I have been rehabbing from my shoulder surgery very nicely. It’s been two and a half weeks, and I am pain-free, able to type and raise my arm to about 145 degrees… and counting. I am working with the editors of www.manuscripts.com and have 32 consecutive weeks of intense writing and editing. The plan is to go to press in May 2026.
This is all-consuming, and then come the interviews, TV, and the movie. I already know that it will be a great movie. I have to complete it. I have some options with LADT and should have some answers for you soon. Give me a little time. I thought I would throw you a little tidbit. While not the Final Draft, here is the Rough Draft Introduction:
The Mountainmover
Introduction:
This is not “based upon a true story”… It is a true story. Everything you are about to read is true. It all happened, even if it seems unbelievable, impossible, or fantastic to you. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself and ask if it’s all really happened. Let me assure you that it did. I will even tell you why I have waited over thirty years to write this book. That’s a long time, but it is as clear in my memory right now as the days in which it happened. I still have dreams about what happened. They are not nightmares… although what happened was a nightmare. Several episodes in the book will “buckle your knees.” Be prepared!
I have had many people say, “Wow, you must be really smart to have done all of that.” Rest assured that my wife and family know better. I’m a regular guy and my wife (I have been married to Patty for almost 30 years) will happily convince you that she is the brains of the family… not me. However, if you had to use just one word to describe me, it would be “indomitable,” which means “impossible to subdue or defeat.” My youngest son says, “The only way to beat my dad is to kill him.” My nephew says that the title of the book should be “Hard to Kill.” That’s because they tried that several times too.
That could be a compliment or an indictment… depending upon your perspective. Louis Pasteur once said, “My greatest strength lies solely in my tenacity.” I also am of that ilk!
Sometimes, this all seems so distant in the past, and at other times, it seems like yesterday. As I recount the chapters of this book, I know that there will be times when my breath will be taken away, my eyes will swell with tears, and my knees will buckle… and then I will smile and remain amazed. I hope you are too. At age 29, I seemingly had it all: I was the President of a rapidly growing company, I was married to a beautiful woman, and had a fantastic 3-year-old daughter named Tasha who was the Love of my Life. House in the suburbs, new cars, vacations, plenty of cash… You know the drill!
Then, in the blink of an eye, I lost it all. My wife, my daughter, my business, and everything I owned or held dear. I lost my reputation and ultimately… my freedom. Everyone believes that the American Judicial System is the best in the world…. And maybe it is, but it is still very flawed. Officials can weaponize the system against a person and incarcerate them with fabricated evidence that they are powerless to refute. I had this very thing happen to me, and was serving a 40-year sentence when I decided I was going to take matters into my own hands and challenge my conviction. The saying “Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime” is most famously attributed to Lavrentiy Beria, the chief of the Soviet secret police under Joseph Stalin.
This phrase reflects the Soviet state’s authoritarian judicial system. Prosecutors would target an individual first and then find or fabricate a crime to justify persecution. It inverts the principle of innocent until proven guilty, instead assuming guilt based on someone’s identity or political standing and finding a charge to fit the desired outcome. They used it on me, thinking I would roll over and die. That was their undoing.
As I sat in a prison cell, I realized that there were mountains that had to be moved for me to regain my freedom, and I was going to have to be the one to move them. I had two choices: (1) Rot in prison, or (2) Become The Mountainmover. I chose Option 2! I decided to become The Mountainmover. I filed my own appeal in court, acted as my own attorney, and was released from the courtroom after seven years, five months, and five days in prison.
I had lost it all, and was in the process of gaining it all back… only to have my second wife die of a brain tumor at the age of 37. I became a single parent and was lost for a time. Then, I met Patty – who turned out to be the love of my life. She was a 33-year-old single mom, a proud Filipino who immigrated to the US with her family when she was three years old. She was/is a serial entrepreneur, more stubborn than I, and also someone you would have to kill to beat.
