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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

The All-Inclusive Top Sportswriter List
2008-05-01 20:48
by Jon Weisman

I'm pretty eager to let the whole blogger vs. mainstream media argument die, mainly because there shouldn't be a divide to begin with. The two forums complement each other, as much as people are willing to let them.

So this is what I propose: I want to make a list of the most thoughtful, useful, interesting sportswriters out there today. The sportswriters you are proud to read, regardless of whether their home is with this country's biggest newspapers or in a tiny corner of the Internet.

Let's heal the bay and make ourselves an All-Star squad. Go.

Comments (260)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-05-01 20:55:33
1.   Bob Timmermann
Tom Timmermann, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

I'm a firm believer in nepotism.

2008-05-01 21:06:32
2.   Marty
Jon
Joe Posnanski
Tom Stienstra (outdoors writer, but he's in the sports section)
Josh Wilker
Rich Lederer
Eric Enders
Toy Cannon
Andrew/RegFairfield

People I enjoy reading who wouldn't consider themselves sportswriters I'm guessing:
Will Leitch
Big Daddy Drew
Mose Schrute

2008-05-01 21:10:13
3.   KG16
hmmm

My sports news reading is pretty much limited to DT, the Griddle, the Times sports page, and ESPN.

Obviously Jon and Bob are good. And I've always been partial to Adande, but really, that's about it.

2008-05-01 21:10:18
4.   Marty
I'll add Dylan Hernandez. I think he's a good beat writer.

Mark Heisler is a good basketball writer.

2008-05-01 21:12:01
5.   immouch
Gammons, Neyer, James, Scott Reid OC Register, Mark Whicker, John Feinstein, Fire Joe Morgan crew, Simers sometimes, Heisler, this blog, Johnette Howard, Gay Talese, the guy from the Miami Herald with the radio show, Michael Chabon and Stephen King on baseball...
2008-05-01 21:14:48
6.   Marty
Sorry, I would say Stephen King is not a good writer in any medium. Successful yes, but not good.
2008-05-01 21:15:28
7.   Reddog
I used to like Bud Furillo, Jim Murray and Bob Oates.
2008-05-01 21:16:37
8.   Jon Weisman
Include last names if you can, for those who (hopefully) might come to read this post from elsewhere.
2008-05-01 21:17:09
9.   LogikReader
May I interrupt the thread to ask where we can talk about tonight's office? Boy I really REALLY want to talk about the show in progress.

Thanks for your help, back to business.

My favorite writers at the moment:

Tony Kornheiser, believe it or not.
Gammons
J.A. Adande
Jason Stark, although he reports more than writes columns

I'll come up with more as if anything else pops up.

2008-05-01 21:17:16
10.   robneyer
I don't read many newspaper writers, mostly because most of my sports reading is for work, and where I work Buster Olney pretty much has the newspaper writers covered.

But because I read the NY Times every day (multiple times every day), I will mention that Ben Shpigel and Tyler Kepner do outstanding work covering the Mets and the Yankees. Until recently the Times had a glaring weakness in their baseball coverage, but now it's just a wonderful place to read about baseball.

Like Marty, I regularly read Posnanski, Wilker, Lederer, and Schrute. Plus Calcaterra and Pinto (especially his long-form stuff for TSN). And most of the BP crew, of course.

I should be clear: this is an abbreviated list. I've left out my ESPN.com colleagues, but not because I don't like them. And I haven't mentioned Tom Verducci, who writes brilliant features for SI. -rob

2008-05-01 21:21:14
11.   scareduck
I can't think of a single writer working for Baseball Prospectus who hasn't turned out a pretty consistent string of quality articles. I'm most fond of Christina Kahrl (for her excellent work on transactions) and Joe Sheehan. Will Carroll also fits in this bundle, though at times he's been a little too eager to publish stuff that isn't actually true.

Jay Jaffe, both on BPro and on The Futility Infielder. Wonderful writer with a great ability to turn a phrase.

The Times beat reporters are good. Mark Whicker delivers a good column, though I confess openly to not reading all of them. (I subscribe to the Times and the Register but only really read one or the other most days.)

Joe Poznanski (sp?) in Pittsburgh is a good one I mainly catch via BTF.

Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue is just delightful. It helps that his day job is over by 10:00 AM CST (he produces a morning news show), so he has season tickets and has for years; he's great at capturing the emotional investment in the game and the team.

Obviously, this site is also on my short list, and in fact when I'm pressed for time will be one of only two other sites I read (Halos' Heaven being my primary check for Angels news).

On the flipside... I was researching the Cubs' walloping of the Brewers, and decided to look up the reaction in the Times to the first Ismael Valdez trade. I was just amazed at how bent out of shape Ross Newhan was because the Dodgers were moving starting pitching, which they legitimately needed at the time. Part of the reason the Dodgers needed starting pitching was because of guys like Valdez, which means that Newhan, who has a really good reputation around here, wasn't really seeing the forest for the trees.

I have tried reading Murray Chass, but he reminds me too much of late-career Newhan.

2008-05-01 21:23:51
13.   Bob Timmermann
9
Two threads down.
2008-05-01 21:23:58
14.   Marty
Omission: I read Rob MacMillan every day and totally forgot to add him to the list.
2008-05-01 21:24:10
15.   scareduck
11 - I should also add that Newhan's history of the Angels franchise, while complete at the time, is in desperate need of an index.

I wrote him over the last couple years, asking about an update now that the Angels have won a World Series (the book ended in 2000); his response was that the publisher had no interest.

2008-05-01 21:25:24
16.   LAT
In addition to those mentioned above, I like . . . (sorry folks, there's no accounting for taste or lack thereof) TJ Simmers. Don't worry, I can't stand Plaschke
2008-05-01 21:26:38
17.   Jacob Burch
To say Stephen King is not a good writer is being a little Bloom-like elitist--i'll never claim the man should win a pulitzer, but this isn't dan brown we're talking about. the man has a fairly well put together prose style and a very gifted imagination.

I can't think of anyone who hasn't been named, though I'm partial to online sources and people (read: adande) on the LA times.

2008-05-01 21:26:58
18.   scareduck
11 - other bloggers I should mention (I don't read these guys regularly, but they impress me in the main when I do read them):

- U.S.S. Mariner
- Lookout Landing (for sheer humor value)
- McCovey Chronicles

2008-05-01 21:27:00
19.   Disabled List
Joe Posnanski, Ken Tremendous, Jon Weisman, Peter King and (hanging my head in shame) Bill Simmons are my must-reads.

In dead-tree media, I think Mark Heisler still writes a solid NBA column.

2008-05-01 21:30:30
20.   LAT
I think what I just did in 16 is the equivalent of going to the Coachella Music Festival and screaming out "I love Barry Manilow."
2008-05-01 21:34:06
21.   Disabled List
20 No, the people at Coachella would assume that you were being ironic and edgy, and they'd probably start singing some Manilow tunes along with you.

What you did in 16 was more like going to Dodger Stadium and and screaming out, "I love Barry Bonds!"

2008-05-01 21:38:32
22.   LAT
21. But I do love Barry. O.K., not really but I'd love to have him on the Dodgers. Imagine where we'd be if he was our off season acquisition instead of that Andruw Jones guy. The guy can still rake.
2008-05-01 21:39:50
23.   Eric Enders
For purposes of this list, I'll consider the word sportswriter to mean "someone who writes about sports," not the usual, much narrower meaning of "someone who travels around with the team and writes newspaper stories."

So....

Jon Weisman
Josh Wilker
Joe Posnanski
Bob Timmermann
Bill James
Ken Pomeroy
Alan Schwarz
Rob Neyer
Phil Gurnee
Andrew Grant
Diamond Leung
Dylan Hernandez
Garry Parrish
Peter Bean
Ken Tremendous
Molly Knight
Kirk Bohls
The Dodger Blues Guy
Kevin Goldstein
Joe Sheehan
Scott Long
Ken Arneson
Jay Jaffe
Alex Belth
Eric Neel
Steven Goldman

I'm sure I forgot many.

2008-05-01 21:40:01
24.   Ryan Jerz
Michael Lewis, Jon Weisman, Howard Bryant
2008-05-01 21:42:32
25.   KG16
I'm not nominating Plashcke, because I would like to remain welcome here, but I saw this just now in his column:

"You could write, 'He's going to wait until August or September and evaluate how he is feeling,' " said Scully. "'I think that's smart, that's wise, just let it ride, then have a meeting with the McCourts and see what happens."

Apparently Vin's contract is up this year. Just thinking of the possibility... I need to go find a bottle of rum

2008-05-01 21:46:04
26.   Disabled List
Nobody's mentioned Tony Jackson yet?
2008-05-01 21:46:10
27.   trainwreck
I was going to say Rob Neyer, but then I would feel like a kiss-up.

I will go with Kurt from Forum Blue and Gold. I do not know his last name. Maybe he's like Prince.

2008-05-01 21:48:08
28.   Gen3Blue
Timmerman, Weisman, Cannon, Andrew, suit me well. Is Roger Angel still alive? Maybe Lupica. On the east coast it's hard to find warm bodies for the Dodgers.
2008-05-01 21:49:55
29.   Brent is a Dodger Fan
It is enlightening to read these comments. I had initially interpreted the question from Jon to be about print sports journalists, but I realize now I skimmed it.

Don't get me started about Plaschke.

Hm. I guess I do read a fair bit of BP, so I can saw that I love Jim Baker: awesome sense of humor. I appreciate the angle that Kevin Goldstein brings. I quibble with Jay Jaffe's use of the mean in his JAWS system, but he more than makes up for it with insight. Rany Jazayerli and Dan Fox always interest me. And I almost always think that Joe Sheehan has something brilliant to say, except his glaring weakness is being an apologist for Barry Bonds (he's not even neutral, and it means anytime he's anywhere near that issue, I find his usually unwaveringly accurate logic to falter badly).

I do eat up anything this Jon Weisman fellow over on SI.com writes. Hm.

The stuff at the Hardball Times is pretty reliable to me, but I can't say I have paid enough attention to the authors. Is that a good sign, or a bad one?

2008-05-01 21:51:29
30.   Marty
17 I really don't think saying King is a bad writer is elitist. It's only my opinion.
2008-05-01 21:51:45
31.   scareduck
14 - I'm honored.
2008-05-01 21:53:03
32.   Shaun P
I cannot imagine following the Yankees without being able to regularly read Alex Belth and Cliff Corcoran at Bronx Banter.

