Carrara returns…
The Dodgers have optioned Hong-Chih Kuo to Triple-A Las Vegas and recalled Giovanni Carrara, who is now in his third stint with the club. On my way downstairs to the clubhouse, I ran into Gio and Shawn Green on the elevator, along with Vin Scully. It was like an old reunion, though Shawn and Gio have known each other since they were teammates at Single-A in 1992. To make room for Gio on the 40-man roster, we moved Ricky Ledee to the 60-day DL, though he’s starting his rehab assignment tomorrow in Jacksonville.
Happy Fourth of July to all…in case you were wondering, In their 116-year history, the Dodgers have played 166 games on July 4 and have posted an 84-80-2 record in those games, including a 23-25 mark since moving to Los Angeles in 1958. The tradition of playing a double header on Independence Day was a regular one until 1960, when L.A. started playing just once on the Fourth of July. During one particularly fruitful stretch, the Dodgers posted a 17-4 record on July 4 from 1945-1956. Last year, the Dodgers defeated the Rockies, 4-3 in 11 innings on Independence Day. Following tonight’s game, there will be a fireworks show compliments of TD Ameritrade.
Here’s the lineup:
Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B (Vote for Nomar for the final All-Star spot)
Drew, RF
Kent, 2B
Ethier, LF
Izturis, 3B
Martin, C
Sele, P
And a final note on last night’s tri-plunking of Nomar: He tied a Major League record by getting hit by pitch three times and upon further review from Retrosheet’s Dave Smith, this is the third time that the feat has been accomplished this season, with Toronto’s Reed Johnson having the dubious honor of being the other two times. Garciaparra is the first player in L.A. Dodger history to get hit three times in a game and the 26th in Major League history.
Inside the Dodgers 
Why is Furcal hitting leadoff we scored 10 runs last night?Go Dodgers!
My five points
1) Kuo needs refinement, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s any thought of converting him back to a starter since he can’t pitch consecutive days.
2) Seeing that Repko and Ledee are soon back with the club leads me to conclude that Alomar is not going to be on the roster much longer. I don’t know if he’ll be DL’ed, optioned down, released, or officially hired as a coach, but there is no reason to carry three catchers. Kemp will be sent down and will come back more permanently later, while Ethier seems to be here to stay now.
3) By Grady Little’s logic, the leadoff spot and 7-spot are interchangeable. This tells you that he thinks Martin can be a #2 hitter.
4) The lack of a guy on track for a whole lot of home runs has not hampered this Dodger offense’s potency, but that does make a difference in its consistency.
5) I continue to be a proponent of trading Drew for Beltre, and with an under-30 third baseman, the Dodgers could offer a nice package of Furcal, Aybar, and cash for a quality starting pitcher. The trigger on Beltre should be pulled soon, while his value is still relatively low.
call me crazy people but I love Gio coming back.
Wholeheartedly agree with Patriot on trading Drew and Furcal rather than the best of our young talent. Would trade Drew even if we can’t get Beltre, but we’d have to hold onto Aybar in that case. Nice to see Carrara coming back. Let’s see some fireworks from tonight’s lineup.
Carrera should never see a big league mound again. We are now using pitchers that even dimwit Jim Tracy has cast off. Sheesh.
you said >>mleadman@pacbell.net<<
I think he’ll do good, I always remembered him doing good wearing blue
Drew still batting clean up is flatout a joke. Just like plunking Conner Jackson in retaliation is a joke. Our best player is plunked 3 times, and that’s the fire we show??? The game was in hand in the late innings, so I don’t want to hear about how winning the game is more important. I wasn’t happy with the way we responded to Utley crashing into the middle of Russ’s back either, that was bush, he had plenty of time to pull up if u saw the replays. Love to see Gio back, he’s a gamer. Now just gotta get Ledee, and Repko back. Drew nor Furcal have much trade value playing so poorly, with superstar contracts. If we can find a fool to take them, let’s see if they want Gagne’s massive agreement as well. Happy 4th. Go Dodgers!
Interpol raises a very important point that mleadman misses altogether: Gio is a philanthropist; he does good. Think of all the gifts he’ll give other teams! Super, super move.
While we’re in the mood to bring back below average major leaguers or over the hill has beens why not bring back Jason Grabowski, Chad Fonville, and Paul Shuey? I mean, Im sure Billy Ashley isn’t doing anything these days too. **** Terry Mulholland just got released let’s take a waiver on him too while we’re at it! And I guarantee Darren Dreifort is available these days.
Just bring back Tom Martin while were at it?
Is there any reason why Mark Alexander could not have been called up? Why not go with the guy that might NOT stink that is still young, rather than a washed up junk baller like Gio Carrara?
To the first poster. Trading for Adrian Betlre wouldnt be advisable. Certainly not giving up the team’s 2nd best hitter to get him. Beltre’s a really really underachiever for what his contract is. How can you rip on Drew for not playing up to his contract, but want to trade him for Beltre? How much sense does that make?
