There's Nothing Left to Say
Well, I am back! The Dodgers are 50 games over .500. They are indisputably the best team in baseball. Their farm system is as good as any – better than most. The Dodgers have scored more runs than any other team. The Dodgers have given up fewer runs than any team in baseball…
- Well, I am back!
- The Dodgers are 50 games over .500.
- They are indisputably the best team in baseball.
- Their farm system is as good as any – better than most.
- The Dodgers have scored more runs than any other team.
- The Dodgers have given up fewer runs than any team in baseball.
- Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner, and Mookie Betts are all TOP 10 in the MVP Voting (Maybe top 5)
- As I write this, Blake Treinen, Victor Gonzalez, Danny Duffy, and Tommy Kahnle are ready to come off the IL, and Yency Almonte (who might be the best of all) might not be far behind.
There are just not enough words to describe how great this team is. A World Series Championship is the only acceptable ending to the 2022 season… and yet it is a crapshoot because anyone can get hot for a couple of weeks. After 162 games, the Dodgers will have to prove themselves all over again.
I really hate it when I read things to the effect that Price, Bruihl, Jackson, Reed, and others could all just be DFA’ed! That is a very silly thing to say. Some (even just one?) of these pitchers will be very good (in all likelihood). Relievers are up and down… depending upon the year. Example: Phil Bickford: 2.81 ERA in 2021 and 5.25 ERA in 2022. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. They all play roles in the Dodgers organization, and it galls me when people just dismissively say, “get rid of the bum.” Most people have no idea how difficult this game of baseball is. Players are more than stats. Never forget that. They are people, and people are unpredictable. People are not perfect, but they are people. They deserve to be treated with respect.
I have been critical of Craig Kimbrel, but he pitched exceptionally well in his last outing. Hopefully, Mark Prior can “fix” him. He looked outstanding in his last outing. If he can keep that up… no other team has a chance!
Dodger News & Notes
- Miguel Vargas hit his 17th HR yesterday and has 82 RBI. He is hitting .304 with a .913 OPS. The only question is, “where will he play?” LF or 3B. He is a star in waiting.
- The longer I think about it, the more I think Mike Busch will be traded. This is guaranteed if Trea Turner signs.
- If the Dodgers win the World Series, I think the following players will retire: Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw, and Craig Kimbrel.
- I really like Damian Keith.
Oh, There Was a Wedding…
It was a whirlwind week. Last Monday, I headed to Las Vegas to do the Cannabis Conference. I got back in Indy Thursday night. My oldest son and daughter arrived in town Friday Morning, and I spent the day with them (it’s been a while). Then on Friday night, we had the Wedding Rehearsal. Saturday was all about the wedding, and it did not go off without a hitch (Badda Bing). We partied until the wee hours of the morning, and then yesterday, we had about 40 of the family assemble at my stepdaughter’s house for a pool party.
As you may know, I performed the wedding for my youngest son on Saturday and was asked by about a dozen other people to do their weddings. I politely declined. This was a “one and done!” I will respectfully say, “I was damn good!“
It was an amazing weekend, and one of the highlights was that my daughter urged me to finish my book. So it is coming. I will be conspicuous by my absence here for a while. I am sooooooooooooooo blessed!
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Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
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Discussion (88)
Disagree, not disagreeable
MT, so a quick one and done as a preacher man? Probably a good call. Not that you don’t have enough on your plate these days. I had been meaning to ask how the book was coming. So, it sounds like the final chapters will be finished soon. Good to hear. You and others on this site have lead some interesting lives and it’s been fun to hear some of those stories.
The Dodgers look almost unstoppable these days. What I’ve enjoyed most is the huge run production without the team relying on the home run. Hit after hit after hit with the occasional HR. I have been surprised too about the lack of aggressiveness on the base paths. They have all this speed that’s not being taken advantage of most of the time. I assume the front office doesn’t feel it’s a tool that is needed with this team. But, come playoff time and with the projected strong pitching they will face I think it’s a tool that will be necessary. Runs will be hard to come by as is usually the case in the postseason. It will be interesting to see if there is a change in attitude with the stolen base. Bunts? Not even a consideration these days. In the playoffs it might make sense. Then again, with their best lineup who would you ask to bunt?
Headed to San Diego tomorrow for a few days to visit my brother. It will be nice to avoid some 100+ degree days here in Santa Clarita. Speaking of San Diego they got rocked by unstoppable Kansas City Royals powerhouse 15-7 yesterday. Hader got pounded again. I can’t see Preller making past the 2023 season if the Padres aren’t a strong playoff team next year. Especially, if they fail to get into the postseason this year. They are currently only 1.5 games up on Milwaukee.
I see from yesterday’s post that Eric and B&P are still in the Chafin debate. It’s hard to believe that Chafin has received any more commentary than on this site. And, he’s not even on the team! As Vin used to say “the Andrew Chafin marching and chowder society” to which Eric is the sole member. Lol. With a quick scan it looks like the dialog between the two has become less aggressive which is good to see.
One more in Miami with Gonsolin on the mound and then off to NY to face the Mets. With me being out of town I’ll miss the games but, I’m sure the Dodgers will be successful without my support.
Carry on.
I think the finest things in life are having children, watching them marry ,and then having grandchildren
Congratulations Mark, you have a beautiful family.
You are truly blessed.
Good job Rev. Timmons. Congratulations to the bride and groom.
Congrats Mark. Do all your children work with you in the business?
Congratulations Mark! Long life and much happiness to the newlyweds. Looks like it was a fun time. No wedding goes off without a hitch. The preacher at my second wedding said ” do you take this woman for your awful wedded wife…..boy was he right! Watched the game, and then watched OKC and El Paso. OKC hit 5 homers, Rios, Mann, Amaya, Martin, Outman, and Vargas, excuse me, 6 homers. Duplantier pitched and got out of a couple jams, but was gone after 4. Matt Beaty played for the other side. I always liked him. Dodgers rolled. Betts is hot again. Scary moment when Turner got hit in the head, but he just went out and stole second on the first pitch. Alcantara is the only Marlin who could crack our roster. Kersh is supposed to be back this week. SO another roster move is coming. Dodgerram, Nelson is on the 60 day IL, so he is not a DFA candidate.
I hope your daughter knows in our lingo the term ‘beast’ is a compliment. Congrats Mark! I know you are pleased with your life with good cause to be.
Mazel tov
Let me add my congrats Mark. Looks like it was a very memorable event.
No matter what goes wrong in one’s life, strong family ties can overcome most anything. You have a lot to be grateful for.
That’s not exactly what I meant Mark. I meant if room had to be made on the 40 man roster those are the guys I would cut. I do have bad wording sometimes.
Wow, Outman currently has a 1.021 OPS in AAA. And .279 average, so he’s making good contact just like he did in AA.
Congratulations and welcome back! Everybody is looking good. You are a proud Papi! Keep up the good work.