One of my all-time favorite books is Jean Auel’s “Clan of the Cave Bear.” After Keibert Ruiz hit a home run in his first MLB at bat, I thought it only appropriate to call this blog the Clan of the Kaybear. By the way, if you have never read that book and the “Earth Children” series, I strongly recommend it. First of all, while everyone was in love with Will…
With Summer Training (you can’t call it Spring) right around the corner, I thought we might take a look at the two rosters: The 30 man roster they open the season with and the COVID-19 Emergency Squad (because that is what it is).
In direct response to KP, dodgerrick, and others who have emailed me, you are correct that this is a baseball blog…specifically a Dodger baseball blog. I try very hard to keep it topical, but let’s face it, there is not much baseball going on, and news from LAD is even more sparse. I try to hold posts open for two to three days, but when I see the discussion move…
As I write this right about now, even the Haters have been forced to shut up. The Dodgers have been the best team in MLB over the past 5-years. They have a Top 3 Farm Systems and Major League Depth that is the envy of every other team. Many other team executives complain that “it’s just not fair” how the Dodgers operate their franchise.
We can analyze until we are paralyzed and we can come up with all types of dream scenarios, but I am more pragmatic about it. Baseball will contract those teams. It will happen. Get used to it. It’s what comes afterward that is up for debate.
I am very happy to announce that LAdodgerTalk will be back May 1, 2020 and that Mr. Jeff Dominique (formerly known as Always Compete, or “AC”) will be the man in charge. My only involvement will be as a consultant. I may write a column or comment occasionally. Jeff wants to do this and I believe he will do a great job. Some of the other writers may join him….
I thought it might be fun to look back to 2017 and what Keith Law had to say about some Former Dodger Players. I like Keith Law a lot. He has a lot of insight into prospects… but he is not perfect. If he was, someone would be paying him $50 million dollars a year. Jose De Leon Born in Puerto Rico but drafted in the 24th round out of…
The one that I do not understand even for a second is why it is not OK to bunt late in the game to break up a no-hitter. The sole purpose of standing at home plate is to get to first base. If it wasn’t, there would be no first base. A bunt is a legal, underused tool. If it is legitimate at other times in a game, then it is legit with two out in the ninth in a possible no-hitter. It is not the job of the batter to massage the pitcher’s ego. For heaven’s safe be prepared to field a bunt. Stop whining, you have the ball and can do whatever you want with it and you have eight players to back you up. The hitter is alone with a little round bat.
If you know how to cheat, start now.”—Baltimore manager Earl Weaver, to pitcher Ross Grimsley on the mound.
I really enjoy western type movies and I guess for their simplicity. I also enjoy baseball-type movies because of my love for baseball. Two of them came together for me in prompting this column. Who doesn’t love Clint Eastwood performances? I especially enjoyed his performance as Gus Lobel in “Trouble With the Curve”. I watched a re-run of it a while back and also watched a re-run of “3:10 to…