Yesterday, Badger said, “Your communication skills remind me of Joe Frazier’s boxing approach.” He’s right. If I have a problem with something you say, you will know about it. I’m no Ali. I don’t float like a butterfly. I am more like Joe Frazier, whose style was to constantly be in his opponent’s chest, wearing them down with stifling pressure and punches from every angle available to him. Compared to many pressure fighters, Frazier didn’t get hit as much as you would expect. Frazier preferred to bob and weave constantly.
Yeah, guilty as charged. Badger nailed it!
I live a Dodger season at a time – not a Dodger game at a time. I look at the big picture, not a single game. Looking at one game at a time will drive you crazy… and I am convinced that many of you have taken that crazy train one too many times.
My son-in-law who is a Red Sox fan and works for me says, “I can never tell whether the Dodgers won or lost by how you act the next day.” Well, it’s not the end of the world if they lose… unless it is the last game… in which case I might be bummed for a few hours, and then my next blog is about next year. It’s a damn game, and if they lose, I may not like it, but IT’S A DAMN GAME! It’s not life and death.
I prefer to live my life as an optimist because I am happy most of the time. When you live your life as a pessimist you are miserable most of the time until you are surprised that something went right… in which case you are probably still miserable. Optimists generally approach life with a positive outlook, while pessimists tend to expect the worst. Optimists go into new situations with high expectations, while pessimists keep low expectations to prepare for negative outcomes.
Researchers have found that the most optimistic men and women demonstrated, on average, an 11-15% longer lifespan, and had far greater odds of reaching 85 years old, compared to the least optimistic group. When my ex-wife found out she had brain cancer (at age 37) and they gave her six weeks to live, I said “It makes no difference what they say. Let’s figure out a way to beat it.” She said, “I’m a realist, I know that this can kill me… and probably will.” You often get what you believe. She died on New Year’s Eve 1996… six weeks to the day. Maybe she would not have beaten it… no matter what, but her attitude gave her no chance. By the way, she was a brilliant woman with a 163 I.Q. Me? I’m too stupid to know I can’t do something, so I just go ahead and do it.
That was twenty-five years ago and our son who was nine when she died. shares his mother’s pessimism about life. He also is brilliant but life is a struggle for him and he has never gotten over losing his mother. I can’t fix it… God knows I have tried. You can never make anyone be anything ever than who they are. Only they can change their direction. But, you still love them through it all.
This brings me to “Crickets” and I am sure you are saying “What on earth are you talking about?” I am talking about: Crickets. Crickets are what happens when the Dodgers are on a winning streak. Crickets are what happens when things are going well. Crickets are what the commenters on LADT have to say after a win or five. However, if the Dodgers bullpen blows a save, a player makes an error, or if the term is 1-108 with RISP, there are no crickets… EVERYONE PILES ON… with negativity.
- I don’t want to be negative, but…
- They will never win…
- They just don’t have heart
- ____________________________ (you fill it in) needs to be cut, sent back to the minors or killed
- Yada, Yada, Yada.
Most people who do all the complaining are either very pessimistic or have lost the ability to enjoy life. Enjoying life does not necessarily mean having lots of money, cars, and accessories. Finding pleasure in your work, going out with friends, spending time with loved ones are all that brings joy to life.
Social media has given many people an entitlement towards being angry and hurt towards matters which they may not understand fully. Such websites are designed to show you what you like and appeal to your deepest feelings. So if you follow a page about people who are unhappy about or opposed to certain things, the site’s algorithm will suggest similar pages.
Such tactics enable a virulent spread of ideas that may or may not have any ground reality. But they become popular nonetheless. Youngsters must especially be warned about his. Social media sites have enabled social engineering to be carried out en masse by dubious vested interests. They paint a picture of a world that may reflect your own personal views and cement them further.
When the Dodgers lose or something bad happens, LADT has double or triple the posts. I am going to suggest that you get a life. A large number of commenters left LADT after the 2020 World Series because they had so much less to bitch about…. well that, or they didn’t like me (of course I don’t care).
I am still very high on this team. The 2021 Dodgers are the best team in baseball… but I also know that the best teams do not always win. It’s complicated to explain why. Look no further than the San Francisco Giants who won three World Series in five years.
In 2010, they won the World Series but did not make the playoffs in 2011. In 2012, they again won the World Series and followed that up by going ten games under .500 in 2013. In 2014 they also won the World Series and have struggled every year since then, until this season. Go figure!
However, the season is not over. There are 50 games left. The Dodgers have challenges, but so do the Giants in a system that is not nearly as deep as the Dodgers. The Dodgers may or may not have woke up from being drunk with a World Championship. Trea Turner is fast… he’s the fastest player in baseball (allegedly). Speed kills… and it also might just be contagious. I saw more good baserunning yesterday than I have seen in weeks. I saw hitters hitting to the opposite field. I saw a team playing for the sheer joy of the game. I saw Cody Bellinger with another huge smile after hitting a 2-run HR, and what I remember most is the smile the covered Albert Pujols face when he absolutely crushed a 2-run HR against the team who thought he was washed up.
I have listened to fans this season who have wanted to get rid of Max Muncy, AJ Pollock, Gavin Lux, Luke Raley, Zach Reks, Sheldon Noisy, Cody Bellinger, Kenley Jansen, David Price, Julio Urias, Austin Barnes, and just about every bullpen pitcher. By the way, the fans who say Andrew Friedman does not value the bullpen or does not know how to build a bullpen, cannot explain how they would do it any better.
Yesterday was just one game, but it was the first game I can remember with three stolen bases (by the Dodgers). Many of us have been wanting to see Quackenbush, and we did. One game does not make a career, but he did look overmatched. I was, however, very impressed with Justin Bruihl, who pitched 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings and appears to have the guts of a Cat Burglar! Obviously, I need to see more before I proclaim him the Second Coming, but I was impressed with his first appearance.
