Mike Scioscia. Many images come to mind, and moments also. Like when he took Dwight Gooden deep late in game 4 to tie the Mets. Gibby would eventually win the contest with a homer of his own in the 8th. The other would be the number of bone-jarring collisions at home plate he was involved with. To this day, I still think he was the best they had at blocking the plate.
Michael Lorri Scioscia was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 1958. He played baseball, football, and basketball in high school. He was named Delaware County’s baseball player of the year in 1975 and 1976. He was recruited to Clemson University and was ready to full fill his mother’s dream of going to college and getting a degree. But the Dodgers had selected him in the first round of the 1976 amateur draft. On June 6th, the phone in his family’s home rang. It was Tommy Lasorda.
He told Scioscia that he wanted him to come to work out with the Dodgers, who were in Philadelphia for a series with the Phillies. He left his parents a note and jumped in the car with his brother Eddie. When Lasorda showed up. Lasorda said, “I told him what it meant to be a Dodger. You need to sign with the Dodgers. Our scout saw something in you, and we spent our first-round pick on you. This is your only opportunity to sign with the Dodgers. I believe in you, and you need to believe too.”
Scioscia went home and told his parents he wanted to sign with the Dodgers. For his mother, Florence, it was a moment that made her start crying. A schoolteacher, she wanted him to go to college. His father, Fred, was happy but could not show it because his wife was not. So Scioscia passed up a full-ride scholarship to Clemson to play pro ball. His mother never really forgave him for passing that up. The day after he signed, Mike was on a plane to Walla Walla Washington to play pro ball.
He was assigned to Bellingham of the Class A (short season) Northwest League, where he hit .278 with an OBP of .418. The next year he went to Clinton of the Class A Midwest League. He played 121 games, 5 at first base. He improved his defense and was a patient hitter. His OBP was .385. Next stop was San Antonio in 1978, the Dodgers AA affiliate. In an injury-plagued year, he hit .299 in 58 games; half of his appearances were as a pinch hitter.
1979 found Scioscia at AAA Albuquerque. He hit an eye-popping .336 with an OBP of .432 and an OPS of .861. He was elected to the PCL All-Star team. One of four catchers on the Dodgers roster, he expected to spend some if not all of the 1980 season at Albuquerque.
Had he not been injured with a dislocated ring finger, he would have undoubtedly been called up in the first week when the Dodgers ran into catching problems. He was not eligible until June 20th. So with Johnny Oates released and Yeager and Ferguson going on the DL, he was called up and immediately inserted into the lineup. In his first major league at-bat, he doubled and scored a run. I remember it well; I was there! He played in 54 games as a rookie for the Dodgers, starting 44 of them. He threw out 20 of 68 runners trying to steal and had two errors and two passed balls. When asked to evaluate his strength, he replied, ” I am really good at putting on my gear after I make an out; I have been timed at 3.8 seconds.“
With a .254 BA, one homer, and 8 RBI, his career started. In 1981 he broke camp with the Dodgers and would remain with them for the next 12 years. Lasorda ran the same players out in the first 14 games, except at C, where Yeager and Scioscia platooned. Scioscia against RHP, Yeager against the lefties. On May 4 in Montreal, Scioscia was involved in three home plate collisions. The first was when Cromartie slammed into him, trying to score from second on a single. He sent Mike flying, but he held on to the ball, and he was out. Popping to his feet, Mike caught Chris Spier in a rundown between 2nd and 1st as Rowland Office, who had gone from first to third on the play, edged down the line at 3rd. Finally, he broke for the plate and got there about the same time as the ball. He sent Scioscia sprawling, and this time the runner was safe.
Later in the game, Mike was rocked again when Andre Dawson tried to score on an infield single. ” I know that is the most times I have been rocked on one play.” he later said. Al Campanis, Dodgers GM at the time, ” He is the best I have ever seen at blocking the plate,” Dick Williams, the Expos manager, praised him too. Mike also had some savvy behind the plate. He caught 5 of Fernando’s shutouts that year. Don Sutton said after Fernando shut out the Astros for the second time, “ He does not get enough credit. He called an outstanding game against us both times.” Scioscia had caught a shutout thrown by Sutton in 1980.
1981 was the strike year, and it came at a bad time for Scioscia. He was hitting. 299 at the time and was not on the All-Star ballot. But he was the Dodgers’ #1 catcher. When play resumed, MLB decided there would be first and second-half champs. Dodgers won the first half by half a game. The oddity was that the team in the NL that ended up with the best overall record, the Reds, did not make the playoffs. LA faced Houston in the first round. They lost the first two games. They then won the next three, helped in a game five 4-0 win by a Scioscia single off of Astros ace, Nolan Ryan. They then had to beat Montreal in Montreal in the NLCS and went to NY to face the Yankees.
