The National League as we know it, began in 1890. The Brooklyn team had been part of the American Association from 1884-89. The new rules for the new league stipulated that in order to have a team in the National League, a city must have 75,000 in population. The eight original NL teams were the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, Chicago Colts, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Boston, (no nickname yet), New York Giants, Cleveland Spiders, and Allegheny City, also no nickname.
There was that year, three major leagues. The NL, American Association and the newly formed Players League. Brooklyn also had an entry in the Players League, Wards Wonders. They were named for their manager, John Montgomery Ward, who had helped form the players league after the 1889 season. It would turn out to be a short tenure. The Players League folded after the 1890 season.
The 1890 version of what would become the Dodgers, were managed by Bill McGunnigle and finished in first place with an 86-43 record. They played at Washington Park II and drew 121.427, fourth in the league. They played the Louisville Colonels in what passed for a World Series, and it was declared a draw with each team winning 3 games.
26 years later, the Brooklyn Robins, so named affectionately after their rotund manager, Wilbert Robinson, won their first pennant in the modern era. They went 92-60-4 while playing at the new Ebbets Field and drew 447,747, fourth in the league.
Jake Daubert, their first baseman, hit .316 to lead the team. Zack Wheat, the star left fielder, hit .312 and led the team with 9 homers. Casey Strngel, the center fielder contributed 8. Jimmy Johnson and Hi Myers were the other two outfielders on the team.
Daubert was joined in the infield by 2nd baseman, George Cutshaw, SS, Ivy Olson, and 3rd baseman, Mike Mowrey. The C was Jake Meyers who shared those duties with Otto Miller. The reserves were, Ollie O’Mara, Gus Getz, Lew McCarty and Fred Merkle. As a team, they batted .261, scored 585 runs and slugged 28 homers.
They had five starting pitchers. Jeff Pfeffer 25-11 1.92, Larry Cheney 18-12 1.92, Sherry Smith 14-10 2.34, Rube Marquard 13-6 1.58 and Jack Coombs 13-8 2.66. Wheezer Dell 8-9 2.26, Ed Appleton 1-2 3.06, Nap Rucker 2-1 1.69, Duster Mails 0-1 3.63 were the bullpen arms. Leon Cadore, a 24-year-old rookie, got into 1 game. They had a team ERA of 2.12. They did not strike out a lot of hitters, just 634 in 1427.1 innings. They finished 2.5 games ahead of the Phillies and would meet the Boston Red Sox, managed by Bill Carrigan, who had finished 2 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox for the AL pennant with a 91-63 record.
Game One: The series opened on October 7th at Braves Field in Boston. Fenway Park had not yet been built. Ernie Shore, a 16-game winner started for the Red Sox. Brooklyn countered with lefty, Rube Marquard. In the third, the Sox scored to take a 1-0 lead. Brooklyn answered with a run in the top of the 4th, Shore settled down after that and would keep Brooklyn off of the scoreboard until the 9th inning. Meanwhile, Marquard walked 4 and allowed 7 hits, but Brooklyn committed 4 errors, a passed ball by Meyers, and Stengel, Olson 2, and Cutshaw committed blunders in the field. Boston scored 1 in the fifth, 3 in the seventh and one in the eighth to take a 6-1 lead. In the top of the 9th, a walk, hit batter, and error and a bases loaded walk got Brooklyn 4 runs. With 2 outs, Boston called down to the bullpen and Carl Mays got the last out. Hi Myers, Stengel and Wheat all had 2 hits for Brooklyn. There were no homers. Wheat and Myers had triples off of Shore, and Boston got doubles by Hooper, Lewis and Janvin off of Marquard, plus triples by Tillie Walker and Dick Hoblitzell.
Game Two: Brooklyn started RHP, Sherry Smith. The Red Sox countered with 21-year-old rookie left-hander, George Ruth, yep, the Babe. Brooklyn struck first in the top of the first on an inside-the-park homer by Hi Myers. The Sox tied the score in the third when Ruth knocked in Scott with a ground out. Both pitchers kept putting up zeroes. In the bottom of the 14th, Del Gainer, pinch hitting for Larry Gardner, knocked in Mike McNally, who was running for Hoblitzell, who had walked. Boston had a 2-1 win and a 2-0 lead in the series. The 14-inning game would the longest Series game until it was tied by the Astros-White Sox in game 3 of the 2005 series and again in 2015 between KC and the Mets. It since has been broken by the 18-inning game 3 of LA vs Boston in 2018 and then again in 2025 game 3 LA-Toronto.
