Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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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
| The Dodgers sent rookie-league pitchers Michael Watt and Eduardo Perez to San Diego as the players to be named later in the Greg Maddux deal, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Paul DePodesta's take here. |
1 - no chance
2 - snowball's chance
3 - small chance
4 - possible but not probable
5 - can't bring myself to believe
6 - can't bring myself not to believe
7 - more than possible
8 - very good chance
9 - feeling fat and sassy
10 - a lock
Is confidence sexy? You tell me.
I'm picturing Palance doing one-handed push-ups now, thanks!
Otherwise somewhere between 4-7, depending on my mood. Magic 8 ball says ask again later.
to reflect my reversed DT-Uniform Number
http://tinyurl.com/65pxz4
Check out the incredible stat that Mike Scoscia Tragic Illness dragged up.
http://mikesciosciastragicillness.com/2008/09/29/1012-1012/
My heart, however, only seems to remember the past two Division Series' against the Cards and Mets where we didn't even look like we belonged in the playoffs. So I have hope but I just can't bring myself to believe yet.
The Dodgers are playing as well as anyone in the playoffs right now, so I'm guessing they'll be a tough out this time around. I'm cautiously optimistic.
They had the best season. I'm not sure they are the best team standing on Oct 1st with Zambrano imploding after the no - hitter and Harden's health always a question mark. Even when healthy the big Z was not that great this year. I think our pitching can shut down their offense, Soto is hurt, DeRosa is hurt. Should be a good series but I'm not ready to admit the Cubs are the best team right now until I see what they get out of Zambrano/Harden.
The Dodgers have won 1000 or more games against the Braves, Cubs, Giants, Pirates, Phillies and Reds. The only losing record going into this year was against the Giants.
The only original National League franchise they have not won 1000 or more games against is the Cardinals, who like the Cubs, the share a near .500 record as they approach 2000 games played against each other.
http://tinyurl.com/4ubfr2
Ouch, I liked Watt but this is hardly the Lambo territory that Canuck was all inflamed about.
Carry on.
During my son's first year [i.e. before he could move around on his own], I used to spend a lot of time bouncing him in my arms. For such occasions, the key was that I like the music--that it calm ME down. He inevitably ended up liking it too. We had two general categories of music:
1. Mellow/Melodic--We played the heck out of The Jayhawks' "Rainy Day Music" and Aimee Mann's "The Forgotten Arm." We also listened to some Grateful Dead and Beatles.
2. Bouncy/Funky--My son loved listening to Beck, The Gorillaz, and Cornershop. They key is it had to have a bounce to it.
This idea that kids have to listen to kid's music is absurd. There are some excellent children's musicians out there (#1 is Dan Zanes; Laurie Berkner and TMBG are good too), but the corny stuff I can't stomach.
I don't, while his production may not have been stellar I do believe his presence on the team was a benefit. I can't quantify this, just an opinion.
Exactly. On average, every team's record against another will be .500 (assuming no expansion/contraction). We should be more surprised when head-to-head records move away from .500 than when they move toward.
Scout.com report on him at beginning of year:
http://dodgers.scout.com/2/719345.html
Maddux better win a playoff game.
Lee and Lidge were deserving winners...
I hope for Angel Hernandez (UUWU), Tim Tschida (the 'stache), and Jim Joyce (super loud and annoying strike calls) to be on the crew myself. I'll even throw a bone to Cowboy Joe West, just so I can have an easy scapegoat to blame if the Dodgers lose a game or two. :)
Although I'm unsure what he came back from. He played in 120 games last year with an OPS+ of 110.
I think we have a great team, and anything can happen in a 5 game series. But on paper, the Cubs are a better team top to bottom.
Plus, after being over-confidant against the Celtics, I've learned my lesson in a huge way.
http://itmightbedangerous.blogspot.com/2008/09/players-to-be-named.html
if there's some bad call we can hear how the Cubs lost because of it, for decades afterward.
I'm sure the Marlins don't mind any Bartman talk; that trophy is still theirs!
I talked to the Marlins fan.
He's still happy.
1) Will Esteban Loaiza get voted at least a partial playoff share?
2) Will Manny get voted a playoff share from the Red Sox?
You've been sitting on that joke for a while, haven't you? ;)
8 for Cubs
Hmmm, Rich Harden hurting?
Now that is the Rich I know. I knew he would come through!!!
My brain says 2
I want to believe, but then again my heart has been broken so many times by that Vixen called the Dodgers.
The Cubs staff = Girl With the Curls
I don't know if this has already been discussed, but Manny's career numbers against probable Cubs starters look like this:
Harden - 15 PAs, 3 hits (ALL HOMERUNS), 5 RBIs, 4 BBs (one IBB), 4 Ks, .273/.429/1.091/1.520
Lilly - 50 PAs, 11 hits, 3 2Bs, 4 HRs, 4 BBs, 11 Ks, .244/.320/.578/.898
Dempster - 1 for 1 w/ a 2B and an RBI
Zambrano - 0 for 3 with 2 Ks.
