On September 25th, 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first ever surgery that would come to be called, Tommy John surgery. The clinical name is Ulnar Collateral Ligament repair. It has been named for the first player to undergo the procedure. Upon examining John in 1974, Jobe found that his UCL was torn. John was 31 at the time and had a 13-3 record. The injury occurred while pitching a game in July.
Jobe examined his elbow and knew the UCL was torn. After a couple of weeks of rest that did not help, Jobe recommended a radical new procedure. John looked around Jobe’s office and then said, “Let’s do it”. Those three words changed baseball. There was no guarantee John would be able to return to pitching, but at the time, the surgery was the only repair option. Think about this a little. This is 1974, the Dodgers would win the pennant and the LCS, only to lose the World Series in 5 games. But if John had still been healthy and in the rotation, could the series have gone longer? The Dodgers starters for the series were Sutton, Messersmith and Downing.
The inspiration for this subject came yesterday when the Rockies broadcaster, Drew Goodman was talking about Kershaw’s idol and mentor, Sandy Koufax. He stated that if TJ surgery had been available when Koufax was pitching, he might have won a lot more games, since he was just 30 when he retired. I have never trusted Goodman to get facts about other teams right for many reasons, one being he has repeatedly made statements about the Dodgers that were totally wrong. Especially in reference to their history. The last one being that only two Dodgers who have their numbers retired and not be in the Hall of Fame were Jim Gilliam and Gil Hodges. Hodges number was not retired until he was elected to the Hall, so Goodman was wrong. He would be right now since Valenzuela’s was retired last year.
But I wanted to go back and check on the Koufax thing. Because as far as what most history tells us, Koufax was forced to retire because his elbow was so arthritic, which has pretty much zero chance of being corrected by elbow surgery involving the UCL. The most amazing thing about Koufax is that the Dodger doctor at the time, Dr. Robert Kerlan, urged Koufax to retire after the 1965 season. Koufax had jammed his elbow in 64 diving back into a base. His elbow swelled up and was bigger than his knee. Since the Dodgers were out of the pennant race, Koufax did not pitch again, finishing with a 19-5 record and winning his third straight ERA title with a 1.74 ERA. At the time, the lowest of his career. Kerlan diagnosed him with traumatic arthritis.
In 1965, Koufax returned to pitching. After a complete game against the White Sox on March 30th, Sandy woke up the next morning with his left arm swollen and black and blue from hemorrhaging. He returned to LA and Kerlan told him he would eventually lose the use of his arm if he continued to pitch. They devised a schedule which he followed for the last two seasons of his career. He initially agreed to stop throwing between starts. He then continued doing that but quit throwing sidearm which he often did against left-handed batters.
All of us here who are old enough to have lived through those last two seasons, saw the results firsthand. But we knew nothing about what Koufax was going though before his starts just to be able to take the mound. So, when Sandy retired suddenly after the 1966 World Series loss to the Orioles, we were stunned. Even when he did the press conference, which the Dodgers had asked him not to do until they could make a trade to bolster the rotation, no one really knew the real reason except Koufax and Kerlan. 
Tommy John had been told by Jobe that there was a 1-100 chance of the surgery working. That he was willing to risk that is amazing to me. He was risking his career on a totally untested procedure. He placed his future in the hands of Jobe. Now we all know the procedure worked, Jonn won more games after his surgery, 164, than he did before, 124. The rehab took one year. John returned to the Dodgers for the 1976 season, and went 10-10 with a 3.09 ERA, and in 77 he went 20-7 with a 2.78. 
After the surgery, John pitched 3 seasons for the Dodgers going 47-27 with an ERA right at 3.00. He won 20 games or more 3 times after the surgery when he had never won more than 16 before. The surgery saved his career. How many pitchers have had this procedure since? Has to be in the thousands since it has been done on everyone from high school pitchers to major leaguers and players in other countries. The Dodgers have had quite a few who have had it, and some have had it twice.
DETROIT, MI – MAY 1984: Tommy John #25 of the California Angels pitching during a game against the Detroit Tigers in May 1984.