Steven Goldman is a treasure, and I'm grateful he's a Yankee fan. I'd still read him every day, even if he covered another team.

Jeff Passan.

Joe Posnanski can ramble on like no one else. (He should have a rambling contest with Simmons.) But then you read his 800 words on Tony Gonzalez being coached by Bill Belichik in the Pro Bowl, and you shake your head in wonder. How did he do that in 800 words?

Aaron Gleeman, personal stories and all.

Anne Ursu (the Twins blogger formerly known as "Bat-Girl", who I miss terribly).

And, outside of baseball, Gregg Easterbrook (Tuesday Morning Quaterback).

2008-05-01 21:53:55
33.   LAT
Penthouse -> Outhouse
Rolls Royce -> Pinto
Kate Beckinsale -> Rosanne Barr
Filet Mignon -> Dog Food
Bel Air -> Baghdad
Sandy Koufax -> Dannys Baez
Vin Scully -> Charlie Stiener
2008-05-01 21:53:56
34.   scareduck
29 - it's too bad that Dan Fox got hired by one of the ML teams (Pittsburgh?).
2008-05-01 21:54:18
35.   Eric Enders
30 Oh, that reminds me, I forgot one of my very favorites... the superb King Kaufman.
2008-05-01 21:55:15
36.   scareduck
32 - oh my goodness yes, Bat-Girl. Anne Ursu was something special when she was going. Not being a fan of the Twins or a team in the AL Central, I didn't read her that much, but she was just wonderful.
2008-05-01 22:02:40
37.   timm
Nick Canopa - San Diego Union Tribune
2008-05-01 22:07:32
38.   Jon Weisman
12 - Edited per site rules...

12. robneyer
I forgot The Office was on. Which wouldn't normally be a problem, since I normally have my DVR set to record every episode. But for some reason I don't, tonight.

Anyway, thanks for the reminder, LogikReader. At least I can catch the last 12 minutes. I just hope Schrute didn't write this one.

Stupid baseball, distracting me.

2008-05-01 22:08:18
39.   LAT
Raise your hand if you expected the Padres to have the worst record in baseball after the first month. If it weren't DePo's team I'd be enjoying it more.
2008-05-01 22:09:00
40.   KingKopitar
To me, there's generally 3 types of blogs: the news blog, the musings blog, and the comedy blog. I read Diamond Leung's blog and Rich Hammond's Kings blog (which is fantastic, by the way) to get the up-to-the minutes news. Also, James Mirtle's blog is obviously must-read if you're an NHL fan. I read Joe Posnanski, Jon Weisman and Greg Wyshynski if I want colorful prose that usually starts on a specific subject but then frequently connects to something else. And I read Barry Melrose Rocks, MJD at Yahoo! and Deadspin if I feel like a laugh.

Oh, and I'm awesome, in case anyone was wondering. And I like reading Andrew's blog just because that was the first blog I read regularly and I think we're about the same age.

2008-05-01 22:09:25
41.   Eric Enders
It was obvious before the season that the Padres weren't good. But worse than the Giants? No.
2008-05-01 22:10:42
42.   Disabled List
I forgot about King Kaufman too. Along with the five guys I mentioned in 19 , they're the ones that I hope I get to read something new by every time I turn on my computer.
2008-05-01 22:10:50
43.   Dodgers49
Veal Shines as Smokies Shutout Suns

>> Jacksonville starter James McDonald (1-1) fell in the loss in five innings of work, going through the order perfectly through the first four frames before allowing five fifth inning runs. <<

## Suns LH Clayton Kershaw will face Smokies LH James Russell Friday at 7:05 p.m. in the third game of the series. ##

http://tinyurl.com/5m92jn

2008-05-01 22:13:33
44.   trainwreck
I love Tracy Pierson, Greg Hicks, and Brandon Huffman's analysis on BRO. Give best scouting perspectives out there for basketball and football.
2008-05-01 22:14:14
45.   MikeB
Online writers
Jon Weisman
Joe Sheehan
Jim Baker
Christina Kahrl

From the local print media
Bill Shaikin
Ross Newhan
Bill Dwyre
Tony Jackson

Old-timers who I wish were still around.
Shav Glick
Allan Malamud
Melvin Durslag
And the great one, Jim Murray

Say it ain't so Vin!

2008-05-01 22:16:26
46.   Eric Enders
33 So you're saying that Royce Ring is better than Renyel Pinto?
2008-05-01 22:17:05
47.   Bluebleeder87
When I had alot of time I loved reading ALL Dodger related blogs (hopelessly in love with the blue) but this year I haven't had a chance to, as far as paid sporterswriters go the one that sticks out in my mind is Jeff Passan & a few others I can't think of at the moment. Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue is just delightful. It helps that his day job is over by 10:00 AM CST (he produces a morning news show), so he has season tickets and has for years; he's great at capturing the emotional investment in the game and the team. nice write up ScareDuck that's pretty much how I feel about Jon's writing.
2008-05-01 22:32:11
48.   John Hale
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times
He is their national MLB writer who does a great job. Hilarious one liner/rankings each sunday plus a must read full page article.

I Second the Bruin Report Online writers listed above. Amazed that I haven't lived in LA for ten years and I know more about the Dodgers and Bruins then I did when I lived in LA.

Mostly due to reading this site and BRO. I pay for that one so I need to pony up for reading DT so much.

2008-05-01 22:38:57
49.   Eric Enders
By the way, I cavalierly assumed the Leitch-Bissinger hoedown would be available on HBO on Demand, which, it turns out, it isn't. Anybody know of a place to watch it online?
2008-05-01 22:40:39
50.   bhsportsguy
Local sports:
Jon W., the 3 newspaper beat LA Dodger writers (Dylan, Diamond and Tony). Mark Heisler, Tom Hoffarth, Brian Dohn, The K-Brothers (LAT Laker/Dodger Blogs), ToyCannon/Andrew, Rob at 6-4-2, Tracy Pierson, Greg Hicks, Brandon Huffman of Bruin Report Online. (Also, all of the regular and non-regular DT commenters)

National coverage:
Peter King CNNSI, Bruce Feldman, Rob Neyer, John Hollinger, Marc Stein, Peter Gammons, Keith Law (all of ESPN.com), Molly Knight, Baseball Prospectus, Bill James Online.

Throughout history, I have enjoyed all the greats, through collections, I've read Grantland Rice, Ring Lardner, Red Smith, Shirley Povich, Jimmy Cannon, Jim Murray, Frank Deford and George Plimpton.

When I see something from Tony Kornheiser or Norman Chad, it usually makes me laugh.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-05-01 22:42:41
51.   bhsportsguy
41 Given everything that went on, I wonder if the Towers group should have signed Mike Cameron at a reduced price instead of dealing for Edmonds?
2008-05-01 22:44:20
52.   bhsportsguy
41 Also, the Padres bullpen has lost 10 games as of today. In comparison, the Dodger bullpen (which includes the rain-delay game) has 2 losses.
2008-05-01 22:47:55
53.   Eric Enders
So Saito and Billingsley are our two bullpen losses. That's something that would have been unexpected a month ago.

We talked about the Padres pen before the season. It was due for a regression to the mean. And Edmonds... well, if they were going to put a washed-up clown out there in center field, they could have at least gone with Rickey or Carl Everett or somebody interesting like that.

2008-05-01 22:56:16
54.   KingKopitar
49 Ironically*, you can watch the whole thing on Deadspin.

*Is that irony? I have no idea anymore.

Also, is there any rule that says the catcher can't run at the player when there's a player at the plate? Why doesn't he take a step and put his shoulder into the runner? Russ Martin's Canadian, I'm sure he could mess someone up.

2008-05-01 23:00:05
55.   Eric Enders
That move would be legal as long as he already has the ball.
2008-05-01 23:03:07
56.   LAT
The washed-up clown's numbers are almost identical to A.Jones.
2008-05-01 23:05:01
57.   KingKopitar
Okay, thanks. I always wondered, why does he just stand there? You're wearing the padding, mess that guy up! I guess I watch too much hockey.
2008-05-01 23:05:08
58.   berkowit28
56 Offensively, defensively, or both?
2008-05-01 23:06:44
59.   bhsportsguy
53 Actually Loiaza lost the rain-delay game, Chad numbers got hurt because he gave a run in 1/3 of an inning.

Of the ten losses by the Padres' pen, 2 were blown saves that if Hoffman gets the guys out, Padres win, 2 were blown holds, and then there were 7 times (including one of the blown save games) where the game was tied and then the pen lost it, like today.

I don't know if this stat means anything, with today's win the Dodgers are 6-1 in games decided in the team's last at bat while the Padres are 1-6 in those same situations.

2008-05-01 23:15:09
60.   LAT
Frank and the gang reached a new advertising low. If you go to Dodger.com and click on the schedule for May there is a picture of Indiana Jones on May 22. What's next selling ad space on the back of the seats.
2008-05-01 23:18:31
61.   bhsportsguy
60 Maybe when they drag the infield, they'll dress up in some costumes and have a bunch of Indianas chasing them as the familar Williams score plays over the sound system.
2008-05-01 23:22:25
62.   bhsportsguy
It figured to be him who would track Vin down and get a answer to that retirement question.

