Born Edward Raymond Stankiewicz on Sept. 3rd, 1915, Eddie “The Brat” Stanky was a hard-nosed player, who made up for what baseball skills he lacked with a burning desire to win. His father, Frank, and his mother shortened their name to Stanky while Eddie was a child. They lived in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. A blue-collar section of the city. It was there that he developed his belligerent, enthusiastic, win-at-all-cost attitude that would make him successful, and reviled in later life.
He hit just .243 his senior year at Northeast High School, but his drive was exceptional. “He came to high school for baseball,” said Lester Owen, his coach. “he said he was going to be a professional baseball player, and everyone believed him”. It was not conceit, he was just an ordinary kid with extraordinary ambition. It was this drive and ambition that stood out among the other players.
The ambition paid off in 1935 when he got a contract with his hometown Philadelphia A’s. He was sent to Greenville, of the Class-C Dixie League to play SS. After a few weeks, feeling homesick, he wrote his mother asking for the money to come home. The reply was stern, Eddie was not welcome at home. They did not allow quitters there. He stayed in Greenville and finished the year with a .301 avg in 101 games.
From 1936 through 1938, Stanky spent most of his time with Portsmouth, a Class-C Middle Atlantic League team. He also spent some time with Class-A Williamsport of the New York-Penn League. He had played, SS, 3B, 2B, and even pitched over his first few years in the minors. But as of 1938, he was mainly a 2B. In 1939, he went to play with Macon, of the Class-B South Atlantic League. His manager there was Milt Stock, who was also part-owner of the team. Stock, a 14-year major leaguer, saw that Stanky had an excellent eye, but no power. So he stuck him in the leadoff spot and told him to be more patient. The move paid off and Stanky made the All-Star team in 1940.
Years later he would credit Stock with planting the seed that helped him become a successful player and manager. At the time though, it was not certain that Eddie would make it to the majors. Stock realized his smallish infielder had an oversized temper. He taught him that his getting thrown out of games, 15-20 times a year, lessened his team’s chances of winning. Stocks daughter, Myrtle, fell in love with his fiery second baseman and they were married on April 11, 1942. Shortly after the wedding, Stock traded his new son-in-law to the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association.
Eddie had his best, and also his final year in the minors. He hit .342, led the league, and was the MVP. His manager at Milwaukee was Charlie Grimm. When Grimm was hired to manage the Cubs in 1943, he took Stanky with him. Stanky’s penchant for crowding the plate had led to several beanings. The first one he suffered in the minors was so severe it gave him a fractured skull and a hearing loss that kept him out of the armed forces.
He made his MLB debut on April 21, 1943. He was hit in the head by Rip Sewell. He hit an uninspiring .245 that year. The next season, Don “Pep” Johnson arrived to take his place. So sitting on the bench, he watched Johnson make the All-Star team. He went to Grimm with a play me or trade me demand, and on the 6th of June, 1944, he was traded to Brooklyn for pitcher Bob Chipman. The trade was not front-page news, something much bigger happened that day.
Taking over for Navy bound, Billy Herman, he became the new second baseman in Brooklyn. In 1945, his first full season with the Dodgers, he became a fan favorite. His hard-nosed play ingratiated him with the fans. His spirited play was enjoyable for the fans. He drew 148 walks in 1945, a record at the time, and he scored 128 runs.
Brooklyn fans loved Stanky, and several nicknames were given, but “The Brat” stuck. It was in reference to his snarling, clamorous, and hot-headed edge. That was his on-field persona. But off the field, he was busy being attentive to family and learning what it would take to be a successful MLB manager.
His respect for the Dodger uniform outstripped everything. In May of 46, he was involved in a fistfight with former Cubs teammate, Lennie Merullo, which was so unruly, that it nearly inspired a riot! He was honored by the fans on Sept 8, 1946, with Eddie Stanky day.
In 1947, Eddie made his first All-Star team. He scored 97 times and had 141 hits. He also made only 12 errors in the field and helped spark Brooklyn to the pennant. 1947 was also the year that Jackie Robinson integrated baseball. Peter Golenbock, in his book “Bums”, contends that Stanky told Robinson that he did not like him, but that they would “play together and get along because we are teammates”. More recent research has challenged this. Jonathan Eig, in his book, ‘Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Season”, says” in accounts written shortly after the 1947 season by both Rickey and Robinson, credited Stanky with being one of Jackies earliest and most important backers. We all know what Reese did. As the Captain, that was out there for all to see.
