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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

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
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Scully Bio Rhythms
2008-02-27 15:43
by Jon Weisman

Curt Smith's unauthorized biography of Vin Scully is on hold, for now, reports Tom Hoffarth of the Daily News.

* * *

In this SportingNews.com column, David Pinto explores the phenomenon that may be on the verge of sweeping the Midwest: batting the pitcher eighth.

* * *

ToyCannon is slaying me.

* * *

Update: Is there any better praise than Takashi Saito praise? From Dylan Hernandez of the Times:

The two-day "Dodger Idol" competition has begun, as six players in their first big-league camps were forced to sing in front of their teammates. Garciaparra played the role of Ryan Seacrest, while Pierre was Randy Jackson, team physical therapist Sue Falsone was Paula Abdul and Jeff Kent, wearing a tight black shirt, was Simon Cowell.

Widely said to be the best performer of the day was right-hander Rick Asadoorian, a non-roster invitee who sang Billy Joel's "Piano Man" while playing a guitar and harmonica. "Genius," closer Takashi Saito said.

* * *

The Dodgers said today they are putting 25,000 standing-room tickets for the March 29 Coliseum exhibition game on sale March 1. Some of the tickets, the team said, will actually be on the field. Given the dimensions of the layout, I think that can be taken literally.

They added that the Coliseum gates will open at 4:10 p.m., before batting practice.

More details on single-game ticket sales for 2008: "On Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. Dodger Stadium's Sunset Gate will open at 8 a.m. and fans who arrive by 8:30 a.m. receive a numbered wristband for a ticket lottery. ... A wristband number will be drawn at random, and that number will be first in line. This process allows for all fans to have an equal opportunity to win the first chance to purchase tickets."

The team said today that the promotions/giveaway schedule should be ready for release by Friday.

* * *

Chipper Jones says that new Dodger Andruw Jones misses Atlanta, according to Carroll Rodgers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Jones knows that had he come through with runners in scoring position (.231), he might have had 130 RBIs. And what didn't show up in the boxscore were the wild swings that nearly left him on his rump.

"I just wasn't right," he said. "I thought I was right and I wasn't. Bad balance. Bad judgment. Bad approach. ... I just didn't produce the way I was supposed to. I don't make excuses. Didn't get the job done. Those years happen sometimes. You learn from it, and you move on. It was a bad time to struggle, but what am I going to say? You learn from that."

Chipper Jones, a rare Braves player with a chance to finish his career in Atlanta, senses some disappointment.

"He wants to be here," said Chipper, who played golf this winter with Andruw. "He misses it. He knows he's going to miss it. We talked a little bit. He only signed a two-year deal. He knows the restraints we're under monetarily. He knows that in two years he's going to get an opportunity to come back if he so desires and wants to work with Atlanta."

It's probably not that simple, though. The Braves traded for Mark Kotsay as a one-year bridge to center field prospect Jordan Schafer. ...

* * *

Update 2: More on the Coliseum game from Ben Platt at MLB.com:

The game, which will start at 7:10 p.m. PT, is part of a full day of activity around the Coliseum. McCourt and Dodgers chief marketing officer Charles Steinberg announced that the club will hold a Fan Fest at the Coliseum from noon to 6 p.m. on the day of the game, with carnival-type games, baseball discussions with general manager Ned Colletti and other Dodgers personnel and autograph tables.

"The Fan Fest will start at noon and will be free of charge -- all you have to do is have a ticket to the game," McCourt said. "This way, you can come down at noon and spend the day with your friends and your family. There will be all kinds of activities that you would normally find at a Fan Fest, and this way, you can also beat the traffic and find a parking space.

"That is something we are focused on, because it's going to be a challenge getting all the cars into the stadium area. By coming early, that will help that, and we just got permission to open the gates at 4:10 p.m. so fans can actually be here to watch batting practice, which may be as much fun as watching the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game."

The Dodgers also announced that beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of the game, fans can park for free at Dodger Stadium, and a shuttle service will continue between the stadium and the Coliseum until 11:30 p.m. For parking reservations, fans can call Dodgers guest services at (323) 224-1507. This will enable the organization to know how many cars will be parking at the stadium for the event.

