A friend of mine who's been trying to become a navy seal.

is there any other way to get the starting line up?

Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Garciaparra, 1B
Drew, RF
Kemp, LF
Aybar, 3B
Martinez, 2B
Martin, C
Penny, P

I'll hoist one to my father. First Division Marines. He somehow managed to survive Guadalcanal, Peleliu and Okinawa.

The first-class midshipmen who I taught this last term, and who just graduated--especially the ones going Marine ground.

WWSH

This is very exciting. All the rookies in the lineup. I hope they put something together today.

Told the story before but will again.I listened to the World Series on a bunker line in Viet Nam,Bob Gibson and Mickey Lolich in 1968.It made the USA real in a surreal bleak world.Baseball is so essential when you're over the pond somewhere.Happy Memorial Day one and all.

Oh wait, no Ethier. That's no good. I guess there was no way to fit him in. Well, it's still something.

"Lofton, CF
Kemp, LF"

That's pretty ludicrous. Lofton plays center field like my grandma without her walker. Why endure incompetence when there's a good alternative?

But how many gold gloves does Kemp have? So obviously... :) I'm also a bit curious as to why he's hitting 5th and Martin's below Martinez. Lineup might not matter much, I would just think you'd reduce some anxiety if you stick Kemp further down. And if some of those middle of the lineup guys get on and Martinez needs to come through...
Can Kent pinch hit today?

Also, I kind of have a small issue with Kemp batting fifth. Given the strong likelihood that major league pitching will eat him alive this year, why do you bat him ahead of more proven hitters like Aybar, Martin, and (yesterday) Ethier? This only raises the specter of having to drop him in the order when he fails -- and perhaps erode his confidence even further. Why not start him in the 7 or 8 hole and move him up if he does well, rather than the other way around?

I wrote 11 before reading 10... honest.

Here's to my stepdad's father, who served in WWII and was there at the beach on D-Day, survived the war, and lived a happy life.

Meanwhile, Peter Gammons writes about the improved NL West on ESPN, but of course it's an "insider" thing and I can't read it. Maybe it isn't worth it. If anyone does read it, let us know if there are any choice nuggets of wisdom to pass on...

I agree, Eric. I don't know the stats, but Lofton seems to offer nothing but negatives defensively. You figure they're afraid to ask him to move?

Kent needs another day off apparently, but may be able to pinch hit. Also, I agree that Kemp should maybe bat down one or two spots in the line-up. My guess is they plan to play him today and Ethier tomorrow. Maybe they thought not playing hin again today would erode his confidence, too? Who knows... I think it's an okay line-up, except for not having Kent in there.

14 Yeah, I think they are afraid to ask him, given his history of disrupting clubhouses when he doesn't get his way.

Either that or it's part of the Dodgers' master plan, following in the tradition of Milton Bradley, to always have a center fielder who consistently breaks the wrong way on fly balls.

I also wonder if Kemp's "error" yesterday has anything to do with him being moved from CF. (Quote marks because, although it was an obvious misplay on Kemp's part, it was the kind of play that is almost always called a hit all the way.)

Hah! What the heck was THAT from Renteria?!

yesterday we saw the arm, today we saw the speed. 2 tools down, 3 to go

On the radio, Monday said that Kent is not available to pinch hit.

I would have really appreciated my dry cleaners putting up a sign saying they would be closed today.

This first inning is not going on the Braves' season highlight reel.

well, today luck shines on us

I guess one team did not take infield today, actually I don't think teams take infield that much, Braves could have used that today.

ibb to lucille II?, thank you Bobby Cox

I think when we're talking about Lofton's defense, we're talking about two different aspects - he's an above average defender when it comes to tracking balls down and overall, he's (as we've all seen) well below average when it comes to throwing the ball. He's also a four time gold glove winner. (And he's also 38-about-to-be-39*). If we're worried about his arm strength, I agree, if we're worried about his range as a fielder, I think you're being a little hard on him.

http://baseball.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=2631&context=fielding

*Birthday on Wednesday, for anyone who wants to send him a card

How many IBBs do you think Ramon Martinez has gotten when he has not batted 8th in his career?

-raises glass-

To my grandfather, who was captured and killed in France in WWII, and my STEP-grandfather, who survived Normandy.

In fact, my grandmother had turned DOWN husband #2 who had asked her prior to husband #1. But by then she was pregnant with my mom, it was the 40's. And that whole thing still actually causes family problems to this very day.

On a much lighter note I'm sure the joke's been made already, and better, but Kemp has to bat 5th to become a star and support his many many many children. With that height, however, his strike zone is going to cause him problems.

All be here all week - please tip your waitress.

