Yesterday, Dodgerpatch asked about a woman who posted here years ago. She is not forgotten. He wrote this: “Who was the former poster here who loved Sonny Gray. She was a female, and she always wanted the Dodgers to go out and get Sonny Gray when he was with Oakland. She also was very fond of Andrew Toles. She disappeared for a while, and Mark did a little sleuthing and…
Yesterday, Dodgerpatch asked about a woman who posted here years ago. She is not forgotten. He wrote this:
“Who was the former poster here who loved Sonny Gray. She was a female, and she always wanted the Dodgers to go out and get Sonny Gray when he was with Oakland. She also was very fond of Andrew Toles.
She disappeared for a while, and Mark did a little sleuthing and discovered that she had died of cancer … and also that she was in a serious auto accident many years ago. I forget her username. She was a regular here for a long time. She’s not forgotten, by me…”
That sure brings back some ghosts. It was MJ, and her name was Michelle Jamison. I talked to her a few times, and she preferred to be mysterious, but was a great Dodger fan. She never told me her name. It was just “MJ,” but I figured it out after she died.
Also, we should not forget Dodger Blue Mom, whose name was Miki Gardini. Her husband, Ed, has corresponded with me after her death. Miki had a family that supported her and honored her. In fact, Ed told me that her daughter is also a rabid Dodger fan. Maybe someday she will make her way to LADT as well. I notified eD of this post… I hope he is still well. Miki would have been 86 now.
RHP Ryder Ryan was starting his 2nd game of the series. He pitched a scoreless first two innings, but allowed 3 runs in the next two innings.
OKC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. CF Zach Ehrhard opened the game with a single. LF Alek Thomas and DH James Tibbs III both singled to load the bases. 2B Taylor Young and RF Jack Suwinski both had 1 RBI singles, keeping the bases loaded. SS Hyeseong Kim hit a SF for the 3rd run and first out of the inning.
Ryan surrendered a pair of solo HR in the 3rd. Reno scored a run in the 4th due to a double and 2-out single.
LHRP Ronan Kopp entered in the 5th. He gave up a one out BB and single before being relieved by RHRP Chayce McDermott. McDermott struck out the first batter, but when the runner on 1st tried to steal second, the catcher had a throwing error to bring in the tying run.
OKC scored a run in the 6th. With 2 outs, Ehrhard and Thomas both singled with Ehrhard taking 3rd. Ehrhard then scored on a WP taking a 5-4 lead.
OKC broke it open in the 8th. C Eliézer Alfonzo opened with a double. 1B Griffin Lockwood-Powell drew a BB, and Ehrhard singled to load the bases. Thomas and Tibbs III both walked bringing in a run. Young singled bringing home two more. Suwinski followed with a run scoring ground out.
Among the relievers pitching in the game was RHRP Evan Phillips. Phillips got the final out in the 6th. In the 7th, Phillips allowed a single and sac bunt before he was lifted for LHRP Jake Eder. Eder got the final two outs of the inning without a run.
Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston) 5 – Tulsa Drillers 0
RHSP Patrick Copen is similar to OKC LHSP Jackson Ferris in that he has seemingly lost his way this year. The magic of April is long gone.
In the 1st inning, Copen allowed a 1-out double, a WP, and SF gave the Hooks an early 1-0 lead.
In the 2nd, Copen allowed a leadoff single and BB. After an out, Copen walked another batter to load the bases. A 2-run single and throwing error gave the Hooks a 3-0 lead and runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. A SF and single brought home those runners and the Hooks were now leading 5-0.
Five Tulsa relievers combined to pitch 7 shutout innings with 3 hits, 1 BB, and 5 K.
Tulsa managed 4 singles and 1 BB in their 9 shutout innings. Catcher Victor Rodrigues had 2 of those singles.
The Loons got out to a 4-0 lead and got 5.0 great scoreless innings from RHSP Tyler Gough. Then the Loons bullpen went to work.
In the Loons 1st, CF Charles Davalan led off with a single and scored on SS Emil Morales double (5). With 1 out, RF Jose Meza singled home Morales.
In the 5th, 1B Cameron Decker doubled (7). He scored on C Chase Atkison’s single. Atkison went to 2nd on the throw home. Atkison would score on Morales’ 2nd double (6).
Gough faced 3 over the minimum for 5.0. He allowed 1 hit, walked 2, and struck out 7. His pitch count was 74. He must have had a 75 pitch limit.
LHRPMatt Lanzendorfer was first reliever called in the 6th. He walked the bases full, and with 2 outs, was lifted for RHRP Davis Chastain. 1st batter he faced slugged a grand slam and the game was tied.
