On April 3rd, 1974, the Dodgers traded pitcher Bruce Ellingsen to the Cleveland Indians for 17-year-old Pedro Guerrero. The Indians were desperate for pitching. It would turn out to be one of the most lopsided one-for-one trades ever.
Guerrero went to Orangeburg in the Western Carolina League to start and played 19 games there before moving on to low A Bellingham where in 82 games he hit .316. Over the next 3 years, he played at Danville, Waterbury, and Albuquerque. Never hitting below .305.
He was mainly a 3rd baseman, but also played 1B and the outfield. At Albuquerque in 1978, he hit .337 in 132 games with 14 HR’s and 116 RBI’s. He was called up to the Dodgers in September of 1978, and got his first hit, a pinch-hit single in a blowout loss against Randy Jones and the Padres. He pinch-hit for Rick Sutcliffe.
Pedro was born on June 29th, 1956 in San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic. He was barely in his teens when he left school to help support his family cutting cane for the island’s rum industry. His salary was barely 3 dollars a week.
He helped support his divorced mother and siblings by day, and at night he would play drums, and on the weekends he would play organized baseball. By age 16 the hard-hitting Guerrero stood out among his peers in a local youth league, primarily playing 3rd base.
Latin scouting pioneer, Reggie Otero, representing the Cleveland Indians, traveled there to scout Guerrero. Guerrero, who was 5’11” 157 Lbs. at the time, and Otero looked at the width of his shoulders back and front and knew he would get stronger and bigger. He was living on rice and beans.
In late 1972, Otero offered Guerrero a pro contract which had a 2500 dollar bonus to be paid on New Years Day, 1973. Guerrero went to rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League. When the Indians needed pitching, the lefty Ellingsen was traded for Guerrero on the recommendation of Otero who had recently been hired by Al Campanis.
In 1979, Pedro got into 25 games. He hit his first MLB HR off of Bob Owchinco of the Padres and finished with 2. In 1980, he played an important role with the team, filling in for Davey Lopes when he was ailing and taking over in CF for Rudy Law who was slumping. Overall he played 6 positions and hit .322 in 75 games with 7 HRs and 31 RBI’s. 1981 it was more of the same. He appeared in 98 games, hitting .300 with 12 HRs and 48 RBI’s. Getting selected for his first All-Star team. He hit .333 in the World Series against the Yankees and was tri MVP with Yeager and Cey.
1982, he finally became a regular. He played 137 games in the outfield and 24 at 3rd base. He hit .304 with 32 HR’s, and 100 RBIs. He was 3rd in the MVP vote and won a silver slugger award. Amazingly, unlike the year before, he was not on the All-Star team. 1983, more of the same. He hit .298, with 32 long balls and 103 RBI’s He earned another All-Star berth, and was 4th in the MVP vote. He hit .250 with no HRs in a losing effort against the Phillies in the NLCS. He also struck out over 100 times for the first time in his career.
In 1984, his batting average again went over .300 with a .303 mark. But his power and RBI’s numbers dipped. 16 and 72. He rebounded in 85 with a .320 avg, 33 HRs, and 87 RBI’s. Again named to the All-Star team. He was 3rd in the MVP vote. He again struggled in the NLCS against the Cardinals, hitting .250 with no homers and 4 RBI’s. The Jack Clark series.
Pedro had become the first Dodger to hit 30 HR’s and steal 20 bases in 82. He repeated that in 83. In 1985 he hit 15 HR’s in June, a record, and tied the LA mark for the most HR’s in a season, 33. Pedro was an aggressive baserunner, but not a real good slider. In spring training in 1986, he ruptured a tendon sliding and missed most of the 1986 season. He got into only 31 games and hit .246.
In 1987, he rebounded again, this time hitting .338, the highest BA by any Dodger since Tommy Davis hit .346 in 1962. He made the All-Star team again and had 27 HRs and 89 RBI’s. He walked almost as much as he struck out, and his OPS was .955. In 1988, he started out pretty good and was hitting .298 after 59 games. But his slugging pct was way down and he only had 5 HRs. The Dodgers, needing starting pitching traded him to the Cardinals on August 16 for John Tudor.
Over his 11 years with the team, Pedro hit .309 with 171 HRs and 585 RBIs. He won 1 silver slugger award and made the All-Star team 4 times. He would play 5 years in St. Louis, never quite being the power source he was in LA again. But he did have an excellent year in 1989, hitting .311 with 17 HRs and 117 RBI’s. Making the All-Star team again and finishing 3rd once more in the MVP vote. He was released after the 1992 season, a year he only played in 43 games.
