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Ivory Backscratchers for All
2006-12-15 08:37
by Jon Weisman

As The Griddle notes, Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball has rounded up a hefty bunch of commentators - 30 in all - to discuss what's right and wrong with baseball. Here is my contribution:

To a certain extent, my love for baseball is irrational – it is love, after all. But while other passions in my life have come and gone, my relationship with baseball has been steadfast. Over the years, I've become invested in the characters of the game the way, I suppose, someone watching three decades of "All My Children" has. Baseball is one grand story to me – one of the grandest – and I cannot weed myself from the storyline that has brought us both Babe Ruth and Hiram Bocachica. The entrances and exits, the highs and lows, form an epic tapestry. I know that sounds full of itself, but that's how the game makes me feel.

Other sports offer the same potential to surprise, to offer the fantastic amid the quotidian – so what makes baseball special? My family had Los Angeles Rams season tickets when I was a kid, and I was a diehard fan of the Showtime Lakers – so why does baseball retain a greater hold on me? One of the great attractions of the game, I feel, is that it offers so many intermediate achievements besides winning. Just as one example, there is that satisfaction when your pitcher gets a first-pitch strike – followed by them opportunity to pause and savor (or conversely, to agonize when it goes against you). And then, another pitch, on which anything can happen. I'm not sure any sport does this as well. Basketball moves too fast to celebrate a simple pass, golf gives you too much time to ponder a shot. Other sports have their merits, and surely, some offer more pure
excitement, but baseball remains the ultimate game for me. The main thing that is right with baseball today is that it is baseball.

The game is not perfect, of course, nor is it the most popular in the United States anymore, and I do believe that the desire to solve these problems off the field actually leads to most people's dissatisfaction with it. It's a vicious circle of making the game worse while trying to make it better. That doesn't mean that the game shouldn't evolve – but that evolution for the sake of evolution is problematic.

I believe in players getting all the money they can, in getting paid what the market can bear. At the same time, my initial reaction to Juan Pierre's $44 million contract with the Dodgers was that surely, surely some of that money would be better spent on our local public school system. That contract, and others this offseason, were signs to me that baseball has more financial resources than it knows what to do with.

While I don't expect baseball owners to start donating more of their profits to support the nation's infrastructure, I think baseball can and should make different choices, and invest its top layer of profits back into the game. Baseball has sold much of its control of the game to the broadcasters that cover it. I would suggest, perhaps naively, that baseball buy back some of that control, in the form of taking lower network rights fees in exchange for earlier start times for postseason games, shorter commercial breaks and other fan-friendly adjustments. Doing so, in my mind, would feed the future of baseball more profitably than the current situation, which discourages people of all generations from investing in a game, a playoff, a season that will end past their bedtimes. (It's not just kids, mind you – people of all ages have trouble staying up for the final pitch in October, even on the West Coast, let alone the East.)

There are other things right and wrong with baseball, but I think they're mostly secondary in importance to baseball's underlying motivation – instead of chasing dollars as a means to draw more fans, it should take the more profitable and digestible strategy of chasing fans as a means to earn dollars. The sport doesn't need to jazz up the game between the lines – it just needs to take a deep breath outside the lines.

In some ways, baseball has a self-esteem problem. Ever since it stopped being the definitive national pastime, it keeps trying to regain that status. Baseball needs to be prouder of what it is. That doesn't mean MLB shouldn't market the game, but better to do so with a new baseball field in the inner city and a 7 p.m. start time for Game 7 than another ivory backscratcher for the owners and the players. Because if baseball can stand tall, in the end, there will be ivory backscratchers for everyone.

There are a great many good ideas offered, so take a look. By the way, I know ivory is bad.

* * *

I really enjoyed Thursday's chat in the "A Strikeout's as Good as a Hit?" thread. Among the interesting comments:

39. Ken Arneson
I don't think (Are there good pitches to swing at that are not strikes?) is the crux of it at all. Of course, you don't want your batter to swing at balls. The crux is whether you want the batter to swing at the first hittable strike, or the first drivable strike. And the answer to that question depends on the game context.

And ...

165. John Siv
Say Drew's normal approach nets him a hit 28% of the time and a walk 11% of the time. He's got some pop, too, while striking out about 22% of the time. Good bat. Sweet, sweet swing.

Flash to the game: Runner's on third, just stole third, in fact, with less than two out. Game's close. Pitcher's shaken. I'm telling you, he's shaken here. Crowd's up, they sense it. Drew knows it, and sets for the pitch.

His normal approach will score the guy some percentage of the time, call it 38%. I'm just making this up. It's not critical. It's not the drama.

What if Drew, keyed into the game situation, cognizant of his team standing in the dugout, eyeing his mate who just swiped that bag in a close, close play in which bone crushed and flesh tore and heart was laid bare, changed his approach? Not his swing—oh that sweet, sweet song of a swing—no, no, just his approach. What if he risks it all to score the runner? Forget the lure of power, don't even worry about getting a hit, and just try to advance one man ninety feet? Is it at all possible that he can change his profile to get a hit, say, 20% of the time, a walk 7% of the time, but score the runner, oh I don't know, 46% of the time? Sure his K-rate will likely rise as well to 28% perhaps, but is this at all possible?

This seems to be the heart of the point made in Jon's piece.

If Drew can make this alteration, then isn't it worth it? Doesn't he owe it to the crowd, his team, his craft? The game's close, remember—if that were not the case then the whole calculus may shift. But if the situation calls for it, if the real percentages prescribe a beneficial expectation, then shouldn't he do that? Shouldn't any ballplayer take that shot?

Remember, if he does this, then he will strike out more often and walk less. Probably hit more weak outs, too. That's just part of the deal, part of the life of this game. Can't have it all, even with a swing favored by an angel.

So, is a strikeout better than a walk or a hit? Of course not. May a strikeout be an indication he is changing his approach optimally, however? And, if such a change is both possible and desireable, then may a strikeout be a sign of Drew making the proper play? And may a walk be an indication he is not changing his approach, and thus making the improper play?

May that be what folks mean when they intuit that a K is better than a BB in that situation?

I agree with Ken's assessment, because I believe such a change is possible. I have no evidence for this, of course. Just feeling. Just hope, frankly. If I'm completely off base, then I'd love to learn why.

But what a swing. My my. What a sweet, sweet swing.

I think these are among the best arguments against settling, so to speak, for a walk, though I still find a walk to be a satisfactory outcome. In John Siv's situation, for example, a walk will only increase the drama for the next batter.

But the comments from Thursday still have me thinking. It might seem an esoteric topic, but I really enjoyed it.

 

Comments (609)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-12-15 09:28:49
1.   Eric Enders
Great comment, Jon. I particularly agree on the part about taking less money to gain back control of how the game is televised. I've been saying that for years. I think the problem is, the way baseball works now, most owners are in it for the short-end money grab. They want to buy a team, pump up its value a little bit, and then sell it a few years later for more than they bought it for. In these days where there is no longer an O'Malley or a Busch family owning the team for a lifetime, the owners have almost no incentive to look out for the long-term health of the game. They have tremendous incentive to go after the immediate dollar, future consequences be damned.

After reading the other comments over there, I have only one question: Is there any baseball person more out of touch than Buzzie Bavasi? (And I say this not in a mean way, but as someone who has a fondness for him. He just seems like the grandfather who likes nothing better than to gripe about how the world has all gone to hell in a handbasket.)

Big pic of Russell Martin on the front page of BaseballAmerica.com right now, BTW. Nice article on Logan & Co. too.

2006-12-15 09:29:47
2.   ToyCannon
The thread below is why I read DT.

The current column is also why I read DT.

I think Jon has earned his Christmas bonus this year.

2006-12-15 09:29:49
3.   D4P
I think the problem is, the way baseball works now, most owners are in it for the short-end money grab. They want to buy a team, pump up its value a little bit, and then sell it a few years later for more than they bought it for

Capitalism ruins everything.

2006-12-15 09:36:22
4.   Eric Enders
I also want to add that I find John Siv's comment 165 to be really great. I might have missed it had Jon not pointed it out.
2006-12-15 09:43:10
5.   ryu
http://tinyurl.com/y7b6gr

How did Joel Zumaya hurt his wrist during the playoffs? The Tigers concluded "Zumaya's injury resulted from playing a video game, not from his powerful throwing motion."

