Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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TV and more ...
1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
Walter O'Malley will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 18 days. Getting a jump on the celebration, the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission unveiled a bronze plaque in his honor. Ross Porter emceed the ceremony.
"My Dad would have been very proud of this recognition in the Coliseum Court of Honor and especially expressed his gratitude to the Coliseum Commission for making it possible for the Dodgers to play at the historic Coliseum for four seasons," said Peter O'Malley, President, Los Angeles Dodgers from 1970-98. "From the very beginning in Los Angeles, fans have had a love affair with the Dodgers that has become generational. It started with the unique baseball dimensions at the Coliseum and with fans listening to broadcasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin (both Hall of Famers) on their transistor radios." ...
Some other notables who have been recognized with the "Coliseum Court of Honor" include: Knute Rockne (1955), "Pop" Warner (1956), Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1958), "Babe" Didrickson (1961), President John F. Kennedy (1964), Amos Alonzo Stagg (1965), Cardinal McIntyre & Mary's Hour (1966), Daniel Reeves (1972), Kenneth Washington (1972), Francis "Frank" Leahy (1974), Jesse Owens (1984), Pope John Paul II (1987), Pete Rozelle (1998), Jim Murray (1999), John McKay (2001), Jackie Robinson (2005), Vin Scully (2008) and John Wooden (2008).
In related news, induction ceremonies for the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals will take place at 2 p.m. July 20 in a public ceremony at the Pasadena Central Library. Admission is free. Buck O'Neil, Emmett Ashford, and Bill Buckner are being honored.
* * *
Joe Torre shared some of his thoughts about the leadoff spot with Brian Kamenetzky of Blue Notes. An excerpt:
Torre: His (Matt Kemp's) on-base percentage right now is pretty good. I've had some unorthodox leadoff hitters through the years. Before I came here, where we have a couple with Furcal and Pierre, I've had one guy over the years that really I was comfortable with as a leadoff hitter, and that was Chuck Knobloch, and all of a sudden he stopped trying to steal bases. I had Jeter, who was a free swinger. Soriano, and we all see how much of a free swinger he is. Early on with the Yankees, we had Tim Raines, whose speed wasn't what it once was. The thing is you get somebody up there you don't mind getting extra at bats, (but) I think you have to have the ability to run the bases and steal bases.
BK: Not to pick on Juan, whose OBP was far lower through June, as a manager is there any preference to having that more traditional guy, even if it's with a lower OBP, does that offer something that the other way doesn't?
Torre: On-base percentage is important. Juan is not going to walk. The pitcher's going to say "here, I dare you to hit it," because he hits mainly singles. Matt, they'll be a little more careful because he has a little more punch. In Juan's case, you'll accept a little lower on-base percentage because you know when he gets on base he can do some damage because he's an accomplished base stealer, and he certainly knows how to hit, and this year we've had a bonus in that he's knocked in (runs). His batting average with men in scoring position is terrific. He's gotten up that extra time, and the fact we've had men on base, he's done a good job for us.
For 2008 - Juan Pierre
Innings Led Off: 104
Team Scored: 57 Runs .55 per inning
Reached Base Leading Off: 35
Team Scored: 35 Runs 1.00 per inning
For 2008 - Matt Kemp
Innings Led Off: 78
Team Scored: 34 Runs .44 per inning
Reached Base Leading Off: 24
Team Scored: 20 Runs .83 per inning
I would guess that Kemp will be more productive but in some ways it will be similar to Pierre because Matt doesn't walk either, so he will have to do it by putting the bat on the ball.
And obviously, my memory was off. I thought he was a little more tepid in his comments about Kemp. I was wrong. Still, doesn't this count as boneheaded:
"In Juan's case, you'll accept a little lower on-base percentage because you know when he gets on base he can do some damage because he's an accomplished base stealer, and he certainly knows how to hit..."
Innings Led Off: 70
Team Scored: 67 Runs .96 per inning
Reached Base Leading Off: 36
Team Scored: 52 Runs 1.44 per inning
Yeah, we don't miss him much.
This should be fun. By the time Juan is set to return to full time play there should be a fair sample size to compare the Dodgers won/loss record when Pierre bats leadoff as compared to when Kemp bats leadoff.
Torre loves Pierre, but he may grow to love Kemp more - if Kemp can consistently deliver with the bat in games from the 5th inning on.
So generally they have had the same people behind them aside from when Kemp batting 6th.
http://pacificprospectreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/carlos_santana_0507.mov
Everything would be right with the world if he was healthy.
Ah well. The DBacks may have lost Byrnes for the year. Teams have to find other ways to make things happen and at least over the last couple of weeks in general they've put things together much better. At least Joe has continued to bring Kemp out in the leadoff spot.
Solve for X. You do the math. Ha cha cha ...
/tear
Hah. I love how they left in the clip where he gets a ball right in the gut. Well, I don't love it, but it's an interesting choice to end on.
It just plays in another window for me.
