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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
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

Oisk with the Anth
2005-08-28 17:28
by Jon Weisman

Carl Erskine playing the national anthem on the harmonica? That's all the stadium atmosphere you need.

And Vin Scully calling himself "his nibs?" Speaks for itself.

Anyone remember when Fox did the travel-through-TV-technology broadcast of a Dodgers-Cubs game around five years ago? Bonus points if you can name the Dodger starting pitcher.

Guess it was convenient that the controversial Craig Biggio HBP-NA happened during the replay era of the telecast. Although the air of mystery had it happened without a replay - well, no different than it was for the folks actually in attendance.

And one more thing: Did the Aflac trivia answer actually make the claim that Frank Robinson was a member of the '55 Dodgers? Duck.

Comments (125)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2005-08-28 17:46:55
1.   Suffering Bruin
I don't know if this has already been addressed but the only part of the game I saw live happened to be the Biggio moment (I was working all day today).

I think if Biggio wasn't wearing the body armor, he would've been in pain and the ump would've given him first base. Then again, if Biggio wasn't wearing the armor, he would've gotten out of the way.

Biggio is a terrific player, one of my favorites. The ump made the right call.

2005-08-28 17:49:09
2.   gvette
Got to love 26th man Tommy Lasorda always participating in the '55 Dodger reunions. Tommy got shelled in his only four games (9 innings) and got exiled to AAA.

It would be the same as if Brad Havens tried to make himself spokesman for the '88 team.

2005-08-28 17:52:18
3.   Rich Lederer
Re Aflac and Robinson, yes, but Vinny later corrected the mistake on the air.

Speaking of Scully, I was surprised to hear him say that Clemens threw a fastball and slider. He didn't mention his splitter, which is really his "out" pitch. The limited camera angles didn't do Roger's splitter justice. It's as good a pitch as any in the majors.

I also thought Vin should have treated Koufax the same as the others in the pre-game introductions. I don't think it was appropriate to short change Sandy at that point in time. By doing so, I think he embarrassed Koufax more than if he listed his accomplishments.

While I'm on my mini-rant, I also thought Scully interrupted Koufax a couple times when Sandy was (slowly in a Koufax way) telling stores about 1955 on the pre-game show on KFWB 980. We don't get a chance to hear Koufax very often so I was really looking forward to listening to Sandy talk, but I felt as if he got cut off by Vinny--which seemed out of character for Scully.

Oh well, despite these nitpicks, Scully is still the best announcer ever. Always has been and always will. Thanks, Vin. And thanks, Sandy.

Go Dodgers!

2005-08-28 17:53:16
4.   Sam DC
Well, offline all weekend, so I seem to have missed some good ball and some aggravating (to me anyhow) ongoing deconstruction of the reconstruction.

Don't know if this was already linked, but the Post ran a lengthy look at the great bunt debate today, complete with Bill James comments (given to the author by email) and the classic Frank Robinson "I don't know from numbers" quote (apparently this quote is compulsory for any baseball strategy story penned in DC).

Not much new to the talmudic bunting scholars here, but interesting nonetheless, and a pretty good piece for a regular old paper in my opinion.

http://tinyurl.com/b6zym

2005-08-28 17:53:49
5.   Bob Timmermann
The AFLAC question had "F. Robinson" on the graphic.

I will defer answering the Dodgers-Cubs throwback game starter since I know.

I don't think Lasorda was making himself the spokesman for the '55 Dodgers. At the press conference, it was Podres who spoke the most and Podres was rightly asked to throw out the first pitch. I think Lasorda, along with Koufax, were just happy to be invited.

2005-08-28 18:01:17
6.   gvette
Any excuse to get Koufax to come home to Dodger Stadium is good enough for me.

As for Tommy, how would the Dodgers have possibly kept him away, since he's been using that old story about being cut for bonus baby Koufax as part of his standard schtick for your years.

2005-08-28 18:03:58
7.   gvette
#6 last sentence should read "for years."
2005-08-28 18:07:49
8.   Bob Timmermann
I'm sure that Bob Borkowski's name was greeted with a lot of enthusiasm. He lucked out on getting a free trip to L.A.