2006-12-15 09:49:31
6.   Honoluludodger
Jon, great comment. I am proud to participate on this board.

Mahalo.

2006-12-15 09:54:26
7.   Eric Enders
So the Bagwell retirement is official now. I'm not one for gimmick appearances, but I think it would be cool if they gave him one at-bat in September so he and Biggio could be inducted into the HOF together.
2006-12-15 10:14:48
8.   Gen3Blue
Very nice topic. Inseparable from my love of baseball is my loyalty to this Dodger franchise that at times is unlovable and has long ungulations between highs and lows.
Even during long dry spells, there always seems to be reasons for interest, amusement and even pride.
Even when the overall team has been weak, there is something to excite, like the infield of Beltre, Cora and Izzy. Wild one of a kind games are always possible: The four cons. HRs, Multiple homers by a stumpy outfielder who isn't in the long plan, an outfielder with an amazing arm throwing a guy out at the plate or throwing over the backstop on the rise.
And the good times watching Sandy, Maury or Kurt, or Bulldog assuring victory. I hope there is high time coming for the D's, but wether or not,I know i'll be watching.
2006-12-15 11:07:20
9.   Bill Simms
Jon, I haven't read all of the article in question, probably half. Your post is so much more eloquent than the others I read. You are the Roger Angell of the blogosphere.
2006-12-15 11:14:55
10.   Daniel Zappala
I didn't get a chance to chime in on the previous thread. I remember back to this past summer, when my 10-year-old was playing Little League. At that age, you get a lot of walks. One of the biggest problems for my son's team was that the kids were so used to getting walks, they were becoming too passive, and not taking the chance to swing at good pitches. Many innings they would get a couple runners on base via walks, only to have subsequent batters strike out.

As the season wore on, and the losses piled up, the passivity became so bad that it became apparent that the main way the team would score runs would be if they got a walk with the bases loaded. The other teams, meanwhile, would get hits, driving in even more runs than a series of walks could possibly plate.

The coaches started telling the kids to be more aggressive, and I found myself giving the same advice to my son, while trying to balance that with the perspective that a good eye and a patient approach are good skills to have.

Part of the idea with encouraging an aggressive approach at the plate was that these were kids. It really didn't matter if they won or lost. More important, they needed to learn how to hit, and it was likewise important that they gained confidence from finding that they really could hit if they tried.

To bring this back to MLB, as a fan I find it very frustrating when a player known for his patient approach takes a pitch that looks right down the plate and easy to hit. I find myself wanting that player to swing, to try to get on base. I find myself telling that player to take a more aggressive approach, the same as I counseled my son.

Thinking about it another way, a walk is usually due to a pitcher making a mistake. Many hits are also due to a pitcher's mistake, leaving a pitch out over the plate, for example. If you need to take advantage of a pitcher's mistake to get on base, then use the mistakes over the plate as much as you use mistakes outside the strike zone. It takes only one mistake in the zone to get a hit, but you must rely on four mistakes outside the zone to get a walk.

2006-12-15 11:23:23
11.   bigcpa
I have to agree with Neyer as far as what's wrong with MLB... The mainstream media is lagging well behind the fans in how it covers the sport.

ESPN and Fox have modernized broadcasts in some good ways: pitch tracker, pitch sequence replays, x-slo-mo is neat. But they're still force-feeding us 1980's quality analysis. And no, just giving Gammons and Olney a blog doesn't cut it. I want to see Neyer arguing with Steve Phillips in the BB Tonight studio!

2006-12-15 11:26:47
12.   bhsportsguy
9 Wow, what a compliment, I only hope to be Jon Weisman of the Blogosphere.

For those who are too young to know Roger Angell, Google him, go to Amazon.com and buy one of his collections. You will not be disappointed.

Around this time of year, his annual baseball piece appears in the New Yorker.

2006-12-15 11:28:15
13.   Bob Timmermann
11
You might want to see Neyer arguing with Phillips, but I've met Rob several times and talked to him frequently and he wouldn't be nearly as persuasive on TV as Phillips.

In print, Neyer destroys him. Phillips is more TV-friendly.

2006-12-15 11:33:10
14.   bigcpa
13 OK so find me a sabermetrician that orates like Barack Obama.
2006-12-15 11:35:42
15.   Sushirabbit
When Best of Dodger Thoughts comes out, I hope that last thread is in it.

Baseball is a game of adjustments. Take all that was in that piece and its comments and add the spirit of 10, that is even at the MLB levels guys can still learn to take an at bat in a new way. If you take the first pitches too many times or in a predictable pattern, it gets figured out quickly, the same way people figure out when a guy like Penny is really apt to throw his "out" pitch and then they can gain an edge by looking for it. Add to the situation the way the opposing battery might respond just adds to the complexity.

I love the game's complexity and unpredictability.

2006-12-15 11:37:55
16.   Sushirabbit
uhm, I meant that to be BoDT #2 comes out... I'm planning on getting it whenever that is.
2006-12-15 11:39:11
17.   Greg Brock
14 Brian Kinney on ESPN is a very statistically inclined guy. Unfortunately, he's an anchor, so he doesn't get to chat it up most of the time. Sometimes, Kinney interviews Steve Phillips, and the comedy is gold. GOLD. Kinney will bring up VORP OR Win Shares, and Phillips is pretty much frozen. Good stuff.

His chats with Sheehan are always fun. But Sheehan never seems to smile. Like, ever.

2006-12-15 11:39:52
18.   ToyCannon
Rob is to nice a guy. I'd pay to see D4P winging some lung flem at Kruk when he mentions that Eckstein is the most important player on the Cardinals. I tried to time this post just around lunch time for everyone. No need to thank me.
2006-12-15 11:40:42
19.   D4P
I'd pay to see D4P winging some lung flem at Kruk when he mentions that Eckstein is the most important player on the Cardinals

How much...?

2006-12-15 11:41:47
20.   ToyCannon
19
About the same amount you pay Jon to read his stuff.
2006-12-15 11:45:07
21.   D4P
20
What are you trying to say...?
2006-12-15 11:46:07
22.   Greg Brock
You guys don't pay a 20$ a month subscriber fee?

Jon, I think I have a bone to pick with you...

2006-12-15 11:52:18
23.   Bob Timmermann
I send Jon a yearly tribute of six chickens, two sheep, and the gall bladder of a yak.
2006-12-15 11:54:45
24.   ToyCannon
Those gall bladders command a high price in LA. Hard to find a Yak much less a gall bladder in a Yak.
2006-12-15 11:55:10
25.   D4P
and the gall bladder of a yak

Come January, you may be able to diversify this segment of the contribution...

2006-12-15 11:55:22
26.   Jon Weisman
22 - Everyone who bought TBODT got a free 2006 subscription to DT.
2006-12-15 11:56:25
27.   Bob Timmermann
25
I already asked and was turned down.
2006-12-15 11:59:33
28.   Greg Brock
26 I just want a Dodger Thoughts fleece pullover.
2006-12-15 12:00:52
29.   D4P
I don't think of "fleece" as a very "LA" kinda fabric...
2006-12-15 12:01:26
30.   berkowit28
12. Angell's piece appeared a couple of weeks ago - Nov. 27 issue - focussing mostly on the NLCS Cards vs. Mets. Evocative as ever.
2006-12-15 12:02:49
31.   Greg Brock
29 Fine. Then I want unlimited hours and text messaging on my Dodger Thoughts Mobile.

It's an idea that can't fail!

2006-12-15 12:20:52
32.   Bob Timmermann
The Griddle Mobile service comes with one free hour of calls per day, but it changes at random each day. It also has a choice of ringtones. The Frank Robinson one is very popular.
2006-12-15 12:21:33
33.   dianagramr
31

ROFL ....

I can just picture Jon in the Dodger Stadium stands for a commercial pimping the Dodger Thoughts Mobile ... :-)

2006-12-15 12:23:47
34.   Sam DC
Given that he's been trying to get a t-shirt commissioned for more than two years, I'm a little worried about the lead time for DT mobile.
2006-12-15 12:34:46
35.   Eric Enders
32 Bob's Frank Robinson ringtone is a little too long, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBPEJPQKshU
(warning... definitely NSFW)

Clearly Bob has way too much time on his hands.

2006-12-15 12:34:48
36.   Jon Weisman
T-shirt ball is in my court.

