SponsorUS Water Systems
LA Dodger Talk
Topic

Shohei Ohtani

50 posts

Don't Count on Ohtani to Pitch

Now, before you all lose your minds, let me say that I am rooting for Shohei Ohtani to return to the mound and be a successful pitcher… I just am skeptical that he will! Look no further than our own (formerly) Walker Buehler and remember what a struggle it was for him last year…

By Mark Timmons · February 13, 202518

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

Those Who Cannot See

Singer Ray Stevens is given credit for writing the phrase “ There is none so blind as he who will not see ” in a line from the song “Everything Is Beautiful” which was released in 1970. I actually think someone said it long before Crazy Ray. Now, I am not proclaiming that…

By Mark Timmons · April 24, 202447

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

The Key to the Dodgers Offense

Everyone thinks that Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman are the key to the Dodgers’ offensive success in 2024. I beg to differ. Of course, the Dodgers need the three former MVPs to step up and do what they do, but there are a few other players who could also be the…

By Mark Timmons · March 26, 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

This Makes No Sense…

I admit that I am worried. Allegedly, Ippei Mizuhara, the longtime friend and interpreter for Ohtani, incurred some gambling debts and allegedly wired transferred $4.5 Million dollars out of Shohei Ohtani’s bank accounts with his knowledge or was it without his knowledge? Are we…

By Mark Timmons · March 21, 2024Be first

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

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

What's Next?

The next big thing for the LA Dodgers occurs on Thursday, February 16, 2024. That’s when the pitchers and catchers report. The position players report by Monday, February 20, 2024. If the Dodgers have a big signing or trade between now and then, I will be surprised… but not…

By Mark Timmons · December 30, 202360

What About the Bullpen… and More?

I was listening to MLB.Radio yesterday and Blake Treinen was a guest. He says he is 100% healthy, has no soreness, has his full range of motion back, and is eager to get back into action. He was obviously very excited about his health. They then asked if the Dodger players were…

By Mark Timmons · December 23, 2023105

Mixed Emotions

My definition of “ Mixed Emotions ” is “ seeing your mother-in-law drive over a cliff in your new Rolls Royce.” If you had told me a couple of months ago that the Dodgers would spend $1.1 BILLION DOLLARS on two players this Winter, I would have said that you were out of your…

By Mark Timmons · December 22, 2023128

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

Rants & Raves

Last night, the family was in for dinner, and my oldest son, who lives in Brooklyn (he has been here for 5 weeks helping his grandmother transition to a Senior Care Facility), is heading home today, so we had a goodbye dinner and stayed up late. Today is one of those days where…

By Mark Timmons · December 14, 202391

What Now?

With the Dodgers no longer in the market for a Designated Hitter, I am sure that the Giants and Diamondbacks will be looking at JD Martinez and Justin Turner, and I would not be surprised to see both in the NL West next year. Also, with Ohtani in the fold, look for the Dodgers…

By Mark Timmons · December 11, 202382

Peeling the Onion

I find it humorous that some of you think I was hiding yesterday after the Ohtani signing was announced. I would urge you not to judge me by your proclivity to hide when you are faced with what you may believe is adversity. First of all, this is baseball… not real life! Nobody…

By Mark Timmons · December 10, 202366

Rants & Raves

I keep hearing Dodger fans begging for Jordon Montgomery. Do they even realize he is a #3 starter… at best? Come on, man! Someone is going to give him about $170 Million, and I hope it is not the Dodgers. I’ll take Imanaga for $80 Million, please! Maybe the MLB needs to do what…

By Mark Timmons · December 8, 202377

It's Win Now!

If Shohei Ohtani signs with the Dodgers, they absolutely, positively have to go ALL IN! Gut the farm, mortgage the future – it’s Win Now! That’s the Mantra! The infield is set, as well as the starting catcher. gut the farm – get Cease and Robert, Jr. from the White Sox. How…

By Mark Timmons · December 7, 202340

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

Reality Check

We have already talked about the significance of the Winter Meetings beginning today in Nashville. I feel the odds are pretty good that by tomorrow, there may be some significant movement, but you can never be sure. Any team is one blown-out elbow away from a ruined season. The…

By Mark Timmons · December 3, 2023145

Rumors Upon Rumors

I heard some commentators on MLB.Radio suggesting that the Dodgers may hit Ohtani with a deal like this: 2023: $45 Million 2024: $50 Million as long as he pitched a certain number of innings 2025: $55 Million with a higher number of innings and an opt-out You could continue on…

By Mark Timmons · December 2, 202389

What to Expect From the Rookies

Andrew Friedman characterized 2023 as a “Transition Year” long before the 2023 season started. I do not think that Dodger Fans fully understood what that really meant. In 2022, the Dodgers won 111 games, but in 2023, they “only” won 100 games as they utilized sixteen (count ’em…

By Mark Timmons · November 19, 202361

AF's Most Important Offseason?

Coming off of two straight epic post-season meltdowns, is this Freidman’s most important off-season since he took over? I get the impression from reading many baseball blogs and websites that the Dodgers fan base wants something really big and really dramatic. I get the…

By Michael "Bear" Norris · November 16, 202385

Let This Sink in!

Since 2019, the National League Pennant Winner (in a full season) has been the team with the Worst Record that was in the playoffs. Let that sink in for a minute. What does that mean? Let’s look back at the records: 2019 – Washington Nationals – 93-69 2020 – Dodgers won in the…

By Mark Timmons · November 12, 202327

He's Not Superman!

No one has ever seen a 30-year-old Shoehei Ohtani play because Shohei will not be 30 years old until July 5th, 2024. However, we did see a 29-year-old Ohtani play, and we saw him tear his UCL and then go on the IL with an oblique strain, which would have likely kept him out of…

By Mark Timmons · November 11, 202349