Brooklyn lost a hard-fought series to the Yanks in 1947. Stanky hit .240 in the series. Not long after he reported to the Dodgers spring camp in the Dominican Republic, he was traded to the Braves on the 6th of March for utility man Carvell Rowell, first baseman Ray Sanders and $40,000.00 cash.
Stanky received the most votes for the second baseman in the 1948 All-Star game. He was hitting well over .300 at the break. But on July 8th in Brooklyn, he collided with 3rd baseman Bruce Edwards and emerged with a broken ankle and a torn ligament. He was unable to play in the All-Star Game, and when he returned to action on September 19th, the Braves were close to sewing up their first pennant in 34 years. Boston, with Sibi Sisti handling 2nd in Stanky’s absence, made Eddie a pennant winner for the second straight year. Brooklyn finished 3rd.
In the 48 World Series, the Braves lost to Cleveland. It has so far been the last Championship for the Cleveland franchise. Even though his leg was still a problem, Southworth put him in the leadoff spot and he played all six games. He finished the series with a .524 OBP on 4 hits and 7 walks. They operated on his leg 2 months after the series and removed two bone fragments from his ankle.
In the spring of 1949, Southworth began pushing his players very hard. Some of them bridled at the treatment. Eddie would have a solid season hitting .285 with 90 runs scored, but he started making enemies in the clubhouse amid rumors that he would become manager if Southworth were fired. This caused some controversy and problems and made 1948 a long season for the Braves.
One such incident happened in July against Pittsburgh. Stanky, who had the manager’s permission to call plays had sent Warren Spahn on a botched hit and run play. Spahn was credited with a stolen base. Later in the game, he again sent Spahn to second on a hit and run, this time Stanky made contact and grounded the ball to third, Spahn made second on a wild throw and immediately ran for third where he was thrown out. In the 9th inning, on a very hot day, Spahn blew a three-run lead and the Braves lost 12-9.
Reporters immediately assumed Spahn had run too much on the bases and had been gassed that last inning on the mound. The blame fell squarely on Stanky. Teammates were complaining to reporters about his assumed authority. One even suggested his mates were outraged by his takeover attitude. Stanky was livid and fired back. The Sporting News reported him as saying” I am always playing to get another run for my team and to prevent the other team from scoring runs….as for taking over, I only do what I can to win games and leave that ‘takeover attitude’ to the second-guessing bushers. I resent the implication that I exceeded my authority in putting on plays, I have always co-operated with every manager I played for 100 percent. I have always played to win and will continue to do so until I quit”.
That incident was the low point of the season. Southworth was on the verge of a breakdown and left the team on August 16th with the Braves at 55-54 and mired in 4th place. Coach Johnny Cooney took over as manager. But when Southworth announced he was coming back for 1950, Stanky was as good as gone. On December 14th, 1949, Stanky and DP partner, Al Dark, were traded to the Giants for Sid Gordon and Willard Marshall, Buddy Kerr, and Sam Webb.
The rift between Durocher and Stanky created when Stanky left Brooklyn was quickly healed. Leo let Stanky play his way and he thrived. He batted .300, with a league-leading .460 OBP, 115 runs, 144 walks, and 12 HBP’s. He made the All-Star team, was named player of the year by the New York Baseball Writers, and finished 3rd in the MVP vote.
The Giants improved from a 5th place finish in 1949, to a third-place finish behind Brooklyn and Philly in 50. Stanky was always trying to irritate the opposition. In a game on August 12th, against the Phillies, Stanky was waving his arms, mimicking the pitcher’s windup while a hitter stood in the batter’s box. After a warning from umpires he did not heed, he was ejected from the game. Andy Semenick, the victim of Stanky’s antics, did not think the punishment was good enough so he took out his replacement, Bill Rigney, in a violent collision at 2nd base. The police had to be called to quell the ensuing bench-clearing brawl.
In 1951, things got better. At least for the Giants. With a flurry at the end of the season, they caught the Dodgers, who at one point had a 13-1/2 game lead and tied for the pennant. In one of the lowest points in Dodgers history, they beat Brooklyn on a walk-off homer by we all know who!.
The Giants would lose the series to the Yankees, on their way to 5 consecutive titles. Stanky had a terrible series with one bright spot. He took off for second in game three on a steal attempt, he was going to be out by 15 feet, but when Rizzuto leaned down to tag him, he kicked the ball out of his glove and it rolled into center field. Stanky got to third and the play ignited a 5-run rally that won the game.
