By Jon Weisman
A 2015 World Series with the Dodgers now exists only in our imaginations. It takes me back to another event that never was: the 1951 Dodgers-Yankees World Series. Above is the cover of the program that would have gone on sale, if not for Bobby Thomson.
Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
By Jon Weisman
It was a brutal, bloody game of King of the Mountain, a struggle, a scrambling boulder climb between two foes, toe-to-toe, claw to claw, slipping and soaring.
The clock ticked, baseball’s clock of outs counting down in its own unique measure. And when the final one drained away, one team stood.
The New York Mets will advance to play the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series, having beaten back the Dodgers to win the deciding Game 5 of the National League Division Series, 3-2.
Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson (Juan Ocampo and Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
Rather than choose between Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson for the outfield, the Dodgers have gone with both.
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On the 27th anniversary of his unparalleled 1988 World Series Game 1 home run, Kirk Gibson is the subject of an in-depth feature by Scott Miller of Bleacher Report, detailing the Dodger hero’s battle with Parkinson’s disease.
— Jon Weisman
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By Jon Weisman
It has been just under two years since fans came to Dodger Stadium knowing that their team had to win or the season would end. The starting pitcher that day, as it will be today (only with more hair), was Zack Greinke.
With the Dodgers having lost three of their first four games to the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, Greinke took the mound on October 16, 2013 and pitched seven innings of two-run ball in a 6-4 Dodger victory.
In fact, the pitcher who threw out the ceremonial first pitch that day will do so again tonight: 1988 playoff hero Orel Hershiser.
Since he came off the disabled list in August, opponents are hitting .163/.239/.313/.551 against Chris Hatcher. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
No longer is there any doubt about who is the Dodgers’ primary eighth-inning reliever in the bullpen.
By Jon Weisman
No, you don’t exactly expect Zack Greinke to go into hysterics over pitching in the deciding game of a playoff series.
By Jon Weisman
Yasmani Grandal catches most Zack Greinke starts, as well as most games against right-handed pitching, but his ailing shoulder might keep him doing so Thursday in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
Don Mattingly said that Grandal is able to play defensively, but it’s a question whether he can bat effectively, saying that Grandal is “a bit more on the 50-50 line” about whether he could start.
By Jon Weisman
In Game 4 of the 1988 National League Championship Series at New York, the final Dodger run was driven home by Kirk Gibson.
In Game 4 of the 2015 National League Division Series at New York, the final Dodger run was driven home by Justin Turner.
Similarities between Gibson and Turner go beyond that piece of trivia, as well as their lack of a clean shave (in Turner’s case, an extreme lack). Gibson had an intensity that isn’t imitated outwardly by the easy-going Turner, but the latter’s inner drive to be a critical player on the Dodgers’ championship drive is unmistakable.
And like Gibson famously did in 1988, Turner is increasingly seeming to carry the Dodgers without the cooperation of both his legs.
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By Jon Weisman
Relief pitcher Jim Johnson, whom the Dodgers acquired with Alex Wood and Jose Peraza from Atlanta in July, has been designated for assignment.
Taking his place on the 40-man roster — not eligible for the current playoffs — will be right-handed pitcher Brooks Brown.
A first-round (34th overall) pick by Arizona in the 2006 draft, the 30-year-old Brown had a 3.97 ERA with 41 strikeouts against 75 baserunners in 59 Major League innings for Colorado in 2014-15. He had a 2.77 ERA in 2014, then a 4.91 ERA in this year while dealing with right shoulder inflammation.
Johnson did not make the Dodgers’ postseason roster after allowing 42 baserunners in 18 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts for Los Angeles.
Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers
You know the drill, folks. National League Division Series Game 5 starts at 5 p.m. Thursday, but you should aim to arrive at Dodger Stadium as early as possible.
For more information — including alternate transportation —
visit dodgers.com/transportation.
Jeurys Famila (Mike Strobe/Getty Images) and Kenley Jansen (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
With Jacob deGrom and Zack Greinke facing off Thursday in the deciding Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Dodgers and Mets, you don’t expect to need much in the way of relief. But should the need arise, nearly every pitcher on either roster will be ready to go.
By Jon Weisman
Koufax. Johnson. Championship.
This is the last tale from “Remembering ’65,” and the one you know the best.
Fifty years ago today, working on two days’ rest in Minnesota, backed by Sweet Lou Johnson’s fourth-inning home run, Sandy Koufax pitched a 2-0 shutout over the Twins to give the Dodgers the 1965 World Series title, their fourth in the past 11 seasons.
“Alston Leans to Left and Koufax Proves He’s Right,” read the headline in the Times, regarding Dodger manager Walter Alston’s decision to start Koufax over Don Drysdale. But that result was anything but a given as the game unfolded.
Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
By Jon Weisman
Let’s make sure we’re clear about this. Clayton Kershaw did not make his first great postseason start tonight. Not even close.
Just to remind you, there was the three-game stretch in the 2013 playoffs, when he pitched 19 innings, struck out 23 and allowed one earned run.
That’s in addition to the six quality innings he threw twice in the 2014 National League Division Series and once in the 2015 NLDS — yes, before seventh innings to forget.
But for those who haven’t seen past Kershaw’s postseason won-loss record, his seven innings in Tuesday’s 3-1 NLDS Game 4 victory are the much-awaited spectacles.
Mike Stobe/Getty Images
By Jon Weisman
It was nine innings of walking heart palpitations, but we’ve come through the other side.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming home to play Game 5 of the National League Division Series after defeating the New York Mets, 3-1.
What happens when three old friends in crisis fall into an unexpected love triangle? In The Catch, Maya, Henry and Daniel embark upon an emotional journey that forces them to confront unresolved pain, present-day traumas and powerful desires, leading them to question the very meaning of love and fulfillment. The Catch tells a tale of ordinary people seeking the extraordinary – or, if that’s asking too much, some damn peace of mind.
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