I find my court overwhelming to me.

2006-12-15 12:52:16
37.   ToyCannon
You need to delegate, I expect a gaggle of DT posters would volunteer to help out the T-Shirt effort. The talent here is the best in the land. Lawyers, Programmers, Writers, Technologists, and graphic Artists. Use them like we use you to get through the day.
2006-12-15 12:52:29
38.   Eric Enders
And in other news, it appears Springsteen has finally found a way to summon that energy and vitality his shows have been lacking since the early 1970s:

http://www.backstreets.com/Assets/Images/newsHoliday06b.jpg

2006-12-15 12:52:54
39.   Eric Enders
37 Didn't we try that already?
2006-12-15 13:03:12
40.   Benaiah
39 - Didn't that end up with awesome Team Depo shirts? Delegate please. I have no talents whatsoever, but I would happily contribute my time. Thus the Catch-22, the time of people who have marketable talents is valuable, while the people who have no talent can give it away for free.
2006-12-15 13:11:40
41.   Disabled List
I send Jon a yearly tribute of six chickens, two sheep, and the gall bladder of a yak.

I think Colletti proposed trading Toby Hall to the Phillies for that. The gall bladder was a sticking point.

2006-12-15 13:20:22
42.   Jon Weisman
The design - actually, designs - are pretty much done. I just needed to make one final decision, which I keep putting off in favor of more immediate concerns.
2006-12-15 13:31:05
43.   das411
Guys!!! I finally discovered just how Eric Gagne injured himself...he was way ahead of Joel Zumaya:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVUgd8ot6BE

41 - Thanks for taking Lieberthal though!

2006-12-15 13:46:01
44.   D4P
Eckstein talking about his book RIGHT NOW on Jim Rome's ESPN program.
2006-12-15 13:47:20
45.   dianagramr
23

... you apparently stopped at the Whizzo Chocolate Company factory ...

2006-12-15 14:08:38
46.   Marty
Happy Holiday of your choice fundraiser:

I just made a small donation to the site. But for some reason I'm filled with the holiday spirit (not spirits), and want to do something more.

So, to encourage DT posters to contribute to the site, I'm willing to match up to $200 (hey, I'm not made out of money) of other donations.

This doesn't mean you can't contribute more but it's a little incentive.

Just drop me an email at mleadman@charter.net when you make a contribution. I'll track the responses and match the amounts up to $200 total.

Please don't think there is any pressure to contribute if you don't want to/can't afford to. It's perfectly fine.

2006-12-15 14:42:27
47.   Peanuts in My Shoes
Rocky Mountain News: "Rocco Baldelli has been a primary target for the Rockies from the start of the offseason, but the Devil Rays would want two quality arms and a shortstop to give up the run-producing center fielder."

We have those pieces (as long as Tomko or Hendy are considered "quality" arms)

2006-12-15 14:45:58
48.   Marty
46 Continued.

Please put DodgerThoughts in the subject of the email. That way I can find it amongst all the spam I get. Thanks.

2006-12-15 15:17:03
49.   Jon Weisman
Hey, Marty - thanks so much. You didn't have to do that. (And still don't, if you sober up ...)
2006-12-15 15:27:46
50.   Marty
Sorry Jon, the train has left the station. I'm already getting emails about contributions. You're just gonna have to suck it up and take the money.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-12-15 15:46:27
51.   Eric L
10 Daniel -

Every year our local baseball league has a coaches clinic with the kids and coaching staff from UC Riverside.

One of the things the head coach encourages for the younger kids is that they have an aggressive approach at the plate. His idea is that they still aren't old enough to have developed really good plate discipline. He says that through trial and error, the kids develop an idea of what a hittable pitch is.

I'm sure he's just about the exact opposite with his college kids, but I think it is an interesting theory. Kids in your sons age group just haven't seen enough pitches yet to really know their zone and all that other jazz.

2006-12-15 16:02:10
52.   trainwreck
What if Pierre started reading Dodger fan sites to see how they think of him?
2006-12-15 16:07:57
53.   dkminnick
10, 51 - In our youth league, the kids are basically taught to be swing away and be very aggressive at ages 6, 7 and 8. At age 9 the kids are encouraged to think more about the zone. At 0-0, 1-0, and 2-0 you only swing at YOUR pitch, right where you like it. At 3-0 it depends on the hitter and the situation/score. As you get strikes called on you the strike zone essentially gets larger, so when you have two strikes on you, you're swinging at anything close. This seems to be an effective teaching approach for the early years.

Forgive me if this is too obvious to have posted.

2006-12-15 16:08:16
54.   Ken Arneson
51 Back in February, I heard A's pitching coach Curt Young say something similar about teaching young pitchers the proper throwing techniques. He said just tape up a strike zone on a wall, and have the kid try to throw strikes. That's it. Through pure trial and error, the kid will usually subconsiously find the proper mechanics by simply learning to throw strikes. You usually don't need to make it any more complicated than that.
2006-12-15 16:21:38
55.   Eric Enders
54 Sort of like the old Branch Rickey "hang a tire from a tree and make 'em throw through it" exercise.
2006-12-15 16:28:35
56.   Eric Enders
Happy 80th, Carl Erskine!
http://tinyurl.com/y8wh73
2006-12-15 16:41:25
57.   Greg Brock
Pretty much the coolest thing ever:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/150

2006-12-15 16:42:42
58.   El Lay Dave
1 Fortuitously enough, Bavasi's essay appears immediately after the one that mentions BITGODs. Often, publically-held businesses that must be "responsive to stockholders" operate under different principles than privately-held ones that are trying to meet ownerships goals (that may be short-term or long-term). If the McCourts are in for the long-term, one might expect different decisions compared to, say, the Tribune Co's operation of the Cubs. Or Fox's of the Dodgers.

7 Biggio and Bagwell might not be inducted in the same vote anyway; might not both be first-ballot HOFers.

46 Marty, that is generous of you. I'll consider, but I am still determining DT's VORB.

2006-12-15 16:51:24
59.   ssjames
58 That is nonsense, everyone knows that DT'S VORB over the last three years has been:

2004: 57.9 VORB
2005: 79.3 VORB
2006: 81.2 VORB

Everyone knows that those are hall of fame VORB's, assuming that DT that can keep it up for the next couple of years.

2006-12-15 16:51:33
60.   Eric Enders
58 Hmm. I'd never even considered the possibility that either Bagwell or Biggio might not make it on the first ballot. I'd like to see an argument against either one of them that holds any water at all. To me, they're the very definition of first-ballot Hall of Famers.
2006-12-15 16:56:19
61.   Eric Enders
57 Brought to you, apparently, by the Willie Davis For the Hall of Fame campaign.
2006-12-15 16:57:57
62.   Sagehen
60 Bagwell didn't make it to 500 homers. He was only on 4 all-star teams.

They both played for Houston.

I didn't say these arguments made sense, or that I agree with them, but I'm willing to bet that Bagwell's HR total gets held against him.

2006-12-15 17:03:57
63.   Marty
In order to calculate VORB, RB has to exist. So, by defininition VORB is undefined. It's like trying to divide by zero.
2006-12-15 17:06:56
64.   Greg Brock
Man, that B-R site is too fun. You can move any player's stats to any park in any year.

I'm going to see what Ruth would do at Coors field of the 90's.

Then I'm gonna put Bob Gibson at Petco. This is too much fun.

2006-12-15 17:13:02
65.   GoBears
64. Wow. Bonds would have 788 HRs, Ruth 744, and Mays 717 in neutral conditions.
2006-12-15 17:14:17
66.   Greg Brock
Ruth's 1921 season at Coors:

73 HR
227 RBI
179 Walks
1.480 OPS

2006-12-15 17:17:05
67.   GoBears
227 RBI?! Yowza.
2006-12-15 17:20:40
68.   Greg Brock
Neutralized Career ERA:

Walter Johnson--2.46
Pedro Martinez--2.71

Whip
Johnson--1.154
Pedro--1.001

2006-12-15 17:23:13
69.   Eric Enders
If 2000 Pedro Martinez pitched at Dodger Stadium in 1968:

22-3, 0.98 ERA, 230.7 IP, 98 H, 301 K

In fact, if Pedro Martinez had spent his career at Dodger Stadium during the 1960s, we would all pretty much be saying "Sandy who?"

