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
Dodger Thoughts, September 18, 2007:
I do keep thinking about that error Rafael Furcal made 11 days ago in San Francisco. The team was on such a roll before that inadvertent stumble. For me, so much changed from that point on. It's been uphill ever since.The irrational part of me worries about a repeat. Not just because Furcal's error Thursday pivoted a win into a loss, but the idea that it could be a harbinger of the good times no longer rolling.
That being said, I'm not overcome by a doomsday feeling. I'll be on the edge of my seat today the same way I was for Game 1.
* * *
Dodgers at Phillies, 1:35 p.m.
Some computer-bound folks found this link useful.
Let's hope that error isn't a harbinger of doom.
To be clear, I don't think things like that carry over from game to game.
40. Kevin Lewis
Does anyone know if the "Fox Feeds" link will actually play the game over MLB.com?
Nomar vs. Jamie Moyer:
15 for 36
.417/.432/.722/1.155
Furcal
Lowe
Manny
Blake
Kent
Nomar
Penny (option)
Do the Dodgers re-up any of them?
Does how far they go in the playoffs affect whether they are re-signed?
I think if the Dodgers win the NLCS, the pressure will be on the GM to bring them all back. However, if it loses, I could see the decisions being easier publically for going a different direction (and Ned & McCourt have always been about public relations-1st, baseball decisions-2nd).
Who cares as we are still playing baseball on Oct 10th for the 1st time in 20 years. Unlike years past we don't need to talk about next year, this year is still happening.
Bye bye Blake, Penny, Lowe and Kent.
Strange story, what possible benefit would Magic have had to fake his Aids. Can anyone say anything with a mike? I've never quite understood libel laws.
As a public figure, Magic Johnson would face a very, very tough battle to get any monetary damages from those characters for libel or slander.
I think we'll drive a pretty hard bargain for Furcal and Nomar. They might not be impressed and are 50-50 to go elsewhere.
I think we're in the hunt for Manny at whatever price.
I would like to channel my rage into today's baseball game, so here goes:
One of the radio hosts in question is named Chris Baker. Today, this article ran about Phillies fans:
http://tinyurl.com/4lfw9k
The first sentence: "Chris Baker doesn't have to wear his Phillies loyalty on his sleeve — he's got it tattooed on his arm."
Transitive property:
a) Chris Baker thinks Magic faked AIDS (even though Magic doesn't have AIDS; he's HIV positive)
b) Chris Baker is a Phillies fan with a tattoo on his arm
c) Phillies' fans think Magic Johnson faked AIDS
Dodgers 8, Phillies 2
(wood knocked)
Oh, and Bob, from previous thread re: elderly parents of elderly people -- it's true. My grandfather passed away late last year at the age of 100 just months before my dad turned 70, and was pretty healthy up until his last few months. May we all live that long.
Here's to a reverse of yesterday's score.
Here's a shot in the dark at their 09 salaries:
Furcal -15M
Lowe - 15M
Manny - 25M
Blake - 10M
Kent - 5M
Nomar - 5M
Penny - 9M
That's around 85M for 7 players.
Of course he is a Phillies fan. ; )
I have no idea if I'm using those words properly but I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about.
But as a fan, are you rooting for them to win today or in the next two weeks because of how it affects the offseason, or because you want them to win?
Yes
Whoever gives Blake 10 million a year deserves to be fired. From everything. For the rest of their life.
I also believe that Manny is rumored to be asking for 5yrs, 80mil.
FWIW, here is the link that says that Boras wants at least 5yrs 85.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/oct/06/postseason-insider-beckett-says-his-ok-others-thin/?partner=RSS
The way the picture is being painted it seems more to me that Manny letting those two years go has more to do with leaving Boston and Boras making sure he got himself paid.
Who actually spoke to Boras?
Wasn't me. I wouldn't give that guy the time of day.
Wasn't criticizing you, sorry. I don't think your numbers are that far off. Blake at 10mil would be a blunder, however.
