Why oh why am I getting an Angels game on Fox Sports West tonight? Have they no sense of history?

It's apparently not on ESPN, either, which really surprises me.

Tonight's game is on KCAL.

And ESPN2.

>> Hull Sinks
>> He'll bob back to the surface

... and who was it that said you weren't very funny. -A- for effort, atleast.
vr, Xei

Free Meloan!

My dad is at the game tonight. I told him to bring his glove, because you never know when a Bonds home run could curve around the foul pole and end up in the 3rd deck down the third base line.
vr, Xei

5. it's a no brainer unless there are some service time or 40 man roster issues (which I don't think there are). He's a relief pitcher, it's not like he needs to be kept at AAA to stretch out his arm.
vr, Xei

ESPN2? Hmm. My newspaper doesn't mention that. Game time is 7:00pm PDT, right? I'll turn on the box at 4:00 HST and see what happens, then.

8 No daylight savings time in Hawaii?

Arrgh! (Clever hed, Jon.)

9 - no.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/daylight1.html

Arizona, either, and for the same reason: why conserve daylight? Also, I imagine being one hour "closer" to the mainland has its advantages part of the year.

Hull will be back when Hernandez is DFA'd. My Hernandez DFA Countdown Clock has it at four days remaining. Meloan will be up - well, by Sept. 1st, by gum! Maybe sooner.

I'm still more worried about their starting pitching situation at this point.

I'll be taping the game tonight and watching it on fastforward later so I'll only be here in spirit during the game. Go Lurch!

8 Yep, game time is 7pm Pacific. One reason your newspaper doesn't mention ESPN2 could be that it was a last-minute decision by ESPN2. For example, had Bonds hit two homeruns last night, they probably would not care about tonight's game.

New post at Screen Jam.

Terrible bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

I'm watching the Minneapolis news. That is a major traffic route, not far from the Metrodome, and runs between two sections of the U of Minnesota.

http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream3

The local news says it collapsed right at 6 pm in the height of rush hour. It is the I-35W freeway. They are currently searching below the bridge for anyone who might be in the Mississippi River.

Totally independent of the recent trade, are we sure that sending Hull to the minors to make room for Proctor is a wise move? =)

19 - Personally? I would have DFA'd Roberto for Proctor thus genuinely improving the Bullpen from before the trade.

Horrible news that bridge collapsing, I hope everyone isn't hurt too bad.

In the lineup posted earlier, anyone else notice Martinez hitting in front of Ethier? First time I've seen that... pointless to ask what Little has on his mind.

13 Ah, that explains why the local fishwrap didn't have it listed (although I'll wait and see if the game actually appears before I make a final judgment).

Yeah, we don't go on daylight savings. It means that we're six hours from the East Coast during the summer, only five in the winter.

I seem to recall that the American Society of Civil Engineers puts out a report every year on the state of the country's infrastructure, and for the past 15 years or so the Society has said it's in a sad state, so a bridge collapse isn't a surprise, unfortunately.

I hope injuries are at a minimum.

21 I noticed that too. I'm assuming it's to mix up lefties and righties. Can't see any other reason for it. They'll just pitch around Ethier. No offense to Martinez, who had a decent night last night, but, man, I do miss Kent.

21 - Makes the lineup go SLRLRLRL as opposed to bunching righties and lefties together.

Makes a heck of a lot more sense to bunch good hitters than some righty-lefty pattern. Do you think there will ever be an intelligent baseball manager?

24 This one would have the same effect, but would clog up the bases in the early innings.

Furcal, SS
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Gonzo, LF
Nomar, 3B
Ethier, RF
Martinez, 2B
Pierre, CF

26 - If you're going that far, why not just start Kemp over Pierre?

For those of you who may be hearing some of the bridge news, Hennepin County Medical Center (the trauma center they are transporting people to) is right across the street from the Metrodome. No real news on numbers yet (saying 15 but that has to be low).

Reports indicate at least 2 dead in bridge collapse.

27 And break his consecutive games streak? Tonight?! That would steal Bonds thunder like Nolan Ryan did to Rickey- the greatest of all time.

This Dodgers lineup would score 3.756 runs a game according to the Baseball Analysts lineup tool, if you naively assume the players would perform like they are now.

Flipping Martinez and Ethier brings it up to 3.877. Better, sure, but not enough to fret over, and this doesn't include the advantages that going RLRL gives you.

Being on a bridge when it collapses is one of my greatest fears. Every time I cross a bridge in a car I think about it collapsing and my car plummeting to the depths below.

Thunderstorms are about to hit that area which is really not what they need. I'm flipping between MSP stations and the pictures are frightening. I'm with D4P about the fear of bridge collapses but I usually thought about earthquakes being involved.

32
I used to have a recurring dream of riding a motorcycle on a winding, cliffside road... losing control.. crashing through the guardrail and falling hundreds of feet onto wave-splashed rocks.
I never seem to remember the good dreams with bikini models, in fact I'm not sure I've had any.

This might be premature excitement but Lambo added 2 more XBHs today with a triple and a homerun (5). his season line is .327/.408/.558

We haven't seen that type of power debut in the GCL from a first year prep prospect in a while.

The Twins are playing tonight but have postponed tomorrow night's game as well as their groundbreaking for the new ballpark.

to add to 35

josh bell slugged .395 in his GCL debut.
matt kemp slugged .346 in his debut

jay bruce, the power hitting slugger in the reds system went 270/331/500 5hr 11bb 31k in 122AB before he was moved up to Odgen.

I'm not saying Lambo will become Jay Bruce but...just sayin'.

I also get claustrophobic on bridges. I feel like they're too narrow and that I'm going to drive over the edge.

My feelings about bridges were discussed here a couple of years ago, when Bob found the bridge north of SF that scared the heck out of me the two or three times I've driven over it. I can't remember the name of it now, but it's one of those in the shape of a half-circle; you drive up at such an angle that you can't see the other side or the ground at all.

My grandmother used to call those kiinds of bridges "jumping-off places."

38 Man, you used to seem so cool. Now you're just a nervous mess.

39
The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge?

Potential gift from Ned Colletti skeptics?

http://tinyurl.com/38ooya

Bob, that sounds like the right area.

So, uh, Andy La Roche just hit another homer.

Can we just DFA Martinez and Hernandez and call up La Roche and Meloan already?

As someone would say, broken record.

I used to be extremely nervous driving across bridges, but I've gotten much better.

But when I tried walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, I resembled Jimmy Stewart in a certain Alfred Hitchcock film.

And it wasn't "Rear Window."

But, having looked at pictures from Google, no. The one I'm thinking of hasn't got dual levels.

Amazing what a couple of torn labrums can do for a guy.

35,37 - Interesting.

Can Laroche or Nomar play 2nd in Emergency situations?

Man, you used to seem so cool. Now you're just a nervous mess

Bridges bring out the worst in me. I'll go back to being cool now.

Manny Parra for the brewers looks good. I like his stuff.

LaRoche used to play some second base in college, I think. I assume playing him at second would be more or less the same as playing Betemit or Delwyn Young at second.

