Once more before I die. Yes, that is my wish. I am 75 now, and I have been alive for every single Dodger Championship, and I dearly want to see another. None of us, except those who take their own lives, choose when it is time to go. As Brooklynites would say We Wuz Robbed, in 2017, out played in 18 and missed some very good chances to advance in a couple other years.
In my life, the Dodgers have been a huge part of who I am. I grew up with them in LA, had my ear pressed against my transistor radio by my pillow listening to Vinny spin the tale of the game. I dreamed, as most boys do, of playing for my hometown team someday. Alas I was better in my head than I was on the field. My best year was my only year of little league when I was 11. We played a 9-game schedule. My team went 8-0-1. We had a perfect game thrown by a couple of our pitchers. We lost to the team that tied us during the season. That was devastating to me. I had done my best to help us win. With no fences on our fields, I hit only one homer, and I had to run like hell to get that. I batted .714. I only struck out twice in 21 at bats. But losing took any joy out of that.
I was living in a home for kids in Highland Park in those days. We went to maybe 4 or 5 games a year. Usually, we had seats down the RF line at the coliseum. Once, we sat in about the third row, right behind the LF screen. Missed a line drive hit by Neal by () that much! After that game, we waited by the tunnel for the players to come out. Talked to Jr. Gilliam for a couple of minutes. At the time, that was oh so cool. Everything I knew about the players, I got from the backs of their baseball cards, and I had a lot of them.
Another thing that happened was they built a new housing tract behind the home’s playground. 1959’s series MVP, Larry Sherry and his brother Norm moved in about 2 and 4 houses from the home. They were really great to the kids. That was the first real interaction I ever really had with a major leaguer. And that January, before they went to Vero, they let us kids shag balls for them on a field about a mile away. What a thrill that was.
When the home opened its new rec center, Norm, Larry and Tommy Davis came. I got a 10-minute batting instruction with him. I was in awe. At 14 I was sent to a foster home in Redondo Beach and ended up going to Mira Costa High School. One of the alums was Joe Moeller, who at the time was in the Dodger organization. He would get the call to the majors and although never a huge star, he was fun to watch. When I went out for the baseball team, he pitched batting practice to us a couple of times. Once, he brought Ron Bryant with him. Bryant was a lefty in the Giants system. Didn’t matter, I couldn’t touch either of them.
My foster parents at the time, were not sports fans at all, let alone baseball. So, for the next 3 years, I never went to a game. I did listen all the time and watched them whenever my foster dad was not at home, and they were on TV. Back then, they only broadcast 11 games a year. I do remember watching the game where Roseboro was attacked by Marichal in 65. But after that, following the team became more difficult since I joined the army after ” leaving the welfare system in Los Angeles.” They were going to transfer me to a big Catholic home for boys in downtown LA.
Having been already re-located to a temp home after they pulled me out of my previous home, I was dead set against changing High Schools again. I would have had to transfer from Narbonne to Belmont High in LA. So, on the day I was to take a bus and visit the Catholic home again, I simply walked away. I spent a little less than a month with my mom’s sister, in Torrance. And her mailman set me up with the Army recruiter, and in December of 65, I left for El Paso Texas and basic training.
From December 1965 until December 1974, I was in the Army and then lived in El Paso for a couple of months before I went back to California in December. While I was in the Army, if I came to LA on leave, my family and I would go to Dodger Stadium if we were there during the season. My girls loved going to the games. We usually sat in the LF Pavilion. It was a better view for them, and they loved those 1-dollar frozen malts.
We would also go to the AA games in El Paso. In 73, El Paso was still a Dodger farm team. In 74, they were an Angel farm team. Had some pretty good players too. Norm Sherry was their manager. I caught up with him before a game one time and we talked about when he lived in Highland Park. A few of his players would make it to the majors, including LHP Frank Panick. One who didn’t was actor Kurt Russell who was their second baseman before he got hurt and his baseball career was toast.
After I got out of the Army, it took me a while to find a career I could be happy with. In 1977, I started driving big rigs hauling containers out of the harbor. Usually if I went to a game, it would be on a Saturday or Sunday. I was too busy during the week driving during the day, and playing music at night. Sometimes a bunch of us would go. We had a bus trip one time, sat in the nosebleed seats and watched the Dodgers hit 7 homers and clobber the Reds.
As many of you know, I met Wes Parker in 1980 at a card show in Anaheim. I invited Wes to a show I was doing at George’s Round Up in Long Beach. What came out of that meeting was that Wes said he would find out what I needed to do in order to sing the Anthem at Dodger Stadium. He kept his word, and I made the tape they requested, and Wes, who was working on radio for the Dodgers doing Dodger talk, took the tape in. Around March of 81, I got a letter that had the date I would sing and instructions on where to go and when.
Included was a parking pass to the premium lot, right next to where the players park, 4 box seat tickets behind the visitors’ dugout, and a field pass. To say the least, I was excited. The season started and there were rumblings that the players were going to strike. And they did. So I was in limbo because the date I was to sing was in September. But they settled in August, and about a week later I got another letter from the Dodgers confirming my date.
I got there early as I could on the 9th. My girlfriend and I, with her brother and his girlfriend. About 40 minutes before game time, I had to go up to the elevator that takes you to field level. And remember, in 81, they still had those seats behind the screen that were eye level with the field. Also in those days, they set the microphone up in center field. Wes met me and took me to the dugout where I got to meet the players and some of the coaches. He gave me a ball that I had several players and coaches sign. Finally about 10 minutes before game time, the attendant walked me out to center field.
I met Fernando and Bobby Castillo coming in from the pen, shook Fernando’s hand, but forgot to get him to autograph the ball. The maintenance guy in CF set the mike up, and then I just waited for my introduction, and for the organist to start the music. There is about a 2 second delay between what you sing and what you hear, so you really can only concentrate on the organ music. All in all, it was three of the best minutes of my life.
They walked me back under the Pavilion, and into the tunnel that goes from the bullpen to the clubhouse. Met Rick Sutcliffe there and he signed the ball. Got back to my seat, and enjoyed the game. Ron Cey had his arm broken that night and he would be out until the playoffs. They ended up losing 6-3 to the Giants in 10, but Garvey hit a homer to tie it in the 9th.
Until I left LA in 1994, I would go to several games a year. I always sat in the Pavilion except a couple times when I went alone, and I splurged on a box seat or one up in the loge. I saw some good, and some bad baseball. I followed the team in the paper and on TV. I was in a friends living room when Gibby hit his homer in 88. Of course, after that, there was no World Series until 17.
