It’s the All-Star break. While others argue over whether this is truly the halfway point of the season, let’s take a quick look at the Top 5 Moments from the Dodgers’ wild, wacky, and sometimes winning, first half of the season.
1 The Opening Weekend pounding of the San Diego Padres.
Just like any home-grown, die-hard, dipped in Dodger Blue fan, I always believe on Opening Day that my team is going to win it all. The Dodgers opened the season in San Diego, and fed my World Series fantasy by going juggernaut on the Padres.
The team started the season like gangbusters, absolutely firing on all cylinders. It was beautiful. Remember that wonderful onslaught over the Padres these days, as Corey, Clayton and Kenley wear those ugly San Diego colors.
The Dodgers won the opening three games of the season by a combined score of 24-0, and the entire pitching staff posted an impressive ERA of 0.00 – a 27-inning, record setting, scoreless streak.
2 The Legend of the Red Albatross.
The first half of Justin Turner‘s 2016 season should be split into its own two halves.
Turner began the first part of the season hitting lousy, and then he went down from there. Weeks turned into months with Turner absolutely stinking at the plate. To make matters worse, manager Dave Roberts kept batting Turner in the second or third batting slot (he batted third in 33 of his 47 starts), which was certain death for any Dodger rallies back then.
After seeing game after game, and then series after series being lost, I had enough. I wrote this scathing article, in which I named Turner, “The Red Albatross”.
Someone must have shown the article to the Red Chia Pet, because the next night, he hit a 3-run bomb, and he hasn’t stopped hitting yet. He’s now at 13 home runs, and more importantly, 44 RBI’s. For the guys who love trends, that sets him on a pace for just under 90 RBI’s. That would be a pretty good season for Turner.
His present slash line is .256/.331/.445 with a fantastic OPS of .776
A couple of signed bats and jerseys would be a wonderful “Thanks”, JT.
3. Yasiel Puig playing well since returning from the disabled list.
Make no mistake about it. I’m a fan of the Wild Horse. So I’m very happy to report Puig is batting a healthy .328 since coming back from his latest stint on the DL. He’s also batting smarter – cutting down on strike outs, and walking 8 times in his last 10 games. That’s a good trend as well.
Puig has retained his speed on the base paths, as we saw when he won the June 22 game against the Nationals in a walk-off that only he could engineer.
Puig came to the plate as the winning run in the ninth, and he hit a single, which turned into a crazy home run on Michael Taylor‘s error in center field. Puig raced around the bases, and scored the winning run with a belly flop slide at home plate.
Puig is still a force to be reckoned with defensively as well, as he showed with a racing, shoestring catch of a dying blooper in last Sunday’s game against the Padres.
Even if you’re on the “Trade Puig” bandwagon, you’ve got to appreciate what this steady level of play has done for his trade value.
4. The weekend sweep of the Rockies after the bad news about Clayton Kershaw.
When news broke that Clayton Kershaw was receiving treatments for a sore back, Dodger fans took a collective deep breath hoping it was nothing serious.
Trouble was, each new trickle of news about Kershaw was worse than the one before. Finally, the Dodgers placed Kershaw on the Disabled List, with no clear timetable for his return.
The Internet burst into flames. Teeth were gnashed and blue jerseys were torn asunder. Many declared the Dodgers’ season over.
Then came the Colorado Rockies series, pitched by Bud Norris, Scott Kazmir, and Brandon McCarthy. They were nothing less than sensational. The three starting pitchers over the series delivered 17 shut out innings and 26 strikeouts. Add in the bullpens’ work, and the Dodgers stacked up 38 strike outs over the three games.
The offense combined with the excellent pitching to beat the Rockies by scores of 5-0, 6-1, and 4-1. It was exactly what the team needed, and it served notice to the rest of the playoff hunters out there, that Kershaw or not, the Dodgers weren’t going away.
5. The bullpen carrying the Dodgers from June to the break.
Early in the season, the bullpen was a weak link, a huge liability – an albatross, if you will. When the bullpen took the field, home runs were surrendered, and leads were blown on a regular basis.
Dodger fans and writers became increasingly frustrated. Radio talk shows, Twitter, and online comment pages were filled with verbal knives aimed at the ineffective bullpen. And those were from the nice folks.
As June unfolded, the starting rotation began leaving games earlier, and the bullpen was tasked with getting the job done, or the season would be lost.
Slowly but surely, Adam Liberatore, Casey Fien, Louis Coleman and occasionally, Pedro Baez began stacking up scoreless innings.