Finally, my advice is to enjoy the season, if not the game. Why does Doc get blamed for everything when they lose and it’s crickets when they win? Many of you hate Dave Roberts and when you hate anyone they have control over you. You are Doc’s puppet. Me? I don’t hate him. He’s a manager. Some moves work – some don’t. To continually criticize him, no matter what marks you as totally irrational and devoid of understanding of the game of baseball. Yes… it’s a game.
Enjoy the ride… I have a feeling that regardless of certain games, this is going to be another great season. The Dodgers have to overcome a lot in order to win it all again, but it is certainly very possible. Las Vegas still thinks so… and that place was built by losers. Rejoice, my Brothers and Sisters! Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies… We are headed down the stretch with just 50 games left! Let’s Roll!
I don’t know why, but Saturday was the first time this season that the Dodgers gave me confidence that they can win this year again.
I think, according to my non-expert opinion, that the Dodgers seem to play without motivation, without urgency, they give the impression that they are not hungry anymore!
Giants play hungry and wanting to win, I don’t think they want to see Dodgers champion again.
And other teams like the idiots from SD, they seem to want to look hungry, but they can’t because they’re on a diet or they don’t have the necessary to eat!
I am an optimist 100% of the time. A realist 50% of the time and a pessimist 0% of the time. I do think the Dodgers will win the West. However, I do not trust Doc to make the right decisions. He is getting better. Batting Pujols in the 2nd position is an example of stupidity. Batting Muncy in the lead off position when we just traded for Betts is another example of stupidly. Allowing Urias to finish the WS instead of Jansen gives me some hope.
I think the best part of the Washington trade is TT. I did not know he was that good. He is fast. Speed never goes into a slump. Four stolen bases yesterday. I cannot believed it happened. There are guys on this team who can steal and it never happens. It almost looks like the players are the leaders of this team and Doc is just a follower. I think this team is so talented that they will win regardless of the decisions Doc makes.
I agree with about 99% of this. Don’t underestimate the effect of Doc’s moves. That’s the other 1%.
How about AJ with his run on stealing 3rd? Is it those shoes that make him look slower than he is? Really impressed with his eval of the situation, knowing when to go. New guy on the mound, likely a little nervous and no hesitation, he just goes. Nice job AJ!
White shoes are for the fast guys. My son’s travel ball coach used to always say. AJ’s just trying to trick people into thinking he’s slower than he actually is.
Exactly what I was alluding to. He wears “slow looking shoes” and seems to get them every time.
cheers
pb+
FYI: I do not check Spam as much as should have and there were a number of comments trapped there. I freed some of them, but not all.
If you post something and it does not go through, email me at mark@uswatersystems.com and I will take care of it. You are not being targeted.
Hmmm, well….I don’t think I can claim to be an optimist though I wouldn’t say I’m the opposite either. I’m sure as hell not a realist but but I’m still here, against great odds. This season the Dodgers have proven they can beat the best and also be beaten by the worst but I think at the end of the season the boys in blue will still be standing and at the top of the division. But as they’ve proven to be beatable, going back to back champions I’m seeing as less likely. They have all the pieces to win it all even before the F/O bought a shitload of insurance in way of trade, but do they have the attitude? They might but it’s about time to show up. I’ve got mixed feelings about being the highest paid team in baseball. Are we really the wall street Dodgers? I mean the Yanks were always supposed to win during their runs of terror and I found it hard to see how their fans could be passionate when their players carried briefcases to the locker room. But any which way the Dodgers will always be my team and there’s been many reasons why maybe I shouldn’t be through the years but I really think it’s paid off to always remain loyal. I’m at the age where I think I can say what real happiness is………an empty bladder. Those were the days!
Mark, great article……….It has helped me to reset my focus for the final 50.
I have been a steady critic of Cody for most of the season. The source of
my criticism has been that I didn’t see him trying to experiment with different swings. If the approach is always the same…………… But I am going to fully support him, Doc & Jansen et al throughout the remainder of this season. I am so grateful that I was born in Los Angeles (where I attended many games at the LA Colissum). We have had a management that have paid for many, many high salary players where in other cities, if their season is tanking, the fans have to wait until next yr. This year we have been spoiled (again) by a mgmt & ownership team that has delivered not 1 but 2 superstars at the player deadline ! My spirits were given a shot of adrenaline when Max and Trea arrived. I actually think that T&T will provide more highlights and leadership then we ever thought were possible. Max will give us strength and a solid foundation from which the positional players will thrive and provide the run production that will carry us into The Fall Classic.
Thanks for being our Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Bruce
Great post Mark and good reminder about the power of positive thinking. I too believe in having a positive attitude. Maybe not quite emphatically as you do, since I’m pulled to the center by realism because of my analytical nature. This is why I believe in pretty much everything you said here, except your distorted support for our bumbling manager.
Saturday night Doc showed that he’s perfectly capable of managing a game. He used Vesia in a low leverage situation early in the game down by a run and used more trustworthy pieces until the game was finished while having an arm available to back up our uneven closer.
Friday night Doc was up to his typical non-sense. Pulling Price too early, unnecessary mid inning pitching changes, switching the pitcher’s spot in the lineup with the leadoff spot. Not putting Trea into the field as a defensive replacement after his pinch hitting AB. All the while contradicting his decree that the team needs to show urgency.
Sometimes I think he overcomplicates things trying to prove he’s smart.
This week, we’ll be on an East Coast swing against a surging 1st place Phillies and a backpedaling 3rd place Mets. The Giants get some home cooking against the D Bags and Rockies at home. They’ll flip the script at the midpoint of August until the rest of the month and the Dodgers will be playing the Pirates, Mets Padres, Rockies and Braves, while the Giants will have to face the Mets, As, Mets, Braves and Brewers. After that, it’s a sprint to the finish line as the calendar flips to September. Overall, I think the schedule looks pretty even between these two teams for the rest of the year with just one more series face to face.
JT is going to be down for a few games according to Doc and Knebel will be activated on Tuesday after two days rest after going back to back. No rest for CT3 any time soon. I guess things have a way of working themselves out. I’m sure Belli and Mookie will need a rest right after JT comes back.
