Fans are fickle. And they like to argue. Many think they are blessed with more baseball knowledge than other fans. While this is true in some cases, it is not in many others.
I have never claimed to know it all. Any baseball smarts I have come from the experience of watching the game, having played it when I was young, and reading extensively about the game and it’s history.
My team has always been the Dodgers. Being 10 when they moved to Los Angeles and being a native Angeleno had a lot to do with that. Had I been born somewhere else, who knows.
My passion for the game grew as the team got better and grew a lot after they won the 59 Series. I had been collecting baseball cards since about 1955. But I knew little about the game until the house father I had at the home I was living in started telling me about the players he had seen when he lived back on the east coast.
When I finally found out about computers and got one when I moved to Phoenix in 1998, I started following the Dodgers online.
Back then on their website, they had a section where fans could comment. It has since been removed. One reason I think was too many trolls, usually Giants fans stirring the pot, a lot like Twitter now.
When I first got on the Dodger feed on Twitter, most of the comments were from Dodger fans. Now most of them are advertisements, betting lines and all sorts of junk. And of course, the trolls.
Getting back to the comments section on the Dodger site, I found some pretty knowledgeable fans there. Some had some pretty out there ideas for trades. I am wondering if one of them was Bum in disguise.
But towards the end, it started to be a name calling thing. The person on the Dodgers end who monitored that stuff finally started blocking some posters. But then the next thing I knew, the comments section was gone.
I am not sure exactly when I found my first Dodger blog, but when I did, I really enjoyed the repartee with other fans. That site gradually degenerated into nothing but name calling and crap like that. If someone did not agree with your take, well, that was that and it was on.
Generally, we are not going to all agree. Sometimes we will. Baseball can be as divisive as it can be uniting. Ask 100 fans who the greatest to ever play the game was, and you will most likely get at least 60 different answers.
I myself was guilty of exactly what I am talking about. I would get pretty riled up at times. And I had some spirited arguments. But, I have mellowed ” some”. I still might get a little irritated, but I can pretty much control it.
Well sometimes anyway. My point is this, we all need to be as tolerant as possible. We are on these sites because of our love of baseball and the Dodgers. Disagree if you want, but let’s not forget to at least be courteous to the other fan.
What you have directly addressed is why I found myself here. I’ve had my fill of intolerance and you offered something very different. I thank you again for your work.
“Jonny Farmelo is a 2023 OF/SS with a 6-2 200 lb. frame from Centreville, VA who attends Westfield HS. Recorded a 6.34 second 60-yard dash time. Large, athletic frame with an excellent combination of twitch and present strength. Primary outfielder who is a really good mover with fluid, athletic actions. Quick release with arm strength up to 91 mph. Comes out clean and maintains momentum really nicely. Left-handed hitter with a high hand set, high back elbow, and gap to gap approach. Above average bat speed with a consistent, repeatable swing. Very good bat to ball skills with strength behind it. Advanced hand eye coordination along with hit tool projection to profile nicely in centerfield. Tremendous student. Verbal commitment to Virginia.”
Ok. I like him. He’s bigger and stronger than other fleet footed outfielders we’ve drafted early. If it’s him, I’m fine with it.
A little drama with tonight’s MLB draft. LSU CF has come out and said he wants $10MM. Pittsburgh has plenty of bonus pool, but they are very cost conscious so could be shifting their draft choice to Wyatt Langford, Florida CF who they believe they can sign for $500K to $1MM less than Crews.
Scout.com was my favorite Dodger forum, especially for prospects.
Then Spendodger–a personal friend–started his own newsletter and discussion board.
I apologize to Bear. This was his. I got it late yesterday and did not get his name attached to it before published.
Has anybody ever hit 40 home runs with 100 rbi and hit below .200?
One LAD pitching target has hit the IL. Jordan Montgomery left Saturday’s game (after 4.1 IP and 66 pitches) with a right hamstring injury. No mention in the severity just yet. But it is unlikely that he will pitch again before the trade deadline.
I love you Bear, seriously. But most of the Dodger blogosphere is a nasty unsupportive toxic place. And my sister writes for two of the biggest sites. I’ve been writing for 15 years now, and have received little to no support from most of the other writers. Probably because I dont kiss everyone’s ass.
In contrast take a look at what the united Cardinals blogger alliance is and how they treat fellow writers. Stark difference.
Not sure why so many other Dodger writers are such assholes, but they are. not just Mark, other guys that I should name but don’t. At some point soon I will write the article I’ve wanted to write for many years, detailing all the asshole Dodger writers, and calling them out.
I like this place though. Jeff does a great job of being even-keel and still calling out Friedman and the Dodgers. Keep up the great work Jeff.
As I do at this time every year, I’d like to remind everyone of Future Dodgers. Justin does a great job on the draft and on Rule 5 eligible players. I know Jeff follows him as well.
Rule 5: the following guys were eligible last year but not taken. They’ve all improved enough that if they aren’t protected, they’re probably gone this winter: Ramos, Feduccia, Mann
The following will be eligible for the first time this winter and would almost definitely be taken: Frasso, Knack, Hurt
He also does a very thorough job on the draft. Has a rundown on many of the possibilities that would still be around when the Dodgers draft and then follows up with a complete Dodger draft list and whether or not they’ve ultimately signed.
Here’s the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Tuooytw157kjyMeY1ecRDnPq9FTGGWQOwzWSgsQpqN4/edit#gid=882166644
Vargas optioned.
Longenhagen’s last mock has LAD taking:
36. Los Angeles Dodgers
Pick: Steven Echavarria, RHP, Millburn HS (NJ)
I’m so happy to hear all the boos this clown commissioner is getting from the crowd.
I am stumped. Kendall George is the Dodgers #1 pick. He was the #65 ranked player with two below average skills; power and arm. He was a 2nd round pick at best. This is BY FAR the biggest reach in the draft. He is a very fast CF. Jeren Kendall, Jake Vogel. How did they work out? I can see this being one that I will be scratching my head and criticizing for quite awhile. Gasparino will spin and sell this, but it makes no sense as their #1.
Attn: Bums
We haven’t traded for Zack Gelof but we just drafted his brother, Jake with our second pick. Also a third baseman.
Yeah. Looks like they went way under slot for the first pick, look for some much higher variance Day two picks