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About Jon
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
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Two, Two, Two Chads in One
2007-07-19 08:24
by Jon Weisman

There is only one Chad Billingsley – except when it comes to talking about Chad Billingsley. Then, there are two.

There's the starting pitcher who seems to use a hundred pitches an inning and just skates by, and the 22-year-old who is already performing better than most everyone his age.

When people debate Billingsley's value, it's not always clear which Billingsley it is they're talking about, and that can cause confusion.

But the thing is, there is only one.

He's the pitcher who isn't the best starting pitcher on the Dodger staff – not nearly having the seasons that Brad Penny or Derek Lowe are. Billingsley is the guy who in his past three starts has lasted 16 combined in-nings while throwing 301 pitches. In that period, he has walked 10 batters and allowed 17 hits, six of them for extra bases.

Not great. Right now, when Billingsley takes the mound, there is suspense as to whether he'll last six innings. That's a fact.

But that same pitcher has already shown improvement from last season, reducing his walk rate by nearly 33 percent while improving his strikeout rate by roughly the same percentage – Billingsley has 64 Ks in 65 2/3 innings in 2007.

Billingsley, who turns 23 on July 29, faces an interesting test in his next start, Monday at Houston. He will be coming off a career-high 113 pitches (and how noteworthy is it that that's his career high, meaning he has been well-protected or over-protected, depending on your point of view). We don't really know how he'll respond. Billingsley has alternated quality and sub-quality outings over his past five starts, and at a minimum, you'd like to see him bounce back again. But you don't know.

Still … in an interview with NBCSports.com this morning, I was asked which Dodger was most likely to have a big stretch run. And I thought, there's Russell Martin, but you'd expect him to taper a bit under his workload by season's end. There's Rafael Furcal, but we don't know whether his ankle will allow it. There's Nomar Garciaparra, who is too due. There's Matt Kemp and James Loney and Andre Ethier, but they're already doing so well that it's almost impossible for them to kick it up a notch.

And my thoughts turned to the pitcher who struggled to get through five innings Wednesday: the one and only Chad Billingsley. He's young but improving. Overall, he's not overworked – in the season's first 95 games, he has thrown 65 2/3 innings and 1,145 pitches. And the closer we get to the end of the season, the more he is going to face NL West teams whose strengths are mostly on the mound and not with the bat.

Not to dismiss the importance of averaging five innings per start as opposed to fewer, but Billingsley is not reliable now. So stipulated. But something more than wishin' and hopin' tells me that he's going to start seeming reliable before the season's out. He's learning, and the difference between him and the likes of Brett Tomko and Mark Hendrickson is, at age 22 23/24ths, Billingsley is already ahead of the curve.

* * *
From Dodger Thoughts commenter Sammy Maudlin:

"Forty years ago today (July 18, 1967), a 22-year-old righthander only lasted five innings against the Phillies. Don Sutton gave up three runs and lost to the Phillies' Rick Wise, who pitched a shutout. Sutton record fell to 6-11; he would finish the year at 11-15."

Adjusted for the era, Billingsley's career totals at the same age and at the same stage are better than Sutton's.

* * *

Here's something you might not have expected: For the season, the Dodger offense has most productive with runners on base, as Dave Studeman of The Hardball Times sees it:

Despite a lack of home runs (only the Nationals have hit fewer in the NL this year), the Dodgers have man-aged to get lots of at bats with runners in scoring position, and they have batted .292 in those situations (includ-ing a .366 average with runners on third). The interesting question is, how have they managed to rack up so many at bats with RISP?

Honestly, I'm not sure. They're only average in doubles and triples. But it appears as though the Dodgers are bunching their hits, batting .261 with no one on, but .294 with someone on base, any base. When you bunch hits together, runners move into scoring position and eventually score.

* * *

Someone who has played the game actually values on-field performance more than clubhouse leadership, reports John Delcos of New York's Journal News.

It's Willie Randolph, the ex-Dodger and current New York Mets' manager:

That Julio Franco found work with the Atlanta Braves isn't surprising.

What was surprising, however, were the lack of references, especially when it came to the "clubhouse leader-ship" issue.

Manager Willie Randolph said Franco should get more playing time with the Braves, and the reason he didn't with the Mets was a .200 average.

"If you play, you have to produce. That clubhouse stuff is overrated," said Randolph, who volunteered the in-formation unsolicited. …

What irked some players was Franco wouldn't hesitate to get in the face of some of the younger players about doing their jobs when he was hitting .200 with one homer with the Mets.

"To be a leader for me, it's not enough to talk all the time," Valentin said. "You have to go out and do it your-self."

Franco, who will turn 49 in August, said he wants to play until he's 50. He also said before leaving the Mets that "I can still hit."

I'd be jazzed to see a 50-year-old ballplayer. But if he's on my team, even if he's the nicest guy in the world, I'd want him to be able to help on the field. Otherwise, I've got a coaching slot for him.

* * *

Update: The Cubs traded ex-Dodger Cesar Izturis to the Pittsburgh Tracys today for a player to be named later, reports The Associated Press.

In 65 games for the Cubs this season, Izturis was batting .246 with eight RBIs. His playing time had diminished after Ryan Theriot took over as the No. 1 shortstop.

Manager Lou Piniella said he initially penciled Izturis' name into the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants before the trade was made.

"Cesar was a really good guy. He wasn't getting much playing time here," Piniella said. "In fairness to him, let him go somewhere where he can play."

The 27-year-old Izturis is in the final year of his contract.

"Theriot really took over the job," Piniella said. "There is nothing wrong with Izturis. Izturis is a good player."

* * *

Update 2: Ned Colletti's tenure with the Dodgers gets a B- from Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus, to sum up a lengthy article.

* * *

Update 3: Sports Illustrated writers present the best games they've ever seen. Unfortunately, a Cal grad writes about "The Play."

Comments (364)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-07-19 10:12:58
1.   DXMachina
Got LAT'ed, so I'll repost this.

Colletti was just on WFAN in NY. The podcast isn't up yet, so to sum it up Ned said he's looking for pitching, said there aren't really any good starters available, and that he's comfortable with the hitting as it now stands. He was asked about Teixeira, and he basically said why would he want to trade for a first baseman when he already has a future star in James Loney.

2007-07-19 10:13:00
2.   ToyCannon
Great breakdown on our Chad. I hope your right about the 2nd half.
2007-07-19 10:14:02
3.   Jon Weisman
1 - "he basically said why would he want to trade for a first baseman when he already has a future star in James Loney."

Can you elaborate?

2007-07-19 10:15:14
4.   Jon Weisman
Cesar Izturis traded to the Pittsburgh Tracys.
2007-07-19 10:15:17
5.   ToyCannon
FYI - When Brett Tomko was 24 he debuted with the Reds and had a 3.43 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP in 126 IP with an ERA+ of 125. It would be his best season. Not all pitchers get better.
2007-07-19 10:15:38
6.   Jon Weisman
4 - http://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/1797767/detail.html
2007-07-19 10:15:57
7.   jasonungar07
Did you guys see that old friend Izzy has been traded to the Pirates for a player to be named later?
2007-07-19 10:16:01
8.   ToyCannon
Tracy hates Jack Wilson.
2007-07-19 10:16:38
9.   bluegold
I really want Billingsley to do well and to be a reliable fixture in the rotation. However, I just can't be a party to the future-hall-of-fame anointment that many are partaking in. I just see too many Hendrickson-like tendencies. True, one is at the beginning and one is near the end of his respective career, but purely in the context of a ball game those tendencies are in the same class.
2007-07-19 10:17:28
10.   jasonungar07
oops. gosh I am just moving slow today.
2007-07-19 10:18:06
11.   Jon Weisman
10 - I got lucky.
2007-07-19 10:19:20
12.   bhsportsguy
Here's my daily (okay not so daily) fun fact on a player's stats after the hitting coach was changed.

Andre Ethier in nearly 200 plate appearences, had 14 walks. Since Mueller put a uniform back on, in Andre's next 81 plate appearences, he has walked 14 times. A breakdown of his strikeouts show that he struck out 25 times before and 4 times after the change.

Just saying.

Dodgers RISP in 2006
.286/.379/.445
In 2007
.291/.377/.416

Slugging is down due to Nomar, Kent, Furcal and Pierre not being able to get much more than a single most times when they do get a hit in those situations.

2007-07-19 10:19:45
13.   FirstMohican
Who said he's a future HOFer? What is a Hendrickson-like tendency?
2007-07-19 10:20:04
14.   Bluebleeder87
Still … in an interview with NBCSports.com this morning, I was asked which Dodger was most likely to have a big stretch run. And I thought, there's Russell Martin, but you'd expect him to taper a bit under his workload by season's end. There's Rafael Furcal, but we don't know whether his ankle will allow it. There's Nomar Garciaparra, who is too due. There's Matt Kemp and James Loney and Andre Ethier, but they're already doing so well that it's almost impossible for them to kick it up a notch.

really enoyed your read Jon speacily that part on top it kind of co-insides with the Daily News article on Andre Ethier hopefully he can "kick it up a notch" cause he is very important to the Dodgers success in the 2nd half.

2007-07-19 10:20:40
15.   Jon Weisman
9 - I would never come close to saying Chad's a guaranteed Hall of Famer. The point is that when you're 22, those Hendrickson tendencies have a much better chance of going away.

So this is what I'm talking about. This very week, the difference between Billingsley and Hendrickson might be negligible. On that I can agree with you. We don't need to argue that point. But you then seem to take offense that people are more excited about Chad than about Hendrickson, and the reason for that is Chad's potential to improve is measurably different. Can you concede that?