From 94 to 2010 I had to follow the team on my satellite radio in my truck. I went to maybe three games over that span. I did catch a minor league game in Maryland once. But I was working so much, I usually was too tired to go anywhere.
I retired and moved here to Canon City in Colorado in November of 2010. And when I got my own place, I got a Roku and signed up for MLB.TV so I could watch the games. I started collecting cards again, mostly Dodgers and reprints of the best of Topps, including some Hall of Famers. I watch maybe 140 games a year. I will miss one now and then. But usually, if I do, I just come home and watch the highlights.
2020 no matter what anyone might think, was redemption for the team. It ended all the years of frustration, and the stench of the loss to the Astros. In 18, the Red Sox were clearly superior. When I go to California to visit my sis and her family, we usually will take in at least one or two games at Dodger Stadium. But lately, we have also been going out to Rancho. Met Mark and Jayne Cobb out there once. Met Watford, B&P and Patch at a sports bar in Orange County. I met Mark up in Denver one time too. I have gone to maybe 7 Dodger games at Coors since I have been here. It is a great place to watch a game.
But I am getting up there in years now. Last time we went to Dodger Stadium, my knees hurt for a week afterwards. Going down those stairs on the third deck took its toll. And the legroom is not all that great, so I actually have to turn a little sideways, so my knees do not hurt. So, I watch the games at home. Better seat anyway, and plus I get all the replays I want. But I really want to see this team win another title. That will be a great day, and I want to be healthy enough to enjoy it.
Watching the Dodgers play makes the day much better. Win or lose. Of course if they are playing the damn Giants or Padres I prefer winning, Last nights win kept pace with Arizona and the Giants who both won.
Thanks for the article OB. Always enjoy your historical articles. Sounds like you have led an interesting life (anyone who drives a big rig has an interesting life). I am 83 and started rooting for Dodgers when Don Newcomb was in the army. Have never been to Dodger stadium. Guess I never will. Still love the team, if not the ownership. Will send you a copy of Lee Strobel’s book if you would like.
That would be awesome. I will get Mark to send you my address. Also I will tell him to give you my email address.
$229. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8eyhe29/
Yes, between food breaks there was some baseball.
Enjoyed the reminiscences as a Dodger fan for 76 years, since the ‘47 series heartbreaker when I started being a supporter of the underdog. How things have changed! Instead of Robinson and the Duke, it’s Mookie and Freddie! This is a great board, and I am delighted to see Vargas out of the lineup and Rojas starting to contribute giving me some hope that 6-9 can give some assistance to our weak offense. Keep the daily dialogue going, good stuff!
Thank you and welcome aboard.
You’ll see it Bear, may not be this year, may not be next year, but you’ll see #8.
Of course it also may be this year!!!!
Bear –
Great read; brought back lotsa memories for me! I have a couple of years on you but followed much of the same path that you have traveled. Grew up in Burbank and spent many days and nights down the I-5 at Dodger Stadium. In fact, I have a photo of my four brothers and me in front of the left field/Dodger bullpen in April, 1962 before the first game was played there. Interestingly, the left field sign said 370′ with a ten foot wall back then; today it is 360′ and the wall looks to be about 8′ feet high.
I also remember being part of the “Knot Hole” gatherings for little leaguers at the the LA Coliseum in centerfield – we could barely see home plate but were so excited to be there. So many wonderful memories following “Dodger Baseball” over the decades. It is just shocking how fast all that time has gone by….
Like you, I am on the “Once More Before I Die” bandwagon; if fact, I am hoping for a Freeway Series which has been talked about since 1962! MAYBE THIS YEAR…..
Thanks Tom. I appreciate it. Met John Russell, the actor out there in the knothole seats. He was the star of Lawman. He was also in Eastwood’s Pale Rider as the really bad marshal. Great times. Did not have to worry about catching a ball out there, but I always took my glove anyway. One of the more interesting games I went to though was an Angel game at old Wrigley Field. They played the Tigers. So this game had to be in 61. They lost 8-3. Albie Pearson was their center fielder and Leon “Daddy Wags” Wagner was in right. What I remember most was Vic Wertz hitting a ball clean out of the stadium over the RF light tower. Massive shot. Had to travel 450 at least. Yeah, the same Vic Wertz who hit the ball Mays tracked down in the 1954 World Series. Made my day because I got to see Al Kaline play.
Yes…Leon Wagner who had a clothing store which had a commercial tagline of “Get your rags at Daddy Wags!” Miss those colorful guys….
Your mention of Kurt Russell, minor leaguer, had me thinking about “The Battered Bastards of Baseball,” a very entertaining documentary about the independent team Kurt’s actor dad founded in Portland, Ore.
I assume that folks here are such baseball junkies that most have already see the “Battered Bastards,” but if not, look it up. Great fun. Just a great bunch of characters.
Come to think,I’d say it’s one of the baseball flicks ever, particularly because it was true. Truth funnier than fiction.
Yes, I watched that. I think it was on Netflix, which I no longer have. But it was great. They held open tryouts for the team. Kurt Russell was with El Paso for all of 6 games in 1973 before he tore up his shoulder and his baseball career ended. Here is his stat line G-6 AB-16 R-4 H-9 2B-3 HR-1 RBI-4 He had one stolen base, a walk and one strikeout. His BA was .563. His OBO .588. Slg .938 and his OPS was 1.526. In 110 minor league games he was a .292 hitter.
I am with you Bear. I will be 77 in October and although I’m in good health and working full time, we have no idea of Gods plan or when he will call us home.
Enjoy every day rooting for our team and we will see what happens.
Yep, we are getting up there Bob. Our brand of ball is no longer played. But it is still the game I love the most. Take politics and religion out of the game, so we all can enjoy it more.
Great write Bear! I’m 65 and have been a Dodger fan my entire life. I live in southwest Virginia (born in West Virginia) so people always ask me how I became a Dodger fan. Can’t really say but my dad sat me on his lap, and we watched the Dodgers when they were on tv. He wasn’t a big baseball fan but I guy have just bought a tv it was exciting. Same way my oldest son was 3 when Gibson hit the greatest home run in history. I dumped my son in the floor celebrating! My love for the Dodgers has been passed on from me to my 2 sons and my grandson. We’re going to Baltimore in July for the series with the Orioles. I would give my left (you know) if he could say hello to Clayton. Just like me, he loves Kershaw. He’s 9 and throws left-handed. His dad played in the Oakland organization for 3 years, and my oldest does sports talk in Charlotte. So, I’m so blessed my sons and grandson love sports. Like y I want to see at least one more championship in my lifetime. It’s there for the taking! I still believe we need a big-time right-handed bat and Shane Bieber or Giolita as I’m very concerned about Gonsolin. I pray Clayton stay healthy and can win his 4th cy young. Therefore, shutting up all his past and present critics. HE IS ONE OF THE ALLTIME GREATS! Hopefully bullpen’s up to task in front of them tonight! Need more offensive production from shortstop and 3rd. Heyward still looks like a great bargain!
