Movie talk? Back on DT? Superb!

But I'm guessing it might not be so popular with "other" folks.

1 So how's life in paradise?

Alright! Jon gave two thumbs up to both Pushing Daisies and Reaper. The two shows that I have interest in watching.

2 - He's knocking on heaven's door. How could he ask for more?

3
To add on to that, those seem to be the two best reviewed shows.

4 He could ask but knowing him, he probably feels like he has cashed in all is favors.

1 Yeah, I give that a big two thumbs up as well.

Things are great, thanks for asking. Any time you can combine team building exercises with throwing wads of paper around the class, it's fun time.

I'm sure Jon will recognize my bad spelling & grammar if I post over there. :o)

Teachers shouldn't be throwing wads of paper at their students - OOoooo, I'm telling!

Okay, off to the game for DodgerThoughts Night North. Wish us luck. If I can take a few pictures of us with Barry's full moon behind us, I will post 'em later.

Reading Jon's "About Us" page at the new blog, I didn't know King of the Hill was still running. I can't remember if I quit watching it when I quit watching the Simpsons, or if Fox moved it and I never found it again.

11
They moved it and semi-ended it and then brought it back at a bad time and now they are bringing it back after the Simpsons.

Of all the new shows, I'm most looking forward to Pushing Daisies. Dead Like Me wasn't the best show on television, but it was criminally under-seen.

Nomar's batting fifth!?

Oh, is this the wrong thread?

Brock, have you said what school you're at, or do you not want to reveal that in case the principal reads DT?

What is the concept for Pushing Daisies?

Good luck with the new gig Jon.

Eric, I just remembered a classic player name that the Cubs had when I was a kid: Pete LaCock.

His dad is/was Peter Marshall, old host of Hollywood Squares. Marshall was his Hollywood name, Pete took the family name to MLB along with his curly his golden locks and giant swing with many holes in it. Hit a few dingers, but was a poor first baseman and an even worse outfielder.

6
BH, I was going to post here about Johnson getting his red-shirt, but then I see you already did it at BRO.

Jon's got a longer Season Passes list than any of the other contributers, it looks like. Show off.

18 Did you see that someone asked about Rasshan at today's breakfast, not a lot said but I think he will be in the group but for now probably not in the top 7 WRs (my guess not from anyone in the program).

15 I'm north of San Pedro, South of Santa Monica ;-)

You're in the water?

I am glad Jon did not write the entry on "Private Practice."

19 - Actually, I'm a bit embarrassed.

22 Ditch the straight lines, Martin.

23 But Private Practice has Kate Walsh! Best show of the year!

24- You're a machine. Don't hide your light under a bushel!

Anyway, it could be worse; you could be the guy who still watches 60 Minutes.

Or only watches 60 minutes for Andy Rooney.

Can someone answer a playoff question for me?

Suppose the Cubs and Brewers finish tied for 1st in the Central. Padres win the West with the Dodgers 2nd. Cubs, Brewers and Dodgers have identical records and they are all better than the 2nd place team from the East.

I assume the Cubs and Brewers play 1 game for the Central Championship. Does that give the Dodgers the Wild Card because they now are 1/2 hame ahead of the Cubs-Brewers loser?

Nice to see Tony Jackson giving Saito props for his SICK August performance, hopefully he gets his fair share of Cy Young voting.

16 - Piemaker can bring people back to life with one touch, but with a second touch they die forever. When he does this with the love of his life, he wins her heart but can't ever touch her. Also, he solves crimes. (I know that last part sounds awful, but it works.) Filmed in the style of, say, Amelie.

A bit of verse;

(perhaps to the tune of J. Taylors "Don't let me be lonely tonight.)

Do me wrong, do me right
But please get the line-up right
Everyone here feels my plight
So please play Kemp and Loney tonight.

Sit Abrue, Bench LaRoche
Even let Rich Donnelly coach
when I wake to the morning light
Hope you played Kemp and Loney tonight

Luckily for all, I don't know the bridge.

27- Actually, I'll often turn over for Rooney. It's on opposite the replay of Meet The Press, which ends five or ten minutes before the hour. Rooney is, to me, a little like Chris Hitchens' daily regimen of looking at the "All the news that's fit to print" box of the NY Times, to make sure it still enrages him.

Last week he had a big important theory about how movie theaters are better than watching DVDs at home, and how people will always recognize that. Wrong on both counts. Fantastically, empirically wrong. And smug. And bushily eyebrowed!

I looked at the ratings chart at Season's Pass and noticed that the show K-Ville had the biggest difference of opinion. Kind of makes me want to watch it just to see why.

32 Andy Rooney and Christopher Hitchens go together like Bananas Foster and Christopher Hitchens.

31- Not to go all Bob on you, but the Dodgers' young IF spells his name Abreu. His first name can be spelled any of about thirty dozen different ways, and still be arguably right. But the surname is "Abreu."

Thumbs up to DT bringing back fun talk.

Smoltz pitching very well tonight.

34- Did you see the CSPAN2 In Depth with him last weekend? Three hours is a lot of time to spend with anyone, but (not surprisingly) the conversation never lulled.

Its Ok, I like to get that stuff right.
And as you see I'm trying to mix entertainment and the D's.

38 I spent last weekend immersed in lesson plans. I've basically missed the last seven days of the world around me.

I've watched exactly one Dodgers game this week.

37 It's not often you see the home crowd cheer an E6 from the home SS.

Congrats on the new gig, Jon!

That grid is pretty dang useful Jon, makes it way easier for me to decide what shows will be worth watching from the beginning. It probably has something to do with no getting a DVR until this last February, but I've been late to the party on too many of the highly-acclaimed shows (Heroes, Lost, etc.).

My complaint on the grid is that the reviewers name should be anchored so that when you scroll all the way down, you always see their name. I hate having to scroll up to remind me which column is which reviewer.

You guys think Grady will platoon Nomar, Hillenbrand & La Roche the rest of the way? It doesn't sound like a good idea if you ask me.

My People, my people.....

As some of you know, I do a radio show on 90.7 KPFK called Soul Rebel Radio.....You guys tend to have good taste...so if your able to, tune in to 90.7 in about 8 minutes to listen to Soul Rebel Radio...the only youth oriented program on the station....I'm hosting tonight...

43

that's pretty much how I feel about it also.

28
In that scenario, the teams tied for the division play each other and the winner is declared the champ.
The loser plays the next day against the team from the other division for the wild card.

Teams used to have the ability to "back in" to playoff spots that way, but that has been removed.

You have to win a playoff spot on the field except in cases like the Dodgers/Padres in 06, Red Sox/Yankees in 04, and whatever year the Astros and Cardinals tied.

45 How do you platoon three right-handed hitters?

I just have to ask, is it an LA thing to talk so much about movies and TV? I'm not trying to be rude, but it just seems like a high number of people on here enjoy that kind of discussion while here in my town I probably couldn't find many people that could name five non-reality based TV shows.

49 Maybe rotate?

50
Just because it's a stereotype doesn't mean it isn't true.

50
It is the business that drives LA. If we aren't in it, we know somebody who is.

50- Be careful or it'll rub off on you. On Jon's list of shows he watches, there were four that I'd have ever seen but for DT and ScreenJams. Because of my exposure to the Weisman Media Empire, I've seen 13, and watch five regularly.

50 It's a company town. In DC people would talk politics. In Hawai'i we talk tourism and the military.

52 I'm really trying not to stereotype (even if it is true). All I'm saying is that I would guess if I went to a Reds, Cardinals, or Cubs blog, the posters wouldn't have the same knowledge or desire to talk about movies.

Is it more disconcerting to hear Vin Scully or Joe Garagiola refer to Orlando Hudson as "O Dog"?

Tony Clark does voiceovers for the DBacks in game ads. That guy has a voice. When he retires, he could be narrating trailers.

"In a division gone wild ...."

56
Actually, I was just giving you permission to stereotype.

54 In a way it already has rubbed off. I've tried a few movies that I've seen highly recommended on here over the last year. Although some have been good movies, I think my taste may be a bit off from the LA norm.

59
Once you develop a taste for Pac-10 basketball, then will you have been truly brainwashed.

58 Well in that case, you're all welcome to ask me about basketball, car racing and corn.

61
They play basketball in Indiana?

60 I'm moving that way. Currently I'm as far west as the Big 12.

50 Also, we start watching shows late and stop watching a few minutes early.

That's just how we roll.

62 The word sounds familiar. Actually, John Wooden was born and raised in my town. Does that count?

Phillies lose, 6-3.

Since the Navy-Rutgers game on ESPN is running long, I will start watching tonight's Dodger game on EI, which has the Giants feed. I actually like the Giants announcers, Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, but HD wins out in this battle. Once football is over, I'm switching over to ESPN.

If Vin was on EI, I would sacrifice HD. Similarly, I would not watch ESPN HD if Chris Berman were calling the game.

