End of an Era?

November 8, 2021

Well, let the bidding begin.  A number of publications have put out their top 50 Free Agents list.  MLBTR is one of my favorites to follow.  They are no better with their prognostications than are any other publication.  They run contests every year, and many of the readers have turned out better with picks than the writers.  One year I got 12 out of 50.  Not bad, but there were…

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Dodgers outfield prospect Luke Raley

April 18, 2021

“It certainly felt like a rivalry to me,” said Dodgers left fielder Luke Raley, whose first major league home run, a game-tying shot in the fifth inning, was almost lost in the crazy turns of a game that fell just short of five hours. “There was a lot of intensity in this game. It’s something I look forward to being a part of more.”

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Agony and Anticipation

December 7, 2020

Agony and anticipation. That is what the winter meetings have always felt like for me. I am pretty sure many others feel the same. It has been more that way since the advent of free agency. Back in the day when players got no more than a one year deal and were tied to their teams by the reserve clause. For you youngins, that means that the team that signed…

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The Stuntmen in 2021

November 11, 2020

Of course, Kike was a defensive wizard while Mickey was a defensive liability, thus the large glove. Mickey was a better hitter… for average, while Kike had a lot more power. Both were great teammates and the clubhouse was better with them. In Hatcher’s 12 years in the Majors, he put up 2.9 WAR. In 7 seasons, Kike Hernandez put up 10.2 WAR in half the AB’s as Hatcher.

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Lost Arts – The Bunt and the Stolen Base.

September 16, 2020

Watching the game on Sunday against the Astros, I saw Chris Taylor lay down a bunt that went for a hit. And it took me back to a time when the bunt was an offensive weapon to be reckoned with. Over the last several years, especially with the Dodgers, the only time you saw a bunt was when the pitcher came up and attempted to move the runner over. Maeda,…

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Devil’s Advocate

September 12, 2020

As Mark is prone to do, he has laid down the gauntlet.  If you don’t bow down to Doc and AF you need a STUPID tattoo?  I have supported both gentleman for the most part, but while I would have difficulty blaming AF too much (because of lack of insider knowledge), certainly Doc has opened himself up to scrutiny. Let’s start with AF.  The Dodgers lost 2 healthy mid-rotation starting…

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RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TRADE DEADLINE AND WEIRD THINGS IN BASEBALL:

August 30, 2020

●          The Trade deadline is upon us, and as always, the question is, should the Dodgers make a move or stand pat? ●          Obviously, the primary argument for making a trade is simply that no matter how good the team is, you can always get better. ●          First question is always, what do the Dodgers need to finish out this year?   Another ace pitcher wouldn’t hurt (do they ever hurt?) …

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Halfway… To A Parade ?

August 25, 2020

Halfway through the year and some things are clear, while others, not so much.  The Dodgers are clearly the class of the NL if not all of MLB.  The Dodgers are 3.5 games better than the Cubs and 4.0 games better than the Padres. If the season were to end today, the three division champions would be: Dodgers Cubs Braves 2nd Place Teams would be: Padres Cardinals Marlins Current Wild…

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MEET CLAYTON BEETER

June 19, 2020

With the 66th pick in the MLB player draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers select Clayton Beeter, a draft eligible sophomore, right-handed pitcher out Texas Tech University, where he majored in accounting.  Like Landon Knack and Bobby Miller, Beeter was scouted by Marty Lamb.   Lamb (who is worthy of his own profile) has had very good success with players he’s scouted(including Walker Buehler and Will Smith).    If Beeter signs(he does have…

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Day Two of MLB Draft

June 12, 2020

MLB completed its draft yesterday and we learned a couple of things:   First, I have no special talent for mock drafts.   I struck out on all of my choices.   Not to worry though, I still enjoyed myself some Mocha Latte Gelato.   Second, there was no discernable strategy employed by teams that was different from prior years.   As in the past, several high school talents, that figured to be tough signs,…

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