Happy Earth (Wind, and Fire) Day

Who will be today's Shining Star?

Today’s Bill Chuck Files:

• THE DODGERS’ MVP THREE

• BOB RYAN WENT TO THE GAME YESTERDAY

• THE DODGERS’ MVP THREE

• STARTERS VS. TEAM WON-LOSS RECORDS

• THE ARM OF O’NEILL

• POWERLESS IN KC

• TCB AGAINST TEAMS UNDER .500

• RICK BARRY AND WILLIE MAYS

• SHINING STAR

Through a combination of injuries, illnesses, and a baby, so far this season, the Dodgers’ MVP Three of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman have played in a combined total of 53 of a possible 69 games through the Dodgers first 23 games of the season. Last season, they played in all 69 games. But that’s not the only difference with their starts this season.

Through 23 games in 2024, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani hit .331 with a .980 OPS. They had hit 11 homers and driven home 40. They had scored 51 runs, struck out 53 times, walked 46 times, and stolen 11 bases.

Through 23 games in 2025, the MVP Three are hitting .265 with an OPS of .887. They’ve hit 14 homers and driven home 27. They’ve scored 40 runs, struck out 38 times, walked 30 times, and stolen seven bases.

BOB RYAN WENT TO THE GAME YESTERDAY

As you know, I ask subscribers and potential subscribers to judge me by the company I keep. I am so proud to keep company with the legendary writer, my friend, and my collaborator, Bob Ryan.

For those of you who have read our fun book (plug alert), In Scoring Position, you already know that Bob scores every game that he attends. And he sees things that most of us miss. For example, here’s Bob’s scorecard from the Boston/Chicago game from yesterday morning.

I see Alex Bregman’s two walks. That’s significant because last April, Alex Bregman drew 10 walks in 26 games. He now has 9 in 23 games. His walk total dropped precipitously last season along with his OBP. I see Wilyer Abreu with three strikeouts. From April 14-21, Abreu has played six games, gone 3-23 (.130), and struck out 10 times.

I saw that Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez went 0-4. But here’s the odd thing that Bob saw. In the even-numbered innings, Narvaez made the last out (the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th). How can you not love that?