My first is Eric Gagne's blown save. I'm sure I watched several before that, but remember nothing about any of them.

I remember the 1973 All-Star game.

I remembered:
1) the game was boring
2) the NL won easily
3) Claude Osteen had to wear a Braves helmet when he batted because he apparently didn't bring a Dodgers one along and Willie Davis's didn't fit.

1966. How hot it was at the new Busch Stadium. Seeing my beloved (then) Mets represented by Ron Hunt, surreal to see that blue pinstriped uniform among the uniforms of "real" teams like the Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Pirates.

The earliest All-Star memory that comes to mind is Ozzie doing cartwheels. Did he ever win an All-Star game MVP award? Or am I just remembering that stinkin' home run in the '85 playoffs?

Off topic, I've been lurking here for a while now and finally decided to register. You guys are a smart bunch and I've enjoyed your comments and insights. Thanks for keeping me entertained during my downtime at work.

It is July 12, 1955. We -- my father, mother, older sister, dog and I -- are moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. We are in a 1950 Hudson. I am 7. It is the first day of a memorable 17-day trip across the country. Less than two weeks earlier, I had seen my first and only game at Ebbets Field, a loss to Pittsburgh in the first game of a doubleheader. Karl Spooner starts and loses. There was not time to stay for both games. On the first day of our trip, we travel two-lane highways. We stop at an inexpensive motel in western Pennsylvania, then go for dinner at a restaurant. There is a small, black-and-white TV behind the bar. The game is on. My parents make sure I get to sit where I have a good view. The game goes on and on. I don't mind a bit. Finally, Stan Musial homers in the 12th inning, and the National League, which includes my Dodgers, win. We go back to the motel. My father and I play catch. Our journey west continues the next day.

I'm going to blame this one on Bob.

http://tinyurl.com/kv8ak

Way to go Bob, nice jinx.

What year did the Tigers start the season 18-0? I remember Alan Trammel had to buy a uniform at the gift shop during the all-star game because his was lost or something.

My earliest memory of the All-Star game, ironically, was the last time they played in Pittsburgh in 1994. I remember sitting on the couch with my parents watching Fred McGriff tie the game with a two-run HR even though I thought it was over, and then Tony Gwyn running all the way from first (I think) and scoring (even though he was probably out) on a Moises Alou base-hit.

Wow, our man Plascke is still more dense than the special ed kids that I work with on daily basis (at least they can't help it!)...

http://tinyurl.com/l246o

This is like hearing a song you hated presented as a "golden oldie"...

"With Mota out of here, did I do things slightly different?" Tracy said. "Yeah, you had to."

Plaschke flew all the way to Pittsburgh to get that quote. If Tracy's still in his 'honeymoon' period, maybe he can get the Post Gazette to hire him.

Plaschke needs to leave LA forever and never come back.

6. You know, you live your life thinking public education has done you right. That it has given you the tools to succeed in life. That it makes people want to use critical thinking skills and to be open to new ideas while coming up with your-own informative opinion in order to be truly successfull in life. That it seperates the wheat from the chaff. That the chaff is nothing more than the guy that serves you coffee in the morning. And that it at least teaches the chaff at least know that sentence must contain a complete thought in order to truly be a sentence. But then you read an article by a guy like Plascke and realize it's all a sham. That the public education system doesn't always seperate the wheat from the chaff. That it doesn't always give you the tools to succeed in life. And that the ones that truly succeed in life aren't the ones who have the best opinions but the ones who scream the loudest. And then you rea

Oops, rookie mistake, didn't mean to submit the last half sentence.

6 Nate, you beat me to the punch.. I apologize for my post in 9.

I won't apologize for my special ed kids having more ability than Plaschke, though...

12

Great rant. I enjoyed it.

Death to Plaschke.

wwww.firebillplaschke.com

it needs to be made.

