nate or canuck, who is this Rick Taloa guy? He now has 6 homers on the year in rookie ball, and i think all of them have come in the last week or so. Is he a prospect? He keeps showing up in my Baseball America prospect report.

Like more than a few DT posters, as we approach the trade deadline, I am hoping we make no trade at all, unless it is a deal or deals that gets rid of some undesirable vets. But let's face it, regardless of what is wise, we are going to deal away some prospects, it is just a matter of which ones and whether they are first, second, or third tier guys (it will probably be a combination).

So my question is, who do you HOPE is untouchable? Which guys being traded would make you really angry? Keep in mind that nobody we just drafted in June can be traded inside of a year, by MLB rules.

My untouchables are ALL of the rookies now with the Dodgers, plus Kemp, LaRoche, Elbert, Loney, and DeWitt. Out of those players, I think the Dodgers are most likely to part with Aybar. I don't think we SHOULD part with him, but I see it coming. I think Guzman is going to be dealt as well, and though I don't agree with that either, I have kind of made my peace with it, because of (1) Ethier, and (2) the fact that Guzman is sounding like an Odalis Perez-type malcontent.

I agree with your untouchables as well unless we could get someone to overpay for Kemp based on his brief success, but only if it's a player under contract for longer than this year.

I don't watch american idle but that's what your story reminded me of Jon.

2

I agree with you're story of Guzman's miscontent "issues"

1 -- Rick Taloa was a 35th round draft pick last year, out of Santa Ana Junior College. He is 21, so he is a bit old for his level. He is a 6'4" 250 lbs. first baseman who bats and throws right-handed. He is of Samoan descent. At his age and playing in a big-time hitter's league, don't take Taloa's numbers too seriously -- yet.

You know, after reading about singing the anthem (three minutes long, about four octaves, in a lousy key) from the singer's POV, throwing out the first pitch where you either bounce it or you don't doesn't seem nearly as difficult.

Everybody is untouchable but Colletti.

David Pinto has a link to a baseball/PG Wodehouse quiz. Two of my favorite subjects, so I aced it.

http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/016167.php

7

I wish I could throw out the first pitch, I'll throw a freaken cannon!!

I still miss Helen Dell.

2 - I'd go with the same list.

The only player I would even want to see traded for would be Greg Maddux, and even then, I wouldn't do it if the price were too high. The most creative way I see to shore up the rotation is to trade for Lance Niekro and convert him to a pitcher.

I hope the Giants get Hillenbrand, and I hope he goes Milton Bradley over there (or Jeff Kent if it means fighting with Barry Bonds).

Boston radio has been talking about rumors of Jake Peavy going to Red Sox in a packaged deal that centers around Mike Lowell. Awww dellusional Red Sox fans.

How great would that be if it were true?

13

"How great would that be if it were true"

I was thinking the same thing.

13 "Boston radio on Red Sox rumors" = the source third least likely to be taken seriously, after Fox News and Ken Rosenthal, and just ahead of the NY Post.

I miss Helen Dell too.

RIP Jack Warden

I think CBS News has less credibility than Fox News.

17

how about ESPN calling Joel Guzman a pitcher???

Sure is dead around here tonight.

-Canuck

From what ive read here and there Ned is very hesitant

we need a pitcher.

19

it's friday, maybe all the folks went' to the game (Pujols & all) I wish I was there.

-Canuck

From what ive read Ned is hesitant to trade away the future. Mccourt also is excited with the youth. I dont know if it is PR spin or not but i tend to believe it just becasue its every where. Rosenthal and Olney have also mentioned in recent articles that every GM has asked for Bills, Kemp, Laroche, Ethier, Elbert etc. and has been turned away. I believe that is why Soriano being linked to the dodgers doesn't seem like a hot topic.
I do think Aybar, Guzman, Delwyn and Abreu could be had. But the one prospect i am very iffy on Loney. He could be sold high and Ned could be enamoured with Nomar.

hey Bob are you at the game today?

Kuo's starting in Vegas against Portland.

51's lineup
Valdez - SS
Riggs - 2B
Loney - 1B
Kemp - CF
Guzman - LF
Young - RF
Laroche - 3B
Bellorin - C
Kuo - P

That's a pretty dang good 3-7 in that line-up. So has it been confirmed that they're trying Kuo out as a starter again?

25

I can't help but think, how Kou payses him self?

I wonder if Repko got a couple of hits yesterday.

Kuo took 17 pitches to retire the first two batters. A whole lot of foul balls.

23 -- I am sure Colletti in an ideal world would keep the "untouchables," and is waiting to see if the other teams' prices come down the closer we get to the deadline. But when it is an hour before the deadline and Ned senses that prices are not going to drop any more, where will Colletti's priorities lie? I don't trust Colletti in that situation. I think he will rationalize making a trade that everybody on this board will recognize as foolish by claiming that he hasn't traded the WHOLE farm and trotting out that time-worn banality "I want to win now."

27 pitch first inning, ending with a 4 pitch K.

No runs, 1 hit, no errors, and one man left on. Vegas due up.