Game Three: The teams went to Brooklyn for the first ever World Series game at Ebbets Field. Jack Coombs started for Brooklyn against Carl Mays. Brooklyn scored 1 in the 3rd and 4th innings, and 2 in the 5th to take a 4-0 lead. Olson 2, Cutshaw and Combs drove in the runs. Boston got 2 back in the 6th on a triple by Harry Hooper and a single by Shorten. In the top of the 7th, Gardner hit a homer off of Coombs with 1 out. Pfeffer relieved him and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings for a 4-3 Robins win. Daubert 3, and Olson were the only Robins with multiple hits.
Game Four: Dutch Leonard started for the Sox against Marquard. Brooklyn scored 2 in the bottom of the 1st. Johnson tripled and Myers singled him home. Myers would score on an error by Janvin. Marquard gave the lead away by allowing 3 runs in the top of the 2ns. Gardner hit his 2nd homer of the series off of Marquard in the 2nd, a 3-run shot. He gave up another run in the 4th and would be relieved by Cheney in the 5th. Cheney gave up single runs in the 5th and 7th, while Leonard kept Brooklyn scoreless from the 2nd inning one. Rucker pitched the last 2 innings and did not give up anything. Boston now led 3-1 as the series headed back to Boston for game five. The Robins made 4 errors in the game, but only 1 affected the score.
Game Five: Shore started for the Sox against Brooklyn ace, Jeff Pfeffer. The Robins scored an unearned run in the top of the 2nd on an error by SS Everett Scott. They would not score again. Pfeffer gave up 4 runs in his 7 innings of work, just 2 were earned as Brooklyn made 3 more errors. The offense mustered just 3 hits off of Shore. All of them were singles.
Series Summary: Boston hit .238 for the series with 7 doubles, 6 triples and 2 homers, both by Gardner. Their staff put up a 1.65 ERA in the 5 games. Brooklyn hit .200 as a team with 2 doubles, 5 triples and 1 homer, Myers inside the park shot. Their pitching was okay with a 2.85 ERA. The issued 19 walks and struck out 25. Boston hurlers walked 14 and struck out 19. The big difference was in the defense. The Robins made 13 errors led by Olson’s 4. Boston committed just 6. Ruth started his 29.2 World Series scoreless innings streak. He would extend the 14 innings with 15.2 in 1918 against the Cubs.
There were seven future Hall of Famers in the 1916 series. Ruth, Hooper and Herb Pennock who did not pitch in the series for Boston. Wheat, Marquard, Stengel and manager Wilbert Robinson for Brooklyn. Total attendance for the series was 162,859. The largest crowd was at game three where more then 42,000 packed Braves Field. Ruth would go on to dominate as the first major baseball superstar with his rise to prominence with the Yankees in the 20’s. Brooklyn would return to the series in 1920 against Cleveland. They would not go to the series again until 1941.
OKC Comets 7 – Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 3
OKC scored 4 runs in the 8th to break a 3-3 tie. They had 15 hits to score their 7.
Heliot Ramos led off the game with a homer off LHSP Charlie Barnes. Barnes was not sharp, but that is the only run he allowed in 4.2 innings.
OKC scored two in the 4th on back to back one out solo HRs by LF Ryan Fitzgerald (7) and CF Alek Thomas (2).
RF Zach Ehrhard led off the 5th with a double (16), and with 2 outs, scored on a double (1) by Thomas.
After RHRP Carlos Duran got the final out of the 5th, he went back out for the 6th. Things did not go as well. He faced 4 batters: a BB, single, single, and BB to force in a run. RHRP Paul Gervase entered with the bases loaded and induced a game tying double play. He got the third out without any further damage. Gervase would continue with a scoreless 7th.
RHRP Wyatt Mills pitched a scoreless 8th. In the bottom of the 8th, OKC put the hurt on Sacramento. Fitzgerald and Thomas led off with singles, and C Eliézer Alfonzo drew a BB to load the bases. 3B Taylor Young hit an RBI single. 2B Austin Gauthier singled to score Thomas and Alfonzo, with Young coming all the way home on a throwing error by the catcher for their 4 runs.
In the 9th, Mills allowed a leadoff single, and retired the next two batters. RHRP Jerming Rosario was summoned in and got the final out for the OKC win.
- Ryan Fitzgerald – 2-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR (7)
- Alek Thomas – 4-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI, double (1), HR (2)
- Taulor Young – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Austin Gauthier – 3-4, 2 RBI
- Zach Ehrhard – double (16)
Tulsa Drillers 9 – NW Arkansas (KC) 1
Tulsa had some good hitting and excellent pitching to win this one.