As the cream of the bullpen rose to the top, Chris Hatcher and J.P. Howell remained firestarters. One big reason for the numerous shutout innings the Dodger hurlers piled up, was the skipper wisely stopped using those two in critical situations.
The last two weeks saw the bullpen putting up four (or more) scoreless innings almost nightly. They go into the break with a major league leading 2.83 ERA. They are also the stingiest relief squad in the majors, with only 99 runs scored, and they’ve held opponents to the lowest batting average of all, .195
Weak link? More like invaluable.
Honorable Mention: Kenley Jansen surpassing Eric Gagne to become the Dodgers’ all-time saves leader.
Those are my top five moments. Let us know what some of yours are in the comments below.
Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
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The most important aspect of the first half was to organize the bullpen. I think, now, most of the guys have expected rolls, which has to help. Liberatore might be a real set up guy, maybe the closer of the future. Now the trick is to get the starters to pitch into the 7th inning. Like high school.
The Top Five moments of the year will happen in the next 3 months. Book ’em, Dano.
I hope the top 5 are still to come..
I liked the Dodgers series against the Met’s, at there place, when Syndergaard
throw the ball, behind Utley’s back.
And remember Utley responded with two HRs, and his second HR, was a grand slam.
Not sure if a .776 OPS is fantastic. In fact I think it’s mediocre at best. But it’s moving up which is the good thing.
For me hearing Vinny call a game is my top moment!
I especially liked his game 6233
Greetings Bum!
Nice to see you posting. Hope all is well.
.776 is not fantastic by league standards but on this team it’s great.
My top moment was when it dawned on me that we are currently playoff eligible with a rotation that is led by Kenta Maeda, Scott Kazmir and the Who Knows Who’s, and an offense that is 26th in BA and 25th in OPS. That is magic and a baffle them with bullsh*t act that is somehow working. Can they keep the balls in the air until October? Yeah, sure, why not……..
ahhh optimism, I love it, but I am not convinced. They need to be 7 games better than the Giants the second half. Not sure this FO knows how to close the gap, but then again can the Gnats stay as hot as they are the rest of the year? Who knows. The whole thing is a crapshoot. Another 42-8 run would be nice, but they do not have the pitching to pull that off…..
I like the idea that the Giants will be 4 games worse and Dodgers will be 4 games better.
6.5 out, still leaves you in the second spot
I thought that would be a 8 game change.
Say the Dodgers are 57-45…Giants 6 games better……63-39…Dodgers win 4 in a row to be 61-45, Giants lose 4 are 63-43…..still two games back.
When it changes is when you are playing each other, then each game is a 2 game switch
I was thinking this way.
57 – 45 becomes 61 – 41 in second half and 63 – 39 becomes 59 – 43.
When Dodgers win 4 more they would have to lose 4 less.
That math makes it an 8 game swing.
Okay Bum, I get that. They have 71 games left. They are 6.5 back. What they really need to do is be 1 game back, or in front heading into the last weekend……they play the Giants…
Read an interesting story about Willie Calhoun on dodgers.com. He actually went up to Friedman during his tryout and told him he was going to put on a laser show……pretty gutsy. Dodgers.com is also now carrying the Rosenthal story that the Dodgers are shopping Puig. Well if they trade him, they better get equal value back……
I read that too Mike. He’s one I’ll keep an eye on. Also read he needs help on his fielding at 2B. He was an OF before.
On another note: The Gnats are doing much better than I expected especially since Pence, Duffy, Panik are on the DL and I believe Belt was hurt for awhile too. Props to them but they are still catchable.
Their top two SP are better than ours but our BP is a lot better. However let’s not forget we started the season win TEN players on the DL. They didn’t and we are only 7 back in the loss column so we will, not can, cut into that lead when we play them again. Both teams will be in the PS, let’s see who wins the division. To me, it’s still up for grabs and if we(FO) make the right decisions, we’ll be there till the end.
If Calhoun’s defense does not get to an acceptable level, he could be tried at first base. What, two more years for Agon?
I believe that Calhoun is about 5’7″–would that make him the shortest first baseman ever?
I am not sure that he is destined to be poor defensively forever. In baseball, when one gets a reputation, it seems to stay for at least two years after it is no longer true. Karros said that bad defensive skills are something that can be remedied. (Not in those words.)
