The Angels demons featuring Nick Adenhart and Tyler Skaggs

My little brother. That's how I feel about the Angels. Ever since I was a little boy, I was going to Angel Stadium. Reggie Jackson, Wally Joyner, Doug Descinces, Chuck Finley, Jim Abbott, Donnie Moore, and Dick Schofield got me started. I was already a Dodger fan by that point. Apologies to Angel fans. I have no father, and so I became a fan of the team I watched in Los Angeles county as a child. I say L.A. County because people will tell me I didn't live in Los Angeles. I don't care, do you care? I digress but feel the need to explain sometimes. I didn't like baseball at all for a while as a child. When I turned to the few channels that were available in 1982 if baseball was on instead of cartoons I was upset! What kid wouldn't be. While I appreciated Don Baylor, Davey Lopes, Dusty Baker, Rick Monday, Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Soscia, Davey Lopes, Dave Stewart and others? When a 6 year old kid gets home from school, he wants cartoons and snacks. Not a baseball game. I'm probably wrong. Most dad's were throwing the ball with their sons. I didn't know what baseball was truly, until I really looked at the Dodger logo on those home whites.

I'm not trying to prove my worthiness or allegiance to either one. Or, maybe I am. I don't know, actually. I'm a true blue Dodger fan. that's my point. I am in no way trying to push myself into a sad story regarding the Angels. I'm just trying to say that I'm sympathetic and empathetic to their loss. The Angels lost another player. Both times seemed like the player was a really good person, that had enormous potential. Nick Adenhart around 10 years ago and now Tyler Skaggs. Nothing else I can say is relevant. 

2019 Dodgers, better than 2017 and 2018?

I haven’t written about the Dodgers in a while. Losing two World Series in a row can be hard on a fan. 2017 was very hard. Not reaching the World Series since 1988 was hard enough. Losing to the Amazing Astros was brutal. Especially game 7. But, I have moved on and embraced the now. Does anyone agree with me that the 2019 Dodger team is the best one yet?

Believing Dave Roberts made a mistake leaving Yu Darvish makes me nervous. He’s an amazing manager. Great with personalities and keeping everyone upbeat. But, he has very little gut feeling in the clutch. Everyone on the planet knew Yu Darvish was going to implode. Darvish even knew it. He admitted he’s lost the passion for baseball. Roberts should not have had him pitch game 7. But, losing his love for baseball Didn’t stop him from milking the Cubs for another 100 million. Roberts should have gone to the bullpen. I digress, so lets move on.

2018 was a great season. The emergence of Walker Buehler and even Julio Urias in the World Series was a great sign for the future. Justin Turner continued his dominance. If the Dodgers win game 7 of the 2017 Series? Turner is going to be ranked up there with Kirk Gibson. If relief pitching doesn’t give up runs late in a game? Turner’s home runs are legend. I can still view him that way. Bellinger’s year in 2018 was not as great as his rookie season. Still great because of his multiple position defensive prowess! I don’t remember another gold glove defender at first and multiple outfield positions as well. Although I worry about his health, he’s more valuable in the outfield. With Bellinger and the re-emergence of Matt Kemp, the Dodgers were able to again win the pennant and advance to the World Series. But, once again they lost to a better team. The Boston Red Sox were dominant, and the Dodger bats went cold. Dodger pitching was solid foe the most part. But, key miscues by Roberts I believe cost them key games. Giving the Red Sox momentum during pivotal points. Taking Rich Hill out too early, and leaving Kershaw in too long. It seemed like every decision Alex Cora made was the right one. It seemed meant to be. After Rich Hill only gave up one run in 6+ innings, every Dodger reliever gave up at least one earned run. While Red Sox pitchers stepped up.

I stayed quiet and didn’t write about my Dodgers the entire season. Feeling as though I would jinx them. Of all teams for the Dodgers to lose to. The Boston Red Sox? I picture the Dodgers making the World Series again in 2019. Who do I see them playing? The fucking Yankees. Yes, I said it. Think about it. What could be a worse punishment than losing a 3rd World Series in a row? Losing it to the New York Yankees.

