Another reason to dislike Woody Williams (if one were necessary): Steve Phillips likes him.

Wow, the Times had five reporters at the game yesterday. Not that I'm complaining, but here was that kind of coverage during the DePo era?

2 - I think it was planned for the anniversary celebration.

But yes, as the season wound down in 2004, there was plenty of coverage.

Moral of the story: if you're trying to break in to someone else's myspace account, try cookie123, first.

http://tinyurl.com/g6ldf

2 I meant where was, not here was. Although with that typo I actually ended up answering my own question inadvertently.

Probably helped that UCLA was off Saturday too.

Looks like there at least five reporters at the Coliseum too for the USC game.

I seem to recall that there was a thunderstorm that had just passed through or was in the area, cooling the air a bit. I've always wondered if a local low pressure front had changed the game's outcome.

The bad weather helped Nomo, but it didn't seem to do much for Bill Swift.

Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Lugo, 2B
Kent, 1B
Drew, RF
Betemit, 3B
Ethier, LF
Martin, C
Lowe, P

The one thing that is comparable to that faithful day in 1996, both Nomo and Lowe started the day with 15 wins.

Today's trivia question from RFK stadium. - what is the only college w/a bear themed mascot to win the college world series?

Well-pitched through four by Doug Davis.

10
Cal.

How many MVPs of the College World Series are currently playing in the majors now?

"a bear-themed mascot"

The Koalas? The Sun Bears?

Was sitting behind home plate in the lodge last night. Got to talk to Russell Martin, Sr again but unfortunately, that was the highlight. Billingsley looked bad enough to get pulled from the rotation. Not just the results, bad results can come from ok pitching. I don't think I'd trust him in another start this year. I'd rather see any of our other choices. Or couldn't we get away with a 4-man from here on out, especially since nobody goes more than 6-7 anyway?

13
They're trying to get you to guess UCLA.

And I can tell you about UCLA's dismal record in Omaha. They've only been there twice and went 0-2 each time.

One of life's mysteries is why USC, CS Fullerton, Long Beach State, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, and CS Northridge have had pretty good baseball programs and UCLA usually scrapes the bottom of the barrel. And the program produces good players too. But they stink as a team.

I'm looking at you Gary Adams.

The Tigers have rallied from a 5-1 deficit against the Orioles thanks in part to a 3-run double by Neifi Perez.

At least he's batting ninth.

Ryan Howard hits number 57, Phillies up 3-0 in the third.

15 Be nice to Gary Adams.

At his retirement party, his former players made up Gary Adams bobbleheads. When one player made a quick speech, he commented that he hadn't known the bobbleheads were going to be life-sized.

Gary is kind of short.

18
Did Al Scates and John Wooden come to the retirement party and taunt Gary Adams by wheeling in a bunch of NCAA championship trophies to taunt him?

Pedro Guerrero looks a lot smaller in the photo in today's Times (which I haven't yet found online.) Especially his head.

I met him once when he was with the Dodgers. He was the size of a grizzly bear.

The photo also identifies Bill Russell, but almost completely crops him out. All you can see is the back of his head.

Was Jack Perconte at the reunion? Pepe Frias? Dave Goltz?

Granted it was an abbreviated season, but the 1981 Dodgers used just 13 pitchers all year.
The Dodgers have used 21 pitchers this year.

21. I recall the first two; a negative on Goltz.

Yeah, Bob, but Gary Adams was teaching valuable life lessons and creating major league players.

Don't go trying to infuse that winning stuff into life lessons.

I misspoke (typed) about what the highlight of last night was.
The pregame ceremony was something special, the most special of any pregame ceremony I have ever seen. And Jack Perconte was there!
You can go to the Dodger website and see a video of the whole thing.
http://tinyurl.com/z78cq

14 I suppose this is the appropriate place for a warning about the pitfalls of judging a pitcher with an otherwise excellent record, based on exactly one inning of performance. Particularly when the pitcher in quesiton, going into that game, had the lowest ERA in the National League after the all-star break.

I also notice that I have disagreed with a rather large number of Greg's posts in recent days... Greg, I hope you know it's nothing personal.

25
As long as you don't ask him about his business. Never ask Greg S about his business.

Doesn't look like anyone answered the RFK trivia question. I'm guessing the Maine Black Bears.

Sam?

15 "And the program produces good players too."

Eric Karros and Todd Zeile thank you for your generosity of spirit.

27 Bob answered today's trivia question lightning-quick. He appears to still be flailing about on yesterday's, though.

27

Trust me, the answer was Cal. They've won twice including the very first CWS in 1947 when they beat Yale, which featured first baseman George Bush.

29
I lost track yesterday when it got very hectic at work and I actually had to use my brain for good, and not evil.

Has Baylor ever won a NC?

12 Todd Walker and Huston Street, I think. Windsor's a September callup. I'm sure there are others. I'm an alumnus and I can't even remember whether Clemens won in '83. I'm guessing he did.

Lugo in the 3-spot is a lineup killer.
What is Grady's rationale for batting his worst hitter 3rd in the lineup?

32 No. Not much pitching between Ted Lyons and Jason Jennings.

Plus, it's Baylor.

Baylor has won NCAA championships in two sports:

men's tennis
women's basketball

I did not know that off the top of my head. But rather happened to have this nifty site open.

http://tinyurl.com/255ry

33
Calvin Schiraldi was the MVP in 1983.

One of the MVPs will be playing at Dodger Stadium today.

I stood next to Guerrero in a Dodger Stadium elevator sometime when he was playing and he seemed gigantic.

36
Southern California: 73
UCLA: 70
Stanford: 57
Oklahoma State: 48
Arkansas: 43
Michigan: 30
Yale: 25
Indiana: 23
California: 22
Iowa: 21
UTEP: 21

[stands back admiringly]

"One of the MVPs will be playing at Dodger Stadium today."

Didn't I get that one already? Or is there another?

39

UTEP is still waiting for a women's title however.

UCLA is planning a big celebration for the 100th overall national champion. They actually have won 100, but they were stripped of one softball championship because they used an Australian pitcher, Tanya Harding, pretty much like a ringer. I don't know if she ever passed a class.

