A Great Night at the Ravine
We arrived at Dodger Stadium at 4:30 for the 7:10 game. Jon Weisman, who is the Dodgers VP of Communications and someone I have known for twenty-plus years, left me a Media Credential which is a “Get out of Jail Free Card” – it takes you anywhere in the stadium. My wife, son…
We arrived at Dodger Stadium at 4:30 for the 7:10 game. Jon Weisman, who is the Dodgers VP of Communications and someone I have known for twenty-plus years, left me a Media Credential which is a “Get out of Jail Free Card” – it takes you anywhere in the stadium. My wife, son, and son-in-law accompanied me, but they did not have the Media Credential. So, they dropped me off and I strolled into the stadium, which at 4:30 is pretty deserted. I passed Joe Davis and Nomar on the escalator and bumped into Jon Weisman at the bottom. He told me that Andrew would like to do the interview in the Dodgers Dugout at 5:20 and that I had five minutes – for the record, I took 10! 😉 Afterward, we went to the Stadium Club and prowled the Dodger Memories area outside the Pressbox.
Of course, I have been in the Pressbox many times, but my son was too young at the time to accompany me. I asked Security if I could take him in (my Credentials get me in), and they gave him a temporary credential. I then gave him a tour of the Pressbox.
Of course, the Dodgers won and are now 7-0. It was a great game, and my wife bought out the Dodger Store with Dodger Gear for all the Grandkids and even a Dodger Jacket for my Red Sox-loving meathead Son-in-Law, who was visibly impressed by Dodger Stadium.
It may be next week until we get the interview edited, as we are leaving for the cruise tomorrow. I think it was epic. I asked some hard questions and he gave some unexpected answers. I first met Jon Weisman about 20 years ago when he and I both had Dodger Blogs. I went on to do other things, and he went to Showtime and Vanity Fair, but he is now back with the Dodgers. I am glad he is. It was a first-class experience. After it was over, Jon came over and met the family. Overall, this was an amazing night.
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Discussion (117)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Padres lose 3-1 to the Cubs this afternoon.
6:45 PM ET ( APPLE TV ONLY)
Dodgers (8-0)
Phillies (5-1)
SP Y. Yamamoto R
1-0 2.70 ERA
SP Jesus Luzardo L
1-0 3.60 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
2B Tommy Edman S
RF T. Hernandez R
C Will Smith R
1B E. Hernandez R
LF M. Conforto L
3B Miguel Rojas R
CF Andy Pages R
65° Wind 5 mph L-R
In previous seasons I have been able to watch the game on Facebook, I mean those that have been broadcast on Apple, I hope that today too.
In these groups:
ZiuX369
Boratmayek
The Dodgers recalled Feduccia from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
He’s taking the roster spot vacated by Freddie Freeman (ankle), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. Feduccia will operate as a third catcher for the Dodgers.
Hunter Feduccia was called up.
On the boat. Spending a few hours at Catalina Island. Son and grandson:
Unfortunately the Dodger game tonight is ONLY ON Apple TV.
Oklahoma City Comets — 6
El Paso Chihuahuas — 5
(11 innings)
Thursday, April 3, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla.
“Game Summary: James Outman connected on a RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the Oklahoma City Comets to a 6-5 walk-off win against the El Paso Chihuahuas Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. With the score tied, 5-5, and runners at first and second base in the 11th inning, Outman hit a grounder into right field that allowed Hyeseong Kim to score the game-winning run. Oklahoma City (5-1) battled back from multiple deficits throughout the game. El Paso (2-4) built a 3-1 lead early before the Comets scored two runs in the sixth inning to tie the score, 3-3, on a RBI single by Ryan Ward who went on to finish with a game-high four hits. Oklahoma City trailed, 4-3, before a sacrifice fly by Ward knotted the score, 4-4, in the eighth inning. After the Chihuahuas took the lead in the 10th inning, another RBI single by Ward in the bottom of the inning tied the score, 5-5, to send the game to the 11th inning”.
“Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin opened a Major League Rehab Assignment and tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks with one strikeout. He faced eight batters and threw 35 pitches (17 strikes)…Gonsolin made two appearances with the Dodgers in Spring Training before being placed on the 15-day Injured List March 17 with back tightness.
-Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips also opened a Major League Rehab Assignment, facing five batters in the fourth inning and allowing one run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout. He threw 24 pitches (14 strikes). Phillips was placed on the Dodgers Injured List March 17 with a right rotator cuff strain.
-Pitcher Landon Knack made his first appearance of the season for OKC, entering the game in the fifth inning and allowing two runs and five hits over 4.2 innings with two walks and five strikeouts”.
