Most of us can remember where we were when important events occur in our lives. On Nov 22, 1963, I was at choir practice in our auditorium when I heard about JFK’s assassination. 9-11-2001, I was in South Gate at the JB Hunt terminal when the planes hit the twin towers.
But the day I fell in love with the game… That actual date escapes me. And since my love affair with the game has lasted longer than anything else in my life, I am somewhat miffed by that.
It probably stemmed from the first time I made solid contact with a baseball. I probably thought, wow, this is fun! I could really get into this game. And I was probably around 8 when it happened.
I had attended a couple of minor league games with my uncle in the mid 50’s, one at old Gilmore Field, the home of the Hollywood Stars, and the other at Wrigley Field close to the coliseum in LA which was home to the PCL’s Los Angeles Angels.
Too young to remember the players names. But it was fun to watch. The first time I picked up a bat was after school when I lived in Hawthorne. 3rd grade at Jane Addams elementary school. Some friends invited me to play some over the line. I did not even have a glove, and had never hit in my life.
But I went along, and found out I was a lefty. Partly because I broke my right wrist when I was 5 1/2, and throwing with that hand was awkward. So I played in the field first, and then was the last guy up when we got to bat. I then found out I hit left handed too. I had no trouble hitting the ball, but the first couple of hits were just weak grounders.
Then the next time up, I got a fat one and connected solidly. Crushed it over the fielders head. What a sweet feeling. And thus it started. I played pretty much every time we had enough guys to play.
All the way through grade school. And into Jr high. I went to my first MLB game in the summer of 1958 at the coliseum. I was living at the Hathaway Home for children in Highland Park on N. Ave 66. We got tickets from what in those days was called the Knothole gang.
The seats were way down the RF line, and the players looked really small. I forget who they were playing, but they won the game. Biggest excitement for me was meeting actor John Russell, from The Lawman TV series, who was sitting a few rows over. Often wondered late why his seats were so bad.
The home took us to games 4 or 5 times a year. Those were the days I really looked forward to. We had a dirt field, and I would play there when we had enough kids who wanted to, or we would play over the line, or 3 flies up. I also played every day at school when we were allowed to play softball.
Dodgers won the series in 59, and it was great. I had started collecting baseball cards in earnest, so I could put faces to the players on the field. I could watch the Dodgers on TV when they went to SF in those days, but only the day games since we had a 9:00 bed time.
I only played little league for one year, but I loved it. Had a pretty good year too, hit .714 with a homer, 15 hits in 21 at bats with a couple of walks and only 2 K’s . They covered up all the gully’s and tree areas next to the home and built houses. And low and behold, 2 Dodgers moved into houses on our street!.
Norm and Larry Sherry were about 2 and 5 houses down the street. They would talk to us kids a lot. And they gave away some baseballs. Then in February of 1961, before they went to Vero for spring training, they asked some of us if we wanted to shag balls for them at Arroyo Seco Park, which was about a mile away down the hill on the same street as our school.
We went down there and had a great time chasing balls for them for a few hours. A couple of other players were there, Fairly, and a couple I cannot remember. But about an hour into it, Larry asked me if I wanted to hit. I grabbed a bat, and dug in. I only heard the ball and did not see it. But then he threw me a cookie and I hit it into the outfield. I was elated and Norm was really kidding Larry about the kid.
Norm and Tommy Davis came to the opening of the new gym and rec hall they had built at the home and I got to talk to TD for a little while about hitting. He was a really nice guy.
In June of 1962, right before my 14th birthday, I was transferred from the home to a foster home In Redondo Beach. I was too old to still be at the home. They had a rule that you had to leave before your 14th birthday.
I would be an adult before I saw the Dodgers play in person again. I watched as many games as my foster parents would allow me to see. And that was not a whole lot. But I did listen on my radio all the time.
Crushing season for me. I listened to the last playoff game on the radio. I was not too happy with Alston. Over the next few years, I watched when I could, listened to Vinny as much as possible, and played whenever the opportunity arose.
I went out for baseball my first year of High school at Mira Costa, and made the freshman team. Got to hit off of former Dodger Joe Moeller during spring practice. Would be nice to say I got a hit, but alas, I did not even see the pitches.
My foster father pulled me off of the team for some perceived sin I committed. I was totally embarrassed. So I concentrated on choir, which I enjoyed and did not go out for baseball until my junior year, when I was no longer in choir. I made the JV team, but did not play much. My skills had not been honed by playing organized ball like many of the other guys had.
That was my last time playing organized baseball. The next year I was pulled out of that home and transferred to another home in Torrance and a different high school. I went out for football just to prove I could do it. And made the team as a first string, slightly underweight, left tackle. I was only 205 pounds then.
But in November 1965, when I was due to be transferred again to another home, I said enough is enough and quit school to join the Army. Baseball was still a huge part of who I was. I read everything I could read about the sport, and scanned the papers daily for box scores of the Dodgers and former favorite players.
The Dodgers were not very good in the late 60’s. Sandy had retired, Big D got hurt, Wills was traded, and the team just did not have much talent. They had some moments, but they were not the team they would become in the 70’s.
By the time I got out of the Army in 1974, they were a much better team. The infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey had just come together, they got Baker from the Braves, Monday from the Cubs and Reggie Smith from St Louis and some guy named Lasorda took over for Alston.
2 shots at the World Series title against the Yanks in 77 and 78 were unsuccessful. And then in 1980 they ended the season in a tie with the Astros and lost a 1 game playoff.
1981 would be different. I had met Wes Parker at a card show in Orange County and given him some tickets to come see a show I was doing at George’s Round Up in Long Beach. This was about August of 1980. Wes came and enjoyed the show and my performance.
I told him my dream was to sing the anthem at Dodger Stadium. Wes said he would check and see what I needed to do. In late November Wes called me and said I needed to do a cassette tape with at least 2 versions of me singing the anthem acapella. For you amateurs, that means with no accompaniment. I did so, and took the cassette to his dads machine shop in Santa Monica and dropped it off.
In March of 81, I got a letter from the Dodgers saying I had been chosen to do the anthem on the 9th of September. I also received 4 box seat tickets, a parking pass and a field pass.
Wes sent me his season seats so I could invite 4 other people to the game. The season went on, and then the players went on strike. Dodgers were in first by 1/2 game when the games ended and the wait began. Finally they reached an agreement to resume play. I got a letter from the Dodgers again confirming my date. Sept 9, 1981, and the opponent was the Giants.
