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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Hoping the Best for Hershiser
2006-02-14 09:11
by Jon Weisman

Although I'm certainly happy if he's happy, there's something dispiriting about Orel Hershiser leaving baseball's employ to become an ESPN studio analyst.

It's another reminder of how quickly Hershiser went from being central in the maelstrom preceding Paul DePodesta's departure as Dodger general manager to a nonentity. Given that Hershiser seemed so excited about becoming a general manager someday, with another team if not the Dodgers, the decay of his situation with the Texas Rangers smacks of an unhappy ending. I hope I'm wrong, but it was only November when Hershiser took a new job as exeuctive assistant to the team president.

The irony of it all is that despite apparently being used as nothing more than a certain chess piece during the Dodger GM uprising in the fall, Hershiser really did seem to have something to offer the team - not necessarily as a GM, but as a productive coach or executive who could work toward that goal. Does his departure from the Rangers indicate otherwise? Or did things just get too messy for cleanup with either Texas or Los Angeles?

Someday, I have to talk to Manny Mota and find out how he has survived so long with the Dodgers. I wonder if it was a case of being extraordinarily careful about what he wished for.

* * *

Jay Jaffe of the The Futility Infielder has a follow-up to last week's discussion of Mota and Dodger pinch-hitters, including a picture like mine of Mota riding his bike at Dodgertown. An excerpt:

Another former Dodger, Dave Hansen, at one point looked like a solid bet to eclipse Mota and move into second place. But with two dubiously chart-making seasons in 2003 and 2004, plus an anemic 2-for-31 last year, Hansen appears to have run out of gas. Unless he somehow finds a job this spring, he will have finished with just 19 hits in his final 137 pinch-ABs (.139). For his career, he's still hit .234/.351/.358 in 593 at-bats in the role, and as his presence on the first list (of all-time great pinch-hitting seasons) attests, was one of the best in his "prime." It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it.

* * *

People talk about the big day when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, but back here in California, you can tell things really come alive once the sportswriters get to Florida and Arizona and the daily reports start flowing. We're back in business, baby!

* * *

Update: Ex-Dodger Jose Lima has booked his Spring Break, according to The Associated Press - he'll be hanging with the Mets. He will earn $600,000 if he makes the 40-man roster, with incentive clauses potentially adding another $450,000.

Update 2: Three more Dodger staff departures were reported by Ken Gurnick at MLB.com today, including the team's physical therapist for a quarter of a century, Pat Screnar.

Update 3: Rangers beat writer Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News talked about Hershiser's departure from Texas:

There were factions in the Rangers' front office that weren't happy with the way Hershiser pursued various positions with the Los Angeles Dodgers. To some, it came off as if he was campaigning for a job. In baseball's world of etiquette, it's one thing to be flattered by a club's interest in you; it's another to pursue a job like it's your first chance out of college. The second method suggests maybe you aren't happy with your current role.

As for the second position, this was to be largely an ambassadorship. Hershiser wants more meat. He wants to be a manager, GM or president. He wasn't going to get that role in Texas anytime soon, if it all. By taking his leave and going to ESPN, Hershiser can position himself much the way Buck Showalter and Bobby Valentine have in recent years. He can use his sharp mind and articulate voice to analyze all 30 teams for a year or two and make himself a very hot commodity to some club (in Valentine's case, a Japanese club) in the process.

Comments (176)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-02-14 09:53:04
1.   natepurcell
a little bit off topic but what are we going to do about loftons right handed platoon partner? there cant be anyway we are going with repko.... how about sosa? he is still out there. he hit 288/370/471 against lefties last year which isnt amazing but its better then repko.
2006-02-14 10:02:38
2.   D4P
Lofton's lefty-rights splits really aren't that different.

vs left: .348/.375/.391/.766 (46 ABs)
vs right: .333/.394/.424/.817 (321 ABs)

2006-02-14 10:03:41
3.   Bob Timmermann
Since Manny Mota was mentioned and somebody asked in the earlier "Airplane!" themed thread, but the voice that announces that Manny Mota is batting for Pedro Borbon is that of Robert Hays.

As for spring training, did you see how MLB.com was trying to get us excited that trucks were leaving for spring training. Wow. Thrilling....

2006-02-14 10:04:42
4.   LAT
1. Nate, I hope you are refering to Kaiser Sosa and not Sammy, the orginal steroid using, corked bat wielding clubhouse cancer who hit .230 something last year.

Quick someone call the Vero Beach police! Someone stole Manny's milk crate!

2006-02-14 10:11:53
5.   Steve
Nate...
2006-02-14 10:12:32
6.   D4P
Speaking of steroids, a Brazilian bobsledder was banned from the Olympics for testing positive. A BOBSLEDDER! Do the roids make the sled go faster?
2006-02-14 10:13:33
7.   regfairfield
Assuming Nomar can play outfield, we could move him to left, Drew to center, and have Saenz play first, its a decent temporary measure until Werth comes back, (who should just take Lofton's job entirely, but that's another story.)
2006-02-14 10:13:58
8.   Bob Timmermann
Sammy Sosa?

You've got to be kidding. Please tell me you're kidding. I want you to be kidding.

Sammy Sosa, the guy who can only get an offer from Washington and only then because he would be an insurance policy for Jose Guillen!

2006-02-14 10:15:52
9.   Bob Timmermann
6
Those bobsleds don't push themselves. They want fast and strong people to push those things. Why do you think the U.S. once recruited Herschel Walker to be a pusher.

It's not like the driver of the bobsled turns the key and presses on the gas to make the sled go.

