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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

House o' Cards
2006-05-02 20:27
by Jon Weisman

Three blown leads of five runs or more in the first 27 games might be some kind of record for these men in blue.

Overall, the Dodgers have 15 losses - nine, as has become so publicized, by one run. Look at the runs scored by the Dodgers in those one-run losses: 10, 8, 6, 1, 4, 4, 3, 5, 2. Nearly five runs per game, and at least four runs in six of the nine games.

Here are the run totals for the offense in the other six losses: 3, 5, 0, 1, 5, 8, or 3.7 runs per game. The Dodgers are averaging 4.3 runs per game in their 15 losses, and have scored at least four runs in nine of the 15.

Bad luck is certainly a part of the Dodgers' sub-.500 record, but of the part that isn't luck, I'd point to the pitching more than the hitting.

In either case, mere character and chemistry isn't going to save this team. These veterans already know what to do. Whether they can do it is a matter of valid debate right now.

Does it seem like I write a post like this about every year?

Comments (137)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-05-02 22:44:54
1.   trainwreck
I just hope Flanders does not start to panic and starts dealing prospects for mediocre talent.
2006-05-02 22:47:04
2.   Jeromy
One run losses don't bother me as much as blowing 5 and 6 run leads. Gagne's injury is killing us!
2006-05-02 22:48:21
3.   trainwreck
No, having too many bad players is killing us. Along with a bad manager.
2006-05-02 22:49:34
4.   Telemachos
All bitterness from the previous game comments aside... how can this loss be seen as anything other than a complete collapse by starting pitching (again)?

You get a 6-0 lead in the 5th, your team should win. Period. Bitching at Kent for not hitting afterwards, or even at Green for stealing that extra-base hit from Furcal... it shouldn't come to that.

Good teams do not blow 5+ leads. They especially don't do it two times in three days.

2006-05-02 22:53:38
5.   Uncle Miltie
Solution: Put Kent on the DL and call up Aybar

New lineup
1. Furcal SS (he can still walk)
2. Aybar 2B
3. Drew RF
4. Nomar 1B
5. Mueller 3B
6. Cruz/Ethier (spelling?) LF
7. Repko CF
8. Navarro C

Still not very good, but better than our current lineup.

2006-05-02 22:54:20
6.   Uncle Miltie
I'm sure Lofton can light fires from the bench.
2006-05-02 22:54:44
7.   trainwreck
Let's do what the A's did with Loaiza and put ODP on the DL with a case of the sucks.
2006-05-02 22:55:14
8.   Steve
Can't we have JtD in left?
2006-05-02 22:55:36
9.   Humma Kavula
4 Good teams do not blow 5+ leads. They especially don't do it two times in three days.

Right now, the Dodgers are not a good team. At best, they are mediocre with a high upside.

2006-05-02 22:55:45
10.   regfairfield
You'd better walk a whole lot more than Furcal does if you want him to lead off solely on merit while hitting sub .200.
2006-05-02 22:55:58
11.   Telemachos
I'm not sure how this can be pinned on Grady. Sure, you can say he wasn't fast enough yanking Perez out. But don't the players at some point need to perform? This is the second time in 25 games that Perez has done this.... I'd expect this sort of outing from a rookie or a fifth starter, which sadly is where Perez should be in a decent rotation.
2006-05-02 22:56:42
12.   LAT
Sports Center's Top Ten: That was a sick pass by D. Wade to Mo in the Heat game.
2006-05-02 22:56:53
13.   natepurcell
I do think kent is hurting more then he is leading on.
2006-05-02 22:57:41
14.   underdog
Right, Little's a terrible manager, and the Dodgers have a weak team and we should all just give up. I'm sorry, but whoever was managing this team right now, if they had the same record, no matter who the person was, whether it was Joe Torre, Casey Stengel, or Krusty the Klown, they'd be a bad manager. But I understand everyone's frustration, I'm very frustrated too. This team should be winning more games. And as Jon says in his post (which does have a deja vu from last year feeling), it seems more reasonable to blame pitching, and the inconsistent starters. We just need a few games where the starters pitch lights out, period. Give the bullpen a rest.

We know this team can score runs, even if that's inconsistent, too.

