http://www.myspace.com/29673553

why would kyle blair be wearing a dodgers jersey if he isnt planning on signing or...has signed and it doesnt want to be announced yet because higher then slot bonus!?!?

I WANT ANSWERS.

or it could not even be him.

1 Along the same lines, I wonder why the pantless batgirl keeps looking at me so longingly every time I load this page.

I just worry she's going to lose some fingers if she tries to bunt that way.

that batgirl is a pornstar....and thats all im gunna say about that.

Along similar lines, I wonder what the Lakers will do tomorrow and the inevitable fall out.

5

they will pick some scrub at 19 and have all talk no action type of day.

Useless repetition in automated systems is not unheard of.

Please stay on the line...Your call is important to us...

1 That page also says Kyle Blair is from Oslo, Norway. That seems an unusual place to find a top major league prospect.

9

that doesn't mean anything!

The Pads won another series today.

5-

Mitch Kupchack, Juan Pierre, Ned Colletti, Nomar Garicaparra....

Thank goodness I dont live in LA.

I get the same thing when I call my voice mail.

Also where is this pantless batgirl I don't see anything.

12- you just like conversing about LA?

Khalil Greene is on pace for 30Hrs 100RBIs.
That, is suprising.

I cannot decide if Jeff Zellman's continued posts are a rule 3 violation or not.

I also can't decide if this post is a rule 3 violation, so if it is, please delete.

9 --

King Harald of Norway: .295/.387/.461

Even if you overlook OPS and go straight to cost based analysis...

K Greene > R Furcal

There is absolutely no rule that says you have to be a Dodger fan or a Los Angeles fan to post here.

However, there absolutely is a rule against making posts that have no other purpose than to antagonize other commenters.

Visual Voicemail ftw!

I want an iPhone. :(

How come on TV, people pick up voice mails on their cell phones by seemingly pressing one button and hearing the message instantly, when most of us have to go through a seemingly 9-step sequence?

Even at work, where I have a shortcut to my voice mail, I still have to add to type in a four digit code. Unless I wanted to leave it unprotected, which could get me fired.

|
|
|
|
|
|
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;////////
J

Now that's a rule 3 violation.

is Jeff Zellman a Padres fan?

I was watching ESPN earlier in the hotel lounge and the Mets game was on rain delay, so they were showing the Red Sox in "bonus coverage." Then they cut over to show the Yankees for a while, and then the Mets again.

although it looked better in the comment box

Is Jeff Zellman bluetahoe?

I bet the Lakers take Rudy Fernandez.

I bet the Lakers take Sid Fernandez

even Furcal's bobblehead looks like it's wincing and favoring it's ankle.

I bet the Lakers take Sid Fernandez

They could use a big body inside

Do the Lakers have any cap room to sign Chauncey Billups?

That would appease Kobe, and substantially improve the Lakers. PG most important position on the floor.

31

only as a sign and trade. He wont take the MLE.

31 no, and point guard is not th most important position in the triangle offense. See also: Harper, Ron.

sigh- I'm a Nuggets fan. We don't have any picks. I was sad about that until I realized we'd probably just screw them up anyway.

18 It's a bit misleading because Khalil Greene has yet to be a free agent so of course he wouldn't make as much as Furcal, who already entered free agency.

That said, I like Khalil (member of the Bill Simmons' "Reggie Cleveland All Stars") and if he ever developed plate discipline (or reverted to his 2004 campaign) he would be a star.

1. Vin Scully
2. Harry Kalas

34 --

re: "Reggie Cleveland All Stars"

I nominate Reggie Willits for the 40-man roster.

The Lakers would be foolish to trade Kobe. They should appease his every need. Bona fide superstars don't grow on trees. Trading him would be suicide.

The iphone conflicts me. On one hand, it looks neat. On the other hand, it's $600. People are fawning over it, but I hate hype. Apple is the hip alt "look at me" computer of choice, but I can't tell if that's contrarian or not. And is liking something because it's contrarian make me a conformist? And is conforming the new contrary thing to do?

I've decided. It's just too expensive.

With Garnett seemingly going to Phoenix, the Lakers' best hopes are probably Odom, Bynum & #19 for Jermaine O'Neal. If they can do that without the pick or with a lower pick, even better.

There was talk a month ago that Denver might be willing to trade Camby for Kwame (Nuggets are facing luxury tax issues if they keep Camby). I doubt this is possible, but it should be pursued, even at the cost of a future pick or a Farmar.

If they are able to keep the #19 pick, even with making these moves I'd like to see them get Acie Law or Jared Dudley.

Kemp not in the lineup doesnt make any sense . . . . Loney over Nomar but, not Kemp over Ethier? . . before yesterday Loney wasnt totally out preforming what Kemp had done

39 The Nuggets already laughed that off. Kwame makes the same amount as Camby, so there's no benefit to the Nuggets. Also, Kwame Brown is Kwame Brown. My friend desperately wants this trade to happen if only so he can wath me rip Kwame to shreds during the games

Acie Law would be a great pick at #19, but he'll probably not be there by the time the Lakers pick.

Predict the time of game. I'll say 2:14.

2:08

I will bet the team who wins the game will simply be the luckiest...... who ever will find the holes.

We can get to two outs in the first inning very quickly.

Congrats, American soccer. Transitive properties make us better than Brazil.

Woohoo!

just to be contrarian, and to set an outlier, 2:41.

2:32

Russell Martin in the 3-hole: Proof that RBI's are a pretty useless stat.

46 Who'd we beat that beat Brazil? I hope it's China.

2:01

50 You're not watching Copa right now? 2-0 Mexico over Brazil at halftime.

The vets should exercise Martin's patience.

2:58

Vin is cracking me up with his self-mocking.

2:55. why not

52 crap. GolTV is too far off my normal radar. I am very pleased that I can catch most of the Dodgers game before USMNT vs. Argentina.

Brazil is transitioning right now. No Kaka, no Ronaldinho. I really believe we can do well this tournament. Of course, the only teams I'm blindly optimistic about are soccer and college football. Also, no Mastroeni= great. Tat guy takes cards out of sheer boredom

Webb better not be getting those.

Why would anyone want to take batting tips from Ken Landreaux?

I guess he did have that "sweet swing."

2:27

My ambitious game time prediction did not factor in Derek Lowe becoming Rick Ankiel.

Tony Clark has had a very decent career.

great stab by Loney. To bad about the throw.

Nomar would have made that play

In the words of Chief Wiggum, "So where's your Messiah, now, huh? See. Goofballs."

Loney makes a good play and is punished for it because Furcal can't catch a low throw.

jeez
this gut sucks

why not chalenge him?

64 - the throw or the catch at 2nd?

jeez. Maybe he should've let it go foul?

67 - "gut" = "guy"

sorry. I was excited

We also would have accepted "Let it drop"

Nice catch, Luis.

That was a heck of a catch by Gonzo. Probably a good idea that he caught it, allowing the run to score, than to chance letting it drop foul.

67 - So that's what a chili dog thinks

70
So whose gut sucks? Is it because the guy is middle-aged and he's trying to impress a young woman walking by?

68
Probably neither:)

Well that didn't turn out to be all that bad

74 hilarious.

71
I would give up an out for a run in the 1st inning. Brandon Webb is good, but he's not the 1968 Bob Gibson.

well, Lowe has given up a run, but he's still more interesting than Webb.

I doubt "run expectation table" is going through Gonzo's mind as he is running for that ball.

Does anyone have a link to run expectation tables?

Does bases loaded, 1-out mean more expected runs than 1st & 2nd, 2 outs + 1?

You don't let it drop when your pitcher is struggling. That would have been awful.

Glad to get out of that inning only down one.

73

I was going to ask about that too, but if you can get an out early in the game, do it. With it being early in the game, LuGo making the catch was a better move.

Little pop fly to end the inning... so much for the grounderfest.

