The X Factor: JunkYardDogism!

Posted By on October 1, 2025

Certainly, the Dodgers have the star power. They showed at the stars come out at night in the Playoffs at Dodger Stadium; however, there is one factor that is not usually measured, and that is JunkyardDogism! I love that word… partially because it makes Bluto’s head explode. 😉

What “Junkyard Dog” Means

  • A junkyard dog is stereotypically fierce, scrappy, aggressive, and relentless, defending its turf with more toughness than polish.
  • In sports, especially basketball and football, players described as a “junkyard dog” are usually:
    • Physical and tough
    • Willing to do the “dirty work” (defense, rebounding, hustling)
    • Intimidating or relentless competitors

Example: NBA player Jerome Williams in the 1990s/2000s was literally nicknamed “Junkyard Dog” because of his hustle and grit.

“Junkyarddogism” as an -ism

When someone coins the term “junkyarddogism,” it usually refers to an ideology, mindset, or style of play/behavior that emphasizes:

  • Scrappiness over finesse
  • Grit and toughness over polish
  • A mentality of never backing down, often with intimidation as a tool
  • Survival instincts — being willing to fight for every inch

Bottom line:
“Junkyarddogism” isn’t a standard dictionary word — it’s slang for the philosophy or mindset of a junkyard dog: scrappy, tough, relentless, and aggressive.

Last night, the Dodgers were Junk Yard Dogs. I asked ChatGPT about it, and this is what it said:

It’s not a standard term, but a few writers/fans have used it as a playful coinage built off “junkyard dog” (i.e., gritty, scrappy mentality). Earliest sports uses I can find: Dodgers blogs used “junkyard dogism” (sometimes with a hyphen) to describe a tough, blue-collar style of play—for example, posts in 2016 and 2017–2018 on LADodgerTalk (“Pure Junkyard Dogism!”; “The Dodgers need more Junkyard Dogism”).

— ChatGPT

It’s Fall, and the Hernandez brothers brought out the big sticks. Mookie and Freddie had two hits, and Shohei smoked two baseballs to the moon. Snell was dominant while Vesia and Henriquez were Cuckoo for Coco Puffs. Dreyer was OK, and Blake Treinen again looked like a closer. It’s Obtober.

Some have speculated that Ohtani will go today. I do not think that will happen, as Yamamoto is a creature of habit, and it would not be wise to get him out of his routine. If he faults early, Sheehan will follow, but I think Yamamoto will throw a shutout. If the Dodgers lose, then it’s Ohtani in Game 3. Book it!

More on Why The Dodgers Didn’t Get Mason Miller

For the Record, I am not talking about a Teams’ Top 5 – I am talking about an MLB overall Top 5 prospect. I have researched this extensively. Every draft produces surprises, but Top 5 Prospects are different. I would be happy to share the pages and pages of results. I saved them.
Here are the facts:
Top 5 Prospects are the cream of the crop — players often compared to franchise cornerstones. Historically:
Around 60–70% of Top 5 prospects become above-average MLB regulars or better.
Roughly 30–40% turn into true stars (multiple All-Star selections, cornerstone-type players).
The “bust” rate is relatively low, but still real — injuries, approach issues, or failing to adjust can derail even elite talent.
Top 20 Prospects (but outside the Top 5)
These are still elite players, but the hit rate drops:
About 35–45% become solid MLB regulars.
Only 15–20% develop into perennial stars.
Bust rates rise considerably — half or more may never become everyday big leaguers.
Bottom Line:
Top 5 prospects are twice as likely as the rest of the Top 20 to become stars.
Being in the Top 20 at all is significant — it means the industry views you as having major-league tools. But outside the Top 5, the risk grows substantially.
The Padres won Mason Miller because they had Leo De Vries, a consensus Top-3 overall prospect in all of baseball. The Dodgers had depth and volume in their system, but they didn’t have a single elite, near-generational prospect like De Vries in mid-2025.
Teams often view a Top 3 guy as the equivalent of a proven MLB All-Star in trade value. That kind of headline piece can unlock a deal for a young, controllable impact arm like Miller.
Even if the Dodgers could technically add up enough “points” in value, front offices (and ownerships) love having that one headline prospect to sell to fans and media. “We got #3, Leo De Vries” plays better than “We got three guys ranked #28, #42, and #55.”

