July 8th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka I hope you are paying very close attention, Dodgers fans, because we are witnessing history right before our very eyes.
I’ll cut right to the chase … This:
Betts was in good company on Friday night as well. In the Dodgers 11-4 pounding of the Angels of Anaheim, the 30-year-old Nashville, TN native and fifth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox out of Overton High School in Nashville went 3-for-4 with a double and two home runs, driving in four of those 11 Dodgers runs. The 2023 Dodgers All-Star right fielder joined 2023 Dodgers All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, 2023 Dodgers All-Star designated hitter J.D. Martinez, and 2023 Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith, who also homered on the night, leaving only 2023 Dodgers All-Star third baseman Max Muncy without one.
(SportsNet LA)
“This is the best I’ve felt in a long time. I’m just going to ride the wave, see what happens,” Betts told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson after his historic ‘in good company’ night.
But don’t feel too bad for Muncy. Angels center fielder Jo Adell flat out robbed the popular Dodgers third baseman of what would have been his 21st home run of the season with a spectacular over-the-wall catch for the final out of the first inning.
But wait, there’s more!
Betts is in good company with another Dodgers great. With his two home runs and his double on Friday night, Betts joins Dodgers Hall of Famer Duke Snider as the only other Dodgers player with at least 25 home runs and 20 doubles before the All-Star break.
“I think that with all the stuff we’ve been going through, those guys have been the constant,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame of Betts,’ Freeman’s, Martinez’s and Smith’s big nights at the plate. “And not only just kind of the availability in posting, but also the performance consistently. So, they carried us, they’ve carried this offense.
“This is the the best group of guys I’ve ever been around,” Roberts added. “They like each other, they play for one another, and a little bit of kind of one-up one another, so it’s kind of fun. It’s a healthy competition.”
Good company indeed.
Play Ball!
* * * * * *
Posted in 
Remarkable job by the coaching staff to bring this injured team to 50-38.
SO true. No one has given praise where it’s due. Dave and the coaches have pieced together a strong record in the first half with a record number of injuries. Every time they lose a “game they should have won” the calls for firings are the first things heard.
And let’s not forget he’s been able to do this because of a very deep minor league system that has taken years to build and maintain. Credit Friedman, ownership (& other) for that. Good job guys.
If they can manage to acquire the right pieces at the break without damaging the camaraderie this team will be in it to the end.
Solid post. Totally agree. I would not trade Sheehan or Miller for anyone.
CK Gonsolin Buehler Sheehan Miller will make us automatic contenders in 2024 as well.