In 93, 94, and 95, he played in an Independent league, the Mexican league, and the minors with the Midland Angels before finally hanging it up after the 95 season. He finished his career with a .300 Avg, 215 HRs, and 898 RBI’s. He also had 96 stolen bases. His 171 HR’s are 10th on the Dodgers all-time list.
Pedro was out of baseball for quite a while. He was arrested in September of 1999 for allegedly trying to buy 33 POUNDS of cocaine from an undercover agent. He was acquitted of drug conspiracy charges when his attorney argued that his client’s intellect prevented him from understanding the implications of the alleged drug deal. Hirsch detailed a portrait of a former MLB All-Star, referencing his lack of education and inability to perform simple everyday tasks.
From 2011 to 2014, Pedro managed in some foreign leagues. He had been introduced to managing by a former teammate, Mike Marshall, who was the commissioner of the Arizona Winter League. Mike hired him to be a hitting coach. In September of 2017, Pedro suffered what was considered a serious stroke while in New York City. Doctors thought he was brain dead, but he was only in a coma. The next morning he made what was considered a miracle recovery. And he was moved out of the ICU and was talking to friends and family.
Pedro returned to Dodger Stadium when the team celebrated the 1981 team and took a photo with his co MVP’s, Steve Yeager and Ron Cey. I always liked Pedro. He played hard and when he connected, the ball went a long way. I always believed that when he went down in spring training in 1986, and it was close to the end of spring, the Dodger’s chances of doing anything that season went down the tubes. He was always fun to watch.
For those who worried, nobody picked up Felix on the wire and he’s back with the Dodgers:
08/27/21 Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Neftali Feliz outright to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw took the next step in his rehab on Friday at Dodger Stadium, throwing his second bullpen session of the week.
After throwing a 20-pitch fastballs-only bullpen on Tuesday, Kershaw progressed to throwing about 30 pitches on Friday, which is closer to his normal workload. He also threw sliders and curveballs for the first time since reinjuring his elbow on July 27 during a three-inning simulated game.
“It was good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Kershaw’s bullpen session. “He’s still not, obviously, ripping it 100 percent. But it was a positive day for Clayton. We’ll probably see how he feels tomorrow and probably schedule another ‘pen.”
The next bullpen session would likely be on Monday, though it’s unclear just how many pitches the left-hander will throw. It’s also unclear when Kershaw will graduate from bullpen sessions and face live hitters.
Kershaw isn’t eligible to return from the injured list until Sept. 5, but the chances of him returning on that date are slim. The Dodgers still need to build him up as a starter and they believe there’s still time to do so while also acknowledging that Kershaw’s rehab progress needs to be basically perfect in order for him to be fully stretched out before the postseason.
When asked if Kershaw could end up being a reliever or a two-inning opener, Roberts wouldn’t rule out the possibility and said they will have open communication. A big part of that decision will depend on Kershaw’s health. When Kershaw was asked about coming out of the bullpen, he said he’s not quite there yet and would still like to return as a starter.
“We’ll find out. We’ll find out,” Kershaw said on Tuesday, when asked if there’s enough time in the regular season for him to return as a starter. “I want to pitch. I want to help and I want to start.”
6 for 33, 12 Ks, 0 for 3 WRISP. At home against the worst road team in the league.
Yep, can’t win them all. But that’s a half empty glass they left sitting on the bar.
Maybe now is not the time to ask about Kershaw.
You’re going to have to talk about Kershaw sooner or later. He will be needed in some capacity for the playoffs.
“We’ll find out”.
I enjoyed your post on Guerrero, Bear! I always liked him as a player. It’s a bit of a contradiction, don’t you think, between his supposed inabiliity to manage every day tasks, and being able to manage a ball club? Either he had a very clever defense attorney or it doesn’t take much to be a manager!
Losing to Colorado last night reminds me why I’d prefer to avoid a WC game. Anything can happen. A good pitcher, we have a poor offensive night, and we’re out of the playoffs. That’s a scenario to avoid. Good thing the Giants also lost last night. Let’s hope Atlanta can beat them again.
That is why IMO there should be no sudden death games except where a game 163 is needed. There should never be a “playoff” that is less than 3 games.
cheers
pb+
He had an excellent lawyer.
After Fernando, Pedro was my favorite player!!
I loved Pedro. Always had a huge smile. One of those guys who the first time you see them you know they are going to be good. Felt the same way the first time I saw Piazza at Dodger Stadium. He hit a scorching double off of the right center field fence. Never saw a ball hit that hard that way by a RH hitter. Few days later, I was in the left field pavilion when he hit one out that same direction, Best RH hitter I ever saw going the other way with power.