Since that time, Patty and I started our business (US Water Systems) in our garage and ultimately built an empire. We are now retired, but our son is the CEO of the US Water Systems empire. As I walk through our 100,000 sq/ft plant and look at nearly 100 employees, I have an incredible sense of awe and pride. I can tell you for a fact that it is never what happens to you that is the problem… it is your reaction to what happens to you that determines your fate.
When I lost everything, including my only daughter, I had no idea I would ever see her again. I never lost hope… but it did take twenty-six years. The rest of the story has been fantastic, including the Father-Daughter Dance at her wedding in August 2025. My life has been and continues to be amazing. I am now an old man, but I sometimes feel like a little boy.
As a side note to this book, in case you have ever wondered if there is a God, you will know it for sure when you are done reading this. If you are afraid to believe that… I suggest you stop reading right now.
I dedicate this book to my late parents, Stephen and Hazel Timmons, who helped make me the man I had to become!
MARK –
I am onboard with however you decide to move forward with the complete understanding that your family, book and movie will and should take priority over this incredible blog!!
Thanks for the snapshots into your life!!
While I cannot and would not dare to put words into any of the opinionated fellow Dodger fans that visit this site :), I am predicting that all who visit this site appreciate the time and effort you have devoted to it, while still doing what you have done with the other 95% of your time.
Maybe, time-permitting, later next year you head to LA and give enough of a heads up we can get a decent amount of people from this site to attend a game together.
Back to baseball – the starting pitching has been incredible, but agree that Yates/Scott should not be an automatic for the post-season roster.
I would rather take our chances with the young bloods Dreyer, Wrobleski & Enriquez.
History against using youngsters. I think Scott 100% on playoff roster. Yates ????
Yates? Yikes!!!!
Dude your living your dream and THAT is the key.
On the last year, we took our upper middle class white collar life and sold most and gave the rest away and now live in a rural beach town in Panama. And that’s our dream.
Cheers
Good stuff, Mark. Respect.
Well done Mark.
An inspiring story that I’m looking forward to reading in full.
It’s very encouraging to see so many position players beginning to round into form. Let’s hope that Will recovers with a little rest as he is a crucial part of the team.
Glasnow did well considering the four early walks and to score so many runs against an in form team can only bode well.
A special mention to everyone’s favourite whipping boy Michael Conforto, who might yet make a big contribution.
I have also developed a respect for Dave Roberts. I think he does an incredible job of trying to help his Relievers rebuild their confidence after a poor performance. I read commentators moaning about Doc’s poor decision making but really what he is doing is saying that he believes in them, whatever the previous outcome, and he is backing them to deliver once again with a clean slate.
I really believe that is why the players love him, because he backs them, and then he backs them again. Remember when he went out to the mound last season when the young reliever, I think he was called Yohan Ramirez, was having a torrid stretch, and consoled him, and the kid never looked back.
He is very much a player’s manager and I think that goes overlooked too often. He runs a very happy ship even when times are hard.
Looking forward to the Phillies series.
I saw a video where a guy gives an explanation about what is happening with Scott, apparently he makes a movement with the neck when he is going to throw a curveball and when he doesn’t it is because he is going to throw a fastball, in the video they show all the pitches he made in the game against San Francisco, it looks interesting but I don’t know if I can upload it here
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOjb3I_khe-/?igsh=MWxmMjdxb2VqaDVmaQ==
This was based on one (1) fastball thrown.
Scott doesn’t throw a curveball. His breaking pitch is a slider.
Mark, I am an impatient guy, what was the crime you committed to be sentenced to 40 years in prison?
I did not commit a crime. I was accused in a divorce with my daughter’s mother of molesting her. There was no evidence, so they said it was oral sex. They denied me the right to witnesses and offered me a plea agreement that if I pleaded guilty, I would receive a suspended sentence. I refused, and they gave me 40 years. The book tells the rest of the story. There will be a movie to follow. The Judge, prosecutor and Police were all college classmates of my chief business competitor (another Judge, who was the silent partner and whom I used to work for). Her mother poisoned her against me and she was 29 when we reconciled. BTW, her mother was not invited to her wedding. Karma is a bitch!