46
Like I said, for what it's worth. Manny has made a splash here and hasn't shown much of a decline, however, I find it hard to believe that Manny will get the 5yr, 100mil that I heard thrown around before.
Anyone have a feed for the game? Other than the fox feed, that is.
Aah, who am I kidding. The guy probably has a Rolex on every appendage.
I can already tell I'm gonna be visiting with Mr. Daniels and Mr. Beam tonight.
He's a dead wringer for the lead actor on "Entourage," eh?
same here.
Think "effectively wild."
I agree
I would love to see an explanation of how they determine where the pitch was, since any part of the plate can dictate a strike.
Anyway, if both pitchers are on like this, yeah, this will be a stingy, low scoring game. The shadows at this time of day can't help the hitters either.
Okay, no DP here please, James.
WGJ!!!!!!
Not one to the pitcher.
At least now the shadow is covering the whole infield.
Come on Beard, drive another run in.
ah how... if anything we QUIETED the Philly crowd.
one if better than none...
I hate this ballpark.
92-93
Thanks good sir.
Everyone's been talking all week about how solid Philly's lineup is 1-9, and there you have it...
Apparently they got that right.
Stop the bleeding.
Sincerely,
The City of Los Angeles
Because Ruiz sucks and Myers is a good hitting pitcher. You don't walk guys in the 2nd inning when you were dealing like Chad was. The problem wasn't Ruiz it was with the 3 hitters who followed.
He's getting killed by 2 out hits.
So who's the long relief man? Kershaw?
Chad struck out the side, but....
Come on Dodgers, get some runs.
Let's go Blue!
Start us off Raffy!
the phillies walked Blake to get to Billz and he almost made them pay for it.
Furcal needs to be more patient.
Actually no, I just remember Myers looking good in the CC game with a hit and a walk and I'd never walk an eight hitter without an open base in the 2nd inning.
C'mon DTers, that was the one big inning, at least you have 6 more in which you might score runs...right?
241 - Notice how everybody's homey JI
JIM THOME does that also? Both learned it from none other than Uncle Charlie!
I will still have my Warm Glass of Weisman before bed, though.
This ain't July this is Oct. He hasn't had one of those kind of games in months.
None, still ticked about his pathetic ab in the last inning. It will pass but it is amazing how far Ethier has surpassed him.
Silence the doubters Matt!
Time for the Bison to step up.
And a Frankie Frisch reference from McCarver.
Out of the hole we're diggin,
Diggin, diggin, diggin,
Rawhide.
DT Rule 6 exists for a reason - so we don't have to waste time debating big exaggerations.
Do it, DeWitt!!!
Come on, DeWitt! Make the Bride happy!
Keep us in there, Chad!
I'm getting pissed..
It is amazing to me, Ethier's breakout was unexpected for me.
At least we are turning the lineup and we should see some Philly middle relief. On the downside Chad now gets to face the dreaded bottom of the Phillie lineup.
Hopefully it wears him down a bit. He's at 64 pitches after 3 innings.
We're gonna need some crooked numbers on the board sooner or later
I wouldn't refuse a multi-run inning from us, on the other hand.
We are making Brett work, but the bullpen is no pushover...I'm gonna try my best to stay positive though
Does he have to prove his love to you?
I think Billz is about a batter away. He doesn't have it today. Next time.
If Gibson were pitching it would be 4 - 0 not 4 - 2.
In the spirit of things:
Dump DeWitt -- bring back He-must-not-be-named.
How did we get here?
Anything can happen from here on out, but no matter what happens, it's been a fun season.
And...
Poop. That's all I can think to say. That doesn't violate any rules here or end with me being carted off to the funny farm.
Brett Freaking Myers?
BRETT FREAKING MYERS?
That is all. Thank you.
Not giving up myself either, but man, that hurt to watch.
No matter what happens, though, it's been a fun season. I hope it continues, and if it doesn't, still -- this has been fun.
*unless he has a couple more solid starts in the postseason, in which case we won't care about today anyhow.
As said though, this has been an awesome season
Of course, such a violation will not be necessary after another Grade A Loney Slam.