From Yahoo;
Best Answer: It’s a tie between Yale Murphy and Dickey Pearce both who did it in the 1800’s. They stood 5 feet 3 inches.
Since 1900 the shortest was Lew Drill, Fred Haney, and Heinie Mueller who stood 5 feet 6 inches.
If you add a 100 game minimum then you have quite a few at 5’9″. Matty Alou (168 games), Ripper Collins (894), Jimmie Dykes (148), Buck Freeman (256), Joe Harris (522), Germany Schaefer (145), and Matt Stairs (242).
Steve Garvey was probably the most famous “short” first baseman standing at 5’10”. For the record the tallest was Richie Sexson at 6’8″.
But how high can he get? I’d be willing to bet he’d be able to get his glove higher than Agon. Running and jumping are not his strong points…
I think a player can work to be to be a better defensive player.
Hitting is the hard thing.
Bellinger is the 1st base heir apparent. And he is a natural 1st baseman. Calhoun would need way to much work, but he could become a super utility guy ala Kike.
I like that Bellinger is fast.
Not a chance with Bellinger in the pipeline…..
Pipelines break.
yeah, but that kid is on the fast track, and I doubt they would even consider Calhoun for that position……
Michael
I meant at second, not first.
Wondering suggested 1st, not you….
Richie
Did you check the Giants bullpen on inherited runners, that have scored, as compared to the Dodgers bullpen?
I just would like to know those figures.
Yep, the glove was the weakest part of his game, but according to the story he is working really hard on it.
Michael
I agree about Puig.
And did you win?
Yes I did…50 bucks for 1st place…..
What song did you choose?
American Trilogy: Elvis did it the best, but have heard Glen Campbell and others do it too
Congrats 50 buck is 50 bucks.
And that had to make you feel good!
Thanks, it is nice to win, small club, small prize, but that’s ok….I won 1,000.00 twice in about 6 months back in the early 90’s. Those were finals, this was just a local night, Won a G&L guitar at the Crazy Horse back when too…..
I have not found how to check inherited runners scoring, but here is what I do know:
The Dodgers are #1 in MLB in OPS allowed… by almost 60 points!
The Dodgers bullpen leads the majors with a .594 OPS. The Giants are .707. Ain’t even close.
The Dodgers are also #1 in OB% allowed by the pen.
Do you remember all the vitriol that was spewed about FAZ not improving the bullpen?
That was pure fiction, wasn’t it? Whoever spewed it was full of something… right?
So, now you will focus on something else to prove you own Damn worldview.
I’m sorry, but I have read so much BS from so many people… for so long… over and over… about FAZ not improving the bullpen that I have to let it go!
I’m done and I didn’t call anyone a moron (yet).
They have been better, but still believe that Hatcher and Howell are the weakest links, and most likely to be moved if anyone is…..but the BP has been nails for a while now
getting mellow in your old age??
Maybe… 😉
MAYBE NOT!
Same here……older, not wiser, just less worried about it all……….
Mark
I don’t know where you get that stat either.
But it is an important stat.
And some egocentric windbag had Cueto’s arm falling off, Urias with 150 innings in LA because he had nothing left to learn in the minors and the Dodgers with 95 wins.
Many of the bullpen’s stats surprise everyone, including all the blowhards out there. But here’s the thing about stats in July – they only tell part of the story. I’m not going to say anyone is moronic lying butt head that is full of sh*t until the season ends. First, lets see if our collection of geniuses pull off a Hamels move, or another Latos move. After that, what happens from late August to the end of September is going to tell the real story. Maybe these guys surprise me and actually win a playoff series.
At this hour of this day I’m reflecting on the perplexing plethora of players that have come in, and many back out, the gate around here and the most impressive pickup that I think I’ve seen is Adam Liberatore. Yeah, it’s only been about 29 innings, but he’s been better than anyone. Do that again with a starter and RH .900 OPS bat and who knows, maybe the disagreeable gasbag will finally have one right.
Badger
Two Royal players, each hit a HR, off Cueto in the Allstar game.
And that is where he was at in the second half of the season.
They must know the key to hitting Cueto.
I am only bringing it up, because I want our players, to do the same.
He really doesn’t have that good of stuff.
It is mainly the different timing of when he releases the ball.
Mark
Most people don’t trust Hatcher and Baez in high pressure situations.
And with good reason.
And you have said the same thing, about those two.
And really Roberts doesn’t either.
He uses Blanton much more, then Hatcher and Baez.
Roberts uses Baez more then Hatcher, but if he had a choice, he would have Blanton set up games.
