Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Jon's other site:
Screen Jam
TV and more ...
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
"Loney's doing well?" asked an incredulous Bennett. "I didn't even know he played.
... and when to come clean, writes Ben Platt of MLB.com:
Loney, who is always the gentleman, patiently explained between hands to one of the women playing at his table, what his day job was. "I play first base for the Dodgers," said Loney. "Is that a good position to play?" asked the lady. "Yes, I think it is," replied the 24-year-old from Houston.
Update: At Season Pass, I contemplate the future of Scrubs.
Update 2: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be moving his entertaining blog for the Times to KareemAbdulJabbar.com.
Lowe vs. Brian Moehler
Billingsley vs. Chris Sampson
Kuroda vs. Shawn Chacon
The Astros had won 5 straight before yesterday's loss to the Nationals, but I think the Dodgers are a good bet to win their 5th straight series.
I guess I know the answer to that question. Only one of those two "knows how to win."
I don't want any broken kneecaps or pinkies on my conscience! :)
Bob, the California Gold show last night focused on some Ansel Adams photographs from 1940 that he donated in 1962 to the Los Angeles Library. The guy who was reviewing the collection reminded me of you, and at 1st I thought it was you until they introduced him.
You think I look Huell Howser?
Not sure that's what Torre has in mind.
Speaking of Devil Rays, anytime I lament about the loss of Edwin Jackson, my brother inevitably gives me the LaRochian Response of "he had his chance." It's very frustrating to hear.
Jackson only made 14 starts (and 5 relief appearances) for the Dodgers, and was entering his age 22 season when he was traded (for the immortal Baez/Carter All-Star package). What is interesting is that of his 14 Dodger starts, he best four starts (by game score) were his first four starts:
http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/p6T8
I didn't watch it yet, but that was the series finale for Scrubs, right?
The NBC version finale.
I forgot they were switching networks, thanks.
The funniest thing about the name Huell Howser, to me, is that I thought it was the character played by Chris Farley in the legendary SNL skit about the Clarence Thomas hearings.
However, Farley actually played Senator Howell Heflin.
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/91/91cthomas.phtml
Chris Carter 1b, Age 21, A: .245/.345/.556
10Hrs in 124Abs
Carlos Gonzales OF, Age 22, AAA---.351/.419/.506
Brett Anderson P, Age 20, A: 3.43 ERA, 39ks/9bbs in 39IP
Greg Smith P, Age 24, Oakland: 39IP, 2.54 ERA
Dana Eveland P, Age 24, Oakland: 41IP, 3.05 ERA
The only guy that has sucked is Aaron Cunningham (.540 OPS at AA).
Surely Greg Smith and Dana Eveland cant continue what they are doing, but if they do this looks like one amazing trade for both teams.
The Rockies are in town this weekend. After the 22-inning affair on April 17, here were the team records:
Padres 8-8
Rockies 7-8
Since that game:
Rockies 7-13
Padres 4-15
I can't recall when they got rid of him but Andrew Brown (former Dodger, Brave, Indian, etc.) would probably looked nice in a Padre uniform these days.
Remember? Brown was coincidentally traded for Milton Bradley a second time when SD sent him to Oakland.
--
Speaking of Michael Schur/FJM, and of the A's, I love their takedown of this horrible analogy made in a list of the ten worst run franchises ("And the Knicks will be #1, right?") --
>> "Moneyball" is to baseball what frugal is to cheap...
"Moneyball" is not a euphemism for "baseball." "Frugal" is not a strategy for winning at the sport of "cheap." The whole thing is so tangled I can't even begin to suggest an alternative.
Oh, what the hell, here are a half dozen, each one at least as accurate as what this guy wrote:
Moneyball : regular baseball GM-ing :: Fosbury flop : just jumping normally
Moneyball : baseball :: PlayStation 3 : TurboGrafx 16
Moneyball : baseball :: Can't Buy Me Love : Tourette's Syndrome <<
The former Dodger farmhand, who spent last season with Jacksonville and Las Vegas, makes his Dodger Stadium debut this weekend, as an Astro.
In 16 appearances, Wright has a 3.75 ERA in 12 IP, with a 5/12 BB/K ratio. Opposing batters have hit .190/.277/.357 thus far.
He has been brought in a few high leverage situations as well, at least more than the normal Rule 5 pick (think Kevin Cameron last year with the Padres). Seven of his 16 appearances have started with the club down by a run, tied, or up by 1-2 runs.
2. Petco affects hurt their offense more than it helps their pitchers.
3. Jake Peavy is their only effective starter right now.
Explain.