Cody needs a complete re-tool of his swing. When he connects on some of his majestic long balls it might be a thing of beauty, but when he is facing an off speed pitch he has way too many things to adjust to. His stand-up straight stance, his on top of the plate stance in the box, his flat bat positioning and his load all need to tweaked.
I think he needs a leg kick as his timing mechanism a la CT3 and JT. The leg kick allows for the hands to load and and put them in a natural offensive position while thinking FB but adjusting to an off speed pitch.
Something has to be done. I called him Joe Charboneau several weeks ago and I hope I’m wrong, but I have serious doubts we will see him attain his superstar status again. Is he a head case? Is he stubborn to wanting to make an adjustment? Is he coachable? I have no idea, but my eyes don’t fail me and from what I see he is an absolutely horrible offensive player and should not get anything more than a spot start from here until we turn then page to the offseason.
No more excuses, no more comments that he’s back because he gets one hit and no more “wait till next year when he has a proper off season and strengthens the shoulder.” All of that might be neccessary, but that’s next year. For now I’m from Missouri and he needs to show up. He hasn’t to this point and he needs to continue to sit.
Any physical problems aside, the sad thing with Cody is that he has all the physical tools to be another Trea Turner.
Speed, athleticism, etc.
I just don’t understand why Roberts doesn’t insist that he bunt once a game against the shift. He’s done it before and there is nothing about his shoulder that would prevent him from doing it now.
He is a good bunter which makes it worse that he doesn’t do it more. It would also help him make contact when he swings.
33 ABs yesterday, Belli had one. CT3 went 0-3 yesterday. Why is Cody the subject of your post? He needs to continue to sit? He sat, we lost. For the month of August, he’s sat (did not start) in 4 games. We’re 2-2 in those games. We’re 16-3 when he starts.
For the month of August
Belli – 7 R, 11 RBI, 5 2B, 4 HR, 23 K
CT3 – 9 R, 7 RBI, 6 2B, 1 HR, 30 K
Please explain how it would be better to sit Belli and Play CT3?
Because CT3 isn’t hitting.170. Are you kidding me. He’s just awful! And he’s been awful for 5 months. That’s not a slump! You talk about Roberts being an idiot for using Jansen as our closer but that would be like him having 20 blown saves and an era of 15! TT would give us good D in center with Taylor and Lux manning second.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Favorite punctuation?
Wow Cassidy, you make such a compelling argument by bringing up our closer when talking about Bellinger. What makes you think TT would give us good D in center? He said he doesn’t want to play there and wasn’t very good when he played there 5 years ago and never again since. Then you’re gonna go back to CT3 and Lux at second? Weren’t you complaining about Lux all year?
It sounds like you don’t have a plan at all, you’re just throwing things out there without much thought. Move everyone around just to get Bellinger out of the lineup. Solid plan.
I showed that run production wise, over our best month of the season, that Belli has been better than CT3. Add in the much better defense and there’s little question about who should be out there. Add in the fact that other players need rest and it makes the most sense to stay with the satus quo. Add in the statcast data, and you can see that Belli is hitting the ball hard almost at the same rate as CT3.
But, my biggest point is that it’s pretty stupid to complain about a guy that goes 0-1 when his replacement goes 0-3 in the same game.
I’ve complained a hell of a lot less about Jansen being closer, that you have about Belli. I did make cases about Treinen being more dominant and he has. But, I ultimately arrived on agreeing with using Jansen mostly as the closer because unlike you, I’m capable of rational thought.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is precisely why you are the manager of the Dodgers and Dave Roberts who gets input from the Front Office is not!
Mark, I’m afraid Cassidy is trying to emulate you with all the !!!!!!!!!!!!!s. :0)
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery!!!
Cassidy, for the last time Trea Turner does not want to play the outfield, He has played out there 45 games in his entire career and none since 2016. Taylor has been striking out at an alarming rate and not making solid contact for weeks. Add Muncy and Turner to that, and the middle of the lineup is in a huge slump. Lux might provide some defense at SS, but his offense has been non existent for months. Bellinger has problems right now, but his defense is much more elite than you would get from Taylor, Turner, Betts, or Pollock in CF. And remember, just a few days ago, he drove in the only runs against the Mets.
Last time? Are you going to spank him or take away a toy if he repeats what he wants to say?
