I agree. I can’t hate on Roberts. He’s getting his team to the playoffs. And I think every manager makes questionable calls during the playoffs. If the decision pays off, he’s a hero. If not, he’s a zero. But I don’t see any fire from the players. I remember when Gibson came in 1988. During Spring training, somebody pranked him. He blew up! He let it be known that he wasn’t there to f**k around. He was there to compete and win. I like Betts. I like Freeman. I’m sure they’re nice guys. But who’s bringing the fire?
Yup! I’m not saying that having a guy like that will be the difference maker, but who in that clubhouse is showing that kind of passion? Nobody! (to our knowledge)
I love Friedman, but I wonder about the fire sales that seem to happen with big name talent going somewhere else every offseason. It seems like they needed JT’s leadership, Trea Turner’s bat, Seaver’s energy. So many players gone who end up having amazing seasons with their new teams…what is being missed with them?
I'm still in on him. Has he made mistakes in the past? Absolutely. But this year was a testament to how good he is as a manager. Most combined WAR lost in the offense and we still won 100 games. The players on the field needed to play better and they didn't - it's that simple to me.
What has fascinated me lately has been reading comments on both the Dodgers and Braves social media accounts and seeing the exact same types of comments about the manager about the offense being cold, not firing up the team, and being "too friendly to win in October".
It is not a matter of blame. Of course Doc did not lose the NLDS. That falls entirely on the players. But there is something that is not working for the Dodgers in the playoffs. You cannot just say that you have no answers as to what went wrong in the playoffs and let it go. Bruce Bochy gets his players up for the playoffs. So does Dusty Baker. Why can’t Doc? There is no way that Lynn should have started Game 3. Going into the playoffs, Pepiot was arguably the best pitcher on the staff, and he doesn’t get into a game?
I am not sure what Danny Lehman adds to the mix. I understand he is an analytics guru, but move that skill to the front office. I would like to see the Dodgers hire a bench coach like Donnie Ecker (Texas’ offensive coordinator and bench coach) and let Doc know that he has one year to get it done. Texas’ approach to offense is outstanding as designed by Ecker. Everywhere Ecker has coached, the team has hit. Now let him know that he is the Manager in Waiting and maybe that gets him in the Dodgers’ dugout. Ecker will not be out planned.
I don’t blame Robert’s at all. Injuries are not his fault, nor is the players, who get paid $100s of millions of dollars, not showing up his fault either. This is on the players, they literally never showed up in those 3 games, especially the offense! The decision to start Lynn, like you and I talked about through text, was his only horrible decision during the 3 game stretch, I would have started Pepiot. You and I stated that if we had a 2-0 lead in the series, that would be the only way you start Lynn, definitely not starting him with a 0-2 series deficit! Also, Wong on the roster wasn’t warranted at all. But it is what it is. He hit a homer in his first at bat as a dodger and then kinda never showed up again.
I’d rather have a team that makes it to the postseason every year and gets bounced in the playoffs, than a below .500 team that never gets there or every 5 years shows up. “It is better to have loved and be loved than to have never loved or been loved at all.”
Agreed! Also, I remember the Fox/McCourt years. I'm grateful for our teams over the last decade, even though it's been (extreme) heartache in October for most of the years.
I agree. I can’t hate on Roberts. He’s getting his team to the playoffs. And I think every manager makes questionable calls during the playoffs. If the decision pays off, he’s a hero. If not, he’s a zero. But I don’t see any fire from the players. I remember when Gibson came in 1988. During Spring training, somebody pranked him. He blew up! He let it be known that he wasn’t there to f**k around. He was there to compete and win. I like Betts. I like Freeman. I’m sure they’re nice guys. But who’s bringing the fire?
Yup! I’m not saying that having a guy like that will be the difference maker, but who in that clubhouse is showing that kind of passion? Nobody! (to our knowledge)
Completely agree with this. They’re missing passion, drive, energy.
Both last year and this year that was so evident. I kept saying: “where the fuck is the passion?!”.
I love Friedman, but I wonder about the fire sales that seem to happen with big name talent going somewhere else every offseason. It seems like they needed JT’s leadership, Trea Turner’s bat, Seaver’s energy. So many players gone who end up having amazing seasons with their new teams…what is being missed with them?
*Seager, although Tom Seaver’s arm would have been helpful, too.
REALLY could have used Seaver 🤣🤣🤣
Absolute truth! 😂
I'm still in on him. Has he made mistakes in the past? Absolutely. But this year was a testament to how good he is as a manager. Most combined WAR lost in the offense and we still won 100 games. The players on the field needed to play better and they didn't - it's that simple to me.
What has fascinated me lately has been reading comments on both the Dodgers and Braves social media accounts and seeing the exact same types of comments about the manager about the offense being cold, not firing up the team, and being "too friendly to win in October".
Agree -- Crazy thing is, if Betts & Freeman go 5-21 instead of 0-21, they likely are ahead 2-1 in the series after 3
It is not a matter of blame. Of course Doc did not lose the NLDS. That falls entirely on the players. But there is something that is not working for the Dodgers in the playoffs. You cannot just say that you have no answers as to what went wrong in the playoffs and let it go. Bruce Bochy gets his players up for the playoffs. So does Dusty Baker. Why can’t Doc? There is no way that Lynn should have started Game 3. Going into the playoffs, Pepiot was arguably the best pitcher on the staff, and he doesn’t get into a game?
I am not sure what Danny Lehman adds to the mix. I understand he is an analytics guru, but move that skill to the front office. I would like to see the Dodgers hire a bench coach like Donnie Ecker (Texas’ offensive coordinator and bench coach) and let Doc know that he has one year to get it done. Texas’ approach to offense is outstanding as designed by Ecker. Everywhere Ecker has coached, the team has hit. Now let him know that he is the Manager in Waiting and maybe that gets him in the Dodgers’ dugout. Ecker will not be out planned.
I would also have Chase Utley on speed dial.
Chase Utley just feels like the right kind of move.... But I agree with everything you said!
I never thought the Dodgers would win it this year, largely due to starting pitching. Doc is my favorite LAD manager....of all time! Bring him back.
I don’t blame Robert’s at all. Injuries are not his fault, nor is the players, who get paid $100s of millions of dollars, not showing up his fault either. This is on the players, they literally never showed up in those 3 games, especially the offense! The decision to start Lynn, like you and I talked about through text, was his only horrible decision during the 3 game stretch, I would have started Pepiot. You and I stated that if we had a 2-0 lead in the series, that would be the only way you start Lynn, definitely not starting him with a 0-2 series deficit! Also, Wong on the roster wasn’t warranted at all. But it is what it is. He hit a homer in his first at bat as a dodger and then kinda never showed up again.
Spot on brother 💯💯💯
I’d rather have a team that makes it to the postseason every year and gets bounced in the playoffs, than a below .500 team that never gets there or every 5 years shows up. “It is better to have loved and be loved than to have never loved or been loved at all.”
Agreed! Also, I remember the Fox/McCourt years. I'm grateful for our teams over the last decade, even though it's been (extreme) heartache in October for most of the years.