I have so many different articles and thoughts to share and I yearn to be able articulate them for you in a meaningful way. However, time and personal matters have reared their unrelenting head and have kept me from being able to finish them and submit them for publication. Because it is the Thanksgiving season, I thought instead I would share several of the many things I’m grateful for as a baseball, and particularly, Dodger fan.
I’m very grateful that my parents decided to immigrate to the United States in 1956, when I was but a five-year old lad. Had they not made that difficult choice to leave all of their family and friends in the Netherlands, to move to a land of promise where they did not know the language or culture, I’m sure neither baseball nor the Dodgers would so much as raise an ounce of interest for me. Instead, I would have played “voetball”, or soccer as we know it here and I would be an Ajax fan and root for the national team as they participate in the World Cup. For those of you that have never lived in a foreign country, I’m here to tell you that the World Cup has some of the most rabid fans you ever hope to see. As I write this, the Netherlands is playing its first World Cup match against Senegal and I can assure at least 90% of the TV sets in Holland are tuned into the match.
I’m grateful that once we moved to the U.S.A., we initially settled in Artesia, and lived there for a year before we moved to neighboring Dairy Valley (now Cerritos) to live on my mother’s uncle’s dairy. I’m grateful that my mom was not afraid to send her 5 year old boy (despite the fact I did not speak any English) to Artesia Park, which was a block away from my house, by himself to play.
I’m grateful that at Artesia Park I met the Downs brothers, Duke and Adrian, and their cousin Jerry Boyd. They took me under their wing, language barrier notwithstanding, and they taught me how to hit and catch a baseball. We would play over-the-line for hours on end. The first English I learned to speak was baseball.
I’m grateful that they also gave me an old beat up glove and worn out 10′ inch baseball (those of you from that era will remember what that was) to play with at home.
I’m grateful that Duke, Adrian, and Jerry also told me about the Dodgers. They would often bring their transistor radio with them to the park on which they would listen to Dodger games. In addition, they were baseball card collectors and they would show me there cards and tell me about the players. And so I became a Dodger fan. Thank you Duke, Adrian, and Jerry!
I’m grateful that I got to spend so many of the days of my youth at Artesia Park. I’m also grateful that I was taught and mentored by Jack (I forgot his last name), the park and recreation manager, who ultimately invited me to participate in practices for the park team that participated in a 10′ baseball league. Jack would also invite me out to come and watch the local semi-pro team that played games at the park every Sunday. That became my regular ritual. I had paper route starting in 4th grade and after delivering my papers, I would head to the park and play baseball. In the 5th grade I made the 10′ team. We would play against teams from Duarte, Rosemead, Lakewood, etc. It was such a fun time. Through my paper route, I saved enough money to buy my own glove, bat, and transistor radio.
I’m grateful for my neighbor, Tony Silva, who took me to my first Dodger game at the Coliseum when I was 8 years old. The lights, sounds and majesty of that night are forever stored in my memory. It was magical. That sealed it for me, my love for the Dodgers became permanent on that night.
I’m grateful that my parents decided to come to Southern California instead of, say, Baltimore, Cleveland or Oakland. I can’t imagine what it would be like having to root for the Orioles, Indians (oops, Guardians) and Athletics.
I’m grateful for my transistor radio, and how it furthered my love affair with the Dodgers. Like many others, I would go to sleep with the transistor under my pillow, tuned to KFI 640, listening to Vince Scully and Jerry Doggett call the game. “It’s a high drive to deep right field, she’s a way back and gone!” That made my dreams so much sweeter.
I’m grateful that for just shy of 60 years I was able to listen to and enjoy Vin Scully’s dulcet and mellow voice tell me stories after stories and describe the games for me so that I could literally see it through the radio. During baseball season his voice was ever present in my car, family room, garage, and back yard. Mind you, I like Joe Davis. I also enjoyed Jerry Doggett, Don Drysdale and Ross Porter. But, let’s face it, there has been only one Vinny! By the way, my favorite Vinny story is one he told of the bet between Whitey Herzog and Satchel Paige. Look it up on google, it is worth the listen. “Yes, wild child.”
