Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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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
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
First of all, the spectacular outfield play (follow the link and then click on the "featured video" tab beneath the viewer) of the Brewers was the story of this game.
As for the ball that they didn't catch, Andre Ethier's 394-foot, 35-inch drive to center field, Matt Kemp will get a lot of grief for not advancing past second base when it fell for a single. Kemp started to go halfway to second base, as is the norm, then returned to first base to tag up. I think the ball was definitely hit high enough, to a great outfielder (Mike Cameron), that it was logical for Kemp to think it would either get caught or get out. It wasn't some liner to the gap. Kemp also had a first-base coach 20 feet away that certainly could have instructed him. That being said, it is a huge bummer that Kemp was only at second base. Kemp gambled in a rational but unconventional way and didn't win.
Ethier homered earlier in the game, but Hong-Chih Kuo allowed his first home run in about three months to surrender the Dodgers' 2-1 lead. Ethier scored the tying run in the bottom of the ninth, but was unable to make a play on a low drive to right field in the top of the 10th, allowing Milwaukee to take the lead again - this time, for good, as Manny Ramirez struck out to end the game.
But it still was about the outfielders. Corey Hart practically did a face plant after his leaping catch of a fly to right. Russell Martin hit one about 90 rows into the left field stands, but Gabe Kapler was able to leap into the stands and catch it. Cameron had a diving catch that he made look easy, and Kemp had a long fly to right in the eighth. It was a pretty eventful game for one that was a pitcher's duel for the most part, and unfortunately for the Dodgers, it ended just on the wrong side of happiness.
Update: More conversation has centered on Kapler being able to make the catch without interference from fans in the stands. As I wrote in the comments below: "I know everyone's riding that fan. Me, I like to see the players decide the game, not the fans. ... The fan completely had a right to the ball. And if I were in that situation, I might well have gone for it. But I'm not going to be the one chewing out a fan for thinking that he's not part of the game."
DODGER LOVE!!!!!
vr, Xei
Which was more likely - a high fly landing in the ballpark uncaught, or Kemp being able to steal second base at will? I think it's the former, but at a minimum I'd say it's highly debatable.
I know everyone's riding that fan. Me, I like to see the players decide the game, not the fans.
vr, Xei
If you see someone do something miraculous, you don't suddenly doubt his ability to do the same miracle when it counts the most.
vr, Xei
Kemp's decision was heads-up, conservative baseball. Just the thing he supposedly didn't do before.
If the centerfielder is run of the mill, or if the next two hitters were Berroa and Pierre, Kemp would have probably taken the chance. But not in this scenario.
Which is exactly what he ended up doing.
vr, Xei
The positive from this is that you along with many others recognize what a talent the Bison is.
My belief is that he was taking his instructions from Duncan on this play.
Kemp has been brainwashed by Torre and Bowa.
This is a good thing.
The coaches are relentless.
Bison-Matty-Kemp, is just scratching the surface of what his talent can deliver.
vr, Xei
However, if Journey has one good song, it's "Don't Stop Believin'."
OTOH, if Fleetwood Mac has one good song, it is definitely not "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow." It was never any good, and then Bill Clinton made it worse. (Fleetwood Mac actually had a lot of good songs, in their pre-Stevie Nicks era.)
Agreed. Journey does not have one good song.
Phelps is coming up in a little bit.
That would be even dumber of him to do. I haven't heard anybody suggest he should've just run. Maybe there is a misunderstanding?
vr, Xei
I know, but it's getting on to 70 years. It's still an awesome piece, too bad it was misused.
Torre is doing a good job when his team wins five of the last six.
This is fun.
Dodger Thooughts does so much to enhance this experience for me.
Many thanks to Jon and everyone who participates here.
Thank You.
That homer reminded me of a certain home run against us in Colorado last September. Breaking balls to opposite-handed hitters in late innings are extremely dangerous, especially when the batter can't get around on the pitcher's fastball.
Fortunately, you're not the only one voting. :-) Cameron is one of the better center fielders in the game and one has to think he would either catch that ball or it would go out. And it's unlikely Torre would have had Kemp stealing trailing by one with Kent up and Manny on deck and two outs. Durham stole for the Brewers when the game was tied. Having Kemp take the chance of getting thrown out for the 3rd out in front of your two power hitters doesn't seem like a good idea.
The choice was for Kemp to be standing on second as Cameron is making his leap. If the ball is caught, Kemp makes it back to first. If the ball isn't caught, he either scores or makes it to third, with Ethier making it to second if Bison stops at third, or getting a triple if Bison tries to score.
vr, Xei
Also, NBC doesn't make any sense. This would have aired at 8 p.m tonight live in the west coast. Why they continue to air this delayed boggles my mind.
-Run and hope the ball wasn't caught.
