I bet this is what Luke felt when he found out that Darth Vader is his father.

You're killing Independent Jon!

That is so awesome. The Office is my favorite TV show, and FJM is one of my favorite blogs.

It's actually more like finding out Verbal was really Keyser Soze.

3 It's more conflicting when you love The Office and hate Fire Joe Morgan.

3 Yeah. That's better.

So I can blame dak for Frank TV?

I'm mostly wishing that the "reveal" was done Mexican-wrestling style as Bob asked/suggested.

Jon, do you think Michael/Ken Tremedous was cognizant of the fact that the Jon Weisman he was skewering on FJM was the same Jon Weisman that had interviewed him for Variety?

wow. this has me rattled.

7 i think i'd prefer it if he was still masked, like the eradicator from kids in the hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8f23IRy554

8 I had that thought too but since I operate anonymously here, I'm not sure how I would approach that.

You think you can catch Ken Tremendous? You think a guy like that comes this close to getting IDed and sticks his head out? If he writes about anything, it will be to get run me down. After that, my guess is you'll never hear from him again.

Whats next? The guy from Dodgerblues.com is really J.J. Abrams?

This is crazy.

Rhetorical question: Who's Michael Schur?

Looks like at least one person guessed it:

http://www.teamsiliconvalley.org/sports/im-on-to-you-ken-tremendous/

8 - I really don't know. I doubt the interview was of any moment for him, but Ken T. said he had read this blog, and my affiliation with Variety is no secret.

Someday, perhaps, I'll get to ask him.

9 - ERADICATOR!

There are never enough KITH references.

15 - That was some nice detective work.

Anyway, I was sorry to interrupt the regular Dodger conversation from the last thread. Carry on...

NL West pitching similarity scores based on the following (HR/9, K/9 and BB/9).

For Dodger pitchers:
Pitcher: Overall most similar/Overall least similar/LAD most similar/LAD least similar.

Penny: Francis/Jimenez/Lowe/Loaiza
Lowe: Francis/Jimenez/Penny/Guo
Billingsley: Cain/Maddux/Schmidt/Lowe
Kuroda: Maddux/Jimenez/Lowe/Guo
Schmidt: Billingsley/Maddux/Billingsley/Kuroda
Loaiza: Hirsh/Webb/Lowe/Penny
Guo: Schmidt/Cook/Schmidt/Kuroda

Two most similar NL West pitchers are Lowry/Hensley.
2008 ZIPS used for data.

vr, Xei

14 Drop the "Rhetorical" and it's a perfect Shruteism

I am still waiting to find out if Milton Knox is going to make one of Bob's lists.

Non-rhetorical question: What's a Shruteism?

So, if he's a T.V. writer does that mean that Ken Horrendous is on strike?
vr, Xei

For all you UCLA fans out there on signing day:

Comprised of four ESPN 150 members and six prospects with a Scouts Inc. grade of 80 or higher, Rick Neuheisel has to be pleased with the class he inherited (with the help of DaWayne Walker) and signed today.

Aundre Dean (Katy, Texas) was a major land for the Bruins out of the state of Texas; he's a top-10 running back with good explosiveness and burst between the tackles. Joining Dean in the backfield will be quarterback Nick Crissman (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison), no doubt a future stud under the tutelage of Neuheisel.

The offensive class needed young depth at tight end and landed another top-10 positional prospect in Cory Harkey (Chino Hills, Calif.). Underrated No. 6 safety prospect E.J. Woods (Culver City, Calif./Crespi Carmelite) is a balanced run and pass supporter and should fill a void at defensive back with perhaps the fastest safety in this class, Rahim Moore (Los Angeles/Dorsey). Cornerback also got some quality depth and versatility with ESPN 150 prospect Anthony Dye (Corona, Calif./Santiago), while special teams got a big boost with the commitment of Jeff Locke (Glendale, Ariz./ Mountain Ridge).

