Right-hander Phil Bickford was claimed off waivers from the Brewers by the Dodgers on May 3, 2021. I expect the move was questioned by more than a few Dodger faithful since the 25-year-old Bickford had previously pitched just two innings at the MLB level – both with the Brewers – resulting in four and two runs scored against him respectively and a Brewer ERA of 27.00. He debuted with the Dodgers on May 23 and by June 27 has made 15 appearances in Dodger Blue.
By now we know something about him and no longer question why he was acquired by the Dodgers. I must admit I had not heard of him before the Dodgers picked him up and just bumming around today I thought I might have a look back at his background.
Bickford was born in Ventura, California and attended high school at Oaks Christian in Westlake Village about a half hour drive from Los Angeles. He was dominant in his senior year, going 12-1 with a 0.83 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 84.2 innings. He struck out 18 in the Division IV championship game, to finish his high school career.
He was then selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He chose not to sign and headed off to Cal State Fullerton for the 2014 season in which he had a good freshman year.
Bickford did spend a summer in 2014 in the Cape Cod League where he was named the “Outstanding Pro Prospect”
However, for the 2015 season he transferred to the college of Southern Nevada whose most notable alumnus to make it to MLB is none other than outfielder Bryce Harper. With the Coyotes, Bickford had a year that attracted more attention.
He went 9-1 at Southern Nevada with a 1.45 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 16 starts. He threw one complete game, and had two games where he struck out 15.
His college coach – Nick Garritano – had this to day about Bickford.
“His command on the fastball for a 19-year-old is unbelievable,” Garritano told the Review-Journal. “He can put a 96 mph fastball anywhere he wants — up in the zone, down in the zone, in, away. Anywhere he wants.
“Just being able to locate at that velocity at any given time is something I think separates Phil from a lot of people.
“Another thing I saw is he is one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever seen. On game day, he is in such a zone, it’s not even funny. Our entire staff tried to do what Phil did.”
He was again a first round selection in the 2015 June Amateur Draft selected by the Giants with their 18th overall pick. It was thought at that time that there might be a signability issue with Bickford so the first 17 selectors looked elsewhere. The slot value in 2013 when selected by the Blue Jays decreased in 2015 by almost $700,000. Still a signing bonus in the $2,000,000 range isn’t bad. Bickford did not labor on any money lost.
“The way I looked at it was, it was all just part of the process of getting better at the sport, and everything that happened helped the bigger cause,” Bickford said. “I don’t necessarily think it was difficult.
At that time comparisons were drawn between Phil Bickford and former Giant right-hander Matt Cain. His arm and physical makeup could be comparable to Cain. Both pitchers have similar builds with Bickford (6’4″ and 200 lbs) taller but lighter than Cain at (6’3″ 230 lbs).
Bickford was sent to the Arizona Fall League after signing starting 10 games but only pitched an average of 2 innings in each start. He posted a 2.01 ERA and 32 strikeouts, giving up only 5 runs and 13 hits.
During the 2016 season he posted a combined 2.93 ERA and a WHIP of 1.15 over 22 starts and 120 innings pitched. He struck out 135 and walked 42.
He began the 2016 season in the Giant organization making stops in San Jose and Augusta and then he got a surprise. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in the trade that brought reliever Will Smith to the Giants. He finished out the 2016 season with Brevard County, a Brewer affiliate. He again took things in his stride admitting it was difficult leaving the Giants.
““It’s both things,” he said. “I definitely tell it how it is, and it was unfortunate to leave a program that has had success during this generation and is an amazing program.”
“But the Brewers have a lot of developing going on and it’s very exciting to be part of a team that has the opportunity to do great things in the future.”
“It’s definitely exciting being a part of that process.”
The 2017 season did not go well for Bickford or the Brewers. First, the bad news.
Bickford was suspended following a second positive test for a drug of abuse in December of 2016 leading to a 50-game suspension. Then he suffered a broken hand on a comebacker just as he was returning to action.
X-rays revealed fractured metacarpals in his ring finger and pinkie finger. The surgery, performed in Phoenix by Dr. Don Sheridan, delayed a season debut that was scheduled for the final week of May into early July at the earliest.
The good news.
Bickford persevered, and climbed back to prospect status with a strong ’19 season at advanced Class A Carolina, followed by a series of excellent outings during ’20 Spring Training while on loan from Minor League camp.
Another change in his career started to take shape in 2018. He pitched both the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the A+ Carolina Mudcats of the Carolina League pitching a combined 67.1 innings while striking out 94 and walking 29. He made 41 appearances, all in relief. It’s at this point that Andy Patton of Prospects 1500 feels that Bickford’s career took a change in the right direction. He was moved to the bullpen after having spent his entire career up to that point as a starter.
Andy Patton wrote:
”Here is where I want to focus, as Milwaukee finally made the decision many had been clamoring for: they moved Bickford to the bullpen. Scouting reports all pegged Bickford as a future late-inning reliever, thanks to a dynamic sinking fastball that he runs up to 98 miles per hour, but a complete lack for a changeup feel and limited command. His slider has flashed plus in the past, and many believe a move to a late-inning role will allow that pitch to play up in conjunction with his heavy fastball.”
Then came the 2020 non-season for minor league ball. Bickford did pitch one inning with the Brewers giving up four earned runs in the aforementioned one inning pitched.
He had one more shot with the Brewers to start the 2021 season and this time gave up only two earned runs but again in only one inning pitched. That finished his Brewers career and in early May he was placed on waivers. The Dodgers waved.
