Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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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
The Dodgers finally pulled the expected trigger, calling up Hong-Chih Kuo and sending down Andy LaRoche, according to Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise.
Update: It continues to depress me to see batting average used as the sole statistic in talking about ballplayers. Everywhere you look, writers are talking about how Tony Abreu's batting average is higher than Andy LaRoche's, without mentioning the more important news that LaRoche's on-base percentage is higher than Abreu's.
Remember how LaRoche was getting all those so-called gift walks by batting low in the order (only they weren't really all gifts)? Abreu has none this season. Still, LaRoche gets no credit.
It's nothing personal against Abreu, who has a higher slugging percentage than LaRoche in their short MLB experiences this year, to ask that if you're going to talk about batting average, talk about it in context. I understand that a single can be more valuable than a walk. Nevertheless, the fact remains that LaRoche has a higher OPS+ and EQA than Abreu. The way LaRoche's walks have been relentlessly dismissed by so many is troublesome; there is a very strong case to be made that LaRoche has been the more productive player. (Abreu is a short three-game slump away from having the same batting average as LaRoche, without the walks. Hopefully, Abreu can avoid that.)
LaRoche, frankly, may be better off playing full-time in Las Vegas than part-time in Los Angeles, and I was never certain he deserved his May callup to begin with. But to say that LaRoche was sent down because he had a lower batting average justifies the Dodgers' decision in over-simplistic terms. If that's the reason being given, it's not enough.
He seriously asked me this. Seriously.
My response: "That's like asking a Christian who his favorite god is."
All in all, LaRoche didn't hit very much, but I'm disappointed with how they handled his first trip up to the big club. I don't think giving the kid the starting job for a couple weeks and 60 AB's was too much to ask.
And Ned likes character. Or so we're told. He likes certain types of character. He sort of picks and chooses, actually.
Abreu as of right now:
(26Abs, 0bbs, .308/.296/.423)
Pretty rare for your BA to be above your OBP.
We know the problem in CF will continue and first base seems to be what the Dodges are content with. The problem is Ned is only willing to fix the problems which the are socially acceptable. The general public wouldnt allow Nomar to be benched. so, Ned fearfull of being unpopular goes after 3B which on the scale of problems is quite low
how is that even possible?
makes sense now . . .
He very well could fall toward the Valdez line as he gets more at bats and doesn't adjust in his 1st taste to the bigs but that still doesn't make the comparison work. He will eventually be a solid NL 2nd baseman while Valdez will eventually be employed as a coach.
I wouldn't care at all if Young wasn't on my fantasy team :)
21 I agree, for the most part. I think LaRoche will benefit from playing every day in AAA for awhile longer. Since they weren't feeling like playing him everyday up in the bigs, especially.
Tomorrow could be the Kuo then Hull show, like watching the 51s. Except hopefully they'll win.
vr, Xei
Abreu's a contact hitter, with little power, that doesnt walk. Thats Juan Pierre.
Would anyone want Juan Pierre playing 3rd base?
On the other hand I don't think he's close to JP. He's not nearly as fast and I think has much more power. When I've seen him play I've seen a gap to gap slasher not an infield hit/bunt type of guy. More like Orlando Hudson for me.
nah he's lefty plus his noodle arm would probably bounce it to 1st.
The key to the Dodgers winning games, like we have, is getting even small contributions from each player at EVERY position. With our pitching, we really can nickle and dime other teams to death. After tonight's game, we are on pace to finish the season with a record of 96-66. Things ARE working for the Dogders, while plenty of teams with big power bats are struggling trying to make it to .500.
I do see now what you meant, but I still think Abreu will put up better numbers this year than Valdez. Then again, who knows where Abreu will be next month. Maybe the 3b tilt-a-whirl will tilt back to LaRoche, or Betemit. Round and round it goes, where it stops, no one knows!
This will mean more playing time for Betemit, which is probably a good thing.
I actually don't think people have been overly negative. There are just some lineup and personnel decisions that seem obvious, yet aren't done. Nine times out of ten, the complaints are valid.
It also goes with one playoff victory since my 11th year of life. Fans have earned the right to be skeptical and nervous.
