Baseball Toaster Dodger Thoughts
Help
Jon Weisman's outlet
for dealing psychologically
with the Los Angeles Dodgers
and baseball.
Frozen Toast
Search
Google Search
Web
Toaster
Dodger Thoughts
Archives

2009
02  01 

2008
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2007
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2006
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2005
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2004
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2003
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2002
09  08  07 
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

Kemp Recalled, Will Start Today
2006-05-28 07:45
by Jon Weisman

At least for now, Matt Kemp is making the leap from AA Jacksonville and will bat sixth in today's lineup. Inside the Dodgers has the news. Lance Carter has been sent down to AAA Las Vegas.

Quite a newsy lineup in general, with Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew are sitting out today's game. Four rookies are starting - Kemp, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin and Willy Aybar, with Aybar moving over to second base to allow Olmedo Saenz to play third.

No one in today's starting lineup is between the age of 25 and 28. (This used to say "between the age of 23 and 29," until everyone pointed out how wrong I was.)

Today's Game

Comments (282)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-05-28 07:56:17
1.   Inside Baseball
It's been a long time since I've been this excited for a game to start. Wow.
2006-05-28 08:27:03
2.   Goozmani
i like it!

good luck matt.

2006-05-28 08:30:06
3.   CanuckDodger
How was room made for Kemp on the 40-man roster? Was somebody moved from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL, or was somebody bunped off the roster and exposed to waivers?

And, Jon, Ethier is 24-years-old so that is one guy in the age range that you said is not represented in today's line-up.

2006-05-28 08:35:34
4.   Steve
"Ma" "Att" "Kemp!" "Ma" "Att" "Kemp!"
2006-05-28 08:41:00
5.   Jon Weisman
3- Thanks.
2006-05-28 08:48:25
6.   Landonkk
Wow.. not sure that I like starting the clock on Kemp. 21 and only 48 games experience above the single A level. I guess you have to root for the kid now. I guess that means that either Drew or Kent will be headed to the DL (or both). Wow. Here we go again.
2006-05-28 08:53:37
7.   thinkingblue
Isn't Furcal in that age range?
2006-05-28 08:53:53
8.   Jon Weisman
Just because Kemp is called up now doesn't mean he will stay for the whole season. It is somewhat surprising to me, though, that Colletti would call up someone with as little experience as Kemp. Ned's got Prospect Fever.
2006-05-28 08:55:18
9.   Jon Weisman
Furcal is 28 1/2. Fine. You guys win. I can't do math at 7 on a Sunday morning :)
2006-05-28 08:55:53
10.   thinkingblue
In the latimes article I read today, the dodgers don't think Drew or Kent's injuries are serious.
2006-05-28 08:56:10
11.   blue22
3 - Werth and Brazo are both on the 60-day already - I don't see anyone else. Dare I say the most logical move is that Carter is DFA'd, as opposed to simply being demoted?

Jose Diaz is another random person on the 40-man, down in Jax. I'd hope Carter would go before this guy would.

2006-05-28 09:01:22
12.   thinkingblue
Also, we won't collapse this year if we have a couple injuries cuz the guys we'll call up won't be Mike Edwards, Jason Grabowski, or Oscar Robles, rather top prospects will be called up, and like the Braves showed last year, you can win by bringing up top prospect talent.
2006-05-28 09:09:58
13.   Jimi Shelter
1. Inside Baseball
It's been a long time since I've been this excited for a game to start. Wow.

I know! And I promised some friends I'd TIVO it and wait until they get her around 3:00. Moral quandry...

2006-05-28 09:12:53
14.   Gen3Blue
I'm surprised about Kemp coming up, but as Jon says, it does't mean the season. It might be a smart move to give a taste at the right time, showing Kemp what he needs to do to get where he's going. The worst he could do to your plan is be impossible to send back down, and how bad is that. I kind of hope that the injuries stop, and some of the prospects get to bond as the core of some team this fall.
2006-05-28 09:28:14
15.   Eric Enders
Put me down as being against the Kemp move, though I'm very excited to see how he does.

I'd rather they have recalled Delwyn Young, who although he has a much lower ceiling, also has a much longer history of plate discipline than Kemp does. Young, it seems to me, would be far less likely to be picked apart by major league pitchers. Then again, an outfield of, say, Young-Cruz-Ethier wouldn't exactly win any fielding awards.

2006-05-28 09:29:14
16.   Marty
If/when they send Kemp back down, I guess it will be to Vegas and not Jacksonville. So good news for Nate :-)
2006-05-28 09:36:02
17.   D4P
Lance just needs to work out a few kinks. He'll be back.
2006-05-28 09:38:02
18.   Eric Enders
The major kink being how to pitch, I guess.
2006-05-28 09:38:08
19.   Izzy
I can live with the Kemp call up, but as has been pointed out, the clock is now ticking on him. That must say something about where they think he is, or they are desperate. That being said, Kemp is a much better option than Guzman. His swing is so raw and erratic, that he won't be consistent yet, to me at least. At times, he can sure smack the ball though. Oh, and is it too early to say that Russel Martin is now the heart and soul of the Dodgers?
2006-05-28 09:40:38
20.   Bob Timmermann
I believe the phrase "heart and soul" should be retired.

Permanently.

Then we can go back and excise them from all previous posts about the Dodgers going back to 1999.

Then I will use my fancy, brain disruption device on everybody that will make it impossible to refer to those words in the same phrase ever again.

2006-05-28 09:42:21
21.   D4P
18
That would be a good place to start.
2006-05-28 09:50:49
22.   bcmaiden
17) You are hysterical. Can someone clarify what is going on with the roster. First, I thought Carter was out of options, and second, Matt is not on the 40 man.
2006-05-28 09:55:45
23.   underdog
I think everyone's focusing on Kemp's hitting - whether he can or can't - but isn't another reason for his call-up due to his being an above average defender? They need to make sure they're covered with a solid defender in the OF until the other guys heal up. I'm sure however well he does (unless he's incredible at the plate, which probably won't be the case) that he'll be sent down when Ricky Ledee is back. And then get called up again in September. For now, I'm curious to see how he does and am not reading a lot into it overall other than providing OF depth.

Also, I don't think Carter is out of options - they sent him down once before, they can send him down again, no? It's a good move, going with one less pitcher.

2006-05-28 09:59:35
24.   bhsportsguy
The Dodgers retroactively moved Cesar Itzturis was moved to the 60 day DL, thus they have delayed making a major move but in trying to read between lines, I think Matt Kemp will be here at least until they know more about Ledee and Repko's condition.

If Gagne does return on Thursday, Jon's wish should be answered, Hamulack will be optioned to Vegas.

