When you think of the great rotations in Dodger history, Johnny Podres has to be included. His teaming with Koufax and Drysdale would help LA win two World Series. 1959 and 1963. Podres was born on the 30th of September in 1930 in Witherbee, New York. Witherbee is one of five hamlets in Moriah, New York. It is located in the Adirondack Mountains.
Podres is of Lithuanian and Polish descent. His grandfather Barney was an immigrant from Russia and settled in the Adirondacks. Which is an area known for its attraction to sportsmen. Podres spent much time in Port Henry, a 73 square mile outdoorsman’s paradise. His father was a miner. His father Joe, found an outlet on Sundays playing semi-pro baseball for 25 years.
Podres had 3 brothers, Thomas, Walter, and James, and a sister, Mary. He used to listen to Dodger games on the radio when he was a child. His mother would come in and tell him to turn off the radio because he had school the next day. He also had an uncle who was his teammate in high school. They combined for a 1-0 17 inning game to win the Essex County League title for Mineville High School in Witherbee in 1949.
In 1950, he pitched for the Burlington Cardinals of the Vermont Collegiate Summer League. That winter he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Podres was sent to Newport News in the Class B Piedmont League and was 0-2 in 7 games and then was sent to Class D Hazard team in Kentucky in the Mountain States League. There he went 21-9 with a 1.67 ERA in 26 games. 22 of those were starts. He also struck out 228 batters.
He was promoted to AAA Montreal of the International League for the 1952 season and went 5-5 with a 3.27 ERA in 24 games, 13 that he started. Brooklyn was pretty desperate for pitching that season with Don Newcombe being called to military service, and they gave Podres a look-see in spring training but decided he needed more seasoning. One of his teammates was Tommy Lasorda. Tommy got the save in Podres’s first win in AAA ball.
In 1953 at the age of 20, Podres made the Dodger roster and had a decent rookie campaign going 9-4 with a 4.23 ERA. He started game 5 of the World Series but was pulled in the third inning. The Yankees won 11-7 behind a grand slam by Mantle off of Russ Meyer, who had relieved Podres.
He had a nice sophomore year winning 11 and losing 7 in 1954. He made 21 starts and had an ERA of 4.27. But the Dodgers did not repeat as league champions. The Giants won the pennant and the World Series beating the favored Indians in a sweep. The Dodgers had a new manager, unknown Walter Alston who was handpicked by Buzzie Bavasi to replace Charlie Dressen who cut his own throat by demanding a multi-year deal. Alston would sign 23 one-year contracts and stay with the Dodgers as manager through 1976 when he retired.
In 1955, Podres regressed a little. His record was 9-10, but he pitched more innings than ever before and struck out over 100 for the first time in the majors. His ERA dipped a little to 3.95. But his biggest impact came in the 1955 World Series. Alston gave Podres the ball in game 3 with the Dodgers down 2-0. They won in Ebbets Field 8-3. They won the next 2 games there to go up 3-2. They lost game 6 in Yankee Stadium, and Alston gave Podres the start in game 7. Mantle was sitting out due to knee issues, but he pinch hit in the 7th and popped out. Podres later said that Campy called the greatest game ever. He would put his glove down and Podres would hit the spot. With Amoro’s game-saving catch on Berra’s drive to left, Podres shut out the Yankees 2-0 and the Dodgers won their first World Series.
Podres was named series MVP and won a Corvette from the Sporting News. In 1956, Podres finally was inducted into the service and spent the year in the Navy. Mostly playing baseball at his two duty stations. In October of 1956, he was discharged for a medical condition that made him unfit for service. He had some problems with arthritis in his back.
Back in Brooklyn for the 57 seasons, he went 12-9 with a 2.66 ERA. It was Brooklyn’s last year as the home of the Dodgers and Podres and the rest of the team got ready for the move west. Podres threw the first shut out in the Coliseum, a 3 hit gem against the Reds. He finished with a 13-15 mark. He defied the odds and won 11 of those games at the Coliseum and only 2 on the road. He later said he pitched more carefully in LA because of the short left field dimensions. It was a nightmare for lefty’s.
