Just to start it off.

Dear Mr. Bob (which by the way was a name of a character in a "Get Smart" episode featuring the late Jack Cassidy).

I always thought that a pitcher who finishes pitches at the last 3 innings with the lead and finishes the game, gets a save.

Am I in some strange new universe or is that an incorrect belief.

Thank you Mr. Bob

Statistically befuddled from Burbank

Scratch Pettitte off all those lists.

2-

What happened to the Yanks saying the last year or so they'd finally hit their peak as far as dealing out big contracts?

Seriously, could this team spend 300 mill if it wanted?

Wolf looks like a steal now. Neither Meche, Lilly, or Eaton have pitched 200 innings ever in their careers while Wolf has 3 times. All these guys have battled injuries and/or inconsistency during their careers, and all have some upside as being decent starters. We got the only one of the 4 with a one year commitment though.

If Wolf isn't ready next year no big deal we're done with him after the year. If these guys get injured or suck next year, the teams are still stuck with them. Wolf could be the steal of the off season.

1: Mr. Bob Chameleon?

I enjoyed the Luis Gonzalez interview on ESPN 710 this afternoon -- seems like a personable guy, which I also thought during his broadcasting stint during the playoffs.

The triplets were covered, as was the auctioned chewing gum incident. Also baseball. ;)

6
Anything about steroids?

7 Have you ever stood near Gonzales? If he was ever shot Steroids, he must have missed the vein.

1
Dear Befuddled,
Pitching the final three innings doesn't automatically qualify you for a save if your name is Jae Seo and you give up four runs to the Pirates in four innings. And besides does a game started by Brett Tomko ever need saving?

Bob

Yessss Rhodes is a free agent?!?!?

4 - Wolf could be the steal of the off season.

He or whoever trades for Elijah Dukes.

So far the winter meetings have raised my curiousity on three problems/situations as well as being basically satisfying to my vision of the future D's. These three, in ascending seriousness are:
A) Who is Gil Menche; is he a ball player, and does this mean I should submit my name as a free agent because someone might throw me millions of dollars just to be sure they didn't get left out.
B) might the Ave. Sox actually forego the Japanese pitcher because the spotlight is a shining on them. The plan was obviously for them to throw in 15,000,000 a year, Seibu Lions to kick in 3,000,000 a year and Boras to get a commision on 18,000,000 a year. Now with scrutiny on the deal, it can't be done without either distorting luxury tax salary, or lowering Boras cut. If this gets axed Seibu loses at least 33,000,000 and Boras gets nothing so I think the Commish finds a way to approve it.
C)Can B. Bonds get the 21 dingers(or whatever) he needs to pass Hank Aaron. All hitters have so far lost their batting reflexes between 38 and 42 years, and one withdrawing from performance enhancing drugs should decline even faster. But has Barry found something undetectable that works for him? I'm fascinated to get some feedback.

1
P.S. to Befuddled,
Don't try to impress with "Get Smart" trivia. I will bury you if I have to.

Gak. How can a CD player I bought after the year 2000 not be able to play a CD burned on a home computer.

I've spent forthy five minutes trying to figure out why the CD my wife made would not play on our stereo.

Finally, I broke down and went to Yamaha's web site, and found this: "Which Yamaha CD players will not playback MP-3, CD-R/CD-RW disc ? This would include the following models: CDC-501, 502, 505 . . ."

Irksome.

13
I think the CD player just doesn't like women from Wisconsin.

Wll, why do I have to be caught in the middle.

8 never stood next to him but I watched him go from 31 HR to 57 than back to 28 in a 3 year span.

Man I have seen some seriously scattered and contradictory reports about Rich Rodriguez today. Now he's staying at WVU?

17 Yup. Alabama will soon have to come to the realization that it is no longer "Alabama."

I bet Butch Davis is regretting jumping the gun on the North Carolina job.

Doesn't Bear Bryant have a kid or a grandkid who'll do it?

19 Isn't that about right, Sam?

Crimson Tide fans have only one request...Just be Bear Bryant.

Is that so tough?

They've now been turned down by Spurrier, Rodriguez, and Saban.

Two coaches decided to stay at South Carolina and West Virginia, rather than coach in Tuscaloosa.

Wow.

My TV has Lee Majors as a Viking on right now.

He's looking a lot like Jeff Kent in this one.

"The day that I turn my sails and hide from a new enemy will be the day that I become like a woman in my homeland."

More of a cross between Jeff Kent and D4P, I guess.

23
If the woman in question is on the zaftig side, you could even throw Nate into the equation.

Pretty good stuff at the imdb on this film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078007/

Apparently, both Fred Biletnikof and Deacon Jones are in here somewhere, as well as one of Sonny Bono's wives Susie Coelho, who shares my birthday!

And I certainly didn't know this about Sonny:

Decided he'd had enough of show business the day he was on the set of "Fantasy Island" (1978), shooting a scene with Hervé Villechaize as Tattoo, and misremembered Tattoo's name. Villechaize flew into a rage, sputtering at Bono, and Bono (as he related later) literally asked himself what the hell was he doing there.

8
If Mota was on steroids who can you not be suspicious of? Aside from Lofton and Pierre.

27 Remember Alex Sanchez

16

If you suspect Luis G because of his homer totals, what would you think of a guy who had these homer totals??

5
43
15
0

Or do you think Davey Johnson was taking Super-Duper-Hyper-Mega Steroids from '72-'75?

All of baseball isn't a steroid wasteland, sometimes shit just happens.

sigh.

29
Chris,
In the world of Dodger Thoughts, stuff happens.

But you have a good point.

29 30 Or, in the world of 5,000 headline writers this week, Schmidt happens.

Thank you for not using profanity, euphamisms for profanity, or Schmidt for profanity.

I have a feeling DT posters will truly enjoy having Jason Schmidt around this year.

30

Sorry about the s*, I'm normally a 'juice' guy...I'll keep the proper etiquette in mind.

I've changed at least 17 dirty diapers in the last 24 hours, so excrement is (sadly) on my mind.

I've seen Luis G, and he is no Barry B.

Since Allen Iverson has requested a trade from the 76ers, how about we put a package together with Mark Hendrickson and bring AI to the Dodgers?

AI: 6'0", 165 lbs. 31 years old. Plus speed and good hands -- not sure how much power he has.

33
So the material in question is on your mind now. And likely on your hands in some form too.

I'll remember that if I shake hands with you. ;-)

35

probably, although if you saw my domicile you'd think that I was a 'purell' trust-fund child.

Steroids or not, sorry about the Luis G signing (at least is wasn't for 5 years/ 9 million per).

34- throw in Pierre and I'd do it. AI can probably play cf.

Seriously, I'd love to see the Clippers trade for him.

in response to the blurb andrew linked to yesterday about indian men, i want to categorically, unequivocally state that [ahem] many of us do not fit that description, and so my personal experience led me to initially find the cited study... surprising. though, thinking about it, i suspect it has some relation to nutrition and its relation to body size. there are a lot of poor people in india, and the average male height there is like five foot six. i wouldn't be surprised if it's like this in a lot of poor countries.

34 - :'(

Who was it on here that reads Hitchens, was that you Brock? Seen this one yet?

http://tinyurl.com/ydvb4s

29 - Who was managing the Orioles when Brady Anderson discovered some Super-Duper-Hyper-Mega-Steroids....hmm...

[39] i read slate, well, pretty much daily, and yeah, in general they tend to do a few too many contrarian-to-be-contrarian pieces, but there's plenty of good reading to be found over there, and frankly i don't expect to agree with everything i read anyway.

but yeah, chris hitchens used to be somewhat interesting, but it's like iraq has fried his circuits or something. he still has a few moments every now and then. there's nothing like an eloquent, quick, and ascerbic wit with a massive primadonna ego and a penchant for spirits to provide some good entertainment.

39 Yeah, I saw that a couple of days ago. Hitch has taken a bit of a beating for it. I choose only to say that I agree with Chris Hitchens a lot.

40 Say what you want about Hitchen's stance on Iraq, there isn't anybody on either side of this issue who can argue their beliefs like Hitch can.

Hitchens's stance. Sorry.

40 Hitch argues his Iraq position from the good ole fashioned Liberal human rights side. It's definitely different.

The important thing is AI is not a Boras client.

I usually only read slate if someone links something to me and tells it's about something I'm interested in.

I think I may have to give up my membership card in the Tommy Craggs Marching and Chowder Society however.

34
I was actually stationed in Virginia when Allen was in highschool and remember him for being a two time state football player of the year at DB for Bethel high school.I also remember him for going to jail because he started a riot in a bowling alley. I don't remember if he played baseball or not though. I have a feeling he might have been pretty good though.

In LA Times:

"The Red Sox are no longer interested in closer Eric Gagne, but sources close to the negotiations said the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers have made offers of one year for close to $6 million."

http://tinyurl.com/yjkxvh

I'd say Eric owes us something after we've given the guy some nice change over the past couple of years and lots of free medical attention. He could at least take our 4 million base, two million incentive. But that's just me.

49 I'll be disappointed if Gagne leaves over a matter of a million dollars.

Now, TWO million, I totally understand.

33 17 diapers in 24 hours. Clearly chris in illinois either has triplets or is a Mormon.

Do Boras clients ever take incentive laden contracts or always the guaranteed money? Is there a known trend?

51
It is flu season. You have to feel sorry for the little ones bums this time a year. Or maybe your right and the new Dodger LF is checking out the fan base under an alias...

[41] i agree, and i appreciate[d] his perspective. when i was at cal in jan '03 right after the state of the union, there was a great debate in zellerbach hall (hitch was guest faculty at the time in the j-school) where he essentially wiped the floor with mark danner. it's just that the last few years of reality hasn't seemed to affect his thinking on the matter in any way.

ok, though we're not really debating or saying anything particularly controversial, i think we've gone just about as far out on the "political" limb as DT etiquette will permit.

54 I've seen Hitch in person on several panels. He wipes the floor with almost everybody. He is one person with whom I would not like to debate...anything.

Enough current events! How 'bout that Juan Pierre. He has a tiny head!

Anyone up for a little "Over/Under", PTI style?

