Who doesn’t like to be around a guy who always smiles, never complains, and is just a fun and outgoing person? The Dodgers had that guy from 2015 until 2020, when they won the World Series. He was the “Banana Man” – namely Kike Hernandez! The Dodgers have a history of having some characters in the clubhouse: Jay Johnstone and Jerry Reuss were also right there with Kike. The fact is that the Dodgers missed Kike’s personality and craziness in the clubhouse as much as they missed his RH bat. Hernandez was a key role player and cheerleader for the 2020 Dodgers who won it all, as well as a potent RH power bat.
Stats and analytics do not and cannot capture all of the value of a player. Kike Hernandez’s career batting average is .241, and in 9 MLB seasons, he has 92 HR in 2658 Plate Appearances and has a career OPS of .744. He plays just about every position and has the late for the dramatic. Oh, and he has very good power. Kike left the Dodgers because the Red Sox offered him a much more lucrative deal, presumably to be a regular. The Dodgers missed his bat and clutch hits, to say nothing of his defense, but I think the biggest thing the Dodgers lost was a guy who kept the team loose!
I miss Kike. I liked the energy, the versatility, the power… and the craziness. I think the team was kept looser by Kike’s antics. Every team can use a guy who can keep the team loose and the Dodgers did not have THAT GUY in 2020. The 2020 Dodgers missed Kike. That’s the bigger deal.
Enter Hanser Alberto. So, what’s your job, Hanser?
“My job is to keep the clubhouse and dugout loose and keep guys ready. They’ve allowed me to be myself and joke around with everyone and do the things I’ve always done. That’s what’s been so great.”
That is exactly why Andrew Friedman signed Alberto, well that, and he also knew that Alberto was a great teammate, as he was beloved by his former teammates because of his outgoing and fun personality, to say nothing of his dancing in the dugout with teammates. Well, that, and he kills LHP and holds a career .330 batting average against the dreaded lefties.
I think Friedman thought about re-signing Kike, but in the end, Kike wanted to be a starter… he was done with the utilityman role. You can’t blame him. Boston gave him over 500 ABs last year… most of them at 2B and CF. He still played more than one position, but he certainly was a regular. Right about now, the Red Sox are 7-9 and Kike is hitting a buck eighty! Ouch!
The Dodgers have passed the torch of “Official Dugout Dancer & Head Cheerleader” to Hanser Alberto – he doesn’t have the power in his bat that Kike did, but he will likely hit .300 against LHP and few ABs against RHP. I think he gives the Dodgers a quality bat against tough lefties. He doesn’t like to walk, but he rarely strikes out. He is not one of those “three clear option” players. When runners are on base, and he is at-bat, they had better be ready to move!
His best season was in 2020 with Baltimore. Here are some highlights, and I am glad we now have a looser clubhouse and dugout. There is no stat for it, but it is a “thing.”
Denzel Washington Visits Dodger Clubhouse
Update on Mark Kertenian
From Mark (yesterday):
“I am absolutely FLOORED by the love and sharing.
You, my family, teammates, friends, co-workers, and even those I’ve yet to meet, have made it possible to continue, and add to, the treatment course. YOU are a collection of answered prayers. I am humbled by your kindness and picture the hard work, care, and selfless grace behind every penny, prayer, and thought sent.
My brother Bryan, John Murphy, Danny Schreiber, Kyle Chelsvig and many Dodgers staff have successfully constructed an improbable move overseas and into treatment through severe conditions. And now this from you. What you have done I can never forget and my prayer to God, who is very real, is that I can soon be in a position to help you all in some meaningful way. – Mark“
NOTE: So far, they have raised $116,000 of the $150,000 needed.
Dodger News & Notes
- Bobbly Miller had another bad outing yesterday. Actually, he was beaten like a rented mule. That doesn’t worry me as much as his attitude. I have heard that he thought he should be in AAA, not AA, and is peeved about that. I can’t confirm if that is true, but if it is, that’s a harder issue to deal with than mechanics. Bobby, Bloom where you are planted!
- I am not pronouncing Cody Bellinger back to his MVP status, but he is progressing to the point of where it is no longer in his “head.” I think it’s time to get it out of yours as well.
- It is easy to see that McKinstry is a ballplayer on the DP he turned to end the game. Many players would have been indecisive on how to do it and botch at least one out!
- The Dodgers will generally feast on “strike throwers” like Manaea.
