I am very partial to AAAA players. I know they waaaaaay too often get labeled as dung heap players, dumpster diving players, etc. Never mind that they competed at a higher level than almost everyone on these blog sites who love to denigrate their baseball abilities. I guess that is why I have never been down on guys like Tyler White. I wrote about Max Muncy before most Dodger fans…
Stadium Journey
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…
The Clan of the KayBear
One of my all-time favorite books is Jean Auel’s “Clan of the Cave Bear.” After Keibert Ruiz hit a home run in his first MLB at bat, I thought it only appropriate to call this blog the Clan of the Kaybear. By the way, if you have never read that book and the “Earth Children” series, I strongly recommend it. First of all, while everyone was in love with Will…
Baseball in Los Angeles
Until the Dodgers moved west in 1958, Los Angeles was home to two AAA PCL minor league teams. The Los Angeles Angels, and the Hollywood Stars. The PCL formed in 1903. The first six teams were the Angels, Portland Beavers, San Francisco Seals, Oakland Oaks, Sacramento Solons and the Seattle Indians. The Angels played in those days at what was known as Washington Park. It was also known as Chutes…
RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM THE RECLINER
I’m writing this on Friday morning, basking in the joy of the Dodgers 11-2 thumping of the Padres and thought I would share some random thoughts from my recliner: ● Until last night’s game, this year’s Dodgers just haven’t been as fun for me to watch as teams in the past. In “summer camp” it looked as if though they would be invincible. Once the season started though, and even…
AC’s Notes on Mookie’s Night
Mookie has a 4-4 night with 3 HRs and 5 RBIs, and a HBP. His OPS is now sitting at 1.074. Anyone watching the game realizes that Mookie’s 3 HR night ties him with Johnny Mize and Sammy Sosa for the most 3 HR games in a career. I am going to go out on a limb and say that before his career is over, he will have that record…
I Am Not An Ostrich
I wrote this before Game three in partial response to MT’s comments. With the way my year is going, the Dodgers will win 25-0, Belli will go 7-7 with 4 HRs, and the team will go 15-15 WRISP. Update – Well not quite as good as described above, Wednesday’s game had some definite positives. The Dodgers actually used two bunts to put the team in a position to score two…
Hey, Didn’t You Used To Be A Dodger?
With the trade deadline 20 days away, I thought it would be fun to go back over the years and see some of the names that have been acquired in season. And there are some interesting players on the list. Many familiar names have made stops in Los Angeles since 1958. The first, and only major trade in 58 during the season was a young infielder named George Anderson to…
CHUCK ESSEGIAN – HE OF THE PINCH HIT HOME RUNS
One of my most memorable moments as a young Dodger fan was when Chuck Essegian hit a pinch -hit homerun in game two of the 1959 World Series, to tie the game. I was only eight years old at the time, but I could tell from the excitement in Vin Scully’s voice that this home run was a very dramatic and important moment for the Dodgers. I can also remember…
After 25% of the Season
I was not sure how I was going to write my column for Monday. It was looking ugly for a while, but with a pair of 3-run HRs by AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers turned a potential disaster into a win. Typical Dodger win with the long ball. In the three game series, the Dodgers scored 17 runs, 14 of them directly from seven HRs. I know that…