Tulsa put up two in the top of the 1st. SS Elijah Hainline hit a one out single. DH Zyhir Hope hit into a force out. 2B Jake Gelof singled. RF Chris Newell had an RBI single. Both runners moved up on a balk. C Frank Rodriguez walked to load the bases and LF Kole Myers drew a bases loaded BB for a run.
RHSP Roque Gutierrez took the mound. He allowed a leadoff single and then double. But the runner was thrown out at home from LF Myers to SS Hainline to catcher Rodriguez. The runner moved to third on a ground out and scored on a 2-out single. That would be the only run that NWA would score.
In the 2nd, 1B Joe Vetrano singled followed by a single from CF Mike Sirota. Hainline walked to load the bases. Hope singled to score Vetrano. Gelof walked to force in a run. Myers hit a 2-out, 2-run single putting Tulsa up 6-1.
In the 3rd, Vetrano had a leadoff BB and scored on Sirota’s double (10).
Gutierrez went back out to the mound in the 2nd, and allowed one single and 1 BB over the next three innings.
LHRP Wyatt Crowell pitched a scoreless final 5.0 innings, not allowing a hit and walking 2. He registered 6 K.
Tulsa scored 2 more in the 6th. Newell led off with a BB, stole 2nd, and scored on Rodriguez’s double (3). He moved to 3rd on F-8 and scored on a Vetrano SF.
Every Tulsa batter had a hit, and every batter had a BB except for Sirota, and he had 3 hits.
- Mike Sirota – 3-6, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (10)
- Jake Gelof – 2-5, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Frank Rodriguez – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (3)
Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 11 – Great Lakes Loons – 4
Great Lakes jumped ahead in the first inning. With 2 outs, SS Emil Morales singled and then 1B Cameron Decker slugged a 2-run HR.
How does a team score 11 runs on 8 hits? 13 walks!!
Lake County scored the next 10 runs. LHSP Jakob Wright went the first 3.0 innings and allowed 3 runs in the 2nd. LC hit a HR with one out. A double, single, and ground out scored the second run with the runner moving to 2nd. A WP moved the runner to 3rd. After a BB, the runners pulled off a double steal with the 3rd run scoring.
RHRP Robby Porco pitched a scoreless 4th inning. But he scuffled in the 5th. He struck out the first batter of the inning, but that was followed by walk, single, and walk, and Porco was lifted for RHRP Alex Makarewich. The first batter he faced hit a grand slam. He struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
In the 6th, Makarewich struck out the first batter of the inning, but then a BB, SB to 2nd, ground out, SB to 3rd and RHRP Reynaldo Yean entered to relieve him. If you have been following his season you might guess what happened. But it was even more demonstrative than expected. It went WP, WP, BB, WP, BB, BB, WP and three runs before getting the 3rd out.
LHRP Justin Chambers followed Yean to the mound in the 7th and retired the side in order.
In the GL 7th, DH Eduardo Guerrero hit a one out triple (1) and scored on a ground ball.
Chambers pitched a wild but scoreless 8th. RHRP Davis Chastain allowed a double, BB, single, and fielder’s choice for a run in the 9th.
After getting his first triple of the season, Guerrero hit his first HR in the bottom of the 9th.
- Eduardo Guerrero – 3-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, triple (1), HR (1)
- Jose D. Hernandez – 2-3, double (3)
- Cameron Decker – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (3)
- Double – Samuel Munoz (6)
Team was 0-5 wRISP.
Ontario Tower Buzzers 10 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1
Just as I wondered what happened to Kellon Lindsey, he again appeared at the top of the lineup.
RHSP Hyun-Seok Jang got back on track in this game. For his 1st three starts in June the RH pitched 9.1 innings, allowing 22 runs (21 earned), 17 hits, and 6 BB. Tonight he went 4.2 IP before giving up a run on a HR, and he was then lifted for RHRP Jholbran Herder who got the final out.
The Tower Buzzers scored 7 in the 3rd. C Conner O’Neal (6) and SS Mairo Martinus (6) led off with solo HRs. After a K, CF Jaron Elkins doubled (10) and scored on 3B Chase Harlan’s double (16). Harlan moved to 3rd on a F8, and scored on 1B Easton Shelton’s single. Shelton moved to 2nd on a WP and scored on DH Joendry Vargas’ double (14). Vargas scored on RF Landyn Vidourek’s double (6). O’Neal on his 2nd AB of the inning hit an RBI single.
That is 7 runs on 8 hits, including 2 HR, 4 doubles, and 2 singles.
