Berroa/Kent up the middle sounds good to me.

The Dodgers are sadly deluding themselves if they think Berroa will be any better than Hu would be from this point forward.

This move is not merely like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound. It's like putting an old, worn-out band-aid with no stickum left on a gunshot wound. When you already have a newer, better band-aid in your possession.

Was this transaction supposed to make me stop banging my head against the wall?

Does this mean Maza gets sent down?

The sad thing is that someone is going to get DFAed because of this.

4
If it's Sweeney, then it's not that sad.

But why can't we just send Maza back to AAA?

5 Need a space on the 40 man.

Best case scenario is Sweeney gets DFAed, Hu goes down, LaRoche comes up with Berroa.

Has Nomar already been put on the 60-day?

Yep.

Last night when Sweeney hit his pinch hit single that should have been a double, the Cubs announcers were commenting that he looked injured as he ran to first (and he was then pinch run for). Perhaps it's just his turn to spend a couple of months on the DL.

7 Best case scenario, really, is that this whole thing is a hoax.

Besides that of course.

You know it's a bad season when you start thinking "I really wish we had Wilson Valdez back."

13 - Valdez was just released from Korea!

Check out this from Kevin Pearson: Berroa isn't even on minimum salary ...

http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/prosports/2008/06/dodgers-make-trade.html

Berroa isn't even on minimum salary

By which you mean he's making a lot more. $4.75 million, to be exact. (Hilarious). But the Dodgers are getting some cash in the deal.

It's almost as if Ned Colletti is just trying to do something to prove he's on the job. There couldn't be a more pointless acquisition than Angel Berroa... unless Hu is about to be traded. Be sure and sell low Ned. Good lord. What is going on here?

So I assume that means Berroa will be in the line-up and hitting second tonight?

I don't get it, I just don't get it. Is Ned literally LOOKING for the most useless player on the market to pick up? Why can't he trust his farm system? I am so sick of these transactions.

DY is hitting second, Hu hitting 8th. Martin rests.

18 To be fair, the next guy in line for the shortstop job was something like Rex Rundgren.

19. Hadn't seen the line-up, and besides I was trying to be snarky, as in "let's let the new guy, who sucks, bat high in the line-up."

Didn't Martin sit out Monday's game as well? Two games off in a week for him is unheard of.

He beat out Judy Gerut for the ROY award. Some other guys, too. . .

http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2003.shtml#ALroy

So we are willing to actually end up spending money to acquire Berroa, but are unwilling to spend an extra $500,000 to get Kyle Blair? This organization is pretty darn frustrating.

22 Kauffman Stadium played as an extreme hitter's park in 2003 - it had a one-year park factor of 114. However, it didn't seem to affect Berroa much - he had a .796 OPS at home, and a .780 OPS on the road.

23

That decision was about kissing Selig's slimy rear-end and nothing more.

Never mind the Dodgers! Danica McKellar is on Walker Texas Ranger, which I just accidentally turned to on the Hallmark Channel! Danica alert!

26

Accidentally? Sure...

Are people really upset that the Dodgers have Angel Berroa? I mean who cares? Well, I suppose Hu cares...

It's not like the other temp SS's were tearing up the place. Having more infield depth isn't a terrible thing.

It doesn't change the fact that the team desperately needs Furcal back, of course.

27 - Okay, I have Walker Texas Ranger on my Tivo to-do list. That and a recent showing of Gymkata.

Royals pick up ALL of Berroa's contract according to Tony Jackson.

Acquiring Angel Berroa is like having Mr. Burns summon you to his office and tell you that you have to go work as a human broom to sweep out the cooling towers at the nuclear plant.

D'oh. Jody Gerut. He's having a not half bad year down south. I always liked Gerut. And Gabe Kapler. And Gabe Gross. And they're all turning in respectable seasons, while Juan Pierre is playing LF for the Dodgers.

Hmm, I looked at his defensive stats and Reg is right, they're not very good. I remember him having a decent bat (once) so he seemed worth a flyer, but yeah if he can't field very well then it makes less sense.

Maybe Hu can be designated fielder and Berroa can be designated hitter and Maza can be designated Pesach snack cracker.

