Positive About Optimism
By now, you all should know that I am an optimistic person. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that I believe in the power of the human spirit to overcome incredible obstacles, and that without an optimistic attitude one might never try… let alone succeed, in…
By now, you all should know that I am an optimistic person. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that I believe in the power of the human spirit to overcome incredible obstacles, and that without an optimistic attitude one might never try… let alone succeed, in overcoming incredible odds. The Miracle on Ice would have never happened if the coach and players had said “We are realists. We know that they are better than us and that the odds of winning are not very good. We aren’t pessimists. We are realists. We know they are better than us.”
They would have been beaten before they started.
What about the 1988 Dodgers without their MVP in the Playoffs and World Series? “The Mets beat us 11 out of 12 times in the regular season – we have no chance, but even if we did, in the World Series, we have to face the best team in baseball with the best closer in baseball. We are just being realistic.”
They would have had no chance, but guess what? They did not buy into that pessimistic thinking. The rest is, as they say, history. Often pessimists disguise their pessimism by saying, “I am not a pessimist – I’m just a realist!” Yeah, right! No matter how you try and cloak it, you are a “glass half full person.” Well, they say that they are “realists” but in reality, they are pessimists through and through. I feel sorry for them because they always feel that the worst will happen (which makes them miserable) and when it happens… well they are still miserable because they were right. When something good happens, they might feel something less than elation, but it doesn’t last long.
On the other hand, optimists believe that the best will happen and until it doesn’t, they are happy. When it doesn’t they might be less than miserable, but it doesn’t last long. I think that is a better way to live. I never have a bad day. Maybe a bad hour… but never a bad day. William James was an American philosopher, historian, and psychologist, and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States. He said this:
“Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.“
We live in an age today of victimization. So many people proclaim their victimhood from racism, police oppression, obesity genes, bad breaks, alcoholism, drug addiction, being born in the wrong place, in the wrong place at the wrong time, etc., etc. Some say they are too thin, too fat, too black, too white, too tall, too short, too smart, too dumb, too fast, too slow, too cheated, or too privileged. In psychology, James’ work is, of course, dated, but it is dated as is Galileo’s in physics or Charles Darwin’s in biology because it is the originative matrix of the great variety of new developments that are the current vogue. In philosophy, his positive work is still prophetic: Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.“
I believe in that 100% and if you don’t, well, as a pessimist, you usually get what you believe. Me? I am worth more than that. I refuse to believe that. I also realize that some people are just “wired” a certain way and nothing I do can change that. YOU can change your thinking from pessimistic to optimistic one thought at a time, but that has to come from you and no one else. I also happen to believe that there are only optimists and pessimists… and realists are just pessimists who refuse to identify as that.
Why am I talking about this right about now? Well, when things go bad and then they get worse, it is often very difficult to maintain a positive attitude. When a player like Cody Bellinger is mired in a horrible slump, day-after-day-after-day, how does he even begin to have hope? Well, it has to start with a short memory and a positive attitude, which has to be damn hard to get, let alone maintain. Cody was credited with two hits last night, but I am not ready to pronounce him out of his slump. However, it is a step in the right direction.
If we look back over the season, there were times when Dodger fans wanted to get rid of Cody Bellinger, AJ Pollock, Max Muncy, and Kenley Jansen, to name but a few. Pollock, Muncy, and Jansen have “fixed” their problems and are pretty much back to being staples of a hot Dodger lineup. Hopefully, Cody Bellinger is “in the process” of “fixing” his issues. Only time will tell, but the Dodgers with a horrid-hitting Cody Bellinger have been a Very Good team. If Cody’s problems get “fixed,” they become a “Super Team” and to me, that is worth the wait!
Last night’s game was challenging and when it came down to the last man in the bullpen, Shane Greene earned his pay… even if that happens to be the last game he pitches this season. What a game… and yet the Giants refuse to die. There’s still plenty of time for that. Hopefully, we see Mookie today!
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Discussion (108)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Pepiot got lit up at AAA tonight in their loss. They did not hit much either. Neither Lux or Beaty played, and my guess is neither is in OKC with only 4 days until the roster can expand.
What a shame Lux was sent down to the minors, but it is best for him. I hope he comes back next year and tears up MLB pitching.
Giants Lost….at laest
I’ll take Orel any day over those chatter boxes at MLBN. The formula of four commentators all wanting to say something about everything ain’t worth it.
Seeing the Mets playing is the worst thing I have seen in my life, Alonso is the only one who really worth on that shitty team!
Alonso hits a 2-run homer. Mets-Giants tied 2-2 in the 6th.
It looks like game 7 of the World Series would be played on the 3rd of November. Better be in a warm weather city.