In the 4th, 2B Kellon Lindsey drew a BB and scored on Elkins’ 2nd double (11) of the game. Elkins went to 3rd on a ground out, and scored on LF Brendan Tunink’s SF. Shelton then slugged his 21st HR of the season for 2 more.
RHRP Brock Stewart pitched in back to back games for the first time in his rehab and pitched a perfect 6th inning on 7 pitches (6 strikes).
No runs scored after the Quakes run in the 5th.
RHRP Jhonny Jimenez pitched a scoreless 7th and 8th, with RHRP Jecsua Liborius struck out the side in order in the 9th.
- Jaron Elkins – 2-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 doubles (11)
- Chase Harlan – 2-4. 1 run, 1 RBI, 2 doubles (17)
- Easton Shelton – 2-4. 1 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR (21)
- Joendry Vargas – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (14)
- Conner O’Neal – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (6)
- Mairo Martinus – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (6)
- Landyn Vidourek – double (6)
ACL White Sox 9 – ACL Dodgers 8 – 7 innings
After 6.5 innings the ACL Dodgers found themselves down 9-5 in the 7th (final inning). LF Jose Gonzalez reached on a fielding error. After a K, RF Leider Padilla was HBP. SS Moises Alcala walked to load the bases. 2B Reyli Mariano had a 2-run scoring single with the runners moving to 2nd and 3rd on a fielding error. A third run scored on a ground out, and a runner on 3rd. The runner was stranded when the final out was recorded.
RHP Marlon Nieves pitched 1.0 inning. After a leadoff double, the next batter reached on an E4. The 2nd runner stole 2B and the White Sox had runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Nieves struck out the next two batters, but walked the next one to load the bases. Nieves then let it get away with a 2-run single (both unearned).
Down 6-1 in the 4th, 3 ACL Dodgers reached on BB. Gonzalez hit a Grand Slam HR (2) to get within 1.
2025 8th round draft pick RHP Jack O’Connor pitched 2.0 scoreless innings. He walked 2 and allowed 1 hit while striking out 3.
Reyli Mariano’s 2 RBI single in the 7th and Gonzalez’s HR in the 4th were the only ACL Dodgers hits.
DSL Rays 8 – DSL LAD Bautista 6
The team scored 6 runs on 10 hits and 10 BB, with only 3 RBI. The team was 1-13 wRISP.
C Haram Hernandez – 2-4, 1 RBI
1B Moises Rangel – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
No pitching stood out positively or negatively. The lowest ERA for any of the 5 pitchers on the day was 6.35, with only 2 under 8.00.
DSL Tampa Bay 11 – DSL LAD Mega 2
LAD Mega’s 1st run was scored with 2 BB, 1 HBP, and 1 SF. The 2nd was by HR from Antoni Urena.
- 2B Antoni Urena – 1-1, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (1)
- 3B Luis Tovar – 1-3, 2 BB
- DH Juan Macero – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, double (2)
RHSP Gregg Ferrera retired the first 8 batters he faced. Unfortunately the two batters were double and triple. The triple scored on a WP. Each of the following 5 pitchers were nicked for at least a run.
Discussion (63)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Can someone pass a note into the Dodger dugout that Rodger’s era is 5.7.
10:10 PM ET
Orioles (35-42)
Dodgers (49-27)
SP Trevor Rogers L
3-7 5.86 ERA
SP Y. Yamamoto R
7-4 2.52 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
2B Miguel Rojas R
3B Tommy Edman S
RF Kyle Tucker L
LF Alex Call R
C D. Rushing L
70° Wind 10 mph Out
Ohtani is back
Fun series going on with the Brewers and Braves. Braves won again today. Ozzie Albies with a 2 run walk off HR. He hit 2 HR’s today. For a little guy he sure is compact and has pop.
Great article, Bear. I love the photos. That first one, especially. I’m not sure if it’s gone through some sort of colorization and upscaling – probably – but I find it a little mesmerizing.
Read here about some rumors about the Dodgers getting Chapman. He may have diagnosed depression that led to his past incident. I hope he has things under control and is in a better headspace. I took fluoxetine for many years (wish I hadn’t). Nevertheless, and for whatever the reasons, his behavior was a potential distraction and liability for the Dodgers when they were contemplating trading for him a decade or so ago. They made the right decision to walk away from that deal.
Again, it’s not up to the Dodgers to make the distinction between character issues and a diagnosable affliction when assessing a trade piece. If he’s shooting up his garage and engaging in erratic behavior, no thanks. That said, he’s not had issues since that I know of. Yeah, I’d be in favor of signing him now.