69 Nah, not with a 3-2 count and the bases loaded. Maybe if he had him 0-2 or 1-2 I'd think about it, but otherwise you're just tempting fate.

Gonzo will go 0-4 today. He's due.

82 I'm not sure "awful" is the right word. Letting it drop, while not going to happen, would not normally lead to an "awful" outcome with an extreme groundball pitcher and one out.

Again, it wouldn't happen. Hence, the "We also would have accepted" line.

Jon, can we get this guy out of here (Jeff Zellman)? He's obviously a Padre fan that's trying to ruffle our feathers.

This is an old list, but using the 1999-2002 tables:

Expected runs, bases loaded, 1 out: 1.65 runs

Expected runs, 2nd & 3rd, 2 outs: 0.634 runs

So it's a close call.

http://www.tangotiger.net/RE9902.html

This presents the philosophical question: Could James Loney smack so treacherous a grounder to first that even James Loney couldn't field it?

Vin just quoted that chart of Ender's.

If Grady had taken my advice and flipped Kent and Lugo in the lineup we'd probably have a run by now. :-)

An anagram of James Loney is "Males Enjoy". Discuss.

88 - He's banned not because of his allegiances, but because comment 84 made it clear he just wants to piss off people.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet:

RIP Liz Claiborne

How are the Red Sox doing with J.D. and Lugo?
Nomar's got to explode soon. He must be looking so much like a dish rag so it will be all the more dramatic.

87 - If it's 0-0 in the eighth inning, I can see dropping it. I would not accept intentionally giving up an out for the possibility that you might get a better out when the extreme groundball pitcher has already thrown 30 pitches in the first inning.

97 Both arguments have merit. And doesn't Lowe get better the more tired he gets?

I just saw the linescore on Dodgers.com...Arizona scored a run in the 1st without a hit!! I opened Gameday and discovered how, which brings up a question. Has a team ever played a full game scoring run(s) without making any hits?

Gotta agree, get the out...don't give the batter another chance to do more hurt.

99
Yes, it's happened at least four times off the top of my head.

Ken Johnson of the Houston Colts lost a 9-inning no-hitter.
Steve Barber and Stu Miller combined on a no-hitter they lost.
Andy Hawkins and Matt Young lost games in which they threw 8 no-hit innings and didn't pitch the 9th because they were behind on the road.

99- It's happened ten times in the last fifty years. The hitless team won four of the games.

http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/Bhm3

99 I remember Andy Hawkins throwing a no-hitter in the early 90's (91?) and losing due to errors by something like 4-0.

Has a team ever played a full game scoring run(s) without making any hits?

Pitchers have thrown no-hitters and lost, so the answer must be "Yes".

I try to stay out of the political side, but I noticed this Zellman character was out to cause trouble immediately, and my friends call me easygoing and "naive".

101 --

Didn't Harvey Haddox lose a perfect game in the 13th?

Pierre just took 6 consecutive pitches.

If the pattern holds true, we should expect Raffy to break out in about, ohhh, four days:

April - .203/.272/.243
May - .371/.441/.467
June - .222/.274/.313

Webb walked Pierre.
Didnt think I'd see that tonight.

OK this is where JP is supposed to hurt the pitchers concentration.

Brazil looks absolutely terrible.they're passing like an AYSO team.

106
Haddix lost his perfect game in the 13th, but he gave up a hit in doing so. It was a home run by Joe Adcock that turned into a single when Hank Aaron left the basepaths and Adcock passed him.

Felix Mantilla, who had reached on an error, did score to give the Braves a 1-0 win.

Pierre just tripled with his legs.

90 That's a real paradox. Luckily it's pretty much impossible as well. I'm betting on Loney in both roles.

Tracy and Pierre almost created a situation for the next edition of "Knotty Problems of Baseball."

115 Hi folks, this is Doug Harvey. Are you ready for this week's edition of IBM's You Make The Call?

115- Is that an instance of homonym confusion, or are you really not suggesting there was hanky panky afoot in that collision?

116
Great, Now I have the theme song from TWIB in my head. Thanks.

117
I was referring to this book:

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/62232092

I always wanted a copy when I was young, but I could never get one.

Hey, wait, I work for a living. I'm going to go look for a copy and buy it!

Somebody get that cameraman a case of champagne. Well done, good sir!

"...just comes up with a glove full of empty."

classic

What was the name of that baseball show in the late 70/early 80s? with Johnny Bench and the San Diego Chicken? (And wasn't LaSorda on there too sometimes?)

Alright everybody, let's bid this thing up to the moon, just to spite Bob.

http://tinyurl.com/3c5dnz

122 St. Elsewhere

It will be interesting to see if Furcal stays in the leadoff spot for the entire season with an OPS under .700

122 -- Baseball Bunch

123
What, doesn't Walmart carry that...?

That Southwest commercial was great! Brought back memories of Price is Right and the Big Wheel... I miss Bob already

hearing Vinnie it seems like both pitchers aren't finding the strike zone, hopefully we'll make Webb pay in the next few innings.

124 I don't use the internet abbreviations much, but totally LOL.

123
I bought one for $9 from Alibris complete with shipping.

Baseball Bunch

A-ha! That was a great show.

From Wikipedia, on "Baseball Bunch":

Yankees outfielder Lou Piniella's career was ended in 1984 when he injured his rotator cuff on the show while being pitched to by the San Diego Chicken.

I'm having a hard time believing that.

Here's a link, enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceK0YQtxhbE

Wow, all the clips you guys mentioned.

131- That's good. Looks like they're running forty bucks for a copy from Amazon affiliates.

133
If it's from Wikipedia, it's on tablets man. You can take that info to the bank.

118 I'd love to have Warner Fusselle narrate my life.

man, i'd be scared playing tennis against Clark, can you imagine?? WOWSERS.

So could these baseball guys transform into anything? Tank? Dinosaur? Many construction vehicles that form a giant robot?

No? pass.

Does webb usually throw this many pitches. If the D's take note of this they could get into the bullpen, which is shakier than I had realized. And althouth Lowe usually gives up a few in the first couple, he often goes deep and gets better.

Lowe's starting to get back on track... two strikeouts as far as I can remember, plus a couple of groundouts. Lowe ought to be good for 6 or 7, no?

139 Tom Lasorda could transform into everybody's favorite grandpa.

You just had to wait until the camera light went on.

I remember an episode of the Baseball Bunch with Ozzie Smith as guest. The kids followed a yellow brick road and met him at the end of it.

133
In the June 5, 1986 "Morning Briefing", Piniella said he hurt his shoulder taking batting practice against the San Diego Chicken, but it was for a commercial and it was because it was in the offseason and he hadn't swung a bat in a couple of months.

142 Pssh. Even crappy Bumblebee could beat up a grandpa.

5 minutes left and Mexico is absolutely toying with Brazil. It looks like when I used to mess around with my brother and make him cry by not ever letting him get the ball.

Loney's hard core.

With his single in 2 ABs thus far, Loney's OPS has plummeted to 1.431

Poor Nomar.

Time for a 4th inning rally.

143
You obviously didn't suffer through Ozzie Smith's speech at Cooperstown when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was one long metaphor about the Wizard of Oz.

It was really long. And self-indulgent. And somewhat stupid. And embarrassing.

From my way behind research, scrapple has an unfortunate asscosiation with "pork offal, and aome things in common with spam.

I noticed no one in the other thread mentioned Soundwave. Where the heck is Soundwave Michael Bay?

I bet Starscream is not even a funny, back-stabbing jerk. Probably has no personality at all.

Wow, I left before the last thread ended, jumped into this one late, and y'all are still talking about scrapple.

And Nomar still needs to be DL'd with old-itis. Some things never change!

But Mexico sure looks determined in the Copa.

It was really long. And self-indulgent. And somewhat stupid. And embarrassing.

I didn't know Spalding Gray wrote HOF speeches.

I really do feel a little sorry for Nomar. Most of us get to suffer our inevitable declines in private.

