Andy LaRoche has just started his rehabilitation assignment and is not due to be healthy until May.

May 1 is next Thursday!

1. Do the Dodgers have to wait 10 days from when DeWitt went down to the minors to call him back up? If so, when would that date be.

2. Do the Dodgers have a history of skipping their 5th starter? Some teams don't do that.

vr, Xei

2 1. No, not if he is called up because of someone going on the DL.
2. Normally, I would say no but since the starters are not going deep into games, they probably like the options of having the 5th starter(s) available for middle relief. And this is Torre's call now anyway.

3. Thanks. I highly doubt the 5th starter would be skipped on all those days. Just my 2 cents. vr, Xei

It's too bad that the Dodgers had to burn an option on DeWitt only to have him in the minors for one day. Hindsight is 20/20, but you had to be uncomfortable with Nomar as the only "real" 3rd baseman.

I think they should have released Sweeney. It seems like his parting with the club is a matter of when and not if. They could have sent DeWitt back when LaRoche comes back. What are the odds that both Nomar and LaRoche will get injured at the same time? Wait, check that. What are the odds that they will both get injured again at the same time?

Sweeney is a proven clutch pinch hitter. He has started slow but Torre will work him into the lineup to get his timing going.

5

Anyone know how many options Dewitt has left?

There's probably some comment can be made about Joe not knowing Nomar's history of injury, but Vegas is just a hop skip and a jump from Chavez Ravine. Facing facts, Nomar's days of being an everyday player are over, he's just not that durable any more.

5 I think this year's option is used regardless of how many times they may send him down to the minors.

Facing facts, Nomar's days of being an everyday player are over, he's just not that durable any more

Not only that, but he's not good enough to be an everyday player anyway. You'd think Management would have recognized that by now.

Options are done on an annual basis.

I think that the current Dodgers are more likely to skip a fifth starter because when that fifth starter can't be counted on to pitch more than a few innings, it becomes almost self-defeating to use him, as opposed to having him available to help the other starters.

9

Nomar's bat is wanted in the lineup, he's what passes for power on the Ned C. constructed Dodgers. Gonzo is actually swinging the bat pretty darn well for the Fish this year coming off the bench. Shame he would have been the 5th outfielder in a very crowed roster.

11 Even Colletti can't be that dense. Nomar's power has been gone for a very long time by now.

Kemp passes for power. Kent too, on this squad.

No real back-up for Martin worries me. Is Paul Bako the regular catcher in Cincinnati? I wonder if we could give them some spare parts for David Ross; that makes more sense than getting Juan Castro.

Sweeney is a proven clutch pinch hitter. He has started slow but Torre will work him into the lineup to get his timing going.

It was mentioned in a previous thread that it would be nice to get Young in the lineup to get his timing going. I agree. Young has actually raised his average over the last week or so. It would be nice to see him him in a few games, especially now that Jones is hurting. I'd like to see an outfiled of Young-Kemp-Ethier for a few games.

Nice foreshadowing early in the first game thread:

27. KG16 2008-04-25 19:43:51
question: does a sac fly count as a walk off hit?

One thing i wanted to mention concerning Kemps lack of power this year is something I've noticed over the last few days. His bat looks extremely slow going through the zone, especially when comparing it to last year. That also could be an explanation of why he cannot hit a fastball this year and his raking against offspeed pitches. One of Kemp's best attributes was the bat speed and torque he generated from a pretty simple swing. He would really let loose with his hands and bring them through the zone really quickly. This year, his hands dont appear to be leading his swing as much and that is leading to a much slower motion through the zone. This year he is also making much less hard contact, especially because of his lack of ability to hit a fastball. I really hope he can fix this because even now he has enough power to hit balls out, but he needs to use his hands more and more quickly to become the real bison.

His bat looks extremely slow going through the zone, especially when comparing it to last year

Maybe his weight loss sapped some of his power.

7
Anyone know how many options Dewitt has left?

As mentioned before, options are used on an annual basis -- option years, if you will. Since DeWitt was sent down, 2008 is one option year and will continue to be so no matter how many times DeWitt gets sent down to the minors.

DeWitt was just placed on the 40-man roster this offseason, so this is the first of his three option years.

The option years don't have to be consecutive. For instance, Brazoban had an option year left this season because he had only been sent to the minors in two other (non consecutive) years, 2004 & 2007.

Once a player has five years major league service time, he must give consent to be sent to the minors even if he has an option left. For instance, Joe Beimel has an option left (only used in 2004 & 2005) but since he has just over 5 years service time he cannot be sent down without his consent.

6 Mark Sweeney, per baseball-reference.com:
.258 .350 .396 2039 PA, Career overall
.266 .359 .396 723, As a PH
.255 .404 .349 265, 2 Out RISP
.250 .356 .352 524, Late and Close
.260 .360 .410 444, Tie Game
.277 .388 .383 594, RISP

I'd say he's really consistent and his performance doesn't seem to suffer in "clutch" situations, but it doesn't seem to elevate either. He's a proven non-choker. (Which might be all a team can ask for.)

Chan Ho Park had a Beimelian 4 assists in 3 innings last night. I wonder what the record is for assists by a reliever in a single game. On Baseball-Reference.com, you can search for specific batting and pitching games, but alas not fielding.