Over or under the following for 2007:

- Kemp getting 150 AB's with the Dodgers
- Pierre playing 161 games
- Penny playing 1 game as a Dodger
- Luis Gonzales hitting 17 HR's

Feel free to add others.

Kemp- Over
Pierre- Under
Penny- Under
Gonzo- Under

As I think others have pointed out on previous threads, the issue with Gagne probably is not just dollars this year. It is a combination of dollars and the opportunity to close. Gagne will want to rack up the saves this year so he can get big bucks next year as a free agent.

Given the presence of Saito and Broxton, we are not as desperate for a closer.

I think I agree with Brock on all, but the Penny one is hard.

Elbert being called up on August 1st

As I think others have pointed out on previous threads, the issue with Gagne probably is not just dollars this year. It is a combination of dollars and the opportunity to close. Gagne will want to rack up the saves this year so he can get big bucks next year as a free agent.

What Gagne thinks is best for his situation is his business, but I really wonder... If Gagne is effective, he most certainly will close for us. It's hard to imagine otherwise. If he isn't effective, it's not as if he'll get large numbers of saves with either Texas or Cleveland for the sake of a big payday next winter. I really do think, then, that the issue fundamentally is about guaranteed money.

And I find it a little eyebrow-raising that Gagne feels the need to make sure his guaranteed salary is as high as possible. He talks about how great he feels, but...

WWSH

Re: 60

Too early for that, I think. I'd wager more on Greg Miller coming from AAA to add a power arm to the pen.

WWSH

Although I'd love to see Elbert pitch well in the bigs this season.

WWSH

He also spoke of how Boras worked for him not the other way around.

Games at 3rd base By Nomar- Over/Under 10

I tried to make it after the trade deadline, in case say Ned goes insane and trades Elbert.

65
Under

I think LaRoche proves he deserves to be up and they go to him if Betemit is not succeeding.

49 - While I'm not shedding tears over Gagne's financial situation (though I will shed tears once his departure is official), it needs to be clear that he wasn't freeloading. Every injury he suffered was in the line of duty, and it's clear he would have much rather earned his money on the field. (All too clear, considering how he kept rushing himself back too soon.) Gagne doesn't owe the Dodgers anything.

It'd be nice if he wanted to come back on the Dodgers' terms, because everyone wants to be loved unconditionally, but he's got every right to try to get the most out of his contract.

Times Vin mentions triplets and twins...

Over/Under...Forfty brazillion.

70
I thought of that one, but could not think of an appropriate number.

Brett Tomko complains about role 30 games into season.

His 20 home runs at Dodger Stadium rank second only to Barry Bonds among active players who have never played for the Dodgers from Inside the Dodgers about Luis Gonzalez success at Dodger stadium. Lets hope he transitions some of that better than Jim Eisenreich did back in the day with his .400+ batting ave as an opposing hitter..

72 Under

I'll miss Gagne a tremendous amount. I can't think of another player that brought made me so happy every time they came in. It was an exciting time. He's leaving, and that's fine.

Having Gagne for those few years was fantastic.

Re: 74

Strangely enough, I was never as into the "Game Over" thing as most Dodger fans. Oh, sure, I don't deny how dominant Gagne was, but he really never was my favorite Dodger for some reason.

WWSH

Gonzalez's 20 homers at Dodger Stadium are more a factor of playing a long time in the NL West under the unbalanced schedule.

His career OPS at Dodger Stadium is .770

75 It was a blast for my friends and I, because we all used to pitch, and we would sit there and call out his pitches, trying to guess when the change and fastball were going to be thrown.

And then, to call it correctly when the lollipop curve came out, it was so much fun.

Plus, I've never seen a pitcher make good batters look so baffled. Just awesome.

{Sniff}

So I wonder if you could find what player has the most at bats as an opposing player at Dodger stadium... Maybe Tony Gwynn? Maybe Barry?

It really seemed like all the hitters knew they were going to fail and they just wanted to make contact against Gagne and not strike out.

Wow this is wierd, I've been a reader/non-commenter her for 3+years and all the sudden tonight I think I'm a commenter. Better get back to lurking!

Completely off topic: in fact I don't even know what the topic is, but I wanted to throw out a The Office sighting since I know that there are a lot of fans here. I took my son to see Unaccompanied Minors tonight. Both Ryan and Kelly have very small, if you blink you miss them roles in the movie.

Bob,

That's an interesting fact on Gonzo's OPS at Dodger Stadium. Where did you find it?

80 Why lurk? Commenting is fun!

Say something brilliant, and you may even get into Jon's sequel,

"Best of Dodger Thoughts II: This Time it's Personal."

I remember being excited during Eric Gagne's debut in September 1999...he gave up 0 runs in 6 innings against Florida, striking out 8.

When he was named closer in 2002, I remember predicting to a few friends that Gagne would do well because he was a good pitcher, but that his success would be attributed to his switching roles and enforce the belief that he was a failed starter.

However, his astonishing success as closer was one of the most remarkable surprises in my Dodger fandom. His 2002-2004 is probably the greatest 3-year period of any reliever ever.

My all time favorite Gagne moment came in his first year as closer, 2002. It was a game against the Red Sox at Dodger Stadium, and I was watching the Red Sox feed on Extra Innings. It was in June, so his success hadn't yet taken everyone by storm. The Red Sox announcers were kind of amused by the reaction of the crowd when Gagne came in (2 outs in the 8th). Jerry Remy had kind of a "let's see if this guy is for real" attitude. Anyway, Gagne proceeded to strike out all 4 batters he faced for the save, and in the 9th one of the Red Sox batters (don't remember whom) stepped out of the box with 2 strikes, and the camera picked up Gagne yelling very clearly, "Get back in the box, mother **er!"

Game Over, Indeed.

I thought he was going with...

"Best of Dodger Thoughts II: D4P Says No Fat Chicks."

Nomar at third - under

It'll be bizarre seeing Gagne in a Rangers uniform. I can't think of another player who would cause the telecast to forego a set of commercials just to watch him jog onto the field.

I think I'm in love with Karen Filippelli. Was her dad a G.I. or something?

Rashida Jones is very attractive, plus she was in the pilot for Stella.

According to Ken Gurnick, most players Colletti acquires are from before the days of LCS play:

"They are usually veterans, usually with postseason experience, mostly including the World Series."

88

I just realized recently that she is Quincy Jones's daughter.

87 We're all in love with Karen. The Office producers might have been a little too clever by half. They needed to pick somebody that could challenge Pam, and be likeable for fans, without making the viewers ever think twice about allegiances. They failed.

I still love Pam, but Karen...Good Lord.

90
I first saw her on Boston Public and I imdb'd her and found that out.

Wow, lot of pent up thoughts about Karen at DT.

83
I'm actually indimidated by all the college educated types with great grammar that comment already. Also I watch niether "Lost" or "The Office" thus disqualifying me. But I am reading "Money ball" (no joke) and thinking of taking a college class or two so maybe I'll comment again once or twice in the next 3 years!

Her character on Stella was also named Karen.

Pam is good, too. I just sometimes wish she had a little bit more of an upper lip. Just a little.

94
Welcome to my world.

Rashida was on Conan two nights ago btw.

What was Schmidt's number in SF again?

88 ... and she signed the "Love Contract" on Chappelle's Show.

Kobe!

99 29

100
She was also in that tampon one where the white girl tries to act black.

102 God bless her talent.

94 Hooey. Keep commenting.

Every time DT gets a commenter, and angel dies in a combine mishap.

Wait, that's not a good thing. Um, gets his wings. Yeah, that's the ticket.

He and Loney can play rock, paper, scissors to see who gets that and who gets 7.

103 Speaking of her talent ...

http://tinyurl.com/yb5dj7

Tobey Maguire is a fool.

107 Yes he is.

104
See, I have no idea what anyone is talking about.
Lets get back to Juan Pierre's tiny noggin..?That I do know. Not like Otis Nixons now, but we can talk microcephaly and baseball all day long.

Pete Rose played in 170 games at Dodger Stadium as an opponent and I believe that's the record.

Barry Bonds is the active leader at 129.

Bonds holds the lion's share of the opponent's batting records at Dodger Stadium. I'm pretty sure he leads in stolen bases too. He has 62 steals at Dodger Stadium.

We are talking about Quincy Jones's attractive daughter.

110

Look at Bob still trying to keep us on the topic of baseball. Keep fighting the good fight, buddy!

Why does no one mention Peggy Lipton. Am I the only person who's ever seen "The Mod Squad" or "Twin Peaks"?

Comment 110 was in limbo while my modem was down.

113
I almost mentioned her with Quincy Jones, but I did not know much about her. I was too young for Twin Peaks, so I have only seen the movie.

Has anyone seen the video of the football player hurdling the defender for his 7th TD of the game? I hope this becomes a new fad and we see all the pros doing it.

http://tinyurl.com/yxxvae

111 Oh... yeah, I guess I wouldn't have picked up on that because I am such an awesome husband and my wife is sitting next to me watching a decorating show. ;)

I have seen two things she was in. Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me and the episode of Wings she was on, which I can actually remember.

I will not count I'm Gonna Get You Sucka since she was uncredited.

109 There are several ways to contribute to DT. You can correct other people's grammar/spelling, throw out quotes from The Simpsons, hate overweight chicks, hate women in general, shop at Walmart, read Slate, argue about how OPS overvalues slugging, talk about the SABR philosophy, talk about television, get mad at all the television talk, relive the DePodesta years, or just make jokes.

It's all good times.

Linc from the Mod Squad was one cool cat.

The quickest way to Jon's heart is to talk about your favorite lines from "Becker."

And also tell him that "Hill Street Blues" was overrated.

And Pedro Guerrero was a bum.

114
Thank you very much. I wasn't sure what the etiquette was for pestering you while waiting here thinking it must be because I am new. I still bet that Tony Gwynn must be up there near the top in many categories, although he is no Jim Eisenreich.

I prefer the Monster Squad.

Heck, I'm pretty sure The Philosopher King wouldn't even mind if the Dodgers came up in the conversation once in a while. He's flexible that way.