25 Not taken personally! I come here for the good friendly discussion, not necessarily for any immediate agreement.
I hope I have proven myself to be somebody who doesn't quickly jump at first reactions. I even defended Tomko the other day! And Bills' number since All-Star break are imperssive. But much like Kemp who was hitting .360 with an OPS of a million in June, I'm very afraid that Bills' numbers betray the truth. I think he has a very serious problem with control. He can't throw strikes at will let alone hit spots. His stuff is Major League. His command is douleb A.
And last night, his stuff wasn't even there. Did you see his curveball (I mean attempted curveball)? I think that, also like Kemp, the league has figured him out. Like today's LAT said. Just let him dig his own hole by not swinging and wait for him to pipe one.
Letting him learn and grow is all well and good. Just not in September with the season on the line.

34 Someone commenting on the Inside the Dodgers blog noted the team was 9-2 when Lugo is in the 3 hole. True story.

40
Never mind. Walker, Street, and Windsor are three of them.

There are four more.

44
And Eric got one of the two September callups and he got the one who hasn't played since being called up. The other one has played a bit.

Is Phil Nevin's corpse still on somebody's roster?

42 I attribute Billinglsey's lack of command due to not pitching for awhile. Nate was commenting yesterday about how much he worried about Billsingley losing his groove and I think his fears were warranted. As far as the league figuring him out is concerned, I dont think the 'take some pitches' approach tactic used by Bochy last night is limited only to Chad. Im sure they'll have the same approach to Penny on Monday. Might involve fouling off more pitches, but somewhat similar.

Phil Nevin is starting at first base for the Twins today.

Of the three remaining CWS MVPs, two of them are playing against each other today.

47 Right. Problem is that it will actually work with Chad because he has so little command of his pitches. Eric, I did go back and look at his game log since All-Star break and it is more impressive than I would have thought. But watching the guy is hard. He really does lack major league command and control and he is a time bomb on the mound. But I will agree that that record may warrant more patience than I am showing. I am conflicted!

I'm running out of guesses here... I'll say Marshall McDougall because I know he won it but I'm doubtful as to whether he's in the majors. I guess he could be the September callup.

50 Prior to this, Bills had walked three guys in his last three starts. Maybe it was a fluke, but it seemed like his control was improving.

Charlton Jimerson
Pat Burrell
Mark Kotsay

50 I totally see what you're saying. However, when we begin to judge pitchers based on how they look rather than how they pitch, I think we're asking for trouble. I mercifully missed last night's game due to a tivo malfunction, but I have no doubt that Billingsley looked as awful as you say he did. I just have doubts about how relevant that actually is. Some days you've got it, and some days you don't. Billingsley has "had it" more days than not.

Totally spaced on Kotsay. The other two I wouldn't have gotten.

No champagne popped for the Yankees today as the Blue Jays have won.

The Mets are looking to be swept in Pittsburgh.

I'm going to keep tossing this hanging curveball up to the plate until somebody hits it out:

Mark Lemke
Devon White
Mark Sweeney
Keith Lockhart
Mike Piazza
Jay Bell
Kenny Lofton
Jorge Posada
Edgar Renteria
Orlando Palmeiro

Carlos Zambrano has hit his fifth home run of the season today.

58 So he has more homers than one-third of our starting lineup today.

57 Game winning hits in a WS? grasping at straws here.

Cardinals and Giants rained out. I suppose it will be made up only if it affects the pennant race.

Final out of a WS?

57
2-run sacrifice flies?

Ooooh, Bob and I broke the space-time continuum

I believe our not very good first base prospect has the right answer.

62 Got it. Those players have made the final out of the last 10 baseball seasons.

66 I win!

Gimme somethin'

Pirates finish off the sweep of the Mets.

Bucs 3, Mets 0.

Is anyone seeing the Seattle vs. KC game on Prime Ticket?

67 Well, I do have an autographed postcard sitting here in front of me. It's postmarked 1984 and it says "To Eric, a future Dodger, from Greg Brock."

69- That's what I'm seeing as well...did the time or channel get switched?

71 Its been on for a while, not sure what is going on.

69
In Southern California, Dave Roberts steps up to the plate against Derek Lowe on Prime Ticket.

Prime has the Dodgers on where I am. (Time Warner West Valley)

70 The irony is staggering

Im getting the KC game too and I live in Culver City. Urge to kill rising...

I don't think sightings of John Wooden are all that rare. For a 97-year old man, he gets out a lot.

I'm on Time Warner in Lakewood, this is bizarre.

73 I'm in So Cal, at least I was when I woke up this morning.

79
To be precise, I'm using Time Warner San Marino/South Pasadena.

76 What part of Culver City, east or west of Tito's Tacos?

Ooh, an attempted sacrifice by the #3 hitter. Bruce Bochy pulling out a page of Japanese baseball strategy.

East of titos

Coincidentally, I live east of Tito's.

I think Eric Enders too.

Linkmeister lives to the west of Tito's.

82 Hopefully he didn't literally pull the page out. I'd like him to be able to use it again.

I have a death warrant ready to go on the Griddle. Just a few more outs.

Are we going to have to endure this entire game or what? Im debating driving to a sports bar somewhere.

I live 200 feet below Tito's. In a Land Cruiser. For some reason.

I am Tito. Top that.

87 Me too, but then won't they all have football on.

Can't you call your cable company and yell.

Loudly.

I believe Time Warner always has someone at 1 888 TW CABLE or something like that.

90 That bit didnt make it into my post, but should have.

The only place Im sure will have it is the last place I want to go - Barneys Beanery on the Promenade.

Never noticed Chris Young has the Danys Baez delivery.

92. You can go to the Fox & Hounds British pub in studio city. I guarantee the bar maid has the game on.

91- I tried calling and got a message saying they were handling too many calls and to call back later. Quite helpful.

93 Throw it as hard as you can and then snap your head around to look at the bleachers?

89- Tito--I am your father.

I just spoke to a Time Warner customer rep, she said they have informed Fox Sports about the game (she said to me, is this about the Dodger game) and it is up to them to change the feed.

Since a commercial just came on right in the middle of the KC/Seattle game, I am guessing that the switch has been made.

I really dislike Skip Carey. He think the Braves are going to win the game just because the winning run is coming to the plate. Wilber got a lucky a bloop single.

I was wrong.

Hanley Ramirez just made an error. The Marlins defense looks awful.

The death warrant I had prepared has been cancelled.

Okay, can we get a survey of where the game is on so I can figure out where to go.

I know it is off in the Westside. But it is on in Pasadena.

98- I still have the mariners game on mine.

Another error, Braves win. Braves score 5 runs in the 9th inning thanks to some really terrible defense. Carey is acting like the Braves just won the World Series.

