I'll probably be leaving early today and will miss tonight's game so stay tuned to this thread for today's RDGC!

Best case is he'll be in the .400 OBP range, minimal power and good defense. Kinda sounds like what what we're getting from Navarro.

1. Detroit Tigers 1996 5.97
2. Seattle Mariners 1999 5.94
3. Kansas City Royals 1999 5.77
4. Colorado Rockies 1999 5.72
5. Philadelphia Phillies 2000 5.72

The same story says the alltime worst bullpen record is 6.62 by the 1950 Browns.

10 If Navarro keeps his OBP at .390, rather than .350, which is where I expect it to be, I'll stop mentioning his lack of power. Martin, on the other hand, is someone who I actually think might be able to maintain a near .400 OBP.

You can call them at (323) 730-4646 or email them at library@aafla.org

They have a great staff and really know their stuff.

This has nothing to do with what Martin might do - this is just about Navarro.

And isnt OBP worth 3x what SLG is? If you have a guy that OBP's 400, he needs to be batting 2nd or 1st.

1. R Perez (SS or 3B)
2. L Drew (CF)
3. R Kent (2B)
4. L Matsui (LF)
5. S Navarro (C)
6. L Choi (1B)
7. R/L Werth/Ledee (RF)
8. L/S Robles/Izturis (3B or SS)
9. (P)

Random Dodger game callback

August 26, 1981

Two teams with much different agendas and attitudes squared off before a crowd of a little over 11,000 at the Three Rivers Stadium. And it was the playoff-bound Los Angeles Dodgers who crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates 16-6, thanks to a seven-run second inning and a six-run sixth inning. The Dodgers were now 10-6 in the second half of the strike-interrupted season, but they already had the first half title in the bag. The Dodgers trailed Atlanta by a half game. Overall the Dodgers were 46-27, 3 games better than Cincinnati.

The game matched up two pitchers who were traded for each other. The Dodgers started Jerry Reuss and the Pirates started Rick Rhoden. And Reuss stumbled in the first inning, giving up three runs on an RBI double by Bill Madlock and a 2-run single by Dale Berra.

But the Dodgers started to hit their former teammate in the second. Ron Cey led off with a single and Pedro Guerrero singled him to second. Mike Scioscia doubled to right to score Cey. Bill Russell and Reuss made outs, but Steve Sax, filling in for the injured Davey Lopes, singled to score Guerrero. Then Rhoden balked home Scioscia and sent Sax to second. Then Rhoden walked Derrel Thomas and Rick Monday to load the bases. Steve Garvey then cleared the bases with a double. Cey singled home Garvey for the seventh run of the inning.

Reuss gave back two runs in the third when he gave up back-to-back home runs to Berra and Bill Robinson. After five innings, manager Tommy Lasorda decided to pull Reuss.

In the sixth, Jay Johnstone pinch hit for Reuss and doubled, but was erased at third when he tried to move up on a Steve Sax grounder. Thomas lined out and Rhoden was almost out of the inning. But he walked Monday. Then Garvey singled home Sax. And Cey followed with a single to score Monday. Finally, after 126 pitches, Pirates manager Chuck Tanner pulled Rhoden in favor of Don Robinson. But it got worse, Guerrero walked. Then Scioscia doubled to drive in two runs. Russell then tripled in two more to make it 13-5. Rhoden was charged with 11 of the runs.

Alejandro Pena and Steve Howe pitched the final four innings to finish out the win. The only blemish was a home run by Jason Thompson off of Pena. The World Series champions of just two years ago, fell to last place in the NL East at 6-11 and were 31-34 overall.

Dodger fans will remember 1981 for the birth of Fernandomania. With Reuss unable to pitch on Opening Day, Valenzuela got the start and pitched a complete game 5-hit shutout against the Astros. Valenzuela would throw five shutouts among his first seven starts. He also won his first 8 starts, until the Phillies beat him on May 18. Valenzuela would finish the abbreviated season with a 13-7 record, a 2.48 ERA, a league-high 180 strikeouts and 8 shutouts. Valenzuela would win both the Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year. And the fans at Dodger Stadium turned out in droves.
With the first half playoff spot in the bag, Lasorda, although he did not admit it in the media, rested many of his regulars. The Dodgers finished the second half 27-26 and six games behind second half winner Houston. Overall the Dodgers were 63-47, which was four games worse than Cincinnati, who, as a reward for having the best record in the majors, stayed home for the postseason.

