Jim Hendry is on the phone with Tony Womack's agent as we speak.

That Ned sure drives a hard bargain.

It's hard to understand why Flanders couldn't have at least garnered a PTBNL for Choi.

Hee Seop Watch

Choi:
46 pa's at Pawtucket
.297/.435/.541 (3 HR, 9bb ,9k)

JT Snow:
2-16 (5bb) - 3 starts to date.

Youkilis vs. RHP:
.302/.367/.465 (49 pa's)

Red Sox not named David Ortiz have hit 11 HR and the team has actually been outslugged .431 to .415. They've gotten 1 HR from 1b and 1 from 3b.

DePo excelled at turning a player like Cody Ross into Cody Ross. Can Ned turn Cody Ross into Ryan Wagner?

If we pull that off, Wayne Kriviski offically joins the Allard Baird tier of G.Ms. (He currently resides in the Dombrowski tier.)

I wonder if Mr. Stone has ever tried to get tickets and hot dogs at Fenway? Or any other big city ball park? What's he pay for popcorn at the multiplex? If anything, with the trend of putting fewer seats in the new ballparks, which among other things, reduces the supply of tickets, prices are bound to keep going up.

As far as building another Ebbetts Field, the Mets are already in the process of doing that.

3 I never understood that, either. I was going to take a ride up to Pawtucket yesterday to see Choi play, but it was a miserable day here. Hee-Seop's at .297/.435/.541 (3 HR) in 10 games with the PawSox.

Heh, bigcpa beat me to the Choi stats.

That really was not a very good article. My question is, from the Vero Beach articles that Rob has been posting on 6-4-2, I thought that the Dodgers had sold most of their property in Vero Beach as part of a sale-leaseback witht he city there. Am I wrong? Also, what a horrible assumption that the Cubs, Red Sox, and Yankees are the only profitable clubs, most actually make are somewhat profitable at least. As for advocating that the Dodgers become part of a content provider for as part of a larger organization, does he not remember Fox when that was exactly the strategy?

9 I'm not sure he's arguing that the Dodgers be sold to a content provider, but rather that the Dodgers become a content provider, in the same way the Yanks, Sox, and Mets have. Each of those teams owns a good chunk of their primary television outlet (YES, NESN, and whatever the Mets decided on). He's correct in that those cable networks have provided a lot of cash for the teams in question. Most of the Mets spending in the last two years has been in anticipation of the revenue stream coming from their new network. However, that's a totally separate issue from a new stadium. Also, none of that revenue has been applied to subsidize hot dog prices.

I've heard good things about Player to Be Named Later. Young, but with upside.

10. But then why would he use the Cubs, who are owned by a content provider? I'm thinking he's advocating the Dodgers become part of a larger content provider, either by creating it themselves or something else.

Usually a PTBNL is a player selected from a pool of minor leaguers.

I saw the blurb on ESPNNews and thought it was actually Cody Ross for Tony Womack. Sadly, I actually could have believed it. That says a great deal about the direction of the organization.

"There was a lot we were throwing at them," Colborn said. "We were using different vocabulary than they had heard before, talking about taking different approaches toward hitters; (manager Jim) Tracy had a different philosophy for them to learn, and I was trying to make their deliveries more effective.

"What happened was, to their credit, they tried to absorb everything. The problem that came was them forgetting who they were."

If only the Pirate coaches weren't just so clever.

16. Delwyn Young

"Young, but with upside."

Gee, thanks...

There is an engaging chat up at washingtonpost.com with Dave Kindred, author of the current book about Ali and Cosell. A number of questions on how he goes about writing a biography. Nothing earth shattering, but interesting nonetheless. A funny moment when the questioner mixed this dave up with Dave Sheinin, the baseball columnist who wrote the piece about the 33-inning game I passed along last week.

Anyhow, it ends with this:

"Ali: Does he know how much we love him?

Dave Kindred: Absolutely. His daughter, May Mayy, told me that anytime he's depressed, he says, "let's go see the people." And they go walk down the street to be adored."

Off-topic (but I guess the Boss is always on topic here): If anyone's interested in the Springsteen album that comes out tomorrow, you can listen to it in its entirety (for free) here:

http://www.930thefox.com/cc-common/mfeatures/brucespringsteenOD/

16. I've tried that and it works! Of course the people on Grand Ave. who adore me are asking for change.

17 - Awesome, except that while I can load it, I can't get it to play.

19 Hmm... don't know what to tell ya, other than maybe it's a firewall issue. It's been working fine on my cpu.

I'm listening to "Shenadoah" right now.

21
I'm on "Jessie James." This isn't quite was I was expecting...

No one seems to like the lyrics for "Shenandoah" as they apparently started out. It's supposed to be a song about an American trader getting an Indian chief drunk so he could steal his daughter.