31 Can't really complain too much, 20 of the 27 pitches were strikes. Now he just needs to keep that control, and miss bats, and he will be fine.

The 51's go down in order on 10 pitches.

0-0 after 1

Kuo gave up a leadoff double. Then the next guy lined out to Kuo, but he threw to first and the runner advanced to third, scoring on a groundout, followed by another groundout.

1 run, 1 hit, no errors. 1-0 Portland after 1 1/2

Kemp works the count, grounding out to short on a 3-2 pitch around the inside corner.
Guzman becomes the 51s' first baserunner. Line drive single to center.

35

Accourding to ESPN, he's a pitcher?? (Guzman is)

Young fires a grounder through the 3.5 hole, singling and advancing JtD to 3rd.
Laroche flies out to shallow right.
Bellorin K's on 3 pitches.

no runs, 2 hits, no errors, and 2 runners stranded. 1-0 Portland after 2.

hit Pujols, you'll save 3 pitches Penny!!

36 - If by pitcher you mean left-fielder.

Also, ESPN.com reports that Fernando Tatis just got called up to Baltimore. Too bad Baltimore doesn't play the Padres.

I hope Penny does not tire himself out quickly trying to throw it so hard.

40 - what's the gun reading?

Jon, a friend of my mother's got a call once to sing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium. He had some other gig going that weekend, and turned them down; he's never gotten another request since, and that was a few years back. The moral is you jump when they say "jump".

39

it's true bro, they called Guzman I pitcher, i'm not kidding.

He's throwing a consistent 97.

Juan Encarnacion use to be a pitcher (in the minors I think)

Suppan is from the San Fernando Valley (like most MLB'ERS cali, native)

43 - Who on ESPN? That's bad.

There's a Johancy Guzman with the DSL Dodgers. He's 19, and he's also 5-10 155 lbs.

NO, not in the knee!

that's all we need!!

Well, that's that.

It's one thing to hit Nomar, but you do not hit the man of clay!

If Drew's expression is an indication of severity, we'll be dumping several prospects for an OF very soon.

Nomar should punish them with a 3 run homer.

Drew's out of the game.

Let's bring Kemp up.

52 - dumping, or calling up?

t-minus 30 seconds until thinkingblue posts something negative about Drew.....

Penny needs to pull back a little more. I want 100 MPH to Edmonds' head.

54

are you really suprised??

Kuo gave up a walk and a double, then got pulled after 2 2/3. 59 pitches, 40 were for strikes

58

I hope we hit Pujols arms & they detach from his body.

Kuo was removed after 59 pitches. In 2.2 IP, he had 3 Ks and a walk, and threw 40 of the 59 pitches for strikes. He didn't get very deep (although I'm sure he was on a 60ish pitch limit), but it was an encouraging outing because of the decent control.

Beanball time!

59
I'm just informing people.

What did Edmonds ever do to you?

Suppan isn't that good, I can't believe we didn't score against him.

Drews history. Don't trade for an outfielder, give D.Young, Guz, or Kemp a chance. No one is going to give the D's anybody good.

56 I certainly hope it's calling up, but the Dodgers (actually Suppan) just gave Colletti an excellent reason to acquire Soriano, and I fear he'll take advantage of the opportunity. I also have a feeling Drew's replacement, if he goes to the DL, would be Repko.

How is getting hit on the side of the knee "history"? I'm sure it hurts now and he might miss a few games while it's swollen, but I doubt this will necessitate a DL stint.

It's not Edmonds, but they just hit the most injury prone guy on the team. That's like doing yo-yo tricks in a pottery shop.

Jim Edmonds went to high schools with a buddy of mine.

Strike out works too.

Boy, I was just checking in and I cant believe the blue sea of negativity....

What happened to this place?

Thanks to Justin Reid's ineffectiveness, Kuo actually will be charged with 3 runs in 2.2 IP, but I still think it was extremely encouraging.

73 Losing 7 of 8 will do that to a community

64

I'm just letting people know how angelinos feel about that!!

75 This is true..

Still...

73 - JD Drew got nailed on the knee, and Jose Cruz immediately replaced him.

Penny looks in good form today. That will help a lot with Drew out of the game.

Getting hit on the knee is like being hit in the funny bone, well sort of.

So lets see Cruz produce! Come on!

73

lossing dose that to you, we love our Dodgers so don't be suprised with the frustration.

on Gamecast, it looks like the ball went past Encarnacion, because his name never moves.

81 Heck, I get that way all of the time...

Tonight and tomorrow if we win we set the tone for the rest of the season. These are the freeking Cardinals! Just win Baby!

it's pretty amazing how bad our offense is. If Drew misses time we're going to be serioiusly screwed as far as scoring runs is concerned.

Or is it Just whine Baby!?!

83

we need to win! losing isn't cool

Willy Aybar really got unlucky. That line drive he hit was absolutely smoked.

Drew will have a huge B&B contusion. I doubt he will go on the DL.

If you could pick only Dodger to return to the form of their best season of their career, who would it be?

Tommy, you were very negative on last year's team. I guess we are just coming around to the same thing :)

I agree losing isn't cool... I'm tired of having to look at negativity everyday in the paper!

