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2008 Season

Dodger home record: 50-35 (.588)
When Jon attended: 9-5 (.643)
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1991-2008

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Current Roster with Estimated 2009 Salaries
(updated November 14)

Most figures are estimates (some are wild estimates) but will be updated as information comes in. Corrections welcome.

More contract details here.

Starting Pitchers (5)
$10,000,000 Hiroki Kuroda
*$475,000 Chad Billingsley
*$415,000 Clayton Kershaw
*$405,000 Eric Stults
*$400,000 James McDonald
*Total: $11,695,000

Bullpen (7)
*$2,500,000 Takashi Saito
*$1,300,000 Scott Proctor
*$1,500,000 Jonathan Broxton
*$425,000 Hong-Chih Kuo
*$420,000 Cory Wade
*$410,000 Ramon Troncoso
*$400,000 Scott Elbert
Total: $6,955,000

Also on 40-man roster
Mario Alvarez
Yhency Brazoban
Greg Miller
Justin Orenduff

Starting Lineup (8)
$17,100,000 Andruw Jones
*$3,000,000 Russell Martin
*$2,500,000 Andre Ethier
*$600,000 Matt Kemp
*$600,000 James Loney
*$500,000 Angel Berroa
*$410,000 Blake DeWitt
*$400,000 Tony Abreu
Total: $25,110,000

Bench (5)
$10,000,000 Juan Pierre
*$600,000 Jason Repko
*$410,000 Delwyn Young
*$400,000 Danny Ardoin
*$400,000 Chin-Lung Hu
Total: $11,810,000
Note: Team can buy out Ozuna's 2009 option for $200,000

Also on 40-man roster
A.J. Ellis
Lucas May
Xavier Paul

Disabled List
$12,000,000 Jason Schmidt

Also Paying ...
$2,000,000 Brad Penny (buyout of $9,000,000 option)
$50,000 Gary Bennett (buyout of $900,000 option)
Note: Kansas City is responsible for $500,000 buyout of Angel Berroa's $5,500,000 option for 2009.

Working total: *$68,020,000

The 2008 Dodgers

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Is the Clock Ticking Already?

2008-08-21 11:14

by Jon Weisman

Rockies at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Today's Lineups

Colorado
Clint Barmes, SS
Seth Smith, CF
Matt Holliday, LF
Brad Hawpe, RF
Garrett Atkins, 1B
Ian Stewart, 3B
Chris Iannetta, C
Jeff Baker, 2B
Jorge de la Rosa, P Los Angeles
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Nomar Garciaparra, SS
Manny Ramirez, LF
Russell Martin, C
James Loney, 1B
Casey Blake, 3B
Angel Berroa, 2B
Derek Lowe, P

After today's game, the Dodgers have only 12 home games remaining in the 2008 regular season.

Rockies at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Today's Lineups
Colorado Clint Barmes, SS Seth Smith, CF Matt Holliday, LF Brad Hawpe, RF Garrett Atkins, 1B Ian Stewart, 3B Chris Iannetta, C Jeff Baker, 2B Jorge de la Rosa, P	Los Angeles Matt Kemp, CF Andre Ethier, RF Nomar Garciaparra, SS Manny Ramirez, LF Russell Martin, C James Loney, 1B Casey Blake, 3B Angel Berroa, 2B Derek Lowe, P

Comments (544)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-08-21 11:18:49

1. scooplew

It's not a must-win game today, but it certainly is an important contest, particularly with four games upcoming in Philadelphia...I was wondering. If Kent doesn't come back next year, and I doubt that he will, perhaps he could work in the booth with Vin Scully in 2009.

2008-08-21 11:20:40

2. silverwidow

"Cash strapped Dodgers make cheap trades." - Tracy Ringolsby on Foxsports.com

Why does this idiot have a vendetta against the Dodgers? First, he bashed them for not doing anything; now this.

2008-08-21 11:25:47

3. JoeyP

Didnt Kent have a quote a couple years ago about how he didnt really like baseball?

I'd be shocked to see Kent in any baseball capacity after he retires.

