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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
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11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Exhibition Finale Open Chat
2007-03-31 17:23
by Jon Weisman

Dodgers at Angels, 6:05 p.m.

For those of you who were worried this would conflict with the UCLA game, don't fret. The women's water polo team's battle with Loyola Marymount was at 1 p.m.

Comments (113)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-03-31 17:32:20
1.   Curtis Lowe
"Rah Rah "Go Dodgers!
2007-03-31 17:42:42
2.   Greg Brock
Rah Rah Go Curtis Lowe!
2007-03-31 17:46:31
3.   Bob Timmermann
UCLA beat LMU 17-3.
2007-03-31 17:46:35
4.   Curtis Lowe
2- Finally the appreciation I tell everyone I deserve.
2007-03-31 17:47:42
5.   Bob Timmermann
UCLA and USC are facing off at the Galen Center in volleyball at 8 pm.
2007-03-31 17:49:02
6.   Gen3Blue
It's funny how sometimes we get used to things that are less than efficient.
In my case my favorites link to MLB.com by mistake takes me to a scoreboard page that is old and I have to click to get to the home MLB page or a current scoreboard page. But this old scoreboard page is (I believe) July 16, 2005, a day when the Dodgers beat the Giants 5-4, and I have come to like it so much that I am glad to make an extra click. Funny how we get used to a routine, but I don't care to change it!
I hope this early start doesn't bug you guys near LA, butit is a Godsend to this east coast fan.
2007-03-31 17:56:26
7.   CanuckDodger
4 -- Ah, Curtis, I think he might have meant, "Go Curtis Lowe! Please. Just leave. And don't let the door hit you on the way out." But I might be wrong here.[Smiley Face]
2007-03-31 17:56:50
8.   xaphor
Also in volleyball, CSUN are facing off against Pacific(11) [whoever they are] at 7pm. It's absolute madness.
2007-03-31 17:59:06
9.   Greg Brock
7 I would never say anything like that.

Unless this is another case of Canuck making a joke that I miss. In which case, good joke!

2007-03-31 18:01:33
10.   Curtis Lowe
7- I took as an encouragement to finish my work faster so I can leave work early. If that's not the case then I'll just have to sloow down a little bit
2007-03-31 18:04:03
11.   natepurcell
2-4 in the order consists of loney, kemp, betemit.
2007-03-31 18:06:16
12.   xaphor
7. I think we have uncovered a secret plot by Greg Brock to subliminally encourage Curtis to attack Derek Lowe at some point during the game. I believe this was tried previously in the ending to "The Naked Gun" which coincidently stared a funny Canadian. It's all falling into place.
2007-03-31 18:12:04
13.   natepurcell
loney and kemp deliver with line drives.
2007-03-31 18:14:25
14.   xaphor
Are these new uniforms or just some spring training garb?
2007-03-31 18:14:52
15.   Andrew Shimmin
Alright Loney, now's your chance. Steal home!
2007-03-31 18:15:51
16.   Andrew Shimmin
14- Spring training garb. It's of some consolation that the Angels' ST uniforms are worse.
2007-03-31 18:16:48
17.   D4P
I miss "In play, run-scoring play"

"In play run(s)" just doesn't have the same ring to it

2007-03-31 18:17:13
18.   Marty
Valdez muscles a dunker.
2007-03-31 18:22:50
19.   Marty
Hudler is going to cause me to puncture my ear drums I'm afraid.
2007-03-31 18:23:25
20.   Andrew Shimmin
Does Gameday have radar readings on Penny? FSN, in addition to not being in HD, and not having Vin call the game, doesn't.
2007-03-31 18:24:05
21.   Dodgers49
For any out-of-towners who have access to FSN the Angels are televising this game.
2007-03-31 18:24:50
22.   D4P
Gameday shows the speed for some pitches and not for others. Not sure why. Anyway, the one Penny pitch they reported a speed for was 92.
2007-03-31 18:25:28
23.   CanuckDodger
9 -- Ah, Greg! I thought the whole [Smiley Face] thing would have made my intentions unmistakable, even though I find putting [Smiley Face] up a bit distasteful, because it makes me feel like I am laughing at my own joke, which is bad form. I guess I am just naturally inscrutable. Andrew is edgy and I'm inscrutable.
2007-03-31 18:25:28
24.   natepurcell
i think umps are holding some sort of grudge against penny. alot of strikes arent being called...
2007-03-31 18:29:20
25.   Andrew Shimmin
23- It can't be as distasteful as D4P insisting that he's beautiful. There just isn't enough jet fuel in the world to burn away the aftertaste that left.
2007-03-31 18:41:32
26.   Eric Enders
Penny obviously doesn't like the new spring training caps. He went to the trouble of taking a blue marker and scribbling over the silver panels on the side of the cap. (Jeff Kent did this to his also.)
2007-03-31 18:44:22
27.   natepurcell
penny Ks Napoli swinging on the split.
2007-03-31 18:44:40
28.   D4P
26
I would have done the same thing. But then, I'm beautiful like that.
2007-03-31 18:45:33
29.   Bob Timmermann
I believe that the Gameday app runs much better when it isn't delivering the pitch speed and all that other stuff.
2007-03-31 18:46:44
30.   Gen3Blue
21 Bless you 49 I have DTV and I think I am getting the game,though its an ad right now.
Yes I've got it!!!
2007-03-31 18:47:20
31.   xaphor
29. I think you spoke too soon.
2007-03-31 18:48:23
32.   Gen3Blue
Darn, I would've laid in supplies had I known.
2007-03-31 18:48:31
33.   D4P
For some reason, Gameday reports the pitch speed and all that other stuff for the Angels, but not for the Dodgers
2007-03-31 18:48:41
34.   Bob Timmermann
I've noticed that a lot of the comments on the Gameday blog are Toaster visitors.

