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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Mueller Retires
2006-11-17 16:19
by Jon Weisman

Bill Mueller has announced his retirement and will join the Dodger front office as a special assistant to Ned Colletti, the Dodgers announced this afternoon.

No reference to Mueller's 2007 salary accompanied the announcement.

Comments (134)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-11-17 16:26:03
1.   trainwreck
This is what I worry may happen to Nomar.

Congrats on a solid and probably overlooked career Bill.

2006-11-17 16:36:20
2.   capdodger
Huh.... The add I'm seeing now says, "Next Pope is JP II ...", the it goes on to talk about end times.

Why are we worrying about howmuch to pay Nomar again?

2006-11-17 16:36:26
3.   caseybarker
I wonder how much the Dodgers will save if anything.
2006-11-17 16:46:57
4.   Bob Timmermann
I believe Mueller will be paid $4,500,000 to be a special assistant.

He's very special.

2006-11-17 16:48:29
5.   franklin
Bill Mueller, the highest paid "special assistant" in baseball at $4.5mil?

I'll be interested to see if this is the rare occasion when a ballplayer admits that he'll never play again and declines the salary he'd be collecting while on the DL... Pause...

I would assume the answer is no and that as an assistant at least they'll give him some other duties to earn his keep. If that's the case I wish they would have made Gagne the special assistant in charge of teaching the art of the changeup last season.

2006-11-17 16:50:06
6.   franklin
Blue ribbon, Mr. Timmermann.

I will refresh prior to submission. I will refresh prior to submission. I will refresh prior to submission. I will refresh prior to submission. I will refresh prior to submission.

2006-11-17 16:53:47
7.   D4P
I believe Mueller will be paid $4,500,000 to be a special assistant

Is that more than Ned makes...?

2006-11-17 17:08:25
8.   natepurcell
7

thats almost as much as his 4 year contract.

2006-11-17 17:11:39
9.   overkill94
I'd assume it's something of a buyout situation where he gets half the salary or something. Didn't Ryne Sandberg forfeit the rest of his salary when he retired?
2006-11-17 17:21:55
10.   Frip
If the suits can't figure out how to write a contract by now that's their problem.
2006-11-17 17:28:29
11.   Uncle Miltie
As a "special assistant" to Ned, will Bill be operating out of his home in Missouri?
2006-11-17 17:30:55
12.   thinkblue0
hey nate,

did you ever post your offseason plan? I'm interested in seeing that...

2006-11-17 17:38:55
13.   StolenMonkey86
yeah nate, you promised after a new post
2006-11-17 17:40:39
14.   thinkblue0
nate, we need to have a little chat.

The Dodgerthoughts message board should be more important than school, family, and girls.

This is completely unacceptable and you obviously need to get your priorities in check.

Sincerely,
everyone at Dodgerthoughts ;)

2006-11-17 17:42:43
15.   Bob Timmermann
One of Mueller's first tasks as special assistant will be to tell everyone that he really pronounces his last name with a long "u" sound and he was just yanking everybody's chain with the "Miller" thing.
2006-11-17 17:43:08
16.   StolenMonkey86
14 - an exception is made for Jon's kids, but only Jon's kids
2006-11-17 17:44:16
17.   thinkblue0
15-

That and taking nightly trips to toilet paper Drew's house.

2006-11-17 17:45:11
18.   ToyCannon
I'm pretty sure the supposed signing of Nomar has thrown a wrench into Nate's plan. I expect he is hard at work trying to fix what Ned screwed up:)
2006-11-17 17:46:26
19.   D4P
Nate-Pur-Cell
Nate-Pur-Cell
Nate-Pur-Cell
2006-11-17 17:46:45
20.   thinkblue0
18-

Even so...I'm still very interested to see what he'd do assuming Nomar ISN'T signed yet.

Is this Nomar thing done or what?

All I know is that I stay away from espn as much as possible...they report things as "done" ALL the time when they aren't...it drives me up the wall.

2006-11-17 17:47:44
21.   natepurcell
Should I include Nomar in my plan and go from there?
2006-11-17 17:49:40
22.   thinkblue0
21-

Well, seeing as how it seems to be almost done I say yes.