He improved in 1959, going 14-9 with an ERA just above 4. Podres got another win in the World Series as the Dodgers beat the White Sox, 4 games to 2. Another ring for his finger. In 1960 Podres won 14 and lost 12. Dodgers were out of the race early. Podres improved in 1961 winning 18 games and losing 5. But again, LA did not win the pennant. It was by the numbers, his best season.
1962 and Johnny went 15-13 to help the Dodgers tie the Giants for the lead in the NL. Podres started the All Star game and also pitched the first game in their new home, Dodger Stadium. He lost the game 6-3 to the Reds. In 1963 he again contributed to a pennant-winning team going 14-12 and beating the Yankees in game 2 of the Dodgers sweep at Yankee Stadium.
In 1964, an injury to his elbow kept him out most of the year. He had surgery in the off-season and came back to win 7 and lose 6 in 1965. He did not pitch in the series win over the Twins. Claude Osteen, who had been acquired in a trade with the Senators was now the 3rd man behind Koufax and Drysdale.
In May of 1966, he was sold to Detroit for 20,000 dollars. That was the waiver price. Bavasi had given him a choice, Boston or Detroit, and Podres chose the Tigers because Charlie Dressen was the manager. He went 4-5 with them in 66 and 3-1 in 1967. He was a swingman there. The Tigers released him after the season. He tried to get on the Mets with former teammate Gil Hodges managing the team, but Hodges wanted younger players.
He made a comeback attempt with the Padres in 1969. He went 5-6 in 17 games and that was it. His record as a Dodger is 136-104 with a career ERA of 3.66. He had a very good curveball and probably the best change-up in the NL. He won 148 games and lost 116 in his 15 years in the majors.
After his playing career, he became a pitching coach for the Padres, Red Sox, Twins, and Phillies and did that for over 20 years. He was 4-1 in World Series play, 3 of those wins in crucial games against the mighty Yankees. He also was not that bad of a hitter and hit .190 with 2 HRs in his career.
One of his students as a pitching coach was Curt Shilling. Podres and his wife retired to his home in Moriah where he raised his two sons. He did not marry until 1966. His hometown is about 160 miles from Cooperstown where there is a statue of Podres throwing a ball 60 feet 6 inches away from a statue of Roy Campanella commemorating the Dodger’s first World Series win.
Podres passed away on January 13th, 2008 at age 75. He was battling a leg infection along with kidney and heart issues. Kershaw wears his # 22 now. But when he first came up, he was wearing # 45. He did not change numbers until they moved to Los Angeles in 1928.
Discussion (43)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It’s a good thing the Dodgers won yesterday, or otherwise, a party would have been formed to lynch Cody Bellinger.
He gets to live another day.
… and by the way, on the final lineout Cody did cut down his swing (with 2 strikes), however, you see what you believe, Jason.
One hit after the first inning. This offense is just so frustrating. They all just seem to go down for naps at the same time!
They won. Most important thing. Bellinger scorched that last ball he hit. He also attempted a bunt. Still concerning is the lack of consistency in the offense. The pitchers they are facing the rest of the way are better than Mikolas is.
Max is my man in a one game playoff!
Still concerned with the anemic Dodgers’ offense after they jumped out to a five run lead. This type of thing is coming all too common.
Sadly my favorite Dodger “punching bag “- meant for sarcasm) is now .165 AVG, .240 OBP, .304 slugging, .49 OPS+, 84 strikeouts in 270 AB’s. Sit him down and play anyone who might provide a competitive AB. It’s nearly laughable if not shameful to see him trotted out each day to see the same thing time and time again.
CT3 hasn’t necessarily been red hot, but at least he can turn and run into a long ball once in awhile. Cody is nothing but a K or a weak oppo pop up it seems.
