Dodger Blue Dream

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.

The Dodgers are one win away from going back to the World Series? Yeah. Richard and Wes re-cap the first three games of the National League Championship Series, against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers are up 3-0 and tonight, Shohei Ohtani is on the mound for the Boys in Blue at Dodger Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the eve of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, we bring you this "NLCS Starter Pack" with 3 things we're looking at as we head into the series. Go Dodgers!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies in an NLDS Game 4 for the ages at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night. The Boys in Blue advance now to the National League Championship Series, which starts on Monday, against either the Brewers or the Cubs. In this episode, we break down the wild game that closed out the series, last night at Dodger Stadium. And then, we take a close look at one of the most exciting developments to come out of the 2025 post-season: Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star, pitching for the first time as a Dodger, on baseball's biggest stage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Originally published June 11, 2024. After completing his first full season at the premier position of shortstop, Mookie Betts is in line to possibly win the Gold Glove award in 2025. He finished the season with 17 Defensive Runs Saved, a metric that assesses a player’s overall defensive value to a team. That is insane! To understand why, listen to this DBD Classic: “Mookie’s Best.” In his quest to become "a legend in the game," Mookie Betts, the Dodgers dapper and diminuitive leadoff man, attempts the impossible: playing shortstop at the professional level for the first time, at the age of 31.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Richard and Chef Wes as they ruminate over the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen struggles while driving through various L.A. neighborhoods (including a taco-burrito bang-bang in East L.A.) and do their part to philosophically fix what's wrong with the first place Boys in Blue. After their Wild Card series win over the Reds this week at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers are advancing to the National League Division series against the Phillies, which kicks off this weekend in Philadelphia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Originally published September 20, 2024. With the 2025 baseball regular season in the books, and with Shohei Ohtani passing his own franchise single-season homerun record on the last game of the season, DBD CLASSICS presents a rebroadcast of “Shohei Ohtani: 50-50 Ichiban." Shohei Ohtani makes history by creating the 50-50 club: hitting 50 homeruns, and stealing 50 bases, in a single season. The most exclusive club of all time. A club of one. Ichiban.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the day the Los Angeles Dodgers clinch the National League West division title, Dodger Blue Dream is back! Join Richard Parks III and DBD's brand-new co-host, chef Wesley Avila, as they re-cap the 2025 Dodgers baseball season, over tacos. It's been a weird year for baseball, and it's been a weird year for Los Angeles and this country. Even if you haven't followed baseball this year, not to worry. Imagine a world where the defending World Series champions go back-to-back. Dodger Blue Dream is back to cover the 2025 post-season!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dodger Blue Dream is back just in time to cover the 2025 baseball post-season, as part of the My Cultura Podcast Network!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani's former translator, was sentenced in federal court Thursday to almost 5 years in federal prison, and owes restitution of $18 million he stole to pay off his gambling debts with an illegal bookie. He may also face deportation to his native country of Japan. This special crossover for KCRW is a continuation of the gambling scandal sage covered in our episodes "The Talented Mr. Ippei" and "The Complaint Against Ippei." Visit patreon.com/dodgerbluedreamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard takes stock of how the Dodgers' off-season is looking so far, a couple weeks after the team's World Series victory. We focus on one player the Dodgers might gain (the young Japanese flame-thrower, Roki Sasaki) and one they might retain (the wide-smiling, big-slugging 2024 Dodgers All Star, Teoscar Hernandez) through free agency this winter. If you like Dodger Blue Dream, please make a contribution to the show on Patreon. We have a goal of reaching 50 paid supporters by Thanksgiving. We need your help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard wants to continue making Dodger Blue Dream, but he needs your help. Check out Dodger Blue Dream on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. +++ JOB'S FINISHED / HOW TO SUPPORT This is the final episode of Dodger Blue Dream's documentary on the 2024 baseball season. Job's finished. If you'd like to see Dodger Blue Dream continue, please: rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts, or however / wherever you can share the show with a friend, today (send them a link to this episode!) check out our back catalog to hear the story of this incredible season and special team, told from start to finish, in this "documentary made in real time, as the season unfolds" visit the Dodger Blue Dream Patreon, where you can purchase DBD stickers and shirts, and kick in financially to support this totally independent, high-production series Richard dedicated himself to for 7+ months, making 50 (!) episodes Thanks again for listening. Go Dodgers! http://patreon.com/DodgerBlueDreamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Are World Champions!