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The End is Near(er)

Yesterday, I was supposed to have carpal tunnel and elbow surgery. The Doctor and the hospital showed such a high level of incompetence that I punted. I was all in… until I saw their lack of preparation and understanding, and I walked away. I did get my back procedure approved…

By Mark Timmons2 min readJump to 88 comments

Yesterday, I was supposed to have carpal tunnel and elbow surgery. The Doctor and the hospital showed such a high level of incompetence that I punted. I was all in… until I saw their lack of preparation and understanding, and I walked away. I did get my back procedure approved, and after that is my right shoulder surgery (labrum, rotator cuff, and maybe TJ). Then it’s the carpal tunnel. But that was not the biggest event of the day. Yesterday afternoon, I met with our US Water Systems Team and advised them that I would be transitioning to a new role, focusing on consulting and advising them. They are up 27% this year, and I am sure I could only screw that up, so I am focusing on my new job: author of The Mountainmover, which will finally (after 30 years) be released in May or June of 2026.

This is a book that has to be written… and I am finally going to write it. I have 100+ pages of outline and notes, and I just enlisted a Professor (“and recovering attorney”) at Georgetown University, who has produced 279 (and counting) national book award winners since 2020, to be my editor. I am going to be working on this for five to six hours a day and doing a little for US Water Systems, which means that this blog may get neglected. I am keeping it open, and you can do what you do. I just don’t have time for both, but we will see how this goes.

The White Sox are an embarrassment to all of baseball.

Down on the Farm

  • Emil Morales remains Red Hot!
  • DePaula’s BA has dropped to .268.
  • Hope is at .299
  • Sirota is still at .317 – he has walked 7 times in his last two games. They don’t want to pitch to him.
  • Quintero is at .318 in RC.
  • Hainline is back at RC.
  • Sheehan was bombed in 2.1 innings last night.
  • Tulsa is beyond bad!

Discussion (88)

Disagree, not disagreeable

Be civil — moderation is real. Links may need a moment of review.

  1. Watford DodgerJuly 3, 2025

    Roberts optimistic it’s “just a sprain”.

    Fingers crossed for Max.

    Well done Clayton.

  2. Mark TimmonsJuly 3, 2025

    This real bad! (Muncy)

    Get Will Smith a Third Baseman’s Glove!

    Clayton Kershaw – the last in the 3,000 strikeout club!

  3. Mark TimmonsJuly 3, 2025

    This is what I was talking about: Kershaw has little margin for error (sadly).

  4. porpoiseboyJuly 3, 2025

    Oops

  5. Mark TimmonsJuly 3, 2025

    They pitched to Sirota tonight, and he was 2-4 with 3 RBI.

    Surely, they will move him up after the All-Star Game.

    Tulsa is in a pitchers’ league – that will be the test.

  6. MushersPopJuly 2, 2025

    Both Snell and Treinen are scheduled to throw to hitters today.

  7. Andrew Vincent ForteJuly 2, 2025

    10:10 PM ET

    White Sox (28-57)

    Dodgers (54-32)

    SP Sean Burke R

    4-7 4.22 ERA

    SP Clayton Kershaw L

    4-0 3.03 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup

    DH S. Ohtani L

    SS Mookie Betts R

    C Will Smith R

    1B F. Freeman L

    RF Andy Pages R

    3B Max Muncy L

    LF M. Conforto L

    CF Tommy Edman S

    2B Hyeseong Kim L

    70° Wind 10 mph Out

  8. Duke Not SniderJuly 2, 2025

    I’m a bit puzzled that De Paula is now listed as the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect on mlb.com. There’s always been a lot of hype about his offense–even comparisons to Juan Soto–but now he’s batting .268 in Great Lakes.

    Instead of Soto, could he be the next Cartaya?

    Certainly hope not. But it seems to me that there should be more buzz about Zyhir Hope and Sirota. And perhaps Quintero or Morales are true prodigies.

    And I still think the Dodgers should give De Paula some training at first base…

  9. Old Bear48July 2, 2025

    Congrats Mark. Hope it is a best seller. Always here for you. Braves DFAd Alex Verdugo so they could activate Jurickson Profar off of the suspended list. Joe Jaques, who was with LA for a while, called up by the Mariners. Wonder how Arte Moreno feels now about nixing the trade for Pederson, Stripling and Pages. Colin Poche elected free agency. Trey Mancini opted out of his deal with the D-Backs. Giants extended Melvin for 2026. Manfred discussed revenue and the possibility of a work stoppage when the present CBA expires on January first. In a surprised move, the Milwaukee Bucks cut Damien Lillard loose.

  10. T. RobbJuly 2, 2025

    Would love to see one or two of Sirota, DePaula or Hope get called up to Tulsa. That way Quintero could get called up to Great Lakes. Quintero seems ready. Hes been really good this year.

  11. Andrew Vincent ForteJuly 2, 2025

    “Ohtani’s next start on the mound has been revealed. The National League’s home run king will make his fourth pitching appearance in a Dodgers uniform during the team’s next series against the Houston Astros on Saturday”.

  12. Brian PerkinsJuly 2, 2025

    Congrats on the book. Best advice ever given to me in a writing program about the secret to it: Ass in chair.

  13. dodgerdadJuly 2, 2025

    speaking of embarrassment! how about the job clay m. is doing in miami? just a few weeks ago, we were talking about how embarrassing the marlins were. now they just passed the braves in the standings! great job! …. the sox are a AAAA team, no doubt. it’s going to be tough for the front office to get some good major league players to play in chicago. … in my opinion yamamoto was good last night, but not great. i know he went 7 solid innings last night, but he wasn’t facing the yankees either. but a win is a win. …. Freddie strikes out on 3 pitches? don’t see that very much!…….Watch mookie. he will hit! … There’s no doubt Andy Pages should be an all star! Playing all 3 outfield positions, all at a high level? He trails ohtani only in homers. he may be the dodgers mvp! …. 3 for history tonight! he may or may not be better than Koufax, does it matter? Congratulations Clayton Kershaw!

  14. MattJuly 2, 2025

    Will be a very very special night at the Ravine tonight!

    Phantom injury for Kopech?

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