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.

Essentially Torre decided that he'd rather have Bennett today, over DeWitt.

It's fine to use Martin at 3B in an emergency, but DeWitt at 3B is fine. If you're worried about losing Martin's offense, then start Ethier in LF instead of Pierre.

secondly, what NoHoDodger said

Martin gets to "rest" from the rigors of catching, and his bat stays in the lineup.

Or is Martin going to make a run at Ripkin's record? Because that would be kind of cool, and kinda scary.

What does it say about management that they think Gary Bennett is an acceptable backup catcher, but that Hu is an unacceptable backup 3B?

It was the Jason Phillips at first base stuff that was the stuff to get upset about.

Bennett is really not even worthy of a major league contract, and Martin's health and longevity aren't being helped by having such a terrible backup.

I'd say "nothing" because I don't accept the premise. I've seen no evidence and heard from no credible source that Hu can't learn to play third. They obviously don't trust Hu to play third, but that's different from him not being able to.

As a person who has never seen his team in the World Series and have seen more than his fair share of injuries to stupid moves, I apprehensively disapprove.

In other words, I'm on the fence.

But I like that he's getting the start at 3b. It sure beats signing Juan Castro to play 3b.

I personally would rather have the Solution playing third and Martin either having the day off or behind the plate, but I don't get to fill out the line up card.

But I suspect Taveras will be bunting his direction all nite. If he flubs those plays, I think Torre ends the experiment.

I just don't see how 3B is giving Martin his "break." Martin's recent 3B experience in live games is diminimus.

If he needs a break, give him the day off.

I hope his defense does not come back to bite us in the *.

Now, Pujols playing 2b (which he did earlier, but I dont think fantasy leagues recognized it) is pretty cool.

Most DTers are on or near the West Coast and probably never have seen this particular column by a former sports editor of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
The paper reprinted it each Christmas for years, and may still.

It's not even about sports. But it's one fine piece of writing. And it strongly refutes an often-held opinion that sportswriters can't write well about other things.

IIRC, this version cuts off a bit of the end and may have left others bits out. But it's the best Google could deliver. It's well worth the time of anyone who has any interest in history and/or appreciates good writing, as most folks here do.

http://tinyurl.com/4jjvrc

If they keep 12 pitchers, they can't keep two of these three guys, Nomar, LaRoche and Dewitt on the roster at the same time, it is just too limiting to have 2 players that can only play 3B. If it was Nomar and one of the other two and they DFA Sweeney, okay, I could see that though (Nomar would be the backup at both 1B/3B). Or they could get rid of an outfielder.

It is kind of kooky.

That said, I think Torre is saying that he'd rather have Martin's bat than Hu's glove.

I was under the impression that Chin-Lung Hu played 3rd base very well in spring training, I have no idea why Torre seems to shy away from playing him there now but I do not believe it has much to do with ablity.

The lack of mustache presence on the roster worries me.

And it makes me feel like we might get to see him play ball until he's 40 (if he wants), like Biggio.

But I still want to see him at shortstop too!

Actually, I find it enjoyable pretty much whenever a guy ends up playing a highly unusual position. I loved the Pedro Feliz catching game last year. And usually those guys end up doing a lot better than people thought they'd do.

Maybe if we have a big lead at the end of the season, Torre will let Martin pull a Bert Campaneris. (Or, if you prefer, a Cesar Tovar/Jose Oquendo.)

Rule 2 violation!

Plus, Bob admitted to being "grouchy" yesterday.

He did successfully complete his 3 chances, 2 assists and 1 put out plus he participated in DP but it is still 10 innings.

Ethier is still on pace to start 148-150 games.

Not that any team needs a reminder of what kind of player he is - either you're down with JP, or you're not. Eventually, though, LA is going to have to make a decision on Pierre unless they think he's the LFer of the future once Andruw's contract runs out.

(Needless to say, I'm against this practice. Just play the guys who can actually play baseball. It's a fairly simple concept.)

.931 Career OPS vs. Francis.

