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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

Will Carroll on Jason Schmidt
2007-06-21 10:34
by Jon Weisman

In the first year of his free agent deal, Jason Schmidt is done for now. Surgery performed on his shoulder found a torn labrum and some other damage, which was repaired. The rest of his career is riding on how well the fix takes hold. The labrum was anchored back to bone, so that's the key point that will need to heal before his rehab starts. There's not much precedent for a return to level, though it's interesting to note that the article I did on labrums for Slate back in 2004 is now almost completely obsolete. This is far more extensive than the surgery that Schmidt had in 2000, so timeframes are a bit tougher to judge here, but a vague yet reasonable one has him returning in time for spring training next year. The same holds true for Yhency Brazoban, who will have his labrum repaired on Friday.

It's hard to say that these injuries were "preventable" - for Schmidt, it was years of pitching, though there has to be some question about the physical done before signing his three-year deal. When it comes to Brazoban, it's all too common to see shoulder injuries post-Tommy John surgery due to subtle alterations in mechanics. The Dodgers have some pitching depth, and for them to keep up in the NL West, guys like Chad Billingsley will have to come through.

- Will Carroll at Baseball Prospectus

And from a live chat today:

It was, from what I understand, an extensive SLAP tear of the labrum, but he came back from a significantly less significant tear once before. (God that's a terrible sentence, but I can't figure out how to say it better.) The real answer is that the Dodgers should have a much better handle on how Schmidt is coming back early in the rehab. The timeframe to "know" is sometime in the season, maybe the early post-season, so there's plenty of time to figure out Plan B or call the insurance company (oops, there's not one.)

Comments (188)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-06-21 10:39:16
1.   ToyCannon
Nice of him to mention his 3 year old article is obsolete without saying why or what has changed about the surgery in the last 3 years.
2007-06-21 10:43:56
2.   Eric Stephen
The rest of his career is riding on how well the fix takes hold

Well then, they better get cranking on another song besides "One Thing Leads To Another".

2007-06-21 10:45:26
3.   Jon Weisman
2 - LOL.
2007-06-21 10:49:15
4.   Peanuts in My Shoes
Would Mike "Marshall's unpopular mechanics" help prevent these types of injuries?

http://tinyurl.com/yvcgdy

2007-06-21 11:02:50
5.   dianagramr
2

Well done sir ....

And ... to bring it back 'round to Will Carroll .... "One Thing Leads to Another" could be the theme song for Will's frequent use of the term "cascade injury"

2007-06-21 11:04:21
6.   SG6
Is a "diminished" Schmidt the guy that threw 91mph (down from his early days of mid-90's), or the guy that throws in the mid to high-80's?
If the latter, then we know how the "diminished" Schmidt will play out. Unless he can rework his repetoire and become a crafty Maddux or Glavine.
2007-06-21 11:07:29
7.   Eric Stephen
Maybe the Dodgers can juggle their 2008 rotation so that Schmidt only faces San Diego.
2007-06-21 11:08:03
8.   Greg Brock
4
The Marshall thing is tough. His "I'm being blackballed because I'm reinventing pitching" thing is a little too tin-foil-hat for me, but I get what he's talking about (as much as a layman can).

When a few more Marshall guys get into the bigs, it will shed some more light.

2007-06-21 11:14:03
9.   Eric Stephen
4,8 I think Mike Marshall falls into the Elijah Dukes category that can only go to a team with nothing else to lose (I'm looking at you Kansas City).
2007-06-21 11:14:30
10.   DeucesAreWild
Sorry if this has been asked before, but is Schmidt's contract insured? Will the Dodgers recoup any cost of his annual salary?
2007-06-21 11:15:19
11.   underdog
2 Maybe, someday, they'll be saved by zero.
2007-06-21 11:15:45
12.   Greg Brock
10 Will Carroll thinks it's highly unlikely that Schmidt's contract is insured.
2007-06-21 11:15:58
13.   Marty
More than the question of insurance, could the Dodgers legally void the contract based on false information?
2007-06-21 11:18:39
14.   Greg Brock
13 He passed a physical (apparently). Wouldn't there have to be evidence of intentional obfuscation on his part to get that money back?

Even then, could they get it back? I doubt it.

2007-06-21 11:22:38
15.   Eric Stephen
13 I doubt the Dodgers could get any money back. Well, maybe if they have footage of Schmidt playing basketball with Aaron Boone.

14 You just wanted to use "obfuscation", didn't you?

2007-06-21 11:30:42
16.   Jon Weisman
Kevin Goldstein on Kershaw at the Midwest League All-Star Game:

"Walking up to the press box to join the television broadcast of the game for an inning, I was excited to see Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw taking the mound. Play-by-play man Jeff Hem handed me an easy one by simply asking for my thoughts on Kershaw, and I got one of those ice embarrassing moments: while I'm calling the him the best left-hander in the minors and projecting him for everything from 20-win seasons in the big leagues to the key for peace in the Middle East, he promptly grooves his fourth pitch of the game to Cedar Rapids (Angels) slugger Matt Sweeney, who goes opposite field with it for the game's only home run. Sweeney is a very real prospect and one of the few sleepers in an Angels system that features a number of high-profile prospects. He's a teenager with good hitting skills and plus-plus raw power, but he needs to refine his approach and find a defensive home; he's been pretty awful at third base so far this year. Luckily, Kershaw made me look good from there on out, sitting at 94-96 mph with his fastball and recording a pair of strikeouts, including one on a curveball that absolutely froze Cedar Rapids outfielder Chris Pettit to end the inning, a pitch that color commentator (and WGN sports anchor) Dave Kaplan nearly ran out of adjectives for. Speaking to a scout later in the game, Kershaw was by far his most impressive arm of the night.

