Here's a great photo of freshman Hall of Famer Mike Piazza with grizzled old-pro Tommy Lasorda, via Tommy's twitter. Those were the day's, eh?
This burgeoning young star was on the cusp of what would be an incredible career. He would wow crowds with breathtaking home runs while becoming the most prolific hitting catcher of all time. Unfortunately, his time in LA isn't one of fondness for him. Instead, there's been plenty of controversy; much of which was written about yesterday by Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times: "Mike Piazza has made it hard for Dodgers fans to share his happiness."
Piazza comes off a bitter man. It’s distasteful and sad, and sours the six years he spent here establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier hitters. He is the godson of Tommy Lasorda. The Dodgers took him in the 62nd round of the draft and brought him up through their system. He was the National League Rookie of the Year here. Fans adored him.I too don't understand why he has consistently turned his back on Dodger fans. It's strange... And disheartening. I wish it weren't this way, but it is. For whatever reason, he has decided that he wants nothing to do with us. I guess with more time that could change, but for now I feel like that old friend you never bother to call back. Below are more links to check out:
Yet he acts like his time with the Dodgers was pure hell. That the organization and fans, even Vin Scully, all turned on him.
- There is a 1:00 PM press conference at Dodger Stadium today. The announcement didn't state what it would be about, but I think it's fair to say that they'll be officially announcing the Kenta Maeda signing. The last portion of the press release was in Japanese.
- As I'm sure you know by now, the Dodgers re-signed Brandon Beachy yesterday. Per a Dodger press release:
Beachy, 29, has gone 14-12 with a 3.36 ERA in 48 Major League starts in five seasons with Atlanta (2010-13) and Los Angeles (2015), missing significant action due to Tommy John surgeries on June 21, 2012 and March 21, 2014. In 275.2 innings in the big leagues, Beachy has limited opposing hitters to a .223 batting average with a 1.16 WHIP and posted a 3.04 strikeout-to-walk ratio, striking out 280 and walking only 92.Beachy spent the 2015 season in the Los Angeles organization and made two starts with the Dodgers (0-1, 7.88 ERA) after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on July 11 (recovery from Tommy John surgery). He finished the season in the minors, where, including his rehab assignment, he compiled a 1-1 record with a 3.51 ERA and limited opponents to a .229 batting average in 11 games (10 starts) with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City,
- Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares details of Beachy's contract here. It is heavily incentive laden.
- Listen to Scott Kazmir speak with David Vassegh on Dodger Talk from the other day, here. (Audio Link)
- Via Bill Plunkett at Baseball America, "Montas Waiting In The Wings For Dodgers."
The 6-foot-2 Montas is one of the hardest-throwing pitching prospects in baseball with a fastball that reaches 100 mph and a power slider. He made his major league debut with two starts for the White Sox in September and is considered major league-ready if the Dodgers want to move him to the bullpen.
- David Hood at True Blue LA shares his prospect report on recently acquired outfielder Trayce Thompson, here.
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