Off topic but does anyone know what time the US-Mexico friendly soccer game played today is on TV? Assuming it is... can't seem to find it for some reason. Btw, nice article on that rivalry, by Martin Rogers on Yahoo today. Lots of good young players now for Mexico, should make for many fun matches in the years ahead.

23 - As a Writers Guild of America member, he is.

25
6:00 on ESPN2

24
Do not trust ESPN for scouting. They are the worst scouting service there is. They barely see most of the prospects and they definitely under-rate West Coast recruits.

Do not trust ESPN for (xxxxxx). They are the worst (xxxxxx) there is. They barely see most of the (xxxxxx) and they definitely under-rate West Coast (xxxxxx).

I feel like this news is approaching Lakers-get-Gasol levels in that I want to grab my cell phone and call somebody. Problem is, nobody I know has any clue about FJM.

27 Thanks! Would've helped if I'd just checked the Yahoo TV section, duh.

Btw, that FJM piece on the Manning-Rivers trade is priceless. I did laugh long and hard at that one.

28 , 29
I can agree with that in most cases, but in this case their opinion tends to line up fairly well with Rivals.com, which has them currently 9th and Scouts.com, which has them currently 12th in the recruiting derby.

In this case, ESPN just had a better summary of the UCLA class than the others had currently.

30 I feel the same way.

According to ESPN, the Shaq trade is official.

wow.

From previous thread:

104. Unless I'm mistaken, Saito couldn't pitch in Japan because he's not a free agent. In fact, the Dodgers have the right to renew his contract whether he likes it or not. So his two choices are either pitch for the Dodgers or don't play baseball.

You are correct.

>> A contractual agreement between Major League Baseball and the Japanese leagues prevents Saito from pitching in Japan unless the Dodgers release him. His only negotiating leverage was the possibility he could retire. <<

http://tinyurl.com/2c3xh9

going back a couple of hours to the thread about Dr. Steinberg and the notion of promotions and "fads" at the stadium. Not sure if I have the exact timing on this, but I was at a game towards the end of the season a few years ago when Fox still owned the club. At some point during the game, an animated Dodger-like character appeared on the big screen above left field and began some kind of go-Dodger act. Spontaneously, fans began booing and the boos were quite loud. That evening I sent an email to the team complaining about the use of this animated figure. I got an email back a few days later from someone in the marketing dept asking me to elaborate on my objections, which of course I did. To my knowledge, Fox dropped the "thing" and it never re-appeared. Does anyone else remember this?

37 If we're thinking of the same thing, I wrote an article about him a while ago.

http://www.truebluela.com/story/2006/12/29/123516/48

So, it appears the Dodgers did receive something in return:

>> and D.J. Houlton was sold to Japan. <<

http://tinyurl.com/277zct

Kobe and Nash are going to be participating in the three point contest this year.

Finally, the long awaited match-up of Kobe vs Kapono!

Kobe is 74th among qualifying players in three point shooting percentage this season.

I would like to see a slam dunk contest featuring Kobe, Vince Carter, and LeBron.

42
And a fresh out of retirement Harold Miner to round out the competition! Hey, he's only 36.

Unfortunately, every time I think of Miner, I also think of stupid James Forrest and his stupid shot ruining what could have been a Final Four run for the Trojans!

42
The thing I notice about those three is that they're exciting dunkers.

42 Kobe's too old for slam dunk contests. Same with Vince. LeBron ought to do one, though.

The new Cardboard Gods is great.

"Some years after I first used this card to dream myself into the dream of America, Steve Garvey left the team with the red, white, and blue uniform. The jarring sight of him in nauseous brown and yellow foreshadowed the coming disillusionment that he was at least as complicated and fallible as anyone else."

he was at least as...fallible as anyone else

Except, of course, for his hair.

Rule of thumb: If you get named "Baby ___" after another player, that's a pretty good sign you'll amount to nothing.

Baby Shaq: No good.
Baby Jordan: No good.

