You...actually count your half birthdays?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Don't feel bad Jon. My 40's are 90.4 % over :)

That's how I try to stay young, Jim :)

In a couple of weeks, my 30s will be 95% over.

Happy B'day JW. Lots of special occasions for you lately.

If any of you have 10 minutes to kill this is a fascinating little study from 10/04 that I hadn't seen until yesterday:
http://tinyurl.com/ba79j

They test the merits of Small Ball by studying 160 team seasons worth of data. They even obtained first-to-third stats from retrosheet which sounds brutal to dig up.

SPOILER warning-
Not only do they demonstrate that in most cases, small ball reduces scoring... they also show that small ball teams are not any better at winning 1-run games. Something I've always believed but never really saw proven.

Also re: my earlier post. I ran the "scoring >2" data on all 30 teams. U-G-L-Y.

1 BOS 86.7%
2 STL 82.6%
3 BAL 82.2%
4 Cubs 81.8%
5 NYY 78.3%
6 CHW 76.6%
7 AZ 76.6%
8 Atl 76.1%
9 DET 75.0%
10 TB 74.5%
11 TEX 73.9%
12 TOR 73.9%
13 Milw 73.9%
14 MIN 73.3%
15 Mets 72.3%
16 Sd 71.7%
17 Col 70.5%
18 Was 70.2%
19 Fla 69.8%
20 SF 68.9%
21 Phi 68.8%
22 ANA 67.4%
23 LA 66.7%
24 Cin 65.2%
25 KC 63.0%
26 Hou 63.0%
27 CLE 62.2%
28 SEA 62.2%
29 Pit 61.4%
30 OAK 60.0%

Happy Unbirthday.

Nomo was dominant today, moving to 199 total career wins (Japan & U.S. combined):

7.1 IP 5 H 1 ER 2 BB 7 K

Happy Birthday Jon. May the Dodgers give you a great present tonight.

Big - I've lost track. Does ">2" mean they've score more than two runs in a game, or outscored their opponents by two runs, or what?

Cancel #11. Obviously, it's not the second thing I said. D'oh.

Marty, you're old :) My 40's are 90% over today.
(when Vinny referred to `birthday boy' Brad Penny pitching Thursday, my brain made the connection that his birthday was on today. This is the kind of senile dementia you young fellas have to look forward to).

Not to be nitpicky Jon (especially on your birthday), but would outscoring their opponents by two runs mean every teams percentage would be 100%?

My 30s are still on the sunny side of being 50% over.

6. Very interesting article, thanks. I wonder what Gene Mauch and his mini-me Mike Scioscia would say...

This is games scoring >2 runs. This gets weirder when you add RPG ranking (RPG in parens). What the h*ll are we doing at the bottom with those dogs?:

1 BOS 86.7% (4)
2 STL 82.6% (3)
3 BAL 82.2% (5)
4 Cubs 81.8% (22)
5 NYY 78.3% (1)
6 CHW 76.6% (17)
7 AZ 76.6% (14)
8 Atl 76.1% (9)
9 DET 75.0% (21)
10 TB 74.5% (10)
11 TEX 73.9% (2)
12 TOR 73.9% (8)
13 Milw 73.9% (15)
14 MIN 73.3% (18)
15 Mets 72.3% (19)
16 Sd 71.7% (7)
17 Col 70.5% (12)
18 Was 70.2% (26)
19 Fla 69.8% (11)
20 SF 68.9% (13)
21 Phi 68.8% (20)
22 ANA 67.4% (25)
23 LA 66.7% (6)
24 Cin 65.2% (16)
25 KC 63.0% (23)
26 Hou 63.0% (30)
27 CLE 62.2% (28)
28 SEA 62.2% (24)
29 Pit 61.4% (29)
30 OAK 60.0% (27)

Random Dodger game callback

May 26, 1976

Despite the loss of ace starter Andy Messersmith to free agency, an event that altered baseball forever, the Dodgers increased their early season lead to 2 games over second place Cincinnati with an 8-0 shutout win from Doug Rau over the Padres at San Diego Stadium.

Rau had spent the previous five days with his ailing father in Texas and was told to return to his team by his father. Rau said after the game that he was distracted at first, but later settled in, temporarily forgot his troubles and held the Padres to just three hits and three walks. Rau retired the first nine batters, before Padres shortstop Enzo Hernandez doubled to lead off the fourth. Hernandez would pick up another hit in the ninth and Rau got Willie Davis to bounce into a double play to end the game.

The Dodgers scored four runs in the third off of Padre starter Ken Reynolds and Joe Ferguson and Steve Yeager added home runs in the 8th off of reliever Rich Folkers.

In other news that day, German existential philosopher Martin Heidegger died on May 26, 1976. Heidegger was responsible for the saying "Sein and Zeit and Two Days of Light."

In addition to the loss of Messersmith, the 1976 Dodgers were full of changes. In the offseason, Willie Crawford was traded to St. Louis for former Dodger Rookie of the Year Ted Sizemore. Before the season, the Dodgers made a rare trade with the Angels, picking up backup catcher Ellie Rodriguez for Orlando Alvarez.

