Baseball Toaster Dodger Thoughts
Help
Jon Weisman's outlet
for dealing psychologically
with the Los Angeles Dodgers
and baseball.
Frozen Toast
Search
Google Search
Web
Toaster
Dodger Thoughts
Archives

2009
02  01 

2008
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2007
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2006
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2005
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2004
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2003
12  11  10  09  08  07 
06  05  04  03  02  01 

2002
09  08  07 
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

Dodgers Itch, Kent Scratched - Plus LaRoche and Furcal News
2008-05-27 15:50
by Jon Weisman

It's cold in Chicago, and it's back spasms for Jeff Kent.

Dodgers at Cubs, 4:05 p.m.

Update: Andy LaRoche is expected to put in some time at second base, Joe Torre told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com today.

Torre said he's likely to give second base a shot to give the club a backup to Jeff Kent.

"We'll do this thing from within to give ourselves as much flexibility as possible," said Torre.

Earlier in the same article, we learn that there is no encouraging news regarding Rafael Furcal. He is not expected to be ready for the opening of the next homestand Monday.

Update 2: Diamond Leung's piece in the Press-Enterprise further indicates that momentum is growing for experimenting with LaRoche or Blake DeWitt at second base. Left field too, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Times.

Comments (573)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-05-27 15:53:58
1.   silverwidow
The offical box score says Hu SS, Maza 2B
2008-05-27 15:56:42
2.   underdog
Andy... Andy... ANDY! ANDY!

Sorry, I keep hearing this strange chant, don't know where it's coming from.

2008-05-27 15:59:48
3.   Gilberto Reyes
So Kent is out after "suffering from lower-back spasms."

Will he conveniently join the DL like his poor performing predecessors (Nomar, Loaiza, Bennett, Jones)?

2008-05-27 16:00:06
4.   Eric Stephen
The Itchy & Scratchy theme song is beautiful in its simplicity.
2008-05-27 16:00:10
5.   D4P
Where have you gone, Andy Van Roche?
2008-05-27 16:03:07
6.   Eric Stephen
5
Dodger blogs turn their lonely eyes to you, woo woo woo.
2008-05-27 16:04:39
7.   bhsportsguy
If I had to guess, considering that they called up Maza and Tiffee, the next one on the call-up list.

Jason Repko.

2008-05-27 16:05:02
8.   KG16
6 what's that you say Mrs. Robinson, Andy has left and gone to Vegas? woo, woo, woo
2008-05-27 16:05:40
9.   Jon Weisman
7 - Last I looked (not this week) Repko was having a bad year. The other guys were hitting the neon lights of Vegas out.
2008-05-27 16:06:56
10.   regfairfield
John Lindsey can play second, right?
2008-05-27 16:08:48
11.   dodgerinlv
If Furcal stayed healthy, would the Dodgers be in 1st place today?
2008-05-27 16:10:29
12.   D4P
Hack away, Juan.
2008-05-27 16:11:31
13.   bhsportsguy
9 I base that because I don't think they want to DFA anyone so a player like John Lindsay would not be viable and that it seems to me that just don't want to bring LaRoche up if he isn't going to play everyday.

They would have a bench of either Maza/Hu, Tiffee, Young, Sweeney, Ardoin. If Furcal is able to come back by next week, they could just switch out Furcal and Kent if it came to that.

2008-05-27 16:13:23
14.   Jon Weisman
I think LaRoche will come up and be a backup next callup. They have never said they wouldn't do that, and I don't think the innings at 1B for him are designed to make him a permanent replacement for Loney.

Hu will go down when Furcal is activated.

2008-05-27 16:16:16
15.   Jon Weisman
18 pitches, one out for Gallagher.
2008-05-27 16:16:41
16.   Jon Weisman
Oops - sorry. Two outs. I blame Gameday.
2008-05-27 16:17:14
17.   KG16
what's the injury delay?
2008-05-27 16:18:27
18.   Vaudeville Villain
17

Gallagher's hand got hit by the baseball.

2008-05-27 16:19:42
19.   KG16
18 - silly pitcher, that's what gloves and bats are for
2008-05-27 16:21:02
20.   silverwidow
Yahoo says Loney is playing 1B AND 2B. And he gets to hit back-to-back in the lineup. Weird.
2008-05-27 16:21:40
21.   fanerman
20 A minute ago Yahoo still had Kent in the game. Gameday is requiring I install Flash, and I'm not willing to do that on the work computer.
2008-05-27 16:27:40
22.   thinkblue88
Yeah, nice, quick inning Kuroda.
2008-05-27 16:28:06
23.   Jim Hitchcock
So that's what the new Gameday looks like.
2008-05-27 16:28:48
24.   KG16
20 - the Yahoo game is being played on a PS3, with created players on the rosters.
2008-05-27 16:30:43
25.   Xeifrank
DeWitt and then the abyss.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:33:11
26.   Jon Weisman
25 - DeWitt was once considered abyssmal. Then he turned everyone's heads. It can happen to Hu.
2008-05-27 16:33:39
27.   Xeifrank
26. Not in this at-bat. :)
The abyss strikes.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:33:44
28.   fanerman
Just not this at-bat.
2008-05-27 16:34:18
29.   CeyWhat
Blake Dewitt is wearing a mic during this game.

This just in:

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Blake will purchase a country music CD and give it to Matt Kemp as a gift.

More updates as events warrant.

2008-05-27 16:34:54
30.   Gen3Blue
I know I have some rather old traditional opinions about the game, but I see that Hu is the kind of SS you don't want to hit the ball anywhere near. At one point that was enough, but I've been intrigued thinking he could become an offensive threat. I will agree that his time is not now, and would not be disappointed to see him go to Vegas, where I wouldn't be surprised to see him blossom this year.
2008-05-27 16:36:54
31.   bhsportsguy
I believe the scouting report on Kuroda is that he tries to get ahead and so swing early, I noticed that a few games ago and it appears to be holding up.
2008-05-27 16:37:10
32.   sweepstakes
Anyone else on mlb.tv? Cub announcers aren't letting up on Kemp. Yesterday and today, they won't hush Kemp chases sliders all day long.
2008-05-27 16:38:51
33.   Xeifrank
An interesting first two innings from Kuroda.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:39:08
34.   Andrew Shimmin
29- Was it for Kemp, or for Loney? They were both in the frame and neither of them seemed to be listening to DeWitt. . .
2008-05-27 16:39:16
35.   ucladodger
This wind is nasty. Kemp hit a shot and it barely went 350. Fukodome got his pretty good too and it didnt go anywhere.

32

Cubs announcers stink.

2008-05-27 16:41:10
36.   Xeifrank
8-9-1-2. One more inning of the abyss.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:41:38
37.   Marty
Did this new look for Gameday start today?
2008-05-27 16:42:28
38.   Gen3Blue
It took me more time than usual to figure out which feed was the Dodgers, but A Carl's Junior ad TM helped.
2008-05-27 16:43:40
39.   MMSMikey
another night of popless bats.
2008-05-27 16:43:47
40.   Jon Weisman
37 - If you're following my links, I used to link to the 2007 version of Gameday until this past weekend.
2008-05-27 16:44:40
41.   Jim Hitchcock
32 They're right about the sliders, though...he held up on a grand total of one testerday.
2008-05-27 16:44:43
42.   thinkblue88
2007 Gameday
http://tinyurl.com/5j6vxr
2008-05-27 16:45:12
43.   LoneStar7
well we almost made it through the abyss there..
2008-05-27 16:45:40
44.   Vaudeville Villain
Boomer's flirty old-mannishness with Erin Andrews is a creepy addition to the ESPN telecasting experience.
2008-05-27 16:47:25
45.   regfairfield
41 He's swung at six sliders outside the zone this year, and he's hitting .412 agaisnt them.
2008-05-27 16:48:04
46.   Eric Stephen
44
Chris Berman is doing the game for ESPN? Makes me glad I'm at work.

Is it Berman and Steve Phillips?

2008-05-27 16:48:11
47.   Gen3Blue
Although the Japanese people won't seem to embrace it the I would have to say the biggest impact player for the past two years from Japan is Saito.
2008-05-27 16:48:26
48.   Xeifrank
Nothing interesting about this game any more.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:48:39
49.   Eric Stephen
45
Is that from Bill James Online?
2008-05-27 16:49:11
50.   regfairfield
49 From here: http://baseball.bornbybits.com/2008/batters/Matt_Kemp.html
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-05-27 16:49:15
51.   NWdodger
I didn't see that Ardoin was playing for Martin. Combine that with Kent sitting and Furcal still out, the D's are fielding one heck of a potent lineup! Colletti is busy trying to figure out how he can add Mark Bellhorn to the 40 player roster.
2008-05-27 16:50:19
52.   Xeifrank
47. Does that include Ichiro? Or by impact do you have a unique definition?
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:50:22
53.   LoneStar7
much better on fsn2..Russell martin has been mic'd up the whole inning.
2008-05-27 16:51:13
54.   Lexinthedena
46 Rick Sutcliffe.....could be worse.....
2008-05-27 16:51:44
55.   sweepstakes
41-- It's a weakness, yes, but they make him out to be an inept hitter. I just tire of announcers who blatantly root for the home team.
2008-05-27 16:53:21
56.   Xeifrank
hmmm, kinda early in the game for a IBB. Hope it works out.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:54:43
57.   Xeifrank
WE went from 61% to 64.3% on the IBB. Of course it does not take into consideration who the hitters are. vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:55:29
58.   fanerman
Hmm I guess it worked.
2008-05-27 16:56:32
59.   trainwreck
So Ardoin makes it obvious when off-speed pitches are coming; that's nice.

You would think we could find back-up catchers that could do these simple things.

2008-05-27 16:57:05
60.   Ken Noe
I like the crazy way Ardoin returns the pitch. It's kinda hard and sort of flat.
2008-05-27 16:57:08
61.   fanerman
59 How?
2008-05-27 16:57:19
62.   Xeifrank
Ok, 2-3-4... the light at the end of the abyss is near. vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:57:51
63.   LoneStar7
aflac Q. : Who were the three japanese born players to win rookie of the year over here in America?
2008-05-27 16:58:26
64.   ucladodger
I hate Derrek Lee. He cant be that good on defense and offense. He and Pujols are ridiculously complete first basemen.
2008-05-27 16:58:35
65.   Xeifrank
63. Dodger, Mariner and Red Sox?
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 16:59:26
66.   ucladodger
Thats not fiar for back to back plays.
2008-05-27 17:00:09
67.   regfairfield
I would say Mariner, Mariner, Dodger.
2008-05-27 17:00:20
68.   CodyS
39 Now apparently it's just crazy old me, but one possible explanation for night after night of "popless bats" is that we don't employ very skilled power hitters.
2008-05-27 17:00:44
69.   ucladodger
66

fair.

2 straight great defensive plays. We probably should have scored at least 2 runs this innings.

2008-05-27 17:00:57
70.   Vaudeville Villain
Yeah, maybe we shouldn't ever try to steal a base with Andre Ethier ever again.
2008-05-27 17:01:22
71.   bhsportsguy
70 Had to be a busted hit and run.
2008-05-27 17:01:24
72.   fanerman
What were these defensive plays?
2008-05-27 17:01:29
73.   LoneStar7
James finally, unfortunately ethier was just thrown out...too bad
2008-05-27 17:01:42
74.   Gen3Blue
Why would they send Ethier? In the only stretch when the Dodgers had good batters coming to the plate its in comprehensable.
2008-05-27 17:01:58
75.   Xeifrank
CS, ugh!
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 17:02:27
76.   ucladodger
72

Lee dove and took a double away from Maza. Ethier hit a shot to right and Fukudome cut it off and made a great throw to hold Ethier to a single. Ethier got nailed on a perfect throw.

