I wonder if the Dodgers could lure Vin Scully back to do a few games this year? It might give him some solace and joy and allow him some time away from his grief. It would also overjoy Dodger fans just to hear him one last time:
Everyone processes grief differently, so it may be out of the question or well within reason. At any rate, it’s just an idea I had! We will never forget him. It would just be great to hear it one last time.
Here we go… Dodger Baseball
2021 promises to be a Wild Season for various reasons. The Dodgers are a much stronger team than last year as they have essentially added Trevor Bauer and David Price to an already stacked rotation. The Young Turks are chomping at the bit, namely Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Josiah Gray, Ryan Pepiot, and Bobby Miller. That doesn’t even include Victor Gonzalez, Bazooka Graterol, and Julio Urias who showed up strong in 2020. Imagine them with even more experience and confidence.
Kendall Williams and Michael Grove have major league arms, but can they harness “it”… whatever “it” is? Are Gerardo Carrillo and Edwin Uceta ready to take more step forward? It’s going to be fun to find out if Jimmy Nelson and Brandon Morrow have anything left in the tank. Are Alex Vesia and Garrett Cleavinger really worthy of roster spots?
Can Corey Knebel recover his All-Star status? Is Kenley still a TOP Reliever? Will Tommy Kahnle be a factor late in the season? Which Blake Treinen will show up in 2021 – the 2018 version, the 2019 version or the 2020 version? Is Scott Alexander ready to perform and who is Joe Kelly, besides trade bait?
The offense will be outstanding, if healthy. The bench will be the only change. Of course, we will all be watching Gavin Lux and rooting for him. That’s the best-case scenario because Chris Taylor then becomes the Swiss Army Knife. I would guess that Zach McKinstry would be the the LH version of that as well, but that will have to play out.
I have been watching all the video I can of Sheldon Neuse. Sheldon was the #7 Oakland A’s prospect before 2020 and he has quite a hit tool. I am positive that as we speak, Robert Von Scoyoc and company are working on his launch angle and tinkering with his swing so that his “gap power” becomes “fence power.”
Others have said it and I would not be surprised if “Noisy” becomes another Max Muncy. If not this year, then the next. He could be fun to watch develop. By the way, in college, he was a closer, with a mid-90’s fastball. Watch his bat “explode” through the zone:
The Dodgers have improved from 2020, but so have the competition. The Padres are regarded by many as the second-best team in baseball. Atlanta could be much better, especially if Jake Lamb can re-capture his past success. The Mets and Nationals are also improved.
Some things will happen that are expected. A player takes a step forward, while another one we were certain was ready regresses. Injuries will happen when we least expect them. We will be shocked, surprised, angry, elated, and puzzled at times. Bad bounces, bad luck, and having the Baseball Gods frown on the team will be the exception, not the rule. Most of the time will be sheer joy and elation unless the unthinkable happens. We are in for a great ride, my Dodger Brothers and Sisters. Buckle up for the next seven months and enjoy the ride. Dodger Baseball is almost here!
Just Having Fun
Preview of our New Video
Give me your input. If you were looking for a water treatment system, would this sway you (I know some of you will say to put a bag over my face)?
Discussion (24)
Disagree, not disagreeable
There was a time when I thought I wanted to go into sports announcing, but back then the announcers did not make much. I was told I had a voice for TV but a face for radio, so I followed the money. I still do a lot of spots on national and lock TV and radio, but I bloomed where I was planted. Life is good.
I like your ad, Mark. I believe everything you say in it. If it’s not all true, you should be a politician or an actor.
Tomorrows spring opener will only be 7 innings per Dave Roberts. Monday’s game, which will feature Trevor Bauer’s Dodger debut will be 6 innings with Bauer expected to go 2. Rumor floating that Buehler taught Bazooka a new pitch which is news to Roberts and he plans on checking it out.
Well Mark, I watched the video and I am impressed. Excellent PROFESSIONAL presentation. Well done my man. If I had a home, I would definitely be interested in your product.
The ticket prices are ridiculous. The average fan cannot afford that stuff. Prices for almost everything are increasing, gas is up almost 30 cents here in the last 3 weeks. People on fixed incomes are barely scratching by. One reason that when I renew my MLB.TV subscription, I will do the single team option instead of all of them. Saves about 20 dollars for the year.
Mark what do you think about ozone in water to sterilize water lines
Liked the video Mark. You could sell ice to an Eskimo. Can you still say that?
I think your video, Mark, was very good. You are comfortable in front of the camera and well spoken. Your sincerity about your product comes through.
I don’t mean to perseverate over the spring training tickets, but I will. As I mentioned, I got on last Saturday and got tickets to 3 games through the Camelback Ranch website. I also got some White Sox tickets as well. Face value was about $20.00 for the marked off “seats” on the berm and $35.00 mostly for seats around the park. They add $25.00 worth of service fees so each ticket was $42 to $48 bucks.
Of course, tickets sold out in no time. In fact, many teams sold out quickly. Once that happened the only access to tickets became the “legalize scalping” services like Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticket Club etc. I am aware that sellers can ask what they want for seats. The tickets are marked at ridiculous prices.
I have a condo neighbor here close the The Ranch who comes March. She’s a Dodger season ticket holder. She says season ticket folks got the benefit of purchasing online tickets Friday, a day earlier than the general public. But she was limited to 5 games. Now, she too is searching for more tickets. She claims she saw tickets behind home for $900 each. So I priced Dodger tickets on Stub Hub just for fun. The hottest tickets were priced at:
Padres – $750.00 (berm – $167)
Giants – $765.00 (berm) -$359)
Indians – $955.00 (berm – $269)
Oakland – $1000 (berm – $240)
Yup, I saw a $1000 spring training seat offered. And that was wasn’t just a flier. There were $900 seats as well.
Hey, I’m sure the Mary Hart, Dennis Gilbert seats at Dodger Stadium seats are really expensive. But I’m talking Spring Training here when they can play 5 inning games with the regulars seeing limited PT, especially early. Geez, I can’t wait to pony up $400 bucks a seat to watch the D-Back and Dodgers play a AA game.
To me this is just another example of a good thing being ruined by MONEY grubbers.
I love Guys like Noisy, McKinstry, Raley, Beaty, Reks, et al. Junkyard dogs all!
I watched your video, Mark. You are a very good speaker, and are very knowledgeable and confident in your presentation. The water that the girl drank looked refreshing. Just my thoughts on seeing your video.
Mark have you ever thought of making your wife the face of the business!
I made it through about 10 second of your video, Mark. The subject matter wasn’t that interesting but you comported yourself well.
Damn, Mark, you are good, man! Your knowledge and expertise, customer service, and quality products really come through. The touches of humor and your sincerity are great. The production values are also excellent. I wish I had some suggestions, but I don’t. In short, you sold me! PS – I loved the line, “We do everything with water but walk on it!”
I’ve been pushing Neuse as a bench option but I’m starting to think they want to give him the full Dodger Experience [like with Muncy] and not rush him. In that case we could still use a RH bench bat.
I hope as soon as Bear proofreads this comment it gets published. He’s a crusty old bran muffin but he’s ours.
You are an excellent orator and writer Mark. Loved the Dr. Timmons advertisement yesterday.
Like the guy in the Allstate Insurance commercials and the other guy in the Farmers Insurance commercials (We’ve learned a thing or 2), you communicate your message extremely well. Ever think about going into insurance advertising? Perhaps Geico could use a new spokesperson.