Other things we know:
- Gagne will be back (We don't know how effective, but he'll help)
- The season is very long and it's still very early.
- The minors have some players who can help, some of whom are already here; more could be coming. Little and Colletti have already shown that they'll only be so patient and I like that.
- All it takes is a few streaks and we're in first place in a mediocre division.

That's all I have to say, except try to keep the faith a little, guys.

Night!

2006-05-02 22:58:24
15.   oldbear
I thought if a team had heart, soul, and chemistry that it meant pulling out the close games.

Dodgers must be the outlier in that argument. Such great chemistry, and yet 2-9 in 1 run games.

Apathy is good medicine.

2006-05-02 22:59:22
16.   underdog
Oh, and what #7, 11 and 13 said above.
2006-05-02 22:59:30
17.   Humma Kavula
14 If I'm overly nervous too early in the season... well, 1 put his finger on it.
2006-05-02 22:59:37
18.   LAT
I can't believe I am still suprised the way OP can cruise and then go down like the Titanic.
2006-05-02 22:59:40
19.   trainwreck
I know why the Lakers lost and why the Dodgers continue to...

They got ringing endorsements from Plaschke. Why did you have to suddenly go and brag about the Lakers? Same thing with USC and the Rose Bowl.

2006-05-02 23:01:36
20.   trainwreck
Plaschke probably bragged about UCLA too, that jerk off.
2006-05-02 23:02:07
21.   Underbruin
1 - "start" dealing prospects for mediocre talent?

...

Bonjour, monsieurs Jackson and Tiffany.

2006-05-02 23:03:04
22.   Underbruin
20 - Actually, he did. After dogging the team for much of the later part of the year (that whole "winning streak" thing), to boot.

The guy is a disease.

2006-05-02 23:03:13
23.   Humma Kavula
Ever since my wife started getting ahold of the sports section and excising Plaschke before I could read it, I've been a happier man.
2006-05-02 23:03:34
24.   oldbear
At best, they are mediocre with a high upside.

What upside? The Dodgers as a team have pretty much been statistically what most projected them to be before the season. Good OBP, Poor SLG, Average ERA.

12-15 has resulted.

The "upside" if there was upside would be from players improving. Which pitchers are going to improve enough to make up for the lack of power and age of the position players, over the course of the year?

2006-05-02 23:03:40
25.   Underbruin
22 - (going for the trifecta) "is like a disease"
2006-05-02 23:03:55
26.   Linkmeister
What I couldn't figure out (I was prepping dinner with the tube on) was why, after Odalis threw a pitch that got golfed over the fence foul by Tracy, did he throw virtually the same pitch again? The guy had just proven he could hit the thing, so why not do something differently?

Ah, rats. Lowe's wasted outing yesterday, Perez's blowup today; you shouldn't lose to teams in your own division like this.

2006-05-02 23:04:54
27.   Humma Kavula
24 True. Poor choice of words on my part. By upside I meant they could get a lot luckier and win more games -- that's all.
2006-05-02 23:05:12
28.   trainwreck
21
I ripped that trade from day 1 and I just try to forget about it.
2006-05-02 23:05:28
29.   Underbruin
26 - "you shouldn't lose... like this."

Fixed. :)

2006-05-02 23:07:53
30.   natepurcell
ethier had a solid first game IMO. 1-4 with a 2b and bb is solid.
2006-05-02 23:09:16
31.   oldbear
Tomorrow's game with the Padres is a "Loser assumes last place" game.
2006-05-02 23:09:22
32.   Steve
This was another excellent example of the absurdity of that trade. Even if Baez was either (1) as good as people think he is (which he isn't) or had (2) pitched as well as people think he has (which he hasn't), he is wasted on the bench by managerial usage patterns that have very little to do with actually winning ballgames where the rubber hits the road -- basically in Innings 1 through 8. This is why no defense for that trade will ever suffice -- all facts for the other side can be stipulated, but Flanders still loses on summary judgment.
2006-05-02 23:11:00
33.   trainwreck
Look on the bright side, we aren't the Angels. I am starting to believe we should just throw away the numbers the Angels' prospects put up in the minors.
2006-05-02 23:11:22
34.   Eric L
5 If Kent goes on the DL, then so does Furcal. They are essentially doing the same thing right now (Kent .315 obp, Furcal .317). Furcal has 17 walks and Kent has 13.