2007-07-19 10:23:26
16.   Bluebleeder87
hey you guys know what time the Dodgers take batting practice? i'm heading out to Dodger Stadium's upper deck store to buy a few things & was wondering what time they have batting practice?
2007-07-19 10:23:37
17.   DXMachina
3 It was right at the end of the interview, so there wasn't a lot more to it than that. He declined to speak about Teixeira specifically, but he said he's not really looking for a first baseman because he already has one in place who's both a good hitter and likely to win a couple of gold gloves.
2007-07-19 10:23:44
18.   Jon Weisman
13 - he might be reacting to my mention of Don Sutton.
2007-07-19 10:24:14
19.   Jon Weisman
17 - So he said why he wouldn't want to trade for a first baseman, then.
2007-07-19 10:24:35
20.   Sam DC
Man the Yankees have clicked. Up 2-0 in the first, no outs yet.
2007-07-19 10:24:40
21.   bhsportsguy
He, who shall not be named, is pitching for the Loons tonight so all of those reports that he was being promoted were wrong.
2007-07-19 10:25:31
22.   ToyCannon
Chad Billingsley is a guaranteed Hall Of Famer. Someone should say it once just so that Bluegold will really have something to reference his comments to since no one else has ever said it. EVER
2007-07-19 10:26:03
23.   Bluebleeder87
by the way i'm talking about Chad Billingsley "kicking it up a notch" i re-read my post & it even confused me. :o)
2007-07-19 10:26:22
24.   fanerman
19
I think Ned said "why would he?" not "Why he would." or "Why he wouldn't."
2007-07-19 10:27:55
25.   ToyCannon
21
When did we sign Voldemort?
2007-07-19 10:29:05
26.   ToyCannon
Ned said pretty much what you said yesterday.
2007-07-19 10:29:41
27.   fanerman
25 I heard Voldemort (his teammates like to call him Voldy) has a wicked splitter.
2007-07-19 10:31:55
28.   Bluebleeder87
o.k. i'm out i'm gotta exercise for a bit & then head out. late.
2007-07-19 10:32:02
29.   FirstMohican
I know that Voldemort has a sweet name.
2007-07-19 10:32:19
30.   DXMachina
1924 Correct, but it wasn't actually a quote. I was paraphrasing Ned's response as "why would he?", and I guess I could've been clearer. The point is that he's pretty happy with Loney.
2007-07-19 10:32:20
31.   ToyCannon
Amazon just informed me my book was shipping. I wonder if I'll get in time to bring to the DT game?
2007-07-19 10:32:29
32.   Eric Stephen
13,18,22 He might have been referring to Eric Enders who mentioned yesterday, in response to bluegold:

"Billingsley has been putting up outstanding numbers in the majors for over a year, at an age when most players are still in Class A ball. He's done better than many if not most Hall of Fame pitchers did at the same age."

2007-07-19 10:32:37
33.   Greg Brock
9 He's 22 years old. Can we, maybe, give him a few years? He's still better than most starting pitchers, right now. The eyes don't see that, but he is. Eyes are stupid.

He's not great right now, but would you like to trade him? Send him down? Get him out of the rotation?

2007-07-19 10:33:39
34.   bluegold
15. Yes, I definitely concede that. Perhaps my problem is that my patience level is not what it used to be (due to a lack of Dodgers WS for 19 years). It's just that -- again, purely from a game perspective and disregarding the pitchers involved -- I am tired of seeing one Hendrickson performance followed by another one.
2007-07-19 10:34:13
35.   DXMachina
30 Gotta remember to put a space between the numbers. It should've been 19 24.
2007-07-19 10:36:11
36.   Jon Weisman
34 - I hear you.

How does Chad compare to Cole Hamels? Hamels is 23 1/2 years old. Strikeout rate the same as Chad's. Averages 6.5 innings per start this year. Only walks a batter every four innings. But he has a worse ERA and ERA+, gives up more home runs. And he was an All-Star.

2007-07-19 10:37:03
37.   jasonungar07
I have learned from you guys that subjective views are not that accepted. I get it. But how can anyone watch Bills pitch and not see the potential. The guy battles and has the demeanor of a winner.
2007-07-19 10:40:22
38.   bhsportsguy
37 I don't think that is the case however if someone's opinion is not backed up by stats, it will get challenged by someone.

And then there are stats like Saito's strikeout to walk ratio which go beyond any analysis.

2007-07-19 10:40:29
39.   ToyCannon
34
Growing pains blow. It would be nice if we could get a Doc Gooden type of debut but we won't so we need to be patient. He can't get better if he doesn't pitch.
2007-07-19 10:41:07
40.   Jon Weisman
Emmy nomination chat at Screen Jam, by the way.
2007-07-19 10:42:19
41.   bhsportsguy
39 The guy doing the Spanish commentary for the Dodgers didn't have that bad of a debut either.
2007-07-19 10:43:25
42.   Jon Weisman
Ned Colletti review at Baseball Prospectus:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6474

2007-07-19 10:43:59
43.   Greg Brock
Billingsley nibbles, which really bothers me. Dude, you sit 92 with a hammer curveball. Mix in a plus changeup, and you can go at guys.

But he nibbles. There, I criticized him.

2007-07-19 10:46:09
44.   ToyCannon
41
How sad that I went outside of the organization and missed the greatest and most fun debut of all. Time for a data dump.
2007-07-19 10:47:05
45.   ToyCannon
Craig are you going to the game tonight?
2007-07-19 10:47:36
46.   blue22
43 - He definitely looks like he's trying to be too fine when starting. His walks are up, strikeouts down as a starter, though not as bad as last year. He's showing improvement, but maybe he needs to bring a bit of that go-get-em attitude he started to develop in the pen.
2007-07-19 10:48:35
47.   bluegold
For the record, Hendrickson-like tendencies are very similar to

Ashby-like
Erickson-like
Tomko-like

Where each inning is a breathless adventure into the unknown, where pitch count accumulates faster than the national debt, and the likelihood of a 7+ inning victory is as likely as the Iraqi government restoring civil order.

2007-07-19 10:49:00
48.   Greg Brock
45 I will be sitting in BH's palacial seats this evening with my Mets fan buddy.
2007-07-19 10:49:43
49.   Telemachos
How low has Izturis' stock sunk, that now he rates being worth a mere "player to be named later" in a trade? That's pretty brutal.
2007-07-19 10:51:22
50.   ToyCannon
Watch out for friendly fire.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-07-19 10:54:50
51.   Greg Brock
Colletti has a lot of the same strengths and weaknesses as the Cubs' Jim Hendry.

Okay

*He's reasonably good at evaluating talent in a baseball sense, particularly when it comes
to evaluating players out of his own system.*

I would say that's Ng and White, but okay.

However, he's not so good at evaluating talent in a financial sense, what you might call 'valuation' as opposed to 'evaluation.'

Couldn't agree more

Finally, scouting and development appears to be a strength, at least based on the progress of guys like Martin, Loney, Jonathan Broxton, and Kershaw.

He brought in exactly zero of those guys. White runs the draft.

The trade for Andre Ethier is also the sort of move on which reputations can be made.

Whoa, I like Ethier, but..umm...what?

2007-07-19 10:55:15
52.   Marty
The guys over at Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke are angry.
2007-07-19 10:56:49
53.   Bob Timmermann
From Nate Silver:
Los Angeles is a pre-millennial dream trapped in a post-millennial universe,

Ummm.... OK....

2007-07-19 10:56:52
54.   Greg Brock
ToyCannon is going to shoot me in the parking lot tonight. You heard it here first.
2007-07-19 10:57:01
55.   Telemachos
My summation of that BP review: while Ned's bad trades/signings get all the press (and are really, really bad), overall he's been somewhat above average.
2007-07-19 10:59:15
56.   Bob Timmermann
On the one hand, Dodger Stadium, with its understated elegance and Euclidean dimensions, is just the same ballpark as it's always been, tucked ever-so-perfectly into Chavez Ravine.

Dodger Stadium's dimensions are "Euclidean?" You say that word, but I do not think it means what you think.

2007-07-19 10:59:44
57.   Greg Brock
53 I didn't get that either. I think he was going for this kind of vibe:

Come to Los Angeles! The sun shines bright, the beaches are wide and inviting, and the orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see. There are jobs aplenty, and land is cheap. Every working man can have his own house, and inside every house, a happy, all-American family. You can have all this, and who knows... you could even be discovered, become a movie star... or at least see one. Life is good in Los Angeles... it's paradise on Earth." Ha ha ha ha. That's what they tell you, anyway.

Anyway, I didn't get it.

2007-07-19 11:00:46
58.   blue22
I'm getting a link to AdAge about Fox's new fall season instead of BP.
2007-07-19 11:06:33
59.   DXMachina
8/8/06. Acquired Ricky Ledee on waivers. The Dodgers paid about $500,000 for 53 at-bats of Ledee, and he proved to be somewhat less effective than Jose Cruz, whom they had just released. Grade: C.

Actually, Ned released Ledee, who was then picked up by the Mets.

2007-07-19 11:07:14
60.   Jon Weisman
58 - That was weird. Fixed.
2007-07-19 11:10:38
61.   Telemachos
Dodger Stadium's dimensions are "Euclidean?"

Better than non-Euclidean.

Cthulhu F'htagn!

2007-07-19 11:11:49
62.   FirstMohican
On the other hand, it features $12 beers and bilingual ads in the urinals, and an information orgy on the scoreboard, where you can find lots of useful things like the current hitter's OBP and the taxon of the last pitch ("Fast Ball" and "Slider" seeming to be the most common).

So Nate Silver doesn't like Bilingual ads in the urinals. Oookay.

2007-07-19 11:11:58
63.   bhsportsguy
60 Any new sitcom will have to be very very funny to be compared to "Murphy Brown" and "NewsRadio."
2007-07-19 11:16:54
64.   Greg Brock
62 Yeah, Nate Silver took a shot at the Mexicans.

Who knew?

2007-07-19 11:26:47
65.   Bob Timmermann
64
The majority of BP writers have issues with Southern California. Not the baseball teams. Just the whole idea of Southern California.
2007-07-19 11:28:32
66.   Jon Weisman
At si.com/games, Sports Illustrated writers present the best games they've ever seen. Unfortunately, a Cal grad writes about "The Play."
2007-07-19 11:28:36
67.   Bob Timmermann
62
And why does he focus on "bilingual ads in the urinals" when there are bilingual ads all over the park and times when the scoreboard implores the fans, "Hagan ruido!"
2007-07-19 11:30:04
68.   Jon Weisman
67 - I think that might indicate that he was focusing on the idea of just there being ads in the urinals, and the bilingual thing wasn't meant to pick on a race.
2007-07-19 11:31:31
69.   Bob Timmermann
68
Regardless, it's a poorly-worded phrase.
2007-07-19 11:34:21
70.   Greg Brock
68 I don't think you can throw out disgust for bilingual ads and have it be about disdain for advertisements.