[6,9] - Besides that being one of the worst articles, sports or not, I've ever read, is there some reason that Plaschke is writing about a trade that happened TWO YEARS AGO!?! And in doing so, he conviniently leaves out facts and tidbits of information. Maybe Gagne hurt himself playing pepper and compensating for a bad knee in Spring '05? Was that Paul Depodesta's fault? Or Kim Ng's fault? No. Was it Jim Tracy and his coaching staff's fault? Hmmm...Yeah! He also forgot to mention that Ross and Choi had at least been decent to good in the past and both were young and most likely to improve. And he's also comparing Penny's previous arm problems with a freak nerve injury. Way to make things up Bill.

This might be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I may not read the Times Sports section for a while.

But then you read an article by a guy like Plascke and realize it's all a sham.

Nah, you just realize that some guys, like Plascke, think that 2+2=6. The public education system failed him, not us.

6- oh God....

12- what you wrote was longer than Billy goat's article. Maybe the LA Times will hire you. Just make sure to use more spacing; 1 sentence per paragraph.

If that article didnt make you laugh, nothing will.

Of course, I find humor in the ignorance of others. It makes me feel smarter.

"Nah, you just realize that some guys, like Plascke, think that 2+2=6. The public education system failed him, not us."

Yeah, but he's an editor for largest publication in a major media center. Public education might have failed him, but it obviously didn't fail him enough.

Seriously, can we arrange for a "Bill Plaschke as Special Dodger Thoughts Guest" one of these days so he can try to answer himself. I am hungry for more sports columnists' blood after that last "Who's to say" laughter of a logician.

Plaschke is already here every few days.
I believe he posts as BlueTahoe.

20 You are correct sir..

OTOH, my girlfriend that knows nothing about sports understands that correlation does not equal causation (at least I hope she does).

Jon has done enough stuff on the Gange being overrused topic that any knucklehead that knows how to use Google can find it. Seriously, if a former starter can't pitch 3 innings, than is he really worth a spit? I can understand not pitching Mo or Hoffman (more than a decade into their career) more than a couple innings. A 27-yo just a couple of years removed from starting shouldn't worry a manager much if he is starting.

22 Joey, that's just not fair.

18. No, Uncle, unfortunately I'm "tainted." I believe in herectical ideas like OPS, peripherals, and notion that trading prospects for middle relief or a fifth starter should cause an owner to re-evaluate the skills of his GM to effectively judge talent. Such beliefs will likely cause banishment from future employment to major publications, and thus forcing me to seek solitude at websites such as these.

23. You know, with the success of the Gagne experiment, I'm wondering if Odalis Perez could possibly become a closer in the recent future if told that he only has to pitch 2 innings at most. I know Perez's struggles and Saito's success probably denies that possibility, but watching Penny rear back and aim for triple-digits after being told to pitch only an inning or two has added fuel to my curiosity.

i fired off this email 2 the times this morning. (note i missed a few points but it's late and i'm tired)

just when i think know nothing.....
you write an article that proves it. Today's Brad Penny story ranks right next to your article in the fall of 2001 proclaiming that Los Angeles was a bruin town. That USC was dead. How did that work out for you at the end?

I'll go point by point in your article and prove you wrong.

"The truth was also behind the plate, in the presence of catcher Paul Lo Duca, whose leadership the trade eliminated."

Really Bill. his leadership? How many playoff appearances did the Dodgers make with Lo Duca's "leadership"? How many times did Lo Duca's "leadership" lead Florida to the playoffs? Must of been those monster second halves Lo Duca is known for. As far as Lo Duca being voted in, that was a sham. How many Redsox, Yankee, And Met players were voted in? Pretty much every starter. Maybe because all ESPN shows is Yankee, Redsox or Met game. The catchers for the national league should have been Russell Martin, Johnny Estrada or Kelly McCann all of whom have better numbers then Lo Duca. Oh right, I forgot the leadership part.

"The truth was also in the bullpen, in the absence of Eric Gagne, whose career the trade may have ruined."

You wanna talk about revisionist history. Didn't Gagne's arm troubles start in the spring of 05 when "leaders" Jim Tracy and Jim Colburn let Gagne pitch when he had hurt his knee. The altering of Gagne's mechanics is what led to Gagne's injury, not overuse in the stretch run. Tracy and Colburn are proven morons. Zach Duke was pretty much unbeatable last season, one of the few bright spots in Pittsburgh. So what do these "leaders" do. Change his mechanics. Now guy can't win a game.