2006-02-14 10:16:17
10.   regfairfield
6 They let you sprint and accelerate faster. Since, at least to someone who knows nothing about bobsledding, that the initial push is the most important part of the run, roids can make a big difference.
2006-02-14 10:26:30
11.   D4P
Nate brings up an interesting point. Sammy's splits vs. lefties last year are pretty decent, and probably better than anyone else on the roster that Grittle could throw out there. But the board has responded with concerns about "character" issues. What would Depo have done? Given that he signed Kent and Bradley, I doubt he would have been concerned about Sosa's character, provided of course that Sammy would have signed for what he deserves (not very much $) rather than what he thinks he deserves (very much $).
2006-02-14 10:29:57
12.   Steve
Sammy Sosa had a VORP of -1.4 last year.
2006-02-14 10:32:00
13.   LAT
But the board has responded with concerns about "character" issues. What would Depo have done? Given that he signed Kent and Bradley, I doubt he would have been concerned about Sosa's character

Yes but it was clearly a mistake. As to Kent and MB, there were two quality players who couldn't coexist. Here we are talking about one quality player and one who thinks he is still a quality player. They have even less chance of co-existing. Moreover, this is the 2006 Dodgers. Frank decided in the offseason that character now counts.

2006-02-14 10:32:09
14.   Sam DC
I think Sosa's people are just using Nate to drive up Bowden's offer.

That said, I'm wondering if the discusion provides sufficient basis for me to post on Dave Sheinin's washpost chat that there is discussion of the Dodgers acquiring Sosa. What do you think? Ombudsman?

2006-02-14 10:33:46
15.   D4P
Don't get me wrong: I don't want Sammy either.
His splits vs. righties probably have a lot to do with that VORP:

.196/.266/.341/.606

2006-02-14 10:35:54
16.   Andrew Shimmin
Maybe Sosa could be like a player/coach for Repko.
2006-02-14 10:40:50
17.   Andrew Shimmin
To the extent that steroids is a character issue, I don't really care about it. To the extent that it's to be presumed that steroid use accounted for some substantial part of Sosa's skill, and that it's now being tested for, it's a matter of skill. It's like hiring a base-stealer who happened to lose his left leg in a motorcycle accident last year. He's no longer able to make use of what made him good.
2006-02-14 10:43:39
18.   Colorado Blue
Maybe Sosa could be like a player/coach for Repko.

Who has the bananas?

Even though I know it is a joke the thought is just too scary.

2006-02-14 10:48:28
19.   Suffering Bruin
The issue is chemistry? Then let me say this...

If he had a migraine headache, had just argued with his wife (with scratches on his face to prove it), got cut off in traffic twice on the way to the ballpark, was asked to identify himself by stadium security because he looked suspicious and then upon entering the dugout he found out he was batting seventh, I still would rather have Milton Bradley in my lineup over Sammy Sosa.

2006-02-14 10:52:49
20.   Suffering Bruin
I think if he were asked to make a list of the things he wants to do in his life right now, Hershiser would put "ESPN analyst" above being in the front office of the Rangers.

But I think a front office position with the Dodgers would be above ESPN. And I think managing the Dodgers would be on top of the list. And I base this on... well, nothing, really.

2006-02-14 10:53:32
21.   natepurcell
with how much sosa has sucked lastyear, he still hit lefties better then repko.

we dont really have any good options here until werth comes back.

unless *gasp*....nomar can play left field and let saenz play against lefties at 1b.

2006-02-14 10:56:42
22.   D4P
21
Unless (even ghaspier) Nomar can play left field and let Choi play 1B against righties AND lefties...
2006-02-14 11:13:06
23.   Mark
Nate Purcell, champion of rookie-league players that "have tremendous upside" rooting for us to pick up Sammy Sosa?

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH OUR NATE?

2006-02-14 11:18:51
24.   Sam DC
On the next "Cranky/Awkward Guys Who Used To Be Great But Aren't Anymore," Nate shows why the Dodgers should re-sign Kevin Brown.
2006-02-14 11:34:21
25.   Penarol1916
What is Brasil doing with a bobsled team anyway? All South American and African nations should vote to abolish the Winter Olympics at the next IOC meeting or force it to go by a more accurate name like "Sports Festival for Europeans to feel like they are good athletes by competing against each other and a small percentage of athletes from North America and 3 Asian countries."
2006-02-14 11:44:02
26.   Daniel Zappala
Surely Hershiser has earned enough money in his life that if he really wants to break into management (GM or field), he would do what it takes -- be that managing some AA team or working as an unpaid intern in the Dodgers front office. I can only conclude that ESPN is what he wants to be doing now, given his current options. But for sentimental reasons, yeah, I wish he was the manager.

That brings up another issue -- what does the DT crowd think of Bill Russell's tenure as manager?

2006-02-14 11:45:24
27.   Bob Timmermann
I don't think that Argentina and Chile want to drop out of the Winter Olympics. Last time I checked there were some mighty big mountains with snow on them down there.

Africa had just six nations competing and one of them was Ethiopia and they had a cross-country skier who grew up in the U.S.

And he flunked his doping test.

2006-02-14 11:52:05
28.   Blu2
26 Hard to say. Like all the recent Dodger managers, he was severly handicapped by having a poor team to work with. Managers get too much credit and too much blame. I think a manager can hurt his team a lot more than he can help it.
2006-02-14 11:58:44
29.   Bob Timmermann
Bill Russell had a good team. Then there was the great Mike Piazza vs. Fox standoff.

And Russell was the biggest loser in that. He had a higher winning percentage than Johnson or Tracy or Lasorda.

2006-02-14 11:59:37
30.   Penarol1916
27. Argentina and Chile don't have the infrastructure in place to field competitive winter olympic teams, hence neither has ever won a gold medal. Let me know when Bariloche, the most beautiful ski town I have ever been to, is ever seriously considered to host the Winter Olympics. I'm sure all 9 Argentine and Chilean participants this year would be devestated.
2006-02-14 12:11:25
31.   oldbear
I cant wait for Grady Little to keep Nomar at 1st, and play Repko, Lofton, and Cruz in the ultra scraptacular OF.

