of Evansville Central High School. He, like so many baseball players, knows he would not be where he is without his mother’s sacrifices.
“Throughout the years my mom has constantly supported me through every up and down moment in my baseball career. She has always been willing to go the extra mile for me to succeed. A few examples of that would be: Driving me to tons of lessons, spending countless hours at various ball fields for me to work on skills and play, sacrificing time she could spend working, and always making sure I got where I needed to be.‘
“Saying my mom is amazing would be an understatement. I wish I could find the exact words to show how much she means to me but for now I would just like to say thank you Mom, and I appreciate you greatly.”
Arizona right-hander Taijuan Walker and his brother grew up with a single mom. She rarely missed a game and was his prime motivator in reaching MLB.
“Honestly, I have no clue how she did it. She was like a super woman,” Walker said. “And it wasn’t just me. My older brother played sports. She would be at my games, and she was working all the time. I don’t know how she got from work to my games, to my brother’s games, to take my other brother or sister somewhere, too.
“Warming up, I would look around and not see her. Then in the first inning, I would hear, ‘Go, T.T.!’ She was at every one of my high school games. She has just always been there, always been supportive. She would never let me down.”
As a little leaguer Christian Yelich decided he wasn’t going to play any more after being hit by pitches several games in a row. His mother tried everything to get him to play but he was stubborn and wouldn’t budge. She finally offered him $5 if he got a hit. That did it. He’s had quite a few hits since then. He acknowledged his Mom on Mother’s Day last May.
“With my mom, it was years and years of driving me to baseball fields all over Southern California — setting the alarm and getting up early to pack sandwiches, super long road trips, weekends totally sacrificed for baseball, infinite drop-offs and pickups at practice, and on and on. Then, as I got older, it was taking me around to baseball showcases all across the country. And, of course, constantly being there in the bleachers to watch my games and to offer me support and love, no matter how I had played. She did everything imaginable to make sure I would be able to do what I loved to do, just like so many baseball moms around the country and all over the world.”
Tony Gonsolin is slated to start for the Dodgers today. All Dodger fans will have their eyes on Tony, an unlikely baseball success story, but one will have more than her eyes on him. I trust she will be able to be at his debut game.
From a very early age his family has played a significant role in helping him develop his love for the game. His grandmother played whiffle ball with him as a toddler, he played ball with his older brother at every opportunity, and his mother was his confident and has been his biggest fan.
“He loves baseball and he’s worked very hard to get where he’s at,” said Gonsolin’s mother. “I’ve always taught him to be positive and I’ve tried to be a positive role model for him when things aren’t going his way. If he had a bad day at the plate, we’ll talk on the phone and I’ll tell him to find them positive in it. I think it’s worked for the most part.”
Although I never made it past one level above little league I too had a baseball mother. Because of her I am very aware of Baseball Moms when I see them at games at all levels of minor league ball and at debuts with the Dodgers. In fact, I had a Dodger Mom.
Minor League Report
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 1 – DSL Cubs (1) 6
Benony Robles started for the Shoes and gave up 4 runs in 2.1 innings pitched. Hugo Beltran and Horacio Andujar picked up the next 3.2 scoreless innings along with 6 strikeouts, 5 by Beltran in his 2.2 innings. Luisenyer Perez and Carlos Rodriguez gave up 2 runs and one run respectively to close out the game.
At the plate the Dodgers had two hits.
DSL Dodgers Bautista 3 – DSL Rays (1) 1
Right-hander Rafael Tua had a nice outing with 4 scoreless innings on one run and 3 strikeouts. Jesus Turizo followed with a scoreless inning and Andrew Budier with two perfect innings along with 2 strikeouts. Heisell Baro was charged with a blown save when he gave up a run in the bottom of the 9th inning. Hendrick Briones gained the win with 2 scoreless extra innings on one hit.
Offensively Kuimel Bastardo scored on a balk in the 3rd inning and that run stood up until the blown save in the bottom of the 9th inning. Jenderson Jardines secured victory with a 2-run home run in the top of the 11th inning.
AZL Dodgers Mota and Lasorda were not scheduled.
