We are 4-2 and just swept the Giants. So why am I so frustrated?

I don't know. I'm happy.

If I'm not mistaken, I saw Kemp lace an outside breaking pitch to left field for a hard-hit single in his last at-bat yesterday. I would've liked to see him take the pitch opposite field, but it's a lot better than the flailing he was doing last year. I know it might've only been one pitch and one at-bat, but along with his hitting Kemp's played an exceptional right-field cutting off balls that a less athletic outfielder might've let get into the cavernous gap at the phonebooth and also utilizing his strong arm to hold runners. It might also be that alongside Pierre and Gonzo, Kemp looks like Willie Mays out in the field with a Mondesi arm? Either way, if Kemp announced his potential last year I hope this year he's making a statement that he's here to stay.

I'm also happy as a clam. The roster stuff will hopefully work itself out; for now, I'm just happy we're 4-2 without our best everyday regular in the lineup. Yes, if we lose a few games due to Gonzo that keep us out of the playoffs, I'll be unhappy, but I'll only fret about that if I have to.

WWSH

I would think Ned could swing a small deal to KC with either Ramon or Wilson involved. They could use a solid backup SS as they go with the Pena kid.

We played the Giants and the Diamondbacks played the Nationals. Nothing to be proud of yet other then the shellacking we gave Zito.

Perhaps it is the embarrassment of riches we seem to have. There are so many great young guys on the team, any one of whom could take off and have a great career. I do not want to lose another Vlad or Pedro. At the same time, I feel it is inevitable. I do not envy Mr. Coletti and the decisions with which he is faced. Clearly something has got to give.

What's not to like about 4-2 on the road?

Wow, the Phillies and Astros are off to 1-5 starts.

I keep having to remind myself that this is the very same Wilson Valdez who hit .209/.250/.291 in 182 major league at bats prior to this season.

4-2 on the road after losing the first two games of the season is fine by me.

I am similar to Jason Schmidt when it comes to injuries or illnesses.

9 On that note, Wilson Valdez's career minor league stats: .283/.330/.355. This is entirely different from Cody Ross who had the potential to be a useful bench player. Every organization has multiple guys that can do exactly what Wilson Valdez does. Heck, Tomas Perez is completely worthless, and he can do what Wilson Valdez does.

1 - Zero chance of rain all day today. What's the problem???

I'm happy. I'll take 4-2 w/ one of the 2 losses coming against Ben Sheets. Too bad I've only been available to watch the first two games.

Was just on the Dodgers.com site and the "News" ticker said "Santana nearly unhittable".

5 Problem is he's out of options, and we have to put him on the waiver wire no matter what. Someone is going to get him for free. I would imagine KC wouldnt have much of problem snagging him if they wanted to without giving up anything.

Also, to the guy wearing a Dodgers polo and buying a 12 pack of beer and a bag of ice at Albertsons at 830 this morning, I salute you, and will see you at the game.

It is this time of year that I sure do wish I lived in Los Angeles.

My SI.com entry is up, with a special treat for some Dodger Thoughts commenters.

I just wish we had this kind of roster depth in 2005. It would've made a ton of difference.

And I agree with 14.

Wow, DT lingo is making the big-time!

Jon, next time you write something about Matt Kemp, see if you can work in a "Bison" reference.

Jon can win valuable prizes if he works in a reference to Mike Ramsey.

But he has to get SI.com to let him call him "the black Mike Ramsey."

15 - Very nice article Jon. By the way, I am amazed that you manage to write so many quality pieces a week. You are currently writing for SI.com, Dodgerthoughts, Variety, Fungoes, moonlighting at Screenjam and still finding time to do stuff for the Hardballtimes and Baseball Analysts. You are a marvel. If I write an email without three typos I feel like it was a good week.

Well, I'm sorry I can't be there in person today, too, but am excited by the prospects of a day game today. Which gives me something to look forward to on what would otherwise be just your usual Monday at work. I'm even happier that I no longer work right next to my boss, so I can watch MLBTV during the day without fear of repercussions. (I can still get my work done, don't you worry!)

The Schmidt article makes me root even harder for him. Can relate - my stepmom passed away from breast and lung cancer a few years ago and I, too, became entirely cancer-phobic for some time after. Less so now, but it still sticks with you. It's a helluva thing.

16 What, Mike Edwards and Jason Grabowski weren't enough roster depth for you? {shudder}

The last two days aside, it's hard to make a case for Wilson Valdez over Mike Edwards.

Wow, that's unbelievable. The doubleheader for the Mariners-Indians series at Cleveland today was postponed. Again. A week of snow in April. Crazy. Sounds like they may switch the Indians series at home vs. the Angels to Anaheim.

19 - Well, Hardball Times and Baseball Analysts add up to about five pieces in three years. But thanks.

17 - We'll see ...

And there's the Griddle, right on top of it as always. Still, I'm amazed by the weather.

22 It is - I mean, Edwards showed he could hit from time to time, too, and was also a career minor leaguer. Though Valdez seems to be much more valuable in the field, which is one difference. But yeah... I wish him well wherever he ends up.

Am I the only one that belives Valdez is just as valuable (or not valuable) as Marlon Anderson?

Why is a Left Handed pinch hitter (of which we have plenty), that never plays in the field nor can play the positions that Valdez/Ramon Martinez can, considered a lock for a roster spot?

If the team wants to keep Valdez, just DL/DFA Anderson. He's just as much of a career mediocrity as Valdez/Martinez.

26
The first thing I do every morning is check the weather forecast for Cleveland.

I used to go to the bathroom first, but the weather in Cleveland is now first.

The ban on posts that begin "Am I the only one" or "Is it just me" is poised to begin ...

27 Marlon Anderson: mediocre guy to have on the bench.

Wilson Valdez: Has a .685 minor league OPS.

When James Brown died, Jon became the hardest working man in show business.

Curiously, Bob became the Godfather of Soul.

27 Marlon is also cheaper than Ramon.

31 Get back!

More Cleveland news on the Griddle!

The MLE's for Wilson Valdez are
236 289 298 586
His hot start is noted but for a site geared toward statistical analysis I don't see how Wilson Valdez comes close to appoximating the value of Marlon Anderson. A contending team only has room for either Ramon or Wilson. Pick one, it doesn't matter, I'd rather have Wilson because he could be a usefull pinch runner and evidently can play the outfield giving us some versatility in late inning switches.

I'd rather have Wilson because he could be a usefull pinch runner and evidently can play the outfield giving us some versatility in late inning switches

Some teams will pay $44 million for such a player

sorry to be off topic but...

I am now on my brunch break. Today is my first day of student teaching. I was totally freaked out and after first period my master teacher said "you were excellent." phew.

Let's go Dodgers!

appoximating the value of Marlon Anderson

What value does Marlon Anderson have in comparison to Wilson Valdez?

Defense--I'd give Valdez the edge
Pinch Running--Valdez
Versality of positions--Valdez
Pinch Hitting--Marlon
Age--Valdez is at least in his prime

Its no secret that no contending team would want either guy playing everyday. So if were just comparing which player brings more to the bench--I gotta go with Valdez.

Sure Marlon had 1 amazing september last month, but thats it.

36
Good luck. Be sure to turn off your cellphone during class.

36--how old of kids are you teaching?

I didn't understand a word of 40

I suspect the ban on posts that begin "Since I spent the W/E, in the bay area. I went to Sec. 209..." is about to begin, too.

The power of DT, willing to fork over some cash to log in at a nearby Starbucks to review the latest posts and what Jon wrote up for Opening Day.

Not really off-topic but my pregame reading material for today is the book by Cait Murphy about the 1908 season, the first two chapters, read over some eggs at Shakers (the Fair Oaks location across from Bristol Farms) are very good in establishing the tone of what was certainly one of the great seasons in baseball history.

So the sun is out, the game time in 2 1/2 hours away and as the song says, It's a beautiful day for a ballgame.

39-

they're doing group work right now...im teaching sophmores. They're actually all pretty good kids...

43
Can you stop by my place to make sure I locked the door?

30--Anderson's minor league #'s-
.287/.338/.415--.753 OPS

Anderson's major league #'s:
.267/.316/.394

Marlon's proven that he's pretty worthless at the major league level. He's 33 years old. He's not going to improve.

Valdez, may be a slightly weaker hitter (although Anderson's career OBP of .316 isnt exactly anything to write home about)--but I think Valdez defensive versatility and ability would make him more valuable.

Amidst all the Dodger outfield talk... it was very depressing surfing Extra Innings this weekend and seeing Werth batting 2nd and Bradley batting 3rd for playoff caliber teams. 27 and 28 yrs old- still cheap, athletic, power to burn. Sad!

