Well stated, Jon. I have also had trouble shaking my uneasy feeling about the team this year; despite all the bright spots, the outlook appears partly cloudy.

0 The Dodgers' flameout at the end of 2007 seems ages ago ...

The 4+1 game is coming up on its 10-year anniversary, right?

If we were 45-35 in the middle of the year, and the same injuries happened then, we wouldn't be experiencing half this angst. Just because this is the beginning of the season, everyone is freaking out about "the opening day roster." The opening day roster is irrelevant. We're going to need 40 or 50 guys to contribute this year, just like every team does every year.

Honestly, better the injuries happen now when part of the time lost is when the team is not even playing games that count.

Remember when the Dodgers got nothing from catcher at the end of the 2004 season, or when center fielder John Shelby batted .183 in 1989.

I assume this was intended to be a question, and is not a directive.

I'm in the process of creating a Dodger Thoughts group on Flickr where people can post their pics from the Coliseum game tomorrow if they like:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/dodgerthoughts/

0 ill try and cheer you up.

-kuroda and loaiza is still a huge upgrade over tomko/lurch

- full season out of loney

- assuming ethier starts, how much better is jones, ethier, kemp offensively and defensively than LuGo/Ethier/Pierre/Kemp

- Kuo could be a huge jolt in the pen

-Many people are predicting a slight downfall out of penny, but i expect lowe to pitch slightly better so that cancels out.

-furcal appears prime to have a much much better year than in '07

now keep in mind last years team was in the hunt in sept. to me there are a few things that the season hinges on; health of saito, kent, nomar, laroche, and bills.

3
The Dodgers were 45-35 last year too. Dun dun duuuuun!

I have similiar feelings and you are right about not expecting to be at this place at this time. For some reason my unease is about the pitching mostly at this point.

Every team in the NL west has some serious problems. Try looking over the Gaints or Padres line up if the D's depress you. Look a the longer term data on the Rockies pitching.... AZ seems in decent shape, despite a shaky 'pen, being outscored last year, and having pretty low on base numbers. I think I break from the Pierre-Ethier dialog and some real baseball games will do the trick. Its going to be a good year.

9 ya morales doesn't appear to be "right" his fastball is topping out at 89 this spring.

peter gammons has kershaw as the #1 player he can't wait to see this year.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=gammons_peter

4
My own personal low point from a personnel standpoint in the last 5 years or so was seeing Jason Phillips get a preposterous amount of ABs at catcher and 1B.

11 what about at clean-up?

11 But he was "clutch"

9 - AZ needs a lot of their youngsters to step up the way that LA's kids did last year. They haven't show much at the ML level outside of Young's power/speed/defense show last season.

10 Somebody needs to have the "Santa Claus" talk with Gammons. Santa doesn't exist. Neither does the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, nor the Minotaur.

Poor Gammons, you'd think somebody would've told him after all this time.

the debate over who should play certain positions feels endless

Truer words have never been written. I'm exhausted from the Pierre vs. Ethier vs. Kemp vs. LaRoche vs. Nomar vs. Hu vs. Martinez vs. Abreu vs. Loaiza vs. Schmidt vs. Kershaw vs. Park vs. Kuo vs. etc...

Time to play ball. I'm steeling myself for a disappointing April, but I'm hoping that we can hang in there until (if) we get healthy and not fall too far off the pace.

14 yup... but even in Young you're looking at sub-300 OBP in about 700 ML ABs.

Thanks to this and other sites, I've never followed an off-season like this one, so I confess that Opening Day right now feels less like the renewal of life than it does a final exam. But I hope to feel more chipper on Monday.

LATED

If Jon is Sam, then Bob is definitely Cliff Claven.

Except Cliff Claven isn't funny.

Most painfully unfunny guys who people think are funny:

1. Keith Olberman

2. Norm McDonald (Saturday Night Live news anchor mid '90s.) Wry delivery does not equal funny. It equals wry delivery. Which comforts people who feel they're in on the in-side joke. Only there's no joke.

3. Dennis Miller - Similar wry-phenomenon as McDonald. Willfully obscure to obscure lack of real wit.

4. Doonesbury

5. Harry Anderson (Night Court judge)

6. Cheers (pleasant, likeable characters...just not all that funny...at all).

7. MASH - I couldn't so much as muster a smirk in over 30,000 episodes. (OK maybe a few times for Larry Linville as Frank Burns.) Hawkeye's et al. compulsive wisecracking is not funny, it's annoying, and in real life people roll their eyes at such guys and try and sneak past their cubicles.

8. Things that Charlie Steiner thinks are hackingly funny.

9. Boondocks cartoon (Aaron McGruder)

10. Richard Lewis. Richard Lewis especially in Curb Your Enthusiasm. What WOULD be funny is if they let the camera roll after "cut" so we could hear what Larry David probably always says to him after each take, "You know Richard, it's weird, you're actually not that funny. Not funny at all in fact." And to hear Richard simply agree with him and collect his check.

11. Eddie Griffin - Should be funny but isn't.

12 Richard Pryor - Funny in some movies. But his famed stand-up performances are funny only in spurts. The rest of the time everyone sits in silence waiting for the "genius" stuff to arrive. (Could have been a fine dramatic actor).