Berroa or Maza as your starting SS? If you have to ask that question you are in dire straits. Money for nothing

This sounds like Furcal is going to be out a while if they want insurance like Berroa. I remember when the Royals got Berroa and after his 2003 season it looked like the Royals had finally gotten the better of Beane, only to see Mark Ellis blossom and Berroa fall into the depths of Nefism without the defense. This is a bad ballplayer.

To bad the A's are somewhat alive in the pennant race. I'm fairly certain that Ellis could play SS given what a great defensive 2nd baseman he is and the fact he was a solid minor league SS. Always thought it strange that when Cosby kept getting hurt they didn't give Ellis a crack at it. To bad the A's are somewhat in a pennant race, I'd love to have him on this team.

Abreu continues to hurt this team with his absence if Berroa gets at bats.

Yeah, it's ironic, but Mark Ellis is the guy I wouldn't mind having as Kent replacement or insurance. Isn't he a free agent after this season?

I hope there's an associated move with this, like LaRoche called up (Sweeney DFA'd or Maza sent down).

Can someone step through a wormhole and see whether the Dodgers win tonight's game or not? Just want to decide whether I will be once again wasting my time watching them play. Thanks and best regards,
underdog

You know, Pat Listach is only six months older than Jeff Kent. And he's rested.

ITD seems to leave open the possibility that Berroa won't be added to the 40-man, at least not right away. Perhaps I'm overreading.

http://insidethedodgers.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/06/hungry_for_a_win_maybe.html

It sounds like, from the latest update on the PE.com blog, that Furcal will be out two more weeks, if all goes well and if I'm reading that correctly. Can the Dodgers possibly gain some ground or at least play .500 ball in that period of time, is the question...

38
I think you're over-reading. Why go to all the trouble to announce that Berroa has been acquired if he's just going to stashed at Las Vegas?

But I'm wrong. A lot.

Does anyone trust any stab in the dark prediction our medical staff makes on when someone will return? Until they are on the field again I consider current dodgers out of action forever.

40 - There's the Mark Bellhorn example.

Dick Kaegal, the Royals' MLB reporter, says Berroa is "expected" to be called up to Los Angeles on Saturday and replace Hu.

http://tinyurl.com/6np3te

41
That's why I said Kuo would never pitch again.

But he has.

Now if the Dodgers can only get down by six runs....

Good to be back in L.A. Chicago was 90 degrees and really humid when I left.

Of course, I may not have a job to go back to.

Berroa and Maza will be our middle infield tomorrow afternoon. Wow.

Looking for the silver in all of this, is Berroa a traditional leadoff-type that might induce or at least provide an opportunity for sitting, if only occassionally, JP so that we might have Pew Wee in the outfield, but not at the expense of Andre?

Eww...Angel Berroa sucks pretty bad. Does he have any speed?

Having more infield depth isn't a terrible thing

More players doesn't necessarily mean more depth.

I just hope Kuroda brings his A game today and not the Z game he brought the last time he faced the Cubs.

The Dodgers will now have had both Berroas play for them.

Actually, scratch that, Hiro pitched just fine last time. I must have been thinking of what's his name, that big bearded guy who stinks this year.

Jeff Kent approves of Russ's new look.

There we go! Nice start, Hiro.

49 50 stolen bases in 4 full seasons+ change.

Rudolph Valentino had a mustache?

Thats the gold glove Loney we like.

54 - and is likely the only one that does, Vin didn't seem to like it

53
Kuroda lasted three innings against the Mets on Sunday.

That's what it was. I was thinking about his last time vs. the Cubs and mixing it up with that crummier game vs the Mets. The whole last few weeks for the Dodgers have been one surreal blur.

56 - Was wondering the same thing. Who was he thinking of, I wonder?

I hope we get and keep an early lead so Martin gets a real day off.

I was just talking to my friend last week about Angel Berroa.

Well, I just watched King of Kong again and then I see that Dodger game is on TV, so I am pumped!

D.Y could lead off.

Jeff Kent is back

Kent has a freakin gorgeous swing when he is right.

Kenty is back!

Wow. I thought that ball was out for sure. We'll take the double, but yowsa.

I think Edmonds hurt himself, too. What else is new?

Perhaps Vin was thinking of Ramon Navarro

Fullerton-Stanford is on ESPN2 right now. Your two favorites, Bob!

63 - I would be totally fine with DY leading off in place of Pierre.