If Mueller, Lofton, and Kent show their ages, Brett Tomko shows to be, indeed Brett Tomko...

Then in the end McCourt pays 100+mils for an 82win ball club. Was it worth it? Better publicity but less profits...

I think in business the bottomline always wins out.

2006-02-14 12:13:17
32.   Andrew Shimmin
If the '97 team had hit its Pythagorean record, they'd have made the playoffs. And been beaten in three straight by the Marlins.
2006-02-14 12:16:35
33.   oldbear
21. "with how much sosa has sucked lastyear, he still hit lefties better then repko."

This is humorous. I think you could replace "Sosa" with any NOUN, and it would still ring true.

2006-02-14 12:17:26
34.   Colorado Blue
30 - Let me know when Bariloche, the most beautiful ski town I have ever been to, is ever seriously considered to host the Winter Olympics.

As soon as the Winter Olympics get moved to the month of August.

2006-02-14 12:25:33
35.   D4P
33
Yippee! Dodgerthoughts MadLibs!
2006-02-14 12:27:42
36.   Curtis Lowe
33-"with how much CHENEY has sucked lastyear, he still hit lefties better then repko."
2006-02-14 12:29:13
37.   Penarol1916
34. If we can move the Summer Olympics September for Sydney, I'm sure we can do the same for Argentina with the Winter Olympics, plus it wouldn't interfere with the NHL seasons.
2006-02-14 12:31:59
38.   Bob Timmermann
Argentina doesn't want to build a jasonsled track
2006-02-14 12:34:10
39.   Uncle Miltie
nate- do you still go to Arizona? I was thinking of transferring there my junior year
2006-02-14 12:39:49
40.   Penarol1916
38. I know the world would be a better place if noone wanted to build a jasonsled track.
2006-02-14 13:03:46
41.   willhite
It's time somebody stuck up for Repko, so I'm putting myself out there for all you guys to throw stones (or eggs, as you wish) at me.

Although it was an extremely small sample size, he OPS'd 1.400 with the bases loaded last year.

The only month in which he got over 50 at bats last year (July), his numbers were .304/.345/.776

He isn't even 25 years old yet and he plays hard.

I realize that most of you feel he should be the 102nd player on a 25 man roster, but I just want to say out loud that I'm a fan of his and remember you heard it first right here when he actually has a decent year in 2006 (although it may be in Vegas).

Thank you for your time, and don't bother posting all of the negative stats you can dig up on him. I've already seen them all.

2006-02-14 13:07:25
42.   D4P
41
he plays hard

Like fingernails on a chalkboard to the Dodgerthoughts crowd.

2006-02-14 13:09:36
43.   willhite
42 -

That's why I threw that in. We need a little friction going into ST.

2006-02-14 13:10:35
44.   willhite
42 -

Sorry, forgot to add that he's SCRAPPY

2006-02-14 13:10:51
45.   Sam DC
41 I'll stand with you. I'm a secret Repkoholic. After all, he threw that guy out at third in Philly, and I was there. (See Steve's list.)
2006-02-14 13:14:58
46.   D4P
I was there for the game last year where he crashed into the wall and made the catch. It was the first game I had been to since 1985. As it turned out, the catch took place during the only time during the game when I was out of my seat (to get something to drink).
2006-02-14 13:21:28
47.   willhite
45 -

Welcome aboard Sam. This must be what Custer felt like at the Alamo.

Please let me know exactly which part of Steve's list you're referring to. I started at the bottom and tried to work my way to the top, but I've given up and I'm going to climb Everest instead.

2006-02-14 13:22:49
48.   Curtis Lowe
Repko is too hairy to be a good ballplayer.
2006-02-14 13:23:08
49.   Bob Timmermann
Repko homered against Rueter in the Home Opener.

All the greats were in the lineup that day: Repko, Nakamura, Phillips.

2006-02-14 13:25:22
50.   Jon Weisman
42 - Let's just make sure to avoid generalizing the DT crowd. It is not of one mind.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-02-14 13:26:29
51.   willhite
49 -

Repko is the only one left standing, a testimony to his hard play and scrappiness

2006-02-14 13:29:36
52.   willhite
48 -

Curtis, if you're willing to become a charter member of Repkoholics Anonymous (thanks for the idea Sam), we'll see what we can do about the hair.

2006-02-14 13:30:52
53.   Andrew Shimmin
I'm not sure admitting that you're doing it negates the high crime of ascribing statistical significance to 5 PAs, bases loaded or not.
2006-02-14 13:32:11
54.   willhite
53 -

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

2006-02-14 13:34:31
55.   Curtis Lowe
If one thing good can be said about Jason Repko it is that no matter where the ball is hit as long as it makes it past the infield he runs as hard and fast as he can towards it, kind of like my neighbors dog.
2006-02-14 13:36:10
56.   Andrew Shimmin
54- Alright. Of your mercy, though, please don't compound it, arguing that Repko needs to bat 7th (.900 OPS!).
2006-02-14 13:36:12
57.   gcrl
i like manny mota. he is a link to the dodgers of my youth, but i have to wonder if he is in a situation similar to that of milton in office space: he's been fired, but due to a clerical error, still receives his paycheck. how long before the mccourts correct the oversight and banish manny to the basement?
2006-02-14 13:45:51
58.   dagwich
54-- If you really want to feel Custerish come out in favor of bringing back poor old Grabowski. It would be like walking into a hail of bullets. You could also read about the development of the "Grabowski Principle." We could all have a good laugh, remembering the old days of the DePo era.
2006-02-14 13:46:32
59.   willhite
55 -

Is your nieghbor's dog hairy?

56 -

I don't need him batting 7th. I'd be happy to have him batting after the pitcher's spot.