Comments (85)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-02-27 16:14:08
1.   Jon Weisman
test
2008-02-27 16:14:14
2.   Jon Weisman
Since some of you have supported Season Pass, here's a chance to go to some 2008 Paley Festival events for free:

http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2008/02/paley-fest-get.html

Here's more background:

http://www.paleycenter.org/festivals/paleyfest2008/index.htm

2008-02-27 16:18:33
3.   Bob Timmermann
Did David Pinto check the Griddle? ;-)

https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/913717.html

2008-02-27 16:19:37
4.   Jon Weisman
3 - He's not reporting it as news. He's analyzing the news.
2008-02-27 16:20:26
5.   Bob Timmermann
4
Oh, analysis. That thing....
2008-02-27 16:21:24
6.   SoSG Orel
I got LATed. I feel complete.
2008-02-27 16:23:34
7.   Jon Weisman
Again, you haven't been LATed if your comment comes before the NPUT.
2008-02-27 16:28:16
8.   SoSG Orel
Now I feel incomplete.
2008-02-27 16:28:58
9.   Dodgers49
Dodgers to say "Thank You" to Vero Beach and Dodgertown throughout Spring Training

http://tinyurl.com/28ol3d

2008-02-27 16:43:31
10.   Eric Enders
Curt Smith, ugh.

Finally, somebody writes a bio of Vin Scully, and it's Curt Freaking Smith.

By the way, with all the talk of Lowe, Furcal, and Nomar, the Dodgers' most important free agent after the 2008 season is clearly Vin Scully. He needs to be signed to a multi-year deal asap.

2008-02-27 16:48:00
11.   Jim Hitchcock
10 Judging by his comments a few months back, I doubt he'd go for a multi-year.

Man, it's gonna be so hard when he goes.

2008-02-27 16:48:38
12.   sporky
Leyland announces lineup, Cabrera to bat 5th

Granderson cf
Polanco, 2b
Sheffield, dh
Ordonez, rf
Cabrera, 3b
Guillen, 1b
Renteria, ss
Rodriguez, c
Jones, lf

http://tinyurl.com/34sufn

2008-02-27 16:55:09
13.   silverwidow
12 Ethier would be a big upgrade in LF for them. Too bad their farm is terrible.
2008-02-27 17:03:54
14.   Dodgers49
Seanez gets to pitch in again with Dodgers

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ci_8363601

2008-02-27 17:08:32
15.   Jon Weisman
From Dylan Hernandez:

Widely said to be the best performer of the day was right-hander Rick Asadoorian, a non-roster invitee who sang Billy Joel's "Piano Man" while playing a guitar and harmonica. "Genius," closer Takashi Saito said.

http://tinyurl.com/2e2fpd

2008-02-27 17:10:16
16.   GoBears
ToyCannon. I'm not registered on TrueBlue, so I hope Jon doesn't mind if I comment here. I just read your latest, as well as the links back to earlier posts. Now, suddenly, there is dust in the air of my office, and I feel like I tried to swallow a golf ball.

I've never met you, and I think I've argued with you in the Comments here, but I know that you are a good man, and a brave one to share as much as you do. Thank you for your example. For me, and hopefully for others too.

2008-02-27 17:10:49
17.   Brent Knapp
Does anyone know if the Dodgers Promotion Schedule will be up before tickets go on sale? It may sound lame but it helps me pick which games I want to go to as opposed to just throwing darts towards a pennant race that may or may not exist.
2008-02-27 17:11:15
18.   fanerman
15 Jeff Kent, wearing a tight black shirt, was Simon Cowell.

I didn't know Kent, uh, interacted with his teammates, uh, socially.

2008-02-27 17:18:52
19.   Jim Hitchcock
16 What GoBears said.
2008-02-27 17:23:14
20.   Jon Weisman
Updates have been made to this post.
2008-02-27 17:23:20
21.   Brent Knapp
The Dodgers are selling 25,000 more tickets to the Coliseum Game? Does anyone know how many have already been sold? It seems to be there are going to be more than 100,000 people there. Maybe 110,000. Wow.
2008-02-27 17:23:56
22.   regfairfield
13 Thames is probably better than Ethier. Cabrera in left with Inge at third is also a better idea.
2008-02-27 17:24:03
23.   Jon Weisman
17 - I just e-mailed the team. They said they should have the schedule ready by Friday at the latest.
2008-02-27 17:26:20
24.   sporky
18 Simon Cowell is as sociable as a bunion.
2008-02-27 17:26:35
25.   Bob Timmermann
"Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel.

The contrapositive is true!

