If you ain’t failing… you ain’t trying! Well, Andrew Friedman has failed a lot! It all started with Brett Anderson, Scott Kazmir, and Brandon McCarthy. Maybe they weren’t an absolute failure – maybe they were a “bridge,” but most people view it as a failure. He tried… Good on Andrew. Seth Godin (one of my favorite writers) writes about the “Lizard Brain. Some people call it the “resistance.” Seth Godin describes it in detail:
“The resistance is the voice in the back of our head telling us to back off, be careful, go slow, compromise. The resistance is writer’s block and putting jitters and every project that ever shipped late because people couldn’t stay on the same page long enough to get something out the door.
The resistance grows in strength as we get closer to shipping, as we get closer to an insight, as we get closer to the truth of what we really want. That’s because the lizard hates change and achievement and risk.
The lizard is a physical part of your brain, the pre-historic lump near the brain stem that is responsible for fear and rage and reproductive drive. Why did the chicken cross the road? Because her lizard brain told her to.
Want to know why so many companies can’t keep up with Apple? It’s because they compromise, have meetings, work to fit in, fear the critics and generally work to appease the lizard. Meetings are just one symptom of an organization run by the lizard brain. Late launches, middle of the road products and the rationalization that goes with them are others.”
The amygdala isn’t going away. Your lizard brain is here to stay, and your job is to figure out how to quiet it and ignore it. This is so important, I wanted to put it on the cover of my new book. We realized, though, that the lizard brain is freaked out by a picture of itself, and if you want to sell books to someone struggling with the resistance (that would be all of us) best to keep it a little more on the down low.
— Seth Godin
What exactly is the “lizard brain?” It is the part of the brain that is phylogenetically very primitive. Many people call it the “Lizard Brain,” because the limbic system is about all a lizard has for brain function. It is in charge of fight, flight, feeding, fear, freezing up, and fornication.
Andrew Friedman ignores his lizard brain and is not afraid to make decisions that are contrary to the norm, even opposite of mainstream. He was roundly criticized for many of his trades and signings, especially the Kazmir, McCarthy, Anderson ones… but they still made the playoff. Over the past couple of years, he has signed or traded for injured pitchers, like Tommy Kahnle and Danny Duffy who may or may not ever pan out, let alone throw a single pitch. He traded Dylan Floro for Alex Vesiz (Dylan who?) and recently he relied on two retreads (Heaney and Anderson) for the rotation.
He traded for Joey Gallo and is still criticized for that, but some of us see what Joey can bring… especially since we are talking about the bottom of the batting order. Andrew is not afraid to “swing and miss” (pun intended). Why trade for Hanser Alberto? His bat has been “meh” but he has had his moments. He is the team clown. He is the guy everyone loves; the guy who keeps everyone loose. He is the heart and soul of this 2022 team. He even pitches.
Andrew Friedman ignores his lizard brain (you should too) and is not afraid to make mistakes. Everyone is going to make mistakes. Andrew would like to have a “Do-Over” on the Fields- Alvarez Trade, but even when he makes a mistake it rarely a “dope-fiend move.”
Who thought that the following players would be key to the Dodgers 2022 success?
- Tyler Anderson
- Andrew Heaney
- Chris Martin
- Evan Phillips
- Yency Almonte
- Tony Gonsolin
- Hanser Alberto
- Joey Gallo
- Trayce Thompson
They have all played huge roles. Getting Freddie Freeman was exactly what this team needed and the rest is history. The playoff roster is set. Miguel Vargas can’t even sniff the field because of it and the Dodgers have left the rest of the players in the minor leagues. Agree or disagree, AF has a plan and he will not let his lizard brain stand in the way!
2022 NL West Champs
These guys are on a mission! I have a feeling that Clayton Kershaw is going to lay it all out for one last shot. Wild Prediction: Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw = World Series, Co-MVPs.
Moved into our New Digs
Fans want to win 162 games and every one hitting .300
Article on Bauer in the LA Times ($$$$$)
Don’t have the link.
TL;DR: his accuser probably not a Girl Scout. His arbitration case probably goes through the WS. IMO: this is what MLB wanted, a year plus out of headlines.
Bauer is not being punished for what he did in that encounter. He’s being punished for bringing the sticky stuff out in the open and for his “Free Joe Kelly” cleats.
What about his other accusers?
Man Kpizzle you seem to have an agenda on everything….do you even like the Dodgers….??