He reported to the Oklahoma City Dodgers and in five appearances over five innings he gave up three earned runs. He gave up those three runs in his first appearance and none in his next four. Perhaps what really drew the attention of the Dodger brass is that he struck out 12 and issued no walks.
The young man seems to have to turned a corner , or several corners. It has been a bumpy trip that now seems to have smoothed out on the mound and in his life.
Impact: The right-hander’s 2.70 ERA and 1.14 WHIP on the season look solid enough, but those numbers improve to 1.72 and 1.02, respectively, since Bickford debuted with the Dodgers on May 23. Aside from a rough outing against Texas on June 13 during which he was charged with three earned runs without getting an out, he has appeared nearly impossible to score upon. Since the blowup against the Rangers, Bickford has hurled 8.2 scoreless innings, registering a 12:3 K:BB and giving up only four hits.
Dave Roberts:
“Phil was great. You don’t see too many three pitch innings in the big leagues, but his willingness and eagerness to take the baseball and pitch big innings regardless of when the spot is, is incredible. His gratitude for being a big league ball player playing for the Dodgers, his hometown team, is next level and he’s just been a complete joy for all of us.”
Phil Bickford will turn 26 on July 10 but now he’s having some fun.
“Kind of riding the simple train,” he said. “I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Pages hit another bomb at GL yesterday giving him now 16 for the season.
Keep smashing , kid!
Bickford looks like another great find by AF. He has been really ,really good for some time now.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the great info on Bickford. Articles like this really allows us to connect to the player much better than by just watching him pitch. AF has been on fire lately with Bickford, Cleavinger and Vesia. Bickford has a hell of a pedigree being drafted in the first round twice.
While watching him this year, I’ve been pretty impressed on how well he lives on the edges. It’s very Maddux-like how the sinker comes back and the slider breaks away to righties on the outside part of the plate.
It will be interesting to see how the latest one works out in Bobby Wahl. Bobby has racked up the K’s in the minors, but definitely doesn’t have the pedigree of Bickford. With Knebel, Seager and Alexander all on the 60 day IL, I wonder who will be the latest victim of the roster crunch after having to discard Santana and Jones already especially since Alexander and Seager are due to come off very soon, just days for Alexander.
I’m looking forward to this Nationals series. They’ve been playing much better lately as Schwarber has been carrying the team. Gonsolin opens against Corbin, who is left handed so we all know he’ll be doing his best Cy Young impression against the Dodgers. I hope to see Albert at 1st base and Muncy at second in this game. Mad Max is going in game two and he seems to never give up more than 2 runs. After that, we get a couple of punching bag righties that we seem to destroy. Lefties are kryptonite for Schwarber, as he has just 2 of 25 homers against them and he’ll see a couple of really good ones in Urias and Kershaw. Cleavinger, V-Gone and Price should get some late innings against Schwarber in the series.
The Nationals are two games above 500. It wasn’t that long ago that the Dodgers couldn’t beat teams with >500 record, so I decided to check back on that today and I was pleasantly surprised to see that we are now 22-20 against >500 teams. I noticed that the Giants are now 16-16 and the Padres are 22-23 against teams with a >500 record. If we sweep the Nats, our record against >500 teams won’t improve because they will drop to a sub 500 team as a result of the sweep.
It really sucks to have this thing over Bauer’s head. The thing I find most troubling is this…
Under the terms of the joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, Major League Baseball has the authority to issue discipline regardless of whether criminal charges are ultimately filed.
I will not read anything from SJWs Moura and White on the subject. Those two idiots single handedly ruined The Athletic and I cancelled my subscription long ago because of them.
Moura is now at Fox.
TheAthletic is great.
Don’t cancel? May make your life happier?
It used be much better. I still have my sub but may cancel.
The Dodgers coverage is average to say the least.
I read stuff I do not agree with.
It keeps you from becoming batshitcrazy!
also reminds you that is is THEM that are batshitcrazy 🙂
Bickford has been such a pleasant surprise. He has been fantastic and does not seem to have any fear. I’m not sure why he was available. Why other teams give up on him. I don’t know if he is just a flash in the pan or if he can stick but I feel confident when he comes in. I read reports of 96-98 fb but what I have seen is 94. Way back one of his coaches said he had great fastball command. If so I don’t know why teams dropped him.
As far as our team currently. We are playing better but still no offense. We r just making our hits count with superior pitching. Talking about momentum the Cubs no hit us and then totally dive losing 5 straight. The cards can’t beat anybody but get to sweep the awful dbacks who play the giants next. We will be lucky if we win 2 in Washington while the giants will sweep. Don’t know about pads but the Dodgers could be back in 3rd by weeks end.
As far as Bauer I have comment yet . As I said before we need starting pitching and at the deadline we better pick up somebody. Easier said than done.
Before the arrival of Bickford I talked about the Dodgers needing to add 2 good relievers. Well add Bickford and Kelly and no wonder why the bullpen is better now vs then. Although I don’t think Kelly’s good performance will last, just my opinion. I’m hopeful about Bickford though.
Good call. Maybe Vesia can be the third.
When you were talking about adding two relievers, I pointed to the 5 or 6 good relievers on the IL including Kelly. Bickford is just the cherry on top and no one suggested picking him up. The next Bickford is Cleavinger and Vesia who had almost zero MLB experience early in the season when Doc was using them in high leverage situations. You can’t just go by stats, especially with relievers. You have to look at the stuff to see promise and project whether they’re capable of improving their weaknesses. By the way, Cleavinger has a 2.45 ERA right now to go along with 6 scoreless outings in a row and perhaps DC will be writing an article like this one about Cleavinger in the near future.
