Doc and AF Media Zoom Conference Call

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1. Yes, I “slammed” shut the last thread. Against my better judgement I let it go on. But I was too busy listening to the media conference call and writing it up. Hopefully we can start back discussing baseball after the press conference today. I am sure there were many other bloggers who will comment as well on their sites.

   1. Thanks Jeff…

2. I just don’t see the MLB actually taking off and running. Just too many games being played between the owners, players, politicians and fans. They can make it work in Japan and Korea but yet it seems like something is going on that goes far beyond the virus and baseball here in the US, that has to tell you that more is afoot. Very sad times. I hope it is time for Dodger Baseball but i think it is more likely that it is time for No Baseball. With all the stuff going on in the world, baseball just doesn’t seem very important.

   1. They are gonna’ play!

      What happens? I have no clue.

3. I lost a few toes when you slammed it shut but I will survive! 🙂

   Go Dodgers!

4. https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/0*25izvigOllihYVC1.png

5. And I had a long lucid response to Mark’s last post. Maybe I’ll just insert it here to get the lively conversation going again…….

   Maybe not.

   Sounds to me like they have no idea if this is gonna work or not. I’m no more confident than I was before the announcement. I’ll believe it when I see it.

   1. Well you know I am never shy. You said:

      My position has not changed. I’m telling you I would have followed the lead of the scientists back in January and, like the EU did, I would have thrown a rope around this early. Under orders from the White House we did the exact opposite. (uh, at the end of January the WHO said there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission…. how did that work out?)

      What I would do now to clean up the f*** up is GET ORGANIZED! Immediately reconstitute the leading organizations that deal with this type of national disaster, re-hire the virologists and epidemiologist that were canned, FUND this thing and get every governor on board with it. What is also needed now, that would not have been needed as badly had we gotten ahead of this thing, is to have a financial relief plan that pays every one who needs it a living wage (if you think we cannot afford that I assure you you are wrong) and as a united nation do what should have been done 6 months ago, triage EVERYONE, immediately isolate those who test positive, do the contract tracing, and PRACTICE THE NEEDED MEDICAL PROTOCOLS!

      The federal government does not have that power! End of discussion!

      Mark we need leadership on this and clearly we do not have it! We have not had effective leadership for long before this happened. But that was then and this is NOW.

      So Biden is it? WOW!

      UNITE! Or pay the price. And we are paying the price. Getting it wrong is going to prove to be more costly than paying up front. Remember the old ad “you can pay me now, or you can pay me later.” We are paying later.

      This is all BS. What do we do now? Damn, if I know!

      This blog is about baseball, but politics enters in. I wish there were not such a divide:

      I’m sick of COVID-19. I’m sick of black vs. white. I’m sick of Democrats vs. Republicans. I’m sick of gay vs. straight. I’m sick of Christians vs atheists. I’m REALLY sick of the media. I’m sick of no one being allowed to think what they want & feel what they do without offending someone. I am sick of the nosey ass people who call the cops when anyone does anything they don’t approve of. I am sick of blaming the whole for the sins of a few.

      We’re one race—the human race. You want to support President Trump? You do you. It’s your choice. You want to support Biden? Fine… also your choice! You want to believe in God? Okay, believe in God. You want to believe in magical creatures that fly around & sprinkle fairy dust to make life better? Awesome… you do you.

      BUT stop thrusting your beliefs on others & not being able to deal with the fact that they don’t have the same exact mind-set as you. Having our own minds is what makes us all individual and beautiful. If you can’t handle the fact that you may have a friend that has opposing views as you, then you are not any better than the bigots and the racists. I don’t have to agree with everything you believe to be a decent human being & your friend ❤️

      1. Mark: “ I’m sick of COVID-19”

         So why do you keep bringing it up?

         How about we talk about baseball? Like your comment below.

      2. Now why would you want to start this up again? Jeff was pretty clear when he “slammed” that thread shut he wanted it to end.

         Sounds like you’re too sick to be making an argument. I think maybe you should take some time off, maybe go to Texas to see your MD friend, or to Florida. Or Arizona.

         I’m not thrusting, I’m sharing. And I’m doing it without ever calling anyone a moron or dumb as a box of hammers.

         No comment on Biden.

         Baseball:

         So the Dodgers are training at USC and Rancho. That’s nice. One month. Wonder where we will be in a month.

         1. There you go again with the personal attacks.

            That says a lot about your lack of a cogent argument.

            1. Nice try.

      3. So why do you bother to try and change someone else’s mind, Mark? It seems you enjoy the feeling of being ‘right’ and in the know. But your information is just as suspect as anyone else’s. Your opinions and beliefs are being thrusted on others almost every time you post something. Just because you read something that you think ‘might’ be true, doesn’t make it so. The only true thing I have heard from you recently was the lack of common sense that Americans have been exhibiting. By now, you should realize that we are in territory that there are no statistical truths that can be held up as gospel. Science has not caught up to what the reality of all this is. The health agencies are in a tailspin, leaders are making shit up, and Americans are doing wtf they want. That’s all Americans do, wtf they want. Is that the most important thing in life, to do and act whatever you feel like? Spouting shit like we are one human race does nothing and has never done anything to change anything. A Civil War was fought to sort out issues that are still being sorted today and with no real resolution. Americans are great at paying lip service to ideas and putting a gun in your face to enforce them. This is a very sick, medicated, unhealthy, lazy, and quarrelsome country that has and is isolating itself from other countries they deem lesser. The world looks on with disbelief and many wonder what happened. What made America great was the creature comforts it once brought to people’s lives, entertainment, and scientific advances that it made. It didn’t bring happiness, contentedness, fairness, compassion or freedom of anything, especially the way people think. Did I mention bullying others?

         Sorry, AC. Couldn’t help myself.

         I expect some surprises as far as baseball and other sports go. Look at the Djokovic scandal surrounding his private tournament in Serbia. Many new infections including Novak and his wife. These are all intelligent people doing things that are not so intelligent.

         1. Sorry Jeff, but like you said, saying it does not make it so.

            The premises you start with is very flawed, although there is truth (your truth) interspersed.

            You did say one thing that was spot on:

            By now, you should realize that we are in territory that there are no statistical truths that can be held up as gospel.

            My main point is that this disease is not nearly as deadly as people say. Mushers Pop wants me to stop talking about it after he said the death rate is 5.2% which is preposterous. “OK, it was only 0.5% – I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” It’s likely lower than that. History will be the judge.

