Looking Ahead and Looking Back

December 9, 2020

Just for kicks, let’s look ahead to the 2026 MLB All-Star game. Here is a note from the color commentator. “Here in the second inning with two outs, the AL second base all-star is making his first all-star plate appearance. Tampa Bay Ray’s second sacker was selected as the best at his position in this, his third MLB season. Former North Carolina Tar Heel Michael Busch may not be a…

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Ranking the Dodger Farm System Position Players

November 3, 2020

This is really hard because we have nothing to go on insofar as for player development in 2020… and it is going to get worse! Next year, MLB is allegedly going to contract 40+ teams (if they stick to the plan).  If there are 30 players on a team (counting the IL), that is almost 1,200 players who will be out of jobs.  It’s sad, but it’s also a stark…

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Construction of A 40 Man Roster – Part One

November 2, 2020

The Hot Stove League is always fun for us armchair GMs, allowing us to look at ways of improving a reigning World Series championship team.  Not just a WS championship team, but THE consensus choice of the best team in MLB for 2020.  But changes must be made.  Nothing can stay at the top by being stagnant.  Changes can come internally or externally.  AF is a master as to building…

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Dodger Rants & Raves

October 31, 2020

Over the past few days, I have listened to several interviews, heard rumors and news. Here are few things I would like to share: I am so impressed with Edwin Rios (the person). He is mature beyond his years, poised, thoughtful, determined, and fully understands the role hard work plays in becoming a great player. He has singled-out Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw, and Mookie Betts for teaching him the importance…

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Things That Make You Go Hmmm – July 5 Edition

July 5, 2020

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reported to Dodger Stadium; or at least some of them have.  There are some who have apparently tested positive for the coronavirus, while others (so far only David Price) has opted to sit out the 2020 season.  I am perfectly comfortable with any player or management personnel deciding that it is in their best interests to opt out for the season.  I just hope that…

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Could the Dodgers Really Field Two MLB Teams?

March 15, 2020

There’s not much to do with the MLB season on hold, the NBA season on hold, the NCAA Tournament canceled, High School Tournaments in limbo, schools closed, and restaurants and theaters are persona non-Grotta. My youngest son and I spent the day plumbing his house, the house he has had since he was 18 (he’s almost 21 now) and has totally gutted and rebuilt it. It was built in 1900…

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McKinstry – Ex-Zach-ly Knocking on the Door

March 2, 2020

I have followed Zach McKinstry since he was selected by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. I especially took notice when he was advanced to the Loons in 2016 and became an important cog in their championship run by moving to the third base position, a position he had not previously played. The  6’/180…

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Get Off My Lawn!

February 25, 2020

Count this as my latest of the “Dodger Codger” series.  The older I get, the more I look at myself and realize that I sound like an old man.  And then I realize, “I am an old man.”  I’m nearing 60.  I have followed the Dodgers for 55 years., and I could cite to you incidents from every Dodger season back to my years as a young child. We are…

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Random Thoughts on Spring Training

February 23, 2020

On Saturday, AC provided us with an amazing analysis of questions to be answered this spring.  It prompted me to go back a few years and see what the pressing questions were in the spring for the past few seasons and how they were answered:  Last year, the top questions facing the Dodgers heading into Spring training were: •      Is Clayton Kershaw definitely in decline?    I would feel safe to…

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It’s Time For Dodger Baseball

February 22, 2020

Time for Dodger Baseball. I like the sound of that as we begin Spring Training games today against the hated Giants. We all know ST games are meaningless in wins and losses, but I still want to see a win in every game. If you compete, compete to win. Before I get into ST, I want to offer my response to the apparent skepticism about the Dodger pitching. Are there…

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