I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to take my father with me to Dodger Stadium. He didn’t understand much about the game of baseball, but the time with him at the game was a special memory that I will always have. Later I was able to take him to a Los Angeles Aztec game so he could watch his beloved Johann Cruyff (arguably the greatest soccer player of all-time) in action. He was truly in the height of his glory then. As an aside, my Pop (what I called him) never saw me participate in any sporting event. As a punk teenager, I assumed he just didn’t care, never once giving any thought to how hard he had to work milking cows or on our egg ranch. When he died, I was going through some of his drawers and discovered that he had cut out the box score of every baseball and basketball game I played and had done the same for both of my boys. Sometimes I found myself wishing that I wasn’t as stupid as I appeared to be.
I’m grateful that I got to see Sandy Koufax pitch. I’m also grateful that I stayed up beyond my bedtime and listened to his perfect game. I never knew that Harvey Kuenn striking out could sound so sweet!
I’m grateful that I got to see Don Demeter play a game at the Coliseum. He was my first Dodger hero. There have been many more since.
I’m grateful that I got to see Tommy Davis, Mike Piazza and Pedro Guerrero hit a baseball. They could flat out hit. It is unfortunate that Tommy Davis got injured, as I thought he was the best of the lot.
I’m grateful that I got to see Maury Wills, Willy Davis and Trea Turner run the bases. These boys could fly. Turner’s slide is in a universe all its own.
I’m grateful that I got to see Frank Howard swing at a baseball. He swung as hard as anyone I had ever seen and, when he connected, that ball would go a long way.
I’m grateful that I got to see Brett Butler bunt for a base hit. He was a master at the craft.
I’m grateful that it was the Dodgers that provided Jackie Robinson with the opportunity to play major league baseball. The game and, more importantly, society is better for that decision. Admittedly, there are still prejudices that abound, but we’ve come a long way.
I’m grateful for the Dodger/Giant rivalry. It made my fandom so much better, always having an “enemy” to root against. Watching the away games at Candlestick Park on channel 11 added to them being the “enemy.”
I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to enjoy Clayton Kershaw’s career. He ranks up there with Koufax. I’m also grateful that I happened to be watching when Kershaw made his spring training debut and struck out Sean Casey with his curveball. Vin’s call of that strikeout remains a classic; “Ohhh, what a curve ball! Holy mackerel! He just broke off Public Enemy No. 1. Look at this thing! It’s up there, it’s right there and Casey is history.”
I’m grateful for Willie who used to come to our dairy in his old truck to pick up the bailing wire, for teaching me how to throw a knuckle curveball. That was the only way I pitched a curve for all of my brief playing days. I’m also grateful that I got to see Burt Hooten throw a knuckle curve. Unlike me, he actually knew how to throw it well.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to play baseball at Gahr High School in Cerritos and one year at Perris High School. While I was a decent enough player, my high school years paralleled the hippie era and, admittedly, I didn’t have the brains or discipline that God gave a cockroach. Consequently, I always thought it would be fun to combine the two life styles. I’m here to tell you that didn’t, and doesn’t, work. I did try out for the baseball team at Riverside City College (I made the team), but I quit right after the tryouts, and chose to chase the girls instead.
I’m grateful that I got to see the Ron Cey, Billy Russell, Davey Lopes and Steve Garvey infield play together for so many years. They were each great players in their own right. Together, they were magical.
I’m grateful that the Dodgers traded for Dusty Baker and Reggie Smith. They were lots of fun to watch play. While I dislike the Astros for cheating in 2017, I was happy for Dusty that he won his first World Series. He was deserving.
I’m grateful that I got to see Kirk Gibson’s homerun in the 1988 World Series. That remains one of the more goose-bump inducing moments for me in watching Dodger games.
