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About Jon
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
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Jaime Jarrin: An Extended Visit
2008-06-23 20:37
by Jon Weisman

On Friday, I highlighted the Variety package on the Dodgers' 50th anniversary. Eric Enders contributed a feature on Hall of Fame-honored Dodger broadcaster Jaime Jarrin. Space considerations forced Eric to throw out about 90 percent of his interview when crafting his wonderful story, but no such constrictions apply here. Enjoy, at length, Enders' interview with Jarrin, on the occasion of Jarrin being honored at Dodger Stadium (and in doing so, you'll see why June 24 is such a special day).

* * *

Tell me a little bit about your background and how you got involved in baseball.

I grew up about 40 miles south of Quito. I finished school in Quito because there was no high school in the town where I was born, Cayambe. I became interested in radio when I was 15 years old. A cousin of mine was a very well-known radio announcer in Quito, and he would take me to the radio station with him, and I fell in love with the microphone. I was always a very good reader. So then I took a six-month course on announcing, and I won a contest to work at HCJB, the Voice of the Andes, a very, very powerful radio station in Ecuador. I started working there when I was 16 years old. Then I became the announcer for the National Congress of Ecuador, the Senate, and I did that for three years.

HCJB is a radio station owned by an American organization, so there were many English-speaking people there. The American consulate in Quito used to come to the station quite often, and we became friends. And one day—half-seriously, half-kidding—I told him I wanted to come to the United States. He said, 'Come and see me,' so I went to see him, and 24 hours later I had my visa as a permanent resident. I came to Los Angeles because I knew there was a large Spanish-speaking community here.

I came to L.A. on June 24, 1955, and I started looking for work in radio, but there was only one radio station in Spanish in those days, KWKW. I went there and applied for a job, but there were no openings, so I started working in a factory, doing physical work for about six months, and I kept going back to the station. Finally, in December of '55, I was able to get a part-time job at the station. In a few months they gave me more time, more time, more time. Finally, I had a full-time job. By 1958, when the Dodgers moved to the West Coast, I was the news and sports director.

I didn't see any baseball in Ecuador, because in Guayaquil they play a little bit, but in Quito baseball is not known at all. So when I came to this country, I saw people around TV sets and radio sets, watching and listening to the World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Yankees. And I said to myself, that must be a great sport, because there are so many people so intensely watching this game.

So I started going to the games in Los Angeles. We had two Triple-A teams, the Hollywood Stars and the Angels. They used to play at Gilmore Field and the Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. I started going on Saturdays and Sundays to watch, without knowing that eventually the Dodgers would move to the West Coast. So the Dodgers move to the West Coast, and I knew some baseball, and one day the owner of the radio station, Mr. William Beaton, called all employees to his office to let us know that he has signed a contract to do the Dodger games in Spanish.

He said they needed two announcers, and looking at me, he said "I want you to be one of the announcers." I said, "Mr. Beaton, thank you very much, but I think I'm not ready to be in front of the microphone and call a game." I was already doing boxing every Thursday night, and I was very successful doing boxing. He said, "You know, you have talent for doing sports," and I said, "Yes, I know, but give me some time." He said, "Okay, but next year I want you to be with the Dodgers." So he took me to meet Mr. Walter O'Malley, and by 1959 I was ready, and I was hired, and here I am 50 years later still doing the baseball games.

What was it like learning baseball as an adult? Did you find it difficult to catch on at first?

Of course, everything is difficult at the beginning, but after a while I caught on and it wasn't too difficult. I had the ability to do it, and it was a matter of knowing the game. So I started studying. In 1958 I started reading every book about baseball, and listening to every game, and watching. In those days there was only one game on TV, on Saturday, that was it. So I listened on the radio. That's how I started.

What has your relationship with Vin Scully been like over the years?

I don't have enough words to say what he has meant to me and my career. He has been, really, the greatest helper I have ever had. It was a blessing to have him next to me. At the beginning, we didn't travel with the team. We used to recreate the games, the first six or seven years we didn't travel with the team. So we used to have a line between the city where they were and the radio station. We used to go to the station's studio to do the game. We had cartridges with sound effects for a single, for a double, for a triple, for a home run… So we used to hear Vin and Jerry Doggett doing the game and we would translate simultaneously. [Other teams] used to recreate the games for years before that, but they were always at least half an inning or an inning behind. But in our case, we weren't behind, we were right there calling balls and strikes simultaneously. When there was a difficult play like a triple with men on base, then we had to wait until the play was over to come up with the narration, so it was difficult.

Vin was very, very helpful to us. He knew that we didn't have all the materials we needed, so before each game he was very kind—he didn't have to do this—but he was very kind to give us the lineup in advance, because when they gave it on the air it was too fast and you couldn't get the lineup. So he would take the time to say, 'OK, Jaime, here's the lineup,' and he would give me additional information about the weather, the possibility of a rainout, the attendance, things like that. He was extremely nice. Then when I started traveling with the team, we became very, very good friends. Quite often, we have a night off and we'll be dining together, myself, Vin, and the traveling secretary, Billy DeLury. So he has been my inspiration, he has been my mentor, he has been my teacher, my friend. He has meant so much to me. It has been very, very special.

Now you and he are the two longest-tenured broadcasters in all of baseball. Did you ever see that coming when you first started?

To be honest with you, I never dreamed I would stay this long. You know, I was doing boxing, and I was very successful. I was doing lots of boxing championship fights from all over the world, especially for Argentinian television. I did the Thrilla in Manila from Manila between Muhammad Ali and Frazier, I did fights from Rome, from Monte Carlo, from Milan. I think I've done between 40 and 50 championship fights. When I started doing baseball, I thought it would probably be a matter of six, seven, eight, 10 years at the most and then I would move to something else. Spanish TV was coming on in the '60s. I think Channel 34 in Los Angeles came on the air in 1963 or '64. So I thought probably I would move to television or something like that.

It never, never crossed my mind that I would last this long with the Dodgers. But I fell in love with the game, and I still feel privileged to be doing what I love to do, and to have the best seat in the house, and to be treated with respect. I respect everybody and they respect me, and so there has been no problem at all. The Dodgers have been great, from Mr. O'Malley to Fox and now the McCourts, they have been wonderful to me. So why change? I am a very steady person. I was with KWKW for almost 51 years. I have been with the Dodgers for 50 years. I've lived in the same house for 43 years. I've been married to the same woman for 50-plus years. So I've been steady. If I like something, I stay with that, and it has really been a blessing to be with the Dodgers all this time.

In 1981, you started serving as Fernando's interpreter. How did that come about?

When Fernando came to the major leagues in 1980, he became very, very well-known, not in '81 but in '80, when he came to the majors and pitched in the last series of the season against the Astros and did so well. In my book that's when Fernandomania started, not in 1981 but in 1980 with that series against the Astros. Then 1981 came along, and he had to be the starting pitcher in the first game because Jerry Reuss was hurt and Burt Hooton wasn't able to go to the mound. So they chose Fernando to start the game and he was so successful at the beginning that the press was all around him. It was very, very difficult for him because he couldn't speak any English.

The first game, I think it was Manny Mota or somebody else who helped translate his words for the press after the game because I was doing the game upstairs. But for his second start, Fred Claire approached me and said, "Jaime, I would appreciate it very much if you could help Fernando at his press conferences because you work for the Dodgers, you're with him everywhere, you're traveling with the team. So could you help him?" And I said fine, great. So when he was pitching I would leave the booth in the eighth inning and go down to the clubhouse to help him. That happened in Los Angeles and in every city where we were playing.

How long did that go on for?

That went on for, I think, about two years. Then he started speaking English and there was no need for me to be helping him.

What was your impression of his impact on the Dodgers and on the game of baseball?

Oh, that was an unbelievable thing. It was something sensational. I honestly think that we will never see a year like 1981 again. The impact that he had, not only in Los Angeles, but everywhere, was unbelievable. Being in Chicago, Montreal, New York, Houston… oh, it was a madhouse. Dodger Stadium was always sold out when he was pitching. I think he opened the doors for so many Latinos to come to the major leagues, because they saw this kid who didn't speak the language, and who was very young, become so successful.

I think he is the player who probably created more new baseball fans than any other player, because so many Mexicans, Central Americans, and South Americans who didn't care much about baseball, became interested in the sport because of Fernando. The impact that he had was unbelievable. He helped us very much, because thanks to him, we were able to create a very large radio network in Mexico. In Mexico we had almost 60 stations covering our games in every corner of Mexico. We became very successful because of that. Whenever Fernando was pitching, we had an audience in the millions.

I grew up in El Paso, and I was four years old in 1981. I think within the next year or two, the Dodgers had a radio affiliate there, but it wasn't an English-language broadcast. It was in Spanish—it was you. I'd listen to the games at night, even though I didn't speak Spanish fluently. That's how I got to listen to Dodger games as a kid, because Fernando was so popular.

Yeah, because of Fernando, it happened to you, and it happened to thousands and thousands. I was invited to speak to Spanish classes at UCLA, at USC, because all of a sudden they were very interested in our culture and everybody wanted to be bilingual and learn some Spanish. It was really amazing. So many Anglos started listening to us because they wanted to polish their Spanish, or they wanted to learn some Spanish, and that was a very good way to do it.

What are your thoughts on the growth of the Dodgers' Latino fan base over the years since then?

That's one thing that I am very proud of. I think we planted the seeds, and we are now seeing the results of that. When I started doing baseball in 1959, the Latino fans coming to the Coliseum were probably six to eight percent. Now at Dodger Stadium, the Latino attendance at Dodger Stadium is between 38 and 40 percent. Thirty-eight to 40 percent! The same thing goes for cities like San Diego, Houston, Miami, Chicago, New York. The Dodgers were the first organization to have bilingual coverage on a regular basis. So we were the first ones to do it, and I think because of our success, some other ball clubs started respecting the Hispanic market in the United States, particularly here in Southern California.

What's your favorite thing about Los Angeles?

The weather! The weather is unbelievable. I love it.

