Does the game have to be baseball? Yahtzee, for instance, or Jeopardy, or maybe twenty questions? How about Scrabble?

First roll: three threes, a five and a one

Second roll: keep the threes and the five, roll a four

Third roll: keep the threes and the five, roll a two.

Comment away!

2. scareduck

You don't keep the five in that situation. You have to roll two dice when you have three of a kind.

3. Bob Timmermann

"Three of a Kind" was an old British series that had David Copperfield and Tracy Ullmann.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081946/

3. Steve

Fire Tracy Ullmann!

Nomo has 4-hit the Yanks through four. The Devil Rays have chased Randy Johnson after three.

I apologize for the length. This was a long, weird game. And if Dodger Thoughts had been around 19 years ago, I would shudder to think what a game chat would have been like for this one.

Random Dodger game callback

June 21, 1986

Coming off a traumatic end to the 1985 season in the NLCS, the Dodgers 1986 season was not one for the history books. With Pedro Guerrero missing most of the season after injuring his knee in spring training, the Dodgers played a game on a Saturday night in June at Dodger Stadium that mirrored their season. The Dodgers built up a 5-0 lead against San Diego, but committed six errors and eventually lost in 14 innings, 8-7. The loss dropped the Dodgers to 33-35, four games out of first and in fifth place in the NL West.

The Dodgers started Jerry Ruess, who by this time was the Dodgers #5 starter, and spotted him a quick 1-0 lead in the first. Second baseman Steve Sax had a one-out double and would score on a double by third baseman Bill Madlock.

Los Angeles increased its lead in the sixth. Sax reached on an error by San Diego shortstop Garry Templeton. With one out, Sax stole second and then went to third on a wild pitch by Padres starter Andy Hawkins. Madlock hit his second double to plate Sax. After Mike Marshall struck out, Padres manager Steve Boros ordered Hawkins to intentionally walk first baseman Len Matuszek to face backup catcher Alex Trevino. But Trevino foiled the strategy with a double to center to score Madlock and drive Hawkins from the mound.

Tim Stoddard relieved and gave up a single to center fielder Reggie Williams to score two more runs. The Dodgers were up 5-0 and the crowd of over 46,000 was ecstatic.

But the game turned sour in the seventh. Templeton led off with an infield single to third that Madlock compounded with a throwing error. Then Padres catcher Bruce Bochy reached on an error by Matuszek. Second baseman Bip Roberts then singled to load the bases and send Ruess to the showers and bring on Ed Vande Berg. The lefty specialist came in to pitch to Tony Gwynn, but Gwynn singled to score a run. Out came Vande Berg and in came Tom Niedenfuer, the goat of 1985. The crowd was now angry, as Niedenfuer's presence on the team was a constant reminder of Jack Clark. Niedenfuer got Kevin McReynolds to pop up for the second out, but then gave up a 2-run single to Steve Garvey to make the score 5-3.

In the 8th, the Padres tied it up. With one out, Templeton singled and pinch hitter Terry Kennedy homered off of Niedenfuer to make it 5-5. But the Dodgers went back ahead 6-5 in the bottom of the 8th when Trevino homered off of reliever Gene Walter.

Manager Tommy Lasorda brought in Ken Howell to try to close out the game in the 9th. But Gwynn singled to lead off. Gwynn then stole second and went to third on an errant throw from Trevino. McReynolds hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6.

The game continued into the 11th and Carlos Diaz took over on the mound for the Dodgers. Diaz gave up a leadoff single to Gwynn. And again Gwynn stole second and went to third on a bad throw from Trevino. McReynolds doubled home Gwynn to give San Diego its first lead of the game, 7-6. Diaz threw a wild pitch to move McReynolds to third, but the Padres stranded him.

But the Dodgers weren't done in the bottom of the 11th. Facing Goose Gossage, Trevino singled to lead off the inning. Williams singled to move Trevino to second. Enos Cabell sacrificed the runners over. Bill Russell then hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6.

So they kept playing. And in the top of the 14th, Tim Flannery singled to lead off against Alejandro Pena. Gwynn then got an infield hit. McReynolds struck out as did Padres pitcher Lance McCullers, who had to bat as the Padres were out of bench players. But with two outs, rookie John Kruk (who was the goat on Opening Day for the Padres in L.A. when he was caught stealing as a pinch runner in the 9th inning) singled to left to score Flannery to put San Diego ahead 7-6. McCullers set the Dodgers down in order in the 14th to give San Diego the win.

The 1986 Dodgers finished the year 73-89, 23 games behind Houston and in fifth place. Injuries to numerous position players gave the Dodgers a patchwork appearance. Only Sax was healthy all year and he had a fine season, batting .332 with 40 steals and much better defense. Sax finished just .002 behind Montreal's Tim Raines in the batting race.

Franklin Stubbs led the team in home runs with 23, but struck out 107 times and walked just 37 times. Shortstop Mariano Duncan could not repeat the performance of his rookie season and batted .229 and played in only 109 games. Madlock batted just .280 and led NL third baseman in errors with 24 despite playing just 101 games at the position.

The Dodgers used a lot of bit players that contributed mostly bits such as the aforementioned Matuszek and Trevino. Cesar Cedeno, Terry Whitfield, Ralph Bryant, Larry See and Craig Shipley all had brief appearances. Russell played his last season for the Dodgers as a utility man.

The top four starters all had good years. Fernando Valenzuela led the league with 21 wins and had a 3.14 ERA. Bob Welch was 7-12, but had a 3.28 ERA and won a 1-0 game against Cincinnati ace Mario Soto on June 10 when he homered for the only run of the game.. Orel Hershiser went 14-14 with a 3.85 ERA. Rick Honeycutt was 11-9 and 3.32.

The bullpen was shaky. Niedenfuer managed to pick up 11 saves before losing the closer job to Howell, who saved 12. Left-handed specialists Vande Berg and Diaz were both disappointments.