And that meant usually playing in the outfield. Bench averaged around 20+ starts a year at other positions until he actually started getting just days off or he was hurt. He also rarely caught over 130 games in a season.

Joe Torre split time between 1B and catcher for the early part of his career, only in 1970 did he split time between 3B and catcher, he stopped catching in 1971 because Ted Simmons, who had split time with Torre the previous year, was ready to take the full time job and Joe just played 3B and became the MVP.

They'll probably get a bunch of Andrews that night.

Not exactly a Mondesi-level outburst but far from "anything to help the team."

Is this a one-time gig or something more permanent...?

Congratulations! You say substitute, so is it only this Sunday?

Regarding Bennett....I know he sucks, but how many backup catcher out there are that much better?

At least 29.

OK, that was too snarky.

Corky Miller - .222
Colt Morton - .167
Chris Stewart / Robinson Diaz (tied) - .000

Hayes was so good that during this streak he played for three different teams: St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Cleveland, all of the AL.

The NL record is 233 by Ray Mueller of Cincinnati from 1943 through 1946, but the Sporting News gives him a pass for 1945 because he was in the military.

cool is what i say... quite cool.

www.hobosoul.com

That's among guys with at least 100 career games played. If you make it 50 games, you can add Humberto Quintero and Wil Nieves.

http://www.truebluela.com/2008/5/2/471862/story-title

Jon, beware if you see "Psycho" before the radio show looking at you kind of funny and clutching a manilla folder with a bunch of printouts from Dodger Thoughts.

Colletti caused a problem, and now he needs to solve it. My guess is he won't even attempt to do so until at least the upcoming off-season.

Rain / Snow Showers / Wind
38°F

http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/hFwN

Jerry Grote was the last Dodger to play more than a game at 3B and C, with 49 games caught and 9 at 3B from 1977-1981.

Johnny Roseboro also played 2 games at 3B, but other than that the list is all Brooklyn.

Has anyone seen "Iron Man" yet? Worth the hype?

Then I redid the search for just minimum games and hence my error.

Who was the last star player to be a GM in baseball? Sorry, Bill Stoneman, you don't count.

Maybe Al Rosen with the Giants?

Calling Bill Sudakis a catcher was kind.

I saw something on ESPN last weekend, that Carlos Guillen is the first man since 1958 to make an opening day start at all four infield positions.

I'll guess Gil McDougald although him starting at 1B probably would have required an injury to someone else.

Maybe it was 1956, covering the Retrosheet era. That seems more likely since a previous player wasn't mentioned.

Jackie probably did it if you count the Monarchs.

Does anybody know where I could find a list of the top 20-30 international signees (by signing bonus) per year for the last 10 or so years?

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=280502127

http://tinyurl.com/6msg8w

"Russ, night off tonight."

"No way coach, I'm fine. Don't need a rest."

"Sorry, every catcher needs a night off once in a while. Stay ready, might need your bat late."

"Well, how about third base?"

In case anyone was wondering, which I'm sure nobody was, there has never been a major league player who played at least 200 games at all four infield positions. There have been seven who played 100 games, though: Rollie Zeider, Don Money, Denis Menke, Mark Loretta, John Knight, Jimmie Dykes, Rich Aurilia.

Guillen would become the first player since at least 1958 to make an Opening Day start at all four infield positions, according to Dave Smith of Retrosheet.org.

In other words, Dave Smith couldn't find it.

Bought Lego shaped Eggo waffles, with an offer on the box to send away for a Lego Astro Fighter.

Ate waffles.

Had idyllic time with young son cutting out proof of purchase, writing the letter, and sending in the $1.95 for the Astro Fighter. Delivery in 6 to 8 weeks.

Young son asks every week if it has been 6 to 8 weeks.

It has now been 6 weeks. Received post card from Eggo waffle people saying that the promotion was so popular they have had to order more Astro Fighters. Delivery expected sometime after September 2008.

There Will Be Blood!

/Personal Vent

Derrel Thomas
Darryl Strawberry
Darrell Evans
Darrel Chaney
Daryl Boston
Daryle Ward

http://tinyurl.com/4vdc4g

Tony Abreu ran the bases at extended spring training, and after getting in some games there is expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Las Vegas next week.

