Now you hope that Stanford can beat TCU.

I am surprised that so many people picked the Angels to beat the Red Sox.

There is some babe on TBS who is so obviously there for something other than baseball knowledge that I am close to puking, her name seems to be Allysa, but at least all the guys broke up when she left.--- Had to be a network joke of some kind*

* Which so far alludes me.

That was Allysa Milano. Who writes a blog for Dodgers.com.

Are you putting us on? Are you having a laugh?

4 Sadly, she probably saw more of the Rockies and D-Backs than anyone else at the studio.

Is he having a laugh?

6 Did you see the rumour on BRO that KNBR is reporting UCLA is going to fire Dorrell?

7
Not too many college coaches get fired midseason with their team in first place in the conference.

8 I am not saying it is happening, rumors are flying though.

"her name seems to be Alyssa"...? Where were you this season?

Are you having a spot of fun?

Btw, I enjoyed watching The TV Set on DVD, if anyone's curious, it's worth a rent, even if it probably doesn't have mass appeal. Hey, even Justine Bateman is pretty good in it.

No, I did not.

I am sure KNBR was just speculating. I doubt they have inside information on UCLA.

Speculate. Speculate!

What's the opt out window for A-Rod? I was under the impression that it was 10 days after the World Series ended, the guys on ESPN seem to be saying that it's 10 days from now.

13 - You're right; 10 days after the WS.

If sportswriters cared about reality (From FJM...Of course):

Alex Rodriguez started the series 0 for 6 in the first two games in Cleveland, but when the chips were down and his team needed him most, he dug down deep and bounced back with four hits in Games 3 and 4, including a gargantuan home run Monday night that drew his team within striking distance. Despite these herculean efforts from the best player in the game, the Yankees could not overcome a late, dramatic GIDP by series goat Derek Jeter, his third of the series in only seventeen at bats. Jeter, a reliable on base presence in the two hole during the regular season, looked uncomfortable all series long, never getting into a groove and finishing with a 0.176 OBP with no walks in the series.

Why are there off days in between games 4 and 5 in each LCS? I'm guessing that's a TV thing? Pretty strange.

16
The extra days off are designed to make sure that the World Series starts on a Wednesday instead of a Saturday.

Jon, what book did you read?

Strangely enough, it was "The Best of Dodger Thoughts."

18
I don't know about Jon, but I read a collection of inspirational sayings from Karl Dorrell and Jim Tracy.

Fortunately, I don't own any firearms.

Ironic: One of two defensive highlights linked on the Dodgers.com home page is a great catch by Matt Kemp against the Cardinals. He reaches over the centerfield wall to rob somebody of a home run.

They let Kemp play centerfield for, what, 10 minutes?

I'll admit, the cigarette holder and the yellow parakeet on his shoulder were a bit flamboyant. But they didn't prevent him from making a great catch.

20 Fortunately for them, or for you?

James McDonald has been named the 18th-best prospect in the Southern League by Baseball America.

That must be one hell of a league.

Also, Andy LaRoche was named the fourth-best prospect in the PCL. Ian Stewart was fifth. James Loney was eighth.

Eighth.

Good going, Jon, on your predictions.
Besides those of us who've seen the Rockies in NLWD action, the sports media doesn't seem to appreciate just how good they are. I wonder how long it's going to take the baseball loving world to discover them.

25 - I'm guessing about 9-10 games when they are celebrating a World Championship

22
Either.

17 Ah, thanks.

I spent the last two weeks rereading two of my favorite books of the last few years. The first is Theodore Rex, which is fantastic, and Middlesex, which is unbelievably painful and brilliantly written.

If I like a book, I usually reread it two or three times. Anybody here do the same?

29 - I've tried rereading books, but have been generally unsuccessful. It's a little easier with non-fiction, but even then, I'm more interested in finding another source to supplement my new knowledge. For fiction though, I have a hard time getting over the fact that I know the major plot twists. I usually have to wait at least a year to reread a book, if not longer.

I don't like to reread books because I know there are always going to be new ones that I haven't read.

Now reruns of "The Rockford Files" are an entirely different thing.

24 -- About Loney, in the PCL he did play pretty bad (demoralized from being sent back to AAA), so I can't blame the PCL managers BA interviewed for not talking up Loney.

But what about Hu? He must have made at least the Southern League list.

I haven't gotten to Theodore Rex yet, but I read the prequel recently, liked it a lot, and Rex is high on my to-do list.

If somebody's looking for a good read, try The Quincunx by Charles Palliser, which I just finished. It's an epic set in Victorian England, and the style apes Dickens and Wilkie Collins although it's probably better than anything either of them ever wrote. It's a great read if you're the type who likes your books so deliciously complicated that you have to read them two or three times before you understand everything.

32 Hu was 12th on the Southern League list and (I think, going from memory here) 16th on the PCL list.

21. They let Kemp play centerfield for, what, 10 minutes?

I know the stats guys will say, "small sample size" and I'll admit up front that I'm a huge Matt Kemp fan but I thought Kemp showed quite a bit of improvement during the last part of the season. I remember him allowing a ball to roll under his glove and then a couple of days later dropping a routine fly to cost the Dodgers a game. But after dropping that fly ball I felt Matt played maybe the best defense in the Dodgers outfield. He ran down quite a few balls in the corners and near the stands and made some diving catches in right center. The only bad play I recall in all that time was a throw that sailed over the cutoff man, over the catcher (and maybe over a few fans as well :-) ). But he even followed that up with a couple of really nice throws.

30 31 So, I can assume you don't re-watch movies?

There are books I've reread half a dozen times. Why Orwell Matters, Harry Potter books, Catch-22, Easy Riders/Raging Bulls...

I always find something new.

Books I have read at least three times... not many.

Into the Wild
The Glory of Their Times
All the President's Men
In Cold Blood
Devil in a Blue Dress
Of Mice and Men
Hound of the Baskervilles
The Big Sleep
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

McDonald was only 18th in the Southern League?

Whatever, he doesn't need any hype. Hes basically the next Chris Young.

awesome, i just went to baseballamerica.com and look who's on the front page!!!!

Awesome.

37 Enders books that I have read at least three times:

In Cold Blood
All the President's Men
Of Mice and Men

I've also read Helter Skelter, probably, four times. I reread Michner a lot (especially "Bridge to Andau"). I've read "Atlas Shrugged" three times (I'm not an Objectivist, I just like the book). I've read "Bonfire of the Vanities" twice.

I like rereading books, as you can tell.

38 I think Baseball America lost a certain amount of credibility when they named Jarrod Saltalamacchia the first baseman on their 2007 "All-Rookie Team."

when was this 2007 All-Rookie Team created? Its cool, Loney can just win the batting title next year.

42 I think it was about a month and a half ago, before Loney's second monster streak (but after his first). Even at that time his numbers were far superior to Saltalawhatsisname.

In all the hoopla over Jon's sweep, let's not forget Ben Reiter's Lowsman Trophy performance. In the parapsychology game it's said that getting them all wrong is proof of psychic ability as well.

Matt Kemp refuses to answer any question not asked in a Truman Capote voice, and only answers those if he's addressed as Lord Kemp, Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Like many other things, rereading books ended when my first kid was born.

This weekend I read Atonement by Ian McEwan. Has anyone else read it?

Like many other things, rereading books ended when my first kid was born

Have you tried putting a lock on your bedroom door...?

47 - LOL. That double entendre was not entendred.

I love Ian McEwan. Amsterdam is my favorite, but I liked every page of Atonement, too. I'm skeptical about the movie that's coming.

I'll admit, the cigarette holder and the yellow parakeet on his shoulder were a bit flamboyant. But they didn't prevent him from making a great catch.

Hahaha.

Reading Into the Wild three times is scary.

49 - Movies tend not to live up to books, but the Atonement film is getting raves and might be the leading best picture contender (at this stage).

I definitely read Atonement wondering how the adaptation would go.

I found it interesting that my one complaint about the book as I was reading it - that I was getting impatient with all the description and wanting to get to the next plot event faster - was addressed in the book itself, if you know what I mean.

Now what do I do for an encore?

make the dodgers good?

oh, and send cal to a BCS game too, while you're at it ;)

After the 1st round of play, Paul Scott has a two point lead. Several teams picked all 4 teams but only Paul nailed two of the sweeps.
Update matrix:
http://www.truebluela.com/story/2007/10/9/105023/341

I love re-reading books. Books I've re-read multiple times:

Lord of the Rings (I was a kid)
Catch-22
I Know This Much is True
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
Lonesome Dove
Fool's Die
Moby Dick
Huckleberry Finn
Lolita
A Prayer for Owen Meany
The Great American Novel
The Natural
Great Expectations
Sometimes a Great Notion
The Magic Journey
Mildred Pierce
Almost all James Elroy's books
All of Castaneda's books
Most of Hammett's books

Others that aren't coming to mind right now.

53 I think it's safe to say I'm out of the contest but I couldn't be happier.

Morning all,

I can't believe TBS is putting two games of the NLCS at 10pm ET. That is a crime. Look ok, put them at 1pm ET or 3pm ET, but 10 pm?

People who don't know follow baseball always wonder why the American League is more popular. I think its fairly obvious, and that's because the Mainstream Sports Media doesn't do a good enough job to promote NL teams or even teams outside of the Eastern Seaboard.