They’ll need to make room for Knebel coming off the 60 man. I think it’s time to DFA Zach Raley, or Luke Recks. Basically the same player and very redundant pieces.
Great stuff Mark. I agree totally. My outlook is simply this, I have no control over how the team plays. Roberts is the manager and the man making the decisions. He got all the blame for losing in 17 and 18 and little credit for the job he did last year. His team was down 3-1 in the NLCS and came back to win it all. Players make the plays, the manager’s job is to simply put them in a position to succeed. After that, it is on them. Roberts is like every Dodger manager I have seen since I started watching this team. He makes some good decisions, and some that backfire. That being said, the way I look at the game, and how I react to losses is tempered by the history I have witnessed. It is harder to deal with a loss when it comes in a playoff game you are winning, or on the last day of the season when someone hits a HR that just ends the teams chances of getting into the playoffs. Or when you lose a playoff game that you are clearly winning. I have witnessed these events more than a few times, so losing during the regular season, well, that happens. I think a couple of things have jaded the fans view of this team. First off, all of the hype going into the year that this team was the best Dodger team ever on paper. This team was going to roll through the competition and be in the World Series without any trouble at all. Well, injuries occurred. And not to the scrubs, but the stars of the team. May went down, Bellinger went down, Seager went down. Rios, a key bench piece never got off of the ground and then had to have season ending surgery. The Bauer mess, the inconsistency of the offense, and despite what Eric believes, a huge drop off in defense. The lack of late inning lightning. Losing close games, and especially the extra inning lack of success. 2020’s team won those kinds of games. They would score early and score late. The lack of production from the players coming up as replacements. Their key sub, McKinstry, after a hot start got injured and never regained his stroke. AF has continually retooled the pen every year he has been here, so the way he builds a pen should be no surprise to anyone. As for Kahnle, we all knew when he was signed that the likelihood of him pitching this season was slim. But they also lost key pieces of the pen for extended periods of time. Nelson, who is now done for the year, and Knebel, who was expected to carry a lot of the load at the back end of the pen. Bickford has done a nice job and has Roberts confidence. Vesia has been better of late. Kelly, once he got healthy, became nasty again. Treinen has been steady. On the lefty side they have been iffy. Losing Alexander, who had been pretty steady out of the pen was a blow. The replacement lefty’s have been mediocre to say the least. With Price having to go back into the rotation, they have had a need from that side. Maybe Bruihl will be a huge help. Who knows. Personally, I do not think we can expect much from Gonsolin. I think he will probably need some work on his shoulder in the off season. Turner had groin discomfort. Not a pull or a strain, just discomfort and they are hoping a couple of days off will help the problem. Mookie’s hip is going to be an issue the rest of the season, so get used to it. But the team is loaded. They have a lot of depth except maybe on the bench. Reks has seen very little action. Pujols has been good. Beaty cooled off after a hot start and Barnes gets his spot starts and has actually picked it up a little with the bat. McKinney got a hit yesterday and has been getting on base. But it is not like having Kike or Joc there. What we have to hope over the next 50 games is that they rattle off a record like 35-15 or better. And that the Giants starting pitching keeps having the problems it has had the last couple of weeks. They should make it into the wild card with little problem, but they need to beat the good teams 2 of 3 and sweep the dregs.
I certainly consider myself an optimist, especially when it comes to this team. I was one of those arguing against sitting Cody & was saying 2wks+ ago they should just sit him in the 8th spot & leave him there until he figures things out. He is too good a defender, being a plus & plus, plus defender at 3 positions. They FINALLY drop him to 8th and look at that. Hitting a high fb in a place he had been swinging and missing at since he got back was huge IMO, but it is also only a couple games. But I have faith!
cheers
pb+
I knew there was a hold up during the game when another idiot seeking attention ran onto the field. As is their policy, they did not show the guy on TV. But I just watched some footage on yahoo of the chase. What was cool was as this clown approached the low wall in RF, the ball girl took him out and knocked him over the fence so security could corral this moron. What a sweet hit.
That was awesome. Good for her. I’m sure the Dodgers will have a talk with her not to do that again. She came out of it injury free this time, but it might be a different story the next time. She’s got tape now so why take the chance in the future. It has to be the number 1 play of the week.
I’ve concluded it’s probably not worth the energy complaining about Roberts’ moves especially when it comes to BP decisions. The reason? None of know who is making in game decisions. I’m sure the FO and analytic department determines who starts at what position and where they hit in the lineup. And it’s apparent the FO tells Roberts what to say regarding injuries. Post game comments by Roberts are just clichés and non insightful answers. But, who is pulling the strings during the game? With starting pitchers going 5-6 innings or having openers for an inning or two there are many more BP use, decisions than there has been in the past. Therefore, this increases the possibility of making an error on who and when a reliever should be brought into the game. In the past (20+ years ago) a team might use 1-2 relievers a game and the roles were usually defined. Now, with an opener we might see 5-7 relievers in a game. Hence more opportunities to make a mistake. Just a thought.
Nice job Cody. I guess his shoulder has healed and shouldn’t be a problem in the future.
His shoulder is not healed yet, strength wise. The operation it self fixed the problem but it was noted on the broadcast yesterday that the shoulder is still being built up.
https://fansided.com/2021/08/08/dodgers-ball-girl-destroys-intruding-fan-running-field-video/?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email
Morning Michael – really enjoyed the Post yesterday.
Thank you Watford. I enjoy writing so very much and the research is fun, although sometimes info is hard to find.
Nice assist by the ball girl, er person? Thanks for posting the video.
After replay review, she clearly missed the tackle and allowed him to score…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abAh0CfjVmg
That’s how I saw it too.
Have you two had your sit down yet?