Not that I would ever root for a Nomar injury, but it sounds like he might still be hurt 2-3 weeks from now. Which would allow LaRoche, assuming he progresses on schedule with his minors rehab, the opportunity to smoothly transition back to the starting job.

Now, that was a weird game. I fell asleep on the couch for nearly an hour, then woke up to see Saito blow the save on Bennett's inability to hold his glove the correct way and ended up staying up for the extra innnings.

My biggest question from that whole weird series of events is what was Pierre still doing on 1st base two outs after getting walked. Hu bunting? Are you kidding me? Isn't base stealing the whole point of having Pierre. And like every announcer loves to discuss, a true base stealer is the one who can swipe a bag when the whole stadium knows he's going. So go. I don't put that one Pierre but Torre, he seemed to have a string of bad decisions in those last four innnings.

Other random, half asleep thoughts from last night's game.

Jimenez looks like the human incarnation of Jar Jar Binks.

At some point, one of the Dodgers' pitchers is going to lose their patience with Bennett and just scream "throw me the #$%^&ing ball". It really is an absurd situation. You're a major league catcher for god sakes throw the ball back to the pitcher on a line not a looping arc.

I know he's not highly revered around here, but I like Nomar and think he's been swinging the bat well since coming back from his injury. Not a lot of power obviously, but he's been spraying line drives across the outfield. But it's really apparent that he's no 3rd basemen at this point in his career. Putting aside his fragility and lack of durability, he just can't make plays at 3rd. Which essentially means, there's no place for him on this team. The only role where he may be an upgrade over someone currently on the squad is Sweeney; Nomar could become a solid pinch hitter and would be a slightly more useful utility infielder than Sweeney. If he is with the team in September, my guess is that's what his position will be.

I like Nomar and think he's been swinging the bat well since coming back from his injury

This myth (which I suspect Management also subscribes to) must be busted.

Nomar's season:
.226/.314/.323/.637

Nomar's last 7 days:
.208/.269/.333/.602

It's amazing what a few RBI-singles (when you're batting 3rd or 4th in the lineup) will do for your reputation.

Interesting quote from Russell Martin on Nomar in the LA Times story:

"That's tough," Martin said. "Nomar was starting to swing the bat real well. He's the best hitter I've ever played with. Hopefully it's not too bad."

http://tinyurl.com/66g7dx

Does Jeff Kent know about this?

Nomar was starting to swing the bat real well

I quit.

Obviously it's still early and sample size issues apply, but the Dodger offense is starting to round into form (outside of Andruw, who rounded into form in the offseason).

In February, Dodger Thoughts commenters collectively projected an .800 OPS from 7 of the 8 Dodger regulars, with a .780 from Furcal. Last year, a .800 OPS at Dodger Stadium was roughly in the 100-105 OPS+ range.

Here are the Dodger OPS+ for the regulars thus far:

Martin 115
Loney 99
Kent 112
DeWitt 84
Furcal 174
Ethier 131
Jones 41
Kemp 95

Outisde of Andruw's awful start, the collective performance of the regulars above has been pretty much in line with expectations.

Dodger subs (which includes a healthy dose of Kemp, but is mostly the bench) have hit a putrid .230/.266/.279 thus far.

Factor in some improvement from Andruw and the bench, mixed in with a healthy LaRoche, and I still contend this is at least in 800 run team.

Did you guys read about this...Shark attack in Solano Beach

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/25/ca.shark.attack/index.html?section=cnn_latest

24
That quote jumped out at me as well. Maybe Martin meant career. Nomar's OPS+ for his career is 125, slightly above Kent's 124.

Of course, Loney is sitting at 125 as well! :)

Have we even won 2 games in a row all year?

29
Yes, but not 3 or more.

Not that I would ever root for a Nomar injury..."

Sure you would. I would. I am. So are you.

Own up to it, man!

23 To be fair, those are very small sample sizes, 35 and 27 PAs. (B-R has his last seven days as .240 .296 .360 .654.) So small that two outs changed to singles make a big difference. I know I could easily had one on the play Stephen Drew made and turned into a GIDP, and I've seen at least one well-struck line-drive out. If those two are singles, the season line becomes .290 .371 .387 .758 and we are left to complain only about the lack of power that is an on-going concern, of course.

I'm glad the Dodgers could recall DeWitt. I was confused about the rules on that waiting period thing, too. It was either him or Terry Tiffee (actually a few games of Tiffee wouldn't have bothered me all that much.) But I was two weeks off in the Nomar Goes to the DL Pool. Anyone have today?

20 "Chan Ho Park had a Beimelian 4 assists in 3 innings last night."
Shhh! Don't tell Troy From WV.

I'm glad to hear Schmidt's on the upswing. I'd like to see either him - or the Minotaur - be our 5th starter in a month. I don't mind having Loiaza or Park as our long reliever, but given they each have pretty much a guarantee of one really bad inning as a starter, I'd have more faith in someone else.
So win today Dodgers to be safe!

I wouldn't be too surprised if the Dodgers win 3 in a row against the Rockies. Penny should provide a good chance to win tonight, and even though Loaiza's pitching tomorrow, he's actually been better this season than his opponent (Francis).

First 3 game-winning streak and first series sweep, coming up.

32
But couldn't you just as easily turn some of his hits into outs...?

27 That shark attack was tragic and awful, heard about it yesterday.

I will say it's a good time to watch the doc "Sharkwater" though before people dust off their shark-huntin' gear.