Mike only had six plate appearances in the series. His backup, Steve Yeager, was one of the Tri-MVP winners for the series, along with Pedro Guerrero and Ron Cey. The infield finally had their series win. They would be broken up after the season when Davey Lopes was traded.
Except for 1983, when he only played in 13 games, Mike was the #1 catcher until 1992. He was solid, but nothing spectacular with the bat. Defensively, he had a career .998 fielding pct. He threw out 34% of the runners who tried to steal on him. He had some good moments as a hitter, most memorable being the homer off of Gooden in the 1988 playoffs.
He caught two no-hitters, Valenzuela and Kevin Gross, and was on the losing end of Nolan Ryan’s no-no. He caught 1,335 games as a Dodger. Almost 200 more than the #2 on the list, Steve Yeager. After the Dodgers released him in 1992, he went to spring training with the Padres but was released later in the year. His injuries kept him out. During the 1994 season, he tried to hook on with the Texas Rangers, but injuries again derailed the attempt.
Over his career, Scioscia had blocked at least 125 runners at the plate. # 125 being Deion Sanders in 1992. “It was the first time I have ever blocked a football player,” he said. In October of1994, he rejoined the Dodgers as a catching instructor. He immediately went to the Arizona Fall League. In 1996 there was speculation that Lasorda was going to retire and who would get the job when he did. When Tommy did retire due to a heart attack, Bill Russell got the job.
Mike joined the Dodger coaching staff in 1997 as the Dodgers bench coach. When Russell was fired in June of 1998, the interim job went to Glenn Hoffman instead of Scioscia, the Dodgers bench coach. In 1999, Mike was the manager of the Dodgers AAA team in Albuquerque. They limped to an 11th-place finish. The Dodgers, meanwhile, had gone out of the organization for a manager for the first time since O’Malley hired Charlie Dressen in 1950. I still believe to this day that Davey Johnson was a huge mistake. They should have hired Scioscia even though he had no experience.
So in November of 1999, Mike Scioscia became manager of the team down the I-5 freeway, the Angels. Part of the reason for his departure was the total turmoil in the ownership and management of the Dodgers. Mike had a huge task ahead of him. He inherited players who had forced out manager Terry Collins, and GM Bill Bavasi. He had to restore harmony in a dysfunctional clubhouse, restore discipline in the clubhouse and get the maximum production out of a shaky rotation. The Angels finished third that year in 2000.
His job was much harder in 2001, with injuries and slumps forcing him to juggle his lineup constantly. The Angels finished below .500, but in third place once again. In 2002, they started off horribly. They were 6-14 due to a shaky bullpen and rotation. With Scioscia’s leadership, they began to turn things around. By early September, they were second in the AL West. They finished the year 99-63 record and were the wild card team in the playoffs. They had overcome a 10 1/2 game deficit. They did it playing an NL-style game. Taking the extra base, stealing, and hit-and-run plays.
They defeated the Yanks in the division series 3-1. They then beat Minnesota in the ALCS and went on to face Barry Bonds and the Giants in the World Series. It was a hard-fought 7-game set, but the Halos won and had their first, and thus far only title. Scioscia was named manager of the year.
Mike remained the Angel manager until 2018. He won 6 AL West division titles in that time. But the Angels never made it back to the World Series. And all those years were not without their problems. He had a running feud with GM Jerry DiPoto after He fired friend and hitting coach Mickey Hatcher in 2012. Owner Artie Moreno was no help when he forced the two to patch up their differences; after three consecutive losing seasons, he left the Angels. It was his choice.
Mike coached the 2020 USA silver medal baseball team. He and his wife, Anne, reside in Westlake Village. They have two children. His son, Mathew, played baseball at Notre Dame and was drafted in the 45th round of the 2011 draft. He signed on June 20 and was assigned to the AZL Angels. In March of 2014, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Trevor Gretzky, the son of Wayne. He was released on June 14th by the Windy City Thunderbolts. In his career, Scioscia spent his off-seasons working towards the degree his mom always wanted him to have at Penn State.
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm by MT
- OKC was beaten by Round Rock 8-5.
- Edwin Rios was 3-5.
- Mike Busch was 2-4
- Miguel Vargas was 2-5.
- Dustin May started and went five innings, allowing 3 Hits and 1 ER. He walked one and struck out 8.
- Dellin Betances was rocked right out of his socks! No use explaining it!
- Ryan Noda (fringe prospect) was 3-3. The Dodgers have a lot of these guys: Drew Avans, Jacob Amaya, Rylan Bannon, and Jason Martin.
- Marshall Kasowski pitched a clean inning, striking out 2. His ERA sits at 2.14, and his WHIP is 1.29, thanks to 28 BB in 42 IP. It’s hard to find anyone who thinks he can pitch at the next level.
- Tulsa lost 7-3 to Midland.
- Andy Pages hit his 20th HR.