Great write up on Johnny Podres, Bear. I don’t know if the players received rings back then or not, but now that you mentioned Podres being on 4 Dodgers championship teams, I was wondering what other Dodgers were on 4 Dodgers championship teams? I would guess Koufax and Drysdale, maybe Gilliam? I would appreciate your response.
I have full confidence in both Buehler and Scherzer if it comes down to a wildcard game. A lot is going to depend on the circumstances in the days prior.
September 6, 2021
Gonsolin (shoulder) could be activated from the 10-day injured list to start or work as primary pitcher Thursday against the Cardinals or Friday against the Padres, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
September 6, 2021
Kershaw (forearm) could rejoin the major-league rotation this weekend, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Max did what Urias and Buehler didn’t do after an extra inning, 11 pitcher bullpen game on Friday night.
The entire pen (minus whoever pitches the 9th) owes Scherzer a nice bottle of Don Julio.
That was an Ace-like performance for many reasons, especially since we have TBD pitching tomorrow and Wednesday!
I’m gonna answer Doc’s question on who starts the WC Gsme.
Max. 100%
Sorry Scherzer has been….bye the way very rare see one pitcher gets 8th
Wow what a performance by MS. 7 innings, 12 K’s and one unearned run. He threw 92 pitches & 67 were strikes a 72.8%. Lets wrap him up for 2-3 years.
Scherzer not only have been very good but goes deep in games too.
Scherzer is much better than I thought. Since becoming a Dodger he has been making a strong case why he deserves to be in the CY conversation. This dude is a stud!
Seager is a better hitter than Muncy. The Dodgers should flip Muncy and Seager.
Dodgers are clearly the most hated by umpires.
That title goes to the YANKEES!
Them saying Dodgers are the most hated team in baseball isn’t mentioning the flipside that Dodgers are the most loved team in baseball backed up by Dodgers fans are everywhere and are seen at all road games more than any other team and fill their own stadium, which is bigger than any other. More players want to play for the organization than any other. So if envy is hatred I agree Dodgers are most hated. But beware, we got fans everywhere.
Taylor is the Best hitting playera jaja and dodgers is the Best hitting team ever… jajaja…..Nice Star ….very Nice to see Lot a bats alive…..Even Cody hit to the left…nice
I hope they are not wearing those stupid ass pajamas today. The real Dodger uniform is a beautiful uniform.
* A-Rod speaks nonsense a lot. Maybe his PED use effected his brain. First, he suggested they walk Bellinger intentionally top 2 to pitch to Striker. Why would you walk Bellinger? Getting Belli and Striker doesn’t turn over the lineup.
* Then he called for the contact play with 1 out. You know how I feel about the contact play. Wrong both times. Then he was asked who would have an advantage in a one game playoff. He said the Giants because of their depth. Huh?
* A-Rod said that while the Dodgers were striking out the Giants were bunting their way on. He said the Giants have 15 bunts and the Dodgers only 3 all year. I’m not sure those numbers are correct but his point is well take. I’ve just stop talking about it.
* I’m glad I quit coaching up Bellinger’s swing. I’ve given up. If I was waiting for him to stop dropping his head a foot while the pitch is on the way and to cut down on that violent swing, I’d be looking for a cyanide capsule in my rubber room.
* Doc, seriously looks like he’s aged 10 years this season. What was he supposed to be doing differently yesterday? CT3 is an out. Pollocks out. He has no platoon or replacement for Belli. We have 3 starting pitchers. He’s writing the right names down but they need to play better.
* Doc’s dugout in-game interview in the 4th was also a joke. He was asked if he’d thought about what he would do if it came to a wild card game? What kind of question is that? What’s the anticipated answer to that question? There are still 25 games left and we’re one game back. This isn’t over just yet.
* You could dissect this game like a sophomore Biology project but it’s real simple.We scored 4 runs against 9 pitchers, 7 of which I’d never heard of. 2 runs through 8 innings on 4 hits. Our Ace 2.0 gave up six runs on 7 hits in 3 innings.
