June 2nd, 2013 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Okay so I’m grumpy – that’s what happens to me when the Dodgers lose games that they should have won, as they did yet again on Saturday afternoon when their bullpen yet again failed miserably in a 10-inning 7-6 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field. But my grumpiness always seems to hit a new high when Dodger manager Don Mattingly goes into drama mode with the media.
Now don’t get me wrong, I really like Mattingly and have tremendous respect for him, but why all the secrecy? Why can’t he just come right out and say “If Ryu can’t make his start on Sunday, Matt Magill will make a spot start for him”? Why can’t he come right out and say “We need a true centerfielder to replace Matt Kemp so were calling up (fill in the blank)”? Why can’t he come right out and say “If Carl Crawford has to go on the DL for his hamstring cramp (ya, right), we’re going to call up (fill in the blank)’? How about a little transparency and honesty? We’re not talking national security here.
With his team in last place and his job in jeopardy, Mattingly’s drama and secrecy serves absolutely no purpose whatsoever. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
And what’s with the wise cracks?
“May start (Skip) Schumaker tomorrow in center and pitch.”
Hey Don – your team is 23-31, 8 games under .500 and 7.5 games back on June 2 and you’re trying to be funny? What was it that you told us a few weeks ago that your father always said to you when you were trying to be smart? “There are a thousand comedians out of work and you’re trying to be funny.”
To his credit, the usually secretive Ned Colletti was a bit more open after Saturday’s loss – but only slightly.
“With Carl coming out of the game, we’re uncertain as to his status, so we pulled Puig (out of Saturday’s Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts line-up) as a precaution,” said Colletti. “He has not been recalled and he is not hurt.”
Although that’s about as clear as mud, it is as open and upfront as I’ve heard Ned Colletti in like… well… ever – and he even named names… well one; and it just so happens to be the one name that Dodgers fans want to hear.
Or is this simply more drama?
Ya, I’m grumpy, and I’ll probably remain grumpy until all of the unnecessary drama and secrecy disappears and Mattingly and Colletti simply tell it like it is.
Posted in 
RT @Think_BlueLA: New post – Why all the drama?
RT @Think_BlueLA: New post – Why all the drama?
Being “cutesy” with the press is never a good strategy when the ship is sinking. Although I feel the team is going to go on a streak at some point, there are clouds forming. But there may be a little ray of sun to keep us interested. I am looking forward to the possibility of seeing Yasiel “The Natural” Puig play. He is going to be a boatload of excitement if he plays anything close to his potential. He is not the savior of the season by any means and he is going to make many mistakes but at least it will be interesting! It is a sad testament to this season when you are looking forward to a call-up from Double A but this one could be special.
The ship isn’t sinking, it’s taking on water. What do you do when you are taking on water?
You bail.
I would bring up Puig AND Pederson and make Ethier our 4th. As we wait for one of his patented streaks, ‘dre hasn’t done squat. Put him on the bench for a couple of weeks, see if Pederson and Puig both do well. If it doesn’t work, you can always put Ethier back in there. If it does work, then adios Andre.
I tend to agree with most of what you say, RC, although I don’t think Andre needs to sit. I do, however, think he needs to sit when a lefty stars for the opposing team. We go through this “Ethier can hit lefties” thing every year but the bottom line is that Ethier can’t hit lefties, no matter how well he does against them in spring training.
While Mattingly takes most of the heat for the Dodgers’ failures, the guy who should be taking the heat is Ned Colletti – and he always seems to skate. Colletti is the guy dictating to Mattingly who to play and his decisions are based on salaries, not skill.
I anticipate that Puig will be called up on Monday or Tuesday, but probably only if Crawford goes on the DL (which I anticipate that he will). But here again, just do it and leave the drama to Hollywood.
PS: Welcome aboard.
A lot of this kind of drama for the Dodgers (and other teams) likely has to do with not revealing moves publicly until they have to, so as to keep opponents in the dark. They’re probably thinking more about trying to get a real or imagined competitive advantage than about their fans.
Keeping mum about personnel moves may not make much difference in the real world, but management probably thinks it does or at least could.
You are 100% correct foul tip (great handle, by the way); but hey, I needed to come up with a quick article and that was the first thing that popped into my mind (and of course I was grumpy – haha!).
I recall asking Mattingly during a post-game one night several weeks ago if Belisario would be on the shelf for the next night, as he had thrown 30+ pitches that night’s (in a loss). Don smiled wryly at me and said “You know I can’t answer that.” (I did, but I asked it anyway because Beli got bombed and I wanted to ‘suggest’ that he not use him two days in a row – he didn’t but the Dodgers lost anyway).
I am amazed and amused with the perceived need for secrecy – especially for a last place team.
PS: Welcome aboard.
TGJ
I can only assume that you are kidding, Gary. Why on earth would the Dodgers even consider bringing up Tony Gwynn Jr.? In his two seasons with the Dodgers, he hit .245 with a pathetic OBP of .294. Even Skip Schumaker is doing better than that, albeit only slightly.
As much as I like TGJ, he is lucky to even be in Triple-A. Don’t forget that the Dodgers DFA’d him while we were at spring training and nobody claimed him and he agreed to a MiLB contract back with Dodgers. If he hadn’t, he would probably be out of the game.
There are so many other and better options that TGJ – including, of course, Yasiel Puig, who is already on the 40-man. TGJ is not.
I agree with a finger being pointed at Colletti. Perhaps he and Logan’s hands were a bit tied with the last owner being in charge, but, it seems we have not had a deep system in a long, long time. Even now, the guy being brought up to help is someone we signed last year. For all the pitchers we have drafted, I see no starter coming up and actually helping.
It could take a couple of years to get this turned around. But it’s my opinion that if things continue the way they are, Colletti, Falsone, and McGwire should all be canned.