It was his last hurrah as a Giant. In December he was on the move again, this time to the Cardinals for Max Lanier and Chuck Dearing. But in St. Louis, Stanky would be a player-manager. Coming off one of his best years in the majors, he began to remove himself from active playing. He played only 53 games in 1952 and 17 in 1953. He tried to manage the same way he played. Of course, this style, somewhat dictatorial, did not go down well with some of his players. But it seemed to work. The Cardinals finished 3rd in 1952 and he got Manager of the Year. They finished third again in 1953. But in 1954, with Stanky no longer an active player, they dropped to 6th place. Stanky was not popular with his players. SS Dick Schofield said,” He expected you to play every game as if it was your first or your last“.
Stanky did not realize that you cannot always manage the way you played. It just does not work with some people. The ax fell just 35 games into the 1955 season, with the Cards mired in 5th place. New owner, August Busch Jr. decided that Stanky was “too much foam and not enough body“. He was replaced by Harry Walker on May 28th.
Stanky never did realize that the players he was dealing with would never be unquestioningly obedient. He took a job managing the Minneapolis Millers. He did a decent job but was fired at the end of the year. He wanted to coach for the Giants and had the blessing of the owner, Horace Stoneham, but manager Bill Rigney said no.
He went to the Indians as a coach for a new manager, Kerby Farrell. He did well there and stayed for two years. He taught Bobby Avila the “intentional foul” which had worked so well for him when he played. He stayed on when Farrell was replaced by Bobby Bragan and again when Joe Gordon took over for Bragan.
Future manager, Joe Altobelli said that Stanky was the best third-base coach he ever saw. After the 1958 season, the new ownership in Cleveland cleaned house and Stanky was gone. He then went to work for Bing Devine in St. Louis as a scout and minor league talent evaluator. He went to the Mets with Devine when he moved there in 1965. But his stay in the Big Apple was short. He was hired in 1966 to manage the Chicago White Sox, replacing the mild-mannered Al Lopez.
Unable to adapt to Stanky’s run and gun style of play, the Sox finished 4th in 1966. But Stanky fired all of the coaches he inherited and brought in those he thought would instill his type of play. His forceful style, solid pitching staff, and a team that made few mistakes on the field kept the Sox competitive in one of baseball’s most gripping seasons.
Locked in a tight race with Boston, Minnesota, and Detroit, Stanky’s pitching-rich Sox were playing way over their heads. The team was considered dull by the pundits and the fans due to their lack of fireworks offensively. The fans showed their displeasure with his approach by not coming to the ballpark.
His single-mindedness towards his team was shown when after a tough loss he kept VP Hubert Humphrey waiting while he talked to his team, and for quite a while too. He said,” Humphrey can’t hit, what do I need with him?” He later apologized to him. But it looked heading into the last week like the Sox were World Series bound.
Just needing to beat the lowly A’s in KC, they lost a doubleheader and then were shut out by the Senators eliminating them. They finished in 4th place, 3 games back of the Red Sox. Owner Arthur Allyn rewarded Stanky with a four-year contract, but the Sox lost their first 10 games in 1968 and 69 games later he was asked to resign. He was replaced by, you guessed it, Al Lopez.
Back home in Alabama, he secured a job as coach at the University of Southern Alabama. Used to nice locker rooms and manicured fields, he inherited a job where the field was a rockpile with no dugouts, a 4 ft. high fence all the way around, and no grass on the infield. He transformed the school into one of the best baseball schools in the country. Over the next 14 years, his teams went 488-193. He never had a losing season.
And probably the best thing was he got rid of his win at all costs style of leadership. He adopted an everyone plays philosophy. To him, his proudest achievement was playing 38 guys in a 9-inning game. He would carry at times as many as 45 players. He loved coaching the kids. His best feeling was when their mothers would come up to him at graduation with tears in their eyes thanking him for helping their kids along. You cannot put a price on that feeling.
In June of 1977, he was lured back to the majors to manage the Rangers. But after leading them to a 10-8 win his first game back, he quit and went back to coach in Alabama again. He said he missed his family and coaching the kids. He weathered a heart attack and open-heart surgery and coached for another six years. He showed the old Brat mentality when he was kicked out of a game his last year for cursing at an umpire. If there is one thing, I cannot stand he said, it is an ump who does not know the rules.
He retired in 1983 and lived a quiet life until he died on June 6, 1999. He was survived by his wife, son, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. The Brat, Eddie Stanky. He was only a Dodger for a brief time, but what an impact he made.
