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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

May 9 Game Chat
2007-05-09 15:43
by Jon Weisman

Today's 4:05 p.m. game:

Gameday

Retro Gameday

Comments (421)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-05-09 15:45:29
1.   Bob Timmermann
The Marlins sent Reed back to Albuquerque and called up Abercrombie.
2007-05-09 15:46:09
2.   Doctor
Odd lineup. Hopefully it works.
2007-05-09 15:50:25
3.   trainwreck
Maybe Grady wants Tomko to go winless.
2007-05-09 15:52:32
4.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Martin in the 3-hole.
Me gusta.
2007-05-09 15:54:45
5.   DodgerBakers
I'm wearing my Dodger's tie today handed down from my father and his father before him. We've got to win now.
2007-05-09 15:57:17
6.   KBL
Does anyone know why Furcal was not awarded first yesterday on the Catchers Interferences in the first inning?
2007-05-09 15:57:38
7.   Jon Weisman
FYI, new open chat thread open at Screen Jam. I gave you a topic, but anything in entertainment and culture is welcome.
2007-05-09 15:57:56
8.   KBL
Don't be confused. I mean just ONE interference
2007-05-09 15:59:15
9.   El Lay Dave
5 Purchased at the Dodgers' main concessions stand in Ebbets Field?
2007-05-09 16:00:07
10.   Bob Timmermann
8
Did the catcher touch Furcal's bat?
2007-05-09 16:04:14
11.   KBL
Yea, the bat hit the catcher's glove hand and it caused a 3-5 minute injury delay. If the ump didn't see it at first, he had to notice it when the catcher took off the glove, got on his knees, and started shaking his head in pain.
2007-05-09 16:04:17
12.   DodgerBakers
9. No, my grandfather lived in LA and worked for Bank of America. Used to have season tickets right next to the media pit by the Dodger's dugout. I don't know how he got the tie.
2007-05-09 16:04:52
13.   Vishal
[11] i thought that was from the ball hitting olivo, not furcal's bat.
2007-05-09 16:06:31
14.   Vishal
man, i wish my dad had a koufax jersey or something from back in the day. i should bug him about being too cheap for souvenirs or something :)
2007-05-09 16:06:45
15.   Bob Timmermann
13
The umpires are obviously not shy about calling catcher's interference this year, so I would have to think that it was the ball that did the damage.

Most of the time, the catcher doesn't get hurt on an interference call as the glove just grazes the bat. Brian McCann is a notable exception.

2007-05-09 16:07:44
16.   Doctor
Seriously, why cant these guys take a few pitches?
Willis has all kinds of control problems, and the're hacking at anything close.
2007-05-09 16:08:23
17.   bhsportsguy
Randy Johnson is doing a Brad Penny impression in Arizona today.
2007-05-09 16:09:45
18.   Vishal
you you think that every year there a certain rule that seems to be invoked more than others? as if the umpires had an annual meeting and said to each other, "you know guys, we're letting them get away with X (balking, catcher's interference, what have you) too much. keep an eye out for it, and call it if you see it!"
2007-05-09 16:09:54
19.   trainwreck
I really wish ESPN would show more than just Yankee games during the week.
2007-05-09 16:10:44
20.   El Lay Dave
Russell Martin takes an immediate likeing to the 3 spot.

16 Jeff Kent is listening.

2007-05-09 16:11:16
21.   El Lay Dave
*liking
2007-05-09 16:11:31
22.   Bob Timmermann
18
Yes.
2007-05-09 16:13:07
23.   trainwreck
Come on LaRoche!!!

Time to shine!

2007-05-09 16:13:51
24.   El Lay Dave
16 and Olmedo.
2007-05-09 16:14:30
25.   Vishal
andy the rock up with the sacks heavy...
2007-05-09 16:15:04
26.   El Lay Dave
With Valdez on-deck, a hit's a lot better than a walk here, eh?
2007-05-09 16:15:18
27.   underdog
16 Just what the Doctor ordered.
2007-05-09 16:15:24
28.   Vishal
oh man, that 3-1 fastball was a cookie.
2007-05-09 16:15:43
29.   El Lay Dave
full count!
2007-05-09 16:15:52
30.   trainwreck
Way to show the patience!
2007-05-09 16:15:54
31.   natepurcell
Laroche jumped all over that fastball. too bad he pulled it foul.
2007-05-09 16:15:57
32.   Vishal
the rock draws the walk.
2007-05-09 16:16:05
33.   Jon Weisman
I assume that was an unintentional walk to LaRoche :)
2007-05-09 16:16:14
34.   bhsportsguy
Nice AB by LaRoche.
2007-05-09 16:16:16
35.   El Lay Dave
OK Grady, put the "take" sign on.
2007-05-09 16:16:26
36.   underdog
The D-Train seems a little off the tracks to start this game. Good to see the Dodgers show some patience there once they realized it.
2007-05-09 16:17:08
37.   bhsportsguy
31 Did you see the notes on Kershaw on the Scout.com site today? Said he was going to work on his off-speed pitches.
2007-05-09 16:18:11
38.   Vishal
wilson valdez, escape hatch.
2007-05-09 16:18:20
39.   El Lay Dave
Vin says, "deuces wild"
2007-05-09 16:18:43
40.   natepurcell
37

no i didnt, what did they or he say?

2007-05-09 16:19:08
41.   Doctor
After LaRoche walks in a run Valdez flails away at ball 3 three times. Finally gets his pop up.
2007-05-09 16:20:06
42.   Gen3Blue
Just turned it on a LaRoche walked in a run.
thought we had it made. Then were is Ethier.
This is insanity.
2007-05-09 16:20:38
43.   El Lay Dave
41 Weren't there at least two ball in there as well?
2007-05-09 16:21:38
44.   scareduck
18 - you mean like speeding tickets? "Eddings, you haven't had enough no-catch calls from the dish. Keep an eye on that. I expect at least one in your next game."
2007-05-09 16:21:42
45.   natepurcell
is nomar hurt at all or just a rest day?
2007-05-09 16:23:43
46.   Vishal
[44] not exactly quotas.. more like, areas to concentrate on, or uniform agreements on policy.

"we're should cut back on calling the high strike this year", things like that.

2007-05-09 16:24:14
47.   Vishal
blah, i can't type today. this paper is draining my mind dry.
2007-05-09 16:24:45
48.   Vishal
nice slider from tomko to strike out miggy.
2007-05-09 16:24:49
49.   El Lay Dave
45 Haven't seen anything other than rest.
2007-05-09 16:25:28
50.   Doctor
42,

Yea, but those were about 2 feet off the plate. We got a run and finally made him throw some pitches so it's all good I guess.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-05-09 16:25:39
51.   El Lay Dave
32 pitches for Willis. I like that.
2007-05-09 16:26:40
52.   Vishal
[49] it's a little odd, because in those small sample sizes that managers love to look at, nomar is 4 for 9 against willis with a homer.
2007-05-09 16:26:42
53.   underdog
Saenz starting vs. the lefty in place of a struggling Nomar makes total sense to me. I like Clark in for Gonzo, too. Unfortunately, if we need to rest Ethier, not being able to put Kemp in there - seeing Valdez instead - is not quite as nice. I thought Ethier hits lefties okay? Seems like a lot of guys getting rest today instead of tomorrow...
2007-05-09 16:26:54
54.   El Lay Dave
50 Perhaps that's how far off they have to be for some hitters to take a pitch.
2007-05-09 16:27:08
55.   ToyCannon
So Kemp is in Vegas and Valdez is in LF???

I told you no good could come of having Valdez on the roster. And why is he batting a head of Clark?

2007-05-09 16:28:18
56.   underdog
52 Hm, he must really be tired, then. He's looked it.

Argh, Clark robbed on that blooper.

2007-05-09 16:28:26
57.   Vishal
man, nice catch.
2007-05-09 16:29:45
58.   we are infinite
Isn't Kemp still healing, or am I totally behind the times?
2007-05-09 16:29:53
59.   Humma Kavula
Obviously, Willis is still upset.
2007-05-09 16:30:06
60.   El Lay Dave
53 But Willis is VERY tough on lefties.
Career:
vs. L .211 .274 .299 .573
vs. R .271 .333 .408 .741
2007-05-09 16:30:06
61.   Vishal
nice AB from tomko.

nice catch by borchard.

