Joeseph Benjamin Pignatano was born in Brooklyn NY on August 4, 1929. He would end up spending 38 years with baseball as his profession, 27 of those as a player or a coach in the Major Leagues. He was a member of two World Series Champions, the 1959 Dodgers as a player, and the 1969 Miracle Mets as a coach on Gil Hodge’s staff. Never a star, he was to…
Should We Worry About Striker Buehler?
Note: For the record, I do not like the name WALKER – I think it is a horrible name for a pitcher. I have offered to pay the court fees to legally change his name to Striker Buehler! It’s a much more fitting name. Well, I do think it’s appropriate to worry about any pitcher because throwing is an unnatural motion that has the capability of injuring the arm and/or…
The Road to the World Series Starts Now
The Dodgers have not vacillated. To a man, they proclaim that it is” World Series or Bust!” No pressure, but when you have the best team and highest payroll in baseball, nothing but a World Series championship will do. Not only is the big club stacked, but the Minor League Teams are as well. The Dodgers are certainly a Top 10 Farm System – some experts rate them Number One,…
Player Profile: Billy Herman
William Jennings Bryan Herman was born on July 7th,1909 in New Albany Indiana. He was one of 10 children born to William and Elizabeth Herman. He was named after the former Secretary of State, and three-time Democratic nominee for President, William Jennings Bryan. He once commented that he was named after a loser, but he hoped it would not carry over to his baseball career. Bryan was also one of…
It’s (Bobby) Miller Time!
There is no other way to say it, but to just say that Bobby Miller needs to be… has to be in the Dodgers rotation THIS year. I know that Andrew Friedman is committed to Andrew Heaney and that Bobby will go back to OKC for a few weeks, but it won’t be long. The kid is ready. I remember back to when I first saw Clayton Kershaw. His stuff…
Why Kenley Jansen is a Brave and Kimbrel is a Dodger… and AJ Isn’t!
According to numerous MLB sources who are all pretty credible, the Dodgers wanted to re-sign Kenley Janson. However, some fans want to believe otherwise. I will be the first to tell you that every report from an “insider” is suspect and not to be taken to the bank, but when I hear from Kenley Jansen that the Dodgers did want to re-sign him, then I take that as gospel. You…
Player Profile: Billy Loes
Our next subject is RHP Billy Loes. William Loes was born on the 13th of December, 1929 in Long Island City, NY. His parents were James and Filo Loes. He was an only child. His parents were Greek immigrants who had according to Loes, shortened their surname. He was raised in Astoria which was about a half-hour away from Ebbets Field. His family lived in a small apartment, and they…
It All Starts on Friday!
Right about now, lots of Dodger fans are in PPM. That stands for Pure Panic Mode! They think that Cody Bellinger is a bust and will strike out 700 times this season. They are worried about Craig Kimbrel who sports a 72.00 ERA. Let me assure them: Craig Kimbrel has never had an ERA above 6.53 – there that should make you feel a lot better! They worry about Max…
What Now?
I have been wrong more often than not this offseason: I thought Clayton Kershaw would retire; I thought the Dodgers would re-sign Kenley Jansen; I did not believe the Dodgers would sign Freddie Freeman; and I was surprised they traded AJ Pollock. I also hope I am wrong about Gavin Lux, but right about now, he does not pass the eye test. Too often, I see a “deer in the…
Good Lux or Bad Lux?
This is the fourth straight Spring Training where Gavin Lux has an opportunity to win the 2B job and for the 4th straight season, Gavin Lux has failed to seize the day. In Spring Training of 2018, Gavin had no chance at winning a job, and he had only 4 ABs but he did have 2 hits. In 2019, he would have been a longshot to win a spot, but…