On June 15, the Dodgers made another trade with St. Louis and it was a blockbuster. The Dodgers picked up outfielder Reggie Smith in exchange for Ferguson, Bob Detherage and Fred Tisdale. And eight days later, 1974 Cy Young award winner, Mike Marshall was sent to Atlanta in exchange for Elias Sosa and Lee Lacy. The Dodgers turned the closer job (as it were) to knuckleballer Charlie Hough, who saved 18 games with a 12-8 record and a 2.21 ERA. Future Hall of Famer Don Sutton won 20 games in a season for the only time in his career, going 21-10 with a 3.06 ERA.

But the biggest change was on September 29. That day Tommy Lasorda walked out of the dugout as the Dodgers new manager, replacing Walter Alston, who had been on the job since 1954 with 23, 1-year contracts.

The hero of May 26, Doug Rau had his best season for the Dodgers in 1976, going 16-12 with a 2.57 ERA. And in his comeback from his soon to be eponymous elbow surgery, Tommy John went 10-10 with a 3.09 ERA.

The 1976 Dodgers slowed down after their fast start and the defending World Series champion Reds ended up winning the division by 10 games although the Dodgers did win 92 games. The Dodgers had more victories than homers. The team hit just 91. The Dodgers were hoping that a full year of Reggie Smith could add some power. It might work.

Thanks to the Los Angeles Times, BaseballReference.com and Retrosheet

I believe that the Ellie trade is the last between the Dodgers and Angels to this day.

How often did Ferguson and Yeager homer in the same game?

Willie Davis ended up with the Padres? I didn't remember that. Perhaps due to my advancing senility.

Big, out of curiousity, why did you pick 2 runs as your baseline? That's usually not enough to win a game, even if you had the best pitching in baseball.

Davis played in San Diego for 1976. He went to Japan for two years and came back to be a bad spare part with the Angels in 1979.

Logic was, no team should expect to win scoring 2 runs or less. Last year we went 10-9 when scoring 3 runs. Many teams eke out a .450+ win pct with 3 runs. It's like a quality start for the whole offense- gives you a reasonable chance to win.

My sub 100s are ~38.166% over. But my win expectancy is 80.23%

vr

Xei

To me that list really exposes the White Sox and D'Backs as lucky- two teams playing way over their pythag projection. The fact that we're sitting with the LAAA tells me we've been very unlucky with our run distribution. Adjusting for this anomaly might give us 3 more wins at this point or a .578 wpct.

Gotcha. Greater than 2 runs. Did I mention that I'm still sick?

Yeager and Ferguson also had homers in the same game one other time. On August 7, 1979 against Houston.

And in that game, they BOTH hit TWO.

The supposedly pitching-rich Marlins are starting Frank Castillo against the Mets tonight.

He's only 37.

Congratulations Jon - Each year is something to be proud of. Good luck in the upcoming one...

For anyone else obsessed with following the unusual successes of ex-dodgers (who left the team before the 2004 season), Daryl Ward hit his 9th HR of the season today.

My thirties are nearly 166% over. But it's comforting that with statistics, I can still say I'm in my thirties.

Bob's Dodger flashback is great perspective. Joe Ferguson was a "heart and soul" guy. Mike Marshall was "essential to winning a pennant." But Campanis heartlessly traded both of them, and got in return two key cogs to the '77 and '78 NL championships, Reggie Smith and Lee Lacy. I remember when the Smith trade was made. I was glad to see more home runs coming to LA.

Combined with your Beltre post, the omens say we should all visualize J.D. Drew hitting .390 the rest of the way with 32 more home runs, Jeff Kent playing himself onto the All-Star team with a 22-game hitting streak that begins tonight, and D.J. Houlton "finding lightening in a bottle," as Vin Scully might say, in honor of Jon's half birthday, and seizing control of the fifth starter spot. Hey, we Rule 5'd the guy for some reason.

Still in my early twenties so I still think I'm going to live forever. Received my Ghame Over shirt today from the leftovers and man, it is sweet. What's the over under on Penny today? I take over regardless. Always an optimist.

XF has it pegged at 6 2/3. Being ever optimistic (to the point of irrationality) I take the over. Steve is smarter than me.

I hate all you youngsters and pine for the swagger of my incredibly misguided arrogant youth.

Joe Ferguson was a very under-rated offensive catcher. Have to pull out my old Bill James abstracts but I'm sure he's got Joe as a top 100 catcher of all time.

Anybody want Nomo back? He beat Oakland today in a game that lasted 2 hours, 11 minutes.

Hideo Nomo is the very definition of the word `cyclical'.

Conituning Bob's thread #18, Martin Heidegger was closely studied by Sartre and Derrida leading to Phenomenology, Existentialism, and Deconstructionism. Leading me to quote Derrida, "There is nothing outside of the text." Seems perfect for your Blog Jon, kudos on your birthday and continued success.

