This random waiver trading deadline deal is the one that will ultimately lead the Dodgers to the postseason, without a doubt. And at the time, nobody blinked an eye. Amazing.

Yeah, I don't know what kind of a career Jhonny Nunez will ultimately have so it's hard to gauge with any finality but also hard to argue that Anderson's been anything less than a complete steal. His power has surprised me and he's been clutch. Very important acquisition if they do make the playoffs.

Sample size, shmample size. Let's lock up a multi-year extention now. Get in on the ground floor.

Charlie Steiner's "Marlon the Magnificent!" call from yesterday was a blast.

The all-lefthanded outfield is in there vs. Lowry and no Saenz!

Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Drew, RF
Martin, C
Anderson, LF
Lugo, 3B
Kuo, P

Aw crap Lugo

Gotta find a place for Tomato with Kuo pitching. I guess Little figures Lowry will be gone in 5 innings so why bother using up his RHH at the beginning.

What Marlon has done as a Dodgers is what legends are made of.

6 -

Every dog has his day, and although Lugo will have to buy his ticket to get near the HOF, he's a far better player than he has shown for the Dodgers.

I'd like to be the first to announce that he will be the one responsible for our victory tonight.

I will now take up residence under my desk so as to escape the various objects which all of you will be hurling in my direction.

6 I bet that is exactly what Noah Lowry is thinking right now too. :\

Seems to happen sometimes. I think, if you want a comp that I had to become familiar with because of where I live, look at Randy Winn in a Jints uniform last year:

Randy Winn, 2005 with the Jints, pro-rated for a 162-game stint:

.391 OBP, .680 SLG, 1.071 OPS, 39 HR

Career:

.343 OBP, .421 SLG, .764 OPS, 11 HR

2006:

.322 OBP, .393 SLG, .715 OPS, 11 HR

In fact, Winn was 31 when he had his late-season flourish with the Jints, a year younger than Anderson.

Of course, Anderson is doing something even more stellar than Winn did, but I'm just saying that a small blip is a small blip is a small blip

Phils
Rollins SS
Victorino CF
Ultey 2B
Howard 1B
Burrell LF
Dellucci RF
Coste C
Nunez 3B
Moyer P

Marlins
Ramirez SS
Uggla 2B
Cabrera 3B
Willingham LF
Helms 1B
Ross RF
Amezaga CF
Treanor C
Moehler P

Oh man oh man oh man.

I actually get to see the games on TV this weekend!

The only drawback is, I'm stuck listening to
the Giants broadcasters. The only alternatie would be to sit in my car and listen to 980,
which comes in surprisingly well in Carson City.

Whatever. It's gonna be a great weekend!

If Kuo was a ground ball pitcher I could understand Little's logic with the decision to put Lugo at third. Kuo isn't however, so Saenz should be starting.

8 Is your moniker/label in honor of Nick Willhite, who pitched for the Dodgers in the mid-1960s, or are you Nick Willhite, or is there another explanation? I salute your faith in Lugo. I nearly guaranteed yesterday that Penny would pitch very well, so I won't be throwing brickbats or anything else at you.

12 Actually, I like the camaraderie of Kuiper and Krukow and the knowledge that they share. Generally, they are not homers.

12 Jim, ditto here in SF, though I don't think the Giants announcers are that bad. They're kind of amusing and Krukow isn't that much of a homer (except for his occasional annoying "Siddown meat!" and "grab some pine" catch phrases). I'd still prefer Vin of course, but at least it's not Joe Morgan.

Or.. what Scoop said.

12 Carson City eh? Never heard of a Dodger fan there. It's good to have more than one of us in No. NV

14 -
Your first guess is correct. I've been a Dodger fan since 1954 and I'm left-handed. I've seen a lot of mediocre southpaws come and go, but for some reason I took a real liking to Nick Willhite. You and I may be the only two living beings who actually remember that he pitched for the Dodgers (except, I assume, for his family members).

Actually, my son, who is also a huge Dodger fan , knows of Willhite's existence also, so now that makes 3 of us.

scoop and underdog, I agree with you. It's just that nobody can compare to Vinny.

They have been very credible in their criticism of the Giants of late. It's made watching the games rather enjoyable.

Ryan, I just moved here from L.A. in May (right after the Dodgers first winning streak). Moved first to Reno, where my cousins live. I'll be heading there tonight after the game. It's really a pretty cool little city.

20 The trouble with listening to Vinny, as I have for more than half a century, is that he spoils you. Even other good announcers fall short of the mark. As for bad announcers, what can one say? When I lived in the Midwest, and I could pick up half a dozen or more different games at night, I truly learned how bad bad announcers can be. I think Mike Shannon tops that list.

I don't see anything wrong with having Lugo in the lineup.

He plays decent defense, has some pop in his bat...and I'd much rather save Saenz for that big 7th or 8th inning pinch hit we might need.

Overall, good lineup...now let's smoke Lowry

Hanley Ramirez with a lead off triple :)

Marlins 1, Phillies 0.

Marlins jump out in front in the first inning against the Phils 1-0 on a Hanley triple and a Cabrera Sac. Fly.

21

I've said it before, but Vinny is the only announcer who talks to the listener, instead of his cohort. And with that simple method, he draws you into the game like no other announcer.

BTW, I've clean forgot how to underscore.

12 - Grrr. I live in Socal, and 980 only comes in here if I'm at least 100 yards from an electrical line. Then it's all static. How ridiculous is that?

I'm sure you can get play by play of the game here on DodgerThoughts tonight, aloofman. ;-)

19 I remember Willhite well, particularly his major league debut on June 16, 1963. My mother had shooed my father and me from L.A. to Palm Springs for a few days so we would not get in the way as she helped my older sister prepare for her wedding. For some reason, we took the Greyhound. On the Sunday afternoon that we returned, Willhite pitched the second game of a DH against the Cubs. As I listened on my transistor radio on the bus, Willhite shut them out, 2-0, on five hits. It was the only shutout of his career. He was one of those pitchers who fought valiantly to earn starts in rotations that included the likes of Koufax, Drysdale, Podres, Osteen and even Richert and later Sutton. I've been a fan of the Dodgers since 1954, one year less than one.

26- On my drive home I have to drive past a criss cross of electrical lines and it never fails that it is always during a crucial situation. Luckily it's only for about a minute or so but it's a very long minute sometimes.

26

You should take that up with your local power company and ask for better insulation on the lines. I'm sure they will get right on it!

Seriously, the Dodgers contract with KFWB was not a good one. But most radio contracts now are set up to maximize revenue for the teams, not to make it easier for people to hear the games. See the cases of St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

Correction: Since 1955, one year less than you.

13 There is no logic for putting Lugo anywhere but 6 feet under. If McCourt has a brain, he'll get huge pictures of Lugo and Hendrickson and order them hung in Colletti's office forever as a reminder to not repeat those colossal blunders ever again!!!!!

Jon's post reminds me of the beginning of the season where players are hitting .650 and are projected to hit 89 hr's.

Jim do you still have the birds? I still recall the late night comedy routines you and Icaros would perform on DT. Hope things turn out well for you in Carson City.

30 Here on the Monterey Peninsula, I used to pick up the night games on 720 out of Las Vegas, but the Dodgers dropped that station a few years ago. It's impossble to get 980 here because a local station has that spot on the dial. Bring back 790 or clear channel 640.

8 At least you got the species right.

1-1 in miami

32.

I think you're going a bit far with your first sentence there.

32, 35 - Don't you think you're being a bit harsh on Lugo?

37 Yeah. Saying Lugo should be killed is a little much. How about on the bench? Maybe he'll prove us all wrong tonight. (I'm more worried about his defense.)

"Watching" Phils-Fish on Sportsline. Anyone know how Burrell scored from second on a groundout to the pitcher?

10 Speaking of Anderson and his amazing work in a small sample size, here is a list of Marlon's career AB/HR:

1998 PHI 43 AB/HR
1999 PHI 90
2000 PHI 162
2001 PHI 47
2002 PHI 67
2003 TB 80
2004 STL 32
2005 NYM 34
2006 WAS 43
2006 LAD 8.6

Now, his career rate has clearly improved starting in about 2004, but he's hit at absolutely ridiculous levels in L.A. (Bonds 2001: 6.5; Bonds career: 13). I'm glad he's signed for another year - I'd hate for us to offer him one of those Randy Winn contracts based on this September (however much I appreciate what he's done for us down the stretch, which is a LOT). Hopefully, he'll be a nice IF/OF utility player with semi-regular starts (or even a platoon) next year, but I'd never expect to see this kind of outburst again.

15, 16 I guess everyone has their own opinion.

