Before people start complaining, keep in mind that more revenue from parking means more money for Juan Pierres.

OK, now you can start complaining.

Now if they'd only get the concept of "public transportation" down and start thinking about that, too. (I know, I know, this is LA we're talking about. And it's at the top of a hill. But really, it's time to start thinking a little greener.)

2
Thankfully, we have our very own Jacob L. to work on such things

Looks like a step in the right direction. Should be chaos the 1st few games so I think I'll stay outside the stadium until they get things sorted out. Everything looks good on paper until human beings get involved with the execution of the plan.

Totally off topic, but last night I was watching IFC and this came on. After 5 minuets I was totally hooked and stayed up way to late watching....old news but thought to share. I couldnt help to think of all of us. I also think I wish I had the time, money and equipment to document the 2007 Dodgers.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403893/

It's the story of the 2003 Red Sox...it's called..."Still, We Believe...."

2 I must admit the public transportation makes getting into/out of Giants games very easy.

One of the silver linings of disability is great parking at Dodger stadium. As long as I get close, I'm good.

And I'm all for limiting the circling drivers. Save it for NASCAR.

Maybe it will work better in practice than on paper, but as I read the maps it looks like they have only one exit from Lots 1 and 2.

This is fine if you park next to the exit in Lot 1, but imagine parking in the NW corner of Lot 2 and having to cross both lots to reach the solitary exit.

I'd like to meet the genius behind this idea. Wonder if he's ever been to a game.

8--

I think that map is only showing the entrances. I believe that they move a number of barriers at the end of the game so that there are more exits from each lot.

6 Exactly. (I'm in SF, too.) Well, obviously, SF is a less car-dependent city, much smaller in size than LA and the stadium is more central ly located. Still, it'd be nice if they'd dedicate some thought in the future to this, even if it's just more free shuttles from metro stations.

Last year I saw these two drunk dudes climb into a brand new BMW 7 series car and proceed to try and exit the season parking lot (I was parked in) between two of the waist high concrete pylons that pretty much surround the whole lot. For those who don't know, the pylons are strategically placed far enough from each other that an average car can't fit through them. In the drunk guys defense, it can be deceiving to even the sober. It was comedy at it's finest! Not just the act of stupidity but the guy's reaction once he got out of his car and surveyed the damage. After a drunken rant directed at no one in particular, he proceeded to then throw up violently for about 5-6 minutes. I'm still laughing about it as I am typing this!

11
I used to drive an old Honda through those pylons when the Honda was the size of a current Mini. It made getting out very easy.

I'm one of those who parks outside the stadium when I go, but I care a lot about how others perceive in-stadium parking. The easier it is for everyone else, the more likely I'll actually find a spot outside without arriving an hour early.

That's why the most distressing part of the story is the price increase. That'll repel more people than promises of improved traffic flows will attract.

11. Wow. Did the Dodgers lose the game too, to add insult to injury?

Bill Mueller is doing radio color commentary on Thursday's broadcast.

14.

Actually it was a whitewashing of the Giants! It made an already great night that much sweeter.

11 Anyone who has been in that lot more than a few times probably has seen that attempted, mine was the time a guy was driving a very nice '60s Mustang convertible (why is it always the nice cars that try that, ToyCannon being the exception), he was not a happy guy when he heard that awful sound of metal crunching.

A little late (and, as you'll see, repetitive) here, but, that LuGo statement about how younger guys care more about stats than winning is just stupid (even if true). There is NOTHING a player can do that pads his own stats that also reduces his team's chance of winning. There are few things he can try to do and fail (e.g., a slap hitter swinging for the fences or a caught-stealing), but individual success CANNOT decrease the probability of team success. LuGo might be right if this were basketball. But it ain't.

(Actually, as I mentioned once last year, I can think of one exception: Ichiro has occasionally bunted for a hit with a runner on 2nd and 2 outs. Sure, he moved the guy to 3rd, which helped marginally, but since his chance of an RBI hit was higher than the next (weaker) batter, he probably didn't do the team any favors. Still, that's a pretty rare exception. LuGo might be right if this were basketball. But it ain't.)

