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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

Decency
2006-09-07 11:01
by Jon Weisman

Decent players are inconsistent great players, mediocrities are inconsistent good players, bad players are ... just bad players.

The Dodgers are truly madly decent, with teammate after teammate capable of competing for Player of the Month and Loser of the Month consecutively. Derek Lowe, Matt Kemp, Nomar Garciaparra (slumping significantly of late), Aaron Sele ... need I go on?

Right now, the starter of tonight's game in New York, Brad Penny, is on the wrong side of the Ferris Wheel. In this season of mental and physical hithers and yons, I predict Penny will right himself before season's end. Maybe even tonight.

Of course, that means Lowe has a dog start left on him this month. So it goes. Decency is not always its own reward.

Nevertheless, Penny can be good, so Penny will be good.

Comments (133)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-09-07 11:21:39
1.   ToyCannon
Julio Lugo can be good, so Lugo will be good.
Nomar can be good, so Nomar will be good.
Drew can be good, so Drew will be good.

Repeat 3 times holding a blue candle in one hand and a blue baseball glove in the other while spinning in a sphere no larger then 3 feet drawn on the floor in the room where you watch the Blue and your hopes will be true.

2006-09-07 11:34:43
2.   Bob Timmermann
How can you draw a sphere (a 3-dimensional object) on a floor?
2006-09-07 11:34:54
3.   joekings
1 - Do I need a live chicken as well?
2006-09-07 11:36:13
4.   DeucesAreWild
Let's hope we don't see Angry Brad tonight.

When Calm Brad turns into Angry Brad, bad things happen. Most notibly, Angry Brad wants to throw 100 mph fastballs right by hitters, instead of mixing it up more and keeping them off balance.

Ironically, Derek Lowe could teach Brad a little something about composure on the mound.

2006-09-07 11:39:50
5.   bhsportsguy
Certainly this team does not have that one player like Beltre in 2004 or Gagne from 2002-2004 who was clearly having a career year, in fact the most likely players on the roster to have that kind of year are both rookies, Chad and Matt Kemp so it won't happen until next year at the earliest.

That said, just because you don't have that player does not mean you can't win but then it just takes everyone being good at the same time which of course leads to streaky play.

2006-09-07 11:40:49
6.   Sam DC
Sort of interesting in a meta-way:

Pip (STL): For those of us losers who have yet to purchase your and Pete Palmer's Encyclopedia, could you please tell us if Isringhausen set the Cardinals' franchise mark for blown saves yesterday? FYI, if the season ended today, he would have set the new franchise record for Losses per Inning Pitched (L/IP).

Gary Gillette: (2:13 PM ET ) Pip, I never call people who haven't bought our book "losers". It's a great book and a great bargain, but I understand why baseball fans would feel they can get what they need from the Internet.

2006-09-07 11:47:05
7.   joekings
Kind of fun site a friend sent me. He didn't see the point in it but I kinda like it.

http://www.baseballrace.com/main_racePlayer.asp

2006-09-07 12:17:56
8.   sanchez101
Is JD Drew's season thus far a dissapointment? His struggles after the allstar break had me hoping he could be the offensive force during the stretchrun. Drew's been healthy, but where is the .300 batting average, the .400 OBP, and the 30 homeruns we were promised if Drew stayed off the DL?

On a side note, I didnt catch some of last nights game, where did Kemp hit his triple? I dont think I have ever seen him take a pitch towards right or center. Proving he can hit pitches on the outer half the other way seems to me to be the biggest obstacle he needs to overcome before being a regular position player.