Actually, its not much different than what has been said but maybe this will score Plaschke more points on this thread.

http://tinyurl.com/6k5y5b

2008-05-01 23:36:50
63.   Maury
Let's see... Neyer, Brattain, Kepner, Eric Fisher and John Ourand (Sports Business Journal), Ron Blum (anything and everything), John Helyar, Alex Belth, Stark, Gammo, Crasnick, Marchman, King Kaufman, Jim Baker (both BP and ESPN), Jonah Keri, my compadres at BP, Rany (on the Royals), Craig "Shysterball" Calcaterra, all those writing at Fire Joe Morgan, Sean Gregory, Tim Lemke, Dayn Perry, Aaron Schatz, Sarah Talalay, Ken Davidoff, T.J. Quinn and more than my tired-old-self can muster writing at this hour. -- Maury
2008-05-01 23:40:01
64.   ryu
Most enjoyable to read: TJ Simers (you're not supposed to take him seriously all the time)
Most well-written: Ross Newhan
Most kooky: DodgerBlues.com
2008-05-01 23:46:55
65.   unlazy4sports
fantasy baseball question here.. How good is Scherzer? I have the #3 waiver position in a keeper league and was planning on waiting to move up for Kershaw but I have a suspicion that one of the owners ahead of me might be waiting for Kershaw as well. Should I just go ahead and try for Scherzer or should I wait it out hoping that I can move up to #1 spot before Kershaw gets called up?
2008-05-01 23:48:06
66.   Eric Stephen
Quick list off the top of my head, people I read pretty much no matter what, in no particular order:

Rob Neyer
Bill Simmons
Jon Weisman
Henry Abbott (TrueHoop on ESPN)
Joe Posnanski
Jayson Stark
Keith Law
John Hollinger
Bob Timmermann
Josh Wilker
Scott Long

2008-05-01 23:58:03
67.   berkowit28
62 Maybe. But what's the matter with him, and his editors? Don't they have have copy editors at LA Times any more? In the entire article of no fewer than 48 paragraphs, only 12 paragraphs consist of more than one sentence, namely two sentences each. And of those 12, 4 are quotes: Vin provided the sentences, not Plaschke. And one of the others has two "sentences" (they're barely even phrases) of two words each. The other 36 are single sentences, some of which amount to little more than a noun and a verb. Why can't he put 3 or so sentences together into a single paragraph?

The guy has paragrrhea. And he must also have something in his contract that forbids copy editors from plugging his hole and fixing the mess. I wonder if he gets paid by the column inch.

2008-05-01 23:59:58
68.   bhsportsguy
65 Kershaw is not coming up soon, at least not until June at the earliest barring any injury to the top 4 guys.

So if your waiver wire moves fast, you might go for it now though again, he is only going into the 5th starter's spot and they will have Doug Davis back eventually.

Personally, I would wait for Jay Bruce or even someone like Chase Headley.

2008-05-02 00:04:41
69.   underdog
Great question Jon, it's fun to ponder and nice to be working toward something positive.

Rob N, it was great to read your contributions here above. I really do always enjoy your work on ESPN, and Buster Olney, too. I sometimes feel like you guys are the only ESPN guys who know the Dodgers exist -- oh and Eric Neel, too, of course. Keep up the good work. But I like a lot of the ESPN.com guys, really.

A lot of my other favorite people have already been mentioned here.
All the Toaster guys, of course.
For newspapers, I really have to say that it's been a big turnaround since I first moved up here to San Francisco, when the LA Times was still king and the Chronicle was pretty sad for sportswriting. But now I don't like hardly any of the Times columnists, but I like several of the Chron's people, including former LA Times-er Scott Ostler,
and I really respect and enjoy Ray Ratto, too. He's always had this acerbic sense of humor and ability to cut through the BS of just about anything (and there's a lot of that in Bay Area sports these days).
Gwenn Knapp is solid, too.
The Dugout.
FireJoeMorgan, just for when I need a laugh (or a cry).
Michael Lewis.
Joe Posnanski.
And even though I think two of the worst (shoddiest and incoherent) sportswriters write for the Denver Post, I also like two other guys in Mike Kils and Mark Kiszla, or at least the former is the one solid guy writing about the Broncos and the latter has written a few pieces that touched me.

I admit because of my job I spend much more time reading film related blogs and magazines than I do sportswriting, but when I need an escape these are some of the people I like to turn to.

I bet none of you have read WC Heinz!

I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

2008-05-02 00:08:57
70.   unlazy4sports
68: The top two waiver spots haven't budged at all this year, and I know for sure one of them loves his prospects. I play in yahoo fantasy league and for some reason, Bruce is already available in our leagues and someone already stashed him away. Do you think Headley will be more productive than LaRoche? I have LaRoche on my DL.
2008-05-02 00:16:26
71.   Greg Brock
The only sportswriters I read religiously are Michael Schur (Ken Tremendous), Jon, Joe Posnanski, Will Leitch, Keith Law, Rob Neyer, Mark Heisler (I don't even watch much NBA). Bob always has something interesting, so The Griddle is a must read.

Of course there are others, but those are the ones I never miss.

2008-05-02 00:19:58
72.   Sagehen
Adding to the current list ...

I miss Scott Osler. Why did he have to move up north?

I like Helene Elliot when she's covering ice sports, not so much on baseball.

2008-05-02 00:26:39
73.   underdog
Speaking of FJM, this one (in the latest posting, on Fred Lewis vs Barry Bonds) made me laugh so hard milk came out my nose (metaphorically):

>>I think we have a new rival to "clogging up the basepaths." "Clogging up the clubhouse with his karma" -- it's delicious, pungent, and utterly nonsensical. Brian Bocock's karma wants to run free with the antelopes. But oh no, here comes Barry's karma (I picture these karmas looking a little like the creatures from Where The Wild Things Are)! It's fat and it's slow, and it's clogging up the clubhouse! Who cares about his karma's karmic OBP (kOBP) when he can't run the karmic basepaths (in the clubhouse)!<<

2008-05-02 00:27:53
74.   underdog
72 You can still read Scott's contributions at SFGate.com.

I don't know exactly why he stopped working at the Times but I have this feeling it had something vaguely to do with when the Times started to be run by a bunch of poopyheads.

2008-05-02 00:38:18
75.   overkill94
69 Call me a pessimist, but I'm pretty sure robneyer is about as real as when nancybhefley showed up on DT.

As for the main question, I'd say my reading boils down to:

Jon Weisman (obviously)
Ken Tremendous
Rob Neyer
Peter Gammons
The Rotoworld guys (not exactly sportswriters, but they're pretty damn witty most of the time)

Alright, time for me to go see some British crap!

2008-05-02 00:40:36
76.   overkill94
65 As for Scherzer, I've always been a fan of his, but I doubt he'll do well for more than a month or so this year. I'd recommend using your waiver spot on him, sitting on it for a few weeks, then trying to sell high. Most of the big name prospects are already available on Yahoo (Rasmus, Bruce, etc.) so I doubt you'll find a bigger name this year.
2008-05-02 00:47:24
77.   berkowit28
75 I could easily call you something else. Nancy B. Hefley did show up on DT, as you'd realize if you had ever spent any time on the dodgers.com message board, where she appears frequently.
2008-05-02 00:50:02
78.   StolenMonkey86
38 - Rule 9?
2008-05-02 01:45:07
79.   Calculon
Peter Gammons
Keith Law
Rob Neyer
Joe Posnanski
Jon Weisman
2008-05-02 04:21:23
80.   Sam DC
Leaving aside the toweringgeniusicons at the Toaster . . .

King Kaufman
Eric Neel
Joe Posnanski

all outstanding national type folks

Chris Needham -- best Nationals blogger out there

Dave Sheinin and Barry Svrluga of the Wash Post -- Svrluga is an OUTSTANDING beat writer, loves the craft of writing, thoughtful about keeping a fair critical distance from the team, his own fandom, and works hard to write gamers that will be compelling to both a casual fan and an internet hound who watched the game and followed it in a chat the night before. (He also writes a blog). Sheinin writes features and national baseball stories -- I linked his long form piece on Josh Hamilton here last year. Man loves to write. Both also respectful of comfortable with modern stats, though not dedicated to them or anything. Baseball fans in DC are lukcy with their hometown scribes.

Thomas Bonk (LA Times) and Len Shapiro (Post) are both excellent golf writers.

Incomplete list.

. . . and did the blogger have to gently manage some profanity from the maintstream sports writer up above? ;)

2008-05-02 06:10:32
81.   Alex Belth
Off the top of my head: John Hollinger, Joe Posnanski, Jon Weisman, Steven Goldman, Cliff Corcoran, Rob Neyer, Allen Barra, Charles Pierce, Pat Jordan, William Nack, Michael Lewis, Jay Jaffe, Tim Marchman, Joe Sheehan, Josh Wilker, Howard Bryant, Tyler Kepner, Pete Abraham, Emma Span...I know I'm forgetting tons more.
2008-05-02 06:11:56
82.   Penarol1916
I really liked Leigh Montville when I was growing up reading Sports Illustrated. The only writer that's been mentioned that I vehemently disagree with is John Feinstein. I how I loathe him and his completely irrational hatred for John Thompson Jr. and Georgetown.
2008-05-02 06:30:20
83.   Terry A
Leigh Montville... now there's a name. I liked his writing, too. I have to say that today's dead-tree edition of SI spends more of its news hole on which middling athlete has a crush on which middling celebutante. Features seem to have gotten much shorter, which is a good thing only because they're (now) so poorly written.

I really don't read a lot of sports-related stuff anymore. But outside of a dog, DT is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog...

2008-05-02 07:07:27
84.   DXMachina
Joe Posnanski
King Kaufman
Eric Neel
Jon Weisman
Ken Arneson
Craig Calcaterra
Bob Timmermann
Alex Belth
Josh Wilker
Rich Lederer
John Brattain
Tony Jackson
2008-05-02 07:22:41
85.   Disabled List
81 Is Charles Pierce writing about sports with any regularity? He's a phenomenal writer on all topics, I'd love to see some more of his sports stuff.
2008-05-02 07:25:43
86.   RELX
Shaun Powell, Newsday
2008-05-02 07:30:55
87.   Bob Hendley
Only read Norman Chad, on any regular basis and will click on Donovan at SI, if the title prompts me, though he rarely seems to know what he is talking about when it comes to the Dodgers (I guess I give him the benefit of the doubt as regards other clubs). Back in the day, I would read Boswell and his snarls against O's ownership.
2008-05-02 07:35:34
88.   screwballin
67 And he must also have something in his contract that forbids copy editors from plugging his hole and fixing the mess.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Columnists at the LAT get wide latitude to write in the style they wish. Copy editors there would have zero right to combine those paragraphs. They're limited to correcting blatant errors, and even those corrections have to be run by the columnist or his line editor.

2008-05-02 07:42:36
89.   Shaun P
Oh, and when I was still getting the Boston Globe, Bob Ryan.

The sadly departed category has to include Ralph Wiley and Doug Pappas.

2008-05-02 07:44:28
90.   weatherman
The first sports journalist I ever read with any regularity was Rob Neyer. Through him, I found Bill Simmons. Then, years later, I found this site, and Jon, Josh Wilker, Bob Timmerman and Joe Posnanski all became regular reads for me. Then I couldn't read Neyer any more because I didn't have insider. Now, this is pretty much all I check because I'm in law school and I don't have time to read much else.

Basically, Jon is the only sports journalist I read these days. Short list.