Yup, picking up Bickord was a real educated find by AF. A very odd journey. In my experience, first round guys, especially 10th and 18th overall, are given every chance to succeed by an organization. For starters, the Blue Jays picked the guy 10th and couldn’t sign him. It happens but it’s suicide wasting a 1st round pick and not having a better handle on the kid’s signability. As DC points out, his 6 minor league seasons are not a usual linear progression. 2015 – 16 rookie to A+. 2017 drug suspension. 2018 and 2019 in A+ again. Then he got his 1 MLB inning with the Brewers in 2021 straight from A+ ball, That’s not totally unheard of but very uncommon. His first stop above A+ ball and 1 MLB inning, was 5 innings at AAA OKC. No time in AA, no real time in AAA and now doing great in the show. Go figure. That is a masterful find by AF and the Dodgers. Finding a twice drafted high first round guy in the waiver scrap pile is brilliant and just the kind of things the Dodgers do well. Not much invested and not any risk. If it works, great and I hope it continues to work for Phil. Great story DC.
What’s even sweeter about Bickford is that the Giants drafted him in the first round for us! And Eric, Kelly is for real! He’s back throwing that 100 cheese. And that’s something we haven’t seen from him in his Dodger stint. With that heat his curve and change up play up big time. Joseph is the MAN!
So true, I remember when they picked him up thinking “I hope he is as unhittable FOR us as he was AGAINST us in ’18. Currently and FINALLY seems to be coming true.
I was one of those who said Phil who? But the kid has definitely opened my eyes. Big series in DC coming up. Both teams are on winning streaks. Turner is day to day after jamming his finger sliding into third on his triple for his cycle. Anyone watch the total meltdown by Aroldis Chapman in the 9th yesterday against the Angels? Think our pen is bad? Cubs pen, which was the best in the NL a few days ago exploded in Milwaukee. Cubs up 7-0 in the first inning and lose the game 15-7. Embarrassing. Padres play the Reds today and then move on to Philly where they are reeling. Miguel Cabrera hit HR # 494 yesterday, passing the great Lou Gehrig and Crime Dog McGriff on the all time list.
The best relief pitcher in baseball THIS year is Craig Kimbrel. However, let’s look at his last 4 years ERA:
2018 – 2.74
2019 – 6.53
2020 – 5.28
2021 – 0.59
Devin Williams was the best reliever in 2020 with a 0.33 ERA. He’s not bad this year, but his ERA has a 3 instead of a 0 at the beginning.
You can all talk smack about how AF can’t build a bullpen and you can, but you are playing checkers and AF is playing chess.
* Good stuff DC. Bickford has been a very pleasant surprise and has good stuff. He’s helped the pen already and I have no doubt, it will continue. The bullpen continues to post shut outs at the back end.
* Congrats to Miss State finally breaking the ice and winning a Nattie. That’s about all this outstanding program had not accomplished and this is the cherry on top. We can all relate to how good it finally feels to win the big one.
* It inevitably didn’t matter but the home plate umpire for the Championship game was awful. The strike zone was the size of the great outdoors.
* When I coached, I made plywood home plates to set down over the real ones in our bullpens. They were a foot wider. Zones were numbered from the pitcher’s left to right, 1 – 5. The center 1/3 of the strike zone was painted red because we didn’t want to live there (the 3 zone). The 2 inner 1/3’s on the plate were white, where we wanted to master. Our goal was to be able to establish an outside fastball in our sleep. (the 2 and 4 zones) The 2, 6″ areas off the plate were used to practice chase pitches. ( 1 and 5 zones) During bullpen sessions no pitch was thrown without intent to throw in one of those locations. During the Women’s Softball Tourney this year, Michelle Smith had a name for those 1 and 5 areas we used between the black and the batters boxes. She called that area “the River”. I really like that term and wish I would have used it. The teach would have been get ahead in the count and “live in the river”. The kids would have loved that motto and would have easily remembered it. “Pitch in the River”. Well the ump last night in the CWS, “lived in the river” with his strike zone. It’s a shame that the teams get that in the biggest game of their lives. But, the better teams won.
* As I mentioned last night, I have learned to reserve judgement on the Bauer situation until more facts are in as I learned from the Men’s Duke lacrosse mess, never to jump to conclusions. We need to wait and have patience with the investigation. In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to start seriously shopping for another starting pitcher.
I agree that we need to find another starter, no matter what happens with Bauer. Otherwise, we’re just assuming that none of the other 4 will go down with an injury during the last half of the season. Considering all the injuries in MLB this year, that scenario is an unlikely one.
Anyone here interested in Berios? The Twins are staggering and only have one year of control with him after this year. Any trade suggestions?
A couple of teams supposedly have already contacted the Twins regarding Berrios and the price is said to be very high. In that case I would think they would want at least 2 of our top 10 prospects. Indiana Jones hat sold at auction for 300,000 dollars…wow…..
If we get him I think we can just have him wear a regular Dodger cap. No need to spend the extra 300 thou to get him the Indiana Jones hat.
And I think it looks real good on me, Bear. I’ll have to send a picture.
Cool, I bought one years ago for 19 bucks. Now I only wear baseball caps or cowboy hats. I do have a ventilated Aussie hat I use when I am fishing.
Well one pest leaving the NL West and will not torment LA any longer. Tim Locastro traded to the Yankees for the second time. Dodgers sent him there a few years ago. AZ beginning their house cleaning??? Escobar most likely the next to go. Some think a deal with the White Sox is very close.
Most of the Nats players will be seeing Gonsolin for the first time. Best hitters against Corbin so far, Barnes, Turner and Taylor. Barnes and Turner have 2 dingers against him. Mookie is ofer 2. Matt Shoemaker DFA’d.