On a side note, Olney is reporting the Sox and Rangers are talking about a deal for Manny. Take it for what it is: pure rumor. I just wonder what the Sox are interested in getting back in a deal with the rangers.

2006-11-17 17:50:51
23.   D4P
Should I include Nomar in my plan and go from there?

If you had already developed a plan without Nomar, might as well show us that too.

2006-11-17 17:52:30
24.   Greg Brock
Boy Nate, after all this buildup, there better be some dynamite stuff in that plan.

Of course, having already read it and filed it away, I already know...

2006-11-17 17:53:50
25.   Bob Timmermann
RIP,
Marcus Cassell.
2006-11-17 17:55:04
26.   DodgerfaninNY
Thinking about Mueller reminded me of an excellent book for the offseason. It's called 'Feeding the Monster' by Seth Mnookin (not the one by Rob Neyer, which I'm sure is fine too.)
It's about the Red Sox from when they were purchased by the Werner/Henry group in 2001 until the beginning of spring training this year. It's a fascinating look at the inner workings of the team as the author had a remarkble amount of access to the front office. You get the feeling Grady would've been fired after the season even if the thing with Pedro had never happened. Anyways, it's a good read.
2006-11-17 17:55:21
27.   natepurcell
Well guys i hate to be the bearer of bad news but i have to go now. you see, im meeting this lady friend for dinner and im running late. I promise ill post it tonight..probably around midnight.

just to warn, its not exactly ultimate master plan. the ideas have been thrown around here and honestly, its a DT compiled team. But it will be without nomar since i already made it without him and i have no wear to put his 10 mil salary.

2006-11-17 17:55:59
28.   natepurcell
and it has juan pierre....
2006-11-17 17:56:19
29.   natepurcell
.... and torii hunter.
2006-11-17 17:56:33
30.   natepurcell
and all hell breaks loose on DT.
2006-11-17 17:57:00
31.   thinkblue0
im meeting this lady friend for dinner and im running late.

I thought I made it clear that this is more important than girls?

Is this a lady friend or a special lady friend?

Calmer than you are.

Have a good night, I look forward to seeing it...

2006-11-17 17:58:44
32.   D4P
im meeting this lady friend for dinner

Never thought I'd see the day where Nate prioritized a woman over baseball. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

PS: We want photos

2006-11-17 17:58:45
33.   Steve
D4P is going to be up all night now. Torii Hunter...on the Dodgers!
2006-11-17 17:58:58
34.   Bob Timmermann
Did we all sign off on this lady friend?
2006-11-17 17:59:46
35.   adraymond
you guys think you're pumped to see Nate's plan? imagine how anxious ned is. if nate had posted it before the gm meetings we might have a different team entirely.
2006-11-17 18:01:19
36.   regfairfield
Four words: Jay Payton, Dodger centerfielder.

If Nate comes up with a batter idea, I'll be impressed.

2006-11-17 18:02:03
37.   natepurcell
31

shes not that special...but her friend is.

zing! man im a a-hole.

2006-11-17 18:03:55
38.   D4P
D4P is going to be up all night now. Torii Hunter...on the Dodgers!

It's like a sleeping mind-fantasy made manifest in reality

2006-11-17 18:07:50
39.   Andrew Shimmin
34- Asks the man who named his cat without so much as a by our collective leave. . .
2006-11-17 18:09:04
40.   trainwreck
ESPN the magazine had a small interview with Borat.

Borat on the future of sports-

"U.S. sports need more animals. I see game between your Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals, and was dissapoint it wasn't big cats eating priests, like in Kazakhstan."

2006-11-17 18:10:33
41.   Andrew Shimmin
L.A. Times story on Cassel:

http://tinyurl.com/yk8yrf

2006-11-17 18:10:37
42.   overkill94
Hey Bob, I saw a CSI episode last night that took place mostly in a library. Is it true that all librarians are either autistic weirdos or hot double-crossing vixens?
2006-11-17 18:13:47
43.   thinkblue0
42-

I think Bob absolutely fits in with the "hot double-crossing vixens" category.

