#26th (yankee) division

[musicman5234]

William Edward Chiaiese was born on October 20, 1934 to John and Emily Chiaiese(key-ah-tze) in Dorchester , Massachusetts . The family later moved to Squantum , Mass. John changed the family name to Chase, understanding that the Italian name Chiaiese was both hard to spell and pronounce.

While Bill was growing up his parents felt that he needed to broaden his horizons and arranged for him to take violin lessons. Bill did not even touch the trumpet, until the middle of his high school years. A newspaper clipping dated 1956 pictures Bill listed as a Corporal in the 26th Yankee Infantry Division Band holding a bass drum. Bill's experience as a drummer changed his life and the lives of many others. During a St. Patrick's Day parade he had to lug his huge drum for five miles enduring the miserably cold pouring rain. It hurt so bad that he decided never to do it again, he asked his father to dig out his old trumpet for him.

Not long after switching to trumpet, Bill was playing first chair in the school orchestra and classical music was his main love. Early 1950's a neighbor coaxed Bill to attend a Stan Kenton concert with him. This was the band with Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Childers, Conte Condoli, etc. After that night, Bill was hooked on jazz and high note trumpet.

As you can tell, this time period in Bills life is hard to decipher. Bill was doing so much playing, and he became very good so quickly, that the dates are very confusing. Since Maynard left the Kenton Band and headed to Hollywood in 1953, Bill must have seen Kenton before then. I can only assume that he switched to the trumpet around 1951 at about the age of 16.

Boston Globe writer Ernie Santosuosso wrote about Bill in 1971, “Bill Chase has been experimenting with sounds all of his life. As a youngster in the Fields Corner community of Dorchester , he was intrigued by the drums. Since he didn’t own a set, he’d improvise with the aid of a couple of galvanized steel rubbish barrels.

Bill’s backyard became his bandstand as he beat out precocious rhythms atop the inverted barrels. The little Italian lady, who sat at her kitchen window, regarded Bill as a pet but voiced emphatic objections to his make-shift paraddidling on the barrels. So, when Bill’s father, who played trumpet, decided to retire his horn, the boy’s curiosity inevitably led him to the instrument and away from the barrel- house. The maturation process as a trumpeter had begun for Bill.

The ex-drummer put his horn to work for St. Ambrose’s Band, then for Boston English High, Berklee, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, and Woody Herman. The little old Italian lady was given special command performances in her kitchen and she almost lit a candle in thanksgiving for young Bill’s return to his barrels and rubbish deposits.”

He started playing his fathers old trumpet the summer before his junior year in high school and showed a natural aptitude for it. He soon joined a Drum and Bugle Corps, along with his school groups. This, was prior to his stint in the Boston National Guard where he said he wrote music and played trumpet in 1957. He served for six months in the guard band, which honed his talents as a trumpeter and arranger.

Chase played lead trumpet with Maynard Ferguson in 1958, Stan Kenton in 1959, and Woody Herman's Thundering Herd during the 1960s.

One of Chase's charts from this period, "Camel Walk", was published in the 1963 Downbeat magazine yearbook. From 1966 to 1970 he freelanced in Las Vegas, working with Vic Damone and Tommy Vig. In 1967 he led a six-piece band at the Dunes and Riviera Hotel where he was featured in the Frederick Apcar lounge production of Vive Les Girls, for which Chase arranged the music.

In 1971 he started a jazz rock band named "Chase" that mixed pop, rock, blues, and four trumpets.[5] The debut album Chase was released in April 1971. Chase was joined by Ted Piercefield, Alan Ware, and Jerry Van Blair, three jazz trumpeters who were adept at vocals and arranging. They were backed up by a rhythm section consisting of Phil Porter on keyboards, Angel South on guitar, Dennis Johnson on bass, and John "Jay Burrid" Mitthaur on percussion. Rounding out the group was Terry Richards, who was the lead vocalist on the first album. The album contains Chase's most popular song, "Get It On", released as a single that spent 13 weeks on the charts beginning in May 1971. The song features what Jim Szantor of Downbeat magazine called "the hallmark of the Chase brass—complex cascading lines; a literal waterfall of trumpet timbre and technique." The band received a Best New Artist Grammy nomination, but was edged out by rising star Carly Simon.