65 In that case, in Bob's eye's you're already part 'La Familia'

Both teams wearing uniforms with Spanish names on the front.

67 If you have DirecTV, it's in HD on EI too. Channel 730.

65
Greg Brock, bhsportguy, and I will be making a pilgrimage to your home then.

We will walk all the way out.

71 Believe it or not, there isn't much here in honor of Wooden. There is a street bearing his name, the gym, and several of his items on display at the high school and at a restaurant downtown, but considering he is the second best college coach ever, you would think they would have done more.

I'm not sure I'm digging the KCAL camera angle, But I'm digging Kemps SICK hitting, woo.

Ooh, will there be a postgame throwing contest between Pierre and Roberts?

Worse than Navy-Rutgers running long, Navy's losing. This is not what I signed up for when I was raised in a Navy family and then served for a couple of years in that branch myself.

72
So you're a big fan of Clair Bee?

Clair Bee wrote good wholesome books. What else did he do? I forget. ;)

75
There is that problem of Rutgers actually being good now.

Wow, one of these announcers knows a lot more about baseball than the players. He must have been good.

i've never seen a player who was an actively bad base runner. but kemp is just noticeably terrible. i love the boy but i get the feeling i'm a better base runner

great Job by Matt Kemp...

Well, how did that DP work out for you, SF.

Matt Kemp to baserunning critics: "How 'bout them apples?"

Matt Kemp could be seen as deking them into missing Pierre.

GameDay is slow..what happened?+

it was a hit & run right? Kemp sure acted like it was, so I'll go with it.

76 Odd that of the two best coaches, one would be born here in Martinsville (actually born just north in Centerton) and the other would coach 20 miles south of here for many years.

75 Do you remember your first general order?

I do!

Wow, a Jeremy Miller sighting! Nice to see Ben Seaver getting work, albeit in a McDonald's commercial. I thought he vanished into the world of Danny Pintauro obscurity long ago.

Arizona leads the Redbirds 1-0.

85 Hit & run, Kent missed the pitch, Kemp purposely got into a rundown and stayed in it long enough for Pierre to steal home.

Kemp ran on the pitch. Kent struck out.

But Kemp stopped running to second and ended up prolonging a pickle while Pierre ran home. So I guess that was a good thing.

85
Kent strikeout, Kemp was going to be caught stealing easily so he got into a rundown and Pierre scored from third.

91 92 thanx!

91 92 93
Rashomon: the boring version.

88 Heck no. I deliberately erased boot camp from my memory a long time ago. I was four years older than my fellow company members and couldn't take it as seriously as the DI wanted, so I was always in and out of mild trouble.

Ball was in center field.
This announcer seems to know so much he is getting me confused.

Giants announcers calling that a misplay by Ethier. Who decided to position him so deep? Did they think it was Joe DiMaggio and not Dave Roberts?

88 I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved?

Nats lose...

And make five errors.

96 Relieve your post only when properly relieved.

You're failing America, Linkmeister!

Roberts is one of the best Giants this year.

Ah- the knowing one says you cringe.

That must have been some throwing error to score a runner on first base with two out in Arizona.

Well, rats, guys, I knew that. It was so thoroughly ingrained I didn't think I had to repeat it.

(Am I cleverly skating out of that one?)

Orange alert for Frank Catalanotto

That was a beautiful thing.

Oh man, I loved that 3-2 pitch to Bonds from Billingsley. Froze him!

Billingsley making Sutcliffe eat his words by striking out Bonds.

Garret Anderson now has an RBI in 12 straight games.

107 The 3-1 pitch was nasty too! Excellent cutter tailing inside.

it was a thing of beauty what Bills did to Bonds.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of coming of the Billz.

S.O.N.

(Same Old Nomar)

And welcome back Nomar!

There is much enjoyable here. Hope it continues.

Nomar, doesn't miss a beat..first ball hacking.

S. O. N. of a

In the fourth inning in Colorado, the Rockies are on their fifth pitcher.

And yet they're ahead 5-3.

... Hey, Nomar, welcome back. We were gettin' sick of having all those baserunners anyway. More outs are what we need.

Wow, what a nice surprise to tunr on the tv and find the game is on.

Sorry if this is a repeat -- I have like 250 comments to get through since just since leaving work! -- but wanted to pass on to Greg that the Nationals ended their five game winning streak by getting no-hit through seven by John Smolz and committing five errors, including three in one inning, two of those by their best fielder Ryan Zimmerman.

Baseball is some crazy game.

He probably didn't want to tire out his calf, standing there more than 1 pitch.

Once again, Russ spits on his gloves then immediately gets a hit on the next pitch!

105 They just pinch hit for him with Sosa!

Whoa-- that called strike was a good bit below the knees.

The Giants broadcast has the crowd sound mixed waaaaay up. The announcers sound like they're shouting over a roaring throng, except I can tell the fans aren't making that much noise.

123
Cycle alert canceled.

Stand down.

Did I hear Vin Scully correctly? Did he just say that Loney will sit for Shea Hillenbrand tomorrow?

82

Well, lessee:

Dodger win expectancy before the K/CS/run: 50.2%

After: 50.3%

127
"Well you see there, Strawberry, that pitcher throws with his left hand and Hillenbrand bats from the right side. It's called playing the percentages. It's what smart managers do."

126 Had Sosa doubled, would credit have been given for a combined cycle, like when pitchers combine for a no-hitter?

127 Well, hopefully what he means is that Hillenbrand is a painter like Tomko.

127

Yes, you heard correctly. Sigh...

129

Yeah, but couldn't you just play Nomar at first and let La Roche play 3rd? Or maybe La Roche plays 3rd with Hillenbrand? Just seems like weird timing considering how well Loney has been playing.

Ethier only got that walk because he was batting eighth.

Oh, wait...

Did the ESPN guys just say they think Martin will need knee surgery in the off season?

128

And yet, after a scoreless time up for each team, the Dodger win expectancy creeps up to 51.5%.

yeah, he might need some small procedure. hes obviously in pain.

with that being said, maybe liberthal will catch wells tomorrow.

Is there such a thing as a "small" knee surgery?

Who's calling the EPSN game?

Some lefties are tougher than others on left handed hitters. I can see this one is so its not good to have Loney and Ethier back to back. of course I would remedy this pehaps by batting Loney and Ethier 2nd and 5th or sixth. I doubt Grits would concur.

140 Rick Sutcliffe, Dusty Baker, and some soulless dweeb who's serving as mediator.

Right now they are talking about how good Pedro Feliz is.

142
Dave O'Brien I assume.

May God have mercy on your souls.

Have we been Los Dodgers yet this season?

The last series against the Rockies had a Viva Los Dodgers promotion.

145- We're Los Doyers every game homes!

I actually switched over to the ESPN game vs. Kruk and Kuip over on FSNBay area. The only thing worse than being deprived of Chavez Ravine and Tommy Burgers, is having to listen to local telecasts when you're out of area.

145 I don't think we would stoop to that level, would we? Pandering to audience segments by using your uniform as a cheap promotional tool may work for the Giants. But the Dodgers do not answer letters.

Disco Stu doesn't advertise

135 ,137

some one should start a Fire The Windmill webpage, seriously.

148 - MMMMM a Doble chili cheese Tommy Burger at Beverly and Rampart at 0300 in the morning..

I realize I have a choice of announcers, but I find it may be no choice at all.

153
I believe you have a Hobson's choice of announcers right now.

But you could be upset about it enough to turn it into a Sophie's choice.

The Giants announcers are good once you get over the fact that they're Giants announcers. They have about three times the intelligence of the ESPN guys.

(The same ESPN guys who are now making fun of people who think Juan Pierre is having a bad year.)

I'm still trying to come to grips with how totally and completely the Orioles have fallen apart starting the very second they committed to Dave Trembley.

It's probably not knowable if this is the worst nosedive on signing a new managerial contract of all time.

139.

miniscus is a pretty small injury

MVP-Rod goes 3-3 with a walk, including his 49th home run.

I pray that every GM in baseball is watching this telecast to hear them praise Pierre and how someone should tell the people in LA that he's having a good year. This can only boost the confidence of a GM that might trade for this guy.

156 I hereby give you the managerial career of Joe Quinn.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/quinnjo02.shtml

ooooh. Did you catch the ESPN announcers take on Pierre. The folks in LA don't appreciate the year he is having. DT has more influence than you think, perhaps.

I went from being ambivalent about Grady to being slightly perturbed.

156
You would be hard-pressed to find one worse for a fulltime manager except maybe for some people the St. Louis Browns tried out in the 19th Century when Chris Von Der Ahe was changing managers like a drunken George Steinbrenner trying LSD.

160
And who was the owner of St. Louis in 1895?

Ethier was playing Roberts about 10 yards shallower this time around.

And are Eric Enders and I the only two people here who know who Chris Von Der Ahe was?

You want a burger, try this:

http://www.chowhound.com/photos/41903

And it's walking distance from my house.

