Happy Opening Day, y'all!

Thank God for NPUT.

Today is always one of the red-letter days on the calendar for me. I'm still plotting my escape from work before the first pitch.

Best of luck to the Dodgers and all Dodger Thoughters out there. Thank you for helping me get through the offseason. Play ball indeed.

From the previous thread:

I think it would be degrading to have a 12 year old playing in a league of all 9 and 10 year olds.

It is degrading. But I did learn humility at an early age, so I had that going for me.

Yes, play ball indeed!

DodgerSims has the Dodgers with a pre-game 58.88% win probability, while the LV Hilton has them with a 60.78%. In other NL West games, the simulator has the Padres (51.76%), Reds (51.80%) and Cardinals (50.28%) as favorites to win. There is a good chance the Dodgers will be in first place (or atleast tied for first) after today. The Dodgers magic number (as well as every other NL West team) is 154.
vr, Xei

Thankfully I get of at 12:45 today....going straight home to hold my baby in my lap, and watch her first ever Dodger game that counts. It's a lovely day in Pasadena and I can't wait to go into this season with all of my Dodger Thoughts knowledge.

4. I don't think they should allow it. Atleast not without parent consent.
vr, Xei

LAT'd from last thread...

I wonder if Bob knows the answer to this:

When was the last time a pitcher threw a no-hitter on Opening Day?

I want to guess Hideo Nomo in 2001 with the Orioles.

--

Who was the last Dodger to throw a no-hitter on opening day, if there was one?

7 That was in the 1960's when things like that were never even considered. I'm sure it doesn't happen any more. My little league was also a very competitive one that even produced a major league batting title winner in Steve Kemp.

Unless Bob Feller was a Dodger there hasn't been a Dodger pitcher to throw a no-hitter on opening day.

Feller has the only one.

no need to watch todays game

dodgers 8, giants 3
furcal 2-4, 2b, 2 runs, bb
ethier 0-5
kemp 2-5, 2 rbi
kent 1-3, bb, 2 runs
jones 1-5, hr, run, 3 rbi
martin 3-4, 2b, 2 runs, rbi
loney 3-5, 2 2b, rbi
dewitt 1-4, hr, bb, run, rbi

penny, 7 ip, 6 hits,3 er, 3 bb, 4 k's
proctor 1 ip, 1 hit, 0er, 0 bb, 0 k
kuo 1 ip, 0 hits, 2 k's, 2 bb

11 replace kuo with;
biemel 1 ip 0 hits, 0 bb, 1k

9. Ok, I was referring to Tom Meagher playing as a twelve year old on a team of 9 and 10 year olds. I wonder if his happened in the 60s too? I played Little League in the 70s and it wasn't like that. Our Little League was competitive too, but you would never see a 12 year old playing in the 9 and 10 year old league. We even had a few girls in our Little League, it was the tail end of the women's lib movement. They were all pretty bad, but I guess their mom's were too busy making a point to care.
vr, Xei

My little league had a major and minor division. My experience was eerily like Tom's. I never got called up to the major division and was eventually a 12-year-old playing with mostly younger kids.

"Call it fate, call it luck, call it karma" Opening Day performance:

Steve Sax homering on the first at-bat of the 1988 season. Yeah, they lost 5-1, but still the '88 season was inevitable after that at-bat.

11. That would be ~108 pitches for Penny. I am glad you took out the line with Guo walking two batters. :)
vr, Xei

Mamasay Mamasa Mamacusa!

Assuming Abreu is DL'd, the Dodgers will have 29 on their active roster (including the disabled). I count 15 of these as "homegrown", as in the Dodgers are the only major league team they player has known:

Draft (8)
Billingsley, Broxton, DeWitt, Martin, Loney, Kemp, Young, LaRoche

International Signing (6)
Kuo, Kuroda, Saito, Troncoso, Abreu, Hu

Traded For in Minors (1)
Ethier

Here are the quick counts of homegrown players for the rest of the division:

Colorado: 15 of 26 (12 draft, 3 signed)
Arizona: 16 of 28 (11 draft, 3 signed, 2 trades)
San Francisco: 16 of 29 (13 draft, 3 trades)
San Diego: 8 of 31 (4 draft, 1 signed, 3 trades)

10

Wow, how about that? In the entire history of baseball, only one Opening Day no hitter. I'm a little surprised that it's only one.

13, 14 - My age 12 season was in 1996. I was stuck in the "minors." I don't think too highly of how they split it up, but at the time it didn't seem a huge issue that 12 year olds would be on the teams. On a team of 14 players, there were normally about two eleven year olds and a twelve year old. Most of them hadn't been playing for seven years like I had, though. Being a 12-year-old on a team of mostly 9-year-olds wasn't what I wanted and I was angry about the situation, but I don't know if it lived up to the connotations of the term "degrading." I enjoyed being treated as a leader and honorary coach some time and explaining to the younger kids who Kurt Cobain was.

