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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

Whisper Campaign
2007-03-08 20:54
by Jon Weisman

Two things ...

More than two years after the first attempts were made, the Dodger Thoughts T-shirt design is virtually finished. I hope to unveil the shirt within the next week.

Also, though it's still tentative, in my mind I'm thinking of having a Dodger Thoughts day at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, July 21 - the fifth anniversary of the site. The Dodgers play the Mets in an afternoon game. Just something to think about ...

Comments (267)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-03-08 21:08:52
1.   Sam DC
Henderson, NV?

http://tinyurl.com/2hmczh

2007-03-08 21:14:50
2.   overkill94
I'm excited about the shirt and the outing, hopefully we can all wear our new shirts to the outing and be the dorky group of statheads dressed alike yelling at Little for not starting the guy with the higher VORP.

Not much to say about today's spring training game except that Lowe looked excellent and the offense looked meager at best (especially Pierre on a couple weak pop-ups and one crappy bunt).

I don't remember LaRoche misplaying anything, but he did have a penchant for throwing behind the runners and generally looked like an infielder out there. He seemed to be fine after the HBP by simpling jogging right to 1B. Even when they took him out mid-inning and the trainer looked at him, he still seemed okay and just walked back to the clubhouse.

For the last inning I sat behind the radar guys and Beimel was sitting at 85-86 with his fastball and cranked it up to 89 to get a strikeout. His change-up sat at 79 and had some pretty good movement. Overall his location and movement were very good.

I asked a radar guy about Tomko and he said he was hitting between 90 and 93 with his fastball. He also looked good although some of the outs were pretty well-hit balls.

Got LaRoche and Abreu's autographs today along with Coletti and Ng after the game. Again Loney was the last one at the park signing autographs and I'm really rooting for him now. Kemp also stayed after the game and goofed around with some kids behind the backstop. Even Kent signed some balls before the game.

Gonna try to get to the game much earlier tomorrow to have a better chance at some signatures as well as being able to watch the team take batting practice.

2007-03-08 21:23:55
3.   trainwreck
Nice, thanks for report overkill.

Is there a shirt with the VORP formula on it?

2007-03-08 21:24:34
4.   Sam DC
Ryan Church's brother Matthew is a member of the US Special Forces and deploys to Tikrit, Iraq on Sunday. He is married, with a one-year old son.

http://tinyurl.com/2tmzls

2007-03-08 21:30:26
5.   Jon Weisman
2 - Cool stuff, thanks.
2007-03-08 22:24:07
6.   LAT
Three weeks ago I could not wait for spring training to start. Now I can't wait for it to end. Getting my tickets today really got me excited.
2007-03-08 22:36:56
7.   LAT
One more sign that the apocalypse is upon us: I went to a fund raiser tonight where tickets to the semi-final taping of American Idol were auctioned for more than two 50 yrd line tickets to the 2008 Super Bowl. The AI tickets also went for more than two VIP tickets and backstage passes with 5 hours of limo service to see the Police at DS on 6/23. I bid on none of these items.

However, I did bid on (and lost) a Hollywood Bowl box to see Gladys Knight & the Pips.

2007-03-08 22:46:21
8.   D4P
Idol worship is getting out of control. Who will step forth to smash the tablets?
2007-03-08 22:59:29
9.   LAT
8. It won't be me. My own offspring would sacrifice me at the alter of Simon Cowell.
2007-03-08 23:13:27
10.   Sushirabbit
9, Ha ha, me too. My little 5 year old loves it, but he's all about singing right now... Though he did brave the cold recently to practice and tell his 'frady cat Daddy to throw the ball over the plate.

Who did the shipping on Ghame Over? Was it Vishal?

2007-03-09 00:39:46
11.   Bob Timmermann
I have Hollywood Bowl boxes for the KCRW World Music Festival (#2). If anyone wants to go to one, I will sell them face value.
2007-03-09 01:11:44
12.   Vishal
[10] i forget who it was, but it wasn't me. i did get a shirt, though.
2007-03-09 01:21:34
13.   Bob Timmermann
Vishal has the inside track to win the Griddle Pac-10 tournament if my calculations are right.

He picked 5 of the first 6 games right and still has both his teams alive for the final. If Oregon and Washington State win tomorrow, he's got $5 in high quality Amazon.com e-card!

2007-03-09 01:41:03
14.   trainwreck
Sad that UCLA is the only reason why this tournament has not gone chalk.
2007-03-09 03:22:52
15.   Yu-Hsing Chen
2 if you got a chance, ask about Chin Hui Tsao next time? from what i'm seeing on screen he's throwing 95/96 already, what's the scouts take on him?
2007-03-09 06:01:17
16.   Sam DC
2, 9 I'm just wondering how much Kim Ng's autograph is going to go for in the Dodger Thoughts auction.
2007-03-09 06:12:21
17.   overkill94
15 He just threw Wednesday so I'm not sure if he'll pitch again while I'm here. I'm hoping to talk to the radar guys every game from now on since it's hard to gauge how fast these guys are throwing with the naked eye.
2007-03-09 06:26:18
18.   overkill94
16 She seemed pretty surprised when we asked her. I'm not sure how many people at the game even knew who she was.
2007-03-09 06:40:38
19.   Sam DC
Random Question: My mom has just sold the house I grew up, in which she has lived for more than 40 years. There is a bunch of stuff in the house I might like to have, including a large set of old dishes/silver, and a number of old bottles of wine. Any thoughts on how one might get stuff like that from LA to DC without paying bazillions of dollars?

Anyone here planning to drive across the country in the next year and like to sublet part of your truck?

2007-03-09 06:44:26
20.   Sam DC
18 Pretty cool, must've been a nice part of her day.
2007-03-09 07:02:41
21.   Gen3Blue
Good report from ok.
2007-03-09 07:26:43
22.   Bumsrap
I am sure everybody saw this from Ken Gurnick but here it is again anyway:

In the last three years, Tony Abreu, the 22-year-old second baseman has gone from 160 pounds to 187 to his current weight of 200.

Asked how he has gained 40 pounds in the last two years, he said: "Eating good and working hard."

I think Abreu and Dewitt could be the middle infield in 2009 and both very visible in 2008.

2007-03-09 07:35:13
23.   goblue1
2

Loney seems like a great kid, thats nice to see in todays game.

2007-03-09 07:36:15
24.   Bumsrap
Here is my June 1, 2007 lineup:

ss Furcal
rf Kemp
cf Alex Rios
3b Nomar
1b Loney
2b Kent
lf Ethier
c Martin

2007-03-09 07:45:56
25.   goblue1
24

who did we trade for Rios?

2007-03-09 08:25:43
26.   regfairfield
Scoring question: Do the various types of interference count as an at bat? If you reach on catcher interference, is it considered an out? Is reaching on fan interference a hit?
2007-03-09 08:27:01
27.   ToyCannon
Why does anyone want anyone's autograph? It is a concept I've never understood. If it is not for economic reasons could someone explain the impulse to me. If it is for economic reasons then why should any person
give it freely so that someone else can make a buck on it?
2007-03-09 08:31:40
28.   ToyCannon
27
Course this question is coming from the guy who got Jon to sign his book for me which I found different then a signature on a blank piece of paper.
2007-03-09 08:38:39
29.   Super Nintendo Chalmers
19 - Sam, do not--do not!--ship anything fragile or of value through UPS. I relocated from Boston to Los Angeles two months ago and the boxes were stomped on, ripped, and crushed underneath some heavier boxes. The UPS movers were flipping my boxes onto their shoulders--boxes clearly marked "FRAGILE"--with gusto (one mover dropped the first box he picked up). I wouldn't ship anything breakable, especially old wine bottles, via UPS ever again. I lost my very replaceable George Foreman Grill, but thank goodness my framed art made the trip.
2007-03-09 08:45:12
30.   Sushirabbit
I see an LA Road Trip around July 21 in Sam's future.
2007-03-09 08:46:27
31.   3upn3down
Update to the MLB Extra Innings saga:

http://tinyurl.com/2qg9cn

2007-03-09 08:46:43
32.   Sam DC
Egads. Maybe if D4P hauls the stuff back to Durham, I can pick it up there?
2007-03-09 08:54:26
33.   Penarol1916
27. The funniest thing I ever saw with regards to autographs was at this huge Processed Food show. General Mills was giving out Betty Crocker cookbooks and you could stand in line and have this old lady sign them. The thing is, Betty Crocker never actually existed and this was just some actress they hired who would tell you she wasn't Betty Crocker, still there was a very long line of guys to get the autograph, most likely because it was 2 days before Mother's Day.
2007-03-09 08:58:15
34.   D4P
Maybe if D4P hauls the stuff back to Durham, he's keeping it
2007-03-09 09:10:48
35.   chazmac138
33.
My friend's wife is named Bethany Crocker. His name is John Crocker, which I always thought was funny for obvious reasons. Anyway everyone calls Bethany, Betty, except for her parents... Needless to say there's hours of entertainment between John Rocker jokes and Betty Crocker innuendos. It's just too bad they live in Texas and I don't see them all that much anymore.
2007-03-09 09:18:41
36.   dkminnick
My birthday is the same as DT's. Cool. I'd go to that game, Jon.