You know, we should have taken at least two of those four in StL.

Penny still throwing 97?

89
Derek Lowe.

Bonds was hit by Peavy in the kneecap tonight but remained in the game. When JD got hit and came out, I started to really question JD's fragility, thinking he probably could've shaken it off like Bonds apparently did.

Well, Bonds next time up he doubled but barely made it down the line. It appeared the knee that got nailed, which I guess is not the one that gives him the most problems, was bothering him enough that he came out of the game.

92
95mph

Marty, Forget the past tonight is the present!

and the present is bleak :)

94 - correction, Bonds actually singled, anybody else would've had a double.

St. L, 1-2-3 OUT!

89 That would be tough. Probably Lowe, Odalis, Drew, Kent, or Gagne, but I wouldn't know who to choose. I'd have to say Gagne I guess.

No, the present is positive. Think Bob Marley!

Marty, I was out on Long Island in New York the majority of last season. I wanted positive, but only could get the Mets and Yankees. You want to talk depressing!

93 - Jose Cruz hit .274/.326/.530 and had a 30-30 year in 2001, but give me Jeff Kent's 2000, where he won the MVP and had a .334/.424/.596 line with 33 homers and won the MVP.

89

Mike Piazza was superman to me.

103 - and pardon my reduncancy

Jeff Suppan's numbers:

5.52 ERA/ WHIP 1.58

41 BB 55 SO

We should be able to get a run or two against him.

89 Kirk Gibson. I think he breathed fire into the 1988 Dodgers.

104 - I was thinking current Dodgers. If we went with past or present, I'd take a 1965 Sandy Koufax.

For a hitter, Piazza '97 is hard to pass up, so I won't. A .362/.431/.638 line with 40 homers.

24

Bob is somewhere in the stadium being annoyed by a fan.

108 - and he's Mike Piazza

109Sitting in the Honeywell seats... A good company that Honeywell

108

& he was a hallywood story type player.

This year is the best looking Miss Universe group I have ever seen.

108

Drysdale for a pitcher for me. Don't get me wrong but I identenfy with Drydale more.

Furcal now has a 71.9% SB rate.

Chris Young threw well in a bullpen schedule, and has been confirmed for Monday for those that were curious in the other thread.

the two of them together were dynamite, Koufax and Big D.

Chris Duncan is going balled!!

uh oh, they scored, the games over :(

you know, Suppan had an ERA of over 9 on the road coming into this game.

Hard to say no to Drysdale. He was great in 1964, and it's shocking he didn't win 20 games, except for the Dodger offense that year.

During the Koufax/Drysdale years there was absolutely no offense--at least for Koufax and Drysdale....

fool em once, shame on Suppan

fool em twice, shame on Andre

Suppan looks like Warren Spahn. Our offense is either really poor or in a terrible streak!

Gee , I just noticed Suppan had a plan. Its been a while since I even saw anything like that.

Laroche doubled, but didn't move from there. Still 3-0 Portland after 5 in Vegas.

123

We'll come around

One hit against Jeff Suppan is when you know it's time to go do something else. Night guys.

Penny hits Suppan. Great. Let's see if Eckstein can ground into a DP.

let's win blue crew!

Just back from the Nationals' big come-from-behind 7-6 win over the Cubs. 3 Cub home runs not enough, even though Nats had zero home runs. RFK grand re-opening a success; much better service at the food lines, new concessions, and a corny fun giant Presidents' race that worked despite its own ridiculousness.

Here's the Nationals first run: Soriano HBP; Soriano steal 2nd; wild pitch; wild pitch. Lots of aggressive running and lucky breaks for the Nats; I fear Frank will be very reinforced that running "puts pressure on the defense" and "makes things happen."

Crazy Frank. With a one-run lead, he allows Astacio to bat to open the bottom of the sixth. Tough call that; Astacio only had about 90 pitches in at that point. I would have hit for him, though, esp. with yesterday and monday both off days. But then, the seventh comes, and Astacio retires the first batter and Frank pulls him then for Mike Stanton! If that was the plan, why let him hit in the bottom of the sixth.

Anyhow, big crowd, lots of energy, nice to be at a game with friends and beers instead of kids and dippin dots. Lerners have to feel like the night was a big success.

And this evening they also announced that the team sale paperwork is complete; ownership transfer to be done by monday.

I'm happy we are keeping Eckstein off the bases.

129

he just did! woo!!

129 - yep! :)

132

I hope we hit him!

We'll come around

I hope so, but the line up we field doesn't lend much optomism.

136

yeah I know but he's Suppan though!!

bah. LIDP

2 hits and a walk through 5. you could throw Weaver out there against us, and still shut us out, speaking of that cardnial...

Loney lined out to 2nd.

Penny just hit 98.

our hitting is non exsistent!

Bob is at the stadium thinking, I hope Pujols dons't hit a HRun.(while taking score)

That picture of Drew lying there on the ground was not pretty.

The Cardinals clearly are not scared of Lofton's arm.

Just tuned in... Why is Jose Crud in Drew's spot?

