It's not much consolation to me, but the team will do better than this. The hitting slump won't last forever.

Of course long-term Pierre is a problem, but I don't think he can take much blame for the current losing streak.

And while he steals bases in bunches, they don't particularly seem to be in spots where they actively help the team. I'll give him full credit for getting on base and being hot these days, but it's a lackluster hot streak for sure.

Sorry, I just needed a place to vent, and I knew Bob at least would appreciate this.

Not enough for Boog Powell.

I admit when I thought of the question that Juan Pierre came to mind, but I honestly meant for this to take our minds off our current troubles. Backfire!

19 But Steve Garvey played 1B.

BTW-Tonights starter Aaron Harang was having a good year but hurt his back in the 1st inning on Jul 28 and has not pitched again until tonight. Maybe an opportunity for us to get healthy; of course I thought that last night too.

http://tinyurl.com/2y2r24

(I gotta stick up for the "Big League Bruddah," as our sportscasters call all Hawai'i players in The Show.)

I've heard stories were he bounced the ball to 2nd base from 1st base! wow. TC I heard he had a good arm when he was younger but maybe he busted a Jeff Bagwell of some sorts.

That's what Juan Pierre becomes when he's super-hot: a nice, useful player.

Then he cools off.

OK, I'll stop talking about Pierre now.

How often do comment threads turn out differently than you thought they would?

------------------------------

As for the original question about Garvey, I have no feel for what the answer would be because I only started following the Dodgers in 1983, when I was 8 years old. But, let's see, he was good defensively ( right? ), so he would never be lifted for a defensive replacement. He was a pretty good hitter, so he'd never be lifted for a pinch hitter or double switched out. I'm thinking that at the end of blowouts players at more strenuous positions would be given a rest, not Garvey. So I'm guessing innings missed would all be at the beginning of any game he didn't start.

My answer for innings is 8 missed, with only one start missed, because of, say, an accident at home with a hammer.

If you want to remember a scary Dodger throwing arm Steve Sax went through a period second to none. Not even Jose Offerman could compare with him.

Victorino also has a WAY better arm then Juan Pierre.

Mark 2007 as the year that John Schuerholz lost his touch.

From today's Phila Inq: "Shane Victorino (strained right calf) began a running program Monday and could begin a rehab assignment this weekend. He is eligible to be activated from the DL Aug. 15."

18 - 2007 Home Runs:

Wilson Betemit 10
Luis Gonzalez 11
Russ Martin 12
Jeff Kent 15
Jimmy Rollins 20

just sayin'...

But furthering this conversation, is the Juan Pierre walk-up song incredibly annoying to anyone else besides me? Did Steve Garvey's walk-up song spout "I used to play consecutive games like Steve Garvey"?

He looked a lot older to me.

I found that funny.

Elmer Dessens was waived by the Brewers joining Brady Clark who quit the RedSox in the search for employement.

Just like Pearl the landlady.

I have no idea why. The Spanish change back and forth between Z and S in names just to make things difficult for me.

And Ismael Valdez (ne Valdes) is the worst offender!

At the end of the 06 season the rotation consisted of:

Penny
Lowe
Maddux
Kuo
Billingsley

Tomko and Hendrickson having flamed out as SP.

Ned looked at the rotation after the season and must have felt there was a weakness that needed to be fixed. Maddux had been fairly successful, but put too much pressure on the bullpen by not pitching deep into games. Maddux insisted upon 2 years AND his agent was BORA$$ so he had to go. Apparently, there was also too much youth in the rotation.

Ned began his quest for SP in 07 as did everyone else in MLB. Things got out of hand as they are wont to do lately (see Zito).

He performed a wonderous coupe by convincing the previous ACE of the SFG (Schmidt) to come to LA. Unfortunately, Ned performed his usual statistical analysis using numbers from a couple of years ago and relied on questionable medical expertise. Be that as it may, I cannot fault Ned for signing Schmidt. It was a calculated risk that we lost.

He also signed hometown boy Wolf late of the Phillies. Now Wolf had a history of serious injury and he was just recovering from said injury. It was a high risk signing, but again I cannot fault Ned for trying to improve the rotation creatively. Again it was a calculated risk that we lost.

At the beginning of the 07 season our rotation was:

Penny
Lowe
Schmidt
Wolf
with Tomko given the #5 after a rigged competition

Hendrickson replaced Schmidt on 4/19 after Schmidt succumed to a shoulder injury he probably had all along.

Kuo replaced Tomko on 6/2 after Tomko proved to be his normal ineffective self.

Schmidt came back, was still injured and was replaced by Billingsley on 6/21.

Kuo was reinjured or never really recovered from his spring injury and was replaced by Hendrickson on 7/4.

After a period of declining effectiveness Wolf admitted to being injured and was replaced by Tomko on 7/15.

Consequently, after 7/15 our rotation is:

Penny
Lowe
Billingsley
Tomko
Hendrickson

Essentially, the difference between the end of the 06 seson and the current rotation is Tomko replacing Maddux and Hendrickson replacing Kuo.

Was it worth all the aggravation?