Guess it's time to get back to work. :-(
Some of this is just the "where balls land" kind of game. Balls that are caught or not caught, that's what baseball is all about. I thought Ethier had that one at first. What can ya do?
8-2, and Gameday Audio just cut out. Perhaps for the best.
No, no there is not.
Seriously, Park isnt the guy to keep the Dodgers in the game.
Again, until the Dodgers hit a couple of dingers and are right back at it.
Mike Scioscia says hi!
The problem becomes what to do with all my idle time as Sports blogs/new sites do nothing but raise the blood for a week afterward.
But Famey had a flaw: he liked the beer. A lot. And he had such sway over his team that he would demand, and receive, a keg in the dugout.
He'd begin the game completely sober and en fuego -- striking out the side. But as he came back to the dugout each inning, he'd have a beer, and another, and another.
Soon, pitching under the influence, he got wild. And then he got very wild. And before long, he was walking everybody -- and in this one particular game, he walked in the winning run.
And as his opponents came off the field, celebrating, one rookie saw the keg in the dugout. He was confused, couldn't figure out what it was. "What is that?" he asked.
"Don't you know?" said his teammate. "That's the beer that made Mel Famey walk us."
I'm talking offensively. He's OPSing around .500 in the playoffs. Obviously small sample size, but thats what the playoffs are. The bottom of the lineup has been dreadful.
I dont blame Park.
I blame Torre for bringing him in.
"If the elevator should be stuck between floors, do not become alarmed. Instead, press the button marked 'ALARM'"
That's why you see guys like Ruiz get key hits because you can't say you throw him off-speed pitches because he has showed over the course of the season that he can't hit any pitch consistently.
Can someone help me to understand why we are bringing in our only lefty in the 3rd down by 6 with 2 out? If he needs the work why not hold him out for a couple more innings just to see if a high leverage situation presents itself?
Torre really does not impress me.
Chad imploding the way he did after the first 5 outs and with the bottom of the order coming up is inconceivable to me. Brett Myers going 2-2 off of Chad after being 4-58 during the season is inconceivable to me. Doing it in a playoff game with RISP both times is inconveivable to me.
Is he really?
https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1156683.html
Thanks Joe Torre for letting Brett Myers rest during all of these pitching changes!
You should check how Don Larsen fared against the Dodgers in his first start against them in the 1956 World Series and compare it to the second start.
Let him pitch the rest of the game.
After a horrible inning. But at least a positive way to end it. Sort of like getting chocolate mousse for dessert after having a cow patty for dinner.
The betting has shifted dramatically in the last hour.
http://itmightbedangerous.blogspot.com/2008/10/claiming-travis-denker.html
Really? Seems to me that if down by 6 in the 3rd with 2 out and a man on 3rd becomes the higest leaveraged situation in the game then the Dodgers are toast anyway.
Ah yeah, I couldn't believe that was real. I thought it was a joke at first.
They also came back from being down 2-0 in the 1981 Division Series against the Astros.
They've also blown 2-0 leads in 1956, 1978 (both WS) and the 1985 NLCS.
I think the key for Game 3 is hoping that Fernando doesn't give up a homer to Rick Cerone.
Furcal gets on base for the first time.
I find myself saying silly stuff to my dog like "ground ball with eyes", "ducks on the pond", and "2 out nightmare"
My dog is nervous but I am strangely calm
The Dodgers did come back down 6-1 against the Phillies, Manny started it by hitting I think a 2 run home run.
We have Maddox and co. who can piece this together until we get out of town. Why didn't we yank Bills earlier?
YESS!!!!!!
YES!!!
Did I mention, yes?
YES!
Now my dog is really freaked
You dont give free outs!
It's like 1985 all over again.
I was in the midst of writing the above sentence when Manny hits a home run.
Apologies to Joe Buck.
Dialing up some 1979 California Angels nostalgia there with that slogan.
I don't care if he's a Met next season. I'm buying a 99 shirt sunday.
I do know they the guy repeatedly says, "Buy an American brand," and not "Buy an American-made car."
