Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
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3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
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12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
Countdown to 81 wins: just five more.
Tonight's game:
* * *
Update: For those not watching in the bottom of the third inning, with James Loney on second and Jeff Kent on first and one out, Luis Gonzalez singled to left-center field. Scott Hairston had to range to his left to get the ball, meaning that Loney, even with his slowness, could score easily. However, it was also clear that Kent should not be trying to go from first to third. Nevertheless, there was Kent, stumbling toward third, ready to kill the inning for no reason. Only a terrible throw from Hairston enabled Kent to reach third base safely. He would have been out by 15 feet otherwise.
On the next play, Kent was thrown out trying to score on a fly ball to short center field by Russell Martin. Mike Cameron broke the wrong way on the ball, thus enticing Kent to go, but still threw him out easily.
Even on a night in which the Dodgers have started out wonderfully, leading 4-0 against Greg Maddux, we can't escape that there is something simply fundamentally wrong about how they run the bases. It is not just Matt Kemp. It permeates the entire club. The coaches and the baserunners just can't seem to grasp the obvious.
Meanwhile, James Loney's career OPS as I write this, at age 23 and after 414 career plate appearances, is .904. Astonishing.
Update 2: In the bottom of the fourth, Kemp was on second base when David Wells singled. Kemp was looking down to make sure he touched third base and ran through Rich Donnelly's proper stop sign, only to jam on the brakes and scramble back to third. Kemp is no saint on the bases, to be sure. But he fits right in.
But the hit by Wells is the 10th off Greg Maddux in 3 1/3 innings, and he is knocked out of the game.
Update 3: .907!
Honestly, I'm not sure I trust Ned on his own, given some of the moves he has made. Hopefully it will turn out that he was simply pressing in his first year on or so on the job.
Upshot is, we don't know, but we can guess some things about him. He'd be more likely to favor young players over grizzled veterans, if I had to guess. I think Ng would be most qualified of all their in house options, but maybe that LogNg combo would be even better.
If it isn't, I don't want to know.
Joba + Kennedy >>>>Kershaw/Morris/Mattingly
On top of the colorful anecdotes, he's got a great eye for talent. Taking Piazza with the last pick in the draft was a steal.
Makes perfect sense.
>> It's the biggest homestand of the season, and this team is playing in front of a lot of empty seats. <<
## Listen, excuses are worthless. It's borderline embarrassing the size of Wednesday's crowd. It's the biggest series of the year and all the Dodgers get is a lukewarm fan response. ##
http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/articles/9755907.html
Like I've said in the past I like Ned BUT his PVL leanings just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, the Dodger organization is in such a great place right now (with the fruits of the farm already riping in the ML) Ned simply has to cleanse him self from the Sabean (sp) form of thought & we're in good shape.
If this guy really is joking around then I feel dumb for falling for it.
The Dodger crowds are still very good compared to most stadiums I see.
As you said, taking away a game from the Pats will not hurt them that much, because they are still going to win the division. Taking away a first round pick hurts them long term.
119 PAs .315/.368/.648/1.016, 6 2B, 10 HR
(1-4, 2BB this year)
As these things go, that's a large sample size. Grady trusts this and Loney's left-handedness - he's never faced Maddux either - more than Kemp, thus Kemp #7.
Kent vs. Maddux, career:
85 PAs .321/.356/.568/.924, 5 2B, 5 HR
(5-6, 1 2B, 1 HR this year)
Here are Gonzalez #'s against Mr. Maddux.
At Bats - 108
Hits - 34
OB% - 648
SLG - 361
Batting Average - 315
_____________________________________
To by fair to Grady Kemp has NEVER faced Maddux so we don't know how well or how bad he'll do against him, it actually looks like Grady put some thought into this lineup for a change. :o)
Derek Lowe is going through pregame stretching wearing a red jersey, the way football quarterbacks to do avoid being hit in practice. What would a long, monotonous baseball season be without funny gags?
or Roger Goodell
But that figure represents tickets sold. From all reports there were considerably less than that in the park.
He makes a good point on the Tomko mural though, I picture good 'ol Ned blushing every time he sees that.
Didn't Delino DeShields hit 30/30 for the Dodgers a few times?
Along those lines, it looks like Juan Pierre needs another 30 or so home runs in the final 2 weeks to make it into the 30/30 club.
No. Labrum surgery takes forever. I had it last year and wasnt able to do anything really physical with my arm for 3 months or so. Schmidt wont be throwing for a while, and it will take over a year for him to get back to how he was pre-surgery (if he does)
I meant 59, not 56. Carry on.
ah, what the heck why not, seriously I wouldn't mind at all.