Twins' press release on the postponement:

http://tinyurl.com/3yjb6u

After being in SF for the '89 quake and seeing (not firsthand) the Bay Bridge collapse, I still get nervous crossing that one, especially if I'm driving. {{cue Bernard Herrmann music}}

Meanwhile, FWIW, Tony Jackson reports some bit of good news: "Derek Lowe was fine after his side session"

51 - Does Laroche or Young play a good enough 2nd base to make Martinez obsolete?

Giant OPSs in tonight's lineup:

1. .711
2. .780
3. .696
4. 1.051
5. .704
6. .730
7. .662
8. .604
9. .249

I guess the Giants's owner is more impressed with Sabean's "build around Bonds" strategy than I am.

54

tony abreu should make Martinez obsolete. But he's hurt and I think they want him playing every day.

46
Dumbarton Bridge?
Hayward-San Mateo Bridge?
Benicia Bridge?

Don't know if anyone else caught this, but old friend Jayson Werth is back in the Show, this time with the Phillies:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2957865

I've been trying to think of a Helsinki Accords joke based on the headline here for half an hour, but that really wasn't one of your more jocular diplomatic happenings.

It was no Diet of Worms.

54 I don't know, but I very much doubt it.

Extra fun treaty quiz: http://tinyurl.com/2wukqo

58 He's had 85 ab's already this year with them.

Martinez makes himself obsolete.

A woman in my office just came back to work today after being injured in that steam pipe blast in Manhattan a week or so ago.

Something is gonna need to be done about the aging infrastructure in this country.

From the article Baseball America wrote when the Dodgers signed LaRoche:

"The Dodgers will keep him at shortstop for now, though his long-term ability to stay there is uncertain. His instincts and arm strengths are plusses, but his range is fringy. LaRoche could handle the offensive and defensive responsibilities at second or third base, and Dodgers scouts are intrigued by his potential as a catcher."

61
That test was extraordinarily hard.

I only got 8 of them right.

We should send the test to Darren Dreifort's father. He's a professor of European diplomatic history at Wichita State. He was at the SABR convention.

damn, that Parra curveball is sexy. Comes back with 94mph heat. I like this guy!

He was at the SABR convention

On crutches? In a wheelchair? On a Rascal?

68
He seemed fine to me. Papa Dreifort is a lefty.

64 Copied from a comment I made elsewhere:

The ASCE puts out an annual report on the nation's infrastructure. The 2006 report reads as follows under the Bridges section:
http://www.asce.org/reportcard/2005/page.cfm?id=22

Between 2000 and 2003, the percentage of the nation's 590,750 bridges rated structurally deficient or functionally obsolete decreased slightly from 28.5% to 27.1%. However, it will cost $9.4 billion a year for 20 years to eliminate all bridge deficiencies. Long-term underinvestment is compounded by the lack of a Federal transportation program.

45 I don't trust bridges, but I walked halfway across the Golden Gate, took some pictures, and then got my feet back on solid ground as quickly as I could. After I finished hyperventilating I discovered that I hadn't gotten the film loaded properly, and I hadn't actually taken any pictures, so I had screw up my courage again to go back out on the bridge for another try at it.

66: I was proud to get 5. And a couple of those were guesstimates.

The bridge that collapsed was reportedly in the midst of being repaired when it went down.

The scene in "A View to a Kill" where James Bond fights Max Zorin on top of the Golden Gate just kills me. I can't fathom being up there.

Simple fix to bridges is monorails.

75 Huh? You still gotta cross bodies of water on pylons or something.

72 I also got 5 (although I only knew 3, all fill-ins, which were made much easier because the cities started with the letter of the question).

57 Bob, none of those look right. I tried searching the site for "bridges" but got four pages of hits with the phrase "burning his bridges."

We're fixated on that cliché.

"Marge, I wanna be a monorail conductor."
"Homer, no."
"It's my lifelong dream!"
"Your lifelong dream was to run out onto the field during a baseball game, and you did it last year, remember?"

76 Hovercraft, of course.

76 . . . and teleporting.

The bottom of that quiz said the average score was 10/20. Who exactly is taking that quiz?

80 Would that be the one that's full of eels?

76 - That can all be solved through physics.

83 Only in tobacconists.

82
Darren Dreifort's father.

The DT crew is really going to bring down the average score on the treaties quiz. I have a friggin' history degree and I only got six right.

Granted, my degree is in U.S. history so I probably would have done a lot better if they had more, say, Native American treaties and fewer Eastern European ones.

84 - So can bridges.

88 - Bridges is Bridges Mr. Weisman but Monorails those, is "MONORAILS!"

Is Hendrickson the guy in the Dodger lunch box commercial? I guess anything's better than the Nomar Van.

Barring strange doings, another 0-4 night for A-Rod.

Who gave Hendrickson the ice cream? Was it you, Weisman?

That's more of a Shelbyville idea.

92 Now we'll never get him down for his nap!

92 It has to be Olmedo.

94 LOL.

a quote from ned. Our young players are starting to become established. They're, in some ways, almost an equal part of the club as the veterans."

He sure does love the whole idea of what a "vet" brings to the club....guess its so much more than OBP.... and those fancy #'s

95 Olmedo doesn't give away too much food, methinks.

91 Yup, and Betemit took over for A-Rod at third in the top of the ninth. Lookin' sharp in the pinstripes, old friend.

Oh dear, this is not good. I seem to have the Giants announcers tonight instead of Vin. Well it can't be as bad as Joe Morgan, can it.

97
Wow, that is a dumb quote. I am just going to assume he misspoke.

Guys, I thought we had decided- no ice cream until after the quality start.

101
Dodgers.com ....

94
ice cream works in getting Britney's baby to sleep, according to the latest pop-tart dirt.
I would put up a link, but I don't know how to do that "tiny url" thingy...

Is ESPN2 going to be showing all of Bonds' games until he makes it to the top of the mountain?

Sad follow-up.. Minneapolis Mayor now says 6 dead in bridge collapse.

104 www.tinyurl.com

Britney also calls her cigarettes "lollipops" to her kids, so I think she should let me and WIKG handle the parenting, thank you very much.

Blasted broadcast on ESPN2 is blacked out in favor of ESPNNews here. Crud.

Am I right in remembering the D's picked before SF and could have had Lincecum two years ago?

Russ has been striking out a lot lately.....

Mark Grace needs to take him out on the town...

all gonzo does it foul out now

Well, lets see how long manufacturing a run will support Bigfoot.

I'm not convinced that run should be "earned". Without the error, Furcal goes to 3rd on Pierre's "good piece of hitting" and the inning ends on LuGo's popup.

McCourt sees ample growth in farm system

>> "The future is bright because we have a great pipeline of talent coming up now and the Dodgers are back to the point they were at many years ago when they had a first-class farm system," said McCourt <<

## Las Vegas outfielder Choo Freeman and infielder Luis Maza were activated, and infielder Michael Rivera was optioned to Class-A Inland Empire. ##

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/8847302.html

The Bay Area bridge that you can't see past its peak is the Hayward-San Mateo Bridge.