DODGERS ACTIVATE MOOKIE BETTS, RECALL DARIEN NÚÑEZ
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers activated outfielder Mookie Betts from the 10-day injured list, recalled left-handed pitcher Darien Núñez and optioned infielder Gavin Lux and outfielder/infielder Matt Beaty to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Betts, 28, returns from the injured list after missing the last 16 games with right hip inflammation. In 87 games with the Dodgers, the five-time All-Star is hitting .277 (93-for-336) with 17 homers and 44 RBI. He is in his eighth Major League season and is a .299 hitter with 172 homers and 553 RBI in 936 career games. He was originally acquired by the Dodgers on February 10, 2020 along with David Price from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo and minor league Connor Wong and Jeter Downs.
Núñez, 28, returns for his fourth stint with the club and is 0-1 with a 8.22 ERA (7 ER/7.2 IP) in six games (one start) for the Dodgers this season. He has split the season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, going a combined 5-0 with a 2.29 ERA (10 ER/39.1 IP) and 60 strikeouts. In 66 minor league contests, he is 8-2 with a 2.25 ERA (27 ER/108.0 IP) and 172 strikeouts. He was originally signed by the Dodgers as a minor league free agent on April 16, 2018.
Lux, 23, has played in 85 games, hitting .221 with six homers and 37 RBI this season. In parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, the Kenosha, WI native is batting .217 with 11 homers and 54 RBI. The 2019 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year had a banner campaign in his last minor league campaign, hitting .347 with 26 homers and 76 RBI in 113 games split between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was originally drafted in the 2016 First Year Player Draft out Indian Trail High School with the 20th overall pick in the draft.
Beaty, 28, has appeared in 105 games for the Dodgers, batting .262 (49-for-187) with five homers and 34 RBI. In three seasons with the Dodgers, he has hit .259 (126-for-486) with 24 doubles, 16 homers and 85 RBI. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Belmont University.
Tonight’s lineup:
HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG
T. Turner2B 146-456 55 19 25 .320
C. SeagerSS 63-231 32 6 1 .273
M. BettsRF 93-336 44 17 7 .277
J. Turner3B 118-412 70 21 1 .286
A. PollockLF 100-330 55 16 8 .303
C. BellingerCF 43-246 31 9 2 .175
B. McKinney1B 51-249 27 9 2 .205
A. BarnesC 35-162 17 4 0 .216
M. ScherzerP 0-42 1 0 0 .000
Welcome back Mookie!!!
Mookie is activated and Darien Nunez is recalled. Gavin Lux and Matt Beaty optioned to OKC.
Mokie is on lineup as 3th
New prospect list from 1500. OTOH I think they go Pepiot, Miller, Vargas, Cartaya, Knack.
To quite Borat, Nice!”
Many of us have noted that the Giants have not had a really bad stretch. I decided to go back and look to see what losing streaks both teams have had this year.
LAD Losing Streaks (Total losses = 47):
1 game – 14
2 games – 5
3 games – 5
4 games – 2
SFG Losing Streaks (Total losses = 44):
1 game – 23
2 games – 7
3 games – 1
4 games – 1
Both teams have limited their losing streaks to no more than 4 games. However, the Dodgers have had 7 losing streaks of 3 or 4 games, while the Giants have had 2 all year.
I also took a look at the teams’ winning streaks:
LAD Winning Streaks (Totals wins = 80)
1 game – 11
2 games – 4
3 games – 2
4 games – 4
5 games – 1
8 games – 2
9 games – 2
SFG Winning Streaks (Total Wins = 82)
1 game – 10
2 games – 8
3 games – 6
4 games – 3
5 games – 4
8 games – 1
The Dodgers run hot and cold, while the Giants are more stable; no long winning or losing streaks. Are the Giants due for a couple of 3 or 4 game losing streaks? With Mookie coming back, and potentially Kershaw and Duffy added to the pitching roster in September, the Dodgers could be peaking at the right time. They just need the Giants to do their part and LOSE.
Giants win 2-0. Fuck
Most amazing stats from last night. 13 intentional walks. MLB record. 34 strikeouts. 18 by the Dodgers. 14 total walks. Teams a combined 7 for 51 with runners in scoring position.
Seems like Padres have been hitting good to Scherzer
Reds win 5 to 1 today. Pads a game and half out of the Wild Card and sinking fast with a tough schedule ahead. Jorge will be a happy guy when the Pads are sitting home watching the Dodgers in the playoffs.
Clayton Kershaw’s 4th year in MLB in 2011 (Cy Young Winner):
2.28 ERA, .977WHIP, .207 opponent average, 9.6k/9
Walker Buehler 4th year in MLB in 2021:
2.02ERA, .917WHIP, .188 opponent average, 9.5k/9
Damn.
Just to diverge a second on a different subject. I wanted to offer my condolences to the families, friends, and comrades of our brave service people who gave their lives today trying to protect innocent civilians, along with scores of injured, from the mess going on in Kabul.