2006-12-15 17:27:38
70.   Greg Brock
Ted Williams 1941 batting average, Coors Field, 2000:

.458

GOOD LORD

2006-12-15 17:30:44
71.   Eric Enders
Pedro's career, extrapolated to 1968 Dodger Stadium

1992 0-0 W-L, 2.35 ERA
1993 9-3, 1.74
1994 15-9, 2.17
1995 16-10, 2.22
1996 15-10, 2.28
1997 23-5, 1.28
1998 20-7, 1.72
1999 21-4, 1.14
2000 22-3, 0.98
2001 10-3, 1.44
2002 18-5, 1.40
2003 18-4, 1.30
2004 16-10, 2.17
2005 17-8, 1.94
2006 7-8, 2.92
+-------+----+---+---+---
Totals 227-89, 1.75
+-------+----+---+---+---

2006-12-15 17:32:58
72.   Greg Brock
Now that BR has created this program, I am reminded of a note from Apocalypse Now.

Sell the house
Sell the car
Sell the kids.
I'm never coming home.

I may have to quit my job and just do this forever.

2006-12-15 17:34:29
73.   Andrew Shimmin
The worst miscarriage of justice in the history of the world, the MVP race of 1997, neutralized:

Larry Walker- 337/.420/.663 43 HRs
Mike Piazza- .374/.444/.660 42 HRs

2006-12-15 17:36:07
74.   Greg Brock
Larry Walker is Forrest Gump.
Piazza is Shawshank.
2006-12-15 17:40:24
75.   D4P
Bonds would have 788 HRs...in neutral condition

How neutral...?

2006-12-15 17:40:35
76.   Greg Brock
Gagne's 2003 season in 1968 (Dodger Stadium):

8-1, .96 ERA, .605 WHIP
84 IP, 146 strikeouts

2006-12-15 17:43:13
77.   Bob Timmermann
74
Then who was "Pulp Fiction"?

Why is Mike Piazza being compared to sentimental piffle?

2006-12-15 17:45:03
78.   Greg Brock
77 Blasphemy

I love Pulp Fiction, but come on. Shawshank, man. Shawshank.

2006-12-15 17:50:33
79.   Greg Brock
Bert Blyleven's career, neutral

318 wins
228 losses
3727 strikeouts
3.58 ERA

2006-12-15 17:51:34
80.   gpellamjr
78 Good point, but really? Shawshank? I mean, c'mon, man! Shawshank?
2006-12-15 17:52:53
81.   Greg Brock
80 I never thought of it that way.
2006-12-15 17:58:27
82.   Greg Brock
Mario Mendoza's 1979 season (Dodger Stadium '68)

.167/.183/.209
Robust .392 OPS.

2006-12-15 17:59:58
83.   Icaros
Pulp Fiction spawned a billion more copycats than did either Gump or Shank. It'll go down as the most important film of those three, imo.
2006-12-15 18:01:02
84.   dianagramr
George Brett would have hit .403 in 1980!
2006-12-15 18:01:39
85.   dianagramr
79

Please share this news with the BBWAA HOF voters

2006-12-15 18:02:18
86.   Greg Brock
I could argue that Easy Rider was the most important movie of the 1960's.

Pulp Fiction was great, and I may even concede "most important" tag. Not the best.

2006-12-15 18:03:01
87.   gpellamjr
81 I'm glad you were open-minded enough to consider my way of looking at this.
2006-12-15 18:05:27
88.   dianagramr
Gil Meche's career ...

ERA 4.46 (neutral) 4.65 (actual)
WHIP 1.397 (neutral) 1.439 (actual)

Still not worth $55 million ....

2006-12-15 18:07:27
89.   Eric Enders
My top 5 films of the 1990s

1. Se7en
2. JFK
3. Lone Star
4. Pulp Fiction
5. Hmm... Fargo? L.A. Confidential? Silence of the Lambs? As much as I like those, I'm gonna go with Before Sunrise.

2006-12-15 18:07:37
90.   Icaros
86

Best is pointless to argue.

Some people think Kirsten Dunst is super hot. The chemicals in my brain disagree, but what argument can really made for or against her?

2006-12-15 18:08:22
91.   Greg Brock
Eric does not like dancing. Or wolves, for that matter.
2006-12-15 18:08:39
92.   Icaros
can really be made
2006-12-15 18:10:59
93.   Greg Brock
Best is pointless to argue.

Why can't it just be fun?

2006-12-15 18:14:03
94.   Icaros
93

With you, it's always fun.

2006-12-15 18:17:34
95.   gpellamjr
93 Who said pointless isn't fun? I study Latin and Greek.
2006-12-15 18:17:54
96.   dianagramr
Pete Rose picks up another 410 hits in his career!
2006-12-15 18:20:32
97.   Greg Brock
Stat neutralization proves Mark Hendrickson is AWESOME.

{waits for Steve}

2006-12-15 18:22:23
98.   Marty
My favorite movies of the Nineties:

1. Miller's Crossing
2. Unforgiven
3. Boogie Nights
4. Big Night
5. Fargo

2006-12-15 18:23:44
99.   Icaros
98

I'm glad you appreciate Boogie Nights.

2006-12-15 18:27:32
100.   Icaros
And remember folks, Goodfellas was 1990, so feel free to add it to your lists.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-12-15 18:29:16
101.   Sam DC
Current odds to win the World Series:

http://tinyurl.com/ybdlca

Dodgers, As, Phillies, Oakland all the same.
Nationals are, um, last, and 10 x less likely than those four.

2006-12-15 18:29:56
102.   Sam DC
For entertainment purposes only, of course.
2006-12-15 18:30:36
103.   dianagramr
Oddly enough .... it appears J.D. Drew's basic statline can't be neutralized!
2006-12-15 18:30:44
104.   Bob Timmermann
When Xeifrank comes by to complain of movie talk here, I will, in the words of Frank Robinson, point out that somebody else started it.
2006-12-15 18:32:48
105.   Eric Enders
91 I do, actually, and almost listed it.
2006-12-15 18:35:19
106.   Sam DC
"Vidro Trade Temporarily Put on Hold." (At mlb.com)

Seems Vidro had plane trouble or something.

Nats nation really hoping Bavasi doesn't use this opportunity to start reading the blogs.

And on a sideways note, Dan Evans had a decent reputation as Dodgers GM,no? He hasn't had much luck saving Bavasi from himself of late.

2006-12-15 18:36:42
107.   Greg Brock
Dan Evans is sort of the George Lazenby of Dodger GM's.

I think Evans was fine. No complaints.

2006-12-15 18:38:07
108.   trainwreck
My 5 favorite 90's films that I can think of off the top of my head...

1. Big Lebowski
2. Once Were Warriors
3. Kids
4. eXistenZ
5. Dead Alive

2006-12-15 18:38:37
109.   Marty
Good Fellas and Miller's Crossing were the same year. I preferred the latter. Though the tracking shot when "Then he kissed me" was playing is brilliant. I'm guessing it inspired the tracking shot for the opening of Boogie Nights.
2006-12-15 18:39:55
110.   Icaros
How could we ever complain about the man who brought us Cesar Izturis?

(Of course, that was a good trade for LA)

2006-12-15 18:42:47
111.   overkill94
Top 5 from any decade is really tough...but I'll give it a shot.

1. The Big Lebowski
2. Pulp Fiction
3. Dazed and Confused
4. Swingers
5. Goodfellas

Just missing the cut: Office Space, There's Something About Mary, Wayne's World, Shawshank Redemption, Boogie Nights

2006-12-15 18:45:02
112.   Greg Brock
Favorite 10 movies of the 90's (Subject to change each day, no rankings)

Dances With Wolves
Unforgiven
Rushmore
The Big Lebowski
LA Confidential
The Shawshank Redemption
The Usual Suspects
Silence of the Lambs
JFK
Heat

2006-12-15 18:45:47
113.   overkill94
108 Are you from New Zealand or are your choices of Once Were Warriors and Dead Alive just a coincidence?
2006-12-15 18:48:03
114.   trainwreck
113
Nope. Big fan of Peter Jackson's early work and Once Were Warriors is just great.
2006-12-15 18:48:09
115.   Jason in Canada
Top 5 favorite films
1. Shawshank redemption
2. Braveheart
3. That thing you do.
4. Nacho Libre
5. Hotel Rwanda

Not that anybody asked me.