The 1981 postseason was one of the most exciting in team history. The Dodgers lost two close games in the Division Series in Houston with Dave Stewart losing both games. The Dodgers lost the opener 3-1 on a walkoff homer by Alan Ashby and then won the second game 1-0 in 11 innings.

When the Division Series returned to Los Angeles, a different Dodgers team showed up. In Game 3, the Dodgers won 6-1 behind a strong pitching performance from Burt Hooton. In Game 4, a Pedro Guerrero homer and a Bill Russell RBI single were enough for Valenzuela to edge past Vern Ruhle, 2-1. And in Game 5, the Dodgers comeback was complete as Reuss threw a shutout and the Dodgers beat Nolan Ryan, 4-0.

The NLCS brought on the Montreal Expos. The series opened in L.A. In Game 1, Cey, returning from an arm injury, went 2 for 4, to power the Dodgers to a 5-1 win. But in Game 2, journeyman Ray Burris shut out the Dodgers, 3-0 as the Expos handled Valenzuela.

The scene changed to Montreal. In Game 3, Reuss gave up a 3-run homer to Jerry White and the Expos won 4-1. Facing elimination in Game 4, the Dodgers scored twice in the 8th and four times in the 9th to win 7-1. And Game 5 was a classic, with Monday homering in the 9th off of Steve Rogers, and Bob Welch coming in to relieve for Valenzuela in the 9th to send the Dodgers to the World Series. Monday's celebratory run around the bases would also mark the last time he would ever tell Dodgers fans in a clear manner what was happening in a baseball game.

With no rest before the World Series started, the Dodgers lost the first two games to the Yankees in New York. But the Dodgers came back to win three straight in Los Angeles. Valenzuela won a shaky Game 3, 5-4. In Game 4, the Dodgers survived a rough start by Welch to come from behind to beat the Yankees 8-7. In Game 5, Guerrero and Yeager hit back-to-back homers in the seventh for a 2-1 win.

And after a day of rain, the series resumed in New York. In the fourth inning, with the game tied 1-1, Yankees manager Bob Lemon opted to pinch-hit for starter Tommy John. The Dodgers scored three times in the fifth against reliever George Frazier, to hand him his third loss of the series and the Dodgers their first championship since 1965.

1981 was a bittersweet championship. The players strike left a bitter taste for many fans. But there was also the highlight of seeing Fernando Valenzuela baffle the National League. But also it was the last year of the Garvey-Lopes-Russell-Cey infield. Lopes was limited to 58 games and in the off-season he was traded to Oakland. A new of generation of heroes would be needed. In many ways, they've never arrived.

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

As for Navarro, it's extremely nice to see him do so well. As for throwing out runners, it seemed he had a mechanical flaw at first, sending the ball to RF. He's done better lately, in my opinion. The pitchers still aren't helping, and there's cases like yesterday when Robles just didn't tag the runner despite a good throw

I've read that SF has been very aggressive in claiming players off the waiver wire in order to block trades to the Padres, AZ and LA so I don't think we will see much happen with SF thinking they are still in this title chase.

Care to explain why you chose Godzilla?

Plus, I'd rather get a RF so Drew can get his wish and move to center.

I think Damon will be really overpriced and will probably stay in Boston since he has become Jesus over there.

Of course, given Sabean's notions of quality, he'd only be blocking old, expe

I've also heard that Giles is interested in Atlanta, to play with his brother (and for a better team), tho I can't imagine why Atlanta would prefer him over one of their young studs OFers. And he's too short to play 1b.

But Dave Roberts only has 5 doubles at home compared to 11 on the road, so it seems that there must be something to it.

What's with that place?

