Have a great time at the game! I was at the DT Pirates game and really enjoyed hanging out with everyone, and would be there today if not for my mom's birthday AND a friend's wedding.

I am looking foward to trying to locate the DT section in the crowd. But I'm not taking for granted that Fox will give me this game, even though it would seem logical. I am about 120 miles from NYC. I won't explode or anything, because I have no faith in Fox.

"Live from Miller Park, the Fox Game of the Week presents to you the San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers."

No, don't say it. I hope you are not sure of this, are you?

Actually, I believe New England is getting the White vs. Red battle of Sox.

Have fun storming the stadium, boys!

3 Arrrgh, it's true for me, as I'm in SF. Rats. Of all the secondary games they could have scheduled today (yeah, yeah, Bonds and the home run record chase. Feh.)

At least I can watch it on MLBTV. Uh, right?

5 Of course we are. The Red Sox are the only baseball team allowed to be shown in New England ever. It's the law.

There are four games in the Fox time slot:

White vs. Red
Rox vs. Nats
Gints vs. Brew Crew
Mets vs. Dodgers

But the TV listings for DC don't show the Nats vs. Rockies game being aired there.

And Yahoo says that game is not being televised anywhere.

I'm sure the good people of the Capital and the good people of Colorado will survive.

It's hard meeting the DT gang at 11am when it is 10:40 and they haven't yet opened the parking lot gates.

Have fun, all.

8 I think that law generally applies to ESPN, too.

Have fun people.....!

As much as I like the Rsox, my Fox station is 7 from the Albany, NY market, so I may have a chance. My Karma with Fox says no, though, and I've seen Albany get plenty of Sox games.

The Yankees are not appearing on Fox today and since it's a doubleheader against Tampa Bay, I believe that the Geneva Convention prohibits showing those games.

And it's also a doubleheader and the four starters are Kei Igawa, Jason Hammel, Matt DeSalvo, and J.P. Howell.

Yahoo TV says Albany, NY is getting the Dodgers and Mets.

11 - We're all in the same boat at least. Although I think I just saw Rob walking up the hill.

It's a beautiful day for a ballgame!

Have a great time at the game today, DT'ers.

Just do us all a favor and don't smuggle in too many beach balls, all right?

Enjoy the game, guys and gals, and take pictures!

I'm trying to remember the last time I saw Kemp start in left with Ethier in right and I can't reach back that far. But I'll take both in the lineup anywhere.

21
Kemp has never started in left when Ethier has started in right in the majors.

All of Kemp's starts last year in left came with either Drew or Cruz in right field.

My "Mobile Press-Register" says Dodgers-Mets today, but they've never had a Saturday Dodgers game in this region, yet. I'll be in shock if I'm not listening on Gameday Audio with Rick and Charlie, and following it on Gameday. This was the one game, I really wanted to see with Penny pitching. If it's on, they better win.

Have fun everyone!

Looks like this place is all mine now.

trainwreck, I've got the Giants game on Fox out here, and in addition there's the last of the Potter heptalogy to read.

Could be a very quiet day at DT, unless the folks at the game post from iPhones, Blackberries, or TREOs.

I too get the Giants game, but I got MLBTV.

On the plus side I am leaving at 2 to get drunk with friends in Roseville. On the down side, I am going to Roseville.

Only one old friend in the Mets starting lineup today and that's Marlon Anderson in left. Milledge is starting in right instead of Green and Castro is catching instead of Lo Duca.

Kent is the only former Met starting for the Dodgers.

Too bad MLBTV doesn't have a Tivo-ish feature, eh, Train? Actually, I once left a game on MLBTV, paused it, then came back a couple hours later to unpause and watch the rest of it after it had all been downloaded. If you don't want the score or action spoiled, you just have to cover up the right side of your MLBTV player. This free MLBTV trick is sponsored by Underdog, the motion picture.

Glad Betemit's in the line-up today. Dunno if any of you saw this yet, but just in case, Tony Jackson posted this just a little while ago:
"One of the hot rumors of the day, which you likely will read somewhere on the internet, is that the Dodgers are about to trade Wilson Betemit to the Yankees for reliever Scott Proctor. Let me be the first to nip it in the bud, because it ain't going to happen, according to a very reliable source I just spoke with. Although it WAS discussed at one point, it never really got off the ground."

29
Now I know. And knowing is half the battle.

Betemit for Proctor lol

How about Nomar for Proctor?

Quiet in here today? Unless Bob comes in, we'll never get to 500 posts.

How come Kemp is in left instead of right?

34 Ethier is a better right fielder.

34
It's Ethier's turn to crash into the RF wall.

Wait they just showed people tailgating in a parking lot at the Dodger game. I thought that was not allowed.

