I keep hearing that the Los Angeles Dodgers are very undisciplined hitters. They’re swinging wildly at everything the pitcher throws up there. Otani, Pages, Teoscar, and others. It sounds like the Dodgers are the worst team in baseball. Would it surprise you that the Dodgers are second in runs scored? They are only eight runs behind the New York Yankees. The Dodgers are second in OPS. INTERESTINGLY, THEY ARE SECOND…
I decided to pose that question to ChatGPT, and here was its surprising answer: Good question — it does look odd on the surface when the Dodgers have historically been quick to cut bait on veterans (A.J. Pollock, Hanser Alberto, even Joc Pederson a few years back) while sticking with Michael Conforto despite his inconsistency. But there are a few reasons that explain why Conforto is still around while guys…
Had a great wedding yesterday. A photo of my son giving the couple their vows is below. We were staying at the hotel (Courtyard by Marriott) in Ft Wayne, Indiana, which overlooked the Tin Caps field. (Padres A+ Affiliate). I am most certainly staying here next year for the six-game series with the Loons! Downtown Ft Wayne is beautiful, not sketchy, and has no homeless camps. My daughter lives about…
Or I Could Say, It’s Not How You Start… It’s How You Finish! Heather Dorniden (now Heather Kampf) is an American middle-distance runner best known for her grit and determination on the track. She competed for the University of Minnesota, where she was an NCAA champion in the 800 meters. Her most famous moment came during the 2008 Big Ten Indoor Track Championships. In the 600-meter final, Dorniden tripped and…
Andy Pages is OK in CF, but Teo is a below-average RF, and Conforto is a below-average LF’er. As players start to get healthy, I think the Dodgers’ defensive realignment will change, and NO, MOOKIE IS NOT GOING BACK TO RF. SS is the most important defensive position, and Mookie is now one of the best. Francisco Lindor has a .977 Fielding Percentage. Mookie is at .984. Lindor has 11…
The Dodgers still aren’t hitting, but the Dodgers’ starters outpitched the Padres’ starters, and the bullpen did just enough to win. The Padres did get some lucky hits… that’s for sure. Additionally, the Dodgers played fundamentally sound baseball and (for the most part) let the Padres beat themselves. Mookie Betts is BACK for the stretch run, and the Dodgers took the season series from the Padres regardless of what happens…
Several Dodgers fans have seemingly mocked Andrew Friedman, who has been the architect of the most amazing ten-year run in baseball history. They saw the San Diego Padres trade for Mason Miller, JP Sears (since sent to the minors), Ryan O’Hearn, and Ramon Laureano. Miller and Laureano have made an impact with Ramon batting .333 with a 1.000 OPS. Ryan O’Hearn is struggling mightily (.185 BA), and JP Sears is…
The Dodger players saw the team cut Jason Heyward in 2024 when he was hitting .208 with a .682 OPS. Next, they saw the Dodgers cut Chris Taylor, who played all over the field and, like Heyward, was beloved by his teammates. Finally, the Dodgers cut ties with Austin Barnes (The Captain) when he was hitting .214. Yet, Michael Conforto, who is statistically worse than all three of the players…
I initially said the Dodgers should stick with Michael Conforto, but I’ve changed my mind. Sometimes, you have to make an example of someone, and Conforto is the scapegoat, but very deserving! It didn’t work, it’s over. Move on… there’s nothing to see here, folks. The pitching situation will fix itself, with Scott, Kopech, Graterol, Hurt, Stewart, Miller, et al due back… and if it doesn’t, then it was never…
I get some crazy e-mails on a weekly basis. Some are unworthy or unreadable, but yesterday, I got this e-mail with the above graphic attached (which was neither unworthy or unreadable): “I was researching the Brooklyn Bum and came across your site/recent post (good luck with the wedding and surgery). The bum I am researching is the one shown below with the signature Phil Bert. I know the famous bum…