I got there that evening with some friends, family and my girlfriend at the time. About a half hour before game time I went back to the elevator behind home plate and took it down to field level.
The guide met me there and when I got to the Dodger dugout, Wes gave me a ball, and introduced me to a couple of the players and Manny Mota. I got autographs from some and forgot to get them from others. Then about 5 minutes before the anthem I was walked out to centerfield where they put the mic in those days. I met Fernando and Bobby Castillo walking in from the pen, and shook both their hands, then when we got to CF, the tech set the mic to my height and I waited for the intro.
When the organist was doing the intro I thought oh my , she is in the wrong key! But when she hit the final note, it was right where it should be and I sang my heart out. I wish I would have gotten a recording of it. Some of my friends who were not there tried to record off of the radio, but could not get it.
When it was all over, the crowd cheered, and the game was soon on. I was walked under the LF pavilion, and was met by Frances Friedman. Frances was a Dodger fan through and through. She sat in the same seat in the pavilion every year for many years. She would twirl some garlic when the opposition had a rally going to jinx them.
She told me that I had done the best version of the anthem she had ever heard. That was a wonderful compliment. Then we went under the stadium by the Dodger clubhouse, and Rick Sutcliffe signed my ball. Back in the stands with family and friends we watched a very exciting 10 inning loss to the Giants. Garv had tied it 3-3 with a homer in the 8th, but the Giants scored 3 in the tenth.
My 15 minutes of fame was over, but my love of the game has never left. They won the Series, so I can say I sang the anthem for a world champion team.
Since then, I have been to many games, some there and a few here in Colorado. I have enjoyed their success, and died a little when they have lost. Saw another championship in 88 while I was still living in Cali, and watched every game I could when I was living elsewhere.
When I got a job driving cross country, I got satellite radio so I could listen to the games. For the last few years I have had MLB.TV and watch all of the games. It is a lot cheaper than attending them.
My love for the team and the game itself has never changed. But how I look at the game has. I am as many know, not a huge saber metrics lover. I like the game the way it was. I know the changes are here for good, but just once in a while I long to see some good old country hardball………..
Great to have some more details on your life Bear, the ones I didn’t already know from the other site we both visit on a daily basis. I would say from the photo of you and Johnstone that Bear is a very apt nickname for you.
Thanks for putting it all down here. I can’t believe all the minute details you remember. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning. Oh wait a minute, I haven’t had breakfast yet.
Now that you’re in Colo, any possibility you’ll have a chance to sing the anthem at Coors?
Thanks Blue. That shirt was bright red. And not the one I wanted to wear, but in those days, I did not have a lot of clothes that fit too well. Also I was about 390 then. I have been blessed with a pretty good memory, but that is mostly for stuff in the past. Sometimes I forget where I left my keys to my truck. I got the nick name while I was in the Army in Germany. And it was because I snored real loud and sounded like a hibernating bear in a cave. They could hear me because when we were on duty on our tac site, we all slept in what was the mess hall. I do not know anyone associated with the Rockies organization, so I doubt that would happen, and Coors is 123 miles away.
Holy mackerel Bear. You can’t make this stuff up. Amazing stuff. Just love your column. Thank you for sharing the details of that part of your life.
Michael/Bear, I would like to add that you are a natural as a writer. I mean that in the sense of the film of the same name. You hit it out of the park! I have this theory about why sports is so important to many of us. It gives us a haven from all the ups and downs of life, something to cheer for no matter what. When the planes hit the twin towers, I was living in Brooklyn. Saw the whole thing from my roof. To get through it, I read ‘The Boys of Summer,’ the book you mentioned last time. It connected me to something better than the crap we were going through. I see how baseball has been your haven, gotten you through some crappy times. Baseball, and alot of inner strength. More power to you! Thanks so much for sharing your story!
Awesome story! Great writing! I love this kind of story!
Life isn’t fair and you got some lemons, but you made lemonade!
My wife tells me I should sing solo.
So low that she can’t hear me!
If the Dodgers keep playing like this and are up and down by the end of August, we may see Dave Roberts out as Manager. This team is too good to not be slaughtering the competition.
I feel like could have been a quote from any of the last few years
Some incredible, historic runs over the last few years have bailed them out of potentially terrible and disappointing seasons.
Playoffs speak for themselves.
Not a huge fan of Doc but praise the heavens that we didn’t end up with the Kapler alternative that was seemingly a done deal after Don.
Bear, I told you before, and I’ll say it again, I can’t wait to meet you when we go to a game together (when the new normal begins). Great story!
I can kind of relate to the national anthem and crowd story. In 9th grade, I was in band ( I played trombone). And in May, 1986, our band and the bands of 2 other high schools played the national anthem before a game at Dodger Stadium. I stood in the CF grass, about 20 feet behind 2b. I was blown away by the cheers of the crowd after we finished playing the anthem. It’s a surreal feeling if you’ve never experienced anything like that!
As far as last night’s game: the pen had been great all year, so they were due to blow one. I was just hoping our MVP could pick the bullpen up, but apparently he thinks it’s October already and has reverted to his October form.
I hope to get out to California next year. My sis likes me to come out and visit, and I would love to see a game with you. We also like going to see the Dodger farm team in Rancho. Box seats behind home were only 15 bucks the last time we went. Belli does not look like an MVP at all right now. I think he should go back to his old stance. And maybe just try to make contact.
Wow, Bear, that was wonderful. What a great read, thank you. And a picture with one of my favorite Dodgers, Jay Johnstone, to boot. Very interesting. Keep them coming.
I, too, think Bellinger’s speed and height may have helped him catch that ball, but Mookie tried.
Today is my birthday and for my birthday, I decided I wanted to be a Dodger cutout in the stands. So we sent a goofy picture of me and are waiting for it’s approval. Have a great day all.
Happy 39th!!!
Lol, thank you Mark.
Happy Birthday DBM! Hope you have a wonderful day being celebrated and loved by family and friends!
I also hope that this coming year is among your best ever.!! I appreciate your very thoughtful contributions to this blog.
