Would You Bet on Andruw Jones

With all the players the Dodgers have brought into the Organization over the last couple of years, they have players with great resumes to make decisions on. Andruw Jones happens to be on of them. If you were ever going to have a nightmare as a player, Andruw Jones went through one last season. Everything went wrong on the baseball field and when you play in a big media market like Los Angeles, there is no sympathy. Andruw Jones has always been one of the leagues best players and just became ineffective and not good fast.

Sometimes that is the guy you bet on because he has so much to prove. When you're a big free agent you want everyone to know you are worth the price of admission and you can put so much pressure on yourself that you try to hard and nothing goes right. If they put Andruw Jones back in the lineup will the real Andruw Show up? Do you give him a chance in spring training or trade him if you can. Based on his resume I would give him a chance in spring training to see if he is back to the great players the Dodgers paid 36 million for. To have Anduw Jones in full form and to sign Manny Ramirez that could be a great three four punch in the line up or a great four five punch in the lineup. If you ever wonder what the winter meeting are about these are the major decision that the organization leaders have to make preparing for 2009.

Mike Davis

Is It About the Money...

As a fan of the game of baseball and a former player there are many out there that think that players are so greedy. When we have so many people in the world that are going through hard times and the TOP ball players taking home monopoly money in a down economy.

Let me ask you what would you do when your value has peaked and everyone wants a piece of you? You have excel to the top of your craft and your craft wants to reward you? What would you do. If and organization comes to you and says we want you to work for us, in exchange for your services this is what we want to do for you. Now you hear what they want to do for you and you are blown away. Do you turn it down? do you say I'm not worth all of that... or do you let them bless you so that you can secure your family and bless others down the road?

Mark Teixeira is at the top of his game in baseball, the only people making more money than the top free agents you see in the papers everyday are the CEO, entertainers and Hedge Fund Managers who try to fly under the radar so the world won't take notice.

The fact that an organization is offering Mark Teixeira monopoly money show his value to them. They believe he is worth the price of admission. When the price of admission goes up... don't complain... just buy a hotdog and enjoy the game.

Mike Davis

To Be a Switch Hitting Free Agent with Great Hands

Mark Teixeira happens to be hotter than Manny Ramirez right now. To be a switch hitting free agent who can hit for power plus having every major league team wanting to add you to there roster for a kings ransom has to be nice. This guy can do it all, great hands on defense and a bat that is so potent that they talk about it in both leagues... and the kind of teammate that everyone wants. His value is sky high!

Teixeira is and outstanding player... He stands above all the rest and is about to be paid for his performance in a great way. The Boston Redsox have been out bid for his services. How does that happen? Ever since He came out of college he has been turning heads. The Man that scouted Teixeira should be giving what ever he wants because this guy is special beyond measure. Even when you spell his name right it looks wrong but in the game of baseball everything that Mark Teixeira does it right.

Mike Davis

La Harba Win CIF SS Title Over Tustin

What a great first half for the Tustin Tillers as they battle La Habra High School and held them to a 14 point in the first half. My nephew Anthony Wilkerson did his thing and fought hard for 204 yards in a losing effort. He really showed me something in the kind of character he has as an athete.
Sometimes you go into battle and you are over matched and out numbered. That wasn't the case between the La Habra Highlanders and the Tustin Tillers on Saturday afternoon at Anaheim Stadium. Yes, when you look at the bench of La Habra they had 2 and a half players to every one player the Tillers had. And yes they were the returning Champs from last year. The Tillers played them well but ran out of gas with there top athletes playing both sides of the ball. That was all La Habra needed to open up a couple of holes for Hillman Who is awesome! Look out for this guy next season because he is an impact player. Look for the Tillers to go all the way next year.
The thing that was really strange was to watch the Tiller not try to put point on the board in the last quarter. They had the ball with 6minutes to play and didn't put the ball in the air or do anything out of the ordinary. It was BORING AND STUPID especially when you were still in the game. I mean the Tillers haven't won a Championship in 60 years, and then to get to the big game and Manage it like you're scared; doesn't make any sense to me. It's been 12 years since they have played in a championship game why not try to win?? Yes they had a great season... but its not over getting to the big name. The coach let the team down by not trying to win the game. Maybe he saw something the other 8000 people at Anaheim Stadium missed; I don't know, but it was a sad finish to a great season for the Tustin Tillers. Next year we raise our standards and run through the tape to the end.

Mike Davis

Yankee's Get Sabathia for $161M

Congratulations to CC Sabathia! Who signs the riches contract for a pitcher in the history of baseball. 161 Million dollars is a lot of money and the going rate for one of the top pitchers in the league. A lot of you out there reading this blog might be thinking… “That is ridiculous”
How can you pay one player that kind of money? Listen up, you can do it yourselves… all CC Sabathia did was excel at his craft. He was OUTSTANDING and when you are OUTSTANDING, when you stand out above all the rest… you get all the rewards. You see it in sports all the time. Why do we know David Beckham? Wrong answer: (the movie Bend it Like Beckham) David Beckham excelled in soccer, he was OUTSTANDING he stood out above all the rest… how did they reward him? With one of the richest contracts in the history of Soccer! Brought him to LA, promised him movie deals and a number of other endorsement. Why because he was OUTSTANDING! Another example: Michael Phelps 8 Olympic Gold Medals. Michael Phelps is an American Hero why? 8 Olympic gold Medals he was OUTSTANDING he stood above everyone in the sport of swimming for two straight weeks and excelled at his craft above everyone in the history of the sport. Was he rewarded for it? In a huge way!
Congratulations! Again to CC Sabathia, not because of the huge contract but if you ever sat down with this guy he is an awesome person, the kind of guy you wish the very best for, he gives back to the community and is just a special person. The Yankee’s received a true diamond that will impact the team, the community and their bottom line of winning. CC displays the Spirit of a Champion I wish the Dodgers could have made a play for him but if we can get Manny… lookout for Big Blue.

Mike Davis

FOOTBALL FINALS ANAHEIM STADIUM for Tustin High

You're probably wondering why is this guy writing about High School Football? Well it's my opportunity to brag about my nephew Anthony Wilkerson. Anthony is a junior at Tustin High, 5'11'' 210 lb GPA 3.8 the majors are looking at him as a junior USC, UCLA, STANFORD etc... Plus the Tustin Tillers is going to the CIF Finals at Anaheim Stadium for the first time in 12 years. My nephew has played a major part in the success of the Tustin Tillers. They have a great team this year. To be playing in the CIF finals is testament to the hard work all the players have put in.

Anthony Wilkerson has scored thirty-five touchdown this year... the last game I saw him play he scored five touchdown. As a former professional player myself I have played against some great NFL Stars. My nephew impressed me so much the last time I watched him play, I told him after the game: " you are exciting, you remind me of Marcus Allen the way you run through that line." Do you know what he told me??

Who is Marcus Allen... Who is Marcus Allen... only another Hall of Famer with great NFL numbers who made a big mark on the game of football when the Raiders were the Raiders and the class of the league. This tells me I'm getting older. I have to remember that my nephew is only 16 years old. Orange County Varsity dot com they keep you up to speed on what all the high school players are doing in Orange County. The Game coming up this Saturday afternoon at Anaheim Staduim is something that all the players and their families, the cheerleaders and their families will remember the rest of their lives. The Spirit of a Champion will be a part of every player and student that has been apart of this journey from start to finish, With the right mindset they will be able to accomplish anything. Nephew, do your Thang on Saturday, you have won already... and remember:

good better best,

never let it rest,

until the good get's better,

and the better become the best....

go Tillers!!

