Many fans around today know little of the game of baseball’s history. Its past is filled with colorful characters. Some performed at levels today’s stars will never reach, especially on the pitching side of the game. It is a safe bet that no one ever approaches 511 wins. I would say 300 is out of reach in today’s game. Only two players in the history of the game have achieved…
Seemingly every year, the Dodgers induct a player or two into their Legends of Dodger baseball. When they do, the player gets a bobblehead. Newcombe, Garvey, Valenzuela, Gibson, and Wills have all been so honored. This year they will be joined by Manny Mota and Orel Hershiser. While I think these are great promotions for the fans, I think they fall way short of actually being legendary. Kirk Gibson spent…
Orel Leonard Hershiser. Tommy called him “Bulldog.” Born in Buffalo, N.Y., on September 16, 1958. His name is etched in Dodger history alongside many of their greatest pitchers. Most of that praise comes from one magical season when the stars aligned, and he was the best pitcher in the game. His performance in the regular season, the playoffs, and World Series carried the Dodgers to their fifth title in Los…
Believe it or not, this topic can generate some hot debate. Which players deserve the honor? And that is where the debate begins. The Yankees have by far the most retired numbers, 21. Number 8 and 42 are retired honoring two different players. 42 for Robinson and Rivera. 8 for Dickey and Berra. As we all know, 42 is retired throughout baseball. The Dodgers have 10 retired numbers, 1,2,4,19,20,24,32,39,42 and 53….
I got to thinking about this, and for most, it is a long and happy marriage, kids, grandkids, and just living the good life. When you break it down for sports fans, it is the years that their team is on top of the heap in their sport. Rams fans never celebrated a championship in LA. They got one in Cleveland and one in St. Louis. Kings fans got treated…
Okay, do not confuse these streaks with the stuff pulled in the ’70s by drunken idiots. These are the best streaks in Dodger history. I love this kind of stuff. Scoreless Innings 59 innings: Orel Hershiser, 1988. In the midst of his best season as a major leaguer, the Bulldog went on an impressive run of…
With Mark on the 10-day inactive list to attend to family business in Las Vegas (ever notice how these trips are never to Des Moines, Iowa or Wichita, Kansas?), Jeff (AC) was desperate for some assistance on the LADT writers roster. With his options limited, he had to resort to adding someone from the alternate training site, and had no choice but to call on me, the Zack Reks/Edwin Uceta…
Over the last several years, we Dodger fans have been very lucky to have a winning franchise. 8 consecutive division titles, 3 trips to the World Series, and a World Championship. Cy Young award winners, MVPs. A couple of ROY winners and a lot of exciting baseball. For most seasons, the Dodgers have been very successful in Los Angeles. Oh, there have been some losing seasons, like 1958, their first…
By the way, if it’s any consolation to those of you who are worried, Clayton Kershaw gave up 15 runs in 14 2/3 innings in spring training of 2014. Fans were wringing their hands. He then went out and won the MVP.
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…