I'm watching the Det-KC game. It's amazing the number of people who think the Tigers have some historically great offense.

The Yankee game start is delayed until at least 2pm eastern - assuming it starts at some point looks like out of state Dodger fans will get the shaft.

20

Actually MLB Extra Innings is free this week, so even out of state Dodger fans can catch the game on one of the EI channels.

18
There are rarely more than 1 or 2 no-hitters in a season, so I don't think the distribution of when they came in a season is all that unusual.

21 - good call - I have the package anyway but for some reason thought it wouldn't be on since it's an espn game. Gotta get used to living outside of Cali.

Historicallity inflation is on the march.

18 - there have been 255 major league no-hitters, I think, and the baseball season lasts about 180 days. So having only had one on opening day sounds about right. Most top pitchers pitch on opening day, but this is to some extent balanced by teams generally having stronger starting lineups on opening day (I actually once researched the latter issue for the entire retrosheet era).

19 I'm watching the game, too. I fully expect Cabrera to be awesome, and Guillen and Ordonez will be good, too. But I think the whole 1000-run prediction depends a great deal on Sheffield and Rodriguez improving rather than declining.

23 I think usually ESPN games are blacked out, but I don't know if this one will be on EI or not. I don't have much ope.

My ExtraInnings listings had the ESPN games listed as being available. I believe it's just the Wednesday games that aren't available.

And the games from evil Fox on Saturday. I believe the TBS Sunday games will be available.

26 Should I have included Ordonez and Granderson in the "awesome" category?

yes, this is one of those days I'm down with a sore throat and a tinge of the "flu." No office hours, but I'll be doing a quick discussion.

I hope our boys in blue to have it wrapped up by 2:30.

Did we get anyone for Pierre yet?

ESPN is getting a lot of mileage out of the George Will thing.

In about 20 minutes, I'm off to the ballpark -- my first Opening Day ever! I'm pretty excited... never had the chance to go to an opening day game before, since I was always working. I'll be sure to take a couple pictures from my seat high up in the Reserve Desk.

Anyone else from DT gonna be there today?

31 fo sho, will be loge level 1st base line.

I will be at the Padres-Astros game this evening, and I just realized that this will be my first opening day.

I'll be listening to the Dodger game via MLB audio this afternoon.

Little known fact:
Today you can park your car for free at the Coliseum and take a shuttle to Dodger Stadium.

Yeah, 1000 runs is feasible if Granderson misses little time, Ordonez hits 3-4 SD above his talent level again, Sheffield is completely reborn, and if Jacque Jones and Ivan Rodriguez were actually the good hitters the MSM seems to think they are. Playing Inge over Raburn also isn't going to help their hitting. I think I proposed a Garciaparra for Raburn trade last spring, but don't remember where or to whom. And even as someone who thought in 2003 that the Dodgers should go after Carlos Guillen, you would think most would understand that he's not an above average hitter for his new position. Did anybody else see the ugly first play of this game? Cabrera was pretty slow in charging a Grudzielanek grounder, threw low, and Carlos Guillen set up to catch the ball with his leg in the baseline in front of first. Maybe I've seen that before but I don't recall it. Grudzielanek ran into him, they both fell over, and Guillen dropped the ball.

34 or you can park across from the Coliseum for $60 and walk to Chavez Ravine.

I have a history of not being excited about opening day just because I can't stand the hype and small sample overkill. But if today's game were up here in SF, I would be walking up 3rd St. right now to find a scalper and pay 10x what I'm otherwise willing to pay to see a game.

Eric is busting a Rick Monday... you walking 4 miles was a cool story, the weather was perfect for it too...

Hey everyone! Here's a virtual toast to a great season! I'm hoping for many great times ahead...

38
Ha! It seemed like it was going to rain, but other than maybe 5 tiny drops we stayed dry on our Figueroa frolic.

Blue, I didn't see all the comments over the weekend...how fast did you light up the radar gun?

Ordonez up with bases loaded, two out, in Detroit.

I really should start working on my laundry. Somebody force me to do laundry. I need a reason to do laundry. But the recliner and remote have such a strong pull.

But I should wear clean underwear shouldn't I?

37 Hey Tom. It's good to see you around again, I really enjoyed reading The Fourth Outfielder. Since you're around in SF, would you be interested in going to the unofficial NorCal Dodger Thoughts meet, whenever it happens this summer?

42 Magglio Ordonez says, "Here, I'll fly out to left, just for you, Bob. Now go do your laundry."

42 Like the Tigers offense, clean underwear is overrated based on expectations that are unlikely to be fulfilled.

11-year minor leaguer Rico Washington has made the Cardinals opening day roster. He has never played in the majors. He'll be 30 at the end of May.

42- Just buy new ones. Online. You'll have to get up when the UPS guy comes, but it's still your best bet.

