Today’s post is about the longest tenured Dodger manager. Walter Emmons Alston. Smokey to his friends. Alston was the manager when the team moved from Brooklyn. He was just 3 years removed from guiding them to their only World Championship in their long history. His team was a mixture of old Brooklyn stars, Reese, Hodges, Snider, Furillo, Erskine, and some new blood just beginning to make some noise on the…
Great Lakes Loons – Dodgers High A Affiliate
Can you hear me now? Breathing, that is. When I first read J.P. Hoornstra’s breaking news that the Loons would no longer be a Dodger affiliate, I didn’t stop breathing but held my breath which is just as uncomfortable. J.P. likes to be out front on things – as we all do – and sometimes does just that. I wasn’t sure but felt it might be fake news after checking…
Coors Field Hangover
While most everyone was saying that DJLM was a guarantee to re-sign with NYY, there are comments emanating from Cashman that indicate that DJLM is not a slam dunk. However, the negotiations have gone nowhere in a while. Could it be that some other team is making headway into the negotiations causing Cashman some concern? I have been a DJLM advocate for nearly the last three years. I was disappointed…
The Battle of Chavez Ravine
This post is about how the Dodgers obtained the land where Dodger Stadium is built. It was an acrimonious endeavor. And it all started long before the Dodgers arrived in Los Angeles. The Ravine is an L shaped Canyon. It was named for Julian Chavez, a LA Councilman in the 19th century who originally purchased the land in the Elysian Park area. Chavez was born in New Mexico and moved to…
Meet Clayton McCullough
Yesterday Singing The Blue asked who Clayton McCullough – the Dodgers new first base coach – is and seemed to find the hiring out of the blue. Within the Dodgers coaching ranks it isn’t out of the blue and most likely is overdue as he marches toward becoming an MLB manager. This is an article I pulled out of the archives from April 23, 2016. The article has not been…
2020 Rule 5 Draft Summary
Once again MLB has spoken, and the Dodgers farm system was the #1 shopping source for Rule 5 draftees. In the Major League Phase, the acquiring team “buys” the player for $100,000 and must keep that player on the roster for the entire 2021 season, or offer the player back for $50,000. Overall, 2 of the top 7 picks of the Major League Phase were Dodgers. RHRP Brett de Geus…
Be Careful of What You Read
A few weeks ago, in their zeal to break a story, several news outlets and Dodger blogs reported that the Great Lakes Loons were out as the Dodgers’ Low-A Affiliate and that Spokane would essentially take their place. It was even reported that Rancho Cucamonga would become the Low-A Affiliate while Spokane was to be the High-A Affiliate. This rumor may or may not have started with J.P. Hoornstra, but…
Looking Ahead and Looking Back
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…
All Time Dodger Team 25 Man Roster
This is a follow up to the best that have ever played in my estimation. Some I never saw. Others I saw many times. It will consist of the starting 8, a pitching staff of 12 and the bench players. Not an easy thing to do. Starters 1st Base Easiest pick for me. Gil Hodges. 370 lifetime homers as a Dodger First to win the Gold Glove when they were…
Agony and Anticipation
Agony and anticipation. That is what the winter meetings have always felt like for me. I am pretty sure many others feel the same. It has been more that way since the advent of free agency. Back in the day when players got no more than a one year deal and were tied to their teams by the reserve clause. For you youngins, that means that the team that signed…