The Dodgers traded Joe Black to the Reds to get him.

I wonder if Murray Chass was at the game.

2005-08-28 18:12:29
9.   Bob Timmermann
The NY Times did run one letter from a Southern Californian about Chass's diatribe against today's celebration.

To the Sports Editor:

Murray Chass's article on the Los Angeles Dodgers organization's celebration of the 1955 World Series ("You Can't Steal History: The 1955 Title Belongs to Brooklyn," Aug. 23) took a typical New York news media approach to California: condescending in tone, envious at heart. Take your best shot. We don't care. We're Los Angeles. We've got the weather.James Harris

Culver City, Calif.

Not as good as mine, but I think I'm biased.

2005-08-28 18:13:17
10.   Jim Hitchcock
I watched the Fox presentation five years ago...scratchy video, audio, and Keith Olbermann wearing a hat during the appropriate years, but I don't remember the pitcher. Oh, wait...Eric Gagne?
2005-08-28 18:13:51
11.   Bob Timmermann
You're on the right track Jim.
2005-08-28 18:17:07
12.   Jim Hitchcock
Not Luke Prokopec???
2005-08-28 18:17:15
13.   gvette
Bob, Was Roger Kahn unavailable to write his usual rip job on the two Walters; O'Malley and Alston?
2005-08-28 18:17:17
14.   Suffering Bruin
Prokopec? Just a guess. I don't even know if I spelled the name correctly but the guys first name was Luke.

Quick comment before I take the kid to the park...

Choi benched again today against Clemens; he pinch-hits and makes the difference in the game.

Let us make the very best argument against playing Hee-Seop Choi.

1. He's streaky. Choi has been in some horrific slumps where he has looked like he's never touched a bat before.

2. He lacks saavy. Tracy apparently believes this. Certainly a ballplayer needs to know what he's doing out there. There are things a ballplayer does that aren't measured in stats that managers, coaches, and the players themselves give an awful lot of weight to.

3. Choi is too nice. Don't laugh; people put stock in this, too.

4. Choi, in the way he plays, acts and moves, looks less like a stereotypical ballplayer than perhaps any other Dodger. This goes double for the way he swings the bat.

5. We must not dismiss the idea that Choi is sitting for reasons that aren't being reported or spoken about. There are things that happen with every team that we will never, ever know and there is perhaps good reason for that.

6. Choi is more effective as a part-time player. He helps the team more as a pinch-hitter/spot-starter.

How do these reasons look to all of you? Nothing quantifiable, nothing that can be measured... but I bet dollars to doughnuts that one of these is the reason he's not playing.

2005-08-28 18:19:20
15.   Jim Hitchcock
Wait, delete comment # 12 and go with my first guess (you'll have to trust me on that), the inimitable Darren Dreifort.
2005-08-28 18:22:56
16.   Xeifrank
Missed the game... the first couple innings of all black and white poor quality throw back video just tended to make my head hurt a little too much. Glad to see that Choi won the game and the Blue Crew won. When I first saw the lineup I figured we were up against a good LHP. But no, it was Clemens and Buntermaker at his best confusing self.
vr, Xei
2005-08-28 18:23:15
17.   Bob Timmermann
It was neither Dreifort nor Prokopec.
2005-08-28 18:24:01
18.   Odysseus
Shawn Green grand slam 6-2 snakes

14 your sixth reason actually could be quantified. I'm too lazy to look it up right now, but I would be willing to bet that the claim could, with minimum research, be proven false, i.e., Choi would actually help the team more as a full-time starter

2005-08-28 18:24:40
19.   Bob Timmermann
Vicente Padilla is a very aggravating pitcher to watch.
2005-08-28 18:25:06
20.   Xeifrank
14. We already figured the puzzle out a month ago. Choi needs to grow facial hair, wear glasses/goggles and or change his last name to something that sounds cooler like Choizturis. vr, Xei
2005-08-28 18:32:47
21.   Jim Hitchcock
Okay, assuming 11 was a reference the DL, it's gotta be Brown.
2005-08-28 18:33:41
22.   molokai
14
I'm going with six also. Not that it is correct but he has been a great pinch hitter. Seems to be a waste but at least it gives JT a reason.