"Nobody can remember the last lefthander in this league with his combination of size and stuff. In pre-game interviews, every player I asked to name the toughest pitcher in the league picked Kershaw, except for one, who listed him second after Manship."

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6372

2007-06-21 11:30:48
17.   bhsportsguy
I am fascinated by this concern that Schmidt's contract is insured.

Did anyone ask if the Dodgers' recouped any money from Brazoban or Werth's deals when they were out?

Its sound like short of doing a scope job of his shoulder prior to signing a contract, there was no way to know exactly what the deal was with his shoulder?

Look, it is an unfortunate and seems like continued risk whenever you sign a free agent, no matter what their past injury history indicates.

The Angels didn't resign Glaus because he had a lot of injuries in the previous few years and they had some guy ready to go (they thought) in his place.

They did sign Vlad Guerrero, though he also had some injury concerns that he has mostly avoided during his stay.

J.D. Drew got the injury-prone label early in his career, his one serious injury was due to being hit by a pitch, not something you can exactly plan for but it was damaging nonetheless.

You can certainly take the route of never signing 32+ age free agents due to potential injury risks but that will limit you greatly in terms of adding players to the roster.

2007-06-21 11:36:53
18.   Greg Brock
17 The insurance thing matters (to me, at least) because it factors into the payroll, and, ultimately, how good the team can be.

If they're on the hook for all of Schmidt's salary, then the payroll is affected. If he's covered, they don't have to pay most of the 15.66 million dollars per year and can spend the money elsewhere.

It's just an interesting topic and so open ended that it makes for good conversation. Plus, we got to see Schmidt pitch twice together, BH. Now, that's like seeing the Loch Ness monster.

2007-06-21 11:39:06
19.   Eric Stephen
17 In fairness, the contracts of Brazoban and Werth don't matter since they have always been less than $500k. This doesn't affect the Dodgers' ability to spend money on other resources.

It's a relevant issue in Schmidt's case because if insurance picks up any portion of his $15-16m/yr, it gives the Dodgers real money to play with.

They were able to get insurance money on something like 80% of Dreifort's 2005 salary (saved them in the neighborhood of $8.5m). That's significant. Hence the concern.

2007-06-21 11:40:47
20.   Jacob L
17 Fair enough, bh, and I'm certainly not going to pile on Colletti for this, but I'm not sure the analogies you cite are applicable here.

With Schmidt, it'd be reasonable to be concerned that he had an on-going or chronic issue, and wasn't right, or likely to be right, at the time he signed the deal. He certainly was never sound from day 1 of Spring Training, and his decline in velocity with SF was a known factor.

In other words, there is a certain inherent injury risk with any player, and with older players in particular. Jason Schmidt, I think carried more risk than what's inherent. It was a worthwhile gamble, I think, but a gamble nonetheless. I'd hope that the Dodgers tried to improve their odds, both by getting and using as much information as they could, and by insuring the deal.

2007-06-21 11:41:19
21.   Doctor
..."The other blockbuster firing of the week was Eddie Murray's exit as Dodgers hitting coach. Dodgers players have told their friends that Murray was so headstrong and old-school that half the position players on the roster weren't even on speaking terms with him...."
Stark, ESPN

Well, that explains that.

2007-06-21 11:43:02
22.   underdog
16 Nice. So what's the latest ETA for Kershaw? Seems like he should be bumped up to High A this year. Then AA next year? So 2008 is probably unreleastic for majors, but 2009 likely?
2007-06-21 11:49:59
23.   SG6
19 - but did any of the Dreifert insurance money go back into payroll? Is there a precedent that insurance money will be invested back in the team payroll? Or that a lack of insurance will hinder payroll potential?

My guess on Schmidt is if there is some insurance on him, it will cover a low % of salary - 50% at best, and the cost was likely 10-15% of his salary to begin with. Just guesses on my part. Obviously we'd like to see McCourt recoup the most $$, but not sure if McCourt puts that into the "payroll" bucket, or if it just sort of ends up in other places.

2007-06-21 11:55:41
24.   bhsportsguy
18 I also saw Schmidt pitch on Opening Day, maybe he can't pitch in the daytime?

There's about 23 million (not counting Wolf and Kent or Hendy) that will come off the books with the amounts owed to players no longer or here or retired (Mueller) plus removing Tomko from the roster.

While Schmidt's contract if he never pitches a ball again will certainly be a disappointment, they could probably work around it like they did last year with Gagne's deal.

It will make for an interesting off-season if Wolf gets his automatic renewal (180 IP), Kuo and Billingsley pitch well and Lowe and Penny continue to be very good.

This does mean that all those calls to trade Penny or Lowe for offense goes away for this year and with Elbert out and no other high ceiling starter on the horizon for at least another couple of years, any offensive upgrade will come by either dealing our own high ceiling offenseive prospects or wait until the off-season.