The GM has got to do something right after the All Star break. First, we need another starter, someone to fit in the rotation right after Penny and Lowe. A solid #3 innings eater. Second, Repko, Ledee, Lofton, Drew, Ethier, Cruz and Kemp. Now we have way too many OF’s, either Repko or Ledee needs to go in a trade. Even if Kemp goes down for some more seasoning, the rest need playing time and there is no way that can happen with this backlog of players. Lastly, we need one more set up man in the pen, and a prayer that Gagne is ready to close again.
I agree with Joe. Why not bring up Mark Alexander? He’s not a 22yr old kid and has been lights out at AA. We made the jump with Kemp, why not Alexander or TJ Nall? It’s obvious our AAA relievers like Hull, Osaria, Carter, Hamulack, Wunsch, etc arent going to get it done here so why not give these guys a chance?? Even Pittsburgh released him so I don’t see why we should think Gio is going to be an upgrade for this ballclub!
beltre? you want beltre? you’ve got to be kidding me. he had one good year and then ******. itd be better to let aybar or guzman play than to let beltre back. kemp going down is good, but if he goes to AAA, who goes down to AA? i think kuo is a better pick that carrarra. why not see what one of the AA pitchers can do? they are doing good for the suns.
bokonon42@hotmail.com
I know he wasn’t great but I like him up hear. O.K. DUDE! (I don’t mean saying “o.k. dude” in a bad way)
Beltre is a great defensive 3rd baseman and a gamer he’ll play hurt in 04 he was on a bum ankle all year! I would take him in a heartbeat especially if that means Izzy back where he belongs! Let’s get a win Tonight!!!!!!
diehardblue…..are you forgetting about our young 3B like LaRoche, Guzman, and Aybar? 3B should not be a concern for us. Our bigger problem is our pitching not our offense.
Defense is also a problem Furcal on pace to have 40 errors at short! A .250 average is not going to cut it at leadoff fix those problems and where a much better team. Our defense gets better our pitching gets better
I hear Ethier has a kid brother, hey Ned go sign him NOW
Sele eating innings, THIS is a good thing!!
1) Ivproduction – I would remind you that we also have switched a whole bunch of our prospects to outfielders. Guzman and Young, and I think that Loney has had time there too. The key is in the fact that we have outfielders that can do what JD Drew can do, and play every day (Kemp, Ethier, Repko). We don’t have a third baseman that can hit for power. If you want to keep all the prospects, you’re gonna have to be the Florida Marlins. The Mariners, though, would probably like a solid-ish CF, which Drew could be.
2) jglass – Watch out for that family. Jeremy Giambi wasn’t quite everything his brother turned out to be, but Pedro was Ramon’s little brother. The Mariners also have Nomar’s little brother . . .
Beltre HAD to be on roids in ’04. How does a guy, who was playing hurt all year, hit that many home runs when he’s never hit that many before or since? I’m just saying.
If you look at Gio’s stats will will clearly see that he ***** as a reliever everywhere but as a Dodger.He always gives up a run or two here and there but can hang on with the bases loaded and 1 out to get the double play.He is a far cry better then the Garbage I’ve seen come outta our bullpen this year.What ticks me off is when the relievers walk soo many then give up big hits.Gio has always done a solid job for us in the past and i’m willing to give him another go round.
As fare as our outfield goes i’d like to know if Lofton has had his eyes checked recently i’m getting really tired of seeing him miss balls over his head.I’m fine with moving Drew and his contract or moving Lofton for a posistion for Repko he was tearing up the rbi’s run’s scored and hitting .300 when he went on the DL not to mention he makes every play near his glove and some that aren’t.
Izzy has TOO much range for 3rd he’s trying to gobble up everything he can get at and isn’t allowing Furcal to make as many throwing errors as he is capible of ready to move furcal and that contract.
Lastly I think perez should pitch the last game against the snakes while they are ******* soo bad and our offence is hot but then again I wouldn’t want to throw that wet rag on a hot offence Move Perez and his contract already. Great game today and yesterday Lets finish off the sidewinders and get the sweep. Go Blue!
fisher928 said >> ready to move furcal and that contract.<<
who’s gonna take his FAT CONTRACT? Furcal is hear to stay, I hate it but it’s true.
lostmysoul – I doubt it was steroids. I don’t think anyone is about to claim Roger Maris juiced up, even though he never replicated the ’61 season again.
I think Beltre before had credited Tim Wallach, and that would also explain how Izturis became a much better hitter (until he started playing hurt last year). Beltre’s average jumped by about 90 points, and he struck out less and walked more. Heck, Alex Cora hit .264 that year, which is a lot higher than what he typically put out, and Lo Duca went from .273 to a .300 hitter.
Juicing can give you a power boost, but it’s not going to improve your average or plate discipline, or even make you any better.
Wallach was also Gagne’s favorite player growing up, according to jockbio.com.
http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Gagne/Gagne_bio.html
Wish Wallach was still with the team !! Anyone know where he’s at today ??
Think SWEEP !!
Go Dodgers !!