Most of us who love and played the game had those dreams when we were young. We were all going to play for our favorite team and hit a homer in the 9th inning of the seventh game of the World Series. Marry the most gorgeous girl in high school and be the envy of all of our friends. That kid in the photo had those dreams. I also wanted the Edsel that is in the photo behind me.
Never came close. Played a little high school ball, one year of little league and a ton of softball in the Army. Life has a way of making your plans moot. Things happen, and sometimes they happen so fast you have no idea what the hell is going on.
So, my first real job was being a soldier. I even considered making the Army a career. Bad timing. Viet Nam was just starting. I was one of the lucky few who never went. I spent my nine-year Army career stationed in three places. Ft. Bliss, Korea, Ft. Bliss, Germany, Ft. Bliss. Then in 1974 I got out. I was a radar tech in a missile unit, HAWK missiles.
There were few opportunities for radar techs when I got out. I applied at Raytheon to be a tech rep for the Army. But it wasn’t something I really aspired to be. And it would take about three years before I found something I enjoyed doing. Driving big rigs. It took a while, but I got pretty good at it. Backing 20-foot trailers was about the hardest thing to do. They pivot faster than the bigger trailers do.
But baseball was always there. I played softball when I could and as long as my knees held out. Running was not something I enjoyed. It hurt too much. But I loved to hit. On my off time, I would sometimes go to the batting cages around LA. I would get in the cage that threw the hardest. I could still hit line drives, but my hands stung a lot.
If I was playing softball, I would go into the fast-pitch cage. I still had a lot of the softball equipment I acquired while I was in the Army. I even had a left-handed catcher’s mitt. Those are rare. But as I neared my thirties, I knew my ball playing days were dwindling.
Days like this were behind me. So, I needed a new outlet. I still went to games, but I began to focus more on my music. The other dream was playing music on the road with a band. And while I have sung for many years and entertained a lot of people, I never did get to go out on the road on tour. I regret that.
As relaxing for me as playing baseball, softball, or any sport was, being on stage in front of a lot of people is a whole different high. You have to learn a whole different set of skills. For one thing, you need to learn how to read your audience. Not as easy as one might think. It is kind of like looking for the right pitch to tee off on.
When I first became interested in music, rock and roll was still young and something most adults did not understand or care for. Pagan music some called it. Guys like Elvis and Little Richard were lewd when they performed. By the time I actually began singing in the choir at high school, the music had changed and so had most attitudes towards rock and roll.
I also was into folk music. I loved Peter, Paul and Mary and the Kingston Trio. The Beatles and the Beach Boys, who were from just down the road in Hawthorne, were big favorites. My mom had been into country. But that would not become something I liked until I got out of the Army. My foster parents were both into easy listening and jazz.
But my tastes would change over time. At one point while I was in the Army I had over 4000 record albums. I had a stereo setup that featured. 3 reel to reel tape decks, a cassette tape deck and an 8-track deck. Six speakers, a couple of Gerrard turn tables and an amp that was 400 watts.
I would spend hours recording my albums onto those reel-to-reel tapes because one of those would play for a couple of hours. Most of my collection was made up of rock and roll. I had about 12 country albums, some soundtracks, and several folk albums. I also had several comedy albums which at the time were very popular.
I had Vaughn Meador doing the Kennedy family, a couple of Cheech and Chong albums, Bill Cosby. Jonathan Winters, Shelly Berman, and Don Rickles. I also had David Frye’s Nixon album. Hilarious stuff. I would memorize some of the bits. It was just something fun to do.
I cannot read or write music. But I have an excellent ear and near perfect pitch. I would play songs over and over to learn the lyrics. I hated using sheet music, especially on stage. So almost everything was done from memory. Those days are long gone.
As I got more into country, and met some new friends, I got involved with a band that was made up of two brothers and their wives. One wife was a drummer and the other played bass. The two brothers played guitar, one was lead, the other rhythm. Everyone sang.