The Loons picked up 3 more in the 7th on a pair of HR. Morales hit a solo HR (7). DH Chase Harlan singled, and with 2 outs, LF Samuel Munoz hit a 2-run HR giving the Loons a 3-run lead.
Emil Morales hammers his 13th homer of the year for the High-A @greatlakesloons!
The @Dodgers' No. 5 prospect also has two doubles in the contest.
LHRP Jacob Frost pitched a scoreless 7th, but left 2 runners aboard. But in the 8th, he gave up a 1-out double, a 2-out walk, and a game tying HR. In the 9th, allowed a BB and single, and with 2 outs RHRP Dilan Figueredo entered to get the final out of the inning.
The Lugnuts scored a run in the bottom of the 10th for a walk off win.
RHSP Mason Estrada had a rough 1st inning but settled down to pitch a solid 5.0 innings. In the 1st with one out, Estrada gave up a double and SB. A fielder’s choice got the runner at home, but the batter reached 1st. A 2-run HR followed, and the Rawhide had a quick 2-0 lead. Those were the only 2 hits that Estrada would allow. He issued 2 BB, but struck out 10. It was a good start.
Mason Estrada set a new season-high in strikeouts today.
5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 75 PC (65.3% SR)
Aside from the two-run HR he allowed in the first inning, he was cruising through the Rawhide's lineup. This is also his second consecutive start where he went five innings pic.twitter.com/CXfEZrqkyo
Ontario got one back in the 6th. DH Ching-Hsien Ko led off the inning with a double. SS Joendry Vargas drew a 1 out BB. With 2 outs, RF Landyn Vidourek hit an RBI single.
Ontario took the lead in the 7th. 2B Javier Herrera singled to open the inning. CF Kendall George followed with a single. This was George’s first hit since returning from the freak knee injury. LF Jaron Elkins hit a RBI single, with George moving to 3rd. With 2 outs, Ko singled to drive in George.
RHRP Angel Cruz retired the side in order in the 6th, with 2 K. RHRP Jhonny Jimenez followed Cruz to the mound in the 7th. He was greeted by a double and 2-run HR before he retired the side. Visalia took a 4-3 lead.
In the 8th, 1B/LF Mairo Martinus led off with a single. With one out, Martinus moved to 2nd on a WP, and scored on a game tying single by C Conner O’Neal.
LHRP Peter Bonilla came in to pitch the 9th. He issued a BB to the 1st batter he faced. With one out he gave up a double. Bonilla walked the next batter to load the bases. The next batter struck out for out number 2. Bonilla was relieved by RHRP Jecsua Liborius, who threw a WP to allow the winning run to score.
Nice job by Lauer after giving up 3 on what were basically bloop hits. Never seen so many softly hit balls fall in for hits. Max and Ohtani crushed their homers. Pages, who hadn’t hit a homer since Teo went down, hits one when he returns. Padres got beat on a walk off against Miller. Now 11 games back. Arizona beat the Giants. Kelenic got DFAd again as did Joe Ross.
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HawkeyedodgerJune 30, 2026Reply
I thought before the season started that AZ would finish 2nd in the West. SD is going nowhere. Machado is the laziest player in the league and is the antithesis of what a leader should be. Profar getting popped probably scared his buddy Tatis off the juice for good. I didn’t see Merrill having such a bad year. The starting pitching woes were predictable. We will see if Preller unloads more prospects for a wild card opportunity.
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BadgerJune 30, 2026Reply
Preller will do something. I think you can count on that.
The Padres are an enigma to me. I had them winning at least 90 and landing a Wild Card spot. They could still do that but are currently on pace for 83. If they keep this up Stammen will be replaced. That lineup should play better.
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CassidyJune 30, 2026
Why are we playing for home field advantage when we score so many more runs on the road. We need a long losing streak so we can go in to the playoffs as a wild card.
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HawkeyedodgerJune 30, 2026
I paid about $30 a piece for two tickets at the Twins game last week. We were at the game Wrobo pitched. We were going to stay the night and watch Ohtani do double duty. Unfortunately, our dog needed emergency surgery so I had to high tail it home and drove through the night to make it back.
MT
Mark TimmonsJune 30, 2026Reply
So, how is the dog?
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HawkeyedodgerJune 30, 2026Reply
He seems to be okay. They found multiple pieces of a dog toy in his stomach and a string from a tug of war toy wrapped around his intestines.
My wife had taken him to the animal hospital while we were driving home. They sent him home with an IV pack and anti-nausea medication instead of X-rays. I took him back and they did X-rays. Then said he needed surgery right away and wanted $9K. I drove him 40 minutes to a vet recommended in a small town in Iowa. They did it for $2500.
We have two Samoyeds. He’s eating soft food and on some meds but seems to be recovering. Thanks for asking. I know you’re a dog person.