2006-09-07 12:18:08
9.   Sam DC
The Boz pens a love letter -- well, a like letter -- to Ryan Church.

http://tinyurl.com/o9adg

2006-09-07 12:21:23
10.   Shovav
May all our thoughts and prayers go out to Pepe Yniguez' wife Margarita. I have never listened to Pepe, but anyone in the Dodger family gets added to my prayers when something of this magnitude happens. May she have a speedy recovery.
2006-09-07 12:24:27
11.   bigcpa
Does anyone get the feeling we're headed toward a repeat of 1996 - LA & SD fighting it out down the stretch with next to nothing at stake?
2006-09-07 12:26:15
12.   regfairfield
8 Drew isn't doing quite what was expected, but he leads the team in on base percentage, patience, and he's second in isolated power. If he has a strong finish, he could end up with an .880 OPS or so. Not great, but within the realm of statistical variance.
2006-09-07 12:27:26
13.   bigcpa
One more thing- if the Padres stick to their 5-man rotation we would miss Peavy in the 4-game series. SD has an off-day Monday so maybe they'll have Peavy go Weds on normal rest then Mon 9/18 @ LA.
2006-09-07 12:28:04
14.   regfairfield
11 If Florida keeps playing like they have been, it could get interesting.
2006-09-07 12:33:54
15.   Chyll Will
2 Invite him to a sit-down dinner...

or use vectors; curves and low sliders.

2006-09-07 12:43:09
16.   Xeifrank
The wrong side of a ferris wheel. This one is throwing me for a bit of a loop. Perhaps because it's a thursday. But anyways, a ferris wheel has a top and a bottom, not exactly what I would call sides. Unless of course you count the tangent of the top and bottom as a side. You do have a left and right side of a ferris wheel. I'm not sure which of those two would constitute a wrong side. And ferris wheels have an outside and an inside, perhaps an argument could be made as to which would be the wrong side but I can't think of one. Thoughts? Sorry for the ramble it could also be the ruffles potato chips doing the talking. vr, Xei
2006-09-07 12:49:59
17.   Jon Weisman
16 - The side going down.
2006-09-07 12:50:27
18.   JJoeScott
13 Peavy pitching @ LA ... death ... taxes ...
2006-09-07 12:51:36
19.   Marty
Wrong half of the ferris wheel?
2006-09-07 12:51:51
20.   Sam DC
Carlos Marmol!
2006-09-07 12:53:53
21.   adamclyde
Let's keep our fingers crossed for Penny and team. I'm off now to go to Shea. Will be there tonight, tomorrow and Saturday. bummed our kid billingsly won't be there tomorrow, but hopefully kuo will do well. And maddux on saturday... I'm hoping for a return to his first few starts when he came to the dodgers... that whole madly inconsistent thing again...
2006-09-07 13:01:31
22.   Bob Timmermann
I would be shocked if the Padres didn't alter their rotation to have Peavy pitch in L.A.
2006-09-07 13:04:44
23.   gpellamjr
I want to say that the Dodgers need to put their best lineup in there today, but I don't know what that is anymore. Whatever it is, though, it doesn't involve Lugo or Lofton. I think Saenz should play 3B against Glavine. Is that even an option anymore?

I've seen switch hitters bat left handed against Glavine before. Is that an option for Betemit?

2006-09-07 13:27:36
24.   Benaiah
My Ideal lineup:
Furcal, SS
Drew, RF
Ethier, LF
Kemp, CF
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Martin, C
Betemit, 3B
2006-09-07 13:31:20
25.   Benaiah
Unfortunately the real one has Hall and Lugo.

Furcal, SS
Lugo, 3B
Garciaparra, 1B
Drew, RF
Kent, 2B
Ethier, LF
Kemp, CF
Hall, C
Penny, P

2006-09-07 13:31:55
26.   gpellamjr
25 Whew... I was afraid Hall wouldn't get any playing time in the series against the best team in the league.
2006-09-07 13:36:30
27.   regfairfield
Hey, the second best hitter on the team is playing. There's a novel idea.
2006-09-07 13:50:17
28.   capdodger
Hah.. Someone lifted Jon's entry and placed it in the comments of ITD w/o citation.

Hall?