13. David Letterman - Paul Schaffer banter.

14. Sportswriters and sportcasters...basically, jocks and everyone connected with jocks. (Some exceptions)

15. And the All Time Most Unfunny Funny Guy...David Brenner. I'm SO glad he was 2 generations before me. Sorry you 60's and 70's dudes had to endure him for 20 years.

And a special award for The Guy You'd Think is Unfunny but is Actually Super Funny:

Michael Kinsley

I'm feeling optimistic and expecting a great fight for the NL West Division.

We could end up in 4th place but if were in the race come Sept 24th I'll consider the season a success.

One way in which this year feels different from last year, is that I seem to be expecting problems is the first half. But I fully expect the second half to be the better, we have a lot of position players and pitchers coming up.

The modifications also include an effort to fulfill McCourt's goal of making Dodger Stadium a "very, very environmentally friendly" facility. A stadium-wide cooling system has been added that will lower temperatures in all concession areas. Hand dryers have been installed in restrooms. A switch to waterless urinals will annually save 2.5 million gallons of water, McCourt said.

Does this mean that my RIGHT to urinate into a trough standing next to a bunch of inebriated men is over?

19
6. Cheers (pleasant, likeable characters...just not all that funny...at all).

I vehemently disagree with this one.

Regarding the Dodgers' current roster situation: I've got a piecemeal queasy feeling.

19 - Uh, wow.

Olbermann is probably the sharpest AND funniest guy delivering news on TV today, bar none.

Later seasons of M*A*S*H weren't that good (post-B.J. Honeycutt, things got awfully bleak, IMO), and I don't think most episodes of the series travel too well to the present day, but to blankly declare the whole thing is unfunny... wow. Seriously, you need a drink or something.

19
Why do I think you think your funny?

Did you watch Mash when it aired or as reruns?

Richard Pryor should never be on any list that lists unfunny people.

Doonesbury was never supposed to be funny. He made you think, not laugh.

Other then that your spot on for most of them.

Did you think Princess Bride was funny?

1. My Coliseum tickets, which in the last thread were available, are now gone.

2. I cannot agree with any suggestion that Richard Pryor isn't funny.

19 I disagree with at least five of the 15 you mentioned. You think Michael Kinsley is funny, but not Richard Pryor?

However, I'm with you on most of those. I would also include Larry the Cable Guy, King of the Hill, or any other variant of redneck humor.

Adam Sandler would also make my list.

"the debate over who should play certain positions feels endless."

That is the downside of the Internet age, where we follow things on a day to day, seemingly hour to hour basis, even though there is no actual news being made. In the prehistoric days, you might read about the Ethier vs. Pierre battle once a week when your Sporting News arrived, but it would not be a regular part of your life.

I for one am very exciting about the upcoming season, mainly because Loney, Kemp, Martin, Billingsley, Broxton, hopefully Ethier, eventually LaRoche, and possibly Hu, DeWitt, and maybe Kershaw down the road, are now becoming the core of the team.

25
I like Olbermann but I don't think he's funny.

Jon Stewart is funny.

See update into this post above: Tom Hoffarth interviewed Vin Scully about broadcasting at the Coliseum.

19 how can you leave andy dick off that list??????

28 don't get me started on kind of the hill, the most underrated cartoon on tv today (not like there is a lot to choose from.)

23 If there was anything higher than vehemently, I'd up the ante.

Since what people consider to be funny is rather subjective, I think anyone can agree or disagree with anyone's list.

frank calliendo would be on terry bradshaws list.

Maybe the problem with King of the Hill is that it's usually bracketed around The Simpsons and/or Family Guy, and it suffers badly in comparison. But for whatever reason, I find it painfully unfunny.

19 Letterman's probably the funniest guy on that list. He basically pioneered a specific style of humor that has been imitated for years. That being said, he's no longer relevant.

ok if your up for a good laugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHRGvy3U2WA

I will put this out there, because I believe it, and it seems on topic:

"The Producers" -- the original one, of course -- is the funniest movie ever made.

This is not to say that it has the most laughs in it. That would be "Airplane." But "Airplane" is not a movie. A movie has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It rises and falls, changing pace as it tells its story. The problem is, people THINK that "Airplane" is a movie and use it as the basis for all movies that are supposed to be funny: joke, joke, joke, joke, joke, no stopping for breath. "Airplane" ruined film comedy.

30 - Stewart is funnier than Olbermann, I'll grant you that. But I was thinking about guys who are funny in the context of trying to deliver news in a news show, while Stewart is a comedian delivering news in a show where the comedy comes first.

32
Thanks for the update Jon. Scully's stories are great.

39 He basically pioneered a specific style of humor that has been imitated for years.

I've only seen his work a few times, but when I watch old Ernie Kovacs kinescopes, I'm struck, strongly, by the thought, "Wow, did this guy influence Letterman." They're not exactly the same -- for one example, Letterman works more quickly than Kovacs seemed to, in my limited exposure to him -- but it is enough to quibble with the word "pioneer."

41 - Definitely on my short list. Also on my short list:

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
Bringing Up Baby
The Philadelphia Story
Some Like It Hot
The Gods Must Be Crazy

I've gotta go for an early lunch, or my list would be longer.

0 I'm optimistic about the team because:

1) I wasn't counting on Schmidt anyway, but I remain hopeful he'll be back for the second half; if not McDonald or Kershaw will be ready

2) We're going to be able to watch Loney, Kemp, Ethier, Martin all start together, with Hu and DeWitt possibly getting time too. Lots of exciting young guys! Throw in Furcal and Jones, and I think we'll have a good offensive year.