Though I do think she distracted him right at the critical point and caused him to juke when he should have been paying attn to how close he was to the wall. The head over heels was hilariousl
I consider myself a realist, which by my definition includes pessimism where warranted. For example, I find it impossible to believe the human race will get its collective sh*t together before it’s too late, but I know that even those individuals I am certain are responsible for our demise would lend me a hand if I needed it. I’ve experienced it from NY to California, and from Wisconsin to Oklahoma. If we need help, we can usually count on our neighbors. Mark and I have disagreed vehemently many times over the last 20 years, he even threatened to shoot me, but I am certain that after he did he would be the one to rush me to the emergency room. That’s what friends are for, right?
We talk about everything here, that’s one of the things I like about this place. Ideas about how our team can improve vary as much as our ideas on how our nation can improve. We won’t agree on how to go about it but we all agree on the outcome we hope to achieve – we want to be the last team standing.
As many here know when I first saw Friedman doing his thing I was not impressed. We keep winning. Year after year we just keep winning. Now every team is trying to follow his blueprint. The two best students he had are now running the giants. That was a very shrewd move by that organization. They will be biting our ankles for years to come. As it should be I suppose.
This Dodgers team man for man is better than SF. Especially with the addition of Turner and Scherzer. That does not mean we will win it, but it does mean we will be favored to win it. Even 4 games behind we are favored to win it. What’s it like being a Dodger fan these days? I’m grateful. I don’t care who’s managing this team, because whoever does has terrific players from which to choose.
If we don’t win it won’t be the “fault” of any individual. The baseball gods, at the moment anyway, appear to be putting up roadblocks. I look forward to how this team chooses to overcome them. It’s great to be a Dodger fan.
Well, I would never threaten to shoot anyone. However, if I were going to shoot them, I would never threaten them.
Maybe I should have shot you – I would probably be out with “time served.”
Oh, and I did not threaten to shoot you.
100% agree on the Baseball Gods!
I remember it differently because of course I do. I never believed you would actually do it, but I decided to stay clear of Indiana just in case.
It may not be our year. History shows it’s difficult to repeat. But until we are eliminated I refuse to believe the giants are better than us.
Nor do I. Though teams MIGHT get up to play a div leader, no way they get up to play the midgets like they do against the champs. That is pretty much true across all sports & ONE of the reasons it is so hard to repeat.
Yo tampoco creo que los Gigantes sean mejores que los Dodgers, solamente que los dioses del beisbol están de parte de ellos , por ejemplo el juego que tuvieron en Arizona la semana pasada, en desventaja de 4 carreras en la octava, en el mejor juego, quizá del Pitcher M Kelly y remontan y el del sábado pasado contra cerveceros que por un error del jardineros derecho que perdió un elevado casi rutinario enseguida arrasan con uno de los mejores bullpen de la liga los resucitados Belt, Crawford y Cia. Eso hacian los Dodgers el año pasado, por eso concuerdo con usted Tejón quizá este no sea nuestro año pero sigo siendo optimista porque son 50 juegos por disputar.
Good article on Farhan over at the Athletic.
Bonkers racist shit at the Rockies game. Unreal they or someone hasn’t ID’d that mouth breather already
Bellinger articles aplenty
Well a bit early to convict dude. More fake news apparently. Now that they have been able to isolate some audio, it appears the fan was saying DINGER ……. not the assumed slur.
Seems to be how the majority of these claims end up now days. The Roc’s mascot is named DINGER. Probably will have to eliminate that mascot name now since it shares 5 letters with “the bad word” in no particular order.
cheers
Are we surprised by racial slurs?
Cody, as we thought, is getting stronger. All he needs is time, and work. Benching him, or sending him down, was never in the Dodgers plans.
Corey will also eventually work his way back into playing shape. Justin and Mookie? Stand by.
More fake news. The fan was shouting “Dinger” at the Rockies mascot. When are you gonna learn not to trust the media?
I ask again, would anyone be surprised by some idiot shouting racial slurs?
Why would anyone EVER be surprised by an actual idiot screaming anything? However, this would NOT be able to be used as evidence of that. Just more stirring the pot for absolutely no actual reason.
In a baseball stadium?
Yes, I think even idiots know better than that, and have for many years.
I haven’t followed this story. Who made the original complaint? If a complaint was filed by somebody but later it was proven that the statement was misheard, it wouldn’t be “fake news” or “fake media.” It would be a real allegation that was later demonstrated to be unwarranted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNJydRJN6q8
Isn’t that the media reporting? According to Bullpen we aren’t supposed to trust the media.
If that’s the guy, he’s looking and pointing in a different direction. Apparently much ado about nothing.
By the way, all I read was MLB was “investigating”. They investigated and found nothing.
Let me spell it out for you Badger. When you hear some bullcrap divisive shit being reported, look for other sources before jumping the gun. The question you pose “Would anyone be surprised by some idiot shouting racial slurs? implies not only that you believed this nonsense, but you are calling attention towards it and helping to perpetuate the lie.
Now go ahead and argue that you didn’t do that like you normally do.
And while I have your attention. What was your source when you reported that we were being lied to about Mookie’s injury? I have still only seen it referred to as a hip pointer.
Wrong again BullSpin.
I never said I believed it happened. What I said was I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it did. And I wouldn’t. This country is loaded with people who use racial slurs. Somebody somewhere is using them right now.
The “much ado” turned out to be “much doo doo”. As happens more than it does not in these cases.
Not according to the Rockies themselves, but I’ve been flying so if the org has recanted so do I!
Very happy for the “easy” win yesterday. We don’t need drama every game, do we? It was great seeing the two kids closing it out. I have no idea who Kevin Quakenbush is but there was so much anticipation coming from this blog, so even I was pulling for him when he came in.
I agree with Mark….we shouldn’t judge him on one game, so I can cut him some slack too. I don’t think I would want to see him come in late when the score is tied, but maybe he can pitch an inning when it’s our bullpen game, so we can better judge him then.
I watched the replay of Cody’s HR after Bear said it was a high fastball….and it totally made my day complete! If Cody could get around on the high hard ones…..look out Giants!