If all ESPN shows is Yankees/Red Sox highlights, you can't expect most people to know the names of anybody on the Rockies infield. There are stars on the Rockies just as good as the ones on the Yankees, but for shame, the casual fan doesn't know about them.

55
I thought you were a die hard Angel fan?

I'm like Bob -- I generally don't re-read books because there are too many others I'm waiting to read. Exceptions: the Bible, The Screwtape Letters. Also, books I read as a kid that I'm re-reading with my kids, such as Where the Red Fern Grows, or Lord of the Rings.

57 I picked the Yankees to win it all. I knew for sure that the Angels would lose to the Sox, with all their injuries this year, and their lack of power, but I'm always afraid the Evil Empire will rise up again, like Voldemort but with more lives.

53 I love being dead last! In fairness to me, I picked Angels/Yankees because that was the only way I could go to an ALCS game (Angel home games against Cleveland would have been weekdays and I live in SD).

46 "Like many other things, rereading books ended when my first kid was born."

That's funny, my days of rereading books started when my first kid was born.

Books I've reread many, many times:
But Not The Hippopotamus
Blue Hat, Green Hat
Moo, Baa, La La La
Frog and Toad are Friends
Frog and Toad Together
Little Bear
Morris Goes To School

Where the Red Fern Grows

Painful. Once was enough for me.

I just read Owl In Love, and found it charming.

59
My wife disowned me last night when she caught me rooting for the Yankee's to come back. I'm not sure what came over me but I was hoping for back to back to back after Abreu hit his. Would have been fun to see the fans go beserk.

36 I've enjoyed listening to the US audio versions of the Harry Potter books again and again. Especially Order of the Phoenix.

Lately, I've been slowly paging through a couple Roz Chast cartoon collection books, and also slowly making my way through yet another Andy Rooney book.

61 What about Goodnight Moon?

64 I'm about to disown you too.

I mostly quit re-reading after high school, but I still go back to Money, Herzog, and Darkness at Noon every once in awhile. Some day I'll get book cases; I suspect I'd do more re-reading old books if finding the things didn't take a half a day and spelunking equipment.

I recall when I was a child, one of my brothers who is much older told me how he liked to re-read favorite books. He'd always been kind of withdrawn, and an avid reader, so I thought it was just him. I was often stuck reading books some teacher thought I should read. Most of those books were boring, or just not for me. Now, I see what he was talking about though. This is one of the ways it's much better being an adult than it was being a kid. You have a great deal more control over what you read (and watch, listen to, etc.)

As a non-parent but having watched many an infant grow up, the rereading of children's books, the children shows, the same videos' over and over would have left me a vacuous slug. I guess this is why the sweet smiles of innocence are able to rekindle the spirit night after night.

I just spent the past weekend at the NoHo art festival watching two 20 month old boys who lived 1500 miles apart bond in a split second and then spend the next hour chasing each other and basically entertaining everyone much more then any entertainment at the festival.

I've read the Thomas Brothers Guide to LA County. The Culver City pages confound me.

The only book I can think I've ever reread was Carey McWilliams "Southern California: An Island on the Land."

That is reread because I made it a point to reread it.

I like to re-read but isn't re-reading kind of like Ned and the veterans. You keep going back because you know what you have and you don't want to put the effort into something new that might disappoint.

66 That's only been reread many times, rather than many, many times.

71
Ned seems to lean toward paying first edition prices for third edition books as well. Maybe if he would just take along an old favorite just in case he loses interest in a new author by their book's third chapter instead of keeping new unread books in the library.

I am beginning to think that the best and perhaps the only way the Dodgers get AROD is to trade for him. If AROD and CROD want out out of NY but don't want to give up three years of $27, $32, and $32 million for something substantially less as a free agent they might tell Boras to work out a trade.

That way the Dodgers get AROD plus Texas' subsidy, AROD continues to get his best salary, and NY gets something in return. The Yanks get less than what AROD is worth because Boras does his job well and everybody wins except Texas, as it should be because they created the salary mess to strat with.

The Dodgers insist that Kent is part of the package along with only one top prospect. Something like Kent, Lowe, and Kemp for AROD. NOt close to fair for NY but better than zero if AROD goes free agent.

I imagine that A-Rod has veto power over a trade that he doesn't like? I think he wants to play for sweet lou in Chicago........

I just thought of a new title for this post: The Cowardice of My Convictions.

I think ARod wants to play for money wherever.

Will there be a Yankees backlash coming? Players not wanting to sign there, because the cost of living is high, the pressure is high, and you have no better chance of winning a World Series than anywhere else?

because the cost of living is high

Don't Yankee and Met players typically get big housing stipends on top of their salaries? I mean, you can't expect millionaires to have to spend their own money on housing...

56 - what do you expect, the teams in the NLCS play in the Pacific and Mountain time zones. You can't start games out here at 5 pm just because it'll be in prime time on the east coast. That's not fair to the locals.

ESPN's fascination with the Yanks and the Saux is incredibly annoying. There are plenty of times that they could show games on the west coast on Sunday Night Baseball.

"My ultimate goal would be to home-grow everybody. That's not realistic, but my biggest dream would be to home-grow it all," Cashman said Monday night. "I'm very devoted to the amateur pipeline in the domestic and international markets."

So Cashman's ultimate dream is the 2008 Dodgers.

I think the last book I re-read was the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; but I hadn't read that since I was a kid. I read To Kill a Mockingbird a couple of times in HS. I'll probably spend some time this winter re-reading some Hemmingway and Twain, only because I haven't read them in a very long time.

Oh, and Brock - I do tend to rewatch movies, but not often, but that's mainly because my DVD collection isn't very big (Kevin Smith, Matrix, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars collections making up over half).

Thinking back to the days of Duke Snider, Willie Mays, and Mickie Mantle, wouldn't it be nice to have AROD patrolling Center Field for the Dodgers?

If Steinbrenner gets his way, Don Mattingly will be Manager next year. If so, Steinbrenner would covet Matingly Jr. even more.

Yes, I see the spelling error.

"What can you do for an encore?"

Can you predict how long it will take for "Chuck" to be taken off the air? Despite a hot blonde? That show is lucky to be preceding Heroes.

So, no one pointing out Danica playing a pseudo-tramp on last night's How I Met Your Mother?

81
Homegrown's all right with me.
Homegrown is the way it should be.
Homegrown is a good thing.
Plant that phone and let it ring.

Ned, please listen to ol' Neil Young and stick with the kids - no trade for more creaky, questionable vets.

86 I haven't watched it yet. I'm avoiding Screen Jam to avoid any spoilers, even though that show is more fun and spoilers probably wouldn't ruin anything.

But still, la la la la, I am not listening to you.

87

Old man look at my stats,
I'm a lot like you were.

Old man look at my stats,
Twenty four and there's so much more . . .

86 Not having seen the episode (only the previews), I can only assume Danica uttered this line or something like it: "Three is greater than two. You do the math."

So, Mariano Rivera is going to test the market... which got my mind working: if he signs with a new team, will he be able to wear #42 under the grandfather clause in place prior to the retirement throughout baseball (assuming the team he goes to hadn't already retired 42)? Second, if he makes the Hall of Fame, will the Yankees be allowed to retire #42 in honor of Rivera as well as Robinson?

Danica is Greg Brock to me.

91 If I had to guess, the grandfather stays with the player, not the team. 42 may have already been retired by the Yankees (I'm not sure), with Rivera still allowed to wear it.

Is Mariano the final #42 left?

Out of 44 series predictions at SI, only 2 were sweeps: Cubs in 3 and Yankees in 3.

92 Greg Brock is a pseudo-tramp? Or does he now teach math?

Did Earl and HIMYM lose some key writers because I haven't enjoyed either show this year?
I did love the beginning of Big Bang last night.

I was listening to Cowherd this morning (I know, shoot me now) and he was ragging on the NL and how there is no star power in the NLCS and no one can name any of the Rockies or D'Backs players but everyone can name the Red Sox starting lineup.

It bugs me to no end that ESPN feeds us a steady diet of Yankees/Red Sox, Red Sox/Yankees and then a sports talk host on that very same network's radio station attributes the public's lack of NL knowledge to the fact that the teams aren't interesting. The Rocks and D'Backs stories are just as interesting, if not more so than the Sox story and if they were given anywhere close to equal coverage, I think fans on a national level would respond.

It also doesn't help that the NLCS games are going to start at 10pm on the East coast. Here's hoping that the Rocks take the World Series and show the national sports media that the little guy deserves some attention too.

Sorry for the rant. :)

[/soapbox]

97 I agree with you. That is akin to baseball writers repeatedly under-recognizing someone for MVP awards throughout his career, then when it comes time for HOF voting the same writers and their ilk say "well, he's not a HOFer, look at how poorly he did in MVP voting!"

97
Everytime you listen to talk radio another man loses his hair.

74 - I think someone will pay more for A-Rod. He has 3 things going for him:

1) He's still in good shape, and could probably still play shortstop
2) He's by far the best hitter on the market
3) Glossy pages

53 - Hey, I didn't suck THAT much!

Is there a possibility that A-Rod won't jump for the most money?

101 - Is there a possibility that Eric Gagne will continue in a long career and never hit the DL again?

93 - I just checked the Yankees website, 42 was retired for Jackie. Also, it's interesting, figuring Jeter and Torre have their numbers retired, the Yankees will have retired numbers 1 through 10. I'm guessing that'll be a first. As far as I know, Rivera is the last of the 42's.

