Heat wave
So, it’s only 94 degrees at first pitch here, but as Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register so aptly put it, it feels like we’re on the surface of the sun. At least it’s a nice view from the sun, with the arch beyond center field here and Albert Pujols close to putting another one through it (it was only a ground rule double).
The new computer is great, so thanks for all your offers to fix me up. Cliff and Linda in our MIS department came through, getting a new one readied and overnighted to St. Louis in short time. I’m hoping I can keep this one up and running for more than two weeks.
Speaking of Bill Plunkett, he wrote a very good piece about the shrinking number of black players in baseball and it’s definitely something everyone in baseball is aware of. The new academy in Compton is a start, but coming from the organization that brought up players like Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe, Roy Campanella and countless others after them, we’re hopeful that Matt Kemp and Russell Martin are just the start of the renaissance.
With my computer issues, I haven’t had the chance to share some thoughts about the new ballpark here and while I’m not quite as impressed as the Daily News’ Tony Jackson, who calls it "gorgeous" in his latest blog posting, they did a nice job with it. There aren’t any really defining qualities like some of the other new parks (besides the obvious arch in the skyline) but St. Louis fans are similar to Dodger fans in that they don’t seem to need stadium gimmicks to keep them interested. These are some of the most passionate fans I’ve ever seen on the road (and they were just quieted by Olmedo’s blast).
I will say, the Cardinals offer the best press box ice cream of any place around, which doesn’t mean much to most people but keeps me from melting on days like today.
Two final thoughts: nice work by Ken Gurnick on being the first to break the news of Tomko’s future in the bullpen. While nothing is set in stone, the thought that he could really thrive in short relief is an intriguing one.
Also, to the fan who asked about Jose Cruz Jr. just hitting right handed, I mentioned it to Grady this morning who said that it is something that Jose would have to do on his own but that the suggestion has probably been brought up in the past. With younger switch-hitters, it is easier to have them abandon hitting both ways and have them focus on one side of the plate. But we’re talking about a guy who ranks 19th all-time in baseball history among switch-hitters in homers. The majority have been hit left-handed and granted, it’s in far more at-bats, that’s not something you can take lightly.
Inside the Dodgers 
I was in St. Louis for Thursday, and Friday’s games. Nice stadium great sight lines, but nothing that stands out as great. I hate to admit it, but St. Louis is a great baseball town. Great fans, 40 some thousand both nights and probably 35,000 were wearing Cardinal red. Pujols just loves to hit in that park, and the ball flies when it is hot.
FIRE LITTLE, FIRE LITTLE, FIRE LITTLE!!!! anyone watching this game has to be incredibly disappointed in the way t arehe Dodgers are playing. They look lazy, they look tired, they look like they don’t care…. (MVP Puljols just takes 3rd on lazy Izzy not covering 3rd base.) Im sorry, I don’t care if its 150 degrees- these players don’t seem to care. Leading the NL in hitting, near the top in pitching, and a .500 team. We have no fight, we loose 1 run games, we loose extra inning games, and we never come back from deficits. All this points to one thing. BAD MANAGEMENT!!!!! Lasorda, after this game, would be so upset, the players would be afraid of him (as I type another run on a lazy play where Taguchi out-hustles the dodger infield…) this team needs a boost- there is some talent here. Im looking forward to Little smartass joking after the game- my prediction is something like “in that heat we wanted to save energy by not making our guys around all 4 bases too many times… ” something like that. WOW, FIRE LITTLE!!!!! I can watch the team loose, but not like this.
I agree – Little shows me zilch, and there is nobody on his coaching staff that should be with the Dodgers either. We should have gotten somebody younger with some fire in the belly instead of a has-been. Hersheiser comes to mind, and Baker will be available after the season is over.
if perez is still on the team on august 1st (day after the trading deadline) then it is obvious the dodgers don’t care about winning but just don’t want to eat salary.
I wish i could curse on here, because then I would use every expletive imaginable for what I feel for Odalis Perez. This guy is horrible on and off the field. He’s just not good anymore…look at him.
He complains all day long. Boo-hoo Odalis… throw the ball, and you’ll get what you want.