2008-02-27 17:30:35
26.   Brent Knapp
Thank you Jon. Paying $25 for a 14" by 20" bath towel is still in my sights!
2008-02-27 18:12:05
27.   Jon Weisman
Mike Judge, Morgan Fairchild, Dan Rather and ZZ Top, together at last:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981549.html

2008-02-27 18:13:02
28.   Jon Weisman
I mean, could there be any sweeter phrase in the English language than "Hall of Famer Morgan Fairchild"?
2008-02-27 18:14:44
29.   Jon Weisman
Oh, by the way, if you haven't totaled up your score in the Screen Jam Oscar Pool, but still want to be in the running to win, could you?
2008-02-27 18:29:28
30.   scareduck
10 -- if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans, &c.
2008-02-27 18:32:45
31.   Daniel Zappala
Again, you haven't been LATed if your comment comes before the NPUT.

Proudly, nearly all my comments come before the NPUT, by quite a bit. I guess I've been LATed a bunch.

2008-02-27 18:53:42
32.   Bluebleeder87
I think McCourt and I must be the only two people in the world who liked the nameless look.

That makes us 3 Eric Enders, I was a huge fan of the look my self.

2008-02-27 18:55:54
33.   Bluebleeder87
As far as Andruw Jones goes, I'm not surprised he misses "HotLanta" it's a natural human reaction when you've been in only one place your entire career. I'm sure he'll grow fond of L.A. once he gets a costumed to it.
2008-02-27 19:01:18
34.   trainwreck
According to Gurnick, Torre seems to be leaning towards keeping Juan Pierre as the lead-off guy to start the season.

I may be using my Jump to Conclusions Mat, but Torre seems to have made his mind up on a couple of issues quite early.

2008-02-27 19:03:00
35.   jasonungar07
I thought spring was competition. I am fed up and wondering if I want to still be a fan of this team. Never thought I'd say that but I am sick of it.
2008-02-27 19:06:05
36.   Bluebleeder87
34

see now, stuff like that just gets me PO'd...

2008-02-27 19:09:59
37.   StolenMonkey86
22 - I wanted to trade for Thames last offseason to have a Thames/Kemp/Ethier outfield, but no dice. Now, not only do we have Juan Pierre, but I can't even craft a cheezy pun about rivers.
2008-02-27 19:13:25
38.   StolenMonkey86
34 - I jumped on signing Joe Torre was a failure as soon as A-Rod re-upped with the Yankees because Torre was supposed to lure him here.

My Jump to Conclusions Mat is detailed and cynical. I paid extra for that.

2008-02-27 19:18:38
39.   regfairfield
It's amazing how much more traffic I get when Jon throws up an ambigious link like that.
2008-02-27 19:22:27
40.   Jon Weisman
34 - To be fair, I've been saying all along that lineup decisions shouldn't be based on Spring Training performance.
2008-02-27 19:28:29
41.   trainwreck
40
True, but Torre admittedly, does not know our youngsters very well at all.
2008-02-27 19:33:11
42.   gpellamjr
39 I read your site regularly. You guys do awesome work over there.
2008-02-27 19:51:30
43.   Jon Weisman
This post has been updated.

TPHBU

2008-02-27 20:03:24
44.   Benjamin Miracord
On a day filled with frustrations, I hate to be the one to report one more. Pitcher Eric Cyr has so far failed to show up at Vero Beach, and Dodger officials don't know his whereabouts. I think commenter underdog will be as concerned about this as I am. ;-)
2008-02-27 20:06:31
45.   fanerman
39 I refresh True Blue LA almost as frequently as I refresh Dodger Thoughts (okay now that frequently, but quite a bit). Seeing a new comment is more exciting at True Blue LA than over here.
2008-02-27 20:09:10
46.   LAT
So if you take the shuttle is parking at DS free? Ha ha ha. Free parking at DS. Right up there with leprechauns and unicorns.
2008-02-27 20:18:56
47.   Dodgers49
Five questions that the Dodgers need to answer

1). Who will play next to Andruw Jones?
2). Speaking of Jones, can he bounce back from last season?
3). Who starts at third?
4). Was Hiroki Kuroda worth $35.3 million?
5). Is Jason Schmidt completely healed?

http://tinyurl.com/2svfp2

2008-02-27 20:23:58
48.   LAT
The Coliseum game is going to be as absolute zoo. How are they going to be able to park, feed and control 125,000 people? People are going wild for tickets. They are going for 10x face on Ebay.
2008-02-27 20:25:48
49.   therickdaddy
Great to see the organization doing a FanFest before the game! Looks like McCourt is really excited about this too.

Sure, it will be a zoo, and it will be crazy, and disorganized. But most of all -- IT WILL BE FUN.

