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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

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
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11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

It's Done
2009-01-15 17:46
by Jon Weisman

A TV producer friend of mine once told me that there were so many struggles with the show he was working on at the time that it was as if it had been created on a Native American burial ground.

And so it was with Andruw Jones, now officially canceled.

Comments (89)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2009-01-15 18:26:19
1.   fanerman
Godspeed Mr. Jones.
2009-01-15 18:28:24
2.   Dodgers49
From Diamond Leung:

Dodgers' Troncoso to start?

>> Reliever Ramon Troncoso said it was the Dodgers who requested he pitch as a starter in the Dominican Winter League, and now, the right-hander could become a candidate for a rotation spot this spring.

"I'd like to be a starter," he said. <<

## Troncoso has signed up to participate in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, but said he would leave his status up to the Dodgers. ##

http://tinyurl.com/8kj9jt

2009-01-15 18:29:02
3.   Tripon
Jones is already making noise of signing with the Braves. Not that they have any better options next year. Somehow, Jeff Francouer is their best outfielder.
2009-01-15 18:29:31
4.   Xeifrank
Zai Jian!
vr, Xei
2009-01-15 18:29:48
5.   chris in illinois
Despite all evidence to the contrary, I just can't bring myself to believe that Andruw is finished. I hope the Braves sign him again.

I'm sorry that you Dodger fans didn't get to see everyday what he was at his peak---an amazing defensive machine with pop.

I'll miss him if he never gets back.

2009-01-15 18:31:28
6.   Tripon
The remaining $22.2 million on Jones' contract will be spread out evenly over the next six years, meaning Jones will be paid $3.7 million a year over that span.

I was wondering what the other deferred bonuses Andruw Jones had.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/dodgers-and-ang.html

2009-01-15 18:32:16
7.   Eric Stephen
5
Didn't get to see him? Doesn't everyone in America have TBS? It's a Superstation after all! :)
2009-01-15 18:35:03
8.   chris in illinois
7 I once received WWOR out of NY for several years---It doesn't mean I watched the stinkin' Mets.
2009-01-15 18:41:21
9.   Icaros
8

Then you missed out on some mind-blowing episodes of Kiner's Korner.

2009-01-15 18:45:16
10.   the IQ of Pedro Guerrero
Meet Pedro Guerrero tomorrow night, only $150!
http://tinyurl.com/6wf8rg
2009-01-15 18:57:15
11.   El Lay Dave
4 tsai chien? ;)
2009-01-15 19:00:02
12.   Kuo-fax
2 Interesting article there about Trancoso. It also says that the FO liked what they saw out of McDonald in relief that they are thinking to keep him there.

What do folks think about Trancoso vs McDonald, potential wise as starters vs relief?

Seems like we've got a lot of starting depth between Trancoso/McD/Stults.

2009-01-15 19:01:10
13.   Xeifrank
11. Yes, good translation for our Taiwanese friends. :)
vr, Xei
2009-01-15 19:02:37
14.   Xeifrank
12. And possibly Schmidt and hopefully not Vargas. I think we still get one SP signing from the remaining free agents, don't we?
vr, Xei
2009-01-15 19:08:51
15.   Tripon
12 Where does it say that?
2009-01-15 19:09:39
16.   Eric Stephen
With Andruw getting $3.7m per year for 6 years, I have the Dodgers payroll at about $80m (well, $79.9), including estimates for all team controlled players and the 4 arbies.

Plenty of room for an OF (you know who) and a starter.

2009-01-15 19:10:31
17.   silverwidow
12 McDonald has two plus pitches (curve & change) and a better than advertised fastball. He belongs in the rotation.

Troncoso's sinker is a great weapon out of the pen, but he's an intriguing starter as well.

2009-01-15 19:13:16
18.   Kuo-fax
15 Aha, good point! That wasn't the right link. This is:

http://tinyurl.com/7mepv5

>>Apparently club management so liked what it saw from James McDonald in relief that it might want to keep him there instead of starting, so the decision was made to try out Troncoso as a starter.<<

14 Right, hard to believe I forgot about Schmidt. The article does say we want one more from the same three, as well as another reliever. My guess is we are still after Reyes, putting Elbert at AAA (maybe being stretched back into starting?)