I am betting on the latter.

2007-06-21 11:58:27
25.   ToyCannon
From this point on I'm going to pretend Kershaw does not exist until I see him warming up in the Dodger bullpen. I'm not going to fall for this best prospect in the land stuff from a teenager. It took 15 years for the Kiki Jones broken heart to mend only to have Greg Miller & Ed Jackson give the right and left ventricles a teasing squeeze before they went to the prospect cementary.
2007-06-21 12:04:02
26.   Bob Timmermann
The chances that the Dodgers would void Schmidt's contract are zero. I see no way they could do that and get away with it. The MLBPA would file so many grievances that it wouldn't be funny.

I can't think of the last player who had his contract invalidated unless it was because a team signed the player illegally.

2007-06-21 12:11:18
27.   Greg Brock
I'm with ToyCannon on this one. Kershaw doesn't exist. He's just some mythical creature that will only be real when he's pitching for the Dodgers.

He's like that Minoan thing. The Minotaur.

2007-06-21 12:18:54
28.   natepurcell
im with toycannon and greg brock.

Goldstein and everyone else needs to stop building up Kershaw. TINSTAPP with dodger pitchers is too real to get too excited.

2007-06-21 12:22:17
29.   Eric Stephen
I'll jump on the ToyCannon, Greg Brock, and natepurcell bandwagon.

My only question is that if Kershaw doesn't exist, won't that hurt the BA Dodger prospect ratings next season? :)

2007-06-21 12:22:20
30.   underdog
Yeah, I understand. The jinx thing, and getting overexcited for prospects that then end up blowing out their arms or something. So I'm with you on that. I do think he looks an awful lot more talented at this stage than Jackson or Elbert or even Miller (who was definitely hyped up, looked great once, before turning into Wild Thing). But I'll try not to think of Kershaw again until he's on the major league team. It won't happen, but I'll try.
2007-06-21 12:22:27
31.   Bob Timmermann
Michael Barrett making his San Diego debut in about 10 minutes. I'm sure he and David Wells will get along well.
2007-06-21 12:24:32
32.   Jon Weisman
So we're agreed, then. Kershaw does not exist. You can't plan to employ someone who doesn't exist. You can't trade something that doesn't exist, either.
2007-06-21 12:25:20
33.   Eric Stephen
23 According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the Dodgers payroll jumped from $83m in 2005 to $98m in 2006. Who knows if McCourt pocketed the Dreifort insurance money or not, but it doesn't seem like he did.
2007-06-21 12:25:24
34.   Greg Brock
Nate Purcell is right about Toycannon's bein' right.

I wash born here, an I wash raished here, and dad gum it, I am gonna die here, an no sidewindin bushwackin, hornswaglin, cracker croaker is gonna ruin me bishen cutter.

2007-06-21 12:26:35
35.   Greg Brock
Rabble
2007-06-21 12:27:30
36.   underdog
I can think of some other players I wished didn't exist. But on the other hand, if the idea is to not jinx said players, then maybe I should acknowledge their existences in that case, and thus... Aaiiiieeee!
2007-06-21 12:27:58
37.   Eric Stephen
Maybe we can invent a Bill Brasky type prospect for the Dodgers, someone for the mainstream media to catch on and to hype other than Santa Claus.
2007-06-21 12:28:45
38.   underdog
34 We should remember to ring the church bells loudly if you quote from Gabby Johnson again.
2007-06-21 12:29:58
39.   underdog
37 Like Captain Tuttle from that classic episode of M*A*S*H?

How about that Spike Lundberg eh? He's gonna be the next big thing!

What's that? There really is a Spike Lundberg? Well, I stand by my comment.

2007-06-21 12:30:50
40.   Bob Timmermann
32
Can we all stipulate to the theoretical existence of Kershaw? There is indeed a pitcher named Kershaw and he has a potential value of X.

Obviously, you can't power your TV on potential energy, but that doesn't mean the energy is not there.

2007-06-21 12:31:43
41.   Greg Brock
40 Bob is not playing along.
2007-06-21 12:34:57
42.   Inside Baseball
I'm officially disgusted.

Furcal, SS

Pierre, CF

Nomar, 1B

Kent, 2B

Gonzo, LF

Martin, C

Anderson, DH

Ethier, RF

Abreu, 3B

Billingsley, P

2007-06-21 12:35:28
43.   kngoworld
Lineup via ITD:

Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzo, LF
Martin, C
Anderson, DH
Ethier, RF
Abreu, 3B
Billingsley, P

Still no start for Kemp

2007-06-21 12:36:25
44.   kngoworld
31 seconds... boo whoo.
2007-06-21 12:36:26
45.   Eric Stephen
42,43 My prediction was way off!
2007-06-21 12:37:09
46.   DXMachina
40 Schroedinger's Kershaw.
2007-06-21 12:37:55
47.   ToyCannon
At least Ethier has moved up ahead of Abreu. We are talking real progress here.
2007-06-21 12:38:22
48.   Bob Timmermann
TINSAASC!
2007-06-21 12:38:38
49.   ToyCannon
41
Bob is a non-fiction reader.
2007-06-21 12:39:17
50.   kngoworld
Kershaw exist long enough to do this, via ITD:

"Clayton Kershaw will be playing in the Futures Game, it was announced today. That takes place the Sunday before the All-Star Game up in SF. "

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-06-21 12:41:57
51.   Greg Brock
The Minotaur cannot pitch in the Futures Game. Because he will pitch, and I will see him, and I will fall for him, and then this entire denial thing falls apart.

