Baseball Toaster Dodger Thoughts
Help
Jon Weisman's outlet
for dealing psychologically
with the Los Angeles Dodgers
and baseball.
Frozen Toast
Search
Google Search
Web
Toaster
Dodger Thoughts
Archives

2009
02  01 

2008
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2007
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2006
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2005
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2004
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2003
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2002
09  08  07 
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
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Dodger Blogs Ready for 2009
2009-01-26 22:10
by Jon Weisman

Something that has become acutely apparent is how deep the Dodger blogosphere has become and how high the standards are. It's not just me and old stalwarts like 6-4-2 and Dodger Blues. (Yes, we're the aging veterans on the roster.)

The team and press blogs, Josh Rawitch's Inside the Dodgers, Tony Jackson's Inside the Dodgers and Diamond Leung's Press-Enterprise blog, along with the Times baseball writers on The Fabulous Forum, have emerged as indispensable sources for information and insight. Blue Notes became the go-to site for player interviews and really developed a smart, gracious style and outlook.

Eric Stephen's surge onto True Blue L.A. has been exciting, and helped it keep pace with the analysis and sharpness provided by Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness and Fire Ned Colletti Now. The Sons of Steve Garvey have grown up fast.

Baseball Savvy boasts a well-defined point of view and longstanding credentials as the champion for a Sandy Koufax statue at Dodger Stadium. Dodger Sims regularly updates the cold, hard projections about the 2009 Dodgers. The Trolley Dodger and Blue Heaven are particularly fun on the historical side.

And this isn't even everyone.

I like to think Dodger Thoughts is a big deal, but it sure isn't the only game in town. Reading all these other sites is a real kick in the pants, and while I might take it easy in these final few days of January, I know I'm going to have to be at the top of my game to keep pace with these other great sites. What a remarkable time to be a Dodger fan.

Comments
2009-01-26 22:37:19
1.   Eric Stephen
What a remarkable time to be a Dodger fan

You said it. The level of information out there for Dodger fans is amazing. The mostly intelligent discussion about the Dodgers all over the internet (but mostly here of course) has really enhanced my following of the club.

I like to think Dodger Thoughts is a big deal...

I laughed thinking that you wrote this walking around the pool in a semi-open robe.

2009-01-26 22:47:05
2.   Xeifrank
That was nice of you to post this. I think DT is an inspiration for all Dodger blogs, and is well respected even outside the Dodgerdom.
vr, Xei
2009-01-26 22:52:32
3.   Eric Stephen
Tomorrow at 1:30 on the MLB Network the 1947 Dodgers/Yankees WS video will be shown.

Also, I highly recommend "Harvey's Wallbangers," the story of the '82 Brewers. That will be on at 9pm.

2009-01-26 23:17:57
4.   underdog
Can I get an amen? Amen!

But curse you all for giving me yet more distractions and procrastination tools. Curse you all!

---

Meanwhile, here's a nice new little piece on Clayton Kershaw:

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/sports/ci_11560764

>>He's not their ace yet. In fact, that's the kind of word nobody even likes to say out loud when talking about Kershaw.

"He has that ability over time, but we don't want to put any extra pressure on him," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. "In today's game, it takes years to earn that position. Even last year, with as many veteran guys as we had, I never liked saying, `This guy is the ace, this guy is No. 2.' "

But when asked how Kershaw looked during the team's winter workouts at Dodger Stadium, you almost could see Honeycutt smiling through the telephone.

"He's in great shape, he looks good. He's strong and healthy," he said. "He's ready to go." <<

2009-01-26 23:19:54
5.   Eric Stephen
4
The best quote: "Clayton likes to dominate in ping-pong."
2009-01-26 23:26:37
6.   underdog
5 - "Is that what they're calling it nowadays?" {wink, wink.}

Oh wait, they're serious. He's really into ping pong, or as the Chinese say: "Ping pong".

