Message to Yhency: Quit throwing the heater right out over the plate to lefties.

Goodness, first Vizquel and now Howard.

I can't take this any longer.

ARRGGGHHHHHHH.

Thought that my 10-hour time differential would get me the first post today, but Jockstrap beat me to it.

Just wondering why people think the Valentin/Perez outfield experiment is going to come at the expense of Werth. I'm pretty sure that their playing time is going to come at the expense of Scrapko and Ledee.

First, nice to see Jon's in the ACCEPTANCE stage... welcome!

2 - And what is the point of all the mass experiments and lineup changes? If the answer is to try and figure a fit for the players on the 40 man, then just pick a freakin' lineup with small tweaks here-and-there and weed out the haves and have-nots! Tracy is setting everybody up to be a have-not IMHO.

These "experiments" are going to come at the expense of everyone involved: Valentine/Perez are suddenly candidates for LF??? What's up with that???!!!

I think Tracy should "experiment" with Yhency back in the outfield. Werth can be the closer until his swing comes back.

3 - I think Tracy is still not in the ACCEPTANCE stage, and therefore is trying desperate measures to try to get some useful bats in the lineup, and get some of the triple AAA guys back to the bench.

Since Grabowski was outrighted, cleared waivers and decided to accept a minor league job on his own, does that mean he's off the 40-man roster? And if so, who did we add to it?

This is the Dodgers current 40-man roster:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=la

Don't count Dreifort, Bako, and Valentin.

So someone has to be new.

So someone has to be new.

I think they added Wilson Alvarez back onto the 40-man?

Check out the date of birth given for Dejesus at http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&did=milb&cid=465

Looks like another Dodger prospect lying about their age.

Back when it was only our offense that let us down, at least we didn't have any surprises. If we weren't winning by the 9th inning, we were disappointed, but at least we didn't have any late inning let downs. Now that our bullpen is in horrible shape, games like last night are just that much more bitter.

re: 10

which is another way of saying, welcome back to the pack. Outside of the Yankees and Angels, most teams experience blown saves frequently. We've been living on an enchanted isle since Gagne picked up the closer's mitt in 2002. Hopefully we can find our way back there.

Remind me, did this group want to trade Gagne before he got hurt?

I think Tracy should try Duaner at 3B.

#11,
I didn't. I don't remember who did. Like some other people, I figured that Braz and Duaner would regress based on their peripherals. I didn't think they'd be this lousy though.

Duaner at 3B and Braz in the outfield. Well, Duaner can use his super power of throwing his glove at the ball to increase his lateral range...

14 - That's exactly what Tracy was quoted as saying.

I do not believe we should trade Gagne. We need to experiment with him behind the plate next year as a possible replacement for Phillips.

15 - Opps... actually that should be "platoon mate with" instead of "replacement for".

Random Dodger game callback

July 20, 1905

In the worst year in franchise history (and where is the special 100th anniversary celebration?), Brooklyn managed to still anger its fans despite beating the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1 at Washington Park. Brooklyn improved to 24-57, but was still cemented into last place, 33 games behind the first place Giants.

Originally, July 20 was supposed to be a doubleheader, but Brooklyn owner Charlie Ebbets moved the doubleheader to the 22nd at the last minute. With only one game on tap, a large portion of the crowd left in protest, having arrived two hours early expecting a double bill. The announced attendance was 1,500.

Brooklyn scored both its runs in the fourth when they bunched together four hits off of Cincinnati starter Orval Overall. Brooklyn starter Elmer Stricklett gave up just one unearned run for the game. Shortstop Phil Lewis sailed a throw into the stands to let Admiral Schlei score the Reds lone run. Lewis made five errors on the day.

1905 was the nadir for the Dodgers franchise. The team finished 48-104 and was 56 ½ games behind first place New York. Brooklyn managed to score just 506 runs and gave up 807 runs.

The only Brooklyn batter who showed up among any of the league leaders in offense was outfielder Harry Lumley, who hit 7 home runs, good for third best in the NL. But the team consisted mostly of a bunch of players who were not good in 1905 or good at any other time.

The exception to this was center fielder Jimmy Sheckard, who batted .292. After the season was over Sheckard was dealt to the Cubs for four players and cash. And after playing on a .316 team, Sheckard would get to play for a 1906 Cubs squad that went 116-36 (.736), the best winning percentage in the 20th Century.