I think their margin for error has been slim the last few years, but this year it seems everything is going wrong at once.
They are not hitting. Outside of Gonzalez, Giles & McAnulty (all 102 OPS+ or higher), no one has an OPS+ above 88. Greene and Bard have been awful, and Jim Edmonds has managed the impossible task of being worse than Andruw Jones offensively. Last year, the offense was much better (4th in the NL in road runs).
Edmonds in particular has been awful defensively. The dropoff from Mike Cameron has been huge, and most nights the OF defense consists of Edmonds in CF flanked by the statues of Giles and McAnulty or Hairston.
Their relief corps, a strength of the last 3+ years, has been the worst in the league this season.
Oh yeah, and outside of Peavy their starters have been bad too. It really is a perfect storm for San Diego this year, says this smiling Dodger fan.
I also thought the Jackson article was good, but I think the expectation level for Drew was very high and there was a feeling that he was going to hit a ton of homers. I myself never thought that, but again the I believe that was the expectation based on the previous season in Atlanta. Drew also had the expectation that he was briddle and I think he does have injury issues, but especially to Grady's credit, I think Tracy did the same thing they rested him and he did not miss has many games as many thought he would.
I am not sure what kind of ballplayer you want in Petco, you definitely need an outfield that can cover ground.
The years of poor drafts really caught up with them
In 2004, I went to a Baseball Prospectus outing at Petco Park, which included a talk with Kevin Towers. This was right after they drafted Matt Bush #1 overall, a total "signability" pick (in a draft with Verlander, Weaver, Stephen Drew, Hughes), and Towers tried to spin how high the team was on the local boy (he went to a SD high school).
The highlight of that night for me was that I was wearing a Dodger cap and when Kevin Towers took my question, he laughingly rolled his eyes upon seeing my cap. I asked him if he missed "The Sheriff" Kevin Malone, and laughs were had by all.
But why do you think the psychological damage to their hitters exceeds the psychological boost to their pitchers...?
As long as they didn't have to face Tall Chris Young and Jake Peavy.
All I remember is that stupid swing on strikeouts. I hated that long pause swing where he held it there for a while.
But, my memory is wrong, looking at his OBP
vr, Xei
Interestingly, the Padres and their oppoents usually hit about the same batting average every year.
This is off-topic, but it turns out that through some twists of fate, I will be with a group of students this evening meeting before the game with Steve Shiffman (Vice President, Ticket Sales) to talk about the economics of baseball, and then (wait for it) Sweet Lou Johnson, to discuss racism in baseball.
I shall, of course, wear my DodgerThoughts T-shirt, but I'm wondering if there are any questions you'd like me to ask either gentleman. The meeting is for the students, who are taking a 1-unit P/NP course on politics and baseball (racism, labor issues, stadium siting, you name it). But if they run out of questions, I figured it'd be OK for me to raise one or two.
Thanks.
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
With this being Mother's Day weekend and all, be sure to have Lou Johnson recount his story about how he told his mom he would HR the day of Game 7 of the 1965 World Series.
Oh, and the Padres aren't as good because their built on getting free agents with warts and hoping they can get more production out of them. This year's crop didn't work.
Another thing I remember him saying was that the Padres like to get into FA bidding whenever the Dodgers do, just to jack up the price that the Dodgers will have to pay. But that that was harder with DePo in charge in LA, because he was smarter than Malone.
You're right. Towers is certainly to be commended for that interview, among many others on which I've heard him. He was very frank and honest, and it was quite refreshing.
Steiner did just refer to Jon Weisman's excellent blog to counter those anonymous guys writing from their basement.
Better reason to ask him! :)
Actually, I can't find a link, but the way I remember it is he called his mom the day of Game 7 of the 1965 WS and said he was going to HR, and of course he did, providing the go ahead run in the Dodgers' 2-0 win.
So Buzz has went from buffoon (HBO) to partially redeemed (Big Lead interview), back to curmudgeon again?
vr, Xei
Are you trying to change his pronunciation too? :)
vr, Xei
This is taking place during a conversation with Buzz Bissinger.
Yep old Charlie seems to read and like DT, and that guy Buzz what's his face really has a potty mouth. I know XM is pay and all that but wonder if Charlie boy or his board operator is going to be getting a spanking over not having a delay and BEEP going.
I even learned some new curse words, even more than in the South Park movie...OH MY!
Should we take up a collection to buy Charlie a DT T-Shirt to wear on one of his future TV appearances?
Is the conversation breaking any new ground at all?
I almost feel that sites that Deadspin are in the minority as far as their mission. Aren't most sports blogs team-oriented and not nasty? Aren't most sports blogs fan blogs?