Veni, veni Emmanuel,
Captivum solve Israel,
Qui gemit in exilio
Privatus Dei Filio.
Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel
nascetur pro te, Israel.
-Manny Ramirez
I find it amusing that he jumps all over the Corolla as being a nasty little import, even though it is built in California at a plant that is partly owned by GM.
Spanish for Japan.
I was going to type that before Manny's home run, but it seems to apply even more now. Even if we lose this game, if I am on the Dodgers, I think my team and I can win 4 of the next 5. Some of the comments on this board by 3-4 people in particular are really off-putting. It's like the moment we are down or a decision is made that they don't agree with, the roof caves in and the negativity soars. Hang in there guys and enjoy the ride... the destination is part of the fun, the key is how you get there.
Now, are Dodgers fans winners or quitters?
Heard about the 3 run jack by Manny! :o) (pone)
and yes kemp has been looking brutal for awhile now and i'm his biggest supporter. not billz day :(...we need a rally.
We can only hope all this running will continue to pay dividends with Myers on the mound
Head to Vegas, buddy.
Postseason games where a batter drew four walks:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/yydK
Huge
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200310150.shtml
Mark it.
"Manny had his right index finger raised as he rounded first on his home run trot and also had some words for Myers on his way back to the dugout. The TV crew reported that Manny told Myers not to bother coming inside if he wasn't going to throw 95. They also reported that, earlier in the game, Manny told Myers to watch the inside pitches (Myers threw behind Ramirez's back in the first inning.) and a Philly responded that Manny should do something about it if he didn't like that. I think Manny did just that."
Manny had his right index finger raised as he rounded first on his home run trot and also had some words for Myers on his way back to the dugout. The TV crew reported that Manny told Myers not to bother coming inside if he wasn't going to throw 95. They also reported that, earlier in the game, Manny told Myers to watch the inside pitches (Myers threw behind Ramirez's back in the first inning.) and a Philly responded that Manny should do something about it if he didn't like that. I think Manny did just that.
--
And they're running out of pitchers so I don't think they had much choice but to let McDonald bat there. Though it's a tough time for his first ML at bat. It's also not definite that Kershaw isn't pitching in game 4. They're probably holding him back for now unless they absolutely have to use him.
Not crazy about being down, but if we keep them at 8 I like our chances
Pity
A walk to remember!
Stop improvising!
He looks good man... really nice curve, he threw a fastball (92mph) right by Burrel, HIGH HEAT.
Told ya so.
The Phillies beat up Lowe? What game did you watch?
agreed.
i mean agreed on 767
I have tried to read the entrails of a goat to see what the omens are.
But the other goats got mad at me for killing one of their own.
I'm walking on my hands in his solute
That's an omen if I ever saw one.
Wow, Blake just missed that.
If we don't hear from you again, thanks for all you've done here.
just sick
Good luck!
Appologies, it's not that I am not patriotic, but baseball is my religion and I like our traditions
Great minds think alike!
801
Hilarious.
The Dodgers hardest hit balls have been to CF, and it has cost them dearly.
An unnecessary flourish of a jump there by Victorino, too.
Kent
Furcal
Martin
Manny
Ethier
Loney at least.
Keep us in there bullpen and these guys can do magic.
Can we lose "God Bless America" interruptions and go back to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," please?
They will all bat in the 8th!
Don't do it Jon!
They hadn't done it all season at CBP until the playoffs. Do we get more patriotic in the postseason?
They did not.
If they do this weekend, I will take that opportunity to go to the men's room.
TMOTTB was played twice on Saturday. I don't remember GBA.
I'm in the mood for acronyms right now.
2 out nightmare
Fair weather, huh? One bad start, and it's time to kick Bills to the curb?
Kuroda has been our best pitcher against the Phillies, you want to limit him to one start?
Free agents feeling the pressure. Their value is dropping faster then the DJ.
Here here!
So today will be historic.
http://tinyurl.com/FrauBl-cher
I was thinking of a grenade jammed into that kazoo mouth of his.
I posted that news way back up toward the top of the thread.
