I realize that there are those that are collectors when it comes to baseball memorabilia. I think most of us that have followed the game for a long time have come to realize that ballplayers are just people. Normal guys with an extraordinary talent that we all wish we had. I’m kind of “ho-hum” about having an interest in getting autographs. I understand that there are those that enjoy the hobby, but to me, it seems a bit ridiculous for a senior adult to be seeking out autographs of players that are young enough to be their grandkid. I can see why players would sour over the idea of an adult profiting off of their signature. Then again there are some collectors that are really into the hobby for themselves and will invest thousands of dollars to display their items in a “man cave.”
I have my share of things that I have collected over the years, but not a lot. Most treasured is probably a Manny Mota cone handled bat that had sentimental value, because my brother and I used the same model bat growing up. I was able to get Manny to sign it a few years ago and I gave it to my brother on his birthday. It was a meaningful gift and moment that we both enjoyed
Then there was the time that my wife arranged for a meetup with Tom Lasorda 22 years ago. I had no idea how she pulled it off because Lasorda was in his disastrous stint as the acting GM at the time, so he shouldn’t have had the time for us or anybody, (Come to think of it, maybe that’s why his stint as a G.M. was so disastrous. Yes, you can blame me for the Konerko-Shaw trade.)
All I know is that she booked tickets to L.A. and had me in the Club Level meeting with Lasorda for photos and a chat before a game. That was an interesting 10 minutes and he was very engaging with her. He couldn’t care less about me, but such is life when you have a hottie for a wife.
So I’ll segue with that into Lasorda and autographs.
At Spring Training every year, Lasorda agrees to sign for fans, but a structure is in place that ensures there is order and not chaos when he does so. I assume this happens because there can be a real ugly side to autograph seekers. As he has aged, Lasroda’s patience is wearing thin with them. He will have a table set up and a line will form for all those that desire to get his signature for free. That’s pretty generous if you think about it. He’s under no obligation to sign anything.
So I watched this whole process go down a few years ago and it hit me. This is the Seinfeld episode when the characters wanted a bowl of soup from the Soup Nazi. The autograph seekers were following the same process as the soup patrons. Each risking banishment for not following the rules:
These are the guidelines in place that I recommend you follow if you want to get a Thomas Charles Lasorda autograph, and it is straight out of the Seinfeld “Soup Nazi” episode:
- Stand in formation, wait your turn.
- Never cross over the painted line/rope/stanchion (whatever barrier in place) before asking.
- Do not have an idle conversation with others around and give him your complete and undivided attention
- DO NOT address him as “Tommy, (he hates that). It’s “Sir” or “Mr. Lasorda.”
- After he signs, say “Thank you.” If you don’t, he will remind you about proper manners.
- Take your autographed item and walk away without conversation. Don’t look back, don’t make conversation. You walk away. Yes, just walk away.
That is the process and any deviation from it could have negative consequences. If you fail to comply with those rules, it’s “No autograph for you.” You’re out of the line and you can kiss your HOF signature goodbye.
My brother failed to follow the rules once. We were on the back fields at Camelback Ranch watching the minor leaguers. Lasorda was there, hobnobbing with the likes of Steve Yeager, Ramon Martinez, and John Shoemaker as they watched the players do drills. There was nobody, and I mean no fans watching the minor league drills. It used to be one of the best-kept secrets of Spring Training baseball at CBR, (not sure if that continues to be the case).
It appeared that nature called, because Lasorda stepped into the public area to use the restroom, which is situated between the four-diamond practice area. When he had finished his business and stepped out, my brother approached him for the auto. Big mistake. I couldn’t intercede in time. “Don’t do it!,” I thought. There was going to be an explosion of epic proportions, I could see it coming:
“J^$*$ C%# !! Can’t a guy take a p@#$ in peace without being bothered for an autograph?! Go stand in line if you want one!”
My red-faced brother came back over to me. “I guess that wasn’t a very good idea.” Well yeah. No duh bro….
Tom Lasorda has probably signed more autographs than any Dodger in history. That might have something to do with his years in the organization. Also his outgoing personality. He told the story in his book The Artful Dodger of when he was a boy, he worked for the Nuns at his Parochial School as a crossing guard, knowing that the reward of working all those hours on those cold, snowy days would be a ticket to attend a Phillies game and see major league ballplayers up close for the first time. The day arrived and he waited at a portal where the players entered and exited. He approached a player for an autograph, some scrub by the name of Buster Maynard, (a New York Giant), blew him off and told him to take a hike. The young Lasorda was crushed.