- Tommy Kahnle must be close – he pitched a scoreless inning in OKC Last night. Duplantier pitched 2, and Fulmer pitched 1.
- Jacob Amaya, Mike Busch, and Andy Pages continue to be “red-hot.”
- Great Lakes are the Classic Underachievers for the Dodgers Minor League Systems this year. They are 5-10 and should be the inverse! The only problem they have is that they can’t pitch and they can’t hit. Otherwise, they are fine.
- I forgot to mention Reyes Moronta in my bullpen piece yesterday. He is an experienced arm in the pen and has something like a career 2.65 ERA. He is a big boy!
- On to the D-Bags tonight… as Striker Buehler attempts to right his ship.
Yes I believe Cody will be back, maybe not ‘MVP, MVP’, but should get plenty of love from fans anyway.
Mookie–We paid for his past, I hope he is not going to be our ‘Pujols”.
Lux- Unless he really has a breakout, i think Dodgers will see he is not ‘the guy’. I expect him to be part of whatever trade deadline package they come up with.
Taylor–see 2021
Max- Sadly I don’t think he is ready physically, no matter what he says. Unlike Cody and Mookie he is not a plus in the field. And if he bats .230, WITHOUT the power, then what?. I predict 18 homers this year.
Trea–I don’t know what to think. But he should bat .300 +
Freddie- This year’s fan favorite.
Clayton- Its great to have pitching depth and let him pitch 75 pitched per game for a while.
Urias and Bueler-wow- Let’s hope they stay healthy
Even If Mookie should turn Out to Be Our “pujols” he brought us a WS title After all those 32 years of suffering.
IMHO well placed Money.
Go Dodgers!
So he’s already NOT our Pujols. He helped put a ring on everyone’s finger. Pujols did nothing of the sort for the Angels.
I don’t understand why many people (not only here, in other places I’ve read it too) keep saying and believing that the Dodgers won the world series thanks to Betts… I understand that he was a very important part, as was Bellinger, Smith, Seager, Kershaw, was earned through the efforts of the entire team, not just one player. But what do I know?
I think LA was champion with the help of Mookie, not thanks to Mookie.
Betts was the missing piece that finally put the dodgers over the top.
On the field and in the clubhouse.
Just like Gibson back in 88.
Without gibbie and Mookie there are no titles in 88 or 2020.
Go dodgers!
Mookie was a catalyst in 20, no doubt of that. But wins like that are a team effort. No one individual wins the whole thing. Seager, Pollock, Mookie, all made contributions. Pollock was tied for the team lead in HR’s in 20. Muncy had some clutch hits. Mookie did pretty much dominate game 6 of the World Series and accounted for 2 of the 3 runs they scored. But without Kike’s clutch game tying homer and Belli’s game winner in game 7 of the NLCS, they go home. Seager was the star of the playoffs, he took over with his power output. The won, but that is going to be two years ago come this fall. And baseball is a what have you done for me lately game.
While talking about Kike:
Joc keeps mashing. 2 more HR, five on the year and hitting .364
Go Dodgers!
Im sure this has been mentioned but man was it tough to listen to Mendoza…sorry just not a fan.
Of all the people who have been in the booth with Joe Davis, I still think Nomar is the best.
It is time for the Dodgers to step up to the plate and force an end to the Trevor Bauer fiasco. I don’t know exactly what the Dodgers have done or can do, but I think they need to go public or sue or something to put pressure on Manford to get this thing over with. Can’t believe the MLBPA have let this go on so far. They are supposed to be the player’s advocate but they seem to do nothing, and even worse, allow it to go on.
If there is nothing more to the incident than what has been revealed then a decision needs to be made now. It is hurting the Dodgers ball club and they don’t deserve this kind of treatment.
Manfred is the commissioner. He does things at his own pace, and he has never been speedy about it. Dodgers can do nothing to force his hand.
0% of that was true
I still think something isn’t right with both Mookie and Muncy. Hope I’m wrong about that.
I wonder what comes first, May’s return, or Kershaw to the injured list. Maybe add Bauer’s return to that question as well.
We’ve got some hitting going on in our upper minors. Starting pitching? Meh.
OK, I’ll bite:
1) Bauer (although maybe not with the Dodgers)
2) Kersh to the IL
3) May returns
I love checking the stats pages and standings as a Dodgers fan, especially after a big series against a division rival.
The first thing I checked is hitting, number 6 in OPS, but tops in runs per game. I’ll take that.
