Trying to get hot…
Yes, as a team, that’s what we’re attempting to do. As a city, Phoenix has already accomplished that feat. Good thing the roof is on and the a/c is kicking in here at Chase Field.
Also, our sincere condolences go out to the family of Bud Furillo, who passed away last night. Bud was a longtime local writer and radio personality, serving as host of DodgerTalk on KABC. He was just in the press box at Dodger Stadium last week and seemed in good spirits, so it’s very sad to hear of his passing.
Now, for a little anecdote.
As a kid, I used to play backyard baseball with the guys across the street who were four, six and eight years older than me. While the better competition probably helped me get better, it was always disheartening when, as a 12-year-old, I would face the 18-year-old, Robbie, who would switch-hit to make it more competitive. Just when I was winning by five runs in the last inning with two outs, there would suddenly be four "right-handers" on deck and inevitably, they’d all homer and I’d end up losing the game.
I thought back to that earlier today when playing golf (yes, again) with Fernando Valenzuela, who makes me feel like a 12-year-old playing against a 25-year-old. He shot even par, which he does almost every time we play, and though I didn’t wind up walking back across the street in tears, I did return to my hotel room, defeated.
Why do I bring you this nonsense on a hot summer day? Because you, too, have a chance to play golf with Fernando or one of the current Dodgers, former Dodgers, celebrities or local TV personalities in the upcoming Dodgers Dream Foundation Charity Golf Invitational. The event is a week from Thursday at Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes and though I know it’s not cheap for a round of golf, it’s a full day of events that are well worth it. And most importantly, it’s for charity. So, if you’re interested, call 323.224.1413 and talk to David Brennan, who is organizing the event.
As for the game, Jeff Kent did go on the DL today, finally realizing that his oblique was not getting any better. Willy Aybar got recalled and is in the starting lineup. Brett Tomko should be leaving for a rehab assignment soon but first will throw some BP to hitters on the field here on Thursday.
The lineup:
Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B
Drew, RF
Ethier, LF
Aybar, 3B
Martinez, 2B
Martin, C
Billingsley, P
Inside the Dodgers 
why does Lofton keep going out there, he is too old and the legs are to just as old. he is becoming a liability.
what you talking about he is batting 295. I do agree his defensive ability has declined but lofton still is quick, and can provide a decent amount of games, just not everyday. But my question is this, why didn’t the dodgers make a better attemt at Jeff Weaver though he ****** this year as an angel, he could of been picked up for nothing, and given a shot at just eating up innings a huge thing the dodgers bullpen needed. Or even more who the Yankees just signed Ponson. Not a top notch, but still a pretty cheap bandid while being able to keep the minor leagues in good condition.
O.K. line up, I wonder for how long Kent is out, 15 day DL?
Please tell me why Lofton is still playing center. He can’t move!
The decision on Kent is two weeks overdue, but nobody in the management seemed to have the guts to call it. I give him credit for finally speaking out himself and doing it for “the best for the team” so to speak. Glad to see Aybar back – maybe he can add some hitting to this team.
I’d rather have Kemp in center field. Lofton can’t range, and his jump on balls in play is terrible. Plus his arm is not good – though he did turn two nice throws the other night. Hope Kent gets better, but it seems to me we have 1.5 years of fastly declining Kent to deal with now.
This team needs to get fire in its belly quickly. Just saying “trying to get hot” “trying to get it going” won’t help. I am sure the Pirates and Royals are also saying that all the time.
Poor Toby Hall, how quickly his elation at being on a playoff team turned into reality. No wonder he wants a trade, who wants to be part of a team that plays this tepidly?
I worry a bit at Little’s remark that ran along the lines of “We’re approaching the mark where we need to play perfect just to win.” Is this team that bad? No wonder they can’t get motivated if their manager thinks they are so bad they have to play “perfect” just to have a chance at a win, now that all the other teams are doing what you should do in the second half, which is pick up speed.
I have to wonder why Grady keeps making out the same lineup, even though it’s not working. Maybe he needs to shake things up a bit. Bat people in differant positions and move Martin up and Lofton down. Also Drew in cleanup? Isn’t Nomar better in cleanup and Drew third?
hopefully aybar is the sparkplug that we need to get the offense going. does anyone know what his stats were after he got sent back down?