Like I said the other day, a healthy Oscar Robles is better (or equal, depending on your opinion) than a hurt Furcal. Same thing can probably said for a healthy Aybar being better than a hurt Kent. If two of your better players are barely playing better than replacement level players because of injury, things need to change.

More importantly, the pitching stinks...

2006-05-02 23:11:57
35.   trainwreck
I expect Kendrick and Wood to be good though.
2006-05-02 23:12:54
36.   Telemachos
Here's my optimism for down the road:

- Nomar has been a mildly pleasant surprise.
- So has Lofton.
- Penny and Lowe will be solid enough. Billingsley is close to a promotion.
- The two young kids we've temporarily promoted -- Ethier and Loney -- have had sensible ABs. Loney doesn't have a ton of power at this point, but he showed a good eye at the plate. I've seen very little of Ethier, but I like what I see.
- We're scoring runs.
- Baez, despite the bitching, is a more-than-competent closer. He's no lights-out, game-over Gagne, but he's reasonably solid.
- Broxton and Kuo, while inconsistent, are showing real flashes of domination.
- Mueller is a rock at third.

Fortunately, we're in a division that's pretty evenly matched. No one's going to run away with it... and despite the poor pitching over the last few days, the Dodgers have had a run of poor luck at the plate. Kent's been hitting the ball hard with increasing frequency.... just right at people. And who could've predicted that Shawn Green would make game-saving catches on back-to-back nights?

The pendulum has swung one way.... it'll swing back.

2006-05-02 23:15:13
37.   trainwreck
I wish the concept of closer was never invented.
2006-05-02 23:16:05
38.   underdog
Baez has 8 saves this season. Name another Dodger reliever in Gagne's absence who would have done anything close to that? Carter's been awful, and they finally sent him down, but I've seen no evidence from Jackson or Tiffany so far to make me think that they'd have been of any help this season, nor do I think in Gagne's absence was it dumb to try to trade for a proven reliever. The Dodgers lost tonight because Odalis Perez was awful, pure and simple. Just my opinion but I'd lay my frustrations elsewhere (I certainly am anyway! Mostly at the foot of Odalis Perez's locker.)

As I said in previous thread, I do secretly or not so secretly hope Billingsley gets the call sooner rather than later.

And
17 I hear you, totally, I hope not, too. But I really think they are more likely to give the kids a chance at this point than trade them. We'll see...

Wasn't I asleep a few minutes ago? Why am I still typing?

2006-05-02 23:17:38
39.   Linkmeister
29 Well, yeah. But it's more painful and dangerous when it's in your own division. ;)
2006-05-02 23:17:52
40.   underdog
36 Thank you! I'm gonna officially sign off on a note of optimism for once. :-)
2006-05-02 23:19:26
41.   Eric L
38 It's looking like Saito may have been able to do the job. Even though holds are a mostly worthless stat, he does have 10 of them. I would think that he would be able to convert saves at a similar rate.
2006-05-02 23:19:56
42.   trainwreck
38
Jose Mesa could have possibly gotten us 8 saves, should we have gotten him?
2006-05-02 23:22:03
43.   trainwreck
A save means absolutely nothing to me.
2006-05-02 23:22:17
44.   Underbruin
40 - Gloom and doom and Lance Carter and HARUMPH.

Hah, I have popped your precious bubble of positivity. -Insert mad scientist evil laugh here-

2006-05-02 23:23:49
45.   natepurcell
i am more excited about the vikings undrafted free agent pickups then the vikings draft.

cb charles gordon
wr hank baskett
rb taurean henderson

i cant believe they didnt get drafted.

2006-05-02 23:24:40
46.   trainwreck
Is the Real Housewives of Orange County ever not on?
2006-05-02 23:27:51
47.   natepurcell
i assume bravo is trying to promote that show like crazy. hence, the crazy amount of times they air it.
2006-05-02 23:28:56
48.   trainwreck
Nate, I hope you punch your friends and their parents for agreeing to be on this show.
2006-05-02 23:31:59
49.   natepurcell
dont worry, we ride them every chance we get.
2006-05-02 23:35:19
50.   oldbear
What were the Vikings thinking when they took that small school QB in the 2nd round? Most of the draft gurus said he'd be a 2nd day pick.

