You said it. The level of information out there for Dodger fans is amazing. The mostly intelligent discussion about the Dodgers all over the internet (but mostly here of course) has really enhanced my following of the club.

I like to think Dodger Thoughts is a big deal...

I laughed thinking that you wrote this walking around the pool in a semi-open robe.

Also, I highly recommend "Harvey's Wallbangers," the story of the '82 Brewers. That will be on at 9pm.

But curse you all for giving me yet more distractions and procrastination tools. Curse you all!

---

Meanwhile, here's a nice new little piece on Clayton Kershaw:

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/sports/ci_11560764

>>He's not their ace yet. In fact, that's the kind of word nobody even likes to say out loud when talking about Kershaw.

"He has that ability over time, but we don't want to put any extra pressure on him," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. "In today's game, it takes years to earn that position. Even last year, with as many veteran guys as we had, I never liked saying, `This guy is the ace, this guy is No. 2.' "

But when asked how Kershaw looked during the team's winter workouts at Dodger Stadium, you almost could see Honeycutt smiling through the telephone.

"He's in great shape, he looks good. He's strong and healthy," he said. "He's ready to go." <<

Oh wait, they're serious. He's really into ping pong, or as the Chinese say: "Ping pong".

And I get the Big Ten Network.

And another channel that shows nothing but programming from BYU.

I'll be glad when February 4th rolls around.

Looking forward to continuing the conversation throughout the 2009 season.

See you at the Ravine,
Chris
www.dodgerfan.net

I was in HS in the 60's, a transplanted Californian, trying to be a Dodger fan in a wasteland of WC sports information. The daily newspaper might print WC box scores two days after the game, but often they didn't. I had to figure out who won games by looking at the standings.

Trying to find another Dodger fan to talk baseball with, and commiserate over the Koufax retirement, was impossible.

Usually all I had for stats was the Sunday newspaper with hitters and pitchers ranked by BA and ERA but sometimes my dad would bring home a copy of The Sporting News, which printed all the box scores from the week. I would pour over it for hours.

Today I am spoiled with DT and other blogs, and far more stats than I can follow. I love being spoiled.

I can't recall how I first came across Dodger Thoughts but between Jon's posts, the comments from people who know far more than I do and the links on the side bar my interest in the team has appreciated magnificently. I don't contribute much but I receive much enjoyment here.

This is a game played by two teams, one out the other in.

The one that's in, sends players out one at a time, to see if they can get in before they get out. If they get out before they get in, they come in, but it doesn't count. If they get in before they get out it does count.

When the ones out get three outs from the ones in before they get in without being out, the team that's out comes in and the team in goes out to get those going in out before they get in without being out.

When both teams have been in and out nine times the game is over. The team with the most in without being out before coming in wins unless the ones in are equal. In which case, the last ones in go out to get the ones in out before they get in without being out.

The game will end when each team has the same number of ins out but one team has more in without being out before coming in.

When you die, you will be admitted past the pearly gates if you have lived a worthy life, or if have logged at least 100 hours watching KBYU. Think of it as purgatory.

20 My story is much like yours, and I remember devouring the hitting and pitching lists in the Sunday NY Times. Discovering TSN in the 70's was a revelation (in those days they had some real in depth minor league coverage and stats. BA picked up when TSN let baseball fade. But the net and blogging is to a fan what the big bang is to the universe.

Thanks, Jon.

In previous years, without access to information and discussion about my team, I think my interest in the Dodgers and baseball in general would have waned. But thanks to MLB.tv and the Dodger blogs (Dodger Thoughts in particular), I'm still as passionate a Dodger fan as I've ever been. Maybe even more so.

>>"At the beginning of the season, there were a lot of independent league guys," the AL scout said. "In the second half of the season, it got better. But it was only a high Triple-A league at the end of the season. Because of the financial situation, (the league) can't pay the same and can't attract the bigger names."

To understand the situation, know that the Mexican Pacific League was dotted by Braves top prospect Jordan Schafer, with the Puerto Rican League's top talent being Dodgers shortstop Ivan De Jesus Jr. There were other big-name notables such as Yankees righthander Ian Kennedy in Puerto Rico.

However, the Puerto Rican League MVP was Jorge Padilla, a 29-year-old outfielder whose career has stalled in the high minors since 2004.<<

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=2081

Baby steps, Bob, baby steps.

Dodger Thoughts IS a big deal. You are the gold standard in my opinion. In fact, this page is the reason I started my own blog. I hope all is well.

(Brad Ausmus) passed his physical, which is no small feat for a guy who is going to turn 40 in April

Has anyone ever not passed a Dodger physical? Seriously.

Billingsley
Kuroda
Kershaw

Broxton
Kuo
Wade
Mota
McDonald (starter or reliever)

Barring injury, these guys are assured of making the 25-man roster on April 6th.

There will certainly be another FA signing or two; that will most likely push Troncoso & Elbert to the minors. I doubt management trusts Stults enough to carry him to start the season; he's insurance just like every other year. And then there's the Greg Miller case - is he kept for at least a little while, maybe used in blowout situations, just to see if a turnaround is possible?

Schmidt, of course, will be given the longest leash of anyone and will make the staff if he shows any sign of his former self. Vargas, because he's on the 40-man, albeit with a non-guaranteed contract, has a good shot at landing the fungible longman/swingman role. Then there's always a NRI/journeyman that makes some noise, too.

Personally, I'm setting my sights on J-Mac in a starting role, where I think he can produce as serviceable mid-rotation guy immediately. He's someone I'm rooting for the most.

We are truly in a different time where news comes from all angles, and most of the rumors are pretty accurate.

For one more blog to your list of reading - check out www.sfdodgerfan.com
Life as a Dodger fan living in Giants Territory.

Keep the good posts coming!

Certainly not a lock considering the news that they want to keep him in the pen. Also that Troncoso might be given a shot at starting, and the Dodgers' general preference for old crappy pitchers.