Rest in peace Marines & Sailor and prayers for all now trying to recover.
pb+
There is research that shows that depressed people are more realistic than the rest of us. Most people have a positivity bias, a tendency to see things – and themselves – through rose colored glasses that protects them against low mood. I guess this supports Mark’s point. Personally, I see myself as as combining optimism with realism. Take some risks, because pursuing dreams and opportunities is worth it, but avoid doing stupid stuff. Be bold, but keep your feet planted firmly on the earth. And yes, life sucks sometimes and it isn’t always fair, but keep on keeping on, and your luck may eventually improve. Thus, I’m basically an optimist, but tempered by realism.
To take the Dodgers as an example, I still think that we are likely to overtake the Giants, because we are a more talented and deeper club, and they are likely to regress towards the mean. However, injuries are unpredictable and the Giants are playing with great self-confidence. They believe that they can win and it shows in their performance. The power of optimism! They have not had an extended losing streak all year. Thus, I’m optimistic but realistic. If we have to go to a WC game, anything can happen, but I still like our chances.
Having said all of that, you’ve got to love our pitching amd especially the relief pitching. Lots of names that I hadn’t even heard of are coming through big time for us. And we are finally winning the close and extra-inning games, getting that monkey off our backs. There’s a lot to feel good about right now.
Andre Jackson is in SD traveling with the team per David Vassegh and will a start a game against Colorado this weekend, Price will start Saturday,
I can’t stop shaking my head in wonderment over comments and criticism with Trea Turner. Oh hell yeah, his error almost cost us, and Striker, a win last night, in the 2nd inning. The team scored 1 run in 14 innings. Damn that Turner. He needs to move to center or short or something huh? Just doesn’t look “comfortable” enough. He’s just not cutting it at 2nd.
Wow! Talk about over reacting. First of all, physical errors are PART of THE GAME. They happen. These guys aren’t robots. It’s the mental errors that I can’t take. I don’t want to see multiple errors every game but they are going to happen. One of the characteristics of a great team, it’s picking up your teammates errors. Oh, Yeah TT looks uncomfortable at 2nd so shuffle this very successful line up and put him in center where he doesn’t want to play. TT has 57 games at 2nd base, (15 as a Dodger). He has 5 errors at 2nd total…..5 (five). In 226 chances. So maybe a .978 fielding % isn’t good enough for some folks. I’m happily living with that with a guy hitting .320 w/ 25 steals and an OPS of .877.
Damn.
The professional sport of baseball is a little messed because we are far and away the most talented team in MLB and yet it still is going to be an uphill battle to win it all.
Maybe we should view it like March Madness in which the field will always be the favorite.
Remarkable game. Hell if you’re going to play 5:50, you might as well win the game.
I got through the 13th last night and pulled the plug. I finished watching this morning.
* For 14 innings, I’m not sure if it was great pitching or lousy hitting.
* Nice pitchers duel between Snell and Striker , which seemed like 2 days ago. Super fast game early. That’s predictable from the get-go with a plate that’s 22 inches wide.
* Think about the poor umpires. Ed Hickox (with that generous zone) and his crew were on their feet for nearly 6 hours with no chance to sit down. Ed called 489 pitches. Like em or not, those boys earn their $.
* Docs game management was exceptional, especially with the bullpen. His strategy in extras, using 8 intentional walks was great. Taking advantage of the Padres out of position players by the 10th, left them vulnerable allowing Doc to load the bases intentionally twice to pitch to a pitcher. He also didn’t use his last bench piece until Lux in the 16th The one second-guessable move was not keeping Knebel in for the bottom of the 16th. But I liked it. Knebel would have had to bat. Instead he went with Lux who damn near hit it out. Greene was great. Much different the his last outing.
* The Contact Play strikes again. As I have mentioned repeatedly, I hate the contact play with a man on third with less than 2 outs. The only time for it, IMO, is 1st and 3rd, 1 out with the infield, NOT PLAYING IN. I lost count of how many times last night the Contact Play was used by both teams with the infield IN and a guy on 3rd. First contact led to an easy out at home or in a rundown that didn’t allow the trail runner, if there was one. to advance to 3rd. I just don’t get why teams insist on running that guy off 3rd. There are 25 ways to score from 3rd that aren’t available at 2nd, so why not value that base more?
* That was a big win to keep pace with those Giants.
Being an optimist, being a pessimist and being realistic are 3 very different things, and I think that we are all 3 things, we all have a little or a lot of all of that.
But being realistic, today LA is a wild card team, and of course there is optimism to catch up with SF, because the Dodgers will not give up.
In the case of Bellinger, I can be optimistic that he will be a great hitter, but being realistic (not pesmistic) the truth is that it does not look like he can be, being realistic, it just seems that he will continue to be a mediocre hitter with power, no matters how many excuses want to keep using to justify their poor performance (are you their agent?)