2006-05-28 10:03:25
25.   confucius
20. No can do. This Russ Martin character is all heart and soul. So much so that I fear he'll be wearing a pirates uniform before long. That is where all the heart and soul is, Pittsburgh
2006-05-28 10:04:20
26.   Bob Timmermann
25

I'm getting out the brain disruption device right now.

2006-05-28 10:05:26
27.   confucius
23. I think Defense is a huge part of it also.
2006-05-28 10:07:00
28.   bhsportsguy
I'm no expert but here is a crash course in how baseball roster moves work.

When a team initially signs a player (draft or free agent) they maintain their rights for 3 years if they are 19 at the time of signing or 4 years if they are 16-18 years old at the time of signing.

At the end of that period, the MLB club must place that player on their 40 man roster or risk exposing him to the Rule 5 draft.

Once a player has been placed on the 40 man roster, the MLB team has 3 option years for that period. This means that if anytime during the year, that player is recalled onto the 25 man roster, that counts as an option year. Now that player can be sent up and down all year and it still counts as just one option year.

Once a player is out of options (see Antonio Perez), the team must either keep the player on their 25 man roster or put him on waivers before they can send him back down to the minors.

2006-05-28 10:08:11
29.   Bob Timmermann
23

"Options" are counted on an annual basis. If you have an "option" left on your contract, you can be sent up and down to the minors multiple times in that season.

2006-05-28 10:10:09
30.   bhsportsguy
29- Bob, I love how you can say things in such a minimalistic way.
2006-05-28 10:10:32
31.   bcmaiden
Thanks guys. Now I comprende. Didn't know an option was for an entire season.
2006-05-28 10:14:23
32.   Bob Timmermann
30
Philip Glass taught me how.
Philip Glass taught me how.
Philip Glass taught me how.
Philip Glass taught me how.
Philip Glass taught me how.
Philip Glass taught me how.
Philip Glass taught me how.
2006-05-28 10:14:52
33.   King of the Hobos
Clayton doubled? It's going to be a long game
2006-05-28 10:16:03
34.   Bob Timmermann
This may be the fastest invocation of the Grabowski Principle ever.
2006-05-28 10:16:35
35.   DadofMondy
Bill Plaschke stole J.A.'s computer...

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/la-sp-adande28may28,1,2523968.column?coll=la-headlines-sports-majorbaseb

2006-05-28 10:18:10
36.   D4P
33
Not only that, but SWAGGER drew a walk.
2006-05-28 10:19:20
37.   D4P
Washington is doing a good job of giving up outs.
2006-05-28 10:19:26
38.   Jon Weisman
I e-mailed a response to J.A. this morning.
2006-05-28 10:19:26
39.   Bob Timmermann
Ahh, Royce Clayton eases the pain....
2006-05-28 10:19:31
40.   Gen3Blue
Funny thing --he was safe. But he was beat.
Seen that before.
2006-05-28 10:19:39
41.   regfairfield
Thank God for Frank Robinson.
2006-05-28 10:21:46
42.   sanchez101
The parellels between this years Dodgers and last years Braves are interesting:
Martin - McCann
Aybar - Betemit
Ethier - Langerhans
Kemp - Francouer
2006-05-28 10:23:32
43.   Vishal
...and seo rediscovers the strike zone!
2006-05-28 10:24:06
44.   King of the Hobos
42 So who will be our Kelly Johnson and Kyle Davies? Guzman/Young and Billingsley?
2006-05-28 10:24:45
45.   LAT
Is Az ever going to lose again. 3-0 in the 1st.
2006-05-28 10:26:14
46.   D4P
From J.A.:

Nomo whacked a double to the wall over the drawn-in outfielders. The sheer improbability of it made me laugh. And that's what makes baseball great. Things that shouldn't happen can happen.

So, a GM should build a team based on improbabilities? Find the worst possible players, and wait for those unexpected and infrequent moments when they actually do something positive?

2006-05-28 10:28:07
47.   King of the Hobos
That 1-0 pitch proves Kemp probably shouldn't be here yet, at least for not too long.
2006-05-28 10:28:56
48.   Bob Timmermann
I hope D.J. Houlton isn't too upset they gave his number away.
2006-05-28 10:29:05
49.   Gen3Blue
Willie Aydolph!
2006-05-28 10:29:52
50.   underdog
Poor Kemp was listed as "[undefined] struck out swinging" by GameChannel.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-05-28 10:30:10
51.   D4P
Is there a worse possible first career AB than to swing and miss at 3 pitches?
2006-05-28 10:31:23
52.   Bob Timmermann
51

Probably has happened about 1,000 times in big league history.

2006-05-28 10:31:56
53.   King of the Hobos
51 Swing and miss at three pitches from Jose Lima?
2006-05-28 10:32:17
54.   sanchez101
44. Guzman and Kelly Johnson both started in at SS and moved to the OF, and Ive seen Davies and Billingsley compared before.
2006-05-28 10:32:22
55.   Bob Timmermann
The Yankees first inning against the Royals.

Homer
Single
Single
Double
Single

2006-05-28 10:33:06
56.   Andrew Shimmin
He took a ball, didn't he? I only just logged on, so I didn't get to watch the gameday pitch by pitch, but it looks like he took a ball.

O/T: Orlando is a lot like hell, but with more outlet shopping.

2006-05-28 10:35:17
57.   King of the Hobos
56 He took a ball, then swung at some balls
2006-05-28 10:35:43
58.   sanchez101
56. He took a first pitch ball, then swung at nearly the exact same pitch
2006-05-28 10:36:54
59.   sanchez101
Im tired of hearing about Lyons crappy career
2006-05-28 10:37:31
60.   Marty
An argument against statistics really should not be citing statistics to bolster the argument.
2006-05-28 10:37:55
61.   natepurcell
wow.

I just woke up, turn on my computer to the dodger game and i see matt fricken kemp standing in the batters box.

I seriously thought i was still drunk and had turned on the jacksonville live webfeed or something.

2006-05-28 10:38:27
62.   Gen3Blue
Nats. announcer knows how to hit Seo. They should put him in!
2006-05-28 10:38:28
63.   Bob Timmermann
But in 1988, Steve Lyons was fourth in the AL in sac hits.
2006-05-28 10:39:31
64.   D4P
56
I'm pretty sure the only shopping in hell is Wal-Mart.

60
Exactly, yet that is usually what happens. I've yet to encounter an anti-stats type who was truly opposed to all stats (e.g. BA, ERA, RBIs, etc.).