Running on Kenny is like stealing candy from a baby.

145

No respect what's so ever!

145 - yeah. That just hurts

146 - Drew got nailed in the knee

Fascinating how we went from the #1 offensive tean in the NL first half, to not being able to get a bat near a ball.
And its too bad, for our pitchings has been doing quite well. Runs they give up in the second half of the game, knowing they have no support, are inevitable.

Edmonds IBB. Can Penny take care of Encarnacion?

152.
He is an ex-Dodger, of course he is going hurt us.

these are trying days for Dodger fans.

I still have hope but come one!! not scoring against Suppan says alot bout our losing streak.

Why didn't Ledee come in to replace Drew? Cruz is far worse when he bats left-handed, plus Ledee needs some at bats.

Has Penny been throwing straight fastballs all the way through? He might have high heat, but his control is Billingsley-esque.

leadoff single furcal

Drew will be on the 15 day DL. Who get's called up??

The Giants have announced a press conference following today's game, with Brian Sabean and Felipe Alou. Speculation is that they will announce a trade of some sort...

155 - neither one looks good in the 3 hole

158 - I assume you're asking hypothetically since Vin just said it was a contusion and is listed day-to-day.

Unless I missed something...

and as I say that Cruz doubles

Drew is just day to day, Vin said.

3.5

161

Drew is not day to day, believe me!

yes I'm that edgy!!

Bring back Jack Clark!

Dont make any trades Ned.
Its not worth it.

Tim Hamulack still sucks. Bases loaded walk, and the 51's are down 8-0.

we are officialy in s slump! COME ON!! this is Suppan with a 5.something ERA!! WHAT A FREAKING JOKE!!

One question, and one shocking fact:

Why does Little insist upon hitting Martin in the 8 spot? Izturis hitting in front of him is just insulting to Martin in my opinion. I would prefer so see him hitting in either the 2 or 7 spot.

10 players who would be leading or tied for the team lead in HRs if they were on the dodgers:

Ray Durham 16
Mike Piazza 14
Mike Jacobs 14
Dan Uggla 13
Eric Byrnes 13
Jeromy Burnitz 12
Rich Aurilla 12
Juan Encarnacion 12
David Freaking Ross 12
Corie Koskie 12

Not that the HR is the end all be all, or a reasonable barrometer to judge or current situation, but still.

This is nothing Rheal Cormier can't fix.

The game comes back on and there is a guy at second, damn FSN.

and with Drew and Kent on the DL, Guzman gets the call, along with Repko

Suppan lives and dies by the long ball. Check his stats.

I really hope we come back from this one.

170 - You can add Khalil Greene to that list, who just hit his 14th.

Fox: because we hate baseball.

177

?

176 - I was looking for former dodgers, border-line banjos, or has-beens for that list. Greene definitely fits the border-line banjo criteria.

Consider him added.

Did Grady do a double switch with Beimel at all, or did he use a spot lefty for the first time all year?

Not only do they buy the Dodgers and ruin the team, but they always come back late from commercial breaks. I've noticed this a lot watching the playoffs too.

no double switch

Delwyn Young homers on a line drive to right, first run for Vegas. Laroche followed with a single. Bottom of the 7th, nobody out. Still 8-1.

Drew is day to day to day to day to day, ad infinitum.

The Giants have acquired Shea Hillenbrand.

The wise fantasy baseball players of the world are scrambling to pick up Jeff Weaver for his start against the dodgers on Sunday. I'd say he goes 7ip, 2ER, 2BB, 5K, goes 1-3 with an RBI and a sac bunt, and gets the W. (Finishes typing and puts grocery bag with eyes cut out back over head)

159 Reports are that the Giants just acquired Hillenbrand.

Come on Ledee!

See question at start of post # 170

Hopefully the Giants gave up a good prospect for no good reason.

187

another reason to boo the gints!!!

Reports are that the Giants just acquired Hillenbrand.

Better them then us, considering the value ned gives up in trades.

185 - Saw it coming. They optioned Niekro down to AAA, and they wanted a 1B. I hope they gave up some great prospects.

the mound in Dodger Stadium looks mighty good.

Hillenbrand and Chulk for Accardo.

the boys in blue look dead!!

It's only 2-0 but it seems like (and might as well be) 12-0. I hope they make me regret turning off this game.

Who's coming in to pitch next?

195 - they offered up that ever so precious commodity of a relief pitcher

My boy martin just keeps crusin along out-opsing our 3b, ss, cf.

Bringing in the bull. Grady has not given up yet.

197

I'm such an optomist that I think we'll come back but, Suppan shouting us out really breaks my spirit.

bull

I've been hanging out with you guys to much, I guess that's why I feel like that. :o)

Stop with the broken records please! We all know they can't hit right now. No need to mention it 50 times.

They even got a crappy relief pitcher to replace their own.

Lofton's arm is laughed at again.

and now Kenny bobbles the ball. isn't this fun :( ?

yep. I mean, I haven't seen a player run on like that since LeCroy was the starting catcher for the Nationals and 7 baserunners stole on him.

very good strikeout

Congrats to Shea on finding a new team. You deserve it, buddy!