I know there are a few Rams fans left on the board still. I think the Rams had a decent draft. I'm still a little upset they passed on Ngata to take a 5'9 corner back.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-05-02 23:36:38
51.   natepurcell
hahaha... mike's mom is really that annoying too. thats the funny party. constantly nags about everything.
2006-05-02 23:37:58
52.   trainwreck
50
Jackson was moving up draft boards. I think he would have gone in the 3rd round.

Cb has been a problem with the Rams for awhile.

2006-05-02 23:39:23
53.   natepurcell
re 50

from what ive read and stuff, childress and rogers (qb coach) really like him. a week before the draft, rogers and bevell (offensive coordinator) went down to alabama for a secret workout with jackson. I guess they see a ton of untapped potential in him.

2006-05-02 23:39:46
54.   trainwreck
Is this Shane guy any good at football?
2006-05-02 23:40:30
55.   natepurcell
i think the telling thing is that the vikes staff has had a history of developing jackson type QBs. Childress developed mcnabb, kevin rogers the current QB coach, was at vtech with the vick boys and syracuse when Mcnabb were there.
2006-05-02 23:40:51
56.   natepurcell
shane plays baseball. and he sucks at that.
2006-05-02 23:42:16
57.   Xeifrank
Missed the game (again). I see the sim correctly predicted the winner (5-4). The score was off by a scale factor of 2. Someone told me the Dodgers were up 5-0 this evening. I just laughed and said "Oh no, not again!". Might be time to bring up our top prospect Aaron Sele. :) vr, Xei
2006-05-02 23:42:40
58.   natepurcell
i also think the raiders were going to select jackson at the top of the 3rd. he has the best arm in the draft and al davis probably had a hard on for him.
2006-05-02 23:43:50
59.   trainwreck
Oh god. From Phil Gordon to Phil Hellmuth. From one arrogant jerk to the biggest arrogant jerk.
2006-05-02 23:45:09
60.   trainwreck
59
Celebrity Poker Showdown.
2006-05-02 23:48:06
61.   trainwreck
That Viki lady's left yee is more open than her right eye.
2006-05-02 23:48:20
62.   trainwreck
*eye
2006-05-02 23:51:52
63.   trainwreck
I swear half of these women were created in some blonde factory.
2006-05-02 23:53:47
64.   natepurcell
thats coto!

i use to work at the country club and yea, alot of moms that look like they came out of the blonde factory.

2006-05-02 23:59:08
65.   trainwreck
That girl looks really good with red hair.
2006-05-03 00:00:11
66.   natepurcell
hahaah what a complete like

"mike says he is only partying once a week and has a 2.9 GPA."

what a complete lie.

2006-05-03 00:01:07
67.   natepurcell
every time i talk to mike he is completely trashed or stoned and he is going to flunk out of boulder soon.
2006-05-03 00:02:13
68.   trainwreck
A reality TV show lying? It can't be.
2006-05-03 00:04:55
69.   natepurcell
well, im definately going to buy the dvd series.
2006-05-03 00:07:52
70.   natepurcell
wow... good haircut.
2006-05-03 00:08:32
71.   trainwreck
lol I was thinking the same thing. Why do people pay so much for this crap?
2006-05-03 00:09:49
72.   natepurcell
i love this reality series hair saloon show.

really shows the dark side of the hair styling business. Its a grinding lifestyle i tell you!