2006-02-14 13:49:50
60.   willhite
59 -

Yes, I realize that lead off is after the pitcher's spot. I meant that the pitcher could bat 8th.

58 -

Grabowski always had the "deer in the headlights" look about him. On the other hand Repko would just charge headlong into the car.

2006-02-14 13:52:23
61.   Curtis Lowe
I agree about Repko he is an under appreciated under achiever much like Joe Crede was for the White Sox until he unloaded in this past postseason. Can Repko pitch?
2006-02-14 13:57:22
62.   willhite
61 -

Excellent idea. Maybe we can convince Grady and Steve to use him in middle relief, although my guess is that Steve would consider most middle relievers a step above Repko.

2006-02-14 13:58:17
63.   Vishal
[55] (though not always in a straight line)
2006-02-14 13:59:17
64.   Sam DC
47 Whell, I'm thinking of a throw from right field to third base that got David Bell of the Phillies in a great 1-0 win last year. I was sitting right near third, and it was pretty awesome. Perez took a no-hitter into the seventh I think.

Lest no one think I'm showing off, I had to look up Bell's name.

I thought Steve had something about this on his list, but he may have been referencing a different Repko Rocket (TM). The idea, I gather, was that whatever runner was outrageous enough to get picked off by one of those Repko Rockets (TM) is an enemy because such plays only solidified the notion that Repko had value.

2006-02-14 14:04:19
65.   Andrew Shimmin
There's a bizarre comity between the Repko and anti-Repko factions, today. I'm betting somebody'll show up and call the latter group Choi-lovers and it'll be back on, but, for now, the apostasy seems to have been taken in good humor. Weird. It's like the DT stat geeks aren't all Yoohoo-sucking fatwa-issuers.
2006-02-14 14:11:47
66.   Curtis Lowe
Though Repko is more hairy then Choi he still resembles more of a ballplayer and has more Hootspah! than his Heesopian counterpart. Odd- Repko to Werth to Lofton is as HeeSop to Olmedo to Nomar?
2006-02-14 14:13:36
67.   willhite
66 -

And just how many baseball blogs in the entire world would you have to visit before you would come across the words "comity" and "apostasy" in the same posting.

Another testimony to the intelligence and excellent vocabulary found at DT.

By the way being a Repkoholic and a Choi-lover are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I would have absolutely no problem with both of them in the lineup at the same time.

2006-02-14 14:15:36
68.   willhite
Sorry, I meant 65, not 66.
2006-02-14 14:21:55
69.   Andrew Shimmin
68- I'm just happy when I spell either correctly.
2006-02-14 14:23:50
70.   Bob Timmermann
However, you left the hyphen out of Yoo-Hoo.
http://www.drinkyoo-hoo.com/
2006-02-14 14:34:06
71.   Andrew Shimmin
Bob's sore at me for making fun of the potential first woman in the HOF's name. Since we're correcting each other, the last time I made fun of somebody's name, at the Griddle, you called me 'Beevis'. Well, it's spelled Beavis, buster. So there. 8^)
2006-02-14 14:40:28
72.   Jon Weisman
I just edited an essay at work with the word "efflorescence" in it. I debated suggesting the curator should change it to a more common word, but decided that it worked in its context and would be fun to have.

It's a fine line between enhancing people's vocabulary and bludgeoning it.

2006-02-14 14:41:29
73.   Bob Timmermann
71
Actually I didn't understand the joke.
2006-02-14 14:50:48
74.   DodgerDodger
65 - The Repko/anti-Repko détente probably has something to do with Valentine's Day. Tonight they're sitting around a campfire singing "Kumbaya," but tomorrow... it's ON!
2006-02-14 14:52:22
75.   Andrew Shimmin
73- Mother Effa? No good? Oh well.
2006-02-14 14:56:51
76.   Bob Timmermann
75
I thought it was going to be more subtle than that.
2006-02-14 14:59:23
77.   deburns
72 See Fowler's hilarious (to me, anyway) entry on Pedantry. Sort of like "one man's Mede is another man's Persian."
2006-02-14 14:59:49
78.   GravyLittle
Do you guys think that the Roster is set or do you guys think Colletti has something up his sleeve
2006-02-14 15:04:40
79.   Curtis Lowe
78- Would that be the same as in his pocket? If it is isnt that the last place you want to be?
2006-02-14 15:07:06
80.   Andrew Shimmin
76- I'm as overestimated (second definition) as Jason Repko.
2006-02-14 15:09:55
81.   natepurcell
lol, today hass been one of the better days at DT this offseason.

nate- do you still go to Arizona? I was thinking of transferring there my junior year

yea i still go there. come one come all! you can live with me

2006-02-14 15:11:31
82.   natepurcell
f one thing good can be said about Jason Repko it is that no matter where the ball is hit as long as it makes it past the infield he runs as hard and fast as he can towards it, kind of like my neighbors dog.

^^^^ thats the DT comment of the day. my mountain dew almost ended up all over my keyboard when i read that.

2006-02-14 15:15:26
83.   Curtis Lowe
For the last couple of weeks I've read a few seperate articles which relayed Kevin Towers claiming that David Wells is "Unlikely" to be a Padre this season. This added with the RedSox saying they will continue to try and move Wells to a west coast team by deadline kind of makes the Dodgers the most likely recieving team. Consider this scenario- Wells reports to camp as a RedSox, pitches a few times shows that he still has it, in your opinion what would Mr.Wells worth be? And dare I ask what would Ned do with Tomko if Wells is acquired.
2006-02-14 15:18:10
84.   natepurcell
And dare I ask what would Ned do with Tomko if Wells is acquired.

platoon him with lofton?

