Dodgers' Dominican coach Manny Mota to have annual golf tournament in Los Angeles

Dodgers coach Manny Mota is the longest tenured coach in Major League Baseball.  In fact, his 32 years as a Dodgers coach make him the second-longest tenured coach in the history of the game.

Manny Mota first appeared in an MLB game in 1962 as a 19 year old from the Dominican Republic.  He quickly established himself as a quality hitter and eventually made his way to the Dodgers, where he finished off his career from 1969-1982.  He appeared in four World Series with the Dodgers and won one as a player.  After his playing career he moved right into coaching with the Dodgers and won another World Series in 1988.  He has been with them ever since.

Mota was a .300 lifetime hitter as a player and retired as the all-time leader in pinch hits.  But he is probably best known for his role..or mentioning...in the movie Airplane:

Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon....Manny Mota mota mota.

The eighth annual Field of Dreams Charity Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, Aug. 23, at California Country Club in Whittier. It benefits the Manny Mota International Foundation programs in the United States and Dominican Republic. The mission of the Manny Mota International Foundation is to provide educational, health and recreational opportunities for the underprivileged, especially disadvantaged youth.  Visit Manny Mota's website for more information or to register for the tournament:  http://www.mannymotagolf.com/

Dominican coach Manny Mota is from Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican player of the week: Rafael Furcal of the Saint Louis Cardinals

There is still one really good Dominican baseball player in Saint Louis, and his name is not Albert Pujols.  Cards fans are perhaps happy to have this other Dominican player this season with the way the two players seasons are going.

Rafael Furcal is by far outplaying Pujols thus far.  This week he played well enough to win the Dominican baseball player of the week.  In five games this week, Furcal hit .667, with 14 hits, 4 runs, 2 stolen bases.  He added a couple walks to up his on-base percentage to .696.

He has been in the big leagues for 13 seasons, and Furcal is off to one of his hottest starts ever.  He is batting .383 with 16 RBI through 33 games.  His on-base percentage is pushing .450.  But, this will never hold up.  His career high average for a season that he played a full work load is .300, which came back in 2006 and 2008.

Furcal is what he is: a well above average fielder and a quality top of the order hitter that also has lots of post season experience, and a World Series title.  While this start cannot hold up, it is good enough for the Dominican player of the week this week.

Furcal is from Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic.

Other Dominicans in week 4: Robinson Cano (.500, 3 2B, HR, 6 RBI) from San Pedro de Macoris.

Dominican player of the week Rafael Furcal with the Dodgers in 2010, photo by SD Dirk on Flickr

Latin baseball players celebrate Jackie Robinson day, Latinos celebran el dia de Jacki Robinson

Latin and Dominican baseball players celebrated Jackie Robinson Day on Sunday, along with all of Major League Baseball.  The entire league wore Robinson's number 42.

It is well known that Robinson was the first African-American to play in the big leagues, and that he opened the door for all the black baseball players after him.  However, Latin baseball players have also seen Robinson as a pioneer, because before him there were very few Latin players admitted into MLB.

There were some Latin players that played in the big leagues, often because they "looked" white, but for the most part Jackie Robinson is the reason that Latin baseball players were later admitted into the league.  And current players know this.

Giants Venezuelan outfielder Gregor Blanco summed up what Jackie Robinson day means to Latin baseball players:

"This is a very special day for all Latin players," Blanco said. "It means a lot to be able to wear his number. He opened up opportuntiies for eveyone and not only helped baseball but also helped the world."

Elsewhere, Dominican player Robinson Cano celebrated in New York, as other Dominicans throughout the league surely did.  Robinson Cano is from San Pedro de Macoris, the major baseball city in the Dominican Republic.  

Happy Jackie Robinson Day!  All of MLB whore his #42 Sunday

Manny Ramriez hits multiple home runs, Dominicano Manny Ramirez llega en Oakland

Well, he did hit multiple home runs in his first batting practice with the A's.  You can call the Dominican Baseball Guy the Manny Ramirez Guy if you so choose, because he is the most blogged about player in the history of the Dominican Baseball Guy blog.  Manny Ramirez is one of the main reasons the Dominican Baseball Guy first started following Dominican baseball so closely.