By 1976 I think the Dodgers couldn't get rid of Marshall fast enough. He was not a very popular guy. He had the unfortunate habit of having his own independent thoughts.

The Dodgers first pick in the 1976 Amateur Draft was Mike Scioscia. That was one week before Ferguson was traded. I think Campanis knew that the Dodgers could get by with Yeager as the primary catcher along with some quality backups.

The Dodgers used Jerry Grote and Johnny Oates as backups in 1977 and then Ferguson returned in the 1978 season.

Re: 70's Dodgers (since the 2005 group are too hard to figure out)

1)Other than his breakout 73 season, Ferguson always seemed the king of the solo homerun, especially when the team was either far ahead, or behind. To make it worse, Lasorda insisted on getting him back in 78 at the cost of farmhand Jeff Leonard, who ended up being a productive MLB regular outfielder for years;

2)The press was only too happy to get (pitcher) Mike Marshall out of town, since he was the Kevin Brown of his day, and even complained that Vin Scully was criticizing him unfairly on the radio!! Only one unhappy about the deal was Lacy, who had been traded to Atlanta in the offseason and thought he would finally get his shot to be a regular, only to be brought back to the Dodger bench;

3)Willie Davis wasn't the only Dodger who ended his days in Anaheim of Los Angeles. Others included T. Davis, Ron Fairly, Perranoski, Lou Johnson,Jeff Torborg,Jim Brewer,Ferguson,and Mike (General Soreness) Marshall.

Tonight's lineup
Izturis
Werth
Bradley
Kent
Saenz
Drew
Perez
Bako
Penny

vs

Tucker
Vizquel
Snow
Alou
Durham
Alfonzo
Feliz
Torrealba
Rueter

my 20s will be exactly 40% over in a week and a half. anyone have any good life advice?

My advice is:
Don't order the veal

Just live every day, brother.

#42
Advice?

Stay away from the Sports Page, and Sportstalk radio during extended losing streaks.

I forgot that Mike Marshall had been arrested in the offseason before the 1976 season when he and the Michigan State athletic department got into a dispute about Marshall's use of practice facilities there. They charged with breakikng and entering I believe.

I think Marshall still ended up with a Ph.D. from Michigan State.

The day Marshall got traded (June 23, 1976) the Dodgers beat the Astros 1-0. The Dodgers got 2 hits and the Astros had 3. Rick Rhoden threw a shutout and scored the only run.

hahah, sounds like i'm 3 for 3 so far. well, most days anyway. thanks, fellas.

I remember seeing Mike Marshall walk past fans asking for autographs like they were invisible, while Garvey would almost always sign.

Ironically, rudeness pays, as Marshall's autograph is considered rare, and he gets a premium now that he does occasional autograph shows.

When my brother ushered at Dodger Stadium, he had the job one Sunday of helping escort the players to an autograph session. He was assigned Garvey and Rhoden. Everybody swarmed over Garvey. It was hard to get Garvey back to the clubhouse. To help thin out the crowd, Rhoden started signing those baseball-shaped stickers they used with Garvey's name so the people would go away.

Re: #35, I recently saw a fan at Dodger Stadium with a Joe Ferguson jersey. I did a double take. It was just strange to see someone wearing that.

Did the jersey have a name? Maybe it was just an Oscar Robles jersey.

I also remember a fan in the 1970s who wore a t-shirt that read "The Entire Joe Ferguson Fan Club"

It's weird, but in Ball Four, Mike Marshall is portrayed as a great guy and friend of Jim Bouton, as both fringe pitchers try to make the Seattle Pilots.

A few years later, and after having mastered an out pitch with success on the Expos, Marshall was portrayed as an arrogant jerk with the Dodgers, with some justification.

Best(worst)quote was when Marshall told the press that longtime closer Jim Brewer's screwball was absolutely "primitive" compared to his scientifically tested out pitch. Once you start losing games,quotes like that get you shipped to the downtrodden Braves.

FYI-Dodger have had some great catchers:
Bill James Baseball Abstract 2001
Top 100 Catchers
3. Roy Campanella
5. Mike Piazza
8. Gary Carter - very very tail end for Dodgers
26. Tom Haller
27. John Roseboro - could do much more then take a bat to the head
36. Mike Scoscia-my favorite manager/player for beating the Giants in the WS and for hitting the home run off of Doc Gooden that allowed Kirk Gibson to be a WS hero in 88.
43. Rick Dempsy- tail end for Dodgers
66. Jerry Grote - again tail end for Dodgers
78. Steve Yeager - born on my birthday 11/24
79. Joe Ferguson - 3 run (not solo home run) to beat the Astro's. Who can forget him running the bases with his helmet tucked away like a football?
86. Wilbert Robinson-long time Brooklyn manager
88. Micky Owen - he of the famous passed ball

Yes, Bob, the jersey said "Ferguson." It wasn't a Cora or Robles jersey.

