Awww... Reruns... *click*

I enjoyed reading over last night's thread - sorry I couldn't participate. Since people were asking about the rules in the midst of having fun with them:

--they really are guidelines, not rules. The fact is, I don't jump on every single so-called violation.

--When comments became a part of this site, most of these guidelines didn't exist, even in my head. (Probably, only 1, 5 and 9 did.) They evolved because over time, I could see what caused the commenting to turn sour. If they seem overrestrictive, I don't disagree - but experience has taught me that things go bad in here without them.

--I never planned to post a list, but people kept asking for one, and I didn't think it was fair to ignore that.

--It gives me no pleasure at all to play the schoolmarm. But I think the many good times that people seem to have on the site are worth it.

Thanks for understanding (as much as you can).

It wasn't a rerun, but more of a clip show.

Or possibly a rerun of a clip show?

2 - I'm glad to read that you enjoyed last night's silliness, Jon. Toward the end of the comments, someone noted that you might not appreciate our antics. To that point, I had pictured you laughing (in your Oliver Cromwellian way) along with us; it hadn't crossed my mind that we might be creating more trouble for you. I'm glad you weren't bothered, and I am, as always, grateful for this blog and for the guidelines that keep it a civil, thought-provoking and often hilarious place to visit.

Oliver Cromwell never laughed. Humor was impure and sinful.

I have the impression that Oliver Cromwell was probably not full of yuks.

Ooh, nearly simultaneous posts on the character of Oliver Cromwell. A first for Dodger Thoughts.

Come for the baseball discussion, stay for the historical allusions!

Lord Palmerston would have laughed.

I beat Bob to the punch?

He must have had to remove Casey from the keyboard.

3 & 4

for me it was new & fresh, 1973 was a really bad year for us wow.

9 - then gone back to his hookers and crack

6, 7 - Oliver Cromwell never laughed. Jon allegedly resembles Brian Cashman.

You do the math.

If DeBurns is around, were you at the game last night? I thought I saw you in a crowd shot.

I may have to stay away from the keyboard tonight. My elbow is killing me. I need to get one of those tennis elbow thingees at the drug store.

In the meantime, just picture a sharp stabbing pain with every letter I type.

15 - You should've taken yesterday off, and with the off day today, you get the Grittle Twofer.

While the list of rules can appear kind of overbearing, it is the discresion with which they are applied that makes this place great. While I usually take a dim view of any restriction on speech or censorship, I have seen how quickly uncivil behavior can compound and ruin a plea-
sant feeling of community. Nobody sane would relish this role, but Jon does a good job and regulars seem to pitch in and help guide newer people. I hope this support keeps it from being a killer job.
On another tack, I just read a disturbing bit at LAdugout.com about dropping compensation for free agents loss.
I'm not sure if this is even going to happen and I've seen differing opinions here. But this piece makes it sound like a done deal, and I can't help getting a tone from it that almost says "Well we can get back to the way it be should be with several rich franchises getting most of the marbles and having strong farms too". Maybe the thrust isn't this actively evil, but there seems to be no concern, at the least.

15
But is it Milton's pain or Hendrickson's...?

Time to play, "Guess That Movie."

Orange
Horses
Beheading
Catholic
Cannons
Hangings
Battles
King
Queen
Parliament
Civil war
Treason
Trial
Guilty
Religion

(Sorry if this was mentioned in the previous thread but I couldn't find it...) In the Times' Dodgers notes: "In the bidding for veteran left-hander David Wells, the San Diego Padres appeared to be the front-runners Wednesday night, while the Dodgers remained unwilling to include their top prospects — Matt Kemp, James Loney or Andy LaRoche — in trade discussions with the fading Boston Red Sox. According to league sources, Boston General Manager Theo Epstein's interest appears to be in Padres' triple-A catcher George Kottaras."

My first thought was actually incorrect - that this continue the trend of trying to pick off one of the Dodgers many fine prospects before settling for some other teams' mediocrity - then I realized Kottaras is actually one of the Padres top prospects (at least he was #2 entering the year) so instead I'm just feeling warm and tingly with the idea that the Padres will give him up for a rental player.

Also: Why was Hamulack sent down to Vero Beach? So he can pitch a little bit before coming back on Monday?

19 Braveheart?

20 I think Vero's season ends a day earlier so he can come back sooner. I doubt that he actually went down there.

21. No.

I'm betting Hamulack was sent down since--with the bullpen gassed after Tuesday night's game--we wanted to bring up Kuo for last night's. That seems most probable, since Hamulack can return tomorrow (?)

19-Elizabeth

25. No. Got the right country. Nice bunt single.

19
Keeping with the theme set today, I assume the movie is "Cromwell" with Richard Harris as Cromwell and Alec Guinness as Charles I.

27. Homerun. Bob up 2-0 with runner on board.

I think Vero's season ends a day earlier so he can come back sooner. I doubt that he actually went down there.

in all honesty i don't even think he left the Dodgers, I know for sure Kuo is here.

26-Shoot. Thought the orange was a dead giveaway.

What's funny about the rumored BoSox-Padres trade is that the Padres don't mind giving the Sox a catching prospect because they already swindled Boston out of their own young catcher earlier this year (Josh Bard).

I loved Leo McKern as Cromwell. A man for all seasons still one of my all time favorite movies.

32
That was Thomas Cromwell however, not Oliver.

The Oliver Cromwell film with Richard Harris is not particularly good. Richard Harris really hams it up.

Next batter up:

Football
Orange paint
Rockets
Green smoke
Rain
Moron
Eaten back
Out of shape
Get in shape
Bakersfield
Oil rigs
Babe Ruth
Safest place to live in case of a nuclear war
Acid rain
Great hands
Reunion
White shoes
Mud
Boxing
Flood
Small town
Prank
Hail mary pass

31 It doesn't count as a swindel if the guy is 28 and has a career .658 OPS before the season starts.

Every time Oliver Cromwell comes up in conversation, I start hearing Chopin's Polonaise No. 6 in A-flat in my head.

(This happens frequently, as I run in very hip circles)

14 Marty, if I was there, it was a miracle of teleportation. I am in Monaco at the moment, and won't be back until after our WS victory (c'est dommage). Villefranche-sur-mer to study French starting Labor Day, then to Paris and beyond for fun. But checking in daily to Dodger Thoughts and watch the games on MLB.tv, which is kind of fun when I wake up at 5 or 6 am and the game is well along.

34 - Is that Robin Williams' classic 1986 hit "The Best of Times"?

For your amusement:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/52274

34. Homerun. Bob 2
Jez 1

34 Best of Times

My answer was late because the site is having server problems again.

Next batter:

Grave
Civil war
Prison
Train
Hangings
Horses
Gun fight
Buried gold
Shorty
Wanted
Beatings
Cross
Blow up bridge
Harmonica
Price on head

Can we please, please, please, not play guess that movie? Honestly, I dislike that game even more than the music discussions, and I actually like movies.

Movie talk again? :) I will be back when the discussion turns to baseball. vr, Xei

"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"?

46. No. Yes, it's a western. Base hit up the middle. We have a runner on first. Who will pick him up?

We were talking about Mark Teahen a few days ago, so I'd like to point out that there's an article on BP about him.

The jist of it is that Teahen absolutely refused to take any advice that was given to him, from both the A's and from George Brett, until he got sent back to Omaha this year. He's since incorporated what Brett taught him, and here we are.

44 and 45, just having some fun on a lazy day off in Texas. Sorry, if I'm offending anybody, but play ball!

48. He looked really good when I saw them against the White Sox, but of course he was hitting against this year's version of Mark Buehrle.
Come on capdodger it's obviously The Good The Bad and The Ugly. Can we please end this game now?

50. Homerun with a man on board.
Penarol1916: 2
Bob: 2
Jez: 1

50 Because that's the only western with guns, explosives, horses, and a robbery.

One of the things I love about the Dodgers this year is their great quotes, I love Grady's earlier this season about how AL teams would be over confident against the Dodgers in the World Series, so we would have them right where we want them.

Today, there is a beauty from Lowe via the LA Daily News:

"The thumb remains enough of an issue, though, that Lowe was resigned to not swinging in a 14th inning at-bat against Bill Bray. Lowe walked on five pitches.

'I kept telling (catcher Jason) LaRue that I wasn't going to swing, but I guess I looked hitterish' Lowe said, 'I had no intention of swinging but when you're hitting (.093) you put the fear of God in people. ... He could have thrown three down the middle and I would have gotten booed and walked away.'"

I think he is right, he does look hitterish.

Last one to break the tie, before I get shot, hung or beheaded:

Vacant house
Gas pump
Truck
Basement
Hammer & Nails
Radio
TV
Child
Grave yard
Johnnie
Fire
Board up
Torch
Bonfire
Clean-up
Satellite
Venus

I dont know that Wells is worth much, but since Padres pitching is so bad, he might make a decent game 3 starter in the playoffs or a nice fit for a stretch run.

