Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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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
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
Wednesday's appeal to have fun during the game wasn't an attempt to turn this blog into the online version of Pleasantville. It was more to remind all of us, myself included, not to overreact to the bad stuff. Because there's always going to be bad stuff.
Anyway, we weren't particularly tested - the biggest lesson learned was that the Dodgers could in fact beat a big-name pitcher. Hopefully, we won't be tested for a while. But when that time comes, it's nice to keep some of the bitterness out, even if disappointment or dissatisfaction comes.
* * *
The Dodgers really seemed to hit the ball square Wednesday night. It'd be nice to have more power, but what really gets frustrating is when the team can't even muster more than a couple line drives. I feel like if you wait for good pitches and then hit the ball hard enough, eventually it will pay off, even if the hits stay in the park. Some days you can't find a hole, but solid contact sure increases your chances.
Another nice reprieve Wednesday was from allowing the four-run inning. In 21 games this season, the Dodgers have given up four runs in an inning seven times. Never more than four, but still, four's plenty.
* * *
Looking at this hitting chart, it appears that right fielders have made one play on Andruw Jones at Dodger Stadium this season. Just for comparison, Matt Kemp has a greater spread.
* * *
Positive that the fans will boo Andruw Jones as he whiffs, misses and fans the balls going by at the plate.
Love to be wrong.
Jason Isringhausen is a big name pitcher.
People say I am often too literal. They literally regard me as a wet blanket.
--
Woo hoo! I just got a screener DVD for John Cusack's War, Inc. I'm stoked. Was looking forward to that one and doesn't come out until the summer. Too bad I'm already on media overload tonight.
I'm with Enders, though. If they put in rides, it might be worth it.
If the city is serious about going Green, then there should be a public transportation element to the development.
How much would a people mover from China Town and the metro rail up the hill to Dodger Stadium cost?
Key point there. I really think the Dodgers & Frank McCourt ESPECIALLY dropped the ball in letting go of Ross Porter IMHO, he had his faults but I really really liked & had emotional ties to him... darn it!!
For example (note: this idea has not been carefully thought out), what if a team like the Dodgers spent $30 million each year to sign all of the good amateur international players? After 5 years or so, the team would have enough talent coming up through the farm system to allow them to cut way back on payroll (hopefully more than $30 million) while still fielding a better team than before.
Does anybody have an idea how you could get a list of top international signees (by bonus) each year for the last 10 years or so? I'd be curious to see how often those players pan out. With the way the FA market is going, I would think that relatively few could pan out and you'd still end up ahead.
http://tiny.cc/G4W4W
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200609240.shtml
But I guess at some point that ceases to be an excuse and you have to deliver.
Are you friends with Nobody and all those guys?
I tip my cap in total respect to that lad, he did an awesome job...
No, the mayor of Huntington Beach loves them, too. She's working on erasing any signs of actual historicity or construction prior to 1985 in the downtown area, and it's a damned shame. The first building she got removed was the old Jack's Surfboards shop on the corner of PCH and Main, a lovely old building that used to be a brothel (something you wouldn't know until somebody pointed out all the narrow vertical windows placed very near each other, indicating small rooms on the second floor). Jack's Surfboards is still there, of course, but the local color has been scrubbed clean.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080424&content_id=2583216&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
So remember this the next time Jeopardy! features the category "Obscure Indie Bands' Chance Encounters With Pitchers With Really Long Names."
I'm not surprised they called up a pitcher - the inability (for various reasons) of the starters to go deep into games has been killing the 'pen.
Wade has very good stuff. He impressed me this spring a great deal.
But he may not be up for very long. Brazo might be called up within a couple of weeks max.
I nominate the New Dodger Stadium be located by the Santa Monica pier.
but then, vin's voice saying "it's tiiiiiiiiiime for dodger baseball" . . . it was even more welcome than usual.
I really didn't want to listen to the screamer tonight.
Tiger Stadium, in my opinion, was a great place to watch a game. But the Tigers didn't think so and Tiger Stadium is either heading for the wrecking ball or will fall apart on its own.
