Seemingly every year, the Dodgers induct a player or two into their Legends of Dodger baseball. When they do, the player gets a bobblehead. Newcombe, Garvey, Valenzuela, Gibson, and Wills have all been so honored. This year they will be joined by Manny Mota and Orel Hershiser. While I think these are great promotions for the fans, I think they fall way short of actually being legendary.
Kirk Gibson spent three years with the Dodgers. In his first season, he was the MVP, and then he hit a homer in the World Series that was historic. But beyond that one shinning season, Kirk was not as productive as a player of his stature should have been. A bobblehead celebrating the homer was also issued; that should have been enough.
How can you honor a guy who spent 3 years with the team and totally dis a player who spent his entire career with the club? I am speaking of Jim Gilliam. There was supposed to be a Gilliam bobblehead in August of 2018. But then the Dodgers traded for Manny Machado and gave away one of him instead. To this point, they have never issued a Gilliam, and it is not even on the radar. Other than Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, and Newcombe, they have basically ignored the real legends of Dodger baseball.
They have done statuettes of Robinson, but no bobbleheads. They did a statue of Newk, Campy, and Jackie. They did a bobblehead of Campy being wheeled out at the coliseum with Pee Wee. But neither has been honored with their own bobble. They did honor Hodges a second time when he was elected to the Hall of Fame. But no Dazzy Vance, or Zack Wheat. No Carl Furillo. The bobbles quite literally celebrate the players who have played in LA, but not Brooklyn. And a huge portion of the team’s history is there.
Some will probably think it is just sour grapes on my part, and maybe it is. But as a history buff, I think you honor the pioneers before you honor players who played very little in the Dodger uni. I mean, “c’mon man, Trea Turner even got a bobblehead!”
Hershiser’s election has more to do with his scoreless innings streak than anything else and Mota mostly for his record-setting pinch hits. But at least they spent more than 10 years with the team. This year Kershaw will get another bobblehead. It will be maybe his tenth. Well deserved and he will most likely have at least a couple more. One when he goes into the hall, and another when they induct him into the Legends of Dodger baseball and retire #22.
I enjoy the bobbleheads I do have. But the only legends ones I have are Garvey and Newcombe. I would love to see the Dodgers do some for the players from Brooklyn who were a huge part of that teams success and history. Gilliam definitely deserves to be honored.
Discussion (34)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Landon Knack’s line last night for Tulsa ,5IP 2H 0R 0ER 2BB 11K1.45ERA 74 pitches 51 strikes.
Bobby Miller’s line last night for Oklahoma City, 3.1 IP 1H 1R 1ER 1BB 2K 2.70ERA 55 pitches 34 strikes.
The Dodgers plan to call up pitcher Gavin Stone to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Phillies at Dodger Stadium, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reported on Saturday night. Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic confirmed the news.
Stone is coming off his best start of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, striking out eight in five innings on Thursday, allowing a run on three hits and two walks.On the season, Stone has been uneven with a 4.74 ERA in six starts, with a reduced strikeout rate (25.7 percent) and increased walk rate (11.4 percent). But he’s been much better over his last two starts, striking out 15 (a 39.5-percent rate) in 9⅔ innings, allowing one run.
Stone won the Branch Rickey Award last season as the Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year, after a dominant 1.48 ERA across three levels, with 168 strikeouts in 121⅔ innings. Entering the season, the right-hander was rated a consensus top-60 prospect in baseball, topping out at No. 39 by Keith Law at The Athletic.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRwYnqK1/
On days like this I really think Kersh could have 3 or 4 more one-year contracts to go. He’s had injury issues, but it’s not like he’s falling apart.
Went to the game tonight and watching CK pitch is amazing. First ballot HoFer and needs to be a Dodger for life.
TT and KT3 are horrible in- person as much as they are on TV.
Outman has an explosive first step on defense and looked very good against a tough LHP.
The KT3 four- year deal is looking more and more like an albatross contract, what was AF thinking? Defend that decision all you want but it is indeed a head scratcher
Masterclass! That’s as good of stuff Kersh has had in a while. When he can throw his curve for strikes and his fastball arm side he still a Cy Young candidate. If only he and his back can stay healthy we’re all in for a treat this year! And Thompson and Taylor have the exact same swing no matter where the ball is pitched. How about trying to go to right field! Pathetic!
Taylor’s mind hurts when he bats now. Sad, really.
We’re all, understandably, concerned about the Dodger’s team issues.
But I have to take a step back. Kersh is the best pitcher I’ve ever watched. Still. And I got cable in the early 90s and got to watch some of the greatest every week. Week after week, year after year. I watched Maddux, Glavin, Clemens, The Big Unit and Pedro.
Win or lose, we are watching the greatest pitcher in a couple generations. No hit stuff every other start.
Don’t think I can remember a player with that much swing and miss that wasn’t a slugger.
Taylor either needs his eyes checked or he’s got a hole in his bat
I literally feel sorry for him, I don’t know how he walks back to the dugout time and time again gotta be so embarrassing
See, 3 games is not a slump.
Kershaw says I got another 10 years in me. lol
Taylor is downright unwatchable when he is at the plate.
I know they have to try to get Thompson at bats. But but Heyward deserved another start after his 2 hit night plus his Great defense he’s been playing.
Taylor – ugh. 3Ks in 3 AB against a lefty. The first with 2 on and 1 out.
Nice at-bat by James Outman. He’s adjusting… against a Lefty, at that!
A lot of home runs being hit in Mexico City.
That link is now open to whomever has it.
