From the Metrodome
A busy day here in Minnesota and from my first glance, the Metrodome isn’t as bad as I’ve heard it is. It’s not your typical new ballpark with every new amenity, but to me, there’s a lot of character here which is what you want in your yard. I’m glad we got to see it before the new one opens up in a few years.
We arrived last night at about 11:30 local time and were in the hotel shortly after midnight. I cranked out the game notes in the morning and then Scott Akasaki, our team travel manager, and I headed to the Mall of America. After all, while I’m sure there’s plenty more to do in Minneapolis, I’m not exactly sure what it is. Maybe we’ve got some blog readers out there with recommendations.
Ironically, we arrived at the Mall around noon and saw a huge crowd gathering in the middle of one plaza. Sure enough, it was part of the citywide celebration of the 1965 World Series anniversary. Yes, we went all the way across the country and stumbled upon an autograph session by Willie Davis and "Sweet" Lou Johnson, two guys who are in our offices on a daily basis. Those two will join several former Twins in a pregame ceremony tonight here at the ballpark.
As for the Mall, it is pretty impressive in size and has just about every single store you’ve ever seen in any mall. The amusement park and underground aquarium were a nice touch, though we didn’t visit either of them with our limited time.
Another nice thing about this city that we’ve found so far is the public transportation. We took the train to the Metrodome, though it absolutely started pouring on Scott, myself and A Martinez as soon as we got out. But we’re now dry and under the dome for the next six hours or so and hoping to keep this win streak going.
Here’s today’s lineup and a final thought:
Furcal, SS (got 1,000th hit yesterday)
Lofton, CF
Garciaparra, 1B (hit 200th homer yesterday)
Drew, DH
Kent, 2B
Ethier, LF
Kemp, RF
Izturis, 3B
Martin, C
Billingsley, P
Read in today’s USA Today that the CEO of Sun Microsystems, Jonathan Schwartz is doing a blog and that more CEOs could follow suit. I think this is a good step for big business all around the country and so far I think the Dodger organization has been glad that we’ve been able to communicate directly with our fans through this avenue.
Inside the Dodgers 
While in Minneapolis, check out the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices… if it’s still open. (I did hear a rumor that it closed.) It features all of the crazy, quacky gimmicks that were promised to lead to better health… I particularly remember many of the phrenology tools… and for the ladies, the foot-pump breast enlarger. Ouch.
Wow, just read the MailBag on the web site and I sure hope the Dodgers have enough sense to sign Nomar now and not wait !! Kent is signed through next year but he figures to stay at second. Nomar can play the entire infield and I’ll bet the outfield as well. This guy is why we’re in first place and has the tools to last. Sign him now while he’s as cheap as he can be. Looney wasn’t as impressive to me when I saw him in Spring Training and again during his call up. I’d use him as trade bait !!
Keep the Streak Going !!
Go Dodgers !!
Thanks for posting the lineup so early every day. I don’t remember a time when I was actually so excited to see who the Dodgers were going to play. One question: Why in the world is Martin batting 8th (or, today , 9th)? He could be a great number 2 hitter. At the very least, he should be batting ahead of Martinez or Izturis or whatever light-hitting middle-infielder is in the lineup….
i think they bat martin 8th so that he doesnt feel pressure to hit and he can focus on his catching. im not sure about nomar. loney is the same exact player with more power potential. he is hitting close to .400 in the minors. 10 million is quite a high price to pay for nomar. he is playing great now, but man did he screw the cubs when he got a big multi-year package from them.
I too think it’s impressive that the line-ups are posted early day in and day out,it’s exciting trying to figure out who Grady is gonna give the nod to, which speaks volumes about our depth. I would have liked to have seen Cesar hitting ninth but, in the AL that’s like having another leadoff hitter, however it does spread our line-up out well, alot of lefty then righty, and vice versa which can be misery on a pitcher and a coach. In the late innings it’s hard to use that situational lefty when there isn’t a spot in the lineup where u see 2 or 3 in a row. I hope our running/speed game is at full throttle this series, u pick up a step on this surface as(opposed to grass), so guys like Furcal,Lofton, and Kemp should be rollin.
