Let s Get Ready to Rumble
Today s the day we have been waiting for. It seems like forever. It seems like 30 years to me But, today the Dodgers statrt the final leg of the journey to the World Series. Did I mention that 30 years was enough already? We have had so much analysis that we now feel paralysis. I m ready to wach the games. I m ready to see what the roster is. I ll keep
Today’s the day we have been waiting for. It seems like forever. It seems like 30 years to me… But, today the Dodgers statrt the final leg of the journey to the World Series. Did I mention that 30 years was enough already? We have had so much analysis that we now feel paralysis. I’m ready to wach the games. I’m ready to see what the roster is. I’ll keep the roster updated.
Thank You
I do want to take a minute and thank all our loyal readers and commenters – I really appreciate your input, passion and support. I started this blog back in the early 2000’s and then shut if down for a year around 2016 because it wasn’t fun with all the in-fighting and arguing. I finally figured out that I had to get rid of the bad actors and when you have a site full of straight-up Dodger fans, it becomes a joy again. I think this site is unique because we have a very diverse group of people all over the World who come together as a community and it is a joy for me to be here again. Additionally, there is a whole lotta’ knowledge here with this bunch. As we start this very important chapter in Dodger Lore, maybe you can take a minute out of your busy day and post Go Dodgers! and tell us where you are from. I think this could be pretty cool. You can say more if you like. I know that thousands read this blog every day, but don’t post… and that’s OK. Just let us know where you are. Godspeed!
Arizona Fall League Report
The Glendale Desert Dogs lost 10-9. Cody Thomas hit #3 and was 0-4, but scored a run. Keibert Ruiz hit #5 and was 1-3 with a run scored, and RBI and 2 BB. . Errol Robinson was 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI to go with a run scored. Andre Scrubb started the 10th inning and was the losing pitcher as he gave up two runs, neither earned, on an Errol Robinson throwing error.
Bowman Hitting Challenge by Dodger Chatter
The sixth annual Arizona Fall League (AFL) home run derby is scheduled for Saturday, October 13 beginning at 6:35 MST at Sloan Park at Mesa, the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs. Fans attending the event will be treated to the Bowman Hitting Challenge.
The event was born and raised by Bowman Baseball Cards back in its inaugural season in 2013. This year’s sponsors include Bowman Baseball Cards, Rawlings, Sprouts Farmers Markets, Big AZ Promotions and Zinger Bats.
To call it a home run derby is perhaps a misnomer although home runs are certainly important in the final tally in the contest. However, the challenge is to do much more than hit home runs.
The Bowman hitting Challenge features 30 young sluggers, one from each of the 30 MLB organizations participating in the Arizona Fall League.
Like the MLB all-star home run derby the hitters face live pitching but unlike the annual slugfest prior to the MLB all-star game the home run is not the be all and end all. The contest includes some twists and turns as well as other opportunities for the hitters apart from the home run. In theory, at least, the contest could be won without hitting a home run although that might be most unusual.
- Each batter has two minutes to hit off live pitching.
- Points will be awarded for home runs on a sliding scale of difficulty valued between 100-500 points.
- Participants also can accumulate points by hitting a variety of targets placed around the playing field with a batted ball.
- Hitters will be penalized for foul balls.
- Batters must bunt the first four pitches at targets.
- Following each two-minute hitting period, the batter will be given one free swing at the Bowman Bonus Ball placed on a batting tee.
- The Bowman Bonus Ball is worth double points.
The hitting targets include:
- Bunting targets
- Bowman oversized baseball trading card targets (3)
- Eye Promise Batter’s Eye
- Moving human sphere (Zorb ball)
- Pepsi Power Alley triangle
- Rawlings Factory Store ball bucket pyramids
- Sports Chalet trampoline (jumping outfielder)
- Title Boxing inflatables sponsored (3)
- Zinger Bats vertical bat targets
Fans pay $8.00 to not only watch but participate in this hitting challenge. When targets are struck by batted balls, fans in the stands have the chance to win prizes. These prizes include baseball cards, gift bags, autographed items, event tickets, gift cards from area merchants and Arizona Fall League merchandise and admission tickets. Once inside the gates of Sloan Park, fans pick up their entry in the Lucky Number Booth and are then entered for a chance to win a prize as targets on the field are struck by the various players.
Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager represented the team in 2013 and responded with 1,050 points including a monster shot on his last swing. He did not win the competition taken by catcher Pete O’Brien with 1,575 points.