Good, I was just musing about how Kuroda would have done if he had hooked on with a poor(financially) team like say Washington with decent hitting.
As bad as Loney and Kemp look now, I expect to be the contrast to their second half.

69
Go Cardinal! Beat the Fighting Commuters! Stick up for the honor of the Pac-10!

Arizona (that grudge is over) has beaten #1 Miami in the first game.

34 Ellis can't really play SS anymore. He doesn't have the arm strength after he collided with Crosby, tore up his labrum, and missed all of 2004. It's a bit of a medical miracle he can even throw well enough to play 2B.

Despite modest athletic budgets and playing in the shadow of Pac-10 powers, Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine have excelled

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=3425483

I never get tired of hearing about Fukkudome's hat burning anecdote.

74
I have no beef with UC Irvine.

Cal State Fulleton has been etched into the obelisk already.

I didn't actually see Russell's new moustache -- was it more Rollie Fingers, or Adolphe Menjou, or Snidely Whiplash?

75
I saw Hoshino (the name of the guy who is "Burning Hat") get into an argument with an umpire when he was managing Hanshin. He thought that the opposing pitcher had deliberately thrown at his hitter.

He came out and argued in a way that would have made Bobby Cox look like Wally Cox in comparison.

Hoshino must have argued for about five minutes and got one of his coaches involved also.

No other umpire came over to help. And Hoshino was not ejected.

I think Cal State Feuilleton would be a much more interesting place to go to school.

77 He looks like he should be wearing a leisure suit.

Hey, Sorianno looks a lot like JP!

72 Grudges can be over?

79
It depends if you want to, you know, learn things.

82
My grudges arbitrarily begin and end.

Cal State Fulleton has been etched into the obelisk already

Did you have to scratch out Arizona...?

Wally Cox was a guest panelist (sitting in for Bennett Cerf) on the What's My Line replay, last week or the week before. I found him irritating.

Question: does Hu's slump correspond with the playing of Who Let the Dogs Out? Might breaking his slump be as simple as going back to Who Are You?

No, I hadn't received full funding yet from the American Obelisk Association.

78 I would love to have seen that.

Was he disrespectful to dirt? (Can you see that I am serious?)

77 IT'S HIDEOUS.

86
Speaking ill of Wally Cox could get you a spot on the obelisk.

85 Yeah. I was gonna ask that question next.

Wally Cox holds a special place in my heart, for obvious reasons.

87 or perhaps a lateral move to Aretha's "Hu's Zoomin' Hu"?

At the risk of prominent obelisk placement and or hand dismemberment, who is Wally Cox?

Henry Blanco was not high on my list of Former Dodgers I'd Expect to Have Lengthy Careers. Go figure.

What happens when criminals in this world appear and break the laws that they should fear?

AND THE HAWAIIAN ENDS IT!!!!!!!

Two triples, drove in the go ahead run and scored the game winning one...AND then he throws out the tying one at the plate to end it in Atlanta!

(pointing that out doesn't put me on the obelisk, does it?)

95
He was Marlon Brando's pal.

95 - He was many things:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Cox

But he was most famous (to me at least) as the voice of underdog in the original cartoon.

Drat. I should've written that in rhyme. I hope no one considers that a crime.

Wally Cox was the upper left square on "Hollywood Squares" for a long time.

It's 86.7 degrees in Durham right now, at 11:15 PM.

That's wrong. Hot wrong and regular wrong.

102 So he was yesterday's answer to Bruce Villanch?

102
Now there's something I can relate to. Thanks.

Where would he rate among all-time Squares, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being Jm J. Bullock and 12 being Paul Lynde?

Wow. Cox died pretty young. I hadn't realized that.

105
I stand corrected. Jm J. Bullock is a 2 or 3. Whoopi Goldberg is a 1.

I predict Pierre will either steal here, or be caught stealing. Anyone want to bet with me?

Where would George Gobel rate? A 4?

Gurnick:

The acquisition of Berroa could soon be followed by a promotion of Andy LaRoche, who is adding second-base and first-base experience to his resume while at Las Vegas.

"He could be called up any time," said manager Joe Torre. "He is close."

