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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Steal This Game
2008-07-31 18:10
by Jon Weisman

Brandon Webb, you think you're so tough. And you are.

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.

* * *

Jeff Kent and Andre Ethier are out tonight with minor ailments, reports Tony Jackson of the Daily News.

* * *

Comments today:
Shutout Sentral: 63
State of the Pitching: 710
The Big One: Manny Ramirez Coming: 723
Total: 1,496 and counting ...

Comments (544)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-07-31 18:20:23
1.   Zak
3-0 Dodgers. book it.
2008-07-31 18:20:23
2.   Eric Enders
I will be considerably less nervous when we find whether we're barred from offering Manny arbitration. That's the whole key to whether this trade works or not.
2008-07-31 18:21:22
3.   sporky
Someone e-mailed the following to AM710:

(paraphrasing): "Manny, my mother-in-law is a traveling secretary. You can push her any time."

2008-07-31 18:21:46
4.   Zak
2 I think I've read that one of the conditions to the Dodgers declining to pick up his options is that Manny will decline arbitration and become a free agent. I'd be 75-80% sure that the Dodgers will get the two picks.
2008-07-31 18:22:03
5.   trainwreck
Asked if White was sad to see LaRoche go, he said, "Not at all."

What have they done to Logan White? Somebody slipped him the Kool-aid.

2008-07-31 18:22:15
6.   Eric Enders
So if the injured are really injured, then we've got a two-man bench tonight consisting of Mark Sweeney and Danny Ardoin.

But I guess Nomar could pinch hit and maybe the others can too.

2008-07-31 18:22:51
7.   Zak
Maybe we'll see Kuo pinch hit.
2008-07-31 18:23:16
8.   Tripon
Kent comes in to pitch hit, and Homers. It'll be Kirk Gibson all over again except Kent will get mad, and proceed to punch a guy for making a big deal of it.
2008-07-31 18:23:34
9.   Eric Enders
5 It could have been a political "Not at all," as in, "He wasn't going to play here, so we're glad to see him get the opportunity."

I'm not necessarily reading the comment as a summary judgment on LaRoche's future.

2008-07-31 18:23:50
10.   Zak
I wonder what kind of music Manny will make Kent and Kemp listen to.
2008-07-31 18:24:44
11.   Zak
5 My initial reaction to that comment was also more along the lines of, "Ah, good for him" than "no, he sucks".
2008-07-31 18:25:13
12.   Eric Stephen
For comparison:

9/18/06: 1065 comments

2008-07-31 18:25:21
13.   Jon Weisman
Leung offers no indication that the Dodgers can't arbitrize.

http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/prosports/2008/07/dodgers-notes-3.html

"Ramirez's two $20 million options are now out the window in exchange for him agreeing to the trade. If the Dodgers offer him arbitration and he doesn't accept and leaves the team, they would receive two premium draft picks."

2008-07-31 18:25:30
14.   regfairfield
9 Yeah, but isn't there a standard "we wish him the best in his future endeavors" that doesn't make you look like a jerk.
2008-07-31 18:26:05
15.   Jon Weisman
Of course, maybe the jury's still out on that question.
2008-07-31 18:26:21
16.   berkowit28
5 I'm sure Andy is excited to be going somewhere where he might actually play on the major league team. White is probably just keeping a blank face about how excited Andy is to get out of Dodger land where he was unused, and maybe that White is himself sympathetic to Andy's point of view here - he may well agree. But can't say so.
2008-07-31 18:29:08
17.   trainwreck
Joe Torre better not tell Manny to cut his hair. That is where his power comes from.

And he probably would not be very receptive to it.

2008-07-31 18:29:16
18.   Louis in SF
As far as the roster spot, if they DL Nomar retro to July 28, he would be eligible to come back August 11. This gives Ned 10 days to put something through waivers, Jones perhaps or even Sweeney.
2008-07-31 18:29:57
19.   Gen3Blue
With the extra three hours on the coast, Manny could have made it for the game.
2008-07-31 18:32:13
20.   Tripon
Dodgers' pregame show is on FSN Prime, and Ned's speaking. ...Wow, he's a small guy.
2008-07-31 18:32:17
21.   MollyKnight
Ethier is sick tonight?

I'd probably feel like vomiting, too, if someone with Hall of Fame credentials were coming in to take my job.

2008-07-31 18:32:54
22.   MonkeyBlue
19. Its Manny though!
2008-07-31 18:34:11
23.   Eric Stephen
Oh man, ESPNews just showed some Dodger reactions, and as Loney was talking, the screen said "Matt Kemp"!!!

Molly, can you use your ESPN powers to let someone know?

2008-07-31 18:34:40
24.   Luis Chavez
"Peter Abraham says Manny's team options were removed and he has agreed to decline arbitration."

http://tinyurl.com/6qylhj

2008-07-31 18:35:06
25.   LeeLacy
16 I'm sure Andy is excited to be going somewhere where he might actually play on the major league team.

And if Andy is someday lucky enough to get traded away by the Pirates, that dream may still come true.

2008-07-31 18:35:08
26.   regfairfield
19 The trade was announced at 1:15ish and it's a five hour flight from Boston. Unless you're assuming it takes him zero minutes to pack, get to the airport, leave the airport, and get ready for the game, he wasn't playing.
2008-07-31 18:35:33
27.   Eric Enders
21 Well, I hear Murray Chass needs a job now...

I kid.

2008-07-31 18:35:36
28.   trainwreck
23
No one on ESPN can say Andre Ethier.
2008-07-31 18:36:19
29.   Tripon
Ned says they haven't decided yet who out of the 25.
2008-07-31 18:36:28
30.   Who Is Karim Garcia
Ned's rug is horrible.
2008-07-31 18:36:52
31.   Eric Stephen
28
Ethier? I was talking about Kemp and Loney.

To be fair, at least the projected lineup shown on ESPNews had a Dodger OF of Manny, Kemp, and Ethier.

2008-07-31 18:36:54
32.   GoBears
How good will those draft picks be? There are probably only a few teams that can afford Ramirez, and they're all good teams.

Well, except for Baltimore, and Ramirez is still too good for them to want him.

My guess would be Yankees, Mets, or Tigers.
Probably one of the AL teams, who can DH him as his defense turns from awful to criminal.

2008-07-31 18:38:32
33.   Eric Stephen
For one of the first times ever, my Extra Innings (via Time Warner) is giving me the option to choose between home and away broadcast on a few games, including the Dodger game (I think I'll choose the home broadcast).

Previously this was a DirecTV perk.

2008-07-31 18:39:16
34.   trainwreck
31
Well today they have been listing all our outfielders and the people on ESPNews kept saying his name wrong.

ESPN knows nothing about this team.

2008-07-31 18:40:29
35.   Tripon
32

A late first rounder, and a supplementary pick. (Around 20-30).

2008-07-31 18:40:51
36.   Eric Enders
32 A top 15 draft pick would be protected regardless, so we actually want a good team to sign Manny.

Anyone with Arizona's current record or better would do. The Dodgers, if the season ended today, would have #15, the last protected pick.

2008-07-31 18:41:13
37.   trainwreck
32
I think Manny is a Met waiting to happen.
2008-07-31 18:41:41
38.   underdog
Makes me appreciate FSN (! can't believe I just typed that) - probably because they're based out of LA, I believe, but on their nightly national sports recap show last night the show's anchor, when talking over Dodgers-Giants highlights called Matt Kemp "The Bison!!" which I thought was awesome. So score one for The Final Score over the clueless EastcoastSPortsNetwork.
2008-07-31 18:42:00
39.   GoBears
Can a player credibly promise to decline arbitration? Seems the only way that would be anything more than a gentlemen's agreement would be if it were written into a contract, and I would think that the union would have a problem with a player signing away a right.

It's probably incentive-compatible, in that he WANTS to try the market, and even if he stinks for 2 months, he probably should do so, but I don't see how he can promise in a binding way to decline arbitration.

I might be wrong - someone please explain if I am.

2008-07-31 18:42:23
40.   underdog
36 Maybe we should re-sign Manny then, and then get our draft pick!

Wait... that doesn't work. Never mind.

2008-07-31 18:42:54
41.   D4P
Joe Torre better not tell Manny to cut his hair. That is where his power comes from

We shall call him: Samson

2008-07-31 18:43:51
42.   trainwreck
40
That is the outside-the-box kind of thinking we need!
2008-07-31 18:44:31
43.   D4P
Or at least, I shall call him Samson.

I'm not a fan of his Red Sox era nickname.

2008-07-31 18:44:57
44.   GoBears
36 Thanks.
2008-07-31 18:44:58
45.   Michael D
I predict that somehow with an inferior lineup we bet Webb.

As for the Manny trade, I like it with the usual caveat that we play the right outfield. If the biggest loser of this trade ends up being Andre Ethier, we got hosed. This also better not lead to re-signing Casey Blake to play third next year.

2008-07-31 18:45:07
46.   underdog
I don't understand -- how can you mispronounce "Ethier"? Was it "e-thee-ay" French-style, or "Either"?
2008-07-31 18:45:21
47.   Eric Enders
39 It was written into Drew's contract, so it's definitely doable, although like you I'm surprised the union allows it.
2008-07-31 18:45:27
48.   Tripon
Even if Manny accepts Arbitration, I wouldn't mind, he's still likely to outproduce anybody else on the roster.
2008-07-31 18:46:27
49.   Eric Stephen
39
Declining arbitration doesn't give up any rights for Manny. He's still able to negotiate as a FA with every club, including the Dodgers.

It's not uncommon for such a clause to be written into the contract. J.D. Drew had the opposite clause in his Dodger contract: that the Dodgers could not offer him arbitration.

2008-07-31 18:46:49
50.   trainwreck
41
I wanna talk to Samson!!

It works on so many levels. Two, in fact.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-07-31 18:47:18
51.   D4P
46
When we first acquired him we were told it was "Eh-thee-ay".
2008-07-31 18:47:42
52.   trainwreck
46
It was like they thought his name was either or some sort of variation of that.
2008-07-31 18:48:07
53.   Eric Stephen
51
By whom, Charlie Steiner?
2008-07-31 18:48:20
54.   Landonkk
45 I would assume that Colletti and Torre were on the same page before the deal was made (probably a big assumption) and if we were going to play Jones and Pierre over Ethier you would think that they would have given up Ethier before LaRoche. That is what I keep telling myself anyway.
2008-07-31 18:49:25
55.   MollyKnight
They'll know how to pronounce Ethier's name soon enough. Manny puts the Dodgers on ESPN's map. For instance, I'm supposed to write something on Billingsley this weekend.