Mike Davis

Tiller Football against Canyon: http://shmyl.com/esrgton

Ricky Henderson Time to Join The Hall of Fame

As yahoo sports broaches the subject of Ricky Henderson being top on the list of first time ballot Hall of Famers. You can't forget he wore the Dodgers Blues as well. I believe he was 85 years old and hit a home run in his first at bat... I'm kidding with you because Ricky is my age I was so impressed with what great shape he was in to perform in his mid-forties. He appeared to have the same body that he broke into the league 25 plus years ago. We played in Oakland together when billy Martin was the Manager. I remember it so well because I was the forth outfielder in the best outfield in baseball, which meant I never played. Ricky added so much flair to the game of baseball, his great speed made running glamorous and changed the way that pitchers and catchers managed the game. I Hit behind Ricky Henderson in Oakland when I finally did get a chance to play and when you have a player of his talent on base, you get better pitches to hit. That is the reason I couldn't understand the fuss that Jeff Kent was making when they said he got better because of Manny Ramirez. Jeff is a great player but when you put the right people around the right people everybody benefits. I was a lucky man in my baseball career. When I look back and see the field of future Hall of Famers, five or six where team mates of mine and the rest of the field we had great battles against one another. Looking back to the great players that ran between the white lines to compete... though memories are priceless. Of though great players Ricky Henderson Stands out in a crowd with the true Spirit of a Champion. Congratulation Ricky to you and your family you deserve God's best.

Mike Davis

MLB on Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

Game for Manny Ramirez 75 Million Buy In

The yahoo sports video is saying to win the hand of Manny Ramirez, you have to come correct. We have a high stakes poker game... to get Manny you have to go all in at 75 Million three years. MAN!! that's a lot of money. The truth is it may go higher than that, with the teams that have a need for an instant impact player, and a need to win right now. Manny knows he is in a high stakes game and each day his value goes up. What an awesome position to be in. YOu have heard it said: " baseball has been very very good to me" well Manny has been crowned The King of LA, if the Dodgers are lucky enough to get his services for another three years. Did you hear what I said? Lucky enough to get his services at 75 million... WOW!!

There will be a number of team in the running; bidding for Manny Ramirez, believe me the red carpet is coming out and only the elite owners can play. Frank Mccourt has his poker face hasn't blinked... this is it... do you believe in this hand?... all you have to say is... I'M ALL IN.


In the high stakes game not every owner can play... the best of the West against the best of the East.


Who wants a Championship team? Who is willing to pay for a Winner based off of last years performance? This is just the prelude to the WINTER MEETINGS... get your popcorn ready, it will be exciting.


Mike Davis

Tommy Goes Big in the Wine Business

Why hasn't this happened before now. The Great Tommy Lasorda and his love of the finer things in life and the Dodgers... now has his own wine and I heard it from his own mouth, Italian wine. As much as Tommy loves Italian foods, this is like a marriage made in heaven, like peas in a pod, like Abbot and Costello, Burns and Gracie.

Tommy is now in his 80's and looking good as ever, I had a chance to sit down with during the excitement of this last season and he still The Spirit of a Champion burning inside. Doesn't move quite as fast but he can still move people with the way that he delivers a speech. I will make sure a get a case of Lasorda Wine just for the memories... this is a grand way for Tommy to retire in the vineyard and in peace... Beautiful.

Mike Davis

There's a Winner in You

This has been on my mind since this past Friday. When I blogged about the young lady on the show STYLISHA named Danielle, who was an overweight fashion diva with great style. I talked about how she lost her confidence when she had to pick out an outfit she felt didn’t compliment her body type. The energy for style and fashion she brought to the drawing board left her as her confidence waned.
Well this past Friday I was in an insurance meeting that was being ran by a man of large proportions. This man had to be 350- 450 lb. didn’t have the brightest smile in the room but was very engaging. The presents he possessed and the confidence that came from his person made you want to drink the coolade he was serving and hear everything he was saying. He was full of life, he was full of love and he truly cared about your needs and how he could help you. This man was very attractive because of what was in him... a CHAMPION! What he had was contagious and whatever he was selling you wanted it. He is a true champion, a winner.
I wanted to share that with you because so many people look at what is going on around them and let the circumstances dictate the way they approach their day and the way they treat people. When you have a spirit of gratefulness, when you are grateful for the many blessing we truly have. If you have a spiritual relationship with you maker and can enter into His rest. That joy comes forth and is intoxicating and attractive. We should all become the best we can be with what God has blessed up with. The Spirit of a Champion brings that out of you where you radiate confidence in who you are. There is a Winner in you.
Martin Luther King once said: “ If I can help someone as I past along… If I can cheer someone with a word or a song… If I can show someone he is traveling wrong… Then my living would not be in vain. That is in my spirit and a truth I try to live by.

Mike Davis

Champions of the Round Table

Whether you play sports or work at El Pollo Loco you can be a champion. The way that you see yourself means so much to the way that the world sees you. The show Stylista was playing on the TV in the background and there was this oversize stylist named Danielle, who was having a tough time with her outfits of choice. I wouldn’t call her overweight; but she was 4 or 5 inches too short for her size. Her beauty was in her confidence, which was engaging and stylish… but when her confidence went, she wasn’t the same person. Her view of life changed and what she gave out changed, and everyone around her could feel it.
You see, we give out energy that is received or repelled based off of what is happening on the inside of us. That is the reason why you have to tap into the Spirit of a Champion and pump yourself up to stir up the gift. The Spirit of a Champion takes you to a place of confidence where you know you can conquer the world and that’s what a winner does. There is no quitting in you until you reach your goal and if you lose your confidence, which we all do from time to time, just remember to stir up the gift, the Spirit of a Champion, and get back to the Champion within you.
Mike Davis

One More Year For Manny

Mr. McCourt is ready to go the distance with Manny Ramirez, by extending the contract offer another year. Which would put his contract around 74 million for three years... Man that's a lot of money. I've had a few responses that said how much is enough? Why wouldn't he just take the first deal the Dodgers gave him... player are so greedy, the rest of the world is hurting and these spoiled players turn down 45 million while the country is broke.
The truth is over 3 trillion dollars passes through the federal reserve every day. Those stats may be changing today but as of a couple of month ago 3 trillion everyday. With that being said ball player only get paid their market value. What that says about Manny is that as of today he is the cream of the crop among free agents and everyone can use a player of his caliber. The real problem when it comes to money... is the team owners. I don't think any player ever expected the game would pay the kind of money that they are being paid. But who in their right mind would tell the team that is bidding for them no that's to much... you might think it but you want to see how far they will go. We all heard Manny's quote: " gas is up so am I". You can't be mad at him.