(1) - How a list of the best "walking" cities leaves off NYC is beyond me.

2007-03-09 09:23:19
37.   Eric Enders
10 The Ghame Over shirt was pretty much a community effort. Bob came up with the slogan, I designed it and got them printed, and Brian (bigcpa) handled the distribution.
2007-03-09 09:23:20
38.   Gen3Blue
Penny and Pierre for Andrew Jones!
...............don't I wish.
2007-03-09 09:23:35
39.   Yu-Hsing Chen
22 considering that Dewitt hasn't really even estbalish himself in AA yet, and he's already a 3B down there, i doubt he's going to be the SS of the Dodgers in 08, at this point Chin Lung Hu might actually have a better shot at that.... if he takes a step foward with his bat (not that he's ever going to tear it up offensively).
2007-03-09 09:31:01
40.   Gen3Blue
22,39 I would assume Abrue as the SS, although he better back off on the "Eating good"
2007-03-09 09:36:49
41.   Paul B
19 Sam (or anyone else) I don't know how much stuff you're talking about, but if you are entertaining the possibility of hiring movers, I'd recommend checking out this site:

www.movingscam.com

It's an incredible resource (and a repository for frightening tales of moving mishaps). Personally, if I ever move again I'd use either of these two places:

Delancey Street Movers http://tinyurl.com/2m992c

Moovers, Inc.
http://www.mooversinc.com

They're both based in the Bay Area. Delancey has an office in L.A. and the both do runs from L.A. to basically anywhere. I had Moovers, Inc. move me from Alabama to SF. One guy cleared out the entire contents of my one bedroom apartment (including a queen mattress, chest of drawers, TV, etc.) in about three hours, routinely denying my offers of assistance. Never seen a man work that hard, and absolutely nothing was damaged.

2007-03-09 09:41:13
42.   Sam DC
Thanks Paul.
2007-03-09 09:41:28
43.   Sam DC
Apple does it again. http://tinyurl.com/yvv8vz
2007-03-09 09:44:37
44.   Bumsrap
25 The Dodgers would trade players that I haven't become attached to for Rios including those that could be retraded by the Jays. The list is lengthly but to name names would be sort of negative.

[39,40] I watched Abrue play short in the AZ Fall League and he played well there. He was also an exciting player to watch on the bases. I don't know about his arm strength.

Hu does have arm strength and is an awesome defensive shortstop. He is smacking the ball in Vero batting practice so if he can make contact he will be more than a spray hitter. Hu, Dewitt, Abreu provide solid middle infield replacements for Furcal and Kent in my intuitive guesstimate.

2007-03-09 10:13:26
45.   scareduck
Sign me up for a shirt and the game, Jon. Just let me know.
2007-03-09 10:21:55
46.   Steve
Sigh...what it could have been if we would just have let it.
2007-03-09 10:22:45
47.   TomJPhil
I'm mostly a lurker but count me in for a shirt and the game, Jon.
2007-03-09 10:27:08
48.   Sam DC
Atlanta signs former All-Star Mark Redman.
2007-03-09 10:37:37
49.   jasonungar05
I am all in for a shirt. I need to get the Best of Dodger thoughts as well. My birthday is always around opening day (april 2) so I am in line for a nice gift. From myself more than likely!
2007-03-09 10:49:53
50.   robohobo
40. Charlie just said management feels Abreu is major league ready and could see some time at 2cnd if Kent gets hurt.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-03-09 10:52:51
51.   goblue1
2-2, 2B, RBI.
Loney is absolutely on fire.
2007-03-09 11:06:19
52.   adraymond
And the Dodgers remember how to get extra base bits. Nice to se Ethier and Loney putting some good wood on it.
2007-03-09 11:07:04
53.   adraymond
extra base bits = baseball themed dog food
2007-03-09 11:18:36
54.   robohobo
44. One of Abreu's former managers was on the radio with Rick Monday last night and said that Abreu has a "plus" arm.
2007-03-09 11:19:13
55.   bhsportsguy
Totally off topic and for those born after 1965, his name won't mean anything, but that Geico radio commercial with Burt Bacharach singing "I got hit in rear" is really funny.

Okay back to Dodger baseball.

Loney 3-3, I think he is hitting almost .500 now.

2007-03-09 11:21:40
56.   adraymond
I was born after 1965, well after 1965 in fact, and I know Burt. Thank you Austin Powers.
2007-03-09 11:22:41
57.   Steve
LaRoche or Betemit need to step up because none of this profits unless we can spill it over into centerfield.
2007-03-09 11:25:48
58.   goblue1
Cho Freeman is in center, not Repko or Kemp? Is there a chance he makes the team?
2007-03-09 11:27:13
59.   Bob Timmermann
Burt Bacharach is playing Disney Hall in June.
2007-03-09 11:31:09
60.   bhsportsguy
59 Also, if you saw "My Best Friend's Wedding" you might be a fan of Burt's too.
2007-03-09 11:36:07
61.   Dodgers49
58. - Cho Freeman is in center, not Repko or Kemp? Is there a chance he makes the team?

No. My understanding is he was signed to play center in Las Vegas.

2007-03-09 11:42:58
62.   bhsportsguy
Again don't make too much of non-roster guys playing and pitching right now.

Scott Elbert gives up a homer to his first batter, Hunter hits it out.

2007-03-09 11:43:20
63.   Jon Weisman
I believe the Dodgers have three exhibition games in roughly 24 hours, including split-squad, so everyone gets to play.
2007-03-09 11:47:39
64.   Steve
Time to start spreading rumors about Elbert. Pity.
2007-03-09 11:49:51
65.   ToyCannon
Welcome to the bigs Mr. Elbert:)
2007-03-09 11:50:07
66.   bhsportsguy
Elbert has now given up 3 home runs in the inning.
2007-03-09 11:52:42
67.   goblue1
Welcome to Jacksonville Mr. Elbert.
2007-03-09 11:56:15
68.   bhsportsguy
64 He wasn't really on target to pitch anywhere but AA/AAA this year anyway given the dearth of starters (no matter what you think of them) so this is just a chance for him to pitch to MLB batters.

Interestingly, Chad is only a year older but that one year makes a candidate for a starting role on the Dodgers while Elbert still has to polish up some stuff in the minors. Elbert shows he can dominate A/AA hitters, now he has to stop the walks.

2007-03-09 11:58:34
69.   bhsportsguy
68 Oops, I used dearth totally incorrectly here, of course I meant "plethora of starters."

My bad, forgive me DTers

2007-03-09 12:07:17
70.   goblue1
69
A veritable plethora?
2007-03-09 12:07:35
71.   robohobo
Steiner was talking to Scott Rolen about Billingsley. After facing him Rolen apparently thinks the reason Chad throws so many pitches is that his pitches move so much, batters can't make solid contact. They foul off pitches or weekly ground out or walk. Rolen apparently doesn't like batting against him.
2007-03-09 12:11:01
72.   CanuckDodger
Neither surprised nor disappointed by Elbert today. He is not going to move through the minors as fast as Billingsley, and he doesn't need to with all our other pitching options, even in the minors. I see Elbert needing two more seasons in the minors, which keeps him on track to take over Derek Lowe's rotation slot for the 2009 season.

I guess my only fear is that Colletti and Little take their impressions of Elbert now too seriously and Colletti starts thinking of Elbert as expendable when other GM's talk trades with him.

2007-03-09 12:16:06
73.   underdog
Wow, nicely done by Eric Hull there. Getting out of a bases loaded/nobody out jam is impressive, even in spring training.
2007-03-09 12:28:20
74.   Jack Dawkins
I haven't been posting here but read regularly. Maybe some of you with ST experience can advise? I'm headed to Vero week of March 19 for first time. I've got a hotel booked in Vero but found I can save considerable $ if I stay in Ft. Pierce (as in, staying for FREE.) Apart from distance to Dodgertown, any pros/cons between the two towns? Appreciate yer advice . . .
2007-03-09 12:28:24
75.   Bob Timmermann
Focaccia Justice!

I got a check for $4.50 from Nestle for the bad focaccia mix box I got. I don't think it cost me $4.50.

But justice is mine!