Also in Las Vegas, reliever Yhency Brazoban was placed on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. He missed most of the last two seasons with shoulder and elbow operations and had a 12.38 ERA in eight appearances.

http://tinyurl.com/6hgxn6

109
I guess I didn't think too much about the meat of the scale; just the end points.

Was Gobel the guy who was the "3rd guest" on Carson one night with Bob Hope and Dean Martin? Martin kept dumping cigarette ashes in Gobel's drink, and at one point Gobel (if it was him) said something like, "did you ever fell like the world was a tuxedo and you're a pair of brown shoes?"

106
The official cause of death was atherosclerosis, but I think Wally was found of illegal substances.

When he was on Hollywood Squares, he looked like he was in his 60s from my perspective. But he was really just a little older than I am now.

But I don't drink as much as Wally did.

Hmm, should've bet with me.

110 Yesss!

111 - I just know him as that guy who was in the lower left square on Hollywood Squares a lot when I was a kid, and I had no idea who he was.

I have to admit that Hu has been a disapointment to me although he perhaps could have used a bit more time in AAA.
I spent several years in a large corp.'s department that at the time was called employee relations, although the name changes and I'm not sure what it is now.
I saw data about blue collar workers showing that a rather large minority developed back problems at about 25 years of age and these problems usually lasted until about 35 years of age. At 35, a few of these people were disabled, while many of them recovered. I never saw info on whether these people moved into jobs with less "back", learned how to spare their backs, or just recovered.
I hope this has little bearing on Furcal, because the torgue of swinging at a major league pitch is not to be sneezed at.
Also, D Young looks like a hitter we need in there. Too bad it is at the expense of Ethier.

So is Kent still flirting with a .300 OBP? Swinging at 3-0 as much has he does doesnt lead to many walks.

Goebel was known for that quote about the tuxedo and brown shoes.

So is it Hu and Maza both demoted if Berroa and LaRoche arrive? Or would it be Tiffee? Or do they dare DFA Sweeney? {cue organ music} Stay tuned...

117 - Not to be confused with Goebbels, who had a quote about brownshirts?

In my day, lower left was Charlie Weaver. And when you played Hollywood Squares, you better start with Charlie Weaver!

Eric didn't know Mr. Peepers?

Its almost automatic that Kent will swing 3-0. 2-6 on that count isnt very good, though.

77 , 90 For those in the Russell Martin Facial Hair Marching & Chowder Society:

http://tinyurl.com/5sxnhr

In my day, lower left was Charlie Weaver

AND YOU LIKED IT!

118 I'm assuming it's DFA Sweeney to make room on the 40 man, then demoting Hu.

Darn. That thing was in his webbing. not sure about the error on loney. Probably should have come off of the bag for it, but not an error.

ANDY WITH A HOMER!

There is no way that should be Loney's error. He was sprawled on his side and still couldn't reach the throw.

Darnit, Kuroda almost made a great play to get a glove on that one but couldn't hold it. I don't know how Loney gets an error on that but I guess they had to give it to someone?

Although we've had "butter and egg man" tonight and "marching and chowder society" persists, I don't believe Vin has pulled out the "celery stalks at midnight" line has he?

127 - Hurrah! This is all some good karma working for Andy tonight.

They changed it. That's better. Except for the runners on first and third part.

I've got a bad feeling that we'll see an outfield of Pierre-Kemp-Young a lot more and that we'll never see Young-Kemp-Ethier.

The scoring was changed to Kuroda. I guess JoeyP wasn't able to get to the official scorer in time.

Ah they changed it. It's an error for Kuroda. Better.

And Gary Bennett with 2 walks.

Way too many Cubs fans at DS again tonight. Grrr.

Pinango can still get the win for Vegas on the strength of his three innings/10 hits/seven runs allowed performance.

Thank you, aramis.

123 That's a little disturbing. I hope it's a one day tribute to Jeff Kent.

I hope Fukudome loneys here.

Wow. Lou's gonna go nuts.

nice break!

He really was safe at first, wasn't he.

That's one of the worst calls at first I've ever seen.

Time to declare victory and get out!

Vinny is laughing his Hall of Fame tush off on that horrible call.

We need a call like that every now and then.

Whew. Get a break on that call. he was clearly safe. I'm sure Lou will come out on argue it to no avail. He needs to argue something three times a game at least anyway.

Thank you, Mr. Cousins.

But hey, most importantly, Sporky's wish comes true!

Tight game in Fullertontown.

That's one of the wosrt out/safe calls i can remember. Really, it was a pretty easy call and the umpires are almost always spot on with those.