37 - Then again, it isn't like this is a roto fantasy game where all that matters the categories. Anderson is a much better hitter, which is more important than all of those categories put together. Valdez has been surprisingly good, but it is unlikely in the extreme that he is much better than terrible with the bat, leaving him as a all-glove, no stick guy and we already have Lucille II. Sending down Ethier or Kemp, two players who are among the 5-6 best hitters on the team, to keep a hitter who could very well be the worst, is beyond insane.

People keep mentioning the loss of Cody Ross, well, Ross eventually went to Florida where he posted a .212/.284/.396 line with a 76 OPS+ in 250 ABs last year. The point being, that great 14 ABs with the Dodgers were a fluke, and probably Wilson's are the same.

I'd rather have Bradley/Perez/Werth on the team than Pierre/Gonzalez

45 I almost went one of the branch libraries (Chinatown or Little Tokyo) to use their Wifi but I needed to pick up something near the Starbucks. Also, was not sure of how good the WiFi is at the library.

46 Fair enough, but why carry a no hit infielder when you already have one in Ramon Martinez.

50
As far as I know, the libraries with wifi connections work fine. I see people sitting outside the buildings using the connections.

Time for Dodger Baseball, check in later.

Chago76 -

I didn't really understand your comment, but we are looking for constructive comments, constructive dialogue here. Please don't use this site to take shots at other people. Thanks.

47 I miss Werth, too, but on the other hand the Phillies are off to a 1-5 start and have a few issues to sort out, so I dunno if I'm feeling all that wistful. Still, yeah, I wish Werth had worked out for LA, but with all his wrist injuries I can understand why he ended up somewhere else.

28 "I used to go to the bathroom first, but the weather in Cleveland is now first."

Although there's a thin line between the two activities...

[54] unless of course they are thoughtful and witty deconstructions of the dodger front office and roster :)

The David McCarty interview is interesting and McCarty is one of the few former players I've read who seems to have such a good handle on both the onfield performance of players and on the economics of the game.

58 - I was surprised by that until I found out that he majored in economics at Stanford. That is the sort of background that would make statistical analysis second nature. Not to mention that it gives you great insight into Moneyball, which after is a book about Economics.

Econ is, or was, a popular major for Stanford baseball players. I'm pretty sure Mussina majored in Econ.

On an off day for Stanford at the 1988 College World Series, Mussina and I took (different) final exams together in a conference room at the Omaha Mariott.

In my day, UofO athletes tended to favor the "Leisure Studies" major

60
Sidney Poitier and I had our Easter dinners together at adjacent tables.

62
I would have never guessed

44 Good luck with the student teaching. You'll be comfortable in no time.

Ask lots of questions of your master teacher(s) and get your lesson plans done well ahead of time. Leave no minute unplanned.

But most important, have a lot of fun!

Or importantly, whatever.

65
Someone needs to go visit Lolly's!

65 at least you didn't say "most impotently"

Anderson is a much better hitter, which is more important than all of those categories put together. Valdez has been surprisingly good, but it is unlikely in the extreme that he is much better than terrible with the bat, leaving him as a all-glove, no stick guy and we already have Lucille II.

Ramon Martinez career: .270/.330/.381
Marlon Anderson career: .267/.319/.394
Wilson Valdez--to small a major league sample, but comparably mediocre minor league numbers as the other two.

Marlon Anderson is just as much of a no-hit infielder as Ramon is. He just doenst have the glove.

Anderson's september really distorted his value I think. The guy is a bad hitter and not a very good fielder. The other two are bad hitters, but good fielders.

Tony Jackson is already in midseason form complaining about the elevators.

I live right in the shadow of Century City and I can't get AM radio reception at all. Anyone have any good tech ideas of how I can listen to games? Does anybody stream the games? I don't have a TV upstairs and I need to work.

I would build a shortwave set from parts you can find around your home or office.

68

maybe the dodgers want to keep marlon for his PHing ability.

last 3 years....

PH: 167AB 299/.372/.413

close and late: 175AB 309/351/446

PHing and close and late arent mutually exclusive. Maybe some players arent meant to play everyday but have a knack for PHing.

Maybe some players arent meant to play everyday but have a knack for PHing.

Case in point: Olmedo Saenz

71 Why didn't I think of that? Any OTHER ideas?

72 I think that's a really good point - absolutely a reason why Anderson is kept around. He hasn't done much this season, but pinch hitting is not easy. No guarantee Valdez could fill in capably in that capacity. But maybe some team will want him, Anderson, and come a-callin' in a couple of months. If the Dodgers still had Valdez in their organization, then things could change. But for now Marlon has shown he can be a solid pinch hitter option and that's one difference.

74 Greg - an MLB Gameday audio subscription? Or are Dodger games blacked out on that locally?

This early in the year, I think it makes sense for the Dodgers to keep as much major-league talent in the organization as possible, in contemplation of possible injuries. If Valdez gets away and Furcal goes down again, the team is left with Martinez as the starting shortstop, potentially for a long while.

If that means optioning Ethier or Kemp, then so be it. They'll be back, assuming injuries, a trade, or Valdez returning to his mediocre form.

74
And I thought Greg S was really McGyver.

I'm really disappointed now.

Gameday audio subscriptions have no local blackouts.

76. That's my guess - that it would be blocked out.

76 There are no blackouts on MLB audio.

78. Oh, really? Than perhaps that is the way to go. Thanks

77 - I wouldn't say that is it. Betemit has played SS, so has Nomar, Marlon Anderson played 2B for years, surely he could play SS in a pinch, Tony Abreu is a good shot to be better than Valdez and then Ned could always go make a trade (shudder). Besides, Valdez and Lucille II are basically the same player, why keep two of them? Why stockpile replacement level hitters at the expense of the team right now?

78. Is that you Patty and Selma?

Courtesy of Baseball America
LAD AAA Abreu, Etanislao 3B ........ 5 2 2 3 .300 - 3B (1)
LAD AAA LaRoche, Andy LF ........... 3 1 1 1 .176
LAD AAA Young, Delwyn RF-LF ........ 4 2 2 1 .438 - HR (1)
LAD AA Hu, Chin-Lung SS ........... 5 1 3 2 .375 - 2 2B (2)
LAD HiA De Jesus, Ivan SS .......... 6 3 3 1 .400
LAD HiA Dewitt, Blake 3B ........... 6 4 3 3 .250 - HR (2), E (2)
LAD HiA Hoffmann, Jamie CF ......... 5 2 3 4 .556 - 2B (2)

LAD AAA Miller, Greg ............. 3.0 1 1 1 5 3 3.00
LAD HiA Troncoso Ramon ............. 3.0 1 0 0 0 5 2.25 - W (1-0); amazing outing for High Desert

Cole Hamels nearly got Abraham Nunez beheaded. You can't just let your infielders figure out who should catch ball, when one of them is Ryan Howard. It's manslaughter.

82 I think Betemit's SS days are over. He or Anderson could fill in, but I don't see them as options to start there long term.

I don't think having both Valdez and Martinez on the team, short-term, costs the team anything, at least as long as they are producing. As soon as Valdez stops hitting the way he has, I have no problem releasing him.

Also, the Dodgers haven't played any extra-inning games yet. Players like Anderson, Valdez, and Martinez, who can each play multiple positions in the infield and outfield, are very valuable in those games where you have to pinch hit a lot and shift people around the field.

Remember, the Dodgers were awful for most of the year in extra innings in 2006.

Question: Is there any legitimate reason why a flyout that scores a runner from third is counted as a sacrifice (with no AB for the hitter), while a groundout that scores a runner from third is not counted as a sacrifice?

85 I just saw that. Quite comical. That was Hamels' fault. Hamels caught an earlier popup himself a couple of innings ago, and he was going to try to catch that one too before backing off at the last minute. If he had just been directing traffic instead of trying to make the play himself, that wouldn't have happened.

87
I am in the choir to which you are preaching.

Wait until next week's installment of "Random Record of the Week."

89
Woohoo! Another minion!

It's as if:

1. players can intentionally hit flyballs that are deep enough to score runners, but not deep enough to be HRs or far enough away from fielders to be hits,

but

2. players cannot intentionally hit groundballs to the right side of the infield.

86
With Timo Perez in AAA we have the same backup that Valdez or Ramon supply. I just can't see putting Either or Kemp in AAA instead of worrying about losing a 2nd backup infielder.

86 - Extra inning games are really fluky due to the fact that the score is always so close. The Dodgers were 3-8 in Extra Innings last year, but that is a probably small sample size and certainly not worth keeping two guys who can't hit on the team for. How much will they help in a game like that? How many games like that are there? Not much, and not many.

90
It is the Anti-Eckstein faction at work. Since your a member I assumed you were in agreement in their decision to punish the weak and reward the strong.

Is anyone having a worse day than me?

*Gorgeous day
*Parents in town
*Tickets for the ballgame
*Stuck at home working, waiting for an e-mail that never comes, but until it does, can't leave.