While perhaps the the Jints announcers are even handed in their knowledge of and criticism of the game and or teams, they certainly, without doubt, express emotion that favors the Jints and express disdain and stir up hatred for the Dodgers. I tend to think of that as being a "homer".

Ever see them show a Dodger fan in the crowd, and then take their telestrator pen and scribble their face out? I don't know if you can not call someone a "homer" who seeks to stir up the emotions of fans that way.

Thanks, Brendan. Seamus is still with me. We go camping all the time (I usually find a convenient tree to stick him in), and swimming. I slipped one time crossing the Truckee River (it ran real high high this summer), and we shot the rapids together, to the astonishment of a crowd of onlookers. He fell off my shoulder and started swimming (flapping his wings with vigor!). I turned around, he jumped back on my shoulder, and away we went (merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...), no worse for wear.

42
The Giants actively market and sell Dodger hatred as a way to get people to come to the park.

The Dodgers really don't do that with the Giants.

I don't think one way is better than the other. The Giants marketing people know what sells.

40- He wasn't on second he was on third. He moved over when Delluci grounded out.

12 Jim, all these stations supposedly broadcast the Dodger games. Don't hesitate to try some of the more distant ones; AM signals bounce off the Ionosphere and can be picked up at great distances sometimes.

Dodgers Radio Network
Station On Dial City
KFWB 980 Los Angeles
KWKW 1330 *Los Angeles
KDEF 1150 Albuquerque
KNZR 1560 Bakersfield
KMET 1490 Banning
KBOV 1230 Bishop
KROP 1300 Brawley/El Centro
KICO 1490 *Calexico/El Centro
XESDD 920 *Enseneda, Mexico
KCBL 1340 Fresno
KYVA 1230 +Gallup, NM
KAVL 610 Lancaster/Palmdale
KSFN 1140 Las Vegas
KPSI 920 Palm Springs
KWKU 1220 *Pomona/Ontario/Redlands
KPRO 1570 +Riverside
WSTA 1340 +St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
KXTY 99.7 San Luis Obispo/Santa Maria
KHTS 1220 Santa Clarita
KUHL 1440 Santa Maria
XESS 620 *Rosarito, Baja California
KVEN 1450 Ventura/Oxnard
WTTB 1490 +Vero Beach, FL
KWRN 1550 *+Victorville
KEZL 1400 Visalia

32 Again, based on what he said in the past, I take his tone with some slack since he tends to post with his heart.

While, the Lugo deal will never get the scorn that the Penny/Choi for LoDuca/Mota deal (from the media, not DT), again I think you have to realize that it was part b to part a being the Maddux deal. That said, when the season is done, I would be happy to debate all the deals but for now lets see what happens over the next few days.

38 No. He is a travesty.

Houston-Atlanta 0-0 in the 4th.

46

Hey, I remembered how to underscore!

Thanks, 50 years. I've copied the list. Mighty nice of you!

12 I am able to listen to Dodger games in my home in Tacoma, Washington on a station from Bakersfield, KNZR 1560. I actually like the Giant radio broadcasters. Dave Flemming is supurb and Jon Miller when he puts his mind to it can describe what is taking place on the field better than any broadcaster working today.

19 I remember Nick Willhite. The ultimate soft tossing lefty. I particularly remember a great game he pitched against the Phillies in 1964.

Stan from Tacoma

42 I know what you mean Brent (and the pen scribbling thing does get old - though he doesn't just do it to Dodger fans and it doesn't seem to come from too mean spirited a place). I just think if you compare them to say, the White Sox announcers (horrible, homer to the extreme) they wouldn't look as bad. They do sell some of the anti-Dodger propaganda but at the same time they are also pretty respectful and fair - praising players on LA who deserve to be praised and never getting too caught up in it. So they're "homers" but ones that aren't as extreme as some others.

But again, no comparison with Vin.

Jim,
Don't try the Virgin Islands station. But if you can get it, tell us what the local commercials are like!

34 The good old days: using 2 or 3 different radios and antennas to pull in Vegas 720 after the sun went down. Vinny fading in and out; constantly adjusting the dials and wires. (This is in the Napa Valley.) I miss that station more than KFI.

42 You make several good points. However, they also cross out the faces of others in the crowd besides Dodger fans -- people dressed in ways they consider odd or speaking on cell phones, etc. One thing I like about the announcers for the Giants is that they get excited when an opposing player does something good. You ever hear Joe Nuxhall when someone hit a homer against the Reds? Monotone.

Nick Willhite didn't pitch against the Phillies in 1964.

4-1 Phillies.

Walk to Ryan Howard backfires, Burrell with a 3 run blast.

28

Wow, between the two of us we have 103 years worth of Dodger fanhood.

I remember Willhite's debut, but I must confess I have no idea where I was that day. I think that's what got me interested in him. I just naturally assumed that he and Koufax would be elbowing each other to see who was inducted into the HOF first. I guess Sandy won that race.

53

Bob, I kinda like the idea of being stationed in the Virgin Islands...

Brian Moehler, you're on my ____ list, buddy!

Introducing Nick Willhite:

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B06162LAN1963.htm

57 I heard last night that Burrell was something like 6-10 when Howard was IBB ahead of him, he went 0-2 last night so now he is 7-13.

JIm, hope you are enjoying Carson City. I won $2 in a nickel slot machine there when I was 17 and have been hooked ever since.

But Ramirez and Uggla lead off with singles.

Two on for Cabrera - let's go Miguel!

Jamie Moyer is close to 60 isn't he?

62 -

Thank you Bob. I'm delighted that Nick is getting all of this publicity, which is probably more than he received during his entire pitching career (which also included a stay with the Angels).

Stan 51 may be thinking of Larry Miller, whom I believe tossed far softer than Willhite.

He turns 44 next month. I guess that's close to 60.

56 Really. I remember watching him on tv from Dodger Stadium and I was sure it was the year the Phils were fighting for the pennant. I remember the Phils had all kind of problems against lefty pitchers in 64 until they picked up Frank Thomas. Of course at the end of 64 they were having all kinds of problems against all pitchers.

Stan from Tacoma

54

My dad and I used to do the exact same thing every night in Solano County.

I remember sitting in the driveway listening to Hershiser break Drysdale's record in our '87 Integra.

Sometimes we'd have to drive it down the street a bit to get better reception.

speaking of popup... that's what Cabrera just did. Feh.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the purpose of this and other blogs is to allow the responder to post what they really feel, for catharitic effects if nothing else. I have never killed anyone yet... Baseball is an emotional subject and it brings out strong feelings in people. I'd rather say what I feel and get it overwith than to suppress it. Yes, I really have no right to inflict the verbalization of my opinion on anyone else. But I read a ton of opinions here everyday that I disagree with, so I thought it was kind of OK. I don't expect what I write to influence anyone in any way. I am not a professional writer, I am not afraid to criticize Dodger officials because I don't ever hope or expect to work for them.

Time for the old friend to deliver!

67 - He's more than halfway there. So yup. He's close to 60.

Can old friend Cody Ross help us out?

Old friend Cody Ross trying to duplicate some early season magic.

Yep, it's up to our buddy Cody Ross here, with bases loaded and 2 outs. Looked like Moyer pitched around Helms. It's already 0-2. Come on Cody!

We're like a Geek Chorus here.

75 - Ack! I'm close to 60 next month???

I'm predicting a change up here.

Rats. Cody hit it fairly deep but just a lazy fly. Oh well.

I'm closer to 60 than Moyer. And I may be able to throw harder :)

72.

And speaking of clutch hitting, it's what the marlins don't have.

There are many ways to tell that pennant baseball is in the air.

Rooting for Cody Ross to get a hit for the Marlins would be one of them.

64

Thanks, Marty, I am. The food isn't as diverse as L.A., but you can get some pretty great cheap buffets. My favorite is probably at Baldinis (two can eat for $10), or, as my cousin calls it, the `Casino of low self esteem'.

Brewers take a 1-0 lead in the 1st in the Mound City.

Mound, as in Burial Mound?

73- You're allowed to post what you think; people who disagree are allowed to engage what you've said. It's all good. There's surely no shortage of DTers who think Lugo should be diced, pan fried, and served, with a nice chianti, in the press box.

88
You got it.

Crap. Another run for the Phillies. Doesn't look like any clinching is gonna happen tonight.

Its sad when you think that Nats were a better challenge to the Phillies than the Marlins.

71...listening to the car radio in a motel parking lot in Lake Tahoe during a summer vacation in 1964 until my late father, almost always a man of wonderful patience, decided there were better things to do with one's time...or was he worried about draining the car's battery?

89 Don't forget the fava beans!

92
I think the bigger problem for the Marlins today was having to start Brian Moehler.

If only Josh Johnson were pitching ...

Well, no computer at home, so goodnight all.