A Dodgers/Red Sox World Series would be the most hyped championship since, well, the Lakers v. Celtics last month. I'm not holding my breath, but if it does happen Bristol Connecticut will explode and cease to exist.

2008-07-31 18:49:45
56.   Tripon
Hah! Kevin Kennedy says that Juan Pierre has to be in the lineup because he's a true leadoff hitter, and then Patrick O'Neal asked him if there's really room for Juan Pierre in the lineup, and Steven Lyons said sure, late inning defensive sub in LF.

Kevin Kennedy looked pissed off when he heard that. Now he has the shifty eyes on Steve Lyons.

2008-07-31 18:49:52
57.   Eric Enders
ESPN will probably be considerably more confused when we call up Kyle Orr.

"The number five hitter in tonight's lineup will be either Ethier or Orr, either or."

2008-07-31 18:49:57
58.   Icaros
Manny declining or accepting Arby's is fine either way with me. If he declines, two picks. If he accepts, we get him for one more year and aren't stuck with him long-term in his late 30s/early 40s.
2008-07-31 18:50:29
59.   Tripon
55 Will it be better than the Onley piece that he did on Webb a while back?
2008-07-31 18:50:53
60.   GoBears
49. I just meant that I was surprised that the right to accept arbitration could be contracted away. But thanks to you and Eric E for the info that it's not uncommon.

So the next question is: DID Ramirez sign away the right to accept, or was it just a verbal assurance that he'd decline?

2008-07-31 18:52:05
61.   D4P
53
Steiner is the one I remember.
2008-07-31 18:52:25
62.   trainwreck
56
Awesome, the guy that thinks home runs are rally killers is the smartest analyst on the set.
2008-07-31 18:53:00
63.   Eric Stephen
59
C'mon, this is our Molly were talking about here. I expect Pulitzer quality work*.

*tied with Jon Weisman

2008-07-31 18:53:01
64.   Louis in SF
Based on ESPN stats Manny hits 11 more HR's. I am going to say 15. Anybody want to add to predictions? I believe when we got Steve Finley at the deadline he hit 13.
2008-07-31 18:53:23
65.   GoBears
if we were going to play Jones and Pierre over Ethier you would think that they would have given up Ethier before LaRoche.

But that also assumes that Pittsburgh would have preferred Ethier to LaRoche. I don't see why that would be true.

2008-07-31 18:53:49
66.   Gen3Blue
31 Eric--that proves that someone with a minimal knowledge of baseball would put out Manny-Kemp-Ethier. We don't have that luxury.
2008-07-31 18:54:35
67.   natepurcell
This offseason is going to be interesting for whoever is in charge.

SS, OF, 2b, and 3b all need to be filled somehow.

2008-07-31 18:55:19
68.   sporky
55 I'm supposed to write something on Billingsley this weekend.

Awesome!

It's about time, ESPN. If anyone on Around the Horn mentions Billingsley's greatness, it'll be because of this trade.

2008-07-31 18:55:25
69.   MollyKnight
59-It's not a feature.

Just a small, quick hit for the next issue about how statistically he's been as good as guys like Felix, Volquez and Lincecum, who are all his age. Just trying to give credit where credit is due.

2008-07-31 18:55:54
70.   underdog
Nothing will surprise me and I expect a low-scoring game, but given Kent and Ethier's absence, and pre-Manny, vs. Webb, I am probably not crazy to not expect many runs out of the Dodgers tonight.
2008-07-31 18:56:16
71.   regfairfield
58 My only problem with that it wipes out most of our budget.
2008-07-31 18:57:57
72.   underdog
65 Because they just traded away two starting outfielders in the past week? I mean you may be right, but I could understand why they would've wanted Ethier.
2008-07-31 18:58:22
73.   sporky
DeWitt is 3 for 4 thus far.
2008-07-31 18:58:33
74.   Landonkk
65 I never said there was any rationality behind my thinking, just something I tell myself to make me feel better until I actually see a starting OF of Manny, Kemp and Ethier.

I suppose you have a good point though...

2008-07-31 18:58:55
75.   trainwreck
Great, now I am going to have to be one of those people that goes to bars alone, just so I can see tomorrow's game.
2008-07-31 18:58:56
76.   sporky
(and at 3B)
2008-07-31 18:59:16
77.   MollyKnight
Shoot, I'm kind of inspired to write something longer about Billingsley for the website, simply because I don't know much about him at all. But I'm so slammed with all this NFL preview stuff and traveling all over the place that I don't know if I'll have time. Was at Raiders camp today. Going to Cowboys camp tomorrow and Chargers camp on Saturday or Sunday. Gotta figure out how to fit a Dodger game in there to talk to Chad.

Now that Manny's there I've got to find a way to make it work, as Tim Gunn would say.

2008-07-31 18:59:21
78.   Jacob L
Well, Kevin Baxter was on espn news saying that now Jones or Pierre might have to play to make up for Manny's defense in left. Whatever.

Lets be clear. Juan Pierre is having a crummy year, even by his standards. His sole positive (apart from the default: speed) is that he's playing better than Andruw Jones, which puts him in the select company of virtually every other major leaguer.

I have to believe that we've seen the last of Andruw as a regular starter, and using the acquisition of Manny as an excuse to reinsert Pierre in center (where the organization has already concluded his defense is lacking), well, I just have to believe its not going down like that.

2008-07-31 18:59:26
79.   natepurcell
I can't believe I'm saying this but I would really consider going after Beltre in the offseason.
2008-07-31 19:01:12
80.   Eric Enders
79 So would I, actually. Except I guess Boras is still his agent, right?
2008-07-31 19:01:14
81.   Tripon
A year of Manny or 5 years of C.C. Assuming that the amount of money per year is similar (around 20 million) We can survive with C.C.'s pitching, but Manny bats would make this team better. But I'm okay either way the Dodgers decide.

...Of course this means that the Yanks pick up Manny for $4 year/100 million, and C.C. for 7 years/150 million.

2008-07-31 19:01:26
82.   regfairfield
79 We're in his limited no trade, but I agree it would make sense, especially if we got the Mariners to pay some of his salary.
2008-07-31 19:01:39
83.   Tripon
Beltre still has that no trade clause.
2008-07-31 19:02:01
84.   trainwreck
77
Did you get to see the Sith Lord, Al Davis? Hopefully he didn't treat you like Hunter S. Thompson.
2008-07-31 19:03:11
85.   GoBears
77 Hey Molly - anything going on at Packers Camp? Just wondering.
2008-07-31 19:03:42
86.   natepurcell
80

Yea, but its his contract year and Beltre is gunna go gangbusters again.

Something like

C Martin
1b Loney
2b Dewitt
ss Furcal (one year to re-up his value)
3b Beltre
LF ManRam
CF Jones
LF Kemp

Ethier+McDonald for Beltre.
Pierre is again, world's most expensive 4th outfielder.

2008-07-31 19:04:44
87.   MollyKnight
75- That was me in Seattle the night we almost came back to beat the Giants. Monday? I think.

(Hooray! They just said Ethier's name right on ESPN).

2008-07-31 19:05:37
88.   raygu
Question: is Furcal expected to be back in September, or is that just wishful thinking? I thought I read it somewhere recently, and then Jon mentioned is one of his posts today.
tks

Ray

2008-07-31 19:06:28
89.   Sam DC
57 Too bad Colletti missed on that Pete Orr deal with the Nationals we were all wondering about.

Either Orr Orr.

2008-07-31 19:07:27
90.   sporky
88 Hope is a thing with feathers.
2008-07-31 19:09:06
91.   Eric Stephen
Kurkjian just said he thinks the Dodgers will play Manny, Kemp, and Ethier all the time the rest of the year.
2008-07-31 19:10:57
92.   D4P
Ball one is called strike one, and we're underway.
2008-07-31 19:11:01
93.   MollyKnight
Didn't see Al Davis, but did interview JaMarcus Russell. I was not prepared for how large he is. He seriously looks like a defensive end. I have no idea how anyone has a prayer of tackling him.

And thank God I'm not at Packers camp. Those players must be in an awesome mood.

2008-07-31 19:13:46
94.   Tripon
Why is Short Chris Young in the 2nd spot? He's horrible this year, its like batting Juan Pierre 2nd.
2008-07-31 19:14:49
95.   trainwreck
90
We can't call people without wings angels so call them friends.
2008-07-31 19:14:50
96.   Bob Hendley
Andre's sick? What is it, feed a flu starve a fever?
2008-07-31 19:14:55
97.   nofatmike
55 "but if it does happen Bristol Connecticut will explode and cease to exist."

Well one can only hope.

2008-07-31 19:15:25
98.   trainwreck
I just wanted to throw in another TPB reference.
2008-07-31 19:16:06
99.   Eric Stephen
94
I wish Juan Pierre was as good as either Chris Young.
2008-07-31 19:16:15
100.   Tripon
ESPN is building a new head quarters in downtown L.A. anyway, so they would be due for a move.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-07-31 19:16:27
101.   Bob Timmermann
90
I have a cute backstory about that, but I will only tell people about it at the picnic.
2008-07-31 19:18:06
102.   sporky
101 I need a picnic-proxy.
2008-07-31 19:18:29
103.   Jacob L
Lets go after some Brandon Webb with our crummy lineup!
2008-07-31 19:19:44
104.   bablue
Even if Manny declines arb, it wouldn't be that bad to resign him to say a 3 year deal, would it? He's still a great player and maybe other teams would be wary of going after him because of the problems he had with Boston.

Either way, I love this trade provided we at least offer him arbitration.