And he would use Libertore, to set up for lefties.
I have always liked Libertore, but they sent him down at the begining of the year, because he has options.
mark, good to see that you are as calm as ever. are all of the “unusual suspects” of negativity still around? sure Badger is still as erudite and feisty as ever. seems like a good time to reinvolve myself.
Good to have you back, Denny!
The 2016 strike out champion has lots of competition this year. Here are the top 5 numbers:
78, 66, 66, 65, 61
And no, Joc is not in the lead!
Who is competing? Not in any particular order, Utley, Agon, Joc, Thompson, Seager
Bum
The player with the most Strike outs, has 100 more at bats, then the two players, who have the second most.
He can still win the championship though.
Mark
I think part of the improvement, is because Roberts knows who to use in those situations better now.
Bum
Why?
At the end of the year the person with the most strikeouts wins the K championship.
I am just making a tongue-in-cheek comment that says, hey, guess what, Joc might not lead the team in strikeouts again this year.
I agree with you Mark. The bull pen has been very strong. Hatcher may even be good in the second half. He was last year. Urias will be in the bull pen later this year. I do not rely on stats like most of you do. I just rely on what I see on TV. I think Howell is the person that has to worry about his job the second half.
Here’s another on defense. Watch him at the .22 second mark:
There is talk about possibly trading Puig. What is that we need the second half? The infield looks solid. The outfield with Ethier coming back is pretty solid. Puig has been pretty good since coming back. Our bull pen is pretty good now. Starting pitching is probably our biggest need, but we would have to trade some starting pitching because of our excess. Also, we have Wood and Anderson coming back. I do not see us as a very good trade partner. Would Puig, Wood, Kasmir, and Anderson get us a No. 2 pitcher? I doubt it. We may have to throw in one or two farm kids and some salary.
Much depends on the health of our ace.
Every position on this team is two deep. We don’t really NEED anything. It’s all right there. What we need is for those who have chosen to start, relieve, and come off the bench to do their jobs. If our GMs have done what it is they are supposed to be good at, it will all come together exactly as it should.
Don’t trade anyone.
I think they need to pick a pitcher from within, to be in the bullpen, to help finish games, for these starters, that can’t pitch beyond five innings.
A long man, that can pitch more then just one inning.
As of June third, the Dodgers bullpen had allowed inherited runners, to score 34 percent of the time.
That ranked them eleventh in the National League.
The Giants bullpen had only allowed 20 percent of inherited runners to score.
And the Giants bullpen was ranked number one, in the Nattional League.
This is why I was wondering.
I don’t know what these figures are through first week of July, but like I said above, this was on June third.
Dodgers’ bullpen has improved to 28% IRS. That’s 4th in the league. League average is 31%. Giants are second at 22%. Mets are 1st at 19%.
Dodger rick
I was wondering thanks.
That is good that that is better, because that is a very important stat, when it comes to bullpens.
AS of RIGHT NOW:
The Giants have allowed 22% of runners to score while the Dodgers have allowed 28% to score. Both are near the top.
The biggest difference is bullpen ERA – the Dodgers are at 2.83 while the Giants are 3.94.
The Giants have 16 Blown Saves. The Dodgers have 13.
Scott, a previous comment is awaiting moderation.
The ‘pen has improved quite a bit. It isn’t really because the Braintrust has made big improvements. Blanton, yes.
Roberts has figured out who he can rely on and who he can’t. He is using Blanton and Liebertore in high leverage situations instead of Hatcher and he has stopped using Howell. He allows Baez on occasions.
Also, by not using the pitchers who can’t pitch in the clutch in high leverage situations, they pitch more effectively when they do come in.
The ‘pen has done yeoman’s work since the beginning of June.
I am afraid that their arms will fall off without pitchers who can pitch more than 5 innings routinely.
Dodger rick
I think it is Roberts too.
And I said the same thing you just said, above.
Dodger rick
Can you find this stat of inherited runners, that were allowed to score, on each Dodger reliever?
Here they are:
Baez – 44%
Blanton – 29%
Coleman – 23%
Fien – 0%
Hatcher – 20%
Howell – 50%
Jansen – 10%
Libertore – 21%
Dodger rick
Thank you so much!
I thought that Baez would be the number one guy.
And his numbers are terrible at 44 percent.
But JP’s numbers are the worst.
And he is the highest paid reliever I believe, other then Kenley.