–ChatGPT

X-Cites

https://twitter.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1973125699268481192
https://twitter.com/HyeseongKimMuse/status/1973158543625953605

This article has 60 Comments

  1. All about matchups. Conforto and Banda probable for next series. Lets hope Kike and Edman hold up

    1. We should start a hashtag on this board, #nonpredictivepredicitons. This reminds me of when Mark would predict something “might” happen.

      Here Brian is predicting something will be “in play”.

      If you are going to make a prediction, predict something! Don’t predict something might happen.

      I’ll start:

      I’m predicting the Dodgers don’t sign Bregman in the off-season.

    1. Was really glad to see him get it back together last night. Man, he was hidden the edges perfectly. I’d have been waiting to see that again.

  4. It HAS to be closed out tonight.

    Rams play at home vs the 9ers on Thursday…..cant have a conflict….

  5. might not be a bad idea to start ohtani today and have Emmit on deck. save yamamoto fot philly(if they wrap it up tonight). i guess it’s as broad as it is long! … The bats were just what the doctor ordered yesterday. the bullpen made the doctor ill! …. Dave Roberts was visually irate when he came out to make pitching changes! Can you blame him? i was getting nervous about 5 pitches into vesia on the mound! he’s not the same pitcher he was before the il stint. And Henriquez? wouldn’t trust him again this postseason!….. Big cubs fan today! send muchacho and the ped kid home for the holidays!! …. Anyone else hear or read about bregman opting out after the season? rumors about him wanting to be a dodger are floating around. don’t want him! ( not my choice or money). yeah i hold a grudge! we dodgers fans all should! …. can the sox continue their dominance over the yankees? would be funny! Boone is probably toast if they lose today! i know he got an extension. but he hasn’t won anything. if ole George was still alive? …. Terry Francona is a great manager! really shocked he never ended up a yankee or met!

    1. Big no on Bergman. Certain things can’t be forgiven. Same with Kyle Tucker. But let’s worry about that later. I thought last night would have been a great opportunity for Sheehan, Saski or Glasgow get experience coming out of the pen. Glasgow maybe not as much as the other two because he will be starting after this series. Sheehan and Saski won’t do it might have been good to get their feet wet.

      1. No way would you waste arms that have shown themselves to be that good lately in what was basically a blowout.

    2. Vesia has always been this way, but it seems like lately since he came back and hasn’t done as well he’s been extra twitchy on the mound.

  6. “Albert Pujols could be returning to Anaheim, as Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Angels are planning to interview the future Hall-of-Famer for their managerial opening. Beyond just being a candidate for the job, Pujols already looks like a favorite, as The Athletic’s Sam Blum, Katie Woo, and Ken Rosenthal write that “Pujols is believed to be the leading choice” for Angels owner Arte Moreno. A source close to Pujols says “the decision may be Pujols’ to make” in regards to whether or not he’ll take the job”.

  7. i don’t think tucker was there during that cheaters era. i could be wrong. bregman can go eat sh*t sandwiches! .. as far as that bullpen! I’m not sure we can say trienan is completely back, not just yet. vesia? probably gets another shot if needed. Henriquez? not in a close game, no way! yamamoto 8 innings today, and Emmit finishes it off in the ninth!

  8. We still have the same nagging pen problem. The savior is we don’t need 6 starters, leaving a few really good pitchers to fill the pen with quality arms. Vesia makes me e nervous as he is.

    Really disappointed in Henriquez with his electric stuff. Maybe he is tipping his pitches. Probably be good go to Arizona and develop another pitch or improve what he has.
    Yanks could be staying home after tonight if Boston wins.

    I just hope we end yh reds suffering tonight and catch a few days rest.

    1. Tipping his pitches?!?! His problem was he could barely put a single one in the strike zone.

  9. Have some of you heard or read about Boston also cheating when they won the championship? I’m sure some of you have heard those rumors, but that wasn’t a problem for having Betts and JD Martinez in LA.

