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About Jon
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
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12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Torre Pledges To Rest Martin More
2008-02-22 17:44
by Jon Weisman

At MLB.com, Ken Gurnick updates us on how Joe Torre plans to handle Russell Martin's workload :

"We had a quick chat on the field and the main thing is he wanted me to know what to expect," said Martin. "I've got to listen to a guy with his experience. He pretty much said he wants me to have a day off a week." ...

Even when Martin would take a rare day off last year, he would be seen running around the outfield shagging fly balls during batting practice or even taking grounders in the infield. That might also change.

"Maybe on days off, I have to shut it down and not do anything," he said. "I've had a lot of catchers with experience tell me when you take a day off, they're off. And take a mental day off. I'm used to thinking that every game is important, so I never want to not play. But last year, I saw how those games at the end of the year were so valuable and I wish I had felt better toward the end than I did."

* * *

Nomar Garciaparra, emergency catcher? Maybe not, but he's not opposed to it, according to The Associated Press:

Garciaparra said he's prepared to play any position and joked he could take Russell Martin's place behind the plate if necessary, though Martin's Gold Glove and Silver Slugger season last year would suggest his spot is safe.

"Ask (Jason) Varitek - he was always scared," Garciaparra said, referring to his former Boston teammate. "He didn't want me to go back to catching. You think I'm joking, but ask him. ... I was the third-string catcher on the USA Team. It was a good thing I never had to get back there, but I was."

Catcher was Garciaparra's favorite position growing up, and he played it intermittently all the way through high school.

His last time pitching was an intrasquad game in college his freshman year at Georgia Tech, and he has moved around the infield during his 12 years in the majors.

"It's like being a kid," Garciaparra said. "I played everywhere. My favorite baseball player was Bugs Bunny. He played all nine positions in one game."

Comments (54)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-02-22 17:59:20
1.   Zak
Everybody knows Bugs Bunny was on greenies.
2008-02-22 17:59:35
2.   MC Safety
Can't go wrong with a Looney Tunes reference.
2008-02-22 18:02:24
3.   MC Safety
From last thread: I have the iMac that's just the base with the screen attached to it, and its been awesome up until like two days ago when all of a sudden I can't burn a cd. I can import albums into iTunes no sweat, just no burning. Something with the laser not being powerful enough to calibrate or something. Anyone have any idea how much that will cost to fix?
2008-02-22 18:02:41
4.   bigcpa
Dumb question, does a 6-game week with an open date count as a day of rest for Martin?
2008-02-22 18:07:37
5.   StolenMonkey86
4- first they bring the rabbit inside the castle. Then, Launcelot, Sir Gallahad and I jump out of the rabbit and take them by surprise.
2008-02-22 18:19:02
6.   StolenMonkey86
which is to say, Martin still manages to start 140 games.

Although interestingly, Torre never caught more than 114 games, although he would play first or something for 35 other games

2008-02-22 18:26:10
7.   Eric Enders
Defensively, Torre was a really good hitter.
2008-02-22 18:28:36
8.   bigcpa
5 Not sure how that answers my query good sir knight. Now I want you stay here... and make sure... he doesn't leave... the room.
2008-02-22 18:30:25
9.   Eric Enders
On the seventh day, the Golden God rests.
2008-02-22 18:37:18
10.   MC Safety
Anybody know anything about this new Japanese catcher we signed?

(Bob)

2008-02-22 18:53:07
11.   El Lay Dave
10 No. I found only his baseball cube entry and a USA Today note putting him in a list of name of players released from a Frontier League team last May.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/I/Fumimasa-Ishibashi.shtml

2008-02-22 19:06:47
12.   ibleedbloo
Speaking of Torre behind the plate, I like the "chicken catcher Torre" story that Vin tells.
2008-02-22 19:07:02
13.   El Lay Dave
From Gurnick's Minor League Report, FWIW:
"They told me I'm going back to starting, and that's what I'm prepared to do. But if they need me to relieve and it gets me to the Major Leagues, I'm happy to do it. Whatever I can do to get there and help." -- Jon Meloan
2008-02-22 19:09:57
14.   El Lay Dave
From the Gurnick article Jon linked:
"[Kemp] has been trumpeted as the heir apparent and a guy with a big upside, and it's all true, ... " Torre said.

Torre has now seen with his own eyes. He has that stats. Now he knows what he must do.

2008-02-22 19:16:59
15.   MC Safety
11 He's from LA Pierce College. I've never heard of that school.
2008-02-22 19:18:25
16.   El Lay Dave
Gurnick's Minor League Report also features a rare mythological creature photo.
http://tinyurl.com/yt9b4h
2008-02-22 19:18:56
17.   Disabled List
"Maybe on days off, I have to shut it down and not do anything," he said. "I've had a lot of catchers with experience tell me when you take a day off, they're off. And take a mental day off. I'm used to thinking that every game is important, so I never want to not play. But last year, I saw how those games at the end of the year were so valuable and I wish I had felt better toward the end than I did."