End of story
A lot of people assume a lot of nonsense like Belli can’t hit a fastball. I have a strong feeling that most of the people that come up with this stuff aren’t watching the games and instead are just looking at box scores and making assumptions.
It may surprise some of you that Cody has indeed hit several fastballs pretty hard during the last 4 series. Here’s the hard hit balls he has in the last 4 series, courtesy of baseball savant…
Date Exit Velo PitchMPH Pitch Type
9/5 95.3 98.9 4SFB
9/4 95.3 79.9 Slider
8/31 97.2 87.0 Slider
8/31 95.5 81.9 CB
8/29 105.1 96.2 4SFB
8/28 98.0 96.9 4SFB
8/28 94.7 95.0 4SFB
8/25 95.6 84.1 Slider
8/25 101.4 93.9 4SFB
During this timeframe he hit an additional 10 balls with an exit velocity over 90 Mph. So, while the results aren’t there, they aren’t as bad as most of you are making them out to be.
As you can see, he’s not only hitting fastballs hard, but he’s also hitting sliders pretty hard was well. But, most of his hard hit balls have come against 4 seam fastballs, which is exactly the opposite of what most of you are saying. 3 of the five came against 96 MPH+ which is elite fastball velocity, and one of the other came against lefty Blake Snell when he threw 7 scoreless against us.
See for yourself…
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/cody-bellinger-641355?stats=gamelogs-r-hitting-statcast&season=2021
Souza has been added to the taxi squad. I think he’s decent enough defensively that we could add both him and Beaty and drop McKinney and someone else.
This is a link of Cody Bellinger, the high school prospect.
Maybe some of you technical experts like Badger, Phil and others who have coached or played a lot can look at this and see what differences there are from his high school days to now. I seem to remember that he wasn’t considered a power hitter in high school, just the kind of hitting approach we all seem to want from him these days.
It looks to me as though he used to spread his legs more than he does now, but I’d be interested in feedback from you experts. Then maybe we should send this to Cody.
First little bit is fielding and then it jumps to hitting video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsAe86rzFes
I haven’t heard anyone complaining about Pollock, but I’m sure somebody must have. When September rolled around I was all for giving Bellinger some time off and going with an outfield of Pollock, Taylor and Betts. I don’t care for McKinney and Beaty doesn’t impress much either but if the starters are hitting he’s a’ight. Well, the others aren’t hitting. If they don’t start before the end of the month this team will fade into the sunset. Our pitching is good enough to keep us close. But Muncy, Turner, Betts, Taylor and Smith have to hit. I trust they will.
I heard a stat mentioned yesterday that caught my attention. The giants pitching staff is a league leader in inducing ground balls. In today’s game that is a stat you want to be able to brag about. They also lead the league, or did anyway, in BB/9 and were second in first pitch strike/ahead in count. Farhan took his genius and put it to work right away up there. All those guys can throw sinkers for strikes.
Will Duffy and Clayton help the finish? I’ll be honest, I have my doubts.
An old school saying that still rings true – you gotta hit with them to play with them. We have to start hitting again.
Afternoon Dodger Lineup:
HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG
T. Turner2B 158-494 58 21 26 .320
M. Muncy1B 105-411 78 30 2 .255
M. BettsRF 98-369 46 19 9 .266
J. Turner3B 126-448 71 21 2 .281
C. SeagerSS 73-261 38 8 1 .280
C. TaylorLF 123-465 69 19 13 .265
C. BellingerCF 45-270 32 9 2 .167
A. BarnesC 39-173 20 6 0 .225
M. ScherzerP 0-47 1 0 0 .000
1 – Even George Shearing (a blind jazz pianist) could see that Cody can’t hit the fastball. A factoid – since the beginning of 2020, Bellinger has the lowest BA against the fastball of all major league hitters. In yesterday’s game, the Giants chose to challenge him with a runner in scoring position, first base open and less than 2 outs even with the pitcher on deck. They fanned him and then got Buehler – end of rally. Bellinger has become a rally killer – yeah, I know, the Dodgers aren’t hitting as a team, but c’mon man – he’s hitting .167. He’s hitting .093 against FB 94 MPH or higher. If he can’t hit the fastball, then what are the Dodgers supposed to do with him?