2009-01-26 23:26:43
7.   Bob Timmermann
3
Although I don't have the MLB Network, I do get the NFL Network now.

And I get the Big Ten Network.

And another channel that shows nothing but programming from BYU.

2009-01-26 23:27:05
8.   underdog
I can't believe I just quoted from Balls of Fury. It's time for bed.
2009-01-26 23:38:21
9.   Eric Stephen
7
I also now have the Big Ten Network, but to date I have not yet watched any programming on that channel.
2009-01-26 23:40:55
10.   SoSG Orel
Amen!
2009-01-26 23:43:01
11.   trainwreck
8
lol, I was just going to say that.
2009-01-26 23:43:46
12.   trainwreck
7
Now you and I can discuss the NFL Combine!!
2009-01-26 23:53:26
13.   sporky
TC, I tried my hardest to root for them, but the Clippers were hell-bent on breaking my win streak. Damn them.
2009-01-27 00:03:19
14.   bhsportsguy
12 I think you would have better luck discussing the finer points of Cleveland, Ohio than the NFL Combine with Mr. Timmermann.

I'll be glad when February 4th rolls around.

2009-01-27 00:09:28
15.   trainwreck
14
I think everything is pretty much set at this point. Of course, on Feb 5 everyone will be talking about 2010 recruiting.
2009-01-27 00:11:18
16.   Dodgerfan Chris
Great stuff, Jon. What I really love about the current collection of Dodger bloggers is the variety of ways in which we all cover the team. Some of us cover the pop culture and anecdotal side of baseball, others cover the statistical/analytical side, while others focus on the history. It's a great mix, and the guys at Dodgerfan.net are thrilled to be a part of it.

Looking forward to continuing the conversation throughout the 2009 season.

See you at the Ravine,
Chris
www.dodgerfan.net

2009-01-27 00:11:23
17.   bhsportsguy
15 But at least I get to drink my annual beer from Westwood Bob.
2009-01-27 00:50:09
18.   Eric Enders
Jackie Robinson was a famously dominant ping-pong player also.
2009-01-27 01:30:13
19.   berkowit28
4. They wouldn't even call Billingsley the ace last year. He seemed to still be no. 3 even after Penny fell down. So they were hardly going to call Kershaw the ace.
2009-01-27 06:35:21
20.   old dodger fan
Remarkable time to be a Dodger fan indeed.

I was in HS in the 60's, a transplanted Californian, trying to be a Dodger fan in a wasteland of WC sports information. The daily newspaper might print WC box scores two days after the game, but often they didn't. I had to figure out who won games by looking at the standings.

Trying to find another Dodger fan to talk baseball with, and commiserate over the Koufax retirement, was impossible.

Usually all I had for stats was the Sunday newspaper with hitters and pitchers ranked by BA and ERA but sometimes my dad would bring home a copy of The Sporting News, which printed all the box scores from the week. I would pour over it for hours.

Today I am spoiled with DT and other blogs, and far more stats than I can follow. I love being spoiled.

I can't recall how I first came across Dodger Thoughts but between Jon's posts, the comments from people who know far more than I do and the links on the side bar my interest in the team has appreciated magnificently. I don't contribute much but I receive much enjoyment here.

2009-01-27 06:39:37
21.   silverwidow
4 In the story, the writer said Kershaw struck out Drew and Casey in that spring game - not true. Drew grounded out weakly before Public Enemy #1 got Casey.
2009-01-27 07:21:28
22.   D4P
Baseball Explained

This is a game played by two teams, one out the other in.

The one that's in, sends players out one at a time, to see if they can get in before they get out. If they get out before they get in, they come in, but it doesn't count. If they get in before they get out it does count.

When the ones out get three outs from the ones in before they get in without being out, the team that's out comes in and the team in goes out to get those going in out before they get in without being out.

When both teams have been in and out nine times the game is over. The team with the most in without being out before coming in wins unless the ones in are equal. In which case, the last ones in go out to get the ones in out before they get in without being out.