2007-05-09 16:30:46
62.   Vishal
[58] kemp is pounding the ball in AAA
2007-05-09 16:30:54
63.   El Lay Dave
0-2 on Furcal; was he hacking?
2007-05-09 16:31:41
64.   El Lay Dave
62 What was Ned's phrase? Would you say Kemp is "knocking the door down"?
2007-05-09 16:32:00
65.   Gen3Blue
If we have been Gentlemen enough to let Dontrelle get through his shakiness, the only strategy is to make him through enough pitches to get hime out of there.. Way to make him throw Juan.
2007-05-09 16:32:45
66.   Vishal
grady should make pierre do pushups every time he pops the ball up, a la willie mays hayes in major league. maybe that'll help him build up some arm strength while he's at it.
2007-05-09 16:32:54
67.   ssjames
Willis with 4 walks in 1 2/3 innings, so what does Pierre do, swing at the first pitch and fly out of course. Only 4 and 5/6 more years.
2007-05-09 16:34:07
68.   El Lay Dave
Apparently Furcal took two called strikes.
2007-05-09 16:34:33
69.   Jon Weisman
63 - Furcal took two called strikes.
2007-05-09 16:34:48
70.   Doctor
67

There really is just no excure for that. I mean its not like he sees a fat pitch and thinks- Im gonna hit it out!
Very frustrating b/c you know Willis can settle down and get nasty.

2007-05-09 16:34:57
71.   Vishal
[64] well, he's hitting .327/.387/.600 with 9 extra-base hits in 14 games. sure, he could probably use a few games, but he should be up sooner rather than later.
2007-05-09 16:35:19
72.   El Lay Dave
Does Grady have a "take" sign? That was also with Furcal - a purported base-stealer - on first. If Juan were leading off, he'd want his #2 guy to take there.
2007-05-09 16:36:24
73.   Gen3Blue
Belive me, Ethier would be the first to tell you he doesn't need any rest. He is a young baseball player. This isn't like soccer. If you can't do this every day--you are ready for the rest home.(Pitchers and catchers excluded.
2007-05-09 16:38:27
74.   El Lay Dave
24 pitches for Tomko, 49 for Willis.
2007-05-09 16:39:23
75.   underdog
Y'all are awfully cranky considering the Dodgers are winning. I'm afraid of what it'll look like here if they're losing; might have to hide behind my mom's apron.

(But, yes, I am cranky seeing Valdez in there today, too, instead of having Kemp on the team...)

2007-05-09 16:40:08
76.   underdog
Ooooooh. Cabrera just robbed Martin of two bases, darn him.
2007-05-09 16:40:12
77.   jasonungar07
I was thinking Willy Mays Hayes last night as well. Grady would make a perfect Lou too. With that drawl.

"You may run like the wind but you hit like bleep"

2007-05-09 16:40:35
78.   Gen3Blue
Keep going for that first pitch boys!
2007-05-09 16:40:52
79.   ToyCannon
If baseball players didn't need rest they wouldn't need greenies. I think your unfamiliar with a players daily routine. It is not like their day consists of only playing the game.
2007-05-09 16:41:07
80.   Vishal
looks like cabrera isn't too fat yet to play some good D, heh.
2007-05-09 16:41:53
81.   ToyCannon
We shall be behind soon enough
2007-05-09 16:42:45
82.   Vishal
it's so annoying; the dodgers are hacking at the first pitch and looking at fastballs down the middle when they're ahead in the count. absolutely backwards.
2007-05-09 16:43:58
83.   Vishal
[79] true enough. you gotta factor in drinking and partying with the groupies [rolls eyes]
2007-05-09 16:46:50
84.   underdog
I think Pierre was just asking Clark for advice on how he caught up to that one so quickly.
2007-05-09 16:47:32
85.   oldfan60
If Pierre has value--and I know the general opinion here is that he has very little--it is as a leadoff hitter with Martin second and Furcal third.
Take a look at the early games without Furcal and with Pierre leading off.
2007-05-09 16:47:49
86.   El Lay Dave
Outside of catchers and starting pitchers, I suspect the gardeners in my neighborhood expend more energy daily. Baseball is a languid game played in the summer (in the daytime) for a reason.
2007-05-09 16:49:35
87.   Humma Kavula
85 Pierre has value. He's one of the 1,000 or so best baseball players in the world.

Personally, I would use him as a reserve outfielder/pinch runner. I believe he would have quite a bit of value in that role.

2007-05-09 16:49:42
88.   El Lay Dave
Tomko returns the favor.
2007-05-09 16:50:53
89.   Vishal
[85] what would batting him leadoff achieve that can't be solved by batting him say, 8th?

tomko's working very quickly; i like it.

2007-05-09 16:51:41
90.   ToyCannon
Comments like that are so lame that i'll take my leave before I break a rule
2007-05-09 16:52:13
91.   bhsportsguy
87 Just want to make sure you know that I wasn't aiming my criticism solely at you, your points are valid.
2007-05-09 16:54:12
92.   bhsportsguy
See Valdez can bunt here. Oh happy day.
2007-05-09 16:54:20
93.   El Lay Dave
85 Sir, Juan Pierre makes outs at too high a rate for the last two seasons to justify hitting first or second. See 89, 8th works ok for me, too.
2007-05-09 16:54:25
94.   regfairfield
I love the fact that our announcers think Andy LaRoche stinks because of 90 at bats this season.
2007-05-09 16:56:23
95.   Vishal
[94] what've they been saying?
2007-05-09 16:56:24
96.   Jon Weisman
Valdez has fallen behind Betemit in OPS.
2007-05-09 16:57:18
97.   trainwreck
Rookies have been so bad this year that LaRoche is already top 10 in VORP for rookies and he is only going to move up after today.
2007-05-09 16:57:19
98.   bhsportsguy
Valdez does those scrappy things that Steve Lyons loves to talk about. (Just guessing because I am listening to Monday and Reuss).
2007-05-09 16:57:32
99.   Humma Kavula
91 Thanks. No worries.

Even if you were criticizing me specifically, that would be OK. My blog is obnoxious. I dish it out there; I like to think that I can take it, too.

2007-05-09 16:57:35
100.   Vishal
valdez does go from first to third very well, i'll give him that.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-05-09 16:57:41
101.   Gen3Blue
Now that was a nice play.
2007-05-09 16:57:57
102.   bhsportsguy
Tomko helps himself.
2007-05-09 16:58:15
103.   El Lay Dave
SQUEEZE with the pitcher!
2007-05-09 16:58:16
104.   Johnson
94 Really? In his admittedly small sample size thus far he's hitting .444 and has been on base 7 times in 12 PAs. Looking good so far, I'd say.
2007-05-09 16:58:51
105.   regfairfield
95 Well, it seems like every time he does anything it's "Andy LaRoche, who was hitting only .235 in AAA...
2007-05-09 16:59:13
106.   bhsportsguy
Please let that be Raffy's wake up call.
2007-05-09 16:59:32
107.   underdog
Now that's the Furcal we know and love.

How can the announcers be dissing La Roche - he's already been a ton more productive than Betemit was there.

2007-05-09 16:59:58
108.   El Lay Dave
100 Valdez is a good IF glove man too.
2007-05-09 17:00:09
109.   underdog
Now *that's the Pierre... we know.

{cough}

2007-05-09 17:00:23
110.   bhsportsguy
Pierre F7 F7 F8

I can be factual too.