It caught me off-guard, but I thought it was cool that someone remembered and thought that much of Fergie to wear his jersey.

One of my clearest memories was Fergie rounding the bases after slamming a HR and chucking his helmet in glee as he rounded 3B. I believe Preston Gomez was still the 3B coach at that time, and he was really excited. I think it was one of those crucial games against Houston in 1980 where they eventually fell short with the one-game playoff. But they won that game, as I recall.

Yes, Bob, the jersey said "Ferguson." It wasn't a Cora or Robles jersey.

It caught me off-guard, but I thought it was cool that someone remembered and thought that much of Fergie to wear his jersey.

One of my clearest memories was Fergie rounding the bases after slamming a HR and chucking his helmet in glee as he rounded 3B. I believe Preston Gomez was still the 3B coach at that time, and he was really excited. I think it was one of those crucial games against Houston in 1980 where they eventually fell short with the one-game playoff. But they won that game he homered in, as I recall.

Oops, just a slight change to #55 at the end--sorry.

JMO but Mike Marshall's 1974 season is one of the greatest in Dodger history after the Koufax era.
He now runs a pitching academy and does own multiple doctorate's and probably was the smartest man in baseball and probably didn't give autographs just because the whole idea of an autograph is friggin asinine.

Today is also the birthday of Levon Helm, the bestest drummer/singer ever.

Looks like the Red Sox will be in the 4th. Let us hope we don't have the same fate happen to us.

HR tonight by Jason.

Jim, not smarter. I just never grew an optimism bone.

I said this on an earlier thread, but I'm taking the under. I've learned my lesson.

"the whole idea of an autograph is friggin assinine."

After allegedly being under investigation for sports memorabilia tax fraud, Barry Bonds probably feels the same way.

Damn Venezwillians.

If doofus doesn't play hit and run, that's ball four.

Also the birtday of Hank Williams Jr.

Are you ready for some foosball?

3-0 Padres in the third.

Levon Helm had some great acting turns especially in "The Right Stuff"

DEREK THOMPSON!!! I WIN!

Looks like Penny is coming down with the Kaz ishii virus.

Derrick Thompson pitching on saturday, Vin just said.

Yeah, just watched that again the other day. Always been one of my favorites. Beemans, anyone?

Great choice. He's already 24 so who cares if the clock starts. He's not one of our top prospects but he fits the bill. Just seems to me that if were going to move up AA pitchers to the Majors we ought to send E Jackson back to AA to get straightened out. JMO

Yeah, Jim, I got some.

Lemme borrow a stick, willya, Bob...I'll pay ya back.

#49: brush with usher-greatness -- my wife, my sister-in-law and father-in-law all ushered at dodger stadium, the dad for a long time. because of this, i was fortunate enough to meet Campanella, and scam club-level seats every once in a while. responsible for my coming back to the dodgers and baseball after a long hiatus. course that was back in the day, with the cheesy strawhats and the 'dodger sexkitten' usherette uniforms (i'm dating myself to be ~%140 of my 30's)...

Dodger third basemen like SBC.

I very much like our new 3rd baseman.

That is what were hoping for. Mash the lefties and hold his own against the righties.

I just ordered my Antonio Perez jersey, in exchange for my Mike Edwards one.

#72 molokai

I agree. I was thinking about making the same suggestion (Thompson up, Jackson to AA) earlier today, but I decided to actually do some work instead. Seems to me that Las Vegas isn't doing Jackson any good. Let him straighten out in Jacksonville, and once he's straight, let him jump to the big club. Nice thing about Thompson is that his K/9 seems to be going up every year to where he's over 9.0 now. His WHIP is too high, but if he can fix his control, he could possibly stick.

A lead. I'm not sure what to do in this situation.... put in the smokejumper!

First homer for Antonio since 7/24/2003 when he went deep off of Ramiro Mendoza at Fenway Park.

Was that Perez' first ML homer, or has he had a stint up before this year?

Eskimos at SBC?

So does Carlyle go back to Las Vegas Saturday?

#82 Timmerman

Oh, THANKS Bob. Why don't you wait for me to ask the question next time? Doesn't make me look so silly.

Gotta love the late strike three call!

The ump is doing his part to help out.

Bob is also very fast with the Dewey decimal system.

Actually Vin announced it before I posted.

#90 Bob
The Giants announcers didn't seem to care. It would be nice to listen to Vinny, though. (sigh)

Vin seems to no longer have his man-crush on Pedro Feliz. He used to talk about Feliz as being the great offensive force of the Giants.

I dozed off at the beginning of the game. Why is Tucker playing instead of Ellison? Does Felipe Alou know something?

O.K., now I've seen 'em...but I still have no clue as to what a nesting doll is.

Nice play, Izzy.

It Cesar's team!

Magybe because they resemble nesting owls?

Because they nest within each other, like decorated tupperware.

The Russians call them matrioshkas. I bought one in Russia that had Yeltsin on the outside. Then when inside it was a doll of Reagan. Then one of Lincoln. Then one of Jefferson. And at the very end one of Washington.