Well, not exactly 2005, since after Lidge gave up the HR to Pujols they still went to the WS. We'll take the first part, though. :)
I'll bring your bench Sunday!
It's 904 time!
With that said, I hope it's the Phillies.
But the Bison is still my favorite player.
Blocked.
swung at the same junk 3 x in a row
ugly
both Kemp & Nomar looked bad but they looked bad against a premier pitcher.
Oh, and do we NEED the freakin' fireworks after every Phillies' win? Well, I for one am glad to get at least two games away from that stupid ballpark.
1981 WS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 6)
1981 NLDS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 5)*
1978 WS: Dodgers won first two at home, lost series (in 6)
1965 WS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 7)
1956 WS: Dodgers won first two at home, lost series (in 7)
1955 WS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 7)
*5-game series
It's the playoffs. Comebacks happen.
supporting my HOME TOWN DODGERS!
I'll be better in an hour.
Kemp's postseason has been atrocious
He was busting out a hale mary.
Phillies did what they had to do. Now, we have to do the same.
but I am going to have a hard time forgetting about that last at bat
take a strike - cant he just do take a strike? Lidge walked two already, take a strike
terrible
Nomar, dude, come on....
his fastball ball isn't all that, but I can tell you that when somebody has a nasty slider like Lidge does, it LOOKS like a fastball off the arm but it breaks all of a sudden, IMO he is good.
I will say this though, HE ONLY HAS 2 PITCHES. I don't think he threw a strike on that slider AT ALL.
Furcal / Ethier / Manny / Loney / Martin / DeWitt / Kemp / Blake / Kuroda. We need to switch this up.
Lidge is good.
Honestly, i'm worried about Kemp. His performance with runners on base this post season has been atrocious. The 2 abs he ahd for walks were great, and then he puts himself into a hole against Lidge by taking a first pitch spinner at the belt and swinging at a pitch that didnt start near the zone. He's had a ton of opportunities to do some damage on some really hittable pitches, but he hasnt made solid contact yet. He's the key to the games in L.A from the offensive side.
VERY TRUE.
Anyway... onwards and upwards.
On to LA!
Remember we do not need a 20 game winning streak here. We can do this. The match ups favor us too. I'd take Bills vs Hamels in DS with the series tied 2-2 before today.
Another way to look at it.. a lot of things have to go right for the Dodgers to come back into this. But, not as many things as those that went the Phillies' way in games one and two. We will be heard!
I know that the Phils and their phans are not comfortable.
It's sandwich time
The Dodgers are not going to win unless their starting pitching gets to at least the 7th inning. Chad was bad today, Lewe had a bad inning.
The Ruiz AB was the game changer. A pitcher as good as Billingsley shouldn't fall someone like Ruiz, but stuff happens. what you cannot do is throw the poitch he threw 2-1. My gosh was that on a tee and just begging to be hit. Another huge key that inning was Rollins' 4 hopper for a hit. He just hit it in the exact right place for a base hit. Some really bad luck tonight for the Dodgers.
It actually works out great for me.
Not that I think anyone needs to be blamed. That stuff is gonna happen. It isn't fun, and it really isn't fun when it happens in the playoffs, but it happens. It wasn't Chad's night.
18 for 53 10 home runs 6 walks and 12 K's
.340/.417/.962/1.379
Matt Kemp also does very well against slow throwing left handers. I think he breaks out in Game 3.
The boys will be at home which is a very big deal in this series.
From an offensive standpoint, its huge. Obviously the pitching has to be there, but our lineyup has basically quit after the 5th guy in the order. I'm not saying we're down 0-2 because of him, but he needs to show up. The Phils can win without Ryan Howard on the beam because they have Rollins, Utley, Burrell, Worth, Victorino, and freakin Brett Myers to pick up the slack. Our 6-7-8-9 has been almost automatic outs, and Kemp producing from the 6 hole totally changes the dynamic of the lineup.
manifestation's of a young pitcher THAT'S ALL... he won 16 games for us 16!! he is younger than what's his face (Lincecum) if you ask me, our future is freaking awesome man... the sensibilities are endless for Bills & company (all the rooks) this is just a bump in the road for greatness.
