Ignorance is bliss.

I am happy I wasn't following closely enough during the Navarro trade. Who knows what kind of angst it might have caused me.

And now Bob has me missing Ross too.

Oh, I almost forgot. I was umpiring a co-ed softball game last night, and I had to eject a player for the first time ever. The response from the player was to run at me screaming, "I'm going to "mess" you up!"

The response from the player

Manny...?

3
A little Parcellsian speak there.

2 How the heck do you care enough about a coed softball game to get ejected?

5
Or to "mess up" the ump?

Lesson learned: don't drink and iTunes.

I never thought I'd end up with Flashing Lights on my playlist.

5 Even worse I used to work at a place called Oggi's and I was on the co-ed softball team, and one of our fans got kicked out of a game for continously complaining about the other team stepping on the plate when they swung.

And all this time I thought the goal of coed softball was to drink beer and hit on the second baseman.

5

I agree. The guy got so violent and was cussing up a storm that I had no choice but to send him off the field. When he charged me and got past the first five people trying to stop him, I quietly made my way behind the other teams dugout. They were my last line of defense.

9 The co-ed league I play in - The goal is for every woman to stand there with bat on shoulder and walk. Then get driven in by the guys.

Except on my team where the ladies say "Walking is not fun!"

We are 0-7, well on our way to 0-10.

11 T/F: Any coed softball team with women who can actually play is unstoppable.

Last night's office: 8/10. Stronger than Business Ethics, but not as good as Baby Shower. Thoughts?

12 100% true. In my opinion, the best player on the best team is a tall lefty blonde woman with monster power. She hits farther than any guy on my team. Swing is picture perfect.

12 False; women that can play is like having a major league team that has a good hitting catcher and 2B. While it's a huge advantage, it is not a lock for a team's sucsess.

I'm still laughing too much about 30 Rock to remember the Office.

Thankfully 30 Rock season premiere is available online, since my cable crapped out for some reason and I got 30 minutes of blank screen on my Tivo instead of 30 Rock. But it's online. Great Will Arnett cameo.

--

Btw in the co-ed softball league I played in a couple of times there are quite a few pretty solid women. We had a couple who could slug it and pick 'em.

9 - And kids, that's how I I met your mother.

17
Doogie Howser has a show about that.

(Not that I've ever watched it)

16

The 30 Rock premiere already happened?

12

This is true, especially on defense. There is a team in Pasadena that has an infield of all females. Whenever you see that, it means you are in trouble. They are all amazing softball players, and nothing gets through the infield.

16
I thought 30 Rock didn't debut until October 30? You and your inside connections!

The 30 Rock premiere is available online for everyone. It premieres on TV next week.

According to the New York Post, "the Dodgers have offered Manny Ramirez a two-year deal worth $60 million."

Meh.

12 I think the key to softball is defense regardless of if it is a co-ed team or not. If you can get off the field, you can get some wins. Of course, in the last co-ed softball league I played in, the rule was that a guy couldn't run in front of a woman (for example if the ball was hit to the left fielder a center fielder guy could not cross in front of them and catch it) and we were unstoppable because we had girls who were not afraid of getting hit in the face with a softball.

22
So much for backloading the contract. My CC-Manny plan is vanishing before my eyes (although I would be happy with either one).

22 If the guy is fixated on years, this makes no sense. Why not offer 3 yrs/$70M to at least get in the conversation. You wouldn't pay the guy an extra $10M at age 39 like Kent?

22 The Ned Special.

23

Wow, I have never seen that rule before. In the league I officiated for last night, they allow a guy to take 2nd base on a walk with no strikes thrown, and the female hitting next can take 1st if she wants it.

I actually saw a benches-clearing brawl at a coed softball game in Long Beach a couple years ago, including the pitcher throwing the ball as hard as he could toward the opposing dugout and just missing a woman's head by inches (he was aiming for the guy next to her). It was unbelieveable.

Meanwhile, I went 3-4 in my coed game at The Presidio last night. We won with only 9 people!

28

Nice. Winning with a reduced outfield is always a good game.

29

We went with three infielders instead, which led to me getting a kickball-style putout (he was safe, of course) on an opposing baserunner right in the back.

Hey, my throw from third was right on the bag. I just didn't have a first baseman in time.

30

Oh, I had to play 1b and 2b one time when we only had 8 people playing. That blows.

Luis Gonzalez has one final wish.

He wants a spot on Arizona's bench next season. He wants to finish his career as a member of the Diamondbacks. He'll carry the lineup card to home plate, if necessary.

"I'm open to accepting whatever role necessary if the opportunity arises," said Gonzalez, 41

http://tinyurl.com/5sz3ym

:)

Ah! Hah hah. I guess I should apologize for yelling at Tivo and my cable (which is still out; I wonder if my landlord forgot to pay the bill). I cheated and watched 30 Rock online in advance, then, instead of late. It shore is funny. I'll watch it again next week.

Btw, they seemed to have taken a liking to that show in the UK now, too. Which is cool.

--

Off subject, but for anyone in the bay area... Richard Cheese will be at Bimbo's in SF tomorrow! Lounge against the machine!

I didn't know Lute Olson coached a season at Long Beach State. They've had him and Jerry Tarkanian.

30
The good thing about hitting the runner is that if you throw it hard enough, the runner won't be able to advance an extra base. :)

28 Nice! Any prospective babes -- er, I mean, talented women yet?

33
I love Richard Cheese!

32 Then the DBacks will add someone with a... ring in a box. A magical ring in a box. He might be a real difference-maker.

"I'm open to accepting whatever role necessary if the opportunity arises," said Gonzalez, 41

I wonder if that means he's also open to accepting whatever salary necessary.

28
Icaros, in the Long Beach league, did you play at one of Cherry Park, El Dorado, or Pan-American Park, by chance?

36

Um...not so much, but there is talent on some of the other teams. I'm still looking for the opportunity for a nice take-out slide on a pretty second baseman. I'll help her up afterwards, of course.

40

I've played at Cherry and El Dorado before, but the brawl game was at Blair Field. There's a softball field next to the baseball park.

Worst case scenario: Manny & Lowe sign w/the same team. Which means we don't get 2 extra first round picks.

43 Or one of them signs with a bottom 15 team (unlikely).

43
Even worse: if that same team is the Dodgers, we don't get any picks. (Shudder).

43 Or Manny or Lowe signs with the same team that signs Texiera and/C.C. The one team that can do that is the Yankees.

I wrote a short Mad Men-related item at Variety about Father John Gill, the season-two character named after one of the faculty at my high school.

http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2008/10/mad-men-the-rea.html

42
About 7 years ago, I live in Long Beach for a short time and played on those fields. We played one season at Blair Field, and that league had the rule that a team couldn't be more than one homer ahead of the other. Each ball hit over the fence if a team was already up a homer, was an out. I hated that rule (not that I was robbed of homers or anything).

I predict Lowe signs with an upper 15 team not the Dodgers and we get the #1 pick outta that. Signing or not signing Manny is another matter but we either sign him, and have Manny back, or lose him, again most likely to an upper team and thus getting a pick from that too. Unless he signs with Detroit or Baltimore... or Atlanta or gulp, the Giants. But i don't see that.

There are limits on the number of Type A/B free agents any one club can sign. Per the MLB CBA:

(5)Quota

(a)Clubs shall be limited in the number of Type A and B Players, as defined below, they may subsequently sign to contracts. The number of signings permitted shall be related to the number of Players electing free agency under this Section B. If there are 14 or less such Players, no Club may sign more than one Type A or B Player.If there are from 15 to 38 such Players, no Club may sign more than two Type A or B Players. If there are from 39 to 62 such Players, no Club may sign more than three Type A or B Players. If there are more than 62 such Players, the Club quotas shall be increased accordingly. There shall be no restrictions on the number of unranked Players that a Club may sign to contracts.

(b)Irrespective of the provisions of subparagraph (a) above, a Club shall be eligible to sign at least as many Type A and B Players as it may have lost through Players having become free agents under this Section at the close of the season just concluded

15 . You also need the lighthearted zany guy in dreads who can mash.

2. Kevin that is pretty frightening about what happened to you while umpiring the coed-softball game. We've had a player kicked out of a game, but it was just for arguing a call, then the ump told him one more word and you're gone. Then he said something like "Yeah whatever!", and got kicked out. The only fight I've seen was this year in the opposing teams dugout two players on the other team got into a fight with each other and one of them left, leaving them with 8 players. I would think if someone got violent enough like the guy charging you, he would be banned from the league and perhaps blacklisted in the area. One step further and I'd have the cops called on him. It's not your job to deal with violent coed-softball players.
vr, Xei

50 Would that apply to retaining one's own free agents?

I once played in a co-ed softball game where one of the female players on the other team challenged a few of us to fight. But the umpires were able to quell it.