The Cardinals are the only team that have 42 retired for a player not named Jackie Robinson.

97 - my favorite line is: I can't name a single player on the Rockies!

Say it with me boys: National. League. Rookie. of the. Year: Troy Tulowitzki

ok, so the chances of A-Rod signing with the Dodgers is small, so if he doesn't sign with the Dodgers, is there another 3rd baseman out there they can look into? It seems like every year that there is a signing that goes under the radar, but ends up being huge for a given team. Can the Dodgers find a durable, good glove, decent hitting 3rd baseman to sign? Not a superstar but just a good 3rd baseman.
I think Kemp, Loney and Young are going to be enough power next year.

Can the Dodgers find a durable, good glove, decent hitting 3rd baseman to sign? Not a superstar but just a good 3rd baseman.

Yes, he is called Andy LaRoche.

105

Also, where do you have Young playing?

I have re-read all the Harry Potter books. I probably reread the Baseball Prospectus annuals throughout the year.

Other books include, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Mr. Clutch (The Jerry West Biography).

103 The Yankees have retired number 8 twice, for Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra, my hunch is that they would ask MLB if they could give Rivera a similar honor. Rivera will be the last Yankee to wear 42 for the Yankees.

103 Looking at the Yankees' list, A-Rod has an outside shot at getting his number 13 retired, but I would imagine he wouldn't have a chance if he opted out and left this offseason.

Roger Maris (#9) - .265/.356/.515, 140 OPS+ in 3475 PA over 7 years
A-Rod (#13) - .303/.403/.573, 156 OPS+ in 2795 PA over 4 years

The kicker of course is that Maris appeared in 5 World Series with the Yankees (winning 2) while A-Rod has appeared in none.

Don Mattingly is the only Yankee retired number to have not played in a WS.

106-I have young playing right field with Andre Ethier. The guy can hit. Easily the Dodgers 4th outfielder spelling all the rest of the outfielders while also getting his own playing time. Laroche can be good bro, but does everybody have that patience?

106-Laroche has good plate discipline which is encouraging and he's better than average defensively at thrid, but he hasn't convinced me he can hit in the major leagues and he has had a lot of chances thus far. But he may be a late bloomer.

102 - lol. Point taken. But I have a hard time believing he's -nothing but- a baseball mercenary chasing the biggest paycheck. His actions thus far prove otherwise, but the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced he's angling for an extension with the Yankees.

106 - I wonder how LaRoche's body will hold up over a full season. Thus far, he seems as durable as Kleenex.

I very much hope I'm wrong. I'd rather see the Dodgers succeed with Andy over A-Rod or Lowell.

Late bloomer? LOL. He is still 3 years from prime...

111 - What's the benchmark for "a lot of chances?" LaRoche has had 115 career plate appearances.

I guess i call him a late bloomer compared to the other young Dodgers who were all immediately playing at a high level. It is a hard decision with him.

But, he has great plate discipline so I would give him a chance next year to win the job in spring training. So with his ability to work a count, giving him 400+ at bats will probably work out into him having a good year.

I still don't understand why the announcers were amazed that Cleveland beat the Yanks. It seemed to me that the Indians were the better team, but the Yankees were on a roll, so it could at least be a toss up. But why act all shocked that they went down in the first round?

That's whats frustrating..The level of play of Kemp/Loney is so high that all will be compared. And yet their level is not high enough for some. I just wiish everyone would have patience. I have been patient for 20 years and would like to change our aproach now that we have the tools to make it work.

At this point I don't really care who wins the NLCS, I just hope Boston loses.

118-I agree, because after watching the ROcks and the D-backs, I am convinced that the Dodgers are pretty close to going a long way in the playoffs if they just stick with their young guys. I think Coletti will be forced to go that way now that he sees that his two division rivals are vying for the WS.
My 2 question marks for the Dodgers next year are durability of their aging starters and third base.

The best part is how Cowherd regulary rips on ESPN for having an East Coast Bias.

The thing is, the guy only cares about football so I wouldn't expect him to know a thing about the Rockies or the Diamondbacks. (Now why he gets paid to talk about sports he knows nothing about is another issue all together.)

117 Because they've heard of the Yankees. Derek Jeter! Alex Rodriguez! Mariano Rivera! Jason Giambi, for crying out loud -- remember how good he is?!

How can anybody beat this lineup?

-117, I agree, Cleveland has a strong lineup of guys with not quite as much power as the Yankees, but they can sure make a pitcher work, plus that pitching staff top to bottom was wonderful.

117 Before the season, I thought it was pretty apparent that the Red Sox, Indians, and Yankees were by far the best teams in baseball.

That didn't quite work out as planned, but anyone that wasn't able to recognize that Cleveland was at worst a very good team before the season even started should not be getting paid to analyze baseball.

Russell Martin made Jim Baker's MLB "Don't Blame Me" Team.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6809

It's funny. When I lived in LA, I would have heartily agreed with 80 and snorted that us West Coasters shouldn't have to schedule our lives around East Coast primetime programming.

Of course, now that I live on the East Coast, I agree with 56 , and am outraged that I won't be able to see most of the NLCS because of it's ridiculous starting times.

Boras is aiming for a 10 year deal at 300-325 million. That is my hunch.

If the Yankees balk, I think there are only three teams but the Giants won't because it is just too much, only the Angels and Dodgers will be in the bidding.

The Cubs will be pressured not to do anything until their ownership is settled.

127 A-Rod getting paid $30 mil (or more if it's backweighted) when he's over 40 does not sound particularly appealing. Unless he somehow pulls a Barry. Which also does not sound appealing.

This is a little far fetched, but let's say the Dodgers did sign A-Rod for nearly half a bill. Would McCourt authorize a payroll that woudl be Yankee like in order to keep stars such Martin, Loney, Billingsley, and Kemp?

128 Boras thinks that A-Rod could not only break the home run record but also the all-time hit record, he also impacts cable ratings and of course butts in seats, so throw in the added revenue there.

He will never be worth it but it certainly is something to ponder.

I just wonder if Boras and the Dodgers have issues, I doubt it, it wouldn't be wise either side to hold any grudges.

10 for 300 million? That's outrageous, but then, it probably isn't.

127 Hey, that might be conservative. According to a story on ESPN.com, Boras says ARod can play until he's 45 and will be worth somewhere between 500 million and 1 BILLION dollars to the team lucky enough to sign him.

130 Wasn't there a recent article that said the Dodgers weren't expected to go after A. Jones because of "The Grudge"? Probably just a rumor but that perception is out there.

129 No. McCourt doesn't have the revenue stream from the Dodgers that Steinbrenner gets from the Yankees, who own their own TV network.

There's a reason Fox refused to sell FSN West when they were unloading the Dodgers. It's a major cash cow.

The A-rod or nothing thing dosen't seem so good to me now.

134 - he can always take out a second on Chavez Ravine.

112 I agree ARod will likely stay with the Yankees. Which makes me happy. Number 13's a bad luck charm. Call me illogical - - I don't like him and I don't ever want to see him on the Dodgers.... Which for once, I will likely get my wish. ;-)

It is sad but true, as Vin said, it seems that the Phoenix area as not yet embraced their team, you don't need to go to Stubhub to buy tickets to Games 1 & 2, just go to their website, plenty of seats available.

If the D-Backs and Red Sox win their series, expect a lot of Red Sox fans at Chase Field.

I don't see A-Rod getting more than $320 million guaranteed. I'm calling for $250 million over 7.

I'm slightly rooting for Cleveland, although Boston would be sort of OK. Mostly, I don't want the D'backs to advance.

-129 yeah, that revenue from FSN woudl be nice. I guess the Dodgers will never compete witht Yankees for payroll, but that may be for the better. Moeny doesn't buy championships. What about the Red Sox? Do they own their own network? I think they do right?

138
There will be a lot of Red Sox fans in Phoenix OR Denver if Boston wins the ALCS.

Red Sox fans are everywhere. They're in your cheeseburgers. They're in your Nutty Buddies!

135 It's something to think about. Even if the Dodgers were to hit the A-Rod jackpot, it would mean that as the homegrown stars approach free agency, some of them will be traded or allowed to leave. The Dodgers will never be able to afford the payroll of the Red Sox or the Yankees.

I want to see a Cleveland-Rockies World Series. Can you imagine the ratings? It'd be a great screw-you to Fox. As MSTI.com pointed out, it'd be belated retribution for canceling Arrested Development (sob).

138

That's a terrible fanbase, or at least it's one that doesn't seem to appreciate baseball in the Phoenix area. I was rooting for Colorado anyway, but that news doesn't help.

142 I can't deal with the Red Sox bandwagon anymore. Anytime I hear an announcer refer to "the Nation" I want to vomit. I'm praying for an Indians sweep.

130
You don't think Detroit will be in the mix? They are the perfect fit. They are moving Guillen to 1st base so SS is open. They need a slugger and they have an excellent young pitching staff. The new owner spends money.

-134, sorry

145 I would expect the games to sell out by game day.

144 I always wonder why people concern themselves about who plays and its affect on the ratings.

I think that is just a shot at big market teams (LA, NY, Chi, SF,) and some animosity that those markets drive ad revenues.

There's a new owner in Detroit? What happened to Mike Illitch?

