It has been a while since I wrote an article for LADR, and I apologize for that. As they say, life happens, and life has been happening here lately. How about the ultra-competitive NL West so far this young season? Every team not named the Rockies has been off to a good start. I am not worried about our Boys in Blue winning yet another NL West crown this season, but I know it will be a battle throughout the long baseball season.
The Dodgers are positioned to sweep the Rockies as of this writing and get a day off before heading down into Texas against a lively Rangers ballclub. Globe Life Field is a special place for Dodger Fans, thanks to 2020, and they are hoping this trip will be a memorable one as well, with a sweep of the home team. The stomach bug has been the biggest culprit to the team so far this young season, and whether it was placed in the clubhouse by the Giants remains to be seen, but have no fear, our heroes who wear the Dodger blue are bouncing back and are on the upswing.
Jackie Robinson is always a special day around the league, but nowhere near as special as for the team the legend played for, the Dodgers. The Dodgers have such a fantastic history of amazing and Hall of Fame players and broadcasters, but there is always a special place in my heart for Jackie. Reading multiple books and watching documentaries about the man over the years deepened my respect and admiration for all he had to endure during his playing days. Getting the victory on his special day is always a fantastic feeling. However, remembering what he stood for and never stopping to achieve his fight will always be crucial, not just on the baseball diamond but in life.
Tommy Edman, aka Tommy Tanks, has become quite the power hitter. Unlike the days of the past, it is not because of unexpected muscle growth due to some special drinks or “vitamins,” but thanks to a change in his stance and dropping his barrel some during his swing. The results have been outstanding, and he is on a power surge, unlike anything he has done during his career. Sure, pitchers will adjust, and his pace will likely not hold up, at least with his power numbers, but it sure is fun to watch while it lasts.
Minus the Cubs game and history being made on the wrong side of the stat column with the worst home shutout in franchise history, the pitching has been pretty good overall. The offense has struggled at times to find its footing, but the pitching has held down the fort even in its absence. My prediction is that the pitching will get even better, and with this lineup, the odds will always be in favor of an offensive barrage taking over the league sooner rather than later from the Dodgers. The fact that this lineup is loaded with contact and power from top to bottom means there is no way they don’t become one of the best offenses in baseball, if not the best.
What are the odds that the team we see on the field right now is the one that finishes the season for the Dodgers? Judging by years past and the Andrew Friedman regime the odds are not going to very high and the fact that the rumor mill stated the Dodgers and White Sox have already had discussions about trading for Luis Robert Jr. The fact that this regime is always looking to improve no matter the talent on the roster already is quite the different feeling than during the McCourt years when keeping just one of your superstar players felt like a big deal we as Dodger fans have been blessed since the new ownership has taken over. Two World Championships later, we are still looking for more. As a fan, that is all you can ask: that your team be committed to winning, and by playing the game the right way, and the Dodgers do all of that while also playing the Dodger way, which is something special to behold.
Once again, I am sorry for being so absent here lately, and I will change that narrative as the season progresses. I believe in this site and the dedicated Dodger fans who read every article here at LADR, and I plan to write more frequently and give you the fans some interesting reads, along with opinions from a Dodger fan to the Dodger fan. Scott has done a fantastic job with this site, and it deserves to be ranked right up there with one of the best Dodger sites on the internet. Thank you to everyone who reads our articles and comments on them. I love to see comments and to talk Dodger baseball with other fanatics. Here’s to another year of Dodger greatness, and let’s enjoy the good times ahead. Happy Easter to all of you, and remember it’s always time for Dodger baseball.
Clay Gregory
Growing up and living in Oklahoma I fell in love with the game of baseball from an early age from playing T ball through High School. I have always had an admiration for the Boys in Blue with how the Dodger Way is the right way to play the game. Tommy Lasorda is my favorite manager of all time and my all-time favorite players are Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Sandy Koufax, Pedro Guerrero, Mike Piazza and Clayton Kershaw. I am enamored with Dodgers history from the Brooklyn days when they were Dem Bums to the days of Fernandomania to Mannywood and beyond. Vin Scully will always be the best announcer the game has ever seen and it will always be time for Dodger baseball. I am married to the love of my life Melissa who gave me the inspiration to actually take on this crazy idea of writing about the Dodgers and without her support I would not be able to do what I love. My cousin Zach Chase and uncle John Chase for being a Dodger encyclopedia and sharing their knowledge with me. I will bring my perspective and love for the team to readers and I will most likely have spelling errors from time to time but I promise ill do my best on it. I want to bring you a unique perspective on your favorite team and also throw some humor along the way. I love to talk about baseball with anybody who will listen and I look forward to the Dodgers going back-to-back in their quest for another World Series Championship. Dodger Blue through and through.
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