On the other hand, look at Tomko. He looks like he’s going to be joining the bullpen, and instead of crying about it like Odalis, he’s looking forward to the oppurtunity, and seems like he’s kinda siked about it! Thats what we want on our team…whatever it takes to win, however they can contribute. This guy Odalis, obviously no one in the league wants him or his salary. Designate him for assignment or release him and eat some of his contract. Theres no point in keeping him and paying him all this money for GARBAGE! you’re better off bringing up a rookie from the minors… he’ll put up the same numbers as Odalis, and you’ll pay him less.
do it. We beg you.
and….
he’s psychologically never going to recover with the Dodgers. He’s done mentally.
Little and the coaches have to be responsible for this horrible play. Kent and Drew look pathetic and it looks like nobody gives a damm.
Personally, I’m not disappointed that the dodgers were swept. I am a diehard dodger fan, however; this team does not have the pitching depth or the power to make a serious run at the playoffs. Even if the dodgers won their division, they would be destroyed by either the Mets or Cardinals. What concerns me is that the Dodger front office may think the team is just good enough to win the West, and trade away their talent at the minor league level to get a rent a vet. I would rather see the dodgers become sellers, ie, attempt to trade kent, drew, baez, cruz, lofton, odalis(if possible),hall, even nomar and promote the future on August 1. The dodgers could play loney, izzy, furcal, laroche, guzman, kemp, ethier and martin, giving all enough experience towards next season. the dodgers have the talent to be contenders for the next decade, I just hope they don’t trade it away for this season.
Last year was the kind of year when you find out what kind of a fan you really are, and unfortunately, we seem to be drifting into something similar.
Are these guys really this bad?
I think Reggie Smith should be invited back into the club house so he can turn it upside down and kick a few butts.
Dusty Baker???? He is more laid back than Grady. We are not a good team right now, too many missing pieces.
Dusty’s not the answer. Lou Pinella would be sweet.
Man, I get married, go away for a week and I come back to this? A Dodgers’ power outage and being swept by the Cardinals? First off, Dusty Baker or Lou Pinella is not the answer. I believe that Grady Little will be just fine. He’s a good baseball man and is doing the best job he can with what he’s been provided. He is a manager that knows the game and will offer the stability the team has lacked in a long-term manager. He DOES know what he’s doing. Ultimately it comes down to the players doing their job and executing. And don’t even get me started on the injury thing again. The team is very fortunate to still be in the race.
I agree with “jkeezell” in trading away some of the large payroll and focusing more toward the youth movement, but don’t give up just yet on this year. It’s true the team needs some pitching help and with the right addition the Dodgers can start winning more of the close ballgames. I’ve seen it before and this team can get hot if the timing is right.
“Tried and True, I still bleed Dodger Blue!”
1) The team is back at .500 and 2 1/2 games out of first. Here and at Dodger Thoughts, level-headedness seems to be drifting from some of the commenteres. Anger over losing games, and never being fully satisfied after wins probably does not just impact the fans. How many people do you honestly think are happy when they lose, and don’t get frustrated? So what the manager does is lead the team to where they can focus and play well. Tommy Lasorda did it with more yelling and swearing. Grady Little does it by being a laid-back joker.
Both inspire the player to trust his stuff and play well.
2) Maybe the heat did have something to do with it. Not only was it hot, but St. Louis is more humid than Los Angeles (imagine that!), and the heat index at it’s peak during yesterday’s game at least, hit 100. Not to say that LA doesn’t get hot, but the dry heat is much more tolerable. Also, it takes longer for the area to cool off with all the moisture; the heat index dropped under 80 in LA by sunset yesterday, while it took until Midnight in St Louis for it to do so.
3) You brought up Dusty Baker. Kenny Lofton went 3-3 in today’s game with a walk. Dusty would have only said “I told you so.” ( http://tinyurl.com/gclj )
4) Sometimes, things just don’t go quite as you would hope ( http://tinyurl.com/glyvx ). A hat tip to Drudge for this one.
5) Congratulations to Cesar, as his second child is about to be born. We wish him the best while he’s away for a few days.