This is getting silly. He has 14 home runs for the year and 6 of those have come in his last 10 games. Not to mention the 15 runs batted in and eight walks to go along with the 450 batting average. That is El Fuego in any language.
He hit 7 home runs for the whole year last year.
Kemp: 0.141 wins added.
Pierre: 0.428 wins added.
http://pacificprospectreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/james_adkins_0517.mov
Santana right handed
http://pacificprospectreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/carlos_santana_0517.mov
Josh Bell right handed
http://pacificprospectreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/josh_bell_0517.mov
Josh Bell left handed
http://pacificprospectreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/josh_bell_0509.mov
Jaime Pedroza
http://pacificprospectreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/jaime_pedroza_0509.mov
With Kemp, he's been all around the lineup, and further down in the lineup. The further down you hit in the lineup, the less chance your team will score runs in a particular inning.
I think instead of using "innings led off", you should just compare the games in which Kemp/Pierre each hit in the same spot of the batting order.
Santana's is around 8 or 9%, but he has 32 XBHs that are not homeruns.
How do you get 32 non homerun XBHs in less than 300ABs without hitting the ball hard?
Runners in Scoring Position:
58 PAs: .377/.431/.491/.922
None On:
208 PAs: .253/.303/.273/.576
"MONDAY: ...
Perrotto wrote that Wilson is the Dodgers' primary trade target. He says "a Dodgers source indicated that Los Angeles might be willing to deal center fielder Matt Kemp."
Wilson, 30, is hitting .306/.348/.361 in 160 plate appearances this year. He's under contract next year for $7.25MM with an $8.4MM club option for '10. Wilson can block trades to six teams."
Wilson is handy with the glove, but he has zero power (ZERO HR on the year) and he's making far, far more money than Kemp.
Am I the only person that thinks Kemp has probably been our best overall player this year?
Chipper Jones has a toe tap type thing. If that timing mechanism works for him, I don't see why you change it.
and martin would be our best overall player.
My money's on the Golden God for that title.
47FD row W, I'll be sporting the DT shirt!
Certainly Pierre has the 2, 3, 4 guys behind him, though for a lot of that time, that included Kent, who probably also batted behind Kemp too.
Martin would certainly be best if he were catching; as it stands, his line (.300/9/42/47/8) is probably superior to Kemp's (.280/7/46/42/18), since Martin's OBP is superior to Kemp's.
In any case, I guess what I'm saying is: Jack freaking Wilson? Seriously? This organization is embarassing. I know a lot of rumors are BS, but the rumors have been so consistently bad. I am honestly embarassed.
vr, Xei
Followed by a quick phone call to Will Carroll to complain about dealing with the Dodgers.
oh and by the way...last night at the game the jumbo tron had a fun fact about james loney in which he was called "j-lo"
i know many of you here already like crazy eyes, wild bird, or even lonestar, but i guess the organization may be making a push for ' J-Lo" : )
http://tinyurl.com/5wxtp7
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
here on DT, those should be the loney eyes ; )
Pierre's had 30 Abs batting 7th or later.
Kemp hasnt had the advantage of hitting in front of Russell Martin as much as Pierre has had.
You're just trying to get me to play a game of "Guotcha!"
I doubt that [G]uo will ever pitch an effective game for the Dodgers again.
-Bob Timmermann
July 9, 2007
Comment #3
With RISP: .291 .360 .374 .734, 1149 PAs
No one on: .304 .347 .371 .718, 1660 PAs
not a whole lot of difference.
For comparison, the majors in 2007, as a whole, hit a little better with RISP:
With RISP: .272 .357 .423 .780
No one on: .262 .324 .417 .741
http://www.minimalsworld.net/BrazilName/brazilian.shtml
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
In the words of my mother, "Always expect the worst possible thing to happen, that way if things turn out well, you'll be pleasantly surprised!"
Mom wasn't the optimistic type.
Must have been a Clipper fan.
>>The Dodgers and their fans (from what I've seen of them anyway) seem to covet their prospects more than they care about winning championships. They seem to think all their prospects will realize their full potential in the majors and feel like they are entitled to get big name players without giving anything noteworthy up in return. Rosenthal saying they are a "near-impossible trading partner" is dead on and it's unfortunate that the Dodgers and their fans can't see how this is bad for them. They seem to be content with a fistful of lottery tickets as opposed to a proven major league player that can help them now.<<
I feel like responding but I'm just paralyzed with fear and inactivity, and am too busy looking up stats on my favorite Dodger prospects.
Teixiera has a 21 point OPS+ lead on Loney now, since the updates seem to have died down.
Please respond about the ridiculous asking prices that were rumored this off season
Or what this guy said
I'm guessing that it might be the same with slugging percentage.
I think it has something to do with the Alan Parsons Project.
In Little League.
And now Little League has strictly enforced pitch counts.