Nomar seems to have been injured since 2003. It's just a matter of to what degree.

A win streak would be nice just to get me into the year more. Right now I am as indifferent about this team as any dodger team since I have been around Dodger Thoughts.

34 I forgot. You're the one who doesn't believe in the jinx. I envy you. I'll also blame you if they don't sweep, if that's okay with you.

37 Really? This is actually the team I've cared about the most, since many of my favorite farm prospects are now regulars, and a few more are coming. And I like the manager better than the last two. It makes it more emotionally painful, then, when they stink, but I am less indifferent about this team than any other of the past 4-5 years. To each their own, I guess!

Okay, time to prepare for the NFL Draft. And then the SFIFF. Cheers all.

Sharkwater was awesome.

I'll also blame you if they don't sweep, if that's okay with you

What's in it for me if they do...?

28 And Martin was here for the good Nomar of (part of) 2006 that was a 120 OPS+ overall, with 160 for the first half. Kent has been about 120 when Martin has been a major-leaguer and probably did not have any prolonged period (that I recall) to match Nomar's first half 2006, which was quite impressive.

Kershaw last 3 games:

17.2IP
1 earned run
0 homeruns
6 walks
19 ks

20 yrs old.

41 The joy of knowing you were right enough to counteract the jinx? A Joe Torre Bobblehead? A Gary Bennett rookie baseball card?

40 Didn't it make you want to kill that shark fin soup salesman?

A Gary Bennett rookie baseball card?

I don't think Gary was ever a rookie. He went straight to washed-up veteran backup catcher.

35 Do you remember any cheap hits?

From the Hardball Times, Nomar this year:

LD% BA/BIP GB% IF/F HR/F BA/RISP
26.7% .207 43.3% 22.2% 10.3% .300

Just as comparison points, Albert Pujol's highest LD% 2004 - present is 20.3%, Miguel Cabrera's is 24.3%

Nomar does seem to have hit the ball hard this season, but popup a lot.

I don't think anyone in the organization believed Nomar was the best option at 3B. They thought he was serviceable but very marketable as the face of the franchise.

44 There are so many repulsive scenes in that movie.

well trainwreck it's looking like C Long will be 2, M Ryan at 3, so Dorsey falls to us. Word is though that the Raiders want Mcfadden. I think if Al makes the pick it's Mcfadden, if it's Kiffin making the pick it is Dorsey. What's your gut telling you will happen.

20
I doubt that assists by a pitcher while relieving is a stat that is tracked.

The most assists for any pitcher in a 9-inng game is 11 and that's been done seven times and last done in 1941 by Rip Sewell.

That's the only non-Deadball Era instance of that. All the others are from the T. Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson Administrations.

If the Raiders select McFadden over Dorsey, I am going to be one angry panda.

It will be nice to have DeWitt back.

I doubt that assists by a pitcher while relieving is a stat that is tracked

Enter the Timmer-mann.

52
It would be really hard to do. People would have to look through sheaves of daily totals, not all of them have been digitized and indexed.

I would assume a Deaball Era pitcher came in to relieve a game when a starter got hurt and picked up 8 or 9 assists.

Johnny Dawkins will be taking over at Stanford it appears. Can he duplicate the Trent Johnson Sour Face look?

49
The gut always tells me the Raiders will disappoint me in the draft, so we will take McFadden.

54
Stanford fans must hope his evaluating skills become better than what they have been lately for Duke.

49 I've seen lots of talk the Falcons will take Dorsey if he falls to them.

51 I think I would rather have McFadden over Ellis though. I'm a little uneasy about USC defensive tackles. If we traded down and still got Ellis then maybe. If we take McFadden, that will be a pretty sweet backfield. I am concerned about McFadden's ability to hold onto the football.

Should the Rams take Long or Dorsey?

PS: The answer to 59 is not "Yes".

57 true, if Dorsey is available at 3 then I think it will cause them to pause, but it still sounds like they will take Matt Ryan. Should both Long and Dorsey be gone when the Raiders pick then I say take McFadden or trade down. I pray they don't take Gohlston. My gut says he will be average at best.

Nevermind.

the St. Louis Rams have decided to take Chris Long with the No. 2 pick, according to ESPN.com's Michael Smith.

Smith reported on Saturday morning on ESPN that according to team sources, the Rams will select Virginia defensive end Chris Long, son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long.

59 Both. Either. They need help in both spots. They've had such bad luck with high DT picks, I'd go for the safer pick in Long at DE, and then pick a DT in a later round.

62 I'll believe it when I see it really happen.

Which player has the best chance of not being very good? The Rams should pick that player.

Chris Long is a good pick.

Although he is no Jared Allen.

62 I think it's pretty certain the Rams are taking Long. The only other scenario I see is them trading the pick.

65
McFadden or Gholston are the boom or bust picks. So obviously Al Davis wants them instead of being sensible.

and McFadden is no Adrian Peterson despite what some moron analysts say.

anyone think McFadden will come close to what AP did last year

McFadden will lead the league in fumbles.

!!!!

70 ha, were you reading my mind

I want Dorsey for the Rams because DT said that's who I should want when I asked 9 months ago.

The Chiefs need to take Dorsey if he falls to 5 to them. I could see them trading down but they already have the 17th pick, they need the premium player.

I want Long because Mel says I should.