The Dodgers needed a healthy Guerrero and a lot of help in the outfield to get better,

Thanks to the Los Angeles Times, BaseballReference.com and Retrosheet

Carlos Diaz? Wow - you finally got me. I have no memory of someone who threw 125 innings in a Dodger uniform right before my eyes. I can't believe it. Instantly the most forgettable Dodger of my lifetime.

And, of course, no one nominated him last year in the most obscure but memorable Dodger contest, further sealing the deal.

The Dodgers traded Sid Fernandez to get Carlos Diaz.

I apologize if this is old news but I just heard Gagne is having surgery on Friday and will be out for a entire year, not ready to return until this time next year.

Ouch!

On June 30 (which will be July 1) for me, I will be bopping around Sendai, Japan hoping that it isn't raining so I can see the Rakuten Golden Eagles play the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

Plenty of good seats available I hear at Miyagi Fullcast Stadium.

Miyagi Fullcast Stadium. I envision three DiamondVisions showing the Karate Kids.

Dodgers
Izturis
Repko
Drew
Kent
Saenz 1B
Werth
Perez
Phillips
Lowe

Padres
Roberts
Fick
Klesko
Giles
Nevin
Burroughs
Greene
Jackson
Williams

#11: I'm consistently frustrated by Scrapko or whatever other free out Jim Tracy puts in our #2 slot. Why not have Perez bat 2nd and Scrapko 7th? They're both young players, but one doesn't make an out 70% of the time.

Jon,
With all hope, I'll be a Californian again by the June 30th. Don't start without me!

I feel bad for Dodger fan from NY. It is very clear to me hear that the two of us are the only two Dodger fans in this section of the country.

#8,
I think most of us here were already at the acceptance stage of our five stages of Gagne-elbow death. But thanks for the confirmation. Now we can plan for the future.

Nomo didn't make it to 5 innings, so win for him. The D-Rays still lead 10-6.

#12: Baseball quiz for everyone. Two players have the following statistics:

Player A - .210/.308/.390 (.698)
Player B - .340/.421/.430 (.851)

Additionally, both have about the same speed and strike out 22% of the time. One of these two players must bat 2nd and the other 7th. Which would you choose for each slot?

#15 Repko and Perez?

does it take 18 months to get"back to normal" after TommyJohn Surgery? is that expectation. Wow this is bad.

#16: Indeed, thus the source of my frustration.

when does Broxton get called up and erickson sent out?

When did Woody Williams switch hands? Why is our Poster Boy for Regression to the Mean playing first base tonight?

Repko bats second because he's a better bunter. That's the reason. Whenever Tracy starts yammering about "situational hitting," that's what he's talking about.

Please note the Tracy quote in the update above.

#19: For some reason, I always equated "situational hitting" to "hit-and-run", but referring to bunting makes sense since it's impossible to evaluate.

Right now, I find the Tracy quote more upsetting than the Gagne news.

Did Choi eat Tracy's pet eel or something?

I like how this lineup is so embarrassingly bad, no one has even brought up that Izturis is still leading off, despite being 3 for his last 300.

18: not soon enough! i'm itching to see this guy broxton. not to raise a touchy issue, but can he really be worse than erickson? i assume that he cannot. even if he can't put up gagne's numbers, we might as well bring him up if he's better than someone we have.

21 -- I thought that was it as well, but why would you think that Jason Repko would be a good hitter to hit and run with? But Repko squares three times a game.

"It's 0 for 11. That's a fairly significant number."

Do you think DePodesta gets at least a little chuckle when he reads this?

#22: Choi is associated with the ouster of Tracy's favorite baseball player, Paul LoDuca. That's the only thing I can come up with.

Hee-Seop Choi is 0 for 11 in his career against Woody Williams with 5 Ks.

Olmedo Saenz has never faced Williams.

The only Dodgers with any sort of luck against Woody Williams are Kent who is 14 for 40 with 3 HRs and Jason Phillips who is 3 for 6.

Williams has a career .216 batting average against when facing the Dodgers, which I don't understand all that well since he faced so many different Dodgers in his career.

this is less than 24 hours after brian giles, who was 2 for 11 (.182) vs. brad penny beforehand, went 3 for 3 with 2 doubles against him., on a night that penny was having an otherwise dominating game. so what does that all mean? it means nothing, other than that jim tracy is a moron and steve has been right all along.

Should we all reset to last year, when Jim Tracy let Alex Cora, who was 1 for 30 lifetime against Woody Williams, hit against him with the bases loaded?

And this is why we should Fire Jim Tracy.

26: You bring up a point that I've been thinking about lately...

Given Tracy's apparent style (partial to bunting, sending Izturis and Robles, etc.), is there any friction between DePodesta and Tracy in terms of how the game should be managed? If I were DePodesta, I would have to be irritated with a number of Tracy's tendencies. What would the significance of any friction be, with regard to the duration of Tracy's tenure as the skipper?

30: is that really true? mercy.

John Kruk. Pinch Runner? Stealing?

Bob -- have you arranged for a second to dribble out your RDGCs, or are we expected to go cold turkey?

While I do find myself stuck here at 9 pm your time and later all too frequently, Thrs. may be tough. Will try though . . .

31: We've discussed this about 100 times, tho maybe before you joined the group. DePo will not fire Tracy during this season (who would replace him?). I'm just hoping JT asks to be released from his contract in October to take the Reds job.

Alex Cora v. Woody Williams

1 for 26, 5 K

This is what I have been saying all along. If this is why you don't play Choi, then this is why you bat for Alex Cora. But Tracy is a dishonest hack.

I don't even understand why Tracy hates Choi so much. He's bunted twice!

This is off-topic, but I can scarcely believe that with a $200 million+ budget, the Yankees have trotted out the likes of

-Scott Proctor
-Buddy Groom
-Tanyon Sturtze
-Mike Stanton

in a single game. Granted, The Big Unit got chased early, but can't Steinbrenner do any better than those guys? I wouldn't take any of them over Duaner.

hey steve... this is unrelated, but have you ever seen "the tao of steve"?

#35: That's right! Choi is the only guy on our team who can consistently get a bunt down. What's not to love?