MT
Mark TimmonsJune 30, 2026
Tomorrow, I am going to Ft. Wayne to see the Loons play the Tin Caps. My daughter is my camerawoman. We plan to do a few interviews. Stay tuned.
It was almost 100 here today. I mowed for about an hour just before sunset.
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CassidyJune 30, 2026
Wow. Teo is back! Need more sunflower seeds!
AV
Andrew V ForteJune 29, 2026
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (54-30)
Athletics (40-44)
SP Eric Lauer L
3-5 4.87 ERA
SP Gage Jump L
3-1 2.04 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
LF T. Hernandez R
RF Kyle Tucker L
3B Max Muncy L
2B Miguel Rojas R
C D. Rushing L
06/29/26 Los Angeles Dodgers activated LF Teoscar Hernández from the 10-day injured list.
06/29/26 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LF Ryan Ward to Oklahoma City Comets.
JD
Jeff DominiqueJune 29, 2026
The A’s are going to be without Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson who join Zach Gelof on the IL. We still get to watch Nick Kurtz in the band box of a stadium.
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BobbyJune 29, 2026Reply
Will you be going to one of these games? Or, Dodgerrick perhaps, who I believe also lives in Sac?
JD
Jeff DominiqueJune 29, 2026Reply
No. The cost of the tickets were outlandish. Watching the Dodgers in a MiLB park is not worth $1,000+ for two seats. Where I had season tickets, the seats were for $1,000+ per seat. A friend of mine looked at the OF grass seats to take his son, who is really getting into baseball and wanted to see Shohei, they were $350.
I am not crazy about the A’s TV announcers, but I will be watching local TV.
Dodgerick lives in Rocklin which is a tad closer than where I live in El Dorado Hills. But not by much. I do not know if he is going to go.
I do have another friend who visits here (but does not comment), who is going to the game with his Dad. He is relatively close to West Sacramento, or closer than Rick or me.
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philjonesJune 30, 2026Reply
Back in the mid 80’s, I live in Broderick on a little golf coarse called Riverbend. (I moved there from Citrus Heights.) There were some apartments there (still are) that I lived in. The driving range, practice area and clubhouse with a restaurant with some decent food and drink, were close to my apt. I remember loving the steak sandwiches at the Virgin Stureon.
I Frequently rode my bike across the Sacramento River to work downtown. Used to ride the biKe trail from Old Town to Folsom Lake along the American River or the other way to Davis.
That was long before Raley’s build the ballpark in West Sac.
I really liked that area.
DN
Duke Not SniderJune 30, 2026Reply
It’s a fun place to watch a game.
JD
Jeff DominiqueJune 30, 2026Reply
Yes it is. I had season tickets for the River Cats from 2001 – 2008. Loved going to the games. I get calls every year from the River Cats to ask if I wanted to start my season tickets again. I always ask whether they are the affiliates of the A’s again. When they say no, so do I.
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DavidJune 29, 2026
Talk about old friends. Don Mattingly probably in running for Manager of the Year
DN
Duke Not SniderJune 30, 2026Reply
Then he must have improved a great deal.
WD
Watford DodgerJune 29, 2026
Patch – will definitely look you up when I’m in LA next.
I too looked that Post from 21 and had no idea who Burns was. Few old names Posting too. Didn’t realise it was 5 years since DBM passed. Life really is flying by.
Was nice to see B&P name there too – he was a good guy and very knowledgeable about the Boys In Blue.
Mark – LMK when you’re in town in August.
Beating SD gives me more pleasure than beating SF.
WD
Watford DodgerJune 29, 2026Reply
Ps
I like the way you used your wife for the AI picture of the Dodger Ladies
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BearJune 29, 2026
Could and would the Dodgers go get Rortvedt from the Mets? He is playing for their AAA affiliate.
JD
Jeff DominiqueJune 29, 2026Reply
Could and maybe will. He is familiar with the LAD pitchers. Apparently the Dodgers and Mets are talking, but the talking is not as loud because of how Chuckie is working with the pitchers. Pitchers like Chuckie. When the Dodgers DFA him when Smith comes back, it would be nice to have Rortvedt back in the organization just in case another team likes how Chuckie is working with the LAD pitchers.
DN
Duke Not SniderJune 30, 2026Reply
Sounds good to me.
Rushing’s recent troubles with Shohei had me wondering whether Rortvedt was getting raves from the pitchers like Snell because they just prefer him to Rushing.
Rushing has so much talent. Perhaps an alternative like Rortvedt will help him mature.
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BearJune 29, 2026
Paddack about to sign a major league deal with the Rangers. Pomeranz signed to a minor league deal with the Cubs.
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CassidyJune 29, 2026
Looking forward to seeing the A’s this series. Let’s try Edman in #2 spot and drop Pages down. Right now, he has no concept of the strike zone.