That was a hell of an attempt, but Bison needs to work on his relationship with the wall.

155 Are you kidding me??? Grab some pine meat???? They spend more time talking about people in the stands than they do the game. I forget what they call the writing over people and blacking them out thing, but they are absolutely atrocious.

Kent must have known that the ball was going to be trouble if Kemp didn't catch it.

Which it was.

That was almost an Ichiro-like homer.

160 That age 34 comeback didn't really pan out, that's for sure.

Just the depth of the daily drubbings, starting of course with the 30-3, losing the second half of the double header, getting no hit by a guy in his second major league start, giving up 17 to Tampa Bay the other night and multiple other double digit losses crammed into such a short time. It's pretty grim.

Tonight Daniel Cabrera was ejected for throwing at Pedroia's head.

169 Not only do I disagree, but I'm calling the question mark police. ;)

168

I think he's a little gun shy ever since his crash on opening day.

There was a time with a runner on third and two out, any pitcher would walk Pujols. Not tonight.

161 Its been talked about by some local media but it makes sense that "baseball" people like Juan Pierre, he never gets hurt, he works hard, and he doesn't cause any trouble. I think for a manager, those kind of attributes make up for his production.

So are we really going to spend the next 190 games holding our breath every time a grounder is hit to third base?

Someone sounds very like Joe Morgan, I hope it isn't Dusty Baker.

The resentment I'm hearing around the leaque about things like the D's defense and inexperience is an auspicious sign for a great future.

An old friend may be winning a start in Dodger Stadium next Wednesday night. And I don't mean Milton Bradley.

177

Hopefully it's not Brian Myrow.

whats with all these wussy pop ups kent has been hitting of late

I was on the phone and had the game on mute, so I had to rewind to hear the Pierre lovefest. Here is the transcript:

Dave O'Brien: "Speaking of good athletes, here is Juan Pierre. He has singled and scored tonight, really having a nice season. He is 5th in the National League in hits."

Rick Sutcliffe: "Will you repeat that for everybody in LA that thinks he is having a bad year."

O'Brien: "I don't understand that at all. He's almost hitting .300, he's going to have 60 stolen bases plus."

Meanwhile, Pierre fittingly grounded out to second on the first pitch.

Flash forward to the present: Dave O'Brien, when talking about Matt Kemp, he of the .536 slugging percentage, said "this could have been a big power year for him. Yeah, I guess if he was playing everyday in LA instead of Vegas or the bench.

I'm really glad the number one third base prospect in baseball is on the bench so that Nomar's fossilized remains can bounce back to the mound.

Grr...

what do you know, peavy is pitching on tuesday. thats why he pitched on 3 days rest against arizona, so he can open up the dodgers series. cant wait for that one.

155 You may have a point. I think I am going back. At least they couldn't be worse.

I kind of regret the break with Baker. He obviously hates the D's. But he may be a better baseball guy than some we've had. I don't know who or what did it.

it looks like Nomar got botox or something...

180 When homeless people yell at you on the street, don't argue with them.

Pssst...Their crazy...Ignore them.

In Rick Sutcliffe's defense, he was drunk.

Dear Barry Bonds:
You suck and I am not afraid of you.

Sincerely,
Chad Billingsley

185 That should be "They're"

... Nice hustle, Barry.

Barry is slow, really slow.

If the Cardinals do hold on to win, they move into first place by .0001

That's just great that next season we will have Nomar as our everyday 3rd baseman, at least until he gets hurt.

Plus, we get to look forward to Pierre playing all 162 games in center.

This is my last game for a week. I head to Arhus Denmark tomorrow. I hear it's not a big baseball town.

The next Nomar bobblehead giveaway should come with a pullstring.

"And Nomar pops it up on the infield..."
"Nomar swings at the first pitch again..."
"Grounder to third, bobbled by Nomar..."
"Low and outside, Garciaparra's out on strikes."

I'd rather worry about 2008 when this season is over. Many things can change in the offseason.

Boy, everybody just loves to beat up on Nomar.

The 1981 World Series twins are now ragging on Ethier's defense.

... Wow -- what a great throw from Russ.

Andrew's idol ties it up in Arizona with an RBI double.

wow, that is beautiful.

1. I'm glad I took the time to figure out what the FJM wonkatalk was all about -- that was pretty funny.

2. Also near the top of FJM is a breakdown of someone talking about Jose Vidro that sits pretty comfortably with that discussion re Juan Pierre.

3. This from the most recent Joe Morgan chat breakdown just struck me as hilarious (it's a longish excerpt, but still just a small part of the whole -- link in the sidebar):

James (Charlotte): Hey Joe, this is probably the 100th time you see this question today but what do you think of Pedro's performance yesterday? Do you think he'll be good enough to be part of the playoff rotation and get the Mets to the World Series?

Ken Tremendous: Now, let's get off to a good start here, Joe. The question is: for the 100th time (probably), what did you think of Pedro's performance yesterday?

Joe Morgan: The difficult question is whether he will stay in the rotation.

KT: Yes, but the actual question -- the one you are being paid to answer -- is: what did you think of Pedro's performance yesterday?

I really believe that guys like Pedro, or Clemens, have an impact on a team even when they are not at their best.

Was he at his best? You can answer that question by answering the original question: what did you think of Pedro's performance yesterday?

Their toughness and confidence is something a team feeds off. I think Clemens has really helped the Yankees as far as mental toughness even though he is only 6-6.

Yes. Okay. That's an interesting comment about a man who is not Pedro Martinez. Quick refresher: the question on the table: what did you think of Pedro's performance yesterday?

So guys like Pedro and Roger bring more than just pitching. But no one can tell what Pedro will do the rest of the way at this point.

Hey -- I have a question, a propos of nothing. What did you think of Pedro's performance yesterday?

We need to see him pitch a few more games,

Other than the one he pitched yesterday? What did you think of Pedro's performance yesterday?

but I am sure the Mets are very glad to have him back even at less than 100%.

Me too, based on how he pitched yesterday, which was: pretty well.

A catcher gunning a runner off a breaking pitch is always impressive. Especially a breaking pitch down in the zone.

Nice job, Golden God.

After today's games, it looks like the Dodgers will be 1.5 back of the wild card and 2.5 back of the division leader.

197 That has to be a short-term memory thing. Ethier played too deep in the 1st inning, ergo he is a bad defender!

196 Only because he's not very good.

Once you get past that, Nomar is alright.

I love it! Mess around with Martin.

Two more scoreless from Joba.

203

... What was that all about? Are you assuming a win based on our overwhelming "attack" at the plate tonight?

Baseball has retro jersey games. I wish it had retro fan games, where everyone would have to dress sharp.

Århus hosts the GF World Cup (the world's largest handball tournament for women)!

It's Loneyrific!

Loney lost it!

Hey, ESPN, there's a game going on. Announce it!

Big Game James!

203
So what is your method of approximating the number of a certain type of poultry you have in your possession?

wow, that swing was beautiful by Loney, POWER!!

... LONEY!!!!! There's an attack!

Are you assuming a win based on our overwhelming "attack" at the plate tonight?

First of all, I'm assuming Loney will hit a homerun.

209 The thing I love about old photos from the 1940s and sooner is that seemingly all the male fans in the stands wore a suit and a hat!

I really hope Ken Tremendous is watching this broadcast. Rick Sutcliffe just pimped Jeff Francis to finish second in the Cy voting.

The Twins led the White Sox 10-4 going to the bottom of the ninth.

It's 10-10 now and the White Sox have the winning run on second with one out.

So what is your method of approximating the number of a certain type of poultry you have in your possession?

Simple: I just count the number of eggs.

Number of eggs = Number of poultry.

Duh.

217

... I need to criticize our offense more often.

Not a Loney line drive again. his swing is level, and should hit the wall, not go over.
He may be losing his plane, or maybe getting stronger.

Helluva throw by Martin.

Loney!

214 Bob, that was the greatest version of that question that has ever been asked.

These innings are going by super crazy fast.

225
Thank you. Being a bureaucrat pays off.

The Logan White era breathing its last gasp: Lake Elsinore 3, Inland Empire 0, bottom 5.

Milton Bradley just left the game with an 0-2 count. He fouled off a pitch and immediately grabbed his right side (his original oblique injury was to his left side).

... Keep it going, Chad.

Free baseball in Chicago!

The aptly named "Dusty" Baker moralizing about banned substances...

That pitch to Sanchez was dirty!

I hope Jonathan Meloan comes in to pitch tonight.

Looks like we are getting the good Chad tonite....

Something I've noticed with Loney, if he gets hot he often stays hot. I assume this would be even more likely if he sees a righty next time.

234 Not if this score remains the same, he won't be in this game.

I hope Jonathan Meloan comes in to pitch tonight

I hope Billingsley hurls a complete game. But that's just me.

Nick Punto's ruining the comedy of being the first player since 1991 to hit below the Mendoza Line. Stupid 2-4 today brings him up to .201

We get the good Chad nearly every game now.