All the talk about whether Martin was worn out at the end of the season has just been put to bed. That quote settles it, as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully Torre, a former catcher, will be sympathetic, and give Russell the days off he needs.

2008-02-22 19:21:09
18.   CanuckDodger
14 -- "Heir apparent" to what? You have to be the heir apparent to SOMETHING or the words are meaningless.
2008-02-22 19:23:00
19.   El Lay Dave
15 It's a community college in the west San Fernando Valley. My wife went to nursing school there. Several major leaguers played there, including Coco Crisp and old friends Rick Auerbach and Rick Dempsey.
2008-02-22 19:27:18
20.   El Lay Dave
18 ¿Quién sabe? Right Field? #3 hitter? Dodger superstardom? Good part of worst trade in Dodger history? - naw, that scare has passed.
2008-02-22 19:37:32
21.   Bluebleeder87
His last time pitching was an intrasquad game in college

I'm thinking he [Garciaparra] probably could light up the gun at 90-92MPH the guys got a gun.

2008-02-22 19:39:07
22.   Jon Weisman
Pierce College, from my Woodland Hills hometown!
2008-02-22 19:40:02
23.   dsfan
So Nomar is willing to play catcher and is a versatile athlete....why are the Dodgers waiting to get him some flyballs and turn him into a super-utility man?
2008-02-22 19:43:14
24.   Bluebleeder87
However, manager Joe Torre said he expected to see Kershaw throw a bullpen session or pitch in a Major League exhibition game before training camp breaks.

This sounds mighty tasty, great appetizer to whats to come from him one hopes. But seriously, if anything it would be cool watching him pitch, I've yet to see whats doing with him.

2008-02-22 19:45:26
25.   berkowit28
14 Heir apparent to (be) the King of Baseball, is what I think he means. Not necessarily to a particular king reigning at the moment (though he might have had one in mind). Royal slugger. Etc.
2008-02-22 20:06:54
26.   dsfan
My expectation is that Schmidt and Loaiza will quickly show themselves to be inadequate. My fear is that Kershaw will be rushed as a result.
2008-02-22 20:16:42
27.   Bob Timmermann
This may be hard to believe, but I do not have an encyclopedic knowledge of every baseball player of Japanese descent.
2008-02-22 20:24:55
28.   El Lay Dave
Here's a photo of a 2004 Pierce catcher. Is it Ishibashi? Only Esmelda knows.
http://tinyurl.com/27bpdd
2008-02-22 20:40:11
29.   paranoidandroid
I think it is wise and necessary to give Martin proper rest throughout the season. With interleague games, he can DH when we are on the road a few times. Additionally, we need to sit him down when the game is a blowout. Let him take two or three innings off.

As far as emergency catchers go, I think Kemp is built like one but I wouldn't risk an injury to him. With Delwyn taking grounders at second and now third, he'd be the logical choice if the team thinks he'll stick around on the roster. I still lack confidence that he'll get a chance to be on the 25 man at any point, but I'm frankly a bit paranoid because I care about it too much.

Nomar behind the plate? Never. He can pull a hammy brushing his teeth.

2008-02-22 21:21:43
30.   NoHoDodger
22 Jon, I thought you were originally from North Hollywood, and Woodland Hills was your adopted hometown.

From a Saticoy Elementary School Alum.

2008-02-22 21:23:52
31.   neuroboy002
Anyone know how Chuck Tiffany has done since the trade for Julio? I can't believe there was a time when that guy was batting in the third slot for us.
2008-02-22 21:26:01
32.   paranoidandroid
31 I think Tiffany blew out his arm. I'm not sure though.
2008-02-22 21:26:22
33.   Jason in Canada
27 Haha Bob! Good one...
2008-02-22 21:32:43
34.   Daniel Zappala
27 Stop pulling my leg. Everyone expecting you to be superman must get tiring sometime, though.
2008-02-22 21:37:57
35.   Bluebleeder87
I think Tiffany had back problems (which led to surgery) & from what I understand back problems can also lead to shoulder problems.

Like the song says, one thing leads to another...

2008-02-22 21:41:17
36.   paranoidandroid
31 BTW, we traded Guzman for Julio. Tiffany was part of the Edwin Jackson trade for Batting Practice Baez and Lance Carter.

Think April 30, 2006 ...

2008-02-22 21:46:21
37.   immouch
here's an interesting take on our dogs as fantasy players (fantacists?)...
http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=mlbdk2k8ladpreview
... anyway, i have a question: does anybody else believe delwyn young will wind up being a big player for us? i'm not saying that wishfully... well, not totally wishfully... but i really thought he looked good last year and his minor league numbers suggest he's a very good hitter. something about his bat speed looked special to me. but, hey, maybe i was being a fan. i've done it before... and maybe i'm missing something obvious. i've done that before, too.
2008-02-22 21:49:44
38.   neuroboy002
31 I see. Touche.