Given that the Dodgers are flawed one might think San Diego with all their awesome offense would be running away.
Here is their lineup for today’s game:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aGRAiKUtTMwZL5T58mNA6u6XgLSfG8VqnC7dCCkzDTE/edit?usp=sharing
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Walker Buehler is at Dodger Stadium today and was throwing from 150 feet. #Dodgers
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Dave Roberts sticking with plan he laid out yesterday to have Will Smith catch tomorrow #Dodgers
9:10 PM ET
Cardinals (10-17)
Dodgers (14-13)
SPJ. Montgomery L
2-3 3.81 ERA 28.1IP 25
SP Clayton Kershaw L
4-1 2.32 ERA 31IP 32K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
DH Will Smith R
SS Chris Taylor R
3B Max Muncy L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
LF T. Thompson R
C A. Barnes R
Clear-day
0% Rain
71° Wind 9 mph Out
Speaking of out of the zone, I’m always amazed at how many swings and misses that Kersh gets with his slider down and in to righties. One of the greatest pitches in baseball history.
D. May throws his breaking pitches nicely, within an inch of the strike box but for some reason hitters aren’t going after that very attractive looking bait
Congrats to the Lakers on their win over the Griz. Lebron showed that he is still the biggest jerk around and left the court without shaking hands with the losers. Great to see the Legendary Jack Nicholson at the game courtside once more.
Given that the Dodgers are flawed one might think San Diego with all their awesome offense would be running away.
Here is their lineup for today’s game:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aGRAiKUtTMwZL5T58mNA6u6XgLSfG8VqnC7dCCkzDTE/edit?usp=sharing
Friday scores
Oklahoma City vs. Sacramento, postponed
Arkansas 4, Tulsa 3 (Game 1)
Arkansas 3, Tulsa 2 (Game 2)
Great Lakes at Fort Wayne, postponed
Rancho Cucamonga 6, Inland Empire 2
Saturday schedule
9:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Adolfo Ramirez, TBD) at Fort Wayne (Ryan Bergert, TBD), doubleheader
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Bobby Miller) vs. Sacramento (TBD)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Landon Knack) at Arkansas (Bryan Woo)
6:35 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Payton Martin) at Inland Empire (Leonard Garcia)
Hopefully Hudson will be back for the 2nd half. I can see Caleb, Phillips, Hudson, and Nelson being an effective group to cover 4 innings in a tight game.
Honestly, I am not a fan of Brusdar, sometimes he reminds me of Antonio Osuna the way he gets hit. MLB hitters don’t have a hard time hitting his 100 mph fastballs when they’re down the middle.
It appears the Dodgers have miscalculated with the bullpen by thinking Bickford, Vesia, and Almonte could be effective this season. All three will be given time to right-the-ship, but at some point we need to see new options. My vote is to have the rookies (Stone, Grove, Pepitot) audition.
Gilliam doesn’t have a bobblehead but he does have his uniform retired and his number on the outfield wall. As I remember when the oldtimers played the first so many fans to arrive got 8 x 10 photos. That was their bobblehead night. Let’s move on.
Maybe bear, but worth a try! Maybe if the angels drop further down in the standings, hunter renfro might be a name, ain’t like he hadn’t been traded before!!!
Vesia should be sent down today. He needs to get right and the BP needs a fresh arm.
Not sure that transaction occurs or who might be called up. Perhaps a “phantom injury” is discovered allowing Bruhil to be called up but he doesn’t necessarily inspire me with much confidence.
Feduccia needs to be on the big club now.
Kris Bryant sure makes a lot of sense. Plays outfield and 3rd or first. Why not? Kershaw pitching tonight, let him Dh for Barnes! He makes contact!!!
104 pitches to go 5. That’s just too much work for only 5.
I’m fine with Mookie at short for the time being I suppose. If he really likes it, and settles in, could he stay there for a few years?
5 more bullpen arms used. We sure are working that group hard. And, Vesia doesn’t look right. 2 strikeouts is the good news. The rest of that line stunk.
I might have been wrong about Heyward. He’s barreling the ball. Sure hope he keeps it up.
Get another outfielder? Where? From the Wynns bin? I don’t think we really need one. We need Thompson and Peralta to hit .250. Remember when hitting .250 sucked?
Nice to have you back Bear. Agree 100%. We have a rich and proud tradition of Dodger baseball. Owners should honor it more. Nice to see Vargas finally hit one out. Better times are coming for him. As you said Mark, let’s see how Outman responds to a bad stretch. When May throws his curve for strikes he’s gonna be elite. Trust your force Dustin
Observations from last night’s game.
1. Mookie loves to play SS – let him stay there. He’s better than Rojas and Taylor combined. Don’t get another SS. Get another Outfielder!
2. If J-Hey can hit .260 and play his stellar defense in RF, he will be an asset.
3. I really don’t understand why Feduccia is not on the team!
4. Why are so many players hitting so poorly? OK, Vargas has an injury that prevents him from gripping the bat properly (which really makes it really dumb to compare him to anyone), but Thompson, Barnes, Peralta and Taylor… even Mookie… Why?
5. Will Smith will need a few games to get his stroke back.
6. Dustin May gives up too many walks and steals.
7. Alex Vesia is a shell of himself.
Junior deserves to have a bobblehead – in fact, it should be investigated like a crime that he doesn’t!
Kirk Gibson gets it just on one HR- the Greatest in MLB History!
I have three bobbleheads:
1. Tommy
2. Julio (got it on his bobblehead night)
3. Cody (Bear gave it to me… twice!)