Thomas Edward John was born on May 22, 1943, in Terre Haute, Indiana. His best pitch growing up was his curveball. He originally signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1961 at the age of 18. He was sent to Class-D, Dubuque where he appeared in 14 games, starting 13 of them. He had 4 complete games and 1 shutout compiling a 10-4 record with an ERA of 3.17. The next year, he started the season at Class-A Charleston in the Eastern League. He went 6-8 there and was promoted to AAA Jacksonville of the IL where he had a 2-2 record.
He pitched for the same two teams in 1963 compiling a 15-10 combined record. He got called up to the Indians in September and went 0-2. But his ERA was just 2.21. Cleveland sent him to Portland in the PCL to start the 64 season, he was later called up to the Indians and went 2-9 with a 3.91 ERA. In January of 1965, he was part of a three-team trade with the White Sox and A’s. He, Tommy Agee and John Romano went to the White Sox. Rocky Colavito and Cam Cameron went to the Indians. Mike Hershberger, Jim Landis and Fred Talbot went to the A’s.
Over the next 7 years, he would compile a 82-80 record with the Sox. His ERA over that time was 2.95. Then in the winter of 1971, he was traded by the Sox to the Dodgers for slugger, Dick Allen. The Dodgers also received utility infielder, Steve Huntz in the trade. Huntz never played a game for the Dodgers. He did play parts of two seasons with the Dodgers AAA affiliate in Albuquerque. LA sent him back to the Sox prior to the 74 season. 
John settled in to the Dodgers rotation for the next three seasons. In 72 and 73 he went a combined 27-12. His .696 winning pct. led the NL in 73. He was cruising along in 74 when the injury put him out for the rest of 74 and all of 75. He led the NL in winning pct. again with a .813. The Dodgers were not sure he would ever return, and frankly neither were Jobe or John.
When he did return for the 1976 season, no one knew how he would do. But he came back, had no problems and pitched in 31 games. He won 20 for the Dodgers in their pennant winning year under Lasorda for the first time. He pitched 2 games in the playoffs against the Phillies, allowing just 1 earned run. He was 1-0 in the series. He lost his only start in the World Series against the Yankees, giving up 5 runs in his loss.
In 1978, he was 17-10. He won his only start in the LCS pitching a complete game shutout against the Phillies. He would pitch in 2 games in the World Series against the Yankees, winning his only decision. That win came in game 1 when he bested Ed Figueroa. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the Yankees. He would pitch for 11 more years, with stints in New York, Los Angeles with the Angels, Oakland, and back to the Yankees for his final four years.
He retired with 288 wins, second most for a pitcher not in the Hall of Fame. The most of course belong to Roger Clemens. Not sure if that will ever change. After John is a guy named Tommy Mullane, a guy who pitched in the 1800’s. Jamie Moyer would be next on the list. John is now 82. He will forever be tied to the surgery which bears his name. Although Jobe once said it could very well have been the Sandy Koufax surgery. I still am not sure it would have helped Sandy. He can still not straighten his arm after all these years.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets 9 – Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 7
Tyler Glasnow started and lasted 2.1 innings allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, 1 BB, with 3 K. I am different than many when it comes to MLB pitchers on rehab assignments. The results are not nearly as important as how the pitcher feels the next day. The last thing that comes on a rehab assignment is command. Of course Glasnow would have preferred a perfect outing, but it is more important for him to come out without any unusual pain the next day after throwing 66 pitches. He will get back in the bullpen to work on his command, and look for improvement in his next start.
After falling behind 4-0, the Comets pick up 3 in the 3rd. Chuckie Robinson led off with a BB. Austin Gauthier followed with a single. James Outman doubled to score Robinson and move Gauthier to 3rd. With one out, Ryan Ward doubled home two, and the 4-0 lead was cut to 4-3.
Sacramento battled to score one in the bottom of the 3rd and 2 more in the 4th. The two on the 4th came off Sam Carlson.
Down 7-3 in the 6th, OKC started their comeback. In the 6th Kody Hoese doubled and scored on a Robinson single. In the 7th, the Comets got to within 1 after Michael Chavis singled and scored on a Ryan Ward 2-run HR.