2008-07-31 19:19:47
105.   MonkeyBlue
Pierre does not stay long at the plate.
2008-07-31 19:20:02
106.   Bob Timmermann
Some people are very disappointed that Vin was using a different meaning of the verb in the sentence in "Pierre is snuffed out."
2008-07-31 19:20:41
107.   Tripon
Pierre needs to relearn the art of the lead off man.
2008-07-31 19:21:13
108.   Tripon
THATS OUR LEAD OFF MAN.
2008-07-31 19:21:15
109.   Eric Stephen
Bison Speed!™
2008-07-31 19:21:22
110.   MonkeyBlue
Bison forced that errand throw!
2008-07-31 19:21:33
111.   sporky
Starting tomorrow, Kemp will lead off. Forever.
2008-07-31 19:21:49
112.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
94 - As a resident of Phoenix, I can declare with some authority (i.e., I watch D-backs games) that Bob Melvin does weird things.
Like batting CY second. And having Mark Reynolds bunt.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200807260.shtml
2008-07-31 19:22:01
113.   Eric Stephen
Congratulations on stealing second, Matt.

Russ will drive you in soon enough.

2008-07-31 19:22:12
114.   D4P
It's probably not a good sign when Juan Pierre has the 5th highest OPS in your lineup.
2008-07-31 19:22:51
115.   Andrew Shimmin
Nobody's mentioned (or I missed it, if someone did) that because Withrow was involved, Manny is now a product of JtD. Which may mean his time here is cursed.
2008-07-31 19:22:54
116.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
110 - "You're an errand boy... sent by the corner grocery..."
2008-07-31 19:23:06
117.   micktissue
"When you get Kemp, you get the whole store."

Don't you just love Vin?

2008-07-31 19:23:30
118.   Jacob L
Well, if Pierre is, in fact, out of the starting lineup for the remainder of the year, then we've only got the next 3 years to worry about.
2008-07-31 19:23:55
119.   MonkeyBlue
You do not need to run every time you're on base Kemp.
2008-07-31 19:23:58
120.   Eric Stephen
Kemp was safe.
2008-07-31 19:24:17
121.   Michael D
I think the good thing about this that it solidifies Kemp as an everyday outfielder. If we were going to trade him we would have by now. It's good to see that at least the organization realizes how good he is.
2008-07-31 19:24:32
122.   D4P
Bison Spe...

D'oh.

2008-07-31 19:24:35
123.   Icaros
High tag. He just got in there.
2008-07-31 19:24:42
124.   overkill94
120 Another instance of it "looking" like Kemp was out but the tag wasn't made in time. Oh well.
2008-07-31 19:24:44
125.   micktissue
Make that 20 out of 25 ...
2008-07-31 19:24:50
126.   trainwreck
115
Withrow?
2008-07-31 19:26:03
127.   Bob Timmermann
Lost amidst the hullabaloo over Manny Ramirez today was Dave Smith of Retrosheet's research on the last time prior to last night that a shutout win ended on a tag out at the plate.

It was in 2002.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200208150.shtml

I'm sure many remember that game.

From 1954 to the present, there were 12 shutouts that ended with a tagout at home.

2008-07-31 19:26:46
128.   Andrew Shimmin
126- Sometimes I'm an idiot.

Unsubscribe.

2008-07-31 19:27:53
129.   D4P
127
Billy Joel says "That hasn't happened for the longest time."
2008-07-31 19:28:21
130.   Eric Stephen
128
Did you just unsubscribe from yourself, or to trainwreck for pointing out your egregious error?
2008-07-31 19:29:10
131.   Andrew Shimmin
130- Myself. It's not his fault I'm an idiot.
2008-07-31 19:30:33
132.   Andrew Shimmin
Morris was compensation for losing Jeff Weaver. Also compensation for losing Jeff Weaver: losing Jeff Weaver.
2008-07-31 19:30:51
133.   Eric Stephen
131
Much like the endlessness of space, I can't wrap my mind around that.
2008-07-31 19:30:54
134.   Icaros
131

You could've blamed it on Neal Pollack, if you weren't an idiot.

2008-07-31 19:31:33
135.   Tripon
Lowe's dealing today.
2008-07-31 19:31:53
136.   D4P
I guess the "Billy Joel says" thing just isn't gonna catch on. Maybe Jon could try "Becker says" next.
2008-07-31 19:32:40
137.   Tripon
132 You forgot about the part where the Angels signed him for $9 million dollars, and then cut him so they could bring up his younger brother up from the minors.(Or keep him around, whichever way it went.) That was awesome.
2008-07-31 19:35:27
138.   overkill94
136 I fell asleep on the couch with the TV on the other night and what was I awakened by at 6 in the morning?

Becker.

I think that was the only time I'd ever been exposed to that show. My review is - groggy with a touch of hangover.

2008-07-31 19:35:35
139.   Eric Stephen
132
That means Manny is indirectly yet another benefit the Dodgers have received from the Kevin Brown contract. Woo hoo!
2008-07-31 19:39:04
140.   MonkeyBlue
Andruw is so weak.
2008-07-31 19:40:28
141.   overkill94
We need to start a new game - six degrees to Pedro Guerrero
2008-07-31 19:42:24
142.   Eric Stephen
141
Speaking of which, a commenter on Tony Jackson's blog said Manny will wear #28, Guerrero's old number.
2008-07-31 19:43:11
143.   scareduck
Vinny has yet to mention that Manny's batty as a bedbug.
2008-07-31 19:46:28
144.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
YEAH!
2008-07-31 19:46:48
145.   overkill94
Everyone must be tired from all the commenting throughout the day - it's a bit quiet in here.
2008-07-31 19:47:04
146.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
143 - Details...
2008-07-31 19:47:16
147.   scareduck
Nice lineout DP. That's just luck, though it bodes poorly for Lowe, who needs to make his living on the ground.
2008-07-31 19:47:18
148.   Eric Stephen
That "db" on the left sleeve of the Arizona uniform is troubling in that looks like some sort of weak copy of the Greatest American Hero logo at worst, and a bad attempt at an Expos style logo (used to think it said "elb") at best.
2008-07-31 19:47:33
149.   Bflo Dodger Fan
that blake fellow, i like the cut of his jib.
2008-07-31 19:47:57
150.   StolenMonkey86
Ok, maybe I missed something because I was at work all day, but do we lose the two 20 million option years for Ramirez?

And for that matter, what did JD Drew say to Manny Ramirez about going to LA?

Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-07-31 19:48:59
151.   scareduck
141 - http://www.baseball-reference.com/oracle/link.cgi?n1=5569&n2=11623


Pedro Guerrero played with Candy Maldonado for the 1982 Los Angeles Dodgers


Candy Maldonado played with Manny Ramirez for the 1993 Cleveland Indians

2008-07-31 19:49:17
152.   KG16
So, I've been without the intertubes for most of the day. Did I miss anything?
2008-07-31 19:49:39
153.   Eric Stephen
I have had a confirmation from DT correspondent bhsportsguy, on location at Dodger Stadium, that it was announced in the park that Manny Ramirez will wear #28 with the Dodgers.
2008-07-31 19:50:07
154.   Bflo Dodger Fan
at least you went down swinging, angel.
2008-07-31 19:50:25
155.   Eric Stephen
151
Excellent!
2008-07-31 19:50:35
156.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
150 - Yes, but we don't want 'em.
2008-07-31 19:51:27
157.   MMSMikey
can we mix in a base hit?
2008-07-31 19:52:26
158.   StolenMonkey86
156 - If we're paying 18 million for Andruw, though, that's a bargain.

Ned Colletti had really done a lot to destroy the value of the word bargain.

2008-07-31 19:52:43
159.   trainwreck
153
Jack & Co. know all the information before us.
2008-07-31 19:53:06
160.   Bob Hendley
Jeez, with this line-up and Webb on the mound the post should have been "Steel Yourself for this Game".
2008-07-31 19:53:14
161.   Bob Timmermann
The Expos logo was an E M B for Expos Montreal Baseball.
2008-07-31 19:53:16
162.   overkill94
151 Well that was easy. Maybe we need to kick it back a couple decades.
2008-07-31 19:53:24
163.   Bluebleeder87
Hey Icaros what's your take on the trade man...
2008-07-31 19:54:03
164.   Bluebleeder87
McCourt knows when to be on the toob.
2008-07-31 19:54:11
165.   MMSMikey
we know what hes throwing we need to start making adjustments.
2008-07-31 19:54:12
166.   Eric Stephen
161
To paraphrase Johnny Carson, "I did not know that."

Thanks.

2008-07-31 19:54:19
167.   Groucho Marx
per Scott Boras on ESPN radio today - Dodgers do not get the options for Manny. he'll be a free agent at end of year...
2008-07-31 19:54:45
168.   overkill94
161 http://www.mickeysplace.com/images/hcmon91.jpg

How is that an M? Was it in French?

2008-07-31 19:55:04
169.   Eric Stephen
OK, now its Ozuna's turn for a line drive out.
2008-07-31 19:55:16
170.   Tripon
Two years ago, an Andruw Jones and Manny Ramirez outfield would make people go gaga. Now it makes people go guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.
2008-07-31 19:55:36
171.   underdog
When I was a kid I'd thought that Expos logo said "Elb" - had to have a family friend who was from Montreal point out to me that it was a multicolored "M" in cursive. Always thought that was weird.
2008-07-31 19:56:06
172.   Bob Timmermann
168
The whole image was an M. The E and B were parts of the M.
2008-07-31 19:56:43
173.   Tripon
McCourt is doing an real time interview with Vin Scully.
2008-07-31 19:57:30
174.   Bob Timmermann
I once thought that the Expos logo was C L B for Charles L. Bronfman.

Some Canadian friends of mine had a good laugh about that.

2008-07-31 19:57:32
175.   Tripon
And McCourt is trying to spin that not paying Manny money, and instead sending out good prospects is a great thing. Never mind it brings up questions that he's broke.
2008-07-31 19:58:38
176.   Andrew Shimmin
I thought it was ELB, too, when I was a kid. Figured it was something French.
2008-07-31 19:58:46
177.   micktissue
173 Tidbits of that interview are appreciated by mlb.com listeners, if you have the inclination to do some brief transcribing, no pun intended ...
2008-07-31 19:59:20
178.   Eric Stephen
If there was ever a kid that deserved to be beaten by his peers, its the "I'm the greatest hitter in the world" kid from the commercial.
2008-07-31 19:59:21
179.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
175 - The cash flow issue, has that been reported anywhere?
Reported - as in, not passing along rumors?
2008-07-31 19:59:29
180.   Bob Timmermann
175
So you took a look at his books today? Or did you use one of your army of forensic accountants?