And Freddie, please work with Freeland and teach him how to foul off tough 2 strike pitches and how to go left field on outside pitches.
JD
Jeff DominiqueJune 29, 2026Reply
I agree that this is a very pivotal development piece for Alex, Pitchers are living on the outside edge with Alex. He did have a nice oppo single yesterday. And he swung at the first pitch, anotherthing he does not do a lot of. A little Corey Seager here maybe could help.
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philjonesJune 29, 2026Reply
I like this idea Cassidy. I think a move down in the lineup, with Tommy Tanks in the 2 hole is a solid plan. We seem to struggle badly in the 2 hole and I like what Edman brings to the table.
Pages seems to be going through one of his “psychogenic fugue” states (a rare psychiatric condition where a person experiences sudden, unexpected amnesia). He forgets how to tell a strike from a ball.
And his challenges are so ill timed, perhaps Doc needs to ban him from the process. His illadvised challenge early last night caused ramifications restricting other challenges. Freddie had a legit beef and challenge as the nest batter after Pages but he couldn’t risk it. Two unsuccessful challenges in one early inning, is unacceptable. Freddie was smart enough to realize that. And there were other legit misses by Ramon DeJesus all game.
I like Pages a lot. His development has taken him from a questionable defensive right fielder where he seemed suited, to an all-star defensive centerfielder with a right fielder’s arm. But he has those lapes in judgement. I get the impression that he isn’t the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
I’m looking forward to seeing the A’s. A team I seldom watch.
I ended up switching to the Padres broadcast yesterday in the 5th (which was painful). I got extremely sick of what Joe Davis referred to as the “third man in the booth”. An “insufferable” non-stop chatty fan that could be heard loud and clear all night over Joe and Eric. I couldn’t hear this clown on the Padres mics. Gawd find a way to shut off the fan mic or close the booth window.
MT
Mark TimmonsJune 29, 2026
Sheldon Neuse, who played with the Dodgers in 2021, has retired from baseball after three seasons in MLB.
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BadgerJune 29, 2026Reply
Wasn’t he a senior theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology?
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BobbyJune 29, 2026Reply
Bazinga
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dodgerpatchJune 29, 2026
It’s good to remember the people that are gone. I wonder, sometimes, will I be remembered. I think of this line from Gladiator. “We mortals are but shadows and dust.”
Speaking of people who are gone, I was glancing through the comments of Mark’s post from June 20, 2021, and someone posted the lineup from that day’s game:
Taylor CF
Pollock LF
Turner 3B
Pujols 1B
Burns 2B
Souza Jr. RF
Lux SS
Barnes C
Gonsolin P
Those players are but shadows and dust. I wonder if Gonsolin will pitch again. I hope he does.
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BobbyJune 29, 2026Reply
Did we start Montgomery Burns at 2b??
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ZekeJune 29, 2026Reply
It was Andy Burns. I had to look it up as I couldn’t recall either.
I looked up Montgomery Burns stats. He hit near a thousand against Homer. Here’s an example:
In the Springfield City Softball Championship he hired MLB ringers for the game. He then pinch-hit Homer for his superstar (who had 9 home runs) to gain a left-on-left platoon advantage. Distracted by Burns’ bizarre coaching signals, Homer was struck in the head on the very first pitch, securing a 44-43 victory.
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BobbyJune 29, 2026Reply
Burns is only 997 wins away from Doc!
By the way, it’s insane to think Doc will hit 1,000 career wins this week. Is it right to assume he’d be the fastest to do so?
DN
Duke Not SniderJune 30, 2026Reply
Excellent…
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BearJune 29, 2026Reply
Taylor, Turner and Lux the only players listed who are currently on someone’s roster. The Cat Man is still a free agent.
DN
Duke Not SniderJune 30, 2026Reply
Don’t forget: JT is playing in TJ!
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BearJune 30, 2026Reply
I said Turner, he is in the Mexican League, so he is currently on a roster. Taylor and Lux are both on the IL. Taylor at Salt Lake City and Lux for the Rays.
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BadgerJune 30, 2026Reply
Notta to worry patch. If you go, I’ll talk about you.
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BearJune 29, 2026
Schwarber hit his 30th yesterday. He has a legitimate shot at 60. Arizona lost again, they were swept in a 3-game series with the Rays. Mozeliak said he is open to staying with the Halos past this year. Oddly, he has not yet met Artie Moreno. He will probably quit once he does. 34 days to the trade deadline. Ward will most likely be sent down today when LA activates Teo.
DJ
Daytona JackJune 29, 2026Reply
Hope Ward gets traded. Lost a lot of worth on this cup if coffee but he got some wonderful memories.
