That's it. I'm filing paperwork to get the trademark for "Portland Dodgers" right now!

do not forget portlanddodgers.com

1/2

Lots of rainouts in Portland. Not good for turning a profit.

I suggest the Mojave Dodgers

Would that be "Mojave" as in the region describing the desert or would the team actually play in the lovely burg of Mojave?

4-

Assuming there isn't much difference in the annual rainfall, you can take your choice.

The Mojaveburg Dodgers has a certain ring to it.

3
The rain in Oregon falls mostly between the months of November and March, so rainouts wouldn't pose a huge threat.

5

Have you ever been to the city of Mojave?

It's not exactly Southern California's garden spot.

It's also the northernmost city that the Daily News covers for football. I've never been there. I covered Mojave when they were on the road in Ontario.

7 -

Nope, never been there, but as long as the Daily News already covers it for football, at least we could be assured of excellent baseball coverage.

By the way, Bob, I'll see what I can do to make that next Friday's game for you.

The Baseball Tonight guys are now wearing ESPN jackets.

6 -

Thanks for the info on Portland's rainfall. It's actually a very nice city, but all things being equal, I'd rather keep the Dodgers in L.A.

Mojave will playing at Kern Valley Friday. Kern Valley High is in Lake Isabella.

I better start for that game now.

I've been to Mojave numerous times. They have a McDonalds (I think), and an airport. That's essenitally the entire city. Middle of the desert, really hot, and nothing but junkyards line the road. On the bright side, there would be an airport right next to the stadium. Unfortunately, I'm not sure they could use it

Why not Barstow? (I was gonna suggest Bisbee, but that would encroach on the D-Backs territory.)

Bill Parcells looks like someone just punched him in the stomach and then made him drink a glass of sour milk after the Cowboys lost.

San Bernardino County is not part of any MLB team's territory, so it's time to get a move on!

The Dodgers and Angels have the same territory, which for some reason includes Ventura County.

Are the Rams still considered the home team for the LA tv market?

Not to argue, but the rain in Portland seemingly falls between November and October! :)

When "courting" (hopefully not "McCourting") the Expos, they talked of building a domed stadium near Delta Park--probably the most logical and affordable place to build a stadium there. Not far from the airport, downtown and the Washington border either.

They also threw around reports of a downtown stadium, which I think would be far better. I used to go to a lot of AAA games every year as a kid up there during the summer, when the teams were the Beavers and the Mavericks. Multnomah Stadium is a pretty cool place to catch a game and it was the first place I ever got to see astroturf in person. I couldn't believe how rock hard that field was, and the stuff was new!

Fortunately, the Rams are not the "home team" anymore. The Raiders are usually on as are the Chargers. Sometimes, Fox has a poll to let people to choose what game they want to see in L.A. The people who vote tend to pick 49ers games.

In L.A. today, we got SD-Philly and Buffalo-Oakland on CBS and Dallas-Seattle on Fox.

Icaros is the last Rams fan in California.

17
Do you live in Portland?

How about the Irwindale Dodgers of Los Angeles?

Irwindale would work for me. It's a relatively easy drive on Foothill or Huntington.

14 I didn't know Brad Penny was allowed on the Cowboys' sidelines.

That is good. Orange Country still gets the Rams as their home team. In SB we get Raiders and Niners.

Is that a rain-soaked tarp I see behind Buck & McCarver? I'm working with the sound off.

The weather in Chicago looks absolutely nasty. But I suppose if I had waited that long to see a World Series game, I wouldn't worry about that.

One of the most insane things I ever saw happen in sports was the move of the Rams from the nation's #2 media market--and growing, to the nation's #22--and shrinking. I realize that crook who owns the team got a nice bribe out of it, but still, long-term, she must've hollowed out the value of that franchise by making that move.

No Dodger owner will make that mistake, even if the League sent him a gold-lettered invitation.

If Depo only has one more year to prove himself, he better pray at the alter of a healthy JD Drew. If Drew goes down again say "good night Paul."

http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/mlb/gameforecast/60616?eventid=149551&epc=be

The "spectator index" is 2/10, described as "poor"

No, but I used to spend about month to month and a half there every year since 1967.

Half of my family moved up there that year because they longed to have a more simpler life. They moved to Tualatin and Tigard and in an effort to make sure my cousin and I never drifted apart, my mom and aunt decided that sending me up there for the summer was a good thing. Some years it would only be three weeks, other years, I would leave on the Saturday after school let out and wouldn't come back until two or three days before school would start back up again.

So I consider myself an Calioregonian, which if they took a census, it would show that 88% of Oregonians are former Californians.

I did it all up there as a kid.