The game will end when each team has the same number of ins out but one team has more in without being out before coming in.

2009-01-27 07:37:51
23.   Daniel Zappala
And another channel that shows nothing but programming from BYU.

When you die, you will be admitted past the pearly gates if you have lived a worthy life, or if have logged at least 100 hours watching KBYU. Think of it as purgatory.

2009-01-27 07:51:15
24.   Gen3Blue
Well, that pretty well covered the ins and outs of baseball

20 My story is much like yours, and I remember devouring the hitting and pitching lists in the Sunday NY Times. Discovering TSN in the 70's was a revelation (in those days they had some real in depth minor league coverage and stats. BA picked up when TSN let baseball fade. But the net and blogging is to a fan what the big bang is to the universe.

2009-01-27 08:13:12
25.   Bob Hendley
Similar to 20 and 24, overseas and East Coast had me following from afar for years. Made due by falling in with Earl and the O's. Now overseas for the last ten years, DT has brought my Bums back to me. Last time I actually saw them they played the Mets here in DF in 03, IIRC.

Thanks, Jon.

2009-01-27 08:24:26
26.   Disabled List
Four years ago, after spending my entire life in southern California surrounded by fellow Dodger fans, I up and moved to New York City, where I was surrounded by Yankee fans, Mets fans, and (worst of all) Red Sox fans. To call the Dodgers an afterthought out here is an understatement.

In previous years, without access to information and discussion about my team, I think my interest in the Dodgers and baseball in general would have waned. But thanks to MLB.tv and the Dodger blogs (Dodger Thoughts in particular), I'm still as passionate a Dodger fan as I've ever been. Maybe even more so.

2009-01-27 08:33:26
27.   Ken Noe
20 24 I was there with both of you. Following the Dodgers in Virginia would have been almost impossible without TSN in its original glory. Now I feel almost up to the minute.
2009-01-27 08:34:57
28.   ToyCannon
I'll never forget DT for being the voice of reason I sought after the Heart & Soul was ripped from the team in 2004. It is interesting how many voices of that summer have moved on to be replaced by other voices.
2009-01-27 08:41:47
29.   Bob Timmermann
I now have 99 hours and 59 minutes left to get out of LDS purgatory.
2009-01-27 08:46:52
30.   underdog
New Winter League notes from Baseball America include this:

>>"At the beginning of the season, there were a lot of independent league guys," the AL scout said. "In the second half of the season, it got better. But it was only a high Triple-A league at the end of the season. Because of the financial situation, (the league) can't pay the same and can't attract the bigger names."

To understand the situation, know that the Mexican Pacific League was dotted by Braves top prospect Jordan Schafer, with the Puerto Rican League's top talent being Dodgers shortstop Ivan De Jesus Jr. There were other big-name notables such as Yankees righthander Ian Kennedy in Puerto Rico.

However, the Puerto Rican League MVP was Jorge Padilla, a 29-year-old outfielder whose career has stalled in the high minors since 2004.<<

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=2081

2009-01-27 08:51:33
31.   The Trolley Dodger
Thanks for the link, Jon! Looking forward to much great Dodger blogging all around this season.
2009-01-27 09:07:39
32.   Kevin Lewis
29

Baby steps, Bob, baby steps.

2009-01-27 09:10:58
33.   Bob Hendley
30 - Lorenzo Bundy (sniff, sniff) and his Little Deers from Mazatlan took the Pacific League Championship and will play in the Serie del Caribe. The team included Stults (stopped pitching a couple of months ago), John Lindsey, Brian Myrow and Terry Tiffee (old friends, all, at this point--sniff, sniff). Juan Castro played 3rd for the opposing Caneros-but didn't look too good in the field.
2009-01-27 09:23:37
34.   Reflections of Blue
Jon-

Dodger Thoughts IS a big deal. You are the gold standard in my opinion. In fact, this page is the reason I started my own blog. I hope all is well.