42 I can't speak for anyone else, but I just couldn't take your cycle alerts seriously if I knew you were posting while wearing dirty clothes.

42
Today is a double holiday. Banks are closed. How can any reasonable person expect you to do laundry on such a day?

I say add 15 minutes to your next errand run to buy more underwear, and/or go commando.

Both ESPN games now are in rain delays. And the Reds haven't started playing yet. It's Detroit-KC or nothing.

You can watch George Grande kill time on the Reds broadcast, but that's not for the faint of heart.

The cycle alert system has been pretty quiet so far. And the catcher's interference alarm bell has not been struck yet.

Is Edwin Encarnacion going to start for the Reds this year? He's the most likely guy to sound the alarm.

50
I bet Grande has a hard time convincing people he was the original SportsCenter anchor.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think George Grande is on the Eric Enders Enemies List.

43 - absolutely. Hit me up at meagher @ berkeley.edu.

DePo would have been on H:LOTS in season 3 and/or season 4. I will consult the DVD's when I get a chance. Does anyone else remember being able to watch his corporate speaking gig on the internet way back when, where he had the projector and had a slide with run expectancy by base/out on it?

53
Is Enders' list longer than Richard Nixon's?

Miggy big fly.

I was humbled Eric, I only went as high as 73MPH on the gun but I know I can to higher when properly warmed-up.

Miguel Cabrera, welcome to Detroit.

Who's starting at 3rd today for us?

A city hangs on Vin Scully's every word

>> Bob Costas notes that when the Dodgers first arrived in Los Angeles, "virtually no Dodgers games were televised, except for the San Francisco games. <<

http://tinyurl.com/38mo6w

54 Awesome. What are you studying at Berkeley? I just graduated from there last year.

According to Diamond Leung, looks like Hull was DFA'd.
http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/prosports/mlb/dodgers/

62
That is stupid.

Go Dodgers!

Go Ethier!

I just feel very happy right now. Yay!
I hope Pierre is a great pinch runner for us this season, and I hope we have 5 guys with 20 home runs - Ethier, Jones, Martin, Kemp and Loney.

I also hope Torre is Manager of the Year and we win the World Series!

Here we go! My off-season plan of staying as far away from the Dodgers didn't really work out, thanks 100% to this website. I didn't really comment often, but read almost every day. Maybe next year, if Jon falls of his game.

Go Dodgers!

Uggh, I actually got a cold.

Can we trade DeWitt for Cabrera?

63 Somebody had to be DFA'd for DeWitt and Chavez. I don't know the 40-man well enough to say -- who would be the odd man out for you?

64 How many do you think Kent will hit?

66 They probably wouldn't go for that unless we throw Pierre in.

Gordon with a 2-run HR. He has a pretty swing when he hits it well.

After a 2-run shot by Alex Gordon, The Best Offense of All Time now holds a slim one-run lead over the Royals.

Just opened the Gameday link... that line up is one of the prettiest things I've seen in sports; not quite in the category of the Long Beach St women's volleyball team, but close.

I was 57 seconds too late with the news, but perhaps style counts.

No?

OK, maybe obnoxiousness counts.

No?

Darn.

Loads 1 and 2 of laundry are go. And to celebrate this day, I have donned the checkerboard jersey.

It seems the 1,000 runs prediction for the Tigers thrown around by Gammons, et al, doesn't take into account just how hard it is to score that many runs.

Also, what about the Yankees? They scored 968 runs last year. Is anyone talking about them scoring 1,000? It seems like they are an afterthought to the mighty Tiger offense.

67 There were two spots open with Schmidt getting 60 day DLed and Seanez getting released. This is presumably for Chan Ho at a later date.

I was not allowed to go down to check out Canter's and the field level. But it's a beautiful day for a ballgame!

75 Hm. Then I am on board the stupid wagon. If Hull is the choice to be released, then release him when you call up Chan Ho.

I forgot to mention I got my two new Dodger Thoughts t-shirts in the mail over the weekend. Both short sleeved; one blue, one gray.

Verlander out in Detroit in the 7th, up 3-2 but with runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out.

42, 47 Just make a special run to Wal*mart!

So, it doesn't look like I can listen to the game through KABC's website. That's rather annoying.

They stopped using the camera from the back of the stadium in the Brewers/Cubs game, because you could barely see anything with all the mist.

80
The closest WalMart to me is 15 miles away in Duarte.

However, there are two Targets within a few miles.

76 Not allowed to check out Canter's? But... but... you're one of the 50 ways to love the Dodgers!

I though I had read somwhere that Kevin Kennedy had been axed from the pre and post game shows on FSN.

82
And now it has cleared up a lot.

76 So you're there live in person?

--
I would chuckle quietly to myself if the Royals came back and beat the Tigers today.

81
I'm not sure how often you listen but you can join MLB Audio on MLB.com for $14.95 for the whole season, and you can listen to any game, with the choice of broadcast feed. It is a really good deal if you listen enough.

