Here I am, in the office on what has to be the most unusual 4th of July holiday in my lifetime. Had several things that I wanted to write about (including the “Art of stealing pop bottles” :-), but busyness has reared its ugly head and gotten in the way. It stinks to be your own boss and then have your boss be such a jerk.
● Well looks like we may have some baseball. On the other hand, I don’t believe we will. I sincerely hope that I’m proven wrong, but let’s see how things unfold in the next two weeks.
● Opening day for the Dodgers will be July 23rd (which happens to be my wife’s birthday), but the opponent and the location (home, neutral or away) has yet to be determined. When is the last time that has ever happened?
● The All-star game has been cancelled for this year. The Dodgers have, however, been scheduled to host the 2022 All-Star game. This development has to be disappointing for the Dodgers and their fans on so many different fronts. First, among several other reasons, there is the stadium renovations and the extensive planning that has gone into hosting the game this year. Certainly some of the planning will be useful in 2022, but there will definitely be concerns over whether the same or similar entertainment will be available; whether or not the city of Los Angeles will be in a position to support the influx of fans coming to watch the game and whether or not the 2022 season will be affected by the sure to be contentious CBA negotiations. The possibility of a strike looms large.
● The disappointment to the fans is also not to be ignored. While there was no guarantee that they would have been All-Stars this season, the thought of seeing Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, or Justin Turner represent the Dodgers in the summer classic would have been sweet. Two years from now, that prospect is less likely. Mookie Betts may not be a Dodger, and Kershaw and Turner will be older. Kershaw and Turner (he may also be gone) may not be performing at all-star level in 2022. Joc Pederson will likely be participating in the home run derby for another team.
● Sad news on Andrew Toles. I sincerely hope the young man finds the help he needs to get his life straightened out. He was a very enjoyable young man to watch play, and his after game interviews were very refreshingly open and honest.
● Minor League baseball has been cancelled for the year. It was reported in late June that the Dodgers released several players from their Minor League system. The number and names of the players are not yet known. Francys Romero, among others, reported Dodger minor league players released included, Daniel Corcino, Jose Lobaton, Yeison Cespedes and Jeronimo Castro.
● The Dodgers have extended, until the end of August, their agreement to pay all Dodger minor league players(not on the 40 man roster), the weekly $400.00 stipend. While I’m sure it helps some, roughly $1,600.00 a month is not going to pay the bills for most of them. For those minor league players who were getting paid more (some AAA players have contracts up to $10,000.00 a month or more), having their contracts voided and receiving this payment, has to be a very sick joke.
● Eno Sarris and Emily Waldon wrote a thought provoking article for the Athletic yesterday (July 2nd), wherein they posed the question, “With no Minor Leagues or College Ball, Where Will Prospects Go to Play?
In the article, they discuss various options available, including the San Diego League, Driveline, Independent Ball and pick-up games at the local parks. Unfortunately, some of these leagues are pay to play and many cannot afford to participate. Also, some MLB teams are not keen on having their players participate in these leagues. In addition, what I hadn’t considered before, and which Sarris and Walden thoroughly address, is the risk involved for these players. One player summed it up this way:
“I make $400 a week playing baseball for half the year. Do you think I’m gonna risk maybe paying for surgery myself?” asked one High-A player. “Or risk giving them a reason to get rid of me? No chance. Risking injury in-season is one thing — we’re all working to get to the top — but when we haven’t been told anything since March, why am I going to put my career on the line? I’ve played since I was five, my parents have made countless sacrifices, my wife currently makes so many sacrifices. We give so much to play this game and we love it. It would just be cool if MLB gave a shit about us.”
A triple A player had this to say:
“Indy ball? Yeah, I think it’s a horse’s ass move,” said a Triple-A player. “You mean to tell me that we’re going to rely on severely underfunded independent leagues to develop players but MLB can’t find a way to make minor league baseball work? Just goes to show how much they don’t care about the minor leaguers. Every organization has ‘their guys,’ and it couldn’t be more in the light than what they did with these 60-man rosters and leaving the rest of the minors in the dust to fend for themselves.”
Anyway you look at it, it’s not an ideal situation for anyone.
