Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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TV and more ...
1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
Casing the promised land ...
Dodger Thoughts, July 28:
Yes, the Dodger lineup is infused with youth. Young players are everywhere - in the lineup, in the rotation, in the bullpen. It's not that Colletti and Torre don't want the youth to do well. It's that at the sign of trouble, they don't believe. They're on a roller coaster that they want no part of. In their perfect world, there is no youth.Maybe it's because of Manny Ramirez, a savior rising from these streets. Maybe it's because Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent are just too gimpy. Maybe it's because the younger players just haven't given them much trouble lately - though it's not as if we might not see James Loney coming off the bench in a Game 4 on Sunday.They're addicts, and they can't stay on the wagon. Veteran talent is the drug and it feels so good, even if they wake up emptier than before. The Dodger leadership doesn't have the backbone to stand on its own two feet. ...
But in this pursuit of the pennant, five of the Dodgers' eight starters are 26 or under: Loney, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Blake DeWitt. In the batting order, they're five of the top seven. Kent and Garciaparra aren't being forced in. Two months ago, would you have believed it?
The Dodgers' dysfunction doesn't center on trade talks. It centers on leadership that hides its eyes as the kids grab the car keys, yet doesn't bat an eye when Grandpa's shaky hand and squinty eyes take the wheel. Colletti and Torre might say they like their team - they might insist that they do - but they don't.Maybe it's only because of Ramirez. But I think Ned Colletti and Joe Torre like their team now.
The real test will come once the Dodgers lose a game or two. If the Dodgers have to go back to Chicago or find themselves in a deficit against Milwaukee or Philadelphia, and Kemp goes 1 for 4 with two strikeouts, will they panic?
When life is good, Torre and Colletti love the kids. When there is doubt, the veterans benefit - not because they are better, but because they are veterans.I don't think Torre and Colletti will panic. I think they've turned the corner. It might have taken them longer than it should have, but I think they know who their team is now. That doesn't mean we've seen the last of Juan Pierre ever. That doesn't mean the young players should be cocky. (Andre Ethier to Dylan Hernandez of the Times: "I have to compete for a starting job again next year.")
That doesn't mean that the grownups like Torre and hitting coach Don Mattingly aren't getting credit, as Tony Jackson of the Daily News notes:
A major difference in the series thus far has been the Dodgers' ability to execute quality at-bats throughout the lineup. They worked (Ryan) Dempster for 109 pitches in his abbreviated Game 1 start, then made (Carlos) Zambrano throw 108 in 6 2/3 innings in Game 2 - although the Cubs' defensive ineptitude behind Zambrano was responsible for at least part of that.
"I think we're taking a solid approach up there," Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake said. "Donnie has talked about having good at-bats up and down the lineup, a good approach and making pitchers work to get outs."
That approach has long been a hallmark of Torre-managed teams, and Torre tried to instill it from the first day of spring training. But the Dodgers are a younger club than what Torre is used to, and it took several months for those young players to one, buy into it, and two, learn to execute it consistently.
Mattingly, who took over as hitting coach at the All-Star break, was a big part of that process, which is now all but complete.
"I think Donnie has been mainly responsible," Torre said. "He not only gets them to do the physical work, but he also gives them an understanding of why they're doing the physical work. It's just a thought process. My feeling is that he makes things less complicated. He utilizes his experience of being a player."
Mattingly, who also occasionally dropped in to assist former hitting coach Mike Easler during the season's first half, quickly picked up on certain tendencies.
"There were some games where it almost looked like we were having panicked at-bats," Mattingly said. "You're going to fall back into that from time to time, I don't care who you are. (But) I feel like we are getting better as a team."
But I think the hierarchy is clear. Performance first, experience second. Either that, or the Dodgers have decided that their kids have grown up enough. Just in time...
The Dodgers' pitching can win any playoff series. Underdogs? Sure. DOA? No way. The team is one game out of first place, and you know what? I'm too old to thumb my nose at that. The Dodgers should go for it. And they can do it without sacrificing the future, without being desperate. If they fail, it won't be because they weren't experienced enough. It will be because they weren't talented enough. And the talent is there. It has been there all along. Show a little faith - there's magic in the night.
A few early runs today and some early pitching by HIRO, and the Cubbies will be thinking about the flight home. Go Dodgers! So jealous of the many of you here who'll probably be in attendance.
The weather outside is gloomy.
You have to get up early in the morning to run a library of this size. I'm leaving at 4 however.
http://tinyurl.com/4cpx97
I think the kids forced everyone to believe that they're grown up. You can question youth with struggles but how much struggling has gone on recently with these guys? Right down the youth role call, all the way to DeWitt, they've all earned their wings.
Chicago was a town full of losers, we're pulling out of their to win.
They haunt thus rusty ball park in the skeleton frames of burned out October days
They scream Rhyno's name at night in the street
If Kent's healthy, he's starting over Dewitt (and probably should be).
If Manny isnt resigned, then Pierre/Jones will probably platoon next year.
Ethier/Kemp earned starting spots this year, but could still be benched at any time next year due to the PVL factor of Juan/Druw.