            I bring it up because it is part of society and by default, it is a HUGE part of baseball. We have to deal with it.

         2. Well said Jeff.

            Health agencies are in a tailspin and it’s a direct result of funding cuts. Science and health care professionals are all working hard to keep up but are being stressed, despite what White House says to the contrary. This WILL continue to worsen.

            I do want to give credit where credit is due. Mark has toned it down some, but the pot calling the kettle black tactic is weak. Seen a lot of that the last few years.

6. Baseball is back!

   Pitchers and Catchers, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, RF, DH and Ulilitymen, and 30 other players report July 1st.

   There will be a grievance.

   The players will lose/

   The season will be played.

   The Dodgers will win it all.

   2021 will be bloody!

7. There is a gigantic cloud of dust that flew from Africa, across the 5,000 Atlantic Ocean, to the Southeastern part of the US. No, I didn’t make that up. So 2020 can’t shock us any more.

   If baseball (and NBA and NHL) actually finish their seasons, I won’t be shocked. If one or more have the cancel what they started, I won’t be shocked. If Salma Hayek leaves that rich dude she’s with and goes out with me, I won’t be shocked (maybe some of you would)

   This is the most bizarre year ever, and we’re not even halfway done!!

   1. Bizarre is right.

      Reports are saying many places won’t be peaking with the virus until late September. But, baseball players will be playing in a bubble.

      I wonder what depth might look like if a handful of starters decide to say “screw this”.

      1. Badger, here is an interesting article on testing. https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2020/06/downright-dangerous-trump-moves-to-end-federal-support-for-testing-sites-as-us-sees-record-daily-spike-in-covid-19-infections.html

         1. Naked Capitalism. Never heard of it. But I bookmarked it. Thanks.

            Gutting funding. Tax breaks for the rich and program cuts is what we get with this tribe. It’s at least partly responsible for where we find ourselves now. It’s at most largely responsible.

            We are in an economic crisis, we are in a civil rights crisis, and we are in a health crisis and none of them are abating. We mention any of this we get half the crowd calling us glass half empty thinkers. We don’t have baseball because of a global pandemic and people continue to compare this to the flu.

            But I’m glad we are talking about it.

            I saw a montage of our President telling us this pandemic was under control and the numbers are going down everywhere. These were cuts from speeches dating from March all the way to June. I would ask him “just be honest with us” but I know that’s asking the impossible.

   2. Bobby,

      Every year, the Gobi desert sends sand storms thousands of miles that I witnessed in South Korea! The sun was blocked for days.

8. Since so many of you have been claiming that you just want to follow the data on all this Covid stuff, I thought this information would give you some more information to think about. Don’t be pissed, but you did say you wanted to follow the data and what scientist are saying as of yesterday:

   The average number of daily COVID-19 deaths on a weekly basis has fallen from a peak of just over 2,000 to 700 or so. That’s a roughly 65% decline. And it’s no fluke. The figure has been dropping steadily since April.

   Hold on. That last number for June 23 on the chart shows a huge jump. Should we be worried? Is this the much-dreaded surge some have been talking up?

   Apparently not. A big part of that one-time gain came from a revision by one state: Delaware.

   As Youyang Gu, an MIT data scientist who created the COVID 19-projections.com site, tweeted: “To put the increase in deaths in context, Delaware added 69 deaths today: ‘The revision came from identifying 67 deaths dating back to April.’ So if you take out those 67 deaths, the week-over-week deaths have not changed.”

   Goldman Sachs’ state-level tracker shows similar trends. The volume of coronavirus tests has risen 23% in the past two weeks, but positive results have increased just 1.3 percentage points to 6.2%. Meanwhile, deaths have fallen over the past two weeks by 12%.

   Dr. Deborah Birx, the respected physician who heads the Trump administration’s coronavirus team, reportedly argued back in May at a closed Centers for Disease Control meeting that the agency’s death estimates were 25% too high, according to a Washington Post report.

   Anecdotal evidence at the state level suggests this is true. In fact, estimates may be off by more than 25%.

   A review of Minnesota deaths through late May, for instance, found that of 741 registered COVID-19 deaths, fewer than 41% listed it as a “primary cause.” By that standard, George Floyd, who died in police custody and tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus, could have been counted as a COVID-19 fatality had his death not been so well publicized.

   —
   If you have an open and fair mind, enjoy what the scientists and data is telling us. Good news should be good for all of us, not just some who choose to believe what the data is telling us.

   1. Source?

      I think it’s obvious there are hot spots all over the United States. I know where I live the numbers are going up. The West and Southwest are flaring.

      https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/16/816707182/map-tracking-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-in-the-u-s

      And it would certainly appear globally it’s still a very serious issue but there are many nations that appear to have the numbers down. Our nation unfortunately is not one of them:

      https://covid19.who.int/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInIHjoMaf6gIVUtbACh0NcQxUEAAYASAAEgJZAPD_BwE

      1. Dr. Gu and Dr. Birx to name a couple.

         Here’s some more info, you might like (okay probably hate):

         Dr. Deborah Birx, the respected physician who heads the Trump administration’s coronavirus team, reportedly argued back in May at a closed Centers for Disease Control meeting that the agency’s death estimates were 25% too high, according to a Washington Post report.

         Anecdotal evidence at the state level suggests this is true. In fact, estimates may be off by more than 25%.

         A review of Minnesota deaths through late May, for instance, found that of 741 registered COVID-19 deaths, fewer than 41% listed it as a “primary cause.” By that standard, George Floyd, who died in police custody and tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus, could have been counted as a COVID-19 fatality had his death not been so well publicized.

         How could this happen?

         In most U.S. jurisdictions, unlike many other countries, if someone dies with COVID-19, that becomes the cause of death for official purposes. That’s true even if it didn’t technically “cause” the person’s death.

         But sometimes even not being infected counts. After New York reported its 10,000 fatalities in May, the New York Times revealed that “3,700 additional people who were presumed to have died of the coronavirus … had never tested positive.”

         In California, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond investigated 194 COVID-19 deaths through mid-May and found that only six could be clearly claimed as caused by COVID-19. “We’ve unfortunately had six pure, solely coronavirus deaths — six out of 3.3 million people,” said Desmond.

         Washington state reported that at least five of its then 828 COVID-19 deaths were actually due to gunshot wounds. Pennsylvania had to remove “hundreds of deaths” from its tally for misreporting the actual causes.