2007-03-09 12:29:39
76.   Shotupthemiddle
I can't post nearly as often as I want to (work restrictions!) but put me down for a shirt and the game. This will be fun.
2007-03-09 12:33:13
77.   gibsonhobbs88
Darn. I'll take the shirt, but I'll be out of town on my summer vacation at the time of the game. I would have liked to meet some of DT's fellow posters. When the time comes, let us know how we can acquire the shirts. I am geared up for baseball sooner than normal. Most years, it takes until June when the NBA finals are concluded for me to fully indulge baseball but since I am on an NBA boycott right now, as soon as the NCAA March Madness is done, I will be fully immersed in Dodger baseball.
2007-03-09 12:38:14
78.   Jon Weisman
Thanks for the initial reaction to the shirt and DT day. I'll take orders when the shirt design is unveiled and if/when we confirm the outing.
2007-03-09 12:39:24
79.   bhsportsguy
75 Maybe if you bought 1000 focaccia mixes, you could end up with enough profit to cover a Dodger mini plan?
2007-03-09 12:40:52
80.   Curtis Lowe
Will Pierre be featured on the shirt?
2007-03-09 12:43:13
81.   Jon Weisman
For those who have insight into such things, is there any reason not to use Cafepress for the shirt, keeping in mind that I don't want to ship the shirts myself?
2007-03-09 12:57:51
82.   Jon Weisman
80 - Featured? No.
2007-03-09 12:57:53
83.   Eric Enders
81 In the past I've found Cafepress shirts to be rather cheaply made -- basically a glorified version of the iron-on t-shirt transfer you could print out on your computer. I understand that they've tried to improve the quality of their product in the past year, but I'm not sure how much.

As of about a year and a half ago, there were essentially two problems with the CafePress shirts--

1) The areas of the transfer that are supposed to be "clear" are not. So if you're printing on, say, white shirts, the area within the transfer that is supposed to be white will not quite be white -- it'll be a slightly different shade from the shirt color itself. Or if the shirt is gray, the clear areas will be a different shade of gray from the shirt. I'm not explaining this very well, but basically you will end up with a subtle rectangular border around your design whether the design itself is rectangular shaped or not.

2) The printing appears to be somewhat imprecise and incapable of rendering intricate detail. Lines and borders are fuzzy rather than hard.

2007-03-09 13:05:36
84.   Bob Timmermann
Confusing headline of the day:

"Chelsea to visit Galaxy, may be Beckham's first game"

Wow, I guess the MLS is really expanding!

2007-03-09 13:07:48
85.   Eric Enders
By the way, Jon, regardless of the upcoming results you and I have clinched a tie for last place (with a couple others) in Bob's bracket challenge.

My excuse is I picked Stanford to go all the way.

2007-03-09 13:08:20
86.   underdog
Which Galaxy? If it's just the Milky Way, I understand.

But seriously folks, that'll be a cool exhibition game. I guess Bekham should be healthy by then.

---

Meanwhile, do any Bay Area DT readers wanna have a Dodgers-Giants game gathering this season? Probably too late to organize for the first series in April, but maybe for the second?

2007-03-09 13:12:20
87.   adraymond
What about us East Coasters? We need a Dodger day too.
2007-03-09 13:13:05
88.   Bob Timmermann
Does anyone wish to share with me a good place to park for Staples Center?

I could take the Metro, but it's almost, but not quite, as inconvenient as possible. The big problem is that when I walk from the Red Line station at 7th and Fig, the City of L.A. keeps closing the sidewalks. And they do it on opposite sides of the streets so it's a real pain.

I don't mind walking a few blocks. But I would like to come back to an intact car.

2007-03-09 13:15:02
89.   Sam DC
"closing the sidewalks"
"on opposite sides of the street"

??

2007-03-09 13:16:09
90.   Marty
Doesn't the F Dash bus go by the library and Staples?
2007-03-09 13:16:40
91.   Bob Timmermann
For example, you walk south on Figueroa on the west side of the street and then ... no sidewalk as there is construction. So you would have to cross over to the other side of the street and then cross back.

On Flower, the sidewalk ends in one section nowhere near a crosswalk.

2007-03-09 13:18:30
92.   Bob Timmermann
90
I'm coming from home though. I'm not at work.

This would explain why I am still sitting around in a t-shirt and sweats and haven't shaved in two days.

And why is that when some guys don't shave for two days, they look "rugged" and if I don't shave for two days, people give me spare change and suggestions on where to find a homeless shelter?

2007-03-09 13:18:37
93.   Eric Enders
88 I know you have a Prius and all, but it would still probably be pretty hard to fit 2 cars into one space.
2007-03-09 13:20:12
94.   Marty
92 Park your car where you park at work, and take the F dash from there.
2007-03-09 13:23:33
95.   Bob Timmermann
94
I'd have to get the parking pass from my carpool mate. But I believe she's gone. So then I would have to pay $8 to park.

Plus fifty cents to ride the bus!

2007-03-09 13:26:35
96.   D4P
95
So, $8.50 to park and ride. How much spare change do you normally amass, as per 92...?
2007-03-09 13:33:17
97.   Jon Weisman
85 - My excuse is limited brainpower.

83 - Alternatives? One thought is we could the printing outlet you used two years ago, have a DTer handle the shipping again, and make sure their time and effort and expense were built into the price of the shirt.

2007-03-09 13:35:07
98.   Jon Weisman
Kevin Baxter at the Times writes that Andy LaRoche did some relief pitching in community college.

"LaRoche said he had trouble developing a closer's mentality, though. If the school had offered to play theme music whenever he entered a game — a la Guns N' Rose's "Welcome to the Jungle," which accompanied Eric Gagne's appearances at Dodger Stadium — LaRoche said he probably would have chosen "'Why Can't We Be Friends' or something like that.""

2007-03-09 13:37:54
99.   bhsportsguy
95 I like a lot on the west side of Pico just a few blocks north of the Convention Center. Usually its cheaper than the lots right next to Staples but it probably costs more than $8.50

If you had lots of time and wanted to grab some dinner beforehand and if you can make the Dash connections, I would park in Little Tokyo (Highest price is $4.00 after 4:00 p.m.) have a nice early meal and take the Dash down 1st to Figueroa down to Staples.

Of course this doesn't help you getting back to your car after tonight's game.

2007-03-09 13:37:59
100.   was it tims mitt i saw
i have a random question that maybe jon or bob can answer for me. not sure why i was thinking about it but it's been stuck in my head...

i think it happened possibly in the 80's. i believe orel hershiser was pitching and a left hander came up to bat. the dodgers brought in a lefty to pitch against the hitter but put orel or whoever the pitcher was was put in left field for the at bat.

then after the at bat they moved orel back to pitcher.

when was the last time something like that happened? did it actually happen? i was a preteen during those times so i might've just made it up in my head.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-03-09 13:40:30
101.   Steve
The big parking lot on 8th and Figueroa on that little street whose name I can't remember.
2007-03-09 13:42:39
102.   LA Native
88

From the Westside I exit the 10 on Grand and take first left on Olive. Take a left at 11th and park at the corner of Grand and 11th (Northeast corner). It was $5 last night for the Pac-10 tourney, and then it is a straight shot back to the freeway down Grand and easy to exit after the game when the couple blocks right around Staples are packed. It is less than a 5 minute walk to Staples down 11th from here.

2007-03-09 13:45:32
103.   Samuel
86

I was actually planning on going to the first series between the Dodgers and the hated ones at the phone booth. Not sure which day yet, but I'd be up for meeting that weekend.

2007-03-09 13:46:02
104.   bhsportsguy
98 Doubtful that Andy is thinking of War's version that came out years before he was born. Smash Mouth covered "Why Can't We Be Friends" in their 1997 CD, "Fush Yu Mang."

Wikipedia also reports that the Smash Mouth version was played in a "Lizzie McGuire" episode and in BASEketball's soundtrack.

2007-03-09 13:46:06
105.   Gen3Blue
Wow, Ethier and Loney are raking.
2007-03-09 13:47:57
106.   Bob Timmermann
102
Thanks! That should do it!
2007-03-09 13:52:40
107.   trainwreck
So I guess Elbert is not quite ready for the bigs, but we knew that.
2007-03-09 14:03:01
108.   Eric Enders
83 I would recommend that place -- the price was right, the quality was good, they worked fast and were easy to deal with. The rub, of course, is the shipping. Even if a DTer were to volunteer to handle it, it wouldn't be real conducive to continuous orders -- that probably works better for a one-time shot like the Ghame Over shirt.

There's gotta be some company out there that will both print a nice shirt and ship it to individual purchasers. Maybe one that caters to indie bands and such?

2007-03-09 14:03:25
109.   Eric Enders
108 referred to 97
2007-03-09 14:05:08
110.   Bumsrap
Does anyone still feel that there is competition at third between La Roche and Betemit? It was my thought that the competition was only between Betemit and Loney if Grady and Ned had the guts to play Nomar at third.