Does SF count as a big market? SF has fewer people than San Jose and San Diego

133-I think Boras and Colletti are on real bad terms especially after the Maddux signing where Colletti accused Boras of lying to Maddux. And the Abreu injury. Boras has it in for Colletti even though his main objective is to get the most money for his players. He wants to stick it to Colletti.

149
In college sports, nobody really cares about TV markets. There are no major college teams in the New York City area that are any good in football. Rutgers is about as close as you can get?

However, if the BCS championship game featured a pairing between LSU and Ohio State, the ratings would be very good.

151 They count the whole area (San Jose included)

152 That would be a very bad business decision by Boras and like the Corleones, I think he is smart enough to know that its not personal, its business.

153 The same for the Super Bowl.

Top 20 Markets

1 New York
2 Los Angeles
3 Chicago
4 Philadelphia
5 Boston (Manchester)
6 San Francisco-Oak-San Jose
7 Dallas-Ft. Worth
8 Washington, DC (Hagrstwn)
9 Atlanta
10 Houston
11 Detroit
12 Tampa-St. Pete (Sarasota)
13 Seattle-Tacoma
14 Phoenix (Prescott)
15 Minneapolis-St. Paul
16 Cleveland-Akron
17 Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
18 Denver
19 Sacramento-Stktn-Modesto
20 Orlando-Daytona Bch-Melbrn

Ratings are down for all sporting events on TV. Ratings are down on TV for EVERYTHING. (With the exception of the people Billy Packer talks to.)

Why are people, outside of Variety writers like Jon, always focused on the ratings that a sporting event draws.

And I doubt Jon cares about the ratings much when he's not wearing his Variety hat (which is a snap-brim fedora with a press card in the band.)

149 - Somewhere, a network exec is weeping.

156 - I'm surprised that Tampa ranks that high.

156 Philadelphia area > San Francisco-Oak-San Jose ?

The Philly area must include a heck of a lot New Jersey, northern Delaware, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, etc.

149
Just checked and the prices are reasonable for the championship series. They have tickets available from 200.00 to 25.00. I tested it and I could get seats behind home plate. Which means scalpers are going to be taking a bath on game day.

150
My mistake, but he's new to spending money in the last 5 years.

San Diego isn't even on the list?

153/155 - I think you're comparing apples to oranges. A one time event like a football championship is much easier to promote and to get into (thus the advent of Super Bowl parties). Baseball, basketball, and hockey play 4-7 games, it's harder for a casual fan to get into that when it's a team that they don't know anything about. Ratings tanked in the NBA finals the last few years because it's been San Antoni-Cleveland; San Antonio-Detroit; and, Dallas-Miami (ok, that one got decent ratings).

A big part of the problem is that ESPN slurps two or three teams in each sport and basically ignore the other 30 teams until they play those 2 or 3 anointed teams. I don't blame them for focusing a bit more on the better teams, but it's just way over the top the last few years. And they never bother to readjust their thinking as the season progresses - we heard all year that the NL West was the worst division in baseball (because that's the way it was perceived at the end of last year) and yet it turned out to be the best top to bottom.

I didn't see this posted on DT. Tony Jackson wrote this in a comment on his blog:

My opinion, [Ned Colletti] didn't ruin the team this year. Injuries, and a couple of guys who turned sour in the clubhouse when they were no longer in the lineup every day, and a handful of other factors, all conspired to ruin this season.

Irrespective of whether he's right or wrong, Jackson is a beat writer with access, so I find his comment about "a couple of guys who turned sour" interesting. Despite Jeff Kent's ill-advised comments, he was not a guy who was sitting more frequently. So who are these "couple of guys"? Gonzalez and Nomar?

159 The Philly metro are does indeed include Camden, Trenton, and other parts of New Jersey that remind one of a swampier version of Baghdad.

163 - My money's on Gonzo.

161
San Diego is a very small TV market because it's just San Diego and Imperial Counties.

If you watch a Padres telecast, the commercials are all really small time things, like ads for home remodelers and credit unions and stuff like that.

There aren't a lot of commercials for beer, cars, and phone companies.

163 - Oops, I misread your comment. You're probably right.

Hard to be Nomar who only sat because he was hurt until the last two weeks of the year.

So I'm betting on Shea and Gonzo. I really think Grady's comments were about Shea. Remember when he was 1st signed he played everyday. Then nothing, and then stuff started coming out of the dugout. Even with the Angels he thought he should be playing which is why they let him go.

166

That explains the provincial attitude of their broadcasters.

163
Wasn't Ned the one responsible for the players he signed who had the injuries and became clubhouse cancers?
That is just rhetorical since I can't ask TJ the question.

168 - What about the Tomato?

156 So that's why there is no major league baseball team in Salt Lake, but one in Denver.

I don't suppose the Devil Rays can move here?

157. Most TV shows just aren't worth watching any more. If my home was used to measure TV ratings, there would be alot more sports, documentaries, Sesame Street and Playhouse Disney on. vr, Xei

166 Corky's Pest Control is classic (the phone number of 1-800-901-1102 is burned in my memory). They had a pretty funny (probably unintentionally) commercial with Akinori Otsuka a few years back where he literally had ants in his pants and of course had to call Corky's!

I'm a huge fan of shoddily-produced local commercials.

LG's Steakhouse (mostly in the Palm Springs area, but had one location in SD) had wonderful ads featuring LG, an 80-something year old man in various sports jerseys performing various sporting type acts. I still have one saved on my DVR from May 2005, of LG hitting a HR out of Minute Maid. The production value was extraordinarily low.

This might explain Bill Plaschke's columns concerning the Dodgers:

http://tinyurl.com/yta2pu

Hey Eric,

If you liked the LG stuff, you should see our commercials for Outlet Tool Supply in the SLO area.

Guy in Rams Jersey, "Outlet Tool Supply: largest tool selection in the Central Coast. [catches ball] OOOH! END ZONE DANCE!! [does the mixer]"

Stephan, Jack Stephan.

Making Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto into one media market seems a little bit of a stretch, though maybe less than it used to. I wonder how they decide what outlying areas get lumped in with a city, and whether the people in control of the research have their own biases to try to help enlarge a media market.

Tampa-St Pete is a bigger market than Miami-Ft Lauderdale now? Huh. Well, sometimes I think neither place deserves a team, given attendance numbers, but then I realize who has been in charge of each franchise and the awful stadiums they play in.

176 Oh man, I've seen those. Classic.

Up here we get tortured with ads on cable for Dr. Jang and Associates, a local dentist with the world's most frighteningly forced smile.

Holy Cow! The years and year of waiting have come to an unexpected end.

George Winston has released a book of sheet music!!! This is awesome.

I'd like to see a team in Portland.

142 That's quite true about Red Sox fans. I have one as my next door neighbor at work. She hardly follows baseball. Just roots for the Red Sox around this time of year.

kouzmanoff turned out to bat nearly .280 by the time the season was over, and he was truly suffering for months. Laroche seems to be better in all areas of the game than him, and I wish he got the same chance, or still can get the chance next year

144 I think that would be about the ideal for this year. One first timer, and another which hasn't won it for a very long time. That would be cool.

168 171 I can't imagine that Shea Hillenbrand's opinion matters one iota in the clubhouse. He played exactly four times in Sepetember; once Nomar was healthy(ier) and LaRoche was up, if Shea's attitude was a problem, couldn't he simply be released?

(Once Nomar was deemed healthy enough to play, he didn't play every day and LaRoche did receive key starts. Nomar did hit well in September and LaRoche's injuries really prevented him from establishing a toehold in the majors, so I am at least sympathetic to this argument.)

170 Anyone can post on his blog; registering was easy. And yes, Ned signed those guys. Gonzalez's problem with being phased out in AZ were well-known, so he was always a curious choice for "the bridge to Kemp."

180 Link?

I can't believe there are still tickets in Phoenix. If I was in the area, I would easily go to a game just to enjoy playoff baseball.

185
You'd think. I just have a hard time picturing Nomar complaining given the injury thing but maybe that is why he was rushed back into the lineup when it was obvious he wasn't ready.

I tell you some days I wake thinking Ned is going to do something crazy, and other days I wake up thinking everything is going be just fine. I have a feeling my posting is going to be very inconsistent this year since I don't have any convictions right now.

I can't even decide if who I want to root for in the playoffs. Probably the Rockies because of the Coolbaugh story but then I'd love to see Arizona put pythag on his ear with a trip to the Series.
I used to be a huge Indian fan in the 90's but my RedSox roots go back to when I lived there in the early 60's and I do love to watch Papi hit. One thing is for sure I don't dislike any team in the playoffs.

186
I sent you an electronic mail message.

Maybe with some coaching and expierance the attitude of the veterans will improve. Maybe with them being one year older, the focus will start to turn to, 'How can we win the game? That's a key component, but that takes time.

91. So, Mariano Rivera is going to test the market... which got my mind working: if he signs with a new team, will he be able to wear #42 under the grandfather clause

Mo Vaughn continued to wear #42 after moving from the Red Sox to the Angels.

191 Given the likelihood that Ned Colletti signs him up, that may be awkward.

Meanwhile, I realize this was discussed earlier, but with respect to there being exactly zero NLCS starting earlier than 8:30 PM on the East Coast, I say: "Booooooooooo."

137. 112 I agree ARod will likely stay with the Yankees. Which makes me happy. Number 13's a bad luck charm.