         Same thing in Colorado, where a man found dead in a park with a 0.55% alcohol blood level was declared a COVID-19 victim.

         Colorado has since changed how it counts fatalities, as have many other states. But the fact remains: The death totals are almost certainly grossly exaggerated due to intentional miscounting. There are strong incentives to over-report, but few to under-report.

         The Centers for Disease Control admits as much in its June 24 update of the data:

         “For 7% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned. For deaths with conditions or causes in addition to COVID-19, on average, there were 2.5 additional conditions or causes per death.”

         So in only one in 14 deaths out of the current total of 125,000 can COVID-19 be said to be the actual cause.

         A recent column by economist John Lott Jr. and Dr. Timothy Craig Allen, governor of the College of American Pathologists, describes how physicians are pushed to make COVID-19 diagnoses for powerful economic reasons.

         “Some doctors feel pressure from hospitals to list deaths as due to the coronavirus, even when they don’t believe that is the case, ‘to make it look a little bit worse than it is.,’” Lott and Allen wrote. “There are financial incentives that might make a difference for hospitals and doctors. The CARES Act adds a 20% premium for COVID-19 Medicare patients.”

         Yet, even with an overcount, the number of COVID-19 deaths is falling sharply.

         Even the normally anti-Trump “fact-checker” Politifact was forced to begrudgingly admit that Trump’s statement is accurate “for now.”

         “The number of coronavirus deaths per day has continued to fall in June even as the number of cases has risen,” PolitiFact said.

         We bring all this up again to remind you: While this Wuhan bug is dangerous, it is likely not as deadly as advertised. The CDC’s own estimate for what’s called the Infection Fatality Rate (IFR), made early this month, is about 0.26%. The regular flu, by comparison, has an IFR of about 0.1%. So using the government’s own likely inflated COVID-19 death data, the IFR for the Chinese-origin virus is about that of a very bad seasonal flu — and not the 3.4% first estimated.

         Subtract the impact of horrendous policy errors in New York, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio caused thousands of nursing home residents to die needlessly, and fatality rates shrink even further.

         With COVID-19 infections indeed going up due to more testing, we’ll soon be hearing the same strident voices yelling for a shutdown. But the death rates once used to scare us into an extreme reaction now appear even lower than they do after weeks of decline.

         Manipulated numbers should never be used to make sweeping public policy decisions.

         —
         Question, does data and experts quotes that might go against what you have previously embraced, enlighten you or entrench you? No response necessary I pretty sure I know you answer Badger. Hopefully you can truly reflect and not just react to info not received from Rachel and lib outlets.

9. Looks like I have one post being “moderated”.

   While it’s being reviewed I’ll try to post this in response to Truth:

   https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-arizona-lost-control-of-the-epidemic/ar-BB15YqRy

   Baseball in Arizona?

   1. I tried to google Truth’s source, it come up twitter, and on the feed I found this interesting chart.

      https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1276392125937127425/photo/1

   2. I’ve talked about Arizona’s spike for weeks Badger. Does anybody read my posts?

      1. I do Phil. I read all the posts.

         I lived in Sedona for 11 years. I have many friends there. My next door neighbor emailed me this morning and she’s really nervous. It’s tourist season there and the city is packed with out of towners not wearing masks and not practicing social distancing. Her nephew, who lives with her, works in the tourist industry so he’s in contact with who knows who every day. The older residents, which is just about everybody, are getting tense.

10. I, like many others, is concerned and careful with respect to the Covid virus. I’m careful to wear a face covering and am mindful of my physical distancing at all times. I have become a hand washing “fiend”, but I’m also of the mindset that life must go on with the simple and sometimes inconvenient things we must do in order to stay safe and healthy.

    At the same time we must all acknowledge that Coivd is here, it’s amongst us and we can either be paralyzed by the numbers and work ourselves into a frenzy or we can move on with life by mitigating our exposure and hope for the best. That’s the camp I’m in! I do find it interesting that many bloggers attack leadership for Covid’s devastation, but it was going to be here infecting millions with or without self-isolation, closed borders etc. I won’t try to convince you if I’m right or wrong or mostly right or wrong, but instead I’ll live my life my way and you can live your life your way. No need to get in a pissing contest on a blog. Put it to rest.

    A vaccine won’t be readily available until late 2020 or early 2021 and with a world in need of a vaccine, wide-scale vaccinations probably won’t be available until late 2021.

    I’m glad MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to play. With riots, looting, blame shifting and scapegoating going on at a fever pitch in America, I think it’s a positive thing that we might be able to be entertained with America’s past time…..baseball

    Something to chew on. According to the CDC 647,000 Americans died as a result of heart disease last year, while 600,00 died from Cancer yet we still can buy cigarettes and tobacco. 84,000 died from diabetes, yet we can still get a Big Mac and large french fries 24 hours a day. 170,000 died as a result of unintentional injuries, yet we still drive cars, climb ladders, mow lawns and walk up and down stairs.

    Covid is a scary thing, but life must go on!

    1. The difference is, you eating a big mac in front of me won’t spread your obesity to me. Your heart attack won’t ruin my heart. Your diabetes won’t easily spread to me. I don’t have to wash or sanitize my hands all day because you choose to eat super size fries.

       Otherwise, you’re right; it’s a scary thing but life must go on! And a World Series title (hopefully preceded by a Laker title) would make 2020 a lot easier to deal with.

       1. But I’ll also wear my mask in the event I’m asymptomatic. My point was we all have choices to make. Stay inside isolated with a woeful “the sky is falling attitude” or get out and get some sunshine, wear a mask and watch a ballgame or we try to lay blame at every turn to the point of exhaustion. Who among us has lived a perfect life? My central point was we all have a different take on life and what’s the point of arguing with written words with someone I will never meet or whose mind I will never change.

    2. I understand the point about debating “what was” and moving forward, but the point about where we are compared to those who were also here but got it right and their numbers have flattened is that if we don’t stop what we’re doing we will keep getting what we’ve been getting. I also accept that there are people who “don’t believe”, but hopefully if we keep talking about it there will be enough people on board to effect change.

       You are right NorCal, Covid is here, and it’s going to be here a long time. Let’s get organized. That shouldn’t be as difficult as we are making it.

11. I’ve always enjoyed the “what will the Dodgers starting rotation be in 2021, 2022, …?” articles I’ve read on other blogs. Any takers?

