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
As Nomar Garciaparra moves into third base sooner than expected (i.e., tonight) and down in the batting order, I find myself wondering why no major paper has done a "What's wrong with Nomar?" feature.
After all, the Times recently ran a piece dissecting the struggles of a certain Boston Red Sox outfielder - giving it the kind of huge headline that betrayed some sense of glee in doing so. Why wouldn't someone who toils in our own backyard be worthy of the same examination (if not the same glee)?
Maybe there's no explanation for Garciaparra's performance other than speculation about his age or health, but it doesn't mean there isn't a story to be done. I know Garciaparra isn't the talkative type, when it comes to talking about himself. But at a minimum, it seems like someone would want to delve into what's going on with him. Instead, silence.
Even for those who haven't given up on Garciaparra (I myself believe he could easily have some bounce left in him, though not enough to get him back to where he used to be), it's worth talking about why he isn't generating any strength on his swings, worth trying to figure out whether it's a fixable problem or not.
Right now, the Dodgers are committing to playing Garciaparra ahead of Wilson Betemit at third base, even though Betemit produces more offense (despite making less contact). Betemit's on-base percentage is 17 points higher; his slugging percentage is 106 points higher. (And I'm still waiting for someone to explain why we should discount Betemit's pinch-hit at-bats while talking about his ability.)
As we saw in the comments today, Garciaparra has a higher OPS with runners in scoring position, but Betemit is better with runners on base. I call that a wash.
So far this year, even factoring in all his strikeouts, Betemit has been the better hitter. Not an All-Star, not at all. Just better than the alternatives. And he's at an age where we'd expect improvement, not decline.
As I wrote Monday, I'm willing to believe that Garciaparra could still be the better hitter - he certainly has the pedigree - but I'd sure like to know why he hasn't been.
If the answer is that Garciaparra has been unlucky, or has been nursing an injury, or has been sleep-deprived with the twins, or is having problems with his batting mechanics, or whatever, that's something we can factor into the discussion. If the answer is just that Garciaparra is declining, that's another story.
But the questions should be asked.
* * *
Tonight's 6:40 p.m. game:
Seinfeld,Jerry.
this may have been mentioned earlier but just saw that Randy Johnson is officially starting Thursday now, not Livan. Oh well. He doesn't scare me like he once did, but that'll be no easy game.
Still, I'm happy at least Loney's getting the starts at first.
Then I really want to know what the deal with Jeff Weaver is.
Personally, I don't buy that at all. Yeah, that's happened to some guys, like Derek Lowe. But there are lots of counter-examples, too. Carl Everett was at his most nutso during his career year of 2000, for example. In 2006, Lo Duca was all over the tabloids for having an extramarital affair with a teenager, and had his best season since his rookie year. etc etc
I'm going to have to see a heck of a lot of evidence before I believe there's any correlation.
And I too am happy for Loney at first (obviously, given the FJL campaign). But I do hope Nomar works the kinks out as well and gets back on track.
When did the liberian become the funny one?
My count is 3 good ones in 2 days. Maybe I haven't been paying enough attention.
At least with Johnson starting you know Kemp will as well.
We prefer liberrian.
The exceptions that I think of are Pete Rose and Bonds.
Make that 4.
Home .322 .377 .373 .750
Road .238 .265 .299 .564
A suite for the Garciaparras in every hotel!
(Although that .373 SLG at home is still not good.)
Lo Duca was all over the tabloids for having an extramarital affair with a teenager, and had his best season since his rookie year.
Yeah, but he was happy.
Are you a fan of thematic lineup arrangement?
I took a couple classes in college. It wasn't for me.
Actually, don't. We need you batting 1.000 on this blog.
Betemit's 2007 BABIP as a PH: .500
Can't get the batted balls breakdown by type split that way, so, this doesn't go as far to prove it's just luck as one might hope, but it sure does look like it.
And then there are times you wonder if he will ever hit a ball anywhere.
Would not surprise me to see Wilson come in as Nomar's caddie after pinch hitting.
But man, he's become quite the three true outcome player:
In 20 PA, he has walked 5 times, struck out 4 times, and homered 3 times. (60% 3TO).
He is 11 for 65 on balls in play as a 3B. In 127 PA, that's 33 K, 20 BB, and 5 HR. (That's 46% 3TO).
But I need to get out more.
Unfortunately, the results are often the same.
I'm not horribly unhappy about Nomar getting some time at third. It's probably worth giving him some more time to come around. But if he continues to be terrible, it'll be a problem, and the clock is running.
And after the last out is recorded, it's Phillips and over.