Happy Birthday. I am glad that you enjoyed the story. Jay Johnstone was one of my favorites too. He was the guy who kept the clubhouse loose. And he also is probably the only player to hit a home run after dragging the infield. The story is that in the 5th inning of a game at Dodger Stadium, Johnstone and Jerry Ruess donned the shirts of the grounds keepers, and dragged the infield. Lasorda had glanced out there and noticed that 2 of those guys dragging the field were blondes. Since all of the grounds keepers were Hispanic, Tommy went after the 2 yelling at Johnstone to grab a bat and hit. Jay was busy putting his uni back on and went to the bat rack and went up to hit. On the second pitch, he hit a shot into the pavillion. When he got back in the dugout, Tommy did not say a word to him. Probably was stunned. One of the Dodger execs, I think it was Fred Claire, said the strangest thing he ever saw was Jay Johnstone, in full uniform and cleats, at the concession stand at Dodger Stadium during a game ordering hot dogs! Yep. Jay was a fun guy.
Good story, Bear. Growing up in Brooklyn, I remember the Knothole Gang well in the 50’s. I also cannot remember the moment I became a Dodger fan and baseball lover. For me, it was in the air. Family and friends always had the game tuned in either on radio or bxw TV, 9 or 10 incher. Now I have a 55″ job. I can see the pimples on Joc’s forehead and the indecisiveness of Cody’s brow. Mookie, otoh, exudes confidence. Doc is now on the clock, ala Mark.
Thanks Jeff. One of my best friends, Gary, is from Brooklyn. He used to tell me you could walk a block and never miss a pitch with all the radios having the game on. He lives in Lancaster now and has not followed the Dodgers since O’Malley moved them west. His passion is the New York Giants, and the Rangers in the NHL. One character from Brooklyn I would have loved to see in person was Happy Feldman. You cannot dream up guys like that. In the movie, Whistling in Brooklyn, Red Skelton played a radio personality who did a detective show called The Fox. He gets mixed up in some bad stuff and while trying to avoid the bad guys, he goes to Ebbets Field where the House of David is playing an exhibition game against the Dodgers. He knocks out their pitcher, puts on a fake beard, and goes out on the mound to pitch against the Dodger lineup. It was pretty funny stuff.
What a memory you have, Bear! Impressive. Both Happy Feldman and the Red Skelton movie are fuzzy memories for me. Red was the toast of the town in those days. I watched his weekly TV show religiously. The House of David, was of course a reference to Jewish history, Brooklyn being the epicenter for the migration out of Russia and WWII Europe, beside Israel. Red was a beloved childhood figure for me.
Actually that is partially true. House of David was also a Jewish baseball team. They would travel all over to play local teams. They traveled as far as Mexico and Hawaii. The players neither cut their hair, nor trimmed their beards. Pro players occasionally donned fake beards and played with them. Including Babe Ruth, Grover Cleveland, and Satchel Paige. Hose of David also had a band that performed on the Vaudeville circuit. They considered signing Ruth to play with them in 1935, but decided his hedonistic life style went against their rules. They were together until the early 50’s when the rising popularity of the majors made their popularity take a huge dip.
Terrific story Bear. I’m enjoying your walks down memory lane. I admire someone with a great singing voice. Like MT who sings “so-low” on request, I too get requests; like “quit” or sing “tenor”. That’s ten or twelve feet on the others side of the door.
Happy Birthday DBMom. I hope you have a great day. You will have to share where your cutout is in the stands.
I was apprehensive about last night’s game when I saw Zac Gallen as the D-Backs starter, taking nothing away from Gonsolin, who was solid. Gallen is a Dude that I spotted when he was with Miami. I thought the D-Backs made a good move trading for him. He had a lousy first outing but he showed why they like him last night. He has a bright future.
After 8 games I have only had a couple of time when I questioned manager decisions. For the most part Doc has stayed with the same core players at predictable positions with a lefty – righty line ups. I like what he’s doing as my major complaint had been his unpredictable line up du jour. I’d prefer CT3 be the regular 2nd baseman but I’ll live with him moving around defensively. Rios needs to play.
I have had 2 instances where I second guessed a move at the time (not after know who it turned out). One was not pinch hitting for Barnes in the 8th of the 13 inning game we won. The other was last night. It was nice to see the Gonzales kid make his debut and do so well that first inning he threw. He looked so relieved going back to the dugout. Which is where he should have stayed. I was totally surprised he came out for the next inning. The pen has plenty of arms so let the kid end the night confident and satisfied. The odd part is that Doc has gotten 1 inning per guy, all season. Why he pulled this rabbit out of his hat and sent him out for that 2nd inning, is a mystery to me.
I was totally onboard with the plan of Trienen in the 8th and KJ in the 9th. And it blew up. It’s inevitable that when 5 to 8 pitchers are used every night, that somebody is going to suck. With this many pitchers and before starters get stretched out it’s going to happen. I was pretty sure we weren’t going 58 and 2.
Thanks Bear, I really enjoyed reading your story! I grew up in the Boston area and became a baseball fan watching the Red Sox in 67 have miracle season as a kid. Yaz was my favorite player, reminds me of Bellie at the plate.
Wasn’t very athletic and only played neighborhood pickup games back then. I got drawn back into following baseball after moving to LA listening to Vin call games on the radio. I always check in to Dodger Talk to read your opinions and insights into this fascinating game called baseball. Thanks to everyone that participates.
The “Impossible Dream” team sucked me into baseball as well. Been hooked ever since.
The Giants are hitting .257 as a team while the Dodgers are at .249.
In 8 games the Padres have scored 52 runs to the Dodgers 40 runs.
The Dodgers lead all of MLB with a 2.04 ERA and the league is hitting .198 against them.
The Padres ERA is 3.88.
I would start Cody against RHP, but if he doesn’t step it up, I would sit him against LHP. That might piss him off but so be it.
AZ is throwing a Righty Today, so here is my lineup:
1. Betts RF
2. Bellinger CF (move him here to cut down his swing)
3. Seager SS
4. Muncy 2B
5. Pederson LF
6. Rios DH
7. Beaty 1B
8. McKinstry 3B
9. Catcher
Give JT the day off (inactive) and let McKinstry take his place. Only 2 RH bats.
McKinstry would need to be activated first. I like Belli hitting second, I move Rios ahead of Joc since he is at least hitting the ball. Joc has been swinging and missing more. I leave Betts in the leadoff spot against all comers.
I don’t think I put a guy hitting .139 in the two hole. I move him down. Show me you can adjust before I move you up. That might piss him off but so be it.