Crank one out Kemp...

Favorite Giants minute? I hope I formone tonight.

An Adrian Gonzalez fielder's choice cuts the Padre deficit to 5-4, top 7th in Colorado.

I think JP should lead-off and Furcal 2nd or 8th.

Who's the guy behind the plate? Joyce? I love when he's calling balls and strikes. He sounds like an alarm clock after a called strike.

238

that works me for too.

Now they say that Juan Pierre has batted into a major league leading 242 times. I know it contradicts the earlier statment, but it is quite comical.

209 - I like that idea.

245 Sounds more like the shrieks of terror from dubbed 70's kung-fu movies to me

Stampede!

Now Rick Sutcliffe is speaking in mock Ebonics. What are the chances he is actually sober?

BISON!!

248 Perhaps the theme for the next DT day at the park?

Matt Kemp hits a BOMP, that thing is GONE anywhere alse

Beautiful.

240 Billingsley ERA before my jersey purchase: 3.38

Billingsley ERA after the purchase: 3.00 (including tonight)

jeff is hitting some sweet pop ups

... Wow, they let Kemp swing 3-0 -- and after the results, Vin is spelling Kemp's name.

Man, it goes without saying, but do I ever like these young guys a lot.

Sutcliffe and Baker are embarrassing themselves with the way they're ripping on Kemp while lavishing praise on Pierre.

That being said, it did seem like Kemp could have gotten a triple off that.

That's trusting the kid, allowing to swing on 3-0 count! The kid delivers..now time for the vets to come up big.

no-arm garcia-pop-up

Now Baker and Sutcliffe are talking about Kemp with the sort of disdain usually reserved for serial killers and pedophiles.

Sutcliffe and Baker are killing Kemp for not getting a triple there. Yet, they didn't mention his smart baserunning play (lasting in the rundown) in the first inning.

258 Especially because the play is in front of him, that ball hit the 421 sign on a bounce.

I think the Nomar try-out for 3rd should be over...get Andy or Tony in, some plate patience would be appreciated.

232 Saying that Dusty is moralizing, isn't saying much. To speak about steroids at all, even if favorably, requires moralizing. For some reason people assume that only con opinions contain a moral element.

5-4 Rockies after 6 1/2 innings.

But Baker has said with confidence that Kemp will learn. I haven't seen a non-Dodger announcer yet not impressed with Kemp's tools, but he is awfully raw in so many ways. I like him as much as anyone else, but he does need to do better on the basepaths.

WWSH

Gee, how do Kent,Nomar and Furcal look in the last few games relative to Kemp and Loney.

Sort of a Vet thing.

Man, when Billz is in a groove, like he is now, he is awesome to watch.

I'd take a Dodger win in any fashion, but if they happened to win by 2 runs, someone inclined to wager on tonight's contest, for entertainment purposes only, might win $24 of Monopoly money on a bet of $20. Of Monopoly money.

267 I think the major complaint is that when a player leads the team in average, slugging, HR's, RBI's, and general awesomeness over a two-month period, it gets a little nit-picky to focus on his mistakes.

He makes mistakes. He's also the best hitter on the team. I'll take his "raw" over everybody else's "medium-well" any day of the week.

The 2003 Draft before your eyes. Chad and Matt.

kent's attendance at cal berkely must be some sign of the end times... it's freakish, no?

273
Not everyone at Berkeley is a member of the IWW.

271

... Absolutely.

Darn, just a few more pitches and we would have had this Sanchez guy out of there. It may be late, but make him throw this inning and he is gone.

274 But I bet you were, Mr. Workers of the World...

Pretty rare to get this deep into the game with a base on balls for either team.

274 - i know, but, still... feels odd to my ears

92 pitches. Is Jack Hirshcorn wearing a Groucho setup or is that his real face?

Of course, 2002 Draft not doing so bad today either.

274 - and, don't forget, he's part of a union now...

271 What you call people "focusing" on Kemp's mistakes is merely people noticing them.

Friggin idiotic 421 notch in Frisco.

Loney has some really nice swings off of Jonathan Sanchez.

It is better with these announcers than ESPNs. But this one guys brilliance is distracting me.

The Rockies have tied the NL record for pitchers used in a 9-inning game with 9. That presumes the game will end in 9.

And it's just the 8th.

The extra inning record is 10. The AL record is 10 in a 9-inning game.

5-4 Rockies after 7 1/2.

271, et. al., did sutcliff say something bad about kemp? at this point, that's probably an endorsement of some sort. the man is not lucid.

So according to Jon's philosophy, Billingsley should not be batting here with 89 pitches, since he will likely only go one more inning.

283 Well, that's a fair point. You can "notice" his mistakes, and I'll "notice" what a great hitter he is at such a young age.

I forgive a lot of mistakes when they're attached to a great hitter. So he fouls up on the bases...So does Mark Sweeney. But one guy rakes, and the other guy is Mark Sweeney.

So which of Andre's 5 girlfriends is going to comfort him after going 0-3? hehe

277
I was a radicalist with syndicalist tendencies.

Sanchez has 100 pitches and if he gets left in after the shots he's given, it should be tater time.

Now Furcal--O/3. At one point in his career he would have been due.

283 No. That is absolutely, completely wrong. If they discussed the good things he does -- which far outnumber the mistakes -- in equal proportion, then I don't think anybody would be upset. It is people focusing almost solely on the mistakes that really chaps my hide.

271, et. al. sutcliff just said billingsly being allowed to swing away was a sign of the manager's confidence... he, uh, didn't mention it was 2 outs... i mean, if he's the guy bagging on kemp i wouldn't sweat it. as somebody, somewhere once wrote... "the hawk does not hunt the fly."... or something like that.

293 I like to think of you as the Jonathan Pryce character from "Brazil."

A brilliant man relegated to cog in the machine. Just don't end up like that dude. Didn't work out too well for him.

RE: 271

Groan Now that's a strawman. I've listened to Dusty in this broadcast, and he's talked a lot about Kemp's tremendous potential. Phillips did much the same thing; Phillips even endorsed the idea of playing younger players and accepting their mistakes. But, what, they can't comment on Kemp's mistakes, because it rubs us the wrong way in our holy war against the mainstream media's affection for vets?

I like Kemp a lot--he's on my ridiculous 26-keeper fantasy league, along with the likes of Kershaw, LaRoche, Martin, Miller, and Meloan, but I don't see how it's beyond bounds to comment on how Kemp does on occasion make ugly plays in the field.

WWSH

296 I've never met such people. Who are they?

In fact, these particular announcers are focusing so excusively on Kemp's mistakes that
(a) They actually -- and inexplicably --criticized him for the heads-up baserunning play that resulted in a first inning run, and
(b) They credited his RBI double to Jeff Kent.

baker has just pointed out that running makes you tired. sutcliff agrees...

300 Well (and I don't mean this as a Rule 2 violation, but hey, you asked the question), you, for one.

298
You do know that all the villains in "Brazil" have names that end in "-nn"

i love this ump, and i hate bonds. but that was a ball...

DBacks up 4-2 in the 8th. Rockies extend lead to 6-4 in the 8th.

Now 7-4 Rox.

299 Groan...Why are you talking about "potential?" He's already the best offensive player on the team...right now...at this stage...at present. BEST PLAYER RIGHT NOW.

Yes, he has "potential" on the field. And he is ALREADY the best offensive player.

Groan

7-4 Rockies now. Hooray!

Unfortunately yesterday and today, Kent Nomar and Furc, have been making cosistantly ugly plays at the plate. Like six in a row each.

For the second consecutive game, the Dodger starting pitcher is not allowed to record another out after being allowed to bat.

If Kemp's baserunning never improves, he'll still be very good at baseball. It'd be really great if he gets even better at baseball; no argument there. But he is good.

Manny Ramirez is a head case, but he's good at baseball, too. If he were less of a head case, he'd be even better. But he's not. He's only as good as he is. Which is pretty good.

So that's why Grady let Chad hit.

308 Relax. Remember, perfect job, can wake up in the 310 area code.

Okay, now go back to ranting.

Billz retires 15 out of 16 batters and then gives up a single to Bonds, and he gets the hook? I don't get it. Why did they have him bat then? He hasn't even crossed the 100-pitch threshold.

We need a DP with what should be the SLOWEST RUNNERS in the NL.

Oh, Heck.

ugh, come on Furcal you gotta make that play.

I am now waiting for the ESPN guys to criticize Matt Kemp for making that error.

this has potential HORROR written all over it.

Furry probably could have run over and tagged the bag.

It was all fun and games, now it's time for that sick feeling.

Matt Kemp is responsible for all the wars in the world.

I usually take the best student in my class, and find his/her mistakes, and rip the ever-loving hell out of them in front of everybody else.

It's the best way to analyze players, I've found. And it builds confidence.

Good God.