2009: Dodger Thoughts polo shirts, for Charley to wear on air.
No..no real new ground.
Some sports blogs are good...yada yada yada.
Some sports blogs are bad....Dead Spin is in a special category by itself.
I'm old, my 24 year old son gets Dead Spin, I don't....yada yada yada.
Jon works hard at being informed, good stuff, nice dialog, except when people pick on JP (made that last part up.....LOL).
Never said the Dame Dodger Thoughts, Charlie does need to do penance and wear a Dodgers Thought on a future TV appearance.
This year, they don't have that great defense. Replacing Cameron, Bradley, and Giles with Hairston, Edmonds and Iguchi is a huge step down. The only plus defenders they have left now are Gonzalez and Greene, so their pitchers that just put the ball in ply are suffering.
The real lesson is that you need one of two things to compete: money, or a farm system. The Padres just don't have the young talent to make up for their inability to sign the free agents that would keep their strategy going, so failure was inevitable.
At least, that's how I thought it would go down this season, I don't know if that's actually the case. No one's hitting is just as good of a reason.
Danica...?
http://tinyurl.com/5h72w9
One thing I hadn't noticed 'til reading that:
RHP Paul Koss has a 1.42 ERA in 12 appearances...the Dodgers' 11th-round selection of the 2007 draft is limiting opposing hitters to .200 average, including a .190 mark (8-for-42) by right-handed hitters...the 22-year-old played his college ball at the University of Southern California from 2004-07, finishing with 36 career saves to rank second on the school's all-time list.
Inland Empire is just 11-22 on the season. Do they not have many prospects on that team?
Out of those that aren't run by a large institution, only MLB Trade Rumors isn't a Deadspin rip off.
The Dodgers' game at Wrigley was rained out. It was the first of a scheduled 2-game series, but instead turned a 4-game series into a 5-game series directly following the All-Star break.
The Dodgers came into Wrigley on Thursday, July 14 with a scant 2.5 game lead over the hated Giants, and left Chicago 3 days later with a 5-game sweep and a 7-game lead.
cargill stands to win $22.73 if the Dodgers do take the series this weekend.
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
I didn't explain that properly. The Dodgers May 9, 1988 game was rained out, which led to a 4-game July series becoming a 5-game series.
They are more along the lines of collegehumor.com
Nice, now I have zero reasons to be writing.
Geovany Soto is the best overall catcher in the NL.
Which is the site at washingtonpost.com I linked yesterday on the issue.
I'm kinda amazed if it's in the top 11.
When was the last time an offensive Cub prospect actually hit it big?
No one saw this coming a year ago.
(for fantasy baseball purposes only)
On the blogs, it's no surprise that you've got sort of an odd set of the "biggest" sports blogs since one very attractive aspect of sports blogs is their narrower gauge and deeper focus. Which doesn't lend itself to the massive nationwide traffic that a deadspin or fanhouse can get.
Then he would get traffic.
Especially if they happen to be married to hot teachers from their school.
That's how the Griddle gets it done.
http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2008/05/scrubs.html
You could answer 77 for one.
What you mean D and N are not right next to each other on your keyboard? Must have failed that typing class I took way back when....
vr, Xei
http://sportsblogs.latimes.com/sports_baseball_dodgers/
Superman II: quite possibly the greatest non-Godfather sequel of all-time. :)
vr, Xei
More info here:
http://tinyurl.com/5ck5jb
Well, at least Gerut's a good defender, that should help them out there if nothing else.
They signed him for 2 years?
http://www.scareduck.com/gruntle/sample_this.html
I doubt very much this has changed appreciably since I wrote this, back in 2000.
But yes, Empire is mentioned here.
http://www.greencine.com/central/node/713
I defy you to show me a better sequel than The Road Warrior!
http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/wSkU
In sake of fairness, I should note:
1) Edmonds would rank in the same spot on the Dodgers' list
2) That list didn't include pitchers.
{{does not compute}}
{system error}
Well, what about my other choices?
3) Jones' OPS+ of 42 isn't much better
If the Lakers can weather the Jazz first ten minutes of physical ferocity and intensity, they might be okay. The Jazz are going to try to come out with guns blazing at the start to make a statement and be as physical at home as the refs will allow.
Has anyone else seen the Mercury Insurance bracket challenge to pick the top LA teams of all time? You make picks like the March Madness picks of 16 years in LA Dodger history and whittle it down to the final game. They are going to simulate Best of seven series starting on May 14. Entries to be in by May 13. I had the 81 team squaring off against the 63 team in the final. There are tiebreakers for total runs scored in the tournament and total homeruns.