I would like to see someone charge the mound when Broxton is pitching.

211 ...or is that sentiment getting old?

Stop with the broken records please! We all know they can't hit right now. No need to mention it 50 times.

If this was towards me, sorry, i was just praising martin.
800+ ops for a catcher is pretty good.

212 If only Cecil Fielder were still playing.

195 Hillenbrand and Chulk?

Wasn't someone here earlier hoping the Giants would acquire Hillenbrand so he could be a fun clubhouse presence with Bonds and co.? You got your wish! Let's hope he's more Pierzynski and less Randy Winn. I'm kind of sorry Accardo's gone though - he had potential but generally looked like crap.

His son, Prince, plays 1B and weighs as much as Brad Penny

If the Dodgers can't bust out of their offensive slump against Weaver tomorrow then, well, I don't know what, but... then they're even more seriously slumping.

218 Harsh words.

If Furcal hadn't been robbed in the first inning, he would have been on base every time tonight. A good night at the plate. (He says, trying to find the silver lining...)

218 I've already said all my harsh words here in the privacy of my own home. I'm harsh words-ed out. ;-)

And if Lofton hits into a double play again here I'll have even harsher words.

An amazing thing most often with baseball is the team slump. It is a psych thing, and while it holds, you could put in the Babe or Ted William and they couldn't hit the sidewalk with a spit. It usually takes something unusual, or an individual effort to break it.

214
Wasn't directed at you. Wasn't directed at anyone just in general, it was a pre-emptive strike if you will.

{{mmmph}}

Who would you rather have? Tony LaRussa or J.D. Drew and Ozzie Smith?

you think we're gonna see 15 days of Cruz jr.??

And our attempted savior is J. Cruz.

And our attempted savior is J. Cruz.
Good team.

Anybody know what position Hillenbrand will play in SF?

1st

Accardo's first homer surrendered was to Nomar. That is disapointing that he won't be there again.

Hillenbrand apparently used the same term Ozzie Guillen used for Jay Mariotti to describe Theo Epstein in a rant back in 2003, prompting a trade from when he was on the Red Sox, so he might not last too long in San Francisco ( http://tinyurl.com/fqrls ) I look forward to seeing him punch a teammate or something.

Lofton needs to light a fire under Nomar.

230 I've been out of commission for a while (a relief to you, I'm sure). How's the not-smoking effort going?

230 - Unfortunately 1st. He would've been way more fun to watch at 3rd.

Hillenbrand is kind of a Feliz-clone, and I'm pretty sure that's not a compliment.

It's like being punched in the chest every time Eckstein makes a successful throw to first. It just doesn't seem possible, and then it happens.

Tommy to the rescue PLEASE!!

I stay loyal to the D's, but I must admit they look worse than the Pirates did in their worst stretch.

You know I love Nomar to death and it's hard to argue with success - though it's easier to argue when he's in a slump - but I am pretty much officially over his constant first ball swinging thing. I know he's thinking first pitch strike but it can be frustrating to watch when he is in a slump. It's more frustrating though when it's at a time when the starting pitcher is still in there and you want him to work the guy a little and... swing! Oh well.

234- Day five. No longer hallucinating (although, this doesn't really isolate the variable, since I quit licking toads after the third day; what? Nicotine gum is expensive!). Thanks for asking.

Eckstein is an overachiever. A guy who keeps getting it done, when he shouldn't be able to. Always fighting and always hustling.

I hate those types.

240 Well, you know, I'm just hoping you don't lose your edge. You're a worthy adversary.

He was safe. PERIOD.

241 - especially when they're on the other team. Gamecast hasn't advanced. Anything new? I've still got Cruz with an 0-1, Furcal on 2nd, and 1 out.

240
You picked a bad week to quit smoking.

Remember how bad the Padres were slumping earlier in the season, with the bat, and then they had that explosion against the Dodgers' bullpen after which they got red hot and hit the lights out for awhile? Just a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one big inning to wake a team up. It probably won't be tonight, but it'll happen.

(Btw, Aaron Miles was totally out on that last play at 1st.)

Vegas is down 11-3

In all fairness I saw it in super-slomo.

Like Repko!
I have been chastised for saying this, but I'm not sure I remember the '05 D's look worse.

214.

yet, he's hitting 8th when he should be 2nd or 7th.

I would vote for hallucinating.

Gameday and Gamecast are both delayed. Is there any reason for that?

252 Bomb threat at the stadium.

The 0-fer Triplets are coming up in the 9th against Isringhausen.

Whee.

252 - it's possible the guy updating Gameday was put to sleep by the Dodgers offense. Not sure about Gamecast, though.

I am tired of seeing these car commercials with the American Idol people!

253 Don't believe me of course. We're going to the bottom of the 9th, still 2-0.

247 But it should be noted that 8 of Portland's runs belong to Reid, Hamulack, and Carter. Mark Alexander, however, pitched a scoreless inning, allowing a walk while striking out a batter (who was Manny Alexander, so it's not much of a K).

I missed the middle innings. Any word on Drew?

I'd be happy if we don't get shut out.