When A-Rod was traded to the Yankees he chose #13 only because his favorite number, #3, had already been retired. So there is no guarantee he would want #13 if he came to the Dodgers.

I think the whole clubhouse thing got overblown by Simers and Plaschke. So a few veterans had a few run ins with rookies. That happens all of the time.
And what was with Gonzo forcing the rookies and second year guys into wearing costumes after that big series in Chicago?
Shouldn't they have been focused on beating the Giants the next series instead of some stupid dated tradition like hazing especailly at teh end of the yeat when you are fighting for a playoff spot.

Proffessional athletes should have stroung enough pysches that they can both dress up like Xena and play baseball.

192 Darn those Nats, keeping the Mets out of the playoffs.

194
Tradition!
Tradition!
Tradition!

Who day and night must scramble for playing time,
Wear stupid clothes and endure sniping from the vets?

The rookies!
The rookies!
The rookies!

194-What d'you mean by "Gonzo forcing (them)" to wear those costumes? Isn't that a kind of all-veterans-force-all-the-rookies type thing?

I'm convinced that guy was the cancer, though, who bitched about the young ones' playing time. Good riddance to him.

194 In retrospect, knowing what we now know, the cute hazing ritual just at that moment seems to have had an angrier, put-them-in-their-place edge than we realized.

185 I haven't heard anything about Shea or Nomar grousing. Maybe they did. But we know that Gonzo and Kent went off, the latter just after his money was guaranteed.

195 197- I would have been pissed if I was Russel Martin and had caught as many games as he did all season and then had to wear some stupid costume after the season he had.

Xavier Paul got some nice platitudes over at the Southern League BA chat. He didn't make the top 20 but that league was bloody loaded. He was in the next tier and BA was impressed with his improvement this year.

So maybe we do have a CF in house.

Is it unanimous that Chip Carey has made people actually yearn for young Buck. Even my wife couldn't stand him and she likes most baseball announcers. She doesn't have the greatest taste or she wouldn't be Mrs Cannon.

The costumes may have had more sinister intent than we thought, but were there any reports about the rookies/2nd years not liking it? From the pictures I saw, they seemed to be having fun with it.

She doesn't have the greatest taste or she wouldn't be Mrs Cannon

There are exceptions to such rules. Mrs D4P has great taste, but she's Mrs D4P.

202 I don't know, Chip has yet to mourn Harry for pay in a beer commercial. Buck makes my teeth hurt.

200 I know I'm in the minority on this, but I can't believe that any of these guys, veteran or rookie, actually care about this sort of thing. It's simply something that's ingrained in baseball. Every team does this, it doesn't mean that Luis Gonzalez hates James Loney, or that David Ortiz hates Dustin Pedroia, it's just something that rookies do.

I'm sure when they were in high school that they had to do terrible things when they were freshmen, even though they were probably the best players on the team, and in turn they did the same things to their teammates the next few years. None of us know what the Dodger clubhouse is really like, but I can't believe that putting Kemp in a pair of chaps hurt relations amongst the team.

202 What no questions about Cory Dunlap? You are slacking in the chats my friend.

And who was this Kershaw kid someone asked about?

198-that rookie hazing stuff usually happens in spring training, but I doubt the Yankees were hazing their rookies late in the year when they were battling for the playoffs.

199-Yeah I think it was a put them in their place deal which seems disrepectful to guys who are playing everyday at the end of the year trying to get to the postseason regardless of age.

206 To me, again, it's about timing. The Dodgers hadn't done it for a couple of years--remember all of last year's rooks were included. Then suddenly Gonzo needs to organize a hazing day about the time he realizes he's no longer a starter?

208
NY Daily News, 9/25/07

http://tinyurl.com/2qnuwg

Where was it said that Gonzo was behind the hazing?

209 Ken you have a big brain. I agree with it.

206-i just think that there are better things to be doing at that point in the year than messing with costumes and old traditions that have nothign to do with winning ball games. When I read about that, I thought "that is so stupid at this point."

211 The official site: *I'm sure a few of you are wondering what Luis Gonzalez's main contribution was today and while he went 0-for-4 on the field in a tough game for him, he was the driving force behind the postgame festivities....Last year, no one wound up taking the reins and making this happen so this season, Gonzo decided that it would be good team bonding if all of those guys had to get the "rookie treatment" for the day.
So, he organized the whole thing and there were about a dozen players on the plane with us who looked absolutely ridiculous in their costumes.*

211-The Times reported that Gonzo had bought the costumes in the San Diego series before the Cubs trip.

209 And so did every other team. It's something the literally every ball player goes through around the beginning of September. Why is this only an issue with the Dodgers?

These are grown men who have the mental accumen to play in the big leagues. Wearing a dress for an hour is not going to hurt them. You can think that it's stupid, sure, but it's not the sign of a larger problem.

207
Ha, I did ask a Cory Dunlap question he just picked different ones.
I actually got 3 questions answered using different names. John usually answers my questions as opposed to the other BA guys.

211 The team had just taken 3 out of 4 from the Cubs, they were heading into San Francisco where they were 6-0 plus the had the night off too.

Some day, Russell and the rest will get their chance to do the same, it is part of the game and I doubt it had anything to do what happened. If Raffy fields that ground ball cleanly, who knows what happens, but he didn't so here we are.

217 I bet Cory wasn't in the top 100 prospects that's why.

216
Disagree. I'm with Bob on the hazing issue. Just another one of many American customs that should go the way of the Southern California Kit Fox.

218 No, I don't think it affected play on the field either. But given Gonzo's attitude toward the kids otherwise, I'm not sure it was all clean, traditional fun either.

216 Plus, not even all of them cross-dressed. Some of them wore what basically amounted to Halloween costumes. I don't think it's really a huge deal...

219
Nah, he took questions on Xavier Paul, Corey Wade, Wesley Wright, Blake Dewitt and none of them will be in the top 100.

220
Man, that Kit Fox I ate last night was really tasty.

Did you get the recipe from Marty?

223 I meant in the Southern League only.

Toy Cannon, where is the Southern League BA chat?

http://www.joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/

Joe is back. How cool is that?

224 I hope you paired that with a nice Shiraz.

Thanks dude

227
http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/265006.html

It is premium content.
Hu, Meloan, and McDonald all made the top 20.
Paul was on the cusp.
Kershaw would have been the top pitcher if he qualified.
Elbert would have made the top 20 if he had qualified.

I had a dodo egg omelet today. Mmm......

I don't like my Kit Fox this way.

I like my Kit Fox sauteed!

I believe Marty sautees the Kit Fox in whale oil for extra flavor.

I knew I never should have bought him that harpoon set for Christmas.

Fond memories of one of my favorite movies "The Freshman".

232
The Dodo was my 1st choice but I decided to go with something closer geographically.

I know that condor tastes a lot like spotted owl.

(The punchline to a very lame but funny joke.)

235 A great movie with really nice performances by Brando and Bruno Kirby, Jr. Matthew Broderick just plays his normal role and narrates.

235 "There she is... Your Komodo Dragon..." - Bert Parks

This is such a classy group.

I was listening to Colletti's season ending interview on the L.A. Times blog...

Colletti on LaRoche:

"LaRoche has been good."

Matt Leinart's season is done in Arizona.

242 You wonder if Ben Olson will ever take a snap again for the Bruins.

"QB Ben Olson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. No meniscal damage was found and he is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a partially torn lateral collateral ."

He wasn't that mobile to begin with. I would think that the earliest game he could come back would be November 24th against Oregon and by that time who knows what will be going on.

While we're dissing LaRoche's durability and small-sample-size hitting, let's also give him credit for the defense he played while he was up, which in my opinion was spectacular.

Posnanski's synopsis of his new blog: "This blog may be a little more widespread than The Soul of Baseball. It may be a little more out there. It will definitely have more Bruce Springsteen reviews."

243
There's the lack of mobility combined with an apparent lack of ability to run UCLA's offense.

It's like watching Roberto Hernandez pitch with runners on base.

245 No, last week was like watching Roberto Hernandez pitch with one hand tied behind back and 3 runners all on third base.

In other college football notes, Mark Sanchez is being prepped to start his first game this week as USC hosts Arizona.

243

Its hard to believe that he ran a 4.5-4.6 40 in high school. I would have loved to see what would have happened with Ben if he ddint go on a mission and was coached by someone who has a cluehow to run a college offense.

244 -- I remember LaRoche's defense was roundly criticized in spring training and in his first call-up to the majors. It is really unfair how youngsters get branded based on first impressions. I swear, we're going to be hearing forever about Kemp not being able to hit a breaking ball. It is like how Ryan in The Office keeps getting called "the fire guy."

248 I still wonder if despite the flaws in the offense, if he really ever had the ability to make the leap to play college ball.

And for those who want to knock the Trojans when they are down.

http://tinyurl.com/yox332

Obviously, Cowan is going to be the quarterback of the present. Then in a year or two, the job will belong to Nick Crissman.

249 I wonder if Matt Kemp spends $200 on haircuts!

Hey, Olsen turned down BYU. God was mad. What do you expect?

What about Lebron James showing up to the Indians/Yankees game wearing Yankees gear? I wonder if Cleveland fans are going to get on him for that? I was disappointed.

