Just for kicks, let’s look ahead to the 2026 MLB All-Star game. Here is a note from the color commentator. “Here in the second inning with two outs, the AL second base all-star is making his first all-star plate appearance. Tampa Bay Ray’s second sacker was selected as the best at his position in this, his third MLB season. Former North Carolina Tar Heel Michael Busch may not be a…
As the Dodgers continue their quest for a World Series Championship, the possible first in over 30 years, a number of things must happen. The starting and relief pitchers must pitch well, and the hitters must hit well able to string together hits. They must play like they expect to win and not that they hope to win. That is, with confidence. They must be the hot team and not…
During the current season with all of its oddities I have been most interested in a few of the Dodger players. That is, not the big boys but those most recently to the scene. I have already written about Will Smith who might just be my new favorite Dodger. He is a player and I love his clean cut appearance and work ethic but as a high draft pick he…
DBM asked a question about umpires the other day and more specifically about their training. Philjones provided a good answer to her question and I hope he doesn’t mind that I have drawn an article out of the archives to meet my weekly commitment. It confirms what pj wrote and adds a little detail. I wrote the article a few years ago in 2013 and have tried to update what…
Right now Dodger catcher Will Smith is the talk of the town and perhaps rightfully so. Just a few short weeks ago he was being thrown on the scrap heap by some Dodger faithful. I for one am not surprised that he has stepped up to claim the starting role as the Dodgers’ catcher. It was mentioned the other day that there was nothing to suggest that this transformation could…
First, a look back at baseball in Ogden which has maintained a small town atmosphere. The Ogden Raptors are the Dodgers’ Rookie League team in the Pioneer league. The Raptors are an advanced rookie team that became affiliated with the Dodgers in 2003. Prior to that, the Ogden team was an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Ogden, with a population of about 83,000, claims to be the oldest settlement in…
At the trade deadline, the Dodgers sent right-hander Ross Stripling to the Toronto Blue Jays. Certainly, a number of fans, myself included, were sorry to see Ross go. I do think it is a good move for him where he can be assigned a definite role, most likely a shot at a regular starting assignment. That certainty should help him out not having to be concerned that each start will…
This is to follow up on Bear’s excellent piece on Pee Wee Reese. That is, Captain Pee Wee Reese. It is written in the present tense as I wrote it back when there were still three MLB team captains on July 12, 2013. So, I am again digging through the archives. I thought it might be appropriate as a number of the official or unofficial duties of the now defunct…
It is strange how the mind works. Yesterday, while doing some harvesting in our garden, I was thinking a bit about baseball and how much I miss minor league baseball. Several things ran through my mind such as the conversations AC and I had during the Loons championship year in 2016, the personal relationship I had with then Loons play-by-play announcer Chris Vosters, several players in the Dodgers minor league…
I am about to throw a curve today. That is not quite accurate as I most likely cannot throw a curve anymore. I can still throw overhand so perhaps could beat Dr. Fauci’s opening day pitch in Washington. There is a buzz in our Dodger world now after two expected type games. For me it is business as usual checking the game when I get up in the morning. All…