I began sitting in with them at a little hole in the wall bar called the Gold Key. It was in a small shopping center across Hawthorne Blvd from the South Bay Center Mall. When they went to a new place called The Chat Room in Carson, I went along.
I think I learned more about entertaining and how to read a crowd over the 5 years the band was the house band at the Chat Room. I also got to watch and see how the stars did it because in 1976, the bar started booking some name acts. So, I got to see Johnny Rodriguez, Ernest Tubb, Joe Stampley, TG Sheppard, Eddie Dean and Red Sovine do their thing up close. We opened for all of those guys and many others. Plus, when Urban Cowboy came out, all of a sudden there were country music clubs all over LA and Orange County.
The mainline clubs were going strong too. The Palomino, Crazy Horse, George’s Round-up, and the Forge out in Glendale, they were packed every weekend. A couple of larger clubs opened in the early 80’s, the Golden West in Gardena, and the Western Connection out in San Dimas. In Orange County, near Disneyland, a club opened that was originally called, The Cowboy. Many of you who saw the movie, Road House, would have seen it after it was renamed, “The Bandstand”.
Plus, a huge change in country music happened when the first self-contained band in Country music history became very popular. Alabama changed everything. It was no longer about just the twang. Alabama brought a slight rock n roll tint to the music. A bunch of bands followed in their footsteps. Diamond Rio, Shenandoah, Little Texas. Prior to that, vocal groups were just that. Statler Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, and many others concentrated on the vocal arrangements and traveled with their own backup bands.
Some single artists bands became pretty popular, but rarely released their own albums. Hank Jr.s Bama Band was one who did, but the sales were very lukewarm. I kept playing, singing in talent contests and learning as much as I could. I did do some shows of my own at George’s Round-Up. I was friends with the house band’s leader, Danny Michaels, so he booked me in there several times. That is how I ended up getting to sing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium.
I went to a card show in Orange County and Wes Parker was there. I gave him tickets to my show and was totally surprised when he showed up. We talked a lot, and I told him my dream was to sing the anthem. He told me he would find out what I needed to do. Later in the year, it was 1980, he called me and told me I needed to record three versions on a cassette tape and bring it to his dad’s machine shop in Santa Monica.
I did that, and in February of 1981, I got a letter from the Dodgers giving me a date. September 9th, 1981. They were scheduled to play the Giants. Of course, in mid-season, they had the strike. But they settled it just before the end of August. I got another letter from the Dodgers concerning the date. No changes. With this letter they sent me four-box seats right behind the visitors’ dugout, a parking pass, and an on-field pass.
This was when they still had those field level seats behind home plate. You had to take an elevator down to those seats. Wes met me there and we went into the dugout, and I got a bunch of signatures on the ball he gave me. Then the escort showed up and I got my pic taken with Jay Johnstone. Then we walked out to centerfield, that is where they set the microphone up in those days. The announcer said my name, the organist played the intro, and I did my thing in front of a packed house. I had my fifteen minutes of fame.
I had people come up and ask for my autograph during the game. I signed maybe 40 or 50, scorecards. It was fun. But then it was back to business as usual. Driving a truck and playing music when I could. Oh yeah, they lost the game in 10 innings, 6-3. But it was still one of the best moments of my life.
I kept playing and driving for many years. I moved to Colorado in January of 1994. I had surgery to help me lose weight in November of 92. And I had dropped over 200 pounds. I got as low as 217. Had not been that light since about 1966.
I moved to Phoenix in 1998. I wanted to be closer to my grandkids and my daughter. And that is where I stayed until 2010. I had to quit singing for many years. I had scar tissue on my vocal chords. I sold all of my music equipment as I thought I would not be able to sing again without some sort of surgery. Once in a while, I would try, but it just was too painful to sing more than one song.
But about 2006, my voice started to come back. So, I bought some more music equipment and began playing again. You have to understand that music and baseball keep me sane. They are my go-to calm down activities. Baseball when I just want to watch something, and music when I feel like I need to get out and do something. I couldn’t play pro ball. Not good enough, but I have gotten to rub elbows with some of the best musicians to come out of California and our country. Music was what kept me going when my day job got to be a pain. Nothing has changed. Music and the game of baseball. I love them both.