252 Matt Kemp's hair cuts itself, continuously keeping it the ideal length.

251 It would be fun to see Ossar quarterback againt Cal. UCLA would lose but it would be an interesting afternoon.

I had to bring it back...252

Kemp: Guess Who just got to be the best looking single guy in the office..

Nomar to Nomar while doing his pre hitting routine: Who is this old fart? Did you just stagger off the street? Out of a box or something? Who's this worthless bag of bones?

Gonzo to Kemp: look at you all grown up and no place to go. Hello Mr Sonny Crockett, I am Tubbs.

Lowe: For the record, I have never been involved with anyone at work, in any capacity

Kent: I am telling you, this kid is the grim reaper.

Grady: We are throwing out the entire playbook, we are starting from scratch.

Wells: I am 30. Well in November i'll be 30

Hillenbran to Loney: Dude you are so money you don't even know it. But you do.

Ned: Everyone always wants new things. Everybody likes new inventions, new technology. People will never be replaced by machines. In the end, life and business are about human connections. And computers are about trying to murder you in a lake. And to me, the choice is easy.

Kemp: I'm not saying I had a meteoric rise. But I did. And if they knew how much I was paying for my haircut now, they wouldn't be giving me a noogie. It was $200.

256
Yeah, it would be nice to see him getting some playing time regardless of the position. Obviously, he is not a very good quarterback, since Bethel-Thompson beat him out, but at least he would be entertaining because of his scrambling.

Today is media day for UCLA basketball, so thankfully they will be back soon.

259 Practice starts on Friday, 3 weeks before the first exhibition game.

I really hope we get J'Mison Morgan. We are going to need a center badly, next year.

I don't think about college basketball until after the World Series. And even then I only pay cursory attention until the tournament.

262 Is there any chance that Arte opens up the vault for A-Rod?

255 -- You mean like Jack's hair in Lost?

Speaking of The Office, Andy Bernard is like non-existent this season. I wonder if the writers have any plans for the character at all. He was pretty funny doing that "fire guy" gesture this week, though.

263 If I hadn't listened to Arte Moreno all year, I would have said 100% chance they go strong after him, because last year they really tried more than ever to sign someone. They're getting more and more desperate to get a power bat. But then during the year, Moreno said that he didn't want to pay anyone a huge salary, more than what Vlad is making.

As a fan, I'm optimistic that they'll jump in, since they're an obvious suitor. But if I put my heart aside, I'd be more skeptical and say they'll look elsewhere.

What confuses me is that I'm not sure where management stands on Anderson in LF (who I think is done but is under contract for one more year, and Rivera at DH (who I think is a nice 4th outfielder but not a great DH or OFer). I also don't know if they think Morales is part of the answer.

I don't see any of those players as being what they need, so I'd like a power bat at two of 3B, LF, and DH for next year. With A-Rod likely opting out, he's a perfect fit.

266 And what about Brandon Wood, do they try him third, move Figgins to CF, Matthews to left, Anderson to DH, what happens to Rivera, Morales, et. al.

My prediction:

A-Rod signs with the Angels for 8 yrs/$280 million

257 - That was great.

267 They have a lot of "decent" players and not enough places to play them. Willits also. I think Matthews stays in CF, Anderson/Rivera split LF and Anderson/Rivera/Morales split DH, and Kotchman/Morales split 1B, with Wood/Figgins at 3B until Wood takes over for good. If Kotchman and Wood progress, they have some good power there, but I'm not optimistic about Wood with all his strikeouts. Morales could be the DH if he sticks.

I'm just not excited by the mixing-and-matching of Willits, Anderson, Rivera, Morales, and Figgins, and could see some of them going in a trade for a hitter.

If you like Fire Joe Morgan, check it out. Over the past 24 hours or so, it has become more FireJoeMorganish than ever.

If you don't like Fire Joe Morgan, you should especially avoid it right now. Over the past 24 hours or so, it has become more FireJoeMorganish than ever.

Love The Freshman!

While A-Rod getting blamed for this instead of Posada, Matsui, Jeter or Wang is totally expected, I do have to give credit to multiple sportswriters who noticed that Jeter totally fell apart this post season.

271 That was fun. Sports writers can be so silly.

Interesting USS Mariner up about the four organizations still standing.

Kind of funny too, at the bottom it says: "If you like this post, buy the authors a refreshing beer" with a little picture of a beer mug and a paypal link.

http://tinyurl.com/36oe2g

Rodriguez's Agent Votes to Opt Out

>> While the agent Scott Boras did not specifically say that Rodriguez, the Yankees' third baseman, would opt out with three years left on his landmark 10-year, $252 million contract, he strongly suggested that becoming a free agent again would be his client's savviest choice.

"When the arbitrator gave free agency to baseball, is there anyone in baseball who the free-agent right meant more to than Alex Rodriguez?" Boras said yesterday. "Not with his last contract, but right now, now more than any point in history." <<

http://tinyurl.com/yoqdv2

250

You serious about that? He's got a ton of tools (or at least he did coming out of high school) and had offers from everybody. I really think even now, if you put him in a offense that plays to his strengths he'd be really successful. Let him throw the ball down the field, run some double moves. Dont make him make 4 reads before he snaps the ball and throw 3 yard outs. We'll see what happens next year if/when dorrell is gone.

276
I'm deciding right now that I'm not reading one (more) word Boras says about ARod.

276 ... [Boras] will undoubtedly recommend that Rodriguez, 32, forgo the potential $91 million left on his deal. Boras would not estimate what Rodriguez could make on the open market, but it is believed that Boras could seek a 10-year contract for $300 million for his client.

"it is believed" ??? by whom that is a credible source?

I still have to believe that the Yankees can make an extension offer that Boras has to seriously consider and may well be more than he will find on the open market that may have very few suitors. (For example, a 5-year, $175 million extension makes the total compensation 8 years, $266 million - an average of $33.25 million per season - but the Yankees part is 8/245 when the Texas money is accounted for. Is Chicago going to swallow 8/266? Arte Moreno? Frank McCourt?)

There's really no reason why a player's agent should be a major part of the story. It bugs me that the media gives Boras so much attention and exposure.

I think I will choose to be the person here who likes Scott Boras.

I want to be edgier than Andrew Shimmin.

280 He gets the attention because he is the best at what he does. He also sets the market for both free agents and amateur talent.

He also makes himself available to the press so that also helps.

Again, Boras has never held a gun at an owner's head demand him to sign the deal. And usually when people are upset with Scott Boras, its not because of the job he is doing, its because your team won't pay the price he wants.

281 "I think I will choose to be the person here who likes Scott Boras."

You already played this card with Pierre. Now you want Boras too? Where does it stop? John Rocker? Tony Robbins? Chemical Ali?

Perhaps the agent more worthy of scorn is Mark Pieper of SFX who sold Ned Colletti on the $44 million value of a noodle-armed, never-injured, good character, low-OBP, leadoff-hitting CF.

283 Bob does draw the line at the designers of the LAUSD payroll system, however.

279. (For example, a 5-year, $175 million extension makes the total compensation 8 years, $266 million - an average of $33.25 million per season - but the Yankees part is 8/245 when the Texas money is accounted for. Is Chicago going to swallow 8/266? Arte Moreno? Frank McCourt?)

The only problem for the Yankees is the huge revenue sharing penalty they would have to pay on such a contract (they're already way over). This year they paid A-Rod about $20 million with Texas pitching in about $7 million. During the extension years they would be paying about $35 million per year themselves.

Does anyone here have a breakdown on how much this would cost the Yankees in revenue sharing money?

285
LAUSD decided that after examining my girlfriend's timesheets for the three months she has worked since she has had no pay, that she was owed a grand total of $900.

But they warned her that it was really just a loan and she might have to pay it back.

2008 Schedule Quirks

1. The Dodgers have their extra series this year with the Reds, who they play twice on the road.

2. If you want to visit Sam DC and see the Dodgers in their new park, dress light because the Dodgers go to Washington D.C. in August for a 4 game series. They go to Arizona after that.

3. There was a time when road trips made sense, you went East, you went West, etc. The Dodgers go on the following trips, Miami and Denver; Houston and San Francisco; Milwaukee and Anaheim.

4. The Dodgers only make one visit to an AL team outside of Anaheim, to Detroit. Next season, the Dodgers play the Angels twice, Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago White Sox.

5. The Dodgers play the Padres 9 times in September, including 2 home 3 game series.

286 Maybe. But they have some good, young players they still control for awhile (e.g., Cano, Wang, Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy) and they are going to be shedding a lot of payroll the next couple years (e.g., '08 is Giambi's last, '09 for Damon and Matsui, Clemens is done [I guess], Rivera and Posada may not be back), so maybe their payroll won't be as high. Also, their payroll has declined both seasons from the '04 peak.

I have nothing against Boras, and I readily admit that GMs are the morons. I just don't understand why the media fawns over him and treats him with such awe and reverence. He's just a capitalist. Nothing to be impressed by.

ESPN.com projects UCLA playing either in the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska or the Emerald Bowl against Maryland.

USC is tabbed for either the Rose Bowl against Ohio State or the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma.

Cal is projected for either the BCS championship game against LSU or the Rose Bowl against Illinois.

I think that if Cal goes 11-1, the Bears end up playing in San Diego or El Paso.

And would Notre Dame go to a bowl if they finished 6-6? Which is not as hard to believe now.

283
I heard that Chemical Ali threw some nice parties and was good to his mother.

281: I've been there for two years man.