There’s a big, giant elephant in the room all the happy talk about journeyman relief pitchers doesn’t really acknowledge. I think the Bauer thing is going to get really bad really soon, and it’s going to be baseball’s equivalent of OJ. The outrage is already at a fever pitch over at Nosler’s site, and I’ve come to the realization that the Woke mob over there, and Nosler himself, are just absolutely unhinged fanatics. I think this story is going to the major story in baseball for the rest of the season, and there will be pressure for the Dodgers to cut ties with him. I think he’s out for the playoffs, if not very soon.
I probably have the most experience with this (legal and otherwise) and I have not formed an opinion because there is nothing substantive… except an accusation.
Dodgerpatch, I saw you carjack a bike last night at 3:03 AM and the guy says you beat him and gave him two black eyes and a concussion.
Prove you didn’t do it!
Trevor Bauer’s Camp is smart because they are not trying this in the media. They have denied it and the rest is up to the Prosecutor to be proved.
I have no clue if there is a case or not… but if I had to bet, I would bet on NOT!
If the kickstand fits, you must acquit.
That doesn’t really roll off the tongue like ” the glove don’t fit.”
Its very very shady to say the least. Why did she go back a second time, why continue to text?? Why didnt she leave right away, why spend the night?
Agre with Mark I have no idea if there is something here, if there is then he needs to be dealt with, but if the Duke Lacrosse case taught me anything its not to rush to judgement here.
Innocent until prove guilty….I totally agree. Some people though want to stir the pot. My view is that this is not going to be over in a short period of time.
What you are describing is the act of being impartial, of reserving judgement until you have the facts to actually make and informed judgement. You’re being rational.
In case you haven’t noticed, we live in an outrage culture. Things like reason, circumspection and a centuries old process to discover truth or guilt or innocence are very bad.
Due process is there to protect the individual from abuse, false accusation or vigilante mob justice. You should know that better than most. People like Nosler prefer the outrage and the mob justice. They’re are effing scary in their disregard for basic rights.
Ya, I read that over there, they’d lynch Bauer in a heartbeat. They say stuff like, innocent until proven guilty doesn’t apply here. They wallow in their outrage and indignation. Bottom line for me, Bauer made his own bed on this fiasco , I don’t have one bit of sympathy for him. And the Dodgers are a damn good team and organization without him if it comes to that.
Come on guys ,just think about this story.Don’t you think she had this all very well planned.She picked him out . No way do I believe this woman. She asked for it and probably had her husband finish beating her up .
JoJo Gray!
His life is calling.
I’m not impressed with Bickford in a small sample.
That 3 pitch inning that he had against the Cubs? 2 of the 3 were hit like rockets, but right at someone. Maybe he will be all that, but right now he looks like another hard thrower who is just more bullpen fodder.
The Bauer situation is deeply troubling. Whether all of the allegations are true or not, a major leaguer making $40MM per year with a reputation like Bauer’s has a target on his back. To arrange by text message to have “rough sex” with a woman that he doesn’t even know shows a complete lack of judgement. Leaving aside the morality of the situation, and whether he forced her to do something without her consent, how much bad judgement does it take to do something like this?
Cleavinger has never in his entire minor league or major league career ever been able to throw strikes. He might be some day, but the odds are against it. Vesia has walked 12 in 11 major league innings this year. He’s walked 3 in 7 IP with OKC, walked 7 in 4 innings with the Marlins last year, so this is nothing new. He might become a strike thrower, but he isn’t yet.
I have quit the Athletic, not once but twice. I get really tired of the effort to drag sports into politics and/or politics into sports. I don’t read The Athletic for political commentary and I could not care less what Molly Knight thinks about anything other than the Dodgers.
Rick,
Do we know if anything is true about the Bauer accusations… yet?
The court filings state the following:
Medical records included in the filing show that the woman “appears to have suffered significant head and facial trauma,” the records shows.
She also underwent rapid CT scans of her brain, face and neck and told hospital doctors and psychiatrists what happened. Medical records included in the filing show that the woman underwent those tests. The woman “appears to have suffered significant head and facial trauma,” the records show.
This is disturbing whether it was done by Bauer or someone else.
What IF her husband did that to her after catching her with Bauer?
I need to know a WHOLE LOT MORE!
That’s why I said “ or someone else”.
WE know what he’s admitted to:
The New York Times reported “Bauer denied any wrongdoing in a statement from his agent, Jon Fetterolf, saying he and the accuser had a “brief and wholly consensual sexual” relationship that amounted to two encounters and was initiated by the woman in April.
Fetterolf said in the emailed statement that Bauer had messages showing that the woman had asked to be choked and slapped during the encounters.”
The Washington Post reported: “Mr. Bauer had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship initiated by [his accuser] beginning in April 2021. We have messages that show [his accuser] repeatedly asking for ‘rough’ sexual encounters,” read the statement from Fetterolf, who also serves as Bauer’s agent.”
ESPN noted: “”Mr. Bauer had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship initiated by [the woman] beginning in April 2021,” Fetterolf said in the statement. “We have messages that show [the woman] repeatedly asking for ‘rough’ sexual encounters involving requests to be ‘choked out’ and slapped in the face. In both of their encounters, [the woman] drove from San Diego to Mr. Bauer’s residence in Pasadena, Calif., where she went on to dictate what she wanted from him sexually and he did what was asked.”