In the 9th, Michael Chavis homered to tie the score. With 2 outs, Hunter Feduccia drew a BB and Esteury Ruiz followed with a single. Kody Hoese slugged his 2nd double to plate both runners and grab a 9-7 lead.
WE ARE TIED!!! 🫨
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) June 28, 2025
Lucky number 1️⃣3️⃣ for Michael Chavis evens this game up in the ninth! pic.twitter.com/GgCWNdAWau
Kody Hoese: Clutch Factor – 💯
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) June 28, 2025
Kody finds a gap and gives the Comets thier first lead of the night on this 2️⃣-RBI double! pic.twitter.com/31jRC3Xvp7
In the bottom of the 9th Jose Rodriguez went to the bump for his 2nd inning of work. With two out, Wade Meckler singled for his 3rd hit of the game. Rodriguez struck out Luis Matos to end the game for the Comets win.
- Michael Chavis – 3-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (21), HR (13)
- Ryan Ward – 2-5, 1 run, 4 RBI, double (17), HR (20)
- Kody Hoese – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 doubles (11)
- James Outman – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (17)
- Chuckie Robinson – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
Tulsa Drillers 11 – Frisco RoughRiders (Texas) 0
Jackson Ferris found his way back to dominating a lineup. He completed 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits (all singles) and 3 BB, while compiling 7 strikeouts. Only two runners reached scoring position, the 2nd thanks to an error.
Jackson Ferris (MLB's No. 5 LHP prospect, @Dodgers) delivers his best outing of 2025 for the Double-A @TulsaDrillers:
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 28, 2025
6 IP | 3 H | 0 R | 3 BB | 7 K pic.twitter.com/KaIRHpCrwj
Kelvin Ramirez, Robinson Ortiz, and Livan Reinoso each pitched a scoreless inning with only 1 hit and no BB allowed between the three of them.
In the 2nd inning Griffin Lockwood-Powell and Kendall Simmons singled. Kole Myers hit into a fielder’s choice force out for out #2. John Rhodes drew a BB to load the bases. Sean McLain hit a bases clearing double for a 3-0 lead. Chris Newell doubled to score McLain and Damon Keith followed with a run scoring single and a 5-0 lead in the 2nd inning.
Sean McLain had a GREAT day for AA Tulsa, pounding out 3 doubles, and in the process driving in 3 RBIs. He also walked once and scored twice.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2025
McLain is a tremendous defender who is in the process of improving his offensive game and becoming someone who is "hitterish," as he… pic.twitter.com/Hy9LqKH1RP
Tulsa scored an unearned run in the 3rd. In the 4th, McLain hit his 2nd double of the game, moved to 3rd on a WP and scored on a Newell sac fly.
In the 5th, Tulsa put up 3 more. With one out, Simmons singled and Taylor Young reached on a fielder’s choice and Simmons beating the throw to 2nd. Myers drew a BB to load the bases. Rhodes singled to score 2. Myers drew a BB to load the bases and scored on a WP.
AA Tulsa has struggled to find offense for large parts of this season, so Kendall Simmons has been just what the doctor ordered.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2025
Simmons had 3 more hits tonight to move his average up to .310 in the 13 games he's played with the Drillers, and he has hits in 4 games in a row,… pic.twitter.com/YwniqNXeQo
Myers hit a HR for the Drillers final run in the 7th.
- Kendall Simmons – 3-5, 1 run, triple (1)
- Sean McLain – 3-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 3 doubles (8)
- Chris Newell – 2-4, Sac Fly, 1 run, 2 BB, double (8)
- Kole Myers – 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs, 3 RBI, HR (2)
Great Lakes Loons 8 – Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego) 0
Three Loons pitchers combined for a 1 hit, 2 walk, shutout. Payton Martin must have had a 50 pitch limit as he was pulled after 3.2 innings and throwing 53 pitches. He walked one and struck out 6.
Reynaldo Yean followed and retired all four batters he faced with 1 strike out. Sean Linan entered in the 6th and the first batter he faced singled. After that, Linan retired 12 of the next 13 batters and completed the game and shutout.
