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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

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

It's Friday Evening, And I Hate To Leave The Office
2008-05-16 17:24
by Jon Weisman

Read my fond farewell to Season 4 of The Office at the Season Pass blog on Variety:

Is there anything in television quite so bittersweet as a richly executed season finale? The satisfying pleasure ... your aching for more ... it's just too much!

Once again, "The Office" has left us pining for the next season just as the last one has wrapped. And while Thursday's finale didn't cause the romantic gasp of Jim and Pam's first kiss to conclude season two, or his asking her out for their first date at the end of season three, the episode was special in its own way.

Let's see how "The Office" left each character before heading into summer vacation ...

* * *

John Sickels reviews his ongoing thoughts about the career of former Dodger Edwin Jackson at Minor League Ball.

In his first three at-bats tonight against Toronto, ex-Dodger Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer, a grand slam and a solo homer for Philadelphia. Werth is OPSing .940 on the season as of this writing.

* * *

Dodgers at Angels, 7:05 p.m.

Comments (282)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-05-16 17:38:53
1.   bigcpa
Werth/Bradley/Drew

The Coulda Woulda outfield.

2008-05-16 17:38:59
2.   Eric Enders
McDonald, he of the impeccable control, walks in a run and is now losing 3-0.
2008-05-16 17:40:17
3.   Eric Enders
With the bases loaded and two outs, McDonald now throws out a runner trying to steal home on what was apparently a very close play.
2008-05-16 17:43:25
4.   ToyCannon
Bob - true, but after your spilled milk crack I've mended my ways.
2008-05-16 17:48:05
5.   bhsportsguy
"If you accept the mission [pause] wipe the knife off first before sticking it into jelly, [bleep] Meridith, havn't you ever made a sandwich before?"

I loved that line.

2008-05-16 17:48:42
6.   Eric Enders
Final line on McDonald: 4 innings, 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 walks.
2008-05-16 17:53:53
7.   Indiana Jon
5 I agree. Hate was a poor choice of words in the last thread.
2008-05-16 17:55:44
8.   Bob Timmermann
4
Hence, I've switched to the fishing analogy.
2008-05-16 17:55:55
9.   Gen3Blue
Although I was LATed. 94 (I think) last Post--thanks for pointing that out. The wait seems less impossible.
2008-05-16 17:57:27
10.   Gen3Blue
6 Any K's?
2008-05-16 17:58:05
11.   Bob Timmermann
Howard or Burrell have to reach base in the 7th for Werth to have a chance to homer for the cycle.

It's been done in the minors I believe

2008-05-16 17:59:59
12.   ToyCannon
Cueto lost his no-hitter in the 6th by giving up 3 solo home-runs.
2008-05-16 18:00:45
13.   Bob Timmermann
Aha, Tyrone Horne of the Arkansas Travelers homered for the cycle on July 27, 1998 against San Antonio
2008-05-16 18:01:04
14.   Eric Enders
10 I missed that part of the line, but he had at least one or two I think.

Mark Bellhorn just broke up Birmingham's perfect game.

2008-05-16 18:10:26
15.   Bob Timmermann
Werth will bat with the bases ... empty.
2008-05-16 18:15:56
16.   Bob Timmermann
And foul out to first.
2008-05-16 18:15:57
17.   das411
Bah, I got NPUT'd but Werth fouled out to first to end the 7th.

Time for the Phils to bat around in the bottom of the 8th then!

2008-05-16 18:19:24
18.   Bluebleeder87
for my taste (matter of opinion) I've seen better Office episodes, but I have to admit I'm a casual office watcher so maybe I needed to see all 4 seasons to really grasp THIS season finally, mis dos centavos.
2008-05-16 18:19:56
19.   Eric Enders
17 Or for the Jays to bat around.
2008-05-16 18:26:54
20.   Reddog
I can't remember, why isn't Werth on the Dodgers? Did we trade him? Or did we just let him go?

I believe I would rather have Werth in left field than Juan Pierre. But then again, our GM is Ned Colletti.

2008-05-16 18:30:12
21.   Eric Enders
20 We let him go because he was eligible for aribtration and we didn't want to pay his salary.
2008-05-16 18:30:30
22.   underdog
With the Lakers game, the Dodgers-Angels and all the other things going on, the one thing left to make this night complete is an anti-gravity machine!
2008-05-16 18:31:25
23.   underdog
20/21 - And because he'd been recovering from his wrist-injury and they thought it too "risky" to resign him, no?

Which I still thought was a mistake.

2008-05-16 18:32:45
24.   Bluebleeder87
he was also injured for a few years & the Dodgers didn't have enough patients with him, so they opted to trade him, at least that's how I saw it.
2008-05-16 18:34:58
25.   Eric Enders
24 Yeah, except we didn't trade him, we just told him "Go away, you're not wanted here anymore."
2008-05-16 18:37:22
26.   Ricardo
Kyle Blair, Jason Schmidt, Nomar Garciaparra, Jayson Werth, Edwin Jackson... Colletti has committed many mistakes and now there is the LaRoche situation, hope Andy doesn´t get traded.
2008-05-16 18:37:44
27.   Bluebleeder87
I would post my likes & dislikes of the season finally but I know there might be others who haven't seen it so I'll best stay mute for now.
2008-05-16 18:40:37
28.   Bluebleeder87
I think (I'm not sure if this is fact) Tommy helped him get the Philly gig, but like I said I'm just putting 2 & 2 together it might not be true at all.
2008-05-16 18:41:22
29.   Bluebleeder87
25

Ouch, nice way of putting it Enders... :o)

2008-05-16 18:45:20
30.   Bob Timmermann
The Dodgers offered Werth an NRI prior to last year because they were worried about his health. The Phillies offered a Werth a major league contract, so it wasn't too hard for Werth to make his decision.

Werth wasn't completely unwanted by the Dodgers. They were just overly cautious.