53
Depending on the way you read (b), I think a team re-signing its own free agents doesn't count toward the quota.

But the umpires were able to quell it.

I expand my vocabulary on this site, as I spend time on dictonary.com a lot after some posts.

Can someone point me in the right direction for getting on a softball team in West LA?

57 - My wife and I met playing at Barrington Park in Brentwood. You could inquire with the park office there ...

I almost got into a fight during slo-pitch softball because I aggressively blocked the plate on a close play at home. Luckily, nothing really happened except jawing back and forth. I was able to lighten the mood by often quoting Jake Taylor behind the plate.

So I am sick. First time in years. 5 days now. And you all know my humor is strange so bear with me. So I am catching up and see Jon's post 17 and hear the dude say it in my brain and lol'ed for some reason. Decided I would take a look at the post Jon was referring too. I made a mistake and read 10 not 9..I am sticking with 10.

9 And all this time I thought the goal of coed softball was to drink beer and hit on the second baseman. And kids, that's how I I met your mother.

10 I agree. The guy got so violent and was cussing up a storm that I had no choice but to send him off the field. When he charged me and got past the first five people trying to stop him, I quietly made my way behind the other teams dugout. They were my last line of defense. And kids, that's how I I met your mother.

Steve Henson reports on a man who scoffs at Xeifrank's measly 150-1 odds!

http://tinyurl.com/250-to-1

I played on a coed team that had a woman playing SS (which should have been a clue right then).

First time up, outfield would move in and she would knock the ball over their heads.

It happened every week.

60
I like your original interpretation. :)

In grad school, my team had an all-neo-Marxist infield. One night the third baseman complemented the other team on their red uniforms, asked if they were also socialists, and nearly got us all killed by some angry frat boys, including the English Tory in right field, the libertarian in center, the pitcher and ROK army veteran, and moderate me.

60 - LOL :) Hope you feel better ...

52

It is really unfortuante. I talked with the team's manager and the park rep for about 10 minutes after the game. He was still arguing the calls, and even after the reasoning I laid out, he would hear none of it. I loved the fact that he argued he was safe on a sliding play because he was tagged in the back shoulder, so he should have been safe with the slide. I told him that even though the tag was not a good one, it still didn't change the fact that it beat his foot hitting the plate. I then went on to tell him it is his job as the manager to defuse these kind of situations. Whenever someone on my team starts mouthing off to the ump, I shut them up, and if I have a complaint, I will talk to him or her.

I have become a much better objective viewer in my own games because of my umping experience. I rarely argue judgment calls, since I have seen teams go in fits over fair/foul calls when I am standing on the line and the ball landed two feet foul. It is amazing how we can think we have the best angle.

61. Good for him on getting those odds and putting down $100 instead of $20. He will get to pay taxes on his winnings, but who cares, right? I also like that he placed a $3K hedge bet on the Phillies, just to make sure he wins something. This guy is pretty smart except for one thing... and that is his ticket. He almost lost it and he is still carrying it around with him in his pocket. I put mine in a safe deposit box well before the All-Star break. Of course, it was a Washington Mutual safe deposit box so hopefully it's still there. :)
vr, Xei

59

In the SFO leagues, the runner isn't allowed to touch home plate. In fact, you're out if you do. Every play at home is a force.

66. And it probably doesn't help that most teams drink both before and after games. I try to make sure I leave the parking lot before all the drunks drive home.
vr, Xei

67
Yeah, carrying around the ticket makes no sense, since it is basically cash. Unless you're an NBA star, who would carry that much cash around? :)

68. wow, that's an odd rule. Are the players required to wear dresses. :)
vr, Xei

71
Well, it is co-ed!

68
I can see why that rule is in place. No sense in getting anyone hurt in a recreational league.

In response to delias man's question about the buquebus to Buenos Aires. I've only taken it from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, and that was almost 10 years ago. It was pretty easy, and a pretty nice boat. It wasn't too big of a pain. I don't think we had to go through all of the craziness because United was handling everything for us, since we were supposed to only be in Buenos Aires as a connection from the US to Montevideo, but the connecting plane was stuck in New York. My cousins take it all of the time, and they never have a problem with it.

67 You probably know better than me but I still think if you cash any single ticket for more than $600, you won't have to pay taxes then but you will get an IRS form that reports those winnings to the IRS and you will have to report (and eventually) pay taxes on it. That has happened to my friends who have won bets at race track even when they barely collected more than $600.

71

As long as I can still wear my cup under the dress, I wouldn't object.

I'm not sure I could really get into a coed-softball league with all it's quirky rules. I played in a coed-basketball dorm league in college one year. It wasn't suppose to be coed but ended up that way so they could field more teams. Some of the rules were wierd. All baskets were worth one point if a man scored it and two points if a girl scored it. If you fouled a girl on a shot, they got one point and a free throw. The team that won it all had 3 or 4 girls on their team that could shoot really well. I'm not sure what rules coed-football would institute.
vr, Xei

75. My sources (which I trust) tell me that Vegas won't have you fill out any tax forms on a baseball winning bet that is under $10K. The tax limits are different, for different type of gambling bets (slots, race track, craps, sports, keno etc...). If I am so fortunate enough to find out, I will let you know what the limits are if Vegas does give me a tax form.
vr, Xei

One of my leagues also has cones around the perimeter of mid-outfield. When a female is batting, outfielders have to stand behind the cones until she hits the ball. No playing 10 fielders on the dirt.

78 Good luck with that, it makes sense that would be the case.

Penarol - thanks for the advice.

Kevin - quick question for you. my softball rule knowledge is zero.

2 outs, runners 1st and 3rd. Line drive up the middle, caught on the bounce by the CF and forces the slow runner at 2nd for the 3rd out. runner from 3rd scores before the force, and ump allows the run because he says the force rule is off because the ball went in the outfield. Was the ump right?

If Kirk Gibson couldn't have hit in Game 1, Rick "I had 11 doubles in the postseason" Dempsey would have saved the day.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3660823

57
Santa Monica has a softball league that is run from the softball fields/offices at 10th or 9th and Colorado by a guy name Ray. He will put you on a pickup list which is used by the teams who know they are going to be short.
http://www01.smgov.net/comm_progs/community_sports/Softball.htm
Also you can just hang out at the field from 06:45 and a team will pick you up if they need a player. Then if they like the cut of your gib they will probably ask you to join the team. You will only be allowed per league rules to play catcher if you are not on the roster. If you are good and would like for me to put you in contact with a team that plays Friday Nights I can do that. They are always looking for players because of the Friday Night gig.

Culver City runs their leagues from Veterans Park.
http://www.culvercity.org/parks/sp_softball.asp?sec=

81
That seems like a very specific rule, and nothing in place in any softball league I've ever been in.

82
[Dave] Anderson, recently hired as the Rangers' third-base coach

Cool.

That's a rule I've never heard, but the other day, in one of my games, the ump said that throwing a runner out at first from the outfield doesn't count.

79

Yea, Pasadena has that too. As if I don't have enough things to watch for as an umpire, I also have to keep an eye on the four outfielders.

81 Fred Merkle would have been very happy with that rule.

Bob will probably write a post about this:

http://www.tacobell.com/stealabasestealataco/

71
50 and over leagues have that rule because of the slippery nature of home plate. Plus no sliding into 2nd base.
I played briefly in a 40 and over league and didn't quite know what to do about the 2nd base rule, so I went in standing and ran over the SS who then challenged me to fight. The rule seemed stupid to me as it is easier to get out of the way by sliding then going in standing. Evidently 1/2 way to 2nd you are supposed to veer off. I didn't play long.

81

A force out is a force out, so if it ends the inning, than no run scores.

By that logic a SS that runs down a ground ball into the grass would be held under the same outfield rule.

The only time that kind of thing doesn't apply is when a runner is thrown out for failing to tag up or get back to the back on a caught ball in the outfield.

Question: If there were two outs, than why on earth would the runner on 1st not be going on contact and getting a good lead? I know, I know, it's slow-pitch softball and you see weird things.

89

The 5 leagues I have played/umped in all have the slide or avoid rule. I think it is becoming pretty standard.