Because then you wouldn't need to say bilingual. You would just say "ads" instead.

It was a shot.

2007-07-19 11:37:00
71.   Jon Weisman
69 - agreed.

70 - Or, it was careless.

I don't really want to defend it - because in the end, it has to stand on its own. I'm just saying, throughout this article, we have found nonsensical word usage. There's evidence to think that this was just another piece of nonsense rather than a calculated shot at people who speak Spanish.

2007-07-19 11:39:14
72.   Bob Timmermann
Then I will continue nit-picking:

This is a team that was once associated with highly-identifiable players who spent long tenures with the club, but now Brad Penny is the most senior Dodger, having joined the team on July 30, 2004.

Poor, forgotten Olmedo!

2007-07-19 11:39:22
73.   Hythloday
71 - Even if it wasn't an overt and intentional shot it reveals an unfortunate frame of mind.
2007-07-19 11:41:04
74.   Bob Timmermann
I think the upshot of this is that we don't like Silver's article on several different levels.
2007-07-19 11:43:35
75.   ToyCannon
I thought it was a poor piece of writing in general but when your used to "DT" and "Soul of Baseball" the standards are high. The complete miss on Byran Morris was just one of a few bits of information missing. The idea of grading drafts that are less then 18 months old and making decisions about HS players seems odd for BP which should know better.
2007-07-19 11:44:29
76.   TellMeTheScoreRickMonday
66 - Jon, it is still cool, in my opinion, that people wax nostalgic over the 1982 Big Game final score of Stanford 20, Cal 19.

His knee was down.

2007-07-19 11:45:08
77.   Greg Brock
"11/28/2006. Signed Matt White to a minor league contract. White became a billionaire this winter and didn't make the Dodgers. He accepted an option to Las Vegas, which makes an awful lot of sense. But then he asked for his release so that he could go play in Japan, and promptly signed with the Yokohama BayStars. Evidently he must really love baseball, Asahi, or Asian women."

What's up with all the racial stuff? When did Archie Bunker start writing for BP?

2007-07-19 11:45:31
78.   Jon Weisman
76 - Right on.
2007-07-19 11:48:11
79.   Bob Timmermann
This play likely was not pretty to watch:

A. Ramirez singled to right, D. Ward and R. Theriot scored, A. Ramirez to second on right fielder K. Frandsen's throwing error, A. Ramirez to third on catcher B. Molina's throwing error

2007-07-19 11:50:12
80.   Bob Timmermann
Mr. Bonds ends his long O-fer with a homer.
2007-07-19 11:50:54
81.   El Lay Dave
Continued nitpicking: Silver concludes with "All in all, there's a bit more post-millennial tension in the forecast."

What is "post-millennial tension"?

2007-07-19 11:52:03
82.   El Lay Dave
72 The re-signing of Olmedo confused him?

65 Jealously can be such an ugly thing.

2007-07-19 11:52:06
83.   Telemachos
Ted Lilly. Anytime. Anywhere.
2007-07-19 11:52:08
84.   ToyCannon
Everyone has now written off Nomar from esteemed and bright DT posters to Law to Callis to Nate. I will stand firmly in his corner because it is no fun traveling in the same direction as the herd even if it is safer.
2007-07-19 11:52:21
85.   Greg Brock
81 I'm picturing something like Blade Runner.

Maybe Logan's Run.

2007-07-19 11:52:28
86.   rockmrete
I was asked which Dodger was most likely to have a big stretch run.

Both Kent, and Furry seem to be getting around on the ball of late, hopefully that continues.
3rd base...Nomar needs to be played only in those situations where he has demonstrated to be profecient this year, other wise it needs to be BoomBoom.

2007-07-19 11:55:47
87.   bhsportsguy
72 From 2004 season:
1. Olmedo Saenz 1B-3B (off-season)
2. Brad Penny P
From 2005 season:
3. Jeff Kent 2B (off-season)
4. Derek Lowe P (off-season)
From 2006 season:
5. Rafael Furcal SS (off-season)
6. Nomar Garciaparra 3B (off-season)
7. Brett Tomko P (off-season)
8. Ramon Martinez IF (off-season)
9. Joe Beimel P (off-season)
10. Takeshi Saito P (off-season)
11. Russell Martin C
12. Andre Ethier OF
13. Jonathan Broxton P
14. Chad Billingsley P
15. Mark Hendrickson P
16. Wilson Betemit 3B
From 2007 season:
17. Mike Lieberthal C (off-season)
18. Juan Pierre OF (off-season)
19. Luis Gonzalez OF (off-season)
20. Rudy Seanez P (off-season)
21. James Loney 1B
22. Matt Kemp OF
23. Eric Stults P
24. D.J. Houlton P
25. Roberto Hernandez P

Broxton and Houlton debuted in 2005, Loney, Kemp and Stults debuted in 2006.

2007-07-19 11:55:49
88.   fanerman
In the dismal summer of 2005, we were often warned about the dangers of being "in denial". Just pointing out that, many times, it's not healthy to be in denial.
2007-07-19 11:56:25
89.   South Bay
they are playing lowrider on jack fm. i used to love that song. now...
2007-07-19 11:58:45
90.   Jon Weisman
81 - A combination of anxiety and pressure that takes place after the turn of the millennium. Come on, that's not so hard.
2007-07-19 12:01:22
91.   regfairfield
Toy Cannon, could you send an E-Mail to andrew@dodgermath.com?
2007-07-19 12:01:46
92.   blue22
90 - That seems odd though, since this might be the best time in the last 20 years to be a Dodger fan.

If this is "tension", how does one begin to describe the Kevin Malone, Tommy Lasorda or Fred Claire eras?

2007-07-19 12:02:31
93.   Bob Timmermann
If this is "tension", how does one begin to describe the Kevin Malone, Tommy Lasorda or Fred Claire eras?

I believe the term for that would be "ague."

2007-07-19 12:03:54
94.   BlueMamma
81 I thought post-millennial tension was worrying about terrorists instead of the Y2K bug.
2007-07-19 12:04:37
95.   Who Is Karim Garcia
I'll be at the game wearing my own custon Hee Seop Choi Tshirt.

Yes, I said it. It doesn't make me any less human.

2007-07-19 12:04:44
96.   blue22
93 - Yes, I had to look it up. And yes, it's pretty spot-on (as if there would be any doubt).
2007-07-19 12:05:08
97.   DXMachina
90 But that's so six years ago.
2007-07-19 12:05:17
98.   Telemachos
93 Or "malaise".
2007-07-19 12:06:25
99.   Greg Brock
I miss the days when we were worrying about SARS and shark attacks.

The good old days.

2007-07-19 12:06:28
100.   blue22
94 - Ask the folks in downtown Manhattan yesterday running out of their shoes to get away from explosions what their definition of "post-millennial tension" is.

Bet they don't say "Dodgers".

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-07-19 12:08:01
101.   Jon Weisman
I'm just starting to feel that the nitpicking is becoming more tedious than it's worth.
2007-07-19 12:08:49
102.   Bob Timmermann
101
We can move on to a discussion of Tony Jackson and elevators.
2007-07-19 12:12:05
103.   Greg Brock
Elevators?

Me and you
your momma and your cousin too
Rollin down the strip on vogues
Comin up slammin cadillac doz

2007-07-19 12:15:21
104.   jasonungar07
Tony why do you hate elevators so much? It's not that I hate elevators its just sometime there are to many floors and buttons to push.
2007-07-19 12:15:47
105.   El Lay Dave
90 I knew what all the words meant. Anyway 101. The grades are close enough.
2007-07-19 12:16:40
106.   Who Is Karim Garcia
nice one, Greg
2007-07-19 12:19:07
107.   Greg Brock
106 I skewed to the younger demographic there.

Anyhoo, I don't have a problem with the Silver grades. In fact, I think he was a tad generous with some of the moves, which I didn't expect from BP.

2007-07-19 12:25:04
108.   D4P
BP's Nomar grade doesn't make sense. First of all, I would expect them to think it was a bad deal. Second of all, their text seems to suggest that they think it was a bad deal.

This seems like a terrific move at first--we're looking only at Garciaparra's 2006 for the time being--but .303/.367/.505 is really not all that special out of a first baseman, especially when his defense is not an asset, and when he missed a quarter of the year to injury. Plus, Garciaparra earned an additional $2.5 million in playing time incentives, bringing the total cost of the deal to $8.5 million.

Then they go on to give Ned a B-plus for the deal.

#$!&@* the heck?

2007-07-19 12:27:21
109.   weatherman
98 - Telemachos, please, the Greek: ho pyretos
2007-07-19 12:27:28
110.   jasonungar07
Well part one of the deal was good, part two, not so good. Maybe you missed that?
2007-07-19 12:29:58
111.   El Lay Dave
Hiram Bocachica was DFAed yesterday by the Padres.
http://tinyurl.com/ywmgro
2007-07-19 12:31:18
112.   El Lay Dave
85 "Logan's Run" - a movie about all the young Dodger players and prospects?
2007-07-19 12:32:54
113.   D4P
110
But that doesn't make sense. We're supposed to believe that Ned did a "good job" when Nomar played well, but a "bad job" when Nomar sucked? I don't buy it.

Having looked over all the grades now, I don't like them. Not so much the actual grades themselves, but the methodology. First of all, It's not completely clear to me whether the grades are based on what was known at the time of the trade, or based on how the trades have turned out. It seems likes a mix of the two. Second of all, I don't see much point in crediting/blaming the GM for how players have performed after they arrive, as that's mostly up to the player, manager, coaches, etc.

2007-07-19 12:36:04
114.   Humma Kavula
113 There's some point to hindsight grading. Most of us thought that Luis Gonzalez would not have a good year. Colletti saw something in him and he's been all right so far. He deserves credit for that, no?
2007-07-19 12:37:04
115.   regfairfield
108 Silver used a very odd scale for the deals since complete disasters like the Lugo trade and the Pierre signing were only Ds.
2007-07-19 12:43:38
116.   bigcpa
Pursuant to today's topic.

