Dodger's Breakout!

It was great seeing the Dodgers in Action here in Arizona. With the way things have been going this season the Dodgers needed a breakout game to free up the offense. We did just that last night, pounding the D-backs ace Dan Haren, who was untouchable for the first four innings, striking out ten batters the first time through the lineup. Setting the stage for what looked to be a low scoring game for the Dodgers. To counter, the Dodgers rookie pitcher John Ely was ready to earn his stripes getting his first major league win. When the Dodgers offense finally figured Dan Haren out, there was no stopping that run away train.

A thirteen run outburst is always good for the moral and confidence of the team. Hopefully this can right the ship and get the Dodgers pushing up from the bottom of the pack. One quick note take a look around at the bullpen's in the western division the majority of teams are having problems in the bullpen, letting you know we are not alone.

Leftside

I Missed It..

My Last post regarding Manny Ramirez going into the hall of fame I wrote from the heart. I had forgotten what happened last year with the 50 game suspension for using steroids. That does change thing quite a bit. Manny is still a great player and truly has put up hall of fame numbers, getting caught in the steroid age of the game of baseball isn't the worst thing to happen to a player. One because most of the guy's were still competing according to the rules of the game and baseball hadn't band the drug until the mid 90's I'm guessing. I would go so far as saying that the game promoted the use of steroids to save the game after the strike of 1994. We all remember CHICKS DIG THE LONG BALL! The problem I have with Manny is that 2009 year to test positive, that is cheating to get your advantage.
It surprises me that guy's would take that chance today, there is so much media surrounding the steroid talk writer can't wait to write about it. For the player, I guess if you can get away with it and it help your game and you get the multi-year contract you've accomplished your goal. Baseball is so much more than that though. As a player, TO USE you are thinking short term or long term? Is it worth it? I don't have that answer for you....You will have to ask the guy's that are dealing with the repercussions. Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and a host of others. Sammy Sosa has tried to turn himself white! Big Mac went underground for a while because of the pressure. The pressure that is place on these guy after they are exposed is so heavy do you think they would do things different? Mark McGwire would have never played in enough games to put up the numbers he put up. He was a great player, I could go on and on and on but this needs to be put to bed. Getting back on target Will Manny get your vote for the hall? My stand now is he can't go in UNLESS all the other guy's get in the hall of fame..... including Pete Rose.
to be continued...
leftside

Bla Bla Bla Tomorrows Another Game

It was good to see the Dodgers get back into the game and put themselves in position to win. There were a lot of positives and and negatives but at the end of the day the Dodgers are solid.

I first want everybody to remember that this is only game number two, and we have a great team. Clayton Kershaw was a little off but he should be great. Hey! I'm glad to see Russ Ortiz on our staff. He will be a sleeper out of the bullpen this year. Tomorrows another day.

Get ready for the ride.

Leftside

Welcome to the Baseball Season

It has been over a year sense I've last posted a blog. I'm back and ready for the battles we'll fight in 2010. I will be blogging about the Dodgers again and this year I will add a different twist to my blogs I know you will enjoy. This year we will go inside of the players head..... What makes them excel at the game of baseball? Is it just ability or something else?

Easter Sunday I spoke to the kids at Avondale Little League, with the baseball seasons starting all around the world. Over 33 million kid and students and pros, begin their pursuit to become tomorrows major leagues. All over the United State, Japan, Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Cuba, etc... On the eve of the greatest event to happen in the history of the world... The Resurrection of the Lord and Savior of the world Jesus Christ! Christ being His title and not last name. Better said... Jesus the Christ!

I was reminded of when I started playing and my father would drive through the neighborhood and pick up our team in his station wagon. We would get to the field and everyone would spill out of the car 12 or more kids deep. To see the faces of the kids yesterday, starting a new season took me back to some good memories. I wanted to break the ice with a little reflection and wish all the kids good luck in the new season... but this blog has a lot to do with the big blue, The Dodgers Baby! They lost the first game of the season. Dodger fans! get ready for an exciting ride! I will be posting some great stuff this year and you won't want to miss it. Again... WELCOME TO THE BASEBALL SEASON!

The Spirit of Baseball Is Back Can you Feel It

With the baseball season less that a week away, you can feel the excitement in the air.

HOT news!! The government is still after Barry Bonds because they don't like him. Roger Clemens is still claiming his Innocent's and where in the world will Manny Ramirez be Going?

You have to be proud of the Dodgers in the way that they have gone about resolving the Manny dilemma. I know we all want to blame things on Manny but rest assured that his agent Scott Bor-US... has prolonged everything. You say wait a minute... Manny is a grown man... yes he is and Manny is in a power position in a crazy free agent market where nobody knows what going on. His agent Scott Bor-US, didn't count on the economy to soften the market the way it did. The Dodgers only offer Manny a KINGS RANSOM but for Scott and his commission it wasn't enough. I say that because no ball player ever thought you could make crazy money in the game of baseball 30 years ago, which means I'm old and maybe wrong about todays players. 30 years ago the Major league minimum was 21 thousand and you were glad to be there, times have changed, I mean we have a black President for God Sakes. Where are owners that want to win so bad that they'll give you beyond your imagination... I mean Alex Rodriguez has made over half a Billion Dollars... That is awesome!! Only in America can that happen...

What is Happening With Manny...

Happy New Year! 2009 is here and Baseball is just around the corner. The Dodgers have moved out of Vero Beach, FL to Good Year, AZ. The complex in Good Years is awesome. While we anticipate the start of the baseball season decisions are still being made. What is happening with Manny Ramirez? I haven't heard anything in a while but it looks like the only place Manny can land is Los Angeles California. I hope this is a good thing. The Dodgers have offered a three year deal to bring Manny back to LA in the range of 70 to 80 Million... I think that Manny and his agent are just playing the game to see if someone will get desperate and react to the moves the Yankees are making. With that being said the Dodgers are looking at the giant of a man in Adam Dunn in case things fall through with Manny.

Adam is a great player but he won't have the same impact because of the way Manny Connected with the city of Los Angeles. While we contemplate what they will do with Manny, the Dodgers made a decision on Andruw Jones which I personally done agree with. When you pay a Player top free agent money and they don't perform to your expectation and you give up on them, the money that you have to pay is guaranteed. Why not at lease see if they are back to form before you give up on them? You have to pay them anyway... Try to see if the spirit of the champion has resurfaced and the confidence is there to help the team. This guy has been one of the great players in the league. Yes, there comes a time as a player when you don't have it anymore and your talents start to fade... I'm just saying let's find out.... we were close to last in home runs last year if it wasn't for the Padres garage sale team they featured last year.

Before you know it the decisions will be made and we will be off to the race for the title again. Get ready for another fun year.

Mike Davis

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

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