2006-02-14 15:19:00
85.   Jon Weisman
Update above: Jose Lima goes not to the Padres, but the Mets.
2006-02-14 15:25:00
86.   Uncle Miltie
nate- what do you think of the school? How's the weather, the school, etc. Is there a lot of stuff to do there (on campus and in the area)? How far is the BOB and the arena where the Suns play from school?
2006-02-14 15:25:25
87.   Curtis Lowe
Ahh, Tomko the Repko of the rotation.
2006-02-14 15:29:57
88.   Jon Weisman
86 - I'm thinking it's kinda warm.
2006-02-14 15:39:22
89.   Bob Timmermann
Tucson is not Phoenix.

It's not even Tempe.

The BOB is Chase Field.

2006-02-14 15:44:46
90.   D4P
Revenge of the Nerds was filmed on Arizona's campus. If that's not enough reason to go there, nothing is.
2006-02-14 15:50:29
91.   overkill94
Coincidentally I'm gonna be in Tucson this Friday through Wednesday visitin relatives. Nate, you know of any good bars in the area?

To answer Miltie, those facilities are in Phoenix, which is about 2 hours NW of Tucson.

2006-02-14 15:53:58
92.   Icaros
I spent a few days in Flagstaff, AZ. There's a large cemetary either on or right next to the campus of Northern Arizona University.

Also, I've been anti-Repko longer than anyone here. Believe it.

2006-02-14 15:55:27
93.   Brendan
Tucson is at least a 90 minute drive from Phoenix and it's a lonely, desolate drive at that. When it's hot, it is Africa Hot. Triple digits for months(seems like) You cannot stay in Tucson over summer break.
2006-02-14 15:57:30
94.   Jon Weisman
I'm not anti-Repko. I'm anti-false glorification and misuse of Repko.

Repko is salt of the earth - no shame in that. It's just that there are nicer seasonings available.

2006-02-14 15:58:37
95.   Brendan
92

You were anti-Repko before being Anti-Repko was cool. Sort of like tattoos.

2006-02-14 16:02:59
96.   Icaros
I'm not anti-Repko. I'm anti-false glorification and misuse of Repko.

I think that describes my feelings pretty well, though I would probably consider misuse to be any use at all.

2006-02-14 16:03:05
97.   overkill94
Continuing Freeway Thoughts from the other day, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of wrecks today, especially on the 10 and the 60. On the way home from Industry I passed an overturned SUV, a jacknifed big rig, a three-car fender bender, and a car fire. Are people a little more reckless on Valentine's Day?
2006-02-14 16:05:23
98.   willhite
94 -
Can't argue with that Jon.

One can hope to drink nothing but champagne, but sometimes one has to settle for beer.

2006-02-14 16:05:30
99.   Icaros
I just found two typos at The Griddle.

Bob, get over there, STAT!

(I work at a hospital now).

2006-02-14 16:06:14
100.   Icaros
98

Then Repko is O'Douls.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-02-14 16:08:27
101.   willhite
100 -

When you're traveling between Phoenix and Tucson in July, in a convertible, with the top down, at high noon, even O'Douls is welcome.

2006-02-14 16:09:16
102.   Jon Weisman
Things I liked before they were cool:
Hill Street Blues
Cheers
Seinfeld
Office Space
Aimee Mann

Things I liked before they were cool that should have become cooler:
Homicide: Life on the Street
Cupid, with Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall

Things that are not nearly cool enough
Dar Williams
Biathlon

Cool things I will never do, unless my kids demand it:
Snowboard instead of ski

Things I was in on early that never became cool
The USFL

2006-02-14 16:10:39
103.   dzzrtRatt
Hats off to Jason Repko! There's something to be said for a guy who is a survivor. Think of all the other betes noire who have been cut loose, and yet Repko hangs on and, it appears, will play a lot of games next season. He's a great role model for today's youth.

Re: Orel Hershiser. The Rangers are one of those doomed franchises, especially on the pitching end. Becoming a sports analyst is a lucrative, high-profile, hideout. But, ask Bill Parcells, Joe Torre and Bob Brenly, it doesn't have to be the end of the on-field career.

2006-02-14 16:12:41
104.   Icaros
101

But the Dodgers train in Florida. They don't need O'Douls. It rains O'Douls out there.

2006-02-14 16:21:24
105.   Brendan
Ah the USFL. My dad took me to games at the Coliseum. Saw Young and Jim Kelly duel one day. They must have had 800 or 900 yds passing between them. There couldn't have been more than 10 to 15 thousand on hand.

fender bender, and a car fire. Are people a little more reckless on Valentine's Day?

I blame the balloons in the car.

2006-02-14 16:22:54
106.   Jon Weisman
My high school friends and I were charter L.A. Express season ticket holders. We saw the inaugural came against Herschel Walker and the New Jersey Generals.

We did not stick around for the most memorable USFL game, the triple-overtime against (I think) Michigan, nor the finale at Pierce College.

2006-02-14 16:25:57
107.   dzzrtRatt
My proudest "before he was cool" discovery was Bruce Springsteen. At least on the West Coast. I got my roommate to play "Rosalita" and "Kitty's Back" through his quadrophonic speakers at dorm dances in Berkeley. Nobody knew these songs, but they started requesting them after the first dance.

I also remember playing a lot of Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles when my baby boom friends thought there was something wrong with me for being into these "mobster acts."

I was into Aimee Mann before "Magnolia," but I never gave 'Til Tuesday a tumble. Jon, were you into "Voices Carry?"

Nowadays, I am probably the only 50 year old man who's into The New Pornographers, Postal Service and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Is it too late to be cool with those?

2006-02-14 16:28:11
108.   Brendan
I also recall Steve Young's crazy contract. How could they ever think they going to collect that.

Are there any books written about the USFL from an insider perspective? the unraveling of that league would be a great read.