I don’t think Hatcher has been brought in with runners on base, to often, because of his troubles.
I guess Hatcher makes most of his own situations worse, by walking hitters, or getting behind on hitters.
Baez and Hatcher, and maybe some of the other relievers need to learn something from Libertore.
When Libertore comes in to
pitch, he always has that game face, that means he is going to take care of business.
It looks like he has a high level of concentration, every time he comes in and pitches.
I think some of the other Dodger relievers, need to do this same thing.
Because Baez seems to throw a pitch right down the middle of the plate, when he comes in and throws his first pitch to a hitter.
And remember last year, Baez had really bad numbers, when he faced his first hitter.
And that first pitch, is what many hitters jump on, to get to a reliever, and hit the pitch out.
I think Blanton and Libertore have there percentage, because they come in and pitch more, in high leverage situations, more then the other relievers.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2016-reliever-pitching.shtml
Make your own determinations.
Even in those columns we aren’t at the top this bullpen has been better than most thought it would be. Will they maintain these numbers as they are asked to pitch 4 innings night after night? I suspect we will see more comings and goings as guys flame out. We still have Urias for some selected innings. De Leon could eat some and Frias looked good as a long man last time out. More smoke, more mirrors, it could happen.
E-6. K.
Seen a bit of that this year.
Badger
Those Yankee three, are all almost unhittable.
He struck out the Rockies third baseman too.
And Arrenado doesn’t strike out much.
Yeah. Good pitchers. That’s why they are in San Diego tonight.
Badger
I looked your info up thanks.
I have trouble seeing all of those different stats on my IPhone.
But in that info, they have the Giant’s pen rated number one.
Why is the Giants pen rated number one there?
Depends on the stat. That chart is alphabetical. Click the top of the column and it will arrange it top to bottom, or bottom to top. SF has a few really good relievers, and a few not so good. Just like us.
I posted this earlier but it was awaiting moderation. You will see Calhoun make a good defensive play here.
Badger
Thanks, it is really hard to see some of those numbers, and I am not familar with every saber metric stat.
Here’s a throw:
Another year, another AL victory in the boring all star game. They need to change that the winner gets home field….well it ain’t over yet, but close enough.
Michael
We’re getting closer to Friday!
And at least Cueto was the loser.
I just wish the Dodgers knew what those two Royal players, knew about Cueto!
Actually, In his 2 games against the Dodgers he has given up runs early. The Giants came back to win one that he was down 4-0 I think…..not sure, but I am pretty sure that happened.
Michael
I think they did in the first game, but I am not sure about other time either.
It kind of looks like the key with Cueto is get him early, and I think he is a difference pitcher, with runners on base.
It just gets frustrating to see him shut our hitters down, because he really doesn’t have good stuff, and his fastball is mainly 90, but it is the different timing of his delivery that gets our players.
I coined a phase a few years ago. “Sociopath lying with time”. I think about that phrase just about everytime I read the posts in here. Especially those by one person.
It continues to amaze me. Timmons posts comments that take an optimistic view of a baseball team and challenges the persistent criticism. That’s the general theme of his posts.
And for that he’s called a dumbfuck, sociopath, egocentric windbag, and on and on and on…oh yeah…and challenged to a fistfight by some guy who weighs 427 lbs. I almost forgot about that one.
And then…that’s not all….he’s railed against for actually being the problem. He calls people names like “moron” and uses hurtful phrases like “felony stupid.” He says things that people don’t agree with, and their feelings need to be protected. This blog needs it’s safe space from unpleasant opinions, so we need to “disable his keyboard” and ban him. Poor people!
In my observation, he’s not the problem.
You’ve been gone a while patch. It’s not what you think. It’s a ‘family’ thing, you hit us, we hit you. It’s all tongue in cheek, just having a little fun. Don’t take it seriously.
Used to weigh 427, that was years ago. It was between him and I and it is over. No need to rehash that stuff. We have a disagreement over the present FO, and that is pretty much it. It got a little heated and the name calling was from both sides, him and I. But that is behind us, and we both have been civil. As for the fist fight thing, Well he said some things I do not think he would have said to my face. Maybe he would have, I do not know, but I am one of those people who does not back down when challenged. Never have. But then again, we could meet and might be great friends, you never know. We do have a common ground because we both love the Dodgers. We just differ in our feelings for the people running things.
Have box seat tickets to the Quakes game on Saturday. Going to check out FAZ’s A team in person…. see what is cookin!