Dodger News & Notes by Mark Timmons
- Before you dig on the Catman, let me remind you that he is #5 in the NL in ERA at 1.59… He deserved better last night.
- Gavin Lux needs to move to LF and CT3 to 2B. Problem solved and if Lux can focus on hitting and not worrying about the YIPS, he might just “breakout.”
- Joc Pederson has 45 ABs. Of those, 3 are against LHP. So, the Giants are using him in a straight platoon.
- After 65 ABs, Darin Ruf is hitting .154! Last year was an outlier!
- The Giants are a half-game ahead of the Dodgers… and it does not appear that they are going away. I am amazed at what the Giants are doing.
- The Great Lakes Loons scored 5 times in the 5th inning and came back to win yesterday, but the team’s lack of hitting by Leonard (.176), Vivas (.157), DeLuca (.194), Valera (.196), and others remains troubling.
- At Tulsa, Mark Washington pitched the 9th inning (behind 2-1) and while he has never had what you might call “filthy stuff,” his stuff will play up IF he can effectively change speeds and locate better. He is effectively changing speeds (High 90’s to Mid-80s), but the location is still an issue. He struck out 2 and walked 2. He does have a 1.59 ERA but the walks will kill him, however, he is improving.
- Michael Grove pitched 3 innings and K’ed 6, while giving up 2 hits and 2 Runs with a BB. I still see him as a reliever. BTW, Kody Hoese hit into a DP to end the game with Tulsa losing 2-1.
- Sadly, I think Marshall Kasowski needs to be released and see if some other organization can help him. He has more BB than IP and has an ERA near 6.00. He is 27 and needs to try something… anything. OTOH, Justin Hagenman has 14 K’s and 1 BB in 12 IP.
- Look for Kevin Pillar and Jake Lamb to opt out soon. That will change the complexion of the Minor League Roster. Busch and Pages to OKC…. well Busch, at least!
- Luis Rodriguez and Damon Keith are simply raking at RC, especially Keith. They both could move up to the Loonies. Speaking of Keith, he has the foundational look of a generational player… that is at first blush. It’s a long season.
- Diego Cartaya finally went 1-3… OK let’s hope he snaps out soon (.178 BA).
- V-Gon is throwing bullpen sessions and allegedly will go on a rehab assignment soon.
- Treinen and Heaney (especially) do not sound promising in the short term.
- Tommy Kahnle will allegedly be activated the first week of May.
- Danny Duffy is “playing catch” not throwing. He is a ways away.
- Caleb Ferguson should be back Mid-May.
- Lots of roster decisions… including cutting down to 26.
- 12:40 PDT Game today with Urias and Gallen. Should be a pitcher’s duel.
- Finally, does a person you don’t like have the right to say something you disagree with? It’s been a foreign concept to some. However, I think we should always strive to do that here.
Stanky. Before my time, but sounds like a decent player.
Lux, stop the bent over sidearm flipping of the ball. Stand up straight and throw it.
Yeah, Gonsolin deserved better, but this is the dbacks. Throw strikes and mow them down. 75 pitches in 4 innings doesn’t get it.
Why suddenly so many ground balls? Warning track power have these guys thinking too much in the box?
We are obviously capable of stinkers once in a while. Put it in the rear view and move forward
A bit UTR – Hagenman to OKC yesterday — an actual promotion or a short term trip due to the need for a pitcher ( pitched 2.1 innings last night)
Lets win the series today. That’s one of the biggest stats I track and so far we are 4-1-0 in series Win/Loss/Ties.
Agree 100%.
Win today. We need Orel or at least EK in the booth. Mendoza is like nails on a chalkboard.
Anyone read the book by Pedro Moura How to Beat Broken Game?
Just got it and looking forward to reading it.
Not a fun game to watch at any point. I didn’t think this team could play so bad and boring to boot. There sure seemed to be more Dodger fans at last night’s event and look how they got rewarded. 5 double plays??? I wish I missed it on my TV.
The manager might need to resort to some small ball when a run is absolutely needed. These guys don’t seem to be that adept at situational hitting. Belli sure is a hard guy to walk. Thought that was a bit of a selfish green light swing at 3-0, 2 guys on. If Dodgers get the lead in that inning, the game may have played out differently. Oh well. Dodgers will probably not hit into 5 double plays in one game again for about 3 years.
