A short break from blogging
There are really only a few weeks during the year when things get quiet in the baseball world and right now, we’re there. Of course, that’s when a lot of us in the game tend to take our vacations and I’ll be leaving tomorrow night until Jan. 7, so we probably won’t have any new posts on the blog until then.
So, with this post I’m hoping for one thing in return from everyone who has visited the blog in 2006 — ideas for 2007. While I’m sure you’ll all debate all sorts of on-the-field Dodger stuff in the comments, I’m also hoping to come back to all sorts of input as to what you’d like to see on the blog in the year to come. Aim high and be creative. While I’m not sure we’ll be able to deliver everything exactly how you ask for it, the only way to give you more of what you want is to ask for it.
So that’s my entire holiday gift list. On behalf of the entire Dodger organization, we hope that all of you have a great holiday season, a happy new year and good health next year. And of course, we all hope that by this time next year, we can be celebrating a world championship for the Dodgers.
Inside the Dodgers 
Have a great vacation Josh. We’ll keep ourselves entertained while your gone. I’m sure it’ll be fun reading when you get back. Afterall we’ll have solved every conceivable problem known to man by then.
To All a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Frank & ASQ we’re thinking of you !! Harold stay warm buddy. Kday, thanks for the headsup, I bought the book today. **** be good buddy, I’m planning on camp next fall !!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Merry Christmas Josh , and enjoy your vacation. My idea for this blog would be having one of the players, Grady Little and or Ned, come on once in a while so we could ask them questions regarding on and off the field strategies. I know they’re busy , but that would be a Dodger fans dream come true. You said aim high. Thanks for this past year it’s been great and I’m looking forward to this coming season of baseball and blogging.
Will give it some thought Josh. Gary today, Christmas Day, we are approaching shirt sleeve weather. A very green Christmas. I’m with Al Gore. No doubt the climate is changing, and too fast to be a natural cycle. I think the Dodgers are changing too but hope it is not too fast. I think Ned is looking to let the cycle change with the real Dodgers in the system. Have a great break Josh.
Thanks Josh, and my warmest Holiday Wishes to all in the ITD blog! I just opened my stocking this morning, and Santa left me a coupon good for “One Memorable Dodgers World Championship”. I think I’ll cash that in now so that Ned and Grady will have enough time to prepare… : )
Go Dodger Blue in 2007!!
Oh… and Josh. I rilly thenk that spel chek wud kome in hande for sum yousers here. :o)
I just listened to the Scully radio call of Koufax’s first no-hitter, courtesy of dodgers.com. Simply magic. It reminds me of all the great Dodgers traditions we are all lucky to have experienced (if you are of a certain age). Perhaps Josh can have a “look back” segment on the blog, featuring our tremendous history and tradition.
I just listened to the 1962 Koufax no-hitter too. Sorry for being stupid here, but what’s the rule that made Ashburn’s (second batter) hit not a hit? He hits the ball and makes it to first base. The runner (Christopher) at first gets forced out at 2nd but the Dodgers don’t get a double play because the throw to first is late. So Ashburn is on base. There’s no mention of an error. So why isn’t this a hit? What am I missing?
berkowit – whenever you score a game, you can never assume a double play. The batter is credited with an out as it was a force out or fielder’s choice, and that’s all that matters there.
berkowit, patriotacts is almost right. He is right, you can never assume a double play. However the batter is not credited with an out as he was safe at first. Official scoring it is a time at bat, as the runner was out at second 6-4 and the batter was safe with a “FC” or fielder’s choice at first. It is just what it says, the fielder in this case Wills, chose to get the man at second. He probably could have thrown to first and got the batter, however he chose to get the lead man at second.
Well ebbetsfld@gmail.com / ****, it’s offical I’m signed up for the fall fantasy camp, can’t wait !!! I guess I’ll have to stick to a New Years resolution and get back in shape !!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Thanks, patriotacts and jdunnam. OK, I get it – I didn’t realize FC wasn’t scored a hit. Very good explanation, jdunnam, of the reason.
Given all the ways batters can get on base without a hit (there were also 5 walks in that game) it’s amazing there still are so few no-hitters, even from days when there were a lot more complete games. Scully named every one the Dodgers got starting 1906 (probably going back to 1890 – NL). There were only about 10 or fewer up to 1962.
Then Koufax got 3 more, including a perfect game in 1965 – no FC that time. Pretty amazing.
That radio broadcast brought back memories. š
I captured it to mp3 and will keep it in my collection along with the file with Lasorda cursing a blue streak on a visit to Doug Rau on the pitchers mound.
For my fellow old school fans (and the younger generation as well), there is a great article about Sandy Koufax at
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53460
I was ten years old when he made a public appearance at a bank in Granada Hills. The bank gave away black plastic bats with their name on it and Sandy autographed them with a white felt tip pen. I also got him to sign a baseball that I got at another appearance by Don Drysdale at the Dales supermarket in Panorama City. My mother knew I was thrilled to see my hero and with earshot of Big D asked, “Is he a football player?” Don just smiled.
I idolized both pitchers but imitated Drysdale since I am right handed. I started throwing some wicked curve balls sidearm (maybe they were really sliders) and by age 13 my arm was shot. Nobody in those days told kids not to throw curves before their bodies matured. I have had shoulder problems ever since. š¦
Great story luke, I enjoyed it. I blew my arm out by the age of 16 imitating Koufax (I’m a lefty). Too many curveballs for me too. And you’re exactly right, there was no one to tell us it was wrong.
