Dodger Blue Dream

Our 2024 episode "Mookie's Best" about Mookie Betts' improbable late-career transition from right field to shortstop... still relevant as ever, as we head down the stretch and look toward October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re getting down to the wire, folks. As the Dodgers suffer their third straight loss to the Atlanta Braves, who thereby completed a sweep against the Boys in Blue Thursday night, Richard breaks down the MLB playoff format, how it might impact the Dodgers, and digs in deep about this series against the Braves – and the concerns it raises for the Dodgers 2026 post-season run. This is an unusually "cup half empty" episode, for DBD, but hey, we just got swept by the Braves! The sky's falling!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Tucker signed a record-high contract with the Dodgers this past off-season, worth $60M a season. Tucker came to the Dodgers with Hall of Fame-caliber numbers. But so far in 2026, he’s been mired in a season-long slump. Things reach a low point this week, in a game where Tucker went 0-5 and dropped an easy fly ball in the outfield. Richard looks back on Tucker’s signing, the expectations, and the way the season has played out so far for "King Tuck" in Los Angeles. Let's Talk Kyle Tucker Turkey!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it the low point of the 2026 season? Richard checks in from a disappointing loss against the Brewers at Dodger Stadium this weekend, where it felt like it is. Tommy John, the long-time Dodger, and namesake of the revolutionary, career-saving elbow surgery, has died at the age of 83.  Maybe you know the name Tommy John, but you don't know much about him. In this episode, we take a look at John's long, excellent career, and the then-experimental surgery, performed on John in 1974 by Dr. Frank Jobe, that now carries name.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rebroadcast of our episode "Shohei's Breath" from 2024. Swing gurus, a mystery, mindfulness, yoga... a very "L.A." ep from our archives. Please help us reach our goal of 200 ratings on Apple Podcasts by rating & reviewing the show, today! We'll be back soon with new episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the “dog days” indeed, and the Dodgers have hit the skids, riding a 6-game losing streak into the desert heat, in Arizona, where tonight, they kick off a 3-game series against the Diamondbacks. But there are always silver linings. Richard takes stock of the whole enchilada: recapping Tarik Skubal’s first start as a Dodger, summarizing the injuries affecting the franchise, presenting (without comment) a little Pete Crow-Armstrong conspiracy theory, and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time American League Cy Young Award Winner Tarik Skubal is a Los Angeles Dodger!  In this special “Extra, extra, pod all about it!” episode, Richard delivers everything you need to know about the most important development in the 2026 baseball season so far: the Dodgers acquisition of the most coveted arm in baseball, just before the MLB trade deadline passed on Monday, in exchange for three promising prospects from the Dodgers expansive farm system. Listen today, before Skubal's first start as a Dodger at Wrigley Field, at 5 p.m. Pacific, against the Cubs. The Skubal trade sent ripples throughout the baseball world, and stirred up something of a controversy about the perceived imbalance in MLB during this, the Dodgers era of dominance. But haters are gonna hate, and at the end of the day, if the Dodgers are the contemporary baseball world's super villains, so be it.  Thumbs-up or thumbs-down on the nickname "Skubie Doo(dger)"? It's just a game, folks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dodgers went to the White House, and that created a bit of a stir. Now, they're rumored to be trading for 2-time American League Cy Young Award Winner, Tarik Skubal, before Monday's trade deadline. Jupiter is in cazimi. Richard sums up the last week in Dodger baseball, as it relates to his favorite storylines and players-to-watch. Monster ep, TBH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Max Muncy passed Ron Cey on the all-time Los Angeles Dodgers homerun leaderboards this week, and he now has the second-most homers in L.A. history (behind Eric Karros) and fifth-most in Dodgers (Brooklyn and L.A.) history. With his All Star Game selection this year, Max is having a moment. Richard looks back on the past almost-decade with Funky Muncy, now the longest-tenured Dodger (!) and a glue guy in a clubhouse on a dynastic run of World Series wins -- and delivers a story of grit, determination, and doing things the right way. Also, Richard breaks down the bizarre game-ending double play in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, that has everybody talking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the All Star Break, Richard checks in on the Dodgers, and re-caps this year's Mid-Summer Classic from a Dodger-fan perspective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard digs into the top stories in Dodgerland this week: Shohei Ohtani's 300th homerun, Justin Wrobleski's All Star snub, and Alex Call's misuse of the ABS challenge system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the eve of the United States' Semisesquicentennial, Richard brings you this special ep. He eulogizes three recently-closed Echo Park eateries with strong associations with Dodger Stadium: The Brite Spot, Taix, and Burrito King. He breaks down the All Star Game, and the Dodgers connections thereto. And he proffers an interpretation of Dave Roberts' successful managerial methods, with Doc logging his 1000th victory as manager of the Dodgers. (The quickest ever to get there.