There are other Dodgers sites you may find better suit your needs.
Oh you mean the sites where abusers aren’t supported? Trust me I frequent those as well.
Just because you’re accused doesn’t make you an abuser, brah!! That’s the problem with your ilk… people are guilty just because the corporate media says so. TB is getting railroaded by MLB, plain and simple. He deserves some punishment but his current punishment is retaliatory for being outspoken.
What other accusers?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/04/29/trevor-bauer-abuse-accusations/
Washington Post isn’t suitable for fish wrap! Far left activist publication not in the least bit interested in covering all sides of a story. Strictly regurgitates far left talking points to influence sheep not capable of forming an honest thought or opinion. Set TB free!!
Go Blue!!!
You need to seriously re-evaluate your thinking if you don’t recognize the Washington Post as a periodical of the highest quality.
Could it lean to the left? Surely. But it’s reporting and editorial credentials are top.
Come on Mark you are perfectly aware.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/04/29/trevor-bauer-abuse-accusations/
Here’s more receipts if you need them.
https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-bauer-3rd-accuser-columbus-2-year-mlb-suspension-001954342.html
I have read them all. Bauer will likely pursue libel charges against Deadspin and the Post. Anyone can say anything in a situation like this and make a person look bad. You have no defense. Look at the Duke Lacrosse Team…
Actually, I know an attorney who was involved with the Ohio case. He does not like Bauer (Cockey Bastard) but says the case is a joke.
Did he take delivery on his Koenigsegg?
People want to know.
One Duke lacrosse story does not a trend/ bias make
Signing Bauer turned out to be AF’s biggest failure. An unforced error and then some.
First, Bauer wasn’t needed and arguably slowed the progress of Gonsolin, May and others. Second, he was overpriced, partly because of a Cy earned in a 60-game season. Third, he had a well-known reputation for being a narcissistic jerk who mistreated women.
If AF really thought the Dodgers needed another front-line starter, others were available.
While no one could have predicted it would blow up this badly, there was still ample reason to expect Bauer to create controversy inside and outside the clubhouse, perhaps even scandal.
Way behind the Bauer signing, I’d place the loss of Yonder Alonso. He turned out to be a beast–and it seems the Astros out-scouted and outfoxed the Dodgers on that one. But that stuff happens all the time. (I’ve met venture investors who whiffed on what would become Google.)
I don’t get the chronic dissing of Dylan Floro. He was one of the many relievers that AF has brought to the Dodgers, and he served the Dodgers well.
Let’s pause to remember a critical moment in WS against the Devil Rays. Two runners on base and two outs, with red-hot Randy Arozarena coming to the plate. Roberts summoned Floro
Go to YouTube and relive that moment when Floro got the K. Huge moment in a huge game.
So Floro earned a ring, a nice WS champion share and a moment in Dodgers lore. As I recall it, AF rewarded him with a cool $1 million contract. Later he flipped him to the Marlins for the prospect Vesia and another arm still in the minors. Yes, Vesia has been fine, and the other guy might be.
But Floro has been fine too, a mainstay for a team that doesn’t have the Dodgers’ budget. His career ERA is 3.20 over 267 IP, racking up 19 saves.
(Baseball Reference also credits him with a 21-15 W-L record, which seems pretty wacky for a reliever. Weird.)
As for some other points of discussion….
–Sure, I fully expected Gonsolin to be a key part of the Dodgers success this year, but he exceeded expectations. Anderson is the greater surprise. Thank goodness he could step in when Heaney got hurt.
–I don’t think we can credit Gallo with playing any significant role in the Dodgers success. Maybe he’ll be a hero in the playoffs.
–Alberto has been uneven but, yeah, he’s fun. Don’t see how the “heart and soul” label fits, especially since I think a certain someone recently put that cliche on Belli too. The team’s morale is more about winning and the leadership from veterans like JT, Kersh, Mookie and Freeman. And “Capt.” Austin Barnes too.
–Speaking of Mookie, that latest web gem was truly glorious, with him hamming it up for the bullpen. Another reason to be grateful that the Red Sox had Pedroia at 2B and decided to move Mookie to the OF. Five Gold Gloves!
–Dodgers could enter the playoffs with the roster they have and be fine. Vargas may have a great future, but it’s not showing now. I hope Outman and Rios get called up– and perhaps one could nudge Alberto or Gallo aside. An injury could create an opportunity. Dodgers will be fine with Alberto, in part because Mookie could play 2B!