86 - The Dodgers played 162 games last season and lost eight in extra innings (3-8). Those tend to be depressing, but a lot of it is also luck. And even if you don't believe that it's luck, it's not the kind of thing you should worry about adjusting the roster for. Worry about winning the 93 percent of games you play that are nine innings.

86 As long as he isn't hitting like a 2nd backup infielder, and as long as Gonzalez is producing, I don't see what's wrong with temporarily putting Kemp or Ethier in AAA. If the roster is still bursting at its seams in a couple of months and everyone is still in perfect health (highly unlikely given recent Dodger history), then maybe you try to trade someone to open up a spot. It's a long season. We're going to need contributions from a lot of people.

92 - Benaiah wins.

94.
Me! I'm stuck at work with two field level seats that I can't use. I'm going to have to give them to a guy who works the third shift and is leaving shortly. No gurantee that he will even go though........it's criminal.

Does 98 trump 94?

97 - A lifetime of undue diligence pays off.

Since I live in Memphis, I go to Redbirds (cardinals AAA) games in order to get my baseball fix. I try to go to see them when they play Las Vegas for the chance to see a fledling Dodger or two. This morning I was looking at the 51s roster and noticed that Luis Gonzalez is a lefty pitcher on their roster. That will add a dose of comic confusion to the locker room if ever he is brought up.

94 - I couldn't get out of work to go, period.

Mets just gave up a 3-run HR to Ryan Howard, with first base open.

94
"Parents in town"

Yippy!!!!

Pardon, I hate my parents.

104 - I guess that tops 94 and 97.

104
My parents are deceased. I would love to go to a baseball game with them.

... and the crowd is silenced.

106
You might try carving out a baseball diamond in your corn field

98 At least you're getting work done. I am stuck at home for work but with no work to do until this e-mail comes, which it won't.

I would think for the majority of us, if it wasn't for our Dad's we wouldn't be serious baseball fans but I may be off base.

7. I do not envy Mr. Coletti and the decisions with which he is faced.

The decisions are easy. Keep the kids. End of story.

108
You know what the last movie I ever saw with my mother was?

I was going to say "Field of Dreams", but it was actually "Howard's End."

109
You could borrow Bob's Blackberry. He won't need it while he's at the Library.

110 Actually, it was my grandfather who turned me on to baseball. My parents both couldn't care less, but it was going to be a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Now, they're going to the Norton Simon, if they can figure out how to start my car.

I attended the last six opening days. Although, I was working as a food vendor up and down the aisles. Moved to Vegas a couple months ago for a real job. This season is going to be tough on me. I loved working at the stadium and watching about 75 games a year in person.

112
The last movie I ever saw with my mother was "The Polar Express." Fortunately, she's still alive, as that movie was horrendous.

109.
I feel your pain. This will be the first opening day at Chavez Ravine that I've missed in the last 12 years. The only solace that I can take is that it's against the Rockies and I'll have like 10 more opportunities to see the Dodgers wax em'!

114
Grandma and I listened to the entire 22 innings of the Dodgers 1-0 win over the Expos on August 23, 1989 together.

110. Not me. Mom was the fan. Dad still doesn't know a thing about baseball. I'm not going today but I keep looking at the clock and thinking I should. If any of you stuck with tickets guys can send electronically, that would tip the scales. Anyone? Miracle ticket? What time is it?

Who is Norton Simon?

117 The worst part is, I hate the Rockies. I hate everything about them. I hate that they're called "The Rockies." I hate that they gave ridiculous contracts to players that haven't paid off. I hate that instead of revelling in their messed-up mile-high ballpark, they've gone to extreme lengths to figure out how to get it to play like everywhere else. I hate their management, their players, their public-relations people, their grounds crew, and their uniforms.

But you can't listen to me. I'm in kind of a foul mood today.

Since we're talking about fathers and baseball, I stumbled onto an old Scoremaster scoring book my father used to keep score for two All-Star games in 1959 (yup, two of them), and the 1959 World Series. Craziness to see he kept score at home as a twelve-year-old kid.

He also had somebody keep score of the Lunada Bay All-Stars vs. Silver Spur All-Stars in the same book (his Little League team). Pops struck out 10 in six innings.

So, if anybody wants to know how Don Demeter did in the WS, I'm your man.

Really? The Rockies are actually the one team in the NL West that I don't "hate" (in relative sports terms). I just haven't been given enough reasons to hate them, and don't have enough of a geographic connection to their fan base to feel an intense blood-boiling rivalry. Or maybe it's just 'cause I'm a Broncos fan? Or maybe I'm just not in a bad enough mood (yet).

120
Norton Simon was a wealthy, wealthy, wealthy man.

He was married to Jennifer Jones. But then he died. So I assume that means he's not married anymore.

I'm surprised anyone cares enough about the Rockies one way or another to actually hate them

108 Absolutely hilarious.

121 - Yes, naming themselves The Rockies says it all about the state of imagination and creative edge in the land of white.

Mom as well. In fact she is 3rd row today and I am the office. sucks for me. go blue.

It's true: I'm the Rockies' designated hater. Nobody else was doing it and there was a market inefficiency. Let it be known that I am the Guy Who Hates the Rockies.

122 I found a program where my mom had kept score of a game that had DiMaggio and Williams in it. She said that later, Carl Yastrzemski hit on her but being that she was 16, she declined.

I know you only as the man who named himself Humma Kavula.

129
I used to be The Guy Who Hated The Padres, but I seem to have company now.

The first NHL team to play in Denver was the Colorado Rockies.

120 - Heck of a biography, Bob.

I hate that instead of revelling in their messed-up mile-high ballpark, they've gone to extreme lengths to figure out how to get it to play like everywhere else.

I actually appreciate that about the Rockies. Coors Field baseball pre-humidor was an ugly thing to behold.

133
He owned lots of oil wells.

And lots of art.

And has a big museum named after him in Pasadena.

118 - By the way, it was Grandma Sue's 97th birthday Saturday, and we had a nice celebration. I didn't do a post, but Carl Hubbell's most dedicated living fan is relatively hale.

My mom went out on a date once with Wes Parker. She was unimpressed with his fancy car, so he got miffed and never called back for a second date.

Megrew and Meloan combined for a 9 K shutout today. Megrew K'd 6 in 7 IP and Meloan finished it with 3 Ks in 2 IP. Together they allowed 4 hits and did not walk anybody.

[94] i've been trying to work on a paper all day, which isn't going very well, and is going to be late anyway.

and it's been snowing.

My mother was the real Dodger fan in my house. She would always order cable television for the baseball season, then cancel it when the season was over.

138 - I thought Megrew was a reliever? Good to see another wave of arms down on the farm. I predict (hope) that Meloan will be on the Dodgers by the All-Star break.

137 Was he a gentleman??

HELP

I'm an educator in LAUSD looking to take some high-achieving middle school students to Dodger Stadium. I've seen and heard of this happening in the past, but can find no mention of class trips on the Dodger website.

Does anyone have a contact number, or would be able to point me in the right direction.

Thank you so much.

Keep up the great work Jon!

142 I was going to ask if he "batted for the cycle."

142 I have no idea how gentlemanly he was, but Mom said it was a lousy date. All he could talk about was his car, which she couldn't have cared less about.

I was going to ask if he "scored."

Get it?

135 - I wonder how many Dodgerthoughts mothers HE dated... I asked mine, she said she had not.

147 - I should have used a semi-colon.

Steve Sax throwing out the first pitch:

Make throwing jokes accordingly.

My dad dated Stan Musial's sister. At least he said he did.

Wes Parker might be a swell guy for all I know, but between him and my dad, I think my mom clearly made the right choice.

Although I guess that means I missed out on the baseball genes lottery. Dad couldn't play the game at all (but it's not like Wes Parker's any great shakes, either).

Complacent rocker chick is massacring the national anthem.

[149] you know who's happiest about it? the mayor of cincinnati.

For the past 10-20 minutes, there have been jets flying over my house.

What could this possibly be? I asked myself.

Then I remembered: they're probably doing a flyover of the Stadium for opening day.

Stop mocking me!!

No offense to anyone, but is the connection between baseball and the United States really THAT strong? Granted, the game started here, but it's not as if golf tournaments begin with the Scottish anthem...

154- Alternate explanation:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070408/D8OCIJ400.html

It's good to know I'm not alone.

Don't all pro sports games begin with the National Anthem?

155 - It's as strong as the connection between baseball and hot dogs. A tradition I see no reason to part with. And perhaps stronger than the connection between baseball and doves.

155
The Kansas City Royals planned to dispense with the National Anthem except for holidays and other special days in the early 1970s and quickly dropped the plan under a firestorm of protest.

Playing the National Anthem before games started around World War I and became a fixture by World War II.

