When I see someone using a cell phone, I feel like we as a society have taken a step backward.

Because we need to turn that frown upside down, allow me to get the positivity train rolling:

At least we didn't give Eric Gagne $10M this year.

I wonder who, in Logan White's opinion, should be the Dodgers 3rd baseman long- term. They're both "his guys", so to speak.

Who wants to see Eric and raise him?

It's funny, we've seen a lot of "The Dodgers are struggling without Furcal in the line up"... but really, does not having the lead off man go 3-4 matter if everyone else is going 3-32? Especially if those three hits are from the 7 and 8 hitter?

This I think, is one of the psychological effects of having a young team, they seem to feed off of each other's success or failure. Either everyone is hitting, or no one is. I would think you would see less of this with a more veteran line up (not that I want one of those for a few years). Or maybe it's just been the fact that we tend to see certain pitchers on their better days.

When I see someone, I feel like we as a society have taken a step backward.

How's that?

bluetooths make you look un-cool. there I said it.

I have to use it or else I'll get a ticket though...

When I see blog posts written by fat dudes who don't know anything about baseball and live in their parents' basements, I feel like we as a society have taken a step backward.

But I am fully in support of laws requiring use of hands free devices when driving -- though I'd take it a step further and ban cell phones while driving altogether. But that's just crazy ol' me.

3 Good question. He wouldn't publicly pick one over the other, and is probably rooting for them both to make it in one way or the other. But I wonder if internally he has stated a preference, or at least wonder if he has one.

Whenever I see Dodger fans booing Shawn Green and Mike Piazza, I feel like we as Dodger fans have taken a step backward.

Also in one of the boxcars of the positivity train:

1) Shawn Green hit 4 HR in Milwaukee in 2002
2) The Dodgers capped their 12-2 start in 2005, in Milwaukee
3) Beer and Sausages and Cheese are all associated with Milwaukee. Hopefully the relatively unclogged arteries of the Dodgers will outlast the chest-clutching Brewers over the next 3 days.

4 Wake up, technological dead man! I said, WAKE UP, TECHNOLOGICAL DEAD MAN!

Hmm...didn't work.

8 I'm glad that True Blue LA is still advancing society.

5 - But does that explain DeWitt hitting .444, Loney hitting .389, and Ethier hitting .333 in the last week, while Kent's gone 0-for-14 and Pierre 2-for-18?

Furcal's out and Kent, Pierre, Martin, and Kemp have all hit the skids. Young and old, slumping and struggling together.

I think it's also a by-product of having a team offense so dependent on singles and batting average. A few well-timed slumps and the whole offense grinds to a halt.

If kids couldn't text how would they communicate?

0 When I see someone using an older hands-free ear bud and mic combo and holding the mic up to their mouth, I feel like I want to punch that person in the face.

356 previous thread
wouldn't that be very risky, if you did do that you'd have to have a chan-ho or Duiza type player in the bullpen that could make spot starts if such things as inclement weather arise..

When I see people at baseball games with beachballs/doing the wave/not paying attention to the game, I feel like we as a society have taken a step backward.

Ogden starts its season June 17. Looking forward to following Chris Withrow, he of the 98 MPH fastball.

While driving for an 8th grade field trip recently there were 2 girls in the back seat texting each other. Man, did I feel old. I remember when people used to talk to each other.

16
Don't sit next to me at the next Dodger Thoughts game, sometimes old habits die hard for those of us with overloaded nerve endings.

I'm always amazed at what bothers people that have nothing to do with them.

Does LA regularly skip their 5th starter when off-days allow it? Or do they have their #5 guy take the ball on his regular turn?

It seems like you could effectively get a 4-man rotation going by routinely skipping the 5th guy, and only using them when consecutive days with a game demand it.

Just glancing at the schedule, Penny is about to make his 9th start tonight while Kuo/Loaiza have made 6, so maybe they do this already.

When I see people in the Dugout Box seats directly behind home plate, talking on their cell phones, and waving to the camera on every pitch, I feel like we as a society have taken a step backward.

I just noticed that DT and True Blue LA are both linked at Tony Jackson's blog.

20
You were probably better off not knowing what the 8th grade girls were texting.

I just noticed that Milton Bradley is leading the AL in EQA. Wow.

When I see Ian Ziering sitting behind home plate but left of center, I think we as a society have taken a step backward.

speaking of "rule one" in society...

http://tinyurl.com/2wr4b3

The key to enjoying life is to laugh at, rather than mourn, public displays of stupidity that do you no harm.

I take no responsibility, nor do I participate in such things, so I don't see any reason why this affects us as a society. I will say that working in a customer service position, it's very strange when a customer is talking to someone on the phone while trying to work with you at the same time.

Gilberto Reyes just hit on my biggest baseball pet peeve. When they put me in charge of baseball, Rule #1 will be that people talking and waving on their cell phones behind home plate will be shot on sight. Not asked politely to stop. Not given a stern talking-to. Not ejected. Shot. On. Sight.

When I see an organization dish out $45 million for a slap-hitting LF with no arm and $36 million for a CF who has hit 1 HR and 5 RBI through 37 games, I think we as a society have taken a step backward.

31 I was wondering how long that one was going to take.

31 Agreed. And when I hear someone speak of doing a "due diligence" that can't be done with respect to a shoulder injury...

When I see a blog about baseball, transcend baseball, and create conversation about life, the universe, and everything. I feel that we as a society have taken a step.

30
I think that is why 24 is so popular. The world needs Jack Bauer in these situations. And not the end of season 6 emasculated weepy Bauer, either. I want for a Jack Bauer type to come across a cell phone hand waving behind home plate seat having person, then exclaim to no one in particular, "I'm gonna need a hacksaw".

When people call the library to specifically ask for a phone number and then once you have it, the person does not have anything to write it down with, then society has collapsed and we should all start looking up recipes for Soylent Green.

36 Do you really need a recipe? Where's your sense of adventure in the kitchen?

36 You shouldn't have said that, since now we'll all be calling... Is Mr. Timmermann there...thank you, I'll hold...

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

NO ANDRUW! VICTORY!

36 Nobody writes phone numbers down, they put them into their cell phone address book or their PDA.

30 Other stadium pet peeves besides the cell phone waive include the human wave, beachballs, 4th inning arrivals, seat confusion, standing in the rows & aisles, and cheering because the messageboard is telling you to.

36
There are few things worse than that, I agree. It's like the person on the other end didn't expect you to come up with the answer to their question so quickly. And sometimes the abruptness of "Hold on, let me get a pen" makes me want to break many laws and cause great bodily harm to said person.

39
PIERRE! Hollow victory.

39 I'm with Torre on sticking with Andruw for awhile. I would much rather see Ethier, Jones and Kemp though.

I would like to add my two cents and say that people at large venue sporting events drive me nuts when they are on the cell phone with a friend who is also there saying, "I'm here see me waving" and then proceed to wave, jump and make a fool of themselves because that other person has no clue where to look and is doing the exact same thing. It just never works well for either party.

When I take a step backwards, I feel society use two hands to operate a hands-free cellphone device.

39 - Hooray! I'd still rather have Andruw in there than Pierre, but I guess it's good they're sitting him. And Ethier! Victory!

Now a real victory would be even sweeter.

Hope that good Penny shows up, not bad Penny.

Given the realistic possibilities, I'm just fine with that lineup, except Kent at cleanup?

I'll admit, I don't even know my wife's cell phone number. If someone else asks for it I have to look it up in my contacts list.

When I see a comment with the words Blake DeWitt, our 3rd baseman of the future, ops+ 1 something something, The Solution, his job to lose, etc., I think we as a society have taken a step backward.

When Juan Pierre batting leadoff constitutes "victory," I think we as a society have taken a step backward.

41 So basically, everything at Dodger Stadium, then. How do you feel about incessant booing?

41 4th inning arrivals, seat confusion

A comment on these two.

I never used to arrive late or leave early. Since Spawn of Kavula came on the scene, she has made the rules. Now we arrive late and leave early.

WRT seat "confusion"... well, I'm not confused, but my seats are sometimes in the sun. We often sit a few rows back, in the shade. If someone comes claiming those seats, we vacate them quickly. Often, no one comes. Why not take advantage of the empty, shaded seats?

45 True story: young woman sits down behind me at an Auburn football game, promptly calls her friend sitting across the field, waves her arms mightily, and squeals "I'm wearing orange." Yeah, you and 87,450 other people.

My original post was intended with a lighthearted tone that I realize may not have come through.

When I was younger I never had to use two hands

0 What are the two hands doing to operated a hands-free cell phone? One hand "holding" the ear-piece, and the other holding the phone?

When holding a cell-phone while driving becomes illegal in California in less than two months, I predict a lot of policemen will get bored of pulling over drivers, ticketing them, explaining the law, dealing with the "I didn't know that!"... and then begin seeing the next several years as a repetition of the above procedure until they have pulled over every single driver in the state and personally told them about the "new" law.

When Michael Jackson unleashed the moonwalk on the 1980s, he took several steps backwards.

55 If that was directed at me, I was totally joking.

I don't have anything against 4th inning arrivals or people who are confused about their seats. The former may work long hours and the latter may be visiting the stadium for the first time. I'd be more inclined to welcome them than complain about them. (Unless they start talking into their phone and waving at a camera.)

The really great thing about Bluetooth is I can talk to myself and no one thinks I'm crazy.

I echo 59 ...

People standing in the aisles with no regard as to the people's whose view he is blocking. And then he just kinda continues to stand there, and you're like "what the heck are you waiting for, you're not talking to anyone, you're not looking at anyone, you're just kinda zoning out there Sparky, where's a rogue foulball when you need one?"

That bugs me, even when it's not my view they're blocking.

Does Dodger Stadium still allow you to walk down the aisle in the middle of an at bat?

+1 to 59 . For my part, it's clear you were kidding around. I also think that most of the riffs on your original post have been really funny.

Just a quick heads up before I collapse from exhaustions. Our baby was born Monday, May 12th at 3:42 am. Both Mom and Baby are healthy, and we are loving every minute.

Kev

65 Congratulations! Great news! Boy or girl?

Boy...

Myles Parker Lewis

8 pounds 2 ounces (my poor wife)

19 1/2 inches

When the LA times posts Orange County Angels stories right above LA's team, I feel we as a city have taken a step backwards.

Now I really will go and collapse

65
The world welcomes another Dodger fan! Congrats.

Does Andruw Jones have a cell phone? Could we text him some hitting tips? If he reached for the phone to answer it, would he miss?

65 Just remember: Babies are never exhausted, moms are. You are third.

Congratulations

59 - It wasn't directed at anyone in particular.

67 - Vin Scully would make a "Myles to go before you sleep" joke. Congrats!

73 Ok, good. It was getting fun, I didn't want to be the one who killed it.

67
That kid will never lose.

65, 67 - Congratulations!

67
Congrats

50
So is this two steps backwards?
http://tinyurl.com/5aq2hc

Is it really possible Andruw Jones has passed Juan Pierre on the least-want-to-see-in-the-lineup list?

We've come a long way, baby.

67 Myles Parker Lewis

I like that TV show too, but don't you think that's going a bit too far?

Congrats though.

67
Congratulations! The lovefest is on!

Dodger Win Probabilities:

Simulator: 47.13%
LV Hilton: 52.38%
AccuScore: 53.80%

vr, Xei

79
Is that a sign ...

79
Is it really possible Andruw Jones has passed Juan Pierre on the least-want-to-see-in-the-lineup list?

Not according to the recent DT gallup poll. 29 of 44 voters (66%) preferred Andruw in the OF, as opposed to 8 of 44 (18%) for Pierre.

78 Is that a Frank Zappa reference at the end of the first paragraph?

Andruw had said after he signed, that he'd like to finish his career as a Dodger. Be careful what you wish for Andruw!

I went to the game on Friday (if I get around to it later, I'll post about the Sweet Lou talk before the game). About 3 rows in front of us was a group of 20-somethings (maybe 6 of them) who could not manage to sit in their seats for more than one AB at a time. They were up constantly - sometimes going for food or beer, but mostly just standing there talking to each other, mugging for cell-phone camera shots, and generally being oblivious. Two of the girls, I'm pretty sure, did not look at the field even once the entire game. EVERYONE back to the row behind us was hollering at them (first nicely, then less and less so) to please sit down so that the rest of us could, you know, watch the game. It was as if they didn't hear us. Never an acknowledgment. Never did they sit down in response to their neighbors. It was really unbelievable. By the 5th inning or so, it wasn't even annoying any more - just fascinating to watch such unabashed selfishness. After the 7th, they just up and left. I have no idea why they chose Dodger Stadium as the venue for their evening.

Especially while Vinnie is working the mic - if you really want to WATCH a Dodger game, you're much better off at home in front of the TV.

I could see the scoreboard, and I guess it didn't matter that much that I couldn't see the game - that probably would have annoyed me even more.

84
Ok, given the choice of only one of these three players to play left field for the Dodgers over the next 14 games:

Young

Pierre

Jones

???

79 , 84 Using best anguished Sean Penn voice from "Falcon and the Snowman." --

I don't know who to trust any more! I don't know who my friends are!

Maybe Andruw needs to go see the same sports shrink who was helping Hendrickson a few years back. Its all in his head!

88 I pick LaRoche.

88
Jones (in CF, with Ethier in LF)

90 Not that Hendrickson lit the baseball world on fire after his sessions, but still.

88
Just curious, why did you choose the 14 game period?

86 It seems increasingly clear that he already finished his career as a Brave.

Laker cleared to start basketball activites

It is not Bynum but Trevor Ariza.

Probably not going to be used in this series but if the Lakers get pass Utah, he could be part of the rotation by the next series.

88 Pee Wee.

87 That reminds me of the various times when people near me have talked their way through entire concerts. It happens a lot at the Hollywood Bowl, and its fairly understandable. Tickets are cheap. Its more of an outing than strictly a concert.

My level of irritation rises in relation to the ticket prices. I paid a pretty good amount of money to see (and hear) Willie Nelson at the Greek, and when I asked the people behind us to please be quiet so we could listen to the music, they acted all put out. They shut up for 5 minutes at the most, then kept on a'gabbin. These kids today.

Congrats!