"When the Dodgers needed him for the playoffs at the end of 2004, he was physically unable. Last September and October, he pitched only 18 2/3 innings."

You are absolutely right. Penny did get hurt upon arrival in 04. Injuries happen. Doesn't mean the trade wasn't a good trade. The Dodgers needed a frontline pitcher. When your starting rotation consists of Nomo (who by the way was DONE) Ishii, Lima, Alvarez, Perez, and Weaver, the biggest need is starting pitching.
As for Penny pitching only 18 2/3 innings last Sept./Oct. who cares? The Dodgers were out of the race. What was the point of pitching him in meaningless games when he is coming off an injury? Seems to me that thinking like this could have prevented Gagne's injury.
And as far as others involved in the trade, Bill Murphy was the key to the Dodgers acquiring Steve Finley without whom they don't win the NL west.

I'll finish this with a quote. Let me preface this by saying that many consider you to be among the best in your field. That is just plain sad. Anyway this quote kind of sums up how many Dodger Fans and I feel about you-

"You know what wakes me up in the middle of the night covered in a cold sweat? Knowing that you aren't any worse than anyone else in your whole screwed up generation. In the old days, you know how you got to the top? Huh? By being better than the guy ahead of you. How do you people get to the top? By being so incompetent, that the guy ahead of you can't do his job, so he falls on his ass and congratulations, you are now on top. And now the top is down here, it used to be up here... and you don't even know the difference.

Speaking of David Ross, has anyone else noticed his stats for Cincinnati through 45 games, 119 AB?

AVG .311 | HR 12 | RBI 31 | OBP .384 | SLG .681 | OPS 1.065

I wonder if, in the first draft of his piece, Plaschke had DePo killing Gagne's career on purpose, and then softened it down to the dreck he ended up publishing. At least it would have been more fun to read if he'd gone full hog. I mean, the theory that the 2004 team could have (without being absolutely blown up) won anything in 2005 is funny. But DePo destroying the closer because Moneyball told him to would have been unbeatable.

Rejected headline for the Plascke rough draft--Eric Gagne: Human Sacrifice on the Alter of Moneyball

Of the Dodgers, not counting Penny, who started at least one game in 2004, three are out of the game, and only Elmer Dessens (though he hasn't started a game this year) has an ERA under six.

Thank heavens we now have Ned Colletti bringing in contented leaders like Toby Hall.

From today's Daily News:

"My agents talked to the GM and asked for a trade," Hall told the Tribune on Monday. "They were told, `We asked for Toby, we got Toby, and we're not trading Toby.'"

But Colletti denied that any such conversation took place.

"I haven't talked to Sam Levinson since the day of the trade (June 26)," said Colletti, adding that the subject of another trade didn't come up in that conversation.

Hall was an everyday catcher for Tampa Bay, but after the trade was relegated to backup duty behind Russell Martin. He has started two games for the Dodgers. He also entered for the final two innings of a third game after pinch hitting with the Dodgers leading by eight runs, an assignment that further rankled Hall.

"I need more respect than that," he said.

"My agents talked to. . ." plural

"I haven't talked to Sam Levinson. . ." singular

It takes two to lie, one to lie and one to listen!

If only 5 had waited until today.
The RGC for today is for the 1955 All-Star game.

i second the dave parker throw, although i also remember his throw to third, mostly because ron cey was playing third at the time.
i believe his throw home to nail brian downing was used during the end credits to "this week in baseball" for quite a while after that.
i probably only saw half of the all star games from 78-87 or so because it usually coincided with our family road trip vacations, so a lot of my memories are of sitting around a campfire with the old transistor radio wondering why bruce botche or whomever was representing the mariners was on the al squad.

5 is just so perfect. Thanks for sharing it.