    1. I enjoy reading those as well. It sounds like a good topic for a forthccoming article. Thank you for the tip.

12. Good morning everyone. I have not posted for a while. I just needed a break from all this turmoil and talk about the virus. I thought also you all needed a break from my not-so-brilliant comments and questions, sometimes. Thank you for your patience. Thank you Singing The Blue for thinking of me. I am still a fervent faithful fan (like the alliteration?) of Dodger baseball, major and minor. Looking forward to some games.

    1. Great to see you back DBM and I fully understand your need for a break.
       I’ve been going back and forth between wanting to shout out my (non-baseball) opinions and thinking I might need to step back awhile myself.
       Anyway, hopefully we’ll have lots of baseball to discuss shortly. We need your calming influence here on a daily basis. 🙂

       1. Step back? Not you Jefe. Your voice is needed. And we’re just chatting here. It’s become more civil and talking about things is good, right?

          Dodgers will be working out at SC. I’m gonna assume these ST 2 practices are closed to the public. I can build what looks like a Hazmat suit if they would let me in.

          This whole thing is gonna be weird. Hope it works.

          1. Just to be clear, USC is scheduled to be an alternate site where the additional 20 players will be working out. The 40 man roster players will be at Dodger Stadium. Per the Dodgers, the use of Dodger Stadium has already been approved as long as they adhere to the protocols. Of course there is still a week before practice is due to begin, so anything can happen.

             1. Is the USC facility superior or much larger than what they have at Rancho? Couldn’t figure out why they would start at SC and then move to Rancho when students return.

             2. No USC is not a superior complex to Rancho. I think it is simply geographically superior. USC and Dodger Stadium are very close.

             3. Thanks Jeff. Good information.

       2. Thank you STB.

    2. DBMom, please keep commenting. Hopefully those of us who choose not to participate in the LA CovidTalk can still talk baseball. I will continue to put up baseball related topics, but I will not censor any other discussion. It is hard to find baseball topics without COVID-19 being a consideration, and as soon as it is mentioned, the intent of the article gets hijacked. I do appreciate EVERYONE continuing to feel comfortable enough to come here to comment even if not about Dodger baseball. I am hopeful that those who want to stick with baseball will come back when baseball does return. In the meantime, please comment on the baseball portion. AND NO!!! Your comments are NOT not-so-brilliant.

       1. Thank you AC. You made me feel good. I appreciate you allowing this to be an open forum even if I sometimes get over whelmed by all the virus and political talk.

          1. I would not worry DBM, there are plenty of people on all sorts of blogs who post not so brilliant posts. I have done it a time or two myself when I did not research something very carefully. Life goes on. Former manager and player, Eddie Kasco died the other day at 88. He was 3 days shy of his 89th birthday, natural causes. Eddie was a SS with the Reds and a couple of other teams. Made the AS team in 61 as the SS for the Reds pennant winning squad. Hit .318 in the series loss to the Yankees. Later Eddie managed the Red Sox. He was one of the few players back in the day who wore glasses. Others who did the same, Clint Courtney, a catcher. Spent most of his time with the Senators, and Ryne Duren, the fire balling reliever who would routinely throw his first warmup pitch to the backstop. Not a comfortable at bat. I saw him pitch when he was with the Angels.

             1. Oh, another side to the notes about Kasco. Eddie Kasco got the first hit at Dodger Stadium. He led off with a hit, and was doubled home by Vada Pinson. So he also scored the first run. Dodgers first hit was a single to right by Duke Snider. Kasco scored later again on a 3 run homer by Wally Post. Sealing the Reds 6-3 win. Reds were defending NL Champs. Dodgers got their first win the next day, 6-2 behind some guy named Koufax. Some wonder why Podres got the start over Big D, or Sandy. Alston, if nothing else was very loyal to players. It was more or less a reward for what Podres did in winning game 7 of the 55 series. Dodgers won 102 games that year and lost the pennant in the 3 game playoff with the Giants. 63 they won it all. Another story about that day. Snider was driving to the stadium for the game, and he heard a loud bang. He pulled over and his tailpipe was lying in the road. Duke went to pick it up and burned his hand pretty good. Not wanting to miss the game, he wore his golf glove so Alston would not see the injury.

       2. I’m with DBM. I would have lots to say about the law, politics, history and numerous other subjects – but I’m really sick of them! I get more than I need from the media, almost none of which is intellectually honest (from all sides/sources).

          I’m ready for baseball but have real misgivings about the import of a 60 game season. I just don’t know what to make of it yet so I haven’t gotten as enthusiastic as I hope to.

          I know that I hate:
          1 – the DH in the NL
          2 – 30 man rosters
          3 – 3 innings starts from starting pitchers
          4 – the fact that a 60 game season might result in some crummy team getting hot for a few weeks and push a really good team like the Dodgers out of the post-season
          5 – the chance that a 60 game season could result in someone with a .400 BA or a sub 1.00 ERA – should that count?
          6 – we are potentially being deprived of almost all of the reason that the Dodgers traded for Mookie Betts – we are wasting one of Clayton Kershaw’s dwindling number of remaining seasons of greatness – we could be seeing the last of Justin Turner in Blue.

          1. 1) I’ve never been an NL DH fan but now I’m thinking it might allow us to keep JT around for a few extra years so I’m becoming more neutral on the subject.
             2) What don’t you like about 30 man rosters?
             5) I think they should take an average amount of at bats and innings pitched in a normal 162 game season as a qualifying number for an all-time record. Other than that the player who hits .400 or has a sub 1.00 ERA can claim he was the best for 2020 but that’s it.

          2. I am happy as long as you keep replying. So please do, adn hopefully we will get baseball to talk about in more detail again.

          3. That is why they invented asterisks. They will be legitimate stats, but no way they are entered as some of the best ever. As for the DH, it is coming permanently soon. It will no doubt be a huge part of the next negotiated CBA agreement. And to tell the truth, it is time. Either bring the DH to the NL, or ban it in the AL, and that is not happening. AL has an advantage when the majority of WS games are played in their park. Both leagues should be on an even footing, and rules should be universal. Besides, with what they are paying ace pitchers and the chances of injury when running the bases, or hitting for that matter, are just too high. As amusing as watching Rich Hill attempt to hit a ball might be, or seeing the occasional over the wall shot from Ryu or Buehler, still means there is a hole in the lineup. Fans like offense. A good DH can provide that.

             1. DH is good for the game, IMO. Why? Because it brings to the plate guys who can hit, not pitchers who neither care nor practice their batting in a serious way. Of course, there are some pitchers who can hit. Make them a DH! on occasion. There is no good reason to deprive the NL of this.