In case you’ve been in a cave for the pst few years:
1. Baseball is boring
2. Small ball is passé
3. Pedro M. Is amazing
4. Nobody bunts
5. Players are loathe to Change their batting approach to come back the shift.
6. Starters rarely finish.
7. “Fielding first” SS like Vizquel or Ozzie Smith have no place anymore
Exactly. It is not 1950 anymore Toto. Baseball is a much different game than the one I grew up with. Also, as of today, I am totally against the humidifier. Baseballs are dying at the warning track, especially in a place like Chase where they flew out before.
It took months for Lux to make a mistake with a bad throw to first base for you to get the narrative out of the yips again, you had it all set and ready for when it happened.
Lux is the best defensive player in the Dodgers infield so far this season, he just hasn’t played second base long enough, most of the time in the minor leagues he played like an SS, so he’s pretty much learning to play in the big leagues and getting better and better, he will do nothing but improve as time goes by, he has no yips at second base, the yips were in the SS that’s why he was changed to second base, The solution is simple and it’s like Badger says, stand up straight, point your foot to first base and throw the ball overhand, he’ll do it, he’s got it all: long range, good hands and a strong arm.
Sax was much worse and became one of the best defensive backs at second base, so was Chuck Knoblauch, Lux isn’t even close to the problems they had.
This has been an issue all his career… on and off. He seldom makes a “clean throw” to 1B – His throws are almost always (not occasionally) high, low, or wide. You can see it in his eyes and body language. He has been playing for a long time, If the solution were simple, he would have fixed it. He needs to move, and let his offense play up.
… and then I read the article in the LA TIMES extolling Lux’s defense and I knew I was right. If you go the opposite way the Times says, you will generally be right 85% of the time.
… also, I would REALLY like to be wrong on this.
Fundamentals. I see Lux lax in basic throwing fundamentals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHRU973uu2c
Stuff you teach Little Leaguers.
I like the LA Times. I like the New York Times. You probably like the Washington Times.
I like none of those.
I do not like echo chambers, which create a safe space where people don’t have to encounter an opposing view.
Too much of that already!
What paper do you read?
I read lots of them… in no particular order… and not everyday.
You read “lots of them”
But you don’t read the New York Times??!??!?!??
Sounds like a Sarah Palin quote
I believe Sarah said “um, all of them”. Mark only reads lots of them. Sarah is obviously more well read than I can’t even finish that statement.
Yeah, there might be one or two people who read this blog that would remember Eddie Stanky. But I remember that White Sox team he managed and also his really short stint in Texas. And from the books and other articles I have read over the years on the Dodgers and baseball in general, he was one of those personality’s that stood out. And in his short tenure with the Dodgers, he did some good things, among them, supporting Jackie Robinson. My player profiles are more about the guys on the edges who helped the team win. There will be a couple about players who were also almost stars. One thing I forgot to mention in the narrative was the fact that when Thompson hit the homer and was rounding the bases, Stanky came out of the dugout and jumped on Durocher’s back. Leo was coaching third base, and he was trying to congratulate his player, but he did not make it.
Too early in his career to make a solid assessment on Lux as to how he might fare at second, but Mark is right, if the kid has a weakness in the infield, it has been his errant throws. But no one has played second for more than a couple days in a row so far. Roberts is moving guys all over the place. Only Freeman and Turner in the inf are there every day. To be consistent you need to be out there more. And Badger is right too, that sidearm flip is not all that accurate. He missed Freeman by 5 feet.
My brother is doing well. He is walking with a walker. But he still needs someone close to keep him balanced. He loves the Dodgers and has been scouring the websites for the new bobbleheads when they come out.
Lux did something bad. Time for the collective knee jerk “Lux is a scrub” talk, with soon-to-follow inclusion into another hare brained trade-of-the-day scenario that will never happen.
Lux is leading the team in Def WAR, but whatever.
“But I don’t trust any of dem new fangled, city slicker so-called staiytistics. I trust muh eyeballs.”
Ok, whatever.
The unique thing about baseball and statistics is that, for them to have any meaning, we have to evaluate them over a longer time period.
Day 1 – “Bellinger struck out! He sucks! Trade him!”
Day 2 – “Bellinger hit a home run! I predict he’ll be the MVP.”
That’s not how it works.
And besides, you can complain about Lux all you want, but he isn’t going anywhere. There’s about a snowball’s chance in hell the Dodgers are going to fork over a Seager-like contract to keep Trea Turner. You’re watching a short timer every time he goes to bat. Appreciate him while you can, because he’s actually very good, but not long for this team.
