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About Jon
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
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Let's Go, Batter Up - We're Taking the Afternoon Off (In Our Minds)
2007-04-02 01:28
by Jon Weisman

You can throw out the regular-season records for this tilt: Dodgers at Brewers, 11:05 a.m.!

Gameday, if you dare

Yahoo!

CBS Sportsline

SI.com

* * *

The Hardball Times is promising to regularly update John Dewan's revised version of Zone Rating during the season. For those who aren't aware, here's the key change:

In the original Zone Rating, if a ball is hit outside of your zone but you range far enough to make a play anyway, that ball is added to both your plays made and your chances. The effect of this is to underrate players with outstanding range. Here's an illustration:

Take two shortstops, call them Billy and Jason. Both players have three ground balls hit near them, two in the shortstop zone and one just beyond it, hit straight up the middle. Jason makes plays on the two hit in his zone but cannot reach the other ball. Billy makes one play in his zone, makes an error on the other, but makes a great play on the ball hit up the middle.

The zone rating for Jason is a perfect 2/2. For Billy, its 2/3, even though both players have had the same opportunities, and recorded the same number of outs. The new Zone rating treats these plays differently. Balls in zone counts only those hit into your zone, and there is a separate category for balls fielded outside your zone.

* * *

Get a load of the Dodger talent born on April 2, 1945, as Rob McMillin reminds us at 6-4-2: Reggie Smith and Don Sutton. And Mike Kekich, who went 2-10 in 1968, but still ...

* * *

Update: SI.com has introduced a new baseball blog called Fungoes, and the plan is for me to write about the National League West every week. Here's my inaugural Fungo:

Let me begin with a disclaimer: I have a soft spot for the state of Colorado. I'm a sucker for its mountains and mountain air, its entire outdoors-infused, breathmint-fresh way of life. The most mundane activity takes on a cleaner, crisper feel when I picture it at Rocky Mountain High.

Colorado's baseball team has been sort of a reality-check to this travel-brochure fantasy. The Rockies have begun most baseball seasons DOA. It has been more than six years since their last winning season and more than 11 since their one and only playoff appearance, which immediately went downhill when Don Baylor's managing left Colorado with pitcher Lance Painter (10 career hits) striking out as a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded at the end of a 5-4 defeat in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.

Look around the Internet, and few expect the Rockies to put an end to their misfortune in 2007. But there's a wind blowing out of Denver -- one that perhaps should send a little shiver down the spines of the Rockies' National League West rivals. ...

Alex Belth of Bronx Banter will be handling the AL East.

Update 2: Matt Kemp will start in right tomorrow, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Larry Bigbie agreed to go to Las Vegas, ending that drama.

Meanwhile, Wilson Valdez may be around for a while longer, as Rafael Furcal might not return this week.

Gurnick adds that Yhency Brazoban may appear in a minor-league rehabilitation assignment next week.

Comments (478)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-04-02 01:41:08
1.   Bob Timmermann
What no Gameday link?
2007-04-02 01:42:24
2.   Jon Weisman
I'm hedging.
2007-04-02 01:44:51
3.   Michael D
We're going to need Lowe to be able to match up with Sheets, or hope Sheets pitches like Carpenter did Sunday.
2007-04-02 05:35:55
4.   paranoidandroid
I'm at Disneyland (in a hotel) with my two and half year old and my five week old. The wife will be on Small World with the two year old and I'll be at ESPN Zone with the baby when 11 am rolls around. Just got done with a 5 am feeding, can't wait for the season to begin. I'm not sure I can get back to sleep, I'm kinda pumped up about the game.

Did Bigbie get his release or will he be accepting a position at Vegas?

2007-04-02 05:42:12
5.   paranoidandroid
Does anyone know if I buy the MLB game on the internet if I'll get it since I'm in the LA market?

My hotel doesn't have FSN in the rooms. I figure I have to go to ESPN Zone at this point since I don't want to buy the game and then get blacked out and have to run over there and miss the first inning. It says on the MLB site that it is for out of market games only and that games are subject to blackouts. I wish opening day was on KCAL.

2007-04-02 05:55:09
6.   xaphor
5. It is most likely by billing address. If it was by ip you could bypass it with a proxy.
2007-04-02 06:24:01
7.   Andrew Shimmin
MLB provided the infrastructure for March Madness on Demand, which based its blackouts on IP. Doing a little googling, it looks like that's how they do it with MLB.tv, too. That makes it pretty easy to subvert using a proxy server, but, doing that makes an account holder liable for termination without refund, and a $100 fine. It is in violation of the acceptable use agreement, a binding legal contract.
2007-04-02 06:27:32
8.   Andrew Shimmin
There are message board/blog comment section reports that one could (last year) get blacked out games without using a proxy server, simply by opening the video window thirty minutes before the game started, and not futzing with it. Don't know whether (a) it was ever true or, (b) they fixed that for this year.
2007-04-02 06:27:42
9.   Marty
You Cub fans out there won't have me to kick around anymore after this season.
2007-04-02 06:42:09
10.   Andrew Shimmin
Sam Zell is a good name. Do Cubs fans feel about Tribune the way we did Fox?
2007-04-02 07:01:58
11.   Suffering Bruin
Not in my mind, my man. Thank the powers that be for spring break!
2007-04-02 07:18:19
12.   Marty
I think most Cub fans hated Tribune because they thought Tribune never felt the need to improve the team because it was such a profitable business regardless of how the Cubs finished. Of course, you could blame the fans for that too.
2007-04-02 07:19:01
13.   Marty
So....is Mark Cuban in the Cubs' future?
2007-04-02 07:23:02
14.   katysdad
Saturday night I had a dream. There's a game being played at a local high school field between two nondescript teams. I am watching the game while standing in foul territory somewhere between home and first.

Juan Pierre is up and, after taking the first pitch for a strike, grounds out on the second pitch 4-3.

I yell out "You've got to take some pitches, Juan." Pierre shoots me a nasty look and says "Are you talking to me?"

I reply "Yeah, learn to take a pitch." Pierre swears at me.

Then, in my dream, I wake up and go online and tell my friends at Dodger Thoughts about my dream. Weird.

2007-04-02 08:22:17
15.   Bumsrap
7 MLB.tv
Some will get it when out of range and some won't get it when they are within range. One is an error and the other isn't.
2007-04-02 08:23:15
16.   Greg Brock
14 No way. I had the exact same dream! DUN DUN DUNNNNNN! (ominous music).

11 Huzzah!

2007-04-02 08:59:46
17.   underdog
4 Re: Bigbie, Tony Jackson had this bit on his blog:
"Just checked with Dodgers PR man Josh Rawitch to see if anything had happened today with Larry Bigbie, whose window of opportunity for exercising his out clause is closing fast. Josh said there was no news. Sounds like there is at least a possibility Bigbie will agree to stay with the club and go to the minors. It's tough to find a big-league job right now, because clubs are busy setting their final rosters -- which means subtracting players, not adding them"

---

Welp, I'm not going to get too freaked out if the Dodgers lose to Ben Sheets today, tough one to start off with, but I have faith in th e boys. See you all in awhile.

2007-04-02 09:01:40
18.   Frip
Holy bejesus it's baseball season.
2007-04-02 09:15:45
19.   Suffering Bruin
From Tony's blog: Ned and Grady made it clear that Kemp is going to be on the bench, which is why I'm fairly sure he'll go back to the minors as soon as Furcal comes back. ... And Loney WILL be back as soon as Ned and Grady find a spot for him. But it has to be at least a semi-regular spot, and therein lies the dilemma. (emphasis mine)

I always wanted to write "emphasis mine." And gosh, I'm glad I picked up Kemp for my fantasy league team.

2007-04-02 09:19:52
20.   goblue1
T-2 hrs... it's opening day and I can't wait!!! Go Dodgers.

Tough matchup today, Sheets is nasty when healthy.

Even though I love our staff- seems like we have two 1.5s and a 3,4,5 rotation. No real #1.

2007-04-02 09:21:11
21.   Suffering Bruin
By the by, the LAT has a new owner and the Cubs are looking for one.

God, I love me spring break!

2007-04-02 09:24:41
22.   Andrew Shimmin
I love me spring break

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is still several months off.

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

2007-04-02 09:27:16
23.   Jon Weisman
Updates above.
2007-04-02 09:27:58
24.   natepurcell
Even though I love our staff- seems like we have two 1.5s and a 3,4,5 rotation. No real #1.

alot of clubs dont have a real number 1.

2007-04-02 09:28:06
25.   goblue1
22

Did you hear about the new dirty Pirate movie?

2007-04-02 09:28:31
26.   natepurcell
my mlb.tv mosaic wont download :(
2007-04-02 09:29:19
27.   Woody
18- is that ivan bejesus?
2007-04-02 09:31:54
28.   Eric Enders
"MLB provided the infrastructure for March Madness on Demand, which based its blackouts on IP."

Are you sure about that? I was traveling during the tournament and was able to get two different games from the same location by logging in to MMOD using two different accounts that had different billing zip codes.

2007-04-02 09:33:13
29.   Eric Enders
So, the two things on my schedule this morning are
a) Going to get a root canal, and
b) Coming home to watch the Dodger game.

[insert joke here]

2007-04-02 09:43:10
30.   Jon Weisman
A No. 1 starter is by definition one of the top 30 starters in baseball. Jason Schmidt and Derek Lowe were both on that list last year.
2007-04-02 09:43:26
31.   KBL
I wish I was getting a root canal, so I could be home for the game. I woke up looking for any reason to not feel well, but I have too many Dodger fans in my office, so my absence would immediately be suspect.
2007-04-02 09:45:40
32.   Bob Timmermann
Carl Pavano, #1 starter.
2007-04-02 09:48:20
33.   JWilder
Is there a decent online radio station that has a pregame show?
2007-04-02 09:51:21
34.   goblue1
33

For $14.95 ( I think) at MLB.com you can hear every game for every team all season. That's what it was last year. And you can choose home or away broadcasts- theoretically, you would want that.

2007-04-02 09:51:21
35.   Bob Timmermann
26
You really need to watch six games at once?

Remember that a lot of people are trying to download the same thing now.

2007-04-02 09:53:19
36.   Bob Timmermann
34
I don't think MLB.com has the pregame or postgame shows because of sponsorship issues.

Coincidentally, those same sponsorhip issues keep the pregame and postgame shows off the individual radio stations websites.