On Sandy, looking back at his greatest games, I’ve always felt that one game stands out as his greatest to me. It wasn’t one of the no-hitters or perfect game either. If any of you get the opportunity to watch game 7 of the 1965 WS, treat yourself to a must see game. Koufax pitched on 2 days rest and didn’t know he was starting until Alston told him right before the game in Minnesota. He had thrown about 330 innings during the regular season that year, and arthritis had begun to take hold of his arm. He had no curveball that day. Couldn’t get it over. He was having trouble with the Twins’ flat mound all game. He was in trouble in several innings with men on base, with Drysdale warming up ready to come in. But Drysdale wasn’t needed. Koufax threw a 2-0 complete game shutout.
I always felt that this game, with all the pressure and circumstances surrounding it, illustrated just how great Koufax was.
Arthritis in his left arm forced him to end his career 1 year later after winning 27 games.
thanks gary, and thanks everyone for your thoughts and concerns. I went back to work last week, 3 days, 4 days this week, back to 5 days next week. only missed one week, feel okay, just get tired faster. watching diet, trying to go easier at work.
can’t wait until spring training starts.
Koufax is one of my all-time favorites, grew up listening to the great teams of the 60’s
koufax, drysdale,podres, roseboro, tommy and willie davis, frank howard, wes parker phil regan, ron peranoski,ron fairly, etc.
just found a set of pictures, 20 all time dodger greats in a collecter pouch, paid 25 cents, not all greats, but I’m sure I got my quarters worth.
.
It was nice to hear the Koufax no hitter. How about posting the post game interview with Jerry Doggett and Sandy?
The blog is great as it is. Your post, Josh, generally starts a discussion that leads to some far off topic about who has a better BA against lefties on rainy days in May. My only request for next season would be the addition of a picture or two. I don’t know how much creative freedom you have here, judging by my own experience, probably not much, but I’d suggest adding some pictures. Other than that, let me be the first, strike that, one of many….. to say you’ve done an excellent job pal.
Don’t know if anyone noticed but the dodgers cancelled their fan rewards program. found it out on a different web site which said i would get an e-mail which i have not but it would be nice if they are going to do this to at least notify those of us who were a part of it and let us know what is going on. it was highly advertised on this site but now that they have cancelled it they don’t even put up a notice here???
“the only way to give you more of what you want is to ask for it.”
I’d love to throw the ball from the Dodger Stadium mound atleast once in my life time, thanks in advance.
The blog is working well as is already.
I’m with fliegel@ptd.net in that having the odd “straight from the horse’s mouth” paragraph or two ( it doesn’t need to be a lot! ) from a player or manager would add a lot to the experience.
The competitions and other things that have been on the blog from time to time have been great.
Hey Josh, I was at the stadium about a week ago and i noticed the pavilions and outfield wall torn down and some rows in the reserve section were missing seats as well. Is there any way you can fill us in on whats going on out there? Thanks!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas. See my blog for a look back at the 2006 season. (Words From The Park @ park.mlblogs.com)
jdunnam – thanks for keeping me straight.
hey, report on Yahoo says Zito to the Giants for 7 years $126 million.
http://tinyurl.com/yj84w4
geez louise zito going to our rivals for 7 years 126 million?? you think sabean was a little bitter about schmidt??? they got a nice 1-2 now with Zito and Cain , after that i dont know what they are gonna do.
Holy shut the front door! Never say that coming.
SF has Cain, Lowry and Morris.
I’m totally shocked, I can’t even type……
“Never saw that coming.”
A Schmidt Vs Zito duel is gonna be freaking awesome to watch if you ask me.
Boy the Dodgers look brilliant on the Schmidt deal while the Giants look like idiots on the Zito one ā in my humble opinion. Zito has had one year that maybe warrants that kind of cash. If he wants to win in SF, he better be ready to post a sub-three ERA.
I hope everyone had, or are having, a great holiday season.
Go Blue!!
i agree lohmeyet, although if barry is healthy the lineup is not that bad if roberts can get some things going for them. the zito deal was just something to put butts in the stands after the way they handled the schmidt deal. fans up there werent to happy about the way the offseason was going for them, and that should shut them up.
What do the Giants have to mortgage for this deal to have been consummated? Holy Cow! Barry is jealous… he’s no longer the highest paid Giant!! LOL…
Hey Giant fan! I have but two words for you!!
KEVIN BROWN!!! LOL!!!
eerily similar to kevin brown. younger though. im not worried about anyone besides cain and zito thats a tough 1-2.on a side note looks like we cant part with penny this offseason, we need him as a number three,lets hope he can control that temper and that gut. on another side note i hope we can find a bigger bat than gonzalez.
A seven-year deal for a pitcher is just plain NUTS! Even though Zito has never been hurt, I have to believe that something will go wrong in seven years, especially towards the end of the contract.
One thing is for certain – It sure will be fun watching Zito and Schmidt lock horns at the Ravine this coming season.
GO DODGERS!
PS: I wonder how many clauses are in the Zito contract with Scott Boras being his agent.