2006-05-28 10:43:33
65.   Gen3Blue
For god sake make Ortiz through some pitches if you are not going to hit him!
2006-05-28 10:43:39
66.   Marty
But BA, ERA and RBIs are hallowed by tradition and consecrated by time. They are the only pure statistics possible.
2006-05-28 10:44:13
67.   sanchez101
Do they think we care about who Steve Lyons hit his homeruns off of?
2006-05-28 10:44:25
68.   towerofpower
wow, they called up kemp. thats awesome. i wake up, turn on the tube and kemp is stepping into the batters box (61 - lol). i was waiting for him to jack one to left field or to send the slider away to right field or something to get excited over. he looked overmatched..but nonetheless, i expect for him to keep his head above water while getting a taste of the bigs.. wow, i still cant believe it. we may be seeing part next year's starting lineup
2006-05-28 10:45:58
69.   Gen3Blue
Sorry 65 "throw"
2006-05-28 10:47:43
70.   confucius
You gotta love a leadoff hitter who can't put the ball in play.
2006-05-28 10:48:37
71.   D4P
Regarding Steve Lyons: I think he went to high school in my hometown (Eugene, OR). IIRC, he graduated from North Eugene High School, the alma mater of NBA legend Danny Ainge as well as your run-of-the-mill redneck with bad hair, peach fuzz mustache, and comb sticking out of back jeans pocket.
2006-05-28 10:49:22
72.   sanchez101
that is becoming Nomar's signature move
2006-05-28 10:49:30
73.   Bob Timmermann
Steve Lyons 19 career home runs came against:
Ken Schrom
Ron Davis
Bill Swift
Mike Jones
Pete Ladd
Jose Guzman (2)
Chuck Crim
Jose Nunez
Don August
Jerry Gleaton
John Candelaria
Tommy John
Tom Niedenfuer
Frank Williams
Steve Cummings
Kenny Rogers
Chris Bosio
Eric Plunk
2006-05-28 10:50:03
74.   Marty
Wow, this Clayton is a hitter. Maybe we can trade for him.
2006-05-28 10:50:24
75.   natepurcell
wow... saenz at 3b and aybar at 2b.... great defensive infield today.
2006-05-28 10:51:50
76.   Vishal
[59] at least he knows he was crappy. he pretty much invented his own version of the grabowski principle and self-applied it.
2006-05-28 10:51:53
77.   autumnlanding
has anyone else started to wonder if we got taken with the seo trade
2006-05-28 10:53:33
78.   D4P
73
Who hasn't homered off Neidenfuer?
2006-05-28 10:54:32
79.   confucius
77. we got taken
2006-05-28 10:54:47
80.   autumnlanding
hey maybe today will be a game where each team's pitchers make the other team's prospects look good
2006-05-28 10:54:48
81.   regfairfield
Seo has an ERA two runs lower than Sanchez in May.

Plus, far more importantly, he starts.

2006-05-28 10:56:07
82.   Steve
We did not get anywhere close to taken. The Baez trade...now that was taken.

I e-mailed a response to J.A. this morning.

Use small words.

2006-05-28 10:56:36
83.   Marty
Seo with the nice Odalis-like throwing up of the arms as that ball took off.

And now Odalis is warming up to show Seo how it's really done.

2006-05-28 10:56:45
84.   natepurcell
Seo has an ERA two runs lower than Sanchez in May.

i think its "had" now.

2006-05-28 10:56:51
85.   mikethinksblue
what's that thing stuck on Seo's hat?
2006-05-28 10:58:06
86.   sanchez101
Jae's Seo done
2006-05-28 10:58:35
87.   natepurcell
Kemp's got a decent arm. Of course, its nothing like the puppy dogs!
2006-05-28 10:59:04
88.   Steve
With that said, Seo can invite himself with Odalis to the bullpen and we can complete our Hall-of-Fame Wing with Billingsley any time.
2006-05-28 10:59:44
89.   Bob Timmermann
The Nats have hit for the cycle this inning!
2006-05-28 11:00:35
90.   natepurcell
This is really embarassing.
2006-05-28 11:00:52
91.   ToyCannon
Isn't it a bit funny that on this day Nomar is the last vet standing from amoung Drew, Kent, and Lofton?

I'm rather see Kemp strike out on 3 pitches in his 1st ab then hit a home run. It was the kiss of death for Jose Offerman and countless other 1st timers.

2006-05-28 11:01:07
92.   autumnlanding
ok grady jim tracy little lets hook him
2006-05-28 11:01:48
93.   Bob Timmermann
91
Like Will Clark?
2006-05-28 11:02:12
94.   Gen3Blue
With Seos stuff, when he loses it he sure gets pasted. There's no in between.
2006-05-28 11:02:18
95.   Steve
He should have come out on the second hit to Royce Clayton. Clayton might get one, but once he gets the second one, that is Grabowski-Principle material.
2006-05-28 11:02:19
96.   ToyCannon
Odalis is being given an opportunity to pitch himself back into the rotation. Will he take advantage of it?
2006-05-28 11:02:53
97.   D4P
Regarding the Seo trade: maybe it's "always" a good idea to trade a middle reliever for a starter, but it seems like we could have just kept Duaner and let Houlton do what Seo is doing. Plus, keeping Duaner may have meant there was less pressure to acquire Baez/Carter. And, we wouldn't have been stuck with Hamulack either.
2006-05-28 11:03:07
98.   Bob Timmermann
Steve, see 34
2006-05-28 11:03:20
99.   Gen3Blue
Hey, where is Lofton (and why).
2006-05-28 11:06:06
100.   regfairfield
Or, we could have got Seo, then just put Houlton in the bullpen. Worked for my Out of the Park team (where Broxton and Houlton are 2009's deadliest bullpen combo.)
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-05-28 11:06:33
101.   sanchez101
97. you dont want to know Houlton's ERA right now
2006-05-28 11:06:36
102.   Steve
98 -- Then the honors were done. I got to the party late.

97 -- Your logic is impeccable, as always. Plus Jae Seo is now officially Korean for "Jeff Weaver."

2006-05-28 11:07:30
103.   Steve
99 -- Lofton has tight hamstrings, which are supposedly not a problem, but everyone appears to be dancing around the issue
2006-05-28 11:08:37
104.   Bob Timmermann
I don't know any dance called "the tight hamstring." But I'm a white guy from the suburbs.
2006-05-28 11:09:10
105.   regfairfield
Izturis was moved to the 60 day DL to make room for Kemp according to the Dodgers.com roster page.

Here's a question that's always been bothering me: when you get a guy like Izturis who you know will be gone for a year, why don't you immedaitely put him on the 60 day DL?