What a great team! It’s not often that a team wins their division with 3 weeks and 21 games to spare. It’s too bad they didn’t get to celebrate in their own clubhouse in front of their own fans.
Freddie Freeman is having a hell of a year. On pace to be the only player to finish with 200 hits and is in the lead for a batting title.
Mookie is just 3 homers shy of the league lead in the NL. Not bad for a guy who’s 180 lbs soaking wet.
Lost in all the greatness, Gavin Lux’s OPS is better than Corey Seager and Francisco Lindor among others.
Edwin Rios’ OPS is just .003 points lower than Lux, and he can’t even get a look at the postseason.
Can we just go ahead and assume that Trayce can play every day? He was, after all, 61 overall prep pick.
Maybe the Dodgers should just go ahead and go with an outfield of Gallo, Trace and Mookie for the postseason run.
I almost want a bullpen game today, just to be sure to see Kahnle pitch.
I have never heard of a pitcher being pulled off their rehab assignment due to “Fatigue”. More than likely, the reason is no roster spot available. I figured this would happen to a couple of the pitchers and wrote about it weeks ago.
We possibly have six starting pitchers available for the postseason while other contenders will most likely have bullpen games in their series. All but Dustin May have an ERA less than 3.0. All but May and Gonso are left handed.
In the bullpen, Phillips, Ferguson, Treinen and Almonte all have a sub 2 ERA. Martin, Vesia and Price are all Sub 3. That makes for 12 pitchers with a sub 3 ERA for a possible postseason staff. There will be some very good pitchers on the outside looking in.
Since the trade deadline, Chris Martin has been better than both David Robertson and Andrew Chafin. Chris Martin was NOT someone I was hoping AF would acquire and it only cost us a bag of peanuts. That bag of peanuts is hitting 208 since being traded to the Cubbies.
What’s more exciting? Judge breaking the single season non-steroid homer record, or The Machine getting No. 700? Which will happen first? Wouldn’t it be great if if happened on the same day?
“Wouldn’t it be great if if happened on the same day?”
For their sake, I hope it doesn’t. Let them each have their day of glory without having to share it.
They both deserve that.
Dodgers News: LA Calling Up Spot Starter for Wednesday in Arizona
When Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May returned from the injured list, the Dodgers planned to use a six-man rotation for most, if not all, of the rest of the season. Unfortunately, just as everyone got healthy, someone got unhealthy, with Tony Gonsolin hitting the IL with a forearm strain.
But manager Dave Roberts still likes the idea of a six-man rotation, and they’re going to go with it again this time around the rotation.
Dave Roberts said Michael Grove will start for #Dodgers Wednesday unless something forces them to change course
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 14, 2022
Got to watch the game with my brother and sis. We are thinking about going to a game when the Cardinals are here. Trip was pleasant. Ran into rain in Utah and Nevada. Driving through Vegas is a nightmare. Did anyone notice the American Flag shorts Kimbrel was sporting during the post-game party? Classic. I no longer have lizard brain. I pretty much just sit back and enjoy the ride now. deGrom got beat by the Cubs last night.
Saw it and loved it!!!
Congrats to the Dodgers. Awesome work. What a team. We now have time to get all the ducks in a row prior to the playoffs.
CK looked great.
Watching the broadcast, I was especially interested at the comments when Gallo showed bunt after hitting a bomb and walking. When he showed bunt, top 5, Karros blew a clot. His comments reflects the disparity of opinions about the bunt base hit. So here are the 2 sides to that. You choose.
Option 1 – Why would you, or the hitting coaches, like a bunt single at that point when he can hit the ball out and make it 4-zip? You don’t need a single there, Try to jack another bomb. That’s Gallo’s strength. It’s a waste and a concession if he bunts in that situation.
Option 2 – they are giving him a single with anything to the left side, not fielded by the pitcher. Announcers talk about keeping the line moving. Passing the baton as a Dodger strength. If he dinked a base hit, that would be praised. But bunting for a hit is idiotic. Gallos home rate is is 1 bomb per 17 AB’s this year and he’s hitting .165.
You decide. What’s good baseball? But Karros’ comment reflects why we don’t see bunt base hits very often even against the shift. It’s sort of a chicken shit way to get on when you’re a big stud. I guess.