2006-12-15 18:48:28
116.   Steve
Dances With Wolves

Oh Lord, this is 1,000 times worse than anything you can say about Mark Hendrickson.

2006-12-15 18:49:18
117.   Steve
It's like the Julio Lugo of movies. Mark Hendrickson is more like Baby Geniuses II.
2006-12-15 18:49:39
118.   Greg Brock
116 Wow. Not a fan?
2006-12-15 18:50:20
119.   Marty
112 Interesting. I'd forgotten about Heat, I really like that movie. LA Confidential is very close. I hated JFK, Dances with Wolves and Rushmore. Lebowski may ultimately end up on my list. Certainly the funniest movie of the 90's. Shawshank is OK, but I have to mark it down because of Stephen King. He is Frank Robinson to me.
2006-12-15 18:50:58
120.   Marty
117 Very good.
2006-12-15 18:51:06
121.   Indiana Jon
Favorite movie of the 90's

Rudy

I guess maybe you have to be from Indiana?

2006-12-15 18:52:43
122.   Andrew Shimmin
My top five, more or less.

1. 301/302
2. Mo' Better Blues
3. Pulp Fiction
4. Groundhog Day
5. Magnolia

2006-12-15 18:53:05
123.   Jason in Canada
Someone have a problem with Baby Geniuses II?
2006-12-15 18:53:15
124.   trainwreck
I would have put a Takeshi Kitano movie, but it is hard for me to pick which one.
2006-12-15 18:53:46
125.   Icaros
116

That's sort of how I feel. I see Rushmore up there and think, "Hey, a kindred spirit." Then I see Dances With Wolves and Unforgiven and think, "Oh, just another boring old man."

And then he leaves Pulp Fiction out of the top ten just to spite me.

2006-12-15 18:53:49
126.   Greg Brock
Crap. I thought Magnolia was 2000. It's 1999.

Bump Usual Suspects, add Magnolia.

2006-12-15 18:53:59
127.   Steve
If you've ever seen the Trudeau comic of the IHDTW Convention, with the one guy standing there -- well, I thought that was me, but welcome aboard Marty. I don't even know what 301/302 is. Leave it to Andrew to make such a conventionally edgy pick.
2006-12-15 18:55:15
128.   Marty
By the way, I really liked last night's Office episode.
2006-12-15 18:55:16
129.   trainwreck
127
It's Korean.
2006-12-15 18:55:30
130.   Greg Brock
This boring old man is 29.

Of course, I'm emotionally 12, and my artistic favorites would make me about 60, so, you know, it's cool

2006-12-15 18:55:41
131.   Andrew Shimmin
I walked out of Dances with Wolves at about the twenty minute mark. I was ten, so, walking out meant sitting in the lobby watching kids with money play arcade games. If I'd known how long that movie was going to be, I might have tried sticking it out, but I don't regret the decision.
2006-12-15 18:57:00
132.   Jason in Canada
You know, KIng King was a long movie too. I fell asleep and woke up at least 10 times during that one.
2006-12-15 18:57:29
133.   Jason in Canada
Sorry King Kong
2006-12-15 18:57:38
134.   Marty
A friend of mine took his dad to see Dances with Wolves. About 3/4 of the way through, the dad leaned over and said "You know they're using two different wolves don't you".
2006-12-15 18:57:56
135.   Greg Brock
Groundhog Day has Andie MacDowell. I've seen better range from Daryl Ward.
2006-12-15 18:57:57
136.   Steve
Now he bumps The Usual Suspects. I feel like I hardly know you.
2006-12-15 18:58:02
137.   dianagramr
Top Movies of the 90s ... from imdb voters
http://www.imdb.com/chart/1990s

My picks:
Shawshank Redemption (#1 for the decade)
Schindler's List
The Usual Suspects
The Matrix (mostly for the concept)
Terminator 2 (mostly for the F/X)
The Sixth Sense
Toy Story 1&2 (for the wonder/fun)
Ed Wood (Johnny Depp!!!!)
Sling Blade
Silence of the Lambs
Saving Private Ryan

2006-12-15 18:58:36
138.   trainwreck
I probably should have had the Cure by Kiyoshi Kurosawa in there.

Ok, I better stop because I will just end up hating my list except for my top two.

2006-12-15 18:58:59
139.   gpellamjr
My top five all time movies:

Birth of a Nation
White Man's Burden
Passion of the Christ
Anything with John Wayne
Red Dawn

2006-12-15 18:59:04
140.   Marty
I walked out of Godzilla. I started thinking about something I had to do and the next thing I knew, I was in the parking lot.
2006-12-15 18:59:49
141.   Greg Brock
I have a feeling all time movie lists would result in bloodshed.

Watch out, Steve. I'm a master with a trident.

2006-12-15 19:00:03
142.   Indiana Jon
Top Five

1. Good Will Hunting
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. The Matrix
4. Forrest Gump
5. Rudy

I guess I just think different than most Dodger Fans, lol.

2006-12-15 19:00:47
143.   Marty
Anything with John Wayne

Even "The Conqueror"?

2006-12-15 19:00:52
144.   Greg Brock
By the way, twenty bucks says Xeifrank is huddled in the fetal position right now.
2006-12-15 19:01:13
145.   trainwreck
139
That is one diverse group I must say.

Do not usually see Red Dawn with Birth of a Nation.

2006-12-15 19:01:29
146.   Marty
Don't get me started on Good Will Hunting...
2006-12-15 19:02:03
147.   Icaros
130

I knew your age range, and was of course kidding.

And remarkably, you made an inspired last-minute move to save your season with comment 126.

2006-12-15 19:02:11
148.   Indiana Jon
146

Please do, I'm bored.

2006-12-15 19:03:28
149.   Steve
Marty and I appear to have extremely similar tastes. Sorry, Marty.
2006-12-15 19:04:33
150.   Marty
I'll just say the concept of "undiscovered math genius as janitor" didn't work for me. Add Robin Williams to the mix and it's a sure-fire method to make me dislike a film.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2006-12-15 19:05:38
151.   Andrew Shimmin
Anybody want to lay odds that, in the original screenplay, "It's not your fault" was spelled differently, on each of the fifteen consecutive lines it appeared?
2006-12-15 19:05:52
152.   Marty
I'm glad to see Magnolia fans here. Most people I know hated it.
2006-12-15 19:06:59
153.   trainwreck
Oh man, Edward Yang's A Brighter Summer Day was made in 1991. My list no longer counts.
2006-12-15 19:07:38
154.   CanuckDodger
107 -- For Evans to be the "George Lazenby of Dodger GM's" I think the GM he succeeded, and the GM he preceded, would have had to have stuck around longer than Evans did, which they didn't.

Whether it be for good or ill, I think Colletti is going to be the Dodger GM for a long time -- as in Fred Claire long. The farm system that neither Evans nor DePodesta got to benefit from (but which Evans was responsible for, by way of hiring Logan White) can and will cover a multitude of sins by Colletti, and Colletti gets along well with others in the organization and with McCourt.

2006-12-15 19:09:09
155.   Icaros
152

I told you about seeing it with Sidney (Hard 8) at the Egyptian a couple years ago. John C. Reilly spoke in between films. He was really cool.

2006-12-15 19:11:44
156.   Sam DC
146 Jon's got your back on that one, I think.

Hat Trick Alex Ovechkin tonight, including tying up a 2-1 game with 30 secs left in regulation and then an unassisted gamewinner 6 seconds into OT.

From Russia With Love.

2006-12-15 19:11:56
157.   Marty
155 I remember that. I haven't seen Sidney for awhile. I need to watch it again.
2006-12-15 19:11:56
158.   Icaros
154

I'd prefer Colletti finish out his contract just in time for Logan White to become Fred Claire.

I'd settle for Kim Ng, as well.

2006-12-15 19:13:43
159.   Sam DC
4. Nacho Libre
5. Hotel Rwanda

Wonder how many lists have those two sitting side by side?