Seager is hitting the ball harder than anybody. Put him in the two hole behind Betts, followed by Turner and Muncy.
I’m not at all concerned about the bullpen’s ability. I am concerned about how many innings they are throwing. Our starters just look out of shape to me. Other teams starters are throwing over 75. Some guy named Gallen, with 80 innings in the Majors before this year, threw 98 last night. Ray threw 94 the night before. Those guys are ready. Why aren’t our guys?
4 unearned. We deserved to lose that one. Treinen didn’t, but the Dodgers did.
Knock it off. Take the outs they give you and steal one now and then (Betts’ throw) and this team can win it all. Give them away like we have, somebody will sneak by us.
MLB is reporting more positive Covid tests on the Cardinals and at this rate I don’t think we’ll see a completed season. Lorenzo Cain from the Brewers has just opted out as well. Not trying to be a “debbie downer” but with Manfred’s admonition that the season might be canceled if they didn’t get the spread under control to only find out, one day later, the Cardinals are dealing with an outbreak makes you wonder if MLB can pull this off. I have my doubts.
You’re not a downer NorCal, you are reporting facts and basing an opinion on those facts. I respect that. There are a number of people who share your concerns.
Unless it gets a whole lot worse, I can’t see them slamming the door on the season. MLB.Radio has been talking about this ad nauseum all morning. There is a reason they have expanded rosters and 30 other players at a different site. If this was not envisioned or anticipated, why have 35 extra players over the regular 25 man roster?
I have not watched other states as close as I have watched Indiana, but here our cases have spiked by 90% over June. Yesterday and last Sunday were our biggest days for positive cases EVER. However, hospitalizations are down (by half of what it was in May). ICU beds are at 15% capacity for COVID-19 Cases. Less than 3% of the COVID patients are on Ventilators and here’s the big thing: Deaths are way down while testing has more than doubled. We had 989 new cases and 6 deaths and I hear people say that the deaths will follow – well its not happening in Indiana.
I think a lot of doctors in the beginning routinely put people on ventilators and killed them! They are now using a variety of treatments, including steroids, antibiotics, Remdesivir, and the drug I won’t mention because it gets some of you riled up. COVID-19 is not killing nearly as many people now and if the idiots in charge of the nursing homes were more vigilant, the death rate would be much lower.
Play Ball and bring up the Covid Squad if needed. The Dodgers are very serious about masks and separating. Keep rolling!
Mark, the rosters were increased to 26 over the winter by an agreement between the MLBPA and MLB. Minor point for sure, but also in that agreement was that the rosters would only expand to 28 after Sept 1st. New rules to be sure.
I realize that, but I think they can pull from the COVID squad through the playoffs.
Obviously. I was just correcting your normal 25 man roster statement since that is no longer the case.
“Unless it gets a whole lot worse, I can’t see them slamming the door on the season.”
I don’t believe it needs to get “a whole lot worse”. I think they will shut it down before that happens.
BTW, two of the Phillies tests were False Positives.
So, why have 34 extra players in you are going to shut it down?
As Bomani said – “They don’t know what the hell they are doing.”
Define “a whole lot worse”.
What they also reported is that there were no more positive tests on the Phillies. And it was also reported that Marlins players went out clubbing while in Philly despite the rules that are in place to keep that from happening. You saw the Dodgers response to the increased cases was all the players were wearing masks in the dugout. The only player who was not was Seager. I saw him several times in the dugout sans mask. So far the outbreak’s worst case has been in Miami. The rest of the teams have had a few cases. But nothing that bad. What has happened is that it has forced the Marlins into panic mode trying to find healthy body’s to fill their roster. They have claimed 5 or 6 guys off waivers and traded for a few others. Some teams are dealing with it better than others. And over a majority of the leagues, there has not been a dramatic increase in cases like there was in Miami.
Any surprise it was a Mattingly run team that “effed” it up? He’s a good guy born in Indiana which makes MT very happy, but he was always a bit laissez-faire for my liking. I realize the players made the decision to not follow protocol but leadership starts at the top and you’ve got to create a sense of cohesion and ownership. Mattingly and his cadre of coaches failed to do that.
Wonderful story Bear! Such an enjoyable read to start my day! Keep up the good work!
Thank you 2D2. I have enjoyed doing these story’s a lot. And the second one took no research, just remembering.
DODGERS RECALL RHP MITCH WHITE
RHP TONY GONSOLIN OPTIONED TO ALTERNATE SITE
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled right-handed pitcher Mitch White and optioned right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin.
White, 25, joins the Dodgers active roster for the first time in his career after being placed on the 40-man roster on November 20, 2019. The San Jose, CA native has been with the Dodgers four season, across five different levels, posting a 14-15 record with a 3.97 ERA (130 ER/294.2 IP) and 311 strikeouts. Last season, he split the season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, going a combined 4-6 with a 5.09 ERA (53 ER/93.2 IP) and 105 strikeouts. He was originally selected by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2016 First Year Player Draft out of Santa Clara University.
Gonsolin, 26, made the start last night, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. He did not factor in the decision and is now 4-2 with a 2.66 ERA (13 ER/44.0 IP) and 38 strikeouts in 12 Major League appearances (seven starts). The 2018 Dodgers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year has been with the organization since being drafted in the ninth round of the 2016 First Year Player Draft out St. Mary’s University. In four minor league seasons, he is a combined 20-14 with a 3.33 ERA (100 ER/270.1 IP) and 315 strikeouts.
You knew that was going to happen.
Who goes tomorrow to make room for Clayton?
Victor Gonzo?
Probably. Since Sborz was already sent down. We are seeing the musical chair pitching staff we envisioned when this all started. Maybe Cody needs a week down there so he can work on this really bad swing. I think at some point we will get to see Ruiz too.
Weaver, the D-Backs pitcher today has a plus 16 ERA over one game. If they do not pounce on this kid out of the box, something is wrong. On the other hand, tomorrows starter has a 1.16 ERA.
I was looking at that picture of me swinging the bat in my aunt’s front yard. My mom had just given me that LA cap. My first. Had to be close to my 11th birthday. The bat is a Babe Ruth model Louisville slugger. 29 ounces. I used that all through little league. What caught my eye is behind me in the drive way of her neighbor is a 58 Edsel! Boy, talk about dating yourself. She lived in Torrance about 1/4 mile off of PCH and the same distance from South Torrance High School. South Torrance was in our conference in the Bay League back in the day.