Considering Honolulu is about the same latitude as Mexico City, I'm also south of Tito's Tacos.

We've had the Dodgers game on with no trouble on Prime Ticket since it began out here.

Actually, the death warrant I have prepapred can still be issued today.

D's Game on Extra Innings(DTV) in
Massachusetts.

This Young hasn't lost a road game in 22 cons. starts? Does'nt sound good.

It's on here in West LA but on DirecTV. Both on Prime Ticket and on Extra Innings.

Nice play Lugo, after looking like a dime store indian on play before.

It's on in Altadena. On Charter cable

I was in SD for the series in late April. I knew a rookie was pitching but didn't know his name. After about 5 innings of the Dodgers flailing I said to the guy next to me "the Dodgers are making this guy look like Cy Young". When he came to the plate in the next inning, he was up on the board and listed as "C. Young". For just a minute I had that feeling of complete confusion. True story. Stupid story but true story.

The odd thing about Young's record on the road is that he started off pitching in one of the best hitter's parks in the majors (Texas) and then moved to one of the best pitcher's parks (San Diego).

Last year with Texas, his home/road splits weren't too much different. This year his ERA is over 2 runs better on the road than at PETCO.

Go figure.

The safety net is less secure. Philadelphia beats Houston 5-3.

Just add one run to each team's totals there.

Dead team walking on the Griddle.

That Roger Clemens deal really worked out for Houston.

Chris Young provides a counter point to the "tall pitchers need a mullet to be successful" therom.

It's finally on here in Lakewood.

For those in the Culver City area watching the Seattle game (on Fox sports Northwest for some unknown reason), apparently rebooting (i.e. unplugging your cable box for a min) will restore fox sports west. And no, customer service is not answering the phone.

Who's kidnapped the Dodgers regular pitchers and replaced them with guys who get strikeouts?

However, when we begin to judge pitchers based on how they look rather than how they pitch, I think we're asking for trouble

I am judging Bills on how he has pitched, not how he looks doing it. He actually seems to have great mechanics. But he can't locate his pitches. I'm frankly shocked at the success he has had so far and I guess it is a credit to his usual stuff. He looked awful last night but it was only a slight exaggeration of his usual wildness and the Padres being patient. I'll agree that his success is the most important determiner of his deserving another start but boy, does he scare me.

By the way, Seattle leads KC 10-5 in the 9th.

One day we will judge pitchers not by how they look, but by the content of their character.

I have a dream!

kent is done. hes got nothing left.

126 Careful Bob. Don't go outside your motel room!

Okay, that's a first, for me. The old drop ball trick.

Now it's time for their rookie to look like a rookie.

I've never seen any pitcher drop the ball while throwing it except for Chris Young. When I've seen balks called because the pitcher dropped the ball, it's usually because the pitcher is in the stretch and just drops it while changing his grip.

Will Ethier take the first pitch?

Chris Young has gone all Billingsley on us! It would be nice that when the Dodgers made contact, they actually could hit the ball hard.

Mariners win!

Just in case, a lot of you were wondering how it came out.

It was right there, Ethier just missed it.

I thought Chris Young dropping the ball was pretty funny until I remembered Hendrickson falling. Ouch.

great job andre. could that ball have been saying hit me anymore?

This ump has given Young at least two strikes in an inning where he can't find the plate.

From #43, Re Bills

"I think that, also like Kemp, the league has figured him out"

Based on what? 1 inning after a 3 week layoff. As I commented on last night, I don't think I have ever seen a manager sit his pitcher after 1 inning. Also if you would rather someone else start in place of Chad (for the remainder of the year), whom would that be?

Pretty big zone that inning.

136 I don't see why both can't be funny.

here andre, heres a straight 86 mph fastball with no movement. im gonna throw it right down the middle for you.

139
I think Little just didn't think Billingsley was ready Saturday, but not necessarily for the rest of the year. With expanded rosters, he probably felt it was a safer bet to bring in some long men.

However, Stults and Hamulack were just as bad or worse.

Jeff Blum is starting to take on an Eric Byrnes level of annoyance to me.

i hear y, bob. and when did he turn into ozzy smith? i thought he was like some bootleg backup corner infielder.

139 Grady was right to pull Bills and one more batter and he would have been pulled before the innning ended. If you read my previous posts in this thread, I have explained on what I base my opinion. And right now, with the season on the line, I would rather go to a 4-man rotation. Short of that, I would rather start Hendrickson or Sele. This is the whole season. Bills may have a bright future but this is the present and everything is on the line.

139 I think the key will be how Chad feels today, if he has no pain, then I am sure he will throw on the side and pitch next week on schedule.

Blum is 13 for 31 against the Dodgers this year.

World Series Hero Geoff Blum knows how to win in October and September.

The White Sox in the top of the 5th at Oakland:
Single
CS
Single
Single
Walk
K
Pop out

There are many words to describe Jeff Kent at first.

Smooth is not one of those words.

151
I would think that with a sore side that stretching for a throw can't be easy and then having to catch one of Furcal's seeds is even tougher.

Furcal's nifty plays have ended a lot of dangerous innings lately. I loved Izzy, but the second half Furcal has had has nearly completely substantiated his price tag......for this year at least.

153
Rochester, NY or Rochester, MN?

146 To tone down my post a bit, I would consider starting Hendricson or Sele over Billingsley. As Eric pointed out, he has enough good starts to have earned some more patience. But I do think he is highly flawed right now.

At this point, facing Cla Meredith may be an improvement.

Was John Wooden really wearing a Bolo tie?

Vin Scully vs. John Wooden in an awesomeness contest would be very tough.

Thank goodness awesomeness contests don't exist.

Boy, Vin Scully talking about John Wooden. It's enough to make you want to be a better man.

157
When your John Wooden's age, you can wear a bolo, chaps, and spurs as far as I care.

157 I thought the same thing but hey its Coach Wooden.

154 Rochester, NY

I'm a SW Michigan transplant living in Rochester, NY....so an unlikely Dodger fan either way.

160 Can Howland wear a clip on tie?

Coach Howland can wear whatever he wants.

I don't care how great of a man John Wooden was/is. Vin Scully will always be one of my very few all-time heroes.

162
SW Michigan? Why that's God's Country?

If God liked places like Kalamazoo or Paw Paw.

Kenny was a great point guard; it's no wonder he wanted to meet Wooden.