Talent finals with Doo Wah Riders at the Crazy Horse about 1988
DJ’s Ranch 1993
Pickin on the porch 2019
Nice background of yourself Bear. Very enjoyable reading.
104 days till the start of 2024 Dodger Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report on Feb.13. Should be a very active Dodger off season. Biggest need is starting pitching through trade or continued development of our own minor league players.The free agent SP market is limited and will command huge dollars to sign which is not where AF will go unless he chooses the young Japanese pitcher.
Thanks Andrew. Much appreciated. Read an article this morning on yahoo news about where they think the 12 Dodger free agents will end up. They saw Kersh retiring, Peralta going to Milwaukee, Wong to the Pirates, JD Martinez to the Twins, Kike to the Yankees. Hudson to Boston, with Heyward, staying here.
Should we all post our autobiographies here? I was born a poor black child . . .
Feel Free…
I sure as hell never sang one of the most difficult songs in front of Dodger Stadium. Much respect, Bear, that’s a hell of an accomplishment. That’s a story that trumps most.
You know, since guys like to sit around and sling shit, the guy who I think has everyone beat is the dude who tightrope walked the twin towers. Hard to stop that one. Went to the moon? Sure, but the rocket did most the work š
One of Steve Martin’s best lines.
I feel like I know you, Bear, after reading that.
Oh wait, I do!
Nice photo
Corey got his second ring and second MVP trophy. Congrats. Another amazing home grone talent the Dodgers let get away.
Congrats to him and the Rangers who finally won it all. Even without their high priced free agent pitcher deGrom.
Let the hot stove league begin….
AF and the Dodgers have a LOT of work to do.
Nice story , OldBear.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!1
Thanks Ram, with so little baseball news, and the family dealing with the passing of my exe, it was therapeutic for me.
Congrats to Josh Sborz! Another who got away…
Seager left the Dodgers for the big bucks, but who thought Josh Sborz would be a key piece on a championship team?
Bear, I envy your musical abilities and all the joy you created, for others and yourself.
The Dodgers traded Sborz for a bucket of balls in 2021 or they would have lost him to Rule 5. He had a 3.97 ERA in 2021. 6.45 in 2022, and a 5.50 ERA in 2023.
Andrew should have known that he was a beast in the post-season. In 12 IP THIS YEAR, he has a 0.75 ERA and a 0.667 WHIP. All I can say is: WHAT?
Downtown Denver Mark. That was a fun night. So was the night we all met at the Quakes game.
I was extremely lucky to be born with that talent. Guitar I am not great at but play well enough to hang with the guys. One of my good friends, Chad Watson, a very talented bass player, has toured with Janis Ian and several others. He and his wife, Pam Loe, moved to AZ, but he still performs out in Cali now and then. Pam’s son, Kameron, pitched in the majors for 9 years. He lives in Az now too and runs a sports health business. He pitched 5 years for the Rangers, so I would think he is very happy right now.
Just one question….WHO THE FUCK CARES ????? The fact that you spent so much time writing a bio about yourself is just plain WEIRD.
My response is simple, then… Don’t read it!
BTW, several people care. I do!
Does anyone else?
Yep I do too. Itās nice to know about other peoples lives and what theyāve gone through instead of just thinking about yourself all the time.
Thank you my friend. I appreciate it.
I always enjoy interesting stories and Bear yours is very interesting. I also like to know some about who writes the lead Posts.
Go away!
In recent time, this site has been populated by many more assholes like BuffaloDodger. A troll who pops out from under the bridge to give Bear shit. I’m with Mark, DON’T READ IT!
It’s become all to frequent lately that some newer posters never bring a good take. They never bring anything insightful to the conversation or have any positive suggestions. They are just confrontational and personal.