The Best Offense of All Time, and the Royals, all tied up at 3.

42, 47 Just make a special run to Wal*mart!

first season with MLB Extra Innings over here and I don't know what to do with myself. I had MLB.com because I thought I'd use it during lecture/office hours instead of Gamecast. The comfort of the couch and a bigger screen trumps the laptop. It's all good in Vegas with Thursday nights at Cashman, but I miss the bacon-wrapped dogs out here!

Love made 1st team AP All-American. Collison 3rd team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3322266

Let's Go Dodgers!

Here's to a fun, exciting, and rewarding season.

"Hope springs eternal in the human breast; man never is, but always to be blest." - Alexander Pope

I'm jealous of all of you able to attend the game at the Taj Mahal of baseball (AKA Dodger Stadium). Instead I'll be watching the game at a sports bar close to work in enemy territory.

ack! I thought I heard someone say Pierre and my lucky foot twitched and hit the enter key again.

61 - I graduated in '06 with a BA in Ethnic Studies. There's a good chance (I think) I'll go back to the department in 2009 for the PhD program, but I'm not in school these days.

74 - I've heard chatter about the Yankees doing it this year. I don't think it's at all likely to happen (outside of Giambi, Melky, and Abreu, you really couldn't expect anyone in that lineup to not decline this year), but it's certainly more probable than the Tigers doing it.

91
There were many impromptu grills with bacon-wrapped hot dogs just outside the Coliseum Saturday night as the game was ending and roughly 100,000 people hit the streets. The smell was enticing, but I resisted the temptation!

I'm not sure it's physically possible to get into the Duarte Walmart. I tried once, but lost my will after driving past it the second time.

I think it might just be a front for the mob, actually.

88 - I'd likely only use it for weekday day games, as I am unfortunately stuck in the office. I'm in the market so I can just flip on the radio or boob tube, usually.

Luckily there is a widescreen teevee in the conference room that is open, so I'll be able to catch a bit of the game.

Besides, I suspect the existence of MLB Audio is the reason KABC is running Hannity rather than baseball on its website at the moment.

Is Dennis Farina the Reds' play by play guy?

97
I've been inside the Duarte Walmart. It's the only one in California I've been to. I've been to the one near my brother's home in Michigan several times.

97
It's actually the outer edge of the little world of "The Andrew Show". It's for the best you didn't touch it.

Does anyone know what time and from what direction the stealth should be flying over the stadium? I wonder if I can see it from Pasadena.

102
I've been tracking the Stealth Bomber on my special radar.

I think I've said too much....

100- I'm not sure, yet, but I might be able to get out to your neck of the woods for the big April 3rd presentation. Unless I run into a giant polyurethane dome, in Arcadia.

Ed Harris is such a bastard.

Happy Opening Day everyone!

Anyone got any advice for listening to the Dodger game today online?

What up with KABC? Am I going to have to be innundated with Bill O'Rielly and the like everytime I want to hear Vin?

75 Schmidt wasn't put on the 60-day. They decided to DFA Eric Hull instead.

Eric Byrnes grounded out to short in his first AB this year.

Buck up Andrew. Buck up.

Royals 4
Best Offense of All Time 3

Oops. Commenter confusion. That was Eric Stephen who made the Truman Show crack.

Hooray it is finally here, the official start of the Dodgers season. I'm excited, thrilled, and hoping the baseball gods look down favorably on our boys in blue.

I am going to say that while it is exciting to attend opening day, I did it once and never again. It took over an hour to get from where we stopped on the freeway to get in the parking gates and park. By then we had missed the first inning. Then it was so hot that year that we roasted in the sun. I prefer my seats at home to watch opening day, less traffic, cheaper food, and I can yell at the TV all game along without getting strange looks from those sitting around me.

I'm just happy baseball season is here for the next few months and my life will once again be filled with something besides work.

103 - Will we be allowed to boo the stealth? (let us know when)

109
Cue the sun.

Brett Tomko alert! So much for the Royals' lead.

You talk about old friends!

Mark Grudzielanek singles in the go ahead run for Kansas City in the Top of the 7th, and now, here, in the Bottom of the 7th, Brett Tomko will try to protect it.

96 That restraint wasn't there for me on Saturday! I heard the bacon-dogs are healthy and become low calorie and fat free when one is on vacation.

Brett Tomko versus the Best Offense of All Time. What an Opening Day!

96 That restraint wasn't there for me on Saturday! I heard the bacon-dogs are healthy and become low calorie and fat free when one is on vacation.

Bomko sighting!

Oh. The Reds all switched shirts. When they were introduced, everyone of them was wearing a Joe Nuxhall jersey.

Biding my time watching the Rays v. Orioles. Over/under on the Rays is 82 wins. What do you think? I'd hope for the over...