So, Bauer, through his agent has admitted that he received text messages from his accuser asking for some type of “rough sex”. He didn’t really know her and she came from San Diego for the encounter. He claims that it was consensual and she says “no”. My point is that it was wholly stupid, consensual or not, to have this encounter. He should have known that nothing good would ever come from it. I suspect that he was thinking with some part of his body not contained in his head.
Like I said, bad judgement on his part no matter what.
Bad judgement is something that most alpha males encounter at some point when they let their “little brain” do their “thinking” for them. I DEFINITELY suffered from more than once in my 20’s-30’s. But in today’s climate I would certainly hope for the ability to tell the little brain to pipe down.
Cheers
Here are two things I have predicted:
1. OJ would be acquitted.
2. Bill Cosby’s conviction would be overturned.
What is the truth? I have no clue!
Mets paid Bobby Bonilla almost 1.2 million today. July 1 has become Bobby Bonilla day in NY. They will be paying him until 2035.
Rain predicted in DC for this evening. Guess there could be a doubleheader tomorrow.
It never rains in “The Swamp.”
And they still have not drained it.
On a completely unrelated topic from the news of the day, I went off the radar. As the injuries mount up with all teams, there are plenty of very good theories out there about why injuries have dramatically increased this season. The “why’s” are a great topic for another time.
But what’s known is that soft tissues injuries, and not injuries due to getting hit by a pitch or sliding into a base, have exploded. Compared to 2019, muscle strains are up 117%, olliques up 83% and the most common injury, hammies 194%. That is astounding. And bad for the game. Nobody wants to see the JV’s play with the Varsity sitting on the bench with injuries.
So just for kicks I thought I’d do some very unscientific comparison between the very OLD Days and today. I decided to compare the number of players used for the entire season with the 1961 Yankees compared with this year’s Dodger team through half the season. Of course the number of players used can’t all be attributed to injury. But don’t confuse me with facts. I’m forced to do this because we had a day off yesterday, the CWS is over. and I’ve seen every Gunsmoke episode.
The 1961 Yankees (109-52-1) played 20 position players the whole year.
They played a very predictable line up platooning in only a few positions. Catcher and left field as I recall. 6 of the core 8 players played 150+ games in the 162 game schedule. All 8 regulars played 120 games +. (I rounded up for Yogi from 119) Mantle, in his 10th year on damaged legs, played 153 games.
16 pitchers lasted the entire season, starters and relievers. They had 47 complete games (by the way Mantle’s 70k salary doubled everybody’s else’s salary except Yogi at 58K)
So far in 1/2 a season, the Dodgers have used 22 position players. We currently have 9 position players on the IL.
We’ve used 23 pitchers in a half a year with 7 currently on the IL. As it’s been mentioned, the starting lineup predicted in the spring has played like 4 games together. The Yankees played practically the same lineup every day.
I thought this was interesting and in no way am I making a statement regarding the quality or the state of the game 60 years removed. But it’s a new day, But there’s way too many players suffering injuries.
Damn it the Bo-Sox are tearing it up. They don’t miss Mookie. Kike leads off with a HR.
I wasn’t even aware of the story about Bauer before today. I still have not read it, and probably will not. Maybe he is totally guilty, maybe it was consensual. Men lose in these situations. Al Franken was forced to resign from the Senate for essentially nothing, and then there was an article by a feminist, Jane Mayer, refuting the allegations, saying that they were made up. There was an avalanche of articles calling for Andrew Cuomo to resign. These are different situations, but it is open season. So there is almost no way for Bauer to convince enough people that the woman wanted the rough sex. I am suspicious of the so-called photos, but who knows, maybe he is a horrible sadistic person who likes to beat up women. I doubt it, but it is virtually impossible for a man to defend himself against such accusations. It is likely that Eric Schneiderman’s accuser in a magazine article engaged in consensual rough sex, but he was forced to resign.
There are enough media places where the absolute immediate reaction is that the person should resign, be jailed, shot, whatever. No hearings, no trials, just get rid of him. These are the same kind of people who in the movie “The Ox-Bow Incident,” lynched three innocent people because they were angry and outraged and did not want to wait for a trial. That movie was among other things, a warning, but not many heed it, as it goes on throughout the centuries.
In this specific case, I think that Bauer is through as a Dodger. It may well have been consensual rough sex, and no significant injuries, but you can’t win on that in this society. And if it was a clever set-up, then that kind of thing has happened, too; consider Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. But none of that matters. I actually like Bauer; but not of course if he is a sadistic batterer, though I think that this seems somewhat suspicious. But that is not going to matter. So we are really short a pitcher now, and it will be difficult to make up for it. At some point, we may learn the real story, but not until long after Bauer is gone from the Dodgers. He may end up somewhere else, as Aroldis Chapman did after the Dodgers were urged to void the trade.
All relevant good points.
We just do not have enough info… yet!
Pepiot is absolutely dominating AA and I wouldn’t be surprised if he hit the MLB fast track as early as this year if the situation calls for it (Bauer)
If Bauer is suspended for the rest of the year, where does that leave the Dodgers as far as his contract is concerned
Legally>.??? who knows. There is precedent for voiding such deals, and that might be an option, but it is way to premature to even worry or discuss that stuff.
The more I think about it, the more I think F*** Bauer. If your amorous adventures are as discriminating as
two dogs copulating in an alley, don’t expect sympathy or support from me when you get accused of something you may or may not have done. Done with Bow-wow . BACK TO BASEBALL .