I agree with you Dodgerpatch. Mark is not the problem . He uses some words I would not use, but he has supported FAZ . Those of us who support FAZ have been called ass kissers by the owner of this blog . The owner has been negative all year and most of the writers have followed his lead. I really hope the Dodgers will do well the second half. Maybe there will be more positive comments. I doubt it because you can always find fault if you are looking for it.
I argue with people for a living. There are lots of ways to make a point or to disagree with someone. Name calling, impugning motives, threatening people are never appropriate. If you did that in court you would be jailed for contempt or brought before the State Bar on charges.
People on both sides of the front office controversy are guilty of all of the above. The anonymity of the internet and the fact that posters here are from all over the country allow people to say things that they would likely not say in person. Nor should they in a civil society.
I love the Dodgers. I enjoy talking about them with others which is why I post here. I do not appreciate the uncivil way that some have of expressing an opinion. I dropped out for several months at one point because of this.
There is more than one way to build a winning baseball team. The SABRway being employed by the Braintrust, which relies on computer data more than baseball players, managers and scouts to make baseball decisions is not, in my opinion, the best way. The game is played on the field by real men and not on a computer by a computer model. The front office relies primarily on stock brokers and economists to make baseball decisions.
All data are useful, including SABRdata. Ultimately though, baseball decisions should be made by a group that considers the human element to be at least as important as the statistical element and baseball men should be involved in the decision making.
I could go on but don’t want to right now – needless to say that those who agree with me are reluctant to endorse the current direction of the Dodgers. If that makes us negative then so be it. It’s like anything else – say the way the country is handling its politics. If you see your principles being ignored or denigrated, then it’s difficult to be positive about the situation.
To be fair, we aren’t making an argument in front of the Supreme Court, and none of us will ever be able to express ourselves in writing like Scalia did. I’ll grant a little latitude in a baseball discussion blog with participants to engage in a little smack talk, and I’ve been guilty of it. I think my very first post here a year ago I publicly questioned whether Mark had half a gnat’s brain and called the entire board idiots. …I’ve moderated my tone.
Weaving an occasional insult or jab into an original point that is phrased in such as way that it’s actually clever is not a bad thing, Badger can keep FAZophant. That’s not bad. Of course Mark can keep moron. That’s almost his trademark. But when the actual articles here include such choice phraseology as “moneyball bullshit, FAZ buttkissers,” or that the Dodgers are a “steaming pile of crap,” I don’t find those to be examples of good writing, and as Bumsrap pointed out, it’s sets the tone for the rest of the discussion, which devolves into a similarly crude, repetitive and reinforcing echo chamber.
I hope Bumsrap sticks around. I hope Always Compete comes back…and Boxout. I think this place is better with smart alternative voices, but I read and respect all opinions that are insightful and well articulated ….and original. I’ve grown to respect your posts quite a lot, because in your own particular style, you’re persuasive. Mark, in his own unique style, is persuasive and provies original content, and almost has me changing my mind on The Trade….almost.
I don’t consider myself to be a FAZ butt kisser, but critical thinker, and I’ve been generally supportive of the approach of front office. For better or worse, this is the age we live in, where insight into the margins, the discovery of those market inefficiencies is done through the analysis of data. That’s happening in all facets of life. I can accept the swing and misses by the FO if I understand what they’re ultimately trying to accomplish and what the larger picture is. I do think they run the risk of being too cute in overthinking the obvious, where, still, the best and easiest way to acquire talent that immediately makes the team better is to simply pay for Cueto, for heaven’s sake.
If more people didn’t abdicate their responsibility to be critical thinkers and succumb to a kind of mob mentality where the lowest, crudest, common denominator ruled and where demagoguery appealed , our political and cultural environment would be much better…and the discussion here would be better.
Dodger rick
As soon as someone name calls, they have aleady lost the debate.
And I hope that Walford comes back too!
Exactly Dodger rick!
Sometimes the obvious move, is the right move!
Like I just told patch, relax al.
I used the word FAZophant only because it appeared to me no matter what those guys did, from Latos to Tepesch, from Lisalverto to Bronson and the 300 moves in between then and now there were those who hailed The Great and Powerful FAZ as genius saviors. I liked the word. And then I watched as most of the moves fizzled like cheap fireworks. Once I let go of expectations I find the whole show kinda funny, including watching Mark pound his chest and act like the alpha chimp in here. But then, I’ve seen the act longer than most. The best thing might be to ignore it, but then that wouldn’t be any fun. Somebody has to stand up to the bullies. But it can be done with a little fun. At least I hope it can. I don’t intend to stop calling him on in his b.s. And I’m sure he will, as he has since the turn of the century, call me on what he perceives to be mine. In the big picture, doesn’t really matter much now does it.