Can you imagine if you had been told in March that the Dodgers will have a lineup in May that will include Kemp, Martin, Aybar and Martinez? If you weren't the type who frequents this place, you likely would have never heard of any of them! And even if you are the type to be here, can you imagine being confident that this lineup could beat the Braves?

Boy, this is just one team doing all the little things offensively, and another team defensively that is mentally still in bed. 3 errors in one inning. We'll take it.

Wow, what is wrong with the Braves??

Lucille II's first IBB since 7/4/2004.

Matt has his first run scored, probably got some slaps on the back for running out his ground ball...butterflies slowly going away.

Four for starters against a defense that looked for one inning like the Keystone Kops. Not too bad, but let us not take consolation in small sample sizes.

29
I don't think there's anything wrong with the Braves that can't be cured by hitting eight home runs again.

29. theyre not playing the Cubs

Am I the only one who thinks GM's "fuel insurance" is ... appallingly stupid? How about -- making more fuel-efficient cars?

glad to see kemp lay of some sliders, and seemed to try to go with the pitch that he hit into a dp

When Ramon Martinez got his last IBB, he was batting 7th for the Cubs.

But Rey Ordonez was up after him.

27 - I still can't. But I would find it plausible that Nomar and Lofton could get the job done.

7 Bill, I want to personally say "Thank You" for your service to our country. You are indeed an American Hero.

And the same expression of gratitude and respect go out to Marty's Dad, underdog's Stepdad's Dad, Bluebleeder87's buddy, and Ravenscar's relatives -- American Heroes all. Please let them know that this DTer is thinking of them and praying for them this Memorial Day.

To all of our American Heroes in Iraq, Qatar, Afghanistan, Korea, and everywhere around the world, Thank You for your sacrifice and service that continue to provide us back home with our freedoms and safety. You are THE BEST !!!

And finally (but certainly not least) my thoughts and prayers go out to my daughter's boyfriend, John, currently serving in Iraq. Thank you for your service, commitment, and honor; hurry home safely, my friend.

I'm here today as a Mets fan to cheer on the Dodgers. My friends in San Francisco hate it when I cheer for them to beat the Phillies, citing my insincerity.

Wow, after the Atlanta half of the inning, it's refreshing to see a well-played ball at the hot corner.

My little sister said that was the worst half inning of baseball she has EVER seen..."this game is an embarassment to baseball!"

She's only 14 so she missed some pretty bad years by our Phils, but still....

Is Giles like 4'11"? Man he's a little guy.

Right on it Bob, saw that in that situation he was batting 7th, runner on second, 2 outs and Ordonez was coming up, with the Cubs ahead 1-0.

BTW, Monday and Reuss should just call him Nomar instead of "Garcia"

Martinez's IBBs (which are not lot, today's was the 14th), have mostly come when he's batting seventh or eighth.

In the cases, where he's batting seventh, there was someone worse after him and the team was going for a DP.

He was once intentionally walked to bring Kenny Lofton to the plate. It was an extra inning game and the DBacks wanted to load the bases to get out of the inning.

It worked!

43 - According to Steiner, Ramon Martinez is only two feet tall. Gah.

He's about my size, we like to think of ourselves as sturdily built and not subject to gravity as we get older. When Bob and I are 75 we will both be the same size except I'll be standing straight:)

Kemp did not exactly look comfortable on that long fly ball. Looked like an infielder playing the outfield.

43

he packs a dynomite though.

I see Furcal likes hitting in Atlanta.

nice to see furcal going the other way

Looking through those IBBs, I'm horrified to realize that the 2004 Cubs at one point had Neifi Perez, Rey Ordonez, and Ramon Martinez on the roster at the same time.

They also had Tom Goodwin.

Braves should be tired. Long flight last night followed by a day game. We need to take this game as both teams should be fresh tomorrow night.

All reports from analysts I've seen say Kemp is more a corner then a center fielder so it seems like a leap of faith to say that Kemp belongs in CF over Lofton until we actually see Kemp play some CF.

Jim Tracy, take notes: only Kenny Lofton can make that work.

Marcus Giles is listed at 5'8".

What a bunt--looked like Maury.

44 The Garcia thing bugs me too. Anyone know what Ross Porter is up to? I still hold a grudge against McCourt for letting him go.

wow, its like the stink of the Cubs has clung to the braves.

Swinging bunt single for Nomar. This worries me a bit because his groin strain in Chicago came when he was legging out a close play at first.

With Pratt banged up a bit and not a great defensive catcher to begin with, I don't think it's a bad idea to make him be a fielder.

Jeez, we are getting the breaks.