2008-05-16 18:54:43
31.   Eric Enders
McDonald's off the hook. Down 4-0, Jacksonville takes the lead by rallying for for six runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
2008-05-16 19:05:04
32.   Michael D
Is the game not on channel 9? The schedule said it is but it's just Lakers junk.
2008-05-16 19:11:48
33.   Bob Timmermann
No, the game is only on FSN West with Rory Markas, Mark Gubicza, and Jose Mota calling the action.
2008-05-16 19:17:01
34.   Disabled List
A great night of basketball and baseball is ahead. Cleveland trying trying to force a Game 7, the Lakers trying to avoid a Game 7, and the Freeway Series to boot. It's raining out, and I don't care.
2008-05-16 19:17:38
35.   Bob Timmermann
Gubicza: "The Dodgers are playing little ball this year."

Actually Mark, the Dodgers just can't hit home runs. There's a difference.

2008-05-16 19:18:19
36.   Bob Timmermann
34
I would be very happy if it started raining here in South Pasadena.

I would like the court to take notice that it's freakin' hot here.

2008-05-16 19:18:49
37.   Gen3Blue
Torre is beginning to bug me here. I have been disturbed by some of the match-ups he has used late in games. I guess I kind of hoped he would use tough left handers as a reason not to play Pierre, and even Ethier and Loney(although they often are OK with lefties). Then he could use them against righties. But it is almost as if he is trying to make them fail. Can anyone relate to this--or am I hallucinating and off the track. I've been there before.
2008-05-16 19:20:46
38.   Indiana Jon
I thought Pierre was listed as the DH. What happened?
2008-05-16 19:26:17
39.   Ricardo
38. Jones is DHing, Kemp is the CF and Ethier is the RF.
2008-05-16 19:27:34
40.   Indiana Jon
I think I've figured out what the Dodgers have against Andy Laroche. He can't hit left handed pitching. In Vegas, his OPS is now 1.180 against right handers, but only 1.000 against lefties. That may be good enough for a SS to get a call up, but not at 3B. He needs to work on that.
2008-05-16 19:30:17
41.   Disabled List
Juan Pierre, a designated hitter. As ridiculous as that sounds, what's even more ridiculous is that it actually makes sense for the Dodgers. He's the weakest fielding outfielder, so it might as well be him.

Someone remind me again why Andy LaRoche hasn't been recalled yet?

2008-05-16 19:32:29
42.   Indiana Jon
Someone remind me again why Andy LaRoche hasn't been recalled yet?

See 40 . It has to be the problem. Saunders is left handed.

2008-05-16 19:33:15
43.   Bob Timmermann
Pierre was the DH at the Coliseum exhibition game.

This is Jones fourth game as a DH.

2008-05-16 19:34:58
44.   Indiana Jon
I would rather have seen Kent at DH and Hu in the lineup at SS if we just had to play Maza again.
2008-05-16 19:36:48
45.   Ricardo
40. But even if Andy isn´t great against lefties, he is a better hitter than Maza. And they always could start Martin at 3B against lefties, Hu would be the shortstop.
2008-05-16 19:37:23
46.   Bob Timmermann
If Lawler's Law comes into play in the Boston-Cleveland game, there would have to be six overtimes.
2008-05-16 19:38:45
47.   Bob Timmermann
Detroit leads Arizona 3-0.
2008-05-16 19:41:32
48.   Bob Timmermann
Orange alert for Clint Barmes in Denver.

Orange alert.

2008-05-16 19:41:44
49.   Gen3Blue
The D's are only on one channel on DTV's EI package. Can anyone tell who the announcer's are? They sound awful Angel friendly.
2008-05-16 19:43:43
50.   Bob Timmermann
Rory Markas, Mark Gubicza, Jose Mota.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-05-16 19:43:44
51.   Disabled List
This Cavs-Celtics series is making me wistful for the graceful displays of athleticism of the Knicks-Heat battles of the 1990s.
2008-05-16 19:47:09
52.   Gen3Blue
Why are we trying to get the most possible AB's for Bennett when we have LaRoche available. Are we hell-bound to lose?
2008-05-16 19:47:29
53.   Indiana Jon
48 Orange alert for Josh Hamilton in Texas too.
2008-05-16 19:49:38
54.   Lefty Supremacist
Why is Jones DH'ing??? Defense is his main strength.
2008-05-16 19:52:18
55.   Indiana Jon
I don't care how good Edison Volquez has been. There is no way I would have traded Josh Hamilton for him. The Reds could have had an outfield of Dunn, Hamilton, and Bruce.
2008-05-16 19:54:08
56.   Bob Timmermann
Is Jones going to get the Brad Penny treatment here on overrunning first?

Yes, he did.

2008-05-16 19:54:11
57.   Gen3Blue
I don't quite understand. We could gang up on almost any starter in the NL by piling up 3 or 4 young stars with amazing obp's but we choose not to. Three, for exanple, are Martin, Ethier, and

Jones should be out. What a croc.

2008-05-16 19:55:03
58.   Bob Timmermann
And I think that's the right call unlike the time when Penny got rung up on it and ejected.
2008-05-16 19:55:16
59.   Gen3Blue
What a lazy bastard Jones is.
2008-05-16 19:56:43
60.   Bob Timmermann
59
That's extraordinarily harsh on Jones.

And rather boorish on your part.