I have just broken my long time advice – “you can disagree but don’t be disagreeable”. That’s my rule, but I’m breaking it today. You should try to employ that, Buffalo. But I can’t recall you ever saying anything with enough substance to disagree with. It’s been a mini-invasion of mean spirited posters here, who are more interested in criticizing others than having an original thought themselves. Bear is insightful and knowledgable. We disagree at times but civilly. There’s no reason for your hateful comment, Buffalo.
It gets tiresome and I see why Mark periodically has enough. Me too. It’s time to take the winter off.
Thanks Bear for the interesting look into your journey. I envy folks that can play music. I could play all sports easily but I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. I love every type music, less so opera. I was a rocker and a country fan growing up. I love the Bakersfield Sound with Buck and Dwight. Big Merle fan.
I would have loved to hear you play, Bear.
Thanks for the great posts. Don’t like the shit-heads bother you. I’m sure your won’t.
I may see you all next spring if this sight isn’t taken over by idiots.
Thanks Phil. A band I was with, Johnny Vee and Starflight, opened for Dwight at a place in Orange County, the Phoenix Club. It is a German heritage place where they do Octoberfest and stuff like that. I saw Merle many times and do a lot of his numbers. Was lucky enough to meet him once. We went to a concert at Anaheim’s theater in the round with Merle and Restless Heart. My buddy, Gary, got tight with Restless Heart’s souvenir chief. He gave us tickets for backstage passes and front row seats the next night at the Gene Autry Museum. Totally cool night. Restless Heart had some of the best harmonies in the business.
Go awayā¦..please.
We love our Bearā¦.heās family hereā¦..Iām sorry your heart is so cold.
Great story, Bearā¦.keep them coming.
No one has to care Buff. I was just doing something to bridge the time between real baseball news, and no baseball news. In a few days, the hot stove season will open, and there will be plenty of Dodger news and rumors. If baseball had not been involved, I would not have written it.
Would it surprise anyone to learn that KPizzle and BuffaloDodger are one and the same?
Embarrassing really that someone would take the time to create two accounts just so they couldnāt be an arsehole. Some sad embarrassment of a man hiding behind a keyboard.
I can’t remember a KPizzle? Did he/she post a lot?
Sporadic, and it was generally that of a person unhappy with their station in life.
Okay, I never dreamed of playing Major League Baseball, Bear. I made all star teams, but I played with Steve Chilcott, the number one draft choice in 1966, and Jim Slaton, who pitched for many years in the majors. It was obvious I was never going to be that good. But I was a pretty good fast pitch softball player. So there’s that.
Hey, Corey Seager reached the pinnacle again, winning another MVP. Good for him.
But while I watching the game, I had to wonder, how did the DBacks beat the Dodgers? That just shouldn’t happen. But it did. Oh well.
Apparently baseball is looking at the playoff format, but Manfred said he kind of liked seeing teams like Arizona make it to the series. Of course, he does. Now he can point to competive balance, tell everyone that all is well.
And the big spending Padres had to borrow $50 million in September to meet payroll and other expenses. Will they trade Juan Soto? Probably.
Cool. One guy off of my high school team got drafted, but never made it. But Joe Moeller, the Dodger pitcher was an alum. So, we got to hit off of him during our spring workouts. Or rather we watched his pitches blow by us. I loved playing fast pitch. Did a lot of that in the Army. That photo of me swinging at a pitch was a fast pitch game. A guy stepped on my toe while I was playing first base. I had on tennis shoes, and he was wearing spikes. Lost a toenail over that one.
Good thing Texas won or we would be in 3rd place in our own division for World Series titles over the last 25 years. This can’t happen.
HOnest question Glaze,
who in the world would care one bit about that stat?
Wow, just an observation. I guess you would be one that doesn’t, but seeing how we like to dominate the NL West I thought it was interesting.
I guess the 25 year span felt random to me.
Sorry if I overreacted.
No apology needed. I chose 25 years due to their WS win in 2001 (22 years ). I just found it interesting that we have 13 division tiles and 2 wild cards in that same time and have 1 title, where Arizona could have had 2 titles in maybe only 6 chances. Just random thoughts on luck.