But it does matter. And when it stops mattering, society ceases to be civil and trends toward anarchy. This is evident is society as a whole currently, and it isn’t pretty.
Rick, you’re of course right. People are snapping all over the planet. We here in the US lost our minds, and our moral compass decades ago. We are not advancing as a discerning society. We are not evolving. I counterpunch in here because that’s who I am. I’ve always been the guy that speaks truth to power, but honestly I’m too old and too tired to really do that much about it. I fought my fight, it damn near killed me and for what? So some rich bastards could get richer dropping chemicals and munitions on innocent civilians? And that beat goes on and on.
You’re a lawyer I take it. I recently had a long talk with an appellate lawyer in Colorado how things actually work on the streets, in a courtroom and where this country, it’s police force and it’s courts is headed. Not much can be done to stop it, short a revolution. When that happens old farts like me will likely to be the first to fall. In the mean time, when someone continues to bellow, what to do? Ignore the bombast? Yeah, that could be done. But what’s the fun in that? I don’t threaten anyone because as you say, that’s ridiculous. But, I find it therapeutic for me to use my words. It’s just a sports chat room here. Nothing said here is going to raise the national consciousness. If this is no longer fun, then maybe this isn’t the place. Frankly many of the fans that were the most knowledgeable and articulate have already disappeared. I kept in touch with many for years. Some still drop me a line now and then, a few have stopped by for coffee and a hike. But they don’t engage in baseball talk around here and I think that’s a shame. Talking baseball is what this place should be about.
But one thing I notice about you and your unique relationship with Mark is that you don’t speak truth to power. That’s your vanity speaking. You can’t help but take snide pot shots at him. The insults are subtle, much different than Mark’s bull-in-china-shop style, but they allow you to indulge yourself while still maintaining the self-righteous veneer of not name calling. …Apparently this has been going on for a long time. Somehow you both get some sort of stimulation out of it, like and old bickering married couple.
You’re right. To speak truth to power, the one being addressed must first have power. That to which I refer was when Mark ran his own blog, you know, the longest running blog in the history of history. Now he’s just another guy with an opinion. His opinion of those who disagree with him is with what I take issue. And, since I know more about his history than most, perhaps I’m guilty of reading between the lines. Thanks for the honest insight.
Dodger fans are like old married couples. Fights happen. Opinions differ, and sometimes someone says something that just burns your ass. Everyone has an opinion and they all stink. But there will always be those who stand up and bite back. Might be because it is second nature, or a protect yourself kind of reaction. Then again it could be two alpha’s squaring off for the main event.
I do not hide behind the anonymity of a keyboard and I talk to people faces like I do behind their backs or on the web.
Name calling, impugning motives, threatening people are never appropriate. If you did that in court you would be jailed for contempt or brought before the State Bar on charges.
Well, I had the pleasure of doing the following in Court when I defended myself pro se:
1. I called the judge a “drunk”
2. I called the prosecutor a “liar”
3. I called the detective “incompetent or a liar”
4. After that, the Special Judge ordered the Police to turn over all their investigative files to me
5. That was when the Special Prosecutor asked that my 40 year conviction be overturned and ordered the Sheriff to take off my handcuffs and shackles. I walked out of the courtroom 7 years 5 months and 5 days later with no record. That was 21 years ago,
It was because my attorneys would not assassinate the character of the prosecutor, police and judge that I was convicted. No attorney would have did what I had to do.
Mow, you may have an idea of why I say “I have walked among the baddest of the bad!”
To say that I don;t mince words would be an understatement!
That is an experience I doubt many of us have had. Kudo’s for sticking to your guns. I avoid court at all costs. Never had to have an attorney, so I feel lucky that way.
I’m biting my tongue here.
rick, you want to address this?
I will say this, from my recent experience in a courtroom if you were to talk like that to a judge and a prosecutor you would be slapped with contempt and become another number tucked into one of the slave labor camps that make up our corporately owned private prison system today.
I wasn’t there so I have to take Mark’s word for it, but after nearly 33 years as a practicing attorney, I’ve never seen anything like what Mark has described. I have seen people (especially without attorneys) act in an uncivil manner and get rousted out of court by law enforcement personnel.