… and YET as bad as Belli has been, they are 45-25 with him in the lineup. 17 and 5 with him in August.
His defense, his energy, his hustle, all make a difference.
I think the Dodgers Brass also holds that view… thankfully!
Joe Charboneau? Get real. Joe’s best season OPS was .846 which is less than Belli’s career OPS!
The best and most intelligent thing you said was “I have no idea!” You are 100% correct about that!
And neither do you, but that’s right you once interviewed Logan White so you’re the expert. You have an opinion and I have one too. I’m a fan and want to be wrong but .171 BA is pathetic
finally someone said it, but it won’t take long for them to start with excuses and reasons to tell you that “you are wrong” and Belli is an incredible hitter, second only to Trout.
Cody rebuttal to norcaldodgerfan:
1. His defense is superb
2. He is still healing from all his injuries
3. You shouldn’t expect much or even anything for the rest of the year when he has a bat in his hands
How did I do Mark? Bear? Penguins?
TM
2 out of 3 is .666.
And .6666666666666666666+2/3
I can’t say I’m surprised. I really hate the bush league “opener” nonsense. You take people out of their comfort level in order to gain a slight advantage by not facing the top of the lineup an additional time. I have yet to see this strategy work out consistently.
Then, there was the lineup. With JT batting 2nd, Pujols batting 4th and Will Smith batting 8th? WTF?
I realize that Muncy needed a day and Belli could use one as well. It’s tempting to roll out a bunch of right handers against lefty Freeland, but it allows the pitcher to really get in a groove facing the same side hitters throughout the lineup. Not to mention, Freeland has reverse splits.
The lineup has been solid, but not great lately. I still don’t see them clicking. The pitching has been fairly outstanding during this run. Hopefully, we get well over the weekend, clean up these next couple of games and be ready to do some real damage by the time we play the Braves and Giants.
I don’t understand people going mental last night complaining about Bellinger’s only AB when his “replacement” CT3 goes 0-3 with a K. J Turner 0-4, Albert 0-3 with a horrendous play at 1B and unfortunately our one hot hitter Pollock taking the night off.
We did hit several warning track shots that would have been the difference in the game, but the top of the order needs to get on base more to put enough pressure on the pitcher to do some real damage. Will Smith had 3 hits batting in the 8th spot and the rest of the team matched that 3 hits with no walks by anyone. You just aren’t going to get a lot of opportunities with that kind of production. Hopefully, we don’t see another Yahtzee lineup like last night’s.
Doc said yesterday that Mookie would be playing 2nd base possibly today. So, I’m assuming Seager or TT will sit. Too much sitting for my liking especially when we trail in the standings. It worked against the Pirates, let’s see how well this works against the Rocks.
Andre Jackson now has a 1.04 ERA in his two games totalling 8.2 innings. What’s he got to do to get a start? Stop with this opener BS! We aren’t the Rays.
Vesia finally tripped up a little bit with that home run. It wasn’t a horrible pitch, low and away but lacked his typical velocity. That extra insurance run for the Rockies probably had a lot to do with the lack of performance in the bottom of the ninth.
With Mookie getting on base and over to scoring position with no outs, it would have been almost automatic to get him in to tie the game. But, down by two our guys were swinging for the fence and the umpire was helping out Estevez by turning a walk to Seager into a K looking. It was a disgraceful call considering the score and the game situation, more than a full ball off the plate.
All 6 runs in the game came from homers. This approach needs to change.
openers suck
Here is the kicker B&P. Bellinger rakes against Freeland. He was one of the Dodgers who hits him well.
Dodgers lurking weakness vs LHP again rears it’s head. Some of our best RH bats seem to also struggle vs LHP. So looking forward, who do we have to look out for in the playoffs who can deploy a LHP to totally stifle the Dodgers?
No doubt if we face SD in a one game winner move on playoff we will see Mr Snell. I’m not sure who Cinnci’s best pitcher is, but if I were them, even if they have a RHP as their best, I would pitch my 2nd best pitcher against us if he were a lefty.
Yes indeed we struggle against LHPs.
Always liked Pedro. Part of a fun era.
My favorite RH Dodger hitter before Piazza. Dude could rake.
Yes he could. I saw him hit a HR in spring training at Vero that hit the scoreboard. You would think from the sound that it was going to knock the scoreboard down. Only player besides him and Piazza that I thought hit the ball as hard or harder was Frank Howard. I saw Hondo break a board on the seats in the LF pavilion with a line drive in batting practice. Ball never got higher than like 15 feet. It shattered one of those 2X6’s they used as backrests back then. They were replaced years ago with the plastic seats that are there now. Very impressive. Almost as impressive and the HR he hit into the loge level seats in game 4 of the 63 World Series against Whitey Ford. He hit that ball one handed.