150

Who are you to tell me what I have or haven't obviously suffered through? I've suffered greatly.

But no, I didn't see Ozzie's induction speech. Who got to be the Tin Man?

152 Soundwave can't be converted into a GM vehicle, so he's not in the movie. I think they replaced him with Scoropnik.

A Mexican was on a breakaway, behind the defense, with no one else for help. He tried to drop it off. Huh? No mattr? Still 2-0 Mexico, with a free kick, in stoppage time

Ugh. I remember the days when Raffy was a huge part of the offense. I hope to one day see those days again.

I thought Ozzie Smith got lost in time.

Furcal's incompetence is beginning to wear thin. It would be easier to overlook if Pierre and/or Nomar were doing better, but as is we have three terrible hitters in our line-up right now.

153 I'm convinced that Mexico's problem is that they hate us too much to win.

Of course, they just missed an open goal. Still: 2-0 Mexico over Brazil final

Most of us get to suffer our inevitable declines in private

And in relative poverty.

162
And without a very attractive and wealthy spouse too.

157- He probably didn't want to be called for offsides. Every time a soccer player takes advantage of some defensive ineptitude, my understanding is that it's offsides.

Or maybe it was his turn to fall down. I still haven't caught on to how they pick when to fall down.

It's less incompetence than it is ineffectiveness, surely due to his ankle issues. Either way, though, yes, with the three of them not doing much it's like a black hole, still. Maybe he'll get a day off soon, too.

Draft Update - According to Tony Jackson, Fuller has not signed but he was in the clubhouse last night with Logan White so TJ feels (and why not) that has to be a good sign.

That leaves Fuller and Blair as the two players in the top 17 picks that have not signed.

Ooo, I need to start going to Del Taco to get those cups. It would seem all too fitting to drink keg beer out of a Derek Lowe commemorative cup.

164 No- he was the only guy there. He slowed down to let the defense catch up, and then dropped it off to no one. Offsides would've been called about 5 seconds earlier.

They fall down when their shirts read "Italia" on the front.

164 It's a pretty complex game.

154 - Oh no, you did not just dis Spalding Gray on my website.

164

That is comedy.

163 I was going to say something but I remembered Bob is not married but his girlfriend is a fan of USC if not an alumnus of the school of trust fund babes.

That's what bugged me about Mexico the last couple of times I saw them, is the number of times they flopped. It's that stereotypical soccer theatrics that turns off people who aren't familiar with the sport overall. The US-Canada game at least had very little flopping and diving (though it did have some bad reffing). Mexico's got a lot of good players, too, so there's no need for all that.

---
I'm not surprised this game's a pitcher's duel so far. Webb's pitch count is fairly high but it doesn't matter if you don't score.

So far, in 1.3 games, Nomar has had to do very little at third base, unless I missed him waving at a grounder he should have gotten to. One PO on the bunt force yesterday. That's it.

So apparently this umpire gives no corners, but does give the high strike. That's a recipe for disaster.

174 You spoke to soon but it was a mistake pitch by Lowe.

Oops, spoke too soon.

Do you walk him to face Webb?

172
But she's only a fan of USC football. I went to the Galen Center last year with her and she stared at the court as if she were watching Kabuki theater.

170 He's actually okay. I'm listening to one of his monologues right now.

I'll let you know how it ends in August.

173 I agree. I was completely uninterested with most of the World Cup final because of the flopping. I'm positive that soccer's logo, instead of a guy like Jerry West, should feature a player with his elbows in, arms out, palms upturned, and mouth agape at the disbelief of whatever call was just called. You know what I'm talking about.

Wow - nice jinx, eh? On the drive in this morning I realized Nomar didn't field any grounders yesterday.

179
What is wrong with Kabuki theater?

180 I thought you would be sick of hearing,

"Woke up this morning, got myself gun, yada yada yada" by now.

181
Slate ran an article during the World Cup explaining why soccer was fun to watch because of the flopping.

http://www.slate.com/id/2144625/

I'm still working on my plan to have the same CIA operatives whom Sam Giancana to spy on Dan Rowan to take care of Tommy Craggs.

184 Sopranos marathon is at 9:00. I figured this game would be over before then, with Webb and Lowe.

I chose...poorly.

183
Does any non-Japanese person like Kabuki theater? Or understand it?

I'm sure i'm not alone when i say Pierres had a bunch of those fly ball bunts. sigh.

I like it, even though I have no idea what is going on.

184
Jrue apparently won't announce till end of July. I won't be able to take the wait.

I'm interested in Japanese theater, so long as it has concubines. Does Kabuki have concubines?

Lack of concubines is an absolute deal breaker.

189
God bless you for that.

In Japan, if you want to go to the Kabuki theater, there is a section in the back where you can listen to English explanations through headphones and leave after about 20 minutes.

Even so, I would find sitting through that to be an experience on a par with having to go see Cirque du Soleil.

Greg - three shots at Spalding now? Geez.

I am forced to tell you it reflects poorly on you.

I've quoted this before and I will quote it again.

I call the big one Bitey.

http://tinyurl.com/2pdxao

188

i just looked it up, it looks pretty exotic & entertaining.

this doesn't have anything to do with Spalding or Kabuki theater, but I wag my finger at Kent swinging at the first pitch after Martin walked there.

195
Juan Pierre's popped up bunts are exotic & entertaining or are you referring to Kabuki theater.

In fact, isn't it lower case "kabuki?"

I guess the D's didn't like my pitch count strategy. In my expeience this is a bad sign, though I doubt I have anything to do with it. But I have just enough superstition.................to have a bad foreboding.

I like the way Loney throws the ball.

196
But it was a really juicy pitch and Kent hit it really hard.

I like weird foreign movies, so Kabuki is like a play version of those. Actually, I have only seen Kabuki through television.

185 I read that article, and I hate it. I played lots of years, with enough accolades, as a center back, that the idea of flopping is unacceptable to me- completely. Honestly, I don't know where flopping comes in for the national game. I played for a long time, in national tournaments and in the Olympic Development Program, and I've never experienced what I perceived to be flopping.

maybe I just thought I was tougher than I really was.

That's what he gets for being selfish.

you don't run on the gun of Juan Pierre!

woo, Furcal!!

sit down Drew!

I mean greedy.

Hahaha, that was sweet.

I'm surprised the younger Drew's not having a better season.

WWSH

The D-Backs' production crew has been awful this inning. Didn't see the 1st out at 1B, and too many camera cuts during the Drew out at 3B.

Wow. Charlie just about exploded.

Assist #1 for Juan Pierre!

Jeepers, a correct call! I may believe in this series yet.

Honestly- watch the difference between Pierre's arm and Furcal's arm. It's hilarious, especially since we know the outcome.

204

in all fairness he did get rid of the ball in a hurry, nice play all around.

Furry ran out into center field while the ball was in the air, to cut it off.

211 does he get an assist with the relay?

193 I'm meditating on a good explanation of this, that I will post over at The Jam, though I'm leaving after the game.

I don't really dislike the guy that much.

This date in Dodger history prediction: the Reuss no hitter... lets watch!

Has anyone checked if Pierre actually throws right instead of left?

215 wasn't clear. Pierre threw the ball. That's when Furcal started sprinting out to cut it off.

218

...yea! nailed it

Pierre's last assist was on August 30, 2006 when Jose Bautista was cut down going from first to third on a single after Phil Nevin cut off Pierre's throw home on a Freddy Sanchez single.

213 No one is throwing out a runner at 3rd from the base of the RCF wall, maybe if its anyone with an arm he doesn't try but still, nice play.

Byrnes made a great throw.

Byrnes was just toying with LuGo. He was out before he stepped into the batters box.

Boy that was a close play... sheesh the Dodgers are already down a single run.. was it even worth chancing it?

That was a great through from Byrnes...could have used a hop though.

Nice line from Sutton too. After talking about a Gonzo meet and greet with some auction-winning AZ fans, Sutton said "now he can go meet and greet his teammates" after the out.

o.k. Loney is scaring me now.