2008-05-27 17:02:34
77.   LoneStar7
nice, come on bison..bring him in
2008-05-27 17:04:15
78.   D4P
Nice AB for Kemp.
2008-05-27 17:04:23
79.   LoneStar7
well we need a solution here...come on buddy
2008-05-27 17:04:31
80.   D4P
Or should I say, nice PA for Kemp.
2008-05-27 17:04:37
81.   Vaudeville Villain
Man, I've been really impressed with kemp's patience lately. What a great at-bat.
2008-05-27 17:05:01
82.   Xeifrank
You're our last hope Obe-Witt.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 17:05:23
83.   Kevin P
I'm at work listening on MLB Audio. The 2nd year in a row that I've made the purchase. Seriously, the best spent $14.95. You get all the spring games, you get post-season, you get any game you want. It's rather life changing! :)
2008-05-27 17:05:33
84.   ucladodger
we score! This could have been an absolutely huge inning.
2008-05-27 17:05:47
85.   LoneStar7
wow, solution does it, but boy james was struggling to get around base there....but YES lets build on this boys
2008-05-27 17:05:51
86.   Andrew Shimmin
Lucky, lucky, lucky.
2008-05-27 17:05:52
87.   Kevin P
That a kid, Solution!!
2008-05-27 17:06:03
88.   D4P
I guess DeWitt got experienced all of a sudden.
2008-05-27 17:06:49
89.   Xeifrank
7-8-9-1-2, nice time for a hit.
vr, Xei
2008-05-27 17:07:10
90.   LoneStar7
wow how unlucky can this inning be, that should be two runs scored an a ball just barely foul down the first base line..
2008-05-27 17:07:18
91.   Gagne55
As Loney rounded third and the ball was getting to Soriano my thought was "dead man running." Uncharacteristcally bad throw by Soriano there. That dude has a cannon.
2008-05-27 17:07:55
92.   Andrew Shimmin
91- It bounced off of Loney.
2008-05-27 17:08:23
93.   Vaudeville Villain
Well, nice to get anything out of that inning.

Hu swings at absolutely everything.

2008-05-27 17:08:47
94.   LoneStar7
that was the worst swing ive seen a dodger take in a pretty important situation in a while
2008-05-27 17:09:33
95.   Bluebleeder87
Hu's been hitting the ball really hard now (fastballs) but he still gets fooled on the curves, hopefully he'll come around, I like how he's hitting the fastball though, that's progress.
2008-05-27 17:09:55
96.   Marty
93 I guess you don't walk off that island either.
2008-05-27 17:09:58
97.   trainwreck
61
Rick was pointing out how he sets himself up like hes going to have to block a pitch in the dirt.
2008-05-27 17:10:04
98.   Bluebleeder87
when you foul the ball STRAIGHT BACK that means your right on it.
2008-05-27 17:10:08
99.   bhsportsguy
94 Obviously missed a lot of Andruw's at bats. When a guy is 1-32 with RISP, you get used to those I guess.
2008-05-27 17:11:03
100.   LoneStar7
Why do I feel like everything that just happened there in that inning is gonna come back to bite us...I mean ona good note Bison was very patient, James whos been making good contact got one through a gap..the solution banged one the other way..

but all that other stuff seems like it may outdo the good.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-05-27 17:11:30
101.   Lexinthedena
96 Nice
2008-05-27 17:11:48
102.   Bluebleeder87
I gotta give a shout out to Kuroda too, he & Billz are our only consistents thus far.
2008-05-27 17:12:10
103.   LoneStar7
99 haha well in a while, i guess i mean since Andruws been healthy, so maybe it hasnt been that long..gotta love it
2008-05-27 17:12:56
104.   Bluebleeder87
if anything at least we have a back-stop that throws normal now...
2008-05-27 17:15:24
105.   Gen3Blue
If that last 3 and 1 pitch wasn't a strike, I'll eat my sox.
2008-05-27 17:15:26
106.   Gagne55
Wow. Lee was a dead man running.
2008-05-27 17:15:41
107.   Bluebleeder87
Lee was out from me to Chatsworth, long distance.
2008-05-27 17:15:41
108.   bhsportsguy
104 And he can throw out baserunners too.
2008-05-27 17:15:45
109.   Vaudeville Villain
Nice throw by Ardoin.
2008-05-27 17:15:47
110.   Bob Timmermann
The Gameday photos of Fernando Tatis showing him in a Dodgers cap.
2008-05-27 17:15:53
111.   D4P
Hit and run? Stupid.
2008-05-27 17:16:06
112.   Bob Timmermann
110
Pretend I used the proper tense there.
2008-05-27 17:16:45
113.   Reddog
Say goodbye to Gary Bennett.
2008-05-27 17:16:49
114.   Bluebleeder87
I like it how Lyons fraced (sp?) it when Lee was going, heheh.
2008-05-27 17:17:16
115.   tjshere
Apparently Jones' surgery went well. Per ESPN -

"They fixed what they thought they had to fix," Manager Joe Torre said before the Dodgers' game against the Chicago Cubs. "He'll start in the next day or so with the rehab that he's going to have to do."

Torre added that there was no additional damage found in Jones' knee during the procedure.

2008-05-27 17:17:21
116.   Kevin P
Nice, Danny! Should've took Lee's thumb out while you were at it.
2008-05-27 17:17:34
117.   bhsportsguy
Can I ask a question, why is Soto batting behind Edmonds?
2008-05-27 17:18:43
118.   bhsportsguy
115 Sound a lot like another Andrew's surgery but he has a 12 week recovery time.
2008-05-27 17:18:55
119.   Bob Timmermann
117
It's the same theory that had Nomar batting second.
2008-05-27 17:19:21
120.   Vaudeville Villain
117

Lou Pinella hasn't been told that Edmonds sucks.

See also: Ryan Theriot.

2008-05-27 17:19:28
121.   bhsportsguy
A question for Rick Monday, was the sea as angry as old man sending back soup?
2008-05-27 17:19:38
122.   D4P
Were we ever given any indication as to how and when Jones tore the cartilage in his knee?
2008-05-27 17:20:33
123.   Jon Weisman
LaRoche likely to work out at second base.

http://tinyurl.com/5xl2q2

2008-05-27 17:21:53
124.   Andrew Shimmin
114- Phrased it, I think you mean.
2008-05-27 17:22:40
125.   LoneStar7
well, here comes the black hole, at least we've already bypassed the heart of it with Hu going down last inning.
2008-05-27 17:22:52
126.   Bluebleeder87
I feel like Kent should hang 'em up.
2008-05-27 17:22:56
127.   Bob Timmermann
122
It's believed to have just been regular wear and tear of a pro athlete and it finally got to the point where it need to be operated on.
2008-05-27 17:23:00
128.   Fallout
Nice play on a routine fly.:)
2008-05-27 17:23:03
129.   Jon Weisman
Same article - Furcal not expected to be ready for opening of next homestand.
2008-05-27 17:23:09
130.   bhsportsguy
123 The dreaded "utility man" label.

But I am now officially on board the Andy LaRoche for second base campaign.

2008-05-27 17:23:16
131.   Vaudeville Villain
123

Booyaksha, and all that.

2008-05-27 17:24:01
132.   Vaudeville Villain
131

I can't believe I spelled booyakasha incorrectly.

2008-05-27 17:24:10
133.   Jacob L
123 I'll take that as glass half full. At least they're seeing that 2nd is someplace we could improve.

121 Not that I ever liked him, but I've seriously had it with Rick Monday. After 15 or so years on the job, is it to much to ask that he improve?

2008-05-27 17:24:21
134.   D4P
127
Am I supposed to believe that it was fine/undiagnosable a few months ago, but a few months later became dire enough as to warrant surgery?
2008-05-27 17:24:51
135.   Sam PHL
123. I really don't like seeing Laroche referred to as a utility man. But if it gets him up sooner, so be it.
2008-05-27 17:25:32
136.   bhsportsguy
133 Yeah but I was trying to be funny there.
2008-05-27 17:26:21
137.   Jim Hitchcock
133 Well, maybe not practible :)
2008-05-27 17:26:32
138.   underdog
Stupid work meetings... grumble...

But I saw the Dodgers' scoring inning, which could've been 3 runs if not for the great defense, and saw Ardoin do something Bennett couldn't, and heard Chris Berman make me a little queasy with his sentimental spiel on Jim Edmonds.

And good news, I think, re LaRoche and 2nd. Better that experiment than just playing him at 1st.

2008-05-27 17:26:58
139.   Vaudeville Villain
All that matters is that LaRoche is called up, not what he is called.
2008-05-27 17:28:06
140.   Bluebleeder87
127

Good point Bob but you gotta wonder if the extra pounds had something to do with it, what ever, I'm just happy he has time to clear his head, I really mean it...

2008-05-27 17:29:14
141.   sporky
"We'll do this thing from within to give ourselves as much flexibility as possible," said Torre.

Squee! I love Joe.

2008-05-27 17:29:17
142.   Jacob L
136 I figured. I'm not even listening to the broadcast. I'm just looking for openings to vent about Monday. He's slumping worse than Jeff Kent.

Speaking of which, I want everyone to know that the minute Juan Pierre's OBP dips below .350, I'll be lifting my voluntary "not complaining about Juan Pierre" moratorium. Might happen soon.

2008-05-27 17:29:25
143.   bhsportsguy
134 Its not something that is going be found during a physical, only under an MRI and Jones had not ever been on DL in his career.

Why teams don't do MRIs before signing free agents, I don't know, it appears to be pretty standard practice that don't do one.

Jones himself said that he would get aches during the year but you learn to play through it. This time, he couldn't so they did the MRI.

My hunch is that the CBA only allows a physical to be taken as a condition to final approval of the contract and that an MRI is not considered part of that physical.

2008-05-27 17:29:56
144.   Bluebleeder87
I'd rather have La Roche play EVERYDAY in Vegas then stay here & be sub.
2008-05-27 17:29:56
145.   fanerman
Thank Ch-i for the good news on LaRoche at 2nd.
2008-05-27 17:30:09
146.   Kevin P
That Joe quote is incredible. "We'll do this thing from within..." I love that!!
2008-05-27 17:30:18
147.   sporky
141 Apologies for a momentary lapse.
2008-05-27 17:30:25
148.   fanerman
144 Why? He has nothing more to gain. It's not like Hu who might need more seasoning.
2008-05-27 17:30:57
149.   fanerman
Hmm. All of a sudden it seems just a little sunnier at Dodger Thoughts.
2008-05-27 17:31:06
150.   bhsportsguy
Dodgers are doing there best to get this game in before the Lakers play.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-05-27 17:31:24
151.   Ken Noe
LaRoche soon on the way and Ardoin can throw--I'm one happy Dodger fan right now.
2008-05-27 17:32:24
152.   CodyS
122 He swung like a drunken sailor about 300 times so far this year, practically falling on his face in the process. That looked like it wasn't the most ergonomic way to swing a bat.
Even his excuse me swings were off balance lunges.
2008-05-27 17:32:38
153.   D4P
My hunch is that the CBA only allows a physical to be taken as a condition to final approval of the contract and that an MRI is not considered part of that physical

Ridiculous.

2008-05-27 17:32:58
154.   LoneStar7
I loved maza's long runs the other day, but thats gotta be ethier's ball right?
2008-05-27 17:33:27
155.   Andrew Shimmin
147- I'm not sure what "Squee," means, but I like it. It's got a beat and you can dance to it.
2008-05-27 17:34:25
156.   LoneStar7
wow sweet throw by Lonestar, risky, but I guess hes trying to get JoeyP off his back
2008-05-27 17:34:43
157.   Kevin P
144 Not me.
2008-05-27 17:34:45
158.   underdog
Loney basically saved a run. (At least for now.)
2008-05-27 17:34:56
159.   Jon Weisman
153 - Just blame it on Belichek and be done with it :)
2008-05-27 17:35:41
160.   sporky
155 squeal + whee!
2008-05-27 17:36:19
161.   Bluebleeder87
Loney has a great arm & all but when he gambles like that I'm afraid he's gonna lose & cost us the game at one point.
2008-05-27 17:36:21
162.   Kevin P
156 Hahahaha! I think you're right!
2008-05-27 17:37:12
163.   LoneStar7
158 and scored one, he must of heard LaRoche was getting some work at 1B lol
2008-05-27 17:37:36
164.   bhsportsguy
159 I was going to do more work on finding out the exact answer but I like yours better.
2008-05-27 17:37:46
165.   D4P
Wouldn't the Cubs be better off just going Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome rather than wedging Fontenot in between Soriano and Lee?