I was a wrestling team manager, and I'd like to meet Coach Wooden.

160- Kinky.

I've spent some time in Rochester. I was there when Buffalo lost to Dallas in the Stanly Cup. Boy, were they peeved.

166 you know SW Michigan??? I was born in Three Rivers, grew up in Constantine if that means anything to you.

I'd like to think it is God's Country.

168
I think Coach Wooden could pull off the look.

If we're going to talk about Upstate New York, we're required, by law, to invite Tim Russert over to chat.

Hey, the law is the law.

169 Yeah, they are still a little upset about that, although the Bills upsetting the Dolphins has made it a little friendlier place around here today.

But I do think he is highly flawed right now.

That might be the case, but what do you consider Hendrickson or Sele? Hendrickson has been a train wreck as a starter, and Sele hasnt had a good start in like 3 months.

You'd consider starting either of those guys ahead of Billingsley?

Billingsley may be only an average pitcher, but he's at least capable of being good. Starting Hendy/Sele is basically conceding the game at this point.

170
I have a brother who lives in Holland. I go there for Christmas and I will be going in October before we head down to South Bend for the UCLA-ND game.

I have no idea where Three Rivers is, although I'm sure some rivers are involved.

Cla Meredith should be warming up now.

175 Yes, the Rocky, St. Joe, and Portage (I passed 4th grade geography). UCLA v. ND = I hope your bruins are as successful as my Wolverines were yesterday.

177 I didn't mean to infer that everyone should know those rivers, just welling with SW Michigan pride here. Sorry for the confusion if there was any.

177

If UCLA is as successful as Michigan was, I think Charlie Weis will be burned in effigy.

I should check his planning calendar for October 22.

"9 am - Check on status of burning effigies of me."

177
I think I've seen one of those rivers.

I tend to spend more time by a very large lake.

172- I didn't mind it when he signed off, "Go Bills." That was his thing, and it was fine. But now he's like a kid on TRL with all the shout-outs.

179 I know a guy who can get you a good deal on effigies.

Why cant our Devil Ray acquisitions hit timely home runs? Hmm?

Tim Russert has cornered the market on two things:

1)Being from Upstate and
2)Having a father

Pac-10 teams not named USC tend not to fare well in nonconference road games against good teams.

179. November 5th is traditional effigy burning day, do you think they can postpone?

Before we go this morning, I'd like to say

Buffalo Bills
Big Russ

If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.

So was the last Dodger to make solid contact?

Anybody today?

Anybody?

I just picked up a new book, Behind The Scenes Baseball, and it has an interesting anecdote about Jeff Kent.

The reason why Kent dives into first on close plays even though it's slower is because earlier in his career, people thought Kent didn't hustle. To combat this he started diving into first, increasing his percieved hustle ten fold. It's now a habit that he can't break.

188 I think it was Drew's double on Friday.

190 Furcal hit a home run yesterday.

Do you know how challenging it is to watch a dodger game delayed on the DVR, and read along to DT without getting ahead of where I am on the DVR?

There is a well defined skill I've developed to master this craft.

I am live now!

174 I realize the record. But if you don't think Hendrickson can be at least passable, you didn't see last night. I give, I conceed Bills can get another start. I guess it's just that Bills' flaw, the inability to at least throw a strike, bothers me more than Hendrickson's flaw of throwing hittable pitches.

If things hold up, there could be a flat-footed tie for the wild card at the end of Monday between the Dodgers and Phillies.

The Phillies are starting a three-game series at home against the Cubs Monday.

189 I do recall last month seeing Kent slide into first on a wild throw to first in a successful effort to avoid the swipe tag.

192. It probably helps when little in the game is worth talking about.

Web Gem!

193 Can you really discount the previous bodies of work by both Bills and Hendrickson just because of what you saw last night?

Sure Hendrickson can put together a good start, we've seen it this year, but he'll get bombed most of the time.

Bills doesn't deserve to be the NL leader is ERA after the All Star Break, but his body of work is clearly better than Hendricksons.

Can that kid play center field?

196 absolutely, it doesn't matter if I get half an inning ahead when nothing noteworthy is taking place. In fact, I don't think there was a comment re: Branyan's HR until 5 mins after it was hit. (see 183) And even then, it was cryptic.

198. Yes, I have conceeded that. I even conceeded Bills getting the next start ONLY because of the difference in their (relatively limited) bodies of work. It's just that I can hardly stand to watch a rookie who can't throw strikes. Next to that, almost anything, even Hendrickson, looks appealing.

I'm not sure, but I believe Charlie Weis had Russell Branyan's home run preplanned months in advance.

A Notre Dame football coach is endowed with great powers.

Lowe threw 115 pitches today.

Cla Meredith! We're doomed!

199 we already know it would be an improvement in defensive arm strength in CF without even seeing "billy" throw.

This game is getting hard to watch. Where the heck is our offense? Lowe is throwing a gem. I really really wish we could get something going.

204. Exactly my thoughts

Like that.

I think Vin just accused Cla Meredith of being a supporter of states' rights. Or slavery.

ROY!

The only other hitter to homer off of Meredith was Richie Sexson.

Martin say Meredith who.

Giddy-up!

Another Nancy Bea Hefley sighting. two in one week after years of just some image in my head, much like a charachter in a book.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

You know I was predicting we'd break Meredith's streak.. Just kept it to myself. Way to bro, Russ.

This Martin character was not on Steve Phillips' top ten (it was actually eleven, because he's a cheater, or can't count; or both) rookie position players list, this morning. There for I refuse to recognize that homerun. The score is still one nothing Padres.

There goes the streak

209 - It was Maj. Gen. Cla Meredith who ordered Pickett's Charge.

The last guys to drive in runs against Meredith were Jimmy Rollins and Abraham Nunez!!!

The dodgers need to win to complete my trifecta sweep of today (vikes, ff, dodgers).

216
Yes, but at the beginning of the year, I predicted that Cleveland would win the World Series and last night I predicted that Stults and Hamulack would neutralize Walker and Branyan!

I'm thinking of starting a mutual fund and I will be the sole manager of it.

Anybody want in?

219 I guess we're letting Longstreet off the hook.

222 - You couldn't be worse than the nitwits at Janus.

Why is Lugo batting third again?

223 - Lee gets the loss in that game.

Walking Lofton (in a game like this) to pitch to Lugo (our #3 hitter- ouch)?
That makes no sense to me. The insurance run?