Chase released their second album, Ennea, in March 1972; the album's title is the Greek word for nine, a reference to the nine band members. The original lineup changed midway through the recording sessions, with Gary Smith taking over on drums and G. G. Shinn replacing Terry Richards on lead vocals. The third album, Pure Music, moved the band toward jazz. Two of the songs were written or co-written by Jim Peterik of the Ides of March, who also sings on the album, along with singer and bassist Dartanyan Brown.

Chase's work on a fourth studio album in mid-1974 came to an end on August 9, 1974. While en route to a scheduled performance at the Jackson County Fair, Chase died in the crash of a chartered twin-engine Piper Twin Comanche in Jackson, Minnesota, at the age of 39. The pilot and co-pilot were killed, as were keyboardist Wally Yohn, guitarist John Emma, and drummer Walter Clark.

Source: Kevin Seeley/Wikipedia

[strongbrew-hamstery]

Our next pup is Sergeant #Stubby, a black male who is oh so very cute and so far our breeding contract male prospect! Sergeant Stubby was an American Bull Terrier, more commonly known as a Boston Terrier, who was assigned to the 26th Yankee Division in World War I. Stubbs served for a year and a half in the trenches in France, as a member of the 102nd Infantry Regiment. During the 17 battles in which he served, Sergeant Stubbs found and comforted wounded soldiers, and after surviving a mustard gas injury during his first year of battle, he learned to warn his unit of incoming attacks. Since a dog’s hearing is so much more sensitive than a humans, Stubbs was also able to hear the whistle of incoming artillery shells and alert his unit to duck and cover, saving many members of his regiment. Sergeant Stubby was nominated to the rank of sergeant by his unit’s commander after he captured a German spy; the only dog promoted through combat. It is also alleged that he caught a German soldier by his trousers, and kept him there until his fellow American soldiers arrived. At the end of the war Stubby was smuggled home by Corporal James Robert Conroy, a soldier in the United States Army, where he lived until he died in 1926. In 1956, Conroy presented Stubby’s taxidermied remains to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where he is on display in their Price of Freedom: Americans at War exhibit. Sergeant Stubby is one of the most decorated war dogs, and in 2018 he became the subject of an animated film titled Sergeant Stubby: An American Hero. Thank you for your service Sergeant Stubby. You were so brave and your courage and skill saved so many lives. Thank you for joining us and #LearningWithHamsters. 🐶 https://www.instagram.com/p/ClUHy66Pb6r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[doggos-with-jobs]

Sergeant Stubby was a dog and the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) and was assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in 17 battles on the Western Front

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: Sergeant Stubby

At about this time in 1926, Sergeant Stubby passes away. Stubby wasn’t just any sergeant—he was a dog! He served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division during World War I.

Some even claim that he was the “most decorated dog” in that war.

Stubby was more than just a pet who occasionally cheered soldiers up. He was a member of a team. He saved lives; he assisted the wounded. He provided early alerts of incoming attacks. He even captured a German.

Stubby’s Army career began on an athletic field at Yale University in 1917. A man by the name of J. Robert Conroy had just entered basic training. He found a stray dog . . . or maybe it was the dog who found him? 😉

Conroy named the dog Stubby (because of his short tail) and brought him into the training camp. Stubby was always present for drills and bugle calls. He got practically as much training as the real soldiers. He even learned to salute. More importantly, he worked his way into the soldiers’ hearts. By the time he was deployed, Conroy had no intention of leaving Stubby behind. He smuggled Stubby aboard SS Minnesota.

Stubby was headed to Europe.

The story continues at the link in the comments.

[thisdayinwwi]

Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) was a dog and the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) and was assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in 17 battles on the Western Front.

Colourized by combatpix 

[waldopeircegoestowar]

                                                 Thankful French Turkeys

1917, France, a 26th Division Soldier shares his Thanksgiving meal with a couple of turkeys. 

Source: 26th Yankee Division WW1 Living History Group

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Sgt Stubby and Robert Conroy in Sgt Stubby:  An American Hero (2018).  They  were part of the 102nd Infantry Regiment, part of the 26th "Yankee" Division. The YD was composed entirely of National Guard units from New England; as such, Stubby was part of the second overall unit and the first reserve component to see action in World War I.