2006-05-03 00:11:01
73.   trainwreck
Did you see this guy on Da Ali G Show?
2006-05-03 00:12:14
74.   natepurcell
no, he was on it!?!? tell!
2006-05-03 00:13:33
75.   natepurcell
dont rush jonathan guys, finding the perfect set of hair is no easy task!
2006-05-03 00:15:50
76.   trainwreck
Yeah, it was during a Bruno segment. You have to see it. It will make you hate this guy with a passion. I can't type the stuff he said on this site, but he sends a threat to the terrorists in the middle east that he would take them all down if he was over there. Bruno also makes up this theory that people with moustaches are evil and people with long hair are good. Not only does he agree with Bruno he goes man I have been thinking the same thing for years man. I am impressed you have been thinking about these things.
2006-05-03 00:16:23
77.   Andrew Shimmin
Happy Yom Ha'atzmaut, everybody!
2006-05-03 00:17:20
78.   natepurcell
hahahaah. I can totally picture that in my head. is that on the first or second dvd?
2006-05-03 00:19:19
79.   natepurcell
from hensons dodger report:

Owner Frank McCourt visited Colletti in his press-level suite above home plate moments after Chad Tracy's grand slam against Odalis Perez tied the score, 6-6, in the fifth inning.

From their animated gestures, it appeared McCourt vented for several minutes, then Colletti made a few points. Eventually both men sat back in their chairs and chatted amiably for two innings before McCourt departed.

2006-05-03 00:20:20
80.   trainwreck
First.

Wow. This guy is "straight".

2006-05-03 00:20:29
81.   natepurcell
also, ledee has a torn groin muscle, so hes probably done until at least september. Ethier might be up to stay.
2006-05-03 00:24:17
82.   Andrew Shimmin
Steve gets his wish (from Henson):

Little plans to platoon [Ethier] with right-handed hitting Jason Repko, leaving Cruz in limbo, also known as the end of the bench. The switch-hitting Cruz is batting .231 with one home run and four runs batted in, and is batting only .180 left-handed.

2006-05-03 00:24:30
83.   Uncle Miltie
79- I kind of feel sorry for Ned...not really. He knew what he was getting into. McCourt has to be one of the worst owners in sports to work for.
2006-05-03 00:26:31
84.   trainwreck
79
Sigh. Why did we have to get stuck with wannabe George Steinbrenner?
2006-05-03 00:28:21
85.   natepurcell
well Mccourt is frustrated, just like all of us as fans are frustrated.

if i could, i would probably let off a little steam at colletti as well and i think that would apply to almost everyone here.

2006-05-03 00:31:42
86.   Uncle Miltie
82- I think we'd be better off with Repko and Ethier in CF and a LF with some power. Delwyn is a pretty hitter and has gap power. How's he doing in AAA?
2006-05-03 00:33:58
87.   dsfan
Excellent investments by Depo in O. Perez and Ledee, two rock-solid, durable performers.

Aside from conditioning problems, drinking problems, injury problems and pitch-quality deterioration, there were no red flags on Perez. Seems entirely reasonable the chap will get $9.5 million this year and about $10 million next year.

2006-05-03 00:34:40
88.   Underbruin
36/38 - Check out the most recent post over at Mike's Baseball Rants: https://mikesrants.baseballtoaster.com/archives/364876.html

Titled "Where Have All the Gagnes Gone?"

To quote from the conclusion - "If teams see that they can cut payroll by going to someone untried in the closer role, the practice, which has been gaining momentum over the last couple of years, might become standard. Why sign B.J. Ryan if you can get Chris Ray? If you don't have Mariano Rivera, why not try someone new instead an established—read overpriced—but mediocre closer?"

-cough-cough-

2006-05-03 00:35:01
89.   dsfan
83 -- I agree. That Jamie is a tyrant.
2006-05-03 00:35:12
90.   trainwreck
85
We have already seen what happens when we even have one losing season. I hope he does not force Flander's hand and makes him make un-necessary trades. Plus, it will not look good if we just keep firing people left and right.
2006-05-03 00:39:41
91.   Louis in SF
38 Has the call right Perez lost the game tonight. Also you have to like the fact that the Dodgers are bringing up the young players, Loney showed he can play defense and I think will not hit for power but can hit, I am not sure he will ever be a star. We are now going to get a serious look at Either and Broxton-so no complaints on my end.

In an earlier post I said that I thought this year win or lose it was important to give the top young players at bats and innings pitched. Right now we are doing that, I just hope they can help turn things around.

