Responding to 229. on the last post. I'd say that the ACC is the only conference that has a great basketball tradition and that has been horribly tainted. The SEC and Big 12 (Big Eight and SWC) have great football traditions, and the PAC-10 is more balanced with some decent tradition in both sports.

Well, don't I feel silly for the first posting after that heartfelt post. All I can say is congratulations on the third, Going from 2 to 3 kids was the hardest transition for me, switching from man-to-man to zone can be rough.

First, congratulations on the impending addition to the family.

Second, from the vantage point of someone who just turned 57, 40 ain't so bad. From the vantage point of someone who hadn't married by that age, still hasn't (and probably won't), you've done better than I. ;)

I understand the Me Time vs. Other People's Time all too well, even though it's just my mother I need to care for.

It took some courage to lay all that out here in public, so you're to be commended for that. I won't tell you to write screenplays in your spare time, 'cause you ain't got any. Maybe by the time you reach my age you will (just think, the new baby will be 17 at that point!).

I regularly read and rarely comment. Congats Jon, and thanks so much for Dodger Thoughts. William James once said, "The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook"

Congrats on number 3.

Just know that you're not alone in that boat. Well maybe you are, but there's whole bunch of us out here in other little boats that are pretty much the same.

As someone who is halfway between birthdays with round numbers, its hard to say how impactful they were to me, turning 30 while LA was still recovering from the riots was life changing in the sense that I started a period in my life where I became more involved with the community. 40 saw a much more glass half empty look at the world.

But your view of life is not that different than a lot of my friends as they reach these ages (don't know if that comforts you or not) and soon your discussions are filled with the health of your parents or whether a child should attend a cattilion (sp.) program.

With that, the ongoings of a professional sports team seems so unimportant but again perhaps that is a false statement because in the best of cases, a team like the Dodgers creates communities that can share the highs and lows that everyone can live together and for a moment escape the day to day realities of our lives.

In short, Happy 39+1 to you Jon, have a wonderful birthday and best to you and your family.

5 Just know that you're not alone in that boat. Well maybe you are, but there's whole bunch of us out here in other little boats that are pretty much the same.

Ho'okahi ka 'ilau like ana.

Congrats on #3 and 25+15.

Happy Birthday, Jon...may the ink continue to flow freely from your pen.

Two Hall of Famers were born on November 26.

Hugh Duffy back in 1866 and Lefty Gomez in 1908.

Notable former Dodgers born this day include: Jeff Torborg, Jorge Orta, and Jay Howell.

I turn 39 in January, and can already relate to much of what Jon writes about here. Is turning 39 worse than turning 40? I feel like I may freak out more next year than the year after but we'll see. There's much about my life I wish was different at this juncture, but try to dwell on how much there is to be thankful about, too.

Can relate to the bit about friends, too - many of my good friends have moved away and I barely ever see them, others still have drifted away even from contact, and I don't have enough good close friends here. People are so transient these days... Anyway, just a reminder to value and cherish those few close friends were blessed to have.

No kids here, just two cats, but maybe some day... After I sell that screenplay ;-)

Go Dodgers!

congrats on the kid and making it to 40.

I turn 30 in March, last March that was troubling, but not so much now. I'm convinced that my 30s will be a greater adventure than my 20s, if only a different kind.

Thanks for sharing that Jon. Poignant and thought-provoking.

Happy Four-Oh.

And congrats on the 3rd addition-to-be.

An aside, I was thumbing through my complimentary UCLA vs. Oregon football game program and I saw the page where they acknowledge the car dealers, etc. who donate the use of cars to UCLA's coaching staff and I see a picture from a Mercedes dealership and I read the names, Kevin Malone (who I knew worked for a car dealership) and Eddie Murray. I then look at the picture and there he is all dressed up in suit, former hitting coach Eddie Murray ready to put you in a 2008 Benzer.

So if you are up in Valencia, stop by and say hello.

Congrats on turning 40 and the 3rd little one on the way. I turned the big 4-0 earlier this year. It wasn't easy, but isn't 40 the new 30? And with three little ones, you have ALOT to be thankful for.
Thanks for sharing...
vr, Xei

Happy 40th Jon, and congrats on the third seed. Much respect for all the work you put into this fine blog. Godspeed.

Happy Birthday, Jon. I turned 71 last month so I've come to grips with much of that (although probably not until I reached 60 :-) ). My plan now is just to follow my Dodgers for another 29 years or until they trade Matt Kemp. Whichever comes first. :-)

Congratulations and Condolences at the same time. I just turned 30 two months ago and can say that these same thoughts ran through my mind.

As 5 said, we may all be in boats, but there sure are a lot of us out here.

Happy Birthday Jon.

Congratulations to you and your wife.

It appears you have a wonderful life. I hope you are happy, generally speaking. The desire and impending feeling of need for more money is prominent in today's world. You are a talented writer and I sense good things will come as you venture into your 40's.

There are just not enough hours in the day it seems. I understand time is not always on our side, I just hope that DodgerThoughts is something you plan to keep running for a very long time. Without it I would feel lost, as I imagine many others would too.

Keep up the great material.

PS:
Open the t-shirt store back up.

Happy 40th,

Thanks for all the thoughts.

Wow.

What a piece. You articulated so much of what I think many of us feel about ourselves.

I wish I had time right now to write more, but I just wanted to say, you have a lot more friends than you think you do. We're not "close" like your HS and college friends, but we are grateful to be your guests and have got your back.

Congratulations to the Mrs. and yourself, happy birthday, and don't give up those big money writing dreams just yet. Maybe you aren't a screenwriter, but you'd be a hell of a memoirist.

"It's not that I don't have my good qualities, but I don't really feel like I'm evolving."

That line was the one that resonated the most with this soon-to-be 40-year-old self-disappointer. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jon. The two quotes that come to my mind when pondering impending 40 from the inside of moments of angsty self-disappointment are "life is suffering" from the buddha and, from the inscription on Charles Bukowski's gravestone, "Don't Try."

Hi Jon, and everyone else. This is my first post. Yikes.

I'm Mother of njr. I went with him to last year's Dodger Thoughts extravaganza, but had to leave for a memorial service right after McCourt and missed the game. I've been reading and enjoying everyone's comments for over two years now, and feel like DT has on occasion saved my sanity.

I'm still way too inexperienced to post about statistics and such. But getting older and realizing dreams I can talk about, because I- who always wanted to write, but was too busy having and raising babies, and maybe also too scared to do so for decades - got to become a wga member three years ago, at 52. So anything's possible.

Anyway, I just wanted to say happy birthday, congrats on baby # 3, keep dreaming those dreams, and thank you for this site.

Okay. Here goes.

Happy 40th Jon! And Congratulations on the new addition as well!

The cliche "you are only as old as you feel" is really true! If you let yourself believe that. As a father of 1 who turns 48 later this year (my son is 14), I still feel like I'm in my 30's.

In reading your piece, I thought of 2 scenes from 2 different movies that have always stuck with me.

One is a scene from Parenthood where Steve Martin describing his feelings to his dad (Jason Robards) trying to come to grips with all the things going on in his life, and Robards replying with a gentle slap to the face, "you worry too much! You always did!"

The other is Michael Keaton in the movie Jack Frost (okay my kid was young at the time), looking down on his sleeping child saying, "all this time I have been trying to make my mark in the world. You are my mark on the world!"