2008-02-27 20:33:39
50.   Bluebleeder87
I'm gonna be stealthy that day, go to the game, sit quietly & enjoy the festivities & tippy toe out of there.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-02-27 20:34:00
51.   Bob Timmermann
48
They manage to keep the Coliseum together for about 6-7 Saturdays per year for USC games. They get huge crowds and there is a lot of demand for tickets.
2008-02-27 20:37:46
52.   Bob Timmermann
ToyCannon just got to watch the Clippers score 29 points in the first half against Portland.
2008-02-27 20:43:16
53.   Sam DC
So this ESPN greatest highlight ever thing is down to the Miracle on Ice and the Boise State Fiesta Bowl Win?

Amazing highlights from the Boise State game, but there seems to be a stature gap.

2008-02-27 20:47:01
54.   Bob Timmermann
I refuse to believe that the greatest sports highlight involves a call by Thom Brennaman.
2008-02-27 20:52:37
55.   jujibee
I don't get it. How is it possible that from one GM to another, so much is different. Depo insisted Choi play, and Tracy didn't play him, yet when Ned insists Pierre to play, Torre plays him (Assumptions be mine). In one instance, there is a blue chip manager who plays who he wants and fears not the repercussions, and the another, a manager with all the notoriety in the world as it pertains to baseball, is controlled by the GM. The problem, as Jon has mentioned time an time again for us fans, is that the best player should be playing. It frustrates me to no end to play Pierre over Ethier. Nomar over Laroche not so much, as this is a situation that will, in my opinion, correct over the course of the year considering days off and health issues. I feel Laroche will get his earned shot over the course of the year, but Ethier will not based on an idiotic contract signed last year. I feel for both Laroche and Ethier as the situation, in my opinion moreso with the later, is in the hands of a guy trying to justify his move one year ago, and being accomidated by the manager.
2008-02-27 20:57:12
56.   regfairfield
45 It's like Christmas day versus casual Fridays.
2008-02-27 21:03:09
57.   Bob Timmermann
Some people gravitated toward the Griddle today because you could violate the REAL Rule 13.
2008-02-27 21:30:15
58.   Xeifrank
I'm glad that the Dodgers are letting fans in early for the Colliseum game. I was hoping to watch batting practice, and now I can. It will be interesting to see how well they can lift the ball over the left field netting. Still can't believe that it will only be 200 feet down the line. That's the same distance as the field I played Little League on. Might be nice to sit behind the net in BP. My seats are near the right field foul poll. We paid 3x face value, but like mentioned earlier, similar seats are going for 10x face value or more at this point. Not looking forward to the parking, but now I have a reason to go very early, with the Fan Fest. They should hold a lottery for fans to take BP in the stadium to see if anyone can hit one out.

vr, Xei

2008-02-27 21:31:41
59.   underdog
I understand the worry and all, but I really feel like people are freaking out prematurely about a lot of things, even before spring training starts. Who says the opening day lineup is set in stone right now? I don't even think it's set in chalk. Torre's playing it cool, the way I think he's always played it, to take pressure off some guys and see what they can do in Spring. He's saying some things that I think are a little bit more political than they are literal. The lineup in April might very well be different than it is tomorrow, and the one in May even more likely will differ from April's. A lot of panicked assumptions are being made right now that could make this a very long season for y'all. Just my opinion.
2008-02-27 21:35:04
60.   Sam DC
So, the US Mint today (or some supervisory commission) rejected DC's proposal to have "Taxation Without Representation" on the District's commemorative quarter. Viewed it as raising an issue of political controversy and did not buy the city's claim that the slogan celebrates the Boston Tea Party and related ideas of governance and freedom. (I'm glad that's not the quarter.)

I expect they won't look kindly on this idea either: "Mayor Barry astride a panda galloping along the National Mall with a half-smoke in one hand and a TEC-9 in the other."

http://tinyurl.com/2nhlbt

2008-02-27 21:44:03
61.   Bob Timmermann
I refuse to believe that a DC quarter would be legal tender.
2008-02-27 21:56:24
62.   Dodgers49
McCourt kicks off Coliseum project

>> and if all of the seats and standing-room sections are filled, the game will feature an attendance of more than 115,000 fans. <<

## We have 200 feet down the left-field line instead of 250, so we have adjusted the screen from 42 feet to 62 feet." ##

http://tinyurl.com/3ccege

2008-02-27 22:04:40
63.   LogikReader
I know this is out of nowhere but.

Why is Cedric Maxwell's number retired?

2008-02-27 22:04:57
64.   Bob Timmermann
62
I suggest not drinking too many fluids and using the bathroom BEFORE the game starts.
2008-02-27 22:07:52
65.   Dodgers49
62 115,000 fans.

So, we're going to double the number of fans that would attend a Dodgers Stadium sellout. This should be a fantastic event (keeping Bob's suggestion in mind, of course :-) ).