Pedro Guerrero was my first ever “favorite player” in sports.
Petey certainly could rake, but he was horrible with the glove.
When they were experimenting with playing him at 3b, I got into it with an old lady at Dodger Stadium who reacted to my booing with “he’s not that bad.”
He was worse than Joc at 1b.
He was pretty bad at 3B. But, no one is as bad as Joc at 1B which is incredible considering he’s a natural lefty. I mean, what lefty never played 1B at some point in their life?
He made 63 errors in his career at 1st. 23 in the outfield, and 77 at 3rd base. 165 in his career for a .977 Fielding pct. He also played 12 games at 2nd and made 2 errors. He made most of his outfield errors in right, 16. He was actually not bad in CF making only 4 errors out there in 108 games. Not fair to compare Joc to Pedro at 1st. Joc only played 21 games there. He did make 6 errors although it probably felt like more.
One who could play outfield better than alternatives? First base is for scatter arms, snails, and sluggers.
When you have a stating pitcher like Andre Jackson and that’s what he has been doing 99% of the time in the minors and has shown that he can in his one start in the majors prior to last night’s game , then START him. Graterol is not a starter or an opener, he is a reliever in the 6th or 7th inning. The mindsets of a starter, opener and relievers are completely different.
I am going to defer to the people closest to the situation. The Dodger Brass has a lot more info about this than we do.
Andre Jackson has been in 82 games in college and the minors. He has started 57 of those, so it is not unfamiliar territory.
Why not start him?
Maybe they know him better than we do… and as a young player, they might believe he could be too amped up.
Only the Dodgers have won more games than Tampa Bay over the past three seasons, and the Rays have done it with payrolls that ranked 30th, 28th and 26th, but for current purposes, the Rays have been very successful using OPENERS.
This Ramos kid in RC has some helium.
Pages 2.0
Let’s just say if we had 8 Cody Bellinger’s in the lineup we’d be a lot closer to Arizona than the Giants! He’d have to play 2 outfield positions to make up for his hitting this year. I like Cody and I’m rooting for him but he’s a huge overall liability right now. It’s not like we’re 10 games up in the standings and can afford to let him work through this. We’re headed for a one game playoff with some lefty waiting to take us down!
But think of the wind power we’d generate.
If Cody Bellinger does not snap out of his funk, there will be a time a decision has to be made.
That time is not here.
Right after we lose the one game playoff? And 5 months of the worst OPS in baseball is more than a funk!
I did not realize he was the only batter.
I thought it was a team and everyone batted.
Sometimes you have to lose some battles to win the war.
Cody Bellinger was not the reason the Dodgers lost last night.
However, if he can get right, it will win us a lot of Wars!
I leave him in there until Mid-September and if he is not hitting by then, go to plan B.
Here’s something to put in your pipe and smoke:
Cody Bellinger has started most games this month.
Coincidently, the Dodgers have their best record of any month this year in August (18-5) and Cody Bellinger has been the CF.
And he’s been a better run producer than CT3 during the same period. CT3 started hot and is slowing down. Belli has been injured all year and is finally showing signs of coming out of it. You’re little league batting coach skills are not going to improve him by telling him to squash the bug. Now is not the team to change his swing.
Thank you… I thought I was in the insane Asylum for a while!
You weren’t wrong.
Based on his August numbers, while batting 8th most of the time, he would be on pace for 81 RBI for the season. Even in the post season, I start him as long as we have a lead in the series. I’m not going to take a hit on defense at the second most critical position on the diamond to get a little more out of the 8th spot.
But, the craziest thing is to talk about sitting a guy who sat during the loss the night before. Then bring up the closer as an argument about the center fielder.
I think someone got their meds mixed up this morning. 5 of the last 6 hitters stuck out last night. But, it’s all Belli’s fault.
What? Coming out of what? Please look at his stats for the last 10 games. Are upon telling me his swing looks better than CT3? My goodness. Are you guys watching his ab’s? We don’t have 2 more weeks of an automatic, unproductive out each ab with him playing!
I’ve lost track of what the debate is. Bellinger’s a great player having a tough year. We are insanely deep and have enough talent to give guys days off.
Yep, many of our 18 wins this month I’m sure can attributed to Cody’s:
great defense
.192 BA
630 OPS
11 RBIs.
THANK YOU CODY! I got your back!