151 - Hope that doesn't catch on.

Even Don Denkinger disagreed with that call

That could be just the break we need to win our first game when scoring 2 or fewer runs.

151 Woo!

The Aflac question was on the blatantly self-promotional tonight.

158
Vin did not approve of that question.

"on the.... side tonight" that should read.

Okay, come on boys, two on -- time to actually extend a lead for once!

He should have called Blake out...

The bases loaded for the gristle of the order.

sacks full for the bottom of the lineup? bring on the pinchhitters...

158.
159.

What was the question?

7,8,9 hitters don't give us the best chance to score here.

I was waiting for the ump to call him out on that one to even things out, but that was even less close.

The heart of the order coming up!

Who is this guy?

I'll take a 6-4-3 DP just to get a run in

If 7, 8, and 9 are the heart of the order, I would hate to see who the liver and kidneys are.

167 Our backup catcher, played in Colorado for a bit. No hit, good glove, solid arm.

164 - How many Aflac All American HS players were drafted in the first round this year? (A: 10.)

Great at bat!

Sorry, I meant the crotch of the order.

I shan't complain.

there's something in the air over chavez ravine tonight!

Oh, man. Bases loaded and Ardoin up! At least we might get into the bull-pen.
RBI, but oh what could have been.

And that ball was crotched just right!

Time for one last hurrah for Hu?

You mean you can feel that there's something in the air tonight.

Oh no.

I've been waiting for this moment for much of my life.

Oh no.

Just make him throw strikes.

179 Arrgh. Don't make me obelisk you.

179 I figured that comment was going to lead to that.

Hu needs a compact swing like Lo Duca

Wow-- that is not often a strike!

That 3-1 pitch was a ball. The ump probably called it a strike because Hu tried to "duck" it.

Hu's uselessness with the bat is approaching the unprecedented....

And yet he's still better than Angel Berroa.

That was a good pitch, but not gonna help Hu's cause any. Of course, it's probably moot anyway.

A WP/PB. That's all I ask.

186 Hey, he'll be good someday. Now is just not his time, he's pressing and inexperienced. Some time in Vegas will do him good.

179 - I'm down to the final three Reapers. Benji just met his Phil Collins. I've been loving the past few episodes.

186 - Hee-Seop Choi with the Dodgers in 2004.

192.
uh-oh.

193 He didn't say 2005, so it's hard to argue.

Since someone was asking about Xavier Paul here the other day, he has a double and two walks(!) so far tonight; that'll help his OPS a little.

I love acoustic basses. But "I've been waiting" was such a bad lyric it ruined Collins or whoever it was for me.

Andy with an RBI single!

And LaRoche just singled to drive in another run!

Call him up already!

Cardinal up 3-0 in Titantown.

Now if LaRoche is called up and plays 2B tomorrow. That's a decision I would fully support.

He also turned a DP.

Somehow, Hu only has the 27th worst OPS for a Dodger non pitcher with 100 PA in a season.

nice quick inning

I hope this won't be yet another (high) quality start by a Dodger pitcher that is wasted by lack of run support. Hiro's been great so far. Another run or two would make me sweat less.

When Bennett comes off the DL, do you think they'll stick with Ardoin?

205 They should. Ardoin at least has pretty good defense.

Pinango just gave up his 12th hit in 76 pitches. Trying to hang on to have a shot at that win - game tied 7-7 in the fifth.

179
During my freshman year at UCSD, one of the people in my suite (two doors down) once played that song over and over again for 6 hours straight while studying for a test. It was maddening, and I love that song!

206 - I was gonna say, there's something about Ardoin I find very tolerable.

But Bennett appears to be making his way back.

206 When they make these decisions, I wonder if they talk to the pitchers before deciding on roster moves.

202 what about ops+?

Well that was only a pitch two feet low and a few inches inside. Baby steps...

I hope that makes up for the Fukudome GIDP.

Ejected.

wow that was low and inside

D's hitters really made Whats his name throw some pitches--eh? And previously they had him on the ropes. Well I guess they trust thre bull-pen.

208 Speaking of UCSD, I was on the train leaving SD earlier today and sat next to a kid finishing up his first year. He was telling me that his parents want him to be a dentist but he really wanted to write scripts for television. I told him to do whatever would make him happy - his parents would eventually get over it. I should've referred him to you Jon to get some pros and cons.