Just remember, like Spock says “live long and prosper” that what left handers seem to do. Rogers, Glavine, I am sure there are others, but do they bring anything to mind? In the good old days their was J. Reuss, Randy Jones, Claude Osteen, Johnny Podres, Whitey Ford and the master himself Warren Spahn all more or less soft tossing lefties. They all generally pitched later into their 30’s & 40’s and were effective. It is a risk? You bet, but lefties are a totally different bread of cat and GMs look at them different especially those without injuries and decent to good winning percentages.
very true jdunnam. jaime moyer’s another example.
and then there’s Odalis Perez
You are right, Odalis fits in only as a soft tosser. I forgot Fernando in that mix also. They all relied upon location, location and change of speeds and a trick pitch here and there. However, the biggest thing they all had was heart and would battle you even more on days when they had nothing. They would throw the resin bag at you if they could get by with it. No hang nail or lack of so called respect made them any less warriors on any given day. I don’t know Zito’s make-up, as he is in that other league, but given what he has done so far I would guess he is a battler and doesn’t quit.
The odalis one-liner cracks me up!!!! Did anyone watch the Zito game against the Dodgers last year? I didn’t get to, but here’s the stat line: 8IP, 8hits, 3runs, 11K. Our team hasn’t gotten any stronger against lefties, either. This kind of makes me nervous. Go Jeff Kent!!! Go Nomar!!! Betemit, please learn to hit right-handed! Still, he might as well not even have a bullpen to go to. I can already read Bochy’s lips – “You better finish this off kid. I got no one else to go to. All our fielders are too old and tired to play any more defense. You’re wearing out Vizquel and Durham with these grounders up the middle. Anything to left, we might as well give them 2 bases. Just strike out these last nine batters for me.”
On a lighter note, there’s a lot of speculation as to whether Zito will be as successful in the NL as the AL. Whether or not he is, $126 Mil would have anyone set for life.
Something else that I just noticed – Zito is one of those rare lefties who actually does worse against left-handed hitters. Check out the splits – he walks an average of 2 more per nine innings, and his avg. against is just a bit higher. Interesting.
Zito has lived in SF for quite awhile. $126 Mil and he still stays in his home !! It’s the dream contract he was hoping for. The Giants offer just doesn’t make sense given the Mets were only offering $80 mil !! I’ll bet he would have signed for a lot less if the Giants would have held firm. Boras is the Devil himself !!! Ned is looking really good right about now !!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
hey guys, havent been here in a while, hope harold, gary, tre and the rest of you guys are doing well…
http://raysdodgerblues.blogspot.com/
BELIEVE IN BLUE!
5 Left-Handed Points, typed with both hands
1) In addition to Odalis Perez, I’ll mention Mark Hendrickson.
2) I’d give Zito and Fernando more credit than just being soft-tossers; stuff matters. Zito, after all, has an excellent curveball, and Fernando has his trademark screwball (has because he still plays winter ball, to my knowledge).
3) Why aren’t there any left-handed knuckleballers?
4) Hong-Chih Kuo is particularly remarkable because he’s a lefty power pitcher. This type is rare, but can generally be dominant (Sandy Koufax, Johan Santana, Francisco Liriano) while at the same time injury-prone (Koufax, Liriano). He’s got some excellent stuff, as he exhibited late in the season when given the chance to start, and is quite effective when healthy.
5) The most remarkable performance by any pitcher, particularly a left-handed pitcher, had to be this game, Jim Abbott’s No-Hitter.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/boxscore/09041993.shtml
Ray, I’ve gotta disagree with your take. I’d take Schmidt over Zito easily, because you can get a much shorter term deal with Schmidt. Zito isn’t going to live up to his contract, and the Giants aren’t going to be any better than the year before, particularly with Moises Alou gone (although maybe they get more team chemistry because they’ll all shake hands). The Giants don’t have as much to lose in getting Zito, and they can probably attract some fans from across the bay.
Nice link pat. Lots of recognizable names in that Clevland line-up. Bet they wish they’d hung on to Manny and Thome.
Hi Ray. Welcome back.I know you were hot after Zito. I would liked to have had him on a 3-4 year deal. Seven just too much although he has been durable. Look ahead to next year’s free agent pitchers that might become available next summer as teams fall out of contention. I’m guessing Ned gets a hitter or pitcher then in trade if one is needed. I’m hoping one is not needed or another comes for the farm. If one is acquired, I hope it is a young one. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!
The only thing I want more of in this blog which is almost impossible is more participation from Josh in the threads. I know your time is valuable but we know you read the threads and respond in the next posting but it would be nice to get a response a bit quicker. Maybe you can stick an assistant to talk with us with an insiders point of view. You must have PR interns. If not, im willing hehe.
By the way, that deal Sabean gave to Zito is HORRIBLE on every level. No other team was even in the ballpark and he committed a lot of years to a pitcher who has thrown A LOT of innings regardless of his durability thus far. I am more than happy with Schmidt for 3 years and Im very happy with Raffy for only 2 more. By then maybe Abreu or Hu or another prospect may be ready and if not there will be younger alternatives or we can re-sign him. I love the short term contracts since our farm system is still very loaded and will continue to be with the direction of Logan White whom I would trust anyday. The trades we have seen may have been lopsided but Logan knows his players and consults with Ned about which ones he would consider real prospects. We will be fine as long as Logan White stays on board. I trust him more than anyone else. Well im learning to like Flanders a bit more. I wonder if Josh thinks that’s a fair assessment of Colletti’s mustache or if he thinks it’s mean?
I wish you would identify yourself in the top of the post.
At times I find myself putting together a Dodger team of my era, which is essentially the time they have been in LA. Like any other “all star” team there players that get left off. In this case a lot of players. I wonder if any of you others ever do this, and it would be especially interesting to see something from you guys that go back to the Brooklyn days.