There is an alternative to the idea that McCourt is broke. It could be that he wants to make more money. He wants to get equity partners for the team. People like to invest in things that make money.

2008-07-31 19:59:30
181.   Bluebleeder87
175

took the words right out of my mought TP.

in all honesty though, I really hope that isn't true...

2008-07-31 19:59:36
182.   underdog
167 Say the secret word and win a prize!
2008-07-31 19:59:46
183.   trainwreck
I think this game is going to end in a 0-0 tie.
2008-07-31 20:00:12
184.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
A rabbit's loose!
2008-07-31 20:00:17
185.   Andrew Shimmin
Do you think Vin's doing this on purpose? McCourt can't like talking about the money over and over.
2008-07-31 20:00:40
186.   Bluebleeder87
it sounds like McCourt is REALLY REALLY happy with NedCo & company.
2008-07-31 20:00:58
187.   MonkeyBlue
Gotta to score in this inning.
2008-07-31 20:01:07
188.   Eric Stephen
183
How can it be scoreless when Kemp's run makes it 2-0 this inning?
2008-07-31 20:01:08
189.   Tripon
Still spinning about other teams wanting Dodgers prospects, and using that instead of money to pay player salaries. Talk about Manny now how he'll be a great fit, but Torre wants the DH in the NL now.

Meanwhile, Pierre actually gets an hit, and Vin and McCourt totally ignore it.

2008-07-31 20:01:17
190.   OhioBlues12
Wow! McCourt just said the deal was a win/win/win.
2008-07-31 20:01:38
191.   Eric Stephen
188
I am a liar.
2008-07-31 20:01:46
192.   das411
So when do we ask Bob how the last trade the Dodgers made for a 500 HR Club'er turned out?

....after we read the final chapters of this incarnation of The Dugout? :(

2008-07-31 20:01:50
193.   Andrew Shimmin
Kemp must have been watching ESPN, and forgotten that he's not Loney.
2008-07-31 20:01:51
194.   MonkeyBlue
Sigh...
2008-07-31 20:01:56
195.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Nuts.
Btw, Steiner just said McCourt will be joining the radio crew next inning.
2008-07-31 20:02:34
196.   micktissue
No kidding, aside for myself and few others, this site has got to attract the most erudite minds out there or, as Sil Coccia once said while wearing his shades in a darkened Las Vegas casino, "Not to mention well educated."
2008-07-31 20:03:45
197.   Eric Stephen
193
The flip side of that is Loney thinks he's Matt Kemp! Look out for a bomb instead of a triple here.
2008-07-31 20:03:54
198.   underdog
191 Would you stop jinxing the Bison! :-P
2008-07-31 20:04:00
199.   max power
183 I'm afraid you might be half right.
2008-07-31 20:04:05
200.   Bluebleeder87
I wonder if the Dodger Orginization gets some mula from the "World Baseball Classic"
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-07-31 20:04:07
201.   overkill94
172 Whoever made that design should be shot

The Brewers' logo being not only a glove but also the letters M B - now that's clever

2008-07-31 20:04:07
202.   Bob Timmermann
192
Two words...

Brian

Johnson

2008-07-31 20:05:23
203.   MonkeyBlue
Good eye for Loney.
2008-07-31 20:05:44
204.   Tripon
Clubhouse is great, yadda, yadda, yadda. Grinding it out, pitching is great. We wanted to help the club, and that's it.

180 Making money off a professional team? Isn't the usual modus operandi to use it as loss leader, and for tax breaks? Even the Yankees last year lost money. While McCourt may not be broke, he's not the richest guy in the Ol' Boys Club.

2008-07-31 20:05:54
205.   Bob Timmermann
200
I would assume the Dodgers get to keep all the parking and concessions sold at the park during the WBC.
2008-07-31 20:05:58
206.   Bluebleeder87
183

Loney will be the difference maker, mark it down.

2008-07-31 20:06:37
207.   overkill94
190 He must have the same HR manual that Michael Scott uses
2008-07-31 20:06:47
208.   Eric Stephen
The Dodgers' 2nd acquisition of Eddie Murray is like Caddyshack II. It never happened. You hear me? Never!
2008-07-31 20:07:07
209.   overkill94
Intentional walk to get to Andruw?
2008-07-31 20:08:11
210.   Bob Timmermann
204
The Yankees would only have shown a loss because the accountants made it so.

I would be very surprised if the Dodgers did not turn a very healthy profit. However, it's not enough of a profit to satisfy the McCourts.

What would the McCourt being trying to attract by operating the Dodgers at a loss?

2008-07-31 20:08:18
211.   Tripon
Eesh, Casey Blake.
2008-07-31 20:08:36
212.   whodat807
What's everybody's opinion of the WBC? I went to the Korea-Japan game at Angels Stadium last time, and I loved it. There was chanting, singing, flag waving... it was like no other baseball game I've ever been to.
2008-07-31 20:08:36
213.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
209 - Not necessary, sadly.
2008-07-31 20:08:39
214.   Andrew Shimmin
Brandon Webb is pretty good at baseball.
2008-07-31 20:08:40
215.   Eric Stephen
204
From a realistic standpoint, there's a 0% chance the Yankees lost money last year.

They may have from an accounting standpoint, in that they funneled the profits through the YES Network, which they also own.

2008-07-31 20:08:40
216.   MonkeyBlue
Is going to be awhile for Casey to get use too a guy like Webb.
2008-07-31 20:09:45
217.   Bob Timmermann
The Red Sox own their own network too. I believe it's called NESCashCow.
2008-07-31 20:09:58
218.   Andrew Shimmin
210- Maybe they're a front for the mob. Tell me the Juan Pierre contract doesn't make more sense if it was really just a money laundering operation.
2008-07-31 20:11:03
219.   Eric Stephen
Mel hit 511 HR, Vin. Not 514.

I'll blame that on a typo though.

2008-07-31 20:11:16
220.   Bluebleeder87
I hope D-Lowe returns the favor to B-Webb.
2008-07-31 20:12:22
221.   Tripon
Eh, you guys are probably right.
2008-07-31 20:12:42
222.   micktissue
McCourt is with Steiner and Lyons now and not an original idea between them.
2008-07-31 20:13:09
223.   Tripon
218 JP's contract? Andruw Jones' contract must have somebody kneecaps broken.
2008-07-31 20:13:14
224.   underdog
God, I love Vin. Did I ever mention that?

Blake and Reynolds, two ships in the night tonight... lovely.

2008-07-31 20:13:31
225.   das411
208 , that's why I was referring to the 500 HRer who also had quite the connection with the Montreal Elbs, don't you remember, whats his name...a little help anybody?

(Two Dodger-centric Dugouts in the last 12 hours or so, wow you guys are already getting attention from all the right people!)

2008-07-31 20:14:24
226.   Eric Stephen
To be fair to Vin, Mel Ott did hit 4 World Series jacks, giving him 515 total. Maybe Vin refuses to recognize one of Ott's HRs on some principle, much like he never says anything when the Best Damn Sports Show promos used to come on screen.

Yep, that must be it.

2008-07-31 20:14:25
227.   micktissue
224 sigh
2008-07-31 20:17:38
228.   Bob Timmermann
221
Eric and I beat another person into submission.

A job well done.

We're available for birthdays and bat mitzvahs.

2008-07-31 20:18:50
229.   Eric Stephen
228
At the DT picnic, we should have a pinata with Cody Ross's picture on it.
2008-07-31 20:18:51
230.   underdog
If I'd Tivo'd this game this would be the part that I'd fast forward through each time.
2008-07-31 20:22:22
231.   Bob Hendley
230 - Try it. I think in fast forward, Ozuna beats Webb to the bag.
2008-07-31 20:22:43
232.   Bluebleeder87
So Manny Ramirez will wear 28 instead of 24... I was wondering when he was gonna play & Vinnie just said Tomorrow, I'll most likely be there Sat.

I'm getting very very excited.

2008-07-31 20:23:35
233.   Eric Stephen
Could the roster move to make room for Manny be as simple as Nomar to the DL? With Manny, the club might be able to get by with Berrozuna for another week or so.
2008-07-31 20:24:20
234.   Eric Stephen
Did Kemp hurt himself running for that ball?
2008-07-31 20:25:39
235.   Bluebleeder87
I'm thinking either Loney or Martin will be the difference makers today.

Martin hit a rope to RF.

2008-07-31 20:25:50
236.   Bob Timmermann
234
No, he just stopped running when the ball bounced into the stands.
2008-07-31 20:26:04
237.   underdog
231 That's the Nostradamus edition of the Tivo console; I don't have that one.

I did love watching the Giants games this week on TV for a chance (usually I'm on MLBTV) and being able to pause it to take a break and then FF through ads and Mike Krukow whining about the Fred Lewis bobble call for the 100th time.

2008-07-31 20:26:50
238.   MonkeyBlue
I love Lowe!
2008-07-31 20:26:57
239.   Bluebleeder87
Look what I got type play...
2008-07-31 20:27:31
240.   overkill94
Time to put one in Drew's ear just so he has something to think about next time he faces Lowe.
2008-07-31 20:27:32
241.   underdog
Sweet play, Derek!

What is that, 29 straight scoreless innings?

2008-07-31 20:27:43
242.   whodat807
Derek Lowe is doing it all today.
2008-07-31 20:29:51
243.   Andrew Shimmin
I don't know whether maple bats should be banned, but I can't think of a reason Derek Lowe should be using one.
2008-07-31 20:30:13
244.   MonkeyBlue
Stop trying to bunt Pierre! the plan is to bunt when they least expect!
2008-07-31 20:31:10
245.   MollyKnight
Just looked up to see it's 0-0 in the 6th. Yowww!
2008-07-31 20:31:12
246.   Eric Stephen
241
Yep. 29 straight.

The Dodgers had 25 straight scoreless innings in June, and also 32 of 33 scoreless innings (1 run against the Angels).

The Dodgers themselves went 24 innings without scoring earlier in June.

