For the record, it was discussed yesterday whether Clayton Kershaw was a #1, #2, or #3. I think the answer is d. Neither – Clayton is a #2.5. There. That’s my final statement on it. How many aces have 33 starts anymore? Only 31 pitchers in MLB had more than 31 starts last season. So there is that! Of those 31 pitchers who had ERA’s below 3.00, there are only…
Clayton is Far From Done
If you happen to think “this” is what Clayton Kershaw happens to be right about now, then you might as well pack it all up and go home. It’s hopeless. In April, Clayton was named the NL Pitcher of the month. Clayton had a great month, going 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.76 WHIP. He allowed opposing batters to hit just .175 off of him and struck out 41…
How Ya’ Doin’???
Here we are a little over a month into the season. So, I thought I would check on some of our old friends and see how they are doing after leaving the blue. I guess one of the reasons is that I always felt that Cody Bellinger would, at some point, start to at least resemble the player he was a few seasons ago. I have always believed that his…
The 20 Year Men and More
Two men in the long history of the Dodgers managed for 20 seasons or more. Walter Alston, and Tom Lasorda. Manny Mota and Jim Gilliam had careers of more than ten years with LA and then coached for several more years. Vin Scully was the voice of the Dodgers for 67 years. Most teams do not come close to having someone save an announcer here and there around that long….
Perfect Segue & the Role BABIP Plays
Yesterday, I wrote that it all starts with Freddie and Mookie, and right on cue, after that segue, Mookie and Freddie were both 3-5! They don’t have to do it all, but when they are doing well, the team seems to follow. I have been waiting for David Peralta to catch fire… and we are seeing signs of that. Jason Heyward is also hitting the ball very well and playing…
It All Starts With Freddie & Mookie
I have a few minutes before I leave for my surgery, so I thought I would drop you a few notes. By the way, thank you for all the kind words and well wishes. Now, let’s do this! As Dodger fans, we spend many of our waking hours thinking about who to blame for the Dodger’s start. We really don’t have to invent anything. All we need to do is…
Unconventional Thinking
Unconventional thinking is the ability to imagine new possibilities and solve complex problems that have eluded other people. Being unconventional is an essential element in doing original work or creating original ideas. Right now, the Dodgers could use a heavy dose of unconventional thinking. Let’s jump right into where I think the problems are the greatest. Before, I start: That was Vintage Kershaw last night! The Old Man is still the Ace!…
LEGENDS OF DODGER BASEBALL “The Bobbleheads”
Seemingly every year, the Dodgers induct a player or two into their Legends of Dodger baseball. When they do, the player gets a bobblehead. Newcombe, Garvey, Valenzuela, Gibson, and Wills have all been so honored. This year they will be joined by Manny Mota and Orel Hershiser. While I think these are great promotions for the fans, I think they fall way short of actually being legendary. Kirk Gibson spent…
Just Eleven Things Wrong With the Dodgers
As far as I am concerned, there are only Eleven things wrong with the Dodgers right about now: They can’t hit with runners on base; They can’t hit with the bases empty; The starting pitchers (other than the New Ace- Old Man Kershaw) are pitching from erratic to horrible; The relief pitchers are worse; The pitchers cannot hold runners; The Runners are stealing the Dodgers Blind; The Dodgers can’t steal…
This is the Way…
it is … at least for a while! Remember what I have always said, “Relief Pitchers are fickle?” Well, it has never been more true than this year. Phil Bickford has been bad (and he was not good last year but was great the year before); Yency Almonte had a 1.02 ERA last year – this year, he absolutely sucks with a 9.28 ERA; Alex Vesia has a 9.30 ERA…