Looking forward to the AF interview! (I trust he’ll give LADT full credit for tipping him to his best deals.)
Meanwhile, today’s big Dodgers news is that Freddie is going on the IL with a sprained ankle.
So how will the Dodgers cover 1B? Who might be summoned from OKC?
My first thought was that it would be cool to see Dalton Rushing in LA. He has a lot of 1B experience, and with Will Smith entrenched at C, Rushing could well become Freddie’s successor. (That could be sooner than we all hope, if this latest injury is another sign that Freddie’s once-sturdy body is starting to break down.)
My second thought: Is spring-training MVP David Bote still available? I seem him listed on the “restricted list” on the OKC roster, whatever that means. TrueBlueLA describes this as “roster limbo.” As I understand it–and I could definitely be wrong–Bote’s veteran status enables him to seek a major league gig. He’s 31 years old, and the Dodgers love veterans more than excitable prospects, so perhaps Bote could come up, assuming he is still available. He would have to be added to the 40-man roster.
So yeah…. I think it will be Bote.
My third and fourth thoughts include Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim– but I think the Dodgers would prefer them to keep playing every day in OKC.
Bote can play 1B, 2B or 3B. Given Max’s recent adventures at 3B, perhaps Max would slide back to 1B until Freddie returns.
I’m not a fan of throwing the crap against the wall. But I try to put myself in AF’s shoes….yah right! So here goes. Ruiz along with Pages and a couple young arms could be traded to the White Sox. I’ve been pining for Robert Jr. for a long time. Scoop him up before the price gets too high.
Book em
i understand kike isn’t an every day player. i think he’s better off at 3rd with freddie out. kike will make millions over his career being a useful backup and a standout in the playoffs. he’s just plain better than max defensively. freddie saves max a few errors a season. But right now,3rd and center are struggling.
I’m off to the boat!
Oklahoma City Comets — 9 El Paso Chihuahuas — 4
“Game Summary: A nine-run fourth inning propelled the Oklahoma City Comets to a 9-4 win against the El Paso Chihuahuas Wednesday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark as well as a fourth straight win overall. Oklahoma City (4-1) trailed, 2-0, before nine straight Comets batters reached base to start the fourth inning and went on to score nine runs in the inning. The inning included a two-run double to the wall in center field by Austin Gauthier, a two-run single by Eddie Rosario, a two-run triple by Michael Chavis and a RBI double by Ryan Ward. Two other runs scored in the inning on a wild pitch and a RBI groundout. Two of the four runs scored by El Paso (2-3) came via solo home runs by Oscar Gonzalez in the fourth and sixth innings”.
This Team!!!!
I am sure there is a good reason why the Dodgers chose the outfield as Rushing’s secondary position, but wouldn’t it have been perfect if he could play second base? Then he and Smith could have split time behind the plate and at second base saving Will from his annual second half digression. Could Rushing just not handle the infield well?
Muncy’s D is terrible but knocks in two to tie it. Had tears over Saski start. A little AA/AAA and he will be fine because his stuff is electric and he wants it so bad. Last night’s Umps proved we need ABS now.
This team is so good that we bitch about them and they’re 8-0! Over 60 years of watching Dodgers baseball and it never gets old. This is probably the best team ever.
Sloppy game overall but nice come from behind win. Umpire was squeezing Snell on a lot of close pitches. We won’t be facing Wheeler of the Phillies this weekend. Let’s see how Sasaki handles the hostile Phillie fans on Saturday.
Tony Gonsolin, Evan Phillips Scheduled for Thursday Rehab Game
“Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Tony Gonsolin and Evan Phillips are scheduled to pitch in rehab appearances today at Triple-A Oklahoma City, per Alex Freedman, the broadcaster for the OKC Comets. Gonsolin will get the start and pitch two innings, while Phillips will come in from the bullpen. It is unclear how many outings each will need before they rejoin the major league roster”.
1. Muncy had a bad game, but made up for it.
2. Pages is young.
3. Betts… well he is Mookie.
4. Edman is a ballplayer.
5. You can play the blame game… but I just say “the Dodgers are 8-0. Nuff said!
I think the only Dodger weakness is defense. Like many I am not crazy about Mookie at short. Conforto in left field, OK, but I expect to see him subbed-out in the late innings of a playoff game for CT3.
Muncy and Pages are liabilities. Max could easily have 4 error if not for Tommy E picking Max’s throws out the dirt. That said, we tolerate Max bc he can hit, but can he?