With Penny on the mound, the boys at the stadium are virtually guaranteed to witness a Dodger victory.

37 Security is being dispatched immediately.

Vasgersian-McCarver...!

Who's this "Elayne Boosler" character...?

Looks like there are plenty of good seats still available.

Maybe the Mets held Shawn Green out of the lineup today because they were afraid Penny would drill him for stealing signs.

Anyone else notice that Ms. Boosler muffed the batting order?

Bonus coverage of Barry Bonds...!

Strike this bum out and let's get back to the Dodger game.

Pierre gave that one a ride.

3 flyouts to merlin?

Hello :)

49
You boys should move down right behind home plate. Looks to be plenty of space available.

McCarver's right. Thirty-nine percent is almost forty percent.

That's a tough error for Ethier. Wasn't really a bad throw. Not as if Betemit couldn't have easily grabbed it.

Tony Jackson's lineup has Kemp in right and Ethier in left and it appears that is correct.

I would have given that error to Betemit. Even though it bounced it was an easy hop.

Okay, this really sucks. Not only am I blacked out from watching this one on Fox locally in SF because of the stupid Giants game, but MLBTV says I'm blacked out from watching the game there, too. That's fair.

So it's Steinday on the radio. Sigh.

ugh, if they dont get it together quick this could be a 4 game sweep with learch pitching tomorrow.

Serious question:

Why does Matt Kemp not bat higher than 8th in the lineup?

I can't think of any serious answer to that. Except that it seems like Pierre should be in the 8 slot, as many here have advocated.

Did Penny look any better as that inning went along, Jon? (Or anyone watching)

Are the dodgers getting good hits in against Sosa? I would hope so since hes on pace to pitch 12 innings with the # of pitches he's thrown.

Wonderful, Fox is giving me the D's game..Wonderful maybe at this point.

Now Betemit and Ethier make me look bad for overreacting.

5 putouts.

It looks like they're trying to hit it to Anderson.

Marlon is 6 putouts short of the record for POs by a left fielder in a game.

The last time it happened was on July 18, 1969 by Willie Horton of the Tigers.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1969/B07180CLE1969.htm

It hasn't been done in the NL since 1901.

I would not expect 6 more fly outs to left.

lets lose 3 (probably 4 now) in a row to the mets AT HOME. nice work guys.

Marlon won't be catching that one.

We can take a small amount of comfort in the fact that our schedule for the rest of the month isn't tough to say the least. Unfortunately SD will be playing all the same teams.

Sounds like Penny just missed a home run there.

Hopefully the boys at the stadium are able to keep track of Bonds's ABs, the way us TV viewers are.

My Karma has felt bad for several days, and It seems to be running w/ the D's. But as Jon has said recently, I seem to get much less upset this year.
That was an amazing pitch to hit for a home-run for Wright, I must say. That was not a fat pitch. When Wright is right, he is awesome. I would point out that in a few years we could have three or four guys at a level only a bit below Wright and of a similar age.

Fox is doing a little piece on Ryan Klesko and they said his favorite music group is Pearl Jam, yet they played Alice In Chains during the segment.

I thought that was funny.

when did sosa turn into a soft tosser? i remember him throwing in the mid to upper 90's with the d rays and braves.

Thats Juan. Now we need two and more.

Brad Penny is the 42nd Dodgers pitcher since 1901 to get at least four doubles in a season.

Andy Messersmith (1974) and Burleigh Grimes (1920) hold the team record for pitchers with 8 doubles.

russ making a lot of outs in this series on hitable pitches.

I hope the people watching the Giants game are enjoying the Pedro Feliz Experience!

[76] what's happy pete up to?

Any chance the Yankees might want Nomar to play first base?

How on earth was that a single? Sounds, uh, deep.

Happy Pete has a homer and 3 RBIs.

Betemit hit the ball too hard.

Steiner is stating the obvious regarding the OBP of the bottom of the lineup vs. the top of the lineup. Now go tell Grady your discoveries.

oh hell yeahh!!!!!

Situations like this are why Matt Kemp is the #8 slot!

That was an offically DT-sanctioned home run.

Betemit/Kemp/Laroche are good building blocks of middle of the order power.

I like this "youth movement" thing:

- J. Loney singled to left

- W. Betemit singled to deep center, J. Loney to third

- A. Ethier singled to right, J. Loney scored, W. Betemit to second

- M. Kemp homered to deep left center, W. Betemit and A. Ethier scored

Nice.

Loney-Betemit-Ethier-Kemp

Another pop up homerun for Matt Kemp.