320 Luckily, we only have to face the Giants' offense

i'm fuzzy on why proctor is pitching here. billingsly was pitching spectacularly well.

o.k. sigh or relief there, good job. We still need the DP.

You know who else was a terrible baserunner? Jesus. That guy can't go first to third to save his life. Sure, the wine and water thing, the Lazarus thing, and all that jazz.

But he didn't run the bases. That guy sucked.

... You could hang your hat and coat on that breaking ball.

This is all on Little in my opinion.

Pierre with his patented joggle of a ball...

You gotta throw Feliz breaking balls low and away.

Not down the middle.

IBB time?

IBB time?

331 If Pierre does actually have a patent on that, then he should sue Nomar.

329

Proctor is lucky that thing didn't end up in the seats JTDutch.

328 He was a terrible carpenter too I've heard. Made Homer Simpson look like a master craftsman.

i'm not smart enough to listen to sutcliff. every word he says kills brain cells and i don't have enough to lose.

Why did we pull Chad again?

BS Scott Proctor.

Good game Billz.

New ball game, ahhh [shaking head & then tips head down with hands in face]

The Rockies have Broderick Crawfored the Padres.

339 Because Grady is an Idiot, and Matt Kemp.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid Grady Little.

Take a pitcher out who's pitching brilliantly and then dares to allow a hit to that awful hitter, Barry Bonds.

Then you play the infield back with a runner on third in the seventh inning with a one-run lead? What the hell?

There better be some kind of inside information to absolve Grady for lifting Chad because he was positively rolling until Bonds got that hit and he was still under 100 pitches

328 I'd like to see you run in sandles and a frock.

Hey Proctor did his job, he got Molina to roll over and hit a ground ball that Furcal fielded.

That should be at least one out.

He then got a foul out.

He then gave up a single.

He then got a ground out.

He should not have given up any runs.

Grady Little did make a weird move WITH Bills batting, you gotta admit that..

We all know who is to blame here...

Matt Kemp.

If OBL were really on the ball, the Carl's Jr. commercials would get a shout out in his videos.

Broderick Crawford was always leaning on the highway patrol car in that series. I've been told it was because he was always drunk.

... Is this some sort of a joke? Little wants to turn Winn around, where he's a .350 hitter?

Hopefully I got this in before it's too late.

I've got to see this. Why on earth didn't Grady Little just put randy on intentionally?

Alert the media: Grady makes poor managerial decisions again.

Of course, Frucal and Kent didn't help.

Going back to when Bills hit for himself, this whole sequence is like Deja Vu all over again.

Bob, what was that line that Guyantana said...?

WOW

... I don't believe this!!! Unreal.

342 10-4ed? Like it.

but our strategy has seriously sucked.
Hope we win anyway.

Ugh. Just ugh.

Clockwork. The minute Winn came up I had to rush to turn on the computer and get my posts in before the Dodgers officially blew it... at least I made it.

Tough couple games for Grady.
Beimel against the righty?

Honestly, I love this. I really do. Ppl need to learn a lesson, and I hope the Dodgers eventually figure out what seems painfully obvious to most of us.

I like Grady Little, usually.

But if the Dodgers lose this game tonight, it will have been lost by Grady Little. Period. End of story.

There is only one person stupider than Rick Sutcliffe in that entire ballpark right now. And unfortunately, he happens to be our manager. This whole seventh inning has been a spectacular display of incompetence. I mean, it really is beyond words.

He missed two chances when an IBB might have helped the situation.

As JoeyP would say, the Dodgers don't deserve to win this game.

The good news is Kemp can still save us.

I'm usually a Grady apologist, but that last inning made absolutely no sense

Its possible the players could still bail out Little.

Need some of the 2004 mojo.

If Furcal turns the double play, which 95% of the time he will, this is a nothing inning.

363 It's becoming more and more apparent that Grady, while a funny fellow and a fairly competent human being, makes some really baffling decisions.

I hate to harp on managers, but I'm slowly sliding away from the Grady Little fan club.

363

Theres still plenty of baseball to be played but I hear you Eric Enders.

Point that Kemp has been over-criticized has been made.

368 Hell, if Furcal gets one out on that play it's a nothing inning.

363

... Eric, I just don't understand this sort of horrible managing this year. I don't recall Grady making this many errors last season.

To me it's been night and day from one season to the next for Grady.

363 There is only one person stupider than Rick Sutcliffe in that entire ballpark right now.

You didn't see the interview with Lasorda earlier?

Grady didn't burn the double play. The inning would've looked a lot different with 0 runs in 2 out and noone on. The next batter popped out if I remember correctly. This inning was a magnification of a costly error.

Grady's bad night started when he filled out the lineup card.

I really dont like putting blame on managers because i dont think they have that huge of an impact throughout the season. But, that 7th inning was just absolutely baffling to me. Even with the error, Little deserves blame, even for just turning Winn around where he is a far superior hitter. extremely frustrating turn of events.

Dear Grady Little,

An 80-year-old man with a full head of orange hair is questioning your managing decisions. Just thought you should know.

378
Red Schoendiest is angry?

363 There is one person stupider than Rick Sutcliff.

There may be two, I heard someone say the D's needed a more cerebral manager--like Kevin Kennedy. And that today, or possibly yesterday.

It would be nice if managers, as players do, would admit after the games that, "Yea, this ones on me, poor judgment. I just didn't get the job done."

You know, I'll also say that this doesn't hurt as badly as yesterday's blown lead did (the Padres losing helps).

375 That point is noted, but immaterial. It's the managers job to protect his players from themselves. It's his job to tell them when to pick their spots, and tell them what to do. He orders bunts, and determines who gets pitch to. It's his job to manage, if you will.

Grady has proven on numerous occasions that he makes questionable decisions.

Nice at-bat going for Kemp.

Matt Kemp is single handedly destroying this season.

Trade him for Jeff Shaw.

The exact same pitch that was called Ball 2 was also called Strike 3.

Of course, it probably should have been a strike both times, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

... Wow; they're just going to trot Nomar out there until it hurts. Unbelievable.

At least we get Nomar's spot in the order out of the way.

At least we get Nomar's spot in the order out of the way.

385 I would also be willing to take Robert Shaw. Or George Bernard Shaw.

Pretty early to lift Kent for a pinch runner, unless they think his fielding is that bad.

... Yeah, that didn't take long. Thanks, beautiful.

Nice patience, Nomar.

Martin, Loney, Ethier in the ninth. Could be worse.

386

On first look the ball looked like a strike, but on the replay, i thought it was 2-3 inches inside.

386

On first look the ball looked like a strike, but on the replay, i thought it was 2-3 inches inside.

You know what man Furcal makes that Double Play & nothing happens, I'm going with that.

thats the kind of approach u want late in the game right there, great job nomar

Instead of doing the Carmax poll about what Bonds is gonna do next year, it would've been more interesting to have used Nomar.

Good to know that Jon's comment in 371 has not had a chilling effect on speech.

And sticking a .682 into the five-hole doesn't help.

I couldnt tell if Furcal double clutched bc he couldnt get a grip, or if he did that bc Kent wasnt over to cover the bag in time.

beimel gives up so many hits

I hope LaRoche starts tomorrow. Nomar looks bored.

he must have been rushing cause bengie molina was running down the line, he had to hurry.

Roberto is warming up? Are we giving up?

394 I'm having trouble remembering what happened the last time we had Martin, Loney, and Ethier up in the ninth.

I'll end my stance by reviewing the number of chances blown.

1. Little should have pinch hit for Bills. He got a hit anyway, but there was no point. Just like yesterday's game.
2. If there's going to be a pitching change... Why on earth are you putting in Proctor? Beimel is the 7th inning guy!
3. Randy Winn is the big time Dodger killer, with nobody significant hitting after him. Not intentionally walking him with 1 out and a man in scoring position is inexcusable.
4. Having gotten past that, why does anyone bring in Beimel after the fact, turning around Winn to where he hits 70 points BETTER?

My gut feeling is any one of these four decisions done the right way would at least have preserved a tie. I know about the botched double play but otoh it wouldn't have come to that, in my opinion, had other things been done correctly.

That's all I'll say about that.

why is Hernandez warming up? Just getting some excercise??
vr, Xei

398

Anyone knows how many pitches Nomar has seen tonight? I've seen his last 2 AB's, and that was only 2 pitches. I dont mind first pitch swinging if the pitch is drivable, but Nomar swings at everything on the first pitch. And without any power, his AB's are truly worthless.

I thought Furcal double clutched because he knew he had time with Molina running

397 You know that they let the manager react to changing situations, right? If I'm not mistakem that's part of his job.

408 You left out arguably the worst mistake, which was failing to play the infield in during the 7th inning of a one-run game.

410

... 7 pitches in 4 at-bats.

Furcal definitely double clutched. Even the camera man got fooled. Dunno why exactly, whether he had a transfer problem or Kent wasn't covering fast enough, but that was certainly the source of the error.

NIce catch. Nice DP. Let's hope they get some runs.