As for Mark’s blog, I too am an optimist but i also am a realist, but definitely not a pessimist. I don’t feel the need to apologize for criticizing some of Doc’s decisions, and I will continue to voice such concerns. In addition, God gave me a pretty sharp analytical mind so I think it would be wrong for me to bury the talents He gave me. (Big grin)
Lastly, I know I was advocating for Cody to be considered for trade, but then when I was told he still has two more years under Dodgers control and the deadline passed, then I was advocating for either him to go down and work on his swing or at least be platooned. I don’t consider these words to be pessimistic…but rather constructive criticism. I’m just sharing my thoughts on what I think we need to do to make us better. I admit, my patience to wait for Cody to get it, while watching him creep closer to batting .150 was being tried. Maybe I’m just not as patient as some of you guys are.
Lastly, I’m very concerned about Mookie’s health!
It’s all good on a winning Monday,
TM
Read my reply to your question about Quack yesterday. I told you exactly who he was, and as a 5 year vet, he is no kid. We all have our issues with Roberts, I have said so many times, but unfortunately, there is not a damn thing we can do about it. So, why waste energy?
Because energy is there to be wasted?
I see a giant with a beard throwing 88 mph fastballs I can’t help but ask – why him? I’d rather see Pepiot.
Okay okay Bear….I will go back to yesterday’s blog to find it. Sigh…
Is there any easy way to be notified when and where somebody responds to your post? I don’t see one….that would certainly make it easier to not miss posts like this one I missed by my new friend, Pooh Bear! (Lol)
Okay, I found it….
Quackenbush is a former Padre and Red, has pitched in parts of 5 seasons in the majors, the last being 2018 with the Reds. He also pitched in the Dodgers system in 2019. He has 8 career saves, and a 13-15 career record with a 4.38 ERA. He was 1-5 at OKC but had 14 saves and a miniscule 0.68 ERA. 85 K’s in 58 innings. He did not show much today, but the guy does have icewater in his veins. He does not get rattled easy.
Thanks Bear….0.68 looks impressive. Hard to see how he is 1-5 when you never let in any runs. Maybe they were mostly unearned. Based on this….send him back out for a few more chances for sure. He’s earned it.
The explanation was extra inning games with the runner on second who scored and those are unearned thus 5 losses and an extremely low ERA.
Thanks….I wasn’t aware the minors had the same procedures as the bigs. Not sure why I didn’t assume they were the same. Duh me!
An optimist says the glass is half full; a pessimist says it’s half empty. A realist says there’s 8 oz of water in the glass. He reports facts.
The facts are that the Dodgers are 4 out with 50 left to play. The facts are that according to some here, the Dodgers can simply “flip a switch” and play good baseball but the Dodgers are 11 – 10 since the All Star break – shouldn’t there be a sense of urgency by now? The last time they were in 1st place was April 28.
They are 13 – 20 in 1 run games and infamously 1 – 12 in extra innings. They are 25 – 7 in blowout wins, so they tend to win the laughers and lose the close games. They are only 26 – 30 against .500+ teams and 41 – 15 against bad teams, so they aren’t beating the teams that they will be facing in the post-season.
Starters are 45 – 21, 2.94, 1.042 WHIP; relievers are 22 – 24, 3.60 with 1.268 WHIP.
Defense – fielding % is .983 (tied for 20th).
At this point in the season, the Dodgers are who they are. They’ve been playing a certain way all season.
The 2020 Dodgers won close games and came back in late innings; this year’s crew does the opposite. I agree that the talent level is better than the rest of the league but they don’t play that way.
“The facts are that according to some here, the Dodgers can simply “flip a switch” and play good baseball”
Yep. That’s me.
Of course, they will need their first string healthy to do it.
Wow, dodgerrick….pretty sobering numbers you are flashing. In fact, 50% of that big smile I had on face before I read your post is now gone.
But…….
Wait for it…….
1. We haven’t lost a game with Trea Turner starting
2. Cody has a 5 game hitting streak, and consecutive HR games
3. Jansen has consecutive shutout games as well
4. Corey Seager is back and working his way back into playing shape quickly
5. Muncy is getting used to being awakened by a sleeping baby
6. CT3 and Pollack have been balling for some time and aren’t easing up
7. Scherzer looked great in his first start as a Dodger and we expect nothing less in his second (he does quite well against those guys)
8. The Dodgers may have found a Diamond in the rough with the new southpaw, Mr Bruile.
9. Kneble is back Tuesday
10. The Dodgers ball girl
Watch and learn, grasshopper,
TM
and yet they are still 11 – 10 since the Break
And that would be 14 – 7 if it weren’t for 1 guy.
Ahh TM, I love it…but it is BRUIHL and Knebel.
My optimistic answer to them having one of the better records in bball vs their horrible record in close games is that all that means that even when we lose we are right there. Not to mention that since we are the champs, EVERY TEAM we play gets up to play the champs. And I grant you that we SHOULD “get up” for every game, that is nearly impossible to do over 162.
A realist says there’s 8 oz of water in the glass. He reports facts.
Except it was milk in the glass.
Milk is 87% water. Not sure how that effects your algorithm, but I trust you’ll figure it out.
An optimist might also point out that the glass is refillable. That also is a fact that realists and pessimists may not see.
The one-run game stat is troubling, but there is little (if any) correlation to that and a winning record. The Dodgers are 13-20 in 1-run games, while the Pirates are 12-11. The Mets are 23-17, while TB is 16-16. It is what it is, but the fact that the Angels are 20-9 in 1-run games means what?
I think all these stats mean very little as the season could start tomorrow.
I agree. 11-10 is what was. I’m far more interested in what will be.
For a team with currently the third best record in baseball and ends the season in second place to the Giants these stats will mean a lot. If the Dodgers play at a .600 pace and don’t lose anymore one run games or extra inning games the rest of the season and don’t win the West then those 19 loses would be hard to ignore. To play .600 baseball all season even with those 19 loses is incredible. And, that doesn’t count the other blown saves that they lost by more than one run. No one expected them to win all those games, but even if they could have won 50% look where the team would be now. The blame is team wide of course and is not necessarily a criticism. Sometimes things happen that are hard to explain. I think this is one of those instances. The assumption that “these stats mean very little as the season could start tomorrow” is kind of empty. The season actually started in April and those stats have helped the Dodgers to be 4 games behind the Giants right now. We’ll see how things go.