2006-05-03 00:49:48
92.   Andrew Shimmin
Yeah, Ledee really has been a bust. Sucking down a million bucks a year, and for what? It's not like he was good last year. And dogging this quote unquote torn groin? Disgraceful.
2006-05-03 00:52:41
93.   Uncle Miltie
87- drinking problems? I don't remember hearing about that. With Lowe, but not Perez. How was Perez's velocity? Last time I saw him pitch, he was topping out at 86. I think he might be injured (again). The biggest problem with Perez was durability. Check out how Matt Clement and Brad Radke are performing this year. They were two of the top free agent pitchers in that class. It's still very early in the season. Perez has proven that when healthy, he can be a pretty solid #3 pitcher.
2006-05-03 00:56:37
94.   natepurcell
hahaah my housemate just struck out....

"you never wanna do it when i wanan do it!"

lol lol.

2006-05-03 00:57:10
95.   oldbear
I thought signing OP (considering his age, history, and skill level) was a good move. The price was set by market conditions, and his deal isnt out of line with anything else. If you're going to miss on a guy, at least miss on a guy that has the potential to be really good. Its paying money for proven mediocrities that ends up hurting teams.

I dont think anyone could argue OP was a mediocrity, much less a proven one, at the time of his signing.

2006-05-03 00:57:33
96.   natepurcell
perez was topping out at 90 tonight with his fb.
2006-05-03 01:01:52
97.   oldbear
Perez has proven that when healthy, he can be a pretty solid #3 pitcher

Ideally he'd be a 4 or 5. But certainly good enough to be on a staff. Its the Tomkos, Weavers, and Seo's that really have no place on a pitching staff.

"innings eater" is a bad word. er words.

2006-05-03 01:05:27
98.   dsfan
Perez has been a huge bust for those dollars, no matter how you slice it.

How many consecutive months in his LAD tenure has Ledee been healthy?

2006-05-03 01:18:08
99.   Andrew Shimmin
I reject the premise of that question. Ledee played in 102 games; for a 4th/5th OF he did very well, and was bargain priced for a team with no OF depth in the high minors. I don't see how you can bring him up in the same paragraph as OP who is bad and expensive.
2006-05-03 06:09:53
100.   oldbear
Ledee played in 102 games; for a 4th/5th OF he did very well

What were the other options?
Dave Roberts?... He's always healthy....
David Dellucci?.. Ok I'll buy this.

This is the first person I've heard complain about Ricky Ledee being the 4th/5th OF'er. I thought Ledee did a pretty good job in that role.

If you dont like Ledee, whom would you rather have had?

If you dont like Odalis, whom would you rather have had?

Its one thing to criticize, but at least offer a counter-solution.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-05-03 06:51:30
101.   Steve
If a pitcher like Baez can acquire 40 saves for Tampa Bay, it can also be stipulated that he can reach such a plateau with the Dodgers? But why would that matter? It certainly didn't to the team he just came from.
2006-05-03 07:31:27
102.   D4P
101
Yeah. Why does it matter if your "closer" saves, say, 25 of your 75 wins vs. say, 55 of your 75 wins?
2006-05-03 07:36:40
103.   bluetahoe
65% of you are negative nellies.
2006-05-03 07:52:09
104.   Bob Timmermann
But what about the other 35%? Are they Positive Petes? Happy Harrys? Moderate Marvins? Neutral Normans? Joyous Joes? Angry Arnolds?
2006-05-03 08:01:27
105.   Vishal
put me in the moderate marv camp.
2006-05-03 08:06:46
106.   bluetahoe
LOL....

Level-headed Larry's.

2006-05-03 08:12:21
107.   Disabled List
79 I wouldn't read too much into that. I can't say I exactly blame McCourt for blowing off some steam after seeing a 6-run lead go up in smoke. And it doesn't say he was chewing out Ned, specifically. I appreciate the LA Times passing on that important bit of gossip though. The New York tabloids would be proud.

I'm an Angry Arnold, myself. Three leads of five runs or more blown... that's pretty ugly. Remember 2003? As soon as the Dodgers took a ONE run lead, I'd feel assured of victory.

2006-05-03 08:16:35
108.   Steve
84 -- My wish is for a real live left-fielder like other teams have. In the meantime, I approve of seasoning the youth. Then pan-frying.
2006-05-03 08:21:53
109.   Marty
We all can't be unsinkable Molly Brown's. We tend to talk about the lack of clothing on this Emperor.