2006-05-28 11:09:19
106.   Steve
You must not belong to the Priory of Lofton.
2006-05-28 11:09:59
107.   Bob Timmermann
105
Probably roster flexibility.
2006-05-28 11:11:03
108.   Bob Timmermann
Actually, the home plate umpire did call Saenz out right away. The throw was superfluous.

Saenz should be out: 2U.

2006-05-28 11:11:28
109.   Steve
Isn't there a limit to the number of guys that you can put on the 60 day?
2006-05-28 11:12:58
110.   Vishal
hrmm, walkin' willy seems to have been transformed into hack-at-the-first-pitch willy...
2006-05-28 11:13:48
111.   natepurcell
110

uncle miltie blames kent

2006-05-28 11:14:32
112.   Bob Timmermann
The 60-day DL is theoretically infinite.

Quite a bit of SWAGGER today.

2006-05-28 11:14:55
113.   D4P
SWAGGER!
2006-05-28 11:15:27
114.   sanchez101
I hope JA Adande is watching this game, like the Dodgers strength is starting pitching
2006-05-28 11:15:32
115.   Bob Timmermann
I rewatched Saenz's exciting at bat and, the home plate umpire did not call him out after all. I thought he made an out call, but he was just pointing fair instead.
2006-05-28 11:17:09
116.   D4P
101
you dont want to know Houlton's ERA right now

I was never a big Houlton fan, but I doubt he'd be doing much worse on the big league squad than Seo's 5.36. Houlton was at 5.16 last year.

2006-05-28 11:18:33
117.   Bob Timmermann
Clearly the Dodgers need to manufacture some runs today.

But I hear that the manufacturing sector of the economy is struggling.

2006-05-28 11:19:10
118.   autumnlanding
saenz makes that slow rolling third baseliner play look better than beltre
2006-05-28 11:20:10
119.   sanchez101
116. Id rather have Seo in the rotation than Houlton or Jackson. Seo could be decent, those two will stink and need more minor league experience. I like how the opinions on the Jae Seo trade fluctuate from start to start. This is why judgments shouldnt be made based on one bad or good start.
2006-05-28 11:23:23
120.   sanchez101
as bad as the Dodgers seem, or as bad as you might think Colletti, Little or even Tracy is, at least our STARTING dp combo isnt Neifi/Womack
2006-05-28 11:25:20
121.   natepurcell
lets see if kemp can go for the hat trick in his next at bat!
2006-05-28 11:26:02
122.   Bob Timmermann
120

I believe that a black hole has formed on the North Side of Chicago. The Cubs are perilously close to the event horizon.

2006-05-28 11:26:50
123.   3upn3down
91. I'm rather see Kemp strike out on 3 pitches in his 1st ab then hit a home run. It was the kiss of death for Jose Offerman and countless other 1st timers.

Like Gary Ingram?

2006-05-28 11:29:47
124.   Bob Timmermann
It's time for Ramon "White Flag" Martinez!
2006-05-28 11:30:05
125.   sanchez101
at least the blowout means well probably get to see Broxton today
2006-05-28 11:33:29
126.   overkill94
Was Cruz taking a nap out there?
2006-05-28 11:34:15
127.   natepurcell
so Drew is on the 15 day DL?
2006-05-28 11:34:39
128.   Bob Timmermann
Drew is just getting precautionary rest.
2006-05-28 11:37:27
129.   Vishal
it's just that kind of a day.
2006-05-28 11:37:49
130.   natepurcell
ouch, bad first day for kemp.
2006-05-28 11:37:55
131.   Bob Timmermann
Jason Bay has homered in his sixth straight game.

This has come 50 years to the day after Dale Long homered in his 8th straight game for the Pirates, a major league record. The RGC on the Griddle happens to be about that game.

2006-05-28 11:38:37
132.   overkill94
Rought start for the newbie today, some first game jitters perhaps?
2006-05-28 11:40:03
133.   dsfan
Mueller was getting precautionary rest, too, after "soreness" developed in his knee.

For Kemp, the timing of this promotion wasn't ideal. In the past few weeks, he was striking out quite a bit in Double-A.

2006-05-28 11:41:37
134.   dsfan
I'll say it since no one else will: This team misses Jason Repko. There. Slaughter me for it.
2006-05-28 11:42:12
135.   Bob Timmermann
I guess it's time to brand Matt Kemp with the mark of Bubba Crosby.

Can we trade him to the Yankees for somebody useless? Aaron Small, maybe? Kelly Stinnett? Scott Erickson?

2006-05-28 11:43:55
136.   D4P
It's time for Ramon "White Flag" Martinez!

I was thinking of calling Lance Carter "Dido."

2006-05-28 11:44:57
137.   sanchez101
does it seem like its been a long time since a Dodger homered?
2006-05-28 11:45:27
138.   towerofpower
131 - i traded bay on my fbl about 2 days before he began hitting everything in sight out of the park... im still kicking myself over it..lol
2006-05-28 11:47:26
139.   sanchez101
thanks tomato
2006-05-28 11:47:38
140.   Bob Timmermann
137
It's been about 30 seconds I believe.
2006-05-28 11:48:26
141.   regfairfield
And there's the home run that keeps Olmedo in the lineup against righties.
2006-05-28 11:49:58
142.   sanchez101
ah, this is the ramon ortiz i remember
2006-05-28 11:50:07
143.   Bob Timmermann
Womack singled and scored and Neifi had a 2-RBI single for the Cubs.

Dusty Baker is patting himself on the back right now.

2006-05-28 11:50:11
144.   Vishal
aybar takes the first pitch... aybar works a walk.
2006-05-28 11:50:53
145.   mikethinksblue
c'mon Kemp
2006-05-28 11:52:02
146.   Bob Timmermann
Bad day for Jaes.

Jae Kyu Ryu of the Cubs has given up three home runs in two innings to the Braves.

2006-05-28 11:52:03
147.   overkill94
Who does Kemp think he is, Vlad Guerrero?
2006-05-28 11:53:03
148.   sanchez101
at least Kemp isnt going down without a fight
2006-05-28 11:53:52
149.   mikethinksblue
Kemp looks like non-contract-year Beltre today
2006-05-28 11:54:05
150.   natepurcell
good learning experience for kemp.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2006-05-28 11:54:48
151.   Bob Timmermann
George Washington University is going on notice.
2006-05-28 11:55:16
152.   Vishal
has kemp swung at every pitch he's seen today?
2006-05-28 11:56:43
153.   towerofpower
150 - lets hope he takes it that way
2006-05-28 11:56:56
154.   natepurcell
152

he took the very first pitch thrown to him for a ball... then proceeded to swing at every pitch he's seen.