Nice win yesterday. Nice to see 2 wins from Urias and Striker when they lacked their best stuff. I say that and combined they gave up 3 earned runs total. High expectations for these 2. We will be tested by the Phillies and Mets especially the Phillies. This road trip is obviously critical to see if we can get on a roll and actually make a serious run at this thing. We can’t win it this upcoming week but we could dig a hole that would be hard to climb out of.
As I watch Trea Turner I’m amazed we got him and Scherzer for Jo-Jo and K-Bear. No offense to the prospects we gave up. but this trade w/ the Nats just looks better and better. TT brings the same energy and excitement that Mookie brought when he first came to us. And was 100%. And he will do again nightly, when he’s healthy. How fun would it be to watch there 2 guys at 100% on the field next year?
I hope all the opponents to the DH had a nice week end NOT watching the probable AL MVP get to hit? He had 2 official AB’s (and 2 K’s) as a pinch hitter only. I personally would like to watch Ohtani hit.
Dodgerrick makes an interesting point about just “flipping the switch”. The irritating reality is we have all been waiting to get to full strength but fate isn’t cooperating. Those nagging injuries keep popping up to eat into our powerful line up. AF has gotten about as many studs as you can get into one lineup but we just can’t get them on the field at the same time. I hope Mookie is capable of playing every other game at this point.
Urias did not get the win on Saturday. When he left they were down 3-2. Belli tied it in the 7th and Taylor’s 2 run double was the winning margin. Urias went 5 innings and did not have his best stuff. Graterol got the win.
Urias did not have his best stuff.
Could it be that blowing past his career high in innings pitched is catching up with him?
That has been discussed, But who knows. Only his next few starts will answer that question. Next start should be Thursday in Philly.
Dodgers Make Two Waiver Claims; Kershaw, Duffy Transferred To 60-Day IL
By Steve Adams | August 9, 2021 at 2:12pm CDT
The Dodgers announced Monday that they’ve claimed catcher Anthony Bemboom off waivers from the Angels and right-hander Conner Greene off waivers from the Orioles. In order to open space on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles transferred left-handers Danny Duffy and Clayton Kershaw to the 60-day injured list. The “60-day” minimum on those IL stints for Duffy and Kershaw begin with their initial placement on the IL — July 20 for Duffy and July 7 for Kershaw. Duffy would be eligible to return on Sept. 18 and Kershaw on Sept. 5.
Happy to see that we’ll at least be able to use Duffy before November.
I have been told that Duffy will be groomed as a closer. Think Julio Urias 2020.
In the past 7 games, Julio has a 2.18 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, however, I think a two-week stint on the IL would be great for him so that he does not run out of gas at the end. Over 1/3 of his total MLB innings have been this year.
Maybe do that when Kershaw comes back. If…
I thought Conner Greene was going to be the new closer.
You heard wrong.
It’s Quackenbush.
I heard that prior to Saturday game for Graterol JT brought up to Doc that he thought Graterol was pitching to fast. The pitching coaches checked the video and then worked with him slow down his delivery. Saturday game he pitched one inn 2 hits 2 K and 0 runs and picked up the win. Looks like JT would make a pretty good pitching coach. And going forward we maybe seeing the new and improved Gat!
JT is bound to be a manager some day. Always studying everything when he’s in the dugout between innings or not playing that day. That plus his ability to relate to players makes him a natural.
I’ve been analyzing Doc’s statements to the press relating to injured players and have come up with a fail proof algorithm.
Doc said yesterday that JT would “be down for a few days”. I threw that statement into my computer and what that really means is that Justin Turner will be available again for the second game of the NLCS.
… in 2022!
Damn. I forgot to consider the year when I programmed my algorithm.
You just need to know the formula. Change the time to the next increment and multiply by 2. So JT will be out for 2-4 weeks.
Though for me, I love fast pitchers. I understand the need for someone to slow down a bit though. I like the speed that Scherzer & Buehler pitch, Graterol is pretty darn fast, even slowed down. SO GLAD I don’t have to watch Baez anymore. Seems I could go the the restroom at times & he would still be between pitches. Even more than I love fast pitchers, I HATE slow ones.
He actually said to slow down his delivery. Not time between pitches or velocity. 😉
His idea was with a slower delivery, that cheese would look that much faster to a hitter.
Maybe JT will be a player manager before his contract is up. Fingers crossed, I love that little lawn gnome.
Moving Duffy to the 60 was a dumb move looking at this at face value. But, Conner Greene might just be a steal. He’s got a big bowling ball sinker in the 97-99 range like Blake Treinen. I like the out of the box thinking on this one. When a team that constantly picks at the end of the draft, you need to exploit unorthodox ways to pickup talent. I sure would like to see Duffy before mid September with the current state of our pitching staff. Maybe they know something that we don’t? But, it sure looks like we don’t have a lot of Starting Pitching options if something creeps up.
Bemboom is the second defense first catcher they picked up this week and is basically a swap for Wallach who was picked up, cut and then picked up by the Angels who cut Bemboom who we picked up. This one makes less sense than gambling on a pitcher that flirts with triple digits.
Makes A LOT of sense. Thanks
Maybe they know something that we don’t?
Ya’ think?
I know that you know that they know something we don’t know. But what is it? That’s the key. Do you care to go out on a limb and speculate? What Starting Pitching options are there between now and July 7?
Question about the Bazooka pitching speed:
Was JT referring to his actual delivery speed or the time between pitches?
It was the delivery speed. I believe he was still getting over 100 mph on Saturday.
102 to K Ohtani.
That was beautiful.
Graterol has so much potential–just needs to fine-tune his pitches, it seems. And stay healthy. Still see him as the future closer.