I wonder if managers ever really even think about such things, or if they just automatically assume that the #2 hitter can't be all that good or have much power.

2008-05-27 17:38:26
166.   Bluebleeder87
I still can't figure out Webmonkeys new layout, anybody else having trouble with it?
2008-05-27 17:39:15
167.   Vaudeville Villain
165

Dude, it's Lou Pinella. I doubt he thinks about much at all.

2008-05-27 17:39:36
168.   Gen3Blue
102 Right on the Money--Bills and Kuroda are consistant. If Kershaw appears regularly our pitching will eventually tell.
[ I consider myself a fan who is only slightly more knowlegable than most, but about five times a year, I feel my line-up would have produced 2-3 more runs than the actual. Tonight is unfortunately one of those nights. I think it will take 3-5 runs to win this game. I hope I am wrong.]

I know I am considered a pessimist in some quarters. But this night will at least demonstrates the depth of our pitching.
Should Schmidt actually make some kind of recovery, it will be even better.

So Kurodas' consistency is a marvelous sign, whether we win or lose.

2008-05-27 17:39:47
169.   fanerman
165 There's something to spreading out your bad hitters throughout the line-up, so you don't have super easy innings. Not saying that's what Piniella had in mind or anything.
2008-05-27 17:39:47
170.   Linkmeister
Some may recall that a few days ago I grumbled about a dead DVD player. I happened to be in Radio Shack looking for something else and noticed that they had a Philco player on clearance for $30, so I bought it.

Brought it home, unhooked the RF Modulator from the broken one, hooked it up to the new one, put in "The Last Waltz" and saw the initial screen come up.

What's that screen say? "Caution. This film should be played LOUD!"

2008-05-27 17:39:55
171.   Jacob L
Did anybody notice the other day when Charlie Steiner called Maza "Oscar Robles with more talent?" I had absolutely no idea what to make of that comment.
2008-05-27 17:40:06
172.   bhsportsguy
164 I did see that Pedro Martinez was supposed to go through an MRI prior to signing with the Mets.

That worked out well for the Mets.

2008-05-27 17:40:16
173.   Bluebleeder87
I'm kind of ashamed not to get the Torre reference
2008-05-27 17:40:58
174.   Andrew Shimmin
I liked it better when Psycho's telestrator didn't work.
2008-05-27 17:41:09
175.   Tom Meagher
Russell Martin: the triumph of world baseball!
2008-05-27 17:41:50
176.   Andrew Shimmin
Looked a little Byrnesy out there--did he really need to dive?
2008-05-27 17:42:25
177.   ucladodger
that should have been a home run. Man, loney smacked that.
2008-05-27 17:42:32
178.   LoneStar7
dang Loney gave that ball a ride, that should of been gone ona normal day..or at least a double off the wall
2008-05-27 17:42:45
179.   underdog
Boy, it'd be nice if the Dodgers could hit 'em where they ain't a few more times today. They've hit Gallagher hard but only 1 run makes me a bit nervous.
2008-05-27 17:43:23
180.   fanerman
All the same it's nice to see Loney driving the ball.
2008-05-27 17:43:41
181.   Bob Timmermann
Teams ask for MRIs routinely for physicals from players they sign to contracts.

I doubt that there is ANY professional baseball at ANY level who would not have some sort of knee damage. It's all a matter of degree. And the teams all just factor in how much risk they want to assume.

2008-05-27 17:44:18
182.   underdog
"The... world baseball, it's such a neat thing." -- Sutcliffe.
2008-05-27 17:44:20
183.   sporky
173 See Jon's update above.
2008-05-27 17:44:44
184.   Jacob L
I'm sure Hiroki knows he's going to have to make his run stand up, right?
2008-05-27 17:44:47
185.   D4P
Teams ask for MRIs routinely for physicals from players they sign to contracts

Are the MRIs typically performed before or after the contract is signed?

2008-05-27 17:46:36
186.   LoneStar7
180 the strikeouts were very uncharacteristic in this mini slump, but I feel like hes been hitting and seeing the ball well, just unfortunately not "getting it where they ain't" as 179 noted
2008-05-27 17:46:45
187.   Bluebleeder87
Ardoin just kind of flicks his elbow & the ball flies out of there. Good arm.
2008-05-27 17:48:35
188.   Bob Timmermann
185
Usually the contract is signed, pending a physical.

This is from a story about Randy Wolf in the offseason:

"Randy Wolf's stint with his hometown Dodgers proved short-lived.

The free-agent left-hander has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a physical, a major league source said."

When I got hired for civil service, I was hired, pending a physical.

My physical wasn't particularly thorough.

2008-05-27 17:48:48
189.   Bluebleeder87
Fukudome has only impressed me defensively but maybe it's a lack of knowing the pitchers.
2008-05-27 17:49:18
190.   Andrew Shimmin
185- Before, unless the treacherous player slips a radiologist a couple hundred bucks to phony up the lab work, which is what happened with Jones. And Schmidt.

It's a conspiracy!

2008-05-27 17:49:39
191.   Bob Timmermann
Or the case of old friend J.D. Drew:

"J.D. Drew and the Boston Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement on a contract that could bring the former Dodger free-agent outfielder $70 million over the next five years.

Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein said the deal was not done because Drew has not yet taken a physical."

2008-05-27 17:50:18
192.   D4P
188
I guess we've discussed this before. I remember expressing the concern that teams are probably more likely to end up with injured players when the contract is agreed upon prior to the physical than they would be if the physical took place first.
2008-05-27 17:50:58
193.   Lexinthedena
Laroche is exactly what this lineup is missing.
2008-05-27 17:51:30
194.   Vaudeville Villain
189

He's got a .399 OBP, so he's doing something right.

2008-05-27 17:52:20
195.   LoneStar7
pretty decent japanese battle there, unfortunately we were on the wrong end of it, I feel like roki doesnt want Fuk to grab any headlines if they lose
2008-05-27 17:52:41
196.   LoneStar7
195 if we lose i meant
2008-05-27 17:53:26
197.   Bluebleeder87
Nice blocks by Ardoin, I'm really impressed with our new Back-Stop.
2008-05-27 17:53:48
198.   dzzrtRatt
Nice catch, JP.
2008-05-27 17:53:50
199.   D4P
Edmonds is getting out-OPSed by Andruw.
2008-05-27 17:53:55
200.   LoneStar7
good grab Juan
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-05-27 17:54:14
201.   Bluebleeder87
back up back-stop.
2008-05-27 17:54:25
202.   Andrew Shimmin
Ardoin is fun to watch. He was when he was a Rockie, too. Too bad he can't hit, at all, but he's a perfectly cromulant backup.
2008-05-27 17:54:26
203.   Kevin P
Phew!! Thank you, JP.
2008-05-27 17:54:41
204.   LoneStar7
yipee that was close
2008-05-27 17:54:43
205.   Bob Hendley
Shades of Sandy Amoros. Go JP!
2008-05-27 17:54:43
206.   Vaudeville Villain
Haha, wow.

Boomer pulls a Steiner.

2008-05-27 17:54:45
207.   ucladodger
thank you wind...
2008-05-27 17:54:51
208.   dzzrtRatt
Nice next catch, JP, but you looked scared on that one.
2008-05-27 17:55:05
209.   Kevin P
AGAIN, JP!!
2008-05-27 17:55:10
210.   underdog
Chris Berman pulled a Steiner there.

That was a nice play on the one before it by Pierre even if he did indeed take "a long circuitous route."

2008-05-27 17:55:16
211.   Andrew Shimmin
Squee! The shutout remains intact.
2008-05-27 17:55:20
212.   Gen3Blue
Pierre makes two decent plays--but why the double clutch on the first throw in?
2008-05-27 17:55:36
213.   Bob Hendley
JP must of heard the talk about Andy in left.
2008-05-27 17:55:45
214.   Bob Timmermann
192
If you were a person signing a multimillion dollar deal with a baseball team, are you going to go all over hither and yon getting MRIs to show every team that wants to sign you that you have the world's best pair of knees?

Baseball players are just like about everybody else who gets a physical connected with a job. You get offered the job, pending a physical. If the employer doesn't like the results, then you don't get the job.

It's just that with athletes they are looking for different things. It's not like they are worried about making ADA accomodations.

2008-05-27 17:56:30
215.   dzzrtRatt
212 Just guessing, but he ran full speed into a brick wall. Maybe he didn't have the best grip on the ball after that.
2008-05-27 17:56:40
216.   underdog
202 He's cromulant, but does he make you squee?
2008-05-27 17:56:49
217.   Lexinthedena
This is a fun game.
2008-05-27 17:57:07
218.   ucladodger
The second play wasnt tough for Pierre. The first play was terrific- a lot more difficult than people imagine. The second play was a hanging split that Soto killed but it got knocked down right to Juan.
2008-05-27 17:57:26
219.   Andrew Shimmin
212- He's better at faking a throw than actually throwing it.
2008-05-27 17:58:22
220.   LoneStar7
steiner a little overzealous with his Pierre love after that catch he said something along the lines of "boy he is having a good year for the Dodgers!" made me feel a little uncomfortable.
2008-05-27 17:59:11
221.   nick
nine homers through five innings tonight in Baltimore, Bob--google tells me the MLB record is a mere twelve!?

also, Johnny Damon. I know you're on it...

2008-05-27 17:59:20
222.   Kevin P
Was that 2 pitches for 2 down?
2008-05-27 17:59:59
223.   D4P
If you were a person signing a multimillion dollar deal with a baseball team, are you going to go all over hither and yon getting MRIs to show every team that wants to sign you that you have the world's best pair of knees?

If I'm a person thinking about signing a person to a multimillion dollar deal, I make them go all over hither and yon getting MRIs to show my team that he has good knees.

2008-05-27 17:59:59
224.   LoneStar7
yes! we wont have to lead off the inning with JP
2008-05-27 18:00:09
225.   underdog
Thank you for jinxing the Cubs' defense, ESPN. Much obliged.
2008-05-27 18:00:23
226.   Vaudeville Villain
221

ESPN said twelve also.

2008-05-27 18:00:28
227.   D4P
BTW: This game has a good chance of being our first win when scoring 2 or fewer runs.
2008-05-27 18:00:28
228.   Bob Timmermann
The 12 homer game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET199505280.shtml
2008-05-27 18:00:40
229.   Lexinthedena
220 Rick flat out said that he loved him when he dug in to bat in the top of the 1st...

...and now Berman drops the "Hu's on first".....shtick-itis...