For manager Ned Hanlon, who would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996, his Brooklyn managerial career ended badly. Hanlon managed the Dodgers to two pennants after leading the Baltimore Orioles to three of them in the 1890s. But Hanlon lost a power struggle for control of the franchise (one of the new owners was Charles Ebbets). Hanlon would move on to manage the Reds in 1906 and 1907, but finished in sixth place both seasons.

Brooklyn had some rough months in 1905. The team went 3-20 in June and 4-22 in September. The record could have been even worse if the team hadn't run off wins in 7 of the last 8 games in the month of October. Rookie pitcher Harry McIntire went 8-25 and led the NL in hits allowed (320) and earned runs (127).

The team could not get any worse because it would be hard to believe that there would be worse players around. But respectability was a long way off.

But I think this team needs a little bit more in the way of remembrance. In addition to the players already mentioned, the proud members of the 1905 Brooklyn Superbas were: Catchers Lew Ritter and Bill Bergen. Infielders Doc Gessler, Charlie Malay, John Hummel, Ed McGamwell, Charlie Babb, Ad Yale and Emil Batch. Outfielders John Dobbs, Bob Hall, and Red Owens. And pitchers Doc Scanlan, Mal Eason, Fred Mitchell, Oscar Jones, and Doc Reisling. Mitchell would be the last man from the team to pass away, dying in 1970.

The only members of the 1905 Dodgers who would ever play in a World Series were Sheckard, Gessler, and McIntire, all of whom made it for the Cubs.

And remember that things could be worse. While the 2005 Dodgers are 41-52, through 93 games, the 2005 Brooklyn Superbas were 28-65.
Thanks to the New York Times, BaseballReference.com and Retrosheet

Deaddodgers.com will be hosting an online chat with Bill Bergen later today.

I'll post a transcript.

Wilson Alvarez should have never left the 40-man roster since he wasn't on the 60-day DL. He won't be taking an 'open' spot.

I know its early and it wouldnt have mattered anyway considering how bad the team is playing, but a few of us were pushing to pick up Paul Quantrill when he became available. So far, he is given up 1 run in 10 innings for the Pads.

Erickson has given up 1 run in his last 11 2/3 innings.

Oh dear... It IS going to happen. Our new closer, Scott Erickson.

re 21

It would serve us all right if Erickson became a money closer for the rest of the year.

At this point, maybe Tracy ought to try it. Erickson might suck, but at least he's got arm angles.

Bob, as always, I enjoyed the Dodger callback. Let's hope 2005 is this century's nadir for the Dodgers.

Oh no. Don't hang the Erickson should be closer tag on me. I'm just pointing out that you can have crappy pitchers who have decent results if you pick out a few innings. Even the Devil himself has ten good innings in him.

It's tough, but we just gotta let the young guys pitch where we're out of the race. If we have to go outside the organization for arms in 2006, that will be expensive and wasteful. Jon wrote a piece a few weeks about "adjustments" and that is what we have to see if Brazoban can do here. He needs to be given more opportunities to pitch, not fewer, and he needs a very long leash. We've seen him pitch well, this is his first long spell of ineptitude, and it comes at a time when it is not really costing us anything at all.

So it's not very like me to preach patience, but with Braz and Sanchez particularly, this is the time to dig in and see if they can work their way out of it.

And Schmoll too. That guy has wicked stuff if it is working.

#25,
Yeah I know what you mean. As I read that comment, I had to check for the name a couple times because I was asking myself, "is that really Steve talking?"

The postgame comments indicated that the Dodgers are going to stick with Brazoban as the closer for the time being. Seems to make sense?

If the team were actually in the race, it would make more sense to go and rearrange the deck chairs in the bullpen, but why bother? Time to see if Brazoban is the next Eric Gagne or the next Dave Patterson?

The other issue of course, is that we want to use Braz as trade bait. My motives are not always pure. :)

29 - I could be wrong, I usually am, but I don't think his recent performances are increasing his trade value.

I am unclear as to why we stick with Werth so long and APerez sits. Nothing like cooling off a hot hitter.