First 22 ML starts
(select RHP's)

ERA (as starter)

Oswalt 2.88
Verlander 3.05
Zambrano 3.41
Bills 3.54
Halladay 4.01
Cain 4.11
Lackey 4.23
Peavy 4.39
Bonderman 5.37

Quality Starts

Oswalt 16
Verlander 15
Halladay 13
Peavy 13
Bonderman 13
Zambrano 12
Cain 11
Lackey 10
Bills 8

2007-07-19 12:43:42
117.   D4P
Colletti saw something in him and he's been all right so far. He deserves credit for that, no?

Bud how do we know that Colletti "saw something in him"? It's equally (if not more) likely that either Ned would have been content with LuGo's performance from last year, or that LuGo has exceeded Ned's expectations. From what I can tell, the GMs who identify diamonds in the rough and players who are most likely to have better-than-expected seasons are those who look at peripheral stats (e.g. Ks, WHIP, BBs, etc. for pitchers, BABIP, LD%, etc. for hitters) and identify players who have been "unlucky" in the past and who are "due" to produce better results in the near future.

Ned does not strike me as that kind of GM, which makes it difficult for me to give him credit for finding players who exceed expectations.

2007-07-19 12:45:18
118.   Telemachos
Bonds is having a solid game today. 2-2, HR, 3 ribbies.
2007-07-19 12:45:26
119.   El Lay Dave
115 Pierre is not completely valueless. There were not any Fs. I guess an F is reserved for if a guy never plays at all. Even Mueller is a D - 32 games $9.5 million.
2007-07-19 12:46:47
120.   Daniel Zappala
Not sure if this is new to all of you, but Wolf's club option for next year ($9 million) vests at 180 innings pitched (according to Silver) and he is projected by ESPN to reach 174 innings, which will only decrease with more time on the DL.
2007-07-19 12:56:18
121.   Bob Timmermann
118
I believe a certain SI.com blogger wrote something about how Bonds was just going through a dry spell and the Dodgers were fortunate enough to be playing the Giants then.
2007-07-19 13:18:57
122.   ryu
And a lull falls over Dodgerthoughtsland...
2007-07-19 13:19:34
123.   ryu
Maybe it's just lunch time.
2007-07-19 13:24:20
124.   trainwreck
D4P, did you hear about Sherk and Franca?
2007-07-19 13:24:34
125.   Daniel Zappala
I'd be giving Jon fits if he knew I was eating plain old potato chips. No fancy flavors here.
2007-07-19 13:24:53
126.   blue22
120 - Yeah, I think we're feeling comfortable that Wolf is a no, but Kent is a yes, on vesting thresholds on next year's options.
2007-07-19 13:25:51
127.   bryanf
Jon - Where can we see/hear your interview with NBCSports.com? I can't seem to find it.
2007-07-19 13:27:56
128.   bryanf
That BP article says Penny is the most senior Dodger. Technically, isn't Olmedo the elder statesman?
2007-07-19 13:28:32
129.   bhsportsguy
One of the joys of MLB Gameday Audio is listening to Bob Uecker, he's always funny but he is a pretty good baseball announcer.

Just now, Matt Wise hit an infield single, and during the at-bat, as Nippert was pitching away from him, Uecker was remarking how the pitcher was staying away from Wise's power, "Once he extends those arms from his 165 lb. frame." And then after Wise got his second career hit, Bob tosses in, its too bad that the DH held him back (Wise played for the Angels prior to going to Brewers).

2007-07-19 13:29:32
130.   Hythloday
122 - I'm just in awe that the nytimes would write a preemptive book review of the new Harry Potter book a week after it wrote an article on how people are angry at spoilers. It's taking all my concentration. Well that and work.
2007-07-19 13:29:52
131.   D4P
D4P, did you hear about Sherk and Franca?

I just finished reading about it a few minutes ago. Too bad, but I'm past being surprised about it. I'm beginning to think most fighters use some kind of roid-like product, and to be honest, I don't really care all that much anymore. Those guys train like maniacs, take constant punishment and get injured all the time, and are expected to go fight other trained assassins 3 or so times per year. If anyone needs the beneficial effects of roids, it's them. I guess roids still illegal, but I sometimes wonder what MMA would be like without them. Would guys only fight once a year? Would there be a lot more career-ending injuries? I don't know.

2007-07-19 13:30:20
132.   bhsportsguy
128 See 72 & 87
2007-07-19 13:31:15
133.   ToyCannon
130
I've stayed away from the review. Do they reveal the ending in it?
2007-07-19 13:32:08
134.   bryanf
132 Ah, thank you. I guess I skimmed right over those.
2007-07-19 13:32:52
135.   Hythloday
133 - I've stayed away from the website today to avoid temptation. I couldn't tell you.
2007-07-19 13:34:37
136.   Hythloday
133 - In some ways the ending doesn't matter so much to me as I don't want to read the character arcs. I assume this book review does that at least since most do.
2007-07-19 13:34:50
137.   jasonungar07
This guy interviewied me in 89 for Soccer in Thousand Oaks. Blast from the past, wow..He has a nice little piece on Gonzo.

http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/25459

2007-07-19 13:36:24
138.   natepurcell
d4p doesn't agree with Nate's grades because he didn't give Colletti a straight F.
2007-07-19 13:37:33
139.   fanerman
I'm just staying away from anything Harry Potter related in any type of medium until I get a chance to buy and read the book.

My other big fear is that as I go into a bookstore to buy the book, someone will do a drive-by and yell out spoilers at me. How are you guys getting a hold of the book?

2007-07-19 13:37:34
140.   Jon Weisman
125 - Not at all. I'm not a PC (potato chip) snob.

127 - I don't think it's live yet.

2007-07-19 13:38:46
141.   D4P
138
BTW: I just realized that there are two different grades for Nomar: one for the first contract and one for the second. The second contracts is given a "D". That makes a lot more sense.
2007-07-19 13:38:49
142.   Jon Weisman
By the way, the highlight of the interview will be the moment you hear me talk about Lowe and Penny and accidentally call them "Lenny."
2007-07-19 13:38:52
143.   fanerman
Okay, I guess talking about Harry Potter in Dodger Thoughts goes against what I just said, but whatever. We've all done enough nitpicking for one day, right?
2007-07-19 13:39:38
144.   blue22
139 - Amazon guaranteed Saturday delivery.
2007-07-19 13:41:35
145.   trainwreck
131
That is how I am with all sports. I would prefer they not to do it, but I know they do and that will not change.
2007-07-19 13:41:51
146.   jasonungar07
141 Thats what I was trying to say! But I took off for lunch..I figured you would figure it out.
2007-07-19 13:42:26
147.   Penarol1916
130. No it didn't. There was one sentence that revealed a little bit more than I would think, but even that was extremely vague. The reviewer did like the book, thought it did a good job, but thought that it was a bit clunkier than previous Harry Potter books, but that's because it had so many ends to tie up.
2007-07-19 13:43:06
148.   bhsportsguy
136 Showing a little age, Time Magazine wrote a story about "The Empire Strikes Back" and while they did not give the big reveal, they did have pictures from the film including one of Yoda. Anyway, it came out a week or two before the release and one of my friends forbid any talk about the article and did not want it in his house, he wanted to wait and see it first hand.

We did wait in line in Westwood at the Avco, I think we saw the 4th or 5th showing on opening day.

On Harry Potter, I will be among those at the game on Saturday with a copy waiting at home, even at a minute per page it would take 12 hours to read but I will probably skim read it just to get the major story points and of course how everything turns out. Later I will read it more carefully to see how the whole series connected or maybe it didn't.

2007-07-19 13:44:49
149.   bryanf
142 Well I'm looking forward to that for sure. I guess it's better than "Powe".
2007-07-19 13:45:07
150.   bhsportsguy
142 "Hello"

Actually that's Squiggy's line.

I do not know any "Of Mice and Men" references.

Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-07-19 13:45:12
151.   Jon Weisman
125 - I'm just shocked you're not eating healthy snacks.
2007-07-19 13:49:34
152.   trainwreck
I have heard the supposed spoilers for the last Potter book, but who knows if they were totally made up or not.
2007-07-19 13:50:56
153.   delias man
scanned through a lot of games on the extra innings preview last night and noticed how every pitcher throws 97+ according to radar on the screen. so wrong. KC pitcher in 8th inning threw a 100 MPH slider according to NESN.

radar on tv or in stadiums should be outlawed.

2007-07-19 13:52:04
154.   Dodgers49
Commentary: Colletti should not deal Ethier

>>> But unbeknownst to most everyone, Ethier was playing with a bad shoulder. Ethier said he had strained it and inflamed his biceps tendon, that the shoulder was giving out on him.

"I was trying to hide it and not let it show, just trying to stay up here," he said. "Keep a job and earn a job. You never know if you're going to be here. <<<

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/articles/8590847.html

2007-07-19 13:54:03
155.   Telemachos
The reviewer did like the book, thought it did a good job, but thought that it was a bit clunkier than previous Harry Potter books...

Good lord, isn't that like saying that the new Hummer gets slightly worse gas mileage than previous models?

2007-07-19 13:54:26
156.   Summer Saint
152

In my quest to avoid all possible spoilers, I've failed so spectacularly that I think I've actually heard all of them, with the final result being that I have no idea which ones are correct--after a while they all begin to contradict one-another.

Unless, of course, JK Rowling lied and every main character gets killed. Some by more than one person.

2007-07-19 13:55:45
157.   blue22
148 - I remember as an 8-year old seeing ads for Return of the Jedi with Han Solo in them.

"Guess he got out of that carbonite ok."

2007-07-19 13:56:15
158.   Daniel Zappala
151 I did have my helping of cherries first. I know Bob is against pitted fruits, but you have to try Ranier cherries as they are really good. Also, I'm spoiling myself today as I had a filling. I've only had three, so I consider each event a sign of getting older and a time to let loose and actually have some junk food.
2007-07-19 13:56:46
159.   Bob Timmermann
158
I eat cherries.
2007-07-19 13:57:25
160.   Greg Brock
That DT day is on Harry Potter day is an unfortunate coincidence. Since I'll be meeting BH for breakfast, I won't even get to read a page before going to the game.

If some loudmouth at the game tries to get cute, there will be serious shenanigans.