I’d prefer him over Skubal, actually. As I mentioned before, the Dodgers already have four stud playoff starting pitchers. You’re going to have to put one of Ohtani (can’t, or he doesn’t DH), Snell, Glasnow or Yama in the bullpen if you traded for Skubal, and coming out of the bullpen is not what they do – and kind of a waste, too. Why not just keep those stud starting pitchers in their intended role, and get another dedicated stud reliever for much cheaper?
The only issue with that is Skubal is going to go to a team the Dodgers will likely face in the playoffs. All the so called experts and the meathead bros from Dodger Nation are speculating that he being a Dodger is a done deal, but he’d be going to the Braves or Yankees if he doesn’t come to LA. I don’t know why people aren’t considering the Brewers. Their farm system is loaded. They have that capital to spend on a rental, and they’re quietly putting together a really good year.
You are welcome, Patch. The photo of the Brooklyn infielders was colorized from an original black and white photo. Left to right, Daubert, Cutshaw, Ivy Olson and Mowrey. The two men together at the top are Wilbert Robinson and Bill Carrigan, the managers. The pitcher in the bottom photo is Jeff Pfeffer. Chapman has been a model citizen for years. He was never charged. The deal was on the table in 2015.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge was all-time. 4th time here and 1st time doing it.
Say hi to my son in Brooklyn. Leonard St.
If I lived out here, it would have to be in Brooklyn. Such a good vibe. Urban heaven.
Yes that walk across Brooklyn Bridge is a really cool experience and a must do.
Ill assume you’ve 1-2 knicks hats over there
In all my time as a truck driver, I only delivered a load to Brooklyn once. It went to the produce market there. It was a nightmare for a truck driver in a big rig. Little truck, no problem. But a semi with a 48 ft reefer? Not good.
Lots of Knicks fans everywhere.
Get a burger at Red Hook Tavern!
Awesome piece Bear. I love the photos.
I went to a good minor league game last night so I had to watched my recording of last night’s win, this morning.
Some thoughts:
* This team is never out of a game. They can look awful for most of the contest and then pull a rabbit out of their hats. Remarkable.
* For innings 2 through 8, we made Orioles pitching look great. Way too many strikeouts; 13 to be exact. Trey Gibson had 8 of those, most of which were his breaking ball, low and out of the strike zone. You’d think we would learn to lay off that pitch after about the 5th swing strike at a ball in the dirt.
* I don’t know it is AI or a human who makes the call on what pitch is what. To me, I can’t determine anymore, after all these years of watching pitch shapes, I no longer know is what. Maybe it’s what the pitcher wants his pitch to be called. Gibson throws that overhand, 12 to 6 or 1 to 7, breaking ball that has big horizontal break. To me, that horizontal movement makes it a curveball. Like Kershaw’s of Koufax’s curve. All night it was described as a slider. It was a 87 all night and only one time was that same pitch at 85 mph, called a curve. That shape, to me, isn’t close to being a traditional slider. Whatever it was called, we couldn’t hit it.
* Freehand has gotten way good at his cross-over turn at 2nd base. He gets his transfer and the ball in the air at lightening speed. That’s something that Gavin Lux never learned. He’s really increased are successful double-plays.
* I watched the Oriole’s broadcast and really enjoyed Jim Palmer’s comments. He couldn’t say enough good things about Freddie Freeman. He went on and on about his professional hitting and his career. Jim is a big fan.
* I assume the Oriole’s announcers were correct but they mentioned how good Muncy had been offensively and now defensively. They said that Muncy was leading the all-star voting at 3rd. If voted in as a starter, Max would be the first Dodger starter at 3rd since 1977, and Ron Cey. That’s hard to believe.
* Just wondering but where was O’Neill’s throw from right going on his attempt to throw Call out at home, allowing Rushing to score the winning run? It was somewhere where elephants go to die. He was a sub in right for defensive purposed. So much for that.
As bad as the throw was, Basallo’s “attempt” to glove the throw was worse. Did he think the winning run scored? His feet were like in cement. By not gloving it (and it was catchable) the winning run did score. I know a lot of Orioles fans like Basallo as a hitter but not so much as a catcher.
Totally agree. The throw was offline but that only let the tyng run score.
I think Basallo did think it was the winning run so didn’t make much effort to stop the throw. Otherwise, there was no excuse for not getting his body behind the ball.
Thanks Phil. I like looking at the old photos too. Some of these players back then did not look like athletes. If you ever look at a photo of Honus Wagner, you will never think the guy was a ballplayer. LA has had a ton of third basemen since the Penguin. None of them was particularly good. Justin Turner made two All-Star teams as a Dodger, but he was not the starter in either one.