It's going to be a lot of fun on DT this weekend.

50 How does one underscore?

92 -

I think some people may be forgetting what expectations were for the Marlins at the beginning of the year.

If they get shut out 30-0 in all three games this weekend, they'll still have done a lot more than most of us thought they were capable of in April.

94- Fava beans are extra.

97

Put underscores in front and behind text

__like this__.

Weaver gives up a run in the first.

95

Who are the Marlins pitching tomorrow and Sunday? What about the Phils?

And this one is starting to look like a rout.

The Phillies were 11-5 going into this series against the Marlins so we shall have to see what happens.

98 Definitely true - the Marlins far exceeded anyone's expectations this year. I only wish they'd exceed them for a few more games.

Wolf vs. Olsen tomorrow.
Myers vs. Willis Sunday.

102
Tomorrow is Olson vs. Wolf
Sunday is Willis vs. Myers

To get an inkling about how unhappy they are in St. Louis, read Jeff Gordon's column in today's St. Louis Post Dispatch:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/jeffgordon/story/1807D29ACC095EFE862571F8001872DD?OpenDocument

Well, that didn't work. Try this:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/
jeffgordon/story/1807D29ACC095EFE862571F8001872DD?OpenDocument

Augggh,
The long URL. The goggles! They do nothing!

Man, I'm nervous. And have to miss the first part of tonight's game.

My fingers are crossed.
My eyes are crossed.

Let's just win.

Later all!

59 103 years, indeed!

Hah! That's too funny Bob - I just watched part of that Simpsons episode here at work today after my coworker discovered the dangerous (and likely temporary) procrastination tool known as ...

http://www.allsimps.com/

Streaming Simpsons!

109 - Try going to "tinyurl.com" If only for Bob's sake.

107

I'd give the Marlins a decent chance in both of those games. We just need to do our work in SF.

With D-Train on Sunday, they'll have an extra hitter in the lineup. I see grand-slam as a present to all Dodger fans.

I believe Willis is only "probable" for Sunday. The Marlins wanted to shut him down early.

Atlanta has 1st and 3rd with no outs in the 6th in a 0-0 game against Houston.

Imagine having to start Jeff Weaver in a crucial game today.

116 -

Fine with me if we've clinched by Sat.

Um... the Marlins are being smushed today. This is ugly.

Okay, here's to a better result tonight.

Jeff Weaver is a lot better than Jason Marquis. The Cardinals announcers last night were openly disdainful of Marquis.

Marlins' effort tonight falling far short of Marlon's.

man, this yankees lineup is disgusting...it's like a fantasy team. I'll be so happy when the Twinkies or Tigers spank them.

Looks like the Phils all but have this one wrapped up....let's get on the board early against Lowry.

Old friend Matt Herges is not helping the cause.

68 I found the game Nick pitched against the Phils, and Bob is right, it was not 1964. On June 19, 1965 Nick went 8.1 innings against the Phils at Dodger Stadium and he got the win in a 4-0 Dodger victory. I remember watching that game on tv. Willhite threw nothing but slow curves as I remember and the Phils could do nothing with him.

Thanks retrosheet. What a great baseball reference that site is.

Stan from Tacoma

121 They probably expected a lot more from Marquis. I don't think too many Cards' fans are expecting a great deal from Weaver.

A Berkman error lets a run score for Atlanta. 1-0 in the 6th.

The Reds are ahead 3-1.

2-0 Braves on an A. Jones single.

Noah Lowry in September -- 4 starts, 0-3, 14.36 ERA.

2-1 Cardinals after two innings.

129 Which means he'll pitch 7 shut-out innings against us, unfortunately. :(

131
Hey, he's no Tim Stauffer!

131 Bite your tongue!

Just doing my part to get us past 150 posts. So, are we going to top 1600 tonight?

gark I hate pujols ....

Final: Atlanta 4, Houston 1

Holy crap, somebody on ESPN is talking about Russell Martin during a ROY discussion. Stop the presses!

135
But the Devil Rays lose again on the road!

137 if its John Kruk ....

138

thanks for the update Bob!

2 more losses to a sub .250 road record ...

KC ties up game with Tigers with 2 outs in top of 9th .... still batting ....now 5-5 ...

The fans in Atlanta looked like they enjoyed getting some revenge on the Astros for last year.

Sculley bought a new suit?

So, with Houston losing and Cards looking like their magic number will be 2 by the end of the night, I really want to win the NL West now. I think the Dodger team would be favorite in that series against the Cards, 0-7 record notwithstanding.

sorry for mispelling his name

139 Ah, no wonder -- Eric Karros is one of the color commentators. :)

Team hitting stats records check:
ABs - The Dodgers need to average 39 ABs in the last three games to set the team record, which isn't all that likely
Runs - The Dodgers would need to average over 11 runs per game to break the team record. That is very unlikely
Hits - Each one adds to the team record
Doubles - Same as hits
Triples - The Dodgers need 10 to tie the team record. Sorry.
Home runs - Only 60 short of the record!
Total bases - See doubles
XBH - See total bases
Sacrifice hits - 55 short!
Sacrifice flies - 18 short!
Walks - 77 short!
Strikeouts - 255 short!
HBP - 21 short
RBI - 5 short! Record is 781 in 1962.
LOB - The Dodgers need 23 LOB in the series to tie the record. Pretty tough.
Batting average - .004 lead (.276 to .272)
Slugging - .002 lead (.433 to .431)
OBP - .007 lead (.349 to .342)

What about team OPS? :-)

147 Another 19 run game and we should have the ABs record too.

And if James Loney plays all three days, we may have the HRs and triples record too.

A little blurb from BaseballHQ on Broxton:

"Broxton shows impressive second half growth... Throughout the season analysts have frequently mentioned the excellent skills displayed by LA RHP Jonathan Broxton, who has been especially impressive for a 22 year-old rookie. But a close look at Broxton's numbers shows one more reason to be impressed by his performance.

Period/Level IP ERA Ctl Dom Cmd HR/9 BPV
============ === ==== === === === ==== ===
2005 AA 96 3.27 2.7 8.4 3.1 0.4 114*
1st half '06 LA 36 3.47 4.2 10.7 2.5 1.2 91
2nd half '06 LA 37 1.96 3.7 12.3 3.3 0.5 139
*MLE's

Broxton was excellent in the first half, showing improved dominance, but his walk rate and home run rate were a bit elevated in his first exposure to the majors. Look at what he accomplished in the second half. He brought his home run rate back to his minor league level, improved his control, and continued to increase his dominance"

So, in all seriousness, does anyone think that, offensively, this is the best Dodger team ever? I mean, historically it's hard to argue, right? But we don't even have anyone with more than 20 HRs or 100 RBIs. Strange!

151
It may be the best LA Dodger team in terms of offense, but the 1953 Brooklyn squad was extraordinarily good.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BRO/1953.shtml

151 1953 begins and ends the argument. All the other Dodger offenses can duke it out for second place.

How long before the cameras start showing all the "Not Here" signs that figure to be on display tonight?

Why is Nomar even playing? Shouldn't he be resting?

Omar Vizquel ... a future HOFer?

The Dodgers clinched the NL West in San Francisco in 1977.

I believe the Giants have clinched at Dodgers Stadium twice. In 1962 of course and also in 1989, although that didn't happen until the Padres lost an extra-inning game at home. The Dodgers won three straight games behind Wetteland, Ramon Martinez, and Belcher.

156

No.

156 Ask Joe Morgan :)

Arizona on the board in the 3rd with a 2 run shot by Byrnes.

Omar Vizquel suffers from the misfortune of being a shortstop in era of Ripken, Jeter, Rodriguez, and Tejada. And Vizquel doesn't have the same mystique as Ozzie Smith or even Luis Aparicio.

What an annoying shriek by the person who is announcing the batters at the Dodgers-Giants game. How very un-John Ramsey like.

163. Don't they have a female announcer up there?

162. It's a kid. What, do you hate kids? tsk tsk.

163 Yes

165 It's not a kid.

163. Since I asked myself, I might as well answer.

They have a kid announce the batters for an inning.
http://tinyurl.com/k7a73

That looked foul.

Kenny caught that ball and I am:

a) happy
b) shocked
c) relieved
d) all of the above

Pedro Feliz is an example of why not to evalute players based on how many RBI's they accumulate. He's having one of the worst seasons ever for a player with close to 100RBI's.

156
Yes.

167 They usually do it in the middle of the game after making a big deal about it.

I'm not in the mood for a nail-biter here. Let's score some runs. Lots and lots of runs.

That was a mistake by Kuo with the pitcher on deck.

Darn DirecTV Extra Innings and your promise of all the games I want to see. I want to see the Padres game and you deny me.