2008-07-31 20:31:55
247.   Eric Stephen
My prediction for Kemp:

[Kareem stuffs towel into my mouth]

2008-07-31 20:32:21
248.   MollyKnight
I think I asked this in the other thread but the answer is now lost in 108329432 comments about ManRam-Day: when is the DT picnic?
2008-07-31 20:32:49
249.   Bob Hendley
241 - Given all these recent shutouts, are there any records being approached?
2008-07-31 20:32:56
250.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
OH! PERFECT!
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-07-31 20:32:59
251.   MonkeyBlue
BISON POWER!!! nice hit and run!!!!
2008-07-31 20:33:04
252.   overkill94
Matt Kemp is a BALLPLAYER
2008-07-31 20:33:27
253.   Eric Stephen
248
Molly, August 16. Elysian Park 11:30am.
2008-07-31 20:33:50
254.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Manny-Kemp-Three men for one spot
2008-07-31 20:33:54
255.   overkill94
248 August 16th
2008-07-31 20:34:31
256.   underdog
Derek Webb? Oh well, you're still the best, Vin!

That was a perfect hit and run by the Bison!

2008-07-31 20:35:37
257.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
WOOOOO!
2008-07-31 20:35:44
258.   Eric Stephen
Whew, that was close.

There's your run, Derek!

2008-07-31 20:35:57
259.   MonkeyBlue
Strange! but I'll take it!
2008-07-31 20:35:59
260.   overkill94
Wow, Russell almost choked the RBI opportunity again. Yahoo for the game of inches!
2008-07-31 20:36:11
261.   Andrew Shimmin
What was Kemp doing?
2008-07-31 20:36:12
262.   Tripon
Thats how you bring in a RBI!
2008-07-31 20:36:32
263.   Bob Timmermann
Are girls allowed at the picnic?

If so, I have to get permission from my mom. She would need to know that are chaperones.

2008-07-31 20:36:40
264.   underdog
That was weird. And we'll take it.

Two broken bats per inning, that's the Dodgers new goal for every game. Actually most teams are probably approaching that these days.

2008-07-31 20:36:47
265.   bablue
Great job by Kemp on the hit and run!

Oh, well that was lucky, HUGE break rihgt there!!!! Not really good baserunning by Kemp, but it worked!

2008-07-31 20:37:05
266.   overkill94
Has anyone pondered the possibility that La Roche demanded a trade out of LA following Tuesday's earthquake?
2008-07-31 20:37:08
267.   trainwreck
The Nationals are releasing Felipe Lopez and Paul "The Supplier" Lo Duca.
2008-07-31 20:37:51
268.   Icaros
163

Bluebleeder,

I like the trade if the outfield is Manny-Kemp-Ethier. In fact, that excites me.

If Jones or Pierre starts on anything remotely approaching a regular basis, then I think it isn't worth it. I don't think any team where Juan Pierre plays everyday and leads off is worth mortgaging the future for, which is why I've been so resistant to other deals like Casey Blake.

And yes, I have heard of the 2003 Marlins, but Pierre isn't anywhere near the player he was then, and even then he was just good enough.

2008-07-31 20:38:17
269.   underdog
263 Don't even tell your mom about it. Just lock the door to your basement and leave that Ferris Bueller-ish audio tape of you sounding sick, or maybe of you typing on the keypad, leave that running while you sneak out.
2008-07-31 20:38:17
270.   MonkeyBlue
Damn! tough break for Loney!
2008-07-31 20:38:42
271.   Eric Stephen
That Torre Bigelow commercial had the feel of one of those Carson/McMahon Tonight Show ad libs.
2008-07-31 20:38:42
272.   KG16
254 - there is only one reason I can think of that there should be any doubt as to who the third everyday outfielder should be: payroll.

Defensively you can't have Pierre and Rameriz out there. Offensively, you can't have Jones.

2008-07-31 20:38:47
273.   Bob Timmermann
So Joe Torre can't say, "Bigelow has been my green tea of choice since I got prostate cancer?"

I suppose the FDA wouldn't like that.

2008-07-31 20:38:48
274.   overkill94
265 If Kemp stays close to the bag then it's probably a double play though - and the run wouldn't have scored.
2008-07-31 20:39:20
275.   MollyKnight
Darn. I was thinking it might be this weekend, in which case I could go. I hope I'm unable to attend on August 16, because my being able to attend means I will be out on the road again. And I've only slept in my bed three nights since June 25.
2008-07-31 20:39:48
276.   underdog
And then of course Loney's smash hit is caught. Such is baseball!

268 Good enough for a ring! A ring in a b... Oh, never mind.

2008-07-31 20:40:00
277.   KG16
261 - trying to stay out of the double play. Looked like Hudson (or whoever that is at second) could have caught that on the fly.
2008-07-31 20:40:40
278.   MonkeyBlue
Crap!
2008-07-31 20:40:59
279.   Tripon
Yikes. That was a statue play for Casey Blake.
2008-07-31 20:41:38
280.   underdog
Darn!

What, you mean a 1-0 lead isn't safe?

2008-07-31 20:41:49
281.   Eric Stephen
That was surprisingly close at 2nd.
2008-07-31 20:42:16
282.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
If that throw is 2 feet lower, CoJax is out.
2008-07-31 20:42:21
283.   Eric Stephen
Infield in time.
2008-07-31 20:42:48
284.   overkill94
At least Mark "strikeout machine" Reynolds is up. It'll either be 2-1 or stay 1-0 after this at-bat.
2008-07-31 20:42:53
285.   underdog
279 Looked like an almost impossible play for anyone to make unless they were playing right near the line, not sure how he could've gotten that...
2008-07-31 20:43:35
286.   Eric Stephen
284
Liar.
2008-07-31 20:43:38
287.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Krep.
2008-07-31 20:43:56
288.   overkill94
279 I don't think any third baseman could've snagged that one.
2008-07-31 20:44:26
289.   Eric Stephen
I think Lowe is expressing his mild distaste at not acquiring Maddux by imitating Greg's no undershirt policy.
2008-07-31 20:44:26
290.   underdog
284 - Or something in between. :-(
2008-07-31 20:44:48
291.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
No. No, no, no.
2008-07-31 20:45:15
293.   bablue
Huge disappointment after the last half inning...
2008-07-31 20:45:18
294.   Icaros
Game.
2008-07-31 20:45:19
295.   Andrew Shimmin
He was right about the score, just wrong about which AB.
2008-07-31 20:45:37
296.   overkill94
Well, we almost stole this game
2008-07-31 20:46:25
297.   underdog
Wow, he really just lost it all of a sudden, didn't he? I like the quick hook for Kuo here, though.
2008-07-31 20:46:28
298.   Eric Stephen
294
Webb left with a 4-1 lead last game against LA. This one is a piece of cake.
2008-07-31 20:47:03
299.   Bob Timmermann
I deleted my own comment in 292 because I realized it was really untactfully phrased.
2008-07-31 20:47:05
300.   Louis in SF
271

That is a great call very much like the Tonight Show stuff

Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-07-31 20:47:05
301.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Our bullpen is better than their bullpen.
If Webb is pinch-hit for here, I like our chances.
2008-07-31 20:47:33
302.   KG16
this thing is far from over. just need to get to the pen before the 8th inning.
2008-07-31 20:47:48
303.   JoeyP
I hate the bat Lowe in the 6th, and pull him in the 7th stuff.
2008-07-31 20:47:59
304.   fanerman
299 You can do that?
2008-07-31 20:48:21
305.   Eric Stephen
299
It was pretty funny though.
2008-07-31 20:48:45
306.   Bob Hendley
288 - {hmmmph}
2008-07-31 20:49:17
307.   KG16
how was that not a double play?
2008-07-31 20:49:40
308.   Eric Stephen
303
I think the plan was to have Lowe pitch through the 7th. It's not like he was pulled after 1 batter. He gave up 3 hits, including 2 doubles.
2008-07-31 20:49:41
309.   Andrew Shimmin
299- If you wanted to, could you delete every comment D4P has ever left?

What would you charge for that?

2008-07-31 20:49:44
310.   trainwreck
Take out the trash and I miss Bob censoring himself.
2008-07-31 20:50:28
311.   Eric Stephen
307
I don't think that was hit hard enough to turn two even if fielded cleanly.
2008-07-31 20:50:31
312.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
310 - If Bob censors himself too often, he'll go blind.
2008-07-31 20:50:39
313.   Icaros
303

I don't think we have anyone to PH tonight anyway.

2008-07-31 20:51:25
314.   overkill94
Have loose morals jokes gone the way of the emoticon around here?
2008-07-31 20:52:18
315.   Icaros
314

:-(

2008-07-31 20:53:07
316.   MonkeyBlue
Kuo is so damn good.
2008-07-31 20:53:08
317.   KG16
311 - it was two steps from the bag, it should have been 4-3, or at least a force at second.

But the point is now moot

2008-07-31 20:54:16
318.   Icaros
The most unstoppable pitcher made in Taiwan.
2008-07-31 20:54:22
319.   MMSMikey
the dodgers should have been playing no doubles in the 7th inning with a 1-0 lead, blake should have been protecting the line. he was way off. now in a game we had a chance to steal we are losing.
2008-07-31 20:54:32
320.   trainwreck
We need to win this or Manny Ramirez's one game improvement won't make a difference.
2008-07-31 20:54:37
321.   thinkblue88
GKuo matches his high in IP.
2008-07-31 20:54:43
322.   Jon Weisman
303 - I'm sure the plan was to have him go two innings. He was cruising. Plus, have you seen the Dodger bench?
2008-07-31 20:55:26
323.   Louis in SF
Kuo is amazing, Nomar can hit off the bench and even though he had a touch of something like flu, Scully seems to think Ethier maybe able to pinch hit.
2008-07-31 20:55:30
324.   underdog
313 They could've pinch hit "Bat Flip" Kuo in the previous inning. ;-)

But honestly, Lowe was so on, his pitch count was still okay, and didn't look tired at all before that last inning, and then the wheels came off. I can understand why they left him in.

Anyway, yeah, if Ethier and Kent are not available to PH the bench is pretty weak tonight.

