During last month’s FanFest event at Dodger Stadium, I asked Dodgers manager Dave Roberts if he expected his (then) six remaining unsigned arbitration-eligible players to come to terms for the rapidly approaching 2020 season. “Yeah, I’m sure … I’m hopeful,” Roberts answered. “Fortunately, that’s not in my jurisdiction, but I know that it’s a part […]

In today’s journalist environment, where being first seems to be much more important than being right, it was refreshing to read Jared Diamond’s story, ‘Dark Arts’ and ‘Codebreaker’: The Origins of the Houston Astros Cheating Scheme, in Friday’s Wall Street Journal (subscription required). The article provides more insight into the Houston Astros sign-stealing during the […]

“Baseball is boring. We are not going to watch baseball.” This was a common phrase heard around my house growing up in Central Washington. And for whatever reason, after moving out on my own and away from my parents, I never ventured off to develop my own opinion of the sport. I just had it […]

I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase “It’s only illegal if you get caught” during my 36-year law enforcement career. Ironically, this phrase was most often uttered by people who had, in fact, been caught. The Houston Astros have been caught. And though the crime for which Astros general […]

During last month’s FanFest event at Dodger Stadium, yours truly asked several Dodgers relievers what their thoughts were on MLB’s new three-batter minimum rule, which goes into effect this season. The replies from recently acquired 30-year-old right-hander Jimmy Nelson, 25-year-old rookie right-hander Tony Gonsolin and 31-year-old veteran right-hander Joe Kelly were as different as night […]

While the entire baseball world patiently awaits the news on (hopefully) soon-to-be Dodger Mookie Betts (well, except perhaps for Red Sox fans), Dodger fans got some good news early Thursday afternoon … great news, in fact. This from the Dodgers Twitter account: In all honesty, this great news is anything but a surprise. Re-signing ‘Mad […]

After enduring weeks of hype, hoopla, and fanfare, the Mookie-Betts-to-the-Dodgers trade is finally a done deal. …and then it wasn’t. Late Wednesday night it was being reported that what many are calling the biggest blockbuster trade in MLB history had hit a snag, much to the displeasure of numerous chest-pounding ‘I-had-it-first’ national media types. The […]

For those who bad-mouthed Andrew Friedman for “doing nothing” this off-season, shame on you. On Tuesday evening, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman announced trade moves that could very lead to the Dodgers’ first World Series championship in 32 years. Think this is hyperbole? Check this out: In what may arguably go down as […]

The original title of this piece was, ‘Dodgers Acquire Mookie Betts.’ After all, baseball fans have read or heard that a trade “was close to being finalized” and “a deal was imminent.” Sure, the San Diego Padres were (are) still lurking on the perimeter hoping to put the Boston Red Sox right fielder on their […]

By now it’s no secret that Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts will be traded, with the Dodgers or the San Diego Padres being the most likely landing spots. The problem is, we’ve been hearing this for more than two weeks now; this despite frequent rumors that the trade is both inevitable and imminent. […]