● I wonder how the mangled negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA, MLB’s treatment of the minor leaguers, and the handling of the draft this year will impact young kids’ view of a future in baseball? Moreover, if there is a strike in 2021/2022, I can see many youngsters, along with fans, bailing on baseball and heading for other sports.
● As we approach the start of “Summer Training” more and more reports are coming out of players having tested positive for Coronavirus. It’s been reported that 1 or 2 Dodger players may have tested positive. All sports were cancelled after word came out that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz had tested positive for coronavirus. He had tested negative for influenza, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. His symptoms had diminished over the initial day, but he was tested, and the test returned positive. The Utah Jazz cancelled their game and the nest day the NBA suspended its season. Other professional leagues soon followed. Presumably Gobert and the other NBA players that tested positive soon thereafter are now fine, as little has been heard about them since then. A few days before Gobert had tested positive, Tom Hanks (our beloved Forest Gump) had announced that he had tested positive as well. Soon thereafter, our society was placed on lock down. Now there are attempts to crawl out of that lockdown I various ways, including MLB starting its 60 game season. As we approach the season, reports are coming out of more and more players testing positive. In addition to which, there are players announcing that they are opting out of the season, and have chosen not to play. With these reports, Dr. “Doom and Gloom” Fauci forecasting more dire days ahead, and the actions undertaken by many governors, mayors and county board of supervisors in the past several days ordering a halt to business reopenings, as well as ordering that certain businesses close, and ordering the mandatory wearing of masks, I just don’t see that MLB will be able to play this season. Frankly, I suspect that we will be facing another government imposed lockdown in the next 2-4 weeks and MLB will cancel the season for good.
● All sports have been affected by the national discussion on race relations that have prevailed in the last few weeks. Ian Desmond had this perspective
“America’s pastime is failing to do what it could, just like the country it entertains.
“Think about it: right now baseball we’ve got a labor war. We’ve got rampant individualism on the field. In the clubhouses, we’ve got racist, sexist, homophobic jokes or flat-out problems. We’ve got cheating. We’ve got minority issue(s) from the top down. One African American GM. Two African American managers. Less than 8% Black players. No Black majority team owners.
“Perhaps most disheartening of all is a puzzling lack of focus on understanding how to change those numbers. A lack of focus on making baseball accessible and possible for all kids, not just those who are privileged enough to afford it.
“If baseball is America’s pastime, maybe it’s never been a more fitting one than now.”
Whether you agree with him or not, it’s rare for a player to speak his mind so openly.
● No matter how much I try, I can find virtually nothing positive to say about Rob Manfred. It would be nice for MLB to actually hire someone as commissioner that cared about baseball (Bart Giamatti is probably the last, and only one who actually loved the sport). The Peter Ueberroth, Bud Selig and Manfred 3-piece suits get tiring. It’s bad enough that Manfred butchered the Astro, Red Sox cheating scandal investigation in the worst way possible, this past week, after the “good faith” negotiations with the players union about reopening the season concluded, Manfred shared this tidbit with Dan Patrick:
“The reality is, we weren’t going to play more than 60 games no matter how the negotiations with the players went or any other factor — 60 games is the ‘outside of the envelope’ given the realities of the virus.”
Lovely! With that type of “good faith” it’s not hard to imagine how contentious the CBA negotiations will be. Nor will it be surprising for the players to insist that the owners show them their financials. You can’t trust a single word that comes out of Manfred’s mouth.
● On a more positive front, “Summer Training” starts today (July 3rd). Seems odd doesn’t it? Then again, we have a little baseball to talk about. We also had our first transaction in a while, with the Dodgers signing AJ Ramos to a Minor League contract. Typical AF contract that can be hit or miss. In 2016, Ramos was a very good pitcher. If he replicates that, it’s a good sign. If he doesn’t, no harm, no foul. In any event, him and Ross Stripling should get along real fine.
● With 60 games to be played, I’m predicting a 40-20 record for the Dodgers(actually I predict a 0-0 record).
● One of my most memorable Dodger Stadium memories occurred on July 3rd. I don’t remember the exact year, but it had to be 1976 or 1977. It was before I was married and had my own kids. I took my father and my 5 year old nephew to a game. After the game, they let us onto to the field to watch the fireworks. I have to tell you, laying on Dodger Stadium grass, looking up at the fireworks, while listening to patriotic music is a 4th of July experience like none other. It was truly mesmerizing!!
