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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

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
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Graphic Details
2007-06-09 10:36
by Jon Weisman
Heaven forbid!
 

That's better!

 

Comments (112)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-06-09 10:50:51
1.   Bob Timmermann
If Olmedo had bunted, the Baseball Toaster server would have melted.
2007-06-09 10:53:30
2.   Eric Enders
Jeff Kent, Mr. Emotional.
http://tinyurl.com/22jsyu

Continuing the discussion from the last thread:
"Nomar is hitting .279 and is on pace for 95 or so RBIs. To the average fan, Nomar is having a great year."

Even if you're a casual fan who believes in BA and RBI, is .279 with 95 ribbies really a great year? And doesn't the casual fan believe in home runs too?

"Booing has always been the fans perogative. We pay to cheer the good and boo the bad."

If that were actually going on, I wouldn't have quite as much of a problem with it. But the fans are cheering the bad (Nomar, Pierre) and booing the good (Broxton). It's not just the rudeness, but the combination of rudeness and ignorance that makes the booing so annoying.

2007-06-09 10:57:57
3.   Jon Weisman
2 - Eric, I've got the whole clip, and that pic's unfair to Kent. Seconds earlier or later, he's got a huge smile.
2007-06-09 11:01:25
4.   D4P
2
Are Nomar and Olmedo performing some kind of Mexican Hat Dance...?
2007-06-09 11:04:35
5.   Eric Enders
That or a Panamanian-Whittierian hat dance.

Without hats.

2007-06-09 11:08:05
6.   D4P
Without hats

The hats are on the ground, being danced around.

2007-06-09 11:10:52
7.   still bevens
Diamond Leung is reporting Greg Miller has been sent to Jacksonville to right his ship. Dang.
2007-06-09 11:15:00
8.   Eric Enders
Unless home plate is several inches wider in the Southern League, I'm not sure that accomplishes much.
2007-06-09 11:17:05
9.   DXMachina
5 We can dance if we want to...
2007-06-09 11:18:20
10.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
Re: 8

It may help, if the problem is mostly with Miller's confidence. My impression in ST was that he was back feeling healthy and throwing over the top with his old delivery--unless his shoulder is hurting again, the problem could be in his head, as opposed to physical, and pitching in a more friendly environment might get him back on trip.

Miller isn't that old yet--look at how long it took Kuo to get back on track--so there's still hope.

BTW Jon, great screen shots above.

WWSH

2007-06-09 11:21:42
11.   Eric Enders
Cole Hamels : Paul Lo Duca :: Paul Lo Duca : Milton Bradley

from Philly.com:

Cole Hamels doesn't take kindly to being shown up. Yesterday, he put bat-flipping Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca on notice.

"When I strike a guy out, I walk off. I don't fist pump. I don't try to show up their team," Hamels said. "You get to the major leagues, that's where you're supposed to show your class."

In Hamels' mind, Lo Duca's act Thursday in New York lacked class.

...Will Lo Duca pay?

"I have to be careful here," Hamels said, grinning evilly. "Let's just say, it could have been a mistake on his part."

2007-06-09 11:24:56
12.   Bluebleeder87
7

that's a shame, he did so well in spring training.

2007-06-09 11:29:31
13.   underdog
Probably not a bad idea, sending Miller down, though, yeah, the plate is the plate whichever league you're playing in. The air in the PCL doesn't affect how badly Miller's missing the plate. But maybe there's less pressure down there in the Southern league, and he's had success there. So if it gets his confidence back, I'm all for it.

I posted something in the ItD comments about booing your own team's players because I figured people who were part of the booing are more likely to post and read there than they are here (where we're probably preaching to the choir). That is, the ones who can read... God, that burns me up.

2007-06-09 11:32:02
14.   Bob Timmermann
5
Of course, the Dodgers most famous Mexican scout, Mike Brito, always wears a Panama hat.
2007-06-09 11:38:27
15.   Frip
Many Dodger fans are like Raider fans. They're fans because it gives them an identity symbol. They barely know anyone on the team, and as for history, it just doesn't exist. They see a guy have a bad night and that's all they know. The moment.

If real fans were booing Broxton it would be one thing. The pseudo fans booing is just another meaningless L.A. phenom.