225 Robyrnso Clemente?

200 - well, gameday told me it was at the top of the knees. I figured with the sink it would be juicier if it were up a little more, but whatever. I still don't like first pitch GIDPs after a guy walks from an 0-2 count

223
The last player who could have made the throw to third from the RCF wall in the air died on December 31, 1972.

Brandon Webb looks horrible and is leading.

Awesome

Is merely containing Loney even a feasible objective...?

James Loney, .500 OBP.

223 I'm not saying Pierre throws him out. The cut off man was valid regardless of the arm in right. But the throws? The difference was Jamie Moyer vs. Joel Zumaya.

OPS

Nomar: .630
Pierre: .629

229- Byrnes is sui generis. In some ways, that's very sad. In other's, well, you probably wouldn't want to wish Byrnesianism on anybody else.

If there's a chance for it, I think Kemp should be the PH tonight for Lowe

237 so they're both terrible.

What a shock! Blazers have informed Greg Oden he is the number 1 pick.

239 I'd say this could be complete game loss #4 for Lowe, but he already has thrown 86 pitches through 5.

That actually was really funny the way Pierre's and Furcal's throws got juxtaposed.

On August 15, 2006, Juan Pierre had TWO assists for the Cubs in an 18-inning game against the Astros.

One was on a cutoff play and the other was an 8-5 forceout at third. I think Pierre had misplayed a fly and threw to third for a force.

241 Supersonics, you are now on the clock.

Do you let Lowe hit in the 7th? 89 pitches right now through 5.2 IP. I'd probably hit for him, but I could see either way.

245 I think we're all aware that the Hawks have been on the clock since May

237

It shows how under the radar Pierre's season is to many people. Granted Nomar was a great player before. but, Pierre doesnt seem even close to being dropped in the lineup or benched

Lowe is due to lead off the 7th. 94 pitches through 6.

244 You mean that throw that got Drew is an assist, what is this hockey?

Fly balls definitely don't seem to be carrying as well as they were last night

246 I'd let him hit. Isn't he leading off?

From Gurnick at Dodgers.com: Luis Gonzalez on facing Randy Johnson tomorrow. "He'll be on a pitch count, so we need to take some pitches and get his count up and get him out of there," said Gonzalez."

Enders also gets a mention in the column. He struck gold with that one.

And, Tsao is being fast-tracked - if he survives his rehab appearance tonight, he'll be coming back.

245
If the four top teams keep their picks, we all pretty much know who they will be.

So Boston is now on the clock.

250 - Every throw leading to an out in baseball gets an assist. Even on a 6-3-6-3-6-3-6-3 double play.

252

i don't see why not he had a really nice easy inning.

See, that's why you let Lowe hit right there :)

Woot.

254 I don't know that. And I don't know they'll keep their picks. The top 2 are set, though.

Webb had over 50 pitches after 3, and that could be where the D's took there eye off the ball. Hope not.

well, he got a single

I can't believe they're losing to this guy.

226 The actual question is, do you try to stretch that single into a double with THE SECOND BEST SLUGGER OF ALL-TIME on deck?

Pierre doesnt seem even close to being dropped in the lineup or benched

Grittle seemed to recognize the problem a few weeks ago when he benched Pierre for a game and then put him in the #8 spot. But after getting a few hits, he's been back in the #2 spot ever since.

255 I guess that makes sense on the true meaning of "assist." "...and I helped!"

Eric's little stat is getting lots of play.
From Rotowire:
"The fact that Loney will be starting against one of the league's tougher left-handers leads one to believe he'll be in the lineup most every day. The Dodgers still need another bat it would seem, but where third base was previously targeted for an upgrade, it's hard to see the team making a deal that forces Loney and even Garciaparra to the bench. Bere's a rathe humorous statistic: among players with 100+ plate appearances all-time, Loney's .662 slugging percentage ranks second only to a guy named Babe Ruth."

262 This guy is pretty good.

255 I would very much like to see that play.

With Broxton most likely unavailable, it makes sense to stretch Lowe out for one or two more innings, especially considering how easy his innings have been since the first. Him getting a hit just makes it that much better.

255 Even when the ball hits the pitcher and goes to a fielder who throws the batter out the pitcher gets an assist, correct?

This SCREAMS sacrifice.

Pierre, what can you do right?

Juan Pierre gets on base (by force outs) an awful lot

Heck of a play by Snyder for AZ there, but if a certain someone can't even sacrifice right, well what the heck?

255
However in the play described, each player only gets credit for one assist.

You can never get more than one assist on any single play.

That call was an anticipation play, the ump assumed Lowe would be out, it looked pretty close.

Luckily Russell's 2B scores 'em both.

Are some people unaware who won the NL Cy Young Award last year?

Scully seems to suggest that the sacrifice worked. Couple of rabbits out there now.

Boy does the media ever love Juan Pierre from Scully on down. It's like a dysfunctional family dynamic, always making excuses for the screw-up.

You can never get more than one assist on any single play.

but it was a double play!

277 Kyle Lohse, right?

The Griddle noted today that the Angels scored zero runs, but had 11 baserunners. Tonight, the Dodgers have had 12 baserunners in 6 1/3 innings so far.

278 Scully on several occasions has criticized Pierre, especially his throwing arm.

c'mon Russ. I've got several more All star votes...

278 They hit us because they love us.

Darn.

This is wear a cleanup hitter tattoos one off a tiring pitching fighting his control.

That's an unfortunate strike.

281
The A's lost a game to Texas earlier this year when they got 15 men on base and scored no runs in 9 innings.

i feel like Webb is getting by on luck today, we could easily be tide up right now.

286 Unless that cleanup hitter is our cleanup hitter.

289 A pitcher like Webb, looks like that all the time.

289 Luck and some ridiculous break on both his sinker and curveball. If I saw a pitch coming at me knee-high I'd make sure not to swing because I would know it was about to drop to my shoetops.

Coming close to the two hour mark in this game.

If Pierre is "good" at bunting, I'd hate to see the rest of his game.

Someone this afternoon said Webb owned the Dodgers. Then he got ganged upon.

293 - Everytime I've seen him live he's played really well.

Sample size: 1.

we got 7 hits to there 3, i wasn't here early so maybe i'm missing something.

Bah.

286 I can't believe I typed "wear" instead of "where"!

290 Therein lies the problem. Meanwhile LuGo is BA > .300, OBP > .390, SLG > .500 .

8 hits and 6 walks, and No runs?
What is the record for most base runners without a run?

And why is a .423 hitter on the bench 3 straight days?

Does that make sense?

298 - Because Kemp can't bunt into force outs?

Gaah, we're at 21 left-on-base in a 0-1 game!

On April 23, 1966, the Dodgers got 16 men on base against the Cubs trio of Bob Hendley, Ferguson Jenkins, and Ted Abernathy.

And they lost 2-0, with Jenkins driving in both runs.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196604230.shtml

298 I have no problem with Kemp not starting against Webb. Kemp should have started against last night's scrub. And that's not just hindsight, because I'm repeating myself from earlier yesterday.

Webb's been a bit off his game with the walks, but otherwise he's had a normal Brandon Webb game.

Nomar hasnt had to make a throw yet tonight.

The last few games illustrate the importance of home runs.

This message brought to you by the Brock Institute of Total Obviousness.

297 I have been thoroughly impressed with LuGo this year. I still think we can do better in the 4 slot than Kent. One guy's name is Loney (getting there). Another guy's name is Kemp (waiting patiently). Make it hot.

I will say that I have no problem with the All Star Game providing the WS home advantage.

I've been wondering about this. In last night's game with Kemp on deck and ready to pinch hit for Ethier, Melvin changed pitchers before Kemp was announced, thus Kemp was called back and saved and Ethier stayed in.

Did Melvin change pitchers specifically to avoid having Kemp come up in that situation? I assume it wasn't a mistake.