Jon, you have been blessed to have 3 of those marks! Cherish them! They will keep you young!

22
Wow, our first parent/child commenting duo!

Welcome to DT!

8 Happy birthday, Jon! I got you a pocket protector!

Happy Birthday Jon. And, congrats on the no. 3. I too hit 4-0... six years ago. My birthday is this Friday the 30th. I also have three children and the third is the toughest. However, I've learned it really is about the journey(as the adage goes)and it is the healthiest way to see time. Blessings go out to you on your journey and the decisions you must make. For what its worth, you do a marvelous job on this blog and I thank you. Enjoy your wife, children and your birthday today.
P.S. If anyone knows of some famous Dodgers born on November 30, I'd love to know.

Jon, I'd like to add my congratulations and well-wishes to the pot here. Also, my thanks for sharing this piece. I will be turning 30 in a few months and shortly thereafter, the wife and I will be welcoming our first little one. The anticipation of exiting my 20's and becoming a dad is wonderful and exciting and terrifying all at the same time and it's nice to know that I don't have to have everything all figured out by this time next year. :)

So, once again, thanks and keep up the good work.

if we could dump JP, what do you all think of:

Ethier/Kemp/Jose Guillen

Jose's ob% was .353 and slug% was .460 last year. im not a stat master but i think thats pretty good, correct me if im wrong.

The most notable Dodgers born on November 30 are Clyde Sukeforth, the scout who signed Jackie Robinson and managed two games in 1947, and Tacks Latimer.

The latter is notable because he has a really cool name.

26 No real famous ones, Bo Jackson is the best player, in my opinion, born on November 30th. http://tinyurl.com/yuddcw

But there was a Dodger known for his involvement with the signing of Jackie Robinson who was born that day.

You'll find him on that link.

29 Darn that Bob.

Jon - great post and, as dzzrtRatt said... you captured a lot of what a lot of us are feeling.

I'm a few years behind you, but with one extra kid (had our fourth a few months ago).

Turning 30, changing job situation and having our fourth really pushed me to a similar self evaluation process. Some good (family) some bad (won't go into) and some just so-so (work). But what I realized is that for some reason my whole life I assumed I'd do something important. Something meaningful with an impact. And I know I've done that with my family (heck, just out of numbers, I've done that).

But with my career, I'm realizing that my opportunity to do something important, impactful, etc. gets smaller as I get older. And with no change in direction in place, I don't see that changing. So I am in the process of deciding whether to just change course and try and fix that. Or, accept the great things I have (family, etc.) and go the course I am now, knowing that deep down I'll likely not fulfill that childhood aspiration.

In the end, I'm know that the success of my family will far outshadow whatever I end up doing or not doing in my career. So maybe that's enough solace... though it doesn't feel like it right now.

Anyhow, all stuff what you said, just less articulate. Thanks for the post.

>> • Got some e-mails about Johan Santana's no-trade clause, with some maintaining that the pitcher's no-trade clause can include up to 12 teams. As a source reiterated on Sunday night: It is a full no-trade clause. This will allow Santana to use this as leverage to get a six- or seven-year extension for $25 million a year, if he's traded. <<

http://tinyurl.com/3cso7r

oh, and happy birthday and Congratulations on child #3!

31
This soon to be 42-year old is marginally quicker than the slightly older commenter.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore --
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over --
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

(Happy birthday. Congratulations on #3. Thank you for DT. And don't give up that dream.)

35 He also knows BaseballReference.com searching tools better than me too.

Jon, thanks for your post. Very eloquent and a lot of it hit home with me. I too am creeping up on 40 - just before Christmas the odometer will turn over. I'm starting to take stock about where I am in life and despite all the wonderful things I have to be thankful for - my wife, daughter and son, a few close friends - there are plenty of regrets as well. I gave up on a career in academia about 15 years ago to work in PR, and I feel that professionally I never reached my potential and probably never will. I no longer look to get a lot of fulfillment from what I do on a day-to-day basis. It has its pleasures, but more often than not it's a grind. I try to find other projects to interest me - freelance writing on music, a soccer website I'm working on with a friend of mine - but I'm not where I pictured myself being when I was in college.

A old high-school friend of mine came to visit this weekend with his wife and son. We once were very close, but I hadn't seen him in years. It was great to re-connect and discuss what's happened to each of us in the past few years (he's now a professor at UW Milwaukee), but just like that our dinner was over and they had to leave. I'll probably see him again five years from now, when we have a bit more grey hair, but I was very sad watching him back out of the driveway.

Many congratulations on the third child on the way, and despite all of the shades of grey, happy 40th. Enjoy it with the ones you love - that's what matters most.

I am currently on a spontaneous exploration of Franklon Canyon. If you see someone in tennis shoes with a Treo and "The Story of Modern Skiing," you've found me or my doppleganger. I've already, ever so appropriately, fallen on my butt once while hiking downhill, but at least the Treo was in my front pocket.

Thanks to all of you for your warm wishes and meaningful insights. I already feel greatly rewarded for posting something I feared might just be a downer.

Ratt, I do consider you all good friends. These are different kinds of friendships than the ones referenced in my post, but they are invaluable. The moral continues to be, I just want everything.

Mainly, I feel I just need to be a better person. I'm a better blogger than I am a person - and I can't always blog well, either.

But I understand that there are other boats like mine, and your collective miseries are received with gratitude. :)

Special good wishes to Walbers for a comment he left on Toaster recently.

"It is pretty much a study in supply and demand and relative cost -- both in terms of financially and player talent-wise," says Dodgers GM Ned Colletti of the overall outlook for trades at the Winter Meetings. "Since the free-agent market is relatively thin, clubs looking to improve have two basic choices: Be patient with their young players and provide those players with additional opportunity or trade. With the price of free agents escalating, the value of talented, young players is also higher."

Is wanting everything really that bad of a thing? I wonder if it is better to want everything and be disappointed when you don't get it, or to "realize" that you can't have everything and cut yourself off from some amazing opportunities out of fear of disappointment.

Happy Birthday, Jon!!

And congratulations to the Weisman clan for adding another member.

I am in my early 20's and I already have to deal with seeing friends move away and dealing with how I can try to do what I want to do for a living. But without hardships the good times would never feel so good.

With everything on your plate it is amazing that you make the effort to keep DT running. Hopefully your posters enlighten and entertain, while making you laugh just enough that you will continue to feed the beast.

I'd like to say something with some breadth but after 3 hours of futile writing I can only say congratulations on the 3rd Weisman and on facing 40 with the same trepidations we've all had to face. If I learned anything from my 49 odd years, worrying serves little purpose and gets in the way of positive thoughts. On the other hand, if I'd worried more, maybe I'd have made better decisions. So maybe it does serve a purpose. This whole worrying thing makes me worried that I understand nothing after 49 years.

36

Wow! I remember that poem. I read that in high school. Who wrote it?

44 - Langston Hughes. One of my favorites.

39 I'll add to that too, in many ways, 2007 for me will be the year where I actually met several blog friends in 3D, none more entertaining than DT day but in going to games with several of you it added to the enjoyment of this community.

Heartiest congrats Jon on the upcoming addition and the big 40. I reached that plateau 21 years ago this month. You won't believe how fast the time will fly between 40 and 60. I also have 3 kids, but mine are slightly older than yours (26, 27 and 32).