Opening Day! I had a morning meeting in Torrance and I was afraid my drive back to my office in Atwater Village would be derailed by traffic but I went past the Stadium on the 110 at noon and I snuck by pretty easily. I love the look of the 2008 lineup, even with Dewitt in there. Go Dodgers!

Fukudome doubles to dead center on his first MLB pitch.

102 - The stealth is piloted by Chuck Norris. You won't know where it's coming unless Chuck wants you to know where it's coming from. Stare at your feet to avoid surprise.

Wow. The Best Offense of All Time ™ hits into a double play against Brett Tomko. So much for being TBOAT.

Anybody have a link to the old-style gamedays for each game?

120. The over/under on the Rays got bumped up to 82 already? It was in the low 70s not too long ago. I am headed to Vegas this weekend and was going to take the over on the mid 70s number, but not anything in the 80s. vr, Xei

103 LOL

Listening to Detroit announcers on Gameday radio marvel at Tomko's stuff in the last inning then question why his numbers have been so awful, "must have had an injury that led to those numbers."

Jeff Kent just presented Russell Martin his Silver Slugger award. Martin plays ball the right way!

98 That's exactly correct. MLBAM hasn't allowed radio stations to stream games for several years. OTOH, the Gameday audio package is a pretty good deal, especially for those of us who live out of market.

Is the game at 1:10 PDT or 4:10 PDT? MLB.com can't seem to make up its mind.

122. I am shocked that they started that game, it is absolutely miserable in Chicago today. I wonder if they'll be able to get the game in before the deluge hits us later today.

I tried listening to the Reds' broadcast, but one can only take so much Jeff Brantley. Off to the D-Backs broadcast team.

There's the Tomko we know.

Nice to see Tomko is up to his old tricks with his new club.

Oh drat. I just realized the ESPN coverage of the Dodgers' game is blacked out here in the Bay Area so I have to watch the Giants' broadcast on The Channel Formerly Known as Fox Sports Net Bay Area But is Now Comcast Sports Bay Area. Ah well. Krukow and Kuiper it is for me, then. Maybe not that much worse than the ESPN people, perhaps.

Ah! And there's the Bombko we know and love! A big fly from Guillen.

Tomko must still be injured...HR for Guillen.

126 Yes Xei, the Hilton should still have them in the 70's, but I haven't seen the futures since the first round of Madness. Wouldn't expect that kind of movement. I thought about 73 or so, but the Baltimore announcers mentioned that inflated number and how the Rays have that pressure to perform on them (unlike the O's). It didn't raise my eyebrows too much, but my optimism is mainly a function of my owning Kazmir, Shields, Crawford, and Pena on Fantasy...and hating the Yankees.

The Tigers backlash on DT is remarkable.

135
Their Giant homerism aside, I really like Krukow and Kuiper.

Then again, I like Matt Vasgersian.

Beach Ball sighting!!! in Detroit no less

139

I'm with Eric. I think Kruk and Kuip are pretty good. MUCH better than the Padres Crew.

Hu gets "Hooo"-ed, instead of cheered, with the introduction. So, that's going to be a thing, it looks like.

139 I actually am fine with K&K, too, except, yah, for their homerism and the occasional "Siddown Meat!" from Krukow. But they're better than many announcing teams. Hopefully they'll not be able to see "Siddown Meat!" much today.

I never knew we had a Tigers forelash.

138 I think we're just being snarky about the Best Offense of All Time™ hype.

be able to "say", that should say above.

I need lunch and coffee before the game, otherwise I may actually need to take that "nap" I warned my boss about.

Chris Young crushed that ball.

Juan Pierre got a warm, non-booing reception. But the fans love the kids even more!

Short Chris Young hits a tall one.

147
Was that a Haranging curveball?

Say a prayer of thanks that Mark Buehrle is not on the Dodgers.

I was worried for a second when I heard that a saxophonist was going to play the national anthem - thought they were going to torture us with Kenny G.

saxophones rule

Uh oh. Byrnes big fly. His deal with Satan was a multi-year pact.

Hang it all. I missed the Young shot. Did Byrnes homer, too?

145 Where did that come from?

I've got to quit smoking.

Byrnes has not homered.

I'm so excited for opening day. Unfortunately, I have a calculus 2 class at 3. I wonder why Jones is hitting so low in the batting order.

great opening day festivities. Sweet Lou Johnson could still outrun James Loney

146
Are you sure the ESPN feed is blacked out here, as I recall those blackouts only on Saturdays!

DT must be getting a ton of traffic.

156 Apparently from ESPN. I think we're exagerrating the hype their offense is getting. Someone said they'd score 1000 runs this season. Someone started calling it the Best Offense of All-Time. Someone added a trademark. I'm just along for the ride because it's Monday.

Count me into the sick crowd today. I was feeling real bad right after lunch and had to head home about 3:30. Must be something going around.

155
Byrnes HR came off a fastball.

They were both big shots.

Young's went upperdeck.