I got something for u to do in Minny, watch some tape on Liriano and Johan, just kidding. But I can’t wait for tonight,let alone going against two of the best lefties in the game tue and wed.
On a side note I just would like to tell some of u fans who are like me trying to catch the game on the radio or computer, there’s a little package u can order and watch LA play on most nights. For example, contrary to my wife’s wishes I will be watching each game in Minny, hopefully with Vin calling them. In my worthless opinion it’s worth it.
Keep that streak alive!!!!
great, great read Josh (USA Today) Kudos
Hey Josh,
What about Frank McCourt and a blog?
Wow, just read the MailBag on the web site and I sure hope the Dodgers have enough sense to sign Nomar now and not wait !! Kent is signed through next year but he figures to stay at second. Nomar can play the entire infield and I’ll bet the outfield as well. This guy is why we’re in first place and has the tools to last. Sign him now while he’s as cheap as he can be. Looney wasn’t as impressive to me when I saw him in Spring Training and again during his call up. I’d use him as trade bait !!
Keep the Streak Going !!
Go Dodgers !!
Posted by: garysmith@glsmith.com
Im with you
I really hope they sign NOMAR ….
he has been clutch…when hes up to bat he gets on.. always gives great at bats ….and his glove is great!
Please Dodgers dont let him get away …PLEASE!!!
GO BLUE!!
For those of u not able to watch the game: Hunter missed a Grand Slam by feet, then grounded into a dp. All flyball outs for their sinkerball pitcher, not good for Twins. Looks like our offense has shown up to the Metrodome, now we gotta get the kid to throw strikes. Let’s go Dodgers!!!!! 1-1 2nd Inn.
It’s so easy to manage from home. However, I do think Billingsley needed a full season at AAA to improve on location. Even there he threw too many pitches and did not pitch deep into games. Edwin Jackson keeps popping up in my head. Seems like this game is not going well with walks and hit batsman. Sets the table for the sluggers.
Better take Chad out and go with Odalis. See what he can do if given the opportunity. No pressure pitching from behind. The talent still has to be there.
They just took Chad out and that Grady is some special guy !! He is really taking care of his kids !! No matter what happens he wants his guys to know everything is OK !! It’s Kuo time !!
Go Dodgers !!!
The Twins don’t deserve Mauer !! He’s GOOD !! 2 to 6 now, we need to get it going !
GO Dodgers!!
Big league hitters hit fastballs, and that’s all Kuo is throwing.Chad has come precisely as advertised, godd fastball and breaking ball. High pitch counts due to command problems should be a concern, especially with the inconsistent pen. He need’s a bit more seasoning, but the kid’s got grit. Tonight’s loss would be tough because they have a couple of studs coming up, but we have hit lefties well this year. Go Dodgers!
Lefty-right splits mean something if you are dealing with average hitters. I was hoping Grady learned that when he had Ethier play Saturday, but apparently not.
* Joe Mauer is leading baseball in BA.
* Johan Santana is a Cy Young winner.
* Francisco Liriano outdueled Roger Clemens, and mark my words, he will be the 2006 the AL Rookie of the Year.
Billingsley was having an off night with control, and I’d be curious to see what his velocity was hitting. I think he’s used to having an overpowering fastball, and I know in his last outing his velocity was way down, topping out at like 91. My guess is he was overthrowing to compensate.
Any truth to the rumor that the Dodgers have traded Navarro for Mark Hendrickson of the Devil Rays?
June 27th – I just read in the Los Angeles times that the creator of the Dodger Dog passed away. Will the Dodgers be doing anything to commemorate him or am I so far behind the curve that this has already happened?