TM, the optimist
Giants Notes: Gausman, Bryant
By TC Zencka | August 28, 2021 at 11:13am CDT
Kevin Gausman has had hip discomfort since an incident way back on April 24, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. He tweaked it during a play at first base last night, but managed to stay in the game and work through it. The Giants ace should continue to take his turns in the rotation.
Kris Bryant, meanwhile, was removed from the game after experiencing tightness in his side during his first at-bat of the game. He is going to be evaluated today. For the Giants, they have the depth to be cautious with Bryant, even if it doesn’t result in a stint on the injured list. Bryant has a history of these ticky-tack injuries that aren’t severe enough to make him miss time, even if his productivity can suffer. He has a .268/.318/.549 line in 22 games with the Giants.
In a one game playoff, I would absolutely start Belli in CF. Scoring will be low and I want the chance to have a Belli bomb, or a walk and some great baserunning or a rob at the wall to be deciding factor in the game. Not a misplayed ball in CF leading to a little league play with circus music in the background like game 4 of the World Series last year.
Cody’s splits are considerably worse than Taylor’s. Neither is helping much now but Cody has looked hopeless for quite a while.
We sucked as a team last night. 6 for 33 with 12 Ks. No hits with runners in scoring position. Betts didn’t help, Muncy has a spasm, Seager is 4 for his last 27, even Pollock and Justin were 0fer last night. That was a begonia against a bad club, but a club that is 7-3 in their last 10.
Try again tonight.
I posted Cody’s August splits, so here are Taylor’s:
August only:
.247 BA (55 points higher than Cody)
.688 OPS (58 points higher than Cody)
7 RBIs (4 less than Cody)
Draw your own conclusions for who was better in August.
TM
Better, no, more productive, yes.
I really like Cody, but when he comes to bat I am hopeful, but not confident. His shoulder could still not be strong enough, but a weak shoulder does not make you swing at pitches way out of the strike zone. Does he need glasses as much as many of the umpires? I still can’t understand why lefties don’t lay down a bunt against the shift when there is no one there. Cody’s speed would almost guarantee a hit if he could bunt it toward 3B.
First & foremost, thanks Bear for once again posting an article that takes you down memory lane!!! The picture of Yeager, Pedro and the Penguin was great…
Pedro pretty bad at 3B!! Does anybody remember Steve Garvey at 3B, you needed paramedics behind 1B…
MT, you’re still sort of in an asylum… It’s like running thru a mine field!!
Dodger “DIRTY KENLEY” Horse, hbdodger48 “POS ROBERTS” P.S. HB it’s Pujols!!!
There’s a few more, but they should put down the pipe and call the NA hotline…
Sticking with baseball, anybody out there seen this 12YO pitcher from South Dakota Gavin Wear??? The best I’ve see since since Sean Burroughs held the CIF hostage chucking for Long Beach along with the LLWS.. The greatest youngster I ever saw play ball… A giant among kids!!
I’ll end this with I hate playing in CO and for God’s sake get off Belli!!! He should be our CF for the duration!!!
Thank Pete. But they are in LA, not Coors. That is a ways off yet.
Thanks Bear…I Gotta wake up before I post… I meant playing Co…
I have no problem with an Opener. Makes sense on a baseball level. I just read an article at fangraphs on why certain players don’t like it and not surprisingly it’s about money, not strategy .” In other words, the opener seems like it could be an effective way for teams to limit pitcher salaries. And given the “baseball reasons” teams can provide for decisions that impact bonuses, it seems as if it would be difficult for a player to effectively argue bad faith on the part of the team, especially given the plausible baseball reasons for the opener.”
Cody is our centerfielder. I get that. I too await the blind squirrel connection. I thought we could do better but obviously it isn’t up to me and Taylor is currently slumping too so, whatever. There’s no explanation as to why Cody won’t bunt that makes any sense to me. The other night even the third baseman was behind second, the only player on that side of the field was the left fielder and Cody flailed away making out after out. It’s not going to change so we wait patiently for that one connection every 15 at bats or so. Yeah, as long as others are hitting we can live with it. But, we haven’t exactly been tearing the cover off the ball of late.
Stick with the guy who will still be a Dodger next year.
My favorite Pedro G. story: Lasorda asks Petey (as he called him) what he is thinking about when he is playing third base. Petey replies, “Boss, first I pray they don’t hit the ball to me. Then I pray they don’t hit the ball to Steve Sax.”
I remember reading that. One of the best retorts ever.