Fenway Park is really a dump. Yet it is beloved. Fenway is cramped and has bad views. Wrigley Field isn't quite as cramped, but it has some nasty pedestrian chokepoints.
And Wrigley isn't going anywhere or being modified in any significant sense.
I'm still sad they left Tiger Stadium. That was the most unique park. I miss Lou Whitaker hitting homers off the short upper-deck in right field.
Baseball at the corner!
Gawd I wanna visit that stadium bad! once I retire & sell some of the property my dad left me I'm thinking of going to many places chicago being one of them.
I think I saw Wade pitch this spring. That is the entirety of my very insightful analysis on Cory Wade. You're all welcome.
I wonder how many times over the years Vin has uttered the "Girl with the curls" anecdote? Several hundred?
Major League parks I've been to that aren't around anymore, ranked by how much I liked them.
1. Tiger Stadium
2. County Stadium
3. Busch Stadium II
4. Atlanta Fulton County Stadium
Parks which are still around, but not used for baseball
1. Candlestick Park
2. Qualcomm Stadium
I've used my Amazon Visa card enough to have a $25 GC in my hands, and for the first time in my life I'm stuck on what to get at that store.
Old music, new book(s)...the choices, the choices!
The neighborhood around Tiger Stadium isn't that much different than the neighborhood around Comerica. They aren't all that far apart.
Well, he'll snap out of it. DBacks are often tough in the first.
Photos from my Wrigley Field adventure:
http://www.doubledogmusic.com/baseball/cards_vs_cubs/
"Andruw Jones makes the catch... using two hands by the way," says Vin.
Candlestick wasn't really a dump. It was just cold. And some of the worst access of any stadium in the majors.
It was nicer before it was expanded for the 49ers. I only attended day games there.
Old Comiskey was hurt by having one of baseball's most evil owners.
2.4 ERA at home.
On the road? Not quite as good.
So obviously we will see a result that won't stop a-rockin'
So Vin keeps saying the Dodgers have no one now who can back him up at 3rd. Is that true that Hu can't play at all? We know Young can't. Sweeney? Er... Russell?
The Old Guys pitch in!
Nice.
You need to tag the runner to record an out.
Oh, did you hear that UCLA lost 2 quarterbacks in a span of about 5 minutes at their last practice before the spring scrimmage.
Apparently both Dodger 3Bs and UCLA QBs both need good health plans.
http://www.sonsofstevegarvey.com/2008/04/need-to-kill-hour-or-ten.html
But even that might not be enough, such as the time that Braves catcher tagged Andy LaRoche, only to have LaRoche called "safe".
Hot 1970s Conspiracy Thrillers
1) The Conversation
2) Night Moves
3) The Parallax View
4) Chinatown
This one's not looking like a pitcher's duel.
Let the Craft era begin.
Of course, this era only lasts a couple days.
"He OWNS the police!"
Oh, forget it.
They wearing shells and shirts today.
Yeah, I meant movies from the 1970s. "Chinatown" is a bit of a stretch, but it's pretty damn paranoid.
Not just "under" his nose, eh?
"Hold it there, kittycat! Hold it. You a very nosy fella. You know what happens to nosy fellas? Eh? They lose their noses."
(slash! ouch!)
"Next time I cut off the whole thing, feed it to my...goldfish."
Not sure why. They draw from some of the same energy -- the Beatty/Evans axis. Of course one has an auteur at its helm and one has but a decent journeyman.
(If it's not clear enough, I think "Chinatown" is a masterpiece, and "Parallax View" is basically a workmanlike solid 70s thriller.)
Come on, boys in blue, you can rake against this guy! Give Chad some love.
vr, Xei
You haven't lived until you get to see the third one...
Plus, Marathon Man has the most torturiffic scene ever.
I think The Conversation is still my favorite.
Vin just lost at least 1/2 of DT with those names.
The CITY of Los Angeles is around 460 square miles.
And then have zombies on the green necklace that you can shoot. (by the by- I hate the phrase "green necklace")
I'm positive that Andruw is in one heck of a slump....