2007-05-09 17:00:30
111.   trainwreck
At least Pierre is getting the ball to the outfield.
2007-05-09 17:00:56
112.   scareduck
104 - really kind of amazing how well he's working out in small samples.
2007-05-09 17:01:17
113.   Telemachos
105, 107 Sounds like it's just a bit of compare-n-contrast... as in, look how great he's performing up here!
2007-05-09 17:01:22
114.   El Lay Dave
106 I second that emotion.
2007-05-09 17:01:29
115.   scareduck
109 - don't forget to turn your head.
2007-05-09 17:02:20
116.   underdog
115 Always do. Watching Pierre bat sort of feels like a hernia test anyway.
2007-05-09 17:02:59
117.   Gen3Blue
I know there is reason for optimism, but one 25 pitch inning would just about do for Willis and give more reason.
2007-05-09 17:03:58
118.   underdog
I've noticed that all the Marlins' TV Afflac trivia questions have been about the Dodgers this series. I guess when your franchise has only been around for a few years that's not super surprising.
2007-05-09 17:06:18
119.   Vishal
[112] why are you so skeptical of laroche's performance, rob? is he not one of our top prospects? so he started the year out slowly in AAA... that doesn't necessarily mean his performance the past week is a total fluke.
2007-05-09 17:06:20
120.   StolenMonkey86
Nice, Tomko's at 50 pitches through 4.
2007-05-09 17:06:46
121.   El Lay Dave
walking uggla makes me nervous, but he got Cabrera.
2007-05-09 17:11:45
122.   Gen3Blue
What. Did Tomato hit it off his foot.
2007-05-09 17:12:29
123.   Gen3Blue
These announcers reveal nothing about what is going on in the game.
2007-05-09 17:13:06
124.   Vishal
the tomato goes SPLAT!
2007-05-09 17:13:14
125.   underdog
That one was really tomatoed.
2007-05-09 17:13:31
126.   Humma Kavula
Monday just notified: Randy Johnson struck out the first 6 batters and now has 9 through 5 1/3.
2007-05-09 17:13:38
127.   El Lay Dave
Olmedo Tornado!
Adios, amigos!
2007-05-09 17:13:45
128.   underdog
122 Yeah, he did. And then he hit the ball out of the park because it made him mad.
2007-05-09 17:13:45
129.   Gen3Blue
Alright Tomato. He went down and I thought he was hurt but these annoucers didn't mention him till he went very deep.
2007-05-09 17:13:46
130.   bhsportsguy
The Tomato

Minor League Report:
Jacksonville won today 4-1.

Hu went 3-5 and is now hitting .380
Paul went 2-4
Meloan pitched his second day in a row for his second save in a row.

2007-05-09 17:14:39
131.   Gen3Blue
Pitch count getting up there come on Wilson.
2007-05-09 17:14:40
132.   bhsportsguy
Andy showing that great batting eye.
2007-05-09 17:15:15
133.   bhsportsguy
3B probably leads all positions in getting walks this year.
2007-05-09 17:15:21
134.   Humma Kavula
patience, wilson...

...gah.

2007-05-09 17:16:18
135.   Jon Weisman
LaRoche has a .600 OBP.
2007-05-09 17:20:21
136.   Humma Kavula
58 pitches through 5.
2007-05-09 17:20:34
137.   Vishal
very economical, brett. an 8-pitch inning.
2007-05-09 17:21:21
138.   Underbruin
135 - Too bad it has to go down at some point (or does it, mwahahaha). Some of the younger players that come up have had such hot starts recently (Andy, Kemp both this season and last, etc) that you wish that was the level of production they'd actually enjoy for their careers. :)
2007-05-09 17:21:44
139.   jasonungar07
135 yeah but how many steals? :-)
2007-05-09 17:22:11
140.   El Lay Dave
137 Especially efficient considering it included two Ks.
2007-05-09 17:25:05
141.   Humma Kavula
Come on, Rick, you just told the story -- mention the blog!
2007-05-09 17:25:06
142.   D4P
7-pitch inning for Willis, including a hit.
2007-05-09 17:25:22
143.   underdog
Good ol' Slappy McLazyflyball.
2007-05-09 17:26:22
144.   ssjames
In 4 ABs today, when Willis has given up 5 BBs and KO'd no one, Pierre has only seen 7 total pitches, never more than 2 in one at bat.
2007-05-09 17:26:28
145.   El Lay Dave
142 Hacktastic performance from the top of the order there.
2007-05-09 17:27:17
146.   ssjames
144 Also, Pierre has four fly ball outs today, which is not the best for a speedy player with no power.
2007-05-09 17:27:29
147.   scooplew
At the very least, Little should drop Pierre to the No. 8 spot in the batting order. Better yet, bench him for a couple of games. This is ridiculous.
2007-05-09 17:28:23
148.   D4P
Pierre's OPS is now a cool .600
2007-05-09 17:28:28
149.   El Lay Dave
144 and flied out four times.

Furcal's seen 10 pitches and he does have the RBI double, but grounding out on the first pitch there?

2007-05-09 17:29:15
150.   El Lay Dave
148 Same as LaRoche's OBP, as pointed out in 135
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-05-09 17:29:31
151.   D4P
Brett's performance is now boring.
2007-05-09 17:29:50
152.   Vishal
that's one of the cheapest hits i've ever seen.
2007-05-09 17:29:54
153.   El Lay Dave
Ah, and the game loses an interesting facet.
2007-05-09 17:29:56
154.   natepurcell
119

hes skeptical of every prospect.

2007-05-09 17:29:58
155.   jasonungar07
Yeah the fly balls, whats with the flyballs? Is that a sign that someone like him is struggling? I admit I have never really watched the guy play before.
2007-05-09 17:29:58
156.   StolenMonkey86
how hard was that ground ball to get to?
2007-05-09 17:30:52
157.   scooplew
From the L.A. Daily News on May 1, and more appropriate now than ever:

Dodgers notes: Pierre needs grounding
BY BILLY WITZ, Staff Writer

"When Whitey Herzog managed the St. Louis Cardinals, he fined Ozzie Smith $1 every time he hit the ball in the air and paid Smith $1 each time he hit the ball on the ground, the point being that Smith was wasting his biggest offensive asset, his speed, if he hit fly balls.

"If Dodgers manager Grady Little had the same arrangement with Juan Pierre, the center fielder's wallet might be a little lighter these days.

"During Pierre's slump over the past week and a half - he is batting .220 since April 21 - he's made 13 outs in the air and eight on the ground. Prior to that, Pierre had made 13 outs in the air and 31 on the ground, a span in which he batted .305. . . . "

2007-05-09 17:32:09
158.   El Lay Dave
I want to be happy. The Dodgers lead Dontrelle Willis by four runs and Tomko's pitching well. But certain players doing certain things just drag me down. I hate to contribute to the bash-fest, but, geez, how long can they keep doing this to me???
2007-05-09 17:32:31
159.   Andrew Shimmin
Three runs.
2007-05-09 17:32:34
160.   natepurcell
Tomko is losing it really quickly.
2007-05-09 17:32:40
161.   Vishal
[156] it was a dying quail between the mound and the 2nd baseman. kent was playing deep and by the time he got to it, ramirez had pretty much gotten to first already.
2007-05-09 17:32:51
162.   scooplew
Tomko often loses it in a hurry. Let's hope he does not tonight.
2007-05-09 17:33:04
163.   Johnson
150 I'm getting LaRoche with 8 times reached base (4 hits, 4 BB) in 13 PAs for .615, I don't know if D4P was rounding or if our numbers don't quite agree.
2007-05-09 17:33:06
164.   D4P
Maybe pitchers are intentionally keeping the ball up in the strike zone with Pierre. 'Twould be a good strategy.
2007-05-09 17:33:26
165.   El Lay Dave
Settle down Brett....you haven't made that many pitches, still sharp....
2007-05-09 17:33:44
166.   Bob Timmermann
The dreaded 4-1 score.

That's been trouble recently.

2007-05-09 17:34:20
167.   natepurcell
163

he was HBP also.

