You ask most any Dodger fan, and they will say one of the bigger disappointments of the 2023 playoff series against the D-Backs was the performance, or lack thereof, of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Part of the Dodgers’ futility in their last three playoff appearances has been the lack of production by star players. In 21, they were further burdened by the loss of Kershaw, Muncy, Joe Kelly, and Shcerzer, who was unable to answer the bell for his start in the NLCS against the Braves.
But 2021 also saw Justin Turner go 4-34 in the three playoff series. His only RBI in the playoffs tied the Cardinals in the wild-card game.
Betts, who hit .450 against the Giants in the NLDS, was held to a .174 average by the Braves in the Championship series. AJ Pollock, CT-3, and Bellinger were the offensive stars of the series. Turner, Betts, Trea Turner, and Smith all hit under .240 for the series.
In 22 the entire team came into the Padre series flat and uninspired it seemed to us fans. After scoring 5 and winning game one, the offense went in the tank the last three games. They lost game 2, 5-3, game 3, 2-1 and blew the lead in game 4 to lose 5-3. Frustrating to fans to be sure.
But let us go back to 1952, a time when the only postseason action was the World Series. Your only chance to bring back the title. The Dodgers were in their third World Series in 6 years.
They were the Boys of Summer, Snider, Reese, Robinson, Campanella, Furillo, Cox, Erskine, Roe, Black. Don Newcombe was not available because he was in the service. During the 7 game series, they would use only six pitchers, Black, Loes, Roe, Erskine, Lehman and Rutherford. Black started 3 games, going 1-2, Erskine started 2.1-1, Roe and Loes one each.
On the offensive side, only Snider, Reese, and Cox had good offensive series. Snider and Reese both hit .345. Snider had four homers and eight driven in. He would hit four again in 55. Cox hit .296.
Campy, .214, Robinson, .174, Furillo, .174. All had bad series. But the most futile of all was Gil Hodges. The Dodgers first baseman, who had a stellar season with 32 homers and 102 driven in, was 0-21. The first player to ever play a seven game series and end up with no hits.
Gil did manage to walk 5 times. But those were his only times on base. And it seemed like all series he would come up in critical situations.
With all of those vital players not contributing, it was little wonder they lost to the Yankees in seven games again. The Yankees hit .216 as a team in the series, and the Dodgers, .215. But the Yanks outhomered them 10-6. They outscored them 26-20.
It was by far the worst postseason performance Hodges would ever have. The problem lingered into the 1953 season. At one point manager Charlie Dressen benched Hodges.
On a hot Sunday afternoon, one of the Priests in Hodges district declared, it is too hot for a sermon today, so go home, and pray for Gil Hodges. The prayer must have worked, because Hodges got hot and finished 1953 with a .302/31/122 line.
The game can humble anyone. Hodges is a prime example of that.
Discussion (16)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The Dodgers are considering presenting an offer in the $250-300MM range to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, reports Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/dodgers-considering-250mm-offer-to-yamamoto.html
Muncy is a bargain although his fielding at 3B has been cringe worthy. Hopefully, he will improve.
Taylor was lucky to get his big contract. The Dodgers let Hernandez walk because they thought he and Taylor were the same player and they were high on McKinstry who they thought would also be a good utility player. McKinstry started off hot, then faded after an injury. When Taylor’s contract expired he was coming off 2 good years and the Dodgers needed him. That’s why he got the huge overpay. Unfortunately, he has had 2 down years. Maybe his injuries have had something to do with his poor performance.
Barnes has had his moments but I suspect if this year is anything like last year it will be his last year.
Bear, wasn’t insinuating taylor wasn’t valuable, he’s a great utility guy. he does strike out too much. and on Max you’re drad on. he ain’t going nowhere. Barnes, oh hell one more year and maybe he’s gone. yeah , big hit against snell, and issw both games last year he won . i’m no expert but i don’t see his value as you do. not saying im right and you’re wrong, just me. love what you write and hope you have a mery christmas and great health in the nnew year! Lebron just signed with. the dodgers. he’s taking the deferred moneyfrom ohtani. he’s going to pinch run all season. he’ll just knock every position player off the bags! some things never change!!
McCutcheon and Pirates agree to a one-year deal per MLBTR. Yankees claimed Jeter Downs off of waivers.
Things will be kinda quiet until Yamamoto signs.
That is true Joe. In his only World Series, the great Ted Williams hit .200. Barry Bonds hit only .245 in 48 games. But no one ever had as bad a series as Gil with that many at bats. In 1966 the Dodgers won the pennant by 1.5 games over the Giants with the Pirates finishing 3 back. Baltimore won 97 games and won the AL pennant by 9 games over the Twins who won in 65. Statistically, the Orioles barely outhit the Dodgers during the season with their team average of .258 to the Dodgers .256. But power wise, the Orioles had better power hitters. The Orioles kid pitchers held the Dodgers to just 2 runs in the series shutting them out the last 3 games. Bu the Dodgers actually chased Dave McNally in the third inning of game 1. Jim Lefebvre hit a two-run homer off of him in the second. Moe Drabowski, who was 6-0 during the season, pitched 6.2 innings of scoreless relief to get the win. Drabowski was famous for his wackiness. He once ordered Chinese food from Hong Kong from the bullpen phone. The next game, Koufax got beat 6-0, and Willie Davis made three errors in the same inning. In games 3 and 4, they were shut out by identical 1-0 scores. The offense totally went dead.
Hodges was one of the greats. Great player–and then he managed the Miracle Mets to the championship.
Yes, the Mets had great pitching. But how many position players could crack the Dodgers’ roster today?
Hodges was a difference maker.
Not to make excuses but in 21 last four weeks of regular season we’re like playoff games trying to win division then intense one game wildcard playoff,,drag out wipe out five game series. By the time got to LCS to face eventual WS winner could tell they were a little spent by then. Unlike 22 and 23 nothing to be ashamed about. Actually I was proud of how hard they fought in 21
Good to see a new Bear post.
At least when Gil was 0-21 some others stepped up and series went 7 games. So this time Mookie/Freddie matched Gil, but sadly no one else was able to step up.
Whether they get Yamamoto or not the Dodgers are set up nicely for 2025. They get Ohtani, May, & Gonsolin back to go with Glasnow, Buehler, Miller, Sheehan, Stone, Grove, and the rest (minus any trades). Deep and young.
Quick question about Ohtani. How much does his agent make on a contract like that? And is he paid up front or does he have some deferred money as well? Thx Bear
muncy ain’t going nowhere. nobody wants barnes! taylors contract will prevent anyone from trading for him! heard yesterday the orioles and braves were in big for Cease. if not the dodgers, please be Baltimore!
Great start to this offseason! Hopefully a few more key moves to come and our Dodgers will be right where we want them to be. Challenging for the World Series Victory hopefully over the Yankees!
Bear
Interested in your opinion on what the boys should do with muncy taylor and barnes are they tradeable ?
Yamamota will sign with the Mets because Steve Cohen,the owner will offer whatever money he wants and because of his relationship with the other Japanese Met pitcher Kodai Senga. Bet it!
Nice article Bear. The boys better step up and win a World Series in 2024, nothing less. Whatever it takes,the excuses are over with. Put your big boy pants on and do it.