2008-07-31 20:55:42
325.   thinkblue88
Also a new career high in K's.
2008-07-31 20:55:51
326.   Bob Hendley
OK. Steel yourself for this half inning.
2008-07-31 20:57:25
327.   underdog
I'm just Mr Slow Net Connection/Type Too Many Words Poster tonight.
2008-07-31 20:57:53
328.   thinkblue88
I hate to be so negative, but that was pathetic.
2008-07-31 20:57:57
329.   Eric Stephen
The Pirates story on the trade has this Gurnickian quote regarding our Old Friend:

"The problem is that LaRoche hasn't been able to master hitting at the Major League level. He got the opportunity to play almost every day through the end of June and July and was unable to produce, hitting .203 in 59 at-bats"

2008-07-31 20:57:57
330.   underdog
Back to the bench with ye, Sir Andruw.
2008-07-31 20:58:22
331.   trainwreck
Sweet, now we got three position players with sub .200 batting averages.
2008-07-31 20:58:34
332.   MMSMikey
jones better not start another game the rest of the year now. that was PATHETIC.
2008-07-31 20:58:41
333.   bablue
Great, we can't even take some pitches, so now Webb is probably going to go all 9. Oh, and what a terrible at-bat by Andruw. He better not start anymore in the new outfield.
2008-07-31 20:58:53
334.   whodat807
This lineup is producing as advertised.
2008-07-31 20:59:02
335.   Bob Hendley
Boy, that was fast.
2008-07-31 20:59:44
336.   underdog
329 It's weird because the Yahoo reporter on the story basically used the same exact words on LaRoche ("unable to master ML hitting yet" or something like that). It's like they all got the same negative press release or something.
2008-07-31 21:00:22
337.   Bluebleeder87
We need to get Webb out of the game man!
2008-07-31 21:00:42
338.   underdog
That was indeed pathetic but the only thing I'll say in their defense is that Webb is one of the best pitchers in baseball and when he's on almost no one can hit him.
2008-07-31 21:00:55
339.   Gen3Blue
Entering the black hole.
Manny will make any batting order better, unless its crippled to begin with.
2008-07-31 21:01:57
340.   KG16
336 - probably all using the same wire service, which was probably written based on a press release that included his numbers for the season and a mention of the fact that he got to start a few games recently.

Poor editing, no doubt.

2008-07-31 21:01:58
341.   Eric Stephen
336
I'm almost numb to the "hasn't been able to produce" line, but for a reporter to say he played almost every day is just false.

In 30 games from June 20 to the Casey Blake acquisition, LaRoche started 13 (less than half!) and had 61 PA. That's not close to every day.

2008-07-31 21:02:32
342.   MMSMikey
why does webb ALWAYS have to be ON against the dodgers? why cant we catch him on an off night?
2008-07-31 21:03:10
343.   Andrew Shimmin
341- And none of the press accounts even bring up how Withrow was part of the deal!
2008-07-31 21:03:36
344.   Brent Knapp
The Wisconsin State Journal and ESPN reported that Favre was considering a 10-year, $20 million marketing and licensing deal offer from the Packers.

2 Million a year to stay retired?

Could this thing get any weirder?

2008-07-31 21:04:08
345.   Eric Stephen
343
To be fair, I've never seen Withrow and "Avery" Morris in the same room at the same time, so you've got that going for you.
2008-07-31 21:04:32
346.   underdog
Manny vs. Randy Johnson:

AVG: .244 OBP: .346 OPS: .991
5 HRs as Vin just noted.

Expect some K's, too.

2008-07-31 21:04:36
347.   Bluebleeder87
Ozuna, [the pitchers spot] & Pierre

oh joy.

2008-07-31 21:05:06
348.   KG16
Ozuna, Pitcher's Spot, Pierre.

It's kind of sad that I'm most optimistic about the second hitter in the inning, and that's only if it's Kuo.

2008-07-31 21:05:19
349.   Eric Stephen
344
If Favre was on the roster, they'd owe him $12m anyway, so they are just spreading it out over time.

But of course they could just trade him.

2008-07-31 21:05:43
350.   Andrew Shimmin
345- I'd say they all look alike to me, but I'm not sure Morris is white.
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2008-07-31 21:05:47
351.   MonkeyBlue
Kuo = whole lottta awesome.
2008-07-31 21:05:56
352.   Bob Timmermann
I believe every authorized Toaster writer can delete a comment.

I should have used my guideline of "If you have to think of a way to phrase something so it doesn't sound offensive, you should just not bother saying it at all."

2008-07-31 21:06:35
353.   underdog
340 Yah. And as one who deals with reporters a fair amount in my job and my g/f much more so, we can both attest that they are generally a lazy lot, and the more the story is already written for them the better. (Sorry to offend anyone here who is a reporter... but...)
2008-07-31 21:06:41
354.   KG16
if Andre gets on, I'd hit Kuo instead of Sweeney.
2008-07-31 21:07:19
355.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Ethier's tummy must feel better.
2008-07-31 21:07:44
356.   MonkeyBlue
Ethier good! Andruw BAD!
2008-07-31 21:08:22
357.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
356 = Joe! Wake up! Smell coffee!
2008-07-31 21:08:26
358.   underdog
Flu this! says Andre.

Wait, who plays 2nd now? Is Kent able?

2008-07-31 21:08:28
359.   bablue
Andre!!! C'mon guys, we can win!!!!

(sees Sweeney come up, closes eyes, cries)

Nevermmind...

2008-07-31 21:09:04
360.   Bob Hendley
So what's Andre hitting against Webb now?
2008-07-31 21:09:28
361.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
YEAH!
2008-07-31 21:09:38
362.   Bluebleeder87
OMG!!
2008-07-31 21:09:40
363.   MonkeyBlue
Sweeney got his grove back!
2008-07-31 21:09:49
364.   KG16
could it be that Sweeney is regressing to the mean in a good way?
2008-07-31 21:09:50
365.   Eric Stephen
Sweeney prOPS up the Dodger bench!
2008-07-31 21:10:09
366.   Bluebleeder87
I just looked out side & it is not raining.
2008-07-31 21:10:22
367.   LeeLacy
Sweeney=Hitting Machine!
2008-07-31 21:10:22
368.   bablue
Clutch!!!!! (And making me look bad) :)
2008-07-31 21:10:23
369.   Bob Timmermann
LaRoche and DeWitt can both play second ...
2008-07-31 21:10:30
370.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
363 - Grove?
Orange? Lemon?
Avocado!
2008-07-31 21:10:38
371.   KG16
358 - could have pinch hit Young for Pierre and taken care of that issue, I suppose.
2008-07-31 21:11:13
372.   underdog
Now that Pierre has gotten 2 singles out of the way is it Slappy McPopup time, or Slappy McBunt?
2008-07-31 21:11:14
373.   Bluebleeder87
Please don't swing Pierre, pretty please!
2008-07-31 21:11:36
374.   Eric Stephen
360
Ethier is at .467/.556/.667 against Webb in 18 PA.
2008-07-31 21:12:02
375.   KG16
I'd prefer if Pierre worked the walk here, sacrifice means an IBB for Bison
2008-07-31 21:12:19
376.   MonkeyBlue
Great bunt!
2008-07-31 21:12:25
377.   underdog
369 - Tee. Hee.

371 - Uh, yeah, if he wasn't on the DL you mean...

2008-07-31 21:12:28
378.   Eric Stephen
372
Slappy McSac.
2008-07-31 21:12:33
379.   Bluebleeder87
Nice job Pierre, there is still more work to be done so we can score.

Let go Kemp!

2008-07-31 21:12:35
380.   Icaros
374

He's like Stephen Drew to Lowe.

2008-07-31 21:12:35
381.   Bob Timmermann
370
Rick Caruso gave me my Grove back.
2008-07-31 21:12:41
382.   Rob M
I wanted to see Slappy pull back the bunt and slappy and hard grounder through the infield, Hershiser style.
2008-07-31 21:12:47
383.   MonkeyBlue
370. You know what I mean...:/
2008-07-31 21:12:53
384.   Bob Hendley
371 - Pee Wee has boo boo.
2008-07-31 21:12:54
385.   KG16
c'mon, pitch to Bison.

I triple dog dare you.

2008-07-31 21:13:24
386.   KG16
384 - I'd still take him over Pierre.
2008-07-31 21:13:34
387.   Rob M
Let's see a double to the right field gap.
2008-07-31 21:13:38
388.   Bluebleeder87
Just go with it Kemp...
2008-07-31 21:14:04
389.   MonkeyBlue
Please don't strike out! Get a fly ball at least!
2008-07-31 21:14:06
390.   nick
it's all on the Bison's shoulders here...
2008-07-31 21:14:35
391.   MonkeyBlue
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2008-07-31 21:14:40
392.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Damn.
Damn.
Damn.
Damn.
2008-07-31 21:14:40
393.   Rob M
Un freaking believable.
2008-07-31 21:14:40
394.   Eric Stephen
Ohhhhhhh, so close.
2008-07-31 21:14:58
395.   Bluebleeder87
oh man...

great play you gotta hand it to them.

2008-07-31 21:15:05
396.   overkill94
Dagnabit!
2008-07-31 21:15:06
397.   KG16
did he get him?
2008-07-31 21:15:19
398.   Andrew Shimmin
Tagging him in the face was pretty rough.
2008-07-31 21:15:24
399.   bablue
That really sucks...
2008-07-31 21:15:33
400.   Eric Stephen
Gotta run all day on the 1B out in LF. Oh well.
Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2008-07-31 21:15:39
401.   MollyKnight
No!!!!!
2008-07-31 21:16:08
402.   Lexinthedena
Sac bunts are stupid.
2008-07-31 21:16:15
403.   trainwreck
Balls.
2008-07-31 21:16:16
404.   whodat807
sigh.
2008-07-31 21:16:18
405.   Rob M
Andre even made a good slide. I bet he scores 4 times out of 5 on that play (if not more) with Conor Jackson in LF.
2008-07-31 21:16:24
406.   underdog
ARRRGH.

Did he actually tag him? I thought he missed at first but I guess not.

Oh well, we get that play last night, and are burned by it tonight.

2008-07-31 21:16:48
407.   Bluebleeder87
Golden opportunity missed...

Nice call by Bowa, I would have done the same thing, especially with Webb pitching.

2008-07-31 21:17:14
408.   overkill94
While the results weren't ideal, I agree with every move Torre/Bowa made in that half inning
2008-07-31 21:17:35
409.   underdog
And {in Homer Simpson voice} "Shut up, Flanders, er, Jackson."
2008-07-31 21:17:39
410.   Rob M
With the replay, I think he should have slid feet first.
2008-07-31 21:17:44
411.   Eric Stephen
Blake at 2nd. Martin at 3rd.

Outside the box. Loving it.