[w0lfmaan]

HONOURING ANIMALS WHO SERVE IN WAR

Honouring Animals Who Serve In War

  War is a terrible thing. It costs tens of thousands of lives, destroys cities and causes untold suffering. Many times entire family lines and generations are obliterated. During times of war animals often suffer the most. Scared and many times left to their own devices due to fleeing humans, they suffer injury, starvation, and trauma. This includes all animals. Horses, dogs, cats, and wildlife. During World War I horses were often the victim of war as mechanised machines such as Jeeps and Trucks were not commonplace. Horses were used as we use trucks today to move heavy equipment and supplies, often succumbing to enemy fire. During World War 2, Pigeons were often used to carry messages and fell victim to war. Dogs have historically been used for all manner of war duties including moving equipment, search and rescue, alerting soldiers to incoming threats, and attacking those threats when necessary. Sadly most animals cannot comprehend the meaning of war and find themselves immersed in humane-made suffering. Incredible sounds of explosions, the smell of sulphur from gunpowder, screams of the wounded, will scare anyone. Animals who cannot comprehend why this is happening suffer even more. Yet still, amidst the terror and chaos of war, animals have stuck with their human companions and help win battles, deliver messages, move equipment, and ensure that humans are both found and survive.

  Dogs did not only serve on the front lines. During World War II, well over one hundred dogs were sent from Alaska and to France. These sled dogs dogs provided invaluable service as they opened remote mountainous supply routes and allowed communication between units in the field and headquarters not previously accessible. [caption id="attachment_9281" align="aligncenter" width="650"]

Sled Dogs in Alaska during World War II[/caption] In the United States, one of the most famous World War I dogs was Sergeant Stubby. Sergeant Stubby was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) and was assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the European Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and once caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants, holding him there until American soldiers could apprehend  him. Sergeant Stubby was one of the only dogs to have achieved the official rank of Sergeant in the United States Military and was given the Wound Stripe commendation when he was wounded by an exploding grenade.  His actions were well-documented in American newspapers. In 2018 there was a movie made about him. [caption id="attachment_9283" align="aligncenter" width="574"]

Washington, DC: Meet up with Stubby, a 9-year-old canine veteran. He has been through the World War as mascot for the 102nd Infantry, 26th Division. Stubby visited the White House to call on President Coolidge.[/caption] In 1943 Maria Dickens helped the United Kingdom create one of the first commonwealth medals to be issued to animals who displayed "conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units"

Between World 1943 and 2018 the Dickens medal was been awarded 71 times, plus one honorary award made in 2014 to all the animals that served in the First World War.

With the heroic actions of animals during wartime, dating back to antiquity it only seems fitting that animals should have their own, specific remembrance and place of honour in the mythos of war. In 2016 the British Animal Rights group known as "Animal Aid"  created the purple poppy as a way to commemorate animals which served during conflicts as they felt animal sacrifices had been the forgotten victims of war. The Royal British Legion, is the known as the "keeper of the sacred symbol of the poppy" and sells the official red remembrance poppies. The Legion is incredibly strict about the rules for the poppy and does not tolerate any alterations of the poppy or its symbolism. Their official stance of of the red poppy is:   "We see no conflict in wearing the red poppy next to the purple poppy for remembrance." For those who love animals, and wish to preserve their legacy, and honour their sacrifice, consider wearing the purple poppy during remembrance day. The purple poppy campaign is much more visible in England than in other areas of the world, but has started to catch on in Canada and the United States. Understand that the purple poppy is not designed to replace the red poppy, which symbolises the blood of those lost at war. The purple poppy is designed as a companion to the red poppy. Purple poppy pins can be purchased through a variety of online sources including ebay, amazon, and other online retailers. If you purchase through a reputable retailer, proceeds from purple poppy pin sales will go to benefit both Legions and Animal Advocacy Groups. Wear your red poppy with pride. Wear your purple poppy to honour animal companions who served. [caption id="attachment_9284" align="aligncenter" width="800"]

Wreath of purple poppies at The Cenotaph, Whitehall in London on the centenary of the end of World War I in 2018[/caption]

[dogsandtheirbuddies]

Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero The 102nd Infantry Regiment – part of the 26th “Yankee” Division – was drilling on the grounds of Yale University. Private First Class J. Robert Conroy noticed a small brindle mutt wandering around the field, watching the Soldiers and searching for scraps of food. Conroy and his fellow doughboys developed a fondness for the dog, giving him a name that matched his unassuming personality and short, constantly-wagging tail: Stubby. #standupforstubby

[chicagoindiecritics]

New from Every Movie Has a Lesson by Don Shanahan: MOVIE REVIEW: Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

(Image: filmthreat.com)

SGT. STUBBY: AN AMERICAN HERO— 4 STARS

The following question may be short, but it is undoubtedly difficult. How can a movie present a war to an audience of children? That crux of a query only leads to others. How would it address violence and human loss? How can proper history be informed in an entertaining manner? Where can engaging connections be forged? What inspirational source can be an overture to do all of that?  