2008-05-02 08:02:42
91.   ToyCannon
I don't read any printed sports pages anymore but people I read on the web who I consider sportswriters.

Joe Posnanski ding ding ding isn't this the guy that Costas should have interviewed because it seems he has been the best in both venues.
Jon Weisman-no one on the internet that I'm aware of has built a better community. I guess Ken Arenson should get some credit for that but I was reading Jon before the move to the toaster.
Josh Wilker-gives me chills
Bill James - give me an island and Bill James and I'd do okay with Neil Young in the background.
Keith Law -
Rob Neyer
Jim Callis
The whole BP crew with Jaffe my favorite
Bob Timmermann - love his titles
The rest of the toaster group. The only toaster writers I don't read on a regular basis are the Cub and Rockie guys.
John Sickels
John Hollinger
Andrew
Clipper Steve (SB Nation Clipper Blogger, very good even if you are not a Clipper fan)
SOSG - so many guys there, so I have to just list the site
Rob MacMillan
Brian and Andrew Kamenetzky

I'm sure I'd read more if I had time, when I wasn't working I could kill a day just reading the great writing on the web.

2008-05-02 08:07:37
92.   berkowit28
88 To be fair, it looks much worse in the online edition which uses standard on-screen formatting that puts lots of empty white space between paragraphs (specifically to avoid the the dense, congested appearance that wide-screen text without breaks can give. Fat chance here.) In the newspaper, which is presumably all he cares about, it's not as bad. But still bad.
2008-05-02 08:10:22
93.   Eric Stephen
Pierre hasn't accepted new role:

http://tinyurl.com/5zhvgp

2008-05-02 08:18:48
94.   kinbote
0 I'm addicted to Dave Cameron over at U.S.S. Mariner. He's abrasive but brilliant.

And I must admit, my favorite writer on the Dodgers is none other than . . . CanuckDodger. I've been in awe of his writing for a while now.

2008-05-02 08:19:28
95.   Nagman
37 I beg to differ. I dislike Canepa tremendously, but maybe because he is always taking cheap shots at the Dodgers.

Is Curry Kirkpatrick still around? I don't subscribe to SI anymore but his articles were always my favorite, especially when he covered NCAA hoops.

2008-05-02 08:21:37
96.   Jim Hitchcock
1 Nepotism is fine, as long as you keep it in the family.
2008-05-02 08:28:52
97.   Vishal
how about some more of the hardball times guys? i know a couple people mentioned john brattain, but i'd also put in david gassko and steve treder.
2008-05-02 08:36:02
98.   Eric Stephen
97
Yeah, I enjoy John Brattain, Steve Treder (easily the most respected Giants fan ever), and Tom Tango as well.
2008-05-02 08:42:13
99.   MC Safety
A few off the top I always enjoy:

Jon Weisman
Josh Wilker
Alex Belth (great taste in hip hop)
Cliff Corcoran
Rob Neyer
Keith Law
Jay Jaffe
Jim Callis
Joe Posnanski
Peter Gammons
Phil Gurnee
Molly Knight
SoSG
Dodger Blues
Fire Joe Morgan
Doug Krikorian (jk)

2008-05-02 08:42:35
100.   Jim Hitchcock
72 I almost posted before I saw yours. Scott Ostler was my favorite Dodgers beat writer before he became a columnist,
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-05-02 08:45:19
101.   MC Safety
I forgot to give a shout out to Bob Timmermann. Big fan of the Griddle, Bob.
2008-05-02 08:55:31
102.   Ken Noe
I read Gammons, Jackson, Leung, Neyer, Olney, scareduck, Will Stewart and Chris Coleman (techsideline.com), the Sons, the True Blue guys, Verducci, and of course Weisman.
2008-05-02 08:57:00
103.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
I happen to enjoy Tony Jackson's blog
-Jon Weisman
-Bill Simmons (I like the Karate Kid/90210 references)
-Peter Gammons
-Buster Olney
-All Dodger Beat Writers
-Eric Karabeli- fantasy purposes

Sacramento Bee
-Mark Kriedler (columnist)
-Marty McNeil (Kings' Beat Writer)

Santa Barbara News Press
-N/A

2008-05-02 08:59:42
104.   Reddog
93.
The way Andrew Jones has been playing, and with Pierre's good showing yesterday, it wouldn't surprise me if we start seeing more of Pierre starting in left, Kemp in center and Ethier in right.

Maybe Jones is washed up. Last season he hit .222, striking out 138 times, with a .311 OBP. What fool would hire a guy clearly on the decline, if not washed up, for $36 million?

2008-05-02 09:00:41
105.   Disabled List
This wan't meant to be a voting thread, but I thought I'd tally up all the names that were mentioned. This is a very rough score, and with names and pseudonyms, it's tough to know if I've counted some people twice, or undercounted others. But anyway, 139 different writers were mentioned through post 101. All the writers who were mentioned at least three times:

19 Jon Weisman
17 Joe Posnanski
13 Rob Neyer
9 Ken Tremendous/FJM
9 Josh Wilker
8 Bob Timmermann
7 Peter Gammons
6 Andrew/RegFairfield
6 Keith Law
6 Jay Jaffe
5 King Kaufman
5 Alex Belth
4 Bill James
4 Mark Heisler
4 Joe Sheehan
4 John Hollinger
4 John Brattain
3 - Toy Cannon, Will Leitch/Deadspin, Dylan Hernandez, TJ Simers, Rich Lederer, Eric Neel, Jayson Stark, Tyler Kepner, Craig Calcaterra, Rob MacMillan, Bill Simmons, Diamond Leung, Michael Lewis, Tracy Pierson, Greg Hicks, Brandon Huffman, Jim Baker, Tony Jackson, Scott Ostler, Molly Knight, The Dodger Blues Guy, Cliff Corcoran

2008-05-02 09:01:01
106.   kinbote
104 Now that's clearly NOT a rhetorical question.
2008-05-02 09:13:34
107.   regfairfield
105 I think I'm going to call the validity of this list into question.

To contribute:
Joe Posnanski
Rob Neyer
Marc Normandin
Jay Jaffe
Dave Cameron
Derek Zumsteg
Grant Bisbee
Dan Syzmborski
Christina Kahrl
Will Leitch
Dave Studeman
Toy Cannon

2008-05-02 09:14:14
108.   Eric L
I guess I don't read as much sports journalism as I used to. My list is going to be far shorter than many here.

Jon Weisman*
Bill Simmons
The FJM Guys
Broderick Turner (Lakers beat guy for the Press-Enterprise)
Paul Oberjuerge (when he was still employed)
Rob Neyer
Diamond Leunge

* It bears repeating that Buzz B should hang out at DT for a while to see how a civilized blog works. The author and commenters make this place a must read everyday.

2008-05-02 09:14:22
109.   regfairfield
104 Remember when we complained that Ned never signed guys with upside?
2008-05-02 09:16:06
110.   Eric L
Oops.. I forgot to add Joe Posnanski. I actually try to read him as often as I can.
2008-05-02 09:16:58
111.   screwballin
104 I guess I would have been one of those fools. It wasn't clear at all to me then, nor is it now, that Andruw is washed up at age 31. He's pretty out of whack, but is it really a given that this is what the rest of his career looks like?
2008-05-02 09:18:07
112.   Paul Scott
Tom Meager (spelling?, plus I guess he doesn't count since he doesn't write anymore).
Rich Lederer
Andrew Lastname? (from TBLA)
Jay Jaffe
Jon Weisman
Rob Neyer
Keith Law
Paul Nyman
Joe Posnanski
All the writers from FJM
Joe Sheehan

I am sure there are others, but those are top of my head.

2008-05-02 09:20:51
113.   Jacob L
Diamond Leung and Tony Jackson are both doing yeoman work on the Dodger beat. I like Dylan Hernandez, as well. TJ gets some flak around here for his opinions, and probably deserves it, but he's a good reporter, and a good sport.

Josh Wilker is one of the best writers I've ever encountered, and the fact that he puts up such consistently great content (and a lot of it) on a blog, is nothing short of amazing.

2008-05-02 09:22:49
114.   regfairfield
And as much flack as I'm going to catch for this, the only newspaper guy I read on a regular basis is T.J. Simers.
2008-05-02 09:31:40
115.   Disabled List
Jon,

How attached are you to the Schmap sidebar widget? That thing is killing my page load time.

Is anyone else having a problem with this?

2008-05-02 09:33:55
116.   underdog
100 And missed 69 , too. ;-)

I really do still enjoy Ostler, even if he occasionally has to write about "the enemy" now; most of the time he writes about any/everything else.

103 Did you catch that documentary about the News Press yet? Compelling, if sad, story. I hope the situation changes one of these days or years. They used to have a few good local sportswriters there, too. I think one of them is now blogging actually and writing for the SB Newsroom web site: http://www.santabarbaranewsroom.com/news/sports/

2008-05-02 09:35:34
117.   underdog
115 - Nope, loads fine for me. What browser are you using? What kind of connection? I wonder if there's a way to have the option to turn that off individually...
2008-05-02 09:37:40
118.   JoeyP
109--

Thats the amazing thing.
Usually Ned signs/trades for guys have career years, that will inevitably go down.

He signs Druw off a down year (expecting him to at least bounce back somewhat), and Druw is even worse the following year.

Its either bad luck, bad scouting, or bad GM'ing. But the massive amount of dead money on the roster is going to be accountable to someone.

2008-05-02 09:37:43
119.   Eric Stephen
115
If you are using Firefox, you can disable the widget with AdBlock.
2008-05-02 09:40:27
120.   ImprobableImpossible
My 25-man roster:
Joe Posnanski
Jeff Passan
Henry Abbott
Jayson Stark
Rob Neyer
Buster Olney
Bruce Feldman
Bill Simmons
Wayne Drehs
Paul Shirley
TJ Simers
Bill Plaschke (when he writes a feature, not a commentary)
Bill Shaikin
Tom Hoffarth
Paul Oberjuerge (since he's been laid off)
The crew at Baseball Prospectus
The crew at Baseball Analysts
Ken Tremendous
The guys at The Dugout
Leitch/Daulerio/BDD at Deadspin
The crew at SportsByBrooks
The mystery man at DodgerBlues
The crew at Sons Of Steve Garvey
Josh Wilker
and
the whole gang (and our fearless leader in particular) at Dodger Thoughts
2008-05-02 09:42:05
121.   Disabled List
117 It might be a connection issue. I haven't had a problem with it until today.