I think the part of LuGo's statement that makes it sound right to some is that it implies that (young) players who focus on the glory stats might (1) try for too much and end up producing less than they might if they dialed it back, or (2) that they don't work on aspects of the game that "don't show up in the stats" but might contribute to winning, or both. Of course, everything they DO produce helps the team more than all the veteran savvy and desire in the world.

Nice to see Little's contact got picked up. Wonder if that means the coaches did too. Anybody hear?

17.
I think that 15 bucks is a bit steep for parking but as long as I can afford it, I will pay it. It seems such an insignificant amount of money to pay for the chance to see something great. Whether it be a 4 consecutive home run night or someone attempting to "squeeze the pylons".................it's worth every penny.

19 - Not yet for the coaches - they haven't gotten around to that yet.

18
It's an outrage!

I think the gates should be called Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

11 Wondeful tale of the elite!
Washington's pitching is on a run--they got a shut-out today after embarrassing us yesterday. I assume they are pretty thin and on pitching and are tuning up regulars, whereas the more fortunite team's like the D's are still experimenting with several options, and apt to have blow-outs. of course, this isn't the total story.

$15 is getting dangerously close to my limit. I think I'll walk when it hits 20.

I've been to a number of games at ATT park and when arriving and leaving the game is that easy, it drastically increases the game experience. Dodger games have to have a pretty good ending for me not to care about the 25-35 minutes I'm about to spend trying to outmaneuver drunk SUV drivers.

It looks like I can still get off the 110 South at Academy Road and enter and leave from there.

If so, I'm a happy dude.

Something familiar about the LP for Seattle today---

W: E. Gonzalez (3-0, 4.85); L: J. Weaver (0-2, 8.31)

Ah, now it's coming info focus. 0-2, 8.31 ERA. Jared's older bro appears to be rounding into the form he displayed for the Angels last year. He might even be ahead of pace.

What places are there to park outside the Stadium where you're not asking to be broken into? I used to park on the street on Elysian Park between Sunset and the Stadium (where you were asking to be broken into, actually, but I had a really junky car back then), but my recollection from the last time I went there is they don't let you do that on game nights anymore. Is my recollection correct?

18
In addition to the points you make, it's also ridiculous to imply that:

1. Young players don't care about winning
2. Veterans don't care about their individual stats

I don't understand why shuttles to and from public transportation is not part of their plan. The only reason I can come up with -- they'll lose 15 bucks a car for anyone that used it. I live right near the gold line, what a crime I can't take it downtown and then hop on a shuttle to the game. Less traffic, less smog, and makes it easier for everyone who does take a car. Frustrating.

30
Capitalism strikes again.

Anyone else watching the game on KCAL right now? Sadly, Hendrickson looked sharp in the first. Then again, that ump sure is giving a generous strike zone.

32 I've got it on - it was a pleasant surprise to see it when I was scrolling around to see if there were any tournament games on tonight. Luckily, his 2nd inning isn't quite as good so he's not making himself seem vital to the club.

A somewhat sketchy 4 IP performance (2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 K) would be ideal for trading purposes I would think.

From the previous thread, I responded to the brief discussion of DT podcasts:

[56, from the previous thread] The podcast audience would be comprised of your fans who spend two or more hours commuting each day. I know someone who downloads a bunch of podcasts off NPR every morning and listens to them instead of radio on the way to work.

I'm like you: Podcasts strike me as a slow way to get information compared to reading. But nowadays, I don't commute to work. The blog world is about reaching people through multiple media. The other area like this is PDA-compatible content. There are lots of people who can't get away with reading a paper or listening to a podcast but could read a PDA. Lawyers waiting in court, for example.

ANyone know why the game isn't available via MLB Gameday audio? It is via MLBTV, for the cost of subscribing to MLB TV. But I can't get a link anywhere for radio. Oh well.

Yeah, I hope Hendy does pretty well - good enough to trade, not good enough for the Dodgers to keep him.

Well, through three innings, he's only given up a run on two hits. So far he's looking good. McCourt's in the booth with Vin and they didn't have much to say about Hendy, so maybe that's a good sign.