If you said it was Matrioshka Night who would show up?

The Angels are still having Lenticular Cup Night.

Cesar with a great play and then Penny makes Vizquel look silly on strike three. Smiles all around.

Decorative, even. Completely useless.

#99
You mean it's Scott Erickson?

Give Olmedo an Olney for that AB.

Olney!

Keep this up, Bob, and we're gonna have to test you for greenies.

I like this Perez kid...

Perez for rookie of the year

What were those weird facial grimaces in the Dodger dugout?

Nice call by Steiner -- "And it's now Antonio Perez three and the Giants nothing."

Bako for next player released.

Please ignore the fact that all grimaces are facial.

Nice to turn on the game in progress and see is up for a change. I got desperate and switched TVs and sure enough the Dodgers are winning. Actually the old TV blew a fuze after last nights fiasco. The TV just couldn't take it anymore. Something about a 5th starter then it went up in smoke.

vr

Xei

I've noticed that ESPN doesn't list Productive Out leaders on its site anymore.

I think Adam Everett may take that title to his grave.

Perez would be a candidate for the Rookie of the Year if this wasn't his third year in the majors.

If Moises only had some speed, they could call him Boogie Alou.

1-3 will be a rather deceptive way of recording that groundout.

Oh shoot, I didn't noticed he had 125 AB in 2003.

Perez' looks kind of remind me of Beltre.

A shot off of Penny (his glove I hope) goes sky-high, Olmedo fields it and has to slide glove-first into the bag. That may be the most exciting 1-3 I've ever seen.

The ball hit off of Penny's left shoulder it looked like.

Maybe I'm a little behind the curve here, but should I be impressed by Saenz's at bat? I've come around to agreeing that most bunts are a waste. What about giving yourself up by guiding the ball to the right side instead of taking a normal cut?

Looks like our 3b problem is solved for the meantime.

vr

Xei

After the Arizona series the schedule lightens up significantly until the White Sox come to Dodgers stadium. A good chance to make up some ground in the standings with the likes of the Rockies, Cubs, Twins and Royals.

vr

Xei

Saenz's AB was good in the sense that it wasn't totally useless. That's the best I can come up with.

What is it with Dodgers and the 3 slot in the line-up? Can ANYONE hit out of there?

When did the Twins become a bad team?

The Padres are up 6-0 now.

A 3-0 pitch from Kirk Reuter is not at all guaranteed to yield a good pitch.

The over on 6 2/3 IPs is looking pretty good at the moment (knock on wood).

vr

Xei

Way to go, XF!

yeah Twins ain't a bad team, but when is the last time they beat the Dodgers? :)

vr

Xei

Thanks Bob. Sounds like Saenz should be praised for execution, but as a strategy it should be discouraged.

By the way, Charlie Steiner just said "mellifluous." I love it when he goes intellectual like that. It stuns a bewildered Monday into silence.

Nice dig at first by Old Maid Signs on the grounder to izturis.

vr

Xei

Surprised the Giants aren't hitting for the pitcher in bottom of the 5th with a runner in scoring position and two outs... oops, didn't matter e-6.

vr

Xei

and the replay says..... he's OUT!

vr

Xei

I have tickets for the June 11 game against the Twins. I'm hoping for a Koufax-Kaat matchup.

Is Mudcat Grant going to be suiting up for the Twins?

Umpire blows another call.

potential for some unearned runs here... Erickson must be shaking with rage.

vr

Xei

The Giants bullpen gets used enough as it is. And the Dodgers inability to hit off of it Tuesday was an aberration.

Giants announcers agree: Rueter was out!

No, Grant will be in the pen for the Dodgers.

whew!!! Out of the inning. SF pitcher probably goes one more inning.

vr

Xei

OT - Anyone ever have the power go out on their TV? My 13 year old TV went on the blink after last nights game. Power supply? Blown fuze? Dead?

vr

Xei

Through 7 innings in Arizona, Peavy has allowed one hit, walked no one and thrown just 64 pitches.

Glaus singled in the 2nd and Green hit into a DP, so Peavy has faced the minimum.

Yuck! Our BABIP sucks.

vr

Xei

hmmm, surprise, surprise, surprise, looks like Rueter is going to 7 innings.

vr

Xei

Someone tell JD Drew that hes allowed to hit the ball to left field.

Rueter could easily implode in the top of the seventh. It's happened a lot.

#133/138 Unfortunately Zoilo Versailles will be unavailable for the Dodgers/Twins series.

And there it is...AA pitcher Thompson to go against Vasquez on Sat.

Do you think Vin is getting a percentage of the gate for that movie? Or is it really so good that it merits mention three days in a row?

So Perez makes the nice play on the bunt and then immediately gets his third hit. It's like he knows he's auditioning, and the job is there for the taking.