Hope you all have a safe and enjoyable July 4th weekend!!
One of my favorite singers is Steve Goodman. He died much too soon from Leukemia in 1984. He was known as Mr. Cub, being one of the most ardent Cub’s fans ever. I know it’s sacrilegious to play a Cubbie song on a Dodger blog, but it expresses what many feel after a 32 year WS drought, and besides, I just couldn’t bring myself to parody the lyrics, so here it is.
And I (AC)
will pick one of my favorites to mark this great day. One of my favorite singers is Lee Greenwood, and on this version of his marquee song, he had some help from some of our great heroes of today. I do not think we can say it enough, but THANK YOU to all who have served, especially to Bear and Badger; two men who have served this country well and have served this site well. I cannot thank you enough for both contributions.
Good post 2d2.
First of all a Happy 4th to everyone. Stay healthy and stay safe this weekend.
Two great selections for the videos you posted guys. Both well worth a listen.
Regarding your comment above about the players the Dodgers have released, I’m reposting my comment from last night just before comments were closed:
According to MiLB, the Dodgers have released the following minor league players:
RHP Kieran Lovegrove
RHP Tyler Ferguson
RHP Ricky Knapp
LHP Casey Crosby
LHP Ben Holmes
C Jose Lobaton
C Hamlet Marte
INF Jake Peter
3B Eric Peterson
OF Blake Gailen
OF Starling Heredia
Heredia was signed in 2015 and is still only 21. Got a $2.6M bonus. Other than that I don’t see any names on the list that are a big surprise.
As to your comments about Manfred, he has been a major disappointment as commissioner and, as I have said numerous times, if he and Clark are still in place for the next CBA negotiations…………………………………………I don’t even want to think about it. MLB needs a real “leader” for its next commissioner, someone strong, someone who will be able to speak truth to the owners and someone whom the players will respect enough to want to really come to some compromises. The players need to find someone with those same qualities to replace Clark.
Sports is often a mirror of society in general and the world lacks great leaders today. My fervent hope on this Independence Day is that we find our way out of this morass we have stumbled into. Baseball is doing a terrible job of fulfilling its role as the national pastime and the USA is doing a terrible job of fulfilling its role as the leader of the free world. I hope and pray that by next July 4th we have seen major improvement in both situations.
Well said STB. I also liked the two videos and your Post 2d2.
A safe and sane 4th has extra meaning this year.
HAPPY 4th of JULY everybody.
Took the words right off my screen STB.
“It would be nice for MLB to actually hire someone as commissioner that cared about baseball.”
It would be nice if we hired leaders that actually worked in our best interest. MLB is taking damm good care of those at the top. The rest? Replaceable. As you said, a mirror of society.
Doom and Gloom Fauci? Mean and uncalled for AC. The man has worked for decades on health issues. He’s had his hands tied behind his back by Sir Lies A Lot. Not Fauci’s fault.
Fireworks, well, firecrackers and cherry bombs, started about 10:45, off and on til about 3. Rumor has it the cops showed up at 3 and shot all the perpetrators but they expect more of the same tonight.
Made my own pico de gallo this morning with tomatoes, peppers and cilantro from my garden. Gonna have veggie dogs and corn on the cob later. Then I might sit back and watch a Dodger game. Might be from 1988 but it’s the 4th. I’ll take what I can get.
Make it a great day. And… keep moving.
I did not say anything about Fauci. I have my beliefs, but they stay with me.
Doom and Gloom Fauci was not AC’s comment Badger, it was mine. It is based on his public comments throughout the pandemic, particularly those of the last two weeks. That he’s been a government employee for 40 years does not exempt him from criticism. Moreover, it’s no less mean than Sir Lies A lot. I’m not a Trump supporter, but there is no evidence that he has tied his hands. I happen to disagree with you about Dr. Fauci. I think he is a fraud and much of what’s happened in our country this past 5 months can be laid directly at his feet. That’s just my opinion, based on my own research, and in honor to Jeff, I’m not going to discuss it any further on this blog.
Oops. Sorry AC. My mistake.