These are the lyrics to Arlo Guthrie's version of the song:

http://tinyurl.com/g63ur

20 - Yeah, probably firewall related. Nuts.

23 - Have you ever head the John Mellencamp song, "Hot Dogs and Hamburgers?"

http://www.mellencamp.com/albums/lonesome/lyrics.html#Hotdogs and Hamburgers

The overall message of the song is clear, but the character singing the song seems more introspective about this country than about himself. "Lord, forgive us for we know not what we do" seems like the easy way out as far as personal responsibility goes.

24
Funny you mention Mellancamp, as I was already thinking that this Springsteen stuff reminds me of the "Big Daddy" Mellancamp album.

22

So the trombones and trumpets are throwing you off are they?

I like the sly change he made in the traditional lyrics to "Pay Me My Money Down":

"Well I wish I was Mister Gates,
They'd haul my money in in crates"

But why are these songs "Pete Seeger" songs? They were not all necessarily made famous by Pete Seeger.

songs "associated" with pete seeger

kind of like movies "inspired by
actual events...

According to the official release:
"The album features Bruce's personal interpretations of thirteen traditional songs, all of them associated with the legendary guiding light of American folk music, Pete Seeger, for whom the album is named."

Then we should be hearing songs like "Which Side Are You On?"

Personally, I'm sending in a job application to J.H. Blair.

Well, heck. As long as we're posting music items, here's an item about the new Neil Young album.

http://tinyurl.com/re3qc

didn't prairie wind just come out? this is approaching ryan adams/paul westerberg realms of album dropping...

According to the link in 32, Young's album caught his record company by surprise. It's coming out on Friday and Amazon doesn't even recognize its existence yet.

Yeah, that part was fascinating. Actually the whole review from the choirmember was really interesting (to me anyway). For starters, Neil Young with a 100-piece choir? Then the choir being assembled in 24 hours by Rosemary Butler, whose name I know from a lot of Jackson Browne/Bonnie Raitt albums. Then the assembly via analog tape v. ProTools.

And nate thinks "how old are these guys, anyhow?"

36 Can't you see my long gray beard?

37. Yes, but I assumed that was because you are a memeber of ZZ Top.

Between the Temptations, ZZ Top, and Cher, we're well represented.

Argh, why is the Marlins-Cubs game on ESPN instead of Dodgers-Astros tonight? Sigh. Oh well, guess I'll have to suffer with Monday on a Monday.

And this is the Bob Hope thread.

Oh well, guess I'll have to suffer with Monday on a Monday.

That's what we call "A case of the Mondays."

42
i can't say that here at work - i'm pretty sure i'd get my arse kicked.

43. So does that mean you work for KFWB or the Dodgers. Do we have double agent among us?

40 Be sure you remember to listen for, and nominate, your suggestion for todays "Monday Moment."

He doesn't work in Ontario. They have no idea who Rick Monday is.

44
no, it's an "office space" reference.

"Do we have double agent among us?"

Well, I don't know, but the GM wears a Giants ring.

48
Cackle cackle

47. Ahh no wonder I didn't get it. Never saw it.

48. Very good point.

50
Office Space is a must-see classic, especially for anyone who has ever worked in an office setting.

Just to piss off Xeifrank once he gets here, how about a little movie talk? :)

Being somewhat of a David Lynch fan, I finally got around to seeing Eraserhead last night. All I can say is weird weird weird. I thought Mulholland Dr was a trip, well at least that one had some semblence of meaning. Seems Mr. Lynch is big on symbolism, though what he's trying to symbolize is anybody's guess (I mean come on, a dancing creepy lady with huge cheeks in a radiator?)

45 Could probably nominate some of those before he even says them, by predictions based on past Monday-isms. At some point during the game, I'm quite sure someone will hit a home run, but we won't find out for sure until Monday finishes his anecdote about something hi-larious that happened in 1980.

52
I never understood the muddy guy behind the trash dumpster in Mulholland Dr. Other than that, I really enjoyed the movie.

54 The common interpretation is that he's some sort of God-like overseer or puppetmaster, and the blue box is his universe or something like that.

Considering there was a similarly hideous guy also acting as some sort of puppetmaster in Eraserhead, it must be one of Lynch's favorite themes.

55
Ugh.

There was a hideous guy in The Elephant Man... not sure about a dumpster though.

Being one of the few to actually see Office Space in a theater and rave about it is one of my favorite moviegoing accomplishments.

I liked Mulholland Drive. I hated Blue Velvet and was never into Twin Peaks.

Sorry to go off topic here, but since it's Monday, hopefully, you folks will indulge me. I am hosting a ballplayer from New Zealand who is in town for a couple days and is excited about seeing his first MLB/Dodger game on May 3. I'd like to make the trip a memorable one. Suggestions? (he's in his 20's and his dad will be along) Also, I would like to purchase 4 tix between the bases, loge or field level if you have any contacts you might pass along? Thanks in advance to all.