-We were forced as kids to perform slave labor, having to get up at 5:00am in the morining to go pick strawberrys. I think we made like $2.00 a day, and of course we always ate more then we picked! That wold last for about a week and then it would lead to all sorts of other stuff like building tree houses; going camping, etc. Just like the movie, Stand By Me.

No coverage worse then the Dodger coverge in The Oregonian.

Hey, Tommy, it coulda been worse. You could have been cranberry-picking in Brandon-by-the-Sea. That's stoop labor at its most unpleasant.

26. Im no expert, but i think because of the way the NFL's television revenue rules means that team's value isnt as dependant on their market size. Thats why the NFL has successful franchises in Greeen Bay and Jacksonville, and why theyve never been to interested in bringing the NFL back to LA.
Of course in MLB, things are set up very differently, so the thought of the Dodgers leaving LA wouldnt make much sense.

Ive never understood the hatred aimed towards McCourt. Other than his PR, he seems to have run the organization well. Is it because he's not from southern california? Last I checked the O'Malley's werent from so cal. Neither was Murdoch. No one cares more about the dodgers than the McCourt family because no one else has their entire fortune and livelyhood invested in the franchise.

29
It's sad but true that most Oregonians are former Californians. I'm an Oregonian who was born in California. I only lived in CA until I was one. I picked plums with my uncle for one day one summer and we worked all day and made around $3. That sucked.

PS: I wouldn't expect the Oregonian to have good Dodger coverage. Portland sports fans hate LA.

31-
Actually Jacksonville has not been successful they can not sell out their home stadium even with a winning team. There has been some talk about moving the team in the future.

Aah, beautiful Mojave. I've stopped there a million times on the way to the Sierras. If the Dodgers moved there, you could tailgate at Whites Motel!

Whenever I think of Oregon, I think of "Sometimes a Great Notion" and Hank Stamper.

what are the chances that Bobby Valentine moves back to the US to manage the Dodgers. I could see it as a good move from McCourt's vantage point because he would divert much of the media's attention away from himself. Maybe he could bring Daisuke Matsuzaka with him.

36 He said the other day he has little to no interest returning to the states right now (it was on ESPN.com). The Dodgers have also announced that the 6 named are the only people being interviewed, there will be no others (source: scout.com).

And while I'm sure it was a joke, Matsuzaka pitches for a different team...

Today's NY Times sports section has a lengthy story about Valentine. He clearly thinks he is now managing a major league baseball team, and has no need to take a job for a MLB franchise to feel like he's at the top of his profession.

Who sang the National Anthem last night?

Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines won the first two games of the Japan Series over the Hanshin Tigers 10-1 and 10-0.

The series now shifts to historic Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya. But the Tigers look to be in trouble.

Since Matsuzaka plays for a different team, I doubt he would come stateside because of anything Valentine would do.

I'm predicting 4-2 Sox tonight.

Ugh, Buck and McCarver rain delay talk.

This is a baseball fan's worst nightmare.

i didnt mean to make it seem that matsuzaka played for valentine, just that it would be nice to see him come to the Dodgers, although with his arm problems it may be a substantial risk.

Freddie Garcia is "The Rock?" And what exactly was Contreras?

That clip was really stupid...

And Benny Agbayani hit a home run for Chiba Lotte in game one...that got front page real estate on the sports section (below the fold) today.

I would love to be able to be at Koshien for Game 3. If you ever want to see the quintessential Japanese baseball experience, go to a game there. Loudest fans in the world.

It's good to know "no trips to the fridge" and "the claw" are on Buerhle's scouting report

And scooter's change up report is so insightful...

42
No offense, but I think Scooter lays claim to that title.

Before Scooter was developed, I didn't know what a changeup was.

I did not know what a fastball was then Scooter came around and changed my life.

I wonder they are comparing Taveras's postseason performance to Pepper Martin's in 1931. Martin is supposed to have the "rookie" record for postseason BA, but he wasn't a rookie in 1931.

I want Scooter to tell us what the hidden ball trick is.

It would be more interesting if it were Scooter Libby would be the one doing the talking.

If I were Judith Miller, I would ask him this question: How do you get to a position of importance in the United States government while going by the name "Scooter"?

44 I'm pretty sure Freddy Garcia is "The Rock" because he looks almost exactly like pro-wrestler-turned-action-hero Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Icaros is the last Rams fan in California.

I felt that way even before they moved.

freddy g:
http://tinyurl.com/9e6t7

the rock:
http://tinyurl.com/8panv

i guess there's a small resemblance.

Icaros is the Omega Man of Rams Fans in the Golden State.

