Change of Careers
I have been rehabbing from my shoulder surgery very nicely. It’s been two and a half weeks, and I am pain-free, able to type and raise my arm to about 145 degrees… and counting. I am working with the editors of www.manuscripts.com and have 32 consecutive weeks of intense writing…
I have been rehabbing from my shoulder surgery very nicely. It’s been two and a half weeks, and I am pain-free, able to type and raise my arm to about 145 degrees… and counting. I am working with the editors of www.manuscripts.com and have 32 consecutive weeks of intense writing and editing. The plan is to go to press in May 2026.
This is all-consuming, and then come the interviews, TV, and the movie. I already know that it will be a great movie. I have to complete it. I have some options with LADT and should have some answers for you soon. Give me a little time. I thought I would throw you a little tidbit. While not the Final Draft, here is the Rough Draft Introduction:
The Mountainmover
Introduction:
This is not “based upon a true story”… It is a true story. Everything you are about to read is true. It all happened, even if it seems unbelievable, impossible, or fantastic to you. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself and ask if it’s all really happened. Let me assure you that it did. I will even tell you why I have waited over thirty years to write this book. That’s a long time, but it is as clear in my memory right now as the days in which it happened. I still have dreams about what happened. They are not nightmares… although what happened was a nightmare. Several episodes in the book will “buckle your knees.” Be prepared!
I have had many people say, “Wow, you must be really smart to have done all of that.” Rest assured that my wife and family know better. I’m a regular guy and my wife (I have been married to Patty for almost 30 years) will happily convince you that she is the brains of the family… not me. However, if you had to use just one word to describe me, it would be “indomitable,” which means “impossible to subdue or defeat.” My youngest son says, “The only way to beat my dad is to kill him.” My nephew says that the title of the book should be “Hard to Kill.” That’s because they tried that several times too.
That could be a compliment or an indictment… depending upon your perspective. Louis Pasteur once said, “My greatest strength lies solely in my tenacity.” I also am of that ilk!
Sometimes, this all seems so distant in the past, and at other times, it seems like yesterday. As I recount the chapters of this book, I know that there will be times when my breath will be taken away, my eyes will swell with tears, and my knees will buckle… and then I will smile and remain amazed. I hope you are too. At age 29, I seemingly had it all: I was the President of a rapidly growing company, I was married to a beautiful woman, and had a fantastic 3-year-old daughter named Tasha who was the Love of my Life. House in the suburbs, new cars, vacations, plenty of cash… You know the drill!
Then, in the blink of an eye, I lost it all. My wife, my daughter, my business, and everything I owned or held dear. I lost my reputation and ultimately… my freedom. Everyone believes that the American Judicial System is the best in the world…. And maybe it is, but it is still very flawed. Officials can weaponize the system against a person and incarcerate them with fabricated evidence that they are powerless to refute. I had this very thing happen to me, and was serving a 40-year sentence when I decided I was going to take matters into my own hands and challenge my conviction. The saying “Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime” is most famously attributed to Lavrentiy Beria, the chief of the Soviet secret police under Joseph Stalin.
This phrase reflects the Soviet state’s authoritarian judicial system. Prosecutors would target an individual first and then find or fabricate a crime to justify persecution. It inverts the principle of innocent until proven guilty, instead assuming guilt based on someone’s identity or political standing and finding a charge to fit the desired outcome. They used it on me, thinking I would roll over and die. That was their undoing.
As I sat in a prison cell, I realized that there were mountains that had to be moved for me to regain my freedom, and I was going to have to be the one to move them. I had two choices: (1) Rot in prison, or (2) Become The Mountainmover. I chose Option 2! I decided to become The Mountainmover. I filed my own appeal in court, acted as my own attorney, and was released from the courtroom after seven years, five months, and five days in prison.
I had lost it all, and was in the process of gaining it all back… only to have my second wife die of a brain tumor at the age of 37. I became a single parent and was lost for a time. Then, I met Patty – who turned out to be the love of my life. She was a 33-year-old single mom, a proud Filipino who immigrated to the US with her family when she was three years old. She was/is a serial entrepreneur, more stubborn than I, and also someone you would have to kill to beat.
