November 9, 2018
I will return to Trump World in my next attempt — but I had to comment on the Boys in Blue before I did so…
As my readers know, I bleed Dodger Blue — and after 28 years of anticipation — I suppose I should feel like someone left me at the altar. But I don\’t. I\’m actually rather happy that they lost!
Before anyone stops reading, and thinks that I\’m a closet Giants fan — please hear me out…
The Dodgers are a very good baseball team — but there is definitely room-for- improvement! The fact that they had so much success this year is largely due to the National League\’s mediocre pitching — whereas the Dodgers are pitching rich! But now to that room-for-improvement:
The Dodgers can\’t play small ball! They can\’t manufacture runs!! My friends argue with me that small ball is a thing of the past: I vehemently disagree. I believe that a championship team has to have the long ball AND be able to cash in when there are runners in scoring position.
The Dodgers haven\’t been able to bring runners in scoring position to-the-plate for a very long time now. I complained about Mark McGwire a-few-years-back and I complained about Turner Ward the-season-before-last. I was honestly surprised to see him in a Dodger uniform this year — despite the fact that Yasiel Puig was kissing-on-him. And I have just learned that the assistant batting coach, Tim Hyers, has moved on to Boston — leaving a vacancy (I wish that it were 2 vacancies). My fervent hope is that the new assistant batting coach can address some of the nuances of the game that seem to elude many of the Dodgers:
I believe that every single Dodger should be able to lay down a perfect bunt AND be able to go with the pitch (instead of swinging for the seats all-the-time).
But I haven\’t yet addressed why I\’m happy with the Dodgers\’ World Series loss…
I believe that if the Dodgers had won this year — with all those youngsters on the team — that they would have been ONE AND DONE. They never would have made the necessary and sufficient adjustments to get back to the Biggest Dance. They would have partied themselves into oblivion and ridden the next 2-3 seasons on their laurels. Now they\’ve got to get hungry again! Now, they may smooth out those rough edges that will make them dominant for the next 3 years at least, and, perhaps capture 2 titles in the process!
Things that Andrew Friedman better take into account:
- Dave Roberts still makes errors pulling pitchers too soon or not pulling them soon enough.
- Cody Bellinger has to be able to adjust his swing.
- Corey Seager doesn\’t have to swing at the first pitch.
- Joc Pederson has to bat more than his weight.
- The Red Dream needs more rest to finish a season strong.
- P-u-i-g should not admire his work.
- Kershaw needs some psycho-therapy to get his post-season \”head\”- on-straight.
- Rich Hill gotta do some \’roids\’ to go beyond 4 innings.
- Put Maeda in the bullpen permanently.
- Put some faith in Alex Wood.
- And would someone please tell us what is going on with Gonzo?!
I feel that the Dodgers can part ways with: Baez; Fields; Utley; Ethier; Ryu; Granderson; Yu; and, Turner Ward (sorry, I\’m sure he\’s a nice guy — but nice guys finish second or last).
We also have to \”feel\” for the city of Houston — that this may rightfully have been the Astros year to pick up a city in need (and not fulfill a prophecy). I, for one, am very happy that Verlander skipped the parade to marry Kate Upton. Could this buy his ticket to L.A.!?
The latter scenario makes for a great Hollywood Story! The 30th year anniversary and Kate Upton in the mix! Go Blue!!