Giving up Kottaras is fine with me. He isnt much of a prospect in my opinion especially considering the depth they have at catcher.

If the Dodgers are stupid enough to trade a real prospect for him like Kemp or Laroche, they deserve to implode.

The Dodgers will be in the playoffs and their pitching is too strong to make them even need Wells in the playoffs. Theo must be dreaming if he thinks he can score a legit prospect for Wells at this point. His is just desperate to salvage something from a lost season.

Even though it will be after September 1, the Padres will reflexively send Mike Thompson to Portland even if they do acquire Wells.

Given that we already have 8 starters (Penny, Lowe, Maddux, Billz, Hendy, Sele, Tomko and Guo) on the current pitching staff, my vote is a resounding NO for David Wells. Let the Padres give up a good prospect to get Wells. They aren't catching the Dodgers with or without him. The team is fine as is. vr, Xei

The Norwegian police found the stolen copy of Munch's "The Scream." I think Steve stole it last year after the failed JD Drew bunt attempt.

Re: 54

"Night of the Living Dead"

58. Weren't two of the copies missing, one stolen in the '70's and another more recently? Who knows, I've been the laughing-stock of the stolen art world ever since I bought a portrait of Thomas Cromwell that I mistook for Oliver Cromwell.

59. Yes. Homerun.
Penarol1916: 2
Bob: 2
Jez: 1
Skybluestoday: 1

Is there anyone else but me that loves the new Dylan album?

The "Sarah's Take" articles on Dodgers.com are really boring. I always start them and have to quit reading half way through.

I spent a few minutes at retrosheet and looked up two years when the Dodgers did not start September with a lead: 1959 and 1966.

In 59 the Dodgers were 1 game behind the Giants, with Milwaukee in third, 2.5 games out. The Braves and Dodgers ended the season tied, and the Dodgers won a best of 3 playoff to win the NL pennant.

In 66 the Pirates and Giants were tied for first on 9/1, with the Dodgers 3 games back. The Dodgers clinched the pennant in the last game of the year, when Sandy Koufax pitched a complete game against the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium in his last National League appearance.

Stan from Tacoma

62 I haven't heard it but I did not like Love and Theft.

What do you all think of Kemp getting playing time over Lofton in center field this September? With things so close in the division, a defensive improvement may be necessary. And Kemp has more pwer potenial as well.

It's a bit like Love and Theft. I'd say better, but if you didn't like that, you won't think the new one is all that great either. I really liked love and theft. Of course no matter what the critics say, this stuff is not close to his prolific 1963 to 1976 era.

63 I'm sure Sarah is a wonderful person and I appreciate her interest in all things Dodgers, but not only are they boring and banal, they feel like they're written for or by 6th graders as part of a Dodgers essay contest instead of something to be absorbed. Hate to sound snarky but I always wondered about those...

So is Kuo/Guo starting on Monday? I wonder why the rush to call him up yesterday if he's not pitching 'til Monday...

I just got that question answered during Rob Neyer's chat. Sweet.

He said Lofton, which I expect will happen, but my opinion is that Kemp should get moe time in CF.

62
Scott Long doesn't seem to like it.

66. At the risk of outing myself as not a true fan who watches most of his Dodger games via gameday. From what I've heard, from people on this forum, others who have watched his games, and the defensive stats, Kemp is not much of an improvement over Lofton on defense.

Interesting chart and info on Dodger 3B prospect Andy Laroche. His similarity scores are listed there too. Projecting him as a ~30-HR thirdbaseman.
http://firstinning.com/players/Andy-LaRoche-687/
vr, Xei

68 Maybe Kuo was called up before September 1 so they can put him on the postseason roster without pulling any DL shenanigans.

63 68 I suggest you visit her website for more information. Scroll down the main page for a link to her biography.

Ok, who was this World Series Champion team and in what year?

Giant
Warren Buffet
Seltaeb steem Sivle
J.R.
Bat
J.G.
Riots
J.L.
"Cisum fo Dnuos"
L.J
Blood
H. Betsy

On 71's note, does anyone know how Kemp's arm is? Could he play right? Because as Penarol mentions, the man is not very good defensively.

Forgot the link: http://www.dodgerplace.com/

62 The last Dylan opus I really liked was "Blood on the Tracks", but that's just me. Since then it's pretty hit or miss in terms of quality. "Chronicles Vol I" was a pretty interesting book, but like in his songs, he plays games with his audience. I think at this stage he is trying to manipulate his legacy a bit.

This past July we ended up with a day to kill in Cleveland and spent the afternoon in the Rock and Roll museum/hall of fame which I thought was a bit steep at $20. But the special exhibit was about Dylan, and there was quite a bit of cool stuff from his early life -- yearbooks, letters from Joan Baez, etc. We then got to see an Indians-Twins game at Jacobs Field, which was a complete treat. Cleveland --more than just the mistake on the lake!

76 et al - how "bad" is Kemp in CF? If he's only a bit below average, his bat could play very well at the position and still be a net positive with Ethier, Drew, Kemp mashing the ball all over the yard at the plate and making most of the defensive plays that they should.

If he's a butcher, however, another outfield spot might make more sense.

Can anyone point me to Kemp's defensive ratings? I couldn't find anyhing in my cursory search.

From what I've noticed, Kemp takes better paths to the ball than Lofton and looks more fluid in CF.

80 The problem is that advanced defensive stats are really bad under limited play time. His rate2 is something like 68, but that's just a sample size issue.

I'm just thinking we should swap Kemp and Drew, if Kemp has the arm for right.

78 If you thought $20 was steep for the R&R HOF, imagine my dismay at seeing that the UH-Alabama football game this Saturday is PPV-only, and it's a whopping $60. For a football game?

73 Duh! Thanks, I should've thought of that. Of course...

Re: Kemp, I recall scouting reports saying that he doesn't have great range but it's improved and he's got a good arm. Lofton has good range, but he doesn't seem to see the ball as well as he used to and his reaction time isn't great. In short, Kemp (and Repko) will still spell Lofton, and Lofton will get more chances to rest so he's fresh for the post-season (assuming they make it!) but Lofton's still the starter. And Kemp may project better as a corner outfielder.

Kemp reminds me of a 6'5" version of Repko out there. Takes rather circuituous paths to the ball, but with breath-taking speed and a big arm to cover up those poor routes.

Btw, part of the talk of moving Kemp to corner outfield spot has to do with his size, which has increased since last year. He may just be too big and strong to remain a CFer.

68 It seems Kuo was up merely to pitch several innings if Maddux was forced to leave the game early. The post season theory also makes some sense, but I believe having a fresh arm was more important.

Way off topic, but did anybody notice that, according to Rich Hammond of the Daily News, Greg Maddux "burnished his legend Wednesday"?

Now, if he could burnish the cat, I'd be impressed.

Also, why is a Fleetwood Mac fan site called burnish.net? How does burnishing apply to Fleetwood Mac?

One data point on Kemp's defensive ability: BP's 50% PECOTA projection was for 113 in CF (13 runs better than average). From the comments here, it seems like we disagree with this assessment plus I generally distrust PECOTA.

74 I understand Sarah's story, and the amount of effort she puts into each column, but frankly her columns are awful. I don't like her columns taking up space on Dodgers.com, but then again, I don't click on them (it's like TV or radio; if I don't like it, I don't watch/listen).

That said, she'd immediately be the best columnist in the LA Times Sports section if she were so hired.

82 I went to Hawaii once-- I remember EVERYTHING was so darn expensive. To my wife's utter frustration, I can talk my way out of doing anything that costs much money. But by paying that $20 I was able to leverage going to the game at Jacobs, so in the end it was win-win.

I recall that Sarah's Take has been discussed previously on Dodgerthoughts.

88 Hmm... sounds like defensive projections are unreliable or at least, unrefined:) This is what I've heard before.

I wish I'd have watched Kemp's games more closely.

75 - We had riots in 1965 and 1992 that were news, if LJ refers to Lyndon Johnson then I would guess the Dodgers over the Twins in 1965. Other clues with those initials and is that the movie "Giant"? That was made in the mid to late 50's because Jim Dean was still alive.

1992 the other year of the riots due to Rodney King, et al was the first year of two the WS champion was not in the US, Remeber Toronto's run in 92-93. Warren Buffet was also making news around this time.

Looking on the bright side - Starting tomorrow, it would take longer games than the Dodger's recent 15 and 16 inning affairs to run out of players in a game. Lofton will now get his share of rest to keep him fresh should October find ourselves in the playoffs, his bat and postseason experience will still earn him starts over Grady's less experienced options. For the late innings to protect the lead, I would have Repko in center as he has the speed and the best arm of the three mentioned.

60 Ha! That was great. 82 See the problem there is that there are enough people in Alabama that will pay that to see AL v Hawaii. BTW, I will be rooting against CAL Saturday. I think that game will hinge on whcih Ainge shows up-- I fear that it will be the same one as last year.

94 Marshawn Lynch is good enough to make up for Ainge. That guy is terrible. The only reason that we (UCLA) beat them last year was because they insisted on throwing the ball and not giving the ball to Lynch on every play.

