Worst to First - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

The Rockies took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning off Chris Moss, but that would be the only run that Moss would allow, lasting 7 innings while striking out 6 batters.

Gerald Spilborghs hit a seventh inning home run to tie up the game, and Aaron Ruffin came on to pitch a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.

The bottom of the ninth was what you might call unconventional. Ronald McMillan led off the inning with a single with Tim Delaney striking out for the first out. Jerry Cramer walked, and a single by Spilborghs loaded the bases. Ron James struck out and with two outs Keith Hudson stepped to the plate and with a 2-2 count reached on a catcher's interference to give the Dodgers a walk off win. The Dodgers are now one win away from the NLCS.

[NYY #23]

The last time Sherman Miller made a start he only lasted a third of an inning before being ejected. Today he would pitch a complete game five hit shutout, walking two and striking out six.

Russell Frasier, Mike Williams, and Ron James each homered in our 7-0 win as the Dodgers advance to the NLCS.

[NYY #23]

Next up is the red hot Giants who haven't lost a game in the playoffs yet, sweeping the Cardinals in the Wild Card round and sweeping the Braves in the Division Series.

The Giants won 8 of 12 games against us during the regular season, and allowed the fewest runs in the National League.

[NYY #23]

Things didn't get off to a good start for the Dodgers with Antonio Sandoval allowing 5 runs in 5 innings to take the loss as the Giants beat the Dodgers 6-3.

Our offense managed to get just 5 hits tonight with Keith Hudson hitting the only home run, a solo shot.

[NYY #23]

Chris Moss was making the start for the Dodgers today and would allow just 2 runs in 6 innings, but left the game with the Dodges trailing 2-1. In the eighth inning the Dodgers would tie the game when Gerald Spilborghs doubled and came home to score on a single by Luke Clark.

The game would go into extra innings with Aaron Ruffin pitching four innings before allowing a leadoff home run in the bottom of the twelfth as the Giants walked off winners.

[NYY #23]

The Giants postseason winning streak has increased to 10 games after their 3-0 win and the Dodgers are now on the brink of elimination after falling behind 3 games to none.

Sherman Miller took the loss after allowing 3 runs on 8 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Our offense picked up just 7 hits and we face a must win Game 4.

[NYY #23]

San Francisco 12, Los Angeles 1. And with that our season is now over. Dave Mobley took the loss after giving up 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings. Juan Morales gave up 4 runs in a 1/3 of an inning, and Arnie Sargent gave up 4 runs in 2 innings.

Our offense managed just 3 hits the whole game. The Giants have now won 11 straight postseason games and our season is now over.

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers needed to make a decision on Aaron Ruffin and whether to execute his $22 million option. Despite going 5-4 with 45 saves and a 2.37 ERA in 83 2/3 innings it was a fairly easy decision to buy him out at $1.9 million.

We would offer Ruffin and Mike Williams a $12.7 million qualifying offer. We also non-tendered catcher Andrew Walters while Rickie Arcizo announced his retirement.

As we head into the offseason we'll have about $37 million to spend and we'll be looking for a second baseman, centerfielder, closer, and a new backup catcher.

Los Angeles Dodgers - 75-87 (.463) 25 GB
2078 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 80-82 (.494) 17 GB (Season Score - 526)
2079 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 83-79 (.512) 12 GB (Season Score - 470)
2080 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 86-77 (.528) 9 GB (Lost Wild Card Series 3-2 to San Diego Padres, Season Score - 632)
2081 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 92-70 (.568) 1 1/2 GB (Defeated Mexico City Conquistadors 3-0 in Wild Card Series, Defeated Colorado Rockies 4-2 in Division Series, Lost to San Francisco Giants 4-0 in NLCS, Season Score - 797)

[NYY #23]

Three players were elected to the Hall of Fame this year:







SP Oscar Lodge 85.9 (1st year) Inducted HOF
CF Enrique Bueno 81.7 (2nd year) Inducted HOF
CL Roberto María 77.2 (6th year) Inducted HOF
1B Anthony Webb 61.0 (8th year)
CL Tony Hodge 55.2 (5th year)
2B Edward James 53.4 (2nd year)
CL Gabriel Valdés 49.3 (4th year)
CL Cristo Hernández 26.9 (2nd year)
CL Dave Beard 24.8 (3rd year)
CL Mark Gibbons 20.0 (1st year)
C Andrea Pometti 17.6 (3rd year)
CL Julián Córdova 17.2 (1st year)
SS Vinny Sánchez 16.9 (3rd year)
CL Tim Stanley 16.2 (1st year)
CF Juan Salas 16.2 (2nd year)
SP Jorge Cruz 13.4 (6th year)
CL Pedro Navarro 11.7 (7th year)
CF Iván Ruíz 11.4 (1st year)
SP Ernesto Rodríguez 9.3 (2nd year)
1B Ken Kirk 8.3 (1st year)
SS Matt Russell 6.6 (1st year)
RF Jorge Costa 6.6 (1st year)
CL Matt Simmons Jr. 6.2 (4th year)
CF Rafael Mendoza 5.9 (2nd year)
SP Juan Galván 5.9 (4th year)
C Danny Dukes 5.5 (1st year)
C Edward Widgery 5.2 (5th year)
CL Jerry Hale 3.8 (3rd year) Dropped
CL Gustavo López 3.8 (3rd year) Dropped
RF Iván Domínguez 3.4 (1st year) Dropped
SS Arthur Collins 3.4 (1st year) Dropped
SP Júlio Sánchez 3.1 (1st year) Dropped
CL Paco Yánez 2.8 (1st year) Dropped
2B Jorge Castro 0.0 (1st year) Dropped
1B Abdelwahab Onkwani 0.0 (1st year) Dropped

[mirrf]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Three players were elected to the Hall of
SP Oscar Lodge 85.9 (1st year) Inducted HOF
CF Enrique Bueno 81.7 (2nd year) Inducted HOF
CL Roberto María 77.2 (6th year) Inducted HOF

Please tell my that Enrique Bueno's nickname is "muy".

Enrique Muy Bueno

[Gruber_Tagged_Him]

Originally Posted by mirrf

Please tell my that Enrique Bueno's nickname is "muy".

Enrique Muy Bueno

"No - Enrique YOUR Bueno!"

[NYY #23]

I took 5 years of Spanish, and didn't even think twice about that.

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers began the offseason with a last minute extension with RF Mike Williams, signing him to a seven year $140 million contract. We'll at least get one draft pick when Aaron Ruffin declined the qualifying offer.

Matt Mills and Mike Williams each received a Silver Slugger Award, while Gordon Baird finished third in Cy Young voting.

The Red Sox sent Rob Adams in exchange for 2B Bennett Ferguson, 1B Jerry Cramer, and pitching prospect Felix Gonzales. The Red Sox will cover 65% of Adams salary, and he's capable of playing all three outfield positions, and both corner infield positions.

The Dodgers agreed to a one year $3.2 million contract with catcher Brian Bailey, with a team option for a second year. Bailey hit .241 with 6 home runs and 28 RBI last year for Vancouver.

Next on our agenda was signing closer Weldon Johnston to a three year $49 million contract. Johnson was 6-12 with 33 saves and a 3.67 ERA last year, and I'm wondering if I made a mistake letting Ruffin walk.

Outfielder Augusto Gonzalez was signed to a one year $1.1 million contract. He hit .239 with 15 home runs and 61 RBI last year.

Then finally we made our big move, signing shortstop Carlos Vargas to a six year $123 million contract. He'll result in the loss of a draft pick and was worth 5.5 WAR last year, hitting .258 with a .351 on-base percentage and hitting 14 home runs. That will again push Delaney to second base.

It definitely feels different as a big market team with a high payroll. Hopefully free agents can get us over the edge.