2006-05-28 11:57:23
155.   Bob Timmermann
That's four home runs given up by Jae Kyu Ryu now.

As well as a double by Smoltz and two singles.

He didn't last as long as Jae Seo.

2006-05-28 11:57:25
156.   King of the Hobos
152 He didn't swing at the very first pitch he saw in his first AB
2006-05-28 11:57:49
157.   JoeyP
Wasnt Kemp walking quite a bit at AA?
He's swung at everything today.
But its just the 1st game.
2006-05-28 11:58:58
158.   Bob Timmermann
I thought Royce Clayton had corn rows instead of dreadlocks, but I'm not fluent in hair styles.
2006-05-28 11:59:48
159.   JoeyP
Carter's gone.
Can Hamulack be next? He's horrible.
2006-05-28 11:59:57
160.   sanchez101
Hamulaked!
2006-05-28 12:00:19
161.   regfairfield
I was going to ask why we were conceding a win to the Nationals down by five, but then I realized Hamulack was pitching.
2006-05-28 12:00:21
162.   ddger
Grady Gump must be giving up on today's game. First, Furcal and now Nomar are out of the game.
2006-05-28 12:02:02
163.   natepurcell
I hate these Nats' announcers.
2006-05-28 12:02:02
164.   bill cox
In the games I saw this weekend,Kemp struck out three or four times on breaking balls in the dirt.Hopefully he can get past it.
2006-05-28 12:02:45
165.   ddger
Grady is giving Hammy every opportunity to pitch his way back to AAA when Gagne comes back this week.
2006-05-28 12:04:26
166.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Just now checking in.
Kemp is 0-for-3 with 3 Ks AND and error? Kid, it can't get any worse.
Any estimates on returns of Kent and/or Drew?
2006-05-28 12:05:37
167.   ddger
The only excitement left in this game is "will Kemp strike out 4 straight times in his ML debut?"

Has anyone ever started his major league career with 4 straight Ks"

2006-05-28 12:05:53
168.   Bob Timmermann
167
Frank Robinson is so underrated that he's overrated.

If he just crawled into a hole and disappeared, his fame would be the same.

2006-05-28 12:06:26
169.   JoeyP
Who else would be in line for a demotion?
It has to be Hamulack that is gone.

Certainly not a good sign dropping 2 of 3 to a bad team like that Nationals. If Drew/Kent are gone for awhile it may be a tough go considering the upcoming opponents.

2006-05-28 12:07:50
170.   JoeyP
Has anyone ever started his major league career with 4 straight

I'm not sure but I bet Jeff Francoeur had at least a few 3-4 strikeout games for the Braves. He came up swinging at everything too.

2006-05-28 12:08:33
171.   Bob Timmermann
The last player to start his career with an 0 for 4, 4 K game was Sam Ewing of the White Sox on 9/11/1973.

The White Sox were playing the Angels.

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to who was pitching that day for the Halos?

2006-05-28 12:09:35
172.   JoeyP
Nolan Ryan
2006-05-28 12:10:39
173.   ddger
171. Thanks, Bob. How did you find that info so quickly?
2006-05-28 12:11:03
174.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
But what does this have to do with Frank Tanana?
2006-05-28 12:11:58
175.   Bob Timmermann
No NL player has started his career with a 0-4, 4 K game since Lee Bales did for the Braves on 8/7/1966 against the Phillies. He whiffed three times against Larry Jackson and once against Rick Wise.

The Braves were batting him leadoff too.

Bales was 1 for 16 in 1966.
In 1967, he was 3 for 27.

2006-05-28 12:12:31
176.   King of the Hobos
Sam Ewing batted 6th in that game too. I hope Kemp can surpass Ewing's career .255/.308/.352 line
2006-05-28 12:13:04
177.   Bob Timmermann
The Sporting News record book has a section for "Most strikeouts in a game, first major league appearance."

Only 6 players have had struck out four times in their first game.

2006-05-28 12:13:49
178.   Vishal
[173] that's just the magic of bob.
2006-05-28 12:14:10
179.   ToyCannon
Francoeur hit everything thrown to him his 1st 30 days in the Majors.

Frank Robinson was the greatest player to play for both the Red's and the Orioles. Just trying to offer up some balance to Bob's hatred to a decent man. He must have the same feelings for Robbie that I have for Cito Gaston.

2006-05-28 12:15:37
180.   ddger
Do we have any comeback wins after being down 3 or more runs after 7th?
2006-05-28 12:17:21
181.   JoeyP
I cant believe how well the Arizona pitching staff has pitched in Cincy. That ballpark, the Reds hitters, they've done a really good job.

Just 1 run in 25IP so far this weekend.

2006-05-28 12:19:03
182.   Gen3Blue
I got bumped off for awhile. Replacing Furcal could only be interpreted as game over-rest unless (god forbid, he's hurt.)
2006-05-28 12:19:22
183.   Bob Timmermann
So is Frank Robinson the greatest player who happened to play for BOTH the Reds and the Orioles OR is he is the greatest Red and the greatest Oriole.

I would disagree with the contention that Frank Robinson is the greatest Reds player ever. I would think that either Johnny Bench or Joe Morgan would have title to that.

2006-05-28 12:22:57
184.   ToyCannon
Didn't I say both?
2006-05-28 12:23:40
185.   Bob Timmermann
184
But your "both" could be interpreted two ways.
2006-05-28 12:25:55
186.   ToyCannon
The only thing left for Kemp to do is hit into a DP to complete one of the worse debuts in Dodger history.
2006-05-28 12:27:25
187.   regfairfield
September is Kenny Lofton's second worst month in terms of OPS.
2006-05-28 12:28:50
188.   ToyCannon
185
Your right, but since you already showed me how ignorant it would be to argue the other way I can safely say I meant the correct "both".
2006-05-28 12:30:27
189.   King of the Hobos
Woohoo! Still no balls since the first pitch though
2006-05-28 12:30:38
190.   towerofpower
redemption
2006-05-28 12:31:09
191.   ToyCannon
187
Is that based on career numbers or from age 30-35 or from age 35-39 or is that based on only NL numbers or is that based on teams he played regulary or with teams that he was platooned with?
2006-05-28 12:31:55
192.   Bob Timmermann
Frank Robinson's career path is that he was a great player for two teams, winning MVPs for both. And if he had been on one of them for the majority of his career, he probably would have better recognition historically. He was the best player on each team when he was there for most of his tenure with that team. I think Alex Rodriguez is going to run into the same problem.

As for Robinson, it's all Frank Lane's fault.