Ogden Raptors 11 – Rocky Mountain Vibes Milwaukee) 10
The Raptors met the Vibes for the first time in their new location, Colorado Springs. Up until 2019 they played in Helena as the Brewers. Oden got in a shoot out and fortunately got in the last shot.
Kevin Malisheski made his third start for the Quakes and pitched 4.1 innings with 3 hits, one unearned run and 5 strikeouts. The Raptors went into the bottom of the 7th inning with a 9-1 lead and left the inning behind 10-9. Drew Finley (3), Nelfi Contreas (4) and Edward Cuello (2) combined to give up 9 runs in the bottom of the 7th on 4 hits, 5 walks and 3 wild pitches. Six runs scored with two outs. Hunter Speer finished up with 2 scoreless innings on 2 hits earning a save.
At the plate Joe Vranesh started things off well with a 2-run home run in the top of the first inning. The Raptors scored again in the 4th on a Sauryn Lao triple. In the 6th inning 6 runs came home on a 3-run home run by Andy pages, a RBI single by Zac Ching and a 2-run double by catcher Tre Todd. After falling bend 10-9 the Raptors did get the last shots in the 7th inning with a Sam McWilliams solo home run and a run scoring single by Joe Vranesh.
Great Lakes Loons 2 – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay) 5
Right-hander Jose Chacin got the start for the Loons after having a bit of a rough section over his past few starts. He pitched 5 innings giving up 3 runs and taking the loss. Mark Washington followed with a scoreless inning while Jasiel Alvino coughed up 2 runs in his one inning. Nathan Witt pitched a clean 8th inning.
Both Loons runs came in the 2nd inning on a Luke Heyer ground out and a James Outman double. Jacob Amaya hit his 18th double while Miguel Vargas hit his 19th.
Ranch Cucamonga Quakes 3 – Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego) 4
Austin Hamilton got the call for the Quakes and gave them 5 innings of 6-hit ball with 3 earned runs and 2 strikeouts. Bryan Warzek, Logan Salow and Connor Mitchell followed with 2 scoreless innings each on a total of 2 hits and 5 strikeouts. Max Gamboa almost got out of the bottom of the 12th with a runner starting on second base. He got 2 outs but a wild pitch brought the winning run home for the Storm.
All 3 Quakes runs came home in the 3rd inning on a Jeren Kendall home run. Kendall and Downs both had 2 hits for the Quakes.
Tulsa Drillers – All- Star Break
Keibert Ruiz and Zach McKinistry each had a hit in 2 at bats and Nolan Long a scoreless inning. Chris Parmalee won the home run derby edging out teammate Cody Thomas.
OKC Dodgers 5 – New Orleans Baby Cakes (Miami) 5
J.D. Martin started for the Dodgers and went 7 innings with some fours – 4 earned runs, 4 walks and 4 strikeouts and he did pick up the win. Zac Rosscup gave up a run in his lone inning while Kevin Quackenbush picked up the save with a scoreless 9th inning. In case you missed it, Quackenbush now has allowed one earned run in his last 10 appearances over 10.2 innings with 17 strikeouts and 2 walks. On the season he has struck out 54 in 36.1 innings pitched with 9 walks.
Offensively the Dodgers scored 4 in the 4th inning on a 2-run home run by Edwin Rios and run-scoring hits by Jake Peter and Rocky Gale. They got 2 gift runs in the 5th inning on a Rocky Gale HBP and Rios scoring on a wild pitch. The 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th were not gifts. They came on back-to-back home runs by Shane Peterson and Jake Peter.
Great post DC! This is yet another reason why I read this blog every day! I find the “human story” behind these young men to be so compelling and enjoyable to read! A Mom’s impact and support of he baseball playing son is often overlooked, but definitely no less important than the men in his life. I coached many of my sons teams as they were growing up all the way through high school. I could never have done it without the support of my wife. She always helped make sure that I brought cool fresh water and sliced oranges to the practices and games. Before many HS games, we would have many of the team over to our house for a pregame meal of spaghetti. Our uniforms were always clean and mended.