He wrote about how he got his revenge against him when Maynard’s career was winding down to a close and he was demoted to the minors. Lasorda was pitching in Greenville, South Carolina in the South Atlantic League. “I couldn’t believe my luck” he wrote. Up came Maynard to bat against him in the first inning. Lasorda proceeded to deliver him chin music and eventually plunked him, starting a bench-clearing brawl. All over getting stiffed for an autograph when he was 12 years old.
Lasorda said then and there that if he ever was in a position to sign for kids, he would never turn them down. But that’s the thing. “Sign for kids,” not 60-year-old grown adults. For the most part, Lasorda has lived by that creed. He signs and signs, but as he creeps up in age, his patience is running low. Fact is, he’s really a crotchety old guy now. Who wouldn’t be at 92 years old? He has little patience for anything and I’m surprised that he still continues to make public appearances.
I have read the stories. There are those that have chronicled the rudeness and impatience that Lasorda publicly displays, even when he’s getting paid at autograph shows. He has little tolerance for what he perceives as rudeness or a lack of respect. I think he is having an issue with his old age, he has had his series of health problems, the Dodger team’s inability to get the brass ring, there’s probably more.
So if you go to CBR for Spring training and you want a Lasorda autograph, follow steps 1 through 6. My son went through it a few years ago. He waited patiently in line. Called him “sir” when his turn arrived. He even thanked Lasorda for an autographed picture he received in the mail from him when he invited Lasorda to attend his Eagle Scout court of honor several years before. The old man perked up while signing and said, “did you send me a ‘thank you’ letter when I sent you the photograph?” “Uh, well, uh no, that’s why I’m thanking you now.” (Long pause). “Well, you’re welcome.”
Step away son…walk away…don’t…say…anything..else.
He complied…phew!
Evan,
Great story and so true…
I have two autographed pictures: One with Russ Martin and another with my son and Tommy.
I only have three autographed baseballs: Steve Garvey, Vin Scully, and Clayton Kershaw.
Maybe I’ll write a blog with my Tommy stories dating back to Vero Beach someday. Great work!
Brings back great memories Evan. I am WAY past 60 and the only autograph I ever requested was from LA Angels pitcher Marino (Chick) Pieretti whose daughter and I were in the same kids swim class at El Camino Jr. College. But, I have been given many autographed memorabilia from friends and family who were well aware of my love for the Dodgers. In the Dodgers first season in LA, Carl Furrillo hit a home run over the left field fence that bounced right to a neighbor who worked at the Coliseum to supplement his teacher’s pay. After the game he took the ball down to the Dodgers locker room and had Furillo, Walt Alston, Don Zimmer, Pee Wee Reese, Johnny Podres, Larry Sherry, Randy Jackson, and Duke Snider sign the ball. As he was leaving the Dodgers dressing room Wille Mays walked by and he too signed. The signatures have badly faded, but they are as fresh in my memory today as the day he gave me the ball.
Funny story, Evan. I’ve never asked Mr. Lasorda for an autograph, just not interested, always called him Tommy back in the day when I would see him at the stadium. I’m sure he has gotten grumpier with age. Yes, the Paul Konerko trade for Jeff “freakin” Shaw. That really ticked me off. I told a friend that the next next time we bump into Tommy at the stadium, I’m going to ask him what the hell was he thinking? Well, the next year came and I’m still ticked off about the Konerko trade. We’re down at the stadium and we’re in the elevator and in steps Tommy. It’s just the three of us. My friend starts laughing. But I passed. We just chatted with him. But, if I ever sat down and interviewed him, I would have asked that question, although I already knew the answer. Tommy wasn’t a GM, had no idea what he was doing. They had to redo Shaw’s contract or lose him because Tommy wasn’t aware of a clause allowing him to become a free agent if traded. He just saw the Dodgers as being a closer short of making the playoffs, thus the Shaw deal.
For years, I was ticked off with Jim Bowden for picking Tommy’s pocket, but he had no clue what he had in Konerko, later trading him to Chicago. A few years ago I listened to Bowden talking about the trade, interesting story. He insisted that he wasn’t trying to take advantage of his old friend.