2007-05-09 17:34:30
168.   Vishal
[166] the dodgers are definitely better with 4+1 than 4-1.
2007-05-09 17:34:31
169.   El Lay Dave
163 The sac fly counts against his OBP.
2007-05-09 17:35:37
170.   El Lay Dave
167 + 167 makes 9 /15 = .600
2007-05-09 17:36:38
171.   Bob Timmermann
Ryan Howard turned around the score in Arizona with a grand slam to put the Phillies up 4-3.
2007-05-09 17:37:02
172.   El Lay Dave
Boone has 3 career HR against Tomko.
2007-05-09 17:37:35
173.   El Lay Dave
171 Gotta love large ball.
2007-05-09 17:38:34
174.   El Lay Dave
Way for Tomko to show fortitude there. 80 pitches through 6.
2007-05-09 17:38:48
175.   Bob Timmermann
The starting pitchers in Arizona were a combined 87 years old.
2007-05-09 17:39:52
176.   Johnson
170 Ah. The sac fly and the HBP don't show up on the Yahoo stats page I was using. I should probably use better stats.
2007-05-09 17:42:30
177.   El Lay Dave
176 See Baseball Reference under the "Invaluable Resources" banner on the right.
2007-05-09 17:44:31
178.   trainwreck
Wow, did not think Willis would go 7 innings today.
2007-05-09 17:44:50
179.   underdog
The Big Unit can't be a happy man at this moment, after that slam.
2007-05-09 17:45:00
180.   Vishal
doesn't it seem like there are an uncharacteristically large number of games which have started out "interesting" this year for several innings?
2007-05-09 17:45:48
181.   El Lay Dave
178 Down 4-0 and having made 99 pitches, most managers hit for the pitcher leading off the bottom of the 6th. Dontrelle's their horse though, I guess.
2007-05-09 17:46:10
182.   Gen3Blue
I think it was a bad mistake that we couldn't put Dontrelle away before seven.
Especially it the offense behaves like the 2005 offense, which apparently thought if they had a lead, the best thing to do was get out with as few pitches as possible to hasten the end.
2007-05-09 17:46:36
183.   Benaiah
Man, I was catching up on last night's Veronica Mars (which was excellent) and I come back to see Tomko is nursing a no no in the sixth and the very first thing I see is a terrible hit to break it up. Misery. I think I jinxed him by tuning into the game. Then I went and read all the comments before posting.
2007-05-09 17:46:47
184.   Bob Timmermann
Through 6 1/2 in Baltimore:

Devil Rays 0
Orioles 0

That game is only of interest to fantasy players and members of the Eric Bedard Marching and Chowder Society however.

2007-05-09 17:49:51
185.   Bob Timmermann
183
Veronica Mars was preempted in LA last night because of the Griffith Park Fire, so be careful.
2007-05-09 17:50:09
186.   StolenMonkey86
184 - Bedard with 10 K's through 7 in that game
2007-05-09 17:50:27
187.   natepurcell
oh come on!
2007-05-09 17:50:37
188.   Humma Kavula
Monday just called Broxton "The Bull!" Has he been doing that all season? I always heard him call him "The Ox" and other nicknames... not DT's "The Bull."
2007-05-09 17:50:38
189.   MMSMikey
are we going to blow yet another 4-1 lead?
2007-05-09 17:50:43
190.   Gen3Blue
We didn't put Willis away and we are done.
2007-05-09 17:50:57
191.   ROC
"The Dodger lead the league in utility players" - Marlins announcers on the insertion of Ramon at 1st.

I'll won't mind them so much when the game in on EI in HD tomorrow morning at 9am.

2007-05-09 17:51:13
192.   Benaiah
Ugh. It was a matter of time. Tomko is a decent 5th starter, but there are better options.
2007-05-09 17:51:30
193.   El Lay Dave
Lucille II at first is strictly a defensive move, yes? Olmedo's not hurt, right?
2007-05-09 17:51:51
194.   Gen3Blue
Do you think we could possibly score a few more runs?
2007-05-09 17:51:55
195.   natepurcell
We didn't put Willis away and we are done.

We're still winning.

2007-05-09 17:52:17
196.   Borchard504
Broxton? The man is texas sized. I thought I just saw a power fwd running onto the field.
2007-05-09 17:52:36
197.   El Lay Dave
Still a one-run lead. But putting in Lucille II there blocks the obvious double-switch with Olmedo if you have to go get Tomko.
2007-05-09 17:52:47
198.   trainwreck
What is going on? Gameday still says there is a coaching visit.
2007-05-09 17:52:54
199.   Benaiah
185 - Are they going to replay it or is everyone expected to download it or something? All I will say is that Paul Rudd guest stars and he is excellent as usual.
2007-05-09 17:53:31
200.   theweakspot in LA
Broxton has always been the Bull.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2007-05-09 17:53:37
201.   D4P
Phew. Quality Start for Tomko.
2007-05-09 17:53:58
202.   Gen3Blue
Someone thinks its time to put Ethier int the ball game?
2007-05-09 17:54:57
203.   Bob Timmermann
194

I mean no offense, but have you ever been optimistic about anything?

Sometimes Eeyore had a rosier view of life.

2007-05-09 17:55:18
204.   underdog
Everytime Broxton comes in I miss Mark Grace's commentary.
2007-05-09 17:55:18
205.   Bob Timmermann
199
It will be shown on Saturday.
2007-05-09 17:55:27
206.   MMSMikey
no walks jb no walks
2007-05-09 17:55:39
207.   Andrew Shimmin
Olmedo did foul one off his foot. Then he hit a home run. But it still probably hurt.
2007-05-09 17:55:40
208.   trainwreck
Gameday says we moved Valdez to second, is that true?
2007-05-09 17:56:02
209.   MMSMikey
duck farts are golden
2007-05-09 17:56:29
210.   D4P
Gameday says we moved Valdez to second, is that true?

Yes. That's the kinda flexibility Ned loves.

2007-05-09 17:56:37
211.   Curtis Lowe
okay...
2007-05-09 17:57:10
212.   Vishal
[202] yahoo says he's in.
2007-05-09 17:57:18
213.   underdog
That was a good piece of hitting, that ball was way down but he golfed it, darn him.
2007-05-09 17:57:24
214.   El Lay Dave
208 Broxton in Kent's spot, Ethier to RF hitting 9th, Clark over to LF.
2007-05-09 17:57:29
215.   Andrew Shimmin
The Bull gives Martin a pop quiz on fielding an awful pitch out. Russ, of course, passes.
2007-05-09 17:58:45
216.   MMSMikey
lets go john throw strikes.
2007-05-09 17:58:57
217.   El Lay Dave
No pitchout! Just blow Uggla away.
2007-05-09 17:59:08
218.   trainwreck
Thanks for the responses.
2007-05-09 17:59:26
219.   Vishal
that was off broxton, not martin.
2007-05-09 17:59:26
220.   underdog
He could have been called out just as easily on that one. Oh well.
2007-05-09 17:59:38
221.   Andrew Shimmin
High throw, but it wasn't trailing to the first base side, like several of Martin's recent ones. Hanley got a good jump.
2007-05-09 18:00:10
222.   El Lay Dave
Don't care about the steal, just get Uggla!
2007-05-09 18:00:34
223.   El Lay Dave
220 Smoke gets in the ump's eyes?
2007-05-09 18:00:41
224.   LAT
I'm sure its in the comments from the last thread which I have'nt read but who was the late second baseman that Martin dressed down for being late to the bag. Hard to believe it would have Kent.
2007-05-09 18:00:57
225.   Bob Timmermann
"Get Christie Uggla" was the original name of "Get Christie Love", but that didn't test well with focus groups.
2007-05-09 18:01:18
226.   El Lay Dave
Yes - no Cabrera, my heart is relieved.
2007-05-09 18:02:16
227.   El Lay Dave
225 LOL
2007-05-09 18:04:00
228.   natepurcell
Laroche is pretty awesome.
2007-05-09 18:04:03
229.   Humma Kavula
He's a walkin' fool!
2007-05-09 18:04:14
230.   trainwreck
JAWFAndy
2007-05-09 18:04:15
231.   D4P
JAWFL
2007-05-09 18:04:57
232.   Vishal
haha, great minds think alike.
2007-05-09 18:05:27
233.   Andrew Shimmin
225- That's so weird. I heard a rumor that Uggla Love was the original title of the Supremes hit, Baby Love.
2007-05-09 18:06:34
234.   underdog
223 Or smoking, yes.

{in Floyd the barber voice:} Oooh, Andy. You walking and running fool.

Nice bunt by Valdez there.

2007-05-09 18:06:41
235.   FirstMohican
LaRoche doesn't look 6-1
2007-05-09 18:08:18
236.   natepurcell
235

yeah.....he's not.

2007-05-09 18:09:26
237.   El Lay Dave
Messenger is hittable AND walks a lot of batters. Practice discipline Dodgers.
2007-05-09 18:09:34
238.   underdog
An insurance run or two would be nice, since I have to leave soon and don't want to be worrying any more than I will be.
2007-05-09 18:09:53
239.   El Lay Dave
235 He's listed that, but he looks 5'10" or 5'11".
2007-05-09 18:09:55
240.   Benaiah
230,231 - No entiendo.
2007-05-09 18:10:45
241.   El Lay Dave
Takes the bat out of Ethier's hands, I think.
2007-05-09 18:12:23
242.   boco
BaseballCube and others have always had Andy at 5-11.
2007-05-09 18:12:33
243.   overkill94
I don't think the Marlins have seen Pierre's bases loaded splits
2007-05-09 18:12:35
244.   MMSMikey
walking furcal, thats a great move. great move. i dont think lefty lefty has a thing to do with it.
2007-05-09 18:12:48
245.   Humma Kavula
Walking Furcal intentionally.