2006-05-28 12:33:01
193.   mikethinksblue
191 - JA Adande would cringe if he read that
2006-05-28 12:33:34
194.   Bob Timmermann
Sam Ewing has opened up a bottle of champagne and is celebrating.
2006-05-28 12:35:24
195.   regfairfield
Career numbers. Here's his Septembers in the NL:

1997 ATL: .244/.376/.280
2002 SF: .322/.416/.425
2003 CHI: .326/.398/.500
2005 PHI: .429/.481/.543

So, Lofton is a thug in September in the NL. Lyons never did make that qualifier, however. Speaking of which, Lyons is making his home runs kill the rally argument again.

2006-05-28 12:35:51
196.   ToyCannon
192
Plus he had some great players on those teams he played with. Vada Pinson was headed for the HOF while Frank was on the team and then did a fast fade after Frank left. In Baltimore he of course had the other Robinson who got more attention then he deserved.
2006-05-28 12:36:14
197.   overkill94
That catch was huge, that would have probably cleared the bases.
2006-05-28 12:38:15
198.   Vishal
[195] does steve lyons not get the fact that you actually score runs when people homer?
2006-05-28 12:38:25
199.   Gen3Blue
I love Martin.

And Joe Morgan the greatest Red? --Ridic.

2006-05-28 12:39:11
200.   JoeyP
Broxton's the best Dodger reliever at the moment, and yet he pitches in the most most meaningless of situations.

Managerial error?

Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2006-05-28 12:40:36
201.   Gen3Blue
Is Drew too crip to pinch hit; Who could leadoff the ninth?
2006-05-28 12:41:20
202.   King of the Hobos
198 He seems to think that because the pitcher is still in the stretch, he'd give up even more runs.
2006-05-28 12:41:44
203.   JoeyP
Sandy Alomar might lead off the 9th. Everyone's been used today except Alomar, Kent,and Drew.
2006-05-28 12:42:08
204.   King of the Hobos
Isn't Broxton suppose to strike out the best player on each team?
2006-05-28 12:42:40
205.   regfairfield
202 It would be interesting to see what the effect of pitching out of the stretch really is. It wouldn't be that hard to compare the league numbers with runners on versus when the bases are empty.
2006-05-28 12:42:42
206.   mikethinksblue
Well, at least that homerun should kill any potential Nat rally
2006-05-28 12:42:50
207.   JoeyP
Jim Bowden does not deserve a player like Nick Johnson. He just goes against everything the Nationals represent.
2006-05-28 12:44:32
208.   Bob Timmermann
The Reds are within 4-3 with runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs in the 8th.

Brandon Lyon is pitching now.

2006-05-28 12:44:35
209.   jujibee
While I would like to see Broxton come in the game in more meaningful situations, I gotta agree, somewhat, with Little use of him. He showed last year that he can pitch in AA and buckled under pressure in the pros. This year, he shut down the competetion in AAA and Little is easing him into his same comfort zone he had at AAA in the pros this year. I hope Little will use him in higher stress level situations once he shows he is comfortable pitching at this level.
2006-05-28 12:45:00
210.   Gen3Blue
I wish Brox was in Jax learning to start.
2006-05-28 12:47:42
211.   Gen3Blue
At this point it might as well be Alomar
2006-05-28 12:50:21
212.   JoeyP
I wouldnt say Broxton buckled last year in the pros. His K/rate was unbelievably good. He just had trouble with walks.

I do agree they should move him back to starting. Even if he only has the stamina to go 6ip, thats still better than being used as a middle reliever.

2006-05-28 12:50:33
213.   A Slo
205- But could we assume any difference comes from stretch/wind-up?
2006-05-28 12:51:47
214.   King of the Hobos
IS Oliver Perez back? 8 IP, 9 Ks, no runs allowed, however he is pitching against a team that figures to be extremely tired (18 inning game, then 13 hours of rest before the start of the next game)
2006-05-28 12:54:07
215.   Bob Timmermann
Shouldn't the Pirates be equally tired?
2006-05-28 12:54:18
216.   JoeyP
I know a rally is quite a bit to ask for... But what was Lucille doing swinging on a 2-0 pitch down 10-4 in the 9th?
2006-05-28 12:54:43
217.   Gen3Blue
The only good thing about today is not having to listen to these announcers in the bottom of the ninth.
2006-05-28 12:55:19
218.   JoeyP
Cruz swings at the 1st pitch. Guess the Dodgers went into "get this game over" mode.
2006-05-28 12:56:10
219.   King of the Hobos
215 Yes, but Nieve could just suck more. And whether his teammates are tired doesn't really affect him, other than if they're playing sloppy defense
2006-05-28 13:02:55
220.   jujibee
212. While he didn't explode at the pro level, he was nowhere near the pitcher he was at Jacksonville. Yeah the competetion was a lot better, but in general, he struggled with his command, I think due to excitment and being nervous. Little is bringing him into situations where hopefully these jitters will subside so he can just go out there and do his job. I do agree that he should be in the starting rotation or
working towards that, but as he said, he prefers the bullpen.
2006-05-28 13:03:01
221.   Bob Timmermann
Javier Valentin homers in the ninth with Kearns aboard and the Reds beat the DBacks 5-4.
2006-05-28 13:03:21
222.   overkill94
Woo hoo, walk-off homer by Javier Valentin means we don't lose any ground to the D-Backs. Valverde has been quite shaky lately.
2006-05-28 13:03:37
223.   underdog
Woo hoo! Some good news on this otherwise gloomy baseball day - the Reds just scored two in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Diamondbacks!

Javier Valentin hit a 2-r dinger off Valverde.

2006-05-28 13:04:29
224.   underdog
Damn! I gotta learn to type at the speed of sound like you guys. ;-) This is sad - i was actually listening to that game on mlb audio. I really need to get outside and get some exercise.
2006-05-28 13:06:13
225.   overkill94
Tracy's pirates are doing their best to choke today's game as well, the Astros have bases loaded, one out, and are only down 4-3 now. The pirates' closer had to be pulled after only getting one out and allowing 4 baserunners.

Sac fly ties it up, Berkman coming in to pinch-hit with the winning run on second.

2006-05-28 13:08:17
226.   King of the Hobos
Oliver Perez, at 120 pitches, came out to pitch the 9th for some reason. He immediately gave up two base runners, and Mike Gonzalez allowed them, and two others, to score and tie the game
2006-05-28 13:11:28
227.   Bob Timmermann
But now the Reds have tied the Dodgers for first place in the wildcard race.
2006-05-28 13:23:37
228.   Bob Timmermann
I can't believe I switched over to the Indy 500 just in time to watch the last three seconds of the race.
2006-05-28 13:29:20
229.   Bob Timmermann
Brayan Pena has hit the 8th homer of the game for the Braves against the Cubs.