Change that tradition at your own peril.

155
The day we stop singing "God Bless America" and "Star Spangled Banner" at sporting events will be a happy one in my life. I expect to die without that request being granted.

My Extra Innings free preview just stopped working. Is anyone else having this problem?

155 I'm not a big fan of the national anthem at every sporting event. And it's a terrible anthem. America the Beautiful is much nicer.

Nothing makes me love America like a depressing ditty about the War of 1812.

It's tiiiiiiime for Dodger baseball.

A pFX of 12.3" on Schmidt's first pitch!

That had to be the weakest most anti-climactic national anthem I've ever heard, and I've heard Art Garfunkle's son sing it.

the phillies are trying their best not to beat the mets.

162
Baseball games should start with Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Berets."

[165] relatedly, aaron rowand's arm looks almost as bad as pierre's.

Put purple wings on Jason Schmidt's chest ...

Would seemingly make more sense to play "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" or some such baseball-related ditty. Not a big deal, but I don't see the relationship between the national anthem and the baseball game. For one thing, what kind of message does it send to all the players in the league who aren't from the US?

Why would the pride of UCLA do that to the Dodgers?

Man the Rockies have a lot of really good hitting. They definitely look like the best hitting team in the division. And I thought that before Atkins took Schmidt deep.

Thata boy schmidt!

Fastball at 84 according to Rockies announcer.

171 - At least Helton isn't playing today.

Ramon Martinez AKA Ramirez

"For one thing, what kind of message does it send to all the players in the league who aren't from the US?"

Don't know, what kind?

171
Holliday, Atkins, Helton, and Hawpe are a fearsome foursome

Don't know, what kind?

I asked first!

At Bluejays games they play O, Canada, right?

Wow, Schmidt actually hit 90 once in that inning.

The question is: What do the Blue Jays do before games? I am hoping nothing, but I doubt it.

what kind of message does it send to all the players in the league who aren't from the US?

A happy one? I mean, depending on if the singer is any good. It could be a boring one, just as easily.

Maybe I don't understand the question. What kind of message do you think is being sent?

For those who care, I've written a crawler that will give you the retro gameday for all the day's games. It should be a daily feature of the blog starting today. There are some caveats; some of the translations may not be working, but I'll be getting those corrected as they pop up. Here's today's links:

http://6-4-2.blogspot.com/2007/04/dodgers-home-opener-gift-retro-gameday.html

179 - You beat me to the punch. It is interesting to me how many people got upset about Carlos Delgado not standing for the National Anthem. He isn't even American, why should he have to stand?*

*Puerto Ricans aren't citizens, since they don't vote. So he isn't technically American.

I believe this was the last major league game to not have either the US or Canadian anthem played before it:
http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2003/B06220MON2003.htm

It was St. John Baptist Day in Montreal and there was a big Quebecois nationalist parade before the game and the people in Montreal realized that the crowd would get really ticked off it they heard either the US or Canadian anthems before the game.

What kind of message do you think is being sent?

I don't think any kind of message is being sent intentionally, but I don't see the point of emphasizing the United States before a baseball game.

I can see playing the national anthem at the Olympics, where the competition is explicitly between countries (and their athletes).

Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States.

And Carlos Delgado always stood for the National Anthem. He did not come out on the field for the playing of "God Bless America" and he has ended that protest since joining the Mets.

Here comes the Masher!

Vin just used the word "brilliant" to describe LuGo's career

Gonzo has hit 20 homers at Dodger Stadium, 2nd to only Bonds for visiting players.

So does Francis still look like a 12-year-old?

In the film "My Brilliant Career" who was supposed to have had the brilliant career? Peter O'Toole's character or Mark Linn-Baker's character?

Well what is it? LuGo or Gonzo?

The point I'm making is that the anthem has been part of baseball for so long, that it would seem unfortunate to me to let go of it - like getting rid of organ music.

Does everything at a baseball game have to be completely relevant or contemporary?

As for how the non-U.S. ballplayers feel, I'm sure a good many feel as I would if I were in another country and heard that anthem played, starting with 1) not personally offended.

LuGo when he strikes out. Gonzo when he homers.

192
I got my movies confused.

Ignore me.

187 - I was way off. I don't know why I thought that. Puerto Ricans' can't vote in U.S. elections, so maybe that is why.

Not very Gonzo is he. But LuGo sounds vaguely vulgar.

Or can they?

194
You can always head off to Japan where they play the national anthem about half the time and about 1/3 of the crowd bothers to stand up.

When the anthem is played for every single sporting event, it loses its importance. I just tune out, which I'm sure is not what is intended.

It's just not important to me, because I hear it too much.

I've always like the Canadian national anthem.

You can go to small school high school football games. They don't play the national anthem before those, although you may get a prayer every now and then.

202
It was Carla and Eddie's song.

Remember CanuckDodger is standing on guard for us.

Yeah, you were thinking of My Favorite Year, Bob. I don't think Judy Davis is a big baseball fan...

201 - When baseball is played for every single day, it loses its importance. I just tune out, which I'm sure is not what is intended.

It's just not important to me, because I see it too much.

...Now see what you've started?!

What the heck is pfx? Release point? Who cares about that?

206
Yeah, that's a good point too. What do warplanes have to do with baseball...?

208 I don't watch the same game over and over.

No one is quite sure what pFX is. But the latest theory is that is has something to do with where the pitch cross the plate on the horizontal plane in relation to the batter.

206 - I'm sorry, Frip, but I felt that verged enough toward the political to delete.

211 - The anthem isn't sung the same way over and over.

214 Just ask Rosanne

I miss the times when we just complained about Juan Pierre.

And Gameday makes it look like the pitches are coming from this mysterious register mark.

You can go to the options button in the top right Marty and turn off a lot of the animation.

Living in New York, I've had to watch all these games on MLBTV and they always give me the home announcers.

Needless to say, I'm overjoyed to hear Vin's voice again.

Maybe it's just the song itself. It's not one of your better anthems. It doesn't celebrate much about America, other than our ability to withstand a good bombing.

America the Beautiful has amber waves of grain and whatnot. It's purty.

Anyhoo, Go Dodgers!

219 Ditto here, Molly, even if he did call Ramon Martinez "Ramirez" and made a corny joke about Troy Tulowitzky's name. God bless Vin I missed him!

[219] last year they didn't seem to have a pattern with which announcing crew you got. it wasn't always the home team's announcers. usually it seemed to me they liked to pick whichever announcers were worse.

218 But then, what would I complain about?

220 - That's an entirely different issue, though I still personally maintain that SSB is over-criticized.

Sneaking a peek at the game during my lunch break, I feel that Schmidt's pitches, even though they aren't registering high on the radar gun, have decent zip and movement.

It's ok Jon, you're probably right. Just meant militarism.

183 - I like the old Gameday you brought back, Rob.

219 - They used to give you the option, but I guess they could save a few bucks this way.

I have often wondered, does ESPN cover the sports packages that their staff purchases? It seems like it is a business expense. I imagine not, but I wouldn't be surprised.

220 I would sign on to change our anthem to America the Beautiful. But then I'd probably sign on to change it to "Oh America" too.

Or you can get classic gameday from the 6-4-2 link Rob posted. It's so wonderful; it makes me want to call a foreigner and sing the national anthem at him. It's a little late, though, in the places where I know foreigners.

[220] i too prefer AtB to any of the other patriotic ditties.

There is also the not-so-small point that we're not going to change the anthem, and we're not going to stop playing it, so these are the complaints of the powerless.

Schmidt is sitting on 83-86 mph. Make of that what you will.

226 - But he has left a couple over the plate, though ...

231 You could just go visit UCLA's engineering grad students.

Purty it is but I'll take "This Land is Your Land". So many better options but we end up with option C much like our Dodger lineup.

With Valdez, Pierre, and Martinez in the lineup it scarily reminds me of 2005.

232 - I am partial to "This Land is Our Land" but it might not have that Ballad quality that people like in national anthems.

236
If changing the anthem would cause a firestorm, changing it to a Woody Guthrie tune might cause a constitutional crisis.

235- That sounds a little dangerous. I prefer taunting foreigners one at a time, and much prefer doing it when there's at least one good ocean between us.

236 - I beat Jon once, and then I lose out twice to other posters.

236 Before the game started, I looked a the infield defense shown in the CBS game center, and thought, wow, except for the right side (Kemp, Garciaparra, Martin), the Dodgers lineup looks anemic.

Well, I can stand beside ideas I think are right
And I can stand beside the idea to stand and fight
I do believe there's a dream for everyone
This is our country

There's room enough here for science to live
And there's room enough here for religion to forgive
And try to understand other people of this land
This is our country

225 - SSB is often criticized by singers for its wide register swings.

228 - thanks, Jon.