Orlando Cepeda's an exception, but I don't think he was named after Broxton anyway.

If we are talking about the greatest dunking Trojans then give me Jeff Trepagnier.

Wow, this really is a world-rocking revelation. And he's Mose, he was in an episode I just saw this past weekend (I got Season Two from Netflix).

I fired off two emails immediately. It's definitely the kind of news you want to be the one to break. To the right people. Jon is particularly lucky to get to break it to all the DT crowd (and a couple of BB-ers too)!

37
I remember that event.
It was the final game of the year in 1998.
http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1998/B09270LAN1998.htm

43
HOLY MACKEREL! HOLY MACKEREL!

52
The James Forrest game marked the last time that I wrote a team into my official NCAA bracket before the game was actually over.

41 - "Kobe is 74th among qualifying players in three point shooting percentage this season."

3-point percentage is often misleading in that it can vary depending on your role or your team, independent of your skill. For a great example check out Derek Fisher's year-by-year percentages.

Additionally, Kobe arguably shoots the most difficult and contested 3-point shots in the game, so for Kobe to be shooting 35% is, to me, astounding. Look for that percentage to go up with Gasol and Bynum on the floor.

I hope this isn't too political, but reports are coming in that Obama is beating Clinton really badly on fundraising. She just loaned herself 5 million dollars*1*, her senior staff is working without pay 2 and he supposedly is on pace to replicate his record 32 million dollar month from last month 3. Despite narrowly winning the popular vote last night (not including the caucuses) some think that Hillary might be in a lot of trouble going forward- especially since the races in month of February look good for Obama.

1: http://tinyurl.com/yrg9vn
2: http://tinyurl.com/ywunsp
3: http://tinyurl.com/2mes72

I wanted to see what everyone thought, so I hope I didn't break the rules.

Ok, Ok. I need to let everyone know, I am Spartacus.

55 Might be better discussed on the primary thread Jon created yesterday? (but personally I do find it interesting)

56 No, no, I'm Spartacus!

{removes mask} And if it wasn't for you meddling bloggers I might've gotten away with it, too!

I wanted to see what everyone thought

I think it's funny that you made footnotes.

53
My brother was at that game covering it for the Daily News. It was played in Milwaukee. He said it was very, very, very, very cold there. He missed out on a trip to the regional in Kansas City because of that. USC would have advanced to play Memphis State and Penny Hardaway.

Memphis State made it to the regional final and lost to Cincinnati for the fourth time that year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tks-SXUbKok

59 - I watched that game from the sports editor's office at the Daily News. I think I wrote an Al Mcguire column or notebook item around that time.

LA Times: Scott came close to UCLA

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

"The decision came down to Monday, and I was very much tempted by UCLA," Scott told The Times. "I just didn't have enough time to establish a relationship with the coaching staff. I probably would have gone there if I did."

Lame!!!

60
I hope Tom's copy came in clean and wasn't picked apart like they do with all the writers on the Baltimore Sun on "The Wire."

62 - Did he make up the ending to make the story more dramatic?

To commenter Joe Pierre:

E-mail me, and maybe we can sort through the problem/question you had with ordering a DT shirt. Thanks.

If anyone else had problems, let me know.

Dodger Thoughts: Where customer service is a priority even if your name is J. Pierre.

That superbike post at FJM was really funny. The Ernie Accorsi one was great as well. I need to go there more often.

How flabbergasting.

Uona Kavienga just committed to USC. And Milton Knox makes sure not to get on Bob's bad side by committing to UCLA.

Kavienga is now enemy number 1 for Bruin Report Online.

My proscription list has been shortened by one!

Milton, welcome to the family!

My local network coverage of the Duke-UNC game features Billy Packer. Billy Packer!

65 Imagine the Dodgers finally having a player who shares your family name, but it's Juan Pierre. For me, while Matt Young was ineffective, at least it was only for one season.