2006-09-07 13:51:55
29.   50 years a Dodger Fan
12 Drew .382
Ethier .380
Nomar .377
For the money, I'll take Ethier.
2006-09-07 13:53:21
30.   50 years a Dodger Fan
28 Does it every day. BlueTahoe we think. He was banned here.
2006-09-07 13:56:40
31.   JoeyP
27. But the worst hitter batting 2nd isnt.
2006-09-07 13:57:24
32.   capdodger
30 That must have happened during my no-internet-except-fantasy-football-draft period. Probably a good time to be moving.
2006-09-07 13:57:33
33.   jasonungar05
The Lugo love is just killing me. Other than Penny, he would be the last guy in the starting lineup i'd want batting 2nd. Hall included.
2006-09-07 14:00:00
34.   regfairfield
At least Lugo was good at some point. He shouldn't be hitting second, but he's not a black hole of suck.
2006-09-07 14:04:59
35.   dsfan
I agree with a point Joey P made yesterday:

Dodgers should call up every single guy they can. You go for every advantage on the margin that the rules allow. I don't enjoy the aesthetics of September baseball. It's too specialized. It's virtually a different sport. But it's prudent to exploit the rules to the hilt.

The Padres are doing an excellent job of this. They have given Bochy a ton of options. And he is availing himself, pursuing as many favorable matchups as possible.

Someone here asked ecently how the Padres are winning so many games. One reason is they are more efficient on the margins than many other clubs.

Guys like Branyan and McAnulty and Sledge and Alexander have serious flaws, but they all have one differentiating tool, and Bochy's management plus a deep roster is bringing those tools into play.

Little probably would do the same. Give him every option the roster allows.

40-man roster construction is another factor. It appears the SD roster on the edges offers more depth and difference0-making tools (I think LA has better "everyday" starting talent).

Conversely, the Rockies and Reds are quite poor on the margins, carrying way too many ciphers, and employing managers who are pretty poor chess players.

2006-09-07 14:06:01
37.   Gagne55
The parenthesis is not part of the emoticon, btw.
2006-09-07 14:07:22
38.   Shotupthemiddle
I know Grady likes the right-left-right trio of Nomar-Drew-Kent, but I think our best option second in the order is JD. If you want to split up Nomar and Kent and get a lefty inbetween, I wouldn't mind seeing Betemit hit in the cleanup spot.

Furcal
Drew
Nomar
Saenz/Betemit
Kent
Ethier
Kemp
Martin
Pitcher

That pretty much ignores Lofton, though. Which bothers me. And ignores Lugo, which doesn't bother me.

2006-09-07 14:10:41
39.   JoeyP
At this point I'd play Betemit at 3rd over Lugo, even against LHP. Betemit has struggled, but maybe the more he sees them the better he'll do.

Of course, the best answer is Saenz but for reasons unknown, he's not allowed to start more than 1 game per month.

2006-09-07 14:12:38
40.   Sam DC
Hey Gagne55, I think that your especially colorful comments on Lugo in 36 go a little too far for a family website.
2006-09-07 14:12:58
41.   Bluebleeder87
8

Repko had the same problem last year, i'm sure Kemp will fix that little "hick up" (he's to darn good not too) i love seeing the progess of rookies year in & year out.

2006-09-07 14:19:19
43.   Bob Timmermann
The Dodgers have 34 players on the active roster now. The Padres have 33.

I'm still trying to figure out what the other six players would be doing to help the Dodgers.

2006-09-07 14:21:34
44.   Benaiah
I think that sample size is a problem when talking about Lugo, he isn't as bad as he has been (not that he should be hitting 2nd anyway). If he just had 4 more singles in 96 at bats his line would be 271/342/323, not great, but I doubt we would be complaining as much. He has been atrocious, and I hate that Plaschke is ignoring this because it doesn't fit his agenda, but he isn't this bad and he has been quite good in the past.
2006-09-07 14:22:01
45.   blue22
8 - No one answered your question about Kemp's triple. He pulled it down the line, and the leftfielder expected it bounce off the jutted out stands right past where the ball girl usually sits.