2006-02-14 16:32:57
109.   Jon Weisman
107 - When I got my first CD player in 1985, my first three purchases were Springsteen, Sam Cooke and Til Tuesday.

I consider myself way late to Springsteen - but I guess I beat everyone who found him after 1983.

2006-02-14 16:39:07
110.   dzzrtRatt
Sam Cooke! Anyone as young as you who made Sam Cooke an early CD purchase qualifies as extremely cool. Have you ever worn "chicken slacks?"
2006-02-14 16:45:29
111.   Jon Weisman
110 - LOL, nah. But I'm just a huge, huge fan of his. "That's Where It's At" was the first dance for my wife and me at our wedding. Reading the recent biography of him (I'm on page 570 now) has only renewed my obsession with him.

I could say the same thing about some Springsteen songs, but if you haven't heard the live version of Sam's "Bring it on Home to Me," you haven't lived.

2006-02-14 16:53:40
112.   Jon Weisman
More updates to this post up top.
2006-02-14 16:53:56
113.   natepurcell
i really like uOfa. the weather right now is perfect (or at least to my preference), 75ish, cloudy, breezy.

from october to end of april, its perfect weather. summers are horrible. but im not here during the summer i go back home to socal.

i like the school, i like my classes. i dont like the city of tucson though. it has this wierd smell to it. Theres always stuff to do. if you are 21+, there are a bunch of good bars to go too. if you are not, theres still a bunch of house parties or frats.

to overkill:

if you go to 4th street, a lot of stuff is happening there. Maloneys, O'malleys, che cafe, etc.

2006-02-14 16:56:49
114.   dzzrtRatt
Have not yet read the biography, except the excerpt in LA Magazine, but I plan to. Peter Guralnick's two-volume Elvis bio is one of the great American books, particularly the first one, "Last Train to Memphis." If Elvis hadn't, in fact, existed, that book would be a novel as praised as anything by Faulkner.
2006-02-14 16:58:43
115.   Linkmeister
Driving I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix puts you at risk of being trapped by the country's longest speed trap. It is indeed one of the most boring and desolate drives in the US.

Once, to avoid prosecution for hitchhiking at a freeway entrance, a friend and I hitched up the old back route (US 89/93). I don't even know if that's possible anymore, but it took 11 hours to get from Tucson to Mesa that way; I don't recommend it.

2006-02-14 17:00:54
116.   natepurcell
oh yea. pheonix is about 90mins away. althought i hardly ever drive up there because
1- i drive an expedition and i cant afford the gas
2- i hate driving long distances

sometimes if there are bands that are coming through arizona and only through pheonix that i really want to see, i will make the drive. other then that, i dont.

2006-02-14 17:17:58
117.   Uncle Miltie
116- have you gone to any Dbacks games? About how long does it take you to drive back to LA? Are all the buildings/dorms air conditioned (this one is very important).

Just saw that the Clippers traded Wilcox for Radmanovic. Nice move.

2006-02-14 17:18:53
118.   Steve
There's been a Repsurrection.
2006-02-14 17:22:28
119.   natepurcell
i havent gone to dback games. but ST is held in tucson (white sox, angels, rockies, giants, etc) im planning on going to some then. it takes about 7 hours to drive home. i hardly drive home except for the beginning of the year and the end of the year. in between i just fly home.

yes all the rooms/dorms are air conditioned. i think its required by law.. if its not it should be.

the older buildings are cool looking, red brick. its a nice campus. you should come visit it first though and see if you are feeling it or not. what college are you at now? why do you want to change schools? what major?

2006-02-14 17:23:04
120.   Marty
Bands that I was ahead of the curve on fandom-wise:
The Sex Pistols
The Clash
Talking Heads
X
2006-02-14 17:26:05
121.   natepurcell
re 120

my dad has a lot of vinyl from sex pistols, clash, doors etc.

he gave them to me. they are nice although i dont like the sex pistols. i do like the clash, doors, and the smiths and some others.

2006-02-14 17:27:07
122.   Linkmeister
"the older buildings are cool looking, red brick."

Yup. We U of A people used to sneer at the ASU people. "We have a university which looks like a university. You have a conglomeration of the ugliest looking buildings in Phoenix, and that's going some."

They'd always come back with "Yeah, but we have a facility designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (Grady Gammage)." "Not enough," we'd say.

I went to U of A to major in anthro; it was highly regarded for that department back then. I'd imagine it still is; I know its Astronomy department is super.

2006-02-14 17:30:47
123.   natepurcell
the astronomy department is pretty dang cool. the planetary science building was named after Kuiper.. i imagine hes pretty famous in planetary sciences.

also, the eller business college is held in high regard nationally.

but yea, u of a actually looks like a real university, thats one of things i liked about it. and its a "college town" so theres a lot of actitivies geared towards my age group.

2006-02-14 17:39:02
124.   Uncle Miltie
nate what's your e-mail address? I'll tell you more stuff through e-mail
2006-02-14 17:42:56
125.   natepurcell
npurcell@email.arizona.edu
2006-02-14 17:45:40
126.   Bob Timmermann
111

Jon and his wife honeymooned at the Hacienda Motel down on Figueroa.

I don't think they found it all that romantic though.

2006-02-14 17:46:04
127.   Uncle Miltie
I have class now, I'll e-mail you later
2006-02-14 17:47:24
128.   natepurcell
7pm class!??! i hate night classes. actually i have one night class this semester, its my business ethics clss, a mondays only 5-730 one. its not bad, but i dont think i can consistently take night classes.
2006-02-14 17:49:11
129.   Jon Weisman
126 - We actually spent our wedding night about 500 feet from where Bob works.
2006-02-14 17:50:22
130.   Bob Timmermann
I'm hoping that was either Checkers or the Biltmore or else they spent the night inside a Carl's Jr.
2006-02-14 17:52:11
131.   Jon Weisman
Yep, it was one of those three.
2006-02-14 17:56:11
132.   Bob Timmermann
Probably Carl's Jr. They have TVs with cable available in there.