I’m grateful that I got to see Jim Gilliam, John Roseboro, Don Drysdale, Orel Hershiser, Gil Hodges, Eric Gagne, Ramon Martinez, Mike Scioscia, Tommy John, Matt Kemp, Johnny Podres, Eric Karros, Steve Howe, Bobby Welch and so many others play. The Dodgers have had some real great players put on their uniform over the years and I enjoyed every one of them.
I’m grateful that I got to experience Fernandomania! It happened to coincide with my first born son turning one. It was an unbelievable experience!
I’m grateful that I got to experience the Manny Ramirez phenomenon. Maybe he was not so likeable as a person, but for several months he added some excitement to the Dodger games.
I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to watch the more recent players, like Seager, Bellinger, Buehler, Urias, Will Smith, as well as the current prospects who may or may not be the future, Bobby Miller, Diego Cartaya, Gavin Stone, and Dalton Rushing, etc.
I’m grateful that I got to experience the managerial career of Tommy Lasorda. If anything, the man was as colorful as they come. “I have never, ever, since I managed, ever told a pitcher to throw at anybody, nor will I ever. And if I ever did, I certainly wouldn’t make him throw at a (expletive) . 130 hitter like Lefebvre or (expletive) Bevacqua, who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a (expletive) boat. Classic!
I’m grateful that the Dodgers finally pulled through with a World Series win in 2020.
I’m grateful that I have been able to experience the last 10 years of Dodger success. Of course they should win every World series, right? No matter, it’s fun to cheer for and follow a winner.
I’m also grateful for Dave Roberts being the Dodger manager. I know that comment will make some people’s head explode. Oh well, no matter how you measure his performance, he has been as successful as any manager in baseball.
I’m grateful that when I had children my sons, Eric and Joel learned to love baseball as much or more than I did.
I’m grateful for the many years that I was able to coach them in youth ball and in high school. Not only was it great to coach my sons, I had the privilege to coach many fine young men over the years. Those are friendships and experiences that are very memorable!
I’m grateful for Glenn Prater, the longtime head coach at Woodcrest Christian High School in Riverside, for allowing me to be an assistant coach with him. He had a fantastic playing career, having graduated from my alma mater, Gahr High School. I believe in his senior year he was 16-0. He would go on to play at Cerritos College for the legendary Wally Kinkaid and then went on to Cal-Berkley. He blew out his knee in his final year at college, otherwise he would have played pro-ball.
I’m grateful for the many times that my boys and I (my wife and daughter would go too, but not every time) would go to a Lake Elsinore Storm game, or to Dodger Stadium. I cannot adequately put into words the happiness and joy I felt being with them on those occasions. I remember the first time I went to Dodger stadium with my sons, and I had my oldest on my shoulders so he would better be able to see Mike Piazza and some of his other heroes. It was wonderful!! A few years back, I took all of my family to a Dodger vs Mariner game in Seattle. Prior to the start of the game, my son put his 5 year old son on his shoulders and they went as close to the field as they could so my grandson could see Clayton Kershaw warm-up. That moment was as priceless as any can get for me!
I’m grateful that my sons both excelled in high school and they had the great experience of being able to play baseball in college. Their college team played in the NAIA World Series twice. To say I was proud of them would be a major understatement. After college, my sons’ baseball playing days ended. Although they stopped playing, their love for baseball has not ended. My oldest is a diehard Dodger fan, like his father. My second son is a rabid Cubbie fan (I joke that he must have been switched at birth).
I’m grateful that Jeff has devoted as much of his time as he has into making this such a wonderful blog to come to and catch-up on various things in the Dodger world.
I’m grateful that Jeff will, on occasion, humor me and let me submit an article to be posted on this blog.
I’m grateful for those of you that take the time to comment on here. I may not always agree with you, but I typically find your comments to be intelligent and insightful. Heck, I don’t always agree with my wife and I love her more than any other person on this earth (did I say that right dear?)