- Bobby Miller went six innings, allowed 5 Hits, 3 ER, and did not walk a batter while striking out 11. Impressive… and depressing!
- Great Lakes was beaten by Peoria 7-1.
- Jorbit Vivas was 2-4
- Diego Cartaya was 1-3.
- Emmet Sheehan went five innings and allowed 2 Hits and 0 ER. He walked three and struck out 9.
- Rancho Cucamonga lost to Lake Elsinore 5-4, so all the Top 4 Teams lost.
- Dalton Rushing was 1-4
- Chris Alleyne was 1-4 with a triple and BB, and RBI
- Yunior Garcia was 2-4 with an RBI
- C Yenier Fernandez was 1-4 with his 7th HR.
It was a bad day all around! Never speak of this again!
The Dodgers Win Again… Yawn! (MT)
- We are so spoiled! We bitch about not trading for Juan Soto as the Dodgers sport, the best record in baseball while having what is arguably the best farm system in all of baseball. Dodger fans are never happy. Give one a million dollars, and he would complain about the denominations. There has never been a better time in the Dodgers’ History to be a fan. Enjoy the ride… it won’t last forever. Why I say that: At some point in time, some team will lure Andrew Friedman away from the Dodgers with the promise of ownership or just big piles of money (it might be San Diego), and he will go to prove that he can do it again. Enjoy the ride… it might be ten years, five years, or 1 year.
- Prediction: Max Muncy will break .200 in a week or two and hopefully finish with 20-25 HR. That would bode well for the Dodgers. If the “shift” is outlawed next year, think how much that will help Bellinger, Muncy, and possibly Gallo!
- Ryan Pepiot will probably start tonight against Sonny Gray. At some point this season, I’d like to see the Dodgers give Gonsolin, Urias, Anderson, and Heaney each about 10-12 days of rest (obviously not at the same time).
- Did Moreno and the Angelos Group make another Dope-Fiend Move in letting Jahmai Jones get away to the Dodgers? Time will tell…
- Do you remember a few weeks ago that I told you the Yankees would fade in the second half? They are the oldest team in baseball and are having injuries, and their pitching is not deep. It has started! A few weeks ago, the Yankees had scored about 40 more runs than the Dodgers… now it’s down to 7!
- The Dodgers have given up the fewest runs in baseball (348) and soon will have scored the most runs. That is a winning recipe if I ever saw one.
- The Dodgers are #3 in team BA (.261) behind the Blue Jays (.265) and the Rockies (.264). The Yankees are #14!
- The Dodgers are #1 in OPS (.784).
- Dodger fans (me included) have ragged on RVS and Company, but the cream rose to the top, and we have to shut up already!
- Of course, the Dodgers are #1 in Pitching ERA (2.87) and up to #4 in Bullpen ERA (3.17). Realistically, they will finish the season #2.
- #1 in Starter ERA (2.68) – that is incredible!
- Tatis, Jr. was 2-2 last night with 2 BB – His two hits were a double and triple. He’s coming… SOON!
Imagine this team if we can rest some of these starters and IF Codi, JT AND Max can remain hot in October!!
Great bio Bear. I loved Scioscia. Hard nosed player and a clutch hitter. Clearly he was the reason for the Angels failure in the Mike Trout era! Not! Love to see him get another chance with a decent club. And maybe we can pitch Bickford every game just to give the other team a fighting chance! But I think his ticket to OKC has today’s date on it.
Thanks Cassidy. I really appreciate it. I was at the game when Scioscia got his first hit off of Ryan. It was great to see. Scioscia was an underrated player in my book, and his homer off of Gooden should rank right up there next to Gibby’s shot in the World Series. He doesn’t do that; they are down 3-1 to a team they lost 11 games to during the regular season.
Regarding Andrew Friedman, what makes you think the Dodgers won’t be that team. They have the highest revenues in baseball.
There are certainly a few Dodger fans who wanted to go all in on Juan Soto, but an LA Times poll showed the vast majority didn’t want the Dodgers to do that.
Yes, this is a spectacular season and the Dodgers are rolling. The minor league system is loaded. But a World Series Championship is a must and the playoffs are often a crapshoot. Maybe this team is just head and shoulders above the rest of baseball and will roll through the playoffs too.
Good write-up on Mike Scioscia, Bear. I, like many, was disappointed that Mike ended up managing the Angels and not the Dodgers. But I did enjoy the Angels World Series run. That was a special team.
“But a World Series Championship is a must and the playoffs are often a crapshoot.” These statements are in direct conflict with each other. If you operate under the assumption that the playoffs are a crapshoot, there is no “must”.
It sure looks like AF is operating under the model that “the playoffs are often a crapshoot”. How else do you explain two NL West teams winning 106+ games, yet the Braves with the least wins out of all playoff teams last year would up with the rings?