I like your lineup Badger. You got to take pressure off Bellie by having him bat six or seven. With this lineup once things get rolling he will get his rbi chances.
1 Mookie (for 10 years)
2 Seager
3 JT
4 Muncy
5 Pederson
6 Bellie
7 Rios
8 Taylor/ Kike
9 Smith/ Barnes
Screw the left-right lineup. Lead off with Mookie.
Gonsolin pitched great last night. Looks like he will be switching off with White. Great way to get another good pitcher available.
I appreciated reading your touching and upbeat reminiscences. My father always liked Larry and Norm Sherry, because along with Sandy Koufax, they were two of the few Jewish players in the league. Larry had the unforgettable World Series in 1959, and Norm was a very smart player. I am glad that Wes Parker kept his word, and gave you the chance to sing the anthem. I always liked him, he was intelligent,and well-spoken. He was great on postgame Dodger talk, but since he really cared, he sometimes criticized the team, and that is probably why he was summarily removed to be replaced by a typically bland person who would never criticize any player or manager. I thought less of the Dodgers for that. Who can forget Frances Friedman, who would call Dodger Talk every night after the game around 1974 or so?.
As to the game yesterday, I grew up when the basic rule was “Never intentionally walk the potential winning run.” Over the years, some managers bucked that rule, sometimes to good effect, sometimes not, With the metrics, it has probably become less uncommon, but it is still risky, as we saw. In general, I would say that you should only do it if he next batter is weak, and the other team cannot pinch hit for him. But that was not the case last night. Don’t walk him, and against a sinker ball pitcher who does not give up home runs, they are going to need at least two hits to take the lead, not just one. Then, I am not a fan of Joe Kelly’s pitching. it is almost excruciating to watch him throw balls five feet outside, hit batters, get behind on many counts. Last night it was wild pitch, single, single, and walk, before he got one out. I am not saying I knew it at the time, though I sensed it, but it was a mistake to sign him to a multiple year contract, and I would like to see him only in four-run games. And yes, Roberts is going to wear out the bullpen, he does so every year, it just usually takes longer. Sometimes a reliever can actually go two innings, it doesn’t have to be five guys pitching one inning each. Roberts seems to think he is Monet, and he will impress us with his versatile use of his palette of colors. He is not, in any sense.
Monet. I love the analogy. That was very artfully done.
Thank you William. I appreciate the nice comment and feed back. Wes was great on Dodger talk. He did criticize the team when they were not playing well, and I thought that was great because Vin rarely said anything negative about anyone. He was fair when they were not playing well, but you would never see Vin place the onus on one player. He always called them out as a team. Ross Porter kind of got a bad deal too. Not sure why, but one year he was there, and then he was gone. The one thing I remembered most about Porter was him having to carry the load in Montreal the day Big D passed away. Did the entire game by himself and it went extra innings. Getting to meet real big leaguers when you are a kid is pretty heady stuff. Norm and Larry were always great to the kids in the neighborhood. Larry gave the glove he used in the 1959 series to a kid that lived next door to him. Norm would always offer hints on how to do things right. Sherry is the reason Koufax became the pitcher he was his last 6 seasons. In spring training in 61, they were playing a B game and Norm told Sandy, let’s just play catch. Quit trying to strike everyone out and just throw to my glove. Koufax, who had almost been traded that winter to the Yankees for Elston Howard, pitched a great game and struck out 12 or 13 hitters. I cannot remember which. The rest is history. When they asked us to come shag balls, well that was heaven. And bringing Tommy Davis to the opening of the rec hall, well that was just awesome, and talking to a hitter like that for 10 minutes, I was really happy. I did not meet Wes until I was much older of course. But he was a really nice guy, and fun to talk baseball with. He actually could have been a great center fielder, he was that good out there. But they had Willie. Later on I met Davis again when the Dodgers used to have autograph Sunday’s. They would put a couple of players at the end of each level on both sides and they would sign stuff for free. Tommy was on the field level where I was and he signed the first baseman’s mitt I had with me. We also talked about when I had met him all those years earlier. I met Snider at a card show. I still have the photo he signed hanging on my wall. And when I was in the Army, stationed at Ft. Bliss, I went to a game at the minor league park which was an Angel’s AA team, and the manager was Norm Sherry. He autographed my program and we spoke for a few minutes and I reminded him of the nice things he did for me as a kid. I was surprised because he remembered doing that stuff even if he did not recognize me. Frances was a real character. I remember sometimes during telecasts when the opponents were stringing some hits together, they would show Frances twirling her garlic. It was classic. She also had more pins on her hat than anyone I have ever seen before or since.
DBMom, HAPPY Birthday. When this pandemic is over you, Dodgerrick, and I need to meet somewhere to form the LADT Sacramento Club. Rick and I will look at things differently, and you can make the decisions to pass on to Dave Roberts.
I knew we would not have to wait long for Eric to come out against the bullpen. Maybe AF should have listened to Eric and traded for Ken Giles. But alas, as everyone tried to point out last year, there is something wrong with that elbow of his. I am only joshing you Eric. You are very consistent, which I like.
By the way, just what about Dylan Floro has upset you this year? In four games he has pitched to 11 batters and allowed only a walk; the one to Starling Marte to set up the DP last night. Then got C. Walker to hit into a routine fly ball to CF to end the inning. Even his one misstep had a positive outcome.
When Mookie was asked how he felt after the loss. He replied…no emotion, one game, one loss, onto tomorrow. When asked if he was pressing just a little to try to impress his new team, he emphatically said NO. There were just some mechanical adjustments that needed to be made.
After the game, Gonsolin was asked about his approach. He said it was to come in and throw strikes. He offered that the approach was fine, but the execution needs to be cleaned up. He wants to work on getting the change down lower.
I made the point yesterday before the decision to start CK on Sunday, that I thought it was best to start CK on Monday and let Buehler go on his regular turn. I said so for all the reasons Bear pointed out as well. CK does not pitch well in AZ, and Petco gives him a lot more room for error. When Roberts was asked why CK on Sunday, he alluded to Clayton is chomping at the bit and wants to go now. I guess people can read into that what they want.