No one is saying Gavin Lux is a poor defender. At least I’m not. I’m saying there is room for improvement and it begins with solid fundamentals.
We’re not yet 10% through the season and he has put up .8 WAR. Run those numbers out. Lux, with coaching and encouragement will be an All Star for years. Yeah, he’s a keeper. His position is yet to be determined.
You hit the nail on the head Badger, Lux is a diamond that needs to be polished to become a jewel; the reach, the soft hands and the strong arm are things that are not taught, as you say he has to improve in the fundamentals and that will be achieved with work and repetitions, we see the case of Will Smith, he has improved his defense tremendously, it’s a pleasure to see him catch the ball, of Buehler’s 10 strikeouts I saw him like 3 or 4 were thanks to Smith, he is another player who will continue to improve his defense as time goes by.
If Trea Turner puts numbers this season very similar to those of last season, even this year he is projecting 90-100 RBI, I see it very difficult for the Dodgers to let go of a player of that caliber, I also think that nobody will reach the contracts that Lindor got and Seager.
They’ll come off the books Justin Turner, Price, Kimbrel, Kershaw, Heaney, Anderson, Barnes, Hudson and if Bush keeps making progress he could make Muncy the odd man out;
there’s a lot of money in there coming off the books the Dodgers will be prepared to make an offer to Trea Turner the narrative is they won’t but the writers are just speculating the Dodgers have never said they won’t but again I see very It difficult for the Dodgers to let go of a player of that caliber.
I think Trea is already gone:
1. He is from Florida;
2. He just moved back to FL from DC Area;
3. His whole family is there;
4. He’s a FL cat; and
5. There is no income tax in FL.
Yes, Kershaw is also from Texas.
It’s all speculation:
1 those who say they won’t extend it, I haven’t read a statement that the Dodgers say that, not even “an anonymous source.”
2 Florida
3 the Dodgers won’t let go of a player of that caliber.
I add another speculation: Bauer will play with the team in 2023, he will not exercise his clause as a way to compensate the team for lost time
Those are good reasons to move to Florida. Championships? Move to a Florida team and there will be no more forever. He’ll be 29 next year. Sign a 7 year deal with LA and retire to Florida in your mid 30’s an incredibly wealthy man.
My opinion: paying taxes is the price we pay (some of us) to live in an advanced society. You make $50 million by the time you are 30, and make another $200 million going forward you are one blessed individual. That’s generational money and you and your grandchildren’s grandchildren live easy wherever you want and you did it before 40.
The question is, are championships important? If not, Florida is fine for you, as Texas was for Seager. You want to win? Where better than Los Angeles?
Atlanta Swanson) Miami (Wendle) and TB( Wander) have shortstops and the Miami teams are small payroll teams. Texas has a shortstop. Miami might bite next year if Trea is a free agent.
Atlanta would dump Swanson in a heartbeat if Trea wanted to play there. Miami is a likely fit, but, if they pay him they will have no money to pay anybody else.
So if done this year, Swanson for Trea plus whatever would make it a mega trade?
I don’t want Swanson. Do you?
The Dodgers also have Busch and Vargas getting close. Both are infielders or DH’s
Exactly, either of those two players can turn Muncy into the odd man.
Everything indicates that those two players were born to hit, they will arrive.
I’m a big fan of the shortstop play of Jacob Amaya. I think he’s a big league quality defender if he can hit. He’s hitting .325 at AA which is a good sign. I know AA isn’t the Majors but it ain’t chopped liver either. At 23, he’s a kid I’m keeping my eye on if and when we start shopping for a shortstop.
I have my Dad’s 1940’s vintage Eddie Stanky baseball glove. My Dad bought it when he was playing ball in high school. It’s a pro model glove and is the 1st glove that I ever used to play catch with my Dad when I was 7 or 8.
Very cool.
Totally cool. Stanky was an old style hard nosed guy. My first glove was a Gil Hodges model 1st basemans mitt
So far I’m really enjoying the season / you are always going to get games like yesterday once in a while.
Big fan of Gavin lux – got a big career ahead of him.
Loving Freddie in Dodger Blue. He is a class act.
So pleased for Cody. Great example of getting your head down, and getting on with it.
The Mookie debate is interesting. To
My mind I would like to see him have a Bret Butler like attitude to being a Lead Off hitter. At the moment im not sure he’s as focused at getting on board as he is as hitting it out.
