Tomorrow at about 3 PM EDT, my brother (a Reds fan) and I, along with another US Water Systems employee who is also a Reds fan will pile into the Rocket Ship and head to Cincinnati. It’s an employee entertainment perk, so I can write it off. š I call my Ford F-150 “The Rocket Ship” because it has a 450 HP Raptor Engine and a 10-Speed Transmission. It does the 1/4 Mile at 102 MPH and goes 0-60 in 5.0 seconds. Well, that was before I added the Tune Chip that added an additional 217 HP. It’s a lot faster than that now! š I admit that I am a hot-rodder at heart! But, I have a good Radar Detector!
At any rate, we are headed down I-74 from Indy to Cincy. If I leave at 3 PM, I’ll beat the 5 PM Cincy rush hour traffic and arrive at Great American Ballpark by 5 PM when the gates open, so we can see BP. We are sitting up 8 rows from the field behind the Dodgers Dugout. In LA these seats are Big Bux. I got these three for $202.00 TOTAL!
When we get there, we will have to have a Frisch’s Big Boy. They have two Big Boy Restaurants at the Ballpark and I will fight anyone who doesn’t think these are the best. Well, maybe not anyone.
I might just have to get some Cincinnati-style Skyline Chili. A 5-Way of course:
I am going to get these guys back on track and if I can’t do it, my younger brother who outweighs me by 120 pounds will do it. He is one strong son of a gun. My son is having all four of his wisdom teeth removed tomorrow or he would be going too.
At any rate, I will be there and give Dave Roberts everyone’s well wishes and encourage the team to quit acting like choke artists… and quit hitting Muncy and JT in any Major League Park.
Trayce Thompson
The Dodgers are famous for taking a player like Trayce Thompson who has great athletic ability and does fill the void as a good defensive right-fielder but who cannot jump out of a boat and hit water, and turn them into a .300 hitter. OK, I just made all that up! Lately, the Dodgers have been famous for taking a team that many thought was the best offensive team in baseball into the Little Sisters of the Poor.
By all accounts, Trayce Thompson is a great guy – it’s just that he is one of those AAAA players: Too good for AAA, not good enough for MLB. Trayce has accumulated 640 Plate Appearances in MLB during his career and has an OPS better than Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Cody Bellinger. Shoot, Doc will probably bat him cleanup. He will fit right in with the Dodgers. Still, at 31 there have been players who suddenly put it all together. Let’s hope and pray that’s what happens with Trayce. Mind you, I am not predicting it… it’s just wishful thinking.
I still say this:
- Fire the hitting coaches
- Call up Miguel Vargas
Do something – even if it’s wrong!
With gas prices the way they are I saw Sammy Hager driving 55.
Dodger Poke Report – 6-20-2022 Editions
I could not get RaC to load! I’ll try later.
Enjoy the game Mark. Tell Roberts to stop batting Muncy 4th and maybe not at all .JT needs to take a seat too. Ask him why haven’t they DFA David Price? He is taking up a much needed spot on the now 13 man pitching roster. Also Mark Prior is doing an excellent job as pitching coach, maybe he can take over the duties also as hitting coach too.
Prior can’t do any worse than RVS.
That’s a hell of a truck, Mark! Go and give Doc some hell.
Over here we still have a couple of Bob’s Big Boys. I’m not sure if they’re exactly the same, but it’s worth the drive to Norco to go and get that Big Boy. We used to have one done the street from the house where I grew up. My dad loved hamburgers and that was one of the go to places where we would eat out, which wasn’t very often.
They were trying to re-open one close to where I live now in Huntington Beach, but the city wouldn’t let them put a Big Boy out front so we got a place called Mama’s on 39 instead. It’s an independent and it’s always packed, but I’m not a big fan. I would have rather had the Big Boy.
I hope you save some room for some Skyline Chili at the park. Maybe around the 7th inning.
What happened to that Naugles that was next to the pier on Main?
Looks like they closed it down. I was wondering the same.
I remember they made a big deal about bringing sourcing the original menu and bringing it back. I was sort of excited at the time. Many late night after party drive throughs at the one on Tustin ave.
Man, that brings back a lot of memories for me! In 72 to 76 The Bobs on Whittier boulevard was the center of some of the best SoCal cruise action there was. Every Friday and Saturday night was like American Graffiti, but with muscle cars.
Cheers
From Wikipedia: Frisch’s Big Boy is a regional Big Boy restaurant chain with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. For many years a Big Boy franchisee, in 2001, Frisch’s became the exclusive owner of the Big Boy trademark in Indiana, Kentucky, and most of Ohio and Tennessee, and is no longer affiliated with Big Boy Restaurant Group. In July 2019, there were 118 restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. This includes 20 Big Boy stores in Cincinnati, 6 in Dayton, Ohio, and 6 in Louisville, Kentucky. Frisch’s is the oldest, longest surviving regional Big Boy operator, excluding Bob’s Big Boy in California, which was the original Big Boy restaurant and franchisor.