2006-11-17 18:27:31
44.   trainwreck
RIP Marcus you were always a fighter
2006-11-17 18:33:53
45.   D4P
BTW: Is the "special assistant" an official position(s) that teams can't live without, or is it just something they make up to give people like Lasorda, Mueller, etc. something to do?
2006-11-17 18:42:36
46.   trainwreck
Isn't Vinny Castilla also a special assistant for the Rockies?

I think it is just a way for some players to learn how things are done in the front office. As for Lasorda, it is just a title.

2006-11-17 18:46:01
47.   Linkmeister
42 Did you never see the remake of "The Music Man" with Kristen Chenoweth as Marian the Librarian? No double-crosser she!

For that matter, my mother's a retired librarian, and she never double-crossed anyone outside the family as far as I know.

2006-11-17 18:56:56
48.   Bob Timmermann
Most librarians are hot double-crossing autistic vixens.
2006-11-17 19:03:25
49.   LAT
I just got back from a week on the East Coast and I thought I heard some rumor of James Loony and a young arm like Broxton for Vernon Wells. Was this actually in play? Did anyone else hear that?
2006-11-17 19:07:39
50.   LAT
47. For that matter, my mother's a retired librarian, and she never double-crossed anyone outside the family as far as I know.

"Outside the family"? Sounds like a family divided. Are we related? ;-)

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-11-17 19:10:58
51.   Steve
LAT, Sam's been looking for you desperately. Something about a queen of diamonds or something.
2006-11-17 19:16:00
52.   D4P
I just got back from a week on the East Coast

And I embark early tomorrow morning for over a week on the West Coast, including (probably) some time in Redding.

2006-11-17 19:28:58
53.   Bob Timmermann
52
A Redding Thanksgiving!
2006-11-17 19:33:20
54.   D4P
53
A Dunsmuir Thanksgiving, to be exact, but probably a "Redding few days before Thanksgiving"
2006-11-17 19:33:30
55.   Bob Timmermann
I remember as a kid watching Perry Como's Christmas in Redding special.
2006-11-17 19:35:35
56.   Nolan
What are Mueller's qualifications?

Baseball has more patronage than government.

2006-11-17 19:41:42
57.   LAT
51. Thanks Steve. I looked for his posts re: queen of diamonds and didn't find anything. Was it about Manny Acta?
2006-11-17 20:00:28
58.   Steve
I was just kidding about the queen of diamonds. I think I was making a vague reference to the manchurian candidate for no good reason at all. But he is looking for you and posted his email address to that end.
2006-11-17 20:01:25
59.   Bob Timmermann
57
I believe Sam wants LAT to take on a top secret mission where he will break in to the Italian consulate in L.A. and steal a set of communication protocols for NATO.
2006-11-17 20:19:15
60.   Jon Weisman
51 - Steve, you got an immediate LOL for me on that.
2006-11-17 22:15:07
61.   underdog
Wasn't sure if someone had already posted about this, but didn't see it... Kei Igawa has been posted.
http://tinyurl.com/ybs85j

Wonder if the Dodgers will be one of the bidders... He'll certainly be a lot more reasonably priced than Matsuzaka, for whateer that's worth.

2006-11-17 22:16:13
62.   underdog
whatever, that is. I guess I was speaking ye olde English for a second.

Whatever.

Anyway, I saw a little footage of Igawa and was impressed.

2006-11-17 22:21:18
63.   Im So Blue
LA Times on Mueller's move to the front office:

He [Mueller] will draw his playing salary next year, although he will spend his time scouting and offering Colletti advice.

The story also says the Dodgers are working on a 2-year deal with Nomar.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/shrxw

2006-11-17 22:26:01
64.   Greg Brock
You know, Terry Donahue is the Pac 10's all time winningest coach, and has as many national championships as Bo Schembechler. Remember that when he passes away. I'm sure he'll get ten hours of coverage on ESPN.
2006-11-17 22:29:21
65.   trainwreck
61
Doesn't he throw in the low 80's?