Since that time, Patty and I started our business (US Water Systems) in our garage and ultimately built an empire. We are now retired, but our son is the CEO of the US Water Systems empire. As I walk through our 100,000 sq/ft plant and look at nearly 100 employees, I have an incredible sense of awe and pride. I can tell you for a fact that it is never what happens to you that is the problem… it is your reaction to what happens to you that determines your fate.
When I lost everything, including my only daughter, I had no idea I would ever see her again. I never lost hope… but it did take twenty-six years. The rest of the story has been fantastic, including the Father-Daughter Dance at her wedding in August 2025. My life has been and continues to be amazing. I am now an old man, but I sometimes feel like a little boy.
As a side note to this book, in case you have ever wondered if there is a God, you will know it for sure when you are done reading this. If you are afraid to believe that… I suggest you stop reading right now.
I dedicate this book to my late parents, Stephen and Hazel Timmons, who helped make me the man I had to become!
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (61)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Wrobleski had been very good until last night. It seems the phillies don’t care about left on left matchups! i personally think Doc should’ve removed justin before Marsh’s homer. he wasn’t fooling anyone at the plate. Trienan? his trust factor? just a little bit above yates, but not much. Anybody seen Ben Casparius? They wasted ohtani’s best outing of the season! He should have been allowed to pitch one more inning! last night wasn’t his highest pitch count of the season. 6 innings 80 pitches. 5 innings. 80 pitches. what’s the difference? he wasn’t in any stressful situations. this is without a doubt the worst bullpen i can recall in recent years. it’s so bad that it could let the padres slide on by the dodgers. the starters have been lights out, but in today’s game 6 innings is a major accomplishment. 3 innings is way too much to ask for with this bullpen!
It’s hard to watch the Dodger’s arson squad come into the game after the starters have done their job, IF this continues it will be a SHORT post season. Bring up Andrew Heaney and give him a shot and option Wrobleski. A move will have to be made on the 40 man roster for that to happen. What a difference a year makes in how the bullpen has “shit the bed”.
After these last two games vs Phillies, I’m not sure Dodgers will make the post season, at least not with this bullpen.
Maybe manager Dave Roberts may have to reconsider keeping his starter pitchers in longer.the bullpen have blown many saves this season.
Now is the time to be honest: The Dodgers bullpen is terrible. No doubt about it! They are not ready for the post-season.
I don’t see anything funny. Glockoma hinderd my vision.
My daughter sent me the rest of the wedding photos tonight. Here’s a funny one (you have to loook closely):
Once again, the Dodgers left the bases loaded again vs Phillies last night , ending a chance to win the game. The Dodgers just cant waste opportunities like that in the post-season. The Dodgers have a very low team batting average with the bases loaded, this is a weakness that their opponents will take advantage of if they dont solve this .
Excellent stuff Mark. I almost never have the time to write but normally read you. God continue to bless you and your family!
10:10 PM ET
Phillies (90-61)
Dodgers (84-66)
SP C. Sanchez L
13-5 2.57 ERA
SP Shohei Ohtani R
1-1 3.75 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
RF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
2B Tommy Edman S
LF Alex Call R
CF Andy Pages R
3B E. Hernandez R
C Ben Rortvedt L
80° Wind 7 mph Out
i guess if he made the last out in the eighth, he could be ready for the ninth. but it would require 2 people warming up just in case the lineup turned over. and if that happened probably wouldn’t need to use him anymore
I may have one too many pitchers, if so I’d go with a speed guy, either Kim or Dean
Congrats Mark, you look like you are a tad busy. Just to cause some excitement here is my prediction on a three game series with the Mets with all games being played in LA. Pitchers: seems as though the majority of the Mets hit from the left side with Lindor being a switch hitter so my roster stacks up in accordance with that in mind. Starters in no particular order, Snell, Yamamoto, and Glasgow. Relievers (this is where it gets fun: Ohtani, Kershaw, Henriquez, Scott, Sheehan, Wrobleski, Heaney, Treinen, Casparius and Versia. Dreyer and Banda on the edge. On the hitting side Smith, take your pick with Rushing or Rortvedt. Freeman, Betts, Edman, Kike, Muncy, Rojas, Call Conforto Hernandez Pages.