People who played in the 1965 Series for the Dodgers who have passed on:
John Roseboro
Jim Gilliam
Willie Crawford
Don LeJohn
Don Drysdale
Howie Reed
Jim Brewer
Bob Miller

Players on the Twins who have passed on:
Earl Battey
Zoilo Versalles
Bob Allison
Jerry Zimmerman
Johnny Klippstein

Although Walter Alston has passed on, Twins manager Sam Mele is still with us according to sources I've checked. He's 82.

Key at bat for Rueter, if he doesn't get Bako out, doubt he lasts much longer.

vr

Xei

Things could be a lot worse -- we could have Joe Crede at third base.

Don't forget to write in Jason Grabowski for the NL all-star team 25 times. Hopefully our write in campaign gets him on the radar screen, with people asking... Who is this Jason Grabowski guy!?

vr

Xei

The Dodgers.com article says that Thompson is "currently on the disabled list for Jacksonville with a calf injury." So, his first start off the shelf will be in the majors. Nice.

dumb basrunning blunder...

vr

Xei

I got to see game 3 of the 65 series. Osteen shut out the Twins 4-0. My mother and I sat in the very top row behind home plate, in front of that huge concrete thing

And he gets picked off. Just to spite me.

Vin has switched his man crush from Pedro Feliz to Kirk Rueter.

This is likely only of interest to Sam, but Gigantor was just DLed with a torn labrum.

Brad pitches 7 innings - the 'Overs' win tonight.

When's the last time that happened?

Looks like Gagne might not get any work tonight.

Anyone else hoping we don't score again so Gagne can get a save opp?

Crikey. So much for the Nationals using the off-day to regroup.

(Thx Steve)

I'm all in favor of lots more runs.

Amazing but true, a competent MLB level start by a Dodger pitcher. Kudos to Penny.

Bob, Mele may still be with us, but don't forget that the dear. departed Billy Martin was the Twins 3B coach in 65!

Nick, what are you thinking? :)

Why is Reuter still out there? I guess Alou figures 2 out of 3 is enough, but I figured that out when he decided to bat Tucker leadoff.

That's two outs on 3-0 counts for Milton. We're turning into the Angels.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Looks like the Nats were busy:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-nationalsshake-up&prov=ap&type=lgns

I bear no ill-will toward the Nats. Go in peace.

Yeah, dear departed Billy...he burned a few bridges in his time.

The other LA team's thirdbaseman just hit a huge HR.

vr

Xei

Matt Herges!

A guy on my enemies list relieving another member of the list!

Looks like nobody wants to hold on to first place in the NL West. The Dodgers started a trend.

vr

Xei

Yuck. Good start. Bad inning.

Matt Herges? He's like our version of Scott Erickson.

vr

Xei

Dallas McPherson just homered, making it 3-2 Angels in the bottom of the 7th against the White Sox. Hopefully that's the start of a Glausian streak for him.

Two pitches, two outs. Double yuck.

3-1. Ghame over time?

vr

Xei

Deivedip Cruz.

Grabowski! Yank him!

Or will Tracy leave another pitcher out there? I won't panic yet, but if they get a runner in scoring position. I'd go Ghame over.

vr

Xei

ps - nice range factor by Kent.

Did the Cruz HR invoke the Grabowski principle? If so, how?

vr

Xei

Deivi Cruz?

Another Dodger coach from 1965 who has passed away is Lefty Phillips.

Tracy brings in... Ghame over!

vr

Xei

This may be common knowledge, but 'Dodger Thoughts' has the Google stamp of legitimacy - Jon's articles show up in my 'Google News' email alerts.

Trouble in river city.

vr

Xei

We're paying for the slow hook. The Grabowski Principle doesn't lie.

We're also paying for Milton swinging at that 3-0 pitch. Yuck.

Pray to the DP God.

CARRARA!

We're doomed.

So, if Yhency should give up the tying runs with one out, Tracy will go to...Carrara?

What's wrong with Gagne?

I could go for an infield fly rule about now.

vr

Xei

Non-9th inning-itis.

wow, didn't send him

vr

Xei

Somebody forgot that Werth has a bad elbow.

Whoa!

Bizarre they didn't send Vizquel on that deep fly.

ummmm...ok.

Where's Gagne?

yikes

FJT!

Who's gonna come in to close it out for the Giants in the 9th?

vr

Xei

Steve pop a valium, not everything is Tracy's fault. The team sucks, period. By the way, has anyone vomited on themselves in the last two weeks watching the Dodgers?

We're not even trying anymore.

Why do we even bother having Gagne on the team if Tracy won't use him?

This is Tracy's fault.

Tyler Walker is the Giants closer.

But he can't be used. It's not a save situation. And since it's tied after 8, the Giants will never have a save situation.

Walker might as well just shower and go home.

FJT! Not only did he fail to bring Gagne in, he WASN'T EVEN WARMING UP!!!

He sells tickets. Literally. Outside the stadium.

But we probably would have seen him if Feliz had hit a three run homerun.

Why would he warm up? Penny had everything under control. Didn't you see that bomb to Deivi Cruz?

204: absolutely right.