Get your own gig.

287 The whole thing is simply the most ridiculous debacle to come down the pike in quite some time. We're talking about a payroll system here, a payroll system, not a life-support system for a manned-mission to Jupiter, a payroll system! A payroll system is an uninteresting, solved problem, yet LAUSD has managed to butcher it.

293
Rats. I need to find a new unpopular lost cause to champion.

Mike Gravel?

295 Jim Tracy.

::ducks::

296: That's a good one.

Chip Caray?

297 niiiiice.

295 Plaschke and Simers, squares?

we're going to get arod, don't worry about it.

287 There have to be lawsuits coming soon, right? Amazing.

294 A payroll system is an uninteresting, solved problem

Back to the drawing board for my PhD student's dissertation. Thanks a lot.

Bob better not decide he's in Dick Vitale's corner.

300 -- No, we're not going to get A-Rod. He'll resign with the Yankees after becoming a free agent, or he will sign with the Red Sox. They are the only two teams that make economic sense. And I don't WANT A-Rod either. Everything I have stood for in promoting Dodger minor leaguers is getting away from the "Let's Buy a Championship!" mentality of Dodger fans, and while I have tried to avoid commenting on the subject, I have been disturbed to see people around here who ordinarily seem to be on the same page as me salivating at the idea of bringing Baseball's Ultimate Mercenary (the B.U.M.) to the Dodgers. And when you consider that Sabean and Colletti justified their veteran fetish in San Francisco by stating that they had to surround the "best player in baseball" with veterans, I really fear what bringing a larger-than-life veteran star to the Dodgers would do to McCourt and Colletti. I do not want the Dodgers to ever be the kind of organization where everything is about keeping the Big Star happy.

290 - He's just a capitalist. Nothing to be impressed by.

I am not now, nor have I ever been a member of the Communist Party.

302 - what's wrong with Dick Vitale? Oh, wait, never mind.

304 He's a communist.

Does ryhming "McDonalds" with "Ronald McDonald" qualify a song for the worst chorus ever?

From MLB.com:

Cashman has insisted that if Rodriguez opts out, as many expect him to, the Yankees will not pursue him.

http://tinyurl.com/2slcr7

If A-Rod is gone, he leaves a baffling playoff legacy

>> Rodriguez has until Nov. 10 to opt out of his contract. Cashman said he might begin as early as Tuesday morning to talk to ownership about a plan for the Rodriguez negotiations. The Yankees are steadfast that if he does opt out they will not attempt to re-sign him. Their theory is that if Rodriguez opts out it means that agent Scott Boras already has arranged a landing place for him before he jumps. "My guess is Boras is already in contact with the Red Sox, the Angels and the Giants," one Yankees source said. "It's going to take $300 million to sign him. That's a lot of cash." <<

http://tinyurl.com/39eco3

I doubt he goes to the Giants. That is like the Rangers all over again.

307 -- That's just a negotiating ploy, an empty threat, and Boras is smart enough to know it. It would obviously be in the Yankees' best interests to keep A-Rod from opting out.

303. I've long expected A-Rod to opt out. I still expect him to do so. But I have no expectation at all that he will be signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Why? Because I don't think Ned Colletti is capable of negotiating a deal of this magnitude with Scott Boras. My reasons for this belief are:

1). Ned is too petty. He tends to get upset about little things that a man at his current level should be above. Thus allowing them to affect his relationship with a top agent (see J. D. Drew/Abreu).
2). Scott Boras appears to be way smarter than Ned Colletti (of course, he appeared to be way smarter than Hicks also but that didn't stop that deal).

So, I'm not going to believe A-Rod is coming to the Dodgers until they actually call a press conference and announce it.

Huh. Didn't realize George Karl's son is vying for a roster spot on the Lakers.
http://tinyurl.com/2p6ybk

Coby "Not Kobe" Karl sounds like a cool kid. Probably will be tough to make the team though, though I wouldn't mind him replacing Sasha specifically.

As far back as I can remember, the last time a player of this magnitude, other than Arod, had a FA opportunity was back in 1999-2000 when Ken Griffey Jr. signed with the Reds.

I remember a lot of people wanting the Reds to sign him to an up and coming Reds team that won 96 games and almost made the playoffs.

Well, it turns out the Reds made the deal. Then, Griffey injured himself and the rest is history!

Remember folks, Jr. Griffey was 30 at the time, and back then he may have been the best player in the game. This does nothing to help my argument for Arod, but it puts things into perspective.

I don't think I would offer any player longer than a 5 year deal.

314 - I'd consider a five year deal with various options for three more years (mutual option for year 6, player option for 7, team option for 8).

313. As far back as I can remember, the last time a player of this magnitude, other than Arod, had a FA opportunity was back in 1999-2000 when Ken Griffey Jr. signed with the Reds.

Was Griffey a free agent? I thought Seattle traded him to Cincinnati. I remember the deal being held up because Cincinnati would not include their 2nd baseman (whose name I can't recall at the moment but remember that he was from South Carolina). Seattle caved in and made the deal anyway. At least that's what the old gray cells keep telling me.

316
I remember Mike Cameron was the main piece the Mariners got back.

316 - according to the all knowing Wikipedia, Griffey was traded, for among others... old friend Brett Tomko

316. I remember the deal being held up because Cincinnati would not include their 2nd baseman (whose name I can't recall at the moment but remember that he was from South Carolina).

The name finally came to me (I'm just not as sharp as I once was. :-) ).

Pooky Reese

Pokey Reese, not Pooky

320. Pokey Reese, not Pooky

See, I told you I wasn't that sharp. :-)

Wasn't Pooky Reese a character on Soupy Sales?

Just something a small few might be interested in. For those of you who enjoyed the HP series, I'd suggest "Dark Materials" for some fun winter reading. Get past the 1st 100 pages and it is a fun series.
Not sure how much the Time Warner Movie "Golden Compass" will follow the storyline since the end result is a war against heaven but the previews look very much like the 1st book.

257 Unless you're trying to brand Matt Kemp as a Sean Penn-like-humorless-dillweed, please stop the comparisons to him and Ryan (The Temp). Ryan's character has nowhere to go but to the hot-zone in a hand woven carrier of some type.

I'm not sure I can buy the whole Ryan-as-Satan storyline. Personalities don't change that quickly. If that's where they were going to go with the character, they should have started laying a little bit of groundwork last season.

323 Aha! A new subset of Dodger Thought-sians: SF Thoughts!

I've heard of that series for years, but I keep forgetting to look for it at the library. One I just found is the Miles Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold.

291 "I think that if Cal goes 11-1, the Bears end up playing in San Diego or El Paso."

That would be awesome. Well, not for them so much, but for me.

Wow, Javaris Crittenton looks like a real keeper for the Lakers.

I'd also forgotten how horribly biased/homer-ish the Warriors' announcers are.

The Lakers are getting pounded overall, though without Odom and not playing many starters in general it could be worse.

325 They did a little bit with the whole e-mail to Karen situation (when he was 'dating' Kelly) . He also came off as a little snide, but I agree that the character development in the last several episodes has been haphazard.

327
Heck, Cal could go 11-1 and get a bid to the Las Vegas Bowl. Or else be left out completely and have a bowl spot given to a 6-6 SEC team.

My entry into the A-Rod prediction pool:

He re-signs with the Yankees on the verge of his opt-out deadline. Terms: $400 million over 8 years with team options at $75 million for each of the following four years.

If he does opt out, however, I think he'll go back to Seattle on similar terms. The Braves and Mets are also possibilities. If I were the GM of the Dodgers or any other team with the wherewithal, I'd give him that deal in a second.

328
He is our replacement for when Kobe bolts.

332
I see Jim Barnett around town a lot.

333 Tell him I think he's a swell guy and incredibly biased. He sounds like he thinks Patrick O'Bryant is going to be a fantastic player. But at least he also criticizes once in awhile.

331. Terms: $400 million over 8 years with team options at $75 million for each of the following four years.

Okay, fess up. You're really Scott Boras.

334
I never thought Kobe would tank, just because he is too competitive.

But I am starting to change my mind. This could be a Vince Carter situation.

Is Kobe really not trying or something? I'd have to see that in the regular season to believe he'd actually tank.

My prediction is ARod stays a yankee and the deal is done before the opt out period (10/11). Less likely alternative is ARod is re-signed after he opts out but Cashman is no longer NYY GM. I will be shocked if ARod is not a NYY for the next 10 years.

Ned won't even get a chance to throw a meaningful bid into the ring. Arte will make an impressive inital foray but will fold like a beach chair after the first round or two. Boston will scew around with it just to jack up the price but they will have no real intention of signing him. Why should they, NYY can't beat them with ARod, what to they care if he's in N.Y.

10 years from now when George has gone to the Stadium in the Sky and ARod is closing in on 800 HRs, Arod will be George's legacy. George knows it and it means more than money to him.

50 years after that ARod will join Ruth, Mantle, DeMaggio, etc in centerfield.

337
Remember Game 7 of the Suns series two years ago?

It is like that.

124 - "Before the season, I thought it was pretty apparent that the Red Sox, Indians, and Yankees were by far the best teams in baseball."

Really Reg? The third-place Indians were better than, say, the AL champion Tigers? Or the winningest team in the NL, the Mets?

191 - "Mo Vaughn continued to wear #42 after moving from the Red Sox to the Angels."