Softball sure is a lot more fun to play than watch, I'll say that.

91
Yes, slide or avoid is standard, their specific rule was no slide at all, just avoid.

Kevin is the Angel Hernandez of co-ed softball.

54 And Jon ended up marrying one of them (kidding, KIDDING!)!

"SECTION 1– ONE RUN SHALL BE SCORED every time a baserunner, after having legally touched the first three bases, shall legally touch home
plate before three players are out; provided, however, that if he/she reaches home on or during a play in which the third person is forced out or is put out before reaching first base, a run shall not count; also, if the third out is made by a preceding runner failing to touch a base, a run shall not count."

By my interpretation of that rule the run does not count unless the umpire wants to say that the ball hit into the outfield takes the force off, which it does not.

Of course, this could be a wacky league rule, but it is not an official rule

2
In any league I've played in that would be a ban from the league forever for going after an umpire. Even if he never laid a hand on you but had to be restrained.

Jon Heyman is causing trouble again:

>>Martin wearing out welcome in L.A.?

>>The Dodgers were disappointed by the regression of catcher Russell Martin, who in the words of one Dodgers-connected person was "just another catcher'' this year. Only a year ago Martin was an excellent two-way player who won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger and appeared on the verge of superstardom. The New York Post reported that the Dodgers might even consider trading him.

>>Martin, Matt Kemp and to a lesser degree Andre Ethier still need to do some growing up, people familiar with the Dodgers say -- though the overall performance of the talented trio improved once Ramirez joined the team. James Loney, the fourth young Dodger stud, is said by team officials not to have been infested by the same maturity malady that has affected the others.

Whoops, I hadn't read 17 . Now I feel silly.

94

I looked that up, and now I am offended. You are playing catcher all 7 innings of the next game.

89. We have a "slide or get out of the way" rule on force outs at second base. If you fail to do so, they can call the batter out at first (assuming a double play). We had a play (I was on first) and the batter hit a ground ball to the shortstop. I had a very good jump off of first and "beat" the throw to second base, I didn't slide. I figured why slide, I beat the throw, there shouldn't even have been a play at second base. The umpire called me safe but the batter out, saying I interfered with the throw to first. It was a stretch as they wouldn't have gotten the runner at first even with me sliding. Sometimes the softball rules and the way they are interpreted seem a little backwards, but oh well. If you play slow-pitch softball long enough, you will see a couple of plays a year that you never imagined could ever happen. You don't see too many doubles on a pop up in front of the catcher that backspins off his glove and rolls to the backstop. vr, Xei

97

Yea, the annoying thing is I don't think that will happen. I was all set to write up a report, and the rep of the park told me not to. I will have to think twice about umpiring there again.

22 ,98 The New York Post is a rag. At least, that's what Keith Olbermann tells me.

Softball seems way too complicated and violent for me. Plus there's the whole making time for it and such.

98 - "one Dodgers-connected person"

That guy sure has been busy.

105

I know...what a solid source.

I think at this point, I along with everyone else here "is familiar with the Dodgers thinking" - so Heyman can call me if he wants.

though the overall performance of the talented trio improved once Ramirez joined the team

Wrong. Only Ethier had better numbers after Manny arrived.

98 LOLOL.

101

I agree that the rule is backwards for normal baseball, but it is in place to protect the fielders and runners from having contact. I can actually see your play happening, and I probably would have called the runner at 1st out. The problem is the rule does not say, "unless there was no possible chance of a play". I mean if the runner was already at first that is one thing, but if you interfering with the fielder made it so the play could not be determined in the first place, than you have to go with the interference call.

The final call that set the guy off last night was on a pickle/run down. They made too many throws, and one of the players got in the way of the runner. Yes, it was unintentional, and yes the runner would have most likely been out, but if she doesn't get out of the way after releasing the ball and obstructs the runner, I have to award the base.

I could totally agree with the team on defense that it "sucked" and it is a bummer of a way to lose an out, but then the SS went all Hulk on me, and things got worse from there.

100 You obviously didn't see my magical scoop of Jim's dirtball to preserve a double play in our season changing victory over the Doobies.

How about we invite Heyman to the softball game this weekend and the slide or avoid rule does not apply when he is fielding a ball?

105 If any of this is actually true, I can't believe this "connected-person" finds the time to talk to the media at all, considering all those AAMCO and Slimfast commercials need to be shot. Hopefully he doesn't have too much pull with the FO.

111

Nope...and why should I praise you for doing what a first baseman should do?

:)

98 These darn kids and their MTV and their big pants and such.

108
Amazing, did all the fact checkers in the world lose their jobs?

Is it ironic that the team's elder statesmen (including Management) criticize the kids for a lack of maturity, but then turn around and make them dress up like little bo peep or whatever, thus reinforcing their subservience and inferior status on the team?

114 "Magical" being the operative word.

108
We could also add DeWitt to the Ethier list. So basically the young white guys did better after Manny showed up. That would go over well if he wrote it like that.

The "Dodgers-connected source" that Heyman keeps getting his information from. Is he:

A) a barista at the Starbucks where Ned orders his morning latte
B) Jamie McCourt's pedicurist
C) the peanut vendor on the 1st base reserved level
D) a Dodger Thoughts commenter
E) Bill Plaschke

or someone else?

117 I would say more hypocritical than ironic.

120 F) Andre Ethier's newborn.

119 Ethier's Mexican. Although he could be a pure blooded Spaniard descent, but I doubt that considering Mexico's racial history.

120

It is really sad that people keep running with the story on "reputable" media outlets with that kind of source.

This is one reason why I am young and jaded about the media and politics.

90 The guy was really just slow. I refuse to comment further about him. He is a nice guy.

124 - I like to have the media's back, of course, but this kind of stuff makes me wince. I really think the Hot Stove rumor mill that the sports pages milk during the offseason does more damage than they realize.

126

Sounds like a good topic for an article.

126 Martin and Ethier are up for arbitration, let the negotiating in the media begin.

Any chance that Martin and Ethier avoid arbitration this year?

Do other teams have to put up with this garbage like what we get from Heyman, Rosenthal, Plaschke, etc.? It's amazing how much these writers try to tear apart the Dodgers.

Sigh.

Jon, seriously, don't you have an SI connection? Can't you get someone to put truth serum in Heyman's latte or something? Where is he getting this garbage? I'm tired of bored journalists basically making stuff up, turning it into a story, then seeing other bored journalists pick up on it. What a load of...

131 Veritaserum. But I'm afraid Snape used the last vial on Cho Chang. It'll take him a month to make more.

Incidentally, if I were Ned Colletti, I'd offer Manny "2 years, 60 million... and one penny!"

132 I think someone gave Heyman a Confusing Concoction or Befuddlement Draught. Might be time for a Petrification spell on him.

/nerd, off

133

I would give you a hug for that.

129
Any chance that Martin and Ethier avoid arbitration this year?

Almost none.

Here are the Super Twos from 2008, with their service time (courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts):

Augie Ojeda 2.169
Brad Hennessy 2.168
Jose Bautista 2.165
Dallas McPherson 2.164
Brian Bruney 2.164
Tim Byrdak 2.161
Jonny Gomes 2.160
Chien-Ming Wang 2.159
Matt Diaz 2.157
Mark Tehean 2.155
Robinson Cano 2.153
Ryan Church 2.152
George Sherrill 2.147
Brian Tallet 2.146
Ryan Howard 2.145
Casey Kotchman 2.144

This year, Ethier is at 2.153 and Martin at 2.150.

It looks like this year there are only 3-4 such players with more service time than the Dodger Duo (rather than the large amount last year), so they are locks to be arb-eligible.

136 I mean negotiate one year deals to avoid the arbitration process for this year, so we can focus on more important stuff, like hiring a hitman on Jon Heyman just to stop him with his dumb rumors.

137
Oh sure that's always an option, and in fact could likely happen. Often times, both sides negotiate up to the deadline to file arb numbers, and even past that date.

Last year, both Beimel and Proctor signed deals before their scheduled arb hearings at or near the midpoint of both figures.

137 Why do you dismmiss what he says entirely, just because you don't like it, does not mean its not true.

And I think in the end, the Dodgers and the players will avoid arbitration, but it won't happen for a while.