I have many regrets over what I have failed to accomplish in my 61 years, but when our family gathered together last Thursday and I looked at my son and two daughters, I suddenly felt much better.

I'm an off and on commenter here but a daily reader and I thank you for this wonderful community. Between DT and your offspring, you already have a huge amount to be proud of.

I read somewhere that 40 is the new 30. And like David St. Hubbins I believe everything I read. So Jon, you're really not that old. I turned the new 30 earlier this year.

Happy (belated) Birthday, Jon.

I hope to reread this post when I turn 40 (not so long from now) to stimulate some more introspection. I think it is useful to do, so long as you don't get too down on yourself to turn it into something that helps you move forward in life...

43 - Whether to worry or not is a fundamental question for me today.

I have alighted at a nice spot - on a bench in the shade, in the middle of a trail.

48 Reminds me of the comedian discussing the clever ways people make up to feel young. He said:

"50 is the new 40! 70 is the new 50! Dead is the new 90!"

Too funny!

50
The Tree People would be proud.

Excellent and courageous post, Jon. I hit F5 every hour or so to see if we have Andruw Jones yet, then suddenly I'm pondering life's great questions. Your thoughts about money are right on. Living in L.A. is a maddening thing for young professional couples. I've seen several friends leave town to find the elusive sub-$2,000 mortgage pmt. You must have good reasons to stay here, Chavez Ravine for one I'm sure.

I was getting worried that your last paragraph would be a eulogy for Dodger Thoughts. Thanks again for giving so much of yourself to the site. I can only hope by the big 4-0 I've accomplished something like this.

(Clever that you made post #39 btw.)

Happy Birthday Jon! and congratulations on number 3. With age comes wisdom. You'll figure it out. Most of us manage to.

Oh, and you need a dog to go with you on the trails.

Happy birthday, and congratulations on the new prospect.

One more thought:

My best friend from high school and also the only one that I keep in regular contact with is a 6-year veteran of the Navy SEALs, he has a mathematics degree from the Naval Academy, and he has accomplishments/honors too numerous to count.

When we compare ourselves to this point, we couldn't be more different. I have settled into the Dad role in my late twenties while he has doggedly accomplished all his goals he set for himself in high school. In a way, we are both jealous of the other: me of his accomplishment/cache that the Trident brings and him of the stability that I have with my family and our little munchkin that runs around the house.

I always find it somehow ironic that he could be jealous of me in any way when I have "accomplished" so little in my eyes.

No famous (or even obscure, as far as I could find) Dodgers were born on my birthday, but Hank Greenberg was, which almost makes up for it.

Happy Birthday, Jon. I knew it was coming soon, and looked up your IMDB page a couple weeks ago to confirm - then promptly forgot.

I hit 40 in June, and for me, it passed like any other day. I'm pretty sure that's because I'm very happy. I've not achieved nearly what I could have, and I don't have it all, by any means, but I guess I don't really want more than I have. Despite (because of?) the best efforts of a Jewish mother out of central casting, I'm not really all that ambitious. Oh sure, I'm well aware of my flaws, and my overwhelming underwhelmingness, but I also recognize that they're the residue of my own choices. Self-loathing almost seems like a cop-out ("at least I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment"), sort of like someone who says "at least I admit that I'm materialistic/selfish/a horrible driver), as thought that excuses it. I own my disappointments. My main goals in life are to see my friends happy, to help my students to learn how to learn, and to avoid becoming a burden on society. If we had kids, I'd have other goals, but that was a choice too.

Angst about accomplishment is, I think, the cost of ambition. And from what I see and hear, ambition is a positive force in the world. You may not admire you, Jon, but lots of other people admire you, both for what you've done so far, and what you hope to do in the future.

Go ahead and take stock, but also cut yourself a little slack. I've only met you once, and read your DodgerThoughts for a few years, but I feel pretty safe in saying that you're a mensch. That's worth a lot.

I have one HOFer with my birthday. Early Win. Ralph Branca, Lee Walls and Marlon Anderson are ex-Dodgers with my birthday.

The best name is Mul Holland. I'm not kidding.

Steve Yeagar and the once future HOF JtD.

59
I got Cal Ripken and Harry Hooper on my birthday.

Best Name: That would be a tie between Chubby Dean and Bevo LeBourveau

My birthday is shared by a pitcher who gave up a famous homerun, a person on the current Veteran's Committee ballot and more importantly, a current Dodger.

57
There was a great documentary done by Hank Greenberg's daughter about him. Have you seen it?

62
Check your text mail.

You have mined interesting territory with your thoughts. I suspect that, in the time used to engage in this form of introspection and articulation of these feelings, you could have written Act I (pp. 1-35), or at least some interesting character arcs as part of this unwritten screenplay of yours. As a married lawyer who strives to be a screenwriter, I go through these tensions ALL THE TIME, admittedly less acute in that I don't have children yet. If you have regret, I say you give yourself the 15 minutes a day. If you structure your writing before commencing, then even 10 minutes is a blessing because you know what you're writing in a controlled fashion. I do it every day, at work, outside of work. Just 10/15 minutes, that's the blessing you have to find. Happy birthday, and take solace in the fact that the Dodgers are going to win the NL West next season.

62 Did he give up a homer more famous than my pitcher?

Another thought. For all of us who feel modest about our accomplishments in life, and for whom is not in any sense a "false modesty," I'd say we should thank our parents for, at least in this regard, raising us right. That's probably the main lesson I learned at home (whether it was the intended one or not): to feel lucky for what I have, and guilty that I don't deserve it. Sounds like a lot of you are my long-lost siblings.

Mazel Tov on the new milestone! It is eerie how much I track with your hearfelt thoughts. If I sent this to my wife, she would think I wrote it. Valley upbringing, career aspirations, friends, family situation are quite similar. Scary similar.

I thought I was a much better writer when I was miserable. I don't do happy. But I look at my kids singing "Take me out to the ballgame", and shouting "Go Dodgers!". I would never go back.

Box of Chocolates.

Jon (fellow Sagatarius):

I turn 45 this Friday. I've bought into the argument that 40 is the new 30. It's true.

I walk my daughter into her schoolyard everyday because that's more important to me than getting to work 15 minutes earlier.

Life is stressful, but life is good if you have a perspective. The cost of living sucks, but you always find a way.

Here's to another decade before self-reflecting again.

#1313

Happy birthday and congratulations.

63 Toy, yes I did. Nicely done. Today it's hard to even imagine how much of a breakthrough his success was for Jewish athletes.

59 No. He does not have Russ Hodges screaming to accompany him for the rest of his life.

Thanks for the introspective look into Jon Weisman. I think any of us who take the time and pain to look deeply will see things we don't like. My own selfishness amazes even me but I am really good at keeping others from seeing it. I appreciate your transparency.

I also apprieciate this site. I can sit and read it at home and not worry about my teen age daughter (Dodger fan also) reading over my shoulder. You have a lot of fans all across the US and even some overseas. Not many can say that.

I have been following this site since early spring and have learned a lot about baseball and occassionally (like today) other things as well.

Congratulations on 40 (I think I can remember 40) and on the new addition. What a blessing!