71
McFadden is like Bush. He can only run in space. If he gets hit low at all, he will go to the ground.

Peterson is a running back you can just keep handing the ball to for the next five years.

Is the draft starting later this year then normal? I swear I thought it started at 10am PT in past years.

my concern with AP when he came out was injuries. He always seemed to suffer some fluke type injury. no doubt he is one of the most talented backs around, but I doubt he'll ever play an entire season.

I think Mendenhall is the best RB in this draft. That dude is an absolute beast.

78 yeah, I was expecting to see it at 9 pst this morning, but it's pushed back to 12. Not sure why the change.

79

Eat your words!

78
Yeah it is, because they made it shorter.

81

its ruined my whole sports day.

I had it all planned :(

79
Have you seen McFadden's legs? It looks like they will break upon contact.

they made it shorter

Hallelujah.

Wow, that would be an interesting trade.

Suggs and 10th for the Rams 2nd?

I think Ravens might have to include a 3rd or something.

80 I love J Stewart, but I'm concerned about him holding up as well. He's tough no doubt, but he always has an ankle injury it seems. Last year the toe.

The NFL Network's website says they were having a 4-hour PRE-DRAFT show. So why do they have this show when, presumably, they had nothing else to talk about since February except the draft?

89

You just don't understand Bob.

89
They have. NFL Network has plenty of time to fill.

89
Speaking of which, what does Mel Kiper Jr. do for the other 364 days of the year...?

85 honestly not very much. I saw a whole lot of AP. AP never looked like he was an injury waiting to happen, it just seemed he was always hurt.

They had free agency to take about. That ate up a lot of time.

So this guy on the Verizon commercial...thats Goldberg from Mighty Ducks right?

He lost like 150lbs.

At the NFL Owners meeting in October 2007, they made these changes, the time between picks in the first round will be cut from 15 minutes to 10 to help speed up a process that went a record 6 hours and 8 minutes last April, starting time was also moved from noon EDT to 3 p.m. for the first day, which will be limited to two rounds instead of three, the time limit for second-round choices was also cut, from 10 minutes to seven.

Picks in the final five rounds, which will take place on the second day of the draft, will continue to be five minutes apart.

92
Scout and gel his hair.

92

my dream job.

95
I was a PA for Last Comic Standing and he tried out for the show. I had no idea he was a comedian. He looked like he had been shooting up meth.

Trust me, I understand the NFL Network. And the fact that I do makes me want to take a shower.

Several showers.

With lots of antibacterial soap.

Someone make Antoine Cason drop to 47.

talk of the Raiders moving from 4 to 10. Who would they take at that spot? Ellis?

This will be the first time I'm awake for the beginning of the NFL Draft. Waking up on Saturday mornings before 10:00 is not my forte.

Too bad I have to go tutor kids for the SAT II. On a Saturday :-(

103
Here's my tutoring advice for those kids:

A
A
B
D
E
C
D
D
A
B
B
C
D
E
E
A
B
B

Angels-Tigers on Fox this afternoon. That might be fun to watch.

I need to pick an NFL team again. I'm split between the Chargers, 49ers, and Cardinals as a distant third.

I like the Chargers' defense, a lot of the guys that the Cardinals have, and the offense that the Niners run.

105 The Angels optioned two position players and recalled two pitchers. Interestingly, that only gets them to twelve pitchers; I didn't realize they were only carrying ten. One of the pitchers, Rich Thompson, is Australian.

106
I repeat: Dodgers fans should not be 49er fans.

106 I root for the Cardinals. Don't do it. Not worth it. Cardinals and Lions. I'm not good at picking teams to root for.

104 No spoilers!

23
I love how the rallying cry of small sample size is so easily forgotten when it doesn't fit into the point of view currently being discussed. Nomar has had 31AB's. I didn't say that he was returning to his AL Batting Champ days, simply that he looked good swinging the bat. After a few days of looking lost when he first returned, he's been hitting the ball hard, even taking pitches, and generally looking comfortable at the plate.

Yes, these are merely my observations, and I know I'm not supposed to believe what my eyes tell me but Nomar has looked better at the plate than he did all of last year. As opposed to Jones for example, who has looked my 5 year old whiffing at wiffle-ball knucklers.

In the field, Nomar has been a liability. At the plate, I would say he would at least equal what DeWitt's going to give us. All of this is moot, because Nomar is brittle is going to miss more than 75 games and really can't handle the rigors of playing 3rd base.

106 I can't see rooting for a Bidwell-owned team under any circumstances.

82 I will...if I need to

108 - yeah, but I kind of rooted for them as a kid, Montana, Rice, Craig, Lott. But I really did not like Steve Young.

Besides, different game, and it's not like we've got a local team here.

110 see 32 and 46 . The LD% seems to match your eyes.

Since there are people on this board who root for teams that include the 49ers, Raiders, Vikings, and Broncos makes me weep for the future of humanity.

113 BTW, nice call (sort of) yesterday. See 15

Dodgers/49er fans unite! :)

(Who else are you supposed to root for growing up in the Bay Area in the 80s?)

Who else are you supposed to root for growing up in the Bay Area in the 80s?

The Giants.

I repeat: Dodgers fans should not be 49er fans.

I second that. It seems to be common for Oregon natives to be Rams fans. Why is that?

119
Because we're good people.

120 well that's true, but what does that say about me being a Raider fan. I will regret that question.