The first 6 Loons batters in the first inning reached and five scored before the inning concluded. Kendall George and Josue De Paula led off with singles. Mike Sirota followed with a BB. Zyhir Hope hit a 2-run single, followed by a single by Logan Wagner that loaded the bases again. Joe Vetrano drew a bases loaded walk for the 3rd run, and Jake Gelof hit a sacrifice fly for the 4th run and Wagner moved to 3rd. Wagner scored on a Jordan Thompson ground out, and the Loons had a 5-0 lead.
In the 5th, Wagner drew a walk and moved to 3rd on a Vetrano single. Wagner scored on a ground ball out.
In the 8th, Gelof drew a BB and Thompson singled. On a soft ground ball both runners moved to 2nd and 3rd, and both scored on a George single.
The Loons compiled 11 hits, all singles, and 7 BB to score 8 runs.
- Zyhir Hope – 3-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Kendall George – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Jordan Thompson – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Logan Wagner – 1-2, 3 BB, 1 run 2 RBI
- Jake Gelof – 1-1, 1 BB, SF, 1 run, 2 RBI
Zyhir Hope had 3 hits for High A Great Lakes, which gives him back-to-back multi-hit games.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2025
Hope is hitting .289, OPS of .856, a walk rate of 14.4% and a WRC+ of 141. Dude is a mauler! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/5GP5jVaEbm
San Jose Giants 9 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2
The San Jose Giants took advantage of 11 Rancho Cucamonga walks on Friday night, winning by a final of 9-2.
Giants’ second baseman Zander Darby slugged a grand slam and drove in five, as San Jose won for the third time in four games this week over the Quakes.
Rancho starter Aidan Foeller (3-3) struggled with his command, as he allowed five runs on just two hits, walking seven over two-plus innings of work.
Rancho finished with eight hits, with Jackson Nicklaus and Niko Perez both finishing with two hits and a walk.
The Quakes will send right-hander Jholbran Herder to the mound on Saturday at 5pm, as he’ll take on righty Gerelmi Maldonado in game five of the six-game series.
Another exciting ending in a Dodgers win. It feels like Scott never makes it easy for our nerves . What a play by Freddie on that DP! Does not get any better than that. A magician at 1b.
Outhit 11-4 and still won the game. Bullpen with 5 scoreless innings after another lackluster start by May.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice article but I have one question. You said John risked his career by having the surgery. But would he have had any career at all if he hadn’t selected surgery?
Bad choice of words, but in my opinion, trying an untested procedure to be able to pitch is almost like trying some new treatment to beat a disease.
Glasnow, 66 pitches and 5 earned in 2.1 innings. Yoiks. The important thing is how he feels? Bet he feels like crap after that outing.
Koufax. “He initially agreed to stop throwing between starts.” Bingo. Recovery I’ve been saying that for years. And I’ll keep saying it.
Another errant throw by Mookie saved by Freddie. Could have cost the game. And though his DRS numbers are among leaders, Mookie’s range factors are below league average and frankly his arm from that position kinda sucks. It’s a good thing Freddie is 6’5” and can pick ‘em.
Has anyone noticed Mookie has become a .250 hitter with an OPS+ barely above league average? Yeah, you have. We all have. Maybe it was going to happen anyway at age 32. Or, maybe his career will be shortened by this move. Good thing the Dodgers don’t need his offense, right?
I think you said the same thing about Kershaw and Kopech and their poor rehab outings. IMO the results for MLB pitchers on rehab assignments are irrelev.ant except for the OKC owners. What matters is he got up three times, threw 66 pitches with obviously zero command, and we will learn today if he has too much soreness. He is working on changes in his mechanics, and they probably did not go well with his command, or lack thereof.
Or maybe (more likely) he gets hot like Muncy and puts all your concerns to rest.
In my opinion the team would be better with Rojas at SS and Mookie in RF. I know Rojas can’t play every day, but that works for me. He can play two of three every series, Kim could play the third game. Edman could be on the same schedule and Kim could play the third game. That allows for good rest and gets Kim regular playing time.
