Groundhog Day – Josh Rawitch

There are some people around here who joke that life in Dodgertown during Spring Training is like the movie Groundhog Day. We wake up every morning and make the same trek to the breakfast area, followed by a walk (or golf cart ride) to the office, morning workouts, afternoons back in the offices, meals in the dining room, nights in the Dodgertown lounge. These are all good things, of course, but repetitive nonetheless. You definitely lose a sense of what day it is.

Well, this morning it officially felt like Groundhog Day to me, as we got to breakfast and the song "I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher was playing over the speakers.

But, since it’s not actually Groundhog Day but President’s Day, here’s an interesting note. Let me know if I forgot anyone.

FEELING PRESIDENTIAL: As today is President’s Day, we honor several former Dodgers who share their surnames with our nation’s past Commanders-In-Chief. Among them are Terry Adams (2000-01), Gary Carter (1991), Hod Ford (1925), Jim Grant (1968), Randy Jackson (1956-58), Brian Johnson (2001), Charles Johnson (1998), Lou Johnson (1965-67), Bob Kennedy (1957), Brickyard Kennedy (1892-1901), John Kennedy (1965-66), Al Nixon (1915-16, 1918), Otis Nixon (1997), Danny Taylor (1932-36), Harry Taylor (1946048), Zack Taylor (1920-25, 1935), Ron Washington (1977) and six different Wilsons.

236 comments

  1. lisab706@hotmail.com

    Nice to see your involvement with your fans. I am actually a Cardinals fan, living in Springfield, IL. I am wondering, do your players sign at away Spring Training games? I grew up with Jayson Werth, and would love to say hello when I am at the Dodgers vs. ATL game on March 3rd at the Disney Complex. Hope to see his injuries heal well, we all knew he’d play pro, even when we were 6!

  2. bigd33ea@yahoo.com

    The above comment on Werth made me think of Repko. He seems to be able to play the field well and has a ton of speed. Will he get a shot to play? And what about Willy Aybar? He hit at .330 clip when he played last year. Will he get a chance this year or next? Or will he only be looked at as a utility player?

  3. marcprotzel@yahoo.com

    In terms of Dodgers that have the same last name as President’s, we’re forgetting our favorite scrub from the strike days: MIKE BUSH!

  4. JhallWally

    I truely believe Bud is going to pull the plug on Frank. I think he will delay and prolong his investigation until after June 30th. That way he doesn’t have to make a decision on the Fox deal and it puts the pressure back on Frank to make payroll. I can’t see him approving the deal anyway, as Frank stated in April that if the deal goes thru, all the money would be used for the Dodgers. In the settlement it is very clear that Frank lied and about 40% of the initial payment is going to settle his divorce and pad his lifestyle.

    • JhallWally

      Hi’Ya Nelly. Read your post on the last thread. I know how you are feeling. These are truely dark and trying times to be a lifelong Dodger fan. I’m pretty sure in the end that Bud is going to prevail and the McCourts will be gone.

  5. enchantedTheBeav

    I don’t understand why they just don’t call this a rebuilding year and start playing all the kids to see what they’ve got over a prolonged period of time. You know what the vets have (or haven’t). Its so typical of Frank & Furter – no direction.

  6. boblee

    Besides Kemp, you would never know from watching them, that we do have a lot of power on this team. just not showing it. What the hell’s wrong with our hitting coach????????????

  7. enchantedTheBeav

    You know, I got to thinking about Ned’s supposed tongue-in-cheek statement about guys using the DL for a vacation (a wise man once said to me, “kidding or not, you’ve got to think it before you can say it.”) …
    .
    Isn’t Ned always preaching that the guys should disclose all injuries so as not to hurt the team by playing injured? Doesn’t the trainer check out an injury before putting someone on the DL? Not to mention Ned manipulates the DL so that he can keep worthless vets.
    .
    How come no one in the press called him out on this?

  8. boblee

    Do we have a third base coach? Do these guys run on their own. Don’t we know ahead of time what kind of arm the right fielder has. PI$$ poor coaching, in my opinion.

  9. enchantedTheBeav

    Speaking of catchers, anyone notice after his hot start that Martin’s hitting .236? Not that that wouldn’t be Herculean compared to the two stiffs we have.

    • JhallWally

      Yep, Martin has really cooled off. He is better than Barajas/Navarro but not drastically better. In 204 PA, Martin has produced 43 runs(R + RBI – HR). Our dynamic duo have produced 36 in 276 PA.

  10. boblee

    We have a possible great pitcher in Rubby. He may get discouraged if we can’t get him some runs. We need some players that want to knock the daylights out of the ball!!!!!!!!!

    • trublu4ever

      If Andre & Matt don’t do it….nobody will! Just have to hope that somebody manages to get on base aheaad of them…..ha, ha, what the hell am I saying?! On base, yea, sure!