... That DP reminds me of Greg Maddux last season in Dodger Stadium.

Nice stab of that rocket Joe.

This might be a stupid question but is Grady signed for next year? or is Ned waiting till the end of the season to resign him?

Barry Bonds has 15 at-bats in his career against Joe Beimel and has made 17 outs.

413

That's a good point, Eric. eh, you win some you lose some... I used too much energy yesterday to care much, so rational thought takes over.

Hopefully Logan White will have full control to hire whomever he wants to manage in 2008.

410 He's seen 7 pitches. Three 1-pitch ABs, and a 4-pitch AB.

I hope the ninth is more magic like yesterday. How many times can that happen in one road trip? It felt like we were getting some momentum going which is what makes September baseball what it is. You got your stud young pitcher stepping up, young hitters delivering key hits. It felt like something is shaking. Only to be undone by guys who are seriously slipping into mediocrity.Egads!

420 Actually, check that, 16 at-bats and 17 outs.

Oh my God. They blamed Kemp again.

Ahahahah, Sutcliffe blamed Kemp for it! Awesome!

408 I felt that it was perfectly fine to let Billingsley bat in the top of the 7th since there was only a runner on 1st with 2 outs. If they had pinch-hit for him that would be fine, though not ideal. Where it gets truly idiotic is pulling him after only giving up one hit. If he's on such a short leash then you should just pinch-hit for him and get it over with.

I'll give it another week before we're officially eliminated. We gave it our best shot tonight though :)

428--Exactly.

Truely bizarre Little did it two games in a row.

Oh. My. God.

HOLY HAT!!!!!!!

Amazing

LOOOOOONEY!

BALLLLLLLLLLLER

OH MY GOSH

Loney! AMAZING!

LONEY!!!

WOO WOO WOO WOO

Loney POWER!!!!

HAAAAAA

"Would you believe..."

I love it. What a guy.

... And you spell that L-O-N-E-Y, folks.

Some times solipsism doesn't seem all that far fetched.

There's some 2004 Mojo.
3rd Loney HR in 2 games.

U N B E L I E V E A B L E!

429

Of course I was kidding... and I was going to post this just before the hr was hit.

The Kids Say: Don't rain on our parade, fossils.

Grady and Raffy each owe Loney a big steak dinner if we end up pulling this one out

LONEY!!!

Big Game James comes through again!

I feel like I drifted off and must have dreamed Loney hit a home run.

OT This morning I was listening to the local sports talk radio 1140AM and heard FP Santangelo talking about a possible trade between the Giants and Drays. Actually it was 2. Here they are:

Carl Crawford for Noah Lowry

Pena for Brad Hennessey

FWIW he was serious.

A little tarde, but right on Loney!!

Grady is so relieved that Loney hit that homer. Because now Roberto Hernandez will get a chance to pitch.

They should have traded for Teixeira.

Please tell me it'll be Broxton and not Hernandez coming in to pitch the 9th if we're still tied

Loney will never have enough power to be a first baseman.

So... Hernandez?

I hope the ninth is more magic like yesterday. How many times can that happen in one road trip? It felt like we were getting some momentum going which is what makes September baseball what it is. You got your stud young pitcher stepping up, young hitters delivering key hits. It felt like something is shaking. Only to be undone by guys who are seriously slipping into mediocrity.Egads!

ehtier has looked almost as bad as nomar tonight

Loney very easily could have had three home runs in this game. He hit it to the deepest part of the park in his last AB.

Giants must be feel like they are cursed.
Of course, they are with Sabean running them.

But 11 game winning streak for the Dodgers in SF is nuts.

Man, that thing was smoked, wasn't it?

Love how the kid who wasn't ready to play 4 months ago just bailed Little out

These homers are line drives--they don't really count.

I wonder if Grady will sit Loney tomorrow.

Jodie Foster is SO heavy. I don't know what's more stressful, looking at her or just hearing her.

broxton

No way R. Hernandez comes in here right?

Phew, that was a close one

467

to redeem him self, yes.

Broxton...Phew.

Broxtasaurus

Hey I didn't post that again, but I believe in magic!

i thinkfurcal is the one who needs to redeem himself

Perhaps... perhaps... Sweeney or LaRoche will take over for Nomar if it goes into extra innings.

Shucks.

Well, that was quick.

Grace II? or Helton II?

so much for that

What happened to the version of Broxton that never game up homers?

that one hurts

Yuck.

... And, there we go again.

Well, that was not a fun ending.

Damn.

oh boy.

Brox, thats two homers in two days.
This time, Grady wasnt bailed out.

Well the Giants were overdue, gotta hand it to them.

Brox picked a bad time to regress to the mean on his homers allowed.

The sad thing is that Grady won't get any of the blame for tonight's loss

488 Well, the Dodgers sure handed this one to them.

Doesn't hurt me as much as yesterday's would have. Not sure why, I guess the whole karma thing. Just gotta go back at 'em tomorrow.

Vin: "...and another day goes by."

Pitch 1 - In play, run(s)

Daniel Ortmeier homers (5) on a fly ball to right center field.

oh well, Tomorrow is another day but these in my book, TRULY DO HURT.

i wish we had a competent manager

490 He will get some in this post, at least. You can moan about your Furcals and Broxtons. But this loss sits squarely on Grady's shoulders.

This game is the counterexample for those who believe managers don't really have much impact one way or another.

i want to hear littles reason fur turning randy winn around. if he doesnt loneyd homer probably puts us ahead in the 9th.

496

but if Ferkels makes the DP....

Boy, that hurts. It just never should have come to that. Saito should have been pitching that inning with the Dodgers still holding (at least) a 2-run lead.

Now I can't decide whether solipsism is fully discredited, or I just hate myself.

Has someone registered firegradylittle.com yet?

497

You can look at it that way as well, but it's better for my sanity to look at it in my {499 } at least for me it is.

Let me see. The mgr made the Furcal error. Or called the pitch that Broxton threw. Or he brought in the wrong pitcher at the wrong time. Or is it that some people just must complain.

499 Furcal's error could have been overcome, but the managing far from maximized the opportunity. Who do you want Joe Beimel to pitch to, Randy Winn with first base open, or Dave Roberts with the bases loaded. Beimel's not a walk machine; I pick Roberts.

Furcal is not getting enough blame for his part in the Dodgers' problems this year. His OPS+ is 81. Him and Pierre at the top of the order have been a big vortex of suck all season long.

After tonight's game, I feel like piling on.

In an alternate universe, Grady Little leaves Billingsley in to pitch the 7th and 8th innings, and Saito comes in to save a routine 4-1 Dodger win.

And in that alternate universe, the Dodgers started the season with Loney at first base, and are currently 6 games in front in the West.

504

... The manager pulled his effective starting pitcher. The manager batted his two worst hitters 2nd and 5th. The manager brought in a lefty to face a hitter who hits .350 against lefties. The manager didn't bring his infield in in a tie ballgame in the bottom of the 7th.

shades of Brian Johnson 10 years ago...

oh well, night...

I take it we lost, I was too chicken to watch. But I take the easy way out by feeling Loney, Kemp and Martin did all they could, and couldn't drag the moldering vets over the finish line. Bills looked pretty good too.

Ortmeier's career Slg% as a LHB: .337
career minor league Slg% overall: .433

Blech. Not in the cards, I guess.

Furcal has been playing hurt all year long. So he's admirable for his toughness on the one hand, but stupid to the point of hurting the team on the other. Like Gagne, he seems to value his own reputation for toughness more than he cares about the welfare of the team.

He really should have taken a few weeks off to let it heal, especially since this year we happened to have a replacement in the minors who was just as good as the hurting Furcal if not better.

Good Night my fellow DT'ers

We'll come back fighting tomorrow, the standings don't look all that bad.

509 At least Barry Bonds didn't do a pirouette. That would mean another ten pennant-less years for the Dodgers.

512

God Bless you Eric, love your enthusiasm/pain for tonights loss bro.

504 see 505

Dave Robert vs. LHP 2007: .164 .238 .192

506 You have quite a point.

Tho I don't want to get defeatist yet, for I think we have a good chance of making the playoffs--I have been down on the playoffs because of the blow fortune has given our pitching this year. And it is nothing but pure fortune, which is a large part of BB.

507 I'm getting on Orbitz right now to see if I can get a ticket to that alternate universe. It's looks pretty good right now.

It's going to take me a while to get to sleep tonight ...

Furcal's error was physical; Grady's errors were mental.

508 JT Dutch
The mgr also got severely criticized for leaving in Lowe too long against the Cubs. So, this time he pulls his starting pitcher too early? He didn't bring the infield in to keep away from a big inning. Pitching to Winn was a decision that could be questioned more than the others.

512 "He really should have taken a few weeks off to let it heal, especially since this year we happened to have a replacement in the minors who was just as good as the hurting Furcal if not better."