I always enjoy seeing the TV shots of the family when a player makes his debut. There are years and years of stories in their faces culminating in the highest level of pride one could imagine.
On the same theme, yesterday Pedro Munro wrote a wonderful article on Kyle Garlick in the Athletic. Another reason I root for him as much as I do.
DC you are a blessed man, having the mother and grandmother you had !
Make no mistake about who the hero in our family was when it came to my son…his mother. He was called a “momma’s boy”, and his response was always…” yeah, and what’s your point”? His mother was the team driver for Little League All Star Tournaments. Before seat belts were required, our van would hold a full team of players. Whenever there were tough losses, he would always seek out his mother. She had to console both of us.
I was his coach, but his mother was his best friend. In high school, I missed one game. He had a weekday game at Pius X in Downey which was a fair distance from Granada Hills. But his mother was there. Andy hit two oppo HRs that day, and one of the coaches on that team was Rodney Davis. Now most of you have no idea who Rodney Davis was, but you might have heard of his son…Khris Davis. Rodney sought out Andy in the parking lot after the game while he was talking to his mother, and she was at first concerned that this man was after her son. But Rodney was only there to congratulate Andy on a great game and to invite him to a tryout for a summer Mickey Mantle team based out of Norwalk. This was the premier Southern California 15-16 year old tournament team, and had won the previous 4 Mickey Mantle WS, including two with Nomar Garciaparra. He made the team and they won two consecutive WS teams and Junior Olympics. But it was his mother that got him down to practice at Cerritos College two-three days a week. Again it wasn’t that close of a drive, but she never hesitated. Andy used to carry Khris on his shoulders at some of his tournaments.
It was his mother who ran interference with the college recruiters. I would come home and have his mother tell me how tired she was of having to make excuses to college recruiters. Turtle Thomas (then Miami recruiter) would call every Monday at the same time. He wanted Andy very bad, but Andy was not sure he wanted to go that far away, so he avoided Turtle as much as he could. He was recruited by 20-30 schools, but knew most of the Southern California coaches, Mike Gillespie (USC), Gary Adams (UCLA), George Horton/Augie Garrido (Cal State Fullerton), Dave Snow (Long Beach State- Andy was friends with Dave’s son Casey), and his mother had to work out a schedule for these coaches to call. Being recruited by colleges was not as much fun for Andy as it may be for others.
Andy knew that his mother was a Momma Bear when it came to her son. He was on a Texas trip against, Texas A&M, Rice, University of Texas, and Houston. Texas A&M is known for their “ragging” on opposing players, and they are merciless. Andy was either leading the NCAA or close to it in HRs & RBIs, so he knew he was marked and made sure that he told his mother that the fans were going to say some awful things about him, and she had to ignore them. Andy was right, and it was all I could do to keep her down. She got the last laugh when he hit an absolute pea that was still climbing as it left the yard in center with a huge fence (30 feet??) more than 400 feet away. As an aside, to their credit, the Texas A&M fans gave him a standing O as he rounded the bases.
After being drafted, his mother was the first person he called. He would never miss his weekly phone call to his mother, and he would always accept her calls to him. Me? Not so much. That is true today. But I was the one he called when he said he was done. It was the end of a long road for the two of us. He knew it would hit me much harder than his mother. He was right.
Minor League Update Above by DC
DC, a very good article.
Brought tears to my eyes DC, I remember my wife scrubbing all that brick dust with Zote soap, a tip she got from another mom. Hosting the HS team dinners, those hot, hot, hot tournaments in the IE. Great write up and a trip down memory lane.
AC, nice insight as well. Thanks for the detailed sharing! My boy played in the Championship game in the JO’s two years in a row as well. We won one of them and lost the other. What a special time in my life, I’ll take those memories to the grave.
I can’t wait to watch Gonsolin it today’s day game. I hope he does something special. Dustin May called up to AAA! Inching closer. I’m wondering why Lux isn’t there.
Aren’t all the tournaments in the IE played in super hot weather? I can remember traveling to Palm Springs for all-star games that started at 7:30 pm,, and the dugout misters would be going full blast!! Fun times. Where in the IE are you from 59?