Lyons calls runner on 2nd no outs and Lofton up a "sacrafice situation"?

52 - Two words, Dusty Baker.

Steve Lyons: should he be forbidden under a successor treaty to the Geneva Convention? Discuss.

Calling Nomar "Garcia" is sort of like calling the mayor of Los Angeles "Villa."

I don't think Garciaparra is a made up name like Villaraigosa though.

57 - I usually write Nomar only because I don't want to mispell Garciappara.

First run scored and now his first RBI, nice work for Matt.

65 - really? Who made it up and why?

Here is the intro to a bio that I just completed for a player who pitched for the Dodgers just a few years ago:

"He was the posterboy for the American Medical Association.

Doctors throughout the country knew him on a first-name basis.

He was more injury-prone than Wile E. Coyote.

He spent more time in the training room than he did on the baseball diamond."

Can you guess who it is?

Check out my website to see if you are right:

http://dodgerprofiles.blogspot.com

We're getting the breaks, yeah, but we're also executing on everything. Again, I'll take it.

64 - explain, note that I am listening to the game so I don't know what Steve Lyons is saying unless he is talking about his playing career.

Oh and a pitcher who's thrown more balls than strikes doesn't hurt either.

67 - When he got married, he combined his surname with his wife's surname to come up with Villarigosa

Bob, don't want to count the chickens but since you are the master of retrosheet, last time the Dodgers batted around in consecutive innings?

70 - Well, there was this exchange last year:

http://6-4-2.blogspot.com/2006/05/capitol-punishment-nationals-10_28.html

and something I couldn't remember earlier today; the ensuing brain cramp knocked it out of my head.

73
That's harder to do. I would have to have downloaded all the event files and run a program.

I think he should have changed it to "Villa-allegre"...

Okay, we did get a few breaks. But boy, their catcher's calling a predictable game.

Wow. Talk about the Braves being nibbled to death by the Dodgers.

Nice job by Lucille II.

74 - last year. I mean, yesterday.

Andrew Jones was taken out??? WHAT!

68 D-fort?

We're doing it with smokes & mirrors today, don't care as long as we get the W.

I'm glad Bobby Cox must not have received the memo about the late inning bullpen implosions by the Dodgers just a few weeks back. Thanks for taking out Andruw.

Going into the game I looked up John Thomsons career stats. How does a guy like this keep a job in Major League Baseball? Seriously, who's daughter did he marry?

75 - and possibly misleading because the 1999 event files are missing.

73
You jinxed it!
Only a double play could have prevented it from happening!

I think Thomson has pitched much better since he:
1) got out of Colorado
2) got sober

But after today, he's headed for a Christopher Moltisanti-style relapse.

79 - looks like it's just a case of taking out a guy from a lost cause when they played a long game yesterday.

80 - Very good.

Dreif had a total of 15 surgeries by the time he decided to retire from the game.

I wonder the last time Nomar has gotten 2 hits without either of them leaving the infield.

88
So at which point, did Dreifort fill up his card at the doctor's office and get a free sandwich?

It's a good thing they scored 7 because so far Penny doesn't look at his best. 90 mile an hr fastball is the top speed I've seen so far. But maybe he'll get sharper as the game goes on...

Helen says the Dodgers should thank the Cubs for softening up the Braves for today's game.

That was the luckiest two innings I've ever seen. Only Furcal has hit the ball hard and we have 7 runs.

Thompson had the misfortune of pitching in Coors and Arlington. His record outside of those two cities is decent enough that he should always have a job pitching at the back end of some rotation.

90 - no, Bob, it was a free knee replacement surgery with every three Tommy John procedures.

Bad for Penny's back--2abs before 3rd innings over.

93
I must be seeing different stats.
Thomson has had one season above .500 and that is the only season with a sub 4 ERA. He is bad. I don't want him on my team. Let's not trade for him.

Um, you might want to throw Lofton some strikes...

what is greater in magnitude: the excitement of watching a successful execution on a first pitch, or the anger at watching a gidp or weak dribbler on a first pitch?

Yeah, what's up with taking Andruw Jones out? I assume he got hurt or something? 7 runs or no, he has great numbers against Brad Penny lifetime - makes no sense to me to throw in the towel so early and take out your best player.

93 No one's calling him a great pitcher, but he's had solid 4th or 5th starter stats since he left Colorado, and even in Coors Field he only had one year over a 5 ERA - quite a feat pre-humidor days.

Morning, all. It was a pleasant surprise to see 7 runs in two innings by the time I turned on the tube (7:00am games are always disconcerting).