2007-06-09 11:40:36
16.   Bob Timmermann
I have just learned that a Panama hat refers to the materials in the hat and not the style.

That blew my mind.

2007-06-09 11:41:28
17.   Bob Timmermann
Expensive Panama hats:

http://brentblack.com/

2007-06-09 11:46:55
18.   trainwreck
15
Let's not classify all Raider fans. Most are like that, but some of us know what is going on.
2007-06-09 11:49:26
19.   Ken Arneson
I remember one of Saenz' walk-off homers distinctly, because (a) I was at the game, and (b) it was the last pitch the A's saw for awhile before the 9/11/2001 events:

baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200109090.shtml

2007-06-09 12:01:02
20.   overkill94
I can't help but watch Fever Pitch every time it's on HBO. Sure it's a bit overdone, but there's so much baseball fanaticism in it that it gets me pumped up about being a Dodger fan. Too bad those Dodgers sheets I tried to get on-line were on back order.
2007-06-09 12:02:15
21.   trainwreck
I know you guys must have been ecstatic watching the Dodger game, but I was absolutely loving the A's/Giants game.
2007-06-09 12:03:32
22.   JoeyP
Saenz erased some bad fundamental errors that the Dodgers continue to make.

#1. Little pulling Penny after 87 pitches in the 8th inning. What was the rationale behind this? Had Rios had a great history against Penny or something?

#2. I'm not sure if Abreu is a better 2nd basemen than Kent, but if its a sudden death game then put Kent at 1st, and Abreu at 2b. Betemit at 3b. Now, this would involve taking Nomar out of the game, but at this point of the season Grady needs to stop playing his favorites and do whats best for the team. If Nomar takes it personally that he's pulled from the game, then so be it. The goal is to win the game, not for Nomar to play the most innings possible.

#3. Pierre-Kemp situation has been talked about already a billion times.

2007-06-09 12:05:02
23.   underdog
19 Wow, Saenz played 1B all 13 innings of that game? I can't imagine that happening now. God bless the Tomato.
2007-06-09 12:06:37
24.   neuroboy002
Clemens: 6IP, 3ER, +100 pitches, 7Ks. Oh, and he's smiling in his gameday picture, like he actually wants to play. I guess if I was making his kind of money, I would be grinning too.
2007-06-09 12:07:34
25.   underdog
22 I'm not sure pitch count itself is the only consideration with Penny. They know pretty well how he looks when he starts getting tired and how quickly things can implode on him. Anyway, I didn't have a problem with that move.

Agree with #2 though. I like Abreu at 2nd more than I like him at 3rd, defensively. Betemit's not 100% reliable there either but more so. Of course, again, if we have Loney to be a sub, putting him at 1st for Nomar would also work. At some point this season we'll see that.

2007-06-09 12:07:44
26.   overkill94
22 Well, Rios had hit a double off him earlier in the game and it's possible that Penny himself said he was tired. I think in general it's better to pull early than to leave in too long.
2007-06-09 12:15:18
27.   Bob Timmermann
Picture yourself as Grady Little and you have people complaining that you leave some pitchers in too long and you pull some pitchers too late.

That would tend to make me want to tell people to... go peddle their papers elsewhere.

2007-06-09 12:16:31
28.   berkowit28
Hmmm, don't reporters check guesses any more? At dodgers.com (Notes: LA glad) Glenn Rabney (who's that?) says "Los Angeles is playing the team farthest away geographically", meaning Toronto. A glance at the map will make it obvious to anyone that Boston, and surely New York, are significantly farther than Toronto. A simple fact check at a site (there are lots) such as www.geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm shows that the following cities, many visited frequently by the Dodgers, are all further than Toronto:

(Toronto 2174 miles)
Washington, DC 2298
Baltimore 2318
Miami 2335
Philadelphia 2390
New York 2451
Boston 2595

And both Pittsburgh and Tampa are so close to Toronto's distance that you'd have to measure stadium to stadium to be sure.

2007-06-09 12:18:39
29.   underdog
27 Exactly. He's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, and just generally, damned. Damnit.
2007-06-09 12:24:08
30.   overkill94
28 You're not taking into account the time it takes to get through customs
2007-06-09 12:28:47
31.   JoeyP
Little may be a little weary about leaving pitches in too long ever since the Pedro incident.