If (a big if) Abreu's rehab goes well, there is going to be a lot of decision-making from mid to late May. It's possible LaRoche, Nomar and Abreu will all be healthy and ready to go in that time.

I need more cowbell.

Another name, however, is probably the champion among active players:

Derrick Turnbow
Derek Jeter
Derrek Lee
Daric Barton

Oops.

Actually a bunch all over.

Zambrano singled.

Cait Murphy is a woman who needs to wear a lot of sunscreen.

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7458 ($ubscription required)

And I'm betting Eliza Dushku isn't at the game.

So if there is a DT softball game / picnic in the future, would it be a family event? Would Rules 1, 5 and 9 be in force?

But it goes back to the 1970s. I was in at the ground level!

Jeepers, that's dismissive.

nice!

235 I was always intrigued by a team with Zeale, Biggio and someone like Torre at first. I just coudn't figure a catcher who could play SS, but there must be one.

This is an existential crisis.

I'm a bit apprehensive about the name combination. Any thoughts?

I hope you and your wife have a beautiful and healthy girl: Meili Antoinette Ghost of Carlos Perez.

YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!

Perhaps DeWitt needs to hold his own hitting clinic. He is The Solution!

There goes 38 Million down the gurgler.

That's a grim assessment. There have been just 10 players with 502 or more PAs in a season to not crack .200 for the season. One guy did it twice!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/xVgF

Or one of them. I should really pay attention more. I know I'm doing better than Sam, who is taking personnel tips from Arnold Rothstein.

Then it got worse.

Vinnie is pretty good on the TV, XM only has the Colorado 'casters and I'd rather listen to Vinnie anyway.

Anyone read the SI piece (I think there, maybe FOX) that was dropping hints that Andruw seems to have dropped off on his performance when MLB testing got tougher?

"Vinnie is pretty good on the TV..."

yeah, i guess he's alright

The offense is clicking nicely these days--one overpaid, overweight outfielder notwithstanding.

The best fans in baseball?

Nothing better than a memoir of the Brooklyn Dodgers endorsed by a woman who made up large portions of her memoir involving the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I think it's too many 'Tats...never could stand the idea of getting one, don't like needles...LOL.

"Guys on other teams think I'm crazy, but to me, I can play there easy," Martin said. "I haven't gotten any balls yet, but I hope I get a couple backhand plays. That would be sweet. People have never seen me there, but I know what I can do. I'm looking forward to it just to prove to people I can play third."

Right, because he pitched so poorly in inducing 5 straight outs. If Dewitt even fields the second one cleanly its a DP and the inning is basically over. Blake was terrible that inning, and Wade's performance doesn't warrant any criticism.

Not seen that in probably 25 years.

Now if the Rockies tie the game, I can understand the anger.
If Nomar had made the errors, no one would have said anything about Wade. It would have been "Dump on Nomar" hour.

Tonight seems to be a night of setting straw men on fire.

He knows why.

I'm not saying he was necessarily bad tonight, but just watch him pitch. You can't honestly watch him and think he'll be anything good. He tops out at 89 and has no good offspeed pitches.

It's hard to watch!

Ya, i watched him pitch and saw him get 5 straight outs. No, he's not Broxton and wont dominate with his fastball, but he throws strikes and doesnt beat himself. He's been successful so far, so there's no reason to be overly critical of him.

Man, that was a slowly executed attempted DP.

I want LaRoche as much as anyone, but this kind of piling on is exactly what rule 8 on the sidebar is designed for.

430,
Maybe I'm sounding overly critical but I can't really take much out of such a small sample size, especially when no one has scouting reports on Wade. I'll give you he has shown good control, but it just seems like he has journeyman stuff to me. Is that a fair evaluation?

Cards win in 11.

Times is running a leak that Kobe wins the MVP.

Hey Joe!

I have no clue, actually. I just got home from tutoring/school function. Come on, Blake, do that thing better than you just did it, whatever it was!