Except I doubt Colletti would've used him (if you mean Hu). He would've traded for somebody we all would've hated.

519

your damned if you do & YOUR DAMNED IF YOU DON'T.

o.k. I'm really out.

499 Grady set into motion a chain of events where that non-DP would hurt. Why not hit for Chad? Why pull him after a single to Bonds?

Furthermore, he allowed it to snowball when he could have taken actions to prevent it from becoming a three run inning.
Why not IBB Vizquel? You've got Brox in the pen and a favorable split on a PH, plus it sets up a force anywhere.
If you're going to pitch to him, bring the infield in. He's slugging .299.
Why not IBB Winn? Again, this gives you a DP potential, Roberts at the plate, and Beimel coming in.

So, by my count that's five tactical errors that GL made that helped lead to the Giants three runs. Players play. Managers manage. Grady watches.

That's the one that killed me, pitching to Winn. But its pointless to cry over spilled milk now. College Football tomorrow, a big home stand, cooler weather, there's so much to live for right now I can't let one idiot manager ruin it for me.

506 "Furcal and Pierre at the top of the order have been a big vortex of suck all season long."

Indeed

506 Furcal's D has been amazing this year. If you start blaming him for the Dodger's problems, you might as well start blaming Russ.

523 Well done.

520 The mgr also got severely criticized for leaving in Lowe too long against the Cubs. So, this time he pulls his starting pitcher too early?

Yes. He let that pitcher hit then pulled then pulled him on his 94th pitch after giving up a single to the "Greatest Hitter in the Game". At least let the kid, who's been nearly the best pitcher on the team for the last month, try to pitch to a mere mortal.

He didn't bring the infield in to keep away from a big inning.
How'd that work out for him? Vizquel isn't going to cause a big inning. He's batting .241 and slugging .299. If he insists on pitching to him, try and hold the runner at third.

Pitching to Winn was a decision that could be questioned more than the others.

Aye.

526 Right. Also, my golf game has been terrible lately, so I might as well start blaming Tiger Woods.

Feh... I really should go to bed. I've got a (small) bathroom to demo tomorrow.

Yeah, his defense has been amazing. But it hasn't quite made up for his hitting. Jon referenced Izturis before, and I think that's not a bad comparison. Furcal v.2007 is sort of like Izturis v.2005.

Furcal's great defense doesn't mitigate the fact that we've had ample opportunity to put him on the DL, get him healed, and temporarily fill his spot with a guy who is (a) likely a better hitter, and (b) "already the best defensive shortstop in the National League," according to Baseball Prospectus yesterday.

520 Lowe had allowed eight baserunners, including an uncharacteristic four walks in his six innings. He was pretty clearly laboring. Billingsley had allowed four hits and NO walks before Bonds singled and was pretty sharp, about 15 pitches / inning.

Also, Lowe had only a one-run lead when he hit, Bills had two.

Furcal is barely a better hitter than Pierre. That's not only this year, his career numbers are only slightly better. Many people are blaming it on his injury this year, which may have contributed, but the fact is he just isn;t that good and we spent too much on him.

531 ... and temporarily fill his spot with a guy who is (a) likely a better hitter, and (b) "already the best defensive shortstop in the National League," according to Baseball Prospectus yesterday.

Nomar?

533 But Furcal's hitting numbers were rising, and Pierre's were falling. Look at their OBPs for their careers (2000-2006):

Furcal: .394, .321, .323, .352, .344, .348, .369
Pierre: .353, .378, .332, .361, .374, .326, .330

This year (before tonight), Pierre's .325 follows the trend, while Furcal's .339 is, perhaps, unexpectedly low (and how much is due to the ankle injury?).

504--Little was playing Jim Tracy-ball the last two games (letting your pitcher bat, then pulling him in the bottom half of the inning).

Its just stupid, incompetant baseball and teams deserve to lose when they do that.

535 Bottom line is Furcal is the worst position player making that amount of money in baseball. As is Pierre at his price.

The only SS in the NL with more errors than Furcal is Hanley Ramirez. A lot of scouts thought Chin-Lung Hu was the best defensive SS in all of the minor leagues. When you combine this with his with Furcal's sub .700 OPS and his diminished speed, it's easy to see that he is one of the biggest liabilities on this team.

531 I was advocating some extended rest for Furcal by adding a few off days around the All-Star break. I think Diamond Leung asked Grady about this and Grady said something along the lines of that there was no way that Furcal wanted days off.

533 Furcal has been a marginally better player than Pierre over his career. He's had five season with an OPS+ between 96 and 109; Pierre has only had two. He has 77 career homers, Pierre only has 12, and defensively, they're not comparable.

Unfortunately, this year, Pierre and Furcal have been the Gruesome Twosome. It's disturbing how similar their stat lines are:

Furcal .274/.339/.358
Pierre .291/.325/.349

They've swallowed up over 1,230 plate appearances with all that suck. Any discussion of the Dodgers' offensive woes in 2007 should start right here.

531--I think you mean Izturis 2004.

Izturis in 2005 was horrible. And 2006, and pretty much every year of his career except 2004, including the minors.

I dont think there's any comparison between Izturis and Furcal.

I think Izturis may go down as one of the most overrated Dodgers of all time. JMO.

Addendum to 540 : They've swallowed up over 1,230 plate appearances and $22 million worth of payroll with all that suck.

539 I understand Furcal didn't want the time off. Fortunately, though, Rafael Furcal is not the general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

537 Really? How about J. D. Drew's line of .252 / .353 / .378 as a RIGHT FIELDER?

543 Exactly. Grady should have done what was right for the team and started Abreu and Betemit* for a few games at SS around the AS break. Dodgers had an four-day break, so three games off around it would have been a week's rest for that ankle.

*LA still had him then, and if he can sub for Jeter for day, he can rest Furcal.

541 No, I meant Izturis 2005. Although it's not really a great comparison, because Izturis 2004 was significantly better than Furcal 2007, while Izuris 2005 was significantly worse. There is no Izturis season that matches up perfectly to Furcal's 2007. One of them was better and the rest were worse.

Which really means I should have followed Jon's lead and just dismissed the comparison.

533 Furcal's OPS+ has been at or above 100 for three of the last four years. That's not position adjusted, and he has played a fine shortstop. He has the power to hit 10 to 15 home runs a year.

Pierre has had one year in the last four above 100. Right now, he has an OPS+ of 74. He has hit 12 home runs in his career.

537 Furcal - .274/.339/.358, 81 OPS+, great defense at SS, $13m

J.D. Drew - .252/.353/.378, 92 OPS+ as a corner OF, $14m

Jason Kendall - .243/.299/.310, 62 OPS+ at C, $13m

541 Was Izturis 2004 significantly better than Furcal 2007?

Izturis 2004 - .288/.330/.381, 81 OPS+
Furcal 2007 - .274/.339/358, 81 OPS+

549 The league and park adjustments are different, and you have Izturis' OPS+ wrong: it was 88 as opposed to Furcal's 81 (which probably dropped to 79 or 80 tonight).

541 ,549 Expanding, from The Hardball Times' win shares:

Izturis 2004: 18.2 batting/6.9 fielding/25.1 total
Izturis 2005: 2.5/3.6/6.1 total
Furcal 2007: 8.5/6.9/15.4 total

Furcal 2006 earned his money though:
.300/.369/.445 OPS+ 107 quality SS.

550 You are right, Eric. That was a cut and paste error on my part.

Win Shares bears out your point.

I would rather have Drew than Furcal any day. I had no idea Kendall made that much though or I wouldn't have made that comment about Furcal being the worst. He is still quite bad though at that price.

554 Even with his poor hitting this season, Furcal's defense has boosted his win shares to 57th in the NL. It's not great, but it's pretty good. Especially when you factor in that he's been hurt most of the year (even though his stubbornness is his own fault).

555 The Dodgers made that financial commitment to Furcal for the 2006-2008 seasons. Where did he rank in win shares for 2006?

554 I would rather be stuck with Furcal as my SS this year than Drew as my RF this year.

Pulled in the bottom of the ninth on KNBR while driving home from SLC tonight. Not a great time to tune in, but it was still nice to hear a game on the radio. It's been a long time since I've done that.

The Dodgers will get them tomorrow.

556 Furcal had 26.8 win shares in 2006 (20.1 batting / 6.7 fielding), good for 12th in the NL.

Furcal has a halfway decent shot at the Hall of Fame if you go by his list of most similar players:
Ray Durham (954)
Paul Molitor (947) *
Lou Whitaker (943)
Chuck Knoblauch (939)
Ryne Sandberg (937) *
Tony Fernandez (934)
Joe Morgan (934) *
Jason Kendall (933)
Woody English (932)
Craig Biggio (927)

Izturis:
Bill Russell (964)
Royce Clayton (964)
Marty Marion (961)
Rafael Ramirez (960)
Terry Turner (960)
Steve Yerkes (960)
Jose Oquendo (958)
Jackie Hayes (958)
Bucky Dent (957)
Jerry Remy (957)

Well if you're all feeling terribly pained by this loss, at least you weren't there in person tonight! Actually, it was still fun even sitting in the bleachers, and even ultimately having to take the usual garbage and ribbing from bizarrely cocky Giants fans; lots of good natured banter there, too. And Dodger Thoughts North still had a good time - Fanerman, Louis, Paul, Icaros, and Vishal, and myself.