I don't remember any particular early All-Star game, though I know I watched them. I have a very strong clear recent memory of being in the bar in the Menger Hotel in San Antonio with my brother in law, next to a picture of Babe Ruth visiting the Menger Hotel, as the 1998 (or an adjacent year) All-Star game was starting on TV and looking up and there was Jeff Shaw in a Dodgers uniform and I thought -- Hey, that guy's not on the Dodgers (not knowing he'd been traded in the days before the game)

Welcome back from Mars, Bill.

My earliest All-Star game memory was Fernando striking out 5 in two innings and being mad that he didn't get to pitch a 3rd. I distinctly remember sitting in a car dealership on Florin Rd. in Sacramento while my parents were buying a Volvo Station Wagon and those two innings being the only excitement until 3 hours later when my parents had finally bought the car.

Ok, didn't Eric Gagne get hurt playing pepper?

Ok, didn't Eric Gagne get hurt playing pepper?

Echoing others' posts, 5 is indeed a treasure. Trips like that are the stuff of good books.

My five-year-old son came in the bonus room last night, noticed how engrossed I was in Penny's pitching performance, and flatly said, "Baseball's the worst." This led to a tickle-wrestling main event, which was exactly what he was trying to accomplish.

Yeah, but he's an editor for largest publication in a major media center.

Plaschke is NOT an editor, he's a columnist. I was an editor there, and it makes me queasy being lumped in with him. Editors are bound by facts, whereas columnists can apparently make up anything they like.

FUNDRAISER WRAP

So, it would be hard I think to overstate the success of the first annual DT All-Star Break Fundraiser. Over 40 people kicked in, obviously my match was capped, and they're serving champagne and caviar at DT Global Headquarters. Thanks to everyone who played, and everyone else who tolerated the interruption.

Sam

Sorry if this was already linked; it's sort of hard to believe it's not about a Dodger.

"'He wasn't able to throw,' National League manager Phil Garner said. 'Let's just leave it at that.'

He was asked if he was kidding.

'I wish I were,' Garner said."

http://tinyurl.com/ebabb

I thought this was interesting from that article:

Arroyo, who had pitched on Sunday and said he celebrated a little too hard upon his arrival in Pittsburgh, said he made it clear to Garner that he did not want to pitch on just one day of rest.

26.

Don't forget the 3 years of contention Lo Duca was supposed to give us. Since when is an aging catcher a key piece to a contender?

42 I just watched "Shattered Glass" on Tivo. It might be highly romanticized, but even with that Chuck Lane, looks like he deserves some respect.

I just got this email from Amazon:

"Since you have purchased snack nuts or books on baseball in the past, we thought you might like to know that Emerald Nuts Dry Roasted Peanut, Honey Roasted Peanut, and Cocktail Peanut, 4.5-Ounce Canisters (Pack of 18) is now available for ordering. Order yours by following the link below."

48
That's now TWO people who have received that message from Amazon.

Snack nuts. Books on baseball.

You do the the math.

42.

I wonder if he snuck this one by the editor, and the editor will have a word to say to Bill after he reads the garbage Bill put out.

Let me just say that I'm 101.1111111% sure that any column appearing on the front page of a section of the Los Angeles Times is read by several people.

It's not like this was high school journalism class and Plaschke sneaked his galleys in to the printer.

Yeah, but I just don't know how that wasn't rejected by the editor.

Unless Bill Plaschke is going to write something libelous, he can pretty much write whatever he wants to. That's one of the perks of that job.

52 Right. Of course, that fact makes it even worse.

Plaschke can write anything he wants, whether the facts support it or not, and the editors print it. They're complicit.

Ya know, a year ago, this would have made me scream, but now it makes me laugh. As the man said, I used to be disgusted, but now, I try to be amused.

Jon, I'm happy that Sam's drive was such a success. When I read that article, the first thing I thought was: gotta get to DT for a laugh. To that extent, I consider your site the first line of defense. Thanks.

Nate, are Morris' 10 walks and 1.75 WHIP in 12 innings something to worry about?

Unless Bill Plaschke is going to write something libelous

The libel laws obviously need to be re-written.

55 New slogan?

"Dodger Thoughts - Protecting Dodger fans from the Plaschkocracy Since 2002"

57 - They probably have been, in some as-yet-unseen addendum to the Patriot Act.