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the Dodgers 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, Dodgers backup catcher, rookie Dalton Rushing, had what must have been one of the worst games of his life, including going 0-4, with three strikeouts, and having some significant miscommunications with his battery-mate, starting pitcher (and global superstar) Shohei Ohtani, who is vying to win a Cy Young Award this year. The game has become the talk of the baseball world. Richard breaks it down for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a monsoon rolling through the ballpark in Pittsburgh, a group of rowdy Pirate fans in the right field stands removed their shirts, and taunted Shohei Ohtani, as he stepped into the batters box for his fourth at-bat of the day. And then, the baseball gods intervened on behalf of the Dodgers, who went on to score 10 runs in their biggest single inning of offense in almost a decade. Then, as the rain cleared, a double rainbow filled the sky, framing the bright yellow Roberto Clemente Bridge and the downtown skyline. Also: Freddie Freeman's 2,500th hit! And: LGBTQ+ night at Dodger Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard is joined by fellow Dodgers podcaster Jeff Snider, to discuss the possibility of a Cy Young Award for Shohei Ohtani in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Richard and Chef Wes on the banks of the L.A. River, to talk about the Dodgers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard and Chef Wes meet up in Griffith Park to co-raw-dog an ep about this week's Dodgers vs. Padres series, that rivalry, fandom in general, and much more, in this mega-chill ep. Richard also reports on the fires on Santa Rosa Island, off the coast. This one is chill and different, folks. Be well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dodgers have been slumping. But with the help of key players like Shohei Ohtani (and the co-hosts of DBD, of course) that could be changing... in the midst of a historic Dodgers losing streak, Richard and Chef Wes cruise the streets of L.A. in Wes' 1979 C10 pickup truck, "The Mamalona," and stop in for tacos at Birrieria Nochistlan in Boyle Heights, to eat their feelings -- and to discuss Dem Bums' team-wide slump, which is hopefully ending, after a 4-game losing streak skid, losing to the rival Giants, no less.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Follow Richard as he follows the Dodgers across the last week of road games against the Cardinals, in St. Louis, and the Trashstros, in Houston.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He calls opposing players names... He slides hard into second base... which is disallowed in today's game. He gets drilled in the ribs by fastballs... and when he does, he hardly blinks. Is Dalton Rushing the most hated man in baseball? Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers backup catcher, is off to a historically great start to the 2026 season, offensively speaking. At the same time, he's attracting even more attention than that merits, going "viral" on baseball social media viral for some allegedly untoward comments and epithets hurled at opposing players. Richard dives in, breaks it down, gets into the backstory, and all that good stuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this quasi-"Raw Dog" live-produced ep, Richard seamlessly weaves narratives from the last week of Dodgers baseball into the story of Game 3 of the Giants-Dodgers series, riffing and producing live, during Thursday's ballgame, with the Dodgers in the crosshairs, in danger of getting swept by their rivals to the North. This episode also covers: Shohei Ohtani's 53-game on-base streak, pitching pro's and cons, and "the sky is falling" thoughts from your host.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special ep this week! Richard's computer imploded, so... We're raw-doggin' an ep! Uncut, uncensored, like never before... No "podcaster voice"... Just Richard and Angelyne (his mandolin)... live! Spitting thoughts on the last week in Dodger baseball.  Discussed: why we're raw-doggin' an ep of DBD — "Father of Newgrass" Sam Bush at Dodger Stadium for his birthday — winning series against the Rangers and the Mets last week at Dodger Stadium — RP plays "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" on Angelyne (the mandolin) — the Shohei Ohtani "Greatest Game" bobblehead — Texas Rangers statue controversy — Max Muncy's 3-homer walk-off game — why you should never leave a Dodger game early — cooler weather at the ballpark — transistor radios at the ballpark — Charlie Steiner appreciation — asking Google Gemini how to raw-dog an ep — "The Ace & The Broom" — "Static & Grass" — regulars with "Dugout Club" seats behind home plate you see on the TV broadcasts — "Marlins Man" — the guy with the beard and the fedora who sits near Mary Hart behind home plate — "The Hood" Dodgers Dugout Club Instagram personality — fellow Dodgers podcaster Jeff Snider — Ricky Monday appreciation — Jackie Robinson Day appreciation — Richard plays us out with some of Sam Bush's first "Red Haired Boy" solo from the Tony Rice "All Star" set at Merlefest, 1994. Thanks for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This last week, we saw a 2025 World Series re-match, with the Dodgers taking two out of three games in a series against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Sadly, Dodgers infielder (and 2025 World Series hero) Miguel Rojas lost his father while the Dodgers were in Toronto. And Blue Jays manager John Schneider blew his top over a ticky-tack balk call, and was ejected, in a classic display of Baseball Theatre. Richard delivers these headlines, in DBD style.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We'll always remember the first week of the 2026 Dodgers baseball season: a new iconic trumpet intro, 5 a.m. lines for promotional giveaways, and a triumvirate of Japanese starting pitchers... Richard breaks it down, so you don't have to.