Jon, I think a lot of people end up falling short of their dreams and expectations. Part of this is due to the culture we live in and the measuring stick we use. The bar that we set for ourselves to reach "success" is very high. Our nature often pushes it just a bit higher as we start getting close.

One thing that helps me a lot is that as I look back on the 20 years since we were at Stanford, and I know I've come a long way since then and am a much better person. The fact that I still have a long way to go to become an even better person doesn't diminish my joy in that accomplishment.

I'm convinced that the "success" you attain in life matters little in the end. What matters is who you are and what you have given to others.

I'm 31 and not married, but I'm certainly familiar with the doubts and anxieties expressed in this post, especially the regret that comes with leaving an alluring but risky career behind for a safer, blander field.

I hate to say it, but there's something reassuring about knowing that I'm not the only one.

I read where the Devil Rays are interested in Cesar Izturis. Great, then Ned can trade for him and complete the circle.

63 Wait, Aviva Kempner's not Hank's daughter though... Or is there another film besides Life and Times of Hank Greenberg?

Anyway, it's a bit misty-eyed, but very well-done.

Best player name born on my bday is Charlie Schmutz. He was a really dirty player, I hear.

Jon, what a wonderful post. Your heart pours on to the page -- well, computer screen -- with this piece, and I for one am thankful to have found Dodger Thoughts years ago. Your hard work is much appreciated, and the community you have fostered here is one to be proud of, for sure (except for D4P -- just kidding!).

Also, having met both bhsportsguy and ToyCannon at DT Day, I would not have guessed either of you were in your 40s if you hadn't said as much.

Vic Raschi, Glenn Davis, Paul Wilson, and Craig Pacquette, among others, share my birthday. No Dodgers share my birthday, but if 2006 draftee Bryan Morris makes it to the big club, he will be the first.

Oh, and happy birthday and congratulations!

76
Will the circle be unbroken?
By and by Lord
By and by

There's a shortstop
Waiting for us
In the sky,
Lord in the sky!

Jon:

Frequent reader, rarely post. Happy Birthday and congrats for adding to your family! I am 39 years old and relate a great deal to what you're saying. I am a recovering perfectionist but frequently relapse. I, too, crave the world and find myself yearning for more and more. While that personality trait seems admirable (and I believe it is) it sometimes causes me to NOT appreciate what I have. And, I have plenty! I have been married for 13 years and I have three beautiful children. I am blessed beyond riches with a wonderful family. I earn a considerable income but like so many, I spend before I earn and while asset-rich, my net worth is to be desired. They say 40 is the new 30! There are so many things to be positive about- so many things for which we all should be grateful. Perhaps a Dodger playoff win or two...or three...will cure all ills. As an aside, I was watching Blue's Clues this AM with my two year old daughter. I found myself searching for Dodger "blue" clues as to what Colletti had in mind for this offseason, but found not a one. Stay positive, appreciate your success and the impact it has on others, and be appreciative for what you have. By the way, when I get in a funk, I make every attempt to be charitable. I find the more I give, the more I get in return. Funny how it ALWAYS works out. I don't mean to preach! Thank you for this excellent resource on our team. Go Dodgers!

Imagine my horror when I discovered that my first child shares a birthday with Reggie Jackson. I must have rerun the query on baseball reference 15 times hoping it would not be true.

Anyway, Jon, you're o.k. by me, and congrats on the big news. I've been going through a similar mix of joy (mostly family) and grief (mostly work). Down here around post 75, I won't bore everyone with the details, but if part of the purpose of this post was to know that you're not alone, well, you're not alone.

I hope you get as much out of DT as the rest of us. The commenters might carry this place for a day or two at a time, but we're nothing without you. I guess I should say I hope you're getting 15-20 times out of DT as the rest of us are getting, given the effort you put in. If you ever decide its not worth it, well I guess I'd understand, but what you've got here would be hard to replace.

78 For me, its lighting and a great hair stylist. ToyCannon on otherhand must be all that clean living and rooting for the Clippers.

I share a birthday with Drew Carey, Ken "I won a lot on Jeopardy!" Jennings, and Shawn Green's 4 HR Game.

woo for me :)

Jon:
Happy Birthday and many more, hopefully with more joy than angst. You have brought a lot of pleasure to your DT acolytes, and, I am sure, your wife and children. The glass is really half full, but I don't feel comfortable being a shrink or a self-help therapist, so I just wish you the best.
I just had my 69th, and am feeling young a happy. Perhaps a new bride has something to do with that. On the birthday front, Spider Jorgensen, Bob Welch and Paul Quantrill as well as Rapid Robert Feller.

74 Or as Jackie Robinson put it, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

Eric Stults was born on a very good day.

As was Juan Samuel.

82
What are the odds that my kid would have the birthday of the two most overpriced FAs on the market this year: Andruw Jones and Carlos Silva.

88 Does the kid have an agent?

Huh. The Dodgers-Boston connection continues in a way with this:
http://tinyurl.com/2wests

Dr. Charles Steinberg, who dramatically transformed the fan experience in Fenway Park in his nearly six years here, is leaving the Red Sox as executive VP for public affairs to accept a top front-office position with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to major league sources. The Dodgers are expected to make the announcement tomorrow.

Today is Charles Schulz's birthday.

Also, on my 9th or 10th birthday, I saved my first sports section for posterity.. I believe it announced Reggie Jackson signing with the Yankees.

I just checked my birthday (in february). I share it with no notable dodgers that I could find, but I do share it with the following: Bug Holliday, Cookie Cuccurullo, and Hoot Evers.

I should have named my son Bug.

And Cookie Cuccurullo. Say that 10 times fast. Starts sounding like an Australian bird.

89
Nope, but he is a rangy left hander with good coordination. His slurve rates as a plus pitch in the 50-60 range with a bouncy ball and his fastball has good bite for someone who is under 34 inches tall.

I should probably call Boras...

90 - Go Dah-juhhhs!

hey, wait since I didn't take it, Jon, you should name your son Bug, after Bug Holliday. Born February 8.

92
My son also shares his birthday with a guy by the name of Harry Cheek...not kidding.

96
In looking an Mr. Cheek's career, he had a 1.250 OPS with an OPS+ of 259.

Only 4 ABs though which is probably why he missed out on the HOF.

I tuned 50 on the ninth. It occurred to me that other than aches and pains (which started at 45), I'm a lot happier at 50 than 40. Things that used to drive me up the wall don't anymore. I don't know is that's age, or being on the other side of illness, or just figuring out why I did some of the things I did, but life looks better at this end of my forties.

91 My favorite saved sports section is from the Kirk Gibson game. On the bottom of the page, there was a story about #1 ranked UCLA (Troy Aikman vintage) beating Cal somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-0. It was a good primer on football at Cal, later to be my alma mater. Despite being soundly beaten, most of the player quotes from Cal dismissed UCLA as "unimpressive" or "not as good as other teams we've played" (roughly paraphrased, of course). They were like a team of restaurant critics. Just something to chuckle about at the start of Big Game week.

Anyone out there think it would be a good idea for the Dodgers to sign Aaron Rowand? Safe to say it'll take at least four years and $50 million. Am open to why it would be a good idea -- or even not a bad idea. Near as I can tell, he's slightly better than fool's gold. I see huge price inflation relating to "scrappiness." Defensively, I see him as a rich man's Repko, fairly capable but over-rated and a significant injury risk. Even while acknowledging his good OPS-plus, I question whether he could flourish away from Philly's bandbox.