Vizquel can't retire soon enough.

I guess Vizquel would remind you of Willie Mays if Willie Mays had been a banjo-hitting shortstop.

My last comment about the announcer: From the Giants' web site: "At every early-afternoon game, one young Giants fan is selected to announce the first three batters of a designated inning." Now, back to the game.

I hope tonight isnt a cruel regression from yesterday's game.

173 I think we'll need to get some hits before we worry about runs. Of course, if Kuo doesn't start getting his pitches down it's not going to matter.

Just don't make fun of Vizquel's bald spot. I have one like it.

Post #131 is starting to gain traction =(

ok .... the kids need to be told their intros have to be shorter than 5 seconds ...

Vizquel shows Bob where he can put his banjo. :)

I'm surprised Kuo is pitching to Barry Bonds with two bases open.

I just checked .... Feliz has actually driven in 17.25% of runners on base this year. Not too shabby. (Leader is at 22%)

185
Why not? Durham got a hit off of last time. Bonds didn't.

185 Dare I say it, Bonds actually looked outmatched there.

In a situation like this they are going to sit Loney. This may seem like the conservative,correct thing to do at first, but I think when you dwell on it a bit, it seems utterly incompetant and ludichris.

郭泓志!

i'm grateful to have anything at all, including choppy, discolored mlb.tv, but it's annoying to have the giants broadcast instead of vinny. the trivia question: "who were the 2 giants on base when joe morgan hit a 3-run homer against the dodgers on october 2, 1982?" ugh.

191
And if you get the answer right without looking it up, I'd be very impressed.

Cardinals win 10-5. Their magic number is 2.

Vizquel may not have the gun that Furcal has, but he rarely makes throwing errors and he is 2 for 2 where Furcal is 0-2, as is Nomar. And now I'm hearing about how Nomar is hurting for this weather, but is game till the end. This while he is taking abs. from a man who had 9 rbis yesterday. Im afraid this team has peaked.

I wouldn't have guessed so, but I must know more Japanese than Google. Its guess was: "Enclosure 泓 Will." But I know it was "Failure of Will!"

so ..... randy johnson has a herniated disk in his back, but may ONLY miss the 1st round of the playoffs ....

that would be some pretty quick healing ... wouldn't it?

191 My guess is Barry Bonds and Omar Vizquel or maybe Moises Alou.

Stan from Tacoma

195. It's Chinese for Kuo's name.

Loney's probably being sat bc Lowry is left-handed, and Nomar has had success against Lowry earlier in the year.

Kuo has done well with no support.

Nomar has looked at approximately 2 pitches this game.

[192] in my head i have them cast as "villain #2" and "villain #3" of that episode. that's all the information i need.

199 That makes some sense, but may not make a win.

190 - showoff :)

198- Ah. Well, there you go. Thanks.

oh, the chinese characters! yeah, that's kuo's name. i looked it up the other day when xeifrank was talking about it :)

202
For the record, the runners were Guy Sularz and Bob Brenly.

Alright, if all the scores from right now hold this thing is still salvageable...I kinda like that Mark Kreidler article today on ESPN.com about how the entire playoff situation this year is up to...Barry Bonds and the Giants!

Ryan Klesko is up with I think his third AB of the season, w/2 outs first and third.

Ryan Klesko sighting in Arizona.

Speaking of Brenly, the Padres are threatening with runners on the corners, two outs and Klesko batting for Hensley in the 7th.

So, if Bonds is serious about not signing an incentive-centric contract, who would sign him?

... and he knocks in a run. It was not a pretty at bat.

Ryan Klesko is getting a full playoff share now.

Klesko, apparently still alive, makes it 2-1 Dbax.

Vin is handing out asterisks tonight.

Vin with big ups to Gil Hodges. No love for James Loney.

Vin really liked Gil Hodges. I would have to say that Hodges is Vin's alltime favorite Dodger.

Humidor or no, LA has been going to Denver for several 'dry ball' seasons and had not done what Loney did.

And Roberts pops up to end the inning.

Did Julio Lugo ever really hit a home run or it that just urban legend?

That was a weak AB by Lugo.

I wish Julio Lugo was an urban legend.

221

everything about Lugo has been weak.

I guess maybe we'll have to get to the Giants bullpen before we can think about scoring.

That was a really ugly nice play by Drew.

3-1 D'Backs in the 7th...

Mixing urban legends together, Julio Lugo has two home runs against Cole Hamels.

So, is Lugo on any potential playoff roster? He's been completely unproductive.

Kuo's line is good 5h 0bb 5K.
But Lowries is better due to 1 hit. This could well be the d's offenses' fault.

I mean Lugo has a 2-0 count, why make such a feeble cut on a changeup?

228
Why would Lugo be playing so much if the Dodgers had no intention of using him after Sunday/Monday?

Randy Winn is having a typical Marlon Anderson kind of year.

Is anyone else getting an annoying pop-up on the gameday window?

That drive to center sure looked catchable.

Lofton you sir are fired.

Another awful play by Lofton.

Who the hell put scrappydog out there!??

this is my rather uninformed attempt to sinicize bob's name: 拔簿提们儿门

That does look rather sinister, good job.

238- We promote books mention abuse doors.

hmm, that was supposed to be "kick doors". and where's "mention" in there? the 儿 is just for pronunciation.

Well, at least Kuo is making Barry look awful.

241. Babel fish translates that to Pulls out the book raising gate in Chinese.

223 I hereby refer everyone back to 6

73 - "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the purpose of this and other blogs is to allow the responder to post what they really feel, for catharitic effects if nothing else. I have never killed anyone yet... Baseball is an emotional subject and it brings out strong feelings in people. I'd rather say what I feel and get it overwith than to suppress it. Yes, I really have no right to inflict the verbalization of my opinion on anyone else. But I read a ton of opinions here everyday that I disagree with, so I thought it was kind of OK. I don't expect what I write to influence anyone in any way. I am not a professional writer, I am not afraid to criticize Dodger officials because I don't ever hope or expect to work for them."

You're a little wrong. As I've said before, Dodger Thoughts is not everyone's rubber room. As the guidelines indicate, it is not the place for people just to work things out of their system without regard to the discussion as a whole. It is a place for enthusiastic discussion, sure, but civil discussion.

Though I didn't think it was enough to make a big deal out of at the time, since you're asking, I think comment 32 was plainly distasteful. There are plenty of ways to express unhappiness with Lugo's performance without sounding so flat-out mean. You can post what you feel, but like in any public forum, you should frame your words in a civil way.

This is not how I pictured the evening going, except for the Padres losing part.

I know that ball by Winn was hit hard, but I think Kuo deserved better that inning.

Rudy Seanez is pitching now.

All is well.

245 Jon: You should be a diplomat, or at least teach classes on civility.

247 - He deserved to have Lofton catch that ball. The route he took was via Concord.

What happened to Kemp...he's looked awful.

The Dodgers had better win this game or MILLIONS OF PEOPLE MAY DIE!

Kemp needs to be played consistantly, he may need a bit more MiL experience. Loney just needs to play. We will see how our vets respond to the third time around.

250
If Lofton had taken a route via Benicia, would he had to have paid a toll going from San Francisco?

At least Kemp worked the count a little. Lowry's pretty nasty tonight and his mix of speeds gives Kemp problems.

Kemp. Never take the bat off your shoulders.

252

rofl .... let's hear it for Jack Bauer!

252
The Jack Bauer School of Managing.

Despite the Dodgers paltry hit total, they should still have a comfortable lead in the BA record chase.

Big denominators are your friend this time of year.

254 - I forget where the tolls are up there. It's been years since I drove around. Maybe that's why he was late getting to it. He had to stop and change a $100 so that he could pay the toll. Get that man a EZPass or it's equivalent.

Lofton shouldn't be up there first pitch swinging. Crummy at bat for him, he needed to work the count. We've got to get to the bullpen.

[243] eh, that's not so bad. i was trying to get it to suggest a librarian revolutionary :)

Hmmm .... the Indians are 8 games under .500 despite outscoring their opps. by 80 (!) runs this year.

252
Or millions of voices may cry out in panic, only to be suddenly silenced.

its possible nomar is hurting the team by playing. olmedo is just sitting in the dugout.

Nomar will hit a HR in his fourth or fifth at bat. I hope it is enough. He would do as well if put in for Loney for his fifth at bat, but it probably wouldn't matter at that point, for we would be ahead.

Me thinks that the Dodgers really need to get Lowry out of the game.

251 - He's on the Kevin Maas career trajectory plan at this point.

That's not actually a fair or accurate statement, given Kemp's youth, but it has been sure been feeling like it lately.

260. The Giants beating us with the old Blazing Saddles gag.

Can the bullpen hold the game at 3 runs?
Just dont let it be Carrara.