Wait how do we correlate this with the fact that taken altogether statistically Tracy is the best manager in the game? Remember that Kansas newspaper article that analyzed all the managers? Tracy had the best numbers. I believe it was linked on this blog. I mean this quote shows that Tracy clearly has no understanding of statistics, but it might also mean that all managers have no understanding of statistics.

35: I don't think Tracy is a dishonest hack (tho he might be). I just think he is a man without a theory. He manages with his gut, so inconsistency like this is not at all unlikely.

39 -- that was a nonsense study, based on one-run games and double plays turned.

Anyone have a link to that study?

RDGC will be on hiatus from June 27 through July 4.

Also from July 31 through August 7.

Mainly because it helps them last longer closer to the end of the year.

So we will all have one to read in mid September when we start arguing about whether or not Ricky Ledee is getting enough at bats in our quest to stay ahead of the Giants for fourth place.

has anyone had TJ surgery twice? and come back from it?

Jon, I heard that Tracy quote on the drive home; I nearly went off the freeway. 11 at bats is signifcant? I think he blames Choi for the loss the other night when the umpire blew the call on Kent.

I wonder how you say "Whadda I gotta do to get to play around here" in Korean?

44: I think Dreifort had it twice...not a real confidence booster. I have heard of some other guys, I think, but I can't recall any names.

cough, cough, hack, hack

Oh no Bako is gone! God help us! Now it truly is over.

And it makes me wonder if Tracy would somehow screw up Adam Dunn if we got him. Same type hitter (although better). But if he strikes out a lot and god forbid hit into a double play once, Tracy might platoon him.

Paul Bako is likely better than Mike Rose. But Rose keeps up the recent trend to have catchers with short names:
Dave Ross
Paul Bako
Mike Rose

I'm actually hoping Saenz has a season ending injury so that Choi becomes the primary player.

Tracy doesn't deserve Adam Dunn. Make him play with Grabrepwards.

This and Dave Miley getting fired all on the same day. All...too...perfect.

Suddenly, it all seems...too perfect.

Solid hit for Izzy! Maybe he'll stir from his coma.

did Izzy really hit the ball sharply? Wow

Hey Mark Sweeney wasn't in the lineup at 6 pm!

Nice situational popup from Repko.

#45 "I think he blames Choi for the loss the other night when the umpire blew the call on Kent."

Then does he give Choi credit for the bottom of the 9th HR on 6/10 which won the game and the 3HRs on 6/12 which won that game? Otherwise our losing streak would be 10 games, not the 7 (and soon to be 8)that it is.

I am not a Tracy hater but even I have to admit that is lame.

C'mon, Dodgers...win one for the gimpy!

Eric Enders: time to make up a second batch of those Ghame Over shirts.

#56

has he been traded?

#56

has he been traded?

How can we have a lead off hit and not even advance the runner a single base!!! If it were not pathetic it would be funny.

sorry

Off the subject a little bit but in a chat on BP with Michael Lewis he talked about the Dodgers and the hatred for DePo and in particular the hatred two writers for the LA Times have for him.

As a San Diego fan I think it's funny the hate spewed by Simers and Plaschke against the Dodgers but also am a little confused. It's not like the Dodgers have been very successful for the past 10 years or so. Now granted, the LA Times is a horrible "newspaper" that no one reads anymore but still.....

#65

It's just an easy narrative. cheap owner from the east and a computer geek who never played the game angle. never ending stories. they don't even believe it themselves

63: Well, advancing the runner is irrelevant unless he advances all the way around. A runner stranded on 3rd is no better than a runner stranded on 1st. Hence the false value of sacrificing.

The Devil Rays lead is now just 11-10 in the 8th.

I wish the Dodgers could play the Devil Rays.

47-46 San Antonio at halftime

The Yankees are ahead 13-11 after a bases loaded triple by Bernie Williams.

Maybe I'm projecting, but Vinny sounds a bit down tonight.

#67 Bears I was not advocating a sacrfice. I am simply lamenting this team's inablilty to get more than one base hit in the same inning.

well, if vinny's any kind of a dodger fan, i don't blame him.

A link to the Michael Lewis BP chat:
http://tinyurl.com/drxdv

i confused mark with mike

That hit would have been nice last night in the ninth.

Well at least Saenz produces while eating up HSC's PT.

That's the guy Joe Morgan wanted to take home on that single on Sunday.

werth has been doing more dancing than hitting in the batter's box this year.

Was Saenz admiring that hit instead of running it out? As slow as he is, he still should have gotten a 2B.

When was the last time Werth and Izturis had a hit in the same game?

Holly Crap. Werth not only gets a hit but does so with a runner on base.

We can't catch a break.

Paul LoDuca left tonight's game in the fourth inning with an injury completely foreseeable to any general manager who might have wanted to pay the least attention to detail. Or something like that.

Werth and Izturis both had hits against the Twins on June 10.

84. hamstring?

Yankees 19, Devil Rays 11

phillips is now sitting in the dugout thinking about sticky wickets and leg spin

The Yankees have scored 12 runs in the 8th and lead 19-11 over Tampa Bay.

I'm betting that's it not often that one team scores more runs in one inning than the other team scores in the whole game if the opponent has scored 11.

Whoops, that's 13 runs for the Yankees.

20-11.

Back to back to back HR's for the Yankees... 13 in the inning to make it 20-11. Someone update the post-steroid era chart.

Bruised right foot, but that's the sort of injury any careful GM is going to watch for.

Is Travis Harper having a historically bad two-thirds of an inning? Four homeruns and a triple at least.

By the way Aubrey Huff fans, your man went 0-4 in that 11 run rally, dropping his BA down to a cool .251. I would go into his OPS, but I don't think in this case that his .251 is a particularly heavy one.

Travis Harper is pitching like Paul Wilson!

Chan Ho Park has already given up 5 runs in the first to the Angels.

From the Lewis chat, in response to a question about everybody's favorite Sportscaster: "In fairness to Joe Morgan--though why start now?-a lot of sports books are as-told-to affairs. He probably has never been fully exposed to the old fashioned idea of the author."