Pretty interesting.
Killing the leads of Aliens in Aliens 3 had to be the stupidest marketing move ever made. Lets get everyone invested in these hero's and then kill them before the 3rd movie even starts. Yeah, that will bring in the crowds.
Until Juan goes 2 for 4 with a walk, steals a base, and scores two runs.
It is behind Carlos Santana's. This is only his 2nd year behind the plate. He's taken a nice step up with the bat this year. Last year he only showed some power, this year he is doing it all.
I keep hearing we don't have catching depth, I beg to differ.
Don't forget Mr. Maza.
140 - I love Aliens, too, could watch it repeatedly. But I also love the first Alien, they are completely different movies, but the first one is pretty brilliant in look and feel. Which is the reason I didn't have Aliens on that particular list. "Game over, man!"
145 Meet 113 through 122.
Glue Bob's hands to Ned's desk!
Release vets release vets
This is the way we release vets
So early in the season.
You are right, they both could stand on their own. I watched Aliens before I watched Alien.
I'm a huge Sci-Fi and Comic fan but I've never ever understood the appeal of Superman.
Demon "All PVL loving GM's are welcome to Edmonds, think back to four years ago, he can be that again." DT land "No, Ned, Don't be deceived, he's like Nomar, he'll breakdown, be on the DL, don't be deceived. See, the devil's mask is coming off, it's Brian Sabaen."
http://tinyurl.com/3wrwy9
Unless it was taking a chance on Chris Carpenter.
Nice list. What was the DT code, I might try out your site?
Yeah he made some spectacular moves. It will be fun to see what he can do with the boatload of talent he is inheriting in the Reds.
What a great move on his part. The Cardinals are the past and the Reds might be the future. I wonder if he would have traded Hamilton?
register here
http://www.greencine.com/main
or here
https://www.greencine.com/registration?1=1
10 days free so what the heck, right?
132 OPS+ in 7410 PA, 363 HR, 8 GG in CF
I don't think he gets close to enough votes, but he's certainly a compelling case.
>> • NOTES -- 51s reliever Yhency Brazoban was promoted to Los Angeles, catcher A.J. Ellis was optioned from Las Vegas to Class-A Ogden, and catcher Kelley Gulledge and infielder Rex Rundgren were promoted from Ogden to Las Vegas. <<
http://www.lvrj.com/sports/18796349.html
That was pure genius!
I wonder if having his career end so quickly instead of a long painfull demise helps or hurts?
I think when Jay Jaffe ran the numbers for him he didn't meet the criteria but I could be wrong.
vr, Xei
Shakeup Could Soon Be In Store In San Diego
>> Edmonds' startling lack of production has lent to speculation that the Padres may soon cut ties with the eight-time Gold Glove winner, although the organization would have to eat nearly $5 million in guaranteed salary if Edmonds is released. <<
http://www.nbc10.com/mlb/16215860/detail.html
Today's SD Union-Tribune said the figure was roughly $4.75m.
http://tinyurl.com/5kwgo7
It seems really strange considering the numbers he put up in Vegas. Maybe he needs to work on his defense.
2008 Season
Team League AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
LVG PCL .304 13 46 9 14 3 1 0 10 19 8 6 0 0 .431 .413 .844
>> The Dodgers don't need a fifth starter until a week from tomorrow, but it's hard to imagine they're going to bring up Kershaw for that. <<
## So by putting him in the bullpen now and using him in one-inning increments, that buys the organization time so they don't have to be so careful with him later in the year. ##
http://insidesocal.com/dodgers/
Apparently Tony is unaware that Kershaw is scheduled to start again on Monday, or have the rest of us been misinformed about that.
The Mets finally had a starting pitcher reach the eighth inning, as John Maine went 8 1/3 on Wednesday. New York was the last team to have a starter accomplish this feat in 2008.
The Dodgers have seen their starter reach the 8th exactly once, Derek Lowe in the April 12th 11-1 pounding of the Padres.
I thought that was implied just by the sheer release of Edmonds.
Q (to Brad Penny):
"On re-signing with the Dodgers versus free agency after the season"
A: "I don't need $100 million. What would you do with it in Oklahoma? My dad grew up a Dodgers fan, and he's a reason I want to stay. Imagine if we won a title with his boy pitching in Dodger blue. That would be special."
Not sure I want him anymore. His peripherals scare the crap out of me.
Do you have a fear of peripherals? I'm not sure if psychiatrists have a name for that.
Martin, C
Kemp, RF
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
Jones, CF
DeWitt, 3B
Hu, SS
Lowe, P
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