2009-01-27 09:46:00
35.   D4P
From Tony Jackson:

(Brad Ausmus) passed his physical, which is no small feat for a guy who is going to turn 40 in April

Has anyone ever not passed a Dodger physical? Seriously.

2009-01-27 09:49:39
36.   Eric Stephen
35
I think the percentage of passed physicals in all of MLB is probably better than the percentage of made extra points in the NFL.
2009-01-27 09:52:41
37.   D4P
36
I think you're probably right. They seem pretty pointless.
2009-01-27 09:53:50
38.   Tripon
35 If a 40 year old can't pass his physical(or having a hard time doing it) shouldn't that send a red flag that isn't the best person to waste a roster spot on?
2009-01-27 09:54:07
39.   underdog
Didn't JD Drew fail a physical? Not with the Dodgers, after that, when he'd signed with the Red Sox...
2009-01-27 09:54:55
40.   underdog
38 - Yup. But if they fail the physical, they won't waste a roster spot on them. Isn't that the point of a physical?
2009-01-27 09:57:41
41.   Disabled List
Bill Simmons Alert: He has another article up defending Manny Ramirez, but not before taking a couple of gratuitous swipes at the Lakers and their fans.
2009-01-27 09:58:27
42.   Eric Stephen
39
The one failed physical I can remember is Greg Vaughn when the Padres traded him to the Yankees. The traded was voided.
2009-01-27 09:58:30
43.   bhsportsguy
39 I think there was enough concern to write in terms in his contract regarding games played and time on disabled list and how that would affect the later years of his contract.
2009-01-27 10:01:51
44.   silverwidow
I know it's way too early to map out the rotation & bullpen, but it seems that there are only 8 LOCKS for the 12 man staff right now.

Billingsley
Kuroda
Kershaw

Broxton
Kuo
Wade
Mota
McDonald (starter or reliever)

Barring injury, these guys are assured of making the 25-man roster on April 6th.

There will certainly be another FA signing or two; that will most likely push Troncoso & Elbert to the minors. I doubt management trusts Stults enough to carry him to start the season; he's insurance just like every other year. And then there's the Greg Miller case - is he kept for at least a little while, maybe used in blowout situations, just to see if a turnaround is possible?

Schmidt, of course, will be given the longest leash of anyone and will make the staff if he shows any sign of his former self. Vargas, because he's on the 40-man, albeit with a non-guaranteed contract, has a good shot at landing the fungible longman/swingman role. Then there's always a NRI/journeyman that makes some noise, too.

Personally, I'm setting my sights on J-Mac in a starting role, where I think he can produce as serviceable mid-rotation guy immediately. He's someone I'm rooting for the most.

2009-01-27 10:06:02
45.   SF Dodgerfan
Great post Jon. I have no doubt you'll be able to keep up given your postings and the following you have. It's amazing how many comments you get to some of your posts.

We are truly in a different time where news comes from all angles, and most of the rumors are pretty accurate.

For one more blog to your list of reading - check out www.sfdodgerfan.com
Life as a Dodger fan living in Giants Territory.

Keep the good posts coming!

2009-01-27 10:06:40
46.   Eric Stephen
44
Don't forget Wolf. :(
2009-01-27 10:18:31
47.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2009-01-27 10:21:43
48.   CanuckDodger
44 -- I wouldn't call McDonald a "lock," like the other seven. A starter will be signed and a reliever, so that leaves a rotation opening and two bullpen openings ( I definitely see a seven-man bullpen). I bet the guys who get the jobs will be three of Schmidt, Troncoso, McDonald, Elbert, and Stults, and whether the veteran bullpen arm we bring in is a lefty or righty will play a role in which combination of three are chosen.
2009-01-27 11:27:09
49.   kensai
48

Certainly not a lock considering the news that they want to keep him in the pen. Also that Troncoso might be given a shot at starting, and the Dodgers' general preference for old crappy pitchers.

Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.