96
I'm not sure how the NBA rules are, but aren't the rosters set for each round of the playoffs? So in other words, Ariza would have to be active already to be eligible against Utah. I'm not sure if he was activated or not.

On the cell phone thing - I remember reading a study from Japan about hands-free devices a few years ago. The conclusion was that they don't matter. Hands-free or hand-held, it's the conversation that distracts the driver, not the technology. On its face, it seems a little odd that there'd be no difference, but there it was.

On a cognitive level, I guess it's plausible. After all, how many of us have cut off a conversation with a passenger, or perhaps turned off the radio, upon hitting heavy traffic, or seeing a cop, or running into bad weather? On the phone, your interlocutor can't see what's happening and know to shut up. And for several reasons, the driver has to concentrate more on a phone conversation than they would on an in-person conversation.

100 Nope its a game by game like the regular season. Just have to decide which of the 12 are eligible that day.

When I see someone using a Bluetooth device, I believe we have taken one step towards being assimilated by the Borg.

80 - beat me to the joke...

14 - I'm not sure, wasn't looking at any stats, just sort of a visceral observation, if you will. I find it hard to believe that removing any hitter from any line up for 15 games will cause the entire team to lose it's stroke. That was more my point. What the number one hitter does (or doesn't do) should not really affect the 6-7-8 hitters (unless they happen to be on base when the lead off man is hitting into a double play, but that has more to do with runs scored than getting on base in the first place).

104 I think the issue with Furcal is that the replacement has such a big drop off plus his absence necessitates other moves like Pierre batting leadoff.

94
That should give Young 40-50 at bats to see what he can do without looking over his shoulder. He looks like a great hitter.

Is Ethier too tall to play 3rd?

(yes yes I know he's never played the position)

84 Way to use data to support an argument. That's just not fair! ;) Actually, that fits in with one of Jon's recurrent themes on this blog: perception vs. reality. The perception is that Jones is the more vilified, but in reality, we still hate us some Pierre.

103 - resistance is futile.

When people go to baseball games and expect everyone there to behave as they would, then I feel that society has taken a step back.

A lot of comments here are people trying to be funny, but some of the whining about people's behavior and actions at a baseball outing is really in poor taste.

Ethier's too left-handed to play 3rd.

55 I picked up the lightharded tone, but I did enjoy the comedic riffs on your original post. You have to rememember that we are all suffering during this 4 game losing streak and need an outlet.

52 I am against booing of the home team players, but I can understand people's frustrations. Booing of ex-Dodgers like Piazza and Green never makes sense to me either.

Booing Mike Piazza would be akin to booing a Cherokee Indian visiting Georgia.

111 that never stopped don mattingley

whenever i see a LH 3b in my softball games, it just looks so funny and not right even if they're good at it.

105 - but what is the actual drop off in a single game? you go from a guy who goes 2-5 (a near .400 hitter has Furcal has been) to a guy who goes 1-4 (a .250 hitter, as one would expect from an average shortstop). So you lose one hit in a game?

Granted, there are other things that change. Maybe Furcal takes more pitches, thus allowing his team mates to see what the pitcher has that day. By getting on base one extra time, that means the pitcher has to work more from the stretch, thereby taking something off his stuff. The defense has to shift, thereby allowing something that would have been a ground ball out to become a base hit. But then what about the innings in which Furcal's spot isn't up?

All that said, I will agree that the biggest problem is that this means Pierre gets more playing time.

109 I almost typed that, and then I remembered my personal vendetta against that phrase because of the way the Borg pronounced the last word.

I mean, really. "Few-tie-ull?" What's wrong with "few-tle?" It's just the Borg's efforts to make themselves grander by adding an unnecessary syllable.

Don't help the Borg, people.

113
The white man's greed, in search of gold
Made the nation bleed
They lost their faith
And now they hade to learn
There was no place to return
Nowhere they could turn.

Cherokee - marching on the trail of tears.

115

Jones has been seeing 4.42 pitches per PA this year, by far the highest in his career (3.96 last year was previous high).

Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of Paul Revere & The Raiders.
They took the whole Cherokee nation
And put us on this reservation
They took away our ways of life
The tomahawk and the bow and knife

They took away our native tongue
And taught their English to our young
And all the beads we made by hand
Are nowadays made in Japan

That was one of the first songs I remember hearing on the radio as a kid. It came out when I was five.

115 - Sure, losing Furcal hurts both in his missing offensive contribution but also the "necessary" additions of Hu and Pierre. But, to my response to your post earlier, I think it's just a lot of guys slumping at the same time (veterans and young'ns alike). And since this team needs to hit a lot of singles to be an effective offense, you'll hit dry spells like this from time to time.

Old enemy Fernando Tatis is back in the majors with the Mets.

If you assume that Furcal and Hu continue play exactly as they have this year Furcal is worth about .85 runs a game more on offense.

If you use their projected numbers, it's .04 runs in Furcal's favor.

Tony Jackson has admitted that "Love, Actually" is one of his favorite movies.

121

hmmm ..... should Wright be concerned?

123
I think Tony Jackson really hates traveling and pretty much everything.

He doesn't hate sleeping in the dugout.

I only remember one inning of Tatis' career, and yet, that is more than enough for me to spit everytime I say his name.

Tony Jackson=D4P

119 One of the only CD's my roommate and I can agree on when driving to places is Europe - The Final Countdown (album). So I've heard their "Cherokee" song far too many times. I will listen to this new song when I get the chance.

There was a pretty funny instance of a modified Rule 13 on Saturday Night Live this past weekend.

At one time Rob Neyer picked Tatis as his 3rd baseman for the first decade of the 21st century. He really did seem like a player who was going to have quite a career.
He and Ben Grieve can have a few beers and talk about what it was like to be a star at 22 and an after thought at 25.

110. Zak
When people go to baseball games and expect everyone there to behave as they would, then I feel that society has taken a step back.

A lot of comments here are people trying to be funny, but some of the whining about people's behavior and actions at a baseball outing is really in poor taste.

See, when I was a kid, there was this thing called "The Golden Rule," which said that you should only do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Now, to wish that others would at least TRY to follow that rule too is apparently "in poor taste."

Of course I don't expect others to be as well-behaved (and socially aware) as I try to be (in the sense of predicting that they will be). But I don't see why I'm a bad guy for bemoaning selfish behavior in others, no matter now predictable.

119 - that's so weird because I can remember the lyrics but not the song.

Aniyunwiya, and not Cherokee.

Sioux, the English bastardization of Nadouessioux, the French bastardization of the Ojibwe, Nadowisiwug ["little snakes"]

Iroquois, the Ojibwe, Nadowebog ["big snakes"]

132
Our usher in the cheap seats would have taken care of the situation. I'm surprised your usher did not handle it. They allow alot of things at DS but standing and blocking fans views is not one of them.

Not sure how or why I still trust Tony Jackson with anything following his terrifying Love Actually decree, but anyway, here's his latest on Nomar, to be filed under Don't Expect a Lot of Nomar This Season:

>>He ran a little bit in the outfield during the early workout today, but the left calf still isn't ready for live game action. ``I felt like I could push it more, so that was good,'' he said. ``I was able to run harder. But at the same time, I couldn't do as much as I wanted to do. There was some tightness and some soreness there, so I had to back off. I did push it to the ceiling, but I still need some time. There is no need to go backward.'' Nomar said he will try some baseball activity -- in layman's terms, that means taking ground balls and possibly batting practice -- tomorrow.<<

1 "When I see someone using a cell phone, I feel like we as a society have taken a step backward."

When I see someone complain about people using cell phones, I get an image of an old man yelling at a bunch of kids to keep their skateboards off the sidewalk.

132 I was never picking on anyone in particular. I am actually a big believer in Do Unto Others... however, I am not big on wishing that everyone should follow my rule and vice versa. Anyway, I did not direct my comment at you at all. Like I said, some of the stuff was just said to be funny, but my wife and kids go to games and sometimes vie to be on camera and are super excited when on camera, and I think it's poor taste that some people think they should be Shot on Sight (even in jest) for where they sit and how they act.

I liked "Love, Actually."

137 I don't own the sidewalk. But they'd better keep them off my lawn!

Here is the Milwaukee lineup this evening:

2B Rickie Weeks
CF Mike Cameron
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
RF Corey Hart
3B Bill Hall
SS JJ Hardy
P Carlos Villanueva
C Jason Kendall

Ryan Braun has a Choiish four solo homers in his last two games.

132. I wish. I didn't see an usher anywhere near our section the whole game, except at the top of the stairs before the game to direct people to their seats. We were in the Reserved Level, Sec. 20.

About the only people I forgive for blocking my view during an at bat are parents with babies who need to leave their seats for maintenance purposes. And even then, they need to move quickly, not stop and take pictures and indulge in unrelenting group hugs.

87 Sorry dude! We didn't know what to do after the usher took our beachball.

I will admit that when I attend games I act goofy to try and get on Dodger Vision at the stadium, that is fun. Especially for kids to see themselves that is a good time. However, my better half would be mortified if I did ever make it up on Dodger Vision because that would mean I did something very out there to get attention. And I have been known to do some pretty um. . .interesting things to get something at sporting events. I can be counted on to scream the loudest when something is on the line.

139 Would you call it one of your all-time favorite films, though? (I didn't mind the film at all, I just, you know, could survive without seeing it again...)

So what is the current list of TJax's likes and dislikes?

101 Yeah, that whole cell phone thing is going to really bother because I can drive just fine when I am talking on the phone. Why? Because I drive safely all the time. The people who can't drive safely with a phone in their hand are the people who can't drive safely.

I'm just wondering about a person who has a top 10 films list of all time that includes BOTH "Love, Actually" and "Varsity Blues."

146
likes: movies
hates: elevators

138 That stuff is different. The mugging for the camera stuff takes place between innings. They don't show crowd shots on the jumbotron while the game is in progress. I have no problem with people goofing around between innings.

What irks me (more and more as I get older) is when people show absolutely no concern for how their behavior affects others. Sometimes, they're consciously telling those around them to "just deal with it," but most of the time, it's mere obliviousness.

These folks that I was "whining" about, however, could not have been unaware, since 20-30 people were trying to make them aware. Even if they didn't speak English (which they did, loudly), they'd have known that their neighbors were being hugely inconvenienced. I feel vindicated by the fact that the strangers around me, all younger than I am, including a group of college kids, were even more annoyed than I was.

People make mistakes. An "oops, I'm sorry" and quick sit-down would have been absolutely OK with everyone. What we got was 7 innings of, essentially, a middle finger in our faces.

The Kamenetzky brothers hate the Dodger Stadium elevators also.

145 - No, but I tend to rewatch parts of it if I see it on cable.

146

Dislikes-The new lights, elevators, Chad Billingsley, and Andre Ethier.

Likes-The Crow (kidding),Varsity Blues, Love, Actually, floral print Hawaiian style shirts.

That's all I've got so far.

Wasn't there some artist/song that also received some discussion?

152
"Love, Actually" is showing on one of the HBO channels at all times. One day Laura Linney's character will find true love.

154
Journey

153 Don't forget Juan Pierre and 70s/80s hard rock in the Likes column.

Has there ever been a movie about the guy whose life gets ruined by Hugh Grant in these romantic comedies? Seems like it would be good.

I think Tony Jackson has lightened up on Billingsley this year. Even when Chad has been getting lit up, there has been relatively little carping.

Even more remarkable, Ken Gurnick wrote a Q&A yesterday which mentioned Andy LaRoche without saying anything derogatory.

155 Her character in Love Actually and Mrs. Adams could not be more different. Mrs. Adams would never let anyone treat her like that.

159 Of course Terry Tiffee got more ink than Andy.

Actually, I've never seen Love, Actually. Actually.

Oh, and Congratulations Kevin?

I saw it and remember very little of it, which tells you how much of an impression it made.

I have no idea how that question mark got in there.

Yes, congrats Kevin, though your child's name brings the song "Hip to be Square" to mind.

As to the topic at hand, I try at all times to not be annoyed at other people's behavior. It doesn't always work, but I'm a big believer in choosing the right battles.

In "Love, Actually" Hugh Grant doesn't take a woman away from another guy.

168 I suppose there's a first time for everything.

One of the necessary preconditions to my ever getting a dog now exists (thought it's probably too expensive, yet). The other one (not coincidentally, it's an automated approach to the other reason people walk dogs) remains outstanding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRi0m329iL4&

150 I agree with most of what you said, and again my comment was not directed at you. I just think some comments here were in poor taste and, in my opinion, a little offensive. Anyway, this Tony Jackson love/hate discussion is definitely livelier, and like Bob, I am also deeply vested in Laura Linney finding true love. It would be double cool if she found it with Keira Knightly.

My first date with my now-wife actually included a showing of "Love, Actually."

Hurray, chick flicks!

Today's game can't come soon enough! We have resorted to talking about Hugh Grant chick flicks that Tony Jackson loves.

171 Family site reminder.

Rotoworld reports Abreu to the 60 day DL. Don't think I saw that posted earlier.

171 "I am also deeply vested in Laura Linney finding true love. It would be double cool if she found it with Keira Knightly."

Or me!

Er, wait, I have a g/f. Well, I'm sure she'd understand.

Btw, speaking of "chick-flicks", I watched Cranford on DVD this week (it's been airing on PBS, too) - comes out to DVD officially next week - and it was great. I usually enjoy Jane Austen films but little else set in that period, but this one is a good "date rental." (Except it's long. It'll be a long multi-part date, then.)

Go Dodgers!

Oops, and here I am reposting it, too.

176 Probably a little quick on that take. (me)

157 I realized I messed up by not adding Juan Pierre to the likes, but I had no idea he publicly stated he liked Journey.

Oh well, at least the Dodgers didn't sign Journey to a long term contract.

172 They showed that movie at the reunion?

179
April 17 entry
"...stop on the way out to listen to some dude absolutely butcher one of the greatest songs of all time (Journey's Don't Stop Believin')..."

Yes, I'm that bored.

150 - I think by the third inning I would have gone to an usher and complained vehemently about that group's behavior and taken a couple other witnesses with me that were equally annoyed. There is no excuse for that especially at the prices we are paying for those seats. One thing Petco Park does have over us is that they don't allow people back into their seats until a break in the action occurs, i.e. middle of inning, pitching change, beach ball on field, ect... Unfortunately you can't do anything about people leaving in the middle of an at bat and the Dodger ushers do nothing about stopping people from coming back to their seats until a break occurs. It always seems someone right in front is getting back to their seat blocking my view right when there is a bases loaded 2-2 count coming up and the game on the line.

