Nice Guys Finish Last
All season, the Dodgers have touted that they have a clubhouse full of high-character players… and they really did. Most of these guys were Boy Scouts and have always helped little old ladies across streets. They have so many friends within MLB, and they cultivate those…
All season, the Dodgers have touted that they have a clubhouse full of high-character players… and they really did. Most of these guys were Boy Scouts and have always helped little old ladies across streets. They have so many friends within MLB, and they cultivate those friendships. They have charities, and they are active in the community. They visit sick children in the hospital and encourage cancer survivors. They don’t have a bad word to say about anyone, and they smile… a lot! In short, they are “Nice Guys.”
- Clayton Kershaw is a nice guy
- Mookie Betts is a nice guy
- JD Martinez is a nice guy
- Freddie Freeman is a nice guy
- Miguel Rojas is a nice guy
- Jason Heyward is a nice guy
- David Peralta is a nice guy
- James Outman is a nice guy
- Austin Barnes is a nice guy
- Chris Taylor is a nice guy
However, Lance Lynn is not a nice guy. Neither are Max Muncy, Kike Hernandez, Joe Kelly, Alex Vesia, Daniel Hudson, Walker Buehler, and Bobby Miller. Now, I am not saying they are bad guys, but I am saying that they have an “edge.” Kirk Gibson had an edge. Don Drysdale had an edge. Chase Utley had an edge. So did Reggie Smith and Dusty Baker. Davey Lopes had an edge. Mike Scioscia had an edge, and so did Orel.
You can’t expect to win with a team of “nice guys. In fact, Leo Durocher (not a nice guy) once said: “Nice Guys finish last.” In 1988, Pedro Guerrero brought an opposing player into the Dodgers’ clubhouse, and Kirk Gibson promptly dispatched him. We all know the story about Jesse Orosco and the black in the hat. Gibby didn’t play that! Sandy was a gentleman, while Don Drysdale would hit his mother if she crowded the plate. Chase Utley would take his grandmother out at 2B… spikes up! When was the last time a Dodger team got into a tussle? I think you have to go back to May 16, 2000, in Chicago, when Chad Kreuter and the entire Dodger bullpen went into the stands to get his hat back.
The game was delayed for about 10 minutes while order was restored. Nineteen Dodgers players and coaches were suspended for their roles in the brawl. The harshest suspension — eight games — was reserved for Kreuter, along with coaches Glenn Hoffman, Rick Dempsey, and John Shelby. All 19 were also fined. The 2023 version of the Dodger needs some players like that. The 2000 Dodgers team was not nearly as talented as the 2023 Dodgers. They were merely “OK” – they finished 86-76, but they were scrappy. They had some players with an “edge,” namely Todd Hundley, Adrian Beltre, Gary Sheffield, Todd Hollandsworth, Kevin Brown, Carlos Perez, Mike Fetters, and, of course, Chad Kreuter!
One thing I have heard over and over is that a HR-hitting team like the Dodgers does not do well in the playoffs, and then I find out that the Phillies have hit 24 HR in their last 10 playoff games. There is no way to sugarcoat this, so I am just going to say it: Mookie and Freddie are the ones to blame, and it is going to continue UNLESS they consciously make a decision to change the way they lead, or Andrew Friedman is going to have to bring in an Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, Nick Castellanos, Alex Verdugo, or Bryce Harper.
I was castigated for suggesting the Dodgers bring back Alex Verdugo, who does have an edge. Many of you said, “No, he is a bad guy.” I’d rather have Alex Verdugo than Mookie Betts, who sleepwalked all the way through the playoffs! Freddie Freeman showed no fire on the field. No anger. Shouldn’t Freddie have gotten mad after Game Two? Give me Max Muncy’s fire rather than Freddie’s smile and politeness. The Dodgers’ trio of leaders are some of the nicest guys in baseball – Clayton, Mookie, and Freddie. But, they seem to put a higher importance on maintaining friendships than winning championships.
It’s a good thing for Betts that they voted for league MVP before the postseason begins. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be close to the top. The sense of doom about this series began the moment Betts interrupted Arizona manager Torey Lovullo‘s news conference before Game 1 and gave him a hug. Bullshit! He’s the enemy. Get together after the playoffs.
Dave Roberts said, “I’ve got to do a better job of figuring out a way to get our guys better prepared for the postseason. I’ll own that. I’ve got to figure out a way to get our guys prepared for any format, any series.” If Doc has a bunch of players who need to be motivated to get up for the postseason, maybe he needs some new players. The Dodgers need to try something different because this isn’t working. Nice guys finish last!
Give me a player who will talk some trash. Larry Bird could talk some trash… and back it up!
Give me a player who plays with passion. Freddie, Mookie, and Clayton are all about “relationships” and being friends with the guys they play with. I am sorry, but I am not trying to be friendly with someone I am trying to beat. You may be surprised to learn this, but when I played (back in the day), I played with an “edge” (hard to believe, right?). It was all about winning to me. I did not want to chat with a player at 1B. I wanted to kick their ass! I hate it when I see Freddie and Mookie chatting and smiling with another player when they are on the bag. You can be friends after the season is over. Right now – the war is on.