I actually started out as a Rams fan. That is until I lost my $2 bet that they would beat the Steelers in the SB.

but what does that say about me being a Raider fan

It's the Springfield in you...

Hey, I root for the Niners and the Dodgers. Geographically it makes sense, but there were the glory years of Montana, Rice, Clark, Rathman and the rest which caused a lot of Hawai'i football fans to jump on the bandwagon.

It's the Springfield in you...

your such an elitist

I was the only Raider fan I knew of. My cousin (Springfield) was and still is a big Rams fan.

Going from 4 to 10 to get Ellis would be sweet. Of course, if he is not there we are screwed.

I loathe the Niners.

124
I used to catch a vanpool to Salem in the Gateway Mall parking lot, where I saw tons of mall-rats in Raider jackets.

I grew up in the Bay Area in the 80s as a Rams fan. It was tough. But I was a Dodgers and Lakers fan, too, so more good came than bad in the sports universe.

I've always felt that people who were Lakers and 49ers fans weren't real people, but I no longer make an issue of it.

I've always felt that people who were Lakers and 49ers fans weren't real people, but I no longer make an issue of it

Best to let them live their fake lives in peace.

126 I've never owned a Raider jacket. I don't wear any Raider gear, primarily because I didn't want to be associated with the typical person who wore the stuff. I don't consider those people real Raider fans. They were more about the image and not the team.

I feel flattered that Bob doesn't hate me despite being a broncos fan living in SF. It must be my rapier wit.

No Draft chat on the griddle?

I will cry if denver doesnt draft an OT.

Why are they booing?

The Rams are on the clock!

Why are they booing?

I think they're saying "Taglia-buuuuueeee...", as in "What happened to Taglia-buuuuueeee...?"

131 a lot of Buffalo fans in the audience. They don't like the Dolphins much.

131

because jets fans dont like the dolphins.

130
I don't have MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, or even WNBA draft chats on the Griddle. I put one up once for the MLB draft but I really didn't bother because no one else was interested. Or maybe I wasn't interested.

I just don't like watching drafts. Although they are marginally more exciting than things like Letter of Intent Day.

so D4P, I can't expect you are too proud of the commitment the Rams have made to Leonard Little over the years.

Woah: Isaac Bruce is now a 49er?

SAY IT AIN'T SO!

137
I stopped paying attention when the Rams lost to the Cheaters in the Super Bowl.

Chris Long likes to start sentences with "I mean".

139 my bitter moment occured the game before that.

With the 2nd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select...

Chris Long, defensive end from Virginia

well D4P you are very fortunate to have Long

So, does Atlanta go for a new franchise quarterback?

Does this mean Howie Long isn't going to hate on the Rams on TV anymore?

I think so, or atleast they should

Is the 2nd round today or tomorrow...?

today, 3r and on tomorrow

147 - today, rounds 3-120 are tomorrow

145 - he'll just hate on the offense. Or he'll go Manning and force a trade to the Raiders

OMG, if they Raiders take Dorsey, their D will be sooo good

Is Steve Young Matt Ryan's agent?

Steve Young has been hit in the head too many times, "If they don't do it now, there's no chance later this year or next year to fill that vacancy" at quarterback.

150 that's not his way

154 - I know, I just wanted to take a shot at the Mannings

Is it just me, or is Kiper's hair a bit, um, darker than usual?

Well, that choice kind of opens things up

please, please take Dorsey now

Someone just beat Al unconscious and take the phone and say Glenn Dorsey.

Steve Young has a man crush, me thinks

43 If Kershaw is averaging close to 6 innings per start isn't he pitching just as much as he would be in the majors? how are they keeping his workload light? Is he throwing close to 100 pitches per start? Isn't part of the reason for him being in the minors so his workload doesn't jump to 200 innings?

How did the Cheaters get the 7th pick?

five bucks says the Raiders take DeSean Jackson right here

161 - trade from a year ago, I think, with the 49ers (I think, again)

What about taking McFadden and converting him to receiver?

162 I'll take that bet, but again nothing would suprise me.

They're talking up McFadden, so sorry Raiders fans

How has Reggie Bush worked out so far?

Trainwreck is about to have his football weekend completely ruined if the Raiders make McFadden their pick.

I really don't see the Raider taking Dorsey here though, they just put too much money in players on the DT spot

well there you go

In my opinion, the Raiders should have either taken Dorsey OR traded this pick for multiple picks. They need the extra picks, players.

But, yeah, McFadden. Trainwreck's angsty prediction was spot-on, unfortunately. (Though I do think he'll be a good player.)

Guess Al's calling the shots.

167 - I don't think the Saints have really utilized Bush well so far. Kiffen might just be able to use McFadden the right way.

How did the Cheaters get the 7th pick?

By cheating.

Mel Kiper's hair now has its own show on the NFL Network, late at night.

---

Sorry, Train! So now the only question is, who will block for McFadden and who will tackle on the DL. But they have a lot of depth at RB!

McFadden is not a bad pick, just prob not the right pick

My Tivo is now set. Have to leave before we get to picks 8 and beyond.

I think the Ravens should draft Joe Flacco with their second pick, if he's there.

And I hope the Niners do something stupid again. That would make my day.

I hate Al Davis.

173 Maybe they'll run a wishbone or option style offense.

Oh, yeah its the Raiders, McFadden should be good blocking for long pass plays.