During the 2015 challenge Dodger outfielder Jacob Scavuzzo emerged as the winner by scoring a 50-point bunt hit, a 200-point home run and a 300-point home run. He also hit two balls off the 300-point Bowman cutout in the infield, a 700-point knockerball in the outfield and the final 800-point shot off the inflatable target in right field.
Oddly enough players find hitting the final ball off the tee the most challenging part of the competition and it sometimes comes down to the bonus ball on the tee to win the contest. Jacob Scuvuzzo did just that in 2015 striking a 400-point target for double points.
“That money ball, everybody’s trying to be the guy that hits the home run because it hasn’t been done before,” Scavuzzo said of the tee shot. “I luckily hit it off the end a little bit and it wound up hitting the target, and that wound up sealing the deal for me. I’m pretty happy with the way that worked out.”
I would expect Cody Thomas to be the Dodger player but would also be more than happy with Jared Walker. I will keep this updated – D.C.
UPDATE #1
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has a piece that is a very interesting read, entitled: Rosenthal: Get ready for managerial chess matches unlike any other in postseason history
UPDATE #2 – NLDS Roster
PITCHERS (12)
Pedro Baez
Walker Buehler
Caleb Ferguson
Dylan Floro
Rich Hill
Kenley Jansen
Clayton Kershaw
Ryan Madson
Kenta Maeda
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Julio Urias
Alex WoodCATCHERS (2)
Austin Barnes
Yasmani GrandalINFIELDERS (6)
Brian Dozier
David Freese
Enrique Hernandez
Manny Machado
Max Muncy
Justin TurnerOUTFIELDERS (5)
Cody Bellinger
Matt Kemp
Joc Pederson
Yasiel Puig
Chris Taylor
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Discussion (187)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Go Dodgers!!! FROM OAXACA, MEXICO.
Greetings from Watford, in the suburbs of London.
In 1990, aged 24, I spent a year living and playing in Venice Beach.
I fell in love, unfortunately not with a woman, but with Baseball and particularly The Dodgers.
Ramon Martinez was my favourite, and I took job delivering cars all of the US.
Got to see the Dodgers play a double header in the old Fulton County Stadium. We lost both.
I watched the Dodgers play in lots of venues in my travels through 40 different states.
I have been over a few times, most recently three years ago, when I flew to SF for the Division clincher.
Thanks to MLB.com I can watch whenever I want (no blackout problems here).
Last October was the most tiring time I can remember, as I tried to watch all the splay Off & WS games live.
Let’s hope I’m tired again this time round.
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Fingers crossed for tonight.
Born in the Netherlands. Immigrated to the USA when I was 5. Raised in the Artesia/Dairy Valley (now Cerritos) area. Now live in the Riverside area. I have been a die-hard Dodger fan since 1958. I attended my first game in 1959. Don Demeter hit a triple in that game (Vin Scully said he “galloped” around the bases). Since I was a tall gangly kid (like Demeter, but without the coordination), I dreamed of the day that I too could gallop. But alas, that was never to be.
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Mark thank you for keeping this blog alive. I know it’s a labor of love for you and I appreciate the time you take to keep us up to date on Dodger news. I read the blog most every day. I don’t always have time to comment, but I enjoy the interaction between the bloggers. I also appreciate the input from AC and DC.
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Let’s get 8 more and celebrate big time this year!!
Go Dodgers! Raised in Jupiter, FL, now living in South Carolina near Columbia. A Dodger fan since 1951 (Remember Bobby Thompson). Got used to “Wait til next year” This can be that year!
Go Dodgers…. Born in Giants country (Mike), Turlock, and only a few of us were Dodger fans. My father was a Giant fan, and the worst argument we ever had was when Juan Marichal hit Johnny Roseboro with a bat. He took Marichal’s side and I argued for Roseboro. Grew up a Brooklyn Dodger fan and Roy Campanella became my idol because I was a LL catcher (continued through college). I couldn’t wait to see him in person, but his accident happened just before they moved west.
I use to listen to Jerry Doggett and Vin Scully broadcast the games on KFI which I could barely get up in the valley. Saw my first Dodger game in the Coliseum (Drysdale against the Giants). Was going to college in St Paul, MN when we played the Twins in the 65 WS and a few of us California guys went down to their hotel and met the Dodgers. Got several autographs which I have now passed on to my daughter.