I say skip the Futures Game. For my well being. Just skip it. Please.

2007-06-21 12:42:14
52.   ToyCannon
At least the one who doesn't exist will have a great nickname when he does appear.

Not used to people agreeing with me, now I'm beginning to think I'm making a mistake and that maybe I should glory in his greatness even if it is for just a short time. If he is going to be Steve Avery maybe we should enjoy the ride and not worry about things we can't control. Wishy Washy Charlie Brown.

2007-06-21 12:42:19
53.   Bob Timmermann
49
I read a novel a couple years ago I think.
2007-06-21 12:44:00
54.   ToyCannon
So, anyone for a car trip to SF:)
2007-06-21 12:45:17
55.   underdog
Ack, I pray he doesn't become another Steve Avery. That would be depressing. I remember how excited I was when I got a Steve Avery rookie baseball card. So much for that.

42/43: Hey, at least Billingsley's starting! Finally. Let's at least look on the hopeful side.

2007-06-21 12:46:21
56.   underdog
Let me know if you guys wanna go to that game, since I live here. :-)

I assume you don't need a ticket to the All-Star game to go the Futures game? If you do, then never mind.

2007-06-21 12:50:35
57.   Inside Baseball
Why is Grady Little doing a Jim Tracy impersonation? Why is Kemp getting the Choi-shoulder?
2007-06-21 12:52:23
58.   ToyCannon
56
These look like good seats.
http://tinyurl.com/2cebob
2007-06-21 12:53:32
59.   D4P
Regarding Billingsley: I'm sure it must have happened, but I don't recall seeing anyone around here mention that his K/9 has shot up from a worrisome 5.90 last season to a whopping 10.29 this season. His K/BB ratio has simultaneously more-than-tripled.
2007-06-21 12:54:29
60.   ToyCannon
Might be the reason were excited to see him pitch tonight.
2007-06-21 12:54:59
61.   trainwreck
Maybe I should stop starting Kemp in my fantasy leagues.

I feel sorry for Milton Bradley. Let's bring him back!

2007-06-21 12:55:54
62.   trainwreck
56
I have been trying to get tickets to the All-Star game through my mom's work. So far I have been unsuccessful.
2007-06-21 12:56:02
63.   Inside Baseball
Yeah, he and Kemp could bond on the bench.
2007-06-21 12:57:30
64.   bigcpa
57 Because Kemp has holes in his swing!
2007-06-21 12:57:39
65.   Linkmeister
Let us hope that Kershaw is somewhat more real than Sidd Finch was.
2007-06-21 12:58:55
66.   natepurcell
Regarding Billingsley: I'm sure it must have happened, but I don't recall seeing anyone around here mention that his K/9 has shot up from a worrisome 5.90 last season to a whopping 10.29 this season. His K/BB ratio has simultaneously more-than-tripled

whats your point? his numbers this year are more in line with his stellar minor league record.

2007-06-21 13:03:32
67.   trainwreck
I think he was just trying to say how last year was more of an aberration. lol Nate is always so hard on D4P.
2007-06-21 13:04:23
68.   Bob Timmermann
Two words:

Arm angle

2007-06-21 13:04:27
69.   natepurcell
67

no, he was trying to say how this year is an aberration and we should be worried because last year proved he isn't good.

2007-06-21 13:06:18
70.   Marty
I know I'm a little late, but Howard Johnson is right! Kershaw is a non-entity

The sheriff is a TINSTAAP!

2007-06-21 13:06:58
71.   ToyCannon
I was plenty worried about his ratio's last year and I doubt I was on the island by myself even with his stellar minor league record.
2007-06-21 13:07:03
72.   Inside Baseball
This is exactly what I miss most about Lasorda. Say what you will about his handling of pitchers, but if he was managing the current Dodgers, Kemp would be in there everyday until it was clearly apparent that he belonged or didn't. And Juan Pierre would get a Jesse Orosco-type tongue-lashing whenever he flied out on the first or second pitch he see. I miss Tommy.
2007-06-21 13:07:29
73.   trainwreck
69
Not trying to speak for D4P here (ok, I am), but I highly doubt he thinks that way.
2007-06-21 13:08:35
74.   Doctor
57

Also brutal platoon splits with Marcum.

2007-06-21 13:09:02
75.   bigcpa
Kemp is 12-29 with a 450-foot HR vs. RHP this year and sits behind Marlon Anderson on the DH depth chart. Unreal. If Bills wasn't pitching I would boycott tonight's game.
2007-06-21 13:10:34
76.   D4P
no, he was trying to say how this year is an aberration and we should be worried because last year proved he isn't good

That's not what I meant at all. I remember people being worried last year about how Chad wasn't striking anyone out. This year, he's striking a lot of people out, but I didn't remember seeing anyone mention that.