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers completed a trade in Spring Training, sending RF Ronald McMillan to the Reds in exchange for pitcher Scott King. King is 24 years old and will now be with his third team in the last three years. He's got just 18 innings under his belt, but teams continue to sour on the former first round pick. He's had his share of injuries, but he looks like he can be a valuable member of our bullpen, even capable of starting. He'll provide a little more flexibility than McMillan at least.

The Dodgers finished 19-11 in Spring Training, and I think we're ready for the season to begin.

[NYY #23]

After starting the year 1-5 the Dodgers have gone 16-3 since and now sit in first place with a 3 game lead. The Dodgers are hitting well, and pitching well, and I have to commend our manager who I think is doing a nice job getting everyone at-bats in our crowded infield.

Late in Spring Training we saw an opportunity to spend a little bit of money to improve our team. Javier Cruz was 8-4 last year with 30 saves and a 1.79 ERA, and we were able to sign the 37 year old to a two year $10.1 million contract, with the second year a vesting option if he finishes 40 games. He chose us over the Yankees, and while he's still getting back to full strength he hasn't allowed a run yet.

Carlos Contreras of the Rangers picked up the 2000th hit of his career while Miguel Saltines of the Padres and Michael Bowman of the Brewers saved the 300th game of their careers.

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers cooled off a little in May, but still finished the month with a 16-12 record and we've opened up a 4 game lead in the NL West. I'm feeling pretty good about how things are going all around. Even defensively we're playing pretty well.

Run support hasn't been Gordon Baird's friend this year. Looking just at his 2-5 record makes it look like he's struggling, but a bigger culprit is our team only scoring 2.27 runs per game for him. He's our only starter not getting at least 4 runs of support per game with Moss (4.55), Miller (4.10), Sandoval (5.20), and Fernandez (4.33) getting better run support.

Jose Guerrero of the Padres hit the 400th home run of his career this month.

[NYY #23]

June was a struggle for the Dodgers with a 13-14 record that has placed us in a three way tie for first place. We can't have things be too easy in Los Angeles. The team really seems to be missing Matt Mills' bat, so hopefully he'll be back soon.

Luke Clark hit the 300th home run of his career. Mike Cantrell of the Rays hit career home run number 400.

I've reached the point with the Dodgers where I've completely relinquished control of our drafting to our assistant GM. Hopefully that won't have any effect on how long my stay in Los Angeles lasts.

1) 1B Mauro Ruiz
2) RP Paul Turner
3) CF Allen Hunt
4) SP Tony Norman
5) CF Freddy Holland

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers completed a trade with the Royals during the month, sending reliever Javier Cruz to the Royals in exchange for minor league outfielder Chris Robinson. I guess I can admit now that the Cruz signing just didn't work out, but rather than take up a roster spot we were able to deal him and get back some outfield depth.

After going 17-7 in July the Dodgers have a good old fashioned pennant race going, finishing the month tied with Mexico City. Unfortunately for the Dodgers they are the team we've had the most trouble with this year, dropping 4 of 6.

Closer Weldon Johnston and third baseman Matt Mills were our lone all-star representatives.

Around the league 39 year old Dave Dillard of the Padres hit his 400th career home run.

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers finished the month 16-10 and have opened up a 3 1/2 game lead over the Rockies, and 4 game lead over Mexico City.

Let's talk a little this month about Rob Adams. He's just 33 years old, making $21 million a year, and seems to be having a nice comeback year this year hitting .270 with 20 home runs and 60 RBI. His WAR of 3.3 is the highest since 2079. He's been great for us, and the cost to acquire was fairly low, especially with the Cubs paying 30% of his contract, and the Red Sox paying 65% of his contract.

Matt Mills picked up his 2000th career hit this month.

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers wrapped up the season with a 14-12 September and 5-1 October to win the National League West and finish with 98 wins as we continue to make progress. We'll hopefully take advantage of skipping the Wild Card round and getting ready for the Division Series.

Around the league 32 year old Alex Gross of the Tigers hit the 300th home run of his career while 33 year old Alejandro Morales of the Orioles picked up career hit number 2000. 38 year old Mark Crowe of the Cardinals saved his 300th career game.