Wow!!!! I believe you!!! The system is tainted and it’s who you know and don’t know to get a FAIR trial. So glad to see you with that proud look and pure joy on your face dancing with your daughter at the wedding. I remember that day at my daughter’s wedding and it was one of the best moments in my life.
This sounds like it was roughly in the same period of history when the McMartin Preschool trials happened in LA. A lot of problems with pyschologists asking leading questions, and so forth.
What a tragedy.
Looking forward to the book.
If you can’t get Brad Pitt to play you, would Leo be OK?
I would like to echo Shawn Murphy’s suggestion of a LADT gathering at a game in LA. I am not a regular contributor as I do not have the baseball knowledge to justify taking everyone’s time with my amateur analysis, but I am a deeply grateful daily consumer of the great stuff Mark and all the regulars provide, and I would love to meet the Bear, Andrew Vincent Forte, Dan in Pasadena, Dodgerdad, Jorge, Porpoise boy, ……..and all the greats!
I count myself as one of the leasts. Panama is a bit of a drive to Chavez. With border stops it avgs 10 days. 🙂 🙂
I wish the Dodgers would get a Panamanian player. Too much Yankee love here these days.
Become a scout for them there. Follow players and do write ups. Create a job for yourself.
Haha….
I have a permanent Visa that specifically prohibits my working here. That might also get in the way of surfing & fishing! 🙂
Though going to see our regional team is definitely in the cards.
Best to you on all of your endeavors Mark. Always there for you. Had my second eye injection today. They did not deaden the eye enough, so the deadening shot stung quite a bit. But the condition actually has gotten better after one injection. Dodgers need to play their best baseball from here on out.
Good for you. Godspeed.
tonight’s game may be the most important game so far this season! the dodgers need to make a statement to philly. they took care of business against the giants best 2 pitchers. Now it’s 3 straight lefty pitchers for the phillies! Max has to play in 2 of the 3 games! I’m not sure kike could hit a beachball right now! love him , but he’s not productive at the plate. he did have a sacrifice fly and drive in a run, but other than that, nothing. … Edman looked great in center field over the weekend. The bat woke up too! …. anyone else notice pages is getting a little more time off lately? …. Teo is swinging much better lately!…. I guess Conforto is giving us all the middle finger! good for him and good for the dodgers!! ….. Glasnow was good yesterday. just can’t issue so many base on balls. he could have pitched a complete game yesterday but for the free passes! …. i don’t believe the dodgers can pass the phillies, but once upon a long time ago, i was wrong! i think i was wrong once. i’m probably mistaken! Nice pictures mark. very lovely!
You would think we would have to sweep Phillies to realistically have a chance to pass them in standings
10:10 PM ET
Phillies (89-61)
Dodgers (84-65)
SP Ranger Suarez L
12-6 2.77 ERA
SP Emmet Sheehan R
6-3 3.32 ERA PRIM
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
RF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
LF Alex Call R
2B Miguel Rojas R
3B Max Muncy L
CF Andy Pages R
C C. Robinson R
79° Wind 6 mph Out
Mookie Betts was named the National League Player of the Week for his contributions to the Los Angeles Dodgers from Sept. 8-14.
“This is the sixth time Betts has been honored in his career as a Player of the Week and third as a member of the Dodgers. He previously won on Aug. 28, 2023 and Aug. 29, 2022. With the Boston Red Sox, Betts was named American League Player of the Week for June 21, 2015, May 14, 2017 and July 3, 2017.
Betts hit .462 (12-for-26) with three doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, three walks, seven runs scored, an .808 slugging percentage and a .517 on-base percentage across six games”.
Sheehan was scratched. Banda is starting.
Sheehan will come in soon…
Well, that didn’t work!
The “opener” is a great idea… when it works.
don’t like it! emmit is a starter! oh dear lord! the mouth that doesn’t close!!! does she even breathe??
Its her job to talk. I always have found Jessica to be well prepared and very knowledgeable. I know I am in the minority about that. But just my opinion
Yeah, I quite like her too.
Good with stats and insight
But now we are ahead 3-1.