Anyway, here is mine:
cf W. Davis
ss Wills
rf R. Smith
1b Garvey
lf Gibson
3b Cey
c Sciosia
Pitchers spot
2b Sax
Bench
lhp Monday
rhp Mota
c Roseboro
utility Gilliam
utility Russell
of Baker
of T. Davis
Pitchers
1. “the Jewish Kid”
2. Drysdale
3. Valenzuela
4. Herscheiser
5. Podres
Bullpen
Osteen
Marshall
Perranoski
Gagne
Sherry
Hey Josh I think the blog is great already, thanks for giving us the scoop usually before anybody else. One thing I would like to see more of is an insider view of the players themselves interreacting with each other. Stuff like what they do on there off time or in the locker room before and after games or when they are supposed to be out at BP who is still in the locker room playing cards with who like Green and LoDuca used to do.
knouff, that team of yours looks pretty good to me. I could think of only 3 tweaks I might make. Maybe Pedro Guerrero (for Mota?); Don Sutton (for Podres); and Phil “the Vulture” Regan (for Osteen). I say maybe because it’s close.
dafliolo
Yeah, you’re probably right about Sutton. I was stuck on that one.
A Happy, Healthy New Year to everyone. Stay well, find us a power hitter who plays reasonable defense, and THINK BLUE.
Happy New Year Everyone!!
Go Dodgers in 2007!
Did anyone watch that Fiesta Bowl last night? I’m speechless. Way to go Boise State! We’re pretty pumped here in Boise!
WHEN ARE THE DODGERS GOING TO HAVE A FANFEST? I’M ITCHING FOR FEBRUARY AND SPRING. GOOOOOOO BLUE!!
Congratulations Kevin, Boise State was great and had a terrific year !!
How about USC !!! Way to come back from that UCLA defeat !!
Dodgers in 2007 !!! Spring Training here we come !! I want to believe that Ned is working overtime looking for that big bat !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Yeah Josh, when will our Fan Fest Be ??
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Can anyone explain to me why Hamulack was kept on the 40 man roster and Osoria was let go?
With Hall of Fame results coming out in one week, I am curious about who you all think are the best Dodgers that have not yet been enshrined in the Hall. As a fan who started watching baseball in the 70’s I sink a little lower every year Steve Garvey isn’t voted in. Maury Wills brought back the art of the stolen base, Newk is the only man in history to win MVP, Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young and Gil Hodges had a great career back in Brooklyn and LA (.992 FPCT). Is 1988 enough for Orel to be a member? I have really been wondering what other Dodger fans think. I have promised my daughters that the next time a Dodger goes in we will go to the induction ceremony.
I love reading this blog everyday, thanks for all you do Josh.
Happy New Year to everyone. Only 44 days until Pitchers and Catchers report!!!
Go Big Blue!!!
Wills, Newk, Hodges all should be in HOF. Orel is a bit of a streach but I would vote for him. Garvey is another question. I’m torn between his on-field vs his off-field antics. The Sutton fight and his personal mishaps really put a bad taste in my mouth. I know we’re only supposed to consider his actions between the lines, but in reality it’s the complete person that gets voted in and in my judgement Garvey has not earned that right. I know this is going to get debated but Garvey just isn’t HOF material.
Go Ned !!!
Go Dodgers !!
I think it’s a crime that Garvey is not in Cooperstown. Look at his stats. They are better than many other Hall of Famers. His fielding at first base made the famous infield look good that otherwise would have led the league in throwing errors.
As for Orel, I love him but would vote for Tommy John first.
Gary… let’s just look at his baseball career… the stuff between the lines as you mention. Gurnick points out that he only had 2500+ hits and only 272 home runs. Yes he had a good career, but was it a great career? No.
So I agree with you Gary… but I’m only considering the baseball numbers here. What he did off the field is irrelevant. As much as I was a huge Steve Garvey fan growing up, he in no way should be in the hall of fame. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: It’s called the “Hall of Fame”, not the “Hall of the Very Good”. Garvey was “Very Good”, but he was not in the class of being Hall of Fame material.
I would put Dr. Jobe in before Tommy John!!! I think that part of the problem with John points out one of the big faults with the voting. John doesn’t have 300 wins so he doesn’t get in, Garvey doesn’t have 3000 hits or 500 HR so he doesn’t get in. I don’t think that someone’s viability for the Hall should depend almost exclusively on those figures. I know that pitchers like Koufax, Gibson and Marichal are in with under 300 wins but I would imagine they are probably the exception. Garvey may not have been a Tony Gwynn type hitter but he was rock solid at first base, arguably one of the best fielding first baseman in recent history. People may diminish the importance of the first baseman and call it an offensive position but did you see Boston fans cringe when Big Papi had to buy a glove in 2004 when the World Series moved to St. Louis? Defense should carry more weight than it does now. I also think that radio legends like Vin Scully should have a vote, they have more perspective than any of the beat writers. Just my 2 cents.
-Scott
I agree Kevin, between the lines. And you are absolutely right, it is not the Hall of the Very Good !!! Problem is that it’s baseball writers doing the voting and they’re nothing but opinionated, otherwise Hodges, Wills etc… would be in the HOF already !! Politics, Race, Reputation and everything else does play into the voting, whether it’s directly or indirectly, it all comes into play. If it didn’t, then tell me why Pete Rose isn’t in the HOF ??