Now if Grady would just start letting Nomar shag some balls at third sooner than later.

I also posted in previous threads, my posts were left to flutter in the wind, that one of my longshot predictions would have Meloan being the closer if not at the start of the season then by May 1.

Did anybody's thoughts change about Abreu playing short after Furcal's contract expires based on how he played today?

If Nomar winds up playing third in 2007 and 08 I can see LaRoche playing right espceially if Kemp can learn to play CF in 08.

2007-03-09 14:06:42
111.   underdog
I took the Metro for the first time a few months ago (it was expanded right after I moved from LA back to SF), and enjoyed being able to actually get somewhere without driving, even if I couldn't go to all the somewheres I wanted to. At least people don't look at you as if you're a freak as much as they used to when you ask about public transportation (just like they used to when I would bike to my job in LA). "Gasp! What is that guy doing on the road with that... that.. two wheeled thing!"

But enough about Bob's parking, who in the bay area wants to join me for a game up there this year?

2007-03-09 14:09:18
112.   underdog
I see Abreu being Kent's heir apparent next year, assuming they a) can sign some power hitter for another position and b) they don't sign a power hitter for that position. At this point, and I guess it's still early, I feel it'll be La Roche starting the season in AAA, Betemit starting at 3rd, with Loney likely making the team backing up Nomar (and once in a blue moon grinning and bearing it in the OF), and Nomar maybe backing up at 3rd. That's just my gut prediction.

Meloan may not make the team to start barring a trade or two, but I do expect him to be on the team and in the pen within 3-4 months.

2007-03-09 14:10:24
113.   Bumsrap
Fine, lets talk about t-shirts and buses. I am 95% sure that 95% of the t-shirt design considerations will have vorp somewhere on the sleeve.
2007-03-09 14:13:20
114.   LAT
55/56. Idol strikes again. My 11 yr old knows Burt becasue he was on Idol last season.
2007-03-09 14:13:23
115.   Eric Enders
Athletics Nation uses this place for their t-shirts:
http://www.astropress.net/

Another option would be to set up an eBay store to sell the shirts and then use an eBay dropoff store like this one to handle the shipping.
http://www.auctiondepotla.com

2007-03-09 14:14:33
116.   Bumsrap
Underdog, you are thinking about the Dodgers with a rational mind and Kobe likes that. I prefer to stay somewhat in my irrational mind.
2007-03-09 14:15:29
117.   Bumsrap
Simon likes Burt and wants all the singers to sing Burt songs.
2007-03-09 14:15:31
118.   bhsportsguy
3B - Still time in camp for Betemit to take job, he cannot go to the minors (out of options) so I think in the end, he will probably be the starter on April 2nd with Andy getting ready for Vegas. I really think Nomar is more suited for 1B at this time in his career because of the range issues.

Meloan will be a closer in Vegas, again dependent on what happens with the glut of the starters on MLB roster.

Abreau has primarily played 2B (with Hu by his side for most of the last 2 years and destined to be together this season in Vegas). I think that its good to be able to play multiple positions but Hu is the guy who is AAA because of his glove at shortstop and Abreau is still penciled in at 2B. If they break them up and have them each playing shortstop this year at AA/AAA, then I might think that they believe Abreau can play shortstop defensively in Los Angeles.

2007-03-09 14:17:04
119.   Sam DC
Josh Rawitch has a post up with the all time Dodger leaders in fielding percentage at each position.

Frenchy Bordagaray, who is also entered in the all time cool names division, makes an appearance.

2007-03-09 14:17:36
120.   Bumsrap
Jon, let Brown do everything but the printing.
2007-03-09 14:21:15
121.   Bumsrap
118
Or, Martinez and Anderson are gone by June 1 and when Abreu is brought up he becomes the middle utility player for the rest of 07 and that is what splits up the Hu Abreu combo.
2007-03-09 14:23:35
122.   LAT
102/106. And look at the bright side Bob, parking doesn't really even cost $5.00 after your focaccia windfall.
2007-03-09 14:23:41
123.   overkill94
Welp, time for my next installment in Spring Training Thoughts...

Another beautiful day at the ballgame, at the ballgame today. Got there pretty early today to watch batting practice on the practice fields. The hitters were a bit boring so I ventured over to the hitters' batting practice which was much more entertaining. They seemed to be playing a game where balls in play were classified as hits or outs and they played simulated innings. This brought out lots of heckling, specifically from Lowe and Beimel, as well as plenty of competitive banter which was quite hilarious. My favorite comment was when Travis Smith was up and Lowe shouted out "come on, Eckstein!" The true surprise was Broxton's raw power (he hit one out) and Tsao's all-around skills (he stroked the ball and made some great plays in the OF).

As for the game, I decided to get radar readings on all the pitchers and here's what I got:

Wolf - fastball 87-88, change-up 78, curveball 66-67, cutter?/slider? 85-86
Billingsley - fastball 89-92 (mostly 91), cutter/slider 87, curveball 73
Elbert - fastball 88-92 (mostly 91), slider/curve 82-85
Hull - fastball 85-89 (mostly 87), slider 81-83, curve/change? 78-79
White - fastball 88-90, curveball 75, slider 83-84
Meloan - fastball 91-93 (mostly 92), cutter 87-88, knuckle-curve 78-81

I stood right behind Meloan while he was warming up before the game and he threw four pitches: fastball, cutter, change-up, and knuckle-curve. I didn't see any change-ups during the game, but his knuckle-curve was a plus pitch and had really tight movement. It looks like he could be a quality setup man right now.

Elbert had a lot of movement on all his pitches (too much?) and got in trouble with his fastball by leaving it up in the zone (all homers were off fastballs). It doesn't look like he trusts his secondary pitches when he gets behind in the count, which could account for a high HR total until he does.

Billingsley looked good except a lot of the contact off him was pretty solid. He didn't throw enough off-speed stuff and his placement on his fastball was average.

Wolf looked pretty solid by having pretty good location, but his fastball could use some more oomph for him to get some strikeouts.

The young hitters looked good once again with Loney and Ethier getting 3 hits apiece and Martin pitching in 2. LaRoche had an ugly error late in the game where he "ole"d a grounder that let a runner score.

Got a good amount of autographs today including Lowe, Gonzo, Kemp, Ethier, Billingsley, Elbert, Repko, and Meloan. As for ToyCannon's comment, I'm not an autograph hound usually, but I see all these signatures as memories of this certain trip since I not only get a signature but also a feel for the player's personality.

Game 4 will commence tomorrow with Schmidt on the mound I'm assuming, stay tuned!

2007-03-09 14:29:55
124.   JoeyP
Elbert gave up alot of home runs last year too. Lots of walks also. Bad combination.

I agree with Canuck--he's going to have to throw strikes and keep the ball in the yard before being thought of as a close to the majors prospect.

2007-03-09 14:37:27
125.   Eric Enders
I used to collect autographs as a kid, although I can't really tell you why. I used to write letters to the ballplayers asking for their autographs, and it was kind of cool to get stuff back in the mail from Fernando Valenzuela or Pedro Guerrero. (One of our more infamous posters was even kind enough to send me an LAPD Dodgers postcard with the inscription "To Eric, a future Dodger, from Greg Brock.")

I stopped collecting as an adult, although I do have five autographed baseballs that I got from people whom I particularly admire and happened to meet and converse with in the course of my work. It's just kind of a memento to trigger memories of the occasion, like a snapshot. You might as well ask why people take pictures on vacation.

(FWIW, the five people alluded to above are John Sayles, Spike Lee, Teresa Wright, Rachel Robinson, and Larry Doby.)

2007-03-09 14:41:15
126.   Bob Timmermann
NYT correction of the day!

A sports article on Wednesday about Princeton's struggling men's basketball team misattributed a quotation by a player who supports Coach Joe Scott. It was Justin Conway — not his teammate Luke Owings — who said during a postgame news conference on Tuesday: "I respect Coach Scott a lot. He is the most passionate guy I have ever met, and his passion is directed toward making Princeton basketball as great as it possibly can be. I want to be with a guy who is doing everything he can and is pouring everything into what his goal is. Coach Scott definitely does that." Although both players spoke during the news conference, Owings made no comments about the coaching.

The article also referred incorrectly to a former player, Scott Greenman, who was the team's leading scorer as a senior in the 2005-6 season. He missed 4 of the team's 27 games with a back injury, according to N.C.A.A. statistics — not "much" of that season. Because of an editing error, the article also referred incorrectly in some copies to the time of Greenman's injury. It was last season, not this season. (He graduated last year.)

I suppose, other than that, most of the story was right on target.