And a Man From La Mancha reference to end it from Vin. Bless him!
-- (IIRC) Hemingway on Gertrude Stein
Also, the little box of facts in their presentation say the Dodgers have drawn over 160+ million at Dodger Stadium, that's wrong, whatever figure they used is the cumulative total for the franchise since 1901.
How about green headband?
See, he's relaxed now that Dewitt isn't breathing down his neck.
It brought to mind the same euphemism for me, but I think that's why I kind of like it.
Ted Leitner only knows how to reference himself.
Leitner is the dregs of San Diego announcerdom. And yet he seems to be very popular.
Which shows there is absolutely no accounting for taste by our neighbors to the south.
You can listen to a few songs free at Rhapsody:
http://www.rhapsody.com/alisonmoyet/alf
Another thing I hate about MLBTV, is how blurry the picture is, blurry enough where I often can't even see where the ball is after it's been hit. I thought Loney had popped that up at first.
My purchase of a Loney T-Shirt makes me feel so good.
I don't think Miguel Montero is that attractive, but there's nothing with you liking him.
The Cubs and Giants had a two decade head start.
193 A bird, or a cougar?
I keep getting irritated with the number of people behind home plate who are yakking on cell phones during the game.
It would have been a timing play to see if the run had scored if Loney had been called out.
That's funnier.
That's how they do it here.
Why did Proctor put a deer statue in the bullpen? I'm confused - are there gnomes and deer out there? What is this, a Disney movie, or grandpa's vegetable garden?
Billingsley has 9 K and 1 BB to 1 K and 2 BB for Gonzalez.
On the other hand, he reminds of the characters in the Wizard of Oz, who sing about the wonderful things they would accomplish if they only had a heart, or brain, or some such organ.
This may yet turn out OK for Dodger fans, because I think in the end these characters realize that they had what they needed all along.
Turk was the best.
Sorry but Hu probably makes that DP.
... Who's doing that? I must be missing it.
And yes, that would be quite ignorant.
I don't think I'm alone, though, when I say I feel like this game isn't quite over yet.
If I find the person who did the original page, I'm going to administer some justice: Clinton County, Illinois style.
Man, this will stink if Bills loses this game.
I hope this game isn't over, we have to keep coming in games like this and I think we can with the right tweaking of attitude.
UCLA quarterbacks Pat Cowan and Ben Olson were both injured in practice on Thursday and were taken off the field on the same golf cart. Olson hurt his right foot, Cowan hurt his left knee.
I'm actually going to go to the scrimmage on Saturday. I'm happy to see we will have great quarterback play again this year.
On the bright side, he's good.
241 He's been amazing, except when he hasn't. 11 strikeouts. Some hard hits, a few not so hard hits. He's been woefully inconsistent but often brilliant. So he deserves to win and he deserves to lose.
what crap luck
Feh.
... His concentration was not there from batter to batter, especially when there were runners on base.
In any case, this game ain't over yet, so we'll see.
1) O'Malley BOUGHT Chavez Ravine for several million dollars
and
2) The City of L.A. sold Chavez Ravine to O'Malley for one dollar.
Neither are remotely true. It was a nice deal, but that wasn't how it was set up.
"did nomar pretty much get the starting job as soon as he got back, no questions asked?"
That is in no way about spring training. He didn't get back in spring training. He got back during the season.
.240 / .345 / .360 / .705
DeWitt was sent down with this:
.255 / .367 / .333 / .700
DeWitt did a great job holding down the fort, but if Nomar is healthy, he should produce more. (Although his glove is definitely less than Blake's.)
i dunno, maybe when laroche is healthy he will start regularly, but we'll see.
Same here. Stupid cable company not offering anything.
What "move"? Who else is he going to put up there in that spot?
Not Deep or Hard Enough.
dude OPSed 1.064 last year (albeit in 34 at-bats), and not only is he the last guy off the bench, he can't even give anyone a night off.
He could have kept Billz in there, I don't know...
I'm flabbergasted - the DBacks actually made a defensive mistake tonight! Shocked.