No matter what the PR people spit out these folks aren't like the rest of us.
I'd love to see him take batting practice and measure his bat speed from pre all-star game to current. He's got no juice in his bat and it might very well be because ....
But according to that AT&T commercial last year, Nomar & Mia do pretty much everything by themselves. Including the cooking. And it's all a competition.
Would celebrity spokesman Deion Sanders lie to me?
San Diego has Russel Branyan and we have Boom Boom. Don't imagine to many people watching them move through the minors ever figured they'd end up the same kind of hitter.
as PH .190/.271/.310 (48 pa)
as 1b .263/.346/.475 (320 pa)
Whatever...next you're going to tell me that Nomar doesn't mow the lawn or take his turn doing the dishes.
So, now we know why Grady has been holding out Kemp is this series. :-) He KNEW we'd be facing Randy Johnson all along.
3rd best is harder then first base though.
Your boy Chad is pitching!
BILL - INGS - LEY!
BILL- INGS - LEY!
Jon, you are right re: the need for a piece on No-mah's dilemma - lack of power. Good topic.
Go BLUE!
You have to have a strong enough arm for the throw, but I actually think first might be more difficult because of all the footwork/holding runners on/getting off the bag business.
Unless you really meant "3rd best."
Huh? When did I ever proclaim Chad as my boy?
There is a large international student exchange program there, so in the summer, there are literally thousands of students from Russia, Bulgaria and Poland there. Imagine thousands of scantily-clad (blonde and brunette even better looking than) Anna Kournikova types in one place. It was "interesting".
It's all Greek to me...
I think the word you are looking for is "meh" and not "eh."
After a while, I think the ideal order will be:
1) vacant
2) vacant
3) Martin
4) Kemp
5) Loney
6) Gonzalez
7) vacant
8) Kent
9) vacant
10) vacant
11) Nomar
12) Furcal
13) Pierre
14) Pitcher's spot
Ahhh!!
Good Lord.
Not to the crash test dummy! Sigh.
That ball was destroyed.
Well, maybe it did pick a fine time to die.
C'mon Chad, just settle down. They'll pick ya back up.
Anyone else having MLBTV issues?
Took me a while to figure that one out.
Yeah, hopefully that was first inning jitters. I also hope the Dodgers can get some offense against The Bouncer.
113 Exactly, thanks.
why do you think?
and-extra-base play.
Other notes are sure to follow but the root is still that note
Now this new note is the consequence of the one we've just been through
As I'm bound to be the unavoidable consequence of you
why do you think?
I don't know.
I guess I'm a little slow.
Loney's in the SHOW!
I'm one of those who believed that Loney was pouting/let down/unhappy/whatever in AAA, and I fully expected him to perform better if/when he got the call up.
Um... I'll be right back.
Really? You mean he isn't going to hit better than Barry Bonds in his best season all year?
I read somewhere that if there's an unexpected decline in someone's performance, it's usually because of off-field problems.
Where did I read that?
But he didn't hit many in his full season the year before either, even though he did hit close to .400.
Sigh. C'mon Bills. Learn from this - preferably in the next couple of pitches.
Well, maybe pitchers are unfamiliar with him right now and are grooving fastballs. I don't know. Clearly, his current HR rate isn't likely to last the remainder of the season.
that homerun was off a change up.
Maybe no one threw him a change up in the PCL.
/Analysis
Still, 45 pitches in two innings - not good Chad. We're gonna have to put you on double secret probation soon.
Orioles 9th
- S. Proctor relieved K. Farnsworth
- C. Patterson walked
- B. Roberts singled to left, C. Patterson to second
- C. Gomez popped bunt out to pitcher
- N. Markakis walked, C. Patterson to third, B. Roberts to second
- R. Hernandez walked, C. Patterson scored, B. Roberts to third, N. Markakis to second
Orioles 3, Yankees 2
That. Was. Beautiful.
Do we ever?
Yay-yrnes.
Jeff Kent
Tommy Lasorda
Stan Conte
Lou Johnson
Ken Landreaux
Wes Parker
I just thought it was funny that the group was mentioned as "legends, and Jeff Kent." I know it was most likely because Kent is still active, but it was funny nonetheless.
Michael Beschloss is a presidential historian with ridonkulous hair.
All Byrnes can do is just recite the names of all the presidents in order.
And I could do that when I was six.
Scooplew finds that sexy, i really hope it's a she
How many times have the Dodgers been involved in a perfect game?
Because I like Michael Beschloss's hair more.
Voice is a little Kermit the Froggish, but that is some great hair.