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BearJune 29, 2026Reply
Might get dealt for a lottery pick. He would not bring a top prospect back. Age would be an issue.
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BlutoJune 29, 2026Reply
He couldn’t be traded when his value was at its highest.
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BearJune 29, 2026
Great post Mark. I remember MJ well. She also used to post on Scott’s site. We had a few disagreements about Joc. But I respected her opinion. Nice win yesterday. Solid pitching by Emmett and the pen. Scott did a great job getting out of that mess in the 8th. Watched Project Hail Mary last night. Really interesting movie. A lot of humor and human pathos in it. Gosling did a great job. Loved that the alien was basically a rock.
AV
Andrew V ForteJune 29, 2026
Here is the current six Division Leaders.Record Winning %,Run Differential, and Games Ahead in the Standings:
Dodgers 54-30 .643 +152 +10
Brewers 50-31 .617 +120 +5.5
Braves 49-33 .598 +88 +3
Rays 48-33 .593 +24 +1
Whit Sox 43 -39 .524 +18 +4.5(tie)
Indians 44-40 .524 -8 +4.5 (tie)
Rangers 42-42 .500 -8 +.5
The American League is extremely weak by their current records and run differentials. The Dodgers have the best overall record,run differential and division lead.
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BadyJune 29, 2026Reply
Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals in the Wild Card position with Padres and Marlins close behind. All that, including Division leaders, could change with half the season left to play.
DJ
Daytona JackJune 29, 2026Reply
Just to rub a little salt in the wound, it would be nice if we didn’t have to play and NL WEST teams in October. Vengeance is best served cold.
I watch most Phillies games and they are a team to be concerned about. Power, defense, pitching and the most facial hair of any team.
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BobbyJune 29, 2026
Mike Sirota did not play yesterday.
At first when I didn’t see his name mentioned above, I thought maybe his on base streak came to an end!
So the on base streak is still going strong!
JD
Jeff DominiqueJune 29, 2026Reply
My bad. I was going to mention it, but my son in law was trying to set up a new computer for me and time and brain cells left me.
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BadgerJune 29, 2026
Thank you for the “We will never forget” post. I didn’t know DBM, but as I mentioned yesterday I knew MJ and I liked her. She and I shared views on many topics. I haven’t thought of her in a while and it’s good to be reminded.
Dodgers now 10 games up and on cruise control. Take care of the health and see where we are in two months. The deadline will be in the windshield soon enough. Will Glasnow, Snell and Ryan even be pitching then? Will all of the current 26 (+1, Kiké) be on the field?
Nothing is guaranteed. Also progress isn’t linear. (I don’t know how that fits here but I just thought I’d say it.)
And as MJ would say, be kind to others, even to those you feel may not deserve it.
DJ
Daytona JackJune 29, 2026
Mark,
Interesting article on “old friends”of LADT. I discovered it a year ir so ago and it has become part of my daily routine and a valuable part of my retirement. Can you give us a history of when, how and why you created it? I know there’s a strong bond between Bear Jeff, Phil, you and others but I’m sure many of us nubbies would like to know the history. Thanks again for a great site where we can bitch, complain, praise and question Dodger play and moves.
MT
Mark TimmonsJune 29, 2026Reply
I think that is a story best left to Bear, Jeff, and Phil.
I think Badger goes back the furthest. Many of our old comrades are with the big Dodger in the Sky.
Badger, Jeff, Bear (Michael), Bobby, and others I hav e met in person. In August, I hope to meet Watford in London.
MJ & DBM were special. They are missed.
Roger Dodger, Harold, 2Demeter2, Bulldogs&Penguins, Spokane Bob, Bumsrap, Jayne Cobb, and others have a significant spot in LADT Lore.
DJ
Daytona JackJune 29, 2026Reply
Appreciate it.
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BearJune 29, 2026Reply
DT, there have been many great posters on both Mark and Jeff’s sites. Harold if I remember correctly used to write until he passed. I have met Mark, Bulldogs and Penguins, who wrote for Mark for a short time, Watford, Patch and Jayne Cobb. I also met John up in Colorado Springs. We had two who have not posted in a long time, Bradley, who had some of the wildest trade scenarios ever, and Eric, who seemed to love arguing with the world.