139 Because claiming the Dodgers are down on Martin, Kemp, and Ethier because they're 'young' and need to 'mature' is illogical and dumb. If they really were down on any of these players, Torre and his staff would have ridden Nomar and Juan Pierre , and any other viable veteran down the stretch. The one player Heyman claims isn't affected with immaturity problems is Loney. And yet he was the one young Dodgers player who was in an unofficial platoon split with Nomar. If somebody in the Dodgers organization is down on these players, its likely not anyone who actually controls player personal, and it doesn't seem to be in the coaching staff. And its not Torre since he praised every one of them down the stretch.

137
Out of the 151 eligible for arbitration last year (the ones that weren't released or DFA), only 8 actually went to hearing. Clubs won 6 of the 8 cases. Ryan Howard and Oliver Perez were the only victorious players.

http://www.dailynews.com/dodgers/ci_10800968

Ng was satisfied with the M's search for GM.

Because claiming the Dodgers are down on Martin, Kemp, and Ethier because they're 'young' and need to 'mature' is illogical and dumb

Maybe so, but don't we have pretty good reasons to believe that our GM cares about this kind of stuff and has acted on his caring before (e.g. Bradley, Perez, Guzman, LaRoche, etc.)...?

142
Ng has been an assistant GM now for 11 seasons. Does anyone know how that compares to typical assistant GMs?

143 And no one has questioned those players' attitudes after they left the Dodgers have they?

144
Ned was AGM for the Giants for 8 years before landing the Dodgers' gig.

146
Wikipedia had just informed me of that.

I'm guessing 11 years is on the long side.

Frank Wren was Asst. GM for 6 years before getting a one year shot being GM of the Orioles, he then served 8 years in Atlanta before getting that job.

"Dodgers-connected person" is a weird phrase--it's not the same construction that's usually used. It very easily could be a beat writer or columnist, or even a former employyee/player.

Well we just got to the NLCS even if our young players are divas, so I do not see how it is much of an issue either way.

Ruben Amaro Jr. has been the Phillies Asst. GM since 1999.

Standofr alum Ruben Amaro Jr. is going on 10 seasons as AGM, although he may get promoted in a few weeks.

151
I knew I wouldn't be as quick as you on the Amaro draw!

How does AJ Ellis rate defensively?

152
Wow, Standofr!

Nice typing, jerkface.

Standofr has easier requirements than Stanford. It's the college the Lopez twins attended.

155 You just want to start the bad blood for the next USC v. Stanford game.

I don't think men can be divas.

157
Or as I call it, 56-0 payback*.

*Nothing can erase the stain of last season's loss however.

158
Get with the times, Bob.

I don't think men can be divas

I assume you mean heterosexual men.

Are we not men? We are divas.

Isiah Thomas is in the hospital after overdosing on Lunesta.

http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/isiah.thomas.overdose.2.848132.html

163
It would be easier trying to sleep by watching an Isiah-coached team.

--OR--

Isiah tried counting his coaching wins to cure his insomnia but he ran out before falling asleep.

139

I don't disagree that it could be true, but why are the Dodgers even allowing this to happen? Someone from the FO needs to speak out in defense of Martin and the young players. Even if they do think this, it needs to be handled from the inside, unless they like having pissed off, young players on their hands.

158 xeifrank's proposed dresses-only co-ed softball league is causing gender confusion.

163 "Isiah Thomas has millions of reasons to be alive." -Kim Etheredge

140 I wouldn't discount the idea that a person might say one thing to the press publicly or to be quoted, and an entirely different thing when anonymous. Since this Heyman source is unnamed and so vaguely described, the "information" is essentially useless to us, unless we can believe that Heyman's judgment on source unimpeachability is unquestionably sound.

167 Maybe I should retract that. Not a time for jokes if he really was trying to do something drastic.

I'm glad the "force at 2nd with runners on 1st and 3rd and 2 outs" argument came up since that play actually happened in my baseball game last week.

I don't know why the runner on 1st wasn't going on contact, but either way he got forced out after the 2nd baseman dropped a pop-up in short centerfield. The umpire insisted that the run counted, but he didn't seem to know what he was doing in general. Didn't really matter since we were already down by 4 runs to begin with.

57 I play in a league where the games are in Santa Monica, but they're shortening this season to redo the fields. Normally they play pretty much year-round and I'm guessing if you put yourself on a free agent list you could find a team. I don't know if our team will need guys for the next season, but you can e-mail me at karl dot hungus at gmail dot com if you're interested.

One thing about Phil Jackson, he lets it be known when he is upset with a player and is not afraid of saying so to the media.

At least the player doesn't have to figure out who the source is when Jackson is quoted.

170 What league do you play in? My league just ended and I'm looking into playing some winter ball. Is the league you're in year-round?

172 Of course, when you make $10M and date the owner's daughter, its not like you have a lot to worry about.

149 Eric Karros!

173 I guess I should have refreshed before asking.

I played Softball and hated it. Played co-ed and hated it even more.

If you miss the game, get into a hardball league. There are several in the greater LA area and every city has one.

I play baseball every Sunday. We slide, we run, we steal, we do everything god intended us to do when he created this grand game. We do it poorly (mostly), we do great things (occasionally), we do it with passion, we compete and we laugh.

You are not too old, you are not too out of shape, you will become more of a boy again and love baseball with wonder again.

I cannot recommend it highly enough

HJ

177 You need to get together with Bluebleeder.

173 I'm both a baseball and softball league right now.

The baseball league just started so I'm assuming it'll go on for a couple more months. Those games are on Sundays and are played in the LA area (Encino, West LA, South LA).

The softball league only has a few weeks left, but like I said, it goes pretty much year round. Those games are on Thursdays and are played at the Santa Monica rec field on Olympic and 14th.

177 What league do you play in? Mine's just the city of LA league and I believe I'm playing in the B league right now (just joined back up last Sunday).

180 I take that back, apparently I'm in the "A" league which is the easiest one

It is supposed to rain all day and night tomorrow in Philadelphia, when should MLB postpone the game and reset the schedule?

177

My goal is to eventually get back to hardball. I would love to pitch again.

170

That is even worse with a pop-up. There is no reason a person should be forced out on a dropped pop-up with 2 outs.

But, like I said, it is slow-pitch. I have seen my runners on second stare at the fly ball to the outfield with 2 outs. That is when I lose my voice.

177. What kind of time committment does the baseball league have? One game or double-headers? Any practices?
vr, Xei

180 177

You all have websites for these leagues?

The problem is a lot of them are early Sunday games and normally a 45 minute drive from Pasadena.

182. If Game #3 is rained out, do they just nix the off day between Games 5 and 6? If they push everything back one day (keeping the off day), it really helps out the Phillies as Cole Hamels can get a possible 3rd start with one more day of rest. The cities the two teams play in are close enough geographically, that they could nix the 2nd off day.
vr, Xei

I have never played a competitive hardball game ever. My mom felt that the Little League in my neighborhood (Granada Hills) was too competitive and we'd all hate the sport after playing with those kids.

That was pretty smart on her part. I would have posted a batting average below .000.

187

That would have been impressive

187 I never got past tee ball.

187. You could've been the teams official scorekeeper, trivia and grammar expert. Plus, I'm sure you would've walked or gotten hit by a pitch a few times, lots of little leaguers have a .000 average.
vr, Xei

I have never played a competitive hardball game ever

Typical stats nerd.

I play in Dodger Town West: http://www.dodgertownwest.com/

The only catch is that you must have attended Dodger Adult Fantasy Camp to join (http://www.ladabc.com/)which is not going to run another camp until fall of '09 in Arizona

I used to play in a couple of the LA City leagues about 15 years ago, but stopped when I moved out of town for a bit.

Those LA city leagues are good, but what I love about DTW is the great guys in the league. Everyone plays hard, but also looks out for each other and has fun. I have never seen one confrontation or fight, jerks are just not tolerated

HJ

185 Baseball league - http://www.laparks.org/dos/sports/baseball.htm

Softball league - http://www01.smgov.net/comm_progs/community_sports/Softball.htm

187 I was raised in Granda Hills!

184 I can't speak for other teams, but mine doesn't normally practice and we play one game every Sunday at either 9:30 am or 1 pm.

I got as far as Pony League. I was cut from the Freshman team and hung it up after that.

Waaaaay late, but these are some of my favorite albums of the 90's:

Pavement-Wowee Zowee
My Bloody Valentine-Loveless
The Sundays-Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic
Pete Rock and CL Smooth- The Main Ingredient
Gangstarr-Moment Of Truth

PCBL.org is a good league to get into. I played in that a few season, this season however it changed to a wood bat only league. I passed because the price to play plus the broken bats would cost more than the enjoyment of playing and missing football.