Icaros and I decided we shouldn't watch games together any more, until some kind of magick ritual at least, because we're bad luck in that case. 0-fer-2 in TV games, 0-fer-1 in person (though we did both attend the Dodgers blow out of the Giants a couple of months ago).

Also, in the bottom of the 9th, we all collectively jinxed it or tried to unjinx it unsuccessfully. Vishal said, "I really don't want to see a walk off. I've never seen the Dodgers lose in a walk-off." I said, "I've seen Feliz do it before, could see that happening." Then, infamously, I added, "Watch, Ortmeier will hit one out." A last second attempt at the reverse jinx is quickly foiled! I don't know why I felt so unconfident in the 9th when it was tied and the Bull was in there, but I did.

Look, we can all overanalyze this one to death, and I agree, Billingsley should have either been pinch hit for and then they bring in Beimel, or you leave him in there longer. Giving up one hit should not have spelled the end. But the fact is, they botched a double play, Broxton gave up a home run to a guy he shouldn't give up one too, and various other things where players didn't get things done. So I think Grady did some things wrong tonight but the players and pitchers had plenty of chances to put this one away and to then keep it tied and didn't do it. Broxton is totally the guy I'd want there in the 9th with the game tied.

Tough one.

I definitely think Nomar contributed nothing by being in there tonight and hope he isn't in there tomorrow. I think all of us at the game together thought LaRoche would have grabbed that line drive that scored a run (not at all an easy play mind you, but for a taller, rangier 3rd baseman, it was do-able.) And he looked feeble at the plate.

Oh well. We saw Loney smash two of them out of there, which was sweet. Bills looked real good overall.

The Dodgers have to take the next two, but it won't be easy. Especially since they never seem to do well with Fox day games on Saturdays. But take comfort in knowing that I won't be there at least!

Be kind to each other. We're all we've got!

Time to think positive. Still only 2.5 out of the wild card, with two more games to play in our home away from home, The House That Kevin Elster Built.

The 25 & Under Group (stats through tonight's game)
Martin, 24 years old, .298/.381/.477
Kemp, 22, .342/.373/.539
Loney, 23, .317/.370/.502
Ethier, 25, .287/.351/.451
Billingsley, 23, 128.2 IP, 10-4, 3.22 ERA, 123/50 BB/K
Broxton, 23, 72.1 IP, 2.36 ERA, 86/23 BB/K

560 "Especially since they never seem to do well with Fox day games on Saturdays"

Dodgers are only 3-4 in Saturday day games this season, but they are 2-0 in such games in SF! Fear not.

562 Well... maybe since I won't be there in person, too, they have a chance at least.

This note on Dodgers.com depressed me though: "Little said he will start Hillenbrand at first base for Loney and Luis Gonzalez in left field Saturday against Barry Zito. Hillenbrand is 5-for-11 against Zito, Gonzalez 6-for-12 with a homer. Loney is 0-for-3."

I wonder if this is still his decision, now that Loney homered twice tonight? 0-3, not exactly a lifetime. And Nomar will probably be in there again tomorrow, too. Sigh.

Since August 14, the date Kemp became a more-than-part-time player, he has started 17 of 23 games, and has hit .400/.412/.650 in 85 PA, with 15 runs and 14 RBI.

558 Thank you. That's not too shabby indeed.

564 Someone tell Grady immediately that Hillenbrand last batted against Zito in 2002! (True.) Zito splits this year are about a wash. Loney hits lefties. Please start James!

564 loney was 0 for 3 against brad hennessey until tonight. 0 for 3 is meaningless.

DT SF crew: i had a great time hanging out with you guys, despite the disheartening loss. i'm looking forward to more fun times (hopefully made all the better by dodger wins) in the future. it was really nice to meet you all, and see icaros again.

564 Nomar and Gonzo seem like foregone conclusions, but I don't think Grady can actually sit Loney after he hits 3 homers in 2 games. But what do I know?

I've been hesitant thus far to join the "Grady Must Go" bandwagon, but if he actually trots out Hillenbrand, Gonzalez, Pierre, and Nomar tomorrow in the middle of a pennant race, that is seriously close to a firing offense.

It was hinted that the end was coming earlier in the thread, but the end of the season for the Dodgers' minor league teams has finally come. Inland Empire lost 8-2, and they never really put up a fight in this game. At least Pedroza went out with a bang, going 3-4 with 2 doubles.

Furcal 2007 sOPS+ for a SS: 90
Drew 2007 sOPS+ for a RF: 84 (omits the 24 PA he's had in other positions in which he's 6/20 with 4 BBs and 1 2B)
Pierre 2007 sOPS+ for a CF: 78

Mr. Frank M. should send a message to the whole team and organization by firing Grady Little tomorrow. The message, "the Dodgers are going young," needs to be brought out in the open so there is no confusion. No more of this dancing around the subject. No more using Gonzo because his split stats are better then Ethier/Kemp who have less service time but have out performed him all season long. No more throwing Nomar and Hillenbrand out on the field with better options available in Loney and LaRoche. The kids have done more then prove themselves at a major league level (with LaRoche being the only exception, but he should follow in the footsteps of those before him, if given the chance). Little obviously caters to the veterans and he might be great at managing player's feelings and emotions, but his real job duty is to field the best possible team. I would bet that for 80% of the games this season he has not fielded the best possible team with the players Colletti has made available to him. Some would argue that that number should be 100% solely on Pierre playing everyday, but that is a different story (sorta). Upper management has set the path to let the young players play, but something is stalling this from taking place and it appears to be Grady. Even if it is not Little and others are pressuring him to use veterans, someone needs to be the scapegoat and that is usually the manager's role to fill.

If Frank fires Grady and releases a quote along the lines of differences of player personal decisions, everyone will know what he means. We have saved these kids from trades for years now; it is time to let them play, EVERYDAY.

Some might say that Colletti has just as much to do with wanting to play the veterans over the young as Grady does but I don't buy it. I believe Grady:

Signed Nomar as insurance, incase Loney or Betemit was not ready yet (had to go two years to keep "the fan favorite").

Signed Gonzo as insurance incase Kemp and Either needed more seasoning at AAA.

Brought in Sweeney because Seanz was not cutting it anymore.

Brought in Hillenbrand because Nomar and LaRoche were both hurt at the same time.

Sure, Colletti signed all these players, but I do not believe he thought they would all be getting regular playing time this deep into the 2007 season.

It is Grady Little who plugs these aging veterans in the lineup on a day to day basis.

Grady should be fired for his starting lineups and his game time decision mistakes are just the icing on the cake.

Frank, please send a message to the whole organization. Please play the best possible team everyday.

{{{Sorry for the long post everyone, just needed to vent}}}
{{{Vote for me in the 2008 Dodger General Manager Election}}}
{{{Thank You}}}

Time to go to sleep now, Brock.

575 I was about to send you an email, asking you to clean things (574) up. Thanks, Bob.

Little said he will start Hillenbrand at first base for Loney and Luis Gonzalez in left field Saturday against Barry Zito. Hillenbrand is 5-for-11 against Zito, Gonzalez 6-for-12 with a homer. Loney is 0-for-3

Brilliant. Hey Grittle, what about this:

Pierre vs. Zito: .167/.286/.167/.452

573 "Matt Kemp was the unnamed witness in the Dreyfuss Affair."

I know you're being facetious, but there is in fact some evidence of this. (And not all circumstantial).

Theres no balance in the Dodgerdugout:

Grady Little: makes questionable pitching moves (to be fair that's my only peeve with him, like the guy)

Rick Honeycutt: Grady Little does his job, why is he even a pitching coach?

Rich Donnelly: I don't even have to explain him.

Mariano Duncan: He's the only balanced coach out there.

572 you may be entirely correct, but we aren't privy to possible directives handed down from Coletti...he was trained by Sabean to value experienced players...some people have an eye for such things...

don't get me wrong, I do not like Little at all, and I would like him gone, but it is just possible the problems lie with Coletti

to finish my thought in 580 , that being said, sitting Loney (3 homers in 2 days, swinging the bat as well right now as anyone in the majors) for anyone, let alone Hillenbrand, is a crime...

And Dodger Thoughts North still had a good time - Fanerman, Louis, Paul, Icaros, and Vishal, and myself.

Man, Vishal lives the good life, studying in China visiting Europe, New York & traveling all over Cali, Is he the most interesting man in the world??

New post up top.

582 hah! thanks, man. i try. :)

but seriously, that does kind of put things in perspective for me, though. i guess my life isn't so boring after all.