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Out here in L.A., we're "Dreaming Of Three" as the Los Angeles Dodgers season gets underway with Opening Day. In the firsts episode of Season 3 of Dodger Blue Dream, we show you why Opening Day still hits in 2026, we look at the star power of this Dodgers dynasty that brought us here, and we turn a light on the new faces joining this stacked roster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard brings you the latest news from Dodger-land: a deal with a clothing company for Dodger Stadium's naming rights, some falsely-reported news involving Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas, and some thoughts on the 2026 WBC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard and Wes get breakfast and chat about the Dodgers, Spring Training, and the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Plus: Patty, a server at the Astro Family Restaurant in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, shares an Eddie Murphy story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard breaks down Pete Crow-Armstrong's critical comments about Dodger fans, and then takes a drive around the city, to see what's up, this last week of February. Plus: a contribution from the host of the "L.A. In A Minute" podcast and Instagram account, Evan Lovett.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Spring Training time! Let's dive in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rebroadcast of our 2024 episode, "Teo Time." +++ A portrait of Teoscar Hernandez — the Dodgers' big-smilin', hard-hittin', sunflower seed-tossin' leftfielder. (He's clutch.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rebroadcast of our episode from just after the Dodgers' 2024 World Series victory over the Yankees. +++ Job's finished! The 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers are World Champions. The Dodgers beat the Yankees in a decisive game 5 on Wednesday night in the Bronx, taking the series 4-1. The following day, Richard goes out to breakfast with his friend, chef Wes Avila, to celebrate. And the day after that, Richard attends the first World Series victory parade in the streets of Los Angeles since 1988, on what would have been Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela's 64th birthday. On this episode, we invite you to bask in the afterglow of an amazing game 5 (and particularly that epic, momentum-shifting top of the 5th) and an unforgettable World Series victory for the Dodgers, with Richard and Wes. What a season. What an ending. Thanks for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rebroadcast of our 2024 episode. A long-distance podcast portrait of the fabulous and famously friendly firstbaseman, Freddie Freeman. In 5 parts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard breaks down the news about Kyle Tucker, who signed a record-breaking $60M/year contract with the Dodgers last week, with fellow Dodgers podcaster, Jeff Snider.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the winner-take-all game 7 of the 2025 World Series, with the season on the line, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski hit Toronto Blue Jay Andrés Giménez on the hand with a fastball. Tensions reached a fever pitch, and the benches cleared. What happened? In this exclusive, in-depth interview essay for Dodger Blue Dream, Wrobleski breaks it all down like never before.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode we talk to two-time World Series Champion, Dodgers left-handed relief pitcher Justin Wrobleski! "Wrobo" played a pivotal role in the 2025 World Series, pitching four scoreless innings, including the iconic Game 7 moment when Wrobleski hit Andrés Giménez with a pitch, stoking a benches-clearing melee. Like the bullpen DAWG he is, Wrobleski stood his ground. When he did, he won Richard's heart, and the hearts of Dodgers fans everywhere.  On a team stacked with superstars, we don't hear as much from the younger, lesser known guys. But those guys are just as essential to this golden era of Dodger baseball as Shohei, Freddie, and Mookie. On this special interview episode of DBD, we are proud to present Wrobo's story of resilience, and pull back the curtain on a true bullpen DAWG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year! On the first DBD episode of 2026, Richard and Wes take you on a tour of their favorite food destinations, and share some pro-tips for eating, when it comes time for Dodger baseball. And before that, Richard catches you up on the latest Dodger news: “Mariachi Joe” Kelly is hanging ‘em up, Estuery Ruiz was traded to the Marlins, and a tabloid from the East Coast has poached two Dodgers writers (Jack Harris and Dylan Hernandez) from the LA Times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy holidays! Today we're running an episode of another show Richard makes: Richard's Famous Food Podcast. Get into the Christmas spirit with "Christmas Pickles": a rhyming, sing-songy, documentary investigation into the holiday tradition of hanging pickle-shaped ornaments in Christmas trees. Happy New Year. See you in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard delivers the news about the Dodgers' 2025 post-season bonus pool earnings. Plus, Richard and Wes talk Dodgers winter fashion, and nerd out specifically on the jackets in Wes' extensive collection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard and Chef Wes catch up on the off-season in this special episode, recorded while sitting in the cab of Wes’s pickup truck, in a liquor store parking lot. They discuss: the Edwin Diaz signing and its implications for the Dodgers 2026 season, hot stove news and skuttlebutt — and they get excited