Who was your favorite player to watch over the years?

Well, at the beginning, it was Roberto Clemente, even though I didn't get to see him much because he was with the Pirates, but he was in the National League. He was really something to see. His presence… it was amazing. His way of playing, hitting, and throwing was a delight to see. He was my first idol.

On the Dodgers, not an idol, exactly, but the player I liked the most when I was first starting was Willie Davis. He was extremely nice to me. He knew that I was very green, he knew that I was very young, so he took me under his wing and he helped me a lot. He was very special to me. And Don Drysdale, also, was an extremely nice person. Later on, of course, we became colleagues when he started doing the television for the Dodgers. We became very good friends also. And then, of course, Fernando Valenzuela, who is now working with me. I admire him as a ballplayer and also as a person. He has taken advantage of the opportunity that he had, he's invested his money very well, he's a very decent person. He's a gentleman all the way. And as a ballplayer he was really very special.

What's it like working with him now, and were you disappointed that for many years he didn't want to be associated with the team?

You know, Fernando will always be a very special friend of mine because I have been with him from the very beginning. The first game he pitched was in Atlanta and the first batter he faced was the catcher, Bruce Benedict. He hit a fly ball to center field. So I have been with him all the time that he was with the Dodgers, then he left the Dodgers and he didn't want to be associated with the Dodgers until Derrick Hall was able to convince him to come back. I don't know the reasons why he was away, but I was very pleased when he decided to come back to us because he is so, so well-liked in Los Angeles. He's so popular. It's amazing, really. That's why he doesn't stay until the end of the game. He leaves in the eighth inning because if he leaves when everybody's leaving he'll be mobbed and he won't be able to leave the stadium. It's been great to have him with me. I saw him when he was a player, and now he's starting another facet of his career with me also.

He always seemed very shy. Has he overcome that as a broadcaster?

He's always been shy. He's still very shy. He is some type of an introvert. He doesn't like the spotlight on him, and he's a very reserved person. He's more vocal now. He has improved in that regard. He just started with us—well, five years ago. Time flies. He was really very nervous. But little by little he's been opening, opening, opening, and now he's more relaxed. He's doing a very solid job.

Of all the games you've called over the years, which was the most memorable, or what was your favorite call that you've made?

The perfect games are always very unique. I did the perfect game by Sandy Koufax, the perfect game by Tom Browning of the Reds against the Dodgers, and another perfect game by Dennis Martinez against the Dodgers. … Those games are really special. And the no-hitter by Ramon Martinez also. And of course, the game in 1988, the Gibson home run in the first game of the World Series, that's very special to me. And more recently, the game that we had two years ago against the Padres when the Dodgers hit four home runs in a row to tie the game, and then Garciaparra hit another home run in the 10th inning to win it. That game was really unbelievable.

The perfect games were very exciting in the eighth and ninth innings, and the same with the four-home-run game. And when Hershiser had his streak of innings, when he erased Drysdale's record, those games were unbelievable. The entire '88 year, Hershiser had a year that… my goodness. Very few people will match that. He won the Cy Young Award, he set the record for scoreless innings… he even helped win a game in relief against the Mets. So that entire year was great for Hershiser. And he is one of my favorite, favorite players.

Do you remember the words you used to describe Gibson's home run?

To be honest with you, no, I don't remember. I did exactly what I always do, but probably I was more excited. But I don't remember anything in particular.

I know you used to cover other news events. What were some of the most memorable things you covered?

When I came to the United States I started doing news on KWKW. I was able to create a complete news department at the station, and I did the special events. I was the first one to go to Mexico to broadcast the grito ceremony on the night of September 16 from the national palace there. I was at Shea Stadium when the Pope came for the first time to America. I was with President Johnson when the United States gave a piece of land along the border, the Chamizál, to Mexico. I attended the meetings between President Díaz Ordaz of Mexico and Richard Nixon in Puerto Vallarta, then another one in Coronado, California. I was also able to attend the meetings between President López Mateos of Mexico and Lyndon Johnson in Los Angeles. Then I was assigned to cover the funeral of President Kennedy from Washington. That was the most challenging job I have ever done, because in 1963 when I was assigned to go to Washington, my English was extremely limited, and I didn't know anybody in Washington. It was very cold, I arrived there without knowing anybody, and I was able to cover the funeral from the cathedral and from Arlington Cemetery. That was a very difficult job to do, and also the most exciting job I have ever done. I got invited to the White House three times. Twice by Nixon, and once with Fernando to lunch with Presidents Reagan and López Portillo of Mexico. So I had a very exciting career in news before I dedicated myself full-time to sports.

When did you start doing sports exclusively?

I went full time with sports… oh, probably in 1974.

Do you have any regrets about that?

I have always been a journalist, and I loved that. Sometimes I miss it, but I don't regret leaving it in favor of baseball because, you know, I'm a very practical person. When the kids started to grow up and they were in high school and getting ready to go to college, I had to improve my income. And doing news, I was getting the union scale, plus a bonus because I was news director of the station, but that's it. No other way to make more money, and in sports it's wide open. Then I fell in love with baseball and I said this is my cup of tea, and I decided to leave the news. Also, the news was more difficult for me because of all the traveling.

How old were you when you learned English, and how difficult was it for you?

When I was in Ecuador, I took English in school for eight years, and I thought I knew some English before coming to this country. But when I got here, I was lost, to be honest with you. It's so different, you know, to learn English in this country compared to school over there. It was very difficult. So my advice to anyone who wants to come to this country is to really hit the English and try to learn as much as possible because that's the main barrier that we have, those of us who come here as immigrants.

Yet now you speak it well enough that you could broadcast in English.

No, no, no, I don't speak it well. My problem is that I speak Spanish all day long. I spoke it at home because I wanted my children to be bilingual, and thank God they are. And then I speak Spanish in my job all the time. If you want to learn a language, you have to isolate yourself from your own language. Go someplace where nobody speaks your language. Then you will be able to learn. So it's very difficult, and I tried to do my best. That's why I don't do any work in English. They have offered me jobs doing English, and I said no, no, no, no. I prefer doing Spanish because I like to be perfect in my work, and I don't command the English language the way I should in order to be in front of a microphone.

Any final thoughts?

It has been a great experience to be with the Dodgers for 50 years. Everybody's surprised to see that Vin Scully has been with the Dodgers for 59 years and I've been with them for 50. It's really amazing to see that our two announcers have more seniority than everybody else. That's very unique. The recognition that I've received really humbles me, and I'm very thankful to this country. This June 24th will be my 53rd year in this country, and I never thought I would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the first Hispanic to win the Ford Frick Award while living. And then to have a star in Hollywood—I'm the only Ecuadorian with a star in Hollywood. So it's been great.

Comments (317)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-06-23 20:55:44
1.   Bob Timmermann
I'm quite jealous of that interview. Jaime Jarrin helped me to learn Spanish because his enunciation is so precise.

I believe Fernando's disenchantment with the Dodgers came from when he was released by the team in 1991 and the team refused to pay Valenzuela's contract (he signed as a free agent and it wasn't guaranteed.) The Dodgers had Lasorda and others testify that Valenzuela wasn't physically able to compete anymore.

In his bio by Plaschke, Lasorda claims it's the only time he ran down one of his players in public.

2008-06-23 21:08:54
2.   Jon Weisman
Dayn Perry on the Dodgers:

http://tinyurl.com/5mbz7d

2008-06-23 21:11:38
3.   underdog
Another reason I don't really like Tommy Lasorda. I love Fernando, though, so I guess I'm biased.

But Jaime Jarrin is a terrific person and announcer, and as much as I've always appreciated him I'm ashamed to say I had no idea he'd been doing it for quite that long. Amazing!

Great interview, Eric, I'm jealous, too.

Vin and Jaime, two of the real legends.

2008-06-23 21:14:28
4.   underdog
Oh, and a really on-target piece by Perry. Such a difference between he and Robothal in their analysis. It's all pretty well-reasoned, fair and accurate.
2008-06-23 21:16:03
5.   68elcamino427
What a great interview and what a great read. I feel like I'm sitting in listening to the man. Thanks
2008-06-23 21:21:42
6.   SoSG Orel
Great interview, thanks. Nice reading about this Dodger icon I know so little about.
2008-06-23 21:24:18
7.   Bob Timmermann
3
Lasorda claims that management (presumably Fred Claire) made him do it and he said he regretted it.

Take that for what it's worth.

2008-06-23 21:28:13
8.   underdog
7 Not a big fan of management from that era, either, but I'm sure there's some truth to it. Still...
2008-06-23 21:40:30
9.   silverwidow
KYLE RUSSELL ALERT:

Dude hit another homer tonight. This guy flat out rules.

2008-06-23 21:41:16
10.   silverwidow
We need to give him a cool nickname like everyone else.
2008-06-23 21:44:56
11.   kinbote
9 10 Krush?
2008-06-23 21:46:55
12.   Bob Hendley
Great, thanks Jon.

OT 77 - "Let's also give a big welcome back to the hardest working man in baseball: Eric Byrnes."

Joe Morgan says that its JP. Perhaps the two of them should arm wrestle.

2008-06-23 21:50:04
13.   kinbote
After a great performance tonight (7+ IP, 0 R, 10 K), Steve Johnson looks like a firm candidate for organizational pitcher of the year. Some of his numbers:

http://tinyurl.com/5rtmk5

2008-06-23 21:58:13
14.   Suffering Bruin
Wonderful interview and my I add I am very, very jealous of Mr. Enders.

So... how is Jarrin? Is he any good? We've had comments on all the Dodger announcers at one time or another but I don't remember anyone writing about Jarrin. What's he like as a PBP man? An inquiring mind wants to know...