          4. I appreciate your take on any subject rick. I often feel like I learned something when I read your posts.

    3. DBM, you’re always cool and cheerful and never rude. I can’t see anyone in need of a break from your posts.

13. It is sort of nice to look forward to the season, but I will be surprised if it does not get interrupted and then canceled. There are just too many risks, and particularly in the warm weather states where many of the games would be played. The only reason I can see for the spike in these states, including CA, very unfortunately, is the too early reopening, and all the people who went to the beach and bars in those areas. This virus is not going to just go away, though we all want it to. Lack of social distancing and mask wearing will inevitably make it worse. I just don’t see how we’re going to be able to play all those baseball games (30×60 divided by 2 is 900, if I have computed this correctly, and then playoff games) under these circumstances. And if one team stops playing, they all will; it would look awful to do otherwise. So we’ll see, but the hoped for leveling off and then decrease in cases is not happening, which makes sports restarting look more like a bid for money than optimistic can-do Americanism.

    1. …….all the people who went to the beach and bars in those areas. Perhaps the many who also didn’t social distance and wear masks while protesting…..err looting and rioting might have also contributed to it as well.

       1. Two thoughts:
          1) Are there any stats as to the percentage of people who protested peacefully vs. those who looted. My totally uninformed and very biased guess would be about 98% vs 2%. I agree that looting is not justified and would hope that every looter would be found and jailed. But please don’t lump the two groups together. And yes, I would also have to agree that some of the spike is probably due to people getting too close to each other while protesting. I would also say that protesting social inequality is more important than visiting with your friends at the beach or at a bar while not wearing a mask (again I admit to my biases).

          2) I would think that the looters might be the one segment of the population who would be most likely to wear masks. Lots of cameras around these days.

          1. I just read that “a study” regarding NY cases indicated that the protesting did not increase the numbers. Now, one can disagree with this finding, but it is true that NY cases keep diminishing; while cases in FL and TX and AZ, where there was little or no protesting, are rising precipitously. I would say that the indoor crowds, the bars and restaurants and reopened workplaces, are more of a danger, though of course it all is.

             1. You are correct and the youngsters don’t care. They are willing to pay the price.

          2. I think it is two groups and your numbers are probably pretty likely.

             Malcolm Brogdon, the Pacers point guard has been very active in advocating peaceful protests. He was just diagnosed with COVID-19.

             When I posted that I took the antibody test, the lab called me and said 38 of my friends also took the test. All but 2 were positive.

             I still say that a year from now, COVID-19 will be called the “Media Fantasy Pandemic.”

             Remind me a year from now… you know I remind you if I am right!

             1. Hey Mark I have the answer for COVID-19 that’s right up your alley. I don’t have the virus. I typically drink an IPA at night. Therefore, drinking IPA‘s will protect you from COVID-19.

                I recommend Southern Tier’s 2X IPA.

                If it doesn’t kill you it must be part of the cure!

             2. Good one MP

                I guess alcohol does kill the virus, so, maybe you can tell us how drunk we need to get to be safe.

          3. Oh OK, it’s OK to spread the disease if you protest social inequality, but if you go to the beach and sit on a towel you’re being irresponsible? Got it!

             1. If you go to a beach and keep your distance, that’s fine. Too many people aren’t doing that. Taking part in a large, peaceful protest without keeping your distance is socially responsible and medically irresponsible.

                I understand that you may disagree with my opinion and that’s fine.

    2. Why is it no one mentions the protest marches with no social distancing as a reason for the spiking of new cases of corona?

14. I have a lot of hope that with another year of Robert Van Socyoc and with Rob Hill and Driveline Baseball in the Dodgers camp, see could see some really cool stuff like:

    1. Mookie Betts becomes even better and wins the MVP, with Cody Bellinger finishing second;
    2. Jansen, Kershaw, Wood, Price, Nelson, Baez, and Chicken Strip could gain a couple three MPH on their fastballs;
    3. Some of the Young Bucks grab hold;
    4. Gavin Lux becomes a force as the ROY and forces the Dodgers to hit him leadoff by the 30th game;
    5. Joc Pederson feasts on RHP and hits 20 HR in 60 AB’s;
    6. Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood, and David Price all finish in the TOP 5 in Cy Young Balloting;
    7. Justin Turner hits .400 in the short-season;
    8. Doc Roberts wins the Manager of the Year in the NL;
    9. Corey Seager hits .350 with 14 HR in 60 games; and
    10. The Dodgers win the World Series.

    Tell me that none of that could happen. I know all of it won’t.

    Finally, “Live Free or Die” is the official motto of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, adopted by the state in 1945. There are many people in this country that feel that way. If I don’t like it, I’ll stay away from them.

    1. Live Free or Die is an offshoot of a Revolutionary period slogan, Join or Die. Coined by Ben Franklin. Personally, I value the freedoms that I have left. But I also have enough common sense to follow the rules. There are many out there lacking that capability.

    2. None of that could happen.

       Season hasn’t started yet.

       But, I like your list.

15. Opening Day:

    Versus RHP:
    1. Betts RF
    2. Bellinger CF
    3. Turner 3B
    4. Muncy 1B
    5. Seager SS
    6. Pederson LF
    7. Rios DH
    8. Smith C
    9. Lux 2B

    Pitcher: Kershaw

    Versus LHP:
    1. Betts RF
    2. Bellinger CF
    3. Turner 3B
    4. Muncy 1B
    5. Pollock LF
    6. Hernandez DH
    7. Seager (Taylor) SS
    8. Smith C
    9. Lux 2B

    Pitcher: Kershaw

    1. Batting Lux 9th, sort of gives the dodgers 2 leadoff hitters together, increasing the odds of someone getting on base for Belli to drive in, I like it.

       No one answered my question previously, if the owners could just mandate a 60 game season starting in July, why did they even bother with the MLBPA? Yeah I know they attempted to have a mutual agreement but if they were going to have a season one way or the other, what was the point? The players put their collective feet down and denied all proposals to play, now the owners put out the edict to Play Ball and the players are now just going to show up and play. That is the craziest union that I have ever witnessed, typically if a union doesn’t get it’s way, it strikes until it gets it’s way, but not with this MLB issue. Makes no sense to me. Am I missing something?