Thank you, I appreciate it. I drove through Virginia a lot when I was over the road. Beautiful state. Lots of history too. Spent time at Ft. Story and Ft. Lee while I was in the Army. Virginia Beach was awesome.
What I remember mostly about The Coliseum was the awful mess of car parking. My dad usually paid a nearby resident to park on his lawn. Oh and all that ivy that covered the walls back then.
I almost forgot about the ivy. And the huge Olympic swimming pool on the south side of the coliseum.
Virginia Beach ain’t so great anymore. But overall , va. Is beautiful. Still think dodger stadium is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. Rest city, not so much my 60th birthday was 60 years in Los Angeles. My sons took me. Saw Clayton versus bumgardner.
Virginia Beach when I was there, it was the spring of 68, right around the time Dr. King was killed. There was a club called the Peppermint Lounge. Just like the one up in New York City. Saw the Rondell’s there. It was beautiful then.
Thanks for the True Blue memories, Bear.
I imagine Norm Sherry must have been surprised to see the grown-up kid from Highland Park!
Norm was a great guy. He was always there for the kids in the neighborhood, more so than Larry. But that is understandable since Larry was the big series hero. I was in the Army then so it was a nice little chat. And yeah, the grown up kid was a lot bigger than Norm remembered,
Thank you for your service to our country. That was a tough time to be in the military. Loved your playback. Wes Parker was my favorite position player when I was young, he played a great first base, my first base defense was a little shaky. A friend of mine knew that I liked Parker and somehow got an autograph ball by Parker that he gave to me. Thanks again for your service.
Thanks John. Wes was a great person. Easy to talk to and he loved listening to music. First one to greet me in the dugout. He signed that ball he gave me too.
Let’s be greedy and go for two…
That would be even better.
OK Dodgers. 2023. Do it for the Bear!
Parker was part of the all switch hitting infield. Switch hitting is not near as relevant as it was in the day. Do you or Mark have a theory why?
I think switch hitting is hard, much easier for kids today to just hit from one side. If you do see a switch hitter, they seem to be from some other country. Josh Bell is one of the few American born switch hitters I can think of. Parker, Lefebvre, Wills and Gilliam. All switch hitters.
Heartwarming article Bear, enjoyed your Dodgers trip down memory lane
Thanks, sometimes memories are all we have left.
The remains of the day
Great article Bear
Thanks I appreciate it.
8:40 PM ET
Dodgers (44-34)
Rockies (31-50)
SP Michael Grove R
0-2 7.59 ERA
SP Kyle Freeland L
4-8 4.54 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH J. Martinez R
2B M. Vargas R
SS Miguel Rojas R
CF James Outman L
LF Jonny DeLuca R
3B Y. Hernandez S
Partly-cloudy-day
85° Wind 14 mph R-L
River Ryan, Payton Martin win minor league pitcher of the week awards
With the age group of the posters on this site, we all would love at least one more World Series ring. The 2023 Dodgers will NOT be the ones to do it.
Never know, doesn’t look too promising right now, but AF might surprise us with some new toys come the deadline.
Grove deserves better than this!
Outman’s read was too late on Tovar’s bases-clearing double in the 6th.
Then Vargas falls asleep failing to catch a throw from the outfield that same inning.
Vargas was in La La Land These dodgers need a good Clubhouse meeting.
Vargas in a very bad space right now. All his teammates were filing out of the dugout, and he was sitting on the rail all by himself with a helpless, forlorn look.
Tampa takes the lead 3 to 2 With Arizona batting in the ninth one out
Everytime I see Vargas, I see deer in headlights.
I would have to agree Eric. No confidence at all. I would rather see Busch up here. Another really bad performance by the bullpen. We get some different arms in there maybe it will turn around.
Hudson and Nelson are just about ready. Robertson and Grove probably down.
V-gone probably too when Julio is back. Would leave us with just one lefty in the pen though.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My fault. I should have been more clear. Everytime I have EVER seen Vargas I see deer in headlights. Not just lately.
Domingo German pitches a perfect game for the Yankees
Consolation for us, the hated ones lost and Tampa Bay pulled out a win over Arizona
I’m not sure that pitching a perfect game against the 2023 A’s actually counts in the record book.
It will count. But maybe they need an asterisk. Giants and D-Backs lose, so we do not lose ground, but we lose a day.
So explain this – why would Roberts bring in Robertson with the bases loaded and one out in a close game?
Doing Roberts things.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Rick – I think this covers it
Graterol and Phillips have been two of the Dodgers’ most reliable relievers. Graterol, however, had pitched in three of the past four games and Phillips — because he was needed with two outs in the ninth inning on Tuesday — had pitched in three consecutive games.
Because Graterol and Phillips were unavailable, the Dodgers went to rookie Nick Robertson to come in with the bases loaded against the top of the order. It was a tall task for a pitcher making just his sixth Major League appearance, and the Rockies jumped on the opportunity. Per MLB.com
Someone commented yesterday about Bickford not getting the job done the night before – this perhaps was the outcome.
Good to have your perspective back.
Well, I for one think that anyone who threw exactly 3 pitches the night before, Phillips should have been able to come in and at least throw strikes. Gonzalez is not the same pitcher he was in 20. He couldn’t get the ball over the plate. Then he compounds the problem by hitting a batter. Same thing Bickford did the night before. Hell, I would have brought in Brazier. Ferguson would have been a better choice. Or even Almonte. But they need to get the pen straightened out and really quick. You cannot keep losing games like this.
Ditto. Phillips seems durable handling stress better than any other in the pen.
The answer to that kind of question, as always, is that we don’t know the circumstances.
Maybe DR made the wrong call. Or maybe Phillips hasn’t cut his finger nails in a while and accidentally scratched his nuts in the middle of the night and required stitches.
It’s pointless to speculate because we don’t have all the information. I have a hard time believing DR put in a rookie who’s barely seen big league hitters in that situation because he thought it was ideal. I’m certain he didn’t have other options. And however the Dodgers respond won’t likely be the truth, because they just don’t let that info out.
Good write up , Bear. I know exactly how you feel. Though I am “only” 58 years old the stats say the Dodgers have won the WS 7 times in their entire history. That means they statiscally win it app. every 18-20 years.
That is one full generation.
And if you look at the gap between 1988 and 2020 is is even more than that. A lot more .
There were times when I thought I would never see them lift the WS trophy during those years.