I'd go with Stars and Stripes Forever, but not ATB. The ability to withstand a good bombing defines a nation far better than purple mountains.

Schmidt deserves a better face.

233 I'm not sure what to make of it. I know a pitcher can be good at almost any velocity, but I thought Schmidt was a hard thrower. If you notice any tendency not to challenge hitters, then he thinks something is wrong. I havent seen that yet.( But I've seen a few hard hit balls). Hey, 5 strike-outs ain't bad.

233 I'm not sure what to make of it. I know a pitcher can be good at almost any velocity, but I thought Schmidt was a hard thrower. If you notice any tendency not to challenge hitters, then he thinks something is wrong. I havent seen that yet.( But I've seen a few hard hit balls). Hey, 5 strike-outs ain't bad.

241 And, I assume you meant to say, Kent?

242 - I can't believe that commercial is still on. Who goes for that sort of thing? They have released about a million versions of it too. Maybe once they paid for the rights to the song they figured they had to pay to death.

242 I do believe Andrew will have something to say about your bold little gambit.

I posted those lyrics once. Once.

233 That's what the gun says, but my eyes tell me differently. That looks like a heavy fastball to me. I think the ball is carrying very well out to left. Atkins' HR would have been routine at night.

That's why we pay the man.

Schmidt looked terrific in that last Atkins at bat, I'll say that. It really is the zip and location more than the velocity. he seems to have good control except for those few balls left hanging.

Thats how to pitch!!!

Schmidt! Goes deep!

Oh my goodness!

schmidt flashing some power! :)

That must be the big bat we signed this winter:)

250 - I get the song stuck in my head just by looking at the lyrics. It is the worst sort of catchy.

Oh, and he also swings a pretty mean bat, I meant to add.

!

Schmidt gets one back!

Schmidt should be hitting in the 7 spot.

Helen would be thrilled if she were watching the game and/or cared. National League rules for her all the way. Good show, Schmitty!

251 Right when I posted that, Schmidt hits his HR to left.

There is now a betting chance that Schmidt will out homer Juan Pierre for the year.

264
At the very least, Schmidt will out AB/HR Pierre

That looked like Jeter at short.

Does anyone know a place that tracks balls in play to the infield versus the outfield. I would wager that 85% of Pierre's BIP have been in the infield.

I'd like to report, for anyone who's interested, that while Gameday (MLB), Gamecenter (CBS), and Gamechannel (Yahoo) all overload and crash my browser, ESPN's Gamecast is working quite nicely.

266 - You mean the pasta-diving Jeter?

Nomar just doesn't seem like a tight pants guy, yet he is.

Phillies could be having a fire sale by late April if they get swept by the Mets this week and that possibility just got very real with that implosion.

Yeah, it's pretty much the best song ever. I was going to wade in on the whole Star Spangled debate, but the bard John Cougar, in all his eloquence, made a far more compelling argument than ever I could have made. America! ---- Yeah!

267 When my site comes up it will be able to :). Until then, I think MLB.com has hit charts.

[237] it seems that people usually like a march quality in their national anthems.

Dodger HR Leaders

Gonzalez 2
Martin 1
Kent 1
Schmidt 1
20 tied with 0

269 Exactly. He had forever and a day to get to that ball, though he probably wouldn't have had a play anyway.

Can a team be great without a superstar or two. Imagine a team with 8 Russ Martin equivs.

I'll take that bet. I bet Pierre will hit 1 and Schmidt will hit 2.

The odds also just went up (yesterday both in Gonzo (HR's) and Kemp being in there and hitting the ball hard) that the dodger OF will hit more than 40HR total in 2007.

How come the speedy Rockie CF glides from left to right while our speedy CF stumbles from left to right?

As far as I can tell, Jeff Ken is the only batter to have swung at the first pitch of an at bat this game. He's done it in both of his at bats so far.

I'm sorry. I know there are rules regarding sarcasm and what not, but I couldn't help myself.

277 - Who plays short? Or Center field? Or pitch? I think I would just trade some of those Martins for other players.

Hey all, been a while but I figured I'd check in for the Opener. Changed jobs and now sit at a small desk in plain view of many eyes, so my goofingoffativity is way down.

I did smile when I saw on the crawl that LuGo had hit two out yesterday.

Hi Sam. If it helps, you can use my tax dollars to goof off.

283 Hey Sam!

So, um, Nationals...Um, well...Nice to see you again!

I'm at the Carl's Jr across from the library watching the game although I can't hear over the din of the collection of bike messengers who hang out here.

One looks like Kevin Bacon and I think he has a troubled relationship with Jami Gertz.

Weird Dodger ad with the guy on the sofa. Maybe the first commercial to try and make the customer feel like a complete loser.

Schmidt's up to around 87-88 mph this inning.

That ball to right appeared to carry on Kemp as well.

288 - He hit 91 last game, so I think that he isn't quite Tim Wakefield just yet.

I don't have the radio on, but I suspect Rick Monday will spend a half-hour, give or take, talking about Matt Kemp not having his sunglasses on.

if kemp ever decides to give up baseball, he might have a future in the circus. the man can juggle.

287.
I've seen that commercial. I think it's aimed at the die-hards. If I had longer blond hair, that could be me. And I'm not a loser, my mom tells me so.....

Oh Vin... Kemp knows how to use sunglasses. They just look super cool on top of the bill. Who cares if they're useless up there? Gonzo and Pierre have the flip-up shades and they look like total dorks. :P

4/22 BIP by Pierre have been to the outfield. Two of those four were singles. Not counting today's game.

According to Dewan's fielding bible, Gonzo plays the deepest LF in baseball thus allowing many hits to fall in front of him but it also allowed him to catch balls that would be over other left fielder's head. I'm only bringing it up because the Rockie announcer just mentioned how deep Gonzo is playing.

Gameday says Schmidt's been between 84 and 91 with the first pitch of the game the only exception at 81. Interesting.

295 - So I was off, it was only 82% in the infield, not 85%.

Oh man.

oh no.

Oh no...

{{heart in throat}}

Kemp smashes into the wall and is hurt.

Looks like he's okay, but man, he slammed into that thing.

Kemp smacked his head against the wall.

The future of the free world just flashed before my eyes. Bad, bad times.

284 I'm on it right now.

Everyday, my 6 yr old asks what the Nationals did the day before. Character-building or soul-crushing?

I feel like Dr. Skinner sometimes.

Maybe he just dinged his noggin a little bit. Vin's more worried about his belt buckle for some reason.

They are massaging his right shoulder...And he's out of the game.

Looks like his shoulder.

Looked like a slo-mo of an A-Team episode.

Now he's coming off the field favoring his shoulder.

[301] mine's in my stomach.

They were holding his shoulder, more for precautionary reasons, it seems... He looks better than he did a few moments ago.

Mr. Loney, please report to the white courtesy phone. Mr. James Loney.

Valdez would have had him dead to rights at the plate. Even after he bumbled it.

Dude would have been out.

Gosh, not the way you want your opening day to go so far is it?

i am not a fan of the electronic scoreboard. outfield walls should be padded.

317
I agree. I guess it's not just me, and I'm not the only one, who thinks the walls should be padded all the way around the outfield.

We can't blame this on McCourt, for stripping the padding from the wall, and putting in that scoreboard, right? That'd be too much?

Should have refreshed.

317
I agree with you. Protect the players and have the outfield walls be padded. Or at least the same material all the way around.

317 - I definitely agree. A little fan convenience is not as important as player safety. The absolutely worst news is an injury to Kemp. Get well soon big guy.

I disagree. That scoreboard looks awesome.

Sorry. I just thought somebody should disagree.

this isn't even the first time it's happened to the dodgers. repko was injured on the scoreboard a year or two ago, if you guys remember.

Jeff Schmidt vs. Jason Francis today, according to Vin.

Schmidt about to throw his 80th pitch here in inning four.

He's the new Brad Penny!

Can't imagine why anyone thinks multi million dollar players are more important than scoreboards on the outfield wall.

Roster thought will never end. I sure hope Kemp has nothing serious, but he will recover and we have Ethier and Loney. I think we might not have all these long drives if Schmidt had his velocity. Or 75 pitches already.

328 See? ToyCannon gets it.

That scoreboard really ties the room together.

328 - Padding for Gonzalez and Pierre then. Kemp and Ethier don't qualify.

325 - That's like correcting grandpa every time he calls the salt, pepper.

[331] kemp and either are definitely worth multi-millions. do you think the dodgers would trade either of them to another team in exchange for their annual salaries?

Besides it took the Dodgers 45 years to actually show the other scores going on in baseball. If they had to use that big thing in LF that they don't have a clue what to do with other then run commercials and the same vidio's over and over, it would require some out of the box thinking. Maybe when baby McCourt moves from Marketing to Baseball Operations we can expect some innovative ideas.

