The first (5th, 16th, etc.) Game of Spring Training means nothing, but there were things that you should write down and remember for future meaning: James Outman had a good game – He will benefit greatly (as he did yesterday) from the ban of the shift. He did nothing to hurt his stock, and while these early games don’t mean a lot, he actually earned points toward promotion to the…
247 years ago, the first shots of the American Revolution were fired just after daybreak on April 19 in the little town of Lexington, thrusting the farmer-colonists of our yet-to-be-born nation into war. At every turn since then, when the nation has called for those willing to wear the uniform of our nation in service around the world and here at home, there has been no shortage of people willing…
Well, it is no battle. That just sounded intimidating. So, yesterday, I wanted to see what fans thought about the Kershaw – Koufax debate… and it pretty much went the way I believed. However, yesterday I deliberately withheld some evidence that may or may not change your minds. This evidence will cause you to re-assess how you might look at things. So, here is the evidence: When Sandy Koufax pitched,…
Much has been written about the slow start of Gavin Lux’s MLB career. Mostly by impatient fans. Fans get excited about players when they read stat pages, and claim them to be a can’t miss player. Many are now talking about Andy Pages, Eddys Leonard, Miguel Vargas, Ryan Pepiot, and Bobby Miller in the same context today. And to a lesser degree, Michael Busch, James Outman, Brandon Lewis, Landon Knack…Many…
It’s no secret that many Dodger fans want to be rid of Kenley Jansen. I started this blog before the game last night and finished it this morning, so I am not just riding the bandwagon of the “Good Kenley,” who notched his 26th save last night on just 7 pitches – all strikes! Some fans will say it is because Dave Roberts is just a bad manager as to…
Play-Off Picture Although the minor league season has been extended to the third week in September the push for a very limited play-off spot will soon begin. Actually, the A and AA regular seasons end on September 19 with a five-game playoff between the two teams with the best winning percentage in the league regardless of their division. There are no playoffs at the AAA level but the regular schedule…
Last night the Dodger players spoke without saying a word. Their four errors showed that they might have been somewhat distracted… and understandably so. But they maintained their composure until they got Max Scherzer out of the game and proceeded to destroy the Nationals bullpen. The Dodger players were laughing and having a great time for the most part… except for the defensive lapses. I can understand it. The White…
No not Mark Timmons, nor Mark Prior, nor Mark Fidrych, or Mark McGwire The Mark to whom I refer is right-hander Mark Washington of the Tulsa Drillers, perhaps soon to be of the OKC Dodgers. He was born in Glen Mills, attended high school at Episcopal Academy in Merion, and attended university at Lehigh University. All three locations are in his home state of Pennsylvania. He was selected by the…
Being no-hit in baseball is humbling, humiliating, embarrassing, and in this case, it is a wake-up-call! Bear was right yesterday, these are not the 2020 Dodgers. This version is different from last year. Gone are the “all-or-nothing” bats of Kike and Joc who have been replaced by McKinstry and Lux. That has not been a problem. The problems is that the team has gotten poor production from Betts, Seager and…
As you watch this here 2021 version of the Dodgers, you realize that there are just some days when everyone (or almost everyone) is just sleep-walking and are flatter than pancakes. Sunday was one of those days. I mean when 86-year-old Albert Pujols is your only offense, you have to be flatter than pancakes. The Dodgers need a Kirk Gibson… someone who will step up and call his teammates out….