Too bad Berkeley lowered their academic eligibility standards for athletes; they are able to admit players that UCLA can't.

92. You are correct.

Warren Buffet = Has run Berkshire Hathaway Inc. starting in 1965
Giant = Juan Maricial incident. Fined $1,750 and suspended 9 games for hitting Roseboro. Ah, the good old days. Gee, can you imagine what the penalty would be if someone pulled that stunt today?
Bat = Juan M.
Blood = Juan M.
Riots = Watts
Seltaeb steem Sivle = Elvis meets Beatles
H. Betsy = Hurricane Betsy
"Cisum fo dnuos" = "Sound of Music"
L.J. = Lou Johnson
J.L. = Jim LeFebvre
J.G. = Junior Gilliam
J.R. = John Roseboro

95 If you were at the Rose Bowl for that game, you saw a great performances by Maurice Jones-Drew, who lifted his team physically and emotionally to that victory.

Drew accounted for 299 yards — 162 on three punt returns, 65 on 15 carries, 52 on a pair of receptions, and 20 on a kickoff return. The five touchdowns tied the UCLA record he set in 2004 against Washington.

Hopefully the Bruins will be a lot better on defense but I will miss Mo Drew.

94 If you are a Pac-10 fan, hold your noise and root for Cal, it helps with prestige and bowl payoffs at the end of the year.

94 I have no idea what it costs the citizens of Alabama to watch on PPV. 93,000 of them will be in the stands. The $60 is just what our illustrious Time Warner cable system deems an appropriate charge for Hawai'i residents if they want to see it live.

'Course, if Hawai'i should happen to win, ESPN might pick it up for one of their mid-week late-night replays. And we do get a full replay the following day.

97 I was at the Bowl, and Drew was great. But Berkeley should have scored more points against that awful defense.

I suspect that Markey can be close to as good as Drew. I remember that he faded in the second half of the season. I predict that the Bruins will miss Marcedes Lewis the most.

63 78

Foot in mouth.

Having not been cognizant in 1962, I thought Sandy Koufax walked on water and never did anything wrong. To find out that he lost 8-0 in the opener of a three-game playoff with the Giants, the Dodgers biggest rival, punctures my illusion. I'm sure that if this happened to the Yankees vs the Mets, with A-Rod playing the role of the goat, he would go down in lore as the worst Yankee ever, even if he had won countless other series. We have different fans in Los Angeles. I wish I had been alive when Koufax pitched.

101

Make that 63 and 74

96 - The fine today would depend on what team you are on. If you have the uniform of a Los Angeles team, you would be suspended for 50 games at minimum without pay. If the culprit wears the uniform of another team and the incident happens with the LA team player being the victim of such an assault, per Bud "Anti-LA" Selig's creed, the offending player will get a round of applause and a million dollar bonus for taking out an LA player!

See Adam Eaton this year - no suspension for starting the Angel-Ranger hostilities
but Lackey gets suspended 4 games for the same offense one or two years prior.
1988 Dwight Gooden Alfredo Griffin-no fines or suspensions for admitting throwing at Alfredo.
1988 David Cone to Pedro Guerrero same thing on same weekend!

Dodgers forfeit a game at home on "Ball night" for having balls thrown on field.

Giants never had to forfeit for their fans throwing any hard object at Dodger players over the years at the "Stick" including the 1988 doubleheader when Lasorda had to pull his team off the field with all the garbage thrown being directed at Gibson.

From my observation, Kemp is terible in center and pretty good in left. He reads the ball better in left, at least while in the majors. He does, however, catch deep flyballs better than Lofton.

If anybody is interested in a simple, understated desktop wallpaper featuring our four Rookie Heroes (Ethier, Martin, Billingsley, Kemp):

http://vivalosdodgers.com/wallpaper.jpg

102

Koufax was hurt down the stretch in 1962 (circulatory problem). He was given credit for just showing up, but he admitted later that he shouldn't have pitched that game.

There's a lot of blame passed around for 1962. Nearly all of it given to Alston. With today's media, Alston would have been fired. There would have been too much criticism. Alston of 1962 was probably worse than Grady Little of 2003 in terms of criticism.

RE: 94, I am a Tennessee Grad and fan, so that's why I will be rooting against CAL. Ainge is the UT quarterback who did so great his first season, then got hurt, and then looked like the proverbial deer-in-the-headlights last year. This will be the first season opener I have missed since before 1986. Weird.

On the other hand, I will take my son to see his first game in October to see Alabama@UT! That's something to look forward to.

Speaking of UCLA football, that reminds me - I was wondering what had become of last year's star QB Drew Olson, especially since he hadn't been drafted by anyone. He was signed as a free agent by Baltimore and is trying to make the team. Big game for him tonight.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article.jsp?id=11968

Ironically he's now on the same team as former Pac-10 golden boy QB Kyle Boller, from Cal.

Kyle Boller, the QB who is supposed to be good.

I've never understood the Kyle Boller phenomenon.

My big game this year, aside from the UCLA home games, will be going to South Bend to most likely watch UCLA get rolled by Notre Dame. I will get watch UCLA setting slaughtered in person twice this year. I think the USC game will be another wipeout.

57 It's all part of Ned's "Starters and Shortstops Super Team" master plan. ;)

58 Cops never would have recovered it had the robbers not painted themselves into a corner.

102 Sandy was returning from an injury that cut off circulation to the middle finger in his left hand when he pitched against the Giants in the playoffs. It was a bitter disappointment at the time, but seeing Sandy pitch the Dodgers to a World Series sweep against the Yankees a year later helped take away the sting.

If you have not heard it, Rob McMillin at 6-4-2 has the audio of Vin's call of the 9th inning of Sandy's perfect game. I am sure you can find it quickly with a google search.

Stan from Tacoma

Wells has cleaned out his locker and Julian Tavarez is starting for the Red Sox. I don't think Wells has actually been traded yet, but one would think it's going to happen very soon.

Navarro homers in the 8th in Chicago to tie it up for the Devil Rays.

According to the "Daily News":
Before new UCLA defensive coach DeWayne Walker was hired, he asked Pete Carroll for advice if the Bruins defense, which last year had one of the worst, could be turned around. Apparently, Pete gave him an earful, held nothing back and advised Walker to walk or run away from the job. Walker accepted the challenge of the job, regardless of what Pete had to say.
The funny thing is, thanks to Pete, Walker has plenty of bulletin ammo for years to come against SUC.
I look forward to seeing the Bruins defense go head on with SUC this year and give it their all.

114 Navarro also caught Podesdnik stealing second earlier in the game. He has now thrown out 15 out of 38 base stealers (39.5%) as a Devil Ray.

115
Speaking as a UCLA fan, the Bruins could have enough bulletin board material to jam every paper shredder at the CIA, but unless they narrow the talent gap with USC, it's likely to be another 45-10 style hammering this year.

116

Everybody throws out Scott Podsednik! I'm thinking of putting Podsednik on one of my lists.

But it's just in the exploratory stages. He's one of those "Why don't people realize that he stinks?" players.

118 I assume that Erstad tops that list with Pierre batting second.

Short bus award is classic.

118 Because stealing bases is how you win games. I don't know what his grittiness factor is, however.

121 No, I think that most people know that Erstad stinks. Another good candidate would be Gathright, though.

117. Then by the power of Red Sanders, I command a victory over SC this year.

A-men to that Underdog.

We've had to do some tidying up. So the comments are ordered funny.

Please continue.

110 Kyle Boller, the QB who is supposed to be good. I've never understood the Kyle Boller phenomenon.

Boller was never actually all that good. In fact, in his first three years, he was downright bad. Jeff Tedford came in, rebuilt his mechanics, and turned him into an above average Pac-10 QB (which, for a senior, doesn't say much), and he does have a huge arm. I can't say I'm surprised he's flamed out in the NFL. To be fair, however, his receiving corps and O-line have been awful. The Ravens O-line is remarkable for its ability to run-block and complete inability to pass-block.

Look what moving from Arizona to Denver did for a very mediocre Jake Plummer.

Aaron Rodgers - he's the real deal. Better than Leinart, I know that. The questions are whether (1) Brett Favre will ever retire, and (2) whether the Packers will ever have another decent O-line themselves.

As a Packer fan since the early 70s, and a Cal fan since the mid 80s, the upside/downside potential of Rodgers starting for the Packers might just kill me.

125
That approach will likely work better.

I'll carry on as if I never saw nor commented on that icky other thread. Hee.

Meanwhile, I don't think Plummer himself was as mediocre as he was just trying to do everything himself in Arizona, given they had a horrible offensive line, and no running game. But definitely, going to a place with a superior line (and coaching staff) helped Plummer immeasurably, no doubt.

Btw, speaking of "short bus" - has anyone seen previews or read about that film? Heard it was great, looks really good - and also like something that will give the MPAA (and the easily squeamish) some difficulties...

