Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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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
Nomar Garciaparra was covering second base when Ramon Martinez went out in his ill-fated attempt to catch the 11th-inning bloop double by Josh Barfield of the Padres. Barfield slid into Garciaparra, and the result is that Garciaparra is not in tonight's starting lineup. Neither is J.D. Drew. Neither, for that matter, is Russell Martin, who caught all 11 innings.
Now, you might be discouraged, disheartened, disenchanted or disgusted. But my recommendation is to release the yoke of expectations and just enjoy the game with a good ol' fashioned eleemosynary attitude.
* * *
Kudos to the math whizzes trying to sort out the cash exchange in the Odalis Perez deal - Danica McKellar would be proud. Wish I could have been more help. For the final details to be clarified, I suggest being patient.
Today was so busy that I never got around to mentioning a new column I have up on SI.com on the Angels, who in two months have gone from worst to first while the Dodgers have gone from first to worst.
Two months to go ...
* * *
There are many unanswerable or unanswered questions in the universe that bother me.
Why Harold Reynolds got fired is not one of them.
I wonder who drives better: Danica Patrick or Danica McKellar?
"And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity."
1 Corinthians 13
It always surprises me when I find a phrase I've heard a lot and it turns out to be from a verse in the Bible. This one's a case in point.
Maybe if I'd ever read the thing thoroughly...nah.
Can someone explain the genesis of the phrase "bogart" as a synonym for "hog, steal, etc."? The first time I heard it was when Butthead said to Beavis, "Don't bogart my log." I've heard it many times since, but have never known where it came from and why it means what it means.
In answer to Jon's earlier question, I see a whale of a difference between deadline buyers and sellers. The Dodgers should be sellers, with no illusions. That means we will give up nothing but the present and we will accept in trade nothing but the future.
A-ha!
http://tinyurl.com/hc5pq
No idea if this is right or made up. Sounds plausible, though.
Like this:
wil dcard
Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
- Jack Handy
Yeah, my dad used to play me that record all the time. That explains everything...
I always react to that in the same way as I did the first time I figured out that my parents had to have sex with each other to conceive me.
Is it because Wright is younger, and is already in the majors? That's about the only thing I can think of, because LaRoche in 4 minor league seasons has a higher OPS, and it's not like Wright has a better K/BB ratio. LaRoche also hit 30 homers in 1 season in the minors, Wright's high was 15.
In any case however, I don't see LaRoche being Joe Crede, who spent 6 years in the minors, with a .742 OPS in those 6 years.
are you
The 2004 Werth.
Not the other version.
Jayson Werth
If Ned dumps Izturis and gets a decent prospect, maybe some will forgive him a little for the Navarro trade? just asking
Or getting Gio back from the wherever he was.
"Consider the daffodil. Meanwhile, I'll be going through your stuff."
-Jack Handy
Couldn't wipe the smile off my face when someone asked about the genesis of the phrase "bogart". Having 4 older brothers that word was used quite a bit while growing up in the 70's.
20
I'm not down on LaRoche but putting him in the same conversation with Wright either means you don't understand how good Wright is or your delusional about LaRoche's abilities. I didn't say he was going to have Crede's career, I said he has a better chance of having Crede's career then David Wright.
Why?
To turn around and sell those bums to his old boss, Sabean, and the Cashmans (Cashmen?), KWilliamses, and Towerseseseses of the world at inflated prices come deadline time. He knew the stiffs wouldn't push the Dodgers into the playoffs, and might even stink enough to make selling the obvious choice, even to Bill Plaschke.
Oh sure, it was risky. Mueller fell apart before he could be traded, and Repko almost didn't come back in time to drive Lofton to the airport, but it's worked out pretty well, all things considered. Lowe and Gagne and Kent pitched in by not performing. Drew has suddenly "lost" his power, and Nomar has cleverly positioned his season-opening and mis-season injuries as the bread in a deceptive 2-month All-Star sandwich. Ethier, Martin, and Saito have played the misdirection game (i.e., by being good)
And today is open-house day. All the veteran crapsavvy you can stomach is out on the field for display. DePo contributions Saenz and Cruz are there too, feelin' sexy. Come one come all - give us your young, frisky, hungry kids for our poor, tired and well-fed ones. You think we're going after Soriano? HA! We'd rather talk to you about a slightly used Ramon.