162 I would say there are a few people online right now. :)

Dodger game is being broadcast in Jerusalem!!! Now, I just have to stay awake long enough to watch.

It's time for Dodger baseball! This is the best day of the year.

You may begrudge the McCourts aplenty but not for these opening day festivities. Very cool stuff.

169- The music kind of sucks, though, no? I'm just saying. . .

59 Who's starting at 3rd today for us?

Dodgers reset Opening Day roster

>> The Dodgers reset their Opening Day roster Monday morning, purchasing the contracts of infielders Blake DeWitt and Angel Chavez.
To make room, the club added infielder Tony Abreu to the 15-day disabled list and designated right-hander Eric Hull for assignment before the first pitch of the 1:10 p.m. PT opener with the Giants. <<

## Schmidt, who suffered a setback in Spring Training, is said to be making steady progress, and the Dodgers must believe that, otherwise they could have opened a roster spot by placing him on the 60-day emergency list instead of the 15-day list. ##

http://tinyurl.com/365qtq

169 yup, wish I was there...but it looks plenty good on Prime Ticket.

Meanwhile, Mark Hendrickson is warming up for the Marlins.

Good afternoon to the DT readership, wherever you may be!

Gameday, which has been OK all ST, yields only blank pages now. No lineups even.

So is it DeWitt at 3rd?

Dodger legend Eric Karros is there!

I barely got the MLB package turned on before the broadcast.

ahhhhhhhhhh. vin scully's voice. life is good once more.

Roberts LF
Aurilia 1B
Winn RF
Molina C
Durham 2B
Rowand CF
Castillo 3B
Bocock SS
Zito P

That's no Tigers' lineup, that's for sure! :)

Sandy's starting today!

Tommy's in uniform. Again.

Let's go! Batter up! We're listening while we're at work!

I saw Roger Lodge at the Angels game. He looks good.

Yep Dewitt is at third. I can't get my blasted AM radio to work in the office, sad sad me. So I'm going to keep up both by using Gameday and listening to the chatter here. My fiance said that DT was better though for play by play during games.

175 DeWitt is at 3rd.

Two minutes to go!!!!! Longest 120 seconds of the off-season for me. I may scream from my balcony if Ethier or Kemp homer today.

73 I can picture you now Bob.

In case it hasn't been noted, free baseball in Detroit.

I'm jealous I couldn't make it to the game but my co-worker will tell me how it was

I was going to tell people to listen to me on KCRW, but it appears that they gone with the historian with a "Ph. D." after his name to talk about the Dodgers move to L.A.

But I could have gone on the air and made a total fool of myself! Oh well, at least I'll be able to get my clothes out of the dryer in a timely manner now.

Ahhhhh! I thought the opening pitch was at 410 ET. What's goin' on?

Great Opening Day ceremony. But man, the Dodger Stadium DJ needs antidepressants.

I can't listen at work. For some reason this office building in Rancho Cucamonga creates a huge buzz on the AM stations. I'm so very very upset. All I wanna do is pick up an AM frequency. That's not asking alot!

190
THE START OF THE GAME IS BEING DELAYED DUE TO CEREMONIES

192
If you really want to listen, you'll strip all the wiring and all other metal from the building.

Josh Suchon: "Just one word: Tommy Lasorda."

is espn going to switch over to the dodgers game once it starts? why would anybody on the west coast care about the tigers/royals game?

An Uncle Miltie sighting. Good to see you.

There is somebody using my conference room and blocking me from the tv. Normally, I wouldn't mind; today, I may have to consider drastic measures.

I can tell it's early in the year because I haven't quite gotten down the knack of tracking six games at once.

By August, I have it down to a science.

Royals-Tigers has been a great game, FWIW.

Royals-Tigers is a game what goes to 11!

...I mean, the 11th.

Darn, looks like I've got the Giants announcers. ESPNS in overtime in Detroit, but at least I think Joe is there.

175 It's a mac browser issue it seems. The problem is only on FireFox )even the very newest update 2.0.0.13 which is supposed to fix it). It's fine on Safari.

wow, they should've started the ceremonies 15 minutes earlier!
vr, Xei

201 LOL.

Please, just start the game.

DeWitt get to wear #33 today. Great.

Everyone take a deep breath and wish for the best for these guys and for us. GO DODGERS!

"The drama continues this season on Fox"...

where, it seems, the Red Sox have replaced the Yankees as the only team anyone should ever care about.

(sigh)

I thought KABC AM790 was broadcasting all the Dodger games this year. But when I listen live on the net, it's the Sean Hannity show.

I don't understand. Aren't all Dodger games on the radio?

204
If you start the ceremonies before the game starts, most people will miss them and that takes away from their impact.

206 You're not enjoying the Giants' sideline reporter say "awesome" twelve times per each report?

210 - you missed the discussion about that... MLB Audio is the only place you can get radio games over the internets.

Anybody else having problems with MLB.TV?

