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Move Over Gibby!

                                   I have been extremely lucky to have been alive to witness all of the Dodgers World Series wins. I was seven when they won in 55. I do not remember much of it other than what my uncle was telling me about his favorite team winning and him watching game 7 on a REALLY SMALL SCREEN. But when they won in 59 in their second year in the city, I listened as much as I could at school. Having World Series MVP, Larry Sherry living just 5 houses away on my block in Highland Park made it all that much more special. What more could any 10-year-old baseball nut ask for? 

                                    I watched all of game four of the 63 series on TV. Koufax and Ford were really dealing that day. Sandy made one bad pitch to Mantle, Ford made on bad pitch to Howard, but they won on a error by Pepitone on a throw from Clete Boyer. Ball got lost in all the white shirts. So far, the only Series that the Dodgers have won at home. 55 in Yankee Stadium, 59 at old Comiskey Park in Chicago, 65 at Metropolitan Stadium in Minnesota, 81 at Yankee Stadium, 88 in Oakland, 20 at the neutral site in Arlington Texas and this year at the new Yankee Stadium. 

                                    I missed most of the games in 65 since I had changed foster homes, and at that time, I really did not have much privacy or use of the TV to myself. I watched a couple of the games in 74, I was nearing the end of my time in the Army. I remember loving the throw Ferguson made to nail Green at the plate. I was disgusted when Marshall did not take his warmups coming out of the pen in the 7th inning of game 5.  There was about a 10-minute delay because Buckner complained that A’s fans were throwing stuff on the field, and Marshall did not even warm up then. Rudi then hit Marshall’s first pitch over the wall for the game winner. 

                                    Watched Reggie stick his hip out and deflect what should have been a double play throw. Saw him hit his three homers off of three different pitchers. 81 was special since I had sung the Anthem for the Dodgers in September. It was great to see them come from 2 down to win the next four games. They could have easily been down 3-0 because in game 3, Fernando was not very Fernando like. He had a 3-0 lead after the first, but he had coughed that up to be down 4-3 by the third. But he turned it around and LA scored 2 in the fifth for a 5-4 win. The first 5 games were decided by 3 runs or less. Then in game 6, the Dodgers poured it on and won 9-2. 

                                    88 was just one of those magical years. First, they beat the Mets, a team that dominated them during the season. Then they were playing the Bash Brothers A’s, who were heavily favored. We all know about Gibby’s walk-off homer in the first, and then Hershiser and his mostly second-string team beating the A’s three of the next four games. It was a very satisfying year. How many great in-season performances have we seen since 88? Five ROY’s in a row, that was amazing. But still, they couldn’t get over the hump. They got swept in the only two LDS appearances those teams made. 

                                    We saw some very good individual seasons when McCourt had the team, but still no Championship’s. Getting Manny brought a lot of excitement to the team in 2008. They finally won a playoff series, LDS< only to lose the LCS. Since 2013 though, we have become accustomed to being a perennial playoff team. There have been playoff disappointments to be sure. Losing their best hitter to broken ribs in 13 during the NLCS against St. Louis. One reason many dislike Mariachi Joe. Losing in the first round in 14 and 15, even when we had Greinke and Kersh pitching for us. Making it back to the LCS in 16 and losing to the eventual Champion Cubs in 6 games.

                                  Losing to the Cheetos in 17, despite some decent Series performances by Joc Pederson, Rich Hill and Alex Wood. Boston was clearly the better team in 18, but there was one shining moment, Max Muncy’s 18th inning walk off homer in game 3. 2019 left us with a bitter taste because they were beaten by a team that was clearly not as good on paper, but they got hot at exactly the right time. 

                                   I watched every single game in 2020. Did not have anywhere else to be or go. Things I remember were some very good performances by some of the pitchers, especially the bullpen guys. Mookie had his 3-homer game against the Padres. Will Smith’s 5 hits in game 3 of the LDS with San Diego, and the 11 run first inning outburst in game 3 against the Braves. Being down 3-1 and coming back to win the pennant. Mookie’s great defense in right field to rob hitters several times. Belli’s game winner in game 7. And of course, Urias striking out Adames for the win. 

                                    All the backlash about the title not being legitimate, and the team trying since then to erase that enigma. And just when you did not think there could be many more exciting moments after battling back from elimination against San Diego to a dominating series against the Mets and then getting to face the Yankees in the series for the first time since 81. And here we are, in the 10th inning of game 1, down 3-2 with 2 outs, and they walk Mookie to face our injured first baseman. Freeman faced more adversity this season with a couple of injuries and the illness of his son. He hadn’t had an extra base hit in quite a while before he legged out a first inning triple off of Cole. 