109. We landed Kershaw instead. He's a lot younger and definately has a very high upside albeit a few years younger than Lincecum.

107 Thanks
110 ouch... no slumpbusting, please.

This ump is not giving any kind of corners...

118. Did you miss the curve ball strike during Martin's AB?

109 yep- we took Kershaw at 6. Lincecum was 10

107 Do you mean Britney... Spears?

With the obvious exception of Bonds, it's hard to imagine a more pitiful lineup than the one Sabean has put together.

121
Yes, Spears. The meltdown continues.

Hmm. 3 fly balls to Ethier. What portents this, O seers?

In case you'll didn't see this in Jim Callis's chat this morning...

Stephen (Iraq): Who are your current can't miss prospect in the minors? One pitcher-One hitter...please?

Jim Callis: Justin Upton and Clayton Kershaw.

{121] yeah. Her kids would be better off if they were left in the wild to be raised by wolves.

Television Adjusts Coverage of Bonds

>> ESPN or ESPN2 has picked up six Bonds games, in the hope of showing his 755th and 756th home runs.

Tonight's game will be on ESPN2, no matter what happened last night. <<

http://tinyurl.com/29g9oa

The Dodger (and NL) record for putouts by a right fielder in a 9-inning game is 10.

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1995/B09250LAN1995.htm

The AL record is 11.

How many did Marlon end with on DT night?

127 Unless you live in Hawai'i, apparently. ESPN is cutting away from the Mets-Brewers game to show us Bonds's at-bats, but still...

128

Dodger #5 hitters:

1995 - Delino DeShields
2007 - Nomar Garciaparra

130

If you were to get Extra Innings out there, would the Dodgers and Angels be blacked out? You seem to get railed on seeing games more than anyone.

129
I think he had seven.

I'm with you guys. Kershaw could have a higher cieling than Lincecum. But given this unforeseeable run of pitching injury, Tim would be timely. But being a D's fan, I think that it is foreseeable that any 10mil pitcher will break sooner rather than later. The Giants never seemed to pay pitchers before Zito, and now they dumped Morris' salary.

nice try, Gonzo.

Regarding 112. This Long!

132 Haven't tried it due to budget constraints. In other words I can't justify spending money to watch baseball on a PC ;)

We get a fair number of games, but I'm really surprised that we aren't getting this one, given the potential historical event.

134. I think we'll all be happy with Kershaw. He's got electric stuff and a good composure on the mound. As absurd as it may sound, I bet Kershaw might fare better than the guy we have on the mound right now, but I'd rather see him extremely confident when he makes his debut rather than hamper his confidence at such a young age.

given the potential historical event

Hendrickson's first hit as a Dodger...?

I would put up a link, but I don't know how to do that "tiny url" thingy...

It's as easy as 1,2,3 all you do is 1) copy the address you want 2) go to Tinyurl.com & paste it 3) click on "make tinyurl & wah lah (sp?)

Snort!

130. ESPN considers Hawaii to be a suburb of Los Angeles. :-)

I don't understand the "not throwing strikes to Furcal and Pierre" strategy.

138

very much agree with you Jujibee, i love saying jujibee, WOO!! Pierre gets an RBI!!

Holy Pierre!

Pierre should have tried to score there. That might be as close as he comes all year to a round-tripper.

Boy, nice at bat by furc. About the only thing you can seem to do with this guy is make him "throw himself out of the game.
Or count on power from Pierre!

that's gonna help the ol' SLG

I don't understand the "not throwing strikes to Furcal and Pierre" strategy

It's not like he is intentionally not throwing them strikes. This is lincecum, he has always been a wild stallion.

143 rendered even more perplexing by the fact that it's swiftly turning into a "not throwing strikes period" strategy.

Of course the D's offense is due some deviation toward the mean.

Run Russ Run!

I love it when he does that.

just give me a single nomar.

My sources are telling me that the Braves have dropped Julio Franco and he may be done.

I really believed he would get to 50.

153

When Gonzalez gets blown away by high heat?

Can always count on Nomar to make a guy with control work out there.

This might be of interest to someone:

Braves P Buddy Carlyle left the game with a hyper extended right elbow. (6th inning).

I'm beginning to wonder about this first pitch swinging when you seem unable to hit, though he did at least contact it pretty well.

Lofton up for CL against TX. 2 on, 2 out, down by 3, bottom of the 10th.

Kind of off subject, but has anyone noticed that Greg Miller is starting again in Jacksonville. His season has not been pretty.....72BB in 52IP. He also has 60K's in that span so it's one of those wildly effective situations, especially considering he's only had 2 decisions. If this guy can find his controll again, we might be looking at 2 ace potential lefties in the near future. Miller has reported no recurring ill effects from his past injuries and is feeling healthy once again....the best news about that is we don't have Tracy and Colburn here anymore to "tweak" his delivery.

If this is the "Price is Right'....

"Andy LaRoche..Come on Up!..You're the next contestant on finding a 3rd baseman that can hit!"

160: Backwards K.

163

He was batting backwards? That's really arrogant. Serves him right.

Give Bonds all he can eat like the pavillion--looks like we are too late. Sorry.

162 We have as much luck with 3rd basemen as Spinal Tap did with drummers.

On Franco, my source also asked me to guess how many pitchers he had faced.

Now, I didn't really think about my answer before spitting it out.

But still. I was off by more than 1000.

these Superbad commercials crack me up.

McLovin?

It's sounds good. Like a sexy hamburger.

Up here in Nor Cal, before this game there was a special on Bonds. He brought up the Gagne at bat as the best of his career. Also in the same conversation, he mentioned, quite humbly mind you, that it was the greatest pitcher going after the greatest batter in this generation. (or something to that efect) He also made a comment about a conversation with Gagne prior to that at bat that if there was a situation like the one that night Gagne agreed to go after him with his best fastball pitch after pitch until one of them succeed. I gathered from that, that Bonds knew what was coming to him the whole time. He even mentioned that he was shocked that Gagne dished a curve ball and went against his word of nothing but fastballs. Kinda upset me hearing the Gagne agreed to this, but the curveball did strike him out, at least in my opinion. Anyway in case any of you were wondering why he never threw the guy a changeup, according to Bonds, it was an agreement of the best fastball in the game against the best bat in the game.

Take 'em deep Ethier!

The list is in reverse alphabetical order, but Franco's career saw him face from Barry Zito to Don Aase.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KC1/KC1195904220.shtml

Saying Eric Gagne is the greatest pitcher of his generation is like saying Kurt Warner is the greatest QB of his generation.

Three awesome years does not equal a generation.

171 Either that's the wrong link, or Franco's even older than anyone thought.

Dead on contact by Loney, not that it does us any good. Loney, Kemp and Martin are all due a cold spell for varying reasons, but have earned the right to play thruogh any difficulties. It would be great if Young and Laroche had a hot stretch now in LA. I would love to see LaRoche here now, though I'm sure we will see him in September.(Do I here a song title somewhere in the air?)