53 - Why would the editor reject it? Obviously people are talking about it, which likely means they're also reading it.

57

I thought most libel law was common law however.

I guess Steve is going to make it his goal to go after the Sullivan decision.

Or maybe Plaschke's column falls under the "fighting words" doctrine.

But I really think, the column should have been spiked as it ran afoul of the "clear and present danger" standard established in the Pentagon Papers case.

59
Terry A nails it. Look we all read it, didn't we?

Look we all read it, didn't we?

Not me. Does he attribute any of the Mets' success this year to Lo Duca's presence?

All I can think is that after being staggeringly wrong about the Lakers (condemned to failure because they didn't acquire Scotty Pippen – they go on and win three straight championships), after being staggeringly wrong about the Trojans (doomed to failure because they signed Pete Carroll as head coach), and faced with the reality that he was staggeringly wrong about the LoDuca trade, that tiny little 25 cent fuse in his tiny little brain finally blew itself out. Ah, yes, Eric Gagne, his arm destroyed in 2004 by pitching exactly the same number of innings he pitched in 2003. Jim Tracy, the manager so brilliant that 60-win teams follow him around. (Not his fault – just ask him.) The Dodgers deprived of the 2005 performance of Guillermo Mota, Steve Finley and Jose Lima. As for Penny being missing at the end of the season, he ought to like that – it's just like LoDuca! (And let's remember the way these two got into the All Star Game, one by selection and one by ballot box stuffing.) Plaschke missed his calling. He ought to be working for Donald Rumsfeld! Oh, please, Plaschke, any other calling! Any other calling at all!

I haven't read it. I'm going Commando Joe Morgan on this one.

[42] since when does plaschke ever let facts get in the way of his argument? come on. your expectations for him just can't be very high. and even then you're still likely to be disappointed. just think of him as being mentally disabled; you can't reasonably hold him to the same standard as everyone else.

Does that mean you're ignoring Plaschke and also not wearing underpants?

66
Shouldn't it mean he's ignoring Moneyball and also not wearing underpants?

67 - No, that's Scientology.

67
I thought that was Unitarianism.

My first All-Star game memory is of the 1967 game in Anaheim, which the NL won on a Tony Perez HR. Much to my dad's chagrin, I was an Angel fan and was excited that the game was being played at Anaheim Stadium. I got over my Angel fandom a few years later at the end of the Jim Fregosi/Bobby Knoop era.

The 1971 game was also memorable although I didn't actually see the game. We were on a camping trip somewhere in British Columbia and my dad and I sat in the station wagon and listened to the game while my mom and sisters did regular "camping stuff". The game seemed more like a homerun derby with Jackson, Aaron and others hitting HR's.

he's ignoring Moneyball

Forget moneyball, he ignores all logical reasoning all together.

"Today's Brad Penny story ranks right next to your article in the fall of 2001 proclaiming that Los Angeles was a bruin town. That USC was dead. How did that work out for you at the end?"

Writing the article about Penny is more like writing an article about how USC isn't for real... about two years into their run.

69 - You say tomato...

There is a good post over at "Inside the Dodgers" refuting most of what Plaschke wrote about the trade.

http://insidethedodgers.mlblogs.com/

After thinking about it for awhile, sadly I have no really good all-star memory from long ago. Maybe laughing at Rollie Finger's handlebar mustache in '74. I remember Jeter doing the Nomar imitiation in 99 or 2000, which was almost as funny as Walker switching sides against Johnson. Ted Williams was cool, too.

My best baseball memory so far, is October 25, 1997. I remember watching the Marlins and Indians and un-buttoning what must have been 100 buttons on the back of my wife's wedding dress and then removing a similar number of bobbie pins from her hair. We were so pleased to be finally watching the game and relaxing that all the shenanigans of my friends was amusing to us. I am definitely blessed to have a wife that likes baseball.

I'm sure I started watching the all star game in 1964, but I can't for the life of me remember any of the ones in the 60s. I mentioned in Bob's ASG thread that I remember the Reggie Jackson home-run game and the Pete Rose home plate collision game. But none from when I was actually interested in it. Weird.