56 Garcia looks more like The Rock when The Rock was a pro-wrestler with long sideburns and a pompadour.

They don't look as similar now that Johnson has gone Hollywood.

57 My dad wants everyone to know that he is still a fan as well.

the DHL commercial is at dodger stadium. too bad that's the only time we're going to see dodger stadium during the world series, heh.

59
It's not a fun time to be a Rams fan, although maybe Martz' health issues will permanently prevent him from coaching.

I was a fan but they left and became good ugggh. Always been a Raider fan though.

That was a single?!?

I think today's Ram victory was "gutsy," and the team showed a lot of "chemistry." They also were lucky enough to have been playing the "Saints."

I miss the Los Angeles Dons.

It's plays like that that prove the White Sox are lucky. Rowand makes a huge running mistake, then Crede gets a lucky blooper to fix it, and then Biggio messes up

There is no smartball involved here

And they said they didn't want Kent back. . .

And the LA Extreme...who says Tommy Maddox was a professional bust.

I guess Biggio doesn't get an error on that.

Biggio just gets a "whoops" in the boxscore.

Willy Taveras runs like Jason Repko!

Did that guy with the stool in right field kick Taveres' ball out of the corner?

So the consensus is DePo's career probably won't be in jeopardy until after the 2006 season right? I can live with that. I'm fairly confident (as long as McCourt holds up to his payroll promise and lets DePo sign a free agent or two) we'll be successful next year.

I think the ballboy got out of the way because Cowboy Joe gave a "safe" signal.

also, the first kid batting in the mastercard ad is wearing a dodgers shirt. at least we're well represented in the commercials.

75 The manager of Houston is a former Dodger. That's something.

76
The Dodgers have Kent and Valentin, who played for Houston and Chicago last year, respectively. That's something too.

Both teams have one former Dodger on the World Series roster.

Jose Vizcaino for Houston. Paul Konerko for Chicago.

Garner's more of a former Pirate than former Dodger.

79 What are you talking about? Garner cut himself trimming his mustache in the clubhouse in '87 and eyewitnesses claimed his blood was literally blue.

He's a true Dodger.

The last team to make it to the World Series without a player who had been on the Dodgers prior to joining that team was the 2003 Yankees. But they had future Dodger Jeff Weaver.

The 2002 Angels had no past or future Dodgers.

The last World Series in which none of the participants for either team had played for the Dodgers prior to appearing in the World Series was back in 1987.

Garner got cut in a fight with Mike Marshall.

80 By that criteria, Marichal's an ex-Dodger. That would drive Stan insane :)

"California Angels", Tim? What decade you living in?

They're the California Angels now? Tim McCarver says something smart...

So much for my 4-2 prediction.

Maybe they can get Scooter to explain the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" moniker.

after he retires, pettitte should write a book called "a season in the postseason".

Hey folks, Scooter here!

Back in 1857 a group of Germans built a settlement along the Santa Ana River and called it "Anaheim". And in 1889, the state of California made the area around that city a separate county and they called it Orange County.

And then kids.... Well, back to the game.

Saints apparently will play in San Antonio next year and LA is the preferred destination afterwards.

Los Angeles Saints sounds really odd.

Pettitte has pitched 11 seasons, and his team has never not gone to the playoffs

I heard the Astros are looking for some payroll relief...

[90] if they're coming to LA, they should just go ahead change their name next year in preparation. they can be the los angeles saints of san antonio. :)

saints and angels go well together at least.

I assume that since they've gone 6 innings, they're playing this out unless the field ends up underwater.

Must suck to pay $$$ a seat to sit in the rain and watch your team lose.

Are playoff games official after 5 innings?

Why can't the Saints go back to New Orleans next year?

Playoff games are official after 5 innings, but no postseason game in MLB history has ever been called before 9 innings.

Game 1 of the Japan Series was called in the bottom of the 7th because of fog, which was the first time they had ever called a Japan Series game early. But Chiba was ahead 10-1 at the time.

Nevertheless, if you remember back to 1982 (which King of the Hobos can't), Game 6 of the World Series had two lengthy rain delays (nearly 3 hours worth) and the Cardinals ended up winning the game 13-1 behind a complete game from the immortal John Stuper.

97

I think the Saints don't want to go back to New Orleans (or more appropriately Tom Benson) because the Superdome, even before Hurricane Katrina, was not the greatest facility. Perhaps New Orleans doesn't have enough well-heeled people who want to pay usurious personal seat license fees for season tickets and luxury boxes.

Yet another reason to hate AOL. I'm already sick of the little yellow character running around the screen.