-Go to second and see what happens.
-Go back and tag up.
I think we all agree the first is really stupid. Option two is the right one if the runner reads that the ball is probably not going to be caught. Option three is good if the runner thinks the ball is going to be caught. If Cameron catches the ball (which he should have) we're saying Kemp made a good decision. He didn't make a dumb decision, it just didn't work out.
Shimmin? Not safe for anyone!
vr, Xei
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-streeter17-2008aug17,0,5128986.column
And why not try to get into scoring position on an out in that situation? One out (Ethier's), Kent up next. Avoid a DP or score on a single. They can't walk Kent, but you knew they'd walk Manny if Kent struck out, say. So you're best chance is to score on a Kent hit. Need to be on second to do that.
Kent owns Suppan. Russ is 3 for 9.
"You know, if there is a ninth inning rally, they're going to play this as the theme song until the the end."
Eric and Greg Brock.
This was the most heartbreaking loss I've been too, but I think it also made it the most enjoyable--it was quick, dramatic with some great plays.
The picnic was incredible, and special thank you to Eric Stephen for the ticket, BH and Karim for the food, Stephen for the ride, and Bob for the library tour. What a full, awesome day. My feet are beyond dead.
vr, Xei
http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-simers17-2008aug17,0,2626262,full.column
It was great meeting and seeing all of you today.
The game had this strange feeling like 2 runs are not enough but the Brewers were not doing enough to drive in that tying run.
I told Greg Brock if Dodgers pulled it out, we would be forever reminded by Journey.
I think #50 explained it best. There is NO reason for Kemp to think that the ball might bounce off the wall. Honestly, Cameron had stopped running, was facing the infield, and looking straight up.
If I see a CF standing at the warning track, facing the IF, and looking up, I assume he's about to catch it, or it's a HR.
And Kemp easily makes it to 2nd if Cameron catches it.
Great company at the game tonight. Jeez, make a play one time, Brewers outfield.
Oh, and Journey gets a gigantic thumbs down.
MSNBC.com got me on this race result this morning. If it's night time in Beijing and night time here in L.A there is a massive delay in showing the event.
vr, Xei
What I was hoping was that he would get a warm reception and tank by getting choked up. I noticed that he took a moment behind the mound before he started on the Dodger batters. The bad reception may have put him in a more aggressive mood than normal. I also noticed that he left the mound with his glove over his face almost all the way back to the dugout. Was he crying or cussing?
Pretty good game despite the loss.
-5 seconds in, the band is playing Air instruments. One guy has white pants, other 2 with jean jackets. All in my 1987 collection.
-19 seconds in, skirt on hot chick all the way to knees. Aww I envy the youth of today.
-27 to 34 seconds in, Steve Perry love fest with himself.
-39 to 47, more Perry with profile views.
-58 Perry at ocean shore on dock in t-shirt tank top flexing and singing. Cut to all the band as a group playing air instruments, see guy on right doing his air drum/guitar thing with the sweet hair and stash
-124 to 127 After barley getting past Neal looking like Adam Corolla the 80's version, I See the guy playing the Keyboards on the wall and thats my breaking point.
How long can you go? 49
I bet it would have been 9.60 or better. I remember at 1992 Barcelona, Quincy Watts would have obliterated the 400m world record in his semifinal heat, but he slowed up in the last 15 meters to a slow jog. If he had only slowed a little bit less, he would have had it.
I Viv Savage couldn't make it cool, nobody can.
Big ups to Who is Karim Garcia and BH. Very nicely put together.
On tv it looked like Gagne was mouthing off to Kemp after the ball almost went out. He had the glove covering his face and his head turned and followed Kemp as he went by. Kemp looked like he didn't hear a word...if a word was even said.
He could be the great kick returner ever.
I was looking at Gagne through binoculars. I didn't see Kemp going by. Maybe he wasn't talking to him at all. The Gagne appearance made me very quiet for some reason until the Dodgers loaded the bases the next time.
BTW Bluebleeder, I have your bat, some wiffle balls and gloves you left at the park in my trunk. You can email me at xaphor {at} gmail.com to set up a pick up/drop off or I can just bring them to the next get together.
Matt probably should have been at second when the ball came down, but again, if he made the decision that the ball was either out of the yard or caught, he did make the right play. Unfortunately we were 2 inches from a home run on 2 occasions that would have won the game. But, even after all of that, I feel very confident about this team. I cant see the DBacks continuing this offensive barrage, and i just think we are a flat out better squad. hopefully I'll be proven right over the next month.