       1. Trying to establish some sort of even ground with the union prior to the negotiations of the CBA next year. I think they were also waiting to see what sort of guidelines, if any, were forthcoming from the federal and state governments. The Blue Jays are still not cleared to play in Toronto. MLB has submitted a plan to the Canadian government, but their is currently still a travel ban for those going to Canada.

       2. They are trying to not have to deal with a grievance.

    2. Belli is not going to hit second. Muncy will most likely be in that spot. Beaty will be the DH against a righty on opening day.

       1. Hope so, Bear. Want to see Beaty as DH.

          1. I like Beaty. I think he is more versatile than Rios, and will hit for a higher average. He does not have Rios’s raw power, but he makes contact. They are overloaded with lefty bats, and some have really good power numbers. If he shows something in this second go around of spring, you might see Cody Thomas get some playing time. Guy was leading the Cactus League in homers when spring was called off. The sleeper in my mind is DJ Peters. Lot of pop out of that bat from the right side. Scoyoc and Brown get him to cut down on his K’s. He can be a force.

             1. I agree about Beaty. That guy can hit. With a full time job somewhere he would put up some decent numbers. That’s probably true with Rios too. Not enough at bats for the depth on this team. Unless of course……. never mind.

16. It is so good to actually read many talking Dodger Baseball again.

    My apologies for my absence. I was hit rather hard with some physical ailments. My first ever experience with kidney stones, that actually resulted in a couple of operations. That is pain I never want to experience again. Just unbelievable. I’m back to work, completely well now, but a few weeks back I was seriously thinking a lot about my mortality. For the first time since 1997 I took a sick day from work, and it ended up being 30 of them.

    Drink water folks. That was my issue apparently.

    Just a couple of baseball thoughts:

    DH in the NL? Hate the idea, but also intrigued on how it will benefit the Dodgers.

    30 man roster starting out and eventually reducing to 26 man at the end? I think this is the way MLB should do it every year. April should have the expanded rosters and the September run should occur with the minimum. Perhaps this will be the new normal in seasons to come.

    Hygiene and spitting on the field? Not sure how it will be policed but it’s about time something was done. So if a player spits, is he ejected? Is it an out or additional strike? Is maintenance called to clean up the mess? I know MLB was slowly outlawing smokeless tobacco from the field of play. Looks like COVID-19 will permanently remove it from the game, which is a good thing. The wet rag for pitchers (instead of saliva) is an interesting concept. Not sure how it will work so I guess these things will be worked out.

    The extra inning rule, starting each half inning with a runner on second? Hey, same as my slo-pitch softball league. Perhaps they can institute rovers in the field and have every hitter start his at bat with a 1-1 count. I’m just glad it’ll only be for 60 games and not the post season.

    Fan-less ball parks? It’ll be strange, but considering the alternative, which is a cancelled season, I’ll run with it. I just hope that before the season ends, the world will be deemed safe enough to allow fans in Stadiums. It would be rather sad to only have Mookie Betts for 60 games, never having the chance to see him play in person.

    Stay safe everyone.

    1. Sorry about your health issues, Evan, and hope you do well from now on. Kidney stones can be very painful and debilitating. Miss your articles and comments.

    2. Sorry about your health issues, Evan. Yes, hydration is very important to kidney function and a multitude of other organs including the skin.

17. I for one (and I’m certain many others) am excited to see this shortened version of a season especially how events in my small world was making me less enthusiastic about baseball. Hope I can go without the too continuous bummer saga for awhile. 162 games seems to tax players health and likely shorten their careers. Expanding rosters and 60 games will be educational, to say the least. Teams won’t be able to get lackadaisical at any point of a shortened season so this race for the pennant should be pretty intense. We shall see. Cheers!

    1. Personally I think 148 games would be plenty.

       The roster looks a lot like it did last year, with Betts at the top lengthening the lineup by quite a bit. Provided Lux is at least league average there’s nobody better on paper. Every name mentioned here can hack, and you know our pitching is always good. Let’s hope we get 60 games.

       1. Gee Badger, a 148 game season? For some reason 154 games Just sounds so much better to me. I wonder why? 🙂

          1. 154 works too. Babe Ruth never played more than that. Mantle never played more than 153. Most players today don’t even play 150. I was thinking 148 gives plenty of time for expanded playoffs without taking the World Series to November. The money might be there with an extra week of playoffs. Might not, I don’t know about that. MLB will make no moves that subtract money from the game.

             1. Well, I grew up in the 50’s so it’s more of a nostalgic thing for me. I think they played 154 game schedule for 57 years in the NL before they went to 162 games in ’62. 154 games would still give them 8 more days to work with.

             2. True. 154 is only an extra week. Also being a kid from the 50s, and 60’s, I remember the World Series starting October 1. In 1959 I went to Game 5 on October 6th. Starting in March and ending in October seems a week too long on either end.

                It won’t likely happen but I’d rather see a shorter season and a longer post season maybe with an extra Wild Card Series.

18. Did you kids see what the giants are doing this year ? I like it and I hope the Dodgers do it too. Then you all can see my pretty cardboard cutout at each home game!

    https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29367236/giants-program-display-cutout-images-fans-stands

    1. Nice touch, but kinda weird.

       1. That’s how they did it in the movie ‘The Natural’. Maybe Sundance has rights that they own that idea and Giants have to pay Robert Redford his share.

          1. Pay it to his charity like everyone else who buys a Newman product.

       2. Look around Badger, life in general is kinda weird these days.
          I think you and I should do it if available at Dodger Stadium. We’ll be sure to wear our masks, kind of like a PSA.

          1. perfect, the cardboard me will meet the cardboard you guys and we’ll take shots of cardboard tequila

             1. Me, I would have a cardboard cutout of my favorite guys…just think, John Wayne up in the stands along with Captain Kirk, and Mr Spock…awesome..

             2. Dry humor.

                Well done Bobby.

          2. Good point.

             I wonder how many season ticket holders there are? Why would there be any?

             I suppose it’s ok to use my image as long as it’s with a Dodger hat, sunglasses and a mask.

19. The KBO has been doing this for their games.

20. Update, and not good, on Andrew Toles:

    https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/26/former-dodgers-outfielder-andrew-toles-arrested-in-florida/

    1. What a shame. I hope at some point he pulls out of it, if not to play ball at least to have a better life.

21. Sounds like the end of the line for Andrew. I have heard that he is having severe mental issues. I guess it is true.

    1. Sure sounds like it. I hope he gets the help he needs.

       1. Me too. I liked the kid. He played hard. And he seemed to be on the right track. Not exactly sure how much help he will get being locked up. He definitely seems to be without family or friends right now. No longer under MLB’s medical purview either.