196 You shouldn't have given up so easily. I was cut from my 7th and 8th grade teams, grew 7 inches during my freshman year, and ended up playing 3 years on varsity in high school. Yay for growth spurts!

199 I started lettering at partying. I was the Russell Martin of my school.

If I show up in Pasadena on Sunday, will someone have a glove that I can borrow?

187 194 I was raised in the area as well, but played little league at Mission Hills Little League not Granada. I just drove by the fields in Mission Hills the other day and its a shame how beaten down they look. My memory of those fields were always so immaculate. My memory probably romanticizing it though.

200 But did your school have an Alyssa Milano?

I would have posted a batting average below .000.

Doubt it. You would have figured out a way.

198 I play in a wood bat league and found that it's cheaper than the metal bat leagues. Think about it, you're going to have to pay for a new aluminum bat every couple of years anyways ($300 a pop) and wood bats can be found for about $25 each. Do you really think you'll break 12 bats in a 2 year time period? Nobody on my team has ever broken more than 4 in a season.

Is Billy Beane up for a cabinet position?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/opinion/24beane.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

198 really hard to break these...

http://shopsite.brettbats.com/shopbats.html

I have had one for a couple of seasons now and it is going strong

We play wood bats only. I play a lot of third base, I am glad we don't play with Metal.

205 Man. Even thinking about the sound of an aluminum bat makes me want to bite somebody.

205 Plus nothing feels sweeter than squaring up an a fastball with a wood bat.

oops I meant 208

205 $25 bats? The cheapest I fount were I think in the 60's. Also, everyone on the team had aluminum bats so I never really had to buy one.

208 - the sound of an aluminum bat makes me long for the start of the NCAA season.

211 You need to look online, you can find good deals Talbot Turnings makes a nice birch bat for about $25. You can always buy composite bats or bamboo that don't break for a really long time. You can get fisted with a 90 MPH fastball and they won't break. Those bats usually cost about $75-$100.

207 - I bet those bamboo laminate bats wouldn't shatter, but I would further bet that MLB wouldn't let them within a city block of any major league park.

98
Rob Neyer weighs in on Martin from his ESPN Insider blog:

I can't say anything about Martin's maturity, or lack thereof. Yes, he didn't hit as many home runs this year as we might have expected. But "just another catcher"? Really? Russell Nathan Coltrane Jeanson Martin hit .280 and drew 90 walks, and even stole 18 bases. You'd think that's something they could work with.

Which makes me wonder, why are aluminum bats $300? Is the material really that costly? Or is there some kind of monopoly on the supply?
vr, Xei

216 they last for a long time so you have to charge a bunch of dough to maximize your revenue

and since they are being purchased by amateur players there is a bit of the "big bertha" syndrome where everyone wants the newest bat that lets them hit the ball x% further...neverending cycle of trying to makeup for missing talent by buying technology

217 LOL "Big Bertha Syndrome"

neverending cycle of trying to makeup for missing talent by buying technology

AKA golfers syndrome.

I used to have an Easton EA70 and then an Easton C-Core after that. I was amazed at how quickly those bats dented and cracked after a few years of relatively limited use, epecially the C-Core. They both cost well over $100 at the time of purchase.

220 I still have a cracked C Core in my garage.

201

I have an extra glove, and we can also share between the two sides, so you should be good to go.

Start time is now 1:30, and if you show up only to find no one there, we will be at Eagle Rock Rec.

193

I just put myself on the Free Agent list. I did say I could play 3b, but hopefully it will be wood bats only

221

Mine is still in my apartment. It almost came in handy a few years back when I had a parking dispute with two angry neighbors.

Just evening the playing field...

217 Which leads to the question:

Can anyone name the inspiration for the G. Dead song `Bertha'?

You know, all of this with Martin, and then last year with Kemp, and then the year before with Loney... all of this, I'm sick of it.

What a disgrace. I thought Frank and Co. were a PR oriented bunch. This brouhaha was the sort of thing I thought the Dodgers were trying to avoid. Go figure.

224 Who doesn't have a BBG (Burglar-B-Gone) stick in their house?

Mine is still in Bob's apartment.

Fixed.

227 My brother keeps one in his car.

228

Now you're going to get me arrested. Might be for the best.

226

Exactly! Why aren't they issuing statements to put this thing to rest. Stand by your players, even if there is a hint of truth, this should be handled behind closed doors.

229 Oh yeah , I've shaken a few bats at lunatics on the 5. Of course it's a crime to have one in your car unless you "play baseball".

Press release:

LOS ANGELES – The 2008 National League West Division Champion Los Angeles Dodgers today announced they have retained their entire Major League coaching staff for the 2009 season. The staff, led by manager Joe Torre, guided the Dodgers to a first-place finish, followed by the franchise's first postseason series victory since 1988. General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

The coaches:
Larry Bowa – Third Base Coach (second season)
Mariano Duncan – First Base Coach (fourth season)
Rick Honeycutt – Pitching Coach (fourth season)
Ken Howell – Bullpen Coach (second season)
Don Mattingly – Hitting Coach (second season)
Manny Mota – Coach (30th season)
Jeff Pentland – Instructor (second season)
Bob Schaefer – Bench Coach (second season)

229 - I have heard that for legal purposes it is best if he also keeps a glove and a ball in his trunk. Just a bat could conceivably mean he intended to use it only as a weapon.

233 I hope we add Greg Maddux -player/coach or some variation to that list

233 - That works for me

I like stability and I think Joe did fine. Not what I would have done at every turn, but he did fine

226 I agree, it's extremely tiresome.

Manny Mota. 30th season. Awesome.

A friend of mine tells a story about when, in his playing days, Mota used to leave the park after a game in an old beat up Galaxie crammed with his family.

238 that's awesome

I love the stories of the players who would have to sell insurance or practice accounting in the offseason just to make ends meet

What current big leaguer would you be willing to trust to do anything but hit a ball?

I used to be in a business with Steve Howe.

But I can't get into the details.

I've now written to Tony Jackson and Diamond Leung asking if they have any insight or inside info on the Heyman/Russell Martin stuff. Will let ya know if they write anything back.

--

Slightly surprised Bowa is definitely coming back, given some rumors about him going elsewhere. But I guess we know how accurate rumors are these days. He's a nut but at least he's a bit better of a 3rd base coach than The Windmill.

227 A friend of my wife arrived home to find a man trying to break into her house. She snuck up behind him and whacked him right in the head with the nearest available implement. Her weapon: a kayak paddle.

Then he tried to sue her for assault. Talk about chutzpah.

240 Here's a hint, though:

Bob Timmermann
The subject of Steve Howe doesn't fit neatly into blog form. It's more like an indy film.

http://tinyurl.com/z2j2y

I have a shotgun in my closet. But no ammunition.

241 He had a two-year contract.

I really like Bowa. I'm surprised he's not in the hunt for the Brewers' job. Same with Mattingly, who I really hope succeeds Torre.

Can't say I like Honeycutt much, though.

This particular type of Z-Core bat originally sold for 300+ (if I remember correctly) people will pay 600+ plus for them now (easily) a lot of pop in those bats...

243 Wow, some really great stories about catching foul balls in that post.

And I miss Steve.

247

forgot the link [http://tinyurl.com/5mo8tl] I just finished running you guys, please forgive.

i'm glad the coaches are ALL returning.

Remember this hypothetical

From Jay Jaffe's BP.com chat.

Nick (LA): Okay, Dodger fan, Ned's been fired and now you're the GM. What do you do this offseason?

Jay Jaffe: Re-sign Lowe. Try to sign Manny and Furcal to deals no longer than three years; if they want more, move on. Move DeWitt back to third base and let Hu and Abreu battle for second. Consider picking up Penny's relatively affordable option and then flipping him in the spring for some additional coverage in the infield.

Jay Jaffe for GM!

Jay Jaffe doesn't seem to realize that things cost money.

Top of the morning to you, Mr. T!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-letters25-2008oct25,0,5481928.story?track=rss

254
They ran it unedited!

Hahaha. Nice one, Bob.

255 At least the Times acknowledged receipt of this letter.

This is an interesting story.

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-tape25-2008oct25,0,7115787.story

254 , 255

Awe-SOME, Bob!!!

Very nice Bob. I would swear Plaschke had floated the same idea a couple years ago.

Well done, Bob! Hip hip.

I also appreciated Josh Segal's letter that followed yours.