96
I didn't say he was good, I said he should always have a job at the back end of a rotation. Can you show me how many teams have their 4/5 starters with ERA's below 4.69 which is his career ERA? I'm sure it is less then the fingers on my hand.

JAWFK

Apropos of nothing, Randy Johnson has held the Tigers hitless through four innings so far.

JASBFK

kemp made the 2b bag look like road kill

JARSFK

Kemp has looked a lot better at the plate today. he isnt swinging at balls, looks composed and looks nothing like his adrian beltre impersonation from yesterday.

lol, the braves announcer just call him a big stomping buffalo.

"like a big buffalo running around the bases"

Raul Mandesi type speed! (Matt Kemp)

we now need a nickname for Kemp that has the word buffalo in it.

i agree buffalo is a HARD nickname

buffy comes to mind

102
I guess you're right. Sad as it may be, an ERA of almost 5.00 is acceptable for a starter in the major leagues. At under $5M I guess he's an asset. But I gotta tell you, I sure felt good about our chances going into the game.

The Yankees are also starting Terrence Long at DH!

I'm guessing Bob would prefer "bison" over "buffalo."

wow, jeff francouer already has his own Delta Arlines commerical, haha.

blue buffalo

I once saw a buffalo charge into the facade of Yankee Stadium.

113
Buffy the Giant Killer?(Hopefully)

117 ...and one of the schmaltziest ads I've seen in awhile. So Danish kids are big Braves fans? I'm lost...

101 So you're in Hawaii I take it?

120
I meant slayer

Kemp has looked pretty good today. He's not swinging at junk and looked like he was trying to walk in his last at bat.

Lucille has been a surprisingly good pickup. His defense at 2B is gold glove caliber compared to Kent.

Yeah, Nomar-spelled-backwards has made a couple of really fine plays out there today and he's swinging the bat pretty well. I have to admit, I was one of those who didn't understand why we put him on the team and I think I was wrong. He's a better hitter than Robles.

At this point in the season, it appears as if Projects BROtheR and SMOtheR have been abject failures.

wow that jetta "take a hike" commercial is just genious

125- Operation PRLOTDL took initiative

123. I hate to break it to ya Milte, but Kent's defense has been pretty good this year. Dont let your hatred blind you, Lucille isnt ever a good pickup.

"Bison" would be a killer nickname for Kemp.

The sports world has been without without a Bison since Dele met a weird end in the South Pacific or something. Bison Kemp works for me. I second that motion.

Penny has no stuff today.

What you call a melt down.

Treble doubles.

Penny's pitching too lax - dunno if it's the big lead or just not having his best stuff, but yeah, he needs to wake up. Sheesh.

Too bad we can't bring in Carter. :-/

At what point do you pull the plug on Penny, win be damned?

This is not an unusual score considering that these teams are 1-2 in the NL in runs scored.

"He just smiled and gave me a Betemit sandwich."

And I thought this was going to be an easy game :(

An out, then three consecutive doubles followed by three consecutive singles.
Bye bye, Brad.

Arrrgggggh. You get staked to an 8-1 lead, you hunker down and get 'em out. He didn't in the 5th. Sigh.

who's going to be our smokejumper?

Is Penny upset because he had a chance to set the record for consecutive hits given up?

What in Choi's name is going on? I turn on the TV and see the Dodgers up 7-1. Then Penny all of a sudden can't get anybody out.

Man, Penny is steamed. I wish I was better at reading lips, he seems mad at someone besides himself.

121 Yeah. I thought this would be on TBS, and was surprised to see it on Prime.

I wonder what the humidity is in Atlanta. Penny's a big guy; maybe he just ran out of fuel.

I don't believe that Penny's utterances there were fit for a family audience.

And I don't think he's mad at Little. I think he's just angry at the realization that he nearly Odalised the game.

I think Beimel will finish the Odalising.

Penny's pitching too lax

At this rate, lax will be Penny's next stop on his way to Vegas.

Penny doing his best Carlos Perez impression right there.

Wow, how much of a pleasant surprise has Beimel been so far this year?

My apologies.

I forgot that Beimel was the best lefthanded relief pitcher in the NL.

Let's take Beimel out now and give him a chance for a one-pitch win.

Well, Penny and I both have something in common - we're both getting sent to the showers. (I'm sending myself there.) Penny's getting pissed at Little for taking him out? As the Braves announcers just said - there's one way to get to finish an inning and that's get people out! He should be pissed at himself.

Meanwhile, nice job Beimel.

136 Heh heh.

It's obvious that Penny was either tipping his pitches or doing something that Atlanta picked-up.

You don't get that many hits unless you know what's coming.

Let's take Beimel out now and give him a chance for a one-pitch win.