2008-06-23 22:04:28
15.   Longhorn Bill
10 His nickname here at Texas was "Stick."
2008-06-23 22:05:02
16.   Longhorn Bill
Oh, and I am absolutely thrilled that the Dodgers drafted him. He can really mash.
2008-06-23 22:06:23
17.   Jon Weisman
14 - Eric loves him.
2008-06-23 22:10:41
18.   overkill94
13 Looks pretty solid, but he doesn't really have the secondary numbers to get excited about. The K/9 of 7 is passable, as is the 2.3:1 K:BB ratio, but a guy like that needs to be an extreme ground ball pitcher to be considered an elite prospect and his GB:FB ratio is only 1.10.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that guys like Johnson never make it, it's just a lot more rare than guys with the better secondary stats. That being said, 10 K's in 7 IP is a step in the right direction for sure!

2008-06-23 22:12:42
19.   Alex41592
Russell went 1 for 4 with a two run homer that tied the game in the eighth inning. He also walked and struck out.

Devaris Strange-Gordon has five errors in seven games at short.

Ogden is 0-7.

2008-06-23 22:13:55
20.   Bob Hendley
4 - I agree that there is a good chance that the Dodgers will get a little bit more bounce in their step with Kuroda back, the Minatour showing his stuff, Andy getting more playing time, and the kids starting to stroke. But I do have my doubts about Jones, Kent and even Penny making much of a contribution. But, a very good piece, despite my quibbles.
2008-06-23 22:18:00
21.   Greg Brock
14 It's a shame he won't do a game in English. I think it'd be pretty cool.

Great job, Eric.

2008-06-23 22:18:14
22.   68elcamino427
Off Topic:

Am I the only one that noticed that it appears on the x-mo that DeWitt is wrappping the bat on the "load" portion of his swing? Maybe I'm just seeing things, but if I'm not and he can knock that off, he could regain some signifigant bat speed.

Just say'in.
I only know enough about this stuff to be dangerous. (disclaimer)

2008-06-23 22:19:45
23.   Greg Brock
There's a gal I chat with on another site, and she absolutely mobs Russell (she's a Texas fan).
2008-06-23 22:24:04
24.   68elcamino427
20
Jones, Kent, and even Penny

The good news is that if only one of the three can "break out" it would create a signifigant improvement for the team overall. Sounds crazy, but i'm putting my money on Jones.

2008-06-23 22:25:22
25.   bhsportsguy
Eric, great interview.
2008-06-23 22:25:42
26.   Bob Timmermann
17
I would echo that Jarrin is very good at PBP. He gives all the basic information and he has a very comfortable style.

The Gibson home run call was probably something like his usual
"Golpe! Canseco! Atras! Atras! Atras! CUADRANGULAR!"

2008-06-23 22:29:57
27.   Eric L
14 My Spanish isn't so hot, but I have been able to keep up pretty well with Jarrin the couple of times that I have listened. I think that says quite a bit about his style.

Honestly though, I haven't listened to him enough to be a good judge.

2008-06-23 22:31:57
28.   Jon Weisman
22 - If I still had the rule against starting a comment with "Is it just me" or "Am I the only one." I would have allowed that as an exception to the rule.
2008-06-23 22:37:20
29.   Gen3Blue
Just Amazing. We don't know much on the E. coast.

In the last week we have had the most amazing series of downpours and thunderstorms. It must be related to the midwests flooding. People I deal with keep refering to "The Day After Tomorrow".

2008-06-23 22:42:43
30.   Jon Weisman
23 - "There's a gal I chat with on another site,"

Excuse me? I don't recall that we have an open relationship.

2008-06-23 22:44:38
31.   bhsportsguy
30 He did not get the prenup attachment you sent out before the season started.
2008-06-23 22:48:18
32.   Bob Hendley
24 - "Sounds crazy, but i'm putting my money on Jones".

You are not the first. ;-)

2008-06-23 22:51:40
33.   Greg Brock
30 I can't be tied down at this point in my life, Jon. It's not you, it's me.

All the "Thank you for nots" over here are "Thank you for" over there.

2008-06-23 22:58:57
34.   68elcamino427
28
My apologies Jon, I will be more direct.

DeWitt is Wrapping the bat, in fact, he is pointing the tip of the bat at the pitcher, locking his wrists, which he then needs to uncoil. In this situation, he now needs to move the bat head farther to meet the ball. By keeping his motion on the load more neutral, the bat head needs to move a shorter distance to meet the ball. If he is expending the same amount of energy on both swings, it only stands to reason that the bat will get to the ball faster with a neutral load. This will result in more hard hit balls and fewer foul balls to the left field stands. More like his May numbers.

2008-06-23 22:59:26
35.   Jon Weisman
33 - Must get pretty tiresome being annoyed at the existence of their list all the time.
2008-06-23 23:05:33
36.   Jon Weisman
34 - No apologies needed. Thanks for the explanation, though.
2008-06-23 23:10:06
37.   Greg Brock
35 Maybe Milton Bradley is just perpetually annoyed by your list. We've solved it!

You did this to him.

2008-06-23 23:12:50
38.   68elcamino427
37
Milton Bradley is playing like he's out of his mind!
2008-06-23 23:14:08
39.   Greg Brock
You do drugs, Milton?
Every day.
So, what's the problem, then?
I don't know.
2008-06-23 23:14:30
40.   regfairfield
Before we get excited about Russell, remember that he's a 22 year old in rookie ball, and it's like six games into the season.
2008-06-23 23:16:50
41.   The Mootz
Jaime Jarrin, Vin Scully, Chick Hearn, Bob Miller, Ralph Lawler, the past and present list of Los Angeles broadcasters is legendary.
2008-06-23 23:18:27
42.   Greg Brock
39 We don't even know how many times you have to tell him things. I hear the Dodgers are very big on that.

On the plus side, I hear he's perfectly comfortable with where the trash cans are located in relation to his locker.

Can't teach that.

2008-06-23 23:28:27
43.   bhsportsguy
I was on Dodgertalk yesterday and I was about to launch into why the things Ned says bugs fans but my phone call dropped. And then I cooked dinner so I never heard Josh's response if any to my rant.
2008-06-23 23:34:00
44.   arbfuldodger
41 I'd add Dick Enberg to that list
2008-06-23 23:38:42
45.   68elcamino427
Los Angeles Dodgers
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
LA Angeles

This is where the Dodgers are going with the best young talent in the game.

I'm all for not one great Russell, but two!

2008-06-23 23:44:42
46.   Bob Timmermann
Just think how the course of world history would have been after World War I if Woodrow Wilson had just spoken about his 14 "Thank you for nots..."

Instead Greg Brock has turned himself into the Clemenceau of Dodger Thoughts and keeps demanding big reparations from the Giants.

2008-06-23 23:50:37
47.   Linkmeister
46 Which will undoubtedly cause a new World War. I hear the Giants are already claiming they were stabbed in the back.

When I first started listening to the Dodgers back in 1959 I had no idea they had a Spanish broadcast. Still didn't when I left in 1962. I wish I had; I'd surely have picked up at least baseball Spanish at that age (9 - 12).

2008-06-23 23:50:50
48.   Linkmeister
46 Which will undoubtedly cause a new World War. I hear the Giants are already claiming they were stabbed in the back.

When I first started listening to the Dodgers back in 1959 I had no idea they had a Spanish broadcast. Still didn't know when I left in 1962. I wish I had; I'd surely have picked up at least baseball Spanish at that age (9 - 12).

2008-06-23 23:51:33
49.   Linkmeister
Bah. I added a word to that second version.
2008-06-23 23:53:27
50.   Greg Brock
46 Henry Cabot Lodge had the first Rule 10 violation in history.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-06-23 23:57:39
51.   silverwidow
40 Remember, Ryan Braun only hit 2 homers in rookie ball. And he was almost 22 at the time.
2008-06-24 00:06:18
52.   Greg Brock
There's enough about the Dodgers to be pessimistic. I'm going to say Kyle Russell tears the cover off the ball and has a great career.

My prediction is that he rakes all Summer, has a nice year next year, is up with the big club fall of '09, and makes us all forget we traded Ethier for a middle reliever.

Positivity.

2008-06-24 00:16:08
53.   Linkmeister
Bob, your post #72 in the last thread read as follows:

"Jerome Williams should get the Linkmeister Seal of Approval."

Um, why?

2008-06-24 00:24:35
54.   Greg Brock
53 Jerome is from Hawaii.
2008-06-24 00:35:04
55.   Eric Enders
According to Wikipedia, "he is of Hawaiian-Chinese-Portuguese-Spanish-Japanese-Norwegian-African-Filipino-American ancestry."
2008-06-24 00:38:57
56.   Eric Enders
Thanks for the comments, guys. It was great talking to Mr. Jarrín and he was a very gracious fellow. I'd definitely recommend listening to one of his game calls if you want a fun way to brush up on your Spanish.
2008-06-24 00:39:53
57.   skybluestoday
Re: 39

"You ever take that Cooter Preference Test, Milton?"

"Yeah, I took that."

"What'd they say you should be?"

"A DH for the Texas Rangers."

2008-06-24 00:44:30
58.   overkill94
40 He's not 22 for another week!
2008-06-24 00:46:57
59.   skybluestoday
"How about you, Ned?"

"An underachiever."

2008-06-24 05:38:09
60.   PDH5204
53 Jerome went to Waipahu High. I recall him being the Big Deal at the time. Actually, I know that he was the OIA Western Division player of year in '99.
2008-06-24 06:02:38
61.   Bob Hendley
I am the only one...err stike that. Enders certainly showed a lot of composure during the interview when Jaime mentioned one of his great moments being when LBJ gave Texas land back to Mexico. I am thinking that was even part of El Paso, no?
2008-06-24 06:37:47
62.   Marty
I got to me Jaime a few times in the 1970s. He was always a very nice person to me and my friends.
2008-06-24 07:41:21
63.   Ken Noe
I need some advice. We fly out Thursday morning for LA. We'll be staying in Anaheim, ironically, for my wife's conference. What time should we leave Saturday and Sunday to get to the games? I'd like to be there when the gates open.
2008-06-24 07:42:56
64.   MC Safety
One day I hope to be as steady a person as Jaime Jarrin.
2008-06-24 07:58:54
65.   bhsportsguy
63 If you mean you want to get there when they open the gates to the stadium, on Saturday, the gate will be open at 5:40, Sunday at 11:40, for the first 40 minutes or so, no matter what section your tickets are for (field, loge, reserve), you can go to the the 3rd Base side of the field level entrance and enter there to see batting practice.