If the Broncos screw up this draft, I wonder if Mike Shanahan will fire himself?

176 Hey, I get to see the beginning of the Kevin Craft era later today.

Bob, do you think it'll warm enough to wear shorts in a April Pasadena evening.

wouldn't be suprised if Michael Bush is a better/more dependable back than DM

The stupid Chiefs have 12 picks in the draft. Good thing they're a long way from good, because they'll be closer to good after this draft.

They should take Dorsey, but they'll probably do something stupid, too.

Nope, they did something smart. Darn them.

Next time Ned trades for a middle reliever:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080426&content_id=2591613&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Of course, the Chiefs needed a DE more than a DT but they'll probably take one with another pick.

Jets fans lost their two favorites. Bet they take Gholston or Ellis.

179
I would rather see that than Cowan and Olson.

179
It was last night, but I have a very warm apartment.

But I won't be wearing shorts tonight because they're frowned upon when attending a concert at Disney Hall.

Now Glenn Dorsey can bring down McFadden and make us look even more idiotic.

Will Blake or Andy stop this Merry-Go-Round.

20 different Dodgers have played at least an inning at 3B since Beltre left in 2004.

How many can you name without resorting to any reference material?

186 Does the Blackberry go to the Disney Hall too?

189
Yes, but I turn it off while the concert is going on.

I went to a performance there once and I took the BlackBerry out to make sure it was turned off and the guy next to me said, "You're not going to use that during the concert."

I said no, I was turning it off.

The guy then spent much of the performance talking to the person next to him.

Dorsey is going to be great lining up inside to Jare-.....

oh wait.

TEEHEHEHEHE.

cromarte seems like a reach here

Did the Cheaters make a trade...?

The Saints are on the clock with the trade

Ellis here I think

The Saints are going to move to LA and rename themselves The Trojans

oh wow....

Jags are getting Harvey I think..

These announcers need to stop stealing my thoughts.

someone needs to talk to keyshawn about that shirt and tie combo

188
13 - excuse the spelling as I didn't check any reference material

Betemit
Nokoumoura
Edwards
Nomar
LaRoche
DeWitt
Aybar
Izturis
Martin
Lugo
Mueller
Hu?
Martinez

200

Nomar Garciaparra
Blake DeWitt
Russell Martin
Shae Hillenbrand
Tony Abreu
Wilson Valdez
Andy LaRoche
Joel Guzman
Ramon Martinez
Julio Lugo
Cesar Izturis
Bill Mueller
Wilson Betemit
Mike Edwards
Oscar Robles
Antonio Perez
Jose Valentin
Willy Aybar
Olmedo Saenz
Norihiro Nakamura

Let's play "Count the Cliche!"

From some NFL scout kinda guy:

Even though they have Thurman back, Rivers is one of those safe, quality picks. He's a good character guy, he's physically strong. He's a playmaker.

Pro Football - I'm a front-runner.
I'm a fan of the top four teams of the moment.
I like to track the USC and UCLA graduates in their quest to make it in the NFL.
I always feel bad for the ones that don't make it out of camp-dreams ended-.
Football is such a tough game. Every play is like a car wreck.
The owners really have a great money making system working.
Regarding player contracts, the NFL has done it right. No more production from the player, bye-bye used to be good player and his contract.

College football is more interesting to me.

203 - I don't really like the contract rules in the NFL - too one sided. A team can cut a guy when he's lost a step, but the player can't terminate their contract when they play above the production.

Might just be the lawyer in me.

Does the running back from Boise State have a chance of making it?

Congrats to underdog and Hallux, you guys got your man.

So who's the new quarterback to be sacrificed in Charlotte?

wow, DeShaun Foster is a 49er now?

I think that might have made my decision as to my team for this year... at least in the NFC

I am "meh" to football.

204 Im curious to know what in the history of the league makes the owner's bargaining power relative to the players so strong. Are NFL players any more replaceable than baseball or basketball players? Is it because they wear helmets?

watching highlights from an Oregon player is weird, they wear a different uniform in each clip.

204
That's a good point. The NFL is like a meat market. This system just seems like it's more results oriented.

In MLB is it any more "fair" when players early in their careers can have their contracts "renewed" and are paid pennies on the dollar as compared to more tenured players, for levels of production that exceed the more tenured players with guaranteed contracts?

Another Duck moves to Carolina

210 - poor union management. The one thing the NFL players have going for them is that the signing bonus is guaranteed, but I'm not sure that makes up for the fact that you can be cut at any moment for any reason.

212 - I think the MLB rules for young players is patently unfair too. But there's also the issue of having 125 guys on the franchise pay roll, so maybe it makes sense in the aggregate.

I think the NBA's is probably the most fair, but I think it has more to do with the limited number of roster spots in the NBA.

210
See Bill James' essay "Revolution' from the '88 Abstract. I don't know if it's online anywhere.

Pods score 4 in the second against the D'Backs. Sd 4-0

Mike Mayock is a deity.