It's not a garage sale - it's an antiques road show!
Lowell George was indeed a genius -- he could write completely wild lyrics, had an incredible ear for funky rhythms, played a mean slide guitar in a completely fresh style, and was a tremendous honey-in-the-sludge vocalist who could worry a one-syllable word to death (i.e. "moon" in "Spanish Moon"), stretching it across a whole bar of music. One of my heroes!
GENIUS! I'll have what the gentleman's having, please, and make mine a double.
http://tinyurl.com/jw55o
11.0 IP, 21 H's, 11 ER's, 0 BB's, 1 K
He has too much talent for that to happen. A couple of bad starts can happen to anybody, but 21 hits to 1 K? In Single A ball? I think there is a good chance the Dodgers know that Johnson is damaged goods, and the Dodgers' tip top medical staff has once again been letting a player go out and perform while hurting. Was it just a coincidence that the Dodgers traded Chuck Tiffany and his shoulder promptly fell apart on the Devil Rays? Could be, but maybe not.
The song, "Don't Bogart That Joint" was actually by a group called something like The Fraternity of Man, but Little Feat liked to play it in concert during the Lowell George years. It appeared on their "Waiting for Columbus" double-live LP, which is, by the way, one of the best live rock albums ever issued. Lots of people who spent the 70s ignoring Little Feat caught up quickly when that album came out. Just in time for Lowell George to check out.
There is hope.
There's a typo in it.
Try this:
http://tinyurl.com/mxqfm
http://tinyurl.com/z6wys
This makes him different than other men his age how?
The Giants have already lost to the Nats.
Lowell George was actually in The Fraternity of Man, and it was his song. So it's no mere coincidence that they used it on "Waiting for Columbus" (a record which deserves all the accolades it gets from you -- absolutely killer stuff).
Frankly, this lineup, on paper, looks no more able to win right now, than an all rookie one we could put up. But that rookie one could perhaps play .500 ball next year for next to no money.
Know how I spent my afternoon? Reading a stack of sexual assault police reports. "Ugh" doesn't begin to describe things. I really need the Dodgers to win tonight.
Oh, and I approve of the OP trade.
No, I just want to know why you think that saying he can have as good a career as Wright makes me delusional? LaRoche has a better minor league career, and it's not like he has struck out too much. So why is Wright far superior, and why am I delusional?
it's called being optomistic (welcome to the club)
That may be too smart for Colleti, but I hope you're right ;)
This midseason revelation at least shows that there isn't a vet sturdy enough to block a prospect, except possibly Furcal. As depressing as that is, we may be stuck with him, which isn't really that bad.
By the way, does anyone think the dodgers are going to promote LaRoche anytime soon?
17 men on base and 10 combined runs in Vegas so far tonight and it is only the top of the 2nd (2 outs).
Come on--this lineup is a give away.
L'affaire Reynolds
https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/443202.html
Which minor league job should MiLB.com's writers take on?
Concession sales
Ticket sales
General manager
Scoreboard operator
Promotions coordinator
Field manager
really funny stuff by the way.
You're welcome, but it's not a ManBearPig safe thread.
He's hit a home run in the majors.
If I have a daughter or daughters, don't let them work at ESPN or at least give them muy thai lessons before they go to Bristol.
Marquis twice.
Weaver.
Bautista.
Gonzalez.
and now Park?
This offense is no better than a ham sandwich huh?
Well at least he's happy. And he generally does best when he's the ace (see 2004). Also, Tomko is expected back for tomorrow's game.
Which bad team was Odalis speaking of?
Kemp, Loney, Young, Guzman and Laroche are a combined 7 for 8 with 1 BB, 5 RBI and 2 SB (both Kemp). All of this through 2 innings.