Hee hee! Now I'm officially jealous of y'all at the park. That was sweet, wonderful, and other meaningless words that don't do it justice.

82 Yep, Steiner knows more than the powers that be about the line-up, but overall I like the line-up today. Still, our "bottom" of the order has to be about as good as any in he league.

Especially when Brad Penny's at the bottom!

85 - exactly, those 5-6-7-8 hitters putting up four & grabbing the lead on DT day is so apropos.

71. Well AIC is the best band to come out of that scene/era...

Met Fan!!

Somebody get a rope.

Apparently, Wil Wheaton interfered with that ball.

keep it going russ

5 more putouts in left for the record!

Juan Pierre is an RBI machine.

Wow the men folk are getting to watch a great game while we mind the homestead.

Now if Juan Pierre were to hit for the cycle today, I'd ... plotz!

Martin is hitting the ball hard but just right at people.

Four more for the record!

You can do it Marlon!

97 Four more!

I felt that perhaps my post (70) was wildly optimistic in retrospect, but thinking through I had a fairly good defense. I feel even better about it now.

Is the record for putouts by one player, or for left field?

young dodger players> young dbacks players

at least thats what the numbers say.

just sayin'!

105
One player in left field. I don't know if there is a team record kept.

With a new pitcher, the dynamic is going to change and the Dodgers may start hitting the ball a different direction.

could this at bat last any longer

Of the 12 batters retired by Sosa, 10 of them came on fly balls to the outfield.

Hitting the ball to right field is not cool!

106 I dare you to make that bold claim at BTF and survive.

C'mon. Now they're just toying with us by hitting it to the other outfielders.

This announcer is trying too hard to pronounce Betemit correctly and he just sounds like a stiff with messed up emphasis.

I dare you to make that bold claim at BTF and survive.

its only that Levski fellow. His motto is in essence, "dbacks rule, other teams drool"

That inning was disappointing to me on so many levels.

BTF is dominated mainly by Mets fans however.

There are only a couple D-Backs fans, but they are just very vocal.

Hii all... Posting from section 3 at beautiful Dodger Stadium. Glorious day, great company and a Dodger lead... What could be better? Sitting with our host who like the rest of us is enjoying a great day. Wish you were here!

113 I guess I dont pay enough attention to the poster names. That guy posts enough propaganda to be mistaken for a about half a dozen people.

116
So no Pier 6 Brawl between the Murrayites and the Muellerites?

106 110 Other than Byrnes, who do the BDacks have, young, old, or in the middle there, who one would rather have playing than Kemp, Loney, and Martin? And, fine, Nate and I might not survive our announcement of the "good news", but we'd die martyrs for the truth...

119

well if they call up Justin Upton...then him. But right now no one really. Even Stephen Drew when we have Hu simmering in vegas.

matt kemp > chris young
james loney > conor jackson

that was a good reason to slide into first.

don't go there Bob. Trying to enjoy my day with DT at the park!

Time for a sac fly to left, Juan. It's win-win!

124- Sac Flys are not a part of the cycle?

What an odd place for a question mark.

Russ is due!

Martin is due.

OK, sac fly to left, Russ! You can do it!

Time to get rich.

I like when the bases are loaded for Golden Boy, even if he's been hitting more like Aluminum Boy this week.

Pierre ever so slightly leaned into that one...

get out of here, dane cook

This MLB commercial is making me HATE baseball.

... Pierre's fortunate that the ump didn't rule that Juan didn't make an effort to get out of the way.

I think that ruling needs to be applied more.

Has Stults been announced as the starter for tomorrow or will it be Hendrickson?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

... BIG break for the Dodgers.

Kent will deliver here.

136 Steiner kept saying Hendrickson. Diamond Leung is saying its Stults.

c'mon jeff put the nail in the coffin

Penny still in line for a Quality Start.

Several times on the ESPN radio broadcast of today's' Dodgers-Mets game, the broadcasters have said that Willie Randolph is not sold on Gotay's defense. Now we get a glimpse why.

OH COME ON!!!!!!!

Cut away for THIS?

WTF FOX?

I am very disturbed by the Dodgers inability to fly out to left now.

Gameday has lost Martin's AB. What did he do?

I'm out of my mind with this Bonds thing. Life is dumb.

Oh good. I didn't want to watch the Dodgers when they have runners on second and third. Let's watch an intentional walk!

I thought there was gunna be a Loney Bomb there.

Oh, never mind. It just caught up.

Who know's what happened in the D's half--who cares--not Fox!
144 That was a very appropriate possible subversion of rule one!

Betemit is out OPSing Martin.

Castro's picture on Gameday looks like the Grinch, but with a double chin.