So goes the old saying some of the best trades are the ones you don’t make.
The only autographs I have are Eddie Mathews, who signed his ’58 and ’59 baseball cards for me when I was a realtor in Del Mar in the late ’70s. He and my boss were drinking buddies and would hang out in the office together quite often. The other autograph is from Tobin Rote on his ’58 Detroit Lions card.
So true, great read Evan! I actually have a Michey Mantle autograph ball and believe it or not a Mike pizza ball which I heard was pretty damn rare to get! He didnt seem to excited to give me it but I guess he was forced to when he walked in that restaurant lmao, he couldnt say no! But anywho just throwing that out there
I believe I was 10 years old and there was an ad for the Broadway in Panorama City to come see 4 Dodgers and get their autographs. I remember Don Drysdale, Norm Larker, and Johnny Podres, but I do not remember the 4th. I would check the ball, but as kids so often did, we needed a ball to play with, and I used my autographed baseball.
I have accumulated several autographs since my childhood but most were autographed baseballs my son would get in ST from his teammates and give to me as presents. I do have two non baseball autographs; a signed Gale Sayers football, and a signed James Worthy basketball.
The first time I saw my son sign signatures was in college at UNR where he had a large following of fans. On his last game, Andy (or Bubba as he was known) agreed to sign signatures after the game and it took him 1 1/2 hours to sign everybody’s program, ball, hat, etc., and talk to the kids. When my son turned professional, I told him that he needed to make sure that he continued to sign autographs for the kids. He started out very good, but as time went on he began to realize that most who wanted his signature were not the kids but professional autograph seekers who wanted the signatures to sell. Andy told me he would sign for any kid that came up to him at the field in ST or dugout before games during the season, but he refused to sign for anyone after the game. After one game in Reading, we were waiting for him to come out and dozens of “fans” were waiting outside the players gate. When Andy was approached, he just walked on and I gave him a look. He told me, “Dad, they are not fans of mine. They want my autograph to sell, and I am not going to do that.” He told me most of the team would not sign after the game while they were being stalked to their cars. The same people would come after every game. They figured they would wear out the players and they would sign just to get away from them. Not my son.
To this day, we get one request a month coming to our house with one of Andy’s baseball card’s looking for an autograph, which he does not sign. The players love the kids, they do not like the “professional” autograph seekers.
No autographs, but a lot great memories, whether it be running into players in the back diamonds or standing in line just to say hello to Sweet Lou Johnson or Don Newcombe..
Sweet Lou was very instrumental in my life…
I have to be honest, part of this take is to see if I’m still in the LADT loop…
Evan. I got a ball autographed by Tommy back in 1985 at Vero Beach. I think I have told the story on this blog as well as on TBLA. It was after I had phoned him from Nova Scotia before heading to Vero.
At ST training in 2013, which we attended together, I was first in line for a Tommy autograph having waited quite some time. I had a card to sign and the ball from Vero Beach which read: “To Harold: You and the Dodgers are both great.” I showed him the ball from 28 years earlier and wanted to say something about it. He didn’t and just signed my card but did thank me for coming to Camelback.
I took a pic with Tommy at a spring training game in 2000 at the Braves training complex. Definitely wasn’t the most friendly person, but I didn’t care, I got my pic!
More importantly, I’m beyond excited about a potential deal for Mookie Betts. I think he slots in perfectly between Seager and Bellinger (something I always thought Puig would do).
I’m always critical (with love of course) of how our franchise guys consistently underperform in October. And to be be fair, Betts has also struggled in his 3 postseason appearances, so it’s not like we’d be getting a clutch stud who’s proven it in October. That part does concern me, to be honest.
But 6 months of Lux, Seager, Betts, Belly, JT, Muncy, Joc/Pollock, Smith does have me confident of a easy 8th straight NL West title and trip to October.
I have read that when Tommy Lasorda lived in Anaheim, and manager of the Dodgers, he would go out outside to get his newspaper on some mornings. When he did that, all the kids that lived on his street would wait for him and he would spend time telling them baseball stories and just talking baseball. It was said that Tommy loved the kids. The only autograph I got was a book written by Jay Johnstone who signed it for me at a mall book selling.