Given the deep pockets and deep farm system the Dodgers will be in the hunt for a title for years to come but it is so tough to be the last team standing. But I am pretty confident you and the rest of this great blog will leave to see at least one more championship..
I would be even more confident if the Dodgers had a different manager. Roberts is okay but not a difference maker in the positive way .
And BTW, I liked your article about Karl Spooner on Jeffs blog. Well done.
Spooner is the classic story of what could have been.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Thanks. Spooner was just one of those guys you look at and say, wow, he would have been great. Can you imagine a rotation of Spooner, Sandy and Big D? . Wow. 55-59-63-65-81-88-20 seven titles, and a couple of close calls.
Nothing against you Bear and Colorado, but I despise Coors Field!! If the Rockies remain there,they will Never win a World Series Championship. Playing there and then going on the road is one of their downfalls plus attracting quality pitchers, It they don’t develop their own, no pitcher in their right mind is going sign there.
Don’t they already have one title?
They went to the World Series once, 2007 and were swept by the Red Sox.
They probably made a mistake not making the field domed. There is talk that they are going to build a dome for the Bronco’s. But as someplace to watch a game, Coors is great. I am not a native Coloradan, so you are not hurting my feelings. I like Coors a lot better than I do Chase, where I have seen several games. I think the Rocks kind of understand the problems with the thin air and all. But the main problem in Denver is ownership. Rockies fans still go to the ballpark, but they have not forgiven ownership for trading Arenado, and paying St. Louis 50 million of his salary.
Not a World Series title.
The Cardinals were 83-78 in 06 and won the World Series pretty easily over Detroit.
To anyone who thinks this LA team cant win it all this year, I feel sorry for you….b/c YES this team 100% can win a title this year…..
WEll, at this point you can say that for every other MLB team too.
If the stars align for that specific team.
Difference is only how realistic that prediction is in every case. And for the Dodgers IMHO the odds are not very good. There are at least 10 other teams I would give better shots at the WS title.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It must suk to have that kinda outlook, why even watch the games at that point….we have no shot, lets just pack it in…..
Ah, no, I am really happy with the life I live. So no need to worry about my kinda outlook regarding the Dodgers. But thanks anyway.
If it makes YOU feel better in your life if you believe they have what it takes to win a WS fine with me and happy for you.
Always fascinating to see and read how worried total strangers are with the lifes of other posters.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
100% endorse that last line.
Er, the line before go dodgers.
Bear, wonderful read. My father (89), also watches every single game of the year. Now I have two reasons for that new championship. Go Dodgers!
Not that it mattered, but there is no way in hell that last pitch to Outman was a strike. I guess the ump wanted to go home. Of course Outman would have struck out anyhow, but it wasn’t on that pitch.
Outman-Vargas- DeLuca……glad to have this support come up from the minors when you need it.
I think the advice of “protect the plate” with two strikes is all the more important on that last AB. Just an impression, but the umps always seem to favor the pitchers in that situation if a ball is near the strike zone. (Sometimes the Dodgers get that call.) Anyway, Outman strikes out enough without the ump helping the pitcher….
Yonny Hernandez has made a good early impression. Perhaps Jermaine Jones and Devin Mann will get a chance too–if not with the Dodgers, perhaps as trade sweeteners. Say…. Grove+Jones+?? for Giolito?
MLB.com is rich with speculation that this could be a very busy trade market. Seems over the top, but one scribe suggests that the White Sox could put both Cease and Robert on the market. (Tim Anderson, once considered a “future Dodger,” is hitting at Miguel Rojas levels–with worse defense– so I’d now call him a former “future Dodger.”)
Mookie’s versatility could have a big impact here. If Robert is really in play, perhaps AF would target him with the idea of Mookie moving to SS or 2B.
I was an umpire in a league for young boys…15-17 year olds….and the easiest pitch for me to not screw up was the outside pitch. I always had a good view of where the ball passed home plate was. No doubt. The hardest for me was the low ball. Sometimes the catcher got in my way. Lol
But yeah, you should never let a 3rd strike get called if you think it is even close.
The umpire last night called a bunch of pitches strikes that were no where near being strikes. He did some dirty to Freeland too.
Greetings from Alaska,
I have heard that the “Dodgers are not good enough to win this year” EVERY year and I mean EVERY year since Friedman took over. Now I am hearing it again. Las Vegas and MLB experts still rank them in the top 3 teams for winning chances. To say they can’t win and that 10 teams have better chances is rooted in pure fiction, so all I can do is draw my own conclusions.
Thank you!!!
Top 3!!!!
This surprises me, especially with our pitchers. As of now we have Kershaw and no one else. Gonsolin will probably be on the IL as will May. Miller is not ready for prime time and we don’t know enough about Sheehan. Urias also might be reliable so maybe we have two guys we can count on.
Other than Phillips, anybody else you trust in the bullpen? I didn’t think so.
And of course, don’t forget….can we count on any of our young guys to come through for us if needed? Outman-Vargas- DeLuca?
How can anyone think we have THAT good of a chance to win it all? Heck, we were much stronger last year and then we got our clocks cleaned early on. Also, don’t assume we will even make it into the playoffs. Lots of competition for the wild card spots.
I think you are underestimating Miller. The kid has MLB stuff right now. One of the reason’s he has gotten lit up lately is simply he went away from the game plan he used his first few times out. Relying mostly on his fastball and not mixing his pitches. I would think that when you see him in KC later this week, it will be a different story.
There are a lot of “ifs” on this team. Perhaps the most in several years.
If Kershaw and Gonsolin stay healthy…. If Julio comes back strong…. If rookies Miller and Sheehan keep producing… A lot of pitching “ifs.”
The “sure things,” it seems, are at the top of the lineup: Mookie, Freddie, Will and JD are all delivering legit all-star performances, and all have solid track records. After 79 games–two short of midseason–Mookie, Freddie and JD are all on pace for 100 RBIs, and Mookie and Freddie could each score 120 runs.
The biggest IF of all is what AF will do in the midseason trade market.
Last season, with the Dodgers soaring toward 111 wins, he really didn’t do much.
The headline move–getting Gallo for Beeter–seemed like a reasonable gamble but it didn’t pay off. The Dodgers got some good work from rental RP Chris Martin, acquired for Zach McKinstry. But AF whiffed when he decided to entrust rookie Miguel Vargas down the stretch while there were more proven bats available on the trade market. Sadly, Vargas still has not yet performed up to expectations.
This season, the Dodgers are NOT soaring so I think there’s every reason to believe that AF will be bolder, targeting pitching (both SP and RP) and perhaps a strong bat too.