It's a Catch-Marlin Anderson + 1

2007-04-02 09:53:49
37.   JWilder
34 I have that. I just want to hear a recommendable pregame show.
2007-04-02 09:54:45
38.   natepurcell
You really need to watch six games at once?

not really but i want the higher resolution picture. i d/l the setup installation and it says error every time i try to open it.

2007-04-02 09:56:04
39.   goblue1
37

they have around the league with A. Martinez and the Dodger dugout. Comes on about 20 min before the game.

2007-04-02 09:57:58
40.   JWilder
39 Which channel?
2007-04-02 09:59:37
41.   ToyCannon
26
It seemed to download okay but when I put in my billing address for black out purposes and clicked send it just refreshed without any error message displaying the same blank billing address prompts. I'm really looking forward to the mosaic. It will be just like being at a sportsbook.
2007-04-02 10:00:46
42.   Bob Timmermann
I dare to see if Gameday crashes my browser before the game starts! Of course, I'll be home watching and will have to settle for Vin Scully telling me how much Ben Sheets' pitches are breaking, but perhaps I'll be able to parse the data later and make some nice scattergrams.
2007-04-02 10:02:12
43.   ToyCannon
35
Yes, when I had the extra innings package I would just going up and down in a continuous manner. You'd be amazed how much you can watch and never miss anything because of all the dead time in baseball. If Nomar is up I can go up and down 3 times before he's ready to hit after each pitch.
2007-04-02 10:03:13
44.   goblue1
40

should be KFWB (I would just click "away" broadcast on game day audio) I don't live in So Cal so I don't Know the programming there.

2007-04-02 10:04:01
45.   Bob Timmermann
But if you watch six games at once, you might miss out on Michael Kay telling you that you're not a very smart fan.
2007-04-02 10:05:57
46.   Bob Timmermann
I'm very disturbed to realize that whatever channel I was watching last night before I went to sleep is now showing an up close and personal interview with Steve Guttenberg.
2007-04-02 10:07:45
47.   D4P
42
Does Vin distinguish between the velocity of pitches when leaving the pitcher's hand vs. when crossing the plate...?
2007-04-02 10:08:09
48.   El Lay Dave
10:06 A.M. and FSN coverage has already made the first mention of Coletti and "character".
2007-04-02 10:08:52
49.   natepurcell
the premium picture is actually really good. the ball doesnt look fuzzy!
2007-04-02 10:09:51
50.   ToyCannon
I've got the TB/Yankee game right now. For me the season is starting now and not that imposter game last night. Go DevilRays....
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-04-02 10:09:55
51.   StolenMonkey86
armed with a gig of ram, I shall take my chances with Gameday
2007-04-02 10:11:26
52.   Telemachos
At long last, Opening Day is here! I'm sitting here at work in my Dodger jersey, my co-worker is wearing his Giants jersey, and we're slinging insults at each other. All is well in the world.

(And Apple & EMI are gonna offer DRM-free music! woohoo!)

2007-04-02 10:11:52
53.   Bob Timmermann
The stadiums in Philadelphia, Washington, and Detroit don't seem to have the equipment.

So those Gamedays work OK.

ESPN is using Karl Ravech and John Kruk to call the Rays-Yankees game. This will not be good.

2007-04-02 10:12:48
54.   Bumsrap
I live in Arizona and therefore I am most appreciative of that chill wind coming over from Colorado. Jon, tell them to keep blowing.
2007-04-02 10:12:58
55.   Eric Enders
Warning for those planning to watch on MLB.tv: Log in a little bit early, because today there is a popup screen requiring you to re-enter your personal information including credit card number ("for verification purposes"). This can be rough on those (like me) who didn't recall which card they put it on.

Also, the 700K stream looks exactly the same as the 350K. What a joke.

2007-04-02 10:16:48
56.   Benaiah
I imagine that this has been posted elsewhere, but the lineup is:

Pierre, CF
Martin, C
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzalez, LF
Betemit, 3B
Ethier, RF
Martinez, SS
Lowe, P

That could be decent, but the downside is 2003 redux. Get well soon Furcal!

2007-04-02 10:22:48
57.   D4P
Jeter is a "winner" and a "team player"
2007-04-02 10:25:47
58.   Benaiah
57 - He is also really bad at defense according to that Zone Rating article Jon linked to. Furcal is below average too by the way, though I think that it takes a few years to properly figure out defensive numbers.
2007-04-02 10:26:22
59.   D4P
The CBS website is way behind already
2007-04-02 10:26:33
60.   Benaiah
58 - A few years meaning larger sample not me staring at the hardballtimes for a few years to figure out the math.
2007-04-02 10:28:20
61.   underdog
Yeah, the line-up's fine, except for SS. It'll be tough - they have to go three Sheets to the wind today.
2007-04-02 10:29:03
62.   Andrew Shimmin
28- Are you trying to get me to incriminate myself? I don't know why your fix worked, but I do know that using the same account, uh, a hypothetical guy I might or might not know was definitely able to watch games that were blacked out in his hypothetical market, using a foreign proxy server.
2007-04-02 10:32:26
63.   D4P
Giambi Juice puts New York on the scoreboard
2007-04-02 10:32:41
64.   Jon Weisman
ON ESPN's GameChannel, Overbay has his 46th double of the season and Rios his 33rd. Roy Halladay is pitching shutout ball with a 3.19 ERA.
2007-04-02 10:33:53
65.   Bob Timmermann
Sounds like the ESPN guys forgot to hit the "reset" button since those were the season ending figures for those guys.
2007-04-02 10:36:25
66.   StolenMonkey86
well whatever. I've got some homework and class, so I'll miss the game anyway.
2007-04-02 10:37:18
67.   StolenMonkey86
63 - That juice is on the menu for my fantasy team. I like having Giambi, Thome and Hafner on the same team.
2007-04-02 10:44:14
68.   still bevens
I had Giambi and Thome on my squad last year and did well by them. Thome more than Giambi. I wanted to get Thome again this season, but he lost his 1B eligibility and I have little use for players who are utility only.
2007-04-02 10:44:26
69.   Marty
I'm going to miss the start of the game. I have to go hear my current management try to explain to me how I'm not going to get an instant 4% pay reduction next year when an ESOP takes over my pension options.
2007-04-02 10:45:44
70.   StolenMonkey86
Ryan Church just took a 9 pitch walk. Washington is starting him, but he's batting 7th, behind Schneider.
2007-04-02 10:47:39
71.   Andrew Shimmin
Somebody needs to be introduced to his cough button.
2007-04-02 10:48:14
72.   JoeyP
I have a question for those with MLB.TV

I just signed up yesterday for that. So I go to login to my account today, and they say I have to put in another credit card for "verification" purposes only again. That I'm going to do this for every game I want to watch for the first 5 days. Is that right?

Anyone else have this problem?

2007-04-02 10:48:50
73.   the OZ
I was not thrilled with the prospect of sitting in the Atlanta airport trying to catch an earlier flight to LA (couldn't pass up a UCLA Final Four trip). Turns out it's Opening Day, though, so I'm watching a ton of baseball, which is all I was going to do today anyway.
2007-04-02 10:49:02
74.   D4P
Dukes looks like a pretty patient hitter with a good eye
2007-04-02 10:50:11
75.   Andrew Shimmin
72- see 55.
2007-04-02 10:53:35
76.   D4P
The DRays have an intriguing team
2007-04-02 10:53:45
77.   ToyCannon
72
Yes, but I finally remembered which CC I used based on what Eric said before so it loaded okay except it(Mosiac) came up with 6 blank screens so now I'm back to using the one game product and it works okay.

Hard to complain. Watching live baseball over the internet while working is high up on my awesome list.

2007-04-02 10:54:22
78.   ToyCannon
74
It is amazing what you can tell from one at bat.
2007-04-02 10:55:25
79.   D4P
78
Astounding. He laid off a number of close pitches, which tells me he'll do so for the remainder of his career.
2007-04-02 10:56:43
80.   Blaine
Watching the camera go down the Dodgers lineup: Broxton is huge. He dwarfed Billingsly.
2007-04-02 10:58:14
81.   goblue1
Program has him at 288. Not bad.
2007-04-02 11:00:47
82.   Bob Timmermann
For the record, MLB and OnDemand are still negotiating over Extra Innings. According to Maury Brown, the sticking point is how much of an equity share people like Comcast would get in an MLB channel.

And if anyone had the right to shave off Chase Carey's mustache.

2007-04-02 11:01:02
83.   bhsportsguy
The radio commercial where Kobe says that he hates it when he goes to a store and 4-5 people start following him around, might have had a different slant if he wasn't well Kobe Bryant.
2007-04-02 11:01:28
84.   s choir
Happy Baseball Day, everyone! And happy Passover too.
2007-04-02 11:01:53
85.   bhsportsguy
82 Bob, are you preparing your sidebar tribute to the winner of the Griddle NCAA Tournament contest?
2007-04-02 11:02:29
86.   Bob Timmermann
84

So why do we set a place for Juan Pierre?

2007-04-02 11:04:18
87.   StolenMonkey86
Howard out after Utley's batted ball hit him on the bottom of his foot.
2007-04-02 11:04:25
88.   s choir
86 Quite the contrary. At my seder, Juan Pierre is the table-setter.
2007-04-02 11:04:52
89.   underdog
Why is this day different than all other days?
Daiyanu! Here we go.
2007-04-02 11:05:05
90.   Greg Brock
Nothing like a few AIDS commercials to pump you up on Opening Day.
2007-04-02 11:05:43
91.   Bob Timmermann
85
In the sense, that I will put up either "Trojan Ron" or "Suffering Bruin" on the sidebar.

I expect about six comments on the basketball game tonight.

2007-04-02 11:06:56
92.   StolenMonkey86
here it is!
2007-04-02 11:07:21
93.   Bob Timmermann
I've read that the gefilte fisheries are almost completely depleted.
2007-04-02 11:08:46
94.   D4P
Wow, a 5-pitch AB for Pierre
2007-04-02 11:08:59
95.   Andrew Shimmin
It's not an omen. It's not an omen. It's not an omen. . .
2007-04-02 11:09:27
96.   Disabled List
Yahoo's premium game tracker is borked also, at least for me.

This is annoying. I figured these bugs would've been worked out before Opening Day.