119 Unfortunately, I'm at work, and the IT dept. here frowns upon non-standardized software like Firefox.

2008-05-02 09:42:39
122.   CajunDodger
This would be my list:

Peter Gammons
Jon Weisman
Jim Callis
Peter King
Bill Simmons
Stewart Mandel
Anyone on FJM
Rick Reilly

2008-05-02 09:43:11
123.   NoHoDodger
For those of us who are also Kings hockey fans (at least a couple of us) Rich Hammond of the Daily News has a great blog on Kings Hockey.

He is fair and provides a good critique of the local team and its management, without being too over-the-top (despite the fact that the Kings management deserves the critique.

2008-05-02 09:45:37
124.   Hythloday
And as if to cement his place on the list Josh just posted another gem.
2008-05-02 09:47:30
125.   Hythloday
OT: Irrational trade idea: Meloan for Bill Hall.
2008-05-02 09:48:00
126.   underdog
121 - That's a shame. A lot of IT depts. think Firefox is more secure and prefer people use it to IE. (Just as mine suggested I use Trillian over Yahoo for IM, as the former is more secure against spyware and so on.) But I thought in the newest version of IE there was a way to block ads and widgets, too.
2008-05-02 09:51:24
127.   Josh Wilker
91 : "Joe Posnanski ding ding ding isn't this the guy that Costas should have interviewed because it seems he has been the best in both venues."

Did you see his recent post about the Costas show? He was actually "short-listed" for the show and was praying that they wouldn't call him.

Posnanski's at the top of my list. I also read all the guys on the Griddle, and Bill Simmons, Jonah Keri, and Rob Neyer at ESPN; for Red Sox stuff I read Gordon Edes at the Boston Globe (and soon to be on Yahoo, I guess), Chad Finn's Touching All the Bases (recently relocated to the Globe), Alan Wood at Joy of Sox, Jere from Red Sox Fan From Pinstripes Territory, and the guy who does Vaughn's Bar and Grill.

2008-05-02 09:53:53
128.   uclasway
I feel pretty fortunate to have had Dylan Hernandez and Diamond Leung writing for UCLA's The Daily Bruin while I was there! Gammons is my all-time favorite, love James, Neyer, Simmons 2-4 years ago, Kevin Goldstein at BP, and spend probably too much time on here, hardball times, and mlbtraderumors.com for my own good, but that could be content as much as for the writing.
2008-05-02 09:56:28
129.   Josh Wilker
127 : I meant to say "all the guys on the Toaster" (which of course includes the Griddle).
2008-05-02 10:04:26
130.   fanerman
I don't read much of the mainstream press. Here are the few of the sportswriters I can think of... in no particular order except for how they popped up in my head.

Jon Weisman
Peter Gammons
Kurt Helin
Kelly Dwyer
Henry Abbott
Andrew Grant
Phil Gurnee
Joe Posnanski
Josh Wilker
Joe Sheehan

2008-05-02 10:08:26
131.   LA Native
45

Your list of now gone sportswriters made me quite sad in thinking of them vs. today's sorry batch at the LA Times.

I loved Allan Malamud on Page 2 and now that Simers is there - lets just say it has gone from thoughtful analysis to pure garbage. You'd think there would be some new talent. Plaschke is right behind Simers in the garbage category and he is considered their best one.

2008-05-02 10:11:07
132.   KingKopitar
So if we have to pick one for each sport, would it go:

Basketball-True Hoop
Baseball- Dodger Thoughts (we're biased)
Hockey- James Mirtle
Football- ?

Also, I enjoy TJ Simers just because I always thought he was kidding and the players were in on the joke. He's like Kenny Mayne to me.

2008-05-02 10:11:28
133.   underdog
We're all probably very over the whole Bissinger-on-Blogs meltdown but just read a piece on the NYTimes online on the show, which shed light on a few things. Worth a read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/sports/football/01sandomir.html

2008-05-02 10:14:07
134.   nofatmike
Does Matt Welch count? I never really read him until he be joined "Reason" full-time. But he has written a few articles and blogs about sports now and then. and they seem interesting to me.
2008-05-02 10:16:57
135.   fanerman
I'll also give some DAP to Tom Meagher.

Bob Timmermann gets the C. Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.

2008-05-02 10:21:12
136.   kinbote
One vote to Dayn Perry as the worst.
2008-05-02 10:33:03
137.   Louis in SF
72

For those of you who miss Scott Ostler, I think he was a lot better when he was in LA, used to love his columns on the Lakers.

Heisler on the NBA
Bruce Jenkins from the 3 dot lounge and great stuff on tennis
Diamon Leung beat writer
Murray Chass-Sunday Baseball column
Ross Newhan
Peter Gammons
Rob Neyer
Tim Kirjikan
Buster Olney

2008-05-02 10:35:11
138.   KingKopitar
Dayn Perry wrote this in his article on who what roster moves should me made soon.

"Los Angeles Dodgers, 3B

Out: Anyone other than Andy LaRoche
In: Andy LaRoche (when healthy)

LaRoche (thumb) is presently on a minor-league rehab assignment, but he should be ready to come off the DL by mid May. When he does, he should be installed as the Dodgers' every-day third baseman and left alone. To be sure, the Dodgers have other options, but none of them figures to provide as much as LaRoche. The injured Nomar Garciaparra? He's no longer a productive hitter and no longer able to handle the position defensively. Blake DeWitt? He hasn't produced above the low minors and can't approach LaRoche's upside. LaRoche, meanwhile, is a career .295 AVG/.374 OBP/.522 SLG hitter in the minors, and he has the skills — raw power, command of the strike zone, contact skills — to keep it up in L.A. Third base was a sinkhole for the Dodgers last season, and LaRoche gives them the best chance to fill said sinkhole."

I counter kinbote's vote and declare Perry as one of the best!

2008-05-02 10:35:54
139.   underdog
First my cat, now my quarterback. Diabetes strikes again.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_9132575

So, Jay, you lose 30 pounds over the course of the season, but "don't like doctors or trainers" so you didn't say anything or think it that odd?

At least this explains his decline in energy last season. Hope he can stay on top of it; sounds like it's manageable.

I can recommend a high protein, low carb food for him if he wants. It's cat food, mind you, but still.

2008-05-02 10:37:09
140.   underdog
138 - I didn't quite like the way he dismissed DeWitt there, but agree with him about LaRoche otherwise!
2008-05-02 10:39:05
141.   scareduck
132 - this reminds me of how little good writing there is on football and basketball. My tendency is to ascribe that to baseball's more intrinsically contemplative and therefore literary nature.
2008-05-02 10:40:55
142.   KingKopitar
I also think the mainstream coverage of football is better than baseball, in terms of actually talking about every team. There doesn't need to be a blog covering the latest football news because ESPN and SI already do it.
2008-05-02 10:42:15
143.   scareduck
134 - I'll speak up for Welch, too; I have a feeling he's eventually going to write a companion to Ross Newhan's Angels history. Now that he's the chief editor at Reason, he doesn't have the time to do much else (plus there's that baby thing).
2008-05-02 10:47:50
144.   regfairfield
140 He didn't dismiss him, he just stated that he hasn't produced above the low minors and he doesn't have LaRoche's upside. Both of those are true statements.
2008-05-02 10:51:31
145.   Michael Green
I do searches for the Dodgers or subjects that interest me. I love Jon, and read him always. I really like Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, who does a nice job on Sunday roundups. I read Murray Chass, despite his distaste for bloggers, until The New York Times just pushed him out. Bill Madden in the NY Daily News is good, too. I check Ostler each Sunday.

I read the LA Times folks and think Bill Dwyre does a nice job. But generally speaking, nobody can hold a candle to Red Smith and Jim Murray, and we have lost a lot of the literary touches in sportswriting.

For example, Bill Plaschke. He likes short paragraphs.

Why?

I don't know.

He thinks they read well.

But he's wrong.

2008-05-02 11:00:40
146.   underdog
144 True, about LaRoche's upside, looking back on that again, I agree with that part. I guess I felt like he hadn't acknowledged what DeWitt has done since his emergency call-up. I mean he hasn't been above AA so it's hard for him to have produced in AAA, but the statement is true for what it is. ;-) But anyway, overall I agree with Perry's assessment there.
2008-05-02 11:02:00
147.   Jon Weisman
An Office blog post at Season Pass:

http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2008/05/the-office-stan.html

2008-05-02 11:14:49
148.   capdodger
145 Reading Plaschke is like riding with a two-footed driver in an automatic.
2008-05-02 11:16:55
149.   CajunDodger
138
If the discussion turns to worst, I would nominate Ken Rosenthal. It's not that he is a bad writer, he just seems to be a bad journalist.

Tracy Ringolsby is pretty bad too in my opinion.

2008-05-02 11:20:21
150.   Ken Noe
149 It shocked me how much Rosenthal got wrong about Dodger moves last winter.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-05-02 11:21:55
151.   scareduck
149 - how so?
2008-05-02 11:23:06
152.   CajunDodger
149
His analysis is usually off point, he almost never has original angles on stories, and he is a mouthpiece for every GM wanting to spread misinformation at or around trade times.

I don't even bother reading him anymore.

2008-05-02 11:23:23
153.   scareduck
144 - he hasn't produced in large samples above the low minors. He's done really well, all things considered, in the majors so far.

I agree with others who say that LaRoche is more likely to perform over the longer haul, though.

2008-05-02 11:26:51
154.   kinbote
138 I knew I'd run into troubling naming Perry on the same day he wrote something good about us. My problems with him date back to when he used to write about the minor leagues. He was regularly so far off on our system he didn't even know which arm our guys threw with. And that's no exaggeration.
2008-05-02 11:27:23
155.   bhsportsguy
147 I agree with your last point on attention on Pam by the other guys in the office. Maybe its part of the theme that Pam is happier with Jim which makes her more attractive to others, I don't know.

I also get a sense that though I don't think Jim is leaving, perhaps something is going on there.

Dwight flipping Andy's car was very funny.

2008-05-02 11:28:05
156.   Max West
Adding my echo, Joe Posnanski, the DT gang, collectively.

I used to proofread Jim Murray back when I worked at the Spring Street Bugle... and, like Posnanski, Murray could write beautifully on anything. This is another reason why so many of us can't abide Plaschke and Simers.

I, too, miss Malamud and Durslag, not so much John Hall.