144 He probably just meant Why This Fixation Fox

Now is when I particularly want the D's offense not to let up. They often seem to.( not that this is unusual for many teams in this situation.)

You mean my abbreviation of What the Fudge?

;)

154

Ooh I like that even better!

Penny looks irate.

We need a mound visit.

No doubt Penny is blaming Little's advice.

Who are the D's?

Lo Duca v. RHP: 586 OPS
Lo Duca v. LHP: 861 OPS

Both of Beimel's first two pitches got too much of the plate.

Stay low and away Joe!

why is beimel being brought in?? is this not the precise situation where broxton would be most useful? is the only reason we're not seeing broxton because it's the 7th inning and not the 8th? if so that is all kinds of stupid.

Oh, that's nice. Pitcher's best friend.

Solid job by Beimel.

that was nice work. still, i don't think it was the right move to make at the time, even though it worked out.

Beimel induces a lot of those type of groundballs. Good move by Grady and good positioning by Furcal.

C'mon boys! 6 outs to go! You need to hit four of them at Marlon!

Bob must be busy at work because he hasn't picked up on a Griddle-esque Scott Olsen story.

(Bob weeps.)

I wonder how much money the person who came up with that Dodgers players profile makes?

What is with these lame player profiles Fox is doing?

Just Fox's continued dedication to the dumbing down of America?

Jesus, Fox. That was some of the dumbest and laziest made programming I have ever seen.

Fox should run its baseball promo without the cheerleader. The clips send the message.

171 [appearing out of lurky waters...] whatever it is, it's too much.

The dream is over for Marlon.

They should nickname Kevin Kennedy, The Mortician. He just has that look.

169 I think the Griddle rightly has a limit on number of Marlins-related stories per week, or per day.

I think we all were hoping Beimel could get through the 8th and let our bullpen rest.

Hmm. The 51s are playing a doubleheader today, to make up for the rainout, and the first game starts at 6pm. I'm sure to avoid the heat and all, but that 9:30 game start will be interesting.

ARGH. Beltran. Feh.

Is Sammy available today?

181 They said he was technically available now today, yeah. Hoped to give him one more day of rest but can use him today.

178
I have trouble with putting up DUI stories all the time. Mainly because they seem to happen a lot.

180
But shouldn't they be 7-inning games?

181 Tony Jackson's ItD says: "Not sure of Saito is available -- Grady says he isn't going to identify his available relievers to the media before the game anymore because it tips off the other team"

185 So spoilers aren't limited to books and movies?

I really want this game over so I can begin that new book I just picked up at Borders.

guessing they'll let Broxton go back out there in the 9th? Only threw 10 pitches.

And I've heard a couple of comments about offenses "letting down" after they score some runs. Isn't this just a return to norm? Opposing teams make pitching adjustments and a team shouldn't continue to score regardless. Not sure it has to do with any lack of effort.

185 Next thing you know, Grady will be holding up a glove in front of his face during interviews.

185
That's like a Japanese manager. In almost all of Japan's parks, the bullpens are hidden so you can't see who's warming up.

But almost always there's someone warming up. The Japanese managers love to change pitchers.

I might be tempted to put Broxton out there until someone gets on. We can't expect miracles from Saito for ever.

Re: Saito, I'd just heard about his status via ESPN announcers so I don't know how accurate that is. Guess we'll find out in a sec.

Re: Vegas, you're right, Bob, I forgot minor league games are shorter. Still, something about seeing a 6pm start for the first game of a doubleheader that struck me as... unusual.

190 Guess Grady agrees with you.

180. HI'm sure to avoid the heat and all, but that 9:30 game start will be interesting.

But they were rained out in Tacoma. I'm not sure how hot it would be there today.

Live by the putout, die by the putout.

182 185 Thanks.

And here I thought it was in Vegas. Okay, please ignore me - I think my brain was replaced by one in the jar marked "Abby Normal."

The 51s do have a 9 game win streak, though, I think I've got that part right.
----

Yay, Bull!

I left for the late sixth and early seventh to tend my negleted tomatoes. But I see our offense stopped as expected.
And for the second or third time in a few weeks I felt Grady had to screw around and not put Broxton in for the eighth.
But alls well that ends well!!!
We WIN. DT has a great day, and I'm sure we are due some great accounts. What could be better.

And now the DT crowd goes home happy. And leaves honking their horns alternately chanting "Bison!" and "Big John!"

we win!

Beckham's a gametime decision for the game tonight, btw, with his ankle still iffy. Just an exhibition game but would be fun to have him come in for at least a few minutes in game vs. Chelsea.