2007-04-02 11:09:31
97.   StolenMonkey86
clap
2007-04-02 11:09:32
98.   Eric Enders
Strike three in the dirt. Run to first, you lazy bum!
2007-04-02 11:09:50
99.   thinkblue0
thing I hate most about opening day: We end up facing a guy like Sheets.
2007-04-02 11:10:25
100.   Greg Brock
Feel free to take some pitches here guys.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-04-02 11:11:59
101.   D4P
100
Our #1 and 3 hitters drew a grand total of 1 walk this spring
2007-04-02 11:12:06
102.   StolenMonkey86
7 pitches so far for Nomar
2007-04-02 11:12:24
103.   thinkblue0
a K and two pop outs. Nice.
2007-04-02 11:12:32
104.   Humma Kavula
Ben Sheets is a good pitcher.
2007-04-02 11:12:33
105.   D4P
Interesting start for Sheets
2007-04-02 11:13:39
106.   StolenMonkey86
yeah, taking 14 pitches to get through the two most trigger-happy guys in the lineup
2007-04-02 11:14:05
107.   Hythloday
86 - Because he can't set the table for anyone else, and Elijah isn't here yet.
2007-04-02 11:15:29
108.   Greg Brock
The swunt...Not my favorite series of events thus far.
2007-04-02 11:15:38
109.   natepurcell
eh, it might be an omen andrew...
2007-04-02 11:16:03
110.   StolenMonkey86
the red dot says it went to third but it said Ground Ball to Lowe.

Please explain.

2007-04-02 11:16:30
111.   Humma Kavula
unnnnnhhhh.
2007-04-02 11:16:48
112.   natepurcell
oh come on baseball gods!
2007-04-02 11:16:55
113.   Andrew Shimmin
This was also not an omen.
2007-04-02 11:16:57
114.   Humma Kavula
110 little roller to third. lowe fielded. off-balance throw.
2007-04-02 11:17:04
115.   Bob Timmermann
Didn't the Dodgers have white trim around the blue numbers on the road unis last year?
2007-04-02 11:18:07
116.   D4P
Do I understand correctly that Pierre tried to throw the runner out at 3rd rather than throwing it to 2nd...?
2007-04-02 11:18:24
117.   Greg Brock
115 Yeah, the ditched it, and also changed the shoulder patch to LA instead of Dodgers.
2007-04-02 11:18:42
118.   mikethinksblue
116 yeah you do.
2007-04-02 11:18:54
119.   StolenMonkey86
yay prince fielder
2007-04-02 11:18:56
120.   Andrew Shimmin
There. Lowe K'ing Fielder; that's an omen.
2007-04-02 11:19:20
121.   Bob Timmermann
Answering my own question, yes, the Dodgers road unis did have trim around the numbers last year.

http://tinyurl.com/ytzfyk

2007-04-02 11:19:26
122.   thinkblue0
has anyone else noticed FSN doesn't even have a score bar?
2007-04-02 11:19:36
123.   Greg Brock
Andrew is being very selective with the omens.
2007-04-02 11:20:59
124.   StolenMonkey86
the old run scoring groundout
2007-04-02 11:21:57
125.   StolenMonkey86
Gameday suggesting the the ump's strike zone is a little high
2007-04-02 11:22:27
126.   Andrew Shimmin
123- It's not easy, having the second sight. It's a gift. . . and a curse.
2007-04-02 11:22:53
127.   Benaiah
I can't get Gameday to work, and ESPN is about 5 minutes behind. Any suggestions (cbssportsline is blocked at work, though basically nothing else is)?
2007-04-02 11:23:14
128.   StolenMonkey86
a gift curse . . . or a gurse
2007-04-02 11:23:14
129.   Bob Timmermann
122
And it's back!
2007-04-02 11:23:50
130.   Bob Timmermann
127
Yahoo has a play by play feature.
2007-04-02 11:24:56
131.   regfairfield
I think walking Johnny Estrada counts as an omen.
2007-04-02 11:24:56
132.   Greg Brock
Geoff Jenkins does what Geoff Jenkins does.
2007-04-02 11:25:01
133.   Gen3Blue
Lowe always seems to have trouble in the first inning early in the year. Hope we get out without too much damage. Ahhh.
2007-04-02 11:25:45
134.   Bob Timmermann
Now pitching for Washington:

Levale Speigner

2007-04-02 11:26:25
135.   FN Bevacqua
Vinny:

'...the Brewers take a 1-0 lead RUNNING ON JUAN PIERRE...'

Will I have to hear that all season long?

2007-04-02 11:26:47
136.   Bob Timmermann
Who was interviewing McCourt at Barney's Beanery?
2007-04-02 11:27:05
137.   Humma Kavula
135 Not if you don't tune in to the Dodger game.
2007-04-02 11:27:20
138.   Andrew Shimmin
131- Nope. Sorry.
2007-04-02 11:27:40
139.   Benaiah
So that wasn't the ideal inning to start the season, but going off of only that inning I say we win 95 games because of Pierre's new found power (there is a strong correlation between strikeouts and power), Nomar's "game-nitude" as evidenced by taking lots of pitches before making out and Lowe having a K/9 of 9. Congrats to the World Champion Dodgers.
2007-04-02 11:28:18
140.   mikethinksblue
woo hoo!
2007-04-02 11:28:20
141.   Andrew Shimmin
There's another omen!
2007-04-02 11:28:21
142.   Greg Brock
What an omen! The good kind!
2007-04-02 11:28:21
143.   thinkblue0
KENT! NICE!
2007-04-02 11:28:22
144.   Humma Kavula
kent's power is back!!!!

i hope!!!!

2007-04-02 11:28:26
145.   Gen3Blue
Kent pops one!
2007-04-02 11:28:30
146.   natepurcell
woohooo!!!
2007-04-02 11:28:31
147.   goblue1
smash
2007-04-02 11:28:32
148.   StolenMonkey86
OMEN!
2007-04-02 11:28:34
149.   goblue1
smash
2007-04-02 11:28:59
150.   Bob Timmermann
The Reds season started with Freel drawing a walk and #2 hitter Dunn homering.

I predict that we won't see that a lot with the Dodgers.

Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-04-02 11:29:04
151.   underdog
Woo hoo, we'll take that.
We scored our run on a real hit, too. Nyaah!
2007-04-02 11:29:59
152.   Bob Timmermann
150
And I mean, having the leadoff hitter walk and scoring on a home run by the #2 hitter.

I would wager that it won't happen once all year unless Pierre gets hurt.

2007-04-02 11:30:19
153.   D4P
Jeff Kent is a veteran who knows better than to kill rallies by hitting HRs with runners on base
2007-04-02 11:31:18
154.   thinkblue0
K looking...possibly my biggest pet peeve.
2007-04-02 11:32:20
155.   Benaiah
Kent! I have Kent and Sheets on my fantasy teams, so aside from my obvious preference that the Dodgers do well, I am a little torn. I have a really good feeling about Kent this year (and I had it before this harbinger of things to come).
2007-04-02 11:32:54
156.   natepurcell
153

what day should i take in the "d4p will say something positive and not sarcastic" pool?

2007-04-02 11:33:56
157.   StolenMonkey86
Pitch Counts:
Sheets 32
D-Lowe 21
2007-04-02 11:34:41
158.   D4P
Does Corey Hart wear shades during night games...?
2007-04-02 11:34:51
159.   adraymond
juan is not winning any friends around here
2007-04-02 11:34:56
160.   Blaine
135 Yes you are
2007-04-02 11:35:05
161.   Humma Kavula
And they test Pierre again.
2007-04-02 11:35:13
162.   D4P
For every base Pierre steals on offense, he gives up two on defense
2007-04-02 11:35:27
163.   underdog
Sigh
2007-04-02 11:35:30
164.   still bevens
Pierre, earnin' that money today.
2007-04-02 11:35:42
165.   Bob Timmermann
158
After last year, I rule that the "sunglasses at night" joke is officially played out.
2007-04-02 11:35:53
166.   saltcreek
pierre is killing me
2007-04-02 11:36:19
167.   scareduck
"They're gonna test the arm of Juan Pierre". I wonder how many times this year we hear Vinny's mellifluous voice say those words. Too many for my taste.
2007-04-02 11:36:20
168.   Eric Enders
Juan Pierre, to this point, has had one of the worst careers in Dodger history.

Strikeout on a ball in the dirt, then feels sorry for himself instead of running to first.

One extra base taken on his arm, and another extra base taken on his error.

2007-04-02 11:36:29
169.   ToyCannon
74
Dukes with power and patience. Sounds like a RedSox future for him.
2007-04-02 11:36:32
170.   mikethinksblue
Wait, that's our CF for the next 5 years?
2007-04-02 11:36:38
171.   underdog
That was a generous double.

Craig Counsell - is there any NL team he hasn't played for? (Okay, I know there are... but still, that guy's been around, if you know what I mean, eh? He's a goer...)

2007-04-02 11:36:40
172.   Disabled List
More fun with small sample sizes: My fantasy baseball team currently has a batting average of .818, and an OPS of 2.090.
2007-04-02 11:36:46
173.   Benaiah
158 - Only so he can see the light that's right before his eyes.
2007-04-02 11:37:23
174.   Fearing Blue
Hello all! It's nice to have baseball again.

#162: Who wants to keep track of the Pierre net extra bases statistics? I'm thinking something like SB - CS - WAEBA (Weak Arm Extra Bases Allowed).

2007-04-02 11:37:27
175.   Gen3Blue
Just took a look at the new gameday and it seems an ungainly monster. However it seems to run Ok on my machine,Bob. It's fairly new and probably has a gig of memory. Does it get worse the longer you run it?
2007-04-02 11:38:15
176.   scareduck
175 - it's Flash. Draw your own conclusions.
2007-04-02 11:38:53
177.   Bob Timmermann
Why is it against the Dodgers that most base hits to center allow the runner to go two bases, while on other teams they only go one base?
2007-04-02 11:39:12
178.   ToyCannon
74
Dukes with power and patience. Sounds like a RedSox future for him.
2007-04-02 11:39:27
179.   Bob Timmermann
I will now state that I am out of Haggadah related jokes.
2007-04-02 11:39:29
180.   spacebrother
I think Gameday's stuck.
2007-04-02 11:39:40
181.   StolenMonkey86
Fielder is the only Brewer to swing at the first pitch so far, and he missed.
2007-04-02 11:39:47
182.   D4P
177
What is it that Kenny Lofton and Juan Pierre have in common? I'm not sure.
2007-04-02 11:40:05
183.   Uncle Miltie
Just got back from class.

Is Charley Steiner announcing the game on TV?

Nice to see Kent increasing his trade value…

2007-04-02 11:41:08
184.   Bob Timmermann
The Yankees now need an error from Cano to error for the cycle in the game. Phelps, Jeter, and Rodriguez all have one now.