2008-05-16 19:57:18
61.   Andrew Shimmin
That's the opposite of lazy. If he'd just stood there, and not gotten clever, he'd have been safe. Ambition was his undoing.
2008-05-16 19:57:21
62.   Bluebleeder87
57 Asi corre la agua amigo, hopefully things change for the better when Torre gets a better grasp of his ballclub...
2008-05-16 19:57:54
63.   Alice S
The infuriating thing is that 'Druw had ample time to get back to first, but instead he decides to saunter back like nothing happened and he's out
2008-05-16 19:58:28
64.   Indiana Jon
Duncan probably should have let him know a little earlier that the ball had bounced back onto play. I don't see that really being Jones' fault.
2008-05-16 19:58:48
65.   Bob Timmermann
But if you run back to first, you're admitting that you tried for second. It's better to just act like nothing happened and sell the call.
2008-05-16 20:01:02
66.   Indiana Jon
63 You should check out the replay. I don't think Jones had a chance to beat the tag. The ball bounced back within about 10 feet of first base.
2008-05-16 20:01:52
67.   Gen3Blue
60 Probably true--but I saw that one moment when he thought--I could just turn right and make it right and he didn't do it.
But I do get too emotional on these late games. Sorry.
2008-05-16 20:06:14
68.   Eric L
65 I totally agree. After watching the play a couple of times, it's kind of clear that he did make a move to second base but the call really could have gone either way.
2008-05-16 20:07:39
69.   Ricardo
Finish him, Kuro!
2008-05-16 20:09:42
70.   dzzrtRatt
Jaw-dropping.
2008-05-16 20:10:01
71.   Indiana Jon
And that is why Laroche should be at 3B tonight. One of the many reasons.
2008-05-16 20:10:11
72.   MSarg29
Sadly I saw it coming
2008-05-16 20:10:21
73.   Bob Timmermann
Now there's a play worthy of vituperation.
2008-05-16 20:10:28
74.   natepurcell
Gary Bennett!
2008-05-16 20:10:32
75.   Gen3Blue
It's wonderful that we are getting Bennett all this playing time.
2008-05-16 20:10:36
76.   Ricardo
Flawless victory by Hiro but Bennett...
2008-05-16 20:12:25
77.   Gen3Blue
For 57 --before Joneses amazing play, my third name was going to be LaRoche.
2008-05-16 20:12:31
78.   LAT
So according to the Angel announcers we have a back-up catcher who can't throw. We already knew he couldn't hit. So what can he do? Nice pick up Neddy.
2008-05-16 20:12:39
79.   Indiana Jon
How has Gary Bennett kept a job all these years? He's never been a good hitter, but did he used to be good defensively?
2008-05-16 20:13:23
80.   Indiana Jon
Great play by Russ.
2008-05-16 20:13:23
81.   AlleyAlBee
I was wondering if he was going to loft that ball to Loney, like he was throwing to the pitcher, or if he was going to throw it like every other major leaguer.

I don't think he knew either. It looked like he was going to loft it, and then decided he needed to put some pace on it, and it led to that.

Muscle memory, folks.

2008-05-16 20:13:34
82.   dzzrtRatt
Maybe Martin should play both catcher and third, Bugs Bunny-style. That was a great play.
2008-05-16 20:14:37
83.   LogikReader
One small throw for Bennett... one giant leap towards Ned's ouster :-D

but how about that great stop by Martin? Wow!!!!!!!!

2008-05-16 20:14:47
84.   LAT
Seemed like Andre was a little slow on the back up there.
2008-05-16 20:15:48
85.   Indiana Jon
Houston walked Hamilton in the eighth. Stand down Bob?
2008-05-16 20:15:59
86.   Ricardo
79. Bennett can´t even throw to the pitcher, wow. Man, Colletti is a really bad GM.
2008-05-16 20:16:23
87.   LogikReader
I think the bottom line is: I miss the Solution™
2008-05-16 20:16:28
88.   ucladodger
Personally, as a pitcher, i wouldn't let Bennett catch any game i pitched. I would not be able to stand that junk he pulls between every pitch, let alone his inability to throw the ball. He really slows down the pace as a pitcher and makes you expend extra energy that could be needed later on. Its sad to see a major league catcher do that stuff. Its even sadder to know that our GM is the one that signed him.
2008-05-16 20:18:03
89.   Bob Timmermann
85
Do you think an 8-run lead is safe in Arlington?
2008-05-16 20:18:13
90.   Louis in SF
84
If Andre was slow on the back up perhaps it is only because a play like that is only about 1-1000. I have been watching baseball for a long long time, and have never seen a throw in that situation that bad.

Torre who was a catcher should demand that Bennet be released, pay Piazza something and have him be the back-up. That was the worst throw I have ever seen.

2008-05-16 20:19:16
91.   Indiana Jon
88 Especially when Piazza was available. Mike is horrible defensively, but at least he can hit.
2008-05-16 20:19:55
92.   Indiana Jon
89 It could be.
2008-05-16 20:20:34
93.   Ricardo
90. I agree with you about Ethier, but Torre is the one who is playing him for the 2nd straight day.
2008-05-16 20:21:32
94.   Bob Timmermann
I sent a question over to Retrosheet to see when the last time a batter reached third on a strikeout.

I've seen the K-E2 before. But not one that let the batter go to third.

2008-05-16 20:21:32
95.   Indiana Jon
93 But only because Dewitt is hurt and they refuse to recall Laroche.
2008-05-16 20:22:04
96.   Woden325
Barmes grounded to third in the bottom of the 8th in Colorado. However, the tying run is on with 2 out for the Rockies, so it ain't over quite yet.
2008-05-16 20:23:46
97.   LAT
IS that his first MLB hit
2008-05-16 20:24:29
98.   68elcamino427
Who is Lucas May?
2008-05-16 20:24:46
99.   Indiana Jon
So if Bennett gets hurt tonight then Hu plays third?
2008-05-16 20:25:08
100.   Gen3Blue
Early on I was mistaken trying to figure out why Ethier, so often sat, was playing against a lefty. The DH allowed us to play all four OFs, although may not have been so crafty.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-05-16 20:25:19
101.   Indiana Jon
98 Catcher for Jacksonville.
2008-05-16 20:27:30
102.   Ricardo
I wonder what would be Penny´s reaction if that throw happened with him pitching.
2008-05-16 20:28:08
103.   68elcamino427
101
So if Bennett was DFA'd then May and Bennett could trade places?
Or, Bennett could go to Vero for extended, extended training?
2008-05-16 20:28:48
104.   Bob Timmermann
Cycle alert canceled in Arlington.