16
That's a great observation.
Thinking too much, maybe?
Trying to implement all of the things that he is being taught?
Years ago, in a different era, the Bison would still be relegated to the minors, until he could prove that he was proficient in the basics of the game.
Thinking about an action and making the action happen is very different from simply reacting.
I would be surprised if Kemp has lost his hand-eye or the ability get his hands to the ball. It looks like that he has been conviced that he had better be able to recognize the pitches that he is seeing and be more than willing to go oppo. It is apparent that all of baseball now knows that he will jump at the ball when he gets anxious, so when he's got two strikes and it's a tight situation, they throw him stuff off the plate that he lunges at and usually misses. He will learn, but sometimes it's difficult to watch.

trainwreck, I understand you with wanting Dorsey over McFadden, but I get the feeling you are really down on DM.

I've lost track of the cycle alert rules so I apologize in advance if this is a violation. Orlando Hudson has half a cycle in two ABs. Now SD 4-2.

221 - the cycle alert doesn't go into affect until a guy has three hits.

215 From a fairness standpoint, the fact that MLB teams spend a lot of resources to develop the players probably holds a lot of sway in their negotiations. The NBA and NFL just profit, and help promote, another unfair (dare I mention virtual servitude) exchange.

216 As a law student who cannot believe how many of my classmates, who are otherwise proven good logical thinkers, do not see the fallacies in traditional baseball stats, Id love to read that. Does anyone know if any academics, statisticians or otherwise, have written about James or his work?

Yes. A bi-cycle does not dictate an alert.

221 - and I believe you mean Short Chris Young, not Hudson

Yes. A bi-cycle does not dictate an alert.

such wit

From today's Gurnick.

Minor minors moves:
For the second time in a month, veteran left-handed reliever Mike Myers asked for and received his release out of Triple-A Las Vegas, one day after the Dodgers promoted Double-A reliever Cory Wade to the big leagues ... Triple-A outfielder George Lombard also was released from Triple-A on Friday. He was hitting .163

Vin also to receive honorary degree. Who chose his introducer?
... when he gives the Seaver College Commencement address. Scully will receive Pepperdine's highest honor, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Dodgers president Jamie McCourt will introduce the Hall of Fame broadcaster

222, 224, 225. Wow I screwed that up every which way.

228
I guess you're better at delivering information in person...

http://tinyurl.com/6ms9js
(Gurnick last night)
Jason Schmidt threw 70 pitches at DS yesterday.

Schmidt graduated from bullpen sessions to a semi-simulated game, facing a few hitters for the first time. Backup catcher Gary Bennett, who caught the first 20 pitches, speculated that Schmidt might have reached 89-mph with his fastball.

Stan Conte: "He got loose quickly and that's a good indication. I'm happy we got to the 70-pitch count. At the times we've had to stop, we've only gotten to about 50. We'll see how he feels tomorrow before deciding what's next."

Schmidt made 20 throws to batters tracking pitches without swinging. He rested four minutes, then made 20 more pitches, with batters Mark Sweeney, Delwyn Young and Bennett swinging occasionally. Schmidt threw fastballs, changeups and mixed in a few sliders and curves. He then went to the bullpen for 30 more pitches.

"Rick Honeycutt, "He wants to throw every ball perfect and he's not there yet. But he had nice arm speed and was free and easy. The hitters said the ball had some hop to it."

No one had a radar gun on him? Maybe they don't want him to focus on a number.

Vin also to receive honorary degree. Who chose his introducer?
... when he gives the Seaver College Commencement address. Scully will receive Pepperdine's highest honor, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Dodgers president Jamie McCourt will introduce the Hall of Fame broadcaster

Sheez, had I known they were giving them away I wouldn't have spent $70k on one.

229. Um, no not really.

wow, perfect place for Mendenhall to go

224 - Not even a bell or a little horn?

So will Nomar beat LaRoche back to LA?

234
There are rules!

Micah Owings hit a double to put the DBacks ahead 6-5, but suffered a leg injury when he got to second. The Padres have retaken the lead 7-6.

Darren Collison has announced that he'll come back to UCLA for one more year.

238 Huzzah!

Both teams with blown saves already in the Padres-DBacks game.

What's the record for blown saves in a game?

241
I would guess that it is more than 2. It's probably hard to have more than 4 for both teams.

That would be a pretty wild ending.

Dear Kobe,

Hi, yeah, it might be time to take this game over.

Thanks,

KG

Alrighty, so our first kid (daughter) was born on Sunday so I may have missed how this happened but I was just over on the Dodgers official site looking at the schedule/giveaways and noticed that the "Fans Vote" bobblehead is...Joe Beimel?? Um, what?

My apologies if this has already been discussed.

244 - congrats on the little girl. I think someone mentioned it, I think it means that the bobbleheads have jumped the shark

244 Apparently his mother started a large web campaign that no one I have talked to has heard of. Possibly a local drive more than a mass-internet drive.

The Padres are playing free baseball again. Hopefully this one goes on awhile and between the 22 inning game, the 13 inning game with the Giants and this one the pen ends up gassed and they are one less team to worry about.

Also for those interested, old friend Edwin Jackson is starting for the Rays right now against Boston.

244

It's troyfromwestvirginia's doing!
http://youtube.com/user/troyfromwestvirginia

Joe Beimel even mentioned him during one of the Fox Saturday broadcasts.

Jackson strikes out Manny Ramirez in a scoreless first inning (gives up 2 infield singles.

After Glendon Rusch walked pinch-hitter Dan Haren to start the 11th, the next two DBacks hitters made outs on the first pitch.