                                   Now he came up to the plate with 2 out, the bases juiced, and he was facing a lefty. His splits against LHP in 24 were some of the worst he had in years. On the first pitch, he swung himself into Dodger legendry with a walk off grand slam. A moment that will always be remembered alongside Gibby’s shot in game 1 in 81. That moment in time has probably had close to a million hits on YouTube. I myself have watched a replay of game one maybe six times.  I have watched the homer a lot more than that. 

                                 It is the type of moment that carries you into the next season. Teo gunning down Stanton at the plate was another. To top it all off, Freddie homered in four straight games. He drove in 12 runs. Five of his six hits in the series went for extra bases. He struck out only once and walked twice. It looked by the fourth inning of game five like they would be coming back to LA for game six. Down 5-0 and then the Yankees imploded. The comeback to tie and then eventually win that game was so surreal, one would have to pinch oneself to make sure you were not dreaming. We have finally gotten our parade, but the team is not resting on its laurels. Work has already begun on a repeat. Let’s hope there is another Freddie like moment in 2025. 

Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear

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Jonathan

I had the fortune to attend Game 5 of the ‘88 Series. I was in college and went on a fool’s errand to obtain scalped tickets.

Just as it appeared all hope was lost, a rather sketchy individual whispered if we were buying or selling. My classmate (an A’s fan) and I could not believe our luck! $100 for two tickets just after the game started. Present value (math in public bad if I am in error) for each ticket is about $134.

Tickets were in second deck behind home plate. I missed Mile Davis’ home run when nature called, but I did see Orel’s gem. Funny, I seemed to remember him kneeling after the victory, but I guess we remember how we want to remember.

Side note, we sat next to Al LoCasale, who let us hold his Super Bowl ring. He left in the fifth inning to go meet the Raiders in New Orleans, if memory serves. Great guy as I remember.

Dave

Orel was thanking God,I would sure like to have heard that conversation! As we all have seen, Orel is a humble, God fearing man had just realized that God loves the Dodgers!

Sam Oyed

The other day, Bear you wrote asked about best mosts for the Dodgers this year. I’d like to point out the best Dodger loss of the year, NLCS game 5 against the Mets.

Why; earlier that week MLB announced if the Dodgers won game 5, the series would start on a Tuesday, but if it went to game 6, it would begin on Friday. By losing game 5 and winning game 6, Freeman now had several more days to rest his ankle.

Singing the Blue

Excellent point Sam. Without that extra rest for Freddie who knows how the WS might have turned out.

Bluto

Per Feinsand:

the Dodgers are also in on Crochet, alongside Baltimore and Boston. Even with Snell in tow, the 2024 World Series champs seem to still be a player in the pitching market as they have also been linked to Japanese ace Roki Sasaki and other hurlers.

Badger

In on. We know they want him. So do other teams.

Linked. It appears this move is weeks out. Where does Sasaki prefer to play? He’s a fit in both SD and LA.

Other hurlers. Who?

It’s still early, and will remain early right up to the point it isn’t anymore, so what will be done to fill out then reinforce the starting lineup? I have no idea what the plan is, but I don’t believe Dalton Rushing is in it. Robert Jr is now linked to the Yankees, (so is Buehler) and I’m still looking at both Crochet and Jr landing here, though honestly that doesn’t yet appear in my crystal ball.

Is Teo coming back? Is Pages penciled in anywhere (in Chicago with Lux and Rushing?). How will this shake out? Who knows.

And we wait.

OhioDodger

And wait, and wait…….

OhioDodger

Or not.

Badger

Edman was already here. But, good to know he will be around a while.

That contract looks like starter money. CF or SS?

Badger

Ok, maybe not starter money in LA, but play somewhere every day money. Every day where?

OhioDodger

Christmas Wish List. Resign Teo for 2-3 years. Extend Edman for 3 or 4 years. Trade for some International Signing Money and sign Sasaki. Would be a nice stocking stuffer to resign Buehler and Treinen.

Last edited 9 days ago by OhioDodger
OhioDodger

I can live with that.

Bluto

Per Alex Speier (Boston Globe, $$$)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/27/sports/red-sox-juan-soto-free-agent-market/

Boston is heavy after Soto and Crochet’s cost control makes him thus appealing.

In a Heyman chat:
https://bleacherreport.com/mlb-rumors

Again Orioles, Red Sox and Dodgers mentioned for Crochet.

Per Morosi:
Orioles and Red Sox both have farm systems replete with position players which is what CWS are asking for.
Per Alex Speier (Boston Globe, $$$)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/27/sports/red-sox-juan-soto-free-agent-market/

Boston is heavy after Soto and Crochet’s cost control makes him thus appealing.

In a Heyman chat:
https://bleacherreport.com/mlb-rumors

Again Orioles, Red Sox and Dodgers mentioned for Crochet.

Per Morosi:
Orioles and Red Sox both have farm systems replete with position players which is what CWS are asking for.