254 Sometimes after the Dodgers season has ended, I find myself wondering why I come to this blog. Is it the crazy trade rumors? The wishful thinking? The fact that I'm sitting here watching 20/20 on a Friday night? No, it's not any of that. It's the humor and Bob, that one made me laugh for five minutes.

262 I come for the free parking.

New Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik says recently fired Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost and former Seattle interim manager Jim Riggleman are two candidates to be Seattle's new skipper in 2009.

Haahahahahaha. Hire Ned Yost. Please. Hire Ned Yost.

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/ap_new_ms_gm_begins_search_for_manager/

263 I also come to find out how bad my favorite movies and bands really are.

Phil Jackson has a weird fascination with Vladimir Radmanovic.

Should have terminated Vladimir's contract when they had the chance. How the heck is he starting over Odom, Ariza, or Walton?

267 Even Walton?

Terminating that contract would have been difficult, ask Golden State.

269
Golden State would never want to terminate the contract of their best player.

268 I consider Walton to be a better player than Vlad Rad, so yes. But I consider everyone but Sun Yue to probably being better than Walton.

Go, Westbrook!!

Sun Yue's girlfriend is hot.

273
Damn, I missed it. Stupid dinner.

Why does Ontario need a large basketball arena?

I used to think Bob was a gentle soul, but these eye-gouging references are getting creepy. I'm definitely hiding the melon-baller at the DT potluck.

274 She wasn't at the game (that I know of). I wikipedia'd Sun Yue and it mentioned his girlfriend.

Carlos Beltran/Brian Schneider for Russell Martin/Andruw Jones?

Probably not quite enough for the Mets. If the Dodgers want to throw in Ethier or Kemp, that would be nice, but that's asking a bit much.

A comment from a BTF thread. http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/jon_heyman_martin_wearing_out_welcome_in_la/

Can we just do Beltran for Andruw Jones instead? I'd even throw in Hu to be kind.

http://www.jxgdw.com/jxgd/lady/yyxz/sytj/images/00086991.jpg

A quick googling of Sun Yu's girlfriend gets me this image of Gu Chen.

278 Your honor, Exhibit X in our case the People vs. Hot Stove Season. We again call for the banning of all rumors and hearsay, and rest our case.

278

Dumb.

That's all I'll say.

258 - it made Slashdot earlier in the week:

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/10/22/1757257&from=rss

It only works in a vacuum, but it makes perfect sense: rip one medium away from another that's tightly bound, the electrons run away from one surface to the other, and upon slowing down, emit x-rays. Of course, it only works in a vacuum, but dayang, that's cool.

278 Hu to be kind, in the right measure,
Hu to be kind, it's a very good sign.

Baseball America has a list of the dollar totals that all clubs spent on the draft this year. The Dodgers ranked 25th in spending on the draft, spending under $5 million, and last year they spent under $4 million. The Royals this year spent over $11 million, and the Red Sox spent over $10 million. A pretty poor showing in a year that we actually SOLD OFF prospects in order to add major leaguers we didn't want to pay the salaries for. It is just a disgrace.

284 Tampa Bay threw in $1M when LA took Hendrickson and Hall off their hands, sending over Navarro, Seo, Ruggiano in 2006. Apparently selling off prospects didn't start this year.

Four more seasons that McCourt doesn't own the Dodgers' cable broadcasting rights.

B-R ballpark factors updated, apparently. Here's what's on the 2008 Dodgers page now:

Park Factors
(multi-year): Batting - 100, Pitching - 99
(one-year): Batting - 95, Pitching - 94

That seems like a pretty big swing for one season. "multi-year" is a three-year average, so 2006-2007 had to average 102.5 for batters to get a three-year of 100. Did all the visits from the AAAA-lineups of SF and SD drag it down THAT much?? :)

284 Kansas City paid $6M to their first round pick (3rd overall), the Dodgers paid slot, $1.7M to their 1st round pick, KC paid almost $988K to their supplemental pick, the Dodgers did not have one and then paid $787K to their second round pick before the Dodgers even picked their second player.

So right their, before the Dodgers even pick their second guy, KC has spent $6M more because they had a top 3 pick, picked a Boras guy, and then had two other players, who they paid slot money.

KC then did go over slot to sign a Tim Melville, who wanted first round money, they drafted him early in the 4th. But otherwise, their spending wasn't that much different, it really was the high pick plus the supplemental pick that is the difference between KC and the Dodgers.

Boston however, did do the paying over slot thing. They did have a supplemental pick that really didn't go over slot 3 times for 7 figures and few other times in lower rounds.

Didn't LA pay extra for Nathan Eovaldi and Melvin Ray?

So if I'm afraid I broke a finger or soemthing I should put my finger in a vacume, wrap it in scotch tape, yank the tape off really fast and I'll have an x-ray of my finger. Cool. So much easier than a trip to the ER:-)

289 Probably, a little.

Generally, the teams that paid the high bonuses amounts did so because they had a very high pick or they had a lot of early picks.

Boston is the exception in 2008 because they really didn't have a lot of extra picks nor high ones, they just went over slot all over the place.

The Dodgers pretty much do their thing, they draft guys who they can sign for slot money. In 2006, they spent $5M on their first 4 picks because two were in the first round and they had the first supplemental pick. After that it was just business as usual.

290 So are you off to Santa Anita tomorrow?

hey Jon...does your new book include an entry for "Having one's faith in the free market restored by buying playoff (in this case, WS) tickets via StubHub THE NIGHT BEFORE A GAME"??

291 Is slot money near what the industry considered normal money? under inflated or over inflated?

283 - Oh, I can't stand another shortstop
Though you say that you're my friend
I'm at my wits end
You say your glove is bonafide
But that don't coincide
With the plays that you make
When I ask you to be jake
You say you gotta be
Cruel to be kind, in the right measure
Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign
Cruel to be kind, means that I love you
Baby, you gotta be cruel to be kind

294 The majority of picks (outside the 1st round) are paid what is called slot money. Slot money is the recommended bonuses by MLB.

After the 10th round, there is a recommended bonus amount for all picks whether its the 11th or 50th round.

Teams are not generally punished if they go over slot, although MLB prefers team wait until the last moment to announce the signings. Even though, some teams do go over a few times, out of hundreds of players that are signed, a very small number are signed higher than slot.

292. I went today. Some great races. Zenyatta, the best horse of the day, made the most impressive move to close I have seen. She came from 10+ lengths off the pace and won in a romp. She should be in the Derby in a six months against the boys.

294 - slot is what Selig wants teams to pay. So it's under, by a lot. Competitive teams are ignoring Selig.

298 Not really, aside from the first round and even including them 5-6% of all players signed and that is probably too high.

Interesting. I just found that this kid, Roberto Nelson, from my alma mater/high school (SBHS) who I've been following for awhile and is a National Top 50 hoops player, decided to go to Oregon State next year. He really likes Craig Robinson and liked the idea of being a big fish in a small pond, helping make that program respectable. Which is a tall order. But would be kinda cool. He had offers from UCLA, Florida, Ohio State, USC and Tennessee, too. (I gave up my dream of him playing for UCSB a long time ago.)

I am confused at all this trading Jason Bay to get Matt Holliday talk. I thought Boston fell in love with Bay, and kept on pointing to his numbers to show they didn't miss Manny?

300
Sorry, but that is completely wrong. He did not have offers from any of those schools and if he said he did then he lied.

His grades were terrible, which is why UCSB could not get involved and he was not a good enough player to get offers from any of those schools.

Did a basketball recruit lied to Underdog about his school choice?

Find out when News at 11.

In fact, I have no idea what other schools offered him scholarships, because Oregon State is the only known school to offer him one.

Even Utah would not.

He was a good get for Oregon State though, since they bring in players that are not Pac-10 level quality.

302 Offers may be wrong, but he was clearly being recruited by several big schools including Ohio State and USC. UCLA's Howland had apparently made a late drive for him, too.

George Dohrmann on SI.com has a piece on him committing to Oregon State, and mentions the offers on the table. Again, he could be wrong about that, though.

More here:
http://tinyurl.com/6z2muv

and here
http://tinyurl.com/6zvsqw

And here:
http://tinyurl.com/67sal5
http://tinyurl.com/5nesv8

It's true his grades were bad previous year, though I'd heard (from an inside source in SB) that he'd improved them enough the past year. It would probably be hard for him to get into UCSB with the grades but on the other hand he probably wasn't interested either.

Also, I should note of course that it's a verbal commitment, not official commit since that can't happen til next month.

Weird, I guess TinyURL implodes if you use it more than once in a row?