2008-02-27 22:08:08
66.   underdog
That HBO Joe Louis doc y'all had mentioned here before is really good and moving. I knew some of the history beforehand but had no idea the extent to which the IRS basically ruined his life.
2008-02-27 22:08:48
67.   Bob Timmermann
63
The Celtics LOVE to retire numbers. They retired Ed McAuley's number! And the greatest thing he ever did for the Celtics was get traded for Bill Russell.
2008-02-27 22:09:54
68.   Bob Timmermann
65
115,000 fans to watch the PawSox play the 51s most likely.
2008-02-27 22:12:24
69.   Jon Weisman
62 - Jason Repko's dad can explain the physics rationale of that adjustment.
2008-02-27 22:15:16
70.   jasonungar07
68 At least they will get to see Ethier and Laroche play. :-)

Probabbly Coco Crisp as well...

2008-02-27 22:30:14
71.   Bob Timmermann
Rule 6.09 (d):
A fair ball passes over a fence or into the stands at a distance from home base of 250
feet or more. Such hit entitles the batter to a home run when he shall have touched
all bases legally. A fair fly ball that passes out of the playing field at a point less
than 250 feet from home base shall entitle the batter to advance to second base only;

Emphasis mine

2008-02-27 22:36:14
72.   Xeifrank
71. So, it's a double over the left field wall, until it jets out to 250 feet? I hope they have some kind of marker or poll at the 250 foot mark. I was wondering how the short left field could change the defensive alignment. Your left fielder would pretty much be a rover or stationed as an extra infielder.
vr, Xei
2008-02-27 22:37:16
73.   Eric Enders
So this all now seems like an obvious attempt to break the Campanella night record.

That's just the record for attendance at a professional baseball game, though. They're going to have a slightly harder time breaking the record for attendance at a baseball game, period, which, and I am not kidding here, is 115,000 for a 1915 semipro game between the Cleveland's White Motors and the Omaha Luxus.

Man, is that going to be a high-scoring game or what. A pop-up to deep shortstop will get you a home run, which should be music to Juan Pierre's ears.

2008-02-27 22:38:58
74.   Eric Enders
71 Yeah, um, that's not going to happen. Baseball is always willing to ignore its own rules when they're inconvenient, as they appear to be in this case.
2008-02-27 22:40:51
75.   Bob Timmermann
Despite my emphasis on the rule, I'm guessing that ALL balls hit over the left field fence will be home runs.

In 1958, the Coliseum gave up a lot of home runs early, but the pitchers quickly adapted and it played about as normally as it could.

2008-02-27 23:10:12
76.   paranoidandroid
My school district just put a filter in to block all blogs. I'm been blackballed at work!

Jon, I've had a promotions schedule for over a month. They sent them out with group information. I take a group of kids to a game each year, do you need a copy of the promotions?

2008-02-27 23:28:40
77.   Patrick O
I'm coming to the Coliseum from Pasadena via the Gold Line to Union Station to the Red Line to the Blue Line to short walk to stadium
2008-02-27 23:36:16
78.   arbfuldodger
Don't know how many car people we have on here ... R.I.P. Boyd Coddington
2008-02-27 23:56:44
79.   Bob Timmermann
What short walk from the Blue Line to the Coliseum?
2008-02-28 01:13:45
80.   Eric Enders
"Get Ready for Spring Training with Orel Hershiser"
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tvguide/353037_tvgif28.html
2008-02-28 06:00:20
81.   old dodger fan
75 In 1958, the Coliseum gave up a lot of home runs early, but the pitchers quickly adapted and it played about as normally as it could.

Drysdale might have disagreed.

2008-02-28 06:05:43
82.   Sam DC
Chris notes the passing of old time Sports Writer WC Heinz and provides a link to his famous "Death of Racehorse."

http://dcbb.blogspot.com/2008/02/oh-to-be-able-to-write.html

2008-02-28 06:24:59
83.   StolenMonkey86
75 - I guess it would depend on the arc of the ball. If I remember the measurements correctly (the exhibition wall will be 62 ft, right?), it would take an angle of at least 52 degrees to clear the fence (and then it would land at the 250 ft point), but I don't feel like calculating the necessary velocity.

It's doable, but I'd think that you'd have to crush the ball pretty well. I could be wrong though.

2008-02-28 06:57:13
84.   Sam DC
And Pos does Garvey, newspaper routes, Bill Buckley, and . . . .

http://tinyurl.com/ywq2fr

2008-02-28 07:43:42
85.   Jon Weisman
NPUT

Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.