I forgot that Sele hasnt been able to get anyone out since June.

270 - I think we know the answer to that.

Kuo had remarkable control tonight. What a starter.

テイフフソ is I believe what my surname is in Japanese.

Every time the Dodgers lose God kills a kitten.

Oh God. Please don't give us the Alous. I am suspicious of our management now. Only palamony could support that.

276-Everytime the Giants win he kills two.

275
No, every time the Dodgers lose, God allows an owl to capture a kitten.

It's a very specific problem.

Every third pitch is a hung breaking ball. I have a bad feeling about this.

Do owls have affinities for kittens?

I did not know that ....

(glad I read DT every day)

278 But some owls are endangered; couldn't this help them?

I really don't want to pay attention to this game.

lets go guys. we need baserunners.

Perhaps that will inspire the Dodgers.

Wow..that last inning certainly can give Larry Krueger some material.

Talk about "not being able to walk" off the island.

Yikes.

If an owl can get a kitten he deserves to eat it.

279 - I guess the Giants like to swing and miss at hung breaking balls. It's a good thing.

"Tantalizing"

Such a good word for tonight.

The word comes from the mythological figure "Tantalus": "Name of a mythical king of Phrygia, son of Zeus and the nymph Pluto, condemned, for revealing the secrets of the gods, to stand in Tartarus up to his chin in water, which constantly receded as he stooped to drink, and with branches of fruit hanging above him which ever fled his grasp; a rock is also said to have hung over him threatening to fall."

From the OED.

274 - Bob, that is incorrect. That spells "tee-foo-foon". The kana is close, it should be "tee-mah-mahn" (sorta, I'm not quite sure how to spell it how it sounds).

281
The owls are now what they seem.

270 - Personally, I have nightmares about Hamulack.

288
I was copying it from a book, but I can't match up my fonts.

Hopefully Felipe Alou sleeps through this inning. Lowry turns into batting practice after 80 pitches. He's at 85 right now.

285 - My kids love that book: "If You Give An Owl a Kitten..."

Mr. Consistency!

drew got decent wood on that ball.

JD is locked and loaded!

286 are you allowed to write "hung breaking balls" nowadays?

(Homeland Security may be knocking on your door)

NICE!!!

Just stay in your seat Felipe.
Nothing to see here....

"Jay" "Dee" "Drew"

"Jay" "Dee" "Drew"

テイママソ ?

We have a 20-homer guy.

Nice!!! That was Crushed.

Oh if we can steal this one...

20! A Dodgers has 20!

An evening of cryptography. Anybody know what the gang signal the Dodger hat wearing young woman just threw, meant?

Give an owl a kitten, feed it for a day.
Teach an owl to catch a kitten, feed it for a lifetime.

289 The owls used to not be what they seem. But, you're saying, now they are?

Agent Cooper will be relieved.

LOl..ah man he's leaving him in.

302 - We have two!

302 Two guys with 20.

Two outs in Phoenix.

Nomar has 20, too, doesn't he?

Nomar Drew we have to suffer with having only one 20-homer player.

Everybody including Vin, seems to be amazed that Lowrie is pitching a two hitter.

301 - Yes.

Techinically the second character would be smaller in size, and the last character might be wrong. The "n" character and the "soh" character are the same except for the direction of the stroke, I can't tell from the font.

Game over in Phoenix.

I don't know if we're going to get to any relievers, expecially if Lowery gets out of this inning wihtout any more runs. It's the last game he'll pitch this season.

Madres lose!

lugo, heres a perfect time for your first homerun/clutch hit as a dodger.

Here comes THE MAN

I mean "especially"

Hopefully the Dodgers get some inspiration from the scoreboard.

The owls didn't get Nomar? I thought I heard that.

Time for the impossible.

OK ... why am I not seeing any chinese characters in these posts?

I can get the Padre station in my car. It was hilarious before the game, all their idiots who could just tell the Padres would win based on their "all-business" attitude in the dugout. "Oh, they'll win tonight," they were saying with this dopey confidence. They've got the Pads slotted already for the World Series.

Listening to idiots like Tim Flannery, Randy Jones, and the hideous Ted Lightner, it makes you really appreciate not just Vin, but Charlie, Rick and "A" too. They're not such cheap dates.

thats shocking. what a waste.

ITP homer for Chone Figgins to make it 6-0 Angels over Oakland.

How can one mad do so much damage to our season?

Don't let Lugo bat!

Is this too early for Saenz?

291. テイママン　is the katakana for "Te i ma ma n"

you were using フ which is 'fu' or Tifufun :)

is lugo even going to be on the postseason roster if we get there. we need to get raffy up this inning.

[326] perhaps you don't have the fonts installed?

326
Check the coding on your web browser. It's usually under "view".

What is Grady saving Saenz for? Is he too busy doing something else? This is his moment.

Why on earth is Lugo swinging 2-0 against a pitcher that is dead tired??

Maybe LUgo should join the Giants.
They are the team to play for if you're a braindead hacker.

328 What's shocking? Julio Lugo popping up in an important situation? I believe that is the opposite of shocking.

And you are batting Betemit right handed.
I approved your trades. You don't have to prove anything--I'd rather win.

Pathetic. A bad matchup.

339 - I'm thankful he didn't GIDP

Straw poll here on the DT reaction to Lugo popping out: Surprise? Disbelief?

Sarcasm here, no need to answer.

339.
duh.

Felipe Alou just gave the Dodgers a gift, and Lugo/Betemit hack away and blow it.

yeah, why didn't saenz pinch-hit?? that makes no sense.

That was stupid. That was probably the best chance.

If I speak about Lugo I may break all 10 of Jon's rules.

306 I think she was making an interlocking LA logo (like on the hat) with her hands but it was backwards.

I think it is wishful thinking that Lugo will not be on a postseason roster should there be the need for one.

If I see Saenz coming in against a righty later, I'm going to scream. Again.

344 ?? It was your comment. I was just asking what you meant.

do the giants have anyone good in their pen?

yeah, sorry. I was the opposite of shocking, a little sarcasm.

349- So, not a gang sign? That makes sense; thanks.

348 - Just because he hasn't gotten a hit doesn't mean it's a no hitter

Isn't that the second time tonight that Lugo meekly went out on a 2-0 pitch?

[352] 328 seemed like sarcasm to me.

353 - Mike Stanton is their closer

357
yeah, he had a 2-0 pitch and hit a que job to 2nd base.

I like Beimel's Gameday picture, but I can't decide if he looks crafty or moronic.

Jay Jaffe in the house!

So far...crafty.

359 You mean Old Man Stanton from down the road? He's still alive?

I'm trying to figure out what the best set of fingers are to make an interlocking LA?

And then I'm grateful that I'm not a Cardinals fan trying to do that with that team's logo.

362- I think that was my pediatrician's name

365

...or New York.

365 Or an Expos fan from the early days

The Giants bullpen is pretty much Mike Stanton and maybe Vinnie Chulk. The rest of it is chuck and duck.

So looking at Beimel's move... the knee can go behind as long as the foot doesn't? Seems that is deceptive to the runner.

[365] index and thumb of one hand, index and middle of the other.

why dont umpires xall beimels balks?

hey jon, howcome thers not a link to dodgerblues.com on right right side with the rest of the links?

saenz is being saved for Stanton

371
It still looks dumb.

[369] so there's stanton, then chulk and sulk?

Shea Hillenbrand. What a trade. :)

Beimel is 3rd in the NL in pickoffs this year, with 6.

Come On Blue!! Bat around this inning and let the Giants know why you're (probably) going to the post-season.

The Angels beat Oakland 6-0 and will clinch the LA/OC Metro Area battle if the Dodgers lose.

373. There is a link. Under the Dodger sites. 2nd one listed!
vr, Xei

362 Indeed. First time I've been live (not TiVo) for a west coast Dodger game on TV all year, I'll wager

373 - There is.

not a good start.

Ok, now their bullpen.
vr, Xei

Raffy.....
Come on you're better than that.
8th inning 1st pitch hacking...

[373] it's 2nd on the list, right under 6-4-2 .

whoops, i totally missed it.

I guess Kevin Correia isn't bad either...

Lofton needs to make up for his poor defense tonight. vr, Xei

Grady will regret that 7th inning for a while I think.

Now is the time for lighting to strike 3 times.

380:

Yeah, but the Dodgers didn't get to pad their wins against a bunch of weak-knee'd teams from the NL during interleague play.

Oh... wait.....

391
I think he will regret very little. That's just his nature.

390 - Just tonight's?

ok, nomar. you sit tomorrow.

Nomar's got a serious owie there.

Nomar will not be back for the bottom of the eighth, I don't think.

correa just totally owned our hitters.