I feel your pain!!

182 That's hilarious, thanks. Ouch.

January Jones is a funny name.

How cool would it be to be named May May.

Steve Perry was in the audience during the 4+1 game. His 'Dont Stop Believin' attitude won the day, my friends.

Sorry if this was posted already (lineup)

Pierre LF (bat him 8th or 9th even!!)

Ethier RF

Kemp (I'm cool with him batting 3rd actually)

Kent 2b

Loney 1b (is he in a slump or something??)

Martin C (I'd like him batting 2nd)

DeWitt 3b

Hu SS (Finally get to see what the "big deal" is with him)

Penny (bat him 8th & Pierre 9th, yep that's works...)

Okay, got an invite to go see "Iron Man" after work so I'll be catching the game in the archives late tonight. Enjoy and good luck to the blue crew over the brew crew!

185 I once knew an April May.

I first date I asked my wife out on was a Springsteen concert at the Sports Arena, 1984. It was still a month away, so I actually took her on a different date before the concert.

UPDATE: May 17 starter is down to Park or Kuo (D. Leung). It's not going to be Kershaw (sounds like yesterday's performance really hurt his chance).

Personally, I'm relieved. He shouldn't come up until July, IMO.

I'd like K/Guo go be the starter but if they give the ball to Park I wont be disappointed.

That's Mad Men's January Jones to you, sir.

I thought her best work was in Melquiades Estrada.

189 Nice! I bet you don't know a Harry Harris, though.

At the risk of pulling another one of my Johnny-come-lately stunts, here is an ESPN piece on Yu Darvish, who Jim Caple has dubbed Dice-K 2.0:

Most observers feel he either is already as good as Matsuzaka or soon will be. "I think his numbers in Japan are going to be equally as phenomenal as he continues to move on, barring injury, as Dice-K's were in Japan," Hillman says. "He's got a different type of frame. Dice-K's got a more powerful frame, but Darvish has looser levers and a taller frame with more whip, and I think that gives him an opportunity to have more powerful and more electric secondary pitches as well as a fastball.

http://tinyurl.com/4zpa96

Some cool stuff on Hu from Wikipedia>>> Chin-Lung Hu (Traditional Chinese: 胡金龍) (born February 2, 1984 in Tainan City, Taiwan) is a Major League Baseball shortstop for Los Angeles Dodgers. Hu is the fifth MLB player and the first MLB infielder from Taiwan. He has the shortest last name for a player in Major League history.

Hu was signed by the Dodgers on January 31, 2003 and began his professional career with the rookie league Ogden Raptors in 2003. He split 2004 between the Columbus Catfish in A ball and the Vero Beach Dodgers in high-A ball. In 2005 he played the whole season at Vero Beach and hit .313 with 23 stolen bases.In 2006, he played for Taiwan in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and then returned to play for the AA Jacksonville Suns. Hu played in the All-Star Futures Game during the All-Star break in both 2006 & 2007. He won the MVP award for his performance in the 2007 game. 1

He was promoted to AAA Las Vegas on July 12, 2007. Hu made his major league debut on September 1, 2007 against the San Diego Padres.In his second MLB at-bat, Hu hit a left-field solo home run on September 11, 2007 against the Padres, becoming the first position player born in Taiwan to hit a home run in MLB. (Hu's teammate, pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo, had become the first Taiwanese-born player to hit a home run in MLB earlier in 2007.) On September 25, Hu hit a two-run homer and became the first Taiwanese-born player to hit two home runs.

I went to the same school as a Mitch Mitchell.

196 "He has the shortest last name for a player in Major League history."

Vin can't be happy that his idol has been displaced.

192 Oh, to be the January Man.

He has the shortest last name for a player in Major League history.

I thought that was Dr. K.

One of my best friends is actually named Ricky Riccardo, no kidding.

In other news, while I'm forever loyal to the Dodgers efforts in tonight's game against the Brew Crew, I'm torn since I work for the their principal owner (under the aegis of his "day job") and it smacks of disloyalty to the man who signs my paychecks to root against his team...

Collective Mojo we seak (sp?) your powers tonight...

199 Yeah, she's pretty hot. She kind of looks like Jenna Elfman.

I know a Brook Trout.

The Brewers have a whopping one player OPSing over .800.

I love that Kendall bats 9th.

I wonder if anyone has ever known a Daniel Daniels.

wow, did Pierre really hit the ball all the way to the wall in centerfield? if so, how was that not at least a triple, did the Brewers not get the note about playing him shallow?

I remember Kal Daniels...

That swing RIGHT THERE is the swing I love to see, WOW!!

The Brewers have the problem of everyone of their players is a lefty masher with bad defense. It's kind of sad.

...from Kemp.

so, has everyone been writing in Matt Kemp and Blake DeWitt for the all star ballot?

Whenever society sees me, it takes a step backward.

it tells you two things A)he's waiting back on the ball really well & B) he's letting the ball get to zone. It was just great to see.

huh, the Dodgers with an early lead... that's different.

Also, am I the only one that likes/prefers the new gameday?

So, Milwaukee ended the Braun at third experiment. Was that a recent decision?

The first two hitters in the Brewers lineup (Weeks and Cameron) have batting averages of .188 and .180.

216 Beginning of the season.

Yay!

Nothing beats first row seats no matter how high the section. Nobody can bother you since your only looking at the game and you don't care what is happening behind you.

I once had the pleasure of seeing a few games in the 1st row of the lodge right above the 1st base dugout. Man those were sweet seats.

It's sad, I didn't even notice A. Jones wasn't in the lineup. I really hope he gets back on track, seriously.

that a way to start it Jeff, so Villanueva is 0-2 against righties and 3-0 against lefties..looks like that stat brought up earlier may be quite relevant..

was it wrong of me to want to see Loney foul off 15 pitches with the count full, just so Kent would have to start running with each pitch?

Even more remarkable, Ken Gurnick wrote a Q&A yesterday which mentioned Andy LaRoche without saying anything derogatory.

Colletti: "Tell Gurnick the LaRoche-bashing is off for now. I'm trying to trade him for a shortstop and I need some good stuff to come up when other GMs Google him. Damn, is Mike Lowell back from that injury already? I wanted to see if I could trick that kid Epstein into giving me back Lugo."

The U.S. attorney's office filed 14 counts of perjury and one count of obstruction against Barry Bonds on Tuesday

Has this been discussed? This is the 1st I've seen that Paul was put on the inactive list.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Recalled: RHP Yhency Brazoban
Placed on 7-day DL: 1B Jaime Ortiz
Placed on temporarily inactive list: OF Xavier Paul

a few years back I had the pleasure if watching Kevin Brown warm-up before a game, I could have literally touched him that's how close I was.

220 First row on the top deck has a lot less leg room.

206 -- The Dodgers have a pitching prospect named Danny Danielson, don'tchaknow?

Penny's not throwing very hard...

220 I could have moved down to the first row of IR on Sunday, but it was in the sun, and I didn't want to jinx Kuroda's no-hitter by changing anything. ;)

227 Brown would have bitten your hand off.

206 Virginia had a longtime congressman named Dan Daniels. In high school I played football against George George. His son, George George III, just walked on at Tech.

230 - as long as he's effective, I'm not complaining. Pitching isn't all about throwing hard, and two ground balls and a K is pretty good so far.

232

probably. I was just in aw though...

That looked like it hurt.

Nice first inning by Penny, you gotta look at the results NOT THE GUN, I'm happy with Penny's first inning.

Oy.

226 Paul played last night.

I believe the inactive list is like the hockey scratch list or in the NBA when you name your 3 inactive players or whatever it takes to get down to 12 players.

No! Not Hu!

237 You should look at the process, not the results.

206 I can't believe Bob did not refer to this guy.

http://tinyurl.com/5gks6t

What happened to Hu?

Clarify

Penny's soft-tossing equated to 10 Met runs in his last outing.

241 You sound like every math teacher I ever had.

Me: Why did I only get a 1/2 point on this question.
Teacher: You did not take all the steps necessary to show why Train A will get to the station before Train B.
Me: But I got the right answer.
Teacher: That's not the point.

206 I know a Daniel Daniels, although he usually goes by Danny Daniels. Why do you ask?

241 - the only stat that matters is the final score.

245 - pitching is like real estate: location, location, location.

Hu fouled one off his ankle. After grounding out, he ran, convincingly to first. But after the out was recorded, he seemed to limp a bit. He's still out there.

241 For today. Penny throwing slow would be pretty concerning in the future if he kept it up.

251 Oops. That should be for 248 .

246 Having a good process is more likely to lead to better future results.

251 - I don't know about that, if he developed into more of a finesse pitcher, with the ability to occasionally bring down the hammer, would that be a bad thing?

Think Greg Maddux with a Ryan fastball

254- If Penny lost his heat, the chances he'd become Greg Maddux are roughly equal to the chances I'd become a fighter pilot if I lost my fear of tightly enclosed places.

Hardly anybody is Greg Maddux.

253 - but who is the arbiter of what is a good process and what is not? Might not a good process tonight be a bad process tomorrow, depending on other factors?

246 "But in the new approach, as you know, the important thing is to understand what you're doing, rather than to get the right answer."
- Tom Lehrer, "New Math"

I underestimated the name Daniel.

Strike three to Hall was 95 MPH. Crisis averted.

There's a strikeout when he needed it.

E Jackson dealing again against the Yankee's. Is anyone here not hoping for a Tampa Bay sweep or am I the only who even cares?

My parents knew a man named Frank Frank.

I once worked somewhere where this real name came across my desk frequently: Mrs. Olive Pitts.

255 - I think you missed my point. I'm not saying he lost his heat, or even that he should. I simply mean to say that I think his overall game would improve if he were able to add some finesse pitching to his power stuff. Hardly anyone is Greg Maddux and hardly anyone is Nolan Ryan, either. But a little from column A and a little from column B could be a good thing.

Hardly anybody is Greg Maddux.

A quick search of Yahoo revealed at least 34 Greg Maddux's across several states, so it is rare but not impossible.

261 I get money if the Rays win 77 games, so I'm happy.

I have a feeling that Milwaukee might be just what the doctor ordered.

261 I hope for the Yankees to get swept in every series they ever play. A Yankee loss to me is the second greatest thing that can happen on any given night of the baseball season.

If the scores hold up (and it's early), the Rays could be in first place.

265 They need to go 55-69, .444 the rest of the way.

the ump's strike zone seems to be a little wide, no?

269 Believe me, I know. I'm also rather proud of myself for taking the under on the Mariners and the Padres right now.

263- Essentially your argument is: it would be good if Penny were better than he is. I agree with this, but I'm not sure it's a useful point.

268 - the baseball gods weep at the thought of Tampa Bay-Arizona in the World Series

Hardly anyone is Greg Maddux and hardly anyone is Nolan Ryan, either.

Much to my amazement, there seem to be more Nolan Ryan's than there are Greg Maddux's. I would have thought it was harder to be Nolan Ryan.

I bet hardly anyone is Clayton Kershaw.

273 Well, I'm sure the network gods weep, but Tampa in the World Series would be quite a story.

273
Not the baseball God I pray to.

Why would anyone weep over an Arizona-Tampa Bay World Series?

The quality of a World Series is not determined by TV ratings! It's determined by the actions on the field.

I like to rage in to the night about this topic.

273 - The baseball gods would love it. The MLB would hate it.

272 - um, no, not exactly. My point (not argument) is that Penny can (and should) diversify his game. He can be a better pitcher by being a better power pitcher. I just think he could be an even better pitcher by being something of a fusion.

Bison.

Ribby for Bison!

Turns out Kemp is pretty good.

271
Everytime Tampa wins and the Padres/Mariners lose you probably feel good about your chances of winning and bad because you didn't bet more money.

That was how I felt about the Brewers last year. What looked like a given ended up coming down to the last day of the season and I won the bet when Gwynn Junior knocked the Padres out of the playoffs.

280- Should Juan Pierre diversify his game by adding power?

Jeff Kent went 0 for the homestand, then has an RBI singles in his first PA of the road trip.

Baseball is already so intense for me that I have to look away half the time. If I had money on the line, I'd be a basket case.

284 Looks like all that praying paid off.

285
Andrew, quit being a Shimmin.

289- Of your mercy, please do not define what you meant by that.

Penny went a little Nolan Ryan there. Lucky Kendall's ducking abilities haven't dropped off too much.

287
And Jacob is still suffering from Post-traumatic Rich Aurilia Base on Balls Syndrome.

287
DVD Recorders have spoiled me. I only watch the good stuff now. It made the games when Tomko/Hendrickson pitch much easier to deal with but I know I'm cheating myself out of something. Probably pain.

Weak hit by Weeks.

291 Every time Aurilia walks, a librarian has to eat a peach.

261 - I care.

If I had bet the under on Seattle and San Diego, they'd be going to the Series.

My cousin is married to a man named Richard Dick.

I wouldn't dare to make that up.

You can't walk Cameron with Braun coming up!?!

290
Nothing really but I always thought it sounded good no matter what the persons name was.
Bob, quit being a Timmermann
Eric, quit being an Enders
Jon, quit being a Weisman
Phil, quit being a Gurnee
I had a friend who used to say that to me all the time when I did something that irritated her and made her laugh at the same time.

Penny can still bring it if he has too, you guys know that.

295
You need to bet the over on the Dodgers, take one for the team if your that unlucky in the betting department.

Edwin Jackson through 6 scoreless. got out of a man on 3rd, 1 out jam because his right fielder dove at a line drive signle by Jeter and missed by about a yard. These Rays pitchers are outstanding, and Edwin would be our ace right about now.

298
Bh, stop being a sportsguy.
Jacob, stop being an L.

301
How did he get out of it if the RF missed the ball?

303
Ground out and pop out to end the inning.

3B umpire James Hoy appears not to be a dummy.

303 I'm guessing that's how he got to 3rd, not how he got out of the jam.

Stand up triple for Loney. Somebody should check to make sure Hart isn't bleeding--he was off camera and I assume there must have been some kind of injury.