Fauci’s credentials are impeccable. He is one of the most trusted medical figures in the United States. Working under the incompetence of Sir LAL has no doubt been most difficult for him.
Ok, I won’t discuss it any further either.
“I think he is a fraud and much of what’s happened in our country this past 5 months can be laid directly at his feet. ” OMG
Thank you Singing the Blue!! Happy 4th to you and yours!!
Apparently, the Dodgers have also released:
RHP Yeison Cespedes
RHP Chris Mathewson
RHP Jeronimo Castro
RHP Bradley Gonzales
RHP Riley Ottesen
LHP Austin Hamilton
LHP Igor Avila
C Ramon Rodriguez
C Cesar Mendoza
C Tyler Ryan
2B Aldo Espinoza
OF Jaime Perez
OF Rolando Lebron
OF Jeremiah Vison
I wish these young men well in their future endeavors
I wish them all well too, 2D2. It is very sad for them. I hope Manfred is replaced with someone who cares about the minor league system. And maybe replacing Clark would help also. Thank you for the article and both songs. Thank you to Bear and Badger and others who served our great country. Happy 4th to all.
For those who still have the ability to discern what is happening in the world and to baseball, here is an article from the New Yorker on how the world looks upon America. https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/to-the-world-were-now-america-the-racist-and-pitiful
When I read 2D2’s very fine post, I was dismayed at the stats showing the participation, or lack thereof, of black players in the MLB:
“Think about it: right now baseball we’ve got a labor war. We’ve got rampant individualism on the field. In the clubhouses, we’ve got racist, sexist, homophobic jokes or flat-out problems. We’ve got cheating. We’ve got minority issue(s) from the top down. One African American GM. Two African American managers. Less than 8% Black players. No Black majority team owners.’
I remember last season when I asked on this forum ‘why were there so few black players on the Dodgers’. Dead silence. Not one comment regarding this. This is exactly what Baseball has evolved to, silence on important issues. Doesn’t those stats lead to a conclusion that Baseball itself might be racist. The whitest team pro sport in America. Less than 8% black players?!!! Hello, folks.
Excellent read. Thank you
I think it’s fair to say the better black athletes are playing sports that give them a better chance at advancing in life. That’s just a guess but it makes sense to me. There are basketball courts everywhere and games go on in some neighborhoods all night. Baseball? Not so much. Football and basketball played in college is far more popular on campus than baseball.
I’m sure there are academic papers written on this subject. Maybe we’ll see one in here before the day’s over.
Please don’t put the fault all on the MLB…
Kids just want to play hoops… Sad but true…
I don’t grudge the kids that. Hoops is much more exciting than baseball. Why is it sad? But, I thought Baseball is America’s #1 game, especially to most of the posters here. That is the hype that’s fed to all of us, black people, too. Black people dominate hoops and NFL. Somehow, they can’t play baseball? It’s a hard one to swallow.
The lack of players of color in baseball has been attributed to many things. One is that it takes longer to get to the majors than it does to get to the NFL or NBA. Seeing a teenager in baseball is more rare than in the NBA> Most prof football players are in their early 20’s when drafted. As for the front offices and coaches, there is no excuse for the lack of people of color there. One of the reason the RBI program was brought on board was to increase baseball in poverty stricken areas. But it still takes years in the minors to get to the majors. Kids want the early big paychecks. Living on what they get in the minors is not attractive to most. The only kids getting any big money are the high draft picks. Why toil six years in a system only to be released, when if you are playing basketball or football, you are getting big money in a couple of years if you are talented? No sport is perfect. The main reason there are less than 8% black players in the majors is because it is not the sport of choice for most black kids. There are basket ball courts all over New York City, Chicago, and many other cities. Try finding a baseball field in the same area. Plus, it takes more kids to play baseball. So getting two teams together is not as easy as playing 2 on 2. Not a lot of little league going on in say Watts. But all the kids can go to the playground and play pickup basketball. Hitting a baseball is still the hardest thing to do in sports. Some kids just do not want to try.
Bear, So why aren’t more white kids trying to get into hoops and football if there is fast money to be made? Even if what you suggest is somewhat true, it doesn’t make up for the lopsided numbers that exist in MLB.