301 Well, then we are just about there, aren't we?

302 The problem is, Pierre and Nomar shouldn't be starting against "any" pitchers, "righty or "lefty"!

{304] I played for the BITO football team. We lost to that Sally Struthers Correspondence School that advertises TV and VCR repair

Both teams have had really good pinch hitters this season:

AZ (not including Reynolds' out): .220/.305/.505
LA: .273/.390/.505

308 Those guys absolutely own us.

If Byrnes bunts to Nomar, it might be interesting.

I fear my humor was lost on the Juan Pierre Out Watch.

Derek Lowe may be a good pitcher, but he's just not a Winner. Depo didn't take that into account in his algorithms.

304 Brock, can we rename it the Brock Remedial Institute of Total Obviousness, just for the acronym "Brito"?

You could wear a cool straw hat!

310 And their course can be complete in only three short weeks

I hope someone is on base for Kemp's pinch HR so the game can be tied.

I hate him

Dang.

Thats probably a hit either way, but Nomar didnt look to quick over there.

At least Derek Lowe has another Quality Start.

314 Done!

I can't believe I missed that. It was so obvious. And I founded a school of obviousness!

That 1966 game was a loss by Don Sutton. He lost his first 13 decisions to the Cubs, which is the longest streak of its kind in the majors, i.e., one pitcher losing to one team.

After starting out 0-13 against the Cubs, Sutton went 18-7 against them.

Pitching change? (I'm just following on the net.)

2-0! Well, that should be insurmountable! Sheesh! How can they continue to send those bums out there every night? Nomar is 2 for his last 22. Furcal can't get a hit! And I don't care how hurt he is! Can't hit? Sit him down! Pierre is absolute garbage! And Kent can't hit with any consistency!

It strikes me as a bit odd the way Scully many times calls D'back players by their nicknames. I dont think i have heard anyone else do it like that before

310 I'm convinced that Struthers brings in those hungry African kids as ringers and provides them with sandwiches if they win. Hugry kids are desperate.

Too bad the Dodgers can't transfer some Penny run support to Lowe.

The worst offensive player on the team (among starters) and arguably the worst defender too. Nice. I can see why he needs to be in the everyday lineup.

Actually, transport the Randy Wolf run support to Lowe. I think Wolf's among the league leaders in run support.
So that bodes well tomorrow.

I think I've devised a way of communicating feelings about certain players without having to comment. I think this just might work. I'll try it out tomorrow.

325 It sounds odd to me when Vin calls Orlando Hudson "O-Dog."

328 You need to be more specific

330
voodoo dolls?

324

i feel a little better after reading your post (frustrating game a guess) i guess i'm not alone feeling like that.

330 Does this involve lightning in any way?

324 We all want the Dodgers to win (well, not J. Zellman, no that's too obvious, Jeff Z.) but that's a little harsh. The Dodgers have their deficiencies but coming into today they had the 2nd best record in the NL. "Bums" they're not.

I can't believe the D-Backs are trusting the guy they just called up in a close game, LOOGy be damned. I thought for sure Pena or Lyon would be in to set up for Valverde.

333

somebody's got a hold of Nomar bad it seems.

Way to go Gonzo!

336
Pena and Lyon have been pitching a lot recently.

Bloop and a blast.
There's the bloop.

334

I think its so frustrating bc not only is it such a big game but, its a game we should be somewhat easily winning

.500!

336 Even I could manage the D-Backs better than Melvin

Clutch single from J-Lo.
vr, Xei

Lyon has pitched in 3 of the last 4 games (4.3 IP), so that's why he's not in there.

However, Pena hasn't pitched since Sunday.

I swear i've yet seen Loney make an out this year.

Everything is dropping for Loney.
I hope the next guy isnt bunting.

Okay, do you pinch hit Betemit for Nomar?

On 2nd thought, it might be better if Nomar bunted.

339 Pena hasn't pitched in the last two games, so unless there's some injury I don't know about (and I should, he's on my fantasy team) then he should be the guy.

Meh, it was only a single. ;)

There goes James Loney...The best hitter that ever lived.

335 The Dodgers bums? Well, that was their nickname, but no I'm not calling the team bums! Just, Nomar, Pierre, and the way they are currently playing, Kent and Furcal!

When players "consistently" go out and do not perform, while "kids" in limited chances absolutely shine? There is absolutely no reason for that other than false pride!

I'm a firm believer you should always field your best team. Right now, there is NO way they can do that if Nomar and Pierre are in the lineup!

part of me hates 2 on no out again, at this point it just seems like another chance to put a hole in the wall:(

348 Kemp.

348 Guys with nasty stuff like Cruz aren't the best to use Betemit on. I'd rather go to Merlin.

right now, I want Betemit with the RHP

Everyone, think positive thoughts for Nomar.

Piazza started 1995 22 for 43 (.523).

Nice to see Loney in the .500 zone.

Yeah, with Betemit there's a good chance of a walk to load the bases.

I doubt Nomar has the patience.

I can't tell how nasty his stuff is without seeing the pitches, or at least his pFX

353

hopefully Nomar will get a hit here.

C'mon Nomar. Do it for the van! We have faith.

358

oh man, LOL!!!

In Brooklyn, they prayed for Gil Hodges when he went into a slump.

We are not like the people of Brooklyn.

Pa-thetic

362 Right now I'd take "getting" hit!

that was straight down the middle.

Nomar is looking good. :(
vr, Xei

Well at least its better than a double play.

OPS

Pierre: .627
Nomar: .627

DFA Nomar

I wasn't kidding. But it didn't work.

Drat.

... I can't believe that Nomar is still in this lineup. He is doing as much to kill the offense as Gonzalez and Loney are doing to build it.

What is he..0-14..now??

maybe if we clap he won't be dead

Take sign here 3-0

Nomars got the big grey cloud over him.

373 neither was I, and it didn't.

Why not Matt Kemp?

You have to use Betemit here over Saenz.

KILLA Tomato!!!!
vr, Xei

I would have Kemp bat.

Dodgers getting into rarefied air with 14 baserunners and 0 runs.

Olmedo Saenz has bailed out the team quite a bit in the past.

He needs to do it again.

I would hit Kemp here instead of Tomato, just try to avoid the obvious GIDP. Then if Kemp makes out, send up Saenz.

Let's Go To-Ma-To! Clap Clap Clap Clap

Olmedo please dont hit the ball on the ground.

Saenz instead of Betemit...?

Just don't hit a ground ball Killa.
vr, Xei

... I don't think that Cruz can throw his breaking ball for a strike right now.

Keep taking Olmedo.

332- the guy I was referring to hasn't had a hit in the series. He just struck out two men on base. There are currently three guys on the bench who are putting up better offensive numbers and could easily replace him in the lineup.

I would use Betemit here.

Ball 6.

SHUT UP. BE POSITIVE!!

Grady: How is Nomar?
Spock: I'm detecting critical levels of "suck" here, sir.

AND SCENE

Nomar is 0 for his last 15.

That was probably Ball 7.

olmedo is 2-4 with bases loaded

Saenz looks like Humpty Dumpty.

I agree. Betemit for handedness. Or Kemp to cut down on DP possibilties. But Olmedo is a, say it with me now, proven veteran.

Ouch! Nomar coulda done that.
vr, Xei

Sad face =(.

385 CBS Sporsline is showing 10 hits and 7 walks, am I missing something? Is that not 17 baserunners?

Saenz vs RHP: .209/.286/.349

(before the K)

well, that was his pitch.

What's the point of even having Betemit on the roster?

I still don't believe that radar gun. 99 MPH on that last pitch? I think not.

Man Cruz just clowned Saenz.
Up to Furcal vs Valverde.

Gameday has 9 and 6.

And Gameday only lies about location.

I just got home and this is what I find! They better not leave all those guys on base.

9 hits, 6 walks, 1 error is what I've got.

