Dodgers News: National League Scout Not Sold On Alex Guerrero

Oh really? Frank Howard and Tommy Davis had no power? Didn’t Tommy win a batting title? I could include Wally Moon, but he played in the Coliseum. Alston platooned Ron Fairly and Howard right field for a few years until Howard was traded to Washington. He platooned Roseboro and Torborg. and platooned Yeager and Ferguson at catcher. In case you didn’t know that’s the most demanding position on the field.That makes sense. Mattingly’s moves don’t. Do you want examples? Grandal will be dead by August.Torre had good players the best money could buy and he managed in the AL that has the DH. No need for a lot of strategy there. He didn’t do that well in the NL did he not? Charlie Manuel out managed him in the playoffs. He destroyed Broxton’s arm and confidence. That’s where Donny learned that one. Not to mention a few others.I would agree that the 65 and 66 teams lacked power. Mattingly nor Torre could have managed those teams. I don’t think DM knows what is a squeeze play is and has no concept of hit and run or when to send a runner. I know the stories about Koufax. Whomever warmed him up had to wear full catcher’s gear because of the wildness. He had no confidence to destroy in his first few years, I think he’d be the first to admit that. Your probably dumber than me if you can’t see the irony or the sarcasm. Maybe you got the point this time.

I swear, I know all of that without reading the back of baseball card. You saw it every day? I lived in a neighboring state. So I listened everyday. Still remember that Sunday afternoon in August of 65, when Marichal took a bat to Roseboro’s head. 1966? Willie Davis and Lou Johnson played more games than Tommy Davis. The switch hitting infield was more intact in 65 than in 66. Lefebvre hit something like 24 or 25 home runs while winning the rookie of the year the previous season. Wes Parker was known for his glove as well as starring in a number television comedies including “Gilligan’s Island.”
Mattingly never played in a World Series and he’ll never manage in one. I know it wasn’t the manager who struck out with the bases loaded. It’s not the manager who walked in the winning run with the bases loaded. It’s not the manager dropped an easy fly ball. But…It is his job to put his team in the best position to win. It is his job to put the best, the most productive and healthiest players in the line-up everyday. Not just 5 of 9, because he may feel a certain loyalty to a favorite or just because he feels they need a rest, Or the rest of his smug and arrogant excuses that his wife helps him come up with. He still thinks he’s in ST. Or did you miss last night’s game. He wins because of the talent that is afforded to him. He’s no Bruce Bochy. I’d rather be a pea brain that blames him, questions his decisions and non-strategy than one like you, who worships him and his heavenly mentor…You are in the minority buddy! I don’t have the time to wait another 27 years.

That 62 playoff game that they lost. Some of the players in wanted Drysdale to close the game and get it over.But Alston’s rationale was; “We’ll need him to start the first game of the World Series.” I know…You know what happened in the clubhouse after the game. That and the ’73 season when they were up 10.5 to 12.5 games up on the 2nd place Reds on, or around Labor Day…They choked that season away. Sad for me. It was my favorite Dodger player Willie Davis’ last season. One of the worst gaffs is when Lasorda elected to pitch to Clark during the ’85 playoffs. We were talking about Broxton. Look what Tommy did to Niedenfuer. Tommy not only had rabbit ears but you also know he had a mouth on top of it. Spokane used to come and play my town’s AAA affiliate. The mayor’s son was heckling the hell out of Lasorda. Apparently he had enough and between the inning told the kid “Shut your f—-g mouth! You f—g son of a bitch.” No…I don’t know Mattingly but my cousin lives in Jasper IN. He was a all-state LHP, who was later drafted by the Cardinals. He struck Mattingly out twice in a regional playoff game…Played basketball against him, as well. I am a Dodger fan because my Dad was. Gil Hodges was his idol. Gil is from a town in SW Indiana about 30 miles away from where Dad is from. Most of my relatives back there are Cards or Cubs fans. But, they’ll tell you that they know more about the Dodgers and baseball than most Dodger fans do.
I have a cousin who sang the national anthem at Dodger Stadium. I won’t drop her name. Family wouldn’t appreciate it. She used to live in Malibu. You know your shit and I respect that. I don’t agree with you about Guerrero defensive capabilities. I played all 4 infield positions. I felt more comfortable on the left side than the right. My internal clock worked better. I felt I had more range over there. Could have had a better arm. Who cares?…Right! Alex had a 975 FA in the minors playing mostly 2nd base. Bill Russell had a 948 FA in ’74 and committed 40 errors. They would blame it on the crushed brick skin surface and having a small target at first base.That infield was more offensively oriented. The double play combination were both former outfielders. That is a harder transition than going from infield to outfield…Talk all day to you…GO DODGERS. PS…Grandal and Guerrero will surprise you and make an impact before it’s all over. Grandal is getting help from one of the toughest and most clutch catchers to ever wear that uniform.