It is totally true. I have read it numerous times. As for white kids, they usually are over shadowed in basketball by black kids. Don’t believe me? Check the college rosters and see how many white basketball players who are the stars of the team. Even the NBA has very few white stars. If they do not play baseball when young, why would they do it later? White kids gravitate to 2 sports, baseball and foot ball. Why are there not more black quarterbacks? Most running backs and safetys, wide receivers are black. Kids play what is cheap and easy when they are poverty stricken. Spikes and gloves cost money. One basketball and 10 kids can play. Don’t talk about lopsided numbers unless you say the same thing about the NBA. The number of black players started dropping years ago. it is not like it is a recent trend.
For those who haven’t read Ian Desmond’s entire post, I’m attaching a link:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCCp7aSptTr/
He’s a very well spoken man and MLB would be very wise to find a place for him in the commissioner’s office once he hangs up his spikes.
Thanks Jeff, informative article.
Chances of Manfred getting replaced are pretty slim. He was the owners choice when Selig stepped down and he has done every thing the owners have wanted him to do. Remember, the commissioner serves at the owners pleasure, always has. And rarely in baseball history has any commissioner gone against their wishes. Clark was chosen by the players. In the next CBA they would probably be better off using an arbitrator, or independent counsel’s. The minors leagues are strictly for development of a players skills. It is sad when a kid gets released, but I am sure if you check the players over all stats, they are either not progressing or as in Peters case, getting a little long in the tooth. The minors have needed restructuring for a long time. Their pay is not enough for them to even eat right. And many count on the charity of the communities they play in. The Dodgers try to have a top notch system, and their teaching helps a lot of these kids get better. But percentage wise, most of those players will never get close enough to LA to smell the grass. It is just a fact and the way things usually work out. Steve Goodman was a great artist. He was taken way too early. One song he did is considered a country classic, and he did not perform the song, but he wrote it for David Allan Coe. It is called “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” And it contains a great lyric making it the perfect country and western song……” Well I was drunk the day my mama got out of prison, and I went to pick her up in the rain, but before I could get to the station in my pickup truck, she got run over by a damned old train! Thus putting almost all the elements of a C&W song in one verse…..classic. Have a great 4th everyone. God Bless America again.
Happy 4th. to all the LADT folks…
Heard on the TV today that Mike Trout is thinking of calling it quits for 2020… He expressed his concerns that with a baby on the way that it would be wise to wrap it up…
Like 2D2, I don’t think this season will happen and I’m not going to lose any sleep over it…
The MILB, that’s another thing… I’ll miss rolling over to my Dodger A team in R.C.. Love watching the kids…
Have a great 4th peterj…The last few times I have come to Cali for a visit, we have traveled from Carson out to Rancho to watch the Quakes a few times. Nice ballpark, very cosey and very reasonable prices. We have sat in the box seats, and last time we were a chair or two from the visitors dugout. Last game we went to former Dodger Joe Thurston was a coach for the visiting team. I chatted with him for a couple minutes after the game and got his autograph on my program. Great place to watch the kids…..Oh yeah, Kendall was in the lineup that night. He did not look good.
Hey Bear, how’d the pickin go? Was the crowd wearing masks? You could have worn them and called yourselves Bandits on the Porch.
Anyway, Happy 4th buddy.
And happy holiday to everyone else out there.
We are doing that tomorrow. Some will wear masks. If there was a way for me to post a photo after the fun, I would do it. Happy 4th to you too my friend. Ordered a 54 Bowman reprint of Ted Williams. Awesome card. I have about 12 cards of the Mick too. Mostly reprints and cards that never were. I wore 32 my first year playing high school ball. Too bad I did not have Sandy’s arm. Second year, I wore # 1. And I was no Pee Wee Reese. Porch Bandits would be shorter…..LOL.
MLB announced the schedule. Yankees-Nats, and Dodgers-Giants expected to be the nationally televised games. Freddie Freeman tested positive for the Virus.
David Price just announced he is opting out for 2020.
I have no problem with any player who chooses to do that but that trade is looking worse by the day. Not anyone’s fault, just the way it is.
I wouldn’t be surprised, now that a big-name star has done it, to see Trout do it also. From his statements, he really doesn’t seem comfortable playing with his wife expecting a baby.
https://twitter.com/byJulianMack/status/1279516197055234049
Great photos and videos there. Sandoval looks ready.