Congratulations to KSS as well. Welcome back.
Dry heat? are you kidding? …. do you think Edmonds and Puljols playing for Tony LaRussa are worried about “dry heat”. Do you think Jeeter gripes to Torre about the humidity? Its al about attitude. Do what it takes to win attitude! Grady’s laid back style doesn’t have it. He has to go. Of all the managers I can think of- Grady is probably the one id have the most fun having a beer with on Saturday afternoon, but if you want to win divisions- his style doesn’t cut it.
With 162 games, you hit plenty of peaks, valleys, and all sorts of cliches throught the season.
But let’s get back to what’s more important: discussing trade rumors out there and creating our own.
I keep hearing about the number of black players shrinking but to me it seems like there are quite a bit on the teams I follow. Then again, I cover two local NCAA Baseball teams for the local paper and there isn’t one black player on either team. Nor do I remember one on any of the opponent’s teams last season. Go figure.
hi I haven’t posted in lately, have been busy, My mom died , and my daughter is getting married july 29, here in Madras oregon. I still say protect the future, the worst thing that could happen would be to trade a top ten prospect for a rent a player
for the rest of the year. we can win the west, but as I have said before, we don’t match up well with the other playoff bound team.
glad kemp is in las vegas, if he stays their for most of the year, he should win rookie of the year next year
with kemp, aybar,guzman, loney,young at l.v. the next month should be great there.
if we fall to win many more games, the draft of 07 would be a good one to add more prospects.
love to see o.p. cruz, drew
get traded, drew to the yankees for phil huges, and melky cabrera would be nice.
last thougt, so far, teams trading for help are not giving up much talent , so protect the future. go dodgers
African american players don’t concider dominican players as black. Some are and some aren’t as the same with cuban players. The Fact that this is an american sport where all races and all colors are accepted at the skill level they play is the main factor.As with all Jobs in america. I’m a White male American living in LA who has seen other race people hired or promoted because they fit the ethnic bill better but I don’t whine nor cry about it I just keep doing my job to the best of my ability or whatever is asked of me.People who bring race into sports obviously don’t have a clue about how these people get to where they are.Most go to college and they have to at least get the concept of learning the others go straight into the minors where they still have to show they can learn and perform!All Races Have the chance to perform in America but straight talent doesn’t always equate to a good smart player Look at Milton Bradley lotsa talent no brains talks like Bull but can’t hack the majors.
That Said and that is one issue thats been bugging me….. ROLL OUT THE TARPS! SELL OFF THE VETS! This Team is PITIFUL!Everytime They Play a real Team The Freakin Roll over into little pillbugs.If You are going to Reigh the runs scored arena …DO it!10-2 vs Crappy teams and you lose every game vs good teams makes you GARBAGE!!!These guys get too many Perks and have wayyy too good a lifestyle to be Dodgers Sell Off the founding Fathers of Perez Drew Lofton Kent and if you find a ****** FURCAL.in Return a ligite infield would be nice REPKO at Center Either and agood trade to balance the outfield.Dump Cruz Too. Trade Alomar and Grady for Ozzie Guilen and Buy a Decent Coaching Staff This team might help the 51’s but I think its too late there too……..
Let me back that rant off a bit.I forgot that Most dominican and cuban players don’t get a shot at college here in America.When was the last time any pro sports player from Africa got signed here in America as a Pro Player in the NBA NFL or MLB?I Know its too far to swim But so is japan and Korea.
Thats my 2 cents
What’s happened to Drew? His swing suddenly has more holes than a Swiss cheese. Want to get him out? Pitch inside, or pitch low, anywhere. Used to be that to get Kent out, go low and away. To Kent’s credit, he’s been working at that and it shows. Well done, Kent! Martin had the same problem and also worked on it, well done to him too. Pity Drew can’t seem to correct himself.
And high time somebody takes the gloves off and rant a bit at this team for playing so listlessly. Losing because in the 10th inning you have a man on third and first, no outs, and you can’t score? Pfffft. A team like that, and a team with a losing record in 1-run games, is not a team that will win consistently.