Juan Pierre with the bases loaded.

I know we discussed this yesterday. I would love for Juan to do something more in line with his career average.

2007-05-09 18:13:03
246.   underdog
Too bad Andre didn't read your advice, Dave.

Smart move by the Marlins here.

2007-05-09 18:13:10
247.   Benaiah
Well, I am not expecting much from Pierre right now.
2007-05-09 18:13:17
248.   capdodger
Oh boy. Another chance for Pierre to fail.
2007-05-09 18:13:18
249.   trainwreck
Now this is funny.
2007-05-09 18:13:29
250.   D4P
240
JAWF = Just Another Walk For
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2007-05-09 18:13:34
251.   MMSMikey
thanks juan.
2007-05-09 18:13:41
252.   Humma Kavula
jlsfklkslhgs[jghlisjlhsdajowreuiwaerhijko
2007-05-09 18:13:47
253.   natepurcell
honestly.../sigh
2007-05-09 18:13:53
254.   MMSMikey
44 million.
2007-05-09 18:14:09
255.   underdog
Well, he gave that a ride. But showed zero patience, as usual. Sigh.
2007-05-09 18:14:27
256.   D4P
Pierre's OPS now = .595
2007-05-09 18:14:30
257.   Benaiah
Wow, how miserable do you have to for the announcers to mainly be worried about bunting for a hit with the bases loaded?
2007-05-09 18:14:33
258.   underdog
What 252 said.
2007-05-09 18:15:34
259.   MMSMikey
how can they continue to let him bat 2nd, this happens EVERY SINGLE GAME.
2007-05-09 18:16:16
260.   trainwreck
Maybe Ned likes to sacrifice wins for the sake of comedy.
2007-05-09 18:16:31
261.   El Lay Dave
Well played by Fredi Gonzalez.
2007-05-09 18:16:44
262.   Vishal
come on broxton, payback time. strike him out.
2007-05-09 18:17:39
263.   Humma Kavula
Juan is now on a pace to make 567 outs this season.
2007-05-09 18:18:11
264.   El Lay Dave
Five flyouts for Pierre today; that will not sit well.
2007-05-09 18:18:36
265.   overkill94
Phew, we didn't get Miggyed that time
2007-05-09 18:19:04
266.   Vishal
impressive that cabrera even got a bat on that.
2007-05-09 18:19:09
267.   underdog
Well, at least he caught that one.

{Whistling "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"}

2007-05-09 18:19:11
268.   El Lay Dave
259 LOL, but I gotta call rule 6 on that!
2007-05-09 18:20:16
269.   Humma Kavula
Well, this has been fun. I think I'll go sit in traffic.
2007-05-09 18:21:13
270.   underdog
Is that really hyperbole?
2007-05-09 18:21:13
271.   trainwreck
I bet Willis is going to be really upset with your site tonight.
2007-05-09 18:21:23
272.   El Lay Dave
269 I gotta do the same and subject myself to the radio call.
2007-05-09 18:22:08
273.   Benaiah
Pierre with Bases Loaded: 000/000/000 in 9 ABs
Rest of Dodgers with BL: .107/.206/.214

Teams should just load the bases every inning because we sure aren't going to capitalize.

2007-05-09 18:22:25
274.   underdog
I gotta do the same, too, except on the bus, and don't get the game on the radio up here. :-(
2007-05-09 18:23:25
275.   underdog
273 I don't know about Pierre, but you gotta believe those numbers will improve a bit as the season goes on.

Sweet pitch on that K, from Broxton.

2007-05-09 18:23:33
276.   El Lay Dave
270 That may depend on exactly what "this" refers to, but if it means making out with the bases-loaded, then yes, "every single game" is hyperbolic.
2007-05-09 18:23:52
277.   still bevens
That strikeout pitch on Willingham was disgusting. Was that the slider or split?
2007-05-09 18:25:09
278.   Andrew Shimmin
This plug for LuGo's, "In My Own Words," makes it uncomfortably clear just how well defined the veins in his arms were, back when he was a slugger.
2007-05-09 18:25:28
279.   scooplew
I wonder if Pierre tied a record tonight for most fly outs (5) by a weak-hitting, overpaid centerfielder who frequently takes the wrong route on a flyball
2007-05-09 18:25:46
280.   StolenMonkey86
Betemit on deck?
2007-05-09 18:27:11
281.   natepurcell
would you say Martin is the most untouchable player in the dodgers org?

Betemit looks sweet with the high socks.

2007-05-09 18:28:23
282.   still bevens
That down and in pitch to Betemit was... lamentable for our boy Gregg.
2007-05-09 18:28:23
283.   FirstMohican
First time I've ever seen Donnelly with a conservative move.
2007-05-09 18:28:38
284.   imperabo
Betemit was so all over that he could have hit it twice.
2007-05-09 18:28:50
285.   Greg Brock
Betemit has found his calling...

Ugh. Steiner just said that as I typed it.

-1 for me.

2007-05-09 18:29:01
286.   LeeLacy
LaRoche is playing in his 4th game of the season, and he already has almost as many walks (5) as Pierre (6), who's playing in his 34th.

Just thought I'd throw that out there ...

2007-05-09 18:29:27
287.   overkill94
Atlanta's helping out the cause while showing that The Cla is human after all, 3-2 Bravos after 7
2007-05-09 18:29:47
288.   Connector
281
Betemit "looks sweet" lining a double
2007-05-09 18:30:48
289.   blutomania
LEt's go Roach!
2007-05-09 18:31:03
290.   overkill94
Chant it with me! Fu-tility! Fu-tility! Fu-tility!
2007-05-09 18:31:18
291.   imperabo
Martin should have gone in on the double, but will anyone but me criticize the the decision?
2007-05-09 18:31:55
292.   regfairfield
Well, we just got stuck with Valdez for another month. Hope we win this one.
2007-05-09 18:32:01
293.   imperabo
Best. . . bunter . . . ever.
2007-05-09 18:32:11
294.   overkill94
That was an awesome bunt. Let's drop the million-dollar Lucille II instead of Valdez
2007-05-09 18:32:24
295.   still bevens
Man Valdez just made this board look foolish. At least for an afternoon.
2007-05-09 18:32:34
296.   Greg Brock
Good job, Wilson Valdez. I'll remember that one forever when you're released. Hopefully.
2007-05-09 18:32:43
297.   Connector
Great bunt
2007-05-09 18:32:53
298.   KAYVMON
Wait, but if Wilson Valdez is the best bunter and baserunner on the Dodgers, whats left for poor old Juan Pierre to do.
2007-05-09 18:33:18
299.   Benaiah
285 - The sad thing is that Betemit might actually get typecast as a result of 4 at bats. He could be an extremely serviceable starter in 3 infield positions.
2007-05-09 18:33:28
300.   Greg Brock
299 Suck.
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2007-05-09 18:33:32
301.   imperabo
Ethier's going from babyface to boyband.
2007-05-09 18:33:37
302.   capdodger
291 I agree, but the point is moot now.
2007-05-09 18:33:55
303.   FirstMohican
Steiner was watching the wrong fielder... thought it was gone.
2007-05-09 18:34:05
304.   natepurcell
3.5 almost got that one.
2007-05-09 18:34:12
305.   overkill94
Is last year's LOB record in jeopardy? What are we on pace for?
2007-05-09 18:34:27
306.   sbdrew
I can't help but think this hot hitting is just a coincidence for Betemit. Over the last two seasons (619 ABs), he hit 35 doubles and 22 HRs, while collecting 73 RBIs. He is only 26, so a slump over 50 some ABs shouldn't have sent him to the bench in my opinion. Going 3-4 with 2 HRs and a double as a pinch hitter doesn't mean that is his calling
2007-05-09 18:34:29
307.   Greg Brock
Woops, 300 was meant for 298. Sorry, kids.
2007-05-09 18:34:54
308.   natepurcell
298

he can take the title of the best outmaker.