223
I thought Longstreet was a blind insurance investigator?

I once wrote a paper on Pickett's charge and the myth of the Lost Cause in Southern culture.

As you can guess, it was a riveting paper.

227
Meredith is death to right-handers.

I should say, Meredith is death to righthanders with the exception of Russell Martin.

Wow. A total dis of Lugo and he answers with complete agreement.

On Gameday, the swinging third strike by Lugo looked very outside. Was it?

Lugo sucks.
He's not a #3 hitter.

More like an 8th place hitter.

Its too bad Nomar's not healthy bc that would have been a nice spot to pinch hit him there.

234
Before today, Nomar was the only Dodger with a hit off of Meredith.

Very small sample size however.

227., 230. and Lugo is hitting a smoking .229 as a Dodger

233 It was a curveball that started outside and moved WAY outside. That was a huge situation and Lugo failed as predicted by the Padres.

Today's debate topic:

Which right-handed set up man has had a greater effect on his team's playoff hopes this year:
1) Pat Neshek
2) Cla Meredith

Discuss. Cite examples where relevant.

238 Meredith. I had to look up who Neshek was.

238
Are we using MLA or APA citation?
In-text, or footnoted?

240

MLA

Footnoted

I hate footnotes.

Meredith's scoreless inning streak is hard to argue against

Remember that Pat Neshek runs his own website:

http://www.patneshek.com

242- In the history of the world, nobody who uses WordPerfect has ever said that.

Why footnoting stinks. Purcell, N. Los Angeles. Dodger Thoughts Press, 2006.

Russell has driven in all of the runs in today's game.

Nate, I didn't catch the end, how did the Vikings win the game.

Neshek has given up six home runs, but he has 47 Ks with just 6 walks in 32 2/3 IP.

It seems odd that the third best team in the AL is using Pat Neshek and Dennys Reyes as two of the anchors of its bullpen. Reyes had been pretty bad until this year.

I like our chances against Linebrink.

248

OT field goal from like the 2 yard line.

it was 3 and long from the minny 30 or so and vikes were in shotgun, peppers almost sacks BJ but he flips it to williamson running a crossing route and that went for like 30. then chester taylor ran over the left side, bounced it out and got to like the 5 yard line. And it was jenga from there!

i cant believe we won.

Well, I'm happy to see Meredith out of the game.

By the way, Dodger notes say that Nomar will probably be back tomorrow and that Chad will pitch on Thursday.

244 A Major League pitcher with a website that talks about his baseball card collection and solicits fans to contact him to trade?
I guess that's refreshing. Or embarrassing. Ok, I'll go with refreshing

Wouldn't this be a time for Loney to pinch run?

255 If he gets to second, I would send in Kemp.

255 Just thinking the same thing.

Somebody wake Grady up and tell him.

We're not running for Kent?

I just figured that you could save a player by using Loney, but it's not like the Dodgers are short on players now.

Russell Martin is a fine young man and a Dodger who will often win a game. In a year or two if he is the anchor of a D's infield of Loney,Furcal, Laroche and perhaps someone like Young, with an outfield of Ethier, Kemp and?, I believe he will help win many games. I could be an even better period than the endless infield.(Lopes,G,R,C, etc.) I am hopeful for the current vets and utility players. But not deeply involved, for they are mostly not Dodgers in my mind.

Of course, someone could give up are young potential, but it would be hard at this point.

I am hopeful for the current vets and utility men, but not deeply engaged, for they are mostly not Dodgers to me.

Blum has a fairly sizeable platoon split and doesn't hit lefties well. Bard doesn't have much of a platoon split.

Cameron, despite being righthanded, has fared poorly against lefty pitchers this year.

I'm getting a Chris Gwynn feeling about this game.

Gotta bring in Saito here right?

Just looking at WHIP and ERA of the guys in the Padres bullpen, are they really this good, or is alot of this Petco? Bob?

Given that they've for both Broxton and Saito up in the bullpen, I'm guessing they'll go to Saito only if they score.
And they didn't.

265
I'm no expert, but from what I've seen the Padres relievers are all pretty good no matter where they pitch.

greetings to all the fellow DTers east of tito's. lurking quietly, hoping for some ninth inning dramatics. then again if we can get to meredith, the stars may be aligned in our favor. this afternoon. afternoon stars. or something.

The White Sox lost again to Oakland. They are now four games back of the Twins for the wild card. They go home to play the Tigers three times M-W and they pretty much have to sweep.

269 The other thing is that meant the A's magic number is now 7.

269 If it is so, and the Pale Hose are done, I say good riddance to that mouth A.J. Pierzynsky and the rest of the crew.

Broxton has been shaky, some of it I think is just the situation. He's been overthrowing and then he starts aiming.

The White Sox have three games coming up against Detroit and finish with three at Minnesota.

They also play the Mariners and Indians.

Ugh.

this is ridiculous, bard should have struck out.

Saito must come in right now.

Terrmel Sledge's high school should be burned to the ground and all the houses surrounding it to.

Except the one that I have part ownership of.

Okay, it's time for a beer. This is sad.

Throw.

A.

Strike.

PLEASE.

Wild pitch on a ball that crosses the plate and goes between the catchers legs as he tries to backhand it.

As and ND, LSU, Eagle and Dodger fan this weekend has been one to forget for me.

Meh, it's only Trevor Hoffman. No biggie.

chances of getting a run off Glenn Hoffman's kid?

We need Jeff Reboulet! Jeff Reboulet to the Dodgers dugout!

Trevor Hoffman's lone blown save at Dodger Stadium:

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B04220LAN2001.htm

Broxton's "off-speed" curveball for strike 3 was 87 mph. The pitch before that was 97.
He's plenty good to be in there.

Vin just zinged Hoffman pretty good.....Scott Brosius, eh?

Only member of the Dodgers now has a homer off of Hoffman:

Kenny Lofton.

Julio Lugo is 4 for 4 in his career against Hoffman!

Need some Furcal magic.
He's the last hope between moving into 2nd place.

He HAS to go.

If only Julio, mighty Julio could get a whack at bat. Why the crowd would be ambivalent with Mighty Julio at the bat.

Steal, Raffie.

You're asking for three hits off Trevor Hoffman.

No steal is amazing.

Crime doesn't pay.

Trying to salvage a split at home against the Padres was not what I had in mind.

Hello darkness, my old friend.