113

I've been to the waterfall in the opening of Twin Peaks. I actually ran into Jim Abbott there, who I had seen pitch at the Kingdome the night before (Alvin Davis appreciation night!).

Did you know that his, uh, appendage actually has one fingertip (with a nail) at the end?

Gwynn batted .329 at Dodger Stadium and had an OPS of .821. And Gwynn had an inside-the-park grand slam at Dodger Stadium.

Bonds is batting .263 in his career at Dodger Stadium with a .949 OPS. Bonds has been drawn 118 walks at Dodger Stadium. Gwynn drew 44.

There are several ways to contribute to DT. You can correct other people's grammar/spelling
unqualified
throw out quotes from The Simpsons,
Possibly..
hate overweight chicks, hate women in general,
uhh....??
shop at Walmart,
Check, baught a new remote there just yesterday
read Slate
There is a Jewish guy on there that is do a book report on the bible that is pretty interesting.. It goes along with my line of work...
argue about how OPS overvalues slugging, talk about the SABR philosophy,
I am reading Moneyball, and the author says that OBP in worth three times as much as SLG... or is it the other way around,,?
talk about television, get mad at all the television talk, relive the DePodesta years, or just make jokes.
Maybe I should get back to lurking...
It's all good times. Indeed it is..
as a matter of fact I have had both Bob and Jon on my list of "people I'd like to meet" on my myspace for a year now. Maybe I'll get my chance...

And Pedro Guerrero was a hero in my youth..

I remember his inside the park home run.. wasn't it a grand slam? I thought it was... in the playoff stretch.. maybe..

Right I should have read that better... sorry

Gwynn's ITPGSHR was June 26, 1997 off of Mark Guthrie, courtesy of Brett Butler.

http://tinyurl.com/uyxz7

I am not looking forward to the 24/7 speculation of will Clemens be a Yankee.

Good night guys, thanks for letting me run a muck with 3+ years worth of comments in one hour. Great site everyone!

70. Greg Brock
Times Vin mentions triplets and twins...

Over/Under...Forfty brazillion.

I know how much a "brazillion" is but not sure how much "forfty" is.

The UCLA women's volleyball team swept Oklahoma in Honolulu tonight and will play Hawai'i tomorrow night for the right to go to Omaha for the Final Four.

The Wahine upset the Trojans in five.

Can anyone explain how Tony Gwynn has a career .847 OPS and 132 OPS+ while Wade Boggs has a career .858 OPS and 130 OPS+?

Both players started their careers in 1982. Boggs played 18 seasons, Gwynn 20.

Is it because they played in different leagues, the extra two years for Gwynn?

133
I had no idea that Hawaii had different names for their mens and womens teams.

!!! You mean SC is out Bob?? Then it just might be possible for our Lady Lions to beat two Big Ten teams in this tourney...

Link, where are ya when we need you??

And Jon, did my post commenting on 78 get bounced or did I accidentally close out DT before I submitted it?

I'm pretty sure it's league average as in American League/National League. Boggs may have OPS'd higher, but the norm in his league was higher.

137

Now I'll never know who was truly the better hitter.

OPS measured against the league average, and adjusted for ballpark factors.

Wouldn't Boggs have been at a home park advantage playing in Fenway as opposed to Jack Murphy/Qualcomm Stadium?

What about "Best of Dodger Thoughts II: You Do The Math"?

Best of Dodger Thoughts II: The Search for More Money

Googling to make sure I recalled the quote correctly I bump into this tidbit (which the more informed Screen Jammers were probably already aware):

http://tinyurl.com/w82gu

Making eggs here. Each egg in this carton is individually stamped with an expiration date and a tracking code -- red ink, right on the shell.

I'm a strong believer and strict enforcer of "Use by" dates, but this seems a bit of overkill, even to me.

Fun look (with pictures) at life for the AZ delegation at the winter meetings. Noticed this:

The Bill James Handbook is the main statistical source referenced by Byrnes, who also refers to internal scouting reports and his own notes. Many in the room are quick to look up splits on a whim. The older scouts usually refrain, but it doesn't appear to be out of protest. There is very little contention in the room.

http://tinyurl.com/tde5r

And where's my newspaper at 7:03 am? I've been up waiting for an hour and a half!

143 I saw a story somewhere that soon they'll be printing ads on the eggs, too. It's a brave new world.

rich lederer's bit on vernon wells v. rocco baldelli has me sold. i want baldelli.

Tony Gwynn also stole home at Dodger Stadium, off of Jerry Reuss.

Regarding Greg and others remarks about Juan Pierres cephalation quotient I can only relate one of my best friends remarks-
"Everyone can use a little head." What say you DP4?

If Rashida Jones' real name was Karen, she'd totally be the female Tony Danza. I didn't even realize that her name was also Karen on Stella. She also played a Karen in Freaks and Geeks.

38- The minute I posted it, I thought I should have thrown in a, "Countdown to Vishal's rebuttal. . ." But I'd already posted, like, a million comments in the thread, and figured I ought to do something else on a Friday night. Even though it's less funny than just assuming that G-d hates Indian men, I'm glad to accept your hypothesis.

I admit to getting far behind at DT and sometimes skimming through comments but I would like to say Jon's "Candygram for Gonzo" is one of the most coherent, pleasing reads in sports this year. I also happen to agree with it, particularly in regard to depth. As I noticed a bit last year, a pitcher couldn't get over the hump and relax, not with Martin batting 8th. Constant pressure doesn't make for deep starts.

I may have been too hasty endorsing Bob for The Explainer. This guy has to have an outside shot. (it's long--twenty minutes of audio--but worth it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp0HyxQv97Q&eurl=

I don't have 20 minutes to spare. I'm a busy man. I can explain things in less than 20 minutes.

153- I double dog dare you to explain how decimal points work to a phone company CS agent in less than twenty minutes. Although, if you do, and the agent gets it, you'd be one step ahead of him. The guy has a blog; looks like Verizon is willing to cut the bill in half, which, if he's clever about it, he could probably get turned in to a $3,600 credit.

http://verizonmath.blogspot.com/index.html

[150] haha, well, i couldn't just let it go unresponded to. when i read the slate bit, at first i was like, "what? no... but... no."

but yeah, that wouldn't be a very funny way to think about it from my perspective. :P besides, if it were true that we were disliked by the heavens, then why are there so darn many of us?

if it were true that we were disliked by the heavens, then why are there so darn many of us?

I blame the media.

143/145 I seem to recall reading somewhere they were going to be printing ads on potato chips/pringles.

Extra credit question: Do Pringles really qualify as a potato chip? I think not.

The clock is set for 8:56:42, Mr. Explainer.

[157] i think (and i may be wrong) that technically they are referred to as potato "crisps", no?

but then by that rationale, are baked lays considered to be true chips?

Very Good point Vishal. I would not call baked lays potato chips.

No baseball, no college football :-(

Bolton vs. West Ham and Everton vs. Portsmouth. You've got to do better than that, Fox Soccer Channel. I'm in the sports dead zone here.

161- Isn't the despicable John Wooden being honored in some way in a couple of hours? UCLA's playing the chicken fried bacon fueled (or, if they're not so fueled, they should be; Snook is like ten miles away) Texas A&M.

161 We do have the college cagers, that is correct. And UCLA's own Jerry Tarkanian is being honored. To think that in this day and age a man like John Wooden would be honored in such a way...Well, it's the moral decay of the West.

You're not fooling anybody, Mr. Wooden. And you're sure not fooling Slate...nor are you fooling one Mr. Greg Brock.

Not that this post fits with anything being posted here but just the same I am preparing a Christmas list and this might just get on it.

See what happens through May and then maybe trade Pierre and Penny to Jays for Wells, hoping Penny duplicates his 2006 start in 2007.

I'm here. That was an awesome v-ball match. For local coverage check these two papers' sports sections:

http://www.starbulletin.com
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com

Game 5 was really anti-climactic, but Game 4 was a classic.

One thing that has always surprised me about John Wooden is that he has lived so long after his wife's death. A lot of men who are that close to their spouse and then lose them tend to either remarry or die not too long after. (Or in my dad's case, he pulled off the twofer!)

But Nell Wooden died in 1985. I was a junior at UCLA then.

165 Hey! There you are. I was going to put out a Linkmeister APB at some point!

165
The Stan Sheriff Center is one of the few places in college volleyball where there is a home court advantage.

Once when I was visiting Hawai'i, the men's team lost to CSUN. The people I was visiting with were in shock. They didn't even know where CSUN was. I had to give them directions. UH won the next night.

But I've never been in any other place in the US where people in the streets discuss the outcome of a college volleyball match.

166- I think we can, therefore, deduce that he didn't love her. He was probably having an affair with Sam Gilbert the entire time. Walton, too, I bet; have you seen the way that guy goes on and on about him? What a sleaze. Slate barely scratched the surface!

169
Sam Gilbert's widow, Rose, was a beloved English teacher at Palisades High and she has endowed some scholarships at UCLA.

I saw her at an alumni function and she got a lot of applause. Sam was a pretty rich guy.

I like it how the Feds tried to indict him, only to find out that he had passed away several months before. Crack investigators they were.

Would somebody please update the John Wooden wikipedia entry to reflect my new allegations? I'd do it myself, but my account, um, isn't working for some reason.

Do we really know how Nell Wooden passed away? Was a proper autopsy performed? Was an inquest held?

Don't put it past the man. I'm getting Tommy Craggs on this.

172
Mr. Craggs did have an email address linked to his Slate article if you wish to register an objection personally.

But be nice.

Do it quick. But don't hurry!

173 I already wrote a very nice email to Mr. Craggs.

Are the drugs you guys are all on illegal?

Hey Link! I am definitely rooting for the Rainbow Wahine (Rainbows? People really call them that?) now. There was NCAA trivia all over the place at Rec Hall here for our first two matches and apparently that Dave Shoji is quite a vball coach. It's gonna be an AWESOME Elite Eight!

Time to destroy some Aggies.

They must pay for Juan Pierre!

Are the drugs you guys are all on illegal?

Depends on the country you're commenting from.

I guess Sam Ryan left ESPN.

So when does "Dodger Thoughts: The Movie" come out? I'm not sure of the logistics of the whole thing, but in any case I figure it would be a riot.