“Borrowed” from rotisserieduck.com:
So, as we celebrate the history of the game and the wonders of the 2019 season, let’s take a look at who the sport lost in the past year…
> Frank Robinson, Reds / Orioles OF 1956-1976 – The only Hall of Famer on this year’s list, his accomplishments are legendary. Hit .294 with 586 HR’s and a .926 OPS. Was a Rookie of the Year and won MVP Awards in both leagues. Went on to become the first African-American Manager in baseball with the Indians in 1975.
> Jim Bouton, Yankees P 1962-1978 – Was 21-7 for the 1963 pennant winning Yankees, but his real claim to fame was when he pulled back the curtain of the clubhouse in his best-selling book “Ball Four”.
> Ernie Broglio, Cardinals P 1959-1966 – Went 21-9 for the Redbirds in 1960, but he’s best known for being traded to the Cubs for Lou Brock.
> Bill Buckner, Dodgers / Cubs 1B-OF 1969-1990 – The epitome of how baseball can also be cruel, his 2,715 lifetime hits are completely overlooked due to that error he made in the ’86 World Series.
> Ron Fairly, Dodger / Expos OF 1958-1978 – A productive player who made two All-Star teams and had over 1,900 lifetime hits. As a Mariners broadcaster, he once said “Last night I neglected to mention something that bears repeating”.
> Bob Friend, Pirates P 1951-1966 – A three-time All Star, he won 197 games in his career for the Bucs.
> Eli Grba, Yankees / Angels P 1959-1963 – Was the winning Pitcher in the first game of the Angels franchise when he bested the Orioles and Milt Pappas on April 11, 1961. Ted Kluszewski supported him with two HR’s and had 5 RBI’s that day.
> Pumpsie Green, Red Sox SS 1959-1963 – A footnote in baseball history, he was the first Black player on the last team to integrate…12 years after Jackie Robinson debuted with the Dodgers.
> Don Mossi, Indians P 1954-1965 – One of the top relievers in the AL for the good part of a decade, he had 101 Wins & 50 Saves. His appearance was dominated by the size of his ears and it was once said that when he was walking away from you, it looked like “a cab with both doors open”.
> Don Newcombe, Dodgers P 1949-1960 – Only the third Black Pitcher to appear in a major league game, he was the Rookie of the Year in 1949 and won the Cy Young Award in 1956 with a 27-7 record.
> Gene Stephens, Red Sox OF 1952-1964 – Mostly a back-up during his career, he tied a major league record in 1953 by recording three hits off three different Tiger hurlers in the same inning!
> Mel Stottlemyre, Yankees P 1964-1974 – Had 164 Wins and made five All-Star teams before becoming a successful big league pitching coach. His Sons Todd & Mel also pitched in the majors.
93 former big-leaguers died in 2019 and if you’re a real fan, you’ll remember many of them. There were guys who played in the early 50’s like Dick Brodowski, Ted Lepcio, Hal Naragon & Irv Noren,, guys with famous names like Larry Howard and guys with nicknames like “Tex” Clevenger. And, a few more who played at least ten seasons in the majors such as Jim Coates, Bobby Del Greco, Andy Etchebarren, Al Jackson & Barry Latman. Sadly, there always seems to be a few who leave too soon…thinking of Chris Duncan and Tyler Skaggs.
They’re all part of the history because they were all in the “Show”.
Lots of good men and players on that list.
I have never asked for or wanted an autograph. My daughter in law bought a Duke Snider autographed ball when he was staying at a hotel and had pre-signed a bunch of them. I still have it but have no idea if it is authentic.
My first visit to Vero Beach remains a happy memory. I had a seat behind first base but it was hot and foul balls were screaming into the seats. There were quite a few empty seats behind home plate in the shade so I sat in one and was never questioned. Koufax soon sat down in front of me.
An employee who was patrolling the stands would take three or four balls between innings to Sandy for his signature and he Sandy obliged in a friendly manner although it interrupted his chats with those friends sitting next to him. However, one of those times Sandy had just bought a big pretzel with lots of mustard and his hands were not free. He fussed at the employee for not being aware of the inappropriateness of the timing of the request.
I heard him say to his friends that he doesn’t mind helping people make some money on his autographs but that was just beyond considerate. I also saw Sandy willingly sign autographs when he used to visit minor league games as a pitching adviser, in this case in Salem Oregon.
