Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Jon's other site:
Screen Jam
TV and more ...
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
Although I'm certainly happy if he's happy, there's something dispiriting about Orel Hershiser leaving baseball's employ to become an ESPN studio analyst.
It's another reminder of how quickly Hershiser went from being central in the maelstrom preceding Paul DePodesta's departure as Dodger general manager to a nonentity. Given that Hershiser seemed so excited about becoming a general manager someday, with another team if not the Dodgers, the decay of his situation with the Texas Rangers smacks of an unhappy ending. I hope I'm wrong, but it was only November when Hershiser took a new job as exeuctive assistant to the team president.
The irony of it all is that despite apparently being used as nothing more than a certain chess piece during the Dodger GM uprising in the fall, Hershiser really did seem to have something to offer the team - not necessarily as a GM, but as a productive coach or executive who could work toward that goal. Does his departure from the Rangers indicate otherwise? Or did things just get too messy for cleanup with either Texas or Los Angeles?
Someday, I have to talk to Manny Mota and find out how he has survived so long with the Dodgers. I wonder if it was a case of being extraordinarily careful about what he wished for.
* * *
Jay Jaffe of the The Futility Infielder has a follow-up to last week's discussion of Mota and Dodger pinch-hitters, including a picture like mine of Mota riding his bike at Dodgertown. An excerpt:
Another former Dodger, Dave Hansen, at one point looked like a solid bet to eclipse Mota and move into second place. But with two dubiously chart-making seasons in 2003 and 2004, plus an anemic 2-for-31 last year, Hansen appears to have run out of gas. Unless he somehow finds a job this spring, he will have finished with just 19 hits in his final 137 pinch-ABs (.139). For his career, he's still hit .234/.351/.358 in 593 at-bats in the role, and as his presence on the first list (of all-time great pinch-hitting seasons) attests, was one of the best in his "prime." It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it.
* * *
People talk about the big day when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, but back here in California, you can tell things really come alive once the sportswriters get to Florida and Arizona and the daily reports start flowing. We're back in business, baby!
* * *
Update: Ex-Dodger Jose Lima has booked his Spring Break, according to The Associated Press - he'll be hanging with the Mets. He will earn $600,000 if he makes the 40-man roster, with incentive clauses potentially adding another $450,000.
Update 2: Three more Dodger staff departures were reported by Ken Gurnick at MLB.com today, including the team's physical therapist for a quarter of a century, Pat Screnar.
Update 3: Rangers beat writer Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News talked about Hershiser's departure from Texas:
There were factions in the Rangers' front office that weren't happy with the way Hershiser pursued various positions with the Los Angeles Dodgers. To some, it came off as if he was campaigning for a job. In baseball's world of etiquette, it's one thing to be flattered by a club's interest in you; it's another to pursue a job like it's your first chance out of college. The second method suggests maybe you aren't happy with your current role.
As for the second position, this was to be largely an ambassadorship. Hershiser wants more meat. He wants to be a manager, GM or president. He wasn't going to get that role in Texas anytime soon, if it all. By taking his leave and going to ESPN, Hershiser can position himself much the way Buck Showalter and Bobby Valentine have in recent years. He can use his sharp mind and articulate voice to analyze all 30 teams for a year or two and make himself a very hot commodity to some club (in Valentine's case, a Japanese club) in the process.
vs left: .348/.375/.391/.766 (46 ABs)
vs right: .333/.394/.424/.817 (321 ABs)
As for spring training, did you see how MLB.com was trying to get us excited that trucks were leaving for spring training. Wow. Thrilling....
Quick someone call the Vero Beach police! Someone stole Manny's milk crate!
You've got to be kidding. Please tell me you're kidding. I want you to be kidding.
Sammy Sosa, the guy who can only get an offer from Washington and only then because he would be an insurance policy for Jose Guillen!
Those bobsleds don't push themselves. They want fast and strong people to push those things. Why do you think the U.S. once recruited Herschel Walker to be a pusher.
It's not like the driver of the bobsled turns the key and presses on the gas to make the sled go.
Yes but it was clearly a mistake. As to Kent and MB, there were two quality players who couldn't coexist. Here we are talking about one quality player and one who thinks he is still a quality player. They have even less chance of co-existing. Moreover, this is the 2006 Dodgers. Frank decided in the offseason that character now counts.