Wonderful life Bear. Nice reading. Take care.
Thank you, Carlos. I appreciate it.
I, for one, like hearing people’s life stories. It’s good for the soul… if you happen to have one.
Some don’t!
Stings seeing Corey Seager being the second player ever to win World Series MVP with 2 teams but first to do it in National and American league. Reggie Jackson won 2 WS MVP’s in the America League. I wish we would have kept him long term instead of signing Betts long term. Homegrown talent compared to free agent, bigger stronger body compared to Mookie.
Cory is a little injury prone but I could live with those. 162 games and your due to get something over the course of the year. Seeing so many ex Dodger players on other teams doing well makes you scratch your head at times.
California has a graduated state individual income tax, with rates ranging from 1.00 percent to 13.30 percent. California has an 8.84 percent corporate income tax rate. California has a 7.25 percent state sales tax rate, a max local sales tax rate of 2.50 percent, and an average combined state and local sales tax rate of 8.82 percent. Californiaās tax system ranks 48th overall.
I am not sure that it was all about the money, although the Dodgers would have had to pay him a lot more to equal his Texas deal. I think if the money were equal, he would have still gone to Texas for the lifestyle. Mookie is an LA guy – Corey was not. Texas suits him better. I have talked to a number of people who know people, etc, etc. and I think Corey is just a “Texas sort of guy.”
My opinion entirely!
I agree the income tax probably plays a huge role in a player deciding on where to sign. I wouldn’t know as I am just an average Joe working for a pittance compared to these professional athletes. I am sure they have sound financial advisors explaining to the of the intricacies of the value of the contracts they are offered.
Just want to apologize to you for the comment I made a few day’s ago in a previous thread. Wasn’t on my game that day. Still not good at this type of interaction as I take things wrong at times.
Lost a basketball legend yesterday with the passing of Bobby Knight. Some hated him others loved him. One thing is for sure he did it his way.
Thank you.
He was a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction. Bobby was his own man.
One of my favorite songs has that line above:
Bear has an interesting life. Glad to hear about.
Thanks Dave, it hasn’t been boring.
The Ken Burns Baseball documentary is playing as I drink my morning coffee and read my daily LADT. It is full of vignettes about the different ways in which baseball brings joy to people. Kids, teens, young adults, old adults. Americans, and increasingly non-Americans. Old Bears stories and commentary add to and personalize such stories and put a smile on thousands of LADT readers every day. Quite an accomplishment; quite a service. Thank you Bear, and please, by all means continue. Kpizzle? Not just weird, but sad. I highly recommend an apology for your bizarre and weak attempt at bullying.
Thanks Ray, I can handle the criticism. Been doing it for years. Just shows how narrow minded some people are. I am trying to be the best person I can be. Not always easy, but I try.
Hey Zeke, it doesn’t make me scratch my head at all. You can’t keep all the favorite players especially ones who chose to leave. I look at all the former Dodgers being successful elsewhere as a tribute to the Dodgers Organization and player development. You can’t keep them all. Seager was often maligned as a Dodger SS and many howled for moving him to 3rd base. Maybe he wanted to continue as a SS?
Every team can make an all-star team with guys who aren’t there anymore.
Appreciate your input Phil. You are one of the best posters on this site. I guess it’s just me being jealous of them succeeding with other teams and not us. I hope to see you in the spring as we will do it all again in 2024, the games go on and I will continue to watch them. Take care and have a safe winter.
That definitely was great readā¦.I especially liked where Bear sang the National Anthem in 1981. Jay Johnston was a favorite of mine at that time, so that got me even more excited. I suppose Bear sang the Anthem with a Country voiceā¦..would love to hear it if you managed to record this and can link it for us to hear. Hearing the crowd roar their approval would be cool.
I would have killed to have your innate music skills- āexcellent ear and near perfect pitch.ā I too loved music, but had no innate skills and was encouraged by many to find another hobby or job to pursue.
