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
EPIC…
I’ve been in that press box too….via the Stadium tour, which is awesome BTW.
You saw a great game, lets do it again tonight!
Cool
I wish we could go…
No game Thursday and then on to Philly!
Rushing was pulled from the game after one at bat. He was pulled because of the concussion protocol.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Athletics, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
The young outfielder was designated for assignment by the A’s this week, and now winds up in Los Angeles, a team looking for outfield depth.Ruiz stole an American-League-best 67 bases in 2023. While he’s struggled to hit at the MLB level — with a career OPS of .641 — you can’t teach speed, and the Dodgers are taking a chance on the 26-year-old outfielder.According to Gonzalez, Ruiz will head to Triple-A”.A corresponding 40-man move will be required but that could be done fairly easily by transferring Kyle Hurt to the 60-day injured list. Hurt required Tommy John surgery in July and won’t be an option until later in the season.
From BA:
Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers
Morales was one of the toasts of the 2024 Dominican Summer League, and on the backfields this spring, he’s looked like a prime breakout candidate. There’s little question about the offensive force Morales can one day become, but he’s increased his chances to stick at shortstop, as well. So far, he’s shown strong instincts and quickness and decent enough range to give himself a longer leash at the position. If he can keep his growing body lean and lithe, he might defy the odds. If not, his offense, which should produce power and hittability in equal measure, will easily allow him to profile at the hot corner. Scouts also have raved about the leadership traits Morales has shown on the field during his first action stateside.
Enjoy your cruise Mark. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Dodgers are still undefeated when you get back?
The Dodgers are creating a 400 meter relay team in their minor league system. It’s labeled speed and whiff team.
It feels good hearing what a meaningful and fun day you had at the game Mark.
Meanwhile, San Diego is also undefeated at 6-0 (0.5 GB), the Giants are 4-1 (2.0 GB), and Arizona is 3-2 (3.0 GB).
Esteury Ruiz is known for his speed and offensive abilities, but his defensive performance in center field is not consistently strong, with some sources indicating he’s at least an average defender with a below-average arm.
James Outman and Miguel Vargas might start their own AAAA League.
Right about now, both are beyond pathetic!
8:38 PM ET
Braves (0-6)
Dodgers (7-0)
SP Bryce Elder R
0-0 .00 ERA
SP Blake Snell L
1-0 3.60 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
RF T. Hernandez R
LF M. Conforto L
C Will Smith R
2B Tommy Edman S
3B Max Muncy L
1B E. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
64° Wind 17 mph Out
NO Freeman
Glad you had a great time Mark. Definitely something many will never get to experience.
You really going to make us wait until you return from your cruise (tongue in cheek)?
Have a great time, enjoy your family and have a safe trip! Some of us will be waiting to hear, with much anticipation, the contents of your discussion with AF.
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
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.
Wow Muncy’s defense is complete garbage.
Are the Padres that good? They can’t lose right now.
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!
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.
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!
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”.
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.
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.
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?
This Team!!!!
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”.