Every true baseball fan knows about Kershaw and nearly everybody on the planet knows about Koufax, but only the truest of true Dodger fans know that there was yet a third outstanding left-handed “K” who once pitched for the Dodgers – Karl Spooner. Karl Benjamin Spooner was born on June 23, 1931 in Oriskany Falls, a village in upstate New York about 20 minutes south of Utica. He grew up…
Is It Baseball Yet?
I have no idea if there is going to be baseball in 2020 or not, but I am well past tired of waiting. We have had short seasons in the past and we have all come back to continue to watch and cheer. Other than with WWI when seasons were cut to 126-128 games in 1917 (from 154 games) and 140 games in 1918, all other shortened seasons were resultant…
A New Era for LADT
I have been writing for LADT for more than three years, but beginning tomorrow, May 1, I am undertaking a larger role. I have doubts about the eventual outcome, but not about my zeal in taking over this great site. To be clear, LA DodgerTalk is still owned by Mark, and that my role will be as the primary administrator. I think that I am up to the task, but…
R U Ready?
As I write this right about now, even the Haters have been forced to shut up. The Dodgers have been the best team in MLB over the past 5-years. They have a Top 3 Farm Systems and Major League Depth that is the envy of every other team. Many other team executives complain that “it’s just not fair” how the Dodgers operate their franchise.
Contraction of the Minor Leagues Could be a Good Thing
We can analyze until we are paralyzed and we can come up with all types of dream scenarios, but I am more pragmatic about it. Baseball will contract those teams. It will happen. Get used to it. It’s what comes afterward that is up for debate.
May 1, 2020
I am very happy to announce that LAdodgerTalk will be back May 1, 2020 and that Mr. Jeff Dominique (formerly known as Always Compete, or “AC”) will be the man in charge. My only involvement will be as a consultant. I may write a column or comment occasionally. Jeff wants to do this and I believe he will do a great job. Some of the other writers may join him….
So… This is Goodbye!
It has been about 20 years that LA Dodger Talk has been a big part of my life. Good Times. Bad Times. All the Times. I have met some great people. I have had a lot of fun. This was the year it was all supposed to come together and win it all, but what a strange time we live in. This is not the place or time to go…
Four 2017 Prospects Revisited
I thought it might be fun to look back to 2017 and what Keith Law had to say about some Former Dodger Players. I like Keith Law a lot. He has a lot of insight into prospects… but he is not perfect. If he was, someone would be paying him $50 million dollars a year. Jose De Leon Born in Puerto Rico but drafted in the 24th round out of…
Odds and Ends – Bits and Pieces
The one that I do not understand even for a second is why it is not OK to bunt late in the game to break up a no-hitter. The sole purpose of standing at home plate is to get to first base. If it wasn’t, there would be no first base. A bunt is a legal, underused tool. If it is legitimate at other times in a game, then it is legit with two out in the ninth in a possible no-hitter. It is not the job of the batter to massage the pitcher’s ego. For heaven’s safe be prepared to field a bunt. Stop whining, you have the ball and can do whatever you want with it and you have eight players to back you up. The hitter is alone with a little round bat.