We don’t know exactly what the 2019 Dodgers will look like yet. The Dodgers traded Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer to the Reds and got nothing of value back. But we think that you all have the real value. Dodger baseball is still a long ways away, but the holidays are here. So from all of us over here, we want to wish all of you over there a very Merry Christmas, and happy holidays.
Take some time off and spend with your family and friends. Open your presents, eat some turkey, and ask Santa Claus for a good starting catcher, or a second baseman. I think we’ve all been good this year and I am certain that the Dodgers are definitely on Santa’s nice list.
Happy Holidays guys!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Scott. I hope the New Year is brighter for all of us. I read a story in MLB.com a little earlier today and it was a list of the best players from each team not yet in the hall. Most were spot on. Except in the Indians case you would say Shoeless Joe over Kenny Lofton. He did play more with the Indians than the White Sox. But he said Fernando for the Dodgers, and sorry, for me that’s not even in the ball park. Fernando was good, not great. He had a very good career, but his numbers are short in my mind. No, the choice should have been Gil Hodges. Hodges was the best 1st baseman of his era. And as such, since his numbers are very similar to Tony Perez, he belongs in the Hall with Pee Wee, Jackie, Campy and the Duke. He also led the Mets to a World Series title when everyone counted them out in August.
I would vote for Fernado and Hodges, but Fernando first. He has had a huge impact on and off the field and that’s something I would take into account. Reasonable minds will differ on this, if course.
I respect that Yueh, Fernando was indeed a phenomenon. But Hodges was a Dodger in parts of 3 decades. He was the best of his era, and although Valenzuela had a very good career, his numbers are not HOF worthy and unfortunately likeability does not factor in. Hershiser has similar stats to Big D. Big D won only 5 more games than Orel did. But he did it in a career that was 5 years shorter. He was a more dominant pitcher. Valenzuela finished with more career wins than Koufax, but again, it took him 17 years and he was a lot closer to being just a .500 pitcher. He is adored in LA for the excitement he brought, but he really only had 3 outstanding seasons. He was an all star his first 6 years in the majors. After that, he never made the all star team again. Orel won’t make it either. He could have been voted in by the modern era committee last month and he was not. His credentials are marginal at best. And, he really only had one year where he was the best in the game. 1988. Hodges played 16 years in a Dodger uni, and he lost 2 years to WWII. 361 HR’s as a Dodger, second only to Duke Snider. 1254 RBI’s, again, second to Duke. He drove in 100 runs or more for 7 straight years. Even Snider did not do that. He averaged 30 HR’s a year. He is in the top 10 in almost every hitting category there is in Dodger history. Fans are prejudiced towards their own players. I hear a lot of fans who think Garvey belongs in the hall. It is supposed to be for the great, not the very good. They have relaxed some of the criteria for entry, so guys who were very good are now starting to get in. The last 2 inductees, Baines and Smith were chosen by the modern era committee. So maybe, if his name is ever submitted, Fernando might get that chance. He will always be a Dodger Icon. But hall recognition is doubtful.
A very Merry Christmas to all at LADR! Almost two months of the off-season is in the books. Slowly but surely edging toward ST. Cheers!
Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy new year to all and their families.