100 Rowand > Pierre. That's about it.

More talk re let's see what the kids can do.

Citing the high asking prices for top players on the trade market and the lack of quality among free agents, Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said today that he wouldn't "make a deal to make a deal."

http://tinyurl.com/2ahjxl

As long as he doesn't teach our outfielders how to go after long fly balls, he's okay by me since he is fellow Warrior.

http://tinyurl.com/2bugqg

A less frequently quoted Hughes poem goes:

It's such a bore,
Being always poor.

Thanks for the honest words, Jon. I just turned 58, am a Stanford grad like you, and still feel some of the same career frustrations you do. I have been a very successful father and husband. It sounds like you are, too. Rejoice in that. Everyone my age seems to agree that their happiest times were when their children were small, like yours. Enjoy! The career and money will come at the appropriate time.

I hope that your road straightens out. But please know how much pleasure your site brings to so many folks you may never meet. Thinking about the Dodgers is the only thing, sometimes, that allows me to escape a funk. A small thing to some, perhaps, but not to me. I know other posters on this site must feel the same.

God bless!

UCLA's stay as number 1 in 1988 lasted one week I believe. The Bruins lost at home to Wazzu and the fearsome Timm Rosenbach. Sports Illustrated derided Aikman as a choker after that.

A Martinez is now doing updates on KSPN 710.

106 The Bruins were obviously affected by Cal's criticisms.

Thank you for sharing Jon.....happy birthday, and congrats on the babe....I've got my first baby on the way...a girl that will be here in February...it was very unexpected, I mean very...but I would't have never planned one, so this was the only way I guess.....

So I looked up my birthday...quite a cornucopia of atheletes, though none of them Dodgers.....in baseball I've got George Brett, John Smoltz, Josh Beckett, and....The Fat Toad.

In football I've got Ray Lewis, Rod Smith, Desmond Howard, and....Ryan Leaf.....

hmmmm.....

I accidently clicked on The Juice blog instead of Dodger Thoughts and thought Jon lost his mind...or at least changed his mind regarding Rule #1.

"My football selections last week had the sucking power of Marilyn Chambers during her prime."

Class is so easily taken for granted. When I check out other message boards I feel like when I was a kid visiting a friend whose parents seemed dirtbaggy to me, and I just wanted to run home and hug my mother. Or in this case Jon.

Speaking of, anyone catch the baby Ryan Leaf reference in the Simpsons last night? Quite funny.

"And it's the only mop that's endorsed by me... former NFL draft pick Ryan Leaf" -- as he mops a floor in his jersey. (Wasn't his voice...)

109- Me and you both. May 15th!!! Don't forget we also share birthdays with Hideki Irabu, Tyler Walker, Wavy Gravy, Dan Patrick and Tenzing Norgay!!!

111 That was so funny.

Moved by Jon's 39+1 reflection to post for the first time (on any blog, believe it or not), I'm writing to say, Jon, that I follow Dodger Thoughts not only for the baseball talk but for the perspective and sensibility you bring to it. Clear thinking and clear writing are not easy to find in cyberspace, but I find them in your prose, and sometimes--as in this latest reflection-- it transcends the medium.

From the rarefied heights of age 57, it seems to me that the community you have built at Dodger Thoughts is a singular achievement for someone of 40, or of any age.

If only Ned Colletti would tune in...

I have no idea why the word "baby" appeared in that sentence above. Maybe that's how I see him.

(There were two episodes of the Simpsons on last night, btw, and the second one was funnier...)

112 I forgot Brian Eno!!!

108
The #1 Bruins drew a crowd of around 51,000 at the Rose Bowl. The city was not awash with Bruin Fever.

115
I like any episode that has Sideshow Bob in it. Nice to see the whole family doing voice over work. My wife covered her face in horror when Marge went DVR crazy. What to delete is a constant struggle in her mind.

118 Oh I liked that one, too, laughed out loud a few times, but for some reason the subsequent one made me laugh even more. There have been some good ones lately, after the show was in a rut earlier in the season. Great to see the whole Frasier family doing the Sideshow family, basically.

118 I kept dozing off but that could have been a delayed reaction from Saturday's thrilla at the Rose Bowl.

120
Or 4 days of Turkey

Well happy birthday Jon...as someone said about birthdays...it's better than the alternative. Getting on your soapbox about your age, youngster that you are, is your prerogative (after all it is your blog), I'll take a minute and get on mine. The three Dodger blogs I read everyday, Dodger Thoughts for insight, Son's of Steve Garvey for humorous insight and True Blue LA for statistic insight all had one thing in common this Thanksgiving. All three posted Thanksgiving Day thoughts. On the other hand, on November 11 not one of the three gave thanks to our veterans on Veterans Day. Shame on you. It is not too late to do an article on Dodger Veterans, is it? Even Tommy Lasorda spend a couple years for his country. While not a Dodger player, as a Dodger Fan, I spent 20 years.

Just me but if I was going to use a play of my name and call something Soup's Grill, I would probably have more than just one soup on the menu.

If you are in Woodland Hills, stop by and say hello. There is a connection to the Wiernery but does not appear to be that strong.

http://www.soupsgrill.com/about_us.php

102 - and suddenly my cautious optimism grows more this off season. It's nice to hear that Ned isn't wanting to make a move for the sake of making a move. It's also nice to see that he's come around to the idea that the younger guys don't need more time and is looking to sign place holders.

Now, if someone will just call Jeff Kent and ask him what he wants to do, we can all start booking our trips to Dodger Town.

123 And it still amazes me that anyone who made money doing something else wants to get into the restaurant business, why not just hand money out on the street.

Hopefully, they offer a Suppan Sandwich.

123- If you count Chili, he's got two. Assuming the Soup of the Day isn't Chili, too.

There's a place in Santa Monica, or at least there used to be, called Big Jos. When I was eating there in the 80's their sign always said

Soup of the day: No Soup

Soup is not a meal.

127 Yeah, but I was looking for a strong soup selection since he used that spelling.

Now soup in the summer in Woodland Hills does not sound like a big seller so I guess I could understand the lack of choices.

And I am not sure the place sells beer which may or may not be a good thing.

Also, now days it appears to be the norm that fountain drinks and iced tea are free refills which does cut into your profits.

Wow, I looked at he menu. That place is doomed. If I went outside and looked toward the northwest, I bet I would see buzzards circling.

131- How do you know it's not the best darn tuna salad sandwich of all time? People might come from miles around for that. Or the hot dog; it could easily be just a terrific hot dog.

129 Perfect end to Jon's birthday, random Seinfeld quotes.

GEORGE: I didn't get any bread.
JERRY: Just forget it. Let it go.
GEORGE: Um, excuse me, I - I think you forgot my bread.
SOUP NAZI: Bread -- $2 extra.
GEORGE: $2? But everyone in front of me got free bread.
SOUP NAZI: You want bread?
GEORGE: Yes, please.
SOUP NAZI: $3!
GEORGE: What?
SOUP NAZI: No soup for you! [snaps fingers]

131 But he has the name, if only he had a Fred and Ethel with the know how.

When considering the speculation regarding trading for someone like Cabrera (I am against it for the players mentioned), I wonder if the situation were a little different would I support such a move.