/Wants to fit in.

I cant disagree with that, it was just poorly timed. He pitched really well tonight, wasnt helped by the defense, and then i see a comment about how the guy who pitched well shouldnt be pitching. Just struck a nerve with me.

He actually has two triples among his four hits.

Okay thats fair, I'll try to critique a guy when he's actually doing poorly next time. I just didn't want to see Torre leave him in until the lead was gone. He was fine tonight, FWIW. Just frustrated that they almost blew the lead, I guess.

Nice AB Blake!!!!

DT: I hate Blake Dewitt!

now:

DT: Blake, you are the man!

-Raffy

And another one says "Remember Gary Bennett."

Um, yeah. And the bases are loaded, too.

And another one says "Remember Gary Bennett." "

Speaking of which, have you tracked down the guy who was wearing the Darryl Strawberry jersey at the Coliseum Game?

It's all very confusing.

And why does Matt Garza want to be a Facebook friend of mine?

Which also means that the DBacks lost. Mets win 7-2.

I wonder if Colletti will do any interviews/QAs for this season.

I'm liking this scoring-in-double-figures thing the Dodgers have been doing lately.

UCLA lost 10-5.

Am I right guys? Huh, am I right?! High five!

I would just love to be able to give up some minor assets to get somebody--anybody--to replace Gary Bennett as the team's backup C, but if we up the ante a little maybe we can wait out for Pittsburgh's inevitable fire sale and pick up Ronny Paulino. Taking it a step further, I'd be interested in trying to acquire Jarrod Saltalamacchia with a package starting with LaRoche and Meloan. Thoughts?

Oh wait, that's the Softball team.

A crazy, wonderful week in Dodgertown.

Barry Bonds was sitting about five rows in front of me sporting an ASU cap. He was in the ASU dugout prior to the game. As much distaste as I have for Bonds, it was still good to see him out supporting his alma mater.

May hits a lot of XBHs.

otherwise, looks like it was a bit of a wild game (I caught the bottom of the 7th and top of the 8th) but hey, a win is a win.

9.99 K/9 3.08 BB/9

Kershaw (Age 20 season; Jacksonville)

10.02 K/9 3.06 BB/9

Obviously a huge difference in terms of sample size, but very close peripherals so far.

Sal Fasano is hitting .269/.345/.385 with the Braves' AAA team. I'd be willing to offer Brian Falkenborg and Rick Asadoorian for him.

http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/MZpP

A great win for a game that sure looked like it had "L" all over it after a few innings. In a game where Penny looked totally off for 3 innings and then settled down a bit (and certainly got a bit lucky to get a win) and Jones looked horrible in his first couple of at bats, and the Rockies were finally manufacturing runs, and they were due for a win and the Dodgers were due for a loss... to come back the way they did, twice, really, surviving an unfortunate defensive inning from the Solution, and even Andruw getting in the hitting act... Well, this was a most satisfying and in some ways unexpected win.

I liked some of the moves Torre made, first starting Martin at 3rd (which I think was discussed here once or twice) and then pinch hitting for Bennett in that big inning, and bringing in Ethier to PH too, pulling Penny right at the right time, but mostly just having some guys rake at the right time.

Nice. That was well worth staying up late and watching the archived game.

I also found the Rockies' announcers very competent but also even more homerish (and a bit duller) than I'd remembered.

Oh, and yay for the DBax losing, too. Night!

Now I'm officially asleep. Fun reading through the comments here, though. :-)

"As a field guard, front, runs to apprehend him, an unidentified fan, back left, approaches Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Manny Corpas, back center, after he gave up a three-run double while catcher Yorvit Torrealba, back right, comes in to intervene in the eighth inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 11-6 victory in a Major League Baseball game in Denver on Friday, May 2, 2008. The fan was tackled and hauled off the field by three guards."