BTW, I like the idea leamans@mail.lincoln.leon.k12.fl.us had of letting the announcers vote. They’re seeing just as many games if not more then any of the writers do and most of them have a baseball background or in Vinny’s case, a lifetime of baseball experience to draw on !!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
mhardy78 – Osoria got picked up by the Pirates off waivers.
all i know is hall of fame or not i dont think hershiser’s scoreless innings record will be topped, same with dimaggio’s hit streak.
What kind of career does a guy have to have to be considered great ? Garvey hit over .300 seven times, had 100+ RBI’s five times, and 20+ home runs six times. He led the league in hits twice. He was the NL MVP in ’74 and in the top 10 voting four other times. He holds the NL record for consecutive games played with 1,207. He won four consecutive Gold Gloves.
He holds the Major League record for consecutive errorless games by a first baseman with 159 in a season and 193 in a career. Garvey’s career number for batting in the NLCS is .356, .319 for World Series, and .393 for All Star Games. We was an All Star 8 consecutive seasons and 10 overall, another record for first basemen. Give me a break !
I agree with Leamans, this is a flaw in HOF voting, if you don’t reach certain milestones, you don’t get in.
There is no consideration given for a career of rock solid consistency year after year.
Yet there are many already in the Hall who have career stats that don’t come close to Steve Garvey’s.
His career was more than “very good”.
Put “Popeye” in the HALL !!
Gregg…
Steve Garvey was a “SITT” player. A “Star In Their Time” player. He was not an all-time great… really.
Read the ENTIRE article on the following link, and THEN tell me Garvey deserves to be in the Hall. Yes, he was a Very Good player in his day, but he’s no Hall of Famer.
http://www.thediamondangle.com/sitt/garvey.html
Some good points in the article Kevin. Your right about his being a very good player, but not HOF material. As I stated before my feelings go far past the numbers !! Garvey as a team player was not respected by his fellow players. His approach to the game was all about him. As the article said he would rather not get to 3 balls and field 7 cleanly then chance making a error. This I saw many times first hand from the stands !! He was a marketing toy for the front office and Garvey played it to the hilt !!! That is until his perfect Ken Doll image came crashing down all around him. Too many others are far more deserving.
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Some good points in the article Kevin. Your right about him being a very good player but not HOF material. As I stated before my feelings go far past the numbers !! Garvey as a team player was not well respected by his fellow players. His approach to the game was always about himself first and the game second !! The point in the article about getting to 7 out of 10 balls cleanly vs 9 out of 10 and one error is something I used to watch first hand from the stands. He was a marketing toy of the front office and Garvey played it to the hilt !!! And until his extra martial affairs came to light Garvey was priming himself to be a politician. That is until his perfect Ken Doll image came crashing down all around him. Too many others are far more deserving.
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Recently someone was asking about JD Drew and the Red Sox. I was just looking at their site and their column concerning 2007 prospects stated that they would bat Drew 5th (if he passed the physical). Also stated that they very probably overpaid for him. I’ve never seen anyone take so long to get a physical. I, like most everyone else, would love to have a power hitter or two but where would you put them. I would hate to see Ethier get benched (he could turn out to be the power hitter). Since Gonzalez is only signed for one year maybe we shop for one next year if needed. Have a good year those 40+ days will fly by.
Interesting facts:
In 1988, we had 2 players with over 20 HR. Gibson had 25, Marshall had 20. We won the World Series that year and haven’t even gotten there since.
In 2004, we had 3 players with over 20 HR and one on the cusp. Beltre had 48, Finley had 36, and Green had 28. Milton Bradley also had 19. That year, we won 1 game in the NLDS against St. Louis. The only game we won? We hit 1 HR.
You’ve probably all gotten sick of my opinion on this matter, but we don’t need a 35 HR guy to win. Sure, power-hitters have the ability to make that immediate impact, but high-AVG. hitters wear out starting pitchers, eat away at teams slowly, and make a more lasting impact. I like our lineup the way it is. With our pitching staff and our doubles guys, we’re gonna do just fine.
Sorry for changing the subject, I have ADHD.
i just want someone to tell me that luis gonzalez is a better player than james loney. thats gonna be a big issue. i hate to see loney on the bench, and on the other hand i definitely dont want to see him in las vegas again either. i just hope we can find him some playing time because the guy can flat out hit. His numbers are Tony Gwynn- esque, and he has the tools to win batting crowns like Tony did. I just dont think he needs more seasoning.
Graffiti,
I agree.. I want to see Loney in the line up consistently.. but Ned isn’t stupid either… It is pretty likely that Nomar will be out of that line up for some games and that’s where Loney will step in, hopefully. I like him more than I do Kemp… My prediction: Ned trades Kemp for Andruw Jones in July and signs him to an extension…
I think your right Benny, Jones in July if we’re in a tight race for the NLWD and a big bat is justified. For now though I hope we stay with what we have and see what spring training and the start of the season brings us !!!
Believe in Ray’s Kids !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Graffiti… I can grant that request.
Luis Gonzalez is a better player than James Loney.
