http://tinyurl.com/929xl7

Looking at that cast, I'm definitely intrigued to see who she ends up with.

Oh well.

I just fined "added a layer of muscle" to be really funny

I can't wait for them to make one of those six a Special Special Assistant.

http://6-4-2.blogspot.com/2009/01/report-andruw-jones-quits-winter-ball.html

On a side note, if Florida wins Thursday I win my bowl pool.

If Oklahoma wins, I will be purchasing a GPS for our car. I now refer to the game as the GPS bowl

Good news for Manny, bad move for Pat the Bat.

Kuo and Hu tentatively in WBC.

Watch what Manny's asking price goes up to if Dunn signs before he does.

http://tinyurl.com/7dgv3a

If the Dodgers were to splurge and sign Manny AND Sheets or something like that, the payroll be in the $105-110 million range. This figure is below the $120-125m from last year, but of course none of us knows what the actual budget is for this year.

Here's the response from my e-mail to The Smoking Gun: "As baseball fans, TSG is well aware of the Boras brochures. Sadly, we've never had a line on obtaining one. One day, perhaps..."

Anybody able to help?

http://tinyurl.com/5tbuwo

Then again, so is calling the country "Taiwan."
Because that's not it's real name either.

Alas, as Red would say: 'Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.'

Last I heard, there were still four teams interested in signing Lowe.

Haven't the Dodgers essentially said they would not sign anyone that would cost them their 17th pick in the 1st round?

At least I think that was the understanding.

But no one is on record saying that Lowe would never come back. I agree it is a slim chance, but he would entertain a deal.

I wonder how many players have gone from the WS champs to the WS runner-up during an off-season.....?

Burrell at 2/16 tells me that Ned shouldnt budge from the 2/45 deal he offered Manny.

If the AL can bring in Burrell and Dunn they should be able to upgrade the DH position.

This is my favorite line As for the Rangers, GM Jon Daniels told mlb.com they were not currently pursuing Ramirez but he did not rule it out

This version is a bit better and just about as true...Hollywood Joe of DT blog poster fame said that he is currently not dating Penelope Cruz but he did not rule it out

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8402

Rob reports that Andruw Jones' Dominican team has asked him to leave the team.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/sports/baseball/Pitching-We-Dont-Need-No-Stinkin-Pitching.html

Smoke and mirrors.

He'll also join an exclusive group of players who went from one World Series team to another between seasons. Since 1970, just four other players -- and only other position players -- played against a team in the World Series one year and then played for that team in their first game the next season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau: Edgar Renteria (2004 St. Louis Cardinals, 2005 Boston Red Sox), Gary Thomasson (1978 New York Yankees, 1979 Los Angeles Dodgers), Tommy John (1978 Dodgers, 1979 Yankees) and Don Gullett (1976 Reds, 1977 Yankees).

dodgers should try to trade jones for peavy, if not he belongs to the free agents list.

Pat Burrell made $27M in 2007-2008.

He played in 155/157 games, hit 30/33 HR, had these two lines .256/.400/.502 and .250/.367/.507

Pat Burrell will be 32 in April 2009.

He is taking a 40% cut for a 2 year guaranteed deal.

The salary gap between the elite players and the lesser players will only widen further given the current economic climate.

A-Rod and the like will make $30M/year.
Pat the Bat and the like will make $8M/year.

Will there be a middle?

He may have been better off taking it.

http://tinyurl.com/9ybgzp

Seems to be a clear market ineffiency, where a Dunn/Burrell make closer to a Juan Pierre makes, than what an A-Rod, Tex makes.

It is now my primary goal in life to be buried under a tombstone with those words on it.

Shall we cut to the chase...?

(I see a major knee contusion or 7 for Mr. Bradley, unless he adopts the Bobby Abreu style of defense)

A sizable Risk for the Cubs, who hope they're not Sorry and that this move won't start their Downfall. Jim Edmonds must be asking Why, since his future in Chicago is in Trouble.

Better than a no-arm piss-ant who can't hit.

In his only healthy season ever (with us), he OPS+'d 108. I'm nearing Rule 8, so I'll relent, but this is certainly open to criticism.

Since I'm talking about Adam Dunn and not Milton Bradley.

I fully support Adam Dunn pro arguments. and I owe you a CD, which will be much easier since I re-formatted my troubling computer yesterday.

Haha. Cool, I look forward to it.

And I'm done debating Dunn. It's like arguing religion with people.

Pie is usually smoked, but you should try him in brownie form. Whole new experience...

How was the party? Sorry I missed it.

Returning to work after a four day weekend is not fun.