Ground ball to Qualls, Furcal is trapped off second, throw to Reynolds, Reynolds throw bounces off of Furcal's head and people are safe at second and third.
Woo hoo!
Thank you.
365
Thank you, as well.
Oh well, at least I beat Hallux. ;-)
Artie: "You'll have to forgive Hank. His heart's in the right place but he keeps his brain in a box at home."
Perhaps he would have had better luck if he had planted a green necklace around second base.
That sure looked like an awful call. Even if his foot slightly came off too early, umps almost always give infielders that call. Why now, ump?
the world doesn't revolve around you blue!
That's an understatement.
Heh.
Nobody makes that call. Nobody. You only see it if it is plainly obvious or the umpire wants to be noticed. This was a case of the later. You dont even see umpires make that call in high scool, let alone the majors.
This game is too weird to have a conclusion tonight. They need to make it a two-parter, bring some good writers in, give it a slam bang ending. Maybe finish it during May sweeps.
Those girls are way too young to think that their father has been single too long. Their mom either had to be the worst one in recorded history or the dad is a modern day Ben Cartwright and the father was married twice and each wife died soon after giving birth to each child.
I think the latter explanation is the most likely.
Their girlfriends were like the guys who landed on planets wearing a different color shirt from the rest of the landing party, destined not to last too long.
The girls don't know that he collects double indemnity each time his wife dies within a month of childbirth.
But only if she falls off a train...
Immediately my new favorite player
Since I just had a physical that included a urinalysis, I'm willing to get into a urination contest with anyone.
three's company
matlock
golden girls
bonanza
though, three's co. and bonanza were of course in reruns. bonanza was on KDOC 56 for me, but i think that's an orange county channel.
anyway, looking at that list, i'm sure it won't surprise anyone that my father is turning 80 on saturday. :)
That could have also been the only size jersey available.
LA can blame the ump all they want, they lost this game when they couldn't do anything with the junk that Gonzalez was throwing up there through the first 6.
Just struck out young on a good looking breaking pitch.
I thought Kent had all sorts of old-school respect for authority.
One of the fun old LA things.
Cory Wade looks pretty impressive to me, even impressive in hitting Stephen Drew.
Nice play by Martin.
Okay, back the island.
whatever happened to last season's Dodger Thoughts-North™ crew?
I believe that won't go down in the books as a CS however.
5 out of 7 save opportunities.
In the Thunderbolt Grease Slapper once he's on your trail,
He won't stop because he knows there's no such word as 'Danger'
Tom Slick. Tom Slick."
And yet I can barely remember birthdays.
No, we should try another one this July when the Dodgers come here. There are more folks interested now. I'm sure we could twist Icaros' arm even if he still thinks I'm a jinx.
Way to go, Slappy McPopup!
There should be.
That never stopped Seagal.
Hey, there's a TV thread somewhere else Brock.
Right?
Let's sweep the Rockies, is all I can say.
'Night all.
And nothing says "I give up" like sending Pierre out to lead off the 9th down by two. Then, a meek popout by joggin' Andruw Jones to end it.
This seems like it will be the quintessential loss of the 2008 Dodgers.
510 quintessential seems like the right word and yet not. i agree with the underlying sentiment, though.
it's like we're just good enough to lose.
K. Kennedy couldn't be a bigger brown nose with vets like Kent.
you are way way way off base on that one. Jeff Kent did what every other second baseman has done in major league baseball. He wasn't turning a DP, the ball wasn't offline, and it is accepted to do what he did. He was avoiding the runner but wasn't so ridiculously far off of the base that the umpire had to call it. That play isnt calle d at any level of competitive baseball, and Kent, torre, Kennedy were all right and the umpire was dead wrong.
It's Joe Torre bobblehead night!
New post up top.
Another Nor Cal gathering would be great, Dodgers don't get up here until July, might be fun to go to an A's game....Right now I am not getting enough pleasure from the Giants being a bad team, but sadly in the standings Dodgers are neck and neck with them....It will change and Dodgers should start to hit more consistantly and the separation from the Giants should follow.
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