98 I remember a Dodgers-Phillies playoff game in the late 70's at L.A. where it was raining really heavily, but they never called it nor had a delay I think. John or Hooten were pitching. I can't remember which.

That was Game 4 of the 1977 NLCS. John pitched a complete game. The day after the great comeback in Game 3. Hooton pitched in Game 3 and had a meltdown.

Umpires get another one wrong.

On Tivo it looked like it hit the bat but it was less than conclusive

Looked to me like it never came close to his body.

Not good for Houston...

Cha Ching! Konerko cashes in more than one way.

Disregard my 95. It must be worth every cent to sit in the rain and watch your team win.

Instant replay...now.

Wow, I wonder what Lasorda thinks of Konerko's performance.

and that is why you use your best reliever in the most serious game situations, even if it's not the 9th inning.

This year it seems like everytime the umps blow a call it leads the a game changing event

Well, the world series just like the NLCS and ALCS has now officially been marred(sp?) by poor umpiring, the type of poor umpiring that determines the winner and loser of a game. The Angels got the shaft in their game 2, and the Astros just got the shaft on that HBP. vr, Xei

Phil Garner's head is full of rich, chocolatey pudding, which is good for clubhouse post-game feasts, less good for in-game decision-making.

But if baseball wants to continue the farce that it is competently run by good umpires, they should really be hiring Sitrick to sell that nonsense.

110. Yep, very true. Hopefully, it's one of Depodesta's interview questions. vr, Xei

Dye knew that he wasn't hit by the pitch, he looked back at the umpire and started to go towards first and continued goes to first after he saw that the umpire thought he was HBP.

Thanks Tommy, Eric Karros sure was a legend.

Anyone noticed Lasorda in the stands tonight? I thought I spotted him yesterday in the front row during a dugout shot.

Too bad baseball doesn't have an NFL type of instant replay review system for the playoffs. Would've been alot of key calls overturned. vr, Xei

116 -- He was there last night too.

118. Was he eating? vr, Xei

There will be horiffic karmic payback for the White Sox.

If there's anything I've learned from watching the first few weeks of "My Name is Earl" is that karma rules the world.

He was eating rich, chocolatey pudding from an unidentified source.

This morning on Bob Castas HBO show the did a piece on the 1985 St. Louis-KC series and the blown call in Game 6 that led to KC winning the game and then winning the 7th. I guess in 20 years they can do the same piece on this game.

120. My Name is Earl Another soon to be network failure. Almost anything is better than reality tv though. If it wasn't for sports, Fox News and Sesame Street, my TV would be dead. vr, Xei

I believe "My Name is Earl" got picked up for a full season.

I know a couple who are a writing team on "My name is Earl". I root for it's success for them, even though the show blows.

123- That show is original and funny.

Being an umpire is a difficult job, but with 6 umpires why aren't these umpires asking for help from other umps. They didn't ask for help on Pierzynski's swing and miss (til Scoscia asked), they didn't ask for help on the phantom tag at 2nd base in the Cards/Astros game, and they didn't ask for help on the Dye HBP. Show me the bruise!! vr, Xei

If I was forced to watch Fox News, MY tv would be dead :)

Swear this is true: as Steve is writing about rich chocolatey pudding the wife and baseball daughter are in the kitchen making "Double Chocolate Pudding" from the Barefoot Contessa cookbook. I know you are all enthralled by this but its a strange coincidence, unless of course Steve is outside my house looking in the window.

Name one show better than my Name is Earl(the office doesnt count as its not original)?

126. The previews looked good, so I tuned in this week. The TV lasted about 3 minutes on the channel before it had to mercifully be changed. All of the good TV writers must be dead or asking for too much $$$. vr, Xei

131-Maybe your a TV show snob?

130

Not that I am a beacon of good taste or anything, but I have two shows that I record weekly basis on my DVR...

My Name is Earl and The West Wing.

130. There are no good shows imho. vr, Xei

130-
Arrested Development!

Brad Lidge is warming up! Pudding for everyone!

109. Probably would sound a lot like Tommy's famous answer (tirade) to what he thought about Dave Kingman. (I really miss Jim Healy).

Sure glad Web MD is there to show us where Roger Clemen's hamstring is. I had no idea until then.

136 I'll tell the Wife and Daughter to double the recipe

132. Perhaps I am, but not sure what one is. I just like something unique and funny. I am always impressed with people who have the ability to be funny, whether it is a stand up comedian, a writer or just your average person. Most of the funny stuff of late is in the cartoon form, whether it be South Park, The Simpsons or Sponge Bob. There really hasn't been good writing since Seinfeld. Frazier was decent for a while, Friends had it's moments, but the days of the good sitcom are 15-20 years ago. vr, Xei

138 -- I wouldn't have known either if I hadn't been watching through your window.

