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Mookie Betts

268 posts

This is Serious!

Mookie Betts has been sick for nearly two weeks. He is still throwing up. Two weeks ago, he weighed 175 pounds. Now, he weighs 157 pounds. “ My body’s just kind of eating itself, ” he said. “I t’s hard to not fuel it. And so every time — literally, every time — I fuel my body, I…

By Mark Timmons · March 24, 202550

Why Mookie Betts Will Excel at Shortstop

Many Dodger fans are worried that Mookie Betts will be a problem at SS. Some are begging the Dodger to put his back at RF or 2B. That is not going to happen. Mookie says that the infield is easier on his body as he does not have to run as much and walk out to the furthest part…

By Mark Timmons · December 29, 202443

Is Nolan Arenado a Possibility?

Nolan Arenado, the former All-Star and Gold Glove Cardinal third-baseman, blocked a trade to Houston yesterday. There is evidently a list of teams to which he would accept a trade and the Dodgers are on the list. Before we say anything, let’s consider that from 2015 through…

By Mark Timmons · December 19, 202438

Funny, Silly, Crazy & Wrong

I wasn’t around much yesterday, but this morning, I read several things that were funny, silly, crazy, and mostly just plain wrong… to the point that I have to address them: #1 – That I have a deep hatred of Eric: That’s funny, silly, crazy, and mostly just plain wrong. I…

By Mark Timmons · June 1, 202466

Reality Check

This could fall under the category of “Go Big or Go Home! Fans who think the Dodgers should make a trade right about now are simply uninformed or borderline delusional. It’s always been about the trade deadline, not the last day of May. Teams that are out of it will look to…

By Mark Timmons · May 31, 202472

Blame it on Doc!

Last night’s loss was all on Dave Roberts. He made the decision to only pitch the two call-ups from OKC and no one else! Well, of course, the front office was in on it, too, but if it makes you feel better, blame Dave. Of course, that is sarcasm, but with Snidley Whiplash…

By Mark Timmons · May 16, 202439

Is SS a Problem?

As we speak, Mookie Betts is listed as the Dodger’s starting shortstop, but against tough LHP he slides over to 2B, as Gavin Lux is deemed a liability against lefties and Miguel Rojas plays SS. Miguel still plays SS at a very high level and he does hit LHP better than RHP as a…

By Mark Timmons · April 12, 202463

Keeping it Real

If Mookie Betts hits .520 this year, the Dodgers will have no worries. Actually, the TOP SIX of the Dodgers batting order are delivering at a rate that is scary. It’s the BOTTOM THREE that are also scary: Chris Taylor has 1 hit in 9 ABs and has struck out 5 times – BA – .111…

By Mark Timmons · April 2, 202463

Half Full or Half Empty?

A glass containing water to the half-way point is often used to point out the difference between optimists and pessimists: The optimist sees the glass as half full. They focus on what is there. “ So much that can be done with half a glass of water.” The pessimist sees the glass…

By Mark Timmons · March 28, 202439

The Sky is Not Falling!

Thanks for your patience, We are back after some server issues. After Game Two in Seoul, the internet was abuzz with Dodger fans denouncing just about everything about the Dodgers: Yamamoto was a bust Glasnow was horrid The bullpen was even worse Max Muncy was the worst 3B in…

By Mark Timmons · March 23, 202444

Forgetaboutit!

What do I make of the game two debacle in Seoul. Very little! We know that the pitchers are better than that. Now, I realize that some Dodgers fans are so skilled in their analysis of players that after one game or one inning they can make a determination as to whether that…

By Mark Timmons · March 21, 20240

Two Conundrums: Gavin Lux and Miguel Vargas

There are perhaps no players who are are polarizing as Gavin Lux and Miguel Vargas. Everyone has an opinion it seems… and they vary wildly. Both are players who have defensive challenges and who have bats that could be special. First of all, the Dodgers value Gavin Lux’s bat. I…

By Mark Timmons · March 16, 202431

Tightwads, Cheapskates, and Knuckleheads

Is everyone aware that the Angels are just one of only two MLB Teams that do not have Announcers who travel with the team? Terry Smith and Mark Langston, the announcers for the Orange County Angels, call the game from Anaheim by watching the Bally Sports West video feeds. Before…