The Dodgers can afford for Price to opt out. We still have him for a couple more years and this gives Stripling a better shot of making the rotation which could use another righty bat. Next year Woods might not be with the team and he needs this year much more than does Price.
This is somewhat unexpected, but he has a very young daughter, and I am sure the unknown concerns he and his wife. I am more than surprised that A.J. Pollock has chosen not to opt out YET. He is one I would expect, and with good reason.
These decisions do come easier for those that are not concerned with finances. David Price is walking away from somewhere north of $11MM and I have respect for him and his decision. But he is not in the same place as are Dodger players playing for the minimum.
A rotation spot just opened up for Strip or May or Gonsolin or Nelson. Let’s see who steps up.
Is Pollock in camp? I know he hasn’t officially opted out yet, but do we know if he’s there?
I have not seen a list yet as to who is in camp. But if he does not opt out, I will be shocked.
It will be really interesting to see an opening day outfield of Peters, Vogel and Raley. 🙂
After this week-end, I wonder how high the numbers will go?
David Price has opted out of the 2020 season.
We lose David Price but add minor leaguer Devin Mann who was at Rancho last year to the 60-man roster. I doubt he’s expected to see any MLB time this year.
Masahiro Tanaka was hit by a line drive off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton earlier today. Was down for about 5 minutes, walked off with some help from the trainer, and was taken to the hospital for observation.
It really seems as though the baseball gods are not anxious for the season to happen.
Hopefully he will be totally okay and wind up being able to say he took one off Stanton. That is a better story than taking one off Stu Miller.
On a lighter note, maybe, here are some names being thrown around for renaming the Cleveland Indians.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/if-the-cleveland-indians-change-their-team-name-here-are-some-of-the-best-options/
Teams can sell their stadium names, why not their nickname? It would help make up lost revenue.
How about the Cleveland Nikes, Cleveland Googles, Cleveland Amazons, Cleveland Ding Dongs.
I think I’d go with Spiders unless they want to go with something even more fierce like the Scorpions.
Spiders could have a spiderman mascot and get kids back into baseball unless Hollywood attached strings to the name.
The Cleveland Eries.
Here’s another POV on the 4th Of July. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/04/juneteenth-not-the-fourth-of-july-was-the-real-independence-day
Thanks Jeff. Excellent read.
And one more for the old white men who think they’ve got all the answers to the world’s problems. https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/check-your-patriotism/
Thanks to AC’s tolerance of these posts. I know most of us don’t want to think about these things.
I had one of those ‘old time feelings’ tonight in a warm wind blowing me back to a time when my senses were sharp and unspoiled. I really could find a home in moments like that, or at least I wish I could. Peace all.
Thanks again to Bear and Badger for their service! Watched the musical, Hamilton, on the Disney streaming service yesterday. Reminded me of the ideals on which America was founded. Baseball is a reflection of our society: the good, the bad, and the ugly. If baseball doesn’t get its act together, the fans will “vote with their feet.” That would be sad for all of us who love the game. As a “realistic optimist,” I do think there will be a season, though with lots of strange, unexpected twists. I plan to enjoy it!
Thanks David. I know you mean that and I appreciate your personal shout out to me. I did join the Marines out of an impulse of patriotism, but truth be told if I had it to do over again I wouldn’t. I signed up to keep the communist menace from our shores and that was a line of bullsh*t being sold America. Eisenhower warned us and we didn’t listen. All of our wars since WWII have been about making money and that kind of karma has payback. I have spoken to this before here so I’ll leave it at that. Those that know me know where I stand.
As for the points raised in the articles posted by Jeff I believe they are spot on. Out of respect for the blogs feelings on political posts I won’t go into detail except to say this; I believe the election of Obama triggered a dying gasp from those raised in generations of racial hatred. It’s the sons of the fathers that keep this hatred going and I trust the young sons, and daughters, will not allow it to continue. Maybe not on my watch, but soon. If we are ever to be what we claim to be, we must at least attempt to achieve liberty and justice for all.
Thanks for the posts Jeff. Gives us a lot to think about on this particular holiday weekend.