2008-08-21 11:27:54

4. Eric Stephen

Jorge de la Rosa got hammered by the Dodgers in his only career start against them (back in May), giving up 9 runs in 4 IP.

In his 4 career relief appearances against LA, he has given up 5 runs, 11 H, and 4 BB in only 6 IP.

Tee time is 12:10.

2008-08-21 11:28:37

5. Tripon

4 That didn't work the last two games for the Dodgers.

2008-08-21 11:28:42

6. Bluebleeder87

we have(what?) 6 games left against the snakes, the ball is in our court till the end if the Dodgers don't make it they have only them selfs to blame.

2008-08-21 11:31:42

7. Harold M Johnson

I have tickets to the second to last home game of the year. I'm hoping (and afraid) it will all come down to that last SF series. The history of the Giants and Dodgers knocking each other out of the playoffs is one of the very best features of the rivalry.

I'll never forget the game in 1993 when Piazza hit those 2 home runs to sink the Giants' season. It was so sweet, even if I was sitting in literally the 2nd worst seat in the stadium.

2008-08-21 11:32:10

8. MollyKnight

It just got louder at Wrigley during the first inning than I've ever heard it at Dodger stadium. The Cubs simply prevented the runner on third from scoring with two outs, but it was walk-off loud.

Maybe the echo is intense in here. My ears hurt, for serious.

2008-08-21 11:35:24

9. underdog

Yipes, actor Jean Reno had a serious heart attack today. Hope he recovers.

2008-08-21 11:38:38

10. Eric Stephen

9
Reno 911!

(I know, I'm going straight to Hell)

2008-08-21 11:45:57

11. Eric Stephen

Derrek Lee just tied Vlad Guerrero for the major league lead in GIDP with his 24th, but the Cubs scored on that play.

2008-08-21 11:46:50

12. Bob Timmermann

8
Copious amounts of alcohol can help with that.

2008-08-21 11:48:02

13. Kevin Lewis

The 4+1 game was loud and full of crazy energy, but when Kent hit the homerun to tie it in game 3 against the Mets, my ears were ringing.

2008-08-21 11:48:17

14. unlazy4sports

11 How many does Loney have?

2008-08-21 11:49:39

15. Kevin Lewis

That reminds me of the guy who sat in front of us at game 3. He and his friends were averaging a large beer each inning. He leaves in the 5th, and by the 8th he has not returned. His friend shows us the text message "in dodger jail...shouldn't have hit the guy"

2008-08-21 11:50:56

16. Eric Stephen

14
Loney is sitting on 20. He's tied for 4th in MLB with Adrian Gonzalez.

2008-08-21 11:51:46

17. okdodge

15 - how'd he text from jail?

2008-08-21 11:53:21

18. jtrichey

So, how many runs do we score in the 1st today, and will that be all that we score all day?

2008-08-21 11:54:39

19. okdodge

18 - zero and no

2008-08-21 11:55:53

20. Eric Stephen

Mark Reynolds took grounders at 2B for Arizona in pregame warmups yesterday. Perhaps when Upton comes back, he may shift to 2B, Tracy to 3B, and Dunn to 1B.

2008-08-21 11:56:34

21. Bob Timmermann

Orange alert for Grady Sizemore in Cleveland. This is an orange alert.

It will likely be canceled soon because it's the eighth inning.

But I'll be away from my computer for a while. My proxy has the authority to cancel the alert.

2008-08-21 11:57:24

22. arborial

17 Does a text count as your one call? And my guess is that "Dodger Jail" refers to some holding room they have for rowdy fans, not real jail.

2008-08-21 12:00:06

23. trainwreck

There is talk of a Veronica Mars movie.

2008-08-21 12:03:15

24. Eric Stephen

I almost forgot...Happy Maddux Eve, everyone!

2008-08-21 12:03:50

25. D4P

Thou shalt discuss no other TV-show spinoff movie than the rumored Arrested Development movie.