I seem to recall a game in the 1950s involving a guy named Larsen.
But I could be wrong.
Oh, I never get tired of that joke. Everyone else does, but I don't.
And Chad hit a double.
Crazy-Eyes really isn't very flattering. Funny, but wow.
& has Nomar has any chances over in the hot corner?
In the words of Barney Gumbel, "I don't know where you pixies came from but I sure like your pixie drink!"
Of course he has Broxton, Martin, and Kemp also at Chase. I think they should buy him lunch tomorrow.
Yeah, I'm still not crazy about "Crazy Eyes" as a nickname for Loney. I think we can do better, and nicer. The Loney Ranger...? No. The Big Bopper? No, that doesn't portend well. Hm.
Young was playing in but he hit it pretty hard and it went over his head, a little bit towards the swimming pool.
Okay, so I've got MLBTV working again. If anything bad starts happening again in the next inning, I'm switching back to Gameday.
not that I'm, er, superstitious or anything.
it was a line shot over the CF'ders head, it was a nice shot.
I'm grasping but I guess that evens out all those softies that occasionally fall in.
The Dark Star
The Tornado
Zuul
My James Loney has a second name it's "L-O-N-E-Y.
Oh, Grady should play him everday
And If you ask me why I'll say
Cuz James Loney has a way with... ok, not really.
Heh, Zuul cracked me up.
There's a good reason for it though.
His face.
/MLBTV, off
/GameDay, ON
Chad, those hanging breaking balls are just not making us happy.
Oh, great, Arizona fans chanting "Beat LA" - now I'm really turning MLBTV off.
"Argh, the Tombdrickson has been awoken to feast on our misery."
Michael
Tito
Randy
Marlon
Jermaine
{{this is a recording}} {{beep}}
He'd be a great DH, as would Gonzalez.
Make it Guzman.
/facetiousness
Who were the Canuck 5?
And what happened to Ryan Ketchner?
The ghost of Darren Dreifort lives!
I don't care if he can throw 105 MPH, he doesn't THINK like a pitcher.
Trade him for a rosin bag, and a sack full of whiffle balls.
You want to trade the ghost of Darren Dreifort for a rosin bag and sack of wiffle balls?
Doesn't he have to be dead first?
Yeah, he probably can.
"Nomar slumping due to discomfort at new position."
It's okay, Nomar. Your skirt won't fly up if you swing too hard.
If Nomar is hurt, he should tell somebody. He's accumulated enough tough guy points, and we would all lay off him. I prefer Nomar hit well and start over Betemit, because I like the guy.
Its not the runs allowed, its the innings, they need them to get into the 6th or else it will eventually burn up the pen.
3.5! That one almost got out.
I never realized how tall Nippert was.
He's had a bad game. It happens. He's learning.
We can only hope, but her singing is even worse if you ask me.
This should be inscribed on your tombstone, Andrew.
And, let's face it, rightfully so.
I know some people...It's best to just leave it at that.
L.A. at Arizona - 107
San Diego at San Francisco - 56
Does this mean that you are forsaking the rival party out of North Carolina?
See Rule #7.
Just stay out of Montana and Wyoming for the next few weeks.
We're workin' on stuff.
405 Yah, it's quite cold up here tonight - the fog rolled back in today. More like typical June after many sunny days in a row.
Shouldn't be a problem.
Pierre's actually been robbed three times tonight, in various ways.
They should have a run now, thanks to Russell!
Especially tough when a certain player's offensive approach relies solely upon said luck.
The gametime temp there was 78.
he hit his last dinger in Zona no?
Frustrating.
he swang at a ball almost over his head though.
D'oh!
Monorail!
I'm never trusting Gameday again. Especially on pFX. They always exaggerate that.
You seemed to change
And acted strange
And why I've never known
I wonder if his knees are okay, it as if he is hitting with just his upper half.
I don't think he feels he's hurt enough to go on the DL but if it his legs then he needs to do something.
If someone offers him a contract, Delino DeShields will wear one.
No. Especially when the Royals are involved.
My first guess would be an imbalance of the humors. Maybe river blindness.
Where were you when I lost my car keys yesterday?
Yeah, so are we on, what orange alert?
See 481. You always do that to me. Who sent you?
I hear he can cook a bowl of spaghetti all by himself.
Then I get to shoot the one that wins.
It was part of the Hanna-Barbera group with Snagglepuss and Quick Draw McGraw.
I believe Russell Martin leads the team in Flubels this year.
The Game-Winning RBI will be master of ceremonies.
Growl!
But I have a soft spot for it.