3) Decent depth in the pitching staff.

I really think we're going to have a good year and I can't wait for the games to start!

45 The Philadelphia Story is Bride of Kavula's all time favorite movie.

Some Like it Hot is a better movie than The Producers. It, or The Apartment, is my choice for Best Comedy of All Time. But in my opinion, though they are better films, neither is funnier than The Producers.

If musicals count as comedies, Singin' in the Rain must get a mention.

0 Nice link to the Flash. Thanks. Am I alone in thinking the Dodgers missed a great opportunity with the left field fence? Put it part way up into the bleachers, then install a very taut tarp over the seating in that area. Balls will hit the tarp and roll down to the left fielder, just like they come off the net behind home plate, except they are in play.

As long as its an exhibition game, why not?

Also: Duck Soup, but really, anything with the Marx Brothes, except for the one where they're in blackface. I realize that it was a product of their times, and I don't want to make a moral judgement, but now, it's really really hard to watch. It's embarrassing now.

19 Even though you are begging for an argument, I will leave alone the things you listed as unfunny and just say this... being smug or an elitist is neither funny nor socially endearing. In fact, your post is pretty disrespectful with a gnawing sense of self-importance. At the very least, try substituting "Most painfully unfunny guys who people think are funny" with IMHFO.

Sorry for the rant Jon. Cheer up. Dodgers are going to have a good season. At least my MLB The Show 2008 game seems to think so. Ethier, Jones and Kemp are going to rock.

46
Speaking of Jame McDonald, how is he doing this spring? I haven't heard much about him at all.

"Superbad" was funny. So was "Enchanted." Kristen Wiig is funny on SNL. David Letterman is funny only when he revives his "mean to guests" persona on people like Bill O'Reilly or Paris Hilton. "The Flight of the Conchords" is funny, as is, of course, "The Office."

Since I'm 52, I feel the need to confine myself to the 21st century so as not to appear outdated. I remember laughing at "Cheers," "Taxi" and "Bob Newhart" but I couldn't swear to it. So long ago.

51
I haven't heard much of James McDonald either. :)

52 Taxi

What do you do at a yellow light?

Peter Gammons picked Russell Martin as the runner-up for 2008 NL MVP:

"Larry Bowa says he could play shortstop. Bill Bavasi says he's the best third baseman in the National League. What he is is the best catcher in the game, the Dodgers' leader, and an intense offensive machine who can hit .330 with a .900 OPS."

55
Oh yeah, Gammons also picked Brad Penny to win the Cy Young.

54 Slow down. Okay.

Bill Bavasi says he's the best third baseman in the National League

hell ya west coast bias, screw you david wright!

bavasi continues to be unable to hid his idiot syndrome.

Poor Jon, just needs more sleep. :-) I think the best of many good things you wrote above is the plea for patience. I'm with DL above, April could be disappointing (though I'm cautiously predicting a month a few games over .500) but have a really good feeling (again cautiously) about the rest of the year.

Humor is subjective though it's always interesting to see what makes people laugh and what does not. I would argue that the first season of MASH hasn't aged well and the last three or so got increasingly maudlin and long in the tooth but seasons, oh, 3-7 or so were and still are aces. If not always LOL funny. I actually have laughed at quite a few Doonesburys too.

Taxi and the Bob Newhart Show, especially the former, are still funny and still among the funniest half hours ever. I dunno, I guess any list that has Norm McDonald on it equated with Richard Pryor has something seriously askew, but again, it's all subjective.

heck, rants from Tommy Lasorda still make me laugh. (Bringing this back on topic sort of.)

56 Seriously? Wow. Would love to see that though I don't think it's gonna happen. I'll just take a consistently good year from him, from start to finish.

If anyone wants to see Underdog's Completely Subjective List of the 10 Funniest Movies Ever, I'd be happy to post it here.

"the best third baseman in the National League"

Problem solved! (okay, not really)

55 So... move Russell to 3B, stick Delwyn behind the plate, hello NL pennant!

61
I would like to see that list.

In other news that's sure to anger Warriors' fans: the NBA said the foul call on Ellis was wrong.

"We did review," Jackson said. "The call was incorrect. After looking at the play, the foul was on Fisher and not Ellis. It appeared that Fisher pulled Ellis down."

Jackson said the league informed the Warriors of its analysis. Delaney also was informed, though Jackson kept the discussions with the respected referee confidential.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_8727148?nclick_check=1

My Funniest Movies:

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Young Frankenstein
Blazing Saddles
Duck Soup
It's a Gift
Son's of the Desert
The Producers (First Edition)
The Party
Dr. Strangelove

Does anyone know if a teams record when an opponent scores X amount of runs is easily avialable?

I'm starting to think choosing Ethier over Pierre is going to be Torre's way of showing he's his own man, but it will actually be with Colletti's tacit approval. Colletti can't go back on his own signing, but this way everyone saves face, and Torre even gains some (as if he needed any).

66
The only thing I can think is using the team batting event finder on the Play Index of Baseball Reference. You can do a search for runs > x in wins, and runs > x in losses, to get the record. Not super easy, but it's available.

66 This is the link to BP's stats for it.

http://baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=204026

Without premium/fantasy access, it won't sort the numbers for you, if you want, let me know which teams you are looking for and I get it to you.

61/65 - Mine's actually pretty similar to Marty's.