I would also have Rushing DH when Ohtani pitches and give Freddie one day per week with Rushing at first. Again giving guys rest and Rushing consistent at bats. Kike can spell Muncy and the OF to keep guys fresh.
Excellent ideas 77. I especially like Smith DHing when Ohtani pitches and Rushing behind the dish. Serves a number of purposes.
I would almost guarantee, Mookie is not moving back to right.
I’d like to see more of Kim. And I’m fine with Rojas seeing a lot of innings this summer.
that’s an interesting POV and positive post!
the travails of pitcher development!
Jackson Ferris showed nicely his year had, for the most part been rough, but maybe he’s corrected something or just turned a corner? far
Then there’s Linan, his brief run at OKC wasn’t great, but maybe he wasn’t ready! Double AA is a pivotal jump, he may need more time in A ball.
This afternoon sees Jeff’s touching, Maddox Bruns pitching. Will be interesting to see where he is after a crazy 1/3 season..
“the travails of pitcher development!”
Sheehan appears ready. Who else? Maybe someone can get their feet wet at home against the White Sox. Wet feet. White Sox. Creates a strange visual. And an olfaction locker room memory. (see what I did there? Olfaction. Sounds like old fashion. I crack myself up)
Please send video
😎 I saw what you did there.
At this point it’s often the little things that keeps us old guys going….
Who is Jeff touching?
ha! i wrote that in bed this morning, no clue what word I intended.
maybe…..
nope, no clue. but Jeff and I have discussed Bruns with moderate frequency
Careful!
I watched the 9th inning of the Reds-Padres game to see if Nick Martinez could finish his no-hit bid. He walked the first hitter then gave up a double to the pinch hitter, Elias Diaz. Reds still won 8-1. Steer hit 3 homers in that game. LA now 7 games in front of the Padres and 6.5 in front of the Gnats. Shohei pitching today, wonder if Doc will move him down in the lineup. Seven Dodgers besides Ohtani made it to the second round of voting for the All-Star game. Freeman, Betts, Smith, Edman, Muncy, Pages and Teo. Ohtani is in automatically since he led the NL in votes. He was only about 45,000 behind Judge for the most overall. LA was the only team with 3 players over 3 million votes. Smith, Ohtani and Freeman. Arizona lost another player to injury when Jordan Lawler, who has been raking at AAA, went down and looks to be out for quite a while. Ron Washington is officially out for the rest of the season. Still a ton of rumors floating around about who LA might target at the deadline, popular player in many posts, Sandy Alcantara. Pirates GM said on MLBTR that there are few untouchables on the team. I would bet Skenes is one.
Fine, tell the Pirates GM, “No Skenes? Then no Conforto for you!”
Yeah, and after Conforto finishes the year bigly, …..
Nice, Skenes got out dueled the other day by Milwaukee’s phenom, Misiorowski.
Wow, 5 runs on 4 hits is pretty efficient. The home run ball played big last night. 1 for 25 for the bottom 7 in the lineup and a win. You woulda thought?
Shutdown bullpen work was the key again and of cause that awesome clutch DP to end the game. Thanks Freddie “the safety net” at first.
Dustin May is just struggling to locate his pitchers. 21 pitches per inning is like dogs that chase cars and 10 footers for pars – they don’t last long.
I’m not sure if his inability to repeat solid mechanics can be blamed on his new lower arm slot of not, but his misses aren’t competitive. The problem is exacerbated but the huge movement on his pitches and being tall. Tall pitchers, like tall golfers, can struggle repeating solid mechanics. It took Randy Johnson awhile to get all those levers synced up.
Dustin is an east – west pitcher but I’d like to see him use his 4-seamer with less run more often, that he could locate at the top of the zone to change hitter’s eye level. But his command is compromised and he can go from big misses with his huge sweeper or arm-side running sinker to missing down the can.