2007-06-21 13:10:49
77.   Greg Brock
70 Almost every time somebody makes a joke on DT, I laugh. The senses of humor (sense of humors? Senses of humors?) are great.

But Marty is uncanny. Never fails

2007-06-21 13:11:18
78.   D4P
Maybe Marlon is being showcased for a trade.

Then again, maybe he's not.

2007-06-21 13:11:31
79.   natepurcell
73

have you not been here the last 2-3 years? D4P is easily the most cynical poster in this community. Maybe its an act he puts on to impress andrew, greg and now the ghost of steve, but i will not let his curses be casted upon Chad Billingsley!

2007-06-21 13:12:40
80.   bigcpa
74 This is what RH batters have done vs. John Maine this year: .210/.255/.299 (167 ab)

That's including Kemp's shot into the loge level.

2007-06-21 13:12:45
81.   Greg Brock
Nobody was more cynical than Steve. Nobody.

I miss The Ninja.

2007-06-21 13:12:55
82.   D4P
Almost every time somebody makes a joke on DT, I laugh

OL...?

2007-06-21 13:13:03
83.   natepurcell
my last comment was uncalled for. i retract it. the powers that be, please delete it. i will now suspend myself from watching Billingsleys first start..(not that i had a choice anyways with a prior engagement)
2007-06-21 13:13:09
84.   ToyCannon
I am boycotting tonights game. I had everything planned last night around Kuo's start and then 1/2 later my evening was shot. Not going to get fooled again. This baby is being tivoed until I know we've won. None of this watching a disaster unfold live in front of me.
2007-06-21 13:13:37
85.   GoBears
79. He just wants you to think he's pretending to be cynical. It's very Zen.
2007-06-21 13:15:09
86.   D4P
I miss The Ninja

Me too. Hopefully we won't have to wait until 2008 for:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453538/

2007-06-21 13:16:24
87.   Greg Brock
83 You can't retract it. It's out there. The thing is out there.

Now there's this thing, floating, out there.

2007-06-21 13:16:49
88.   Jacob L
72 Really? Tommy's got the collection of ROY winners to show that he was willing to play young players, but by all accounts, he also played favorites, and didn't give a fair shot to many a youngster - Dave Hansen being the example that comes to mind.

Prior to this week, it seemed to me that Grady had as much of a Bison crush as anybody, so this is indeed puzzling.

2007-06-21 13:19:46
89.   Doctor
80

Maybe its failing to make contact and looking terrible at the plate in the last few games... I don't know... I wish he was in there too, he needs more ABs... but I think Grady looks at platoon splits a lot. Its as though "if were going to be a weak hitting club, lets do it from the best side"

2007-06-21 13:20:52
90.   trainwreck
I am getting tired of seeing Meloan stuck dominating AA.
2007-06-21 13:23:46
91.   Jacob L
Does Meloan exist?
2007-06-21 13:23:57
92.   Marty
77 Marty just pawn in game of life.
2007-06-21 13:25:53
93.   trainwreck
We have to make him exist before he ceases to be.
2007-06-21 13:27:07
94.   berkowit28
57 Because Kemp doesn't play 3rd base. Pierre had a great game on Tuesday and Ethier got a HR yesterday, so they're being rewarded by being started again. Gonzo doesn't need a rest day today. So no start for Kemp. Low man on the totem pole. I'm sure he'll come in in the 7th or 8th for Gonzo or Ethier. As soon as Ethier or even Pierre has a lousy day, or Gonzo needs a rest day, look to see if Kemp gets to start. I bet he does. The question then will be - if he has a great game, does he get to start the next day too? And so on...
2007-06-21 13:27:56
95.   Telemachos
Meloan the Minoan? :)
2007-06-21 13:28:00
96.   trainwreck
We are probably shopping Ethier and LaRoche.
2007-06-21 13:28:28
97.   Inside Baseball
88 I think Hansen got about 100 starts in '92 so he got a shot--granted, he was only 24 and may have deserved more of a chance. But from those starts they decided to sign Wallach. At least he got those starts and an opportunity. It may not have been a big enough one, but certainly a better one than Kemp is receiving at the moment.

I was mainly thinking about Beltre's call-up.

2007-06-21 13:31:04
98.   Greg Brock
Yeah, Meloan's performance is pretty awesome, but I don't know if he warrants mythical status. I'll need a ruling from the commentariat.

Meloan may not be mythical because I think he's coming up to the big club pretty soon. The Minotaur, however, is still a ways away.

2007-06-21 13:31:20
99.   Retire 55
No Kemp even with the DH... I hate Little so much
2007-06-21 13:31:25
100.   Inside Baseball
94 Neither did Pedro Guerrero and he played 3rd base. There's an idea.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-06-21 13:32:01
101.   confucius
94 What about the DH? Just to play devil's advocate.
2007-06-21 13:32:38
102.   trainwreck
Clayton Kershaw is a cool enough name not to need a nickname.
2007-06-21 13:33:39
103.   Eric Enders
Yeah, 94 really explains nothing because it fails to acknowledge the DH.

This is one screwy lineup. I am growing more disenchanted with Little each passing day.

2007-06-21 13:34:15
104.   natepurcell
isnt marcum death on righties? Im more angry that Loney isnt playing.
2007-06-21 13:34:36
105.   underdog
100 Pedro Guerrero played third base in much the same way that I play the piano.
2007-06-21 13:34:39
106.   Jon Weisman
94 - Pierre went 0 for 3 yesterday.