[362] can you tell who logs in and when?

Correia just dominated that 8th inning.
Hopefully Alou still goes with Stanton in the 9th.

396 - yes. Let's see what that Loney fellow can do. I've heard he's all right.

Loney sat for that??
vr, Xei

Like Bonds against Kuo, he looked outmatched. I'm sure both cases are due to injury but it is what it is.

402, and im thinking olmedo at 3rd tomorrow as well.

Why is Nomar even playing tonight? Left handed starter for them, strike-out starter for us.

Grady. Grady Grady....

400 - Nope. I just see the comments like you.

Theoretically, Saenz may not even get a chance to hit.

Drew/Kent/Martin/Anderson....cant see Saenz pinch hitting for any of those guys.

Betemit/Lugo both hit and Saenz stayed on the bench...I know Saenz was 0-6 lifetime vs Lowry, but still. He kills lefties.

Oh man. How are we going to win with Loney in there?

406 - Considering how huge Nomar has been these past two weeks, hurt all the while, I think Grady should be cut more than a little slack for playing him.

what happened to nomar anyway, besides the strikeout? did he visibly hurt himself or aggravate one of his injuries?

whew

Someone needs to slap Grady and tell him that Nomar is off-limits for a couple of days.

411 - Yes.

Wow he just missed that.

wow, gameday puts that flyout right next to the wall. vr, Xei

how did that ball go that fall, did barry go and shoot up inbetween innings?

411 - He struckout on a changeup and was noticeably wincing and limping as he walked back to the dugout.

411 - He screwed himself into the ground and tweaked his back/oblique/quad or ankle.

410. Of course. Don't need to look up the numbers to understand he has been contributing in a huge way.

War-ning-track pow-er

I believe Saenz hasn't played third since July 19 at Arizona when he came in as part of a double switch.

loooks like he aggravated the oblique strain

411 It was a change-up, but Nomar took a home run swing at it. The force of the swing seemed to aggravate the pain on his right side, and he grimaced and stumbled a bit after the swing.

Bonds in september has hit 7HRs and is OPS'ing over 1.000

jon, on the highlight real they just showed mike marshall running around the bases on what appeared to be a homerun trot and pointing into ethier the dodgers or giants dugout, do you know what game that was?

Just got home. How did Kuo look?

I can't believe that Grits started Lugo over Saenz!

are Alou's lefty splits that good? Or did Beimel look tired?

ah. thanks for the descriptions. my mlb.tv froze, and it wasn't really streaming in the first place.

If you were gauranteed to reach first base safely every time you came to bat with a runner on first base, would you take it?
vr, Xei

Somebody who stole home a couple days ago is removed for a pinch runner.

That does it for me. Early on I said don't complain about how Nomar is hurting, and then play him. If they played Loney, and brought in Nomar to hit for him late, IMO the game would be won now.
It looks like Loney may get to play now, but it is very late.

428 According to Vin, the former.

426 - I disagree. Saenz's strength is vs. LHP. Given that the remaining opposing pitchers are RHPs, this was the night to give Nomar a night off. If you need a defensive replacement later, go to Loney.

Errr... 434 was in reply to 410.

steal attempt?
vr, Xei

Golden Sombrero!

Now let's win the game.

Pedro Feliz is not having a Beltre-like walk year.

Give him the sombrero, Beef.

434 are you saying start nomar tomorrow? he looks physically unable to start, with 2 bad legs. :)

Great night for Pedro Feliz.
Here is a Golden Sombrero!

Let's get them here in classic (for the last couple weeks or so) Dodger fashion.

Some free baseball wouldn't hurt, either.

Ok, here we go... last chance to tie or win this game. If we make it to Lugo's spot, I wonder if he is pinch hit for (please yes!).
vr, Xei

434 I wouldn't go that far. But when Betemit pinch hit, that should've been Saenz' at-bat. We had a chance to go ahead there if Tomato does what he often does to tired lefties.

What's this sombrero business?

Drew hasnt walked yet tonite he's due for one.

My heart skipped a beat.

440 He might be too injured to continue, but he wouldn't have made if worse if he were sitting on the bench cheering on tomato.

I liked that foul ball's initial trajectory.

445 - KKKK is a golden sombrero
KKKKK is platinum
6K is a horn

I thought he got that. Only the sound of Vinnie's calm demeanor let me know I was wrong.

does anyone remember that game about 5 years ago. the dodgers had tom goodwin, they were down by one run and he led off with a single and stole second, then advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch. then rob nenn proceded to strike out mark grudzielanked, gary sheffiled and shawn green.?

432 - no offence, but there is no possible way to verify the claim you make in your third sentence.

Come on J.D.!

no out recorded :)

In play, no out recorded!!! yes!! I am going to go flip the tv on and try not to wake up the 2 year old. vr, Xei

452 Thanks for that memory.

450 - I've never heard of the platinum sombrero. That's a good one. Six K's might need a better name though.

444 - That too. A little voice from the past is creeping into my head....

450

Thanks. Why sombreros? Is this a DT phenomenon?

Although... Olmedo has a bat in hand now...

Please don't get picked off Repko.

JD c'mon! that was HANGING.

I can not believe he watched that pitch. Same pitch he hit out last time.

That was not what I hoped for.

[460] nah, it's relatively common baseball slang.

I like Russ Martin against a LHP.
Russ will come through.

Run Repko?

I'd do hit and run

a wild pitch would be nice, take the dp away.

If Lugo comes up, my guess is Olmedo will bat for him. My guess, and my prayer.

its all of our prayers.

Is Cody Ransom available?

i'd hope olmedo bats for anderson.

CLAP CLAP CLAP!

I like Merlin, but I love this move.

Excellent at bat by Martin.
Russ is the smartest hitter on the team IMO.

wow grady. why for marlon?

I think this move is one player too early, but then again I am not a big league manager.

russ with good discipline. nice

BB Martin

Okay, Grady, maybe you knew this would happen. Let's see if it works. Go Tomato.

Prayers partially answered.

Can someone help us mock Mike Stanton by providing his transaction history over the past few years...?

Grady has a plan for all his children.

Well... For all my complaints, this is a good spot.

If they Giants were actually trying to win they'd never let Stanton face Saenz right?

Great move Grits to bring in Old Maid now.

If you're Felipe Alou, you cant let Stanton face Saenz.

I don't like the fact Lugo is even on the on deck circle.

Old Maid is a stud!!!

Transactions

June 2, 1987: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round of the 1987 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1987.

December 23, 1994: Granted Free Agency.

April 12, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves.

July 31, 1995: Traded by the Atlanta Braves with a player to be named later to the Boston Red Sox for players to be named later. The Atlanta Braves sent Matt Murray (August 31, 1995) to the Boston Red Sox to complete the trade. The Boston Red Sox sent Mike Jacobs (minors) (August 31, 1995) and Marc Lewis (minors) (August 31, 1995) to the Atlanta Braves to complete the trade.

July 31, 1996: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with a player to be named later to the Texas Rangers for Mark Brandenburg and Kerry Lacy. The Boston Red Sox sent Dwayne Hosey (November 4, 1996) to the Texas Rangers to complete the trade.

October 27, 1996: Granted Free Agency.

December 11, 1996: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.

November 5, 1999: Granted Free Agency.

November 29, 1999: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.

October 30, 2002: Granted Free Agency.

December 19, 2002: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Mets.

December 3, 2004: Traded by the New York Mets to the New York Yankees for Felix Heredia.

July 1, 2005: Released by the New York Yankees.

July 13, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Washington Nationals.

September 29, 2005: Traded by the Washington Nationals to the Boston Red Sox for Rhys Taylor (minors) and Yader Peralta (minors).

October 12, 2005: Granted Free Agency.

December 24, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Washington Nationals.

Bless you, Olmedo!

Tomato!!!!

marlon is left-handed, and we've still got ramon martinez on the bench, though i don't know if that's an improvement over lugo.

"To" "ma" "to"

"To" "ma" "to"

Attack of the Killer Tomato!

killer tomato with a smash! lol

Cheap!

Beautiful!

Grady! / Olmedo!

Way to come through Tomato!!

yes!!

run for Saenz?

Grady for MOY!!

Yay! A parachute shot!!

God Bless Felipe Alou.
Wow...

And now you pull him?

please lugo, please.

Oh no...

483
Mike Stanton:
Selected by Atlanta Braves in the 13th round of the free-agent draft (June 2, 1987 -
signed June 10, 1987).

Granted free agency (December 23, 1994).

Signed by Atlanta Braves (April 12, 1995).

Traded by Atlanta Braves with a player to be named later to Boston Red Sox in
exchange for 2 players to be named later (July 31, 1995); Atlanta Braves received
Mike Jacobs and Marc Lewis (August 31, 1995) and Boston Red Sox received Matt Murray
(August 31, 1995).