Tops in pitching across the board. ERA, WHIP and Ave against. I didn’t check FIP, but I’m sanguine about where we might stand in that category. (Not really, because it’s a meaningless stat).
Just for fun I checked on Cody, BABIP down, overall production up? Well, that’s not supposed to happen…
Best record in baseball, check. Best run differential, check.
I was pleasantly surprised we beat (good) lefty Manea like a rented mule. Manea is a good pitcher, not a great one.
I love Juan Uribe incarnate. I thought Kike was a little over the top, he rubbed me the wrong way. Hanser’s got the right amount of looseness. I always thought it was odd that Kike was so loose in the dugout, but wound so tight on the field and in the batter’s box.
There’s no way in hell Muncy hits homers in the teens this year unless he spends significant time on the IL.
There’s no way in hell that Lux is traded at the deadline.
There’s no way in hell Mookie is our Albert. Maybe Carl Crawford, but not Albert.
I’m fine with Doc pulling CK after 5/75 yesterday with an 8-1 lead. His velo dropped a little in the 5th so it was a good read by Doc. I don’t expect that to happen in his next start after an off day on Thursday and I don’t think this is a plan or a prelude to things that come.
I’ve seen Joc on a hot streak before and it always ends the same way. A couple of left starters in a row and Joc goes cold. I can’t remember a player finally figuring it out at age 30. But, JT did at age 29, so you never know. Joc found a good land place. He grew up a Giants fan, so he’s obviously excited to come home, just like Freddie. He also has the benefit of some familiarity with Farhan and Kapler.
It’s funny that people are raving about Joc, but can’t seem to come to terms that Cody is back. They’ll believe in Belli if he’s on another team, I suppose.
Mookie and Seager carried us to the World Series in 20. Both were incredible. I’m not sure he has the influence of the clubhouse that people think he does, but he’s a great player. He’s coming off a injury plagued year. Give it some time before you write him off as a bust. With that said, I would still trade him before his 5/10 rights kick in. Possibly after next season.
Mendoza doesn’t do it for me. Maybe she’s just a little over exuberant for my taste. She’s been doing this for a while, so I’m not sure she’s going to improve. A-Gone is also pretty bad, he looks uncomfortable in this role. My favorite buddy to pair with Joe is Nomar, I don’t mind Karros and I don’t hate Orel as much as some people do, even if he’s just making shit up half the time.
I don’t compare Mookie to Gibby at all. Gibby was a hard ass alpha dog that would bite your ass if he didn’t agree with what you’re doing. Mookie is a lead by example guy that isn’t going to get into anyone’s face, similar to Seager. I think Freeman will ultimately be the veteran leader on the team with the cred to back it up. Not a hard ass, but he’s a no nonsense kind of guy. I love that signing!
Here’s where Belli ranks on this team right now…
Hits – 3rd
Doubles – 1st
Triples – 1st (He’s got one)
HR – 1st
Runs – 5th
RBI – 3rd
BB – 6th
K’s – 1st (Taylor, Bets and TT are closing in)
SB – 1st
Ave – 4th
OBP – 3rd
SGL – 1st
OPS – 2nd
He’s arguably the best hitter on the team. TM needs 25 games, I don’t. He’s back.
I can’t find the name of the boy who hit two grand slams in the same inning, this was in minor leagues or college, I don’t remember, and supposedly in his first two at-bats in baseball… Does anyone know anything about it?
It was your favorite player’s dad, Fernando Tatis. Did it against Chan Ho Park.
Unfortunately I remember that fuking night!
I already found it: Caleb Pendleton. Despite being just college baseball, he would have to be recognized for such an event
I agree with you Bear on Nomar being the most listenable of the bunch. He doesn’t seem to have the need to talk just to be talking. Karros is the worst. I’ve enjoyed having Jessica in the booth for the weekend. It’s a nice change from Eric and Orel’s constant interjecting of “when I was playing”. Sometimes that is informative, but it gets old after awhile. But, overall, I like the concept of changing the analyst every few games.
Concerning Mookie Betts he’s becoming a big disappointment for me. Intially, I was thrilled to have Mookie and watching his outstanding play in 2020. It seemed AF had finally had found a player he was willing to justify and spend money on a long term contract with. Mookie is athletic and wiry so injury issues would be minimized so a long term deal would make sense. Until it didn’t. The second year in on a 12 year deal he has hip issues. Not good.