2008-08-21 12:04:29

26. Kevin Lewis

That is my guess. Some room where he is processed and booted, but keeps his personal property

2008-08-21 12:05:06

27. Kevin Lewis

I watched the drummer/streaking episode of Freaks and Geeks last night. That was hilarious.

2008-08-21 12:06:47

28. MollyKnight

Zambrano just launched one to Saturn. My ears are ringing.

2008-08-21 12:07:57

29. Bluebleeder87

The first sentence was good but it went down hill after that.

2008-08-21 12:07:59

30. dianagramr

He's out-homered Andruw for the season now ...

2008-08-21 12:08:19

31. fanerman

28 Save your ears! Get earplugs!

2008-08-21 12:10:13

32. D4P

30
He's out-homered Andruw and Juan for the season now ...

2008-08-21 12:11:18

33. MollyKnight

13-I wasn't at either of those games. Nor was I there when Kirk Gibson had that little hit.

2008-08-21 12:11:59

34. underdog

Good job by Manny actually cutting that one off, holding to a single.

2008-08-21 12:12:20

35. dianagramr

I think they should have a pitcher's hitting version of home run derby, and invite Hampton, Sabathia and Zambrano (among others).

2008-08-21 12:13:32

36. D4P

"Seth Smith" is a difficult name to say consecutively, at a fast rate.

2008-08-21 12:17:59

37. underdog

Oops, Buckneritis strikes Loney.

That was probably Torre's fault, too.

2008-08-21 12:18:45

38. Kevin Lewis

I would consider only one run here to be a success

2008-08-21 12:20:13

39. underdog

Lowe often seems to struggle a bit in the first and then settle down. And for the most part he didn't pitch that badly. Time to revive the Dodger offense now.

2008-08-21 12:20:14

40. sporky

These guys should be forced to drink a quart of prune juice for every error they make.

2008-08-21 12:25:20

41. D4P

Nice to see consistent Veteran Presence™ in the #3 spot.

2008-08-21 12:28:56

42. okdodge

19 - Looks like I'm half right so far....

2008-08-21 12:30:08

43. Linkmeister

9 Speaking of untimely: Gene Upshaw has died suddenly of pancreatic cancer.

2008-08-21 12:33:14

44. MollyKnight

You're right, Bob. People are drunk at Wrigley Field. And they're pointing, wildly.

2008-08-21 12:38:36

45. D4P

Manny has hit 1 HR this year off of left-handed pitchers.

2008-08-21 12:39:38

46. JoeyP

Still wondering where Loney got the "Gold-Glove" defensive rep...

2008-08-21 12:42:26

47. JoeyP

Casey Blake's K/BB with the Dodgers:

25/4

Thats staggering considering it seems like he's hit pretty well.

2008-08-21 12:42:32

48. still bevens

How did Russ look when he got pwned by Jorge de la Rosa? What happened to his strike zone judgment?

2008-08-21 12:42:47

49. scareduck

8 - Molly, I have a bag that I take to all ballgames. In it, I have (among other things) a pair of binoculars, a clipboard and various preprinted materials for scoring, a box containing pencils, erasers, and a wearable AM radio, and earplugs.

2008-08-21 12:43:11

50. Gen3Blue

Wow, the Rockie's pitching is killing us so far this series, something I wouldn't have expected.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-08-21 12:44:04

51. Paul Scott

Blake just looked at, from what Gameday tells me, 4 consecutive strikes - all were called balls and he walked. Is anyone watching the game? Was the strike calling as awful as Gaemday reported it?

2008-08-21 12:44:56

52. regfairfield

47 I didn't realize he was hitting .272/.296/.500. I guess my .780ish OPS prediction is still good.

2008-08-21 12:46:17

53. Gen3Blue

Ahh-the duece is wild. Seems that used to portend good things.

2008-08-21 12:48:55

54. Paul Scott

Second half of the second inning, two on, two out, count was 2-2. It's what Vin lives for. If this had been the second game of a two game series, he might have had a stroke.

2008-08-21 12:56:56

55. Gagne55

The Rockies don't have a very good team this year and yet have been beating the Dodgers like a drum.