In our current lineup, with Freddie and Trea hitting behind him, he should score bucket loads if he can get on base. Just need him to concentrate on that.
NO to Pedro Baez.
Thanks Michael and Mark for the continued high quality content.
Well mookie is leading the majors in runs scored soooooo
Julio Urias L
1-1 3.00 ERA 11K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
3B Max Muncy L
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
DH Edwin Rios L
2B Gavin Lux L
C A. Barnes R
In Domed Stadium
Guys – I mentioned a few weeks back about a potential meet up for a bit of lunch when I’m in LA in 10 days time.
Was asked to mention it again nearer the time to firm things up.
Friday 6th May would work well for me, although could possibly do the next day if it means others can join.
Long Beach was mentioned as a venue – I’m in Redondo so can get wherever.
Would be great to hook up with you boys so what do we think?
Really need someone to steer us in the right direction regarding where to meet and eat?
So cmon Michael, Badger, B&P, Patch, Bobby and all you LA dwellers – I’m thinking Brunch or simply lunch time wise.
Pete, haven’t seen you post in a while so I hope you’re ok – would be great to meet you too pal – if you’re able?
So the invite is there – but no sweat if it doesn’t work for whatever reason.
Wait there for 30 days and I’ll be there too….
May 7 sounds good to me. Dodgers on the road at Cubbies, so a Sports bar would be best at 11:20 start time.
I’m sure I can find a place, but maybe someone else can suggest?
I would prefer no to have to take time off work on Friday, unless we meet up close to home in Huntington Beach.
What a great idea / hadn’t realised the Dodgers were playing at that time – that would be absolutely perfect.
I can definitely make Saturday work at that time. (7th)
Hopefully most of the guys could make that work??
Now to find a venue. I don’t know how stabby some of the places in Long Beach are, but I would assume that Legends is safe on a Saturday Morning, but parking might be f’ed!
http://www.legendssportsbar.com/
My Place is a good place to go. They have ample parking and is pretty close to the freeway.
https://myplacesportsbar.com
There’s a lot places on Main Street in Huntington Beach, you can walk around and take your pick. There’s several places with screens outside so you can enjoy the weather and watch. I know Killarney’s will have the game on…
https://killarneysirishpubhb.com/
Huntington is a no go for me. I can make one of the other two you mentioned’
Varland and Gamboa have a No-No through 6 IP.
Gamboa gave up a hit in the 7th.
Busch & Amaya homered.
Busch is playing LF.
I’m not going to elaborate on Lux (and his mechanics) at 2nd just yet. I had hoped the YIPS were behind him but the throw last night was very Yippie. If you noticed, he seem to have a little hesitation prior to the throw. A fraction of a second that allows the demons to suggest throwing the ball away. Like thoughts of a shank in golf, once those voices are in there, it takes and exorcism (or a position change) to get them out of your head. Quality reps can help.
Did I hear Jess Mendoza say that ABS would be used to “review” pitches for mistakes? Please no. No more challenges and play stoppage for reviews. The ABS should be the sole determinator of balls and strikes and only overruled in cases like a pitch bouncing through the strike zone. Don’t overcomplicate this deal. Use it or not, but no challenges and reviews on pitches.
I hope she was wrong.
I hate pissing away games like last night. I don’t mind getting beat but I do mind those type losses where we nearly show up.
You nailed it. It is the YIPS:
Hershshiser and Davis talked about challenges a few weeks ago. Sounded like a proosed option. Hopefully never gets implemented.
Another weird game. How we can look so inept against a last place team boggles the mind.
For Lux to have a 3-1 count and swing and miss two straight fastballs at 90 mph in the middle of the plate is just terrible. And not just strikeout but also cause two outs since Rios was running on the play.
He also took a 2-0 fastball down the middle in the at bat.
He cost the Dodgers the game last night and not helping this game either.
He has so much promise, but sometimes the mental part of the game is too much at the MLB level.
Gavin is one of my favorite players and is still young. But he needs to just play the game without over thinking everything.
Anticipate the overthrow. Little League fundamentals. Major Leaguers don’t do it.
Now, it’s the YIPS. Thanks Mark, for jinxing lux!
Muncy’s “yips” were very important to lose the game
Trea with 16 RBIs is replacing Justin as the guy you want up WRISP late in the game.
Bad fundamental baseball two days in a row against one of the worst teams in baseball. Need to get their heads out of their asses and play to their potential. Ugly last two days!!