The filmmakers and artists at Fun Academy Motion Pictures answered that line of questioning the best way it ever can be: with a true story.  Even better, they do so with a dog, in a humdinger of a tale far beyond a click-bait or “stop me if you heard this one” trivia that needs to be seen to be believed. Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that authenticity always earns appreciation. It’s even better when it resonates. This movie earns both.  Discover something astonishing and adorable at the same time.

The stray Boston terrier mix that will become the title character of this movie begins as a starving pooch on the streets of New Haven, Connecticut.  Chasing attention and his next meal, he finds himself on the campus of Yale University where the doughboys of the 126th Infantry Unit are being trained to join the Great War in Europe.  A benevolent corporal named Robert Conroy (voiced by Logan Lerman) takes him in (more like “he found me,” by the soldier’s words), and the dog’s zest endears himself to the commanding officers and the whole unit.  The little tail-wagger even learns how to salute.

LESSON #1: MAN’S BEST FRIENDS ARE INSTANT MORALE BOOSTERS— There’s something to be said about having an innocent presence like a pet to lift spirits.  Stubby increases happiness in a place with grim prospects.  Dogs lower stress, increase social behavior, and boost personal fitness.  You have young men in uniform wavering and fearing the known and unknown horrors of war that await them overseas.  The reality of not knowing their fate is very real. Stubby is an affectionate walking, running, barking, and sniffing tonic for those bad vibes.  His pluck and gait match this lesson and then some.

LESSON #2: HAVING A KEEN SURVIVAL INSTINCT— Thanks to heightened hearing and smell, the intuition level of a dog is superior to man’s.  Those instincts can be helpfully utilized on a battlefield. Sgt. Stubby earned his keep and his kudos clearing out vermin in the trenches, warning soldiers of incoming or nearby gas attacks, and sniffing out buried soldiers for the stretcher-bearers. These acts saved lives before, during, and after the bullets flew.  His resourcefulness leads to contagious courage.  

LESSON #3: WHEN THE UNREAL IS REAL— Believe it or not in puting cuteness and purity aside, this remains a true story.  That’s not just lip service. Go ahead and look up Stubby’s full biography, complete with posthumous enshrinement at the National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. His exploits are legitimate and go beyond what fits into this orderly 84-minute movie.  “Remarkable” and “incredible” are too light of adjectives to fully celebrate this legacy. To learn more, Fun Academy has started the “Stubby Squad” for fans to dive into more history and content about what this special dog was all about.  These are perfect extensions for young viewers and educators. 

LESSON #4: USE THIS MOVIE AS A MILD PRIMER TO THE GREAT WAR— Sure, this movie isn’t as dark as All Quiet on the Western Front, dramatic as Paths of Glory, or as kinetic as 1917, but it doesn’t need to be.  This is an excellent jumping off point for younger audiences not ready for the harder stuff.  Narrated transitions voiced by Helena Bonham Carter playing Conroy’s sister Margaret detail the maps and movements of the 26th Yankee Division and the interwoven chain of events that outline the conflict.  The set pieces covering the experiences and cultures of the basic training, international travel, trench warfare, and even a cherry-on-top cameo from George Patton become a safe and entry level treatise to World War I.

The voice talents are tender and committed every step of the way from Lerman and Carter on down to the grand presence of Gerard Depardieu as a French ally.  This is not the flashiest movie animation, but it doesn’t need to be. The story matters more than the art ever will. Even so, director Richard Lanni and his team of animators use very good scene movement to equal the dog’s lower level of travel, scrapes, and spills. There are plenty of orange-colored skies and vibrant colors to shine hope through this stirring tale.  Veteran composer and two-time Oscar nominee Patrick Doyle raises that rousing soul even greater with his steady score.