I absolutely agree Gonzo is a better player then Loney, TODAY !!!! The beauty of it is Gonzo has something to prove to himself and everyone in AZ and Loney is coming into his own !!! That’s a Win Win to me !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Luis Gonzalez 2-3 years ago was as good as Loney, but today he is not as good as James Loney. I hate this west coast ie padre/dodger/giant veteran thing. We consistantly year in and year out make some gesture to some old veteran cast off, never fails. We got the best farm in baseball, the guy has proven himself in the minors and majors. yet we get old man river gonzalez. sorry guys just dont agree hes better all around player than Loney. you dont think we’d get 15 homers 35 doubles out of Loney, if not more?????????
graffiti – I can’t tell you that, partly because they don’t play the same position. That’s like asking me whether Rafael Furcal is better than Russell Martin. I’ll guess Gonzo is a better defensive outfielder than Loney.
Offensively, though, I don’t know. Gonzalez’s OBP has been crashing the last few years and unless he has a Kent-like surge in isolated patience, I wouldn’t expect him to be that much of a help. But for $7.35 million, I’d say no thanks, I’ll save $7 million and have Loney at the league minimum. The Dodgers would bat him 8th or something anyway, as opposed to 5th with Gonzo.
Anyway, I would speculate that Grady goes with
Pierre – l
Furcal – s
Nomar – r
Kent – r
Gonzo – l
Ethier – l
Martin – r
Betemit – l (lets not kid ourselves, he’s a lefty)
largely based on the lefty-righty balance.
the position issue is a valid point as well patriotacts, but Loney would ok out there, I mean come on Adam Dunn plays left field. The money was the whole issue here. 7 plus million for Gonzo???? Mark Loretta just signed for 2.5 million, yes i understand differant position differant role,but that money could have been spent much better. I dont wanna play Ned Coletti here, but i tried to let the Juan Pierre marathon contract go and then he hit us with Luis Gonzalez for 7 mill. Juan Pierre and or Luis Gonzalez dont equal the bat we were in the market for, even before Drew left. Kenny Lofton is Juan Pierre with a better eye, didnt get better there. Then we replace Drew with Old Man River Gonzalez, a definite downgrade at this point in his career. All we have done is replaced pieces from last year and got two pitchers. I hope a real bat’s coming Ned, lets contend not pretend.
BY THE WAY, DID PENNY LOSE 30 LBS. YET??!!??!!??!!??!!
Gonzo and Nomars best days are long gone. Loney should play until he proves he can’t, which I don’t think will happen. We’re a big market club and this lineup stinks for a club that has money to spend. When they talk about hitting Raffy third ,that shows the desperation of management. Raffy is a lead off hitter and if he’s projected to be the Dodgers best hitter, then we’re in trouble. Also I thought Ned does not like handing out starting jobs to unproven rooks, well what is Either?
Graffiti ā If all your going to go by are his last couple of years worth of numbers then this is a forgone conclusion, you are right end of story !!! But this game is played by human beings and a lot has to be taken into consideration. And the best example I can give you is Nomar !! If you simply went by his numbers before we signed him last year, he would have clearly fallen into your comparison cycle. But then he had a banner year last year, and I grant you with some difficulty at the end. But suffice to say Nomar is the kind of guy you want on this team, where ever you have to play him. Well I think Gonzo is that same kind of player. He is in top condition !!!! plays his position very well and has a very good history of how to hit. And the biggest advantage is he has something to prove to the world !!! Also remembering that heās only on board for 1 year. We didnāt sell out any of the kids !!! or give up any draft picks !!! The gamble here is small and well worth the potential upside !! !!! Now I would ask you, would you pay Barry Bonds $10+ mil next year or Gonzo $7 mil ??? or would you mortgage the farm and pay $120 mil for one player that could easily break down over the life of the contract and restrict our payroll for many years to come ?? This is a great short term solution that keeps the doors wide open for the kids to move up and leaves money in the bank for whatever we need whenever we need it !! I say give the guy a chance and let his numbers do the talking this year !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Fleigel’s post is right on the money, if we are thinking of hitting Furcal third we are in trouble. he did put up numbers but in april and may he was horrible offense and defense, we cannot have that kind of production in the number three hole. Its nice to give people extra motivation to play well but, I think Gonzo is a really good bench player to be honest. Why didnt Arizona keep him if he is so serviceable?? Chris Young?? Carlos Quentin?? If they project those guys better than Gonzo why do we like him so much??? All im saying is essentially we have made no upgrades to our poor lineup that did not win one playoff game. That lineup is so easy to pitch around its not funny.Give me a break with this give the old guys a chance ****. Someone just come out and say what the plan is. Are we trying to win now, or are we trying to contend now?? Are we trying to win in 2 years, and contend now? I dont get it. Because right now this lineup is a contender at best.
i cant wait to see raffy dropping bunts down the 3rd base line from the number 3 hole, wouldnt that be something.
lol. i can’t wait to see that!!
Jake Peavy was arrested for “disordely conduct” at the Mobile, AL airport!
benny_the_jet_rodriguez@yahoo.com
somebody MUST have mentioned something about his eyestie.
i read that too, funny story. he tried to pull up and double park and the cop said he couldnt so he says just write me a ticket and he got arrested. so no matter how much you make you cant hold up airport traffic. way to go moblie sherrifs department.
All of the discussion here is valuable and entertaining, but I can’t wait for Spring training to come and resolve some of these issues. For one, we’ll see how Ethier and/or Gonzalez can respond to performing in the outfield. If we see Loney playing outfield in ST, it will be interesting how he performs in that mix of people. I’m also waiting to see how Betemit does at third base and whether he can really bat both ways or needs to be relegated to strictly batting left handed. We’ll also see some comparisons between Pierre and Raffy batting leadoff. Also anxious to see what kind of spring Wolf, Penny and Bills can put together. It should be a very interesting spring training season and should determine quite a bit about what kind of lineup we’ll start the regular season with.
speaking of betemit and platooning is andy laroche’s shoulder healthy??