I’m from Huntington Beach, but we constantly drove to the Big League Dreams fields in Riverside and Chino Hills when my son was younger. As he got older, we were playing in Poomona, Riverside and the Covina’s a lot. We had quite a few Palm Springs tournaments as well. Usually all of the tournaments out there were pretty hot, but you would be surprised that many were pretty cold and very windy. Did many Arizona and San Diego trips as well.
It’s surprising to me how many of his teammates have made it to the bigs so far. Fletcher – Angels, Canning – Angels, Lambert – Rockies, Bauers – Indians with several more in the minors. Funny thing is none of those guys were the best players on their teams. Fletcher was close, but mostly because of his defense at short. Even as a kid he made unbelievable plays. Fun fact, teammates Canning and Fletcher played on youth teams together. Great memories!
Then I got to do it all over again with my daughter in soccer.
Huntington Beach = Strips and Frozen Milky Ways
Strips with Cheese and hot sauce which is kinda like spicy tomato sauce and the key ingredient…SAND!
And on the other side of the Santa Ana River, Balboa Bars!
Memories – chips with cheese at life guard station No. 19! I live in the Riverside area now, but was raised in Dairy Valley (now Cerritos). Many days my friends and I would hitchhike to HB. We would spend the day body-surfing, ogling the girls and eating chips with cheese! I’m now paying for all that time in the sun with constant skin cancers, but I wouldn’t trade the experience.
It is this kind of post that reminds me of Dodger Thoughts and Jon Wiseman.
Mark, maybe you could move AC’s comment up to DC’s post. They compliment each other very well.
Bullpen fixed: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K, 1 BB
Reminds me of my little league story of my mom. When I went up to the coach and told him, “my mother said” that I shouldn’t be catching all the time in this hot weather. And his response right in front of her was ” that if my mom knew so much maybe she should coach the team”. And that became our family calling card right up to the day she died. “My mother said”! Lots of laughs from that one!
Who’s do these stats belong to?
Last 7 Games
ERA 1.13 IP 8 H 3 ER 1 BB 5 SO 14 WHIP 1.00
I will guess it is Kelly
Correct!
Particularly sweet post DC. Probably a million similar stories but you nailed it! Such fun emotion and detail you recalled.
This article, I will remember! Bravo for the fine sentiment..
Go Tony go, today! Mom’s are watching!
Thank you for sharing this with us, it is one of the reasons why I read this blog every day (I almost never comment because I’m not good with the language) I was very good at playing baseball when I was a kid, but due to bad luck, the day I went to sign up for the baseball school Buzo Montes (The best teacher here in my city at that time) and he was not present due to illness and I never came back, and today I regret it a lot! Good luck to all those guys who fight for their dream of playing in the big leagues and congratulations to their parents for supporting them. Have a good day all of you.
Great post DC… Wherever and whenever I played, my Mom was in the stands…
Mothers are like no others!!!
This Mom is watching and rooting for Gonsolin. Very interesting article DC. My dad was a bluenoser also. I always wondered how someone from NS was so informative about the minor league system. Thanks for explaining in a heartfelt tribute to your mom. Bravo!
DBM – Where was your Dad from?
My dad was from the Yarmouth , Sessions area. You may think this is funny but I always heard the term “bluenoser” and as a child thought it referred to being so cold in NS that your nose turned blue. Later I realized why the term was used.
I have been to Yarmouth many times. My wife’s best friend, Nancy Decker (Smith) was born and raised in Yarmouth. It isn’t that cold here. Not nearly as cold as central and mid-western North America but I expect many believe that is how we got labeled as “Bluenosers”.
My understanding is that a blue dye was used in sweaters, etc. that the fisherman wore and when it got wet the dye would get on their hands and if they rubbed their faces they got blue noses. The racing schooner is named after the fishermen, not us after the ship.
I have only been to NS once as a toddler so do not remember much. Born and raised in western Canada. Rooted for Brooklyn as a child. Loved Duke Snyder, Peewee Reese, especially Koufax and Johnny Podres. Now in NorCal. Very interesting information about “bluenoser”. Thank you, ps isn’t there a fish called a bluenose gill?