111 Ah, but he wasn't playing third!
As for the trivia question, is it Fernando, Pedro, and Nomo? Again, showing my baseball ignorance.
"This year has been tough," Perez said. "But at the same time, I really appreciate what the people in the front office and the fans have done for me since I've been here. I had a great time here. I didn't want to leave, but it's a business. It's time to move on. It's time to go to a different franchise and show I still have the skill to pitch and the stuff to do it."
No quotes from Elmer yet. I'm sure he's ecstatic.
1) Izzy makes and error (from third)
2) Hendrickson strikes someone out (the pitcher)
"I know the heat has something to do with it."
It's the etymology of Little Feat lyrics day, here at DT!
LaRoche just missed a HR (per Gameday) to end the 2nd so now combined 7 for 9.
I recall taking one and driving from New Jersey to two hours outside of St. Louis, nonstop for 22 hours. This was many, many years ago. I was in a hurry.
Audience Member: But is the behavior of the snakes at all... realistic? Is that really what snakes on a plane would do?
6,500 Fans in Unison: Boo! Boo!
Jackson: Are you high? Because we asked every [expletive] snake expert in the world, and every [expletive] one of them said that this is EXACTLY what snakes on a plane would do!
from econlog.econlib.org
It's a good life tonight.
Now the Dodgers need to score 2 more runs.
How hard is it to just not date someone at work? That seems so obvious.
So my favorite whipping boy (lofton) hit a homer.
What's next, izturis will homer?
LOL!
Any more details on the perez/dessens trade?
I'd like to know how much money was freed up from next year's budget?
I don't care about money freed up from this season or in 2008.
I want enough money to sign zito and schmidt and if possible a 3 year or less nomar.
Is he a starter or a reliever?
We saved 3 or 4 million, dodgers.com says 3 million.
he was followed by Loney, another hit, another RBI. 10-4 Vegas.
Speaking of the kids...
C Martin
1B Loney
2B Kent
SS Furcal
3B LaRoche
LF Ethier
CF Kemp
RF Drew.
I wish it was the old ECW.
I'll get dizzy trying to explain it. Bob are you watching the game?
I know.
They are missing the dudlies, raven, rhino, among others, they are all with TNA.
Plus i don't like that vince mcmahon is running ECW, he should just let paul haymen run it.
The only match that was good since it came back that had WWE guys in it was Flair vs Big show 2 weeks ago.
Tonight Kane vs Big show was alright.
were is Bob when you need 'em.
Mike Piazza was running, why would they.... oh well.
I didn't have to look it up. I remembered it from college. Really!
Go figure!
They always talk about players who are a good fit or a good match. We should take that literally.
Hendickson must not have been a good fit as he is much taller than Seo.
Perhaps all baseball uniforms are usufructary.
Also, anyone know why Garciaparra isn't going on the DL? Sounds like he's out for the rest of the homestand.
I've looked it up, too, and we're both half-right. While it is true that dear Lowell did not contribute to the authorship of the song, it's equally true that he steered Little Feat keyboard virtuoso Billy Payne to The Fraternity of Man (started with George buddies Martin Kibbee [longtime Lowell lyric collaborator] and Richie Hayward [the Feats' peerless drummer now for about 37 years]), keeping in steady touch with them throughout the period, up to and including the "Don't Bogart That Joint" surprise hit for that band. His influence is apparent, they claim to this day. Hence the appropriation of the old tune for the Feat era.
Obscure? Yes. At that time Lowell was working first with the Standells and then subsequently with the Mothers, but he never forgot his old friends. He wasn't with Zappa for long, to be sure -- I have heard an equally potentially apocryphal rumor that the first time Zappa heard "Willin'," he laughed and suggested strongly that George should form his own band, since he obviously had the gift.
Much slower than expected.
215 Faster than Jason Phillips but < Jason Repko (or Russ Martin for that matter) Oh well, I guess they're trying to do whatever it takes to score a run but that seemed kind of dumb.
I don't know why Vin said Perez will wear a different number in KC. The Royals don't have anyone using 45 now and it's not retired. The Royals have retired 5, 10, and 20.