Draft day is near (Saturday). Will the Dodgers get a difference maker at pick #40? Maybe, maybe not. Dalton Rushing is a difference maker and he was picked as the LAD #1 at #40. LHSP Zach Root (#40) looks like a strong potential difference maker as does Charles Davalan (#41). But their strategy is so muddled because of their lack of a bonus pool. It is not that there will…
OKC Comets 9 – El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego) 2 In the 1st inning, OKC jumped out to the lead with a one out HR (3) from CF Alek Thomas. OKC picked up two more runs in the 2nd. 2B Ryan Fitzgerald singled and with one out stole 2B and went to 3rd on a ground out. DH Zach Ehrhard hit a 2-run inside the park HR to make it…
The image of a prototypical lead-off hitter has changed dramatically over the last several years. When I first started watching baseball in the 50’s, most lead of hitters were players with high OBP’s and some speed. Of course, players in the 50’s were evaluated a lot differently than players are today. Pee Wee Reese was actually hit second more than he led off. As a leadoff man, Pee Wee hit…
I generally don’t have a “favorite” player… kind of like I don’t have a favorite kid… or grandkid. However, I am unashamed to say that Alex Freeland is now my favorite player, simply because of what he has had to overcome to get where he is. I admire his parents for what they did for him, and I admire his indomitable spirit. However, the time has come for Alex to…
Discussion (55)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Nice job by Lauer after giving up 3 on what were basically bloop hits. Never seen so many softly hit balls fall in for hits. Max and Ohtani crushed their homers. Pages, who hadn’t hit a homer since Teo went down, hits one when he returns. Padres got beat on a walk off against Miller. Now 11 games back. Arizona beat the Giants. Kelenic got DFAd again as did Joe Ross.
I thought before the season started that AZ would finish 2nd in the West. SD is going nowhere. Machado is the laziest player in the league and is the antithesis of what a leader should be. Profar getting popped probably scared his buddy Tatis off the juice for good. I didn’t see Merrill having such a bad year. The starting pitching woes were predictable. We will see if Preller unloads more prospects for a wild card opportunity.
Preller will do something. I think you can count on that.
The Padres are an enigma to me. I had them winning at least 90 and landing a Wild Card spot. They could still do that but are currently on pace for 83. If they keep this up Stammen will be replaced. That lineup should play better.
Why are we playing for home field advantage when we score so many more runs on the road. We need a long losing streak so we can go in to the playoffs as a wild card.
I paid about $30 a piece for two tickets at the Twins game last week. We were at the game Wrobo pitched. We were going to stay the night and watch Ohtani do double duty. Unfortunately, our dog needed emergency surgery so I had to high tail it home and drove through the night to make it back.
So, how is the dog?
He seems to be okay. They found multiple pieces of a dog toy in his stomach and a string from a tug of war toy wrapped around his intestines.
My wife had taken him to the animal hospital while we were driving home. They sent him home with an IV pack and anti-nausea medication instead of X-rays. I took him back and they did X-rays. Then said he needed surgery right away and wanted $9K. I drove him 40 minutes to a vet recommended in a small town in Iowa. They did it for $2500.
We have two Samoyeds. He’s eating soft food and on some meds but seems to be recovering. Thanks for asking. I know you’re a dog person.
Tomorrow, I am going to Ft. Wayne to see the Loons play the Tin Caps. My daughter is my camerawoman. We plan to do a few interviews. Stay tuned.
It was almost 100 here today. I mowed for about an hour just before sunset.
Wow. Teo is back! Need more sunflower seeds!
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (54-30)
Athletics (40-44)
SP Eric Lauer L
3-5 4.87 ERA
SP Gage Jump L
3-1 2.04 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
LF T. Hernandez R
RF Kyle Tucker L
3B Max Muncy L
2B Miguel Rojas R
C D. Rushing L
06/29/26 Los Angeles Dodgers activated LF Teoscar Hernández from the 10-day injured list.
06/29/26 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LF Ryan Ward to Oklahoma City Comets.
The A’s are going to be without Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson who join Zach Gelof on the IL. We still get to watch Nick Kurtz in the band box of a stadium.
Will you be going to one of these games? Or, Dodgerrick perhaps, who I believe also lives in Sac?
No. The cost of the tickets were outlandish. Watching the Dodgers in a MiLB park is not worth $1,000+ for two seats. Where I had season tickets, the seats were for $1,000+ per seat. A friend of mine looked at the OF grass seats to take his son, who is really getting into baseball and wanted to see Shohei, they were $350.
I am not crazy about the A’s TV announcers, but I will be watching local TV.
Dodgerick lives in Rocklin which is a tad closer than where I live in El Dorado Hills. But not by much. I do not know if he is going to go.
I do have another friend who visits here (but does not comment), who is going to the game with his Dad. He is relatively close to West Sacramento, or closer than Rick or me.
Back in the mid 80’s, I live in Broderick on a little golf coarse called Riverbend. (I moved there from Citrus Heights.) There were some apartments there (still are) that I lived in. The driving range, practice area and clubhouse with a restaurant with some decent food and drink, were close to my apt. I remember loving the steak sandwiches at the Virgin Stureon.
I Frequently rode my bike across the Sacramento River to work downtown. Used to ride the biKe trail from Old Town to Folsom Lake along the American River or the other way to Davis.