Mike Davis

To Compete in 2009 the Dodgers NEED Ramirez and Peavy

Ned Colletti is very impressive as he tries to bring a winner back to LA. It will take a lot of money to get Manny Ramirez signed. The impact that Manny had on the city of Los Angeles has been recognized by Ned Colletti and the Dodgers ownership. I’ve always said that winning is better than losing every day of the week. When you win, you have a better attitude and your food tastes better. The Dodger got a good taste of winning in 2008 and created a buzz that hasn’t been felt in twenty years. No matter what Ned Colletti does, it all starts with Manny Ramirez. If the Dodgers can sign him, then make a deal to bring Jake Peavy to Los Angeles; the excitement will start the very first day they start spring training in their new camp in Glendale, AZ. Manny and Jake are two big impact players that can go the distance and deliver a winner. Remember you heard it here first, if the Dodgers are able to sign Manny Ramirez, and then add Jake Peavy to the rotation they will content for the title next year. You can take that to the bank.
Mike Davis

Back the Truck Up For Manny

I am truly impressed with the Dodgers efforts to get Manny Ramirez under Contract. Forty-five million two year deal out the Gate… I love it!! The problem is Scott Boris Manny’s agent didn’t. Boris is looking for someone to back the truck up for Manny. Yes, Manny is the hottest offensive player in baseball. The way that he performed in the playoffs puts him a step above all the other offensive players in the league. You take that and add it to the last two months of the regular season for the Dodgers and someone will back a truck up for Manny.
Manny Ramirez has two world championship rings and is coming off a 160 million dollar contract. So he doesn’t need any money. He doesn’t need to win a championship, as a matter of fact he has accomplished everything in the game you can accomplish as a player. His value is his ability to take others to the Fall Classics. At this stage of his game Manny can sit back and see who want his talents. So far the Dodgers are making the biggest push.
Mike Davis

WE Have a New President

We Have a New President….
The big day is finally heard, the votes are coming in rapidly and the country is beside itself. Who will be the next president of the United States…? It will be either John McCain or Barack Obama…. It’s amazing to me the thing that people say in politics to get there point across. Every reason why John McCain is the right man for the Job, Obama supporters why we need change and Barack Obama is the right man for the Job. John McCain is too old; Barack Obama is going to take us into socialism as a country. ENOUGH!!! Stop already… as the votes are being tallied up and the people run to the polls; whoever wins will be the next president. Having a choice is awesome and the right to vote is a privilege, you get to choose who you want and make your own decision.
The election is so much like team play and organizational togetherness. Without the team, each of these men could not get it done. Whoever God allows to be the next president of these Untied States, we as a country should be praying for them and holding up their arms as our representative. The unity that you see in team games is still missing in the fabric of our country. If you only knew how transparent teammates get when you win together, this could change our country. Remember, you get so much more done as a team than you will ever get done by yourself.

It's so Important, that the politicians use the hot athletes like... World Champion Phillies Jimmy Rollins !! the day before the election to have a big impact in Pennsylvania for their candidate.

So live your life to give it away in doing so you easy the burden of others to pass it forward.
Mike Davis

The Winter Meeting Take Center Stage

With the baseball season over and the final two teams getting a much needed rest, all attention goes to player acquisition and transactions. As all the teams work hard to rebuild for the 2009 season, decisions have to be made on who goes and who stays. Most teams will be trying to sign their impact players if they aren’t already signed and they will be trying to dump salaries also of players that didn’t perform to their expectation. A lot of action happening this time of the year in baseball.
Managers being hired and fired, trades being made, and deals that lead to the climax of… the winter meeting! The winter meetings are designed to get people excited about baseball before the start of spring training. The block buster deals… who will get Manny Ramirez… will the Dodgers sign Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciaparra… will someone let Barry Bonds play this year… What are the Brewers going to pay CC Sabathia? Then the block buster of them all... who gets Jake Peavy? This is why we have baseball fans; this is what a baseball conversation is all about with your unique opinion added.
As we exhale from a long grueling season take in a little basketball and football then get ready for the winter meetings.

Mike Davis

WORLD CHAMPION PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

World Champion Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are Champions of the World! Congratulation to the Phillies and the City of Philadelphia. It has been a long time coming and the Phillies finished with flair. It should have been over a couple of days ago but you didn’t let that discourage you. You stayed focus on the task at hand and now stand king of the mountain, Champions of the World. It all came together at the right time and now you get to enjoy the fruits of victory. Enjoy your parade tomorrow and suck it all in, these moments are rare. The last time the city of Philadelphia got to celebrate like this was when Mike Schmitz was the man. Because of those days Mike Schmitz is still the man.
It was only a matter of time before Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins and Case Utley were going to contribute and the other team didn’t take advantage of it. The Phillies had players Shane Victorino stepped up in a big way to make up the void. Again Congratulation and enjoy the spoils.
Mike Davis

Phillies Go Up 2 Games to 1

After a ninety minute rain delay the Phillies and the Rays played some great baseball. I told myself I wouldn’t be interested in this series because of the teams in the series; but WOW! This has been fun.
Who would have thought that anyone would have wanted to watch this series… this has been great baseball. These teams are in a battle and matched up well. When you have a rain delay you don’t know what kind of game will follow because of the conditions of a wet field. The grounds crew did a great job to have the field in top condition after the long delay. With back to back homerun by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard the Phillies seemed to be in command of the game. All year lone the Rays have come from behind and they continued to not give up, as the rain delay took the game into Sunday morning. The Rays tied the game up in the 8th . With an infield single and two stolen bases by BJ Upton. With the bases loaded and no out in the ninth… a BLEEDER properly placed wins the game for the Phillies and puts the Phillies up 2 games to 1.
I wasn’t planning on watching this series; it has turned out to be quite interesting even if the Dodgers aren’t playing in it.Mike Davis

The Fall Classics Begin

The fall Classics begin tonight. The Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies…. The last two teams standing after a long grueling season. The battle that no one wants to see with the exception of the Rays fans and the Phillies fans. Let me say it for you… BORING!!!
This series can’t get my attention; there is nothing to get excited about. Yes the Rays went from the worth team in the league a year ago to the best team. And yes, they have some great young players, but give me a break who wants to see the Rays vs. Phillies…. Not me.
I love baseball just as much as the next guy; I’m not going out of my way to watch this small market baseball. Mark my words this series will have the lowest ratings in history. Both of these teams should be proud of themselves for their accomplishments this is the reason we play the game … they have had an awesome years. The unity they have experienced this season will be with them the rest of their lives, my only issue with this series is…. There were so many possibilities of capturing all baseball fans with the Cubs vs. anyone... in their hundred year drought. The Dodgers vs. Boston would have been awesome built around Manny Ramirez. The Angels vs. Dodgers for king of the city. Plus so many other combinations; we get the Rays vs. Phillies, to me this is a letdown for everybody except the Rays fans and Phillies fans. Congratulations to Tampa Bay and Philadelphia I hope you all enjoy the World Series it has been a long year and I’m going to the gym.
Mike Davis

The Quiet Before the Storm

The Quiet before the Storm
As Construction rears its head at Dodger stadium we still have plenty unanswered questions. The number one question for all Dodger fans; are we bringing Manny Ramirez back next season? My bet is Manny Ramirez will be a Met or a Yankee. More likely a Yankee just to be able to go back to Boston for the rivalry between the two organizations. The New York Yankee will be opening up in their new stadium and they will want to put a product on the field that will be ready to win immediately. It will take a boat load of money to sign Manny with the kind of season that he put together he is in the driver’s seat. There are only a couple of markets that can afford to carry a player of his magnitude and New York and Los Angeles are it. Manny Lives in New York and at this stage of the game it will play in his decision making. What will the Dodgers do with Jeff Kent? Will he retire? Does he have another Year is Dewitt ready to step in as an everyday player. How about Nomar Garciaparra will he retire? There is something to be said about having experienced player on your team.
Playing in the A’s and Dodgers organizations the one thing I learned was they added young players to their line up each year if they were ready, this kept the flow of talent coming and the team chemistry balanced. Both the Athletics and the Dodgers had consecutive rookie of the year players. The Question is are the Dodgers ready to put their young player out there every day? Can the team compete without the superstars?Leftside

Manny Ramirez' Dodgers vs. Boston Red sox...

Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers vs. Boston Red sox ….
I want to congratulate the Dodgers on the thrills you’ve given me this year. We have had a lot of ups and downs in your race to the title but in the end you made it exciting for everyone. It has been great reminiscing on all the feeling of being in a pennant race and how a team came together with everyone pulling on the same side of the rope. The joy and excitement of reaching your goals and the whole city bubbling over because they were a part of it all.
I wanted the 2008 Dodgers to have the same experience and the city was ready after twenty years. One couldn’t help but think of a series between Manny Ramirez’ Dodgers vs. the Boston Red sox. That is the stuff movies are made of. The game everyone wanted to see will never happen, but it truly was something to look forward too. As the Dodgers clean out their lockers and head home for the winter the team and the stadium will be having a makeover.
The Dodgers have a lot to look forward to in the new season. They have developed a great crew of young talent that will be around a long time. Major decisions must be made on their free agents and nobody knows what this team is capable of without Manny. It had been a great year for the Western Division Champion Dodgers. Hold you head high you guys.
Leftside

I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up….
It hurts so much that I can’t shake it, the loss to the Phillies yesterday in game four will be hard to let go. You have so much of yourself invested in the game mentally that you put everything on the line in playoff baseball. You’re so high when things are in your favor the brain releases endorphins that lather you with a satisfaction and a new fight. When things turn against you, you fight to stay positive and believing you will overcome whatever obstacle you are faced with…. The Dodgers battled last night… they fought a good fight…. They threw some big blows… The Dodgers did enough to finish the Philadelphia Phillies off. They didn’t quit! They wouldn’t give up! The Phillies tried to steal our mojo… the tried to rob us of the spirit of a champion.
The Phillies out lasted us in fighting for dominance's in the National League and won game four. To get to the Fall Classic from this point will take a miracle. When you put it all on the line like the Dodgers did last night, and that bubble bursts… so much goes out of you that it’s very difficult to understand what you lose, the energy that leaves your body in disappointment is picked up by your opponents in confidence and momentum and focus.
It doesn’t look good for the Dodgers; very few teams have come back from a 3 games to 1 deficit. It could happen, but the team will have to let go of last night’s lost and that will be hard.

Joe Torre has been through this a couple of times; he has been on the team that lost a 3 game lead. He will be able to share his experience with the Dodgers. Manny Ramirez has been on a team that has come back from the elimination game and won the World Series, he will be able to share that with the Dodgers. Emotions are high when you come this far, the Dodgers have no choice but to regroup, for tomorrow is not promised to them. To get it done will require the spirit of a champion.
Leftside

Home Cooking is a Good Thing for Dodgers

Great to be home with the Dodgers faithful fans. The collective energy from the fans makes its way down to the field like a toxic elixir. and the Dodgers were drinking it all up. Being at home proved to be the thing the Dodgers needed to start their engine again. Manny picked up where he left off smashing baseballs in every at bat, this time he had some help with big hits from Dewitt and Rafael Fural. Hirroki Kuroda, pitched a brilliant game to slow up the Phillies and get to within one game of tying up the series. You are so close to the end for one of these teams that the tensions are running high. The team that wants it the most or the team that make the least amount of mistake at this stage of the game will win. This has been a long season and nobody wants to go home at this point, but the cream will rise to the top when it counts and we are in Dodgers County. "Get her done!" Men in Blue.

Leftside

Down Two and a Day to Regroup

It's good getting home for the Dodgers when you have played well on the road and things don't go your way. We haven't won this year in Philadelphia and The Phillies haven't won this year in LA. The Dodgers need to have a good home stand and keep the pattern going. Then break serve in Philadelphia to extend the series.

The pressure is on the Dodger to win on this home stand, this is what playoff baseball is all about and with the possibility of only two more games to play, winning is your only option. The fan support at Dodger Stadium will give the Dodgers a little edge like the white hankies did for the Phillies. Joe Torre will give the team what they need with their backs against the wall. Manny Ramirez is truly in top form, we need a couple others guys to step up and we are right there. When you reflect back on the games in Philadelphia which each players does. They replay every aspect of the game to see what when wrong. Every pitch thrown and every pitch swung at, peparing for adjustments that you have to make for the next start. Everybody watches films today to educate you on what to expect. You still have to get it done on the field of play. With the Dodgers down two games to none, they need a sense of urgency this home stand.

Leftside

Game One Goes to Phillies

One mistake and the Phillies win game one. Things were going well for the Dodgers as they started the sixth inning. Derek Lowe was rolling along with the game under control with the exception of one bad pitch. That one pitch cost the Dodgers the game. Chase Utley swinging first pitch hit a fastball into the right field seats to tie the game at two. Pat Burrell followed to give the Phillies the lead and Dodgers go down in game one. This is playoff baseball and at the top levels the good hitter try not to miss a pitchers mistakes. Utley and Burrell didn't miss. When the Dodgers came up in the bottom of the ninth, down by one run, I couldn't help but think back to the 1988 World Series heroics of Kirk Gibson. But this wasn't the World Series and the game wasn't in LA.

leftside

Race to the Title Begins

This has been a great run for the Dodgers with a lot to Celebrate as they begin the last the leg to the Fall Classics. The greatest pressure in all of baseball isn't playing in the World Series; it is getting to the World Series. The Dodgers and every other team who started spring training back in February each set out with a goal of playing baseball in October. On October 8 there are four teams that are still standing, two teams from the National league and two from the American league.

These teams have battle there ways through a long and grueling regular season; they have overcome injuries and set backs, doubt and fears to be one of the final four still standing. This is a long way from February with 35 spring training games 162 regular season games 3 NLDS game and 600 at bat under belts. Bodies fatigued mentally and physically but still driving forward. What pushes these guys after such a long journey? Why do they ignore the pain and press on? How come they don't sleep much and wake up with youthful energy? What drives players after such a long journey?

To be called the Champions of the World and wear the ring of honor, for a job well done is a priceless accomplishment. Some of the best players in the world have played their whole career and never stood on top of the mountain as Champions. All the hard work you have put in; 175 games to get here and finish the best of the best. The spirit of a Champion, the thrill of accomplishment to set out and reach your goals; the only word for it is PRICELESS!

The Dodgers begin their quest, their battle, and their fight to stand on top of the mountain champions and represent Los Angeles in the 2008 World Series. This team has jelled at the right time, the combination of youth and experience has created a great balance to give them a great chance to be recognized as Champions of the world and this is why they continue to fight and battle to the end!

Leftside

The Stage Is Set Dodgers Phillies

The NLCS is set with the Dodgers vs. Phillies and the Rays vs. Red Sox. The hopes of an LA series have faded away with the Angels shortstop failing to execute a squeeze play. Fundamental baseball is so important especially when there is no tomorrow because every play is magnified a 100 times. Eric Aybar will be replaying the missed squeeze all winter long looking to avenge himself in the new season.

But this is a Dodgers blog with the championship series starting is a couple of days the Dodgers have their hands full. The season series was split between the Phillies and the Dodgers with both teams winning all their games at home. Who is going to the World Series? It will be a dog fight to the end. If I was a betting man, the game that the world wants to see is Boston vs. LA; Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez, bringing their battle with the Red Sox to the West Coast.