2006-12-15 19:13:59
160.   overkill94
115 #4 is a joke right?
2006-12-15 19:14:36
161.   gpellamjr
158 Is there any sign that Ng would make a good GM?
2006-12-15 19:16:59
162.   gpellamjr
159, 160 The guy gets hammered while my poor intentionally provocative list (essentially a right-wing tirade in all-time-best-list form) gets ignored. I guess I'll never be as edgy as Andrew or D4P.
2006-12-15 19:17:06
163.   Andrew Shimmin
161- Misogynist.
2006-12-15 19:18:10
164.   Marty
162 I was wondering about your top 2.
2006-12-15 19:18:59
165.   Eric Enders
I can think of about a thousand reasons to dislike Good Will Hunting. They all begin with "Ben" and end with "Affleck."
2006-12-15 19:19:32
166.   Sam DC
Hammered?
2006-12-15 19:20:59
167.   overkill94
162 I'm sorry, my hatred for Nacho Libre runs much deeper than any racism could. It, along with Room With a View are two of the worst movies I've seen in a long time.
2006-12-15 19:21:11
168.   trainwreck
162
Yeah, I did not know how to handle your list. I was thinking well at least Birth of a Nation is a revolutionary film, while White Man's Burden not so much. That makes me feel better you made it up.
2006-12-15 19:21:25
169.   Eric Enders
162 Hey, I got it. I even thought it was funny too!

(Remember what Sam said earlier today...)

2006-12-15 19:21:57
170.   gpellamjr
164 I'm sure I'll be appreciated after my death.
2006-12-15 19:22:44
171.   gpellamjr
169 I don't remember anything Sam says. What was it?
2006-12-15 19:23:22
172.   Jason in Canada
160 You know I knew that would get some reaction. I lived in Mexico for 4 years and have lots of friends from Oaxaca, where the film was made. We loved going to the Lucha Libre matches like in the movie.I just thought it was hilarious. I know it is panned by many, but thats OK with me.
2006-12-15 19:23:38
173.   Eric Enders
169 Something about just because a joke goes uncommented on, doesn't mean it goes unappreciated.
2006-12-15 19:23:54
174.   Greg Brock
Shawshank Redepmtion, put in Dodger Stadium in 1968, would still OPS 1.469.

Lawrence of Arabia would have 297 RBI's in 2000 Coors Field.

2006-12-15 19:24:35
175.   Sam DC
171 It was "Remember, don't let on even if Pellam cracks you up."
2006-12-15 19:24:52
176.   Eric Enders
173 referred to 171. As if you didn't know I'd screw that up.
2006-12-15 19:25:58
177.   gpellamjr
173 Well, my nature requires that I panic if I am not praised constantly, or banned from Dodger blogs.
2006-12-15 19:26:12
178.   Eric Enders
"Lawrence of Arabia would have 297 RBI's in 2000 Coors Field."

Yeah, but it would play a 225-game season.

2006-12-15 19:28:14
179.   Icaros
Is there any sign that Ng would make a good GM?

I believe she's educated, and she's assisted some good GMs for awhile now. I figure she has to be smart enough to embrace many of the concepts DePodesta likely exposed her to.

I don't know, Colletti and Claire were nothing more than media smooth-talkers. What were their qualifications?

2006-12-15 19:28:18
180.   Eric Enders
162 You should have included Apocalypto.
2006-12-15 19:28:23
181.   Greg Brock
178 Lawrence of Arabia and The Godfather are the two greatest movies ever made.

I will not budge, and I will not be intimidated. Mock me if you will*.

*Please don't mock me.

2006-12-15 19:30:24
182.   Eric Enders
181 I don't necesarily disagree with that. In fact, I'm watching Lawrence of Arabia right now. I'll get back to you when it's over. Which should be 2009 or so.
2006-12-15 19:31:16
183.   gpellamjr
175 My wife must have heard that.

180 I didn't want to over do it with poor Mel. He reminds me a lot of my dad.

2006-12-15 19:31:28
184.   Sam DC
179 She handled the Bill Singer thing with class.
2006-12-15 19:32:08
185.   Greg Brock
182 LOL. It's an epic!
2006-12-15 19:32:35
186.   CanuckDodger
Has anybody ever seen a 1963 movie called "The Sadist?" I haven't seen it yet, but I taped it off cable about a month ago because the TV guide said it was about people on their way to watch a game at Dodger Stadium being terrorized by a maniac. That plot could be a metaphor for something.[Smiley Face]
2006-12-15 19:33:51
187.   trainwreck
A Brighter Summer Day is even longer than Lawrence of Arabia and you have to read.
2006-12-15 19:33:54
188.   Sam DC
I see The Norseman hasn't made many lists.
2006-12-15 19:33:57
189.   gpellamjr
I feel compelled to defend Nacho Libre, even though I've never seen it (my wife saw it with friends and then wouldn't let me rent it when I wanted to). I think I'm the only person I know (well, know and respect) who actually likes Tenacious D. I guess that's what one can expect when his top 3 musical interests are Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, and Tenacious D.
2006-12-15 19:34:45
190.   trainwreck
187
Unless you know Mandarin.
2006-12-15 19:35:11
191.   Eric Enders
"it was about people on their way to watch a game at Dodger Stadium being terrorized by a maniac."

Starring Jack Nicholson (and a golf club).

2006-12-15 19:35:59
192.   gpellamjr
191 I was hoping it was Arte Moreno.
2006-12-15 19:36:33
193.   Marty
186 Wow! I can't believe anyone mentioned The Sadist. I just watched it last week on TCM. It's a very bad movie that is shot really well. I'm going to butcher his name, but Vilmos Zsigmund was the cinematographer. I think it was his first gig, but he's good. The lead actor is laughable, but it keeps your interest.
2006-12-15 19:36:40
194.   trainwreck
189
I love Tenacious D. The show was great and I like their music. Apparently, Kyle Gass was the earliest graduate at Juilliard in classical guitar.
2006-12-15 19:37:53
195.   Marty
You get to hear some of the game broadcast, L.A. vs. Cincinnatti, but it's not Vin.
2006-12-15 19:38:04
196.   Sam DC
192 ROFLMAO.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Well played.

2006-12-15 19:38:52
197.   Sam DC
(That was actually pretty funny, although I've been planning 196 for some time.)
2006-12-15 19:39:25
198.   gpellamjr
196 I was just setting you up. Thanks for humoring me.
2006-12-15 19:39:50
199.   Jason in Canada
162 Well if that's the case here are my new 5 favorite films.
1. The Da Vinci Code
2. Fahrenheit 911
3. Bob Roberts
4. An inconvinient truth
5. Bowling for Columbine

;)

2006-12-15 19:41:06
200.   Greg Brock
No matter what your political affiliations may be, Bob Roberts is pretty close to pure genius.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2006-12-15 19:41:37
201.   gpellamjr
194 I just got the soundtrack to the movie, which I have not yet seen, and I enjoy it a lot. I love "The Government Totally Sucks"... it appeals to the part of me that hates the other part of me that loves Dylan's early stuff.
2006-12-15 19:42:38
202.   trainwreck
201
I wanted to see the movie, but it is hard to get people to go after those reviews.
2006-12-15 19:43:11
203.   Jason in Canada
Bob Roberts is in my top 20 favorite films.
2006-12-15 19:43:59
204.   gpellamjr
202 On the Daily Show they said they were going for a Citizen Kane type following. They've got the first part down. I'll force my wife to go for her birthday on Sunday. She won't admit it, but she likes the D as much as I do.
2006-12-15 19:45:07
205.   trainwreck
204
Yeah, that was hilarious. KG went to my rival high school.
2006-12-15 19:45:32
206.   trainwreck
This is going to be a long game for the Lakers.
2006-12-15 19:45:46
207.   gpellamjr
Sorry for all the posts tonight. I'm trying to convince myself to go to bed... but I have chronic acid reflux and I just ate my weight in Starburst.
2006-12-15 19:47:25
208.   gpellamjr
205 The best I can do is to say that Cherokee Parks went to my high school!
2006-12-15 19:47:43
209.   Jason in Canada
Hmmm... Doesn't sound too exciting.
2006-12-15 19:48:20
210.   Jason in Canada
Former Dodger Jim Bruske went to mine..
2006-12-15 19:48:52
211.   Eric Enders
So I'm watching "Joyeux Noel" right now. I'm only an hour into it, but I feel confident in giving it the thumbs up already. I hope the ending doesn't suck.
2006-12-15 19:50:24
212.   Greg Brock
I'm watching Jesus of Nazareth right now.