The beauty of flying west.
he's done it like two times before, Furcal has a hit or two no?
That just isnt right.
"Lofton moving back but now coming up"
Who is worse at judging fly balls: Lofton or Stiener?
This year against Detroit:
4 2/3 IP, 17 H, 14 R, 13 ER
Tonight: 8 hits (1 being a homer) 1 walk in 6 innings but only 4 runs.
Not the best matchup for him.
darn I had forgeten about that one.
wich one dose he have?
Or possibly "Along Came Mary" by the Association.
that was a cool song back then, the band is from San Diego aren't they?
Dessens at one time had a use.
Yep it was last year.
Tracy screwed up a lot.
sorry I just felt like saying Twinkle toes
Yeah, that would be it.
I still think the best song-athlete combo would be "Yellow Submarine" for Byung-Hyun Kim.
Lofton makes a good catch in the outfield!
The Apocalypse is coming
I'd hit a dinger every time hearing that song, all 5'7 1/2 of me.
How about the ungodly-intense scream part from "Careful with that Axe, Eugene" ?
;-)
When I think of Welcome Back Cotter, I think of Ricky Ledee.
Joely Fisher?
You will see a lot of her during the postseason because Fox will be flacking her new sitcom with Brad Garret to death.
What's new?
Just kidding. I like golf, but I'm not very good. I like going to the driving range occasionally. I can drive a ball 250 yards, but it doesn't always go straight.
Sounds like ABC did some cross-promotion of its sitcoms there.
actually, 96$ for the club. 50$ less then MSRP.
(And runs.)
Maybe they just caught a break - if Baez is indeed hurt, he can go on the DL, they can call up Tomko for the bullpen, and then some pitcher less deserving of being shelved than Baez can be spared.
Hooray!
Sigh. We need something real to feel happy about.
Bob to the rescue.
I dont follow drafts from year to year other than Dodgers picks, so wondering if it's typical to find at least one 1st round hitter who makes it to the bigs within a year or two of signing. Fielder in Detroit comes to mind.
Yea I really like them. I hit the Halo 3i the other day at the range and it was just amazing. I figured that Im getting a new set anyways that has a new 3 iron, I am determined to hit that well but i really wanted a Halo and my 5 wood sucks right now anyways so why not right?
I just looked at the splits for 1992. Although the team tied the L.A. franchise mark of 10 straight losses, its worse 13-game stretch was 2-11. The club also lost 10 straight in 1961. I'll take a quick look there.
I'm thinking under 600 ops is pretty much impossible but izturis is headed there.
The 1961 team, which also lost 10 in a row, preceded that streak with six straight wins and ended it with two consecutive wins. It never went 1-12. This could be the record for a 13-game futility period.
LOL!
As far as songs go, I'd like for all of us to hold hands and sing Kumba-ya, but think an early Beck song might suit the Dodgers well these days. Starts with "L"...
Dodgers are 6.5 behind in the Wild Card.
That should read "Dodgers are only ___6.5___ games back."
I'm shutting down now, gotta get my mind off the Dodgers...
did you really have to do that Bob?, edgy very edgy.
The Brooklyn Dodgers have a bunch of those however. And a few 0-13 stretches.
I think the Dodgers just might take that series.
The ^%$@#^ plane has crashed into the mountain!
6 Days to go!
I just realized Park is right handed--how come Drew got the night off? Is he hurt?
Or just hurting.
The plane has crashed into the mountain and I think it's only a matter of time before this turns into a scene out of "Alive".
What I see emerging in this GM is an insecure, petty man who's first priority is to discredit his predecessor.
I work in the public sector (schools). This guy's management style is quite similar to "career superintendents" who, when replacing individuals who dared to challenge the system (and paid the price for doing so), first set out to "purge the system" of the last guy's ideas/reforms.
I sense that there are a few more Navarros and OPs in this system whose days in LA are numbered. The ones in uniform are easier to predict.
BTW, the Los Angeles public schools will soon be getting a Ned Colletti.
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