2 – Billy McKinney is another wasted AB. He’s hitting .154/.287/.244 with the Dodgers. Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, David Price and Tony Gonsolin hit better.
3 – For all of the complaining about AJ Pollock, he was the Dodgers’ best hitter since 7/1 with a .332 BA and .966 OPS. Someone has to step up. By the way, Matt Beatty would be the Dodgers’ best non-starter against RHP. Overall he’s hitting .262/.358/.374/.732, Better than Bellinger, Lux, Barnes, McKinney and McKinstry.
Well the facts are that Cody is hitting.167 with OPS of .550 in 300 plate appearances with a WAR of -1.2. And to my eye, Cody is a good CF, but on ESPN he has a dwar of -0.2 and is ranked below average as a CF, and misplayed a ball yesterday that cost the Dodger a run or two. And at 1b, Cody made the worst throw I have seen this year to allow the winning run to score against the Giants in July.
Cody makes $16 million in salary and has had a negative contribution to the team thus far.
I have no problem with Cody’s effort and hustle, but professional baseball players must earn their playing time based on performance. Even former MVPs need to produce or eventually are benched or sent down to AAA. I guess being pinch hit for with Austin Barnes in the 9th inning is the beginning of the acceptance phase. Cody has been the worst hitter in the MLB this year. Unfortunately, until Pollock hopefully comes back, there are limited options other than Cody in CF. I would personally have Cody use his speed by bunting occasionally and shortening his swing with two strikes. It is very difficult to make significant swing changes in the middle of the season. And when Pollock returns, Cody should be mostly a defensive replacement and pinch runner. I would rather have Beaty at the plate than Bellinger right now. And while DJ Peters was not ready as a permanent CF option, despite his early struggles he has a WAR of 0.8 this year and 10 HRs in 158 plate appearances. Strange move by Friedman to just release Peters when they have limited CF options, and keep McKinney, Raley, Reks and others on 40 man roster instead.
But this is just one hack’s opinion, who doesn’t have a $10 million salary or a $280 million payroll.
The beauty of baseball was on full display yesterday. Bueller vs a bullpen game should have been in the bag until Bueller gave up 6 runs in 3 innings pitching his worst game of the season. I’m sure Vegas made a killing on the betting line yesterday because no one saw that coming. The Dodgers eventually made it close, with a final result of 6-4 after trailing 6-1. They squandered some big opportunities along the way, so they know the game was winnable. A game like this will help in the long run…
The Giants are having a miracle season, there’s no doubt about that. But, Vegas and all the pundits are still picking the Dodgers even though the Giants have spent the majority of the year in first place and also having the best record in baseball.
Instead of being upset at another couple of injuries with Pollock landing on the IL and Price not being able to make his scheduled start, be intrigued by the excitement and suspense of a late September/early October pennant race. This seemingly unimaginable at the beginning of the season.
Another Frederick Nietzche quote is applicable here. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” The bad taste of the Giants having a season series win over the Dodgers will no doubt motivate players to step up their game. They have some things to work on for the rest of the season. Only health is the difference between this team being great and unbeatable.
I love it when MT makes a comment that its his opinion that Bellinger will get going, but when others offer an opinion that Bellinger sucks, won’t or can’t make an adjustment, should be sitting the pine or whatever else they have to offer, they’re idiots of the highest order (uninformed, ignorant opinions is the exact phrase).
Broad and unattributed statements like Cody is working overtime with the coaches and watching a lot of video, Cody has the support of teammates, Cody has the support of the FO, Cody has the support of the coaches and the manager (really- wasn’t he PH for with a runner on 3rd with less than two outs the other night?).
