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
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Los Angeles Matt Kemp, CF Andre Ethier, RF Jeff Kent, 2B Manny Ramirez, LF James Loney, 1B Russell Martin, C Nomar Garciaparra, SS Casey Blake, 3B Greg Maddux, P | Philadelphia Jimmy Rollins, SS Chase Utley, 2B Pat Burrell, LF Ryan Howard, 1B Shane Victorino, CF Greg Dobbs, 3B Geoff Jenkins, RF Chris Coste, C Kyle Kendrick, P |
* * *
From the Dodger press notes:
The Dodgers are expected to have three future Hall of Famers in the lineup tonight for just the fifth time in L.A. Dodger history, as Greg Maddux will take the hill with Manny Ramirez and Jeff Kent behind him. The last time the Dodgers had three Hall of Fame players on the same team was for six weeks in 1969 after Jim Bunning was traded to the Dodgers from the Pirates and joined a pitching staff that included Don Drysdale and Don Sutton.
Of course, the aformentioned 1958 trio wear Dodger caps on their Hall of Fame plaques, unlike the 2008 bunch.
Elswehere:
Update: Almost forgot! Tangotiger's Fans Scouting Report is back. People of Dodger Thoughts, let's lead the way in filling out ballots rating the Dodgers.
I have heard a lot from both sides in the media.
I hear both opinions as well, and I just assume that the ones who say Kent shouldn't be in the HOF are grossly incompetent.
Depends on how long Manny's hitting behind him...
I am willing to bet there won't be 8 Hall of Famers coming from this team.
-Upside is valued far more heavily than certainty in the rankings
And still he would rather have Pedroia?
I don't know why things like this bother me, but they do.
I think he will make the Top 25.
Because Dustin Pedroia goes up to 11 on the gamer scale.
Whatever the heck that means.
oh.
I heard that interview, and I didn't think there was much significance to that quote. Martin was just giving the cliche answers to the "have the Dodgers approached you about a long-term contract" question.
Martin basically said the classic, "I'll let my agent and the Dodgers talk about that, I'm here to play baseball" I don't think anything new was revealed via the Mason/Ireland interview (shocking, I know).
where is he?
They all have some chance, but I would say Kemp's is a very small chance.
If we did this draft, how would you feel if you took Kershaw in the first round and then the guy right after you took Josh Hamilton or something. He could be on the list, but I don't think it's a horrible exclusion.
When Kemp can go 4-4 in a game after crossing the path of a black cat, breaking a mirror, and walking under a ladder.
Don't get me wrong, I think Bruce will be very good.
But it is not like Bruce is setting the world on fire right now. They both had great minor league numbers.
Don't get too down on yourself.
It's hard to criticize these lists because it's so subjective and so much can change in six years. They're really hard to do.
BABIP
2007: .411
2008: .380
LD%
2007: 17.5
2008: 23.3
Of course he did hit 42 points higher last year too.
http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/projo_20080822_drew.ee1e80.html
http://tinyurl.com/colletti-puff-piece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IOvEo9f4bk
Also, take a look at the remainder of his BABIP numbers for previous seasons, major- and minor-league. His WORST year was 2006's cup of coffee (.253/.289/.443), with a BABIP of .340 (the only 'unlucky' year he's had so far, with an LD rate of 24.3 in 166 PAs). Here are his .BABIPs over the past few years at each stop via Fangraphs:
2006 AA - .377 in 199 ABs
2006 AAA - .418 in 182 ABs
2006 ML - .340 in 154 ABs
2007 AAA - .374 in 161 ABs
2007 ML - .417 in 292 ABs
2008 ML - .382 in 476 ABs
Looking at the various projections systems available before the year shows the same thing. MINER had the lowest predicted BABIP at .323, with MARCEL and Bill James predicting just shy of .380 (I also might note that Kemp's K rate is WAY above what anybody predicted for him, which would as noted above drive up his BABIP numbers from the predicted ones).
As an aside, unless these "predictions" have been updated throughout the course of the season (certainly possible, though that would seem to defeat the premise), ZiPS has gotten Kemp almost exactly right. Without looking, which of the following two lines is Kemp's actual line, and which was the ZiPS prediction:
.303/.348/.443/.831
.300/.348/.481/.829
I had to go look up who that guy was.