Nice to see a 3 to 2 win where all the pitchers put in the game by the Dodgers got the job done. Gives a fan hope for the staff. Anybody else think Gonsolin looks like Frank Zappa. If he’s as good a pitcher as Zappa was a guitarist and writer/producer we’ll have something.
Like most teams, the Dodgers have and A team in the bullpen and the B squad. Last night we saw the A squad (except for Kelly) that tries to earn or preserve a win. Baez, Urias and Kenley (who always makes it interesting) are the A team. The B squad designed to eat some innings in likely losses (while hoping for a comeback) is what we saw 2 nights ago. That group needs help. I guess I want a better B squad. While watching last night it dawned on me how Joe Kelly could make the difference in this bullpen if he became the guy the Dodgers thought they were getting. He is such a head scratcher. You see that darting stuff and velo to some hitters and suddenly he can’t repeat and throws 4 to the backstop. I wonder why he toes the rubber to his glove side so drastically? I know it increases his angle on that arm side fastball that bores in on righties but it also makes it tough to throw the slider, glove side. He gets under it and throws a cement mixer or loses it up and in. I’d like to hear his thinking. But if he could turn it around the second half, he could make a huge difference. Go Dodgers.
Will Smith optioned for the Gonsolin call-up. I think that kid has a bright future as the starting Dodger catcher and can expect him to be on the OKC to LA train often this year. He’ll be on the 25 man roster next year once the Dodgers move on from Martin. Kind of surprised Garlick didn’t optioned but we’ll see a lot of Smith this year.
Gavin Lux has also been elevated to AAA.
A tweet by Gurnick showed today’s line-up card without Smith and Chargois name but only had 24 names on it. Not sure who was optioned for the Gonsolin call-up.
Today’s lineup:
Joc (1b)
Verdugo
Beaty
Belly
Muncy (3b)
CT3
Kike
Martin
Gonsolin
Our 34-9 to 21-17 home/away record suggests that securing Home Field Advantage throughout the Playoffs should be our biggest aim in the second half, given that our 13 game lead in the NLW should be unsurpassable.
Hill, Pollock & Seagar to return in 2nd half, which will help.
This is the year. Time to move some chips and get it done.
As you might already know there are 3 relief pitchers that I’m open to the Dodgers acquiring before the trade deadline they are Holland, Giles, Doolittle, as I see Holland and Giles as clear upgrades and believe Doolittle will overcome the struggle (minor struggle) he has had this season. The problem is that 2 of them are on teams that are in the wild card picture and may not be available. Holland and Doolittle.
Furthermore Brad Hand who I’m not opposed to the Dodgers acquiring, but it has to be at the right price, is also on a team that is in the wild card picture.
Other relief pitchers that have been rumored to possibly be traded are either not CLEAR upgrades (IMO) or in the case of the Giants Smith, he will not be traded to the Dodgers (IMO) because the 2 teams hate each other and almost never in their history have traded with each other.
The Blue Jays are going NOWHERE this season, so Ken Giles to me is an obvious candidate for the front office to inquire about and I hope they do because the other 2 or 3 if you include Hand might never become available.
Somebody said to me that the best trade might be the one you don’t make. That may be the case in about a month, excluding Giles.
Smith sent down and Lux and May promoted up to AAA.
On oft-repeated note out there that the Dodgers are interested in Felipe Vazquez.
Well duh.
Well two for two on called promotions following AS games. First Hulsizer and now Lux. I was thinking (and hoping for) Sheffield to AAA, but May works.
If Logan Sallow doesn’t soon get promoted I might have to take extreme measures.
Career: 2.13 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 122.2 IP, 79 hits, 172 K, 53 BB
2019; 1.47 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 43 IP, 17 hits, 71 K, 22 BB
Last 10: 0.00 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 15 IP, 4 hits, 25 K, 7 BB
Darn. Was hoping they would give Smith more playing time and experience up here before he had to go back down to the minors so he could help us out later which I think he will do. Good news on May and Lux though.