They are projecting an OPS of 890 but based on only 390 at bats. It is a good gamble compared to Pierre but I'd rather have Dunn for two million more per year if I was the Cubs.

I've been recovering from my Caribbean cruise. I want to go back. Now.

We better sign Manny. You and I will get our Jerseys together.

Yeah, just like you felt bad for sabotaging my flight to last year's picnic. I could've seen Shimmin's pen.

That's the beauty of the Juan Pierre contract. Every day something comes along to make it look and feel even worse.

Good grief.

And onion dip.

And so I remember why I don't wear sweaters.

I won my pick em league by nine games this year. 35 teams and I couldn't name 10 quarterbacks anymore.

I predict an injury plagued season followed by an off-season trade to the Blue Jays.

I agree with all of their moves except trading DeRosa & replacing him with Miles.

Dealing Marquis was good - he's a bad fit for that ballpark - way too many homers given up. Plus he walks guys. He's not a good pitcher.

Bradley at 3/30 is probably 1yr too long & Dunn would be a better option, but its not a horrible decision.

Jim Edmonds is probably done. He's 38yrs old.

Kerry Wood for Gregg wont be that big of deal. Wood's a closer and unless you are the Yankees, it makes no sense to pay a closer 10+ mils, especially one that has the injury problems that Wood does.

(suicide bomb)

Give me that scenario with Loney bringing in a good pitcher and I would be on board. But, I have no soul

A bigger question is why they settled on such a small return. The Rockies should've demanded a high ceiling pitcher like Trevor Cahill at least; Carlos Gonzalez isn't nearly good enough to carry a Holliday deal.

I'm just trying to start a war with Canada, for fun. I like Loney. I also like Dunn.

;-)

You are declaring Edmunds done based on his age and ignoring his resurgence? Doesn't performance come into play? You'd be hard pressed to find a NL CF who hit better then he did once he became a Cub.

Cool article where Dugout Club in Dodger Stadium is ranked third best seats to sit in (although they are clearly the best IMO) The rankings are based more off of nostalgia and uniqueness it seems.

I dont think there's much of a difference between bad "Marquis" type innings (5.00) ERA, and say "Hendrickson" type innings (6.00) ERA.

So in that case, I'd argue who cares?

I dont think Edmonds had a resurgence. I think its a small sample size.

I'll never accept the argument that Dunn's 1st base defense totally eliminates his career .900 OPS. It just doesnt make any sense.

Frank McCourt, of course.

I can't even fathom that kind of seat and pampering

did i miss a Hot Wings Thought post previously?

It was Wing Stop actually....Same league I suppose.

Tacos notwithstanding.

where do you live?

If you are serious about this, give me a few days to make sure this can happen and then we can go from there.

Ahh. Memories.

http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/entertainment

Or La Pizza Loca and no one else.

Jan. 27, 1991 would have been a rough half time show

Pizza is best prepared on the BGE...with a space monkey

Speaking of announcers...I was playing MLB2K8 last night, and man, Joe Morgan is bad in that game. I love the line, "it is always a good idea to score runs early in the ballgame"

Football halftime shows are, without exception, the worst part of football games.

I fully expect to be killed by a demented trombone player or an angry baton twirler now.

I have always wanted to eat there

Or perhaps they just put up a mirror for four hours.

"Watch it go Mitch, you'll be doing franchise bar food commercials without the mullet sooner than you think!"

It shouldn't be hard to make at least a B (even Claim Jumper does!), but I've had some really bad wings before. Hamburger Hamlet was public enemy number one in this regard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbz89jkLq8k (skip to about the 2 minute mark)

Er, chicken breast, to be precise.

Er.

Barney's were average, but the sauce didn't pack enough heat and the wings were a little too big for my tastes. High quality meat though.

Sigh, it's been a looonnng day.

if anyone is closer to the orange curtain, my top ranking goes to Heroes in Fullerton, and Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach does Hot Wings in a different light, but very well (as well as having an amazing beer selection). Also, Naja's at the Redondo Beach Pier has respectable wings (again, that could be the 70+ beers on tap talking).

There are exceptions but those are usually ordered that way.

Is it odd that Ned Colletti never gives a reason why a player is good(like how exactly he helps a ballclub to win) and instead goes into PR speak to explain his like of a player?

http://blogs.pe.com/prosports/mlb/dodgers/

Honestly, I know a lot of guys that would trade almost anything and everything they have just for that one moment. Heck, I know a lot of guys that would trade body parts for the Tyus Edney shot. And if you think about it, moments like that have made countless people happy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pHRar8LQrs&feature=related

SFW.

In a sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bQI7CGfJyM

Let's see: Mays, DiMaggio, Mantle, Snider, Griffey Jr, Speaker, Doby, our own Andruw Jones (at least before this year), Cobb?