Just don't film it in Chatsworth.

Jon Weisman will be played by whom?

Dodger Thoughts: The Movie...Starring Russell Crowe as Jon Weisman.

Featuring Greg Brock as frightened inmate #2.

Speaking of funny math, how does Stark come to this conclusion?

"Huff's numbers the last five years actually blow away J.D. Drew's"

Is he talking purely about home runs? RBI? If you go by OPS, Huff gets his butt handed to him by Drew.

182 It could be one of those "My Date With Drew" things where he goes on a quest to find Hee Seop Choi 600 at-bats.

Talk about your phantom foul calls...

182 It'll have to be the same guy they get to play Cashman.

I could see a younger David Strathairn pulling it off.

------------

Anyhow, what a remarkable 10 minutes. 10 minutes ago I was chasing two yawlping kids around the house, exhausted from having been on patrol since 5:45 am, and at the same time trying to squeeze out a rather grim discussion about our laughable budget with my wife.

Now, one kid is off with friends to a birthday party, another is asleep, and my wife is out erranding. The house is silent.

And UCLA basketball is on tv. And I have a Newcastle Brown Ale.

Wow.

183
He works for ESPN, so you know the answer.

170 So, it sounds like UCLA is well endowed.

Mmmmm Newcastle.

Of course, Newcastle is no longer in the budget, but we can drink off our existing stock, right?

Newky Brown. Man, my favorite beer.

Sam, well done. Well done indeed.

Mmmm, I could use a Newcastle right now to help stave off my impending hangover. The happiest times in my frat house days were when Ralph's would put Newcastle on sale and we would all go stock up. Sure it was pretty much the same price that Costco charges normally, but it was a moral victory nonetheless.

People who like Salt and Vinegar chips also like Newcastle Brown. It's a law of nature.

The role of Bob Timmermann will be played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.

When did the Pond become the Honda Center? Are the Ducks playing at Staples, now?

195
The name change was in August/September.

The Ducks still play in Anaheim.

194- The role of Bob has to be played by Daniel Engber. Imagine the grudge potential!

195 I think they prefer playing at the park or anywhere else where there's a decent amount of water...and bread crumbs

I'm a Mexican beer fan myself. Bohemia, Negro Modelo....mmmm

They gave it to him, right? I've got the sound off.

200 Yup. Shot counted.

Hooray!

196- Thanks.

I like Mexican beer too. They tend to be smooth and easy to drink.

Yeah, Collison got it.

Yeah, I tend to like the darker, smoother beers. Not a big fan of the pale lagers.

I am a big Pyramids fan, especially their hef and apricot weizen.

Pyramid is good stuff.

We got a Brewery in my town.

I'm sure the basketball game is all well and good, but it really should be called the Jerry Tarkanian Classic or possibly the Billy Tubbs Classic.

Or Red Auerbach? Or Dave Bliss?

Dave Shoji is a great volleyball coach.

Don't get me started on the "Rainbows" v. "Warriors" argument; when June Jones came in to coach football he arbitrarily changed the name, thus eliminating one of the greatest audience participation cheers in all of college sports. One half of the stadium would yell "Rain!" and the other half would respond "Bows!"

The official reason was that "Rainbows" didn't sound tough enough; the local LGBT types were and remain suspicious.

You can still find a lot of "Go Bows!" bumper stickers and other paraphernalia around town.

Sam Gilbert Classic.

The way UCLA is playing, it ought to be called the Lavin Festival of Throwing the Ball Away and Missing Free Throws.

UCLA tends to stink in first half and be very good after they get yelled at during halftime.

The UH men's teams in other sports seem to happily exist as Rainbow Warriors or even just Rainbows.

213 Oh, it's unquestionably Jones and his macho football coach hangups. Mike Trapasso over at the baseball stadium has no such difficulty, and neither does Riley Wallace with the basketball team.

I saw UH play at Pauley Pavilion once and they wore green uniforms with green lettering for the names.

So what do we know about Acie Law I-III?

They have good genetics.

161. My very own blue vs. red derby was on this morning, but the scrappy blues couldn't pull it out despite making a decent game of it in the second half. I have a good feeling that the 33rd year is when we will finally take them down on their own pitch.

Newcastle? A Jordy couldn't brew a beer from a stew! It has to be Boddingtons, the cream of Manchester :)

The first Acie Law lost to Apollo Creed, but won in the rematch.

Acie Law III defeated Clubber Lang.

II was Ernie Banks's brother, unless great-uncle means something different from what I thought it did.

Oh, or brother in law, I guess.

Boddingtons is very good beer.

Are these Pac-10 football refs?

A lot of Pac-10 refs also work in the Big 12.

Man, Shipp sucks at defense.

To be specific, a lot of Pac-10 basketball refs work in the Big 12.

I don't believe it happens in other sports. I'm not hear to talk about other sports...

Mexican beers? I don't want to mention that urine beer so popular with limes that girls and the uniformed love, because no country deserves to have its worst beer described as its archetypal beer. For example, Bud is not an indictment against American beer, because we do have some wonderful microbrews. Mexico has some decent suds, Negro Modello, but it is just not my favorite (at least it is better than Asian beer... yuck). For my money, you can't beat Ireland and England for their ale culture. Unfortunately, all the best Irish ales are brewed under licence in Canada and thus are miserable facsimiles of the delicious beer shakes that you get in the rainy countries.

I think these refs have been drinking a few Coronas.

Corona and Tecate are awful beers, but Mexico has many fine ones. Dos Equis, Superior, Bohemia, Negro Modelo

222 - If you like Boddington's, try Smithwick's. It was my favorite beer in Ireland, and it holds up pretty well here.

Were the Mexican breweries set up by germans like the Chinese?

I liked Boddingtons until they started drinking it and high fiving on Friends.

I also have some Smithwicks to burn off in my fridge. And thye have it on tap around the corner. Mmmmmmm.

Look at them clap for the child molesting, illegal downloader. The people of the Pond make me sick.

232
Digger Phelps is there?

232
Plus he does not think this is our country.

John Wooden was on the grassy knowl.

Back and to the left...
Back and to the left...
Back and to the left...

232
And it's the Honda Center now.

The Critic was great.

236- I don't recognize the change. Why should I change when they're the ones who suck?

Because,

"Ranked third in the World by Billboard magazine (Dec. 24, 2005 issue) for event ticket sales, Honda Center stands as one of the premier entertainment and sports venues in the country."

I wonder if not being able to hit a free throw will cause any trouble for the Bruins in the last thirty-six seconds of a close game.

Wow ! Who says November/December are not baseball months ! I had been off line for a month and i just had to spend 4+ hours over the last 2 days just to catch up on everything.

jason schmidt and juan pierre:
the ying and the yang
------------
Over here in France, I was able to purchase a DVD of the September game with the 4 consecutive HRs - from this site:

http://www.pontel.com/baseballshop/index.html?mid=googlebaseball&lmd=38874.468472

But from what I understand their service is illegal in the USA -(good old MLB regulations) it's only for those of us living abroad…

236. Maybe we should call it "The Ponda"?

19 thru 21 (my usual timely self)=== RE Alabama trouble finding a football coach due to ridiculous expectations, shadow of Bear Bryant, etc....

A bumper sticker not long after Bryant's death, during a time when the team wasn't doing too great....."Dig 'im up!"

A Bryant story: Late in a game Alabama was dominating, a reserve defensive back got caught napping and was burned, the result apparently a TD for the other team since the receiver was very fast, the DB very slow.

Amazingly, the DB caught the receiver and saved the TD. Bryant, asked after the game how this could happen, drawled...

"Well, son, it's like this. The other player, he was just running for a touchdown. My player, he was running for his life."

It says something about 'Bama that Gene Stallings, a former Bryant player and disciple, won a national title there in 1992 but resigned in 1996. There were NCAA issues during Stallings' tenure, but what's a little thing like that among Tide faithful? Whoever is hired after this latest rebuff will be the fifth Alabama coach since Stallings.

Ran across this, but then of course no one would be interested in bathroom humor:

http://rollbamaroll.com/story/2006/12/6/01710/5578

Come on Buffalo beat the Panthers.

Appalachian State out to a 7-0 lead over Youngstown State in the NCAA Championship Subdivision.

Winner plays UMass.

If I ever have a chance to convince people to watch the EPL, it's now. Tomorrow, 8:00am PST, Chelsea vs. Arsenal. If you watch only one EPL game this year, make it this one.

Are they importing the Belgian beer "Leffe' to the USA yet ? Especially the dark version…give it a try!
----------
From what I understand though, the beer situation in the USA has improved as much in the last 15 years as the coffee. The march of civilization…at least some things are improving !

-----------

In virtually every middle sized German town, they have their own brewery - and these are VERY serious beers. Heifer weiße ! They can't be exported because they don't have any preservatives (I think that is the correct term)in them - only for local consumption. My favorite is Ganter from Freiberg in the lower Rhine valley(Black forest) if you're ever in the region it's worth a detour…
Beer really rises (no yeastful pun intended) to level of fine wines over there.

242 Bill McDonald on FSN beat you to it, with the unfortunate "Honda Ponda".

One more post after this guerilla attack and then back to my European hibernation.
-------------------

Did any of you know that James Loney was held hostage in Iraq for 118 days???
-------

http://www.democracynow.org

We speak with James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden, two of the three Christian Peacemaker Teams held hostage in Iraq for 118 days. They held a news conference in London today announcing they "unconditionally" forgive their captors. They have yet to decide whether to give evidence at the men's trial, which is set for next year in Iraq. Singh Sooden and Loney discuss their ordeal and remember their murdered colleague, Tom Fox.

http://www.democracynow.org

Also, btw, i can't find Snook in my Rand McNally Atlas

Just follow the breading...

249- http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Snook,+TX

It's a funny place for Heaven to be located, but, well, there you go.

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking on this blog since mid-summer and am now making my first ever blog post. Forgive me in advance for mistakes that I will certainly make in typing, spelling, grammer and the like.

