ToyCannon: Hard to lead off when you are sitting on the bench watching Ethier, Jones, and Pierre play the outfield

[Channeling my inner bhsportsguy...]

Kemp has started 82 of the last 89 games, and the only 3 games he missed in the last 59 games were due to suspension (2 games) and eye injury (1 game).

Kemp is a fixture, even if its not at leadoff.

The 5th starter spot doesn't figure to come up until Tuesday against the Giants. Assuming Penny won't be ready by then, I would guess Johnson is the favorite to get the call Tuesday.

Pierre in LF, 2008
547 innings
opponents have advanced an extra base 27 of 65 times (41.5%)

Ethier in LF, 2007-2008
561 innings
opponents have advanced an extra base 32 of 65 times (49.2%)

Hard to do that when you are playing for the Pirates:)

Torre instead of Riggleman
Pierre instead of Vidro
Lead-off instead of DH

It's uncanny

Just as funny, even substituting Torre for Riggleman.

Colletti overdrawn as Dodgers employee

>> Wasting company money usually turns an employee into an ex-employee. So Ned Colletti, the Los Angeles Dodgers' general mismanager of funds, is in trouble with his boss. <<

## A review of Colletti's biggest front-office blunders reveals how lucky he is to still hold his job. ##

%% McCourt should cut his losses and can Colletti before he tries to deal for Barry Zito. %%

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/25795059.html

I live in Las Vegas and I care about the Dodgers. So I don't find it odd at all. :-)

Why can't Torre understand that Kemp, Ethier, Martin, and Loney should hit in the first four spots?

Juan Pierre doesn't

1. Take pitches
2. Walk
3. Get on base very much

In what way, then does he "know how to lead off"? By being fast? Is that it? Really?

Speaking of running around like a headless chicken, I'm off to play soccer.

I wouldn't either, but it would also shock me to see too many managers not drink that Kool-Aid.

Plus, maybe they're going to "showcase" Pierre.

:-)
:o)

"When you lead off, you're the first guy to bat. Otherwise, you wait until a teammate bats. You really have to keep an eye on the umpire, especially on the road."

"Thanks Juan. Back to you, Joe and Tim."

What is it about managers that makes them think weak hitters who don't get on base make great leadoff hitters? Just because weak hitters don't belong in the middle of the lineup doesn't mean they belong at the top. That seems to be the mental mistake managers make.

Thunder?

Wait a minute! I should bat leadoff!

Okay, I'm really off.

Maybe Russia is not so bad after all.

If he would just come out and say, "He's the worst hitter on the team, but I'm leading him off because he's fast," it'd be a lot less frustrating and abstract.

Close enough.

I thought today's Dodger game was more uplifting than the last two. We got some six innings out of Kuroda this time... six!

I'm so glad that worked out. The last thing I'd want is for LA to have its bullpen all banged up. The Dodgers even held the Rockies to 5 runs. I didn't see the game on TV, but it appeared to be a better showing than yesterday.

Anyhow, here's my random pic of the week. Me in front of NBC studios! Enjoy

http://flickr.com/photos/28821347@N04/2690499259/in/set-72157606303005938/

And by the way, how did they end up without a lefty reliever? Shouldn't they make Doug Davis a LOOGY and put Scherzer or somebody in the rotation?

FSN AZ spelled Dan Haren's name on a graphic as "Harden."

They really do want to be the Cubs.

No argument here. CC is lookin' GOOD right now. No hitting the Cardinals until the 6th inning? Strong stuff.

--

How did Arizona win the last two games? Wow!

If the Cubs lose this game, they would drop from #1 to the wild card.

However, I doubt the Cubs will lose this game.

Are there any other games on?

To me, it was close, but not definitive enough to make the interference call.

There's also a yellow alert for Ree Johnson, believe it or not!

90 - me, too. That salami was really something, second one I've seen today (I was at the Angels game).

And you aren't one of the officially authorized cycle alert observers.

But thank you anyway.

Yellow alert for Reed Johnson in Phoenix. This is a yellow alert.

I really think CC wants to hit. Heck, he might be our team leader in homers if he had 250 ABs. He's fared pretty well in the NL so far, so i'm thinking he would like to stay. Also, look at all of the money we have coming off of the books after next year. Over $30 million from just Jones and Schmidt which could be used to give CC his deal and hopefully extend some of the young guys. That doesnt even include the money we have from Kent, Furcal, and probably Lowe after this year

Actually, for a somewhat serious post, do teams still get draft picks if they do a sign and trade?

Glad the Cubs got the W today. I take back all my threats and insults.

I need to go curl up in the fetal position now. Ciao.

I can't believe Eric Cyr is back, yeesh.

And... scene!

It worked out for them. Tony Clark played instead and homered.

Sorry. I had to take out the garbage.

And that wasn't metaphorical.

I'm assuming that the Mets and Phillies aren't pursuing each other since they are tied.

The Dodgers appear to be unwilling to meet Baltimore's high asking price for closer George Sherrill

I hate Baltimore. We're not going to get fleeced like Seattle did.