303 I think that's how he got into it, not out of it.

#7 Stand Up Triple.

if Loney keeps hitting triples, he's going to keep thinking that he can steal second, and if he manages to actually start stealing second, he might try for third... this could become troubling.

(not really)

Loney hits a lot of triples for a guy who is such a spastic runner.

What pretty hitting by both Loney and Martin!

307 a bleeding Hart?

What a beautiful job of hitting by Russ.

And ya, thats how he got into the jam. sorry if I wasn't clear.

Loney BA at end of this season, over or under .315?

Martin RBI, way to handle the bat.

313- If he winds up in a strip club in an hour, and can't remember how he got there, hijinks may ensue. Multi-part hijinks.

DeWitt RBI, way to handle the bat. By the way, who's the hitting coach?

317
You're risking a first baseman's life!

315
I take whatever side Jon doesn't.

315 - over, by 20 points.

55 pitches in 3 plus innings is a good thing

I'd have booed that decision, if I were in the park.

um, what exactly is going on in this game, how do runners on first and second advance on a fly ball to left? It didn't look especially deep on gameday.

I think over too... just wanted to make sure I'm not the only bullish one? Here's a tougher one.. who has a higher BA, Loney or Kemp? At end of season.

You guys see Bowa just say dammit and put his hands on his hips?

323- Penny sac bunted, that's when they advanced.

Did DeWitt hit a line drive?

Kendall did duck like a seasoned pro who expects this every time, which is probably a good idea.

So what now--a sacrifice.
does that mean JP is not leading off an inning? Oh well. Goodbye, Joe were you watching--one pitch.

It's amazing that Pierre was something like 5 for 7 with RISP and 2 out at one point.

326 - ok, that makes more sense than what gameday said.

329 That seems to have given him delusions of granduer.

JP seems to hit better when he's not sure he's playing most everyday.

The Dodgers lead the NL in BA w RISP 2 outs--->.292 coming into the game.

Loney gets a lot of triples for a guy whose really slow.

EJax K's 'roid rage to end the top of the 7th and leave Melky stranded at 3B.

301

I can't really imagine how the Dodgers could have handled Edwin Jackson's situation better. Most people knew he had talent, and simply needed a new start in a new organization.

Maybe they could have received more in a trade, but sometimes players don't work in certain circumstances.

bluto

Martin kills his first baserunner of the night. The first two throws were bad, but this one got the job done.

261

Ex-Dodger Dioner Navarro is hitting .380 as well. I think it's becoming more and more evident what an awful deal that was for the Dodgers.

Hah. Martin just gunned Hart down trying to steal third.

Jackson through 7 scoreless. He was just dominating, paining the corners with every pitch.

337

They were two different deals.

Gary Bennett, Mike Lieberthal, and Sandy Alomar didnt make you forget Navarro?

Big night for old friend so far.
Werth - 3 hits/4 runs batted in
Navarro - 2-2/now hitting 380 folks
E Jackson - 6 inning of shutout ball against the Yankee's

I'm sure enjoying Baez, Hendrickson, Carter, and whatever we got for Werth. Oh yeah, nothing.

Trying to steal third in that situation: stupid.

261 , 301 , etc. - I dunno. Did the Dodgers have the ability to keep Jackson down on the farm once the started his ML service clock so early? They were essentially in a position where they HAD to trade him. I hate Colletti's bad deals, too, but it's not clear that DePodesta (or any GM) wouldn't have been in that position.

If Chris Withrow and James Adkins turn out to be useful players, does Ned get credit for dealing an overrated and probable released Joel Guzman?

Werth was non-tendered.

If I ever go to ToyCannon's house, I'm going to spill milk on the floor.

Then I shall weep uncontrollably.

And depart to catch a flight to St. Petersburg.

342 Ultimately, Proctor.

344 - also, there's been a whole lot of suck between that trade and now. It's hardly clear the Dodgers could have kept those young players at the ML level. Not that they wouldn't have possibly learned things playing at AAA, but.

345
Yes, and Scareduck is right in that if we hadn't traded EJ the odds of him pitching right now for us could not be very high since he was pitching like crap while he was out of options. Only a team who didn't need to win could let him work out his troubles.

On the other hand it was not Neds fault that EJ's options were burned much too early by his predecessors.

At least if he's not pitching for the Dodgers he's pitching for my 2nd favorite team so it all works out for me.

347
Given the number of cats I have, spilled milk on the floor is a nightly occurance.

When a Brad Penny walks a pitcher, I feel society as a whole has taken a step backward.

I stop rooting for a pitcher when he walks a pitcher. I always want him to pay the price for the cardinal sin even if he's a Dodger.

Listening to these Brewers announcers, I want to walk backwards.

349-I think this is true, but it's also where the anguish of being a Dodger fan enters in. If we had an ownership with vision, people who truly cared not just about the health of the franchise but about the game of baseball even (instead of just trying to improve the concessions and jack up the parking and so on), we might be able to withstand that sucking. It would take fortitude to withstand the moronic foaming of the Plaschkean hordes, but maybe, just maybe, if we allowed our young players to grow instead of dealing for "depth" ("Hey, we've got two catchers, so let's throw one of them away!"), this team would be legitimately better than it is.

This is a frustrating season, not least because this is (I believe) a mediocre team that would easily be a good one...were it not for our general manager's lack of savvy. That hurts more than anything, somehow.

350 Oh and congrats on Al Thorton being named to the All-Rookie team.

350 "predecessors". That's right, Dan Evans used the first option year, DePo the last two.

The nameless one isn't coming Saturday:
http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2008/05/kershaw-wont-be.html

Uecker used to make me laugh, does he still broadcast?

Brad Penny pitches to a little too much contact.

Uecker just does radio. He does it pretty straight. The TV guys for the Brewers would be described best as "not good."

Not good. Penny just cant lay the fastball over the plate. It just doesnt move at all.

357 He had an option when he was traded.

353 He's paying alright. That's what he gets.

ARRRGHGHGH!

I believe Penny is having a Grabowski Principle moment.

To me it seems to be a fairly consistent story. Given the Dodgers pitching, the few runs consistently scored by Loney, Kemp and Martin, is not quite enough without the often injured Furcal. I don't mean to slight Dewitt or Kent, who have often been great assets, but one is just too young, and one just too old. I think it imperative to play Ethier and LaRoche soon, and if it looses time for Jones and JP so be it. At this point the two or three runs Loney and Kemp always score is not going to do it.

the location of his pitches are terrible.

356
Thanks, he couldn't make the freshman/sophmore all-star game but he makes the All-Rookie team.
The Clips are guaranteering their season tickets renewals this year. If by opening day you are not satisfied with the summer moves you can opt out.

woah, wasn't it 2-0??? (I stepped out) I did hear Reuss say Penny was leaving the pitches RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. sigh.

Its weird, Penny does not give up the big fly much at all anymore but when he loses it because teams can put together 3-4 hits in an inning.

369 Yep. And he walked Carlos Villanueva.

I friend of mind slash co-worker, his name is Frank San Juan that's all I have.

And once again, a Dodger starting pitcher will probably not pitch 6 innings.

372 Lol, you typed out "slash."

370 And Bill Hall took him deep today of all people.

The handwriting is on the wall:

Brad Penny has been dropped by 10,134 teams in Yahoo leagues.

Two will be mine.

Let's string together some timely hits Blue Crew!

375 Oops sorry about that.

10,134 what have you done for me lately, mah!!

watching Gagne, there is plenty of game left!!!

gagne will shut the dodgers down 1-2-3 in the 9th

372 - like Kirk-slash-Spock?

According to Diamond, Andruw Jones is probably going to sit out this series to clear his mind, nothing else physically wrong with him.

Godzilla ties it up in St. Pete.

Ugh, T. Percival gives up the long ball to Matsui and so EJax won't be getting the W.

Pyscho just said Mike Maddux looks like the Italian Sausage. Hilarious.

It is completely false that we had to trade Jackson. He had another option, so we could have kept him in the minors for 2006. We would have had to have him in the majors for 2007, though, and would he really have been worse than Tomko/Hendrickson? I say he would have been better. Not great, but better than what the Dodgers seemed happy to go with. And Jackson probably would have had an easier time in the NL than in the AL East last year. I said when we traded Jackson it was a huge mistake and I expected to be vindicated in the course of time.

Percival has given up 4 runs in his last 2 save attempts in games that Edwin Jackson has pitched. He has given up 0 runs in every other game this year.

yeah, that's not gonna get it done, 83mph (off-speed pitch) up-over-the-plate.

388

right up conspiracy theorist alley.

I'm sure you guys agree this has to be Penny's last inning.

Apparently a return to playing the NL West and Jeff Francis is all that it takes for the D-Backs to get on track.

Coco Crisp left today's game with an upset stomach.

Never seen that.

393
Really? You've never heard of a player leaving a game with stomach problems?

James Loney and Matt Kemp now have about a season's worth of MLB PAs each under their respective belts. Through yesterday, they have the following career numbers:

Name PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS+
Loney 642 77 183 33 10 23 112 48 76 .312 .364 .520 123
Kemp 614 96 179 27 8 20 90 31 153 .312 .343 .491 110

393

diarrhea? oh no!!

The Red Sox had already lost Drew to a wrist injury, so they have Youkilis in the outfield.

394

well at least it wasn't the classic "flue like systems" every time I hear that now I get a kick out of it.

394 Sometimes they just collapse in the shower.

393 NFL quarterbacks don't leave the game for that, apparently.

I get no kick from champagne.
Mere alcohol doesnt thrill me at all,
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of flu(-like symptoms)?

NFL quarterbacks can come back in the game after throwing up on the sidelines.

For Bob.

From Baseball America.com

In his seventh season as a head coach and fourth with UCLA, coach John Savage (career record 169-178 entering the season) has yet to prove he can take his program beyond its long history of mediocrity.

A strong finish could yet propel the Bruins to a regional berth, and the team's talent would make it dangerous. But at just 25-23, 8-10 in the Pac-10, only a miracle finish will keep this season from being anything but a disappointment.

402 Sometimes they do that right on the field.

403
There ain't gonna be no miracle in Westwood with that team. It stinks.

In nine starts this year, Penny has three quality starts, plus one that was 5 2/3, 1 unearned run. Not very good. His WHIP this season, including tonight, 1.491.

398 - "flue-like symptoms" include smoking like a chimney?

That was lame.

Jeff Francis has given up 3 runs, 7 hits in 1+ innings so far in Arizona. He still does not have a win this season.

Medical types say "flu-like symptoms" because that is all they really know what the person in question has. Some people have flu-like symptoms that turn out to be cancer. Or hepatitis. Some turn out to influenza. Some turn out to be food poisoning. Some turn out to be imaginary and the person just wanted a day off.

I find Tommy Lasorda's wine ads interesting from the standpoint that they are obviously and heavily edited. I wonder what the original recordings sound like.

There's a rabbit loose in St. Pete.

Great AB by Kemp.

Speaking of "flu-like symptoms", is Saito available today? (He asks optimistically.)

414
No.

Kemp saw his K/BB ratio in 395 and decided to do something about it.

412 Please tell Joe to send him.

417 If only.

Are we getting set up for the return of the Prodigal Closer?

Hu has hopes!!

Hu makes that play?

419

My seatbelt is fastened.

What is most dismaying about the Dodgers through nearly one-fourth of the season is the lack of any starting pitcher upon whom we can depend to do well with anything approaching regularity. Hitting comes and hitting goes, but a team has to have at least a couple of B+ or better pitchers. We have none at present. We are staying close only because the division is weak and the DBacks are having their own problems. I think Kershaw needs to be recalled. I have no illusions that Kuo or Park, or whoever else currently on the roster becomes the fifth starter on Saturday against Anaheim, is the answer.

422
Only Ralph Lawler can give that order.

I meant hops.

424
And Bette Davis.

423 Our pitching has been pretty unlucky right now, we'll be fine. A lot of balls are just finding holes.

This should be exciting.

put your mittens on your kittens & AWAY we go!!!

with our luck it will probably be a 1-2-3 9th, sigh.

423 Very rarely is one pitcher the savior to a season, even if Kershaw was to pitch well, he would only be good for 5 innings at most per start. And you can't put that much pressure on him.

Nope, if this season is to be saved, Penny, Lowe, Billingsley and Kuroda are going to have lead the way.

what happens when Canadians collide?

He throws 97?

They both say, "Excuse me." Very polite people, Canadians.

There are some exceptions.

Gagne will have a 1-2-3 inning against the Dodgers.

Write it down :)

Gagne's lost at least 10mph off his fastball.

Gagne still appears to have good stuff. His fastball is back. Has he just lost his confidence?

Gagne got a big ovation from the Brewers fans when jogged in from the pen. Compare that to how Dodger fans have been treating Andruw Jones this year.

Sigh.

Fortunately, I didn't write down anything about a 1-2-3 inning.

435 He used to throw 107 mph?

437
Yes, but the women there also are very hot and throw themselves at English tourists indiscriminately.

Don't try to be a hero DeWitt, please!! shucks!

I think Chick Hearn once promised everyone a dinner if Magic missed two free throws to win a game.

He never paid up.

The FSN Wisconsin gun has displayed 97 at least two times so far.

The FSN Wisconsin gun has displayed 97 at least two times so far.

Posted twice for effect.

443 444 So four times total?

Andruw Jones will lead the way... Seriously though I feel really bad for him I hope he finds his stroke.

Welcome to first place, Tampa Bay!

Gameday has him at 84, but that is at the result point not release.

448 And isn't J. Gomes turning into quite the base stealer.

Hey, ho, let´s blow! Excuse me Eric, you were my favorite player but the Dodgers comes first.

450 And I'm wondering why he was sent and not Crawford.

Come on, Andruw, park one.

I gotta admit my heart is pumping pretty good right now, I love dramatics!

This actually looks like a professional at bat.

I wish Furcal was on deck.

Jones is a very calm guy. Anyone ever seen him excited?

Andruw wins the battle of Epic Disappointments!

Woo hoo!

456 - Way to kill the drama (and hope).

456

Uh...yes.

That was nice at bat, fouling off pitches, sounded like he saw the ball well during that at bat.

Really nice battle by A. Jones.

Gagne's last at bat made Andruw look awfully good. Not sure how to evaluate that one.

And I will get all of you dinner, all 17505 of your if Pierre gets a hit ;)

first pitch POP UP by Pierre, game over, sigh.