Leftside

Dodgers Sweep Cubs Headed to NLCS

Not since the 1988 Championship team has the team been this close to representing the National League in the World Series. The excitement at Dodger Stadium is explosive! The champagne in flowing. People are celebrating all over LA but the job isn't finished yet.

It was so good to see the Dodger players celebrating with the fans. The players being so proud of the support they have received all year and the fans in return being so proud of their team. You can look back to how far the Dodgers have come this season, the obstacles they had to endure and now to be one series away from the fall classics. So many scenarios could play out at this point, maybe a LA series with the Angels. Maybe we get the meet the Boston Red Sox and have Manny Ramirez face off against his old team. That would be awesome!! Before we can even go down that path we have to finish the job. Finishing is one of the hardest things in baseball, you are so close to achieving your goal but you can't lose focus now. That is what a spirit of a champion is all about. Enjoy your victory; celebrate your accomplishment today, for tomorrow we start a new battle with another opponent standing in the way of our place in history. A Champion will not be denied, go Dodgers!

Leftside

Two Games Up and Coming Home

It is great being in the driver's seat. The Dodgers handled their business in Chicago by winning the first two games in a short 5 game series and now head home for two which should be the end of the Chicago Cubs record setting season. The Cubs who won 97 games came into the playoffs as the team to beat. 1908 was their last championship season; with the success they had in 2008 the Cubs may have been looking ahead to the World Series and will most likely have to wait another year.

Baseball is such a funny game where on any given day the team that performs and executes fundamental baseball without mistakes usually will win. The old analogy of execute or be executed is what has happened to the Cubs. Listen to part of this Mark Davis poem: EXECUTE

We can live or die by execution

And none of us want to be dead

We live by completing the task at hand

If we fail,

We die instead

Our lives and deaths are numerous

We prefer to live more than not

It's wrong to expect eternal life

But a battle for it should be fought

EXECUTE

Or be executed

It boils down to that as a team

It's a difficult burden to carry

But we must make things as real as they seem….

The Manager of the Cubs Lou Pinela will tell you that the Cubs have played bad baseball in this short series. This is the very reason the Cubs are about to be EXECUTED.

Leftside

Manny Being Manny Dodgers Win!!

I purposely didn't mention Manny Ramirez in yesterday's blog even though he hit a homerun in game one to extend his own personal homerun record in the playoffs to 25. Manny's, lights come on in post season play like no one else, I mean he has taken his game to another level. To perform at the level he has played in the playoff is something special to behold. He has made it look easy.

Hitting a baseball is hard, you are trying to hit a round ball with a round bat, this requires tremendous skill and precision. Then you add the fact that they are throwing the ball up to 95 to 100 miles an hour and it's moving, and dipping, and sliding all over the place. Once it leaves the pitcher hand you have 2/ 10^th of a second to make a decision, will I swing at this pitch or take it?

For Manny Ramirez with the world watching, this has become a walk in the park. One of my baseball coaching friends told me that Manny said playing in the National League is like playing triple A baseball. For those of you who aren't familiar with the different leagues in baseball, it's like going down to the lower levels to play. They call this Manny Being Manny, heads and shoulders above all the rest. Play on Manny and shine like a bright star!!

Leftside

Victory Dodger Win Game 1

James Loney is his name! that's the Way you man up... down two runs and BA-BOOM!! Dodgers go up two runs with a James Loney grand slam! In playoff baseball you never know who will step up... believe it or not there is a lot of pressure to perform when you have the world watching. Some of the best players in the world have lost their mojo when it comes to playoff baseball. Pressure, some say: " it can bust a water pipe". In the game of baseball you have to rise to the occasion, blockout your surrounding and focus on the job at hand.
The Dodgers have first blood winning game one of the playoffs for the first time since the 1988 World Series. This is a good omen as momentum swings the Dodgers way. Another plus you need the remember is Joe Torre is as cool as the other side of the pillow, being lead by Joe, the Dodgers looks very comfortable. Derek Lowe did a great job and had great command on the mound to keep the Dodgers in the game after giving up a couple of runs. Great job Dodgers.
Leftside

Quick Guide to Financial Freedom and Debt Free Living: You need a business to get really wealthy !

Quick Guide to Financial Freedom and Debt Free Living: You need a business to get really wealthy !

The Dodgers Win the Western Division

Congratulations are in order for The Western Division Champion Los Angeles Dodgers! It sounds so good to say CHAMPIONS! It feels so much better as a player having accomplished the task. When the Dodgers caught the Diamondback at home by beat Philadelphia Phillies and winning three out of four games against the Milwaukee Brewers. You knew it was on then. What a run the Dodgers put on in September to get the lead in the western Division. When they left on the road trip to Philadelphia and Washington DC and lost eight straight games, I wondered if they had any heart left to fight with in their face off with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Manny Ramirez caught fire! And as Manny went, so went the Dodgers. It was fun to watch as he man handled the Diamondback Pitching staff. Every once in a while a player gets so hot that he tells the team to "saddle me up!" I'll carry you for a while. The Dodgers did just that and Manny delivered, big hit after big hit. This sparked the men in Blue to where others joined in on the fun and The Western Division Title was won. Well the story isn't finished; we are playoff bound which is awesome! The reason why you want to go to the playoffs is to see if you can finish the course, Can you finish the race to be the last man standing? Can you get the Holy Grail and be the lone team standing on the mountain top; Champions of the World? This accomplishment is worth its weight in gold. Go for it! and do your thang Big Blue, Do Your Thang!!

Leftside

Dodgers Day to Reflect

Monday day off, I know; let's watch the Diamondbacks! This is the time of the year where everyone who is tied to the organization watches the score board. The Dodgers magic number is 5, what that means is a combination of wins and losses between them and the team behind them.

If the Diamondbacks win tonight they will be 2 games back with 6 games to play I think that keep the number the same for a Dodgers to win the division. Each day that passes from here out, the number shrinks because the days are running out. This puts all the pressure on the Diamondbacks to win every day hoping the Dodgers just lay down the last week of the season. If the Dodgers win one more series it's all over and we win the title. I hope that helps.

Leftside

Winnning Isn't Easy

As the Dodgers wind down the final week of the season it's not going to be easy. It is great being the team on top, but the flip side of the coin is everyone is gunning for you. Who can change who goes to the playoffs down the stretch? That is the only reason the teams out of the pennant race have to play for. The Dodgers have handled themselves well with a hard fought series against the Giants and we come out with a 2 ½ game lead. With the San Diego Padres coming into Dodger stadium to try spoil the Dodgers victory party, if you had to pick a team to play in the last week of the regular season, the Padres would be my pick.

The season has been over for the Padres for a long time and they are waiting for next year. The story about all the Padres rookies dressing up in Hooters gear, let's you know that they've been finished a long time and just playing out the schedule and having fun. This is the kind of teams that can mess up what we are trying to accomplish because they are done, the only motivation for them is to play spoiler. Tough it out Dodgers and finish the race.

Leftside

You Have to Believe

I was listening to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins, as Orel Hershiser called the game; he mentioned a baseball quote that all winning teams chant.

