Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Jon's other site:
Screen Jam
TV and more ...
1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
Not being able to post as often as I'd like at Dodger Thoughts has been depressing. Outside of my family, this is really the place where I feel the most special - despite how modest an accomplishment the site really is in the larger world. The combination of the quiet postseason and the quickened pace of my six-week-old job at Variety have limited my ability to do more thought-provoking writing here.
Dodger Thoughts has grown more shallow, and it makes me feel more shallow. I shouldn't get too down, really. I've been working hard at the new job, pushing to make myself as expert as the position requires, an effort that among other things includes seeing more movies in the past month than I had seen in the past couple of years. That passion of mine lay dormant, and it's been fun to revive it. Further, writing at Screen Jam has been like finding a whole new bike path to ride, quieter but with wide open spaces. Not that I have enough time to post as often as I'd like there either, nor does it have an audience 1/20th of the size of the Dodger Thoughts audience, but I have just had a lot more to say.
In past years, these quiet periods for the Dodgers would be when I would get to do some fun historical pieces on the Dodgers, or reviews of the farm system, or knee-deep research into potential new acquisitions. Little of that is a realistic option right now, and it deflates me. It's shameful: I can't give my mistress enough attention.
It's a fine line between "don't" and "can't" - there are ways to make more time for Dodger Thoughts if I wanted to, like not doing Screen Jam for one. At this time, it's not even on the table to let go of Screen Jam - to punish the other other woman for my failings with the original other woman. But I do realize that with every new dalliance, I undermine the previous one. I've started stretching myself past the point of effectiveness. And I hate being mediocre, especially at the one thing I could tell myself that I was doing well.
I'm writing now between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. My work day tomorrow is going to be wall-to-wall - with a story due Tuesday on top of my editing duties, it means dinner and time with the kids at home figure to just to be an intermission. Tuesday might turn out the same way. So I don't know when my next post will be, though I suspect it will either be short or a couple days away.
In the end, if something is important enough for me to write, I'll find the time to write it. This little self-pity party, for example, was important enough for me to shave some sleep for. Nothing else tonight for Dodger Thoughts would have motivated me in the same way, and that's the flaw of the site. My ability to deliver useful content depends on my whims.
Don't get me wrong - I know there are readers who don't mind reading this kind of thing from me. But as time passed with Dodger Thoughts, I began to develop some ambition for the site, and a little recognition came my way. Running smack into my limitations again like a fleet of bumper cars ramming me has been humbling.
I'm going to keep this thing going. It just won't be as good as I want it to be, not right now, anyway.
* * *
At True Blue L.A., one of the sites you should be reading during my slump, Andrew Grant did a nice post comparing the 2005 and 2006 Dodger defenses:
Amongst all the complaints levied against the 2005 Dodgers, one that stood was that Paul DePodesta didn't value defense. After all, he broke up the "best double play combination in baseball" to sign Jeff Kent. He then followed this up by putting Jose Valentin at third and using the non baseball savvy Hee Seop Choi at first.
Meanwhile, Ned Colletti supposedly understood the value of defense and put his players into place. Admittedly, I felt that while the 2006 Dodgers weren't that much better than the non-injured 2005 team, the Dodgers defense was greatly improved.
I was looking up some defensive numbers for other purposes, and this caught my eye:
2006 Dodgers defensive efficency: .691
2005 Dodgers defensive effiency: .706
While individual defensive stats aren't perfect, defensive efficiency is simply the percentage of balls in play turned into outs. This is the definition of what a defense is supposed to do, so the logical conclusion is that that the 2005 Dodgers, who were so maligned for their defense, were a better fielding team than the 2006 Dodgers. ...
The moral of this story is a couple of things. The first is that we tend to focus on what we have gained rather than what we lost. Sure, Furcal, Garciaparra and Mueller were all nice defensive upgrades, but we probably gave those advances back by losing Bradley and Werth. The second is how hard it is to put a full seasons worth of data into context. We remember the acrobatic catches and judge a player's defensive worth based on the relatively few highlight reel catches they will make over a given year. However, the mundane plays that are made time and time again are far more important in the long run, and they form basis of a player's defensive value. This is why, even with the flaws inherent in defensive metrics, I trust them more than what people who "watch a lot of baseball" have to say about defense. It's just too hard to absorb a season's worth of plays, but it's a job that the dreaded computer is perfect at.
Gammons says in his new blog that Schmidt could end up in LA...I like that idea because I think he'll take less years than Zito. Thoughts?
"And what do you mean to be?"
The kind old Bishop said
As he took the boy on his ample knee
And patted his curly head.
"We should all of us choose a calling
To help Society's plan;
Then what do you mean to be, my boy,
When you grow to be a man?"
"I want to be a Consumer,"
The bright-haired lad replied
As he gazed up into the Bishop's face
In innocence open-eyed.
"I've never had aims of a selfish sort,
For that, I know, is wrong,
I want to be a Consumer, Sir,
And help the world along.