If you’re plan is to keep all your rookies, that’s great , but then you have to let them play and not block them with older veterans. If that’s not your plan , then you have to trade them for what you need. Stockpiling rookies just for backup in case someone gets injured is not the best way to win. ( in my opinion) I would like to see the Dodgers do the reverse, which would be to play the kids, and if they don’t produce then you can bring in an older guy off of the bench.
Graffiti – I guess the glass is half empty.
Fliegel – I see your point, but look back at last year. we started how many kids ??? Is it right to start all the kids at once ?? I guess we can start the whole LV 51’s team !!
In my opinion we lost because of the SP only going 5 innnings and the shortage of a good bullpen. We lost most games in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings. If we were ahead in the 8th we usually won.
Our lineup today isn’t short on run production and our pitching has improved dramatically !!! We are a much better team then 2006 !!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
who has the best rotation in the NL West? Don’t be bias..
Dodgers:
-Schmidt
-Lowe
-Penny
-Wolf
-Billingsley
Giants:
-Zito
-Cain
-Morris
-Lowry
-Hennessey?
Padres:
-Peavy
-Young
-Maddux
-Hensley
–
Diamondbacks:
-Webb
-Hernandez
-Johnson
-Davis
-??
AND I won’t even mention the Rox… Sorry Rox..
One this is for sure, the NL West is STACKED with pitching!
Good question Benny !! I think the Dodgers have a better total 5 but each of the others have at least one 20 game potential on their staff. Hard to call.
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
We have 3 with 20-game potential. Schmidt with good run support could easily win 20. Without the personal distractions, so could Lowe. Penny minus 20 pounds with could too. Billingsley will in the ’08 season. I see Wolf as our #5 guy now. Very pitching heavy division, that’s for sure!!!
Howeverr, after Cain the Gnats have nothing. Morris is past it. RJ did amazing things in AZ before, but I don’t think he will again. Without NY’s run support, look for him to win 12-13 games. Webb’s good, but I think he’ll max out around 17-18 wins. The Padres pitching scares me.
Gary, we’ve lost 100 RBIs from last year. It’s true the starters should be better,but with an improved offense we could run away with the division and maybe actually win a playoff game. Remember Philly traded Thome to let a rookie play,and we all know how that turned out.
I agree dualtone,
SD’s rotation scares me also… and if they resign Wells.. that’ll be even more stronger.. Peavy, Young, Maddux, Wells, Hensley.. that is a strong 5.. BUT, LA will still be on top!!!
Our starting 5 is sweet!! Schmidt, Lowe, Penny, Billingsley, and Wolf.. (also, Kuo, Hendrickson, Tomko) LA’s #3 (Penny) was the starting pitcher for the NL All-Star team in 2006!! Like I’ve posted before: LET’S CALL FOR PENNY TO LOSE 30+ LBS..
Amen to Penny losing 30 lbs. If he had some stamina and could be counted on for 120 pitches in a game he could really be a force to be reckoned with.
The thing about SD’s rotation above that I like is that it’s not really too consistent. Besides Maddux, there’s a lot of uncertanties. Peavy can K 16 guys and give up 1 run in a CG one day and then give up 5 runs in 2 innings his next outing. Young is well… young, same with hensley. Young pitchers generally see a decline in their 2nd or 3rd year in the same division. Hitters figure them out and it takes them some time to learn how to change things up(See Hideo Nomo). Wells? Yeah, the guy is good, but see the notes on Penny – then multiply them by 3. Maddux? Maddux is a Dodger killer. He could do some real damage.
While their starting pitching has definitely improved over last year, their offense has taken some notable steps backward. They trade Barfield away and replace him with… Marcus Giles – whose numbers have consistently been in decline since his rookie season. Brian Giles’ power numbers were WAY down this year. Dave Roberts is gone now, and they replaced him in the outfield with – drumroll please – Jose Cruz Jr. My worry is that their pitching could just be good enough to be a bit like the 50’s and 60’s Dodgers(not nearly as dynamic, however). The case may just be that they only get one or two runs support, but that may be all they need. In our favor: new manager, and a rookie at that.
Man, look what I started!
graffiti: “i just want someone to tell me that luis gonzalez is a better player than james loney.”
You wanted someone to tell you Gonzalez was better, so I did. Wish granted. We all deserve to have our wishes granted from time-to-time, right? I know… I’m sick. :o)
I don’t really agree with Gonzalez being a better player than Loney is… especially at this point in Gonzo’s career. He’s worth some good wins for sure, but James Loney’s stock is very high right now. It’ll all come out in the wash during Spring Training… that’s for sure.
gary smith i respect everything you have posted on this blog, but my point of view is not one of pessimism, its just realism. we lost 100 rbi’s and kenny loftons numbers, to replace those we got gonzo and pierre. So outside of our very good pitching staff we did not improve anything on the offensive side, thats not pessimism its the cold hard facts. With our projected speed lineup, if the 1 and 2 guys dont get on base we rely on homeruns and the bottom of our lineup getting two out hits. If i am an opposing pitcher im not giving nomar anything to hit and hes gonna have to run the bases, with Nomar’s health he is a DH. San Diego has one of the top 4 or 5 staffs in the league, they are solid 1-4. we better hope wells isnt healthy with that knee and back of his or we are in trouble with this current coletti concoction.