  11. vl4eccjr

    Poor kid. He just got worn out. He should have gotten out of this inning giving up one. .
    Thanks Casey!

  12. vl4eccjr

    Aaaand it goes from bad to worse with help from the blowpen. McDon’t sucks!
    Now Barajas getting hurt is adding injury to insult.

  13. enchantedTheBeav

    Thank God that long top half of the inning didn’t effect our hitters by throwing them off their rhythm.

  14. enchantedTheBeav

    Just between you and me, I beginning to think that maybe this isn’t a very, very good team.

  15. Collie

    I don’t see why you guys are all so upset…
    .
    You all need to just relax!!!! Calm down!!!!
    .
    Simmer down now!!!!
    .
    All that needs to happen is they just need to play better….

  16. nedsajerk

    It look like Ellis was just pulled from the game tonight so it look like he’s on his way up here.

  17. enchantedTheBeav

    OK. Seems like we may have hit a little lull in tonight’s offensive explosion. Sooooooo…
    .
    Where’d everybody lose their virginity?

  18. Collie

    Work sucks — this game sucks- this season sucks – this organization sucks —-
    .
    But I have a ribeye on the grill – a heiny in a frosty cold mug and an awesome Wife so it’s all good!!!

  19. Collie

    I’m now officially ok with this team losing. Because I’m hoping that soon this team will be sold — and if they are then hopefully the new owner will see the changes will be made starting with Ned, Stan, H-Cutt, Pentland, & oh hell while I’m at it Steiner. Donnie I would keep through the rest of the year.

  20. selltheteam?

    Damn it! Look at the post we’re on. It’s Groundhog Day! We’re gonna have to live through this shit all season long!

  21. Collie

    10 hits & shut out against the worst team in the league.
    .
    This team should be embarrassed & this organization should be sold… Please Bud please get the McCourts out of DODGEr Town!!!

  22. Collie

    As I’ve mentioned before I always have said the worst day as a Dodger fan is better than the best day as a Giants fan.
    .
    Frank has made that a tough statement for me. If he retains ownership I’m sot sure what will become of my love for baseball.

  23. enchantedTheBeav

    You know, we’ve got momemtum on our side now if the Puds would just cooperate and win a couple.

  24. Collie

    Not that I’ll stop loving baseball I’ll just have a hard time with being as into the game as I have been my whole life.

  25. nedsajerk

    What am I’m going to do this summer? No basketball and no hockey and it hard to root for this team. Maybe I have to go root for the Dback now or even the Angels since they still have a chance at the division.

  26. nedsajerk

    Stop losing Padres maybe we’re get a top 3 pick in next season draft but I know White would draft another pitcher.

  27. trublu4ever

    See, Dodgers, the Gnats just lost another game to the A’s…if you would have done your job and, beaten the lowly astros, you would have gained two games on those guys! Geez!

  28. nedsajerk

    Dodgers haven’t been shut out at home having 10 or more hits since 71
    by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 18, 2011 10:01 PM PDT

  29. Collie

    I wish some that read this blog and still go to the games would start chants like “Help Us Bud”… “Help Us Bud”… “Help Us Bud”… etc…
    .
    Or “Sell The Team”…”Sell The Team”…”Sell The Team”…etc…

  30. dodgereric

    Well, unless we sell out tomorrow’s game (it could happen), we’ll go over 300,000 drop in attendance for the season. The 37th, 38th and 39th games of 2010 were the Yankee series, so these numbers will dramatically increase over the next three days, no matter how much the announced figures are padded. We’re also just about to drop below the Cubs to the #10 club in MLB attendance.
    .
    Game 36 attendance (2010): 52,776
    Today’s attendance courtesy of trumom : 36,124
    Greater than last year = 5 / Less than last year = 30
    19th straight game of negative attendance
    .
    Games less than 30,000 this season – 5
    Games less than 30,000 in 2005 – 2010: none
    Last game was 9/14/2004 – 29,704
    .
    Lowest attended game of the year: Game 8 – 27,439
    Largest single game drop: Game 18 (55,662 – 28,419 = 27,243)
    .
    2010 attendance (36 games) – 1,580,743 (43,910 average)
    2011 attendance (36 games) – 1,281,650 (35,601 average) #9 in MLB
    .
    Drop of 299,093 total
    Average drop of 8308
    Extrapolated for 81 games – 672,959
    Projected 2011 final attendance – 2,883,713
    2010’s final attendance – 3,562,318 (#3 in MLB)
    .
    Next game’s (37) attendance in 2010 – 56,000

    • JhallWally

      Thanks Dad!! Good to see ya. Even better is the fact that those are the paid numbers and it looks like there are less than half that many fans really there.

