Cinco De Mayo Week

Hello Cinco de Mayo Week

By David A. Avila

Led by a pair of ex-Dodgers the upstart San Francisco Giants arrived for a two-game series at Chavez Ravine and exited temporarily with a few questions in this 133-year historic rivalry.

One month into season 2022 the NL West has developed into what experts predicted: a three-team race between the Dodgers, Padres and Giants.

On Wednesday May 4, not even Joc Pederson or Alex Wood could help the black and orange uniformed team from San Francisco in their quest to topple the Dodgers and their lead in the west. A 9-1 drubbing led by Mookie Betts and friends reminded everyone that the Dodger-machine may be slipping into overdrive.

Betts continues to lead the National League in runs scored despite starting the season with a very cool bat. Against the Giants he homered and singled and scored two runs to lead the Dodgers past their northern nemesis who snapped their seven-year hold on the NL West last year.

“I think collectively it was the best game we’ve played,” said Dodger manager Dave Roberts. “When (Betts) gets on, good things happen.”

Dusty

Former Dodger player now veteran manager Dusty Baker garnered his 2,000 win as a MLB manager, in a career that has seen him guide two teams to the World Series and numerous others to the playoffs including his current team the Houston Astros.

Raised in Riverside, California the former Dodger power-hitting outfielder was always known for having a toothpick in his mouth. He’s even more known for inventing the “high five” hand slap back in the early 1980s.

Baker has always had a knack for making everyone feel right at home and calls familiar reporters “hey brother.”

Achieving the 2,000-win marker usually means the Baseball Hall of Fame. This year Baker could pass Walt Alston the Dodger skipper of the 1950s and 1960s.

It’s really amazing that Baker has achieved that many victories though he was let go by numerous teams like the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds for unknown reasons. When he took over the Astros it was after that team was caught cheating during the 2017 World Series. Baker led them back to the World Series last year.

Umpires

When Arizona Diamondback pitcher Madison Bumgarner was tossed after only one inning pitched this week by the home plate umpire the baseball world erupted.

Why did it look like the umpire Dan Bellino was baiting Bumgarner while checking his hands for illegal substances?

Bad calls behind the plate set the stage for numerous debates and problems. One definite way to eradicate further problems with home plate umpires would be to establish robot umpires. Not only would it erase these ball and strike arguments, it would speed up the game.

Robot umpires are the future behind home plate.

Angels

Earlier on Wednesday, Taylor Ward was invited to a popular MLB television show and apologized for being one of several Los Angeles Angel players with confusing similar names. Later on the same day Ward helped clobber Boston.

Ward was recently selected the AL Player of the Week and if Boston Red Sox fans had any questions to the merit of his selection, the 28-year-old Angel who finally made the Major League roster after years in the minors proved why he was selected. A dramatic 10^th inning homer over the centerfield Green Monster helped deliver a 10-5 victory over the hometown team.

With a .375 batting average and 1.212 OPS Ward at the leadoff spot has become the Angels needed catalyst for a powerful hitting team that features Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.

Speaking of Ohtani, his pitching performance against Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon was a jewel. It’s never easy to pitch in Fenway Park and last year’s MVP was at his best. Fans got a treat as Shohei fanned 11 Red Sox batters in seven shutout innings. Wow. And he also banged a hit off the Green Monster that led to an RBI.

Bauer

Trevor Bauer filed an appeal after MLB doled out a two-year suspension against him for allegedly violating its domestic violence policies. Though charges against Bauer were dropped by Los Angeles County District Attorney offices, the MLB can still precede with its own investigation and proceedings.

Bauer was paid huis full $38 million salary last year but only one month worth this year. The Dodgers do not have to pay him after he was suspended.