Why Do So Many Fans Say Such Silly Stuff?
As I write this, the Dodgers have just beaten the Angels 3-0 in the Opening Game of the Freeway series. Then, they lost 5-4 in the second game. It’s still Spring Training, and wins don’t mean what they do in the Regular Season, but the Dodgers look ready, and then I read some…
As I write this, the Dodgers have just beaten the Angels 3-0 in the Opening Game of the Freeway series. Then, they lost 5-4 in the second game. It’s still Spring Training, and wins don’t mean what they do in the Regular Season, but the Dodgers look ready, and then I read some comments that make me question why I should continue to do this. Really!
When have I ever said that Andrew Friedman is perfect or doesn’t make mistakes? Like never! Andrew Friedman took over as President of Baseball Operations for the Dodgers in 2015. I am not even going to talk about his accomplishments before he came to the Dodgers – this is not about that. In the time he has been with the Dodgers, the Dodgers have won more games than any other team in baseball. They have won seven division titles and three pennants. They have won a World Series, which should have been two, but for the Cheating Asterisks. Baseball America has called the Dodgers “Baseballs Model Franchise” under Andrew Friedman. Despite winning 100 games every season and picking at the bottom of the draft, the Dodgers have the #1 or #2 Top Farm System in all of baseball (depending upon who ranks it).
Most Las Vegas Oddsmakers have the Dodgers as the #2 to the #4 Favorite to win the World Series behind the Astros. In my opinion… no, it’s not an opinion; it is a fact… this is the best time EVER in Dodger history to be a Dodger fan. Let me also state another fact: Due to the number of rounds in the playoffs now; it is more complicated than it ever was to Win a World Series because it requires more rounds and more games to win. If you disagree with that, seek help! Seriously!
Some try to denigrate the Dodger’s World Series Win in 2020 as tainted. HELLO! The Dodgers of 2020 had to win more playoff games (rounds) than any other team in MLB history up until that point in order to take the Trophy. Then, I read that signing Jason Heyward and trading for Joey Gallo was because Andrew Friedman was “stubborn.” Really? REALLY? Are your being serious?
I challenge you to even attempt to explain how it is “stubborn.” As Bluto so aptly said yesterday:
How the hell was the thinking around Gallo one of stubbornness??!?!??
That boggles my poor mind.
Mine too! It has nothing to do with being stubborn (maybe some of you are confusing yourself with Andrew Friedman). Both acquisitions were what are called “Low Risk – High Reward” I am not very smart), and I do not know what Andrew Friedman knows… because I do not have his resources. Before I go on, let me tell you how the Dodgers operate:
- Andrew Friedman is the President of Baseball Operations, but he does not operate in a vacuum;
- He has surrounded himself with a plethora of advisors, consultants, scouts, and statisticians, including Brandon Gomes, Josh Byrnes, Jeffrey Kingston, David Finley, Ismael Cruz, Billy Gaspirino, Galen Carr, Will Rhymes, Chase Utley, Pat Corrales, Ron Roenicke, Joel Peralta, Jose Vizcaino, and coaches, managers and others throughout the farm system.
- When players are under consideration of being acquired, a large number of those people are part of the decision. Andrew seeks input from all of these people. Yes, he has the final decision, but he values the input and usually goes with the consensus. Why are people so loyal to him? Simply because he gives them a say and values their opinions.
“Stubborn?” Joey Gallo was acquired in a trade with the Yankees for one of the “hundreds” (not literally) of RHP the Dodgers have in the minors. Clayton Beeter may or may not be an excellent major league pitcher, but the Dodgers gave up very little to get what had the potential to be a “lot.” Joel Gallo, in his eight years of MLB baseball, has hit 41 HR, 40 HR, and 38 HR in a season. Hindsight is 20/20, and it FLAT OUT did not work. They could not fix him. However, the Dodgers have been very successful at “fixing” players, such as Chris Taylor (at one time), Max Muncy, and others. The Dodger Brass reached a consensus that this was a low-risk, high-reward move that could bring them a great return. Yes, it did not work, but it was worth a try, in their opinion. Why do people like to point out one thing that failed out of 10 that didn’t? I have my opinion, but I am not saying it.