Loved today's game. My two current favorite Dodgers win the game. I know Robles doesn't get a lot of love here but I love the way he plays the game and it is probably just the silly fan in me but he also seems to be quite "clutch".

Podres was the man in 55. I wasn't even born for 3 years but as I learned my Dodger history 40 years ago it gave me chills to learn how the 55 team finally won the series against the Yankee's after so many defeats. As I read the biographies of the great Brooklyn players that was the one common thread the heartache of the loses and sweet sweet smell of 55.

I felt I lived it live when the Lakers beat the Celtics after so many tries. Thank you Magic and company. Not even much of a fan anymore but that was special moment at the time.

2005-08-28 18:35:25
23.   Bob Timmermann
Not Brown. This guy was less talented, but more amiable.

That doesn't really narrow down the available group of pitchers does it?

2005-08-28 18:38:47
24.   Jim Hitchcock
Amiable except to former Dodger pitchers, perhaps?
2005-08-28 18:40:41
25.   Bob Timmermann
Vin loved the guy. Probably still does.
2005-08-28 18:42:33
26.   Jim Hitchcock
Well, I really tanked (pun intended) on that one, since I'm sure it wasn't Carlos Perez.
2005-08-28 18:42:52
27.   Louis in SF
Re # 3 Rich, I listened to the game on the Internet here in SF and Vinny mentioned that Clements has a killer split...It would have been great to listen to what Koufax had to say, did he say anything significant and any sense on how he feels about the current Dodger management. Derrick Hall and him were supposedly tight..Vinny and him are also still friends they are very close in age.
2005-08-28 18:43:23
28.   King of the Hobos
Posted this in the last thread, I was too lazy to realize there was a new topic;

Giles has a bruised knee according to the Padres, but he's getting an MRI. They fear it's a recurrance of a strained ligament in his knee that he had early in 2003. He says it doesn't hurt as bad as then and hopes it's day to day

2005-08-28 18:43:48
29.   molokai
I only wish Frank Robinson had been on the Brooklyn team in 55. Put him with Roberto Clemente and the 60's would have been a different animal. I only mention Clemente because he was Dodger property once upon a time.
2005-08-28 18:47:12
30.   Bob Timmermann
The Padres won't need Giles. They are facing Russ Ortiz tomorrow. They will likely get three home runs from Dave Roberts off of him.

Tomorrow will probably be the Dodgers best chance of moving into second place. The DBacks are pretty much guaranteed a loss tomorrow.

When are the Dodgers going to catch up to the DBacks in games played? The Dodgers have two games in hand.

I'm getting ready for hockey season.

2005-08-28 19:03:34
31.   King of the Hobos
30 The DBacks play their last Monday game tomorrow. The Dodgers have 4 left (they don't play the next 2 Thursdays). The DBacks, like the Dodgers, have no more .500 teams left, although they could make the Padres a .500 team very fast.
2005-08-28 19:10:18
32.   Bob Timmermann
So after the AZ-PHI game, the NL West schedule has all the teams playing each other home and home with two series out of division.

San Diego will be at Milwaukee and will host Washington
Arizona will be at Pittsburgh and will host Milwaukee
The Dodgers will be at Chicago and will host Pittsburgh
San Francisco will be at Washington and will host Chicago

The Rockies have two interdivisional road series at Atlanta and New York.

I think Mets fans will find their playoff hopes dashed by the surprisingly good Rockies. I think the Rockies problem now is that they can't hit. The pitchers actually look somewhat respectable, especially the bullpen.