However, Pedro's was on, what 110+ pitches?
Facing the Yankees.

Penny's on 87, facing the Blue Jays.

If anything, Little did the safest thing he could do. Managers almost never get criticized for going to their 'closers' in late inning situations. However, it almost cost the Dodgers the game last nite.

I can see pulling Penny if Rios had got on, but the guy wasnt tired at all. He still had his velocity, just was pitching great. I cant imagine Penny asking to leave the game, since he's had a history of getting upset for getting pulled.

Little's I fear is turning into a little bit of Tracy. He pulls guys even if they are going along fine. He's done it with Billingsley's twice in the last week (once in Pitt, and in SD), and now Penny. One who manages least, manages best.

2007-06-09 12:33:27
32.   dzzrtRatt
Olmedo Saenz is becoming a latter day Manny Mota. Betemit could become a latter day Lee Lacy. This augers well.

Re: Pierre and Kemp. Listen: Kemp is here. There will be a slow fade-in for Kemp. There won't be a big Camille Johnson orchestrated press conference in which Ned and Grady officially peel off patches of their chest hairs in supplication for putting Pierre on the team. No, it'll be the subtle result of Grady "shaking up the lineup" after a bad game, then "shaking it up" again, then "going with the hot bat" if Kemp delivers, which he will, to "Pierre hasn't played for a week," to "Pierre, the forgotten man, giving player of the month Matt Kemp, a well deserved rest before the playoffs."

These guys don't want to admit a mistake, so they won't. But they also don't want to lose.

Ommmmmmm.

2007-06-09 12:39:30
33.   Sam DC
Dmitri Young is, well, unbelievably hot right now.

http://www.dcbb.blogspot.com/

2007-06-09 12:43:37
34.   underdog
32 Well said.

Say, does anyone know why Sequoyah Stonecipher wasn't drafted? I can't find any info on it. Did he change his name before the draft? Or did he tell everyone not to draft him because he's going to college. Seems really odd to me. He was considered a top - or at least first 3-4 round - prospect. Wha' happened?

2007-06-09 13:07:47
35.   The Rabbits Rarely Loose
Kemps gotta be in the starting lineup tonight, right?
If they were just replacing Martinez they would have brought up someone like Valdez . . . it seems they brought him up to get playing time . . I hope . . which I guess means taking playing time away from Ethier
2007-06-09 13:12:49
36.   Bluebleeder87
17

You wanna make sure you can pull off wearing a Panama hat. You don't wanna look like this.

http://tinyurl.com/2fggej

2007-06-09 13:15:15
37.   dzzrtRatt
which I guess means taking playing time away from Ethier

Not to sound like Pollyanna, but other than a few specific matchups, what would be the point?

The situation is this. San Diego has better pitching. Arizona has equivalent pitching. Both teams need more offense, but can't pay for it. The Dodgers can add more offense just by adjusting the lineup. What kind of foolish pride would prevent Little and Colletti from doing that if the division's on the line?

To be sure, if Kemp doesn't play well, Pierre will get the benefit of more doubts. And I also agree it will take an injury to displace Nomar for Loney, plus there's a good chance Nomar's just in a slump anyway and will eventually contribute. But the Dodger brass knows, but just won't say, that they need a daily lineup consisting of Martin/Nomar/Kent/Furcal/Abreu/Gonzalez/ Kemp/Ethier to win the division.

Watch what they do, not what they say. The promotion of Kemp is in the "what they do" category.

2007-06-09 14:22:52
38.   Eric Enders
It's important to remember that Little replaced Penny only after having a conversation with him. When he's already made up his mind to remove a pitcher, he always makes the signal before he's even reached the mound. Because he didn't do that, we know that Little's decision was based on something Penny or Martin told him. So I don't think we can really criticize him for the move since we don't know what was said.

It surprised me, too, but I don't feel comfortable saying it was the wrong choice since for all we know, Penny told Little he was done. And if so, we should be thankful that Penny is actually being honest about those things, which he hasn't been in the past.

2007-06-09 14:24:20
39.   Eric Enders
37 "there's a good chance Nomar's just in a slump anyway and will eventually contribute."