For example, let's say it's 3 years from now, and Kemp, Kershaw, along with Loney, Martin, and Billinsgley are firmly entrenched as bonafide stars in the major leagues. In addition, let's say the Dodgers have comparable talent waiting in the wings with regards to Kemp, Kershaw and LaRoche.

Would the Dodgers be more inclined to trade that talent for someone of Cabrera's talent and age? Would it still be a bad deal?

I mean, you are still giving up the same types of players and getting the same player in return. But the roster is much better then if they were to do the deal now.

Is it timing that makes it a bad deal for the Dodgers right now? Is it timing that might make it a good deal for the Angels now? Are they in a better position to make that deal then the Dodgers are right now?

Does the Tommy Pastrami have the blessing of Lasorda?

129 Neither is potato-chips and cheese on toast, but when I was in college, I always said I was poor by definition >;)

Great story, Jon. There are people all over Toaster I can easily relate to for various reasons like this. I remember kicking and screaming so loud about turning 30, I didn't notice when it actually happened. Then I was awash in a calm that has endured ever since. The difference being that I'm not married or blessed with children like so many of my friends are now. What's sad to me is that as I grow older and further along my path, the distance between me and my friends grows wider because of the dynamics of family and career. I'm a grown man, yet I feel so much like a kid who got lost on the way home.

There's nothing I can really say to a man or woman with a child that they can take as wisdom for their own lives; and though I feel alienated despite no direct action of theirs, I sympathize and remain honestly gregarious. There's too much despair and frustration in the world, let alone in our own consciousness to accept any doubt in yourself, Jon. That's all I can say, besides this: "a friend is someone who believes in you, even when you don't believe in yourself". Congrats and Happy Birthday, pal, and I'll see you around Banter side sometime >;)

Jon, Happy Birthday. I am now 39 + 3 and find that I'm still the same disaster I was when I was 40 - 1. So don't worry about it and enjoy life! And I'll join in thanking you for running the best baseball website there is.

I too am now listing Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness as my favorite. Anyone who takes apart Ken Rosenthal like that is ok with me.

Over the years, I think the LA Times sports section has printed at least three letters from me blasting Plaschke. My favorite was when he did one attacking Kevin Brown and I wrote that until today I didn't know that Tommy Lasorda hated Brown, but now I do, because when Plaschke talks, Lasorda's lips move. The LA Times has lost enough credibility in recent years without its lead sports columnist becoming a bobo for Lasorda.

I should throw in my favorite Lasorda managerial moment. He once brought in the same pitcher two days in a row when it was obvious the other team would send up the same pinch hitter, whose lifetime average against the pitcher was something like .600. Both times, the Dodgers lost on his pinch hits. But thankfully, Tommy knows everything there is to know about baseball. Maybe Plaschke forgot that Jeff Shaw had the contract clause allowing him to opt out when the season ended? Or that Lasorda also ran John Wetteland out of town? Joe Torre should indeed thank Lasorda--he helped Joe win his first Yankees WS.

This post reads like the inspiration for a Frank Capra movie. I am very glad you've made Dodger Thoughts what it is and not another one of the Pottersvilles that seem to fill the blogosphere.

Pottersvilles

Speaking of which:

http://tinyurl.com/2m784q

134 Seriously, does no one get the reference, its not like that show isn't on TV more than Seinfeld and the Simpsons.

Happy Birthday! 39+1 is not so bad. You've made Dodger Thoughts. And that's amazing.

112 I love Brian Eno.

141
Pimping for kudo's? That seems beneath you. You've been talking to Grinch Brock to much lately, has he recovered from the hateful holiday yet?

144 You are right, sorry.

144 You are right, sorry. Did you get my text mail?

I believe Greg Brock hates every holiday except Arbor Day.

He is neutral about United Nations Day.

143 Me too.

146
Did you read that Aboya's broken orbital bone wasn't that bad and he will play against GW?

I love these "Magic's Biggest Secrets Revealed" shows.

But The Alliance probably isn't pleased.

149 Yep, he returns for PrimeTicket's first broadcast of UCLA games.

I'm guessing Brock is already in his week-long shell coming up on the USC-UCLA love fest.

147
He cuts down a tree to celebrate Arbors Day.

146
Yes and Yes

It will be my first foray into the infamous Pauley Pavillion.

154
Be sure to get a picture of yourself next to the plaque with H.R. Haldeman's name on it!

Another tip for Pauley Pavilion: eat before you get there. The food is awful and expensive. However, they serve it quickly.

155 I would agree with that statement but then I have never seen ToyCannon buy foodg at a Dodger, Laker and I'll presume Clipper game (He does eat food he brings in, which you can do at UCLA games).

I'm enjoying the internal conflicts many UCLA fans are having over the USC-UCLA game. Some Bruins fans want UCLA to lose because that will hasten Dorrell's departure.

Or so they think.

It just seems like a rotten way to go about the week.

But I've long been considered soft on USC and accused of sleeping with the enemy. I'm kind of like Helo on BSG.

long time listener, fist time caller. i've been trolling dodger thoughts for about two years now, i love this website. jon, that was an awesome post, my dad turned 50 this year, he's going through a lot of the same stuff you are, so i feel for you. my dad is an great man, he's my hero, as i suspect you are to your kids. there's three kids in my family and i couldn't imagine it any other way. i just turned 25 this year. my friends are all going in seperate directions, some good, some bad. we get together less and less, it sucks. some already have kids, some still work dead end jobs and have no education. i just moved in with my girlfriend of 2 and half years, have been at a great job for about 2 years. i work for the state and don't make all the money in the world, i am just now starting to obsess over money, but i love my job so....i constantly wonder if i'm making all the right moves. thanks for blogging openly and honestly, your ability to keep it real is the reason i read dodger thoughts on a daily basis.

from a fan's perspective.....i became dodger fan in 88 when i was 6 years old, my dad, a life time cards fan, and i were watching the world series. kirk gibson hobbles up to the plate and goes deep. a couple fist pumps later, my dad turns off the tv and looks at me. he says, "always remember that son, it's what sports is all about." he then got up and went to bed. i've been a dodger fan stranded in oklahoma since then. this blog is about the only way to get reliable, interesting, and insightful dodger info for me. for that, i'm thankful.

158 I think that may be what DodgerThoughts is all about, Jon Weisman.

Happy Birthday, Jon. Thanks for this great site.

158- Wow...

158
And they say the world series isn't magical. How many people became Dodger fans in 1988 for the 1st time? How many have wondered why they had such bad timing?

haven't read all the responses, but I can relate to Jon's position in life to a great degree. Similar age (42), married 10 yrs, 3 kids. Most of my college (and earlier) friends don't live nearby anymore.

One way I have found to stay connected with one friend is cell phone chats while driving home. We talk baseball (same roto league), UCLA football/basketball, and kids while we both commute. Cell phone minutes rack up, but it works.

As your kids get older, you will make some good friends among the parents of their friends.

Always good to take stock of where you are.

Oh, and another Li'l Weisman. Congrats!

157
I do not understand rooting for us to lose when it is almost a certainty that we are going to lose.

Am I the only one around here who doesn't automatically assume that posts like 158 are legitimate...?

165 Its funny, people at the games don't actually root for the team to lose but there are lots of smart comments about every play.