His stats in 2021 and so far this year are:
Av – .257
OBP – .365
HR – 25
RBI – 64
SO – 102
BB – 78
HIs career strikeout rate is 15%. In ’21 – 20%. In ’22 – 27%. Not going in the right direction.
These are not the kind of stats expected from a $30M year player. It would be interesting to hear how the FO is feeling about the trade/contract. Dump an additional $15M last year and this year for Price and the overall deal kinds of sours so far. Mookie was a must watch player in 2020 and did help the Dodgers win its first championship in 32 years. As Bear mentioned above he was important part of reason they won along with major contributions from other teammates. AF waited years to make a Betts type of trade and signing and so far it doesn’t look so good. Verdugo has been a more available player, at least at good statistically with two years of arbitration left. But, it’s a done deal so the team and fans have to live with the consequences. With last year and so far this year it gets tiring waiting for Mookie to get on track on a more consistent basis.
So good to see Cody getting dialed in. I’ve been as hard on Cody as anyone here, but I expected a big season this year with the way he ended the year in 2021. He still reverts back to his “swing from the heels” approach most of the time, but occasionally goes into “just make contact mode”. His K rate is coming down which means he’s making more contact. He needs to get on base more often in order to maximize all his talents (speed and baserunning).
Freddy Freeman is awesome. Enough said.
Carry on.
You nailed it with your assessment of Betts. I couldn’t agree more. I don’t watch a lot of American League games so I didn’t see many games when Mookie played for the Red Sox. He’s being payed like a top 5 player such as Soto, Trout, Tatis Jr., Acuna Jr. but the last 2 years his production has sure not lived up to it.
Agree about Nomar being the best possible announcer with Joe Davis. Not a fan of Jessica Mendoza.
I also agree with Campy on MLBPA union not going to bat for the Bauer resolution. I heard the argument that as long as he’s being paid the union won’t do much. That’s BS to me, as a player I want to be playing not sitting on the sideline as my career is starting to tick away!
* I can’t stand manny Machado but the play behind 3rd was awesome. Got Trea Turner by 2 steps.
* Belli’s swing looks no different to me than when he struggles.. He still drops his head to get to a launch position. He may be a touch more off the plate. His knees have no more flex to speak of. No more tilt with his spine angle. His bats now flat again. So what’s the difference? His timing. That long complicated, athletic swing is hard to time. It makes him late on pitches. Now he isn’t late. Timing will always be his issue, much more than others. For now, enjoy the ride.
* You see more and more infield grounders not being double plays with Swifts because guys don’t know where to be.
* Muncy, keeps taking close strikes. He has a great eye and refuses to chase. Right now his eye isn’t matching up with the umpires and he’s taking too many strikes. Swing it.
You hit it on the nose this time PhilJones. Belli’s long ass swing is susceptible to timing issues. Enjoy it while he’s young, and he is just that (26). He’s going to have to adjust at some point and will be prone to some slumps.
I must say, he also tends to pull his head and front shoulder. Groundouts and pops when this happens. When he doesn’t pull that shoulder early, and keeps his head on the ball through contact, watch the f out, especially if you’re one of the three infielders on the right side.
So, after an injury riddled season when he OPS’d at a mere all-star level (854), Mookie is the new Belli for this tough crowd. Even after two big flies the other day. I don’t get this crowd at all.
Mookie isn’t worth the money? Go check his BR page and tell me that. Lot’s of black, lot’s of awards, lot’s of top 10 MVP finishes. 15 games, folks! How the hell is he leading the league in runs scored?
Not much pitching, eh? AAA – Ryan Pepiot 4 Starts 1.15 ERA. Andre Jackson 3 starts 0.84 ERA
AA – Michael Grove 2 starts 1.59 ERA. Bobby Miller was 1.93 before yesterday.
I would say that’s pretty solid. Knack hasn’t pitched yet, Beeter isn’t as bad as his ERA says.
Grove and Jackson are on 40 already and Pepiot is dominating. How much pitching is needed?
It’s pretty incredible that the Dodgers won their division just about every year for a decade and people are so negative. I wonder what it’s going to be like if they’re ever have a losing record again.
Hernandez seriously dislocated Bellinger’s shoulder by acting like a twelve-year old. It may have affected his swing when he returned.
I like Jessica Mendoza pretty well. Better than Hershiser, who goes on and on, as if he is doing a lecture on baseball. Better than Kirsten Watson, who is nice, but has little idea of what to say, other than variations of “How good did it feel to hit that big home run?” Anybody with a microphone could do at least as well. Nomar is the most enjoyable to have as commentator, but people would get tired of him if he did all the games. I think that Jessica is a refreshing change of voice and style, and she is bright.