2008-05-27 18:00:44
230.   dzzrtRatt
217 Because the elements are such a factor, this feels more like a boxing match than a traditional pitching duel. Both pitchers' games have been wind-aided at some moments and wind-hindered at others. Old Man Weather is a player.
2008-05-27 18:01:04
231.   Gen3Blue
Man, except for this infield mistake, do you know how awful it is for an offense to let Gallagher go into the eighth.
2008-05-27 18:01:58
232.   Bob Timmermann
223
It's the employer's repsonsiblity to see how healthy the employee is, not the other way around.
2008-05-27 18:02:42
233.   LoneStar7
oh no i forgot about the pitchers spot : (...I forgot how big tonights black hole is
2008-05-27 18:03:09
234.   D4P
232
That's what I'm saying. If I'm a GM, I do whatever I can to make sure potential signees are healthy.
2008-05-27 18:03:43
235.   Jon Weisman
228 - Kirk Gibson hit two homers that day, and one more homer for the rest of his career.
2008-05-27 18:03:52
236.   underdog
If the Lakers let Roberto Begnini beat them again tonight I'm gonna be very un-squee.
2008-05-27 18:04:47
237.   Lexinthedena
231 Weather. Niether pitcher is dominating. They both know that all they have to do is throw strikes.
2008-05-27 18:04:55
238.   Andrew Shimmin
A little non-standard harmony from Lasorda.
2008-05-27 18:04:56
239.   Jon Weisman
Gibson's OPS for the season as of 5/28/95 was 1.149. For the remainder of his season/career, it was .628.
2008-05-27 18:05:01
240.   bhsportsguy
231 Sounds like the wind has affected both teams' offenses tonight.
2008-05-27 18:05:02
241.   Bob Timmermann
234
But if you haven't signed a preliminary contract with the player yet, you can't force the guy to go get a physical.
2008-05-27 18:05:05
242.   Bluebleeder87
Somebody had mentioned Kent asking for his release & I'm hoping it comes to pass cause we have a couple of young guys who could take his place & not miss a beat (considering how bad he has been playing lately & at 40...) so consider this, I'd play DeWitt & 2nd base & La Roche at 3rd, I think La Roche has next to nothing in range so that's what I'm comfortable with right now but if Etasnislao comes back he can pretty much play EVERYWHERE & not skip a beat.
2008-05-27 18:06:20
243.   Gen3Blue
Oh.boy, Lasorda doesn't even approach the key the organ was in. When will they abandon this tradition they have slaughtered.
2008-05-27 18:06:25
244.   LAT
Not that he had any, but Charlie lost all credibility saying that rendition of Take Me Out to The Ballgame by Tommy was "pretty good."
2008-05-27 18:06:27
245.   Bluebleeder87
is anybody with me on this, I don't know if La Roche has the range to play 2nd base, for my taste I'd like to see DeWitt try playing 2nd a few times also but lets see if the Dodger brass knows something we don't
2008-05-27 18:06:28
246.   bhsportsguy
242 I think it was a hypothetical situation, there has not been any indication that Kent is leaving.
2008-05-27 18:07:35
247.   StolenMonkey86
223 - You think the glossy pages of Scott Boras neglected to mention Jones medical condition?
2008-05-27 18:07:47
248.   Gagne55
lol, thats what happens when you bunt
2008-05-27 18:07:50
249.   D4P
241
I guess that's just the way it is, but once I sign a prelimary contract with a player, I'm sending him through the physical ringer.
2008-05-27 18:07:51
250.   LoneStar7
AH! that was huge great play by Hiro wow
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-05-27 18:07:55
251.   Bluebleeder87
holds hand to hart, man, those things are close! hart attack induced play there.
2008-05-27 18:07:59
252.   Andrew Shimmin
241- D4P thinks players should be kidnapped and dragged to a medical research facility, drug tested till they're dehydrated, MRI'd within an inch of their life, polygraphed, and then abandoned by the side of the highway in a Nebraskan suburb.
2008-05-27 18:08:27
253.   bhsportsguy
Reuss is stealing Jerry Coleman's stars.
2008-05-27 18:08:36
254.   Bob Timmermann
249
As is your right. And your insurance carrier will appreciate it also.
2008-05-27 18:10:11
255.   Gen3Blue
Despite everything, tonight has given me faith in the D's pitching depth. When the hitting comes around it will translate into wins.
2008-05-27 18:10:33
256.   Bluebleeder87
the more I think of our teams situation the more I get bummed out, A LOT of key players are just not producing or are on the D.L. sigh.
2008-05-27 18:11:33
257.   Bob Timmermann
The other 12 homer game.

Same two teams, but in a different park:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200207020.shtml

2008-05-27 18:11:39
258.   Gagne55
Not good. Very not good.
2008-05-27 18:11:56
259.   bhsportsguy
256 Justin Upton just went 0-20 on their last road trip.
2008-05-27 18:12:37
260.   D4P
players should be kidnapped and dragged to a medical research facility, drug tested till they're dehydrated, MRI'd within an inch of their life, polygraphed, and then abandoned by the side of the highway in a Nebraskan suburb

AKA "the physical ringer"

2008-05-27 18:13:01
261.   Bluebleeder87
I think we needed someone that can induce a DP here but I guess I like this move by the skipper, do we have anybody from the pen that throws sinkers? I'm thinking Beimel gets lucky in that department but I'm just thinking out loud.
2008-05-27 18:13:53
262.   Bluebleeder87
as crazy as this sounds I'd take the 'ol VW then the new one.
2008-05-27 18:14:13
263.   Andrew Shimmin
I sort of agree with D4P on this, though. It could be a reality t.v. show. You figure the suburban Nebraskans would recognize the really big stars, and give them a lift to the airport, but Kyle Lohse would be thumbing it for a long, long while, I bet. Beimel would be arrested for vagrancy within twenty minutes.
2008-05-27 18:14:21
264.   Gagne55
255 Alternatively, you could say "this game has shown that the Dodgers can't hit. As soon as the pitching struggles, we're dead."
2008-05-27 18:14:42
265.   Bluebleeder87
Russeell Martin you gotta be kidding me Torre, I really feel he needs some rest man!
2008-05-27 18:15:47
266.   LAT
Welcome to the game RM
2008-05-27 18:15:48
267.   LoneStar7
welcome to the game russ..
2008-05-27 18:16:51
268.   Lexinthedena
Let's go Lakers!
2008-05-27 18:16:55
269.   D4P
Here's Fontenot again. I have to think the Cubs would have been better off with Lee getting all these "RBI opportunities" instead.
2008-05-27 18:17:01
270.   LoneStar7
generous call on 2-1
2008-05-27 18:17:43
271.   Travis08
The Indians just pulled off a triple steal. Anyone know the last time that happened
2008-05-27 18:18:03
272.   ucladodger
terrible
2008-05-27 18:18:32
273.   Bluebleeder87
I'm not to disappointed at this, if anything at least the DP is still in tack, the run would have scored anyway I feel.
2008-05-27 18:19:16
274.   D4P
Does that count against Broxton's "Inherited runners allowed to score" stat...?
2008-05-27 18:19:55
275.   nofatmike
Free Andy LaRoche!
2008-05-27 18:20:30
276.   Lexinthedena
Put him at 2nd!
2008-05-27 18:20:46
277.   Bluebleeder87
Soriano ain't going anywhere Bull (he's hurt) just concentrate on the batter.
2008-05-27 18:21:46
278.   nick
why would you not PR for Soriano here?
2008-05-27 18:22:07
279.   LoneStar7
275 free jeff to ride his 4 wheeler off into the sunset, and move blake over...then free andy
2008-05-27 18:22:15
280.   nick
278 typed before the SF
2008-05-27 18:23:07
281.   nick
Yanks and Birds fail to homer in the 6th...
2008-05-27 18:24:10
282.   Lexinthedena
Lakers open the game with inspired D.
2008-05-27 18:24:59
283.   Bluebleeder87
something inside Broxton! [thinks out loud]
2008-05-27 18:25:45
284.   Bob Timmermann
I believe the last triple steal was on October 1, 1987 by the Braves. Check the 4th inning.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1987/B10010HOU1987.htm

2008-05-27 18:26:16
285.   LoneStar7
Love this game
2008-05-27 18:26:36
286.   nick
damn, not a good pitch...
2008-05-27 18:26:47
287.   Bluebleeder87
I'm surprised that think didn't end up in the seats.
2008-05-27 18:26:57
288.   Gagne55
Well, so much for the pitching.
2008-05-27 18:27:10
289.   underdog
Arrrgh. I don't understand that pitch call at all. Throw him the flipping up 90s heat and make him hit it. Sigh.

Of course, this is what happens when you can only score one run for your pitchers. Then every at bat and baserunner becomes nervewracking.

2008-05-27 18:27:17
290.   D4P
This will not be the first game we win while scoring 2 or fewer runs.
2008-05-27 18:27:31
291.   Bluebleeder87
bah!
2008-05-27 18:28:11
292.   bhsportsguy
It does appear that Broxton is having problems this year, he is not putting guys away.
2008-05-27 18:28:41
293.   D4P
These confines are not proving very friendly.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are up 10.

2008-05-27 18:29:08
294.   dzzrtRatt
Not too early for Fukudome as MVP talk.

This is a good team the Cubs have this year. The Mets will seem like pattycake by comparison.

2008-05-27 18:29:37
295.   bhsportsguy
The killer(s) were the leadoff walk and Dewitt not making the play.
2008-05-27 18:29:49
296.   Bluebleeder87
293

At least. even though I'm not anything another than baseball fan, that's cool to here.

2008-05-27 18:30:21
297.   Doctor
The Dodgers just cant beat the Cubs in Chi-town.... id like to know the record, but it really seems like they find a way to loose pretty much every time regardless...
2008-05-27 18:30:23
298.   LoneStar7
well at least Edmonds is almost as hated as Druw after much less time.
2008-05-27 18:31:18
299.   Bluebleeder87
294

I was a closet Cubbie fan during there miracle run a few years back but it just sucks when there beating my team.

2008-05-27 18:31:25
300.   bhsportsguy
294 And yet its likely the Cubs will only score 3 runs again. Hopefully the Dodgers will not score only 1 run for the 11th time this season.
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-05-27 18:32:27
301.   dzzrtRatt
I do not get the point of these Honda ads in which the dealer pulls a platter of oysters or a lost dog out from behind his desk.

It's like they're saying their cars aren't enough, so wouldn't it be nice if our dealers could perform psychic miracles for you.

2008-05-27 18:32:35
302.   Bob Timmermann
Including yesterday, the Dodgers, since 1958, are 173-143 against the Cubs.

Last year, the Dodgers won 3 of 4 in Chicago.

2008-05-27 18:33:00
303.   LoneStar7
299 I'm sick of these lovable losers, I don't like Boston since they've won..I almost want the the cubs to keep losing and crying so we're not next in line
2008-05-27 18:33:03
304.   Bluebleeder87
I feel I have to warn you guys I have a nasty nasty out side shot if we ever play pick up basketball games.
2008-05-27 18:33:09
305.   underdog
At least Torre pulled that double switch to bring Martin in.
2008-05-27 18:33:21
306.   D4P
Refs are trying to help the Spurs now.
2008-05-27 18:34:22
307.   D4P
3 weak foul calls in a row against LA.
2008-05-27 18:34:26
308.   Fallout
The hitters just need to wait for Broxton to throw one a FB down the middle.
2008-05-27 18:34:47
309.   Bluebleeder87
I'll never get sick of saying how much I love Russell.

I still think Torre should stick to his guns & rest him though...

2008-05-27 18:35:04
310.   Lexinthedena
Cubs look really good this year. I could see them in the WS. They have filled their holes.
2008-05-27 18:35:34
311.   D4P
Wow, another weak foul call. Geez.
2008-05-27 18:35:40
312.   thinkblue88
a golden god sent in to rescue the dodgers from the abyss...
2008-05-27 18:36:16
313.   LoneStar7
306 yes, and its sad that the refs really do give the home team blatantly advantageous calls. I don't think the home records in this years playoffs are all coincidence, or all because of even match ups.
2008-05-27 18:36:52
314.   Bluebleeder87
ugh, I'm sick is this Fukudome.
2008-05-27 18:37:10
315.   Bob Hendley
OK, lets getem back boys, or else we might be seeing a night of the long knives in the bullpen led by Kuroda.
2008-05-27 18:37:42
316.   Gen3Blue
Fukedoma hasn't done anthing great tonight.
2008-05-27 18:38:15
317.   Bluebleeder87
Russell running like he's really really cold.
2008-05-27 18:39:26
318.   adrian beltre
who has milked his glory days more: tommy lasorda or chris berman?
2008-05-27 18:40:11
319.   LoneStar7
oh man im nervous here we go lonestar
2008-05-27 18:40:16
320.   ToyCannon
Jay Bruce has had a nice little debut tonight. For a guy whose only weakness was plate discipline he's walked twice and been on base all four times so far.
2008-05-27 18:40:19
321.   D4P
Marmol is not looking good.
2008-05-27 18:41:00
322.   Gen3Blue
Damn, bases loaded, now they have us right where they want us.
2008-05-27 18:41:02
323.   Bluebleeder87
redeem your self Loney & you wont feel Lonely...
2008-05-27 18:41:39
324.   underdog
Oh. Man. Just a second off. That was ripped.
2008-05-27 18:42:19
325.   bhsportsguy
320 Dusty will tell him to be more agressive and not take any walks.