Nah, we're saving that for Baez.

144.
Penny's had a lot of short games lately. Some of it was the back, but it's getting worrisome.

Penny is clearly furious at Grady. He was yelling right in his face both on the mound and again in the dugout.
I love Penny but that was way way out of line.

Penny is clearly furious at Grady. He was yelling right in his face both on the mound and again in the dugout.
I love Penny but that was way way out of line.

Oh, oh.

The Phil Regan of 2006 is in the game for Atlanta.

Penny looked like he was yelling at Grits. Grits was very patient with him to leave him in there that long. It's not like he was giving up little cheapies. Every hit was smoked.

155That was just player that was mad at himself.

I'd walk a mile for a Beimel.

Heck of a double for JD.

wow luck is in our side today!

That wasn't Greg S's fault. The server had a hiccough.

Okay now that was a cheap double.

159

good call

Drew doubled on a pop up to 2B...?

159
He may have been mad at himself but he was in Grady's face about it. He was clearly yelling at Grady for pulling him

You don't get that many hits unless you know what's coming.

Penny was a gascan today. Fb was consistently 87 or so.

Any chance Penny thought Grittle left him in too long?

I think managers are used to pitchers yelling at them like Penny did. They probably ignore it if they know what's best for them. It goes with the job.

I doubt Alston got too worked up when Drysdale went on his numerous clubhouse escapades.

Kemp is like a totally different player today. He's been in involved in every aspect of the offense.

Clearkl upset at Little.

They scored that a double? Well, I guess Drew'll take it.

Giles lost Drew's pop up in the sun.

173
If you don't get a glove on the ball, they'll give you a hit. If the ball hits you in the head, as Aramis Ramirez had happen to him yesterday, you get an error.

169
If there is a pitcher who thinks a manager has left him in too long and it's just the fifth inning, then I think that pitcher should rethink the idea of being a starter.

Four Dodgers hit into double plays - thats pretty tough to do in 6 innings. Nice to get that cheap run.

Exactly Bob.

Denial is the first sign of acceptance. I'm sure Grady doessn't have a problem handling it, especially when it is so obvious that Atlanta knew what he was coming with--thus the frustration.

Nothing like good old fashion American Baseball!

170
Bob, thanks for the back up on the double post =)
My understanding is that if you were to yell in Alston's face in the dugout, he might punch you in the face. I think you excuse tirades but I'm not so sure about insubordination.

Penny was probably yelling something about leaving Seo in for 6 runs and taking him out after 5.

Greg, I don't think it was anything but just simple frustration. I don't think there was anything you could do other then delay for enough time to warm the next guy up.

Seo didn't make it to the fifth.

When you are yelling in the manager's face it's clearly not a case of just being mad at yourself. What he was mad about who knows, but it was definitely aimed at Grittle. Odalis went on a "what took you so long" tirade last year, so maybe it was just that.

Sorry for the delays, the guy who is supposed to push the button every 108 minutes is off today.

I didn't know that Jose Guillen pitched for the Dodgers

177 weren't two of those guys Nomar?
I was gone fo a while :was it my IP or Toaster. Is that what you refered to Bob?

182 Because Seo gave up 6 runs in 2.2, whereas Penny was yanked after five in the fifth

Bob, is it impossible to get an error on a homerun? Guessing Canseco came closest. Wondering if a guy just camps under it and somehow the ball bounces off his glove over the fence.

Grady Little kinda ingored 'um. (Smart)

I'd leave Biemel in while he's getting outs, but it looks like we are doing something patriotic(I've had the sound off since penny imploded), and then might get Brox the Ox. This might be a good sitch to get him experience.

186
There have been a couple of Toaster hiccoughs.

4 8 15 16 23 41 ?

Vegas game is starting. Gagne will pitch at some point during the game. Also, Guzman is not in the lineup, despite the presence of a DH. He last sat on Thursday, so I doubt he needed rest. I wonder if Kent is headed to the DL, as today's notes mention that his hand is still swollen

190

Not that I'm a big fan of the song "God Bless America", but at least some patriotic tribute makes sense today.

Unlike the Yankees decision to do it every single home game because the Yankees are apparently far more patriotic than every other team in the majors.

191 The Toaster has trouble when the Dodgers and Yankees play at the same time. That's why there hasn't been many changes to Fairpole lately; I'm completely rewriting the architecture to scale better.

Ahh -is it the inverse Eigenvector of the Fibonacci Series.
191 that is

194 Wow. Imagine a Dodgers-Yankees WS, then. Had the Toaster been around in the 50s Ken's empire would have grown exponentially.