Yeah, I'm finding Kemp-bashing beyond reason at this point. No question he's had some bad at bats. But these starts to feel to me like we had with Broxton for awhile. Anything bad is exploded beyond reason; anything good is conveniently ignored.
I won't say Kemp hasn't done as much as I'd like him to have done in the past month or so, but I also remember he's done plenty of good things even while struggling. And he walked twice before facing the toughest closer in the game right now. Anyway, hopefully he hits a three run homer in the next game so we can all feel happy.
You are using lazy fly balls and a lucky double as points in his favor? The only balls he has hit hard were on the ground. He has been lousy in the postseason, he's not the goat but I don't why we should sugarcoat the fact he's been anything but effective during the postseason.
*possibilities
Thank you. He just hasnt performed well in the post-season, and to me, he is a huge key in getting back in the series. He needs to come through in some of these spots with RISP. Today was the second time in 5 games (i think, might be 3 times) he's k'd with a runner on 3rd and 0 or 1 out, and against this Philly team he really does need to come through.
Every other team is sitting at home preparing for 2009 and/or watching us wishing they were us. I'm extremely proud of our team. They deserve to be where they are and they're coming home to a crowd that will be rocking Sunday night.
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."
1966 -- Lost first two at home to Baltimore in World Series. Lost series in four games.
It's one thing to wish Kemp were doing better, but people have really been ripping him. I happen to think it's been too much. You can disagree.
And a big game from our reputed "ace" would have been nice. But the god had feet of clay.
Look losing sucks, but I don't think definitive statements about players are really appropriate, for good or bad, this assortment of players got them here and it will be these guys who will try to win 4 before losing 2 more games.
Anyhow, benching Matt Kemp so Juan Pierre could play centerfield does not sound win win to me.
It's been a tight series, with a lot of huge impact that could easily have gone different ways. It's not that the players who flubbed or came up big don't get their lumps or their credit, but it's been close all the way.
And with that, off to do laundry and sigh a lot.
S Rolen Strikeout Swinging
J Edmonds Strikeout Swinging
E Renteria Single to LF
R Sanders Single to CF
M Matheny Single to LF; Renteria Scores
Rollins, Utley, Howard, Burrell 2-for-14. We essentially gave up 8 runs to the Nats.
But then, the Cubs probably were not too far away winning a game or two themselves.
CC Sabathia walked Brett Myers last week and look what happened to him.
Crazy things happen all the time in baseball, in the playoffs it just stands out more.
If Jorge Posada had thrown out Dave Roberts...
I'm done with comments for a couple of days--mostly because I'll be away, but this is just silly.
Looking forward to seeing some of you at the top deck Sunday!
I had a chance to review details of this game. It just doesn't seem fair! How does the pitcher get 3 RBIs? Did you, like I, feel like the universe doesn't want the Dodgers to win?
Well, it's just one game and the Phils held serve. There's still plenty of series to go. I'm just so, so frustrated the Dodgers can't win a game at Citizens Bank Park this year. What gives?
When I saw that Charlie Manuel's mother passed away, I naturally assumed the Baseball Gods would not let us win this one.
Now, more than ever, I see that baseball is a game of inches.
Strangely I felt the same. When something like that happens, it's almost a given Manuel would get his boys to win one for him.
I'm glad the Phils were able to help him through an otherwise sad day.
Where'd everybody go?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3637274
Is it really that big of a deal to blame pitch selection? Seems like an author trying to make something out of nothing, maybe I'm wrong.
I'm fretful looking ahead. If Manny's gone, Lowe's gone, Penny's gone, and our infield is a hole...is this our best chance? I worry about that, with McColletti at the wheel. Win now or bust? Maybe. And that scares me.
I'll finish that sentence for you:
If Jorge Posada had thrown out Dave Roberts, the Yankees would have swept the Red Sox, Francona would have been fired, the Red Sox would not have won the World Series, and the world would be a better place.
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