Hummm…
Jessica? She doesn’t drive me crazy, but I am not a fan.
I know a lot of people on this site are very knowledgeable–x-players, coaches etc. and find ‘ talkers’ annoying. But us ‘casual’ fans find her entertaining. My father-in-law used to be a semi pro football player and long time college football coach. He used to watch football games with the sound off. I had to go into the next room to watch.
I keep asking – do the Dodgers have a single reliever that you trust with a 1 run lead in the 9th?
So far the answer is no
Really a game is only ‘exciting’ when you win. Loss on the relievers again. Hoping Muncy not hurt again. His leg gave out on that final out after fouling balloff his knee. Poor AB by Miggy in tenth.
Well, Sheehan was terrific and the offense showed a lot of fight. Haymakers from both teams.
I think the Phils have the edge on defense. Too bad Chuckie didn’t get that bunt down the line more, but the Phils executed.
I’ll say it again: Dombrowski did a great jog upgrading his team in the trade season–while AF made minor moves (Call, Brock Stewart).
The road to the World Series will probably pass through Philly, so this is an important series.
RIP Robert Redford.
Great game. Great matchup.
Super.
if it’s the playoffs, does Rojas hit in that last AB?
wish the outcome were reversed.
lots of fun though
I think we will see Andrew Heaney shortly as a bullpen option.
However, upon analysis, I found the pitch selection to the LH hitters curious… Are the Dodgers deliberately pitching a certain way now to them, and do they plan to change that in the playoffs? I think it is classic misdirection.
it seems that the pitchers have no problem getting ahead 0-2. it also seems that they have a problem getting the hitters out after that! there is no margin for error in this bullpen! Dryer has been money so i will give him a pass for last night. Vesia? one bad pitch. Scott? much cleaner inning. trienan? scares me! it’s going to be a crapshoot every time Doc makes a pitching change! … Now Emmit was excellent last night, minus the bases on balls. not sure how they will use him in the playoffs, but he is definitely worthy of starting! He could be a major factor out of the pen. as could ohtani if they can figure out how to get him warmed up. kopech? probably not on the postseason roster. He can’t throw strikes! yates? how can they even consider him for a role? Scott? do they even have a choice? …. Now one that really tears at my heart. Clayton. he has to be on the roster. He would be # 4 in the pecking order, right? he’s earned that right. Nobody’s giving him a spot. he’s pitched very well and actually been a “stopper “ for the team. I’m one who thinks he’s done after this year. With all the other guys coming back, plus gavin stone, river ryan, catman, it’s going to be crowded in the spring. however it turns out, he’s my all time favorite player. just hope he retires a dodger! we won’t see many other players play for one team their whole career anymore. probably none! So we’ll see how it goes in the playoffs. …. They sure could use Will ‘s bat in the lineup with all the lefties they are facing ! .. speaking of catchers,Ben z. has been very impressive behind the plate and at the plate! could his emergence let the dodgers explore trade options with Dalton? .. There’s no room for 2 catchers like will and dalton. Unless will ends up at third. That would allow the dodgers to use Ben as a highly capable backup. … Need a win tonight! .. And lastly, i don’t hate Jessica. she just sounds programmed to me! yes she has studied up on the game. maybe if she wouldn’t talk so fast and constantly? Give me Hersh or karros. abd no it’s not because she is a woman. i personally think that susan, ( forget her last name) on the yankees broadcast is very good at her job! just my opinion. And yes David, i do mute her at times. enjoy your posts very much.
Alanna Rizzo would be FANTASTIC if she ever wanted to do color commentating. And shes better looking that JM.
Kersh will be on the roster, dont have to worry about that.
Hopefully the Phils celebrating a div title last night and wont be ready today.
We only celebrate WS titles….