Per the dubious Nightengale:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2024/11/25/mlb-rumors-juan-soto-latest-news-trade-market/76556552007/

The Phillies and White Sox have discussed potential packages for Crochet that include All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm and highly touted outfield prospect Justin Crawford

Last edited 9 days ago by Bluto
Sam Oyed

Read last night the Red Sox offered Soto a 12 year, 600 million dollar contract. It was also reported that Soto wants a 15 year contract.

Bumsrap

$600MM over 12 or 15, as long as it stays at $600 max who cares?

Last edited 9 days ago by Bumsrap
Badger

12 or 15 I don’t care. By then I’ll be 89, 92 or outta here Pretty’s got nothin to do with it. Give him Ohtani money for all I care.

Keith

Judge is 40/9 two years ago, Soto is 50/12, and wants more, inflation is tough here in the US.

i think Ohtani is a different contract, he can pitch, plus there is so much deferment. I don’t see him as the best player in the league, heck if he signs with the Yanks or Mets he probably isn’t even the best player on his team, behind Judge or Lindor.

Keith

Tommy Edman five year 74 mil contract extension

SandyAmoros

All is right with the world Thanks A F for getting Edman signed a gamer

Bluto

Chris Taylor at 4/60 with a 12m club option for the age 31 season.

Edman at 5/74 with a 14.8m club option when he is 30.

Taylor fWAR/600 in season before extension: 2.8
Edman fWAR/600 in season before extension: 3.5

Let’s hope Edman’s contact ages better.

Singing the Blue

I was thinking along the same lines without having reviewed the stats. I think some of us forget how we used to feel about CT3 before he signed the extension.

Taylor did have an ok second half last year. If I’m the GM of a team like the Giants, Pirates or Angels I see if AF will trade me CT for some decent salary relief and/or a contract I’d like to move. Taylor might just have a good enough first half that he would bring back something interesting at the deadline.

In the meanwhile he’s still an asset on defense and can play all over.

Bluto

Dude. No team is going to trade anything of value or quality interest for Taylor.

He was, for the majority of last year, delivering a negative OPS+.

not below 100. Below zero!

Singing the Blue

I wasn’t indicating that we could get Bryce Harper in exchange for Taylor. I just thought a change of scenery, possibly for another bad contract, would be good for him and for the Dodgers who absolutely don’t need CT, Rojas, Edman and, if they bring him back, Kike, all on the same roster.

And by the way, according to Baseball Reference this is how his season played out, before and after the AS game.

First half: .157/.273/.252
Second half: .303/.356/.409

Bluto

Dodgers don’t need those players, agreed, but may be stuck with them for a year.

Jeff

Kike is our mascot. We need him.

Bluto

With this Edman deal there’s less (but still significant) $$$ coming off the books after next season.

This is just one of the reasons Soto won’t happen, but a superstar acquisition (looking at SS) is probable for next off-season.

This is also why the “Dodgers HAVE to get younger ASAP” crap was crap.

Muncy ($10M club option for ‘26, no buyout) – GONE
Taylor ($12M club option, $4M buyout) – GONE
Barnes ($3.5M) – GONE
Rojas ($5M) – GONE
Brasier ($4.5M) – GONE
Banda (does have arb)
Kopech ($5.2M)- Shrug
May – Shrug

Singing the Blue

but a superstar acquisition (looking at SS) is probable for next off-season.”

Care to give us a couple of potential names?

And by the way, I think all attempts at being reasonable with total payroll have gone out the window with the extra dollars Ohtani is bringing in. We may never know what they’ve offered Soto but it would have to be something he and Boras wouldn’t consider insulting.



Bluto

there will always be budgets and budget constraints.

I’m not sure I understand your last sentence, but I think there is zero chance the Dodgers are going to sign Soto

Last edited 9 days ago by Bluto
Singing the Blue

My premise was that, although I agree that there is very little chance Soto winds up here, that chance is more than zero. With the huge amount of extra profit they are getting from the Ohtani signing, what we used to think of as a realistic payroll ceiling for them is no longer the limit.

Keith

I don’t agree on Max or Barnes I think there is a chance they come back after next season.

Bluto

I am wrong quite often.

Keith

Yeah I suffer from that same malady😀

Badger

Just opinions. Can opinions be wrong?

And here’s another one: there is a spending ceiling but nobody knows what it is. There could be another Superstar signing without concern for a one year push over whatever ceiling might exist. I think we should defer to Soto and Bora$ (see what I did there) Maybe they want in on this bad enough to be patient for a while. I don’t think that will happen but it certainly could.

Last edited 8 days ago by Badger
Bklyn2LA57

Hope they don’t wait too long on Teo and lose out on him. With Betts moving to 2B the outfield is not looking good right now.

Cassidy

Teo isn’t signing until after Soto signs and the bidding wars begin with the Soto losers

Last edited 8 days ago by Cassidy
Keith

Yeah I think Teo is going to be real popular after Soto signs.

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