for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard takes a moment to catch up with fellow Dodgers podcaster Jeff Snider, to discuss what Dodger podcasters do when it’s the baseball off-season, how Jeff defines a “break” from baseball, and the Dodgers’ re-signing of fan favorite and 2025 World Series hero, Miguel Rojas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With illegal gambling back in baseball's news this month — with two MLB players allegedly aiding in an illegal gambling fix worth hundreds of thousands of dollars — we revisit the Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal that dominated the news in Dodgerland (and beyond) back in the Spring of 2024, when the first episodes of Dodger Blue Dream were publishing. The first of two episodes, "The Talented Mr. Ippei," was published on the feed last week. Start with that episode, and then move onto this one: "The Complain Against Ippei." A 37-page federal criminal complaint answers questions about how Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, allegedly stole $16 million from Ohtani to pay debts Mizuhara had accrued with an allegedly illegal bookmaker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With illegal gambling back in baseball's news this month — with two MLB players allegedly aiding in an illegal gambling fix worth hundreds of thousands of dollars — we revisit the Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal that dominated the news in Dodgerland (and beyond) back in the Spring of 2024, when the first episodes of Dodger Blue Dream were publishing. The Dodgers fire Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, after he allegedly steals millions of dollars from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts to a bookmaker in Orange County, who is now federal investigation for illegal gambling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard breaks down the benches-clearing melee from the 4th inning of World Series Game 7, and then recaps a few of his favorite moments from the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series win celebrations that have taken place over the past couple weeks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dodger Blue Dream came true... again! Richard Parks III breaks down Game 7, the winner-take-all game of the 2025 World Series. Many are calling this Game 7 the best baseball game of all time, and this World Series the best World Series of all time. With the Dodgers beating the Blue Jays with a score of 5-4, the Boys in Blue secured their second consecutive World Series title, and third in six years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After losing two of three games to the Blue Jays in Los Angeles, the Dodgers are facing elimination. Richard reports on Games 3, 4, and 5 of the World Series, and looks ahead to Game 6, which takes place tonight, October 31, Halloween, in Toronto, Canada. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard recaps Game 2 of the 2025 World Series, with Los Angeles Dodgers ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivering a stand-out performance that's put him in company with Dodger pitching legends — and that evens the series against the Blue Jays at 1-1. Then, we revisit our portrait of Yamamoto from last season, "Yo Yo Yamamoto!": "Yoshinobu Yamamoto was supposed to be the Dodgers golden boy in 2024. But he missed most of the season with a rotator cuff injury. His return comes at a time of uncertainty for the Dodgers starting rotation, in the middle of the fight for the NL West title, with October just around the corner."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Toronto Blue Jays trounced the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night in Toronto, with a final score of 11-4. But yesterday's gone. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is tonight, and let's hope the Dodgers, led by starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, can flip the script.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An abbreviated digest, with everything you need to know to appreciate the cinematic baseball drama that’s about to unfold in the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays World Series. Plus, Richard looks at the unlikely Game 1 pitching matchup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dodgers are trying to become the first team in 25 years to win back-to-back World Series championships. And they are the favorites against the Toronto Blue Jays, who haven't been to the Fall Classic in more than 30 years. Richard and Wes dig into it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Dodgers winning the National League pennant in a historic game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Dodger Stadium on Friday night — in which Shohei Ohtani went 6 shutout innings, struck out 10, and got the win as a the starting pitcher; and also hit 3 tape-measure home runs — the Dodgers are advancing to the 2025 World Series. To get ready for the Fall Classic, which starts Friday night, we look back on last year's iconic Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, with this DBD Classic re-broadcast.  Originally published October 28, 2024. As the World Series heads to the Bronx for game 3 tonight, October 28, 2024, let's take a look back on the story of the first two games, which were played in L.A. The afterglow of game 1 is strong for Richard, who attended with his sister, and witnessed history when Freddie Freeman became the first person in Major League history to hit a walk-off grand slam homerun to win a World Series game, in a moment that mirrors the most-famous homerun in Los Angeles Dodgers history: Kirk Gibson's walk-off homer to win game 1 of the 1988 World Series. (And Richard called it.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.