You know, I didn't really like Blue Velvet either. The Isabella Rosselini character was just a little too annoying for my tastes, which couldn't make up for Dennis Hopper's hilariously psycho character.

Mulholland Dr is just a fascinating movie to watch, especially when someone explains to you what the hell everything means. Elephant Man was another one I really enjoyed, though it isn't very Lynchesque.

I guess my view of Lynch is a bit mixed, anyone have any opinions on Lost Highway?

58
I wasn't fortunate enough to see Office Space in the theater, but I did discover it before it obtained cult status. BTW, has anyone viewed the "With Flair" special DVD version? I haven't seen it yet...

I saw "Office Space" in a theater too. I like movies with multiple characters named Bob.

As for Rick Monday,
"You take a Derek Lowe. What do you see? You see a pitcher with a 1-1 record and 4.50 ERA. Could he do better? Yes. Will he do better? We shall see. Nowforthepitch,it'salongdrivetoleftGONE!"

As for other cult films, I saw "Repo Man" in a theater in its inital run as well.

The difference between Los Angeles and cities like San Francisco and Baltimore is that while those places have replicas of classic historic ballparks, Los Angeles has a genuine classic historic ballpark, where great players played and great baseball moments took place. Where these new ballparks are artificial creations which disguise their true materials under a layer of nostalgic kitsch, Dodger Stadium makes its true materials an intrinsic component of the design. As such it is a genuine reflection of the highest ideals of its own time, and proves them by remaining to this day an excellent place to view a ballgame, despite the disimprovements of the last ten years. What Eric Stone doesn't seem to realize is that your Genuine Replica Olde Tyme Ballpark restricts its seating capacity not for any aesthetic purpose but to create a perceived scarcity of seats, making it possible to charge more for each one. If the purpose is to make it cheaper to see a ballgame, then limiting seating is a strategy designed to defeat that purpose. For a good 60 games out of the season you can show up at Dodger Stadium at game time and get a seat about as good as any in the house for six dollars. Try that in Boston.

The movie most deserving of a second look, if you dismissed it or never saw it, is Joe vs. the Volcano. It obviously has its critics, but that is the most underrated movie I know of.

I was one of the sheeple who discovered OFFICE SPACE on video.

However, one of my favorite all-time movie-going experiences was seeing THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION in theatres without knowing a damn thing about it (other than who the major actors were).

While it's still early, Hanrahan is finally pitching reasonably well, albeit in AA. He has a 2.82 ERA in 22.1 IP, with 23 Ks. Walks are still high at 11. His BABIP is fairly close to normal at .279, so it's not all luck. He still has a long way to go to regain his prospect status, but this is a good start.

Also, after a slow start, Kemp is hitting a very impressive .333/.412/.600 after today. He's struck out 14 times in 75 ABs, but has 8 walks

65. Jon Jon Jon. Joe and the Volcano? Okay I'll conceed that the factory scenes were good but the volcano scenes or the scenes on the suitcases were pretty silly.

All this David Lynch talk but no mention of "Wild at Heart"? That was my favorite, because I could figure out what he was going for(somewhat).

Plus, where else can you see a mother and daughter puke in the same movie?

64

Standing ovation!

Some of it was silly, but silly isn't always a bad thing. There was a reason for it all. I adore that movie.

59
I have a friend who swears by stubhub.com. I've looked on there, and the deals seem better than on the dodgers site. Also, craigslist.com is a good bet.
Enjoy!

61 Yeah, my brother gave the "with flair" special edition as a present. Not really all that special. And I love the movie. I'm like you. I saw it first on DVD (or, more likely, VHS), but before it achieved cultificationsness.

BP has its '06 stats available now, so I ran the numbers for the pitching staff. For what it's worth, here are the VORP rankings:

Penny: 11.8
Saito: 6.4
OP: 4.7
Baez: 4.0
Tomko: 2.0
Lowe: 1.7
Kuo: 1.6
Hamulack: 0.7
Osoria: 0.5
Brazoban: 0.5
Carter: 0.4
Seo: -3.0

I was surprised that Saito has been the second most valuable pitcher so far.

72 ebay's good as well, especially for games that aren't on the weekend.

BACK TO BASEBALL TALK!!!!!!

Is Nomar in the lineup tonight? What are our chances of getting to Pettitte? Hopefully we can win another series here....

Also, I had a random trade proposal here. I know the pros and cons, just wanted to start some discussion: Izturis and Guzman for Adam Dunn. Thoughts?

And Penny's 11.8 puts him 5th in the NL behind Maddux (12.5), Carpenter (14.0), Oswalt (13.6) and Glavine (12.2). Just to bolster your previous post, Jon.