Kind of reminds me of Choi sitting for a few days after his 7 homer in 4 day streak.

When Gagne comes back next year, I hope it is as a starter. Our best pitcher should pitch more than 60 innings per season. Furthermore, the Dodgers should position themselves to win the World Series, not just make the playoffs. That's why I want Gagne to be in a position to pitch 25-35% of the innings during the post season, which he would do if he starter 2-3 games per series.

As for how he will do as a starter, I believe that the way he recently pitched with the wounded wing provides a good indicator. Before being DL'ed, even though he was only reaching the low 90's, he was still very effective. He proved to me that he can pace himself and still be effective as a starter.

As for replacing him as at closer, I hear there is a guy at AA throwing 98.

So where does A Perez play?

Despite what people here say, Cesar Izturis is starting at shortstop. Robles is hitting well and he fields better at third base than Perez. Kent has to start at second.

If Perez hasn't learned the outfield yet, it could be a repeat of the Al Oliver Experiment.

32 - Brazoban is throwing 97

re: APerez, how much could it hurt the team to have his weak glove in left, just to get his bat in there...we are on a pace for over 90 losses as it is...

34 Howard, good point. Actually, I haven't given up on Braz. Once he masters a second or third pitch, he will be alright. With that in mind, what about making him a starter the rest of the year? He would get lots more innings, and they would be low pressure. He could learn to be a pitcher, which would make him an even better closer, if he returned to the role.

Personally, I think Brazoban is the sacrificial lamb this year.

We are toast for 2005, he and Sanchez and Gio and Alvarez get beat up this year. In 2006 they are replaced as bullpen regulars by Schmoll, Wunsch, Gagne and a couple others from the minors.

I was poking around the BP website and when i came across their current adjusted stadings, their third order wins showed the dodgers only 5 games back of the padres and ahead of the D-backs. Im going to use this as evidence that they have any comeback waiting for them. But it reminded me of something depodesta has said a couple times, that the team is usually close to winning, but then something terrible happens at in the latter innings. They really havent been blown out as much as you would expect given their record over the last two months. Again, i dont take this as a sign that they can come back, but as a reason to watch. Its fairly amusing to see how the dodgers will screw themeselves. See the dodgers as less of a baseball team as high drama, or perhaps a black comedy, im not sure which, it much more funny, more relaxing, and more interesting. I just assume their going to loose at this stage. I cant really even get mad at the players anymore.

Today on Dodger Thoughts, a lively discussion as to why we should have offered Angel Pena a long-term contract...

The Dodgers offered Angel Pena a long-term contract, but he ate it instead of signing it.

Obituary watch -- no more power from Scotty, I'm afraid.

*

I'll be at the Philly game tomorrow. Field level in the left field corner. Abundant Dodger blue. And everytime an outfielder makes a play, I'll just yell "Allright Ja(y)son." No problem.

Angel Pena did have a long term contract, unforunately for him it was a minor league one.

That being said, didn't he have a big season in the Dominican this past winter. After the improbable success of Robles, I'm open to just about anything

on a more serious long range not (aka dont blame Depodesta/we still have a future) dayn perry has a nice article about the dodgers on BP. Probably one of the last dodger-related articles we'll see this season. His conlcusion is that depodesta isnt really to blame for the dodgers mediocrity (im being nice), the team was headed that way even if they had kept loduca/green/beltre/finley ect. Its depressing, but kind of supports my nonsensicle thesis that the dodgers were destined for mediocrity. The 2005 Dodgers: The Baseball Team Destiny Crapped Upon.

When Broxton was moved to the bullpen, I remember him saying that he was going to focus on two pitches rather than the four he threw as a starter. I imagine he had a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup repertoire. I realize that most closers usually only throw two pitches, but hasn't Gagne shown how valuable four strong pitches can be to a closer. If Broxton has a chance to be a closer with three or four good pitches, why would he give it up?

Schmoll is my favorite Dodger reliever. I hope last night's game wasn't a case of him forgetting those better mechanics he supposedly honed in AAA.

Schmoll's whole deal in the low minors, before he was called up due to injuries on the big club, was that he threw a ton of strikes. When he's struggled, it's because his command was totally out of whack, and he got wild (last night is one example). This started happing before he was optioned to LV in late spring.