It hugged the stands instead, and made it down to the corner past the leftfielder. Kemp just kept running, making it standing up.

I wasn't watching the game THAT closely, but I think his go-ahead single was hit harder.

42 - It's not, considering the context. Why would it matter anyway?

2006-09-07 14:22:30
46.   Benaiah
43 - What if we got involved in an 84 inning game Bob? Perhaps we could use some extra players in that case.
2006-09-07 14:23:24
47.   blue22
43 - Isn't chemistry additive (the more the players, the higher concentration of chemistry, assuming the clubhouse stays the same size)?

It's simple thermodynamics, Bob.

2006-09-07 14:24:51
48.   regfairfield
Mark Alexander could be a guy who I won't assume will give up the lead everytime he's on the mound.
2006-09-07 14:25:29
49.   blue22
48 - Didn't you say he wasn't on the 40-man?
2006-09-07 14:27:19
50.   regfairfield
49 Add the man. 60 Day DL Gagne.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-09-07 14:29:49
51.   the OZ
47 Bernoulli's principle applies: the more players in a clubhouse with constant volume and constant temperature, the greater the pressure therein. The only way to keep clubhouse pressure constant in this case is to reduce the temperature by turning up the A/C.

This is all predicated on Bill James' groundbreaking research that conclusively proves the behavior of MLB players exactly follow the laws of fluid dynamics.

2006-09-07 14:30:08
52.   Bluebleeder87
so Mark Alexander is on the DL?
2006-09-07 14:35:36
53.   blue22
51 - Drats! Foiled again by Bernoulli's principle.

That's the third time today!

2006-09-07 14:35:50
54.   caseybarker
51 This is only the ideal behavior.
2006-09-07 14:38:22
55.   still bevens
48 Isnt Alexander playing for Jacksonville in the playoffs? Also, I think he was kinda bad during his brief run in AAA.
2006-09-07 14:39:42
56.   the OZ
51 So, last season Carlos Beltran and Mike Cameron were involved in perfectly elastic outfield collision?
2006-09-07 14:40:26
57.   Bluebleeder87
so Mark Alexander is on the DL?
2006-09-07 14:40:34
58.   Benaiah
What about that old guy we got from the Sox for Alomar? The pitcher who tore up low ball, but is pretty old for his competition? I would love to see him pitch in the bigs and see if he can hack it.
2006-09-07 14:41:04
59.   caseybarker
If players were phases of matter, which phase would Jeff Kent be?
2006-09-07 14:41:43
60.   Bluebleeder87
57

oops i really am sorry, i thought it didn't go thrue the 1st time.

2006-09-07 14:46:22
61.   the OZ
59 It's tempting to answer "decline phase".

In reality, Jeff Kent is a liquid. When cooled by attaching ice packs to his sore obliques, Kent transforms into a solid. When angered in the liquid state, he gets heated and transforms into a gas. When is solid phase, Kent is capable of sublimating directly into gas state. When angered by Barry Bonds, he superheats into plasma.

2006-09-07 14:54:01
62.   Jon Weisman
Comments 36 & 42 were deleted.
2006-09-07 14:57:22
63.   Jon Weisman
By the way, I haven't ruled out JoeyP's stalker as my imposter or co-imposter, since he often hits both of us in sequence.
2006-09-07 14:57:39
64.   Bob Timmermann
The Dodgers magic number to make the playoffs can only go down if they win tonight. The Padres are off and the teams tied for second in the wild card, Philadelphia and Florida, play each other.

The Dodgers magic number to clinch a playoff spot, according to the RIOT number site, is 20.

2006-09-07 15:00:34
65.   regfairfield
64 Is there a way for your magic number to not go down if you win?

Isn't the situation that the magic number will not change unless the Dodgers win?