I can’t help but think Penny would be better if those luxury seats didn’t eat up the foul territory after 2004, especially given how much he’s prone to foul balls. Penny can generally go reasonably deep into games, but I think his weight makes him more injury prone, particularly with his back as it is.
It is human nature to look at the team in a positive, hopeful way. So it is good to have guys who serve a purpose by pointing out the team’s possible weaknesses. I’m sure this is what a good GM must do. I believe Ned Colletti is a good GM, based on his short track record. Ned has said he believes that Martin, Ethier, and a healthier Kent could collectively hit 20 more HR’s than last year, which would eliminate any power/RBI shortage from the loss of Drew. And Pierre is Lofton for 162 games. One factor that I believe helps us is that Drew and Lofton couldn’t play every day, while Pierre and Gonzo do. That strengthens your bench for every game you play. We may have the best bench in the Division, (Loney, Repko, R.Martinez, Saenz, M.Anderson, Lieberthal, Kemp -possible if he doesn’t start the year in the minors). A great bench is a huge advantage in the NL, with double switches late in games. I believe our offense could be stronger in 2006 because we’ll be 13-14 strong offensively. We won’t have the Oscar Robles and Jose Cruz Jr. of the world around anymore. Last season, 660 ABs were given to 7 guys who are no longer playing with the team (Robles, J. Cruz, Mueller, Lugo, Navarro, Hall, Guzman) and the results were a .245 average, 10 HR’s and 61 RBI. I think with our current bench now getting most of those AB’s, we can be better offensively.
You’re going to call me crazy
and I probably am. But, here goes. In todays market, 500k
is not much at all, to pay someone.So, why NOT take a shot with Sosa ???Who knows,
he could turn out to be a pearl ???The MAIN drawback,is
that he will occupy a slot on
the roster, By late April or
early May, we should have a feel of where he’s at. If not
you call up Kemp. Just a thought. OK //. Go easy on me,
please. I’m a gambler….
graffiti – I completely understand your point of view and I mean no disrespect !! I just believe in people / players and a happy player is a better player. Gonzo knew for more then half the season that AZ was going to cut him loose. I think this guy has skills and if all the stars are aligned your going to see a much better Gonzo !!
Pat25 – I stand behind ya !! I think the Sosa deal would be a great gamble. Once again a guy with something to prove. I say invite him to ST and see what happens !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Here’s LA’s major league roster now:
Catchers (2) – Martin, Lieberthal
Infielders (7) – Nomar, Loney, Kent, Furcal, Martinez, Betemit, Saenz
Outfielders (5) – Ethier, Gonzalez, Pierre, Repko, Anderson
Pitchers (12) – Lowe, Penny, Schmidt, Wolf, Billingsley, Kuo, Saito, Broxton, Beimel, Hendrickson, Tomko, Dessens
If you add that up, you find a happy little total of 26. My guess is that Loney is put in AAA until Nomar’s next breakdown.
Sosa would be a gamble, and a cheap one at that. The suggestion reminds me of when the Dodgers invited Jose “tan seco” Canseco to spring training a few seasons back. Canseco didn’t go far, but who knows with Sammy? The only question is whether the team would want to accept the circus that would come with such a move.
As for the challenge that Josh laid out for us in thinking of what new ideas we could produce for the blog, I’ve thought long and hard since this was posted, and could only come up with one idea. Perhaps a text toolbar for the comments, with options to bolden, italicize, and underline text (maybe even strikeout, but that might be too pun-ny), as well as options to colorize the text, so that we’d have a lot of different ways to express our opinions in the blog. Could do without red or orange, though.
Oh, and I’d love to see Scully vote in HOF ballots, but the committee would be hard pressed to find another broadcaster who is not only as seasoned and experienced, but as unbiased as Vin Scully. Listening to Krukow and Kuiper up here in Giants country, I certainly miss unbiased commentators. (seriously, listening to those two are like listening to Jerry the King Lawler and Good Ol’ J.R. in the WWE).
Dunno if Penny’s problem is above his waist so much as above his neck. Fernando was considered chunky and was encouraged to loose weight and then wasn’t as effective. Weight loss isn’t always the answer.
knouffbrock – I was thinking the same thing !! Although it easy to say his problems with endurance are attributed to his weight, look at Wells, Sid Fernandez and many others. Power pitchers have generally been large guys, grant you most have been in better shape then Penny appears to be in. I think in Penny’s case his power comes with his weight !!! Penny’s problems are in his head not his waistline !!! Let’s hope he’s been working on both this off season.
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!!
Penny overthrows and doesn’t trust his stuff.
Needs a change-up.
I dont know if losing 15 20 pounds would hurt penny in the long run. that can only be good for you. jhall your right too, brad penny is in dire need of a third pitch he can throw for strikes. he gets a little predictable with that fastbal and curve. he just needs to take a little off his fastball sometimes for the sake of location. that said i like him as a number 3 starter any day.
patriotacts –
I think you’re probably right, but it might be Kuo on that list that goes to AAA. That way he can log some innings as a starter. I’m not sure he’ll make our rotation out of the box.
Dodger fans,
Have any of you heard if J. D. Drew has signed a contract with the Boston Red Soxs? Would that be justice if he had to take less.
Go Dodgers