LA Dodgers Short Cut No Yellow Brick Road

They made a blockbuster trade that had all the
makings of stealing the pennant from the Giants,
winning the National League, and swooping in on
a World Series title for a franchise that has
as much history as just about any royal family
in the baseball world, but it had a chance at
being a total flop too.

The verdict isn't completely in, but the Dodgers
gambled and as of right now, I'm gonna say they
lost. Yes they are only two games out of the
last NL wildcard spot, but they have failed
miserably in their attempt to gain any ground
on their longtime nemesis San Francisco Giants,
and have dropped to seven and half games behind
them for the first place spot in the NL West.

Though the Dodgers are now saying that this trade
for Beckett, Gonzalez, Crawford and co. is for
their future as much as it is to make a run this
year, it sure looked like a team that was hoping
for a bigger more immediate payout when the trade
was made. Maybe they were looking for the Wizard.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 8-25-12

On "Ranting with Rizzo" this past week I had alot
to say regarding the Dodgers Red Sox Blockbuster
and why this was a huge win for the Red Sox, did
you miss it? If you missed it or there's anything
you want to here again, here it is:



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Dodgers Try The Yankee Way, Steinbrenner Smiles

A large amount of the focus on the trade between
the Red Sox and Dodgers has been on Boston, and
if you ask me, it makes sense. The got rid of
a boat load of salary, damaged goods, and a
pitcher who has clearly seen better days.

All that being said, from the L.A. point of view
it smells exactly like something "The Boss"
George Steinbrenner would have had the guts to
do. Don't get me wrong, if you're a Dodger
fan this trade stinks, BUT, it has the potential
to pay off like a 100-1 shot at Santa Anita on
a sunny Sunday afternoon. No one, but no one
had the guts to do something like this without
thinking and over thinking it over and over
again. Many a bold move like this caused
Steinbrenner Yankee teams to look like fools
in the 80's and early 90's, but that's until
he mixed baseball people with knowledge and
his go for the gusto approach to finally build
winners.

The Dodgers took a gamble here, they laid out
a ton of money, and got a guy who could be a
cancer in the clubhouse if his bad habits from
his days in Boston turn out to be true, and
team chemistry though sometimes over rated,
can be a big part of whether or not a team will
gel or not. The prospects they gave up in this
deal are just that, prospects, so that's not
exactly a huge gamble, but it helps that they
brought back a California guy in Adrian Gonzalez
as part of the trade.

George "The Boss" Steinbrenner is out there right
now saying: "I would have done that", and everyone
knows that too.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Red Sox : Who Says You Can't Trade The Whole Team?

Courtesy: CBS Boston

It's been said a million times, "you can't trade
all 25 players, you have to change the manager",
or something very similar to that. Well the
Red Sox dared to different here.
Kevin Youkalis, not a BIG Bobby V. - GONE
Kelly Shopach, alleged texter - GONE
Josh Beckett, Big fatcat hasbeen - GONE
Adrian Gonzalez, Free Agent Blah - GONE
Carl Crawford, Damaged Free Agent Blah - GONE
Nick Punto - Guilty by association - GONE
Bobby V. (Manager) - STILL HEEEEEEEEERE

If Dustin Pedroia wants out, and doesn't get
how things are done around there NOW, I think
he just found out were the door is. Like the
move or hate it, it's a bold statement, and one
that should probably considered more often,
especially when players forget who signs their
pay checks. Yes they're the ones that can bring
home the glory for the teams, but players play,
and managers manage. I know it's a novel idea
and all, but they might want to try it on for
size and see how it goes.

As far as the Dodgers go, Lord help Don Mattingly
and his coaches, he may need it.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 8-4-12

"Ranting with Rizzo" is on every Saturday at noon, but
if you missed it or anything the podcast is here now:



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 5-12-12

The better late than never "Ranting with Rizzo" podcast
is available now, so check it out and see what topics
are on the agenda: Red Sox, NBA Playoffs, Josh Beckett,
etc.....Check it out here:



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

MLB Post Season & Hottest Stoves

Texas Rangers look like they are ready to right
last years wrong, and go back to the World Series
and win it this time. It will be interesting to
see if they can accomplish it this year, but no,
I am not counting Detroit out, but 3-1 will be
hard to come back from, it's been done, but that
doesn't mean it was ever easy.

Speaking of three one Milwaukee needs to stay
away from that hole with the St. Louis Cardinals
now in front 2-1, if they have any intentions of
making use of Prince Fielder for the remainder
of this post season. LaRussa = Smoke & Mirrors

Terry Francona is gone and may have been distracted
by pain killers in 2011, Theo Epstein is looking to
make lightning strike twice by signing with the Cubs,
Josh Beckett and John Lackey were drinking beer in
the clubhouse during games, David Ortiz is open to
playing for the Yankees, and CC Sabathia "may" opt
out of the final years of his deal with the New York
Yankees, Hmmmmm, just another ho hum off season for
Major League baseball I guess. I wonder were Prince
fielder ends up.





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