Live in Santa Maria (not far from Los Osos, Dionysis) and continue to enjoy Dodger Baseball. Go to spring training every year as it is only a 10 hour drive.
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Duane
Born and raised in Westchester (near LAX). I have lived in Santa Clarita since 1974. A Dodger fan since they moved here in 1958. Many memorable games in the Coliseum.. Roy Campanella night, game 5 1959 World Series game with Sandy pitching, and all those Wally Moonshots. Watched them build Dodger Stadium and attended some great games there as well.
Mark, thanks for providing us a nice place to share our passion for Dodger baseball. I really felt that last year was finally the one to make us world champs. But, just as optimistic this year.
LET’S GO DODGERS!!!
Dave from Thousand Oaks, Ca. My daughter attends the same high school Yelich graduated from, Westlake HS.
Didi to have TJ surgery. Machado getting measured for a Yankees uniform.
Scott Alexander and Ross Stripling off NLCS roster. Julio Urias is on the roster
Roster Update Above
Dodger fan since I asked my father why the man in the picture was so sad…Ralph Branca on the steps. Locked in forever with Johnny Podres in ‘55. Read you everyday, never commented before. Thanks for making it all evenmore enjoyable. Go Dodgers from Syracuse, New York.
I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, and lived there for 52 years. For the last 16 years I have lived in El Dorado Hills, 30 miles east of Sacramento. I attended my first Dodger game at the Coliseum in the 1959 WS against the Chisox (Game 4). A game that Larry Sherry won and became my first Dodger hero. I have been to at least one WS game the Dodgers have played since, except 2017. I hope to remedy that this year.
Dodgers should pitch Buehler in the 1st game, he is the only unhittable pitcher on the staff. Maybe one of the best in baseball. If not use him in the second game so he can start 2 games. Kershaw allows to many home runs which means they start the series by losing the first game.
I’m a lurker. I found this site earlier this year after years of commenting on another site. I love it. It’s much better than “Cats.” I’m going to comment here again and again.
Camano Island, WA. Been a fan since 1962. Today is the year. You can take it to the bank!
Urias for Alexander on the NLCS roster. Surprise!
Brainwashed in the crib a Dodgers fan. Iowa City, IA.
GO DODGERS!!
Guatemala, Guatemala
I’ve been following for years!
From Houston Mitchell:
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For a couple of years now, I have been railing against Pedro Baez, wondering why the Dodgers keep him. But something mystifying has been happening the last few weeks: Baez has been the best reliever on the staff.
Since Aug. 13, Baez has pitched 21.2 innings, giving up seven hits and six walks while striking out 22. He has an 0.42 ERA.
GO DODGERS
Eage Rock, Ca. (5.1 miles from Dodger Stadium )
So much fun being a Dodger fan and a ladodgertalk family member.
FEEL THE BLUE.
Go DODGERS!!! – Huntington Beach, CA
Mark, I really like reading your site, keep up the good work! I especially like how emotional you get. 😉
It really feels like the hitters are just on the verge of getting hot. Can’t wait for 5 PM. I’m especially excited for my cheap seats at the end of the horseshoe in RF Reserve. Just want to be there!
I’m not a robot!
VENICE, CALIFORNIA
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BORN AND RAISED
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ABUSE THE BREW CREW!
Born in India, but been in the good ol USA since I was 5. Currently live in Santa Clarita (near Six Flags Magic Mountain).
2nd year as a Dodger season ticket holder (and 15th as a Laker season ticket holder)
Dodgers won the World Series on my 17th bday, Oct 20, 1988. Greatest gift ever!
This Oct 20, my 47th, I”ll be at Lebron’s home opener UNLESS we’re in the NLCS game 7, in which case I’ll be home shitting bricks.
Became a Dodger fan in 1983
First game April 1984 and we lost 6-4 to SF in 10 innings. I’ve hated SF since
Best game: 1993. Beating SF 12-1 and kicking them out of the playoffs
Worst game: World Series game 7 last year. No explanation needed
Mike, Modesto, CA (Giant’s Country). Born in Long Beach, life-long Dodger fan. Vero Beach three times CBR 5 or 6. Playoff games each year for the last 6, not sure I can make one this year.
Met Tommy Lasorda and Mark Cresse in SF when they visited my older brother in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment when co-workers wrote Tommy a letter and he decided to visit my brother in the hospital. Tommy is a wonderful human being and I’ve got stories that I don’t think would be appropriate to share here, but trust me Tommy is “one of a kind.”
eugene, oregon