I don't think he's gonna make it. Don't tell me how it ends, though.

2006-12-15 19:51:44
213.   Icaros
211

Did you get to The Great Silence yet, or is that still waiting in line until 2009?

2006-12-15 19:53:32
214.   Icaros
Take it to Yao, Bynum!
2006-12-15 19:53:39
215.   Eric Enders
DEEP THOUGHTS
The most famous person who went to my high school was Jack Handey. Which makes you wonder, why does anybody spell their name with an extra "e"? If you added up all the time they spend writing the extra letter, they'd have an extra year or two to spend on important stuff. Like posting to blogs on Friday nights.
2006-12-15 19:55:41
216.   Eric Enders
213 It's up to #85 in the queue!
2006-12-15 19:57:41
217.   Sam DC
So, is Vernon Wells' contract seven years starting after this season, or counting this season?
2006-12-15 19:58:16
218.   trainwreck
I believe after.
2006-12-15 19:58:53
219.   Icaros
I have a superfluous e in my last name, and I'd never thought of that.

Thanks for making me colossally depressed on a lonely Friday night with the Lakers already down ten until I just wish Flanders was dead.

2006-12-15 19:59:24
220.   D4P
219
Time to invite over some drunk chicks.
2006-12-15 20:03:14
221.   Icaros
220

It may come to that. I miss that rookie pitcher I tripled off of a few months back as well.

2006-12-15 20:06:56
222.   Bob Timmermann
I'm extraordinarily late to the party, but my five top films of the 1990s were:
1) Fargo
2) Babe
3) L.A. Confidential
4) Lone Star
5) The Last Seduction
2006-12-15 20:09:51
223.   Icaros
I did a scene from Lone Star in an acting class. It was funny.

Haven't seen the film.

2006-12-15 20:14:14
224.   Greg Brock
The Last Seduction is a tough one. It's a good movie, but I found it really hard to get into a movie in which zero characters are likeable. But it is still a good movie.

Peter Berg's telling of the chain link fence scene is hilarious. I guess he was really unsure about the scene, and Fiorentino grabbed him, threw him against the fence, and said "Start rolling" to the director. The rest is history.

2006-12-15 20:30:40
225.   Andrew Shimmin
Spending some time with IMDB, I think I ought to free up a spot for Election, in my list. But I don't know what to cut.

Also, why was I not informed that Little Children is directed by Todd Field, the same guy who did In The Bedroom (very possibly my favorite movie, ever)? And that the screenplay was written by Field and Perrotta (the guy who wrote Election)? Somebody has failed me for the last time. While I get the feeling that if I'd more closely read the non-The Office parts of screen jam, I might have found some of these things out, I'm still determined to blame some one else for this.

2006-12-15 20:31:48
226.   trainwreck
Aww that just reminded me I forgot about Welcome to the Dollhouse.
2006-12-15 20:34:36
227.   Marty
I loved Election.
2006-12-15 20:34:51
228.   ToyCannon
Usual Suspects
Princess Mononoke
Pulp Fiction
LA Confidential
Lone Star

Jurasic Park - didn't age well but it knocked my socks off when I first saw it.

Special mention to Twelve Monkeys, Saving Private Ryan

2006-12-15 20:35:39
229.   Greg Brock
225 Jon touched on that, and I think I wrote the lone comment in that post. I talked about Perrotta and Election.

There is nobody to blame but yourself. And D4P (why not?).

2006-12-15 20:38:55
230.   ToyCannon
Sounds like the Clipper team and staff had a heck of a flight yesterday as they flew right into that storm pounding the Northwest. I've listened to Ralph for over 20 years and never heard him go on about a flight like that one.
Of course most of you are watching the Lakers getting pounded by Houston.
2006-12-15 20:39:06
231.   Marty
I need to go see Little Children if Perrotta was involved in both. Plus, Kate Winslet is my idea of perfect beauty.
2006-12-15 20:42:08
232.   Bob Timmermann
I just saw Little Children today. It was excellent. Weekday matinees draw a tough crowd. The other four people in the theater didn't seem to like it.

Reminds me of when I saw "Punch-Drunk Love" at a matinee with a group from a retirement home. I think I was the only person in the theater who liked it.

2006-12-15 20:45:18
233.   trainwreck
232
I was that person in my group of friends when we saw Punch Drunk Love.
2006-12-15 20:45:19
234.   Greg Brock
I really liked Punch Drunk Love. It's in the DVD collection. Not many other people did.

PT Anderson makes good movies.

2006-12-15 20:45:39
235.   Bob Timmermann
Plus, Kate Winslet is my idea of perfect beauty.

If you see "Little Children", you will quickly realize how ironic that statement is.

2006-12-15 20:48:49
236.   Andrew Shimmin
I almost got in to a fist fight with an elderly couple at a matinee for The Magdalene Sisters, once. They wouldn't shut up! I've seen the movie since, and realize it wasn't good enough to warrant the scene I caused, but I didn't know that at the time.
2006-12-15 20:49:06
237.   trainwreck
Little known secret (or maybe not at all)PT Anderson had to film most of A Prairie Home Companion because Altman was too sick to finish the film.
2006-12-15 20:50:46
238.   Bob Timmermann
236
My girlfriend brought the DVD of the Magdalene Sisters over once for us to watch.

Not a good date movie.

Not at all.

2006-12-15 20:53:20
239.   Andrew Shimmin
238- No, not a date movie. Probably worse than The Last Kiss, even.
2006-12-15 20:53:37
240.   Bob Timmermann
237

In the trivia section for "A Prairie Home Companion" on IMDB there is this line:

For insurance purposes, and in the event that 80-year-old director Robert Altman was unable to finish shooting the film, Paul Thomas Anderson was employed as a standby director.

2006-12-15 20:54:04
241.   Icaros
Punch Drunk Love is Anderson's version of a Beatles song.
2006-12-15 20:54:54
242.   Bob Timmermann
239
I've been tempted though when I was at Notre Dame to start screaming at Charlie Weis:

"YOU ARE NOT A MAN OF GOD!"

2006-12-15 20:58:08
243.   Andrew Shimmin
242- Lol! You're going to hell, just for thinking that.
2006-12-15 20:59:58
244.   Icaros
Hell's not so bad, Bob. The music is way better down there.
2006-12-15 21:00:16
245.   Marty
Punch Drunk Love showed me PT Anderson can work miracles. Adam Sandler for Pete's sake!
2006-12-15 21:02:19
246.   trainwreck
239
How was the Last Kiss?

I ask because Rachel Bilson is beautiful.

2006-12-15 21:02:57
247.   StolenMonkey86
My top movies of the 90s

Wayne's World
Groundhog Day
Babe
Braveheart
Aladdin

2006-12-15 21:07:40
248.   Andrew Shimmin
246- I liked it alright. My companion did not. Actually, I don't know that she didn't. I know that she didn't like that I had liked it. It's not a great movie, it's all been done before, often better. I didn't like it quite as much as his other one, which I also didn't love. But it wasn't bad.
2006-12-15 21:08:41
249.   Sushirabbit
Later than Bob,

90s:
American Beauty
Babe
Fargo
Schindler's List
Crying Game (the perfect story of all that)

some other good foreign
Journey of Hope
House of flying daggers (was 90s, right)
before the rain
and perhaps the Dutch Verison of The Vanishing.

My top 5 (today, without too much thought)
Nuovo Cinema Paradisio
Blade Runner
THe Quiet Man (but then I'd live in Oughterard if I could!)
Blazing Saddles

On any given Day I might pick 5 Ford movies, though. I really like Ridley Scott, too.

2006-12-15 21:09:23
250.   natepurcell
222

2) Babe

as in, the movie with the pig?

......

Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2006-12-15 21:11:01
251.   trainwreck
248
It is a remake of an Italian movie.
2006-12-15 21:12:01
252.   trainwreck
House of Flying Daggers was 2004.
2006-12-15 21:13:00
253.   trainwreck
Spoorloos the dutch version of the Vanishing was 1988.
2006-12-15 21:14:47
254.   Bob Timmermann
250
Yes, the movie about a pig.

Do you have a problem with that?

Or did you expect me to pick the movie with John Goodman?

2006-12-15 21:15:08
255.   Greg Brock
I like Fargo. I also thought the Hudsucker Proxy was a better movie than Fargo.