I really like the conversation and am overwhelmed by the baseball and other knowledge displayed on Dodger Thoughts. I started out lurking on ITD and, while there are some good comments, IMHO, the quality of analysis is far higher here. As an example, it seems most posters on ITD think the Juan Pierre signing a good idea while the opinion here seems strongly against it. Count me in - too much money, too long for someone who will hit (if we're lucky) lots of singles.

BTW, my last name is actually Ethier, first name Tom, and I thought it would be a good idea to post before Ned trades Andre. Which I think would be a bad idea even if Andre and I didn't share the same last name.

246. Arsenal have been in poor form in the domestic league and aren't they still without Henry? Chelsea meanwhile are nine points out of the United held top spot and must win to keep pace. Never-the-less if Arsenal's recent derby win against Tottenham is any indication they will be fighting to the death. Throw in Ashley Cole's first time back in front of the forlorn Arsenal supporters and it should make for one eventful match.

Further down the line, Chelsea play United at home in the fifth to last match day of the season which, if the standings hold up, will be a heck of a game and a real decider of the honors.

I agree, but it's going to be an exciting match between two of the most famous clubs (outside England) in the EPL. There is also a good chance that Ashley Cole gets burned in effigy.

It's a good starter match for the non-initiated.

252
Welcome, actually person with last name of Dodgers player.

If you aren't a Juan Pierre fan, you will likely find company here. A lot of it.

Can we can all you Tom 3.5? And do you pronounce your last name like an English word or a French one?

We're really not all that bad. We're not like Jim Rome screen callers who will run you if you don't have a good take.

Just be careful about visiting if Grady Little asks Jeff Kent to sacrifice in the 9th inning with the Dodgers down a run....

252- Welcome aboard. I agree with you about ITD; it's fine, I guess, but nobody's even brought up the confirmed existence of chicken fried bacon, over there.

As the new guy, your job is to dab gentian violet on Brock's ringworm, every time it recurs. Yes, it's a big job, but, if you screw up, nobody will mind, much.

And you may have to go on the odd Walmart/Chicken McNuggets run for Andrew.

We've all had to pay our dues.

--ATTENTION ALL "SCRUBS" FANS-- You need to see the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Of_mna-Rs

You know, that's the second time in a week that, in greeting a new poster, Bob's used the construction, "we're really not all that bad." The first time it made more sense, in that Canuck had already seen fit to jump ugly with the guy, IIRC. Are we really so bad that it needs to be said that we aren't that bad?

Thanks for the welcome 255 & 256.

Yes, please call me Tom. Sorry, I don't get the 3.5 reference, maybe I haven't spent as much time lurking as I should have.

I do pronouce my name the English way and it was interesting to hear that AE pronouces it the same way.

I've been a Dodger fan since 1965 (so am well old enough to be Andre's father) and I never thought I'd see an Ethier playing in the majors, much less playing on the Dodgers, much less actually being good.

BTW, I think Loney is the real deal too - hope he's back from Iraq by spring training.

259. "Are we really so bad that it needs to be said that we aren't that bad?"

No. Just Mr. Timmerman. He was mean to me.

261

You're lucky your name isn't "St.louisdodger."

259. From what I've read, it doesn't seem "all that bad." And I'm not just saying that to make a good first impression.

261
I can only be nice to one person in Hawai'i at a time and Linkmeister was first.

264. No aloha for you Mr. Timmerman. Nr. Brock is much nicer.

265. Mr.

261 -

Maybe Mr. Timmermann got mad at you for forgetting his second "n".

263

If you're that bad, eventually the little boy who runs this town will send you away to the cornfields.

And it's a good thing that he does that. A real good thing.

267. Mahalo Mr. Willhite. Mr. Timmermann spells his name with 2 n's. The sun was in my eyes and I did not see the second n.

Mexican beer isn't very good, but nothing is worse than domestic. Some of the worst beers I've ever had:
1. Natural Ice- awful, awful beer. I wouldn't take it if somebody paid me to drink it.
2. Miller High Life/Miller Genuine Draft- is this beer?
3. Bud Light- bottled carbonated water that happens to contain alcohol
4. Coors Light- Good: It's cheap, so it's good for beer pong Bad: It's overpriced water, terrible aftertaste
5. Corona- total ripoff for what you're getting. Why should I have to pay for used toilet water?

Best
1. Guinnes- a great dark beer. Kind of a heavy beer, but it's not a beer to get drunk off of.
2. Newcastle- another high quality ale.
3. St. Pauli- I love this beer. It's a cheap German beer that's pretty light. Much better than what you would expect for the price.
4. Sam Adams- a pretty good American beer, kind of expensive.
5. Heineken- shouldn't be on the best list, but it's so cheap and much better than Bud, Coors, Miller.

The sun was in my eyes and I did not see the second n.

That can be a problem when you live on the islands. I hope you don't expect the rest of us to feel sorry for you.

If the Rainbow Wahine beat the Bruins tonight, then all of the residents of Hawai'i will be on notice.

count me in on the newcastle bandwagon. that sounds good for tonight actually.

272. Don't you mean "when" the Rainbow wahine beat the bruins.

Newcastle Brown Ale: The Official Beer of Dodger Thoughts?

I vote yes.

270.

Is Old Milwaukee not made anymore?

I remember that being very bad and cheap. I would think it would have to make any "worst beer" list.

Sorry to bring up baseball when the conversation this afternoon is obviously headed in another (or various other) directions, but is everyone absolutely convinced that there is no way Gagne is coming back?

Apparently the R. Sox have dropped out and that supposedly leaves Cleveland and Texas. I could easily have seen him going to Boston but somehow I have a hard time visualizing him in a Ranger or Indian uniform.

I wouldn't be totally surprised to see Boras and Ned make nice at the last minute and come up with some compromise to bring Gagne back next year. Any thoughts?

There is no discussion of awful beer unless Rhinegold is mentioned. Bars in NYC practically give the stuff away, it's so bad. I would drink an entire keg of any of the awful beers listed in this thread than a single can of Rhinegold.

On the flip side of that coin, Magic Hat has currently taken over the top spot in my beer power rankings, just edging out Fat Tire. The top two will meet in the Beer Championship Series, taking place at my house later tonight.

272. I must go. Aloha. I will return later to discuss the Rainbow Wahine victory. Last Saturday was a good day for UCLA, but not today.

277. I don't want Gagne back. We don't need him or Boras.

I won't even be able to watch or follow along on the computer. I am going to attempt to be sociable tonight.

It's dangerous, but I just may survive.

277. Unlike with the outfield and pitching situation, Little didn't mince words in his interview about Saito closing and Broxton setting them up. Seems like Gange has priced himself out of the Dodgers' plans.

a little bit premature on my threats of renewed hibernation
-------
Why is the name of Eric Stultz never mentioned either in trade talks or in future Dodger plans? How often does a September call up shut out the eventual NL East champions ?
Were his LVegas numbers less than impressive? Does he throw junk ?

277. - I'm surprised that Boston doesn't want Gagne - I think he would do really well in Beantown.

I'm in the NE and would choose the Sox over the Yankees if forced (which occasionally I am). I'd like to see Gagne with the Sox if he can't be with the Dodgers. It seems redundant to have Eric now - Ned is getting quite the collection of pitchers.

The Rainbow Wahine lead the alltime series against the Bruins 41-35. Not too many teams have an edge on UCLA alltime, especially with that many matches played.

Stanford is playing Texas right now in Austin for another spot in Omaha.

281. Don't worry Bob, people in the real world are "really not all that bad". :)

Still waiting to hear what Bob's favorite beer is.

If I could drink beer now, I would have a Newcastle.

Stults's numbers weren't great in Vegas, and they were pretty bad in L.A (over a tiny sample). And we already have, like, a bajillion starting pitchers. But he's lefthanded, so the Meche principle applies.

I'm dreaming of a perfect Dodger world in which Gagne says "I was just kidding" and signs for the 4 mil plus incentives that he supposedly already turned down.

Imagine a pen that goes Broxton, Saito and then Gagne. With the starters we have, it would be a very nice staff. Of course, that assumes Gagne would be back to somewhere near the same effectiveness he showed before all the injuries.

One problem with Gagne is all the baggage he is carrying as a Dodger. He may come back and be Eric Gagne(TM). He may blow his arm out in March and never pitch again. In either of those instances, you'd have a pretty good idea of what to do after the one-year contract was over. But what if he comes back as Jason Isringhausen/Danny Graves -- blowing eight saves, having a high 3/low 4 ERA, and basically being a fake closer? Given the overvaluation of fake closers, if Gagne had 35 saves, there would be tremendous pressure to retain him for the long-term even though there would be no reason to do so. My sense tells me that we should stick with what we have, though one-year contracts are never a bad idea in and of themselves.

291 -

If he turns out to be a fake closer we cut him loose after next year. By that time Broxton should be ready to assume that role.

If on the other hand he proves to be vintage Gagne, we can sign him to a ridiculous contract and trade Broxton or wave good-bye and keep Broxton as our closer. I'm assuming that Saito won't be what he was last year, but if he is, that presents another option.

Jon should get Newcastle to sponsor the website.

Dodger Thoughts presented by Newcastle.

I've been trying, for weeks, to convince the Google ads engine to blanket the site with Walmart ads, to no effect. But good luck.

So which fine Toaster site gets to live-blog space shuttle launches?

I haven't live-blogged anything having to do with NASA since Gordo Cooper ran over my family's dog in 1967.

NASA is Charlie Brown and Florida is Lucy.

I've been on a big Kronenbourg 1664 kick lately. I also heartily endorse any of the fine Unibroue family of brew:
http://www.unibroue.com/english.cfm

278I've heard from a couple of people that Magic Hat No. 9 is pretty good. I still haven't tried it or any of their others. Which one's battling it out in the championship series?

Buncha beer snobs. Yes we are.

A more high-brow set would be discussing wine.

We can discuss Whiskey.

I can discuss bourbon somewhat.

297 - Well played, sir. Well played.

Weather's all good, 20 minutes left in the T minus 9 minutes hold...

I can discuss boxed wine all day

scout.com says the Cardinals might be interested in Brad Penny. So, uh, what's Rolen's contract status?

www.space.com will link you to NASA's TV feed if you're so inclined.