I'd like to see White promoted to "Vice President, Baseball Operations" (that title does not currently exist in the Dodgers front office), if both Ng and Colletti are still here, mainly in attempt to keep him happy and here.
Seems to me it's a bit of risk to hire White as a GM, but not precedented, because I perceive it as more of a business job than a talent job.
do you play ball UclaDodger? or did your labrum just tear off? I have a friend that had arthroscopic surgery on both shoulders & it wasn't baseball related his tore off because of the hard work he does for a leaving.
Little also said Chad Billingsley and David Wells will be the starters for Tuesday's doubleheader at Colorado and that Wells then will start on Sept. 22 at Arizona on short rest. "Wells has gone on three days' rest a lot in the past, so he should be fine," Little said.
Wells is an old man now though, not much younger than me! How about, "Billingsley is a young stud whose innings were artificially depressed by starting the year in the bullpen, so he should be fine" ?
ps I really hope we rock 'em!!
I hear you Dave, I don't like the sound of that either.
86 - See, close plays against the Dodgers seem to always go in the pads favor.
James Loney, still my hero.
1.000 / 1.000 / 2.000 / 3.000
.297/.370/.504/.874
Not bad for a 39-year old.
If the Dodgers can get Greene and Cosmonaut out today they should win. They haven't the first two games, and they can't get the latter out yet today.
Golden...
Oh, it's Angel Hernandez. No wonder.
113 - heh
Great throw by russ
Martin says, call THIS one Angel!
http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/7JrK
Brandon Phillips is currently sitting on 29 HR and 30 SB.
Raul Mondesi remains the only 30/30 Dodger in history (1997 & 1999), but a have a feeling a Bison may roam in that territory before its all said and done.
Seriously do you just yell louder than the first guy who called it, or is there a standard phrase you use?
1) Billingsley on short rest could be turning a 6/7 inning guy into a 5 inning guy, whereas Wells pretty much has 5 shaky innings in him no matter what (yes, I know he pitched 7 great IP last Saturday)
2) Moving Chad from 9/23 to 9/22 doesn't get him an extra start anyway, as the season ends 9/30 (the only way to capitalize would be to start Chad on 3 days rest 4 straight times, which wouldn't necessarily be capitalizing)
"best manager" "grady little" get you 689
Every Wells start feels like a game of Keno.
Nice hit for Pierre.
I call him El Don.
hahaha, that was a good one.
I'd take a senile Vin over a lucid Steiner any day.
Not that I'm complaining
So far!
Does that play make the game story or notes? Nope!
Oh good canny baserunning Kent! Sigh, those veterans and their baserunning goofs.
I mean, the guy essentially runs us out of the inning twice within a 30-second span. I think Matt Kemp needs to sit him down and give him some baserunning pointers.
that was just plain & flat out bad to watch.
1. he's lost a step
2. he waited a little too long to go
3. he slid head first into home plate
4. it was the third out of the inning
AA . . . RP.
Too bad Kent is as fast as algae.
Kouzmanoff is worth having in the field no matter haow long his on base streak lasts.
Karros was not safe.
Maybe I'm too old, but that seems like it should be some sort of rule violation. It's Vin's language; the rest of us just use it. :-)
209. Dragon Wars is actually a Korean movie made in English. That's why it looks the way it does.
.316/.367/.537
120 for 380
23-8-15 2B-3B-HR
30 BB
2 HBP
2 SF
http://tinyurl.com/2otuct
I really wish these guys were playing like this all year.
2007: .909
Career: .907
Holy cow---Pierre walked.
This is partly luck. I wish it was the ninth.
Running with a 5-run lead has never been looked at as running up the score. Maybe if the lead was 15 it would be frowned upon.
Jon, I think you mean "should not be trying".
1) Piazza .362 (1997)
2) Piazza .346 (1995)
3) T.Davis .346 (1962)
4) Guerrero .338 (1987)
5) Piazza .336 (1996)
6) Beltre .334 (2004)
7) Kemp .333 (2007)
8) Sax .332 (1986)
9) Murray .330 (1990)
10) Loney .330 (2007)
281 - Rats!
What is this, Angels of Anaheim Thoughts? :)
in my opinion it's a combination of both, KingHobo the Pads catchers feet are slow & his ball transfer from glove to hand is bad as well not to mention he whines (sp) up when he's gonna throw the ball.
296 Kouzman...Kouzman...Kouzman-not gonna work here anymore!
it should be LOADS UP when he's gonna throw the ball.