The Yankees' starting lineup today, according to the Yahoo box score:

J. Damon lf 5 0 4 0 0 0 0 .276
M. Cabrera cf 5 0 1 0 0 2 4 .289
D. Jeter ss 5 0 3 0 0 1 2 .282
A. Rodriguez dh 4 1 2 0 0 1 3 .302
J. Giambi 1b 3 1 0 0 0 0 4 .177
Unknown rf 2 1 0 0 1 0 3 .143
M. Ensberg 3b 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 .281
J. Molina c 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
A. Gonzalez 2b-3b

That Unknown guy was also the starting pitcher for Cleveland.

I wonder if they're related or if it's one of those Buchholz phenomena.

Jackson gives up a leadoff walk but has a scoreless inning thanks to an 8-3 double play.

Tonight's lineup (Nomar to DL):

Furcal, SS
Pierre, LF
Kemp, RF
Kent, 2B
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
Jones, CF
DeWitt, 3B
Penny, P

I guess Jones recovered.

Listening to the Rays announcers I just had one of those lol wut? moments. Talking about Hinske they mention that he has WQ, winning quotient. You've gotta be kidding me.

Tommy Lasorda at the LA Times Festival of Books.
http://tinyurl.com/5h5x5g

"After he received a standing ovation from a crowd filled with Dodger caps and T-shirts, he regaled the crowd with seldom-told stories about his playing and coaching career. Like his first game as a manager with the Dodgers in the minor leagues, and when he got his first bench-clearing brawl out of the way on his first day on the job."

Seldom-told? I suppose they're seldom-told if you're a literary critic.

255 So much for "day to day"--lets bench ethier instead.

259
But isn't Mark Redman a good slumpbuster?

He's not, um, heavy enough.

259 Im okay with sitting Ethier today. If anything, Ethier struggles with lefties who throw a lot of breaking balls. Plus, Kemp is going to have a HUGE night so it will not even matter.

Jackson through 3 scoreless so far.

Iguchi wins it with a walk-off job.

261 But he will be wearing a puple sleeveless shirt, so he'll be, um, ready to give it up.

Sigh....
http://tinyurl.com/4eqq28

I'm really thinking it's time for me to just work on my plan to blow up the borough of Brooklyn. If you're sympathetic to me, just let me know and tell you when to get out of town.

Guy Fawkes Night isn't until November 5, Bob.
Plus, the guy actually has a very good point about the Kareem spot.

267
That guy likely wasn't even live when the last player who had played for the Brooklyn Dodgers was still active.

He's a future Roger Kahn.

268
List change:
https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/317999.html

True, but that still doesn't mean the Kareem ad makes sense.

Roger Kahn is both "On Notice" and "Dead to Me." That's some serious hatred right there.

I hadn't made the corresponding change yet. Check it again.

However, Roger Kahn sort of transcends "Dead to Me."

Pretty soon, he won't be dead just to you. Then you'll feel appropriately guilty.

274
I'll deal with it. I don't see Roger Kahn feeling guilty about Walter O'Malley's passing.

QB controversy in Green Bay pending... Rogers or Brohm.

Huh, I was just about to comment how there were very few quarterbacks taken thus far and now two taken in a row.

I am going to my first game of the season tonight. I intend to eat a couple of hot dogs, a hamburger, garlic fries, soft serve, peanuts, and beer. This will inspire A. Jones and he will go 2-4 with an HR.

278 What's that, about $40?

278 Or you to have a heart attack.

Will the heart attack be from the food, or the shock over Jones' HR?

279 Two Dodger Dogs, garlic fries, and a Hefeweizen will run you about 28 bucks.

And 30 minutes in line. Stupid food lines.

280 Oh geez, get over yourself. I eat more than that watching every game on TV and I've never had a heart attack. Not once.

279. You mean $40 for the beer. After all this is Dodger Stadium.

279. You mean $40 for the beer. After all this is Dodger Stadium.

282 Add the burger, peanuts and soft serve and I think you get to $40

281. Good point. The shock of it may be too much to bear.

282. No Hefeweizen. Lite beer instead, can't you tell I'm watching my weight.

287 Shouldn't you be leaving?

Old Friend E. Jax just struck out Old Friend Julio Lugo. Lugo fighting with umpire over balls and strikes. Francona saves Lugo from getting tossed.

We'll leave about 6:10. An hour should be enough.

We'll leave about 6:10. An hour should be enough.

I'm heading out to Disney Hall. I'm hoping that the Mozart Clarinet Concerto doesn't go into extra movements.

Or perhaps I'm just pretending to go so people think I actually have some outside interests.

Ugh. Using daughter's MacBook and I keep double posting.

Edwin's now losing 1-0 after Longoria makes a phenomenal diving stop but can't throw Ellsbury out at first.

The MacBook would be easier to use if every key weren't covered with Shawn Green's picture.

292 - we'll all know as soon as you comment about about Juan Pierre scoring on a catcher's interference (after stealing second and third)

Maybe I should leave earlier-don't want to get caught in the Downtown Mozart Clarinet Concerto traffic crush.

295 I'd love to see a Free Mozart! comment later tonight.

Bob's classical music tastes remain as Teutonic as his last name.

Mix it up, Timmermann. A little Verdi never hurt anybody.

295. Sadly between her getting older and his absence she is moving on. Although I'm sure tonight I'll hear a lot about him and how much she misses him.

NPUT

299
It's not all Mozart.

There were also be a Bruckner symphony.