And nothing is more romantic than getting your new wife a free refill on her Diet Coke.

From a favorite "Taxi" episdoe of mine:

Reverend Jim: There are three great types of wedding to attend.
The first is Shinto. For the poetry.
The second is Polish. For the dancing.

[pause]

Alex: What's the third one, Jim?

Reverend Jim: Vegas! For the glitter!

2006-02-14 18:08:34
133.   King of the Hobos
128 I have a night class (5-7:20 pm, MW), and have yet to graduate high school. Although from my experience (this would be my 3rd night class), I have to agree with you, night class sucks
2006-02-14 18:09:25
134.   das411
Bob, would you believe there are now people who are 21 years old and first knew of Christopher Lloyd as Emmitt "Doc" Brown?

'cause I am definitely one of 'em!

2006-02-14 18:10:14
135.   overkill94
113 Maloney's eh? Coincidentally that's the name of the bar where all the people working knew my name while I went to UCLA.

107dzzrtRatt, good call on The New Pornographers. I can't say I was exactly ahead of the curve with them, but if they ever become huge I will be. Same with The Walkmen, The Shins (that one's already paying off a bit), and My Morning Jacket.

2006-02-14 18:39:22
136.   Uncle Miltie
nate, got out of class early and I just e-mailed you
2006-02-14 18:48:57
137.   Icaros
135 I recently discovered My Morning Jacket. I was at the Virgin store in San Francisco and they played "Dondante" over the PA. I liked it so much I found out what the album was and bought "Z" right there.
2006-02-14 19:20:32
138.   Daniel Zappala
My primary claim to fame is being onto REM just as their first album came out. I still have an extensive vinyl collection. More recently I picked up Michael Bublé's first album in Canada when it came out and was surprised to find recently that he has become more well known in the States.
2006-02-14 20:33:24
139.   overkill94
137 My saving grace has been LA's indie rock radio station (103.1). They played a song off My Morning Jacket's previous album ("One Big Holiday" off It Still Moves) and I loved it, prompting me to explore further. Same thing with the Walkmen and "The Rat".
2006-02-14 20:58:08
140.   Steve
Most will likely notice it, but I commend you to Bad Altitude and an excellent preview piece on the Dodgers, judged as such despite his unjustified optimism toward Odalis Perez and Derek Lowe.
2006-02-14 21:11:48
141.   kinbote
one of my major criticisms of tracy last year was how he seemed to pull repko out of the lineup right when he was on a hot streak. on that team, repko was certainly playing well enough to bat 7th or 8th.

this year i only see repko as a fill-in. as nate said at the beginning of this topic, i imagine we're looking for someone to add to the outfield mix. my guess is hidalgo.

(note to a. ethier: you have a small but conceivable chance of winning a job [ledee's?] with a perfect spring.)

2006-02-14 21:15:36
142.   Sam DC
And in the few will likely notice it category, mlb.com had a squib listing an authentic lineup card from the Dodgers-Reds Mothers Day 2005 game (Reds side). It wouldn't be overly notable, except it has a certain Jason Repko batting second. Other starters in Blue that day: Saenz, Phillips, Ledee, Edwards. Hmmm . . . I do recall May 2005 as rather a tough month.

Minimum bid was $200, it appears not to have sold.

http://tinyurl.com/7698p

2006-02-14 21:16:05
143.   regfairfield
141 Repko got far more chances than someone who hit .221/.281/.384 and is no part of the team's long term plans deserves.

I don't see any real harm in giving him the seven or eight starts until Werth gets back or even letting Lofton, gasp, bat against lefties.

2006-02-14 21:16:14
144.   D4P
141
conceivable chance of winning a job [ledee's?]

Just what is Ledee's job anyway? "Guy whose hamstrings are so fragile that he can't run and therefore can't play and therefore can't contribute"?

2006-02-14 21:17:00
145.   Steve
Ethier needs to win Repko's job, though I would not miss Ledee either way. But Hidalgo and Sosa and this nonsense can not stand. As if the sight of Jose Valentin playing left field wasn't bad enough.
2006-02-14 21:20:29
146.   regfairfield
Come to think it, Ethier's patience and power numbers look a lot like Repkos...
2006-02-14 21:21:44
147.   Steve
Sorry about the Charlie Steiner thing, D4P. I think Steiner's ok. I'd like to see him work with someone competent, though the words "analyst" and "competent" are rarely used together (See also middle reliever)
2006-02-14 21:22:35
148.   Bob Timmermann
I think Ledee is expecting to be a big contributor for Puerto Rico in the WBC. They could have an outfield with Beltran in center flanked by a pair of Dodgers in Ledee and Cruz.
2006-02-14 21:26:11
149.   D4P
The words "analyst" and "therapist" are rarely used together as well. Only one man can pull that off...

I can't believe Steiner is on your short list of non-enemies. Did you listen to the guy last year?

2006-02-14 21:29:00
150.   regfairfield
149 If you hate Charlie Steiner, you need to get MLB.tv.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2006-02-14 21:36:51
151.   D4P
150
I can do homework while listening to the games, but not while watching. Plus, MLB audio is a lot cheaper.
2006-02-14 21:38:43
152.   Steve
short list of non-enemies

OK. Here we go.

2006-02-14 21:50:29
153.   Andrew Shimmin
149- Only one man can pull that off...

Woody Allen?

2006-02-14 21:54:17
154.   natepurcell
DT= my valentines this year.

what a lonely....lonely night.

2006-02-14 21:56:20
155.   natepurcell
i cant wait to try my new crest cinnamon burst toothpaste and teeth whitening mouthwash tonight!
2006-02-14 22:01:18
156.   Steve
DT= my valentines this year.