22. Being a Dodger history buff, I kind of liken his trouble’s to what Steve Howe and Bobby Welch went through with their addictions. Mental issues are another thing I understand, but so is addiction. Both Steve and Bob are gone now. Howe in an accident in his truck. He had methamphetamine’s in his system. Welch when he fell in his home in 2014 in Seal Beach and broke his neck. Earlier reports had him suffering a heart attack. Welch is the last pitcher to win at least 25 games in a season. 27 in 1990. Dodger fans fondly remember him from his classic duel with Reggie Jackson in the World Series when he struck Jackson out.

23. What can I say? I’m excited to see baseball again! Of course, there are a lot of unknowns. The short season, the Covid precautions… it’s all very unpredictable. That having been said, I take tremendous pleasure in debating the Dodgers DH options. Why? One of the most beautiful and necessary things in life is to care deeply and passionately about something that doesn’t matter! Politics matters. I care deeply about politics, but in the final analysis, it is deadly serious. And that takes some of the fun out of it. Politics is combat. Sports is play. We can argue about who should be the Dodgers DH, but it won’t affect the state of the world. Yes, I’ll be mad as hell if the Astros win the WH this year. And if the Dodgers win it all… it will be heavenly. And yet, except for my mood, nothing will change because of it. And hence it’s beauty. It’s a drama played out on a field of perfectly mowed grass. It’s theater, not real life. And that is exactly what I need now.

    So, to throw down the gauntlet… Who the Dodgers put at DH on the opening day depends on match-ups. That’s how they do everything. Between Beaty and Rios, I choose Beaty. You need someone who makes contact, and that isn’t Rios, despite his power. Rios has the most beautiful swing… when he strikes out! Beware of hitters who look good striking out! Beaty is all business. When he is at the plate, he looks totally locked in, all the time. And if I had to guess who will be the starting DH on opening day, I would say Turner. You don’t want to take any chances on his legs. If he gets injured in a short season, it would have big consequences. And he hits lefties and righties well. So no match-ups necessary. I would guess he’ll get the most DH time of all of them. The only question: Who will play at 3rd?

    1. You’ve asked a good question David. Who plays third when JT is the DH? There is no good answer. We don’t have a good fielding third baseman who is major league ready and can hit. Muncy, Rios, Kike, Taylor – all can play there but none do it especially well and all have better positions. We have Hoese and a couple of others in the minors but none are ready yet.

       With all of the guys floating around out there without contracts, I wonder if AF will grab someone just for late inning defense at third if needed.

    2. We are 5 deep at third David. Turner, Taylor, Beaty, Muncy, Hernandez.

       Agree about Rios. 6’3”, 220 and 500 strike outs in the minors, including over 300 in about 950 plate appearances in AAA. His swing and miss creates enough air to push a hobie cat. That said, in his last 10 games at AAA he OPS’d 1.116. He did ok in his short window in the bigs with an OPS over 1.000. You know how Andy likes hisself the OPS.

       We have options.

       Also, well thought out first paragraph.

24. Very sad about Toles! Must be a serious mental health problem. My heart goes out to him.

25. Read that about Toles earlier today. Its too bad that the news media got ahold of it since he is obviously a very private person. I hope the Dodgers or some of the guys at least use their resources to help him. Hell, I would take him in with me as much as I can say that about someone I have never met. Seems like a great guy that has been dealt a bad hand in the brain chemistry department.

    Love the DH in this short season. We will see how it goes. I have to admit, I don’t really like watching the Rich Hill, Ryu’s, etc. flail away and taking the bat out of the 8 hitters hands too many times. Ryus HR was awesome but still.

    JT at a .400 run would be awesome but I am really looking forward to seeing Betts play for LA. I hope he likes his time here and this is year 1 or many to come.

    Glad MLB is coming back. I hope the overreacters don’t shut it down along the way.

26. I am now officially retired, but I am now in Camp Jellystone camping for the weekend. Yes we are keeping Yogi and Boo Boo company. I have very limited wifi so I may not be able to get anything else posted until Monday. I will get it the old college try.

    1. Congratulations on your retirement.

    2. Have fun, AC. Just try to keep the s’mores away from Yogi and Boo Boo.

       1. I think Yogi moved back to New York and Boo Boo became a reality tv star. Bullwinkle might be up there. I believe he has family in the area.

    3. Congrats on retiring Jeff. Been retired for almost 10 years. Some good times too. And not having to get up early in the morning is great. Enjoy Jellystone and Yogi. He is one of my favorite relatives…Boo Boo can be a pain now and then.

    4. Congrats Jeff. Welcome to the club!
       Are you available for tax advice? I’m planning to buy the Mets because I hear that owning an MLB team leads to huge losses and I need something to write off against the billions I earned this year.
       Please get back to me when you return from Jellystone.

27. A little late, but just read about Toles. Very sad. Hope he gets help soon.

    1. I hope he gets some help too DBM. But right now he is sitting in a Florida jail. According to MLB< he is still on the Dodgers restricted list, but is not under contract.

28. Wow, it spun out of control there for awhile, but baseball talk is creeping back…M.J.T. must have worn his MAGA hat to bed…
    I really enjoyed watching Toles play… It now reminds me painfully of the Steve Howe saga… Hope to God he gets some help…
    I’m anxious to see Rios’s AB’s in ST.. Who knows…
    NBA has it’s problems already… I’m more of a NCAA fan anyhow…

    1. I wear my MAGA hat all the time. Rios will be interesting, but I think he takes a back seat to Thomas in the power department. Oh yeah, I wear the hat because I would love to see this country as it once was. Not what it is now.

       1. Most Abhorrently Gawd Awful?

          I’m just pulling your Trumpian Koalemos lanyard Bear.

          What’s with you and John Wayne? You do know he was gay, right?

          1. You blaspheme !! The Duke gay? Never. I know your political ideals and respect them. To me the hat has more to do with the country than the man. And America was great. Hasn’t been in quite a while. Blame that one on all those in power. There are some really good people in this country, and some really bad ones. You are one of the good guys. And you are thinking more Rock Hudson than John Wayne.

             1. John Wayne and Rock Hudson? Who knew?

             2. Some people say he and Randolph Scott…..

                Think about it… a man named Marion that calls himself The Duke.

                This is the material plane of existence that through the laws of physics is held together by polarity, positive and negative. It’s a perfect balance. I have come to the convulsion that there as many good people on this planet as there are bad people. It’s just that good people are quieter.