Traded by Boston Red Sox with a player to be named later to Texas Rangers in
exchange for Mark Brandenburg and Kerry Lacy (July 31, 1996); Texas Rangers received
Dwayne Hosey (November 4, 1996).

Granted free agency (October 27, 1996).

Signed by New York Yankees (December 11, 1996).

Granted free agency (November 5, 1999).

Signed by New York Yankees (November 29, 1999).

Granted free agency (October 30, 2002).

Signed by New York Mets (December 19, 2002).

Traded by New York Mets to New York Yankees in exchange for Felix Heredia (December
3, 2004).

Released by New York Yankees (July 1, 2005).

Signed by Washington Nationals (July 13, 2005).

Traded by Washington Nationals to Boston Red Sox in exchange for Rhys Taylor and
Yader Peralta (September 29, 2005).

Granted free agency (October 12, 2005).

Signed by Washington Nationals (December 24, 2005).

7/28/06 Giants - Acquired LHP Mike Stanton from the Washington Nationals in exchange for nonroster RHP Shairon Martis.

There's the reason Maddux said he was glad to never face Olmedo again.

Has Ethier hit yet? Why is Lugo up there?

...not JULIO.

Tomato sauce!

Young. Good call, Grady.

Grits made the right move. There was no guarantee that Lugo's spot would even come up. Maybe Lugo will get lucky and his bat will run into the ball.

In the name of JtD- DO SOMETHING!!

I went to the trouble to make my mocking up to date!

the book on lugo is to fall behind 2-0 then throw a fastball right down the middle.

Doesn't it seem like Lugo's spot comes up an awful lot?

Maybe Felipe likes the Dodgers?

I'll take back everything i've said about lugo if he gets a hit.

Lugo = Feliz

WAR LUCILLE II!!!!!!

At least he can run faster than his crappy bat.

At least it wasn't a double play

Lugo might steal here

Stanton is killing my fantasy team, but OH WHAT THE HELL!!!

I guess I won't have to take anything back, he looked out at first too.

young break up the DP?

508 thank you Bob

just a simple little single, a duck fart, a dying quale. anythig!

524 And get thrown out, just to hurt us in every way possible.

If this is a tie game on the road, that means the pitcher would be ....??????

This would be sweet poetry if Ramon can come through.

booooooogo. at least it wasn't a DP.

If Lucille gets a hit here, then the Dodgers are just meant to make the playoffs.

WILD PITCH!

YESSSSSSSSSS

Wow, first Lucille II sighting since Arrested Development was canceled

YESSSSSSSSSSSS!

YEAHHHH!!!!!

I don't believe it.

We gotta win the World Series

We like those wild pitches.

531
The question is moot.

Yesssss!

I think Grady is thinking Lugo has to do something some time. I know that is what I am thinking Unfortunately it is not happening.

WOW WILD PITCH

Yes!

And wouldn't you know it. As Vin always does with a runner on third... he didn't do this time.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!

Thank you ump for getting your leg in the way.

Stanton for MVP

It's one base from the mound, Julio.

What is the rule on advancing anyways???

sammy saito sammy saito baby!

Yes, Lugo's outrunning the DP was huge. So was Martin's walk.

That ball hit the dirt and just didn't come up. It hit the dirt and rolled.

525 mine too, but I'm enjoying this more

550
See 549

Come on Grady, let Lugo get himself kicked out. If we're lucky it might come with a suspension. :)

Ramon needs to give Saito time to warm up.

Sammy time. this team is something else.

531 - So glad we don't have to answer that right now.

557 I'm sure Saito was already up.

Lets go Sammy! You get this, you'll get a raise!

This team is nothing like the Dodger teams that have ruined my mood so many times in the past 15 years. Those teams usually died in the ninth inning of low scoring games that they had to win.

This one kicks ass!

That inning was Martin's walk and Felipe Alou's letting Stanton face Saenz.

Kent's bloop and the wildpitch are luck, but the above two things are skill on the Dodgers part and incompetance on the Giants.

7.05(h) Each runner ... may, without liability to be put out
(h) One base, if a ball, pitched to the batter, or thrown by the pitcher from his position on the pitcher's plate to a base to catch a runner, goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a field fence or backstop. The ball is dead;
APPROVED RULING: When a wild pitch or passed ball goes through or by the catcher, or deflects off the catcher, and goes directly into the dugout, stands, above the break, or any area where the ball is dead, the awarding of bases shall be one base. One base shall also be awarded if the pitcher while in contact with the rubber, throws to a base, and the throw goes directly into the stands or into any area where the ball is dead.
If, however, the pitched or thrown ball goes through or by the catcher or through the fielder, and remains on the playing field, and is subsequently kicked or deflected into the dugout, stands or other area where the ball is dead, the awarding of bases shall be two bases from position of runners at the time of the pitch or throw.

562. You do know that the Dodgers if the hold on, would be like 3-58 when trailing after 7 innings? This team usually doesnt come back.

of course Finley would be on deck

That was a strike!

562 Well, maybe not so much. (Thanks Vinny.) But it sure seems like it!

Just how important is it to have a catcher who can block pitches?

Oh well, Alfonzo is a free swinger.

Saito's slider is dirty.

ONE DOWN BABY!!!!

In a game like this, it's fun watching the pockets of Dodgers fans in the stands. On replays of the wild pitch, watch for two guys sitting behind the plate to explode out of their seats in excitement.

that 0-2 slider was RIGHT THERE YOU STUPID UMP.

That was managerial foresight, saving Saenz for the chance to pitch to Stanton. Really nice to see.

564- Thanks Bob makes sense.

there is just no reason I want to see steve finley right now. Let's just nip that plotline in the bud.

Boy... Finley is having another lousy season. At the beginning of the year, the Giants were bragging what a steal it was picking him up. He must've tailed way off.

You would know Finley would get on.

Finley is an extremely lucky hitter.

Seeing-eye single

574 Like I said Grady for MOY!

Filthy slider.

Thank you Russel Martin.

*Russell

Saito is getting squeezed

Nothing ever comes easy.

Winn had no right swinging at that.

Repko should have been playing CF...

Uh oh.

come oN!!!

keep the faith. Saito will bear down here.

aarrrrrghhh. finish them sammy!

Not Vizquel! He is so annoying!

If that ball just goes a little farther, it's a double play.

Bleeders and gorks all over the yard.

Not a single ball struck well. GRRR...

Vinny is having more fun than me.

Awww... That was lousy.

Let's... Turn... Two!!

Ta-ber-nac. I'll bet Martin and Gagne swear in Quebecois too.

587 Ok, maybe Grady doesn't deserve MOY ...

Winn is a notorious bad-ball hitter.

Refresh is pretty slow ... lots of action on this page

I have to go to the bathroom too!

This season is determined to kill me.

Omar strikes out once every ten or so at bats

Lucille!

WHAT A CATCH!

Great job Lucille. Unfortunately, Winn got to 2B.

LUCILLLLLEE!!!!

That was Jeter-esque.

Oh my!

RAMON!!! what a catch. one more Sammy!

Oh wow, that was a HUGE grab!

How did Winn tag on that?

If he had been Derek Jeter, he'd have fallen into the seats.

Of course, if he had done that, then the tying run would have scored.

That would have landed in McCourt's baseline seats!

I forgot that Bonds came out of the game!

Walk Sweeney

Vinny was surprised...his reactoin called it but didn't believe it!

Where does Ramon's nickname Lucille come from?

Giants fans gotta get all Steve Bartman on that ball. Their loss.

Nice Reach!!!
What's Linden's Strong side?

1st base coach must have sent him.

What else would Winn be doing on that play except standing at first?

Oh, this is stupid. Walk the guy.

probably b/c I'm so old, but every time you guys say Lucille, all I can think of is Little Richard: "Lucille!/Why don't you do your daddy's will?"

C'mon....

probably b/c I'm so old, but every time you guys say Lucille, all I can think of is Little Richard: "Lucille!/Why don't you do your daddy's will?"

COME ON!!!!!! ONE MORE STRIKE!!!

SAITO!!!!!

YES!

YEAH!!!!!!!

SAMMY!!!

AHHHHHHHSOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Outa-Saito :)

dueling passed balls anyone?

YES!

We win!

AMAZING! I love Sammy.

I knew it. One of his benders would freeze Sweeney. I love Saito!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even the ump bleeding a little dodger blue on those pitches to Sweeney. Nice.

AMAZING pitch. wow. Sammy is a gift from the Gods!

YESSSSSS!!!! tied for first, baby!

I love Saito.