Although I will be happy if core team members like Loney and Kemp get some experience this year, I am sad to see the current hodge-podge get defeated by Terminal Sludge.

see you tomorrow

Trying to salvage a split against a pitcher the Dodgers can't hit is not an enviable task.

Let's go Cubs!

Apparently the Dodgers cant hit off of any SD starter, this is the problem.

Coming into today's game, Lugo had a .579 OPS with the Dodgers. In the month of September, his OPS is .468. Is Lugo's agent threatening Grits?

And the Dodgers get this now:

http://tinyurl.com/fkyv4

I think whatever happens tommorrow, the Dodgers will be happy not to play the Padres anymore this year. They are 44-22 at home against everybody else.

Disappointing today only because we pitched so well, so tommorrow I take my 6 game winning streak to the game.

The Dodgers have beaten Jake Peavy once.

It was in 2003.

Fred McGriff was playing in the game.

302 Lugo was playing because Nomar was out.

Only one thing to do in a time like this:

Watch a rerun of "Mission: Impossible".

The IMF force has to hide a young prince by disguising him as a gypsy!

On the otherhand, the Padres have not played well after they play the Dodgers recently while the Dodgers have gone 17-1 and 7-1 after their last two series against the Padres.

I think I'm jumping on the Julio Lugo bandwagon... the one that wants to run him over. When the opposing team puts Kenny Lofton on first with two outs and a runner on third in a tie game to get to you... you are not respected. He has been pretty useless. I'd like to try having Loney in there instead.

307
Hey, this one has Barry Williams in it!

Bad week for the bullpen, three losses.

306- but Grits decided that it was a good idea to play Lugo over Loney. When Loney was called up in September, Grits said that he would get some playing time and that he would not be relegated to pinch hitting duties only (which is basically all he's been since his recall).

Also, three losses by one run this week.

I'm sure Jon would say that in each game that the bullpen lost, Saito never entered the game.

All of these events this weekend were planned in advance by Charlie Weis.

Well, first place was nice while it lasted. The Dodgers are now 7-9 in September, not exactly a red-hot run to the pennant. And Jake Peavy tomorrow.

Somebody give me some positive spin, please.

And if we are going to play Lugo, why not flip his spot with Martin? Martin's not a typical 3 hitter but better than Lugo right now for sure.

316

Are you still alive?

Start with that as a base and move up from there.

316 Well, we have a Polio vaccine, and Small Pox has been eradicated. Infant mortality is the lowest it's ever been, and the new fall season is kicking back up on TV.

That's all I got.

316 Okay. off the top of my head... If the season ended today we'd be in the playoffs. If we win tomorrow, we're where we were to start the series. We don't play the Padres again. We have followed each cold streak with a hot streak. Kuo appears to be the real deal and should be a shot in the arm.

316
Remember SARS? I don't think that's around anymore either.

What happened to SARS?

... our winningest pitcher starts tomorrow. Our upcoming opponets are the Pirates and the Rockies...

If the Dodgers signed Superman as a player, Little, and every other manager in baseball, would play the Lugos, Andersons, and every other 'seasoned veteran', no matter how lame or inept, instead of the rookie. Shows you the stupidity of the breed. Why didn't DePo turn his studies in the direction of indentifing competent managers?

The Dodgers need to get Lugo out of the 3 spot.

Drew's been on OBP machine the last couple weeks, he has to hit higher than 5th.

... unlike most any team headed for the playoffs, all of the guys who got us where we are are relatiely healthy and ready to contribute (with the possible exception of Nomar who will apparently play tomorrow)...

Good job Greg w/ the positivity. It's helpful.

Remember SARS? I don't think that's around anymore either.

Well, that brightens my outlook a bit. Thanks.

Hey, I do what I can.

Go Dodgers.

... and finally (I guess) the team we are battling is really no powerhouse. I believe whole heartedly that we are a better overall team. That doesn't mean we will win but it's a much better situation than battling a team that is clearly better.

314 -- And I'd agree with Jon.

The Phillies, who trail us by one game for the Wild Card position, have 13 games remaining, all against teams with losing records -- Florida (6), Chicago (3), Washington (3) and Houston (1). We have only one game left against a team on the plus side -- San Diego tomorrow night -- but we have 3 with S.F., which is at 74-74. I am starting to dread that final weekend in San Francisco.

The Phillies may have a soft schedule, but I think the hardiest of Phillies fans have a hard time believing they will make the playoffs.

The Phillies won't make the playoffs because the Phillies don't make the playoffs. They do the same thing every year.

Hey, it's science.

What is perhaps the most maddening thing is that Grady Little continues to start Lugo in the 3 hole. Why?

Another positive !
-------
from AP:

For the third day in a row, a Pirates left-hander beat New York. The Mets have lost 13 of their last 18 when lefties started against them and are 23-21 overall - compared to 67-37 when facing a right-hander.
---------
and we've got lefty Mark Hendrickson(!) to throw at the Mets when (not if…) we meet them in the playoffs ! !

332
The Phillies used to always make the playoffs when they had Luzinski and Schmidt. Now they have Howard and Utley…

andre ethiers next start should be opening day 2007.

4 hits? are you kidding me?

the padres are offically above hatrid level of the giants.

339 That's a bold statement.

Actually, this is a bold statement.

But yours is pretty provocative.

332 - :-D

333 - :-(

335 - Aha! The Phillies have three lefties in their rotation, one of whom is even older than Bob!

The Phillies lefties would help them if they actually had games left against the Mets.

Tsk tsk, ye of little faith in the 2006 Tug McGraw NLCS!

329 - Are there any teams in the NL this year that are clearly better than the rest, given the state of the Mets' rotation these days?

For those looking for another note of optimism.

Brandon Webb is scheduled to start Thursday against the Padres. Which means he would miss the Dodgers over next weekend. But then face the Giants and most likely the Padres again on the last day of the season.

343
As Buster Olney said, the Padres have gotten some momentum from acquiring David Wells.

Who so far is the only Padres pitcher to lose at Dodger Stadium.

The Wire was renewed for another season.

I don't watch the show, but that's a good thing too, from what I hear.

See? Lots to be happy about.

Well, I was at a peaceful cherry Nationals game. Got a free bear. Stuffed. Teddy lost the Rushmore Race again, this team he showed up in the Upper Deck instead of on the field. Was really a beautiful easy day at the park. Austin Kearns basically won the game for the Nationals, including a very thrilling 9-3 double play.

The masses of course, were unaware of the cosmic forces being unleashed across the continent that would soon plunge them into darkness.