I’m going to give my opinion on technically what’s wrong. So if that stuff doesn’t interest you – STOP here:
There are 3 critical elements that need to sync up for a pitcher to throw a baseball consistently where he’s looking. Balance, Posture and Alignment. Each affects the other like a chain of events. Right off the git-go, I think Justin has balance issues. There are 3 critical points for balance; where your belly-button needs to be centered over your core; at the “Lift and Load” position over the rubber, at foot strike and at release. Poor balance causes opening up too early, loss of spine angle (posture) and subsequently, an inconsistent release point. (poor alignment). The misses up and away are due to his body outrunning his arm because he’s out of sync earlier.
When Dustin’s balance is good, he has good posture, good alignment to his target and throws strikes with great movement. When his balance is shitty, everything goes out of whack.
To me his balance issues is the cause of his inconsistency.
I hear what you’re saying Phil, and I have no disagreement with your analysis. My question is simply this: why is it so damn hard to throw strikes? May is a professional pitcher who is being paid millions to throw strikes and throw them exactly where he wants to. Get your collective sh*t together or hit the road.
I honestly don’t get it. At 50 I pitched in the Redwood Empire MABL and I had no problem throwing strikes. I hadn’t really done any pitching since high school but throwing the ball over the plate from 60’ was easy. I even changed speeds and put a few wrinkles on a few pitches. Why a ML pitcher can’t hit his spots is mind boggling to me. It just isn’t that hard to do.
I don’t get it either Badger. My high school and Legion pitchers had a goal of 70% strikes, including chase pitches. And we did that consistently, even 75%. Establish a fastball away, in your sleep, and work off that.
I think there is too much emphasis in teaching kids in pro ball to NOT throw strikes. Too much Chase the Chase and too many non-competitive chase pitches. When they need to throw strikes, they can’t.
In May’s case, his mechanics, and maybe the new “healthier” arm slot makes it difficult to throw strikes consistently.
I agree. Lack of balance is my biggest issue trying to hit the bowl in the middle of the night.
Have you tried it sitting down?
It takes too long to get back up!
At least you’re getting to the bowl without falling.
There is a TV show called remodel or sell. With May, I say sell.
I believe the show is called “Love It or List It”, so we can “list” May.
I don’t think he’s going anywhere this year but he won’t be on the Dodger roster next year.
He certainly hasn’t earned a QO and no way does AF offer him a multi year contract with all the pitchers in the system.
Dustin may be one of those tall pitchers who finally figures it out later in his career. That just won’t be with the Dodgers.
May always makes the catcher double pump return throws because he turns away from the plate after pitches to whine.
His confidence looks pretty shaky too. His facial expressions tell it all. When he is going well, he looks like he wants to bite someone’s head off. When he isn’t, he looks to the sky a lot like what the hell is going on. From what I see, he doesn’t trust his stuff, and he is NOT attacking the strike zone.
Bear, he does look shaky and bewildered; for good reason. I think he’s trying to attack the zone but he isn’t capable of doing that with his lack of command. It’s hard to be confident when you don’t know where the damn thing is going.
“It’s hard to be confident when you don’t know where the damn thing is going.”
That’s basically what Cassidy just said.
You’re on a roll today……
And then I have to call in the bullpen to clean up my mess.
And the wife isn’t too happy about it!
That would be short relief
You have a bit of potty mouth today.
And what can your wife do about it?
Depends.
With last night’s 2-run bomb to center, Max Muncy tied Matt Kemp for 7th on the all-time HR list with #203 as a Dodger. He is 8 behind #6 on the list, Steve Garvey. Only 8 players in the long history of the team with 200 or more HRs. Only 2 have more than 300, Snider and Hodges. To show what kind of power Shohei has shown in less than 2 seasons, he is 45th on the all-time list. 3 back of Tommy Davis, just 30 behind Frank Howard who is 28th. If Ohtani were to match last season’s 54, He would pass Corey Seager and tie Chris Taylor and Yasiel Puig for 31st on the list, just 4 behind Dodger legend, Babe Herman.
WOW! Now that’s ace type stuff! Can’t wait for an Ohtani, Yamamoto, Snell and Glasnow October rotation!