194
So I don't have to press the button every 108 minutes?

The Yankees game is moving pretty quickly and actually traffic for both games is relatively light because of the holiday.

If this were a Dodgers-Giants, Yankees-Red Sox event, then there might be some clogs.

Who the heck is Orr.

Pete Orr is one of Canada's greatest players in the majors!

He is one of two Canadians on the Braves roster. Chris Reitsma is the other.

Well its a great hockey name but I feel Martin will be greater.

Here is were a tough team might get a few more and put it away.

192-isnt Guzman playing left and strangely batting leadoff?

201 Remember when being up 4 in the 8th meant game over?

The Braves blew a 4-run lead in the 9th yesterday.

Looks like the guy could be nasty on left handers

202 That was Duncan when I posted, who leads off a lot. I have no idea why Guzman's leading off now. So much for my theory though.

A Mia Hamm sighting on TBS!!

Hey--that flag touched the ground. Lucky Rick Monday didn't run out and stomp the guy!

I have a feeling Mrs. Garciaparra will be heading to Germany soon for the World Cup. I would think that one of the companies she endorses will be asking her to make a personal appearance.

Guz would bat lead-off stangely.

Wow --I do get the feeling if Brox got full command of that stuff he could be lights out.

shows how much trust little has in baez....

Should still be an E7 on advace to 3rd

209 If I were a TV exec I'd pay her to do commentary on World Cup.

Say Hey Kenny!

Kemp and Lofton showing off their mad skillz at catching fly balls.

nice catch kenny. Time for Kemp's first HR after that near D blunder.

Kenny, please never make a catch like that again.

209 IcyHot?

213 In reality it should be, but in terms of scorekeeping it isn't.

kemp's learning fast with the breaking balls.

Hoe about Sienz .

How about Sienz .

Lucille!

wow he smoked that.

Lucille!!

never mind.

Tomato

called that randomly

Way to blow the Dodgers' Pythagorean record even further out of whack, Lucille.

(Who says we can't find the dark lining in a silver cloud?)

Gen3Blue, if this were a message board I'd definitely be accusing you of post-padding ;)

Martinez's last homer was also against the Braves. A grand slam against Horacio Ramirez on 9/14/2005

Looks like the White Sox hogged all the offense for the AL Central today.

White Sox - 11 runs, 14 hits
Tigers - 0 runs, 2 hits
Indians - 0 runs, 2 hits

I think Kent is wearing a Ramon Martinez skin suit.

Unfortunately, Lucil did not taste like favre beans.

It's Ramon Martinez's first ever 5 RBI game!

Perhaps it was a little overkill.

Why couldn't Renteria play well in Boston? In the NL he's dynamite.

235
Most meaningless 5 RBIs ever.

I've often searched for meaning in RBIs, but I can't find it.

It's been a long spiritual quest. I'm thinking of switching to a different religion.

239
You might have more luck with Saves.

Doesn't ESPN usually have about three games on holidays? Why none today?

ESPN2 has paintball...

I guess ESPN figured that the ratings for today wouldn't be that great.

And maybe they didn't want to cut into ABC's telecast of the NBA playoffs later tonight.

240

Maybe Hell is a place for pitchers with blown saves.

244
And lots of errors.

199 - Um....Francoeur?

239 - Don't worry Bob, just wait until ARod gets close to the Hammer's career RBI record, I'm sure there will be plenty of new artificial meaning attached to that record too.

199 (Extreme delayed reaction on account of I was gone for awhile) I think the Dodegrs should acquire Pete Orr in the off season. Not just to have another Canadian on the roster, but think of how many times they could then have an Ethier/Orr situation?

Ack. {duck}

Meanwhile, I was wondering that about ESPN today too - I thought for sure the Tigers-Yankees game was gonna be on. Weird.

Dont let your hatred blind you, Lucille isnt ever a good pickup.
Coming in to the game his numbers were:
.318/.388./.386
which is a lot better than I expected. Grits has done a nice job not overplaying him.

Kemp kind of reminds me of Carlos Lee. He's built a lot like Lee and he also runs well for a big man, like Lee. From everything I've read, he's a good defensive outfielder, but that play where he feel down looked like something Lee would do.

Okay, armchair GMs - here's a trade idea for you.

Toronto needs a SS, I think - they had Troy Glaus playing there the other day and not much else to impress over at that position.

Cesar Izturis (back) to Toronto for OF Frank Catalanotto (whom the Dodgers have always liked).

Possible? Good?