Thats a good ballpark.
Ill be in Atlanta for the weekend series. I’m sure it will be a Zoo, they jacked up prices b/c its Freddie and the Dodgers. Hopefully it inspires our guys to play good ball..
Bring us some wins from Cinnci.
Now I need to go to Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank today and get that burger, fries, and hot fudge lava cake.
Way to go Bobby! Don’t forget that salad with those awesome dressings.
Very underwhelmed by the acquisition of Thompson. Would prefer an outfielder who can actually hit. Trace can field though. I heard the plan was to platoon him with Alvarez. Which means Alvarez would get the bulk of the playing time with most pitchers being RH. Sorry, that won’t work. Alvarez is a nice story, but not a very good MLB player so far.
Just a stop gap. Mookie is not going to be out long.
3 Weeks
At most; Mookie feels it will be less.
Im fine letting him rest…
I know that. My preference would have been someone who actually can hit at the MLB level. Defense has been a problem, but inconsistent hitting has been a bigger problem.
How about this?
Against LHP:
LF – Alberto
CF – Taylor
RF- Thompson
Against RHP:
LF – Lamb
CF – Bellinger
RF – McKinstry
All or RH Outfield.
Problem solved!
If Belli’s current value is based almost entirely on his defense why pull him against lefties?
Even here in So FL we can get 5 ways. YUM
Where in South Florida? I’m in Punta Gorda
Here on East Coast. In Sunrise FL. Skyline Chili Restaurant.
I am going to Hotlanta this weekend with my childhood and long time friend.He is a huge Braves fan .. I have been to about 10 games ,one against the Big Red Machine,another against the Astros in the Astrodome.The last Dodger game I attended was was the year I got married .The best thing I ever did.God has blessed us so much and I am not speaking of money.I canāt,wait to see my boys.
Max is still batting cleanup today and Alvarez is in RF again. Fun!
Mark,
Did you consider or do you have thoughts about the Ford Maverick?
Mine is a 2019 and I knew what I wanted so I got it. The Maverick is a very nice truck. I have a couple of friends who love them.
Thanks! We’re thinking of getting one.
6:40 PM ET
Dodgers (40-25)
Reds (23-43)
SP Tony Gonsolin R
8-0 1.42 ERA 63.1IP 60K
Confirmed Lineup
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Chris Taylor R
CF C. Bellinger L
DH J. Turner R
RF Eddy Alvarez S
2B Gavin Lux L
Clear-day
0% Rain
92Ā° Wind 8 mph R-
Muncy still cleanup=insane. Fire Roberts!
have not watched the last two games and will not watch today also.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine being this miserable as a fan…..
Guy is struggling. So sure bat him cleanup so no pressure. HUH???
I’d venture to say that with the new thinking on lineups, batting fourth actually brings much less pressure than we think.
That lineup is a mess. The good news is that the Dodgers best pitcher stat wise and my favorite Dodger pitcher is starting.
Gonsolin has a .483 OPS against and he is under .500 against both sides of the plate. His career OPS against is .568 and under .600 against both sides of the plate. For comparison Gonsolin’s career numbers are very similar to the great Kershaw’s career numbers. Yes Kershaw has put up great numbers longer than Gonsolin, but so far Gonsolin has had a great career stat wise.
Meanwhile McKinstry continues to sit on the bench while Alvarez gets the start over McKinstry.
The Dodgers on Monday placed pitcher Caleb Ferguson on the 15-day injured list on Monday with left forearm tendinitis. The move was retroactive to Friday, which means the earliest the left-hander could be activated is July 2.
Ferguson has let to allow a hit in his six appearances with the Dodgers this season, pitching five scoreless innings, though he has walked four and hit a batter. Itās his first time back in the majors since September 2020, after spending a year and a half rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery.
He last pitched last Tuesday against the Angels, retiring both batters he faced to end the seventh inning.
Forearm tendinitis not a good sign for someone coming off TJ.
Fingers crossed it is nothing serious. Caleb has done a great job this season. Would be another tough loss.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So …the Dodgers are looking for a right handed bat who plays a decent right field?
SO-TO … SO-TO… SO-TO!
Make the trade happen. Bumsrap can work out the details – though that would mean a four team mega deal to get Joc and Mitch Haniger.
My trades are me playing with your mind like a toy.
Soto is a left handed hitter Patch. He is hitting .218 so far this year and has a .181 avg against lefty’s. He would probably be more productive in LA with better hitters around him, but he is left handed.