332 It is, really, plus it's kinda cute. "Aww, Vin's mixed up again." He's still terrific.

Another option is that Loney will stay in AAA and Valdez will stay with the team when Furcal returns.

333
Humor Vishal, humor or have you not been reading Jon long enough.

333 - You weren't taking me seriously, were you?

francis is scared of our little exxon valdez.

336
Exactly, we can thank Kemp for solving the roster crisis and allowing us to keep the 3rd string infielder. Good times are upon us.

A few people around here might suggest spikes on the LF and CF wall. I wouldn't go that far- maybe steel siding.

[338] oh, of course not! i just felt like making a point. another example of tone being hard to convey on the internet.

Ground caused the fumble.

That's as close to a catch as one can get, without it actually being a catch.

Yay ground!

Well, the little engines that could just came through.

That was totally a catch. No doubt whatsoever IMO.

Big RsBI spot here for Schmidt. This is what we pay you for, big guy.

will they pitch AROUND schmidt to get to Pierre?

348
Don't make me laugh so loud at work.

who HASN'T hit a homer off jeff weaver and jose lima?

will they pitch AROUND schmidt to get to Pierre?

Nah, they want Pierre to lead off the next inning.

Lots of called strikes that gameday shows outside the strike zone today for Francis.

I am so glad I missed the discussion about the stupid national anthem. As I see it it's an inherently political issue, so I couldn't have commented on it without a rule 5 violation anyway.

I hate when Schmidt fails to come through in the clutch.

Regarding the Holliday dropped fly ball, I know the obvious reasons, but it's just weird when all of humanity cheers at someone's failure. Even the moms.

317 - i am not a fan of the electronic scoreboard. outfield walls should be padded.

Two words: bubble wrap.

Oh c'mon!

There goes the Dodgers' season.

the wheels are coming off the cart here.

your a one upper or a topper [351} lol

Whee. This is a fun day for Stan Conte, so far.

Uh-oh. Nomar killed our $40 million pitcher.

Hopefully just a cramp?

What just happened?

I am so glad I missed the discussion about the stupid national anthem.

Now we'll never know your opinion about the stupid national anthem.

And that Luis Gonzales commercial is so cute. His press conference is adorable...He talks as though he's still a star player. It's just so precious. Lead us, Oh great one!

Oh no. Nomar ran Schmidt over?

Even the Rockie announcers are starting to feel sorry for us.

what just happened, gameday is stuck on injury delay?

No hamstring cancer jokes.

364 - weird play at first that ended with Schmitty making a play at first and twisting something.

Don't worry, kids. Lurch is in to save the day.

Please fall down. Just once.

Oh, Schmidt.

Lucky opening day goers get to see Hendrickson.

The Rockies radio guys are substantially more listenable than the Angels TV pair.

Humma has to be happy his email never arrived.

ugh I was on the phone. What happened to Schmidt? Is it bad? Did it look bad?

P.S. for anyone who cares, my first day of student teaching was a rousing success.

what is going on here???

[369] i'll admit, i laughed at that.

What happened was the ground ball to first was bobbled by Nomar, then he recovered in time to lob it to Schmidt, too late to get the runner. Schmidt pulled a hamstring covering first. Fun for the whole family.

369- You are a horrible human being.

But that was funny.

Fans like the scoreboards on the outfield walls. They are pretty much considered standard features.

I think the scoreboard has some give to it, but Kemp hit the top where it's harder.

The Dodgers didn't pad the walls until 1991 when Darryl Strawberry hurt himself hitting the wall.

I once ran headfirst into a gymnasium wall at full speed during a basketball game. My teammates reacted by taking the ball out of bounds and heading back upcourt.

Please just take Russell Martin out of the game ASAP, it's not a safe day out there wearing blue.

368
According to the Rockie anouncers, groundball to Nomar who fumbled then tossed to Schmidt who grabbed his hamstring after catching the ball. He has now been replaced by the Tall One.

[376] ground ball to first, schmidt tried to cover first base, but as he got to the bag he came up lame with what looks like a pulled hamstring. nomar booted the ball for a second, but i don't think the injury is his fault.

could this be a time to get Tomko some work? Or is he starting tomorrow?

It looks like it's a small thing but it's the kind of nagging injury that could dog a player all year. This is basically the reason the Giants shied away from Schmidt, all these little injuries.

375 I care...Congrats. Have a good time.

[384] we're getting hendrickson.

Tomko's starting tomorrow.

Your favorite long reliever is in now.

365 - Know what you mean, but what they do with his image isn't Gonzo's fault.

Only Pierre and Gonzo will be left standing by the end of the day.

380 Now we know why Bob's a librarian.

[380] did they score?

And Valdez and Martinez

390 That's the ultimate DT karma.

Yeah, all we need now is Martin and Kent colliding on a pop-up, and then imploding like a Spinal Tap drummer.

According to radio (Dodger broadcast) Kemp has a "sore" shoulder and is being taken in for x-rays as we speak, just as a pre-cautionary measure.

I must say, I am disturbed by the lack of Easter Bonnets in the crowd today.

It's like people don't even care about Vin...Nobody's heart is getting blessed today.

And Martin just threw a ball into centerfield on the runner trying to steal second. Very smart baserunning to try to steal right away. Alas.

((heads back to his hole muttering))

397
For some reason, Easter is celebrated on the day when Jesus was still dead, rather than on the day on which he rose

Pierre did that on purpose. He's sick of people making fun of his arm.

Pierre just made a diving catch on a ball that probably didn't need a diving catch. But it looked spectatcular. Unfortunately, the runner scored on the SF.

I can't take much more. Make roster spaces--yes, but the wrong D's are going down.
I thought Pierre hurt himself on that poor play---but of course not.

pierre has almost been as bad as kenny lofton in the outfield.

If this game takes out Pierre, we'll call it even, okay God?

I would absolutely love to see Francis out of this game and get into the Rox pen. Let's hope Pierre and Russell can work the count a bit.

Pierre has the whole Kenny Lofton "run in when it's hit over your head/run back when it's hit in front of you" thing down pat.

Enough of the Keystyone Kops routine already, Dodgers. Let's play baseball now.

The Rockies announcer just said Taveras manufactured a run with his speed and, after chuckling, said "and took a pitcher out of the game". He may have chuckled before saying that.

392
I was trying to block a layup. I failed.

The adults supervising the game came on the court and stopped the action. I was given an icepack.

I was left with a bump on my head and an intense dislike of Frank Robinson.

380 In 4th grade I was running down the basketball court looking back for a pass and ran head-first into the pole. I woke up in the nurse's office.

Hey, the Dodgers are only down by two runs, and they have the top of the order coming up...

BJ not looking so shabby in relief, aside from completely forgetting about the inherited runner.

Gotta say, Hendy pitched well. Rockies shouldn't have had a run in that inning at all, Nomar should have handled the ground ball. The runner stole 2nd and took 3rd on the throwing error, then Pierre has a noodle arm.

400
I take that back. I always get confused about "on the third day" meaning two days later.

414 Don't sweat it. That book I read says Jesus is a pretty forgiving guy.

You know, that one book...

Pierre...usually can't get it out of the infield, and when he does can't get it over anyone's head. Frustrating.

So, what freaky thing will happen in Martin's at-bat? A peregrine falcon will fly into the stadium and claw his eye out?

414
I don't know who the timekeeper is for your soul, but I'd be worried.

nice easy walk for Martin...cmon Nomah.

414 My scouts were just asking me about that on our weekend campout. If you have to ask why we discussed that topic during a scout camp, you don't know how scouts work in Utah.

D4P taking on the Anthem and the Catholics in the same day that we lose two players, probably just a coincidence...

pierre 2007 first 30PA: 4H, 1BB, 25 outs.

what is this "shirtsleeve crowd" business that vin keeps bringing up?

make up for the error nomar.

If Pierre batted eighth and made 5 million dollars over two years, I wouldn't have much of a problem with him. Furcal/Martin top of the lineup would be very much nice.

422-

I really can't wait till Furcal is back.

watching Francis throw looping curveballs for six innings is one of the most irritating things on the planet.

422 - He's hit into at least one DP this year too, right? Not that I'm counting or anything...

did anyone catch martin's at-bat music, btw?

Ugh, what is with Nomar so far?

(Rhyme not intended.)

Schmidt is day to day.

It is the night to night we have to worry about.

422
Vin still thinks that all the men wear white shirts and straw boaters to the games.

UGH.

Please somehow get Francis out of this game. Next inning SHOULD figure to be his last one.

429

inevitable decline?

429 He's started taking the first pitch.

432 - He's up fourth this inning, and is at 92 pitches.

433 There's that.

I wish he and Loney could just split the first base duties 50-50. Maybe they will before the season's over.

431 - given Vinny's age, that may well be what he sees.