I’m grateful for this off-season. Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me what the Dodgers do or don’t do as far as acquiring new players or signing old ones. I just look forward to seeing how the team will be put together and wait on Spring Training to start.
I’m grateful for the countless sweet baseball memories that I have experienced from the first days I came to this great land from Holland!
Folks, there is a lot of turmoil and chaos in our world today, but yet there remains so much for which we can be grateful. I hope you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving season! While I’m in a hoping mood, I hope the Dodgers acquire both Shane Bieber and Corbin Burnes, without having to give up any of our top 10 prospects . . . . you never know, it could happen. 😀
This must be an article by Rob, not Jeff.
It is, and it has been fixed. Thank you.
That’s a lot of gratitude, and with continued gratitude, optimism is sustainable. Wish I’d said that. I didn’t, Michael J Fox did.
My list is shorter, though it does include many early baseball memories similar to Rob’s. I wish I’d had opportunity to play college ball when I was 19. I gave it a go at 26, made a JC team but a motorcycle accident shattered my left wrist and that was the end of that. I did play MABL and tournament softball into my 50s and though I was no longer a deep threat I am grateful I was able to still do a lot of things on a baseball field. I REALLY enjoyed playing ball. I’m grateful for many other things too, but at the top of the list is I am profoundly grateful I survived Vietnam. It could have been over at 19, as it was for tens of thousands in that awful war. I’m grateful I still have the right to vote, though my people only win half the time. That being true for everyone I can’t help but wonder if that’s pre-arranged. Topic for another forum. I’m very grateful to have finally found a woman with a heart of gold. Took long enough. We have a lunch date today at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Lucky me.
What would be that favorite Mexican restaurant be?
Avila’s
One of my favorites was in Pomona, CA called Espiau’s which moved to Claremont, CA. Their Espiau’s salad was a thing. http://espiaus.com/
Quite a few times we would bring that salad into Dodger Stadium and enjoy it during pre-game activities.
Wife had fresco chili relleno, I had a spinach cheese enchilada with a side of beans and we shared a side of guacamole. Muy bueno. Nap time.
Hey Badger, did you change your email addy? I tried to send you an email.
Well done Rob.
Great stuff Rob. I have a lot to be grateful for also. My grandmother left Germany when she was 12. They settled in Minnesota. But somewhere along the way, they moved to California in the mid 40’s. So, I was born in LA. My mom moved a lot, and she left my dad when I was 6. We lived in Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa and then back to Cali. I was put in foster care when I was 10. That is where I actually went to see my first Dodger game. They would get free tickets for the knothole section in the coliseum, way down the RF line. I played a lot, and got to meet some Dodger players, the Sherry brothers, when they moved in on the same block where the home was. Got to shag balls for them at a park. Later I went in the Army. Unlike Badger, I was lucky and avoided being sent to Nam because of my MOS. But I did go to Germany. It was hard to follow the Dodgers while I was there, but every once in a while, they would broadcast a Dodger game on AFRN. So, I followed them by subscribing to the Sporting News. I did travel some and I went to the Netherlands. Beautiful country and really nice people. When I finally got out of the Army and came home, I picked up my love affair with the team. My son does not have the same passion for the game that I do, his interest was in hockey and roller hockey. But he is a Dodger fan when he does go to games in Denver. My oldest girl is a Dodger fan, but her sister roots for the Giants. Ugh. Mainly because her husband is a Giants fan and to keep domestic tranquility.
My son in law is from the Bay Area, so while he is not a huge baseball fan, he does silently root for the A’s and Giants. But my daughter is a true BLUE Dodger fan. My two grandsons are not huge baseball fans, but they will root for the Dodgers because of Grandad. My son in law is a die hard NFL fan and his team is the 49ers. My daughter never having a favorite NFL team is now a die hard 49ers fan as well. My two sons also never followed my affinity for the Packers. Andy is a Lions fan (Barry Sanders), and Kris was a Falcons and Eagles fan (wherever Randall Cunningham or Michael Vick played).