64
lol

2006-11-17 22:32:22
66.   Xeifrank
The Colletti comment about the possibility of trading one of the young pitchers has kind of stuck in my mind. I'd like to throw out these stats. And yes they do scream out "small sample size" (for Guo), but they are something I hope Ned keeps in mind.

Johan Santana vs Guo Hong Zhi
(in their 2006 reg season starters roles)

Santana
K/9: 9.44
K/BB: 5.21
HR/9: 0.92

Guo
K/9: 10.74
K/BB: 5.0
HR/9: 0.307

I am not trying to put Guo into Santana's class. But Guo certainly was very impressive in his late season stint as a starter. Something that I think got overlooked by most. vr, Xei

2006-11-17 22:33:48
67.   Greg Brock
66 Never trust a starter who throws from the stretch with nobody on.
2006-11-17 22:36:57
68.   gpellamjr
67 Never trust Greeks (or Romulans) bearing gifts.
2006-11-17 22:37:27
69.   overkill94
or someone with a first name as a last name...like Jim Tracy
2006-11-17 22:40:23
70.   gpellamjr
69 Have you ever noticed that most of the characters from Batman comic books have such names?? I'll never trust them again.
2006-11-17 22:43:57
71.   trainwreck
69
Or Greg Brock!
2006-11-17 22:46:42
72.   Greg Brock
71 Greg Brock cannot be trusted.

Of course, My real name is Billy Ashley...

2006-11-17 22:59:43
73.   overkill94
70 Hmmm, Bruce Wayne is the only name I know from the whole thing...but he can't be trusted!
2006-11-17 23:04:19
74.   trainwreck
Jim Gordon.

Dick Grayson (Robin)

Does Ra's Al Ghul work?

2006-11-17 23:06:52
75.   trainwreck
Maybe Alfred's last name is Joey.
2006-11-17 23:10:58
76.   Xeifrank
Sorry Trojan fans:
Oaks Christian senior running back Marc Tyler, who has committed to play at USC next season, was taken off the field in an ambulance after injuring his ankle. Tyler was tackled and fell awkwardly to the ground in the first quarter
2006-11-17 23:16:52
77.   Daniel Zappala
It's midnight already here, so I'm just sitting back and wondering if Nate's plan is dastardly enough to include signing Lugo to play CF.
2006-11-17 23:18:00
78.   Linkmeister
50 LAT, I doubt that we're related. The family's not divided (well, except for what time we're gonna eat Turkey Day dinner next week); I threw that in there for atmospherics.
2006-11-17 23:18:27
79.   trainwreck
77
I am going to guess no.
2006-11-17 23:21:16
80.   Daniel Zappala
Meanwhile, the LA Times says the Angels are looking at Drew for CF and have made offers to Soriano and Zito. One plan is to sign Zito, then trade a pitcher (Santana) for a bat.
2006-11-17 23:21:35
81.   Daniel Zappala
79 It was a joke.
2006-11-17 23:24:53
82.   trainwreck
Mine was a sarcastic reply to your joke. Oh lost in translation.
2006-11-17 23:27:18
83.   Greg Brock
Professor Zappala wants Lugo to play CF...

Release the hounds!

{Don't release the hounds}

2006-11-17 23:27:54
84.   trainwreck
I heard a rumor of the Angels offering Santana to the White Sox for Freddy Garcia and Brian Anderson. I do not really understand that, so I am guessing it is untrue.
2006-11-17 23:34:17
85.   StolenMonkey86
83 - the hounds are dizzy now
2006-11-17 23:52:50
86.   Bob Timmermann
64
I doubt a group of USC fans will form a band called the Dead Donohues.
2006-11-17 23:57:52
87.   Greg Brock
Okay, here's where I channel JoeyP. Why is the sports world falling over itself to memorialize Bo Schembechler. Granted, he was a very good football coach, and yes, he is the face of Michigan football. Why is ESPN devoting it's entire 12 hour broadcast to a coach who never won a national title, was one game over .500 against his rival, and coached in as many Rose Bowls as Terry Donahue.