And, in case no one mentioned him, A.J. Liebling on the sweet science.

2008-05-02 11:29:12
157.   Ken Noe
Rotoworld reports Castro to the Rockies.
2008-05-02 11:31:15
158.   fanerman
157 Dodgers fans everywhere rejoice! Except for TJax.
2008-05-02 11:31:57
159.   regfairfield
154 Perry for the longest time hated people who drafted high school players, thus hated the Dodgers. His big league analysis is pretty spot on, so he's far from the worst?

155 You've never worked in an office with only one attractive woman?

2008-05-02 11:38:14
160.   kinbote
"No Regular Joe" by Ekhc Salpllib

The Dodgers have an MVP in their clubhouse.

Rafael Furcal?

No.

Russell Martin?

No again.

Who's the Dodgers MVP right now?

Joe Torre.

That's right. Joe Torre.

Torre has masterfully managed a roster of pimply youngsters and wizened veterans.

He has righted the ship, bringing the team to a 15-13 record in a loaded NL West division.

But most importantly, he has brought back credibility and respectability to a franchise struggling to find an identity.

Ned Colletti may have struck out when he signed Andruw Jones to a two year $36.2 million contract, but he struck gold with Joe Torre.

Ask anyone in the dugout who runs the show and they'll tell you.

Ask anyone in the front office who makes the tough calls and they'll tell you.

Now all Joe needs is one more piece to put together a world championship caliber team on the field.

That's right.

Juan Castro.

2008-05-02 11:39:54
161.   kinbote
Nevermind.
2008-05-02 11:40:24
162.   underdog
157 Hooray! That actually makes sense for them, given Tulo's injury. More sense than it would for us!

Anyone know what it looks like for tonight's game? Part of my kind of hopes for a postponement and a doubleheader tomorrow, DH's are so rare (and selfishly, since I'll be gone tonight.) And also because having to play in freezing cold, wet conditions is never good for any player.

2008-05-02 11:41:09
163.   underdog
160 - Was that written by Tony Plaschkeson?
2008-05-02 11:41:48
164.   Jon Weisman
Cory Wade's callup, as it happened:

http://insidethedodgers.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/05/buzzie_bavasi.html

2008-05-02 11:42:18
165.   D4P
160
Please tell me that's real...
2008-05-02 11:44:05
166.   kinbote
163 Kinda strange how many people were thinking of Juan Castro at the exact same moment. I regret hitting "Submit."
2008-05-02 11:44:49
167.   kinbote
165 No, sorry. I'm a bad DTer today.
2008-05-02 11:45:37
168.   D4P
167
Rats. Well, you done good anyway. I enjoyed it.
2008-05-02 11:45:49
169.   Ken Noe
167 Were it real it would have mentioned "a ring in a box."
2008-05-02 11:48:17
170.   arborial
I always read Gregg Easterbrook's Tuesday Morning Quarterback (TMQ) on ESPN's Page 2
2008-05-02 11:53:52
171.   FirstMohican
Don't read much sports related stuff other than DT, FJM and FB&G. But of the little that I do read, I enjoy Dylan Hernandez, Simers (annoying but still dig him), Law, Neyer.

This wasn't asked, but I don't care for Hollinger (I enjoy some of his research, but I have serious doubts about his ability to interpret it) or Simmons.

2008-05-02 11:59:45
172.   skybluestoday
I haven't had a favorite writer since Pauline Kael retired in 1991 (unless you want to count some of the old masters like Shaw and Shakespeare and Fitzgerald).

But I do have one now.

Josh Wilker is not only my favorite sports writer, but my favorite working writer, period. Couldn't tell you any other reason but that his work really fits into my frame of mind during these difficult times (and that we are even-steven contemporaries, age-wise and geographically).

2008-05-02 12:03:00
173.   Disabled List
Just to kinda bring the blogs vs. traditional media discussion full circle: King Kaufman chose today to switch over from a single, daily column to an update-as-often-as-he-pleases blog. His first full post basically notes how little difference it actually makes. Writers sink or swim not by the type of their medium, but by the content of their content.

http://www.salon.com/sports/daily/feature/2008/05/02/format/

2008-05-02 12:04:24
174.   Dave60
Chiming in late on the sportswriter list, completely enjoy Rob Neyer, Keith Law, Joe Sheehan, and Joe Posnanski. Enjoyed Jim Murray when young, but fear that his style would feel dated today. Find Ray Ratto of the SF Chronicle to be the most irritating and inept sportswriter around.
2008-05-02 12:04:35
175.   Jon Weisman
Josh is definitely going to be a case of "We knew him when."
2008-05-02 12:08:33
176.   skybluestoday
Re: 175

Somehow I don't get the impression that it's gonna go to his head...

2008-05-02 12:20:13
177.   Sam NYC
I would like to nominate Bill Plaschke.

Literate people say his prose is weak.

Children say his paragraphs are short.

Bloggers say his analysis sucks.

I like him.

2008-05-02 12:22:49
178.   TellMeTheScoreRickMonday
160 , 177 Not having seen Jon's post, we had riffed on ol' pal Bill as well at SoSG last night. Kinbote, Sam NYC, enjoy.
2008-05-02 12:32:07
179.   Kevin Lewis
I just watched the HBO piece. I don't know how valid this point is, but part of the reason I prefer the internet to read a major paper or blog is because of the amount of paper/ads that are in the LA Times. I can't stand seeing that much trash build up to be "recycled". Maybe I am soft that way, but it seems like a waste of resources to me.
2008-05-02 12:32:35
180.   Kevin Lewis
LA Times, should be "major paper"
2008-05-02 12:33:54
181.   Ballorado81
Nobody has mentioned Paul Zimmerman (Dr. Z) at SI.
2008-05-02 12:43:46
182.   Daniel Zappala
I don't find Deadspin interesting, funny, or worth reading. But I concur on most of the other sportswriters listed above.
2008-05-02 12:47:11
183.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
181 I prefer his video segment with SI Supermodel Brooklyn Decker than his actual columns.
2008-05-02 12:50:03
184.   FirstMohican
179 "...but it seems like a waste of resources to me."

I'm the same way. I don't ever buy the newspaper anymore. Now if fast food restaurants could stop using so much paper and plastic just for one meal I'd stop feeling bad about that.

2008-05-02 13:07:01
185.   wronghanded
Totally off topic but a friend showed this to me yesterday and I had to share it here, it's hilarious and work appropriate.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z2W_35mgBwk

Seriously, its the funniest 3 minutes I've seen in a long time.

2008-05-02 13:16:22
186.   underdog
181 I've always liked Dr. Z, going way back to childhood Sports Illustrated subscription. I get the sinking feeling he's a little outmoded these days, and I sometimes disagree with him, but I still enjoy hearing his thoughts.

Dr. Z loves him some offensive linemen!

I like Peter King on the NFL, too, although I also find myself sometimes disagreeing with him. But his seems a rational voice with a sense of humor for the most part.

2008-05-02 13:19:05
187.   invisibleman
From the mainstream I enjoy Tom Verducci and Dr. Z over at Sports Illustrated.

For bloggers, everything already said about Josh Wilker x1000.

2008-05-02 13:20:13
188.   Daniel Zappala
185 The amazing thing is that Vitas really does sing that high.
2008-05-02 13:24:52
189.   bhsportsguy
The good news about next week's series against the Mets is that Santana pitches on Sunday in Arizona.

How would you like to be a hitter for the Mets and look at the next 6 days of pitching you get to face coming out West.

@AZ - Owings, Webb and Haren
@LA - Billingsley, Kuroda and Penny.

2008-05-02 13:25:45
190.   wronghanded
188 Yeah that is pretty amazing. I don't know whats funnier, the little microphone sway he does or the ridiculously smug look on his face throughout the performance. You have actually heard of Vitas before? Is he big in opera?
2008-05-02 13:27:37
191.   underdog
189 I'd feel more sorry for them if it wasn't that the Dodgers had the same scary matchups to face in early April, and quite frequently overall. And, also, it's the Mets.

But I'll be rooting for them big this weekend!

2008-05-02 13:37:14
192.   bhsportsguy
The Dodgers are moving up the rankings for Baseball Prospectus (6th) and ESPN (10th). It certainly helps to win 6 straight and they have a ways to go to show that they are better than a .500 club.

The Dodgers are 3rd in the league in scoring, 4th in runs against (6 run spread between 1st and 4th), and 3rd in run differential. Now a lot of that is due to this streak and their feast and famine play prior to the streak.

There are a few things to be hopeful about the Dodgers.

1. Kuroda and Loiaza/Kuo/Schmidt/Minotaur filling in the back in the rotation. Kuroda hasn't gotten a win since his first start but he has kept them in the game and now that the bullpen appears straightened out, he should start getting credit for his starts. The 5th spot has been used 4 times (not counting Kuo's start in the rain delay game, especially since Chad pitched that day anyway) and the Dodgers are .500 in those games. If the team can break even in the 5th spot, to me that's a victory, if Schmidt or Kershaw fill it later, I'll expect more but for now, give the team 5-6 innings and give the team a chance to win, I'll take it.

2. Will the real ace of the staff please introduce himself. I think Chad Billingsley is just about there, he'll be number 3 in the rotation but his stuff (that curveball he threw against the D-Backs was criminal) is really impressive. All they have to do is tell him that its 6th inning instead of the 5th when he heads out to mound for that 5th inning barrier, he'll still win 15 or more games this year.

3. The lineup is basically set. The order may change and there will be a few subs during the week but I think at least 5 times a week (out of 6 or 7 games), the Dodgers will have the kids with Kent, Furcal, and Jones out there. The Kids, Martin, Loney, Dewitt, Ethier and Kemp are all playing well and are settling in.

Sure Pierre may start 1-2 times but not just for Kemp or Ethier, Jones' poor start has made him vulnerable for an occasional day off.

4. There is still some solid help down on the farm. While the quesion when top prospects LaRoche and Kershaw isn't if but when will we see them in LA, Repko, Meloan, Brazoban are also going to probably be part of this team at some point.

5. The team I wanted to see is almost complete. If LaRoche finally steps in to add some power to this lineup, I honestly will have nothing more to do but just cheer and say let the best team win.