2007-07-19 13:57:58
161.   trainwreck
156
She should just end the book in the middle of something major and leave the rest of the pages blank.
2007-07-19 13:58:10
162.   Jon Weisman
http://video.nbcsports.com/player/?id=130705

Okay, here's the link to the interview. Personally, I'm having trouble with the feed, but maybe you'll have better luck.

2007-07-19 13:58:44
163.   trainwreck
What about Becks? Is no one going to see Beckham's debut?
2007-07-19 13:58:48
164.   ToyCannon
I am constantly amazed how many adults got in to the HP series. It may be the one series that kids and parents can really enjoy together. I've read all the books but my wife who is a 4th grade teacher has relied upon me, the internet, and the movies to convince her kids that she's read all the books since she's unable to read without falling asleep. She recently took my nieces to the movie and I think they grilled her pretty good as came home and quickly pulled out the 5th book and started reading it. By page 54 she was fast asleep.
2007-07-19 13:58:52
165.   DXMachina
150 Tell me about the rabbits, George.
2007-07-19 13:58:54
166.   Telemachos
My oh my, Bonds en fuego -- another HR (this one a 3-run job). 3-3, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, walk.

The Giants are still losing.

2007-07-19 13:59:13
167.   Daniel Zappala
159 That's quite contradictory. My whole worldview is collapsing.
2007-07-19 13:59:39
168.   Marty
I've not read a word of the Potter books, nor seen a minute of the movies.
2007-07-19 14:00:28
169.   bryanf
168 Ditto. We must be the only two in the world.
2007-07-19 14:00:52
170.   Daniel Zappala
164 If you want a series that parents can enjoy with even younger kids, read the Lemony Snicket books. Wonderful dry humor and some hidden stuff for parents to understand.
2007-07-19 14:01:52
171.   Daniel Zappala
By the way, you should be disqualified from teaching elementary school if you don't enjoy the Harry Potter books.
2007-07-19 14:02:00
172.   bhsportsguy
So how many games does Bonds play this weekend against the Brewers?

For Vin's sake, lets hope that Bonds hits it next week at AT&T.

2007-07-19 14:02:00
173.   Dodgers49
Valdez keeps hitting as 51s keep winning

>>> It's no surprise that 51s second baseman Wilson Valdez's season-high 13-game hitting streak has coincided with Las Vegas' season-best eight-game winning streak. <<<

### Also, 51s catcher Octavio Martinez was activated from the disabled list, and catcher Gabriel Gutierrez was optioned to Class-A Inland Empire. ###

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/8592752.html

2007-07-19 14:02:11
174.   blue22
I haven't read any of the books, but my wife drags me to the movies. I thought that #3 was quite good; the rest, not so much.
2007-07-19 14:02:51
175.   Robert Daeley
164 Is it any book or just the Harry Potters that put her to sleep?
2007-07-19 14:03:01
176.   ToyCannon
159
Cherries are the best and easist fruits to eat. I've yet to see a Cherry Tree with actual cherries on them only blossoms.
2007-07-19 14:04:46
177.   Greg Brock
174 Three is also the best book. But Cuaron knocked it out of the park. If seven is as dark as we've been told, he should direct seven as well. Del Toro would also be awesome.
2007-07-19 14:04:57
178.   Marty
Does Bob's distaste for stone fruit go as far as almonds?
2007-07-19 14:05:25
179.   blue22
Not sure if this is good or bad news for Clipper fans, but Steve Francis has decided to head back to Houston. I wonder if Cuttino Mobley feels rejected.
2007-07-19 14:05:30
180.   El Lay Dave
148 We did wait in line in Westwood at the Avco, I think we saw the 4th or 5th showing on opening day.

I did that also. Not too inconvenient as I was a UCLA student at the time. We loved it.

2007-07-19 14:05:56
181.   ToyCannon
175
Any book. She's like a hummingbird. She has to be moving to stay awake. Put her in a chair and it is snooze time. She spends the whole day in class walking and has to grade the writing assignments standing up. 20 minutes in a car and she's fast asleep.
2007-07-19 14:06:28
182.   Marty
I waited in line 4 hours to see the Exorcist on opening day in Westwood.
2007-07-19 14:07:13
183.   Penarol1916
170. Those are the books that really got my daughter reading chapter books. Part of the reason was that the print tended to be spaced much more than in other books. The troubles of the undiagnosed far-sightedness and dyslexia.
2007-07-19 14:07:27
184.   trainwreck
I agree, the third movie is definitely the best. I always say that, but no one ever agrees with me.
2007-07-19 14:07:53
185.   Jon Weisman
It was common for eighth graders to haze seventh graders by giving away the ending to Watership Down, which all the seventh-graders had to read.

That might not sound cruel compared to other kinds of hazing, but in our secluded world, it hurt.

2007-07-19 14:07:57
186.   bryanf
162 Great interview. I enjoyed the part where Jon says to "ignore every single rumor" about Kemp and Loney trades.
2007-07-19 14:08:45
187.   El Lay Dave
178 I love most or all stone fruits. This is a great time of year for me, baseball, peaches, cherries, nectarines, plums - eat them up yum. Do avocadoes fall into this category?
2007-07-19 14:10:08
188.   Summer Saint
I've enjoyed the movies; despite the obvious limitation of fitting so much storyline into only a couple of hours, they've done a pretty good job of capturing the feel of Harry Potter.

That said, I think that my favorite Harry Potter movie experience comes via Brad Neely's alternative soundtrack for the first movie, entitled "Wizard People, Dear Reader." You can see part of it synched over the movie here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTPfMk34lz8
(warning: Likely NSFW, and there can be some stronger content)

I find it remarkable that the man had the drive to do this to the whole movie.

2007-07-19 14:10:39
189.   ToyCannon
179
My source blew this one. I don't really care as I don't think his knee's can hold up to extended minutes anymore anyway. Guard situation is now in bad shape as all the other PG's have been signed. Looks like Brevin Knight is all that is left barring a trade.
2007-07-19 14:11:04
190.   trainwreck
185
Chicks love Watership Down.
2007-07-19 14:11:54
191.   Marty
I'm swimming in peaches right now, but it doesn't last long. It seems they all ripen one day and are over ripe in 3 days.

So far, I've made, or had made, peach ice cream, peach cobbler, peach bars, peach pie and peach daiquiris.

2007-07-19 14:13:55
192.   D4P
168 169

Make it three...!

2007-07-19 14:15:04
193.   Penarol1916
185. That is one of 7 books that I regret having never read. I may read after my kids stop melting my brain, so don't spoil it for me.
2007-07-19 14:15:41
194.   Greg Brock
I picture Marty's estate being one gigantic farmer's market. Which is so cool.
2007-07-19 14:16:14
195.   natepurcell
191

I wish i knew how to make those things.

2007-07-19 14:17:06
196.   Bluebleeder87
Jon is sporting a cool shirt on the NBCSports.com interview aside from it being to short it was a nice interview.
2007-07-19 14:17:43
197.   Jon Weisman
189 - Go Brevin!
2007-07-19 14:18:04
198.   bryanf
I don't think there were any rabbits named Peach, Plum, or Cherry in Watership Down, but I believe there was a Blackberry and a Strawberry.
2007-07-19 14:18:46
199.   bryanf
196 Yeah that was a great picture of Jon!
2007-07-19 14:19:12
200.   ToyCannon
191
My wife's squirrels never let me get much of our fruit. Not one bloody apricot this year.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2007-07-19 14:23:12
201.   bhsportsguy
195 Cobbler is pretty easy, think of it as sweetened biscuts on top of hot fruit, pie, you can cheat and buy an unbaken pie crust, bake it and then just add the peaches, ta da!
2007-07-19 14:23:39
202.   Telemachos
Aside from movie #3, I've found the HP movies to be companion pieces to the books moreso than stand-alone movies in their own right. I think the saga would've been better served (from an artistic standpoint) as a long TV series: the books are fairly episodic and treating each book as a year in a series would make it possible for them to be exceedingly faithful to the text (which is evidently what most HP book-fans want).

Personally, I think the movies are too faithful to the books, and would be better served by streamlining and condensing so we could actually spent some time on the dramatic moments -- as it is, with occasional exception they feel like Cliff Notes versions of the books, racing from scene to scene with little emotional impact.

The LOTR movies are an excellent example of how to greatly condense long, complicated books while staying faithful to the overall essense, IMHO.

2007-07-19 14:24:37
203.   Daniel Zappala
192 I withdraw my status as minion. My loyalties are now up for grabs.
2007-07-19 14:25:46
204.   GoBears
I also have no Harry Potter experience whatsoever. No kids, no incentive.

Plus, my job is basically to read non-fiction, so I haven't cracked a novel in years. I relax by watching baseball.

2007-07-19 14:25:51
205.   Marty
Squirrels are mine and my dogs nemesis. It's a constant battle with them. They like the peaches and the figs. The parrots get almost all my almonds.
2007-07-19 14:27:07
206.   GoBears
Well, to be honest, some of the "scholarship" that I read probably should be classified as fiction. Just not very entertaining fiction.
2007-07-19 14:27:44
207.   trainwreck
I got bitten on the toe once by a squirrel.
2007-07-19 14:28:57
208.   D4P
203
Et tu, Daniel? Would it help if I say that my wife and her family read the books?
2007-07-19 14:29:08
209.   Sam DC
I am in Marty's and Bryan's shoes on HP, but not for any real reason. It's just a thing that happened.

It does seem late to catch up, however.

2007-07-19 14:29:28
210.   Daniel Zappala
204 What field? Have you read Mayflower, by Nathaniel Philbrick? A Well Regulated Militia, by Saul COrnell? Odd, but I relax by reading history.
2007-07-19 14:29:52
211.   Bluebleeder87
Personally, I think the movies are too faithful to the books

that's the way i felt about Transformers the director was way to faithfull to the cartoon in it's fast paste style. It was a nice action packed movie though.

2007-07-19 14:30:04
212.   bhsportsguy
Giants go 1-2-3 to win the game, Bonds was due up 5th in the 9th.

D-Backs and Giants can pass each other in their buses as they switch sites for the weekend.