2008-07-31 21:18:30
412.   Icaros
Casey Blake told Simers we fans would like his versatility.
2008-07-31 21:18:33
413.   Lexinthedena
Hopefully Lyon comes in to "close".
2008-07-31 21:18:59
414.   Bluebleeder87
Blake has a very confused look.
2008-07-31 21:19:00
415.   underdog
Yeah, what can you do? Make them execute perfectly and they did.

Ardoin in to catch and Golden God in at third.

2008-07-31 21:19:04
416.   overkill94
402 This was one of the few instances where it makes sense - weak hitter, close game in the late innings, good hitters coming up
2008-07-31 21:19:36
417.   MMSMikey
they gotta put up kent for jones.
2008-07-31 21:19:45
418.   underdog
414 He always looks like that. It's the Muppet face, I tells ya. Call him "Zoot."
2008-07-31 21:19:59
419.   Bluebleeder87
Destiny calls...
2008-07-31 21:20:08
420.   Eric Stephen
Martin
Loney

That's all the batters needed in the 9th.

2008-07-31 21:20:21
421.   Andrew Shimmin
First and Second no outs is one of a very few situations where sac bunting increases the run expectancy.
2008-07-31 21:20:21
422.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Martin-Loney-Blake.
2008-07-31 21:20:52
423.   overkill94
Are they really pulling Webb? With less than 100 pitches? After what happened last time they pulled him with the lead against the Dodgers? Thank you, Bob Melvin.
2008-07-31 21:21:19
424.   underdog
This is gonna be a tough series all around. A split is very likely and most of the games should be grinders...
2008-07-31 21:21:40
425.   Icaros
418

Which one was Zoot? Was he in the band with Animal and the cool sax player guy?

2008-07-31 21:21:54
426.   underdog
Who's coming in, Rauch or Lyon?
2008-07-31 21:22:15
427.   Sagehen
Martin-Loney-Blake. Come on guys. You can still win this thing.
2008-07-31 21:22:41
428.   Lexinthedena
416 I disagree. Pierre is weak, but makes a good deal of contact and isn't much of a DP threat. Dodgers gave away an out. Bottom of the 9th, tie game, home team with runners on 1st and 2nd...then I consider the sac bunt.
2008-07-31 21:23:08
429.   KG16
402 - with Pierre, it's the safe play, and the right play. It's not like he's likely to hit a liner to the gap.

I'm really surprised that Arizona pitched to Kemp, I'd have walked him and set up the double play with Martin.

2008-07-31 21:23:13
430.   Rob M
Damn! Thought it was fair.
2008-07-31 21:23:16
431.   underdog
425 - He was the sax guy, in the Electric Mayhem.

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Zoot

2008-07-31 21:23:43
432.   scareduck
413 - you can't hide your Lyon eyes.
2008-07-31 21:23:47
433.   Eric Stephen
426
To quote the D-Backs broadcast (which I'm not watching): "ROAR!!!!"
2008-07-31 21:24:09
434.   Rob M
Lyon is throwing more slow junk than I'm used to seeing from him.
2008-07-31 21:25:10
435.   MonkeyBlue
Damn!
2008-07-31 21:25:11
436.   Bluebleeder87
Vinnie makes it seem like Lyon was named the "closer" against his will.
2008-07-31 21:25:15
437.   Rob M
Russ got fooled on that heater.
2008-07-31 21:25:31
438.   Lexinthedena
434 set up.
2008-07-31 21:25:32
439.   scareduck
Struck out on a ball at his ankles.
2008-07-31 21:25:44
440.   Eric Stephen
420
Once again, I'm a liar.
2008-07-31 21:25:58
441.   Bob Timmermann
I hope this four game series doesn't turn out to be like the one the Cubs just finished at Milwaukee.
2008-07-31 21:26:30
442.   underdog
440 Not a liar -- a jinx!
2008-07-31 21:26:31
443.   Rob M
Oh man. This is getting grim.
2008-07-31 21:26:45
444.   scareduck
One more out. Time for a glorious two-out rally!
2008-07-31 21:26:46
445.   Bluebleeder87
437

the swing looked like he was looking for something else.

2008-07-31 21:26:48
446.   overkill94
Alright Casey, time to make a lot of friends in a hurry
2008-07-31 21:27:14
447.   Eric Stephen
441
Well, at least it's clearly your fault now if you know what happens.
2008-07-31 21:27:30
448.   Rob M
441 talk about a jinx! don't talk like that. I'd rather have you jinxing no-no's than invoking the likes of that.
2008-07-31 21:27:52
449.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Still alive.
2008-07-31 21:27:57
450.   thinkblue88
This should be interesting.
Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2008-07-31 21:27:59
451.   Bluebleeder87
A-Jones to bat.
2008-07-31 21:28:04
452.   overkill94
Oh dear lord...
2008-07-31 21:28:05
453.   underdog
441 - Ugh, perish the thought. To tell the truth, even though I thought Lowe would keep us in this one, I kinda had assumed a loss for this one. I could see the Dodgers taken the next three though, or at least 2 out of 3.
2008-07-31 21:28:12
454.   nick
I'll restrain myself and not call the walkoff here....
2008-07-31 21:28:13
455.   Bob Timmermann
I looked up in sky and I saw the outline of Salomon Torres.
2008-07-31 21:28:13
456.   scareduck
Time for an inglorious two-out three-pitch strikeout for Andruw.
2008-07-31 21:28:14
457.   Rob M
Andruw? Nooooooooooooo. Why not Kent?
2008-07-31 21:28:16
458.   KG16
441 - I'd be fine with a split. I'd prefer taking 3, and consider taking all four as icing.

Mr. Jones, Destiny on line 3.

2008-07-31 21:28:41
459.   MonkeyBlue
Bah!
2008-07-31 21:28:44
460.   overkill94
Wow, he actually hit it hard! But alas...
2008-07-31 21:28:44
461.   scareduck
456 - okay, a first-pitch lineout to left. Same diff.
2008-07-31 21:28:45
462.   thinkblue88
So long Andruw.......
2008-07-31 21:28:52
463.   Bluebleeder87
It's only one game, tomorrow IS another day.
2008-07-31 21:29:05
464.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
That was Jones' best swing in weeks - and it was a line-out to medium-depth left.
Oy.
2008-07-31 21:29:07
465.   Eric Stephen
Every swing seems off balance for Andruw.
2008-07-31 21:29:08
466.   Rob M
Andruw actually got good wood on that one.

By his standards.

2008-07-31 21:29:09
467.   underdog
Sigh. I wish we could PH Kent for Jones...
2008-07-31 21:29:15
468.   cloakedarbiter
Five years ago, we would have won this game.
2008-07-31 21:29:25
469.   JoeyP
Bring on Manny.

This offense is terrible.

2008-07-31 21:29:25
470.   scareduck
458 - Andrew Jones, please pick up the white courtesy phone. Your retirement is calling.
2008-07-31 21:29:38
471.   KG16
I have to admit, I jumped when Jones hit that.
2008-07-31 21:29:44
472.   MMSMikey
see you in spring training druw, loser.
2008-07-31 21:30:08
473.   whodat807
Bah. That said, you gotta like our chances in games like this when you replace Jones and Pierre with Ethier and Manny. I'm excited.
2008-07-31 21:30:11
474.   Rob M
I'm kinda giddy to see ManRam tomorrow.
2008-07-31 21:30:12
475.   Sagehen
And Andruw makes the last out of the game. Again. If Andruw had done his job this season, we'd still have LaRoche.
2008-07-31 21:30:34
476.   scooplew
You know, Andruw Jones is actually our most consistent player.
2008-07-31 21:30:42
477.   underdog
Darnit, I really thought he had a hit there when it left his bat.

Oh well.

469 Yeah terrible offense vs. arguably one of the top 3 pitchers in baseball. A little on the dramatic side, but yeah, I think it could use a little Manny to be sure. (Or a lot of Manny.)

2008-07-31 21:31:29
478.   cloakedarbiter
Well, more like two years. This game was still considered pre-Manny, fitting that we were .500 on the dot before Manny was in the lineup.
2008-07-31 21:31:48
479.   scooplew
I hope that Manny's locker won't be near Andruw's.
2008-07-31 21:31:53
480.   Lexinthedena
Well....

We shall have a bovine specticle tomorrow night. Minatour, ManRam, and Bison.

2008-07-31 21:32:53
481.   scareduck
Manny will wear #99?
2008-07-31 21:33:07
482.   Andrew Shimmin
Wait, what? Now Manny's going to wear 99?
2008-07-31 21:34:48
483.   KG16
it's not like 99 is all that strange. now, if he were to wear 100, that'd be kind of strange.
2008-07-31 21:34:56
484.   bablue
Man. If Andruw's ball is in the gap the game is probably tied. Them's the breaks.

I'm excited for Manny tommorow. Lets hope we can at least take two of the next three.

2008-07-31 21:35:32
485.   Bob Hendley
474 - Is the thought that he will actually play on Friday? I though Vin was saying Saturday.
2008-07-31 21:35:42
486.   Andrew Shimmin
It was 28 when the game started. It'll be 612 by tomorrow morning.
2008-07-31 21:36:37
487.   KG16
why do the talking heads (Kennedy now, somebody on the radio earlier) continue to talk about Pierre leading off?

Does that mean Manny or Pierre plays right field? Or one of them in center? Seriously?

2008-07-31 21:36:37
488.   Bob Timmermann
Sheep aren't bovine. They are ovine.
2008-07-31 21:38:40
489.   KG16
I'd also like to say, for the record, the Snakes stole this game. Lowe and Kuo were dominant with the exception of three pitches in the 7th. Of course, whichever team won tonight, would have stole the game.
2008-07-31 21:38:43
490.   Icaros
Manny should have the infinity symbol for his number.
2008-07-31 21:38:58
491.   JoeyP
477--Its not just tonight.

The Dodgers are 26th in runs scored out of 30 teams in the majors.

2008-07-31 21:40:12
492.   Lexinthedena
488 As I typed, I could hear you stalking, like a jaguar.
2008-07-31 21:41:05
493.   Lexinthedena
489 Derek Lowe's annoying habit of giving up runs right after his team has scored.
2008-07-31 21:41:53
494.   JoeyP
487--It'd be Kemp in RF, Manny in LF, Pierre in CF.