It sure looks like the Padres are operating under the WS Championship is a must model. I used to be one of those guys. The Yankees used to be one of those teams. Maybe their current drought changed their minds. Maybe Preller is operating like someone who’s seat is getting hot.
Build as strong a team as possible without sacrificing the future. The money that allows you to spend big on payroll is provided by deep playoff runs and a strong TV following. It’s more important to be there every year than it is to sacrifice all and compete within windows. It’s easier to keep customers than it is to get new ones. If you’re there every year, your fan base spends money every year.
Look what’s happened to the Giants. They won 3 championships and were averaging around 41,000 in attendance those years, ranking in the top 5 in each of those seasons. This year, they’re averaging 10,000 less. Fans become increasingly disinterested if you stop winning regularly.
I loved Scioscia. Watching him pin guys in front of the plate was incredible. It made it all that much worse watching Piazza get out of the way when runners tried to score. Scioscia was cut from the same cloth as Yeager. Tough as nails. I was lucky enough to meet him when he was the manager of the Angels. I was so mad he never got the chance to manage the Dodgers. Davey Johnson sucked. Great article Bear!
The Dodgers are red hot right now, extending their winning streak to 9 in a row while beating the Twins for the 3rd straight time this season. Yes, they’re on pace for 113 wins and they look much better than anything the league has to offer. Justin came back from vacation and stayed hot with a couple of hits including a double and Belli smashed a double for his 4th consecutive hit. Too bad he couldn’t keep it going longer. Even Gallo chipped in with a ball he smoked down the line. Muncy, Smith and TT all stayed hot with multiple hits all against a first-place team.
Muncy looks fixed, Belli maybe on his way and Gallo showed something positive. It’s going to be incredible if they can get these guys going. It’s going to be really fun watching the remaining 3 series against the Padres, especially now that Tatis will be back in their lineup.
Ryan Pepiot is listed as tonight’s starter. I thought it was curious that they’re going that direction since Andre Jackson was recently recalled. The Dodgers just can’t resist calling up a player and not using him. But, the big kicker is that the Dodgers have already recalled and optioned Pepiot 4 times this season. The new rule specifies that you can only do this 5 times, so this is the last time the Dodgers can send Pepiot down this year. After they send him down, presumably right after this start, If they call him up again, they’ll have to keep him on the roster or send him through waivers and possibly (Likely) lost him to another team. With the lead they have, and the bullpen fully rested, why not just let Jackson take down this start and not back yourself into a corner with Pepiot?
I guess they’re pretty confident they aren’t going to need him for the rest of the season? After tonight, of course. But this really looks like a shortsighted move. Am I missing something?
With May dominating for 5 innings last night, he looks like he’s baked in long enough to join the Kershaw-less rotation, which will be glorious! I can’t wait to watch him breathe fire with that triple-digit fastball. With Heaney going 81 pitches the last time out, without his arm falling off, it looks like the rotation will be Gonsolin, Urias, Heaney, Anderson and May in the short term. Perhaps they’ll go with a 6 man rotation for most of next month or so when Clayton comes back. A pitcher has to go on the 15-day IL for any injuries, so I don’t see them having the luxury to give several pitchers a summer vacation before fall baseball begins.
I’m not sure if anyone noticed, but Caleb Ferguson struck out the side in the 9th last night and Bickford is trying to get DFA’d.
Dodgers death pool in no particular order
Justin Bruihl
Phil Bickford
Reyes Moronta
Jake Reed
Eddie Alvarez
Rylan Bannon
60 Day IL with a chance of being activated this year
Dustin May
Walker Buehler
Danny Duffy
Victor González
Tommy Kahnle
Blake Treinen
Edwin Ríos
Kevin Pillar
Teams can only have 13 pitchers on their active roster until the September Roster expansion occurs allowing 2 additional players. From the looks of things, the Dodgers will certainly entertain using both additional roster spots on pitchers.
My guess is that not all of those 60 day IL players will come off the IL this season. Or, one or more of those players will be released, rather than lose another player that might help next season (Kevin Pillar?).
Glad I’m not the only one to notice Caleb Ferguson striking out the side.
He’s making a pretty nice return from injury: In 17 games, he’s pitched 16.2 innings with a WHIP of O.54 and ERA of 0.00. Looks like the No. 1 lefty in the pen.
With so many BP guys not named Kimbrel throwing so well, why not a closer-by-committee?
“The Dodgers have already recalled and optioned Pepiot 4 times this season.”. I raised this issue the last time this was brought up. Someone on this board pointed out that some of the call ups were before June and are not subject to the rule in question.
Scoscia’s HR in Game 4 vs Gooden in the 9th inning doesn’t get enough mention as one of the greatest and most important home runs in Dodger history.