Lucky 13

Some Like It Hot
Duck Soup
The General
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Dr Strangelove
The Producers
Young Frankenstein
Tootsie
Airplane!
Love and Death and Annie Hall
His Girl Friday
This is Spinal Tap

Runners up: A Shot in the Dark; Galaxy Quest; Groundhog Day; original To Be or Not to Be

PS: Sullivan's Travels is probably one of my favorite comedies, but I don't know if it makes me laugh as uproariously as some of the above.

67 I half-suspect that in the back of Torre's mind, and in the front of Colletti's, the idea of starting Ethier is in part to showcase him for a May or June trade. Colletti might be nervous about pitching, and figures a hitter like Ethier who seems to have a good throwing arm can command a #3-quality starting pitcher. With Ethier gone, Pierre gets his job back and Colletti will think he's improved the Dodgers.

69 I have premium, thanks.

McSafety,

I don't understand your comment from the last thread.

toy, you never answered me. if kent is starting at 2b on monday, who do you think is starting at 3rd?

74 That's correct, Hu we think will be starting at 3rd. (Sorry!)

Or they keep DeWitt around and give him some starts, and then when Nomar is back they send him down, keep Hu to fill in. That's my prediction.

0 The thing about following spring training is I pay almost no attention to what other clubs are doing. The Dodgers look pretty good to me. I mean, didn't they lead ST in home runs? Penny, Lowe and Kuroda looked good, and I take Billz at his word that he's trying out some new pitches, not just regressing. Ethier, Furcal and Kemp have looked excellent. Loney and Martin will probably kick it in gear. Hu can fill in for Kent if needed, so the major problem is third base, but with Pierre out of the lineup, we can carry the position til LaRoche or Garciaparra are ready.

What I don't know is what worries me. What's the feeling about the D-backs? They seemed like the team to beat coming out of the offseason. Are they healthy? The Rockies still seem to have the best lineup and defense in the division. Is their pitching catching up? The Padres seem to have a lot of holes. Do they still? And what about the NL generally. Are the Mets just going to run away with it, or do they have too many injuries? I don't have a good feel for where the Dodgers are going to fit into the competitive landscape. As a singular entity, they seem better than they have been in a long time, but the world around them doesn't stand still.

So far I haven't seen a movie I haven't liked but where is Princess Bride on your lists?

Galaxy Quest makes my list just because I expected so little and it gave me so much.

72 Also BillJamesOnline.Net has it.

The 2007 Dodgers record by runs scored and given up:

10 runs or more 10 - 0-----------0 - 10
9 runs 8 - 1-----------------1 - 9
8 runs 7 - 1-----------------1 - 4
7 runs 6 - 2-----------------2 - 10
6 runs 18 - 3----------------2 - 13
5 runs 18 - 7 ---------------6 - 8
4 runs 5 - 17----------------16 - 11
3 runs 2 - 7-----------------18 - 8
2 runs 8 - 16----------------10 - 3
1 run 0 - 14----------------20 - 4
0 runs 0 - 12-----------------6 - 0
Total 82 - 80-----------------82 - 80

74
Someone not on the current roster.

77 I love the Princess Bride but it is not packed with laughs.

79 really? hu a gifted fielder i don't see him having much of problem playing a a decent 3b.

maybe bull mueller?

77 I'm with BH, it's a great movie that brings smiles to my face but it doesn't make me laugh non-stop. Btw, the book is excellent, too. dog bless William Goldman.

Btw, I'd put other Marx Bros movies on that list, too, if I could - especially Horse Feathers.

79 Sensing a trade a-coming, or do you mean Blake DeWitt?

I find the lack of Coen bros. in these favorite comedies lists disturbing.

Raising Arizona, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, and (of course) Lebowski would all crack my top 10 list.

My projected 25-man roster (posted last night) has DeWitt and Martinez on the team at 3B. We already have one open spot on the 40-man; another one will open up by placing Schmidt on the 60-day DL.

82 Knowing TC, I think he means Dewitt. Unless he thinks the Dodgers can get Boom Boom back. :)

aren't the Dodgers still paynig Mueller?

just joking, but seriously how crazy is it that McCourt has 100+ million dollar payroll and most of the production this year looks to from the players making 400Kish.

Long-shot, work-related question:

Does anybody happen to remember a recent set of billboard ads on the 405 that depicted a snake on one billboard (for the actual product) slithering onto another billboard for a fake product? I can't remember what the actual product is that was being advertised.

83 Actually Raising Arizona and Lebowski would probably both fit my hon mention list. Though again, I was also looking at great comedies that make me laugh the most, too. Those films make me giggle, too, so I guess they should be considered. (And Lebowski is funnier every time I watch it.) Nothing's as funny as No Country for Old Men, though! :-/

Usually I have a very optimistic outlook on the Dodgers every year which is probably a fallible way of looking at it. This year I have a bad feeling for some reason. I was optimistic about A Jones returning to monstrous home run hitting form, but from looking at his spring play, he looks out of shape and ready to continue his year from last year. But maybe that would be a plus?
The pitching staff seems questionable to me as well. But maybe Billingsley will cut his walks down, Lowe will regain his durability, and Penny will really transition from a hard thrower to a pitcher therefore being able to pitch well at the end of the season. That leaves Kuroda and Loaiza to only have to be halfway decent compared with the likes of Tomko and Hendrickson. Ha! I am talking myself into being optimistic again.
My pick is 90-72 and the wild card.