2008-08-21 12:59:16

56. still bevens

Torre-ball(tm) is rolling in its grave right now.

2008-08-21 12:59:41

57. Jim Hitchcock

25 In the meantime check out `Run Ronnie Run'. I mean, it was the middle of the night when I watched it, but I found it pretty funny.

2008-08-21 13:00:20

58. bhsportsguy

Dodgers hitless since Kent singled leading off the bottom of the 5th inning. Dodgers 0-23 in that span.

2008-08-21 13:00:42

59. Alex41592

These are some terrible at bats so far today. Which is a big deal because the Dodgers have been pretty good lately in this department.

2008-08-21 13:00:53

60. underdog

That strike 2 call to Ethier makes me wonder if the ump has a plane to catch.

2008-08-21 13:01:12

61. MollyKnight

49-I do think it's time to invest in some earplugs. Though I'm probably going to go deaf anyway from all the concerts I've been to.

Still, I can say with a authority that Wrigley is the loudest regular season place I've seen a baseball game. My ears usually only hurt at Yankee playoff games. I mean, they hurt! Soto just threw someone out and now they hurt again!

2008-08-21 13:01:31

62. CanuckDodger

46 -- So you don't see the large number of great plays that Loney makes, the acrobatic moves he makes to turn bad throws into outs?

2008-08-21 13:01:56

63. LoneStar7

Well last night was my last game of the season as I'm back off to Dallas for school. It was a terrible night defensively, and the icing on the cake was James going down looking on the last pitch.

I felt like tearing off my loney jersey and tossing into center field, but as always I tell myself we can turn this around. I just hope I wasn't there for the beginning of the end.

I sort of felt the same way after that S.F. series, but we went on to sweep philly, so I guess its still possible that we have a successful road trip.

anyway, i'm not sure why I decided to vent that, maybe just because this is the last game I'll watch in L.A.

but hey another Billy Buckner, lets see if we can get something going!

2008-08-21 13:01:59

64. scareduck

De La Rosa apparently is Spanish for Cy Young.

2008-08-21 13:02:47

65. underdog

51 In my experience, GameDay's pitch locator is not always that accurate. From what I saw, a couple of pitches were pretty close, the other two were clearly balls.

2008-08-21 13:03:19

66. JoeyP

Atkins has had a bad series in the field & at the plate.

2008-08-21 13:04:27

67. JoeyP

62--No, and apparently the defensive metrics dont "see" them either.

2008-08-21 13:05:22

68. underdog

57 I'm a huge Mr. Show fan so I watched that one, too, and parts of it were really funny, but it still feels like a sketch stretched out way too long. Of all the characters Bob and David played that wouldn't have been my first choice for a feature. But it still made me chuckle quite a few times.

2008-08-21 13:06:06

69. scareduck

63 - "If I owned Texas and Hell, I would rent Texas and live in Hell." -- Phil Sheridan.

2008-08-21 13:06:35

70. sweepstakes

64-- Yeah, it seems our lineup has sprinkled Hall-of-Fame dust on D.L.R.

2008-08-21 13:07:11

71. CanuckDodger

67 -- Then you aren't watching the games, obviously. And defensive metrics "see" absolutely nothing.

2008-08-21 13:10:44

72. LoneStar7

69 haha thanks for that, I'm very excited for the 90 degree humidity and hot thunderstorms I'm returning to.

I better not repeat that in texas though, they are quite proud of their state to say the least lol.

2008-08-21 13:11:32

73. D4P

Austin > Hell > Rest of Texas (with possible exception of San Antonio)

2008-08-21 13:11:33

74. Gagne55

Jóvenes de CY is Spanish for Cy Young

2008-08-21 13:11:40

75. Bluebleeder87

if anything I hope we're getting our bad stretch out of the way & by the time we play the snakes we will be running on all cylinders.

2008-08-21 13:11:48

76. bhsportsguy

61 While you are trying to get away from the noise, here's a link to shop for ear plugs.

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/silnatrubear.html

2008-08-21 13:13:33

77. Daniel Zappala

The Dodgers are one run down, and two games back of Arizona. It's not time to panic yet.