309
Arizona gun is about 3 mph fast.

409

Vinnie said it was 94MPH.

Crud.

Why send up Saenz when hes 0-2 with 2K's against Cruz, awful against righties and you have Betemit to come in to double switch with Nomar?

What's the point of even having Betemit on the roster?

Exactly. Not only is he now behind Nomar on the 3B depth chart, but he's behind righties on the vs. RH pinch-hitting depth chart.

... Please take the first strike, Rafael.

417

Um, because your name is Grady Little?

On August 13, 2005, Colorado got 19 runners on base against Washington at Coors Field and lost 8-0.

The Rockies had 13 hits, got 5 walks, and reached on an error.

419--Furcal obliges.

ugh

It's like the Tampa Bay game all over again. Yay.

This game has been, umm, frustrating.

So lame.

Groan.

I think we saw this exact type of game last saturday nite.

Amazing.

Let the record reflect that I was thinking positively for Nomar. I like Nomar. Nomar is not a very good baseballer anymore.

Grady Little tonight, left:

http://tinyurl.com/3cw46v

Shoot.

Um, anyone think the Dodgers would have some runs by now if Kemp had started in center, Betemit at 3rd, and Abreu at either SS or 2nd?

413 AZ has no errors.

the Dodgers didn't even go down with a vengeance, 2 strike outs & a measly grounder.sigh. it's kind of bad managing by Grady also.

Today's hitting breakdown:

Hitters we like - 8-for-14 with 3 walks
Hitters we don't like - 0-for-14 with 2 walks

I thought Saenz pinch-hitting was a good call, fastball hitter against a fastball pitcher who wasn't hitting his spots. Didn't work out the way we hoped, unfortunately.

Raise your hand if you thought Seanez would pitch 35 innings for the Dodgers this season.

Dodgers could use a new hitting coach to get Nomar out of his funk.
vr, Xei

436 Seems that way every night lately!

I'm holding up a sign with Olmedo's splits next time I go to a Dodger game. No one in the organization has ever seen them before.

437 Since Betemit doesn't swing at a lot of balls - though he misses quite a few strikes - I like him in the situation you describe. Plus L vs. R.

Does Hudson really need to celebrate a triple off of Rudy Seanez?

I really don't want to see another post tomorrow about how "promising" it was for us to have 15 baserunners tonight.

I'm not claiming that it has anything to do with "clutch hitting" or individual psychology, but I will say that I believe that when a team is utterly futile in RISP situations, as we were in Tampa and as we are tonight, it reflects a fatal flaw that metrics for individual hitters do not detect.

Anyone who has been seriously following the Los Angeles Dodgers for the past 10-12 years knows exactly what I am talking about.

This game is too much. I need a drink.

For a guy who makes his living in the distinctive way he does, Juan's inability to offer precise, professional bunts, most of the time, is part of his charmin' puzzle.
Gettin' painful to watch the never-quite-a- cleanup-hitter assay key at-bats. Jeff is one more neon sign of the organization's offensive woes most years since the Cey/Russell/Lopes/Disappointing Human Being gang hung 'em up.
Russell M. has to learn your at-bats against Webb can't include attempts (2-1) to pull one into the bleachers - at least not very often. He demands some flexibility in stance and approach (assuming y'wanna score on him) - which requires (for RHBs) stepping toward right field, since his ball is almost always diving down and away.
Didn't like the Luis signing, 'cause of $ and defen$e, and a certain look of $taleness last season. But wrote it's not uncommon for a guy like him to benefit in the first year of changed scenery. He's done even better than I thought he would early; still has to show me his body can stay with his re-awakened psyche down the stretch. Here's hoping.
Nomar and Carlos Delgado (Carlos has second-worst BA of any regular - Andy L's brother
"leads") - what a power crash!! Wonderin' if fatherhood has opened a door to these intelligent, sensitive guys that makes ball, in any form, seem as trivial as it essentially is, leading to a lack of the special focus y'need at this level? (Though I understand Nomar was in a serious statistical decline second half last).
Raffie needs to sit and get well. Jeff and Juan and Nomar just need to sit....

444 Hitting for more power helps.

430 - me too. every time nomar came up, I forced myself to smile and think "time to snap out of it, pal."

He needs a DL stint, and if that doesn't do the trick, he needs to retire.

Wow, first post deleted. my apologies. . . although if there is a time to break rule #1. im going to assume it was right then

Grady believes in small sample sizes. Saenz career vs. Valverde, 3-4 with 2 doubles and 1 HR.

perfect

Furcal is injured and it's really affecting him at the plate. I'd like to see the Dodgers place him on the DL and slide in Tony Abreu at SS. Abreu won't be quite as steady as Furcal defensively, but he should be able to man the position for a few weeks.

Kemp should have hit for Furcal, oh wait, we position-switched from last year's SS crew and so now we have a plethora of thirdbasemen and no one to take over for the currently anemic and circling the drain Rafael Furcal. Oh, and Jon, you still here? Fantasy may corrupt, but it still might be time to DFA Furcal in favor of one Brendan Harris [as he's still available, and at least he had the good sense to go 3 for 4 today].

444 If you've watched baseball for the last 10-12 years you'd know that it happens to everyone.

That 19 runners on base by the Rockies in a shuout is the most I've been able to find for a nine-inning game.

There have been two pitchers who threw 14-hit shutouts. But one guy had no walks and no errors and the other guy had two walks.

Hey Gameday screen, has advertisement for Nomar hitting a solo HR against Nationals.

Advertisement for "Player Alerts"

Was that his only HR this year??

449 - Apologies accepted, but you'd be wrong.

445 Hurry up, you're one back of me already.

Let's not be so doom and gloom. I think this is the perfect set-up for a 9th-inning rally.

Seanez was a guy that used to throw upper 90's on his first stint with the Dodgers before he got hurt.

at this point as much as it pains me to see Nomar tank . . that is exactly what he may have to continue to do. to get him out of the lineup. . . . think about it a few 2-5 days and he's back in the eyes of Ned and Grady

444 Tonight is frustrating, but the Dodgers haven't been bad this year in the "clutch":

As a team,

RISP: .284/.372/.409 (105 OPS+; above avg)
RISP, 2 outs: .259/.378/.369 (100 OPS+; avg)
Close & Late: .263/.341/.383 (102 OPS+; above avg)

456 Last year. He hit this years model in arizona.

447 - fair enough, but think of the '97 team: 4 30 homerun hitters, and yet Valdes ended up with a 10-11 record despite a 2.65 ERA. Largely due to games like tonight's.

There's something else going on here.

FWIW, vs. Valverde:

Betemit 1-4 w/ 1 BB (just for the record)
Kemp never seen him
Pierre 0-0 w/ 2 (!) BB

this game feels like a bird pooped in our head & a hot chick saw it all unfold.

464
Rod Beck took the secret of the failure of the 1997 Dodgers to win the division to his grave.

463 ... earlier this year, against Edgar Gonzalez, last night's starter.

464 Care to elaborate?

Whew! Here comes the rally!

466 Excellent description.

And the odds of scoring with a leadoff triple.

The Dodgers may not have hit well with RISP tonight, but the Dbax are 1-23 in that situation the last several games.

Obviously the Dodgers get some hits with runners on. They wouldn't be in contention if they hadn't. But, let's face it, if management had used and evaluated its talent properly, this game wouldn't be for first tonight. The Dodgers would have a four-game lead. I know, woulda, coulda, shoulda, but if all the fans here can see the problems with the lineup, why can't management?

Jeff Fassero on the D-Backs post game show??!! How fitting on the night of seven 40+ year-old starting pitchers.

Great at-bat, Juan.

474
There were just six as the Tigers and Kenny Rogers were rained out.

469- I don't have an explanation. If I did, I'd post it.

I just don't believe that we're leaving so many men on base lately due to poor luck. Perhaps it's the lineup composition.

My 2:58 prediction is looking good.