Many in the stands were got amazed they tried the trick play on the return, personally, I was impressed that Markey could throw a 30 yard pass and not have it go out of bounds.

12

well said DianaGramr.

I liked Slater laying on the ground hiding.

As Brandon said, that was the best pass at the point in the game.

166
And I thought I was a cynical...

Well, Jon, I'm glad to see you didn't tone your On 40 reflections on my account!

Mazel Tov on number 3, and here's hoping the health issues you mention all resolve peaceably.

Others have made most of the points I would make above. I'll just say, while none of us is perfect, your fundamental decency and goodness are totally obvious and undeniable to those who've read you here over the years. And I, for one, am glad to call you a friend.

-- sam

If this was mentioned earlier my apologies from MLB Trade Rumors.com >>>Mike Piazza is considering DHing in Japan if he doesn't find anything he likes in the U.S.

Happy Birthday Jon, congrats on the newcomer, and thanks for the best blog in sports. Your post today effected me a lot more than I had expected it to, but in a good way. You have a way of eloquently and efficiently describing what so many of your readers are thinking (dodgers related or otherwise), but in a honest and unpretentious way, and that's what keeps us coming back (much more often than we probably should by the way). With fear of this sounding like a _____ Anonymous support group, I will briefly chime in with this: I am about to turn 31 this new years eve, and I just got married a couple of weeks ago...so I definitely am at a crossroads of sorts. Despite what I have conjured up in my head as to the type of person I am and the success or lack of success I have achieved, I definitely received a humbling of sorts when during the wedding, the speeches made about me were, let's just say, in tribute to me, but not necessarily for the qualities and character traits I wished I possessed or exemplified more of. I think it's a constant struggle to balance being a good person, being a good husband, being a good friend, and being a good provider, and noone is perfect at it (not even close). However, I strongly believe in this - life can be really harsh in many ways, and the truth can really hurt, but it's never too late to try to become a better person, and the day we stop trying and striving to be better (in all aspects) is really the day we die.

Thanks again Jon.

Jon, 45, married 20yrs, two kids and a career that has been restarted for the 3rd time. Seems whenever I enter a new decade a layoff or rif enters my life. After the 2nd which cost me my dream home, car and being close to my parents. I find myself today torn between being happier as a man/dad and miserable as a financial provider for the family.

In the end it's what you do with the twists and turns of life that matters. I have always wanted to write a novel; instead I spend my days finding dirt on computers of ex-executives for lawsuits. Mot what I intended to due with my life. A few months ago my wife gave me permission to spend an "hour" a day working on my novel. Not that I needed her permission. But she understood that I was reluctant to work on what I considered a "fun" project instead of something that makes money. Give yourself an hour - you deserve it.

Keep your chin up - your wife and your kids are the most important things in your life and they deserve your attention. Finances can be a constant source of stress; as it seems the more you earn the larger your appetite for money grows.

Great blog that I read everyday - no matter where I am.

Happy Birthday and congratulations to you and your wife. I know full well the angst of dreams deferred. I don't think a dream deferred though is a dream abandoned. You will find the time to write your screenplay. That time may not be now. When the time comes for you to write the screenplay, I think I can speak for people like myself who have enjoyed this site that we will understand if you need to step back from this excellent blog.

Stan from Tacoma

166 d4p, not sure why you don't think my post was legitimate. i was just trying to say thanks to jon and share why i'm a dodger fan. with that said, i also enjoy your posting on this blog. hopefully i'll blog more and you can become less cynical of my views and opinions as well.

Bill Doba joins the ranks of fired coaches.

176
D4P sometimes makes Larry David look like the happiest guy on earth.

Jon, I hope that when I'm 40 I have the following that you do with the crew here at Dodger Thoughts. I love the perspective you bring to life and the Dodgers, the kind of vision I've never seen before or since on any of the big time web sites. Never give up the dream! Hey, there is always a chance to get a good screenplay out to Warner Bros.

Happy Birthday, buddy.

Jon, I always thought of you as an ageless source of wisdom and insight. I still think you're wise and insightful, but now I'm aware that you're 40. Happy Birthday and congratulations on kid #3.

And to throw it out there, I share a birthday with Alexander Graham Bell, Grady Little, and according to DB, the Kirk Gibson eyeblack incident.

from Heyman

The Dodgers also have what it would take to land Cabrera, and like their neighbors 45 minutes down I-5, also have money left over from their truncated run at A-Rod. But the Dodgers have been reluctant to surrender their better prospects: outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, first baseman James Loney, third baseman Andy LaRoche and pitchers Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw

I would love if national writers understand that only 2 out of the 6 players mentioned are prospects.

Bluebleeder....I never asked you what you thought of the show...

The field in Pittsburgh tonight reminds me of what it was like trying to keep stats for most high school football games. The rain there has wiped out nearly all the yard lines.

Jon can probably remember times when a play would end and you would think to yourself, "I guess that's the 42. Let's give the kid a 5-yard gain."

135 - are you talking about trading the young comparable talent or the entrenched stars? I definitely think it's a matter of timing, either way. Right now, the price is too high as it creates too many holes in the current line up and the future line up and rotation. But if the Dodgers contend the next couple of years and it looks like they are that magical "one piece away" from winning it all, then I'd definitely look at trading prospects for a bona fide star, a la Cabrarra.

181- It amazes me how little national sportwriters/pundints know about the sports they cover.....

181 - I thought Ethier stopped being a prospect by the time we signed Kershaw.

Jon, thanks for the candid post. Many congrats on turning 40. My son turns 5 today. We almost lost him the day he was born. So often when tragedy rears it's ugly head (and it has the past few weeks) I stop, thank God for the moment I'm in and all that I have.

This is a great blog. I say that all the time. I've been reading it forever and still get excited when I see a new post pop up on my RSS feed. Thanks Jon.

Again congrats on the new little Dodger!

Like you said, Go DODGERS!

Happy Birthday Jon!

181 Ha! I thought the exact same thing when I read that article.

Jon, happy birthday and congratulations on the family addition. Thank you for the ample food for thought in your post today. My own birthday approaches this weekend, when I will turn 47. It's not a round number, but for some reason, it is a number that, for me, is making 50 visible on the horizon, and causing me to consider my life in retrospect a little. One line in your post immediately jumped out at me, "...unless the fact that my life belongs more to others is the real evolution."

That is a kernel to hold on to. In fact, I believe that we will never know how much our lives belong to others, or what others gain from us, and it is probably better that way. But here at DT we can tell you, so thanks for providing us this forum where you can share your thoughts with us and we can commiserate and celebrate together the lows and highs we experience, both as Dodgers fans and fellow inhabitants of the planet.

I love this thread for all the first-time and once-in-a-blue-moon posters its brought here. Thank you to everyone for sharing.

49ers and Huskies about to tip off... according to my sources, Washington is a 24 point favorite. Here's hoping the experts are very, very wrong.

I'm hoping the Steelers and Dolphins can finish with the first scoreless tie in the NFL since 1943.

Rumors:

Kirk Ferentz to Michigan
Mike Leach to Arkansas
Houston Nutt to Ole Miss

I have a feeling Jon's post is gonna haunt me in about a decade. Why can't we all just stay 25 forever.