2007-07-19 14:30:43
213.   bhsportsguy
212 Oops, I meant Cubs Win, Cubs Win.
2007-07-19 14:30:57
214.   Daniel Zappala
208 I'll take it under consideration.
2007-07-19 14:31:27
215.   Xeifrank
I would think the Dodgers have so many at bats with runners in scoring position because they don't hit many home runs. Home runs would clear the bases of runners in scoring position. They hit for a decent average and have little power, that is the recipe for having alot of at bats with RISP.
vr, Xei
2007-07-19 14:31:28
216.   GoBears
Not to rub it in (OK, only a little), but wasn't Stanford headed to the Gator Bowl before The Play, not the HoF Bowl as Silver remembers it?

Eh, maybe I have it wrong. Doesn't really matter.

2007-07-19 14:31:42
217.   D4P
I got bitten on the toe once by a squirrel

When my wife and I were dating, we were sitting on a bench and a squirrel came up to us. For reasons unexplained, I held my finger out toward it. I guess I thought I could pet it or something. The squirrel apparently thought my finger was a peanut or something, and latched on with it's REMARKABLY SHARP NEEDLE-LIKE TEETH. I raised my arm up in shock, and the squirrel didn't let go. I had to shake violently to get it to release.

Needless to say it drew blood, and I got a tetanus shot.

2007-07-19 14:31:44
218.   trainwreck
211
The movie is nothing like the cartoon aside from the fact that there are shape-shifting good and bad robots.
2007-07-19 14:32:07
219.   Jon Weisman
I read the first three HPs and liked them. Wasn't knocked out by the first movie. Haven't progressed further than that - will probably start over from scratch once my kids are old enough. I've found so far I've been able to shut out the spoilers all around.

My brother's family are diehards.

2007-07-19 14:32:11
220.   Bluebleeder87
I got bitten on the toe once by a squirrel.

there pretty acrobatic but i've seen a few to many road kill squirrels for my taste.

2007-07-19 14:32:41
221.   blue22
Transformers was awful.
2007-07-19 14:33:10
222.   Retire 55
The Golden Bear will be mighty this year
2007-07-19 14:33:18
223.   ToyCannon
205
Now that I no longer have any outdoor dogs the squirrels have won the battle especially since they have 3 feeders of their own. It is a constant battle now with squirrels during the daytime and the opposums, raccoons, and rats at night. My cats have done a decent job on the Ben's but they rightfully stay away from the Weecha's.
2007-07-19 14:33:24
224.   Jacob L
Squirrels are taking at least half the output of our avocado tree, but that's o.k since I don't like avocados. My daughter's first complex sentence was, "Avocados come from the tree outside!" She said it over and over again in a maniacal voice.
2007-07-19 14:33:54
225.   Daniel Zappala
217 And she still married you?
2007-07-19 14:34:18
226.   Xeifrank
So does this outburt from Bonds put him back on pace to break the record at Dodger stadium? At one time there was somebody who computed the game Bonds would be most likely to break the record on. Anyone?
vr, Xei
2007-07-19 14:34:20
227.   fanerman
The third was the best book and movie, certainly. The more I think about Harry Potter the more excited I get for the last book.
2007-07-19 14:34:36
228.   FirstMohican
Until now I was the only person I knew who didn't like Avocados.
2007-07-19 14:34:53
229.   Daniel Zappala
As my kids are fond of telling everyone, the squirrel is the most dangerous animal at the Grand Canyon. They were given this fact by the park rangers at a Junior Ranger program.
2007-07-19 14:35:45
230.   Jacob L
226 As I said a couple days ago, he's too close (especially now) for the projections to matter. He could do it tomorrow. It could take two weeks.

222 Don't jinx it!

2007-07-19 14:36:12
231.   D4P
And she still married you?

Yes, but her catch phrase is "I've made a huge mistake."

2007-07-19 14:36:22
232.   GobiasIndustries
217
Comedy! I just laughed LOUD at work reading that. Co-workers are looking at me strangely now...
2007-07-19 14:37:36
233.   Xeifrank
223. I got rid of my bird feeder when I found out that rats were pillaging what bird seed the birds were dropping to the ground. I put nets up around my peach and fuji apple trees to keep the virmits and birds from eating the spoils. Go Dodgers!
vr, Xei
2007-07-19 14:37:53
234.   weatherman
Squirrels are nothing more than cute rats. In my parents' small town they have an annual "squirrel killing day" where the men with shotguns walk around and shoot the squirrels. They shot 700 squirrels on "squirrel killing day" last year.
2007-07-19 14:38:04
235.   Kevin Lewis
191)
Why not make some peach chutney?

I saw two squirrels attack two kids in Boston Commons. The mom stood there laughing, while the kids screamed in terror.

2007-07-19 14:38:29
236.   Daniel Zappala
231 You might be able to regain status on the basis of your wife alone.
2007-07-19 14:38:43
237.   Marty
I would love an avocado tree, but don't have the room. Sometimes it's wild kingdom in my neighborhood. I woke up the other day and there was a coyote in my front yard consuming one of the neighbor's cats.
2007-07-19 14:38:45
238.   trainwreck
234
If only Barry White was around to give them a lesson.
2007-07-19 14:39:41
239.   Xeifrank
230. It's still fun to guess. And you can still come up with the most likely date. I'm surprised the Griddle isn't having a "Guess The Exact Time" of Bonds' #756 contest. vr, Xei
2007-07-19 14:39:52
240.   GobiasIndustries
231
If you got married in Reno it would've been "I made the biggest little mistake Michael."
2007-07-19 14:40:57
241.   Marty
234 How much drinking is involved?
2007-07-19 14:41:03
242.   Greg Brock
234 Whacking Day?
2007-07-19 14:41:40
243.   Penarol1916
237. I would love an avocado tree too, but I don't think they'll grow in Chicago.
2007-07-19 14:41:47
244.   D4P
236
Whatever it takes.
2007-07-19 14:42:16
245.   Daniel Zappala
We've had a mountain lion kill and eat a deer in a neighbor's backyard. I'm sure they appreciate something larger than a cat.
2007-07-19 14:42:18
246.   Xeifrank
237/243. I would love to have one too, but I don't know how to train monkeys to pick fruit. vr, Xei
2007-07-19 14:42:22
247.   Telemachos
204 GoBears, ever read any Patrick O'Brian? Aubrey/Maturin are about as close to non-fiction as historical fiction gets (not to mention awesome books). The movie was pretty dang wonderful too.
2007-07-19 14:42:49
248.   Jacob L
When my wife and I visited Montreal, the World's Creepiest Squirrel (TM) followed us around Mount Royal Park for at least a half an hour.

My wife is quite adept at hanging bird feeders in such a way that squirrels cannot get at them (think fishing wire).

Is anyone else having just ridiculous, biblical problems with ants right now?

2007-07-19 14:45:34
249.   Xeifrank
248. Had about 10 in the house the other day. Sprayed em and haven't had any since, but I'm still waiting for the army to show up in full force. Make sure you spray really well around the outside of your house.
vr, Xei
2007-07-19 14:46:27
250.   Bluebleeder87
218

I don't remember the cartoon all that well but i do remember it was fast paste & i got that feeling with the movie as well. I guess i was hoping it be like Batman returns or The Matrix were the stories were very believable & the acting was great.

Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2007-07-19 14:48:01
251.   Marty
My labrador is almost as bad as the squirrels. He'll eat any peach, plum, fig, tomato that falls on the ground. He loves to crunch up the wisteria seed pods, almond husks, and peach pits too. He's a vacuum cleaner. I'm surprised he hasn't killed himself.
2007-07-19 14:48:21
252.   Hythloday
248 - It was locusts in Exodus. It was ants in the Bhagavad Gita (note: I've never actually read the Gita).
2007-07-19 14:48:52
253.   natepurcell
Kyle Smit had his best outing this season today...

6IP 2H 0ER 0BB 7K

2007-07-19 14:49:46
254.   GobiasIndustries
248
I am! I live in the foothills and it has been RIDICULOUS lately. My whole downstairs smells like insecticide right now. It's disgusting.
2007-07-19 14:49:56
255.   Hythloday
If it were locusts I would advise you to let my people go, but with ants Xei's advice might work better.
2007-07-19 14:50:25
256.   trainwreck
248
I had a huge ant problem for the last two weeks. I seem to have finally broken their spirits.
2007-07-19 14:51:34
257.   Penarol1916
253. At which level is Smit pitching? I noticed Withrow managed to give up 4 runs yesterday despite only giving up 2 hits and 1 walk.
2007-07-19 14:52:01
258.   ToyCannon
Nate interrups HP and Farm talk for real Down on the Farm talk.

Marty do you live in Altadena?

2007-07-19 14:53:27
259.   natepurcell
257

Hes in the GCL. He didn't pitch that much last year (he was probably injured) so they are taking it slow with him. He's another one of those projectible bodies that needs to gain 20lbs.

2007-07-19 14:53:28
260.   trainwreck
We actually used to feed the squirrels that lived in the trees around our house. They would come regularly and they were not frightened by us. Would even come into our house, same with Blue Jays.

Take that zoo laws!

2007-07-19 14:53:56
261.   Marty
258 Yes, I do. I love it up here.
2007-07-19 14:54:09
262.   silverwidow
257-Withrow gave up one run while he was on the mound, but left three runners which all scored.
2007-07-19 14:54:28
263.   trainwreck
*blue jays, not Vernon Wells and all.
2007-07-19 14:56:03
264.   Bluebleeder87
249

i heard if you draw a line with a chalk in between there path you mess up there communication system, i can't tell you if it's true or false cause i've never tried it.