Sad news, Dave Parker passed away. RIP 🙏🙏
I will never forget the collision he had at home plate with Steve Yeager. Was brutal to watch. RIP Cobra
Controversial thought:
If Pages had had (hee hee) the same fielding escapades as Teoscar’s had the past two games people on this blog and others would be calling for him to be benched for Kim.
The same could be said about Kike’s throw home with Sal Perez running. He had him dead with any decent throw but he threw it half-way up the backstop.
Are you calling for him to be benched?
I’m giving him more runway.
Not sure the last time I saw Teoscar dive for a ball. His tracking of flyballs on the foul line looks slow as molasses. It appears as if his last two steps he slows down and eases up where if he had maintained his full throttle he could catch some of those balls on the fly
I thought Teo should’ve dove for that ball in the 9th yesterday. Plus he also looks lost at the plate at the moment.
Teos defense in RF has been bad lately. Very bad.
Has cost the Dodgers a handful of runs on that road trip alone.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe Mookie needs to borrow Muncy’s glasses
Teo looks detached. Or maybe like he has a stomach ache.
This whole team looks pathetic. Definitely time to trade everyone and start all over. Fire Doc and Friedman.
Is that you, Scott?
Bobby, then can I have your tickets for Weds night game for 3000?
Come with me and we can buy $40 hot dogs and $25 micheladas!
Freddie got off of the schneid today. Nice to see. Only positive in a blah game. Oh, that and Rojas just allowing 1 hit in a scoreless inning.
Not a good day. Ohtani looked good. Caspo and Garcia were terrible. Outfield defense was sub par. Betts, Ohtani, and Teo 0 for11. Starting to get concerned with Betts. Conforto needs to sit and Kim needs to play more.
The good; Shohei looked fantastic. Hopefully the Dodgers will have him ready for the stretch run and postseaon play in the rotation.. Kim getting two more hits.
The bad: Shohei, Betts and Teo going OFER.
The ugly: Casparius and Garcia. Casparius apparently was under the weather so there is a reason for his bad outing. Garcia ? He will make room as soon as some of the better bullpen arms return.
Win today and it will be a great 5-1 road trip.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
These games will happen. We’ve seen them before, we’ll see them again.
Mookie is no longer the offensive threat he was. This has been a year long thing. Will he get it back? Maybe in spurts, but he’s slugging a career low .385 and is league average OPS. A decent shortstop though. And that’s what people wanted.
I’m heading out on a road trip this morning. On my way to visit an old friend in SE Oklahoma. He’s the old ball coach that turns his own bats. I may turn one myself while there. We will be sitting on his porch talking baseball and watching deer in his meadow. Won’t be seeing any games for a while. I will try to check in now and then.
Enjoy your trip!!
Sounds restful. I’m jealous.
I turned the game off when Rojas came in to pitch. I’ve seen enough of that act. I see we scored 4 in the 9th to make the game look closer than it was.
Nice to see Freddie get 3 knocks including a homer but Lugo shut us down despite his 5 walks. He’s kind of a throwback pitcher with his changing of speeds and sequencing, getting outs without the big fastball.
It looked like Doc was dedicated to seeing that Casparius complete 4 innings, no matter what. I guess I would to if I planned on using Garcia after him.
I don’t see the big fuss in the announcer’s booth with Karros and Nelson making a big deal about Ohtani having to leave the mound and go hit or visa-versa. Didn’t he have to do the same thing for 6 years while a two-way player for the Angels?
So he has to quickly put on his batting armor or take if off to go pitch. Big deal. There’s talk about him moving out of the lead off spot, like that would make a difference in his preparation to hit in the 3rd instead of the 1st? If I’m not mistaken, Will Smith and Dalton Rushing have to do a very similar thing to hit.
Geez where do they come up with these mysterious concerns? Just more talk.
It’s not just talk. Albeit a small sample size Ohtani shows a rare weakness at the plate that the Los Angeles Angels know all too well.
When leading off in games he starts, Ohtani’s numbers are far from stellar. The sample size is small, but a .179/.289/.385 slash line as a leadoff hitter in games he starts is closer to the kind of slash line you’d see from a pitcher hitting from back in the day, not a unicorn like Ohtani.