Now, I would say during that time of day, driving up from Anaheim up the 5 should not be a problem, the only problem is that both games should be over 50,000 in attendance but not many of those people will show up that early.

So if you were to leave on Saturday at 4:30 and on Sunday at 10:30, you should be fine.

2008-06-24 08:18:55
66.   Bluebleeder87
62 you got to me to Marty with that post... LOL! (jk)

Nah man, Jaime Jarrin just brings back memories of me & my dad(I'm the only boy in the family, 6 girls) driving to DS I'm not gonna lye & say I still listen to him but when I do it just brings it all back...

2008-06-24 08:25:39
67.   ToyCannon
Eric, great interview.
2008-06-24 08:36:02
68.   Bluebleeder87
yeah it was well done, really nice Eric.
2008-06-24 08:46:38
69.   Ken Noe
65 bh, that's exactly what I needed to know, many thanks. I hope to spend as much time in DS as possible.
2008-06-24 08:52:42
70.   Kevin Lewis
69

may the gods of the 5 be gracious to you

2008-06-24 08:54:11
71.   Bob Timmermann
63
Is that the ALA Conference or is there a SECOND professional conference in Anaheim this coming weekend?
2008-06-24 08:59:04
72.   Ken Noe
70 Not that the small town Alabama boy is apprehensive or anything.... ;-)

71 It's ALA Bob, my wife has a poster session and I hope to replenish my pencil and pen supply for the year in the display hall. Will you be attending?

2008-06-24 09:07:27
73.   Bob Timmermann
72
I will be in the Forest City at another convention as the Griddle will fill you in.

But you will have lots of pens and pencils.

2008-06-24 09:11:24
74.   Ken Noe
73 Have fun in Cleveland.
2008-06-24 09:13:07
75.   Bob Timmermann
74
It's God's Country!

If God had low standards.

2008-06-24 09:13:22
76.   bhsportsguy
74 I'll be there on Saturday, if you would like to meet up, email me at bhsportsguy@aol.com, not that you couldn't findy your way around the ballpark anyway.
2008-06-24 09:14:06
77.   underdog
The Phillies are looking for pitching and one rumor has it that Werth OR Victorino may be among the players available. Hmm. And if they trade away one of those guys they may need a speedy outfielder to replace them. Hmmm. Pitcher + Pierre for Werth. Yeah, that'll happen.
2008-06-24 09:32:32
78.   DaDoughboy
76, 74

FYI..Supposed to heat up to the mid 90's again this weekend after this mid-week cooldown..

2008-06-24 09:55:36
79.   DaDoughboy
oops. Forecast for LA, not Cleveland :)
2008-06-24 09:56:04
80.   fanerman
Where is "Variety" available for purchase? I probably should have asked this earlier.
2008-06-24 10:08:40
81.   Kevin Lewis
80

And is it still possible to get one?

2008-06-24 10:12:33
82.   Jon Weisman
It's published every weekday, so no, you won't find the Dodger issue on sale anywhere.
2008-06-24 10:16:27
83.   fanerman
82 D'oh!
2008-06-24 10:18:55
84.   Bob Timmermann
Variety wasn't sold anywhere I could find in the SGV.
2008-06-24 10:20:58
85.   Jon Weisman
I can bring a few extra ones to the picnic, assuming I get my act together and pick a spot.
2008-06-24 10:23:43
86.   LoneStar7
what day was the dodger issue? we get variety here at my internship?
2008-06-24 10:25:42
87.   bhsportsguy
This is just a small thing and it may have been raised earlier but the Dodgers did give 4th round bonus money to their 9th round pick Steven Caseres, redshirt sophomore 1st baseman from James Madison. The average bonus for the 9th round is 80-90K, they paid him $250K.
2008-06-24 10:25:59
88.   bhsportsguy
86 Friday.
2008-06-24 10:28:22
89.   LoneStar7
ah thanks 88
2008-06-24 10:37:51
90.   LoneStar7
cool just got a hold of the issue, definitely gonna read through that at my lunch break
2008-06-24 10:44:29
91.   Eric Stephen
In other amateur bonus news, the A's seem to be the frontrunner to sign 16-year old Dominican pitcher Michel Inoa. His bonus figures to be north of $4m, which would be a record for international players.

"He's a once-in-a-decade type pitcher," said one international scout.

http://tinyurl.com/628cp7

2008-06-24 10:48:27
92.   bhsportsguy
91 I believe that article noted the Dodgers' record bonus of $2.25M to Joel Guzman for a 16 year old position player from the Dominican.
2008-06-24 10:50:43
93.   fanerman
Are the Dodgers in the running?
2008-06-24 10:51:02
94.   underdog
Wasn't Guzman a once in a decade type hitter?

Just sayin'... Hope that works out for them, at 4 million.

2008-06-24 10:51:58
95.   underdog
93 Not unless they're being highly stealthy about it. They weren't one of the few teams listed as possibilities for bidding on him.
2008-06-24 10:53:20
96.   fanerman
94 Oh, there are worse ways to use 4 million.
2008-06-24 10:55:08
97.   underdog
96 What, you're saying the Dodgers have wasted millions of dollars on players before? I scoff at that no... er, never mind.
2008-06-24 10:58:38
98.   bhsportsguy
Brent (The O.C.): Buster-The Dodgers aren't going to be buyers are they?????

Buster Olney: (1:53 PM ET ) Brent -- other teams get frustrated dealing with the Dodgers, for sure. They feel that there's so much talk and, in the end, very little action; the Dodgers discuss possibly trading their prospects, but never do. In most years, you would assume they wouldn't be buyers, but the NL West is something of a mess these days, and that's keeping the Rockies and Padres and the Dodgers and the Giants feeling some hope.

2008-06-24 11:02:02
99.   regfairfield
Think about it, if Inoa doesn't pan out the A's could have used that money to resign Alan Embree. It's a huge risk.
2008-06-24 11:02:14
100.   underdog
Brent needs his question mark key locked on his keyboard.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-06-24 11:03:42
101.   underdog
Tee hee. I think it's great for the A's if they sign him; it's just surprising to see them spending the money. But I guess when they have spent money, it's been on kids.
2008-06-24 11:06:51
102.   Greg Brock
4 million for a 16 year old pitcher is a ton of money.

But it's really 4 million over ten years, if you figure he'll be in the minors until he's at least 21, and then the service clock ticks until arbitration and free agency.

2008-06-24 11:11:05
103.   fanerman
100 What's wrong with his use of the question mark key?????????
2008-06-24 11:13:20
104.   bhsportsguy
102 He will probably his first 2 years, ages 16-17 in the Dominican Summer League so his clock won't start until he starts Rookie ball as an 18 year old. At that point his 5 year clock will start, so he is does not need to be put on the 40-man until age 23 and then he'll have 3 more years before running out of options.
2008-06-24 11:14:24
105.   bhsportsguy
102 Let's put it another way, this kid may never have to pitch in the city of Oakland.
2008-06-24 11:18:28
106.   Greg Brock
105 You can't place a dollar value on that.
2008-06-24 11:20:03
107.   Lexinthedena
98 Maybe it's because the "prospects" in question haven't been prospects for awhile now.
2008-06-24 11:20:33
108.   sporky
Lucas May has a double and a HR in 3 ABs today. McDonald pitched 5 innings and gave up 1 ER on 3 hits (albeit with 4 walks to go with his 5 strikeouts).

I'm kind of bored at work.

2008-06-24 11:20:37
109.   Bluebleeder87
if you ask me that is WAY to risky signing a 16 year old & a pitcher at that, huge gamble...
2008-06-24 11:22:30
110.   Lexinthedena
108 We should move Russel Martin to SS when May is ready:)
2008-06-24 11:25:13
111.   regfairfield
109 How is it a gamble? If he doesn't pan out, you really aren't out anything except a year of a fringe major leaguer. If it pans out, you're money.

According to Nate Silver at some point, a first round pick is worth about 4 million. If this guy would have been a first round pick had he entered the draft, it's a steal.

2008-06-24 11:27:22
112.   bhsportsguy
107 No, I think its probably true. Arizona, Detroit, Atlanta, NY Mets and Seattle have all traded a number of their young players to acquire players in the last year.

The Dodgers have not. Now, I would say the situations are different as the players that those teams dealt were not already contributing to the MLB team so to trade them would create as many holes as the trade would be trying to fill.

But I do think that is probably a surprise to many in the game that the Dodgers have held on to their younger players during this time period.

2008-06-24 11:28:36
113.   Kevin Lewis
Lex,

we need Gerardo to show up on time :)

2008-06-24 11:29:22
114.   bhsportsguy
111 Yes but its still a gamble, look at hom many first round picks never see the a major league ballpark unless they buy a ticket.
2008-06-24 11:31:23
115.   underdog
C'mon people, if you're bored at work then it's time to stuff the All-Star ballots for Russell Martin. He needs the push!
2008-06-24 11:31:47
116.   Eric Stephen
With LHP Buehrle pitching for the Sox tonight, I expect LaRoche to be in the lineup for the Dodgers. Here's my guess at the lineup:

LF Pierre
CF Kemp
1B Loney
2B Kent
C Martin
RF Ethier
3B LaRoche
SS Berroa
P Lowe

From the looks of it, until one of Nomar or Furcal return, we pretty much have a set lineup at 7 positions, with a platoon at 3B for the time being.

2008-06-24 11:33:03
117.   sporky
Elbert pitched 3 innings, too! 1BB, 2K, 1HR, 1ER.
2008-06-24 11:33:06
118.   fanerman
115 Can you link for the lazy?
2008-06-24 11:34:34
119.   sporky
118

http://tinyurl.com/49x483

2008-06-24 11:34:39
120.   regfairfield
114 How can something be a gamble if you don't lose anything if you lose?
2008-06-24 11:36:47
121.   fanerman
114 This move wouldn't cost them a draft pick would it?