Way too soon to form an opinion…
A couple of days ago, I complimented Bauer on this blog for his well-thought out positions on doctoring baseballs. He had articulated his positions in an extremely impressive way in an interview during one of the recent games. I would find it very odd, to say the least, if he had given that interview knowing that the assault story was about to break. He was completely cool, calm, and collected. Either he is a stone-cold psychopath, or he didn’t see it coming. I think it is the latter – that he was completely caught off guard by the accusation. He thought it was consensual. There is a lot about this story that doesn’t make sense. How does she get back to San Diego, having just sustained such serious injuries? I agree with Mark that we don’t know the facts, but this accusation smells fishy, in my opinion. Even if he did not assault her, it was of course seriously stupid to pursue a sexual encounter with a stranger with a kinky request, given the potential for it to go seriously wrong. Neverthless, I hope that MLB and the Dodgers don’t rush to judgement, and let the facts emerge instead. If he indeed committed an assault, he will have to face the consequences, and deservedly so. But at this point, we just don’t know.
I agree it’s way too soon to make an informed opinion on Bauer. However, these things don’t tend to end well either way. I assume the Dodgers will be much deeper into the trade market that they thought they’d be a week ago. They have to be prepared for charges to be filed. In which case they know an indefinite suspension will be forthcoming. AF won’t take the chance of going into the playoffs down another starter (especially our best one) without making a move. Sunny Gray comes to mind immediately.
I like Sonny Gray, but I don’t know if he is right for the Dodgers. He didn’t do well in New York. Luis Castillo on the other hand is not having a great year, I think he could do well here. They never get Castillo any runs in Cincinnati.
This is my first time commenting on this site though I enjoy it immensely. I have been a Dodger fan since 1959 and a first taste of Wally Moon’s 250 ft home runs. All of the writers here amaze me with their ability to analyze both past and present. You guys balance and complement each other so well! As for the commenters, well, you fill in the rest! So thanks for allowing me to peek over your shoulders for the last couple of years.
I am deeply troubled by the Trevor Bauer situation, though, as a fan and as a woman. Here are my thoughts.
Andrew Friedman had a real lapse of judgment, gambling so much money on someone whose aggressive personality could cause problems in the clubhouse or embarrass the team publicly, or both. I feel sorry for us as fans, and especially for his teammates who will suffer the most. This one is on Andrew.
When you are a major league ballplayer, your behavior must be above suspicion. You owe it to your teammates whose winning efforts cannot be sabotaged by someone they will need to replace and explain for a chunk of the season.
Why does this guy (who seems not to have a moral bone in his body) think he can hurt someone because she may have asked him to? There is no legal “technicality” that can possibly excuse his behavior. Sorry, guys.
If MLB suspends him, the sooner the better, so we Dodger fans, and his teammates, can get on with our season.
Thank you.
Great post, Marcia. I appreciate your viewpoint and you are 100% entitled to it.
Personally, I turn 49 tomorrow, have been a diehard Dodger fan my entire life, and want a repeat for selfish reasons. No one player is above the team and I will root for them to win.
I believe TB will pitch on Sunday. I hope he does well. Beyond that I can’t say much other than this is embarassing for the organization and I hope the young lady receives the closure she deserves.
“Only saints want justice; the rest of us want mercy.”
No way he pitches Sunday. He’ll be out by tomorrow evening.MLB will want this mess off the radar .
Well stated!
I agree.
1 – He shows bad judgement even if everything is consensual. He put himself and his team at risk by his bad decision.
2 – He is apparently immoral and willing to inflict pain for fun. No excuses.
Well, then you are condemning MILLIONS of people from what I minutely “understand”. And I honestly do not know a lot about it, but I understand that the whole BDSM thing is HUGE. Who wudda thunk that?
I do not understand that at all, but neither am I all knowing, especially about this subject.
Back to baseball
Condemning who to what? Not being able to be a starting, top-of-the-rotation pitcher in the major leagues for a team based in a major media market?
You think there are millions of people who align with Bauer’s profile?
Amen.
Especially if he is guilty!
Welcome Marcia.
I agree.
I too find the whole thing disturbing. To say the least. On about 10 levels. Even if there are no charges filed and it’s the best case scenario for Bauer legally, it’s still disturbing. The highest paid player in baseball is hooking up with random women on the internet who want to be chocked and smacked around. That in itself shows a shocking lack of judgment and disrespect for his team. That without the additional criminal allegations. Which, if true, are orders of magnitude worse.
I’m my mind I’ve already moved on. The team needs to make a move. Maybe a big one. And if he is charged criminally I hope the Dodgers successfully cancel the remainder of his contract. The last thing I want is this POS jeopardizing a shot at back to back titles.
I understand, but I still don’t have enough info.
Allegations are just that.
Allegations….
Your correct with regard to the criminal allegations. However, the fact that he’s hooking up with randos from Instagram for violent sexual encounters doesn’t seem to be in dispute. If you’re a manager at Chili’s, who cares. But when you’re the recently crowned highest paid player in baseball, that is an unacceptable level of stupidity. Even leaving out the criminal allegations.
Jayne Cobb, you make an excellent point and you’re right that Bauer has copped to some perverse behavior for most of this crowd, including me. As I said yesterday, it’s amazing that otherwise smart people can do such stupid things.
I’ve sort of beat this one into the ground but the Duke Lacrosse scandal, while not a perfect comparison, still carries a caveat for me. Everyone was convince that these spoiled Dukie Frat Boys raped and abused the poor victim. They were tried and convicted by the media in short order and it wrecked their lives as they knew it. And when all the investigations were done and the dust settled, it was discovered well after the fact, that it was all a complete lie. All of it. The woman falsified the events that changed many lives. I blame the media mostly but the public couldn’t wait to rush for “justice” and a pound of flesh before we knew the truth. We’re too impatient not ho have immediate answers and punishment. Like that case, I prefer to wait before making a judgment on his quilt beyond the troubling behavior he’s admitted to.