Jason Heyward is costing the Dodgers about $600,000, as the Cubs are on the hook for his other $21,000,000. He is in great shape physically, and Freddie Freeman believes in him (yes, he is biased). What does it hurt to allow him to earn a spot? What’s the worst that can happen? Why all the vitriol? He flames out, and they replace him. That’s it! He is universally respected by his teammates and in baseball in general. It’s a LOW RISK – HIGH REWARD MOVE! Stubborn? Are you out of your rabbit-ass mind?
We will find out soon enough if Heyward makes a difference, and if he doesn’t, he will be gone. Stubborn? More like Crazy Like a Fox! I am not a fan of Jason Heyward or Trayce Thompson… or Joey Gallo, for that matter, but I do understand Low Risk – High Reward! It’s not even close to stubborn – it’s very smart, actually! Very, Very Smart!
Andrew Friedman has made his share of mistakes. As the President of US Water Systems, my job is new product development, and my title is “Visionary.” Guess what? I make mistakes. Lots of them. The only people who don’t are the Critics, and I hate Critics because they always know better after the fact. Their hindsight is 20/20.
Oscar Wilde once said, “Criticism is the only reliable form of autobiography.” It tells you more about the psychology of the critic than the people he or she criticizes. Astute professionals can formulate a viable diagnostic hypothesis just from hearing someone’s criticisms.
Critical people are certainly smart enough to figure out that criticism doesn’t work. So why do they keep doing it, even in the face of mounting frustration?
It’s because criticism is an easy form of ego defense. We don’t criticize because we disagree with a behavior or an attitude. We criticize because we somehow feel devalued by the behavior or attitude. Critical people tend to be easily insulted and especially in need of ego defense.
Feel free to disagree with me, but as Jim Rome says, “Have a take and do not suck.” The Dodgers and Andrew Friedman are smart… very smart, and you just may be the stubborn one. When someone takes chances, they do not all work, but if they work more than they fail, you have a winner! History has already identified Andrew as a winner, but he is not perfect!
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Discussion (121)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I think it’s fair to say that after ST it’s definitely gonna be a long season in here.
I never knew that “stubborn” was such a loaded term. Often learn something new here!
I will stubbornly suggest that AF & Associates will have learned from 2022 that they shouldn’t enter the playoffs in 2023 with a couple of bench player who really can’t contribute. I will stubbornly argue that, down the stretch in ’22, AF got outplayed by his peers like Preller–and that is one reason the Padres bounced a 111-win team so swiftly. It wasn’t even close.
Now, some folks here will stubbornly insist that, when the playoffs roll around, it all depends on “luck” and which team “gets hot.”
And I will stubbornly point out that Branch Rickey–AF’s greatest predecessor–said: “Luck is the residue of design.”
Well the good news out of spring training for our bench is that Thompson and Heyward hit .286. Combined! Hopefully got that one in before Bear wakes up.
Wipe the slate clean tho. It’s time for Dodger baseball!
If Thor after ten or so games in has a losing record and a era north of four which I think is likely and they keep throwing him out there anyway I will call that stubborn to. Same if Heyward has pitiful numbers. One bright spot our no hitting outfielders sure can play good D
I know we have a lot of brilliant naysayers in here but FiveThirtyEight still has us as the slight favorite to win the WS in their component rankings. This is a tough crowd in here. I think we need to trade the LADT group out to Detroit for a year to tegain a sense of gratitude for being a Dodger fan.
Personally I feel truly blessed to be a big life long dodger fan. We got a great organization from top to bottom the best in the game in my opinion but that doesn’t mean I need to pretend everything they do is gold like some do. If I can’t praises the great and criticize the not what’s the point
What to expect from the Dodgers this season?