2006-09-07 15:02:03
66.   regfairfield
63 They posted the fact that you and JoeyP come from the same IP.
2006-09-07 15:02:43
67.   Bob Timmermann
Also, acccording to the fine people at the RIOT number site, only five teams in the NL control their own destiny regarding a playoff spot, i.e, they can win a certain number of games and not have to worry about anyone else losing.

1. Mets
2. Cardinals
3. Dodgers
4. Padres
5. Astros

The Astros would have to win EVERY game down the stretch however. The Astros have seven games left with the Cardinals and four with the Phillies.

2006-09-07 15:05:10
68.   Bob Timmermann
65
When I reread 64 I realized that I had some modifier problems.

What I meant was...

The Dodgers magic number today will go down only if one scenario happens today: The Dodgers win

There is no other event that can happen today that would cause it to go down.

2006-09-07 15:05:48
69.   Xeifrank
I did a non scientific study of the Dodgers and Padres remaining schedule. I looked at each of the remaining dates and gave an advantage to the team with the easier game. On games that were too tough to call I called them even. The Dodgers got a +1 for having an advantage that day, a -1 for the Padres having the advantage, a 0 for an even game and a plus or minus 0.5 for one team having an advantage while the other had an off day (2 more days like that remain). Here is what I came up with.

Date,Dodgers,Padres,Advantage,LA Gain
9/7,@NYM,BYE,SD,-0.5
9/8,@NYM,@SF,E,0
9/9,@NYM,@SF,E,0
9/10,@NYM,@SF,E,0
9/11,BYE,BYE,E,0
9/12,@CHC,@CIN,LA,1
9/13,@CHC,@CIN,LA,1
9/14,@CHC,@CIN,LA,1
9/15,SD,@LA,LA,1
9/16,SD,@LA,LA,1
9/17,SD,@LA,LA,1
9/18,SD,@LA,LA,1
9/19,PIT,ARZ,E,0
9/20,PIT,ARZ,E,0
9/21,PIT,ARZ,E,0
9/22,ARI,PIT,SD,-1
9/23,ARI,PIT,SD,-1
9/24,ARI,PIT,SD,-1
9/25,BYE,@STL,LA,0.5
9/26,@COL,@STL,LA,1
9/27,@COL,@STL,LA,1
9/28,@COL,@ARZ,E,0
9/29,@SF,@ARZ,E,0
9/30,@SF,@ARZ,E,0
10/1,@SF,@ARZ,E,0

Sure, picking the advantage is subjective and I am just doing this for kicks and giggles. Well, more kicks than giggles if you pin me down on it. I have the Dodgers with a +6. I think the Dodgers have the easier remaining schedule and are lucky the Padres will be playing at SF while the Dodgers are playing at New York. vr, Xei

2006-09-07 15:07:02
70.   Shotupthemiddle
A very small part of me wants the Phils or Fish to win the Wild Card.

We would match up with the Mets (unless we finish above St. Louis). And I'd rather match up with the Mets in a short series than in a long one. Ride Penny and Lowe and cross our fingers.

2006-09-07 15:08:25
71.   Xeifrank
70. Penny & Lowe, then pray for snow?
vr, Xei
2006-09-07 15:09:37
72.   Sam DC
I feel bad for Josh and his burgeoning comments hassles.
2006-09-07 15:11:49
73.   Shotupthemiddle
71. Sounds good to me. And in The Big Apple in October, it could happen.

Actually, I couldn't find anything that rhymes with Billingsley...

2006-09-07 15:13:25
74.   blue22
70 - The flipside to that is NY can ride Glavine and Pedro for 4/5ths of the series. I'd like more opportunities to expose the soft underbelly of their 3rd and 4th starters.

I'll take my chances against StL in any length series. They've got Carpenter and...um...well, I know they have other throwers of the ball, I'm just drawing a blank right now. It'll come to me.

2006-09-07 15:13:40
75.   Bluebleeder87
62

i'll be s good soldier Jon, scouts honer.