2008-05-02 13:45:11
193.   Eric Enders
It may be the pessimist in me, but I still fear that the question of whether we'll see LaRoche in L.A. is "if" and not "when." They could very well pull a Kemp on him, and option him to Las Vegas after his rehab in Las Vegas. They could very well leave him there once Nomar gets healthy. They could very well then decide to trade him at the deadline. Not that I necessarily think that will happen, but to me it's not out of the realm of possibility that LaRoche never wears a Dodger uniform again. Part of this is due to the way they've treated LaRoche in the past, and part of it's due to my own (semi-well-founded I think) paranoia about Colletti.
2008-05-02 13:47:38
194.   dobchinsky
I think Tony Jackson is an unsung premier sportswriter. His game stories use the day's action to structure narratives about players and the state of the team -- exactly what daily newspaper game stories should be in an age where TV and the Internet make a re-cap redundant (and yet that's still what a lot of dailies do). And then the blog is the model of what mainstream beat writer blogs should be -- complements and adds to what's in the paper, likable voice, frequent updates, willing to engage commenters, and even to admit being wrong once in a while (in bold fashion).

And I second what everyone has already said about Joe Posnanski.

2008-05-02 13:48:52
195.   D4P
193
I think it's completely reasonable to expect Management to place both Nomar and DeWitt higher than LaRoche on the 3B depth chart.
2008-05-02 13:51:23
196.   bhsportsguy
193 We'll just have to see, the decision to option LaRoche is not due for 2 more weeks when his rehab assignment has to end. I don't think Nomar will be ready by then.

Sure if the team keeps winning, Dewitt could stay but I do think at this point, the issue for the Dodgers is can they afford to keep Nomar if he can't be counted to play everyday at a position where he really can't cover.

And on dealing LaRoche, don't see it mainly because I'm not sure what they would be dealing him for at this point.

2008-05-02 13:52:22
197.   Daniel Zappala
190 He does some opera, but mostly pop songs. He's somewhat of an Internet sensation because of how high he can sing. But yes, his facial expressions throughout are pretty funny. Apparently he does the thing with the mike because there has been some doubt that he's lip synching.
2008-05-02 13:54:40
198.   Kevin Lewis
I kept expecting him to hit himself in the face with the microphone.
2008-05-02 14:01:00
199.   Eric Enders
A commenter over at Inside the Dodgers expressed hope that the D's would do well tonight because they usually have a tough time of it at Coors Field. I decided to check and see if that was actually true, because it was the opposite of my own impression.

The Dodgers have gone 54-51 at Coors Field, a .514 winning percentage. This is very good. In games at Coors Field, all teams other than the Dodgers have gone 483-595 against the Rockies, a .448 winning percentage. So the Dodgers have played .066 better than the average team there. That's pretty darn good, although it's not the best winning percentage by an opponent at Coors -- the Angels are 6-2 there.

In road games at venues other than Coors Field, the Dodgers have gone 472-481 (.495) since 1995.

2008-05-02 14:01:27
200.   Eric Enders
I thought for sure I was gonna get LATed on that one.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-05-02 14:02:56
201.   D4P
199
You just ruined the magic. I hope you're happy.
2008-05-02 14:05:41
202.   Kevin Lewis
So, Diamond is saying that Furcal would be interested in an extension during the season. I know we have talked about this before, but would 5 years be too many?

Is it too soon to jump the gun on this?

2008-05-02 14:07:22
203.   Eric Enders
I think five years would be too many, yes. I'd go another three. Four if my hand were really forced.
2008-05-02 14:09:10
204.   D4P
Is it too soon to jump the gun on this?

I, for one, wouldn't be too excited about giving an extension to a guy at a time when he's OPSing a whopping 231 points above his previous season high. Let's wait until he comes back to earth.

2008-05-02 14:10:17
205.   Eric Stephen
199
Also, the Dodgers had won all six of Penny's starts at Coors Field before last September 19, when Broxton gave up the tying and go-ahead runs on a HR to Brad Hawpe in the 8th.

Overall, as a Dodger, Penny is 3-0 in 7 starts with a 3.69 ERA at Coors.

2008-05-02 14:10:54
206.   Kevin Lewis
204

All-Star break a better time to tell?

2008-05-02 14:12:37
207.   Eric Enders
I agree with 204 .
2008-05-02 14:12:48
208.   Hythloday
204 In his case wouldn't it make more sense to compare his current OPS to say OPS over the course the contract so far or over the last 3 years?
2008-05-02 14:13:22
209.   D4P
206
I'd wait as long as I could, and if I got rushed, I'd say "See ya', wouldn't want to be 'ya".
2008-05-02 14:13:55
210.   trainwreck
Well, there was some talk on ESPN on how Furcal is already than his listed age and no one is sure exactly how old he is. I would only offer a 2 or 3 year extension because of that.
2008-05-02 14:15:51
211.   Kevin Lewis
What is the amount he could probably get in free agency if he has a year like 06?
2008-05-02 14:16:09
212.   trainwreck
210
*older than his listed age

Apparently, Braves media guide had multiple dates for his birthday.

2008-05-02 14:17:52
213.   D4P
Are there any documented cases of non-Hispanic players lying about their age...?
2008-05-02 14:18:37
214.   Marty
There was lots of discussion over Furry's real age back when we were about to sign him.
2008-05-02 14:20:36
215.   underdog
The age thing is a worry with some Dominican players so that would be one concern I'd have. Still, and I'm sure in the minority here(?), but while I agree 5 is too long I'd sign him for 4 (3 is preferable but I seriously doubt that'll be an option with him). I do not like going into next season with Kent and Furcal both gone from the middle infield, and while I love Hu, and know DeJesus is a great prospect, I see no way the Dodgers -- whether Colletti is the GM or not -- go into next season with two rookies/young players up the middle, so they'd probably try to sign someone else instead and that someone else would likely be worse than Furcal.

Unless it's someone like Ellis, whom I like.

Furcal + Hu up the middle makes me happy.

If we can somehow manage to rid ourselves of some of the Pierre contract by trading him by the All Star break, all the better.

2008-05-02 14:22:12
216.   Bob Hendley
You're never as good as you look (and, as we have seen, as bad as you look). I really think that this line up needs what LaRoche can potentially bring to it, since we are going to have to carry Jones/JP. Again, I wouldn't put it past management, but I think that Torre has Nomar's limitations and, as much as he talks up the Solution (what else is he supposed to do?), realizes that he needs another big bat. Not sure that this is the trade-off they we will face, but I would rather keep Hu in the bigs and send down the Solution (I assume that Nomar is not going anywhere). Hu is part of the rotation now, as it were, and the way that Rafi is going he will need to become familiar with playing 2nd base.
2008-05-02 14:23:12
217.   Jon Weisman
Kerwin Danley interviewed

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ump3-2008may03,0,4749429.story

2008-05-02 14:24:19
218.   Jon Weisman
Robinson's new plaque unveiling postponed

http://tinyurl.com/5m4q2l

"Due to a personal emergency that requires Rachel Robinson's immediate attention, Mrs. Robinson is unable to attend tomorrow's ceremony surrounding the unveiling of the new Jackie Robinson Hall of Fame plaque in Cooperstown," said Jeff Idelson, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "Given the historic significance of this event, the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Robinson Family have decided to reschedule this momentous event to a date to be determined this summer. In a conversation with Rachel Robinson today, she expressed her sincere regrets and looks forward to attending the ceremony this summer."

2008-05-02 14:25:09
219.   Eric Enders
"no one is sure exactly how old he is."

I don't think that's the case. Furcal was one of the first agegate guys. I don't remember the circumstances exactly, but I think maybe they found out his real DOB in the course of his DUI case. He'd been listed as being born in 1980 and people thought he was 19 when he won Rookie of the Year (he was actually 22). I think by now his actual DOB has been well-established as 1977 and his listed age can be trusted as correct.

2008-05-02 14:25:47
220.   Jon Weisman
I think we should hire Dwight Schrute to negotiate our contracts.
2008-05-02 14:25:47
221.   Eric Enders
218 I sure hope her health is OK.
2008-05-02 14:25:52
222.   bhsportsguy
Earlier today on their radio show, Kevin Kennedy was telling a story about a player (he did not name) he sent up for a cup of coffee and upon his return to AAA, he was disappointed in his opportuntiy (his one time it would turn out).

I looked him up and I found it was none other than one-hit wonder, the late Brian Traxler.

After I realized it was him, I was surprised by the tone Kennedy used in describing their exchange about his one trip to LA. Kennedy did not say anything bad about Traxler (like I said, he did not use his name) but since the man was struck down at an early age, he could have been nicer about his recollection.

2008-05-02 14:27:53
223.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
220 - Take Juan Pierre Brian Sabean! Do it! 5 4 3 2 1! Do it!
2008-05-02 14:28:31
224.   bhsportsguy
221 Yes, I hope it is too.

220 Yep. I think it should be used a teaching tool for all sports agents.

2008-05-02 14:28:50
225.   Eric Enders
216 Furcal's already familiar with playing second base -- he spent the whole winter season playing it a few months ago.
2008-05-02 14:32:02
226.   Eric Enders
I would recommend that MLB hire Dwight Schrute to conduct its big steroids investigations, but the Mitchell Report was already done basically the way Schrute would have done it.
2008-05-02 14:33:48
227.   Eric Stephen
It's (almost) official: Castro will not be a Dodger.

http://tinyurl.com/5ptb9y

It will be incredibly disappointing if he wins a game for the Rockies this weekend (not in the position player pitching way).

2008-05-02 14:34:17
228.   alex 7
The Dodgers rightly had LaRoche ranked higher in spring training, and don't see that having changed much.

Management must know Nomar isn't returning next year, and there aren't any stud 3B in the minors that I've heard about, so I'm confident they want more than one option there for the next 5 years.

2008-05-02 14:34:21
229.   Bob Hendley
225 - Yes, and let his elder (little did he know) stay at SS. Now its Hu's turn.
2008-05-02 14:34:23
230.   Disabled List
222 It seems to be that Kennedy was telling the anecdote as a way to illustrate a point. So it sounds like he did the right thing in not naming Traxler by name, given Trax's unfortunate passing.
2008-05-02 14:36:07
231.   Eric Enders
Third base is actually considered the Dodgers' deepest position for prospects, what with LaRoche, DeWitt, Josh Bell and Pedro Baez. But the latter two are still a very long way away and still at the stage where they are more likely to wash out than to make it to the majors.
2008-05-02 14:36:38
232.   Eric Stephen
I wonder if Scott Boras's presentation materials are as impressive as Schrute's.