That said, I'm wondering if the discusion provides sufficient basis for me to post on Dave Sheinin's washpost chat that there is discussion of the Dodgers acquiring Sosa. What do you think? Ombudsman?
His splits vs. righties probably have a lot to do with that VORP:
.196/.266/.341/.606
Who has the bananas?
Even though I know it is a joke the thought is just too scary.
If he had a migraine headache, had just argued with his wife (with scratches on his face to prove it), got cut off in traffic twice on the way to the ballpark, was asked to identify himself by stadium security because he looked suspicious and then upon entering the dugout he found out he was batting seventh, I still would rather have Milton Bradley in my lineup over Sammy Sosa.
But I think a front office position with the Dodgers would be above ESPN. And I think managing the Dodgers would be on top of the list. And I base this on... well, nothing, really.
we dont really have any good options here until werth comes back.
unless *gasp*....nomar can play left field and let saenz play against lefties at 1b.
Unless (even ghaspier) Nomar can play left field and let Choi play 1B against righties AND lefties...
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH OUR NATE?
That brings up another issue -- what does the DT crowd think of Bill Russell's tenure as manager?
Africa had just six nations competing and one of them was Ethiopia and they had a cross-country skier who grew up in the U.S.
And he flunked his doping test.
And Russell was the biggest loser in that. He had a higher winning percentage than Johnson or Tracy or Lasorda.
If Mueller, Lofton, and Kent show their ages, Brett Tomko shows to be, indeed Brett Tomko...
Then in the end McCourt pays 100+mils for an 82win ball club. Was it worth it? Better publicity but less profits...
I think in business the bottomline always wins out.
This is humorous. I think you could replace "Sosa" with any NOUN, and it would still ring true.
As soon as the Winter Olympics get moved to the month of August.
Yippee! Dodgerthoughts MadLibs!
Although it was an extremely small sample size, he OPS'd 1.400 with the bases loaded last year.
The only month in which he got over 50 at bats last year (July), his numbers were .304/.345/.776
He isn't even 25 years old yet and he plays hard.
I realize that most of you feel he should be the 102nd player on a 25 man roster, but I just want to say out loud that I'm a fan of his and remember you heard it first right here when he actually has a decent year in 2006 (although it may be in Vegas).
Thank you for your time, and don't bother posting all of the negative stats you can dig up on him. I've already seen them all.
he plays hard
Like fingernails on a chalkboard to the Dodgerthoughts crowd.
That's why I threw that in. We need a little friction going into ST.
Sorry, forgot to add that he's SCRAPPY
Welcome aboard Sam. This must be what Custer felt like at the Alamo.
Please let me know exactly which part of Steve's list you're referring to. I started at the bottom and tried to work my way to the top, but I've given up and I'm going to climb Everest instead.
All the greats were in the lineup that day: Repko, Nakamura, Phillips.
Repko is the only one left standing, a testimony to his hard play and scrappiness
Curtis, if you're willing to become a charter member of Repkoholics Anonymous (thanks for the idea Sam), we'll see what we can do about the hair.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Is your nieghbor's dog hairy?
56 -
I don't need him batting 7th. I'd be happy to have him batting after the pitcher's spot.
Yes, I realize that lead off is after the pitcher's spot. I meant that the pitcher could bat 8th.
58 -
Grabowski always had the "deer in the headlights" look about him. On the other hand Repko would just charge headlong into the car.
Excellent idea. Maybe we can convince Grady and Steve to use him in middle relief, although my guess is that Steve would consider most middle relievers a step above Repko.
Lest no one think I'm showing off, I had to look up Bell's name.
I thought Steve had something about this on his list, but he may have been referencing a different Repko Rocket (TM). The idea, I gather, was that whatever runner was outrageous enough to get picked off by one of those Repko Rockets (TM) is an enemy because such plays only solidified the notion that Repko had value.
And just how many baseball blogs in the entire world would you have to visit before you would come across the words "comity" and "apostasy" in the same posting.
Another testimony to the intelligence and excellent vocabulary found at DT.
By the way being a Repkoholic and a Choi-lover are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I would have absolutely no problem with both of them in the lineup at the same time.
http://www.drinkyoo-hoo.com/
It's a fine line between enhancing people's vocabulary and bludgeoning it.
Actually I didn't understand the joke.