Blue Jays | Team looking to complete Wells' extension by Jan. 1
Sat, 9 Dec 2006 08:35:15 -0800

Jordan Bastian, of Toronto.BlueJays.MLB.com, reports the Toronto Blue Jays will hope to have OF Vernon Wells signed to a long-term contract extension by Jan. 1, 2007, or the team will begin looking at trade possibilities.

The Wahine-UCLA volleyball match is only televised on ESPNU, which Oceanic Cable hasn't deemed worthy of carrying out here. It's on the radio (1420AM here; don't know if there's a streaming mode).

309
It's supposed to stream on the Mainland, but I've never been able to get it to work. But I think it's more of a Mac OS thing.

T minus 7.

Apparetnly everyone's concerns with Luis Gonzales are mis-placed... well something is mis-placed... I suppose it had to happen.

http://dodgers.scout.com/2/598697.html

I get ESPNU I can keep you guys updated.

312
Good grief, that article says Gonzo is going to be our cleanup hitter.

That is far worse than them putting up the wrong pic.

I was on a date once and my beer of choice at the time was Newcastle. I had my date try it and she said,"It tastes like soy sauce." After that, whenever I had a Newcastle, it tasted like soy sauce. After a while I stopped drinking them altogether.
A sad story.

How did I miss the story of Lance Carter signing with the Orix Buffaloes.

I'm getting old and lazy and fat and stupid.

Shuttle Up.

315
I hope you did not marry her.

317
Is the clock operating?
Are all systems go?
Did it clear the tower?

3,000 mph 18 miles downrange in 1.5 minutes.

It's always amazing. I can't ever get Challenger out of my mind watching one of those, though. Those two contrails in that beautiful sky were awful.

301. Marty
Buncha beer snobs. Yes we are.

Hardly. I gotta tell you guys - I shook my head in horror and sadness more often during the last 100 posts about beer than in all my DT days combined. Stick to baseball, movies, TV, and in Marty's case especially, food! Because the level of beer banter I just witnessed was the amber liquid equivalent of the ESPN Dodger boards. Just sad.

Now, I realize that while there are clear quality differences (type of hops, absence of fillers like rice or corn, yeast strains, etc.) this is largely a taste thing. There's no accounting for it, and I'm not going to tell you that you don't like what you think you like. And while a couple of the beers mentioned above are in fact of high quality, most are not. Still, if you like 'em, great. Budweiser is the #1 selling beer in the UK - go figure. To avoid having my brain explode, I just learned to think about it as a completely different malt-like beverage than true ales or even true lagers. I think the Campaign for Real Ale folks in the UK took the same approach.

American craft beer and imported beer are really the main thing I spend money on, other than my mortgage. I will pay more for even a 12oz bottle of beer than for a bottle of wine. I travel only to go to the country's and the world's breweries (it's while I'll never see Paris - no decent beer in France). Sadly, Los Angeles is a brewpub wasteland. San Diego has a number of fantastic breweries, as do the Bay Area, and Sacramento. LA is a desert. Luckily, the number of top beer stores is growing. Go to BevMo and pick out something you've never heard of. For most (certainly not all) DTers, I can almost guarantee it'll be the best beer you've had. And if you live near West LA, Beverage Warehouse in Culver City, and even Wally's in Westwood or the Wine House have dozens and dozens of fantastic beers.

Now that, my dear Marty, is beer snobbery.

"How doth the hero strong and brave,
A celestial path in the heavens pave."

Go Dad! Go!

320 Was thinking the same thing. I was watching Challenger -- had stayed home from school that day. ugh.

In this nighttime launch, the separataion of the boosters was very cool -- you could see them peel off and slowly burn out.

Careful, Bob, or you'll get GoBears started on Duff.

We'll never know if ants can sort small screws in space.

324
I go out to redneck bars and drink Fudd.

I seem to remember a pretty good beer in France. I had it a couple of times, once at a cafe next to Shakespeare & Co. bookstore on the Left Bank opposite Notre Dame (the cathedral, Bob, not the university) and once in a restaurant with all-glass windows and rain pouring down on said windows. Sadly, in neither case was I with a young maid.

Might have been Kronenberg.

321
Do you like Pyramids lol?

323 - That was pretty sweet too from the underside-cam when the only light sources were the main engines and the FRICTION FROM THE ATMOSPHERE.

Time for some vball!!

I feel I've been put in my place.

Now let's switch to bourbon. I've got a nice glass of Booker's in front of me.

After living in Arcata for 5 years I was very very dissapointed by the lack of breweries in SoCal. I grew to love Six Rivers brewery and attended HopsFest in Fortuna annually. Even the breweries I can find down here are lackluster compared to even the microist of micro breweries up there. BevMo is a weekly stop for me to satisfy my Hophead needs.

328. Not much. I've been to their breweries in Berkeley, Sacto, and Seattle. Their beer is not by any means bad, but it's nothing special.

I do, however, like my Pyramid T-shirt, which proclaims:

*Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Hoppiness."

Niccccccce.

332- you should check out the Lagunitas brewery in Petaluma (it's very close to my school). They make a pretty good IPA if that what you like.

The Redondo Beach Brewing Company (located in...wait for it...Redondo Beach) has great beer. I sipped on their Chocolate Porter and Rat Beach Red the night Gagne's streak was broken, as I have sipped on beers there many, many, many a night.

many

I have absolutely nothing to add to this thread.

333. I know Lagunitas well. They make some outstanding beers. If you like their IPA, try their Double IPA, the Maximus. Oh man! They make a bunch of excellent seasonal beers too.

334. Has RBBC improved? I haven't been there for about 10 years, when their beer was mediocre. Manhattan Beach BC is also blah. There ARE brewpubs in LA, just no good ones. Best I've found are Oggi's and Wolf Creek, up in Santa Clarita. And the BJs chain makes the occasional good beer (just had a smoked porter at BJs Westwood was the good, if not all that smoky). Oddly, BJs makes some fantastic beers for beer festivals, but not usually for their restaurants.

Daniel, there are actually some pretty good beers brewed in Utah (though the Wasatch Polygamy Porter has a better name than taste). But you'll have to take my word for it.

I know as much about this topic as Daniel. I haven't had an alcoholic beer since the early 1990s.

336 I can't speak to their improvement, because although I ate there a ton, I only came back home about 6 years ago. They have an outstanding Oatmeal Stout, and their red is the staple beer when I go there. I know they have quite a few seasonal brews, but I usually stick to the red, stout, and porter that they brew. I think they're all very good beers.

I will add that I tried RBBC's Blueberry Pale Ale on a dare, and the name is quite appropriate. It is very blueberry (actual blueberries included in the glass), very pale, and not very good.

I'll definitely have to take your word for it, GoBears, as I've never had a beer. The combined effects of drunken students and spilled beer at college parties turned me off from beer a long time ago. I can't even stand the smell of it. I was more into even snobbier stuff like kahlua milk shakes, wine coolers, and the like back when I drank, but I gave those up.

This is not good.

342 Say what now?

FYI...For those of you that enjoy the noble sport, Kassim Ouma, who's life story will undoubtedly be made into a movie, is facing Jermaine Taylor, two-time vanquisher of Bernard Hopkins on HBO.

Good stuff.

344
A documentary just came out about his life.

Every time I see RBBC, I think it's running back by committee. Stupid fantasy football.

For my birthday my sister got me a couple cases of various seasonal brews and I must say that I really enjoyed a lot of the winter brews I had. Unfortunately, I didn't keep any of the bottles or write down any of their names, so I'll probably never drink them again.

As for favorite beers (of the ones readily available), I'd have to go with Newcastle as well although I'm also a pretty big Bass fan.

Berto's upercuts are a thing of beauty.

*uppercuts

Wow. Soda Popinski would approve of those uppercuts.

Figueroa has a decent chin. He is getting nailed with some heavy shots.

Methinks this bout will not end well for Mr. Figueroa. This undercard bout shall end in canvas being tasted.

He is no James Toney, he cannot rest against the ropes and win.

He pretty much cannot win regardless.

Berto does not even bother keeping his hands up.

Wow, what great corner guys.

354 LOL

Lawrence Cole is a merciful referee.

343 - Washington 2 PSU 0.

It is now Wash 2 PSU 1.

still alive...

Who needs to cut their hair twice a week?

I'm going to start getting my hair cut twice a week.

Jermain Taylor is just asking for someone to rob him.

357 Beat me to it.

They enjoy yelling at Jermain Taylor's barber shop.

Open scoring what the...

Open scoring is a terrible idea for boxing. I know people like it, but it is just horrible. Go up a few rounds, find out you're up, and then take a head but, stall, or do anything else to get the fight to the cards before 12 rounds.

Open scoring is terrible.

363 Harold Lederman is explaining another reason why open scoring is terrible.

Way to go to gimmicks boxing.

They truly fear MMA.

Brock, do you have people that follow you just carrying stuff for you?

No, but I've been thinking that I need a posse.

haha, cubs gave marquis 21 million dollars.

368 Yeah. Randy Wolf looks like a flat out steal for one year at 8 million.

Wolf may have injury problems, but at least he doesn't stink.

At least with Wolf, hes good when hes healthy.

with marquis, hes just bad.

ESPN will still think the Cubs have had a great off-season and will be challengers.

When Wolf came back, he was sitting on 92-93 mph fastball. All he needs is to get his command back. People forget what a young gun he was once upon a time.

Arron Afflalo is now saying he may return next year.

If the Bruins have Afflalo, Shipp, Collison, and Kevin Love next year, forget it.

WSH 3 PSU 1 :(

Link, beat those suckas for me!

375 Sorry das.

Ouma has always had a beard, but he is getting hit with BOMBS.

mainstream beers and fancy microbrews are totally different. obviously the latter are generally better, but can you get say, a redondo beach beer anywhere outside a 20-mile radius of the place?

newcastle is a wonderful mainstream beer, and one of my favorites. and i can order it at bars and restaurants all over the world.

Yet, it has barely seemed to affect him.

The masses have spoken.

Newcastle Brown Ale: The Official Beer of Dodger Thoughts.

We require only the Philosopher King's approval.