{prepares for impact}

2006-12-15 21:18:03
256.   Bob Timmermann
255
I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Except Frank Robinson.

2006-12-15 21:19:07
257.   trainwreck
Blood Simple I think should enter the discussion when talking Coen Bros films.
2006-12-15 21:19:46
258.   Andrew Shimmin
255- It's okay. I think we're all starting to get the point. There's a part of you that's a little, how shall I say, retarded. It likes cry baby rock and roll. It digs the Dancing Wolf movie. But it's just one little part of you. Outside of this isolated area of retardation, you seem like a perfectly normal person. Hell, you got better grades than Bob did at UCLA.

It's inspirational, actually. Someday there could be a movie of the week about you.

2006-12-15 21:20:04
259.   Greg Brock
Both movies are great. I have every Cohen Brothers flick (except for Cruel whatever, the Zeta Jones movie). Fargo is fantastic.

Hudsucker is one of the underrated flicks of the last twenty years. Long live the Hud!

2006-12-15 21:20:57
260.   Greg Brock
258 LOL.
2006-12-15 21:21:34
261.   Andrew Shimmin
258, cont.- I also now notice that you've got a crush on Tim Robbins. So, you know, might wanna look in to that. I mean, that should be curable, in the twenty-first century.
2006-12-15 21:21:42
262.   Greg Brock
Coen Bros. Damnation.
2006-12-15 21:23:07
263.   Greg Brock
261 I never thought of that. Bob Roberts, Hudsucker, Shawshank. That's pretty amazing. I'm actually not that big a fan of his, except that, apparently, I am.
2006-12-15 21:24:03
264.   gpellamjr
Would a 5 most beautiful women list be sexist?
2006-12-15 21:25:07
265.   natepurcell
254

I was thinking you would be more of a Milo and Otis fan. But Babe it is!

2006-12-15 21:25:29
266.   trainwreck
263
Jacob's Ladder? My favorite Tim Robbins movie.
2006-12-15 21:26:16
267.   trainwreck
The movie list was hard enough and I already would completely change mine.
2006-12-15 21:26:46
268.   Bob Timmermann
Other films and TV shows that are favorites of Greg Brock:
The first three episodes of "St. Elsewhere"
Top Gun
The Sure Thing
Jacob's Ladder
I.Q.
Arlington Road
The Truth About Charlie
2006-12-15 21:27:17
269.   Sushirabbit
What's time anyway? :-)

Ouch on the M. Sistes as a date movie.

As one of my friend's tells me, it's cheating to become a Cahtolic later in life.

I once had a first date with a girl going to see The Meaning of Life-- not so good, either. I'd recommend bowling instead. Or heavy drinking at the Peppermint Lounge.

Fans of Groundhog day, might like Quick Change, too.

2006-12-15 21:27:27
270.   Xeifrank
Man, sorry I missed all the movie talk today! (Not really). I think my 2 1/2 year old is already following in my footsteps when it comes to movies. The last two movies we've tried to take her to, we had to walk out of because she got scared when the lights went out and it got loud. She screamed that she wanted to go to the lobby and watch the popcorn fall down. In adult talk, she wanted to watch the popcorn machine. It was one of my proudest days. By the way with all the movie talk on DT, I just might have to start going over to Screen Jam and talk baseball, foriegn travel, Wiggles or Clifford the Big Red Dog. Pick your poison.
vr, Xei
2006-12-15 21:28:07
271.   Bob Timmermann
265
You do know that "Babe" was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and probably deserved it a lot more than "Braveheart" did?
2006-12-15 21:28:35
272.   trainwreck
I remember when I was at Blockbuster, there was a group of people talking about how mad they were at the end of Arlington Road.
2006-12-15 21:28:59
273.   Sushirabbit
250, 254
It's, uh... kind of a baldy, pinky, whitey thingy.

264, yes, and how could you limit yourself to 5?

2006-12-15 21:30:10
274.   Greg Brock
270 It's a Friday. It's December. There is no baseball being played. Hot Stove is winding down. We signed Juan Pierre.

I'm not sure how much useful baseball talk will come out of this evening. Unless Steve writes his eagerly anticipated love letter to Mark Hendrickson.

2006-12-15 21:30:12
275.   trainwreck
I remember the beginning of the Land Before Time scared me as a little kid and I had to leave the theater.
2006-12-15 21:30:39
276.   Eric Enders
271 Bob, I don't disagree with you on Babe, but, um, do you really want to start citing Oscar results to legitimize your movie choices?

Big "Gigi" fan, are we?

2006-12-15 21:31:46
277.   gpellamjr
272 Why would you be mad? The end was the only thing that saved an otherwise horrible movie... oh and Joan Cusack would probably make my top 5 list.
2006-12-15 21:31:54
278.   Greg Brock
Braveheart is the single most overrated movie of the last decade. It should only reside in high school locker rooms for pregame inspiration.

Babe is way better than Braveheart.

2006-12-15 21:32:27
279.   Andrew Shimmin
Quick Change is the best. The first time I saw Quick Change, I wanted to shave my head, go to the airport, and evangelize for it. Then I rewound the tape, and watched it again, instead.
2006-12-15 21:32:31
280.   Eric Enders
273 Heck, I can limit myself to one, as long as it's Eva Green.
2006-12-15 21:32:56
281.   StolenMonkey86
278 - Don't forget the soundtrack though
2006-12-15 21:33:10
282.   Greg Brock
Joan Cusack would probably make my top 5 list

Dios Mio.

2006-12-15 21:33:47
283.   Sushirabbit
276, see Cher, 1987 (Moonstruck)
2006-12-15 21:34:19
284.   trainwreck
280
Someone loves the Dreamers.
2006-12-15 21:36:08
285.   Bob Timmermann
276
No, the greatest film ever made is "The Greatest Show on Earth"! Nothing better than an epic film about the greatest blight on society (other than Frank Robinson):

THE CIRCUS!

2006-12-15 21:36:17
286.   gpellamjr
282 I used to have a huge crush on her. I don't know if it's still true, but I was hoping to spark a conversation.
2006-12-15 21:36:56
287.   Greg Brock
There is Anita Ekberg, and there is everybody else.

The Sweet Life indeed.

2006-12-15 21:37:06
288.   Andrew Shimmin
283- I can't tell you how relieved I was that, when I went back to see which post that referred to, it wasn't Pellam's sexist list one. I would have been banned for life for the response I was composing.
2006-12-15 21:37:44
289.   natepurcell
i think trainwreck mentioned kids.

have you seen larry clarks other movies? bully, ken park, wassup rockers..

i saw bully for the first time 3 weeks ago. it was pretty interesting.

2006-12-15 21:38:33
290.   Bob Timmermann
286
I always thought it was weird how Joan Cusack always was cast as someone much older than she really was. She was playing frazzled, divorced moms in her 20s. "My Blue Heaven" came out in 1990 when she was 28.
2006-12-15 21:39:25
291.   Greg Brock
I believe Larry Clark lobbied against Megan's Law (not really).

Dude is creepy.

2006-12-15 21:39:34
292.   gpellamjr
290 Maybe that's what I liked about her.
2006-12-15 21:39:50
293.   natepurcell
and, kirsten dunst is way pretty.

I am late to the party pertaining to that topic but i had to get it out there. big fan of bring it on.../waits for it.....

2006-12-15 21:40:18
294.   trainwreck
289
I bought Bully without seeing it. It is an okay movie. My friend saw Ken Park and pretty much convinced me not to watch it. I have seen Teenage Caveman and that is just B movie garbage.

Larry Clark likes teenage sex too much!

2006-12-15 21:40:59
295.   gpellamjr
288 I'm not a sexist. I just think it's one of the great shames that my wife is such a great cook and yet continues to go to grad school.
2006-12-15 21:41:35
296.   trainwreck
293
I saw Bring It On in theater because we were not 17 so they would not let us into see another movie. They even had an usher follow us. I have seen the movie countless times since.
2006-12-15 21:43:05
297.   natepurcell
wassup rockers was pretty cool. a good amount of teenage sex but the those latino kids are pretty awesome.

except for the fat one that got shot in the head. he never talked.

2006-12-15 21:43:54
298.   gpellamjr
297 Not a fan of the fat people, are ya Nate?
2006-12-15 21:45:21
299.   Icaros
293

You can have her.