When Koufax first autobiography was published he was at the South Bay Torrance May Company signing copies. My Mother, who worked at that store, bought a copy of the book and waited in line for Koufax to autograph. She knew nothing about baseball other than her son loved the Dodgers and Sandy Koufax — I still have that book prominently displayed in our home.
I like that.
Even as a youngster I was never an autograph collector. The same way as a player. With one exception. I was playing in the Bay Area with some teammates before spring training one year. One evening I answered the phone at the house I was staying in with a teammate, who well known in the area. The caller and I had a few laughs on the phone talking crap with fake names exchanged. I soon put my roommate (and intended recipient of the call) on the phone the whole conversation changed in tone. It was “yes sir” and “we’d love to sir”. I’m thinking what the hell is up? When my roomie hung up, he looked at me and smiled and asked me “do you know who you were just jive assing on the phone?” Of course I didn’t. He said………
Wille Mays,
We both got an invitation to play in a charity Major/Minor game in Oakland for Sickle Cell Anemia on a Sunday. It was a blast and I got to play on the Major League side with some stars. In the dugout I met Willie Mays and we shared a laugh (and my embarrassment) over the phone conversation. This was a total departure from stories I’d heard about how he could be difficult. Now that was an autographed baseball I was interested in.
Sadly, some years later, my girlfriends dog got ahold of the ball and THE DOG ATE IT. The old homework excuse actually happened. I still hate that long departed dog all these years later.
I have collected some signatures as I aged when I had the chance to actually spend time with folks that I thought were special; Brooks Robinson, Tony Quinn, Buck O’Neill, Sandy Koufax, but that’s about it.
Mr. Lasorda stays in a condo during his time at spring training about 3 units down from mine. I never see him. I have only seen him at the stadium and never have approached him. A friend (and former rival coach) of mine who comes down here for March and I have considered knocking on Mr. Lasorda’s door but we sort of fear the possible consequences. We might try contact through his driver who lives in another unit nearby and takes care of Tommy. I don’t want an autograph or to bother him. I want to talk about the 1970 Spokane Indians.
Never have been real big on collecting autographs. I do have autographed baseball cards of Roy Gleason and Don Demeter (surprise). I remember when I would take my sons to Dodger games in the mid to late 80s, after the game we would typically go to the player’s parking lot (which was fenced) and wait for the players to leave the clubhouse. We did this, not so much to get their autographs, but rather to see the players up close and personal, which my boys loved. There was usually a small crowd waiting there as well. Sometimes the players would come over and sign, but more often than not they wouldn’t. One player who particularly stood out was Rick Dempsey. He always came over and talked with the kids and would have baseball decals that he had pre-signed that he would give to the kids. More importantly, he always had a little something to say to each one of the kids. I always respected him for that.
Where is James Moya ? so anyone who does not agree or thin that AF is a genius and the best fron office gets banned ?
Think * Front *
Think* you’re next Carlos
And I better stop criticizing Kershaw!
if you criticize October Kershaw, you’re justified. And I do it all the time
He’s one of the greatest of all time from April to September! Unfortunately October hasn’t been kind to him. He’s a number 4 in the playoffs for me in 2020 if healthy
Oh and it was going so well.
ya well, your name is Bobo!! (sorry had to use that one from yesterday haha)
I see I can still post. Glad to see I am not banned. I do not miss James Moya. Thanks Mark.
Not into the autograph but my daughter always wanted Shawn green and didn’t get it. My wife got Gagne once.
2020 CAMELBACK RANCH – GLENDALE SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY
Glendale, Arizona — Camelback Ranch-Glendale (CR-G), beginning its twelfth season as the spring home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, announced today that single-game tickets for 2020 Spring Training will go on sale online and by phone at 9:00 a.m. PT on Monday, January 6.
To order single-game tickets online, visit dodgers.com/spring, whitesox.com/spring or camelbackranchbaseball.com.
To order single-game tickets by phone, call 800-905-3315.
Single-game tickets start at just $10 per game, and fans save by purchasing single-game tickets in advance.
Season Tickets, Suites, Mini-Plans & Groups — Season tickets and mini-plans plus group tickets, including suites, the Budweiser Legends Deck and All-You-Can-Eat Patio, remain available for purchase. Visit CamelbackRanchBaseball.com or call the CR-G ticket office (623-302-5099).