I remember when Brandon Lyon, who is now the Dback's closer, was sporting an Eric Gagne look. Good move in getting rid of it. MLB.com is still selling Gagne Redsox
paraphernalia. Those need to be sent over to Africa to join the mythical "19 - 0" season shirts.

2008-02-22 21:54:38
39.   68elcamino427
37 Young will be 26 this year. Unless he is a late bloomer, it's time for him to make his move. As an outfielder on the Dodgers, where does he fit in? Would another team be interested in trading for him in exchange for a pitcher?
2008-02-22 22:04:57
40.   silverwidow
There's a little interview with Ethier on today's "Dodger Notes" that is full of subtleties. Basically, Ethier implied that if he's on the bench to the detriment of the team, it needs to be addressed. Reading between the lines, it sounds like he wants out.
2008-02-22 22:12:55
41.   Jon Weisman
30 - No, I got bused from Woodland Hills to Saticoy for sixth grade. I went to Collier Street from K to fifth.
2008-02-22 22:25:00
42.   Jon Weisman
It appears the character of Alonso Moseley, FBI, has been appropriated in a bad way.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936290.html

2008-02-22 22:37:28
43.   Bob Timmermann
This is my first ever post here while operating Windows on my MacBook.

That's all.

2008-02-22 22:59:18
44.   Jon Weisman
As cynical as I can be, sometimes I'm a sucker for these kind of stories. Go John Lindsey!

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_8339486

2008-02-22 23:09:58
45.   Kevin Lewis
3

As much fun as it would be to take apart your iMac (I like that sort of thing), it looks a little daunting. Here is an article that explains how to get to your cd drive http://tinyurl.com/2oq62b

I imagine you would be better off with your time and money by just buying an external cd-rw drive to plug in to a USB slot.

2008-02-22 23:12:44
46.   El Lay Dave
40 Do you have a link? I'm not sure what "Dodger Notes" refers to; couldn't find your reference in today's dodgers.com "Dodgers Notes" that Jon linked in the main entry.
2008-02-22 23:18:22
47.   Eric Stephen
A mere 45 minutes to get your Dodger 2008 predictions in!

BA/OBP/SLG for all 10 regulars
ERA/WHIP for all relevant pitchers.

I will post the results both here and True Blue LA.

Thanks!

2008-02-22 23:22:23
48.   silverwidow
46 It's there; just do a word search for "Ethier"
2008-02-22 23:26:11
49.   Bob Timmermann
And now I'm back in the more comfortable world of the Mac.

I didn't think Windows would let me back.

2008-02-22 23:38:09
50.   silverwidow
47 Already sent the hitters list, so...

Penny: 3.96 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Lowe: 4.07 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
Billingsley: 3.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
Kuroda: 4.19 ERA. 1.22 WHIP
Schmidt: 4.77 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

Saito: 2.55 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Broxton: 2.32 ERA, 1.09 WHIP
Beimel: 4.78 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
Proctor: 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP
Seanez: 4.46 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
Kuo: 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
Loaiza: 5.06 ERA, 1.48 WHIP

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-02-22 23:52:22
51.   Eric Stephen
Thanks to everyone that participated in this year's fan projections of the Dodgers. I received 21 entries on offense, and 11 pitching. I averaged the BA/OBP/SLG and ERA/WHIP for each player and pitcher, respectively.

Here are the results:

Martin - 291/369/464
Loney - 311/368/494
Kent - 278/356/467
LaRoche - 271/360/460
Furcal - 290/355/425
Ethier - 290/354/458
Andruw - 260/346/508
Kemp - 298/349/509
Pierre - 296/336/361
Nomar - 286/334/413

Penny - 3.63/1.31
Billingsley - 3.40/1.26
Lowe - 3.80/1.29
Kuroda - 4.14/1.35
Schmidt - 4.29/1.37
Kuo - 4.43/1.39
Loaiza - 4.94/1.51
Saito - 2.48/1.02
Broxton - 2.50/1.07
Beimel - 3.81/1.31
Proctor - 3.71/1.33
Seanez - 4.84/1.53

2008-02-22 23:55:13
52.   jasonungar07
luv it:

New Dodgers manager Joe Torre sees potential in LaRoche.

"He has some tools," Torre said. "He is a third baseman that can catch it and throw it. He has a good, true arm, and he has a good approach with the bat."

2008-02-23 00:04:42
53.   Jon Weisman
51 - Your projected OPS:

.862 Loney
.858 Kemp
.854 Jones
.833 Martin
.823 Kent
.820 LaRoche
.812 Ethier
.780 Furcal
.745 Garciaparra
.697 Pierre

2008-02-23 00:11:53
54.   Jon Weisman
New post up top, Eric. You earned it.

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