In Kemp's last four starts, he went:

2 for 3 with a homer June 12
3 for 4 with three runs June 13
1 for 3 June 15
1 for 3 June 17

He hasn't started since.

2007-06-21 13:35:20
107.   Jon Weisman
Sorry - Pierre went 0 for 4 yesterday.
2007-06-21 13:35:22
108.   Eric Enders
I'm willing to give 'em a pass on Loney, given the Dodgers' recent history of rushing players back from injury too quickly. Better safe than sorry, etc etc.
2007-06-21 13:39:34
109.   ToyCannon
I'm not commenting until BHSPORTSGUY says it's only been 3 days.
2007-06-21 13:40:22
110.   Greg Brock
The Dodgers have solved the "Beating down the door" problem.

It's really easy. Just install fifteen more doors. It's like that tourist house up North that the crazy lady just kept building upon. You know, the one with the rooms and doors.

I can't think of the name. Somebody help me out here.

2007-06-21 13:40:27
111.   ToyCannon
102
Who
2007-06-21 13:40:48
112.   ToyCannon
Winchester
2007-06-21 13:41:33
113.   trainwreck
Winchester Mystery House
2007-06-21 13:41:47
114.   blue22
108 - True, I'm just glad that Loney's kneecap is in one piece. He can have a few days off.
2007-06-21 13:41:51
115.   Greg Brock
112 Thank you.

The Dodgers are the Winchester House.

2007-06-21 13:41:54
116.   trainwreck
Lame.
2007-06-21 13:43:14
117.   ToyCannon
She had to build the rooms because the ghosts of those who died by the hand of her husbands guns were haunting her and so she tried to give each of them a room.

Not sure what "gatling's" wife did when confronted with the same problem.

2007-06-21 13:44:36
118.   Greg Brock
Oppenheimer's house must be huge.
2007-06-21 13:45:15
119.   Eric Enders
It's not even Kemp, so much, but the fact that with so many better options available, two DH games have been wasted on a mediocre hitter like Marlon Friggin' Anderson. Also, at the point in the season where Martin seems most in need of a breather, they've punted the opportunity to DH him.

If Kemp and Saenz don't start on Saturday against the lefty, then we'll really know something's gone horribly wrong.

Book seen on Grady's desk:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n15/n79591.jpg

2007-06-21 13:45:29
120.   ToyCannon
Hu is also playing in the futures game.

We are going to have so much fun if he makes it.

2007-06-21 13:47:49
121.   blue22
120 - Hu and Who. The Who two.

Hu boy.

2007-06-21 13:47:49
122.   trainwreck
Yes, I think I convinced the local bar to show the Dodger game. I should be able to see Bills!!!!
2007-06-21 13:48:07
123.   Bob Timmermann
Kevin Kouzmanoff gives a run to the Orioles via air mail.
2007-06-21 13:48:16
124.   Greg Brock
two DH games have been wasted on a mediocre hitter like Marlon Friggin' Anderson.

Wow. Marlon's parents must have been out taking a leak when God was handing out middle names. That's terrible.

2007-06-21 13:49:41
125.   Eric Enders
124 They were big Bucky Dent fans.
2007-06-21 13:49:43
126.   trainwreck
You should be on Last Comic Standing Brock. It would not take much to win that competition.
2007-06-21 13:50:51
127.   LAT
16. "Manship"? Think he's been subjected to a few gay sailor jokes?
2007-06-21 13:50:58
128.   Bob Timmermann
But with Pierre, Gonzalez, and Anderson in the lineup at the same time, the Dodgers can again convene another meeting of the University of South Alabama Alumni Association.

The quorum is three to have an official meeting.

Pierre is the recording secretary and archivist.
Gonzalez is the president.
Anderson is the treasurer and also the head of the Reunion Committee.

2007-06-21 13:50:59
129.   ToyCannon
He gets my vote.
2007-06-21 13:51:28
130.   trainwreck
Wow, UCLA may steal a good DT out of Ohio!!

Zebrie Sanders randomly visited UCLA and USC this weekend and came away very impressed with Dorrell. (Insert joke here)

2007-06-21 13:51:41
131.   bhsportsguy
109 Feel free, three days is enough for me.

Kemp has played, just not started recently, worried more about Loney since I would think they would have been a little more anxious to give Nomar time off on the turf.

2007-06-21 13:53:14
132.   Bob Timmermann
FieldTurf is not all that hard on the knees, so the need to give players days off because of it has been obviated.
2007-06-21 13:53:50
133.   underdog
That reminds me of a bit on Blackadder wherein Blackadder asks Baldrick what his full name is. "Baldrick," he replies. "Well, you must have a first name," says Blackadder.
Baldrick says, "I guess it's Sodoff."
"Pardon?"
"Well, when I was a kid and wanted to play with the other kids, they'd say, 'Go on, Sodoff Baldrick.'"

(I'm paraphrasing.)

On the British version of Dodgerthoughts this post might be banned. Maybe it is here, too.

Meanwhile, I'm just gonna be excited about Chad pitching today and try not to get too anxious about the wacky lineup.