2009-01-15 19:18:05
19.   Tripon
18 Sounds like Gurick speculating instead of somebody in the Dodgers actually saying they want McDoanld as a reliever.
2009-01-15 19:18:50
20.   Sam DC
So Dagwich was asking for food recs last thread. Did anyone else read that handle and think "I bet he can eat a really big sandwich"?

The cable nets are all running massive "breaking news" updates on the Hudson plane still even though (1) it happened like 10 hours ago, (2) no one was hurt, thank Choi, and (3) we pretty much seem to know exactly what happened. So exactly what's "Breaking!!"?

2009-01-15 19:23:57
21.   Lexinthedena
McDonald would make a good starter, but an even better reliever. Troncoso has the potential to be a great starter with that sinker.
2009-01-15 19:28:29
22.   Tripon
Maybe the Dodgers are trying to follow the Rays' playbook, and just put talented pitchers as their starters. No reason to sign Garland, or Looper if you really think Troncoso can start.
2009-01-15 19:35:08
23.   El Lay Dave
19 Apparently.
2009-01-15 19:38:30
24.   Brent Knapp
11 13 Don't Guo there.
2009-01-15 19:48:28
25.   dagwich
20 Sam DC, you are wise. A Langer's Pastrami on rye does sound pretty good right now especially with this deep freeze in the East. You must be shivering up there in DC.

Food-wise, though, I am nowhere near Marty's level. He was the one guy I hoped would respond to the dining queries. Thanks, Marty.

I'm still looking for info on reasonable parking options downtown. Where's Bob when you need him?

2009-01-15 19:51:37
26.   Bob Timmermann
25
Define "reasonable"?
2009-01-15 19:52:57
27.   Sam DC
Now, I haven't lived in LA for quite some time, but as I recall things, shouldn't it be possible to drive from the West to Langers, park round there, then hop on the red line for further adventures downtown?
2009-01-15 19:54:14
28.   Bob Timmermann
I suppose you could park your rental car near Langer's and drive in.

Presuming you have nothing valuable inside the rental car.

2009-01-15 19:55:17
29.   al bundy
Jon, just an fyi, back to the last thread:
`Friday Night Lights' has new hope for survival - (AP article) http://tinyurl.com/8smvtz
2009-01-15 19:56:22
31.   CanuckDodger
19 -- I think it has been said elsewhere that the Dodgers liked what they saw from McDonald out of the bullpen so much that they may keep him there. I know DeJon Watson said that he and the other executives liked the fact that relieving added velocity to McDonald's fastball.

I would be happy if we just stopped all of this searching for two more "proven" pitchers nonsense and resolved that available jobs will be filled based on what the Dodgers see from the pitchers we already have in spring training.

2009-01-15 20:01:27
33.   Tripon
Time Out New York is reporting that Kelly Choi will host Bravo's new Top Chef Masters show. Choi, a former Ford model, is the host of local NYC food show Eat Out New York and of Secrets of New York.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/01/eat-out-nyc-kelly-choi-new-host-of-top-chef-masters.html

Top Chef Masters is a Top Chef spin off show that will, I guess be like an Iron Chef clone.

2009-01-15 20:04:11
34.   trainwreck
33
Hmmmmm...don't know what to think.
2009-01-15 20:04:22
35.   dagwich
26 I don't know what "reasonable" is anymore. When I lived there it meant "free and safe". I suspect those days are gone. My wife will roll her eyes and tell you how much I hate to pay for parking but if there is a safe place to park and doesn't cost a fortune and ride a line of some color in then that sounds OK by me.

Is it too retro to take a Wilshire bus from WLA to downtown? I actually like buses.

2009-01-15 20:08:41
36.   Xeifrank
Looks like ESPN will have quite the NBA doubleheader tomorrow night with NOvsCLE and ORLvsLAL.
vr, Xei
2009-01-15 20:11:15
37.   Bob Timmermann
35
The cheapest one day lots in Downtown are $8 I believe. They're clustered on Hope Street between 8th and Olympic. They might have gone up in price though because there's been more development around there with L.A. Live.

You don't want to go to L.A. Live BTW.

2009-01-15 20:13:04
38.   Tripon
You can find parking in Chinatown all day for $1.
2009-01-15 20:13:47
39.   Bob Timmermann
Also the Red Line will cost each person $1.25 each way. If you transfer to another line, it's another $1.25, there are no transfers. You can buy a day pass for $5, which would take care of you if you took two trains back and forth. You can also use the day pass on the bus, but not the DASH buses. Those are a quarter.