Anyone who has been clamoring for Pierre to replace Jones, which at bat gave you more hope?

I thought so.

Heck of an at-bat there, Juan.

That is so not a veteran move.

One step closer to NedCo getting fired, hurrah... hurrah...

Oh, I would not give you false hope ...

Well at least Andruw gets a night off from criticism.

468 Why must you dream of something that will not happen?

470- I won't even criticize Pierre, tonight.

Really, I think we can all agree this loss is Gary Bennett's fault.

I'm starting to get reeeeeal tired of these come-from-ahead losses. I'm not sure if they're better or worse than the get-pounded-early-and-often losses.

We've had to endure both types during this lovely stretch.

I will blame Manu Ginobili

I always found it fitting that"gagne" is the conjugated form of "gagner" - the French verb for "to win." When he has the 84 consecutive save streak, it was great. Now... it's just sad.

And Juan Pierre is back to his old tricks - swinging at the first strike. With at bats like that, I am convinced Pierre should have splinters on his posterior, sharing outfield duties and bench time with Andruw. Pierre really did Gagne a favor there. Not a quality at bat.

Good AB by Druw.

Brain dead by Pierre.
Gagne throws 10 pitches to Druw then Pierre swings at the 1st one.

Xavier Paul is playing for Vegas tonight. Didn't someone mention him being on the temporarily inactive list?

I really, really, really, truly, truly, truly, loathe one Juan Pierre. Can't the man take a single pitch just to try and time the darn thing.

We went over this earlier. Players in AAA can be put on the inactive list for a game or two to keep the team at its roster limit. I think the managers can change their mind right before game time.

469 - As I recall that was a father's song to his son to help quell the anguish of his cat being run over (and over again), but that the title is actually take from a dish offered by a chinese take out involving chicken and eggs.

The Dodgers will actually have a very decent team on the field when the free agents are gone. So it falls to them to develop some good pitchers within the next 2 or 3 years. They are actually in a good position to do this. I can see Kershaw, McDonald, Adkins, Morris, Elbert?,Withrow and a few others as a good pool, but I unfortunatly know how few pitchers make it all the way

I actually like Pierre swinging at the first pitch. As a hitter following a lengthy AB or a walk, you know the pitcher needs to get ahead. You say to yourself, "If i get a fastball (pick a spot), i'm swinging". Juan got a thigh high fastball over the heart and let loose. Too bad he isnt a good hitter and just popped it up.

How dare Pierre swing like that at the first pitch after watching Jones' and Kemp's at-bats. It's obnoxious. It's selfish. I don't want to hear any more about what a hard worker and super character JP is. That was lazy and unfocused.

The problem with JP is he doesn't realize how deeply mediocre he is. He might actually be a better player if he accepted the fact that he's not really an All Star, not worth a small fraction of his contract and that most fans are infuriated by him. Then he could stay within himself and perhaps play with a certain grace and grit. Like Alex Cora. Not a great player, but he never pretended to be, so he made the most of every at-bat. Pierre needs to understand that his lousy stretches aren't "slumps." That's exactly who he is. Sometimes he gets lucky, but hitting above .300 is not his norm.

Pierre needs to be one of those players who realizes he has minimal natural gifts and needs to play smart if he's going to contribute. Maybe that's why he pisses me off so much. He doesn't use his head.

In case Eric Stephen decides to poll this topic, I agree with 482 . Now I'm going for a walk.

484

That's disappointing.

I also agree with 482. But JP should swing at the first pith only because he has such a lousy skill set as an offensive player.

483 He's still a .290 hitter. I don't think he thinks he's a great player, I just think he believes that everyone knows what kind of player he is, singles hitter, steals bases and plays everyday without fail. Those are the things he brings to a team.

Pierre should have been trying for catcher's interference, not a home run, regardless of which pitch he swung at.

another bump in the road (I'm cool with it) but we really gotta go on a good stretch if this team is to be taken seriously, it's baseball anything can happen, let's just enjoy the ride.

but yeah, I like how DzzrtRatt put it (selfish) can best describe that at bat by Pierre but I also noticed DeWitt doing that also when Russell Martin was on first so it CAN BE SAID OF A COUPLE OF Dodger players, let's just ride it out.

Really, Pierre shouldnt have been up in the first place. to tie, he would have needed to get a hit, plus Ethier would have needed to get a hit. I'd rather take my chances with DY throwing one in the gap or over the fence. But, because he was up, his mindset was correct. You'll always see hitters taking a rip on the first pitch if a pitcher is having control issues. i can tell you from experience that that was my favorite situation. You know the pitcher wants to get ahead and throw a strike. Because of that, you know a fastball is coming. Pierre knew a fastball was coming. It was a fat pitch and he just missed it. i really dont know what all the uproar is about.

Its not as if Gagne looked wild, when indeed, you might want him to take a couple of pitches. I kinda agree with 482 as well, that JP needs all the help he can get. He obviously didn't handle the ball very well.

482

if I'm a hitter limited like Pierre is I'M THINKING OF THE TEAM PERIOD! Gange had 13 walks coming into the series, again, I really didn't like Pierre's approach.

283 agreed in the sense that you have to make gagne work, that was frustrating beyond belief to hear andruw battle through that whole at bat, then juan to just swing at the first thing thrown his way.

I don't understand why you guys would criticize Pierre for swinging at the 1st pitch there.

Just having walked a guy, you know Gagne is gonna try to get a 1st pitch strike. Add the fact Pierre has no power, then Gagne probably isn't worried about giving him a pitch to hit, even if its down the middle.

And the pitch was a very good one to hit. I woild have thought it was extremely stupid for Juan to take a fastball down the pipe there, only to fall behind and have to deal with Gagne's change later. Worst case scenario if he throws a changeup there and you probably swing through it.

Now the fact that he missed the pitch you can criticie, but I think the decision making was smart.

Meant criticize, not criticie. :)

the best Pierre would have done is a little single to LF, CF OR RF come on, just take the walk & let the big boys do there thing.

woah, that was Gagne first save sense MAY 1st!!! (looking at you Pierre!!)

483/489

How is it selfish to swing at the first pitch? Was he not trying to get a hit to help the TEAM win?

494 to sort of echo bluebleeder, when you see a pitcher go from 0-2 to walking a batter, Juan has gotta try and make him throw strikes. He wouldnt of done anything other than a bloop single at best as bleeder said, so I figure make gagne pitch so ethier can come up and bring some power..

498

nope. I stand by my statement.

Isn't complaining that Juan Pierre had a bad at bat like complaining he didn't hit a home run?

I'm not gonna criticize Juan for what he did, obviously if he got a hit this conversation would be different, but in my honest opinion after listening through that Druw at bat, I was hoping for another at patient at bat from Juan and making Eric work so you can bring a guy up with some pop.

496,

Its not like "Take a Walk" is an option you have instead of batting. In order to walk, Gagne would have had to throw four balls. And the first pitch was a strike. I don't think it was very likely that he would walk there. ANd don't blame Pierre, blame Penny. We would have never been behind in the first place if he had pitched better.

Seriously though, the Dodgers gotta turn the corner & start winning, I think D-Lowe will give us a good chance tomorrow.

The problem is he was up in the first place He should not be on the field. I am sick of it. It's predictable. He is terrible.

ANd don't blame Pierre, blame Penny. We would have never been behind in the first place if he had pitched better.

I opt to blame Pierre but good point.

503 The real deficiency here is that for a guy with no power and much speed, the man can't bunt to save his life. Since he can't bunt, time and then sit on the fastball. If Gagne K's you with 2 changeups following that first strike, so be it.

503 The real deficiency here is that for a guy with no power and much speed, the man can't bunt to save his life. Since he can't bunt, time and then sit on the fastball. If Gagne K's you with 2 changeups following that first strike, so be it.

503 Did you think it was likely that Druw would walk after going down 0-2...I'd almost rather of seen Juan go 0-2 looking and strike out swinging than that..

500,

Well what was he trying to do then?

502,

Yeah a walk would have been nice, but Gagne is probably going to make sure to throw stikes, and a walk isn't very likely. Its not like he walked Druw on 4 pitches, it was like a 10 pitch at bat and one of the balls probably should have been a strike. Thats not really that wild.

All that said, I just don't see how taking (basically) the best pitch you could probably hope for is the right strategy. Maybe I'm stretching it, but I'd bet you Pierre would hit at least .400 swinging at a pitch like that when you know its coming.

Reflecting on my reaction to this game and Pierre's at-bat, I realize how irrational I am capable of being.

502

Thank you. Gagne wasnt going to walk Juan. Really, he was careful with Andruw (except for that one fastball down the heart) because he knew Juan couldn't hurt him. The worst Juan will do is move everyone up 90 feet and bring Ethier up. Eric was going to make juan do that and not give him a free pass. Juan just hit his pitch- thats baseball.

512

Should say missed his pitch, not hit his pitch.

Really 503 and 505 make good points.

Could part of the reason Jones walks is because JP is waiting on deck?

With JP up, Gagne is going to go right after him, daring JP to hit one out of the infield.

Penny? Not so hot right now.

498 It wasn't so much selfish as it was unintelligent. We've got a pitcher who lacks confidence and is tied with the most blown saves in the majors. He is not the unstoppable force he was once a few years ago as his fast ball lacks a lot of life, making his change-up and other pitches more vulnerable.

Up to Andruw Jones, Gagne had thrown over 20 pitches, about 10 more than any normal one-inning closer would like to throw, let alone a closer who clearly does not have the same endurance he had in the past. So in short, he is close to tiring. Pierre watches his other teammates produce quality at bats, forcing Gagne to throw strikes and more pitches. There are two men on base, and Ethier and Kemp are slated to hit next. Though he was hittless up to this point in the game, Ethier is a way better hitter than Gagne is a pitcher. I'd take my chances with him and Kemp following.

And Pierre swings at the first pitch he sees.

Game Over. Needlessly.

510 well i admit im taking out a little more frustration on Juan than he deserves for that specific at bat, I mean he basically should of been 0'fer tonight, but yea slumping will put us all a bit on edge

514 You never walk the tying run and Gagne is not pitching well enough to make that determination.

In case Eric Stephen decides to poll this topic...

Actually, with the 5 game losing streak, I have had an idea for a poll to bring out the positive (you know, like Joakim Noah getting run over by Danica Patrick), I pose the following questions:

1) Who are your top 5 favorite current Dodgers?
2) Who are your top 5 favorite Dodgers of all time?

I will only count the top 5 in each category, and award 5 points for a 1st place vote, 4 points for 2nd, down to 1 point for a 5th place vote. I'll tally the results!

To get this started, here are my "Fave Fives" (this contest is sponsored by T-Mobile™):

Current Dodgers
1) Billingsley
2) Martin
3) Kemp
4) Loney
5) Ethier

All-Time Dodgers
1) Eddie Murray
2) Orel Hershiser
3) Kirk Gibson
4) Mike Piazza
5) Ramon Martinez

518
Oh, and for purposes of the poll, current Dodgers are defined as:

1) players currently on the 25-man or DL
2) players on the 40-man with major league experience (i.e. LaRoche)

518 Does the All-Time guys have to be players you watched?

1. Current Dudes:
1. Matt Kemp
2. James Loney
3. Russell Martin
4. Chad Billingsley
5. Jeff Kent

All-Time
1. Ron Cey
2. Reggie Smith
3. Dusty Baker
4. Pedro Guerrero
5. Fernando Valenzuela

Well, I understand the logic of swinging at the first pitch if it was merely a case of Gagne being wild. But what I saw was a pitcher who was mentally exhausted after a certain number of pitches in a given at-bat, that you could wait him out and wear him down. His confidence is shaky right now. The more opportunities you give him to miss, the more the advantage swings the batter's way. Gagne was beatable tonight, not just because of wildness, but because he's just not as sharp as he was.

But I'll concede this: Pierre didn't lose the game. He just mucked up the last desperate opportunity to salvage it from what Penny did to it.

I don't really like the table "discussion" between segments on E:60. I don't think a production meeting is compelling TV.

508,
Yeah, he wasn't the ideal hitter in that situation obviously. But I think swinging at that pitch was the best chance he had.

509,

No, but Gagne at least was careful with Druw. The only way he would have walked Juan was if he just lost it. You can't judge the decision just based on the popup, he very likely could have gotten a line drive single.

If you are going to question the decision, you should only factor in what you knew beforehand. Its not like Juan knew he was going to hit a popup. The thing is, hitting is hard, sometimes you just miss even when you do everyting right. And IMO, taking a strike (and a great pitch to hit too) just for the sake of it in that situation is stupid. Now obviously, in hindsight it looks bad, but you can't judge things that way.

520
The all-timers don't have to have been watched. I'll admit though my list was heavily influenced by whom I watched. The only pick I'm not certain of is Ramon Martinez at 5.

517 You are correct and Gagne did look pretty flustered as Jones was going to first. We've just bagged on Pierre so much, 505 says it for me. I'd much rather have another player in left, like Young.

Current

Matt Kemp
Russell Martin
James Loney
Jon Broxton
Chad Billingsley

All-Time

Milton Bradley
Mike Piazza
Shawn Green
Hideo Nomo
Raul Mondesi

Current

Andy LaRoche
Matt Kemp
Brad Penny
Andre Ethier
James Loney

All-Time

Hideo Nomo
Orel Hershiser
Don Sutton
Shawn Green
Kevin Brown

526 Its weird that those 90's teams don't come to mind as having my favorite players, I liked those teams, Piazza, Karros, Mondesi, Nomo but I guess life began to intrude a bit.

Or, like he said 515 .

My top five current players:

Martin
Furcal
Kemp
Saito
Broxton

All time (I'll limit it to my lifetime experience, which players I at least saw on TV):

Koufax
Valenzuela
Gagne
Piazza
Scioscia

Looking at both lists, what comes through is the Dodgers are still a couple pitchers short of future greatness. If Billingsley develops into a top of the rotation guy, if Kershaw is all that, if Broxton becomes a dominant closer, if Meloan or McDonald come on strong, then we've really got something. (Figuring out a way to pry James Shields or Scott Kazmir loose from Tampa wouldn't hurt either.)

Current: Saito, Kuo, Kemp, Martin and Loney

Prior: Smith, Lopes, TJ, Pena, and Valenzuela

In no particular order.