96 -- That would explain why Morgan thought Billy Beane "wrote the book." When Morgan "wrote" his book, he really just yammered into a tape deck for awhile, then someone else wrote the book. He thought Lewis was Beane's ghostwriter.

Will these guys ever learn not to slide? Or is it just so ingrained because of the other bases that they can't help it?

Thank you Yankee's. Sorry boys but I had to bet big on Randy Johnson over Nomo and when I woke up from my nap and saw that the Unit had been worked over by the DevilRays my heart sank like a stone in the Hudson river. I have now been revitalized and will head for the TV to watch the Dodgers break this losing streak. How they can do it with such a pathetic lineup I have no idea but it will happen.

Worse job: Morgan's ghostwriter or Jeff Weaver's shrink?

98: I think it's just a fad.

Why did Williams bunt with 2 strikes? He's a pretty good hitter.

How many pitches before Roberts steals?

The question is still there even though Roberts is at second now.

100 -- Dodgers PR man

#94
Now is the time get him. Don't you think his 3 year history is more indicative of his talent then this year. He has had no talent around him and is probably trying to hard right now. Put him in between Drew/Kent and I think he'd be a perfect fit.

For all I know this topic has already been tilled to death but I thought I'd drop in my two cents.

I have limited access to the internet. I have yet to have my DirecTV service transferred to the new pad. The new dog (Chester--Terrier mix--rescue project--we love him--thanks to all for the generous feedback last month) and the familia and the budding teaching career which starts this fall is taking much of my time.

No TV, little internet = not much knowledge about the Dodgers or the grand old game in general.

But.

I SURE AS HELL WOULDN'T BENCH CHOI AGAINST A RIGHT-HANDER BASED ON ELEVEN AB'S.

Re: 44 & 47...Yes, Dreifort did have TJ surgery done twice. However, he didn't have problems with his arm after coming back, but rather something in the hip & knee. That his arm came back and he pitched as well as he did in 50 innings is actually quite impressive. But ultimately, the guy is just cursed when it comes to injuries. I'm not sure I've ever heard of a specific diagnosis, but it wouldn't surprise me to to learn that he has some type of degenerative condition that has made him suseptabile to injury.

THe whole Adam Dunn argument lately is confusing to me. Why the resistance to an obvious improvement to the team? Given that we're running Jason f'n Repko out there nearly every night, how can we afford not to go after a player of that caliber is he's available? It seems the anti-Dunn argument seems to focus on him not being as good as others make him out to be. That's fair, I guess. But at worst case, he's still better than Repko...and really Werth, for that matter. At best case, he turns into one of only 5 or so legitimate 50HR hitters in the game. Either way, if a guy like that is available, you've got to take the chance. Think about this, who in baseball 25 and under has a high-end ceiling comparible to Dunn? Pujols, yes. Cabrera, yes. Texeira, yes. Anyone else?

Lastly, the Jim Tracy quote is argravating and comical, all at the same time. Does he really feel that way, or is he simply trying imduce some form of mental breakdown in Depodesta? You know Jim, if you don't want to play Choi, just say so, don't make up lame excuses to sit him. Frankly, seeing as the choice is having either Choi or Perez in the lineup, I think you've GOT to go with Choi, given the state of our offense. Even if it means playing Saenz at 3B. Fine, our defense isn't stellar at the corners. Too bad; I'll live.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Tracy, for a few years, has impressed me. This year, he's been terrible? Is it just me, or has he regressed?

100 - far better to be Weaver's dealer than his shrink. There's more money in it.

Did I mention that Alex Cora was 1 for 26 against Woody Williams? Last year?

But Cora brings so much more to the table, Steve. Or didn't you get the memo?

Oh, that's right. You don't work for the LAT.

(sigh)

Sorry. I'm bitter. The Tracy quote on Choi is beyond belief, devoid of logical sense... just irritating in the extreme.

Of course, now that Cora's gone to the Indians, it appears that all he faces are Woody Williams clones.

My Fantasy: We rewind in time to the moment after Choi hit his third home run of the game.

After Choi rounds the bases and the crowd finally stops chanting his name...

Tracy steps out, and on a microphone he tells the crowd that he won't be starting Choi against Woody Williams, and gives the infamous quote in explanation.

And we get to watch what happens.

I was listening to the red sox/indians game on XM and was surprised to hear they had Cora playing SS.

Less surprising was his .222 batting average

I mean, if 11 at-bats is "significant," then what is 26 at-bats? Consequential? Historic? Substantial? Fate?

Christina,

I didn't get to comment earlier on another thread, but you and I are surprisingly similar in our team alliances. I'm originally from LA, now live in Chicago and am a lifeling Dodger fan AND Raider fan. I liked the Raiders before they got to LA but it obviously solidified when they were there.

I'm indifferent to annoyed with the Angels (especially the LAA thing -- get your own city).

And I'm a rabid Laker fan as well.

OK, the Padres are desperately trying to get us out of the inning. Running around the bases like drunk monkeys and bunting. Time to show them what you're made of, Lowe.

werth shows his worth?

Let's try to justify what Tracy is doing here with Choi.

a) Tracy truly believes that 11 AB's is a significant barometer.

b) Tracy and Wallach both believe that Choi can't hit Williams and Tracy is using the silly quote as deflection.

c) Tracy is desperate and feels that Choi in the lineup does more harm than good. He simply believes that Choi can't play.

Any other nominees?

there was some serious scrapiness on Werth's throw to home

120 - que?

Blue, Dodgers/Raiders fan here too. Drop me an email if you'd like some Raider game DVDs to help you through the summer. lilraider@charter.net

Hee-Seop Choi caused the winning run to score for the other team in two losses during the current losing streak. I have no problem with Tracy sitting him down. Why reward Solo-Shot Choi for mental mistakes? Guys like Jason Repko (albeit with a bit more talent) make for winning baseball teams. Why arent there more complaints that Jayson Werth is in the lineup. The guy is a glorafied slap hitter.

typical lowe.