2007-05-09 18:35:22
309.   imperabo
299 He could be a more servicable super-utility primary lefthanded pinch hitter.
2007-05-09 18:35:27
310.   KAYVMON
291- I think he would have scored and would have slide home just because thats what type of player he is.
2007-05-09 18:35:45
311.   StolenMonkey86
304 - Just short of 4 total bases on that one
2007-05-09 18:35:53
312.   capdodger
299 That would be Hansenesque.
2007-05-09 18:37:43
313.   capdodger
303 The Marlins booth crew were watching the wrong guy, as well. So were the guys in the truck.
2007-05-09 18:38:47
314.   sbdrew
Sammy's slider is nasty
2007-05-09 18:38:52
315.   Connector
Saito: 20 K / 1 BB
2007-05-09 18:39:08
316.   Vishal
wow, saito hit 95
2007-05-09 18:39:35
317.   Jon Weisman
295 - How?
2007-05-09 18:39:52
318.   natepurcell
i really would like to see betemit with a couple games at shortstop just to see how he moves around there now that he carrying more weight then 2 years ago.
2007-05-09 18:40:27
319.   Bob Timmermann
The Dodgers are on pace for 1220 LOB.

That would be 3 short of the LA team record. The franchise record is 1278 set in 1947.

2007-05-09 18:40:36
320.   sbdrew
20-14...how good would we be with Pierre on the bench and Kemp playing?
2007-05-09 18:41:23
321.   Vishal
not a good play by valdez.
2007-05-09 18:42:21
322.   Jon Weisman
I think we've reached a quota of anti-Pierre comments for the moment. I don't see any new ground being broken.
2007-05-09 18:43:05
323.   imperabo
How good would this board be without pointless and repetative specualtion.
2007-05-09 18:44:53
324.   Vishal
[322] yeah, even i've had my fill.
2007-05-09 18:44:55
325.   overkill94
So why are the Marlins keeping 24 pitchers on their roster? I know Dontrelle's a pretty good hitter and all, but is there a good reason for the excess pitching?
2007-05-09 18:45:11
326.   k0b3
322 - lol i was just about to add another anti-pierre statement but it can wait till tomorrow's game when it probably will be warranted
2007-05-09 18:45:37
327.   still bevens
295 I guess foolish is excessive but he did bring something to the table at the 7 spot today. I'm glad we got a win with this 'interesting' lineup Grady brought out tonight.
2007-05-09 18:45:47
328.   Jon Weisman
323 - It'd be better, but I do understand where it comes from. As I wrote about Pierre a month or so ago, many of the comments come in response to something - when someone says something you disagree with, it's hard to let it go. But sometimes it goes too far.
2007-05-09 18:46:42
329.   regfairfield
320 According to PECOTA, half a win. Replacing one guy in the short term means very little.
2007-05-09 18:47:05
330.   FirstMohican
Lyons has got a mean hairdo
2007-05-09 18:47:30
331.   Greg Brock
We won tonight, by they way.

Woohoo. I love winning...It's like, better than losing.

2007-05-09 18:47:52
332.   Gen3Blue
Thank God Sammy. But Ethier almost got that one. If the D's continue getting so many men on base eventually guys like Eth, Kemp, Martin and Loney are going to hit.
2007-05-09 18:48:04
333.   Jon Weisman
327 - I doubt anyone thinks Valdez is incapable of bringing something to the table, much less that he can't bunt. But being able to bring something to the table is not the be-all and end-all. The only question on people's minds is whether he belongs on the roster, or whether someone who's not on the roster should be promoted ahead of him, and I don't think anything he did today should change anyone's position.
2007-05-09 18:48:21
334.   FirstMohican
Kevin Kennedy said LaRoche has an above average glove and arm and Betemit isn't a good defender. I've heard the opposite. What gives.
2007-05-09 18:49:08
335.   Bob Timmermann
The 1947 Dodgers likely left so many runners on because they lead the NL in OBP at .361, but they were 6th in the league in homers with just 83.

The team also grounded into the fewest DPs of any Dodger team with just 87.

2007-05-09 18:49:15
336.   trainwreck
The best thing to come out of the Warriors' playoff run is that now people want to go to the bar at night to watch sports.

Have a good evening everyone.

2007-05-09 18:49:52
337.   imperabo
328 I don't mind the criticisms as much as the unending barage of alternate lineup suggestions excluding him. Not only is it repetative and pointless, but all it does is rub salt in the wound because we know he's not going anywhere for a long time. People please have the strength to accept what you cannot change.
2007-05-09 18:51:01
338.   natepurcell
334

dodger propaganda? laroche has had a reputation of being a solid defensive 3b coming up through the minors. Betemit, a former shortstop is currently the better fielder though.

2007-05-09 18:53:19
339.   still bevens
I've noticed in the last couple broadcasts they've been putting the badmouth on the 'mood in the clubhouse the last couple years'. Is that a reference to '05? And Milton Bradley specifically?
2007-05-09 18:53:19
340.   natepurcell
Little also indicated that going to 12 pitchers might lead to the return to the starting rotation of Chad Billingsley, who struck out each of the three batters he faced Tuesday night.

we (DTers) might win one battle soon!

2007-05-09 18:54:16
341.   imperabo
333 I totally agree, but I hope he's still in the organization in September to be used as a pinch bunter. I've seriously never seen anyone better at that utterly minor piece of the game.
2007-05-09 18:57:23
342.   Branch Rickey
340- Who would he replace in the rotation?
2007-05-09 18:57:53
343.   Jon Weisman
337 - I don't think Pierre will be traded this year as some have suggested/wish, but I don't think it's beyond reason to think that if he continues at this rate and Kemp is mashing the ball, he could spend some time on the bench. At any rate, it's the repetition of the thought, not the thought itself, that's the problem.
2007-05-09 18:58:57
344.   Jon Weisman
I mean, if Nomar can be benched for slumping, anyone in this lineup can.
2007-05-09 19:00:31
345.   Bob Timmermann
Everybody knows the divisive influence in the 2005 Dodgers clubhouse was Buddy Carlyle. Or possibly Mike Edwards.
2007-05-09 19:01:06
346.   natepurcell
342

doesnt say. im assuming tomko.

2007-05-09 19:03:14
347.   Branch Rickey
I have suffered an unspeakable loss. My DirecTV DVR glitched and I lost everything on it. Last two weeks of Sopranos and Entourage that I had yet to see along with 30 hours+ of sweet sweet programming. How am I supposed to just start over? Why do bad things happen to good people?
2007-05-09 19:04:09
348.   Branch Rickey
342- I wouldn't start Billingsley over Tomko right now.
2007-05-09 19:06:28
349.   Benaiah
347 - Those shows will be rerun by HBO at some point during the week (not to mention on demand) as for the other 30+ hours, some of them must be available online and other you will forget you missed. I have suffered such a fate before, and it proves to be less of a problem then you think.
2007-05-09 19:07:20
350.   Jon Weisman
347 - That happened to me a year or so ago. Sad.

345 - Bob just violated Rule 99 - the dissing Buddy Carlyle rule.

Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2007-05-09 19:07:57
351.   Bob Timmermann
347
Courage.

You can rebuild.

But you bet I won't be waiting around long to watch "Lost" tonight.

2007-05-09 19:08:52
352.   imperabo
343 At what rate? He's on pace for close to 200 hits and 60 steals, as usual. If Ned didn't think that was gangbusters he wouldn't have signed him. Although the defense may have come as a surprise. You're just causing yourself more pain by not fully resigning yourself to your fate.
2007-05-09 19:12:35
353.   Branch Rickey
Thanks for your kind words. Yeah, this weeks shows will get re-run but the two week olds will be lost. I'll see them some day. I vow to rebuild.
2007-05-09 19:13:23
354.   overkill94
352 All I ask is that he gets dropped to the 8th spot. I don't care if it's Martin or Ethier that gets bumped up to the 2 spot, I'm just tired of Pierre not coming through in all these important situations.
2007-05-09 19:14:45
355.   Jon Weisman
352 - I'm fine, but thanks for worrying.
2007-05-09 19:15:26
356.   overkill94
Catcher's interference alert in Los Angeles, err, Anaheim, err Los Angeles in Anaheim, ummm, in the Angels game. Chalk one up for Travis Hafner and the Indians.
2007-05-09 19:16:21
357.   PDH5204
333 Of course he won't change your mind, but then again, that doesn't mean that your prior position is correct. It isn't. He brings speed, which can't be taught. No one, repeat, no one on the team runs from first to third like he does. No one can bunt like he does either. We'd be better off retaining his unique skill set than we would adding someone who already has the same skill set as already possessed by more than a few on the club. We call bringing up the same skill set in exclusion of that which is unique, loss by superfluous accumulation. Oh, and Jon, Valdez is as much a player of the game today as anyone else. One might even say that we might well have lost three additional games this year without him.