Budweiser Legends Deck — At 21 Feature and Premium priced games, ballpark food and non-alcoholic beverages are included with the game ticket in the fully shaded Budweiser Legends Deck. The inclusive experience features a deluxe menu served from when the stadium opens until the end of the sixth inning. Snacks, soft drinks and bottled water are available throughout the game.
Discounted Tickets for Military & Seniors — CR-G offers discounted tickets for active/retired military and seniors for all Sunday-Wednesday games based on availability. Discounted tickets are available only on game day at the box office.
Kids Run The Bases on Sundays — Children 12 and under can receive a lawn seat to all Sunday games for just $5 based on availability. There is a limit of four (4) discounted lawn seats for each full-price adult ticket. The $5 lawn tickets are available on game day only at the ticket office. Following the game, Kids Run the Bases!
Seniors Stroll the Bases — Seniors can stroll the bases following every Thursday game.
Schedule — CR-G hosts a 30-game schedule in 2020 that features Cactus League baseball daily at The Ranch beginning Saturday, February 22 and concluding Sunday, March 22.
The Dodgers and White Sox face each other three times in 2020, with the first meeting at 1:05 p.m. on Monday, February 24. Their two other meetings are the schedule’s final two Saturdays (March 14 and 21).
The hometown Arizona Diamondbacks visit CR-G twice as do the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants, rivals of the White Sox and Dodgers. The D-backs play at Camelback Ranch on Saturday, February 29 (Dodgers) and Sunday, March 22 (White Sox). The Cubs travel to Glendale to challenge the Dodgers in their spring home opener on Sunday, February 23 and the White Sox on Friday, March 13. The Angels visit The Ranch for the White Sox spring debut on Saturday, February 22, while the Halos and Dodgers tangle on Wednesday, February 26. The Giants visit The Ranch on Tuesday, February 25 to square off against the White Sox, and again on Wednesday, March 4 to face the Dodgers.
Rounding out the 2020 slate of games at CR-G are appearances by the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.
Parking — Parking is always free at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.
Box Office Hours — Single-game tickets also will be available for purchase at the Camelback Ranch-Glendale ticket office beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 3. Ticket office hours prior to Opening Day are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from Monday-Saturday. On game days, the ticket office remains open for 30 minutes following the conclusion of play.
Brooklyn said it best:
Mark doesn’t mind people disagreeing with him. He simply has no patience for those that do it without a semblance of thought. In other words, he has no tolerance for dimwits, which you bear no resemblance to.
I grew up in California but went to college in St. Paul in 1965. Several students from Cal found out where the Dodgers were staying during the World Series, so we went to the Hotel and hung around in the lobby getting signatures from the Dodgers that came along. I got several players including Claude Osteen, Sweet Lou Johnson, Willie Davis and Don Drysdale among others. I gave the paper to my daughter so I can’t remember all of the names on it.
Then, one of my congregation, when I pastoring in Omaha, had played minor league ball for the Dodgers and knew Tommy Lasorda . When he found out our family were big Dodger fans he wrote Tommy and he sent us a signed picture of himself and a personal letter thanking me for helping a former dodger get through some tough things in his life and promised to reserve tickets for us at a ball game in the future. (We made the trip to St Louis to see the Dodgers but the tickets were not there…. my son has the picture and letter)
Then, last spring training my daughter had a group of grads from Azusa Pacific University go to a game and she arranged a meeting with Dave Roberts (through one of Dave’s close friends who works at APU). I got to meet Dave, talk to him for a while and get a picture with him.
Lots of opportunity to get signatures on baseballs at spring training over the years including Turner, Seager, Taylor ….
Alas, all of these objects belong to my kids now, all I have is memories….
The Cuban Ohtani is coming soon! Wonder if we’re interested in him?
https://sports.yahoo.com/oscar-colas-the-cuban-ohtani-is-coming-to-mlb-and-everybodys-going-to-want-him-195153235.html
In 1987, my brother was undergoing cancer treatment at UCSF and was soon to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Several of his co-workers sent the Dodgers a letter hoping Tommy would make a call to my brother, but we were overwhelmed with what eventually happened.
The Dodgers got in touch with me and invited me to a ballgame at Candlestick Park and then asked if I would be willing to take Tommy from the stadium to the hospital so he could visit my brother and then take Tommy to the team hotel. I was allowed entrance into the clubhouse where I waited for Tommy as Bill Russell, Pedro Guerrero, Mike Sciscoia and many other Dodgers milled about. Even as an adult I felt like I was a kid at Disneyland.