2005-08-28 19:18:00
33.   King of the Hobos
Lieberthal just made the score 6-3 with another solo homer. The Phillies have 9 outs, many of those probably off the bullpen
2005-08-28 19:24:50
34.   Jon Weisman
Bob, was the subject of the trivia question on your List at the time? I'm thinking not yet.
2005-08-28 19:25:22
35.   King of the Hobos
Vargas is out, Groom is in. Men on the corners, no outs in the 7th, still 6-3
2005-08-28 19:26:08
36.   Bob Timmermann
He was not on my list at the time. He is still on the list since he's still in the minors and may pop up.
2005-08-28 19:30:21
37.   King of the Hobos
Sac fly, but now Utley, Abreu, Burrell, and Howard are due up. They have 2 outs to do something, 6-4 DBacks
2005-08-28 19:34:18
38.   King of the Hobos
Utley flew deep to the 407 sign in center, which happened to be where Terrero was
2005-08-28 19:36:59
39.   King of the Hobos
Is the answer to the trivia question currently in Tucson?
2005-08-28 19:37:56
40.   King of the Hobos
Abreu strikes out on a check swing. Buddy Groom actually did a decent job, did allow some deep fly balls. There's still hope...
2005-08-28 19:38:57
41.   Bob Timmermann
39
Yes.
2005-08-28 19:41:58
42.   Bob Timmermann
From the LA Times story on the game:

"Obviously, you put on the Brooklyn uniform and Don Newcombe's number is on your back you better go out there and put on a performance," said Weaver, who wears No. 36, the same number Newcombe sported from 1949-51 and 1954-58.

2005-08-28 19:42:55
43.   Bob Timmermann
Also:

Left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez, sidelined with a strained muscle in his right ribcage, is not sure if he will pitch again for the Dodgers this season.

"I don't know," said Perez, who was placed on the disabled list Aug. 22, retroactive to Aug. 18. "It feels better but sometimes there's a shooting pain in there."

2005-08-28 19:45:31
44.   Icaros
42 Bob, if you are going to post on the same number that the great Jackie Robinson wore, I think you owe it to his legacy to write something more substantial than a mere quote lifted from the LA Times.
2005-08-28 19:45:56
45.   King of the Hobos
Weaver needs to wear a Brooklyn jersey a lot more often

Can we have a 3 game win streak? 4 games? Tomorrow we get Jerome Williams and his offense/defense which includes Neifi at SS and Nomah and his already shaky defense at 3B. Lee could be a real problem for Houlton, who deserves to win at some point this month

DBacks have men on the corners, 1 out, Glaus up

2005-08-28 19:49:56
46.   King of the Hobos
Glaus hits a 3 run homer, 9-4 Arizona. Guess 2nd place will have to wait another day
2005-08-28 19:53:43
47.   Bob Timmermann
I have decided that I need to go find some dinner. The game at the BOB is all over but for the shouting.
2005-08-28 20:08:13
48.   King of the Hobos
Burrell homers, 10-5 DBacks. If the Phillies pitching doesn't implode in the 7th, it's 6-5. sigh...
2005-08-28 20:35:20
49.   Nagman
Surprisingly, Jake Peavy, who last pitched last Tuesday, is not schedule to pitch tomorrow against the Dbacks, (W. Williams is). Today (Sunday) would've been Peavy's regular turn, so he is taking two extra days between starts.

Weird. I had heard that Bochy is even contemplating a six man rotation.

2005-08-28 20:39:50
50.   Bob Timmermann
The Padres starters haven't been that bad. They just don't hit much. I think Khalil Greene is returning, so they can have a real shortstop instead of Damion Jackson.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2005-08-28 20:52:13
51.   King of the Hobos
49 Looks like they're on a 40 man rotation. After Peavy, you have Williams, Lawrence, Astacio, Park, and Eaton. Eaton's still not back fully. Who would you want? If I were Bochy, I'd get Peavy out wnenever I could and pull names out of a hat, use a dartboard, flip a coin, etc, for the rest of the rotation. The Dodgers sure would like a 6 man rotation, less Peavy=good
2005-08-28 20:57:06
52.   King of the Hobos
51 Strange typo...40 man = 6 man
2005-08-28 21:00:16
53.   Bob Timmermann
If it's a 40-man rotation, the Dodgers will only have to face Peavy once!
2005-08-28 21:53:55
54.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
A 40-man rotation is tough to pull off with a 6-man roster. ;)
2005-08-28 21:58:55
55.   Bob Timmermann
On a semi-related note to recent events in Dodgers land, Latrell Sprewell is considering signing with the Lakers.

Character time!

