After 25% of the Season

August 10, 2020

I was not sure how I was going to write my column for Monday.  It was looking ugly for a while, but with a pair of 3-run HRs by AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers turned a potential disaster into a win. Typical Dodger win with the long ball.  In the three game series, the Dodgers scored 17 runs, 14 of them directly from seven HRs. I know that…

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More Rants Than Raves

August 8, 2020

I was hoping to sit down on my patio deck to watch the Dodgers vs Giants when I realized that I could not get the game on MLB.TV.  I was already in a foul mood when I had to come into the house and listen to Krukow and Kuiper.  I then watch Urias once again nibble instead of going at the hitters.  For the first time this year, I am…

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Nice Comeback Win to Knot the Series

August 5, 2020

First observation, this is a much different game for the Dodgers without Mookie Betts.  They are still talented enough to win, but he sure does make it much easier.  Seager and Betts seem to have been carrying the team on this trip, and the spark just seems to have gone out without Mookie.  The pitching matchup for Tuesday night was the one expected for Monday. Two of the brightest MLB…

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7-3 Start Thanks to Relief Corps

August 3, 2020

Except for one bad pitch, the Dodgers have been outstanding on this current road trip.  They are currently 5-1 on the trip, with three to go in SD.  I am not sure that home and away mean that much in 2020, except do like the last AB for a potential comeback.  But there certainly is no fan reaction to build momentum upon. The team is currently 7-3, and on pace…

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RANDOM THOUGHTS ON THE PASSING SEASON

August 2, 2020

I have an article pending on Bullet Joe Rogan, one of the all-time great players in the Negro Leagues.  Because of Bear’s wonderful articles on Zack Wheat and his journey with baseball, I thought I would put that off a few days, and just share some random thoughts on an already weird season: ●          You know that we’re in the full swing baseball, when the Doc criticisms start in earnest. …

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Patience or Attack

July 28, 2020

We are only four games into the season, and the sniping at Doc is already in full gear.  Not just from LADT commenters, but throughout the Dodgers blogosphere.  Every manager makes horrible decisions throughout the season, and sometimes they actually make some good calls.  Of course, nobody likes to comment on those.  Now maybe some of these decisions are not Doc’s alone.  It seems to be a team philosophy to…

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It’s (About, Finally, Way-Past) Time for Dodger Baseball

July 23, 2020

Before we start the season, let me say that I am extremely excited that Mookie Betts will end his career (probably) in Dodger Blue. Unlike many of you, I am not surprised. We all know how much Andrew Friedman loves his top prospects and he simply was not going to part with three top prospects (including Tony Gwynn-esque, Alex Verdugo) for a rental. Do the math! I think Alex Verdugo…

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Questions of Health, Finance, and the DH

May 14, 2020

Well, if MLB and the MLBPA can get together about health and finances, we figure to have an abbreviated 2020 season.  But that is still a BIG IF. What has been surprising to me is the number of players who are in the demographic of underlying health issues and immunocompromised, and are still willing to play.  The most extreme is David Dahl who had his spleen removed after an accident…

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Do Deep Teams Have an Advantage in a Short Season

May 7, 2020

Much has been said and written about the Dodgers depth and how that makes them a very dangerous team.  I do not think that there is a question (at least not for me), that the premier builder of the 40 man roster is Andrew Friedman.  During his tenure, over the last five years in a 162 game season, the Dodgers have 485 wins, more than any other team in MLB. …

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THE COST OF A LOST SEASON

May 4, 2020

If I haven’t shared it before, I miss baseball!    During it’s absence, I have tried reading some of the other baseball blogs (heresy I know), but I just can’t find myself getting enthused about simulated games or what the players are doing to entertain themselves during the lock down orders.  I miss baseball!   I miss the competition.   And while I’m proud that Dustin May won the best hair in baseball…

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