2008-08-21 13:14:05

78. Bob Hendley

52 - Yes, Blake is hitting with more power for us, but the lack of BBs really shows. LA .272/.296/.500 as compared to Clev .289/.365.465. Historically, he is not very good in day games hitting at around .224 as compared to .284 at night. (glare off the beard?)

2008-08-21 13:14:30

79. sporky

I hope Lowe lasts 7 innings.

2008-08-21 13:14:36

80. Dane Bramage

It all just feels like a spooky deja-vu back to last September...

2008-08-21 13:14:36

81. regfairfield

71 Don't you think some method of measuring defense would recognize Loney as good if he was good.

He just doesn't catch the ball very much at this stage of his career.

2008-08-21 13:15:01

82. Xeifrank

Are the Rockies in the midst of another 21 out of 22 streak? (Pls don't answer). Didn't they manhandle us towards the end of last year too?
vr, Xei

2008-08-21 13:15:10

83. JoeyP

No panic, just trepidation that one of the worst starters in the major leagues just held the Dodgers scoreless for 3 innings.

2008-08-21 13:17:22

84. fanerman

61 Maybe you'd be interested in these:
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

They're supposed to reduce noise (about) equally across all frequencies, so you could wear them at a concert. I have them and they work pretty well. I'll probably be wearing them at Outside Lands this weekend.

2008-08-21 13:17:36

85. Gagne55

82 Except that they didn't do nothing to stall the Arizona juggernaught but rather got pwn3d at home right before this series.

2008-08-21 13:17:52

86. Alex41592

Manny hustle.

2008-08-21 13:17:55

87. LoneStar7

nice a little manny hustle

2008-08-21 13:19:05

88. Alex41592

Look at Manny!

2008-08-21 13:19:06

89. MollyKnight

Votto just hit one on to the street, and someone threw it back!

2008-08-21 13:19:13

90. Bluebleeder87

I can't wait to see that on the tube...

2008-08-21 13:19:16

91. scareduck

71 - I've seen Loney make some real boneheaded plays, especially on attempted 3-6-x double plays. He did this at least once during one of the Angels series earlier; questioning whether Loney is an elite defender (I don't think he is from what I've seen, at least not yet) is perfectly legitimate.

72 - my wife is from Arkansas. Back when there was such a thing as the Southwest Conference in the NCAA, it consisted of Arkansas and Texas. Conference officiating was so notoriously bad and pro-Texas that Arkansas teams playing out-of-conference games (or bowl etc. games) would routinely call for the other conference's officials.

2008-08-21 13:19:34

92. LoneStar7

run manny run

2008-08-21 13:19:48

93. Eric Stephen

Power AND speed!

2008-08-21 13:20:12

94. regfairfield

Nate Silver ranks Kemp, Russ, and Bills as top 50 franchise players.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/08/21/bp.pecota50/1.html

2008-08-21 13:20:28

95. underdog

Sigh, c'mon Russ, gotta do better than that.

2008-08-21 13:21:10

96. JoeyP

Manny must really want to win.
A rare stolen base.

2008-08-21 13:21:41

97. LoneStar7

91 Dont Arkansas and A&M renew the old rivalry at the new cowboy stadium in Arlington in the coming years?

2008-08-21 13:21:43

98. bhsportsguy

94 I think there was some similar list last year that maybe had Martin on it.

2008-08-21 13:22:26

99. D4P

Coming into the game, Manny was slugging .398 vs. LH.

2008-08-21 13:23:03

100. scareduck

82 - if the Rockies win today, it will be a six-game win streak, their first of the year. They have already had two eight-game losing streaks. Last year after game 128, they were 65-63; this year, they're 59-69. It would take a miracle for them to win the division, let alone the wild card.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150

2008-08-21 13:23:12

101. LoneStar7

atta baby james

2008-08-21 13:23:15

102. Alex41592

Loney cashes in Manny's speed!