Tommy and BP coach Mark Cresse went to the hospital where they gave my brother a signed bat from Scisocia and the game day line-up cards. Tommy acted as if he was a longtime family friend even giving us his office phone number at Dodger Stadium. Tommy invited my brother to call him the next year after he recovered so he could attend a Dodger game on him.
We later received several boxes of Tommy Lasorda microwave popcorn and spaghetti sauce. Tommy’s humor, compassion and old war stories was exactly what my brother needed as he was about to undergo a procedure that would extend his life or even cure him altogether. Let me just say many of Tommy’s stories were quite colorful and would not be acceptable for public consumption in today’s PC world.
The Dodgers went on to Montreal after leaving SF where Tommy called my brother’s hospital room from the clubhouse. The next year we called Tommy who left tickets at will call.
Many years later my bother and I attended ST at VB and had the opportunity to meet Tommy again. We thanked him and he genuinely acted as if he remembered my brother.
Tommy is a complete class act. He didn’t want any fanfare and wasn’t looking for recognition..he just wanted to help a Dodger fan in a fight for his life. What a guy!
My family loves Tommy and I pray for his continued health.
What a wonderful story, Norcal. Thanks for sharing.
That is an awesome story. Tommy is truly a good guy but sometimes when you are in the public eye, some people see you differently. I know about that too… not that I am famous (I’m not even close) but the idiots are out there and they love to talk about you.
Will Harris is off the free agent market. I don’t see any upgrades to the bullpen through free agency.
Time to get 2 upgrades to the bullpen in trades for 1 year contracts because everybody wants our top prospects and I don’t want to trade them.
Ken Giles and somebody else. I haven’t done the research for the second reliever because I thought Friedman would sign 1 of the free agents on my list.
Ugh, we need as close to a Doc proof bullpen as possible.
The odds are the bullpen get you get will not be the guy he was.
I think it’s about 70% pure blind luck and with analytics, it’s 68%.
Well Mark if you go with career stats, that’s your best bet (it’s not a given but I think it’s your best bet). I know about Giles 1 bad post season but it is a small sample size.
I was somewhat disappointed that the Dodgers did not sign Will Harris. With their need for late inning relievers, and contrary to Mark’s belief they still need late inning relievers, the cost of 3 years/$24MM may have been out of my comfort zone for a 35 year old setup guy who had a very good year last year, but so-so years for the previous two. He was also not very good in 2019 WS Games 6 and 7. His career post season ERA is 4.08 over 23 games and 17.2 IP. So he has not been a big help for what the Dodgers need…post season relief help. At some point you need to take a gamble, and if you are gambling with Joe Kelly, why not take a chance on Will Harris. He was certainly not my first choice, but there are far worse relievers, and $8MM AAV is not outlandish. That is an average of 1 WAR for each of three seasons. That does not seem unreasonable. And the Dodgers certainly had the capacity to make that happen.
As far as Ken Giles, I have said that I think he is worth a gamble. Probably a 10-15 prospect and a lottery ticket, or two 20-30 level prospects. His projected arbitration salary is approximately $8.5MM, again not unreasonable. Will AF do it?
Yes, I agree that relievers are generally unpredictable,but they are just as unpredictable for the Dodgers. You cannot in one breath say stay away from Player Z from team B because he might have a bad year, but Scott Alexander, and Pedro Baez, and Dylan Floro, and Casey Sadler, and Adam Kolarek, and Tony Gonsolin, and Dennis Santana, and Caleb Ferguson, and Joe Kelly, and KJ are all going to have good years. Get as many battle tested late inning relievers as you can, and maybe one of them has a breakout year. Maybe not, but you have to try. It worked with Joe Blanton and Brandon Morrow.
The Nats signed David Hernandez to a MiLB contract. He had a horrendous season last year, but his metrics seem to indicate that he really wasn’t as bad as his numbers were. On the other hand, he was good for the Angels in the first half of 2017, and was very good for Cincinnati in 2018. I agree he was bad for the DBacks in the 2nd half of 2017. Was he worth a MiLB contract? I would submit yes.
Do you give Pedro Strop a MiLB contract with a ST invite? What does it hurt?