351 If he is put on waivers, someone will pick him up. It's not everyone who can bunt for a hit, or even bunt, when needed. And if you'd like to have a guy with speed on the bases late in the game to score on that one hit, he's your man.

318 Betemit is too portly now to play shortstop. Unless, of course, you want a rose bush at 2nd and one at SS as well. Oh, and by the way, he is a poor fielder when it comes to charging the ball squibbed or bunted up the line [he's much too slow]. Not that they are "natural" 3rd baseman, as they aren't, but both Martinez and Valdez can make the described play much better than one Wilson Betemit.

2007-05-09 19:17:01
358.   Andrew Shimmin
Pierre's on track for 186 Hits and 57 SBs.
2007-05-09 19:18:50
359.   D4P
358
And 110 runs scored.
2007-05-09 19:20:08
360.   imperabo
Slap doesn't slump.
2007-05-09 19:23:13
361.   natepurcell
I guess I will never understand the infatuation with slick fielding, slap hitting, scrappy players.
2007-05-09 19:24:42
362.   LeeLacy
359
And 24 RBIs.
2007-05-09 19:26:39
363.   imperabo
361 It would be a better, more nuanced, more strategic game if those things mattered more. I think people focus on them because they want them to matter.
2007-05-09 19:26:53
364.   natepurcell
at some point soon, the dodgers have to make a decision on valdez and martinez. Keep one or the other but not both. As a team already lacking in big time offensive players, we dont have the luxury to keep two utility players with the same skillset on the team.
2007-05-09 19:26:57
365.   Branch Rickey
Shawn Green shaved his head. He shouldn't have.
2007-05-09 19:27:25
366.   Andrew Shimmin
"Loss by superfluous accumulation" returns zero Google hits.
2007-05-09 19:29:06
367.   natepurcell
363

its also the less efficient way to win games and in the long run of a season, those small things they do well do not outweigh the limited offense they produce.

2007-05-09 19:29:29
368.   Branch Rickey
363. The game is about winning. People focus on whatever will achieve that. It makes no sense to focus on something else for it's beauty. What's "better" is what wins.
2007-05-09 19:33:31
369.   imperabo
367 Yeah, efficiency is really fun to root for. Well actually it is for me, but you have to see why most fans don't see that.

368 The game is most definitely NOT about winning. The goal of each team is to win, the overall goal of the game is produciting an entertaining product. There will be just as much winning overall no matter what, but it won't matter if nobody in entertained by it.

2007-05-09 19:35:33
370.   twerp
Ned has shown willingness to correct mistakes. But will he come to think of JP as one? Even if Ned does see problems now, he's likely to wait, hoping a better JP shows up and saves him from having to do something.

Even if he were inclined to move now, seems like a newly signed free agent can't be traded before June or something like that.

Any move--however unlikely--probably would involve the Dodgers paying a lot of his salary. But that's not exactly unheard of.

2007-05-09 19:35:41
371.   imperabo
By the way I'm talking about why announcers and fans are interested in the small ball aspects of the game. I agree that there is no excuse for a GM to look at anything other than winning. And maybe a little PR.
2007-05-09 19:36:51
372.   Branch Rickey
369. I think you are seriously confused. It is certainly not the job of any general manager to make the game more entertaining at the cost of winning. If you don't like the rules of baseball, write to the commisioners office. Until then, expect every team to do everything possible to win no matter how aesthetically pleaseing it may be to you. By the way, have you ever heard "chicks dig the sac bunt"?
2007-05-09 19:38:16
373.   Bob Timmermann
356
Thanks. If you can leave those on the Griddle too, I would be much obliged.
2007-05-09 19:38:42
374.   Benaiah
357 - He was involved in winning 3 games, but he played in 21 other games, how many games did he cost with an .600 OPS in those games? That ninth inning steal or walkoff homerun is a memorable way to win, but most winning runs are scored before then. The extra run in the first when slappy players ground out would have made 9th innning heroics moot points anyway. Valdez has limited, specialized value, but there are other, more valuable tools sitting in Las Vegas.
2007-05-09 19:39:59
375.   Bob Timmermann
373
Oh, and you did that too. Thanks.
2007-05-09 19:41:24
376.   Branch Rickey
371- Announcers? What fans want to see has nothing to do with the reality of building a roster which is all this discussion was about. And why do you think fans like to watch little ball when all conventional wisdom says the exact opposite?
2007-05-09 19:42:15
377.   imperabo
376 What gives you the right to tell me what the discussion is all about when I just told you what I'm discussing?
2007-05-09 19:46:19
378.   Branch Rickey
Discuss away.
2007-05-09 20:05:03
379.   Benaiah
"Lost" is not to be missed tonight.
2007-05-09 20:06:24
380.   Disabled List
370 Ned has shown willingness to correct mistakes. But will he come to think of JP as one?

I doubt it. Ned signed Pierre for his ability to collect hits and stolen bases. Those are the only things anyone can point to and say Pierre is good at, so that must be the reasoning Ned used when signing him. And at the end of the year, Pierre will finish with close to 200 hits and 50 or so stolen bases, and Ned will sit back and consider himself vindicated.

2007-05-09 20:10:54
381.   D4P
Pierre will finish with close to 200 hits and 50 or so stolen bases

And 100 or so runs. And, as long as he doesn't make a ton of errors, Ned will consider him to be good on defense.

2007-05-09 20:16:00
382.   Doctor
Bottom of the 1 st in Vegas. Kemp doubles, steals 3rd, scores on an out.
2007-05-09 20:18:22
383.   D4P
Let's create list of things that Pierre does better than Kemp, as a hitter and a centerfielder.

You go first.

2007-05-09 20:21:12
384.   Benaiah
383 - I say there is a fifty-fifty chance that he hits for a higher average, he will definitely steal more bases, and he can lay down a bunt better than Kemp. Maybe he has more range in the field too, though I would be surprised if that is the case.

Power, patience and arm are blow outs for Kemp though.

2007-05-09 20:21:15
385.   Doctor
I think we will get what is best for the team. There really is no precedent for Grady/Ned sticking with the wrong situation over a long period of time. It this keeps up- Kemp will be a regular, maybe even in CF.
2007-05-09 20:22:40
386.   Benaiah
384 - He is faster from first to third, he strikes out less, he is "exciting" on the basepaths and a really nice guy.
2007-05-09 20:22:43
387.   D4P
384
he will definitely steal more bases

Do you think Pierre is faster and/or a better base stealer, or is this just a function of attempts?

2007-05-09 20:27:02
388.   PDH5204
374 There are only 8 field positions, excluding the pitcher. So having 100 guys who can homer doesn't mean as much as it would if we had 100 field positions. That's what some aren't seeing. I don't dispute that a nearly infinite number of humans are better than Valdez, however, their infinite talent will ride the bench and be duplicated 3-4x over by those others with infinite talent gathering splinters next to them. The purpose of having the roster size as it is, is so that some might find a place for the guy who can do the one small but sometimes essential thing extremely well and so bring victory.

To give you an imperfect example, back in my hockey playing days, we had one guy on the team for 4 years there who did nothing but kill penalties. Great defensive forward, but his offense was so poor that even slotting him in on the defensive-checking line was a no-go. I will never forget the night of the team banquet at the end of the 3rd year when our team's MVP called him up onto the stage and told all present that Mr. X was just as valuable to the team as he was, as a good many of his goals would have been reduced to the irrelevant without the superb penalty-killing skills of Mr. X. Killing penalties means more in hockey than Valdez' presence does to the success of our team, but the analogy will hopefully let you see the point.

And, no, I don't want to keep both Martinez and Valdez. I would prefer Valdez, since he fields more or less the same as Martinez, but runs far better, bunts far better, and by report, can play the outfield if need be as well. So know you know who I would drop if that is what we need to do.