Welcome Marcia. Your thoughts are appreciated. We need a female’s perspective on things these days I really miss Dodger Blue Mom. I’m looking forward to you posting again.
Roberts quoted as saying as of now Bauer will start on Sunday.
If the rain holds off
RF Mookie
SS Chris
3B Justin
2B Max
1B Albert
CF Cody
C Will
LF AJ
P Victor ….has been listed as the opener.
Current predictions show rain around 7:30 ending before 9:00 and then heavy rain between 9:30 and 10 and more rain after that. Good idea starting with a reliever so a starter isn’t wasted.
With a 5 man rotation and an off day yesterday why r we having a bullpen game?
Rain
That sucks.
I’m really getting tired of seeing Mookie taking third strike
Protect the plate,,, protect the plate
Quit playing umpire
You tell him!
I really wish I could. With all the swag he came in last year, addressing the team right away, now it seems he’s got nothing to say. If he’s got an injury he should tell the training staff because he is really hurting the team right now, I know you’ll say who would be better than him leading off. I don’t know but he needs to step up and start earning that money
Strange guy to criticize.
Why is that. I’m just making an observation. You’re telling me Mookie doesn’t deserve a critique? As far as Bauer‘s concerned I’ve got nothing to say until the evidence is out
I’m getting sick and tired of the Dodgers acting like they’re the Rays using an opener.
All this Bauer talk reminds of my favorite line in Pulp Fiction “…I’m trying, Ringo. I’m trying real hard to be the shepherd.”
I’m trying real hard not to go on a rant and break this down. But, I’m really tired of hearing people’s viewpoints on something where they don’t have all the facts and fail to understand that some people are open and willing to do things sexually that other people might find off-putting.
I’m posting this identifying as a women to give you all another women’s perspective. Mark, don’t put me in jail again. I like my old monniker better.
This is the equivalent of someone asking a friend to punch him in the face. Afterwards, hang out all night, leave the next morning, drive a hundred miles to go to the “Emergency” room, passing 50 other “Emergency” rooms along the way, then going to the police saying I want him arrested because I didn’t want him to punch me as hard as he did.
This is the first step in a frivolous civil lawsuit from someone seeking a big payday.
Do this to me, you did it to me, but in a way I didn’t like after I thought about it the next day. Now pay me.
I guess I’m not the shepherd. I’m weak. My fingers just did what they wanted, I have no control over my posts, so don’t blame me for it.
What bullshit!
I agree.
Can we all agree on innocent until proven guilty and leave it at that.
Haha, I just ranted again, but deleted it before I posted it like the 6 other times I did that today.
I’m just not going there anymore, or trying not to. Except for one thing…
This isn’t even a case of innocent until proven guilty. You don’t get to ask for rough sex TWICE! And then decide later that you didn’t like it and go to the police.
You don’t go to a guy’s place in the middle of the night, start screwing and decide half way through that it’s rape. This is nonsense and the Internet is polluting people’s minds to think that everyone is a victim and it’s okay to decide later that what you asked for isn’t what you actually wanted. What bullcrap!
I agree.
When’s the last time AJ came up with a big hit?
Nevermind.
Usually right when I give up on him.
It always works that way for me. I give up on em , they break out. Mookie is done,finished, cant hit! Naw,cant bring my self to do that.
Grand slam bomb Muncy.
MVP
U
N
C
Y
We don’t have a fifth starter. Gonsolin is game but not healthy. Why use Bickford for 1 hitter? Unless I missed something how ridiculous. I c Gonsolin back on the dL. He has no command so he probably is in pain. It is hard to believe La would pitch a guy hurt.
If mookie can’t turn this around I hope he is traded. He just doesn’t act interested. I know he is ok based on average players but it is certainly not what the dodgers paid for.
Muncy!!!!!!
Probably wants him available tomorrow.
Destroyed!!!! Lol
BABOOM! take that beeyatches!
Swat the Gnats
Great to talk about winning baseball and not …
5 innings call the game.
Alright, I know somebody already check the DC weather satellite. Update please.
These home-made Micheladas are really tasty.
Accuweather has about 45min of rain AT LEAST. Also see a tornado warning on there for DC.
Let’s just write that W in the book now and get ready for tomorrow. I wouldn’t mind watching a movie with wifey for once. 😉
Oh how I love the rain after five innings!
Marcia,
I am happy you choose to post here. In case you don’t know, we have had a couple of ladies that posted here, but have recently died.
We need a woman’s perspective and I welcome you.
Please, just don’t die on us.
Hey, D&P, the throw out by Will looked like a hit and run and the hitter missed the sign. Castro was counting on contact and got no protection from the batter. That peek into home is the telltale sign
I couldn’t figure that out. It’s like , why did he look at home so long while he was running? Splained it.
Yep. Busted hit and run, Colletti commented on it as well. The runner looked back home while he was running, so it wasn’t a run and hit because the batter missed the sign, he didn’t just chose not to swing at a ball. Crystal clear. lol
Congratulations Joe Davis, on the birth of your son!
It was really weird with the camera shots of the Dodger dugout. Tight shots. It’s like they’re hiding something in there.
Betts-his BA is down but otherwise he’s the same guy who helped us win a ring last year. He’s not remotely a problem.
To win a championship, you have to be firing on all cylinders. I don’t think we can win if we don’t have the Mookie , that we had last year.