First, the Dodgers score six runs and the only extra base hit is by a 44 year old pitcher (who is promptly thrown out at third on the next AB)
Second, after putting up 28 runs in the previous two games, the Angels get shut out by the Orioles.
Beyond that, for the ops. we have had tonight, we havent been very efficien about scoring, and we better have darn good management to preserve what could or should be a win. But I don't wee it being easy.
Was that the first home run hit by a bald batter off a bald pitcher this year?
"The makings of another Eric Karros."
I like that as well, but it looks like Proctor, Broxton & Saito to finish it.
I just looked up and I couldn't believe someone could get thrown out on that play--I'm guessing its Tomato.(think I saw 8)
It feels like the D's don't understand that this opponent is desperate to get to the playoffs, and when we had a good lead, not much was done to protect it. I'm sorry to be the pessimist, but with the current situation and attitudes, this is not looking like a good result.
Dude, don't even say it jokingly bro!
Enough with the flyballs already.
Sincerely,
DL's ulcer
Nice play, though.
What the heck? Our comments have the exact same timestamp, down to the second. Does it go by alphabet in case of a tie?
Hendy
R. Hernandez
Jonathan Meloan
One can only hope...
Above all else, Towers and his staff know exactly how to build a bullpen. Too bad Ned can't figure it out.
A) James Loney in ROY voting
B) Brad Penny in Cy Young voting
C) Takashi Saito in Cy Young voting
D) Russell Martin in MVP voting
Pierre .6802
Nomar .6798
'06 2.07
'07 1.73
The Padre announcer is going on about how Maddux, and not Cameron, is saddled with Furcal's run on the squeeze "because it was scored a sacrifice and not a fielder's choice". Does that make any sense?
it should be 1.26, he's just awesome.
Saito 2007: .155/.203/.235
Gagne 2003: .133/.199/.176
Since the 2006 AS break, Saito's ERA is 1.53.
Braun
Tulowitzki
Lincecum
Pence
C. Young
though I'm not sure if he'll get any votes at all considering the sportswriters only get to vote for 3 ROY candidates
I was busy actually, watching Office S3 on DVD and compiling a list of Free Agent Pitchers with appropriate stats.
but WHAT A GREAT SERIES THIS TURNED OUT TO BE... even if I didn't see it. How'd Loney do?
I learned something that I had never thought about before. Thanks.
Without looking at the rules, that can't be right. Furcal's run should be charged to Cameron. I'll look it up though.
The fielder's choice is the key. The sacrifice has absolutely nothing to do with it. But the run belongs to Maddux.
(g) When pitchers are changed during an inning, the official scorer shall not charge the relief pitcher with any run (earned or unearned) scored by a runner who was on base at the time such relief pitcher entered the game, nor for runs scored by any runner who reaches base on a fielder's choice that puts out a runner left on base by any preceding pitcher.
Furcal's sacrifice forced Wells (who was Maddux's responsibility).
Trevor Hoffman was never a factor. That's one way to make sure you beat SD.
Now we're done with the Padres. Hopefully Jim Tracy will look at the Pirate series as a chance to save his job.
Kemp? I would defrost the crow, then I put it back into the freezer. Over and over.
The Dodgers jumped all over Greg Maddux, riding the curtails of James Loney, who drove in four runs, as they moved to within a game and a half of the Padres with a 6-3 victory on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.
I didn't know you could ride curtails.
That dude is terrible. He doesnt know anything about the game and asks the stupidest questions. loney just looked disgusted talking to him yesterday. I dont think Garcia has ever uttered a sentence that isnt a cliche.
wow, you feel very strongly about it don't you. ah cliche smiche all I know is we're 1½ back, & tomorrow Brad Penny, you gotta feel good about that.
[probably both]
Nice win!
vr, Xei
BTW, I have two passes for the Stadium tour. The passes are good through the 20th. I think they do tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays (check dodgers.com)
I won't be using them. If you want them and can pick them up in Anaheim this weekend, post a way to contact you and they are yours. I will be at Disneyland for three days.
Or you can pick them up in Palmdale on Monday.
Let's hope not.
I think Nomar will get the nod at third tomorrow. Eithier's turn in left. Kemp back in the 3 slot but I think Loney moves up from 7th to 5th.
Let's go Giants! Hard to even type that.
Penny gives us a good chance to take the first game.
I hope Grady has a plan B and doesn't let Loaiza get down by 6 runs before he yanks him. We NEED two of three minimum this weekend. We need the Giants to get at least one in SD. Would be great if they could knock them off twice. Peavy on Sunday, so I sure hope the Giants get the win tomorrow.
vr, Xei
Also, what if Maddux was signed rather than Schmidt?