128 Also, I think Rodgers time will come, probably even this year. Favre has looked horrible in the pre-season and between that and last year, I foresee many interceptions, a possible injury in there, too, and that Rodgers will get some playing time. I'd like to see him do well there, too.

130. I don't mean "mediocre" as a nice way to say "horrible." I mean mediocre. Average. I think Plummer is, at best, an average NFL QB. His only better-than-average attribute is his speed/running ability. Now, since that would imply that there are only 15 or so guys in the world better than he is I don't think that's too bad. But if things are not set up ideally for him (and, as we agree, they certainly were not in Arizona) he looks awful.

I think the only way Rodgers plays a lot this year is (1) if Favre finally gets hurt, or (2) in the 4th quarters of blowout losses (and there may be a few). I can't imagine Favre quitting mid-season, and I really really can't imagine the Packers benching him. Remember, even the Niners benched Montana frequently when Young was clearly the better option. But the cult of Brett in Green Bay is unbelievable. People paint 20-ft murals of the guy on the sides of houses. As a long-suffering Packer fan, I was ecstatic when he showed up and started earning MVPs, but the great fun of my long-awaited pilgrimage to Lambeau a few years ago was mitigated a little by the level of Favre-worship. Creepy. Way worse than Montana in SF, Elway in Denver, Unitas in Baltimore, Marino in Miami.

133. I should add, underdog, that I don't think we're really disagreeing - I was just riffing on your themes.

According to ESPNNews, Epstein sent David Wells home and told him that he would be traded tonight.

if Favre finally gets hurt

221 consecutive NFL starts at QB (the guy hasnt missed a game since 1992).

I think thats a greater accomplishment than Cal Ripken's streak.

134 No worries, understood! I do think Plummer is above average on talent, but his decision making has often been below average. The last couple of years that appeared to change, but who knows, put him in Green Bay and maybe he'd have Favre's interception totals from last year. ;-) (Isn't it cool how I combined two sub-topics into one?)

I like Favre - and expect they will play him into the ground, as you guys say, but I just have a hunch we'll see Rodgers play some this year. Favre really needs to show he's not "done" for me to at least change that hunch.

Aaron Rodgers - he's the real deal. Better than Leinart, I know that.

How do you know this? (I'm not being snarky, just genuinely curious.) Are his college numbers that much more impressive? What other intangibles would you say make him better?

Drafting a quarterback with a top pick, in my opinion, is folly.

I was always under the impression that hitting was a God-given talent but defense could be taught if the requisites were there: Speed and strength of arm. Kemp has those. I would think he could learn to play center as well as left. Lofton is probably the key; If he's back, probably he and Kemp will platoon in center. Maybe Kemp can replace Drew on his days of rest, too. Eithier too, I supose. Between the four of them we should be able to get 3 outfielders a day on the field. If Lofton is gone, Kemp is probably a cinch to start in center, with Repko as back-up. I'd still like to sign Lofton to pinch hit and spot start for half of what he's making this year. But I think the Giants need him for their team, The Geriatric Giants.

135 Holding breath . . .

138 I'm no expert, and I'm a Cal homer by plenty, but FWIW, what distinguishes Aaron Rodgers is a crisp and very accurate short to mid range ball.

Triva time: Who is this ball player?

Teams (played on 5)
MVP (2)
Rookie of the Year
World Series (played in 5)
Manager (5 teams)
Hall-of-Famer
All-Star (13 times)
Hits 2,943
RBI 1,812
SB 204
AVG .294
SLG .537
Virgo
Bats R
Throws R

Fun fact: Played basketball and baseball with two other Hall-of-Famers both with the initials B.R.

Quote:
"He solidified the club. We became a great team when he came to know us and how much he could do for all of us."
B.R.

139 - How do you define "top pick"?

It was the fad earlier in the decade where a lot of QB's came from nowhere to lead their teams to success (Kurt Warner, Tom Brady), but pretty much every successful team now has a former first rounder at QB.

142 Well that's Frank Robinson, not really that obscure.

107 Great insights, Bob. I'll have to read up on the 1962 season sometime. Can anyone recommend a good book for Dodgers history?

144. You aced it.
Happy birthday, Frank.

One BR is Brooks Robinson--who is the other?

Frank Robinson?

147 Bill Russell?

Maybe one was the basketball playing legend, the other was his pale, shortstop playing cousin.

147. Bill Russell in Basketball.

Top five pick.

How many teams that both have a former top five quarterback and have been near the top of the league when that quarterback has started would not have been as good but for their quarterback?

I submit that only the Colts would not be as good if not for Manning. That includes, off the top of my head, the Steelers and Roethlisberger, Seahawks and Hasselbeck, Falcons and Vick, Jaguars and Leftwich. We'll see about E. Manning and Phillip Rivers.

Has anybody heard anything substantial about the John Mabry "interest expressed by Dodgers" story?

On Rodgers vs. Leinart - I was really just blustering. Both are very good. Rodgers is the most accurate passer I've seen at the college level since Steve Young. In his junior year game against U$C, the only incomplete pass he threw was a slant into the end zone that would have won the game, but the receiver slipped (or was knocked down) before the ball arrived. Leinart is the better runner, and is bigger and stronger. I'll take Rodgers for smarts, but that's obviously little more than my bias speaking.

152 I've been doing news searches on google about Mabry and Wells but so far nothing substantial.

I think you underestimate Big Ben in Pitt. Before they got him, they were trotting Tommy Maddox and the likes of Kordell Stewart out there. They were lucky that Big Ben fell to them, and he's been even better than expected.

I agree with you about the other guys. Vick brings as many problems as he solves. Leftwich is limited, but so is the Jags run-heavy offense. EManning and Rivers - who knows?

145 The Dodgers: 120 Years of Dodger Baseball by Glenn Stout and Richard Johnson is very good.

Stan from Tacoma

I don't underestimate Ben R. He is a good quarterback, but it is because he manages the game well and limits his mistakes.

But I would say that he is a sandwich pick between the elite, top 5 or 6, talent and the rest of the first round.

156
It also is one of the few books that covers the L.A. era.

Most books on Dodgers history stop in 1957.

153 I wasn't knocking Rodgers -- he was an excellent QB in college. But by the same token, I don't see how you can clearly say he was better than Leinart, since Leinart's record and numbers were so superb. I'd be perfectly content to say they were on a similar level, however.

(For the record, I used to root for Cal and still pull for them to some extent, but admittedly am now a USC guy).

151/55 - McNabb IS the Eagles. Palmer is quickly becoming Peyton Manning for the Colts.

I see what you're saying though, with the top-5 draft selection. QB's are usually over-valued there, and you're much better off drafting a stud RB or OL at that spot.

But a few years back, with the successes of Brady and Warner, and the QB busts of Leaf, Akili Smith, etc. it was darn close to conventional wisdom that you don't need a "1st-round quality" QB to succeed in teh NFL.

That is clearly untrue now. Only Jake Delhomme and Tom Brady qualify as draft-day sleepers who head up high-quality teams these day.

160 - er...Carson Palmer becoming Peyton Manning for the Bengals.

Stanley Cohen wrote a book about the team a few years ago called The Dodgers: The First 100 Years. It is not as lavishly illustrated as the Glenn Stoudt book. I doubt it is still in print.

Stan from Tacoma

A biography about Vin is long overdue.

Stan from Tacoma

According to ESPNNews, Wells was traded to the Padres. No details as of yet.

153 "I'll take Rodgers for smarts, but that's obviously little more than my bias speaking."

He also never dated Paris Hilton, so that alone makes him smarter!

But I regress, er, digress...

165 - That basketball player he knocked up is pretty good looking though.

Think USC has already offered the fetus an athletic scholarship?

164 Huzzah! We can only hope that they gave up something good to get him.

164 - Thank Gagne. That Kemp-for-Wells talk, while ludicrous, was very unsettling.

167 If they gave up Kottoras, I will laugh so hard it will make my sides hurt. Talk about mortgaging your future for nothing.

163-Speaking of Vin and his long overdue biography, he referred once more last night to "the old baseball expression" of "trying to sneak a lambchop by a wolf." He loves that phrase and I do too, but must wonder if it's indeed an old baseball expression of any kind.

Also, I was traumatized last night by my wife's observation that Vin was wearing a rug. I know, I know, it seems obvious he does (doesn't he?) but I'm in deep, deep denial Vin's not going to be with us forever.

I'm ashamed to even mention it. It feels like a rule violation.

Vin in 1970:
http://tinyurl.com/f7neg

Vin in 1965:
http://tinyurl.com/k3695

Vin in 1962
http://tinyurl.com/gb6y9

Vin in 1955:
http://tinyurl.com/fxdno

Vin in 1998:
http://tinyurl.com/zjgca

Vin and Very Rich Man Who Signed His Checks in 1979:
http://tinyurl.com/jmvw3

Vin and Allan Roth in 1963:
http://tinyurl.com/f5e72

Vin on TV show, can you name it?

http://tinyurl.com/kmq7x

I think Leinart won't be very good. His arm is too weak. He'll probably be another Chad Pennington/Jeff Garcia type with fewer injuries.