  31. nedsajerk

    I don’t know understand how royals fans and nationals fans can get excited for meaningless games I sure can’t the only reason I ever tune in is to watch the young guns(gordon, de la rosa, sands) and kemp and ethier. I miss how in years past I would get so into the games and now if were losing I just have a who cares attitude

    By swood on June 18, 2011 5:29 pm

    The Nationals are one of the hottest team in the league and have a 8 games winning streak but you right those are meanless games for them because that division is stack.

    • Nellyjune

      I would have no problems cheering on the Dodgers even if they were in last place. As long as the owner and the GM (and the trainer) are doing what is in the best interest of the team. Some season are just going to suck, and I am okay with that. However, we have an owner and GM who have completely obliterated this organization from the top down. Fans of the Royals, Pirates, Nationals, A’s, etc. are just enjoying baseball games and all that comes with the atmosphere of being at any ballpark. I would have no problems going to Dodger Stadium watching the Dodgers play, whether in first or last, as long as Frank McCourt is no longer our owner.

      • selltheteam?

        Nelly – I totally agree. Once the McCourts get their asses kicked to the curb, the rebuilding process will begin. Given what Frank & Ned have done to this team, the rebuilding will take time. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers need to sit in the cellar for several years. But, as you said, as long as Frank & Ned are no longer involved, I would have no trouble rooting for the team.
        .
        But as long as Frank is still here, all I can say is….. SELL THE TEAM!

      • Nellyjune

        It will be a great day when Dodgers fans can go back to Dodger Stadium when it is McCourt Free.

  32. Nellyjune

    Thank Collie!!! You were making some pretty good statements earlier yourself. The one good thing tonight is some sweet justice for some A’s fans. The gnat fans thought their team was going to have an easy series playing the A’s, and the A’s came ready to play. Good for them!!!

    • Collie

      Agreed — I like the A’s. A good friend of mine is a big A’s fan and he gives it to the Giants hard on FB. We are always getting into it with our “friends”. He is pretty clever & witty and can really dish it out. I think he’s probably pretty happy right now. He had been quiet since the last series they had but I’m guessing he’s going to be making some noise. He’s always all over Krud & Krap and KNBR ion general.

      • Nellyjune

        It’s a lot easier being around A’s fans than gnat fans. I hope your friend gives the gnat fans a lot of Grieg. I have been relatively quiet this season when it comes to the gnats. Not worth the agony these days.

  33. Collie

    The question I have about the Fox TV deal is why would Fox want to deal with Frank? If I was running Fox I would see what he has done to this team/organization and thus the dwindling gate. If there is a dwindling gate then selling advertising for the games on TV wouldn’t get as much money thus causing Fox not to make as much as they could if they had a better owner that put money and love into it thus making it a good product. One that advertisers would like to put $$$ towards.
    .
    I’m I missing something? Is there something I’ve missed? I would think Fox would want to buy a great product as opposed to a broken one.

    • northstateblues

      My guess is that FOX is looking forward at having to pay only $1.7-$3 billion for 17 years of exclusivity concerning the Dodgers’ TV rights. I’m sure even FOX knows McCourt’s likely on his way out, even if Selig approves the contract.

      .
      The franchise has nowhere to go but up, and FOX will be happy to televise the revitalization of the franchise for only $100 million – $176 million a year. And those figures are before the $368 million that would immediately go to Frank towards… well, probably more lawyers. They’re only paying $45 million a year for the Dodgers’ TV rights now.

      .
      To show how terrible an idea this is, last year the Rangers accepted a $3 billion-over-20-years deal. Shouldn’t the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the nation’s second biggest media market, command a lot more than the Arlington-based Texas Rangers?

      .
      Once again, this deal proves how short-sighted Frank McCourt is, and possibly how far the franchise has fallen.

  34. Collie

    I encourage all fans to contact the commish Monday and let him know your voices and concerns.

    .

    Let our voices be heard!!!! We are the fans and why these teams are even in existence!!!

    .

    The Office of the Commissioner of BaseballAllan H. (Bud) Selig, CommissionerAddress: 245 Park Avenue, 31st FloorCity: New York, State: NY Zip Code: 10167Phone: 212-931-7800Fax: 212-949-5654

  35. boblee

    10 hits and no runs. How pathetic is that. This team had no place to go but down. We’re headed to the cellar.

  36. messagebear

    FRUSTRATING is the word. Try as hard as we can, and we can’t get past those Padres to last place in the division. I’m almost ready to give up on that quest. It’s not that we don’t deserve it – Ned made sure of that – but we still have a couple of pieces on this team that work like we’re designed to win something. Well, maybe come trade time, Ned can still saddle us with a PVL or two that can enable us to go all the way, DOWN I mean.
    *
    Love to hear about all those EMPTY SEATS. Keep sticking it to Frank until Bud lowers the boom on the bastard.

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