He may not be able to swing another Scherzer-Trea deal, but IF he makes a big splash, the Dodgers could still go all the way.
I really miss the August 31 trade deadline for getting players for the stretch run. That is how they got Utley.
Well said, Duke. I agree with everything you said. This post should be mandatory reading for all.
No,its not rooted in pure fiction, it is just and only my OPINION.
Just as it is my OPINION that in my book I have 10 other teams who I give BETTER chances to win than this Dodgers team as it is CURRENTLY constructed.
If you think otherwise, fine. Your OPINION. It is just as good or bad as mine.
Just as the so called EXPERTS and Vegas (when I last checked they had the Dodgers not in the top 5 for odds to win it all)..
Disclaimer: This is the first year since AF took over that I think the Dodgers do not have what it takes to win it all.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just talked to someone who is “in the know” and here are some tidbits:
1. Expect Catman to undergo TJ shortly:
2. Kershaws back is fine; and
3. Vargas is working on a change in his swing much like Outman did a couple of weeks ago… whatever that was!
Nr. 1: Does not surprise me at all.
Nr. 2:Relieved.
Nr. 3: Hoping he will succeed. At the moment he is hurting the team.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Same person in the know who told you JD Martinez would
Be out for the season with back surgery?
🙂
This was one of my favorite from Mark (in both the sound effects and how it has aged):
BTW, I just talked to someone pretty well connected who says the Dodgers and most other teams do not see Lux as a SS. This was in response to my question: “Will the Dodgers sign Trea Turner?” I’ll tell you his answer in a minute.
Tick, Tick, Tick… OK
He said: “If they give him the best deal.” and then he said think about this “The Marlins are rebuilding and Tampa Bay is TB. But what if the Dodgers offered him a 10yEra $300 Million deal with $40 Million a year being paid in the first 3 years and they included an opt-out after 3 years? A third of the value of the contract is in the first 3 years, so he would likely opt out and maybe go home to play.”
I thought that was rather ingenious.
You can pre-order a JD Martinez 300th homer bobblehead from Foco for 80 bucks. Uh, not happening.
As always, a little late but I join the group of bloggers in congratulating you for the beautiful article you wrote yesterday, looking in the rearview mirror at those beautiful times brings with it the nostalgia of events that have passed so quickly that I hardly even noticed This clearly also reminds me that we are older adults and the road is getting shorter every time. Just like you, I wholeheartedly wish another WS title for our team before leaving this world.
Sincerely what a beautiful article, congratulations Old Bear.
Thanks Jose Luis. I really appreciate it.
* Grove gave up some hits and 2 walks but he’s unlucky. He executed some good pitches that gives up bloops and broken bat singles. And he left with the lead. I think under different scenarios, he’s a better bullpen piece than a starter, He gave up only a run, one time through the line up. I thought he was the Opener in a Bull-pen Game and I was a little surprised he went 5 innings. But I guess that would have just put the ineffective Victor Gonzales in the game sooner.
* Tim Nevertte went off on the baserunning of CJ Cron trying to go 1st to 3rd on Noland Jones’ hit down left field line.
The initial call was safe . Replay said out. Tim went to “the book” which states the unwritten rule that “you never make the first or third out at 3rd base”.
Neat theory and generally true. But in this case and a few others, I call Bullshit. If you play aggressive baseball, sometimes you get thrown out on close plays. What’s wrong with forcing players to make plays and screw the book.
* Let’s discuss hitting approaches:
The Dodgers are very disciplined at the plate, as we all know. They do not like to swing at pitches out of the zone. Muncy is the poster child. So what is your approach when the HPU is calling strikes on pitches a ball or so off the plate in all locations?
Do you?
1: continue to refuse to expand your zone, take the pitch and bitch that it wasn’t a strike (based on the imaginary TV strike zone)?
#2- or adjust and take a hack at a pitch that your eye tells you it’s off the plate, but is being called a strike all day long?
We just won’t expand the zone and give in, We take, IMO, too many close pitches. They say stay with the selective approach. I say – swing the bat.
* The “IN” way to hit now days is “if it’s spinning – I Ain’t Swinging”. Mookie likes to ambush an opening slider occasionally, but others just want to wait on a fastball. They won’t swing at a breaking ball until they have 2 strikes which leads to a chase. Why not sit on a breaking ball early, based on the pitcher’s sequencing, before you get behind in the count? I used to argue with some of my players who would take a hanging curve ball early. I’d ask them why do we discouraged our pitchers from throwing hangers. Their answer was “because they are easy to hit”. My response was “then why aren’t we hitting them?”
* Grove was obvious lay uncomfortable with his right calf in the 5th. Get him out. Have you ever had a calf pull? It a takes weeks to get right.
* Karros was laughing and referencing some Charlie Brown cartoon in the 6th when Gonzales practically took a bullet to the head. Sorry Eric, I failed to find any humor in that situation. Just plain scary to me.
* Outman, great kid. Doing OK on defense but to me he frequently makes poor reads off the bat and gets poor jumps on fly balls in center.
* In a talent rich draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost a first-round pick for exceeding the Competitive Balance Tax threshold by over $40 million. And some fans keep suggesting the brass just keep over spending. Instead, I think it’s time to reset the tax. We never get high picks but first-round picks are still valuable.
Perhaps the the powers to be should have our RP add two new pitches that will make the batters think about them. My thought is a Screwball and a Knuckleball. Those pitches only have to be thrown once or twice to make the batter aware. JUST A THOUGHT.
Richie, interesting thoughts on the screwball and knuckler, which have on the way of a dinosaur. Actually to me the screwball was just a slower version of some pitches used today. Lots of sinking changeups behave similar to the old screwball. I think the over pronation action of a “screwgie” is a no-no now days, due to threat of arm injury.
The Knuckler is an animal all to itself. The last specialist was RA Dickey who retired it in 2017. Since there have been a couple guys try to keep it alive. Mickey Jannis of the Orioles pitched a 3.1 inning relief appearance in 2021. ERA = 18.9.
And actually 5 days ago, Matt Waldron logged 4.2 innings as an opener for the Padres. ERA 3.86. I have never seen him as I don’t watch the Padres so I don’t know if he throws it full time or mixes it in with others pitches. That would be unusual.
It’s a lost art. Back in the day most everybody, especially infielders, threw them goofing off in warm ups. I had a good one on the sidelines and there was some conversation about trying it in a game. It never happened. I had some conversations about the pitch with an old MLB Knuckler Specialist named Bob Tiefenauer. Cool old slow talking guy from Missouri. He had 316 innings over 10 years in MLB, until 1968. He told me the secret is to stride toward home 1/2 as far as a normal stride. That helps the arm push the ball toward home. Extension causes the ball to spin too much. It works.