My daughter is HUUUUUUGE San Jose Sharks fan. I have no idea why.
My granddaughter is a baseball fan (how could she not be), and while she does like the Dodgers, the Boston Red Sox is her favorite team.
Of course they all root for my Trojans. They need to so they stay in the Will.
Too late for me to become a Trojan fan?
It is never too late.
Milwaukee did with Hunter Renfroe exactly what Bums suggested the Dodgers do for Max Muncy. The return for Renfroe was certainly not one of baseball talent value for baseball talent value. But what it did for Milwaukee was to free them of a potential $11.2MM contract obligation, to financially justify hanging on to all of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Willy Adames…nearly $32MM for the 3.
Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero are AAAA pitchers on the Brewers 40 man, but I am guessing that they are also on the short list of DFA candidates if a spot is needed. They are undoubtedly more at risk than is Jake Reed with the Dodgers.
Renfroe was a 2.5 fWAR and a .800+ OPS RF that had more OF assists than any other OF for the last two years (27). He had 29 HRs, a strikeout rate right at MLB average, and a BB rate slightly below MLB average . He will probably move to RF with Taylor Ward sliding over to LF, and former uber prospect Jo Adell should be relegated to 4th OF if not traded. Both teams accomplished what they needed to do. The Halos got a slugging RF with an accurate cannon of an arm to replace Brandon Marsh, and the Brewers got some payroll relief.
The difference here is that the Dodgers are not the Brewers, and do not need payroll relief. But the Brewers did prove Bums point that IF (GIGANTIC IF) the Dodgers wanted to “unload” Muncy, they would find some team to assume the financial obligations, but would not get comparable baseball talent in return. Thankfully, that is not how the Dodgers operate. If they cannot get comparable baseball talent in return (current or future), then there is no reason to make the deal.
But I am also grateful for a spirited discussion that did not resort into any “moron” or “dumber than a bag of rocks” comments.
Only one person I can think of is dumber than a bag of rocks.
Just the other day STB had several good takes.
Not the person I was thinking of, this guy has a much higher profile
Just tossing some “humor” at STB.
Cool, I hope he gets it.
STB graduated from an upscale school. I believe it was Chatsworth Jr High. Upper West Valley.
I feel like I need to get on here and defend myself.
First of all, Fred, you’re being extremely rude to me……………and I know it’s only because you care. And furthermore, how does one measure the intelligence of a bag of rocks?
Badger, it was LeConte Jr High and Hollywood High. I only moved out here to the upper west valley around 30 years ago. And since it’s the UPPER west valley, it allows me to look down upon the rest of you.
LeConte is French for “small bus”
Hollywood High. I heard they had the best recreational drugs, and more of them, than any school in the LA Basin.
I find Milwaukee shedding 2.7 fWAR to save $11 million terribly sad for that franchise. I guess that’s what happens in a small tv market. Bummer for their fans.
Though they may cost near the same I’d much prefer Muncy over Renfroe. Renfroe is a negative WAR defensive player. And even with the horrible year Muncy STARTED with, his career OPS is higher than Renfroe’s. If his arm is healthy Muncy stays dammit. He can play 3 positions and OPS over .800. If his arm will never be the same? Dump him.
To be fair to Milwaukee. They needed a spot for Garrett Mitchell to get a full time role, and they have 3 top 100 OF, two that are ready for The Show, and one who could be very special in 2024. While they were at a record high for payroll last year ($150MM), they are more comfortable in the $120MM to $130MM range. They are already at $130MM and they have a boat anchor contract with Christian Yelich they will never be able to unload. He has 6 years of $26MM per remaining, with $25.7MM total deferred to be paid from 2031-2042.
But it was a giveaway.
Good points. All of which I wasn’t aware. Hope I’m not the bag of rocks.
What happened to Yelich? He’s a local guy that I was hoping we could land. Glad that didn’t happen.
