I found this site only a year ago but I have enjoyed reading all the posts for information and opinions. I only posted when I thought I had something to add, usually from the player’s perspective. Thank you Mark for all that you have done in the last 20 years. Best to you and the family. Stay well.

While I am on a nostalgia kick, I found my very first LADT column, and for anyone interested, I have included it below:

WHY DO THEY DO IT – LADT #1 – 03-13-2017

I am often asked why I am such a minor league fanatic. Certainly having a son toil in the minors for 9 seasons was a factor, but I was a fan long before that. It started in 1969 when both a high school classmate and a high school football adversary were both selected in the June draft. One went on to replace a 3rd base legend in Brooks Robinson (Doug DeCinces) and the other was moving his way up the organization when he was tragically killed in a car accident (Bruce Heinbechner). I searched high and low for information to keep track, which was not always easy. Then in the early 80’s I found Baseball America, and I was hooked.

I used to have three Baseball America subscriptions as I color coded them based on where they came from geographically, and their projections. But there is more to the story of minor leaguers than batting averages and scouting reports. What makes a minor leaguer tick? A California kid gets drafted in the 26th round, signs for a huge bonus of $1,000 and a ticket to Batavia, New York, where he ties for the New York Penn League season lead in HR. Long, hard, and humid bus rides to such garden spots as Oneonta, Pittsfield, Watertown, Lowell, Utica (great little towns with great people)… They get paid per minor league scale for only the Championship season (April through August).

Currently that scale is $1,150 per month (Low A 1st year) to $2,700 per month (AAA 3rd year). You can guess what it was back in the 90’s. No spring training pay. Getting to the ballpark in the AM for a 7:00 PM game, not getting back to the motel until after midnight. 140 games from early April to the end of August (I think 8 off days for the year, and those were used for longer travel). At the time, there was no mid-season All Star break until they reached AAA. Once the season was complete, some get to go on to winter ball in such luxury locations as Venezuela and the poorest parts of Mexico and the DR, again for very little pay, and no family.

There is no minor league union, and for 26th round selections there is no investment from the parent club. So you play injured just so you can stay on the radar. You play with 3 torn meniscus, 2 concussions, one broken hand, and the one that does you in is a misdiagnosed ruptured plantar fascia. MiLB medical staff was not quite on the same level as MLB. Your health in your 40’s and beyond is hugely negatively impacted because of the injuries sustained in your 20’s. Because you were better than those who took steroids, who were then making big salaries, you were always pressured to also use them, but never did.

Why do some 1st round draft picks bomb out, and a 26th rounder makes it to the Show? It is not because one loves the game more than the other. They all love the game. They are all extremely talented players. I think Mark hit on it earlier with his pure-bred and junkyard dog comparison. The San Fernando Valley was/is loaded with kids who were baseball stars from a very young age. Some of them were naturally gifted, and the game was easy. Some had to work a little harder. Some just have the tenacity to stick it out, while others wanted to get on with their lives. Some played in College and enjoyed the comradery, but when they became a professional the fun left and it became a job.

Minor league baseball is a grind, and it wears on the best. It is easy to root for the top draft picks and their million dollar bonuses. But what about those late round draft picks that are just about there but not quite all the way? Who takes the time to research these level of players? These are the AAAA players…organizational depth. Why do they continue to play when there is no real chance for real success at the MLB level? Maybe they are not in the top 750, but they are in the top 800.

Maybe they do it because when they do get the call and asked to PH late in their 1st ML game, an entire stadium starts to chant their name (ala Reeeeegggiiie), making the ML stars come out of the dugout just to look into the stands because they had never seen anything like that before. Or maybe it is because they become such good friends with John Kruk that he makes a special announcement on ESPN to congratulate the player for his 1st ML hit. Maybe it is because I raised one, but those are the kids I root for and always have (they were one of my color codes). To some they are dumpster dive players, to some meh, and to some they are reasons to ridicule because, “why is a team even wasting their time with such players”. But to me they are what makes the game itself great.

So if you get a chance to visit a minor league game this year, you can always see the Cody Bellinger’s, Alex Verdugo’s, and Julio Urias’. They are the ones surrounded. But maybe you can take some time to meet and speak with O’Koyea Dickson or Darnell Sweeney or Ty Holt, or Brett Eibner or Stetson Allie…the AAAA players. These are great kids who also deserve a little more attention.