I am inclined to go with Mark on the COVID issue. There was a reason for the 60 man pool. Everyone seems to be more concerned with St. Louis than Miami, and until we learn of the source, that makes sense. But there are enough players to be able to continue to play. Most everyone knew there were going to be positive tests, and there was a plan to manage it. If you are not going to allow the plan to function, then they never should have started the season. To think that as careful as they intended to be, there would not be potential spikes is illogical.
OTOH most have come right out and said that certain players were absolutely irresponsible. Doc did not mince words. He came right out and said so. I will add that their manager was irresponsible as well. He knowingly sent out a team with players who tested positive to win a game. Mattingly did just as wrong (IMO) as Hinch and Cora. He knowingly put players health at risk, and he is still allowed to manage? Well I guess his good buddy Joe Torre is going to protect him. I still have no problem telling the Marlins they are done for the year and the schedule can be reworked.
Every LAD pitcher has come out and indicated that their game plan is to pound the strike zone. Let’s see if young Julio has learned to let his ability show through rather than nibble. His splits at Chase Field…2 games (both in relief), 5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K. Slash line against .063/.118/.063/.180. Julio has done well in Arizona. I suspect he will have a good game today. If not, May and Gonsolin are waiting in the wings.
I’m a stats guy. I look at that career OPS stat against left-handed hitters. If he comes in to pitch against right handed batters I have no problem with Floro. The three batter minimum rule makes me nervous about Floro and Kolarek.
If they come in with 2 or 1 out and finish the inning, they do not have to worry about that rule. So far, both have pitched well.
Let me add Happy Birthday wishes to all the others DBM. Enjoy your day and the game tonight.
I got you a little present. You can unwrap it now.
A combined no-hitter from Urias, Graterol, Fergie and Kenley
A grandslam by Belli
And a 4 for 4 night from Mookie.
I know you might think I was a little too generous, but it’s just the kind of guy I am. Enjoy!
Looks like Belli won’t be hitting the grand slam so we’ll switch it to JT
Tonight’s lineup has been posted. Belli sits.
Pollock in center
Beaty at first
Rios at third
JT at DH
Thank you so much STB. I will take your gifts gladly. And thanks to all the happy birthday wishers. AC, I appreciate your comments. Two things, 1. Hope the virus thing is over soon. 2. I can not make the decisions to pass on to Doc, you and Dodgerrick need to do that. I will be the secretary and take good notes.
For my birthday, my husband got me signed baseballs (real ink signatures) from Koufax, Kershaw and Joc. Nice eh?
Marlins to resume play on Tuesday in Baltimore in a four game series, including a DH. The Fish will be the home team for two of those games.
Philadelphia to resume play on Monday with a four game home and home set against NYY.
No word yet on the restart date for St. Louis.
Why isn’t anybody talking about the fact that Roberts walked Escobar,Who I think was hitting a buck 39 to pitch to Christian Walker ,now haven’t looked up the stats correct me if I’m wrong but I thought Christian Walker killed the Dodgers
I think that was covered quite extensively last night in yesterday’s thread. Doc was asked about it after the game as well. He did say that they thought about pitching to Escobar, but as a staff they felt that pitching to Walker was a better choice for Treinen. They chose wrong. Christian Walker has been haunting the Dodgers for the last two years.
Doc deserves criticism for that. Put yourself in Treinen’s shoes. Would you rather pitch to a batter hitting 133 with runners on 2nd and 3rd, or a 300 hitter with bases loaded? And then to say that “the staff ” decided to do that? Give me a break. That game was theirs to win. And it wasn’t over-managed it was mismanaged.
Please give me the name of the manager who has never mismanaged. Joe Maddon? Tito Francona? Gabe Kapler? I have been critical of him in the past. Had Escobar hit in that situation he would have been criticized for not looking at the right on right matchup. Treinen had never faced walker or Escobar. Career vs RHB .211/.288/.275/.563. Vs LHB .271/.349/.407/.756. Fairly significant difference. Escobar, just like Bellinger and Yelich, is off to bad start. Escobar is just as likely to break out as the other two.
On pre-game presser:
Dave Roberts:
Cody not in the lineup to give him a breather but also to give Matt Beaty some AB’s. Cody will be back in tomorrow. Cody is trying to go back to last year’s approach. It is just going to take time. His contact rate is still good, but his angles are all messed up right now.
CT3 will be out of the game as well. His hand is fine. He ripped some skin off his hand just under his thumb, that he ripped again with his slide in 2nd. He is available to PH today if needed, and should be back in tomorrow.
Dodger player on the pre-game presser – Caleb Ferguson:
It is amazing how so many are climbing aboard the “Ferg Train” as Dave Vassegh and Alanna Rizzo call it. I have been on it before most anyone ever heard his name. When he was asked if it is his confidence which has helped him, he thought about it and responded that he has always had the confidence, but it is great to see the positive results. He continued that there is still a lot of work to be done.
He was asked if he still sees himself as a starter. His response – That is a great question. I have always wanted to be a starter, and have made my voice heard over the past several years. But coming into high leverage late inning situations is a lot of fun. He knows starting would be fun, but right now he is really enjoying his role as a late inning high leverage option. He just does not know what he prefers.
His slider/cutter is still a work in progress.
During the work stoppage, Caleb was on the mound three days a week just to stay prepared..
When asked what he may be doing different this year, he responded that he is sticking with his strengths. Not trying to overthink the situation. Trust in his catcher and in himself. He did acknowledge that he sucked in 2019 (his words). He appreciates that he is getting back to his 2018 personna.
Badger, I define a “whole lot worse” as more and more infections on multiple teams. A few here and there is expected. If we have several teams like the Marlins, that is an issue.
Before the Marlins debacle, of the 10,939 samples collected and tested in the past week, six have been new positives for COVID-19, which comes to a rate of 0.05 percent.
More, more and multiple teams does sound much worse.
“rate of 0.05 percent”
That could change any minute.
Well, Doc took a stand and benched Cody tonight.
I like the lineup:
1. Muncy 2B
2. Betts RF ( would rather see Betts at leadoff, but I get why Doc did it)
3. Seager SS (nice st see him here)
4. Turner DH (maybe he should be the permanent DH)
5. Pederson LF
6. Pollock CF (ugggg OK)
7. Rios 3B (I like it)
8. Smith C
9. Beaty 1B
This is what he should have done a couple of games ago. Belli should sit for more than one game. He is in some kind of alternate universe in his head. Taylor should sit, too, with his injured hand, and Kike should be active soon. It’s great to see the Dodgers come alive with all the hitting and RBI’s. There is real energy in them. AJ certainly looks like he’s turned a corner on his past injuries and whatever mental stuff that has been weighing on him. He looks like he is having fun. Seager and Betts leading them to glory.