I always wanted Angels to win the World Series one time for Gene Autry. There’s a good one for a bio Bear. Autry was one tough SOB in just about everything he was involved with. Quite a bit different from the guy us kids got to know. Its probably a good thing he wasn’t a face in politics, he was buddies with Richard Nixon and they both shared company at Angel games. But as a kid I liked Roy Rogers more and met with Roy on several occasions living in the same town. Not enough to claim he knew me but he conversed with me and even tipped a beer with me Probably one of the nicest guys one could ever meet. If you knocked on Roy’s front door he would answer it. Happy trails.
Did he reconcile with his mother?
I’m going to see the Dodgers tonight for Freddie Freeman bobble head night! I expect an ugly drive but am excited to see them play! The kid pitches tonight and we’re taking the grandkids. Go Blue and can’t wait for “it’s time for Dodger baseball”.
Did anyone read or hear why Pepiot is starting and not Jackson?
I don’t know if there will be a formal explanation. I’m not sure if there was ever an announcement saying Jackson would start, it was probably more speculation. It seems to reason that Andre was brought up in case they needed an arm to take down multiple innings. Since they didn’t need that, Pepiot is here to start. I just hope they don’t burn his last option this year for nothing.
I am not sure Bluto to be truthful. It was not mentioned in any of the bios I researched, but since he was attending Penn State in the off season to get his degree, I think that might have soothed some ruffled feathers.
I don’t know about the Dodgers, but if you pick one pitcher, who would it be?
Pitcher #1 – 55 IP at AAA; 5.20 ERA/1.73 WHIP/48 BB/59 K
or
Pitcher #2 – 75 IP at AAA; 2.27 ERA/1.05 WHIP/32 BB/93 K
Plus
16 IP with the Dodgers and a 2.76 ERA this season.
I know who I’m going with. Pitcher 1 is Jackson and of course, Pitcher 2 is Ryan Pepiot
Not arguing or caring who is the more “qualified” pitcher but, to B&P’s point, why burn Pepiot’s option when Jackson was already here.
With a 16-game lead!?!
Exactly!
But no real worry, just curiosity.
Bear, interesting write up on Scoscia. A solid, consistent player for the Dodgers. He was my favorite LA Dodger catcher of all time. Until now, that being Will Smith. Lots of good stuff MT. Good take on the Yankee demise. If you aren’t enjoying being a Dodger fan now, then what will take? This is about as dominating as a team can be in all phases of the game.
It’s nice to see Bellinger having some everyday success lately. And, finally, Max seems to have left the black hole. That black hole now is empty. Which is what a black hole should be. The team is as close as a team can be to be firing on all cylinders. Being Gallo has just arrived on scene I’ll exclude him from his season long slump and black hole status. With the way the Dodgers are playing it doesn’t matter what Gallo does at the plate. I was a little surprised with his effort on that triple that Urshela hit. Maybe, it was because of playing in a new stadium, but it was not a GG effort. Anyway, not a big deal.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m really enjoying the way the Dodgers are approaching their offense. Not relying on home runs to score. Just hit after hit after hit. Strong two out rallies. Productive outs. Stolen bases. Taking the extra base when opportunity presents itself. For me it makes the game more watchable. Even the defense is much improved from last year. I think Freddie Freeman has had a tremendous influence on the team and is the team MVP to me. Watching Cody hit those two oppo field HRs the other day was awesome. Maybe some advice from Freddie?
Bluto, I’ve always enjoy it when you post those links to other Dodger information. I especially like the different analysis of the team’s prospect rankings. Much appreciated.
Carry on.
Thanks Ted. I was a huge Piazza fan, not as a catcher, but as a hitter, he had no peers as a Dodger, Hit for a high average and power. With his offensive prowess, we accepted the defensive flaws. But workman like players, Roseboro, Haller, Scioscia, Yeager, they added a lot to the teams they were on.
I loved watching Piazza hit too. It looked he was using a 4 foot bat and he seemed to crush it every time he made contact. It was so disappointing when a Fox executive decided it was a good idea to trade him to Florida because of his salary demands. Just. Plain. Stupid. But, I soured on Piazza when he accused Vin of conspiring against him in his contract demands with the team. He came off as a bit paranoid. I think he was the only person on earth who disliked and disrespected Vin Scully. I believe one of the reasons he didn’t go into the hall of fame as a Dodger. Very petty on Piazza’s part.
Ditto all this.
The stolen base stats are interesting. Just looked this up: Dodgers are tied for 3rd in the MLB with 71 steals, but 28th in caught stealing–only 12.
The percentage isn’t provided in my source, but my quick read suggests the Dodgers may lead the majors in this category too.
Great article on Scioscia, Bear! Definitely overlooked at times but no doubt he was a beast behind the plate and no one blocked the plate as well as he did(when it was allowed ). Unlike these days now that MLB has implemented the Posey and Utley rules to further wuzify the game.
Go Blue!!