2008-08-21 13:23:27

103. regfairfield

98 He was on the honorable mention list. Lots of people (including myself) do these lists.

2008-08-21 13:23:37

104. Bluebleeder87

I can picture Manny Ramirez dreds flying in the wind as he stole 2nd base.

2008-08-21 13:23:40

105. scareduck

97 - I'd have to ask Helen.

2008-08-21 13:23:43

106. underdog

Aaaand... we're dreadlocked at 1!

No longer hitless, no longer scoreless, no longer losing.

2008-08-21 13:24:02

107. Harold M Johnson

Attaboy, Loney! I knew he was due.

2008-08-21 13:24:11

108. sweepstakes

Lonestar breaks the hex.

2008-08-21 13:24:18

109. D4P

For the sake of comparison, Pierre is slugging .396 vs. LH this season.

2008-08-21 13:24:32

110. scareduck

104 - does a tag on a player's dreds count?

2008-08-21 13:24:53

111. Eric Stephen

106
we're dreadlocked at 1

Excellent!

2008-08-21 13:24:55

112. underdog

Something about seeing Manny sitting on the bench next to Maddux that makes me smile.

2008-08-21 13:24:59

113. scareduck

106 - LOL!

2008-08-21 13:26:26

114. MollyKnight

M. Ramirez stole second? No!

2008-08-21 13:26:46

115. bhsportsguy

I am still wondering why ESPN.com sent Molly to cover the all important Cubs vs. Reds series and/or the even more compelling Cubs vs. Nationals series?

2008-08-21 13:28:13

116. bhsportsguy

underdog needed to do something or else we were going to send him camping again.

2008-08-21 13:28:15

117. trainwreck

94
I still think we see Kershaw on that list since it is supposed to be about upside.

2008-08-21 13:28:15

118. Eric Stephen

115
Top Chef! The food/venue is the story, methinks.

2008-08-21 13:29:47

119. trainwreck

Yeah, last Top Chef was in Chicago and the winner, Stephanie, is from Chicago.

2008-08-21 13:30:59

120. bhsportsguy

117 Norm Chow threw out the first ball last night and posed with Torre for some pictures.

He got a nice round of applause, I even saw some one with an SC shirt clap.

2008-08-21 13:31:53

121. trainwreck

120
How were his throwing skills?

2008-08-21 13:32:07

122. underdog

116 Yep, I'm gonna have to load up my backpack again and head for the hills. Win this one, or else, Dodgers!

2008-08-21 13:33:57

123. Alex41592

Ok, Lowe. This guy owns you. Pitch smart with nobody on.

2008-08-21 13:36:08

124. Alex41592

That was a very impressive inning for Lowe.

2008-08-21 13:36:18

125. underdog

Nice bit o' pitching there, D-Lowe.

2008-08-21 13:36:30

126. CanuckDodger

81 -- Why would one just assume that there IS a system of defensive metrics that effectively determines the quality of a first baseman's defense? Why can't they all be bad? I wouldn't make a judgment either way, but for the case of Loney. His defense is raved about from everybody from scouts to opposing team managers from high school through five years of minor league play. He gets to the majors and his work at 1B is always getting oohs and awws from DT commenters, and his great plays routinely even get into the defensive highlight packages that I see on Canadian sports TV, when first basemen are usually absent from those packages. So what I am supposed to believe? Metrics, or the scouts' lying eyes, the managers' lying eyes, and my own lying eyes? Choosing "metrics" in that case sounds like an example of the saying, "When the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."

2008-08-21 13:38:48

127. fanerman

126 There are also plenty of comments about plays Loney misses or messes up on. It sounds like you're ignoring those.

2008-08-21 13:40:04

128. bhsportsguy

121 I think he might have a better chance at completing his first pass on Sept. 1st than Kevin Craft.

2008-08-21 13:42:31

129. oshea2002

Bison

2008-08-21 13:43:24

130. underdog

Do the hustle - the Bison Hustle!

2008-08-21 13:43:44

131. bhsportsguy

Not