You have no idea if any of those statements are true. For all we know the exact opposite might be the case. He’s not taking to coaching, he’s not putting in the effort to get better, the teammates can’t stand that he’s not working hard to get out of his slump, he shows up late and takes a solo taxi back to the hotel, he’s on the phone all the time, he’s gone Hollywood, he’s too big for his britches, he’s arrogant and uncoachable……yada, yada, yada.
As Dodger fans we want Cody to be excellent, to regain his MVP form, but the “blind defense” of his offensive production from a season or two ago defies logic and common sense. As you are fond of saying even Ray Charles can see it and it’s 20/20 Cody is a shell of his former self, he’s not a competitive AB, he’s nearly an automatic out every AB, he’s batting 8th in the line-up, he earns $16.1 million a year and was PH for. If that is what it feels like to be supported by your manager, we’re watching a different game.
.167 .550 That adds up to be the WORST hitter in all of baseball. It’s a shame but it is what it is.
I do not have privileged information about the team, I am not an agent or a scout or a baseball coach. I am just a fan who criticizes and congratulates his players. That criticism or congratulation changes from play to play. When Cody makes a great catch in outfield I applaud him and when he starts hitting well I’ll be very happy. but speaking of results so far they are poor, very poor I would say. and that has hurt the team. That’s why I say that from my point of view as a fan, I should try more to help the team and not just twist and turn like a pinwheel.
AF did a phenomenal job building a quality bullpen but depended on the depth of position players he signed as FA and players from Oklahoma City that weren’t ready or wasn’t there. Now with Pollock is on the IL , Taylor needing some rest and Bellinger overmatched, it’s come back to bite us we need it the most.
I think many of you like to make assumptions by starting at the bottom line and working up to prove your point.
It must make you feel smart, so if you are so damn smart, let’s see you do your taxes that way. Start with the conclusion you want and work your way backward. Maybe someone will visit you in prison.
Even the beat writers have no idea because the team only feeds them what they want.
It’s always simple to fix other people’s problems. Obviously, we know about the shoulder surgery, broken leg, and hamstring, but what about his pregnant girlfriend? Is that a factor?
Here’s what we do know:
1. Cody always hustles, no matter how bad he is hitting.
2. Cody is working overtime with the hitting coaches and watching a lot of video.
3. Cody has the support of his teammates.
4. Cody has the support of the front office.
5. Cody has the support of the coaches and manager.
Cody has never said that he did not want to go back to OKC. That is s product of your small minds. So many of you want to blame someone or demonize someone to evidently make you feel morally superior.
Cody is not hitting. Even Ray Charles can see that, but if KNOWLEDGEABLE BASEBALL PEOPLE think he belongs, then I defer to them rather than the “biddies in the beauty shop.”
Most of you said that Yoski Tsutsugo was a waste of a roster space, but the Dodgers thought they could “fix him.” Well, they did and he asked to be released so that he could start.
With the Pirates, he is averaging a HR every 6.5 AB’s and is hitting .267 with a 1.164 OPS. He was as bad as Belli, but the Dodgers worked with him because they believed they could FIX him.
Thank you for your uninformed, ignorant opinions, but I think I will trust the baseball people over the hacks.
DISCLAIMER: No hacks were injured in the making of this comment!
Iam sorry about Cody. But as I said just two days He is a
Mexican rehilete. A very Nice and traditional toy that spins and spins when you blow it or the air moves it. He must help the team take avantage of speed buntting more, looking for hit to the left SIDE, put the ball in play and run Hart to first base.
What a disappointment, but in the grand scheme of things, it was just one game out of 162. Sure, it was horrible timing for Walker to throw his worst game of the season and it’s senseless to blame Doc for pulling him too early or too late especially considering how much he’s been forced to lean on his bullpen. In fact, Doc did not make any head scratching moves yesterday. This loss was purely on the players.