Did you need scouting video? What his LD%?
On the other hand, I thought Russ seemed a tad overrated at 26.
Jeff Kent - 93%
Andruw Jones - 49%(Has anyone who has hit more then 350 homeruns and won 10 gold gloves not made the HOF from the CF position?)What he accomplished by the end of his age 29 season was clearly HOF worthy. This season reminds me of Jimmy Wynn's 29 year old season. Only 5 center fielders in the history of baseball have hit more home runs.
Chad Billingsley - 9%
Clayton Kershaw - 3%
Matt Kemp - 2%
Russel Martin - 1%
Greg Maddux - 100%
Manny Ramirez - 100%
Nomar Garciaparra - 13%
Furcal - 2%
ERA +:
Billingsley: 142
Kershaw: 122
Lowe: 113
Kuroda: 111
Maddux: 97
OPS +:
Kemp: 113
Ethier: 109
Kent: 97
Manny: 150
Loney: 105
Martin: 108
Nomar: 96
Blake: 113
Call me crazy, but our team is really good.
Given how good Chad has been it is amazing how little pub he gets. As Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness wrote about, even the LA Times is unaware that we have an ace on the staff.
He's got a better shot than Nomar I'd say.
If we had Saito and Furcal this would be a team that I'd bet on.
Talk about one of the world's biggest jokes...
We disagree. Show me an outfielder like Juan Pierre in the HOF who started playing in the last 50 years even if he gets 2000 hits.
Kenny Lofton ain't getting in
Willie Wilson ain't getting in
Brett Butler ain't getting in
Cesear Cedeno ain't getting in
Anyone who has ever had 2500 hits and stolen at least 500 bases had modicum of power to go with it.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies - Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal (FOX, 3:55pm, 37%)
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington
If Johnny Damon gets up to 3000 hits (he's at 2236 right now believe it or not) is he in?
Exactly, other then Lou Brock speed doesn't seem to impress the judges and Lou Brock had almost 800 XBH.
Sweet! No longer 3.5!
If he reached 3000 in style he might have a shot but I think it is all downhill for him.
Lou Brock also was the all-time stolen base leader when he retired and had three excellent World Series performances.
Maybe but I've never seen him play 3rd. I'd never even seen him play 2nd until recently. To bad the Nat's wanted something for him because I'd like him on the team right now.
Yes, he had a lot going for him but I think if he only had the stolen base record it would not have been enough. The voters don't seem impressed with Raines who is number three on the list.
And that is CLASSIC MADDUX!
5 pitches ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?
Kalas isn't THE NFL Films voice, but he has done it in recent years since John Facenda died.
Those are hard to catch, too.
That pitch looked like one that was called a ball in the first but on the other hand it was pretty close. Don't want the umpire grumpy the rest of the game standing behind you.
Thanks, I knew he wasn't the OG.
his voice is weird especially when you watch him talk into the mic... I instinctively think, that's not human to talk that way.
I only wish I like NFL games as well as NFL Films.
I'm sure fans of many teams feel that way.
With my team, the moron is the owner.
That would be 100% correct.
162 With my team the moron is most of the fans in Denver. Coach and owner are okay, though.
My team's owner died recently. A lot of people weren't sad about it.
Saturday's game is on FOX, Sunday's game is a national game on ESPN. Now, Monday's game is on ESPN2.
I also used to like that team, but once they left LA all that went out the window. Then they became good. Jerks!
Thats really poor discipline by the Phillies. Unless they are hitting rockets, not a good start for the Phils.
how dare he!
In general, if the game is only on local broadcast for both teams, EI doesn't carry it. It's usually only shown via Fox Sports or Comcast cable broadcasts.
Get batters out throwing 82 MPH fastballs.
Did anyone feel sorry for Luke after he explained how the pension program works and how he is at the bottom of the bottom of the scale?
4 balls
9 batters faced
3 scoreless innings for Maddux
Yes, I remember when you pretty much never saw San Diego games, and if you did it was rarely their announcers, which Bob appreciated.