Did I miss something? Is Bo Schembechler something bigger than this. I mean seriously...

Sorry, I know it's in poor taste, but I just don't get it. Somehow, Michigan regional sports heroes became national treasures.

{Ducks and runs}

2006-11-18 00:07:44
88.   Bob Timmermann
87
Gary Moeller's death will garner only six hours.

Seriously, the whole thing with Schembechler is timing. It's the day before a big game (although OSU-Michigan is not as big of a game as USC-Texas was). Also, after Schembechler's last heart problem in October, all the new agencies went and updated their obits. They were all locked and loaded for something like this.

2006-11-18 00:26:53
89.   Xeifrank
87. My guess is that you just don't get it.
vr, Xei
2006-11-18 00:30:56
90.   Greg Brock
89 That's it, I'm talking nothing but television...
2006-11-18 02:08:38
91.   alex 7
Nate's date must be working out pretty well. Either that or he brought up her friend and is now laying in a hospital bed somewhere.
2006-11-18 02:14:35
92.   natepurcell
oops. just got home. i feel bad, i got this other girls number tonights (oops again). Ill post it in the morning, too tired. goodnight second family!
2006-11-18 02:16:27
93.   natepurcell
ill post my plan, not the girls number... Well, maybe ill post it but not until im done with her.
2006-11-18 02:17:54
94.   natepurcell
okay that sounded bad and very un PC.

if you want it, i can give it you. im an equal opportunity guy, the competition makes the prize even better!

2006-11-18 02:18:56
95.   natepurcell
crap, that sounded worse. The preview button is my friend! okay no more until tomorrow or ill type something ill regret.
2006-11-18 04:20:50
96.   alex 7
seems timely. From The Sports Guy.
Q: Bill, what's the sports equivalent for your girlfriend wanting to "see what else is out there because it's college?" (Which sucks for me.)
--Justin, Boston

SG: I'd say J.D. Drew stabbing the Dodgers in the back and opting out of his contract -- maybe it hurts when it happens, and maybe you didn't see it coming, but you'll be better off in the long run.

2006-11-18 06:26:42
97.   Sam DC
Wow, I hadn't realized how easy it would be to send a complete thread to the University of Arizona Womens Studies Department and all of its sororities.

I sure hope spelled Purcell right.

Thanks Steve for courier duties. We'll cut you in if we make it through customs.

2006-11-18 07:02:24
98.   Daniel Zappala
Regarding Schembechler, you have to remember that Michigan is part of the football fraternity that includes the SEC, Big-10, Notre Dame, and any other school or conference deemeed worthy of following on a national level. The Pac-10 is not a member. and UCLA certainly isn't. Hence, Donahue does not qualify.
2006-11-18 07:03:11
99.   Daniel Zappala
It's lonely when you wake up before the West Coast. Hi Sam.
2006-11-18 07:24:30
100.   Sam DC
Fine crisp fall day back this way. How bout fer you Daniel?
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-11-18 07:29:12
101.   Daniel Zappala
Same here, the fall chill has settled in, and the leaves have mostly fallen. Odd to see our apple tree with some brave apples hanging on, but no leaves. Ski slopes open today!
2006-11-18 07:46:53
102.   adraymond
You guys too? I thought those West Coasters were all old guys who woke up at 6:30 in the morning. Where are you old guys?
2006-11-18 08:20:20
103.   Steve
Submitted without obligatory Jim Tracy joke:

A minor league baseball player who had been suspended for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs was in trouble again Thursday after Union City cops caught him with 130 bags of crack cocaine, reports said.

Kengshill Scheider Pujols, 21, of 19th Street, a pitcher for the Vero Beach, Fla.-based Gulf Coast League Dodgers, was released by the team yesterday, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Dodgers said.

He was arrested after driving erratically on the 200 block of 43rd Street, police said yesterday. As cops approached him, he seemed nervous and as he was picking up his jacket, they spotted a glassine envelope falling onto the back seat, police said, which turned out to contain suspected crack cocaine. Officers then found another 11 packets and when they took him to police headquarters he gave up a large bag with an additional 118 bags from his underwear, officials said.

