There an arch in my back…yard
The second half has arrived and so have we, in St. Louis. We got in last night with about half the normal group of people on our flight. Several guys were flying on their own to meet us here in St. Louis from wherever they spent their All-Star Break.
Our hotel is right across the street from the New Busch Stadium, which looks pretty nice from the outside. It has a Coors Field look to it, according to A Martinez, who joined myself, Charley Steiner and a couple other Dodger staffers for dinner last night at Shannon’s Steakhouse, owned by Cardinal broadcaster Mike Shannon.
The arch, St. Louis’ signature destination, is actually visible out the window of my hotel room (you have to crane your neck to see it, so it’s kind of like the partial-ocean views that South Bay apartments often claim to have). Still, despite the brutal humidity, this is always a great city to come visit, especially now that there’s a new ballpark to see.
Some interesting articles from the morning papers. The Daily News did stories on the new Roy Campanella stamp, the McCourts and Camille Johnston, my boss. All three were interesting, I thought, and though I know everyone would expect me to praise my boss publicly, what the story says about her is true. She’s definitely earned the respect of just about everyone in the organization and the media in a very short amount of time, which is not easy to do.
Bill Plunkett wrote a nice piece about the prospects on our team and there was a midseason report card from the L.A. Times. Until I read it, I hadn’t realized that we were last in the league in homers. Strange to be leading in so many offensive categories yet trailing in longballs.
One fan asked about Jason Repko, who should be starting a rehab assignment very soon. As for Jeff Kent, we’ll know more about how the break served him and his side when we get to the ballpark, but I didn’t notice until doing game notes today that he’s leading all NL second basemen in fielding percentage. Nomar is second among first basemen and Rafael Furcal has just two errors in the last month or so, which is much more like him. Cesar has been really impressive at third base and in general, our defense seems to be getting better overall, as we’ve got just two errors in the last six games.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Let’s hope the second half is even better than the first and ends with a lot of champagne and celebration.
Inside the Dodgers 
This series will be a wake up call on what to expect in the post season. As it was two years ago the Cards will be one of the teams we’ll have to beat in the playoffs, as will the Mets !!
Burn up those phones Ned and find us a pitcher !!!
Go Dodgers !!
I, for one, im hoping we pick up another arm- even if it cost us some of the farm system. SOME, that is, not all… While the future is bright with prospects, we also do have some players who are very good pros (hall of famers?)and maybe in their last year or two as productive Dodgers. Kent, Nomar, etc… now is the time to take the west, its within reach.
i LOVE the fact that we are scoring so many runs without the long ball.
I was listening to colin cowherd on espn radio today and he was saying that everyone loves the longball. he loves the dh. he claims teams don’t win with strategy and that anyone who doesn’t like the longball is a liar.
i love small ball. i love strategy and moving up the runner, and the suicide squeeze. pitchers should hit. i don’t pay to see the homerun. i pay to see good fundamental baseball. i like homeruns but that’s just one element of the game.
yer my boy blue!