249 While I have no problem with Catalanotto (I actually like him quite a bit), I'm not sure we need him. At this point, Catalanotto isn't that big of an upgrade over Cruz/Lofton/Repko/Ethier/Kemp/Ledee/Guzman/Young, we'd need a "superstar" to really increase production out of LF/CF. I'd much rather Ned focus on a pitcher rather than a OF with his trade bait.

You may be right - assuming Ethier stays, and Repko and Ledee come back healthy this summer, that may be enough. I just know they were talking about trying to trade for more OF depth, and if they insist, then I like Catalanotto, too. Pitching would be nice, but it's also harder to come by. Just as with the young players you named above for OF, we'd have to wonder if Billingsley wouldn't be better than most of the potential options out there. It'd be hard to trade O Perez in exchange for another pitcher, but maybe packaged with Izturis...

i like watching baez pitch

...with a 7-run lead.

I think trading for an OF all depends on what Kemp does over the next few weeks. If he's good, I don't see why he wouldn't win the LF job...it's not as if we have a definite starter there. Of course, if he doesn't play well then it opens our options up a bit to go after a REALLY good LF (Cabrera, Lee?) for the stretch run.

I've seen a couple of different rumors, I was wondering if anyone else has heard them. One was Perez and Cruz to the Yanks....didn't read what we'd get in return but if theyr'e willing to take Perez's contract then I wouldn't think we'd get much back.

The other was Maddux to LA....this one might be a good discussion point. Are we okay with Penny, Lowe, Seo, Tomko, Sele? I personally think throwing Maddux into that mix and putting Seo or Sele into the long man role might be really good for this team. If Gagne comes back healthy, it'd push everyone back a spot and really deepen our bullpen....

I think that ol' five and bye with the big lead thought he would coast through the 5th inning. Maybe he'll learn from this.

Also I noticed that when there was a runner on 2nd he would go into his motion before Martin had finished giving the signs. That meant that only the first or second sign counted. That makes it easier for the runner on 2nd to figure out the signs and rely them on to the hitter. He should know better than to do that.

In the quotes in the AP story, Penny said he was upset that he wasn't given the chance to get out of the jam and he was angry at Little.

Little and Honeycutt said they would take care of the matter, but not today. Probably wise to let everyone's emotions settled down.

249. If I'm playing armchair GM this is what I would do.

Dodgers Trade SS Cesar Izturis to Toronto for 3B/1B Shea Hillenbrand and then trade Hillenbrand to the Angels for P Joe Saunders.

I know the Angels need a 3B since they want to be able to move Figgins around and Toronto needs a SS and we get one of the better SP prospects out there. Im pretty sure Odalis is nearly untradable considering his contract.

Just because he hit #715, Bonds isn't taking a rest today. He's batting cleanup in Florida today.

He probably didn't want to pass up a chance to face the Marlins pitchers.

Scott Olsen is pitching for Florida.

Besides, Bonds is one of the few healthy outfielders the Giants have right now.

253 I'm also intrigued by Maddux. Because of his age and contract, I can't believe the Cubs would demand top prospects, and he figures to be much cheaper than someone like Willis. Rental OFs (Soriano, Lee) don't really interest me (too expensive for too little), and I don't believe Cabrera will be traded during the season. Someone like Craig Wilson might be worth it if he's cheap and our current OF options fall apart due to injury/poor play.

Gagne is due to pitch the 9th in Vegas I believe. Going to the bottom of the 8th, Vegas was down 6-0, so Gagne would just pitch a meaningless inning. However, now the score is 7-6 with only one out in the 8th. Young, Truby, and Langill have all doubled in the inning

6 words.

Joe. Beimel. Continues. To. Be. Money.

Gagne in for a 2 run save. First batter is Mike Eylward. First pitch is a fastball strike, next is a fastball foul, change up low, change up up the 1B line, Loney picks it up and steps on the bag. One out

First pitch to Adam Pavkovich is a curveball over his head, another curveball over his head, fastball hit to left field for a base hit.

How hard is he throwing?

First pitch to Ryan Budde is a fastball strike, change up low, fastball low, change up swung on and missed, fastball called strike three at the knees. Two outs

262 93 mph on that last fastball

Game over, Gagne gets the save on a groundout. 8 run 8th inning and the 51s take it.

Curtis Pride up next. Breaking ball low and inside, change up in for a strike, change up swung on and missed, fastball for a high foul, fastball chopper to short, game over.

Gagne gets a K while allowing a single and two groundballs. Took him 17 pitches

So... did Gagne look good aside from maybe some understandable control problems?

267 Hard for me to say, although Langer didn't seem to have any problems with the way he pitched. Hopefully we'll get reports later from someone who actually saw him, either in person or on television

Yeah, it's hard to say just from listening to it, but it sounded like his change up was working beautifully, his fastball had a lot more pop on it, and his curveball had some control issues. Overall, sounded pretty good - and like he'll be up with the club in a couple of days.