Rodriguez really didn't deserve his.

2007-04-02 11:41:10
185.   saltcreek
180. use yahoo sports gamechannel its much better
2007-04-02 11:41:12
186.   underdog
Well, Lowe can't blame that SB on Pierre. He fell asleep.
2007-04-02 11:41:30
187.   spacebrother
183:
Only to drop it when he breaks something washing his car(s).
2007-04-02 11:41:40
188.   saltcreek
180 http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/gamechannel
2007-04-02 11:42:12
189.   saltcreek
crap
2007-04-02 11:42:48
190.   Eric Enders
Juan Pierre has allowed both Brewers runs.
2007-04-02 11:43:11
191.   Gen3Blue
Ohhh, those BB's.
2007-04-02 11:43:16
192.   Disabled List
185 Gamechannel is not working at all for me. Gameday is barely working. It'll stop for 5 minutes, then catch up and give me 5 minutes worth of action in 5 seconds.
2007-04-02 11:43:56
193.   Bob Timmermann
192
You were warned about Gameday.
2007-04-02 11:43:59
194.   Andrew Shimmin
179- I bet if you were to hide an afikomen, Prince Fielder would find it.
2007-04-02 11:44:00
195.   D4P
CBS GameCenter works very well
2007-04-02 11:44:23
196.   thinkblue0
how was that NOT a strike!?
2007-04-02 11:44:45
197.   saltcreek
that was a strike
2007-04-02 11:45:16
198.   saltcreek
what!!!!!!!
2007-04-02 11:45:20
199.   Greg Brock
Lowe is getting kind of squeezed the first two innings.
2007-04-02 11:45:27
200.   Humma Kavula
Can we blame this walk on Pierre?
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2007-04-02 11:45:30
201.   adraymond
wow, this ump is killing us
2007-04-02 11:46:14
202.   D4P
Is Billingsley warming up yet...?
2007-04-02 11:46:31
203.   natepurcell
those pitches were not a strike, but they were strikes in that ben sheet's exact same pitch was a strike.
2007-04-02 11:47:51
204.   D4P
Bill Hall's HR numbers are suspicious
2007-04-02 11:48:22
205.   StolenMonkey86
199 - even Gameday agrees on that one
2007-04-02 11:49:39
206.   spacebrother
Maybe The Moose should have started.
2007-04-02 11:50:35
207.   Benaiah
Cleaveland is taking the White Sox to the woodshed 7-2 through 2 innings. Grady Sizemore is the anti-Pierre.
2007-04-02 11:50:54
208.   Eric Enders
Chances our CF would have made that play?
2007-04-02 11:52:05
209.   Uncle Miltie
Juan Pierre's gameday picture makes me laugh.

His hat looks two sizes too big.

2007-04-02 11:53:03
210.   thinkblue0
looking forward to about 400 more of those from pierre.
2007-04-02 11:53:51
211.   Eric Enders
209 If his hat makes you laugh, you should see his contract.
2007-04-02 11:54:51
212.   Daniel B
211 Baddum Ch!!
2007-04-02 11:54:51
213.   Bob Timmermann
Normally, if you put humans in a blender, you get a lot of blood.
2007-04-02 11:55:07
214.   MSarg29
I'm hoping someone can help me w/ a problem I'm having w/ MLB.TV. I signed up for the premium package (I know I'm a sucker) and downloaded the software on my laptop. Now I'm at work and I'm trying to watch the game and I'm constantly being sent to pages telling me to subscribe. Now I'm already signed in so that's not the problem.

Can I only run the software on 1 computer? Of course I've been on hold for 15 minutes w/ MLB.

2007-04-02 11:55:19
215.   Andrew Shimmin
Are the Dodgers paying for these spots, or is everybody content to pretend that they're news?
2007-04-02 11:55:19
216.   spacebrother
211:
I think that would make him cry.

(I forgot how to link the post #s.)

2007-04-02 11:55:21
217.   bhsportsguy
So I guess the other 8 guys playing for the Dodgers nor the 9 guys playing for the Brewers is responsible for what is going on the game so far?
2007-04-02 11:55:23
218.   Bob Timmermann
213
That comment makes sense if you are watching the FSN broadcast.
2007-04-02 11:55:59
219.   StolenMonkey86
you use the [ brackets ]
2007-04-02 11:56:11
220.   Michael D
Looks like Billingsley is going to get a couple innings today to start building his rotation case.
2007-04-02 11:56:25
221.   StolenMonkey86
219 is for 216
2007-04-02 11:57:09
222.   D4P
The plate umpire is from the Milwaukee area
2007-04-02 11:58:57
223.   spacebrother
221
Thanks.
2007-04-02 12:00:21
224.   spacebrother
What happened to all those groundball outs, Ace?
2007-04-02 12:00:30
225.   Uncle Miltie
222- shocking...
2007-04-02 12:01:03
226.   Greg Brock
Nice grab by 3.5
2007-04-02 12:01:27
227.   StolenMonkey86
how deep to Ethier?
2007-04-02 12:01:34
228.   Benaiah
So every single Milwaukee hit (besides the trickle through the infield) has been hit to Pierre? Crazy.
2007-04-02 12:01:42
229.   Blaine
Nice play by Ethier after a shaky catch by Ethier on the previous flyball.

Lowe is looking really shaky today. Four walks!

2007-04-02 12:01:47
230.   underdog
Wow, Ethier just saved Lowe's butt, but, man they better get Bills up in the bullpen if he's not already.
2007-04-02 12:02:31
231.   spacebrother
Grits with the hook already?
2007-04-02 12:02:48
232.   D4P
Quixotic Battle #something: Change the sacrifice fly rules.

Moving a runner from 2nd to 3rd on a flyout should get the same ruling as moving a runner from 3rd to home on a flyout.

2007-04-02 12:03:34
233.   Underbruin
Having Ben Sheets on your fantasy team with this game - good.

Having Derek Lowe on your fantasy team with this game - bad.

I have both.

2007-04-02 12:03:44
234.   Humma Kavula
228 Weeks' hit in the first was to Lowe.

But otherwise, yes.

2007-04-02 12:04:35
235.   bhsportsguy
232 How about when someone hits a grounder and they get the same result?

I wonder if Lowe gets to hyped for games like this and he gets the ball up in the zone where he doesn't have the stuff to get guys to swing and miss?

2007-04-02 12:04:48
236.   Bob Timmermann
232
That was a rule for a couple years in the 1930s.

It wasn't very popular.

I'm of the school that sacrifice flies should be credited as at bats. Unless you can prove that a batter deliberately hits a deep fly ball more often with a runner on 3rd and less than two outs than at other times of the game.

2007-04-02 12:04:56
237.   robohobo
214 Try going to the Dodger home page and clicking on the multimedia link. That should take you to a page where you can click a link to watch the game.
2007-04-02 12:05:37
238.   D4P
236
I agree. They should get the same ruling, and I would prefer they all count as ABs rather than all not count as ABs.
2007-04-02 12:07:00
239.   FN Bevacqua
what time does the Sausage Race start?
2007-04-02 12:07:22
240.   D4P
Meanwhile, Adam Dunn has 2 HRs
2007-04-02 12:07:24
241.   still bevens
I hope Sheets appreciates our teams concern for his pitch count.
2007-04-02 12:08:28
242.   Bob Timmermann
When Ted Williams was the last .400 hitter, there was no sacrifice fly rule at all.

He would have had a really scary batting average with sac flies helping him out.

2007-04-02 12:09:21
243.   Bob Timmermann
240
Dunn moves ahead Kent, Cabrera, Rollins, and McCann for the NL lead!
2007-04-02 12:12:04
244.   KBL
The guy I am playing this week has Dunn on his fantasy team. Needless to say, I am getting worked right now.
2007-04-02 12:12:24
245.   ssjames
According to Gameday, this blue will not call the low strike. Each of one of the last three pitches was a strike according to it, and each was called a ball for a Hardy walk. That is pretty bad.
2007-04-02 12:12:28
246.   KBL
Oh, and he has Glavine..ouch
2007-04-02 12:16:20
247.   bhsportsguy
More confusion on the Kemp situation:
Ken Gurnick reports that Grady Little said Monday that Matt Kemp would start in right field Tuesday night against Milwaukee left-hander Chris Capuano. Little said he was not committing to a strict platoon.

http://tinyurl.com/3c46o3

Also, Bigbie accepted his assignment to Las Vegas, Brazoban may be ahead of Kuo on the rehab trail and Logan White says that Loney knows that there are some things out his control and he has to be ready when his opportuntiy comes.

2007-04-02 12:17:41
248.   xaphor
LuGo is Repko without the spunk.
2007-04-02 12:17:55
249.   thinkblue0
welp, I'm going out to get some homework done...After that Gonzo play I might not even make it out to my car before I fall down in a comatose state.
2007-04-02 12:17:58
250.   overkill94
Oh Kempy where art thou?
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2007-04-02 12:18:07
251.   Bob Timmermann
This game is turning into a lodge meeting for the Ned Colletti Detractors Marching and Chowder Society.
2007-04-02 12:18:17
252.   Underbruin
Paging Grady Little...

Grady Little to the white courtesy phone, please, you're leaving a struggling pitcher in for too long again...

2007-04-02 12:18:18
253.   adraymond
that was not pretty.
2007-04-02 12:18:31
254.   Uncle Miltie
If this was Brad Penny, Grits would have pulled him a long time. Time to bring in Billingsley.
2007-04-02 12:18:51
255.   Jon Weisman
245 - One cannot seriously be evaluating umpires based on Gameday.

247 - As I suspected. Score one for me over Tony Jackson.