The Dominican Baseball Guy said that Manny Ramirez was going to be signed in his last post on Ramirez: MLB team to sign Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez? Pelotero Dominicano va a jugar en MLB este año?  And that is what happened.  The A's signed Manny to a one year deal.  He will have to serve the 100 game suspension he is due, for failing a second drug test.  He will serve that in the minor leagues.

Ramirez arrived at A's camp and promptly hit seven home runs in his first batting practice.  Ramirez says that he wants to show his kids and family that you can change and correct a mistake.  He also said God opened this door back up for him and he had to take it.

The Dominican Baseball Guy obviously loves Manny Ramirez, BUT I think he is done.  It is a no lose for the A's though.  He comes cheap.  He will sell minor league tickets and big league tickets.  Maybe he becomes trade bait toward the end of the season, because if he is not on a contender, he honestly is not much use.  He could pinch hit or DH some.

The Dominican Baseball Guy predicts maybe 10 home runs and 40 RBI, as he will only be able to play 62 games.  He could tear up the Pacific Coast League though.

Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez is from the capital, Santo Domingo.

Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez in his last year in MLB,
by pvsbond on Flickr

Dodgers Tommy Lasorda gets a statue at the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame, Tommy Lasorda tiene estatua in Salon de Fama de Beisbol Latino

Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda recently got a statue at the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame in La Romana, Dominican Republic.  See the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame website here: http://www.salondelafamadelbeisbollatino.com/.

Lasorda is well known in baseball circles as being friendly to Latin players and a huge fan of Latin baseball.  He was a founding member of the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame, so it is natural that they gave him a statue.  Lasorda's  most significant contribution to Latin baseball is probably the 1973 Caribbean Series, in which he led Tigres del Licey to the title.  The team set a mark for the best record ever in the series at 5-1.

He now serves as the Latino Hall of Fame's Goodwill Abasodor and is a Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Dodgers.  He has been with the Dodgers for six decades.

Tommy Lasorda in 2010 Spring Training appearance with the Dodgers, by SD Dirk on Flickr

Manny Ramirez talks Albert Pujols new contract with Angels, Manny Ramirez habla sobre Pujols contrato con Angels

And so the world of Manny turns.  And whatever he says, people (like the Dominican Baseball Guy aka DBG) will listen.  Manny Ramirez retired from baseball in April, yet the DBG has found a way to blog about him four times since August.

First, Manny said he will play in the Dominican winter baseball league.  Then he was jailed for domestic disturbance in Florida.  Then Manny Ramirez reiterated the fact that he plans to play in the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM) for the 2011 season.  And finally, MLB says that he cannot play in the LIDOM because he still has an MLB suspension to serve and LIDOM is affiliated with MLB, so he must serve that 50 game suspension before he can play in LIDOM.

So, as always, Manny Ramirez is in the news, even if he is not playing.  And when Manny speaks, the Dominican Baseball Guy listens.  The latest is that Manny Ramirez praises the Angels for signing Albert Pujols.  O really?  Thanks Manny for chiming in.  Here is the quote from ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com:

"He deserves that contract; he is the best slugger in history. The numbers speak for themselves," Ramirez said during an interview with ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com.

Manny Ramirez batting practice with
the Dodgers, by  pvsbond on Flickr

Wow, some humility from Manny.  The DBG always thought that in Manny's mind he was the best slugger in history.  Some amazing analysis from Manny, 'the Angels were smart to sign Pujols.'  He may have a career as an analyst in the future.

Well that ends another entry of as the Manny turns.  You will always be the favorite slugger of the DBG, even if Pujols is better than you Manny.  Here's hoping your latest comeback attempt is successful, so the DBG can see you play a few more times.

Manny Ramirez es de Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.