Folks, if you cannot already see, what you’re getting here with Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero is unvarnished quality. In the course of its festival run, the film earned 24 best feature, best of show, or best animated feature laurels.  The film was also awarded the Parents’ Choice Gold Award and The Dove Foundation‘s All Ages Seal of Approval. The film was endorsed by the American Legion, Armed Services YMCA, the United States World War One Centennial Commission, and the Humane Society of the United States.  The Dove Foundation cites “integrity” as its highest quality and this critic couldn’t agree more.

LESSON #5: RALLYING CALL FOR RESCUE DOGS— If you want a century-long bridge built between the World War I era of Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero and the present day, look no further than the gesture of adopting a rescue dog.  Like many other dogs, Stubby could have continued his life owner-less on those Connecticut streets and doomed to a captured fate in a pound.  Instead, through benevolence, he finds a patient companion and a dedicated purpose. Consider this movie a righteous cheer to give more future four-legged heroes homes of their own.  Your Stubby doesn’t have to go to war to win your heart.

I was lucky enough to join the hosts of the Feelin’ Film Podcast to interview Jordan Beck, a 2D Sequence Director and Voice Actor for Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero. Check out this excellent conversation:

FF+ “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” Podcast

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#856)

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[livingwellworld]

POST WWII US Army 26th Infantry division Yankee division military police Helmet Check it out $125.00 https://ebay.to/2o393WT

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: Sergeant Stubby, war dog

On this day in 1926, Sergeant Stubby passes away. Stubby wasn’t just any sergeant—he was a dog! He served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division during World War I.

Some even claim that he was the “most decorated dog” in that war. Stubby was more than just a pet who occasionally cheered soldiers up. He was a member of a team. He saved lives; he assisted the wounded. He provided early alerts of incoming attacks. He even captured a German.

Stubby’s Army career began on an athletic field at Yale University in 1917. A man by the name of J. Robert Conroy had just entered basic training. He found a stray dog . . . or maybe it was the dog who found him? 😉

Conroy named the dog Stubby (because of his short tail) and brought him into the training camp. Stubby was always present for drills and bugle calls. He got practically as much training as the real soldiers. He even learned to salute. More importantly, he worked his way into the soldiers’ hearts. By the time he was deployed, Conroy had no intention of leaving Stubby behind. He smuggled Stubby aboard SS Minnesota.

The story continues at the link in the comments. 

[thisdayinwwi]

Apr 4 1919, “5,800 men and officers of the 26th, Yankee Division, with Maj Gen Harry C. Hale, forming the vanguard of the division, arrived in Boston, aboard the transport Mt. Vernon. (Boston Globe Archive) “

[waldopeircegoestowar]

,                     “April 5 1919, steaming up Boston Harbor with the Yankees on board”

‘We forgot all about everything; all we had on our minds was our homes, our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and sweethearts. Many of them had come for miles to greet us. We finally pulled alongside the pier at noon, April 5, 1919, and as it was low tide the pier looked quite high. There were many dignitaries and a group girls on the edge of the pier, all singing "Smiles." What excitement!

The ship was secured with big hawsers and big booms about ten feet long were set out from the side of the ship to the pier. A gangplank was lowered, and several dignitaries were allowed aboard, one of whom was none other than Colonel W. C. Hayes. With tears in his eyes and full of emotion, he addressed us as follows : "our Country and New England especially is proud of you. Your splendid record on the other side is appreciated by the whole Country. You came through despite everything, and we know that you are entitled to every bit of the credit which has come to you.

You are coming home to take your places in civil life. Conditions have changed at home since you went away. You must prepare yourselves to think in terms of 1919 and not 1914. The people at home are relying on you to perform these duties as nobly as you did those in the trenches.”’

  April 5 1919, American soldier, member of the 26th "Yankee" Division -- The Yankee doughboy  -- Photo: April 5 1919, steaming up Boston harbor, with the Yankees on board -- Naval History, NavSource - US Army Photo Archives

[poor-bloody-infantry]

Battle of Seicheprey, 20 April 1918, by Frederick Coffey Yohn (1875-1933). US 26th Infantry (Yankee) Division struggle to contain a raid by the Germans during the night. The Germans managed to push into Seicheprey, but withdrew after the counter attack. 

[junker-town]

The Dodgers are grinding opposing pitchers to dust

Over eight runs per game has LA atop the NL West

The Dodgers offense is off to its best start in 127 years, and scoring runs at a near record pace to fuel a scorching 8-2 start to 2019.

