Long weekend…
It’s been a busy day, so I hadn’t had the chance to post until now. With the long weekend, there’s a chance I won’t get to post very regularly but will do my best to start new threads.
I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday weekend!
Inside the Dodgers 
Am I #1
Whoo hoo! I’m a leadoff hitter!
hahahaha
What a great show @ Hollywood Bowl last night. If anyone is free (and in LA), go tonight or tomorrow night. There’s a great “Gibby at the Bat” voiced by Vin that you’ve got to hear.
sigalphone – thanks, someone else in the last topic also said the show was great. I have tickets for tomorrow – looking forward to picnicking beforehand and then the show!
I’m starting to worry that this little scare with Kent today will cause Torre and Company to decide to keep BOTH Maza and Berroa on the roster and option out one of the 3B. Someone please convince me that I’m just being irrational!
westernmost ~ there was an article from the home page that said he took himself out of the game as a precautionary measure because he wants to be able to play in SF tomorrow – the article gave the impression he was fine. 🙂
Miss Debbie – but back soreness, 40-year old man, Houston to SF plane flight don’t play well together! And he can be fine but still make Torre nervous about having only one backup IF (that he likes) for BOTH Kent and Nomar. (I know, I know, DY and LaRoche can fill in at 2B, but they’re not what Torre would consider “defensive replacements”.)
I know, I know – however, he loves playing in SF against them, but I definitely don’t trust anyone in our management right now, so I am with you on that for sure 🙂
This kind of line seems to a sportswriter favorite when talking about Lowe. This one is from Gurnick’s preview for tomorrow’s game that is headlined “Lowe needs higher run support”:
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“In Lowe’s eight losses this year, the Dodgers have scored only seven runs, …”
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You what though, Lowe’s ERA in his eight losses is 5.81, so maybe the offense needs more pitching support from Derek!
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Gurnick goes on: “Lowe’s record in 3 1/2 seasons with the Dodgers is 45-45. Of the 45 losses, the Dodgers were shut out in 10 of them and held to one run in 14 others.”
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I find that Lowe’s ERA with the Dodgers when he takes a loss is: 6.43.
I think these last three games are a clear indication of how WRONG TORRE HAS BEEN on his insistence that Pierre was too valuable to sit and had to lead off. It’s too bad that Pierre had to get hurt to force Torre out of his stubborn and arrogant position, but it is a blessing for the Dodgers. This is what could have been from Day 1 if we had a manager and GM who recognized the talent they have on their roster and didn’t block it by acquisitions and stubborn preferences for veterans who are not what the Dodgers need. It should be clear to anyone who isn’t biased that Ethier and Kemp are everyday players and shouldn’t be shuffled in and out of the lineup, thereby destroying their confidence and failing to capitalize on and develop their potential. I hope that Joe and Ned are men enough to admit their mistakes and learn from them, but that is probably just wishful thinking.
As long as Conte doesn’t say that Kent’s fine, then he should be fine.
FIRE STAN CONTE!!!!
some very interesting quotes from kent after today’s game, and by interesting i mean WEIRD.. it does seem like he was playful and has a renewed love of the game going on right now as we’ve mentioned the last couple days.. it’s from the press-enterprise:
Jeff Kent left the game with back stiffness after leaving the game, but could be back as soon as tomorrow. He wasn’t going to fight Manager Joe Torre about leaving with the Dodgers on their way to a win and a day game in San Francisco tomorrow. “Three fingers, three toes, I’d have played. Hopefully, I don’t have a big deal on the plane. Looking forward to San Francisco, too.”
Asked about the team possibly being a half-game out by the end of the day, Kent put his hand on my shoulder. “Three months to go, young pup. Hang on…Sometimes we have to hold the reigns on young reporters not to be so doom-and-gloom.”
Asked about the game James Loney had, Kent said, “James is a wild bird.”
what the heck does, “james is a wild bird” mean??
and i find it hilarious that he called diamond leung a young pup..
oh, kent.. haha..
Glad to see Kent in good spirits. You know what they say, winning is the elixir that cures all.
dnel, Marysville HS here has black and orange colors too. Halloween year-round. I always root for (and sympathise with) any Little Leaguers who play for the Dodgers. My first team ever was the T-Ball Giants in Barstow. I was only 5, but as I came to understand the game and the team better, my Padres and Reds fan friends would tease me about it, only ’cause I hated the Giants.