"You Have To Believe!" That was our number one saying for the 1988 Dodgers. "You have to believe"! When I look back on some of the games that we won in 1988, the energy that you receive from being in one accord is so contagious. During the 1988 season someone new would be the hero each week. Tommy Lasorda coined it as: 'if you can get 25 guys pulling on the same side of the rope you can make great things happen. "You have to believe"! It's an intangible energy, as a team you can feel it and you know something special is happening. When a team becomes as one, its super special, I truly don't think people realize how deep that is. "As one" that is what happens when you get married, you become as one with your spouse. With the different ways that people are raised it's proven to be a difficult task and the reason why the divorce rate sores at 58%.

Twenty years ago the Dodgers became as one and did something super special, we didn't know it at the time but as the years pile up you realize it was a special time in history. For the Dodgers, it was special for each individual player, coach, staff member and fan. Since that time we have been bound together in history and we feel a kinship with one another that can brighten up any room. As the Dodgers season comes to a close, I hope they get to experience the oneness that winning gives you for your team the organization and the city. Keep moving forward big blue.

Leftside

Dodger Baseball at Its Best

As we get to the final two weeks of the season with a 3 ½ game lead, everything you do on the baseball field has greater meaning. The media examines every word that is spoken by a player or management to create news. Every move the manager makes has to be justified under a fine tooth comb. Every mistake a players makes are examined closely to determined is this the one play or error that cost us from going to the playoff? Or that launched us into playing in October. Everything has meaning to it, what did you have for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and how many hits did it yield? How do you prepare for the game and is it beneficial to the team's success? The lineup that Joes Torre puts on the field each day has to be justified how come Ethier and not Kemp Why is Loney hitting behind Ramirez, EVERYTHING!!! .

It all boils down to winning. If you win, everything is cool, and if you don't we will find a reason why. After 150 games under your belt it all boils down to the last 10 games, are you ready to meet the challenge, In October it's game on but you have to get to October. Press on Big Blue!

Leftside

Win the Series and Win the Series Again

This has been a good road trip for the team. The Dodgers objective is to continue to win series; in the process you will drop a game here and there but winning series is how all the great teams find themselves in the playoff year after year. It sounds so easy but winning series requires a lot of thing working in your favor. Most Teams start the season off with a 5 man pitching rotation. In September it drops down to a four man rotation with extra arms in the bullpen to cover for a bad outing.

The Dodgers have won 14 of the last 16 games and are 3 ½ games up with 10 to play. A win tomorrow in Pittsburgh will be the fifth series in a row they have won which has vaulted them on top of the Western Division. At this point the Dodgers are in charge of their own destiny taking each battle one game at a time with the playoff within reach. Keep on truckin' Big Blue.

leftside

In Baseball Timing Is Everything

We have seen it so much in basketball and football where a team gels at the right time, the impact players get healthy at the right time and all the cylinders are hitting on point. The timing is right for the Dodgers coming into the last 12 games of the season. All their stars aren't healthy but they've had players step up and contribute to make up the void. Furcal goes down Berroa steps up, Kent goes down Garciapara goes down DeWitt steps up fills the void. The Dodgers make a deal to get Casey Blake at the right time. Blake come up big wearing Dodger blue. Billingsley has stepped up and so many others when their time had come.

We lose Andruw Jones to injury and Andre Ethier mans up and makes a name for himself. Matt Kemp, his star starts to shine; with the addition of Manny Ramirez the Dodgers have perfect timing to win the Western division title. They struck first while the iron was hot and everybody else followed but a little too late. The Houston Astros who are putting together a great end of season run but it may be too late. Timing in Baseball is everything and on September 15^th the Dodgers are playing a good hand with 12 to play. Hold your head high big blue we are counting down the days.

leftside

Facebook | Slide FunSpace

Facebook Slide FunSpace

Headed to the Rockies Where the Air is Light and the Balls Fly High

The Dodgers are leaving San Diego on a high note. Winning 2 out of 3 and gaining more confidence each day. This is the pace we must stay on to win the Title in the west and the stars are lining up. Takashi Saito is close to returning to the pen, and there was sighting of Rafael Furcal who has been out since May. If you remember the Rockies from last year, what a story. What a run they had to finish the season and make it to the playoffs, you didn't have to be a Rockies fan to appreciate what they did in the month of September to get by the Diamondbacks. This was just great baseball. Having said that, this is not the team that performed so well down the strecth. I expect the Dodgers to dominate these guys. The Dodgers come in Colorado with momentum and Manny. Manny is so hot that I wanted to share a poem about being hot with you:

I'm seeing the ball very well

I dare to say I'm hot

Anything you throw I'll hit

So throw me all you've got

I'll take the first strike, if I choose

Hell, I'll even take strike 2

I know that you can't get me out

I'm overmatching you

I stand there laughing at your stuff

I know that can't be it

Create,

Invent,

Make-up a pitch

Throw something I can't hit……That is just half of the poem, It goes on and it's awesome. I think I will get together with him and do an e-book down the road. But that is how hot Manny Ramirez is right now. His confidence has inspired our team to step it up to the next level and take the West. To do that you have to come through the Rockies. Move on Big Blue and go do your thang!!

Leftside

Winning Is Better Than Losing
It' feels so much better being 2 1/2 games up and playing well, then back in the pack waiting for the end of the season. Playing against the teams on the bottom of the division gives us a good chance to win the Western Division Title. All we have to do is win each series.
The funny thing about baseball, you can lead the division all year long like the Diamondbacks and if you run out of gas in September it was all for not. The Dodgers are coming on at the right time, it's not explosive but we are trucking along, like the Little Engine That Could. Inch by inch we are making head way with the finish line insight. From here on it has to be tunnel vision, keeping your eye on the prize, one game at a time with the title in full view. This is where you say as a team and player if it's going to be it's up to me; it's time to finish what we started. Move over the Dodgers are making their move.
Leftside

Schedule down the stretch Will Count

As we finish up the first week of September, I think the schedule will favor the Dodgers down the stretch. The Diamondbacks finish out there schedule having to fight against the Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals. The Dodgers will battle against San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, and San Francisco Giants. Not one of those teams is close to winning anything. The danger is they all are playing spoiler. Between the two schedules I would rather have the Dodgers schedule. In the game of baseball when in a pennant race you still have to go out and play hard. For the teams that don't have anything to play for. This is a time of the year for the organization to look at other players for next season. Decisions have to be made on player and it's a great time to see who you have in the organization. With that being said, to get to the playoff you have to finish. One of the toughest things in sports is finishing. So far it's looking pretty good. Go Big Blue

Leftside

The Dodgers Were Backing UP To Get Their Missiles in Range

When the Dodgers lost eight straight games to start their last road trip, I thought it was all over for the Dodgers. It didn't look like they had any life left in them after a good home stand to take a lead of the Western Division. To take a lead and then hand it over as we approach the last month of the season left a bad taste in my month. But what a turn around, as fast as we took ourselves out of the race by losing eight straight, we put ourselves back on top by winning eight straight. What a rollercoaster ride. The emotions you go through the ups and downs are taxing on the heart. Win all ready!! I can't take all of this. Is this the push for the title we've been waiting for? Do we finally see the light as a team? Do we have everybody pulling on the same side of the rope with all ego set aside? If so this can be fun to watch.

The Dodgers have beaten the diamondbacks 6 out of the last 7 games to take a 1 ½ lead in the Western Division. Way to go Dodgers, it looks like it will be a bumpy ride all the way to the finish line. We have come so far, let's finish with a bang.