The Giants got to Hader with 3 runs in the 9th off 3 walks, a HBP, a single and a sac fly. Then the Padres walked it off with a single, a catcher’s interference and a bomb by Manny. Crazy and sloppy ending to the game.
Hate to say it but those damn Giants ,you can’t keep them down.Just like damn ants.
Really enjoyed today’s post Michael, Scioscia was catching the first game I ever saw. Shame he never managed us.
The players look like they are really enjoying playing at the moment, which has to be a good sign.
Rios is ready….
Watford Dodger your comment about Rios being ready stirred my curiosity, where and when is he going to play. My guess is OKC. To me, he is still unproven due to his inability to stay on the field. We currently have JT and Muncy. I like Muncy at 3rd as he has improved there over 2nd, which moves Lux. Alberto can play there and CT3 in a pinch.
I see no room at the inn.
Thank you my friend. I appreciate it.
I think Pepiot is up for the duration. I think the Dodgers would like to limit his innings somewhat, so in LA he will be a spot starter and bullpen piece. I think that is where he lands. He could be the Julio Uris (2020 Version) in the playoffs.
Ryan is at 91 IP – last year, he pitched 101 innings, so if he keeps starting every 5 days he will blow by that.
Good point Mark, that makes sense.
Nice rite up on Scioscia Bear, you should think about compiling a book.
I vividly remember that punk Norm Charlton, forarming Mike in the clavicle at full speed.
I like the way Mike just rolled over and got right back up like nothing happened, but was mad we never got a chance to get even with him
I don’t see how he could possibly make it onto the playoff roster. Who is he going to replace out of the 13 below? That doesn’t even include Beuhler, Duffy, Kahnle, etc. who could also be ready to roll. 2 months ago I would have said Price but he’s been lights out and his veteran status will earn him a spot unless he completely shits the bed the last month.
Kershaw
Urias
Gonsolin
Anderson
May
Heaney
Treinen
Phillips
Vesia
Ferguson
Price
Graterol
Kimbrel
Martin
YAlmonte in. CMartin out
lol – Where’s Buehler? There’s 16 pitchers for 13 spots right there. It’s gonna be interesting.
I’m including links so a possibility my post goes to jail.
Not only was baseball a little different back in Scioscia’s era, but also how we look at concussions and possible TBI. What I found amazing about the time Scioscia was knocked unconscious for five minutes was that he was back playing the next day after being admitted to the hospital. That was back when football players were administered smelling salts and told to get back out on the field.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/07/22/Dodgers-catcher-Mike-Scioscia-who-was-knocked-unconscious-during/8003490852800/
https://youtu.be/XxnAbHEcdbk
The above poster may consider that “being a wuzzy ” (sic)
The game was different and the players had a totally different mindset. And they were not making as much cash as they do now. Main reason the Posey and Utley rules were installed, is the same reason the NFL doesn’t let defensive players knock the QB around. Fans pay to see the stars, attendance will take a hit when the biggest are on the shelf.
Good point, Mark. I wouldn’t be surprised if Pepiot stays here for the rest of the year. There are still some who think his future is as a reliever, so he’ll probably do both starting and relieving between now and September.
Great article on Sciocia, Bear. I always liked his toughness and the way he called games. I found the disappointment of his mother over Mike not taking that college scholarship very interesting. And easily remedied in many cases. As a 1st round pick he was certainly able to afford college when (and if) he decided to attend in off-seasons (now online). Also as an appeasement for mom, the Dodgers could have included their college payment program as part of his bonus. Mom might have been satisfied knowing that when he attended college, the Dodgers picked up the tab. It’s a great deal. All the expenses are billed directly to the MLB office without any hassles and money management except expenses. If you use it in a defined period, it’s just like a full-ride. I know because it worked for me as part of my signing bonus. Maybe Mike wouldn’t have used it but that would have been an entirely different conversation with Mom.
By the way, a scout once told me that clubs are eager to use that plan as a signing inducement because only about 10% of players actually use the money and get a degree. I used it and got my BA for free.
Anyway good stuff Bear and keep up the good work.
I used some parts of my veterans benefits to take some courses. Mike went to Penn State on his own in the off season, so he did get an advanced education. I am sure his mom liked that. I shall endeavor to keep churning out stories that you guys will like. One on Willie McCovey is coming.
I was just watching the 2021 game 2 NLCS highlights (dont ask me why, Im a glutton for punishment). The 2022 Dodgers win that game going away…..
This 2022 Dodgers is a much better team than that of 2021. Defense was a key reason we lost that pivotal game 2 game as well as baserunning.
In the clips I forgot we had Souza Jr in RF, Betts in CF, Seager at SS. Defensively its not even close. Bellinger CF, Betts RF and Turner SS we are better all the way around.
Betts would have thrown the guy out had he been in RF, and Turner would have made the play at SS that Seager missed in the 9th or at the very least keeps it in the INF. Bellinger MIGHT have caught the ball hit over Betts head.