And Steve, pan-frying is an abomination. You have to grill, or broil the youth to make them come out right.

2006-05-03 08:25:44
110.   bluetahoe
107. "I'm an Angry Arnold, myself. Three leads of five runs or more blown... that's pretty ugly. Remember 2003? As soon as the Dodgers took a ONE run lead, I'd feel assured of victory."

I'm an Angry Arnold in that respect too. Some of these losses have been sickening. It was only 2 years ago I felt the same way about a 1 run lead. Our bullpen will never be as good as the bullpens Dan Evans assembled. But our bullpen can still be solid once Gagne returns. Saito had a hiccup last night but I've been real impressed with Joe Beimel. Hamulack may need to go once Kuo gets back on track. This bullpen can get the job done.

1) Baez
2) Gagne
3) Broxton
4) Saito
5) Osoria
6) Beimel/Kuo

Thats one h*e*double hockey sticks of a bullpen.

2006-05-03 08:27:51
111.   Sam DC
RIP Louis Rukeyser.

The issue of issue of race is (for now, and sadly to my mind) engulfing the Nationals owner selection process. Many articles at Washingtonpost.com including, actually, a quite good one by Boswell and a contrary view from columnist Courtney Millory ripping the Lerner selection on race grounds. One business columnist who essentially told the Night Owl to stop hooting in today's column is now online chatting about these issues. Surreal chat, that starts with a key player in the column (Barry favorite for ownership participant, local boxing promoter Rock Newman) writing in to kvetch about the column.

Crazy.

link to the chat: http://tinyurl.com/zcb2v

2006-05-03 08:35:16
112.   Marty
Rock Newman? Yeah, that's what the Nationals need to bring some credibility to the table, somone from the boxing profession.
2006-05-03 08:43:50
113.   Sam DC
But the hot Post chat today is certain to be the Ask the Post chat held by copy editor Don Podesta at 9 am Pacific. Have at it Marty: http://tinyurl.com/jutj9
2006-05-03 08:50:05
114.   D4P
Can anyone here please point me to the research showing that

1. The probability of scoring at least one run is higher with (a) a runner on first and no outs, than with (b) a runner on second and one out, and
2. The average number of runs scored is higher with (a) a runner on first and no outs, than with (b) a runner on second and one out.

Thanking you in advance.

2006-05-03 08:50:47
115.   Sam DC
Wow -- a chatter in that post chat just accused the columnist of being in the Ku Klux Klan.
2006-05-03 08:57:46
116.   underdog
So now that it appears Sele's time in the minors is over, after he was named PCL pitcher of the week, after he pitched extremely strongly down there, better than most of us expected even.... does anyone think the Dodgers are missing out by not calling him up? I'd rather have him as a long reliever, even though I like Osoria, too, and I think most of us at this moment would rather have him, or Billingsley, or Houlton, or Burt Hooton, as a starter over OP, but it doesn't sound like the Dodgers will make that kind of move unless OP does us a favor and stubs his toe really badly or something.
2006-05-03 08:59:06
117.   Marty
113 LOL. I know a lot of copy editors. I'll ask why they don't do something similar at my paper.
2006-05-03 09:02:37
118.   Bob Timmermann
"Dear Mr. Copy Editor, in the story your paper ran on 3/12/1997 about a City Council meeting about storm drains, I think you improperly punctuated a sentence with a subordinate clause? Do you remember the story in question?"
2006-05-03 09:02:40
119.   Vishal
aw, rukeyser died?? that's sad. i really enjoyed watching wall street week growing up, even though i didn't really care about the stock market. he had the cleverest monologues summing up the week. he used a lot of bad puns, but they were very charmingly bad.
2006-05-03 09:08:45
120.   Vishal
[114] http://www.tangotiger.net/RE9902.html

that answers your 2nd question. however, i think your first one is wrong. i think your probability of scoring at least 1 run is higher with a man on 2nd and 1 out, but the average number of runs scored is higher with a man on 1st and nobody out.