The cost of money seems far less important than the cost of playing time wasted on a bad player. At least that's what I gather from watching the Dodgers spend vast amounts of money on bad players.

2008-06-24 11:38:19
122.   Lexinthedena
113 It all depends of if his clients cancel with him. I'll let him know we're shorthanded and that he needs to call in sick:)
2008-06-24 11:38:47
123.   Greg Brock
4 million dollars can pay for a lot. Like a manager.

You can't buy that kind of PR just anywhere.

2008-06-24 11:39:58
124.   cargill06
120 that's called a freeroll

116
lf- pierre
cf- kemp
2b- kent
c- martin
1b- loney
rf- d young
3b- laroche
ss- berrora
p- lowe

2008-06-24 11:42:19
125.   Kevin Lewis
122

Check your email

2008-06-24 11:42:42
126.   fanerman
119 Thanks.
2008-06-24 11:46:08
127.   bhsportsguy
120 So basically, if you spend money to sign amateur talent and it doesn't pan out, you don't lose anything but every acquitsition at the major league level must be perfect.
2008-06-24 11:48:11
128.   screwballin
115 mlb.com is obviously broken, because it shows Dos Molinas and a Kendall getting more votes than Martin.

What, did Nader strap on the gear and pull votes from Russ?

2008-06-24 11:48:51
129.   Ken Noe
76 You have mail.
2008-06-24 11:51:37
130.   bhsportsguy
129 Got it and replied.
2008-06-24 11:52:38
131.   sporky
115 I stopped at 14 votes.
2008-06-24 11:53:13
132.   Linkmeister
54 , 55 , Oh, right. I'd forgotten that our sportscasters routinely identified Williams as "the Waipahu-born Jerome Williams." Similarly, Shane Victorino is "Maui-born..."

Thanks, guys. I need some of the cognitive improvement drugs I'm currently giving my dog.

2008-06-24 12:00:46
133.   Kevin Lewis
I voted as many times as allowed. Now I need to login with family member emails
2008-06-24 12:01:21
134.   sporky
131 I voted for Lugo, too! I hope my votes aren't discredited for that.
2008-06-24 12:07:39
135.   dzzrtRatt
115 I'd rather Martin got some rest.

Although I'm sure Hurdle will pick him as a backup. Over Torrealba. Right?

2008-06-24 12:08:01
136.   underdog
134 Voted for Lugo for what?

I voted for mostly the players I thought were having the best seasons; the only Dodger I voted for in any of my 15 votes besides Martin was a couple of times for Loney. And I wrote in Kemp once or twice. The rest of the time I voted for non-Dodgers. Help us Obi Wan Martin, you're our only hope. (Well, that and a pitcher, but even our pitchers who are good don't have the greatest record at the moment.)

2008-06-24 12:08:47
137.   dzzrtRatt
It occurs to me that if the Dodgers' manager and the co-star of The Love Guru got into a New Age marriage, their combined last name would be Torrealba.
2008-06-24 12:09:09
138.   underdog
135 I thought about that, too, but he'd only play a few innings if he's a backup, and would still get days off before and after. But yeah, if it's up to the coaches to pick, who knows.
2008-06-24 12:11:55
139.   LoneStar7
just got a good number of votes in
2008-06-24 12:16:59
140.   sporky
136 AL AS SS! But only a couple of times.

I only consistent voted for Martin, Hamilton, McClouth, Uggla , C. Jones and Berkman. I don't know the AL well enough, but I tried to stay away from BOS/NYY players in my futile attempt to fight the vote inflation.

2008-06-24 12:21:18
141.   regfairfield
127 Sort of. Any talent you pay four million four at the big league level is at best going to be a placeholder, not a difference maker. The teams that should be signing those guys are ones that already have difference makers, otherwise they're useless.

Paying four million dollars for a chance at a difference maker is a much better use of resources since he can actually improve a team that needs improvement.

2008-06-24 12:28:53
142.   DaDoughboy
140.

Same vote card as me...I think McClouth is getting shafted here. Poor guy is 15th in voting right now.

2008-06-24 12:31:55
143.   Eric Enders
Some people think you should have to be a good player for more than two months to be an All-Star.
2008-06-24 12:33:15
144.   regfairfield
Agreed. I pretty much vote for who I want to see play. Granted, I love McLouth so he got a vote, but there's no way Ryan Ludwick is making my ballot.
2008-06-24 12:35:19
145.   Marty
I wanted to vote to eliminate the All Star game. But I couldn't find that anywhere on the ballot.
2008-06-24 12:35:43
146.   Bob Timmermann
137
New Age marriage? They could just be running for mayor of L.A. with that name.
2008-06-24 12:36:28
147.   Daniel Zappala
Eric, thanks for that interview. A really fantastic read. I'm going to make it a point to listen to some games in Spanish now.
2008-06-24 12:36:35
148.   screwballin
[142} I think McClouth is getting shafted here. Poor guy is 15th in voting right now.

... which is better than Dunn and his 18 HRs. But then, he hates baseball, so he'd probably rather stay home.

2008-06-24 12:38:04
149.   Eric Stephen
I like to use 2nd half stats for the previous year as well for AS balloting, as I think they tend to get ignored. As much as I think Geovany Soto is having a very good year, he essentially has 3 months of service time so I would not vote for him over Martin or McCann unless his numbers were just eye-popping. As it stands, they aren't head and shoulders above Martin and are worse than McCann.
2008-06-24 12:38:59
150.   Daniel Zappala
So does this mean the A's believe the international market is undervalued right now?
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-06-24 12:39:58
151.   madmac
127 nice!
2008-06-24 12:41:48
152.   Eric Enders
147 Gracias.

I'm not sure where I stand on the whole newbie-vs.-established-star issue. I mean, pretending that an established star like Ken Griffey is still an All-Star-caliber player is pretty ridiculous. But when you go with the guys who just went on a hot streak for the first two months, that always ends up looking embarrassing later on. Remember when Jack Armstrong was the NL starting pitcher?

I have a feeling that 20 years from now we'll be browsing Baseball-Reference and saying to ourselves: "Ryan Ludwick? I don't even remember that guy. And he was an all-star?!?"

2008-06-24 12:43:23
153.   bhsportsguy
152 And that ignores the outdated requirement that every team be represented at the game.
2008-06-24 12:43:57
154.   regfairfield
Going through that ballot it's amazing how bad some the AL first base, shortstop and DHes are. I unironically voted for Lugo.
2008-06-24 12:44:12
155.   Bob Timmermann
Jason Dickson, All-Star pitcher.

Tyler Green, All-Star pitcher.

2008-06-24 12:45:09
156.   Eric Stephen
Mike Sharperson, Dodger All-Star!
2008-06-24 12:46:43
157.   bhsportsguy
156 I thought of that too.

I am always sad when I see the back of his uniform jumping up and down when Gibby arrives at home.

2008-06-24 12:46:48
158.   Bob Timmermann
I remember when All-Star games ended with Chris Brown grounding into a double play against Don Aase.
2008-06-24 12:50:48
159.   Marty
Instead of Home Run Derby, they should have Home Plate Collision Derby. Pete Rose could be a judge.
2008-06-24 12:51:39
160.   Eric Enders
I always kind of liked Chris Brown for some reason. He helped to balance out the rest of that annoying Giants infield, with Will Clark, Robby Thompson, and Jose Whatever-His-Name-Is-This-Week.
2008-06-24 12:51:47
161.   GMac In The 909
159 Gary C.!
2008-06-24 12:52:28
162.   Eric Stephen
159
I like that. Maybe make Charlie Hustle sit outside the stadium and judge the plays on a monitor, as to honor his ban.
2008-06-24 12:53:24
163.   Jacob L
I listen to quite a bit of Dodger baseball in Spanish. I tend to flee to KWKW when Rick and Jerry are on. My Spanish is so so at best, but I have no problem following what's happening in the game.

Bob is right. Jarrin's enunciation is astoundingly great. The clarity of his voice is Scullyesque. I could easily hear his voice in my head while reading Eric's interview. The only problem is that, like Vin, his workload is not what it once was, and there's a noticeable drop-off to the rest of the guys in booth, no offense to Pepe Yniguez or Fernando. I don't actually know if Rene Cardenas is still doing games for the Dodgers. Still, I've always said that my Spanish improves during the baseball season.

2008-06-24 12:54:44
164.   Jacob L
Please welcome your Century 21 Home Plate Collision Honorary Team Captains - Dave Parker and Steve Yeager!
2008-06-24 12:55:40
165.   Eric Enders
Rene Cardenas has been gone for a few years now. He's calling Astros games. I think it's the second time he's left the Dodgers, actually.
2008-06-24 12:57:43
166.   KG16
I think that in order to make the home run derby more interesting, they should have All Star pitchers throwing to the hitters.

Of all all-star competitions, the home run derby is the least interesting to me. It's really just televised batting practice.

The dunk contest in basketball is pretty cool, when you have some real high fliers. And the skills competitions in hockey always struck me as the best.

So yeah, put me down in favor of the Home Plate Collision Challenge.

2008-06-24 13:00:17
167.   Eric Enders
I agree that home run derbies are boring... in fact, the only sports event I can think of that's more boring is a slam dunk contest.
2008-06-24 13:01:26
168.   Jacob L
I like Home Run Derby because its televised batting practice. The problem with Home Run Derby is too much Chris Berman, Joe Morgan, etc. Try it with the sound off.

Conversely, I was pretty bored with the Slam Dunk contest, although the Dwight Howard stuff from this past year sort of piqued my interest.

2008-06-24 13:02:08
169.   Bob Timmermann
167
The home run derbies are at least more interesting than watching a draft in any sport.

I know that's a minority opinion here.