DXMachina had a very good comment.

2007-03-31 18:49:51
35.   Gen3Blue
Valdez has spunk. I can't say it.
2007-03-31 18:51:50
36.   D4P
34
I too was annoyed by the big ad that truncates the lineup views
2007-03-31 18:53:12
37.   Andrew Shimmin
In addition to all the other things he is, Bob is the Siskel and Ebert of the Gameday blog's comments section.
2007-03-31 18:55:00
38.   natepurcell
nice play for clark.
2007-03-31 18:55:06
39.   Marty
Andrew's Gameday post was hilarious.
2007-03-31 18:55:24
40.   Greg Brock
What a play by Betemit.
2007-03-31 18:55:26
41.   Gen3Blue
Valdez is playing in the outield? I have to say it--several people who have very little to do with the Dodgers are keeping Kemp and Loney off the roster.
These announcers must be Angels.
2007-03-31 18:55:29
42.   Andrew Shimmin
Betemit just drove in a run with his glove.
2007-03-31 18:56:07
43.   natepurcell
and nice play by betemit. nice range!
2007-03-31 18:57:04
44.   D4P
Can't find a better mit
2007-03-31 18:57:36
45.   Gen3Blue
Thank god I don't have to deal with Gameday
yet. I've got it on ch 652.
2007-03-31 18:58:46
46.   Marty
44 Go to your room now.
2007-03-31 18:59:10
47.   Andrew Shimmin
Safety Alert: Gorneault is in the game. Proceed with caution!
2007-03-31 18:59:29
48.   Gen3Blue
Gee, Abreu would drop nicely into Lucille II's place.
2007-03-31 19:00:07
49.   Gen3Blue
Maybe not.
2007-03-31 19:00:45
50.   DXMachina
34 - Thanks for the kind words. Bad, annoying web designs that seem to have no regard for the intended user bug me no end.

39 - It was hilarious AND edgy.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-03-31 19:02:00
51.   Marty
Wow, our resident insane person over at ItD has basically crossed over to e-stalking by putting up a website in someone else's name.
2007-03-31 19:03:36
52.   Andrew Shimmin
The basketball game's back on, for those flipping back and forth.
2007-03-31 19:04:30
53.   natepurcell
51

wow, that guy is insane. he needs help.

2007-03-31 19:06:04
54.   Gen3Blue
Nice pitch Penny--lets see if I can chuck it by him--letter high!
2007-03-31 19:14:14
55.   FirstMohican
(Go Lions!)
2007-03-31 19:14:47
56.   Bob Timmermann
I don't even know what that pitch data on Gameday means.

Why do I care about this during a game? I'm following a game on a computer? Why do I care what the BRX or PFX are?

If I were studying the game later I would care, but just tell me what's happening. You know, the balls and strikes, runners on base, stuff like that. Or maybe even the lineups of BOTH teams.

2007-03-31 19:15:02
57.   xaphor
Kemp for CF!
2007-03-31 19:17:28
58.   Gen3Blue
He seemed to be playing there on that error!
2007-03-31 19:31:53
59.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
There's been no official decision yet on Loney, right?
2007-03-31 19:37:12
60.   Bob Timmermann
Gameday lasted about as long as the Bruins. And then it finally gave up.
2007-03-31 19:44:03
61.   Dodgers49
59. There's been no official decision yet on Loney, right?

I think one of the Angels announcers mentioned earlier that Little would be making some announcements after the game.

2007-03-31 19:44:58
62.   Andrew Shimmin
59- Not officially; still just the background announcement (presumably officially sanctioned) that it was unlikely he'd make the team out of ST.
2007-03-31 19:57:09
63.   natepurcell
red hudler: "90% of number 1 picks make it to the majors"

uhh...