187 Alex. I'm now thinking you are mostly right here. When your offense does a great job catching up its not unexpected to return to normal and the other team to adjust their pitching. But now and then it seems like a team has the other team on the run and most bullpens don't get better as you get into them. Fertile ground for studies for some stat maniacs.

Who gave Kemp the nickanme, "Bison"? Why? Or is that Broxton's monicker?

Broxton is called the Bull hereabouts, though sometimes I've heard "The Ox" too. Bison is indeed Kemp and it's been posted here before that it was an announcer - Steiner? - who first called him that, though I like to believe it was someone here. Can't remember who officially called him that first. But he roams like a bison.

200. The times is reporting that he will play. They say he will not start but will come in sometime during the second half.

http://tinyurl.com/2ctmts

203
Don Sutton first called Kemp a buffalo.

AP notes that Penny is the first starting pitcher to open a season 12-1 for the Dodgers since they moved to L.A. Phil Regan, aka "The Vulture," did it as a reliever in 1966. He ended the year 14-1 Three others got off to 11-1 starts in L.A.: Sandy Koufax (1966, en route to 27-9), Rick Rhoden (1976, finished 12-3) and Doug Rau (1977, 14-8).

Diamond Leung reports that Tomko asked out of last night's game after six innings because his legs felt sore.

Ah, that's right, Don Sutton was sorta first. But who changed it up to Bison?

204 I'll Tivo the whole thing just for fun. Despite my cynical side, I admit to being excited about his debut.

But who changed it up to Bison?

Sigh.

The AP article got me started so I put up a new post on the Griddle.

https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/735592.html

The creation story of the Bison nickname is shrouded in mystery and the subject of controversy among folklore experts.

Great day at the stadium with the DT folks.

It's funny everyone looked exactly as I had pictured them.

Awesome yard work by the Bison and a nice 7.1 inning by Penny.

We all got to meet Frank McCourt but he wouldn't give us jobs.

212
Yeah, but I got to help people find books written by Malcolm Gladwell.

I was going to say "great day at the stadium with the DTs" but that didn't sound right.

212. I second that.

New things I learned from McCourt chat:

- A plan to refurbish the concession stands/concourse
- Alignment is the new chemistry. :)

212 "We all got to meet Frank McCourt but he wouldn't give us jobs." Did you really meet Frank? Through the magic of Josh Rawitch I take it.

209 Oh, never mind.

This Beckham pre-game "documentary" is making me a bit nauseous.

Just got in after dropping of the stealth poster. Top ten highlights? Off the top of my head, no less...

1) Best turnout ever though we all missed Bob.

2) The surprise was cool and I think we can let the cat out of the bag. We all got media guides, we spent 30-45 minutes in conversation with Frank McCourt and significantly longer with Josh Rawitch and Camille Johnston (Sr. VP. Communications) who, this should be stressed, could not have been more kind with their time. They were honest, forthcoming, attentive... I can't say enough about how well they treated us so I won't try.

3) Fix that conference room door. Pronto. First order of business above parking, concessions and seats.

4) Josh shared that Ned won't trade Kemp unless we get a very good player in return who will be with us for a very long time. In other words, a guy like Kemp.

5) Grilled is better and anyone who says otherwise needs therapy.

6) Greg Brock predicted the Brad Penny double. This is a level of prognostication that Nostrodamus (sp?) could only dream about.

7) I truly believe that I was the difference in the five-run rally.

8) Hip-hip... Jorge! Hip-hip... Jorge! Hip-hip... Jorge!

9) Greg Brock predicted the double-play grounder by Martin, though he didn't say it would lead to two runs. If you need winning lottery numbers, call Greg.

10) All of us are very grateful to the Dodgers and to Jon Weisman for a memorable afternoon. I'm not even thinking about how next year's gathering is going to go because frankly, for me, the company is enough. Whether online or in person, we got the good folk right here.

Excellent summary, Bruin. All the attention you folks received from the Dodgers press people makes me even more wistful that I missed this one, but I'm grateful to have a write-up. Let's see some pictures!

Okay, off for the rest of the evening. Have a fine one, wherever you may be.

217 So they didn't promise not to trade Betemit? I knew it!

Any other news items? Does McCourt claim to read DT?

The real icing on the cake for Jon is the fact that the Braves and Buddy Carlyle are leading the Cardinals 7-1 early.

Matt Kemp is probably my favorite Dodger at this point. He's exciting and fun to root for.

That being said, I just watched his HR, and it wasn't really a very good pitch to be swinging at.

That being said, it was impressive that he could hit that pitch out. Most players (if they swung and made contact) probably would have popped it up.