134-If theres no good shows then how can there be any bad shows? Would'nt they just be shows? Compare My Name is Earl to anything else on TV right now and its a pretty refreshing change of pace.

I'm almost a non-primetime-watcher. Shows I record and watch:

Deadwood
Sopranos (if it ever comes back)
Daily Show
Lost
Rome (not sure why, but lots of nudidity)
Colbert Report (funniest man on TV right now)

Is nudidity something that our president is opposed to on TV?

142. As sitcoms go My Name is Earl is probably above replacement level. :) But the sitcom replacement level these days is very very low. I prefer to wait until the good shows come up from the minors. vr, Xei

135-I dont watch that show because my brother in law is a stand in, and I dont enjoy watching his backside on TV knowing that he makes more money for 5 min of long shots than I do in 1 month.

Life isn't the same without Arrested Development. With the umpires hacking up the playoffs, and the Yanks, Angels, Red Sox, and White Sox polluting them, baseball didn't really come up with a good enough reason to make us go through a month-long AD hiatus.

Yeah network television is awful everything I watch is on cable.
South Park
Sopranos
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Extras
Nip/Tuck
Daily Show
Colbert Report
Wonder Showzen
Reno 911
Stella
Dog the Bounty Hunter
Ali G (even though the show is done)
Entourage

144 That pronunciation is a running joke in my circle of friends.

135
Arrested Development!

143- I dunno about Colbert, I think about him as a non funny Steve Carrel.

147-
Season 2 dvd came out so I just watch that to get my fix, though I am having Loblaw withdrawal.

Only show I Tivo is Entourage. Of course, the daughters have filled the Tivo up with Full House reruns. Someone, please kill me so I don't have to listen to the Tanner family anymore.

152
How are the special features? I haven't gotten around to buying it yet.

How did the Angels cut Jenks loose? Was he really that bad an apple?

The Fox strike zone box seems a little off. The ball looks like a strike on the outside corner and it shows up just hitting the inside corner on their replay. Either my eyes are bad, or their strike zone box is off. vr, Xei

155. His spanish wasn't up to par. vr, Xei

155 -- He's a better hitter than Erstad, and they didn't want to embarrass him.

156-I think the Box is off.

151 Wow, I laugh at him in almost any bit. Funny what tickles people's funny bone.

The Angels waived Jenks to protect other players on the 40-man roster. Such as 5 catchers.

Jenks had "character" issues. Most of which involved drinking. Remember, the Angels are the "good character" organization.

154-
Commentaries, bloopers, deleted/extended scenes, the first season in 3minutes of footage, and other just bits from the show.

isn't the cat on Meet The Fockers also named Jenks? vr, Xei

FORMER DODGER ALERT!

161 Interesting, I did see a close up of Jenks last night and noticed a bunch of busted capillaries in his cheeks. I thought "he's a drinker"

But he's also "a 100 MPH thrower"

wow, tie game. vr, Xei

Did anyone watch Strangers With Candy? Colbert's old show. That show challenges South Park, Curb, and Ali G as funniest show ever.

Are you kidding? Vizcaino over Lamb and it works?

Horrible throw by Podsednik and a terrible job by AJ not blocking the plate.

should've been thrown out at home, the LF had the ball in shallow LF with the runner two steps from 3rd base. Poor arm. vr, Xei

Why'd the Dodgers let Vizcaino go?

Wow - that throw started from barely outside the infield and still was late to get Burke at home. Cheers for Vizcaino.

I don't blame AJ on that play, he didn't block the plate because of the poor throw you mentioned. Great slide and poor throw.
vr, Xei

WoW, ExDodgers come through in the clutch tonight how exciting. Should I rent Arrested Dev.? Is it really that good? If it is Im willing to drop my pains about it and give it a chance.

Gotta pause the game and go walk the dogs (no that's NOT a euphemism) Be back in a bit.

170 - Vizcaino was like Cora without the mystique. This is the equivalent of seeing Cora getting a game-tying hit in the Series six years from now.

168

Gotta go with those former Dodgers in clutch situations.

Actually, I think Garner thought Vizcaino was going to just be able to do what he just did, slap at a low pitch. If it was first and second, it might have been Lamb in order to get a better chance at extra bases.

Vizcaino is at second now too. I didn't see who was coming in.

Dave Roberts has a cannon compared to Podsednik's pathetic arm.

Vizcaino had a big hit in the 2000 World Series for the Yankees.

D4P answers his own question.

Phil Garner was the Jim Tracy of the NL Central, before Jim Tracy became the Jim Tracy of the NL Central.