Okay, weak shot at Johnny B.

2008-05-27 18:42:21
326.   Bluebleeder87
Loney has ripped a few balls but has nothing to show for them.
2008-05-27 18:42:23
327.   Andrew Shimmin
Fukudome's defense is good, but Berkman's got 40 VORP points on him. The eight VORPiest players and ten of the eleven VORPiest players are all in the NL, right now.
2008-05-27 18:43:02
328.   LeeLacy
This is getting pathetic.
2008-05-27 18:43:21
329.   D4P
Walton is the kind of player who will have every call go against him on the road.
2008-05-27 18:43:23
330.   bhsportsguy
As Joe will say, its a learning process.
2008-05-27 18:44:01
331.   MSarg29
Frustrating
2008-05-27 18:44:50
332.   underdog
For lack of a better word: Crud.

Or as Spongebob would say, "Tartar sauce!"

Feh.

Bleh.

Ptooey!

2008-05-27 18:45:01
333.   LoneStar7
Luck is just against james right now, I've never seen someone hitting and seeing the ball well have so little to show for it...Bison seems a little down ont he confidence level.
2008-05-27 18:45:16
334.   LeeLacy
Boy, it now seems so long ago when the Dodgers were cleaning up in bases-loaded situations.

The last couple of days have been absolutely maddening.

2008-05-27 18:45:35
335.   MollyKnight
I'm not happy right now.
2008-05-27 18:46:01
336.   CodyS
It could have been at least encouraging if we managed to get the ball out of the infield with bases loaded and one out. The opposite is discouraging, when it happens for the 23rd time in a row.
2008-05-27 18:46:07
337.   underdog
Chances don't come better than that. Credit Marmol for throwing some better pitches when he had to, credit a few near misses for the Dodgers, but the lack of production with runners on these days is certainly tiresome. That, too, shall pass though.
2008-05-27 18:46:43
338.   Fallout
A hanging slider to SS?
2008-05-27 18:46:48
339.   bhsportsguy
335 Did you get a ticket for Friday's game at Shea. Be nice to get a personal report of Clayton takes on NY.
2008-05-27 18:47:10
340.   Indiana Jon
320 He's looked extremely patient too. Took all four pitches for a walk in his first major league at bat. I don't think he's swung at a ball all night.
2008-05-27 18:47:20
341.   LoneStar7
wait im actually freaking out, I may believe in conspiracys on the road.................................i can't put what happened there into words
2008-05-27 18:47:24
342.   Bob Timmermann
Carlos Marmol is on my fantasy team!
2008-05-27 18:48:00
343.   Bob Timmermann
Geovany Soto is on my fantasy team!
2008-05-27 18:48:20
344.   D4P
Adam Dunn hits the ball farther than Juan Pierre.
2008-05-27 18:49:14
345.   Indiana Jon
344 Adam Dunn's head is bigger than Juan Pierre's entire body.
2008-05-27 18:49:27
346.   dzzrtRatt
Maybe Torre should go to a Honda dealership and ask for some home runs.
2008-05-27 18:49:45
347.   Fallout
344 D4P
Kobe gets more assists than Pierre.
2008-05-27 18:49:50
348.   Bluebleeder87
342

Is he in your "Roto League"

2008-05-27 18:50:49
349.   Bob Timmermann
Just because you're very nearsighted, you don't have the right to interpose your head in between me and the computer monitor I'm looking at.

That is all.

2008-05-27 18:50:59
350.   ucladodger
i love Phil Jackson. that was awesome.
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2008-05-27 18:52:33
351.   LeeLacy
A sampling of things less painful than watching the Dodgers continuing to fail with runners in scoring position:

- Smacking a meat thermometer into your ear with a ballpeen hammer ...

- Diving into a swimming pool filled with double-edged razor blades ...

- Listening to Billy Ray Cyrus's "Achy Breaky Heart" ... (well, maybe that's going a little far)

2008-05-27 18:52:58
352.   Bluebleeder87
I seriously had a blank face for a few seconds after what happened but you know what, lo que sera sera con este equipo.
2008-05-27 18:54:10
353.   dodgerinlv
Duncan took 3 steps on the drive at the end of the 1st. No travel called.
2008-05-27 18:54:14
354.   dodgerinlv
Duncan took 3 steps on the drive at the end of the 1st. No travel called.
2008-05-27 18:54:23
355.   D4P
i love Phil Jackson. that was awesome

What did he do?

2008-05-27 18:54:42
356.   Andrew Shimmin
349- You let people come behind your desk?
2008-05-27 18:55:38
357.   D4P
Duncan obviously traveled, but it was no surprise it wasn't called given the way the rest of the quarter had been.
2008-05-27 18:55:38
358.   Bluebleeder87
man that was just a golden opportunity missed, oh well.
2008-05-27 18:57:41
359.   Hallux Valgus
353 In an old "I love this game" commercial, Jason Kidd took 8 steps without dribbling. EIGHT. Since then, I rarely lament the lack of a traveling call.
2008-05-27 18:58:30
360.   Bluebleeder87
I remember Scareduck saying Kerry Wood isn't all that good so I'm clinging on to some hope we can pull a rabbit out of our sleeves here.
2008-05-27 19:00:52
361.   Andrew Shimmin
Squee-wee!
2008-05-27 19:01:11
362.   dzzrtRatt
What's that guy doing up at bat?
2008-05-27 19:01:15
363.   Bluebleeder87
Steiner said it.

4 out of 40

2008-05-27 19:01:26
364.   nick
Johnny Damon doubles in the 9th and is not tempted by third, in spite of the light of _____ hue!
2008-05-27 19:01:53
365.   Bluebleeder87
I guess Torre feels Sweeney is do for a hit.
2008-05-27 19:02:23
366.   dzzrtRatt
Send that has-been away!
2008-05-27 19:02:39
367.   LoneStar7
strikes out looking again see ya mark
2008-05-27 19:03:10
368.   LeeLacy
So when will Sweeney's mythical pinch-hitting abilities finally be on display?
2008-05-27 19:03:35
369.   CodyS
You can't expect the Dodgers to do better than a .200 batting average for the game vs. Sean Gallagher. He has a 1.8 career WHIP.
2008-05-27 19:03:39
370.   Gen3Blue
Not so bad. Our pitching looks really good.
And we could probably win a lot of these low scoring games if we played our best players. But no real point when we could use the wins in the next few years when I think we will really be in contention. Now if no one makes any stupid mistakes this off-season.

And now Sweeney-the perfect statement of where we at.

2008-05-27 19:04:18
371.   Andrew Shimmin
368- If you can get it to work, MLB.tv's archives have some games from back when he could hit.
2008-05-27 19:04:26
372.   Bluebleeder87
Manana sera otro dia. We really need our pitchers & batters to go on a collective hot streak very soon.
2008-05-27 19:04:37
373.   dzzrtRatt
Ah, rats.

Thought the 1-0 lead might hold.

Well, the fans in Japan must be thinking their players can come over here and kick US butt. Fukudome and Kuroda played great.

2008-05-27 19:05:30
374.   LoneStar7
ok so horry sets a moving screen pushing vlad out of bounds, then farmar gets called for pushing off? ona fast break....its true guys, stern is telling these guys to let the home team win...i may be in rage from what I just saw at wrigley, but thats absolutely ABSURD.
2008-05-27 19:05:58
375.   Hallux Valgus
368 When he gets DFA'd and joins the Diamondbacks.
2008-05-27 19:06:24
376.   Linkmeister
Mark Sweeney is second all-time in pinch hits? How do you do that when you don't swing the bat?

And Sutcliffe, earlier, mentioning the Dodgers don't have Jones and Nomar available. For all the good they've done, who cares?

2008-05-27 19:06:39
377.   underdog
334 That's the point though, isn't it? It comes and goes, and it's frustrating when you have an offense that is inconsistent, and had injuries, but they are capable of suddenly raking for just as long.

Right now, in the eye of the storm (or the anti-storm), it is very maddening though.

Did I mention that they miss Furcal?

2008-05-27 19:07:53
378.   LeeLacy
It's at times like this when I'm tempted to do a Homer Simpson impression and say, "I've seen teams suck before, but they are the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked!" But I won't go that far.

I'm imposing a Brady Law waiting period before making angry posts.

2008-05-27 19:08:16
379.   Andrew Shimmin
375- Bite your filthy tongue.
2008-05-27 19:08:22
380.   underdog
Yeah the officiating has been bad in the Lakers-Spurs game ever since Tony Parker yelled at the ref that he was pushed when he traveled. Hmm.

That non-call on the clear traveling violation by Duncan was particularly ludicrous.

2008-05-27 19:09:55
381.   CodyS
Well you have to count in Sweeney's 2007 for the Dodgers when assessing his contribution. Then you can see that in 80 mostly high-leverage plate-appearances, he is sporting a neat .175/.235/.200. But at age 37, he's just starting to figure the game out.
2008-05-27 19:10:03
382.   underdog
376 I know, that made me chuckle. "It's hard with no Furcal (right), Nomar (ding! wrong!), Jones (Hah!), Kent..." I mean, seriously Sutcliffe, have you been paying attention to this season so far?

Furcal's the guy they miss. The other guys just have to pick it up a bit. Having a non-sucky Jones this season certainly would've been nice but I guess you can't miss what you've never had.

2008-05-27 19:10:03
383.   Indiana Jon
The best pitching matchup in the Florida State League this year will happen tomorrow night.

David Price vs. Pedro Martinez

One we should have kept and the other we almost had.

2008-05-27 19:10:08
384.   Hallux Valgus
380 maybe French is like parseltongue. Except replace that with something that sounds less nerdy.
2008-05-27 19:10:18
385.   Fallout
Sutcliffe. He's as bad as ever.
2008-05-27 19:11:07
386.   underdog
384 As long as you weren't also wearing plastic black circular glasses and holding a faux Quidditch broom, it's acceptable.
2008-05-27 19:11:32
387.   CanuckDodger
369 -- You never heard of Gallagher before, I imagine, so he must be bad.
2008-05-27 19:12:36
388.   underdog
US-England soccer game tomorrow at noon on ESPN Classic, btw. (Yes, ESPN Classic. Don't ask me why.)
2008-05-27 19:13:18
389.   Linkmeister
Opposing pitchers must love us. "Hey, I can lower my ERA just by starting against the Dodgers! Put me in, Coach!"
2008-05-27 19:13:33
390.   sporky
That game was so very un-squee.

Although it's amazing that with the scrap in our lineup, we weren't blown out by 10+ runs. Oh Andy, how I pine for thee.

2008-05-27 19:15:31
391.   Hallux Valgus
388 any game involving Landon Donovan is Classic

Josh Wolff > Jozy Altidore... grumble grumble grumble.

