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LA Dodger Talk

The New… & (Greatly) Improved LADT

This was supposed to happen NEXT YEAR. By “this,” I mean Michael Norris and Jeff Dominique were going to join LA DODGER TALK a year from now… but due to technical difficulties, it happened a year early… but for me, it was right on time. I am allegedly retired, but it doesn’t…

By Mark Timmons1 min readJump to 56 comments

This was supposed to happen NEXT YEAR. By “this,” I mean Michael Norris and Jeff Dominique were going to join LA DODGER TALK a year from now… but due to technical difficulties, it happened a year early… but for me, it was right on time. I am allegedly retired, but it doesn’t feel that way most days. US Water Systems is growing at 35% year-over-year with no end in sight. My wife is in the process of opening two restaurants (I am involved with construction and permitting).

I maintain our property (including mowing), which is 3.7 acres and has the house and three other buildings. We opened a new branch in Tampa, Florida yesterday, and oh, I am in the final editing stages for the next 15 weeks on my book, which will be released in July (“The Mountain Mover”), so I am insanely busy. My overall health is great, but arthritis is gradually taking all my joints. I need a second hip replacement, back surgery, and knee replacement surgery. I have had hip and shoulder replacement already.

I am not complaining – life is good. Five Kids, seven grandchildren (and counting), and a Shadrack.

I am beyond blessed. However, I was glad to get Jeff’s call about moving up the timeline. Jeff and Bear have Carte Blanche to do whatever they want. I have never edited or censored what they say, and I never will. This is their home as much as it is mine. I am beyond happy they are both here. WOW!

Also, everyone from LA Dodger Chronicles is welcome here. Welcome to the new LA Dodger Talk. I’m glad you are all here.

Let’s Roll!

Discussion (56)

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  1. CassidyApril 4, 2026

    Jeff, Just saw where Bruns got lit up his first outing. Got to believe this is a do or die season for him. And Ferris has dropped in our rankings. Who are Fox and Patick? They both pitched well opening the year. Thanks

  2. ZekeApril 4, 2026

    Nice to see the bats come alive yesterday. Pages is red hot and nice to see Tucker get a multi-hit game. Kind of like the new ABS rule. It’s quick and doesn’t delay the game like replay does. I would imagine they will expand it at some point. 1 per inning would be nice but that may be too much. I am pretty sure they used this in the minor leagues but not sure if they still use it. Does anyone know the frequency of reviews they were allowed when they used it?

  3. Andrew V ForteApril 4, 2026

    River Ryan starts for AAA Oklahoma City today

  4. Andrew V ForteApril 4, 2026

    Triple-A: Oklahoma City Comets 7, Las Vegas Aviators 3 The Comets rode a fast start to victory. Zach Ehrhard delivered a critical two-run triple to center field. Ryan Ward and Jack Suwinski also drove in runs early to help Oklahoma City bounce back from a previous late-inning loss. Double-A: San Antonio Missions 11, Tulsa Drillers 9 The only Dodgers affiliate to lose, the Drillers struggled with command, walking 15 batters—matching a franchise high from 1993. Despite the loss, top prospect Josue De Paula recorded an RBI single and scored a run. A late seven-run rally by Tulsa fell just short. High-A: Great Lakes Loons 2, Fort Wayne TinCaps 1 In their season opener, the Loons won a tight pitcher’s duel. Left-hander Sterling Patick set the tone with seven strikeouts. Cameron Decker broke a scoreless tie in the 5th inning with a solo home run, and the Loons held on after a late Fort Wayne rally. Single-A: Ontario Tower Buzzers 16, Lake Elsinore Storm 0 In a dominant display, the Tower Buzzers secured a massive shutout victory. The offensive explosion was led by Brendan Tunink, who launched two home runs. Other key contributions included a bases-loaded walk by Victor Rodrigues to drive in Logan Wagner. YOU CAN FOLLOW STATS,SCORES AND STANDINGS BY GOING TO MINOR LEAGUE AFFILIATES AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE

  5. ODTimeApril 4, 2026

    Not feeling the softball uniforms they wore yesterday

  6. Andrew V ForteApril 4, 2026

    “The MLB Players Association is reportedly continuing to prepare for a potential work stoppage ahead of collective bargaining agreement negotiations with MLB. The MLBPA increased their “war chest” of total assets, including receivables and fixed assets such as furniture and computer equipment, to $519 million, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). It previously sat at $353 million at the end of 2024. The MLBPA also raised its cash and investments ahead of CBA discussions from $284 million at the start of 2025 to $415 million heading into 2026, via ESPN. Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post previously reported that MLB owners have also funded a “war chest” of roughly $75 million per team to provide financial protection in case of a lockout, with the fund containing a total value of over $2 billion. The war chests could end up being utilized, as MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer previously told Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press that a work stoppage was “almost guaranteed” to occur. As for the current CBA, it expires on Dec. 1″.

  7. BearApril 4, 2026

    MLBTR has their early free agent rankings out. Skubal is # 1 no surprise there. Nice to see the offense wake up, but honestly, they have owned Mikolas for the last several years.

  8. Jeff DominiqueApril 4, 2026

    He got back up to 95+ in the 5th.

  9. Brian PerkinsApril 4, 2026

    I do think it’s mechanical but the loss in velocity is noticeable. 92-94 vs. 95-97.

  10. BobbyApril 4, 2026

    He had a great game, wow!

  11. Mark TimmonsApril 4, 2026

  12. BlutoApril 3, 2026

    Who needed it?

  13. BadgerApril 3, 2026

    Yeah, that will hold. I hope he succeeds. I just prefer what Kim offers.

  14. John FergusonApril 3, 2026

    Mark, you are the journalistic version of Andrew Friedman. Your LADT lineup is as good as the Dodgers lineup. Thanks to all contributors. The stuff here is better that the LA Times, ESPN, and everything in between. And you all do it for free!!!!

  15. Watford DodgerApril 3, 2026

    King Tuck answering his critics!!

  16. Mark TimmonsApril 3, 2026

    Sheehan pitches like a guy coming back from Tommy John.

  17. porpoiseboyApril 3, 2026

    Oops!

  18. CassidyApril 3, 2026

    Muncy, Teo and Pages. 6,7 and 8. Best in baseball! And 1-5 ain’t bad either. They must have been upset when the other day I said we should send them down to OKC. Is Sheehan just trying to make Roki feel better?

  19. Brian PerkinsApril 3, 2026

    Finally the bats arrive. Pages for all-star game. What a talent.

  20. Brian PerkinsApril 3, 2026

    Haha No country for old cunts

  21. Brian PerkinsApril 3, 2026

    He looks the part. Quality at-bats, plays defense. Have to root for the guy. (If he’s the worst player in your lineup you have a good lineup.)

  22. Brian PerkinsApril 3, 2026

    Awesome, thanks both

  23. Brian PerkinsApril 3, 2026

    Cool, thanks

  24. Jeff DominiqueApril 3, 2026

    Luke Fox (LHSP) was a steal in 2023 draft (17th round). He missed his entire junior season at Duke (2023) due to Tommy John surgery. Teams were afraid to draft him and he fell into the laps of the Dodgers. He is 24 so he is properly assigned. I can put together a Meet Luke Fox post. I did not get a chance to post it on LADC, but he was my 2026 Dark Horse candidtate.

  25. Mark TimmonsApril 3, 2026

    BTW, here is a piece I did on Luke Fox in 2024: https://ladodgertalk.com/2024/11/30/luke-fox-more-than-a-crafty-lefty/ I am much higher on him now.

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