2007-03-31 20:04:57
64.   natepurcell
so loney is probably going to end ST with a BA 400+ and is going to be sent down in favor of larry bigbie or wilson valdez.

sigh.

2007-03-31 20:07:06
65.   Bob Timmermann
Why do the Dodgers bother putting names on the backs of those awful BP uniforms while the Angels don't?
2007-03-31 20:10:16
66.   Gen3Blue
Bizarre-- this whole inning things are happening but the announcers haven't bothered to mention them. they are talking with some fool in the dugout(who might be a player, but I doubt it) about eating M&ms
2007-03-31 20:11:47
67.   Andrew Shimmin
I was distracted. Were both of those Tomko's fault?
2007-03-31 20:13:01
68.   Icaros
The only thing Tomko can't be blamed for is his birth.
2007-03-31 20:13:24
69.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
66 - That was Mike Napoli.
2007-03-31 20:15:36
70.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
67 - Double, wild pitch, walk, passed ball.
So, it's 75% Tomko's fault.
2007-03-31 20:18:03
71.   Marty
When they were talking to Mickey Hatcher, I thought he was trying to channel Lasorda. He sounded just like him.
2007-03-31 20:19:11
72.   Bob Timmermann
68

What if Brett Tomko was sitting in a car stopped at a red light behind the limit line and then someone rear ended his car, pushed it into the intersection and he ran over a puppy?

To whom would you ascribe blame?

2007-03-31 20:20:40
73.   Icaros
72

The puppy.

2007-03-31 20:20:41
74.   natepurcell
72

trick question....Paul DePodesta.

2007-03-31 20:22:36
75.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Gameday says Stults is pitching; announcers - and pitcher's jersey - say Meloan.
2007-03-31 20:22:37
76.   Dodgers49
66. Bizarre--

Welcome to an Angels telecast. I take it you haven't experienced Mr. Hudler before. :-)

2007-03-31 20:22:52
77.   Andrew Shimmin
Neat. Meloan is pitching.
2007-03-31 20:23:08
78.   natepurcell
75 its meloan.
2007-03-31 20:24:04
79.   natepurcell
meloan doesnt look as big as he did when i saw him pitch for arizona in 2004.
2007-03-31 20:24:08
80.   D4P
Monday just told an excruciatingly tedious Meloan-related story with no payoff.
2007-03-31 20:25:44
81.   FirstMohican
I know this isn't news, but Rex Hudler has got to be the worst pro sports announcer I've heard.
2007-03-31 20:26:42
82.   Greg Brock
I don't mind losing the Freeway Series, especially since UCLA beat Florida.

Wait...What?

2007-03-31 20:27:43
83.   Icaros
79

Jason Giambi doesn't look as small as he did when I saw him play third for Long Beach in 1992.

2007-03-31 20:28:03
84.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
This catcher, Lucas May, he was drafted in 2003 as a shortstop.
Just FYI...
2007-03-31 20:28:13
85.   xaphor
I have it on mute and I swear I just looked up and read, "I prefer to take it on the backside."
2007-03-31 20:28:49
86.   Bob Timmermann
81

I would take Rex Hudler over Mike Shannon in 9 out of 10 contests.

Of course, Rex Hudler thinks you can fly from LA to St. Louis in two hours. Apparently St. Louis has been moved about 750 miles farther west.

2007-03-31 20:29:13
87.   natepurcell
dejesus is showing pretty decent SS actions.
2007-03-31 20:29:27
88.   Gen3Blue
Now while on DTV the pitcher seems to be Meloan MLB box has Stults?, who can't seem to finish anything?
2007-03-31 20:31:00
89.   Gen3Blue
Nice 12/6 curve--ehhh
2007-03-31 20:31:03
90.   natepurcell
that was strike 3...
2007-03-31 20:31:23
91.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
86 - Did he specify what kind of aircraft?
2007-03-31 20:32:37
92.   Gen3Blue
I have hopes for May-even though that hammer made him look absent. Maybe Meloans curve is almost that good.
2007-03-31 20:32:50
93.   natepurcell
from watching meloan pitch this ST, i can definately see why the dodgers moved him to reliever. His delivery isnt really that fluid and it doesnt look like it can consistently handle a starters workload.
2007-03-31 20:33:37
94.   natepurcell
84

they also converted carlos santana to catcher this offseason as well.

2007-03-31 20:33:43
95.   FirstMohican
86 - Not having any idea who that is, Wikipedia helped me realize that I already don't like him.

I don't care for announcers who try to force their -isms and nicknames down our throats.

2007-03-31 20:36:39
96.   Gen3Blue
Good for the Halo's, though I hope this is the last time I have to say this for years.
2007-03-31 20:37:52
97.   CanuckDodger
93 -- Do you have BA's latest Prospect Handbook, Nate? The write-up on Meloan says his delivery is max effort, and that he has recoil in his delivery, so you don't really want a guy like that starting. The write-up also says Meloan's primary breaking pitch is a slider and that his curve is only "passable," which must be incorrect.
2007-03-31 20:39:11
98.   natepurcell
97

yea i definately see the recoil they are talking about but i dont know where BA got their reports about his pitches. his curve is nasty and his slider is pretty good too. But that curve is his money pitch.