McCourt said he hadn't read DT, but had people who do. He spent way more time with us than I thought he would. We asked him about parking, public transportation, concession stands, etc. They say the concessions will be completely re-done next off-season. Camille said there was not enough demand right now for a shuttle service, but they were interested in working with transportation agencies.

219 McCourt wasn't all that specific. He is not shy of talking and I mean that in the best sense--he provided complete answers and, IMHO, was not deceptive. If I were to summarize his beliefs it is that:

a) he wants to know what the fans think and respond to their needs. This is very, very important to McCourt.

b) he wants the Dodger Stadium experience to be the best a baseball fan can have; his principal concerns are parking/traffic, concessions and seats, in that order.

c) he is very enthusiastic about the future re: stadium improvements and spring training in Arizona.

As for news, he said the best hire he ever made was Colletti. We were guests and I was very aware of that but I was biting my tongue until it bled because I badly wanted to ask about DePodesta. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't.

i wish i went so i could have bugged Frank and Josh for an internship.

224 I don't think there was a person in the room who didn't feel the same way. For me, the Dodgers went from being my favorite team to being an organization I wouldn't mind working for.

As for an internship, natepurcell, you could do worse than give them a call. Let us know how it turns out and know that your first priority if you get inside is give us the dirt! :)

223
I think we have to keep in mind that although many of us think that DePodesta is the bee's knees that it's quite possible that McCourt just didn't like the guy for a variety of reasons. So he wanted someone else. This isn't all that unusual in business.

But when I have brought up personality differences before I have been told to sit down and shut up.

Well, it was an absolute blast meeting all these people. As decent and cool in person as they are through the tubes. Thank you to Jon and all the folks who made it such a fun time.

I would expound further, but I have a book to read. What a fun day!

226 That's what we were thinking when DePo's name came up--that it must've been a personality thing. When asked about his "best hire" McCourt did not hesitate when he said Colletti. In a nearly five minute response, McCourt did not talk about personnel decisions so much as Colletti's attitude. My interpretation of his answer was that Colletti has the personality he's looking for and while he did not say so, I also took that to mean that DePodesta was not.

Take all of that FWIW and, perhaps, with a significant grain of salt.

228 "when DePo's name came up" should've been followed by after the game started.

At the LA Times Dodger blog:

"'Left it up a little bit, you know,' shrugged Kemp while describing Jorge Sosa's slider. 'I did what I needed to do with it.'"

217

great write up Suffering Bruin you were the guy with the Garciaparra jersey if i'm not mistaken right? it was a really fun day i can't wait for next years get together.

one more thing, i think it was our collective mojo that stirred todays victory!

231 Yeah, that was me. It was a gift from mom; Nomar is her favorite player.

232 Dang right. We made the difference today.

OK, I feel really terrible that I missed this outing, but what can you do when you don't live in LA anymore? Maybe next time I'll plan a vacation around the event. On the other hand, I got to go out and buy myself some much needed shoes, so, I have that.

I went to my Von's to pick up the makings for dinner and there were a dozen Harry Potter books for sale. No crowds.

It was nice meeting some of you today, especially Who Is Karim Garcia and Mintxcore whom I carpooled with and had countless fun Dodger conversations with.

Big thanks to bhsportsguy for putting it together, J-Dub for his leadership, and Josh Rawitch for hooking us up. Can't wait for next year!

bhsportsguy

I'd like to personally nominate this man for permanent status on the sidebar. Heck, I've got my moniker on the Griddle sidebar because of dumb luck. The bhsportsguy should be put on a stamp!

Thanks, bh....

235
A coworker went to the newly opened Downtown Ralph's got the book for 40% off with no line.

Life in Downtown L.A. involves seeing signs like this:
Filming on Figueroa and Flower
Explosions and Gunfire
Expect Delays

I'm pretty sure it was "Heroes."

I should add my thanks to BHSportsguy too. He went to a lot of trouble to coordinate this with Jon. Great cookies too!

Laroche with a 3-run jack in Tacoma.

LaRoche now with 8 HRs in July to go with a .434 AVG.

Laroche with a 3-run jack in Tacoma

So: is Betemit or LaRoche the Dodger third baseman of the future? I say we do this:

2008 Dodger Defense

1B: Loney
2B: Betemit
SS: Hu
3B: LaRoche
LF: ???
CF: Kemp
RF: Ethier
C: Martin

Laroche homers.

242

finally something i agree with.

242

LF: Fukudome :)

I think I'm changing my mind about putting Kershaw at #1. LaRoche is playing so incredibly great that he shouldn't relinquish his top spot.

finally something i agree with

Only took 3 years...

242cont.

Man. That's an awesome team. Almost completely "homegrown" to boot.