He's been playing pro ball very a very short period of time, and might not fully trust his stuff against MLB hitter yet. I really hope he gets through the nexus, because he could be a great setup guy for our championship runs in 2007-2009.

A submariner throwing 91? Awesome.

If someone can tell me how to do a shortURL I will send a link on an article reporting that "old friend" Rupport Murdoch just spent $580 million on a 2-year old Internet company (Intermix Media).

What amazes me is the fact that a company that practically no one has ever heard of is apparently worth more than the Dodgers, Dodger Stadium, and Dodgertown combined. In a sense, it puts things in perspective.

Revenue (and especially profit) for baseball teams without their own cable networks is a pittance compared to what can be made in the right kind of Internet/Media business, which has long-term licensing applications and very few marginal costs (you buy the IP once, then sell it a million times. The Dodgers have to buy each and every hot dog and malt that they sell).

I'll take a peek at Intermedia and see why it's worth so much to Mr. Murdoch.

According to the defensive spectrum LF and 1B are the two easiest positions to play. I don't see any reason why you couldn't try Valentin and Perez in LF, especially when we are realistically playing for 2nd thru 4th place. If you need to move someone to LF to get their bat in the lineup then more power to the Dodgers. I don't think Werth is getting the boot, more likely Repko is (LF-Valentin/Perez, CF/RF-Bradley,Werth). Then when Drew comes back you re-evaluate the situation again. I'm still not sure about Izturis yet, but at the very least he should be dropped to 8th in the lineup and Phillips 7th. Keep Kent at 2B, platoon Choi/Saenz at 1B and if Robles cools off move Valentin back to 3B. The Dodgers are like a bowl of alphabet soup. Letters all over the place, spelling nothing but with a couple of swipes of the spoon f-a-i-l-u-r-e is easily spelled.
vr, Xei

That was my point, Howard. He needs to pitch his way out of this to regain his value.

I am just ideologically opposed to picking up other teams' waste when we have our own waste.

But since we're talking about Angel Pena, I always hated him too.

OZ, I see you point. Intermedia's biggest brand name is myspace.com, which it supposed to be pretty popular. At the same time, I would think that Fox could create its own version and use its marketing prowess to raise the profile. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are not an interchageable commodity.

The fact that anyone needs to change positions to make room for Oscar Robles is the perfect microcosm of everything that's gone wrong this season.

It seems odd to move a guy (Valentin) coming off knee surgery to a new position that requires more running. Furthermore, he is not a long term part, so any at bats he gets this year take away from young guys. Pinch hitter and spot starter would seem to be the best fit for him at this time.

cbills is pitching right now. if anyone wanted to watch.
http://www.southernguide.tv/

go to jaxsuns.com for the radio link

Fox is a multi-billion-bajillion dollar company. Why compete with someone when you can buy them? $500M is chump change to NewsCorp - to start from scratch would probably be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Intermix owns online marketing channels. Online marketing companies has proven to be exceptionally profitable. It's like money from a faucet. It also creates a synergy with Fox's own proprietary Internet media outlets - in this case, 2+2=5. I doubt Fox spins them off at a profit, because of the potential for long-term profit in the acquisition itself.

You are dead on about the Dodgers not being an interchangable commidity. This is what I find funny about the "McCourt is cheap and only looking to make maximum profit" arguments - baseball is an amazingly unprofitable use of a few hundred million dollars. The opportunity cost is huge. If McCourt were serious about continuing to make tons of money, he'd never have bought the Dodgers in the first place.

52. Valid points. I'm sure they won't attempt to put Valentin in the outfield unless they think his knee can handle it. As far as giving the young guys more at bats, I don't really see any of the young guys on the roster (besides Choi) as long term options either. I think management still feels they are in this race (and they should). They are only 8.5 games out of first place with two teams to catch. With Valentin, Bradley and then Drew all coming back, I think you have to play to win, not play to give youngsters at bats. Are they likely to win the division... of course not, but stranger things have happened. I can't think of any, but I'm sure someone can come up with something. :)
vr, Xei

54. 2=2=5? Now I know why I wasn't cut out to be a business major! :)
vr, Xei

53. Thanks Nate... and in 56 it was meant to read 2+2=5?
vr, Xei

Jeff -- to get a short link, or a "tiny url," you just got to www.tinyurl.com and it's pretty obvious what you do.