That was long before Raley’s build the ballpark in West Sac.
I really liked that area.
It’s a fun place to watch a game.
Yes it is. I had season tickets for the River Cats from 2001 – 2008. Loved going to the games. I get calls every year from the River Cats to ask if I wanted to start my season tickets again. I always ask whether they are the affiliates of the A’s again. When they say no, so do I.
Talk about old friends. Don Mattingly probably in running for Manager of the Year
Then he must have improved a great deal.
Patch – will definitely look you up when I’m in LA next.
I too looked that Post from 21 and had no idea who Burns was. Few old names Posting too. Didn’t realise it was 5 years since DBM passed. Life really is flying by.
Was nice to see B&P name there too – he was a good guy and very knowledgeable about the Boys In Blue.
Mark – LMK when you’re in town in August.
Beating SD gives me more pleasure than beating SF.
Ps
I like the way you used your wife for the AI picture of the Dodger Ladies
Could and would the Dodgers go get Rortvedt from the Mets? He is playing for their AAA affiliate.
Could and maybe will. He is familiar with the LAD pitchers. Apparently the Dodgers and Mets are talking, but the talking is not as loud because of how Chuckie is working with the pitchers. Pitchers like Chuckie. When the Dodgers DFA him when Smith comes back, it would be nice to have Rortvedt back in the organization just in case another team likes how Chuckie is working with the LAD pitchers.
Sounds good to me.
Rushing’s recent troubles with Shohei had me wondering whether Rortvedt was getting raves from the pitchers like Snell because they just prefer him to Rushing.
Rushing has so much talent. Perhaps an alternative like Rortvedt will help him mature.
Paddack about to sign a major league deal with the Rangers. Pomeranz signed to a minor league deal with the Cubs.
Looking forward to seeing the A’s this series. Let’s try Edman in #2 spot and drop Pages down. Right now, he has no concept of the strike zone.
And Freddie, please work with Freeland and teach him how to foul off tough 2 strike pitches and how to go left field on outside pitches.
I agree that this is a very pivotal development piece for Alex, Pitchers are living on the outside edge with Alex. He did have a nice oppo single yesterday. And he swung at the first pitch, anotherthing he does not do a lot of. A little Corey Seager here maybe could help.
I like this idea Cassidy. I think a move down in the lineup, with Tommy Tanks in the 2 hole is a solid plan. We seem to struggle badly in the 2 hole and I like what Edman brings to the table.
Pages seems to be going through one of his “psychogenic fugue” states (a rare psychiatric condition where a person experiences sudden, unexpected amnesia). He forgets how to tell a strike from a ball.
And his challenges are so ill timed, perhaps Doc needs to ban him from the process. His illadvised challenge early last night caused ramifications restricting other challenges. Freddie had a legit beef and challenge as the nest batter after Pages but he couldn’t risk it. Two unsuccessful challenges in one early inning, is unacceptable. Freddie was smart enough to realize that. And there were other legit misses by Ramon DeJesus all game.
I like Pages a lot. His development has taken him from a questionable defensive right fielder where he seemed suited, to an all-star defensive centerfielder with a right fielder’s arm. But he has those lapes in judgement. I get the impression that he isn’t the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
I’m looking forward to seeing the A’s. A team I seldom watch.
I ended up switching to the Padres broadcast yesterday in the 5th (which was painful). I got extremely sick of what Joe Davis referred to as the “third man in the booth”. An “insufferable” non-stop chatty fan that could be heard loud and clear all night over Joe and Eric. I couldn’t hear this clown on the Padres mics. Gawd find a way to shut off the fan mic or close the booth window.
Sheldon Neuse, who played with the Dodgers in 2021, has retired from baseball after three seasons in MLB.
Wasn’t he a senior theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology?
Bazinga
It’s good to remember the people that are gone. I wonder, sometimes, will I be remembered. I think of this line from Gladiator. “We mortals are but shadows and dust.”
Speaking of people who are gone, I was glancing through the comments of Mark’s post from June 20, 2021, and someone posted the lineup from that day’s game:
Taylor CF
Pollock LF
Turner 3B
Pujols 1B
Burns 2B
Souza Jr. RF
Lux SS
Barnes C
Gonsolin P
Those players are but shadows and dust. I wonder if Gonsolin will pitch again. I hope he does.
Did we start Montgomery Burns at 2b??
It was Andy Burns. I had to look it up as I couldn’t recall either.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnsan01.shtml
I looked up Montgomery Burns stats. He hit near a thousand against Homer. Here’s an example:
In the Springfield City Softball Championship he hired MLB ringers for the game. He then pinch-hit Homer for his superstar (who had 9 home runs) to gain a left-on-left platoon advantage. Distracted by Burns’ bizarre coaching signals, Homer was struck in the head on the very first pitch, securing a 44-43 victory.