I know we're supposed to frown at inlammatory language and all -- and I strongly agree it destroys community at a web site -- there is something great about reading Rawitch's measured response to the Plaschke piece and then flipping to the comments, which begin: "Plaschke is a total idiot."

77.

Sorry if that killed the post ;)

On the contrary, 77, it was beautiful.

I meant 78.

Do you guys mind if I don't even read the Plaschke article? I mean, after all the build-up here, it's hard to resist, but I feel like I know what to expect, and also just ate breakfast.

Meanwhile, it's already been Griddle'd, but note that the Astros just acquired Aubrey Huff for two minor leaguers. Huff's long tenure as the TBPMLTBT (TB player most likely to be traded) for three years running is now over.

[77] i felt compelled to add "complete moron". :)

82.

That's what I wanted to say, but I thought I'd get deleted, so I replaced moron with idiot.

15.
One of my favorite websites is firejoemorgan.com. I've always wished they would rip into Plaschke a little more, but they've been too busy dealing with other painfully bad writers/analysts. As firebillplaschke.blogspot.com was taken already(and has not been updated since december '05), I decided to start with fireplaschke.blogspot.com. I'm starting with todays painfully awful column, haven't decided if I will go back in time and critque his old rants(as his columns can only be categorized as).

[81] why couldn't we get huff? THAT'S a trade with tampa bay i wouldn't mind making. but no, we get the likes of larry, moe, and... er, hendrickson, carter, baez, and hall instead.

85 Huff would have required us to give up a starting pitcher and solid catcher, or two starting pitching prospects. Ned must have thought that was too much to give up :)

Speaking of Plaschke and Toby Hall..

So does Ned get a free pass from the media for acquiring a catcher that doesn't want to be here? It seems like a former GM would have been raked over the coals by Plaschke for doing making the move.

In furtherance of our velociraptor like testing of Inside the Dodgers' language filter, "sack of nuts," is acceptable.

Most people who buys sacks of nuts also buy books on baseball.

Nice story, by the way, Jon. I have to travel today and tomorrow for work, and you've reminded me to send home a postcard about something.

I just realized I forgot my brother's birthday, does it even matter anymore?

89. I hear that can lead to vestigal consonants, as well.

As I've said before, the World Cup and reading British newspapers has ruined my ability to use proper subject-verb agreement.

90 I do too Sam. I'll be in Chicago, where will you be?

[86] are the guys houston gave up all that good? i'm no prospect hound, but i certainly hadn't heard of them.

94 Alas New York.

36 and 41 -- Thank you. Addendum. Allow me a little self-indulgence: After we arrived in L.A., my parents let me play hooky to watch the Dodgers-Yankees on TV in the 1955 and 1956 World Series -- until the principal of Evergreen Avenue Elementary School in East L.A. arrived at our apartment, unannounced, during one game. Nonetheless, my parents also took me on Opening Day in 1958 at the Coliseum. They had their priorities right. We sat in the peristyle end. We couldn't see a great deal. But I do remember watching the relievers warm up in the bullpen, which was then behind the right-field fence. My mom, now 85, is still a big fan. Although I don't live in Los Angeles anymore, I try to take her to at least one game a year. My dad died a dozen years ago. As a kid in Brooklyn, he used to ditch school to go to Ebbets Field. He remembers Dazzy Vance pitching.
34 -- What Does RGC stand for?

95 According to Mike Emeigh at BBTF, this what the 'Stros gave up for Huff....

"Talbot's a 22-YO righty (23 in October) who's taken a step forward this year but who I still think projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter. He's given up a lot of unearned runs, which makes his ERA overstate his effectiveness. Heavy GB guy, average-ish fastball, hard slider, great changeup (it's the first thing that everyone says about him).

Zobrist is 25. He gets on base, makes consistent contact, is a good baserunner, and plays adequate defense at SS. He's been old for his levels, and is probably a B-/C+ prospect; he really should be at AAA. He's hit over .300 everywhere he's played with OBPs in the low-to-mid .400s, but isn't especially fast and doesn't drive the ball a lot (a fair number of doubles but no HRs to speak of). Jason Bartlett is about the best comp I can think of at the moment."