Some buzz around Alek Thomas, probably just helium at this point but could be another win for Dodgers player development?
Stole this:
Let’s look at some results.
Stan Kasten joined the Dodgers on April 30th, 2012.
These are the MLB teams with the best Regular Season records since then –
.604 (1,330-872) / Los Angeles Dodgers
.567 (1.247-954) / New York Yankees
.541 (1,189-1,010) / St. Louis Cardinals
.540 (1,187-1,109 / Cleveland Guardians
.537 (1,181-1,019 / Atlanta Braves
.535 (1,177-1,024) / Tampa Bay Rays
.530 (1,166-1,035) / Houston Astros
.527 (1,161-1,040) / Milwaukee Brewers
.522 (1.149-1052) / Boston Red Sox
.514 (1,131-1070) / Chicago Cubs
Years with the most Postseason Appearances since Kasten?
13 / Dodgers
10 / Yankees
9 / Braves
9 / Astros
6 / Red Sox
5 / Cardinals
The Los Angeles Dodgers have appeared in 5 World Series since Kasten was appointed and have won 3 of 5 of them!
The Los Angeles Dodgers both are and have been the current World Series Champions since October 30th, ,2024.
I am not taking anything away from Kasten, but without Friedman… he is nothing!
oh, he’s just singled out because he was hard first.
Thus, he’s more representative of the new era.
It was an awesome slide!
If you saw THE SLIDE where Alex Freeland “slipped the tag” you will understand why I call him a “Ballplayer.”
Tommy Tanks is also a “Ballplayer.” So, are Kike and Miggy Ro.
If you could call superstars ballplayers, then Freddie and Mookie would be “ballplayers.” But, they are stars… or used to be!
If yu let Alex play – he will be soild at 2B and maybe borderline All-Star in a couple of years. I did not think his ceiling was that high in the past, but I have changed my mind.
I have been touting Freeland since he was drafted. Yes, he caught my attention because of his childhood history, but I was in his corner. I was Freeland over Kim and not because I did not like Kim. I DO. But I see Freeland as baseball player. Since he was badly critiqued as a hitter when he first came up last year I became more of a fan. All winter iwas comping him to Brice Turang, who is the most complete 2B in MLB (IMO).
The biggest hole in his swing is anything on the outside, especially low and away. He lets too many pitchers pitch him on the outside that hits black and will not swing. Then they finish him off with a the swing and miss low and away. Seems like the Dodgers had a hitter very similar to that last year, only hitting from the right side…Andy Pages. Differ4ent year and different Pages.
Freeland will never hit for power. He is not going to play the OF. While he can play 3B and SS, 2B is his home.
The Dodgers have the best record in MLB, have the biggest lead in MLB (9.5 games), have the largest run differential in MLB, and he is an outstanding defensive 2B.. He is now 1 DRS behind JJ Wetherholt (St. Louis) for best DRS in the National League for 2B. The team can afford to wait for his development to fully mature at the MLB level. If he learns to hit the outside pitch, as Pages seemingly has, the patience will pay off (IMO).
I hope Freeland is still a switch hitter when Roberts finally stops pinch hitting for him against lefties.
I too root for Freeland
I think Freeland may surprise and hit close to 20 HR someday. Close to…
Call me crazy!
He hit 18 a couple of years ago in the minors. He’s stronger now.
Freidman revealed why the Dodgers are slow playing River Ryan. One, they want to make sure over a longer period of time that he is totally healthy after his surgery. Two, it is Freidman’s thought that once Ryan is called up, they do not want to send him down again. Seems to me that Ryan would step into the rotation if there were another serious injury to a starting pitcher. It is doubtful they want to use him out of the pen as a long man.
Barring injury, I see him as a September call-up.
I agree, and I do see him in the bullpen initially. Somewhat like 2017 Walker Buehler. I think Ryan would have better results than did Buehler as a reliever.
Because of the lead they have, right now I see Charlie Barnes as the emergency starter (1-2 games). If there is a longer term injury, maybe they would call him up because of need. Very similar as to what happened in 2024 when the LAD SP were dropping like flies and they needed someone. Enter River Ryan.
Shohei and his wife welcomed into the world a baby boy today. Can you imagine how talented that young man COULD be someday?
Saturday Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Adam Serwinowski) at NW Arkansas (Drew Beam)
4:05 p.m.: Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) vs. Lake County (Melkis Hernandez)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Cole Irvin) vs. Sacramento (Blade Tidwell)
6:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Rancho Cucamonga (Trey Gregory-Alford)
Mario Martinus is a great name, but his real name is even greater!