171 Was color TV invented yet??

169

Sounds pretty dumb of Gagne to agree to something like that. Man, I don't know about you guys but I really feel Hendy has been pretty solid for us this year as a starter & reliever.

& of course as soon as i say that he gives up the tying run.

Whoops, cut and pasted the wrong tab:

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

172. I did put (or something to that effect) right after the statement. I don't try to memorize what Bonds says verbatum, but I'm sure you got the meaning. I don't even like watching anything that has Bonds in it (especially Bonds specials), but when flicking through the channels, I saw Gagne on the mound and decided to watch that at bat again. I figured I would pass along the info as I doubt SoCal stations would ever air specials on Bonds.

175
Color TV existed several years before 1959. But it could only be owned by the richest princes of Europe!

166 I don't want to see Laroche called up if he is going to spontaneously combust, or drown at the bottom of a swimming pool.

I will wish that fate on certain weak armed outfielders if I have to watch much more of this extra bases and scoring every time a ball is hit to the outfield.

176. Before he made the agreement statement, he did mention that Eric would kill him for saying this, but....

I thought it was interesting and in reviewing the at bat as he was talking about it, that very well may have been the case. If you have the best changeup in the game, and can put 100ish MPH fastballs in the mix, you throw the changeup.

Hit Wynn in the torso or there abouts Hendy!!!

Randy Winn will soon be dubbed "The Man" by Dodgers fans.

Brian Giles had to leave the game after injuring his ankle making a great catch climbing the chain link fence which covers the scoreboard in RF.

He looked pretty gimpy after it happened but remained in the game. He walked in his AB, but just came out.

183 And so I will.

181 That rules me out..I'd been the poor pauper trying to sneek a peek

Wow, and the other Chris Young just robbed Cameron of a grand slam.

I think he's now earned the right to be THE Chris Young. The Padre is now the other Chris Young.

Be interesting to see whether Matt Kemp or Chris Young has the better career.

I dont like batting Hendrickson in the bottom of the 5th.

Must the umpire be so emphatic on a strikeout of the pitcher?

That last pitch was at least 2 inches below Hendys long knees. But oh well. His at bat was much better than Nomar's Loney's or Furcals.

They have invited Linc. to go deep into the game

Randy Winn is a Dodger killer...which he means he will spend his final ineffective days in Dodger blue....

i find JP's chicken dance tic in the batter's box to be very annoying.

190. Funny you should say that. I aske Jim Callis from Baseballamerica.com that same question this morning, but he did not respond. He did respond to this question by someone else, in case you're intrigued....

rob (philly): Carlos Gomez or Matt Kemp?

Jim Callis: Kemp.

195- I find his out making tic to be most annoying....

194 That way, Ned will be assured he won't be beating us in his advanced years.

181 - and certain other persons of note, such as Admirals.

A great question for the ages. Will Chris Young be remembered as a pitcher or a hitter. Almost certain it will be one or the other.

186
Stupid cheap Padres ownership that doesn't pad the scoreboard!

I find it hard to believe Bonds is having such a hard time getting a hit off Hendrickson.

Nice, Pierre

195 that elbow thing? Yeah, I hate that, too.

I do like the diving catch tic, though!

"Like a display counter in a jeweler's shop."

Priceless.

he has played a good centerfield as of late...

Pierre was playing at Kirby Puckett depth on that one.

206 - Pierre got one of the better jumps I've seen him get this season. Maybe he should always play there.

Charlie Steiner: "The only way you could make that catch was with a Greg Louganis-type of dive."

200 I'll go out on a limb, and say Chris Young will be rembered as the MLB son of Mr. and Mrs. Young

I just realized how much slower MLB.TV is compared to the ESPN feed.

209- They will both be remembered, and but the question is who will be forced to use their middle initial?

207 I'll take "Turning a single into a double for $300, Alex"

Hmmm...Marky Mark..ok...extra sessions with Dr. Melfi has panned out.

And the Phillies lose on a walk off wild pitch by Brett Myers.

My game feed must have a delay on it. I read nice catch by Pierre before I saw him catch it. It is nice that Bonds is struggling against the Dodgers, whether I read it or watch it.

208 Pity there's no diving board out in center field. That might be the only way for us to see a Gonzo-Kemp-Ethier outfield.

211 Pierre and Martinez have the only 2 hits tonight, and +Pierre has both RBI's.

I would say take some pitches. This guy is so overthrowing, he would be out in no time.

Is Kent's being injured a blessing in disguise that he doesn't vest his option with plate appearances and we see Abreu take over earlier. Or better yet, move nomar to 2nd and callup LaRoche

Heh. Plaschke just told Joe Morgan that Dodger fans hate him only slightly less than Barry Bonds.

He also called San Francisco a "tourist trap" of a city.

221 You're up late.

Kent is on pace for 553 PA, three more than he needs for his option to vest. We really need him to finish under the 550, I think.

Plaschke and Morgan are about to rumble in the booth.

Joe probably thinks it's because of his famous home run that we hate him. Little does he know.

I have to say I like hearing Plaschke giving Morgan a hard time.

Plaschke talks too fast and his brain can't catch up.

222 Hooray for flexible schedule.

225. Wish I could hear that. I have to listen to Krukow and Keiper. (sp)

The greatest meeting of wrongness in baseball history.

This is the Nixon goes to China of wrongness.

Gurnick says Delwyn is taking grounders at second. I guess there is some interest in having him play 2nd from time to time.

Proctor warmin' up in the pen, eh? This should be interesting.

I wish Kent and Nomar could switch contracts (minus the 550 provision). Kent is still good when healthy. If and when he gets hurt, Abreu takes over. Meanwhile, LaRoche plays third.

out of curiosity, I just switched to ESPN2 to see if the game comes in there. It does. Then I heard, "Chris Berman, Joe Morg-"

I immediately switched back. I would've liked to have heard the fight, though.

234. Agreed! It almost seemed like Kent was on one of those 2nd half carry the team on your back terrors before he got sidelined.

Our first chance to see EDSP!

Walk Vizquel, and make Bochy decide what to do with Lincecum

235 See, even though I have MLB.TV, I'm watching the Duece because of the HD.

So I guess we'll get to see Proctor in the 8th, I have to admit i'm curious to see him pitch.

235 Sounds like you missed some quality analysis from this guy-
http://tinyurl.com/yp9x4v

Interesting options next year....it will be very interesting to see what Ned does....

Friggin' Vizquel.....escualido....

239 I understand. But I heard Berman make a limp joke about "not to be confused with Aquos lung, sung by Jethro Tull."

Unacceptable. I can see just fine in regular definition.

3 doubles to Omar! Hendy keep your composure stand tall and get one more out

In the last 50 years, only four players older than Omar Vizquel have had three doubles in a game: Tony Perez, Carlton Fisk, Bob Boone, and Bob Thurman.

i just knew that was going to happen. ughhhh.

Damn. That was a good pitch.

let's hope his arm doesn't fall off!

{241]

unfortunately to many to count Herm & it will go on for 4 more years, unless we get Andrew Jones & we flip Pierre to LF I see no end in sight.

ps as i was typing this the run scored on a single

Berman, Morgan, and Bill Plaschke. All in one booth together.