One movie that I never hear anything about but really like is Mumford. It's not super funny or super exciting, it's just a good heartwarming comedy with some interesting characters and a fairly original story. I recommend it to pretty much anyone.

# 65 Yeah I don't know Jon. I consider myself to be pretty forgiving and open minded when it comes to films, especially bad ones. "Joe" was the only film I wish I would have walked out of or at the very least, issued a credit for those two hours of my life back. And I liked "Barbed Wire" (nice reworking of Casablanca)!

Game thread open up top.

76 Yes, from inside the dodgers:

Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Drew, RF
Kent, 2B
Garciaparra, 1B
Mueller, 3B
Cruz, LF
Navarro, C
Lowe, P

As for the Dunn trade, I'm sure the Dodgers would want to do it, but the Reds have no need for a SS and would most likely want pitching in any deal for Dunn, which would mean bye-bye Billingsley.

One of my favorite underrated films is "Twenty Bucks". Most people have never seen it.

76 They've got Felipe Lopez, who's better than Izzy could dream of being. And in Guzman's most optimistic projections he probably wouldn't come out as good as Dunn is now. So I'm thinking the Reds might not be too excited about that.

Plus, why would they want Guzman whey they've got the great Cody Ross? ;)

65 Meg Ryan playing three different roles? I don't think I could handle a movie of that depth and intellect.

81-

you're probably right. What pitcher, besides Bills, could we give up?

The only guy I'd give up Bills for is Miguel Cabrera....I'd do a Guzman, Bills, Dewitt (or something like that) for Cabrera and Willis.

76 Replace Izturis with Penny, and Guzman with Billingsley, add Broxton just to be nice, and we may catch Krivsky's attention. But they have no reason to do that deal, namely because of Felipe Lopez and their overload of hitters

83-

True, Guzman probably will never be as good as Dunn...although, he is still a top rated prospect and we all know how much teams love that. I'm just thinking we might be able to get him with his salary being what it is. Although, I guess if the Reds were going to deal him they would have by now...

76. Adam Dunn trade talk has been much discussed before. It might be largely academic at this point with Ned Colletti in charge. As a Dodger fan I would love to trade Izturis and Guzman for Adam Dunn, but its a laughably implausable trade. Cincinnati would certainly ask for a pitching prospect in return, everyone does. Just consider how many other teams would be willing and capable to match such an offer. My guess is that it would take Guzman, an infielder (such as abreu, hu or maybe izturis), and a pitching prospect (such as elbert, broxton, or billingsley, maybe orenduff). Thats just to start, remember that Ned had to give up two solid pitching prospects in return for Baez and a sack of crap.

82 is Brendan Fraser in that? If so I have seen it and liked it.

89 Yes! It's about a 20 dollar bill that changes hands throughout the story.

81. im moderatly suprised that Lofton is in the lineup rather than Repko. I wonder how the AL guys (Lofton, Nomar, Mueller, and Cruz) have done against Pettite.

88-

True...we obably got Carter as a throw in. Okay, well how about this other idea: We all hate trading prospects and or players for middle relievers...how about deal Izturis for a prospect or two and have whatever team throw in a strong bullpen guy to sure up our pen situation?

We really have no need for Izzy now...so a prospect and a decent set up type guy may not be THAT out of the question...

Having Lopez and Phillips up the middle is pretty nice. When you consider that all they gave up to get these 2 was Elmer Dessens and cash or a PTBNL, the Reds look like thieves.

92. what to do with Izturis is an intersting question, and i dont think Ned has an answer yet. I was hoping the Cubs would be interested, but Angel Guzman looks like he will stick. I think the Mets are a possibility depending on how Izturis feels about playing second base. How about Izturis (or Kent for that matter) packaged with Lowe or Perez, Lofton and/or Repko, with a B-grade prospect for Lastings Milledge. They can have Tomko if they want to play hardball.

94-

one team that really might be interested in Izzy is the Red Sox. What can we get out of them?

95. PTBNL
an intersting option is trading Izturis for a reliever who could be a type A or B free agent. That way izturis is essentially traded for draft picks, which would be more usefull than anything else that could be had back in return. Someone like Octavio Dotel or Dave Roberts.

future Dodger Miguel Cabrera just smacked a two run homer off of Big-Z

Cabrera with a HR...man, what I wouldn't give to have that guy in our lineup on a daily basis....Drew, Cabrera, Kent...sheesh.

95. "one team that really might be interested in Izzy is the Red Sox. What can we get out of them?"

Hee-Seop Choi! ;)

98 I'd take that trade Not because one is or isn't a better player, but because the team needs a good platoon option at 1st more than it needs a 'super-utility' player.

99. i agree, especially since the dodgers already have two seldom used utility players

96 The problem with that reasoning is that the Dodgers would have to offer arbitration to get the draft pick, and someone like Dotel would command up to $4 million, so he would probably accept arbitration.