2008-05-27 19:16:43
392.   LoneStar7
whoever ever said luke would never get a call on the road understated that...he got physically molested, I'm really losing my cool here with this officiating its terrible, its just not right, the integrity of this sport is fading.
2008-05-27 19:16:51
393.   Bob Timmermann
373
Yabuta and Kobayashi say hello!
2008-05-27 19:17:45
394.   ToyCannon
Jay Bruce has now gotten on base 5 straight times to start his career. I wonder what the record is? Bob?
2008-05-27 19:18:19
395.   underdog
Aww, did poor little Roberto Begnini get a foul called against him? Aw, povero!
2008-05-27 19:19:43
396.   underdog
391 - I know, I'm with you on the Altidore on the bench grumbling. He better at least sub in at some point.
2008-05-27 19:21:13
397.   Bob Timmermann
394
Isn't it enough for you people for me to find the last triple steal?
2008-05-27 19:24:01
398.   Hallux Valgus
396 He's not on the squad at all for the England game (Landycakes is questionable, so that spot might open up). He was named for the 33 man pool for the next 3, but not on the England 22.

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_6422546.html

2008-05-27 19:24:41
399.   Bob Timmermann
Fred Clarke and Cecil Travis both had five hits in their first major league game. I don't know if they had more than five plate appearances.

Clarke's game was in 1894 and Travis had his in 1933.

2008-05-27 19:25:06
400.   sporky
Andy is playing 1B today, and he's 3 for 3 with 4 RBI. No walks, though.
Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2008-05-27 19:25:08
401.   Indiana Jon
397 You don't have to find it for us Bob. Of course if you didn't it would probably be stuck in your head and really bother you the rest of the night.
2008-05-27 19:27:14
402.   nick
the more the home court advantage is worth, the more it equalizes things and prolongs the series--so of course Stern likes it. the problem the NBA has right now is that BOTH serious hoops fans and casual sports fans think the officiating is either incompetent or corrupt; it's just that the former group watch in spite of this belief...
2008-05-27 19:27:43
403.   Bob Timmermann
Ted Cox of the Boston Red Sox started his career in 1977 with six straight hits over two games.
2008-05-27 19:28:37
404.   Bob Timmermann
403
And Cox had a walk tossed in so he reached base seven straight times to start his career.
2008-05-27 19:29:07
405.   Indiana Jon
400 I just can't figure out this 1B thing. They wouldn't really want him to platoon with Loney instead of Dewitt would they? 1B is actually the last place we need him, followed by CF, RF, and C. If I were going to move him to another position (and I wouldn't) I would try them in this order, 2B, LF, SS, RF, C, 1B, and CF.
2008-05-27 19:30:53
406.   sporky
The eldest Molina just hit a 3 run HR off Dan Haren. 3-0 in Arizona!
2008-05-27 19:33:45
407.   Indiana Jon
407 Solo shot by Castillo too. 4-0
2008-05-27 19:34:58
408.   silverwidow
Has anyone mentioned that LaRoche is 3-for-3 so far tonight with 4 RBI? His batting average is close to .300 again (for those who consider that a top measuring stick).
2008-05-27 19:39:11
409.   sporky
408 , meet 400 .
2008-05-27 19:41:32
410.   sporky
Is "badass" a rule 1 violation?
2008-05-27 19:42:44
411.   underdog
400 Where are we in the Sweeney-DFA/LaRoche Called Up Watch/Countdown? I have T-Minus 7 days and counting.

--

Gack it pains me to say... "Go Giants..." but... "Go Giants..." (he says in meek, John Fiedler-esque voice).

2008-05-27 19:43:37
412.   PDH5204
As I'm sure we all know, the team is wasting some valuable opportunities to pick up some ground on the snakes.

327 Which Fukudome vis-a-vis Berkman? The home Fukudome [.376/.487/.528] or the away Fukudome [.207/.300/.276]?

2008-05-27 19:44:36
413.   underdog
405 I wouldn't expect them to platoon LaRoche at first with Loney at all. But the more positions he can play the better chance they'll call him up. Right now they only actual backup first baseman they have is Sweeney and he's batting under a buck. Sweeney can play first and left field, well, if LaRoche can, too, in addition to playing 3rd and maybe 2nd, well, he becomes all the more valuable. Whatever it takes for them to bring him back up.
2008-05-27 19:44:38
414.   Penarol1916
What a miserable night spent in miserable weather watching my miserable team surrounded by a bunch of miserable Lincoln Park Trixies whose only interaction with the game was to make fun of my son for crying. God I hate this city and these supposed great fans.
2008-05-27 19:46:32
415.   sporky
411 I say June 2. He gets to start at 1B once, goes 0-fer and gets designated when the Dodgers come back to LA. Or they leave him in New York with the Mets, who could have some use for him.
2008-05-27 19:50:45
416.   sporky
Giants up 5-0 after Ray Durham doubles in Fred Lewis.
2008-05-27 20:00:44
417.   Hallux Valgus
413 This might be very wrong, but I've always felt like guys getting time around the diamond (especially in the infield) had a lot more to do with positioning on cut off and backing up a bunt than the actual ability to slide and catch and throw at the position. Honestly, it's not like Kent and Young are lights out defenders at second.

Get him some reps around the infield, hit him some flies in the outfield, and let's move on with Andy LaRoche. It'll all work out.

2008-05-27 20:03:01
418.   underdog
415 Hah hah. Nice. That's actually a pretty plausible scenario. I mean, heck, the Mets signed Olmedo "The Extremely Done Tomato" Saenz to a minor league contract at the start of the year so I wouldn't put it past them. But if the Dodgers wanted that to happen they'd have to keep Sweeney from actually batting and revealing his suckitude.

414 Sorry man. I was annoyed enough by them just watching on TV.

398 And, d'oh. I didn't realize that at all. Oh well.

Okay, back to the Lakers.

2008-05-27 20:11:19
419.   Hallux Valgus
414 I feel like Cubs fans have embraced their national reputation as drunken louts the same way Boston fans embraced their national reputation as losers with a chip on their shoulder. Both are annoying. sorry about your game experience.
2008-05-27 20:16:50
420.   D4P
Free throws:

LA: 10-12
SA: 24-26

2008-05-27 20:18:05
421.   Marty
I'll be in Chicago Sunday through next Friday. Are the Cubs still in town then? I may be able to score some Tribune tickets.
2008-05-27 20:20:31
422.   D4P
It's feeling like the Spurs will win.
2008-05-27 20:26:19
423.   Hallux Valgus
Dear TNT: Had LA not traded Butler for Kwame, Kupchak could've turned Butler into Gasol/ Conley/ All the Barbecue in Memphis/ Corpse of Elvis. Wallace being an idiot doesn't make Kupchak a genius.
2008-05-27 20:29:17
424.   D4P
Kobe starting to force up some shots.
2008-05-27 20:30:56
425.   sporky
Bottom of the 5th in Tucson, and the 51s are up 21-0.
2008-05-27 20:33:16
426.   D4P
425
21 runs on only 1 HR.

LaRoche's box score line: 5 4 3 4

2008-05-27 20:34:05
427.   Penarol1916
419. Well, it wasn't really anything I wasn't expecting, for all of its great reputation, I rarely really enjoy myself at Wrigley. I guess its like Bob and his vendetta against Cardinal fans as the greatest in the game. Although, I can tell you, I went to 4 Dodger games at the old Busch Stadium and always had a good time.
2008-05-27 20:35:23
428.   Jon Weisman
425 - Alert the bullpen, it's 21-1.

http://tinyurl.com/67sebm (Live box)

2008-05-27 20:35:44
429.   D4P
BS blocking call on Odom.
2008-05-27 20:36:24
430.   D4P
Odom's fired up.
2008-05-27 20:36:24
431.   Hallux Valgus
BLOCK! Really? what a joke
2008-05-27 20:36:41
432.   Jon Weisman
426 - The A Team

A.J. Ellis is at 4 1 3 8
Angel Chavez is at 3 4 1 0

2008-05-27 20:37:24
433.   D4P
Nice, Lakers.
2008-05-27 20:42:02
434.   D4P
I love Fisher's rainbow jumpers, especially when they go in.
2008-05-27 20:42:21
435.   Gen3Blue
416 Wonderful, and I'm not kidding!
2008-05-27 20:43:13
436.   Icaros
I don't want to hear any complaining about getting Gasol for free when Barry is in uniform for the Spurs.
2008-05-27 20:43:18
437.   Jon Weisman
LaRoche is up with the bases loaded.
2008-05-27 20:43:20
438.   sporky
Bases loaded, and Andy's up.
2008-05-27 20:43:39
439.   sporky
437 2 seconds!!! I always do this.
2008-05-27 20:45:03
440.   Jon Weisman
LaRoche settles for an RBI forceout, leaving him at 6 4 3 5.
2008-05-27 20:45:29
441.   Jon Weisman
438 - It was your complex sentence construction.
2008-05-27 20:45:41
442.   D4P
LaRoche settles for an RBI forceout

A more experienced player would have opted for a basehit in that situation.

2008-05-27 20:46:15
443.   Jon Weisman
Johnson has needed only 59 pitches to get through five innings. He's averaging like 20 pitches an hour.
2008-05-27 20:46:17
444.   sporky
Only three singles. He's no power hitter!
2008-05-27 20:46:39
445.   CodyS
387 I know Gallagher has done well in the minors, however he has exactly one good major league start before today, one bad one. In relief, he has 8 bad appearances, and two or three good ones. So he has sucked continuously against major league teams, until running up against the Dodgers, when he becomes unhittable.
2008-05-27 20:50:04
446.   Greg Brock
Kobe with a mental mistake worthy of Matt Kemp.
2008-05-27 20:51:06
447.   sporky
The Dodgers game, then this. Ulcer time!
2008-05-27 20:51:24
448.   D4P
Lakers trying to lose.
2008-05-27 20:51:46
449.   Icaros
Good god, can't this crap ever not make me want to kill myself?
2008-05-27 20:51:51
450.   Eric L
446 But did Kobe move a trashcan?
Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2008-05-27 20:52:01
451.   Eric Stephen
Two huge free throws coming up to avoid a collapse. Unless of course the Spurs pull of some sort of Havlicek or Bird steal.
2008-05-27 20:52:04
452.   D4P
446
Did you see my Ashley Harkleroad update in the previous thread...?
2008-05-27 20:53:18
453.   Greg Brock
452 No, but I saw it on Deadspin.
2008-05-27 20:53:21
454.   Eric Stephen
Forgot about the shot clock. Wow.
2008-05-27 20:53:39
455.   D4P
Horry for the win...?
2008-05-27 20:53:47
456.   Icaros
This feels like it will end badly.
2008-05-27 20:54:27
457.   Jon Weisman
452 - More relevant: The real reason astronauts wear diapers.

http://tinyurl.com/69xrth

Note that the TinyURL almost spells out "earth."

2008-05-27 20:54:46
458.   Icaros
Gasol missing two at the line opened the gates of hell.
2008-05-27 20:55:00
459.   Eric Stephen
In 53 minutes in this series, Robert Horry is 0-9, including 0-5 on threes.

I apologize for the jinx.

2008-05-27 20:55:42
460.   sporky
Whew.
2008-05-27 20:55:56
461.   dzzrtRatt
455 Dodgers specialize in making boy opposing pitchers into men.
2008-05-27 20:56:17
462.   Eric Stephen
God bless Joey Crawford.
2008-05-27 20:56:55
463.   Eric Stephen
Bottom line for the Spurs: you run the final play for Brent Barry, you get burned.
2008-05-27 20:57:51
464.   D4P
Yay! Not calling a foul there is correct officiating. There's no reason why a defender should be called for a foul if

1. He's up in the air
2. A player from the opposing team jumps up into him

2008-05-27 20:57:58
465.   Icaros
Oh well, it was only that close because San Antonio was getting calls all night.
2008-05-27 20:58:00
466.   sporky
Lincecum's thrown 105 pitches through 8 innings. Bochy lets him bat for himself. Fortunately, he draws a walk.
2008-05-27 20:58:41
467.   sporky
466 Seven innings.
2008-05-27 20:58:44
468.   Eric Stephen
I would like to go into next season able to exclaim that the Lakers still haven't lost at home since my birthday (to Memphis!).
2008-05-27 20:59:34
469.   Jon Weisman
Sergio Garcia is now 5 for 5 with a walk.
2008-05-27 20:59:37
470.   Gagne55
I'm a Lakers fan, but that no call at the end of the game was a disgrace. I feel dirty.
2008-05-27 21:00:38
471.   Jon Weisman
464 - It was just a pump fake. He wasn't in the air. Fisher landed on him.
2008-05-27 21:01:27
472.   ucladodger
470

A disgrace? That's a little harsh, don;t you think? Tell me that Kobe Bryant can go a whole game without shooting a free throw and I'll show you a disgrace.