Totals against Dempster, Zambrano, Harden, and Lilly:
67 PAs, 15 Hits, 4 2Bs, 7 HRs, 7 BBs, 16 Ks, .260/.328/.666/.994
He's never faced Wood or Marmol.
Sample size is limited of course. Numbers courtesy of Baseball-reference.com
I'm feeling it this year. And, as if the Cubbies needed another curse, they are on the cover of SI.
Dodgers in 4 games
And Bob, what time should I tune in for your webcam coverage?
Ned's epitaph
Tim Brown writes a Manny and the Dodgers story.
The Manator...?
Or he's just as brilliant as Peter Gammons.
I've been hugely scarred by 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2006. And I think this Cubs team is far better than any of the teams that went 12-1 against the Dodgers those years in the playoffs.
And yet, hope is a good thing...
http://blogs.whereistand.com/gethro/84#more-84
I tied Keith Law for first. Go me.
I can't read a newspaper that employs Ray Ratto.
Giving up Watt wasn't "bright."
And the thing with feathers!
(Who knew Emily Dickinson was a baseball fan.)
They are.
"That wasn't whimsy. That was because anything involving the Red Sox or the Cubs gets massive hits and ratings. Anything involving both is off the charts. ESPN would duct tape Brett Favre to Derek Jeter and throw them both into the mouth of a live volcano if it meant they could have the Cubs and Red Sox in the World Series."
http://dodgerblog.typepad.com/sports_baseball_dodgers/
Kaufman's paragraph was actually in reference to how in 2003, ESPN hosted a "virtual World Series" between the Red Sox and Cubs while the Marlins and Yankees played a real one.
However, I can see a Dodgers-Angels series ... if the Angels can 'reverse-the-curse' against Boston. I believe the Angels can beat the Rays in a 7 game series.
There was a civil war in 1858?
I guess I didn't merit a 5 on the AP US History test.
Watt has a decent amount of potential. He's not very big though and probably won't gain too much on his stuff, but he knows how to pitch and bearing injury, should move up steadily.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Kansas
Well, that and I was off by 3 years of the official American Civil War.
Still, the most likely thing that will happen is that the Cubs will beat our guys.
Not many things, but a few.
Furcal looked good, and if he's on the roster, I expect Berroa to be a late innings defensive replacement.
If Martin had the year Soto had, I'd have no problem saying he should be in the MVP conversation. He's a catcher and arguably the best player on his team which was the best team in the NL. It certainly isn't laughable. No question Pujols is the best player but that is the Hank Aaron award.
We have little or no tolerance for error. We get angrier when people mess up US history than the average Dodger Thoughts commenter gets when Mark Sweeney steps into the on deck circle.
1. Utley
2. Manny
3. Aramis
4. Braun
5. Rollins
6. Fielder
7. Ethier
8. Soto
Soto had a great year, but there's no case that he's MVP.
I would bet a nickel that Kent starts. and does well.
Of course, I have a big bet to pay off as the Dodgers DID NOT finish 15 games ahead of that San Francisco team.
Didn't realize that VORP ended the discussion. Where does Gibby hold up in the 88 VORP discussion?
Ask McCann, I think he is sitting on a beach somewhere.
Probably came off a bit to harsh there. It's not the end of the discussion, but even if you're eliminating pitchers, and people who aren't on playoff teams, Soto just didn't have the numbers this year.
5th, and the highest of any Met or Dodger player.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=150429
http://tinyurl.com/4wwln9
If we win the first two, then of course it's a 9 or 10.
166 - I wouldn't mind Kent starting in a game that Lowe isn't pitching when his lack of range may come into play. Game #1 - we may need DeWitt's defense at 2nd over Kent's offense. Our other SP aren't quite as ground ball fielder dependent as Lowe is.
Ideal lineup for Game #1 only:
SS Furcal (If Healthy enough to produce)
CF Kemp*
LF Manny
RF Ethier**
1B Loney
3B Blake
C Martin
2B DeWitt
P Lowe
*I thought maybe putting Kemp in front of Manny might give him some chances to get some balls to hit and do some damage.
**Ethier has proven to be a tough out at the plate getting long at bats, fouling pitches off and has hit into fewer double plays than Loney so I thought he would be better right behind Manny if they are going to walk him or pitch around him alot.
1. The Panic of 1837
2. The Panic of 1873
3. The DT commenters the day the Giants beat the Dodgers 1-0 in extra innings a couple weeks ago.
182 1 and 2 dragged on for years. 3 was over in a week or so.
Braves - 1151-1002
Cubs - 1012-1012
Cardinals - 992-989
Giants - 1129-1153
Phillies - 1133-888
Pirates - 1085-950
Reds - 1090-1073
Actually, I think 3 was over in two days after the DBacks lost to the Cardinals and the Dodgers routed the Padres.
Who here has ever been to the Griswoldville battelfield (just outside of Macon, GA)?
Anyone, anyone?
Bueller?
Describes my feelings perfectly.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/yankees_cashman_to_sign_three_year_deal/
The Dodgers were 9-9 against SF this year.