I thought it was going to be more subtle than that.
nate- do you still go to Arizona? I was thinking of transferring there my junior year
yea i still go there. come one come all! you can live with me
^^^^ thats the DT comment of the day. my mountain dew almost ended up all over my keyboard when i read that.
platoon him with lofton?
It's not even Tempe.
The BOB is Chase Field.
To answer Miltie, those facilities are in Phoenix, which is about 2 hours NW of Tucson.
Also, I've been anti-Repko longer than anyone here. Believe it.
Repko is salt of the earth - no shame in that. It's just that there are nicer seasonings available.
You were anti-Repko before being Anti-Repko was cool. Sort of like tattoos.
I think that describes my feelings pretty well, though I would probably consider misuse to be any use at all.
Can't argue with that Jon.
One can hope to drink nothing but champagne, but sometimes one has to settle for beer.
Bob, get over there, STAT!
(I work at a hospital now).
Then Repko is O'Douls.
When you're traveling between Phoenix and Tucson in July, in a convertible, with the top down, at high noon, even O'Douls is welcome.
Hill Street Blues
Cheers
Seinfeld
Office Space
Aimee Mann
Things I liked before they were cool that should have become cooler:
Homicide: Life on the Street
Cupid, with Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall
Things that are not nearly cool enough
Dar Williams
Biathlon
Cool things I will never do, unless my kids demand it:
Snowboard instead of ski
Things I was in on early that never became cool
The USFL
Re: Orel Hershiser. The Rangers are one of those doomed franchises, especially on the pitching end. Becoming a sports analyst is a lucrative, high-profile, hideout. But, ask Bill Parcells, Joe Torre and Bob Brenly, it doesn't have to be the end of the on-field career.
But the Dodgers train in Florida. They don't need O'Douls. It rains O'Douls out there.
fender bender, and a car fire. Are people a little more reckless on Valentine's Day?
I blame the balloons in the car.
We did not stick around for the most memorable USFL game, the triple-overtime against (I think) Michigan, nor the finale at Pierce College.
I also remember playing a lot of Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles when my baby boom friends thought there was something wrong with me for being into these "mobster acts."
I was into Aimee Mann before "Magnolia," but I never gave 'Til Tuesday a tumble. Jon, were you into "Voices Carry?"
Nowadays, I am probably the only 50 year old man who's into The New Pornographers, Postal Service and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Is it too late to be cool with those?
Are there any books written about the USFL from an insider perspective? the unraveling of that league would be a great read.
I consider myself way late to Springsteen - but I guess I beat everyone who found him after 1983.
I could say the same thing about some Springsteen songs, but if you haven't heard the live version of Sam's "Bring it on Home to Me," you haven't lived.
from october to end of april, its perfect weather. summers are horrible. but im not here during the summer i go back home to socal.
i like the school, i like my classes. i dont like the city of tucson though. it has this wierd smell to it. Theres always stuff to do. if you are 21+, there are a bunch of good bars to go too. if you are not, theres still a bunch of house parties or frats.
to overkill:
if you go to 4th street, a lot of stuff is happening there. Maloneys, O'malleys, che cafe, etc.
Once, to avoid prosecution for hitchhiking at a freeway entrance, a friend and I hitched up the old back route (US 89/93). I don't even know if that's possible anymore, but it took 11 hours to get from Tucson to Mesa that way; I don't recommend it.
1- i drive an expedition and i cant afford the gas
2- i hate driving long distances
sometimes if there are bands that are coming through arizona and only through pheonix that i really want to see, i will make the drive. other then that, i dont.
Just saw that the Clippers traded Wilcox for Radmanovic. Nice move.
yes all the rooms/dorms are air conditioned. i think its required by law.. if its not it should be.
the older buildings are cool looking, red brick. its a nice campus. you should come visit it first though and see if you are feeling it or not. what college are you at now? why do you want to change schools? what major?
The Sex Pistols
The Clash
Talking Heads
X
my dad has a lot of vinyl from sex pistols, clash, doors etc.
he gave them to me. they are nice although i dont like the sex pistols. i do like the clash, doors, and the smiths and some others.
Yup. We U of A people used to sneer at the ASU people. "We have a university which looks like a university. You have a conglomeration of the ugliest looking buildings in Phoenix, and that's going some."
They'd always come back with "Yeah, but we have a facility designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (Grady Gammage)." "Not enough," we'd say.
