Most often when I attempt to communicate the concept of time with my younger grandchildren, I talk in terms of “sleeps.” “Three more sleeps and I’ll be there, or 2 more sleeps and I go home.” We’re at that stage of the season, where we can communicate similarly about the Dodgers. 11 more wins, and we enjoy the parade!!
Last year, we were flat out overmatched by the Red Sox. Having the Red Sox beat us as handily as they did, stung quite a bit. However, we’ve come along way since last October 28, 2018, and here we are with another chance to compete for the big prize.
Let’s revisit some of the matters that captured our attention from November 1, 2018, to the present. We speculated about several different players whom we were certain the Dodgers should acquire in trade or through free agency. Kluber, Castellanos, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and so on. However, the Dodgers remained relatively quiet in the off-season. They did sign Joe Kelly and A. J. Pollock. Neither were high on the radar for most of us. Neither have provided superstar performance, but neither have hurt us either. Moreover, we have been just fine without those players we thought we couldn’t succeed without.
We saw some changes in the coaching ranks. Chris Woodward moved on to the Rangers, and by all accounts has done well in his first year as a manager. Turner Ward moved on to the Reds. To replace them, the Dodgers hired Dino Ebel to coach third base and Robert von Soyec to be the hitting coach. It wasn’t long before we learned why Ebel was such a respected coach. Also, RVS has shown himself to a capable hitting coach. Despite all the concern expressed on this blog, by some, the Dodger hitters appeared to buy into his program and for much of the year, the offense has been better than in the past.
Of course, we also had the great salary dump in December, when Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Kyle Farmer, and Alex Wood were traded for Josiah Gray, Jeter Downs, and Homer Bailey. Despite much hand-wringing by many, this trade has turned out pretty good. Not only did we trade away one of the organizations biggest headaches, we did shed salary, but more importantly, an opportunity was created for Alex Verdugo to show his stuff, and show it he did. Addition by subtraction worked out real well for the Dodgers. We also wondered why in the world we would trade for an aging Russell Martin. Everyone was positive that we should have gone after J.T. Realmuto. Perhaps we should have, perhaps AF did, but the Marlins wanted more than the Dodgers were willing to offer. Martin hasn’t been great, but he has been serviceable, and his leadership much needed. Meanwhile, Realmuto gets to watch the playoffs on TV.
During spring training, we spent time lamenting the fact that we should have kept Brad Miller on the roster. He was cut, and we didn’t miss him. Other players were discussed, but I don’t believe that many, if any of us, could have predicted the success of the young pup players, Matt Beaty, Will Smith, Kyle Garlick, Edwin Rios, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Gavin Lux. They have performed beyond what we could have expected and how neat is it that they could play a significant role for the team in the playoffs. I have long been a fan of bringing up our own minor leaguers and I enjoy watching them succeed. Each of these players, in their own way, has injected much-needed enthusiasm into the team.
Also, the amount of time spent discussing Dave Roberts and his value, or lack thereof, as a manager is still mind-boggling to me. Who would we rather have had? Joe Maddon, Clint Hurdle, Gabe Kapler, Don Mattingly? 4 years in a row to the playoffs. I’ll take that.
This is a short post today. I’m still in Anacortes, Washington with the grandkids. If I haven’t told you already, they are as cute and adorable as can be and I can’t get enough of them. I hope you make up for my brevity by commenting a lot.
In addition to the Dodgers, I am also a huge L.A. King hockey fan (The Dodgers are and will remain, my first love). In 2014, when Alec Martinez slipped that goal into the net in overtime to bring the Kings their first Stanley Cup, it was as exciting a moment as I’ve experienced watching sports. It was magical!!! I want to experience the same thing this year. 11 more victories, with the 11th a walk-off win in extra innings. How sweet would that be!
Arizona Fall League
Glendale lost to Salt River 4-3. Gerardo Carillo gave up his first runs of the Fall League, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in 3.2 innings. He walked 3 and struck out 4. Devin Mann and Justin Yurchak played but got no hits. Jeren Kendall and Omar Estevez each had one hit.
I may be the first, but not the last, this morning to say what a good write-up that was 2D2. Both informative and interesting. I, like you, am a Dodger fan first and a hockey fan second, although for a different NHL team. Growing up in Canada, Toronto was my favorite hockey team. So, I know what you are saying and mean by the excitement of your team winning a Stanley Cup, or your Dodgers winning a WS. I want to see it again. I have good vibes for our Dodgers and feel they will come through this year. Enjoy the grandkids.
Will be on pins and needles come Thursday evening….
Stinks that the Rams game will be going on at the same time, but at least Sunday will be all Dodgers.
Go Dodgers!!!
My favorite teams of a lifetime, or at least since I remember are in this order:
1. Dodgers
2. Lakers
3. 49’ers
4. Atlante (soccer team)
11 wins to go…… That’s right, this team I think looks much better than 2017 and 2018, but I think Houston also looks much better than in 2017, but we already have to win, enough time without being champions!