The last sentence of the final DSL recap implies the article was cut off.
Mairoshendrick Martinus. When I was first covering him in the DSL his name was not shortened to Mairo, and he was getting a lot of write-ups from me.
I am sorry for the confusion on the last sentence. The following 5 pitchers was not an indication of naming the five pitchers, but rather those that followed Ferrera . I should have worded it more clear, but when you are wrapping these up after several hours, sometimes they just do not come out as clear and precise as you want.
English!
It can be tricky to read and trickier to write!
I’ve given Freeland a hard time but then you see two very highly touted young Oriole youngsters, Holiday and Hendrickson, struggle and realize, cut the kid some slack!
I’ve been critical of him too, but he is starting to play better. I worked on Capitol Hill 20 years and saw a lot of games at Camden Yards pre-Nationals. O’s don’t have our farm studs knocking on the door, so they have to show more patience. I really like having 2 switch hitters in the lineup in Edman and Freeland. It makes life miserable for opposing managers.
I mean, just seeing the Orioles firsthand, should give every dodger fan, a major sigh of relief.
The Dodgers process, front office, development teams are so much better than Baltimore. It’s not funny.
Pages saved Saski early and later with his glove and arm. The league is going to have to learn not to test his aggressive D.
Max has also grown into a defensive stud and his clutch hitting is making him an extremely cheap slugging 3B All Star for the third time.
The stuff was electric for Roki thru 4. Eventually he’ll learn to maintain it and we’ll have another ace.
Never had a doubt Mookie would find it!
Great to finally have his baseball average above his bowling average!
Nice win,down to the last strike with Rushing before the game winner.
13 Ks as they again made mediocre pitchers look unhittable. Game should have never come down to that. Bases loaded, no outs, three straight strikeouts. That was just ugly.
I’m on east coast time so went to sleep up 3-0, was surprised to wake up and see we blew the lead and didn’t add on. Bad relief pitching by O’s saved us. Imagine walking Ryan Ward as the winning run.
I shut it off when they went down 5-3. Just bad pitching by Klein. Roberts let Sasaki stay in one inning too long. He was obviously gassed when those 2 homers were hit. I knew the Padres had lost, so they could pick up another game on them. Rumor mill about a Skubal trade is heating up. They were talking about it on the pregame show for MLB.TV. Skubal evidently has told the Tigers they have about 30 days to right the ship. Detroit would need to reel off a bunch of consecutive wins to get back in the race. If they trade Skubal, they are going to get a huge haul in return even though he is just a rental.
Bear,
Nice article. Anything about Brooklyn is always welcome.
Sure was ugly. 5 innings of Saski is probably safe with a long reliever to finish. But Pages’ gun down in the first and diving catch later on were fun to watch. Other positives like Mookie and Edman ramping up, Freeland’s “swim slide” and Rushing’s game winner made it a great game.
Why did MLB get rid of the Game Winning RBI (GWRBI)? I always thought that it defined a clutch hitter.
Not sure, but I think that should be a stat that is always on the books. Freddie now has 20 career walk-off hits including his post season work. I will work on some more Brooklyn Stuff for you. If there is a former player you would like profiled, just let me know.
The issue was that it didn’t signify clutch.
If a game is nil-nil going into the eighth and a HR breaks it open, the team scores seven.
Who is clutch? The guy who broke it open? The guy who kept it going?
Then in the bottom of the eight, the opponent scores four.
Now who is clutch? The guy who knocked in the random fifth run?
Per Fangraphs –
Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment.
How it’s calculated: WPA / pLI – WPA/LI
Each of the metrics are defined under the hyperlink.
You can also find clutch and leverage metrics for every player by going to the player’s Baseball-Reference page and scrolling down to clutch and leverage. Baseball-Reference further defines clutch as: 2 outs RISP, Late & Close, Tie Game, within 1 run, within 2 runs, within 3 runs, within 4 runs, > 4 runs, ahead, and behind. Leverage is further quantified as high leverage, medium leverage, and low leverage.
Yes it is very subjective. You can choose to follow it or not.
Forgive me, I thought this was about Game Winning RBIs.
I do think there is something to clutch, either as FG describes it or in a more abstract manner.
It wasn’t just the K. It was what they swung at. All three “kids” wanting to be a hero. Ward was in swing mode at the National Anthem.
Who is Connor O’Neil?