Congrats Mark, you look like you are a tad busy. Just to cause some excitement here is my prediction on a three game series with the Mets with all games being played in LA. Pitchers: seems as though the majority of the Mets hit from the left side with Lindor being a switch hitter so my roster stacks up in accordance with that in mind. Starters in no particular order, Snell, Yamamoto, and Glasgow. Relievers (this is where it gets fun: Ohtani, Kershaw, Henriquez, Scott, Sheehan, Wrobleski, Heaney, Treinen, Casparius and Versia. Dreyer and Banda on the edge. On the hitting side Smith, take your pick with Rushing or Rortvedt. Freeman, Betts, Edman, Kike, Muncy, Rojas, Call Conforto Hernandez Pages.
I still don’t see how Ohtani would ever pitch in relief when he’s batting. When/ where would he ever warm up?
I may have one too many pitchers, if so I’d go with a speed guy, either Kim or Dean
i guess if he made the last out in the eighth, he could be ready for the ninth. but it would require 2 people warming up just in case the lineup turned over. and if that happened probably wouldn’t need to use him anymore
10:10 PM ET
Phillies (90-61)
Dodgers (84-66)
SP C. Sanchez L
13-5 2.57 ERA
SP Shohei Ohtani R
1-1 3.75 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
RF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
2B Tommy Edman S
LF Alex Call R
CF Andy Pages R
3B E. Hernandez R
C Ben Rortvedt L
80° Wind 7 mph Out
Excellent stuff Mark. I almost never have the time to write but normally read you. God continue to bless you and your family!
Thank you, Carlos. How is everything in Costa Rica?
Once again, the Dodgers left the bases loaded again vs Phillies last night , ending a chance to win the game. The Dodgers just cant waste opportunities like that in the post-season. The Dodgers have a very low team batting average with the bases loaded, this is a weakness that their opponents will take advantage of if they dont solve this .
My daughter sent me the rest of the wedding photos tonight. Here’s a funny one (you have to loook closely):
I don’t see anything funny. Glockoma hinderd my vision.
Now is the time to be honest: The Dodgers bullpen is terrible. No doubt about it! They are not ready for the post-season.
A serious question Mickey:
What does “ready for the postseason ” mean?
I’d say that “ready for the post-season” means the right personnel in good health.
Decisions will be made.
Instead of Yates, perhaps we’ll see Sheehan.
Where might Heaney fit in? And, if he shows he’s ready, Sasaki?
Maybe manager Dave Roberts may have to reconsider keeping his starter pitchers in longer.the bullpen have blown many saves this season.
Absolutely.
No reason to pull a starter who’s cooking, like Shohei was today.
When the plan calls for a starter and 4 relievers–which seems like standard operating procedure for the Dodgers–,there’s a good chance that at least one of the RP would get knocked around, like Wrobleski did today. Treinen too.
Meanwhile, I’m watching highlights and just saw that Outman hit another HR, which makes me feel a little bit better.
And I’m wondering whether Roki Sasaki will come to the rescue.
After these last two games vs Phillies, I’m not sure Dodgers will make the post season, at least not with this bullpen.
It’s hard to watch the Dodger’s arson squad come into the game after the starters have done their job, IF this continues it will be a SHORT post season. Bring up Andrew Heaney and give him a shot and option Wrobleski. A move will have to be made on the 40 man roster for that to happen. What a difference a year makes in how the bullpen has “shit the bed”.
Wrobleski had been very good until last night. It seems the phillies don’t care about left on left matchups! i personally think Doc should’ve removed justin before Marsh’s homer. he wasn’t fooling anyone at the plate. Trienan? his trust factor? just a little bit above yates, but not much. Anybody seen Ben Casparius? They wasted ohtani’s best outing of the season! He should have been allowed to pitch one more inning! last night wasn’t his highest pitch count of the season. 6 innings 80 pitches. 5 innings. 80 pitches. what’s the difference? he wasn’t in any stressful situations. this is without a doubt the worst bullpen i can recall in recent years. it’s so bad that it could let the padres slide on by the dodgers. the starters have been lights out, but in today’s game 6 innings is a major accomplishment. 3 innings is way too much to ask for with this bullpen!
The only thing keeping this season from slipping totally into panic mode is that SD is just as bad. So I guess the idea is we can’t move up or down in standings.