I'm not as shy as Andrew about pimping.
http://www.truebluela.com/story/2008/3/28/121613/205

86 That's not true, the pitching staff (outside of Chad) are making a large amount of that money. And again, its a short window of that type of salary.

Looks someone else admits a mistake.

Dexter Fishmore (New York, NY): UCLA-Xavier prediction, s'il vous plait?

Joe Sheehan: UCLA 65, Xavier 58. You know, we haven't seen UCLA play a good game in this tournament yet.

Have to brag...I have both Saturday's matchups in my bracket, and three other of my Elite Eight teams playing tonight. (Yes, I was a homer moron for picking USC.)

73 I'm Jennifer's boyfriend/fantasy advisor in Ray's H2H league.

82
That is how I felt about Groundhog Day. It made me smile but not laugh.

Raising Arizona would be on the top of my wife's list. No matter what, if that movie shows up when were scanning we have to watch it.

Frip, you've transformed the debate!

You know, we haven't seen UCLA play a good game in this tournament yet.

So first round games don't count?

89 You have a bad feeling about this season, yet still picked us to go 90-72?

89 i've only seen a couple games but druw does have me concerned with all the swings and misses on 89 mph that look to be in the heart of the strike zone.

95 They only covered the spread in that game by four points, I believe. Not particularly impressive.

95
Should they when your a number one seed?

97
He's going to do that all year. Just hope that 35 times he gets the sweet spot on the mistakes.

96 I had a bad feeling but then by the end of my post I talked myself into feeling good about it.

97 100 Yeah my hope for Druw was that he would hit 35+ homers, but as Vin said a few weeks back, he hasn't got around on a decent fastball yet.

If I take the league win loss record for each run scored, I can conclude that consistency from the starting pitching doesn't mean all that much.

If Penny allowed runs as he actually distributed them, the Dodgers would be expected to win 76.7% of the time. If he allows runs as consistently as possible (three runs seven times, the rest of the time allowing two) the Dodgers win 77.1% of the time. It might help you win one more game if all your pitchers were robots who allowed two or three runs a game, but that's it.

It would be great if Andruw could handle a Jake Peavy fastball and knock it out in a tight game, but I am not sure if the Dodgers have that type of hitter this year. I just haven't seen anything from Druw that tells me he can be that guy this year. But maybe he gets it going when it counts? Maybe Kemp in a year or two will be that guy? I guess I would say that Russell is that type. Maybe Loney, maybe Ethier?

103 At the expense of me sounding stupid, could you break that down into layman's terms for me? Maybe I missed something you posted earlier?

80 , 77 - The Princess Bride should definitely make the short list, too.

All of the Marx Brothers' movies at Paramount, i.e. Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, and Duck Soup.

70 - Strangelove is so bleak it's hard to recognize it as a comedy at times.

Andrew Shi sure has a nice bracket over at the Griddle bracket contest.

Anyone know if you are allowed to bring backpacks in to the Coliseum? Or what type of things are not allowed (besides the obvious).

vr, Xei

103 Based on the league, you have a certain expect winning percentage based on how many runs you allow. If you allow 0, you win 100% of the time, 1, 92% of the time, and so on. If you add up the expected result from all of Penny's wins, you get 76.6%. If you then make him as consistent as possible, allowing only 2 or three runs a start, the expected win percentage goes to 77.1%.

Bascially, while consistency ensures you're in every game, you also lose all the times Penny made the game unwinnable for the opponent.

KFWB reporting the Dodgers picked up Nathan Haynes from the Angels off waivers. Wuzza?

I got this off the Coliseum's website:
STADIUM POLICIES

Your observance of the following policies and prohibitions will help all of our patrons have a safe and enjoyable stay at the Coliseum.
· ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - Just, as in any establishment you may frequent, personal alcohol is not permitted to be brought into the Coliseum. We sell a variety of beer and wine at our concession stands.
· BALLS AND FRISBEES - Both balls and Frisbees can be dangerous and annoying to other fans. A frisbee flying at speed can hurt an unsuspecting fan paying attention to the game. Beach balls, etc. can also be unpleasant for other fans as they can cause spilled drinks and food. Additionally, players on the field often find them distracting, especially when these items land on the field.
· BOOM BOXES - These are distracting to other fans and players, cheerleaders and TV crews who often follow certain sounds for timing purposes. A Walkman-type personal stereo is acceptable to listen to the games' radio broadcast.
· CHAIRS- As the Coliseum provides chair-style seating for every section, chairs are not permitted to be brought inside the gates. The Coliseum cannot store these items and thus cannot be responsible for them, and they pose a Fire Code violation if left unstored on Coliseum property. Because these items are also rigid and heavy they can pose a danger risk to those in attendance.
· COOLERS AND PICNIC BASKETS - Hard plastic containers such as Igloo coolers, are not permitted inside the Coliseum, as they can become very heavy when filled and can hurt someone when traveling through the crowd or if thrown. Soft food (sandwiches, etc.) are allowed, provided they are stored in a soft container, such as an insulated cooler bag.
· DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS - Water may be brought into the Coliseum, provided it is in a plastic bottle with the factory seal still intact. Under no circumstances may alcoholic drinks be brought ito the Coliseum.
· FIREWORKS- These are not allowed because they put everyone in danger when they are mis-used. Fireworks are illegal, as per the City's fire code, to bring into the Coliseum.
· GLASS BOTTLES AND CANS - Either filled or empty, these pose a serious threat to the safety of other fans when mis-used. Non-alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought into the Coliseum, they just need to be in the proper container; a plastic re-usable squirt bottle/sport bottle.
· INFLATABLES- As inflatables can pose a distraction and may block the view of other fans, they are not allowed, with the exception of inflatable seat cushions.
· NOISEMAKERS - Can be potentially disruptive to other fans and the event itself and are not allowed into the Coliseum.
· POLES - Many fans like to bring in large signs on a pole or stick. This is not allowed as the pole can: a) block others view; b) be used as a weapon; and c) distract or hurt other fans and players.
· WEAPONS- The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena continues to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere from which to enjoy events. We will not allow any weapons (sticks, poles, guns, knives, mace, etc.) into the facility under any circumstances. Off-duty police officers are not allowed to bring their weapons inside the Coliseum/Sports Arena unless they are working the event for which they are in attendance. Further, we do not check or hold these items for anyone.
· THERMOS- Because a thermos can become quite heavy and potentially dangerous when filled, they are not permitted in the Coliseum. Beverages must instead be contained in reusable, plastic sport/squirt bottles.
· SMOKING - Smoking is not allowed in the Coliseum's bowl area. Because of the shape of the bowl itself, smoke tends to remain in the area even though the Coliseum is an outdoor facility. Smoking is permitted outside the bowl at yard level only.