Maybe they could bust out Phoenix Firebird unis. Hey, Matt Williams played for them and the D-backs.
3.5 be damned!
For whatever reason the Dodgers have abandonded the patience they showed in the first inning and are swinging at a lot of balls out of the zone.
I have to admit though, once he started talking about that, I kind of dozed off into my own little world.
I'm loving it so far - 4 IP in less than an hour.
There's also an abandoned trail up to the point; it starts at Camp Curry and follows a ridge line up the face, and then cuts up over tto the top. That section actually has stairs hacked out of the stone...pretty amazing. It wasn't until we hit the top that we ran across a big plaque that said `Warning: This is an abandoned trail. Do not attempt to follow.
So, naturally, I did the hike 3 more times over the next 2 summers.
Since August 14, Ronnie Belliard is 18-31.
Stepdad, actually. My dad used to camp but was never much of a backpacker and is now 70. My stepdad is almost 60 but is still more of a mountain goat than I'll ever be! He and his friends kicked our butts on the trails, ashamed to say.
Why did they hate Bobby Abreu?
Phillies fans seem to hate Ryan Howard these days but alas they may temporarily cease that.
Back to baseball.
Kendrick: 68
Maddux: 42
So uhh... when are the Dodgers hitters going to realize that:
a. Kyle Kendrick is on the mound
b. They are hitting in Citizen's Bank Park
Ah, never mind that question... Back to baseball, next inning guys!
The throw had no chance of getting him.
Loney should've gloved it.
Personally I'm hurt I wasn't considered.
C'mon Mad Dog! Get out of this one. Even a DP to score a run would be ok.
Is Maddux getting his Atlanta Braves days K zone?
Maddux:
5 in
3 runs
59 pitches
De la Rosa is 27 with a 5.85 career ERA and acarrer 1.7 WHIP. He is the definition of suck. Kendrick is at least young and not totally garbage.
Now Loney needs to hit a homer.
down & in. that pitch was.
The blew two games last week in LA.
Sir, calling me a "galoot" has offended my sensibilities. I demand to meet you on the field of honor.
My seconds will be in touch with you to arrange the details.
bhsportsguy booked Dueling Ground 1A over in Weehawken for us. If we get there early, he'll make us eggs!
299 "We'll do it now... and to the death."
Oh no, I can't do anything to the death. Doctor's orders. You see, I have this ulcer condition, and death is the worst thing for it.
Leave the Roadrunner out of this.
Say, what's up with Beimel these days? Is he hurting?
I imagine just about all his starts are going to be like that with the Dodgers.
for my taste, I like his approach.
Well, then.
That duel with Bob is looking better all of a sudden.
Maddux will make up for it with his superior coaching of other Dodger pitches abilities.
Pull Maddux before this one gets out of hand.
-
Joey knows what we all know but what Torre dosen't I guess.
Ah well.
I was hoping for 2 out of 3 in this series, that may be asking for too much, but still possible.
C'mon. There's no better workout to start your day than a friendly duel.
that's still 6mph faster than by best good sir.
Zzzz... I can't wait for Sept 1st, and for Cory Wade to come back, and for the Easter Bunny to come.
Florida has plenty of pop in there bats so I'm optimistic about that series as well.
I'm going to take a nap now.
http://tinyurl.com/63bgbv
Read with caution.
Pro-Ned articles do not get read or talked about here.
Wow, that is bad.
You can't put up one run in this stadium. You will lose. Good win for the Phillies and we'll see them tomorrow.
Ugggh.
1. Mediocre team
2. School not in session
3. Opponent with rabid fanbase
4. Holiday weekend
The disclaimer is "Warning FOREX OTC trading is subject to substantial losses."
I think it's hilarious to contemplate UCLA ever playing in a BCS championship game.
It will never happen as I long as I draw oxygen on this planet.
That's not for me to decide.
Blackout in the SF Bay Area makes no sense-person at Direct TV was useless, does anyone have a good email or phone number at MLB-the blackout makes no sense!....And the only benefit I obviously had-I didn't see the rest of the game.