Thats not good. I really do wish umpires were held accountable for their mistakes. 2 pretty wretched calls tonight that really affected the game.

Now we have Maza batting 3rd. Great.

Of course the ump had to throw him out, because it was obviously a bad call. But the D's souldn't fell confident with their bull-pen. Oh well.

It was kind of weird to see Jeff Kent smile like that. Pretty bad call for strike 3, but then again we got the gift at 1B earlier with Fukudome.

fell=feel

I don't blame Kent for being angry, that was a terrible call. BUT we can't afford to have key offensive players getting kicked out of games.

Does that mean Kent will play tomorrow?

dreadful call....here's a proposal: use computer data, do an extensive review, warn the bottom 10% of umps every offseason. you come bottom 10% twice in a row, look for another job. too harsh? I'd accompany this stick with the carrot of a big salary increase, fwiw....

Can LaRoche get here to finish out the game at 2B?

It would be nice to utilize Delwyn Young's versatility and get Ethier into the game instead of Maza. Oh well.

207 What game? Who is Pinango?

228 In Las Vegas.

219 I thought they would move DY to 2nd and put Ethier in Kent's spot. Another reason for me to doubt Torre's judgement.

I look for Maza to play defensively and when his time comes to bat, Torre will PH Ethier and move D.Y to second.

227 - I was just thinking that, too. Why not? Oh well, indeed.

That one was for real. Woo!

And Pinango leaves with a 9-8 lead!

225
Isn't MLB sort of doing that now, with Questec?

Xavier Paul with the go-ahead RBI double.

231 that would be nice

231
I can actually live with that. Good point.

Wow, Sorianno looks exactly like JP. I guess he is much bigger, but when there is nothing to compare him to. His batting stance is similiar also.

226 Now Andy, did you hear about this one?
Tell me, are you locked in the punch?
Andy, are you goofing on Vegas?
Hey baby, are we losing touch?

ARgh, Koplove coughs up Pinango's win.

That kid Loney with two hits tonight. Maybe people can remove that fork they stuck in him.

240
If you believe, Colletti is a buffoon.
Is a buffooooooon.

Might as well just pitch around DeWitt if you're the Cubs, even with nobody out.

Hu has the 14th worst single season OPS+ ever for the Dodgers.

I love Ardoin.

Holy crap! nice call!

Squee!

THE SQUEEZE...AND HERE COMES THE RUN!

great call by Torre.

245 I was just looking.....Maury Wills 1972 will not be challenged, however!

Nicely squozen!

Gettin' runs anyway we can.

I'm an absolute sucker for the squeeze play. I unabashedly love it!

I would be a horrible manager because I would go for the squeeze way too often. I'd also fake punt a lot, to the point where a real punt would be the fake.

249 - Hey, let's be judicious with that one :)

Let Hu have a hit! Please! For his bruised ego!

243
If you believed there's nothing up the GM's sleeve
Then he's just a fool.

Here's a little agit-a for the never-believer
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Here's a little PVL for the offering
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Now it might be good to pinch hit for Hu and Kuroda, but you have no one better on the bench, so leave Kuroda in.

254 - Agreed, I'm 23 and saw that play for the first time online a few months ago. I got chills. Incredible call.

The thing with that squeeze was, did you see how long it took Loney to score? I don't believe a play could have been made at the plate, but let's just say our first baseman for the next decade won't win many foot races.

When some guys struggle, they look good at the plate. Hu is not one of those guys. He actually reminds me a little of Nakamura, which isnt exactly a good thing.

Damn Hu! so useless.

Hu-mongous hole in his swing.

254

It actually hurt me a little to type that. Baby steps, i guess.

I think Kuroda only has 74 pitches, and he was expected to throw many more in Japan.

259 It's bizzare since Loney looks pretty athletic so he shouldn't be that slow. Maybe he's just hiding a big gut well.

There's little to no doubt Hu is ready from a defensive standpoint. I wish there was some way to make that work.

I think the Dodgers should be allowed to use a DH until Furcal comes back.

I really love the look on the dude's face in the AM/PM "female roommate" commercial. It's quintessential dork.

Yeah, there was no reason to pinch hit for Kuroda there. His pitch count is so low and he's pitching well and he's up 3-0. Still, I pine for the DH every once in awhile.

Vinny is a little Po'd.