173
Yes, you should rent Arrested Development. Actually, I would recommend buying it, but I'd understand if you weren't comfortable doing that yet.

Game 1 of the 2000 World Series:
YANKEES 9TH: BENITEZ REPLACED J. FRANCO (PITCHING); Posada flied
to center; O'Neill walked; POLONIA BATTED FOR BROSIUS; Polonia
singled to right [O'Neill to second]; Vizcaino singled to left
[O'Neill to third, Polonia to second]; Knoblauch out on a
sacrifice fly to left [O'Neill scored]; Jeter struck out; 1 R, 2
H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Mets 3, Yankees 3.

And

YANKEES 12TH: Williams grounded out (second to first); Martinez
singled to right; Posada doubled to center [Martinez to
third]; the ball rolled into the gap; O'Neill was walked
intentionally; Sojo popped to catcher; Vizcaino singled to left
[Martinez scored, Posada to third, O'Neill to second]; 1 R, 3 H,
0 E, 3 LOB. Mets 3, Yankees 4.

173-
Arrested Development is the only network comedy I watch (My Name is Earl and Office are alright, but I do not really watch them). I would definitely suggest watching it.

Oh yeah I also watch a lot of Adult Swim shows, but I doubt there are many people who are into late night stoner cartoons here.

The Dodgers traded Vizcaino to the Yankees in 2000 for Jim Leyritz. The Dodgers needed another catcher around because they had Todd Hundley and Chad Kreuter and neither were reliable. And then there was that whole fight in Chicago thing.

Former Dodgers doing big things and a local in Ensberg with a HR earlier.

182-
I should have said non-animated comedy. I watch Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad.

Vizcaino was traded the first time by the Dodgers to the Cubs for the immortal Greg Smith.

good lord.

Holy Crapola... Podsednik makes up for his lousy arm with a walk off. The Xeifrank world series prediction is still good.

Chicago, Chicago, Houston, Chicago, Houston, Chicago... Chicago in 6 games.
vr, Xei

The Astros are going to start selling their extra bad karma on EBay.

Is that considered small ball?

Podsednik makes up for his poor throw.

Every time brad Lidge blows a game god kills a kitten.

I think the Astros need Carson Daly on their team.

Big deal, Podsednik. Did you have two gimpy legs?

I didn't think so.

How do you handle a walk-off Grabowski Principle?

I loved the shot of his teammates in the dugout saying "No way!"

The White Sox have officially made the Baby Jesus cry.

191. The grand slam in the 8th or the HR in the 9th? vr, Xei

Anyone see Tim Salmon in the dugout on that walk off home run saying something about that was the furthest ball he's ever seen hit? vr, Xei

Thus endeth the short reign of Brad Lidge.

White Sox are now 9-1 in the postseason. Not too shabby. vr, Xei

I think the daily show is getting more pointless each day. It was kind of funny but now just seems like a too-long version of weekend update. Fake news is going overboard.

The worst show on TV right now is the 'Showbiz Show with David Spade.'

South Park never gets old, and I have recently discovered reruns of the Ali G show.

House MD is terrible. I cannot tell if it is a drama or comedy, which is bad.

199

That was during the 2002 World Series. I think that was when Bonds homered off of Percival.

Posednik has hit more homers in the past inning than in last season.

Can you say: Unlikely ROIDS Candidate!

203. Sorry, it was a bad attempt at humor.
I'll stop. vr, Xei

Between the hurricanes and Podsednik homeruns, I'm going underground for twenty years or so. Stay real San Diego!

Well, over to KCAL 9 and the pathetic Laker preseason game. Looks like another lottery pick for the Lakers. Hope they pick someone who will make an immediate impact this time, not someone who they have to wait four years for. vr, Xei

For ESPN Insiders, check out the latest Olneys. They are so full of garbage.

207-
Lakers have looked so bad this pre-season. The first team has no idea how to work with each other and well there is no bench. Next year's draft is going to be bad too. Best player for the Lakers to get would be Rando from Kentucky.

I watch Arrested Development and the various cartoons that trainwreck watches. Not much else (other than sports, which accounts for at least 50% of my TV watching). I watch War at Home, but that's mostly because its timeslot (I watch the Simpsons and Family Guy, and I'm too lazy to turn the channel). I've caught the Colbert Report once, but I keep forgetting about it. South Park's probably my favorite, although the half-season premiere was bland by its usual standards for satire

210-
You can not beat Kyle and his gold though hahaha.

The Lakers keep saying their problem is finding a "fifth starter". Personally, I think Edwin Jackson could fill that role.