530
I'm ranking them and awarding points based on rank. I'll assume your lists are in order 1-5 unless you say otherwise.

Current:

1. Furcal
2. Kemp
3. Martin
4. Broxton
5. Druw (before anyone goes beserk, I used to be a Braves fan, so I've got a little bit more attachment to him than most. But I'm not sure he's ever gonna be any good anymore so this may have to change) :)

Soon to be (hopefully): Kershaw

Alltime: Haven't been a fan long enough to have any

531 Sorry.

Current: Saito, Loney, Martin, Kemp and Kuo.
Prior: Smith, TJ, Valenzuela, Lopes and Pena.

Current
1.Loney
2.Kemp
3.Martin
4.Raffy
5.Saito

All Time
1.Rauuuul
2.Piazza
3.Gagne
4.Ramon
5.Nomo
(The mid 90s is about as early as I remember as a Dodger fan)

My all-time list is going to reflect the fact that I go back to '94. I'm assuming Vin Scully doesn't count.

Current:
1-Jeff Kent
2-James Loney
3-Matt Kemp
4-Jonathon Broxton
5-Russell Martin

All-time:
1- Mike Piazza
2- Hideo Nomo
3- Eric Gagne
4- Adrian Beltre
5- Jeff Kent

I suppose Rickey Henderson shouldn't be on the list-- but I loved him, too.

My least favorite:

1- Carlos Hernandez
2- Gary Bennett
3- Tom Prince
4- Chad Kreuter
5- Sandy Alomar Jr.

Martin
Kemp
Billingsley
Saito
Young

Gibson
R. Martinez
Valenzuela
Hershiser
Martin

Switch Bradley and Nomo on mine, Eric.

529,

Yeah but look at the Rockies last year. Its not like you have to have Koufax and Drysdale to win a WS. I mean, the Rockies don't even really have an ace.

O jeez I forgot Beltre, I used to really love Beltre. I'd switch him out for Ramon

Zack Wheat, Rube Marquard, Babe Herman, Burleigh Grimes and Dazzy Vance.

More seriously, is the all-time favorites L.A. only?

535 How do you feel about Toby Hall?

Kemp is the only unanimous choice so far. (We already have Martin-hater! Or maybe just a Martin-omitter.)

542 Burn him!

541 Yeah-- Hall should replace Alomar. He just slipped my mind for a moment. Not that that's the point. I know Mr. Stephen is trying to stop the negativity.

Now:
Martin
Loney
Kemp
Billingsley
Saito

All-Time:
Piazza
Sax
Hershiser
Gibson
Scioscia

I hate that I had to omit Guerrero, Mondesi, and Beltre -- each of whom was my favorite Dodger at a certain point -- from my list.

Current:
Kemp
Martin
Loney
Saito
Broxton

535 How can a backup catcher ever be someone's least favorite player?

My All-Time list has 20 pitchers starting with Koufax, Drysdale, and Podres

546 - I feel badly about Gagne and LoDuca, but the '88 team needs to be represented!

548 Because the Dodgers have had some stud starting catcher in the last 15 years.

548 - What's funny (to me, you all don't care) is that I liked Carlos Hernandez!

540
Any Dodgers will do. Only requirement is that they played at least 1 game as a Dodger.

Kemp
Broxton
Martin
Loney
Laroche

Orel
Butler
Murray
R. Martinez
Karros

I was limiting my list to guys I saw play. It's hard to compare, say, Roy Campanella to Russell Martin.

Now
1. Martin
2. Saito
3. Kemp
4. Loney
5. Ethier

All-time (that I saw play)
1. Koufax
2. Drysdale
3. Fernando
4. Garvey
5. Orel

Of course, I'll keep myself over some of these All-time choices...I love the Dodgers! A top 20 would be easy.

So far BH and KingKopitar are the only ones whose five all-time guys all played for the same team. BH's five all played on the 1981-82 Dodgers and KingKopitar's all played on the 1991 Dodgers.

Hey, this is fun!

Current
1.Matt Kemp
2.Takashi Saito
3.James Loney
4.Russell Martin
5.Rafael Furcal

All Time
1.Steve Garvey
2.Ramon Martinez (I, definitely not II)
3.Mike Piazza
4.Steve Sax
5.Matt Kemp

518

Current:
1. Kemp
2. Martin
3. Billingsley
4. Laroche
5. Kuo

All-Time
1. Garvey
2. Piazza
3. Hershiser
4. Gagne
5. Guerrero

557 Actually that should read 1980-82 for bh.

553--so the Babe gets close to qualifying, but no cigar!

I'm sure the Babe has all the cigars he needs.

Unless you were talking about Babe Phelps or Babe Herman. The former would be hated by gpellam since he was Mickey Owen's backup catcher at one time.

Current favorite Dodgers:
Luis Maza
Cory Wade
Matt Kemp
Jeff Kent
Dere(k) Lowe

All time favorites:
Richie Allen
Andy Messersmith
Don Sutton
Jim Brewer
Claude Osteen

I wonder if Torre thought Jones had a good at bat and therefore is ready to start again?

Loney
Kemp
Martin
Billingsley
Kershaw/Kuo

Duke Snider
Roy Campanella
Gil Hodges
Sandy Koufax
Mike Piazza

PeeWee Reese should be on the list but he was too far before my time.

Honorable mentions:
Jim Lefebre, Ron Fairly, Tom Davis, Bill Russell, Ron Cey, Don Drysdale.

The best thing about being a Rays fan right about now, at least for me, is seeing the joy in others who haven't had the occasion for such joy in the past. My favorite poster from RaysBB [scroll down to the post by timmyB, just shy of 2/3 of the way down the page]:

http://tinyurl.com/54j4au

He's got the whole crew goin'.

Oh, and Jon, when do we get the emoticons? I love the round green fellows and the dancing banana men.

I think Dick Allen would beat you up for calling him Richie.

Richie Allen played for the Dodgers. Dick Allen played for the White Sox (and Phillies and A's after.)

564 - Did you have to include Kemp?

530
PDH, is TJ Tommy John?

518
All-time -- Koufax, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider and Tommy Davis
I don't have five favorites, yet, on this team

565 Kershaw is ineligible, see 519 .

Nobody said it had to be a regular season game!

570 Correct.

572 - That is why I said Kershaw/Kuo

Alternatively, you could fill one of the five spots with [Player to be named on May 17].

571
To be complete, and to amend my prior entry, my favorites on the team now are:
Loney, Martin, Kemp, Furcal and Saito

570 The only other choice would be Tim Jordan.

563---Nope, this guy:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/144346374_92154d7e94.jpg?v=0

Kershaw is eligible for current, but not all time.

578 Tim Jordan is the only Brooklyn/LA player to ever lead the National League in Home Runs more than once. This year is the 100th anniversary of that accomplishment.

That's strange, but I guess not when I consider that the 70's Dodgers were the team I first grew up with and their winning the '81 World Series confirmed to me that I was following some pretty good teams.

I generally don't find myself rooting for individual players so its hard for me to think of Orel or Gibson or Piazza or Mondesi that way.

580 Am I misreading 519 ? He is not on the 25 or 40 man.

Ah, gotta love that Tampa Bay has the best record in the AL. Thanks Vegas for giving me 150:1 odds on them. :)
vr, Xei

5 Dodgers I wish I could have seen play

1. Jackie Robinson
2. Sandy Koufax
3. Joe Black (rookie year)
4. Duke Snider
5. Babe Herman (1930 version)

NBA 2nd Round Playoffs

Home teams are 17-1.

583
You are right. I thought for a moment to make a special case for Kershaw, but decided against it.

585 Great list. Mine would be:

1. Campanella
2. Koufax
3. Jackie
4. Newcombe
5. Snider

586
So has the second round of the NBA Playoffs truly begun?

587 I'm only being technical because it would have greatly changed my list and probably others.

Eric came up with a clutch poll.

Current:
1. Russ Martin (can I list him in all five spots, to drive his point total up? I don't get anybody's having a more favorite player than Russ Martin. What's the matter with you people?)
2. LaRoche
3. Billingsley
4. Kemp
5. Furcal

All-time:
1. Russ Martin
2. Scioscia
3. Hershiser
4. Piazza
5. Ch-i

Nice piece on MLB.com about the emergence of old friend Dioner Navarro as a factor in the Rays' success. Even Troy Percival likes him.

http://tinyurl.com/3otpqt

Current
1. Russell Martin
2. Jonathan Broxton
3. Andy LaRoche
4. Matt Kemp
5. Clayton Kershaw

All Time
1. Steve Garvey
2. Fernando Valenzuela
3. Mike Piazza
4. Pedro Guerrero
5. Orel Hershiser

No list of all time Dodgers can be complete w/ out mention of the greatest Dodger of them all ...Vincent Edward Scully (yes I know hes not a player, but he is THE Dodger)

well if Minotaur is off the board I'll replace him w/ Billz

Five Dodgers I Wish I Could Have Seen Play But Didn't
1. Jackie Robinson
2. Pete Reiser
3. Sandy Koufax
4. Roy Campanella
5. Dazzy Vance

Five Dodgers I Saw Play But Wish I Hadn't
1. Carlos Perez
2. Shea Hillenbrand
3. Juan Pierre
4. Mel Rojas
5. Juan Samuel

Five Favorite Dodgers, Cup of Coffee Edition
1. Brian Traxler
2. Dennis Springer
3. Rickey Henderson
4. Jeff Fischer
5. Luis Lopez

Light up the halo!

584 I don't normally advocate gambling, but I'm hoping that you put down a C note.

So far I have received 21 entries. Both bablue & 68elcamino427 didn't submit all-time entries.

Of the 19 all-time entries, there have been 41 different Dodgers listed.

591 I believed you until you left off loney in place of laroche, I'm not a laroche hater by any means, i want him up here as soon as possible, but no love for the Lonestar : )

599- I left off Loney because I like to think it drives Canuck a little bit nuts when anybody slights him.

Kemp is still unanimous and Martin is still trying to get 27indigo's ballot revoked.

601
Martin is still trying to get 27indigo's ballot revoked

And Bob Timmermann's too (unless the Maza thing was a joke)

All-Time

Frank Howard
Sandy Koufax
Don Drysdale
John Roseboro
Mike Piazza

(Walter Alston)

Current:
Martin
Kemp
Ethier
DeWitt
Loney

That I saw:
Hershiser
Gibson
Piazza
Fernando
Karros

That I wish I saw:
Campy
Koufax
Drysdale
Robinson
Snider

The second list could go another 10-15, the third list could probably go 100 more.

Current:
Loney
Martin
Kemp
Saito
Ethier

honorable mention for LaRoche when he arrives - I was surprised to see how many had him on their lists

Before My Time in LA:
Wills
Koufax
Drysdale
Reese (kind of cheating here as he only played one year in LA)
Snider

All Time in My Lifetime:
Garvey
Cey
Orel
Piazza
Fernando

honorable mention to Eric Gagne. It is tarnished with the HGH and his short period of dominance, but I never enjoyed watching a pitcher as much as him for those three years.

Current
1. Martin
2. Saito
3. Broxton
4. Furcal
5. Billingsley

(That I've seen play) All time
1. Nomo
2. Martin
3. Mondesi
4. Ramon Martinez
5. Beltre

Which will happen first?

A) Kemp gets left off a list.

B) Pierre is on a list.

600 haha yea ive got a soft spot for james as well, but i do seriously hope that laroche will make my "t-mobil fave 5" in the coming years..

and I know the questioning of LaRoche's potential causes much more uproar around here than even Loney, so I didn't want to come across as having no faith in Andy, because I like him as well.

597. Unfortunately, I only put down $20. So I only win $3000 if the miracle happens.
vr, Xei

606 answers [607

604 - an honorable mention for Jose Offerman on my list, if only because I was at the game where he hit a home run in his first major league at bat (and later stole second), sitting in the top deck... in fact I think it was my first trip to Dodger Stadium (al trips to Angel Stadium before that).

607 unless Ned himself posts on DT, i think A has to happen first..

611- Wow.

Wow.

Jose Offerman was my ur-hated baseball player. I didn't like Will Clark, but I hated Offerman.

I was a huge Offerman fan. He'd be in my top 15, maybe my top 10.

For Eric:
Current Dodgers:
Kuo
Matt Kemp
Russel Martin
James Loney
Andruw Jones

Past Dodgers:
Mike Piazza
Ron Cey
Pedro Guerrero
Adrian Beltre
Lee Lacy

I hated Offerman.

557 Well, I was 6 that season and it was the 1st season I remember as a fan, so I guess that makes sense. I'm pretty sure I remember Brett Butler hitting a lead-off home run in the very first game of the season; anyone else remember that?

613 - heh. If I were to actually list out my favorites that I've seen, he'd probably still be an honorable mention after 25... mainly just the fact that he gave the 12 year old me a thrill in my first trip to the Stadium.

617 I remember Steve Sax doing that in 1988, but not Butler.

Checking... Butler as a Dodger never hit a home run either on Opening Day or the home opener.

609 That's a nice vacation in some exotic place for you, your gal, and the little one[s], or simply some money to make your step just that much lighter. As for the miracle of it, as a believer in resurrection I'm big on miracles. And, here, some preparation for this year's Rays miracle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fztlLwgSFCg

I went from loving Offerman to hating Offerman. I think he is the only Dodger I've ever booed, it wasn't his fault, my expectations were to high. If I had read Bill James before the Offerman Era my expectations would have been more realistic.

Offerman was a very sabermetric-friendly player, though. He just never could learn to catch the ball, although he had all the physical tools to do it. (I still maintain his defense was better than most people believed, though I realize I'm in the minority on that point.)

I'll still take votes through gametime tomorrow night. Right now we are sitting at 25 total entries (24 all-time: bablue didn't submit an all-time team).

Current:
LaRoche
Broxton
Penny
Kent
Martin

All Time:
Hollandsworth
Piazza
Karros
Mondesi
Zeile

617 Way to destroy one of my cherished childhood memories. Did Pedro Martinez at least pitch a home opener once?

624
I never thought I'd see Hollandsworth or Zeile on these lists.

Jose Offerman made me think that there might not be anything wrong with liking soccer better than baseball.

626- Clearly regfairfield has been drinking.