Kimbrel looks better and better. Great news. How much more confident can we be with him dominating the 9th? He still gets too cute for me, however. He insists on trying to trick hitters with a 3 run lead and getting behind in counts. I say pound the zone early with heaters and get ahead. He then can throw a quality chase pitch or 2 and go back to the heater. Don’t get cute with those totally non-competitive pitches that fool nobody, runs up his pitch count and gets hitters back in counts. He needs to trust it.
The celebrating clubhouse with all the plastic drapes hung everywhere looked like the house scene from ET with all the guys in Hazmat suits.
Should be a “goggle nite” for fans. I’m down with that. Will bring my Jet Fins & snorkle.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR5WgdJt/
brilliant idea. I”m in.
Mark, you’re new facility looks great. Lots of room for even more expansion. I’m sure you are very proud and should be.
Agree! Looks well planned out.
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (98-43)
Diamondbacks (66-75)
SP Michael Grove R
0-0 4.82 ERA 9.1IP 5BB 7K
SP Zach Davies R
2-4 4.09 ERA 116.2IP 42BB 89K
Confirmed Lineup
2B Chris Taylor R
3B Max Muncy L
DH Will Smith R
RF T. Thompson R
LF Joey Gallo L
1B M. Vargas R
CF C. Bellinger L
C A. Barnes R
SS H. Alberto R
In Domed Stadium
Wednesday Dodger Minor League Schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Tulsa (Landon Knack) vs. Springfield (Logan Gragg)
3:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Gavin Stone) at Albuquerque (Zach Neal)
Game 2: Oklahoma City (Jon Duplantier) at Albuquerque (Brandon Gold)
High-A Great Lakes
The Loons took a big advantage with a 7-2 win in the opener of the best-of-three series over the Lake County Captains (Guardians) Tuesday. They now get to come home needing just one win in two home games to move on to the championship round.
09/14/22 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Michael Grove from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
09/14/22 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Andre Jackson to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Cleary, Mookie, JT, Trae, and Freeman are hung over from last night.
Well deserved!
Dodgers bench one of the best in Baseball.
You mean the one hitting .179 .223 .224 and .230?
We’ll find out how good. They’re all starting tonight.
No lightening in a bottle with Vargas
Oops… got Yordan Alvarez and Yonder Alonso confused.
How about that Reyes Moronta coming thru for the Dodgers!
Kimbrel is not the closer I want to rely on in the playoffs against good teams! My suggestion is Vessia…
Never happen. If Kimbrel isn’t closing it will be either Treinen or Phillipa with an outside chance that Kahnle gets some work. Vesia has never closed in his MLB life in the post season. Kimbrel blowing tonight’s game means nothing. Offense was asleep all game,
Haha – I meant “Dodger’s bench one of the best in Baseball tonight”. with Mookie, Trea, JT and Freddie – You didn’t pick up on the irony.
Anyway, Kimbrel’s good run is over, didn’t look as good tonight.
Some good news that I hadn’t realised – no “Ghost Runner” in the Playoffs. Personally the one new addition to the game I don’t enjoy, and we’re not very good at it – I think I heard that we are 4/8 for the season now.
Wrong, he made one bad pitch. He induced a K, walked a guy, and got weak contact on a grounder. He hung one, it happens. What happened tonight is as much on an offense that had two loud hits and nothing else as it is on one bad pitch.
Not sure I follow your logic on this one Michael.
Walking the first batter he faced suggests he didn’t have his best command, as well as putting the winning run onboard.
Yeah Alcantara hit one out, but to my eyes he didn’t seem as sharp tonight as in recent previous outings.
For those of you who have instagram? Or maybe your kids do – have a look at Trevor Baue’s (baueroutage) page today.
Unbelievable post with a video of his accuser in bed with him on the morning after the alleged incident.
If you’ve already made your mind up about him, maybe you should have a look?
And Kimbrel being Kimbrel…
Yeah, the game doesn’t really matter much. But he does not inspire confidence.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cif–jtpPDv/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
Throw away game. Nothing should be made of it. The rest of the season is Spring Training for the playoffs.
Braves lost 2 of 3 to the Giants. And for them, it still matters.
Yes, spring training for the playoffs…
And by that measure, Trayce took another forward while Kimbrel stepped backward.
Roberts has said the closer role should be based on merit. Kimbrel hasn’t been a disaster, but he has the job based on reputation more than recent performance.
So will Roberts audition Phillips, Vesia, Treinen and others for the role?