34 - I can read DT on my Treo - does that count?

It's funny because this podcast discussion dovetails into another post I was thinking of writing this week. Basically, I'm not at all morally opposed to doing podcasts - but logistically, it's just about an impossibility.

Since other avenues of funding aren't working, I suggest we pool our money and buy Jon some lottery tickets each week. Maybe if he becomes independently wealthy he can do podcasts or whatever else may come.

excellent, hendrickson getting smoked in the 4th. middle, short inning reliever it is!

Oh boy

Nomar with deep fly balls in both of his ABs. Hopefully not just "warning track power" this year...

Great, I tune in for the first time this year and the first voice I hear sounds like McCourt.

Kemp smacks a curveball for a hit

what are the chances Kemp develops the skills to play CF for a couple of years (ignoring that Juan Pierre has a 5 year deal)?

Never mind Hendrickson, I'm a little more worried about where the Dodgers offense has been the last few days, especially with more regulars starting. But we've still got a lot of time before season starts...

Jeez, I missed my setup in 3, but in any case I'll let everyone know when I'm ready with a full blown proposal.

To me, the parking lot problems at Dodger Stadium were never that bad until they closed the Scott Ave. gate. I don't know how much traffic that gate actually handled; probably not that much, but I'd bet it was enough to take pressure off of the rest of the system.

The Scott Ave. gate was closed in the waning days of the O'Malley regime in a decades-late attempt to make peace with the Echo Park neighbors, and as part of the grand scheme to build a football stadium. We all know what followed. No football. Murdoch. Kevin Malone. Carlos Perez. Connect the dots. Juan Pierre.

So basically, re-open the Scott Ave gate, and restore balance to the known galaxy. As a side bonus, I don't live in Echo Park anymore, so any increase in traffic on the local side streets won't affect me.

Hmm, well there's some offense. A pulse!

If I ever get DirectTV, could I get KCAL9 and FSN Primeticket? Or can you not get local channels from other markets?

As always, Vin sounds like he's already in mid-season form. The man is such a professional. I missed the game on Sunday and this is the first time I've heard Vin this season. It never ceases to amaze me how he never skips a beat and is the epitome of consistency. Finally, spring is here.

You don't live in LA, right? I'm pretty sure you can get Prime with one of the various sports packages, but I doubt you can get KCAL.

tsao is pitching the next inning.

28 I happen to think that right in front of the Police Academy is a pretty safe place to park.

49
Spring is here on a day in L.A. when the sun never came out, it was relatively cold, and it rained intermittently!

Doesn't it seem as if it should now be even clearer to the Dodgers' brass that Hendrickson can be an okay reliever and not an okay starter? I'm hoping today sort of seals it - he can be quite good for an inning or two (or as situational lefty), but any more than that and... feh!

And Tsao's suddenly looking more and more like someone should be calling rental agencies in Las Vegas soon.

Spring Traning performances shouldn't be making anything clear for the Dodger brass, whether you like the player or not.

I think ST can confirm preconceived notions (e.g. "Juan Pierre doesn't draw walks"), but I don't think atypical performances (whether good or bad) should be given much weight.

Well, if something is only useful for confirming the old but not the new, then you're saying it's not useful at all for evaluation. Your beliefs won't change at all using that formula.

Which is what I basically believe. Sure, there will be exceptions, but the purpose of Spring Training in my mind is to get ready to play.

One kind of exception has to do with players coming off injuries. ST can be useful in that it can give you a decent idea of how well a player has recovered and is capable of playing up (or down, as the case may be) to their pre-injury level.

59. Unless their initials are ERIC.GAGNE.

Bears, u called?

"Everything was good today -- the fastball had life on it. I had good control. Even the curveball and changeup were good," Gagne said. "I'm just trying to see where I am with my body. There is scar tissue in there."

Totally off topic but last night I attended a screening of a new HBO documentary on UCLA's 10 National title teams at the Mann Bruin in Westwood.