Try these:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/ncaa/09/09/oregonstate.recruit/index.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2008/09/boys-basketba-6.html

http://proxy.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?page=briefingroom&recruitId=43488

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/sep/10/sbhs-basketball-star-commits-oregon-state/

306
That is because that info came straight out of Roberto's mouth.

He is the one that initiated all that interest in those schools, not the other way around. He would show up on unofficial visits and other things, but that does not mean a school is showing genuine interest in the kid.

Which is why no one would offer him a scholarship.

He is not a top 50 player by the way.

Greg Hicks of Scout, the best West-Coast scout around, had Roberto as the 9th best shooting guard in the West.

Not 9th best prospect, 9th best shooting guard.

This has been another edition of trainwreck vs. underdog thoughts.

Join us next time as trainwreck and underdog discuss the merits of a Manuel Aristides (Onelcida) Ramirez campaign for the Presidency of the United States.

310
No, just happens to be one recruit we both took notice of because he is from SB. I made sure to pay attention to him, because I was hoping he would go to UCSB.

In 2007, Martin hit .357/.458/.605 vs LHP, but in 2008, Martin only hit .253/.365/.403 vs LHP. Is this simply due to sample size or did lefties figure out a better way how to pitch him?

Underdog and I battle this week in DT Fantasy Football.

With Romo out, I am practically guaranteed to lose with Chad Pennington at QB.

Bob's letter even ran in larger font in the paper today. Larger font!

314
Where is this "letter" of which you speak...?

I linked to it last night in this thread.

Oh, found it. I'm pretty sure Bob has used that eye-gouging HMO line around here before. Not that there's anything wrong with that: I'm sure I use the same material over and over.

Interesting, train -- if true, then he's a blowhard. But I did see several legit lists that had ranked him in the top 50. Was that bogus? Another one had him in #72. Fwiw. Which may not be much. Whatever, he's clearly talented (I did see him play once and was impressed, but again against the level of comp it's sometimes hard to tell) and clearly problematic. I wish him success at Oregon State - he's gonna need it. Maybe he'll be their Alex Harris, score well, give them some wins but not really bring them to the promised land.

Oh and in fantasy fb, I was going to also change my team name, to something like Al Davis' Rotting Corpse, but thought any reference like that would actually give you too much pleasure so I gave up. ;-)

Okay, now on to prep for class, and fix a broken toilet. My day is laid out for me.

313 my QB's ain't exactly setting the world on fire, either.

Great letter, Mr. Timmermann.

I just got done reading the Russell Martin article Heyman wrote. Capped off by the usual comments at Primer mocking the Dodgers.

Le sigh.

It's easy to be a critic in the stands.
Life is different in the arena.
I am in the arena.
Bob Timmerman is not in the arena.
He is not on ESPN.
And Juan Pierre still has a ring in a box.
It is pretty to think so.

In case anyone read Gurnick's latest, Kemp is NOT arbitration eligible.

Fact checking isn't his specialty.

Ken Noe makes me think Jake Barnes may have sustained his war wounds by clawing at himself. Almost enough to make me have another look at that book.

318
He is one of those guys that gets highly ranked by national scouts, because they only see him a small amount of time and he can just dominate his competition in SB and his AAU team is not very good, so he can dominate that.

That is why it is better to trust scouts that just stick to specific areas, because they see them play a lot more often.

323 "It is true," he said.

Someone needs to trick Kevin Craft into thinking that the first half is the second half and second half is overtime.

Great start for UCLA. Glad I didn't give in to temptation and bet on them with the points today. Maybe they'll fare better after I leave.

Special teams!!

We got Journey playing during UCLA/Cal game.

Someone get a hold of E. Stephen.

OT:
Are any other DT'ers attending the Shandler Fantasy camp in Phoenix next week?

Did anyone else notice that in Mad Men, the one-legged woman Don Draper visits in San Pedro is the same one-legged actress who had her leg stolen by Janice in the Sopranos?

331 - She wasn't one-legged on Mad Men. She just had a limp.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1561547/

Congratulations and best of luck tonight to Brandon Webb, Tim Hudson, Melvin Mora, Kevin Youkilis, Ryan Dempster, Jermaine Dye, Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore, Jeff Francis, Magglio Ordonez, Luis Gonzalez, Lance Berkman, Mark Teahen, Justin Speier, James Loney, Jeff Suppan, Michael Cuddyer, David Wright, Johnny Damon, Mark Ellis, Jimmy Rollins, Jack Wilson, Albert Pujols, Trevor Hoffman, Kevin Frandsen, Raul Ibanez, Carlos Pena, Kevin Millwood, Vernon Wells and Joel Hanrahan.

It's important to remember Roberto Clemente's greatness, but much more important to remember his goodness.

And she wasn't on the Sopranos, so I'm batting .000

Albert Pujols is a FA after 2010. James Loney. You are on notice.

Putting James Loney on notice is blasphemous on so many levels.

Tripon. You are on notice.

336 It is a two years notice. And its likely that St. Louis signs Pujols to an extension before he hits the FA market.

I haven't even looked at the radar or made any real attempt to figure out what is going to happen in Philly. But if the nature of the front coming through the east is at all consistant, there will be no game, or it will be late enough to be pretty worthless for us in the East.

Never mind--look how wrong I can be! Still it is going to be late here.

What is so terrible about weekend day games anyway?

Oh--Eric Karros and K.K. How can I be less tan excited?

329
You rang?

330 I'm not going, deburns, but I sure wish I was. Every year the panelists seem to get stronger, and it really seems like a fantastic deal for those of us going through withdrawals. If you go, file us a report here on DT.

254 little late, but thats awesome, lovely to see a DT'r get in a zinger at plaschke in the fishwrap

The Patriots are only favored by 4.5 points today over the Rams, despite being a much better team and playing at home.

I guess the odds-makers are assuming that the Patriots didn't film the Rams' practice sessions this time around.

This place needs some unsubstantiated rumors.

Unbelievable! Got back to a computer late last night to hear the World Series Game started at 10pm ET last night.

How in the universe does MLB allow that? Hardly anyone was able to watch. Would it have killed the commissioner, or the party in charge of calling the game, to simply play the game Sunday so more than 2% of the country can watch? There could have been a double header scheduled today, or a game played during the travel day.

It's just not right.

345 Fox would not have any tv slots available to play a day game (not that it would happen).

Also Saturday night is the worst night for tv viewing ratings anyway so I am sure Fox would have wanted the game played at any cost.

344 Here's some new Manny nonsense to tide you over for now:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/10/manny-ramirez-1.html

345
Nearly all of the people at the game seemed to stay for the whole thing.

There are rain delays in possible. It happens.

346

I guess if worst came to worst, FX might have been an option.

---

Whats this about a Rams/Patriots rematch? I hope St. Loius wins. Every man and his mother jumped on the Patriots bandwagon after last week.

There are rain delays in possible

Madlib Brunch...?

I was at the game last night, and I feel like the rain delay actually made it more fun. I was at the ballpark from 6PM to 2AM. And hey, I'll take an eight hour World Series experience anytime.

While hanging out underneath the overhangs, it didn't seem like all 45K attendees were going to be there before first pitch. But once the starting lineups began being announced, every seat was filled. So the weather and the delay certainly didn't hinder the attendance.

Maybe it wasn't so great for TV viewers to stay up so late. But it was a Saturday and a very entertaining game. Speaking of TV, MLB is having some very bad luck. First there was the Steve Harvey fiasco. Last night, Philly Comcast customers missed about an hour of the game, including the Utley and Howard homers, due to a technical problem.

349 I didn't jump on said bandwagon. Rather, I wanted to put a torch to it.

Yeah. Let's "key" that bandwagon, then slash the tires and bash in the windshields. And then push it off a cliff.

What Matt Kemp does during the offseason?

http://www.deseretnews.com/video/1,5563,590,00.html

343 Because the Rams have surprised everyone by knocking off two heavily-favored teams in a row.

Stupid field goal.

Ricky Williams really wants me to lose to underdog.

Tom Cable coaches with a dip in his mouth.

He should be in baseball.

354- His eyes look a little glassy, there. Trade him immediately! Stone him!

The Patriots allegedly did not commit a penalty in the first half.

Pshaw.

Hilarious! The Rams recover an onside kick on the initial kickoff of the second half.

...then go 4 and out.

The Rams used five downs?

Yeah, I meant 3 and out. My football parlance is rusty.