2007-04-02 12:18:51
256.   Penarol1916
Last year were there this many posts talking about people's fantasy teams? Maybe my memory is getting fuzzy, but I don't seem to remember this many posts about fantasy teams, especially during opening day.
2007-04-02 12:18:51
257.   D4P
BJ's warming up
2007-04-02 12:18:54
258.   joekings
Wasn't our pitching supposed to be good?
2007-04-02 12:18:54
259.   Andrew Shimmin
Hendrickson up in the pen.
2007-04-02 12:18:57
260.   Benaiah
Alright, it is clearly not Lowe's day, time to bring Billingsley (though I would have brought him before that double).
2007-04-02 12:19:01
261.   still bevens
The White Flag of Henrickson is being raised.
2007-04-02 12:19:33
262.   JoeyP
Lowe's just not an opening day kinda of guy.
2007-04-02 12:19:34
263.   Gen3Blue
We could do this with an outfield of Kemp and Loney and do better on offense.
2007-04-02 12:19:35
264.   ssjames
I say that we let Lowe pitch about 7 innings today to really tire out his arm so he will be a good pitcher in his next outing. It also seems like when he is fresh, he just doesn't that right sink and games go like today's is going.
2007-04-02 12:19:48
265.   underdog
Is it just me or is Lowe always terrible in his first game of the season? Can the Dodgers get with the program and not start him opening day next year? Sigh.
2007-04-02 12:20:48
266.   Andrew Shimmin
Are the gameday balls and strikes still based on stringer reporting? Don't they have a snazzy computerized system for determining placement now?
2007-04-02 12:21:31
267.   Underbruin
256 - I'm doing it just for you, Penarol.n :)
2007-04-02 12:21:50
268.   thinkblue0
265-

Exactly. Lowe is notoriously atrocious on opening day...so why continue to start him against the opposing ace?

But whatever, now is the perfect role for Hendrickson...eat up some innings.

2007-04-02 12:21:52
269.   goblue1
Lowe spits the bit on opening day, again.

Yawn.
2007-04-02 12:22:08
270.   Gen3Blue
265 Its not you.
2007-04-02 12:22:18
271.   bhsportsguy
The key thing for Lowe was his apparent lack of movement on his sinker, sounds like a lot flyballs today and that just won't do.
2007-04-02 12:23:11
272.   underdog
Lowe had his stinker working today, though.
2007-04-02 12:23:17
273.   scareduck
251 -- I'll bring my antler hat if you do.
2007-04-02 12:24:14
274.   D4P
For those watching the game, do the guys appear to be getting along really well? How does the dugout atmosphere look? Are they having a good time? Are the veterans keeping up the younger guys' spirits?
2007-04-02 12:24:51
275.   ssjames
I would assume that the Gameday balls and strikes would be based upon some computer generated location finder, otherwise, why wouldn't whoever was placing the balls and strikes show the close ones as either in or out in agreement with the Umpire's call, instead of actually showing him up? Could be wrong though.
2007-04-02 12:25:44
276.   still bevens
Lots of Brewers grounders were finding gaps though, whilst ours are flying/bouncing into diving fielders gloves all afternoon.
2007-04-02 12:25:55
277.   dzzrtRatt
265 This was one the D's didn't figure to win. Opening Day messes with a guy like Lowe's head. If it's Sheets v. Lowe in August, Lowe would win it.

I'm in the desert and they block out Dodger games here. I just saw the Yankees run themselves out of a big inning, leaving the score tied 5-5. But Kazmir is out of the game, so they'll eventually win it.

2007-04-02 12:26:23
278.   Bob Timmermann
I believe Gameday only uses a computer when they have the all-important BFX and PFX info.

The rest of the time, it's just the stringer guessing.

2007-04-02 12:27:27
279.   Greg Brock
Mark Hendrickson would much rather be a starter. And I would much rather not have Mark Hendrickson.

You can't always get what you want.

2007-04-02 12:27:42
280.   El Lay Dave
Do we really need to make a double switch in the fifth inning?
2007-04-02 12:27:48
281.   FN Bevacqua
Vinny:
'...the Dodger offense is nil...'

this one is over.

0-1 with 161 to go.

2007-04-02 12:27:52
282.   dzzrtRatt
otherwise, why wouldn't whoever was placing the balls and strikes show the close ones as either in or out in agreement with the Umpire's call, instead of actually showing him up?

Ssh, don't tell Bud Selig. He'll fine the GameDay freelancers who don't do this $5000. Or the umpire's union will make him do that.

2007-04-02 12:27:59
283.   bhsportsguy
Well if the starters average less than 6 innings a game, this team will lose more than they win no matter if the entire Las Vegas roster is playing instead of the current team.
2007-04-02 12:28:44
284.   xaphor
274. The Dodgers have yet to walk, so Pierre's influence is being felt.
2007-04-02 12:28:56
285.   Uncle Miltie
I will never be able to openly cheer for Luis Gonzalez. Thankfully, Ned only signed him to a 1 year contract. If/when Gonzo goes the down, both the offense and the defense will improve.
2007-04-02 12:29:07
286.   Uncle Miltie
*down
2007-04-02 12:29:10
287.   underdog
Mark Hendrickson, opening day ace.
2007-04-02 12:29:20
288.   Disabled List
274 Well, they all want to be Dodgers, and that's what's important.
2007-04-02 12:29:22
289.   Greg Brock
283 I don't anticipate this being the norm.

Good Lord, it better not be.

2007-04-02 12:29:49
290.   Underbruin
A quick look at Lowe's first start of the season, through the last 5 years (2007 not included because I think we're all aware of it).

2006: 5 IP, 7 ER, 2 K (9 hits, 1 walk)
2005: 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 K (though he allowed 8 hits and 2 walks)
2004: 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 K (7 hits, 2 walks)
2003: 6 IP, 5 ER, 3 K (6 hits, 2 walks)
2002: 7 IP, 0 ER (!), 1 K (1 hit, 3 walks)

Over the previous 5 years, Lowe's had an average ERA of 4.65 in his first start of the year with a WHIP of 1.32. Not great, but not really atrocious - just definitely not opening-day material.

2007-04-02 12:29:56
291.   capdodger
The Enhanced Gameday blog states:

"Q: Where does this data come from?
A: A series of high-speed cameras are installed in the ballpark, which record dozens of images of each pitch in real time. From those images we are able to determine the speed, trajectory and location of the pitch at any point along its path from the pitcher towards home plate. That pitch data is merged with the stats data entered by our scorekeepers in the ballpark and then presented in Enhanced Gameday.

Q: Why are the pitch locations different in Enhanced Gameday vs. Classic Gameday?
A: The pitch locations in Classic Gameday are entered by our scorers in the ballpark, but are not exact; they are the best human attempt to approximate the location of the pitch. The high-speed camera system in Enhanced Gameday makes it far more accurate than the locations previously available in Classic Gameday."

http://tinyurl.com/29xqd2

2007-04-02 12:30:12
292.   Giant Hater
Why is Ethier replaced with Clark? Why? What is the point?
2007-04-02 12:30:53
293.   Frip
You cannot not start Lowe, your best pitcher on opening day. It would be insulting. Pitchers are sensitive. It would be like starting a backup girlfriend on prom night.
2007-04-02 12:30:55
294.   underdog
Because Ethier made the last out, the pitcher was due up next and the Dodgers are going to lose this game. Why not?
2007-04-02 12:31:01
295.   overkill94
284 Or maybe it's just that Sheets never walks anybody...ever
2007-04-02 12:31:22
296.   Giant Hater
Gonzo looks horrible, plays horrible defense but Ethier gets the hook?
2007-04-02 12:31:44
297.   still bevens
292 Perhaps Brady Clark has some amazing Brewers secrets hes going to employ to sabotage them from the outside.
2007-04-02 12:31:47
298.   Daniel Zappala
More reasons why Flash stinks:
1) You can't scroll with the middle mouse button.
2) You can't search for text.
3) You can't highlight text for copy and paste.
2007-04-02 12:31:49
299.   Giant Hater
Eh
2007-04-02 12:31:51
300.   Bob Timmermann
291
And all of that pitch info is presented in lightning fast fashion and is also utterly useless while watching the game.
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2007-04-02 12:31:52
301.   Bob Timmermann
291
And all of that pitch info is presented in lightning fast fashion and is also utterly useless while watching the game.
2007-04-02 12:32:45
302.   bhsportsguy
292 Grady wants Hendrickson to pitch as many innings as he can so having Clark bat 9th allows that.
2007-04-02 12:33:07
303.   Jon Weisman
292 - To burn out Hendrickson and not the rest of the bullpen in a rout. Ethier made the last out. This is hardly an unusual move.
2007-04-02 12:33:30
304.   drewjensen
umm...at work and checking on opening day game and it's 6-1, the dodgers have 1 hit and Hendrickson is in pitching in the 5th.

This isn't quite the start I was hoping for after 6 months of waiting for the season to start.

2007-04-02 12:33:31
305.   Underbruin
Perhaps the Dodgers should have started Hendrickson instead of Lowe.
2007-04-02 12:33:33
306.   Giant Hater
ooooo. My mistake
2007-04-02 12:35:11
307.   Giant Hater
I should refrain from my knee jerk reactions.
2007-04-02 12:35:15
308.   LAT
I'm not going to get too worked up about one game especially against Sheets but the lack of offense is no fun.
2007-04-02 12:35:31
309.   regfairfield
Since this game isn't all that fun, here's a semi-interesting question. If you could guarantee that Ben Sheets was healthy, is he better than Johan Santana?
2007-04-02 12:36:19
310.   D4P
So, is it really worse for Hendrickson to bat second in an inning than for Clark to replace Ethier...?
2007-04-02 12:36:32
311.   Benaiah
Even worse is that Sheets is on a complete game pace. 66 pitches through 5.1. Aside from one pitch to Kent he is throwing a perfect game.
2007-04-02 12:36:52
312.   Bob Timmermann
If we didn't have knee-jerk reactions, what kind of society would we live in?

Where would we get our violence from if everybody had to think about it ahead of time?

2007-04-02 12:37:13
313.   Blaine
309 umm...no
2007-04-02 12:37:26
314.   FN Bevacqua
15 straight retired by Sheets.

Vinny:
'...the Brewers are beating the Dodgers in every facet of the game...'

2007-04-02 12:38:45
315.   Underbruin
309 - I don't think so. Sheets is really good, but Santana's pretty much the unquestioned best pitcher in the game at the moment.
2007-04-02 12:39:24
316.   underdog
Never mind this game. The good news is my company's gonna start offering The Jackie Robinson Story (the one where he plays himself) for video-on-demand/streaming starting tomorrow. Fun one to promote.
2007-04-02 12:39:46
317.   bhsportsguy
309 Sheets is 8 game under .500 career pitcher, Santana is the best pitcher in baseball. So I would say, no, Ben Sheets, healthy or not is not a better pitcher.

Now Sandy Koufax with a healthy elbow, he might be though he might only be able to pitch 5 innings a start now. Then again, Sandy is 70 or so years old. (See old joke about Ty Cobb).

2007-04-02 12:40:59
318.   underdog
Well, hey, Hendy's increasing his trade value so far - and even (gasp!) his value to the team in this game.
2007-04-02 12:41:01
319.   Greg Brock
When Sheets is healthy, he's among the top 5 pitchers in the game.

But Santana is top 1. And I don't think second place is even close to him.