Sure looks like it to me.
Well I hope no one ends up mentally damaged.
Yeah, I know. Weird. I just noticed, okay? Back off.
We'll let him fill us in on the details.
His automatic outs and zero power are absolutely killing us.
Actually, I was probably like six years old.
Or the training staff could discover an injury. They're good at that.
…But he sells a lot of jerseys and he's a nice guy.
And in 1980, Dusty Baker played in 153 games and walked just 43 times.
Nomar's current hitting I have no idea.
It was the 28th time an L.A. Dodgers had at least four walks in a game and it's never been done by the same player twice.
Chad Kreuter is among the group that's done it.
So much negativity on this site!
If I wanted a historian on the team, I'd tell the Dodgers to sign the next Francis Parkman.
Except maybe somebody who could see better than Francis Parkman.
Add Abreu to the pile of Dodger 3B better than the starter!
Enter Saito
YESSS!!
Abreu showing some power at last, and with a pretty good sense of timing.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/unjt
That was the same pitch that was called a ball two pitches earlier, but okay.
The Sporting News credits Karros with 27 GIDP. The Brooklyn high is also 27 by Carl Furillo. That was in 1956.
I was in "oh well, get 'em tomorrow" mode. Props to the bullpen.
Also, don't forget the amazing comeback win in Arizona on June 26. Not quite 4+1, but memorable nonetheless.
Tonight wasn't a traditional comeback, but LA was down 2-0 & 3-2, and it's memorable for:
1) Loney's 3 hits in his first start as The First Baseman
2) Abreu's first HR, an extra inning game winner no less
Do I get credit for the prediction, or no?
Bob, can we get a complete list of those 28?
Walk, don't run...
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/7vV6
Padres win, 3-2.
Abreu can't hit when he starts at 3b but hits his 1st major league home run as pinch hitter.
Seems the obvious solution to Nomar's power outage is to let him start a few games at 3b and then turn him in to a pinch hitter.
Great game.
Thanks!
15 of the 28 were against the Giants or the Cubs(!).
I like the cliff idea, but my mind is going somewhere else with it.
Todd Hollandsworth 1996-07-01 LAD @SDP
Raul Mondesi 1994-04-17 LAD @PIT
Bill Russell 1969-04-11 LAD @HOU
Gordie Windhorn 1961-09-12 LAD PHI
Willie Davis 1961-04-30(2) LAD @CHC
(Yes, that Gordie Windhorn.)
Hm, interesting note on the PE blog about Ethier:
"I knew Ethier played at ASU, where he was an All-American. What I didnt know is that his wife, Maggie, is a former ASU gymnast, who also earned All-American honors and is one of the best gymnasts in Arizona State history, despite being 5-foot-10. For a gymnast, that is very tall. Maggie works as an assistant coach now for the ASU gymnastics team."
Hm, I got the Satanic posting of the evening. I better post this follow-up quickly before Ruth Gordon pops in with a milkshake for me to drink.
The Abreu chowder and marching society is not only doing well it is growing.
Kent's last 28 days 0.2152 ave 0.3111 obp 0.3544 slg
If Nomar is done can Kent be too far behind?
Best cheer for them now while they still play.
A 5'10" female gymnast? That's hard to imagine. I don't even know if the parallel bars can be adjusted for someone that tall.
http://tinyurl.com/3d89kj
http://tinyurl.com/yvnaho
I'm sure those women could have very interesting discussions with you Andrew about how much their ankles and knees hurt.
That's a little too creepy.
Best Career Slugging Percentage in Baseball History
(since 1871, min. 100 PA)
1 Babe Ruth .690 10616 1914 1935
2 James Loney .654 146 2006 2007
3 Ted Williams .634 9791 1939 1960
4 Lou Gehrig .632 9660 1923 1939
5 Albert Pujols .621 4383 2001 2007
6 Ryan Howard .611 1343 2004 2007
7 Jimmie Foxx .609 9670 1925 1945
8 Barry Bonds .608 12392 1986 2007
9 Hank Greenberg .605 6096 1930 1947
------
Best Career OPS in Baseball History
(since 1871, min. 100 PA)
1 Babe Ruth 1.164 10616 1914 1935
2 Ted Williams 1.116 9791 1939 1960
3 Lou Gehrig 1.079 9660 1923 1939
4 Barry Bonds 1.052 12392 1986 2007
5 Albert Pujols 1.038 4383 2001 2007
6 Jimmie Foxx 1.037 9670 1925 1945
7 James Loney 1.031 146 2006 2007
8 Todd Helton 1.019 6394 1997 2007
9 Hank Greenberg 1.017 6096 1930 1947
10 Rogers Hornsby 1.011 9475 1915 1937
(Yes, I Googled; I had no idea who she was. Whoever took the photos at her MySpace page was male, I'm betting.)