They're doing it to us on purpose.

Woo hoo! Proctor's debut.

Why is Grady pulling him here.....he can get one more out....

Scrap heap Giant wash ups and stiffs hurt us again....

keep your chin up Hendy you pitches well!

253 Proctor will get to 1/3 of an inning. Bad managing.

NIce throw Russ!

252 And I'm the one who's yelled at for trying to bring in a sniper rifle. Stupid stadium rules.

nice throw, Russ!

What a great debut by Proctor.

Impressive debut...

This game is now crying out for a Dodger rally and Proctor to pick up the win!

Haha! Awesome!

Scott Proctor is the most efficient pitcher of all time!

Scott Proctor is dominating so far!

what the hell just happend? I just saw 2 bullets, bam bam & the inning was over!

258- Agreed....

I'm hoping we get a Delwyn sighting here....

If he was going to bring him in to face this righty, why didn't Grady bring in Proctor to face Frandsen?

Hey one pitch..one out!!

I still think this was a magnificent outing for Hendy. The D's approach to Lincecum was wrong (IMO). But no fault to Hendy here for what happened tonight.

Unbelievable.

Dumb, dumb, dumb. Dumb.

wow. That wasn't even close.

sigh....saw that coming....

You could see in Martinez's face that he realized that he was going to be out by 20 feet.

holy cow, did Martinez think Juan Pierre was throwing in CF? vr, Xei

That was a dumb decision to say the least.

Yes, I have a response.

What?!?!?

Can't blame that one on Donnelly.

That isn't a "sure double" anywhere. But the kid threw an absolute laser.

RM2 shame on you

ha! that really will be the glorious first outing of Scott Proctor. Awesome.

279 It is in this stadium, if hit in the top of the inning.

Broxton?....Haven't seen him pitch in ages...

that looked so fair!

The worst part of that play is that it's in front of Martinez. He ought to be able to see that the CF is at the ball and hold at first.

Fastballs and Matt Kemp. Not smart.

this game has been rigged.

282 Touché

Fair Ball. Hosed.

umps are point shaving?
vr, Xei

Well that was unsatisfying on many different levels.

Matt is now going through his adjustments.

it looked fair, but the instant replay I saw wasn't exactly the best angle.
vr, Xei

Rookies aren't allowed to use the lines.

That play is right in front of the 3b ump. He's got to make that call correctly.

290
Check with Bob Miezerski for more info.

Amazing! that ball was fair! But justice won't rescue you when you have lost through stupidity. That is some kind of axiom.

the fix is in

292- Even in his slump he hasn't looked that bad...he is vastly improved hitter from last year....he will be fine...

Kemp will now be benched for several more games.

There have been several times in Kemp's recent slump when I've been frustrated that the umpires just aren't giving him a chance.

I am not impressed with that bunt single... Pierre can bunt for doubles.
vr, Xei

Broxton has given up seven home runs in his career and already two of the guys are retired: Vinny Castilla and Carl Everett.

Kemp does seem to be getting a very high number of borderline strike calls against him in the last two weeks. The foul ball call was just rubbing salt in.

None of us had a good angle on that ball, since the replay was a blur, as I'm sure it was for the ump. So just how are you all so certain?

304
Most people's hearts have 20/20 vision.

Kemp has been pretty much taken out of some AB's by the umpires in the last 2 games. Francis got every call against him and Lowry the same. Hard to give a good AB when down 0-2 and those pitches arent close to the zone.

That was a bad throw.

Russ has a sweet two-seamer.

infield in!
vr, Xei

304 ESPN had a very good shot of the play as well a French Open-style shot of the mark in the dirt. Clearly the mark There was a big chunk of the line that had been mussed by a quickly moving object.

The ump is right on the line.

I think there's a wind blowing from left to right. The catchers need to adjust for that, because they keep slicing.

nice pitch. walk him?

Unfortunately, Ed Hickcox is looking at baseball traveling well over 100 mph.

Besides, once the ball was called foul, what could the umpires do? Do they correct themselves and arbitrarily place Kemp on base somewhere?

If that's the worst mistake an umpire will make, I think he's doing pretty well.

Put four fingers up Grady.

Four fingers.

The Crux of this game is not good for the D's. I can't express it now, and I hope I don't have to later

I don't want Broxton to be remembered by giving up "the dinger"

Good call Grady

313 And it's traveling over 100 MPH right at him.

BOO!!

Why waste pitches? Stick it in his ear.

crowd can leave now.
vr, Xei

317- In general, I don't think the tying home run usually get's remembered...

Who gave up Hank Aaron's 714th?.....McGuire's 61st?

I'm not saying it's an easy call. Just that it was the wrong one. Bad calls come and bad calls go.

oh well.
vr, Xei

dah!

Joe Morgan just called the Dodgers firstbaseman Maloney. Apparently we've traded for an Irishman.

This is what happens when your pitching is inconsistent, Broxton had not pitched in several days, appeared rusty.

322 - Jack Billingham?

guh. This series has been less than fulfilling thus far.

322. Or #868 to Sadaharu Oh?
vr, Xei

322
Jack Billingham
Mike Morgan

The Giants have quite the pitching staff....I'm really curious to what their starting 8 looks like next year...

326 - My Loney, your Loney, he's everyone's Loney.

I still don't understand all the negativity about Jeff Kent. All he does is produce.

331- My point exactly:)

Regarding the Kemp foul ball and does anyone else get annoyed by the fact they didnt show the replay on the Dodger broadcast?
It seems likely due the way Vin calls his games, which is really the only thing I don't like about him. He is too impartial regarding bad calls

Bonds is now batting .118 against the Dodgers this year and .295 against everybody else.

{329}

I'm pretty frustrated with this series so far, we need some victories.

336 On KCAL? They did show the replay. In slow motion.

Giant announcers are saying Furcal was trying to bunt it over the third baseman's head. Do you think that's the case? Doesn't seem like a very high percentage play.

336 The man has seen a lot more ballgames than me, he probably believes things even out and I think he tends to be impartial about most things related to his broadcast.

woo, we're bunting our way to a come back.

Rabbits on the loose

Rabbits on the loose

I've got to say- small ball has been our offense tonight.

Small ball? Or is that Smart ball? I never was able to tell.

339
they showed a horrible shot once and Vin made no mention

334 Well, that's not ALL he does. This week, for example, he's sitting on the bench with an injury. Those things need to be factored into the equation, too.

If Kent misses his AB's, we still have an option and can choose to exercise it. If he reaches the ABs we have no choice. You'd always rather have the freedom of making that decision rather than being forced into it.

340- Behind the back, off the scorebored, over the catwalk....nothin' but net....

The game was rigged. But unfortunately the D's played a stategy doomed to defeat. Later.

Hah hah. Back to back!... bunt hits.

The Giants announcers are actually talking about how good those two bunts were. And now Bochy with yet another pitching change.

Hey, whatever it takes. Russell should make it three bunts in a row.