69
I'm watching soccer.

And I get John Harkes as the color commentator for USA-Mexico! John Harkes!

Interestingly, I hate John Harkes AND Billy Packer.

This is sort of like when Stephen King's early pen name was starting to leak so he decided to go public. Hope one of them doesn't meet Stark or get engulfed in sparrows!

Looks like the steroids case just got tougher for Clemens. McNamee apparently saved vials and syringes supposedly used by Clemens. DNA test results should be interesting.

74 The Griddle is cooking this.

Yikes.

One of my bosses lives and breathes UNC basketball.

He has a big piece of the old court on his wall.

Lookin like a long day tomorrow.

But still time.

Phone is ringing...(Someone, somewhere in the world answers...)

Dodgerthoughts Customer Service...How may I help you....yes, uh huh, and to help with your order can I please have your last name and first initial?

Okay Mr Pierre how can we help? Oh really? Oh no... we are sorry...

In order to receive your 2008 dodger related gear you will need to drive down to LAX. There will be a ticket waiting for you at the travel desk at Polynesian Air. You must board the 6:17 PM flight on March 3rd.. Upon arriving in Tonga it is imperative that you discard all communication devices, including labtops and cell phones due to the local curse of Tuʻi Malila. It is here you will earn your PHD where there are more PHDs per capita than any other country in the world! In 4 years from April 2, which is the first day of spring classes here in Tonga, after earning your PHD you will be eligible to be rewarded your Dodger gear....Inside your dodger gear there is a GPS tracking device. Activate the device and a helicopter will be there within 6 hours. Remember, no GPS device, no way out of Tonga besides Canoe. Oh, wait, hold up... I am sorry Mr. Pierre it looks like there are duplicates in the system, can you spell your first name?

J-0-E? So you are not J-U-A-N? Well in that case we will overnight it to you via fedex express. Will there be someone there to sign for it tommorrow between 2:00 and 5:00?

So, I'm watching soccer. Ha! First offsides call recorded within two minutes of turning the game on.

Is Freddy Adu good? He was on 60 Minutes a few years ago as a twelve year old (or whatever) signing a big money soccer contract, but I haven't heard anything about him, since.

Second offsides call. C'mon guys, no fair trying to score.

What happens to Miami's game against Atlanta that was going to have the final minute replayed because Shaquille O'Neal was incorrectly fouled out of the game?

The replay is March 8. But there's no Shaq.

Five yellow cards doesn't sound so friendly. Do the yellow cards carry over to real games, or do they not matter, since it's an exhibition game?

The cards count up in CONCACAF matches only I believe.

I could ask an authority to get the answer, but my brother's company email server has blacklisted me.

55 - What if Todd Helton loaned money to the Rockies?

82- To be fair, I'm sure he warned you to stop forwarding him your Mike Gravel spam.

I hope some of those 90K tickets were sold to Dodger fans. I have a bad feeling that Red Sox Bandwagon is going to make its presence felt in a big way for that game. The Coliseum is gonna resemble a very large Fenway Park (complete with a ridiculous wall in left field).

Am I jaded for disagreeing with that comment (from a couple of threads ago) I'm sure BoSox fans will be representing but not to the degree DL expressed. Nothing personal DL, just disagree with the comment.

80 What happens to Miami's game against Atlanta that was going to have the final minute replayed because Shaquille O'Neal was incorrectly fouled out of the game?

Shaq trade won't stop Hawks-Heat do-over

>> Neither Marion nor Banks will be allowed to play. But they will be allowed to play in the regularly scheduled game, which will begin after the replay is completed. <<

http://tinyurl.com/yuheuf

86
Sort of defeats the purpose of playing that minute over now doesn't it?

86 That is the funniest thing I've heard in a while.

With the Heat getting rid of Shaq, kinda vindicates Kupchak a bit more, eh?

I have been told that yellow cards in friendlies don't carry over to anything and are just for show.

ONPUT