I hear a lot about how bunting, hitting the other way and stealing are no longer relevant in today’s game.
Well, the Dbacks won the game on a bunt. Scored 2 and almost 3 runs in the 8th inning without hitting the ball out of the infield.
Well, clearly my trade for gold glover Matt Chapman woulda coulda shoulda won these last two games.
Muncy and Lux both made horrible and very costly throws. And Lux nearly threw a second away.
It took Sax a few years to develop the yips. Lux is overthinking plays that should be routine.
I’m not sure if the Dodgers actually have a good 3B option now. JT was good, but he’s lost some range. Muncy is a gamer but he is better at 2B, which he says is favorite position…. As for Lux , geez…. Fortunately, Freeman is a big target and a past gold glover.
I just get the sense that defense–especially infield D–has never been as high a priority as it should be.
.227 .282 .409 .691
So, are we allowed to be concerned about the Giants yet? If they beat the A’s, they’ll be a full 1.5 games ahead of the Dodgers. We thought the Dodgers were just going to cruise, didn’t we?
Why? They lead the league in runs scored. How?
How does their lineup of guys like …. *checks notes* … Austin Slater … outperform the vaunted Dodger juggernaut?
SFG leads the league in Win Probability Added, which collectively measures how much a batter’s individual actions contributes to the overall odds of the team winning. The Giants lead the league in WPA. They are hitting when it matters the most. They are also 3rd in Clutch, which factors in high leverage situations.
The Dodgers are 8th in WPA, 22nd in Clutch, so even though the Dodgers have a higher BA, better BB rate and higher OBP and higher slugging percentage, they Giants have outscored the Dodgers overall, and most importantly, have scored when it effects the outcome of the game the most.
The Giants execute. Kapler is coaching that team well.
Who isn’t and hasn’t been concerned about the Giants?
Of course the Giants are good. So are the Dodgers.
“Scoring when it effects the outcome of the game” is a doozy of a nonsensical statement.
This whole group reaction is silly.
What perplexes me about your online personality, Bluto, is how your inability to grasp basic concepts consistently results in snark and condescension.
“Scoring when it effects the outcome of the game” is not only sensical, but measurable when you first understand that a double with two outs in an 11-2 blowout is statistically very different from a leadoff double in a tie game. The Giants, for whatever reason, are statistically very good at this, which partially explains why a mediocre lineup on paper leads the NL West.
It’s an attempt to answer the why. Perhaps your curiosity doesn’t extend that far, and simply “Of course the Giants are good. So are the Dodgers” is sufficient, which is perfectly fine, but if you don’t have much to add or the topic simply isn’t of interest, maybe sit this one out.
Sometimes good teams play to the level of their competition. The Dodgers went 16 – 3 against the Snakes last year. This year they haven’t played particularly well against them yet.
Kapler was thought to be a horrible manager when he managed the Phillies. The Giants played over their heads last year. This year they’ve started out well. I still don’t like their players that well, although their starting pitching is underrated.
They are 18 games in (11% of the season) and while all of the games count now too, it’s still too soon to draw any conclusions. Spring training was shortened and the Dodgers didn’t give starters enough AB/IP to be ready in my view.
If they are still sloppy on defense (especially in the INF) and Muncy, Betts et al still aren’t hitting then they will need to worry.
I have never thought that Muncy played well at 3B. His range factor and fielding percentage are lower at 3B than for 1B or 2B. But Rios’ numbers at 3B are worse for range factor and fielding % than Muncy’s.
Timing is everything. Like Mark, you had this teed up.
Technically, the Mets lead the league in runs scored. They have one more run than the team you’re supposed to be rooting for. By reading your post, I would think we were buried.
Why don’t you report back a week from today and let all of us know what stats they lead the league in. Two days ago they didn’t lead the league. It can’t just be a bad stretch, it has to be how well coached and superior they are?
Weird how Kapler couldn’t do it with the Phillies.
Go ahead and gloat for now. Remember that we sent your team home last year in the post-season. The month of May won’t be kind to your team.
16 games in, go ahead and be concerned. You were after the first weekend so why not be 13 games later? I’ll just keep being confident that we don’t have anything to worry about.
$20 says we’re in first place on June1.
Yawn!
Let’s wait at least until June 1st before we declare the 20 Dodgers the 27 Yankees or the 2010 Mariners. And who else is on the bus to OKC with Bellinger
Bad loss, move on and forget it. Off day today and another Monday. SO they have time to do some infield drills.