Francis was the president of the Jimmy Wynn fan club. I remember her. My birthday July 1st, 1975. My parents and my two brothers were picnicking in Elysian Park. Around 2:00 to 3:00 PM my older brother and I went up the road and snuck under the gate. We were out behind the left field pavilion where the players parked at that time. Francis was there with about 2 dozen kids. Then all of a sudden. The players started showing up. I remember Cey and Garvey arrived in a small Nissan or (Datsun back then) coupe. Nothing extravagant like you would think. Steve Yeager should up in a white Cadillac with “Yeags7” on the license plate. Proclaiming how I almost caught you SOBs on the freeway. Using profanity in front of all these kids and Frances made me uncomfortable…Not that I’ve never said firetruck in front of anyone. I had my Dodger hat on. I got Cey’s, Garvey’s plus a wink…We are about the same height. Jimmy Wynn’s, Bill Russell’s (underrated clutch hitter). Lee Lacy’s, Willie Crawford’s (who was just as wreckless and dumb as Puig running the bases. Rick Auerbach’s, Ken McMullen ( who had just lost his wife months before).Very nice man and not stuck up. Al Downing refused. Ken told me that he never signs hats. We sat right behind the Dodger dugout, maybe 2nd row. Can’t touch those seats during the 90’s…Corporate owned then. Now I think there about 125.00 a piece, depending on who they are playing. Took a leak with Rick Sutcliffe in a Bobby McGee’s when he was with the Indians during ST. I asked if he was Rick Sutcliffe?, Even though I knew who he was. He asked me how I knew? I’m a Dodger fan. He told me how he loved the organization and how he made so many friends. “I just couldn’t stomach Lasorda”. I complain about Mattingly. That was just plain cold leaving him off the World Series roster. He later threw Bill Russell under the bus, as well. I think Olivera will end up at 1st base eventually. But not because of Guerrero. Boras will find a better suitor and re-do his contract. Guerrero, like so many Dodger rejects will come back to haunt them someday.

Great stories. I’ll never forget that grand slam that Jimmy Wynn against the Reds late in the 1974 season, which pretty much demoralized the Reds and knocked them out of the western division race. For me, That was just as dramatic as the Gibson HR in the ’88 WS. He played with pain because of the bone chips in his right elbow. He had trouble throwing. When he was with Houston, the story was that his ex-wife stabbed him in the stomach with a kitchen knife multiple times. Almost ended his career.
You saw the Marichal-Roseboro brawl. Earlier that summer in 1974, I was at the brawl game against the Reds. The one where Buckner slid hard into Morgan to break up a double-play and then they got in to it big time. It happened so fast. There is no replay when you are there live in person. I hated Pete Rose. I think everybody did after the incident with Bud Harrelson. When I saw Ferguson going after him. I was delighted…Almost better than sex. The first time I went to Dodger Stadium in 1963 was not to see the Dodgers…but the Angels. They called it Chavez Ravine to neutralize it and make it palatable for their fans. Speaking of them, I have a story about Arte Moreno and his humble beginnings. I’d like to share with you sometime. The second time, was not until 1972. I went to some Padre games. Nothing more exciting than watching the Padres playing the Astros at that time. I live in AZ so it was a treat There may be some fans that don’t remember that Frank Robinson was a Dodger. Or that the controversial, Dick Allen was a Dodger, as well. We sat in the left field pavilion. I’m watching him at bat with the aid of binoculars. He swings. My Dad says, “Here it comes!” He leaned over the seat in front of him. My Mom cringed as you would expect. the ball hit his fingertips and it landed in the row in front of us. I remember some man, with Asian heritage ended up with it. Seeing Willie Davis in an Expo uni was heartbreaking. But, not as horrifying as Hershiser in a Giant uniform.