Thanks TM. My friends were going to record it but did not get it set up in time. Did you ever read Johnstone’s books? He wrote three, all very funny reading. Temporary Insanity, Over the Edge and Some of My Best Friends Are Crazy. He tormented Lasorda and once locked him in his room by tying a rope to his door and then around a palm tree.
Iām a trucker and guitar player to Bear though never on stage in front of lots of people. So could relate a Lot, baseball and music is my sanity to whatever is left of it,,thanks I enjoyed that
I have recorded a couple of songs. They are on my friend’s website. garyandmaureenshoe.com. You go to arroyo music, and then there will be a link to the songs. One is about homeless vets, and the other was a song I wrote years ago. Voice isn’t as strong as it once was. But I can still sing. I also did some recording at one of those booths they had in shopping centers during the 80’s. Anyone who might want a cd, I can download the music off of my computer. Have Mark give you my email so I can get your address and send you one. Quality isn’t the best, but you would get some idea of what I loved to do. Some of the tracks are live with the Sierra Band.
Great story Bear. Hey this is the ‘off season’, how many days can we just read about trades and FA we would sign etc, etc. I would post my story, but its pretty lame compared to Bears. Dodger Fan since early 1950’s. Remember the 1955 series. In 1959 I remember a Yankee fan friend calling me to go out and play as we lost that first series game 11-0. In the end I got the last laugh. Retired now in FL. My wife was top Racewalker in the state for about 10 years. She was in her forties and beat all those young kids.
Corey still has to pay some State Income taxes in states he plays in. ( I still work for HRBlock a little in Tax season.
Haters GO AWAY!!!
Some other last thoughts’. 1962 was a painful year to end in that playoff. Was sad when my favorite player, (Duke) got traded away and missed out on 1963 series. But I did get to watch him play for Mets, I was living in NY then. But it was mostly sad to see him as very diminished.
Thank you, Dave. 55 was when I first started following the Dodgers. I remember 59 so well. As I wrote, not long after that win, Larry Sherry and Norm moved to houses that were brand new on our street in Highland Park. First time I ever met a major leaguer face to face. When the home opened our new rec center, Larry, Norm and Tommy Davis showed up. I got to talk hitting with Tommy for about 10 minutes. That was awesome. Duke was my all-time favorite player too. I was pissed when they sold him to the Mets. But I remember him hitting a homer at Dodger Stadium in 64 when he was with the Giants. And he hit it off of my high school alum, Joe Moeller. I was lucky enough to meet Duke at a card show in Anaheim in the 80’s. I got him to sign an 8X10 and it still hangs on my wall. I probably have more Duke Snider baseball cards than any other player. I also have a statue of Duke and the lone bobblehead they made. I still blame Alston for that loss in 62. He sent Roebuck back out there when he was obviously gassed. Big D begged him and so did Snider, to let Big D pitch the 9th. But Alston insisted he needed Big D to pitch game one of the World Series. Forgetting ya gotta get there first. And remember, Koufax was injured earlier in the year and had pitched game one and been lit up by the Giants. He was not healthy.
He plays half his games at home, and I presume he pays taxes at the going rate in each ballpark? Taxes have become a nightmare as each state has its own; some counties have their own, too, and certain cities also have theirs. Fortunately for companies like us, there is software that handles the task.
I liked it better when you didn’t have to play sales tax on internet purchases! š
Yes each state wants their cut. Maybe you get credit in some states if you pay in another. But they get guys to figure it all out. As for you, now states want their sales tax. Just very onerous for the small guy.
Outside of sales tax, I do not pay taxes anymore. One perk from being under the poverty level.
Really enjoyed the read today Michael as I always do. Seems to always take me back to a better time, a better place.
This place is better because of your incredible writing skills and knowledge.
Iāve been fortunate enough to spend time in your company, and anyone who has had that pleasure will testify that you are a very warm and open guy, a walking encyclopaedia on anything Dodgers.