109 Not the Rays?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AskmLw_0.V36a86MC3I4QpmFCLcF?slug=ap-rays-moves&prov=ap&type=lgns

Sorry for the length of 110 , but the Coliseum's website isn't set up for linking to its constituent parts.

102 S.P.R.I.N.G.

Spring. Practice. Real. Importance. Not. Great.

It almost works!

111 It's definitely the Rays, not the Dodgers.

109 I see a report that says its the Rays:

http://www.kansascity.com/485/story/550801.html

110 I got this from the pdf for the game on that same site.

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED IN THE COLISEUM:
Items not allowed inside the Coliseum include: Bottles, Cans, coolers, unsealed water bottles, food of any kind, backpacks, large bags, banners, flags, umbrellas, large still or video cameras, strollers, or weapons of any kind are not allowed inside.

Additionally, items that could be potentially dangerous or annoying to other fans, such as balls, frisbees, boom boxes, chairs, picnic baskets, fireworks, glass bottles, cans, inflatables, noisemakers, flagpoles, etc., cannot be brought inside the Coliseum. Only collapsible strollers will be admitted inside the Coliseum. If the stroller in question cannot be folded and stored safely underneath your seat, it cannot be brought inside the stadium.

108 So are you saying that 22.9 % of the time that Penny pitches well and makes the game winnable, the Dodgers will still lose? If I am understanding you correctly, than I would still take that consistency because at least you have the chance at winning the game even with no-decision for Penny. Like I was thinking last night when watching the game, who leads the league in no decisions which the team ends up winning?

113 cute acroynm, but if andruws bat speed is slow now it's going to be slow monday. so spring does have relevance on that topic.

116 http://lacoliseum.com/

111 - heard about it second hand, so thanks for the link.

113 I am not really looking at his stats from the spring, but more at his weight and that in watching him, he hasn't really had quick hands in the box. I understand the small sample size of spring stats compared with the abundance of pitchers "working on their stuff" type outings makes spring stats unreliable. But maybe Andruw turns it on for the real thing.

Lebowski is welcome on my list. Raising Arizona is not.

His Girl Friday is in my top five of great movies, but it's not a laugh-riot.

Even with Andruw looking like George Foreman I'm still comfortable with the prediction he will hit the most home runs for a California team this year.

Since Vlady is his only competition I don't think that is saying a lot. His meager 26 from 2007 might do the trick.

Anyone not rooting for Davidson tonight who is not a big 10 alum?

122
Your dislike of Mr. Cage runs in the same vein as Bob's dislike for pits.

So the Dodgers are going to wear throwback uniforms of a sort Saturday night. Ebbets Field Flannels is making baggy flannel uniforms for the team that will resemble the 1958 uniforms except there will be names on the back.

Bases Loaded and a Jimmy Wynn cannon shot clears them all.

I'll go back to work now.

i like this quote from jayson stark

"COLISEUM DEPT.: The Red Sox and Dodgers are going to play baseball in front of an estimated 115,000 people Saturday in the L.A. Coliseum. And maybe more.

Friends, that is one massive number of human beings. So howww massive is it?

It's more tickets sold for one game -- an exhibition game yet -- than the Marlins sold during five entire homestands last year. That's how massive."

Diamond Leung's got a Dodgers' Q&A up:

http://tinyurl.com/3xh8nc

His fairly rational take on the OF situation is:
Q: How will the outfield situation play out?

A: Don't expect the opening day outfield to stay that way throughout the year. Andruw Jones will start in centerfield, and on the other end of the spectrum, Andre Ethier will get plenty of playing time at the corner outfield positions. That means Juan Pierre will have to get used to not playing every day. He'll have to make way for Ethier, who is also expected to get time in right field in place of Matt Kemp.

126
Sweet. That's always a good fundraiser too. Have the jerseys auctioned off, money goes to Think Cure.

Someone at work just gave me Padres' tickets for opening day. Peavy vs. Oswalt. Awesome.