Can we please pinch-hit for Bako this inning?

Brazoban is half the pitcher Gagne is. We're dying out there. We're on the brink of getting swept by our hated archrivals. We're about to go into fourth place. And we still can't bring Gagne in in an eighth inning bases loaded situation?

If he's hurt, he's useless. Trade him while nobody knows about it. If he can only pitch with leads in the ninth inning, he's useless because we're never going to have any of those anyway.

Not everything is Tracy's fault. This is.

178, 181, 186, 191, 199, 202, 204, 207, 208, 211 (and probably a few others while I was counting)

Steve,

I think your views are known....

Antonio Perez for Mayor.

A star is born.

You got the job, Antonio.

Why do i think that we'll have a botched squeeze before this AB is over...

OK, well here's another one.

WHY IS BAKO HITTING?!

Why is Bako batting?

Actually, better question: why is Bako playing?

Tracy doesnt want to hurt bako's feelings.

Is Choi hurt? Is Phillips? Why is Bako batting?

We get Bako because Choi's been hitting against too many lefties and it ruined him against righties. Ans Ricky Ledee is unavailable, or something.

We haven't used a single PH yet, but JT just wants to save all of them. You know, this thing could go 15 innings. Especially if we let Bako hit now.

I was just going to say, "are you telling me that Phillips can't catch a few tonight to have Choi bat for Bako?"

That's not right.

...and Jim Tracy is playing Tetris in the dugout.

Perez going on the pitch?

Anyone else find Vin's enunciated "Bra-za-ban" amusing?

Will Ledee PH with his great Fly ball to ground ball ratio. sac fly!

vr

Xei

Bako walks. Could have been much worse.

Paul Bako is flying to Utah to demand an apology!

Tracy saved again by events out of his control.

I'll trade a baserunning error for two runs.

YES.

The Grabowski Principle returns the favor.

Bako made sure to make an out at third to increase the chances of Gagne getting a save.

Yipee! Have to give Tracy some credit tonight for pulling the right strings.

vr

Xei

Jeez, I don't even care that Bako got nailed on the basepaths. 2-run lead!

Great throw by Ellison. How far did that ball go in the air?

In play, run-scoring play

I can breathe again.

On that sort of play, it's not that much of a baserunning error because you want the defense to cut the ball off instead of going home.

Gagne gets to close as it turns out. Just not closing for Penny (too bad).

vr

Xei

You're right, Bob. I guess I should have said "out on the basepaths."

Meanwhile, in Anaheim, Scot Shields finishes off the four out save.

great point Bob, we try and teach that to college kids, tie game or close game, send everyone, including the hitter, and trade an out for a sure run.

Hope all this wait will be Werth it.

I won't give Tracy credit for Bako walking. It made no sense for him to hit there. Phillips is better than Bako against both righties and lefties, not to mention Choi.

Ledee, on the other hand, has been a pleasant surprise this year.

I placed 25 write in votes for both Antonio Perez and Jason Grabowski tonight.

vr

Xei

Of course, now Gagne is ready.

Antonio Perez looks like the love-child of Beltre and Brazoban.

But Braz would get the win! Joe Morgan will hype his Cy Young candidacy.

Which position for Grabowski? He's quite versatile you know.

Well, no HR's, but two very nice cheapo hits.

4 out save? We don't have those in the NL.

vr

Xei

Every time I see Tyler Walker I want to start singing "Shotgun".

Sweet! I care about W's. And Gagne can get some work in; or not, for all I care.

Shields needs to hire Boras. He's being overworked.

That's enough runs, everybody! We have to fly tonight!

Only one out in that inning made by a batter.

Werth caught stealing? Just when I was giving Tracy some credit. I guess his strategy was not to let Gagne cool down. Smart thinking Jimbo.

vr

Xei

Tracy just wanted an extra run so it wouldn't be a save situation. That way he wouldn't have to put Gagne in. Tracy will do whatever he can to avoid putting Gagne in.

Another great dig by Old Maid Signs.

vr

Xei

Yes!

Izturis to Tomato with the Glove!!!Scoooooop!!!!

I think Izturis is making up for going 0 for 5.

Wow.

Did you ever think you'd see the day when Omar Vizquel wasn't even the best Venezualan shortstop in his own Division?

Hello, Bugs Bunny curve ball. So good to see you again.

Steiner is going nuts on that play by Izturis. Gather it was pretty nice?

Izzie went deep into the hole and made a long throw that Saenz scooped up nicely for the out.

Does Gagne look like a starter or what!

vr

Xei

A double by Tucker could be another Grabowski Principle. I think Erickson better get loose.

I think that if scientists spent years building the perfect robot to play shortstop, it would look and move like Izturis.

If the scientists were Japanese, it would swing like Nakamura. But it would field like Izturis.

Uh oh! Tying run at the plate. Better bring in Grabowski.

vr

Xei

Thx, Bob.

Game Over(TM).

vr

Xei

Never in doubt!

