Time for a New Manager?

You all know that I have had Dave Roberts back since he became the Dodgers’ Manager. Many of you have blamed Dodger’s failures on Roberts – I have put it on the players. Doc is not perfect and has made mistakes, but it is up to the players to execute. Plain and Simple! Let me preface this with “Managers Have a Shelf Life.” It probably used to be a lot longer than it is now. There comes a point whereby a manager’s voice becomes just “background noise.” There is a point where the players simply tune it out.

Many fans have wanted to fire Dave Roberts for a while now. Some because they do not like his decision-making process, some because he is not a “Real Dodger” and others simply because they simply don’t like him. Personally, I have never wanted Doc fired… until now.

I have no fault with most of his decisions. Well, occasionally, I wonder about some decisions, but what do you expect? That comes with the territory. Dave Roberts is a good man. He is an upright man. Dave Roberts is an underdog… I like that.

Dave and I disagree on politics….and that is OK. Believe it or not, I have lots of Democratic friends (there are also a similar number who hate me – that is their problem… not mine). I have championed Dave Roberts for seven years now. I can’t do it anymore! I really can’t! For the initiated, politics are opinions, not facts. If you think otherwise, you are dumber than a bag of hammers.

But, this is not about politics. It is about the Dodgers. Dave Roberts is even-keeled. Dave Roberts does not get overly excited or worked up. Dave Roberts is a player’s manager. He is laid back and he does not apply pressure to the players. That may have worked for a while, but it ain’t working now.

The Dodgers need a new manager. Doc’s shelf life has expired! He was never really a Dodger anyway! Thank you for your service, Dave Roberts, but it’s over.

You have to let go and Andrew Friedman needs to name an ex-Dodger as the manager. This is really hard, Dave… you are a good man. You are almost the face of the Dodgers… but you are not the Dodgers! This team is playing below expectations. Dave Roberts is a player’s manager, but it’s over! The players need to be held accountable. The Dodger’s lineup is composed of Millionaires… from Mookie Betts, to Justin Turner to Cody Bellinger. We have seen this movie too many times: where everyone hits or no one hits.

Who becomes the Manager?

The individual I am recommending may be the long-term solution. Maybe Chase Utley or Justin Turner could be the long-term solution, but right about now, the Dodgers need a “Kirk Gibson-Type-Solution. They need someone who can light a fire, inspire, push, and maybe even move a player out of their comfort zone. It’s not Mike Scoiscia or Joe Madden either. It’s a man who is a lifetime Dodger. The Dodgers are the only organization he has been involved with in his 50 years on the planet. Travis Barbary is 5′ 9” and 180 and his stocky build is that of a ctacher. Catcher Travis Barbary was undrafted out of the University of Virginia and started his professional playing career with the Ohio Valley Redcoats of the fledgling Frontier League in 1993. He was picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 1994 where he hit .178 with 3 2B in 45 AB for the Great Falls Dodgers.

It was decided then and there, that Travis was not MLB material, and his playing career ended. Barbary served as the pitching and catching coach for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League in 1995. In 1996 and 1997, Barbary was a coach for the Savannah Sand Gnats. From 1998-2001, he was the bullpen catcher for the Dodgers. In 2002 he was the hitting coach for the South Georgia Waves.

Barbary was the manager of the Ogden Raptors in 2003-2004. He was manager of the Columbus Catfish of the South Atlantic League in 2005 and 2006. In 2007-2018 Barbary was the Minor League Catching Coordinator for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was scheduled to manage the Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2020 before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. Barbary did return to manage Oklahoma City again in 2021 and is currently OKC’s Manager.

Here is a quick interview with Travis when he first took over at OKC.

Players seems to respect and enjoy playing for Travis and I think the fact he bleeds Dodger Blue is nothing but a plus. When you do the same thing over and over again and expect different results, that is the definition of insanity. I understand that a manager managers and players play, but sometimes change is good. Sometimes change is needed. I think this is one of those times. It’s just my opinion and I will not be fixated on it if it doesn’t happen… but I think it is needed.

Disclaimer: None of this will likely happen… but I tried!

Future Dodger Notes & News

• Mitch White pitched 5.2 hitless innings (he walked 2) and struck out 6. I think he wants a spot in that Dodger Rotation.
• Garrett Cleavinger pitched 1 inning and dropped his ERA to 2.40. In 25 IP at OKC he has struck out 25 and walked 9. He has recently been cutting down on the walks.
• Miguel Vargas hit a 2-Run HR (his 10th).
• Mike Busch Doubled and still is playing LF.
• Leonal Valera was 2-4 (.379 BA) playing 3B for Tulsa.
• Gavin Stone proved to be a mere mortal yesterday as he pitch 4 innings, allowed 7 hits and 4 runs to go with 3 K’s and 2 BB.
• Diego Cartaya was 2-4 with 2 RBI and a BB. He is OPS’ing 1.003 at Great Lakes.
• Kendall Williams saw his ERA drop to 3.24 as he pitched 3 innings, allowing 1 hit, 0 Runs and striking out 8 while walking no one.
• Cole Percival looks more and more like a middle reliever as he went 1.1 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 2.
• Damon Keith CF was 2-5 and is still hitting .306.
• Ronan Kopp (2.63 ERA) pitched 3 innings, allowing just 1 hit 1 BB while striking out 3.
• Nelson Quiroz – C was 4-6 with 3 HR and 6 RBI’s. In his minor league career he has hit 4 HR – 3 yesterday!