Martin has thrown out .282 for Jacksonville.

Billingsley doesn't seem to hold runners, given that Suns catchers are at .158 when he's on the mound. Guess that means Bills is ready for the big club :)

Bob, always love your posts

If this season wasn't such a train wreck, I'd think that LA would be a pretty desirable option for him.

Speaking of Choi, why has he been playing so often lately? I wish he had some success, though. I get the feeling he just needs to be comfortable doing ONE thing. He struggled forever as a pinch-hitter, then we kept him there and he started to have success. If we can keep him at 1B enough for him to not worry about if his playing time is on the line, maybe he'll be better. Of course, I have no idea what he's thinking so that may be totally off.

I'm starting to think Tracy himself is moving into 'acceptance' territory, thus all the Choi starts.

However, I don't really understand why Phillips hasnt played in almost a whole week!

What about Jose Cruz? Anyone thinking he'll be in Blue next year?

Choi is OPSing 1.010 in the past week, .925 in August, .911 since the All-Star Break, .808 overall.

Wish granted.

he may talk about matchups and stats and such, but it is simply who is in favor at the moment

Seems like most of the bites have been coming from Depo and McCourt, but it should be in Tracy's domain.

last 6 days (15 at bats): .333 avg, .476 obp, .533 slg and 2 RBI

I doubt Cruz will be back. However, with the Bradley injury, this pick up by DePo seems to be somewhat less insane in hindsight.

SS Rafael Furcal's brilliant performance since late June has increased the likelihood that he'll be deemed unaffordable by Braves officials this winter when he's eligible for free agency, says the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

So if the Braves need a new SS, they have PLENTY we could use in return for Izzy.

I was pleasantly surprised to see him come around to us. If Ledee or Werth is moved this offseason (and Milton stays) I'd like to see him stay on moreso than a Repko/Grabs/Edwards.

personally I like a lot of hitters in my lineup who make contact, who get on base, and who can keep a rally going...home runs are a bonus, but making contact definitely increases your chances of getting a hit

Good thing I'm drinking water at the keyboard.

Milton Bradley would love this comment

Boy, I sure would. I think that Repko's absolute ceiling is as a non-embarrassing 4th or 5th OFer. Nothing against the guy's attitude, but he's just not that skilled. He could still improve with age, but unless he learns how to play the OF (and not just make up for mistakes with speed) AND is surrounded by mashers at the corners, no way I want him starting.

Nick Swisher
Aubrey Huff
Garret Anderson
Mark Kotsay
Brad Wilkerson
Shannon Stewart

And right behind:

Preston Wilson
Randy Winn
Jay Gibbons

I guess he'll be offered arbitration this offseason. I'm not aware of where to find a list, but I imagine he'd be a Class C free agent, meaning the Dodgers would get a supplemental pick after the second round if he chose not to accept arbitration and signed elsewhere.

71 so are you saying that either a hitter makes a lot of contact or walks & strikes out a lot, either or?

1. Make a lot of contact, hardly walk, have low OBP.

2. Strike out a lot, have a lot of power, walk a lot and have high OBP.

Guys like Ichiro and Vlad who make a lot of contact, hardly walk, and have high OBP seem to be extremely rare.

I'd prefer Cruz to the pick, but overall it was quite a decent deal for us.

come to think of it, we have Navarro, Robles, Drew, even Choi...not a bad start, 4 guys (potential starters all) who make contact and know the strike zone...

A big boost to the "if we don't spend $100M on payroll, the season is a failure" crowd. If there's room in th budget, Cruz could be a nice piece to the 2006 puzzle.

Displacing Repko and Grabowski is worth $3.2M to the Dodgers, in my eyes.

Robles also walks (I asked a few days ago why opposing pitchers don't just throw him more strikes, since he has no power). Drew and Choi have lots of power, and are therefore much higher-ceiling players.

The nigh-on useless "contact" hitters are the ones without power who also don't walk. Like Izzy & Phillips. At least Phillips hits an occasional HR or double.

Robles knows his limitations and is a slap and line drive hitter. I like him alot, and as long as he sta