Yelich has back problems and we all know what that can do to a career.
Renfroe is really a negative WAR defensive player? I thought he was considered a much better than average fielder with a great arm.
Negative dWAR the last 3 years. I’ve haven’t seen him much, only reading the numbers.
The Dodgers are like the Brewers though regarding payroll because they want or need to reset their CBT status. An Ace and SS addition could cost $80 AAV. It could come down to keeping Taylor and Muncy or adding two key free agents.
There is a difference between shedding payroll and losing talent and shedding payroll to replace talent with better free agent talent. It’s more like trading Muncy for Trea.
Trading Muncy for Trea means you’ve convinced Trea to play for $13MM per year.
That’s Chatsworth Jr High. Upper West Valley logic.
It least you’re admitting it’s logical.
Not grateful that it seems like it always takes forever for AF to make some sort of move in the winter. Wasn’t that way his first year, he made more trades than Trader Jack.
Have you forgotten the Jake Reed pickup?
AF was a mover and shaker in the Winter 2014. That was the Winter of your favorite LAD trade if I remember. Matt Kemp to San Diego for Yasmani Grandal? 😉
Also quite a bit in the Winter 2015.
Jake Reed was a waiver claim and excuse me but whoop-dee-frippen-do.. Yeah I remember that winter. Kemp was not the only one gone. Dee Gordon and Dan Haren left too. Jake Reed has changed more times than Cher during one of her shows. I am NOT IMPRESSED> 😂
I think he was being facetiously obtusive.
Me too, but I had this overwhelming desire to express my discontent,
For the record I think of STB as a friend, a very smart friend, although we haven’t met outside of a blog.
Actually we’ve met on four blogs, my friend and if you’d ever actually met me in person you wouldn’t consider me a friend any longer.
Although I’m soft spoken on blogs, I’m loud and obnoxious in person, dress very poorly and never pick up a check.
So I wonder who would blink first in picking up a check? I already knew that because Badger told me, so we could just pass notes back and forth during lunch just like we were on a blog.
I think the Giants have a good chance of signing Judge.
Judge is living in a perfect baseball world this year. Rejects the Yanks offer before the season starts and then goes out and has one of the best years ever.
The Yanks can’t afford to let him go because he was 9/10 of their offense, their biggest draw and the face of the team.
The Giants desperately need a super star because their roster consists of a bunch of washed up former decent players and no-name never-will-be’s.
Now all Judge needs to do is sit back and watch NY and SF beat each other over the head, each topping the other one’s offer until one of them finally throws in the towel.
2022 is a great year to be Aaron Judge.
“2022 is great year to be Aaron Judge”
No doubt. I wonder if he’s ever had a bad year.
Probably, but everything in life is relative.
True. I wonder what a bad year for him might look like.
Now you’re trying to get revenge for my earlier comment.
Well for all those reports that said the Dodgers were serious in their pursuit of Aaron Judge, the Dodgers reportedly offered $214MM believed to be in the 7-8 year range. This is the same deal that Judge declined from NYY last ST. Judge has a $337MM offer on the table with NYY. Even if it was for 5 years, Judge is not leaving $123MM on the table. It appears to be down to NYY and SFG. I will be very surprised if NYY lets Judge go.
What is next for the Dodgers? Perhaps a Trevor Story/Javy Baez level offer for Trea Turner?
If the Cubs land Swanson then Atlanta and the Dodgers will compete for Trea as seriously as the Dodgers competed for Judge. That thought is based on what the Dodgers offered Judge.
And then Philadelphia will sign him.
Philadelphia is signing somebody large. Harper out until mid July.
How in the world can Andrew make any monetary decisions without knowing if he has to pay Bauer 30 million dollars this year?
I absolutely can’t believe they haven’t made a bigger stink out of this, and if they’ve done it privately that obviously hasn’t had any effect, so it’s time to do it publicly on every media outlet they can find.