625
Did Pedro Martinez at least pitch a home opener once?

Not for the Dodgers. He first appeared in game #153 in 1992 and game #7 in 1993.

625 Sorry about that.

Pedro Martinez was only a Dodger for one home opener, but yes, he was the losing pitcher in that game.

I'm the sole owner of my #1 on each list.

630
Ahh, home opener.

KingKopitar, the Butler homer you're thinking of was probably in 1992, when he hit a home run to lead off the game in the Dodgers' first road game of the year. (It was in San Diego; the Dodgers had opened the season at home.)

It was the fifth and last leadoff homer of Butler's career, and his only one as a Dodger.

Current:
1. Martin
2. Kemp
3. Furcal
4. Loney
5. Saito

All Time:
1. Fernando Valenzuela
2. Orel Hersheiser
3. Reggie Smith
4. Mike Piazza
5. Eric Gagne

I suggest that anyone interested in tasting the wonderful flavor of the great Brooklyn teams of the 1950s read Roger Kahn's "Memories of Summer," which was published about 10 years ago. It is not a sequel to his ground-breaking "The Boys of Summer," which came out in 1972, but it offers the reflections of an older Kahn as well as rich anecdotes about the players and his own relationship with his father. Highly recommended. To a Brooklyn native like me, who saw one game at Ebbets Field as a little boy in 1955, it is a special piece of writing.

Don't turn around, oh oh oh
KingKopitar's in town, oh oh oh
And if he talks to you then you'll know why
The more you live the faster you will die

So far, only 5 Dodgers that played in Brooklyn have received a total of 10 votes.

Must Chime in.

Current favorite is Kemp.

All time list

1. Garvey
2. Piazza
3. Guerrero
4. Gibson
5. Sheffield

Sorry about Sheffield, but when he hit, my butt was in front of the TV. As for Garvey, I know he is not a favorite, but he was my guy as a 6 to 11 year old.

630 Okay, I was at that game then. I remember being mad because I wanted to watch Ramon pitch.

635 I'm sure that hilarious, but I confess that I have not one idea what that means. The closest I got was some sort of song about Pac-Man and it just made me really glad I missed the '80s.

You're missing one of Koufax, Drysdale, Campanella, Snider, Hodges, or Roseboro.

Current
1.Kemp
2.Martin
3.Loney
4.LaRoche
5.DeWitt

All Time
1.Robinson
2.Burke
3.Mondesi
4.Beltre
5.Smith

Wow, throwing out a Glenn Burke! That's the upset of the night so far.

Current:
Kemp
Martin
DeWitt
Loney
Saito

All-Time - guys that I saw:
Koufax
Drysdale
Maury Wills
Garvey
Cey

Current favorites:
Loney
Kemp
Martin
Laroche
Delwyn Young

All time:
Tommy Davis
Wally Moon
Sandy Koufax
Ron Cey
Jackie Robinson

Honorable mention: Willie Davis,Junior Gilliam,Carl Furillo,Pete Reiser,Mike Marshall(the pitcher)Pedro Guerrero

least favorite:
T-Bone Shelby
Jeff Hamilton
Jason Grabowsky
Todd Hundley
Tom Neidenfuhr
Stan Williams

Current
1. Saito
2. Garciaparra
3. Kent
4. Martin
5. Wade

All time
1. Sandy Koufax
2. Kirk Gibson
3. Steve Garvey
4. Mike Piazza
5. Wes Parker

You have to ask yourself, how many of times have you high-fived in your life?

...or left a random 'of' in a sentence.

640
Roseboro's 1957 escaped me.

638
I'm not counting your current list without 5 names.

Current

1/ Martin
2/ Kemp
3/ Saito
4/ Loney
5/ Ethier

All Time

1/ Martin
2/ Valenzuela
3/ Bradley
4/ Piazza
5/ Gibson

Kemp
Martin
Billingsley
Broxton
Loney

Current Dodgers
1) Kemp
2) Loney
3) Martin
4) Kuo
5) Ethier

All-Time Dodgers
1) Sandy Koufax
2) Don Newcombe
3) Jackie Robinson
4) Frank Howard
5) Willie Davis

Seven Brooklyn Dodgers have now received votes. So have seven members of the 2005 Jacksonville Suns.

And with 651 , Brooklyn storms past Jacksonville.

5 least favorite..

Pierre
Karros
Strawberry
Bonilla
LoDuca

Whens the final tally coming out?

655
Sometime after the start of the game tomorrow.

655
But I'll give you a sneak peak:

Loney has the most 4th place votes for current Dodgers, with seven. No one else has more than four.

Fernando has the most 5th place votes for all-time, with three.

34 total entries so far (and if bablue gets his all-time team in, a complete 34).

654 LoDuca a least favorite?

LoDuca was one of my favorites as a Dodger but he swiftly became one of my least favorite ex-Dodgers.

Current:
1. Ethier
2. Martin
3. Loney
4. Furcal
5. Young

All Time:
1. Jackie Robinson
2. Sandy Koufax
3. Carl Erskine
4. Don Newcombe
5. Ramon Martinez (#48)

Honorable Mention:
Adrian Beltre, Wes Parker, Tommy Davis, Lou Johnson, Manny Mota, Tommy John, Milton Bradley, Hideo Nomo, Chan Ho Park, Mike Hartley*

*He autographed my ball when I was a kid on one of my first visits to Dodger Stadium.

Current:

1. Russell Martin
2. Chad Billingsley
3. Matt Kemp
4. Rafael Furcal
5. Andre Ethier (... I admit to being superficial)

All-time (that I can remember seeing)

1. Mike Piazza
2. Ramon Martinez
3. Russell Martin
4. Eric Karros
5. Adrian Beltre

Greg Maddux is my second favorite player, but not because of his tenure with the Dodgers. I'd name my kid Greg if my future husband will let me.

Among the least fortunate:
Kal Daniels -- never reached expectations
Mike Marshall (outfielder) -- limitless potential
Larry Burright -- Difficult 1962 season that reached its nadir in third game of playoff vs. Giants
Sandy Vance -- With a name like that, one expected greatness
Don Zimmer -- Reese's backup for years, one fine year in 1958, then got hurt (and stopped hitting) and lost shortstop position to Wills in 1959
John Purdin -- Never matched late-season greatness in which he went 2-0, and, finally
Karl Spooner -- One of baseball's greatest season-ending performance, in 1954, followed by arm trouble that ended his season after 1955.
I could go on and on...

659 piazza did for me as well, as he left..but I figured the opinions didn't include post dodger years

661 if my future husband will let me

Don't worry, you'll be telling him what to do.

615 Interesting omission.

Bill Plaschke.

666 Plaschke is 666. That would never have occurred to me.

666 Current:
1. Russell Martin
2. The Bison
3. James Loney
4. Andre Ethier
5. Chad Billingsley

All-time (that I've seen):
1. Orel Hershiser
2. Fernando Valenzuela
3. Manny Mota
4. Bob Welch
5. Wes Parker

[1 after 665] epic plaschke comment

Current Dodgers
Martin
Kemp
Loney
Saito
Kent

All-time
Dusty Baker
Reggie Smith
Bob Welch
Willie Davis
Mike Piazza

It's been awhile since Plaschke got any play, around here. I guess he's had his plate full, writing about the Lakers (and today, USC), recently.

I bet Andruw Jones will pick up some defenders, once Plaschke unleashes the fury on him.

657,

I can't Eric, like I said I haven't been a fan long enough.

Andy LaRoche has 9 walks in his last 4 games, including 7 over a 2 game stretch.

Interesting that both Annika Sorenstam and Justine Henin are (apparently) retiring.

I suspect they'll pull the typical celebrity/relatively young athlete retirement scam, where they get a bunch of publicity for retiring, then get a bunch more when they make their (predictable) "comeback". They'll miss the competition and/or the money, and won't be able to stay away from the game.

I woke up grumpy this morning. How can you swing at the first pitch??? But, I forge ahead:

Current Dodgers:
Ethier
Kemp
Loney
Martin
Saito

All-Timers I Saw:
Lopes
Cey
Garvey
Piazza
Valenzuela

626 Zeile was close to being on my list. Beltre barely beat him out.

Current Dodgers:
Furcal
Kemp
Martin
Saito
Loney

All-Time Dodgers:
Pedro Guerrero
Jackie Robinson
Mike Scioscia
Fernando Valenzuela
Orel Hershiser

Current:
Kemp
Martin
Loney
Billingsley
LaRoche

All-Time:
Koufax
Drysdale
Fernando
Piazza
Welch

These are my current favorites:
Kent
Kuo
Saito
Loney
Martin

All-Time:
Mota, Manny
Smith,Reggie
Reuss,Jerry
Scioscia,Mike
Hershiser,Orel

Current:
Loney
Broxton
Billingsley
Kemp
DeWitt

All-time
Fernando
Greg Brock
Kirk Gibson
Orel
Pedro Guerrero

We're up to 43 entries through 680 !

672
bablue, would it be fair to include your current favorites as your all-time favorites as well?

Having read the morning stories and sidebars, I have a question: Why is it that Garciaparra can shut it down after some "lingering calf tightness" and his "toughness" goes unquestioned -- despite Nomar's amazing record of fragility -- yet Tony Abreu's slowness in recovering from abdominal surgery -- surgery, like, where they cut you open and poke around at your sundry internal goods and all -- is seen as a pock mark on his character and integrity?

Also: While typing the above grammatical nightmare, I initially typed "Norman" instead of "Nomar." I think I like "Norman" better.

Current
Kemp
Loney
Chad
Martin
Broxton

All Time
Beltre
Nomo
Piazza
Sheffield
Lima

682
I think you're making an assumption that Nomar Garciaparra is allowed more leeway in his rehab from injury.

The good people of Boston certainly didn't care much for Nomar's shenanigans.

Current:
Kemp
Martin
Billingsley
Loney
Laroche

All-time:
Hershiser
Piazza
Beltre
Gagne
Green

I coulda sworn we've done this "favorite Dodger" thing multiple times before...

Through 685 , there are 23 different favorite all-time Dodgers and 11 different favorite current Dodgers.

686
Not officially!

686
Not nearly as many times as you've reminded us how you were against A Jones from the beginning.

665 ,689
I too was surprised to not see Jimmy Wynn on your list.

current:
Kemp
Loney
Martin
Furcal
Bills

all time:
Kirk Gibson
Orel
Piazza
Raul Mondesi
Hideo Nomo

I'm too young to remember Fernando mania, but I do remember when Nomo came up.

665
The mighty one is on my all time list of favorite players but he can't crack a top 5 of favorite all time Dodgers because of one great season. Otherwise it would be populated with Gibby, Toy, and Grabarkewitz. I'm sure when we did the poll before Toy made the list, but the list is a fickle thing.

HOF Sutton not getting much play here. I liked Bob's pick of Messersmith.

Not nearly as many times as you've reminded us how you were against A Jones from the beginning

The Maker of Rules baited me. He even admitted so himself.

659 that's exactly how I feel about LoDuca

Current
Kemp
Loney
Bills
Martin
Furcal

All-Time

Beltre
Gagne
Saenz
Maddux
Lima

649 Another Milton Bradley fan!

622 my memory of Offerman was that he could make a spectacular defensive play from time to time, but he wasn't consitent enough with the routine plays. Also that he didn't like to bunt.

BTW: I take no kind of "credit" for opposing the Jones signing. I thought it should have been obvious he shouldn't be signed, and claim no special prescience or player evaluation skills.

Seemed obvious to me that he should be signed and I'm not humble enough not to claim I have no special prescience or player evaluation skills.

CURRENT:
Kemp
Loney
Laroche
Martin
Billingsley

ALL TIME:
Sax
Beltre
Mondesi
Orel
Cey

DISLIKED:
Niedenfuer
Karros
Ashley
Shaw
Offerman

699
Wow: a triple negative.

Bluebleeders list:

Martin
Saito
Kuo
Broxton
Kemp

Orel
Valenzuela
Pena
Mondesi
Guerrero

Current:
Kent
DeWitt
Martin
Furcal
Ethier

All-TIME
Duke Snider
Jackie Robinson
Don Drysdale
Mike Scioscia
Mike Pizza

All-time all-time favorite baseball player since the Big Bang!!

DUKE SNIDER

Loving the Beltre love. I never would have guessed having read this site for so long that so many would have Beltre as one of their top 5.

The biggest shock so far was Andrew with Hollandsworth. I'd have lost a lot of money betting on who his top Dodger was.

Current:
Saito
Martin
Kemp
Bills
Pee Wee Young

All time:
Piazza
Jackie Robinson
Kirk Gibson
Scioscia
Fernando Valenzuela

I was gonna add Chan-Ho Park when he 1st came up but opted not too (honorable mention I guess)

did anyone else have a gut feeling that JP was gonna hit his 1st career HR as a dodger last night off gagne?

unfortunately, my gut failed me.

All-Time Most Hated Dodgers

Jeff Kent
Juan Pierre
Shea Hillenbrand
Jason Phillips
Bomko

what's the deal with lucas may? he hasn't played since sunday and it was only 1 PA

Before I list my current favorites, let me just defend myself by saying that these are guys I like, which is very different from arguing that they should be in the starting lineup (although Ethier does). In one case, past history with another team figures in. In another, I just like watching the guy's style of play (exept when he's disabling other players). With that said:

Current Favorites:
1. Ethier
2. Nomar
3. DeWitt
4. Repko
5. Loney

All-Time Favorites:
1. Koufax
2. Ron Cey
3. Tommy John
4. Orel Hershiser
5. Hideo Nomo

I could easily put Campy and Pee Wee on that list but, except for Sandy, went with the players I've seen because they're the ones that make my heart go pitter patter with happy memories.

A favorites list is very different from a "best" list.