>> The Los Angeles Dodgers sent OF Matt Berezay, who was batting just .128, to Class A Inland Empire on Monday and replaced him with Ryan Rowgowski, who had 30 stolen bases with Inland Empire. ... Suns LHP Cody White (3-2, 7.67) is scheduled to start today's 1:05 p.m. game against Braves RHP Todd Redmond (7-4, 3.60). <<
http://tinyurl.com/58m9xm
Another small-sample-size favorite:
Blake Dewitt, career:
At DS:
138 PAs: .306/.374/.419/.793
Away:
139 PAs: .228/.295/.346/.641
No wonder the kid is a crowd favorite.
He's also 10 for his last 16 so he's not doing to bad in July yet. I've been meaning to give him a shout out.
The kid needs to stay away from those Road Annies, they will ruin your swing.
Kemp, RF
Ethier, LF
Garciaparra, SS
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Jones, CF
DeWitt, 3B
Maza, 2B
Lowe, RHP
>> • NOTES -- Dodgers right-hander Jason Schmidt made his third rehabilitation start for Las Vegas as he continues his comeback from career-threatening shoulder surgery. Schmidt, 35, gave up two earned runs on five hits in four innings, walked one and struck out two. He was scheduled to throw 65 pitches, but came out after 59 (36 strikes) and reached 90 mph for his third straight start. ... 51s catcher A.J. Ellis was named a reserve for the PCL All-Star team. He is batting .299 with 38 RBIs in 50 games. <<
http://www.lvrj.com/sports/24171164.html
(Unless they promise to throw the ball like Gary Bennett, then there is no limit.)
103 PA .610 OPS
Jack Wilson @ Dodger Stadium
101 PA .558 OPS
7, 8, 6, PH, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3
In Nomar's latest return:
6, 6, PH, 6, 6, 3.
The three-hole for Nomar was inevitable and it only took Torre one day longer.
113 - it can, but that takes the fun out of it. If it was your typical starting pitcher with a line of .136/.136/.142, it'd be much funnier.
Not that we want to debate DeWitt-LaRoche again today.
Why are only 'small market' teams such as the Indians, the Rays, or the A's allowed to develop and let their core of the team grow together for a couple of years? Yeah, I want this team to win a championship, I also like to actually like the guys on this team. I like guys like Loney, Kemp, and Martin. And while I'm sure Wilson or Casey Blake are swell guys, they aren't guys who heard and read about coming up though the Minors and aren't taught the 'Dodgers Way.'
Frankly, I want that same experience of actually seeing a team grow and mature into a contender that the Dodgers teams of the 70's and 80's were allowed to do, and the early 90's. Then the late 90's happened, and suddenly the Dodgers had to act like a 'big market' club and signed high priced vets who didn't have a connection with the area or team.
So yes, I might have an overinflated view of the 'Dodgers prospects', but at least its my overinflated view, and I'm cheering for guys I can actually root for.
It would be nice to see Torre find creative ways to get LaRoche some PA. Oh well.
Especially when you take into account how Joe was all excited about Juan's ability to hit with runners on base this year. For all we know that may be the number one deciding factor that Joe thinks about. Sample size, sample size, at some point Andy has to hit the ball when someone is on base.
This is what is so frustrating with the Dodgers and in someways represents the philosophy of not getting a good test of their young players.
Torre wants to give Kent a rest, fine, Dodgers already have little power is a given, so why not with about 70 games left give LaRoche another start at 2nd. Find out in a game situation what he can or can't do.
While I believe LaRoche has made one error at 2nd on a throw, his range seems reasonable. I don't believe that Mazza can significantly improve Nomar's lack of range. It just makes no sense to take out a quality bat who you want to know more about, especially when you have an opportunity to play him.
LaRoche's error came while at 3B.
I thought Jon was just baiting Brooklynites! :)
124 - because big market teams are supposed to act like the Yankees and Red Sox - buy talent and win championships. Only small market teams need to worry about things like revenue and building from within.
Or something like that.
I enjoy this too, where one can actually feel a part in a team growing talent and actually being able to feel some of your talent is in some way really your teams.
Roberto Petagine was always my favorite pick of a guy who was never given enough chances. Here and there but no one ever stuck him out there for 1/2 a season and said, show us what you got.
He became a star in Japan. How big a star you'd have to ask Bob.
This has to mean guys who hit for high averages and have obvious tools in the minors find it easy to break in. Which in the DeWitt/LaRoche conversation is pretty much the opposite of Occam's Razor to me.
Not a huge star in Japan as it turned out.
--
Who would win a fight between Occam's Razor and Schrodinger's Cat?
He was attempting to bunt for a base hit, not as a squeeze play, there were 2 outs. I also recall Vin mentioning that 3rd base was playing him deep (but I wouldn't swear to that).
By the by, did anyone else find it interesting that Ross Porter emceed the ceremony honoring Walter O'Malley? Could it be that Peter O'Malley or maybe the LA folks were subtly telling McCourt that he acted like a jerk?
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