I'd argue Dewitt/Loney should be replaced for next year if they can be: Uggla/Tex being the primary targets.
If anything, only Ethier "broke out" this year, so why would Torre/Ned feel more comfortable with the other youngsters?
This team won 84 games & needed a boost from Manny to do it. I dont think they all of the sudden "like the team" based on 2 playoff games.
If they had full confidence in the youngsters, they would have never tried to get Manny.
So yes, it is all about Manny.
They hear the L train rolling on
But when they get to the park, they're gone.
If Manny isn't resigned, and Pierre/Jones are platooned, that also doesn't conflict with what I'm writing at all. That means they no longer will be playing Pierre just because he's older.
They didn't have full confidence in the youngsters when they got Manny - again, not at all in conflict with what I'm writing. I explicitly said that.
Woo!
SI.com has BP break down today's games.
He's not picky.
Top Chef season 5 starts on Nov. 12th.
Sweet!
Saw Malcolm, Morgan and Snaer last night in Westwood. Told Snaer he NEEDS to come to UCLA he just has too. Morgan and Lee were laughing with him like "tell him, tell him he has to!" Snaer was laughing and enjoying it. It REALLY surprised him that someone recognized him lol.
But I think we have a good shot, he isn't on his official is he?
Yeah, it is his official visit. Then he goes to Kansas next weekend.
I know his AAU coach has connections to Missouri. I think they are just coming up with a range of excuses to give him for going there.
http://www.linkmeister.com/blog/archives/003130.html
But it is one of those days.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1201803,CST-SPT-cub04.article
Keep thinking that. That is why you are losing you smug...
HAHA
http://tinyurl.com/45cvpc
An article on Wrigley and Dodgers stadium.
It always disappointed me, because I wanted to hear the big band play that powerful coda. But on stage, Bruce wanted it to come off as wistful.
Branch Rickey has been on fire in this thread by the way. Great stuff.
When I went to Opening Day, the opened up the parking lot a little earlier because there were so many cars lined up.
But I got the above from the Dodger ticket office this morning so that is their story right now.
Also remember USC (which is apparently playing for their BCS bowl chance) plays USC at 5:00 and UCLA (in a game that they are the favorite) plays at 7:10 at the Rose Bowl.
You are correct in that USC really can only beat themselves. :)
It seems to me that if a kid has talent and gets the playing time, he should improve week to week and month to month. A second year player should be significantly better in September than he was in May. Isn't Kemp a better CF now than he was earlier in the season? In the same way he has less trouble with certain pitchers now than he did back in April. His average may be about the same overall, but his consistency has improved. That is what a veteran brings because of experience. Of course, next year he and others should improve even more. Ethier is turning into a young veteran.
Don't forget a sold out Neil Diamond concert at Staples too.
Perhaps he will sing "Sweet Caroline" in honor of the Angels.
I have a stomach-ache going into Oktoberfest. This is not good.
Just got done reading Bill Plaschke's piece on (sniff) Jeff Kent. That Plaschke (sniff) brings a tear to my eye every time.
Is Bill Plaschke related to Sam Zell?
I've been this way since 1971.
Good luck.
Bob and I more or less discussed his feelings of the Irish at the Breeder's Cup some years ago.
I hope to be discussing it again here pretty soon, as soon as the Grand Cosmo gets off his duff and gets us the tickets!
Not this time!
Have a great time tonight Marty.
I'm still here Overkill. Thanks for remembering me. My brother died of cancer on September 2nd and since I returned from the funeral I haven't returned to some of my previous activities yet. I've just been lurking since I returned home from Virginia two weeks ago. But I'll be back. This was just a tough loss. Still, I'm enjoying this Dodgers run about as much as I enjoyed any since the 1955 season.
I'm so sorry, man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
The Dodger Trolley will be running today, confirmed by calling the number on the Dodger Trolley Home Page. Has anyone tried using the trolley this year?
Sorry to hear about your brother, must be tough.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
We miss you around here.
Ironically, on the very day it was announced that Gene Upshaw had died of pancreatic cancer my 70-year-old brother was diagnosed with the same disease. They thought he might have a few months or at least weeks left and I began making plans to visit him while he was still alive. But five days later my nephew sent me an email saying they weren't sure he would make it through the night. He died the next day. Six days was all it took. But then I read in Sports Illustrated that Upshaw died just two days after he was diagnosed (which they inferred might be some kind of record for pancreatic cancer).
And glad the Dodgers have given you a little respite here and there.
Va Beach here! Represent Virginia!
I thought so too, but I hard Corey Hart
The Dodgers club house, at least the spread, is much better with more to go around now that Jabba the Hut Jones is off doing something evolving involving Sumo.
OK...maybe not.
A Pheasant
B Lute
C Hat
D Sword
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She got it . . .
(side note -- she didn't finish her degree, but did two years at U of A)
Famous Pediatrician and author Dr. Ben Spock won an Olympic Gold medal in what sport?
Swimming
Rowing
Tennis
Sailing
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She's stopping.
Gotta goose Bob's traffic somehow.
Quite the sense of humor over at our PBS, I suppose.
Besides Jon.
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