(You can see the pic with the wire story on ESPN.com.)

http://tinyurl.com/4mdwnz

For the season:
1.11 ERA, 11 BB's, 36 K's in 32 IP

I'm guessing the AP picked up the story since the Times sends a lot of their stories over the wire each night.

http://danweisman.mlblogs.com/

http://tinyurl.com/5qpfy8

This story is quintessentially Japanese. Sportswriting in Japan focuses a lot on the player's feelings and attitudes.

The early returns favor Seattle.

After the first month of the regular season, Silva has a 3-0 record and a 2.79 ERA after six starts and 42 innings, while Kuroda is 1-2 with a 3.82 ERA after six starts with the Dodgers.

Silva: 18k/9BB, 1.16 WHIP
Kuroda: 20k/8BB, 1.27 WHIP

...If you say so.

---

Go Sharks!

--

Enjoying the Celtics sweating it out enormously, 7 games, what a pleasant surprise.

Have a day, all.

Apparently Avery is his first name but he goes by Bryan.

At least the White Sox aren't very likely to finish on top.

I think the Dodgers see Abreu as a utility infielder while Hu as either an everyday 2B or SS.

• The Dodgers have fashioned preliminary plans of how to integrate star prospect Clay Kershaw, and general manager Ned Colletti planned to watch the left-hander pitch for Double-A Jacksonville on Friday night. The Dodgers intend to limit Kershaw to 150 innings this season, and so it may be that when Kershaw is promoted to the big leagues -- and that will be very soon -- he will get some work out of the rotation, and some out of the bullpen, making his starts intermittently.

One of the biggest gamers I know of:

http://tinyurl.com/5mq2oy

The Dodgers will only use the 5th starter two more times after tonight until the May 27 so they don't really need to do anything with Kershaw until June.

As always, if one of the other 4 guys get hurt, that could change everything.

3rd in OBP. Mystery solved.

3rd in runs allowed but only 11th in strikeouts?

But 4th in K/BB.

Things I'd consider:
-which system has more games you want (many of the PS3's AAA titles are just starting to come out)
-PS3 can play blu-ray and is the best blu-ray player out on the market
-Xbox 360 is super loud while PS3 is silent
-Xbox 360 has (had) quality control issues
-Xbox 360 has better online multiplayer (Xbox Live)
-if you have friends with one of the consoles, playing online with them is really fun, so getting the console they have might be a factor. If you have a 360 and your friend has a PS3, you can't play online with him.

Actually, I don't see Ned trading Pierre this season. It's kinda hard to see him trading any of the guys currently on the big-league roster.

But then again, how much are we paying Andruw Jones annually? Kind of wish we had Adam Jones instead.

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

I don't get it.

A: Single-A.

What did Ethier do to get benched?

Where did you see that? I've known for a long time now that it was renewed, but I haven't been able to find any updates. Are you seeing something new...?

I would then use Adam Melhuse to club you.

I'm not sure why Ethier should be benched against LHP. He's struggling this year against them.

Pierre on the other hand has always been awful against LHP.

And Torre, if you're going to start Pierre gives Andruw the night off.

I'm pretty excited for the second season, though part of me thinks it won't be as good as the first.

In his last three ABs with the bases loaded Matt Kemp has gone homer/single/double. He needs a triple in his next opportunity for a Bases Loaded Cycle*.

Matt Kemp 2008 Bases Loaded Watch:

PA: 5 AB: 5 H: 3 W: 0 RBI: 9 GS: 1

Career:

2006: 1 for 6 (single)
2007: 0 for 9
Total: 4 for 20 (.200)

* I've never heard of a Bases Loaded Cycle. :-) However, the Bison is on a roll.

With Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti on hand Friday, Kershaw ignited the crowd of 6,193 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville with a spectacular defensive play in the fourth inning of the Suns' 4-1 win over the Tennessee Smokies. <<

http://tinyurl.com/5mufhn

>> Jon Meloan (2-2) lost after giving up five runs on six hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out eight. <<

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/18544389.html

Las Vegas
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Meloan (L, 2-2) 4.1 6 5 5 5 8 0 3.60

Las Vegas
Player AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG

LaRoche 3B 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .154

http://tinyurl.com/46zvqr