Not by my choice, but LA Dodger Chronicles has come to an end, at least my version of it. I tried to log on to the site on Sunday, March 22, but instead found a notice that “This Page Does Not Exist”. I emailed my Project Manager to get the site back up, but there was no response. I tried to call him on Monday, but his phone was blocked. …
First chance this new season to put my foot directly in my mouth. I really suck at this, but what the hell. There are many ways to look at the new season, new players, and new rules. One prediction already shot to hell with Kim being demoted to AAA. I was absolutely sure Freeland would be sent down after his absolutely awful performance at the plate this spring, so I…
I had a great conversation with a wise old sage about Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland. This old sage goes by the name of “AI”, and here was our conversation: Mark: What is the real story on why Hyeseong Kim was sent to the minors over Alex Freeland? AI: Short answer: this wasn’t about spring stats. It was about role fit, development path, and how the Dodgers think offense actually…
Zach Root burst onto the Dodger scene Saturday night, looking like the reincarnation of Sandy Koufax … with an altered delivery. The story of Zach Root is actually a pretty classic “late-blooming, grinder-to-dude” arc with a few sharp turns along the way. He is not a can’t-miss phenom — He’s more like a slow-burning fuse. Let me explain. He was born on Feb 6, 2004, in Fort Myers, Florida, and…
Even before Andrew Friedman was hired as President of Baseball Operations, I had called for the hiring of someone like him. When he was hired, I supported it from day one with a level of excitement that I had never felt. Immediately, I was attacked by morons who shall remain nameless. I have rarely second-guessed anything he does, for two reasons: What I am about to say is not second-guessing,…
No, this post is not about Eliot Ness and his bunch, it is about baseball records that probably will never be surpassed. Records are made to be broken. No one ever thought Ruth’s 60 homers would be topped. Yet in 1961, 13 years after the Bambino died, Roger Maris did just that. The pressure of the chase caused him to lose some of his hair. They thought no one would…
I have been sick for a couple of days. I had a bug, but some of it was A-Fib. I am going to have another cardioversion shortly (just waiting for the call). My cardiologist is a friend, so he usually gets me in quickly. It’s always good for old guys to have a cardiologist as a friend. 😉 I keep mine on speed dial. This last cardioversion has lasted nearly…
James Tibbs III seems to have improved since joining the Dodgers. He changed his leg kick from being a “timing mechanism” to being a “metronome tap.” When he came to the Dodgers, they knew his swing did not need to be overhauled, like Justin Turner’s. The Dodgers reportedly encouraged him to return closer to the swing that made him a star at Florida State rather than chasing exit-velocity tweaks. Mechanically,…
Sunday, the 2nd of October 1966. The Dodgers were playing a double header in Philadelphia. When the day started, LA was 1.5 games ahead of the Giants. If the Dodgers lost both games and the Giants beat the Pirates, they would finish in a dead heat and there would be a playoff. Don Drysdale got the start in game one against Larry Jackson. In the bottom of the 1st, John…