2008-05-27 21:01:32
473.   Jon Weisman
470 - Don't. No reason to cry about losing because of the refs or feel bad about winning because of them. I'm sure there was a bad call that hurt the Lakers.
2008-05-27 21:02:24
474.   underdog
That was probably a bad call, but it makes me so irritated to think that it will be discussed and debated and protested when the Spurs were getting so many calls in their favor all night. And honestly, when a player goes into another player, even if he's up in the air, it's sometimes a no call. It probably should've been a foul, but there's no way that was the reason the Spurs lost.

Now close them out, Lakers.

2008-05-27 21:03:00
475.   Eric Stephen
470
After watching the replay, I agree...that was definitely a foul on Fisher.

464
D4P, Fisher didn't jump straight up (if he did, I'd agree with the no-call). He jumped in one spot and ended up about a few feet from where he started, into Barry.

2008-05-27 21:03:43
476.   underdog
Too bad the Dodgers can't bring in their sweep-buster in Kershaw tomorrow, btw.
2008-05-27 21:04:44
477.   Eric Stephen
After watching the reply again, it wouldn't have been 3 free throws for Barry since he dribbled as he was being (not) fouled.
2008-05-27 21:05:35
478.   Eric Stephen
475
Clarifying, I don't feel dirty...I just agree that the last play was a foul.
2008-05-27 21:06:25
479.   underdog
469 Oh my lord... that box score is crazy.
http://tinyurl.com/3o9fdo

Nice pitching by Tucson tonight.

And Jason Johnson's on his way to being 7-2!

2008-05-27 21:06:31
480.   trainwreck
I do not care if people debate the end, because the Lakers have a 3-1 lead and I am happy.
2008-05-27 21:07:30
481.   Eric Stephen
472
Kobe free throw attempts:

6 games against Utah - 96 FT
4 games against Spurs - 6 FT

2008-05-27 21:07:32
482.   underdog
479 - And I wish the Dodgers could do that to the Diamondbacks at some point.
2008-05-27 21:08:51
483.   Greg Brock
If you're in a position to win or lose on one play, it's your fault.
2008-05-27 21:09:01
484.   underdog
My only concern about the end, debate notwithstanding, is just that the Lakers even gave them a chance to get back in the game. They made some bad decisions and took a few bad shots, Gasol missed two free throws, none of that should've happened. But anyway, yep, we'll take it.
2008-05-27 21:09:41
485.   Jon Weisman
483 - There's a DT mantra for you.
2008-05-27 21:09:48
486.   Bob Timmermann
Don't go talking about LaTroy Hawkins at Bronx Banter right now.
2008-05-27 21:10:46
487.   KG16
479 - I'll just point out that the Vegas guys have managed to score 22 runs in six innings while only hitting one home run.

I'd kind of like to see the Dodgers do that on a fairly regular basis

2008-05-27 21:11:03
488.   underdog
AJ "Why Ardoin Over Me!" Ellis has 8 RBIs in that game btw, including 4 on a grand slam.
2008-05-27 21:11:41
489.   Jon Weisman
The 51s lose their yes-yes in the seventh inning. A very robust picket fence is toast.
2008-05-27 21:12:10
490.   Jon Weisman
488 - I take it you're not rereading recent comments again, huh pal?
2008-05-27 21:12:40
491.   sporky
It should be noted that only 16 of those runs were earned.
2008-05-27 21:12:41
492.   KG16
489 - it looks more like a chain link fence than a picket fence
2008-05-27 21:12:57
493.   Eric Stephen
489
I'm going to assume we are allowed to mention a "yes-yes" when it's in progress.
2008-05-27 21:13:27
494.   sporky
Giants bullpen WP in a run. 6-3 in Arizona.
2008-05-27 21:13:53
495.   Jon Weisman
493 - You can say "yes-yes," but I'm not sure it's appropriate to say "picket fence." But I'll think on it.
2008-05-27 21:14:57
496.   sporky
Tony Parker vaguely reminds me of Rowan Atkinson.
2008-05-27 21:15:01
497.   Eric Stephen
495
Our "interesting" will have to be "Dennis Hopper" or "Shooter" in that case then.
2008-05-27 21:15:08
498.   underdog
490 I had people to do and things to see!

Argh, that came on the one comments fold I missed in this whole thread. I even searched!

Hey, did you guys hear that Sidney Pollack died? And Kershaw pitched a great game on Sunday. And Buckwheat has been shot?

2008-05-27 21:16:11
499.   underdog
496 Hmmm... I'm not seeing that.
2008-05-27 21:16:44
500.   max power
The Duncan travel in the first was every bit as egregious a no-call.
Show/Hide Comments 501-550
2008-05-27 21:17:08
501.   fanerman
Fisher's shot hit the rim. For sure.
2008-05-27 21:18:40
502.   bhsportsguy
Pop is classy saying it was a proper no call at the end.

446 I busted up reading that comment.

2008-05-27 21:19:18
503.   Eric Stephen
Wow. Poppovich said he thought the final play involving Fisher de-Berry wasn't a foul.
2008-05-27 21:19:31
504.   Icaros
Popovich is refreshingly non-whiny. Mike D'Antoni should take notes.
2008-05-27 21:20:52
505.   bhsportsguy
Derek Fisher should cross San Antonio off his places to see after he retires list.
2008-05-27 21:22:55
506.   Eric Stephen
505
He'll have to merely remember the Alamo.
2008-05-27 21:25:22
507.   Eric Stephen
Awful Announcing has a pretty funny clip of a Sasha flop (worty of Vlade or Fisher) just before the Kobe reverse dunk.

http://tinyurl.com/5gd6a6

2008-05-27 21:29:29
508.   underdog
I think LaRoche hitting into a double play just now shouldn't count in the box score. He was just doing his impression of Mark Sweeney, the guy who has his roster spot on the Dodgers.
2008-05-27 21:29:29
509.   Jon Weisman
LaRoche just hit into a double play. He has now slumped to 7 4 3 5.
2008-05-27 21:30:28
510.   Jon Weisman
But a "Searchers" Griffin triple makes it 23-2, bringing up Garcia, trying to reach base for the seventh time.
2008-05-27 21:32:02
511.   Jon Weisman
Aw, backwards K.
2008-05-27 21:35:34
512.   sporky
508 Mark Sweeney actually has yet to GIDP. Just a bunch of strikeouts. Loney actually leads the Dodgers in GDPs...
2008-05-27 21:40:39
513.   Eric Stephen
512
Last year Loney amazingly avoided the DP.

2006: 8 GIDP in 111 PA
2007: 6 GIDP in 375 PA
2008: 10 GIDP in 206 PA

2008-05-27 21:42:05
514.   Greg Brock
We can land on Mars, but we can't get a backwards k on a keyboard.

>|

2008-05-27 21:43:22
515.   sporky
513 For JoeyP's sake, I will point out that Mark Teixeira has 8 in 211 plate appearances.
2008-05-27 21:43:48
516.   Icaros
I'd like a backwards r as well, so I can write my screenplay about Toys R Us.
2008-05-27 21:47:20
517.   underdog
512 It just seems like such a Sweeney '08 thing to do, I'm a little surprised. Give it time...

516 Without being sued by an angry giraffe?

--

I think the 9th inning of that 51s game might feature the first time in baseball that two players named Wilkin each entered the game for both teams in the same inning.

2008-05-27 21:49:56
518.   LoneStar7
470 if you saw how this game was officiated you would not think that call was a disgrace. The very poorly officiated through most of the game, and not in our favor at all.

Kobe shot no free throws tonight, Lamar Fish were both in foul trouble early and Pau was getting hacked and getting no calls all night.

2008-05-27 21:52:17
519.   Greg Brock
I loaded the backwards font in my mac, but the toaster reformats the letters when I paste them.
2008-05-27 21:54:33
520.   bhsportsguy
519 I go to Pauley on Saturday to check out my seats. Looks like we'll have some freshman to root for.
2008-05-27 21:55:52
521.   Andrew Shimmin
457 - It almost spells out X-earth!

"Yeah, that makes sense. I'd rather drive a classic Trans Am than an 'X-earth'."

2008-05-27 21:56:20
522.   Jon Weisman
Greg Miller closes it out.
2008-05-27 22:16:26
523.   Gagne55
516 And a backwards E. And upside down A so I can write proofs.
2008-05-27 22:19:38
524.   Jon Weisman
Gurnick:

"After Delwyn Young's pinch-single in the ninth inning Tuesday night, Torre might feel compelled to give Young a start at his former position of second base if Kent is unable to play Wednesday."

2008-05-27 22:22:36
525.   Evan Darrow
524 - "Of course, Venus may prove to be populated by gorgeous green-skinned women who think the earth accent is dead sexy. Both are about equal on the scale of likelihood."
2008-05-27 22:41:35
526.   Marty
If the Lakers were the team with the ball on that play, I'd be screaming.
2008-05-27 23:08:30
527.   LoneStar7
Vineyard Vines just came out with some Dodger ties and belt, I'm pumped. Except its a little bland compared to the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets ties unfortunately.

I thought they should of done the dodger script logo with the ball going through it, kind of like they did for the braves tie.

2008-05-27 23:33:30
528.   Xeifrank
Cubs OPSed .835 in higher than average leverage plate appearances. The Dodgers meanwhile went 2 for 12 with 3 walks and OPSed a dreadful .500 in their higher than average leverage plate appearances. Stuff like this is usually the story of the game. One team hits better when it counts, and once again it was not the Dodgers.
vr, Xei
2008-05-28 00:03:23
529.   Jon Weisman
I definitely get the sense that the Kent injury has put a LaRoche/DeWitt second-base experiment on the fast track.

http://tinyurl.com/5jvvcm

And left field:

http://tinyurl.com/6zlqju

Though I think Dylan's article mistakes LaRoche's experience at second base for DeWitt's.

2008-05-28 00:07:59
530.   bhsportsguy
529 Okay, no more from me on this topic.

I do find it interesting that Torre already sees Andy coming up to platoon with Loney.

Eric Ender's scenario may play out after all.

2008-05-28 05:46:50
531.   Ken Noe
What is it with the Dodgers and back problems? Now Kent may not play again tonight, and Gurnick implies that DeWitt's back may have led to the error last night:

http://tinyurl.com/52mh9y

I hurt my back two weekends ago pushing a garden tiller through Alabama clay, but the Dodgers can't be gardening that much.

2008-05-28 05:52:47
532.   D4P
the Dodgers can't be gardening that much

They don't even go yard.

2008-05-28 07:02:13
533.   Ken Noe
532 Somehow the gnome is involved.

Creepy WGN eyes, the backstory:

http://tinyurl.com/5zrlhx

2008-05-28 07:13:35
534.   old dodger fan
From the Times this am:

"Similar to Torre, Bowa didn't question the effort of the young players. But Bowa said he was becoming frustrated that the Dodgers were dropping games because of fundamental errors.

"We lose games because of little things that are happening," Bowa said. "Just by executing these things, you very easily could have three or four more wins. We're not the kind of team that's going to blow people out."

Bowa said he thought that would remain the case unless the Dodgers added help from the outside."

2008-05-28 07:19:09
535.   Jon Weisman
Andy LaRoche has aged:

http://tinyurl.com/3hysx7

"The 28-year-old first baseman, who made his Major League debut on May 6, 2007, also plated five runs for Class A Advanced Vero Beach on July 27, 2004."

2008-05-28 07:19:34
536.   D4P
"We lose games because of little things that are happening," Bowa said. "Just by executing these things, you very easily could have three or four more wins."