"I want to be a Consumer
And work both night and day,
For that is the thing that's needed most,
I've heard Economists say,
I won't just be a Producer,
Like Bobby and James and John;
I want to be a Consumer, Sir,
And help the nation on."
"But what do you want to be?"
The Bishop said again,
"For we all of us have to work," said he,
"As must, I think, be plain.
Are you thinking of studying medicine
Or taking a Bar exam?"
"Why no!" the bright-haired lad replied
As he helped himself to jam.
"I want to be a Consumer
And live in a useful way;
For that is the thing that's needed most,
I've heard Economists say.
There are too many people working
And too many things are made.
I want to be a Consumer, Sir,
And help to further Trade.
"I want to be a Consumer
And do my duty well;
For that is the thing that's needed most,
I've heard Economists tell.
"I've made up my mind," the lad was heard,
As he lit a cigar, to say;
"I want to be a Consumer, Sir,
And I want to begin today."
No worries, I just joined and started reading in the last few months, so I have no idea what great things you are capable of. All kidding aside, we all appreciate the work you do to keep this site going. It is in my not-very-important opinion the most logical forum for Dodgers fans to converse (it's not too SABR-devoted but also not filled with unfiltered hoodlums like so many other message boards). Thanks for your hard work.
Hey Jon, no explanations necessary... we'll still be here when you have more time to devote to Dodger Thoughts. The nice thing, I guess, is that the comments are pretty much on autopilot, so unlike maybe a couple of years ago, there still seems to be plenty going on here even when you're away.
I haven't been able to spend as much time here as I'd like either. I think until a week ago I still thought you were working at LACMA.
Although I can certainly understand if you want to keep it a one-man operation.
Jon, post when you can. Quality over quantity. And if you ever neglect your family so you can post something here, I'll call the brute squad on you.
I think for security reasons, Jon always takes a slightly different route to work. And like J. Edgar Hoover, he has a fear of left turns. It makes for some interesting rides.
At least, that's what I've heard...
The Philosopher King need not drive himself.
If Jon's getting that kind of assistance, I can certainly understand the job change.
8) I also wanted to suggest some guest bloggers. Nate, in particular, would be nice to hear from on a regular basis. Allow me to offer his time to you :-)
Thanks as always for your all of your efforts on DT!
Doug Minnick
Studio City, CA
As for Jason Schmidt, I like him, I've feared him as a Giant, and he would be a little cheaper than Zito, but he's also older, with more injury concerns. Well he'd certainly be a better ex-Giant pitcher pick up than Tomko, but I wonder a little bit about how much more he has in the tank. If we sign him, I hope I'm wrong to be concerned. I like the idea of the Dodgers signing that "other" Japanese pitching star, the one who won't cost the team the farm to buy.
Should we stop reading it once you get hot again...?
for some reason Zito doesn't impress me as much as Schmidt does, maybe because Zito stunk it up during the playoffs he also only throws like 85MPH yes he has a great curve but still...
I think you need the help of a caring nurturer. Just repeat this:
I'm going to write a terrific blog post today! And I'm gonna help people! Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, I know enough arcane baseball statistics, and, doggonit, people like me!
I deserve good things. I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am attractive person. I am fun to be with. And someday, I'm going to make a whole lot of money.
There...feel better?
Sincerely,
Stuart Smalley
I recommend that kind of Affirmation on a Daily basis...
Now excuse me while I go cancel my subscription to all those LACMA publications.
I think that's the spelling Down Under
22 - That's making me have Deep Thoughts.
I'm not familiar with the HBO series (I don't subscribe to HBO)
But my philsophy on free agency has a changed a bit with the new CBA. The big factor is that with the new CBA, free agents cannot demand a trade if they sign a multi year deal and is traded in the middle of it. This could allow us to cultivate talent in this winter without worrying about "blocking" any prospect and let all it sort itselft out on the field.
Im not talking about Billingsleys and Kuos rotation spots, because I do believe both need to be in the rotation. Im talking about the 3b battle, the outfield spots and probably 1st base as well. I am partial to the idea of not handing the job to a rookie right away and have them play into the job.
So if we acquire a soriano or a aramis ramirez, it wouldnt be the end of the world for our young pups like Kemp or Laroche. If they want to be in the big leagues bad enough, they will find a way to breakthough and stay up. all the good talents always find a way.
it's a pretty good show about a guy & three wives
My how times have changed. We've gone from "My Three Sons" to "My Three Wives."
I take it the guy and three wives live together...and, uh, do stuff together...?
it's actually not that type of a show it's done in very good taste
Come to think of it, I just read something about that the other day. I think it is Bill Paxton, isn't it? Bill has been in 3 very good movies:
Traveller
A Simple Plan
Frailty
I don't watch a lot of movies, but for some reason I happen to have seen quite a few of his
I'm a little confused with Ned and his remarks regarding Matsuzaka. He mentioned that he doesn't want to throw money out there just to win rights to negociate with him. I might be a little over the edge here, but I say it's worth it for the following reasons.