342 You seemed so calm and nice at DT day.

Seriously, its baseball, you got to ride the tide, up and down.

Just don't get seasick.

Do you send Pierre?

Good thing Cowboy Joe is here to keep the peace during this series. Otherwise things might, you know, get out of hand.

I can't make out the pitcher's name who gave up #868 in this montage of Oh's home runs.

He was a righthander wearing #11 for Yakult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXYtJUFzGp4

Gameday has Pierre's as error all the way. I thought it should be single + error.

my magic ball tells me Pierre we'll be stealing 2nd base, I will believe it.

348 If that's your reasoning, fine. I just thought it was more of Jeff Kent stinks talk.

How often does the fake to third move work? Anyone? Bob?

353 Yes. Where, I'm not saying.

Why, you have a 2 run lead, Pierre is the run you need to worry about. Dumb.

Argh, Russell. That was a waste.

Can it still be called Tracyball if the main man is no longer with the team?

Clutch groundout by the Dodger catcher there...apparently he is human after all...

Russ will going Carlos Perez any day now...

Martin...

Sigh.

347 But you said "they didnt show the replay on the Dodger broadcast"

They did. I don't see how the shot itself has anything to do with Vin. I also doubt they have a better shot at their disposal.

Vin's words during the replay:
"Maybe we can see it better. Right over the bag."

So he did mention it.

Martin's mistake was not bunting.

Woo hoo! Gonzo comes through!

LUIS!

Thank you Gonzo....we all really, really needed that...

woot, we're all tide up, YESSSS!!

Gonzo, Yes.

I hope Alyssa is not destroying Martin.

Ha!

holy crap!

Bet Bochy wishes he had his bullpen from last year right about now.

Wow, all kinds of craziness today. The Angels and Dodgers both tied the game.

NOMAR!!!

an homerun??? really?? Yay!

NOMAR!

My TV's broken. It just showed Nomar hitting a two run homer. What happened?

363 It's not Tracyball because there haven't been any hit-and-run plays with a slow middle infielder and a TTO batter.

Way to go NOMAH!!

It is like old times...

As in last year. Nooommmmaaaahhhh!!!

WOOO!

Woo hoo justify that trade Nomar!

Hello, Nomar. Welcome to Dodger Stadium.

One of my favorite things (when the Dodgers do it) -- the bottom of the 8th comeback.

Two bunt hits, Martin hits a turd, some guy steals second, double by Luis.

And Nomar hits a home run. Cuh-razy.

I can't compute! Nomar?

Nomar......that's what I'm talking about!......liberated from the boredom baby!

I take full credit for backing Nomar the past two days.

I bet Giants fans feel like shooting the Messenger... ah, sorry, I couldn't help myself, I'm giddy.

I had a feeling they might come back tonight, I don't know why.

Wow...another "old guys" game.

ToyCannon: Nomar did something good tonight.

That was a really good-looking hit, never mind the result. A beautiful swing.

Nomar just bought himself some time.

Andy LaRoche, however, isn't thrilled.

I am sure it was posted that Andy his another homer today, he still is busting at the door but it would be nice if Nomar can have a great last two months.

Seeing Takashi Saito warming up in the bullpen was like seeing a long-lost friend at a reunion. It seems like forever.

La Roche will be up soon enough, methinks. Not to start, but he'll be up soon.

I'm glad I caught up with this game via Tivo and started watching it live an inning ago, in time for Bonds' walk. Hey, what's with all the fans leaving after Bonds left? What is this, AT&T Park?

399 Let's hope we see that smile to complete the reunion. :)

400 Gotta beat the traffic.

If Kent is not a Dodger next year....I would be happy with Nomar at 2nd, LaRoche at 3rd, and Abreu being the utility guy....Remember, before Ned gave Nomar the second year, the Pads were close to signing him to be their 2nd baseman...

Hitting 93-94 mph with apparent ease. Four fastballs to Sweeney.

402 Right now, I might be standing near the exit if I was there.

I'll be there tomorrow, I know ToyCannon, KadyCee will be there too.

Did EA really just call your team the "Doggers"??

399 I had the exact same reaction. I almost feel like hugging him.

--
What's the scoop on Kent - any chance he'll play tomorrow?

Padres make it 5-2 with none out in the 9th.

well it looks like Kadycee will be witnessing history tomorrow.

407 It was reported that he took grounders today, and should be ready tomorrow or Friday.

Booing Dave Roberts? Or are they Booing DePo beacuse Dave Roberts reminded them of that era?

Eh, doesn't matter. Dodgers Win!

Smiles, everyone, smiles!

{405}

I was just gonna ask if any other DT'ers were gonna be there, it should be a done deal tomorrow with "BOMBKO" pitching.

So, what ugly loss does this rally cancel out?

Lurch is the unsung hero tonight....

We win!

Sammy is back, smilin' like a fool. Love it. One more game and this dirtbag can hit his homers someplace else.

But it's Tomko...

Dodger games are sometimes slightly neurotic. But fun! We won!

I appreciate winning tonight.
But when I thought we were going to lose it was for one reason.

Time out for those smiles from Nomar and Saito.

Oh never mind, I will have to express it tomorrow or at a future time.

Huzzah!

Boy, we needed that one. Seriously. Thank you Nomar.

410 Thanks. Cool.

409 The continuing inability of Bonds to hit Dodger pitchers. I like that kind of history.
Can it continue???

Saito has now pitched five innings and thrown 76 pitches since July 6.

I have to admit Juan P had a good game.

I've been rooting against the Padres for so long, it's strange to root for them to win.

Ugly AB's by their new guys, Mackowiak, Ensberg, and Hairston. All three strikout swinging.

Bonds longest 0-fer streak against the Dodgers was 0 for 23 in 1986 and 1987.

Tomko v. Zito...hmm....well, I'll enjoy the Dodger Dog.

it was a pretty frustrating game today but it all turned out fine, History awaits Tomko tomorrow it should be very interesting.

414 Yesterday's. That gets my vote. Actually, yesterday wasn't so much ugly as it was sort of like Chinese water torture.

Well, those of you who are going tomorrow, enjoy!

I'm not sure I have the courage to watch it even on TV, so Godspeed to you all.

I wish Lowe was pitching tomorrow. That would rock. Maybe Tomko will have bad allergies or something. Or a hangnail.

427 Chinese water torture - exactly. Well said.

Game tying home run by Milton Bradley 2 outs bottom of the 9th

Milton Bradley.

Milton Bradley up as the tying run with two outs in the bottom of the 9th.

Wow. Bradley hits one into the RF porch to tie it.

I was surprised to see Hendrickson almost hold his own against Lincecum. Nice to watch Lincecum pitch, given all the attention he gets up here (and on BP, actually).

Hoping tomorrow is one of those ERA-inflators for Zito...

And wow, four runs in the eighth and a great inning for Sammy... Nice way to end the evening...

... And Bradley ties it with a three-run homer.

turned out to be a rally killer, we go to the top of the 10th

Colletti can smoke a cigar on this one.
vr, Xei

435
A three-run homer with one on?

Proctor had to have the shortest inaugueration ever in MLB history.