124. I hope Davidson loses by 50 and that the refs actually let the players play.

0 - Yeah, know what you mean, its been a long off season, particulary with this 3rd base and leftfield...whatever (not allowed to call them debates). And then comes the Angel's game the other night. I know that it is only a meaningless ST game (tell that to KG16, who almost smashed his TV)with a meaningless line-up, but to have to watch Dewitt followed by JP come to bat during the big rally was disheartenting. I know, I know, it means nothing, but very hard to take emotionally.(mantears)

25 ,26 Thanks for speaking my mind on Olbermann and Doonesbury. Different strokes, and all.

I wonder if Frip liked the Far Side...

92

Oh, now it makes sense. Completely out of context I was like "is this guy insulting me?"

I still have angst over some of the idiotic trades I made with her last year. It was my first fantasy league, and I will not be making those mistakes again.

I have one guy in the league who keeps trying to get Andy LaRoche from me. Am I a bad person to keep him and Arod? :)

I will be practicing ERP tonight

Packbush! Gary tush!

137

Ahhhhh!

Use your chest; that's what it's there for!

Wasn't it "Ahhhhh?"

140 Probably.

I have no idea. For some reason I remember a question mark at the end making it funny.

They'll grow back

Matt is probably called "The Bison", since he is built like a robot tougher than nails.

67 - Relating this to a previous thread on Torre, could we then include part of his salary with the $22.1 million in annual investment that we have essentially plowed into center-field? [when do we get to call it sunk costs?]

"we just met" and "i don't wanna be a catcher" are the two best lines.

i don't get the hobo ambush part, is it supposed to make no sense?

118 - Speaking of spring, perhaps he should jump when he swings, as he seems to be doing that well. (;)

107- How dare you butcher my name?! (kidding)

It's true, I am the king of all NCAA bracket picking. It may seem curious, given I don't follow basketball, or really like the game that much. But I have a secret formula for picking--let "Pomeroy" do it for me.

I'm not sure I understand how I ended up ahead of Pomeroyanian, actually. It's possible that my secret is: a) let "Pomeroy" pick for me, and, b) accidentally screw up reading "his" picks.

The "hobo ambush" is just about the only failed comedy in those videos.

147 And yet there is some lucky person out there who managed to pick just as good as you, only a little bit better, probably didn't even pay attention to Pomeroy, and will win $10,000 in an online contest.

88 Another very good movie with Javier Bardem (in the lead) is `The Dancer Upstairs', directed by John Malkovich.

149- Yeah, but will he win Bob's old clothing? Advantage: Shimmin.

doug davis has cancer, will pitch on friday

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3318132

many therois suggest you should hit your best hitter leadoff, correct?

135 LOL. Yeah, that Ichiro trade got us in the playoffs.

"Better they learn pain from us than a bitter ex-wife"...

If I'm late on that I don't care...too funny....

148

If the "hobo ambush" is not funny to you, than you have not spent a significant amount of time in Santa Barbara.

154

Freaking Jason Bay

I live there.

What do these numbers represent?
.512
.668
.664
.673
.759
.715
.530
.793
.621

It's just not that funny.

Hey, how about if we start thinking (worrying) about 2009 and the possible impact of the WBC on the team. A lot can happen, people retiring and the such, but based on the existing 40-man, how many of our players might participate. My Mexican cab driver was talking a lot about Loaiza today and I brought up that I had heard about Nomar and Ethier as possibly playing for thier national team.

Ethier is from AZ.

159 Projected OPS for the Giants starting lineup?

162
And Nomar is from Whittier, but he was still going to play for Mexico in the WBC until he got hurt during spring training.

Mike Piazza played for Italy.

They're not picky when it comes to WBC affiliations. Just ask Alex Rodriguez which country he wants to play for.

164 - unless you want to play for Cuba, that is.

159 kevin's softball averages??

your swing changes really hurt

162 - I thought that the provisions of the Gadsden Purchase specifically excluded the conveyance of ballplayers?

I was a walk machine in Little League.

163 Nope, those were the 1988 Season OPS for the starting lineup from Game 5 of the 1988 World Series. Yes, Mike Davis had a .530 OPS, Alfredo Griffin a .512. Rick Dempsey w/189 PA led that squad with a .793 OPS (in fact he had both the highest OBP (.338) and Slugging Pct. (.455) for the starting 9, had Sciosica played his OPS was .642.

159. My last nine tax returns.
vr, Xei

So would he play for France or Canada?

The Canadians already have enough. Make him play for France with Juan Pierre.

159
My guesses:

1) Clayton Kershaw's seasonal winning percentages from 2009-2017

2) Matt Kemp's slugging percentages 2008-2016

3) Percentage of major leaguers from players drafted by Logan White in the first 5 rounds od the draft over the next 9 years

169 Something to consider the NL OPS in 1988 was .673, last year it was .757, the league OBP in 1988 was .310, in 2007 .334. Runs per game was 3.88, in 2007 it was 4.71.

Here are some factors that could be the cause of the increase in offense over the last 20 years, how would rank them as being the most important to the rise to the least important.

1. Expansion;
2. New ballparks (Only Wrigley, Dodger Stadium and Shea have not changed);
3. PEDs;
4. Other

159-- What are 9 numbers that have never been in my kitchen?

Who still owns his high-school glove?

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2q9ypw

I've made some adjustments to the new stance, so I will let you know how it goes tonight.