  10. 9:08 PM ET

    Reds (83-79) (0-1)
    Dodgers (93-69) (1-0)

    SP Zack Littell R
    10-8 3.81 ERA
    SP Y. Yamamoto R
    12-8 2.49 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    SS Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    RF T. Hernandez R
    3B Max Muncy L
    CF Andy Pages R
    LF E. Hernandez R
    2B Miguel Rojas R
    C Ben Rortvedt L

    70° Wind 7 mph Out

  11. the dodgers checked with the red sox about mookie being involved in the cheating scandal .Mookie was not implicated or even accused of any wrongdoing by MLB. whereas the aaaaastros were all known to be involved but mlb “punished “ the managers. so bad! 1 year offand right back to managing ! Bregman’s smirk was enough for me and Correa’ defiance, plus little ole altuve and his pacemaker!! boston seems like a nice fit for bregman, there with Cora. All are good players. too bad history won’t forget them for the rest of the story, as paul harvey would say!

  12. It’s true that the runs weren’t clean, but it doesn’t seem to be the same Yamamoto. It seems that tonight is not his night.

  16. I love, love, love, love making a pitching change ahead in the count!

    Love it, should happen more!

  18. We can trust sasaki out of the pen. He has the mentality we have been lacking this year in relief.

  19. Random Thoughts:
    Sheehan and Henriquez not up to it on the big stage (yet)
    Sasaki and Treinen –good to go
    We can score with HRs –or not
    Vesia –Hard to watch
    Franconia– made me nauseous watching him chewing and spitting

  20. Last year the bullpen carried the team. This year starting pitching is clearly one of our biggest strengths. Snell and Yamamoto looked the part. Ohtani should line up to pitch game 1 against the Phillies. Sasaki looked unhittable out of the pen. He could in line to play a huge role out of the bullpen in the playoffs. Let’s hope he can keep it together between the ears. His talent is undeniable.

    The series against the fighting Phils is going to be a good one. I have a feeling it’s going to be one for the ages, but the Dodgers will ultimately prevail. The loss of Wheeler is going to be evident this series.

    For those who doubted this offense, o ye of little faith, playoff baseball is not for the faint of heart.

    You get the sense Ohtani is one pitch away from a HR, but also a few pitches away from a K. Teo got his mojo back and Mookie is red hot. Kike was made for October baseball.

    Bullpen aside, our team is playing their best ball of the season at the right time. It’s not how you start, but how you finish; hence, the crapshoot nature of this sport.

    Go Dodgers!

  21. I like “junkyard dogs” too…. Hard-nosed, scrappy, snarling competitors.
    But these Dodgers aren’t laboring in a junkyard, but glamorous LaLaLand. They are the top talent earning top dollar, with megawatt smile that make friends, not enemies. Shohei, Mookie, Freddie, Kersh–such nice guys!
    Hate to say it, sort of, but the Phillies seem very Philly, with gritty blue-collar competitors like Harper, Realmuto, Schwarber and Castellano. The Padres have Machado and Tatis–oh, and Mason Miller, who might not fit the junkyard motif but just struck out five batters in a row, with one pitch clocking 104.5 mph.
    Come on, Cubbies! The Padres just make me nervous.
    Anyway, the Dodgers did pretty much what was expected in vanquishing the Reds, who were just happy to make the playoffs. Congratulations, Reds! Suck on it, Mets!
    We did learn a few things from this short series.
    The bad news: The bullpen remains shaky, and so does Teo’s defense.
    The excellent news: Roki Sasaki is looking like the real deal, stepping up where the Dodgers need the most help.
    Also good: How about that Ben Rortvedt? I sort of feel bad for Dalton Rushing getting upstaged, but Rortvedt is a revelation. I find myself wondering if the Dodgers have a scout that just knew Rortvedt was an unappreciated, overlooked talent. I hope so.
    Very happy to learn that Shohei will pitch in the opener against the Phils. Somebody around here was saying that maybe he shouldn’t pitch because his bat is too valuable. But I’ve always wanted The Full Ohtani.
    The match between Shohei and Schwarber should be fun. It’s the NL home run champ against the runner-up.

  23. Next round, PLEASE NO Conforto or Yates on the 26 man roster. We will probably face 3 of their left handed starting pitchers and there is NO need for Conforto. Yates also is a liability. Put Banda and Casparius on the roster.

