LA Dodger Chronicles Says Goodbye

Not by my choice, but LA Dodger Chronicles has come to an end, at least my version of it. I tried to log on to the site on Sunday, March 22, but instead found a notice that “This Page Does Not Exist”.  I emailed my Project Manager to get the site back up, but there was no response.  I tried to call him on Monday, but his phone was blocked. 

I tried to contact Corporate but their calls failed.  This was going to be my last year anyway.  So I can continue to fight this seemingly never ending fight, or to acknowledge that I have had a great run and maybe this was a sign for me to enjoy whatever days I have left on this earth without the worrisome task of managing a blog.  Life is too short, so I chose the latter.

My one regret is that I did not get to have LA Dodger Chronicles go out on my terms, let my readers and commenters know how much they were appreciated, and that I enjoyed the dialogue, even when we disagreed.  I know a lot of my readers and commenters also come to LADT.  I had contacted Mark and he allowed his platform for my LADC farewell.

Mark gave me a chance 9 years ago, at a time when I needed a distraction.   I continued to write for him until early 2022.  I left on good terms, and Mark has continued to help me when needed. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited, read, and commented on LA Dodger Chronicles. You will never know how appreciated you were.  Too many names to mention, so I will not try.

The blog started April, 2022.  I had Harold Uhlman and Rob Schelling as my writing partners.  Harold concentrated on the prospects and Rob had his observations and views form lazy recliner.  He was also prescient with the MLB Draft.  Unfortunately, Harold passed away that Winter, and Rob’s legal practice and personal matters kept him away. 

I do not recall the full genesis of the transition, but Bear joined me relatively soon thereafter.  I know Mark played a key role in that transition and Bear was a HUGE benefit to the blog and me.  I know he was writing for LADT and LADC the last several months, and I know he has his own health issues, but he never let me down. 

People who have reached out to me ask me what I will be doing next.  I still love to write, and I really love the research.  Mark has afforded me the opportunity to write for LADT again, and I have agreed to do so.  Same terms as always.  When I can, whatever baseball topic I choose, and always unedited.

Anyone who has followed me over the last 9 years know that my passion is MiLB. I concentrate on LAD prospects but I follow all of the prospects.  Maybe it the 1,000 + MiLB games I saw live since my son started MiLB in the Phillies organization.  For those who do not know, he was on the 2004 Boston MLB roster and while he did not get to play in the WS, he does have a WS ring.  He spent nine years in MiLB, and I saw countless of his games, all on the East Coast, from Maine to Florida.

I am also a retired CFO, so I tend to get wrapped up in the finances of MLB.

I am a contrarian prone to hyperbole.  I am Dodger loyalist who believes there is no better MLB executive than Andrew Friedman, Brandon Gomes is an excellent student under AF’s tutelage who will get a shot at being a POBO with some organization, and while Dave Roberts is not the best strategist in a MLB dugout, he is perfect for the Dodgers, and no other manager can do what he does with the Dodgers.  They will all make mistakes, and if warranted, I will comment.  I wear rose-colored glasses, but I will not act like an ostrich and hide my head if I disagree with something.

Thank you for your indulgence.  Thank you, Mark, for allowing me this platform to thank my followers at LADC.  And thank you Mark, for the opportunity to return to write for LADT after 4+ years.