RGC = Random Game Callback

Talbot is a FMIB: http://www.morgannews.us/baseball.html

Not famous enough to rate a picture or bio, though.

Unless Bill Plaschke is going to write something libelous, he can pretty much write whatever he wants to. That's one of the perks of that job.

Right. Keep in mind that columnists are paid for their opinions, so they usually get a lot of leeway. I've asked friends in the LAT sports dept why they don't call him on some of his BS, and that's the answer I get. They give him so much leeway that he embarrasses the paper, IMHO, but I guess that's the way it goes.

97
Here's a link to my recap of the 1955 All-Star Game
https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/424164.html

101

Even Mitch Albom didn't get too much discipline for writing a column about an event that didn't happen.

OK, here's my email to the Times this am. Not that they will print anything this long, but it was satisfying to write and send:

Can't Bill Plaschke stick to writing heartwarming stories about athletes who overcame bad childhoods? When he writes about the Dodgers, he apparently removes his brain and replaces it with a parrot in his head, squawking the same meaningless rant over and over. Trading LoDuca ruining Gagne's career? Uh, Bill, Gagne got hurt in spring training the next winter playing pepper. Did you forget? Trading Mota ruined the team? Bill, Mota's career cratered after he was traded. Oh, right. And Brad Penny not only was the starting pitcher in the All-Star game, but he struck out the side, for crying out loud. Hey,we have a pretty good catcher these days ourselves in Russell Martin. Let's see, would I trade the 34 year old Paul LoDuca (just in time for his annual second-half collapse) and Guillermo Mota (whose ERA is nearly 6) for Brad Penny, and open the door for Russell Martin to play? Why yes sir, I believe I would.

Regarding All-Star game, I remember watching the 1967 game on TV with my friend. It was a big deal because it was held in Anaheim, not far from where we lived. I still can see that home run by Tony Perez in the top of the 15th to put the NL ahead. What I did not remember until I went and looked it up was that Tom Seaver, in his rookie year, got the save in the bottom of the 15th inning. My friend moved to Israel the next year, and eventually became an officer in the Army and fought in two wars. So our lives certainly moved in different directions, but we have this memory in common.

Not my earliest memory of the All Star Game, but the one that sticks out most in my mind, is Bo Jackson homering in 1989.

I won't go into details for fear Bob catches me in a mistake and ruins the moment. ;-)

New post up top.

Against my better judgement, and what seemed like some sound advice here, I read the Plaschke column. There's no real reason to go through his "points," which of course, don't bear any scrutiny.

The better question is why? The only thing I can figure is that in his head Plaschke:The Trade = Shaughnessy:Curse of the Bambino. I mean, I think he thinks he's going to make a career out of this. DePo's been fired, Tracy is stinking the joing up in Pittsburgh, we've got a good new catcher. So, absent my theory, what's the freaking point? The problem is, LoDuca Babe Ruth, so I don't know how many books he'll sell. If I were him, I'd do a bit more spinning on the Gagne yarn. Say, for example, that he pitched 5 innings every day in September 2004. It really wouldn't be any less true than what he did say, and that's really the only way to make it a good story.

107 That should say Lo Duca is not Babe Ruth. Amazing that anyone should ever have to make that point.

87: It's simple. Colletti got a catcher who doesn't want to be here to complement the relief pitcher he got who doesn't want to be here. Compared to his strategy of stockpiling lousy starting pitchers it's brilliant.

The Giants earned a reputation over the years for trading promising prospects for mediocre veterans to fill short term needs. You have to wonder if the tendency hasn't migrated south.

99 -- Thanks
102 -- Great stuff! Now I know what I missed while sitting in the backseat as our car journeyed across Pennsylvia. Remarkable line-ups in the 1955 All-Star Game: Five players in each of the starting line-up are in the Hall of Fame, as are both the managers.

My life got easier when I cancelled my subscription to the LA Times last year. It isn't just Plaschke and Simers it is the complete ignorance of the whole Sports section and the tiresome pedestal the Lakers sit on.