I am sure many would guess Loney however.
Most people here realize it. But dude was a god.
"We'll see," Little said when asked whether Abreu would be better served playing every day in the minor leagues. "I don't know how this is going to work out altogether just yet."
I'm betting Martinez is done as a Dodger.
I'm a huge Hawaiian shirt fan, but that thing is tragic. Tony should go Tommy Bahama instead of that sartorial trainwreck (no, not you, trainwreck).
And the Rangers? They'll get the bounty of talent they need to accelerate their rebuilding plan. How about James Loney to replace Teixeira at first base? Chad Billingsley to slide into the rotation? Highland Park's left-handed whiz kid Clayton Kershaw to throw into the minor league system?"
http://tinyurl.com/3c25tn
I say we throw in the Ark of the Covenant and the Hope Diamond. I'm even willing to part with the time machine I built last week.
Get this deal done
Okay, so I guess a conversation that started with pantsless batgirl should come full circle with pole-vaulting teenagegirl, and I'm going to bed.
Tomorrow we've got Webb vs. Lowe and hope for three in a row. Buenos noches.
Done. Anything for Texeira.
Looks like I missed quite a game tonight. On the other hand, I saw quite a laugh riot: Superbad.
In short, I mocked him. Hard.
Lucky.
Just imagine the number of effigies we would see if Ned Colletti did that trade.
I'm not making any statements. I'm just throwing that out there.
Pretty good for a guy not in the bigs.
I don't talk about Fredo because I don't want to acknowledge we signed him. I don't talk about The Minotaur because he is a glorious creature that will only get my hopes up and make me a sad panda if he doesn't work out.
So, to sum up: Our CF is a real person that I ignore. Kershaw is a glorious monster that I cannot believe in.
Nomar: .231
This other guy in CF: .234
OBP:
Nomar: .316
This other guy in CF: .307
Slugging Pct:
Nomar: .332
This other guy in CF: .327
How about that. Nomar is a corner player, and expected to hit better than a CF or SS.
He's worse than Juan Pierre. Wrap your head around that.
Makes for outstanding food. Basque restaurants rock the house.
From the Post gamer on the Nationals game last night: "Carlyle, making his 13th major league start over a nine-season stretch, stymied them over seven innings, allowing just one run."
He's the successor to a fallen golden boy and back in Midas' day, men wore rings on the right, meaning Loney's glove will be golden.
a) they are the only ones that know the value of those rookies
&
b) la is a big market and thus will consistently act like the yankees by mortgaging their future.
Ned has his foibles, but on this account I think there is pretty strong evidence so far that he doesn't build teams like that. He may not use the young guys the way we'd like, but he clearly places a high value on them.
This because last night I went to see Bob Dylan near Northampton Ma.(Look Park}. I usually go to a Dylan concert as an "event", but I was stunned last night because he was so good. Something must have changed his attitude.
What a game to miss, but I would probably be so stressed I wouldn't have really watched it all anyway. Now I'll go back and skim the posts.
http://www.japanball.com/news.phtml?id=9822
The Dodgers should wait and try to get him as a free agent if he can play third well enough. If the Dodgers are only renting Tiexeria I wouldn't want to give up more than some of these players: Betemit, Pierre, LaRoche, Kent, Tomko, Hendrickson, Kuo, Young, McDonald
Of course in about 1000 AA PA, Loney had an OPS of 717. In about 600 PA in A ball, he had an OPS of 738. He was awesome last year in AAA (972 in about 400 PA although an ISO of just 166) but just 727 in over 250 PA this year which puts his overall AAA OPS at about 880.
His ISOs by level:
A: 119
AA: 114
AAA: 141
MLB: 313
http://tinyurl.com/3cfujr
Does the term "ISOs" refer to ISOPs or ISODs?
If you're ever in the Spain/France area, plan a trip to the country in between the two countries. Andorra. It's in the Pyrenees mountain range and is chalk full of Basques! Great place to visit and great place to eat.
Had to look it up since I've never heard of it. I just love this line from Wikipedia:
"Andorra declared war on Imperial Germany during World War I but did not actually take part in the fighting. It remained in an official state of belligerency until 1957."
I'm glad to read you type that, because my mind sometimes interprets "ISOP" as "Isolated Patience", and I have to correct myself.
I like the mythological quality this team is taking on.
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