Like some others here, I remain surprised that the Nationals didn’t demand more for Trea and Scherzer. Everbody needs pitching, and the Dodgers still have a surplus. Would we have been upset if Mitch White had been included? I’m glad he wasn’t. How about Uceta? He may be yet be good. I guess Carrillo is supposed to have a great potential… Seeing an undrafted and RP like Bruihl quickly come up–and look good–may be another reason why AF gave up Carrillo. Plus there’s this Aussie named Cameron Gibbins making waves as he moves up through the minors.
Kenley makes me nervous every time he pitches, but some really good arms will be left off the roster when the playoffs come. I hope Graterol continues to impress. He is exciting to watch.
Of course it would still be nice to have a southpaw like Jake McGee….
If you are outraged over fake racial slurs, what about this guy who was kicked out of the stadium?
WHAT THE HELL?!?!?! The female officer who was killed during a traffic stop in Chicago over the weekend. What kind of F-TARD would reckon THAT was a good idea? Another day in gun controlled Chicago I reckon. What a travesty!
RIP to her and her family and loved ones. To the shooter, I sincerely hope there is a hell for you to rot in. And cannot even find a story of this person being removed from the game.
I can’t find it either.
I can’t remember where I read it but Trea Turner said he would NOT sign a long term contract to a west coast team. He’s from Florida and wants to stay on the East Coast. He said he loved being with the Nationals and hoped he would be there for 20 years.
Seager is a FA this year and if we let him leave then we better find out exactly what Turner has in mind for the end of 2022. We could lose both.
Just a thought but an ugly one at that.
Wow, this news didn’t make me feel good.
In one of his press conferences he also said when the Padres signed him he thought he’d be there for 20 years. I don’t read much into either comment. Note: at that same conference it seemed like every other sentence was that he was very excited to be here..All boiler plate stuff.
Yeah, I saw that interview too. I did get the impression, however, that he was a bit annoyed with the Nationals approach to negotiations–or lack thereof. Said something like, “I always believe actions speak louder than words.” … But I agree: no reason to read much into these comments.
The fact that he’s married and has a young child may determine where he wants to live long-term–and it could well be Southern California. (This also gave me hope he wouldn’t be searching online for kinky hookups.)
Ah, to be a young multimillionaire living your childhood dream….
https://thespun.com/more/mlb/trea-turner-trade-rumors-east-coast-preference-deadline-washington-nationals
Of course, that was before he brought Dodger Stadium to a resounding frenzy!
Maybe he feels differently now.
The few. The Proud. The Dodgers!
Thespun.com?
Really?
It was the only one I could find.
First of all, did you see the takedown by the ball girl? Classic.
How many major league players can score on a single? Yes, Trea
Turner is fast.
Interesting article in the LA Times, written by Bill Shaikin, saying if the Dodgers let Corey Seager go, the Angels should sign him to play short. Shaikin notes that the Angels have young pitching and will be free of the Albert Pujols contract. Shaikin believes the Dodgers will move Turner to short. He points out that Turner rates as a better defensive shortstop than Seager and his speed offers a dimension rare in today’s game.
As to where Turner will sign in the future, I think there is some speculation that because he lives in Florida he doesn’t want to play in the west, but usually players sign where they are comfortable playing and where they have the best chance of winning. The Dodgers have a lot of sway in both areas. Great fan base, incredible weather, beautiful stadium and a history of winning. If his experience in LA is good, I think the Dodgers will have an advantage when it comes to keeping Turner.
Interesting idea from Shaikin, but Angels have huge commitments to Trout and Rendon–and I hope they renegotiate a fat deal for Ohtani to keep him around.
But if the DH is really coming to the NL, wouldn’t Ohtani would look good in Dodger blue?
Followed trea since he played for missions in San Antonio . I knew he was good then. 2019 he comes off the injured list when the nats are 19-31. The finish with a World Series ring. He hustles and inspires. Dodger fans are in for some thrills watching him play. World Series ring anyone
I tend not to worry about our free agents. Simply because that stuff is way beyond our control. I am pretty sure the front office will try to sign the players they feel give them the best chance to win. A lot of hard choices this off season. I think Jansen is gone, Kershaw will sign at least a 2 year deal somewhere, but it sure will not be in the 30 million a year range. I think Boras is going to steer Seager towards the most money. Be it the Yankees, Angels or who ever. I think the Dodgers are going to make a serious push to retain Turner. His energy and baseball acumen is off the charts, and next to Mookie he is one of the most exciting players out there. I like his game a lot better than that show boat down in San Diego. They do not have to worry about Bellinger for a little while, and that gives him time to fix what ever is wrong. Butane is going to get paid like an Ace sooner or later. I also think depending on how this season plays out that resigning Scherzer is on the agenda. May comes back sometime next year, Caleb Ferguson should be coming back. Kahnle is still under contract and might have some impact on the bullpen. But I make a serious effort to bring back Taylor. That is a must sign.
Turner has become my favorite Dodgers player already. Weird I know, but I love everything about him.
Gotta love the guys energy and skills. And nobody else on this team scores on a grounder that just barely gets by the shortstop.
Bear, the exits of Joc and Kiké will make the Dodgers make the maximum possible effort to retain CT3 they have realized how valuable they were and they have been trying to replace them all year and they have not been able and it will be even more difficult to replace CT3 Because he’s a better player and arguably the best utility player in the world of baseball, the Dodgers know they shouldn’t lose him because they just can’t replace him any time soon.
I also think they will sign 2-year contracts and an option to Kershaw and Scherzer.
As for Corey became the strange man because simply TT is a better player than him, it is illogical to put Corey in the SS, thinking long term, when TT is a better player in defense, I think the Dodgers will make him an offer to Corey and they will ask him to change his position, if he does not accept it is very likely that we are looking at his last year with the team; Today I predict that TT will be the SS for the next 7-8 years, while Corey Seager is an offensive force, TT is good at everything.