Oddly, Vin Scully was never photographed between 1970 and 1995.

and he looks a lot like Martin Sheen in 172

Is that Vin and Big Al Davis?

I'm taking a blind date to the Dodger game Sunday. We'd like to meet some where before the game, then drive together in my car to the stadium.

Anyone know of a sports bar that would be nice to meet at, and safe enough for her to leave her car there?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Captain Kangaroo?

180 What is that bar like?

Vin in 1982!

http://tinyurl.com/zmzuj

178
Yes, Al Davis among others.

Well done, Ned.

Capt. Kangaroo was my guess for the TV show. I don't know any sports bars in LA.

179 I'm not sure there's such a thing as an actual "sports bar" in the vicinity of the stadium, but any of these places would do the trick -

1. El Compadre on Sunset - Mexican restaurant and bar, with good margaritas and sports on tv, which is right next to . . .

2. The Shortstop. Hipster former cop bar with only streep parking and no food. Pretty fun place, though, with cheap drinks.

3. The Red Lion on Glendale. Not as close to the ball park. German food and beer (plus full bar). Sports on tv both on the lower bar level and upstairs on the patio (great if the weather's nice, which of course it will be on a Sept. evening.

179
I suppose the California Club on North Broadway that forever has had a sign that says "Nigth Club" on it wouldn't qualify?

186 I rarely make note of my typos, but this time I feel compelled to point out that "streep" parking should be "street" parking.

187 Did I mention that place to you? I can barely contain myself whenever I drive by (which is, like, every day). They also dropped teh "L" in California. The sign said "Caifornia Nigth Club."

I also think that place falls down on his "safe enough to leave the car" criteria.

188
You have to use an accent when you use streep parking.

189

One day, when accompanied by a sufficiently armed phalanx of guards, I will venture inside that bar.

I'll go there with you. I don't fear the nigth club. I once went to the bar at the Mr. T Bowl after the hipster crowd had moved on. That was pretty scary.

I put some time in at the short stop last night. Its not too hipsterish before games, but I would assume that doesn't hold up once the sun goes down.

Just park the car in front of my place. I don't live far from the stadium. I'll look after it for you.

You can use my TV and I'll buy an extra 12 pack of Diet Coke! But one of you would have to clean out the cat box.

175 You mean, a weak-armed quarterback like Montana? Or Steve Young? :) If it means taking a Montana over a Jeff George, I'll take the weak arm.

There are a lot of reasons why Leinart might be a bust. However, I've never been convinced that arm strength is a severe negative -- depending on what style of offense is being run and how intelligent the quarterback is.

I'll take Jeff George - Al Davis

FYI, it's official -- from ESPN's sports wire:

"The Boston Red Sox traded pitcher David Wells to San Diego on Thursday, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported.

A source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that the Padres would get minor-league catcher George Kottaras for Wells."

Emphasis mine.

195. You're right about Montana (which is why the WC offense was the difference between mediocrity and the HOF for him). But Young had a gun. Same offense, so he didn't show it off very often (how impressive can one look on a swing pass to a fullback?) but he could bring it.

Seriously though - is Kotteras (or however it's spelled) any good? Being the #2 guy in the Padre organization isn't indicative of anything necessarily.

Ah, Kottaras. Thank you. So, to our minor league gurus. Is he any good? I'm guessing not.

How many games do we have left with the Pads? I'd feel better going into that one with more than a three game lead. Nightmares about 1996 and all...

The Dodgers play four at home with the Padres on the last homestand.

rotoworld points out that Kottaras is on the 40-man so he'd have to clear waivers which means he won't officially go to the Red Sox until after the season.

I want to thank you all for the meeting place advice for my date. Thank you :)

I just relooked at the boxscores, and my that was a brutal nightmare.

199 He was 17th in the California League last year, behind catchers Miguel Montero and Chris Ianetta. He's a good defensive catcher, has decent patience, and can hit a homer occasionally. He's not a big loss for the Padres, but they better hope Bard and Bowen can play this well for several years.

Tampa Bay prospect Wade Davis threw his second no hitter of the season today, but lost. The Beloit Snappers managed 2 errors and a sac fly to win it.

203

So, you're not going to meet at my place?

I wish you the best. From my vast experience about blind dates (all 3 of them), 1/3 lead to a second date, 1/3 lead to many more dates, and 1/3 are total and utter disasters.

Maybe I should create a chart.

Thank you 149,150. Wow I hadn't thought about SS Bill Russell in a while. He does seem "pale" in that infield. Is it because he was the steadiest or the least colorful.

Ooh was I bummed when I got to 190 and saw you had made my joke.

My Joke!

I should probably wait until Jon is around, but . . .

I used this line on a peer (person of same age and general interests, not British aristocry) today, and he had no clue at all what I was talking about. Wondering now if I'm just the only one who found this memorable.

So, I say, in kind of a scratchy, but firm, voice: "I want you to play [pause] my song."

Howard is now 2-2 with a BB. Nationals really have no answer for him at all.

Joe Thurston sighting at RFK -- up with two out, two on, and a two run lead.

49 pitchers have had no answer for him this season Sam!!

DT favorite Pedro Astacio just left with 4 runs in and 2 on in the 5th, FYI.

(And just going for five since I seem to have killed the thread, the question is does anyone recognize that line in 210?)

198 Well, Sickels gave him a B+ in his book, which was the same grade given to Laroche, Broxton, Martin, Elbert, and Dewitt before the season started. His numbers in AA this year were pretty mediocre and he has struggled in about 100 AAA at-bats.

He's a bit thin for a catcher (6', 180 lbs), so I guess there are questions about how long he can stay behind the plate. Some Padre fans seem to think he's nothing special, but the minor league publications have given him some good marks.

Foiled!

Sounds like the Dodgers are officially calling up Loney, Kemp and catcher Einar Diaz tomorrow, according to the AP. In what is probably anticlimatic news around these parts but anyway...

Guess Hamulack will be hamu-back on Monday. And Kuo is in LA already. No word about LaRoche and others so far.

Heh, Bonds just let one fall out of his mitt on a ball about 10 feet behind him. Surprisingly, it's his first error of the year. I suppose you can't err what you can't get to.

Thurston grounds out.

So far in this series versus the Nationals, Ryan Howard is 5 for 9, 4BB, 6 RBIs.

217 Laroche is injured, so that's no surprise. Also, Vegas' bench is very thin, they can't give up all their offensive players right now. After those 3 guys are called up, Vegas will have 10 position players and 13 pitchers.

219

i'm pretty sure he'll hit 50 HR's this year.

220 You're right. Hm, why did I think Vegas' season was over? That does make a difference. So they'll probably wait 'til later before deciding on calling others up (if anyone).

221 - I think he'll hit 50 by, oh, this time tomorrow?

Hey Sam, where did the Jose Vidro go?

* the real Jose Vidro. IE the one who should be playing 2B instead of Soriano.

Completely off topic but I thought this was amusing...

http://www.progressiveboink.com/dugout/archive/jon64.html

Vidro's coming off a long DL stint, he's been back about a week and Frank, believe it or not, is easing him in with a healthy dose of time off.

Although having released Damian Jackson makes it a lot harder to field the all-second-baseman outfield that was the team's lifeblood early on.

Do you ever the experience that someone describes their comment as off topic but you are unable to figure out what the topic actually was?

Every one duck, Howard's up again in DC.

I guess awe of Ryan Howard is my topic.

220 Laroche is playing tonight, so hopefully he's fairly healthy. Also, it appears Jeff Duncan is on the DL, or at least he's not on the Gameday roster, so Vegas only has 9 position players. The 3 guys beng called up are not playing, so they're likely on their way to join the Dodgers.

Well, Nationals got to two strikes against Howard (this is with a runner at first) but then thought better of the risk and just hit him with a pitch. Only one base that way, I suppose.

Nice quick radio interview with Matt and James from Colorado Springs. They are not in the lineup tonight, so they probably are already in Los Angeles.

Another note, LaRoche is back in the lineup but he is still nursing the labrum.

223 Vidro now PH in DC.

229

i was hoping they bring up Mark Alexander, am i wrong for thinking he'd help out alot more than Hamulak?

Old Friend Jose Hernandez now PH in DC.

[225] *BaezBelongs2Danys: yes my name is danys
bobby-coxer: Danys? Are there two of you?
BaezBelongs2Danys: no but i have the ERA of two men*

LOL that's brilliant.

All PHers I've noted in this thread made outs, by the way.

The Dodgers play four at home with the Padres on the last homestand.

i'll be there in person for that match up.

Top of the ninth in DC - Howard due up fourth. Phils lead 4-2. Robinson has brought in closer Chad Cordero, since he never actually gets to pitch in real save situations anymore.

Howard gest the IBB with two outs, Rollins at third.

I mean, he gets the IBB; he's not birthing anything as far as I can tell from Gameday.