248

Abreu can play the super utility role and delwyn young can play the Olmedo PHer role.

242 -- LF: Delwyn Young

250

Id rather have Fukudome starting and you do too!

249
And Ned can keep a few Veterans on the bench to do whatever it is that Veterans are supposed to do.

Would be odd next year to have Nomar splitting time with LaRoche at 3B. If Nomar disappears we could go with the Meat/LaRoche platoon that I expected to see this year.

Every player on that team would probably OPS at least .800, and they'd all probably be making less than $1 million. Incredible.

242 How about Furcal in CF, Ethier in LF, and Kemp in RF? He definitely has the speed for it and he'd immediately have one of the best throwing arms for a center fielder in the majors.

There is so much to say about today's event, but the two things I want say right now:

1. Thanks to Jon and bhsportsguy. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

2. Josh Rawitch, if you're reading this - thanks a million for being so generous with your time and putting together such a special day for us. Please thank Camille and Frank McCourt, too. If Frank had come in, said hello and left, I would've been impressed. That he stayed and talked for so long speaks volumes about the organization.

It was great meeting all of you that I did meet. I feel bad that I didn't get to meet every single person there. Next year!

I'll chime in with more later.

242 That lineup might happen. From the meetings today, colored by my own interpretation: Josh Rawitch was on the other side of a thoughtful conversation about Juan Pierre after McCourt left. By all accounts, Pierre is likable, industrious, terrific in the clubhouse. Josh noted that Pierre is well on his way to establishing his career norms (190+ hits, over 100 runs scored). Most interestingly, Josh noted that Pierre's contract, which seemed extravagant at the time, might be a middle of the road deal as early as next year (Derek Lowe was thought to be overpaid and now his deal looks pretty good, no?). "Here's a guy who's great in the community, he's not beating his wife..." (and I thought of Milton Bradley right away--I couldn't help it)... they like him but the impression I got was that the contract won't be seen as outlandish in a year or two and he might get moved if there are better players in front of him.

257
I believe Juan Pierre is not beating his wife primarily because he is not married.

There isn't much to say that hasn't been said about today's outing but I want to add what a pleaseure it was to meet everyone and how king the organization was with their time. Thanks you Josh, Camille and Frank. Special thanks to BH.

PS Thank you Ryan Howard for that three run jack.

Josh noted that Pierre's contract, which seemed extravagant at the time, might be a middle of the road deal as early as next year (Derek Lowe was thought to be overpaid and now his deal looks pretty good, no?

Well, Derek Lowe has essentially pitched like an "ace" this year, while Pierre has been among the worst offensive players in the league at his position.

Re Bison nickname - Anyone ever consider starting a Dodger Thoughts Wikipedia page? I checked and didn't find one. Also, the 6th most relevant match for a "Jon Weisman" search on Wikipedia is Che Guevara at 44.6%, naturally.

257 - Does Juan really have a strong enough arm for that?

260 - Pierre is also tied for first in the league for least amount of times reportedly beating your spouse. Pretty sure that impacts Warp3.

Just wanted to chime in and thank Bhsportsguy for putting it together and of course the cookies. Couldn't have asked for a better game for us. Onto the book, it has started out very dark.

257 Yeah, I'm sure he knew that when he said it. I'm also sure that you knew that he knew. Further, I'm sure that you knew when you typed 257 that Josh was speaking about Pierre being the type of player who will work hard and not embarrass the franchise with off-field behavior.

260 Statistically, Juan Pierre has had a terrible year but the year ain't over. By the end of the season, Juan Pierre will have reached his career norms of 180-190 hits and over 100 runs scored (heck, for all I know, that's below his career norms).

Is Juan Pierre overpaid this season compared to other players? Yes. Will he be overpaid next season? You don't know the answer to that question and I don't know either. Which means his contract might not stand in the way of a trade.

I might also add that if Juan Pierre is the worst move this franchise has made then we're doing damn well. You and I aren't that far apart, D4P. We both think Kemp is better than Pierre but no one--and I mean no one--knew that before Pierre got signed. Starting Kemp in CF and gambling that he would hold his own was an option but it would've been exactly that--a gamble. Now we know that Kemp is more valuable than Pierre. There are worse things in life.

My prediction: Pierre's contract will not seem outlandish by 2009 at the latest and he won't be a Dodger for five years. In the meantime? Damn right, I'm cheering for him.

257 = :)
262 = :)

Woahhh, I turned on Espn to get a suumary of the d's game. They said--here is the news from LA and it was something about Beckan. I don't have to think long to know that 1/10 of the national audience for LA doen't care about soccer! I hope to get a mets/dodger summary soon. I already sent ESPN a special blast of a critical comment.

