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…
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!
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (56)
Disagree, not disagreeable
“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″.
Not feeling the softball uniforms they wore yesterday
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
River Ryan starts for AAA Oklahoma City today
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?
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