210
To listen online, you have to pay the good people at MLB.com for the privilege.

200 Sure, been a great game, but both my fantasy players involved in that game are 0-5.

211. Tough, then do them after the game.
vr, Xei

Feels so good to see Ethier listed.

First pitch coming. Who else is ready?

:)

217
You want to honor Sandy Koufax after everybody has left?

Rowand is nothing great, but isn't he better than a 6th place hitter on this team?

They give Rowand 60 million and bat him 6th on opening day? I'd mock the Giants but the challenge is gone.

Apparently there was a play at the plate and Teahen was called out at home... but I can't really follow the play on Sportsline.

212
I like how Krukow and Kuiper were in glee that they did not feel like clapping for the Dodger greats.

Royals lead 5-4 in the 11th.

Dave Roberts has been up for a long time.

220. I want the game to start when or near when it is listed to start!
vr, Xei

222 Well, with reserve outfielders getting $45 millions these days... :)

Hendrickson strikes out Jose Reyes on three pitches.

Oh yeah!!

Golden God

Golden God!

Show that arm strength martin! Teach them to fear you.

good bye old friend Roberts. Nice throw Martin!

MLB.TV is killing me. Absolutely killing me.

227
If you want to go someplace where the games ALWAYS start exactly on time, go to Japan. I've never been to a game there that didn't start at the precise listed time.

Then they take four hours to play nine innings.

I think my last comment got lost in cyberspace which is just as well. It had something to do with where Dave Roberts would be in this inning if we had someone else playing in CF. But the subject is dead, people, it's dead... right?

Wow Gameday is already screwed up. It says Roberts singled, but doesn't have him on the base paths and shows one out.

We go to the bottom of the 11th in Detroit with Kansas City holding on to a one run lead.

238 He was caught stealing on a busted hit-and-run play.

Aah, they just posted the CS

238

He singled and was promptly thrown out stealing.

I want Russ to father my children. That is all.

236 LOL. A buddy of mine went to a few games there, said it takes "the length of a bible" (his words) to get a game in. Every lever a manager can pull to lengthen a game is used--every single lever.

sportsline's gamecenter is working well, for those of you having trouble with gameday.

Giants are going to be the epitome of a small-ball team this year.

243. Are you a male or female?
vr, Xei

237 - Yes, I had the same thought, but decided better to stick it in my back pocket. That's all behind us.

Rick Ankiel swinging on 3-0 count with bases loaded, for a foul ball. Makes up for it with a double on next pitch.

That is the ugliest picture I have ever seen of Jeff Kent.

The Giants will be the epitome of a terrible team this year.

Zito is throwing 83mph.

Yeesh.

Leadoff double for the Tigers.

MLB.TV not working for me, either. Was working fine through the whole Royals-Tigers game, saw a little bit of the pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium, now nothing. Figures.

Nice, Furcal!!

Furkel! A different year, perhaps?

Furcal is back, my friends!

double by Furcal!

how close was that to a home run?

Can anyone post a link to the Gameday Audio link. For some reason none of MLB.com's websites will come up for me, figure might be worth trying the audio link directly (I paid weeks ago!) since they're handled by other servers afaik...just can't get ot them.

lol. I predict a new comments record if we have 5 play-by-play reactions to every remotely good event.

259 ditto

way to communicate Gints!

258
Not very.

258 Not very. It was barely a fair ball.

Inge sacrifices. With a runner on third, Tigers now have two chances, Renteria and Polanco, to tie or win.

Bison!

Plaschke tomorrow will be sure to point out how JP would have moved Furcal over.

Imagine Furcal with a good start!

March/April 2006: .198/.306/.219
March/April 2007: .203/.272/.243
March/April 2008: 1.000/1.000/2.000 :)

258- Fifteen feet, maybe. Bounced on the chock and up into the seats in foul territory.

258 Not close. Hit the chalk 20 feet before bouncing in the stands.

THAT is why they call him the Bison!!

263 My comment-response fu is weak.

We score!

Rowand screwed that one up.

"They call him the Bison because he's got a body like a robot built outta nails"

263 264 - just wondering because gameday had it in the corner right in front of the short fence

Vin Scully is pro-boo!

"Who the heck are you gonna boo, Aaron Rowand?"

LOL

275 Oh, he's tougher than that.

Royals win! Royals win! The Royyyyyyyyyyyalllls winnnnnn!

260 :)

Yeah, I think if 1000 comments was the line, people would be betting the over right now.

Win expectancy up to 66% on the Kemp single.
vr, Xei

Gameday has Rick Monday disease. Two pitch calls at once.

dodger baseball is back! wow, I miss la :(

280 As a result of this one game, I think it's absosmurfly clear that the Tigers do not have the Best Offense of All Time and thus are worthy of my scorn.

For those in the Bay Area "working at home" today the game is being televised on ESPN

246.

Male.

Kemp will do as well...

