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Jeff Spiegel

Jeff Spiegel was raised in California but currently resides in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from the University of Oregon, he worked in sports before entering journalism full time — first as a Sports Reporter and then as the Associate Editor of a local newspaper. Online, he has been writing about both the Dodgers and Raiders since 2012 — having written for DodgersNation.com and SBNation.com prior to joining both DodgerBlue.com and RaidersNation.com. He left full-time journalism in 2012 to become a pastor. Jeff can be found on Twitter at @JeffSpiegel. Favorite Dodger I'm going past and present (sort of) on this one. Recently, I was a die hard Yasiel Puig guy. The energy he played with was amazing and the hope and expectation he brought every single night was captivating. Whether it was a rifle from the warning track to throw a guy out at second, an aggressive bat flip or licking his bat, I was here for ALL of the Yasiel Puig era. Past tense, I'd go with Eric Gagné. This wasn't so much about Gagné himself as it was the experience of cheering for him. Yes, he was on steroids — but the dude was unlike any pitcher I've ever seen — he was NASTY. I still stand by the claim that if I needed one out and my life depended on it, and could choose any pitcher from any era to get me that out, I'm taking roided up Gagné in a heartbeat. Favorite Dodger Moment A few jump to mind immediately. Being born in November of 1988, I missed the last World Series by weeks — which also meant I didn't get to see the Dodgers win a playoff game until I was nearly 16. They had made the playoffs in 1995 and 1996, but were swept both times. In 2004, though, I got to see them win behind a complete game shutout from Jose Lima, and that was pretty freaking special. The next in-person moment that came to mind was the Manny Ramirez bobblehead night pinch-hit grand slam from 2009. Vin Scully claimed it was the loudest he had heard Dodger Stadium in 20 years, and it's hard to disagree. As far as ones I didn't get to see live, I'll throw one more out there: the back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs that tied a game against the Padres in 2006 (plus the walk-off from Nomar Garciaparra in extra innings) was an all-timer. Obviously, the impending Dodgers World Series will quickly jump to the top of this list...
149 Articles

Examining Best Approach For Dodgers To Construct Perfect Playoff Roster

As we near two weeks of life without the Los Angeles Dodgers, my head is still spinning as I try to understand what...

Jeff Spiegel

Dave Roberts Mishandled Clayton Kershaw In Game 4, But Dodgers Survived, And Are Better For It

As I watched the San Francisco Giants collapse in the ninth inning on Tuesday night, for the first time in my life I empathized...

Jeff Spiegel

Debunking Narrative Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Can’t Succeed In Postseason

It's the most sorry and tried angle of all-time, but it's a favorite of haters everywhere: Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton...

Jeff Spiegel

Position Battles To Watch As Dodgers Head Toward Postseason

It's not quite that time yet, but it's getting closer and closer — the time when MLB rosters are trimmed back down...

Jeff Spiegel

Debunking ESPN’s Claim Of Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen Being Overrated

The headline used by ESPN caught me: "The most overrated player on all 30 MLB teams." I'll admit, I'm a sucker for...

Jeff Spiegel

Yasiel Puig Saga Serves As Reminder Of Nuances Of Baseball

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've certainly heard the back-and-forth surrounding Yasiel Puig in the aftermath...

Jeff Spiegel

Diamondbacks And Padres Provide Basis For Dodgers’ Approach

Heading into the 2015 season, no team had as many new (and well-known faces) than the San Diego Padres. They finished...

Jeff Spiegel

5 Predictions For The Dodgers In Second Half Of 2016 Season

With 91 games in the books, the Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves in an interesting predicament at the All-Star break this...

Jeff Spiegel

2016 Los Angeles Dodgers: Not As Bad As You Think

It's almost July, and the Los Angeles Dodgers started Monday eight games back of the rival San Francisco Giants for first place...

Jeff Spiegel

Remembering Carl Crawford’s Tenure With Dodgers: Good With The Bad

If it's possible to feel bad for a player and want him gone, then that's exactly how I feel about now, almost, for former Los Angeles...

Jeff Spiegel

Dodgers’ Yasmani Grandal Deserves Consistent Playing Time

Since Russell Martin left in 2010, the Los Angeles Dodgers have rotated players at the catcher position, with the list mainly including...

Jeff Spiegel

Ho-Hum, All Is Well And The Dodgers Are Atop The NL West

Injuries to three starting pitchers, two outfielders, an infielder and the catcher? No problem. Losers of three out of four to...

Jeff Spiegel