The real question for Kuo is, is this a one-time shot before he loses his spot to Schmidt, or is Hendrickson going to be sent back to the bullpen to make room for Schmidt? Either way, Billingsley seems to be the odd man out. Maybe the D's will finally do what they should have been doing all along, which is have Billingsley and Kuo share fifth starter duties.
Who gets sent down to AAA when Schmidt is ready? Hull. But then what happens when Tsao is ready? Do you send Kuo back down? DFA Tomko?
Lastly, Brady Clark is proving to be more and more useless as the season goes on. IMO he's got about a week, two max, before he's discarded in favor of the heating-up Kemp. You guys think Clark would clear waivers? And if so, would he agree to go to Vegas?
Thats great but how about giving him the stability as a starter.
As for Brady Clark, I would love to have Kemp, too, but I also want Kemp getting playing time. Every team needs someone like Clark who can just fill in for defense and the occasional at bat. Honestly, he's a better player than he's shown so far. I think he's just used to playing more than he has been. I guess I'd rather have Kemp than Clark but think they're almost different uses for both of them.
Your stumper of the evening!
That painting of Joan Allen is actually not half bad.
How does Darth Vader go to the bathroom?
Speaking of which, the trilogy (the real one) is playing on HBO right now. Looks great in Hi Def.
53 Yeah, I realize they only play home games but where does the team come from, or why don't they wonder...? Is it really P'ville Tech? Hm.
Ooh, I wonder if TVLand's gonna edit down the Joan Allen in the bathtub um... discovering herself... scene now.
Anyway... thanks. Now back to real sports.
Nothing will ever be funnier than Fox execs telling Lucas that Chewbacca needed pants. They actually recommended lederhosen.
I think he would have lost his edge with lederhosen.
. Ahem.
Okay, I've got to read a script before I go to sleep so more coffee and less Pleasantville. "See" y'all tomorrow.
And with all of the man-crushing on Russ Martin, why does anybody want him to start taking days off now (as in, before the All Star Game) instead of in September when everything is locked up?
56 is the difference between number of runs that the 2006 Dodgers scored versus the 2007 version, 298 runs to 242 runs.
Now, you would think that would make a huge impact unless you cut down the number of runs allowed by a similar amount. Well they have allowed less runs but only 17 less than last year.
But despite that the Dodgers are one game better at 32-22 than they were year ago. Why is that?
The second number, 1.4, is the number of strikeouts more per game that the Dodgers are getting per 9 IP. In all other pitching categories, aside from HR allowed, which is down from 51 to 32, the numbers are pretty close.
But perhaps, by not allowing the big blast as often and by getting one more batter per game to not put the ball in play, the Dodgers are making it harder to score those runs, in effect, making teams play the way the Dodgers offense has to get runs and because they are able to get that strikeout, they stop those big innings from occuring.
One more thing, last year, base stealers had stolen 42 out of 48 bases against Dodger batteries (Russell Martin joined the club in the first week of May). This year, the Russell and Mike have cut down 36.7% of the 49 runners trying to steal.
There is no question that offenses are down this season, for instance even though they are averaging a run less per game than last year, the Dodgers lead the NL West in runs per game.
One of the most overused and misunderstood stats is a team's record when leading after 8 innings. In general, no matter how small the lead, the team that is leading is going to win over 95% of the time. Last year, the Dodgers were 78-2 when leading after 8 innings and just about everyone who reads DT can recall those two losses since they happened on the road in a two week span.
But after that dark afternoon at AT&T, the Dodgers never loss again when leading after 8 innings. Last year, the team was 24-4 when leading after 6, 24-3 when leading after 7 and 28-2 when leading after 8 at the 54 games played marker.
This year, after tonite, 27-1 after 6 with a lead, 25-0 after 7 with a lead and 26-0 when leading after 8.
In theory, all of Adam and Eve's children procreated with each other. Which also means that, in theory, every person in the world is related.
Seems to me that we would have been better off with Bigbie as our 4th outfielder this year, as in that Pierrie/Clark are indistructable and there has been no playing time for any of our AAA outfielders on the big club.
And Nomar should bail out Ned and have a Marlon Anderson type injury.
Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch; and he built a city, and named it Enoch after his sone Enoch.