MLB rule violation, rule violation.

wow, 4 batters in and Zito has thrown 15+ pitches

YAY!!!

284 agreed Miltie. The Coliseum game will do for this season, or a midweek game sometime this summer.

jeffrey kent!

Aw, yeah!

This is a good start! Kent!

This is awesome!

YEEEEEEEEAHH!

Nice homer by Kent.

286 Argh I wish I was working at home today!!!!!!

Old man still has pop, yay.

Early returns have my 2009 DT Day ticket being paid for by ToyCannon. :)

Kent!!

286
They blacked out ESPN for me.

That was a veteran home run!

84 mph straight fastball. I like.

Barry Zito is the gift that keeps on giving.

according to gameday, Kent's homerun landed somewhere near Simi Valley

What a happy opening day so far!

29 "I hope our boys in blue have it wrapped up by 2:30."

Not to shoot too soon, but I may be able to teach a happy man...but still run Gamecast on my podium computer.

OK, here comes my favorite player!!

YAAAAAAY!

I'm so psyched for today I can't even eat my lunch.

It's Opening Day.
The Dodgers are on TV.
Dodger Thoughts is on the monitor in front of me.
My trigger finger is on the mouse prepared to press "Refresh" every 30 seconds.

Life is good.

I'm so glad baseball has started.

I'm standing by my 97-win prediction.

BTW, what kind of single was Matt Kemp's? Was it the Bison Special (super hard ground ball)?

This is Zito's 4th straight opening day. His ERA on opening day coming into today's game is 9.49.

$126 Mil.

Bother. MLB.com has stopped working for me. Can't get the audio to load, can't even get to Gameday. I had to switch over to ESPN gamecast.

312

Pretty much, right up the middle.

Kent homers, Andruw makes out. Hmm. Is Jeff saying somethin' here?

ESPN showed a nice moment between Kent and Kemp at home plate. I think those two are getting along fine.

312 line drive. not a grounder.

318 Did they kiss each other on the cheek or something?

Bengie Molina batting 4th. Ray Durham batting 5th.

If it were any other team, I might feel some empathy.

318 definitive proof that chemistry breeds winning?

Apologies, I thought when I was watching the Dodgers have inning on ESPN after the Royals Tigers game those of us in the Bay Area would see the game live on ESPN, but top of the second screen goes to blue with the more info sign-so it is back to Krukow and Kipe! It is fun to hear the Giants announcers moan

77% win expectancy according to Fan Graphs right now, but it doesn't take into consideration how hard it will be for the Giants offense to score more than three runs. Pierre may see some garbage time in this one. :)
vr, Xei

Penny realizes that the Giants are terrible, right?

312

It was a line drive up the middle. hit the ball pretty darn hard.

312

It was a line drive up the middle. hit the ball pretty darn hard.

For those watching on TV... have the Giants given Barry's number 25 to anybody this season?

They've apparently erased all other memories of him from the park, so I wonder if 25 is now just another number.

320 322 What I noticed before the game when the lineup was announced was that Kent gave Kemp a pat on the ribs--they were announced one after the other. After the homerun, Kemp put a kind of half-wrap on Kent's head, kind of things friends do, really.

It's better to enjoy rather than loathe who you're playing with.

327

wow, late on the comment and a double post. good opening day for me!

I'm liking this Giants offense.

I like DP action, atta way boys!

DeLightful double play!

Sounds like a good play from young DeWitt!

Hmm... I wonder if DeWitt got it out of his glove with DeBrevity.

Okay, what happened? The wife had a 2pm TiVo with both the Barefoot Contessa and the Gilmore Girls being taped.

Yes, I'm made adjustments but I missed the play. Was it a double-play?

Aaron Rowand is a grinder who isn't afraid to break his nose to catch a ball

335 Yes. 5-4-3.

2006 Gameday is broken, period. New Gameday practically demands being fullscreened, a horrible proposition.

Gameday Audio is completely broken under Linux.

There are complaints about Gameday and Gameday Audio breakage in Mac environments on all browsers.

Those with Microsoft desktops complaining about problems with the new Gameday, try manually updating Flash. Close all IE windows and restart. Also, installing Silverlight may help (Google Silverlight for more details, or go to silverlight.com.)

I will update things as I get more details:

http://6-4-2.blogspot.com/2008/03/final-tuneup-angels-11-padres-3.html

328. He's not on their team and hasn't retired. I don't see why they need to use him as a marketing ploy (or whatever other reason), when he might be playing for a different team later this year.
vr, Xei

I know way too much about the players in major league baseball, and I think I can name at least 20 of the players on each team's opening day roster off the top of my head (maybe I'm only at 16 or 17 for Florida and Washington because of their pitching).

I have never heard of Brian Bocock. Ever. And the Giants announcers are acting like he's a future star because he was promoted so rapidly. Yikes.

Presently, there is no #25 on the Giants roster and I doubt they will give it to anybody.