By Mark Timmons · March 15, 202435

I Am Still Mad as Hell…

Yesterday, the Dodgers announced that Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux were going to switch positions. I first suggested this last year after watching Mookie play SS for a few games. Mookie is a natural SS… a natural infielder who adapted very well to RF and 2B, but right about now…

By Mark Timmons · March 9, 202441

Gavin Lux Has Proved He Belongs

Just not at SS! Gavin Lux is OK at 2B, where he will be a “hit-first” player, or I would not be surprised if some team tried to convert him to CF. He cannot play SS and Dave Roberts said as much. Unless Mookie gets injured, there is not a spot for him on the Roster. That doesn’t…

By Mark Timmons · March 8, 202437

Much Needed Off Day

No, not for the Dodgers, but rather for me. I wrote this column last night after the game and I plan to write another one tomorrow, but it has been a whirlwind the past few days. Here’s a re-cap going back to last October: October – Had a cardioversion which was successful in…

By Mark Timmons · March 4, 202421

Seven With Thirty?

Is that even possible? It’s never been done. Seven players on one team with at least thirty home runs? That’s not possible… is it? The Dodgers had four players with 30 HR once, but the 2019 Twins and the 2023 Braves are the only clubs in history to have five players reach the…

By Mark Timmons · February 29, 202430

The Sky is Falling…

Some blogs like the shock value of a headline like: “ What is wrong with Gavin Lux? ” or “ When will the Dodgers trade for a real closer?” I prefer to stick to the facts. Just the facts… There is little doubt that this team will be special. The only question is: How Special ? It…

By Mark Timmons · February 25, 202424

We Don't Know What We Don't Know

We know what we know – that’s the easy part, but what about what we don’t know about what we don’t know? That’s the hard part. So, let’s just stick with what we know or maybe think we know. We know that Will Smith will be the starting catcher . That’s good. He’s likely one of…

By Mark Timmons · December 20, 202362

The Dominos are Ready to Fall

Speculation is rampant. The rumors are swirling. For baseball writers, “breaking a story” is a badge of honor and akin to winning the Writers’ World Series, so sometimes they see a story… even when there is none. So far, no significant deals or signings have occurred unless the…

By Mark Timmons · December 5, 2023201

How to Build a Great Rotation

Many… or at least some Dodger fans believe that this Winter, the Dodgers will do something they never have under Andrew Friedman and sign two or maybe even three starting pitchers to long-term deals. Let’s get this over with right now: It is not happening! If you look at Andrew…

By Mark Timmons · November 20, 202381

Put the Blame Where it Belongs

People can be tricked into believing something. That does not make them stupid. What makes them stupid is if they keep believing what they were tricked about… and they let someone trick them repeatedly. Sometimes, when something good or bad happens, I have to process it, and it…

By Mark Timmons · October 27, 202367

What Really Happened…

If you didn’t see this yesterday, here is a very insightful comment from Vinny’s Ghost : “The baseball playoffs are like choosing the 100-meter finalist in the Olympics from marathon runners.” That actually sums it up, Vinny! That is a very good analogy. However, if this format…

By Mark Timmons · October 26, 202359

Here's My Plan

Quite often, I publish blogs to stimulate conversation. It doesn’t bother me if you hate what I say… or even hate me. I don’t hate anyone, but today, I am going to tell you exactly what I believe needs to happen this offseason, and it starts with not signing Shohei Ohtani. Oh…

By Mark Timmons · October 23, 202374

Do The Dodgers Need Ohtani?

Do the Dodgers need Shohei Ohtani?? Good question. I am of a mind that most of the Dodger fans would love to see this guy play at Dodger Stadium. Can you imagine a 1-2-3 punch featuring Betts, Freeman and Ohtani? Would be hard not to love that combo. Three thirty homer guys at…

By Michael "Bear" Norris · October 22, 202322

Nice Guys Finish Last

All season, the Dodgers have touted that they have a clubhouse full of high-character players… and they really did. Most of these guys were Boy Scouts and have always helped little old ladies across streets. They have so many friends within MLB, and they cultivate those…

By Mark Timmons · October 14, 202357