2008-06-24 13:03:26
170.   Gagne55
156 How about Steve Swisher (catcher) and his all-star 66 OPS+?

Ron Coomer, Minnesota's backup corner infielder in 1999 who logged in 127 games between 1st and 3rd putting up and OPS+ of 82. Granted it was for a bad Minnesota team that needed an all-star rep, but Koskie and Radke would have at least been acceptable choices.

2008-06-24 13:04:42
171.   LogikReader
167

Did you not see Dwight Howard last year? I normally agree but last year was phenomenal!

and I LOVE Home Run Derby. I attended in person last year in SF. What strikes me about the Derby is the way the broadcast ruins its momentum.

Before the actual broadcast began, other all stars took their own batting practice. It was like "the derby before the derby" but much better, because it wasn't broken up with inane interviews and commercials. Albert Pujols put on quite a show last year!

Once you get to the real thing, it really becomes a bore after the first two rounds. I think the key is to judge when it gets repetitive and move on. I didn't even stay to see who won (it was Vladdie Guerrero).

2008-06-24 13:04:57
172.   bhsportsguy
The 1977 NL All-Star team might have the best collection of outfield throwing arms in my lifetime.

Reggie Smith, Dave Parker, Ellis Valentine, and Dave Winfield.

2008-06-24 13:05:10
173.   Gagne55
And how could we forget Mike Williams and his 6.27 era?
2008-06-24 13:06:20
174.   LogikReader
169

You have at least one guy that agrees with you. You couldn't PAY me to watch the NFL draft.

2008-06-24 13:06:20
175.   fanerman
166 Don't forget about getting to hear Chris Berman saying "back" 1,000,000 times.
2008-06-24 13:07:54
176.   Bob Timmermann
174
And I'm going to "miss" the NBA draft Thursday as I'll be at the SABR Convention.

Dang.

2008-06-24 13:08:21
177.   Gagne55
Btw, if a player is selected as a team's sole representative then gets traded before the all-star game, does the team get a new rep? Also, if a player selected is traded between leagues which team does he play for?
2008-06-24 13:09:27
178.   Eric Enders
I once read an article on Ron Coomer that talked about how during one offseason, he and Paul Molitor spent the winter driving around the country on their motorcycles, following the E Street Band from city to city.

He had a 95 OPS+ in the first half of 1999. I always had a soft spot for him because he was one of those guys who the Dodgers never gave a chance to even though he tore up the PCL, like John Lindsey and Phil Hiatt.

2008-06-24 13:10:22
179.   Gagne55
Watching live draft coverage: very boring.

Looking at the results of the draft: fairly interesting.

2008-06-24 13:10:27
180.   Jim Hitchcock
So, I decided to change out the CD's in my Explorer before going camping Thursday. I hit eject, picked a slot, and...CD error. I picked another slot, and...CD error.

I decided it was time to fall back on my electronics training. I looked at the heel of my hand, did a quick `resistance is futile' routine, and THWACK!

I had some Dead, Mark Knofler, and Hot Tuna loaded shortly thereafter.

2008-06-24 13:10:43
181.   bhsportsguy
177 What if a manager gets selected to be a coach and he gets fired before the game?
2008-06-24 13:11:25
182.   Eric Enders
Ford's factory CD players are total crap. I learned the hard way... twice.
2008-06-24 13:12:11
183.   underdog
Junior Spivey, All Star!

Lance Carter, All Star!

Roger Pavlik, All Star!

2008-06-24 13:14:18
184.   Bluebleeder87
when I get home from work I'll place a few votes for my boy Russell, I gots to...
2008-06-24 13:15:10
185.   Jim Hitchcock
182 It's a Pioneer unit, but no doubt not one of their better efforts.
2008-06-24 13:16:31
186.   underdog
179 Plus the Lakers have no first round pick this year. (Which is tough to complain about. And it's not like they would've had great pickings by that point anyway.)
2008-06-24 13:16:59
187.   Bluebleeder87
If anything at least the snakes dont have it easy with BoSox either, we have the ChiSox & Halos coming in, woah.
2008-06-24 13:18:04
188.   Greg Brock
I like the home run derby.

I can still remember Frank Thomas hitting the top deck at Three Rivers. And Griffey off the warehouse at Camden.

And Mike Piazza grabbing swinging twenty times in two years and getting a big fat yarborough.

2008-06-24 13:19:12
189.   Bob Timmermann
181
Dick Williams managed the AL All-Star team in 1974 as the Angels manager.

Walter Alston managed the NL team in 1954 even though he hadn't managed the Dodgers to the pennant the year before.

2008-06-24 13:20:57
190.   JoeyP
So basically, if you spend money to sign amateur talent and it doesn't pan out, you don't lose anything but every acquitsition at the major league level must be perfect.

There's a difference in spending 4 mils on someone that might be good, vs spending 4mils on known mediocre MLB veteran (in Regairfield's example--Alan Embree).

The opportunity cost of the $4 mils isnt just money. If the A's would be losing something, its really losing out on possible other prospects they could have signed. Perhaps instead of signing 4mils dollar 16yr old, they could have spent 2 mils each on two prospects.

The risk is in putting all your eggs in the Inoa basket, rather than spreading it out amongst a variety of prospects. When kids are that young, I'd think the safer play would be to sign 4-5 players, rather than just bank on 1 player being a superstar. Just too much uncertaintly with kids that age.

MLB money allocation, and draft money allocation are two entirely different evaluation/risk structures. At the MLB level, you largely know what you are getting--> and its much easier to assess value to it. Therefore, MLB level acquistions should be as close to perfect as possible.

With the draft, its total speculation and hope (especially with kids as young as 16).

2008-06-24 13:33:32
191.   Eric Enders
Is there a web resource that shows All-Star managers, or is this the kind of thing where you have to plow through old newspapers?

Anyway, an interesting case would be the 1965 All-Star Game. The 1964 World Series was the Yankees vs. the Cardinals. After the Series, the Yanks fired their manager, Yogi Berra, and hired Cardinals manager Johnny Keane. So theoretically, at least, Keane had a claim for managing both teams at the 1965 All-Star Game. I don't know how they worked that one out. Presumably Keane managed the AL and somebody else managed the NL. May even have been Alston, for all I know.

Didn't Al Lopez manage the AL the year Casey Stengel got fired after winning the pennant?

2008-06-24 13:35:57
192.   Eric Enders
191 Paul Richards, not Al Lopez.
2008-06-24 13:38:12
193.   Bob Timmermann
Al Lopez and Gene Mauch were the 1965 managers.

And the NL won anyway!

2008-06-24 13:39:20
194.   Bob Timmermann
First four batters for the 1965 NL All-Star team

Willie Mays
Hank Aaron
Willie Stargell
Dick Allen

2008-06-24 13:42:27
195.   Eric Enders
194 Reading their initials top-to-bottom, it spells "MASA."

A word which the NL's fifth batter in that All-Star Game, Joe Torre, apparently never forgot.

2008-06-24 13:43:24
196.   Eric Enders
(And yes, I'm aware that joke would have been more accurate if Gus Zernial had played for the NL.)
2008-06-24 13:43:26
197.   Jacob L
What about 1978? Did Billy Martin make it to the All Star Game?
2008-06-24 13:46:35
198.   Bob Timmermann
And in 1965, the NL sent out Marichal, Maloney, Drysdale, Koufax, Farrell, and Gibson to pitch.

The AL counterparts were Pappas, Grant, Richert, McDowell, and Fisher.

That NL team was nasty.

Roberto Clemente, Frank Robinson, and Billy Williams were on the bench.

The AL starting outfield was Willie Horton, Vic Davalillo, and Rocky Colavito.

The NL team in 1965 definitely had the advantage chromatically.

2008-06-24 13:47:22
199.   Eric Enders
Billy Martin managed the AL in '78 because he wasn't fired until after the All-Star break. Dick Williams did manage the AL in '74 despite getting fired/quitting the 1973 AL champion A's.
2008-06-24 13:48:01
200.   Bob Timmermann
Martin wasn't fired until late July of 1978.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-06-24 13:49:33
201.   Eric Enders
OK, so what's the prize for beating Bob? Is there a trophy or something? Or at least a nice certificate?
2008-06-24 13:49:34
202.   bhsportsguy
I'm too lazy to look any farther but in 1934, 17 out 18 starters for the All-Star game are in the Hall of Fame. Only Wally Berger, Boston Braves outfielder has not graced the Hall.

That game featured the famous sequence where Carl Hubbell struck out consectutively Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx (started at 3B, he did play 9 games that year at 3B), Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in the 1st and 2nd inning.

2008-06-24 13:51:11
203.   Bob Timmermann
201
You get a ham!
2008-06-24 13:51:48
204.   Eric Enders
202 Of course, that has less to do with the quality of the teams and a lot more to do with Frankie Frisch serving on the Veterans Committee and putting every reasonably competent player from the 1920s and '30s into the Hall of Fame.
2008-06-24 13:55:30
205.   Bob Timmermann
Billy Martin was 0-3 in All-Star games. He managed the 1982 AL team as the Oakland manager as Bob Lemon had been fired from the Yankees.
2008-06-24 13:55:56
206.   Jon Weisman
127 - My response would only be that you have more information to work with when pursuing major league talent, so there's a higher expectation for success than with 16-year-olds. I don't expect GMs to be perfect, but I do expect them to make the most of the information available to them.

So yes, in my mind, better to spend millions on a potential ace who might flop than on a veteran mediocrity who almost certainly will. That doesn't mean there aren't exceptions.

2008-06-24 14:00:57
207.   Eric Stephen
I like the fact that Jeff Shaw's first time wearing a Dodger uniform was in the 1998 All-Star Game, for it's quirkiness.

I hate the fact that the Dodgers traded Paul Konerko to get Shaw.