it seems that the pitchers have no problem getting ahead 0-2. it also seems that they have a problem getting the hitters out after that! there is no margin for error in this bullpen! Dryer has been money so i will give him a pass for last night. Vesia? one bad pitch. Scott? much cleaner inning. trienan? scares me! it’s going to be a crapshoot every time Doc makes a pitching change! … Now Emmit was excellent last night, minus the bases on balls. not sure how they will use him in the playoffs, but he is definitely worthy of starting! He could be a major factor out of the pen. as could ohtani if they can figure out how to get him warmed up. kopech? probably not on the postseason roster. He can’t throw strikes! yates? how can they even consider him for a role? Scott? do they even have a choice? …. Now one that really tears at my heart. Clayton. he has to be on the roster. He would be # 4 in the pecking order, right? he’s earned that right. Nobody’s giving him a spot. he’s pitched very well and actually been a “stopper “ for the team. I’m one who thinks he’s done after this year. With all the other guys coming back, plus gavin stone, river ryan, catman, it’s going to be crowded in the spring. however it turns out, he’s my all time favorite player. just hope he retires a dodger! we won’t see many other players play for one team their whole career anymore. probably none! So we’ll see how it goes in the playoffs. …. They sure could use Will ‘s bat in the lineup with all the lefties they are facing ! .. speaking of catchers,Ben z. has been very impressive behind the plate and at the plate! could his emergence let the dodgers explore trade options with Dalton? .. There’s no room for 2 catchers like will and dalton. Unless will ends up at third. That would allow the dodgers to use Ben as a highly capable backup. … Need a win tonight! .. And lastly, i don’t hate Jessica. she just sounds programmed to me! yes she has studied up on the game. maybe if she wouldn’t talk so fast and constantly? Give me Hersh or karros. abd no it’s not because she is a woman. i personally think that susan, ( forget her last name) on the yankees broadcast is very good at her job! just my opinion. And yes David, i do mute her at times. enjoy your posts very much.
I think we will see Andrew Heaney shortly as a bullpen option.
However, upon analysis, I found the pitch selection to the LH hitters curious… Are the Dodgers deliberately pitching a certain way now to them, and do they plan to change that in the playoffs? I think it is classic misdirection.
Great game. Great matchup.
Super.
if it’s the playoffs, does Rojas hit in that last AB?
wish the outcome were reversed.
lots of fun though
RIP Robert Redford.
Well, Sheehan was terrific and the offense showed a lot of fight. Haymakers from both teams.
I think the Phils have the edge on defense. Too bad Chuckie didn’t get that bunt down the line more, but the Phils executed.
I’ll say it again: Dombrowski did a great jog upgrading his team in the trade season–while AF made minor moves (Call, Brock Stewart).
The road to the World Series will probably pass through Philly, so this is an important series.
Really a game is only ‘exciting’ when you win. Loss on the relievers again. Hoping Muncy not hurt again. His leg gave out on that final out after fouling balloff his knee. Poor AB by Miggy in tenth.
I keep asking – do the Dodgers have a single reliever that you trust with a 1 run lead in the 9th?
Jessica? She doesn’t drive me crazy, but I am not a fan.
don’t like it! emmit is a starter! oh dear lord! the mouth that doesn’t close!!! does she even breathe??
Sheehan was scratched. Banda is starting.
Sheehan will come in soon…
Mookie Betts was named the National League Player of the Week for his contributions to the Los Angeles Dodgers from Sept. 8-14.
“This is the sixth time Betts has been honored in his career as a Player of the Week and third as a member of the Dodgers. He previously won on Aug. 28, 2023 and Aug. 29, 2022. With the Boston Red Sox, Betts was named American League Player of the Week for June 21, 2015, May 14, 2017 and July 3, 2017.
Betts hit .462 (12-for-26) with three doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, three walks, seven runs scored, an .808 slugging percentage and a .517 on-base percentage across six games”.
10:10 PM ET
Phillies (89-61)
Dodgers (84-65)
SP Ranger Suarez L
12-6 2.77 ERA
SP Emmet Sheehan R
6-3 3.32 ERA PRIM
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
RF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
LF Alex Call R
2B Miguel Rojas R
3B Max Muncy L
CF Andy Pages R
C C. Robinson R
79° Wind 6 mph Out