Among the problems with this kind of thinking is the fact that our opponents can problem say the same thing. If our opponents had executed the little things better, we very easily could have three or four more losses. I tend to think these things even themselves out over time. Which is why

"We're not the kind of team that's going to blow people out"

is a problem. If you have to rely on doing little things well to be a good team, you're probably not going to be a good team.

2008-05-28 07:24:29
537.   Jon Weisman
534 - You left this part off.

"I really don't think that of all the kids that are here, you have a prolific home run hitter," he said. "I think they will be good baseball players, solid major leaguers, but I don't think, 'This guy's going to hit 40 home runs.' I don't see that, which isn't bad. You don't have to hit 40 home runs to be successful."

2008-05-28 07:36:29
538.   Bob Timmermann
I thought taking quotes of context was sort of the norm here.
2008-05-28 07:37:10
539.   Doctor
Not sure what to make of the Bowa comments.... I think Kemp can be a 40 HR guy maybe... given his minor league power numbers and age. The team could also have won 3 or 4 more games with a few timely hits during one of these RISP droughts also. That, more than little mistakes, seems to be the problem lately. Even hitting .250 with RISP and we probably win the last 2.
2008-05-28 07:39:06
540.   D4P
The team could also have won 3 or 4 more games with a few timely hits during one of these RISP droughts also. That, more than little mistakes, seems to be the problem lately. Even hitting .250 with RISP and we probably win the last 2

To what extent are you essentially saying "If we were a better team, we would be a better team"...?

2008-05-28 07:44:05
541.   Doctor
540

None, Im saying that Bowa sais "fundamental mistakes" (I assume he means errors, not advancing runners, base running etc... )are costing us games and I don't see that as the major flaw lately.

2008-05-28 08:01:28
542.   JoeyP
Its hard to win games by having to be perfect every game.

With very little home run power, this team has to almost always do the "little" things right, and even get some luck with RISP to score runs.

The PVL's too old, the youngsters arent yet in their primes and their upsides (outside of Martin/Billingsley/Kershaw) are problematic.

It's just a team that doesnt have the right mix on offense for sure. Too old, too young, and not enough in their prime type players. Plus Juan Pierre.

The bright spots to the team are building around Kershaw/Billingsley/Kemp(in CF)/ Laroche(at 2b)/Martin going forward. The dark spot is that Ned is still in charge of building around those players.

2008-05-28 08:17:16
543.   regfairfield
539 Kemp hit 17 and 13 home runs the last two seasons. The only place he really hit for power is at Vero Beach, the most home run freindly park in baseball, so those don't count for too much.

I'm not saying he won't eventually hit for power, just that his power potential is based almost entirely on his body type, not his minor league numbers.

2008-05-28 08:17:29
544.   Bluebleeder87
537

I agree with Bowa actually, I don't mind if Kemp turns out to be a Pedro Guerrero type hitter not at all.

Guerrero was a 30+ 300 BA 100 RBI plus Kemp has a few more tools like speed & a great arm to bring to the dance...

2008-05-28 08:18:59
545.   D4P
his power potential is based almost entirely on his body type, not his minor league numbers

You can say the same thing for his expected superstardom.

2008-05-28 08:19:43
546.   Jon Weisman
538 - I've never thought so. Overanalyzing them, maybe. Anyway, Bowa's was a pretty convoluted quote, but it needed to be heard in its full convolution.
2008-05-28 08:23:49
547.   D4P
I thought taking quotes of context

You left something out...

2008-05-28 08:24:09
548.   old dodger fan
I didn't mean to take anything out of context. I just wanted to include his statement, Bowa said he thought that would remain the case unless the Dodgers added help from the outside with what preceeded it.

Sorry if it was misleading.

2008-05-28 08:24:29
549.   regfairfield
545 I wouldn't go that far, the guy hit about .340 in 350ish at bats at age 21-22 in AAA.
2008-05-28 08:36:25
550.   dzzrtRatt
They're either too young, or too old,
They're either too gray or too grassy green,
The pickings are poor and the crop is lean.
What's good is in the army,
What's left will never harm me.

They're either too old or too young,
So, darling, you'll never get stung.
Tomorrow I'll go hiking with that Eagle Scout unless,
I get a call from grandpa for a snappy game of chess.

I'll never, never fail ya,
While you are in Australia,
Or off among the Rooshians,
And flying over Egypt.
Your heart will never be gypped,
And when you get to India,
I'll still be what I've been to ya.
I've looked the field over
And lo and behold!
They're either too young or too old!

They're either too bald or too bold,
I'm down to the wheelchair and bassinet,
My heart just refuses to get upset.
I simply can't compel it to,
With no Marine to tell it to.

I'm either their first breath of spring,
Or else, I'm their last little fling.
I either get a fossil or an adolescent pup,
I either have to hold him off,
Or have to hold him up.
The battle is on, but the fortress will hold,
They're either too young or too old.

Show/Hide Comments 551-600
2008-05-28 08:38:17
551.   D4P
Joakim Noah had more than one run-in with the law at the University of Florida on Memorial Day weekend.

On the same day the Bulls center was arrested for possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and having an open container of alcohol, he also was issued two traffic citations.

Noah, 23, was issued citations for driving with a suspended license and for not wearing a seat belt by the University of Florida Police Department on Sunday.

Noah's speeding Hummer was stopped, which led to the officer learning of the suspended license.

2008-05-28 08:40:30
552.   JoeyP
Mark Sweeney is 4/41 on the season.
2008-05-28 08:42:43
553.   dzzrtRatt
One possibility I haven't seen mentioned is LaRoche to 1b, Loney to LF. Hasn't Loney played OF? I realize that means displacing the awesome, awesome Juan Pierre...
2008-05-28 08:45:24
554.   Bob Timmermann
Doesn't anyone remember Loney playing LF and almost breaking his leg on the scoreboard?

It made everybody want to go to Frank McCourt's office with a torch and a pitchfork.

That was back when we liked James Loney.

2008-05-28 08:48:49
555.   old dodger fan
553 There are 77 ML outfielders with at least 150 PA's this year.

Dodgers ranking by OPS:
Ethier 23
Kemp 31
Pierre 65
Jones 77

2008-05-28 08:50:05
556.   Ken Noe
"We lose battles because of little things that are happening," Spartacus said. "Just by owning a Piper Cub, you very easily could have three or four more wins. We're not the kind of army that's going to blow people out."

The team we have is the team we have. It can be tweaked certainly--Ardoin and Kershaw are certainly upgrades on Bennett and Loaiza, as LaRoche will be for Sweeney or Tiffee. But on the whole, Jon was right the other day. It's a young team, it's mostly the team we wanted, and as hard as it is we need to wait them out.

2008-05-28 08:52:02
557.   JoeyP
It was right field.
2008-05-28 08:59:49
558.   LogikReader
James Loney Can Hit Home Runs, but He Doesn't

Two games in a row, Loney misses a grand slam by less than 20 feet. Remember the 3 run home run Ethier hit last year in Wrigley? Think of how different that series would have been if he just missed? I can only imagine how different the mood would be if Loney connected both times.

2008-05-28 09:00:59
559.   madmac
554 Excellent point Bob. Can I get an official list of who I am supposed to like and not like. I'm afraid I'm a little behind and had not caught up to not liking Loney.
2008-05-28 09:02:15
560.   Eric Stephen
After tonight's game, Matt Kemp will be relegated to 4th OF status on the Baseball-Reference.com 2008 Dodgers page. They list the "starters" by most defensive innings at each position. Through yesterday:

Left Field
Pierre - 303 innings (36 starts)
Ethier - 145 (15 GS)
Sweeney - 1
Young - 1

Center Field
Jones - 307 (35 GS)
Kemp - 142 (16 GS)
Pierre - 1

Right Field
Kemp - 226 (24 GS)
Ethier - 222 (27 GS)
Young - 2

Total OF innings
Kemp - 368 (40 GS)
Ethier - 367 (42 GS)
Jones - 307 (35 GS)
Pierre - 304 (36 GS)
Young - 3
Sweeney - 1

So Kemp will be the 4th OF despite having played the most defensive innings in the OF. Ethier, who has been the 4th OF for the past few weeks mostly because of his splitting time between LF & RF, was also the leading innings man when he was displaced in LF by Juan Pierre.

This doesn't really mean anything. Just an interesting quirk of BB-Ref.

2008-05-28 09:06:04
561.   Kevin Lewis
How did Andy finish up last night?
2008-05-28 09:09:40
562.   Jon Weisman
548 - No big deal, no apology necessary. Just thought it would add a little.
2008-05-28 09:09:56
563.   underdog
561 - 3 for 7. 5 RBIs. 4 runs. 3 walks.

Of course pretty much every 51 in the lineup had a pretty good day...

2008-05-28 09:10:50
564.   Jon Weisman
561 - 3 for 7 with 5 RBI

http://tinyurl.com/67sebm

2008-05-28 09:14:06
565.   regfairfield
563 He had 10 PA?
2008-05-28 09:14:58
566.   D4P
I don't think Andy had any walks last night
2008-05-28 09:20:10
567.   underdog
Ah, you're right, I looked at that wrong - it was Stagecoach Griffin who racked up the BBs last night.
2008-05-28 09:20:37
568.   CodyS
Why not experiment? What do we have to lose? I say let Loney pitch when LaRoche plays first. Or let him play second. He seems to want to play there anyway, based on how many grounders he steals from the second baseman, only to not make a play at first.
2008-05-28 09:22:10
569.   Eric Stephen
Russell Martin once again caught on one of his "off days" yesterday. He has been given a day off seven times -- four of which were starts at 3B -- and has ended up catching in 5 of them anyway.

He has appeared in every game so far this season, and has caught in 49 of the 51 contests.

The Dodger record for most games played by a primary catcher is 152, by Mike Piazza in his 1997 MVP season (prove me wrong!). Martin played 151 games last year, and is on pace to finish well ahead of that this season.

http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/q8Vr

Dodgers to catch 140 games in a season
Campanella (1951) - 140 (out of 154; 147 in a 162-g season)
Campanella (1953) - 140
Piazza (1993) - 146
Piazza (1996) - 146
Martin (2007) - 145

In Russell Martin's young career, he has appeared in 323 of 346 team games (93.4%), and has caught in 311 of those games (89.9%).

Piazza appeared in 89.1% of his games as a Dodger, and caught in 85.9% of them.

2008-05-28 09:29:05
570.   underdog
So after being on ESPN yesterday the Dodgers are on ESPN2 today and ESPN again on Sunday vs. the Mets. After basically not being on ESPN much at all this season, it's like a temporary bounty. I wonder how much Chris Berman will repeat himself today? (More Hu's on first jokes, Rick Sutcliffe flashbacks, etc. Hopefully there will be less reason to bring up again how bad the Dodgers are doing with RISP.)
2008-05-28 09:37:18
571.   Eric Stephen
570
Speaking of Sutcliffe, I generally don't like him as an announcer, but he's sometimes funny and I enjoyed this story about his first career stolen base:

http://tinyurl.com/6f7sma

A few notes though:

1) Wallace Johnson was playing 1B when Sutcliffe stole second, not Andres Galarraga
2) It wasn't the only SB of his career (it was the first though). He would add three more over the next two seasons.

2008-05-28 09:39:26
572.   ToyCannon
Going forward there will be very few players capable of hitting 40 home runs who will make enough contact to stay in a major league lineup.
The expectation should always have been that Loney, LaRoche, Kemp, Martin, and Ethier could hit between 20-30 at their peaks if we are lucky. More like 15-25 is realistic.

231
Are you near Huntsville? I've got a brother who moved there several years ago and is a huge Dodger fan and has no one to commisserate with. Not sure how many of you there are but you might want to hook up to watch the Suns when they roll into town.

2008-05-28 09:44:44
573.   Jon Weisman
NPUT

Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.