Please keep up the efforts, I know that I speak for many when I say that you are much appreciated. Itās nice to know sometimes that others are experiencing the ups and downs that life throws at us.
That was a really fun day for me. I had such a ball talking baseball with real fans of the game and the Dodgers. B&P was fun to be around as was Patch. Me, Mark, Jayne Cobb and I think it was B&P met up at a Quakes game a couple of years ago. That was a blast too. I got a kick out of B&P mentioning how that good looking lady was talking to me. Same thing happened at the Quakes game. Just have a way with women, I guess. Something in the voice.
Speaking of people on here Iāve had the great pleasure of meeting, Patch – hope you are are well my friend!
You are right, Patch has been away for a while.
He comes and goesā¦
Hope you are fine Patch.
Muncy signed a two year contract extension. Color me a bit surprised but OK our off season is in motion.
2/years – $24 Million with a $10 Million Club Option in 2026.
He’s going to play somewhere.
All this changes is it cements him as our primary DH with the potential to move if Ohtani or JDM is signed. I bet JDM signs with Arizona.
I still see Muncy at 2B or 3B. He is not the defensive liability some make him out to be.
MLBRA says this about him: “Muncy has a decent amount of experience at first and second base. He spent the entire ā23 campaign at third base, logging a personal-high 1052 innings there. Metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average estimated he was between three and five runs below par at the hot corner. Thatās hardly disastrous but aligns with his reputation as a bat-first player.
It brings down his AAV by $2m.
The World Series just averaged 9 million viewers.
Roger Goodell reading names (the NFL Draft) draws 12 million viewers.
Not surprising at all considering the two teams playing. Dallas and Phoenix markets are large, but not big enough to draw huge ratings. Baseball ratings are notoriously regional in nature. Saw that about Muncy signing an extension. Love his power bat, now please concentrate on cutting down the K’s.
The trickle has started. Yanks cut 5 players loose including former Dodger, Billy McKinney. Nelson Cruz is retiring.
First of all, I want to thank LADT for being here. I read it almost every day. I also want to say that I am 79 years old and have been a Dodger fan since they moved to LA. I went to games in the coliseum when they first moved out.
That being said, I’m starting to reluctantly recognize that we are a great regular season team but a very disappointing playoff team. For the record, since 2013 our post-season record is 48 wins and 45 losses. Our post-season series record is 12-10. Both of these numbers are a far cry from our regular season record for that period. The last two years have driven that point home dramatically. So, if in fact, the playoffs are a “crap shoot” we should stop playing craps.
In that regard, I sure wish people would stop calling the playoffs a crap shoot. Craps is a game where you use two inanimate objects to determine the results. The playoffs are games played between live human beings. Apples and oranges!
Also, please stop saying the managers don’t have an effect on the games. If that’s the case, Bruce Bochy is the luckiest manager in the history of the sport. He has won 15 of 16 playoff series and has an overall record of 49 wins and 21 losses in playoff games. That’s a winning percentage of .700. He is also 6-0 in elimination games.
If managers don’t have any effect on the team, why do they have them? Well, other than filing out the lineup card they set the tone for the team, which includes, among other things, morale and motivation. So, is Dave Roberts as good a manager as Bruce Bochy in the playoffs? You be the judge.
Did Bochy have better players? What about the Diamondbacks this year or the Padres last year? Player for player during the regular season the Dodger rosters have always been at or near the top of the heap. Come playoff time they often play like they are not at the same level as their opponents.
Over the past 11 years have made the playoffs 11 times and won 1 World Series. And don’t keep saying we should have one another one because we were cheated. That excuse is getting old and may not, in fact, be true. And, by the way, the one World Series we one was a in a shortened season.
I love the Dodgers and enjoy watching them during the regular season but their performance in the playoffs is really getting old. If they have a plan for the post season, they need to rethink it. If they don’t have a plan, then they need someone who does.
There! I feel better already.
You cannot begin to compare what has happened over the past two years to anything we have ever witnessed. Manfred changed everything, and it sucks!