Wonder what the implications are of Aybar playing third base instead of second. If Kent is out for a while, I would have thought that Aybar would be playing second in his absence. Seems like maybe Izzy will be assigned to second base to fill in for Kent, thus asking him to learn yet another position just as he was getting comfortable at third.
hows this for a better lineup in las vegas , batting third aybar, 2b,followed by loney 1b, kemp l.f. young r.f., guzman d.h. laroche 3b batting 8th. the future is near, protect the future. the way we are playing ,dumping salary for the rest of the year might be for the best. perez, cruz, drew, can go, who wants them, sell them now whilet the selling’s good.proably too late on perez, sounds like no one wants him in their clubhouse. let’s win tonight. protect the future
while i agree that odalis needs to go, his trade value must be downright negligible – given his salary, attitude, and current skills. sad.
if the only way to improve his trade value (provided we don’t just release him, which i don’t think we would), then we need to put him back in the rotation for the year. even if it costs us some games this year. if that’s the case, then we should be totally willing to go with the kids.
in a seller’s market, you wonder what a guy like Lowe could fetch. would the yanks be willing to trade for him in a deal for phil hughes?
how about something more ridiculous? drew, lowe, and izzy for AROD and hughes? three starters for one and a prospect. them yanks lose a little pop, add an arm, and improve their D, but get rid of the best player in baseball to get booed… while the dodgers finally add some pop, another P prospect, and open up some OF space for the kids to play. arod could man 3rd or ultimately take back SS if furcal is dealt or moved. not that george would really move arod, but you never know. wait til he makes a few more errors and gets booed more. there was a time nomar was moved, too…
let the kids play! can’t wait for repko to return. he better not languish on the bench when he’s healthy.
aybar doubles, all this kid does is hit, and d.young is exactly the same kind of hitter. protect the future,
messagebear@yahoo.com
if I remember correctly Izzy started out his career playing 2nd base, I don’t think it will be a problem adjusting to 2nd at all.
Aybar can flat out hit.
I’m sorry but, we gotta go Drysdale on the D-backs.
Hurrah! It looks like The Kid is finally putting it together tonight; seven shutout innings. Should be a well deserved first win. May he get a streak of them. This should be good for his confidence.
14 scoreless innings by Bills, Kemp & Guzman also hit dingers from what I heard.
Weaver (L, 0-1) 4.0 8 6 6 2 1 2 88-55 13.50 …..
Thats the line from Weavers start lastnight against Atlanta you can’t honestly believe that weaver will pitch effectivly this year or ever for that matter.He is Done at least as bad if not worse then Perez.Team played great again Tonight Repko went 4/4 with 2 Doubles tonight for LV he is the cure to Center field and I think will Get us going again Lofton Can be Great off the bench.
My 5 points
1) Chad is now the man. He has a great upward personal trend, pitched another game that stopped a losing streak, and by game score, pitched the best game the Dodgers’ staff has had since Lowe’s CG, coming in at 67 tonight. His composure is his greatest asset, and he hasn’t peaked yet.
2) Another Billingsley item. He now has 14 consecutive scoreless innings. While I don’t think he’s going to do it yet, I do remember reading about how Hershiser broke Drysdale’s streak. Orel was reluctant to go out there, and I think the wording Drysdale used was that he was happy to have Hershiser “keep it in the family” (correct me if I’m wrong on this one).
3) Willy Aybar, Andre Ethier, and Russell Martin went a combined 5-9 with 2 RBI and a run scored. This wasn’t a surprise, as this rookie trio has been phenomenal for the blue team. What was reassuring was Drew hitting an RBI single and Nomar hitting an RBI triple in the 7th inning with Lofton in scoring position.
4) The rookies are doing it all over the place. Liriano won his 11th game giving up just 1 earned run while striking out 7 over 8 2/3. Even the Yankees, who surprisingly have players younger than Joe Torre, got in the act with Melky Cabrera hitting a walkoff homer. Once again, everyone is trying to be trendy and copy LA.
5) Overheard: Derek Lowe to his sinkerball grip
“Baby baby I get down on my knees for you
If you would only love me like you used to do
We had a love
A love a love you don’t find every day
So don’t…don’t…don’t let it slip away
Bring back that loving feeling
Oh, that loving feeling
Bring back that loving feeling
Now it’s gone…gone…gone…
And I can’t go on…
No-oh-oh…”
Let’s see if he can re-emerge as a Top Gun.
Team looked a lot better tonight. It helped that Bills shook off his rookie nerves for this start … this kid may be all right.
Here’s to hoping you find your groove, Dodgers.