233 He's closing for Jacksonville for the playoffs, so if he's even called up, it won't be until mid-September.

237 Don't screw it up:)

Arthur Rhodes in for one of the easiest saves in history: Marlon Anderson, Brian Schneider, and Bernie Castro. My fantasy team rejoices.

And Rhodes starts things off with a fielding error! Karma overkill!

And right on cue, Rhodes starts blowing it, no thanks in part to his own error.

Now he'll probably have to face Soriano...beautiful

I never thought I'd be wishing for the Phils to somehow bring back Joe Table...

He'll probably have an open base for Soriano though.

To top it all off, I had Halladay going against a depleted Red Sox offense. He was having a very mediocre game, but had managed to allow a modest 4 runs in 6 IP (3 in the 1st) when he got 2 outs in the 7th with a man on.

Old friend Alex Cora up to the plate, hits one fairly deep to right. Rios has an easy beat on it, it bounces off his glove, he tries to snag it with his hand, AND IT GOES OVER THE FENCE. How is that not an error?

WALK HIM CHARLIE!!!!

I'll say, despite 248, I wouldn't walk Soriano to load the bases. I just don't think it's usually wise to cut out your margin of error like that.

Most managers disagree of course.

Phillies Ponderings?

Apparently das and I need to duel, now.

Ugh

Haha Sam, I just hope Ken was watching this one and enjoying it as much as you are!

Time for the Z-man to work his walk off magic?

The Phillies might have to give back their checkered jerseys.

How about that.

To change the subject from my fantasy team's troubles, any big Ingmar Bergman fans out there?

I know he's Swedish and all, but are all his movies subtitled? I'd like to watch all of his famed works, but I'm not a big fan of having to read while watching a movie. I'm thinking of The Seventh Seal in particular.

The complexity of the Griddle's sidebar rests on the result of the Nats-Phils game.

255 Apparently not.

Nationals have two players left on their bench (not counting pitchers -- losing Livan hurts here).

Phillies have three.

258

You want to watch a dubbed version of a Bergman film?

Why don't you watch "Interiors", a Woody Allen movie? It's an homage to Bergman and in English.

261 No, dubbing is even worse. I'll just have to live without his brilliance I suppose.

As for Interiors, eh, I don't usually like Woody when he gets all serious, except for Match Point.

Phils keep the pressure on.

A Nats chatter just stated that HBP set the franchise single season record.

Felipe Alou is pulling a serious LaRussa in his game right now. He has pulled two relief pitchers in a row after they only faced one batter each. The Giants' 5th pitcher of the inning is about to come in.

Dubbed Bergman is like listening to an all kazoo rendition of Bach's cello suites.

263 Sorry -- a Phillies record for number of HBP incurred.

Come on J-Roll, get me that cheap win!

263
Which franchise?

That cheap enough?

Yep, sure we'll hear about that from Mike in a couple days too...

Did Nunez just score a game-winning run? After a clutch intangible from Conine?

268

Looks like they were including Montreal.

That was HBP 79 by the Nats. The Expos plunked 79 batters in their last year in Canada.

So I don't think Frank is going to like his birthday present from Brian Schneider very much.

271 The Nats guy was actually talking about the Phillies suffering HBPs. Have you found the Nationals have set their franchise (w/expos) record for doling them out?

The Phillies have a propensity for getting out of the way. The team record for getting hit was just 58 an that was in 2004.

In 1939, the Phillies were hit by pitches just 9 times.

The Sporting News record book seems suspect in this category.

Hilarious teenager question of the day:

Mr. Brock, if the Romans lived in 400 B.C., how did they know it was 400 years before Jesus was going to be born? Did God tell them?

273
I count 79 HBPs for Nats pitchers tying the Montreal high.

I don't trust the Phillies record I have for incurring HBPs. 58 seems awfully low for a team that's been around as long as the Phillies.

And Schneider up with two on. Can he atone?

Can you please make 275 a running feature?

264

he does that all the time i remember a game i attended about 1 1/2 month ago (Lowe starting pitcher) annoyed the heck out of everybody in the stadium.

Well Sam, at least a game like this will show ya the Nats are not that far from being a contending (= .500) team in the NL these days...but why they are not using the Model Dictator to close is beyond me!

Oh, I plan on it. Comedy gold is too precious not to be shared.

I got a call on the reference desk last week asking me which day the show "Psychic Sundays" aired on the radio.

Pitch 5 - In play, run-scoring play

281

Can I call you at the reference desk (from your apartment, of course) for traffic reports and restaurant recommendations?

HAHAHAHA, good going Marlon! Congrats Sam, good game.

3-0 to Church, and Soriano lurks . . .

No checkered jerseys for the Phillies tonight.

Nationals win on a strikeout.

Wah - gameday just took back a ball and made it strike.

And I gather from 286 that good news for the Nats will show up soon.

287 Oops, I guess it was just a wild pitch. I should have paid attention to the count.

288 It was in the dirt, but Church swung. Lieberthal couldn't find it, so Fultz picked it up and dived for the tag. He missed.

290 Wow. And Fultz gets a wp for that, even though he fielded it himself!

Does anyone else appreciate the fact that a guy in LA could see the Nats on TV as opposd to the guy in DC?

But wait until tomorrow!

Marlins take a 2-1 lead in the 8th against the Cardinals.

292 And a new day will dawn for those who stand long, and the forests will echo with laughter.

Chris Duncan!

The Marlins lead lasted for one pitch. Chris Duncan homered to tie it 2-2 in the 8th.

Did I just hear the ESPN guys report Nevin to the Twins for cash and a PTBNL?

I guess I'm on my own with 210.

275 I wish I could report the same thing. I swear all the kids in 5th period had nothing but sugar for lunch today.

It's tough enough working with freshman. Special ed freshman are, well, even more special.

294 You know what Sam...

It makes me wonder. Yeah, and it makes me wonder.

297 yes.

By the way, I hear a lot about how the Diamondbacks will be a real challenge in the future with all their youngsters. But, look out for the Rockies, too.

297 Yes you did

The Dodgers are not meant to go into the second spot in the NL.

297 Yes, but I believe the Twins are the ones getting the cash.

299 My seventh period is full of intelligent hyper kids that won't shut up. Every statement leads to 85 questions, and 25 personal antecdotes.

A long time ago, I subbed for special ed kids. My experience was that they were exceptionally nice, but it certainly must be a challenge every day.

187 I laugh at the California Nigth Club every time I drive by it. This morning was the latest. It would be a prime candidate for my "Scary Bars" reality show idea.

306
Has anyone ever walked into that bar to tell them that their sign is misspelled?

And lived?

so at the rec center today i got schooled by a couple a girls playing pick up games.

am i less of a man now? i mean those girls are on the UofA womens basketball team, but still...they are girls.

307 Who can say no to that?

Chris Duncan is threatening to claim the ROY award over 3.5, who himself threatened to claim it over Dan Uggla, who...

Speaking of dangerous matters, I have succeeded in trimming the claws on one of my cat's front paws. I figured out how to pin him for a while.

If anyone has tried this before, you would know that cats don't particularly enjoy this task.

308 I would claim you were under mental distress until the trade deadline passes.

I'm guessing they would say, "you know, you spelled California wrong"

305 Depends on the special ed kids that you have. The SDC kids are a bit rough at times. Some of them have bad behavior on top of the mental problems. They are all in the program because of learning disabilities.

Some days are great and some days you want to pull your hair out. My girlfriend reports that it is the same in regular ed classes as well.

Just turned to ESPN, where they're showing the Miss. State v. South Carolina game. Spurrier has a player whose last name is Smelley.

I wonder what his first name is?

That last play in the Cardinals game was Uggla.

Anyone following Agassi's match?

It's very frustrating, my cable is all loopy and USA keeps blipping in and out.

Watching the Mets/Rox game on ESPN2, has anybody else seen the Eric Gagne trash bag commercial? When was that shot? Did the ad agency have any second thoughts about using a guy whose arm is attached with duct tape for the spot?

I've seen that ad.

I wish I could have seen Buffalo's 9-3 win over Temple in overtime.

Chris Duncan's 2006 reminds me of Jayson Werth's 2004.

Agassi on to set 5. He was up a break (as well as 2 sets to 1) in the fourth set, but got broken back twice to lose it 7-5.

This may be the funniest Devil Rays discussion I have ever seen:

http://www.draysbay.com/story/2006/8/30/172410/702

315 - Are we trying to break all of Jon's rules again tonight? ;)

310 Who will all be disappointed when Josh Johnson wins

Can I assume a last minute deal for Greg Norton or John Mabry did not occur?

I am praying that Ned doesn't resign Nomar.

In July .215/.319/.354
In August .261/.329/.362

Oh no, we just got Marlon Anderson! Goodbye Dewitt (I'm joking about the last part). Ned loves to make moves just for the sake of making moves.

I have no idea who we gave up for Anderson, I just saw it on Sportscenter.