2007-03-09 14:42:18
127.   Bob Timmermann
122
That money goes to the Griddle Pac-10 tournament contest winner!
2007-03-09 14:46:58
128.   ToyCannon
123
Thanks for the great info, sounds like your having a great time. We expect pictures.
2007-03-09 14:52:16
129.   bhsportsguy
126 You must be quoting the N.Y. Times directly since you would never use "N.C.A.A." on your own.

121 All I can say is that in your world, anyone on the wrong side of 30 better watch out. But you are consistent. Good for you.

2007-03-09 14:54:22
130.   Bob Timmermann
129
I left out the quotation marks.
2007-03-09 15:07:17
131.   Frip
I just can't fathom how a player's chance of getting injured skyrockets if he plays 3rd rather than 1st. Or any position for that matter besides pitcher and catcher. You spend 3 hours standing still, sometimes running fast, sometimes flopping on your belly. Big deal! They put the delicate in delicatessen. I spent 6 years romping and stomping at recess and never once did they have to carry me off the playground.
2007-03-09 15:17:02
132.   CanuckDodger
131 -- But YOUR durability isn't the issue. The rigors of recess romping would be too much for Nomar, surely.
2007-03-09 15:18:17
133.   ToyCannon
Your right, I can't imagine how playing 162 games and traveling all over the country could possibly compare to the rigors of playtime.
2007-03-09 15:20:08
134.   Jon Weisman
132 - I agree with you, although that still leaves the question of what is the difference between playing third and playing first. Although you might field more balls at third base, and it's a greater test of one's throwing arm, first base strikes me as more dangerous with the ongoing potential of collisions.
2007-03-09 15:20:53
135.   LAT
125. As kids we collect autographs because we think we have made a conncetion with a player and have something special from that player. Something that none of our friends have. It gives us someone special to follow and root for.

As an adult I think we do it when we see a player we are awed by or was part of our childhood. A couple of years ago I was elated at getting Koufax's autograph.

2007-03-09 15:21:56
136.   Gen3Blue
112 Good analysis,Dawg, I agree and also think Kemp may need some time at Vegas.
123
excellent report-ok.
2007-03-09 15:22:02
137.   underdog
But in a way, from what I recall of playing them myself but also from what I've heard from pro scouts and coaches, 3rd base is like a mirror of 1st physically - except obviously there's more throwing when at 3rd base. It seems like SS requires more lateral movement. That's what I remember hearing anyway. So while Nomar shouldn't be a fulltime 3bman any more, I don't see why he couldn't play there from time to time. WHEN he's healthy...
2007-03-09 15:22:25
138.   CanuckDodger
133 -- Nomar plays a 162 games? Travelling all over the country is physically arduous? I guess it would be if one had to walk, or take a stagecoach.
2007-03-09 15:27:24
139.   Eric Enders
3B and 1B were the main two positions I played, when I played. I didn't find all that much similarity between them. At that level most of the batters were righties, so 1B got very few grounders and was mostly about footwork around the bag. 3B was about fielding grounders and throwing.
2007-03-09 15:31:10
140.   Jon Weisman
A first baseman has three times has as much work in pre-inning warmups than a third baseman has :)
2007-03-09 15:33:03
141.   underdog
Well, first basemen can also be a lot fatter than a 3rd baseman and it does seem to be where the older, more infirm or tubbier go to end their careers. ;-) So what do I know? Which is why it's such a treat to watch someone as athletic at the position as is Loney. Hopefully the OF is just a temporary, rare thing.
2007-03-09 15:35:32
142.   Eric Enders
141 I resemble that remark.
2007-03-09 15:37:42
143.   ToyCannon
I hope it is not to rare and lasts for at least a year since that means Nomar is healthy and a healthy Nomar is a productive Nomar. I'd much rather seeing Loney patrolling LF then 1st this year. The problem is Luis Gonzales not Nomar.
2007-03-09 15:40:41
144.   underdog
Sorry, did I say "fatter"? I mean, bigger and stronger! More powerful! That's it, yeah.
2007-03-09 15:46:08
145.   Ken Arneson
Oh, Bob...check out this pitching line today:

3.0 IP, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout. Guess who?

mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_03_09_oakmlb_sfnmlb_1

2007-03-09 15:47:22
146.   bhsportsguy
If Nomar doesn't change gloves this spring, than it is really doubtful that he plays anywhere else but 1B once the season begins.

Not that he hasn't played 3B before, he has, but it would 2 years since he played or probably even practiced much on that side of the field.

Again, I think I get this a lot when it comes to Juan Pierre debate, I am not one to venture into what I would like to see, I am more this is how it is going to be in terms of the Dodgers we will see out there on April 2nd.

So all I can go on is what I am seeing, reading and hearing from Vero Beach and I am not seeing anything short of one story that said a possiblility could be Nomar playing 3B due to Betemit's and La Roche's struggles so far. But since then, Betemit continues to play 3B (except for some time at SS when they brought fewer players on a roadtrip) and La Roche is the one who is getting some innings in a different position.

The Dodgers are three weeks away from opening day, so far 28 pitchers have thrown at least one inning and 25 batters have taken a time at bat. Grady says they will start cutting down over the weekend (generally minor leaguers will head over to the minor league camp, non-roster guys may have certain things required in their contracts about their releases).

Now that starters are streching out to 3-4 innings, and at some point these guys will be put into position to start the season (For instance, Randy Wolf could get the start at the exhibition game against the Angels on the 29th since it lines up with his start in Milwaukee the following Tuesday, I see the 5th starter competition having to get some clarity in the next 10 days or so.

My bet for the last Non roster guys to be cut will be Larry Bigbie and Rudy Seanez, depending on whatever deals they made when they signed up to come to Vero Beach.

2007-03-09 15:48:21
147.   bhsportsguy
145 Is that another Russ Ortiz sighting?
2007-03-09 15:51:21
148.   Ken Arneson
147 Shhh...I don't want to spoil the surprise.
2007-03-09 15:53:54
149.   Jacob L
I don't know if we've resolved Bob's sports commute issue of the day, but Bob, if you want to walk from 7th St., why not just walk down Flower? And stop by SCAG and say hello when you get off the train.
2007-03-09 15:58:12
150.   underdog
God, if Russ Ortiz has a good year with the Giants I'll become a Hulk shade of enraged green.

I was gonna say "I'll eat my glove" but I think that would set up some sort of punchline about Ortiz's former bulk.

What is it with me? I think I didn't eat enough for lunch today.

Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-03-09 15:58:52
151.   natepurcell
i saw 300 at midnight last night.

so brutal and tough. awesome.

2007-03-09 16:06:21
152.   underdog
For tomorrow's ss games, want to bet in which game the Dodgers pitchers will give up less runs?
(From MLB.com:) "In the game at Vero Beach, Jason Schmidt will start, followed by Greg Miller, with closer Takashi Saito also scheduled to pitch. In the game at Jupiter, Fla., Mark Hendrickson will start, followed by D.J. Houlton. Hendrickson is contending for the fifth starter's job. It's unclear where Houlton fits. He will be pitching for the first time in six days, the longest layoff this spring for a healthy pitcher."
2007-03-09 16:10:36
153.   Bob Timmermann
That's no way to wake me up from a nap, Ken.

You sounded the Ortiz Alarm. You're only supposed to use that for civil emergencies.

2007-03-09 16:11:29
154.   Bob Timmermann
Jacob,
The sidewalks on Flower south of 9th (aka James Wood) are messed up too.
2007-03-09 16:17:44
155.   Steve
And Butterbean is contending for the Heavyweight Championship of the World
2007-03-09 16:19:29
156.   Marty
I think Bob wants to carried to Staples like Cleopatra
2007-03-09 16:22:02
157.   Bob Timmermann
156
It's tough to find good sedan carriers today.
2007-03-09 16:25:40
158.   Dodger Jack
Rumor is that the Dodgers are one of several team making overtures for A-Rod. What would it take to get him? What kind of reasonable trade could we still live with?

Reasonable for the Dodgers: LaRoche/Betemit, Penny, and Elbert for A-Rod?

Reasonable for the Yanks: Billingsley, Kershaw, LaRoche and Kemp for A-Rod?

Your thoughts?

2007-03-09 16:28:37
159.   Eric Enders
158 There is a strong possibility that A-Rod would be a one-year rental as he has a J.D. Drew clause in his contract. I wouldn't give up either of those packages for him. Not even close.
2007-03-09 16:44:24
160.   Ken Arneson
153 Use it or lose it...any day now he'll wake up and stop matching Rich Harden pitch for pitch, and then what am I going to tease you with?
2007-03-09 16:49:36
161.   underdog
Man, poor Paul Shuey...
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/MLB/2007/03/09/3721355-ap.html
2007-03-09 16:51:32
162.   Mr Customer
151 That sounds like a positive review. I'm always a little skeptical about stylized versions of acutal historical events. I'm expecting to be horrified, though, so if it is even partially accurate, I'll go home happy.
2007-03-09 17:05:21
163.   underdog
The people I know who saw 300 in Berlin (at their fest) said a few people walked out, and they hated it too. (Of course this was a press screening. I'm sure fans and people who like that sort of thing will be much more enthused.) It looks kind of empty headed though, if incredible to look at.