A 450 at-bat slump? I find that a little hard to believe.

2007-06-09 14:26:57
40.   underdog
Would we call it a slump for Nomar or more specifically a "power slump"? I think the latter seems more accurate. It's not like he's not getting hits in places, though it does seem true he went from a clutch hitter last year to an unclutch hitter this year. But it seems like it's a power shortage (1 HR??) all year vs. a year long slump in general.
2007-06-09 14:33:20
41.   Eric Enders
If you consider a .324 OBP acceptable for a first baseman, then you can call it a power slump. If not, then it's just a plain old slump.
2007-06-09 14:41:56
42.   underdog
Eek, yeah, I wasn't sure of it myself so I just looked up his stats. A .665 OPS is horrible for your starting firstbaseman. Okay, never mind. It's a slump. Sigh, can we make up an injury - an ingrown toenail, something - just to DL him for a couple of weeks for a rest? Honestly, I think that would help, and give youknowwho a chance.

Or, as the song goes, "Loney Again, Or..."

2007-06-09 14:46:45
43.   Michael D
So I'm just getting around to reading the Kevin Goldstein chat from yesterday at BP, and he mentions Alex White as a guy whose a contender for going #1 in 2009 (yes early of course). I have a feeling he will be the next David Price, I really wish we would have signed him.
2007-06-09 15:00:51
44.   underdog
Someone posted this on Tony Jackson's blog in the comments (maybe even one of you) and thought I'd repost it here.
"Kemp might not start tonight because Toronto's pitcher Shawn Marcum is BRUTAL against righties (.138 BAA).

I'd assume he's a lock to start on Sunday."

Just so y'all are prepared in case Kemp isn't starting tonight either.

2007-06-09 15:04:27
45.   Bob Timmermann
First basemen who have qualified for the batting title since 1901 with one or zero home runs on the season:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/TgNB
2007-06-09 15:08:10
46.   Bob Timmermann
Everyday first basemen since 1901 who have qualified for the batting title with an OBP under .324.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/D8ux

Note the presence of a certain other Dodger first baseman.

2007-06-09 15:16:05
47.   Eric Enders
46 I assume that's just the 100 most recent ones, since the list cuts off at 1964. How many first basemen have matched Nomar's 77 OPS+?
2007-06-09 15:27:42
48.   Eric Enders
The starting lineup is the best we could have possibly hoped for, with the exception that Andre Ethier the singer will play a bigger role tonight than Andre Ethier the ballplayer.

Furcal, SS
Abreu, 3B
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Martin, C
Kemp, RF
Pierre, CF
Lowe, P

2007-06-09 15:27:59
49.   LADfan in IL
42 I can't think of a situation where .665 OPS is good for anyone! Maybe a pitcher? The fact the Dodgers have 2 starters in the .600's, and 2 more in the low .700's tells you all you really need to know about the Dodger offense!
2007-06-09 15:28:49
50.   Bob Timmermann
47
Only 50 first basemen since 1901:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/Y5ef

The last one was Kevin Young in 1993.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-06-09 15:32:29
51.   blutomania
48

Wither Left Field?

Is this some sort of homage to the frenzy of last night's Giants game?

2007-06-09 15:33:09
52.   underdog
48 Hmm, interesting to see this note from Josh, too: "Kemp, RF (he arrived to the stadium pretty late yesterday from Vegas, which was part of why he wasn't in the starting lineup then)"

It seems weird to bench Ethier vs. the righty. But they don't want to bench Gonzo and, well, never mind. We've been through this before. {blather, rinse, repeat}

Go Bison!

49 No, I realize that's not all that good for anyone. But I think people expect more offense out of their firstbaseman vs. say their #8 hitting spot starting infielder (or, I don't know, their slap hitting centerfielder). But yes, it's not all that good for anyone.