Los Angeles finished off a three-game sweep against its main competition in the National League West, the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, and now stand atop the division yet again. Blunt force has been the Dodgers main weapon, bludgeoning teams with an endless offense. Here’s a look at some eye-popping stats from these first 10 games.

Runs, runs and more runs

Los Angeles has scored a whopping 84 runs through 10 games, an 8.4 average that leads the majors. The also hot Mariners have actually scored one more run than the Dodgers but have played one more game.

The Dodgers led the NL in runs scored in 2018 so LA pacing the league isn’t a surprise, but the sheer volume of runs so far is almost unprecedented. In baseball’s modern era (1901-present), only two teams scored more runs through 10 games than the Dodgers. The Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig-led Yankees in 1932 lead the way with 90 runs in the first 10 games.

Only twice have the Dodgers scored more than 84 runs in their first 10 games, and the last was in 1892, just their third year in the National League when they played in Brooklyn.

In 2018 only twice did a team score 84 runs over any 10-game stretch: one by the Dodgers, one by the Red Sox.

The Dodgers lead the majors in batting average (.309), on-base percentage (.406), slugging (.592), OPS (.998), and wOBA (.418).

Opposing starting pitchers against the Dodgers this year have an 8.04 ERA while allowing 50 total runs in 47 innings.

Bellinger on fire

Cody Bellinger is on pace for 113 HR and 292 RBI.

Yes, it is ridiculously early in the season to even think about what a player is on pace for, considering we have only seen roughly 1/16th of the season. But still with numbers this gaudy, Bellinger certainly stands out, topping the majors in home runs (seven), RBI (18), runs scored (16), slugging percentage (1.023), OPS (1.523) and wOBA (.619), while second in batting average (.455).

To repeat, Bellinger’s slugging percentage is 1.023.

The only players with more home runs through a season’s first 10 games than Bellinger’s prodigious seven long balls are Mike Schmidt (1976) and Luis Gonzalez (2001), each with nine.

The latest was a picturesque beauty on Sunday night at Coors Field.

Cody. Crushed. #SundayNightBaseball pic.twitter.com/DI9fT1PgJG

— MLB (@MLB) April 8, 2019

Long balls

Home runs have been the calling card for the Dodgers so far with 24 of them through 10 games, a total topped only by two teams in MLB history again including this year’s Seattle sluggers:

2000 Cardinals (28 HR)

2006 Tigers (25)

2019 Dodgers (24)

2019 Mariners (24)

1997 Rockies (23)

The Dodgers last year led the National League with 235 home runs, setting a franchise record. But they didn’t hit their 24th home run of the season until their 26th game.

This year the Dodgers have homered in all 10 games while the Mariners have homered in all 11. The MLB record to start a season is 14 games with a home run, set by the 2002 Indians.

It’s not only home runs!

Yes the Dodgers have mashed taters at a prodigious rate, but they have not as the saying goes been too reliant on the home run. In fact the Dodgers have scored more runs when not hitting the ball out of the park (49) than they have on all their home runs (35).

If you take away all the Dodgers’ home runs, those 49 other runs would rank sixth in the NL in scoring.

With runners in scoring position the Dodgers are hitting .333/.431/.527.

Backstop support

The Dodgers are a team flush with depth, but the position at which they were presumed most vulnerable was catcher, especially after losing Yasmani Grandal. Los Angeles is making it work behind the plate with a combination of Austin Barnes and Russell Martin, both adept at pitch framing and getting on base while at-bat though both coming off disappointing offensive seasons.

But through the first 10 games of 2019, Barnes and Martin have been wonderful backstops, hitting a combined .419/.545/.774. Dodgers catchers rank second in the majors in batting average, on-base percentage,and OPS, and are third in slugging percentage.

Martin even pitched a scoreless inning, finishing off a blowout in the season’s third game, getting to close out a Dodgers win before Kenley Jansen.

Hot starts themselves don’t mean much, other than providing some early breathing room. The Dodgers saw the opposite first hand the last two seasons, with an 11-12 start in 2017 on their way to 104 wins, then stuck in the 16-26 doldrums in 2018 before rebounding with 92 wins and a sixth straight division title.

The Dodgers might very well win a seventh consecutive division title this year, and at the very least their 8-2 start is a nice early foundation.