Though I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if the Patriots were given 5 downs.

http://community.webshots.com/user/das411WS2008

Pix will be in rough chronological order because I had to swap between two memory cards and about six camera batteries...and my umbrella and rally towel and sneaks are still drying out!

No penalties called on New England through 3 quarters.

Hah: the Patriot refs finally call a penalty on their team, but on a play where the Rams got a sack and the refs knew the penalty would be declined.

354 What Larry Bowa wants to do to him sometimes?
http://tinyurl.com/68t8ce

The Patriots finish the game with zero penalties.

Zero!

370

They are just that perfect.

366
cool pix. excuse the ignorance, but whose fault?

371
Their coach must be some kind of genius or something.

369 I was just looking at a pack the other day. I think I'll try some. Any reviews?

I thought the team with the second-worst record in the league last year was supposed to get an easier schedule. So far, the Rams have had to play both teams from last Superbowl, along with Philadelphia, Washington, and Dallas. What gives?

375
Last year, Raiders had hardest schedule in league after having the worst record in the league.

375
The conspiracy lives on. Meanwhile, New England has a whopping four games against teams that had winning records in 2007.

Outrageous.

376

Yeah, but Al Davis deserves that kind of treatment. Our wicked witch is ding-dong dead now. The NFL should be nicer to us.

372 , thanks but sorry they are not all fully uploaded yet. It takes a while to put 200 files online!

377 , so the list of Teams that Hate the Pats now includes: Raiders, Rams, Steelers, Colts, Panthers, Eagles and Rams again? Who am I forgetting?

yesterdays ending (MLB) was wierd.

In a cool way.

379
Entire AFC East and Chargers.

The entire nation is united against the NE Patriots. Obama and McCain were both considering adding the cause to their respective platforms.

382
And one source connected to the McCain campaign recently dubbed New England a "Not very patriotic, not very pro-America area of this great nation".

How many different uniforms do NFL teams have, now? I used to be able to tell who was playing (even though I don't follow football), just by looking at the game. But I never can, anymore. Is there that much money in selling different football jerseys to the same people over and over?

383

Fox News is reporting an upcoming name change to the New England Arabs.

385
A high-ranking US official has referred to Bill Belichick as an "anpatriotized evildoer" who lacks "characterization".

I guess someone really dislikes the Patriots.

I just learned that there is now an NBA team called "The Thunder".

379
No, sorry, I know it's not your fault ;) I meant there was one pic of a rained on poster with a photo, two dates (one was 2-22-62 I think) and the legend was something like "always remember --this was your fault"

388
It stinks a young and exciting team has such a lame name...and logo...and uniforms...and there is no more sonics.

389 , ahhh gotcha, yes that poster was one of several Steve Irwin references i saw/heard at the ballpark last night, and said rained-on poster was probably the only one tactful enough to be posted publicly...

Best line of the night though was a heckler asking JP Howell and Grant Balfour in the bullpen, "Tell me honestly, how disappointed were you when you were drafted by Tampa Bay??"

391
LMAO I can just hear that accent!

391
lol I guess I have to give Philly fans some credit here.

Sorry to bring the Dodgers up for a second but there's a new piece up on MLBTradeRumors:

The Many Faces Of Manny
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/10/the-many-faces.html

>>Bob Hohler of the Boston Globe has an interesting article about Manny Ramirez up. The article likens Manny's exit to that of former Boston fan-favorite Nomar Garciaparra. Nomar said that he cautioned his teammates not to believe everything they heard about Manny before his arrival:

"I told the guys here, 'Don't believe everything you read about Manny, because it was wrong,' " Garciaparra said. "I said from day one that he was going to come in smiling, he was going to be great in the clubhouse, and he was going to be fun to watch, and I was right about every single thing."

Garciaparra went one step further even, stating that this is not the first time Boston has tried to make a departing star look badly:

The former Sox All-Star asserted in an interview that the Boston brass unfairly tried to demonize Ramírez, just as team executives tried to do to Garciaparra, Pedro Martínez, and Mo Vaughn, among others, when they left town.<<

393 Congrats, btw. I scored a lot of points and still didn't beat you (2 points!) Sucky TE + 4th string RB - Westbrook juggernaut and that was all she wrote.

--

Oh, is there a game on? :-/

Nomar is fighting back.

I guess we can scratch the Red Sox off his list.

395
You have stattracker?

BTW, I had to use that phrase from South Park for my smack talk message. I felt compelled.

397 Yes I do! You don't? Yeah looks like you won by two points as far as I can tell, 74-72. Ouch!

398 Uh huh, blame South Park. Yeah, okay. ;-)

399
I will never pay for stattracker out of principle.

394 The story below that is also interesting...Indians shopping an outfielder for Teahen, who would move back to third. Doesn't sound like they expect Blake back.

Isn't MLBTradeRumors as useful as Ken Rosenthal?

402 It's much more fun. And sometimes right.

interesting, I was watching one of the Dodgers photo gallery & realized Vizcaino is a Dodger coach??

400 I know, I felt the same way, it should just be automatic, but then I finally gave in and it's fun to have. I guess Yahoo has to make money off FF somehow. Still... greedy jerks.

402 Sometimes it's about that pointless but they link to everything, and provide some useful analysis of their own. You have to sift through a lot of junk, but with Rosenthal you can just skip entirely instead of sift.

Hurray for old friend Jayson Werth.

ONE win away! Why can't us?!?!?

Amazing what Philly can do when Howard's actually hitting, isn't it?

Doesn't hurt them that Tampa is playing poorly.

Best episode of Dexter ever!

Back to work :-(

Icaros

So far, the Rams have had to play both teams from last Superbowl, along with Philadelphia, Washington, and Dallas. What gives?

D4P

The conspiracy lives on. Meanwhile, New England has a whopping four games against teams that had winning records in 2007.

People, people, people...

Let's not start screaming conspiracy yet. The NFL schedules every team the same way.

Let's take the Rams for example. They finished in last place in the NFC West.

According to the NFL they are scheduled to play

1. Other teams in the division (49ers x2, Cards x2, Seahawks x2)
2. Teams in another NFC division, on a set rotation (this year it was the NFC East)
3. Teams in an AFC division, on a set rotation (this year it was the AFC East)
4. Teams in the remaining divisions who finished in the same place (i.e. Last Place Atlanta and Last Place Chicago fm '07)

...by the way, the Patriots played all 4 teams in the NFC East last year, when all four teams were good.

I'm not being a Patriots apologist, because I hate the Patriots, but the NFL is not pulling any conspiracy. These rotations are set years ahead of time.

Some pre-Mad Men season finale prep for ya, from SNL:

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/don-drapers-guide/787241/

"I wanna lick your mind!" is pretty hilarious. I shall say this of all my intellectual inspirations.

Oh and they also did this Mad Men sketch, also with Hamm and two of his actual co-stars:

http://tinyurl.com/5qhgdx

Put the sandwich down, Campbell!

413 (I'm not a big fan of those recurring SNL characters seen in that sketch, but I dig the Mad Men recreation there.)

412 Did someone else watch True Blood this week besides me? Seems so!

415 Jason's squeeze looks at the South with the same quizzical expression that all non-Southerners seem to. Her expression looking around Sam's bar was priceless.

I can't wait anymore when will we sign some players...

This is the worst time of the year... I can't take it I need baseball in LA

410

Spin doctor. :-)

No, I'm not reviving 90s Music Thoughts.

Lizzy Caplan makes the show more tolerable.

Huh: Bronx Banter is leaving "The Toaster".

Does this mean anything for remaining Toaster blogs...?

What? No Pierre for Mark Teahen comments? Nobody want to jump in and beat out Cleveland for the Mark Teahen sweepsteaks?

Does anybody else think that if Philly loses game 5, they lose the series?

I think that if Philly loses game 7, they lose the series.

420

Wow!!! This feels like Letterman moving to CBS. What a huge announcement. But I guess I could just add the bookmark to my browser.

I'm gonna miss BB on Baseball Toaster...

Previous Down 3-1 Winners
1958 Yankees (over Braves)
1968 Tigers (over Cardinals)
1979 Pirates (over Orioles)
1985 Royals (over Cardinals)

If Tampa Bay comes back to win the series, they would be only the second to do so by first winning Game 5 on the road. The 1985 Royals won Game 5 in St. Louis before taking the last two at home.

The Tigers lost Game 4 of the 1968 WS to the Cardinals, 10-1. Then they proceeded to win the next 3 games, including beating Bob Gibson in St. Louis in Game 7.

NPUT