The way that MLB has played with the season format, they have made most of these games fairly meaningless, in that, assuming that the Dodgers make the playoffs, it is going to come down to a few playoff games in October, and how they stack up in terms of health against some perhaps younger and healthier teams, will decide the final results. The Dodgers won 14 or so more games than the Braves last year in the regular season
Baseball used to be all about the pennant race; win that and you were in the World Series. Now we’ve got six divisions of five each, and then six additional wild card teams in the playoffs; and how you are playing then, and who is healthy. is much more important than how you did in the 162 games, at least after you have gotten a playoff spot, among the 40% of teams that do. In 1965, the Dodgers were one of the two teams in the postseason, 10% of the teams. Winning that grueling pennant race took a lot, but the reward was that you were in the World Series, and they could never take that pennant away from you. Now the regular season, still 162 games, is like the prelim heats. A regular season in a major sport should mean more than that, but of course it does not in the NBA, either. 162 games to eliminate 40% of the teams, in a sport where the better team wins only about 60% of the games. and thus could lose to any team in a short series. The owners and the players make money from it, but the fans deserve better,
Yep, I don’t like the expanded playoffs either. I I’m not sure if it’s an advantage to have a buy and sit, without playing for 4-5 days? We’ll see if it’s longer. But, the regular season is still meaningful because of the buy and home field advantage. I don’t think teams will tank games if they’re shooting for that top spot.
I’m not sure if it was just about being hot last year. Losing Muncy on the last day of the season really screwed us. Had it happened when we still had Yoshii, it might have been a different result. Jansens’ blown saves back to back again the Giants really screwed us. We lost the first two games against the Braves by one run in their yard. Had we played at home with Muncy, I don’t think it would have turned out the same.
All the venom aimed at Mookie amuses me. The guy was injured. He did not have surgery and they had a short spring. Main thing I have seen is he is taking a lot more borderline pitches than he used to. But with the short spring, coming off of an injury filled and for him very frustrating season, I give the man time to literally get his legs under him. 15 games in and you think he has lost all the baseball skills he has? Dumb.
I don’t see the venom in today’s comments about Betts, just some discussion and people pointing out trends is all.
I don’t see any venom either. If people can’t make comments that express their opinion, even negative ones, then there won’t be any posts on this forum.
Maybe not today, but there have been a lot of negative things said the last few days. Look opine all you want. No biggie. But I have seen posts on here saying he is through and a 300 plus million mistake. Wrong,
DODGERS RECALL ANDRE JACKSON
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Andre Jackson and optioned infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry.
Jackson, 25, joins the Dodgers for the first time this season after making three starts for Oklahoma City this season. In three starts for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, he went 0-0 with a 0.84 ERA (1 ER/10.2 IP) and nine strikeouts. He made his Major League debut last season with the Dodgers, appearing in three games, allowing three runs in 11.2 innings, and striking out 10. He has been with the Dodgers organization since being drafted in the 12th round of the 2017 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Utah and he is a combined 15-12 with a 3.43 ERA (110 ER/288. 2IP) and 327 strikeouts in 68 minor league games (64 starts).
McKinstry, 26, made his first appearance in a game yesterday, going 0-for-1 for the Dodgers. He was recalled for the second time yesterday after being optioned earlier in the day. Prior to joining the Dodgers, he played in 12 games for Oklahoma City, batting .404 (21-for-52) with three doubles, four triples, one homer and nine RBI. Last week he was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week. In two Major League seasons with the Dodgers, he has hit a combined .217 with 10 doubles, seven homers and 29 RBI. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in 33rd round of the 2016 First Year Player Draft out of Central Michigan University.
I like Orel. After watching the opening series in Denver, I was really happy to hear Joe and Orel when I tuned into the home opener. For me Nomar is a close second. I think that the others will improve as they gain experience and develop their personal styles. I would like for the Dodgers to audition Mickey Hatcher for a broadcasting or telecasting role.
Some like Orel, some do not, I am in the later catagory. I think he babbles too much about nothing and his insights to the game just plain bore me.
Badger,
Before season started Max said he was ‘about 80%’ So interpret that how you want. I translate that to about 50-60%. So who knows what he really is now and will he get better during the season or need to be put on injured list. Mookie. same story. You don’t know truth about these things until after season ends and they report their surgery
Well said William.