Thank you AC. That was awesome. I appreciate and will truly miss your articles. I have learned a lot about the minor leaguers from you and will always root and hope for them.

Thank you Mark. And many thanks to all of the fine writers who have also put in time and effort for the benefit of us all. It has been very much appreciated.

Wow… Opened up LADT awhile ago and said ‘no way, wrong site’…

Waited awhile and here I am sitting at my pc and this sh– is all true…

Even when I couldn’t post anything due to 2 back surgeries, I always got back to LADT… There were no other LAD sites, not that I visited..

I’m already making no sense…

I could attempt to wax eloquently but I won’t …

It’s all been said before me, so I’ll just say THANKS MT and may you and yours be safe and God bless..

P.S. I wish I had something to blackmail AC with!!!

Sorry to hear. This has been fun. Great site. Thanks Mark.

Thank you for the opportunity Mark. It was short, but I enjoyed contributing just a little bit to this amazing site and getting insight from the high quality commenters was invaluable. Many who I believe could have contributed with articles as well. The most cerebral of blog sites is going away. First Dodger Blues! Now this. Oh, the humanity!!!

Be safe everyone. If you ever want to reach out, feel free to drop me an email: evanbladh@gmail.com

If the site is ever reactivated. I’ll be there.

Hey, Mark — juts wanted to say “Thank You” for all of the time and energy you put into this site. I have very much enjoyed the reads over the past decade or so.

The water-based environmental work you are devoting your time to is incredibly important — I am very happy to hear that a person with your energy and know-how is doing all he can to make the world a better place. May you be a model for us all — BRAVO!!!!

Used to visit many sites, but reduced it to one due to the exceptional content here. Thanks Mark. And thanks to all of the contributers. Gonna miss everyone.

Mark, you had scoreboard. LaDodgerTalk was a big success. See you around.

Thanks Mark. You will be missed.

Thank you, Mark. I discovered this blog a few years ago and have tried visiting it daily since then. I’ve learned so much from you and all the posters here. Though there were little skirmishes upon occasion here, I knew that it came from a love of all things Dodger blue. I will miss this site immensely. Take care and thank you.

I don’t comment much, but I’ve been following this blog for more than 5 years and it is by far my favorite Dodgers site. I’ll miss coming here.

Always Compete, if you are serious about setting up a site, I’d be happy to help. I’ve set up a number of simple sites in the past and could help you with the logistics of getting started.

Mark, thank you for your service for our beloved Dodgers and our community. As a new site is set, come over and pollinate the flowers! You just can’t stop giving us your opinions on the game and players. You will continue to be a spoon, stir the pot.

Sad day for the Dodger family. Mark, can’t thank you enough for all your dedication to bring us such a wonderful site for great info and insight into all things Dodgers. May God bless you and your family. And thanks to all the contributing authors. I became even more of a Dodger fan because of this site. But where will AF go now to get all his advise on how to run the Dodgers! Thanks again Mark

Thank you Mark Timmons. Also, AC, DC, 2D2, and EB as well as this family of posters. I learned a lot.

I keep coming back to this site hoping to see that Mark has changed his mind about shutting down this blog. I understand why he did it and wish him success in his business. I do not contribute as much as others more knowledgeable than I, but hope I would be invited to a new site even if it is to read only. Thank you Mark for making this site a part of a lot of people’s lives.

He’ll be back, when this whole Covid-19 pandemic is over.

When the season begins.

Maybe once a week.

But will come back.

Bye Mark, its been a pleasure to follow your blog.

I have been a Dodger fan since I was 8 or 9 years old. However I have never been at Dodger Stadium, since I live in Costa Rica.

I have watched thousands of games and even listen many of them by shortwave radio when I was a kid. The same blue blood you have runs through my veins. I inherited this from my father who studied at Oregon State, and became a great fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, many years ago. He is now 87 a still watching almost every Dodger game during the year. I am 55 at the moment. I have enjoyed your blog a lot trhough the years.

Well, I say goodbye. If by chance some of you write a new sincere, true Dodger blog, please let me know.

Carlos Zamora

cgzamora@gmail.com