Basically, it was like Europe in the Spring of 1914.

this time

347 I'm guessing there were fewer Serbian assassins this time around.

349 Well, it really only takes just the one.

Joe Morgan is sounding like the Book of Ecclesiastes now.

There is a time to bunt.
There is a time to steal.
There is a time to hit and run.
There is a time to do all those things.

Turn, turn, turn.

OK, he didn't say the last line, but the Yankees did turn a double play while I was typing.

A little treat for every teacher who's ever wanted to do this...

http://tinyurl.com/p7z8d

Ahhh, catharsis.

Gosh, what an awful year to be a Reds fan.

Not that there are good years, but better to be us than them.

Looking at the Calendar, it had really not occurred to me in a long time that the three Philly games at RFK next week might actually quite matter, and for the Dodgers no less!

So Derek Jeter "forced" that error by running hard to first base?

Oh, let him keep his hit streak.

It's Derek Jeter!

The Reds haven't been drawing well. They get about 20,000 a game. And the team runs all sorts of promotion with discounted tickets. And people don't want to come.

From what I've read, the downtown park is not that popular because it has very difficult parking and the Reds fans tend to come from a long way and drive in. Cincinnati isn't exactly a public transportation planner's dream.

The other highlight, I suppose, from the Natoinals game, was random 28 year old rookie Chris Schroeder pitched two innings and struck out all six men he faced.

352. Milton Bradley University Professor this fall on FOX.

Why not give Loney and Delwyn Young a start?How much worse can they do than some of the guys getting starts now?The offense is anemic.

Hey Sam, does the card company actually sponsor the Upper Deck at RFK? Like with giveaways and stuff?

355 - The Reds' problems can be summed up in 7 easy words:

Trade Deadline Acquisitions Rheal Cormier, Ryan Franklin.

What, you got a problem with my bountiful capitlization?

People in Washington DC widely and intensely believe the Redskins are a good or great football team.

I have no idea why.

Joe Gibbs.

352- that was pretty funny. I searched youtube and found a couple of other ones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymBz1pwSEnw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p0NWl-xSBM

I've had a few teachers in the past that couldn't control a class and let any little thing get under their skin. These people are not meant for teachings. Usually it's the students fault. Most of the time, the kids have zero respect for teacher. Schools need to implement harsher rules because detention and referrals are very light forms of punishments.

If Jeter was such a team player, then why would swing at a borderline 3-0 pitch?

363 If you ever have to yell at students, you are a total trainwreck of a teacher.

Zero poise. Zero classroom management. Zero dignity.

If I ever started teaching, I'd be like the guy in "Blackboard Jungle" who brought his prized record collection to school in an attempt to be relevant only to see them smashed up an evil Vic Morrow.

I'd quit the next day. I couldn't be like Glenn Ford.

365 Making students behave is easy...

Making them do work? Well, that's another issue.

364- what grade do you teach? I don't think I'd want to teach any students that aren't motivated. That rules out a lot of middle school and high school students.

I feart visiting Bronx Banter now. Mike Myers hit Mirabelli with a 2-strike pitch to load the bases with two outs and the Myers threw an 0-2 wild pitch that let the tying run score.

The Banterers are fairly calm actually. They are more concerned with Derek Jeter's hitting streak.

367 Sophmores, the absolute dregs of humanity.

Sophmore World History.

Wow, could 368 be another Bob typo? Or is that just some slang term I have never heard before, seeing as I live out east of Tito's?

Bob doesn't have typos. Bob reinvents the lexicon.

Yeah, it's Bob-speak. Sort of like the way Rickey talks.

I think many of the Banterers have consumed much alcohol.

I'm prepping and grading now. I'll be doing this for too many hours because of a fierce combination of less than stellar organizational skills and a plan that is just barely working. I don't like this but then I check into this site and I see...

352

... and I smile, continue grading, and wonder if I could just once...

let's get back in first place soon, 'kay?

ESPN has just made reference to Eli Manning throwing his "first walkoff touchdown pass."

Well, unless you're in overtime, you can't really throw one.

374 I have an old cell phone I keep in class. When I take cell phones, I pull a quick switch, and put the dummy phone in a cup of water.

The kid freaks out, and then I show them their phone, safe and sound, in my desk. The momentary shock is pure joy.

This only works if your students like you. If they hate you, it's not as fun. You get lots of swearing. A little trick I learned from Mr. Internet.

Bernie Williams has provided evidence that he actually has a worse throwing arm than Kenny Lofton.

I didn't watch a single NFL game today, nor did I watch any wrapup shows.

The NFL is perilously close to joining my "Dead to me" list. NFL, meet your new roomates: writstbands, necklaces on men, and people who write checks in the express lane.

My brother told me that my 9-year old nephew's soccer team played a scoreless draw. No one ever recalled one played in that league ever. No doubt these young lads were playing a cynical style of soccer.

379 Maybe they all just had a failure of will.

379. Maybe they all really like their sisters.

381
I was totally freaked out by that comment, until I remembered the "A tie is like kissing your sister" line.

Then, I was only moderately freaked out.

And my nephew's team dominated time of possession and spent about 75% of the game in the opponent's end.

383 All right, that's it. All bets are off. Interpreting Bob's posts has become too dangerous. I'm going to bed!

I guess your double entendre antennae are up tonight.

No doubt these young lads were playing a cynical style of soccer.

My favorite line of the month.

[370] i hope you haven't been teaching them how to spell "sophomore" ;)

So who is surprised were folding against the Pardes when Grittle starts saying he is ok with the wild card last week going in to the SD series up by 1.5 games? Please please let him be gone by next year.

388 We have not yet begun to fold!

I was surprised at how yesterday was lost...cant fault Little...he did what everyone wanted him to do in previous games in bringing in Broxton...cept he shoulda gone for the jugular and brought in Saito as many here said last night. Oh well.

Hopefully Peavy doesnt continue his domination of Dodger hitters and Penny doesnt continue being owned by Padre hitters. Hopefully at least one of those turns out true, otherwise things will probably be worse than yesterday.

Must win tonight.

One of the times articles last night described the Padre locker room as if they won the pennant last night. Lets make sure theyre only in first for one day.