Our number pick in the 2021 Draft Maddux Bruns made his debut in the ACL last night and I’m sure he was a little nervous:
IP .2 H1 R3 ER3 BB3 SO1 HR1 ERA 40.50 Balks 2
cool. didn’t see that.
We just have to agree to disagree about Bellinger. His time would be up for me until next year. He’d be on the IL starting today. Taylor and Muncy may be slumping but Bellinger’s WAY beyond that! His ab last night was embarrassing. Jansen had a bad week and you were willing to kick him to the curb. This has been an entire season for Bellinger
And just who in the hell are you going to put out there? Taylor is running on fumes. He is not and should not be an everyday player. Betts is just off of the IL and you want his arm and his defense in right. Pollock is decent, but not the defender out there Cody is. Turner does not, I repeat, does not want to play the outfield. He has only played 45 games in CF his entire career and none since 2016. All of their at bats last night were embarrassing. Focusing on his is ridiculous. The guy sat on the bench for 6 innings plus and comes into the game as a defensive replacement, gets one AB and is over matched by a reliever. Happens all the time. I have seen almost every player on this team, including Betts, come up late in a game in a clutch situation and be made to look silly. I am not going to make excuses for Bellinger because he, more than any of us is fighting this slump every damn night. He will have some bad luck, or do what he did in San Diego and reach out and slap a ball down the line in a clutch situation. And sometimes, he goes completely out of the zone and gets himself out. You think you are frustrated? You have no clue what is going through his mind. Every once in a while he is going to run into one and hit it a long way. And it will help the team win. Season long? Wrong. HE HAS PLAYED 70 GAMES. The team has played 129. SO he has missed 1/3rd of the season with injuries. An entire season is 162 games. I would like to see how you hit after having shoulder surgery about 10 months ago and then a broken leg. Sorry, you are a fan and nothing else, same as me.
Tonight’s Lineup:
HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG
T. TurnerSS 148-464 56 20 25 .319
M. Muncy1B 99-382 76 28 2 .259
M. Betts2B 94-343 44 17 7 .274
J. Turner3B 118-420 70 21 1 .281
W. SmithC 89-335 62 21 3 .266
C. BellingerCF 43-250 32 9 2 .172
C. TaylorLF 121-438 66 18 13 .276
B. McKinneyRF 51-252 27 9 2 .202
C. KnebelP —– — — —
08/28/21 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Edwin Uceta from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
08/28/21 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Andre Jackson to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Bellinger is hitting .500 against Gray with 5 ribbies. Barnes, Pollock, Seager, Taylor, Betts and JT all have averages over .300 against him. Muncy, Taylor, Seager and the Turner boys have all homered against him with CT3 and JT homering off of him twice.
Really? We have to get McKinny in the lineup? We have to rest Pollock on the same day as Seager? Damn.
I with you on this BulldogsandPenguins.
I swear if the Dodgers don’t win the division it is going to be because of Doc and his stupid rest days/starting lineups.
SOS just another day. Resting two of our better hitters makes no sense! We have been struggling to score runs lately and fortunately have found ways to win games with excellent pitching. I agree Doc is clueless with his starting lineups and todays is another case in point. Just like last night, how in the world do u have Smith batting 8th?? He has been our best clutch hitter all year! If Pujois is in the lineup he belongs much lower….7th or 8th…certainly not cleanup!!
Pujols HB!! SOS is a strong suit of yours!!
Damned if Big E is back and Doc is going to lose the whole thing for us!!!
The Pirates released Gregory Polanco. He had been put on waivers and not claimed.
He’s batting .208. That is higher than 2/3 of our starting OFs today.
Yeah, with a lot less power. Polanco has 4 HR’s. McKinney and Bellinger have 18 between them. And Polanco is nowhere near Bellinger defensively.
I don’t want him, just saying, we have enough < .210 starting hitters. Two is the maximum allowed….In my opinion.
I agree. I just noted his release is all.
Doing the opener again. This time Knebel. I really think these statheads ignore the human element in this game. I’m sure Price would rather start and Knebel would rather pitch at the back end of a game. If it’s such a great strategy, why not always do it?
If the Dodgers signed Story for a year looking for him to revalue himself?
SS TT
RF Betts
CF Bellinger (Fixed up)
3B Story
1B Muncy
DH Turner
C Smith
LF Pollock
2B Lux
You are assuming that they will approve the universal DH for next year. It could happen but still premature to assume so.
A wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse.
Friggin Giants won again. This resting guys is not going to cut it with the way the Giants are playing. Doc needs to put the best lineup out there day in and day out with the way the Giants are playing.