I'm going to see Zodiac tonight. Hopefully it'll be good, but if I get bored I'll play Spot the San Francisco continuity/anachronism.

2007-03-09 17:06:26
164.   Yu-Hsing Chen
158 From a Yankee point of view, Laroche + Kuo would be the bare minimum of what i'm looking for (and that might be the Dodgers taking duds like Pavano off our hands as well). and he does have a out claus, but if your goign to talk about that, he also has a NTC that he's unlikely to waive anyway.
2007-03-09 17:13:34
165.   LAT
158. Between the money and the opt out clause, this has a snowball's chance. But I'll play along. Assuming A-Rod voided his opt out and the Rangers/Yanks were paying a signifigant portion of his salary I would give them Betiment, Kemp, Penny and any other pitcher excluding Lowe, Schmidt, Bills, and probably Wolf. I have always thought LA would be a good fit for A-Rod. Its a big market. He would love the celeb life and frankly LA would be far more forgiving than NY.
2007-03-09 18:58:02
166.   StolenMonkey86
I'm not in for A-Rod unless he plays either second base or center field.
2007-03-09 19:04:07
167.   Andrew Shimmin
Both Sam and Linkmeister are slipping. Former DC police chief Moose, the Sniper Stalker, is a street cop in Oahu, now.

http://wjz.com/local/local_story_314145111.html

2007-03-09 19:54:55
168.   overkill94
I finally checked out the "top 50 content creators" and was surprised to see that I made the cut. I'm assuming it has more to do with longevity than anything, though bluebleeder87's drunken rants must have boosted his percentage.

I believe I came in at 28th among DT posters and 37th overall. Dang, I didn't realize we dominated the Toaster community so much.

2007-03-09 20:02:21
169.   Dodger Jack
165. My untouchable in any trade is Kershaw. I would give up Kuo, Bills, Wolf, Penny, Lowe, and maybe even Schmidt, before I dealt him.
2007-03-09 20:36:35
170.   natepurcell
168

wheres that link?

2007-03-09 20:50:02
171.   D4P
170
It's comment #17. You're right ahead of me, Purcey...

https://fairpole.baseballtoaster.com/archives/600621.html

2007-03-09 21:00:41
172.   natepurcell
thats insane. 33 out of the 50 posters are majority dodger thoughts affiliated.

we rule.

2007-03-09 21:02:29
173.   Bumsrap
If AROD gets traded to the Dodgers there is goiong to have to be some salaries exchanged. Lowe and Penny and Kent actually works for me unless the trade happens after June 1 and then Pierre becomes part of the package.

Cano would move to third or Kent would play first for the Yanks.

The Dodger rotation would look something like this with Lowe and Penny gone: Wolf, Schmidt, Bills, Kuo, Tomko/Miller. To keep this kinda wierd Furcal could play second, Arod short and Nomar third. Loney plays first for obvious reasons, obvious to some not named Ned Grady.

2007-03-09 21:06:10
174.   Icaros
I'm 19th! And sandwiched between Andrew Shimmin and Xiefrank.

Whoa.

2007-03-09 21:12:01
175.   Icaros
And I'm in for a NCAL DT outing. I can walk to the Phone Booth from my apartment in 30 minutes.

I will also be making a weekend trip back down south in July to avenge the Adam Dunn Scouting Trip, where Ryan Freel stole five bases off of Jason Phillips.

I'm sure everyone remembers what happened the day after that.

2007-03-09 21:17:27
176.   Andrew Shimmin
I'm just glad my old screen name didn't make the list. That would have been embarrassing.
2007-03-09 21:18:27
177.   Icaros
176

You're on there as Joey P, aren't you?

2007-03-09 21:29:59
178.   JoeyP
"He's me"

"Who are you?"

"I'm him"

"Okkk..."

That was an awesome movie...anyone remember it?

2007-03-09 21:30:08
179.   Andrew Shimmin
177- When you have a minute, I have some thoughts on Ted Lilly I'd like to share with you.
2007-03-09 21:31:18
180.   D4P
Icaros is on my side...?
2007-03-09 21:34:49
181.   Icaros
178

That sounds familiar, but I can't place it.

179

My thoughts on Ted Lilly are that the Dodgers shouldn't have traded him for Carlos Perez.

2007-03-09 21:39:15
182.   Icaros
180

I do love Oregon and The Carolinas, but I also love Kurt Vonnegut.

I'm torn.

2007-03-09 21:46:02
183.   Andrew Shimmin
182- I have a link to a YouTube video of Tyra Banks sexually assaulting a female American Idol contestant. I could post it, if that would help my chances.
2007-03-09 21:52:04
184.   Icaros
183

Comb the SweeTarts out of your beard and you're on.

2007-03-09 21:54:27
185.   JoeyP
Farmer Ted is in the movie.
That should give it away.
2007-03-09 22:04:54
186.   Andrew Shimmin
Done and done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXu08xgINew&

(Content Warning: it was safe for network television, but my description was accurate, so, use your own judgment.)

2007-03-09 22:09:30
187.   Icaros
186

That was disappointing.

2007-03-09 23:10:29
188.   Andrew Shimmin
Yeah. I know. I wanred it too much.
2007-03-09 23:30:33
189.   Greg Brock
After three days of helping my parents out, I got to spend a day of leisure. I surfed Hermosa (it was lame), I ate at the Redondo Beach Brewing Company (Their micro brews are much improved), and grabbed a FatBurger on the way home.

That settles it...Even if I have to substitute teach until I get a job, I'm moving back to the South Bay this summer. Life is just to good for you guys out here!

2007-03-09 23:33:44
190.   bhsportsguy
189 When you get here, I will be the first to offer you a ticket to a game at Chavez Ravine.
2007-03-09 23:35:16
191.   Greg Brock
125 One of our more infamous posters

Did I kill a guy or something?

2007-03-09 23:38:30
192.   bhsportsguy
178 My hunch is that if Bob was not overdosing on Pac-10 basketball.

Here's more hints:

"This is Farmer Fred."
"Ted."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Farmer Ted."
"I'm not really a farmer. I'm a freshman."

2007-03-09 23:41:27
193.   bhsportsguy
192 What I meant to say is that Bob would guess the movie if he was not overdosing on Pac-10 basketball.

BTW - USC beat 2 teams that they were 1-3 against prior to the tournament, against Oregon, they are 2-0.

If Oregon wins, they might move up to a 4 seed, USC wins, maybe a 6th seed.

2007-03-09 23:53:16
194.   Eric Stephen
I think two wins in the tourney gives USC a 6 seed already, and they are playing tomorrow for a 5 seed, RPI notwithstanding.
2007-03-10 00:07:08
195.   Greg Brock
190 That's awesome. I'm really looking forward to catching a Dodger game with all of you, whether it's just a few of us at a random game, or a bunch of us at a Dodger Thoughts gathering on July 21st.

I'm moving back to the South Bay this Summer, no matter what. I'd rather substitute teach and wait for a teaching job than live where I'm miserable and make more money. I just wish the attrition rate was higher for Social Science teachers...Science and Math teachers quit all the time. History, Government, and Econ teachers never quit in high school...

Bummer.

2007-03-10 00:20:29
196.   Bob Timmermann
I had to look up the movie.

I hate that movie.

2007-03-10 00:37:11
197.   bhsportsguy
196 As much as Russ Ortiz?
2007-03-10 00:40:16
198.   Bob Timmermann
Not that much.

But I'm not a big fan of John Hughes to say the least.

2007-03-10 02:21:26
199.   bhsportsguy
198

Comments on these film please:

Curly Sue (1991)
Uncle Buck (1989)
She's Having a Baby (1988)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Weird Science (1985)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Sixteen Candles (1984)

Of these, I can still watch Ferris Bueller and Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

2007-03-10 02:41:57
200.   Andrew Shimmin
KVCR is showing the Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus. It doesn't get much better than Taj Mahal singing Ain't That A Lotta Love. It doesn't get much worse than Yoko warbling over the top of Lenon/Clapton/Richards. And the violin trying to play over the top of electric instruments. Did they not have sound checks, back then?
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2007-03-10 02:45:36
201.   Blaine
Ferris Bueller's Day Off is my favorite movie. I would also love a DT game. I read this site often, don't comment often, and am afraid that meeting you all in person would be pretty cool. But would you call each other by screen names or real names, except of course for Greg Brock.
2007-03-10 02:48:10
202.   Blaine
I am curious and probably confused. D4P writes True Blue LA and Scared Duck writes for 6-4-2, correct? Are there any other regular commenters on here that write another Dodger blog?
2007-03-10 02:54:54
203.   Andrew Shimmin
Half right. Regfairfield writes True Blue LA. He used to be DePodesta For President (and then Dodger Math). D4P is just a commenter. Thankfully.

