Catching Duos

April 12, 2021

While thinking of subjects to post about, I was watching the game and marveling at how well our two catchers are playing right now. Even though he went hitless in the opener, Will Smith directly impacted the win with two great throws to nail runners trying to steal. Austin Barnes is an equally adept defender and has also been contributing on offense to start the season. And who is in…

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It’s Time For Dodger Baseball! 2021 Style!

March 30, 2021

Kersh takes the mound for his 9th opening day assignment. Frankly, I wish he wasn’t the guy. Although he has a winning record at Coors at 11-5. His ERA there is 4.44. He has allowed 19 HR’s in 23 games. 139 hits, and 36 walks in 140 innings. Not great numbers. His WHIP at Coors is 1.250. The Rocks only hit .203 against him there, but they get the most out of their hits.

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When I was Young and a Dreamer

March 29, 2021

1959, start of the season – A young 11-year-old boy reads about his heroes in the daily sports page. A right of passage in those days. Games on TV were few and far between, especially Dodger games. The only televised games were those from San Francisco on KKTV channel 11.            Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett did the announcing. Doggett would do the 3rd and 7th innings, Vinny the rest….

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First Year Impact Players – 2011 to 2020

March 25, 2021

The winter of 2010 brought some more changes to the Dodgers. Joe Torre retired from managing and Don Mattingly took over. The other main point was the now very public and hostile divorce proceedings between McCourt and his wife. So things were off to a rocky start.                             Colletti though had to put together a team and there were a lot of players who were free agents. He re-signed Kuroda…

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First-Year Players – 2000 to 2010

March 22, 2021

Then in early April in San Diego, Malone went after a fan who was verbally abusing Gary Sheffield. He resigned a few days later, and Dave Wallace, former pitching coach was named interim GM. They traded for outfielder McKay Christenson in July. In July they also traded for Mike Twombley, Terry Mullholland, and James Baldwin in separate deals Usually for minor leaguers.

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First-Year Players 1990-1999

March 17, 2021

Gibson, Hatcher, Dempsey, Samuel, and Valenzuela all became free agents in November, but on the 8th of November, Claire signed FA outfielder Darryl Strawberry. He signed Kevin Gross and Brett Butler. Traded Vizcaino to the Cubs for Greg Smith. Then he sent Brooks to the Mets for Greg Hansell and Bob Ojeda. They also re-signed Samuel, Valenzuela and Hatcher. They traded Holmes to the Brewers for a minor leaguer and did the same with Poole.

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Brooklyn Dodgers 1947-1952 The Last Days in Brooklyn -Part 1

March 15, 2021

In the 9th, Edwards flew out to left, but Furillo drew the 9th walk. Gionfriddo ran for Furillo and Jorgensen fouled out. Reiser was pinch hitting for Casey, and Gionfriddo stole second. That changed Mngr Bucky Harris’s strategy and even though Reiser was injured, he decided to walk him. Eddie Miksis went in to run for Reiser, and Lavegetto, a 34 year old veteran was sent up to hit for Eddie Stanky.

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First-Year Players 1982-1989

March 12, 2021

Basking in the glow of a World Championship and with labor strife behind them, the Dodgers came to spring training with hopes of doing it again. Of course there had been some changes over the winter as Davey Lopes was traded to the A’s. Lopes had only played 58 games in 81.           4 of the 8 starters were in their 30’s. Garvey, Cey, Baker and Russell. Rookie Steve Sax…

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1981- The year of Fernandomania.

March 11, 2021

As Vinny so memorably said, and a child shall lead them. The kid from Navajoa definitely did that. Oh yeah, the kid could hit a little too. He finished with a .250 average in 81. Also knocked in 7. His only extra-base hit was a triple. But over his Dodger career, he hit 9 HR’s 3 of which came in 1984.

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