2007-06-21 13:54:54
134.   underdog
132 Fieldturf is, however, hard on the knees when the knees come in direct contact with it. I can attest to this as one who plays soccer on it. Ouch, that burns.
2007-06-21 13:55:02
135.   trainwreck
Hard to beat a Blackadder reference.
2007-06-21 13:55:13
136.   goofus
I'll quit calling for Nomar to play third anymore. Truth is he doesn't do a decent job at first so third is out of the question. His proper position is DH or pinch hitter. Saenz really is finished, we should DFA him and plant Nomar there. Kent will be with us at least the rest of the season so Abreu should take Martinez's job. So the power hitter we should get must be a third baseman. First is, or rather, should be, in good hands with Loney. Gonzalez is productive, Pierre has Colletti's jewels in a vice, Kemp and Ethier will fight over right field. LaRoche isn't impressing anyone at any level this year, so bring on Cabrera, Glaus, A-rod or someone better than Betemitt at least.
2007-06-21 13:56:15
137.   Bob Timmermann
134
I would assume that the soccer-playing Garciaparra is at home with the babies however.
2007-06-21 13:56:16
138.   Eric Enders
136 I am in almost total agreement with your first sentence. I'd only delete the word "third."
2007-06-21 13:57:00
139.   underdog
Michael Barrett, in his Padres debut, has so far struck out twice in 2 ABs and has a passed ball.
2007-06-21 13:57:22
140.   Bluebleeder87
yeah watching the line up on ItD wasn't cool, it's like Andersons name is in bold, hopefully he'll be in there tomorrow.
2007-06-21 13:57:56
141.   Jon Weisman
133 - That's like the Bill Cosby routine where he thought his name was Jesus Christ and his brother's name was Dammit.

130 - "Wow, UCLA may steal a good DT out of Ohio!!"

I didn't even know there was another Dodger Thoughts in Ohio.

2007-06-21 13:58:39
142.   lab rat
Gagne looks terrific in the ninth of a tie game in Arlington. Has, like, 20 different pitches working against CHI-National.
2007-06-21 13:59:49
143.   trainwreck
141
They tend to focus on David Ross too much.
2007-06-21 13:59:59
144.   Bluebleeder87
There's dollar bills raining down from Petco Park, I'm not kidding, the MASN people are having a hardy chuckle over it.
2007-06-21 14:00:18
145.   Eric Enders
136 What's the deal with the Saenz hating, anyway? What could possibly have led to the conclusion that he's done? Of all the things wrong with the Dodgers, I can't believe a pinch hitter with a great track record and a current OPS+ of 101 (in a small sample size) ranks very high on the list.
2007-06-21 14:00:44
146.   Bob Timmermann
There are dollar bills falling from the sky on to the field at PETCO.

3-1 Orioles now on an Alberto Castillo homer.

2007-06-21 14:01:46
147.   Bob Timmermann
Gary Thorne and Buck Martinez are acting like San Diego is some strange land.
2007-06-21 14:02:43
148.   Eric Enders
147 Isn't it?
2007-06-21 14:02:53
149.   blue22
146 - PacMan Jones in attendance at Petco today?
2007-06-21 14:03:03
150.   regfairfield
136 If .211/.343/.421 is finished, I'd hate to think about what a large percentage of our team is.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-06-21 14:03:41
151.   trainwreck
Man that is much needed tip money.
2007-06-21 14:06:19
152.   trainwreck
Woo hoo!! My predictions are coming true. Afflalo is rumored to go to Jazz or Spurs in the first round. He also somehow was measured at 6'6".
2007-06-21 14:06:26
153.   underdog
The Orioles .167 hitting catcher hit a home run to make it 3-1 O's. Go Bawlmore!
2007-06-21 14:07:41
154.   still bevens
149 Hahah. $80,000 in $1 bills. Nobody can keep them, however, lest there be an altercation.
2007-06-21 14:09:54
155.   goofus
145 Maybe his batting average??? Or his (lack of) defensive capabilities? I don't hate him, every player eventually comes to the end of his string and Olmedo is there. I think Larry Bigby who we released, or whatshisname Jones we sold to Japan very likely would have hit better than Saenz has THIS YEAR. And you really don't want to get into defensive capabilities...
2007-06-21 14:10:04
156.   scareduck
117 - imagine the size of the Oppenheimer house.
2007-06-21 14:11:05
157.   underdog
Damn, I typed that right when Bob did, I swear. The little hamster running on a wheel that powers our server must have taken a snack break.

Darn those Rockies... as if we didn't have anything else to worry about, now we have to worry about them nipping at our heels.

2007-06-21 14:11:55
158.   The Rabbits Rarely Loose
someone please elaborate on Petco and the money . . . what?:)
2007-06-21 14:12:42
159.   scareduck
137 - soccer-playing Garciaparra

Sounds like a BTF nick.

2007-06-21 14:13:59
160.   D4P
Padres getting hoisted by Baltimore's own Bedard
2007-06-21 14:16:15
161.   Marty
Is someone remaking It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and ending it at Petco?
2007-06-21 14:16:32
162.   regfairfield
155 He has 57 at bats. 57. If you think Mitch Jones, who struck out once every three at bats and never hit more than .268 in a full season would do any better than .211 in the majors, you are very mistaken.
2007-06-21 14:17:23
163.   xaphor
The spirit of Richard Pryor lives on at Petco.
2007-06-21 14:17:47
164.   Bob Timmermann
158
I'm guessing that a vendor in the upper deck of PETCO lost his grip on a wad of cash and it floated down on to the field.