209 I'm rooting for Smush Parker, as he's the only bright spot so far this preseason, and, well, he's #1. In all honesty, I dislike the lakers, and I like Kobe about as much as I like Jeter (which isn't a whole lot)

207,209
Lakers will be horrible this year. Not even Phil can succeed with that mess. I read that they were focusing heavily on defense, but they have no interior presence and shot-blocking. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for Kobe to dump the triangle and start trying to do everything himself.

211- My wife is jewish, so later that night I asked her about the gold, she denies it but I think it's a male thing.

212-
Lakers problem is they are run by morons who's plan was to sign Yao or Amare (whoops they both signed extensions already). So now their plan is to go after Lebron and if he re-signs well we just wasted 4 years for nothing. They will not take on contracts past 07, who wants to sign with a team like that.

211 It's jokes like that were funny. But South Park is better than literally showing The Day After Tomorrow, with different characters and without the graphics. The hurricane had so much more potential...

215-
She's lying!

george bush doesnt care about beavers.

Is there a font for speaking with a completely wrecked voice from shouting at a football team for 4 hours?

Matt Ware and Quinten Mikell definitely gave me the coolest birthday present ever 8-)

216 They're paying Grant how much to play for Phoenix? It's like Green and the DBacks all over again, but with more money (and admittedly a far worse player)

217-
I predicted the episode before I knew anything about it. I said I am sure they will do Katrina and just talk about how everyone should care about the people and not worrying about who's fault it was. I know how those Libertarians think.

210. Pretty much my TV schedule to the letter, although i really like the new south park

I think the Lakers could make the playoff, I dont think you can read to much into the preseason. I can see a lot of similarities between Milton Bradley and Kwame Brown. I really hope Parker makes an impact just for his name, really wish Chick was around just to announce his name.

221-
They are not paying him anything because he got released with the Allan Houston rule this summer so he got all of his contract from the Lakers.

216. That's what I don't understand. They already got their franchise player in Kobe, why not go after two good free agents rather than one franchise one. Teams like Detroit and San Antonio have so much depth and balance it's truly amazing. They have also done a good job in the draft. Ginobli and T.Parker were steals, and locked up under very nice contracts. vr, Xei

i think the lakers will be fine once the season starts. they will make the playoffs, but probably wont do anything in there. Kwame just needs to get comfortable.

as far as shows are concerned, i watch a bunch of stupid sitcoms during the day after school: king of queens and yes dear. they arent even that good but they make me laugh a whole lot.

primetime shows, i like
family guy
southpark
AD
office
niptuck
law and order SVU

thats about it for shows i try and catch on a regular basis. everthing else i just watch randomly.

225-
Because they are not run by morons and they can draft, which the Lakers can not.

225
San Antonio is a dynasty.

224 They still have to give him his money, it just doesn't count under the luxury tax, or that's how I interpreted the amnesty clause.

In the last World Series the White Sox won, they won the first two at home, then lost two straight in New York, and then won the last two.

In 1906, it went Sox, Cubs, Sox, Cubs, Sox, Sox. No travel days in the 1906 Series.

In 1917 they allowed two days to travel between New York and Chicago.

thats right king. we still have to pay him, but we dont have to pay the luxary tax in the salary for being over the salary cap.

224-
I mean the Suns do not have to pay Grant much because we are paying his contract, so he signed a small deal to join them.

The Los Angeles Kobes are in trouble. Jerry Buss has turned into a cheapskate and Mitch Kupchak is his "Yes Man". This is not a playoff team. You have a great player in Kobe, a good player in Odom, then you have a lazy underachiever in Kwame....Smush Parker..Slava Medvenko...Devean George. There is no bench. Jackson isn't a miracle worker. He's the Joe Torre of basketball; a good coach who is extremely overrated because he has a lot of championships (while winning with great players). That might even be a bad comparison. Joe Torre has managed a lot of very good players. Phil Jackson has coached some of top 50 players in the history of basketball. This team will be lucky to win more than 37 games.

Phil atleast gets teams to play up to their potential. The Lakers went from constant underachievers to champs with him. Same with the Bulls.

Earlier someonw mentioned about the Konerko trade by Lasorda to Cincy for Jeff Shaw. While Karos eventually declined at that time he was still productive, the Dodgers definitely needed relief and Shaw supplied it for almost three years and gave the Dodgers a shot to win. They didn't but it got them closer. Also remember that Cincy the following year traded Konerko to the Sox. While Konerko has developed in the past few years for the Sox, he was not able to do much with the Dodgers in limited playing time...While Vizciano maybe similiar to Cora, wonder if Cora will stick around for 17 years

235- So the choice was a 30 year old who was good and had a year or two left on his contract or a 22 year who was considered one of the top prospects in baseball and was excellent in the minors?

