The X Factor: JunkYardDogism!
Certainly, the Dodgers have the star power. They showed at the stars come out at night in the Playoffs at Dodger Stadium; however, there is one factor that is not usually measured, and that is JunkyardDogism! I love that word… partially because it makes Bluto’s head explode. 😉…
Certainly, the Dodgers have the star power. They showed at the stars come out at night in the Playoffs at Dodger Stadium; however, there is one factor that is not usually measured, and that is JunkyardDogism! I love that word… partially because it makes Bluto’s head explode. 😉
What “Junkyard Dog” Means
- A junkyard dog is stereotypically fierce, scrappy, aggressive, and relentless, defending its turf with more toughness than polish.
- In sports, especially basketball and football, players described as a “junkyard dog” are usually:
- Physical and tough
- Willing to do the “dirty work” (defense, rebounding, hustling)
- Intimidating or relentless competitors
Example: NBA player Jerome Williams in the 1990s/2000s was literally nicknamed “Junkyard Dog” because of his hustle and grit.
“Junkyarddogism” as an -ism
When someone coins the term “junkyarddogism,” it usually refers to an ideology, mindset, or style of play/behavior that emphasizes:
- Scrappiness over finesse
- Grit and toughness over polish
- A mentality of never backing down, often with intimidation as a tool
- Survival instincts — being willing to fight for every inch
Bottom line:
“Junkyarddogism” isn’t a standard dictionary word — it’s slang for the philosophy or mindset of a junkyard dog: scrappy, tough, relentless, and aggressive.
Last night, the Dodgers were Junk Yard Dogs. I asked ChatGPT about it, and this is what it said:
It’s not a standard term, but a few writers/fans have used it as a playful coinage built off “junkyard dog” (i.e., gritty, scrappy mentality). Earliest sports uses I can find: Dodgers blogs used “junkyard dogism” (sometimes with a hyphen) to describe a tough, blue-collar style of play—for example, posts in 2016 and 2017–2018 on LADodgerTalk (“Pure Junkyard Dogism!”; “The Dodgers need more Junkyard Dogism”).
— ChatGPT
It’s Fall, and the Hernandez brothers brought out the big sticks. Mookie and Freddie had two hits, and Shohei smoked two baseballs to the moon. Snell was dominant while Vesia and Henriquez were Cuckoo for Coco Puffs. Dreyer was OK, and Blake Treinen again looked like a closer. It’s Obtober.
Some have speculated that Ohtani will go today. I do not think that will happen, as Yamamoto is a creature of habit, and it would not be wise to get him out of his routine. If he faults early, Sheehan will follow, but I think Yamamoto will throw a shutout. If the Dodgers lose, then it’s Ohtani in Game 3. Book it!
More on Why The Dodgers Didn’t Get Mason Miller
For the Record, I am not talking about a Teams’ Top 5 – I am talking about an MLB overall Top 5 prospect. I have researched this extensively. Every draft produces surprises, but Top 5 Prospects are different. I would be happy to share the pages and pages of results. I saved them.
–ChatGPT
Here are the facts:
Top 5 Prospects are the cream of the crop — players often compared to franchise cornerstones. Historically:
Around 60–70% of Top 5 prospects become above-average MLB regulars or better.
Roughly 30–40% turn into true stars (multiple All-Star selections, cornerstone-type players).
The “bust” rate is relatively low, but still real — injuries, approach issues, or failing to adjust can derail even elite talent.
Top 20 Prospects (but outside the Top 5)
These are still elite players, but the hit rate drops:
About 35–45% become solid MLB regulars.
Only 15–20% develop into perennial stars.
Bust rates rise considerably — half or more may never become everyday big leaguers.
Bottom Line:
Top 5 prospects are twice as likely as the rest of the Top 20 to become stars.
Being in the Top 20 at all is significant — it means the industry views you as having major-league tools. But outside the Top 5, the risk grows substantially.
The Padres won Mason Miller because they had Leo De Vries, a consensus Top-3 overall prospect in all of baseball. The Dodgers had depth and volume in their system, but they didn’t have a single elite, near-generational prospect like De Vries in mid-2025.
Teams often view a Top 3 guy as the equivalent of a proven MLB All-Star in trade value. That kind of headline piece can unlock a deal for a young, controllable impact arm like Miller.
Even if the Dodgers could technically add up enough “points” in value, front offices (and ownerships) love having that one headline prospect to sell to fans and media. “We got #3, Leo De Vries” plays better than “We got three guys ranked #28, #42, and #55.”
X-Cites
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 (60)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I am as happy as anyone that the Dodgers have Shohei, but would it kill the guy to look at a pitch or two? His BA with 2 strikes on him is horrendous. 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, and full count he is hitting under .200. He does do well hitting the first pitch, but he also makes a lot of outs with men on base when he does that. The Dodgers real junkyard dog, Edman, was on the bench last night.
have to agree with Ole Bear on this one! ohtani is great. ohtani is the ultimate athlete. ohtani is the mvp. BUT! he does swing at noncompetitive pitches at times. even superman can’t move every building at once! there are times when even superheroes should take a pitch! Dodgers in 4!
We may never know this for sure, but this is what I think happens with Ohtani:
He is a “guess hitter.”
Before the pitch is thrown, he has a “pitch type,” “zone,” and “location” in mind and is swinging. Lots of great hitters do this. About a third of the time, he is successful; the other 2/3 of the time, he may look bad to really bad.
ok mark. that makes a lot of sense. but boy his bad guesses look sooooo bad. as rosanna rosanna dana. would say, Never mind
thanks mr. porpoise! you clear up everything!
The Boston pitcher Early kinda looks like a young Clayton.