1981- The year of Fernandomania.

March 11, 2021

As Vinny so memorably said, and a child shall lead them. The kid from Navajoa definitely did that. Oh yeah, the kid could hit a little too. He finished with a .250 average in 81. Also knocked in 7. His only extra-base hit was a triple. But over his Dodger career, he hit 9 HR’s 3 of which came in 1984.

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Some Spring Training Random Thoughts From the Recliner

March 10, 2021

One of the things I enjoy most about spring training is the opportunity to watch the kids play. Even though there is little chance of them breaking camp with the Dodgers, how exciting it must be for them to be able to pitch and play alongside the veterans. In no particular order, Jo Jo Gray, Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Andre Jackson, Michael Grove, Miguel Vargas, Jacob Amaya, Michael Busch, Kody Hoese, James Outman, Andy Pages, Devin Mann, Omar Estevez, Nick Robertson, Ryan Pepiot, Gus Varland, Kendall Williams and Geraldo Carillo, I’m excited to see all of you perform and I truly hope that this experience gives you the confidence to take the next step in your careers and that you ultimately make it to the show.

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First-Year Players Who Impacted the Season – 1971 – 1980

March 9, 2021

The last time out we perused players who between 1958 and 1970 who were first year players and had some or little impact on the season. The 1970’s was the dawn of a new era of Dodger baseball. Before they were over, Walter Alston would retire, and a ball of fire named Tommy Lasorda would inject a new philosophy into the managers chair. It would also usher in the longest…

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This Team Could Look Entirely Different Than We Anticipate

March 8, 2021

don’t think it makes much sense to have Matt Beaty on the roster, as the Dodgers have plenty of LH hitters. I would think that Noisy makes it as he can play all over the infield and LF as well. He has logged significant innings at SS, as well as 1B, 2B, and 3B. If the Dodgers carry 14 position players, Sheldon makes it. In not, both Noisy and Beaty are not on the team.

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First-Year Players Who Made An Impact. 1958 – 1970

March 7, 2021

             I was perusing the Dodger roster and looking for players who would be possible call ups this year, and who might impact the Dodgers season. There are some interesting kids on this team.               But before we get into that discussion, I thought I would go back over the years since their arrival in Los Angeles and see which first year players made some impression on the team. Some…

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The Opening Day Starter is…

March 6, 2021

It looks like there will be Butts in Seats as the season starts – the only question is how many? I think it will ramp up pretty quickly… especially as the vaccination process gains traction. I still have not taken the vaccine… still debating!

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A Double Header

March 5, 2021

No, we are not talking about a couple of games, we are talking about a double post. Michael Norris (aka/Bear) has the first half on Lou Gehrig and Mark Timmons has the second half on last night’s debacle. June 2. Now Lou Gehrig Day–Bear When I was a boy, back in the day, my baseball hero was not Babe Ruth or Duke Snider. It was Lou Gehrig. Why? Well, I…

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Game Number Four: A Night to Forget

March 4, 2021

Some games have highlight nd some have lowlights. It seems to me that last night’s game was of the lowlight variety. Nothing worth remembering… well, maybe a couple of things: The Pitchers Julio Urias has filthy stuff, but he still has not figured out the first inning. This needs to change. There is something about the first inning… Bring him in the second, fifth, ninth inning and he is fine….

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Game Two Analysis

March 2, 2021

Disclaimer: What we are seeing is through the microcosm of Spring Training. Current performance is not evidence of future prospects. It is a small sampling. Some of it is skill and some of it is luck. Take it all with a grain of salt. The Position Players It was great to see Gavin Lux get two hits in three at-bats. If anything, all he needs is confidence and he should…

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They Saved the Best for Last

March 1, 2021

NOTE: Jeff knew what I was going to lead off with today! šŸ˜‰ Yes, I know it is early, but the best thing I saw all game yesterday… and I saw a lot of good things, was Michael Grove’s pitching! I wish there was a radar gun, but his stuff looked great. He has an arsenal of pitches and showed an excellent feel. I have always thought he would be…

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