Pages is simply not a high-IQ ball player. He makes base running gaffs, does not take good routes on fly balls, and seems to have zero ability to jump at the wall and steal an HR. He’s a project, but will interestign to see how much leash Mgt gives him.
muncy? if he continues this type of play? kike needs to be at 3rd and max at first while freddie is out! totally unacceptable defense!
Are the Padres that good? They can’t lose right now.
Wow Muncy’s defense is complete garbage.
Very cool….
Did AF tip you off on the Ruiz deal?
I certainly expect AF to play his cards close to his vest, but wouldn’t it be fascinating to know what his trade scenarios look like compared to ours.
As far as Ruiz goes, I’m wondering about the quality of his defense. He’d be great if he could steal first base. His OBP is .290.
The big winner in this deal was Carlos Duran. He’s suddenly a lot closer to the majors now.
News from Internet:
I particularly was surprised to read this:
“The Dodgers have placed more players on opening day squads than any other organization, something that’s been true for the past few years.”
Per Alex Freedman:
Good news: Dalton Rushing is good to go after having to leave last night’s game when he took a foul ball off the catcher’s mask. He’ll sit today but will be back in the lineup tomorrow.
The great Eno Sarris on a new pitch,
the kick-change:
Open on www.nytimes.comhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6201935/2025/04/02/new-baseball-pitch-kick-change-origins/Baseball America ($$$) takes a guess on who next year’s #1 prospect will be per org:
Open on www.baseballamerica.comhttps://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/predicting-the-no-1-mlb-prospect-for-every-system-in-2026/For the Dodgers:
2026 Odds
65% Josue De Paula, OF
25% Dalton Rushing, C/OF
5% Alex Freeland, SS
5% Jackson Ferris, LHP
FanGraphs goes back through their top 100 list incorporating Spring Training data:
Post-Spring Training Top 100 Prospects Update
Sasaki still #1.
Zyhir Hope a big riser
Freeland and DePaula small droppers.
Hope moved into the 50FV strata.
Ferris did for pitchers.
Plus this note:
I’ve spent a lot of time on the Dodgers’ complex this spring (for reasons you’ll soon read), and Dalton Rushing has continued to look like an All-Star catcher who does everything well….
Baseball America has a mock draft!! ($$$)
Open on www.baseballamerica.comhttps://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2025-mlb-draft-baseball-america-staff-draft-1-0/40. Dodgers — Matt Scott, RHP, Stanford
Rationale: Can the Dodgers fix Matt Scott? The stuff is in there, but the results haven’t been….
ben Clemens Chat:
Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat – 3/31/25
diadem: What is the outlook for Hye Seong Kim? Utility IF? Full time 2b pushing Edman to the OF? Flat out bust?
Ben Clemens: I’ve got utility infielder as most likely outcome with wide error bars
Pat: Watched most of Detroit vs LAD this weekend. Didn’t feel like Detroit played poorly, but, the Ohtani/Betts/Freeman/Teoscar meat grinder is so tough, then you have Edman/Smith/Muncy, etc..one mistake & it’s a HR.If they stay healthy, I feel 110+ wins in likely.
Ben Clemens: Yeah, oh my goodness the Dodgers are good… I mean, they were hitting well too. I think that when the Dodgers are all on, they’re hard to beat
Logan: How much (if at all) does the “trading away” team impact how you view statistical and/or skill breakouts of a traded player (e.g. Gavin Lux)? In other words, to use Lux as an example, does the fact that it was the Dodgers selling him impact your confidence in his second half surge?
Ben Clemens: it does, but, in a particular way. I’m never that surprised to see the Dodgers trading away solid major league contributors because they have a lot of very good players already
Mr. Burrito: FWIW I’m writing this with a torpedo keyboard… Here’s my question: The Dodgers have placed more players on opening day squads than any other organization, something that’s been true for the past few years. This is true even though the Dodgers have drafted super low for a super long time. How has that happened? And why aren’t the Dodgers given credit in the form of less crap-talk about them being over-spenders or, literally, in the form of comp picks that eventually will help the orgs that are less well run?
Ben Clemens: I don’t think that story is very exciting… I have a very good friend who’s a big baseball fan, texting me updates about how Dylan Crews looks multiple times a game as serious Nats and DC sports fan, knows his stuff and the salary cap less aspect of baseball breaks his brain. like, he just wants to talk about competitive imbalance and how the Dodgers are an abomination no matter how clear the evidence is that baseball parity is alive and well, but if you spend money like that, it really doesn’t matter the other stuff you do, a sizeable proportion of fans only see the money