2007-04-02 12:41:22
320.   underdog
Or... not.

That's the ol' Hendy!

2007-04-02 12:41:38
321.   bhsportsguy
310 Yeah, it is, I know some people disagree with how baseball is played at times but that was the prudent move to make.
2007-04-02 12:42:04
322.   Bob Timmermann
I'm checking to see if anyone has had a complete game that would be perfect except for allowing a home run.

Pedro Martinez came pretty close in 1999 against the Yankees.
http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1999/B09100NYA1999.htm

2007-04-02 12:43:30
323.   Benaiah
309 - I think he might consistently put up ERAs like Santana, but I don't know if he would be better. From a fantasy perspective maybe. His peripheral stats are off the charts. If you were trying to build the perfect pitcher he would be something like a healthy Sheets (more groundballs though).
2007-04-02 12:43:51
324.   Bob Timmermann
So the Dodgers are going with a "Koyanisqaatsi" style ad campaign?
2007-04-02 12:44:19
325.   underdog
Let's see, we had a game:
Against a team very tough at home last year.
Against one of the top 5 starters in the league.
With our starter traditionally a terrible first game/opening day pitcher.

Can I say I wasn't very confident going into this one, and just looking forward to the "do-over" tomorrow?

(Just repeat to yourself... "12 and 2 start two years ago...")

2007-04-02 12:44:31
326.   Greg Brock
Man, I was sure the Chorizo was going to pull that one out.
2007-04-02 12:44:39
327.   Frip
Great, a commercial promising yet more Gatorade. The only thing I find truly intimidating is the great wailing wall of multi flavored Gatorade in the shopping aisle. Total paralysis.
2007-04-02 12:46:14
328.   scareduck
324 - 'splain, Lucy.
2007-04-02 12:47:15
329.   Giant Hater
Sheets best season 2004-12 W,14 L,237 IP, 201 H,85 R,71 ER, 25 HR,32 Walks, 264 SO, 2.70 ERA

Santana's best season 2004 20 W,6 L, 228 IP, 156 H,70 R,66 ER,24 HR, 54 Walks, 265 SO, 2.61 ERA

2007-04-02 12:48:12
330.   Giant Hater
It's a valid question to ask
2007-04-02 12:48:28
331.   goblue1
Brewers have spent about 6 total minutes in the field today.
2007-04-02 12:48:31
332.   bhsportsguy
Wow, talk about taking a risk, a promotion to award $1000 plus $98 to be added everyday the Dodgers don't score 7 runs in the 7th inning. Big risk by the Morongo Casino.
2007-04-02 12:48:41
333.   Bob Timmermann
On May 13, 1954 Robin Roberts gave up a leadoff home run to Bobby Adams of Philadelphia and then retired 27 straight.
2007-04-02 12:49:56
334.   scareduck
332 - you misspelled the Moron Go Casino.
2007-04-02 12:50:54
335.   Benaiah
329 - They are practically identical. The fact that Sheets had a losing record with a 2.70 ERA in 237 Innings shows you how absurd pitching wins are as a statistic. Santana prevented more hits but the K numbers were similar enough that the variation was probably due to luck.
2007-04-02 12:50:57
336.   underdog
I think the White Sox thought the season started tomorrow, too.
2007-04-02 12:51:01
337.   Underbruin
Sheets's WHIP in '04: .983
Santana's WHIP in '04: .921

In addition, ERA doesn't factor in a pitcher's ability to prevent unearned runs, which IS in fact a skill - note that Santana had only 4 unearned runs, while Sheets had 14, a not-insignificant difference (though HOW much significance I couldn't say without the stats for the defenses behind them that year, but I don't care THAT much).

2007-04-02 12:51:37
338.   Bob Timmermann
328
There was a commerical with time lapse photos of a guy watching TV while minimalist music played in the background.
2007-04-02 12:52:05
339.   FN Bevacqua
vinny:
'...this is the best game Ben Sheets has pitched since he shut out Cuba...'
2007-04-02 12:52:17
340.   bhsportsguy
329 I think the issue is that its not as if Sheets is a 2nd or 3rd year guy, he has over 120 decisions and he is under .500, no matter what you think about how variable wins and losses are, the great ones find ways to win more than they lose.

45K plus at Miller Park today, I predict 25K tomorrow and Wednesday.

2007-04-02 12:52:33
341.   Greg Brock
I thought we'd lose to Sheets, but I didn't think he'd shove like this. And I wasn't planning on watching Lowe stink the joint up.

And if you neutralize the stats, Santana is a solid amount better than Sheets. But Sheets is good.

2007-04-02 12:53:11
342.   Bob Timmermann
Brady Clark wore 45 in the Freeway Series.

Now he's the heir to Willie Davis, Rudy Law, and Steve Sax.

2007-04-02 12:53:27
343.   Frip
"We will rock you" seems a bit excessive at this point.
2007-04-02 12:53:35
344.   goblue1
340

How many beers drank?

2007-04-02 12:53:59
345.   JoeyP
Sheets is getting lucky this game.
Dodgers only have 1 hit, but Sheets GB/FB is 6/12. He's only got 3ks.

A Jeff Kent HR is keeping Sheets from a perfecto tho.

2007-04-02 12:54:32
346.   Benaiah
337 - There is also the ERA+ difference. 182 vs 154. Santana was slightly better even though he faced the DH. Never the less, it isn't an insane question. Sheets certainly has the ability to out-pitch Santana any given year.
2007-04-02 12:55:20
347.   Andrew Shimmin
It's easier to Google if Koyaanisqatsi is spelled correctly.
2007-04-02 12:56:31
348.   Blaine
Do you really think Sheets is getting lucky? Most of those flyballs are just lazy fly balls to the outfield.
2007-04-02 12:57:20
349.   Giant Hater
True, I think Santana is on a higher plane then every pitcher out there. Santana didn't have to rough through some season till he learned out to use his stuff. Santana came ready made with better stuff.
2007-04-02 12:58:09
350.   Benaiah
337- Sheets BABIP 2004: .303
Santana BABIP 2004: .259

Sheets GB%: 43.8%
Santana GB%: 40.6%

Santana seemingly got lucky on hits that year, which explains the difference in WHIP considering that Sheets has a significantly better BB/9.

Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2007-04-02 12:58:29
351.   goblue1
He is dominating, not getting lucky. not sure what the VWAR, or ERA++, or SIN(WHIP)etc... tell you.
2007-04-02 13:00:14
352.   Bob Timmermann
347
Hey, that's not an easy word to get right off the top of your head.
2007-04-02 13:00:21
353.   Andrew Shimmin
The Brewers have lost 576 games during Sheets' career. If Santana pitched for the Brewers, it's entirely possible he'd be under .500.
2007-04-02 13:00:56
354.   overkill94
Please tell me our offense will get better, I can't stand another 2003-style offense.
2007-04-02 13:01:17
355.   trainwreck
So LuGo missed two balls already?

Terrific...terrific

2007-04-02 13:01:57
356.   Andrew Shimmin
556, I meant. Sorry.
2007-04-02 13:02:18
357.   Vaudeville Villain
340-

Ben Sheets has played with some truly awful Milwaukee teams. He is a great pitcher, just unfortunate.

2007-04-02 13:02:34
358.   Blaine
Another lucky inning for Sheets.
2007-04-02 13:02:44
359.   Underbruin
346 - I won't disagree that Sheets has really great stuff. I just feel that when you talk about starting pitchers, there's Santana, then everybody else. I mean, of course Sheets could outpitch Santana in one year. But don't forget Brad Penny was arguably the best starter in the game through his first 15 or so starts last season.
2007-04-02 13:03:20
360.   Gen3Blue
Too bad to have to throw another pitcher into this effort.
2007-04-02 13:03:22
361.   Blaine
358 I shouldn't have posted that. Sorry for being sarcastic.
2007-04-02 13:03:50
362.   underdog
354 Please tell me people aren't worrying about the entirety of the Dodgers' season based on this game?
2007-04-02 13:05:56
363.   Vaudeville Villain
359

It's not a bad compariosn, though. A healthy Sheets, as has been demostrated, is comparable to Santana. IMO, still not as good, but at least in the discussion.

2007-04-02 13:06:45
364.   Bob Timmermann
If you're having MLB.TV troubles, the top post on The Griddle, has MLB.com's guide to supposedly help you out.
2007-04-02 13:07:45
365.   Underbruin
363 - Fair enough. I agree with that, it's worth bringing up.
2007-04-02 13:07:48
366.   overkill94
362 It's not like there were high hopes for the offense going into the year. I'm just hoping we can have a mediocre offense, not one that hits lazy fly balls all day. Sure Sheets is a great pitcher, but today has been pretty painful to watch.
2007-04-02 13:08:01
367.   JoeyP
The Dodgers are like 1-19 on balls in play. Thats luck.

Not saying that Sheets isnt inducing weak contact, but even weak contact will find holes some of the time. Especially if those balls are hit in the air.

2007-04-02 13:08:24
368.   regfairfield
My favorite Ben Sheets stat: 7.61 K/BB over the last three years. If you look over the last three years, where Santana's dominance started, Sheets has better peripherals than Santana.

Sheets: 9.38 K/9, 7.61 K/BB, .77 HR/9
Santana: 9.67 K/9, 5.10 K/BB, .9 HR/9

Of course, Johan is in the American League which is a big mark in his favor, but Sheets has had some pretty lousy starts right after his numerous injuries.

I think Johan does have the edge, but it's close.

2007-04-02 13:08:52
369.   Claire Malone-Evans
The Dodgers look awful with Manny Mota missing.
2007-04-02 13:09:01
370.   Bob Timmermann
I believe Sheets is going for a Brian Holman game:

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1990/B04200OAK1990.htm

2007-04-02 13:09:21
371.   regfairfield
367 Fly balls in play are much less likely to find holes than ground balls. Fly balls just happen to leave the park a lot more often.
2007-04-02 13:09:32
372.   Vaudeville Villain
362

No. It's still too early.

It is, however, perfectly reasonable to worry about the Dodgers season considering some of the moves that have been made during the construction of this team.

2007-04-02 13:09:58
373.   ToyCannon
340
That is the same illogical thinking that is keeping Blyleven out of the HOF. There may be plenty of reason why Sheets is not at the same level as Santana but his win/loss record is not one of them.
2007-04-02 13:10:33
374.   Giant Hater
Anybody notice Seanez is wearing #38?
2007-04-02 13:11:28
375.   bhsportsguy
353 True but the Santana is 55-20 over the last 3 seasons, I do think that he has pitched better than the Twins have played.
2007-04-02 13:11:53
376.   D4P
Fly balls in play are much less likely to find holes than ground balls

Isn't this the primary reason that weak-hitters like Pierre have higher BAs than power-hitters like Dunn...?