The alltime record is 10.

2006-05-28 13:31:50
230.   sanchez101
this season for the cubs is starting to have a '62 Mets embarassing/futility vibe
2006-05-28 13:33:16
231.   Bob Timmermann
The NL record for homers in a game is 9 by the Reds in 1999. The Blue Jays hit 10 in a game in 1987.
2006-05-28 14:05:45
232.   capdodger
Nice day at RFK today. Too bad the wrong team won.
I haven't read the comments yet, but what the heck was Seo doing out there after Zimmermann's Homer? I know the bullpen wasn't much better, but up until that point he had about 1:1 Strike to Ball ratio. Even Mrs. Capdodger was wondering why he was out there still.

Two other random gripes/comments:
Paid att. of a shade over 30,000? On an 80 degree Sunday? Over memorial day weekend? Good luck to the new ownership.

Scalpers. I hate them. We missed the first inning because we were in a ticket line behind these two scalpers buying up all the pairs of tickets on the lower deck, 3B side. They had no shame, pulling out a roll of what looked like nearly $1000 to pay. They line clapped when they left (tailed bya an MPDC).

At least because of gripe #1, the jerks in gripe #2 probably took a bath on their purchases.

2006-05-28 14:18:36
233.   Bob Timmermann
Is scalping legal in DC if done off the stadium grounds?
2006-05-28 14:22:22
234.   Uncle Miltie
I slept through the game. I didn't know that Kemp was going to make his major league!

Aybar continues to get on base. The real question I have is how did his defense look at 2B? Baseball America says that Aybar "doesn't have the range or agility to handle second base". I don't know about the range, but they might be right about the agility, especially considering how much he has bulked up in the past year. On the other hand, Jeff Kent is able to play 2B (poorly).

It's time to move Odalis back to rotation. Calling him Seo Seo is an understatement. The guy stinks. He's the right handed Jamie Moyer without the great changeup and impeccable command.

So I'm guessing Kemp didn't look good, 1-4 3 Ks and an error. I was not in favor of bringing him because this was the first year he had shown some plate discipline. He is not ready. Ethier is 24 years old and was killing the ball in AAA, Aybar had shown that he had a great approach at the plate in brief stint with the Dodgers last season and tore it up at Vegas, and many scouts thought that Martin was the most polished player out of all of our hitting prospects and he also has the best plate discipline out of anyone on the farm. Kemp is still a raw free swinger who needs time to develop. He has superstar potential, but he needs more time in the minors.

2006-05-28 14:24:10
235.   capdodger
233
No.

http://tinyurl.com/hpr6b

2006-05-28 14:29:45
236.   capdodger
234 For what it's worth, Kemp's error was sort of a matter of positioning. He was playing shallow, because Ortiz was the batter, and shouldn't be able to smoke that ball into the gap like that. If he's playing back, its a single with the runner going first to third.

He also nearly threw out a runner on a sac fly to medium deep center, but the throw was up the line a tad. He's no Repko, but he does have an arm.

2006-05-28 14:31:12
237.   Eric Enders
Aybar handled himself well at second, although he didn't have any particularly challenging plays. Both he and Nomar failed to catch a foul popup in short right field that most good 2Bmen or 1Bmen would have caught. But Kent wouldn't have gotten that ball either.

He did make a nifty save on Martin's overthrow of second base.

2006-05-28 14:31:14
238.   Bob Timmermann
But those of us who live in California are eagerly awaiting for the seven business days to go past so I can get the money for the Hollywood Bowl tickets I sold on Stubhub.

They're for the Flaming Lips concert on July 23. I had no idea who they were except I found out that people really liked them.

Ahh, capitalism.

2006-05-28 14:31:39
239.   Eric Enders
That last was in reference to 234 in case it wasn't obvious.
2006-05-28 14:32:50
240.   gpellamjr
I just looked at insidethedodgers and saw that I got credit for Nate Purcell's prediction about Kemp/Carter. Sorry Nate! Not that you would want credit on that terrible site.
2006-05-28 14:36:27
241.   Bob Timmermann
I don't think that blog is all that bad.
2006-05-28 14:44:32
242.   DXMachina
238.
The Flaming Lips are a band out of Oklahoma. My favorite album of theirs is Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots. You may actually know one of the tunes off the album, "Do You Realize," because it got used in a car commercial a couple years back. (Buick, I think.)

http://www.flaminglips.com/main.php

Boy, did that game stink. I gave up listening after Seo left, figuring that then was as good a time as any to mow the lawn.

2006-05-28 14:47:55
243.   capdodger
242 You're absolutely right. If I had a lawn to mow, I probably would have left the game to mow it.
2006-05-28 14:53:48
244.   Bob Timmermann
It was 6-2 Cardinals after 4 1/2. It's now 10-6 Padres and they have the bases loaded with 2 outs.
2006-05-28 15:12:44
245.   Eric Enders
242, 243
The only thing that kept me watching was the Kemp 4K watch.
2006-05-28 15:17:45
246.   Bob Timmermann
I am now certain that Matt Kemp will have a better career than Sam Ewing.
2006-05-28 15:18:21
247.   Marty
I've seen the Flaming Lips. They are not everyone's cup of tea.
2006-05-28 15:20:44
248.   Blu2
Perez, Cruz, Ledee,Carter, Hamulack, and Alomar for Soriano. Play him in left until Little and Kent figure out he's finished.
2006-05-28 15:28:33
249.   Bob Timmermann
I still have two tickets left which I would gladly sell at face value ($81 per).

They're in a box at the Hollywood Bowl.

2006-05-28 15:41:53
250.   Steve
Remember Angels fans, we're laughing with you, not at you.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2006-05-28 15:51:29
251.   Vishal
[250] speak for yourself, steve :)
2006-05-28 15:58:31
252.   Steve
That does not go for Cubs fans. You we're just laughing at.
2006-05-28 15:58:32
253.   ToyCannon
You can laugh at me or us all you want but at the end of the year the Angels will be playing meaningfull games in September.
2006-05-28 16:07:22
254.   D4P
Cubs fans are psyched. Juan, Tony, and Neifi combined for the following box score line today:

18-5-8-6

2006-05-28 16:10:26
255.   Vishal
[253] how about in october?
2006-05-28 16:35:38
256.   Bob Timmermann
The Angels are just 4 1/2 games out.
2006-05-28 16:56:33
257.   Eric Enders
253 "You can laugh at me or us all you want but at the end of the year the Angels will be playing meaningfull games in September."
-----

Of course they will, because they play the Tigers and White Sox, who are sure to be in the pennant race.