It's all about timing and location.

2009-01-15 20:15:49
40.   Bob Timmermann
Forget it, dagwich, it's Chinatown.
2009-01-15 20:15:57
41.   El Lay Dave
39 It's all about timing and location.
Just like L.A. real estate.
2009-01-15 20:17:29
42.   Tripon
Oh, Matt Kemp was on the Petros and Money show today. Claims he is a Lakers, and OU Sooners fan.

Also claimed that if Manny doesn't re-sign, he will personally take on that role. He also expects 600 at-bats again and is looking forward to having spring training in Ariz, and not fly to China again.

2009-01-15 20:17:31
43.   Marty
You could park in Hollywood, then eat your way to Union Station:

Skoobies hot dogs at the Hollywood and Highland stop

Sapp's Thai noodles at Hollywood and Western stop

El Gran Burrito at Santa Monica and Vermont stop

Casssell's Hamburgers at Santa Monica and Wilshire stop

Langer's Pastrami at McArthur Park stop

Phillipe's or East Side Market at Union Station stop.

2009-01-15 20:20:57
44.   Bob Timmermann
43
The ambulance that picks you up after the heart attack would probably take you to County General though.
2009-01-15 20:27:21
45.   Marty
I should have added Grand Central Market at the Pershing Square stop
2009-01-15 20:28:31
46.   Bob Timmermann
Pitchers who gave up two hits to Andruw Jones in one game in 2008:
1) Manny Parra

EOL

Andruw Jones last hit as a Dodger was a home run as a pinch hitter against Ron Villone on August 9.

In his last AB as a Dodger, he struck out against Clay Hensley on September 9.

Glendon Rusch was the only other pitcher to give up two hits last year to Andruw Jones and he gave up a single on April 4 with San Diego and a double when pitching for Colorado on July 23.

2009-01-15 20:29:59
47.   underdog
And so it was with Andruw Jones, now officially canceled.

And there was no Facebook group or petition to save the Andruw Jones Show. Maybe it'll be retooled with a new format next season.

2009-01-15 20:31:48
48.   underdog
TCM is having an "LA vs NY" mini film festival tonight, alternating NY-set movies with LA-set ones. Fun stuff. Kubrick's early work Killer's Kiss (not one of his best but still worthy) is on right now, which followed He Walked By Night (LA) and will be followed by Double Indemnity.
2009-01-15 20:32:14
49.   mintxcore
The parking at Pershing Square on weekends is decently priced. $6.75 or something for all day parking, and its secure from what I can tell! Weekdays its a little more expensive.
2009-01-15 20:33:10
50.   scareduck
46 - Andruw Jones last hit as a major leaguer was a home run as a pinch hitter against Ron Villone on August 9.

Fixed.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2009-01-15 20:33:41
51.   Bob Timmermann
I've seen "Killer's Kiss." I didn't know what it was when I came across it on TV, but I thought to myself "This is a bad story, but it seems far more artistic than it should be."
2009-01-15 20:35:28
52.   underdog
51 - That's a pretty accurate assessment of it. He certainly hit his stride with his next films, The Killing and Paths of Glory. And a little film called Spartacus.
2009-01-15 20:38:47
53.   dagwich
42 Just awesome. I can dream.
2009-01-15 20:40:36
54.   Marty
He Walked by Night was just on down in SoCal. I think The Big Sleep is next.
2009-01-15 20:40:49
55.   Tripon
According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Cubs signed outfielder So Taguchi to a minor league deal potentially worth $900K. Taguchi, 39, hit .220/.283/.297 in 103 plate appearances for the Phillies in '08.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3836941

2009-01-15 20:42:05
56.   GIDP
35

I don't think the "RAPID" busses are retro. They make limited stops so you get there faster. Your options on Wilshire are the 20 (lots of stops), the 720 (fewer stops, faster service, and supposedly the ability to change traffic lights at will), and the 920 (fewer stops still). Metro.net is your friend. Go with Day Passes.

2009-01-15 20:43:52
57.   Marty
I'm not a Kubrick fan, though Dr. Strangelove is brilliant. Others I like are Paths of Glory and Lolita. You can have just about all the rest.
2009-01-15 20:45:35
58.   LogikReader
It's Done

Also describes the L.A. Kings Hockey season. This team is rebuilding, but this is bad. Almost 2005 Dodgers bad.