What a great way to end a historic season, win number 106 with a drubbing of the hated ones and a little extra motivation for Bochy to keep coaching so he doesn’t have to retire with a <500 record. 106 wins is nothing to blink at. We all got to experience our team do something no other Dodger's team has done before. We also got to see them set the NL home run record, something no one saw coming before the season started. 11 wins remain for the trophy, rings and parade and this is the year, at least for the first of several. The beginning of a Championship run, the start of a dynasty.
This team is young and battle tested with a good mix of veterans to guide the ship. An army of prospects to follow as we build for the future. Payroll is manageable and our jewel of a stadium is adding more upgrades ahead of hosting next year's all-star game. All is right in Dodger-land.
I agree with Jorge to some extent that the Astros look like a better team than they were is 2017. Both leagues have very good competition throughout the playoffs, no cream puffs in the post-season this year. Except, maybe the Brewers who make it to a one game showdown with 89 wins against the Nats with 93.
The Braves, Nats and Cardinals all look dangerous. As do the Yankees, Twins and Astros. The two AL WC teams have 97 and 96 wins.
It's going to be a fun ride and I can't wait for Thursday, but first, there's a couple of good Wild Card games to watch.
I have the feeling that it will be Minnesota vs. Oakland the final in the American league, and any of them will lose to Dodgers in the World Series …. Don’t forget that it was here that you read it first!
Play offs are about to start. I think we are a much better team than 2017-18. Catching position is better. Seager is better than anything we had last year. Pollock, Bellinger and Peterson is a better outfield. Lux is better st second. Relief pitchers are better. Jansen will not go back to back. In the last two weeks the relief group has looked pretty good to me. May will be there. I am not sure if Gonsolin will be on the team. The Dodgers finished the season strong. Go Dodgers.
Good write-up. Everybody is dangerous in the playoffs. 106 wins is amazing, no doubt about it. On paper, the Astros still look like the best team in baseball with the Dodgers right behind. Verlander and Cole had incredible seasons, but the team that gets hot and maybe a little lucky will win it all. This Dodger team is better than the 2017 club and way better than last year. I realize people debate this, but Friedman is the best in baseball and Dave Roberts is a special manager. End of the discussion. I hope Jorge is right.
Three shutouts in a row! Is there a better way to end the season for the Dodgers? I think not. What are the odds of them shutting down all of their opponents and sweep every series? Not too likely, but not impossible. No one can claim to be a fan if they don’t want their team to win the WS. Impossible. I am more excited this year than the past two years. I also think that this is the best Dodger team that I can remember. Maybe there were some better teams but nothing has captured my attention like this season. It brings me back to when I saw them win their first WS in Brooklyn. The energy generated was tremendous and electrifying and I am looking forward to that magic moment which has eluded us for 31 years now. Get it done, team!
If Freese is healthy I think I’d rather have him full time in the lineup at first with Muncy at 2nd. His bat plays much better than Lux’s or Kike’s. We’re gonna need all the offense we can get against Nats. Tho,I’m a little nervous about the injuries to Pollock, Turner and Freese and them being a bit rusty having to go up against the National’s starters. We shall,see
In a short series the Nats with their pitching scare me. I hope the brewers win their one game play-in.
Maybe, but in a short series I’m sure our Pitching scares teams too.
I like our Pen a LOT better than DC’s. Corbin can be Wild also.
So because I re-upped early for 2020 season tickets, the Dodgers allowed me to purchase an additional postseason strip for each game played in the 2019 postseason. The caveat, I believe, is that I cannot sell them on any 3rd party site (i.e. Stubhub)
Therefore, I’d like to offer these extra 2 seats to friends at face value (or Giants fans at a huge markup). And since this blog is all friends and family, if anyone here is interested in NLDS games 1 and/or 2, I’ll sell my two extra seats at cost (which I believe is around $50 each, but I’ll verify today). The seats are in Reserve 51, Row K. Before anyone asks, World Series games have already been spoken for!
If anyone is interested, the way it would work is I’d forward the tickets to you via my Dodgers account, and you’d just enter the stadium with the mobile tickets.
Please let me know soon if interested, as I’ll also be asking my Facebook world.
Bobby – you are a Gentleman.
Good on you.
Did everyone take a day off today, or are people out of things to complain about? 13 comments is weak.
The single biggest reason that the Dodgers will win the World Series this year…
Their catchers – They will actually catch the ball when pitched and thrown to them and will provide at least a tough at bat.
I agree with Idahoal in all points. I love the mix of veterans and young dudes. Really stoked we have Freese back, also got a feeling that Pollock is going to have a couple of clutch moments in the play-offs, he is starting to heat up. Don’t forget Joc, the boy is not afraid of the spotlight and carries a big ass hammer. Probably one of our best teams from top to bottom. Let’s roll the dice and see what happens. Damn I hate the short series though, it’s a graveyard for teams that have dominated the regular season.