2006-05-28 16:57:26
258.   underdog
256 And are in a (who'd-a-thunk-it) weaker division than the NL West, so they still have a chance. A Padres-of-'05-ish chance for playoff pointlessness.
2006-05-28 16:57:40
259.   Steve
It depends on whether one thinks winning the American League West this year will be meaningful.
2006-05-28 17:10:42
260.   Bob Timmermann
I will still contend that the Padres last year weren't a lot worse than the 1973 Mets who almost won the World Series.

All the Padres got last year was ridicule, but the 1973 Mets were just a "crazy team in a crazy year."

Fie!

I say again!

Fie!

2006-05-28 17:24:22
261.   Marty
Joe Morgan doing an A's game. Now THAT's comedy.
2006-05-28 17:43:55
262.   sanchez101
The Cubs have become the funniest act in baseball. All hail Neifimack!
2006-05-28 17:54:14
263.   DXMachina
260. the 1973 Mets were just a "crazy team in a crazy year."

Ya gotta believe!

2006-05-28 18:01:40
264.   Steve
Let's go to the polls. Bucs Bloggers, how do you feel about Jim Tracy today?

Bucs Dugout:

"Not only do I think Tracy is a bad manager, I'm beginning to think he's a bad person, too."

Where's Van Slyke:

I know Jim Tracy is "old school" and "old school" managers like Jim and Dusty Baker don't put much stock into pitch counts, but Ollie hasn't thrown more than 112 pitches in any start before today, and he only topped 100 in 4 of his 9 starts before today. 121 pitches is too many to let him start another inning unless he's throwing a no-hitter or something. That's it, end of story."

Romo Phone Home:

"In the absence of competitive baseball, Tracy's butchery of the English language continues to be one of the only sources of entertainment this summer, at least for me."

Honest Wagner:

"We would like it if Tracy would come clean and admit a whole [redacted] of mistakes he's made. Surely he has made a whole [redacted] of them."

2006-05-28 18:05:26
265.   Kayaker7
Heck. Even George W's admitted mistakes, in a recent news conference. Surely JT can dig deep and find one little boo boo.
2006-05-28 18:16:27
266.   Kayaker7
I find it funny that Tracy's solo Q&A routine continues at Pittsburgh. His answer regarding whether Craig Wilson will be bench when Sean Casey returns to the lineup:

"Is Craig Wilson going to get at-bats? Sure, he's going to get some at-bats," Tracy said. "Is he going to play? Sure, he's going to play. One of those things that we had that was pretty good early in the season is that we were doing some good things off our bench in the latter part of games. Unfortunately, that got taken away from us because we had a couple players hurt and had to place other people in the lineup."

2006-05-28 18:26:29
267.   the OZ
Flaming Lips = awesome.
2006-05-28 18:34:54
268.   JoeyP
# of Dodger games vs Top teams (Cardinals, Mets, Reds) outside of division= 0

# of Dodgers games vs Worst teams (Cubs, Nationals, Pirates, Angel) outside of division= 13

I dont think its a stretch to say the schedule has been favorable over the first two months.

2006-05-28 18:48:58
269.   sanchez101
I was so happy to hear the Tracy was hired by another team because his quotes are so, so entertaining. And to hear he was managing the Pirates, who the Dodgers get to play 10 times in 2006. Sweet justice.
2006-05-28 19:19:57
270.   ToyCannon
268
I don't quite follow your logic. If you consider the Reds a top team then you must consider the Diamondbacks a top team. Looks to me like your just trying to make a point that doesn't really exist unless you manipulate the data set to make it look the way you want.
2006-05-28 19:33:25
271.   Bob Timmermann
And the Dodgers lost 4 of 6 to the Cubs and Nationals.
2006-05-28 19:36:33
272.   Bob Timmermann
In the NL, the Dodgers haven't played St. Louis, New York, Cincinnati, and Florida.
2006-05-28 19:55:22
273.   Steve
It looks to me like he was saying we haven't played the Cardinals, Mets, and Reds.
2006-05-28 20:06:11
274.   Bob Timmermann
Of the 11 teams in the NL with winning records that the Dodgers could have played, they have played 8 of them.

Of the 4 teams with losing records, the Dodgers have played 3 of them.

As for interleague games, the Dodgers have 12 games left and none are against a team with a winning record (Seattle, Minnesota, Oakland, Angels).

Sometimes the schedule is fair. Sometimes it isn't.

2006-05-28 20:52:25
275.   Underbruin
I recall reading something that I believe was on one of the major sports websites (ESPN or SI, maybe?), though I'm not sure, discussing the schedules of the NL West and noting that the Dodgers ended up with the best draw, while the Rox had the worst.
2006-05-28 21:12:57
276.   JoeyP
270. What part of "outside of division" did you have trouble understanding?
2006-05-28 21:23:33
277.   Bob Timmermann
NL West interleague matchups:
Arizona - at TEX, at TB, vs LAA, vs SEA, at OAK - 6 home, 9 road, 12 AL West, 3 AL Central
Colorado - vs TOR, vs OAK, vs TEX, at LAA, at SEA - 9 home, 6 road, 12 AL West, 3 AL East
Los Angeles Dodgers - vs LAA, at OAK, vs SEA, at MIN, at LAA - 6 home, 9 road, 12 AL West, 3 AL Central
San Diego - at SEA, at LAA, at TEX, vs SEA, vs OAK - 6 home, 9 road, all AL West
San Francisco - at OAK, at SEA, vs LAA, vs OAK, vs TEX - 9 home, 6 road, all AL West

You could also argue that the Mets have a good record because they haven't played the NL West much. They are 4-3 against the NL West.

The Reds are 3-5 against the NL West and the Cardinals are 7-5.

The NL East has two teams that are a combined 36-63.

The NL Central has two teams that are a combined 34-65.

The bottom two teams in the NL West are (three are tied acutally) would be 52-48.

2006-05-28 23:42:47
278.   das411
HAHAHA, wow, has anybody else seen that movie "Poseidon"?? Hilarious!
2006-05-29 04:56:09
279.   Sam DC
Reason # 645731164 to be a Dodger fan: Kathy Ireland is a Dodger fan.

http://tinyurl.com/ohx94

2006-05-29 08:09:29
280.   Bluebleeder87
new city, new attitude!
2006-05-29 08:12:46
281.   ToyCannon
Yeah I missed that, still don't consider the Reds a top team and I do consider the Phil's a top team but each to their own in determining what constitutes a top team.
2006-05-29 08:36:28
282.   Johnson
279 So when Kathy Ireland realized that she was in the parking lot to Dodger Stadium and not the vacuum cleaner store, do you suppose her reaction was her very first [dull surprise]?

Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.