2005-08-28 22:07:34
56.   King of the Hobos
Sprewell and Kobe sounds like fun. I'm amazed that the Lakers still call themselves a team. Their PG is a big, old guy who's never played the point before (triangle or not), and Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum are their big men...
2005-08-28 22:16:58
57.   Icaros
Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm are their big men, and Mihm is actually pretty good.

Bynum is a project who probably won't see much playing time this year.

2005-08-28 22:19:31
58.   Ryan Jerz
Is the trivia answer Andy Ashby?
2005-08-28 22:29:45
59.   Jon Weisman
The answer is ... Matt Herges.

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B08260CHN2000.htm

One of four career starts Herges has made in about 400 appearances.

2005-08-28 22:45:30
60.   Rob M
There's a Gammons article on DePo/Kent/Bradley on Insider. I can't read it - anything interesting there?
2005-08-28 22:58:59
61.   atg12
The entire article's dedicated to defending Depo.
2005-08-28 23:00:01
62.   Joon
Someone posted the Gammons article on the The Big Blue Wrecking Crew's forum. (You can find the link to the website on the sidebar.)

Some things I found interesting:

"Have I made mistakes? No question," says DePodesta, though he does not consider Bradley one of them. "Looking back, trading Dave Roberts [to Boston] was a mistake. But there are reasons for a lot of things we have done, which include trying to clear the way for our young players to get to Los Angeles. The Dodger history is to be built through the farm system."

...DePodesta chose Valentin over Joe Randa, based on Valentin's well-earned clubhouse reputation, his versatility and the ability to get Antonio Perez more at-bats.

"What we tried to do is bring in players who had postseason experience," says DePodesta, who started the 2004 season without a player on the roster with a postseason at-bat.

2005-08-28 23:01:13
63.   Jim Hitchcock
Bob pretty much gave the answer away in 25. Vinny did like Matt alot.
2005-08-28 23:07:19
64.   Bob Timmermann
Vinny has a softspot for players with sick or dead parents.

I think Herges married someone in Todd Hollandsworth's family or vice versa. Vin loved to talk about that too.

2005-08-28 23:12:44
65.   Jim Hitchcock
64 - Yeah, he loved the Holly story.

Good job, though, Bob...instead of going for the temporary starter who is now a RP connection (on the right track), I went for the pitcher who is now on the DL. Silly me :)

2005-08-29 07:21:03
66.   werthgagne31
62--"""""""trying to get antonio perez more at bats.""""""""
tracy won't allow him to have more at bats cause he won't start him, hint fire tracy.
you could look at this as a slap at tracy.

"""""trading dave roberts was a mistake"""""
i really really hope he's joking, cause in my opinion trading dave friggin roberts was a blessing.
but you could look at this as a slap at izturis and tracy, roberts was a better leadoff hitter than izturis.
the more i think about it the more i believe mccourt wants tracy around and depodesta is chomping at the bit to get rid of tracy but cant because of mccourt.

i find it interesting in this article that depodesta tried to get brad radke, i'm glad to hear it cause radke was my number 1 choice of free agent starting pitchers last offseason.

2005-08-29 07:50:16
67.   Kayaker7
66 I like Dave Roberts a lot. However, he seems to get a hamstring pull every few weeks. That hampers the most effective part of his game--running. I wonder if there is some stretch he could be doing to avoid that injury.
2005-08-29 07:54:57
68.   Bob Timmermann
Although Dave Roberts gets injured a lot, I think DePodesta is thinking that having Roberts bat leadoff is a lot better than watching Izturis in that spot.

I wonder how long the Jayson Werth leadoff experiment will last.

2005-08-29 08:06:39
69.   werthgagne31
68-- exactly what i said, but i don't know if you mean that depodesta would like roberts back, cause i don't think so, i think that comment was directed at tracy for putting izturis leadoff.
and the same goes for the antonio perez comment, that comment also was directed at tracy in my opinion.

and the werth experiment according to tracy is because werth can run fast and robles is a contact hitter, meaning for some hit and runs, i may be wrong but i dont remember any hit and run plays between werth and robles yesterday, oh yea its cause werth never got on base, that's right tracy you have to get on base first before you can do a hit and run play.

that's not a slap at werth cause i like werth, but not at the top of the order.

also 2006 i hope bradley stays and depo picks up giles for an outfield of giles,bradley,drew, meaning werth and ledee become backups.