Now Bob will be traumatized for the rest of the night.
If other schools/alumni base have lost all perspective of intercollegiate athletics that should not be the fault of the sophisticated bruin fan.
I wish I believed what I just wrote.
The guy is amazing.
I am a UCLA fan. I just wish we did the things to make the football program better.
Thankfully, I had dozed off for a bit.
I'm certainly grateful that I'm not a Wisconsin fan.
Because then I would have likely died from alcohol poisoning a long time ago.
More importantly UCLA is still top twelve in graduate chemistry programs (according to US NEWS)
I don't think it's likely that Johnson will get a loss.
Slow hook for Anibal Sanchez.
Bizarre.
Loaded for Dunn.
but the graduate rankings provide endless oppurtunities for needling other lab nerds whose diploma mill might be lower down the list. Particularly if your favorite school is (as you say) not going to be making the BCS champtionship any time soon.
how just once I'd like to have the Dodgers dumpong a vet as a 2 month rental and ADDING to our farm system,
which got me thinking how the Dodgers would be if Flanders had never made a free agent move or a trade
how good teams build from within, replenishing, young guys competing with intermediate players, then locking up long-term the core franchise guys.
how more profitable an organization would be
Got to thinking of Mueller, thru Schmidt, Andruw Jones...then when Kevin Brown and Strawberry...wait, other than one year of Gibson, how has free agency ever really helped the Dodgers?
---
Sac fly for the Marlins scores Willingham anyway, now tied.
That is all.
438 - Oh no. I'm not getting into a Cody Ross discussion. I'm happy he has a chance to start somewhere.
League ID#: 419463
League Name: Friends of Dodger Thoughts
Password: bison
Custom League URL: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/friendsofdt
Draft Type: Live Draft
Draft Time: Wed Sep 3 7:15pm PDT [ Add to My Calendar ]
Max Teams: 12
Scoring Type: Head-to-Head
And remember the most important thing about the Marlins-DBacks game is that Kevin Gregg is on my fantasy team.
Such is your fate when your top reliever is Brad Lidge.
If Tampa was to somehow play the Dodgers in the World Series I'm not sure I'd be rooting for the Dodgers. I know one other Dodger blogger who would not be.
1. D Young who was 0 for 14 in his rehab exploded for 3 extra base hits tonight.
2. Reclamation project Jerome Williams threw 5 innings of shutout ball.
3. James McDonald pitched two innings of shutout ball in relief. Maybe getting him ready to do some setup work for the Dodgers.
4. DeWitt with a double and triple giving him 5 extra base hits in his last 11 at bats.
The Rays story this year is akin to the 1969 Mets.
--
Bob, just a warning, I may sleep through our duel tomorrow. I just can't do pistols at dawn. If so, you can declare victory, and I'll be the stinking varmint who loses.
Good read.
Gotta wonder if the Rays are able to sell out their playoff games. I still remember the Braves in the 01 NLCS with all the empty seats in the stands.
The Braves problem was that they made the playoffs so frequently that the fans took it for granted. Also, the Braves were always assigned midweek day games because the networks figured nobody wanted to watch them.
http://tinyurl.com/5fr56k
And that's your early morning Olympic update.
A week after a 40-minute meeting with Maddux to discuss pitching, Kendrick did an impersonation of the veteran while leading the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
isn't it curious/coincidental/… how the W. Randolph firing and the J Biden selection were both announced at 3am EST ?
This could lead to an important campaign post for Fernando Tatis.
Was disappointed.
Leaving.
Fishing announcer: Most of the fish they're catching are falling just short of the 14-inch minimum length requirement.
Randy Sklar: Women have thrown me back a few times because of that too.
Jason Sklar: HEL-LOOOO!!!
No Delaware jokes allowed at Dodger Thoughts.
But it's good to see that Obama wanted to get those three electoral votes.
Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Kent, 2B
Ramirez, LF
Garciaparra, SS
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Kershaw, P
Rollins, SS
Utley, 2B
Burrell, LF
Howard, 1B
Victorino, CF
Werth, RF
Feliz, 3B
Coste, C
Hamels, P
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