One Pitch. One out.

Welcome.

{In same voice as Homer speaks of Ned Flanders:} "Stupid Bradley."

Oh wait, I'm supposed to be rooting for the Padres. Um, I'm finding that hard. Maybe they'll both lose.

438 If anyone can do that, it's Bradley.

427 Yesterday gets my vote too. There was something horrific about it that I was seeing also in a loss tonight. To reverse it is wonderful.Oh, well. Tonight!!!

Just a hint for those going tomorrow, I always bring a bag to put the giveaway item in, its keep safe from spills and its less of an hassle to carry.

Art Reinhart of the 1919 Cardinals made his major league debut by hitting a batter with the first pitch he threw.

He was immediately pulled by manager Branch Rickey and didn't come back to the majors until 1925.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/reinhar01.shtml

440 Are we really supposed to be rooting for the Padres? I mean, I know the Padres are in third place, but does anyone really believe Arizona is as good as San Diego?

445

I'm like my dog when you take her for a walk. She always needs to be leading the way.

440 I just look at it as the glass is half full - one of those teams will lose tonight, the Dodgers gain on one of them. But if it's Arizona losing the Dodgers are back in first, for what that's worth.

Welp, 'night all.

443 If I hadn't actually met you, I'd suspect you of being Martha Stewart -- she's a Dodger fan, right?

Seriously, good advice. Though I might just like to hold BobbleRussell in my lap.

444 Reinhart and Adam Greenberg will have a lot to talk about if they ever meet up in the afterlife.

Where is the love for Pierre?

445 No

450 I heart Juan

450 Lovely sliding catch tonight and a nice bunt hit. Plus he helped on the basepaths. A good night for Slappy.

452. Much maligned, much abused, I'm sure Pierre appreciates the heart.

Pierre hit a nice triple. I'm now ecstatic that he'll be here for four more seasons.

Be nice to see SD and Arizona destroy one another in a 30-inning marathon.

It's cool that Pierre is named for Juan Marichal.

Major league players named after other major league players

Juan Pierre
Willie Mays Aikens
Mickey Mantle
...???

(not counting Ken Griffey Jr., Gary Matthews Jr., etc.)

Thom Brenneman is an annoying homer.

woops, 3r hr for Chad Tracy. 9-5 Arizona

459
Why are you watching a Reds game? Brennaman works in Cincinnati now.

461 And Brennaman serves as the #2 guy on radio. Though with George Grande out lately, Thom has been doing the TV. But I agree, he is an annoying homer, and he sounds always as if he has a cold.

They did. I don't see how the shot itself has anything to do with Vin. I also doubt they have a better shot at their disposal.

The Dodger broadcast is edited around Vin and he wont comment on a bad call so, they tend to not show many replays on certain plays. .... I dont think not having a better shot was the issue

Vin has mentioned umpire's missing calls quite frequently. He's usually good-natured about it, but if a call is blatantly wrong, he will say so.

Baseball America has posted its annual poll of MLB players regarding the "Best Tools."

-----
>>Juan Pierre is in a similar boat as Maddux, in that his calling card isn't what it used to be. While he can still get down a bunt with anybody, he didn't earn votes this year in Fastest Baserunner for the first time since his first full season, in 2001. One scout said Pierre's speed grade has dropped from top-of-the-scale 80 to merely above-average at 60. "It's just not outrageous speed anymore," one AL scout said, "and it's not as useful in the outfield."<<
-------

Pierre did get voted the best bunter in the league, which at least proves that the voters have a sense of humor.

Other Dodgers mentioned:

BEST BASERUNNER
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
3. Juan Pierre, Dodgers

FASTEST BASERUNNER
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Willy Taveras, Rockies
3. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers

BEST PITCHER
1. Jake Peavy, Padres
2. Brad Penny, Dodgers

BEST FASTBALL
1. Billy Wagner, Mets
2. Brad Penny, Dodgers

BEST RELIEVER
1. Trevor Hoffman, Padres
2. Takashi Saito, Dodgers

BEST DEFENSIVE CATCHER
1. Russell Martin, Dodgers

BEST INFIELD ARM
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers

464 I would disagree with that. He tends to ignore the elephant in the room most of the time. Once in a while he'll go so far as making a noncommittal comment like "well, it could have gone either way."

464

He will hint that a call is wrong on occasion but, generally he wont call out an ump on an obvious miss-call. Dodger fans wont get an ESPN-like array of replays b/c Vin isnt going to break it down

466
I would disagree with Eric's disagreement.

I think it's all a matter of degree. If you want Vin to turn into Ken Harrelson about every call that goes against the Dodgers, then you can have that.

If you want someone who's seen just about everything at least twice in the majors who doesn't feel that every bad call by an umpire is part of a vast conspiracy, then you can settle for listening to Vin.

If the NL West was decided by XWL-- the D-bax would be in last place.

468

I agree that vin's attitude could be so much worse, I appreciate his class. My only gripe is that b/c the broadcast is taylored around Vin we wont see important plays again.

In the case of Kemp's foul I want to see a better replay of a call that has Grady and the 3rd base coach up in arms, regardless of if it's not going to be changed

468 is an overreaction. Acknowledging that a call has been missed is generally considered a basic part of the announcer's job function -- telling people the facts of the game. Vin usually does not do this. I'm not saying he needs to change. I'm just saying that the assertion that he will point out umpires' mistakes is wrong -- he won't. Or only very rarely.

The Hawk Harrelson bit is rather hyperbolic. Nobody said they wanted anything like that. Nobody's talking about conspiracies or any of that nonsense. Or, we weren't until Bob started talking about them.

The conspiracy talk was motivated by some of the comments from 287 through 298.

Fair enough. I was assuming those comments were tongue in cheek.

In regards to 470, I think we all would have liked to see a better replay, but because of where the cameras are located, hard smashes down the 1B or 3B line are one of the big blind spots in any baseball broadcast. If it's hit faster than the cameraman can react, then the only replay you'll get is from the High Home camera, which is the view we got. The lack of a good replay was not an editorial decision on the part of the broadcast director, but a technical issue.

I just wonder why anyone would expect Vin Scully's style and personality is going to change after 57 years or so on the job.

474 Except, perhaps, at AT&T. They installed a camera for the All-Star game that gives coverage to just that angle. I think it was Nomar who hit a foul ball that was initially ruled fair. The umps ultimately got the call right, and the Giants broadcast booth went on at some length about the awesome views afforded by the new camera. And it was pretty definitive.

476 Yeah, I remember that. It did seem like a good idea to put a camera there. Wonder if that will become an industry standard.

I'm still waiting for umpires to be replaced by a fleet of flawless robots with names like the Doug Harveytron 4500 and Eric Greggtech v2.7.

You know what I would love? Barry never hitting another homer again. And on top of that, he sticks around for several years trying to do so, as his knees break down to mush. The Giants franchise would self-destruct. How sweet would that be?