2005-08-29 08:24:49
70.   ElysianPark62
#69--I agree that Werth was a curious choice to bat leadoff. But his not getting on base yesterday probably had a lot to do with the starting pitcher, no?
2005-08-29 08:30:59
71.   db1022
The Roberts deal is considered to be the one deal where he didn't come out ahead, made more apparent by Roberts' contribution in the playoffs, and then his trade for Jay Payton in the offseason.

I think the "mistakes" that Depo is admitting doesn't have anything to do with roster selection of character. I think Depo regrets not being more adamant about playing time. Looking back on the season, I would assume he has a lot of regrets about the way he handled Choi, APerez, Izturis, Phillips, etc.

2005-08-29 08:32:00
72.   db1022
70 - This Werth thing smacks of desperation.

Well, that and the fact that Werth has stolen a handful of bases in the second half. Must be a leadoff hitter...

2005-08-29 08:52:12
73.   Kayaker7
Yeah, Werth leading off is all about the stolen bases. Pretty silly, actually. Tracy's baseball savvy leaves a lot to be desired.
2005-08-29 08:53:59
74.   Xeifrank
Buntermaker's choice of Werth as the new leadoff hitter is a strange one. Starting the best 8 hitters is more important than in what order they hit in, but one would think that APerez with his high OBP would be a better choice. If APerez isn't going to leadoff then it really doesn't matter very much who does. Not starting APerez over concerns of his defense is a joke.
vr, Xei
2005-08-29 08:56:06
75.   db1022
74 - I agree, I'm more about getting the best players in the lineup than where they hit (except Izturis leading off).

Werth hitting leadoff is more funny than anything.

2005-08-29 10:23:56
76.   Bob Timmermann
Dodgers odds of making the playoffs according to Baseball Prospectus: 3.4%

Arizona's odds: 3.0%

San Francisco's odds: 0.9%

San Diego's odds: 92.7%

Hey, they add up to 100%!

2005-08-29 10:25:49
77.   Bob Timmermann
Actually, the Rockies still have a shot too, but since I only used one decimal point, their chances rounded down to zero.

BP has the Rockies at .00397% That's the worst "chance" anybody who still has one. The Tigers at .004721%

2005-08-29 10:30:27
78.   db1022
76 - Who do you root for in this week's series - SD or AZ?
2005-08-29 10:37:41
79.   Jon Weisman
Why wouldn't you root for Arizona? Just to play for second place?
2005-08-29 10:41:29
80.   db1022
Without the WC in play, yeah, root for the DBacks.

Dodgers miss Zambrano in this swing through Chicago.

2005-08-29 10:46:35
81.   Bob Timmermann
Can't .... root .... for .... Russ ... Ortiz ... must .... hold .... back ... inclination ... to .... scream.

I'm nothing if not a slave to my irrational hatreds.

2005-08-29 10:46:47
82.   Icaros
According to Ken Rosenthal:

"Tommy Lasorda, a special advisor to McCourt, is bad-mouthing DePodesta, according to rival scouts and executives. And manager Jim Tracy, who was believed to be in trouble, appears to be rising in stature."

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/4817678

2005-08-29 10:48:47
83.   db1022
I'd consider rooting for the Padres just to get those annoying DBacks out of the picture, making it a two-team race. It could quickly become a one-team race if the Dodgers don't take care of business in Chicago.
2005-08-29 10:49:04
84.   Bob Timmermann
Tommy Lasorda... badmouthing someone who doesn't listen to him very much...

I'm shocked! Shocked!

"Your winnings, Captain Renault."

2005-08-29 10:50:54
85.   Bob Timmermann
The Giants will likely be finished after the Rockies play them. The Giants don't have Schmidt or Lowry pitching at home in that 3-game series and that's going to hurt.
2005-08-29 10:51:46
86.   Icaros
Maybe Lasorda can give DePodesta tips on trading rookie sluggers for players who he doesn't realize have out clauses.
2005-08-29 10:54:16
87.   Jon Weisman
"It could quickly become a one-team race if the Dodgers don't take care of business in Chicago."