It takes a knack and dedication as a bad knuckler is just BP. It better be a Butterfly every time or you’re Gone Johnson.
Thanks for the info Phil. I learned a lot from you. Like I said it was only a thought.
It’s all good Richie. It’s fine thought and I just wanted to clarify a little bit. Keep thinking!
This is something that was already seen coming..
Padres’ report about ‘financial challenges’ is exactly what Dodgers planned for.
https://dodgersway.com/posts/padres-report-about-financial-challenges-is-exactly-what-dodgers-planned-for-01h30qnsh6y6
Love it! Offer them Bickford for Soto and let’s help them save some money!
The Bally’s bankruptcy is squeezing them hard. Rumor has it what killed offers for the Angels sale was the uncertainty surrounding their TV deal, especially with Ohtani going into FA year. They may lose Ohtani almost exactly at the moment they have to renegotiate a long term TV contract.
Spectrum contract with the Dodgers gives us a lot of stability.
Great stuff Jorge. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving outfit.
Those clowns don’t deserve anything more than that, for having dared to self-proclaim this “new rivalry” For me that was a lack of respect for one of the greatest teams in history!
8:40 PM ET
Dodgers (44-35)
Rockies (32-50)
SPEmmet Sheehan R
1-0 1.50 ERA
SP Chase Anderson R
0-2 5.79 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
C A. Barnes R
RAIN
53% Rain
75° Wind 14 mph R-L
Dodgers recall Justin Bruihl, option Michael Grove to Triple-A
Wednesday scores
Sugar Land 4, Oklahoma City 3
Amarillo 6, Tulsa 4
Great Lakes 4, Lansing 0
Rancho Cucamonga 5, Visalia 1
Thursday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Maddux Bruns) vs. Lansing (Jose Dicochea)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Gavin Stone) at Sugar Land (Misael Tamarez)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Nick Frasso) at Amarillo (Peter Solomon)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (TBA) vs. Visalia (Wyatt Wendell)
Funny. Like Mark I just spoke with someone “in the know” too (my local barber). Here are the tidbits he shared with me.
1) The Dodgers are likely overrated by Vegas etc., due to their vast hype machine (propaganda). Through uncritical local writers, rank commercialism, sycophantic fans and cheerleaders (think Matt), rabid boosters and shills (think Mark), the Dodgers have waved the flawed Flag of Dodger Exceptionalism. Examples would include AF’s mythical divine status, Prior’s reputation as a miracle worker, Robert’s unmatchable winning record, and the never ending hype about our Farm System. It’s a largely a false Grand Narrative that relies heavily on glamorizing past results; so far this year the Dodgers seem anything but exceptional. Take away their 11-1 winning skein earlier and you have basically a .500 ball club.
2) my barber also thinks Vargas should go back to OKC to see if he can still hit minor league pitching. This probably needs to be re-established.
3) Graterol is the new Pedro Baez. Interesting.
4) Why does AF continually sign injured arm pitchers? Because they’re cheap? Seems pretty dysfunctional…at least this year. It’s been a continuing carousel of excuses and disinformation that should be addressed. Openly. After all (if I remember correctly), he’s (AF) “playing chess while the rest of us playing checkers.”
4) Lastly, like with most serious Dodger fans the cloudy subject of Roberts came up. I mentioned how Mark is fond of saying that Bruce Bochte has a below .500 life time W-L record and that Doc has the highest W-L record of all time. Did you say that Mark? I may have mis-rembered. My barber laughed out loud at the suggestion Roberts was a better manager than Bochte. “Really, “ he said: “in a big game (or any game) would you rather have Bochte, or Doc?”
I have been a Dodger fan since Mantilla threw wild to first base in the ‘59 playoffs. Two Dodger World Series winners (1959, 1988) were probably worse than this year’s team. But they were inspired by two “great” managers.
How about it Mark…would you really prefer Doc to Bochte?
Bruce Bochy is indeed 8 games below .500 for his career. But with the way his Rangers are playing, that will change sooner than later. He is still going to go into the Hall. Three World Series wins will do that for you.
PR,
Your barber should probably stick to cutting hair .
If the Dodgers are so bad and the farm system is such a wasteland, how is it that Roberts, who is also so bad, has the best record in MLB history?
Methinks you didn’t think that one through because I have to take Roberts since AF has given him such a bad team.
You have an eloquent way of saying things but it is lite on facts.
Great article, Bear. It was great to meet you with B&P in Huntington, too.
Thanks Patch. News on Kershaw. He is suffering from a shoulder inflammation and is day to day. His next start is supposed to be Sunday in KC, but since Urias is supposed to come off of the IL then, it will probably come at home next Monday. Martinez, Betts and Freeman named NL starters for the All-Star team. Murphy beat out Smith for the starting catcher spot.
I don’t care how good CK’s shoulder feels on Sunday, I wouldn’t let him pitch until after the All Star game. He’s already on track to pitch far more innings than last year. We all knew he’d need to sit somewhere during the season to take a breather. This affords them the perfect opportunity for that.
Furthermore, the normal Dodger way of treating injuries means that on day 1 they announce they aren’t sure, on day 2 they announce they’re optimistic and on day 3 they announce TJ surgery (or in this case shoulder surgery which I imagine Kersh would take a pass on and just retire, but I’m assuming it won’t come to that).
Agree; send him on a forced vacation
Hi. Somebody knows about the time the game will start? Thank You.
7:30pm Pacific Time, about 30 minutes from the time I’m writing this.
Take away the two week hot streak and Muncy is by far the worst hitter in baseball. No way he should be hitting in the middle of the order!
He reminds me of that Bob Uecker joke. Hey Max go grab a bat and kill this rally.
Rockies are just putting the ball in play just like they did last night
Trying to inject some confidence in Muncy by having him bat 3rd. Sad watching his demise since that elbow injury a few yrs/ago.
With his double in the gap, Coors Field and Rockies bad pitching comes to Muncy’s rescue in the 4th. Let’s hope it’s the start of something good.
Somebody’s ears were burning
Max has always been a stocky guy but I can definitely see an extra 8-10 pounds around his middle
Max needs to hit the salad bar on a regular basis.
Now Sheehan needs to go deep into this game. We don’t need to see a parade of struggling relievers to hold this lead.
Well now it’s a 9-run lead. The pen should be able to hold that for 4 innings.
Right from AA????? No way, he is on a pitch count pretty much. If he went more than 5 I would be shocked.
Muncy’s first multi-hit game in ages.
If you accept the adage that “a walk is as good as a hit,” he’s had quite a few.