Forget the giants. Roberts knows his guys a whole lot better than any of us do.
Teams have schneid’s. We’ll come out of it
1. Yeah let’s wear them down to the bone
2. The Giants have all their regulars in. NOT!
There’s no reason for McKinney to be in the lineup ever. We have nine guys for eight positions without McKinney.
McKinney is better than Reks, Raley & Peters.
That’s about it.
If the team is healthy, I would take him over Beaty!
Eric: You are losing touch with Reality!
What in the world is up with the ball and strike calling? Seems to get worse daily.
Pedro Almonte Will be the next Cy Young winner. Unbelievable
I think it will be Buehler
I mean Yency Almonte
I have to admire that pick off. Dodgers game to win.
Freight Train Treinen Gets Job Done in 8th.
Will Smith has been the Dodgers best player this month hands down. While Muncy, Taylor, Turner, and the rest of the gang have flailed at balls, he has continued to be clutch when they need him the most, and he did it tonight with a solid single and not a homer.,
Trea Turner is a very good player. The odds of the Dodgers resigning Corey Seager as a short stop diminish every game Trea Turner wears Dodger blue.
I would think so too. But. Turner has to want to stay in LA. I think Seager is going to end up signing with the Yankees. But I also think the Dodgers make him a QO so they get a draft pick if he leaves. Jansen ties Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers on the all time saves list with 341 career saves. And he is 6 years younger than Fingers was when he retired. They win because they knew that they had to.
Dodgers face Senzatela tomorrow. ERA over 4, 2-9 record. Mitch White will most likely start. They will face Smyly, Morton and Freid when Atlanta comes in. Two lefty’s. Pollock got a key base hit to drive in a run in the 9th. He is the only Dodger player hitting over .300. Trea Turner was hitting well over .300 when he was traded here. Pollock the only Dodger over .280.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but David Price as a starter still makes me nervous. He seems like he labors to put batters away and has trouble holding a lead (or a tie). Of course the Rockies have me blacked out, so I couldn’t see him. I keep imagining a cutter over the heart of the plate…
Price has been a starter for almost his entire career. He was not stretched out until lately. He is not the Cy Young Price, but is more than capable as a starter and he volunteered to do what ever the team needed him to do. He would not be in this position at all if Gonsolin and May were healthy and Bauer not such a dumb ass.
Great Game for the Dodgers,, Great mile stone for Kenley. Yeah AJ
Great walk down memory lane on the Pedro Guerrero story
Just one small correction, San Pedro de Macoris is in the Dominican republic.
Vinney used to say it was baseballs shortstop factor.
I’m sure it was just an oversight Bear,and I don’t mean to be critical
I love all the dodger history stories you post
Yeah, that was my bad. I fixed it. Thing is, I knew that…..duh!
Count me in as a “bunt against the shift” girl. Not just for Cody, but for everyone except Pujols. The pitchers should capitalize on their training, even during “swing away” at bats. We need that free single. We need that edge against the Braves and Giants. And the Rockies, for that matter too.
Much better ab’s for Bellinger tonight. Is there anybody else that you’d want up late with the game on the line than Smith right now. Time for Betts, JT, Seager and Muncy to up their game this last month if we’re gonna catch the Giants. It seems like we have to go on a 10 game winning streak just to get a game on the Giants.
He just missed that last one. Muncy, Taylor, Turner, JT not Trea, all are in slumps. Add Belli to that list and a lot of their power is missing. Taylor did hit one tonight, be he has been striking out WAY TOO MUCH.
Former Dodger outfielder, Juan Encarnation arrested and accused of sexually abusing his daughter. Can people in this world get any more sick? This crap just turns my stomach.
As a kid I saw Pedro Guerrero play for the Danville Dodgers against the Quad-City Angels. He was one of my favorite Dodgers growing up. Broke my heart when they dealt him for Tudor. Tudor stunk for the Dodgers, blew out his arm, and returned to the hated Cardinals.
I hated that trade too. I never liked Tudor, and you are right, he did bupkis for the Dodgers.
Yes, players need rest, and everyone has to get enough AB’s to stay competitive but sitting Seager vs Gray was asinine. Doc said himself they’re in a sprint now and they dropped the opener to a pathetic team. Not the time to sit Seager vs a pitcher he’s faired well against to play McKinney.
Glad we won….
Wonderful William lives up to his name again I see.
Terrific Trea helped a lot too.
Congratulations to the Big Man, Kenley Jansen’s 341st save of his career, tying him with Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers for 14th most all-time.
Up next, Randy Myers.