No real boundaries on food type, but I would like to get out of there spending less than $200 for two people. She loves a good steak place (Pacific Dining Car and Mortons are favorites), but I want to be creative...

Any thoughts would be appreciated, though I will take all the credit for finding the place...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/uRCs

And then I know a lot of more divey places. Congrats to your wife!

The easy answers: AOC, Providence, Craft, Cut

Cut may be your best bet if you wanted to cue in on the Steak business, but it's a fun list to not only find a great match for this occasion, but get a few ideas for later.

Let us know what you decide!

It's the criteria's fault!

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/J/Pjackj101.htm

And games weren't sponsored by lame-sounding companies.

And... and...

You kids stay off my lawn!

- Ken Griffey Jr. has the third-most games played of any of those CFers

- Grady Sizemore is 13th all time after only playing five full seasons

- Bernie Williams = 14th, Kirby Puckett = 16th and Hall of Famer

- Aaron Rowand is only 44th on the list, watch out behind you Torii Hunter!

- Who on earth is/was Benny Kauff???

Sizemore being high on the list after only 5 seasons actually probably favors him. The rest of them had to play as old men already.

How about Rick Monday!

$104 for 1 ounce of caviar?!?!? (Not that I'm familiar with that cuisine or anything).

Mantle in CF 1745/2401 = 72.68%

Duke in CF 1589/2143 = 74.15%

Cobb in CF 2195/3035 = 72.32%

If only to hear The Untouchables, Nik Kershaw, Waterboys, Split Enz and Icicle Works (the last one recorded from a record!) This is just all kinds of awesome. Oh, plus Eddie Murphy.

Craigslist here I come!

Ned Coletti says that he and Boras are talking about Manny, but no new offer was made yet. Dodgers would like to re-sign Saito, but Saito agent hasn't called the Dodgers back about it. And Pedro Martinez wants a one year deal, but the Dodgers' are not one of the teams interested in him.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/dodgers-gm-on-m.html

Scott Boras talks about Andruw Jones. Boras thinks Andruw can still be an everyday player.

"They took a big pill here," Boras said of the Dodgers. "It was a positive for both sides, really. ...Andruw felt it was best for him."

This made me laugh for some reason.

About three inches away under Heyman's section:
"Giants, Dodgers, to war over Manny?"

Heyman is awful.

It does not do the song justice.

But it's a halftime show. If God had meant us to listen to music played by large marching bands in a football stadium, Mozart would have been commissioned by NFL Films.

J.C. Romero suspended 50 games for failing a drug test.

331 Oh, they're there, too. Believe me. Early REM, Untouchables, Pretenders, it's all there.

That and a few items too embarrassing to mention.

Matt Vasgersian has said that the Fiesta Bowl is "more than just an exhibition game."

Heh. Naughty Sweeties?

Tim Brown lists reasons why teams should sign manny.

I pretty much hate all of the UCLA band's repertoire. It's been updated twice since I graduated in 1987 I think.

Andy Pettiette rejects the 10 million dollar offer from the Yankees.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-dodgers6-2009jan06,0,6381058.story

Seems with the Druw business they have been working closely together over the past week or so, at least. I imagine that names of other clients were mentioned(as was the new space created to give his clients more money).

Jim Tressel gives the stinkeye to Mack Brown after losing the game. I'm sure Eric Enders would love this image.

http://www.dalrae.com/online.htm

Take her to Fogo de Chau. Really nice Brazilian steakhouse that serves around 13 different cuts of all you can eat meat. They have filet mignon, filet wrapped in bacon, top sirloin, bottom sirloin, etc. All of it super delicious brought to you right after its cooked. Also an awesome salad bar (dont get too much from there, though. Save up for the meat!) It really is a unique and great dining experience. I think its around $65 per person for dinner, which really isnt that bad considering it is all you can eat, especially in contrast to the amount you will pay for one good piece of meat at a high end steakhouse.

Aberu wants 3 years/48 million. Yikes!

Both have the same probability of happening.

9. Chris Chambliss, 1976 AL Pennant Winner. Saw it.
8. Aaron Boone, 2003 AL Pennant Winner. Saw it.
7. Carlton Fisk, won Game 6 1975 World Series. Saw it. (First 3, their teams lost the World Series.) Of course this doesn't happen without Bernie Carbo's 3-run HR.
6. Babe Ruth, his called shot in the 1932 World Series. No, did not see it. (Lou Gehrig came up next and hit a home run to the almost identical spot.)
5. Henry Aaron, 715th in 1974 vs. Al Downing and the Dodgers. Saw this one too so I did not hear Vin's call.
4. Kirk Gibson, 1988 World Series game winner. Did I see this one, what do you think.
3. Joe Carter, 1993 World Series winner. I think I saw this one.
2. Mazeroski's 1960 World Series winner. I won a McDonald's quiz card knowing that Ralph Terry gave up this home run. Slightly before my time.
1. The _____ win the pennant, the ______win the pennant. I read about this game in the first baseball history book I ever owned, soon with "Sports Challenge" and other documentaries, I would learn more about it. Best reporting about this moment is Red Smith's column.