Leftside

The Fruits of Victory

As the Dodgers continue there up and down season I'm reminded that winning is always better than losing. When you win five straight you look forward to coming to the stadium, The fans are friendly, the guard's wave and smile, the air is cleaner and the food tastes better. You truly have forgotten everything that happened before we won five straight. That's the great part about playing 162 games, there's always tomorrow and you began the day with a clean slate. Everything changes in September because the end of the season is insight. By this time you've worked out all the kinks, your team has had a bunch of injuries or guys made it through the season in one piece and it's time to play your best hand. In September there is no bluffing, everybody in the league has something to play for. Either you are out of the pennant race and you are playing spoiler, or you are in a pennant race and you want to run the table. The teams that are out of the race they play with no pressure and step to the plate swinging free. The teams that are in a pennant race try to focus and execute inning by inning. These are the things that make this game special.

The Dodgers have so many things going on at the same time with their roster that it requires great management skills. You have young players starting to step up and make their mark on the game and you have veterans that have paved the way but are fading in skills. The day is long but the time is short, this part of the year it's all about winning. This is the very reason Joe Torre is in Los Angeles. Dodger fans watch him do his September magic and lead the Dodgers to a Western Division title. Keep on truckin' Big Blue.

leftside

There Is No Place like Home

Being back in the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium is good medicine for the Dodgers. Winning four straight games is good for the personality. Being 1 ½ game back, makes coming to the ball park a lot more fun. Just when you think we've reached our peak and there isn't anything left in the tank, the boys in blue reel you back in by winning four straight games. There is a saying in baseball when your back is against the wall come out fighting. Fight on Big Blue!!. We have a good team; we are talented at every position. I don't want to be the first to say it, but the Dodgers are playing better without Nomar and Kent in the Lineup. Maybe I haven't seen enough games but when Kent and Nomar are on the bench the team seems to click better. You want to have that experience on the field if you can, but like the old Ragtime songs said: "you've got to get the getting while the getting is good" that is exactly what Andre Ethier and the others are doing. One day soon it will be a consistence contribution you can depend on. Until then play your hearts out boys in Blue.

leftside

Let Go Dodgers!!! Let Go Dodgers...

The very best way to grab the lead in your division is to beat the team that is leading the division. After an eight game losing streak, which looked like the end of the Dodgers run for the title, they bounced back with two wins against the league leading Diamondbacks. If you happened to be at Chase Field on Saturday, Manny Ramirez put on an absolute show. I know you have read about it by this time, but being there was something special. He is a true Hall of Famer with a magical bat. For those of you who only see games at Dodger Stadium, on the road the big hitters are booed ferociously. However, when they step up and deliver, it can quiet a stadium of 40 - 50 thousand people. Manny did just that with his performance on Saturday. Manny is the real deal super star doing everything the Dodgers could ask of him. There are other players stepping up as well; young players like Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, James Loney - these guys will be around to help the Dodgers for many years. The way this road trip started, coming home 2 1/2 games out of first place gives you something to play for. Let's go big Blue!

leftside

3 ½ Back and Growing Pains for Dodgers

There is a bright side to this coin. We are only 3 ½ games back. As bad as The Dodgers are playing right now the rest of the west is having a tough time also. To lose the first SEVEN games of and important road trip usually would buried a team in a division race but not this year in the western division. I've never seen anything like this where nobody wants to win a division. The Dodger are three and half games back as they travel to Arizona. The Diamondbacks are just above five hundred and fading fast. The plus for them is they have a great pitching staff, in the game of baseball good pitching always beats good hitting and when neither team can hit it makes for bad baseball and low scoring games. I made a prediction early last month that the winner of the western division will win with 85 wins or less. Has that ever happened? I don't know but it's embarrassing. Nobody has made a move to win the in the west?

I guess it's the youth on both teams are learning how to play the game. Each of these teams has added key players to try to ignite a fire for the race for the title. So far they are a smoke screen. The price of development from within. I will be the first to tell you it does work.

There was a time when the Atlanta Braves were the team that everybody beat up on. With Glavine and

Smoltz and a couple other great pitchers, they learned the game of baseball on the job. The Dodgers and the Diamondbacks will both be the class of the league in the near future. But today Growing Pains.

leftside

Let's Go You Dodgers!!

The excitement is fading; we're running out of gas headed toward the finish line. It was a good run while it lasted. To think that we could compete for a division title in the weak National League West. There were times I really thought we would be able to catch the D-Backs and make a statement as our team got healthier and our offense picked up the slack.

What happened to the excitement that surged through the team when Manny Ramirez first arrived and was hitting the ball out of the park? The rest of the team started believing; I think we can, I think we can….. And began performing like they could. Jeff Kent and Manny Leading the charge and The Dodgers stepping up to do their part. September can be a very tough month when your team is tired. But winners never quit and quitters never win. You have to shake off the fatigue if you want to play in October and November. Not everybody wants to be playing after the season ends, hard to believe. Road trips like this one remind you of the day you knew we won't be in the playoffs. The Fat Lady hasn't sung yet. Let's go Dodgers we still have a chance.

Leftside

Let Go You Dodgers!!

The excitement is fading; we're running out of gas headed toward the finish line. It was a good run while it lasted. To think that we could compete for a division title in the weak National League West. There were times I really thought we would be able to catch the D-Backs and make a statement as our team got healthier and our offence picked up the slack.

What happened to the excitement that surged through the team when Manny Ramirez first arrived and was hitting the ball out of the park? The rest of the team started believing; I think we can, I think we can….. And began performing like they could. Jeff Kent and Manny Leading the charge and The Dodgers stepping up to do their part. September can be a very tough month when your team is tired. But winners never quit and quitters never win. You have to shake off the fatigue if you want to play in October and November. Not everybody wants to be playing after the season ends. Hard to believe. Road trips like this remind you of when the time came to pack your bags for winter. Let's go Dodgers we still have a chance.

Leftside

Growing Pains in Philadelphia

Another well played game by the Dodgers. Heart breaking for sure but this is baseball in late August. When Jonathan Broxton comes in the game we want it to be easy and have him close the door on the opponents without a hiccup. That's not going to happen anytime soon. I love the fact that Broxton can throw 100mph. I love that he has an intimidating presents on the mound, this guy is huge! I mean he is big enough to eat hay. One thing we have to remember is that this kid is just 24 years old. How many kids do you see closing today? None! To do this job requires taking some lumps. Can we afford to have Broxton taking lump in the middle of a pennant race? No! But in baseball these things happen. This is a young Dodger team with great veterans leading the way, it was the veterans that didn't come through with the bases loaded to take the pressure off and pad that lead when we had the opportunity. The very reason this is the ultimate team game and everyone plays a big part. From the players perspective we examine what happened and file it away to get ready for the next series.

It isn't over until it's over, plus it's too soon to quit. Let's go beat up the Nationals and see where we stand when we get to Arizona.

Leftside

The Most Important Series of the Year

Starting today the Dodgers have the most important series of the year. You will hear this being said over and over again. This is one of the ways for the Dodgers to be able to stay in the moment plus it is a very important series. Being back on the road against the Phillies in their home ball park will test the character and of the Dodgers. With any division race you have to win series. The obstacle we have in front of us, the Phillies are trying to win a division too and they are very good at home. In a division race the most important game of the year is the one you are playing that day. With that approach you don't get too far ahead of yourself and you focus on the task at hand. From this point out we have to take it one game at a time and with the Diamondbacks playing well we can't afford to slip.