  24. 3 errors last night! all 3 were simple plays that should have been made. the reds couldn’t take advantage of them but the phillies might. need to clean it up for the next series. … yamamoto is a stud! plain and simple. Emmit looked nervous and out of sync. vesia looks like there’s something wrong with his arm. Sasaki looked confident and nasty! … damn. mookie is hot! kike is alive and well in october! the lineup as a whole looks great. Even Ben R. is contributing in the 9 spot. the guy has been invaluable to this team. his defense, his offense, his pitch calling. AND, the guy can bunt! Don’t know where he fits in next year, he’s been fantastic since he got here! … will the dodgers activate conforto for the phillies series? i doubt it since they run all those lefties out to the mound. maybe we’ ve seen the last of him on the field. …. Could we expect ohtani to get into the 7th inning saturday? Then who would get the 8th? Seems to be the elephant in the room right now!!!

    1. I would have Trienen in the 8th and Sasaki in the 9th.
      Unless we have more than a four-run lead.

  25. I am following Blutos request: I predict—-
    Henriquez off for NLDS
    Conforto in
    Rushing off
    Banda in
    Yates off
    Edman plays 2b
    Kike comes thru again
    Pages comes alive after 0-9 in wild card

    1. “Pages comes alive…” #Nonpredictiveprediction

      Can’t imagine that many changes, but you do you.

      But I’ll predict the pitching!

      GM 1 Ohtani
      OFF
      GM 2 Snell
      OFF
      GM 3 Glasnow
      GM 4 Yamamoto (if needed)
      OFF
      GM 5 Ohtani/Glas/Sheehan (if needed)

      Two things:

      1. This has Glasnow really going a while without pitching, not sure about the health or data on it. Could swap him and Snell.
      2. I kinda hate the idea of not guaranteeing YY a start, but he went long in game 2 WC, and this schedule lines him up to start the potential NLCS.

      1. Damn!,
        Just feeling under pressure because of your directive to make predictions.
        Ok I’ll change my Pages ‘Prediction’ to –Has at least 3 RBIs

  26. I am as happy as anyone that the Dodgers have Shohei, but would it kill the guy to look at a pitch or two? His BA with 2 strikes on him is horrendous. 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, and full count he is hitting under .200. He does do well hitting the first pitch, but he also makes a lot of outs with men on base when he does that. The Dodgers real junkyard dog, Edman, was on the bench last night.

    1. Bear,

      there is an expression we use at work, “the perfect is the enemy of the good”

      You, in that post, have coined a new phrase “the perfect is the enemy of the ridiculously good”

      Otani is amazing. He’s going to be MVP and back to back seasons. He homers he walks, he’s good on the base path! He’s gonna be starting pitching in the playoffs. Let’s forgive him a strike out or two or three or four or five.

    2. Dude! The guy is an MVP and you gotta “fix” him?!?!
      Methinks thou dost protest too much.

  27. have to agree with Ole Bear on this one! ohtani is great. ohtani is the ultimate athlete. ohtani is the mvp. BUT! he does swing at noncompetitive pitches at times. even superman can’t move every building at once! there are times when even superheroes should take a pitch! Dodgers in 4!

        1. I doubt rvs has much imput on how Ohtani approaches hitting. Same with Freeman and Betts. But even less need of opinions on how you would “fix” the best player in baseball.

  28. We may never know this for sure, but this is what I think happens with Ohtani:

    He is a “guess hitter.”

    Before the pitch is thrown, he has a “pitch type,” “zone,” and “location” in mind and is swinging. Lots of great hitters do this. About a third of the time, he is successful; the other 2/3 of the time, he may look bad to really bad.

    1. “Guess hitter’ or ‘plan’. Max said as much the other day to explain how he can let a center cut fastball be taken for call strike 3. He has a plan on what he is expecting and cannot always adjust. We see this all the time. especially when someone is expecting a fastball on pitch one. They are committed and often look foolish because they are swing as soon as its out of the pitchers hand. Not much time to react a lot of guessing has to be done.

    2. I was going to say that I often think he has started swinging in his mind B4 those balls out of hand are even obvious. Given the stats he puts up regardless of his methodology, it takes a special kind of certain someone (pick your own descriptor), to constantly criticize him.

  29. ok mark. that makes a lot of sense. but boy his bad guesses look sooooo bad. as rosanna rosanna dana. would say, Never mind

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