Just wondering...
We were all wearing our DT shirts, I in the white long-sleeve version while Bob and ToyCannon in blue.
David Wells had two hits and was thrown out advancing to the next base on the very next play. However those hits allowed Furcal to each time eventually score a run that he would not have done without those hits.
The biggest play of the night, Hairston getting picked off by Martin in the second inning.
Although choosing the least of two weevils is also good.
And I found this interesting. Coonelly was responsible for creating MLB's draft slotting system. Now that he no longer works for Selig?
"We are going to take the best player on the basis of talent," Coonelly said. "We're not going to make decisions on the basis of signability. If we believe it's in the best interests of the Pirates, we will (pay) over slot."
If we win Fri and Sat, that is my plan.
Except I'm glad I never have to see this Adrian Garcia guy up here.
I really hope Lowe can go on Saturday, too. Is that a national Fox game? Those always make me nervous.
439 No way. Loney's not sitting at all. Not unless he hurts something, God forbid.
Ned Colletti is a "little person" in a world of Leona Helmsleys.
San Diego
San Francisco @ San Diego 9/14-9/16 (3)
Pittsburgh @ San Diego 9/17-9/20 (4)
Colorado @ San Diego 9/21-9/23 (3)
Los Angeles
Arizona @ Los Angeles 9/14-9/16 (3)
Los Angeles @ Colorado 9/18(2)-9/20 (4)
Los Angeles @ Arizona 9/21-9/23 (3)
Philadelphia
Philadelphia @ New York 9/14-9/16 (3)
Philadelphia @ St. Louis 9/17-9/19 (3)
Philadelphia @ Washington 9/20-9/23 (4)
Colorado
Florida @ Colorado 9/14-9/16 (3)
Los Angeles @ Colorado 9/18(2)-9/20 (4)
Colorado @ San Diego 9/21-9/23 (3)
If only we can figure out the magician who calls himself Doug Davis!
Ned on Grittle:
"He has put these kids in a position to succeed more times than not, he has been patient with everything, that has been the key to it"
The irony of this statement is that it seems to imply that the number of times Grittle has not put the kids in a Position To Succeed™ is greater than zero.
vr, Xei
I'd be more surprised if the Dodgers didn't make the playoffs than if they did. It just "feels" like they're gonna make it.
Both teams will be playing for something and while they should loose and care free, we'll see if the reality of what is at stake has any impact on the youth on these 3 clubs.
Arizona's chances have gone up 27% over the past week. The Yankees are the next biggest gainers at 17%.
The biggest losers are the Padres at -16% and the Cardinals at -12%.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/ps_odds.php
I feel like I'm studying stock charts.
I go through a tough period every September if we have a chance of making it, or truth be told even if we don't. For example, with all the home and west coast games I'm up till 1:00 or 2:00 five or six nights a week, and I'm sure that effects my mood.
I find myself liking Wells, perhaps regardless of the good things he has done the last 2 games. I think the midseason rest
may have done the trick at his age and thats something to keep in mind.
"I've got to help these guys out now, it's my job," Wells said. "I've cut the chord."
Jason Schmidt is an interesting case. There was a time when a Tommy John elbow or a torn rotator cuff was the end of the line, at least for a pitcher. A badly damaged labrum meant the end also, but perhaps we are at the time when modern medicine finds the key; I sure hope so with Schmidt.
The Phillies could match the Dodgers with an 11-5 finish, and we all know they have an easier schedule. The Padres could force a tie with a 10-7 finish.
Bottom line: We need help, or we need to get red-hot. Simple as that.
Makes me wonder more generally about the state of medical technology. I know that both hitters and pitchers benefit, but I'm wondering whether anyone knows (probably Will Carroll or something) a way to quantify/analyze the changes that certain advances in medical technology (like TJ surgery) have had on the game. Ostensibly, one would think that better pitchers can pitch longer and stronger than before said advances, hitters can stay stronger, recover faster, etc.
No idea how it all shakes out (too many variables obviously) but it'd make for interesting water-cooler talk.
I have a great feeling about the Dodgers chances right now. Save for when facing Peavy, it seems like they are either going to win every game or do something to blow it (error by Furcal, three-run shot off Broxton in the 8th, etc).
I would very much like to see them play the Mets again this year, and not get swept!!
Kent's base running gaffe last night reminded me of that play during Game 1 of the NLDS last year where we had two guys get thrown out at home. I was there, and it was the most humiliating moment in my twenty-five years of being a Dodger fan.
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