2007-06-09 15:33:54
53.   underdog
51 Gonzo's in the line-up, batting after Kent.
2007-06-09 15:34:46
54.   Eric Enders
51 Sorry bout that. Gonzo's batting after Kent as usual.
2007-06-09 15:36:13
55.   natepurcell
pierre in the 8th spot is where he shall stay forever.
2007-06-09 15:40:49
56.   LADfan in IL
55 Please don't say forever! 5 years is bad enough, but forever sends shivers down my spine!
2007-06-09 15:42:41
57.   overkill94
Yay, Pierre's finally in the 8 spot! Now we just need Abreu to have a little hot streak to make it seem like he was born to bat 2nd and hopefully Pierre will be banished forever.
2007-06-09 15:45:16
58.   LADfan in IL
Underdog, I knew what you meant. By the way, I've offered the same thoughts as you pose in DL'ing Nomar to other Dodger fans I know. It seems like a very good idea. Obviously it's not a hard sell that something is wrong with Nomar. Who wouldn't believe that? Give him till after the All-Star break.

They could bring up Loney. I wouldn't have minded giving Jones a couple AB's either, but some are reporting he's left for Japan. Anyone know if that's true or not?

2007-06-09 15:46:55
59.   Eric Enders
I realize you shouldn't really root against your own players and all that. But it would probably be best for all concerned if Pierre went hitless in his first couple of games in the 8-hole. A couple of hits tonight would probably cause Little to think he's out of his "slump" and put him right back in the leadoff spot. A hitless game or two here might well benefit the team in the long run.

I know there are people who don't think Pierre batting 8th really means anything, and as far as pure run production, they may be right. But I think moving him to the 8-hole, if it sticks, is a good sign because it indicates a willingness to risk ruffling the feathers of a high-paid veteran who isn't performing. If they are willing to risk alienating Pierre by batting him eighth, it gives me ha little hope that they eventually would also be willing to bench him and Nomar.

2007-06-09 15:47:04
60.   Bob Timmermann
Tony Jackson reported in his blog yesterday that the Dodgers had reached a preliminary deal with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to send Jones to Japan.
2007-06-09 15:49:35
61.   underdog
Yeah, even if Jones wasn't heading to Japan I would hope they'd give Loney the first crack at, er, first, should Nomar be DL'd. Hm, perhaps he could come down with the same phantom back ailment that sidelined Martinez. And Pierre's next! It could be like an Agatha Christie mystery... "Ten Little Dodgers."

Yowsa, the A's welcomed old friend Barry Zito back with closed arms, shelling him and on their way to another win. The Giants came out flat after the tough loss last night.

2007-06-09 15:52:50
62.   LADfan in IL
60 Thanks Bob!

Does that make any sense? Look, I realize he's 29 and probably won't make it as an everyday major leaguer, but didn't he deserve a few AB's this year, especailly given how the offense (especailly Nomar) is struggling?

Maybe catch lightning in a bottle? Let him play 1st or DH a few weeks. Maybe he hits a few homers and has a big couple of weeks. Stranger things have happened.

I believe he should at least have been given a chance. No?

2007-06-09 15:55:30
63.   Bob Timmermann
Since Jones wasn't on the 40-man roster, they would really have to be motivated to want him on the team.

From what I've read about Jones, he seems to have Japan written all over him. He seems to be a quintessential AAAA player.

2007-06-09 15:59:30
64.   LADfan in IL
59 You bring up a good point! Perhaps this is the beginning of something. Afterall, they can't keep sending those 2 out there all season can they?

61 Works for me! The real mystery would be to find the Dodger fans who wouldn't welcome those 2 going on the DL? Do any exist?

2007-06-09 16:00:36
65.   Eric Enders
We have open spots on the 40-man -- Repko and Anderson could be moved to the 60-day DL -- so that wouldn't have been an issue. I think what was more the issue is that Jones seems to be the very definition of a quadruple-A guy. Plus the Dodgers got a lot of money for him, relatively speaking, that could probably be put to better use than giving a handful of ABs to a 30-year-old journeyman.
2007-06-09 16:01:17
66.   bhsportsguy
For the first 6 innings, Penny was right around the plate, I think after 6, he had 60 pitches, 45 strikes and 15 balls and only one 3 ball count (and not that many 2 ball counts). After that, he was getting behind and in the 8th had a couple of 3 ball counts, he was still throwing 94-95 but he was a bit off.

And Eric made the point that when Grady when out on the mound, he talked to both Penny and Martin and then he decided to call in Broxton.

All that said, it was the best game I ever saw Penny pitch and the only other start I have seen this year as good was Randy Wolf's start against the Reds.