We are in perfect striking range now; it depends on who has the better schedule? Phillies, right now are so important because if we can survive this series and beat up on the Nationals like everybody else in the league does. Then we go head to head with the D-Backs and can make a statement. The most Important series of the season let's go Big Blue.

Leftside

Get ready to Ramp up For September

Gargling each night after screaming at the Dodgers game. Do you have warm saltwater ready to sooth your scratchy throat? The race begins September 1^st; if you are within five or six games of the leader in your division you have a chance to win that division. The last five months have been a prelude to the meaning of baseball. Now you find out who wants to play on and who wants to go home. A race to finish line brings out the best in you. There is another level of focus and concentration that is invisible but you feel it come in. You have heard guys talk about tunnel vision, with everything going on around them they are able to block out all the noise… all distractions… all players… and just focus on the ball traveling to the plate as it rides through this tunnel in slow motion. You can see the stitches on the ball… you see a dot on the ball… telling you it's a curve… or a slider… and it's sharp and clear vision.

Players wonder how I tap into this for long periods of time. Why did it show up now? With so much on the line everything is in sink. The stars are lined up and the game has slowed down and my pain has left my body. It is absolutely amazing what the subconscious mind can do when you ask the right questions. When you ask the questions are you coming from fear or faith? Are you coming from doubt or a strong belief in how it's going to turn out? This all means something. The same player is in this battle as he determines what gets through this filter of my mind, good or bad. When you are there you are using more brain power that is the reason people can't stay in this state so long. The focus is outside of you and uses a lot of energy. The very reason you are worn out after playing a game and it takes hours to wind down to a relaxed state. This is good stuff. Wow…

leftside

Great Home Stand Big Blue

We may be two games back in the standings but this has been a good home stand for the Dodgers. To start off with a sweep of the division leading Phillies and to take two out of three from the Brewers, great job team. We all know you can't win them all, but the positive is we have Greg Maddux back in Dodger blue. Great addition with 34 games left in the regular season. The experience that he brings to the table is felt in more ways than just winning on the field. Greg has played this game so long that his present on the bench with the pitchers on the Dodgers staff is priceless. These guys can sit next to Greg Maddux and glean information from all the situations he's been in and learn. Greg brings value to position players as well. When you have played as long as Greg Maddux, you have some pearls you can share about winning in all faucets of the game. The Padres ace Jake Peavy, who absolutely idolized Greg Maddux; I guarantee you made him better talking to Greg daily. Dodger pitchers take advantage of this future hall of famer. Use him and make yourself better.

leftside

Welcome Back Greg Maddux

There is your answer to the Brad Penny being out for the season. Welcome back Greg Maddux. The Dodgers front office is making all the right moves to getting into the playoffs. The acquisition of the crafty veteran Greg Maddux is a great move coming into the last month of the regular season. A proven winner who can still compete. We all know that Greg is at the end of his career but he is still one of the best pitchers in the history of the game. Great job Dodgers, this has been a fun month for the fans at the stadium. We feel that we have a chance to win our division and since Manny's arrival the rest of the Dodgers players have stepped it up a notch. When you put Greg Maddux in a situation like this he will definitely shine. Let's go win the Western Division, Go Blue.

leftside

 

My Son & Dodgers Think Cure

 

I have a twenty two year old son fighting for his life. My son has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Better known as Hodgkin's disease. As a parent it blows you away to find out that your kid has cancer. College basketball player who stands 6'4" inches tall and can jump out of the gym. He was just starting to find his stride when we noticed a lump on his shoulder. We saw it a few months earlier but didn't pay much attention to it. Three or Four months later it had gotten a little bigger and we went to have it checked out. CANCER!!

You would think there would be a sign or something. You are probably saying "the lump stupid". Well, he felt nothing no night sweats, no itching of the scalp, nothing abnormal. It is shocking when they tell you the bad news. We will beat this thing because of the advancement of cancer treatment for Hodgkin's disease. This is the reason why the Dodgers Dream Foundation and Think Cure program is so important. Cancer affects so many households around the world. I believe that every one of them are shocked to hear the news and that is when you start to pay attention and understand how serious this is. There is no rhythm or reason why cancer hits this person and misses that one. We have come a long way in getting closer to a cure but we need your financial help to continue the process.

One of the things that people don't talk much about is the toll it takes on a family. You go through so many tests to find out how far along the cancer is, you have so much time away from work going from doctor appointment to doctors appointment. I think we did that for two straight months. This is before you get second opinions to make sure they have it diagnosed correctly. So you spend long hours away from you job and while you are at your job it's hard to do your work. When you have a loved one going through this process it consumes you. In doing my research so many families fall apart during this time because it's hard to be at the doctor's office and keep the house in order. People are losing their jobs and when the financial strain starts piling up they are losing everything else. We definitely need to find a cure for this dreaded disease but don't forget about what the families are going through. They are affected also in a totally different way and need help and other options to offset this emotionally taxing and expense journey.

We are in our second month of chemo. My son has lost his hair but is in great spirits. He still tries to get out and play basketball when he feels up to it. He still is laughing. That's cool to me because I know they have to put poison into his body to beat this disease and I hate it. He has his bad days and you can't do anything to help him except be there. I can't wait until this next four months are over. Whatever you can do to support the Dodgers Think Cure program; do so it goes a long way.

leftside

Dodgers Go To Bat For Think Cure! Telethon - Truveo Video Search

Dodgers Go To Bat For Think Cure! Telethon - Truveo Video Search

Great Times at Dodger Stadium

 

It has been twenty years since I had my son at Dodger Stadium. He probably doesn't even remember being on the field running the bases on Dodger family day. He was just two years old back then. Now it was time for him to experience his first Dodger Dog. A Dodger dog and a beer would have been cool, but that's not his thing. You can't come to Dodger stadium and not have a Dodger dog; it's like a tradition as a baseball fan. I really enjoyed bringing MD and his girlfriend to the game, it was her first Dodger game and that is always special.

With the Dodgers leading there division and Manny wigs all over the stadium this was fun. I didn't know they still did the wave at baseball games… then another baseball tradition blow by me… the beach ball with fan participation… this was fun. They didn't stop there one of the most enjoyable moment was when the jumbo tron scans the stands for couples and you kiss the person you're sitting next to. Everybody that shows up at the stadium if you have a companion you hope you are the one the camera catches. These are the things that bring you back, again and again. Parking $15, three Dodger dogs $15 two Cokes and water $15

A day at Dodger Stadium with your son and his girlfriend, Priceless.

Leftside

The Pros and Cons of Baseball

It has been a long time since the Dodgers have been in a pennant race and it feels pretty good. Yes we are competing in the weak National League Western Division and yes we are a half a game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks but we are in the drivers seat. We are in control of our own destiny and that is the place to be in the middle of August. Sometimes you need to do a pros and cons to realize where we stand. You do these types of assessments to determine what you need or don’t need to get you to where you want to go. Lets start with Joe Torre, we have the best coach in the game. Joe has won more titles and taken his teams to the playoffs more than anyone in the last 10 years. To have a manager of his caliber is a big plus coming down the home stretch of the regular season. Everybody knows before the season starts every team will win 50 games and every team will lose 50 games. It’s the other 62 games that will put you into the playoffs. Joe Torre, has the experience managing his team coming down the home stretch of a division race. You have to pull all the right strings and have a team committed to the task at hand. This is where having a good manager wins titles.

Leftside