Hence, why you should root for Arizona ...

2005-08-29 10:56:22
88.   db1022
I can see how Lasorda might be "confused" by Depo's moves and metrics, but I've never heard Tommy badmouth anything blue before.
2005-08-29 11:00:46
89.   Bob Timmermann
Run scoring deficits in the NL West

San Diego -33
Arizona -151
Los Angeles -63
San Francisco -88
Colorado -144

The only team with a winning record running a deficit is Washington at -18 and the Washington GM, Jim Bowden, has labeled his team "pathetic".

The only team with a losing record that is in the black is Texas at +2.

Toronto which is .500 has outscored its opponents by 54.

2005-08-29 11:01:32
90.   db1022
87 - I know, it sounds dumb. I guess in my past experiences with rooting for the Dodgers to get back in the race (all too many times, unfortunately), I usually try to root using these guidelines:

1. get back to .500, regardless of anyone else's record (this doesn't seem to apply in this division)
2. root against the team in front of you. you can't catch the leader from 3rd place.

2005-08-29 11:01:44
91.   Bob Timmermann
In public, Lasorda loves everyone associated with the Dodgers.
In private, it's a much different story. Ask Bill Russell.
2005-08-29 11:03:21
92.   Jon Weisman
88 - you have apparently only come in contact with the public Lasorda persona.

Like Bill Plaschke, I'm sure Lasorda views himself as a protector of the Blue - which would make an enemy anyone who doesn't share his vision, whether that enemy is inside the organization or outside.

That being said, Rosenthal's is an unsourced report, so it could be someone else's agenda in spreading it. The possibility should be noted, anyway.

2005-08-29 11:04:39
93.   Icaros
At the beginning of the season Bob promised that the Dodgers would finish ahead of Arizona. If that doesn't happen you might as well tell me that the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and Hanukka Harry do not exist.
2005-08-29 11:05:15
94.   db1022
92 - I wonder what Lasorda feels about Milton Bradley?
2005-08-29 11:07:58
95.   Icaros
94 Next time you see him, ask Tommy what he thinks of Milton Bradley's performance.

Make sure there are no children around.

2005-08-29 11:08:13
96.   Bob Timmermann
Eric Enders supposedly bet somebody that the Dodgers would finish 20 games ahead of Arizona.

That would take some doing now although it's still mathematically possible.

2005-08-29 11:10:47
97.   Icaros
96 Don't shift this over to Eric, mister. I'm holding you accountable if my heart is broken.
2005-08-29 11:12:26
98.   Bob Timmermann
The Dodgers could very well finish fourth. This would fulfill the Naccarato Prophecy.
2005-08-29 11:17:27
99.   Icaros
The Naccarato Prophecy, emboldened by The Curse of Jason Ellison, has so far outweighed The Russ Ortiz Factor.
2005-08-29 11:23:31
100.   Bob Timmermann
You've also forgotten the Chad Kreuter Phenomenon (players perform well immediately after being badmouthed). This is developing a Jason Phillips Corollary.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2005-08-29 11:27:12
101.   Marty
Out of the public eye Lasorda is a mean, miserable SOB. I'm not surprised that he wouldn't like Depo and I'm not surprised if he's trying to undermine him.
2005-08-29 11:28:47
102.   db1022
101 - Besides Joe McDonnell and Bill Plaschke, does anyone really care that much what he says nowadays?

Would McCourt really let Lasorda determine the direction of the franchise?

2005-08-29 11:29:05
103.   Icaros
I don't think that scientists have completely unlocked the secret behind the Chad Kreuter Phenomenon yet.

I've been badmouthing Jason Repko all season, and he has yet to pay off.

2005-08-29 11:29:35
104.   Marty
102 Anything's possible
2005-08-29 11:31:43
105.   Xeifrank
Tommy Lasorda has a big mouth, just go ask a bowl of pasta. Viva DePodesta. vr, Xei
2005-08-29 11:32:20
106.   Icaros
A friend of mine was almost run over by Lasorda's limo after a game at DS one night.

The car ran a red light. Tommy only stops for blue, apparently.