2007-04-02 13:13:44
377.   Giant Hater
Hom much do wins really matter concerning how to rate a pitcher?
2007-04-02 13:13:52
378.   Andrew Shimmin
That is a tuneless song, but it's not Phillip Glass bad. And I kind of liked the part where he grew a mustache.
2007-04-02 13:13:58
379.   Jon Weisman
Dodgers can tie their team record for low-LOB ...
2007-04-02 13:14:53
380.   Bob Timmermann
379
In the first game in the season after they tied the team record for LOB in a season.
2007-04-02 13:15:27
381.   Bob Timmermann
Darn you, Brady Clark!

Pierre better line into a DP!

2007-04-02 13:15:48
382.   kngoworld
This is "Little" League, everyone gets a turn to play.
2007-04-02 13:16:06
383.   underdog
There we go Brady! That'll learn 'em! At least we have our 2nd hit.
2007-04-02 13:16:14
384.   Benaiah
340 - How can you look at a year like 2004, when Sheets was 3rd in the NL in ERA, 2nd in WHIP, 4th in K/9, 2nd in BB/9 and yet had the 3rd most losses in the league and think it is his fault?

The Brewers won 67 games that year. Sheets went 3-9 in his last 16 starts, with a 3.18 ERA in those games. It isn't a question of sample size, it is about run support.

2007-04-02 13:16:39
385.   Vaudeville Villain
375

The Twins have been playoff contenders almost every year Santana has been there. The Brewers had a team where Royce Clayton was sucking up a large amount of at-bats, and their best hitter the last few years has been Geoff Jenkins. It's not even close.

Change of subject: Has Aaron Harang always been this good? ESPN just put his numbers up on the screen from last season and they're really good.

2007-04-02 13:16:42
386.   Andrew Shimmin
He has indeed. So has Sheets.
2007-04-02 13:16:56
387.   D4P
Pierre better line into a DP!

Asking for a line drive from Pierre is probably asking too much

2007-04-02 13:17:21
388.   Greg Brock
I didn't say a single bad thing about Juan Pierre or Luis Gonzales today. I'm kind of proud of myself.

Hope you enjoyed it. Ain't happening again.

2007-04-02 13:17:55
389.   still bevens
I think Yahoo Stat Tracker is broken. Its showing Jason Phillips in as a 1B with Toronto up 5-3 in the 10th. Do they really want to win this game or what?? hehe
2007-04-02 13:17:58
390.   Ken Arneson
370 I was there!
2007-04-02 13:18:00
391.   goblue1
So if Kemp makes the roster, why is he on the bench when Clark gets a few hacks? Isnt he better off in AAA or getting what ABs he can? Especially in garbage time.
2007-04-02 13:18:20
392.   Andrew Shimmin
386 should have been directed at 375.

I make one tiny little crack about Bob's spelling, and all of a sudden I can't add, or remember to include comment references? What kind of hoodoo is this?

2007-04-02 13:18:23
393.   Bob Timmermann
Now Clark needs to get picked off!
2007-04-02 13:18:45
394.   regfairfield
385 He started down the path to good in 2005, then reached it in 2006.
2007-04-02 13:19:26
395.   Daniel B
24 outs on balls in play...
2007-04-02 13:19:31
396.   Gen3Blue
A complete game. You don't see that much anymore.
2007-04-02 13:19:44
397.   Blaine
Sheets was completely dominating today.
2007-04-02 13:20:06
398.   Chiron Brown
Ben Sheets treated the Dodgers like Moses treated the Egyptians.
2007-04-02 13:20:23
399.   Underbruin
392 - Blame it on Ned Colletti. =P
2007-04-02 13:21:09
400.   k j
Damn, I was certain we'd go undefeated this year.

ON the bright side, 100% of our hits were for extra bases. Who said the Dodgers don't have any power?

Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2007-04-02 13:21:25
401.   Daniel B
398 Yeah, but would his stats have been the same if he were hurling stone tablets?
2007-04-02 13:21:38
402.   Blaine
JD Drew just walked for the Red Sox. We could have used that today.
2007-04-02 13:22:18
403.   JT Dutch
... Just a lot of atom balls off the Dodger bats today, eh?

No big; 161 of these things to go. I didn't expect the team to go undefeated.

2007-04-02 13:23:15
404.   D4P
JD Drew just walked for the Red Sox

Coward

2007-04-02 13:25:08
405.   Andrew Shimmin
Opening day should be a double header.
2007-04-02 13:27:00
406.   Benaiah
376 - Actually I think K-rates are the biggest reason. BABIP be damned, if 20-30% of your ABs aren't in play then your batting average will suffer. Ryan Howard managed to have a really good average with a huge amount of strikeouts last year, but that was due to a really good BABIP and the fact that a ton of his pop flies go over the fence.

As for the Pierre line drive double play, Pierre has a really high LD% over his career, though I don't think all line drives are created equal.

2007-04-02 13:27:15
407.   FN Bevacqua
404. D4P

you mean JD has more BB's this season than the entire Dodger team?

2007-04-02 13:30:55
408.   willhite
I think its time for Grittle to announce next year's opening day pitcher will not be Derek Lowe.

Glass half full -
Hendrickson's ERA is 3.00
Clark hitting .500
Kent on track to hit 162 homers

2007-04-02 13:34:41
409.   Vaudeville Villain
Well, CG for Sheets. Better luck tomorrow, hopefully, although Capuano is pretty good, with a 7.04 K/9 last season. His WHIP was also pretty decent.

We counter with Randy Wolf, who is essentially an unknown quantity at this point. Should be interesting.

2007-04-02 13:35:11
410.   Suffering Bruin
I just got back from a Bakersfield sports bar. Twenty bucks got me two Guiness, burger, onion rings. I sat next to a guy who had tatoos on his arm, talking about a brother on crank and I don't think the two were entirely unrelated.

The game was like a bad horror movie. A good horror movie has suspense. A bad one has no suspense, just gore galore. I hate the games where I know the team has no chance of winning. That was the Dodgers today.

2007-04-02 13:36:39
411.   Greg Brock
410 What is the bar called?
2007-04-02 13:36:51
412.   still bevens
385 Harang has quality #'s and is very young. I grabbed him as my 3rd starting pitcher on my fantasy team because I'm expecting big things from him this year. Unfortunately he pitches in a band box so that can hurt his value. But hes one of the best thing going for the Reds franchise.
2007-04-02 13:37:27
413.   ToyCannon
Evidently the "great" Cardinal fans have moved onto KC. They just gave Alex Gordon a standing ovation in his 1st ab in the bigs. Bases loaded against Schilling, come on Alex make your debut worth remembering.
2007-04-02 13:38:07
414.   Suffering Bruin
411 I don't remember. I really don't. It's "B"-something. Not BJ's but B-Riders?

Sad, ain't it?

2007-04-02 13:38:46
415.   Andrew Shimmin
Tattoos and crank are not so closely correlated as Bakersfield and crank.
2007-04-02 13:40:30
416.   Greg Brock
414 I thought maybe you went to Tailgater's or Kosmo's. Or maybe The Bullpen.
2007-04-02 13:41:10
417.   FN Bevacqua
Game 1 Aflac Trivia Question:

Which Dodger pitcher had the most consecutive opening day starts?

I was getting lunch at the corner JIB,
what was the answer?

I guessed Don Sutton.

2007-04-02 13:41:28
418.   Suffering Bruin
416 Those sound like better places than I went to. You live in Bakersfield?
2007-04-02 13:43:23
419.   Greg Brock
418 I got my credential from CSU Bakersfield, and student taught there.
2007-04-02 13:43:36
420.   Andrew Shimmin
Kosmo's has free wifi.
2007-04-02 13:43:57
421.   bhsportsguy
3 walks and two-out hit for the Rockies, 38 pitches for Mr. Low pitch count, Brandon Webb, of coures going against Aaron Cook, they should be playing for a while in Denver.
2007-04-02 13:44:18
422.   Vaudeville Villain
415

Are you talking about the strange Josh Hamilton comment in the Reds game?

"He got into some bad stuff, drugs, alcohol, and tattoos."

2007-04-02 13:45:10
423.   bhsportsguy
419 I saw one of those Huell Howser shows at some candy/taffy place there, I think it is some sort of soda fountain, you have any idea which place he was highlighting there.
2007-04-02 13:47:33
424.   Bob Timmermann
417
You were correct. Sutton started seven straight openers from 1972-78.
2007-04-02 13:48:15
425.   Greg Brock
423 Probably Dewar's
2007-04-02 13:48:53
426.   Andrew Shimmin
423- Dewar's Candy.

http://tinyurl.com/34953s

2007-04-02 13:48:54
427.   Jon Weisman
In an hour, I'm taping a short interview to air tonight on Warren Olney's Which Way LA?
2007-04-02 13:58:18
428.   bhsportsguy
427 Olney: Welcome Jon, so you have a blog called "Dodger Thoughts," tell me do you actually read the player's minds or do you just guess what they are thinking?

Wesiman: I take it you are not related to Buster Olney?

2007-04-02 13:59:03
429.   Icaros
427

I miss that show.

2007-04-02 14:01:54
430.   bhsportsguy
429 You can go here http://www.kcrw.com/ at 7:00 p.m. PDT and listen to Jon tonight.
2007-04-02 14:07:12
431.   KAYVMON
I just got back from Yankee Doodle's in Santa Monica where I watched some of the game while talking to Wes Parker. He seemed like a nice guy, and he was very enthusiastic in talking about the young Dodger players. He said he made it a point to go to Grady Little and tell him what a great first baseman James Loney was going to be and told Little to do what he could so Loney would not be traded. Supposedly, Little responded that not trading Loney was going to be difficult because almost every team has asked about Loney and everytime the Dodgers want to make a trade, the other team asks for Loney. Great compliment to Loney and we did agree that Loney would have played left field as well as Gonzo did today.

Parker also tried to give credit for the Dodger farm system to Ned Colletti but I quickly brought up the roles Logan White, Dan Evans, and Paul DePodesta had. He backtracked, giving credit to White and Evans, saying Evans was a great GM, but initially would not budge on DePodesta, saying he was one of the worst GMs, because he used his computer too much, which was predictable. Parker said DePodesta never used his scouts and his friends who are scouts in the organization "drank champagne" when DePodesta got fired. I made the point that DePodesta could never have made the LoDuca-Penny trade without input from his scouts and he, suprisingly, conceded that point. He had to leave but, except for his initial rhetoric, was suprisingly open-minded on the things I was telling him.