Clearly if Cain "knew his wife" (In Hebrew the word "to know" is a common euphomism for sex) then he must have had a wife to know.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pkimQBCeCjbhlRcEb9PBbfw
none of the dodgers are particularly impressive, and jeff kent is apparently the worst fielder in baseball.
If Furcal doesn't spark the game the Dodgers still have Pierre to spark the game. It isn't that both have to have good games at the same time. If Pierre does get traded, Abrue would be good to have in the 2 spot.
On a purely aesthetic level, I enjoy watching good hitters walk. When I consider that I pride myself on my patience in slow pitch softball, but still go out of the strike zone way too much, I think it is amazing to watch players who can consistently take pitches just outside of the zone.
How does the search toolbar decide which comments to "hit" and which not to?
Which means, I guess, that it misses most of the comments. I've wondered about that before.
Ooh! Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is going to be on CSPAN2, this afternoon, around 2:10. As is a hero of mine, later in the day, whose name doesn't matter much. It's a banner day for BookTV.
Speaking of not keeping up with DT comments for a few days... I just read that Steve Henson wrote his last article for the LA Times.
This saddens me. It does not surprise me but it saddens me nonetheless. I always thought Steve was a force of good at the LAT when it came to covering the Dodgers.
Were Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey there?
"Infielder Oscar Robles also was optioned to Triple-A, to make room for outfielder Hiram Bocachica, who was immediately pressed into service."
Also, excuse the density, but can someone explain to me how Abreu's BA [.308] is greater than his OBP [.296]. Dropped third strike?
They have been patient but even the Rays can't keep putting out a pitcher who has given up 4 or more runs in 6 out of 9 starts though his last start against was very good and it was the first time the Rays won a game he had started this season.
A sacfly is included in the denominator of OBP, but not of BA.
87 Kareem... sigh, is he willing to play for the Lakers again? We could use a center.
In theory? Really? Not to get into an off limits discussion but no matter your religious beliefs, is there anyway to believe otherwise? To believe otherwise certainly ignores everything science knows and DNA proves.
Go Dodgers
Meanwhile, saw this on the Yahoo NBA pre-draft write-up today:
" A source who has spoken with Los Angeles Lakers G.M. Mitch Kupchak and Pacers G.M. Larry Bird says that the conversations about a Jermaine O'Neal-for-Andrew Bynum-and-Lamar Odom trade have accelerated in recent days, undoubtedly a reaction to Kobe Bryant's four-day tirade.
"I wouldn't be surprised if this got done by the draft," the source said."
One objection to LaRoche's walks is that they've all come with him batting eighth in front of the pitcher. But this just isn't true. Here is a breakdown of his 15 walks:
4 --- intentional pass with pitcher up next and first base open
2 --- pitcher up next; first base open
2 --- pitcher up next; first base occupied
5 --- non-pitcher next; first base open
2 --- non-pitcher next; first base occupied
At least 9 of these walks are legit, including the situations when either a man is on first or a non-pitcher is up next. I would argue 10 of them are, since one of the walks with the pitcher coming up and first base open was actually a bases empty walk with one out which set up the sacrifice and then a possible RBI situation.
If we remove the 5 suspect walks, then LaRoche still has 10 walks in 47 plate appearances. That's terrific plate discipline. Why won't the Dodgers play LaRoche more?
http://tinyurl.com/22g3ay
It says LA would also probably throw in a low-salaried player or draft pick.
Fine with me. Camby is a defensive monster, although he is injured a lot.
People forget how nice the offense looked early in the season. Lots of movement and passing. Lots of layups and open jumpers. Kobe was only scoring like 20 a game.
Bruce Jenkins in today's Chronicle wrote about the Lakers' soap opera and was pretty accurate about it.
http://tinyurl.com/yq2d4k
"One of those awful Hollywood "B" movies is unfolding for real in the Lakers' camp. The owner (Jerry Buss) gets a little sloppy and finds himself arrested for investigation of DUI. The owner's son (Jim) doesn't know basketball, but thinks he does, and makes too many important decisions. The owner's daughter (Jeannie) rips her brother in public and, undoubtedly, in private with her boyfriend -- coach Phil Jackson. The general manager (Mitch Kupchak) is a likable stooge who hasn't made a smart move in years. The guy they need (Jerry West) is the aging legend playing hard to get. The team can't trade Kobe Bryant because Jack Nicholson wouldn't stand for it. No wonder Bryant is confused, contradicting himself every 15 minutes. There's no way he can leave, yet he can't wait to get out ... Just for exercise, knowing there's no way in hell Bryant will be traded, insiders pegged the Knicks and Bulls among the teams who could actually make a deal. Right. Bryant is so entertaining, most people around L.A. wouldn't trade him for those entire teams ... Meanwhile, if Bryant thinks a Jermaine O'Neal trade will reverse the team's fortunes, he must be kidding. Kevin Garnett, absolutely -- and he's the only one ..."