240.

stopped smoking? Congrats, good job, and very good luck with that please, you're doing the right thing.

259

he's gone for 15 days.

yet, he's hitting 8th when he should be 2nd or 7th.

Exactly, i've always wanted him batting 2nd.
Hey if you are still dodfan2 from another web site, you've been posting some good posts recently (except the drew posts) so props to you.
I've been impressed (except the drew posts).

259

just a hitch

Good start!

Drew is day to day.

I take it then that Cruz and Nomar did not hit safely.

The ESPN guys were too busy watching Red Sox highlights.

261- Thanks.

Gameday is defective. What's going on?

Please just throw fastballs Izzy. I know you like to.

Olmedo's up?

Yeah.

Let's go Martin!

Saenz rocks!

Time to prove Canada's ownership of the 9th inning

Please don't trade our prospects. Only 10 more days til they are safe. At this point a trade would only be made to save face and all it could do is hurt our position in the draft!

I love this game! (sorry just had to say that)

276 I'm glad somebody did, because I had forgotten that this was a fun situation.

Our fate lies in the bat of Sandy Alomar at the moment.

so much for that one

On a positive note...

We didn't get Shea Hillenbrand.

I just love how this game breaks my heart.

We were shut out my Suppan! suppan!!!!

256.

See the dodger blues a-hole of the moment, and scroll down.

Well, the dodgers have now been shut out 3 times in our last 9 games.

Sandy Alomar hits before Toby Hall? Nice job, Flanders. Please, keep working on "improving" the team. I'm sure the Devil Rays are anxiously awaiting your call.

284 - Sandy Alomar vs. Toby Hall?

The Lynne Thigpen vs. CCH Pounder debate is more compelling.

I still think slumps are made to be broken - cases in point, Arizona, San Diego, etc. - but this is the first night it's occuring to me that the Dodgers could go worse than 71-91 this year. And then what will people say?

on a good note, Gubicza had a cannon for an arm.

285

I still think the division could be had, it all depends on if the Dodgers wake up!!!

you gotta love Grady Little. wow how can you...

I swear, Grady is my hero.

There's no debate. Who cares? Who builds a roster where the last two bats on the bench are banjo hitting catchers? For that matter, who makes a big deal about trading one backup catcher for another backup catcher? For another matter, how does Colletti tie his shoes without brains?

287 - Of course it can be had. A three-game deficit can be made up in the final week.

I still think slumps are made to be broken

Or hot streaks (like the Dodgers amazing BA w RISP from the 1st half of the season) are made to disappear.

When the Dodgers face the Pirates or Rockies again, all this will be forgotten.

how Grady Little can stay even minded is amazing to me. I for sure couldn't do that.

I don't like lossing, as a matter of fact I hate it!!!!

I thought Gubby was from L.A.?

One way to stay even minded is to be so dumb you're not aware of what is going on. Or to be so grateful to your boss you don't complain. You know there are literally thousands of people who could be hired to manage a team and do it better than most present managers, yet they hire, and fire, the same ones over and over. There has to be a reason.

297

I don't like how you think blue2!!

297 - A group of people who have obtained photos of all major league owners in compromising or incriminating positions, and leverage said photos into managing jobs?

Well, it's as good a theory as any. :)

Bob made a pretty cool post over on The Griddle, but I had to respond too haha.

Not to jinx Milton Bradley, but he's off to quite a 2nd half start:

13-24, .542/.577/.750 in 6 games.

I think I'll be hip and edgy by wondering aloud, we can't really be this bad, and stay like this much longer can we?

I don't think there have been that many teams that have fallen from top 3 in the league in offense to the bottom right? The dodgers can't continue to be consistantly shut out by the Bautista's and Suppans of the league right? Our batting average with balls in play can't stay as low as it has been the last 10 games forever right?

History must be on our side right? There must be some statistical way to predict that the offense will improve, maybe not to the 5-6 runs a game, but hopefully around 3-4 runs against good pitching, and 4-5 on good days.

Does anyone feel (or hope) this way?

I'm not real confident in the lineup as a whole, but I will say that Nomar will eventually get out of his slump.

Nomar's 5/32- .156/.229/344 Post-All Star.
Nomar's 16/67- .239/.338/.403 in July.

I doubt that will last. He'll snap out of it. But I think the rooks will continue their inevitable slide, Izzy and Lofton just arent that good to begin with, and Kent/Drew are hurt.

So, I'd say the best bet is Nomar/Furcal picking it up the next couple weeks. Whether thats enough to make much of a difference, I'm not sure. I still think pitching is the main problem.

303.

pitching wise, I think Lowe will eventually stop his slide, Billinsley will continue to pitch well, and Penny will continue to be an ace, Sele and Hendy on the other hand...we'll see.

But my question was, which team has had the biggest drop off in runs scored in the second half compared to the first, in baseball history? And how often does a -100 or more differential occur?

I'm just hoping that if those stats show that it almost never happens, it will give me some false optomism.