Burns is only 997 wins away from Doc!
By the way, it’s insane to think Doc will hit 1,000 career wins this week. Is it right to assume he’d be the fastest to do so?
Excellent…
Taylor, Turner and Lux the only players listed who are currently on someone’s roster. The Cat Man is still a free agent.
Don’t forget: JT is playing in TJ!
I said Turner, he is in the Mexican League, so he is currently on a roster. Taylor and Lux are both on the IL. Taylor at Salt Lake City and Lux for the Rays.
Notta to worry patch. If you go, I’ll talk about you.
Schwarber hit his 30th yesterday. He has a legitimate shot at 60. Arizona lost again, they were swept in a 3-game series with the Rays. Mozeliak said he is open to staying with the Halos past this year. Oddly, he has not yet met Artie Moreno. He will probably quit once he does. 34 days to the trade deadline. Ward will most likely be sent down today when LA activates Teo.
Hope Ward gets traded. Lost a lot of worth on this cup if coffee but he got some wonderful memories.
Might get dealt for a lottery pick. He would not bring a top prospect back. Age would be an issue.
He couldn’t be traded when his value was at its highest.
Great post Mark. I remember MJ well. She also used to post on Scott’s site. We had a few disagreements about Joc. But I respected her opinion. Nice win yesterday. Solid pitching by Emmett and the pen. Scott did a great job getting out of that mess in the 8th. Watched Project Hail Mary last night. Really interesting movie. A lot of humor and human pathos in it. Gosling did a great job. Loved that the alien was basically a rock.
Here is the current six Division Leaders.Record Winning %,Run Differential, and Games Ahead in the Standings:
Dodgers 54-30 .643 +152 +10
Brewers 50-31 .617 +120 +5.5
Braves 49-33 .598 +88 +3
Rays 48-33 .593 +24 +1
Whit Sox 43 -39 .524 +18 +4.5(tie)
Indians 44-40 .524 -8 +4.5 (tie)
Rangers 42-42 .500 -8 +.5
The American League is extremely weak by their current records and run differentials. The Dodgers have the best overall record,run differential and division lead.
Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals in the Wild Card position with Padres and Marlins close behind. All that, including Division leaders, could change with half the season left to play.
Just to rub a little salt in the wound, it would be nice if we didn’t have to play and NL WEST teams in October. Vengeance is best served cold.
I watch most Phillies games and they are a team to be concerned about. Power, defense, pitching and the most facial hair of any team.
Mike Sirota did not play yesterday.
At first when I didn’t see his name mentioned above, I thought maybe his on base streak came to an end!
So the on base streak is still going strong!
My bad. I was going to mention it, but my son in law was trying to set up a new computer for me and time and brain cells left me.
Thank you for the “We will never forget” post. I didn’t know DBM, but as I mentioned yesterday I knew MJ and I liked her. She and I shared views on many topics. I haven’t thought of her in a while and it’s good to be reminded.
Dodgers now 10 games up and on cruise control. Take care of the health and see where we are in two months. The deadline will be in the windshield soon enough. Will Glasnow, Snell and Ryan even be pitching then? Will all of the current 26 (+1, Kiké) be on the field?
Nothing is guaranteed. Also progress isn’t linear. (I don’t know how that fits here but I just thought I’d say it.)
And as MJ would say, be kind to others, even to those you feel may not deserve it.
Mark,
Interesting article on “old friends”of LADT. I discovered it a year ir so ago and it has become part of my daily routine and a valuable part of my retirement. Can you give us a history of when, how and why you created it? I know there’s a strong bond between Bear Jeff, Phil, you and others but I’m sure many of us nubbies would like to know the history. Thanks again for a great site where we can bitch, complain, praise and question Dodger play and moves.
I think that is a story best left to Bear, Jeff, and Phil.
I think Badger goes back the furthest. Many of our old comrades are with the big Dodger in the Sky.
Badger, Jeff, Bear (Michael), Bobby, and others I hav e met in person. In August, I hope to meet Watford in London.
MJ & DBM were special. They are missed.
Roger Dodger, Harold, 2Demeter2, Bulldogs&Penguins, Spokane Bob, Bumsrap, Jayne Cobb, and others have a significant spot in LADT Lore.
Appreciate it.
DT, there have been many great posters on both Mark and Jeff’s sites. Harold if I remember correctly used to write until he passed. I have met Mark, Bulldogs and Penguins, who wrote for Mark for a short time, Watford, Patch and Jayne Cobb. I also met John up in Colorado Springs. We had two who have not posted in a long time, Bradley, who had some of the wildest trade scenarios ever, and Eric, who seemed to love arguing with the world.