The 2019 Dodgers in my opinion are better than the 2017 and 2018 Dodgers. With the emergence of Cody Bellinger as an MVP type player. The continued greatness of Justin Turner. As well as unexpected success for many other offensive players. Max Muncy has become an every day player. While rookie Alex Verdugo is batting .300 and just had a walk off homer yesterday. Rookie Matt Beaty has also emerged and hit a walk off home run two days ago. Another rookie that I have been impressed by is catcher Will Smith. He’s very savvy at the plate and by the way. Will Smith hit a walk off home run today. That is three walk off homers, three games in a row. By rookies!

Before I mention the 2019 Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff, let me talk about Corey Seager. Having Seager return has been like adding a free agent at no additional cost. Last season Manny Machado cane to the Dodgers through trade and played very well at short stop. I agree with the Dodgers not giving Machado 300 million over 10 years like the San Diego Padres did. He’s a very good player, but great? 300 million over 10 years? Seager started off slow but was hitting .278 in 66 games with 8 home runs and again playing solid short stop. I waited so long to mention Seager because I wanted to point out a glaring issue currently with the Dodgers, and baseball. 162 games? The season is too long. Seager missed all of the 2018 season. He should have been given some time off before his injury. Give these guys like 2 weeks off during the season. An example of a guy I would give some time off to right now? Let’s discuss the 2019 Dodger pitching staff.

Hyun Jin Ryu. He’s been amazing this year. But, he’s also human. He needs some time off. Giving him from two weeks to a month off right now I believe would help him in September and October. I’d hate to see him tire out or lose his durability late in the season because of fatigue. Julio Urias could step in for him even with Rich Hill on the injured list. I believe Matt Kemp would have continued his all-star caliber play had he been given at least a two week break around early August in 2018. I’m probably just being paranoid. These guys have been maintaining this regimen for years as professionals. In addition to Ryu, Hill, and Urias? Kershaw seems to have adjusted to becoming human after years of elite pitching in the regular season. He still has an era under 3 as always. While he’s not the best pitcher on the Dodgers. He’s currently 7-1 with a 2.85 era. Ryu is 9-1 with a 1.27 era. Walker Buehler is right behind Kershaw with a meager 2.95 era and is 8-1. While the one area I believe the Dodgers need someone is relief pitching. Kenley Jansen has bounced back from a heart condition that he had surgery for. One more dominant arm in the pen would be a welcome addition. Even without any trades, I will feel confident in my Dodgers.

I’m not trying to curse my Dodgers by discussing injuries or by mentioning the Yankees. I hope they can make it to the playoffs as the number one seed and cruise through the playoffs as well as the World Series. I’d be happy with a sweep with no competition at all. It would make it easier for my Dodger anxiety. They might not even make it. They could flame out and not even make the playoffs. No matter what happens, this Dodger team is better than any previous one I can remember. Yes, even better than the 2017 and 2018 World Series teams. I’m going to enjoy the moment. Hopefully I’ll also avoid bitterness.

Lonzo

Playing point guard in the NBA is a lost art. Very few can play the position and truly impact the game in a way the position was designed. So many great point guards, yet most are not embracing the role. Instead, point guards like Russell Westbrook chase away guys like Kevin Durant because they want to be more than a point guard. 

Lonzo Ball is one of those players I believe plays the game the way it was meant to be. Giving up stats is not the way of the current NBA player. While Lonzo does complicate his life by repping his brand. He will also sacrifice points for an assist. That is unheard of in todays NBA. Coincidentally, his teammate Lebron James is also an overachiever in team basketball. 

As a child I was a huge Magic Johnson fan. Since his retirement, I’ve been underwhelmed with the fleet of point guards since. Yes, there have been some good ones. But, has there been a great one? Steve Nash? Jason Kidd? I believe Lonzo has the potential. But, will he ever come close to even Steve Nash and Jason Kidd? And, can he do it for the Lakers? 

I don’t question Lonzo Ball’s game. I question Lonzo Ball’s determination.