I went to U of A to major in anthro; it was highly regarded for that department back then. I'd imagine it still is; I know its Astronomy department is super.
also, the eller business college is held in high regard nationally.
but yea, u of a actually looks like a real university, thats one of things i liked about it. and its a "college town" so theres a lot of actitivies geared towards my age group.
Jon and his wife honeymooned at the Hacienda Motel down on Figueroa.
I don't think they found it all that romantic though.
And nothing is more romantic than getting your new wife a free refill on her Diet Coke.
From a favorite "Taxi" episdoe of mine:
Reverend Jim: There are three great types of wedding to attend.
The first is Shinto. For the poetry.
The second is Polish. For the dancing.
[pause]
Alex: What's the third one, Jim?
Reverend Jim: Vegas! For the glitter!
'cause I am definitely one of 'em!
107dzzrtRatt, good call on The New Pornographers. I can't say I was exactly ahead of the curve with them, but if they ever become huge I will be. Same with The Walkmen, The Shins (that one's already paying off a bit), and My Morning Jacket.
this year i only see repko as a fill-in. as nate said at the beginning of this topic, i imagine we're looking for someone to add to the outfield mix. my guess is hidalgo.
(note to a. ethier: you have a small but conceivable chance of winning a job [ledee's?] with a perfect spring.)
Minimum bid was $200, it appears not to have sold.
http://tinyurl.com/7698p
I don't see any real harm in giving him the seven or eight starts until Werth gets back or even letting Lofton, gasp, bat against lefties.
conceivable chance of winning a job [ledee's?]
Just what is Ledee's job anyway? "Guy whose hamstrings are so fragile that he can't run and therefore can't play and therefore can't contribute"?
I can't believe Steiner is on your short list of non-enemies. Did you listen to the guy last year?
I can do homework while listening to the games, but not while watching. Plus, MLB audio is a lot cheaper.
OK. Here we go.
Woody Allen?
what a lonely....lonely night.
And what did it do today? Kick you in the teeth for the Sammy Sosa thing. DT is a cruel, unforgiving mistress.
call me a sadist but i loved it so much that i will throw out another name in place of repko:
Trenidad Hubbard
okay guys, dont hold back, lay it on thick!
lol, running as fast as you can in zig-zags and letting the ball bounce off your glove, or completely missing it does not make you a good defnesive outfielder no matter how scrappy you look running into walls.
By then Drew will be on crutches, Cruz will be in traction, Lofton will be rehabbing in Vegas, Ledee's hamstrings will be torn and Nomar will be on the 60-day DL because of groin, foot and wrist injuries.
Shortly after coming off the DL, Werth will report a "pop" in his surgical wrist after checking his swing against Jose Lima.
Izturis, fresh off the DL, will see time in CF.
He'll be flanked by Repko and Ethier.
Now, if he comes to town I'm not renting him a room, but if I sat in Jim Bowden's chair, I'd probably give Brown a shot over Sosa.
[ducks]
Yes. If Brown dying alone, unloved, unmourned, unsigned, is wrong, I don't wanna be right.
...or you can read 150 pages for a class you have in 7 hours like I'm doing. This I would not recommend.
________
from the latest dodger.com article. they are all at camp early. i hope miller has a kickass spring, he needs to get back on track.
...they don't show saved by the bell on there yet? or other "classics" like salute your shorts, hey dude!, and you cant do that on television?
henson tells us why lofton and nomar havent actually signed their contracts yet. and no, its not because mccourt is waiting for season ticket sales to come in to pay thier salaries! although simers would absolutely love it if that was the case.
i havent seen salute your shorts or hey dude in forever. I cant sleep before 3am anyways so im glad theres a bunch of sitcoms on late at night.
someone -ahem- sent me a camp anawanna pin yesterday. it is exceedingly retro and thus the cool factor is off the charts. perhaps this means a dvd release is upcoming...?
time to go crash now, see youse guys on tomorrow's thread!
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers15feb15,0,2255769.story?track=tothtml
Key quote: "But rarely are there this many changes in less than two years — the only position player expected to make the opening-day roster who played on the 2004 NL West championship club is reserve infielder Olmedo Saenz. The only pitchers are Eric Gagne, Odalis Perez, Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban."
No love for Hee Seop Choi in this article. In fact, he's not even mentioned...
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