2007-07-19 14:56:03
265.   natepurcell
Lambo also hit a homerun going 1-3 with a k.
2007-07-19 14:57:17
266.   silverwidow
Nate, shouldn't Adkins be at High A at this point? I thought most college juniors start at that level.
2007-07-19 15:00:15
267.   Branch Rickey
256. Spirits or spirit? I suppose there are many ants but the way ants behave, the community acts almost like one organism. An argument could be made that they have one spirit. Of course, an argument could be made that I should be working too.
2007-07-19 15:01:47
268.   GoBears
Oh, it's not that I don't like novels. I like history too. I just don't have time to read anything other than stuff I have to read. Any time I think about picking up some "fun" reading, I look at the ginormous stack of papers and books that I have to read and put the fun book back down. And then turn on the TV instead.
2007-07-19 15:02:11
269.   Marty
Is Andrew here?

http://www.baconsalt.com/

2007-07-19 15:03:53
270.   natepurcell
266

actually...no. The level where he is right now is HUGE surprise to me. To give an example, the 6th overall pick in this years draft Ross Detwiler made his professional debut for the Nationals today against the Dodgers...in the Gulf Coast League. Usually, the summer they are drafted in, college draftees will play in an advanced rookie league like the Pioneer League or a short season A-ball league like the Northwest League. In their first FULL season is where they would normally start out in Advanced A-ball. So right now, Adkins is above the curve as far as professional ball placement goes.

2007-07-19 15:04:24
271.   D4P
I just don't have time to read anything other than stuff I have to read

Exactly. Minions take note.

2007-07-19 15:06:48
272.   Jacob L
I was thinking of making posts on the ant version of Travel Advisor. Like for example, "I'd never stay Jacob L's house. I found cayenne pepper (Cayenne!) under the window sills." Or, "All they have to eat at Jacob L's house is dirty tissues." Anyway, my respectfully explaining that they're not welcome doesn't seem to be working.

I did a little reading about some kind of gel that works its way slowly through the colony and eventually wipes out the queens. Anybody know about that? Its supposed to be not dangerous for kids.

2007-07-19 15:07:06
273.   Bob Timmermann
178
For those keeping track of my food tendencies, I used to eat almonds, but then they ended up being the last thing I ate before a stomach bug knocked me out for two weeks.

The almonds had nothing to do with it, but they have that association.

Sorry almond growers.

2007-07-19 15:08:50
274.   Gagne55
265 I can proudly say that I went to high school with that kid and saw him play many times. I was the announcer for the JV team, but I got moved up to varsity for one game and in that game Lambo hit a grand slam as the Panthers mercy ruled whoever it was they were playing.
2007-07-19 15:09:18
275.   GoBears
271. The main difference between my stack and yours is that mine is 80% graduate student papers/diss. chapters/job apps, etc. That's how sick I am - reading something that's already published seems like the holy grail to me at this point.

OK, gotta get back to the 10th grad student research presentation of the day (who say that professors get summer vacations?).

2007-07-19 15:09:33
276.   bhsportsguy
On Stubhub, I saw a bleacher seat at AT&T for $148.00 for next Wednesday's game against the Braves.
2007-07-19 15:10:43
277.   ToyCannon
261
Sounded like it. I wish we had moved there instead of the West Valley. Love the foothills.
2007-07-19 15:15:19
278.   silverwidow
Jonathan Meloan promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas!!!

http://tinyurl.com/27ztdl

2007-07-19 15:17:09
279.   Xeifrank
I saw the movie Bugs Life, one of the few movies I've seen in the last 10 years. In this documentary, ants seem to be afraid of talking grasshoppers. I suggest if you have an ant problem, that you let 50 or so grasshoppers loose in your house while you are at work, then let them out when you get home. Try it and let me know how it works.
vr, Xei
2007-07-19 15:19:13
280.   Jacob L
279 Sounds like a good idea. Have you ever owned an anteater?
2007-07-19 15:20:17
281.   Bluebleeder87
278

a lot of us think he should be up with the big club already, well at least now he's with in driving distance.

2007-07-19 15:20:26
282.   Jacob L
Actually, let me take a step back for a moment to point out that I got Xeifrank to talk about movies. Let that sink in a bit.
2007-07-19 15:20:42
283.   Gagne55
Probably my fondest Lambo memory was when Newbury Park was playing then ranked 4th in the nation Agoura with NP 6-0 in league and Agoura 5-1. Brett Fick (nephew of major leaguer Robert Fick) had blasted a two run homer to give NP a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 7th, Agoura got two runners on with one out. After a ground ball for out number two, the last hitter worked a 2-2 count. Lambo looked tired on the mound, but he still got a fastball over and as the batter swung and missed he pumped his fists and looked up looking like he was going to roar. A complete game it was against a top ranked offense and beating Marmonte League pitcher of the year Jason Stoffel to solidfy first place in league. And Robert Stock was on deck.
2007-07-19 15:22:07
284.   D4P
"Terro" is a great product for getting rid of ants. It's a clear liquid that you put on a little piece of cardboard. Ants swarm it and take it back to the nest. They magically disappear in a few days or so.

http://www.terro.com/

2007-07-19 15:22:15
285.   ToyCannon
From Baseball America where they have posted 3 all-star teams at the break.
Minor Leagues
Hu is the SS on the minor league team beating out the much more ballyhooed Reid Brignac who is having a down year.
Meloan is the relief pitcher

Major League Rookie All-Star Team
Not a Dodger to be found. Not sure how Salty beat out Loney but he did.

Minor League Surprise Team
Our own McDonald makes it as a SP.

2007-07-19 15:22:44
286.   Chiron Brown
272 I once heard a sweet, little old lady explain that you should put a thin ring of jelly on the floor and fill the center with baking soda. The ants will eat through the jelly and continue eating the baking soda which will make them explode. She said it sounds like popcorn. I was kind of terrified. And I've never tried it.
2007-07-19 15:23:14
287.   bhsportsguy
278 Actually, that is a pretty big deal because Vegas really has been just a rest stop for anyone who can pitch in relief.

Houlton, Stults or Hernandez could be here for a short while once Meloan settles in.

2007-07-19 15:23:20
288.   Marty
Grasshoppers are like in-laws. You can't get rid of them.
2007-07-19 15:24:04
289.   ToyCannon
283
So he did this as a Junior?
2007-07-19 15:25:29
290.   ToyCannon
279
They won't eat your ants but they will eat all of your leaves of your favorite plants.
2007-07-19 15:26:51
291.   fanerman
290 That rhymes.
2007-07-19 15:27:01
292.   Gagne55
Lambo slugged over 1.000 and had an era under 2.000 that year as well as not comitting an error at any position he played. The guy is amazing. Anyway, I guess I'll shut up about Lambo now since I doubt anybody cares.
2007-07-19 15:27:38
293.   Jacob L
288 But my in-laws don't like L.A. all that much.
2007-07-19 15:29:36
294.   Gagne55
289 Yeah. That was actually the only year we were both at NP, as he transfered over from Grover Cleveland and then I graduated a year before he did.
2007-07-19 15:29:48
295.   ToyCannon
292
Are you kidding, he's local and he's ours. We love our Lambo.
2007-07-19 15:31:57
296.   jasonungar07
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/pro/57436.php

cool little write up on Meloan

2007-07-19 15:37:16
297.   jasonungar07
Expecto Patronum

Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Gonzo, LF
Nomar, 3B
Loney, 1B
Kemp, RF
Lowe, P

2007-07-19 15:41:46
298.   Kevin Lewis
I am reading book 6 again, and I am loving it.

297)

Would your patronus be an image of Ethier sitting on the bench after yesterdays performance?

2007-07-19 15:43:43
299.   D4P
Nomar, 3B

I thought the point of a platoon was to play the better hitter vs. the handedness of the pitcher...

vs. LH:

Betemit: .250/.300/.429/.729
Nomar: .213/.294/.279/.573

2007-07-19 15:44:48
300.   confucius
I've never touched a Harry Potter book. However, I am enjoying Falling Man by Don DeLillo right now.
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2007-07-19 15:46:49
301.   D4P
Might as well throw this out there too:

vs LH:

Ethier: .301/.369/.459/.827
Pierre: .248/.267/.277/.544

2007-07-19 15:47:40
302.   Telemachos
299 Nomar is worse against lefties than righties?
2007-07-19 15:50:28
303.   Shotupthemiddle
301 Is Ethier hitting exactly .301 against both lefties and righties?
2007-07-19 15:50:33
304.   D4P
302
He has been this year.

vs RH:

.288/.325/.345/.670

2007-07-19 15:51:09
305.   D4P
Ethier vs. RH:

.295/.370/.460/.830

2007-07-19 15:53:04
306.   Marty
Greg, what have you gotten yourself into over at the Out Watch?
2007-07-19 15:53:25
307.   Robert Daeley
302 304 Interesting tidbit, Nomar has 118 AB versus RHP, only 61 versus LHP.

And I still can't get over his Home versus Away split:

Home: .333 .392 .396 .788
Away: .217 .246 .271 .517

2007-07-19 15:53:49
308.   kngoworld
It hurts me emotionally every day that Pierre gets the start when Ethier or Kemp are riding the bench. A little piece of me dies every day when I read the lineup. Pierre has no shot at breaking any consecutive games streak. One day a manager is going to sit the player down for an entire game, why can't Grady be that manager? It is taking its toll on my baseball soul.
2007-07-19 15:54:45
309.   Robert Daeley
307 That should be 264 AB versus RHP for Nomar.

Betemit has 118 AB versus RHP, 28 versus LHP.

2007-07-19 15:55:47
310.   bryanf
308 You must be an emotional wreck and many pieces of you are dead.
2007-07-19 15:59:06
311.   Shotupthemiddle
301 305

Ethier-

.301 for the season
.301 vs LHP
.295 vs RHP

?

Can that be possible? Especially with more PAs vs. RHP? Or did he drop under .300 with his last AB yesterday? (I seem to remember him walking)

2007-07-19 16:03:42
312.   Robert Daeley
Ethier in July: .469 .528 .625 1.153
2007-07-19 16:10:46
313.   Eric Stephen
311 Ethier is hitting .318 against LHP (.318/.366/.455)
2007-07-19 16:12:12
314.   natepurcell
311

ethier is hitting .318 vs lefties and .295 vs righties.

2007-07-19 16:12:57
315.   natepurcell
Ethier has an above average walk rate and excellent strikeout and k/bb ratios.
2007-07-19 16:15:11
316.   Bluebleeder87
If I was the Manager of the Dodger:

Furcal
Martin (Handles the bat very well & takes pitches plus speed)
Ethier (hot right now power & avg)
Gonzo (veteran with pop having good year)
Kent
Kemp (K's some but great power)
Loney (gap power)
Pierre (only cause he makes 45 mill)
______________________________________________

what do you think.