We live in Oregon, but from California. We've never had a hard time with the fans in Eugene.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/cafardos-latest.html

363
If forced to choose between only those three, I'd take Garland. But I'd rather have Sheets or Pettitte.

369 Actually this was all mid to late 80s, or at least that's when I made these tapes. I guess some of the music's a little older though. I was hipper than I thought I was! I even had some VU on there. I don't recall the Kats actually. Hrm, maybe I'm not that hip.

Contestants always picked Richard Dawson when they had to do a one-on-one match.

And there was always at least one "celebrity" I have no clue who they were.

There were no "unfamous" celebrities on "Match Game."

Ever!

Once you made it on that panel, you were in. The ghost of Brett Somers is coming after you. I would also say the ghost of Patti Deutsch will come after you, except she's not dead.

But I defy you to prove to me you knew who Phyllis Newman was! (Okay, I do now, but I had to look it up.)

Or Jo Ann Pflug?

Okay, I know that the latter was in the movie version of M*A*S*H* but... I never got the appeal.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Pat-Knight-uses-small-boy-to-teach-team-valuable?urn=ncaab,132302

He sure has his dad's gift for showmanship.

---

Okay, What's My Line... that's my cue to hit the sack.

http://tinyurl.com/9b93zu

Consider his K/9. Then consider the perceived shame attending the K in that baseball universe. Then consider that such likely explains all the slap-happy singles hitters. Then consider his K/BB.

Here he is in action, for those who haven't seen him pitch [it's a bit dated, as he K's Matsui early on in the piece (the 2nd K shown)]:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU1wMH6lXHQ

Since some want Manny and a pitcher, how about Manny and Ken [signed to a Kuroda-like deal].

I seem to recall they changed the rules of the final round for that very reason.

384
I just wonder how good our team could be with Abreu/Pettite/Wolf rather than with Manny/Wolf. If we did get both Pettite and Wolf, we would have a very lefty-heavy rotation with Elbert as an alternate during the season.

http://tinyurl.com/doletthedoorhityouonyourwayout

Oliver Perez, 27, is left-handed, eight years younger than Lowe and accustomed to pitching in New York. He also got married in mid-December, a sign of his growing maturity.

Isn't that like saying: "I'm employed here because it pays more, it's closer to home, it has better benefits and it also has the coolest supply cabinet ever."

Are you going to bring your laptop?

Jones will be paid $15 million in salary over the next six years. That means there's gonna be a "$2.5 million Andruw Jones" entry in the Also Paying salary section of the DT sidebar until 2014. Awesome.

What does Manny being cool with the idea mean -- he's into the idea of playing in SF, or not excited about it?

Ned needs to make some kind of public announcement regarding the date at which the Dodgers will begin accepting Serious Offers™.

This game is not too difficult for two to play at.

Really, we have no reason NOT to give three years. We just re-upped Blake & Furcal for three years; we control Martin, Ethier, & ? for three years; and, three is the magic number.

Just do it and shut up about it. Signed,
Irritated Dodger Fans

Really, we have no reason NOT to give three years.

If our ideal fit is two years, then there would seemingly have to be at least one reason not to give three years.

"The 1984 movie 'The Natural' was based on what book by author Bernard Malamud."

You gotta love this calendar!

I think we should make that offer. If they don't want it, let's get it Dunn

That would give the 17th pick to Arizona. And that would be stupid.

Not knowing the name of the guy that sings that "Fire" song is really bugging me.

From mlb.com. I wonder why we're not named as one of the teams that's rumored to be interested in him. He's supposed to be healthy by spring training and could add some "closing experience" to our pen.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/586/1231263410409if2.th.png

4chan's /g/ board was able to hack macrumors live during the keynote, and shut the thing down.

NFSW language used.

http://www.npbtracker.com/2009/01/free-agent-roundup/

Good for Takashi

Nice

Will Carroll reports that the banned substance that J.C. Romero took is basically an anabolic steroid.

Somebody gets converted to a first baseman.

Oh the Crazy World of Arthur Brown is amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOErZuzZpS8

A few years ago he released a concept album about vampires (before vampires were Twilighted) and it's pretty amazing.