2007-05-09 20:30:48
389.   King of the Hobos
Similar to 96, Pierre has also fallen behind Betemit in OPS (.595 v .638). I wonder if Betemit could patrol CF as well as Pierre (which is to say not very well), and he certainly has the better arm...
2007-05-09 20:32:18
390.   Jon Weisman
388 - "And, no, I don't want to keep both Martinez and Valdez."

And that's the heart of it for most people. It's nothing against Valdez per se. It's the Valdez-Martinez combo that others and I most object to.

I will admit, I could find ways to replace them both, but the big thing is to avoid the very duplication that you're against.

2007-05-09 20:32:26
391.   Indiana Jon
388
I would drop Martinez for a somewhat shorter reason.

He once played for the Giants.

2007-05-09 20:32:59
392.   Jon Weisman
389 - I was going to point that out, but I didn't want to pile on.
2007-05-09 20:36:17
393.   Bob Timmermann
391
Good to know your appendix didn't burst or your gallbladder didn't attack you.

You probably had Dr. Cuddy examine you first and she probably messed up the diagnosis, but Dr. House saved the day at the last minute, but he was a real jerk about it.

2007-05-09 20:37:45
394.   Indiana Jon
393
I have no idea who those people are, but I would like to express my gratitude to my wife. The Midol worked great and I slept like a baby.
2007-05-09 20:42:22
395.   Benaiah
The purpose of having the roster size as it is, is so that some might find a place for the guy who can do the one small but sometimes essential thing extremely well and so bring victory.

No, this is the point of having infinite roster size. Roster size means just the opposite, you have limited resources so only the most valuable and essential players stay on the team. It would be nice to have a guy who was just good against Barry Bonds, just in case we have to face him late in a game, but that talent is too specialized to keep around without other talents. Wilson Valdez does somethings, but none of them are particularly essential. We don't need a designated bunter/pinch runner, which is the only role I see Valdez excelling in.

2007-05-09 20:44:20
396.   Bob Timmermann
If you could have an infinite roster size, every team would be keeping an Eddie Gaedel around to pinch-hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th in a tie game.
2007-05-09 20:55:21
397.   D4P
If you could have an infinite roster size, there'd be room for Juan Pierre.
2007-05-09 20:57:19
398.   LeeLacy
I apologize for getting off the topic of baseball, but this Utah-Golden State series has been pretty amazing thus far.

Derek Fisher just hit a huge 3. Jazz look to be in control in OT.

2007-05-09 21:05:35
399.   PDH5204
395 Sorry to have to split hairs, but that's not what infinite roster size is for. Infinite roster size would allow us to keep the speed guy and the 100 guys who could homer, even though there's only 8 fielding positions excluding the pitcher. The expanded but not greatly so roster size requires a mix. I didn't say that I wanted Valdez and 3-4 clones on the bench, but I do say that we can have your 3 mashers plus my 1 speed guy. Call it the Dodgers version of the blended malt. Lastly, call me crazy, some have, but if I were Grady and Valdez, I'd forget about swinging "normal" until someone proved that they could defense that bunt up the 3rd base line [it isn't sexy, and chics certainly don't dig the bunt for a hit up the 3rd base line, but until it can be defensed, it puts a guy on base]. After the opposition has finally gotten around to having their 3rd-baseman about three steps in on the grass, I'd have him bunt up the 1st base line. Then with both corners playing well in, he'd be allowed to swing away. But, again, some call me crazy.
2007-05-09 21:07:05
400.   natepurcell
Marlon Arias is 3 outs away from a no hitter...
Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2007-05-09 21:08:14
401.   twerp
Haven't been able to follow real closely lately, so apologies if these items from Kent's chat on dodgers.com have been posted==

Gododgers: After 16 years in baseball, I bet you have seen a lot of advances in baseball and technology. How often do you check the Dodgers fan blogs like www.sonsofstevegarvey.com or www.dodgerthoughts.com? Kent: I'm not much of a computer buff. If I had my druthers, I'd be talking on the phone or in person, not on the computer.

And Lasorda's probably not real happy with this next item, no matter if Kent may have been kidding--

pvblue: How involved is Tommy Lasorda with you guys? Kent: In between his naps, Tommy is more of a motivator of words for us. He's a story teller, an individual motivator, a clubhouse motivator and a guy who has a belly full of experience.

2007-05-09 21:10:11
402.   D4P
400
Egregious Rule 9 violation.
2007-05-09 21:17:12
403.   Andrew Shimmin
Valdez's career batting average while bunting is .211. He's two for four this year, but I'm not sure why anyone should fall in love with his bunting. Has he really gotten that much better at bunting since 2005 when he was two for thirteen?
2007-05-09 21:19:21
404.   D4P
403
Where does one find bunting stats?
2007-05-09 21:19:53
405.   Andrew Shimmin
I should say, it's possible that those numbers are from before today's game. If he's 3/5, now, then his career batting average while bunting is .250. Which is fine, but I'm not sure it'll be missed before rosters expand in September, even if he doesn't clear waivers.
2007-05-09 21:20:55
406.   Brian Y
And Arias has his no hitter. First no hitter in the Cal League in 4 years
2007-05-09 21:21:39
407.   Andrew Shimmin
404- http://www.fangraphs.com

It's really, really, really great. It's also where I go for Pitcher BABIP numbers, and L/F/G splits.

2007-05-09 21:21:49
408.   D4P
406
Maybe jinxing no-hitters is just superstition...
2007-05-09 21:22:08
409.   Brian Y
And to chime in on the Valdez/Lucille II debate. Ramon Martinez is by far less valuable as he has less speed and when we lose Martinez on waivers we still have Abreu and Tomas Perez in the minors.
2007-05-09 21:22:35
410.   D4P
407
Sounds like it has a lot of pretty, pretty numbers. We should go there together some time.
2007-05-09 21:29:33
411.   Benaiah
407 - That is the spot. I wonder if it is associated with hardballtimes in any way, since it seems like they get alot of their stats from them.
2007-05-09 21:30:32
412.   regfairfield
409 Ramon Martinez has the benefit of occasionally being able to hit the ball. Valdez has a sub .600 OPS on his career. Martinez can at least get close to .700 most years.
2007-05-09 21:42:50
413.   Bumsrap
TICK WARNING!

I hate it when people post bogus warnings, and I have even done it myself a couple times, unintentionally...
But this one is real, and it's important. So please make note and tell your friends.

If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather, and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up.

DO NOT DO IT!! THIS IS A SCAM!!


I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.

2007-05-09 21:43:22
414.   D4P
I'd have to think that Ned feels more loyalty/obligation/something to Lucille than to Valdez, and since Ned seems to care about such things, I'd be pretty surprised if he chose Valdez over Lucille.
2007-05-09 21:47:47
415.   Jon Weisman
408 - I've explained the policy before. On any given day, certain people have the ability to jinx a no-hitter. The selected people change from day to day, and we have no way of knowing who they are in advance, so we all must avoid jinxing it in order to increase the chance of history happening. Broadcasters of the game in question are exempt.

So what happened tonight proves nothing except that Nate, as it turns out, did not have the power to jinx Arias' no-hitter tonight.

2007-05-09 21:51:33
416.   Bob Timmermann
415
Nate, apparently, is not special. I could tell you who is special, but it's complicated.
2007-05-09 21:55:08
417.   D4P
416
Nate would rather talk Dodger prospects than go on dates. Maybe that's not "special", but it's something.
2007-05-09 21:57:04
418.   Andrew Shimmin
The only time I ever went to Summer camp, a tick burrowed into the back of my neck. I found it myself, and extracted it myself, learning later that I should have had a professional do it. But I didn't get Lyme disease, so, it all worked out fine.
2007-05-09 21:59:47
419.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2007-05-09 22:00:34
420.   Eric Enders
417 Or you could go on a date and talk Dodgers prospects.

I have actually done that once. But she was a Mets fan, so in return I had to listen to her talk about Scott Kazmir and Jose Reyes and whoever else was in the Mets system then.

2007-05-10 11:32:24
421.   NPB
I guess I'm the only guy here who works at home. Anyway, that game today was a sorry display. We made Sergio Mitre look like Greg Maddux circa 1994.

Betemit will never get to start at 3rd again.

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