Somebody’s got to stick up for Max. And it’s me.
Yeah, Max’s BA is awful, down at Mendoza level. But his OPS is now .787, which is way above average. And although he’s missed 17 of the Dodgers’ 80 games, he has still knocked in 48 runs. That’s just 4 fewer than Freddie, who has played in all 80. If Max avoids injury, he’s on a pace to drive in well over 100 runs.
It could be a lot more, if Max gets hot in the second half, like he did last year.
Let’s remember that Max and Outman pretty much carried this offense for the first five weeks while Mookie and JD Martinez started slowly. Outman was Rookie of the Month and Max briefly led the league in HRs. Despite all the games he’s missed, he has 18 HRs. So he’s on pace for yet another 35-or-so HR season.
But sure, it would be nice if Max could get that average up…
I wonder if anybody’s ever hit 35 to 40 home runs and drove in a hundred and hit below the Mendoza line.
Adam Dunn maybe ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dunn hit 40 or more homers six times. He also at one point hit 40 or more five years in a row tying Duke Snider. But in all those years he was in the 230-250 range in BA. The last year he hit 40, 2012, he hit only .204. He came close with 96 RBI’s. He struck out 222 times that year. His OPS was .800. He ended up with 462 career bombs
Nope. The most HR’s with under a 200 average was 32 by Mark Reynolds in 2010. He hit .198. He drove in 85 runs. Mark McGwire hit 29 homers his last year in the majors but hit only .187. He drove in 65. But his OPS was .808
Duke,
Well said!
If you look at Max’s stats, the one that sticks out like a sore thumb is his BABIP, which is under .200. Remember, .300 is considered league average. You would think this would be higher than last year because eliminating the shift was supposed to give him a few extra base hits on his pull side – and he’s a pull hitter.
Ok, so I was thinking he’s making more weak contact this year, which would explain his low batting average for balls he puts in play, but actually his average exit velocity, barrell % and hard hit % are all higher than they were last year and the year before. Those fundamentals are as good as they’ve been since his peak in 2019.
I think he’s been a little unlucky.
That is interesting. .200 BABIP with good exit velocity is more than a bit unlucky. It’s incredibly unlucky. I wonder if there is more to it. I haven’t seen that kind of variance before.
I say 0% chance that Kersh starts his next game
David I guarantee 100% CK starts his next game. Now when that happens is unknown.
Sorry couldn’t help myself.
I’m going to beat the dead horse again! How much longer can we carry a backup catcher hitting .100? 0 for 5 with 2 punchouts! If we don’t do anything else at the deadline, at least look for another catcher! Will is going to run out of gas as much as he is being used, but Dodgers can’t afford to give him more rest with Barnes as his backup! Another good night for heyward! Jd is on fire at coors, hope it stays like that in Kansas City! Miller time tonight. Don’t take the royals lightly. 1 game out in the loss column. Could be back in first place after this weekend!
It is painful. But as long as Kersh is around, so will Barnes. Not sure the Dodgers have room to carry a third catcher given the issues on the roster.
Barnes is certainly Kersh’s favorite and a valuable personality to the Dodgers. He hopefully will make a good coach and perhaps a good Manager someday, like many former catchers have.
And I guess we don’t want to make CK any more pissed off after the act on June 16……… BUT
This is a production business. You are paid to win games. And Barnes helps in many intangible ways but not at the plate hitting or throwing (who can with our pitchers failing to hold runners?)
Since when is Kershaw the GM and in charger of player personnel? I think he understands that and understands we could use an upgrade in a backup catcher. If he’s going to get his feelings all hurt, see how he likes the Rangers catchers.
Players, play. GM’s control personnel decisions.
THIS
There’s a good chance we’ll take back the division lead before the ASG being just two games behind. I expect one or two small tweeks to the lineup following the trade deadline and still say Dodgers will take the division. I’d like to reopen my bet proposal Dodgers vs the division field but I’m so overdrawn in my bank account I’m unable to. Always have to pay the man before playing the man. Those that post things such as Dodgers won’t have a chance this season can’t be real Dodger fans because chances are better than many where the odds were worse in past seasons that at the seasons end Dodgers were the one’s standing. The negative posters had San Diego running away with the division title. How do you like San Diego now? I have never bet against the Dodgers and nrver will. When their play sucks I will say so but always proud I have the Dodgers to belove. It may suck to be me but I’m sure glad I’m not you.
Well said.
Well said. As many of us said before the season, Dodgers didn’t need to go out and do dope fiend moves.
Bogarts and Turner have been slightly above ave at SS. But they are being paid way above average and for decade long deals. Those will be boat anchors.
Even with Soto and Tatis Jr playing well, the Padres suck. I do expect they will be above .500 by the end of the season, but I like our odds to take the division. And given their financial problems and a cleaned out minor league system, they don’t have much room to improve at the deadline. The Dodgers do, If they so choose. This might be a bit of a painful season, relative to the recent past. But we are in reasonably good shape. And we haven’t destroyed our future with stupid contracts and a cleaned out minor league system.
Good points!
Dodgers are competitive this year even with many injuries and the performance struggles of the rookies.
Low-A: Right-hander Reynaldo Yean, a 19-year-old signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, was promoted from the Arizona Complex League after striking out 16 of his 28 batters faced in eight scoreless innings.
Thursday scores
Oklahoma City 4, Sugar Land 2
Amarillo 12, Tulsa 7
Great Lakes vs. Lansing, postponed
Visalia 6, Rancho Cucamonga 4
Friday schedule
2:35 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Kendall Williams, TBD) vs. Lansing (Jake Garland, TBD), doubleheader
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Gavin Stone) at Sugar Land (Spencer Watkins)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Kyle Hurt) at Amarillo (Luke Albright)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Peter Heubeck) vs. Visalia (Lorenzo Encarnacion)
When was the last time the Dodgers did a dope-fiend move?
Apart from signing Bauer, I mean. Many fans, including yours truly, didn’t approve of that one. We made our feelings known.
Any dope-fiend trades come to mind? Even the bad ones we regret (Pedro for Delino) seemed OK at the time, right?
Please pardon a rude thought., but I sort of wish Austin Barnes and his .101 batting average would have a minor injury that required a short stint on the IL. Not because I want anything bad to happen to ol’ “Barnesy” but because I want something good to happen for Hunter Feduccia, who is back to crushing at OKC.
Can Feduccia play at the next level? Certainly he has earned a shot.
Not long ago I thought the Dodgers were incredibly deep at catcher–with a first-rate tandem in LA followed by top prospects like Cartaya and Rushing, plus some younger guys too. Feduccia may not be a top prospect, but he’s doing in OKC what Barnes isn’t doing at the ML level. Right now, in his age 26 season, Feduccia is batting .309 with an OBP of .422 and ad OPS of .925.
