Last Friday in a post on LADT our own DodgerBlueMom indicated she hoped a Bill Haselman column could be posted as he is one her favorite AAA managers. It just so happens that I had posted an article on Haselman in Think Blue LA way back on January 18, 2014. What follows is a reprint of that article with a few editorial changes and an update through his time in…
RANDOM THOUGHTS ON WHY I LOVE BASEBALL SO MUCH
Last night (Friday) I watched an inning of the scrimmage between the 2 Dodger squads on TV. It was so odd and, frankly I couldn’t get into it quite the same as a regular game. On the other hand it is baseball. After I turned the TV off, it began to stir in me the query of why do I love baseball so much. As a result, I began to…
Notes for Friday, July 10, 2020
As Bear reported the Dodgers have apparently completed their 60-man pool with the additions of: RHP – Bobby Miller RHP – Landon Knack RHP – Ryan Pepiot RHP – Edubray Ramos C – Carson Taylor 2B – Michael Busch OF – Anthony Garcia Five of the six 2020 draftees have been invited to be a part of the 60-man pool. Only Gavin Stone has been left out, as well as…
Zach Fitzpatrick – Dodgers Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting
I have to tell you folks that with minor league ball gone belly up my baseball oxygen is basically depleted. I am only on life support with MLB and the goings on. The Dodgers have thus far signed only one undrafted free agent – righty Robbie Peto out of Stetson University. A few signings would definitely provide some more baseball oxygen for me. I have looked at the 60-man roster…
Chico IS the Man
This may not have the Hollywood ending that many would have liked to have seen, but this story does have Hollywood roots. The saga begins March 2008. Francisco “Chico” Herrera was an 18 year old high school baseball player from Hollywood High School when he was hired to be a ball boy for his Los Angeles Dodgers. Job Description: If a player needs something, he gets it. It is thankless,…
JOHNNY PODRES – THE ORIGINAL HYUN-JIN RYU
Outside the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, a statue depicting southpaw Johnny Podres after a pitch release stands 60 feet, six inches from a statue of catcher Roy Campanella. They commemorate the Brooklyn Dodgers winning the 1955 World Series over the New York Yankees, one of the most iconic moments in Dodger history! The photo of the elated Podres leaping into the arms of Roy Campanella, with Don…
Spring Training 2.0
DRAFT RESULTS Let’s remind what the penalties are for exceeding the slot bonus value. Bonuses that exceed the slot value by < 5% are charged an overage tax of 75% of the amount in excess of the slot value. If the bonuses exceed the stipulated slot value from between 5% to 10%, there remains a 75% overage tax assessed for the excess bonus, AND lose next year’s #1 draft pick. …
I Am At a Crossroad
First of all, thanks for putting words in my mouth Bums. What you apparently read into what I wrote is that I think COVID-19 is a hoax. Never said those words. Never hinted those words. But believe what you want. COVID-19 is very personal to me. My son and granddaughter are both considered high risk, as am I having had two significant bouts with pneumonia. Last weekend both my son…
Things That Make You Go Hmmm – July 5 Edition
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reported to Dodger Stadium; or at least some of them have. There are some who have apparently tested positive for the coronavirus, while others (so far only David Price) has opted to sit out the 2020 season. I am perfectly comfortable with any player or management personnel deciding that it is in their best interests to opt out for the season. I just hope that…
RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT “SUMMER TRAINING”
Here I am, in the office on what has to be the most unusual 4th of July holiday in my lifetime. Had several things that I wanted to write about (including the “Art of stealing pop bottles” :-), but busyness has reared its ugly head and gotten in the way. It stinks to be your own boss and then have your boss be such a jerk. ● Well looks…