Kent is inevitable decline, Nomar is just slow getting untracked. Last April was unusual for him.

422 - Vin seems to think that shirt sleeves are the same color as baseballs. Or human arms are baseball colored. Or vice versa.

428 It's still Kanye West's "Touch the Sky" which is the same song from last year.

"Schmidt is already feeling better" - they were just being cautious. (According to Vin.) No word on Kemp's X-Ray. Fingers crossed.

ah. thanks eric.

Juan Pierre and Alfonso Soriana are neck and neck in outs made in this young season.

Soriano is actually ahead of this Soriana fellow I made up.

[439] fortunately (and unfortunately) most people don't dress that nicely anymore really. our general standards of decorum have declined considerably.

Hendrickson is painting the corners.

445 Maybe the verb is "changed" and not "declined," though.

I'll give Hendy some props. He doesn't look half bad right now.

GAH! They're sending Francis back out to hit.

who is this man on the mound?

If I find a straw boater, I'm wearing it to Dodger Stadium.

Mark Hendrickson, staff ace.

Mike Hampton is out for the year (again). More shocking is that he still has one year left on The Contract.

So with Billingsley struggling last night and Jesus having arisen today, I wonder if the role of Schmidt's replacement will go to Hendrickson?

The drum machine part is Kanye West. The tune is Curtis Mayfield.

The Tall One displaying the strikout pitch that has evaded all of our starters. Go figure.

All you silly sabermetricians and stathead goofballs.

Mark Hendrickson should start. I've always said this.

It's not so bad ... still a two run deficit and our leading home run hitter, good young player, and dazzling sub are coming up.

450
When did the ushers stop wearing the straw hats?

454 Indeed. It's a Kanye West song, but the part they play is almost entirely a Curtis Mayfield sample ("Move On Up"). Which is awesome.

[447] is it? can you argue that we are just as decorous, but simply in a different way?

That sounded like a bit of "Buffalo Soldier" as Gonzalez's batting music. Maybe this guy isn't so bad after all.

460 Suits are going the way of the Dodo.

And I, for one, welcome our casual dress overlords.

458
The ushers switched uniforms about 2-3 years ago. It was one of the first McCourt changes. They did it after the All-Star Break.

I believe Plaschke was agin' it.

Yes, I miss cool hats but the tie thing was and still is a bizarre fashion choice.

Except that they're playing opening day, he had a good day yesterday, and it's turned into the Hurt Bowl, I'm still not sure why Gonzo started today. Lefty pitcher, no success against him, 6 straight starts... etc. Sigh.

Casual is one thing.

And now MLBTV has upped and died.

Maybe not such a big loss.

460
Yes, I miss the cool hats but the tie was and is a bizarre fashion choice for much to long.

I'll go under my rock now.

469
I don't think the women liked the skirts and boots all that much.

I can see no point in wearing a necktie, unless a reduction in blood flow to the carotid artery somehow improves productivity.

Dress shirts good, ties bad. TIES BAD!

The man can do no wrong.

I wore a tie Saturday.

On my day off!

471 If you wear them enough, you build up neck calluses that help you deal with this problem.

I hate ties.

I pretty much hate anything that decorum oh-so-politely "suggests" I wear.

Perhaps needless to say, this doesn't go over so well with my girlfriend now that I'm nine months shy of 40.

...and mlb.tv goes down too.

So I guess that's it for Hendrickson? Gotta give him some props - pitched like an ace today.

Ties aren't that difficult. All you have to do is buy a shirt with the right neck size.

473 - That's just weird.

476 meet 467 and join my club of Cursing at MLBTV/What Did I Pay For Again.

Neck calluses...Where do I sign up for that?

Once you've worn a military uniform for four years, you refuse to wear anything uncomfortable again. At least, I have. Polos and dress shirts, top button undone, sleeves rolled up. That's formal work attire!

Still two more innings left, and the Dodgers are down by only two runs. And ... well, I'm not too high on the batters coming up.

And now Andy Barker has been canceled.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117962708.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Let's go Bradyson Clarko!

...or not.

Sigh.

483 We knew it wasn't going to last, didn't we?

483 Rats! How does that get canceled so quickly and The War at Home is still on the air?

I go to great lengths to avoid wearing ties. I usually don't even put them on for weddings, graduations, etc. I've worn a tie twice in the last six years, one was at a banquet where I was supposed to receive an award, the other at a wedding I officiated.

Okay, Pierre legged out a double, give him credit for hustle and Hawpe credit for making that so close.

I have friends who wear a tie 6 days a week (to work and to church). It's really not that bad. On the list of things that are bad, ties do not even begin to approach Billy Packer or Dick Vitale.

one was at a banquet where I was supposed to receive an award

Does that mean you didn't receive the award after all and it was all for naught?

Pierre got to second fast! The way Hawpe fielded that, I thought he'd be held to a single for sure.

491 No, I did. But it may have been for naught, since afterward I was left with the feeling that I could have gotten away without wearing one.

487.
Hello? How are shows like "According to Jim" still on the air when quality (genius) comedy shows like Arrested Development get axed? It's like bizzaro world.

I think the most important thing in all of this is that we're spelling "canceled" with one L.

Bravo, people. Bravo.

494 Well, we could probably rewrite that sentence 30 times with different shows, sadly. That new movie The TV Set is kind of about that - the stupidity and fickleness of TV programming.

495 Hey, I have a Master's degree, I no how to spel!

495
Tell it to these guys:
http://www.brilliantbutcancelled.com/

This Baker guy's a real pest. Would be nice to get him out for once.

[499] not gonna do it.

Instead of confusing Seanez with Saenz, like GameDay often does, I keep confusing him with Baez. For some reason.

Seanez is establishing a bad pattern, get the 1st guy out and then ...

Anyone catch the sopranos last night or should we not talk about it?

If you all had to guess? How will the show end

1. Tony goes to jail
2. Tony is killed
3. Tony flips to informant.
4. It will end with nothing resolved.
5. Other (something happens, just not one of the 4 above)

Moron Delay.

Does GameDay have a way of recreating when a crazy fool goes running onto the field? 'Cause that's what just happened.

503 - Just FYI, there's a thread dedicated to the Sopranos at Screen Jam.

At least he was naked.

When do we get to replace Seanez with Meloan?

I for one would appreciate no Sopranos spoilers.

So, any guesses as to how long Seanez remains on the team?

Good, Biemel may face a moment of truth and I truly wish him well. But he will have to live with it.

503 How about, Tony has a nervous breakdown and ends up catatonic in a mental hospital.

Boy, that pitch really didn't miss at all. But Seanez is still struggling.

Lance Carter approves of Rudy Seanez's performance.

hahah, i love the way vinny said, "and a poor throw" on pierre's rainbow to the plate.

I'll head to Screen Jam after the game...thanks..forget I brought it up!!

Predictably, Pierre makes a noodle throw and the run scores on the sac fly.

Can't we have a DT* come in and play along side Pierre? (*designated thrower)

Juan for the Rockies!

507 I was wondering about that, since the crowd reaction was a lot more raucous than it would be for your usual moron on the field. I guess Vin missed his opportunity for a David Niven moment.

And now, Kemp's injury costs us a second run.

507 I was wondering about that, since the crowd reaction was a lot more raucous than it would be for your usual moron on the field. I guess Vin missed his opportunity for a David Niven moment.

And now, Kemp's injury costs us a second run.

That wasn't my fault, I swear!

Maybe Vin Scully reads DT?

Another run for Pierre.
That has to be one of the most thoughtless contracts of the new century. But I kind of like Colleti and I wonder what happened in those few weeks to addle him so. I understand when Drew made his snakey betrayal, but I don't think they were connected in time. Does anyone remember.

Soon Colletti is going to have to start answering for Pierre signing, like, on camera.

Kemp certainly was no better in the sun today than Luis Gonzalez was in Milwaukee.

524 Kemp made a juggling grab and hurt himself on a catch no reasonable person could expect him to make.

Gonzales's performance in Milwaukee was, well, not the same.

Does anybody else feel like this game was over 4 innings ago? Just from a vibe/mojo feeling, and the general inertia of their offense...

It's only a few games into the season and this team already sort of bugs me.

527 You shouldn't be so bugged. The team isn't going to be bad. It's just not going to be as good as I, and others, think it could be with Loney, Kemp, Billz, etc. Gonzales is not that bothersome, and the pitching staff is solid if unspectacular.

The center fielder just makes me a Sad Panda.

Beimel finally got nabbed for a balk.

525 Not to mention which, he almost made the tremendous catch.

I wonder if the lack of news on Kemp yet is a bad sign.

520 Naw, it takes awhile to get X-Rays back. I certainly hope it's not bad news...

This team really just needs Furcal back in the line-up, the Giants series notwithstanding.

The truth is that the Giants are just that bad.