Holy crap! Angry Vin!!!!

Wow, Vin was not happy about that.

Oh man, this might be the angriest I've ever seen Vin, being upset about D-Day being ignored.

wow

266 suppose they signed Beroa as an extra SS, with the intention of dropping a pitcher and PHing every time the SS comes up either leading off an inning or in a non-bunting runners-on situation...

naah.

Vin with a great (and angry) reminder that today was D-Day, which I'm sure I'm not the only one to have forgotten.

I don't believe I've ever heard Angry Vin before.

265
It would be pretty awesome (well not really I guess) if Loney wore a girdle.

Wow. Um, did I really just see that?

The previous record for Vin anger was his pique at Kevin Malone.

Vin with his Edward R. Murrow moment. And I could not agree more. Also, don't forget RFK as well.

Hu plays every bit as well as Furcal on defense. Soon he will see that that is not going to win for the Dodgers. I think he could figure it out with more time in the minors. He will probably see it tonight.

Andy HBP.

it seemed like Vin was actively trying to hold back, too....

That wasn't just Angry Vin - that was Shrill Vin!

Maybe he just accelerates really poorly. I know it takes me more than 90 feet to reach top speed.

The Vincredible Hulk there. "Anger rising..."

I feel like my teacher just yelled at me.

282 - "Good night and good luck... Oh wait, it's only the seventh inning."

Man I'd better remember not to forget D-day ever again.

282 - I didn't forget RFK, at least. Blogged about it the other day, even. Something that affected my dad a great deal and still makes him tear up, happened a year before I was born.

If not for this website I would not have believed what I saw was real. I am running on about two hours sleep and delusional, anyway.

280
A close 2nd (now 3rd) is Vin's mention of the club letting Mike Scioscia get away.

So that was why the History channell had D-day features all day. Vin knows the names of all the beaches.

I guess it will be easier to remember the anniversary of A.V. Day now.

Hiro is unbelievable tonight.

Wow, Kuroda! so good!

295 Because he know men who fought on those beaches.

Kuroda was sitting at 95-96 MPH that inning. Is anyone else shocked by this?

Another gem by Kuroda. If he loses this one I may very well cry.

265 -- What about Karros? I always thought he looked like the All-American athlete. But he didn't run any faster than Loney. Steve Garvey was no different. Firm body. Just shorter. First basemen usually are slow, which is one reason why they play first base.

There was no hint of anger before or after that segment, too. Consummate professional.

Vinny was 16 on D-Day.

Mike Koplove with an INSIDE THE PARK HOMERUN.

Something tells me Jon will have a post about D-Day on June 6, 2009.

303 - Aren't those segments recorded earlier? Seems like they just cleverly make them look "live" but I'm not sure they are. Either way, though, he is a consummate professional.

294 - That's pretty much the same conversation:

https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/10986.html

Vin's "outburst" brought us all out of our rooms here at the Lex manor....wow....and the man has convictions....

I remember him making a comment about hugo Chavez calling Bush the Devil, which he didn't like, but nothing like this.

302
That's a good point. But I still contend Garvey's Popeye arms weighed him down.

Mike Marshall was a damn good athlete but was slow as molasses too. I still love his run to pull the Dodgers within 4-3 in Game 1 of 1988 WS. The shot of him churning his legs like a broken down engine is classic.

Wow! nice cleavage!

I just got back from a bar where I was talking with a girl who went to high school with Clayton Kershaw. She said he was very nice, but kind of shy. She didn't know that he had a great curveball, but I was happy to inform her of that.

306 - If I can get control of the TiVo before I go to bed, I'll have one on June 6, 2008.

305 - That's the way to vulture a win!

307 - Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't. You can usually tell from the background.

306 - That'll make Jon less angry at him.

Wow, I had to doublecheck the MILB Gameday just to make sure you weren't making that up.

307
It's probably half and half live and recorded, or something close to that. You can always tell the difference because for the taped events players are taking BP in the background.

314 referred to 305 not 306, of course.

C'mon Pee Wee!

Man, Edmonds watches a lot of baseballs go over his head these days.

I'd like to see Young, Ethier, and Kemp everyday. I'm seeing how many pitches Young seems to cause every at bat.

We need more Pee Wee!

That dude needs to play a lot. Pierre needs not to play a lot. I see an easy soltuion...