I can’t believe the Dodger offer to Judge was in the 7-8 year range. Since he already turned that offer down from the Yankees that’s an absolute insult and I just don’t see Andrew doing that.
I’m assuming the $ figure is fairly accurate so I’m guessing the preliminary offer was for 5 years which would come out to just under $43MM/year. Even then, it would make no sense for Judge to accept the offer because it then puts him out there again for his age 36 season when it would be much harder to get a decent contract.
I agree that the 7-8 year was a guess, and I thought that 5 was more likely. But even with that AAV, Judge is not turning down another $123M, even if it is paid for 5 more years. 2 The Dodgers were never seriously in the conversation.
I am sticking with my <$210MM payroll and 5 rookies on the roster. 3 position players (Outman, Vargas, Busch) and two pitchers (Pepiot as a starter, and Grove as a reliever). Miller and Stone to be added when the pitchers start to break down like they normally do.
BTW, has anyone heard why Kershaw has not yet signed??? Is Texas still courting him???
$210? I’ll take the over.
Under $210 leaves some wiggle room at trade deadline.
That it does, plus it limits the obligations they have so they can go all in on Ohtani. This is the year they find out if the kids can play above MLB average.
They’ll reset with $232m.
You may be right. However, I do not think they are going to spend just to spend. I do not think it is just about the threshold. I do think they want to keep their commitments down to make a serious run at Ohtani next year. Besides if the kids are as good as you think they are, who are they going to spend the $45MM on? Miller and Stone should be ready by mid-season. You have to at least give the rookies a legit runway to play and prove themselves. If Outman, Vargas, Busch, and Pepiot/Grove falter, and/or Lux is not an everyday SS, there will be plenty of room at the deadline. Why not find out now if the youth movement is for real or not? If you believe in them…play it out. This is their time to shine or flame out. I think they will spend $25MM on support at SS or 2B and OF on one year deals, and back of the rotation.
And then again they could go past the threshold. My post for tomorrow may lean in that position.
Protecting the 40 for as long as they can?
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who visit here.
I’m extremely grateful that my biggest concern this year is how Andrew will make up the 2023 Dodger roster.
When I look at how people here in the U.S. and throughout the world are treating each other it makes me sick. I’m very grateful that I can escape to this oasis a few times a day to take my mind off of that horror.
I hope you all have a chance to spend some time with family or friends today, eat well, and be thankful for what you have, however much or little that may be. Whatever your situation, there is probably someone out there who has it worse.
Peace.
Back at you Jeff.
Badger wrote the following on the previous post:
The value for 1 fWAR is right at $8MM.
Muncy may be a bargain at $13.5MM. I am not advocating trading him. His potential of 35 HRs is worth the cost. Execution will determine if he earned it or if the Dodgers did indeed get a huge bargain.
I do hope he looks to drive in more runs rather than trying to build up his OBP with walks. I would like to see a middle of the order bat drive in runs. I cannot remember the number of times you complained about Muncy letting Strike 1 go right down the middle. I hope he has a repeat of 2021 rather than 2020 or 2022.
Muncy’s option terms:
Contract Notes:
If he has 550 PA, Muncy another $4MM will be added to his option. But it is a team option, not a player option. And there is no buyout. If he has a 3+ fWAR as you predict, the Dodgers will exercise the option.
I too have enjoyed it . This is how I envisioned a blog to go.
I admit I have a problem with so many cookies being looked at. Even if your goal is to drive the pitch count up, hitting from behind in the count is at the top of the list of things you don’t want to happen. All you have to do to prevent that from happening is let that guy know you are up there to hit and he won’t tube it on strike one. Having said that, again, I have no problem with walks. Sure I’d prefer he barrel one, but if he doesn’t get that pitch before ball 4, next man up.
I believe if his elbow is healed, he will surpass 3 WAR.
As for the rookies, I find it impossible to believe Friedman will have 3 in the lineup on Opening Day.