You don’t have to make personal remarks, because you don’t agree with another persons thoughts! Also, the fact that the Yankees did not hire Mattingly for their manager, says a lot about what the Yankee’s thought about Mattingly’s ability to manage! It does look like Mattingly does not know anything about small ball! There had been to many times in the past, when the Dodgers have trouble getting the offense to go, and not being able to score a person on third base with less than two outs! These are the times small ball, and getting the runners in action can help score runs, and can get the offense going! The Giants do this all of the time! They score runs with a walk, or just getting the base runner in action, and they do this with one put out, and maybe just one hit! The Giants can score more runs then the Dodgers, with fewer hits than the Dodgers

I did not say the Giants scored more runs! I said the Giants score more runs, on many less hits, than the Dodgers! The Giants make more use of small ball, and in the process they score more runs on much less! Often, the Dodgers have runners on third base, with less than two outs, and they don’t score! I’m saying there are more ways than waiting for a hit, that will score runners, especially when their on third base! Even you said that Mattingly was challenged when it comes to strategy! Also don’t try to intimidate me! I’m glad you are friends now! He has not complained to me, for standing up for him, and it is not right to get personal! We all are Dodger fans here, and there is no need for being derogatory with your language!

Thanks for the response! I understand that some can’t bunt, but every player should know how to bunt! When Uribe’s tried to bunt last time, it seemed to me, to be a half hearted attempt, and I do like Uribe! Players should know, that you only bunt strikes, except In a squeeze attempt. I know the Dodgers have much more power, but sometimes in a good pitching duel, there needs to be a way to get the offense going, and to score runs, when runs are tight! These tight games, and games in the playoffs, HRS can be hard to come by, so a team needs to have other tools to score! Anyone can really bunt if they want to! Maybe they need a little practice to bunt better. Puig can bunt, as well many pitchers, and they say most pitchers are not really good athletes! Also a little hit and run can also be used! It is just frustrating, when the Dodgers leave so many runners on third base! I knew you guys have mentioned Lasorda and Alston. I really don’t know Alston’s back ground, but I know Lasorda payed his dues, to get the manager job! He managed in AAA, and the winter leagues, before becoming the Dodger’s manager. Tommy really motivated his players, and didn’t throw them under the bus! I really don’t think Mattingly gets the most out of his players, and has so much trouble, handling the bullpen. I guess I believe the Dodgers should not have a manager that is learning on the job, if Mattingly is learning, some say he is not!

Thanks for your information on Alston! I guess Alston not being a good player, is a good example of that old baseball adage that good players don’t make good managers! I have heard that managers are just figure heads, and that some front offices, actually are the ones that make the batting order, and call the plays! I don’t believe that Colletti handled this, and I really don’t know for sure, if the new front office does this, or maybe they just influence the manager’s calls. I thought that last year, if Matingly would have picked the three starting outfielders last year sooner, that that would had solved the situation better! There would only be one man out( not including SV, and then there would have been only one outfielder, unhappy on the bench! Also staying with the same starting three, would benefit the players bats,and defense, by playing on a regular basis! Don’t you think it is weird that the Yankees didn’t sign Mattingly? Anyways, so far, this team has been a joy to watch! Last year it took so much, to get the offense going, and every game seemed to end the same way! I was not happy with Kemp being traded, because I was worried, on how the Dodgers would be able to score enough runs, but at this point the team seems to be much better, except for the starting pitching. I do think that that will be addressed by the front office, after they find out about Ryu! Until then, they will mix and match from AAA!