This year (overall) .267/.325/.419

As a PH .240/.350/.300 (50 AB)
As a 2B .283/.336/.505 (99 AB)

Quick story. I met Marlon Anderson when he played for the Phillies. I talked to him for 5-10 during batting practice. He's a nice guy and a decent bench player. Unfortunately, Ned probably gave up a B prospect for him. He's also not a power hitter.

The Agassi-Baghdatis match is like Kirk Gibson '88 facing off against Ted Williams' last AB. One guy's so gimpy he can hardly stand, and the other one is taking his last swings. Unbelievable stuff.

Go Baghdatis

Anderson looks like yet another career-year player

Marlon will hit a walkoff homerun in game seven of the 2006 WS. Mark it!

There is no way we gave anything of consequence for Marlon Anderson.

311 I have an incredibly docile cat that we have raised since he was a kitten. He will let me do anything without complaining, including cutting his nails and giving him a bath. He will even let my kids pick him up and carry him to bed with them.

Marlon Anderson? Are you kidding me? What purpose would Marlon Anderson fill. Third string utility behind Lugo and Martinez? Seriously.

Marlon Anderson for Jhonny Nunez. Nunez looks pretty good; is he just old for his league, or is he a legitimate prospect?

I'm confused by something: ESPN is telling me that Anderson was a National, not a Devil Ray...

The only issue would be space on the 40 man roster, but that's probably not an issue.

Good luck getting blown away in the next round, Andre.

Ok, I went to dodgers.com, mlb.com, and espn.com and saw nothing about Marlon Anderson.

You'd rather have Daryle Ward, who becomes a teammate of Danys Baez?

339 -- Dodger blog.

Do a search with google news "marlon anderson dodgers"

I don't even like tennis and that was pretty exciting.

That other guy just cussed and they didn't bleep it out. Pretty exciting.

338 What is wrong with Ethier?

What does Mr. Brock have against Mr. Agassi...?

Andre is a stud. No men compete at his age. It takes crazy dedication for him to be winning matches at this point. He made the freaking finals last year for god's sake! Then again, if he was a baseball player we'd all be raising out eyebrows...

Marlon Anderson? Why? Really, what slot is he gonna fill? I'd rather have David Wells. Then again, I wouldn't give up the equivalent of Kottaras for him.

342 I just did. I did not like what I saw. The description of the guy traded for Anderson includes: top pitching prospect, 6-0, 1.58 ERA, and 20 years old. On the plus side, he's in the Gulf Coast League, so he might not be any good after all.

347 He was mentioned a couple of days ago on DT for winning the first GCL playoff game, 2-0 I think.

I was disappointed to see that Marlon Anderson has no previous experience at shortstop.

The roster count holds at 5.

345

I don't like Andre Agassi for the same reason I don't like Derek Jeter. The preening, the affectation, the carefully choreographed "emotional" stuff. I didn't like that he thought he was important enough to challenge the etiquette of the greatest tennis tournament in the world. I hated his "Image is everything" persona early in his career. Crying after every Grand Slam win. I didn't buy into his "Now I'm a mature statesman" transformation. I didn't like being told that I'm supposed to like him because he's all grown up now.

I was always a Sampras guy. Never complain, never make excuses, just be a great player. It's the same reason I count Rod Laver as my favorite tennis player ever, even though I never saw him play a match.

And, as I write this, Agassi says "This crowd renewed my joy in the human spirit." Puh-lease.

Hey, think of it this way: if Kent, Lugo, and Martinez get hurt, won't you be glad to have Marlon Anderson? Actually, now that I think about it, the answer to even that improbable question is no. I'd just have Delwyn Young play instead. He is a superior 2B/OF to Anderson.

350 Amen.

I'll stay within Jon's rules rather than saying what I want to about a certain GM who I believe has strange recreational habits. Another inept, useless 'seasoned veteran' we don't need as 4th backup second baseman. So we traded a 'nobody' for him; who's to say that 'nobody' won't be a top ten prospect in 3 years, while it's a lead pipe cinch this bozo will NOT be anywhere near the major leagues. That the payment was a young unimportant player that may never develop isn't the point. It is just another unnecessary trade that serves no purpose at all, and may steal a few at bats from our own young players whom I would rather see get the playing time. Do we have any kind of chance to get a draft pick for this stiff?

350
I can accept that. I didn't like Agassi at all during his early days, and rooted for Pete in their rivalry. But I'm more positively disposed toward him now.

My all-time fave is Stefan Edberg.

If Anderson is clogging up your 25 man roster for an entire year, that's bad. For one month with a 40 man roster, for a 20 year old rookie leaguer, that's fine.

Well, this is interesting (per rotoworld):

the Dodgers are also taking him on for 2007, when he'll make another $925,000.

That was indeed a heck of a match. I was cheering on Agasi if only to get more audience shots of Steffi (I was unhealthily infatuated with Miss. Graff back in the day).

Edberg was a great player, and a gentleman. Whenever he beat Becker (whom I loathed) or Stich, I jumped for joy.

There is some benefit to getting Marlon Anderson. He gives us a LH pinch hitter, which we haven't had for a while.

Then again, with rosters expanding, we'd have had Loney on the pine by tomorrow anyway.

356 -- Oh oh. That's bad.

360 - Meet the new Lucille, same as the old Lucille.

I didn't consider the possibility that Jim Bowden would have given him a multi-year contract. I should have known better.

357
I'm impressed with how Steffi has aged. I think she's much more attractive now than back when she played.

358
I loved the Edberg-Becker rivalry, though Boris came out on top more than I would have liked. And I'll never forget the Wimbledon Stefan lost to Stich in 3 straight tie-breakers, without a single break of serve in the entire match.

I'm trying to figure out what Anderson is "good" at. He doesn't get on base, doesn't hit for power, strikes out a lot, and doesn't walk much.

I am beginning to think the GMs have a union that looks out for eac other. They build up good Karma by relieving other GMs of bad players and giving them prospects to help them out. Then when the GM is fired for being stupid and incompetent, he has some friends that owe him a favor, so he is taken on as an Assistant GM or Personal Assistant or something and given welfare until he cons some other stupid owner into hiring him. And the cycle goes on...

The late eighties/early ninetees was a great era for tennis. Becker, Edberg, Stich, Lendl. Pat Cash's Wimbledon win, Chang and Courier in Paris, Sampras emerging as a titan, Connors making his run at Flushing, McEnroe disappearing.

The only downside was losing Arthur Ashe, a man I put in the very, very small category of athletes who meant a tremendous amount to me off the field of play.

Marlon likely means Lucille will not be with the team next year. Paying him $925,000 next year is the biggest problem, but he's a decent utility player/25th man. Nunez isn't really a prospect. He's been with the organization for 4 or 5 years, so it has taken him a long time to even succeed in the GCL. If you must acquire Marlon Anderson for some reason, giving up Nunez isn't a problem.

364 He plays a lot of positions and has a left handed bat. He's not really "good" at anything. Jhonny Nunez isn't worth a "good" player.

If Marlon means we lose Megrew or a similar player in the Rule 5 draft, then this is a horrible deal. Otherwise, it's just Ned making a move because he thinks he needs to.

Anderson is not making enough that if Young proves himself, they won't just DFA him. And Grittle will NOT Neifi him. And anyway, look what the Cubs got for Neifi when they flipped him.

Stefan's loss to Chang at the French is my most painful tennis memory. I remember how annoying the telecast was. They kept showing Chang's family after seemingly every point, as if we were supposed to be all excited for them and everything. I was not excited.

It's an interesting world we live in when you can get paid $925,000 a year to do nothing well

As I understand the rules, this stiff, Anderson, is now eligible for post-season play. And Loney and Kemp aren't. (Unless some shenanigans are performed with the DL and a player(s) from today's 25 man roster) You do the math... Flanders is an idiot! You want to ban me, go ahead.

The 40 man roster on the Dodgers site only lists 37 men on the 40 man, not counting the 60 day DLs. If you assume that Lucille and Lugo are gone, the 40 man roster doesn't seem to be a problem.

372

why are you so angry?

370 Many a serve and volley legend has been slayed by inferior baseliners on the clay.

I don't even watch the French Open. It's like watching the 100 meter dash being run on the beach. Baseline tennis is beyond boring. Another reason I didn't like Agassi.

Against righties this year:

Anderson- 146 ABs, .282/.350/.454
Saenz- 117 ABs, .248/.305/.487
Repko- 74 ABs, .270/.325/.324
Martinez- 130 ABs, .285/.340/.377
Hall- 194 ABs, .237/.260/.366
Loney- 62 ABs, .274/.357/.484
Ledee- 63 ABs, .206/.242/.333
Cruz- 156 ABs, .199/.324/.321

Loney could probably do exactly what Anderson would do, but he's pretty clearly an upgrade to our bench otherwise.

371 It's better than paying $2.5 million to a player that does nothing well.

375
I generally don't watch the French anymore either. It might be interesting if someone other than a "clay court specialist" won for a change, but it rarely happens.