The documentary was good, there were many things I knew already, some of the participants might seem unusual, Ray Manzarek, legendary member of the Doors, talked about both the changes taking place during the 1960's but also the famous UCLA press, Pamela Des Barres also spoke about the student activities of that time.

But mainly you got a lot of John Wooden and Bill Walton. Walton is featured not only because of greatness on the court but his outside activities including being arrested for protesting on campus and Chancelor Young recalled Walton cursing at him, Walton immediately says afterwards, he has apologized many times since for that incident.

The Sam Gilbert issue was covered briefly, Lucious Allen recalled that he received some small items that was probably illegal but he did not really think about it at the time.

Attending the screening were some of the players including Walton but of course the star of the evening was John Wooden, who after having his players stand, introduced members of his family and told everyone that tomorrow (March 21) would be the 22nd anniversary of his wife's passing. He was greatly moved by the whole evening and he could not finish speaking.

Whatever you think about that run, does the Sam Gilbert allegations taint those years, no one can question that on the court, it was a beautiful thing to watch, players cutting and moving without the ball, layups off the backboard, fastbreak drills, etc.

It was a very pleasant evening and if you have HBO, check it out next Monday.

Now back to the world of Mark Hendrickson and where will he be on April 2nd.

62
But does it have Liev Schrieber narrating?

Does anyone know if it's feasible to walk from the Chinatown station to the stadium?

We have an Alberto Bastardo sighting.
oh joy

64
It's feasible. I can't say it would be enjoyable. It will be steep in parts.

On the public transit thing, I have to say I've never actually driven to RFK for a Nats game; I've been to about half a dozen or so there, and I always take the metro in, especially for weekend games when I can park there free.

I also have to say that leaving the stadium after the game I saw in LA was ludicrous, so I'm glad they're doing something.

Baltimore is not very well-marked at all, though, and I'm glad this one never happened to me.
http://tinyurl.com/2g5wdx

64 66 Maybe 3/4 of a mile (?), worse if you have to get to sets down the LF line. As Bob pointed out signficant uphill stretch, but you'll have 3 1/2 hours to recover and it's downhill going back.

Sorry I'm late and something of a dork for posting this now.

But regarding the notion that new Dodger commercials should entice with highlights.

A person that thinks baseball is boring is not going to be fooled by highlights that he or she knows only come around a few times a game.

You reach a potential advocate by showing him that loving something deeply, means...well, that he'll get to love something deeply. As the 2007 ads attempt to do.

Highlights are snake oil from snake oil salesmen. A more honest ad, would not be the 4+1 aberition, but something that shows the peaceful, once-upon-a-sumertime nature of the game. Something along the lines of the breezy Corona ads.

We're already highlighted to death. American tv imagery is nothing but a big guady highlight. What? yet another flash and bang reel is going to make a difference?

The box score from the Rangers-Giants game was weird. Gagne gave up a homer to Kevin Frandsden, and Lofton had an outfield assist.

Granted, Lofton threw out Bengie Molina, but still, wow.

62 Pamela Des Barres also spoke about the student activities of that time.
I can only imagine the sorts of student activities Ms. Des Barres is expert enough to comment on.

Also related to the Giants box score is the fact that Bonds is slugging a cool 1.000 this spring

The tricky part about going from the Chinatown station by foot to Dodger Stadium is that the most direct route isn't accessible unless you are going off the beaten path or cutting through people's yards.

I would think you would have to walk up Broadway and then find your way to Bishops Road and walk up past Cathedral High.

Russ Ortiz, bidding to become the Giants' No. 5 starter, gave up two runs and four hits in six innings with six strikeouts and one walk.
Wire service report. No additional comment from me.