2008-06-24 14:05:55
208.   bhsportsguy
206 True, but it really is two different parts of the game, acquiring amateur talent, you are looking for 1 player a year to really pan out, so I think you have to look at the entire budger spent from acquisition through running all the minor league teams to fairly compare the two paths.
2008-06-24 14:07:00
209.   bhsportsguy
204 4 of the 17 were voted in by the Veterans' Committee.
2008-06-24 14:09:31
210.   Jon Weisman
To honor the late George Carlin, "Saturday Night Live" will air its 1975 series premiere on Saturday. Mr. Carlin hosted the first episode of the long-running live comedy show.

http://tinyurl.com/3r66e4

2008-06-24 14:23:33
211.   Eric Stephen
I was looking up the All-Star starting pitchers over time, and this jumped out at me:

The 2003 starters were Jason Schmidt and Esteban Loaiza, to whom the Dodgers are paying a hefty sum of cash this season.

2008-06-24 14:27:11
212.   Eric Enders
I wonder if the 2008 Dodgers will set the record for most All-Star Game starting pitchers on one roster. They've already got four -- Schmidt, Loaiza, Lowe (2002), and Penny (2006) -- and you have to think that Billingsley and Kershaw are at least 50/50 shots to do it at some point.
2008-06-24 14:29:30
213.   Jacob L
If your team building philosophy includes "find guys who were All Star starters 5 years ago," you've most likely come up with an expensive way to lose.
2008-06-24 14:33:03
214.   ToyCannon
210
Cool, 33 years later I get to catch it for the 1st time.

I enjoy the all-star game, home run derby, the NBA draft, and watching batting practice but with each passing year the enjoyment dwindles a tad.

2008-06-24 14:38:06
215.   Greg Brock
210 I hope they also plan on re-running it when Andy Kaufman dies.
2008-06-24 14:38:12
216.   Eric Stephen
212
The 1992 Blue Jays had:

Steib
Morris
Key
Wells

Plus Cone and Leiter filled the almost-starter roles.

2008-06-24 14:39:44
217.   Eric Stephen
216
I should also add the '92 Blue Jays had the son of former ASG starter Mel Stottlemyre.
2008-06-24 14:40:16
218.   underdog
215 Um, son, sit down. Have a seat. In fact, have a drink. I have some news for you...

Andy Kaufman never existed. He was just a really sophisticated ruse.

2008-06-24 14:45:05
219.   underdog
I know it's jjust MLBTraderumors.com, but this comment during their live chat today had me intrigued:

[Comment From Koji Uehara]
Will I re-unite with my buddy Hiroki Kuroda in Los Angeles to replace Derek Lowe? Should I be considered the Japanese Greg Maddux?

MLBTR: Its unfair to compare almost anyone to Maddux. But I could see Uehara being of similar value to Kuroda. Dodgers should at least inquire.

2008-06-24 14:49:31
220.   DaDoughboy
215. 218.

Umm, I hope maybe some humor is getting lost in translation, but Andy Kaufman passed away in 1984..

2008-06-24 14:49:48
221.   silverwidow
Part of BA's 2003 write-up on Loney...

Strengths: Loney possesses outstanding bat control, and his picturesque stroke reminds scouts of Shawn Green's. He uses a pronounced leg lift as a timing mechanism, drawing comparisons to David Justice. Loney stays inside the ball well and his swing path keeps the bat head in the zone for a long time. He's still growing, having added four inches since his junior year, and projects to hit 35-plus home runs in the majors. He generates natural loft and raw power already. He's also a future Gold Glover as a first baseman. His instincts for the position make up for average range, and his soft hands will help save wild throws. On the mound, he reached 93 mph.

Weaknesses: Some scouts worried about Loney's durability as a position player because he had arthroscopic knee surgery after his junior season. His injury last year was a freak occurrence, but anytime the wrist is involved, there are concerns over how it will affect swing mechanics. Loney is an aggressive baserunner but will have below-average speed as he fills out.

2008-06-24 14:50:55
222.   underdog
220 Yep, humor is getting lost in translation there. :-)

(Hey, if anyone could pull off the fake death thing though, it would be Kaufman!)

2008-06-24 14:52:48
223.   Lexinthedena
222 "I resent that!"
Sincerely,

Tupac and Elvis.
2008-06-24 14:52:54
224.   Eric Stephen
The 1980 Dodgers also had four ASG starters:

Reuss (1975)
Sutton (1977)
Valenzuela (1981)
Welch (1990)

2008-06-24 14:53:20
225.   Greg Brock
220 Ha ha, you fell for it.
2008-06-24 14:58:04
226.   DaDoughboy
Hook..line..and Derek Lowe..
2008-06-24 15:00:13
227.   Greg Brock
226 Imagine how I felt when I found out he wasn't from Caspiar.
2008-06-24 15:01:01
228.   scareduck
212 - the most starting pitchers from a single team would be the 1942 Reds with four, who sent Paul Derringer, Ray Starr, Johnny Vander Meer, and Bucky Walters.

The record for All-Stars in a single lineup would be 28 for the 1955 Cleveland Indians, though that counts then-future All-Stars as well as past/current.

2008-06-24 15:01:15
229.   Eric Enders
226 Or, Kershaw, Proctor, and Lowe.
2008-06-24 15:03:11
230.   Eric Enders
212 Ray Starr never started the All-Star Game, though. Obviously it was unclear, but I was talking about the record for most pitchers on one staff who actually started the ASG.
2008-06-24 15:03:29
231.   Eric Enders
228 , I meant.
2008-06-24 15:04:25
232.   underdog
Proof that Andy is still alive: He's blogging!

http://andykaufmanreturns.blogspot.com/

Ahem. {cough}

2008-06-24 15:04:28
233.   scareduck
228 - ah, I misread your post. You were looking at the most All-Star starters in a single lineup. That would be the 1979 Dodgers and 1964 Indians, both tied with seven.
2008-06-24 15:06:51
234.   Greg Brock
232 They even bought a headstone. Idiots.

Awesome.

2008-06-24 15:07:04
235.   Eric Enders
That's not what I was talking about either, but I've reached the conclusion that what I was talking about probably isn't worth talking about anyway.
2008-06-24 15:09:25
236.   Jon Weisman
Here's my pitch: "Cops" meets "Green Eggs and Ham" ...

From AP:

PHOENIX -- Shaquille O'Neal will lose his special deputy's badge in Maricopa County because of language he used in a rap video that mocks former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the Phoenix Suns center's use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in January and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse earlier this month.

"I want his two badges back," Arpaio told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they're fired. I don't condone this type of racial conduct." ...

Arpaio, who describes himself as "America's Toughest Sheriff" and is best known for feeding jail inmates green bologna ...

2008-06-24 15:13:19
237.   GMac In The 909
236 If Shaq were to read Green Eggs and Ham over a beat, it would be his best rap song yet.
2008-06-24 15:13:51
238.   Bluebleeder87
I consolidated my Dodger love & voted for Russell & wrote in Kemp, hopefully by next year there will be no question of his studlyness.

by 2011 he'll be a legit superstar, you wait & see...

2008-06-24 15:18:58
239.   Bluebleeder87
From when I was a kid to now I tend to enjoy watching batting practice now more so then when I was a kid, ESPECIALLY if you have the privilege to watch it up close, you can learn a lot about a hitter & such by watching them take BP, I enjoy it, but I must admit that I don't get to see it up close like I wish I could.
2008-06-24 15:22:47
240.   underdog
234 The most hilarious thing is the fact that Blogging Andy disappeared for about 4 years in between blog entries! He just reappeared again. He's a clever one!
2008-06-24 15:28:58
241.   DaDoughboy
232.
Thats fantastic.
The fact that I actually fell for that means I am working too hard. Time to head to The Short Stop waaay early before the game...
2008-06-24 15:29:27
242.   Eric Stephen
The 2001 Red Sox also had four ASG starting pitchers:

Saberhagen (1987)
Nomo (1995)
Pedro (1999)
Lowe (2002)

2008-06-24 15:29:32
243.   underdog
The Giants DFA'd Vinnie Chulk today. I wonder if they officially regret trading for he and Hey Shnillenbrand for Jeremy Accardo.
2008-06-24 15:36:12
244.   Dodgers49
Tucson hands 51s sixth straight defeat

>> Meloan (4-7) lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowed eight hits and eight runs, four earned. <<

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/20733739.html

2008-06-24 15:38:08
245.   Eric Stephen
243
Chulk gave up the Russ walkoff in the Maddux/Schmidt 1-0 Sunday night game.
2008-06-24 15:39:33
246.   Marty
236 Is he the one that makes them wear pink underwear too?
2008-06-24 15:39:53
247.   underdog
245 - Yep. I'm gonna miss him!

244 - Argh. Meloan, what's the deal, man. (Doesn't sound like he had much defensive support...)

2008-06-24 15:42:31
248.   underdog
247 (Mitch Jones made 2 errors. (And homered.) )
2008-06-24 15:42:40
249.   Lexinthedena
246 Amazing how archaic things are.
2008-06-24 15:43:54
250.   Jon Weisman
246 - Apparently.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-06-24 15:44:41
251.   Jon Weisman
Tonight's lineup:

Pierre, LF
Kemp, CF
Kent, 2B
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
LaRoche, 3B
Young, RF
Berroa, SS
Lowe, P

2008-06-24 15:46:29
252.   cargill06
254 damn so close 124
2008-06-24 15:46:35
253.   Lexinthedena
Anyone think that Berroa will hit a home run in Dodger Blue?
2008-06-24 15:49:27
254.   Greg Brock
253 We don't pay him to hit homers.

We pay him for...Um...That thing. The thing he does that we pay him for.

Give me a minute...

2008-06-24 15:51:05
255.   Eric Enders
Good lineup tonight. (By which I mean it contains only one obvious mistake; these things are relative.)
2008-06-24 15:51:20
256.   kinbote
254 Angel "Little Dutch Boy" Berroa?
2008-06-24 15:51:33
257.   Lexinthedena
254 We pay him because he knows how to win...

Rookie of the Year awards.

2008-06-24 15:51:44
258.   Bluebleeder87
I'm digging D.Young in RF & La Roche in 3rd base, woot!

prepackage my hate for Pierre & Berroa via DHL please!