Can we get the official stamp.

vr

Xei

What GP? I didn't see any GP. :)

(Phew....)

Derek Lowe pitching tomorrow. Will have the Over/Under out sometime tomorrow afternoon after the numbers are crunched.

vr

Xei

A good example tonight of why the Save stat is pretty meaningless.

vr

Xei

I only work when Brazoban gets saves.

Tracy on SCSR. Says it was a great game, wish he had sac bunted and hit and run a few more times.

vr

Xei

279.

Oh sorry, my bad. Looks like you may be out of work.

vr

Xei

Ledee against his former team. Must feel great.

No Red-Soxian slide into fourth for us, no ma'am.

I assume Old Maid Signs will get the start over Choi again tomorrow with Estes on the mound. Too bad Choi can't play RF.

vr

Xei

Good night!

And GB the Dodgers.

vr

Xei

Lima at TEX - 4IP, 8 ER, 3HR, 1K.

I wish it were more comforting that the pitchers we COULD'VE had are worse than the pitchers we DO have. But there's not much solace there.

A good win. Penny and Lowe and pray for rain.

#286 OZ
Yep. It's a bit late in the season for Penny and Lowe and pray for snow. Maybe if we were the Rockies. Maybe if we make the playoffs against a team in the northeast. I dunno.

If you look at the stats for Ishii, Lima and Nomo, you'll feel a lot better, but then you look at Ericson, and feel bad all over again.

I look at Peavy, and I think we need a young arm too. What was it going to take to get Hudson or Mulder last winter? Jackson and some other baubles?

Would it have been better than signing Odalis?

Typical. Envying other clubs' young stars and wanting to throw away somebody like Jackson who has shown greater potential than Peavy ever exhibited in the minors. Dodger fans are going to have to be most-un-Dodger- fan-like and start showing some patience. We have the talent in the pipeline to blow the doors off not just the NL West but the entire NL for a decade.

Also this shocker, Norihiro is leading the 51's with 8 HR, in only 14 games played. Hitters park and all.

Nice games in the minors tonight as well. Las Vegas won 7-2, with strong offensive performances from Nakamura (3-5 with 2 doubles), Repko (3-5 with a HR), and Grabowski (2-2 with a double and 2 walks) Jacksonville won 19-2 on 17 hits and 7 walks. Only 2 of the 19 came by way of the HR, two solo-shots by Donovan. Vero Beach split a double header, losing 7-3 and winning 1-0 on a solo shot by LaRoche, his 19th of the season. Columbus also won tonight, beating Hickory 10-1.

In the Las Vegas Twilight Zone, Nakamura is significantly out OPS-ing LaRoche (1.326 OPS vs. 1.102).

Many posts ago, someone used the word "cyclical" to describe Hideo Nomo.

Well, he's on an pretty good roll now. If we we need a new #5, why don't we try to get him back?

That was me, dzzrtRatt...but I don't know if I could stand the pain.

Seems like he's in '03 form, if not '95 form.

But, nah, you're right, too risky, and it dilutes the chances for what I think they should really do, which is give their various prospects a try until one sticks.

Yeah, I agree...we're due for a little magic.

Nice win. I feel like we're finally getting off the mat. Sweep the dbacks! Get us back in the race.

I'm willing to believe that Nakamura is better than he showed in the Show - what with nerves and all that - but I also think he's Exhibit A on why not to trust Vegas numbers. Moreover, his ridiculous success there suggests that the inflation of PCL (and particularly Vegas) stats is not uniform, such that we could just apply an exchange rate to get MLB equivalents. It would seem, with weaker pitching and higher altitudes, to be just what the doctor ordered for a guy with a slow bat and warning-track power. Just like Alburquerque was (that was over 6000' feet!). I would guess that line-drive hitters would be less affected. And vice-versa for pitchers. If they're giving up "only in Vegas (or Colorado)" home runs on fly balls, then not so much to worry. If they're getting shelled with line drives, then more to worry.

GB: Just like Alburquerque was (that was over 6000' feet!).

Not to split hairs too much, but the stadium in Albuquerque is at approx. 5200'... I don't know anything about Vegas, but in ABQ when the East canyon wind blows it is tough place to be a left-handed pull hitter in terms of homeruns.

BTW: I heard Vin saying Derek Thompson gets the start Saturday?

That wind must not blow very often, because left-handed hitter Greg Brock hit over 50 HR's in Triple A in the 1980's, when the Dodgers had their Triple A affiliate in Albuquerque.

#298 + #299

When I saw Nakamura he was in Nashville and he was definitely on the ball. I think he is definitely worth another look. Of course, if Werth just sucks, then I can safely say my scouting prowess stinks and do NOT bring him up.

I saw an Albq Dukes minor league game back in 1983 if my memory serves me right. I remember Sid Bream hitting two home runs for the Dukes and the playboy bunny softball game before the game. I will always remember that game because a guy sitting two rows behind me got hit in the head with a line drive by one of the Pirates young up in coming superstars.

vr

Xei