704 I wasn't always a cynical jerk.

Current Favorites:
1. Martin
2. Kemp
3. Loney
4. Billingsley
5. Ethier

All-Time Favorites (that I remember)
1. Hershiser
2. Russell Martin
3. Scioscia
4. Beltre
5. Nomo

Most Hated Dodgers
1. Gott (My grandfather would always go "THEY BROUGHT IN GOTT!? I don't really have too much against the guy, but will hate him in deference to the memory of my grandfather.)
2. Pierre (I guess, but he seems like a nice guy, so I don't really hate him. Maybe dislike his style of play, but not hate)
3. Ned (Do GM's count? I missed the rules)

can't think of any more that I really dislike.

current faves:
1. matt kemp
2. russell martin
3. james loney
4. jonathan broxton
5. nomar (for sentimental reasons)

all time faves (post 78):
1. garvey
2. gibson
3. cey
4. hershiser
5. piazza

all time least favorite (again, post 78 otherwise marichal would be at the top of the list)
1. daryl strawberry
2. bobby bonilla
3. jeff kent
4. jody reed
5. dave goltz (not that it's his fault, but he never should have left minnesota)

Jeff Kent Dis-likers

In great humor, I wrote a short poem for all those people on this site who dis-like Jeff Kent.

However it broke all 12 of Jon's rules so I will keep it to myself. It is funny.

Jeff Kent fan

709 I think he got hit with a pitch in that one PA. I haven't read anything about his status, but it can't be good if he hasn't played since.

That would only be two games he's missed.

714 Plus it didn't fit in the margins?

712 Amazing how two peoples perceptions can be entirely different for the same player, I loved Jim Gott. Antonio Osuna on the other hand...

On that subject: least favorite Dodgers

Darryl Strawberry
Mark Hendrickson
Gary Sheffield
Antonio Osuna
Kaz Ishii

I hate to join an already loud chorus but can I just say that I hate MLB TV?

I wanted to watch yesterday's games in the archives when I came home late last night, but they didn't have it. In fact, none of the games were available in the archives -- except the late West Coast games(!) and this morning still the same. So I gave up and tried to watch the daily rewind recap, the highlights that MLB TV combines, and of course the audio problems for MLB TV clips if you have a Mac prevents me from listening to anything other than loud static.

And then I saw that they lost anyway so that put me in a worse mood, except for I guess the small comfort in knowing that at least I didn't waste my time watching the archives of a frustrating game.

Grrrrrrr.

What a fantastic catch by Hu, though!

Here in the south we have a tradition of dead people voting. In that spirit, my grandmother's all-time favorites really were:

Koufax
Robinson
Campy
Valenzuela
Dusty Baker

Holy hairball, Batman, there's a lot of comments to catch up on here.

721 I believe comment 721 is the perfect place to quietly say this is a poorly run organization that isn't likely to see success until Colletti departs.

Current:
Kemp
Loney
Martin
Billingsley (to be replaced by Kershaw)
Dewitt (to be replaced by LaRoche)

All-Time:
Reggie Smith
Orel Hershiser
Pedro Guerrero
Mike Scoiscia
Tommy John

714 There once was a Dodger named Kent
That DePo decided to rent
His batting was noble
His fielding immobile
His talent now seems all but spent

I was very tempted to put Tom Niedenfuer on my list.

710
No need to apologize or justify your picks!! Everyone has their reasons for their own picks, it's cool.

Now we just know you're the crazy one that likes Repko! :)

723 I could also go with Fernando over Tommy John.

Picking just 5 is way too hard.

Or comment 722. Curses!

725
i still remember a fantastic letter to the editor circa 1985 (i may be paraphrasing, but you get the idea):

i won't be naming names
but there is a certain pitcher
we neidenfuer games

Is Jon playing Hot Wheels? :)

What makes people wanna get behind Jeff Kent?

1) Who are your top 5 favorite current Dodgers?

1) Martin
2) Sammy Saito
3) Loney
4) Bison
5) Bills
6) Pee Wee! :-)

2) Who are your top 5 favorite Dodgers of all time? (going back as far as I go back)

1) Ron Cey
2) Fernando
3) Orel H
4) Russell Martin
5) Steve Howe :-( + Pedro Guerrero (tied)

Before my time:
1) Jackie Robinson
2) Sandy Koufax

729 Sorry! I'll sell you the comment 721 space for $50 though. ;-)

And then you have Juan D. Pierre
We can than Ned Colletti he's there
With a runner on third
He swings like a bird
And hits the ball straight up in the air

Holy hairball, Batman, there's a lot of comments to catch up on here

You didn't miss much. Just a buncha lists of current and former Dodgers, with a lot of overlap.

I'll preface my rankings with the caveat that I had to actually watch them play live to really qualify them on either list... so with that in mind:

Favorite All-Time Dodgers:

Gagne
Green
Beltre
Izturis (on defense)
Piazza

Favorite Current Dodgers:

Kemp (kemp! kemp!)
Martin
Loney
Bills
DeWitt <-- I can't resist. The Solution!!

Kudos to Tony Jax, I suppose, for not being afraid to criticize JP even though he's frequently been a defender. I'm now glad I didn't see the game.

"How does Juan Pierre pop up on the FIRST PITCH from Eric Gagne immediately after Andruw Jones worked Gagne for a 10-pitch walk? With the tying runs on base? I mean, Gagne has been struggling, blowing five of his first 14 save opps, and he already has thrown 22 pitches in the inning, including 18 just to Martin and Jones. Don't you have to at least take ONE PITCH, maybe even two? But then, what do I know? I've never played this game. Only covered it for 14 years"

Hilarious, Ken.

732

Well, actually it is very hard to get behind Jeff Kent!

Do we have the slowest infield in the majors?

We are much faster in the outfield and catching.

734 I've been Underdogged. [BTW, how do you do that cool TM sign above a word?]

Current

Kemp
Martin
Penny
Broxton
Kuo

All Time (Only who I've seen play)

Gagne
Green
Mondesi
Piazza
Beltre

724 That was great.

741
Type an ampersand (&) followed by "trade" with a semi-colon (;)

& + trade + ; (but with no spaces or plus signs) = ™

744
Also replace "trade" with:

copy = ©
reg = ®

Current:
Takashi Saito
Russell Martin
Matt Kemp
James Loney
(This space available for a minor leaguer.)

All-Time:
Pedro Guerrero
Pedro Astacio
R.J. Reynolds
Jackie Robinson
Sandy Koufax
Fernando Valenzuela
Orel Hershiser
Manny Mota
Reggie Smith
Raul Mondesi

(Take the top five if you have to for balloting purposes, but I can't leave those other names off.)

We are sitting at 58 entries through bigvanchris in 742 . This is the largest poll in Eric Stephen Dodger Thoughts Poll Counting® history!

I'm going to revise my list now that I know LaRoche is eligible:

Current:
Kemp
Loney
Martin
Billingsley
LaRoche

All-Time:
Reggie Smith
Orel Hershiser
Pedro Guerrero
Mike Scoiscia
Fernando Valenzuela

Thanks for the Stephening™

There once was a team that was streaky
Rooting for them got rather freaky
The GM said stay the course:
"We'll ride this talented horse"
But right now the roster seems rather leaky.

™ It works!

746
When Bill James writes his 60th book, "Whatever Happened to the Dodger Thoughts Poll?", he will lament that [insert player here] didn't finish higher because he only lacked one measly 5th place vote! :)

Top 5 Current Faves

Kemp
Loney
Ethier
Martin
Broxton

All Time

Bob Welch
Reggie Smith
Mike Scioscia
Jerry Reuss
Pedro Guerrero

Fav 5's? When we resort to listing our 5 favorite Dodgers in T-Mobile fashion, we as a society have taken a step backwards.

Current
1) Bison
2) Loney
3) Golden God
4) Ethier
5) Kuo

Non-Current (but I've been around to actually watch)
1) Piazza
2) Green
3) Hideo
4) Beltre
5) tie between Brett Butler and Orel, even though I only saw both on reunion tours

Did nobody mention Charlie Hough?

724
That was great

I liked Jon's list and he how he sneaked 10 on it.

Is it any surprise that everyone is having fun except for one person?

The Shimmin gets comment of the day for me with his precise placement on 666.

751 Now I just need to learn the differences among the three signs. I'm guessing there are some subtle nuances involved.

Today:
Matt Kemp
Russell Martin
Takashi Saito
Rafael Furcal
Andre Ethier

Yesterday:
Orel Hershiser
Pedro Guerrero
Mike Piazza
Eric Gagne
Steve Yeager

Paula Marshall fans rejoice, CBS picked up her sitcom pilot.

I guess they thought there was nothing wrong with it.

756 It's far too soon to be naming a Dodger Thoughts Comment of the Day®. There's still a lot of high numbers left!

756
Is it any surprise that everyone is having fun except for one person?

Who is not having fun?

Darn, is it too late to add Mike Scioscia to my all time list?

---

It's funny, a few years ago, I would've thought Eric Gagne would make my list of favorite Dodgers. Right now, just for a day at least, he's very far from that. In fact, I want to hurt him.

762
Gagne was a tough omission for me. I liked him in his pre-closer days, ever since his stellar major league debut in Florida. I still root for him to do well, just not this "weekend" (Tuesday-Thursday to the layperson).

759
That explains the lack of a NPUT. Jon is beside himself with joy.

Did y'all know that Andy LaRoche has 16 walks in 14 games so far for Las Vegas (and only 3Ks)? Neat.

Still got that ultra high OPS: 1,105.

Current 5:

Kemp
Martin
Loney
Ethier
Furcal
(Saito - honorable mention)

Past 5:
Hershiser
Scioscia
Piazza
Mondesi
Sax
(Mike Marshall (!!))

764 - I am happy for her, and it is the TV scheduling announcements that are keeping me from a new post.

His name has been mentioned here a few times. Who was the 1st Dodger to hit 30 home runs and steal 20 bases? No cheating

Plus, I figured I'd let Eric's poll run its course.

Is Paula Marshall the woman who played the journalist who though Jerry and George were gay lovers...?

We are up to 62 entries. Off the top of my head, here are some notable commenters who haven't yet weighed in:

trainwreck
Icaros
D4P
JoeyP
bryanf
cargill06
Vishal
scareduck
Branch Rickey
NPUT
LAT

768 - Was it Mondesi?

NPUT is a commenter? Is it like the annoying imaginary friend "Not Me" in many a hilarious Family Circus cartoon?

770
Yes, she was the one.

774
I liked that episode. I remember thinking Paula was a nice-looking young lass.

773
I just wanted to give LAT his due.

Did Lopes hit 30 one year?

Even though I'm not notable [yet!], here are mine:

Top 5 favorite current Dodgers:

1. Martin
2. Ethier
3. Loney
4. Kemp
5. Kuo

Top 5 favorite Dodgers of all time:

1. Dusty Baker
2. Mike Piazza
3. Orel Hershiser
4. Franklin Stubbs
5. Mike Marshall [not the pitcher]

Paula Marshall used to be young. Now she's my age.

768
I'm guessing Reggie Smith, with a backup guess of Mondesi.

I'm sorry but for some reason today I can't make the hard choices a list would entail today.

In case this wasn't posted before, story on Meloan adjusting to being a starter (and faring pretty well these days):

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/18887689.html

Paula Marshall used to be young. Now she's my age

I hate it when that happens...

Actually, Paula Marshall is a few months older than me.

No
No
No
No
He had the best smile ever, not one of those moody great guys.

785
I looked it up (sometimes I need a tudor); he probably should have been my #5. Maybe I should have split my vote 3 ways.

784
Cougar alert!

All-Time:
Hershiser
Gibson (he's the reason I started playing baseball)
Guerrero
Piazza
Mondesi

Current:
Kemp
Loney
Martin
Billingsley
DeWitt

785 - The best smile? Andruw Jones? :-/

Oh wait, it's Pedro the Warrior isn't it?

I know Shawn Green was the first to do 30-30.

773
I once did a search in the Historical LA Times database for "Marmaduke" and "funny" and got zero results.

There have been "current" votes for 18 players from the current 25-man roster (hint: Troy in West Virginia hasn't voted). Furcal & LaRoche have also received votes.

Also, 26 different Dodgers have received "all-time" 1st place votes.

789 I Think you beat me to it.

789
The clue was to easy. Anyone remember Pedro playing CF? Once upon a time he could run, but he could never slide.

789
Mondesi is the only Dodger to do 30-30.

790 I believe you'd have the same result if you searched for "Family Circus" and "hilarious", too.

"And it's always there, in the lower right hand corner, just waiting to suck."

(From "Go")

794 - Right, right, Green did it when he was with the Blue Jays.

Man, Raul was such an incredible talent, a shooting star that crash-landed too early.

Early on Pedro could motor, but its hard to remember him that way.

I forgot, did we ever make 1000 posts on a DT thread?

Green did 30-30 with the BlueJays. He did however do 40-20 with the Dodgers and came close to making it 50-20.

My favorite HR/SB season is a cross between Eric Davis 1986 (27/80) or Rickey Henderson 1986 (28/87).

Davis might get the nod because he followed that with a 37/50 season in 1987.

767 (Jon) it is the TV scheduling announcements that are keeping me from a new post

Are you writing TV scheduling announcements? Or articles that refer to or depend on them? Or just reading them?

798 (1000 posts?) Yes. But I'm not going to check when that was.

798 - Here's the record.

https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/522658.html

Other non-funny comics that I remember reading as a kid in the Sunday paper include:

1. Prince Valiant
2. Those two similar ones called something like "Rex Morgan" or "Rex Hudson" or something

I never got the jokes.

801 - I'm editing and writing for the L.A. Screenings section, which relates to international sales of U.S. series.

We had a 1601-comment post on 9/28/06, and a 1083-comment post a week later during Game 3 against the Mets.

Yikes. I forgot Gibby & Scioscia (I almost put Mike Davis just for the walk).

806
BTW, I didn't mean to exclude you in 771 . For some reason I thought you already voted.

Christmas Present:
Kemp
Martin
Loney
Bills
LaRoche

Christmas Past:
Gagne
Beltre
Piazza
Pedro Martinez
Edwin Jackson

Right now the Dodgers don't deserve a new post up top! We should just keep going here 'til either a) the Dodgers finally win again or b) the Toaster implodes.

Or not.

This was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be...

Current Favorites:
1. Martin
2. Ethier
3. Loney
4. Kemp
5. DeWitt

All-Time Favorites:
1. Koufax (never saw him play though...)
2. Kirk
3. Orel
4. Karros
5. Piazza

809
The "playoff beard" of blog commenting, if you will. I like it.

807 NoHarmDone©

811 "Playoff beards? Playoff beards!?! You're talking about the playoff beards?!?"

771 I apire to one day be considered notable, until then I'll just settle for mediocrity, kinda like the Giants.