Scareduck does keep 6-4-2.

2007-03-10 02:58:10
204.   Blaine
Thanks, Andrew. I thought D4P was short for Depo for President.
2007-03-10 03:03:14
205.   Andrew Shimmin
204- I did too, at first. But it's short for Delino 4 Pedro.

It was hard to understand because, DePodesta For President was such a good blog, and D4P is such a, well, you know. I couldn't figure out why, if he were capable of the cogent, literate analysis he displayed at his site, he'd want to trot out thirty-one flavors of tripe over here. But then I figured it out, and everything made sense, again.

2007-03-10 05:11:39
206.   Sam DC
I ate at the Redondo Beach Brewing Company (Their micro brews are much improved), and grabbed a FatBurger on the way home.

Now that's a man.

2007-03-10 05:29:31
207.   Sam DC
And oh, from your comments and my not having noticed you mention it, I gather the other job were you trying for hasn't worked out yet.

If that's right, sorry to hear it.

And I know quite how you feel as I'm flailing about for new work too.

2007-03-10 06:35:14
208.   overkill94
I can't believe no one picked up on Sixteen Candles from that quote. Were you all born in the 50's or something?

Speaking of John Hughes, I just watched Uncle Buck for about the 15th time the other night. It's still funny.

2007-03-10 07:59:09
209.   Steve
Andrew, as usual, needs a fact check. D4P is, in fact, Instapundit. QED.

Brock, during your hiatus, I realized that UCLA in fact played and won a road game against Chaminade. I hope you caught my apology to you and all UCLA fans.

2007-03-10 08:08:00
210.   Steve
Meanwhile, like a clock without hands, Jim Tracy announces that for the seventh consecutive season, he will bat his worst hitter second.
2007-03-10 08:44:37
211.   Greg Brock
209 LOL. Gee, thanks Ninja.
2007-03-10 09:13:43
212.   Marty
Words can't describe how much I loath John Hughes movies.
2007-03-10 09:15:58
213.   Marty
I'm making shrimp and cheese stuffed chiles for a party today and just realized I bought everything but the chiles. Sheesh.
2007-03-10 09:30:41
214.   Bob Timmermann
Marty and I will buy tickets to a John Hughes Film Festival, so we can throw garbage at the screen.

I know it's not cost-efficient, but we have to take a stand.

2007-03-10 11:21:10
215.   Benaiah
In 27 Spring plate appearances, James Loney is currently batting .522/.593/.652/1.245. He hits for average and he walks, he fields with the greatest of ease, he stays after camp and signs autographs for the children...He is James Loney, backup left-fielder.
2007-03-10 11:26:29
216.   D4P
215
But how many game-7-winning bloop singles off of Mariano Rivera in the World Series does Loney have? You just can't quantify the value of that kind of clutch, veteran performance. You can look for it in BA, or OBP, or SLG, or OPS, but you won't find it. It transcends mere statistics.
2007-03-10 11:30:01
217.   Benaiah
Why do I seek truth in OPS, when wisdom lies in D.O.B. Here I see the light, LuGo has nearly twice the accomplishments of Loney according to D.O.B.
2007-03-10 11:33:42
218.   D4P
Around here, we prefer "DOB". If you wanna know why, ask "BOB".
2007-03-10 11:42:59
219.   Bob Timmermann
If only Joe Torre had listened to Tim McCarver and played Derek Jeter at his regular position, the game would have gone on.

You should never doubt Tim McCarver.

Never.

Every day, I say a prayer of thanks that I live in a world with Tim McCarver.

2007-03-10 11:54:31
220.   Steve
Hot off the heels of its Pulitzer Prize worthy discovery that Arnold hires people who worked for him during his campaign, the Times, in an embarrassing thumbsucker, goes after evil ticket resellers! Oh the agony! These people live among us! Nobody bothers of course (since industry spokesmen apparently wrote it) to point out that if the entertainment industry thought the value of money in its pocket was more valuable than the convenient fiction that they are making entertainment accessible and affordable, they would do so. So here's an idea, why doesn't the industry use the market like everyone else, or otherwise just shut up?
2007-03-10 11:54:41
221.   Gen3Blue
I am moved beyond words!
2007-03-10 11:55:24
222.   Gen3Blue
By 219,of course
2007-03-10 11:56:04
223.   D4P
Celebrity siting update:

My wife and I were sitting outside WholeFoods this morning. A blue Cadillac pulled up right in front. The driver had a difficult time with the relatively easy task of parking. I got the impression he was probably somewhat elderly. When he finally got out of the car, he looked exactly like James Earl Jones. He walked slowly into the store. When he came out, he still looked exactly like James Earl Jones. Another person outside apparently thought the same thing, and said to him, "Mr. Jones!" The James Earl Jones look-alike responded in such a way (e.g. "Yes, hello") as to indicate that he was, in fact, James Earl Jones. He got back into his blue Cadillac and proceeded to exit the parking lot on the left side of the exit (even worse, because he was turning right), causing someone who was pulling in to have to veer around him onto the right (i.e. the wrong) side.

2007-03-10 11:56:12
224.   Benaiah
So I am guessing that Miller is no longer the fifth starter if the season started today. That is the problem with that statement, the season doesn't start today. Enjoy Las Vegas Greg.
2007-03-10 11:59:57
225.   D4P
Was Pierre's double a bunt double...?
2007-03-10 12:01:13
226.   Steve
222 - of course
2007-03-10 12:08:38
227.   Andrew Shimmin
For those scoring at home, a link to the Times' scalping exposé:

http://tinyurl.com/2oemo2

2007-03-10 12:12:47
228.   Bob Timmermann
And of course the Times parent company, the Tribune Company, operates a secondary ticket selling market for Cubs tickets.

Talk about a racket, they're reselling items they already sold at a higher price!

2007-03-10 12:16:17
229.   ToyCannon
I used to be hot on the AROD to LA campaign but that was when I thought he could still play a decent SS. At this point why should we trade anything for him when we can simply sign him this offseason when he opts out. I only see the Angels and RedSox as possible suitors. He's a student of the game and realizes how much longer Robin Yount was able to play due to the move to CF. I'd be more then happy to pay him 140/20M/7 for the next five years to be our CF and our 1st baseman the last two. If McCourt ever wants to crack 4 Million that will do the trick.
2007-03-10 12:19:11
230.   D4P
Phew. Steiner is pronouncing "Seanez" in a normal manner this year.
2007-03-10 12:21:45
231.   Benaiah
229 - That sounds so steep, but that is definitely what he is going to get. So he loses on on 12 million for the first three years, but probably wouldn't get nearly 20 million a year for the next four after that anyway. However, I think that he could be a servicable SS if he wanted to be.
2007-03-10 12:23:26
232.   Bob Timmermann
230
One can only hope that such a point becomes moot later on.
2007-03-10 12:26:18
233.   Benaiah
Repko is having a great spring. I know all of these stats are somewhat meaningless (who did he get these hits off of?) but his line is .348/.444/.739/1.183. Not bad for the backup.
2007-03-10 12:27:18
234.   Benaiah
232 - Rudy S. gets a lot of K's, which makes me think that he wouldn't be terrible in the pen. I know he is old, but maybe he still has something left?
2007-03-10 12:30:25
235.   Steve
If you post it, people will read it, then they will claw their own eyes out with the backside of a hammer, then they will overwhelm emergency rooms across the nation, then the nation's health care system will overload, leading to mass panic in the streets, causing the Times to report it, and they will probably blame it on police corruption and have lots of quotes from Common Cause, starting the whole vicious cycle over again!
2007-03-10 12:32:45
236.   Andrew Shimmin
I'm the official secondary eye distributer of the Pac 10. Am I proud of drumming up new business? No, I'm not. But everybody's got to pay the mortgage.
2007-03-10 12:38:13
237.   Andrew Shimmin
Is this Baxter guy the new Steve Henson, or just a ST reinforcement? The Japanese fascination (though, if it's really on par with American astrology, it's unfortunate to tar the whole country with the nonsense of a relative few) with blood type is interesting, but he seems a bit giddy about it. The last thing the Times needs is an excitable boy covering the Dodgers.

And sportswriters should avoid, like the plague, lapsing into cliché.

2007-03-10 12:39:54
238.   Sam DC
RIP Brad Delp.

I blame Marty.