2006-09-07 15:13:52
76.   Todd
65 If Clint Hurdle is your manager, you can win a game and still actually lose it. It's proven mathematical fact.
2006-09-07 15:15:22
77.   Xeifrank
65. if you win your magic number goes down by one, if you win and the other team(s) loses then your magic number goes down by 2. It's a combination of your wins and their losses. vr, Xei
2006-09-07 15:17:18
78.   Bob Timmermann
77
Actually, regairfield and I are saying the same thing, but each time we put a modifier in the wrong place and our statements sound wrong even though we both know what we're talking about.
2006-09-07 15:17:18
79.   Shotupthemiddle
74. The upside to your flipside is that the Dodgers spanked both Pedro and Glavine in the earlier three-game series at the Ravine. It was just a bad break that we were still trying out the Odalis/Seo horrorshow in our rotation.
2006-09-07 15:17:30
80.   Xeifrank
73. How about, Lowe and Chad then pray Penny doesn't get mad?? That's the best I could come up with. I know, it's his first name but...
vr, Xei
2006-09-07 15:17:46
81.   gibsonhobbs88
64,65 - With only a one game lead, magic numbers should not even be discussed until less than 5 games remain, I would not even discuss magic numbers unless a division leader had at least a 5 game cushion with 20 to go, i.e. Mets, Cards, Yankees. Tigers were in this group until the last 10 days have made their lead now precarious. The A's while leading by 5 1/2 might see that shrink next week if the Angels continue hot on their homestand and the A's have three tough ones next week at the Metrodome!! This weekend will test my nerves, Padres v. Giants and Dodgers at the Mets.
2006-09-07 15:18:30
82.   caseybarker
Penny and Bills give me the chills
2006-09-07 15:18:35
83.   Sam DC
Sometimes when you win, you really lose. Sometimes when you lose, you really win. Sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie. Sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose.

Hmmmmm . . . Now I'm thirsty.

2006-09-07 15:19:22
84.   Bluebleeder87
i wish Bills was ready, i'd really like to see him pitch against the over paid Mets.
2006-09-07 15:21:03
85.   Bluebleeder87
82

Lowe & Maddux aren't to shaby ethier.when there right.

2006-09-07 15:21:28
86.   popup
73 thrillingly?

Stan from Tacoma

2006-09-07 15:21:54
87.   Bluebleeder87
watching Kuo start on Friday will be cool.
2006-09-07 15:22:15
88.   blue22
I'm predicting a big series for the Giants. I just know they'll figure out a way to make this a 3 team race.

And tonight is Matt Cain vs. Jake Peavy (maybe the two hottest pitchers in the NL right now?). If SF can take this one, they look setup to take the series.

2006-09-07 15:23:06
89.   Shotupthemiddle
Brad. Then Chad. Then Lowe. Then snow.

Then repeat.

2006-09-07 15:25:08
90.   Bob Timmermann
I prefer to think of the Padres-Giants series as the "Dodgers Fan Moral Dilemma Special"
2006-09-07 15:25:32
91.   gibsonhobbs88
71 - Bills, Maddux & Lowe and pray Penny's fuse does not blow!
2006-09-07 15:26:32
92.   Bluebleeder87
90

exactly Bob.

2006-09-07 15:30:07
93.   trainwreck
No dilemma for me. Need the Giants to win, even though I hate them with a passion.
2006-09-07 15:30:09
94.   Shotupthemiddle
90. The Giant-Padre series will make you realize if you're a "glass half-empty" or a "glass half-full" kinda guy.

Padres lost? Sweet. But those Giants scare me.

Padres won? Not again. But at least those Giants are falling back.

It's a personality test, disguised as September baseball.

2006-09-07 15:31:07
95.   Shotupthemiddle
90. The Giant-Padre series will make you realize if you're a "glass half-empty" or a "glass half-full" kinda guy.

Padres lost? Sweet. But those Giants scare me.

Padres won? Not again. But at least those Giants are falling back.