Later, it wasn’t bad enough that I played on the Minor League Cardinals, but we were the only team in the league to wear a real MLB licensed hat, which was a Cincinatti Reds hat. I guess their reasoning was that the “C” stood for Cardinals, but I always hated Chris Sabo (I’m not sure why, wasn’t “corky” yet). Respected Larkin, but I don’t know what it was about Sabo.
Anyone else ever feel traitorous for playing for another team in Little League baseball or softball?
sara- I was wondering the same thing about the “wild bird” comment. Maybe the gave Kent a painkiller and he was getting loopy!
Did anyone read this aritcle by Tim Brown title “Can Kim Ng break the gender barrier”?
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=As0DJyKYkX2iGRdAzNI6vWAe0bYF?slug=ti-femalegm070308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
No just Ned should man up not Torre I give him the benefit of the doubt with the roster he was working with.
northstateblues.. i was lucky enough during softball to always draw teams that didn’t stir up anything.. played for the cardinals, marlins, pirates, rangers.. not too much to hate or love about those teams.. at least not for me..
haha, good point westernmost. didn’t think about the painkillers thing, but you’re probably right 🙂
sara – just got in from my son’s game ~ doesn’t it make you wonder if Kent doesn’t like Pierre ethier (lol)? He seems to have turned into a different player since this series without Pierre. We need him for SF because he loves to beat them. Whatever it is, it sure is working.
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northstateblues – I went to Merced High (where my kids go now) and I hated orange and black. Now, I will wear orange and black to football games, once baseball season is over, and then I switch to just black, and then the same thing when baseball season comes back around. It’s just wrong to wear those two colors together and say you are a Dodger fan during the season – just wrong 🙂
oh btw, i forgot to mention it.. but my friend works for the dodgers.. and we were talking about nomar and jones coming back, etc.. and he told me andruw dropped 15 pounds. he said it’s noticeable.. just another reason to be a little optimistic..
I hope our boys in blue have a wonderful weekend as well!!!! And I can’t wait til Monday when they come home after they sweep the giants this weekend =)
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I hope these past couple of games have really slapped Torre in the face about his ignorance with young players. Hopefully outfield will be Andre, Jones, and Kemp…. =) We all know Jones will not be benched so I’m okay with it as long as Kemp & Andre get to play..
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I think Kemp is a wonderful lead off hitter.. he’s just warming up give it a couple more games… Either way he’s better than Pierre anytime anyday.
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Watching Andre hit that homerun today was the best start to my day =)
oh btw… i know some might think this is a stupid question but i’m just curious who #8 the bat boy is??… and is it the same kid even when they travel? lol..
If Andruw Jones is able to come back strong, I would definitely want that. We have to have the best players on the team, and if Andruw fits that, I’ll be happy to feast on some crow sandwiches or crow burgers or whatever.
Whatever it takes to get the good people of the Dodger Stadium staff to eat ice cream again. For years to come. Until they’re probably tired of ice cream, but they can still have it for free anyways if they wanted.
sara – I had heard that too. I do want the real Andruw back. It’s the outfield that should have been all along – Ethier, Jones and Kemp, back in the day when Pierre was riding pine until one day it all changed for some unknown reason – only speculation. This starting happening before Furcal went out, but Raffy going down just made the issue worse.
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iheartaethier – Torre’s not going to change his mind. He’s had several chances to change it already and hasn’t done so. Andre and Matt have more than proved they can outplay Pierre in every aspect of the game (minus stealing bases), but like so many of have stated, he is not the right manager for this young team. Even the comments in the articles today suggest he still misses his veteran’s experience very much and wants them back as quickly as possible.
i didn’t get to see the game this morning, i just followed it online at work.. so i’m watching the replay right now on prime.. a couple thoughts.. andre’s homer was impressive~ opposite field too.. and that stop by maza to turn that double play was beyond words.. it made me worry about nomar’s limitations at shortstop.. but at least torre made it clear that nomar is not going to automatically be the everyday shortstop..
sara ~It was an awesome play by Maza – very impressive indeed. It kind of makes you wonder about Andruw too and getting good jumps on the balls at AT&T park. I am hoping that Torre uses him with limitations as to not hurt himself or the team, if things are not going good. As for Andre – gotta love those opposite field shots, homeruns and doubles, and the Houston announcers were very complimentary of his approach at the plate and how he takes balls to all parts of the field. Pierre doesn’t do that. James hits opposite field too later on (hint, hint) – very nice too.