The Jonathan Quick experiment has quickly ended.

2009-01-15 20:48:03
59.   underdog
57 Cool, thanks! For free?

(Btw, some of Kubrick leaves me cold, too, but Paths of Glory is amazing, Spartacus is fun, and Dr Strangelove is one of my all time faves, too. A lot of his other films are interesting and memorable, but I can't see watching them multiple times.

Full Metal Jacket was the first of his films that I saw in the theater, when I was in HS, and parts of it blew me away. Uneven, though.

2009-01-15 20:49:23
60.   evenatriple
I am going to reveal my downtown parking secret. I feel slightly guilty every time I pull off this free parking trick, so for you guys who want to avoid temptation, skip the rest of this.

It turns out that the 7th Street Market Mall -- Figueroa between 7th and 8th has a huge parking lot just to the west, that is between 7th and 8th west of Fig. Now this can be an expensive lot, but if you validate at Macy's, you get free parking for a couple of hours. And no, Macy's does not need you to buy something to validate your parking. Warning, this is one of those lots where you have to pay at a machine before you exit, or insert your validated ticket -- there is no one to take your money on the way out.

Anyhow, that's my downtown parking secret. Enter off of either 7th or 8th

2009-01-15 20:54:17
61.   dagwich
56 Sounds good, thanks.
2009-01-15 20:59:45
62.   Bob Timmermann
60
That Macy's will be closing soon.
2009-01-15 21:01:34
63.   Tripon
Top Chef Thoughts: Stephen is an epic troll.
2009-01-15 21:01:54
64.   Marty
McCabe and Mrs. Miller is on the Western Channel. Now there's a film.
2009-01-15 21:10:38
65.   fordprefect
48
I could see bits of Dragnet in He Walks by Night, don't you agree? Despite that, I liked it a lot, esp. the use of light & sound. Oh, and Richard Baseheart--loved him in this and of course La Strada.
2009-01-15 21:14:28
66.   underdog
Yeah Richard Basehart was pretty underrated. And yeah, that film's a little dated but still good.
2009-01-15 21:16:14
67.   evenatriple
60 Ok, well I didn't use this trick that often -- it's not my fault. I hope.
2009-01-15 21:16:58
68.   evenatriple
err, I mean 62
2009-01-15 21:44:38
69.   trainwreck
I guess Arizona's ideas of beating UCLA at Pauley were far-fetched.
2009-01-15 21:46:17
70.   Bob Timmermann
I think the UCLA fans should storm the court.
2009-01-15 21:46:49
71.   Bob Timmermann
Right now, it appears that the UCLA fans are storming Lot 8.
2009-01-15 21:47:57
72.   trainwreck
These late games are tough on them.
2009-01-15 21:51:13
73.   Bob Timmermann
How did Luke Walton get a drawl?
2009-01-15 21:53:49
74.   trainwreck
Second-hand smoke growing up?
2009-01-15 22:06:40
75.   LAbits
71 Har!

No train from the west side? OK. But there is from 'near' the airport. You can get a free shuttle from your baggage claim to the Green Line. This takes you light rail over the freeway to the Blue Line. This takes you along the Harbor freight line rail bed through some VERY colorfully graffitied neighborhoods to the Red Line. This will take you downtown, or the other way, out to Hollywood and Universal Studios. Get the $5 Metro day pass.

Now, I once convinced my Michigan buddy that we should take out daughters to Universal by this route. The rough neighborhood along the Blue line didn't bother me, but I wasn't so sure about them. BTW, the train is very safe.

I like the idea of getting on in Hollywood, too.

Go Bruins! Good night Andruw.

2009-01-15 22:15:38
76.   underdog
Did Liz Lemon really yell "Both ends! Both ends!" at end of 30 Rock? Hilarious.
2009-01-15 22:41:24
77.   silverwidow
Potentially great news from Dylan Hernandez:

Martin has changed agents and is now interested in a long term deal.

AWESOME!

2009-01-15 22:45:17
78.   underdog
77 - Nice!