Furcal in the lineup and somebody at 3B who can hit. Too many holes in the lineup right now.

Well, Ethier keeps hope alive.

I doubt Kemp broke any bones.
But hopefully he gets an MRI to make sure there's no damage to his shoulder.

531
If this were "House", they'd already have a diagnosis!

It would be wrong and they would almost kill Kemp with some treatment for a rare bacterial condition.

Then someone would rush in at the end and say, "You know, I think we just need to put ice on that!"

Honestly, just as we shouldn't evaluate the team solely based on the Giants series, I wouldn't evaluate them solely based on today's game either. The Rockies pitched well. yes, they need Furcal back and more pop at 3rd. But they're gonna hit.

Like now.

Some Saenz of hope.

Saenz in for Martinez. Does that mean he plays 3rd if by some miracle this game extended?

540 - Betemit is still on the bench.

541 - In fact, Betemit probably gets the next PH AB.

haha, exciting!

Holy cow, bases loaded, nobody out, against Fuentes. Just goes toshowya.

Lieberthal's up to pinch hit.

530 I doubt it means anything; has anyone you know tried to get through an emergency room in less than 4 hours lately?

537 - Absolutely. Just one game.

This would be a really nice time for Lieberthal to pull a Marlon Anderson.

They must really not like Betemit against LHP..

Goin to Mike Liebertal.

This is one of those situations where the left-handedness of our bench can hurt. I wish we could pinch-hit for Pierre, but all that's left are Betemit and Merlin.

Or a Robin Ventura.

Odds on Lieberthal tapping into a 6-4-3 GIDP and drives in a run without credit?

536 House would already have taken a brain biopsy.

Clearly the plan is to walk everyone until they get to face Pierre.

551 Dibs on "popping up to 3rd."

I didn't realize the infield fly rule could be called on a foul ball. That makes absolutely no sense.

C'mon Pierre, redeem yourself in all of our eyes!

Pierre swings at the 1st pitch

OK Pierre, all will be forgiven.

There is no infield fly rule on foul balls.

555. It was right on the line so it makes sense to call it in case it is fair... for all the reasons they call it when it's definitely fair.

well, with pierre at the plate, at least we don't have to worry about a rally-killing home run.

That was actually a pretty decent at-bat for Pierre. Now it's up to my boy Russ!

out #26.

Not a bad at bat by Pierre actually. That one was flared decently, got the run home, not what I would have hoped for but better than anticipated.

So JP gets his first Dodger RBI, and its still a negative outcome.

I did not know Sidney Ponson could grow hair.

Russ gave it a good try.

So the Dodgers have lost 5 of their last 6 home openers? That's getting to be as much a given as Derek Lowe getting shelled on opening day, home or road. Ah well. Go get 'em tomorrow.

559 Tell it to the 3B ump.

That weird national anthem lady was a bad omen. Seriously. She was depressing and witchy.

I would think that AB by Pierre would make DTers angry. He makes an out but it doesn't count against him since it brings home a (nearly) worthless run while doing nothing else. I have wanted to be as patient as possible with the JP signing but he is as hard to watch as advertised. I think the team is fine but I think we will win despite him not because of him.

So, she was a Witchy Woman?

569

The umps call for the infield fly if it is close to being fair or foul. It then does not apply if the ball is foul.

Didn't the wall where Kemp banged into it have padding in the past where it now has a hard screen for advertising?

Witchy isn't always bad. Stevie Nicks is witchy.

Hmmmm....Nicks....

Opening Day this year reminded me way too much of when the penguins finally reached Antarctica in "Madagascar."

574
The fence had a scoreboard in the same place last year as you can see in one of the photos here:
http://tinyurl.com/3xmfko

They just changed what it displays.

571 - The game was still alive - I'm not going to call it a worthless run.

575 - Witch-ay woman!

577. Yeah but wouldn't it be more fun to complain that it was McCourt's fault for making more money at the expense of his players' health? Seriously, they should have padding on the wall before any kind of screen.

578- Really? You'd take a sac fly in that situation? Down by 4 with the bases loaded and one out, it seems to me it is almsot exactly the same as a strikeout.

571 At least it was hit semi-hard and almost fell for a bases clearing double (or triple) though it may have been foul anyway. That added to the fact that Fuentes is pretty tough on lefties and I wasn't mad about his SF.

Won't it make the most sense to put Kemp on the DL to give Valdez some more time to prove himself? If he stays hot, maybe we could even get something decent in a trade.

579
On a strikeout, no one would have scored.

578 To be fair, you didn't say you'd take it, you just said it wasn't a wothless run. But my point remains the same. It was one time when a sac fly was of no help.

577 - they also removed the rubberized chain-link fence that was in front of last year's scoreboard. It may have provided a least minor cushioning* compared to the plexiglass thee now.

*I can't say for sure as they've only had "run the bases" promotions and never the much desired "bang your head against the wall" pre-game fan activity AFAIK.

581. Well that's great for a yearly run total but as for the goal of winning the game, I don't see how it brought us closer than a stirkeout would have (that being none closer).

Any word on Kemp yet?

582 - Thanks, that is all I said.

It brought us one run closer. If Martin had doubled or something, more runs come in, you know... it ends up making a difference. It ended up not meaning anything but during the game it could have. I don't see how that's the same as striking out.

If anyone wants to follow along, here's a McMillin Old Style Gameday link for Edwin Jackson's start.

http://tinyurl.com/2xq6xz

A run's a run. By definition, it brings us one run closer. That's why it's a run. Saying otherwise is like that infamous moment during the WS I think when McCarver claimed that a lead-off walk in the ninth inning was the same as a home run. It isn't. One's a walk, one's a home run.

WWSH

Just got home from the game. I was sitting on the field level down the right field line and had a good view of Kemp crashing into the wall. It was scary to see the way he was holding his right arm as he left the field, but he seemed to have a full range of motion so I'm hoping it isn't anything serious. Kemp didn't look too smooth in general with fly balls out there but the sun was in his eyes to be fair. Seeing Pierre NOT throw out the runner at the plate (not even close in fact) on that very, very shallow fly to center (any more shallow and it would have been Kent's ball) was depressing. The crowd was really rowdy and spirited at the start of the game. Too bad the Dodgers couldn't send them home happy.

The latest from Steiner --

Kemp has a contusion. Schmidts appears to just be a cramp.

587. I suppose there's no reason to go on but I will point out that if he had stuck out and Martin doubled the exact same amount of runs would have scored. Hard to come up with the hypothetical situation where the sac fly would have helped more than the strikeout.

I have to believe that all the questions being asked of Grady (about Juan Pierre) are a result of blogs. Most mainstream journalists (I'm looking at YOU, Plaschke) didn't say boo when the Dodgers signed him. Stark was curious, Olney had doubts, and Keith Law absolutely trashed the signing, but the greatest criticism came from the Philosopher King and others.

Juan Pierregate is already in full swing. And I love it.

Re: 91

I'm no doctor, but I assume that's better than something like a separated shoulder. Hopefully he won't need any DL time.

WWSH

Re: 593

It's telling that Olney wasn't thrilled with the signing--Mr. "Productive Out."

WWSH

587 The Sacrifice Fly doesn't help you in the 9th inning, because the tying run did not get any closer, and a valuable out was used up. Whether Pierre hit a SF or struck out, the next batter (Martin) would still be the potential tying run.

The run was not worthless.

Before Pierre sacrificed, the win expectancy was .083.

After he sacrificed, the win expectancy was .046.

Plaschke did not write about the Juan Pierre signing when it happened.

593 I fully agree. The Times they are a changing. With newapapers printing the likes of Plashke and Simers, more and more inteligent readers are going to the blogs for inteligent information (plus discourse) and the papers are starting to play catch up by going there themselves. And I agree that Juan Pierre is the first galring evidence that this is so.

597 Of course, I should mention that we're working with small sample sizes here... only about 100 games where the home team was down by four in the ninth with one out and the bases jammed.

597- ????? so you mean it had worth to the Rockies?

597 Not sure what point you're trying to make - the win expectancy is lower after the SF. To compare, what would the win expectancy be if Pierre had struck out?

New post up top.

Contusion, whew. Now then, can you put someone on the DL with a noodle arm? It's kinda like a dead arm, right?

Word of advice - you guys are talking in circles about the Pierre at-bat. Just let it go :)

601 602 Just teasing a little. Sorry it was vague. I withdraw the comment.

Yeah, I left for a work meeting, came back, and y'all were still talking about that at bat. Who cares? They didn't do diddly on offense most of today. They need Furcal back, they need Pierre to get on base more, mostly they need to go against someone other than Jeff Francis.

Next!

Grittle's getting questions about Pierre, not because of blogs, but because of @30 crummy at bats. If he were hitting .300, nobody would be saying anything. It's not progress, it's just a new way to be wrong.