What do you think Vazquez would cost us and would you pay it? Two top ten prospects and a top 20?
Ouch! That was an ugly start for the youngster. Looked like a single A defense behind him!
Good to see Dr. Strangeglove alive and well playing 1st for the Dodgers.
Unlucky 1st innings for Tony there.
Got ahead of most of the batters.
Dyson showed his experience with a great bunt.
Joc booted a routine Ground Ball, and he was up against it.
1 bad pitch for the HR and he finds himself 4 runs down.
Tough School.
It’s what happens after the first inning that is really important, both for Tony and the team.
I am higher on Tony Gonsolin than I was before the game.
This kid has a really bright future!
It is absolutely ridiculous having joc at first. This is a morale buster for the team and for joc. You do not learn how to be a major league first basemen in the middle of a major league season. You don’t need him there to win the division and surely you would never do this in a playoff situation. It’s almost like I am bored so let’s try something else. I feel sorry for Gonsolin making his debut with a major league team experimenting. I am definitely higher on him now.
Therealten
I agree about Joc. If its about Pollock coming back I still don’t understand because Pollock couldn’t hit righties earlier this season, so why not a platoon in LF of Joc/Pollock.
The return of Dr. Strangeglove.
What is ridiculous about adding versatility to the lineup? If Pederson doesn’t improve over time, what has been lost?
Sheesh. Stop mono-focusing on the short term!
He doesn’t hit either one very well at least not in the past 5 years. If pollock is in a streak play him if not then don’t. He is streaky and could get hot at the right time. Joc is streaky as well and is only hitting around .230. His power is his calling card. I just don’t want to see his confidence ruined trying to play a position he is not ready for.
#1 – I hear Joc is very excited about playing 1B.
#2 – I think Dave Roberts and the coaches are much closer to this than we are, so if they think he can play 1B and he thinks he can play 1B, then I say: Let him play 1B!
We will see how excited everybody is when he makes an error in the playoffs. They may be too close. I will yield to their expertise but I believe it will prove to be a failed experiment. If we win the division with him at first will mean nothing except we might lose home field. The real test will be if he plays first in the playoffs. I root for the Dodgers always so we shall see.
I told you the bullpen would be fine.
Russ Martin = High Leverage Reliever!
Last time out his fastball was 85. Today it was 90.
Next time it will be 95. I can’t wait to see his 4th appearance!
That didn’t even look like a good high school team much less the best team in MLB! Put some air freshener on that one and move on to a Colorado!
There’s a time and place to learn how to play 1st Base. It’s called Spring Training.
It’s just my personal opinion, but I think this game was lost not because of Joc … He’s also learning and if not now, when? Patience, it’s a long season.
It’s just a game, the important thing is that Gonsolin made his debut, he already had that experience and showed that he has a future, besides, he should have thrown a shutout to win this game? I think that despite that first inning, he did not collapse, he went ahead, there’s still too much advantage, it’s time to give some game and experience to the rookies, so the important thing was not to win this game (although that would have been fantastic) but see the debut of a future star pitcher of the Dodgers, so ….. Mission accomplished!
I’ve kept my pie hole closed about playing Joc anywhere and I think i’ll continue…
I too am anxious to see Gonsolin toe the rubber again…
Oh my oh my Dick Stuart, now there was a 1B… The Man With the Iron Glove..
In addition to ST, another time to learn how to play 1B is when you have half a season to play, and a commanding double digit lead in the standings. If Joc doesn’t become competent at the position by playoff time, then the Dodgers have other options that they can employ at that time. Unless you think that the Dodgers are going to squander their commanding lead, then there is no harm in letting him get some experience at the position.
My only regret is that I had something else to do, and stopped watching the game at the end, and missed Russell Martin’s inning. Maybe he’s the solution to the Dodgers’ bullpen needs. 🙂
I must admit Russell Martin’s pitching performance brought a smile to my face.
If the pitching doesn’t work out, maybe Gonsolin can find a spot in the lineup.