Keith Law’s season projection: 97-65
The Athletic’s staff voting (percentages reflect first-place votes):
NL West
San Diego Padres 61.3%
Los Angeles Dodgers 38.7%
Arizona Diamondbacks 0.0%
Colorado Rockies 0.0%
San Francisco Giants 0.0%
Here’s a commenter on The Athletic:
John J.
· 1h 10m ago
The Dodgers got an F in the off-season, not a C. They failed at everything, losing many talented players and simply not replacing them. They failed to keep the best player in the most critical position in baseball. They instead acquired other team’s castoffs as reclamation projects and now enter the season with just one outfielder in Betts and a lot of unanswered questions. Short and third are going to be black holes for a long time and second is another unanswered question.
The Padres went all in to win the division while the Dodgers turned yellow and hid their checkbooks and made horribly bad decisions. As a long-time Dodger fan I am appalled at seeing what looks like McCourt making bad decisions for the Dodgers again.
So much for excellence. The decline has begun.
After seeing the final roster, the Dodgers will win 93 games in 2023 and finish second to the Padres in a close race but make the playoffs as a wild card. We won’t be able to beat up on NL West teams which we were 54-21 in 2022 with less games scheduled this year against those teams. With the balanced schedule we will be playing 26 games against the AL East and AL West which we did not play in 2022. except for the Angels. Both are tough divisions. Our offense right now is not great and I’m not in love with our present pitching. AF and BG have their work cut out for them to improve the roster during the season and especially at the trading deadline. I hope I’m I’m wrong but I have the utmost faith in AF to make wise additions and subtractions. That is my opinion and fearless prediction for the upcoming season. I will cheer for the Dodgers as I always have and watch as many games as possible and hope for the best.
93 wins is a lot of wins. With this current roster I’d be happy with that.
I won’t be surprised if we don’t win the West. San Diego has gone all in and that team looks good. I expect the Dodgers likely to be active in the trade market. Winning the Division is preferred of course but obviously not necessary. It’s how teams play in October that matter so hopefully the player or players we pick up will help light that October fuse.
In this Freeway Series, what we saw was our lineup against lefthanded pitching. It is clear we are going to platoon LF and CF. I think Heyward will be the 4th or 6th OF depending how you look at it.
I also like our chances.
Some yea sayer thoughts. Plugging Vargas in at second everyday, brilliant. Word is Outman will get the majority of AB’s in center. Having gold glove caliber shortstop should glue up infield and predict will hit hit least 270 with some clutch. JD will produce just fine and better than last year. Unlike some, think max will handle third adequately and stick will be better than pre injury days with the chip he’s carrying around. Freddie, Mookie and Smith should all make all star team. Pen is strong and could very well become better with guys coming off IL by sep/ oct
Latest winter storm to hit Southern CA seems to be less intense than predicted. When I saw rain forecast for Thur earlier in the week I started getting worried. Looks like it will pass LA by tomorrow morning. Last thing I wanted to see was our insane winter result in an opening day rainout. That would have been a first.
Boy mark that word stubborn really crawls up your spine. You keep twisting it around to mean things I had no intention of. You act like someone crapped in your yard if they don’t praise your genius, brilliant baseball god Friedman who you worship That many of us give a very poor grade to ever since the signing of Freeman and all your fancy word argumentative, make no sense talent and slandering opinions isn’t gonna change that
Yeah and not counting 17 scoreboard says Friedman one win, seven loses. Would like to think need at least two wins before being considered the greatest GM ever
Made it to California safely. Plane was 2 hours late leaving the Springs, broken trash can was the reason. Ready for real baseball.
I still say Dodgers will be the divisional champs and I offer the division field on an even bet of $200 as long odds. This offer ends when the season begins. I would ask Mark to be fund holder to pay the winner. I can only afford to bet $200.
Suffered a mild stroke on Saturday, released from hospital Monday evening. Enjoyed catching up on reading LADT today.
Man I heard that word STUBBORN, so many times in last couple of days and then plenty while reading LADT.
I always thought it was a good thing. Oh well.
I guess I will be stubborn some more and root for the Dodgers throughout 2023. Yup going to stick with them.
Thank you men.