2006-11-18 08:23:36
104.   Bob Timmermann
Should be hitting 78 in the City of Angels today. There's a college football thread over on the Griddle if you wish to use it.
2006-11-18 08:30:24
105.   DXMachina
College football? Is that a sport of some kind?
2006-11-18 08:35:36
106.   Gen3Blue
Another E Coaster here. I was looking forward to seeing Nate's plan this morning, but on MSNBC there is word of some violent commotion at U of Arizona, so I won't hold my breath.
2006-11-18 08:46:16
107.   gpellamjr
Well, it's been a long time since I've picked up a comic book. But what about the other two Robins? Tim Drake, Jason Todd? As for Ras al Ghul, it would make as much sense to me backwards as forwards.

As for the death of the Michigan coach, the magnitude of today's game is important, I suppose. Here in Columbus, people are still burning effigies of him. I will not be going outside today but during the time when the game is on. I don't know if I'm more afraid of an OSU win or loss.

2006-11-18 08:59:27
108.   Gen3Blue
re 10 What is the force that makes it impossible to write a non guaranteed contract. Is it due to the competition(ie. some other team will give the guy a guaranteed contract) or is it written into the players CBA?
It isn't this way in Football, is it? How can any business plan for an event like a guy playing abouut 30 games for 9 million.
2006-11-18 09:08:38
109.   Marty
I was up at 6:30 out here in the west and already was out walking the dogs!

Also, RIP Ruth Brown

2006-11-18 09:09:42
110.   Bob Timmermann
108
There are some non-guaranteed contracts in baseball. I believe Hee-Seop Choi got one that wasn't guaranteed from the Dodgers last offseason.

But if there is the slightest demand for a player, the contract will be guaranteed.

The NFL doesn't guarantee its contracts and they are the exception.

2006-11-18 09:15:59
111.   adraymond
Our friend Charlie Steiner (or someone who sounds exactly like him) is currently doing the play by play for the real game of the century: Harvard vs. Yale.
2006-11-18 09:17:53
112.   Greg Brock
111 Is that game being televised nationally?
2006-11-18 09:21:20
113.   Bob Timmermann
That would be on Sirius radio I believe.
2006-11-18 09:22:34
114.   adraymond
Not sure. It's on the CW network here in New York. My guess would be that it's a Northeast thing.
2006-11-18 09:23:43
115.   Bob Timmermann
http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/article.asp?intID=5585
2006-11-18 09:24:46
116.   Greg Brock
Fight fiercely, Harvard,
fight, fight, fight!
Demonstrate to them our skill.
Albeit they possess the might,
Nonetheless we have the will.
How we shall celebrate our victory,
We shall invite the whole team up for tea
(How jolly!)
Hurl that spheroid down the field, and
Fight, fight, fight!
2006-11-18 09:29:56
117.   Greg Brock
WGN is carrying the game, woohoo!

Thanks for the article, Bob. Charlie Steiner and Harvard/Yale...

2006-11-18 09:33:49
118.   Bob Timmermann
And after I went to all that trouble to put up a college football thread for people...
2006-11-18 09:39:35
119.   Greg Brock
118 I just wanted to know if the game was on...

{looks down to ground shamefully and twists toe into dirt.}

2006-11-18 09:42:25
120.   Greg Brock
Well, if Steve Henson is correct, and the Nomar deal is for two years, I will feel much better about that. Especially since he will consider third base.

If only he'd play second...

2006-11-18 10:01:35
121.   Greg Brock
"Honestly Smithers, I don't know whey Harvard even showed up this year. They barely even won. Well, I say let Harvard have its football and academics. Yale will always be first in gentlemanly club life."
2006-11-18 10:20:23
122.   twerp
Don't think this has been posted, from Dodgers.com:

"Colletti.......after returning from the General Managers Meetings...said agents for free agents are expecting "big raises, long-term, big-dollar contracts, whether they've had mediocre or stellar careers or, in some cases, hardly any career. They are anxious to see what they can get, but not anxious to make a deal.