1. There isn't a pitcher out there that can fill our "lack of an ace" issue via free agency. Zito and Schmidt are both quality starters, but they are going to demand too much money for what they're worth. Matsuzaka's contract might be a better bargain in the long haul considering age and dominance (albeit in another league; see Nomo, Hideo)....that's contract, not negociating bid.
2. Any money thrown at the bid will probably be brought back into the organiztion 2-fold for merchandise and TV craze, not to mention all of the seats that a guy like him might be able to fill.
3. A rotation that has a 22 year old right hand throwing "future ace?", a 25 year old left handed flame thrower who has refound himself as a starter, and a 26 year old pitcher who has dominated everywhere he's ever thrown only looks good for the future of this franchise. Not to mention Elbert, Kershaw, and Meloean in the works.
Personally, that would be my main target if I were GM. I wouldn't thrown "beltran" type money at Soriano, Lee, Zito,Schmidt,etc., but I have a feeling Ned will.
Wait Bill Paxton is the guy that played the bully brother in weird science right?
for some reason my brain hadn't thought of that i'm kind of ashamed in that we (L.A.) has had Hideo Nomo & Fernando Valenzuela very good point jujibee
I think so. I never saw the movie, but I watched the USA TV sitcom version. The bully brother's name was "Chet."
I'm using the word "great" here.
Still, even I am forced to admit that he's been in a number of tremendously good movies/shows and has somehow managed not to ruin them:
Big Love
Apollo 13
A Simple Plan
and above all, One False Move, which is a fabulous film.
one of my favorite sceens in the movie is when the chick turns Chet in to poop his brother & his friend walk in the kitchen & Chet goes "hey dudes" i swear i laughed out loud in that sceen. sorry i can't explain the sceen any better (bad writing skills & all)
ITS GAME OVER MAN. GAME OVER.
DzzrtRat has his own blog here.
http://johnstodderinexile.wordpress.com/
Can you tell I've had my share of caffeine today?
you know the one with grey hair
Sorry Marty.
Yeah so uh Big Love it is good.
The Nationals just signed Joel Hanrahan to a one-year major-league deal.
From my perspective Jon, your slowdown has come at the perfect time, since I'm too scattered and put upon to read the stuff you're not writing.
I, myself may pop in just twice a week during this time to see if anything new is brewing.
Dodgers on the list:
C Edwin Bellorin
C Brad Cresse
C Eric Langill
1B Craig Brazell
1B A.J. Zapp
SS Eric Riggs
OF Nick Alvarez
OF Jeff Duncan
OF Adam Greenberg
OF Ty Meadows
RHP Kurt Ainsworth
RHP Joel Hanrahan
RHP William Juarez
RHP Spike Lundberg
RHP Thomas Nall
RHP Justin Reid
RHP Heath Totten
LHP Ryan Ketchner
LHP Ben Kozlowski
LHP Matt Merricks
LHP Derek Thompson
LHP Kelly Wunsch
http://tinyurl.com/u6n4h
58 - Craig Brazell will live forever in the hearts of 2004 Cubs fans everywhere...
Jon, just keep doing what you're doing. If anybody starts complaining about a lack of content, maybe you could add a "Top 5 Comment Threads" list on the side with links (close them beforehand, ideally) so we can all relive certain 4-HR-games and the like.
Julio Lugo needs a long term deal
Hybrid cars...Just a bunch of hooey?
Karl Dorrell...master motivator
There is a such thing as a pitching prospect
I'm not going to do the math, you do it for me
Jae Seo didn't deserve a save that day
Bill Paxton, unsung hero
We need to start dealing with the Devil Rays
Bill Plaschke, the new Jim Murray
What about:
Paul Depodesta; misunderstood genius or anti-Christ.
Oh, and I just watched Godfather III today. Man, that Sofia Coppola is, without a doubt, the best part of that movie.
Who else even attempts to write a meritorious seven day a week column anyway? Vin takes off some road trips. Leno works five days. Johnny Carson worked four days and took many weeks off. Sheesh, even Bob Timmermann tried to take some time off this year, although I'm not sure he really did. An occasional guest host would be something to consider. There must be some Joey Bishops out there. Perhaps the sabermatricians can create some new data to identify and avoid the Joan Rivers candidates.
But I'm starting to feel like I'm just really insecure.
But then I have a cat instead of two children.
Seriously, Jon, this site is popular because of the quality of your thoughts, not the quantity of them. Think at your own pace; we'll still be here to digest it.
In the movie, I mean. I can't think of a single good candidate. David Strathairn, maybe.
amen to that i bet he's a fun guy to work with.
you're gonna give the poor cat a heart attack Bob, there's nothing worse than a fat cat
And no, I'm not putting any of those accent thingies in anywhere in those names, thank you very much. Ken can edit them in later.
D4P could even walk off the site in a Torii Hunter-related snit.
Currie Graham can be society.
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