Thanks GB, you don't realize how much you miss womens volleyball until you start to see the team walking around campus in their tracksuits and, yknow, winter clothing.

380 - Hmm and what could he possibly be doing out on a Sat night besides evaluating the topic(s) discusses thus far??

380 - Well, I have no connection with Newcastle. When I get beer, I tend to get Pete's Wicked Ale or Heineken or Miller Genuine Draft or something cheap. Not because it's the best - just habit. When I used to go to Father's Office, back in my single days and before the big yuppie-hamburger transformation, I tended to experiment more. Not so much now. (But yes, that is a great burger they have there now.)

I think Pete's Wicked Ale has a good name.

But maybe it's time for me to throw the subjects a bone. Let them drink Newcastle.

381 - "out on a Sat night?" Me?

382 I like Pete's Wicked.

The PK has spoken! Newcastle it is!

[380] i think it's an excellent choice. it's tasteful and a somewhat more considered selection than your average budweiser joe would make, yet it's not stuck up, for the most part. perfect for DT.

hahah, "let them drink newcastle". fortunately we're not inclined to cut your head off. we're too busy drinking beer anyway ;)

Remember Dodger Thoughts presented by Newcastle.

Gonzaga is destroying the Huskies.

Henry Weinhardt's will be the official root beer.

It's hard to feel bad that Kassim Ouma lost a fight, considering the fact that he could be in Uganda right now. When you've been kidnapped and forced into soldier duty at the age of 10, losing a boxing match doesn't seem like such a big deal.

...at least we don't have to wonder about an official hot dog.

388 Good stuff.

I think we were always an IBC root beer family growing up. The glass bottles screamed nostalgia.

One of the judges must be blind. How could he see the fight so close. Ouma was pushing the fight, but did nothing.

I've never been to Father's Office. But I don't like bleu cheese on a burger, so I probably wouldn't like theirs.

393 - I would never order it - except they force you to have it their way - but they make it work.

I have a feeling that trying to decide on the official hamburger of Dodger Thoughts would not happen so amicably.

But if this many people can decide on one beer, there's hope for anything. I hope the Israelis and Palestinians are paying attention.

UCLA started off nicely against Hawaii.

The official hamburger of Dodger Thoughts is a 1985 double with pineapple at Kirk's in Palo Alto. It is my Proustian burger.

I'm partial to the burger at both Cassell's in Koreatown and Pie n' Burger in Pasadena.

Pete's downtown does a nice one too.

A hamburger with pineapple?

It's not enough to call a meeting of the Three Estates, but it's certainly different.

I defer to your graces.

I've heard a lot of good things about Father's Office but have never made the trek over there. It doesn't help that I don't really know exactly where it is. Montana and something?

The problem with Father's Office, as I've been told, is it's the hamburger nazi. Absolutely no substitutes. Plus, ther's only about 3 tables so you have to fight off a crowd to get a seat.

UCLA dominated first game 16-30.

Lucky So Cal guys with your good burger joints. I do not know a good burger place around here at all. In N Out would probably be the best I have had (not counting homemade burgers).

Trainwreck, where are you?

Walnut Creek, in the East Bay.

oh. I can't help you then. I have a friend in the East Bay, but I'm clueless.

i've only found one halfway decent burger joint in syracuse. i've only found one in china, too, but it's an irish pub and they put an egg in it. it's not a bad burger but if you're there you may as well get the beef and guinness pie, which is excellent.

i was uh, mostly vegetarian when i lived in the east bay, so unfortunately i didn't do much in the way of burger sampling. is nations any good?

There is honestly nothing where I live. I really miss Santa Barbara Mexican food. We have expensive restaraunts, which does not help me in the least.

Nations is okay, but nothing special.

A double-double animal style is better.

here, i found a "best of" list for you:

http://eastbay.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/hamburger

and also i recall having a pretty decent scharffen burger at the scharffenberger chocolate factory in berkeley. they have a restaurant there.

-321 -327
Go Bears should also be known as Go Beers because he does indeed know his stuff.
--------
There are no beers to speak of here in France. And I can't believe that 1664 - Kronenbourg is exported to the US - it's the French Budweiser…
-------
What's David Wells' favorite beer? I'll bet that he drinks a few…

Well next time I am in Berkeley I will try to check out one of these places. Thanks.

Does Tommy's Burgers still exist in LA
(I remember back in the 1970s it was on Ramparts somewhere between Silverlake and downtown)

413 There's a chain of 'em now

413
Yeah, it does.

414.

I hope that they haven't lost their touch as a result of expanding. I used to go there after games at Chavez Ravine - much better than a D - Dog…

UCLA gets second game 23-30.

UCLA 2-0

UCLA up 2-0.

The thing about watching women's volleyball is that even if your team loses, you still win.

Everybody wins.

Those shorts are ridiculous.

If they ever need a different name for women's volleyball, I nominate "Gams on Parade"

419 Well, no. The radio guys aren't a happy bunch right now.

I wonder how big the crowd is for the v-ball match. They had 7,000 last night, but there's competition from U2 tonight at Aloha Stadium. Last stop on a world tour, and there were 41,000 tickets sold.

422
Looks packed.

9,000 in attendance

Merriweather has some hops. She should be our CF.

9,000 sad islanders.

Thanks for the crowd update. They're not gonna be happy unless this gets turned around in a hurry. The radio guys said hopefully that Nebraska was down 0-2 this afternoon and came back to win, but I don't think UCLA is quite as likely to blow a match as Minnesota apparently was.

has anyone ever had a fuddrucker's hamburger? i've always wondered if they were actually any good.

438
They used to be good when I was a kid and then they got cheaper and worse over time.

I hope Merriweather gets her kids into UCLA basketball.

There was a Fuddruckers not to far from where I lived. Unfortunately for them, the Fatburger on PCH was nearby as well.

No contest.

not too far, I should say.

Excuse me, Meriwether.

Zags dominated Huskies 77-97. Hopefully, Jrue Holliday was paying attention.

Women volleyball players seem to be the happiest athletes I have ever seen.

Dear God,

I'm a good person. I pay my taxes, I work in a noble profession, and I break no laws.

Please send me a six foot blonde volleyball player for marriage.

Thanks,
Greg Brock

UCLA wins 3-0.

436
I will take Meriwether you can be with the rest Brock.

Sorry Link, Honoluludodger, et al.

435 Well, not the UH ones, not tonight.

Drat. And the Pac-10 will have 3 teams at the Final Four next week. Bleah.

Holy cow, I didn't realize this. Pearl Jam is opening for U2 tonight (right now).

Friend of mine is live-blogging from the stadium via his TREO. Heh.

http://www.twitter.com/hawaii

Sheesh. He's also taking pictures with his phone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hawaii

How many people does Aloha Stadium hold?

Got it. 50,000 peeps. I wonder how many they can pack in for a concert.

428 There used to be a Fuddrucker's in Torrance -- 10 years ago or so it closed. Some people liked it because they thought the name was vaguely suggestive. That must have been it -- it couldn't have been the hamburgers, which I found barely even mediocre. What I recall especially is that the buns were huge and the bread was hard to swallow.

trainwreck,

What about Taxi's or the Hickory Pit? I used to work at Kaiser right there.

Not nearly as good as the 49rs Tavern in Long Beach, but still not bad.

Taxis is cool. I could be wrong, but it may have closed down because they wanted nicer places.

I have only been to Hickory Pit for ribs and chicken. I should try a burger there if I go again.

445 Yup, that's the old Fuddruckers.

447

I transferred from Walnut Creek in October, and Taxi's was still there when I left. In fact, they were celebrating their ten-year anniversary or something like that.

Both of those places, and even George's across the street, are good because you can actually watch them cook your burger.

449
Alright well someone was wrong. They told me Nations and Taxis closed. I know for sure Nations did. I should go back there. I have not been there in days.

It seems there isnt much talk about the signing of Wolf and how he now may block Kuo. I feel like this signing is pretty well liked around here but, how is this much better than Nomar blocking Loney at first?

451 If Penny is dealt, your looking at Schmidt, Lowe, Wolf, Billingsley, and Kuo.

I think Penny will be dealt, so it shouldn't block Kuo.

There used to be a Fuddrucker's in Torrance -- 10 years ago or so it closed.
Was it that far back? I used to have my baseball parties there.
Please send me a six foot blonde volleyball player for marriage.
I don't think I could date a girl taller than me.

I figured the Gonzales signing means the chances are now slim a trade happens, also:

1) I dont know if I would be that happy with another position blocked for a rookie the thing I like about Gonzales is he may be no more than a productive/ "clubhouse guy" platoon, and I can live with that.

2) I feel trading penny unless we recieve someone as good as Drew is we have the same team as last year but maybe worse with Penny and Schmidt atleast we can play to a streangth

Since we are on food talk today/tonight. Just got back from the wife's company xmas party at the Reagan Library's Air Force One Pavillion. Wow, talk about a unique setting for a xmas party. We were sitting underneath the left wing of Reagan's 707. The filet mignon, halibut, open bar and open dessert bar were all great too. If you are ever in the neighborhood the tour through the Air Force One Pavillion is a must.
vr, Xei

I agree I think keep Penny makes a lot of sense, especially, if we have to add a propsect with him to get a decent bat.

ESPN2 is showing white-guy sumo wrestling. They have had a guy from Poland, one from Germany and one from Norway. Weird.

I feel like Burrel/Penny would have been much better over Gonzales and I dont know how much more the Phillies would have wanted unless it was a timing issue with the Schmidt signing but again considering Penny about = schmidt we still may not have been as good as last year. I like having 2 high potential starters..........

although it goes against my first post of wanting Kuo to start ....I guess Ill hope for Wolf in the bullpen..?

453
I don't think I could date a woman taller than me, but I'm 6'5" and that's a pretty small group to draw from.

What's with the not dating the tall girls? It's guys like you that made the tall girls in high school all self conscious, leading to relationship issues in their twenties.

I'm here for you, ladies. I understand.

460
Me too. No Jessie from Saved By The Bell issues from me.

382 When I used to go to Father's Office, back in my single days and before the big yuppie-hamburger transformation, I tended to experiment more.