Only 1%?
vr, Xei
From the way Cameron went after that ball, it looked like he had it, and thats just from our angle on TV. On the field when you know a guy like Cammy is in center and you see him with that beat on the ball, the only way you think the ball hits the ground is if it gets over the fence. The Brewers were also playing no doubles defense so they were deeper than normal, which increases the chances of that catch even more. Obviously there is no way to calculate the percentages of that exact play happening, but the ball hitting the fence and coming back in was the last thought I had at the time. The chances of that happening in that defensive situation what that centerfielder are pretty slim.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/dodgerthoughts/pool/
I'm in this one, in the Croatian checkered jersey:
http://tinyurl.com/6dfh7s
http://tinyurl.com/5p8844
He has let mistakes in the past affect him, so we all hope he can put it behind him.
I'll try to post my photos from the picnic tomorrow after the last leg of the "baseball weekend" - 6 games, 6 parks, 48 hours (yes, I'm counting the wiffle ball game in Elysian Park now).
I'm wearing cargo shorts today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSqkdcT25ss
http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200808163322228&c_id=mil
1. If the fan had interfered and it had gone against us somehow, a lot of Dodger fans would be demanding that the guy be killed.
2. If Kemp had run and Cameron had caught the ball, he would have been doubled off and the writers probably would have depicted it as another example of his head not being in the game, his inexperience, blah, blah, blah.
It's more fun this morning to ask who is the bigger idiot: Kent or Simers?
When I looked back to the field after the ball came back in, I thought it was Ethier running into second. Then I noticed it was a big guy wearing 27 so I was a little confused. I really couldn't judge.
I don't see why people thought the fans in the LF corner should have interfered with Kapler. It wouldn't have been a matter of being a Steven Bartman and catching a ball coming to you. The fans would have to have physically gone after Kapler. And Kapler is not a little guy. Also, this isn't the 1890s.
His improvement has been remarkable.
Now I sing that to myself whenever I hear the song.
I've been trying to figure out whether Kemp is better this year than last year. Compared to last year,
His BA is lower
His OBP is lower
His SLG is lower
His K% is higher
His IsoP is lower
On the bright side,
His BB% is higher
His BB/K is higher
A big consideration is that his BABIP is lower this year, despite a higher LD%.
vr, Xei
Nice Adidas. Are those the kind I used to wear as a kid with all the little rubber "spikes" on the bottom...?
I've been told that this physical activity thing is good for me.
Sadly enough, I'm sore all over as well. With that said, if we were having another picnic today, I'd be the first one there and the last one to leave.
Keeping score can be rough. Paper cuts, bumps on your middle finger where the writing instrument rests, etc.
Thank you Jon for creating this website and for everyone who made the picnic a GREAT time!
btw, I'm still surprised that nobody got hurt during the whiffle ball game - the ground was really sketchy. also, can you believe that we were heckled by a group of women for wearing Dodgers gear at Rancho Cucamonga, the Angels single A affiliate?
Right. But another school of thought says that Matt's responsibility was to ensure that he ended up in scoring position for Kent and Manny. If the ball was caught, your way would have had Kemp back on first with two outs. With two outs, a runner on second with Matt's speed scores on almost any hit.
I see your point of view, but I'm surprised you can't see it from the other perspective too. Of course, given the outcome, your way would have been the best. But who knew?
They were equally rough on Ethier for not going after the hit in the 10th.
That's typically what happens when you hold the camera backwards.
There needs to be a DT Whiffle Ball league!
My powers of inductive reasoning lead me to believe that Wilson is then batting second.
Kemp 2007 was a bolt from the blue.
Kemp 2008 is closer than what Kemp can actually produce over a 162 game season.
Kemp 2009 is going to win the MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger award. =P
That must have taken the Power of Grayskull.
the gloves aren't mine & the wiffle ball stuff you can keep for next time, I think the gloves are Kevin Lewis & Lexinthedena
Lex & Kevin check your trunks I think you forgot you gloves.
There's some kind of "ceremony".
The Astros don't play in a dome actually. They play in a stadium with a retractable roof.
Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Kent, 2B
Manny, LF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Blake, 3B
Berroa, SS
Kershaw, P
Maintain calm.
So what's wrong with the Angels being shown on national TV? They do have the best record in the majors. They play in a big media market. The Angels-Indians game was likely scheduled before the season started in anticipation of being it a matchup of two playoff contenders.
ESPN2 is going to show Wednesday's Angels-Rays game.
I'm not certain why the Angels appearances on national TV disturb you, but on my list of things to be concerned this is right below wondering if a certain guy in Altoona, Pennsylvania got a new microwave at a Wal-Mart.
As it was, Kemp was backtracking and standing closer to first base when the ball fell. It was terrible baserunning, and everyone knows that.
Of course it doesn't mean Kemp should be benched, but it WAS a mistake on his part. Don't let your fear of Kemp being punished cloud your judgment.
it's probably an adjusting period thing for him. Some guys are better than others with that stuff.
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