I'll be there for tomorrow's game as well. Is it safe to assume leaving from Westwood at around 5 will get me my bobblehead? For Nomar's I didn't leave until about 6 and didn't get there until the 6th inning once all the bobbleheads were gone. It didn't help that we had to pick up someone in Century City on the way and took surface streets the rest of the way.

Dumbest. Article. Ever.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=alipour/070801

Anybody else believe that Abreu, rather than Martinez, should be playing second while Kent is out?

481. I'm surprise he didn't lambaste the ThinkCure campaign as cheating while he was at it.

482. I believe Abreu is injured and has yet to play since being sent down.

480 Hopefully, I might still go for surface streets, Olympic, 6th Street. I have the same deal from a different part of town, Tuesday night, got to Sunset and Beverly and it still took almost an hour to get in.

Who is this guy and what did he do with Bill Plaschke?

In the past in this space, Dodgers general managers have been scolded for not making deadline moves while their division rivals loaded up.

But not since that 1997 team contained five rookies of the year have the Dodgers had such a foundation.

Not since the days of Piazza and Karros have the fans felt such a connection to so many kids.

And, who knows, in such a flawed division, they could still figure out a way to survive.

Their pitching is thin. Their kids are inconsistent. Their old guys are one hamstring from irrelevance.

But isn't this uncertainty a small price to pay for a chance at several years of solidity? And, with no postseason series wins in 20 years, isn't it about time the Dodgers paid it?

When asked if they could still win, the Dodgers are keeping a stiff upper opinion.

Said Colletti: "I believe we can. I truly believe there's more to see with this club."

Said Manager Grady Little: "If our players do what they're supposed to do -- no more, no less -- then I think we have a chance."

Two years from now, if both men are still around, they will be far more certain.

Two years from now, writers could be beginning Dodgers trading stories with names of seven different players.

Russell Martin. James Loney. Tony Abreu. Chin-Lung Hu. Andy LaRoche. Matt Kemp. Andre Ethier.

http://tinyurl.com/2rj25f

sitting n terminal at lax and kicking myself for missing the conclusion of th game. im off for houston. might ven be there long enoughto catch a game.

and could it be.... a plaschke article worth reading?

sitting n terminal at lax and kicking myself for missing the conclusion of th game. im off for houston. might ven be there long enoughto catch a game.

and could it be.... a plaschke article worth reading?

486- Where do you rank Broxton of the two hundred or so relief pitchers in baseball this year? Top thirty? Top quarter? Top half?

Their kids are inconsistent

I'm getting sick of this.

Nomar:
April OPS 767
May 606
June 567
July 805
Average monthly variation: 146

Kent:
April 850
May 816
June 732
July 1.237
Average monthly variation: 208

LuGo:
April 836
May 832
June 946
July 604
Average monthly variation: 153

Martin:
April 863
May 843
June 807
July 858
Average monthly variation: 36

Loney
June 1.252
July 750
Average monthly variation: 502

Kemp
April 938
June 888
July 912
Average monthly variation: 37

Ethier
April 740
May 711
June 848
July 1021
Average monthly variation: 113

"Consistency" Ranking by Average monthly variation:

1. Martin 36
2. Kemp 37
3. Ethier 113
4. Nomar 146
5. Kent 153
6. Loney 502

Oops. I messed up my "Consistency" rankings. They should go like this:

1. Martin 36
2. Kemp 37
3. Ethier 113
4. Nomar 146
5. LuGo 153
6. Kent 208
7. Loney 502

BTW: If Nomar's apparent turn around is real, and if it is due primarily to watching tapes with Mueller, then Murray's coaching performance is completely inexcusable.

As far as I'm concerned, trying to figure out what's wrong with struggling hitters is intrinsic to a hitting coach's job, not just something you do if you're asked.

481 - I disagree. I don't know that the analogy is completely valid, but there's no doubt that people in the city's biggest industry, entertainment, are pressured to do things to their body to improve their chances of working, that they wouldn't otherwise do. If any of those people are booing Bonds, I can see the argument as hypocritical. I suppose that no one frets over the sanctity of Hollywood, and there are also legal issues involved, but there's still a kernel of truth to the argument.

For some booers, it wouldn't be hypocritical, but for some it would. It depends what your specific beef with Bonds is.

493 - My beef with Bonds is that he is a Giant. I don't like the Giants. I don't like Bonds.

481-Have you ever read a good "page 2" piece?

493 How many people in the left field pavillion and corner do you think have had botox or nosejobs? That author equates hair dye to steroids, and therefore is full of it. It's hyperbole.

486 Maybe Colletti has taken Plaschke under his wing and explained to him his vision for the team and the greatness of the young players. Maybe if you're buddy-buddy with him he writes good stories about you.

An interesting makeup call on Kemp's hit would have been to have called a ball Bonds wrapped around the left field foul pole for an apparant homerun to be called foul.

If Mueller is helping Nomar what is he doing to Kemp?

This weekend could prove more exciting then the Bonds watch as Arizona is expected to activate Justin Upton due to the injury suffered by Quentin last night. I'm much more excited about seeing the 19 year old in action then watching Bonds hit a home run that was going to happen eventually.

Bluebleeder, read your email. I need a reply ASAP.

497 - I'm not ready to end my Plaschke embargo yet, but I'm guessing he wrote something about the great job Colletti has done in keeping the prospects?

Has he admitted that he lambasted past Dodger GMs for doing exactly that?

If Tommy John makes the Hall of Fame should he get an asterik by his name for having a surgically enhanced elbow? If was a legal operation and it didn't cause health problems but it was surgery that was not available to pitchers that played before him. He started the Tommy John era.

Not making excuses for steroid use but the record book is changing names partly due to advanced surgeries, better strengthening and conditioning equipment, diets, and roids.

478 Don't forget "Cowboy" Joe Westworld.

Kidding aside, I do wonder when, and to what degree, baseball will start integrating some degree of technology in an effort to improve the accuracy of calls. It'd be nice to at least have some review for fair/foul and home run/not home run.

501 - He does admit it, but I don't feel satisfied. He doesn't make the connection that if he had followed his own advice, we wouldn't have this foundation that he's now keen on keeping.

496 - I agree there was hyperbole, but it's not as if only the pavilion was booing Bonds.

Wow, Upton already? This kid is good! And he seems to be a nice guy, too. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see him while he was in Visalia.

496 That's my problem with it as well. Painting the LA area with that large of a brushstroke is just plain irresponsible. What's next, calling Brewers fans hypocrites because everyone in Milwaukee is a farmer that uses steroids to make their beef taste better? There's more plastic surgery per capita in the Phoenix area, why didn't he write this article about Diamondback fans?

I'd say at any given Dodger game there's probably about 0.5% of the crowd that has had any sort of cosmetic surgery. Don't even get me started on the hair dying thing because women do that EVERYWHERE.

My friend in SF heard on the Giants broadcast last night Barry will not be playing tonight. Let's see.

506 - I hate the L.A. stereotypes too.

New post up top.

506
Wisconsin has more dairy cows than beef cattle. Completely different kind of hormones used there.

Along with years of selective breeding.

497 - I thought Plaschke was the one that put Colletti's name in McCourt's ear?