Valverde really looks like Turk from Scrubs

i want the dodgers to load the bases and fail to score -- this game has sucked, it might as well be legendarily sucky.

Does/Should Martin start tomorrow?
Day game after nite game----plus you'd like to have him fresh for the Padres series.

for me the only reason it's frustrating because we could have won this game & we didn't. I wasn't expecting a victory today cause of the way they played in TB & Brandon Webb taking the mound today.

481

What you say is exactly why he should not start tomorrow.

The Dodgers can't break the 11 games above .500 barrier this year.

We're better than this. Aren't we?

473

... Excellent, and I agree completely. And the easy answer to your question is that the management of this team isn't necessarily in this to win. I think that with our current owner and GM, the emphasis is more on how much glory/credit/notoriety those two can attain rather than the overall success of the team.

AZ seemed to flash the "coming up next...post game show" graphic a little early. Perhaps a jinx?

481 The Wolf/Lieberthal situation seems like another reason to give him a rest

481

But what's more important is Furcal not starting (in order to get well) and Nomar not starting (because he's not very good).

Talk to you guys later. Annoying game.

Boo.

Swung at ball 4

we better win tommorrow . 3-4 and ill still walk away very happy no matter how bad tonights game was.

Dang, 2:56 I think!

I was so close!

You know how people say that teams who wait around for the three run jack are inconsistent?

They're wrong.

486 - I can't believe I'm taking this bait, but what glory/credit/notoriety do you think they can attain in place of the kind you get from winning?

495 I almost wrote the same thing.

in the words of comic shop guy, "worst game ever".....

497
Well, there was this game in 1966 that was just the same thing...

16 runners on base. 2-0 loss.

That Dodgers team won the pennant.

My biggest complaint is that guys getting "paid" to perform are not performing. Nothing makes me more mad then to watch players getting paid big dollars to struggle. I can accept young players struggling because at least there is an excuse.

Furcal, Pierre, Kent & Nomar make (combined) over $40 million, and none of them is hitting over .274

There is no excuse for that! So, why do they continue to get plate appearances?

There's tomorrow. If we win tomorrow that's 3 out of 4, like The Rabbits Rarely Loose said.

495 -

what he means is that they'd rather lose keeping Pierre and Nomar in the lineup than win by swallowing their pride and benching them.

499

You'll find your answer in what you posted; the first clause of the second paragraph.

Furcal, Pierre, Kent & Nomar make (combined) over $40 million, and none of them is hitting over .274

There is no excuse for that! So, why do they continue to get plate appearances?

Ironically, for the exact reason they are highly paid

For those chirping on Furcal and Nomar, should also look at Kent. But my real question, is Nomar's situation salvagable? It looks like his bat speed has sled significantly and just wonder if it is something that can be turned around?

486 I think that's a ridiculous and baseless supposition.

I don't think Nomar will sit tomorrow, as they will want to leave the righty in to face the Unit. I could see Furcal sitting to get some rest, with Abreu at SS. With Furcal sitting, no way they bench Pierre too. Here is my attempt at what the lineup will be:

CF Pierre
SS Abreu
C Martin
2B Kent
LF Gonzo
1B Loney
3B Nomar
RF Kemp
P Wolf

501
So this is a variation of the idea earlier espoused that Jim Tracy tanked the 2005 season to sabotage Paul DePodesta.

Just because a team loses a game doesn't mean that the management is deliberately losing the games.

That idea is risible on its face.

call me a masochist cause i'll be hear rooting tomorrow. Goodnite all tomorrow is another day.

Well, its the Karros/Konerko thing all over again.

Karros was the 3/24 mils a year guy, and Konerko was making the league minimum.

The Dodgers are playing Pierre in CF bc he's a 5yr45mils dollar a year guy. I reallky believe if Pierre was only on a 1yr contract, they'd have Kemp in CF.

The Red Sox finally benched Lugo, even though his replacement--Cora--isnt alot better.

But Pierre cant be replaced?

Sadly, there's alot of politics involved with baseball and if Ned benches Pierre--he looks like an idiot either way bc he just signed him. However, if he keeps him in there and the team still loses---he can just say Pierre had a bad year and it wasnt his (Ned's) fault for signing him.

506 If both Gonzo and Loney start, I don't think they'll hit back-to-back.

I can't remember the last time I've seen the word "risible." Well played, Bob.

504 - According to VORP, Kent's the third best hitter on the team. Meanwhile, Pierre and Nomar are both below replacement level.

Chirp chirp.

499 Because the season is not yet half over.

The great thing and the frustrating thing about baseball is that even if you average .250, that doesn't mean you get a hit every four at bats because that would be almost one a game.

So guys are going to have hot, warm, medium, cold and frozen streaks throughout the season. Right now, all three NL West teams have played around .500 this month and the fact that the Dodgers are doing it with a lot of guys not hitting is just showing how wonderfully unprecictable a game it is to watch and enjoy.

This doesn't mean that these guys are going to come around next month but you can't look at a player by just focusing on his last 50/100 at bats.

And as I've told Brock before, money should never dictate whether a guy plays or not and also, just because they make a lot of money doesn't mean that they should be hitting over .274

506 You're probably right, even though they did tonight.

511
So I guess I used it correctly?

one more thing before i go off into my beauty sleep, i'll personally kid nap ItD if we don't start Kemp tomorrow! (jk) but i'll be pretty upset though.

I think when you have a so called "Players Manager" like Grady Little you're going to have to deal with the lineup being the way it is. I thought it was a big deal for Grady to switch Nomar's defensive position and spot in the order all at once. They have a lot invested in Nomar and it is in the Dodgers best interest to have him slugging .500 like he did last year. Betemit has never done that. It's still June. If Nomar can get hot and hit the way he did last year the Dodgers we'll be a better team going into September. Nomar can't get it going riding the pine. IF he's healthy, he's gotta play.

507 - I'm not accusing anyone of a conspiracy. I'm accusing Colletti and Little of mere vanity - they don't want to admit their inability to judge talent by benching two highly paid players.

So here's what needs to be done. Now.

1. Platoon Nomar and Betemit at 3B - Nomar is an obvious liability right now and Betemit's power and defense are much more valuable than Nomar's occasional single
2. Get Kemp more playing time - Pierre needs to sit more often and Kemp needs to get as many bats as possible
3. Put Furcal on the DL - whatever positive his defense is giving us, it's being taken away two-fold by his weak offense. It may cause the team to be weaker in the short-term, but having him at near 100% down the stretch is more important.
4. Re-arrage the line-up - while it's not the most important thing in the world, it would help to have our better hitters getting more at-bats.

Proposed starting line-up vs. RHP
1. Abreu - SS
2. Martin - C
3. Loney - 1B
4. Gonzo - LF
5. Kent - 2B
6. Ethier - RF
7. Betemit - 3B
8. Pierre - CF

I realize Abreu isn't an ideal lead-off hitter, but I trust him to get on base more often than Pierre going forward. When Kemp is in the line-up, you can slate him in the 6 spot and move everyone else down if he's in CF or just switch out Ethier for him if he's playing RF.

Proposed starting line-up vs. LHP
1. Abreu - SS
2. Martin - C
3. Loney - 1B
4. Kent - 2B (hitting a lot better vs. LHP this year)
5. Gonzo - LF
6. Kemp - RF
7. Nomar - 3B
8. Pierre - CF

If Kemp's in for Pierre instead of Ethier, he can just slot into the 8 spot.

And that's the way it is.

I don't think it's necessarily the contract that dictates playing time, it's that management thinks that Nomar and/or Pierre:

a) will hit better than they currently are
b) are not hitting as bad as we think they are

Look, since Little and Colletti have come aboard, for the most part the guys that have deserved playing time have received the playing time. In some cases, it may have taken awhile, but Little/Colletti haven't been super rigid.

513

great post BHSportsguy, o.k. i really gotta go to bed.

520--You might be right that management really believes Pierre gives the Dodgers more in CF, than Kemp would.