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night, the Dodgers lost game 4 of the World Series to the Yankees, 11-4. But a strategy was at work that may help us win the whole thing. Richard explains how the team "saved the dawgz." The Dodgers' series lead is now 3-1, going into game 5, tonight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a 3-0 lead over the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Get ready for the matchup Richard has been waiting for all his life: Dodgers vs. Yankees in the 2024 World Series! And: we remember Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela. ALSO: Jomboy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the day of the first game of the 2024 Dodgers vs. Yankees World Series, KCRW invited Richard to tell the story of the 2024 Dodgers baseball season, in 7 minutes. Please share this episode with somebody you know who would like to get caught up on the season in less than 10 minutes time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dodgers are the champions of the National League in 2024! A short postcard from Richard after the Dodgers beat the Mets 10-5 in game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. The Boys in Blue will play the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series, which starts Friday night, at 5:08 p.m. (very specifically Pacific time) at Dodger Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dodgers take on the Mets at Dodger Stadium today for game 6 of the NLCS. A win would send the Dodgers to a World Series against the Yankees. We preview the game, with a focus on the pitching matchup, and the bullpen game the Dodgers are throwing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recapping the Dodgers’ 12-6 blow-out loss in game 5 of the NLCS in New York on Friday. Critics have questioned Dodgers manager Dave Roberts' decision to leave starting pitcher Jack Flaherty in as long as he did. The NLCS continues with game 6 on Sunday in L.A. at 5:08 p.m. very specifically Pacific time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers 10-2 win over the Mets in game 4 of the NLCS Thursday night at CitiField. The Dodgers are now one win away from the NL Pennant and a trip to the World Series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers' 8-0 win over the New York Mets in game 3 of the NLCS at CitiField on Wednesday night, with a shutout start from Walker Buehler, and homeruns from Kike Hernandez, Shohei Ohtani, and Max Muncy. The best-of-7 NLCS series is now 2-1 in favor of the Dodgers. So the Boys in Blue are 2 wins away from a trip to the World Series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dodgers lost game 2 of the NLCS to the Mets on Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, in a bullpen game that turned into a 7-3 snaking. We look for the silver lining (the shiny underbelly of the snake) and find it in Dodgers releiver Brent Honeywell, who pitched 3 scoreless innings Monday. The NLCS is now tied 1-1 as the Dodgers travel to New York to continue the series on Wednesday night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers 9-0 victory over the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium Sunday night, with 7 shutout innings from hometown starting pitcher Jack Flaherty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking ahead to the Dodgers’ best-of-seven National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, beginning Sunday at Dodger Stadium, at 5:15 p.m. very specifically Pacific time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers’ 2-0 series-winning victory over the Padres in Game 5 of the NLDS on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, and one of the game's brightest stars, Kike Hernandez.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the decisive Game 5 of the NLDS against the Padres on Friday October 11, 2024, we bring you context for the game, and testimonies from Dodger fans, anticipating of the biggest contest of the season so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers 8-0 victory over the Padres in Game 4 of the NLDS at Petco Park on Wednesday night. The series is now tied 2-2 — with a decisive Game 5 scheduled for Friday at Dodger Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel with Richard (and DBD Correspondent, Chef Wesley Avila, and his wife Tanya) to San Diego, to witness the Dodgers’ 6-5 loss against the Padres, on Tuesday night, in game 3 of the NLDS. The Dodgers now trail in the best-of-5 series 2 games to 1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers 10-2 loss against the San Diego Padres in game 2 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium Sunday night, the Jurickson Profar ball-throwing drama, and all the bad ballpark vibes you could ever hope to hear about.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recapping the Dodgers 7-5 victory over the San Diego Padres in game 1 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium Saturday night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking forward to the best-of-5 National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, kicking off with Game 1 on Saturday night, October 5, at 5:38 p.m. Pacific time, at Dodger Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A meditation on post-season baseball, revolving around longtime Dodgers utility man, Chris Taylor, a.k.a. CT3.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night, when the Dodgers clinched a first-place finish in the National League West.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers' 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium Wednesday night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers' 4-2 loss against the Padres at Dodger Stadium Tuesday night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers' come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Dodger Stadium — and why the final day game of the season, and Tommy Lasorda's birthday, may soon be seen as a turning point.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Re-capping the Dodgers' last 3 games (Thursday through Saturday) with a focus on our starting pitching — our main pain point as we head toward October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shohei Ohtani makes history by creating the 50-50 club: hitting 50 homeruns, and stealing 50 bases, in a single season. The most exclusive club of all time. A club of one. Ichiban.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.