Stand down.

Maintain alert in Denver.

2008-05-16 20:29:45
105.   Indiana Jon
103 Not sure if May is ready or not, but even Ardoin would be a welcome sight.

Nice throw Gary.

2008-05-16 20:29:53
106.   Bob Timmermann
Lightning does not strike twice.
2008-05-16 20:30:43
107.   Bob Timmermann
If Bennett were DFA'd, he'd refuse the minor league assignment most likely.
2008-05-16 20:31:03
108.   Indiana Jon
Maza looks as old as Jeff Kent.
2008-05-16 20:31:23
109.   LAT
Someone needs to tell Bennett that if he would catch the ball without dropping it, his throwing would not be an issue.
2008-05-16 20:31:25
110.   Indiana Jon
107 Even better.
2008-05-16 20:31:36
111.   PDH5204
102 Funny that you should say that, well, not funny, but if I were Kuroda, I would have walked off the mound, over to the dugout, and got in Joe and Honeycutt's face and asked them why either or both of them thought that a head case for a catcher was a good idea.
2008-05-16 20:32:08
112.   Andrew Shimmin
107- I wonder about that, actually. Unless he's ready to retire, what else is he going to do? I don't see a worse backup catcher on a major league roster.

Anyway, I wouldn't mind finding out whether he would.

2008-05-16 20:32:12
113.   Gen3Blue
That wasn't a smart play--he should have ate it. I would much rather have Hu there.
2008-05-16 20:32:25
114.   Ricardo
Good throw by Gary and nice play by Maza, almost the second out.
2008-05-16 20:32:40
115.   68elcamino427
107
So, what's the difference, we'd never see him in a Dodger uniform again anyway, right?
2008-05-16 20:33:03
116.   Louis in SF
What is sad about this lineup tonight with the classic issues between American League and National League teams when the DH is used this with a tough left on the mound would have been a perfect night to DH Delwyn give him some additional AB's and let Ethier play. But instead our DH is the power hitting JP.

I believe Iccaros said it sometime in Spring training not getting rid of either JP or Ethier would be bad for both of them as well as the Dodgers-tonight looks like a great example of that.

2008-05-16 20:33:08
117.   Greg Brock
There is no Osmond song to describe how Jazz fans are feeling right now.
2008-05-16 20:33:49
118.   Indiana Jon
Tell me why they aren't walking Vlad.
2008-05-16 20:34:54
119.   Greg Brock
Or maybe there is. I'm not an Osmond aficionado.
2008-05-16 20:35:35
120.   Andrew Shimmin
119- Heh. Nice save.
2008-05-16 20:40:56
121.   Bob Timmermann
119
I have a copy of "Nine Inch Osmonds" on CD.
2008-05-16 20:45:12
122.   Bob Timmermann
The only way Barmes can hit for the cycle now is to hit a game-ending grand slam.
2008-05-16 20:45:18
123.   Kevin Lewis
I am sorry for the redundancy that will come from this question, but I have been too busy to keep up.

What is going on with the lineup?

Who is Maza? Where is Furcal?

2008-05-16 20:46:24
124.   Bob Timmermann
Maza, Luis Maza. He's a career minor leaguer filling in at short while Rafael Furcal is on the DL.

Don't get emotionally attached to Maza.

2008-05-16 20:47:21
125.   LAT
121 There are too many responses to that to choose just one.
2008-05-16 20:47:45
126.   bryanf
33 Another game robbed of Vin. Jeeze...
2008-05-16 20:49:39
127.   Bob Timmermann
Cycle alert canceled in Denver.

Stand down.

2008-05-16 20:50:14
128.   bryanf
More unconditional Torre praise from Gubizca and company...
2008-05-16 20:50:42
129.   LogikReader
Do you think a 19 pt lead is safe in Utah, fellas?
2008-05-16 20:52:36
130.   bryanf
Someone should come up with manager stats other than W-L record...something like Good Lineup Percentage or Value Above Replacement Manager. Then we could "prove" who is actually a good manager and who is not. And maybe we can prove that managers don't matter...or rather that they only matter in the negative direction.
2008-05-16 20:52:42
131.   Indiana Jon
So this whole Bennett-Martin thing isn't really working tonight. I think we will either see Dewitt on the DL or in the game tomorrow.
2008-05-16 20:52:50
132.   ucladodger
There is Russ' inexperience at 3rd. He had time to set his feet and fire, but rushed it. Just as i type this, Mota says the exact same thing.
2008-05-16 20:53:14
133.   LAT
Just for Brock, KOCE is running the Osmonds 50th Anniv Reunion. Donny and Little Jimmy are being interviewed. Jimmy look about as little as Tommy Lasorda.

Just remember "one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch, girl."

2008-05-16 20:55:06
134.   Gen3Blue
Holy cow--how did the Angels get three runs, I must not have been paying attention.
Darn, the Angel announcers are making fun of Kuroda as his 2nd and third time through the order are less and less effective. He is arguably our best starter! And now they are trying to decide whether to make fun of Martin or Loney. I hope they get theirs.
2008-05-16 20:55:18
135.   Woden325
Well, after getting my hopes crushed (again) by the Rockies, I'll finish out the Dodgers game with y'all.
2008-05-16 20:55:50
136.   Bob Timmermann
3-3 in Arizona now.

Andrew's poster boy, Eric Byrnes, has a home run.