Manny Ramirez can't play in Domincian Winter League, Manny Ramirez no puede jugar en LIDOM

Just last week, the Dominican Baseball Guy and fans of Dominican baseball everywhere were giddy at the possibility of Manny Ramirez playing in the Dominican League of Winter Baseball (LIDOM) this season.  Manny had made contact with his former team the Cibao Eagles, and planned to play with them again.

But alas it was much a do about nothing.  Manny is ineligible to play winter ball in any of the MLB sanctioned leagues, and yes, the LIDOM is an MLB sanctioned league.  He claims that his representatives are working to get the commission to reinstate him for winter ball, but this is doubtful at this point.  MLB rules simply do not allow it.

So, the Dominican Baseball Guy has changed his tune since the last time he posted on the ongoing Manny situation when he said: "This is looking more and more like it could happen."  In fact, the Dominican Baseball Guy has done a complete 180.  It is looking more and more likely that this will not happen.  Manny will have to serve his 100 game suspension before appearing in the LIDOM.

Dominican fans are already disappointed about this.  Some have hit up the Dominican Baseball Guy Facebook page saying that he is still going to play, despite these new reports.

It is never boring with Manny.  He is from Santo Domingo, DR, but grew up in New York City's Washington Heights.

Manny Ramirez with the Dodgers, by pvsbond on Flickr

Dodgers Juan Uribe looks for big year with new contract

Juan Uribe signed an offseason free agent contract with the Dodgers after winning the World Series with the Giants last season.  Rangers fans will remember several daggers that Uribe delivered in the World Series last season.

Uribe comes from a family of baseball players, like a many Dominican players.  Jose Uribe, a star with the Giants the last time they were in the World Series in 1989, was Juan's cousin.  Jose died in a car crash in 2006 near his hometown of Juan Baron, Palenque, Dominican Republic.  Juan called Jose "tio," Spanish for uncle due to their age difference, and credits his uncle with teaching him how to carry himself in the big leagues.

Juan and Jose are both from Juan Baron, though they are often credited as being from Bani (the largest city nearby) or Palenque (the municipality of Juan Baron) or San Cristobal (the province of Juan Baron).  Juan is scheduled to start at second base this year for the Dodgers.

Juan Uribe with the Giants, by Kathy T on Flickr

Dominican Baseball Card #24, #25, #26: Pedro Guerrero

The Dominican Baseball Guy has three Pedro Guerrero cards for this installment of Dominican Baseball Cards.  They are a 1990 Topps (#610), a 1990 Donruss (#63), and a 1989 Donruss (#418).  The Dominican Baseball Guy particularly loves the red outline of the card on the right, and it goes great with that Cardinals uniform.

Pedro is remembered fondly by Dodgers fans for helping them win the 1981 World Series, in which he shared a World Series MVP.  Friend of the Dominican Baseball Guy, Dodgerbobble says Pedro was one of his favorite Dodgers as a child, and True Blue LA has a nice piece on the good Dodger days of Pedro.  He earned a Silver Slugger award the next year and went on to make five all-star teams.  Pedro garnered serious MVP considerations in 1989 with the Cardinals.  He ended his big league career in 1992 right at .300 average, which is a magical number for any hitter.

Pedro is perhaps best known for his outlandish behavior, both during his playing days and after.  One day after a game he apparently spread his privates on the food spread, and he was known as a hard partier throughout his playing days.  He was charged with cocaine trafficking, but acquitted in 2000.  Thanks to Jim Rome playing the clip repeatedly, the Dominican Baseball Guy and many others know him best from the infamous O.J. Simpson 9-1-1 call:

"We have a problem here. I'm trying to get a girl to go to rehab. She's been doing drugs for two days with Pedro Guerrero, who just got arrested for cocaine, and I'm trying to get her to leave her house and go into rehab right now."

Apparently, Pedro has cleaned up his act recently and is looking to get back into baseball.  So, good luck to him.  Pedro is another of the unending stream of players from San Pedro de Macoris, DR.