2005-08-29 11:34:12
107.   Icaros
Would McCourt really let Lasorda determine the direction of the franchise?

That will be the day I follow Steve to the Land of Green and Gold. I'm just a BART trip away from there now.

2005-08-29 11:37:28
108.   bigcpa
Jason Phillips (.673) has now pulled even with Royce Clayton at #144 on the OPS leaderboard among 156 qualifiers. Orlando Cabrera is lying in the weeds at .671 looking to make a move. Izturis all alone at #156. Steve Finley has a 1 point edge on Izzy but doesn't quite qualify. Now this is a September race worth watching.
2005-08-29 11:43:16
109.   Xeifrank
108. Looks like the LAA are finally going to bag Finley and move Erstad to CF and Kotch to 1B. If the playoffs were to start today, both local teams would be sitting at home. So much for small ball. Who would you rather have as a manager, Tracy or Scoscia and why? vr, Xei
2005-08-29 11:43:19
110.   Bob Timmermann
107
But wouldn't you have to drive to Pittsburg or Martinez first?
2005-08-29 11:45:17
111.   Marty
Aah, beautiful Martinez CA. I made a point of going there a long time ago because I had a friend with that last name. We took a picture of me pointing at the Martinez city sign holding my nose.
2005-08-29 11:48:16
112.   Bob Timmermann
Martinez, birthplace of Joe DiMaggio! County seat of Contra Costa County.

Good thing your friend didn't have a really unusual name, like Yreka. Yreka is a long drige.

2005-08-29 11:49:48
113.   Icaros
110, 111 - I usually leave from the station in Pleasant Hill.

My parents both work at Kaiser Hospital in Martinez.

2005-08-29 11:51:01
114.   Icaros
112 Man, Bob and his vocabulary...now I have to go look up "drige."
2005-08-29 11:58:57
115.   Bob Timmermann
Just drige, he said.
2005-08-29 12:04:54
116.   Icaros
People drige like psychopaths in California.
2005-08-29 12:05:28
117.   GoBears
For those of you near a TV, ESPNews "The Hot Zone" is teasing that this half-hour Peter Gammons will be on to talk about the Dodgers.

Oh, and in "old friend" news, Beltre bruised his knee and left the game yesterday, and Green's GS last night was his 28th of the season, the day after another daughter was born.

I now return you to your regular programming.

2005-08-29 12:14:11
118.   db1022
117 - Won't be anything that wasn't in his online article.
2005-08-29 12:23:12
119.   GoBears
118: And it wasn't, really. Although he really did focus on injuries as the problem, said that the team is in pretty good shape for the next 4-5 years. Actually, it was the most inarticulate I've ever seen Gammons. He was stumbling all over himself. Agree with him or not, give him a hard time for being "Mr. Trial Balloon" for a lot of teams, but he's always articulate and measured. Off day.
2005-08-29 12:54:11
120.   db1022
119 - Good to hear that he has a positive outlook on the team. He's been one of the two defenders (with Neyer) of Depodesta throughout the year.
2005-08-29 12:56:21
121.   db1022
And didn't mean to be so dismissive in 118. Typically the .com columnists come on ESPNews when they have an article on the website. For the most part, it's usually a regurgitation of the column.
2005-08-29 12:58:15
122.   Marty
Sorry to have dissed the city your parents work in Icaros. I will now besmirch Pinole unless someone objects.
2005-08-29 13:03:02
123.   Icaros
122 I'm certainly not one to be offended by the putdown of Martinez (or any city, for that matter), so don't worry. I was just sharing some personal info.

I think Pinole is nicer than Martinez. Richmond is a good place for besmirching.

2005-08-29 15:18:59
124.   Dave
Is 28 slams in a season an MLB record? (just kidding) 117 reads a little funny
2005-08-29 16:34:47
125.   Steve Saxs Sweaty Jockstrap
I'm Back. Did you guys miss me. I just got back from a month vacation in Aruba, yes thats right, Aruba.

Prices have never been cheaper. The Aruban tourist people have dropped prices. Go to expedia, travelocity, or cheap tickets and book a vacation to Aruba, you wont be dissapointed, especially with the bargain basement prices.

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