2008-05-16 20:57:39
137.   MollyKnight
I've been out, and I'm about to go back out. What is the meaning of this shutout?
2008-05-16 20:58:17
138.   Ricardo
134. I fell that Kuroda lost his focus after Bennett´s error.And I got to agree with you, those announcers are making me sick.
2008-05-16 20:58:48
139.   PDH5204
128 They're not that bright. I was expecting the, why on earth is a head case playing catcher, and why else on earth are your two out-creating machines in the spots to get the most PAs.
2008-05-16 20:59:09
140.   Bob Timmermann
These are actually the Angels better announcers.
2008-05-16 20:59:20
141.   bryanf
I go off on announcers about as often as Joe Torre starts Juan Pierre these days, but seriously, I prefer to watch most non-Vin games on mute. I've grown to be able to handle Charley Steiner for the most part, but everyone else is just bad. Sure, I'm spoiled by Vin, but everyone else is just so bad, it's not even a fair comparison.

Why do they need two or three freaking announcers? Talk to ME, not your friends in the booth. Painful.

2008-05-16 20:59:40
142.   Woden325
Did the Dodgers miss a couple of games somewhere?
They're 21-19 while the Angels are 24-19.
2008-05-16 20:59:44
143.   Bob Timmermann
D-Backs take a 4-3 lead.
2008-05-16 21:00:47
144.   Bob Timmermann
142
The Dodgers haven't had any rainouts. They've just had more off days.
2008-05-16 21:01:34
145.   Woden325
144 That'd explain it.
2008-05-16 21:02:21
146.   Gen3Blue
Looks like another 5 pitch inning for the Lefty.
2008-05-16 21:03:10
147.   Bob Timmermann
The Dodgers have been conveniently off on Thursdays.
2008-05-16 21:03:28
148.   Bob Timmermann
146
No, no it won't be.
2008-05-16 21:03:40
149.   bryanf
I said "home run" and then Ethier swung the bat and launched it. It was like he was listening to me.
2008-05-16 21:04:00
150.   Woden325
Bang goes teh shutout!
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-05-16 21:04:02
151.   ToyCannon
Yeah Andre

With the Angel bullpen we are not done yet.

2008-05-16 21:04:20
152.   bryanf
I bet you Ethier sits tomorrow.
2008-05-16 21:04:33
153.   neuroboy002
More proof Ethier should a starter.
2008-05-16 21:05:34
154.   ucladodger
Andre crushed the heck out of that thing. I mean, he's pretty good for a once a week starter.
2008-05-16 21:05:45
155.   Gen3Blue
James Loney gets a second hit. The Angel announcers say that was a great decision to let Loney hit it. Two runs. The D's could play many good young players like this if they so choose.
2008-05-16 21:06:00
156.   Jiminy Cricket
152 If that happens, I'm just waiting to hear him announce, "play me or trade me".
2008-05-16 21:06:05
157.   Ricardo
Nice hitting from Ethier.
2008-05-16 21:06:20
158.   tjshere
Homering off of lefties isn't something Ethier does too often. That was great to see.
2008-05-16 21:07:14
159.   KAYVMON
Normal statistical variation is not helping to support dumb decisions. Too bad for Joe and the good ole boys, but im sure theyll survive. And yes Im mad about how this season has gone already
2008-05-16 21:07:27
160.   underdog
Yay Andre!

Well, let's just enjoy the fact that he's starting and hit a dinger and leave the worries and angst about how many starts he will subsequently get for tomorrow, eh? Or at least enjoy it for a few minutes. Or a minute.

Okay, there it is.

Man, poor Hiro's pitched a great game. Some more support behind him and he'd be winning right now.

And oh by the way, yes, I am enjoying the Lakers game tonight so far, thank you.

2008-05-16 21:07:27
161.   Andrew Shimmin
The good news about LaRoche's getting jacked around is it only cost me ten dollars to renew sponsorship of his bb-ref page.
2008-05-16 21:08:36
162.   Ricardo
158. Nice point brought by you and that is even more interesting because two lefties were part of it.
2008-05-16 21:09:18
163.   Bob Timmermann
What would an unpatriotic fireworks show be like?
2008-05-16 21:11:00
164.   Woden325
163 Is this one of those zen things like "what is the sound of one hand clapping?"
2008-05-16 21:11:46
165.   Bob Timmermann
Rory Markas said that the game on Memorial Day would be followed by a "patriotic fireworks show."
2008-05-16 21:11:53
166.   KAYVMON
163 Something like Gary Bennett catching nine innings.
2008-05-16 21:11:58
167.   68elcamino427
164
Did a tree just fall in the forest?
2008-05-16 21:12:10
168.   ToyCannon
Orange, green, and yellow
2008-05-16 21:12:55
169.   bryanf
More reasons to dislike Gary Bennett.
2008-05-16 21:12:59
170.   ToyCannon
Wow he is a bad catcher, get the wicket down boy.
2008-05-16 21:13:21
171.   LAT
I know these are wild pitches but I can't help but think Martin would have stopped at least one of them.
2008-05-16 21:13:27
172.   KAYVMON
I hope Izturis junior scores by catcher interference. Really
2008-05-16 21:13:37
173.   dianagramr
Of course .... from a fantasy perspective, I had just picked up Ryan Church and benched Ethier prior to this game.