Grady sure had the midas touch late in this game. vr, Xei

618 It looked like that popup was into the Photogs' well. The fans never had a chance.

Congrats guys, things just got a LOT harder for my Phils :(

I just want the Phillies to lose. I just want the Phillies to lose.

Lose, you stupid Phillies!

640- but he might go back to Japan after this season :(

Is there any way we can make it so he can't leave the country?

645. You can have the Pads spot. :)

G'Night lads ... WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...cue up the Randy Newman....

.....rollin' down....Imperial Hiiiiighway....

Tomorrow's game is interesting, bc before the Dodger game starts the Phils may have already lost. So with a playoff spot assured, Little may rest his regulars. However, with the division race at hand, I dont think he'd do that.

G'Night lads ... WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yeah, ideally the dodgers and phillies win their last 2 games, and the padres lose theirs.

The sound that came out of my mouth was something like YEEESSSSAAAIIIITOOOOO!

Beat SF!
Beat SF!
Duh.
vr, Xei

651 - Maddux should pitch no matter what, because I don't think they'll want to have him warm up and then shut him down. But Grady said on Dodgers.com today that his goal is just to make the playoffs. He's not going to burn people for a division title pursuit.

I don't know that Nomar can play tomorrow anyway.

644- Nope, a couple of Giants fan in big orange jackets actually moved out of the way.

647 Send him to GTMO until spring training?

Nomar looked pretty rough when he left that game, we might not see him play for awhile.

Such drama in this playoff run. For the Dodgers to go from where they were two weeks after the All-Star break to where they are now - and the way they have done it - incredible. Magic number for a playoff spot is now ONE.

I have to agree with Fanerman's comment on the masthead. As a relative newcomer to this blog, I can no longer imagine what this pennant race had been like were I just sitting around watching Gameday without following the many wonderful thoughts and comments of all who post here.

I don't want to play Monday. With this teams Crips and pitching we want to rest a day and bring em on. The Mets would be fine wo/Pedro.

We are undefeated on the road (trip) whis is impressive.

If Fox was smart, they'd show the Phillie/Marlin game tomorrow in addition to the Giant/Dodgers.

He's not going to burn people for a division title pursuit.

Thats too bad.
A division title is still a championship.
Its a flag, banner, T-shirt, etc...

644 -Ah. Do the event staff wear orange up there? I couldn't tell because my video stream turned into a video dribble right there.

does webb pitch against padres this weekend?

I just know there's no way I will be able to watch tomorrow's game here in Rochester. I'll be tuning into Rick & Charlie tomorrow.

According to MLB, the D-backs have a weird pitching plan tomorrow:

"San Diego sends David Wells out to face Juan Cruz, for two innings, and then Edgar Gonzalez on Saturday in an effort to clinch at least a Wild Card berth with a win, while the Dodgers engage the Giants again in San Francisco.

Uno!!!!!!!

660 I've gotta echo that. When the game comes on, I'm almost as anxious to turn on the computer as I am to turn on the TV. It's like having a bunch of buddies over to watch the game with. Cool stuff.

I know that the padres own the tiebreaker in a tie with the dodgers but are the dodgers considered co-champs if there is no one game playoff?

If the Phillies were to win their last two, and both the Pads/Dodgers lose their last two, then a playoff would ensue in which the Pads/Dodgers would literally have TWO chances to make the playoffs.

IIRC, the Pads/Dodger would play monday for the division title. The winner is in.

The loser then goes to Philly, and that winner would make the playoffs.

So basically the only way the Dodgers can NOT make the playoffs is if they lose the rest of their games and Philly wins all of theirs.

658
The milk came out my nose on that one. Good jokes are NEVER in good taste.

Perhaps my favorite posting of the night came when the Giants had runners on first and third with one out in the ninth:

590. dzzrtRatt
keep the faith. Saito will bear down here.

Thank you, whoever and wherever you are, dzzrtRatt!

658- lol. only bad people are sent there...guys like Danys Baez and Jeff Kent

Dodgers now 15-12 in Sept! Can't complain about that. With a 3 game lead on Sept 1 the Padres would have had to go 18-9 to catch us- and did.

More from MLB.com on tomorrow's D-back pitching plan. It's a little disconcerting.

Arizona manager Bob Melvin announced before Friday's game that Cruz will start on Saturday instead of rookie right-hander Edgar Gonzalez. The coaching staff has struggled to find Cruz innings of late. Melvin said he would probably only pitch two innings and then be relieved by Gonzalez. Cruz started the season as a starter, but shoulder problems coupled with the addition of Livan Hernandez, placed Cruz in the bullpen. He has not pitched since Sept. 16 and is 0-0 with a 3.32 ERA out of the 'pen over 21 2/3 innings pitched.

671 - Nope, it's the Pads. Happened to Boston last year.

i wonder if the padres would also rest their regulars if the phillies lose. they've even got the cushion of winning the division in the event of a tie with the dodgers, right?

Why didn't Lugo, then playing 2nd base, cover 2nd on Vizquel's foul pop-up that Martinez grabbed reaching into the stands? Winn advanced to scoring position, and a Sweeney hit could have cost us the game.

668. Sounds like a good plan to me. Pitch your starter until he bats for the first time, then pinch hit for him. This way your pitcher is more likely to bat one less time.
vr, Xei

Hey DzzrtRatt, are you actually in a desert (I assume you are not actually a rat) and if so which one?

675 But he does terrorize the NL, so the argument could be made.

680. It was a heck of a long throw. If you throw to 2nd, first of all you probably don't get him out and you run the risk of throwing the ball away, or having the runner from 3rd then try to advance once he sees the long throw to 2nd base. He did the right thing. Catch the ball, eat it and run back in and keep the runner at 3rd. vr, Xei

680 scooplew

Good point.

strange, i can't decide whether i want the dodgers to win the division or the wild card.

division -- home field in first round and probably second given how the mets are playing.

wild card -- get to play the mets and lets padres and cards (who have a combined records of 20-5 vs. dodgers) beat the hell out of each other

any thoughts from dodger thoughts?

680 That may be, but Lugo should have at least covered the bag so that the option is there even if you don't excercise it.

684 That's a good explanation. Lugo is off the hook on this one.

[682] couldn't it be dessert?

677 - Webb is scheduled to pitch Sunday. Focus on that.

New post up top.

[686] sucks to strategery, i want us to be the division champs.

wow, the ESPN guys just said the Dodger-Giants rivalry always matters as opposed to the NY-BoSox which is only compelling if they are both doing well.

[691] (i don't know why i felt like using a bushism, but it sounded better than the real word)

680 687 Stated another way: Lugo's covering of second base would have increased the risk of Winn's advancement, possibly to the point where it's not worth it to try. After all, you don't want to strand the tying run at third by running into an out at second. That's got to be in Alou's book somewhere.

664 JoeyP

Don't you want a "We Slipped into the 2006 Wild Card Spot" t-shirt?

Kuo again pitched well (2 runs were due to Lofton's misplay again). I think Kuo proved that he deserves a start in the playoffs.

Also, our suspect middle relief was outstanding. We needed every shutout innings. Grady should continue using Beimel in the 6th or 7th instead of any of our unreliable middle relievers.

[692] i have no evidence to back this up, i think it's because our division (and the entire NL) generally has more parity, so there are fewer runaways and it tends to come down to the wire.

Since we now have Martinez back, I would prefer him playing over Lugo. At least Martinez was making positive contributions before Lugo took his place.

695. LOL...Do any teams fly wild card banners at their stadiums?

Part of going to a stadium is seeing a banner that says "2006" NL West champions, or "2004" NL West champions.

I think resting the starters and settling for a WC, only works out if you end up going far in the playoffs. Bc you've basically given up a chance to win something (and a division title is something to be proud of--won over 162 games) instead for a chance run at a couple games in October.

G'Night lads ... WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

652 700 If that wasn't done on purpose, that has to be some kind of record for most space in between double posts.

699
Flying a wild card banner says, "we sucked less than the rest of the league," especially if you don't make it past that point...although a few wild card teams have made it all the way.

I agree. A division championship sounds a lot better than a wild card entry.

But if they win the NLCS, or the WS, the banner won't be a problem.

Actually, I spend most of my time nearer the ocean. But when I go to the desert, it's Anza-Borrego. I toy with the idea of moving there full-time, but I have to wait out my son's high school "career."

I do have faith in Saito. I can't believe this guy comes out of Japan and ends up replacing the best relief pitcher of our era, and he turns out to be basically just as good. Saito coming into a game gives me chills just like Gagne did. He just controls the hitters with those breaking balls, and he's got a mastery of the strike zone. It's such a pleasure to watch him pitch. If somehow, we had both of them next season, and they stayed healthy? Broxton-to-Saito-to-Gagne?