More likely, this deal means Pierre will be a fixture on the bench, with Druw seeing more time in CF.

VS Lefties:
Manny, Druw, Kemp

Vs Righties:
Manny, Ethier, Kemp

Pierre may get time for Kemp if its a "tough righty" I suspect.

2008-07-31 21:42:18
495.   Bob Timmermann
492
If it weren't for my vigilance, Matt Kemp's nickname would be Buffy.
2008-07-31 21:43:52
496.   scareduck
They just played the Manny silliness from the Angels series on the postgame show. That was priceless, especially the part about finding the ball under his back.
2008-07-31 21:45:00
497.   Rob M
Our defense is gonna be brutal
2008-07-31 21:45:56
498.   Uncle Miltie
From rotoworld
The Nationals have decided to release both Felipe Lopez and Paul Lo Duca and replace them with Emilio Bonifacio and Elijah Dukes.
Neither veteran could bring back a prospect before the deadline, so the Nats will cut ties now. They'll likely make Ronnie Belliard their primary first baseman, with Bonifacio taking over at second. Dukes should get most of the playing time in left, with Willie Harris moving around the outfield. Bonifacio and Dukes should both be worth using in NL-only leagues.

Can we please pickup Felipe Lopez? He's not the greatest defender around, but he could at least be servicable offensively at SS. Lopez has shown in the past that he can take a walk and has a bit of power. This is the type of gamble that I'd like to see the Dodgers take. I'd much rather have Lopez at SS than Berroa.

2008-07-31 21:46:09
499.   scooplew
When Jones went on the DL, he was hitting. 165. Since his return, he is hitting .159 (10-for-63). Since July 12, he has ended every game with a batting average of .162 through .169. He is now hitting .163. He is simply consistently awful. With Ramirez' arrival, the Dodgers should do what they should have done weeks ago: Stick Jones at the end of the bench, and leave him there. The Dodgers compound a $36 million error every time he plays.
2008-07-31 21:46:35
500.   Eric Stephen
This is for D4P. A parting Patriots employee calls out some of the less than friendly members of the squad. Courtesy of The Big Lead.

http://tinyurl.com/6pwvn5

Show/Hide Comments 501-550
2008-07-31 21:47:57
501.   natepurcell
498

I would take Lopez over Berroa.

2008-07-31 21:48:15
502.   Bob Hendley
494 - I would have thought that Dru was dead meat, but I imagine that Torre will indulge Donnie Baseball for a while at least.
2008-07-31 21:50:02
503.   trainwreck
500
Funny, I really wanted Corey Dillon to be a Raider. Looks like he would have fit in well.
2008-07-31 21:50:25
504.   KG16
494 - it really should be Manny-Kemp-Ethier, left to right, every day.
2008-07-31 21:50:52
505.   scooplew
With the arrival of Ramirez, I am worried that Torre, like Little, is still so infatuated by Pierre that he will, as Little did, continue to start him, thus forcing Ethier to the bench. Or it may be because of Pierre's inflated salary.
2008-07-31 21:53:42
506.   Bob Hendley
505 - Yes, Joe works in mysterious ways, but hard to imagine JP playing in center, or Manny playing in right on any consistent basis.
2008-07-31 21:53:54
507.   JoeyP
504--It should be, but now Torre has a reason to bench Ethier vs lefties, and bench Kemp vs 'tough' righties.
2008-07-31 21:57:52
508.   GMac In The 909
Dear Mr. Torre,

Please continue to put Pierre atop your lineup.

Sincerely,
The Diamondbacks

2008-07-31 22:07:43
509.   Louis in SF
As far as the roster spot for tomorrow, what about the quick and easy solution and sending Troncosso down. We probably have enough pitching for the next two weeks.
2008-07-31 22:08:29
510.   natepurcell
CF Kemp
RF Ethier
C Martin
LF Manny
1b Loney
3b Blake
2b Kent
SS Nomar

That's actually a pretty sick lineup.

2008-07-31 22:08:56
511.   underdog
I'm as anti Pierre leading off as anyone (thinking Kemp should keep that job) but it feels like there are other things to pick on tonight, if people feel like picking, than Pierre who at least contributed fairly well tonight, unlike his expensive counterpart. Although Jones has already been picked on and picked over pretty well so maybe not. But anyway, I agree, Manny/Kemp/Ethier should get most of the starts, with Pierre filling in once in awhile and Jones a very expensive defensive sub.
2008-07-31 22:09:58
512.   SG6
Lowe gets 7 runs scattered among his 9 losses.
2008-07-31 22:12:19
513.   underdog
Darnit Arneson! I went to Catfish Stew to escape any chance of Plaschke. Curse you!
2008-07-31 22:19:14
514.   underdog
Whoa. Crazy game in Minnesota tonight:

http://tinyurl.com/5wvkld

>>Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen pulled his team off the field at the Metrodome in the seventh inning Thursday night after fans threw hats and baseballs onto the field following the ejection of Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.<<

2008-07-31 22:20:34
515.   GMac In The 909
510 If that happens, I will eat one of my blue socks I will be rocking to the game tomorrow.

511 And the reason I picked on Pierre is because he had a "decent" game tonight. It feels like tonight's effort was a test that earned him more playing time once Manny arrives. Results: Pierre passed with flying colors, and Jones has to spend more time with his tutor Donnie Baseball.

2008-07-31 22:20:41
516.   scareduck
495 - Buffy, Buffy, come back to me...
2008-07-31 22:24:21
517.   Jon Weisman
-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Weisman
Sent: Thu 7/31/2008 8:15 PM
To: Leung, Diamond
Subject: Not at all

"- Logan White spoke with Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris, and he said
LaRoche was excited to go to Pittsburgh. Asked if White was sad to see
LaRoche go, he said, "Not at all.""

Meaning, "Not at all - business is business" or "Not at all - that guy
won't be missed"?

On Jul 31, 2008, at 9:04 PM, Leung, Diamond wrote:

Not at all in terms of "Look who we got back."

Diamond

2008-07-31 22:24:57
518.   Jon Weisman
504 - 2,000!
2008-07-31 22:25:53
519.   natepurcell
517

Even if it's only for two months??

2008-07-31 22:26:12
520.   GMac In The 909
514 Did Tommy get on the stadium mic again, asking NOT to do something?

tinyurl.com/Tommy-PleaseNOOOOO

2008-07-31 22:29:44
521.   underdog
520 Good Lord, I'd forgotten all about that game! Was that the last "souvenir baseball night" at Dodger Stadium?

What a weird line-up they had then too.

2008-07-31 22:31:13
522.   Alex41592
Tonight was a tough game that I thought we could steal even with a sub par lineup. I think if Kent and Ethier are healthy we win that game. But, we can turn the page. A new era is upon us. The Andruw Jones era is over. For now.

517 - "Look who we got back" is exactly right. Heck of a game and atmosphere we'll have tomorrow night.

2008-07-31 22:33:23
523.   trainwreck
519
Logan probably thinks DeWitt can hit enough to stay at third.

Or some Invasion of the Body Snatchers stuff.

2008-07-31 22:35:49
524.   KG16
maybe the thinking is that they'd be able to resign Manny. Or maybe the thought is "it's time to win, now"
2008-07-31 22:35:49
525.   Alex41592
Plaschke is up.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke1-2008aug01,0,4821970.column

2008-07-31 22:36:47
526.   natepurcell
523

I'd rather put Blake at 2b.

A lot of holes to be filled this offseason.

2008-07-31 22:38:04
527.   natepurcell
524

I would seriously consider that if they can move Pierre without paying anything.

2008-07-31 22:39:15
528.   natepurcell
Plaschke's article makes me wonder if Manny knows what stadium he has to show up to tomorrow...
2008-07-31 22:41:01
529.   Alex41592
I've been gone do we know Manny's number yet?
2008-07-31 22:41:22
530.   GMac In The 909
521 I was at that game. Craziest game I've ever been to. It included (from my vantage point) a family allowing children to use the Cardinals' bullpen as a bathroom, thousands of baseballs raining down from every corner of the stadium and a water bottle -- thrown from at least the Reserved level -- this close to taking Tom Henke's head off.
2008-07-31 22:41:24
531.   trainwreck
526
Me too. I hope we do not re-sign Blake.
2008-07-31 22:41:51
532.   GMac In The 909
529 99
2008-07-31 22:43:30
533.   trainwreck
529
Our spies confirmed it is 28.
2008-07-31 22:45:10
534.   GMac In The 909
521 Oh, and yes it was "souvenir ball night." Since that game, it's only been "free ball redeemable at (insert sponsor here) night."
2008-07-31 22:46:24
535.   natepurcell
531

It depends. He is a flexible player, but I don't know if he would accept a utility role.

2008-07-31 22:54:25
536.   Ken Arneson
513 That wasn't me.
2008-07-31 22:57:09
537.   bigcpa
Neither Dodger kid was considered a top prospect

Right- same thing he said about the whole Jacksonville 5.

2008-07-31 23:04:08
538.   KG16
526 - LF, 3B, SS, 2B, just half the starting line up. is that what we consider a lot of holes now?
2008-07-31 23:07:09
539.   trainwreck
Plus, we probably will lose Lowe.
2008-07-31 23:15:46
540.   bigcpa
Chances are, if you are desperate enough to trade top prospects for one big name, you are not good enough to win with him. For the first time since they were broken up after the 1994 season, the Dodgers are no longer that team.

Plaschke 8-2-07

2008-07-31 23:18:36
543.   jasonungar07
I didn't even read the article but here is the title of the new Simers article:

Not even Ned Colletti can lose with this move

2008-07-31 23:18:41
544.   bhsportsguy
Unless you actually live or work in Downtown L.A. or you live by a Red Line stop, the Dodger Trolley is not going to save you a lot of time. Today was riding the Red Line through Hollywood and I would say going added 40 minutes but saved 12.00 (3.00 for Red Line round trip pass) plus whatever gas and aggravation costs too. Coming back will add a lot more time since I had to go back to work but it will save some gas and I got to see a new crowd of people who ride the Red Line at night.
2008-07-31 23:19:44
545.   bhsportsguy
So since Logan White signed off on the deal, does that make solid GM material?
2008-07-31 23:23:18
546.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2008-07-31 23:25:15
547.   bhsportsguy
If Ethier starts more than 25 games the rest of the season, I will be shocked.

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