(sigh .... just not my year)

2008-05-16 21:13:38
174.   68elcamino427
Bennett is obviously exhausted from trying to play two gaames in a row.
2008-05-16 21:13:52
175.   Bob Timmermann
172
You would need the bases loaded first.
2008-05-16 21:15:38
176.   Bob Timmermann
Can't they show us the replay instead of the argument?
2008-05-16 21:15:41
177.   bryanf
Are they going to replay this thing or what?
2008-05-16 21:15:43
178.   Andrew Shimmin
Toss him already.
2008-05-16 21:15:45
179.   LAT
dodgers catch a break there.
2008-05-16 21:15:45
180.   LAT
dodgers catch a break there.
2008-05-16 21:16:04
181.   ToyCannon
Big Mike sure know hows to argue a call without looking like an idiot.
2008-05-16 21:16:23
182.   KAYVMON
Mike is acting like a little spoiled whiny girl. Fitting for Orange County
2008-05-16 21:16:28
183.   Gen3Blue
Kuroda comes from the east, sees us play our inferior players, and is more than puzzled.
Sciosia is also puzzled.
2008-05-16 21:16:31
184.   bryanf
It was a good call. These announcers are such homers.
2008-05-16 21:16:45
185.   LAT
They are letting him argue for a long time casue they know he's right
2008-05-16 21:17:25
186.   Bob Timmermann
183
Compared to the Hiroshima Carp, the Dodgers lineup out there looks like the 1927 Yankees.
2008-05-16 21:17:26
187.   ToyCannon
Ah Russel, you gotta make a better throw then that so we could watch Bennet drop it.
2008-05-16 21:17:28
188.   bryanf
Did Martin throw that badly or did Bennett catch it poorly?

Either way, Torre's fault.

2008-05-16 21:17:35
189.   Gen3Blue
That was a stupid play with Bennett at the plate.
2008-05-16 21:18:22
190.   Andrew Shimmin
Martin is the only catcher who could have handled Martin's throw.
2008-05-16 21:18:23
191.   dianagramr
I think Martin could be a good relief pitcher with that arm ...
2008-05-16 21:18:26
192.   LAT
I won't say anything about Bennett cause. . .well there is nothing left to say.
2008-05-16 21:18:32
193.   68elcamino427
So much for the Martin at third base experiment.
2008-05-16 21:18:35
194.   ToyCannon
I don't know what replay you guys watched but that ball was right over the bag. Talk about homers.
2008-05-16 21:18:40
195.   Jon Weisman
184 - The ump seemed to call it based on where it landed past third, which is wrong. If it goes over third, it's fair, regardless of where it lands. You don't think the ball went over third?
2008-05-16 21:18:45
196.   Bob Timmermann
Martin threw the ball low and Bennett had no chance to catch it.

Although I believe crucifying Gary Bennett is tonight's recreational event of choice.

2008-05-16 21:18:52
197.   Indiana Jon
Laroche tomorrow.
2008-05-16 21:18:58
198.   AlleyAlBee
This Martin at 3rd, Bennett catching thing is not working for me.

It's not so much that Martin isn't capable (though he hasn't looked so good today), but Bennett is a HORRIBLE catcher.

And the more that Martin plays at 3rd, the less a true 3rd baseman plays, and the more Bennett plays. And Martin's value as a hitter is much higher than as a 3rd baseman.

2008-05-16 21:19:31
199.   KAYVMON
Gary Bennett is the anti-alchemist. Its not his fault, but it is.
2008-05-16 21:19:34
200.   dianagramr
Wonder if Torre will be calling Girardi to see if he wants to give up the Yankee gig and catch for him again?
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-05-16 21:20:06
201.   ToyCannon
Lakers going to play the Hornets or Spurs?
2008-05-16 21:20:12
202.   jtrichey
What wasn't metioned, why did we pitch to Vlad anyway?
2008-05-16 21:20:27
203.   LAT
I am very bitter, hottest day of the year, a Friday no less, and AC compressor goes out.
2008-05-16 21:20:37
204.   Ricardo
184. I agree, in my opinion it was a good call. And without seeing the replay the announcers kept saying that was a obvious call, unbelievable. I miss Vin.
2008-05-16 21:20:45
205.   underdog
188 Sort of both. It would've been bang-bang at the plate either way, honestly not the easiest play in the world and Martin's throw was just slightly off. But boy, this is not Bennett's finest game behind the plate is it?

I just feel bad for the guy at this point. At any rate, the experiment will be over tomorrow.

I will also say that of those wild pitches, one might have been stopped by Martin, the other I don't think Johnny Bench would've grabbed.

2008-05-16 21:20:48
206.   Woden325
200 That's pretty good. I wouldn't hold my breath, though.
2008-05-16 21:21:39
207.   Indiana Jon
202 Same reason we did earlier I guess. Garrett Anderson scares us.
2008-05-16 21:22:06
208.   Louis in SF
197

If Dewit can not play tomorrow, laRoche tomorrow. There is a reason why martin takes shortstop plays in batting practice, but plays catcher when it counts. He can indeed in an emergency play 3rd, but tonight is a classic example of being to clever by half.

Kuroda is pitching his ass off and will lose again, Laroche up I gather Dewitt to the DL

2008-05-16 21:22:20
209.   ToyCannon
I find it hard to believe that a backup catcher with no offense could also be so lousy defensively.

He had no chance to catch Martins throw but half brother Izzy shouldn't have been on 3rd in the 1st place.

2008-05-16 21:22:24
210.   underdog
And separate from Scioscia's reaction, the Angels announcers were convinced that ball was fair -- repeating several times "It even hit the chalk!" when the slowed down replay showed that it actually landed just shy of the chalk. It was very close but it looked like a good call to me. Didn't matter as it turned out, but the homerism of the Angels announcers tonight has kinda bugged me. Are they always like that?

Okay, back to the Lakers for a few...