2007-06-09 16:02:34
67.   Eric Enders
The best game I have ever seen Penny pitch was probably his first game with the Dodgers. Last night was pretty impressive, though.
2007-06-09 16:04:14
68.   Eric Enders
Arguably, Penny's best game as a Dodger and Gagne's worst game as a Dodger both came in the same game.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200408030.shtml

2007-06-09 16:04:26
69.   bhsportsguy
59 Nomar has a lot longer leash, at least a few more months and then they would still probably do a wait and see.
2007-06-09 16:06:52
70.   LADfan in IL
63 I can think of a few players I wouldn't have minded seeing him replace on the 40 man roster. I'd be real motivated as well! :)

That being said, I too doubt he ever becomes an every day player in the big leagues, but he might be someone who could ride his best minor league season ever into a couple of decent weeks in the majors.

At the very least, wouldn't it have been a little intriguing with him in the lineup for a couple weeks? Along with Kemp and Loney, to try and jumpstart the offense?

It doesn't matter anymore, he is gone. But it does seem a little short-sighted.

2007-06-09 16:07:12
71.   Eric Enders
I'm holding out hope that we might trade Nomar to the Yankees. They're in desperate need of a first baseman, they like those proven veteran types, and acquiring Nomar would give them the opportunity to thumb their nose at Boston.

I know Nomar has a no-trade, but he might agree to waive it if you presented him a choice between being a bench player with the Dodgers or a starter with the Yankees. I don't really care what we get for him. At this point, a bucket of baseballs would be an outstanding return.

2007-06-09 16:08:06
72.   natepurcell
i wonder if the dodger are going to use the 325k they got for mitch jones and put it in the kyle blair fund.
2007-06-09 16:09:14
73.   natepurcell
bridger hunt promoted to Inland Empire according to Loons announcer.
2007-06-09 16:13:35
74.   Joshua Worley
Being in the stands for the game, I never even considered the possibility that Saenz would bunt. I pretty sure Grady didn't ever consider that possibility either.

I put up a first-hand account of what it was like to be at last night's game at Dodgerama.

2007-06-09 16:17:42
75.   k0b3
just saw tonight's lineup and i'm glad that grittle is showing some signs of brain function...pierre is finally moved 8th where at the very least he should stay. The only gripe i have is that nomar should be moved down or moved out of the lineup replaced by martin and abreu is not much of a patient hitter. The next move grittle should make is to bench pierre, kemp in center, move nomar somewhere because he's becoming worthless.
2007-06-09 16:21:06
76.   natepurcell
during the live at bats in his scouting video, glenn gallagher kina looks like hee seop choi at the plate...
2007-06-09 16:21:25
77.   Eric Enders
74 Very nice writeup. You're probably the only guy I know who could get away with spending his anniversary at the ballpark.

It seems like pretty much everybody thought for sure that Saenz's hit was a going to be a double. And in the end, it went over the wall with room to spare. Weird.

2007-06-09 16:22:54
78.   Eric Enders
76 So I wonder if Gallagher and the Tomato will ever get to be teammates. Talk about an odd couple.
2007-06-09 16:33:15
79.   natepurcell
mattingly crushes a homerun on a 1-2 count just inside the left field foul pole.
2007-06-09 16:35:18
80.   Michael D
It's nice to see we're doing something about Pierre. Now on to Nomar. I don't think he's batted anywhere but third in any game he's started this year. Now that Gonzalez is hot how about

Furcal
Abreu
Gonzalez
Kent
Martin
Nomar
Kemp/Ethier
Pierre

I'd say he should be 7th but that's probably asking too much, 6th is like next to the middle of the order so it isn't a total demoralizing demotion. Just a shake things up kind of demotion.

2007-06-09 16:35:44
81.   Bob Timmermann
Not much pitching early in the Fullerton super-regional.
2007-06-09 16:45:31
82.   Eric Enders
Tony Jackson makes a good point on his blog... how come the Hollywood Stars game never has any actual Hollywood stars?
2007-06-09 16:48:12
83.   JoeyP
80--I like that but i'd also like this one:

Furcal
Gonzalez
Martin
Kent
Kemp
Nomar
Abreu
Ethier/Pierre

Gonzo walks quite a bit. I think the team could use his OBP in the 2nd spot for awhile until he cools off. Martin should be batting #3. I'd platoon Ethier/Pierre and have Kemp/Gonzo the everyday OF'ers.