122 - Will do Alex!

such a feeling of gloom around the team right now, with all of us just waiting for the unfortunate event to happen.

lol, two runs just seem like a mountain's worth to overcome right now.

repko really needs to work on his glove. his mishandling of most ground balls is adding up.

123 -- See, everything looks better when your irony meter's on.

Every start, I hope Derek Lowe will get one "big" out. And every start, Jerry keeps having to convince me that Derek Lowe is worth $36 million. It's not working.

are

is

Vin:

"The Dodgers have been shut out in their last [whatever number] innings [shot of Jim Tracy], and there's nothing Jim Tracy can do about it."

Right. Except play his best hitters and stop putting guaranteed outs in the 2 hole.

I guess I should be happy "only" 2 runs were scored, but with the lineup we trotted out for this game...on the other hand, who knew that the Yankees-Devil Rays game would end up 20-11? There's always hope...

(high-fives Midwest Blue)

anyone dare to call a pinch hit game-tying Choi HR? Followed by Choi absolutely raging on Tracy in the dugout. Which then leads to Tracy's immediate resignation. I mean, it could happen right?

Convenient to be Jim Tracy, and get all the credit when they're winning, and be completely absolved of all blame when they are losing.

126- I'm with you. I starting to feel like I'm at a wake. COME ON GUYS, SNAP OUT OF IT!!! (He yells while shaking JT in a manner similar to a strangling).

Did Woody Williams really stike out twice in this game on bunts?

Just curious... I don't know if Bob is around...anybody know the Dodger record for consecutive innings without scoring (that would be on the offensive side of things, and yes this streak is very offensive).

Not that I'm counting, but this one is at 18 innings.

Izturis and his "insignificant" 4-45 slump. Repko and his "insignificant" 20-100 slump.

#134, does this dream scenario somehow involve Choi "going all Carlos Perez" on Jim Tracy as if he was a water cooler? Because that would be fun.

134 -

As long as we're in fantasyland, I'm sticking with the Tracy-and-Thurston-to-the-Reds-for-Dunn-and-Harang trade being announced by Vin Scully during the 8th inning.

It could happen, right?

Jeff Weaver's little brother is really starting to annoy me...

Okay guys, let's get that last out because we all know we will not be able to score more than 3 runs in this game.

3 runs in this game...

It could happen, right?

YES. It's the little victories that count now.

135,
I don't know, even when the dodger's were winning, he had his detractors. :-)

He has gotten to me, lately, so I don't know maybe he's really going down the tubes.. then again I've gotten to where I am not liking Choi even with his fan-club always going on and on, and then well he seems ok, and then he's hot w/bat but looks like an ice-cube in the field then he makes stupid flub ups. But, hell, that could be partly from feeling like your manager is always about to pull the rug out from under you. It could be that Tracy genuinely doesn't like Choi, because you wouldn't expect him to come out and say "Well, Depo loves the kid, but I think he's a sack of $hite, and I just play him now and again to keep the boss, happy, you know what I mean Platzke?"

I'm liking Tracy and Choi less and less, and Kent and Bradley more. Just wish there was more to like at the moment... like a couple of wins..

Guess I picked the wrong day to give up online poker.

You know, if we had our real, non-injured line-up and Choi was in it, we would be in good shape and Werth would be the weakest link, not Choi. I think CHoi would benefit from a winning team and would get with the program, but he's playing with back-ups and AAA kids. I think Choi is JT's designated scapegoat and that's not fair to Choi.

I just realized Vin Scully pre-records those little historical anecdotes that introduce the sixth inning. I guess it doesn't matter; it's apparent that much of his narrative is scripted, and it's still good.

Why doesn't anyone complain when Repko looks at a strike 3 and walks meekly away?

Oh yeah. I just did.

This reminds me of '03 when the commercial break between half innings lasted longer than the Dodger AB.

I predicted Lowe would be done this inning. I hope I'm wrong.

148,
Will it ruin the magic if you realize that when Vin is telling that anecdote, he's likely in the bathroom taking care of business?

138,
ha! that's funny.

Bob, Drink the good saki while you're over there and enjoy the good wasabi and ginger!

I love wasabi peas at baseball games.

91-86 Detroit with 39.8 seconds left

145 - Why dost thou not likest Choi?

Bad defense? Okay. He's not a gold glove.
Makes mistakes? Yeah, he does.

Beyond that, he's slugging over .600, works his tail off everywhere he goes, plays for the fans, is likeable according to one and all... I just don't see the reason for not wanting a guy like that on your team.

153 - more importantly, which restaurant are you talking about??

The Book Of Choi:

"And Thou Shalt Put The Korean Man In The Lineup In The Second Spot. In the First Spot, The Korean Man shalt not go, nor shalt he go in the Third Spot. And the Fourth Spot shalt be right out."

wasabi peas? I love the sound of that!

Positive news of the day: Four consecutive quality starts.

A close second: Werth makes contact.

153 -- I stronly disagree. There is nothing, nothing funny about 138. 138 is pulling the wings off of ladybugs not funny.

g

155,
Honestly, I think mostly because so many here are always singing his praises. I like it better when there's no need for that kinda stuff. I like Choi the guy, but the player gives me the Dreifort creepies, like he's just doomed.

Choi, looks goofy to me at first. But then again he has made some good plays and has the soft hands. I can always see both sides too easily, I have to say Tracy is not making it better. I like it that Saenz was at third and Choi at first. I'd give that a chance. But tracy is clearly a dufus for not playing choi.

I'm not sure now that even a pitcher would help us. It would suck to be Depo, especially if the owner is not willing to spend.

Werth is good at taking that strike three.

"And whosoever shall put Choi on the pine against northpaw pitcher, verily I say unto thee such man will be known as the wicked man. And the wicked man will not know peace. His decisions will beget detractors that will be fruitful and multiply, the minions of doom will plague him and his tongue will stick to the roof of his mouth with great frequency causing no end of agitation. Thus it is written."

how does werth not swing there? Is he worried he'll lose his moneyball membership?