#24- not so, on the first parent/child posts. My son posts and I do occasionally. I have retained my anonymity lest saying something dopey I embarrass the poor child.
#36- nice Langston Hughes post. I have given much thought to that particular poem as the years have passed and expectations sometimes diminish. I love Hughes' line about Harlem "where a nickel costs a dime"
Jon, a poignant musing on life. I recently hit 60, which for a true child of the 60's is a bit strange. If I knew I would live this long..... Actually I'm still thrilled with life, love my wife and family, hardly ever kick the dog, can still work 8 hard hours and top it off with a couple games of 21, am rich with friends. I have followed the Dodgers since Wally Moon and Tommy and Willie Davis. I like the kids and hope we keep them. Happy holidays to one and all.

191 I probably qualify these days as a "once-in-a-blue-moon" guy.

Happy Birthday, Jon. The kids keep you young. Enjoy them while they're with you, because by the time you turn 60, they'll be doing their own thing, hopefully inspired by their principled upbringing.

And of course, another generation of Dodger fans.

Happy Birthday, #26. For whatever it's worth, you are doing what I wish I could be doing: making a living out of writing (and about the Dodgers no less!). You do it all exceedingly well.

Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
-Dylan

Happy 40 Jon and thank you for making my life better every single day.

And thank you guys for being a part of it.

To: 39+1
From: 54+1

Congratulations on the pending arrival of your third child.

Happy bithday, it's not that bad.

What a great place DT is, for me and all the others.

This you already know.

Many, Many thanks.

six and a half to go in the first half, Huskies lead the 49ers by 16. I very much dislike Washington.

I try to read DT every day, but I've only posted once or twice. I too would like to express happy birthday to Jon and thanks for creating and maintaining this outstanding vehicle for Dodger fans to voice their emotions and opinions about the team (and other fun subjects).

As many of us do, I feel connected to Jon through DT despite having never met him - not just through our shared love of the Dodgers, but through the approach to analyzing the game, a Stanford connection (I'm class of 1996), a love of quality film and TV (The Office and Scrubs, for starters), etc.

But I never felt more connected than today, despite my being 6 years Jon's junior. My wife of 4.5 years and I are expecting our first child in January, and that has caused me to begin taking stock of my life. I too feel like I denied myself a dream. I've wanted to work in politics since I was 3 but abandoned the dream after getting married. Politics is simply incompatible both with supporting and sharing time with family. I too share the experience of close friends moving away, though we've recently made some new ones. For the first time, I like the job I've had for the past two years. It's work, of course, but it pays an amount about which I can't complain and I get fresh new challenges nearly every day.

I guess I'm just hoping, in the end, that I've chosen a different (better?) dream - to create a loving family with my wife. She's definitely a keeper, so I'm optimistic.

Congrats on #3 Jon, and here's hoping the next decade brings you everything you want and need(and a Dodgers' world series or two wouldn't hurt!).

Dolphins have a chance against the Steelers?.....this certainly throws a wrench into the "Steelers can beat New England" prognosis that the Belichik haters so desperatly cling to.

I just stumbled across this.

http://nomaas.org/dodgers.html

Basically, Yankee fans believing they can take advantage of the Dodgers because of Colletti/Torre

The Times' Colletti interview is gift for Jon, no?

There isn't a single thing he says I disagree with.

The value of young players is high now. The kind of swap the Marlins want is out of line, which is what Ned's been saying for a week. With talented FA's going for upwards of $18-$20 million, having guys like Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Billingsley etc. under team control for several more years is of incalculable value. Will they all be superstars? Probably not, but I'm glad Ned is "curious" to find out. That's where I'm at too.

On the other hand, it might be worth a sacrifice for the right pitcher. Not for Santana, who's a one year rental. But maybe for Bedard. Adding a potentially great pitcher who's still pretty young is worth a promising everyday player and a pitching prospect. I would not rebel against such a deal.

I'm sure Jeff Kent choked on his turkey jerky when he read this story, but life goes on. Either we have Kent or we have $9 million. It's not exactly the pit of despond.

Ned, you're looking okay right now.

Jon--really glad you decided to go ahead and post your birthday reflections. I found them very honest and moving.
39+5 myself, in a career (teaching) I truly enjoy, and yet I still find my mind jumping to other possibilities (lawyer! no, editor!).
I'm very grateful for the time and care you invest in Dodger Thoughts--your posts are must-read every day, and your guidance and standards for the blog make it a rewarding community to spend time with.
Somehow contentment and satisfaction are the standards by which we are encouraged to measure our lives, but I can name few contented people who accomplish truly notable things--discontent is the pebble in the oyster. You have achieved some wonderful things in life--a solid family, joy in your children, good writing. If that isn't enough for you, if you're still restless and searching for growth, achievement, challenge--if that's what keeps you humble and engaged in the process of life--well, it is what it is.
I do wish you peace, but am grateful for the pearls.

203
The game is scoreless with about three minutes left, but the field in Pittsburgh is essentially unplayable.

The Steelers are actually in the red zone. First team to do it all night.

184 I was speaking of trading the comparable or young talent. Not trading Kemp or Kershaw etc. And thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it.

I just got to thinking about fans being wary of the Angels trading for Cabrera and wondering why the Dodgers couldn't. It just feels like now is not the time for the Dodgers to do a move like that, but it does make sense for a team like the Angels who are further along with their roster.

Sort of like the saying there are no bad stocks, just bad timing!

Anyway, I wondered if other Dodger fans felt that way, or if it was just me.

The Beach manages to cut the lead to 8 at the half. Not too bad, given they've been playing sloppy most of the game.

4th down inside the 10 for the Steelers, field goal should be fun

Lucky Steelers.

Wish I wasn't so late to this party but Happy Birthday and congratulations Jon. It's been said before but you really have a lot to be proud of with the building of this community alone. In the end, I think nothing (not even money) trumps relationships and look at all the relationships that DT has created and fostered. It has literally given birth to friendships. What a thing!
As a guy who turned 40 this year as well, I feel a kinship and enjoyed this post more than any I've ever read, thanks for sharing.
I'm kinda the other side of the same coin. I've done well in business and have more money than I need (no you can't have the rest =) ) But I'm also single (by choice) without kids. There's always room to question your choices no matter how blessed those choices seem.
Finally, I will offer what I'd like to think is a bit of wisdom.
Although I'd like to think of myself as the Archbishop of Atheism, I do like to borrow one concept that is popular with the Christian folk... Forgiveness.
Forgiveness of others but more to the point, forgiveness of yourself. You wouldn't be so hard on anyone else for the shortcoming you see in yourself. Give yourself a break. Every single person here would tell you you deserve it.

[207-203]A blocked kick would have been great right there.

Dolphins - How can a pro team be like this?

Thanks again, everyone. New post up top.

Jon,
You may think you have alot of shortcomings; I know we all do. But, you are honest, and that is not a small thing, to me.

Oh, and yes it's true, we find our lives when we lose them.

Happy birthday:)

If 50 is the new 30, you're still a pup. Thanks for sharing your lost dream thoughts. I wanted to be a sportswriter...Alas, I'm a rotten writer...observant, but not very creative. I enjoy DT as often as I can. I appreciate your blog because it's insightful and not juvenile. You question Ned etal without being condescending. I enjoy MSTI, but I share more of your thoughts with my friends because I'm not embarrassed by the language.

Thanks again for DT...Happy Birthday and congratulations on the new Weissman to be.