Just arrived home safely after taking public transportation from work :-P and wanted to make quick follow up comment re Hendrickson and Spring training. Yes, of course, ST is more about getting ready for the season than it is about being perfect in the box score, and even for a player trying to win a spot (as opposed to someone like Brad Penny who has already secured a spot in the rotation and has been fiddling with pitches in Spring). My observations on Hendrickson are purely my opinion of course, but also based on what I saw last year which was, a pitcher who looked better out of the pen than as a starter. Though I'm biased, I'm actually not a Hendy Hater (tm) at all, I see someone who could be a LOOGY or middle reliever, but I've just never seen enough evidence to see him being a starter I'd have any confidence in. As we push closer to the start of the season, I'm still seeing no evidence to refute this and he's a guy who has motivation to a) make the team, yet alone b) win the 5th starter spot. The latter seems less and less likely - to me at least - given that Tomko's pitching very well, a case where how someone looked in Spring did matter. But again, it is true that players should have all spring to work out the kinks and that what really matters is how they do in the regular season. But for players who want to even get the chance to play in the regular season, fair or not now is the time to show something. At least that's how I see it.

Today aside, or ignored, Tsao has definitely impressed the heck out of me in ST. I feel like we'll see him on the team this year.
------

And now I have to write for two hours while my brain still semi-works. I gotta spare change a little so I can find some cash for a DT t-shirt. ;-)

74
Why it's the Russ Ortiz Alarm? I haven't heard that blow since at least last week.

73 I thought there was still a pedestrian bridge over the freeway, the greenish thing on the satellite view. College to New High and over the freeway to Stadium Way. Quite a hike.
http://tinyurl.com/3cbdch

And the fact that Kevin Frandsen went 3-4 with a home run off Eric Gagne is definitely a sign it's still Spring. (At least as far as Frandsen goes. Who knows what to expect from Gagne this year?)

58 - Jon, I agree that ST is about getting ready to play - especially for those players whose job is not in question. I also agree that using stats with larger sample sizes than March is generally a more effective way to evaluate players.

But Spring Training has always been a competition for roster spots among lesser players. If only prior stats should be used, then the Major League 25 should be announced before ST even begins. In fact, why invite non-roster players at all? (Insert Scott Erickson and Jose Lima comments here).

That might make for a more comfortable environment for those chosen, perhaps even a more productive one, but I'd miss those March dreams of an unknown superstar emerging for the Blue - the triumphant return of a "washed-up" vet, the redemption of an injured throwaway (Tsao), or the undeniable rookie (Loney)

It's the old "clutchiness" argument again, but there is something compelling about a player who triumphs when the pressure is on.

79 And on top of that, it's also relevant to prospective trade partners (again, thinking of Hendrickson). Whether this is fair or not is another question, but as trade action often happens right before the season starts, this is a time to prove merit.

Tsao still has a chance of winning Dessens' spot, btw, according to Ken Gurnick. Don't know how true that is.

---

Yhency Brazoban faces hitters for the first time on Friday, btw. Will be curious to see how far he's come - seems like a quicker turnaround physically than expected.

The only difference between starter Hendrickson and reliever Hendrickson is that starter Hendrickson gives up four runs every five inning start, whereas reliever Hendrickson pitches three scoreless innings in three straight games, then gives up four runs in the fourth. There's no difference, although the runs given up as a reliever are less important because if Hendrickson is in a game, it means we're going to be losing 8-1 already.

Probably because Penny was starting.

63 Actually, yes, Liev Schrieber does the narration for the documentary.

75 - But for players who want to even get the chance to play in the regular season, fair or not now is the time to show something. At least that's how I see it.

Not only do I agree with you, but I think if we could find Damian Jackson he'd agree also. :-)

I don't think Spring Training is meaningless. I think Spring Training stats are meaningless.

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with setting the 25-man roster prior to ST. If one believes that ST stats are meaningless, why not set the roster?

Spring Training gives young players the opportunity to do poorly and "not be ready." If they do well, it exposes "what they still need to work on" before they can be ready. If they hit .800 with seven homers, they are sent down "so that they can play everyday and get ready."

Veterans are just "workin' on stuff" and not concerned with the numbers.

Isn't it fun to obliterate Baseball Common Knowledge? It has really reinvigorated my interest in the game.

84 Well if the Dodgers were in need of a starting chair-tosser, Damian would be our man! (Aw, I shouldn't pick on the poor guy.)

I do think Andy La Roche would be in the "let's abolish spring training games altogether" marching and chowder society.