AB AVG HR RBI SB OPS
154 .305 17 36 2 1.086
Those are TThompson 2022 AAA stats. Not bad at all.
Trea, Freeman and Lux.
Letās be honest about whoās picking up the team.
With Mookie out, these are the guys who grind. Do what has to be done.
Letās build off that.
Vargas is the most talented bat to ball player in the system. Heās a pure hitter. And he will have power. Which might take a while to develop on the MLB level. But we need hitters. Grinders.
Lux, Trea, Freeman and Vargas.
That should be our first 4. At least until Mook comes back.
Come in AF!
You feed your lions. You beat your horses.
Letās get the meat out.
Also, Tony Gonsolin is kinda good at the whole pitching stuff.
Worst start of the year. 9 and 0.
Even when heās ābadā heās pretty darn good! And we have a new closer-welcome back Mr Price. Undefeated in the Trayce Thompson era #2. He fits in perfectly. Hitting .200 and striking out a third of the time. Things went so well offensively tonight that Bellinger ALMOST got a hit. Heās backin back down to the Mendoza line. Once again! If we play the Reds in the NLCS I like our chances.
Your right. Itās the Reds. I get it.
I just want to see the team play the players that are performing. On all levels. My boy has learned, nobody cares what you did last season. Itās āwhat have you done for me latelyā. Thatās life. If you arenāt performing, you get sat.
Tony is a beast. He obviously didnāt have it tonight. But heās no longer a thrower who lives off 100mph. The guy can pitch! Heās learned the difference between throwing and pitching.
He will start the AS game. And heās earned it.
Saw a lot of good things tonight. Just want the rest of the team to build off the guys who are grinding. Every AB.
And I have to agree with so many here. That Freeman guy is a major disappointment. Why canāt he hit home runs. Iām sick of all the doubles and triples!
Really? There are enough players to shit on this lineup instead of Freeman.
That’s sound Like a Diva Fan.
I think that is sarcasm!
Freddie has picked up his production in the last week to 10 days. Before that he was below expectations with HR, OPS and RBI.
Lets hope he continues his hot streak. Dodgers need him.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Can someone explain to me why McKinisty doesnāt start over Alvarez? What does the latter have to make him better?
Great to see us getting 17 hits, especially with the 9-1-2-3 hitters all bunching them together.
Great winā¦..but I am really getting excited about the Atlanta series coming up.
TM
Good question.
Is Alvarez somebodies nephew?
I donāt know a better explanation.
Thanks for binging the good luck Mark. I fully expect you to follow them throughout the road trip at least until your mojo wares off.
My son Alex and I were lucky enough to meet Mark and sit next to him and his crew during the game! We are from Gilbert, Arizona and my son and I are on a post-graduation road trip before he gets on with life. It was our first visit to Great American Ball Parkā¦ what a great experience! We took Markās recommendation and got a Big Boy and a Skyline Coney. The Dodgers didnāt disappoint (tonight at least) and Freddie had a great game. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mark and chatting Dodger baseball with someone else who bleeds blue! Tomorrow we head back to the desert aka the Dodgerās home away from homeā¦ (if you have ever been to a Dodger/Diamond Back game in Phoenix you know what I meanā¦ but I will be a faithful LA Dodger Talk follower from now on!
Lived in Phoenix for 12 years, I know exactly what you mean. my grand daughter still lives there. She is going to school to become a nurse. I might be coming through Phoenix on my way home. Have an old work buddy there I have not seen in a long time.
Welcome aboard Kevin. You are on of the best Dodger sites for player information including the minor leagues and a bit of respectful banter back and forth on some controversial subjects provided by Dave Roberts and his management style.
Guess when we win itās good luck, and when we lose, more bad luck.
Whatās skill got to do with it ?
Why do we have the highest payroll if itās all luck ?
Dang, Cincinnati has got to be the in luckiest team going.
Correction. When we win it is in spite of Roberts. When we lose it is Roberts.
Meant to say unluckiest team ever. ( right after
Oakland )
Well, we made it back at 5 minutes to 12:00.
It was a great game. They said there were 18,000 there, but about 5,000 were disguised as empty seats and another 4 or 5,000 wore Blue. I’ll give you the highlights tomorrow. It was great to meet Kevin and his son. I also met quite a few other Dodger fans.
Great job Markā¦..even though Roberts didnāt listen to you regarding Muncy and JT, we still had enough to win easily.
I think I even saw you in one of the highlights that showed all the Dodgers fans standing up behind the dugout.
Too bad you are only going to one game. Iām not sure why you couldnāt stay for the entire series, seeing its a tax write off for you. Oh well, itās not my business to know.
I hope TraceT surprises us this time around, but like you, Iām not expecting it. Laterā¦.
TM