Wow -- in Boston, the first six Red Sox of the game reached -- 5-0 in the bottom of the first, Tampa Bay starter Hendrickson chased after getting only one out.

Valentin has played 24 games in the outfield in his career, but not since 2001. That year he moved around between shortstop, third base and center field.

Take it back -- Pinella pulled Hendrickson before he got any outs at all. Now 6-0 and the inning is over.

So Valentin's 112 Rate2 may just be a small sample size thing?

#33 and Bob T..... Kent at first or even better Kent traded for pitching that will help next year. Same for Weaver. I hope DePo can turn those two into players who will contribute in 2006 and beyond. I would like to see Perez at second for the rest of this year.

Stan from Tacoma

Back to Braz: seems to me that while he throws awfully hard, his fastball has little or no movement. If you can time your swing, or catch up to it, you'll hit it a mile. Obviously, another pitch would help, but even adjusting his fastball so it would have some movement would do wonders (even if it meant throwing a couple of mph slower).

It's location more than anything else with El Brazero, based on my observations. He's throwing the ball outside of the zone, or over the middle. If he were hitting his spots, the lack of a good 2nd pitch wouldn't be as significant.

rough inning for billingsley. had 2 outs and had 0-2 on the next two batters but couldnt finish them off. i think bills doesnt trust his defense so he is trying to strike every guy out thus, being too fine with his pitches.

3IP 2H 2ER 2bb 4K

Why wouldn't he trust JtD, future gold glover?

guzy loves his bananas, thats why

LAROCHHHEEE!!

finally, 3 run bomb to right field.

first hit in like 15ABs.

Woohoo. BTW, is he of any relation to the Braves LaRoche?

yea, they are brothers.

The LaRoches are brothers.

70. Little brother

I'm slow today

I posted this in a thread awhile back, but Jayson Stark reported that the older Adam LaRoche would put a batting helmet on young Andy and shoot BBs at him when they were kids. This according to their mother.

#71-74,
Thanks.

#75,
I think that builds up scrappiness.

The thought of Schmoll as closer crossed my mind last night. Anybody think he is capable? A bit sketchy last night but he seems to have good stuff and velocity as someone mentioned above.

I've lost all confidence in Braz.

billingsley is laboring. the heat is really getting to him.

i think hes done.

91 pitches
4IP 4H 3ER 4BB 4K

hot muggy day really got to billingsley. hopefully, scouts from other teams were not impressed and dont want him in a trade anymore.

Old friend Juan Castro is 2-2 with 2 2X 2today for Minn against Balt.

Nate,
How hot was it out there?

young just crushed a 3run homerun to right center.

*Nate,
How hot was it out there?*

the heat index is 101

The Suns really like to hit 3-run homeruns. Delwyn Young just hit a 3-run homerun, to give the Suns a even bigger lead.

The Suns really like to hit 3-run homeruns. Delwyn Young just hit a 3-run homerun, to give the Suns a even bigger lead.

loney with a line drive in the left center gap for a double.

gap power is great to see from loney.

Great indeed.

Olerud!

oleruds career averages:

.299/.404/.468

lets pray that is the case.

I wonder which game will get more DT posts, the Jax Suns or the LA Dodgers?
vr, Xei

#89,
That would be sweet.

What about Olerud?

James Loney = John Olerud

We hope.

Nate, I'm watching Jax on internet and listening to radio on internet also but the radio broadcase seems to be delayed. Are you having same problem.

Can I get audio with the video without listening to radio broadcase?

its delayed for me too.

sometimes the video features the audio, its pretty random.

i think kuo is coming in next. that should be fun.

#94 - I know this isn't directed at me but I am having the same problem.

woohoo kuo is in!

throwin in the low to mid 90s. doesnt want to let it fly yet. its okay though, 1-2-3 inning with a K.

Big game at SBC underway. Braves fail to score in the first against Noah Lowry of the Giants (aka Best Pitcher on the Giants since the Dodgers couldn't hit him). Dodgers and Giants are in a flat-footed tie for third.

The tension is palpable.

John Smoltz flinging for the Braves.

wow, kuo looks darn good.