The Lakewood Village Majors Dodgers continue towards the finish line, and it is clear that they are getting better. Against a team that the Dodgers twice struggled to score runs against, the Dodgers scored 14, and hit three home runs, by Tiger and two by Mondesi. Additionally, Mondesi pitched his second no-hitter of the season, missing a perfect game only on an error on a bunt. (This is actually the Dodgers' second no hitter in succession, as they combined on a three pitcher-no hitter in the last game.) And, so, the Dodgers clinched the season by winning the second half with a record of 10-0 at this point. They are also 21-1 overall, the one loss a dagger thrust forth by the Angels months ago, off of the glove of Nate...
But that matters not. The Dodgers are a team of greatness, not on the basis of opinion, but by light of fact. Through happenstance and hard work in equal parts, a team has been assembled capable of toppling the heights of the baseball hierarchy. This is not, nay, not nearly a team of superjocks or insanely conditioned, travel ball-conditioned baseball playing-automatons. Nay nay nay! These are boys-nearing-manhood that have to do extra conditioning because they neglect to clean the dugout and average three missed signs on a game to game basis. These are gentleboys who find the renderings of the gastroentestinal system to be a source of everlasting delight, and who take the all-important task of stretching before a game/practice far too lightly. But to more than balance that, these boys are able to, quite simply, rake. They are hitting .426 as a team and are lapping the field. Their pitchers average just over one run given up per game. And we are perhaps five games from our run ending.
Let's review these excellent boys: First, the four who have been with the Dodgers organization over the entire three years:
Johnny--this is a boy, born of a man-boy who loves baseball, and who loves baseball himself. He keeps score whilst watching Dodgers baseball games (Major League ones), and desires nothing more than to "be good" at the game. The fact that he is very good at the game is lost on him, but is true nonetheless. Johnny's successes have been exhilarating, his failures at times demoralizing (and yell-inducing), but NEVER boring.
Tiger--oh, what an ath-uh-lete. Tiger was spotted during tryouts three years ago, wearing running shoes without cleats, wheeling around the bases after hitting, like a gazelle. Tiger is a sweet boy who loves his friends and has his moments of insecurity, but remains an exceptional baseball player, who made the best catch I've seen in Little League last year during the all-star tournament last year to almost save the game. Tiger is an instinctual player who is resistant to coaching at times, but this may also be part of his instinctual nature.
Mondesi--this boy became part of the Dodgers organization when Johnny and I decided to join up and coach together. He is my boy and I am terribly biased when it comes to him, without question. Objectively, it is clear that he has improved greatly as a player, is one of the two best pitchers in the league, and also one of the two best hitters in the league. He was saddled with a baseball player's name, but has seemingly embraced that, or perhaps ignored it, to make his own name. He is frequently smiling and telling corny jokes and has quite a lisp which gives the coaches frequent delight.
Nate--what a boy. He is the youngest of the 12-year olds (or nearly so), and has earned his nickname of Ice Water by yawning and looking non-plussed in the tightest of situations on the diamond. This year, he figured it all out, and has absolutely mashed the ball. Over the years, he has also developed a reputation as a pitcher as a guy who gets the quick out. His response to coaching instruction is rapid acquiescence, which inspires pleasure in the staff. He has been under coach Johnny's tutelage ever since he started playing baseball to my knowledge and is Johnny (the player)'s best buddy.
The next five players have spent two years in the Dodgers' organization:
Fisch (sticks)--our fair-haired elven prince of baseball, Fisch is a born ballplayer, moderate in temperament and fundamentally excellent. Against his mother's deepest wishes, Fisch has been transformed into the league's best catcher, a task he undertakes with nary a complaint despite having his left hand stung consistently by the league's best (and hardest throwing) pitchers. He crushes the ball and hit the league's most epic game-winning all star home run of all time last year.
Brick (Jason)--red hair, stocky as all get out. His dad played college baseball, and he is a smart boy with a sarcastic sense of humor and a notably high-pitched voice, glove that is apparently repellant to a baseball at times, but less so recently. He misses games on a semi-regular basis as he engages in outdoors activities like camping and fishing. This is a boy who possesses immense physical strength and a reservoir of baseball knowledge given his lineage. He has had some bright moments this year with hits off of the uber-pitcher Ian and many others.
Jose--the ultimate hustle bunny. I have not witnessed, over the last two years, any instance of Jose going half-assed on the field. The boy loves baseball, and has worked exceedingly hard to get better at it. He killed the Minor A Dodgers on multiple occasions three years ago and we made sure to draft him when we got the chance last year.
Ripper (Matthew)--what a ballplayer. This is a boy who clearly puts thought and effort into his play. He also injects his heart into it, which has resulted in some tearful moments over the two years after strikeouts while batting and walks while pitching. Matthew can play infield, outfield, catcher, or pitcher with equal aplomb. It says here that I also have to note that he looks like Howdy Doody, which is lost on almost everyone at this point.
Doctor (David)--again, what a ballplayer. This is the one Dodger who took a break last year after being with us on the original 2008 team. He is an exceptional 11 year old player, slight of build, but polished at fielding, hitting, and pitching. He makes use of every bit of his diminutive frame. He rarely has struck out over the years and has a dad who has worked frequently with him to hone his ballplayer (and good boy) skills.
And, finally, our one year guys:
Nick--what a smart boy. He loves baseball and has improved quite a bit over the year. He is not a huge guy but has managed quite a few hard hits this year. He will get a chance to come back next year and lead the next generation of Dodgers.
Rook (Nathan)--as you know, this is Brick's brother, and he is our youngest player, at 10 years old. He has a bowl haircut and is cute beyond measure. Additionally, he doesn't like to admit that he doesn't quite know our signs, but we've gotten over that. He had a three-run triple two games ago and was pleased as punch.
Justin--he is strong, and he is eleven years old. Justin has frosted tips (a sometime nickname for him) and is a bit pudgy--you might call it baby fat. When we first started this year, Justin had a hard time with the Dodgers's training regimen--lunges, lunges, lunges. He missed a couple of practices with "sore legs". Since then, he has progressed admirably and is a very strong, capable player, who will undoubtedly be one of the very best players in the league next year. He can pitch and hit and has taken significant strides in the outfield. He is really fearless at the plate and at third base. What a team.
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