It’s also dependent on Seager coming back strong, which we all know with a hand injury can take a while to get your rhythm back. It could be possible he struggles the rest of the year. We also need Bellinger to come back strong, now we don’t know what’s gonna happen with those two, but we can see Mookie is not himself. We are lucky we have Muncy, Turner and Taylor picking him up. I love Mookie and I hope he figures it out
All fair points.
It took everybody last year to get over the hump.
I think we really miss Seager.
Good win, saved the bullpen after an unintentional bullpen game. Gonsolin 3 innings, 3 walks on 52 pitches isn’t a good look. Not really building him up are we? Kinda ironic that the lefty V-Gone gives up hits to the two guys they used him as an opener for, yet Gonsolin handled them easily in the third. Great strategy guys, brilliant!
Doc looked like a deer in the headlights during the pre-game show. He knew what was coming. Kirsten was nice enough to lob a couple of softballs before the Bauer questions started. Doc said Bauer’s starting on Sunday because MLB said to. Way to be accountable Doc. No doubt, he was coached before the interview. No one is genuine anymore. I really miss Lasorda.
I’m thankful for this blog tonight. All other Dodger ones have become unreadable. Go blue.
I agree there is another blog I visit from time-to-time and it’s a downright shit show right now. It appears as if some Dodger fans have completely lost their mind over this TB situation. The guy is clearly a very strange dude who appears arrogant and entitled. He’s probably going to get suspended and once the evidence becomes more public it will be deservedly so, but the pitchforks and anxiety attacks by one particular blogger is quite alarming and concerning. Her comments make her appear very unstable to the point she talks about taking medication to cope.
Her hatred and contempt for TB is disturbing to me and she really needs help. TB is a kinky dude, but before I convict him I’m willing to give him due process and see how this all transpires. I did see some of the messages between the alleged victim and TB and while I would never claim it’s OK to hit a women under any circumstance she did say she wanted to be choked.
Assault is a specific intent crime requiring someone to have knowledge their actions would bring about illegal conduct. I’m no lawyer but if what TB is claiming that the encounter was consensual and she wanted to be choked than the act may very well not be criminal. Weird…yes, and do I think he’s a POS..yes, but his weirdness and kinky sex may not be criminal at all.
rec
This is the best blog in the universe!!!
I second that!!!
Thank you, Mark, the great team of writers assembled, and the commenters on this site.
I for one thought signing Bauer was worth the risk (particularly come playoff time), but I never thought his lack of judgment (in previous instances) would go this far as to being accused of sexual assault. He definitely is a strange dude in some aspects of his life but like others on this site, I will reserve judgment until this awful situation plays out.
Nice to learn more about Bickford. Really pleased that the Dodgers “waved” when he was on waivers. (Nice line!)
Yet another sign that AF and his scouts know what they are doing.
Re today’s game–the 81st!–it’s clear that Doc is obviously reading LADodgerTalk and picked up on my advice that, against lefties, Lux should sit, Old Man Albert should play and Muncy should man 2B.
VGon struggled as an “opener” but Gonsolin pitched well. And Muncy showed why he is the Dodgers 2021 MVP by a wide margin.
One more thing: Eh… whatever Bauer did or didn’t do, some comparisons being made really aren’t on point. The differences to the Mickey Callaway and Duke lacrosse matters far outnumber and outweigh any perceived parallels.
Got a little help from our friends tonight. Pads walked off by the Reds partly because Kyle Farmer tied the game in the 9th with his 6th HR. Then they got a walk of single later in the inning. Melancon had his 4th blown save and first loss. Giants lost to the D-Backs a few minutes ago, 5-3. Kelly beat Cueto. So now LA is 1/2 game back of the Giants with a 50-31 record to the Giants 50-30. Padres drop their 34th against 49 wins. Pads 2 games behind the Dodgers. Pujols had a big RBI single and the Dodger everyone here keeps under rating, Pollock, hit the tying HR.
Kind of a perfect night.
Rosterbating for 2022:
C–Smith
1B–Muncy
2B–Taylor
SS–Lux
3B–Turner
LF–Mark Canha [FA]
CF–Bellinger
RF–Betts
Update: Ruiz HR’d from both sides of the plate tonight. Make a spot for him please.
This is not 100% serious btw. I’d love Seager back because who else you gonna give that money to?
But we’ll have to be the top bidder.
I’d love Taylor back. And I’d like to upgrade LF.
At some point finding a full-time job for Ruiz is a priority. Smith to 2b or 3b?
Very impressive that the Dodgers didn’t let the TB situation distract them. And remarkable that with all of the injuries they are only a half game back of SF with the second best record in baseball. Apparently Gonsolin isn’t one hundred percent, so maybe it’s time to call up someone. How are Mitch White and Jojo Gray doing so far this year?
White just pitched very well in AAA tonight.
3IP
1H
0R
1BB
3K
Palindrome-like efficiency.
Kid has serious stuff
White has been up a couple of times, Gray has not pitched. OKC scored 10 runs in an inning tonight. Burns has not hit well since his demotion. Ruiz hit 2 jacks tonight, one a slam.
Given the depth of the bullpen, I’ve a bit surprised that Nelson has been “stretched,” as they say, to be considered as a starter. He was a very effective starter before he got hurt.
Speaking of pitchers, a friend was involved in making this mini-doc of Fernando:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppLoI28yhv8
Maybe the Ruiz solution is to trade Barnes–pass the baton to a new generation. We have time to make that transition gracefully, but I think it should happen. I’d love to have another contact hitter, especially a switch hitter!
I doubt that will happen. Simply because so many of the pitchers are very comfortable with Barnes behind the plate. Ruiz has not worked with most of the staff, so the transition and learning their tendency’s is something most teams do not like to do during the season, especially mid way through the season.