He also said that Wolf had no life or movement on his pitches in spring training and Billingsley's curveball looks unhittable right now.

I also won a pair of Dodger tickets for knowing which Dodger holds the rookie save record, which no one else in the bar seemed to know.

2007-04-02 14:10:29
432.   still bevens
431 Well luckily Wolf's breaking pitches looked absolutely greasy during his start at Dodger stadium on Thursday.
2007-04-02 14:14:59
433.   KAYVMON
432 I really haven't seem any of Wolf's starts this spring but for whatever reason, Parker was worried about how successful Wolf will be this season.
2007-04-02 14:15:11
434.   Bob Timmermann
428
That's more like Brian Lamb and BookTalk.

"So do you think about the Dodgers?"
"Yes."
"Do you do this while standing up or sitting down?"
"Both."
"Do you write your blog on a computer?"
"Yes."
"Does the computer have a space bar?"

2007-04-02 14:17:02
435.   Andrew Shimmin
ESPN should think about adding Brett to the Miller/Morgan booth for good. That's the least irritating I've ever heard Morgan be. They weren't paying a lot of attention to the game, but it was fun to listen to.
2007-04-02 14:17:03
436.   chazmac138
431.

Did you eat a "weasel" at the place next door to Yankee Doodles? I always forget the name of the place but I can never forget that magical hangover cure that is the "weasel".

2007-04-02 14:19:29
437.   Greg Brock
435 Fortunately, I'm listening to Jery Remy instead of Joe Morgan. NESN just did a small feature on JD Drew during the game.
2007-04-02 14:19:43
438.   still bevens
433 My MLB 2k7 game thinks Randy Wolf will dominate with a mid 3.00 ERA for whatever that's worth. It happened like 2 seasons in a row. So at least our robot overlords think Randy Wolf will have a good season.
2007-04-02 14:19:59
439.   Greg Brock
You can go ahead and put that other "r" in Jerry's first name, if you'd like.
2007-04-02 14:21:16
440.   Bumsrap
Has anybody heard just what Loney did, say, when he ws told he didn't make the team other than not taking it well? If the answer is burried in the 436 previous posts would somebody unbury it?

Gonzo, strike one?

2007-04-02 14:25:35
441.   KAYVMON
436

I've never heard of this "weasel" you speak of, I just went down there because I knew there'd be Dodger fans and they'd be giving stuff away. There is a jazz club close by, I think it's on 4th, called Harvell's thats got cool Tuesday nights, where these girls dance/perform. Its like going to a stripclub with really good music. I always stay too long, drink too much, and am hungover for work so next time I'll try to find that hangover cure you're talking about.

2007-04-02 14:27:59
442.   Marty
I guess I picked the wrong day to give up crank.
2007-04-02 14:28:43
443.   Vishal
[431] rookie save record? that's gotta be yhency "ghame over" brazoban, right?
2007-04-02 14:29:34
444.   Bob Timmermann
443
Yep, it's Yhency. He broke Steve Howe's record.
2007-04-02 14:31:51
445.   bhsportsguy
The Rockies are testing JoeyP right now, the old pitcher staying to bunt a man over play.
2007-04-02 14:31:55
446.   chazmac138
441.

Forgive me, I don't know what I was thinking! I was talking about the Yankee Doodles in Long Beach.....But still if you are ever over in that area, I'm telling you the place next door has got "Home of the Weasel" painted right on the side of the building. You can't miss it and you shouldn't either.

2007-04-02 14:32:24
447.   Benaiah
443 - Didn't Saito break Yhency's record last year?
2007-04-02 14:33:12
448.   Jon Weisman
444 - Saito.
2007-04-02 14:34:21
449.   Bob Timmermann
Oh yeah, Saito, that guy...

(Curls up into fetal position and hides in closet.)

2007-04-02 14:34:35
450.   Bumsrap
431
I have been pulling for Loney really hard but if Loney and LaRoche could land Zimmerman I suppose I could live with that. Is it too soon to throw Lowe into the deal as a sweatener?
Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2007-04-02 14:34:43
451.   regfairfield
443 I'm pretty sure it's Saito.
2007-04-02 14:34:45
452.   Benaiah
I went and looked it up. Slamming Sammy Saito had 24 Saves last year to top the rookie record 21 from Brazoban the year before.
2007-04-02 14:35:42
453.   D4P
What's all the junk flying in front of the centerfield camera in Kansas City...?
2007-04-02 14:36:12
454.   Bob Timmermann
Lowe into the deal as a sweatener

If we needed a sweatener, the Dodgers should have picked up Esteban Yan.

2007-04-02 14:36:36
455.   bhsportsguy
445 It worked but I am sure it was just a lucky hit especially if they are counting on Kaz Matsui to get clutch hits.
2007-04-02 14:36:45
456.   Bob Timmermann
453
Water. There are fountains in the outfield.
2007-04-02 14:37:53
457.   D4P
456
Hmmm...maybe they should consider repositioning the camera...
2007-04-02 14:38:02
458.   bhsportsguy
453 Pieces of a bloody sock perhaps. Curt not having one of his better days. Neither has Webb. Sheets has been the rare exception so far today.
2007-04-02 14:38:51
459.   Greg Brock
Kauffman Stadium really is a beautiful yard. It's one of the more underrated parks in baseball.

The waterfall in center is awesome.

2007-04-02 14:39:07
460.   Bob Timmermann
457
I doubt the ESPN guys even know where Kansas City is. Someone probably had to tell them which state to go to.
2007-04-02 14:39:10
461.   D4P
So, I guess we established that Santana > Sheets.

Where does Meche fit into the equation?

2007-04-02 14:40:06
462.   Greg Brock
461 Meche is neither of those guys.

Glad to help.

2007-04-02 14:40:48
463.   Bob Timmermann
Kansas City is known for its fountains. It's actually a pretty nice city although I have been to Oregon more recently than Kansas City.
2007-04-02 14:42:24
464.   KAYVMON
Wow, considering he still is our closer I thought Saito was easy but I guess if Bob is getting it wrong then I deserved my two tickets. I also answered the question about which Dodger pitcher designed the cover of the playoff guide or something (Tomko) but the lady would not give me the tickets saying I had already won. That peeved a lot of people even more than it did me, so I think the Dodgers' event was a negative in PR terms.
2007-04-02 14:43:18
465.   D4P
Julio Lugo: from backup shortstop with the Dodgers to leadoff hitter for the Red Sox
2007-04-02 14:44:03
466.   Greg Brock
Lugo K's three times today. Bummer.
2007-04-02 14:47:11
467.   bhsportsguy
463 Kansas City in November? What do you think about going to College Basketball Experience in KC this November to see UCLA, Michigan State, Maryland and Missouri play.
(I guess Minnesota was busy)

The new College Basketball Hall of Fame is set to open that weekend.

2007-04-02 14:48:23
468.   Benaiah
Crap, I took Boston in the Truebluela suicide pool, but now that Schilling crapped the bed I might go out in round one. That's what I get for playing it safe.
2007-04-02 14:51:34
469.   bhsportsguy
464 You are the "Jeff from Tarzana" as related to getting cut off from collecting prizes at Opening Day Dodger events.

For those of you not familiar with LA based sportstalk radio, "Jeff from Tarzana" is a familiar caller to all radio shows and radio contests in L.A.

His favorites are USC Football, Cleveland Indians, and LA Clippers, though he was a Bird fan in the '80s. His dislike for the Lakers and Kobe Bryant is well known out here.

2007-04-02 14:52:19
470.   bhsportsguy
468 C'mon Yankees/Tampa Bay? Remember what KC did to Boston last year.
2007-04-02 14:53:53
471.   Benaiah
466 - Drew, meanwhile, has a 2 OPS. My vote for the best 3,4,5 in baseball is definitely Boston.

Others in contention: Yankees (Abreu, Rodriguez, Giambi)
Braves (Jones, Jones and McCann)
White Sox (Konerko, Thome and Dye)
or maybe even the Rockies (Atkins, Helton and Holliday).

Indians would get a nod if Sizemore was in the heart of the order.

2007-04-02 15:06:15
472.   bhsportsguy
470 I apologize, I should not have been so dismissive of picking the Red Sox especially with Carl Pavano against Scott Kazmir.
2007-04-02 15:19:01
473.   D4P
471
Seems like it would make more sense for Drew to bat ahead of Ortiz and Ramirez rather than behind them
2007-04-02 15:21:49
474.   das411
471 - No love for HOward, Utley, BOOOOOurrell?

And iirc there was some question about all of these newfangled stats the other day, FJM can definitely help out anybody confused on those:

http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2005/04/glossary-of-terms.html

2007-04-02 15:37:29
475.   D4P
Miller just said a (3-run) HR by Ortiz would "kill the rally"
2007-04-02 15:38:40
476.   Daniel Zappala
The DTV package has a few new bells and whistles this year. You can press a button on your remote to call up a menu that has:

- MLB scores
- Game mix (8 games at once, audio of one game of your choice)
- Strike Zone (not sure what it does yet, as it's not working now)
- At Bat (scroll through the lineup, with results from this game)
- Pitching (same thing for pitchers)
- Box Score (expands to include entire lineup and all pitchers)
- MLB Standings
- MLB Leaders (Eckstein leads with a .750 average!)

Basically, these are mostly things you can get from being online at the same time, except through your TV. The lone exception is the Game Mix.

Honestly, I'm not sure how much I would use these features, and I'm a pretty big baseball junkie. Since I got home, I've cruised through the Rockies and Red Sox games, with many more to come tonight. If I wanted to find an interesting game, I would likely use the Game Mix channel, but I doubt I would stay on it for long. It does allow you to switch between game audio (and a small picture) much more quickly than flipping channels, and to see the scores all at once. The games are surprisingly watchable on the small screen.

Overall, I'd actually rate the Game Mix as the best feature. If I wanted to peruse box scores (e.g to find out why the Red Sox are losing 6-1 to KC), I'd likely turn to my computer, not the DTV system, but mainly because the menu system is too slow compared to my computer.

2007-04-02 15:55:31
477.   Jon Weisman
New palate-cleanser up top.
2007-04-02 16:31:47
478.   Vishal
meh, japanese league vets shouldn't count as rookies.

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