Yes, Barnes is an institution, the personification of grit, and the pitchers love him…but rght now he is near the bottom of the league in BA, OPB (.198) and OPS (.322.). That’s all much, much worse than what Trayce was doing when he felt that twinge in his oblique and conveniently created a roster opening. Plus, I’m pretty sure Barnes is signed through 2024, which leaves me wondering if he should be eased into a coaching role.
By the way, I would NOT consider Feduccia a “trade chip” unless a quality catcher was coming back in the deal. Right now, he seems too potentially valuable to the Dodgers season in case of injury.
I love your idea of replacing Barnes for Feduccia, but I have to be honest here….the rookies this year are exasperating to watch. How many more can we take? But, then again, nobody can bat less than .100, right? How bad can he be?
I wouldn’t cry a tear hearing Vargas being sent down…maybe that is what he needs to build his confidence back up.
8:10 PM ET
Dodgers (45-35)
Royals (23-58)
SP Bobby Miller R
3-1 4.13 ERA
SP Alec Marsh R
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
Partly-cloudy-day
35% Rain
94° Wind 10 mph L-R
Minor Team Bautista won again today and is 19-0 in the Dominican Summer League
We can help Vargas’s confidence by moving him to backup catcher because he’ll be hitting twice as good as the previous guy. Gut check time for Miller. He should dominate tonight against this team.
Stick with the current 1-3 in the lineup
1 SS Betts
2 1B Freeman
3 C Smith
4 DH Martinez BA + OPS = 1,163
5 OF Heyward BA + OPS = 1,073
6 OF Peralta BA + OPS = 989
7 3B Muncy BA + OPS = 979
8 OF Outman BA + OPS = 970
9 2B Taylor BA + OPS = 936
By the way I’ve been high on Sheehan for a couple years and I’m glad he is doing good.
First of all, it’s “Doing well”
Second of all, this kinda implies you are glad he’s doing well because you were high on him. I don’t think you mean that to be read that way.
It may be that when he’s not playing baseball he’s out in the world doing good. Just sayin’.
If I’m not high on someone when he’s in the minors, I don’t expect much from him when he’s in MLB. But when I’m high on someone while he’s in the minors and he does good in MLB I’m glad he’s doing good.
{Jerk off motion}
Texas Rangers trade for Aroldis Chapman
Rangers got Arolis Chapman
DODGER PRESS RELEASE
DODGERS ACTIVATE DANIEL HUDSON
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers activated right-handed pitcher Daniel Hudson from the 60-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Nick Robertson. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated right-handed pitcher Ricky Venasco for assignment.
Hudson, 35, returns to the Dodgers for the first time since tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament on June 24, 2022 against the Atlanta Braves. He made eight rehab appearance (six starts) between the AZL Dodgers and Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/8.1 IP) and 13 strikeouts. In his last three games at the Triple-A level, he has struck out five batters, allowing one hit in 3.0 innings of work. He last pitched at the Major League level in 2022, appearing in 25 games, posting a 2-3 record with a 2.22 ERA (6 ER/24.1 IP) and 30 strikeouts. In 14 Major League seasons with Chicago (2009-10), Arizona (2010-16), Pittsburgh (2017), Los Angeles (2017, 2022), Toronto (2019), Washington (2019-21), San Diego (2021) and Los Angeles (2022), he is a combined 59-43 with a 3.81 ERA (334 ER/789.1 IP) and 749 strikeouts.
Robertson, 24, appeared in six games in his first stint with the Dodgers, allowing six runs in 7.2 innings. With Oklahoma City, he was 2-0 record with a 2.13 ERA (6 ER/25.1 IP) and 37 strikeouts. He is in his fourth minor league season with the Dodgers, and he is a combined 5-7 with a 3.50 ERA (65 ER/167.1 IP) and 210 strikeouts in 132 games. He was originally a seventh-round selection in the 2019 First Year Player Draft out of James Madison University.
Betts with 2 bombs tonight and a run scoring single. Mookie is heating up.
And a double and two walks. Six plate appearances and he got on base each time.
On pace for 44 HRs, and his OPS is now above .900.
Also on pace to drive in more than 100 runs batting leadoff.,,,
But as terrific as all that is, I doubt Mookie can hit a ball 493 feet like Ohtani did. I was at the game and, sadly, couldn’t track the flight of the ball. Even on replays it’s difficult to see where that ball landed. It’s Ohtani’s longest, and the longest in MLB this season.
But the Angels lost. Again.
Their only hope of keeping Ohtani, I think, is for them to make the playoffs and have a decent postseason run. (And of course make a humungous offer, because other teams will be doing that.)
In other Ohtani news, the Mets are mess. Built to contend, they are wallowing. The Mets could make the biggest offer to Ohtani–but he is said to want to play for a winner…
Mookie’s 52 RBI’s from the lead-off spot is superb!
now 53 RBI’s
Millers got to learn to control his temper tantrum’
I’m glad Roberts pulled him right there
What happened with Miller?
Lost his cool responding to the base hit before Roberts pulled him in the 6th. While still backing home plate after the hit, he blurted out “fastball.” Not sure he was yelling at himself or at Smith.
Thought I saw a little Matt Harvey in Bobby Miller last night! Thought I saw a little babe Ruth in Mookie last night! Thought I saw Jason Heyward pounding the ball last night! Adam Duvall to platoon with Peralta anyone?
Muncy needs to hit the salad bar on a regular basis. It would probably enhance his performance.
Munc y with his average below the Mendoza line should not hit cleanup. Just not enough contact . Wasting the high OBP provided by FF, Mookie and Smith. Rather see Peralta or Heyward at cleanup.
Put him at Nr. 6 or 7 in the lineup.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!11
Miller had a solid rebound game. I thought he got extremely unlucky when he gave up the 3 runs.
Could have easily been 6 innings with only 1 run given up. First rund scored on a sb and two consecutive ground outs. Third out easy grounder two. Either groundout could have been an easy dp.
Second run on a walk and a wp and the third run on a hbp and a weak grounder that found his way to the grass.
Kid has the stuff to be an ace but he has to work on the mental aspect of the game. Nevertheless a solid outing and a W.
Hudson should stabilize that pen.
Lets see what Julio can bring to the field today.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember when people were questioning Betts?
That was fun in retrospect.
Happy Bobby Bonilla day:
A lovely read to celebrate:
https://www.ocregister.com/2022/08/10/hoornstra-how-the-bobby-bonilla-contract-became-a-180000-auction-item/