2008-06-24 15:53:37
259.   Lexinthedena
What were Pee Wee's splits in the minors?
2008-06-24 15:53:45
260.   cargill06
good news, i will be attending tonights game. here is my season breakdown for games i have attended
march 31st, w 5-0 over SF
april 1st, w 3-2 over SF
april 15th, w 11-2 over pitt
april 26th, w 11-3 over col
may 17th, w 6-3 over laa
may 19th, w 6-5 over cin

that's 6-0 and outscoring opponents 42-15

2008-06-24 15:55:27
261.   LoneStar7
should we be worried that Druw was fielding at 1B in warm ups
2008-06-24 15:57:11
262.   Jon Weisman
254 - Actually, we don't pay him. To do anything.
2008-06-24 15:59:14
263.   Bob Timmermann
261
No. Players will often take grounders at different positions in infield. It's probably easier for his knee to take grounders there than to run around in the outfield.
2008-06-24 15:59:19
264.   Bluebleeder87
Looks like Cargill06 has the sweet touch these days...
2008-06-24 15:59:41
265.   Greg Brock
262 So can we move him into the basement yet?

He can keep the stapler.

It's a Swingline.

2008-06-24 16:00:47
266.   Bluebleeder87
I use to have the sweet touch ones.
2008-06-24 16:03:23
267.   LoneStar7
263 ah, I was just making sure there weren't any thoughts about actually letting him play there..
2008-06-24 16:04:28
268.   Eric Stephen
259
I was trying to look them up earlier today, specifically for Pee Wee, at www.minorleaguesplits.com. However, as of now there is no pre-2008 data on that site.
2008-06-24 16:06:40
269.   bhsportsguy
Last Friday was the first time I saw the Dodgers lose when they scored a run at home.

10-3, I believe so far this year.

2008-06-24 16:10:52
270.   regfairfield
259 I know he was terrible against lefties in 2006, not sure about 2007.
2008-06-24 16:10:54
271.   Eric Stephen
259 ,268
I stand corrected.

2006 Vegas
vs. LHP - 198/235/325
vs. RHP - 297/355/499

2005 Vegas/Jacksonville
vs. LHP - 333/378/435
vs. RHP - 297/340/531

Can't find 2007 data, but it seems he hits RHP better than LHP. Yet he is destined to be the righty in the platoon with the wrong OF.

http://tinyurl.com/5lf2op

2008-06-24 16:11:13
272.   DaDoughboy
260
Yin and Yang..I'll be there as well.

I'm 0-3 this year:
4/11 - L 7-5 San Diego
5/10 - L 5-0 Houston
5/23 - L 2-1 St. Louis

-8 run differential.

I hope your Schwartz is bigger than mine..

2008-06-24 16:11:51
273.   KG16
I need to make a pilgrimage to the Stadium. It's been a couple of years, I think.

As for tonight's line up, I agree with Enders. It's going to be rather nice to have two servicable thirdbaseman, as opposed to what we've seen the last six years.

2008-06-24 16:11:59
274.   Eric Stephen
I'm 3-5 this year, although 3-3 when not with bhsportsguy! :)
2008-06-24 16:15:11
275.   Marty
I'm 1-0. I should retire undefeated.
2008-06-24 16:17:13
276.   fanerman
I think I have a lifetime 3-7 record or something. I'm 0-2 watching from Phone Company Stadium.
2008-06-24 16:19:46
277.   underdog
Man, it feels like the whole state of California is on fire.

"It tastes like ... burning!"

2008-06-24 16:27:58
278.   Johnson
276 PhoneCo is not a pleasant place to be wearing blue after a Dodger loss.
2008-06-24 16:30:10
279.   bhsportsguy
274 We did share a 16 inning scoreless streak.
2008-06-24 16:31:57
280.   Jim Hitchcock
277 We can't see the Sierras from Carson City, about 4 miles away.

Plus, they've closed Hwy 70 to Quincy, so Buck's lake might be out of the question. And then there's the 1200 acre fire up in Shasta.
Might have to hit the beach instead!

2008-06-24 16:40:34
281.   StolenMonkey86
265 - but what color is it?
2008-06-24 16:43:09
282.   DaDoughboy
Red?
2008-06-24 16:43:26
283.   StolenMonkey86
Nice to see LaRoche get a start. Juan needs to stop starting every game, but I somehow don't think that'll happen until Furcal returns, unless when Andruw gets back Torre decides that Kemp can lead off.
2008-06-24 16:49:31
284.   StolenMonkey86
Didn't know if they still made the red ones, but they do.

http://tinyurl.com/6zadwh

If I recall correctly, Swingline actually didn't make these but started to after the movie came out.

2008-06-24 16:53:04
285.   Alex41592
Dustin Pedroia takes Doug Davis over the green monster 1-0 Red Sox Bot 1. That's Masterson and Davis.
2008-06-24 16:53:27
286.   Eric Enders
We have a player on the roster who, over the last two years, ranks 10th in the league in OBP and 20th in steals. He could lead off.
2008-06-24 16:58:47
287.   bhsportsguy
How low can a game score be, Bronson Arroyo pitched one inning, gave up 11 hits, 1 walk, struck out 1 and gave up 10 earned runs.
2008-06-24 17:00:53
288.   bhsportsguy
287 Arroyo got a -9 game score.
2008-06-24 17:01:36
289.   El Lay Dave
286 Joe Torre knows that someone playing that position can't possibly lead off.
2008-06-24 17:03:03
290.   underdog
287 - Pretty crazy game when the lead off hitter, Scutaro, is already 3-3, after 2 innings!
2008-06-24 17:04:38
291.   Bob Timmermann
288
Check Mike Oquist's game score back in 1998 in a start against the Yankees.

Sheesh, I've even written about it on the Griddle!

2008-06-24 17:06:23
292.   fanerman
291

And we must pay respects to Mike Oquist who has the lowest game score of any starting pitcher in the last 50 years. Oquist scored a -21 for this outing in 1998 against the Yankees while pitching for Oakland. Garland's outing today was a -8. Or possibly -11, (it was indeed -11) I lost track after a while.

https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/720167.html

2008-06-24 17:06:41
293.   underdog
And the DBax just tied the RSox 1-1.
2008-06-24 17:07:14
294.   fanerman
The hyperlink in Bob's post goes to:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK199808030.shtml
2008-06-24 17:08:02
295.   GMac In The 909
291 Matt Stairs was DHing in that game too!
2008-06-24 17:09:12
296.   underdog
Just posted by Tony Jackson:
Furcal takes ground balls

Several of them, in fact, and it appeared effortless. Blake DeWitt was taking them at 3B at the same time, and both players were throwing across to ... Andruw Jones standing on 1B. All of this has to be a good sign, but I'm not sure exactly what it means in terms of the next step.

2008-06-24 17:09:45
297.   fanerman
295 And he hit a home run!
2008-06-24 17:16:02
298.   bhsportsguy
Okay but -9 after facing only 14 batters has to be some type of record. The only way to beat that in less batters is for the first 10 guys to get a hit and score.
2008-06-24 17:17:29
299.   Bob Timmermann
298
Jason Jennings says hello.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU200707290.shtml

2008-06-24 17:18:17
300.   Bob Timmermann
I will also add that I wrote about Jason Jennings on the Griddle last year.
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-06-24 17:18:33
301.   fanerman
-.49 WPA!
2008-06-24 17:21:21
302.   Gagne55
296 Sigh. Furcal looks like he's going to be the Dodger's Andrew Bynum with his six week injury lasting all season long.
2008-06-24 17:21:36
303.   Jim Hitchcock
Bob, good article the other day. Alibi Ike has to be the movie where Joe E. Brown did the Pete Townsend style windup while pitching, right? I've never forgotten that, and I was probably eight the last time I saw it.
2008-06-24 17:25:35
304.   GMac In The 909
302 So then who is the Dodgers' Gasol?
2008-06-24 17:35:46
305.   berkowit28
Diamond Leung says "Dodgers lineup vs. White Sox lefty". Tony Jackson says "LaRoche starts against a RH". Gameday has Mark Buehrle down as WS Probable Pitcher LHP.

So Jackson's wrong (as to RH)?

2008-06-24 17:37:59
306.   bigcpa
305 You've never seen Buehrle pitch??
2008-06-24 17:39:25
307.   StolenMonkey86
In light of Andrew's latest at True Blue LA, I felt I should add this in here.

2008
Blake DeWitt: .265/.335/.391
Derek Jeter: .279/.336/.379

2008-06-24 17:40:15
308.   berkowit28
306 Nope. I'm asking because I don't know the answer. If you do, why not be helpful and answer instead expressing shocked amazement, or whatever that was?
2008-06-24 17:40:50
309.   El Lay Dave
308 He's a southpaw. Typo to TJax.
2008-06-24 17:42:35
310.   berkowit28
309 Thanks.
2008-06-24 17:43:15
311.   El Lay Dave
307 Funny, just minutes earlier I posted there that I couldn't resist noting this (here I risk a rule 8 violation):

"DeWitt is hitting .268/.335/.391"

Pierre: 2005 – 2008: .287 .330 .361

2008-06-24 17:43:59
312.   El Lay Dave
306 berkowit28 is a SERIOUS NL guy - no AL nonsense for him!
2008-06-24 17:49:13
313.   Bob Timmermann
Berkowit28 and my mom would have gotten along well. I still remember a call from my mom in 1991.

"Bob, what the heck is a Kirby Puckett?"

2008-06-24 17:50:23
314.   bigcpa
308 Sorry I wasn't ragging on you. I was just surprised you hadn't seen the guy.
2008-06-24 17:52:17
315.   Bob Timmermann
My mom did not say "heck." It's a bowdlerized version.
2008-06-24 17:57:19
316.   bigcpa
.294/.500/.470

That is LaRoche's '08 line after a 1-2 night with a walk and then removed for a double switch.

2008-06-24 18:15:58
317.   Jon Weisman
NPUT

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