I also get what Mark was saying about looking flat.. But, I don’t fully buy that teams don’t play flat from time to time. JT was recently quoted as feeling the dog days of summer, implying just that. Baseball is a grueling 162 game season, I fully expect some sort of burnout from time to time. It’s impossible to have the same focus day after day for a 6-7 month season (including post season) that typically features less than a day off per week on average with half of those “off days” used for travel, complete with jet lag. Call it what you want, burn-out, flat, unfocused, etc. But, the great thing about baseball, is there’s another game to play tomorrow.
Bright spots included the bullpen holding the bad guys scoreless for the rest of the way and Big Al coming up clutch with that majestic bomb to pull within two. The umpire really screwed Betts at the most inopportune time squashing the possible comeback. Dinner plans, no doubt.
David Price came in and helped out by walking a tight rope while issuing 3 free passes. He looked like something was wrong barely hitting 92, but got through almost a couple of innings with the help of Greene. It just might be time to call it a season for Price and try again next year with Kershaw, Duffy, Gonso set to come off the IL soon and V-Gone tuning up in the minors. It’s pretty hard to justify keeping a pitcher on the roster who’s been very average while healthy, when he is clearly no longer healthy.
Another scheduling snafu has the Dodgers travelling to St. Louis after a late afternoon game, to play a late day game in St. Louis against a hungry Wild Card team. No rest for the weary, Clayton and Gonso’s scheduled rehabs won’t allow them to pitch in the middle games of the upcoming series, so a tired bullpen will have to handle those games with Scherzer pitching today, and Urias lined up for Thursday. As we prepare to play the Cards and the Padres, the Giants get a reprieve getting the Rockies and Cubs on the road. It’s not looking pretty folks. The good guys are really going to have to step up their game in order to win the division for a 9th straight time.
All in all, it wasn’t enough and our rivals from the North get bragging rights at least until the season is settled and the inevitable postseason matchup occurs.
Cody Bellinger is a head case right now. Ever since he got benched against left handers, he’s regressed even further. It could be coincidence, but it really looks like he’s got no confidence. His time is running out at any sort of a chance to salvage this dismal season.
Steven Souza Jr. posted a video of him doing an AJ Pollock impression of AJ’s stance and swing. Maybe he’s ready for a second go around to replace injured AJ. It shouldn’t matter much with all the firepower in the lineup, it’s too bad that just about everyone is slumping as Mark pointed out. The silver lining is that slumps eventually end and they should be ready for another hot streak soon.
Nice article Bear, hope you and all the LADT posters have a nice Labor Day.
This season, Bellinger is hitting .093 on pitches 94mph or faster.
One would think that perhaps shortening a swing, or attempting at least 1 bunt a game, would benefit him, and, more importantly, the team.
But nope. Let’s keep swinging as if we’re in the home run hitting contest.
I’ve spoken someone who works with the team and SportsnetLA many times during this season. He’s told me that perception is Bellinger isn’t a very smart person, and isn’t open to making certain changes to become a better hitter. Now maybe that’s just his perception, but I’m guessing he’s also heard that from many others in the organization.
Perhaps it’s stubbornness, who knows. But at some point, doing the same ineffective thing over and over is detrimental to the team, and thus extremely selfish.
Having said that, he’s a gold glove in CF, and we’ll need that come October.
Nice write-up on Johnny Podres, Bear. Have fond memories of those days.
Losing AJ Pollock was huge, especially with Cody Bellinger not catching up to most pitches at 94 and above. But shoulder injuries take time, just ask Matt Kemp and Adrian Gonzalez.
But the Dodgers, the best team in baseball got outplayed by the Giants. No, they are not hitting. But they’ve been inconsistent all season. The Dodgers needed to take two of three and they failed.
Dylan Hernandez said in this morning’s LA Times that Bellinger is a liability, but with Pollock out, who does Dave Roberts turned to — McKinstry or McKinney?