From his interviews, it seems like the guy is pretty down-to-earth and doesn't have a huge ego.

There is certainly the possibility that the stadium DJ is responsible for playing the song over and over and that Pierre just hasn't said anything about it.

Also, I wonder if Nomar ever gets tired of hearing "Lowrider." Oy.

Still he's only 26 and like most Left handed pitchers born in Guarico,Venezuela in January he will be a late bloomer.

In other words, it is a gut call based on watching him pitch and nothing more.

For the record, I was ok at the time with the Wolf signing but thought that the Schmidt signing was a disaster. Of course, part of the reason Ned should be bashed is because he is responsible for having both Tomko and Hendrickson in our lineup as well.

Regarding Maddux, if Ned's point was that Maddux was not deserving a two year contract because he was aging, then why do people like Nomar get two year contracts? I think the only reason Maddux is not a Dodger this year is because of what happened with Drew and Boras. Of course that's just my opinion.

Would you rather take the Padres rotation right now, or the Dodgers? Would you swap it for the Diamondbacks? Most teams rotations look pretty bad once you get into 7th/8th start territory.

The problem with the Wolf signing is there really wasnt any upside. Wolf was a thoroughly average pitcher, that really is only a slight upgrade over Tomko/Hendrickson. He does eat innings. But he's also going to be in that 4.50 ERA range. Thinking that Wolf would improve the team very much, was the bad part of the equation. Just adding average veterans really hurts teams more often than helps, bc those average vets take up payroll space (thereby hurting your chances of chasing the bigger fish), and usually prevent rookies from getting their shots.

Thats why I really had a problem with the Nomar, Gonzo, Pierre, Wolf signings. Those guys are all average, (or below). Use your money to chase the big fish, or give the rooks the jobs (Loney, Kemp, MeLoan, Orenduff, Etheir).

I dont really think Germano sucks so long as he keeps the ball in the yard, and doesnt walk people.

Also, to answer your question, if Young rejoins that rotation tomorrow as expected and Peacy pitching like he is, I don't think it's close which rotation you'd have to take. The only caveat being Billz and his potential of course.

I think that was part of the problem -- the big fish didn't want to come here.

Just the fact that hindsight would recommend giving Schmidt's spot in the rotiation to either Gil Meche or Eric Stults speaks volumes, I feel.

Sorry for the confusion

2007 VORP

41 year old pitcher - 20.9
34 year old infielder - 0.8

Regarding Germano, Any pitcher is a better pitcher when they aren't walking people or giving up home runs to people.

If only Toaster had an easy way to diagram sentences.

http://tinyurl.com/2kvndd

This is interesting. Dodgers.com reports that Abreu was placed on the restricted list but the 51's web site says he's on the Reserve List (Minors) . Is this just two different ways of referring to the same list? Or, are they two distinct lists? Anyone here know for sure?

I'm curious how old Zak is. I have a solid idea of how old Toy is.

Who is this person you're doing impressions of?

We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction. (Douglas MacArthur)

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

PS: 4-0 Rockies

1) To have five healthy quality starting pitchers last an entire season is akin to winning the lottery. Ned could have done better in this regard, but the pitching he accumulated by March had plenty of merit.

2) Every other team in the NL West has starting rotation problems similar to those of the Dodgers, despite the fact that the Dodgers have had lost more starting pitchers to injuries. Arizona, San Diego, Colorado and San Francisco all have problems in the back ends of their rotations.

3) This is why, even though the road has gotten so tough for the Dodgers, I can't quite give up on the season yet. Though their starting pitching is in disarray, their rivals are also vulnerable. And the Dodgers are not going to continue to go hitless with runners in scoring position.

The longer the Dodgers play badly, the harder it gets for them to rally - there is a limit to how much losing they can take, obviously. But it's hardly over.

If the Dodgers had a four-game lead with a week to play in the season, would you feel secure? Judging by past years, many would still be nervous, and for good reason, because much can happen in a week.

So how can the Dodgers be out of it when, after playing their worst ball of the season, they are four games out with seven weeks to go. Penny and Billingsley and Lowe give the Dodgers a fighting chance in three of every five games. No other contending team has more than three reliable starting pitchers that I can see.

If Lowe can't shake this hip problem, of course, it only makes things tougher. But the Dodger offense we have seen in three of the past four games (they scored seven runs on Saturday) is not the Dodger offense we should expect to see for the remainder of 2007.

Few have given Arizona more respect than me, but the Diamondbacks can't be considered a lock to continue playing as well as they have. The Dodgers have it tough, but the other teams do too.

Don't drop the boy!

it's sure hard to summon up much love for colletti right now.

yes, he's refused to sell the farm, but how long does that even mean anything?

he basically inherited an organization ripe with young talent and surrounded it with expensive junk.

one last thought: i like grady, but he can't give pierre even ONE day off???

He's having a good year, but he's also in a very favorable park for him. (1.018 OPS at home, .792 on the road). When you consider how bad he is defensively, Lee is on pace for only about a six win season this year, and he doesn't exactly scream "guy who will hold up in the long term". Same for Soriano.

What other "Big Fish" have refused to come out west?