I would think that if you are a position player, you have a pretty good chance (unless you are a Dominican), so its Jones, Ethier, Abreu, Hu, Furcal (2nd base), Martin and Garciaparra. Now, the pitchers, I don't know, but I am guess that at least 2-3 of them would be competitive.

176

I wish. That thing was broken in so well

My high-school glove is long gone. I still have a glove that I bought 10 years ago and have used maybe twice.

175. haha, I should've thought of that one.

174. I would rank them.
1. PEDs
.
.
.
2T. Ballparks, expansion, smaller strike zones, ball wound tighter etc...

vr, Xei

176

Now I hate my glove.

0 I agree with the sentiment that this offseason has been hard, especially with things not "settled", and now, with injuries that make things even less settled.

I have long be awaiting the start of 2009, as that's when I felt that people like Kemp and Loney would hit their stride, and we could see Kershaw play a significant role. I guess I never thought that things would be settled enough for 2008 and that unfortunately remains true.

However, I'm optimistic enough to think that with only a couple of real problems (3B/2B and the wrong use of JP), the team could really compete this year. I'm just more excited about next year.

Is it too soon to say "just wait 'till next year?" :)

174-- A couple others:

Progression in training technology
Increased focus on diet and nutrition
Increased specialization at earlier ages where kids are playing one sport year round in competitive environments

I did not own a baseball glove during high school. I was deprived.

I've still got a glove, but it ain't the one I had in high school. Too many moves. I think I got this one after college, and it's got more of a softball than hardball pocket. It also needs relacing.

185

I did not own a baseball glove during high school. I was deprived.

You're only deprived if you don't own a baseball glove pre-high school. In high school there are better things to be doing.

183 Yes, it's too soon. :-) Especially since whatever we feel or predict about a given season, teams often surprise, both positively and disappointingly, so as long as the team is competitive there's hope. (And who knows, Kershaw could help us this year, too.) But I agree, the future seems to get even brighter next year, though not without its own question marks.

187 Well I guess I'm covered then. But I don't think I was doing the "better things" in high school anyway =(.

183 - Errr..You want injuries, I'll give you injuries to make you start worrying about 2009. Allow me to present the WBC: Jones, Ethier, Abreu (redundant), Hu, Furcal, Martin, Kuo, Kuroda and Garciaparra redundant).

Edgardo Alfonzo was released yesterday by Texas. Yeah, he may have been in independent ball last year and is essentially done, but he played 2B/3B for SF while Ned was there....... unimaginable, really, but I shuddered for a moment when I saw that name.

186 And you've still got your Rickenbacker :)

174 - don't forget the DH. But mainly, it's the PEDs

184 - wouldn't those factors equally help pitchers?

191
He had a kick butt winter league and couldn't make the Rangers as the 25th player. I guess that says volumes about the winter leagues. Or maybe it doesn't.

Just a reminder, anyone looking to purchase water at the game, please check out The Science Center school selling water through the park.

I teach second grade there and will see you guys at the game!

... and hobo-ambush IS funny.

Dodgers set for exhibition at Los Angeles Coliseum

>> So we've sold 115,300 tickets. <<

http://tinyurl.com/2gm2ot

If you're a fan of John Hodgman, "hobo ambush" is really funny.

http://e-hobo.com/

Torre needs to build Dodgers like Yankees

>> Torre wasn't perfect as Yankees manager, but he was successful. He won't be perfect with the Dodgers, but don't be surprised if he pushes this team to the top of the N.L. West. <<

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23801162/

Dodgers, Sox to draw record crowd to Coliseum

>> Baseball's current world record is an estimated 114,000 for an exhibition game between the Australian national team and an American services team during the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956. <<

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23850863/

198

Building the Dodgers like the Yankees means loading up the lineup with a bunch of older guys. No thanks.

--

On NBA TV, the Hornets are at Boston to play the Celtics. Tom Heinsohn... is like the Rex Hudler of basketball.

C'mon Jon's team! You can do it!

I did not own a baseball glove during high school. I was deprived.

ah, my high school glove, my dad did this thing were he put ACTUALLY TOMATO (the nectar of it I guess?) all over my glove the thing worked to perfection it worked so well that when I went to mexico somebody stole it, but man that glove was absolutely sweet perfection, as you can well imagine I was mighty PO'd when it got stolen.

201

ugh. I have developed a disdain for most things Texas. I don't know why.

My DT unis arrived today!
Hot Wheels artwork will be added.

Re: The top of the thread,
"Yup, looks like you're gonna need the rain tires."

199

When you look at it from a historical stand point, I guess it will be pretty cool telling my children's-children I was there.

205 - They are likely to be more impressed by the tomato glove story.

My son, Brendan, is 14 and a freshman in high school. He's been using the same glove, an SSK, since he was nine. It used to be way too big for him, but now he's 6-1 and it looks too small. But he won't give it up except when he plays first base [he uses it when he pitches]. He loves that glove.I didn't play ball in high school, but I still have my glove from when I was a kid. It's as flat as a pancake.

176 I can't seem to follow the link but I did hear a story on NPR today about a much coveted and spit into first glove. Can't find mine.

185 Are you depraved because you were deprived:#)

176 - https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/322537.html

Game thread open up top.

192 Ha! Good memory!

But I didn't get the Rick till I was 22 and in the Navy. The Hofner I got when I was 18 on Guam.