The question is: Can Urias command his curveball in AZ?
Are curves harder to control in air conditioned buildings?
I’d sure like to see 6 innings out of somebody.
Got a late start today. Incredible read bear. Very touching story. I can barely remember my little league teams name much less any statistics! Your story took me right back to my childhood memories about my falling in love with baseball with the Phillies. Thank you And happy bday DBM
I played on the Yankees. All the teams were sponsored by 7 Up and had that logo on the back. 7 Up was on the cap too. Our uni was green. Just a t shirt, no pants. So I tore up a couple pair of jeans. None of us had spikes. We all played in our tennis shoes. We went 8-1-1. Only loss was in the playoffs to the Indians, who ended up winning the championship. I started 9 of the 10 games, and all but one of those at 1st base. No fences, so HR’s were rare. Lots of triples and doubles though. My only homer came on a hard grounder that went down the line and into foul territory. Had to run pretty hard to get it. It was against the White Sox. Our pitchers tossed a perfect game that day and we beat them 7-0,
I played on the giants. Our uniforms were gray with green trim. I was a pitcher and a catcher. And I could hit. I could always hit.
I hit most of the time I played. Only when I was in high school did I not hit well. Oh, I had a couple of moments, but not very often. When I started playing softball in the Army, I never had a problem hitting whether playing slo pitch or fast pitch. One time in a tournament, I got 9 hits in a row over 3 games. That was a fast pitch tournament. And every hit I got went to left field. Just reached out an poked the ball the other way. I played some baseball while in the service too. What they called a 40-60 league for older guys. Was a lot of fun and sometimes we played at the minor league field in El Paso. Chris Ianetta was DFA’d by the Yankees today. My high school colors were green and gold. Our uni’s on the JV’s were grey with green trim.
Thank you Cassidy.
I guess I do not understand why games are being cancelled due to the virus. They have 60 players who can play. If you have 10 players who have the virus, quarantine those and bring up 10 players. I do not know what players are supposed to do after games. I read the Marlins players were going out after games. It seems to me that should not be allowed. All it will take is for a couple of teams to do stupid things and everybody is going to pay for their mistakes.
My point exactly!
google: quarantine contact tracing (important step in slowing the spread of COVID-19)
I agree in theory, but it is almost impossible to carry out. We found that out In Indiana.
I think you should look outside your Indiana bubble Mark. This thing is a wildfire in several states. Indiana may just be a month behind. I hope for everyone there that is not the case, but you need to prepare for the possibility.
We are at the highest infection rate since the beginning of the COVID-19 Crisis, but testing has more than doubled so that is expected. All I know is that hospitalizations and deaths are WAY down.
I agree with Badger. Deaths are not way down. We’re seeing around 1000 a day and the 7 day moving average is in an uptrend.
That’s good. Several states cannot say the same thing, including a few that have professional baseball teams.
Protection is #1. This is what they disregarded in Miami. The season will continue. I don’t think they will shut it down. The best thing is to disregard the news.
Ignoring leads to ignorance. I’m not wired that way Jeff. Accurate information is available if you know where to look.
With my lineup – Betts, Seager, Turner, we score in the first.
Put me in Andy.
After 2 innings played the Dodgers offense is on a 16 K pace after striking out 15 times last night. Whatever RVS is doing, please shake it up a bit.
Man Edwin Rios has my favorite swing on this team
I like eight of the nine guys that are starting today. And the only one that I don’t like in this situation is Pollock because it’s a right handed pitcher.
If Bellinger wasn’t in a slump I’d have Bellinger in there instead of Pollock.
Why not add McKinstry to the roster. He was making contact big time in spring training.
Somehow someway against righties Beaty and Rios have to get ab’s instead of Taylor and Kike!
I agree Cassidy.
He has to play against any RHP… maybe any LHP.
He has a career BA of .286 against LHP and .289 versus RHP. It’s a small sampling but his lite-tower- power is prodigious.
Why not DH JT as much as possible and groom Rios for being the full-time 3B?
Well maybe Pollock is going to prove me wrong this season.
So that’s the guy we signed last year!
FINALLY! Why not move Muncy to second and put Rios to first. You will give up some D at second but I want Rios’s bat everyday in lineup!
For tomorrow, maybe Max needs a “Belli” day. Sit him for a game and start both Rios and Beaty again.
Reports of Matt Kemp’s demise are greatly exaggerated. Homered tonight for the Rox against the Pads.
… and rolled around the bases in his wheelchair with heavy-duty springs!
He’s only 35. Rickey Henderson stole 66 bases when he was 39.
Yeah, I know.
After throwing like 26 pitches in the first inning, Urias started throwing strikes and is at 89 pitches thu 6. Very nice game so far
The beginning of the “Julio Urias” era!!!!!! Move over Buehler!
Urias is no Buehler. And he is not going to be an ace. Buehler is much better mechanically and has a much better fastball.
A strong Julio is important. Doc must have had a good nights sleep to come up with the changes in the lineup. I commend him. I think it is possible that Bellinger gets traded. What do y’all think?
OK Jeff, I’ll bite. Who are we trading him for?
Realmuto or an Ace to be named.
I don’t believe we have our catcher of the future, yet. I am not impressed with anyone, including Ruiz. We also need to acquire another ace pitcher, somehow.
You lost all credibility with that one post. No way they are trading him for a guy who is a free agent at the end of this season. And Philly does not have any pitchers who excite anyone.
Ooh, my bad. You are right about the FA. Why wait till the end of the season, then? lol. Do it now!
I wasn’t limiting getting an Ace to Philly. I think you read that wrong. STB asked ‘who are we trading him for?’ I do think that Realmuto should be a target for us. You don’t like him? And, we could use another ace, don’t you think?
I think Realmuto would be an asset. He definitely is a very good catcher. AF tried to get him a few years ago at the deadline, but he went to Philly instead. But the question remains, what are you going to give up for him>? As for Belli, I think he will turn it around. He has too much talent not to. And sorry, no way I trade a 40 plus homer guy for a starter, even if his name was deGrom. I do not think AF believes they need another ace. Especially in a short season like this. Price will be back next season, as will Kersh, Buehler, Urias, May, and Gonsolin. Then they have White and Gray behind those guys. Not much room for any one else. Now, if they traded for another teams ace, which is not happening this season, maybe in the winter, they would need to figure out who fits best.