The kid has good stuff, but only time will tell how successful he will be. With better support, luck, and a chance to settle in, I see no reason why he can’t ultimately be successful. And maybe a little better command. If memory serves, Orel Hershiser was a disaster at the beginning of his first season with the Dodgers. Maybe instead of Bulldog, the Dodgers can begin referring to Gonsolin as Junk Yard Dog.
I like the idea of acquiring Felipe Vasquez, but obviously the price will be important. In addition to the Dodgers surrendering prospects, etc., I wonder if the Pirates currently have a contract or two that they would like to dispose of.
I don’t like it— looking like we took a day off because we have a big lead. The season is 1/2 over and you can never tell what will happen. I don’t think we will loose the lead, but you “can’t count your money while your sitting at the table…”(Johnny Cash) If you are giving a rookie his first start then I think you ought to put your best defense behind him to give him a better chance and build his confidence, not put a sieve behind him and make it harder for him.
After 81 Games the Dodgers have tied for the best record of any Dodger team. EVER!
You can’t win every game. Yes, players may look like they took a game off.
Guess what? They are human! No matter what your job is, you have days where you are not at your best. Move on – nothing to see here.
I just don’t get the vitriol leveled toward the best team in baseball. Is there some other underlying reason(s) some of you seem so upset?
I felt bad for the kid. He’s obviously got good stuff. The entire trip to Arizona looked like spring training. With the lineups that were put out there they were lucky to win a ball game.
~
Mark i don’t see anyone who is upset. Just discussing the ball game that we all just watched. Unless there is a huge improvement the defense is weakened a lot more by Joc being at 1st base than removing the best RF in baseball. So far it looks like square-peg round-hole. Hopefully, Joc can relax and improve.
Mark just stirring the pot (and pouring himself a Maker’s Mark).
THAT’S NOT JOHNNY CASH!
OMFG.
That’s a Don Schlitz song, sung by Kenny Rogers.
What is going on here!?!?!?!
Not looking forward to four games in Colorado. Would be thrilled with a split.
Might be time to call it quits with the Joc at 1B experiment. Realize we have a big lead at the season’s halfway point, but he looks lost wearing that 1B glove. Baseball has a weird way of finding the guy with the weak glove and at 1B the issue is exacerbated.
I think that after 30 games and you see that, then you make the call. No way you can see that in 3 games.
We don’t have the luxury of waiting to see what he can or cannot do for the next 30 games, no matter how big our lead is. What’s the point of this experiment? We have more than enough players capable of playing 1st better than Joc. Maybe it’s time to trade him and see if he can bring us a Hand or some other much-needed RP. The bullpen, as it now stands, is not championship-caliber. Why is this not clear to some?
I hope I don’t upset my grandfather, Bum, but Joc is a one-dimensional player. He can’t hit for average, he can’t run, he can’t throw, and he can’t catch. Plus, his baseball mentality is minimal, at best.
I just did with my own two eyes and 20/15 vision
Joc certainly didn’t help Gonsolin’s debut, but what is more important to digest, is that the team may not expect any real help from the farm for the 2nd half of this season and will rely on the players who have gotten it done so far. Ferguson, too, has not contributed much this year and he continues to have poor to mediocre outings.
We don’t need another starter and the BP has been consolidating well until Urias was pulled to start the other day. This was the first stroke of weakening I’ve seen from the management and to me is a step backward in its strategy. Urias is the bridge. I said it a long time ago and it is still true. The only way Urias can try to break into the rotation is through injury, or Kelly solidifying his nightmare season. Without the help of Kelly, we will suffer unless the FO brings in outside help. It’s a 50-50 shot, IMO. If they can bring someone in that doesn’t push them over the luxury line, the more power to them. Otherwise, this is what we have, and I think it is good enough to win it all providing the team doesn’t pull tricks like it has been doing with Joc and others playing positions they are weak in. No problem giving rest to players but don’t fall into bad habits thinking we are invincible. Remember that deflation the team suffered in 2017? We were on the biggest roll ever until……………………
Deflation? In 2017?
You don’t remember that nightmare losing streak we went on?