59 I suspect the lack of comments are due to my incredibly weak post. Then again, complaining is the easiest thing to do and we currently have nothing to complain about.
It’s not you 2D2.
It was a great post. There’s not much to bitch about so everyone is quiet.
Actually, there’s nothing to bitch about.
I am with Mark and 59. It was a great post. What is there to complain about? We are happy we are right where we want to be right now, ready for playoff baseball. Now more fun and excitement to come. Not you 2D2, not a weak post by any stretch of the imagination.
Jorge, I want to know how you came about your favorite teams, specifically…
3. 49’ers
4. Atlante (soccer team)
Tell me more.
Here’ mine.
1) Dodgers
2) Lakers
3) Rams / Trojans tied.
4) Soccer is weird because I root for a lot of teams in different leagues and don’t follow any too closely. Galaxy, Real Madrid, Juventus and Man U are my favorites where I’ll watch their games when I can. I mostly like watching the European National Teams in the various Cups and qualifiers.
5) Kings – used to be as high as 3rd on the list, but I have to give my wife a little bit of a break, so the Kings suffer and hockey is waaaaay better in person than on TV. I think more so than any sport.
My Favorites:
1. Dodgers
2. Duke Blue Devils Basketball
2A. Indiana Pacers (I have 6 season tickets)
2B. Indianapolis Colts
4. Cincinnati Reds (my Dad’s team)
I have no college football affiliation but admit to being partial to Notre Dame.
Soccer and hockey? Non-existant for me.
My favorites:
1. Dodgers
2. LA Kings
3. USC Trojans Football
49’ers was my favorite team for Joe Montana and for those great duels against the cowboys, for me he has been the best quarterback in history.
Atlante is a soccer team in Mexico, and I could tell you which players it had in the 80’s era, but I don’t think anyone knows them since this sport is not so popular in the US
Well I’ve got some complaints! What’s the big deal about signing Friedman. He didn’t get us Harper, Realmuto,!or Kluber before the season and was too tight to get us Vazquez at the trade deadline. We got too many of these young players. What are we gonna do with all of them? Pull the trigger dude! And don’t get me started with Roberts! This is a team that should have won at least 112 games! Now that Ausmus is available his days are numbered!
Get back on your meds!
Cassidy, are you kidding, right? Because only then could we could try to understand your comments, my friend…
Now don’t tell me to put down the crack pipe 59. Sarcasm
Favorites:
1. Dodgers
2. University of Southern California
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Red Sox
5. Any team playing NYY
6. Any team playing SF Giants
7. Fair weather Lakers fan. Not a huge basketball fan, but I do love rubbing the Lakers into Sacramento Kings fans’ noses.
8. San Jose Sharks (my daughters favorite sports team). I was a big Kings fan with players like Wayne Gretzky/Rogie Vachon/Marcel Dionne/Dave Taylor/Charlie Simmer/Luc Robitaille/Marty McSorley/Rob Blake. Not so much now.
AC who’s gonna be your next football coach at USC?
All the talk is Urban Meyer, but I do not see the new President, who came in to clean up all of the other messes, hiring an AD who will hire a coach with as much baggage as Meyer has. I want the team to win and be relevant again so I would hire him with a short leash. It is a gamble. High risk, high rewards.
My Favorites:
1. Dodgers
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Boston Celtics
5. SJ Sharks because always root for the local team unless they are playing the Leafs
What can I tell you, at least I am diverse. I also like the LA Kings and saw Gretsky play.
All tied at the top:
Clemson Athletics (proud proud Alum)
LA Dodgers
LA RAMS
(went to the World Series Game 1 last year and the SB in Atlanta not the outcomes I wanted but still cool as all get out)
1.Dodgers
2. Colts
3. Lakers
4. Hawkeyes
5. NY Rangers but I don’t follow hockey the way I once did. Kings would be my #2.
6. Whoever is playing Iowa State or Notre Dame.
That game almost went perfectly for the Dodgers if Hader hadn’t blown it.
THE MEDIA IS RIGHT ABOUT DAVE ROBERTS POOR DECISIONS TO BRING IN KERSHAW AND JOE KELLY
SO BEING A LONGTIME FAN GOING BACK TO LASORDA DAYS I AM HOPING THAT CLAYTON KERSHAW
HAS A CAREER ENDING INJURY TO HIS PITCHING ARM THE WAY TERRY BRADSHAW DID,THAT WAY WE
DO NOT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS NONSENSE AND CAN FINALLY GO AND WIN ANOTHER WORLD-
SERIES, BY THE WAY WE SHOULD HAVE WON TWO WORLD SERIES AND BECAUSE OF THE DISEASE,
CALLED DAVE ROBERTS WE DO NOT.