I agree that this series has shown that this team, the way it currently plays, has no shot at staying alive in the postseason. So don’t trade away any farmhands to try and squeeze the Dodgers into playoffs where they’ll get swept by their first opponents. If we can’t beat out the other teams in the West with what we have now, we don’t belong in the playoffs anyway. The Giants are old, and they draw level with us, for instance? For shame.
Kent is doing OK, Furcal’s been doing a lot better, Nomar is great. Not all the vets are dead weight. But oy, dump Perez! Even if it means eating his salary. The message keeping him around sends is that any petulant player not willing to play for the team and help the team win is welcome on this team, will be kept on. Wrong message. At some stage you have to stop being Mr Nice Guy.
Neither Guzman nor Loney nor Kemp is ready for the bigs yet. Billingsly isn’t yet, either – though he is improving. So bringing them up and expecting a much better performance from them than from last year’s crop of Jasons is wishful thinking. Allow them to work on their skills outside the spotlight.
And lastly, I’m annoyed at Little’s “don’t peak too early” comment. Peaking too late is just as bad, and not peaking at all seems to be quite within this team’s ability. Want to try playing catch-up to the Padres, who are slowly pulling away, in September? I guarantee you that won’t be as easy as it looks.
The only sliver of hope is that the Dodgers hold a slim edge in intra-division play. We are 20-15 there and next best is Arizona at 18-15, while the Giants are 18-19. There’s some intra-division series coming up. Better win most of them, Dodgers. Best of luck. I’m still rooting for ya.
“As a kid, I was kind of embarrassed to admit I played baseball sometimes. Guys would be like, ‘Baseball? You play baseball?’ I was like, ‘Yeah (lowering his head, sheepishly). Baseball’s all right.'”
Quote from Matt Kemp
California is nothing like Oklahoma, baseball is thriving here.
I like our chances to win today, there pitcher has an ERA above 5.00 we should be o.k. today.
Yeah, Marquis and Suppan both have ERA’s over 5.00 and they shut us down.
Its on us to play better- not hope for worse opponents. Maybe we could entice Kirk Gibson to be a bench coach ? Shape up some attitudes. Embarrassing effort in Stl.
Sele has been putting up some good numbers lately, so I am encouraged in that respect. However, if we have Drew and Kent in the middle of the lineup again, that seems to break up any momentum for scoring runs. It’s nice of Little to keep them there in hopes that they’ll play through the dry spell, but I’m afraid that they have both already peaked for the season. It might be good if their contracts were based largely on incentives like Nomar’s – maybe we would get something for the money.
Last time we faced Enrique was his last outing on July 4. He lasted 4 innings and gave up 7 runs in LA. Sele faced him in that game, going 6 innings and only allowing 2 runs.
If Grady put Odalis in to pitch when the first batter up was Pujols yesterday, would he put him in to face Chad Tracy during this series?
i’m not too worried yet. it’s a long season. now if the dodgers get swept by the cards and lose the series to the padres AT HOME, then i’ll start worrying…
Grady has done a good job so far at keeping the team in contention without a stellar pitching staff and with a lot of injuries.
we could have split the series in St. IT’S TOO HOT OUT THERE, I’m looking for better things in Arizona.
Predictions I’ll make:
1) Billingsley will develop into a pitcher with a 4-4.5 ERA and eventually go 6 innings regularly by year’s end. I wouldn’t expect him to really break out until after being in the majors for at least a full year, but definitely before he’s 25.
2) Aaron Sele will have the second-best ERA on the team to Brad Penny. He will slip, but he appears to be pitching effectively and reasonably consistently, also recovering well from a slump.
3) The Dodgers and the Padres will pull ahead going into the last week of the season, as the only NL West teams to face the Pirates in September.
4) It will not really be cold enough to warrant wrapping yourself in the fleece blanket that will be given away on September 18.
5) The key is for the Dodgers to keep up their status as having the best record in the NL West against the rest of the Division (currently 20-15, compared to
AZ 18-15
SF 18-19
SD 15-16
CO 15-20.
Beating the rest of the division like they have will easily put the Dodgers in the postseason, especially with 39 of the remaining 70 games against teams in the division.