2008-05-16 21:23:11
211.   tjshere
203 Two words: evaporative cooler.
2008-05-16 21:23:55
212.   bryanf
195 Upon review, I agree it was fair. Anyway, I think your point was what Scioscia was trying to say based on his body language. However, I guess I was looking for another reason to bag on the announcers...it sounded like they were arguing it was fair because it landed on the chalk, which it didn't look like it did to me.
2008-05-16 21:23:55
213.   ToyCannon
203
Oh please, come out to the West Valley before complaining about the heat. Christ it is going to be over 100 degrees all frickin weekend in May.
2008-05-16 21:24:30
214.   underdog
201 I have a feeling it's going to be the Spurs, even though I love what the Hornets have done this season. The Spurs are just so experienced and have been playing real the later part of that series. I'd rather see the Lakers beat the Spurs than the Hornets, I'll say that much.
2008-05-16 21:25:15
215.   Indiana Jon
203 I'll trade you. We can't get up to 70 around here.
2008-05-16 21:26:00
216.   Bob Timmermann
210
Didn't the ball bounce in front of the plate first? If so, then the ball is judged to be fair by where it went over the bag. I think the umpire thought it was a line drive.
2008-05-16 21:27:00
217.   underdog
Honestly Bennett is not my favorite choice for backup catcher either, but he's not usually THIS bad. He's just been awful today, but he has a good reputation as being solid behind the plate and calling a good game. Clearly he has no ability to throw at this point, which is, er, kind of a problem. So basically, he's not quite this bad, but I would rather have someone else backing up, too. Best thing would be for us to have stability at third, and if DeWitt is hurt, and with Nomar incapable of being count on for anything right now, they need to bring up LaRoche. End of story.
2008-05-16 21:27:03
218.   Bob Timmermann
DBacks win 4-3.
2008-05-16 21:27:24
219.   dianagramr
216

he started to signal only after it crossed the bag ...

2008-05-16 21:27:56
220.   Woden325
The dratted Diamondbacks win again.
2008-05-16 21:28:12
221.   Ricardo
Bob, the guy that should be crucified is the one who signed him. Wasn´t Bennett on the Mitchell report?
2008-05-16 21:28:42
222.   dianagramr
218

thanks in part to a Guillen error in the 7th

2008-05-16 21:28:50
223.   ToyCannon
214
It will be interesting if the Spurs experience can win a road game. With Gasol we match up now against the Spurs.
I also don't think Paul has had a good game at Staples. At least he has been sub par compared to his super season against the Clips and the Lakers in the games I've seen this year.
2008-05-16 21:29:07
224.   LAT
211. What is an evaporative cooler?

213. Fair enough but my house retains heat like an oven. To make matters worse all the screen got ruined this winter and being my lazy self I didn't have them repaired so no open windows.

2008-05-16 21:29:10
225.   Gen3Blue
Wow, If that didn't put K away I have a bad feeling about this inning.
2008-05-16 21:30:23
226.   Bob Timmermann
221
Bennett is indeed a member of the Mitchell 89. Which is not nearly as cool as being one of the Oceanic 6.
2008-05-16 21:30:31
227.   Woden325
224
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_cooler
Works pretty well here in sunny Colorado.
2008-05-16 21:30:31
228.   underdog
216 - Did it? If so, I totally missed that.

Okay, to say something positive about that inning... Very nice job by Proctor at the end to get out of that without more damage. That was nice.

2008-05-16 21:31:13
229.   Andrew Shimmin
224- How did your screens get ruined? Drug raid?
2008-05-16 21:31:58
230.   underdog
Seems like people here wish Bennett was a member of the Oceanic Non-6, or whatever the non-survivors are called.
2008-05-16 21:32:07
231.   dianagramr
Maybe Bennett will think he's facing Ben Sheets again?
2008-05-16 21:32:30
232.   Ricardo
Torre should put DY at 3rd, Martin as the catcher. We need offense and Young can´t be worse defensively.
2008-05-16 21:32:32
233.   LAT
Is it me or does Loney look like he's not sure where he's supposed to be on balls hit to the right side tonight.
2008-05-16 21:32:57
234.   Gen3Blue
Bennett leading off? Why ohhhh.
2008-05-16 21:33:42
235.   Gen3Blue
Please run for him.
2008-05-16 21:33:45
236.   underdog
Please pinch run here, please Joe...
2008-05-16 21:33:54
237.   68elcamino427
If the Dodgers are going to play like this, then they're just the lovable Dodgers to me.
I'm including player personnel decison making in the term "play". I'll just pull for my faves until there is a change in the attitude of the management.
2008-05-16 21:34:00
238.   Woden325
Lead off walk for Bennett. A tiny bit of redemption?
2008-05-16 21:34:49
239.   LAT
224. They were very old and tore during cleaning.
2008-05-16 21:34:52
240.   underdog
232 - I don't think Young can play third. Except maybe in an emergency. He's practiced more at catcher than he has at third.

Hmmm... I just had an idea.

2008-05-16 21:35:17
241.   Ricardo
If Bennett hit a homer yesterday, why not Pierre?! :P
2008-05-16 21:36:12
242.   LAT
Imagine if we had no DH a strech of our lineup would be Maza, Bennett, Karoda, Pierre and Jones. Talk about a lot of nothing.
2008-05-16 21:36:59
243.   MSarg29
Those Just For Men commercials couldn't be cheesier.
2008-05-16 21:37:02
244.   underdog
I guess they could move Maza over to third and have Hu come in and play short...

Pierre is lucky he didn't just hit into a double play.

Okay, this game ain't over yet.

2008-05-16 21:37:53
245.   Ricardo
242. That would be Las Vegas 51´s, not the Dodgers offense!
2008-05-16 21:38:13
246.   Gen3Blue
Per Goldmine--but for a mistake JP not leading off leads to a double play.
2008-05-16 21:39:47
247.   Gen3Blue
242 Absolutely Horrifying.
2008-05-16 21:39:58
248.   ToyCannon
Carlos Santana goes deep and keeps his OBP above 400. If were going to talk about Lucas May we can't keep leaving the better player out of conversation.

Silverio hits his 1st home run of the year. He's added some bite to the Loons offense since joining them last week.

LAT - I know what you mean. We just got done painting and we threw out all the screens.

Good time for A Jones to do something.