The Lakers went into the toilet the day Jerry West packed his bags. I think Uncle Miltie's comparison of Joe Torre and Phil is a good one. Both jobs require more ego management than quality Xs and Os.

235 Before its all over, Konerko's career numbers will surpass Karros'.

I hope the White Sox sweep so the sooner we can name our manager.

So going back to the subject of this thread: If the Dodgers win the West in 2006 but get killed in the first round, ala 2004, is that enough to save Depo's job? Will he become Tracy, i.e. will Frank have to keep him if he wins the Divison even if Theo wants the job?

I expect the Dodgers will win 87 or 88 games and should win the Division. Obviously this depends on what everyone does in the off season but with a relativly weak free agency class no one in the division will be able to upgrade all that much, even us. I think next year finds the Dodgers and Giants right back at up to the last weekend. The winner will have the privilage of getting spanked by St Louis.

240 Theo's contract is over this year, so I doubt he'll want it next year (when he has a lucrative multiyear deal). I think DePo must keep the team in contention with a 87/88 win minimum to keep his job. If he makes a lot of questionable moves, he may need a lot more than that. I don't see a Series or you're gone situation, unless he starts clashing with McCourt

240. If the Dodgers win 88 games next year they will probably be the first MLB team to clinch a division. :) vr, Xei

243. I can't really imagine Depo's job being on the line in 2006 when the bulk of the organization's plan seems to be just be good enough to compete for the division title now, and start replenishing the squad with GOOD minor league players in 2006/2007.
vr, Xei

Collins is headed to the organizational meetings on Tuesday. He's headed there because he's officially the new...

-est Dodger personnel that had to flee a hurricane. He's actually going to give a summary of the minors. Orel will be interviewed no sooner than Tuesday, the first day of the meetings, and could be interviewed as late as next Friday, after the meetings are done.

244 Even with the stupid suspense thing, I have no idea why I cut "newest" into two words. I'm sure a lot of you though he was the new manager... ;)

I figured you were just having a little fun with us.

I'm not sure people will be beating Theo's door down. While he did a great job and got them their first WS in however long, he did it with the second highest payroll in baseball. Its not unlike the Phil Jackson discussion. Is Phil a great coach or has he had great players. What Beane has done is much tougher than what Theo did. Beane could win the WS with a $100M+ payroll. Could Theo get the Sox back to the WS with a $40M payroll? Probably not.

I think McCourt may simply want his own name (brand) on the Dodgers as in Steinbrenner's Yankees or Buss' Lakers. It's his pride and the association, and probably a helpful driver towards putting a good team on the field. I hope he doesn't want to be associated with Georgia's Rams. McCourt's roots in real estate explain his refurbishments of his real property. These investments have a 20-30 year return. As opposed to employees, they are current period costs who must generate current returns, which probably fell off big time during the second half last season. I predict that Depodesta will be gone by Opening Day 2006 if the Dodgers are not picked to win the division in late March. Whose picks does McCourt care about? I have no inside scoop, but I believe it would be Jamie and Drew. So the real question is who influences them.

247 I think in a way, it is fair to say that we don't know if Phil is a good coach or not. He has certainly been smart enough to get coaching jobs when teams were on the cusp of winning. Phil hasn't really had the opportunity to show off his coaching skills with a group of has-beens and never-will-be's.

Along those lines, we don't know if Theo could pull a Billy Beane or if Billy could pull a Theo. I would have confidence in Billy with a bigger payroll, but I don't know if he would be any more succesful.

249 I should add to my own post that the Lakers are currently Kobe + Odom + has been's + never-will-be's.

Apparently both Wallach and Robin Ventura have declined offers to become Tracy's hitting coach...

248 If you're reading McCourt's mind correctly, correlating his desire to be a brand to the personae of Steinbrenner and Buss, then someone needs to talk him out of it. Most of the time, when the owner is at the center of the team, it's either something fans have to willfully ignore in order to remain fans (Buss & Steinbrenner); or it means he's despised as incompetent (John York, Vince Naimoli). Arte Moreno is the rare exception of a 'beloved' owner, but that might just be a long honeymoon for reasons McCourt can't replicate.

Frank, you're still new at this. Here's what you do: Put on a Dodger warm-up jacket, shake hands with all the rookies, smile a lot, and say 'yes' when your GM wants a lot of money for a hard-hitting left fielder. Don't even think about firing the GM until after the 2007 season; and that judgement should be based on whether he's foreseen correctly that certain Dodger prospects can become solid major league players. If you do fire him, get someone better, not worse. That's how to be a great owner.