Bellinger hit .276 against pitches 94 and up in 2019 but this year it’s .093. Remember he was having trouble with the shoulder in 2020. Mookie Betts believes Bellinger will eventually get better, the shoulder returning to normal, but the Dodgers are running out of time.
Hernandez believes all this is magnified with the upcoming free agencies of Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen and the possibility of a labor stoppage in 2022.
Players and owners couldn’t be that stupid, right? Labor stoppage? Nobody is that dumb, right?
The Dodgers can solve the pending free agent issue with the checkbook. Will they? For some of those players, yes.
Just so everyone knows, just got the season ticket package for 2022. They want a quick answer, normally it’s in December. The cost went up again for ’22. They rolled over the tickets from 2020 to ’21. Nobody is quite sure why the earlier commitment. For the first time in many years, I think I’ll pass. Still have a few days left to make a decision.
Again, nice story about Podres.
I grew up in Ticonderoga, about 15 miles from Moriah. Our neighbor when I was a teenager was a guy named Sherm Chappell. He was Podres’ catcher in high school and went down with Johnny to try out for the Dodgers. Podres, of course, was signed, but Sherm was rejected. Sherm later said, “I could hit and I could field, but I couldn’t run. I was slower than sap running up a tree!”. I saw him hit a golf ball once and, if that’s an indication, I believe he could hit. The drive started out about 5 feet above the ground for the first hundred yards and then rose for another 125-150 yards straight down the fairway. Sherm went on to become a high school baseball coach and ultimately the Principal of Moriah High.
“If you are freaking perfect all the time, I don’t think this game would be fun for anybody.” — Albert Pujols
Bad timing by WB to have his worst game in years. But it happens to the best of them.
Dodgers have to regroup and go on to a new winning streak. Giants will not go away. Winning that bullpen game vs our ace will give them even more steam for the stretch run.
Tough series coming up at St.Louis with a cross country flight and an afternoon game to top it off. Hopefully MS is on his game tonight. Will not get any easier with the Padres coming to town after that. They will be out for revenge after the sweep couple weeks ago.
Muncy, Belli, CT3, Mookie better find their hitting shoes soon.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
I started following the Dodgers when I was 9 in 1963, which was Johnny’s last really productive year. I did not appreciate all that he had accomplished in the past, however, to win 158 games in the major leagues is pretty special. Great read, Bear!
One thing I want to address: A lot of people say the Dodgers look flat when they lose. Hello! Everyone looks flat when they are not hitting. I was listening to MLB.Radio and that very issue was raised on Saturday and several former MLB Players said “When people say we look flat, it is because when you are not hitting that’s how you look, but the intensity is the same. You are trying just as hard. When you cross those lines, you want to win and to say say that another team wanted it more, is just plan dumb! This is baseball, sometimes you may look flat, but the people who say that are the ones who have never played the game.
It was mentioned that Roberts should have pulled Buehler sooner, but the day before the Dodgers used 5 pitchers and on the day before that they used 11 pitchers. Doc had to try and get some innings. The Dodgers have an afternoon game in St. Louis today and Scherzer needs to right the ship. Mad Max has had a game where he did not have his best stuff, but he kept it under control. Buehler does not act like an Ace because an Ace should come through in games like this. This was a game that should have been won, but the Dodgers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Now, they have to get hot and win bunches in a row. There is a lot of baseball yet to be played, but no doubt, yesterday was a disappointment!
The Dodgers are hitting .205 this month. I posted this yesterday:
Last 15 Games:
Max Muncy – .109
Cody Bellinger – .125
Billy McKinney – .125
Chris Taylor – .160
Albert Pujols – .190
Justin Turner – .212
Mookie Betts – .245
I suspect that Doc will shuffle the lineup, it’s hard to hide those hitters. I feel a hot streak coming on (Fingers Crossed).
Finally, I do not think Doc would keep rolling Cody out there without the coaches saying that he is getting close. Just my opinion.