23 year-old Conner O’Neal is a left-handed hitting catcher and first baseman drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 9th round (285th overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Southeastern Louisiana University. His carrying tool is his above-average power profile, highlighted by 14 home runs during his 2025 college campaign.
OverviewFull Name: Conner Ellis O’NealBorn: September 6, 2002Measurables: 6’3″, 219 lbsBats/Throws: Left / RightCollege: Southeastern Louisiana UniversityDraft Status: 2025 – Round 9 by the LA Dodgers (Signed for $2,500)
Scouting Report & AnalysisAt the Plate: O’Neal’s standout attribute is his raw power from the left side of the plate. During the 2025 season, he recorded a .571 slugging percentage, smashing 14 home runs and driving in 53 runs.
Plate Discipline: He exhibits great patience and command of the strike zone. In his final season at Southeastern Louisiana, he walked 52 times while striking out only 49, allowing him to post a strong .459 on-base percentage.
Positionality: He primarily plays catcher and first base, utilizing his size to profile as a middle-of-the-order threat.
Good read. Thanks. Wasn’t on my radar.
He wasn’t on anyone’s radar. The 9th round and/or the 10th round is usually where LAD drafts players with the idea of signing well below their slot value. O’Neal had a $196,000 slot value and he signed for $2,500. The 10th round was LHP Jacob Frost with a slot value of $187,300 and signed for$47,500..
O’Neal was a 4th year senior, 2 years community college and 2 years SE Louisiana (D1). He had to sign for what was offered or retire from baseball. O’Neal wanted a chance and signed. He is 23 years old playing in the California League, but he is playing a position every team needs plenty of; MLB prospects and MiLB organizational depth.
I like these guys. My son was a 26th round pick as a 4th year senior and signed for $1,000. He now has a World Series ring from the 2004 Boston Red Sox. So anything can happen.
That’s cool.
Don’t stop believing.
Nice comeback win last night scoring 3 in the 9th and took advantage of some shaky Oriole defense I see from the highlights. Mookie and Tommy Edman had a nice lines going 3-5 and a HR from Betts. I didn’t see much of the game but we must have had a lot of traffic on the bases 3-10 RISP and 12 LOB’s.
I watched the Brewer and Braves last night since it was the marquee early game and “The Miz” was throwing. Braves won 3-2. While watching the game I couldn’t help but notice how long Miz’s extension is when he throws the ball. By the time he releases the pitch he has to be a good 5 feet off the rubber so his 104 mph heat is coming at you from 55 feet or so. Have fun hitting that.
Great to have a Major Leaguer (Edman) join the team. I expect him to make a huge difference. Lob rate way too high; good to have Rushing a key to winning after some embarrassing at bats. Mookie!
Mookie is starting to look like Mookie. Congrats to Shohei on a new member of the family.
Max Muncy has to be the best bargain in baseball and this year he is staying fairly healthy. 5 defensive runs saved leads all 3Bs. Great defensive plays last night and good hitting.
Pages continues to amaze me with his defense. Two plays last night kept Saski in the game. Just stay out of his way.
Yup
You can say that again.
I sure hope I got a great return each and every time I traded Max.
Max Muncy has to be the best bargain in baseball and this year he is staying fairly healthy. 5 defensive runs saved leads all 3Bs. Great defensive plays last night and good hitting. He will get his third AS selection so keep those votes coming!
Pages continues to amaze me with his defense. Two plays last night kept Saski in the game. Just stay out of his way.
Love the look back, Bear. Great stuff. Where do you find the photos?
I’m always pleasantly surprised to be reminded that Casey Stengel was a Dodger. Or a Bridegroom or Robin…. Isn’t Casey in the Hall of Fame too?
Thanks for the farm report, Jeff.
Looks like the Dodgers fixed Alek Thomas’s bat. He went 4-for-4. With his speed, glove and experience, he could get back to The Show if Pages or Call get hurt. Sooo much depth.
Nice to see HS Jang have a good day for a change. He got a fair amount of buzz when the Dodgers signed him a couple years back. If I recall correctly, he was named the Dodgers ML Pitcher of the Year last season. (Perhaps a big “attaboy” to help him along?)
I hope young Mr. Jang pulls it all together for the Dodgers. If not, the KBO is waiting.
Thanks Duke, I will amend the post as yep, Ol Casey is in the Hall. Photos are easy to find, just type in 1916 Brooklyn Robins photos in your search engine.
A lot of people forget that Casey was a player for 14 years. He was a decent hitter with a .284 career BA. He hit .368 in 1922 with the Giants when he was 31 years old. He hit .338 in 1923. The 8 homers he hit in 1916 were his career high.