Shoot, I assume you’re just kidding about trading Bellinger. Coming in, I assumed this makeshift season was going to be a widespread aberration with historically underwhelming players playing over their heads and stars looking puzzling pedestrian. I think for professional athletes, performance is largely dependent on preparation and routine. Throw in the wacky playing conditions and this 2020 campaign is truly…challenging. Luckily, the hard cases and wonder cases are evening out for us. The season is so short, maybe Pollock and Rios keep it up all year and offset Bellinger’s struggles. In any case, if I was in Friedman’s shoes, I’d throw away the player evaluation notes over the next few months and start again in February(hopefully). Just too many variables to make hard judgments.
Won’t argue any of that Sax. This is an experienced group playing under some bizarre circumstances. There is no blueprint for this stuff. Let ‘em play. They’ll figure it out.
I think we got the better end of the Graterol/Maeda deal
Could be Bobby, but Maeda pitched 6 shoutout innings tonight following his first start a few days ago which was also very good.
On the other hand Bazooka/Buffalo (whatever we’re going to call him) just might be our future closer. Maybe it’ll turn out to be a win/win.
Jefe, is Fred ok?
As I said before Rios and Beaty need to play. And now so do Kike and Taylor. Can we please save some of this offense!
Tough crowd! U win an MVP and then have a tough beginning to the year and you’re ready to trade Belly. Wow! He’ll come back
I see Rios at 3rd base more as the season goes forward. I’m thinking the DH is here to stay in the National league next year and on. That will be the logical place for JT more this year as well as next. Rios is proving to me so far this year he can handle the hot corner having lost weight and beefed up. He is swinging a decent bat as well. I think for the Dodgers the big question is how to handle second base and who gets the remaining at bats in the surprisingly few games left. This is August already. BTW Bellie will figure it out just drop him to 6th in the line up for a while.
Does Doc get any credit for today’s game? Did he pick the right time to sit Belli and play both Rios and Beaty? Why did he let Julio pitch through 6 innings? They let him throw 90 pitches? Graterol/Santana/McGee? Can you believe he played A.J. Pollock against a RHP? Why would he bring in Kike’ and CT3? And against RHP?
Does he over manage at times? Yes!!! Is he the only manager that does? No!!! Does he seem to make his worst decisions in the postseason? Probably, especially with the pitching. But to jump all over the manager because the pitcher made a horrible pitch to a good hitter? Doc didn’t tell Treinen to groove one. Treinen is much better against RH batters, and his sinker was set up for an out at any base. If you ask Treinen, he knows he can get Walker to hit that ground ball.
I know how it looks. Doc seems to make bad decisions with relievers. But in this case, IMO it was all on Treinen, and he would be the first to admit it.
Now where I did disagree with Doc on was putting Mookie in CF, when there was a GG CF who knows Chase Field inside out and can read the ball off the bat immediately in that stadium. Does AJ make the catch? We will never know, but he would have had a better read and angle. Does Belli make the catch? We will never know that either. We do know Mookie did not, and he did not pick it up properly and took a bad angle. Not Mookie’s fault. While he can play CF he is not a CF.
Just be fair with the criticism and tributes. The team is 6-3, and showing signs of life with the bat. That is on a 40-20 pace.
I don’t blame Treinen. The box score says 0 earned runs. His job is to get outs. He got 3 before the damage was done but the guys behind him let him down.
I agree about Mookie in center. Bellinger is great out there. Putting him at first is a waste. I believe in an effort to get everyone involved Doc over manages. His heart is in the right place, but sometimes his head doesn’t appear to be. The team is 6-3. Last year the team won 106. This is a very good team. I believe you and I could manage these guys to the Division Championship. I think the best advice anyone could give Doc is to maybe dial it down a bit.
The only weakness I see in this team is offense at the catcher’s spot and confusion at second base. It was time for Lux to step in and something went wrong.
I’ll say it again, Bellinger is consistently late to the strike zone There are ways to fix that. Good hitting coaches know what they are and he’s either not listening or hearing but not doing. If he’s not going to change that long loopy swing he has to change bats. I agree he will come around and trading him at this point sounds crazy to me.
Wilford Brimley, who played the manager in the movie, “The Natural” passed away at 85 today. Good movie and he was a very good character actor. Was in Cocoon, both of them, The Firm, and John Carpenter’s, The Thing. RIP
I liked everything that guy did.
On Dave Roberts: I have mostly been a Dave Roberts fan. Even the playoff moves that backfired have roots in the players not executing. A player can make the manager look really smart or really dumb simply through execution or the lack thereof. In a big ballpark such as Chase Field, I just fail to understand the logic of moving two Gold Glove outfielders . In all fairness to Blake Treinen, the 97 MPH sinker that was over the plate was not hit hard. He got more of the plate than he wanted, but after watching the play several times, I believe if Betts and Bellinger were in their logical positions, Belli would have caught it. Of course, we will never know. I am not sure AJ has the wheels anymore. I am all for versatility, but I would NEVER move a Gold Glover to another position unless something really strange happened.
Trading Bellinger: That’s so absurd that nothing needs to be said, except that if you were going to trade him, would you do it when his value is lower? Insane!
JT Realmuto: He will b 30 next year and is a Free Agent. He will get a 6-8 year deal at near $200 million. There is no way the Dodgers trade for him in his Free Agent year. They have to re-sign Corey Seager and you cannot have a high-dollar star contract at every position. The Dodgers regard C as a defensive position. No one in the organization will even consider Realmuto.
Another Starter?: Urias took another step forward last night. After the first inning, he started trusting his stuff and should a solid #3 behind Buehler and Kershaw. Stripling is solid and sometimes spectacular. Then there is May, who just needs to pitch. Of course, Price will be back next year, but there is no room for another starter on this team and White and Gonsolin and even Fergie. Alex Wood may or may not return this year and probably won;t return in 2021, but Josiah Gray will be ready by 2022. But wait… there’s a lot more on the way!
Yep.
Yep.
I agree.
Well said.
As I just posted to Saxfan, the bulk of this team is an experienced group, and the young guys out there don’t look the least bit intimidated. This is a really talented team. Give them their roles, trust them, then get out of the way and let them play.