Attorneys who act that way get sanctioned. If the sanction is large enough, it gets reported to the State Bar and they start investigating you for discipline.
I think this is about the only blog that allows people to say what is on there mind.
And that is a good thing.
Most of the Dodger blogs, just agree with every move the front office or the Dodgers do faithfully.
I don’t like when the name calling gets to personal.
But I guess that is going to happen, when people have such strong opinions, that differ.
It is a boys will be boys, kind of thing.
I just don’t understand why some take it so personal, when people question, some of Faz’s moves or deals.
If someone says something bad about the front office, some people act like they got a personal attack, about them as a person, or on there family.
That is what I don’t get.
I like all different kind of point of views.
I don’t still don’t understand why some Faz followers left, because they are being challanged on certain moves.
I didn’t expect them to leave.
I expected them to come back with a good debate, in there voice.
I have heard Mark say a couple of things about Faz that wasn’t good.
I wonder if anyone else remembers any of these things.
And bottom line it takes two to have these type of name calling to exist.
Some left to join a group that have similar opinions. If what the FO is doing was actually working, they might be in here trumpeting. But, the 3 time Division Championship team has a decidedly different look now. Maybe it will work. I’ve seen nearly every game and with the exception of a few players, mostly those FAZ had nothing to do with acquiring, watching this team is like watching my cats nap. Love those cats. But I don’t get excited about watching them sleep.
My point from the beginning, and maybe I do not see the FO’s plan as clearly as some, is that they consistently claimed players off the waiver wire who basically had no shot of being on or helping the team. Tepesch is a great example of that. 3 good games at AAA, called up and gets hammered. I could name a lot of other players they claimed and none ever graced the roster. This is depth. Their trades have been very questionable, although the Olivera, and Kemp deals cleared payroll. I am not going to rag on Grandal right now, mainly because everyone pretty much knows how I feel about that trade, but Lato’s? Maybe they did not need a top notch arm, and I understand not trading the kids. But there were better options and they did not pursue them. Maybe there is a plan, but not many fans see it. Maybe we are not supposed to. I agree with Badger totally that this team is about as exciting as watching a fly go up a drape. LA means star power. The biggest star is on the disabled list. As for Mark. Well he makes good points, and I respect that, but sometimes when someone does not agree with him, he talks down to them and then the problem starts. Because you are on the internet, and do not know the person you are talking to, you have no idea how they will react. They might be a total nutcase. This team is different than the last 3 division winners. Do they have what it takes to come back? That is the big question and the main point of contention. The biggest addition to this team came from within. Corey Seager at SS over Jimmy Rollins was a huge upgrade. Utley has played way beyond what most, and some on here predicted. Others have played below what was expected. And some have not played at all. Myself, I am waiting to see if they come out of the break determined to make a run, or if like in years past they come out and fall flat on their face. I am also waiting to see if come August 1st, there is a significant addition, or the same old junk…
I say again, all these moves make sense if you look down the road. This is the template of a 5 year business plan. What they havent done is give that young Super Star the 7 year $200 million contract, but I believe it is coming. Just not this year.
I read in Rumors a few minutes ago that Jansen could get 4 and $70mm. Does anyone here believe FAZ would give that kind of money to a one inning guy? I’ll go on record – no, I don’t think so.
Same here..I have read numerous times that was one of the main reasons they were trying to get Chapman, so they could let Kenley walk
You are a voice of reason in a sea of discontent…..
Hard to tell who that was aimed at Michael.
MJ…he is always so mellow
Yeah, I agree with that take.
Yeah, MJ lacks the balls for being nasty;)
Rick,
Well, I laid the evidentiary foundation to ask the appropriate questions: “so, when you said blah, blah, blah, was that a lie or the truth?” I was referring to exculpatory evidence that was withheld. They said they had never seen the file that contained the exculpatory evidence. Then I produced their signature of where they signed the file out. The prosecutor waived his hands in the air (he was on the stand) and said “your honor, I’m confused to which I said “NO you are a liar! with no objections. A day later, I walked out!
I am not an attorney, but I have won 100% of my cases! 😉
The defense rests your honor!
Fred is being tongue in cheek…
I tried talking like that once……..hurt like hell….
Not advocating, but wondering if Encarnacion is the “elite” talent FAZ spoke of. In my illustrious opinion, as a rental he would cost too much, and it would cost too much to extend him. Just had a sudden thought that they might be kicking his tires.