Grady Little is now, officially, my hero. And Brad Penny can go to hell.

Pujols just homered again, although he waited until Oswalt was out of the game to do it

270, Yeah I just read a quote on Rotoworld from Penny, complaining about being taken out in the 5th with a 3-run lead. What a jerk. It was a 7-run lead until Penny starting getting hit all over the park! Very selfish attitude, Penny obviously more concerned about his stats than a team win.

(253) I'd think Perez and Cruz to the Yanks for, well, nobody(?), would be a gift. I'd be all over that. There's $13 million for a really good pitcher or power hitting outfielder. I wouldn't mind waiting awhile to see if Ethier and/or Kemp has that job covered. They're looking good so far. More and more, it looks like one of our bigger problems, short term and long, is finding a replacement for Kent. Soriano is a perfect fit; he can play left when Kent's good to go, second when he's laid up. And that is becoming more often. If Kent decides to stay next year (I know he is already signed but he could retire anyway) then he could play first (Nomar is signed for this year only) and Soriano could take over at second. Maybe the Yankees would send us some prospects we could flip to Washington. Or maybe Toronto could give us some prospects for Izturis...

I find Penny's reaction today as inexcusable as any of you, too. Just wrongheaded. On the other hand, before too long cooler heads should prevail. I feel like I can forgive him for this, if he learns from it and grows up. Hopefully.

Meanwhile, I just saw the saddest thing I've ever seen - what has happened to Jon Voight's career? The ad for Karate Dog is the worst thing I've seen on TV in years. Woof.

I can't imagine Perez doing well in NY, either with the Yanks or Mets. He would just emotionally implode. (Unless he'd feed off the energy there. Who knows.)

270- Grits has done a good job this year. He's made some mistakes, but unlike a certain manager the Dodgers had in the past, he learns from his mistakes. He also doesn't play favorites. Tracy probably would have left Penny in there until he blew the lead. Penny was getting hammered. None of the hits he was giving up were cheapies. I like how Grits was able to control himself when Penny was in his face cussing him out. He also didn't trash Penny the press after the game.

Never thought I'd have to lead a Brad Penny lynch mob. Is that irony?

Meanwhile, cooperstown is going to need to expand. We might just need a west coast version.

Every time I look at Brad Pennym I have the feeling he reminds me of someone. Finally figured out he looked like: Burl Ives!!!

Meanwhile, cooperstown is going to need to expand. We might just need a west coast version.

or just a strictly 2006-2014 Dodger version.

The Grady Little Marching and Chowder Society. Who would have thought it would have existed before the start of the season?

274 my wife and i seriously thought the end of the commercial was going to end, "and by the way, i saved lots of money off my car insurance by choosing geico."

253, 258--Greg Maddux is a demigod in Nevada...the 51's have a Maddux bobblehead night. You see lots of guys wearing Maddux uniforms at cashman field. The cubs big league weekend game sells quicker than the dodger games at cashman. He probably wouldnt mind being sent to the west coast either to LA or the diamondbacks since he still lives in the vegas area.

From the AP recap:

"It was the first jam I get in all year and I don't get a chance to get out of it," said Penny, who voiced his displeasure with Little on the mound before taking a swing at a water cooler with a bat in the dugout and yelling in anger.

"I wanted a chance to get that inning out of the way," Penny said, adding "I'm out there pitching hurt. ... I don't appreciate not getting the chance with a three-run lead to finish the inning."

I watched the game but have only had time to scan the post game posts. But I do worry about our starting pitching and perhaps the depth of it in our farm system. This is probably why I rant about turning promising arms into starters, but I am ready to cede this argument to system people who know more about the strange state of modern pitching.( Starters, mid relievers, closers) We are getting to the point where 5 innings is too much to ask for a starter to win. It just won't make sense in a few more years.
The only other area the ML team is suspect in right now is perhaps power. And we should just leave this alone. Kemp,Guzman, and Laroche should eventually provide plenty of power. Since they average about 21 years old and major league hitting often takes 24 years to master, there is every hope that they will become adequate. I would advise against trading anyone in this trio for several years and see where it goes. Is this reasonable.

I think the only way one of them gets traded is if you get a proven stud under 30 years of age like Cabrera.

So Penny, if you were pitching hurt, when should the manager worry?

Sounds reasonable.

I still wish every team played "God Bless America" during the 7th ip. Just pipe in one of the three tenors singing it, and its awesome.

Am i the only one that hates "Take me out to the ballgame"?