“but the fans deserve better”
They won’t get it because:
“The owners and the players make money from it”
60% sounds close David. Maybe 70%. His splits say he’s a summer hitter, so, maybe by June he’ll be back.
Bellinger named N.L. Player of week.
Congrats Belli!! One week does not a season make. Need you for the remaining 147 games.
Add me to the list of those who prefer Nomar most of all the color commentators.
Jessica – very bright , really knows her baseball, but a little too upbeat and verbose for my taste.
Orel – don’t really have a major problem with him but I know others could do a better job.
Karros – seems like he’s always screaming his opinion at me.
Monday – drives me crazy. Reminds me of a number of teachers/professors I had a million years ago who were extremely impressed with their knowledge of everything, yet managed to put me to sleep in the lecture hall.
Not worried in the slightest about Mookie. He likes warmer weather.
Muncy – slightly worried about Max but we’ll get production from him this year. It just may come in the 2nd half.
Baseball gets boring for me when a pitcher can’t throw strikes. It drags a game down. An announcer needs to know when there is some tension in a game and then and only then get fired up when a key out or key hit is made. Joe has been over exuberant when someone hits a home run when the game is slow, tedious, and plodding. The exuberance seems out of place.
An announcer can create some tension if given enough space by the color sidekick. But that space is so often filled with crap. A little back and forth in a blowout is welcome or when a pitcher makes the pace of a game intolerable.
I liked Vin in the booth alone and think Joe would be better off alone most of the time. Bottom line for me is it doesn’t matter whether it is Karros, Oral, Nomar, Monday, or Jessica because they all talk too much. But if they can’t shut up, then I prefer Oral.
I too would like to see Joe by himself. I suggested that right after he started. Absent that, roll out a different color person every series.
SP Walker Buehler R
1-1 4.02 ERA 11K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
2B Max Muncy L
3B J. Turner R
C Will Smith R
CF C. Bellinger L
DH Chris Taylor R
LF Gavin Lux L
In Domed Stadium
Can somebody buy Buehler a new pair of pants ? I mean baseball pants. Those duck pants aren’t a particular good look on the mound. IMO
Or did they shrink in the laundry?
Joc with another dinger!
Love him and Rich Hill without exception.
notes from Dave Roberts
–– Andre Jackson can provide length in the bullpen, but won’t piggyback like Tyler Anderson did
–– No one else reported COVID symptoms after David Price’s positive test yesterday
–– Blake Treinen & Andrew Heaney still aren’t throwing again yet
Maybe the Giants are getting out of Joc what has always been hidden beneath the surface… or maybe we wait for a bigger sampling.
I would think that Treinen and Heaney would each wait at least two weeks… maybe 3 before throwing.
Classic Joc
https://www.knbr.com/2022/04/25/joc-pederson-hits-monster-home-run-after-getting-heckled-by-brewers-fan/
Buehler’s a bum! Put him out to pasture!
Save those trousers!
Pretty special
Buhler would have had a perfect game with better pants.
Seriously, nice to see the ace throw like one. Dodgers pitching has been very good–and often surprisingly so.
As good as the Dodgers are playing, they are only 1/2 game up on the Giants. The Mets, by contrast, are already about 4 games up in the East. (They look very good, especially now that Lindor is playing like Lindor. )
I’m glad the old LA-SF rivalry is back in full force, and now Joc offers a bit more dramatic intrigue. He’s been excellent, and if you saw the highlights of this last game, Joc blasted his HR after a heckler tried to break his concentration. Joc smashed it, then turned and briefly taunted the heckler before jogging toward first. While the humidors are supposedly creating “dead” balls this season, Joc just keeps blasting away.
Some of us are worried about Max. I am not that concerned, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more Edwin Rios…
Mets look really good and they are doing it without de Grom.
MadMax looks anything but finished.
Too bad he ran into a dead arm last year during the playoffs.
Go Dodgers!
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Trevor Bauer files lawsuit vs. woman who accused him of sexual assault
11:07 PM ET
Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff Writer
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer filed suit Monday against the San Diego woman who accused him of sexual assault, claiming defamation and tortious interference while seeking unspecified monetary and punitive damages.
In the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Bauer’s attorneys say that the woman “fabricated allegations of sexual assault,” “pursued bogus criminal and civil actions,” “made false and malicious statements” and “generated a media blitz based on her lies” in an effort to “destroy” Bauer’s reputation, “garner attention for herself” and “extract millions of dollars.”