I heard this on the Padre broadcast, I'm sure its been used here... the "enigmatic Hee Seop Choi". Perfect.

Oh my God, I thought I just saw a hit. Was I dreaming?

166. Yes, he's an enigma wrapped in kimchee

According to cbs.sportsline.com, we have 3 hits. Didn't we have 4 before? Is our offense so bad that we get negative hits?

What, a two-out rally ?!? Oh, Grabowski's up. Nevermind.

It is a dream because we just got another one.

167 - No, that was real. But if you see a run scored, pinch yourself.

Vin said Grabowski was on deck. Is it really Choi coming in?

"Once the number two, being the second batter, be reached, then battest thy Holy Bat of Hee Seop Choi, against thine enemies, who being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.'"

We got five hits. I don't know what to do with myself.

Now is the time to pinch-hit for Grabowski. Dare I say it...Choi?

It could be worse

The Dodgers lost 16 straight from June 28 through July 16 in 1944.

They actuallly lost 15 straight games during those dates and had one suspended which was picked up in August and they lost that one too and it's considered to have been played on the first date.

If Boche brings in a lefthander Tracy might counter with a right-hander.....mmm who's our good righthanded pinch hitter?

The Padres have only two lefties in their pen and they both stink: Hammond and Reyes.

It is taking all my good sense as a Dodger Fan not to root against Grabowski here. I'm giving it everything I've got. I want Jason Grabowski to succeed.

178, I'd have to say Weaver.

SCARY

I don't believe what i just saw!

threw his bat at it like he was tossing out an old milk carton.

I'm having a Norman Vincent Peale moment here. Excuse me.

Maybe Choi bats for Scrapko is Izzy gets on. Grabs to RF. . .

I'll take it.

Do you believe in miracles?

By which I mean: never mind.

I'm pinching. I'm pinching. Ow.. that feels good.

my tv is fuzzy, i just got some double a feed where someone named grabowski knocked in Antonio Perez?

Wow, a straight number on the line score...

I was starting to think I was living in some kind of bizzaro world, but Cesar made sure to remind me that I wasn't.

Seriously, 1 pitch?

What a terrible AB for Izturis. Really, the guy is so overrated it's not even funny.

And stupid Sportsline finally catches up...sorta.

Rally killer. Trade him.

HA, that would be a whole new "heart of the team" deal

Dave Hansen who?

160, 168, 181,
it's nice to know I can still laugh.

No specific restaurant. In fact, I've never even been to Japan, but I have friends who know I love sushi. If you ever come to Nashville, though, I got all kinds of recommendations.

I'm trying to figure out if we're truly overjoyed to score a run or if its sarcasm.

Re: trading Izturis. I'd do it in a second. At this point, I'm frustrated enough to make trades just to piss everyone off.

Of course we'd get the better of the deal.

I knew that when Plaschke said it was Izzy's team it was only a matter of time before the inevitable divorce.

Of course, that was the other night when he bunted in the ninth, but I'm not really looking into reconciliation.

Truly, this team confuses me. Am I happy that Grabowski just lengthened his rope another month? I have no idea.

200 - took 20+ innings, im overjoyed!

fyi, laptops stink in my book. I need a wireless keyboard, cause I can't type on these things......

much rather have Kent in my dugout than klesko.

I know not to eat sushi at a Japanese baseball stadium. They serve some really bad stuff there. The sushi at Koshien Stadium was made with some really nasty vinegar.

I like to stick to the takoyaki. Little dumplings with octopus centers.

Yum.

You can also get hot dogs and pizza at games. No peanuts in shells however.
You have to eat edamame if you want to crack something open.

A Sushirabbit in Nashville? I never would have guessed.

Let's start game chatting for Jacksonville instead.

We'll all be much happier, except when Edwin pitches.

194- Izturis appears to be overrated given his slump, but when he was hitting .350 a little while ago, we were a lot less critical. It's not like he's now become a different player, and therefore is more overrated than he was before.

I do agree that he is overrated somewhat, but I also feel that nobody else in the NL is really on a par with him, taking into account hitting and fielding.

We finally get one frigg'n run, and now the pen's walking people like mad. Ughhh...

WWSH

What was Wunsch throwing? He's got one pitch, he throws it the same place every time. The first guy struck out, and the rest of the hitters just sit and wait for the free pass.

What was Wunsch throwing? He's got one pitch, he throws it the same place every time. The first guy struck out, and the rest of the hitters just sit and wait for the free pass.

has there ever been a switch pitcher?
and would that even be legal?

Izzy is over-rated, but we don't have any other real options at SS. I like A. Perez's bat out of that position, but his glove just isn't good enough. That would mean any trade would have to involve us getting a SS in return, who would probably be less valuable than Izzy.

WWSH

I'm going to refrain from joining the complaining about the pitching.
(wow, that's a lot of 'ings).

Gio. That will be an improvement. These days, when we bring in a reliever, I feel like we're playing Russian Roulette and the only question is when will we blow our brains out?

Any Deer Hunter fans here?

Speaking of shortstops, what is the latest status of Joel Guzman's future position in the big leagues? Is he playing short with LaRoche playing third in Jax? Are we still speculating to an extent on that?

Carrara is the Killer Rabbit.

This was in the Dodgers.com story about Gagne:

"Dreifort suffers from a degenerative condition in which his connective tissues steadily break down. Although he returned to pitch following his second elbow operation, the rest of Dreifort's body broke down and he will spend the entire 2005 season on the disabled list following four offseason operations."

So what is this condition that Dreifort has? Does it have a particular name?

you talkin' to me? :-)
I'm with you on that...

Since someone mentioned Edwin Jackson, thought I'd pass along this outsider's view on Jackson and magic pitching coaches from today's Wash Post chat with writer Les Carpenter:

Washington, D.C.: Given the lack of clear #1 or #2 starters on the trade market right now, doesn't it seem the best course of action for the O's right now is to just sit tight, instead of giving away their highly regarding prospects for someone who might not even be any better than what they already have?