242 - I am sticking with Abreu at second and still thinking LaRoche and Betemit are tradable peices. If Hu is ready next year I will add Furcal and Pierre to my list of tradables before 2008.

Saw JLo on Dodger vision as a reference to Loney. Is JLo a DTable name for James?

Shorter version of 264

1. I was opposed to the signing of Juan Pierre because I thought Kemp was worth the gamble.

2. I was not certain that Kemp would play well, much less like Oscar Charleston.

3. I am completely neutral on Juan Pierre. I knew he wasn't as bad as what he showed and I knew he would play better.

4. My principal concern is yours, too: Keep the youngun's where they are.

264 "Will he be overpaid next season? You don't know the answer to that question and I don't know either."

I can see why you're defending Pierre and it's charming and all, but come on. We most certainly do know the answer to that question and it is an emphatic "yes." I don't think even Pierre's mother could argue otherwise. (No, we don't know for sure what the average salary next year will be, but I think we can be certain that the going rate for players with 5th outfielder skills will not be $9 million.)

By the way, I have a new nickname for Russell Martin. Red Bull

Whaddya think?

Whoaa! ESPN news is heading the news from LA as Becks soccer. Ny kids , who like grew into soccer more than BB, have gone to bed. But before they did, they said Wheres the great news about the D's. We don't need europians for soccer! Then my son shamed me by repeating a joke he must have heard me say a long time ago. It goes....
If your an American in the living room... and your an American in the kitchen......then what are you in the bathroom?...Your a peeein! Sorry sincerelsy I am.

270I kind of like it

270

you need to ™ SB!

how about Russell "Hustle" Martin®

Ryan Howard strikes again.

269 When I say I didn't like the Pierre signing, I don't think I can be considered a Pierre defender, however charming I might sound.

Eric, have you ever thought that we could be wrong? For all we know, Juan Pierre could be one of the keys to the Dodgers success. Josh said today that Juan does a number of things that help the team. You and I might call BS to that but Grady says that, too. So did the Atlanta Braves who praised Pierre's skills the last time they were in town.

You and I know more than Grady? The Braves? Josh and Ned? Maybe so. As for whether Pierre's contract will still be outrageous next season, you may be right. But he won't be untradeable if he continues to meet his career norms of 100 runs/200 hits.

Partial writeup of the day up top...

Many, many thanks Jon, bhsportsguy and everyone who was there. I had so much fun. Great talking to everyone I managed to talk to, and hoping I get to talk to all the rest at a future event. Not only my first DT game, but my first internet-sponsored meet-up of any kind. That, plus seeing Kemp, Loney, Martin and Broxton literally taking over the Dodgers emphasizes that we're indeed in a new century.

The 8 slot is the new cleanup. When you include Penny's double, the Dodgers put an AL-style lineup out there today.

McCourt is obviously a whole different person when things are working out. The defensiveness is gone, and while I wouldn't call him relaxed, he seemed happy. Right now, life is good at Casa McCourt. Josh and Camille were a study in PR contrasts. Josh is selling what he loves. He obviously wouldn't have minded bs-ing with us for the rest of the day.

Camille has an extremely loud cell phone and scurries off like an ER nurse when it rings. She's got the talking points down -- she's very good at what she does. But you can tell it stresses her out. It probably cost her more mental anguish to share so much of McCourt's time with us than it did McCourt himself. If you have her job, you always want to get your guy off the stage after he's said what he came to say.

She also led an interesting discussion of whether a fan should be thrown out of the Stadium for yelling the word "sucks." Is that still a curse word?, she wondered. I think the consensus was "yes."

Two important concession-related facts came out today:

- The lower level concession stands are built "against the mountain." There is no space behind what you see.

- Without any room for storage, the crew in those stands must ride up the elevator to restock. The same elevator fans take. It's slow. No wonder they run out.

McCourt says he is fixing this.

The only thing McCourt said that disturbed me was his idea for a statue in front of Dodger Stadium. Someone in the DT group talked about the monuments outside ATT Park and Yankee Stadium, and wondered if we could have a statue of Koufax, say.

McCourt has a different idea. He wants a statue of the fans. It's his way of saying that the fans are what's important.

I'm glad he likes the fans and keeps us uppermost in his mind. But the fans don't go to Dodger Stadium to see other fans. McCourt can have a statue of the fans in his office. The fans want to see heroes. Yes, we're Dodger fans, and the name on the front of the uniform is more important than the name on the back. Except sometimes that's not true!

Other than that, I'd have to say this experience made me extremely hopeful about the Dodgers over the next decade. Thank you all again!

Uh-oh, I got LAT'd.