It is kinda rough considering that they want to ditch Jermaine's salary. I can't see this deal without maybe expanding it (Tinsley?) or at least getting a draft pick or two back.
If we do that deal, the Kwame + change for Camby would be really nice.
PG - Farmar
SG- Bryant
PF- Oneal
C- Camby
SF -?
I don't like giving up Odom....but let's face it, that lineup is a heck of a lot better than the one we had last year.
You don't want Walton at SF?
And the world is better place for it.
Fire in the hole!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUcFWPgB8oY
He's poor on defense, and cant create his own shot on offense.
His only good skill is passing, but he still doesnt create many plays for others.
I'd definitely let him go.
Thinkblue00 is right. If Tinsley/O'Neal for Bynum/Odom is the deal--I'd make that in a heartbeat. Then trade Kwame + Draft picks for JR Smith/Camby.
JR Smith has a ton of talent, is young, athletic--but he hates George Karl.
Kobe
Tinsley
Smith
Camby
O'Neal
He's poor on defense, and cant create his own shot on offense.
His only good skill is passing, but he still doesnt create many plays for others.
I'd definitely let him go.
Thinkblue00 is right. If Tinsley/O'Neal for Bynum/Odom is the deal--I'd make that in a heartbeat. Then trade Kwame + Draft picks for JR Smith/Camby.
JR Smith has a ton of talent, is young, athletic--but he hates George Karl.
Kobe
Tinsley
Smith
Camby
O'Neal
In other news, Joe Buck thinks Proctor really wasn't throwing at Youkilis. McCarver should ask if he believes in the tooth fairy, too. But he won't. He's got scary-important theories about base clogging to impart.
Pierre, CF
Furcal, SS
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzo, LF
Lieberthal, C
Ethier, RF
Abreu, 3B
Kuo, P
Piston - Cavs game;
Stanly Cup finals.
Great sports day starting about 4:00 pst today. And me, I have to go to dinner and the theater. Ugh.
-McCarver. Buck agreed.
The correct phrasing is, "Melky Cabrera is the greatest player in the history of Western civilization."
and.that.was.the.best.tantrum.ever.
I didn't know there was an Andy Warhol museum. It sounds interesting, I'll prob check it out on a return trip to Pitt. Pretty much just going in for the game and back home.
That deal is terrible, especially if we include Tinsley. His contract is radiactive. If we make that trade we have to get Indiana's Number one pick back as well for it to even be somewhat comprehensible, but that seems unlikely.
Jermaine O'Neal is NOT enough of an improvement over Odom to justify that deal. About the only thing O'Neal does better than Odom is play defense.
I agree that Luke Walton is an unnecessary re-signing, though.
http://tinyurl.com/2bzneu
http://tinyurl.com/2xfvjv
What the hell is a fatigued groin anyway.
(As a self proscribed Yankee/Clemens hater I am pleased to bring you this Griddle worthy information in Bob's absence)
(an answer to 40)
"Jason Schmidt threw a 58-pitch bullpen session today with Grady, Honeycutt, Warthen and Stan Conte all watching. After that, the decision was immediately made to activate him time for Tuesday night's game in San Diego, which is the next time Hendrickson was scheduled to start. So Hendrickson goes to the pen, and the Dodgers, beginning tonight, will have EXACTLY the same starting rotation that I and a handful of others thought they would open the season with at the start of spring training. Not sure who will go down, but it'll have to be a pitcher because they are already carrying 12. My best guess is Eric Hull, who was only called up as an emergency anyway"
[long breath]
So...
anyone care to comment on downtown accomodations for 3 and public transport chances?
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