Les Carpenter: Well the key there is Hayden Penn. I'd be hesitant to trade him given the heart he has shown in the games he's pitched. But the hardest thing to do in this game is predict greatness for young pitchers. A good example, look at Edwin Jackson whom the Dodgers called up at age 20 a couple years ago. He was very impressive, they've held him out of good trades -- one for Javier Vazquez for one -- and now he's freefalling through LA's organization.

If you're close you might make the move. One thing that can affect a team's decision to trade young pitchers is how much that organization trusts its pitching coach. The O's have a good one in Ray Miller. And so they might be tempted to hold onto some young guys to let Miller work with them.

Greg Harris switch pitched for an inning when he was with the Expos at the end of his career.

When I was researching the Dodgers 1889 season, I came across something about St. Louis Browns pitcher Elton "Icebox" Chamberlain throwing both left and right-handed.

But he was throwing underhanded most of the time and not using a glove so it wasn't as tricky.

Thank the one above.

The 8th is our real good last shot, if those boys don't come through I don't feel too good about who's after them in the lineup, even with Hoffman pitching.

Bob I believe Dreifort's condition is known in the medical community as Gingerbreadmanitis.

nasty big pointy teeth

Nick,

We all knew his hitting .350 wouldn't last because he has no plate discipline.

Take Drew, for example. Even when he goes 0 for 25 he's drawing walks and prolonging innings. Izturis is an out machine.

I also don't think his defense is quite as miraculous as others do.

221 was pretty much entered solely so I could reference Elton "Icebox" Chamberlain because I think that "Icebox" is a very good nickname.

Gio comes through.

After Repko, we get Drew and Kent coming up. Hope lives!

Re: 216 My impression was that Guzman would go back to SS for now. With LaRoche tearing it up, the organization may soon need to make a decision on whether or not we should move Guzman to RF as Baseball America has projected. Then again, since DePo seems to want to be more conservative about promoting Guzman, that may be something they won't decide on until next season.

WWSH

215 - Mao!

If George Gervin and William Perry adopted a kid, his nickname could be Icebox.

Icaros, would you like to shoot Repko now, or wait until you get home?

Nice to see that although the Sanchez-jinx experiment failed, I'm still good luck for Gio for now.

Though, I am considering sticking with not watching Sanchez while he's pitching. Yes, he imploded two nights ago when I had the TV off, but there were special circumstances--i.e. he shouldn't have been out there in the first place, since he'd just pitched the night before.

Icaros- I agree it was totally unrealistic to expect Izturis to hit .350. I also see your point about his walk rate/OBP being unspectacular. Still, who's a better shortstop in the NL right now?

I'm open to moving Izzy down in the order (maybe hitting second, he's a good contact hitter), but to me trading him makes no sense at all.

Explain the logic to me:

.294
.202
.274
.287

Which one of these, batting 2nd, is not like the others? These must be some serious professional-ness or situational-ness happening there to justify the lineup spot, right?

231 - I'll just shoot myself instead.

231 - I'll just shoot myself instead.

I only sent it once, I swear.

Now I'm starting to reget that they got that run in the 7th. At least there would be a streak to keep watch on.

230,
I'm trying to picture George Gervin and William Perry coming in as a couple to an adoption agency now.

I like Izzy, and I wonder what Izzy detractors expect out of a SS. There aren't ten better hitting SSs in the MLB. There aren't two better fielding ones. It isn't his fault Tracy bats him first; it isn't his fault Tracy thinks he can steal bases. At 3.3/yr. he may be 'over-rated' but he isn't overpaid. And he's fun to watch.

DT, won't be the same without you while you are gone, Bob.

Is CF Chen hurt down in AAA? I thought I read a post on DT that said that. What's Cody Ross' status? I'm trying to think of alternatives to Repko within the organization.

WWSH

Why does Repko bat second when he starts but Grabowski bats seventh when he starts? What is it about Repko? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Throw that melon head out!!!

233 - I think most NL shortstops are equally average, from K. Greene to O. Vizquel. Izturis is better than most, but not by a huge margin.

I advocate trading him because we could probably get something really good in return. Replacing him would not be as hard as many believe.

I know of a better leadoff hitter. He's .284 4 HR 24 RBI and .793 OPS. Can you guess who?

You think we could pull a win when we pay off the umpires.

I just want to read Plaschke's column after we dump him, really.

I'll still drop by on vacation, but I have to go rent computer time and, no offense, I don't know if I want to sit at a Kinko's in Japan for several hours and pay $40 for the privilege.

245- I'm not opposed, per se, but I think you might be over-rating how over-rated he is.

I don't suppose there is any chance whatsoever that we will pinch hit for Werth in the 9th. Seems to me that when we're down 1, we might as well take the chance even though no one on the bench plays outfield regularly.

Is that way too radical or what? I just feel like when you're down to your last three outs, you should maximize your offensive chances and roll the dice.

Izturis should definitely be traded. Perez to short, Edwards to third, pray that Bradley comes back and Werth learns to hit again.

Why did Bochy get thrown out?

Good luck with the exchange rate Bob.

And why does Repko get so much credit for his defense, anyway?

That was a very scrappily misplayed flyball.

russian roulette with 5 bullets...
that's a .01 on the scrappy-facto-meter

Unless we get to the pitcher's spot, I doubt Choi gets in unless he hits for Perez.

repko might be scrappy but he isn't fearless. kind of wussed out on that one.

Dave Roberts=power hitter???

If he didn't watch it it might have been ITPHR

Then again, I might be over-rating how over-rated your rating of his over-rated-ness is.

253 - chirping from the dugout on a called strike. A very quick hook.

#253

arguing balls and strikes

I think you might be over-rating how over-rated he is.

You may be right. Like I said, I'd only trade him if we can fleece some idiot GM who thinks a .280-hitting SS who plays good defense is as valuable as a good starting pitcher and/or prospect.

252- I don't think it's fair that part of your plan is Bradley gets healthy. Trading Izzy doesn't affect that. Anyway, what did they get, if Edwards is at third and Antonio "The Butcher" Perez is at short?