--

Former Dodger farmhand Wesley Wright was honored by Astros as their rookie of the year (sigh). And James Loney was a guest at the same banquet, as winner of Houston area player of the year. Some funny anecdotes in this piece.

http://tinyurl.com/79wj9s

>>Loney, a native Houstonian and graduate of Elkins High School, provided several humorous moments, including approaching the podium to ask Berkman for an autograph just as Berkman was about to give his acceptance speech. During his speech, Loney expressed appreciation to two unlikely targets, both of which apparently helped him to curb his boredom during the long days and nights at Spring Training: "Sam Walton, for giving us those super stores, and Fox's American Idol."<<

Also mentions how Lance Berkman's wife mistook Wes Wright as a batboy after first encounter.

2009-01-15 22:56:19
79.   Eric Stephen
77
[Does fist pump]
2009-01-15 23:03:37
80.   Tripon
77 http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-shaikin-dodgers-mccourt16-2009jan16,0,3696285.story

Shakin has more on it.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/dodgers-ramon-t.html

Also more news on Troncoso, and new news on Tony Aberu.

2009-01-15 23:21:04
81.   mintxcore
Not sure if there has been discussion in the past about this movie but, I just saw Young@Heart and thought it was incredibly moving AND entertaining. Netflix/Greencine it if you haven't already! The only time I've ever enjoyed a Coldplay song is in this movie...
2009-01-15 23:58:27
82.   Tripon
Well, it looks like the guys in the Dodgers organization trashing Martin has lost.
2009-01-16 00:00:05
83.   Dodgers49
The Dodgers' player payroll is projected to drop significantly this year, with or without Ramirez. McCourt said the payroll decline and other business decisions -- Jones' salary deferral, the agreement to pay Furcal his signing bonus at the end of his contract rather than the beginning, the acquisitions of Ramirez, Blake and Greg Maddux at virtually no cost last season, the delay in renovations of the loge level and clubhouses at Dodger Stadium -- did not reflect a cash flow concern.

"The Dodgers are one of the most well-run franchises in all of baseball," McCourt said. "We're going to continue to run it that way."

2009-01-16 00:02:12
84.   Xeifrank
I'm happy that FanGraphs now has pitchers WAR on their website. A few values from last year of interest.

Player / WAR
D.Lowe / 5.0
H.Kuroda / 3.6
C.Billingsley / 4.5
B.Penny / 0.2 (4.3 prev year)
H.Guo / 2.4
J.Broxton / 2.6
T.Saito / 2.1
J.Beimel / 0.8
R.Troncostco / 0.3
C.Wade / 0.4
J.Garland / 1.9
J.Peavy / 2.8 (6.2 prev year)
B.Webb / 6.0
D.Haren / 6.4
T.Lincecum / 7.5
M.Cain / 3.7
R.Johnson / 3.8
C.Sabathia / 7.7
B.Sheets / 4.6
R.Wolf / 2.0
vr, Xei

2009-01-16 00:14:42
85.   Eric Stephen
84
Pitchers the Dodgers are interested in
R.Wolf / 2.0
J.Garland / 1.9
B.Looper / 1.7
Andy Pettitte / 4.4

D. Reyes / 0.7
L. Ayala / 0.0

2009-01-16 01:22:39
86.   Landonkk
I have been waiting oh so long to say this:

Good riddance... Good riddance.

2009-01-16 05:16:48
87.   Ken Noe
Mr. Jones and me tell each other fairy tales
Stare at the major league outfield starts
Braves're looking at you, no, they're looking at me.
Smiling in the bright lights coming through in stereo
When everybody loves you, you can never be washed up
2009-01-16 05:16:55
88.   D4P
Just skimmed over the thread in which the Andruw Jones signing was announced and discussed. Good times.

https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/879254.html#comments

2009-01-16 05:29:07
89.   dagwich
Thanks to all who responded to my request for parking/transit info. Perhaps the "R" in the old "RTD" is no longer quite the joke it used to be...we'll see. Looking forward to nice weather --it's cold here in the East.

I like "Killer's Kiss". Pretty horrible acting (not sure if those are even real professional actors) but great style and technique. "The Killing" showed what he could do with real actors and a budget.

2009-01-16 06:11:50
90.   Daniel Zappala
And the award for Most Over-Inflated Analogy goes to .......... Russell Martin!

"You won't see barriers between our fans and our players," McCourt said. "It's a tradition."

Said Martin: "Who wants to build barriers? That's why they tore down the Berlin Wall."

2009-01-16 06:58:24
91.   Jon Weisman
NPUT

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