I knew I had a lot of respect for Jon. Father's Office sucks now. In its day it was serving little known beers before anyone every heard the term "micro-brewery." Back then it no food and had about thirty coats of paint on the walls.

i have no problem dating a woman who's a little taller. i've done it before, and it's no big deal. i'm around 5'10" so i meet slightly taller ladies from time to time. i've also dated short girls too. it doesn't really matter. usually it matters more to the woman, i've found. i have a couple of friends who are 5'2" and it makes it a little tougher for them.

Checking the roster of the UCLA women's volleyball team, none of the women are taller than me.

No one on the women's basketball team is taller than me either.

Six of the men are taller than me and I'm the same height as Shipp, Afflalo, Robinson, and Roll.

Sadly, I have a vertical leap that can be measured in angstroms.

[458 Agreed, this team is as good as its going to get this year without doing something horrible to the farm system. When you consider that the "power bat" that we'd trade Penny for would probably replace Ethier, you're looking at only a 10-15 jump in VORP if you give Ethier a conservative VORP of 20. Replacing Wolf with Penny would at best cancel this out, and at worst make the team a good deal worse.

it's raining, it's pouring.
vr, Xei

i have a couple of friends who are 5'2" and it makes it a little tougher for them.
Ouch. One of my friends is 5'6 and I feel really bad for him. I'm 5'11, so I'm slightly below average. It could be a lot worse.

I used to go to Father's Office alot during college summers -- 1986-90. Haven't been since. Don't remember food, but it was more of a debauched liquid diet phase of life back then, I'll admit.

I do like Blue Cheese on a burger, though. I bet Greg Brock does too.

[467] average height for males in the u.s. is 5'9", so you're actually above average.

I had to sign off for a while to write a final exam. Blecch.

Newcastle is a fine beer, and for a British Ale (light on the hops, light on the alcohol) that is widely available, I can't complain (though I'd take a Morland's Old Speckled Hen, thank you guvnah). I don't buy Newcastle on my "fill the car to capacity" beer runs, but I'll happily drink if handed one.

So, Newcastle is fine, but should we really have a foreign ale as the official quaff of a blog devoted to the American pastime? To my mind, the best, widely available microbrews are Sierra Nevada's. Their Pale is still one of the best around, and their Porter and Stout are excellent too (tho I prefer the Anchor Porter). Having visited the mother ship in Chico, however, I'm not sure if SN still qualifies as a microbrewery. It's rather large.

Father's Office does indeed have a terrific beer selection, but I too have stopped going since it turned into a snooty tapas bar. And I tried one of those hamburgers, and wanted my $10 back. I agree with Marty - bleu cheese is an abomination on a good burger. The sweet-potato fries were awfully good, though.

Back in the day (i.e., before they had a kitchen, and you had to bring food in from outside), FO was a great, quiet place to have great beer and relax. Now it's a zoo. I can't believe they're not in permanent violation of fire ordinances.

my buddies, rather than feeling bad about being short, or "vertically challenged", prefer instead to think that they are merely more concentrated.

Sorry Link, looks like we'll both have to wait til next year.

464 - One of our departing seniors is 6-5, unfortunately for Bob she is also from Colorado. Oh well.

466 - Agreed.

[470] it's also a little fancy, but i really liked the burger i had at the counter in santa monica.

So, Newcastle is fine, but should we really have a foreign ale as the official quaff of a blog devoted to the American pastime?

yes. it's good, and baseball is an international enough sport. i'm fine with it. sierra nevada is decent, and i'll drink it, but i don't tend to seek it out. also, it's too norcal :P we don't have a rivalry with britain.

The official beer of the World Cup, in GERMANY, was Budweiser. If that can happen, Newcastle can easily be the official beer of DT. If your looking for abominations, that's an abomination.

And I have never actually had bleu cheese on a burger, but if Sam says it's good, I'm betting it's good. I think I'll make a burger with bleu cheese tomorrow. Analysis to follow.

I'd like to nominate the following for official beer of DT:

Rouge Dead Guy Ale
Unibroue Maudite
Unibroue Fin Du Monde
Shiner Bock (great bargain beer)

431 That would be the one on PCH and PV? Across from the old Strand which is now a Bristol Farms. FatBurger was the first place I got a burger with a fried egg on top.

475. Rogue is a great brewery. First time I went to their home brewery in Newport, OR, they had 24 different beers on tap. Took me a while to get out of there, with all the taster sets, and luckily I wasn't the one driving. If you like Dead Guy, you'll love every other beer they make. Dead Guy is the easiest to find, but it's their least interesting or excellent beer (well, their Chamomile ale is sorta weird, actually).

Unibroue - yum. Belgians....

Shiner Bock - that's a joke, right?

2 thoughts

1- Plaschke's new article, like all his other areticles, sucks.

2- http://www.all-baseball.com/firebrand/archives/024719.html

that would suck too.

I thought Plaschke's article was tremendous. He brought up some really compelling arguments such as
Without a power hitter, Luis Gonzalez is just another old guy with warning-track power.

With a power hitter, he can be a clubhouse leader and late-inning hero.
Exactly. Gonzo needs power hitters in the lineup to fully activate his clubhouse chemistry powers.

The Dodgers will finally have that $100-million payroll that was promised.
Finally! You don't know how long I've been waiting...

Don't worry, Colletti isn't going to pursue it, perhaps fearing that the Dodgers would actually win the grievance and, horror of horrors, the Red Sox would be forced to give J.D. Drew back.
What a nightmare that would be. Wouldn't want "The Ghost" roaming the clubhouse.

The same save-our-kids Dodgers fans Colletti smartly ignored last summer when he traded prospects to make the playoffs are surely hoping he will listen to them now.

He shouldn't. And he won't.
You tell 'em, Bill!

Any updates on what the dodgers are doing to dodger stadium this offseason? did they ever say what theyre going to do to fix the length food lines?

470- I finally have something to add to the beer thread! Sierra Nevada is one of the two sorts of beer I've ever had--there was a keg at the graduation party of a friend of mine, in Santa Cruz. I didn't like it.

So there.

By the way, not to impugn Colletti's masculinity (again), but what kind of man doesn't know that it's duct tape you want, for keeping a cell phone, or anything else, together? Scotch tape is what kindergarteners use for Mother's Day cards.

The new Wambaugh book gets a positive review in the NY Times. Though, I don't think the reviewer could have been too familiar with his work if she was surprised at his affection for the choke hold.

http://tinyurl.com/ygwaef

Dodger Dugout found this in scout.com

Cards interested in trading Rolen for Penny and Betemit.

My question is: where would Nomar play after Loney bumps him from first base in Spring Training?

I would like to see the Dodgers wait until June 1 before making trades so they can include Gonzo and Pierre in a trade to get that power bat.

478 That would suck indeed, Nate.

Is Rolen hurt? (I don't buy that rumor)

I miss a beer thread?! Maredsous 9, which I think is 8 in the bottle and on tap is #9. I have had everything from fermented goats milk to homebrew, to Guiness in Ireland, but I love Maredsous best. And for Uisce it's Redbreast. If I'm in the middle of nowhere in the US some sort of Vodka will do.

I'm 6'1ish and I lucked out because a 5'10 redhead deemed me worthy. But I don't really think height is that important, unless you can't say "as you wish."

From Plaschke (via Uncle Miltie): *The same save-our-kids Dodgers fans Colletti smartly ignored last summer when he traded prospects to make the playoffs are surely hoping he will listen to them now.

He shouldn't. And he won't.*

I've said for years Plaschke is a helluva nice guy. I've met him once, e-mailed him several times and he's always been cordial. That is literally the only good thing I can say about his writing.

478 And yeah, #2 would really, really suck.

Read Plaschke's maunderings and I think he is deluded. I admit i'm in the crowd that would keep Kemp and even Ethier for their potential. But to suggest we could get A. Jones for a package of Penny and Kemp or Ethier, even for a year is probably delusional.
After watching last season, there is every possibility that Penny lost the ability to pitch if he ever had it. He could always "throw" and that and luck may have got him this far. His huge pitch counts are riciculous.
You can make the same argument about Kemp and Ethier. At present, they have both hit a place where they don't look like regulars and may have been carried by luck.
I don't believe this of course but objectively you could make the case, and GM's have to consider this.
Maybe this is wishful thinking to quash the deal, but I don't know--I'd love to get Andrew Jones---but please not Kemp.

I have definitely talked myself into Jones for Penny/Ethier as you watched. In a heartbeat!

[487] if he's so nice then why is he such a jerk in print? if he doesn't like you then god, is he ever snide and malicious about it.

In his parting shot, Plaschke seems to be reporting that Colletti won't pursue the ridiculous tampering charge, then give a half-witted boot to Drew's ribs. Unless I'm misreading, and he's just speculation as a way to print the funny, funny one-liner. If it's the former, that becomes interesting in conjunction with Rob's latest post: http://tinyurl.com/ymp4nd

I don't know which way to root, now. A major fracas with lots of fining and Colletti shown to be a second choice (imagine the kind of tantrum that could be good for!), could be just to sort of thing we need to tide us over till Spring Training.

THe thing about that article is he argues on one hand that Ethier and Kemp's play last year showed they may not be stars in the future and then argues on the other hand that they could get us Jones or Wells.

That seems conflicted to me.

Does anybody know when From a Distance got reclassified as a Christmas song? It's as bad as lots of Christmas music; is that all it takes? It has the word G-d in it, maybe that's the hook? It's all a little perplexing, and a source of compounding irritation in that it's the all Christmas music, all the time, everywhere, time of year.

So I guess the next DT social won't be at Father's Office.

I wouldn't trade Kemp and Loney for a Fatburger with a fried egg on top, but its close.

Adios Augusto Pinochet. Can't say it's too bad.

Now we can compare how TV and radio news readers pronounce the man's last name.

Chileans pronounce the "t".

495- Is it official? Google News doesn't have it, yet. The top stories are about how well he's recovering from his heart attack. Oops.

Ne wpos tu pto p.

Ne wpos tu pto p.

Bored with standard word spacing, Jon?

For those who don't like crooked numbers, or who can't sleep if the closet door is open a crack, here's #500. Now, to the openchat!