It's a personality test, disguised as September baseball.

2006-09-07 15:31:24
96.   Shotupthemiddle
sorry for the double
2006-09-07 15:31:30
97.   Bob Timmermann
The Tigers-Twins series is something of a moral dilemma for me (well, I guess it's not moral, maybe logical), because I don't want the White Sox to make the playoffs. But it's not a severe one, since I can just root for the White Sox to lose.
2006-09-07 15:32:11
98.   Bob Timmermann
Everytime you double post, you have to draw a sphere on the floor.
2006-09-07 15:33:47
99.   popup
For older Dodger fans there is no dilemma. A loss by the Giants is always preferred.

Stan from Tacoma

2006-09-07 15:33:53
100.   gibsonhobbs88
90 - True at this time of year, though my hatred for the "hated ones" will almost always prevail forcing me to hope the Padres will take the division if the Dodgers don't. My gut always revolts at the thought of the Giants getting the best of us and getting in while we watch.

BTW, to the poster with the name Crain, the book is True Blue by Steve Delsohn that through interviews with people connected to O'Malley and the Dodgers front office lays out the factors that led to O'Malley's decision to sell the Dodgers. Chapter 32, pages 243-247 lays it all on the line. True evil doers to O'Malley, Bud Selig and his small market cronies including Reinsdorf, {Selig's bed partner ;)}, and the LA politicians, Mark Ridley Thomas and then Mayor Riordan.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-09-07 15:33:56
101.   Bluebleeder87
I gotta love the enemy today, but in the back of my mind i'l be like i still hate you Giants
2006-09-07 15:34:52
102.   Bluebleeder87
96

are you sure you're nick ins't "stand up double?"

2006-09-07 15:35:46
103.   trainwreck
We can beat the Giants, I am not worried about that. We have a harder time trying to beat the Padres so I want as much of a gap between us and the Padres as possible.
2006-09-07 15:36:47
104.   natepurcell
on the imposter thing, i usually dont talk about the happenings of other websites here but its related to the current situation.

over at the dodgers scout.com board, two posters- bluetahoe and oldbear post. The mods over there ran IP searches and the two posters had the exact same IP address.

So i fear that its one person, impersonating two people at multiple dodger blogs/message boards.

2006-09-07 15:36:53
105.   Johnson
80 "Lowe and Billingsley and no Penny killing spree"? Is that what you were after?
2006-09-07 15:36:55
106.   Shotupthemiddle
102. That was more a "ground-rule" double.
2006-09-07 15:37:02
107.   trainwreck
Plus, it would feel so much better to crush the Giants dreams in the last series of the season.
2006-09-07 15:37:13
108.   Todd
I make the distinction of not ___actively____ rooting for the Gnats to win. If they win, well, that helps our squad...but, um, rooting for the Gnats....'scuse me, leaves me with a rotten taste in my mouth (and I'm not "old".....unless I guess you're a high school student or something....)
2006-09-07 15:38:09
109.   Bob Timmermann
Is the enemy of your enemy always your friend?

It's not always the case. Sometimes you may end up with a situation like the US and the Soviet Union at the end of World War II.

Or even the American Revolution and the US-France relationship.

Or Japan and Italy, who were on the Allies side in WWI and on the other side in WWII.

I don't trust the Padres. I like to keep my friends close. And my enemies closer.

2006-09-07 15:38:51
110.   trainwreck
I didn't even know Scout has sections on pro teams. I just go there for UCLA recruiting information. You learn something everyday.
2006-09-07 15:39:14
111.   bigcpa
Whatever happened to Old Bear? Does he post here under a different handle?
2006-09-07 15:40:16
112.   caseybarker
When the Padres and Giants play, I always root for an umpteen inning, zero-zero tie. Or a beanball war.
2006-09-07 15:40:22
113.   natepurcell
110

The scout.com dodger board is actually really good. There is a prospects thread dating back 3-4 years that have contributions by myself, canuck and others.