Also on the play Taylor had the looper into CF that scored 2, I’m not sure why the guy on 1st didnt score (not sure who it was). Also JT and Muncy didnt even play….(injuries)
Ok back to the original scheduled program, but watching those clips makes me VERY optimistic about our chances in 2022. Stay healthy and we got a real good shot at this thing.
I guess we’re all fed up with the same topic about Soto, so this will be the last thing I’m going to read about it.
Dodgers News: Here is What the Nationals Wanted From LA For Juan Soto
By now, we’re all more than aware that there wasn’t much happening at the trade deadline for the Dodgers. Despite all of the rumors circulating and a glaring need in the bullpen, they chose to ride with the guys they have coming back from the IL. And that didn’t necessarily go over well with fans in Los Angeles.
That’s mostly because the Padres went out and almost completely bought a new team at the deadline. Most notably, San Diego landed Juan Soto in a historic deal with the Nationals. But the Dodgers were almost certainly involved in those conversations.
According to the OC Register’s J.P. Hoornstra, the package that they asked for from the Dodgers was ridiculous. He spoke about it on his podcast this week, and it sounds like it would have cost them almost everything they have.
“According to my sources, it was a package of 6 or 7 prospects. The headliners were Diego Cartaya and Bobby Miller, who are respectively the top position player and the top pitcher in the Dodgers’ system. Beyond that, I’ve heard there were a few different versions of how the trade might have been construed.”
Hoornstra went on to say that the Nationals also wanted 2-3 more of the Dodgers’ top 5 prospects. Guys like Ryan Pepiot, Gavin Stone, Miguel Vargas, Andy Pages, and Michael Busch would have all been on the table for them. He also adds that the Nationals would have wanted an additional 2-3 “wildcard” prospects beyond that.
That package would have wiped out the Dodgers farm system. And while having Juan Soto in the outfield would have been nice, getting San Diego to quite literally sell the farm might have been the best thing to happen in Los Angeles.
https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-news-here-is-what-the-nationals-wanted-from-la-for-juan-soto/2022/08/09/
Good call Jorge about moving on from the Soto non-deal. Reading what the Nats wanted it’s no wonder AF told them to go pound sand. Ridiculous. I think AF just amped up what the Padres had to give up.
You said our “glaring need in the bullpen, they (the Dodgers) chose to ride with the guys they have”. Are you watching the same games I am? What “glaring need?”
In case anyone here wondered if we’re any good:
https://apple.news/ACKNSk29oT4ywcVviqRpZhw
I don’t know why but everybody is keeping
out Yency Almonte.
Well, he is on the IL, and no one on the Dodgers is saying anything, so that must mean that his arm fell off!
They are doing the same thing they did with Brusdar. They never gave “specifics”.
I hate that.
I don’t like it.
They shouldn’t do it.
But if I were them, I would do the same thing!
You’re getting it mixed up. When Roberts doesn’t say anything, that means he’s perfectly fine. When Roberts says he’s perfectly fine, that means his arm fell off.
Tigers fired GM Al Avila. Effective immediately. Kyle Lewis optioned to the minors by the Mariners.
DODGERS RECALL RYAN PEPIOT
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot and optioned right-handed pitcher Andrew Jackson.
Pepiot, 24, will make the start tonight as he returns for his fourth stint with the club. In three starts for the Dodgers, he is a combined 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA (4 ER/11.1 IP) and 13 strikeouts against 11 walks. With Triple-A Oklahoma City, he is 8-0 with a 2.27 ERA (19 ER/75.1 IP) and 93 strikeouts in 15 games (13 starts). The Indiana native has spent parts of three seasons in the minor leagues with the Dodgers, going 13-9 with a 3.42 ERA (76 ER/200.0 IP) and 251 strikeouts in 54 games (45 starts). He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the third round (102nd overall) of the 2019 First Year Player Draft out of Butler.
Jackson, 26, did not appear in a game in his second stint with the team. He is 1-6 with a 5.20 ERA (32 ER/55.1 IP) and 59 strikeouts with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. 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 16-18 with a 3.81 ERA (141 ER/333. 1 IP) and 379 strikeouts in 81 minor league games (77 starts).
Scioscia was one of my all time favorite Dodgers. The first jersey I ever purchased from the old Danny Goodman gift shop at Dodger Stadium was a #14 with my last name on the back.
Anyone remember the old Goodman gift shop at DS?
I remember well. They used to sell packs of player photos for 50 cents. An 8X10 color photo was a dollar. First one I bought was Sandy Koufax, then I got Willie Davis and Big D. A buck was a lot of money in 63.