I am less concerned about the rotation than I am about our inability to score runs. In our last 11 games we have been held to 2 or fewer runs 7 times. Yeah, it is a small sample size but it is a scary trend.

You are right, it is too early to panic but with 3 teams to contend with I think we should assume that at least one of them will play well the rest of the way. We need to play better than the best of the three.

Since he's hot at the moment, why NOT have him lead off? A scrappy single is fine, and then you open up options with Furcal coming up (hit-n-run, steal, run-n-bunt, etc). Normally I wouldn't want Pierre at lead off, but I can't really complain about him there today.

There were some here who very much wanted to move Penny for some offense before the season started.

You can cite injury risks to Schmidt and Wolf but those who wanted Kuo to get a starting nod also should have kept in mind his much more troubled injury history before giving him a starting role.

Its funny how we cite Nomar's injury history in giving him a deal but the Dodgers always had a backup plan for him, Nomar still hasn't gotten hurt this year, his performance is down, (not dissimilar to Scott Rolen who is hurt), again as Jon said, Ned had perhaps too much backup and not enough faith to just play the kids but both Nomar and Luis Gonzalez have played pretty much all the way without injury.

What the Dodgers needed was a healthy Furcal, its evident that when he is healthy, that has a huge impact on the offense and pretty much since the beginning of the year, his ankle has bothered him, his 100 point split from right to left has been an issue all year.

Maybe this team won't make it but to say it should only spend money on high ceiling players, frankly there are just not too many free agents that ever meet that criteria, you are talking about players at a minimum who have played 6 seasons and many of them are second time around free agents. And you are always paying for past performance.

Perhaps A-Rod was a once in lifetime type player, still young enough to be entering his prime but with a track record that you could base his performance on. Pujols would have been another but guys like Andruw Jones and Hunter will have many years of playing on their bodies when they finally sign their next big deal.

Right now Arizona is playing young with some good if not spectacular vets sprinkled in, San Diego is playing a bunch of journeymen players (some guys like Gonzalez, Peavy, Young aside), some with chips on their shoulders (I mean you may not like how the team is playing but do you want to watch Hairston, Ensberg, et. al. on the field everyday), actually the Rockies are slightly ahead of Arizona because their youngsters have more experience.

Interestingly, this season is a lot like last season and it wouldn't surprise if each of the four teams either lead the division or the wild card at different times in the remainder of the season.

The fact that it's a small sample size is more relevant.

One could easily say that the Dodgers' trend in July was that they were hitting .300 as a team. Did you/would you expect that to continue on that level? Of course not.

He has 1 extra base hit in his last 14 games.

All I see that qualifies as hot is one game.

Am I missing something or are we reaching to look for something good?

Is it ironic that the one time we needed Nomar not to be healthy he was? I feel I should take a class on irony I'd hate to get lambasted like Alanis Morissette for daring to use the word irony in a pop song in an improper context.

Whose your [Hitting Coach] now!!

As Jon has said, perhaps we were overly prepared for that possibility and maybe should have not put ourselves in that position in the first place.

143 I'm shocked, too, whether the Nats, Royals or someone else. However bad his defense, he's worth taking on.

Gallardo 2.2 12 11 11 3 1 2 4.20

He started the day with an ERA of 2.55.

Pedro Cerrano: Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. I ask Jobu
to come, take fear from bats. I offer him cigar, rum. He will come.

Eddie Harris: You know you might think about taking Jesus Christ as your savior instead of fooling around with all this stuff.

Roger Dorn: Sh[oo]t, Harris.

Pedro Cerrano: Jesus, I like him very much, but he no help with curveball.

Eddie Harris: You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

Btw, I missed this on Diamond Leung's blog until now (sorry if a rerun): >>Grady Little gave the team a talking-to after the game and had this to say to the media: "If they continue like this, we're going to have to ask for our pitchers to throw some shutouts and hope for a tie."<<

Wells has looked worse to me than Hendrickson. I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. :-)

The club said Hirsh has a fractured fibula in his lower right leg. He will be re-evaluated Thursday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2966509

Or in other words, you wouldn't touch him with Mark Hendrickson.

169
Tough break for the Rockies.

None of which were worthy of posting.

Scott Hairston for President!

I say contract 1/3 of the teams and let's see some great baseball.

Hurumph!

I agree, though 1/3 is tough. Let's contract:

FIRST TIER:
Tampa Bay
Kansas City
Florida
Washington
Pittsburgh

SECOND TIER:
Toronto
Texas
Cincinnati

Actually, might as well throw Penny and Lowe in there too.

It's also worth noting that San Diego is constructed very differently from our own team. They bring in and jettison the Morgan Ensbergs, Jerry Hairston, and Jose Cruz Junior's of the world, because they HAVE to. They don't have a worthwhile farm system, meaning that they have nothing worth trading to another team that doesn't effect the core of their team (their pitching), and they don't have the money to be spending on the high-priced free agents. I think their strategy is actually quite sound, bring in undervalued players like Cruz Jr., ride out their hot streaks, and then dump them for the next similar player when the hot streak is over with, hoping that the next guy you bring in is able to get hot.