Little looks like a very stubborn person and a lot of his actions this year back that up. That's fine when you've guessed right and the player you bet on comes through, but an intelligent man admits, even if only to himself, when he's made a bad choice and changes horses. Look at how many times bad pitchers stunk up the place and lost us games before he would finally admit it. And position players too; Lugo has had far more chance to show his ability (or lack of it in his case) than Loney, Guzman, Kemp, or maybe even Aybar had. I think he is still fighting the ghost of his Pedro decision years ago. I more than ever appreciate Walter O'Malley's policy of giving the manager only a one year contract. McCourt ought to go that route.

391 Lugo has an established track record of solid performance. That's why he keeps getting chances. While Lugo was playing way over his head before he got here, he's a middle infielder who can give you a .760ish OPS with strong defense and good speed. While Lugo isn't in the elite tier of shortstops, he's in the top 10, and would start for almost any team in baseball.

391 I agree that Lugo would likely start for most teams, but considering that the Dodgers already have a better shortstop, and a better 2nd baseman the question is would be starting for most teams at 3rd base/1st base or in the outfield?

I wish he were starting for some other team, the Padres for instance, the Dodgers could sure use the help. If he is so good, why didn't Tampa Bay keep him and resign him? It would seem their actions indicate they too can get along without him.

393 The third base thing is excusable, since from what we know, Betemit can't hit lefties (.618 OPS against them in 157 career at bats, depending on what he did in the minors, that's either telling or a small sample size.) Saenz should probably play more there, but his defense scares me.

Given that the options avialable to Grady for a fourth outfielder for a while were Repko and Lugo, I'd go with Lugo, but blame Ned for forcing me to use Lugo as an outfielder.

I don't recall Lugo ever starting at first, if he did, then yeah, that's just a bad idea.

394 Money. Money and Ben Zobrist/B.J Upton.

Is Lugo the new Jason Phillips?

Well, based on his performance with us, I don't think we'll be calling him "Victor Lugo."

393. No he hasn't started at 1st base but by playing Kent at first, and Lugo at second, rather than Kent at 2nd and a 1st baseman at first, isn't it the same thing as playing him at 1st?

399 Pretty much, depending on how much Kent's side is affecting his mobility.

It's hard to keep perspective about players. For example, the difference between a disappointing (in our eyes) .260 hitter and a solid .300 hitter, is exactly 20 hits over a 500 AB season, less than one hit a week! Power or slick fielding can make that difference insignifigant. The professionals probably keep that in mind, they should. But for us fans, it's all perception, what did he do last night? We get too high when a player has a good game, and we get too far down on him when he doesn't. I'm that way and I don't apologize for it, that's what fans are like. There's probably not much fun in being a manager or GM; too much responsibility and you get blamed for things you can't controll, like getting a good player (Lugo???) and having him do poorly, or releasing a bad player (David Ross???) only to have him do very well with another team. Life just isn't fair. And thank goodness we don't have to be!

Wow. We lose a few games and you guys want Grady fired and you bring up the Pedro thing to boot. I just can't understand that thinking. I can't remember watching a manager do a better job all year long. His strategy is sound and his calm demeanor seems to keep everybody else grounded. His careful handling of fragile veterans and extremely young rookies has worked amazingly well.
As for Pedro, that crying is better suited to psychotic RedSox fans who believe in curses more than strategy. That decision was entirely defendable and he is the last person in all of baseball that I think would be "haunted" by past decisions that didn't pan out.
I feel confident that there is no manager in baseball who would have done a better job with this team and I personally hope that he is here for a long long time. For what it's worth, I think he will be.

402 I've been for getting rid of Little since the season started. I have gone on record here many a time saying such.

And it has nothing to do with Pedro, I would have left him in then also, it's called respect when a player is at the top of his game.

Little has not, IMO, shown an ability to properly handle the lineup and everyday players...he has had no effect on our pitchers (with the exception of saving Saito for who knows when), but no matter who was the manager, this is as good as they get...

Glad to see that DT TV talk got it's own blog site. :) vr, Xei

403
I believe he has done a terriffic job with the pitchers. He was given a team that had Gagne as closer and Brazoban as set up. He made lemonade out of what was a whole basket of lemons. The pitchers are bad. He was given guys like Baez and Carter and told to win with that. He couldn't so he fiured out who could. The 4 guys I've mentioned above were to be the bullpen. NONE of them contributed. Give the guy a little credit. I think he's done all that anybody could with what he was given.

In the Dodgers last 7 games decided by 2 or fewer runs.

Games in which Saito has pitched: The Dodgers are 3-0.
Games in which Saito has not pitched: The Dodgers are 0-4.
vr, Xei

405 Agreed. Grady has been great, until September. Unfortunately, this month Saito has pitched a total of two innings that actually meant anything (five total), while Broxton, Tomko, Sele, and Hamulack have all seen high leverage situations.

As a public service, I would like to announce my idiosyncratic view that it is OK to have mixed feelings about a subject or a person. It is also permissible to feel like they have done some things well and others poorly.

The Russ Martin for ROY buzz slowly begins to percolate. From Buster Olney's chat:

Eric (St. Louis): Chris Duncan's numbers in his short season with the Cardinals appear to compare pretty favorably to Ryan Howard's numbers from last year. How do you see Duncan fitting into the 2006 Rookie of the Year discussion?

Buster Olney: (2:33 PM ET ) Eric: He's part of the conversation, but I still think he's behind (in no particular order) Zimmerman, Uggla, Cain, Johnson, and as Boomer from Central CA writes, Russ Martin, who has done a terrific job as Dodgers' catcher.

408 You mean there are colors other than black and white?

New posts up top.

407
I really don't get this. I DO get the issue of the one game in Chicago where Saito wasn't brought in to a tie game. I agree with the move but understand Jon and others' beef with that one move. What other particular move do you disagree with?

412 It's just the belief that the best pitcher should pitch the most innings. Saito has pitched five innings in the last 18 days. Three of them where with 5-0, 6-0, and 6-3 leads. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree here, since neither of us are going to budge.

413. I agree. Best pitcher in the highest leverage situation. Of course there are exceptions like when the pitcher is very tired. But Little like all other managers falls into the same trap of managing "By The Book". To bad those ancient monks had to transcribe the book. vr, Xei

Disagreement is fine. But again, exactly which move did you disagree with?

Yesterday - Using Broxton instead of Saito. Broxton is great, but there's no reason to not use your best pitcher there.

Game three against the Cubs - While he might not of had time to bring in Saito against Ramirez, he should have at least been warming up.

Game one - Using Hamulack/Sele instead of Saito through extra innings.

Those are the most recent.