302 Yes, I do. Even though this past week has been a black hole, I don't think they've quite been sucked into one. Still without Kent, and possibly Drew, it's hard to have much faith in the offense right now. Furcal's definitely hitting better, Nomar will come around again, but it may continue to be tough going for awhile. Still, I know how streaky they can be, and how most teams have been this season. Anyway, yes, I do feel that way. But right now it does appear another bat is more our need than a pitcher - and yet I'm glad we didn't sign Shea He'llunravel.

1. Loved your Cards post Bob.

2. Some actual reported facts about the Soriano trade rumors, from washpost.com gamer: "The reality, though, is that the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals all sent scouts to watch two teams -- the Cubs and Nationals -- that are both out of the race and thus most likely to deal key players for prospects."

Hmmmm . . . who is not on this list. (Not that this determines anything. Minnesota the new supposed frontrunner is not on the list either.)

3. Apparently. Ryan Church is being recalled for another shot with the big club. He's been real hot in Nawlins. Hopefully he won't sleep wrong on a pea or something and win back Bowden's ire.

If the Dodgers continue to lose 8 of 9 games for the remainder of the season ; they will end up with a 56-106 win -loss record. This will set a new standard for defeats in a single season, surpassing Brooklyn's 105 loss season in 1905 and the LA Dodger record of 99 losses in 1992.

I pretty much imagined that the Cardinals fans sitting above were St. Louis versions of the author of 301.

man, if Weaver shuts us down today...

Good thing it's a night game today for Bob, considering where his seats are. Should be down to about 95 degrees by game time.

apparently Elbert was hit his last start?

Last night was the hottest night game I have ever attended at Dodger Stadium. I felt like I was at a game in St. Louis.

In many ways....

I suppose the Cardinals fans next to me were disappointed that there wasn't Jim Crow seating for them to make them feel at home.

Anybody think the Dodgers would be interested in Carlos Lee?
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=475349

313

how many outfielders would we have? I like the rooks, let's just ride the wave.

What wave?

Anyway... maybe, but doesn't it appear we need offense right now, and who knows about Drew's durability... Now if Lee could play CF it would be even clearer. ;-)

Perhaps the Dodgers could go with four outfielders and three infielders.

The idea of facing Weaver tonight is giving me bad flashbacks of how I felt before we faced Jose Lima last year in KC. Let's hope it's not deja vu all over again.

315

Lee's arm is like my gradmothers, He can't throw worth ____ I'd take my chances with the rooks.

318
We can all play Madlibs now!

318 Focusing on what a guy can't do leads to DFAing David Ortiz and trading Austin Kearns for Gary Majewski. Let me put it this way:

Home runs for the Dodgers: 78
Home runs for Lee: 27

If a guy has almost 40% of your teams total in home runs, he'd be a huge boost. The Dodgers have five home runs this month. The Red Sox hit five home runs last night. Some form of power needs to be added to this team.

316 Ah the ol' 3-4 defense! Works for me. Now if we could only score more runs than the US soccer team...

320 Exactly.

320

well if you put it that way....

I think the 3-4 defense is what it's needed against modern baseball defenses. It cuts down on the passing game with an extra man to cover or making a linebacker available on a blitz.

The key to the Dodgers snapping out of the funk is twofold, imho:
Derek Lowe needs to snap out of his funk, and then I think their starting pitching will be fine.
The offense obviously needs to start driving in runners in scoring position (which will be harder if Drew is out and with Kent out - so another power bat is a must at this point. Whether it's by trade, or if someone like Matt Kemp comes back up and starts off hot again.
Those two relatively big "If"s and just having the team catch a few breaks is what it will take to get them back in the race for first again.

Not exactly going out on a limb here...

Every NL West team this year has looked like the best team in the division at times and the worst team in the division at times.

Right now, it's the Giants turn to look good and the Dogers turn to look bad. But I wouldn't consider either a trend that will last.

Remember how bad Arizona was in June? Now they're back to being a game out.

The last thing we need right now is Alomar taking up a valuable space. The same could be said for LeDee; DL or DFA one or both of them; call up Repko and Matt Kemp. Costs us nothing! Maybe we'll catch a boost from them, maybe not. If not, then make an expensive trade for a big hitter. Just try the cheap internal fix first.

326 Forgot to mention that inherent in that suggestion is putting Lofton's butt firmly on the bench except for pinch hitting duties. Have they announced dear Drew to the DL yet or is it 'day to day' for the next three and a half years?

Does anyone know where the little kids who run out on to the field sit after they get their autographs? Are they given good seats? How do they get picked? And do they always pick an older kid to go to right field since s/he has to run the farthest?

I suppose the Cardinals fans next to me were disappointed that there wasn't Jim Crow seating for them to make them feel at home

Thats a really ridiculous statement.

328 I should imagine they already have their tickets (seats) before they are selected for the field thing. They probably get some kind of concession payoff for their work.

On another subject; I'm still puzzling about your Jim Crow remark. I know what Jim Crow is, I'm just puzzling its relevance to where they were sitting.

328 I should imagine they already have their tickets (seats) before they are selected for the field thing. They probably get some kind of concession payoff for their work.

On another subject; I'm still puzzling about your Jim Crow remark. I know what Jim Crow is, I'm just puzzling its relevance to where they were sitting.