Pee Wee! And now our slugger is up!

So much for the Ethier/Maza switch.

Maza's up -there goes that theory

DY has seen 26 pitches in 4 AB tonight.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when D-Day is 64...

320
I see an easy soltuion...

DeWitt to the OF? Oh wait, it wasn't capitalized.

That mustache is nothing short of horrible.

Vin's D-Day speech was live. You can see Luis Maza warming up at second base in the background.

Torre is a mastermind

IF the Dodgers hold on to win this one, this will be the first time in presumably quite awhile where all the NL West teams won, yah? Wacky. IF they hold on.

Matzoh!

Come on get some runs! I don't even feel comfortable with a 3 run lead!

328 You must be watching the non-deluxe broadcast. On mine, they had a rear screen projection with black and white footage of men landing on Omaha Beach and Adagio for Strings playing in the background. You should really upgrade.

Loney up with 1 out and a runner on 1st... I have a bad feeling about this :)

I think they have to run Maza here

That :) should be a :(

301 we really do have the starting pitching of the whole works. But it takes more. Clutch hitting we won't discuss. But our releif is also excellant, except when it is important. Its been a perfect storm against us, darn it.

333 someone with video editing skills should load that up on youtube

With Pew Wee hitting right after JP in the lineup, one can really appreciate their different approaches the the plate.

Loney...ugh

Hey, only 1 out.

How often do we strike out w/ a man on third and less than 2 out? Seems like we do it all the time.

Another first: Vin mentioning Linkin Park.

You could scrub all your dirty pots and pans with Eyre's goatee.

Not super clutch these days...

344 - You and Sporky should start FacialHair Thoughts.

This is positively Billingsleyan.

338
MLBAM would just remove the video eventually anyway

Wow. Hiro is on fire.

347
I'm Eric Stephen, and I approve of that message.

Come on Kuroda! papa wants to see 10k!

Kuroda providing the '60s Dodgers pitching to go along with the '60s Dodgers offense.

so, have the dodgers had a comple game winner yet this year?.

ben
live from the stadium

Kuroda takes the club ERA lead from Billingsley. 3.57 to 3.53.

(Kuo is at 1.93, but is 23.1 IP short of qualifying).

NPUT

353 Nope.

Kuroda and Ardoin work very well with each other.

What was it..a walkoff salami by Martin, an 11-1 drubbing of the Pads and now this. I think we should all chip in to buy season tickets for Lonestar's English godfather.

and a second question. do u let kuroda come back for the 9th, or bringin saito?

Maybe Kuroda has learned how to win on this Dodger team. Pitch a complete game shutout.

Here is what is wrong with baseball. This is Kuroda's game to win or lose. I am afraid they will have to pull Hiroki, but they don't really have a hitter on the bench. Wait they have Martin!
In the sixty's and seventy's which unfortunately I remember, if the team wasn't hitting, the starters would often buck up and just pitch nine inning shutouts.

Saito in! I'm holding my breath.

NVM! I love Torre!

Please keep Kuroda in, and then if you have too bring in Saito or Broxton, who through no fault of there own, are apt to blow it this year.

Absolutely brilliant performance by Hirkoki.

Am I too late to chime in on Angel Berroa? Certainly, he's no great shakes, but SS has been an absolute mess since Furcal went down. I'd rather have a .250 career hitter with a small amount of pop as my backup infielder than what we've got now. It's a small, financially inconsequential deal that can't really hurt the team, given the current situation.

Re: 366.. The belief that Berroa will relieve even any iota of the "mess" at SS is over-optimistic. Berroa had one decent season in the majors followed by 3 yrs of 55-80 OPS and poor defense. If the Royals thought they could help (after all he was still under contract) they would have brought him back from AAA. Their current SS is hitting .151 - which is no better than Hu.
How "financially inconsequential" this is for the Dodgers depends on what estimates to believe. Tony Jackson says KC is picking up "ALL", Dodgers.com says the Dodgers are picking up "nearly all". Colletti's comments seem to show LA was picking up something. But almost anything seems senseless for a SS who in reality is no better than Maza, and will only start 9-10 games before Furcal returns. It's the kind of silly vet bandaid that a panicked Colletti has frequently applied (Loaiza, Hillenbrand, Wells, etc) thinking that somehow these guys will re-discover that decent season they had once upon a time.