2008-05-16 21:40:18
249.   ToyCannon
Or not
2008-05-16 21:41:17
250.   dianagramr
dear Angels announcers .... Jones is not "pressing", he's got a lot of mileage on that body for someone so young, and he started his decline last year ...
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-05-16 21:42:58
251.   68elcamino427
248
Isn't May on the 40 man? Is he being groomed as the successor to Martin?
I'll bet he can throw the ball with some velocity.
2008-05-16 21:43:39
252.   Jon Weisman
Awesome: a Friday Night Lights coming to DirecTV ad. In tasteful black and white.
2008-05-16 21:45:29
253.   Jon Weisman
John Shelby III had three homers in a game for Winston-Salem two weeks ago.
2008-05-16 21:45:31
254.   Andrew Shimmin
May is on the 40 man, but so is Bennett, so it's not strictly necessary that Bennett's replacement be.
2008-05-16 21:47:22
255.   Andrew Shimmin
Silky.
2008-05-16 21:47:53
256.   LAT
I don't know why everyone is so bugged by the Angel announcers. Generally, I like Rory Marcus and he is no more of a homer than anyone else (Vin excluded). Its not like we are being subjected to Rex the Wonder Dog.
2008-05-16 21:49:02
257.   dianagramr
I wonder if Scully and Wooden will be doing any of their hits?
2008-05-16 21:49:19
258.   ToyCannon
I thought the Scully/Wooden show would have sold out long ago.
2008-05-16 21:52:00
259.   bryanf
256 I think if Rory were by himself I wouldn't mind him. I like Jon Miller too as long as he's not with Joe Morgan. The whole concept of the two announcers chatting instead of calling the game for me is quite annoying.
2008-05-16 21:52:15
260.   Woden325
K-Rod? Spare me. There's no reason to deploy copy-cat nicknames like that.
2008-05-16 21:53:08
261.   Gilberto Reyes
250 I don't buy the excessive mileage excuse for Andruw. His problems look mechanical and mental to me. And the booing doesn't help him.
2008-05-16 21:53:29
262.   bryanf
260 The reason K-Rod never made sense to me: Shouldn't it be F-Rod?
2008-05-16 21:53:43
263.   LAT
So Gagne turns lousy and Frankie ditches the googles?
2008-05-16 21:54:56
264.   Jon Weisman
258 - I keep forgetting to do another post on that.
2008-05-16 21:55:01
265.   underdog
Arrrgh. I was sure that was out of here. The one part of the park not to hit it, I guess.
2008-05-16 21:55:09
266.   Disabled List
He's been K-Rod for a long time. I remember the announcers calling him that when the Angels brought him up as a ringer in the 2002 playoffs.

The Lakers are starting to give me heartburn.

2008-05-16 21:55:32
267.   Woden325
262 F-rod is to close to fraud, maybe? Of course, K-Rod is pretty close to crud, so your mileage may vary.
2008-05-16 21:57:12
268.   Woden325
Rockies lose, Dodgers lose. Maybe I need to start listening to the D-Backs games and jinx them instead.
2008-05-16 21:57:15
269.   underdog
Okay, F-Rod or K-Rod or whatever he wants to be called needs to cool his jets after a save. That was just obnoxious. If I'd known this was game 7 of the Freeway World Series I would've been much more involved in it.
2008-05-16 21:57:34
270.   jtrichey
One moment of offense isn't gonna get it done. Hopefully we can put a major league lineup out there the rest of this series.
2008-05-16 21:57:44
271.   LAT
Was that K-Rod's first save? Cause he sure acted like it with that spin and drop to his knees.
2008-05-16 21:57:49
272.   Andrew Shimmin
F doesn't rhyme with A.
2008-05-16 21:59:08
273.   underdog
259 That's kinda more how I felt. I agree, the announcer by himself is fine; the other chatter in the booth, not so much. And there was definitely some homer-isms (not D'oh! but you know what I mean) from the analyst(s). But whatever. Tomorrow will be worse when Fox does it. Okay, back to hoops!
2008-05-16 22:00:46
274.   Bob Timmermann
I guess you've never seen an Angels game because Rodriguez acts that way after every save.
2008-05-16 22:02:17
275.   dianagramr
261

6 OFs in ML history had more than 6600 PAs by their age 29 season:

1 Vada Pinson
2 Mel Ott
3 Mickey Mantle
4 Al Kaline
5 Andruw Jones
6 Ken Griffey

Most of these players suffered significant injuries and/or declines in production in
their early 30s
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/MBbR

2008-05-16 22:02:50
276.   LAT
I am rooting for Utah cause a friend has offered me his Dugout seat to Monday's Dodger game if there is a game 7 at Staples.
2008-05-16 22:04:14
277.   LAT
274. I say we throw at him next time he comes up to bat. Oh wait, never mind.
2008-05-16 22:05:05
278.   Andrew Shimmin
I wonder how far the Bowa/Torre/Martin (Mandelbaum, Mandelbaum, Mandelbaum!) dance is going to go. I don't blame them, I thought he could lift that table that was nailed down, too. But there's going to be a limit on it eventually, right?
2008-05-16 22:07:38
279.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2008-05-16 22:08:11
280.   ToyCannon
275
There is a big difference between the drop off in production of most of those HOF and what Andruw Jones is going through. We'd all take the drop offs of the players you brought up at the age A Jones is.
2008-05-16 22:27:20
281.   underdog
274 I have seen Angels-Dodgers games before, I just have the guys from Men in Black come flash that little memory eraser thing at me each time, so it's always a surprise when F-Rod praises the heavens for a save.
2008-05-16 22:33:00
282.   bcg60
Man, the Lakers made it too close for comfort in the end. Hopefully, Farmer can contribute more in the conference finals because they are going to need both Sasha and him to contribute off the bench. Sasha had a great series, except for game 5. Someone needs to tell Doug Collins he didn't nickname himself the machine. Gasol has made Lamar so much better since he doesn't have to be the go to guy behind Kobe.

The Dodgers gave that game away tonight. It should have at least gone into extra innings. The Angels are a team that takes advantage of mistakes and they don't make many. Hopefully, they'll step it up tomorrow.

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