"He said he expects the trade market to open up once a few big free agents are signed."

IMO he almost can't NOT sign Nomar. He can't be sure what may happen with FAs. If Nomar goes, there also goes the only other Dodger to hit as many as 20HR last season. Plus you have Nomar's batting titles, all-star history--I know, injury history, too-- and coming thru in the clutch often last season. (I know, I know, his 2nd half wasn't good overall. He also was hurt or at least dinged--as usual--most of the second half.)

How much power he has left is debatable. But wasn't there a point last season where he was hitting in the .350s, maybe even 360s briefly? He led the league in BA a while in the first half. Need to keep that bat and find a place for it...and hope the guy with the productive bat can stay healthy.

2006-11-18 10:24:43
123.   StolenMonkey86
122- Betemit's good for 20+ homers if he gets more PT; he had 18 in 378 AB last year
2006-11-18 11:01:41
124.   GIDP
61 65

From marinersrevolution
Re: Kei Igawa

Kei throws a straight 91-92 mph (146-147 km) fastball. Possesses an average 77-78 mph slider, and uses an average mid 80's change-up. Igawa looks very confident versus left-handed batters, uses a ¾ arm angle, and consistently repeats his motion. He hides the ball well in his delivery and uses the change-up and slider as his out pitches.

Note: Kei favors the slider as his out pitch either down in the dirt, or outside the plate on lefties. Igawa puts the slider in his back pocket versus right-handed hitters. He's then forced to use his straight fastball above the strike zone, but tends to leave it in the heart of the plate. Mound presence is questionable as he shows his frustration on the mound when he struggles with his command.

2006-11-18 11:02:56
125.   Gen3Blue
110 Thanks as usual, Bob.

116 Is that the Tom Lehrer version Greg?

2006-11-18 11:06:55
126.   Greg Brock
125 Yes it is! I didn't bother posting the second verse, but now...

Fight fiercely, Harvard,
fight, fight, fight!
Impress them with our prowess, do!
Oh, fellows, do not let the crimson down,
Be of stout heart and thru.
Come on, chaps, fight for Harvard's glorious name,
Won't it be peachy if we win the game?
(Oh, goody!)
Let's try not to injure them, but
Fight, fight, fight!
And do fight fiercely!
Fight, fight, fight!

2006-11-18 11:16:09
127.   regfairfield
122 Brett Tomko was the pitcher of the month in April. It's not a perfect comparable, but it's a warning about guys who were good at one point in the season.
2006-11-18 11:20:11
128.   underdog
Okay, the more I've seen, heard and read about Igawa, never mind. If we're going to get a pitcher with a slow fast ball, I'd much rather have Zito. At least I know he can pitch in the majors and I like his disposition.

LA's in the running anyway.
http://tinyurl.com/y6v8ga

2006-11-18 12:54:36
129.   Gen3Blue
126 I haven't heard that in maybe 25 years and I wasn't sure how ridiculous the original sounded. Tom wrote great stuff, I have to see if I can acquire some.
2006-11-18 13:01:03
130.   trainwreck
Kengshill Pujols-R-Dodgers Nov. 18 - 12:21 pm et

21-year-old Kengshill Pujols was released by the Dodgers after police caught him with 130 bags of crack cocaine on Thursday.

Yeah, 110-120 might have been acceptable, but the Dodgers had to draw the line somewhere. Pujols, a converted catcher, was suspended Aug. 1 for 50 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances.
Source: The Jersey Journal

2006-11-18 13:28:45
131.   underdog
His uncle Albert must have been so ashamed.
2006-11-18 13:58:54
132.   overkill94
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
We're so sorry if we caused you any pain...
2006-11-18 14:32:48
133.   twerp
36.   regfairfield
Four words: Jay Payton, Dodger centerfielder.

"If Nate comes up with a batter idea, I'll be impressed."

Um,Reg...typo or pun? I'll vote for clever pun. Do I hear a motion to make it unanimous?

2006-11-18 14:53:50
134.   thinkblue0
another new post and no Nate....sigh

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