I hope Jason "don't get hurt again" Repko comes back soon (you think that's a good nick for him?)

332 Repko (and Eric Byrnes) remind me of the Madonna character, All-the -Way-May, in [A League Of Their Own].

331
The Cardinals made fun of Spanish surnames, even among players on their own team. They aren't an ethnically diverse group of fans.

329 Maybe so, but it still made me laugh.

Do we really have to retire the stereotype of white southerners as redneck bigots? I loved Randy Newman's "Good Old Boys" album, but I suppose it's going to have to be censored now as insensitive to red-state voters.

By the way--
:) :) :) :)

Just in case. Apparently that symbol means "I'm just keeedeeeng!"

334 I assume Bob is referring to Cardinal fans. Tony Larussa is baseball's most PC manager.

In 334
I left out "fans" which would have made the statement make more sense.

I will drop all of this, but I stand by my comments and I believe I am qualified to speak on this matter and I do not believe I was using hyperbole.

Do Afro-Americans not count for diversity anymore?

http://saintlouis.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm

Interesting, considering I'd assume most St. Louisians are Cardinal fans, and St. Louis is 51.2% black and 43.8% white. Seems rather diverse to me.

Do we really have to retire the stereotype of white southerners as redneck bigots?

No, but I think using St. Louis would be the last place to use that stereotype, considering the demographic and Afro-Americans political power there.

338

When you meet an African-American who lives in St. Louis and is Cardinals fan, be sure to say hello because you will have found a very rare person.

Jim Crow doesn't require that there not be black people, it requires segregation.

There is no segregation when it comes to sporting event seating, as last I checked, there's not a "check ethnicity box" on each advance ticket form.

342
You do know that you're just arguing for the sake of arguing now, which is unbecoming.

One of my brothers gets to travel a lot and wangles tickets to major league games all over the country. He's also an excellent photographer, and sends me digital images of these games. It's astonishing, and maybe JoeyP is just being naive about it, but there are some ballparks where you will hardly find a black face in the crowd. Oddly, these happen to be in the parks where some of the league's most historic teams play: Fenway, Wrigley, and, yes, Busch (and whatever they call the new park.) On the other hand, there are some parks where African Americans clearly feel more comfortable attending in significant numbers, including our own Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Miller Park in Milwaukee, Shea Stadium and U.S. Cellular.

I can't explain it. But it's foolish to deny it.

The city, JoeyB. St. Louis's segregation index (based on 2000 census data) is .731 (1 being perfect segregation, 0 being perfect desegregation). That would have been about average for an American city in 1960. Today, for example, Mobile, Alabama is .611; Tucson, AZ is .322. At .840, Detroit is the only city I can see, scanning, that is markedly more segregated than St. Louis.

I tend to agree with Bob, that you're arguing in bad faith. But if you're not, well, there you go. St. Louis is not the last place whose occupants might be needled with the redneck caricature. "[C]onsidering the demographic and Afro-Americans political power there," whatever that might mean, or not.

http://www.brookings.edu/es/urban/census/glaeser.pdf (PDF warning)

No, thats not it at all Bob.
I found the statement you made in 312 to be very explosive, and very stupid quite frankly. To label a sports team's fans as racist (or basically label an entire region of the country), is just devoid of any logic or thought process.

I come hear to read intelligent people converse and back up their arguments with evidence. I dont come here to read about some sense of moral superiority based on a faulty premise that "Dodger fans are more diverse than Cardinal fans"? Honestly, what makes you think this? Is it the attendance at Dodger Stadium, compared to that at other ball parks? Well, I think that has more to do with the affordability of tickets, than anything else. Go to a Lakers' game, and you'll find mostly caucasian people. Why is that? Do the Lakers' have a less diverse fan base than the Dodgers' do, even though they live in the same town? Of course not. Most everyone in LA roots for LA teams. Same thing in Chicago. Chicago's north side is amongst the most diverse in the entire US, but if you go to a Cubs' game you'll find mostly caucasians. Does that mean the Cubs' fanbase isnt diverse? Ticket prices. Duh.

Or perhaps it was because these Cardinal fans 'made fun' of spanish surnames??? Wow, what a crime. I take it you've never heard Kirk Giminez do ESPN News, or ever seen Carlos Mencia's show. I'd hate to think what would happen to your politically correct neurons that obviously percolate at the first sense of trouble, should you see any of these shows.

Stereotyping is just dumb. I think the comments on this site should be above it. Just my take.

I was just about to look up the segregation numbers, but Andrew beat me to it. St. Louis is a very (one might say, extremely) divided city. There's a street that runs through the downtown area (can't remember the name, but it's near Chuck Berry's bar) that is the dividing line.

I've been to several games at (the old) Busch, and I remember noticing that the whole place was red (shirts) and white (faces). I noted it because, well, as our host knows, Red and White is my least favorite color scheme. But I also noted it because I was aware that St. Louis is half black, half white, and figured that a baseball game, of all places (sports, and not class-based like the NBA or NFL with their ridiculous prices) would be a place to see a representative sample of the popu