Just wanted to say thank you to Badger for the explanation of “groin soreness.” Feels like what I’ve had since trying to replicate the “pelvic thrust” exercises from physical therapy. I still walk like Quasimodo so, no, PT was no help at all. I’m 71 going on 91.
Pelvic thrust? Wow, hurts already. With bad knees, a cranky back, arthritic hands, and a kink in my neck most of the time, I can sympathize…..I am 73, I do not want to be going on 91. LOL.
Welcome. Groin injuries are a nuisance. Takes time to heal.
So what reason was given for kicking the guy out for a kind sentiment to a fallen officer. She had just given birth 3 months ago.
Maybe holding up signs aren’t aloud. Hmm
I can pretty well guarantee you it had something to do with the size of the sign, and some guy who was hired to read a rule and enforce it and not allowed to think on his own, did just that.
Loud signs are never welcome.
Wrigley Rules:
Banners/Signs
Banners and signs are permitted in Wrigley Field when the following guidelines are followed to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all fans:
To avoid game disruption, the times of display are limited to before the game, between innings and after the game.
The Cubs reserve the right to confiscate banners/signs with an inappropriate message, those that are commercial in nature, those causing a disturbance and/or those obstructing sightlines.
Banners/signs may never be mounted on sticks, wooden frames, or any similar apparatus and may not be attached to any railings. Banners/signs may not be carried through the Club Box Sections.
Electioneering is not permitted at Wrigley Field.
Against the rules apparently. I still haven’t found anything verifying that guy was kicked out of the stadium. Maybe he got obnoxious with authorities. Authorities hate it when that happens.
At the very best, it was in poor taste!
Thanks Badger, good info, makes sense. Regardless of the sentiments, rules are made to be followed.
Hopefully with good intentions and public safety in mind.
When there not followed people can get killed !
Just thinking about how many starting pitchers we have out:
1. Bauer
2. Kershaw
3. Duffy
4. Gonsolin
5. May
That is a lot……I sure hope Urias doesn’t come down with a dead arm due to too many innings pitched. We may then have 2-3 bullpen games (David Price to me is still a half of a bullpen.)
Great article, Mark.
Some of us need a reminder to stay positive and optimistic.
The Dodgers have a very talented roster, and it gets frustrating when they under-perform or give away games. You make a great point that the best or most talented team does not always win the World Series. Someone posted a stat this weekend that the Giants reached 30 games above .500 this year, and it was the first time since 2003 that they reached that level. Amazing that they won 3 WS titles and never made it 30 games over 500 in 18 years! The Giants won 92, 94, and 88 games in the years they won WS.
In an effort to focus on some Dodger positives, I must recognize how well AJ Pollock has played this year. I didn’t love the free agent signing, but he has had a great year.
Along with Chris Taylor, Max Muncy, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias, AJ has helped keep the Dodgers in contention for a division title. Hopefully they can overtake the hated ones!
I checked the roster a little while ago and it sits at 25 right now. Reks was sent to OKC. Tsutsugo had 3 hits in last nights game for them and is now hitting .255 with 10 HR’s. Lux had a PH single. Tropeano gave up 6 runs in relief, only 1 was earned. The rotating bullpen is alive and well. Wonder who the next fodder entry is, probably this Greene guy. I think the Dodgers like the 97 MPH fastball he has. Stat of the day, since statcast started tracking exit velocities, they had never seen a ball hit as hard as the one Stanton hit yesterday. He hit a 122 MPH scorcher that was turned into a double play. I saw the replay, I cannot believe it did not rip the glove off of Whitfield. Padres beat Miami and are now 7 games out, 3 behind LA> Tatis is working out in the outfield. Padres have played 114 games, so they have 48 left.
Up early this morning finishing my next post. Lots of info to gather. A couple of thoughts. Taylor is a must sign, and they have to kick the tires on a contract for Trea Turner. In my gut, and it usually is right, I think that Seager is going to leave. Boras ALWAYS steers his clients towards the biggest pay check. I do not think the Dodgers are going to offer him Lindor type money. Just way too many unknowns. Also with the CBA having to be renegotiated, who knows when the season will start or if it will start. I do believe thought that neither side can afford another work stoppage. Will the electronic K zone be implemented? A universal DH? Lots of questions. We know the extra inning rule is going to be modified in some way, say starting in the 12th inning there will be a runner on 2nd. The 3 batter rule is probably here to stay. The MLBPA might push for a roster increase to 28, or a taxi squad like the NBA where players can be declared out for a single game, and replaced by one of the taxi squad. I do not like the moving the mound back a foot, or the bigger bases idea. The game has been fine for well over 100 years, leave the dimensions alone. Although he has been a hugely positive influence in the dugout and the clubhouse, I cannot see them offering Pujols another deal unless it was something like they gave Chase Utley. He is definitely not getting what he was paid by the Angels. He has been fun to watch. I think they need a RH power hitter coming off of the bench. Someone a lot younger than Tio Albert, and a little more versatile. Next spring we will get to look at some of the younger talent coming up. I think that is when Pepiot gets a real look. I am not sure he will get that this season. They can only call up 2 in September, and depending on their needs, it will most likely be bullpen arms. Lux will be back in a week or so. Knebel will get the open roster spot is my guess. They will be down 1 offensive player with Turner missing a couple of games to rest his groin. This off season’s biggest sign though should be a closer to replace Jansen. I see no one in the system fitting that bill. Graterol is way too raw to be ready for that. Kelly will be a free agent. Treinen under contract through 2022. It is going to be interesting this offseason, Let AF work his magic.
Dodger ball girl who pushed the runner over the fence yesterday is Marissa Rohan. She is my new hero. Observation, Dodgers need to add some speed to the security force. Those old guys left in the dust by this moron. Oh, Marissa? She is quite the looker. Pujols had some words about the Angels that left some people wondering. We know it was not all that amicable. But Pujols drew some looks when he said he was friends with about 95% of the people over there. Hmmm. The other 5% are wondering if they are on Tio Albert’s hit list.