There will be some big changes this off-season. Kershaw will likely be gone. Martinez, as well. Peralta, Heyward, Taylor, Barnes, Almonte, Cyr, Bryan Hudson, Lance Lynn, Shelby Miller, Jimmy Nelson, Wander Suero, Blake Treinen, Amed Rosario, Koltwen Wong, and Jake Marisnick are all on the list to be removed from the roster. Joe Kelly could also be removed, but I like his attitude. Finally, Freddie and Mookie either need to change their attitudes or change their uniforms. This is not a social club. This is a Major League Baseball team with one goal: Win the World Series!
STFU and play with some fire!
Maybe Freddie and Mookie would be better off being traded. That would be bold, but they play soft. Give me someone with some fire in their belly. Maybe they wouldn’t win 100 games, but they might not lose three straight either!
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Discussion (57)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Life is good when you’re a Dodger and an SC fan this week!
I quit the internet.
So free agent wise how about the Dodgers add someone like a Michael Brantley or Adam Duval for a left fielder or Matt Chapman a third baseman a Blake Snell and someone like jack Flarethy to go with Buehler and the young guns in the starting rotation or a Josh Hader as the closer all are free agents and good guus that have been in playoff games. Then go with these young kids.
It would be nice to have a crystal ball or be a fly on the wall in the Dodgers conference room when the plan for 24 is discussed. In a couple of weeks, after the World Series is over, it will be hot stove time. And the rumors will run hot and heavy.
I have no clue which direction they might go, but my gut tells me that they are NOT going to overload with expensive free agents. Maybe one. That is the way AF has worked the last couple of years. Bauer, then Freeman, and none this last year.
Were they saving their cash for Ohtani? That seems to be the consensus of many. If not Ohtani, who? Yamamoto has been mentioned. With Ohtani not being able to pitch, he is at the top of the list as a quality starter. I think AF will make this more of a transitional year than last year. This is the year the kids get their shot. No matter how many of us feel about the performance of Vargas, Busch or any of the other kids who got brief looks this year, the Dodgers need to know what these kids bring to the dance, and there is no time like the present.
Kersh is undecided about his future and has said he will think about it longer than he did last year when he signed a new deal in November. I think the Dodgers need an answer by the winter meetings in December. Because if they do want to sign a free agent starter, that is when most of the foundations for deals get laid.
Many think that a season is unsuccessful if you do not win the whole thing. That is wishful thinking. No team has ever been that good. The Yankees are the only team in baseball history to win more than three World Series in a row, and they did it twice. 4 in row, 36-39, and 5 in a row, 49-53. They also won three in a row, 99-2000. The only other team to ever win three in a row, the A’s, 72-74.
The Braves won 14 division titles in 15 years and won exactly one World Series out of the five they went to. And that team was loaded with excellent pitching. The Dodgers won 100 games when most had them winning 85-90 at best. And there weren’t expected to even be close to the Padres.
So, yes, the early playoff exit was embarrassing, especially to the players themselves. But considering the condition of their starting pitching, it was amazing they got as far as they did. What is past is past. It is over, time to quit trying to analyze it, and enjoy the offseason. There is plenty of time to spend this winter dissecting the Dodgers offseason moves and either agreeing or shaking your head in disgust. We cannot change what happened. Neither can all those involved. What they can do is learn from it, and hopefully be a little better prepared next time they are in the playoffs.
Freddie and Mookie clearly gagged or choked or whatever you want to call it. So Mark, you say the root of the problem is that those guys are “too nice” in how they go about their business. Assuming you’re right, the only solution you proffered is for them to not be so nice, and “…play with some fire!”
But you know pro athletes (and ppl in general) are who they are, and they very RARELY change from within. So your “solution” is a non-starter, and definitely not a REAL solution.
Now while I actually agree with your “too nice” assessment, I still challenge you to offer a REAL solution to this dilemma, ..not some unrealistic pie-in-the-sky “just play with more fire” wishful thinking. ..particularly regarding Mookie and Freddie.
So let’s hear it!
Call me a dumbass (you don’t really have to!), but I still say way less platooning and more consistency every day, especially when the guys you’re platooning are .230-.240 hitters. How many times did the Dodgers start their “right-handed hitters “lineup and start pinch hitting halfway through the game? Leaving hardly anyone on the bench for later. face it, if you have to use Austin Barnes as a pinch hitter, you’re in trouble! All 4 of the teams left mainly use a regular lineup. Personally, I’m not sold on the “young” guys stepping up next year. much rather have a couple of good veteran play in the lineup every day. No Bradley, no Brantley, Grandal, or anybody like that. We had those this year! I am torn about Clayton, would love him back if healthy! If he’s not healthy I believe he will retire. At least he got a ring with Doc doing a fabulous job in the playoffs that year! Doc did a great job during the regular season this year. never had a chance in the playoffs. maybe a new voice would work! but who? Counsel would be an upgrade, but he’s probably heading to the Mets. With no Clayton, Snell or Montgomery are possible options. I saw a rumor or opinion that the dodgers might have interest in Tyler Glasnow. injury prone, but when healthy a stud. we’ll see