This is still a very positive development that Pierre is batting 8th. Glad to see Little has some cajones. Just a couple years ago, Tracy kept Izturis at the top of lineup all year long.

2007-06-09 16:50:55
84.   Bluebleeder87
if you guys get a chance Tommy Lasorda mustard out a pretty funny & good story telling interview for MLB.Com you can watch it @ Dodgers.com. I really enjoyed it.
2007-06-09 16:51:16
85.   underdog
72 Works for me. Don't forget to add to that pot the money from the Kelly Stinnett Fire Sale. ;-)
2007-06-09 16:51:57
86.   Bob Timmermann
82
The Hollywood Stars game used to get pretty big stars. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau used to be regulars. Danny Kaye would show up, although I don't believe he played. (I would play the infield looking for the bunt with Kaye.)

A lot of this were holdovers from a time when:
1) all the big stars lived in L.A.
2) going to Dodgers games was a big deal

But Hollywood's big stars don't live in L.A. all the time now. And the Lakers have picked up a lot of the star power now because they win a lot and Jack Nicholson is a big fan.

But even when Lemmon and Matthau played, there were a lot of not very famous people playing.

2007-06-09 16:54:41
87.   JoeyP
It's not like he's not getting hits in places, though it does seem true he went from a clutch hitter last year to an unclutch hitter this year.

Nomar's hitting like .500 with RISP this year. His 'clutchness' this year is just about the only thing keeping him in that #3 spot. Grady's even commented about it--about how Nomar's job is to just drive in runs.

Unfortunately, "clutchness" probably wont last the whole season.

2007-06-09 17:00:33
88.   underdog
Hm, yeah, I looked it up, too. With RISP and two outs this season, Nomar is:
.409 .480 .409 .889
AVG OBP SLG OPS

Overall he's:
.441 .485 .508 .994

So he's obviously been better than I thought, though not as good as he has been in some of his past years.

So it's things like the .341 SLG percentage overall that have stuck with me. Well, it could be the opposite, his overall numbers get better. But without him getting some rest at some point this season, and perhaps a little youth serum, I don't see it.

2007-06-09 17:01:05
89.   underdog
("Overall" above, meant overall with RISP, not overall in general!)
2007-06-09 17:03:17
90.   Bob Timmermann
1985 Hollywood Stars game participants:
Tom Selleck
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1983:
Wayne Gretzky
1980:
Kareem
Mark Harmon

But even today, when the Dodgers try to show a celebrity in the crowd, the best they can come up with is Robert Wuhl. And that's just not right as "Arli$$" is a show that offends my sensibilities a member of the human race.

2007-06-09 17:04:56
91.   Eric Enders
They show Tom Hanks in the crowd all the time. Seems like he could get a hit or two.
2007-06-09 17:06:52
92.   Bob Timmermann
In 1975, the Dodgers were able to get:
Jerry Lewis (Team captain)
Matthau
Lemmon
David Hartman
Robert Culp
Bob Newhart
Max Baer, Jr
John Beradino
Billy Barty
Rob Reiner
2007-06-09 17:08:06
93.   Eric Enders
Max Baer, Jr? I'm guessing ex-Dodger MVP Dolph Camilli wasn't in attendance that day.
2007-06-09 17:11:39
94.   underdog
"And, at shortstop, Billy Barty!"

Bob Newhart would've been cool. So, too, would seeing Matthau and Lemmon. What a lame crop they have nowadays. There are plenty of stars still living in LA area, they could do better than they're doing. Though maybe many of the best of 'em are actually, you know, working. Shooting a film somewhere or traveling.

2007-06-09 17:13:58
95.   s choir
80 83 Right now, Nomar in the 3rd spot is worse than Pierre in the 1st/2nd spot. The third spot is supposed to be for the best hitter on the team. That's Martin. So I like JoeyP's lineup better, with the caveat that Kemp should not be taking any playing time from Ethier, for defensive reasons (is there any dispute that Ethier is the best outfield defender the Dodgers have?).