Great article Bear. Scioscia was always one of my favorites. Players like him just are made anymore. The fact that his career high for strikeouts in a season was 32 demonstrates that fact. It’s also why he likely won’t be offered another management job. Fortunately, the game hasn’t change to the point where I no longer enjoy it. And I hope it doesn’t. In the 80s and 90s I was as big of a Laker fan as I was a Dodger fan. But basketball has evolved to the point where I no longer consider it the same sport. Didn’t watch a single Lakers game the last few years. I’m still a Chicago Bears fan. They still play an older style of football. Which is also likely why they have been so proficient at losing.
You’re article reminds me of how much I enjoyed the more simple and much tougher way the game was played in Scoscia’s time. And I’m not anti advanced stats or anything like that. But I remember few things as exciting as Scoscia saving the game by putting his body on the line. Great profile.
You absolutely get it, Jayne! Love your insights!
10:10 PM ET
Twins (57-52)
Dodgers (76-33)
SP Sonny Gray R
6-3 3.19 ERA 79IP 74K 24BB
SP Ryan Pepiot R
1-0 2.76 ERA 16.1IP 19 K 12BB
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Turner R
2B Gavin Lux L
LF Chris Taylor R
CF C. Bellinger L
Clear-day
0% Rain
84° Wind 6 mph Out
Newly acquired Nick Frasso in a trade with Toronto for Mitchell White starts for A+ Great Lakes tonight
This should be the October lineup
LOL, they are reading LDT, Mark!
Muncy with another Silver Hammer shot. Belli with a sac fly.
Joey Galloed ’em!
We’re really good!
The Dodgers are on an incredible roll right now–and that’s a big reason why, in a direct comparison, it may look like the Yanks are fading a bit.
Or was it simply that the Yankees were rolling when the Dodgers were simply playing .600 ball, not .800?
Anyway, I don’t buy that the Yanks are fading.
With Judge leading the way, the Yankees are a damn strong team, and did more than the Dodgers to upgrade through trades by getting Montas and Benintendi, Gallo looked fantastic today, but he was the prime reason the Yankees got Benintendi. And while Chris Martin seems like a nice pick up, Montas is a playoff-caliber SP. (Beeter had a great debut in the minors for the Yanks. If he comes on strong, there’s a chance we’ll see him face off against Gallo in the WS. That would be sweet.)
These Dodgers are now surpassing expectations. We expected the lineup to be great–and it’s now meeting expectations.
But it’s the pitching that has really surpassed expectations–especially the way that Gonsolin and Anderson stepped up with Buhler out, and Kershaw and Heaney also dealing with injuries. (Julio is meeting expectations!) And the bullpen, I think, is better than we expected–especially Phillips, Almonte and Ferguson. Does anyone want to DFA Price now? (As for Kimbrel, well….Maybe we should expect to be nervous. )
Defense is harder to quantify, but it is passing the eye test. Steiner and Monday today were talking about how the defense has stepped up, as when Alberto made that diving stop at 3rd and threw across to Freddie. We expect great D from Mookie and Belli–but we’ve been treated to more from Taylor and now Thompson. Does anyone here think Seager handles SS better than Trea?
Of all the statistical wonders produced by this team I think the baserunning is overlooked. When it comes to stealing bases, the Dodgers are arguably the best team.
I just looked it up. The White Sox have the best success rate at 91.3%, with the Dodgers second at 87.8%. But the Dodgers have stolen 73 bases–No. 3 in MLB–while the White Sox have stolen only 39, ranking 24th.
How good is the Dodgers’ success rate? It’s just a shade below the 88.9% rate that Maury Wills compiled in 1962, the year I fell hard for the Dodgers.
Something else to keep in mind. This stat, more than others, reflects the manager’s strategy. Very few players always have a green light. Roberts, whose greatest single play was a stolen base, is taking advantage of batteries that are weak at controlling the running game. Stolen bases lead to errors and get inside a pitcher’s head.
Of course it helps that Trea & Company are damn fast.
Trea: 20 steals/ 2 caught stealing.
Belli: 11/2
Mookie: 9/1
Freddie: 9/2
Taylor: 7/1
Lux: 7/2
Max, Trayce, Will, Barnes, Justin, Alvarez, Vargas, Lamb: collectively, 10/2
I’m gonna guess, only guess, that Gallo has been welcomed and made feel comfortable coming to a cheerful winning team that he was inspired to play for since childhood. But I agree that the yanks aren’t fading to any degree that they’ll be overtaken by any team in their division or even their league. I think they’ll like land in the 2nd seed. I sure do not want Houston to make it to the Pennant, Not that I fear them but deserves come into play and they certainly do not deserve any form of a trophy and as poetic as it would be to defeat them in a World Series Matchup I can only wish them the worse. I hate the Yanks more for grievous reasons for all those championships. Any way I look at it it is refreshing watching the Dodgers play this child’s game stressless with the collective soul of a child. Who are filthy rich children while I’m again overdrawn. I guess deserves come into play for me as well.