And the METS!! Gotta have someone on here represent the East Coast, no?

And 303 , what if that larger-than-life veteran star is a certain left fielder with 762 career home runs?

336 - it's the first pre-season game of the year. If anything Kobe is going to go out and try to average a triple double, then when the Lakers are 9th at the trade deadline, he'll lay down an ultimatum - as he should

ARod, 10 years at $250 with 25M team option for 2018 and 2019. No trade clause and no future opt out.

AHHHHHH. I was about to sleep but I just got my link to download the new Radiohead album..... I can't sleep until I give at least a couple songs a listen.

342. ARod, 10 years at $250

But why would he sign for less per year than he is currently making?

And, yes, I knew you meant $250 million.

I'm still really distraught by ToyCannon's assertion that I'm the Danica McKellar of DT. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a compliment.

Explain yourself, ToyCannon. You don't get to make that statement without elaboration.

Danica is Greg Brock to me.

Explain. You don't get to insult me and get a free pass. I know we don't get along, but you don't get to insult me. I'm not a bad guy, and I don't deserve your ridicule.

Jon was having such a nice break that I hate to even paste this in here but hidden deep in Tony Jackson's October 10 story is this nugget:

It now appears the club will hold on to lefty Mark Hendrickson, who fills an important long relief role, despite the fact he made $2.925 million this year while going 4-8 with a 5.21 ERA.

I'm sorry Jon for ruining your day. And for the rest of you, you can look it up on the dailynews.com site

346 I think what he's saying is we lose you in the end.

Apparently we don't need to speculate about A-Rod here, ESPN.com, all the New York papers and sports talk radio across the country will do it for us.

I guarantee that the announcers for the remainder of the playoffs will discuss the future of A-Rod and Joe Torre as much if not more than the ongoing games.

348
I thought that was always going to be the case. I think Ned will try to keep as many starters as possible.

Yeah, I know Hendrickson can barely be considered a starter.

Hendrickson is only a starter in the "first thing that gets lit up when you build a fire" sense.

351 Did you see Howland on the video talking about Kevin Love, the man could barely hide his glee.

I saw a video on Boston Globe site where Alyssa Milano was interviewed prior to Game 1 of ALDS between the Angels and Red Sox.

She was asked what happened to the Dodgers, she said that the team was in transition between the youth and veterans and that they should have gone to the youth sooner. Chad should have been starter from the beginning of the season, Loney should have started at first. Of the rumors regarding dealing some of the kids for Santana, she said that need to stick with the kids.

I'll say it again, sure she is on the air because she is pleasant to look at but she knows a lot about the game and the Dodgers.

352 Considering that Ned went out and signed two guys, one who got something like 200 grand a start and another who they will be paying 8 million next season, instead of just letting him continue to pitch, he would have to be so far down the totem pole, Clayton Kershaw would start before Hendrickson does again for the Dodgers.

Phew. Now that the Yankees are eliminated, ESPN.com can begin 24/7 coverage of America's other team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Wouldn't it be nice if ARod had to "settle" for 6/120? Once, just once, I'd like to see some big free agent have to sign for much less than they were looking for.

I can live with Lurch returning, strictly out of the pen, if this also happens: "Colletti wouldn't get into specifics, but there is a reasonable possibility that fleet center fielder Juan Pierre will be asked to move to left field next season to make room for a stronger arm in center. That stronger arm could belong to Matt Kemp."

329 - The fundamental thing about Ryan is that he's insecure. That has been established since the show's beginnings. Everything flows from that. He has never really made a sale. When he's rejected, he eggs the company's offices. He's still living down Fire Guy. He's just plain insecure and tries to hide it and succeeds - most of the time.

Ryan is not evil - we know that yet again because he was going to take care of Kelly if she had been pregnant. He's not going to sexually harrass Pam, even though he has a crush on her and is hoping his new position would help him win her. He knows there are boundaries, which is more than Michael can say. But he is really impatient for success, and he knows at the same time deep down that he's not quite ready for success (despite legitimately good ideas). So that informs his behavior.

Why wouldn't he be tough on Michael? He needs to establish that he's his boss. Hard thing for a guy 15 years younger to do.

The character development on this show is just fine. I'm not trying to be defensive, but there's nothing about Ryan's behavior that doesn't make sense. The promotion itself was a bit improbable, but he's a biz school grad in a climate that values that, and you can imagine he does interview well, and Jim dropped out of the running, so why not Ryan?

And I still don't believe Hendrickson is coming back.

342. Because he will be older for most of the contract

346
There was a real Greg Brock before you arrived. As a yute we had great expectations, but as youth passed into maturation the expectations of greatness turned into feats of ordinary.

You my good friend had nothing whatsoever to do with the post.

361
Danica co-authored a mathematical proof. That's no ordinary feat.

Yup, were all impressed with her mental abilities.

358. I would think that he would also be tough on Michael because it has been pretty well established that Michael makes him uncomfortable and that he does not think he is a good manager at all.

DL's A-Rod Sweepstakes Probabilities:

Yankees: 75%
Angels: 10%
Dodgers: 7%
Red Sox: 4%
Giants: 2%
Chelsea FC: 1%

Others receiving votes: Cubs, Mariners, Braves, Cardinals.

I'm still shocked that no one is giving the Tigers a shot at Arod. They just committed 13 Million to a lousy catcher. You don't think they won't blow 30 million on the best player?

They won't have $30 million to blow on the best player in baseball because they just commited $13 million to a lousy catcher.

348 Well, my day just got ruined.

340 Yep. The Indians noted everything that killed them last year and came up with multiple backup plans for their issues. Plus, they way underperformed their pythagorean record the year before.

I never was a big fan of the Tigers and thought they were due for a big regression this year (granted, I also thought Verlander would get some form of severe injury too).

358 I agree. While it's clear the success has gone to his head, Ryan seems to be the only one that recognizes how terrible of a company Dunder Mifflin is and actually has a plan to save it. Other than a couple of slights at Michael for everything he put him through before, I don't see how his behavior is all that terrible.

I won't be one bit surprised if Hendrickson is brought back. In fact, I'd put money on his getting 5+ starts next year. I'd want 3-1 odds, but I'd put money on it.

Or is that rendered 3:1? I still have much to learn about gambling, and not enough interest in it to making doing so seem worth bothering.

the dodgers took 15 steps backwards this year. at times they played as if bodysnatchers had taken over, leaving the team nude in the harsh winds of the nl west. their place in standings went up and down like arpeggi. right now, all i need is for colletti to play reckoner and tear down this house of cards. i'd love to say a-rod was a jigsaw falling into place, but when you review the videotape (go slowly), you'll find this isn't the solution. unless, that is, down is the new up. our gm is truly up on a ladder right now. he needs to add some bangers and mash to the lineup--no more little ball. these are my last flowers to the 2007 season. and this is your four minute warning . . .

369
I'm with you on that opinion. And I am not sure that I would oppose it too much. It is always nice to have a mop-up guy that can contribute a bit. It also helps in that we do not have to rush someone like Elbert/Kershaw/McDonald to help with the inevitable bullpen injury by the middle of the season.

I would like to think that those guys could simply jump in and dominate, but I remember seeing a young Broxton 3 years ago who couldn't really pitch...he just threw hard.

371 cute metaphors, but "little ball"? Outside of Pierre and the unintentional practitioning by Nomar and the injured Furcal, what does "little ball" mean in this context? Grady's not a bunter, not much for the hit-and-run.... The Dodgers played a lot of medium ball, I think. No fearsome, 40ish HR type slugger, no run manufacturing either, just trying to string together hits with the occasional pop.

372- If Mark Hendrickson were the last man on earth physically capable of throwing a baseball 60.5 feet, I'd rather the sport folded than watch him do it, again. Better for the bullpen catcher to come in to mopup than that Brobdingnagian throw, again, ever.

Ever.

Why any team would pay Mark Hendrickson (or anyone) $3mils to be a garbage man out of the bullpen is beyond me...

This move, though small, is clearly representative of what most people here hate about the Dodgers.

374
I was going to try and refute this point with numbers like his starter/bullpen splits, but in the end I think that it has more to do with the fact that Tomko was so putrid that I keep thinking..."Hendrickson isn't that bad. Maybe he can pitch OK...yeah...out of the bullpen...at least he's not Tomko..."

325--I dont think BJ Novak (the actor) is ready to be a mainstream character on the show. If his script writing got his character more air-time, thats unfortunate. He's better behind the scenes writing, than on camera IMO.

"Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd,
When others are more wicked: not being the worst
Stands in some rank of praise."

375
It is but a mere annoyance to me.

368 - What I enjoy about The Office is that even though Ryan's on the upswing at the moment, it's pretty clear (already) that he's headed for a huge fall. Dunder Mifflin Infinity is pretty terrible, after all. I expect his plan for DMI to unravel spectacularly, a dying star imploding on itself...

Does anyone know if there any way to watch AFL games on the internet? Work is dreadfully boring today.

Why any team would pay Esteban Loaiza $8mils to be a crappy starter, then garbage man out of the rotation, then DFAed (while still being owed $3-4mils) is beyond me

NPUT

LOL

Why any team would pay Tomko $8mils to be a crappy starter, then garbage man out of the rotation, then DFAed (while still being owed $3-4mils) and then sign Loaiza for 8 more million to replace him is beyond me...