Looking at today, not the entire season but today, I think we bring a stronger 25-man roster to the arena than the Cubs. The Cubs and Angels should win the Mike Hargrove Awards for best teams in each league, based on winning the most regular season games. But I'm not sure they're as strong in pitching right now as they were most of the season, whereas I'm really comfortable with Lowe-Billingsley-Kuroda with Maddux and Kershaw backing them up.
>>Several rival executives say the Dodgers are worried enough about that potential that they might not re-sign {Manny}, but will appease angry fans by making a substantial push for Sabathia. All things being equal, Sabathia wants to return home to California and stay in the NL where he can hit. The Mets cannot offer the Pacific Ocean. But they can give him a bat, and reams of cash.<<
Just rumors, I repeat, just rumors.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/71992
While the control room people were waiting for the press conference to start they were watching highlights of Manny Ramirez.
Furcal and Dewitt starting!
I see the Dodgers hosting the Brewers in the NLCS too...
I feel like our founding fathers in 1859 when the British invaded us in the war of 1812.
http://tinyurl.com/4ounpf
The last Dodgers to play on four playoff teams are Mike Scioscia, Steve Sax, Mike Marshall, Pedro Guerrero (traded mid-season), Fernando Valenzuela, Alejandro Peña, all members of the 81-83-85-88 teams. Don Sutton was a member of the 66-74-77-78-88 teams so he counts too.
Martin
Loney
DeWitt
Furcal
Blake
Kemp
Ethier
Ramirez
Ardoin
Berroa
Ozuna
Pierre
Garciaparra
Kent
Billingsley
Lowe
Kuroda
Maddux
Kershaw
Park
Troncoso
Wade
Beimel
Broxton
Saito
Berroa? Troncoso? Maddux?
I say:
7 - more than possible
I think the Cubs were the best draw for the Dodgers. I just think the Phillies offense would have bashed them & CC would have given the Brewers at least 2 wins right out of the gate.
Cubs also did the Dodgers a favor by pitching Dempster the 1st game.
Its possible, but not probable. Dodgers arent a very good road team, the Cubs are a great home team, & their are 3 in Chicago & 2 in LA.
but Ozuna? he's our 4th OF?
There will be no need to hate anyone since Blake DeWitt will go all Billy Hatcher on the postseason.
I don't hate Ozuna; I am just befuddled by why we keep him around.
Ozuna is the 5th outfielder. Pierre is the 4th outfielder.
JP is OF#4
In a 5 game series it is highly probable that we will never use Osuna but if we do use him, it will be because he represents the tying or winning run when he's put in. Once he scores the winning run then he can play defense for whoever he replaced. I like having speed as the 25th player.
It should be noted -- as Josh Rawitch pointed out -- the rosters aren't due until tomorrow morning so they are of course subject to change. You know, in case anyone gets in a bar fight tonight.
If I was Michael Watt, I'd feel insulted I was dealt for that.
He is making everything public. Saying Kiffin did not want Russell and all this.
I feel for DY, I really do.
Well, hopefully the Dodgers will beat the Cubs, and Ozuna's key error in game 3 won't hurt them but will keep him off the NLCS roster. ;-) As I said earlier, other than that spot, I'm pretty happy with how the roster shapes up. Also, I'm sure if Furcal had come back ages ago and proven healthy, and if Kent were proven healthy, Ozuna would've been less likely.
Troncoso surprises me, too. Probably doesn't matter much, he vs. Proctor, but really surprised by that.
Overall though, that's a roster that can compete.
If I was Michael Watt, I'd feel insulted I was dealt for that
I'm sure Watt is happy for 3 reasons:
1) He can tell his grandkids he was dealt for one of the greatest pitchers ever
2) He will get more of an opportunity to contribute earlier in SD than LA
3) If he does in fact feel "insulted" by the trade, he'll be happy to be out of the organization that was so dumb in the first place (if that's what he believes).
we are more dangerous with him than without, and if Furcal is anything close to where he was at the beginning of the season, I don't think anyone can beat us
But if it makes you feel happy to think that someone else is miserable, knock yourself out.
Per Tony Jackson:
Scott Proctor lost out to Ramon Troncoso because Joe Torre needed a guy who would warm up, not come in, warm up again and then come in if necessary. Proctor, because of health issues he has had this year, isn't able to do that right now.
I can't wait to watch highlights of the press conference later. I'd love to hear Al's rationale for not paying Kiffin.
Pee Wee had an OPS of .630 in the 2nd half. When everyone complains about Sweeney not hitting it is not like Pee Wee set the world on fire. The only thing he can do is pinch hit. He can't run, and he can't field, and he can only play the outfield. He needs to play alot to hit and I could easily see the case for Osuna over Pee Wee as a bench player. I'd rather have Willy Aybar or Wilson Betemit but with the choice between Osuna/Young I don't see the big deal.
Ozuna over Pee Wee
Other than that not much surprising.
You are right if we use Osuna as a pinch hitter. I don't think it will happen and this team might need a pinch runner(Kent) more then a pinch hitter. Having Kent on the bench changes the dynamic of the team.
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