Yesterday, Bleacher Report had a piece where they published the 2020 World Series Odds and again, the Dodgers and Astros are 1-2 in the oddsmaker’s eyes to win the World Series. However, right about now, you would think that the Dodgers are some sort of bottom-dweller, second-rate team if you happen to listen to the fans. What happened in the World Series should only reinforce how hard it is to…
The Grass is Always Greener…
Yes, people think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but sometimes, it’s crabgrass… or Astroturf. People have traveled the world looking for something that was already right under their chin at home. Conventional wisdom demands that the Dodgers add a RH Power Bat, a Frontline Starter, and a Lockdown Reliever. The conventional wisdom demands that Andrew Friedman not look at the waiver wire or…
I Remember Ron Fairly
This will be a relatively short one due to some commitments and poor planning on my part. The article was prompted by William in a post on October 15. William wrote: “Does anyone remember Ron Fairly? Good hitter, not great, but purely based on listening to all the games, no analytics then, I knew that virtually every time he came up in a big spot, he hit the ball hard….
Maybe He’s Just About Trained…
Thomas John Watson Sr. was an American businessman, who served as the President, Chairman, and CEO of International Business Machines or IBM as we call it, from 1914 to 1956. In the early 1940’s, some on the board of directors were lobbying to remove Watson as IBM’s President because inventories were too high. It was after the depression and business was not flourishing and they wanted Tom Watson out. At that…
Mismanaged Bullpens in Playoffs
Yesterday’s article from 2D2 inspired the reincarnation of an article I have been toying with for a bit. I am not adverse to Doc or a big advocate. He is a good communicator and his team loves him. But he is not the best in-game manager, and the mistakes he does make (as every manager does) gets blown up because of when they happen. Game 2 of the 2017 WS…
Is Dave Roberts a Successful Manager?
Taking a break from the should we or should we not sign Cole or Rendon, or both discussion, I thought I would bring our attention back to Dave Roberts and look at him as a manager. A totally non-controversial subject. Hall of Fame manager, Sparky Anderson had much to say about managers during his illustrious career, including: “A baseball manager is a necessary evil” and “Just give me 25 guys on…
Flavor of the Week
So many fans look at the Flavor of the Week, which is the player that has the great stats RIGHT NOW or YESTERDAY. That’s the guy they want. These are the flavors of the week right about now: Anthony Rendon – Career year Gerrit Cole – Career year Aaron Bummer – Career year They want those guys because they are thinking they will be the same guys when they are…
What Could Happen… or not
Frankly, I am a person who believes that conventional wisdom is usually wrong. That leads me to look at things some people don’t notice and see things that they don’t. It’s not a “science”… more of an “art” that has to be continually refined. When many investors are buying, I may be selling and when they are selling, I am looking to buy. Like anyone, I am not always right,…
Are AF And/Or Owners At Odds With Fans
I do not think any Dodger fan can possibly disagree about the disappointment over the last three years. I use three, because realistically that has been the span where the Dodgers were in a position to win it all. Certainly Doc has had a problem of “thinking too much” in the playoffs. It was never more evident as it was in Game 5 of the NLDS. But the players have…
Dodgers Third Baseman and his “Playmaker”
Last Wednesday, I wrote an article on Rube Walker – the Father of the Five-Man Rotation – which drew some comments for which I was grateful. Presently, I am not in mourning over the Dodgers untimely exit from post-season play. It happened, it is over, and life goes on. With my ninth decade now staring me in the face each year without one more WS victory is a bit problematic,…