Here's my lineup (with a five-man rotation in the outfield):

Furcal ss
Abreu 3b
Martin c
Kent 2b
Gonzalez/Kemp lf/rf
Ethier lf/rf (lf when Kemp is playing)
Pierre/Clark cf
Nomar 1b

2007-06-09 17:15:38
96.   Ranma
Forgive me if this has already been posted but Ken Rosenthal just recently did an interview with Canada's Sportsnet where he says Russell Martin is not only respected for his leadership qualities, but revered.

http://tinyurl.com/2bw5kc

The clip opens with a bit on the draft and ends with the Giambi steroid scandal, but the meat of the interview is the praise for Martin.

2007-06-09 17:16:07
97.   Bob Timmermann
It could be worse. We could be Red Sox fans and be subjected to shots of Ben Affleck all the time.
2007-06-09 17:17:59
98.   Eric Enders
"Kemp should not be taking any playing time from Ethier, for defensive reasons (is there any dispute that Ethier is the best outfield defender the Dodgers have?)."

I would dispute that to a certain degree. I think it remains to be seen whether Kemp is a better outfielder than Ethier. Ethier is fundamentally more sound, but Kemp is faster and has a much better arm. I think they're close enough that you shouldn't be making the playing time decisions based on defense.

2007-06-09 17:21:32
99.   Michael D
I really don't think it matters too much what we do with the rest of the lineup so long as Nomar and Pierre are 7th and 8th (this is of course as long as they are in the lineup, which much to our chagrin they will be for at least the near future).
2007-06-09 17:21:56
100.   Bluebleeder87
But even today, when the Dodgers try to show a celebrity in the crowd, the best they can come up with is Robert Wuhl. And that's just not right as "Arli$$" is a show that offends my sensibilities a member of the human race.

i've seen Arnold Schwarchenegger at games a few times.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-06-09 17:23:29
101.   Ranma
96. Here is the article referenced in the interview:

http://tinyurl.com/3yjvaz

2007-06-09 17:47:13
102.   Branch Rickey
I have to believe this was discussed here when it came out earlier in the week but I couldn't find it and it's too juicy not to make sure it wasn't missed ...
*According to USA Today Juan Pierre is the best player in the majors at hitting in pressure situations and leads all hitters with a .462 batting average through Sunday's games.
Pressure situation is defined as seventh inning or later with the batting team ahead by one run, tied or having the tying run on base, at bat or on deck*
How can this possibly be?
2007-06-09 17:50:53
103.   D4P
102
Even more impressive: Pierre is hitting .667 with a runner on third.
2007-06-09 17:55:56
104.   Branch Rickey
103. Bizarre. I would think you would have to be stretch like a contortionist to find an offensive stat that makes Pierre sound good. That's actually a pretty straight forward one.
2007-06-09 17:57:44
105.   Bob Timmermann
Bizarre is Washington leading the Twins in Minneapolis 3-1 in the 7th and Santana is pitching for the Twins and Speigner is throwing for a 2-hitter for the Nats.
2007-06-09 18:00:40
106.   s choir
98 Until Kemp shows he can take better routes to the ball, Ethier is the man defensively. Ethier's got a pretty good arm, too. I'd rate their arms comparably, with Ethier getting the nod because he's more accurate.
2007-06-09 18:05:14
107.   scooplew
27 "That would tend to make me want to tell people to... go peddle their papers elsewhere."

That was a favorite expression of my British grandmother, who died 35 years ago. I hadn't heard it in a long time. It is so much gentler than many alternatives.

2007-06-09 18:09:38
108.   boco
Any reason why Kershaw hasn't pitched since the 3rd and isn't going today?
2007-06-09 18:26:35
109.   Eric Enders
Yellow alert for Grady Sizemore.
2007-06-09 18:29:30
110.   Eric Enders
108 "He missed his scheduled start Friday because the Dodgers are having regular starting pitchers across the organization skip a start."

So says the Midland Daily News.

2007-06-09 18:35:09
111.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2007-06-09 18:38:29
112.   Bluebleeder87
Pierre batting 8th does bring a smile to my face, but benching him or trading him would be allot better. Kemp back & starting is really cool.

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