I doubt there was much more than $20 lost. But the vendor could be pretty upset since that would come out of his pay.

But I don't know for certain where the money came from. Sort of reminded me of the Jim Hutton classic "Who's Minding the Mint?"

2007-06-21 14:19:29
165.   underdog
162 I agree, but I will say one thing in support of Goofus on Saenz, he really has looked more tired at the plate this year. I still have a lot of faith in him as a pinch hitter, and good PHs are hard to come by, but he really does look like someone who suddenly got old this year. (I say that as someone who is only a yr younger than him.) But, still, reliable PHs are not plentiful...
2007-06-21 14:22:19
166.   underdog
Of the 5 runs now scored in that SD-Bal game, only 1 was on a hit - the home run. Ground out, SF, error, fielder's choice. Quite a fireworks show.
2007-06-21 14:22:52
167.   Marty
Jim Hutton and classic should not be in the same room together. He was the "comic" relief in The Green Berets for crissake.
2007-06-21 14:24:11
168.   Bob Timmermann
166
I remember the Dodgers winning a game at Phone Company Park against Schmidt when they scored three runs, all of them by Dave Roberts and all of them on Milton Bradley groundouts.
2007-06-21 14:25:20
169.   Bluebleeder87
158
money just dropped on the field there's no other way to put it, it was pretty comical watching the ball players tipping there hats for dollar bills. I'm sure ESPN will provide some highlights
2007-06-21 14:27:13
170.   Eric Stephen
168 http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200404160.shtml

That was game 1 of a 3-game Dodger sweep in SF. All 1-run victories. All saved by Gagne.

Not only did they beat Schmidt in the game above, but they beat Tomko (I know, shocker!) Sunday.

2007-06-21 14:28:40
171.   Bob Timmermann
167
Actually, the problem with "Who's Minding the Mint?" was that involves a U.S. Mint employee reprinting bills.

Except the U.S. Mint doesn't print bills. It just mints coins.

But "Who's Minding the Bureau of Engraving And Printing?" would have been a title that appealed to no one except me. And since I was only one year old when the film came out, I think it was a good marketing decision to stick with the shorter title.

2007-06-21 14:29:53
172.   underdog
I remember those games, too. Not that they were all that long ago.

Boy, Barrett's just having quite the game so far. Now 3 whiffs in 3 ABs.

2007-06-21 14:32:56
173.   The Rabbits Rarely Loose
but they beat Tomko (I know, shocker!) Sunday.

If I remember correct though.. it was during, or right after the month or two of Tomko being very very good that year . .

2007-06-21 14:34:51
174.   The Rabbits Rarely Loose
ha, i remember thinking at the time "man, we have to face Schmidt and Tomko in a three game series "
2007-06-21 14:36:18
175.   Hallux Valgus
Jon- are you aware you called Juan Pierre a right fielder in the new si.com piece?
2007-06-21 14:37:16
176.   SG6
168 - I believe I was at that game: The famous Gagne/Bonds showdown. Everyone knew straight heat was coming. I think Gagne hit 101. Bonds drilled the home run, but it was OK, we had the insurance runs. One of more fascinating matchups I've seen: I'll throw heat, you know it's coming, and we'll see who wins.
2007-06-21 14:37:38
177.   Eric Enders
174 Little did we know that we would soon suffer a worse fate: having to pitch Schmidt and Tomko in a three-game series.
2007-06-21 14:39:16
178.   Greg Brock
176
One of more fascinating matchups I've seen: I'll throw heat, you know it's coming, and we'll see who wins.

Barry won.

2007-06-21 14:39:48
179.   blue22
Bedard out after 6 innings and 79 pitches. What the heck?
2007-06-21 14:40:13
180.   Jon Weisman
175 - Ugh, I didn't. That's an editing mistake.
2007-06-21 14:40:51
181.   The Rabbits Rarely Loose
177

or maybe worse.... having to pay Schmidt and Tomko

2007-06-21 14:43:41
182.   LAT
Saenz is fine. Get him some Grecian-Formula and he'll look like a new ballplayer.
2007-06-21 14:45:39
183.   Eric Stephen
182 Reeee-jected!
2007-06-21 14:45:51
184.   underdog
Bases loaded, one out for Orioles...
2007-06-21 14:46:43
185.   Jon Weisman
New post up top.
2007-06-21 14:47:22
186.   blue22
184 - Too bad its Chris Gomez and not Tejada coming up...

...or not!!! Double!

2007-06-21 17:32:13
187.   goofus
162 I failed to make my point clearly, not that you would ever change your mind anyway...But it's all about roster spots; Nomar, whom we have to carry because of his contract, would be better left on the bench as a PH and we can hardly keep them both for that purpose. Anderson would be the left handed PH and Abreu would take Martinez's place. Now we have some room to add a player or two, if only Colletti will cooperate...
2007-06-21 18:40:41
188.   Borchard504
That catcher for the Jays, where'd he get that football helmet?

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