                I think you are one of the good guys Bear. You know that. You’re my friend. Your a good guy with a bad hat.

             3. And, for anyone who may be have noticed my tip of the cap to Slip Mahoney there, I depreciate it.

             4. Bad hat? No such thing. And I would say I have some that some would find far more offensive than my MAGA hat. One that says Armed Infidel, another says Rebel Pride, complete with battle flag. A tee shirt that says, I am the Infidel Allah warned you about and another that says. Isis hunting permit. No bag limit. Love of country? Hell yes, Aware of our history, yes. Racist, no. Anti anyone who is our enemy, damn right.

             5. Badger Read your comment and thought it was an “optical delusion”.

          2. I wear a DMAGA hat.

             Don’t Make America Gag Again

29. I notice that most teams seem to be signing their draft picks faster than we are, but that’s no surprise since AF tends to drag out his signings most years. All the guys in the know seem to think every team will sign all its draft choices this year because of the small draft. I certainly hope we get our remaining three guys.

    In the meanwhile talk amongst yourselves – Today’s subject cartoon characters I have known and loved (don’t forget Dudley Do-Right).

    Tomorrow’s subject – Two often overlooked vegetables, kohlrabi and daikan

    Carry on.

    1. Overlooked? I’ve never heard of them. I’d add Napa cabbage to that list.

       The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show was written for adults but kept kids glued to the set. Great cast of characters

       1. You’re a vegetarian and never heard of kohlrabi and daikon (which I misspelled above)?
          I don’t think you’re a real vegetarian Badger. I bet you’re munching on a chicken leg while reading this.

          1. Vegetarian barbecue chicken from the Veggie Grill. Delicious.

30. Little poll. Who, besides the 40 players already on the roster, do the Dodgers use as the other 20 players allowed to come to spring training and basically be on call if needed? Some of the non roster invitees maybe, like Gore who has MLB experience and blazing speed, Reks, Thomas, a couple of the pitchers, and probably one or both of the catchers, Lobaton and Gale. Interesting question…..favorite cartoon character? Tie, Yosemite Sam and The Roadrunner.

31. With that man at second rule for extra innings I think Gore might be around all year. That seems like the perfect spot to use him.
    Pitchers – Brett deGeus, Kasowski (The Big K), and Josiah Gray for sure
    Position players – Omar Estevez and maybe another catcher

    Favorite cartoon character – I’ll broaden it to favorite cartoon show (not contemporary) – Bullwinkle and nothing is even a close second.

    1. 6 catchers? With Ruiz, Barnes and Smith on the 40 man, Lobaton and Gale non roster guys, I do not think that they have anyone close to being MLB ready besides those guys. Cartaya is down the food chain. I like Estevez, and another possibility might be Santana. He is a 3rd baseman and has some pop. Cartoon show. easy, The Flintstones. it isThe Honeymooners on steroids.

       1. Totally forgot about Keibert. I think I read the other day where Lobaton was released.

          1. Might have been, I have not seen much about the Dodgers roster moves. And I think they only have one of their draft choices not signed. Vogel. The other 5 are under contract I believe. If not, at least 4 of the 6 are. I liked Bullwinkle and Rockie until they made it into a movie. It was atrocious. Dudley Do-Right was not much better. Best adaptation of a cartoon series? George of the Jungle, hands down.

             1. Movies don’t count – I never even saw them.

                Draft signings – Still unsigned are Knack, Beeter and Vogel. Like I said AF is taking his time.
                Only one $20k signing and that was Peto.

          2. Of course I am old enough to remember, Mighty Mouse, Crusader Rabbit, and one time favorite, Beanie and Cecil. Cecil the sea sick sea serpent. I’m comin Beanie boy, I’m comin!!!!!

             1. Bugs Bunny. He cracked me up.

                My favorite cartoon character of all time? Jessica Rabbit. Admit it. Everyone one of you guys would have got in the car with her.

             2. I never watched the Beany and Cecil cartoon show but was a big fan of the puppet show which ran in the early 50’s and on which the cartoon show was based.
                Stan Freberg was the voice of Cecil the puppet. Went on to bigger things for those of us who remember him (and who are now in our twilight years).
                Looks like this topic is just of interest to you, Badger and me. I guess vegetables are a hotter topic here. 🙂

             3. Kook la, Fran and Ollie was another early 50’s puppet show. Also there was the Buster Brown show..named for the shoe brand and hosted by none other than Andy Devine. Andy has a blvd named for him in Kingman Arizona, where he resided for years. Enjoy retirement Jeff. If you have grandkids, you now have an excellent chance to spoil them. Movies do count. Especially when they are good. First George of the Jungle with Branden Fraser in the lead was excellent. Had a great cast, including John Cleese and Richard Roundtree. The second one was a pale immatation of the first.

    2. Rocky the Flying Squirrel: [Bullwinkle is going for a walk in the woods] But Bullwinkle, there aren’t any more woods!

       Bullwinkle J. Moose/Narrator: You don’t have to tell me, I’m the Chairman for the Frostbite Falls Society of Wildlife Conversation.

       Rocky the Flying Squirrel: You mean “wildlife conSERVation.”

       Bullwinkle J. Moose/Narrator: What did I say?

       Rocky the Flying Squirrel: You said “wildlife conVERSation”!
       Bullwinkle J. Moose/Narrator: Well, somebody’s gonna have to start talking about these thing

    3. Isn’t the person who made the last out the guy that is put on second and if so, Gore would be a pinch runner one time and the guy that made the last out is out of the game, a game that could still have multiple innings to play if not scoring.

32. Hurry back Jeff. The three of us are destroying your beautiful baseball blog!

33. Congratulations on your retirement, Jeff! I hope to emulate you some day! In the meantime, glad you can give some of your hard earned time to this blog.

34. Dodgers being sued by some fans who said they were being targeted for being Latino. According to some who have seen the video, they were arrested for bad behavior. This happened at the last game at Dodger Stadium last year. Kind of dumb if you ask me since many Dodger fan’s are indeed Latino, and the only fans I have seen arrested or detained when ever I have been to the Stadium are those who are drunk, or very disorderly.

35. congrats on retirement Jeff..
    I find one of the greatest things
    about retirement is Sunday night..

36. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

37. Belated congratulations on your retirement, AC. Hope you find it enjoyable and fun. More time to spend with your family. Always a good thing.

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