2006-05-03 09:29:00
121.   Sam DC
As Bob reports, the Post reports that Bud Selig has called Ted Lerner and formally accepted the Lerner group's bid to purchase the Nationals. mlb and lerner pressers unscheduled but expected today.

http://tinyurl.com/l54a2 (links up now, Bob)

2006-05-03 09:33:49
122.   Bob Timmermann
121
I have the link up now.
2006-05-03 09:40:37
123.   Goozmani
yes, we are losing, and it sucks.. but i like a few things..

-Drew can mash when healthy.
-If Saito can throw that change up for strikes consistently.. he will be very reliable.
-Furcal is better suited for the 2 slot.
-Broxton is up with Billingsley right behind him.
-Little shaking things up.

Oh, I also dont mind McCourt throwing a hissy fit. I always hated Tracy because I thought he was too passive.

2006-05-03 09:45:08
124.   Purple Hippopotamus
So, when's the Toaster gonna give Sam space for a Nationals blog? Sam's cornered the market as far as Nats' coverage/DC hilarity goes. It's about time Sam became bona fide. (But you ain't bona fide!)
2006-05-03 09:54:11
125.   Bob Timmermann
The Nats have a fair number of blogs devoted them. I like Capitol Punishment. But there's also Ball Wonk and Federal Baseball.
2006-05-03 10:02:42
126.   Sam DC
124 Kind thoughts, but there's a vast ocean of knowledge and talent between passing on whatever I find in the Post and, you know, writing a blog.

Bob -- Smart and thoughtful guy writing Capitol Punishment, and I'm impressed atyour magnanimous nature, passing on words of support even after he called you "Timmerman".

Ball Wonk really is hilarious - anyone bemused by the Soriano situation should go look at the Peanuts cartoon he's posted. www.ball-wonk.com

2006-05-03 10:03:50
127.   LAT
121. Sam, my father just got off the phone with Teddy. They won't be taking over until Aug. It looks like Kazdan will be the president. I told my father to tell Teddy he has to get rid of Bowden.

I wouldn't expect any deals anytime soon. Bud is not going to want Teddy to make any drastic moves and Teddy is generally a pretty conservative guy. (In other words, if Vald Gurrero becomes available don't expect the new owner to sign him without approval from MLB)

2006-05-03 10:11:16
128.   Steve
127 -- Good call. I'll be more than happy to replace him.
2006-05-03 10:12:43
129.   Bob Timmermann
127

That's Stan Kasten, not Kazdan.

2006-05-03 10:12:43
130.   Daniel Zappala
I am so glad I don't have to deal with the local politics in DC.
2006-05-03 10:13:08
131.   Bob Timmermann
130

All politics is local.

2006-05-03 10:24:15
132.   Sam DC
Man LAT, I cannot wait until you and your dad come out so we can all go to a game . . .

The transition here has been reported as June. The Natosphere is going to explode if they hear it won't be til August.

I also think ownership could make more of a splash by improving service/amenities off the field than on. RFK's honeymoon is definitely over and even a modest push to improve the fan experience there would make a huge impression. I think that would be doable too since the problems are have become so comically bad.

New Ownership will need to decide what to do about Soriano at trade deadline time -- (i) deal him to a contender for prospects, (ii) offer arbitration and let him walk for draft picks, or (iii) try and re-sign. Jose Guillen wants an extension too, but I think he ends up on a one-year nomar-type deal next year. He's still not fully performing and probably is not fully healthy, and I doubt anyone will give him the kind of contract he expects after this year.

2006-05-03 11:43:14
133.   LAT
128. Steve, I'll let him know your available but Mayor McCrack Barry is going to want someone of color.

Sam, we are actually talking about coming to a game in Aug for my father's 80th.

2006-05-03 11:52:24
134.   Vishal
LAT, your father knows the guy who's going to buy the nats? that's impressive. hehe, i'm going to need a job next year, maybe you can put a word in...
2006-05-03 11:52:56
135.   Vishal
[133] hey, i'm technically "of color" ;)
2006-05-03 14:39:57
136.   Steve
Imagine an organization staffed with DTers. The common sense alone ought to be good enough for a .500 record.
2006-05-04 08:06:29
137.   Tangotiger
Here's a useful chart as well:

http://www.tangotiger.net/RE9902score.html

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