What I want to know is -- how long did Dwight spend making the organizational flow chart ("the yellow is for cowardice")? Does he just have something like that at the ready? I'd like to think he does.

2008-05-02 14:39:00
233.   bhsportsguy
230 Yeah, it bothered me more once I found it who it was after the fact so I guess you are right.
2008-05-02 14:39:11
234.   regfairfield
232 If you look at the full chart, you can figure he made it at least a couple years ago.

http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/downloads/dunder_mifflin_org_chart.pdf

You remember---Tom?

2008-05-02 14:40:22
235.   kinbote
231 What's interesting is that catcher is fast becoming a position of relative strength. Lucas May has reached legit prospect status and Carlos Santana is off to a great start this year. This is better than when it was Martin and a bunch of nobodies.
2008-05-02 14:40:42
236.   bhsportsguy
232 You can get your own copy of it at officetally.com

And I think we are supposed to believe that Dwight has thought about these things for a long time and is ready to use them as he see fits.

2008-05-02 14:45:43
237.   silverwidow
Marvin Harrison is an alleged shooter. (Rotoworld)
2008-05-02 14:46:14
238.   CodyS
220 Say it, Say yes. Sign the contract. 3,2,1. 5,4,3,2,1. Don't think, sign.
2008-05-02 14:46:46
239.   underdog
Even better would be if the dodgers could also pay Raffy in Schrute Bucks.
2008-05-02 14:47:37
240.   madmac
I understand some of the demand for a Pierre trade, but doesn't anyone feel he has something to offer this year? I actually think he can be pretty useful. Granted, the Dodgers are better off without that contract, but what's done is done.
2008-05-02 14:50:13
241.   Dodger Jack
Sorry if this might have been discussed while I was away, but shouldn't the team be considering sending Andruw to LV for a "rehabilitation" stint? His hitting is hurting us. He needs to lose weight and get his hitting eye back (if he can). Better to do that in AAA than with L.A.

I have actually started to look forward to JP being substituted for Andruw. Right now, he is a far superior player. Bad arm, for sure, but he hits and steals bases, and is not a rally killer like his porcine counterpart.

2008-05-02 14:51:11
242.   trainwreck
237
So now they are saying he was the one that pulled the trigger?
2008-05-02 14:51:33
243.   Eric Enders
240 I like him as a fourth outfielder, but if he wants to mope his way off the team I'd be inclined to let him. As long as he remains on the team, there will be the temptation for Torre to play him more than is wise. Still, I do like him as injury insurance. If Pierre were traded and one of the other three gets hurt, I think mgmt would be more likely to make a panic trade than to give D. Young extended playing time.
2008-05-02 14:52:49
244.   overkill94
241 I'm pretty sure a player of his veteranness can refuse such an assignment
2008-05-02 14:53:45
245.   Dodger Jack
BTW, how did Traxler pass? I remember him as a class "4-A guy" -- a star in AAA but not quite good enough for the bigs. He hit for average and power. A first sacker, as I recall. God rest him.
2008-05-02 14:55:11
246.   KAYVMON
I actually think resigning Furcal should depend on if his old friend Jones decides to find his swing. We can't pencil in a lineup with Jones, Hu, LaRoche/DeWitt, and Furcal for next year, and expect to be competitive.
2008-05-02 14:55:44
247.   Eric Enders
Players can refuse being optioned to the minors, but Jack was suggesting an injury rehabilitation assignment, which is different. Of course, to do that the Dodgers would have to invent an actual injury. You can't just say a guy is hurt because he's a fat tub of goo and hits worse than the original Fat Tub of Goo did.
2008-05-02 14:56:10
248.   silverwidow
242 Those allegations are supposedly "on the way."

Sorry if this is old news.

2008-05-02 14:56:44
249.   Eric Enders
"We can't pencil in a lineup with Jones, Hu, LaRoche/DeWitt, and Furcal for next year, and expect to be competitive."

This statement is false, IMO.

2008-05-02 14:56:51
250.   D4P
I think Pierre only gets traded if he and/or his agent strongly demand it (which I think they will). But even then, there's no guarantee Management will want to get rid of him or be able to find a willing recipient.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-05-02 14:57:21
251.   bhsportsguy
244 Yep, if he was actually injured, of course he could rehab but getting in shape is not something that you could assign a player with Jones' MLB experience out to the farm for.

If he is going to get better it will be by playing games up with the Dodgers.

2008-05-02 14:58:48
252.   Jon Weisman
Tonight's lineup:

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

Penny, RHP

2008-05-02 14:59:48
253.   CodyS
Pierre is actually having a great year, by his standards. OBP of .355, & stealing 1/3 of the time he gets on base. He is even driving in runs. I couldn't believe my eyes when he came up yesterday with men on base in a tight game, and actually hit the ball hard and drove in two runs. He is 7 for 15 with RISP.
The team may be better in the short term with the current Pierre vs. the current Jones.

Jones will pull himself together, though. It has nothing to do with his weight, so let's not be mean about that. He is not recognizing pitches and is either making little off-balance swings to make contact, or guessing and swinging as hard as he can.

2008-05-02 15:01:09
254.   trainwreck
248
Finally decided to read more details about it and it really does look like he was the shooter or at least had someone do it for him.
2008-05-02 15:01:41
255.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2008-05-02 15:01:42
256.   silverwidow
252 Martin STARTING at 3rd? Wow.
2008-05-02 15:02:10
257.   Eric Enders
245 "BTW, how did Traxler pass?"

The cause of death was not disclosed, but it was reported that he had "a short illness" and had been in a coma for two weeks prior. He had lifelong struggles with alcoholism.

Traxler was one of my all-time favorite Dodgers.

2008-05-02 15:03:29
258.   Bob Hendley
241 - We know that Torre likes to thrust people into top slots in the line-up as a way of getting them out of slumps, but that doesn't seem to have worked for Druw. He might want to start a more conventional platoon with Jones/JP (with the Bison manning CF when Jones is out). Career splits for them are not all that different, but you need to try something (Druw unlikely to agree to go down to AAA). IMHO, Pee Wee should be getting some starts as well.
2008-05-02 16:46:49
259.   NewDCBrave
As a pure baseball guy, I'll drop in my two cents. Here's my list of the best scribes on baseball in no particular order:

COLUMNISTS:
Thomas Boswell, Washington Post
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times
T.J. Simers, Los Angeles Times
Mike Downey, Chicago Tribune
Richard Justice, Houston Chronicle
Bernie Miklasz, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bryan Burwell, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Alan Schwarz, New York Times
Ken Davidoff, Newsday
Bob Klapisch, The Record
Joe Posnanski, Kansas City Star
Jason Whitlock, Kansas City Star
Ray Ratto, San Francisco Chronicle (Best Humorist)

NATIONAL:
Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated
Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated
Lee Jenkins, Sports Illustrated
Selena Roberts, Sports Illustrated
Buster Olney, ESPN
Jayson Stark, ESPN
Wright Thompson, ESPN
Jonah Keri, ESPN.com Page 2
Keith Law, ESPN.com

As for particular beats, these writers give you the best individual team coverage:

NL BEAT WRITERS:
Henry Schulman, San Francisco Chronicle (Giants Beat)
Troy Renck, Denver Post (Rockies Beat)
David O'Brien, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Braves Beat)
Ben Shpigel, New York Times (Mets Beat)

AL BEAT WRITERS:
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe (Red Sox Beat)
Tyler Kepner, New York Times (Yankees Beat)
Joe Christensen, Minneapolis Star-Tribune (Twins Beat)
Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle (A's Beat)

BEST BREAKING NEWS WRITER:
Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com

BEST SPORTS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER:
T.J. Quinn, ESPN (formerly New York Daily News)

FOLLOWING IN QUINN'S FOOTSTEPS:
Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times
Michael O'Keeffe, New York Daily News

BEST LEGAL WRITER:
Lester Munson, ESPN (formerly SI.com)

BEST TELEVISION/RADIO WRITERS:
Richard Sandomir, New York Times
Neil Best, Newsday (Best TV/Radio Blog: WatchDog)

BEST NEWSPAPER SPORTS STAFF:
1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
2. New York Times
3. San Francisco Chronicle

BEST NATIONAL SITE:
1. ESPN
2. Sports Illustrated
3. Yahoo!

BEST NATIONAL BASEBALL BLOG:
Buster Olney on ESPN.com

BEST SPORTS BLOG:
TheBigLead.com

BEST PERSONAL WRITER BLOGS:
Keith Law (www.meadowparty.com/blog)

As an addendum, MLB.com is great site but could someone please explain the need for highlighting their writers. They need to link to each writer with a page similar to the New York Times and other sites where you can click on the person's name and find all of their recent articles. As it is, you can search and never find their national and local writers articles. They'd get a lot more play per piece if we could appreciate their writers by finding them with greater ease. With solid writers like Alyson Footer, Ken Gurnick, Lyle Spencer, Marty Noble, Barry Bloom, Joe Frisaro, Matthew Leach, Ian Browne, Scott Gilbert, T.R. Sullivan, Jim Street, and others it just makes sense. We go for content, but also the writers style and readability. They recently added a page for Hal Bodley, so there's hope.

2008-05-02 16:55:55
260.   NewDCBrave
I ommitted a couple.

Michael Wilbon, Washington Post. Most tend to forget he is one of the best writers in the country and is able to shed fresh light and angles on regular topics.

Two more:
Rob Neyer, ESPN.com
Steven Goldman, BaseballProspectus.com
Rany Jazayerli, BaseballProspectus.com

BEST INJURY WRITER:
Will Carroll, BaseballProspectus.com

BEST PROSPECT WRITERS:
Jim Callis, Baseball America
Kevin Goldstein, BaseballProspectus.com
John Sickels, Rotowire.com
John Manuel, Baseball America

BEST BASEBALL SITES:
BaseballProspectus.com
HardBallTimes.com
BaseballProspectus.com

BEST FANTASY SITES:
Rotowire.com
Rotoworld.com

BEST FANTASY WRITERS:
Ron Shandler, BaseballHQ.com
Eric Karabell, ESPN

2008-05-04 18:10:40
261.   matt44
I personally love these relatively unknowns and these very well known:

Peter Gammons (ESPN.com)
Buster Olney (ESPN.com)
Jonathan Mitchell (3guysandasportspage.com)
David Pinto (baseballmusings.com)
Jay Marriotti

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