I am not Leaving!

I want to thank everyone for the kind words and words of encouragement. I am of the belief that service to others is as important as doing what you want… maybe more so. Therefore, I am not going anywhere, however, I am going to look for another couple of writers over the next several months (no big rush). Bear (Michael Norris) is good for 1 or 2 blogs a week and ideally, I would like to find a couple more writers who could write once a week… occasionally more! That way I could write 2 or 3 times a week. When (if) I retire, I may do it more, but it is working out right about now.

I read the comments during that day and was happy to see that people consider LA Dodger Talk a part of their day, but there was one comment that really changed it all and defined what I knew I was going to do, and it was not on the blog. It was an e-mail to me and while he did not request to keep it private, I will. If he wants to tell everyone what he wrote to me, he can but right now I am keeping it between him and me. In the e-mail he said this:

“Hi Mark. I still visit the site several times per day and read the posts and comments. It is still the best Dodgers blog and you have good insights and many good commenters. It would be a shame if you gave it up.”

— DodgerRick

For the record, we did not agree on many things as he leaned to the negative, but his comments were well-reasoned and steeped in logic, unlike someone else who was here who had irrational rants steeped in touches of insanity. Rick is always welcome and maybe he will share his story when it is time. I consider him my friend.

So right about now, it is business as usual.

Yesterday’s Debacle

Yesterday afternoon started out as amazing. Our Eastern Region Sales Manager lives in Maine and Friday, nine, 1.5 pounds of Maine Lobsters arrived, so yesterday was time to cook them. I cooked the steaks while my wife cooked the lobsters and as the family was gathered around the outdoor dining table eating lobster (with drawn butter) and the steak was when the Kimbrel and Almonte coughed up the game and cost Clayton the win. It was ugly… PERIOD! It almost gave me indigestion.

My son-in-law who is a Red Sox fan says “this is a flashback to when he played for us. That’s why we got rid of him….” Kimbrel is 1-4 with 3 blown saves, a 1.52 WHIP, and 4.78 ERA. “Well, he got hit by that ball.” This is a no-excuse zone. His record is what it is. Kenley Jansen was not the answer either, but Kimbrel’s inability to close is something that is going to plague this team until he is replaced.

I said it at the time and I will say it now: This was a bad move by Andrew Friedman. Here’s what it boils down to: AF paid Kinbrel the same he could have paid Jansen, BUT HE GAVE UP AJ POLLOCK IN THE PROCESS! Now, I know that AJ is not hitting great for the White Sox, but that doesn’t mean he would have done that for the Dodgers. He is subject to getting hot and carrying a team for a period of time. The Dodgers could certainly use another RH power bat.

Kimbrel can be “fixed” at least until the next time… and that is what my son-in-law said too. “You just cannot trust him.” Remember in 2018 when Kimbrel had a 4.15 ERA in the World Series. It was Kelly and Eovaldi who saved his bacon. I do not trust Kimbrel and it is time to replace him. I doubt that will do it, but I would release him today and look within the organization for a replacement. He may pitch well for three weeks but then he will crash and burn again and you will regret having him. Maybe when he was younger and had 3 or 4 more MPH on his fastball, the margin for error was greater. Now, if he is not perfect, he gets hit!

Tell me that Evan Phillips could do worse! Yency Almonte got hit yesterday, but he’s a candidate. What about Ryan Pepiot, Gavin Stone, Landon Knack, or Bobby Miller who was filthy yesterday? Use one of them as a closer for a half-season and let them go back to starting next year! Speaking of Bobby Miller, he started for Tulsa and went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 10. After he left the game, Arkansas scored 14 runs in the next two innings! The Dodgers have to get a closer and it will be a damn shame if they have to give up minor-league prospects to do so.

Rants & Raves

• Tony Gonsolin deserves to be the All-Star Game starter, but what about Clayton Kershaw? Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times tries to make the case that Clayton should start it. Nice thought, but Clayton won’t make the team… unless they put him on there ahead of others who deserve it. I like the idea, but not the reality.
• Mookie is obviously not running full speed. It will take a week or so more. Hopefully, he rests during the All-Star Break.
• I am elated that Austin Barnes agreed to a 2-Year/$7 Million Dollar Deal to stay a Dodger. Hopefully, he retires a Dodger.
• Justin Turner continues to show activity while Muncy and Bellinger as flat-lined.
• Boy, I hated that loss yesterday – It gave the Padres a glimmer of hope when the Dodgers had an opportunity to stomp on their neck. Kimbrel must go!

Future Dodgers Down on the Farm

• OKC lost 18-5
  • Miguel Vargas was 3-5 with 2 RBI and his 13th HR – .299 BA/.907 OPS – It’s time!
  • Yadier Alvarez was lit up like a Christmas Turkey 1 IP, 5 R
  • Mike Busch hit his 20th HR, which is what he had all of 2021.
• Tulsa lost 14-4
  • Andy Pages went 2-4 with his 14th HR and 3 RBI
  • Bobby Miller was incredible.
• Great Lakes won 11-8
  • Jonny DeLuca was 4-4 with 3 doubles
  • Diego Cartaya was 1-2 with a walk
  • Vivas and DeJesus both had 2 hits.
• Rancho Cucamonga won 16-4
  • Damon Keith was 1-3 (a double) with 3 BB and 3 RBI
  • Yenier Fernandez was 2-6.
  • Luis Rodriguez was 2-6 2ith 3 RBI

Time to Rock the Rockies

Happy Fourth of July