2007-03-10 12:41:47
239.   Sam DC
More Than A Feeling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFwIgbyrNhw

2007-03-10 12:44:14
240.   LAT
223. how could you not have given him the old "Luke, I am your father" greeting?
2007-03-10 12:46:22
241.   Sam DC
Actually, this is way cooler.

http://tinyurl.com/y9gzxk

2007-03-10 12:48:28
242.   D4P
240
It certainly crossed my mind
2007-03-10 12:51:17
243.   Bob Timmermann
Blood types are a very big deal in Japan. When I signed up for a Japanese e-card service, I had to enter my blood type when I registered.

It wasn't optional.

For those of you wishing to donate, it's A positive.

2007-03-10 12:53:03
244.   Jon Weisman
Baxter filled Tim Brown's vacancy on the staff, though not his slot as national columnist. I think he's backing up on the beat(s).
2007-03-10 12:58:39
245.   Bumsrap
If Spring Training were an indicator of things to come, Ned has some splanen to do.

Only Lucy might be able to tell Frank why he needed to spend those millions of $$$$$$$.

2007-03-10 12:59:47
246.   Dodger Jack
Maybe I am slower than everyone else, but I have finally reached the unavoidable conclusion that the Dodgers will not be able to field their best roster on opening day unless they trade BOTH Hendrickson and Penny. If they go with 12 pitchers, they will be relegating at least one of our good young hitters to AAA. So they must need exceed 11. Their best 11, for my money, are: Lowe, Schmidt, Wolf, Kuo, Bills, Tomko, Saito, Broxton, Beimal, Miller, and Meloan. That means that we outright Houlton, keep Seanez and Mays at Las Vegas if we can, and trade or outright Dessens. We may need room later in the summer for Brazoban.
2007-03-10 13:03:28
247.   Ken Arneson
223 I went to a UC Berkeley scholarship fundraiser one time where James Earl Jones was the guest speaker. The Cal Band came marching into the room playing the Darth Vader theme, with the drummers all wearing Darth Vader helmets. It was awesome.
2007-03-10 13:10:11
248.   Andrew Shimmin
A palate cleanser, for the unfortunates who've been following Sam's links.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fztf4T_eXEM

2007-03-10 13:13:55
249.   D4P
"Remember that time when you played Darth Vader's voice? Remember that? That was awesome..."

(Repeatedly slaps own thigh, says to self "Stupid")

2007-03-10 13:33:55
250.   regfairfield
244 How on earth are Joe Beimel and Brett Tomko anywhere near Brad Penny? The man started the All Star game last year and has had a bad half-season where he was both hurt and unlucky. Joe Beimel is a guy who has no positive traits other than "is left handed". 3.8 K/9 ratios tend to devalue players. Brett Tomko at no point in his career has ever been a good pitcher.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2007-03-10 13:55:07
251.   CanuckDodger
250 -- What was Beimel's groundball-to-flyball ratio last year? You seem to be transfixed by Beimel's low K rate, but K rate is a reliably terrible indicator of the future performance of sinkerball pitchers, which is why PECOTA always underestimates Derek Lowe. Beimel did a good job of keeping opponent runs off the board last year, and I think he will be similarly effective in 2007.
2007-03-10 14:00:19
252.   Sam DC
This is pretty funny -- Acta v. Randolph, lcoked in a high-intensity mother of all spring training battles.

http://tinyurl.com/3a7rmj

2007-03-10 14:06:23
253.   Andrew Shimmin
251- GB/FB ratio: 1.786.
2007-03-10 14:07:11
254.   regfairfield
251 Then why couldn't he do that before he came to the Dodgers? In Lowe's good years, he still maintained decent strike out and walk rates. Whenever his K/BB got close to a Beimelian one, he stunk. For a sinker ball pitcher, Beimel still allows a decent amount of home runs (.9/9). Beimel did have a good ground ball to fly ball ratio last year (1.91) but if that doesn't translate into keeping the ball in the park, I'm not sure how much it helps.
2007-03-10 14:25:48
255.   twerp
David Price was only able to strike out 16 as unbeaten, #1 Vanderbilt beat Illinois-Chicago 2-1 Friday. He retired 19 of 20 at one stretch in a complete game four-hitter.

It was his second straight CG and fourth straight game with double digit strikeouts. The 6'5" junior lefty now has 304 career Ks with a single game record of 17.

If he became a Dodger, at least the team should be favored to win a MLB basketball tournament--if 6'9" power forward Hendrickson and 6'6" former basketball all-star Lowe were still around. Price owns 12 records at his high school, mostly for scoring, 3-point shooting, and rebounding.

2007-03-10 14:26:10
256.   CanuckDodger
254 -- Did Beimel have the same skill set he demonstrated last year before he came to the Dodgers? If the answer is yes, maybe something else held him back in the past. On your web site I think you recently acknowledged the importance of "mental toughness." We know now that Beimel is an alcoholic, so that may have screwed up his career before 2006, just like it ruined things for him in the 2006 playoffs. For me, the knowledge that Beimel is now sober and intends to stay that way is more important than his K rate.

About the home runs, Lowe gave up a ridiculously large number of home runs for a groundball pitcher in 2005, yet he still had an ERA in the mid-3.00 area, which perhaps illustrates the flip side of the coin I have in mind when I say here that an offense can be effective WITHOUT a lot of HR power.

2007-03-10 14:29:14
257.   Steve
How can you guys be debating a useless middle reliever like Joe Beimel when there are ticket resellers out there, stalking us in the night, taking candy and toys from the bedrooms of Tom Petty's children! Oh the humanity!
2007-03-10 14:29:54
258.   Jon Weisman
250 compared (in part) Beimel to Penny, and I think it's safe to say that if Penny had to pitch an inning at a time or Beimel had to pitch five at a time, the differences between them would be further highlighted.

As for Beimel as a reliever, if he has a great 2007, wonderful, but right now I don't see why one wouldn't expect him to be as inconsistent as virtually every other relief pitcher in baseball.

2007-03-10 14:34:42
259.   Andrew Shimmin
Anybody else starting to get the feeling that Steve's got a moonlighting gig he hasn't talked about? I did get tickets from him once, but he didn't charge me for them, so, that's sort of a push.
2007-03-10 14:45:51
260.   Steve
I'm just tired of reading a newspaper that is all agendas and regurgitated press releases. Call any one of the hundreds of reporters at the Times with your (spin, grievance, nonsense) and they'll be sure to be sitting at their desks waiting for the "news" to come to them.

Any thinking person could say "well, why doesn't Tom Petty double his ticket prices?" But not a Times reporter, because Times reporters don't think.

2007-03-10 14:47:50
261.   CanuckDodger
258 -- But isn't the fact that Penny and Beimel are counted on to do different jobs the relevent point, not how well each man could do the other man's job? I have more respect for a GOOD garbage collector than I do a BAD doctor, and the fact that the skill and education required to be a doctor dwarfs that required to collect garbage doesn't really matter to me.

I was happy with Beimel's ENTIRE regular season performance in 2006, while Penny post-All Star break did his job very poorly. That gives me more confidence that Beimel will be effective in 2007 than I can muster for Penny in the season ahead. Obviously, I hope Penny proves my fears about him wrong.

2007-03-10 14:49:28
262.   trainwreck
If only Brock was around. There is actual positive news coming out of UCLA football. They just got the best defensive player in CA for 2008.
2007-03-10 14:49:41
263.   Jon Weisman
New post up top/
2007-03-10 14:52:33
264.   Jon Weisman
261 - The original question was, who are the 11-best pitchers on the team. Odds are, Dr. Penny could collect garbage better than Mr. Beimel. Had Penny been asked only to collect garbage last year, I feel it's safe to say he would have had a better year than Beimel. I mean, I could be wrong, but I'm surprised to find we're even questioning it.
2007-03-10 15:05:26
265.   CanuckDodger
264 -- You, misunderstand, Jon, I concede that Penny could collect garbage better than Beimel. The problem is that collecting garbage isn't Penny's job. Penny's a doctor, and post-All Star break last year, he killed his patients over and over again.

But you allude to the original question, which was about who our 11 best pitchers are, and as you might infer from what I have said, I think it is foolish to treat the 11 named pitchers like they do the same job.

2007-03-10 15:40:24
266.   ToyCannon
I know we have a new post up top but I loved the discussion taking place, to bad it ended with the new post.
2007-03-10 15:55:07
267.   Andrew Shimmin
Unless you're making a money argument, I still don't get the point. If Penny could do what Beimel does, better than Beimel does it, in addition to doing what he (Penny) does, better than Beimel would do it, how does it not follow that Penny is better than Beimel? Penny, on the whole, despite his crummy second half, was more useful to the team, right? If you ranked all the starting pitchers, and then all the middle relief pitchers, on their performances last year, Beimel might end up in a higher decile. I can see finding that interesting, but not finding it important.

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