Its probably the best thread in the world.

2006-09-07 15:40:25
114.   Bluebleeder87
104

that's when i love smart people interpoling the blogs/message boards.

2006-09-07 15:40:29
115.   trainwreck
111
Yeah. He still sparks a lot of debates.
2006-09-07 15:42:04
116.   scooplew
Did I miss something? Why is Lugo starting ahead of Betemit? Is Betemit considered weaker as a right-handed batter. Why is Hall starting ahead of Martin? And why is Lugo batting second? He has five hits in his last 38 at bats.
2006-09-07 15:43:55
117.   Bluebleeder87
111

Joeyp notice the little tongue sticking out on the p

2006-09-07 15:44:15
118.   Marty
RegFairfield now has a sock puppet posting as him at ITD. I wish someone would post under my name.
2006-09-07 15:45:36
119.   Daniel Zappala
I have a very simple philosophy. I root for the Dodgers/Angels to win it all, and for exciting and enjoyable games in all of MLB along the way. Life is too short to be worrying about 'enemies' when it comes to baseball, and whether they have won or lost.

The exception to the rule is the Yankees. They must always lose. :-)

2006-09-07 15:45:42
120.   Bob Timmermann
The Giants have defeated the Padres 10 of 16 times this year.

When they last played in San Franisco, the Giants won the first three games of the series and pulled into first place. Then they lost the last game, which turned into an 8-game losing streak. Then they beat Washington, lost 2 of 3 to the Rockies, 2 of 3 to the DBacks, 3 straight to the Dodgers and then headed to San Diego.

Where they won four straight.

2006-09-07 15:45:52
121.   Bluebleeder87
116

i understand the Lugo "thing" good speed, but Hall over Martin? what!

2006-09-07 15:47:56
122.   still bevens
116 We have Lugo batting second so he can pop out on bunt attempts to not move guys over.
2006-09-07 15:48:45
123.   natepurcell
I want an imposter as well marty.

I want to feel special!

2006-09-07 15:50:39
124.   Daniel Zappala
Kemp is in the lineup again. That more than counterbalances Lugo.
2006-09-07 15:52:12
125.   Bluebleeder87
123

that's when you know you've arrived as a blogger/message board guru.

2006-09-07 15:52:15
126.   Bob Timmermann
124

Like a funicular?

2006-09-07 15:53:20
127.   Shotupthemiddle
124. I think Lugo carrying a 50-pound bag of cement mix would counterweight young Mr. Kemp.
2006-09-07 15:59:03
128.   Bob Timmermann
If only Curt Schilling were pitching! Lugo is batting .365 against him!

Lugo also hits very well against Darrell Kile.

2006-09-07 16:00:51
129.   gpellamjr
A few days ago, I came up with a chant to deal with Billz's being hurt, it's "Maddux and Lowe and pray Billz can go." It hasn't seemed to catch on.

I think I'll go over to ITD and be Bob's imposter. I'll be very nice and avuncular and know everything.

2006-09-07 16:01:02
130.   bigcpa
I think we have a Bob impostor as well. His spelling is never this bad. Out you troll!
2006-09-07 16:03:42
131.   Shotupthemiddle
Somehow I think Lugo's lifetime BA vs. Darryl Kile will remain constant.

The way he's going, his lifetime BA against everyone else will drop steadily.

2006-09-07 16:04:48
132.   gpellamjr
130 doesn't believe in acceptable variants.
2006-09-07 16:07:26
133.   Daniel Zappala
126 Kemp's skills are so prodigious, he could counterbalance David Wells on a funicular.
2006-09-07 16:10:19
134.   Daniel Zappala
I am amazed to discover that Mount Vesuvius had a working funicular from 1880 to 1944. Matt Kemp built it.
2006-09-07 16:12:51
135.   Bluebleeder87
i don't know if Jon has mentiod it but game day chat is open peepz, & as i say that Lugo gets a hit!

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