They'd be out of their mind, but baseball's a game where guys like Darin Erstad are considered really valuable to have on a team. So it wouldnt suprise me, and frankly given the Dodgers seemingly more traditional approach to signing players--it probably is how they think.

Grady will have some interesting decisions to make. He finally did the right thing and got Loney into the lineup. Will he do the next right thing and get Kemp in? Little's been around long enough to see that Garciaparra is not doing the job, but will he put aside his long relationship with him and the fact that he is popular and bench him? I expect Little and Colletti will be having some interesting conversations. Garciaparra's dramatic falloff makes Kent's difficulties less obvious. . . . My only worry about starting Kemp tomorrow is if Johnson is on his game, there could be two or three Ks for Kemp. . . . After tomorrow, we're home for 17 of the next 20 games with the other three in San Francisco.

513 Generally right on. However, in the case of Nomar - and at the risk of sounding like a broken record - his decline can be measured since last year's All-Star break, as you know. We're two weeks short of that being equivalent to a full season, which may be enough sample to draw conclusions from. I hate to think so, but maybe he really is done?

519 To add to my manifesto, I think Kent needs to get more days off with Marlon Anderson getting the starts (while Furcal's on the DL, Abreu can get them later). Kent's getting old so he needs more days off to keep him fresh. He doesn't necessarily look bad at the plate, he just looks like he's a little sluggish, which is understandable since he starts almost every game.

523 If we lose tomorrow we'll be .500 for this road trip, which is pretty acceptable to me. Granted there's alot of frustration involved, but we're only half way through people. Lots more games to be played.

513

I agree, but with Nomar I think its different. he's done. he's got over entire season now with an OPS under 700. . .and now, lets look at what his upside or breakthrough is . .its 2-5 both being singles. . not to mention when all is said and done he's the worst fielding 3b in MLB

so is Blair wearing a dodgers shirt for his main myspace pic a good sign that hes going to sign with us?

Re: 525

Yes, but he was also banged up the last half of last season. He's supposed to be completely healthy now, and for that reason, I still think he'll eventually recover. It'd be more worrisome if Nomar had been completely healthy when his numbers nosedived last year.

I think someone else (JoeyP?) has also pointed to the precedent of Mike Lowell's cratering and resurgence. It happens--I don't think Nomar's truly done yet.

That being said, what a rough game.

But it was Webb pitching, and we're still only a half game out. Tomorrow's a new day....

WWSH

528

is it even him? it looks like hes on the field. . why would he wear a Dodger Jersey to practice. . that being said, its gotta be good. I think if he had no desire to sign the last thing he would be doing is wearing the Dodgers

What team would bench a guy three months into a 45 million dollar contract? Even Russ Ortiz didn't lose his job in 2005.

Re: 528

Tony Jackson doesn't think it'll happen, according to his blog. Blair might just like how the jersey looks. That being said, it'd be awfully weird if we didn't sign him, for the reasons you and Canuck pointed out earlier.

WWSH

531

especially when he is doing exactly what he was brought here to do. score 100 runs.. ect . . if Ned is Dumb enough to sign him he is for sure not smart enough to influence benching him

513 "just because they make a lot of money doesn't mean that they should be hitting over .274 "

I understand what you are trying to say, but it doesn't make sense.

Why pay someone "a lot of money", when you can get the same, or even better performance for a lot less?

Now, I'll agree with you, that money shouldn't enter into the decision making process, meaning, no matter how much those over-paid players make, they should still be benched!

Dodger management has to start realizing that the Dodgers are in the heat of the NL West race, NOT because of Nomar, Kent, Pierre, and Furcal. They are in the heat of the NL West race "despite" Nomar, Kent, Pierre, and Furcal.

Why is it that only the Dodger management seems incapable of understanding this?

DodgerSims, which had another 2 out of 3 night, is giving the DBacks a win probability of 56.35% over the Dodgers tomorrow night when Wolf faces off against Randy Johnson. Hope it's wrong.
vr, Xei

534. All good points and for the most part you are probably preaching to the choir. The Dodger management most likely realizes what you are saying, it's just that they are a 500lb gorilla and it takes time to get them going in the right direction. Dodger management is very conservative when it comes to replacing veterans with youngsters. But they have Martin, Loney, Ethier, Abreu, Billingsley, Broxton, and Guo all playing significant time right now. Things could be worse.
vr, Xei

523. Will he do the next right thing and get Kemp in?

Little says he is "thinking" about starting Kemp tomorrow. WOW! I guess he has to sleep on it.

http://tinyurl.com/yrc42s

Always small sample size warnings with batter vs. pitcher stuff, but career vs. Randy Johnson:

Lieberthal 6-26, 3 2B, 3 BB
Furcal 5-13, 1 2B
Martin no PAs
Ethier no PAs
Betemit 0-3
LuGo 0-3, 1 BB
Pierre 5-28, 4 BB, 6 SB, 1 CS
Kent 6-34, 1 2B, 5 BB
Saenz 1-9, 2 BB
Nomar 3-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 BB
Brady Clark 5-8, 1 2B, 2 BB (oh, wait...)

and just for fun,

HOFer Rickey Henderson 7-59, 3 2B, 26 BB, 30 K, 16 SB, 4 CS.

Hard to guess tomorrow's lineup. Most managers loathe batting lefties against RJ and will do anything to get righties in there, but Grady might be reluctant to throw the youngster, Abreu, in there, and Loney is kinda hot. Johnson probably hasn't seen more than two lefties in a starting lineup since the Pound Puppies were a hot toy, but unless Loney sits or weird things occur in the OF, the Dodgers will have three. So a shot in the dark at tomorrow's lineup:

Furcal SS
Pierre CF
Martin C
Kent 2B
LuGo LF
Kemp RF
Nomar 3B
Loney 1B

537 That same article says three lefties will start against Johnson.

I don't want to make light of a sorrowful situation, but note the real name of this unfortunate boy.

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/6968444

Since there are so many Flight of the Conchords fans here, I suggest we call Betemit "Boom King".

540
Neither "Takashi" nor "Saito" are uncommon names in Japan.

542 Neither my first nor my family name are uncommon in the United States and Canada, but men with my name are not making news all that frequently. Would you guess that Takashi Saito is more or less common than, say, Dave Roberts?

Nomar is being benched tomorrow according to Tony Jackson.

Tony Jackson's blog: Nomar is going to sit tomorrow. Grady told us after the game, right after he told Nomar.

That makes my guess in 538 wrong already. So now I'll guess Loney 7th and Abreu 8th at 3B.

From Tony Jackson's Daily News article: "Sometimes, when you go through these things [batting slumps], you recognize what you're doing wrong so you can go work on it," Garciaparra said. "But right now, I have no idea what the problem is, so what am I going to go work on?"

(Nomar / my daughter), (the Dodgers / the university) has many resources to aid you, for example, (coaches / tutors) and a video library.

Has he met Bill Mueller yet?

We should be so lucky that Kent was a problem worth worrying much about. He may not be raging against the dying of the light quite so much as we might hope (though he is, every bit as much as anybody had any right to expect), but he's not in the top five problems with the lineup. The two tier one problems happen to be the easiest to fix, which is irritating in, by my count, four dimensions. Upgrading the second and third tier problems may or may not be worth doing. But until Pierre sits next to Nomar, it's fixing the pulseless patient's hangnail first.

If the patient is pulseless that means Pierre is the heart of the team. I have a problem with that assertion.

He's the appendix. Or the tonsils. Or that weird growth on your neck that causes people on the street to stare at you while pretending they're not staring at you.

Fair enough. He's the ruptured appendix.

I don't know if it was mentioned earlier, but Delwyn Young was 5 for 5 tonight and is now leading all of Triple A baseball with 28 doubles. Not that we have room for him on our roster or anything.

OBP:

Juan Pierre .304
Nomar .306
Derek Lowe .306

Can Nomar pitch and let Derek play third?