The serve and volley seems to be dying a slow death, with the new racket technology and all. It's too bad. The game used to be more interesting in the pre 120+ MPH serve era.

Probably because I have nothing else to dwell on. And I'm not really angry, bet my blood pressure is just normal, for me 135/70. I really dislike Colletti for all the stupid, pointless trades he's done. True, he hasn't hurt the team much but it just bugs me to see someone in such a powerful and desireable job, just screw around picking up one incompetent player after another, for no good reason at all. Maddux turned out well, everything else he has done since the season started, was pointless. I don't like people to rock boats even though no one has fallen overboard yet.

The risk matches the reward here. That's all anyone can ask.

Hey Marlon Anderson started a Nats rally tonight with a drag bunt for a hit. He could be the next Vic Davalillo!

We were paying 25 million to a pitcher with no pitches.

376 Point is, we already had Loney, he's ten years younger, he's cheaper, and he will probably get better. I score that 4 to 0 in Loney's favor.

356.

Oh great...

378

Sir, at the risk of talking politics, I would like to hand you a pamphlet about the best political party in the world, the Whigs.

We Whigs believe in banning the alternate uniform, eliminating the aluminum bat industry, limiting technological advances in golf and tennis, and mandating all weekend baseball be played during the day. We're also anti-DH.

Yes, we're a small party, and sure, we've been out of the loop for a while, but with your support and "contributions," I believe we can make positive change in America.

D4P, the Whig party can use a man like you. Would that be something you might be interested in?

7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively

I understand your rules, Jon, but is there a time when sarcasm is not misinterpreted negatively?

385
Can I still be a fascist...?

I can tell who's a Whig just by looking at them.

387

Let me talk to my people. I'll see what I can do.

If it doesn't work out, I also have a doomsday cult you may be interested in.

Lord Palmerston was a Tory but he wore a Whig.

The Nats are paying $400,000 of next year's salary.

For those of you that enjoy documentaries, I have a dilly of a trailer for you to see.

Be warned. It looks interesting, but very, very sad. It's about the Golden Gate Bridge.

http://tinyurl.com/j2blm

I hadn't noticed until now that Hendrickson got the dreaded Grady Little Vote Of Confidence. The last guy to get that was pitching seventh innings in blowouts from the day after he got it.

The MLB.com story says the Nats are paying $400,000 of Anderson's salary next year. At $525,000, he's not a bad left handed PH/utility man/25th man. Plus, at that salary, dumping him if needed would have less of an impact on the payroll.

Why does Ned makes moves just to make moves? I think Loney and Laroche can handle pinch hitting duties and we have enough infielders.

Sure, Loney, Kemp, LaRoche could all swing and miss with the best of them as pinch hitters but as young players who have always started and played in the game and then ask them to go up, face a pitcher they probably never have seen before and be successful that one at bat, that sounds like a lot for any young player especially one in a playoff race.

While its not unusual to have a few rookies play key roles in playoff contention teams, a lot of times, the guys who win those games are the journeymen infielder, the back up catcher, the 4th outfielder, why is that, those guys have made a career of focusing on that one at bat, those few innings in the field.

Sure, your everyday lineup and regular pitchers are what takes to the playoffs, but it is those guys whose names are not on that lineup card that gets handed to umpire prior to the first pitch who often win a game or two.

Colletti is one of those GM's -- heck, one of those people -- who feels compelled to always be doing something, anything, quite regardless of whether it serves a useful purpose. A psychologist might call it hyperactivity disorder. Now speaking as someone who is generally as lazy as a fat Persian cat on a hot summer day, someone who is most happy when doing nothing at all, I distrust anyone with a penchant for engaging in busywork. I want a GM who is a conservative. John Stuart Mill said that for conservative purposes it is sufficient to merely sit and think, and usually just to sit. Colletti is not a bad GM, because he seems to genuinely care about keeping our "top" prospects, but he is not going to be a good GM, let alone a great one, till he starts resisting the temptation to treat the players who consistute our minor league "depth" like petty cash that he can throw away on impulse buys at the supermarket checkout stand.

John Stuart Mill said that for conservative purposes it is sufficient to merely sit and think, and usually just to sit.

I think I have a new friend at Dodger Thoughts.

397 -- That's "constitute."

398 You had me at John Stuart Mill.

398 -- That's "396." Jeez, the Toaster needs an edit option.

I also think another reason why the Dodgers did not push hard for Wells, outside of the ridiculous (Ned is quoted as saying something 5 times more than he was willing to talk about) claims of Kemp, LaRoche or Loney, is that the schedule breaks down this way for the rest of the season.

This weekend, Lowe, Penny and Bills
Milwaukee, Maddux, 5th, and Lowe
New York, Penny, Bills, Maddux, 5th guy
Chicago, Lowe, Penny, and Bills
San Diego, Maddux, 5th guy, Lowe, and Penny
Pittsburgh, Bills, Maddux, 5th guy
Arizona, Lowe, Penny, and Bills
Colorado Maddux, Lowe(skip 5th), Penny
San Francisco, Billingsley, Open, Maddux

I can see them starting Sele against Milwaukee, he had success with them in his first start, even though it could be very intimidating, having Kuo against the Mets could work out, back at home, Sele or Kuo against the Pads and then Sele could probably deal with the Pirates.

The last week hopefully won't be nervous time but really with the off day before that trip, the only game where you may have to scramble is the second to last day, and actually Maddux maybe could go the day before and Lowe could go on shorts day rest on the last game.

A John Stuart Mill Spy print hangs proudly in my office.

Since nobody under the age of 120 knows what a Spy print is, it's pretty irrelevant. But Mill is my guy.

my computer went broken and i just spent the last 2 hours trying to figure out what a dv4_disp.dll file was and how to fix it.

finally did. apparently there is a whole internet forum decidated to trying to fix the "blue screen" problem.

403 Nate, I wonder if John Meloan came up in the trade talks with Jim Bowden?

Its Jim Bowden, Matt Kemp was probably the first person he asked for.

I want a GM who is a conservative.

Sorry, D4P.

from henson..

Matt Kemp and James Loney will change into familiar uniforms today and Ned Colletti can extract his heels from the place he dug in and refused to budge.

Thanks to Colletti's resolve, the coveted prospects will travel from triple-A Las Vegas and join the Dodgers when rosters expand instead of joining the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher David Wells.

Honestly, its not that hard to say no. Its like Henson is trying to give Colletti the purple heart or something.

"At this stage he's ahead of Billingsley or Elbert with fastball command," scouting director Logan White said. "His change-up is really good and his curve is getting better."

thats about kershaw.

I cant wait for him. Dear Baseball Gods, please look after his health.

For anyone with access to xm radio, the replay of game five, 1981, Dodgers v Expos is on channel 175 right now. Expos broadcasters, but I think Vin was doing NBC at the time, so Dodgers radio would have featured Ross and Jerry Doggett. Right now the Dodgers are losing 1-0, but I think I will like how this game turns out.

Stan from Tacoma

Decent article by Plaschke on Grits.

Five months into his first season here, Grady Little has no clue how to act like a first-place Dodgers manager.

Which is one of the biggest reasons they are in first place

It is this quiet acceptance that shines through his dad-gums and his drawl. He never embarrasses his players. He is rarely impatient with the media.
The anti-Jimbo.

Grits is a good manager because he gives players a chance to play. Sometimes, he will screw up and play mediocre veterans for too long, but eventually he realizes his mistake and isn't afraid to make a change. Grits does not play favorites. Grits is a manager I can root for because he doesn't have a gigantic ego. He gives the players credit for winning.

I sleep, and the Nationals trade one of their prized second baseman to the Dodgers.

Anderson has been OK this year (OK in a "good enough to play for the Nationals" sense) but why in Choi's name do the Dodgers need another such player?

Now I have to run around and will read the above comments later.

Everyone knows that Anderson is under contract for next year too, though not expensive of course?

i never liked sampras. too... i don't know, bland and boring i guess. i didn't really like agassi either though. i always found myself rooting for underdogs in the 90s. i liked goran ivansevic a lot.

413. I didn't like Sampras primarily because he played the high-tech serve and volley game, he just wasn't nearly as fun to watch as Edberg. Although, I am intriged by Greg Brock's Whig Party. I would only join though if the clause about rolling back technology in golf also included banning television cameras so that no tournament would ever plague my screen again.

How can you not like Agassi? Think of all the stupid immature stuff you did as a teen or in your twenties only to grow up and appreciate things more and change your behavior. Its not fake, its evolving as a person and not all people can do it. What is he supposed to do now, act like a Rebel? He matured and give him credit for being humble and to be able laugh about his past. Besides, you know he matured when he realized what most of us knew already knew, that Steffi Graf is an awesome woman. To be able to marry her and have kids and grow into someone who has become really liked shows his growth as a person. The fact he can still play tennis with the guts he has shown only adds to everything. Im an Agassi guy and being his age and a tennis player who cant move around the court like I used to makes me want to get off my fat ass and put in a little more effort. I hope he wins the US Open.