And what did it do today? Kick you in the teeth for the Sammy Sosa thing. DT is a cruel, unforgiving mistress.

2006-02-14 22:06:46
157.   natepurcell
And what did it do today? Kick you in the teeth for the Sammy Sosa thing. DT is a cruel, unforgiving mistress.

call me a sadist but i loved it so much that i will throw out another name in place of repko:

Trenidad Hubbard

okay guys, dont hold back, lay it on thick!

2006-02-14 22:21:40
158.   trainwreck
Repko is like a worse copy of Eric Byrnes, only Repko is sane.
2006-02-14 22:25:52
159.   Andrew Shimmin
I want to join one of them religions where Valentine's Day is forbidden.
2006-02-14 22:26:37
160.   natepurcell
repko amd eric brynes is a pretty good comparison, all the way down to the popular myth that both are very good defensive outfielders.

lol, running as fast as you can in zig-zags and letting the ball bounce off your glove, or completely missing it does not make you a good defnesive outfielder no matter how scrappy you look running into walls.

2006-02-14 22:43:32
161.   dsfan
The summer treat will come in July, when Repko is seeing regular duty as the only healthy OF available.

By then Drew will be on crutches, Cruz will be in traction, Lofton will be rehabbing in Vegas, Ledee's hamstrings will be torn and Nomar will be on the 60-day DL because of groin, foot and wrist injuries.

Shortly after coming off the DL, Werth will report a "pop" in his surgical wrist after checking his swing against Jose Lima.

Izturis, fresh off the DL, will see time in CF.

He'll be flanked by Repko and Ethier.

2006-02-14 22:52:06
162.   natepurcell
baseball americas postional rankings are out. billingsley rates as #1 out of all the right handed starting pitching prospects. broxton #2 in relief prospects, dewitt #4 in 2b prospect, laroche #5 in 3b prospects, guzman #7 in corner OF prospects, martin #2 in catching prospects.
2006-02-14 22:56:21
163.   Andrew Shimmin
161- You're the Devil, right? It's okay, you can tell me.
2006-02-14 23:01:19
164.   Sam DC
I see that no one picked up the banner for Kevin Brown. I mention him because my next door neighbor keeps asking what it was like to see him pitch (you know, back when he was good) and arguing that Nationals should sign him with Sosa's money. Is it right that he's just out there getting no nibbles?

Now, if he comes to town I'm not renting him a room, but if I sat in Jim Bowden's chair, I'd probably give Brown a shot over Sosa.

[ducks]

2006-02-14 23:10:09
165.   Andrew Shimmin
Is it right that he's just out there getting no nibbles?

Yes. If Brown dying alone, unloved, unmourned, unsigned, is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

2006-02-14 23:23:39
166.   das411
165 - Well, now you've done it. Let's all watch as Brown signs with his hometown Braves and flourishes under their new pitching coach Roger McDowell, winning 15+ games this season and extending the Braves' playoff streak to 15 years, or iirc 83% (5/6ths) of Hobos's lifespan.
2006-02-14 23:29:34
167.   Andrew Shimmin
I wonder how many screenames Satan has booked at Baseball Toaster. Two, at least.
2006-02-14 23:33:36
168.   das411
Nate, you need to quickly Facebook that girl you kinda talked to from that one class, and get on over to her place before it's officially not VDay out there anymore!

...or you can read 150 pages for a class you have in 7 hours like I'm doing. This I would not recommend.

2006-02-14 23:46:48
169.   natepurcell
im watching mlb draft videos from 2004.... while watching nick at nite- fresh prince, roseanne, full house, cosby show.. ohhh yeaaaaaa.
2006-02-14 23:59:26
170.   natepurcell
Already working out were Derek Lowe, D.J. Houlton, Danys Baez, Hong-Chih Kuo, Lance Carter, Jonathon Broxton, Kelly Wunsch, Greg Miller and Takashi Saito.

________
from the latest dodger.com article. they are all at camp early. i hope miller has a kickass spring, he needs to get back on track.

2006-02-15 00:07:10
171.   das411
dude, the only people left on here are us mountain dew addicts, and i'm 3 hours ahead of you on the caffiene crash curve.

...they don't show saved by the bell on there yet? or other "classics" like salute your shorts, hey dude!, and you cant do that on television?

2006-02-15 00:08:26
172.   natepurcell
http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-dodrep15feb15,1,7690995.story

henson tells us why lofton and nomar havent actually signed their contracts yet. and no, its not because mccourt is waiting for season ticket sales to come in to pay thier salaries! although simers would absolutely love it if that was the case.

2006-02-15 00:09:58
173.   natepurcell
save by the bell is on from like 8am-10am on TBS.

i havent seen salute your shorts or hey dude in forever. I cant sleep before 3am anyways so im glad theres a bunch of sitcoms on late at night.

2006-02-15 00:10:22
174.   natepurcell
man i really wished i tinyurl-ed that link. sorry about that guys, i thought it was smaller.
2006-02-15 00:21:15
175.   das411
173 - that sounds about right, my roommate freshman year would be watchin saved by the bell all the time when i'd get back from lunch.

someone -ahem- sent me a camp anawanna pin yesterday. it is exceedingly retro and thus the cool factor is off the charts. perhaps this means a dvd release is upcoming...?

time to go crash now, see youse guys on tomorrow's thread!

2006-02-15 07:36:00
176.   oldbear
Another Henson article:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers15feb15,0,2255769.story?track=tothtml

Key quote: "But rarely are there this many changes in less than two years — the only position player expected to make the opening-day roster who played on the 2004 NL West championship club is reserve infielder Olmedo Saenz. The only pitchers are Eric Gagne, Odalis Perez, Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban."

No love for Hee Seop Choi in this article. In fact, he's not even mentioned...

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