2007-07-19 16:17:13
317.   Shotupthemiddle
313314 Thanks. That makes more sense. Better average vs. LHP, slightly higher OPS vs. RHP. Sadly, for us, the guy can't play center field....
2007-07-19 16:17:19
318.   Dodgers49
For those who haven't read today's LA Times Helene Elliott has more on Ethier/Mueller:

>>> But unlike Murray, who didn't offer the constant feedback that Ethier craves, Mueller has gotten Ethier to use his hands in concert with his head and his heart. <<<

http://tinyurl.com/2zwn3c

2007-07-19 16:17:21
319.   Jon Weisman
316 - I don't know. Third base?
2007-07-19 16:21:16
320.   Bluebleeder87
316

oh shoot i forgat Nomar.

2007-07-19 16:22:48
321.   D4P
oh shoot i forgat Nomar

That's a good thing.

2007-07-19 16:24:53
322.   Jon Weisman
Some Nate Silver corrections:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=452

2007-07-19 16:25:00
323.   Bluebleeder87
i'd probably put Betemit in there or call up La Roche in all honesty.
2007-07-19 16:28:51
324.   Bob Timmermann
322
I still wish to know Nate's stance on the Dodger Stadium elevators.
2007-07-19 16:32:01
325.   regfairfield
323 It might get a bit cramped with four outfielders.
2007-07-19 16:35:36
326.   Gagne55
316 So are you experimenting changing our defense from the standard 4-3 to the 3-4? As if Derek Lowe hasn't suffered enough this year.
2007-07-19 16:37:58
327.   Bluebleeder87
326

i didn't think it threw very well i suppose.

2007-07-19 16:38:02
328.   Gagne55
I recall the Devil rays actually using a 3-4 defense when pitching to David Ortiz. Huff, a 3B/LF moved to the outfield when he came up then moved back to third when the at bat was over.
2007-07-19 16:38:41
329.   fanerman
316
I think most people here agree that the best line-up (on a typical day) involves an OF of LuGo, Kemp, Ethier, and an IF of Betemit, Furcal, Kent, Loney, and Martin.
2007-07-19 16:42:26
330.   Eric Enders
It seems like shortstop is becoming more and more of a problem these days. Furcal is not really getting on base, is definitely not hitting for power, has not been stealing bases, and has not been able to use his speed to make up for his bad defensive fundamentals as he did last year.

If I were Colletti, I would sit down and have a nice conversation with Raffy. I'd tell him, look, we appreciate that you're willing to play hurt. We appreciate that you don't want to let your teammates and the organization down, and we admire your toughness. But it's clear to everyone, even the most casual fans, that your injury is hurting your performance on the field. We intend to make the playoffs this year and it's very important to us that you are healthy when October comes around. We would like to put you on the DL for three weeks or so to give your ankle a legitimate chance to heal.

If Furcal agrees to this, great. If he doesn't, put him on the DL anyway. He's hurting the team, and we have the hottest hitter in minor league baseball at AAA who also happens to be an outstanding defensive shortstop. Hu would be a more than capable fill-in for three weeks while Furcal rests the ankle. Plus it gives us the added benefit of getting a look at Hu in the major leagues. Either this off-season or early during next season, Colletti will be faced with the decision of whether to extend Furcal's contract, which means now is the time to be gauging Hu's potential to eventually be an everyday SS.

The DL move really needs to happen whether Furcal likes it or not. I don't think Colletti has the stones to do it, though. I hope he proves me wrong.

2007-07-19 16:42:40
331.   fanerman
329 That may have been too sweeping a generalization.
2007-07-19 16:44:28
332.   Vishal
211,221 i disagree with you both actually.

i think the movie spent WAY too much time focusing on the human storylines rather than the robots, which of course the cartoon never did.

on the other hand, even though i was a big fan of transformers growing up, i still thought the movie wasn't awful. i had very low expectations going into it because of michael bay, but it was fun popcorn fare, and the robots looked pretty cool, you have to admit.

2007-07-19 16:44:29
333.   Telemachos
328 And didn't Tracy use a 5-2 against the Dodgers?
2007-07-19 16:45:29
334.   Vishal
[330] i do agree with this. hu's at short! :)
2007-07-19 16:46:32
335.   blue22
331 - Yes, that's very disrespectful to all the Mike Lieberthal fans in here.
2007-07-19 16:47:14
336.   ImprobableImpossible
Batting second for the Mets tonight:

Marlon Anderson

Anyone care to guess what the reaction from the Stadium crowd will be?

It should be a standing ovation (and it will be from me). Recent history suggests it will be booing.

2007-07-19 16:47:56
337.   fanerman
332 - That's about what I thought of the movie.
2007-07-19 16:50:43
338.   Xeifrank
330. I agree, as long as you have the same conversation with Nomar, then step on JP's toe and have the same conversation with him too. vr, Xei
2007-07-19 16:51:00
339.   Retire 55
Glavine splits (ba/ops): VS. LEFT: .321 / .853 VS. RIGHT: .240 / .709

Leaving Ethier out of the lineup is stupid. It demonstrates Grady's willful ignorance.

2007-07-19 16:52:51
340.   Jon Weisman
336 - Actually, I'll predict modest cheers. Despite what's been going on at the stadium, it seems just impossible to boo Marlon Anderson.
2007-07-19 16:53:38
341.   Bluebleeder87
332

as far as believable storylines go you have to think Batman Begins was pretty good though. i made a typo on my previous post & put batman returns.

2007-07-19 16:54:18
342.   Eric Enders
"So are you experimenting changing our defense from the standard 4-3 to the 3-4? As if Derek Lowe hasn't suffered enough this year."

Actually, this brings up a topic I've been thinking about for a while. It's the latest in my periodic series, "Ideas Which Would Almost Certainly Work But Which Are Too Weird For Any Team to Actually Try." You might remember the last installment in the series, The Left-Handed Catcher.

The Dodgers should play five infielders and two outfielders every time Derek Lowe pitches. Lowe allows three and a half times more ground balls than fly balls. A lot of these ground balls sneak through the infield. All of these would be caught and turned into outs with a five-man infield. And a few regular groundouts would also be turned into double plays since the fielders wouldn't have to range as far to field the ball.

Lowe allows, what, maybe four fly balls a game? Sometimes one or none at all. With a two-man outfield, maybe one additional fly ball would fall in per game. And the occasional double becomes a triple instead. I think it would be a reasonably rare occurrence and certainly a good tradeoff for eliminating all the groundball singles that sneak through the infield.

2007-07-19 16:55:05
343.   Eric Enders
I will be cheering for Marlon Anderson.
2007-07-19 16:56:26
344.   Vishal
[341] batman begins was good. but i don't need believability from the transformers. i just want to know more about the autobots and decepticons, not about spike witwicky. the girl was nice to look at, but she's not why i went to the theater.
2007-07-19 16:57:01
345.   natepurcell
kershaw is getting hit ridiculously hard in the 3rd.
2007-07-19 16:57:15
346.   Retire 55
I would cheer Anderson for sure.
2007-07-19 16:59:14
347.   blue22
344 - But as soon as they focus more on the robots, the more the robots are inclined to talk to each other on screen. Those human-to-robot and robot-to-robot exchanges were the low points of a pretty lousy movie for me.
2007-07-19 17:01:12
348.   Vishal
[347] hahah, have you ever seen the cartoon?
2007-07-19 17:01:23
349.   ImprobableImpossible
As a matter of fact, I think fans' booing has become an embarrassment lately.

I found it interesting that some DT posters (whom I respect greatly) suggested that Giants fans at the All-Star Game were classless for booing Penny, Sammy and Martin. That was funny and indicates the strength of the rivalry.

Too many Dodger fans are just too boo-happy. They'll boo their own No. 5 starter is he goes 3-0 in the count.

2007-07-19 17:03:02
350.   Marty
Will the crowd even remember who Anderson is?
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2007-07-19 17:04:37
351.   Gagne55
342 But then wouldn't the opposing hitters put more of an uppercut on their swing to loft bloops into the undercovered outfield?
2007-07-19 17:04:52
352.   Bob Timmermann
350
Knowledgeable fans will know who Anderson is. So I think Greg Brock and ToyCannon are going to the game.

That will leave about 45,000 others to boo. Except if it's early in the game, it will be about 30,000.

2007-07-19 17:06:38
353.   Gagne55
Or would hitters take the same approach at bat regardless? I don't think they would.
2007-07-19 17:07:48
354.   Jon Weisman
350 - That's why I said "modest."
2007-07-19 17:07:58
355.   Bluebleeder87
{344},{347}

I thought it wasn't fair that the good leader Robot was a trailer while the bad Leader Robot was a cool fighter jet. The movie was actioned packed with lousy storyline & acting.

2007-07-19 17:09:17
356.   Gagne55
352 There are generally a ton of Met fans in the stadium when the Mets come to town. The last time I went when the Mets were here, there were more Met chants than Dodger chants during the game. Of course, Pedro did have a no-hitter into the eigth in that game, so thatmay have had something to do with it.
2007-07-19 17:13:05
357.   Eric Enders
They almost had a baseball version of the Colorado fifth-down situation in the Great Lakes game just now. A Loons batter made the third out of the inning, but the next batter came up to the plate anyway, the P.A. announcer announced him, and the defense didn't notice and stayed on the field. Eventually somebody noticed.
2007-07-19 17:13:48
358.   Bluebleeder87
Vishal are you gonna make it to the DT get together or are you still in the east?
2007-07-19 17:17:46
359.   Vishal
[358]i'm out east for a couple more weeks, unfortunately. i've got a master's thesis to finish up, then i'm heading back to california.
2007-07-19 17:25:07
360.   Vishal
and yes, it's "out east" and "back west" as far as i'm concerned :)
2007-07-19 17:26:53
361.   Bob Timmermann
360
Easternmost in quality.
Westernmost in flavor.
2007-07-19 17:27:29
362.   Bluebleeder87
it's gonna be fun too bad you can't make it.
2007-07-19 17:28:43
363.   Jon Weisman
Game thread is open.
2007-07-19 18:03:10
364.   MJW101
330 - Hu is not on the 40 man roster. He does not need to be on the 40 man until next year.

Abreu would be an adequate replacement at SS for a couple of weeks.

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