2007-03-31 20:40:35
99.   natepurcell
his release point is pretty much straight over the top and that recoil puts a ton of torque on his elbow. It causes him to get wicked movement on his secondary pitches but his elbow might not last.
2007-03-31 21:31:42
100.   hernari
Wow, Kemp made the team

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-03-31 21:38:56
101.   Andrew Shimmin
Didn't see that coming. If it really is just about Kemp's being right handed, it doesn't seem like this would be a temporary situation, either.
2007-03-31 21:41:53
102.   StolenMonkey86
Um, ok.

And Valdez over Loney apparently. Yay, two utility infielders.

2007-03-31 21:49:37
103.   MJW101
I would assume Valdez will be on the 25 man until Furcal comes off the DL. I guess the Dodgers hope that when they try to pass Valdez through waivers in a week or so that other teams will already have made their pickups.
2007-03-31 21:55:33
104.   Louis in SF
So Valdez is the starting shortstop for opening day....It is a real drag about Loney but in a bizare since once we signed Gonzales and Nomar there was no other place for him this year, so he will play every day in Triple A

Did the Dodgers send Tso(sp) to the minors or was he released?

2007-03-31 22:09:56
105.   Bob Timmermann
Valdez is coming?
2007-03-31 22:10:38
106.   Marty
105 Very good Burt.
2007-03-31 22:14:08
107.   Sagehen
104 Actually, I think Martinez is the shortstop for opening day because Grady has said that he doesn't like to have rookies make their first starts in such a circus atmosphere. After that, we'll probably get Valdez at short for the rest of the week until Furcal can come off the DL.

Personally, I was hoping for Abreu. That was too much to ask.

2007-03-31 22:18:17
108.   Sagehen
So Kemp effectively beat out Loney and Bigbie for the last roster spot. Tony Jackson says its because they want they want the right-handed bat to balance out the bench, but that makes no sense, since now Anderson is the only leftie. I think it's because they wanted a right-handed power-hitting outfielder to spell Gonzo and Ethier, especially with Ethier (Mr. Streakiness himself) being in another one of his slumps of late. Plus Kemp can provide some power subbing for Pierre. Woo hoo! We get Kemp!!!

I am seriously bummed for Loney, though. What does the guy have to do to make the team? Yeah, I know, that's a rhetorical question. The argument has been that Loney will go down so that he can play every day, but with Kemp beating him out, that argument no longer works. I think they just need a good outfielder to backup the three they've got more than they need a good firstbaseman to backup Nomar.

2007-03-31 22:25:46
109.   Brendan
I went to the game tonight and sat right behind home plate. I thought I should look at the prospects and report back to Nate(didn't know the game was on t.v.) meloan does come right over the top with max effort. his curve is really tight.

IMO meloan looks like brad penny's little brother. maybe because I watched penny pitch for 4 innings but meloan looked like a carbon copy. max effort over the top fastball with a late breaking tight curve. maybe we should move penny to the bullpen

I don't know what to say about kemp making the team and loney didn't. I know the reason but still shocking. Ned digs the long ball, i guess

2007-03-31 22:31:25
110.   Jon Weisman
108 - The argument works if Kemp really is going to play some.

New post up top.

2007-03-31 22:37:18
111.   Sagehen
Reasons for Kemp to make the team instead of Loney:

Power, and the team desperately needs power. Does this mean we can expect to LaRoche sooner rather than later?

Less upside with our veteran outfielders. Nomar, when healthy, can carry the team. I think we'll see Loney up when Nomar starts to wear down later in the year.

Kemp has greater upside than all three of our current starting outfielders. He's righthanded, so he could platoon with any of them. Ethier's slumping again, so we might see Kemp in right quite a bit (which will bum me out because I love Ethier). I won't rehash all the reasons for playing Kemp over Gonzo or Pierre, since you all know them already.

Wow. We at least get one kid. The bench isn't entirely full of washed up veterans.

Are we going to be seeing a lot of Kemp and Clark as late-inning defensive replacements in left and center?

2007-03-31 23:21:51
112.   Michael D
I think if we're going to have a kid in a bench role, Loney is the better choice. Kemp needs to be able the breaking stuff, and it's not going to help him. I just think Loney has a better approach to be a bench a player.
2007-04-01 13:37:20
113.   bojangles
25. Can we assume this product is available in suitable containers at a great price at a certain SUPERSTORE?
44. Nice work.

Testament to how brittle they think New Dad is that they don't put him at short a few games, and placate James a wee bit with serious April playing time...

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