Gio comes through again.

At least only one of our upcoming hitters (Werth) is an automatic out. Saenz has some power, A. Perez is an on-base machine, and Phillips' average is due for an uptick. Hope still lives!

WWSH

261 - hee.

I'd listen to offers for Izzy because I'd listen to offers for anyone. But how many teams are really interested in an upgrade at shortstop? (Serious question, not snarky.) Which teams are those? Do they have anything we'd want?

Saenz hits a homerun to tie the game.

#264

agreed but that being said I still want Izzy and Kent to start in the all star game.

If Perez moved to short, his assimilation as Darth Offerman would be complete. (Vader music plays in the background)

bad feeling that we may not see Choi hit for Werth or Perez.

Re: 264

I don't see Edwards as an adequate long-term replacement at 3B, and we need a better glove at SS than A. Perez. I'd be open to trading Izzy, but we'd need to also get a decent SS in addition to the quality starter and/or corner OF.

WWSH

#233: "Still, who's a better SS in the NL right now?"

The following NL shorstops have better VORP-rates than Cesar Izturis (at least 200 PAs):

Felipe Lopez
Bill Hall
David Eckstein
Omar Vizquel
Jimmy Rollins
Alex Gonzalez
Neifi Perez

Of those, the following have better fielding statistics (BP's Rate2):

Bill Hall
Davin Eckstein
Omar Vizquel
Neifi Perez

I'd still take Izturis over any of them longterm due to his age, but he certainly hasn't been spectacular. As long as his can get his OBP to hover around .330, I think he should stay in the leadoff spot. If it drops below that, he should move to the bottom of the lineup. He doesn't have enough pop (or really anything besides AVG) to bat 2nd.

Due to Izturis' slump, David Eckstein seems to be more deserving of being the NL's starting shortstop in the All-Star game.

It's meant to be!

Dodgerkid- I just re-read and you didn't say what I attributed to you. Sorry about that. Praying that he gets healthy isn't the same as planning on it.

267 - Good question.

NEIFI!(TM)

Absurd.

SO, I'm sitting here wondering if 268 is informational or aspirational. here, I go. . . click.

unresolved.

Bet you weren't thinking that it was catcher's interference did you Sam?

Werth appears to have studied film of Grabowski's pre-"injury" at-bats. The ones where every called strike was an affront to humanity.

SCSR: Stay tuned after the game for interview with Jamie McCourt. Now the Dodgers are in the middle of an 8 game losing streak and the Dodgers trot out Jamie. Where is Paul? Where is Frank? How stupid do they think we are? I continue to dislike them alot. They are one notch above Donald Sterling.

why isn't werth bunting!!!!!

272 - Robles or Jose Flores could play SS for now and the dropoff wouldn't be too great.

273 - .330 OBP is terrible for a leadoff guy.

281 - But still a few notches below Bernie Ecclestone.

Catcher's Interference -- does that fall into the Smartball or Moneyball category?

OK, so why does Choi bunt a runner to third in a one-run game but Werth doesn't bunt a runner to second in a one-run game?

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's not bunting, but it showns our manager's maddening inconsistency and Choi hatred.

273: i think izzy was on top of the VORP rating before his slump. obviously you have to count the slump, but like i've said, he's not a different player than he was before the slump. he's still got the same talent, ability, etc.

If we're tearing down to rebuild next year (I'm not necessarily opposed to that, either) shouldn't Kent be the one to go? There've got to be plenty of teams who could use him, he may not be overpaid, but he's making pleny, and will be next year when he turns 40. Perez was a 2B in the minors, right? Maybe he won't look so ugly there.

Have to admit nice AB by Werth

As suggested, not the resolution I expected. But I'll take it. Hadn't thought of Edwards as the pinch runner type, though you really only have upside when PR'ing for Olmedo, I guess.

confidence here after getting to Hoffman last night. Bunt would be fine here.

WHY DO WE DO THAT EVERY SINGLE TIME? MEMO TO FRICKING JIM TRACY! THERE IS NO REASON TO BUNT IF WE'RE JUST GOING TO GET THROWN OUT AT THIRD EVERY TIME YOU DUMB MORON!

Smartball™. Definitely Smartball.

Geting a catcher's interference is one of the hallmarks of a professional hitter.

OHHHHH, of COURSE ask the .340 hitter to bunt so the .250 hitter can drive the run in!

Izzy doesn't deserve to start all star game but want him to do anyway.

God I was kidding about werth bunting and then he had perez bunt. when does he stop banging his head against the wall.

This just in: Steve's head exploded.

Here comes the Philips DP.

excuse me. A successful bunt would be fine here.

Ughhhh.....

Trace shouldn't have put the bunt on, but once it was put on, A. Perez needed to get it down.

Hopefully Phillips and/or Choi will play the hero.

WWSH

#293: The fast .340 hitter who is unlikely to GIDP.

Where the hell is Choi!?!?!!!

Ok, serious question: is it that much harder to hit a sac fly to right, rather than bunting?

So we kill the .340 hitter, and base our chances on Jason Phillips. Meanwhile, Trevor Hoffman can't hit the broad side of a barn but we'll just give them that out.

Tracy needs to realize that not only is bunting stupid, but none of his players can actually do it.

His GM does not acquire players who are good bunters, so why does he keep trying?

There's the tying run...

Sorry, just got back from St Louis. Stupid Tracy bunts with no outs and first and second. Fire the man already.
vr, Xei

What is Tracy thinking? The pitcher can't make a strike to save himself and we bunt on his first pitch.

Ouch. Where is that successful sacrifice.

Uh, nevermind.

In Tracy's defense, that would have scored the run if Perez got the bunt down.

I hope that lays to rest the "whether to bunt" debate.

Better late than never, I guess.

Here it is...do or sit forever. That's fair.

298 -- he got it down. That's all he knows how to do is bump it back to the pitcher. We have to stop pretending that we know how to do that. Tracy needs an intervention.