A healthy and productive Jones will be a boost for sure. I would think Nomar can at least put up a .700 OPS, which would be a lot better than any SS not named Furcal is doing. I, too, wonder how much defense the Dodgers will be sacrificing with Nomar at SS.
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Here’s a Torre quote in the L.A. Times game article:
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“We’ve played these last three games with, I don’t know, a sense of determination,” he said. “Don’t ask me why I feel that. I just have a good feel about the way we’ve gone after it.
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“There’s been a lot of animation in that dugout. Which doesn’t hurt.”
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Note to Clueless Joe: Maybe the players feel freed from a certain albatross that used to be in LF and are able to concentrate on just playing the game.
Miss Debbie – Matt Kemp can steal bases too! Check out this stat:
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Base Stealing success rate, career:
Matt Kemp: 78%
Juan Pierre: 75%
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This season both have been excellent:
Kemp: 17 of 21, 80%
Pierre: 35 of 42, 83%
Northstateblues – I am really pulling for Andruw to come back healthy even if it means less playing time for Andre, but it has to be legitimate – none of this Sweeney crap where we are just going to let him play until he figures it out. I want a very short leash on him so it doesn’t hurt the team, but then who are we – just fans who want the best players out there, win or lose. And until Pierre went down, that hasn’t been the case. We are finally seeing a team out there who cares about winning, and I really hope Torre is seeing that – doubtful, but I hope. I think he sees a bunch of young kids out there who are filling holes until his real players come back – the vets.
LOL!! westernmost – I was primarily talking about Andre because he can’t steal a base to save his life, but I am okay with that. That can be his one flaw (LOL). Matt might surpass Mr. Pierre if given enough time – wouldn’t that be something – 🙂
Maybe I shouldn’t post that link if no one was interest I guess we should just keep Ned as our GM than lol.
westernmost – something has changed about this team and there is only one factor that has changed and it’s our friendly used-to-be left fielder. You have to wonder what made Torre change his mind about his playing time from one day riding pine to playing every single day. Like I told sara, this started before Furcal went on DL. Andre and Matt had sat a few days a piece then too, and it was after he supposedly talked to his agent (who enchanted calls his mama). Makes you wonder – hmmmm 🙂
shad – I read the article. Kim Ng is an awesome and accomplished person. Frank McCourt will have to find a way to keep her. Maybe he can make Ned “special advisor to the chairman” and promote Ng.
LOL – Dodger Thoughts referring to today’s winning pitcher as “His Royal Thighness Chadwick Billingsley”
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Chad Billingsley’s last THIRTEEN starts (including today), going back to April 30:
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8-3, 83 1/3 IP (6.4 IP/GS), 2.27 ERA, 66 H, 75 K, 33 BB, 8.1 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 1.188 WHIP
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Thems ACE numbers folks.
Yep how in the heck did the Yankees let her go?
Billz certainly has found his zone lately, hasn’t he? He is doing fabulous right now.
Ms. Ng probably decided that the chances were better that Dan Evans’ job would open up before Brian Cashman’s. Cashman is, of course, still there; two GMs have been hired in L.A. since Ng got here.
yeah, dnelly.. i saw loney’s shot too.. not nearly as hard hit as ethier’s, but still impressive..
his royal thighness!! that’s SO great.. that’s my new favorite pitcher nickname.. before that, it was mark “calfzilla” prior.. haha
royal thighness – lol!! The boys will have fun putting that one into their songs – (those would be good songs of course because we write good songs for all the players we know should be playing.)
You gotta love the opposite field stuff, especially their doubles and homers. I was really hoping Russell would have hit a home run today. I wanted to spell his whole name – lol!!
Super Great 5 to 2 Victory by Our Beloved Selfless Los Angeles Dodgers over the Houston Astros where everybody were Champion Super Heros and Kryptonite Busters! Sing and Cheer louder and louder all Dodger Fans, and Look Up to the Sky For Even the Stars in Heaven Sparkle Brilliantly as they Spell,” Kryptonite Destroyed Forever As Beloved Los Angeles Dodgers Crowned World Series Champions In Majestic Year 2008 A.D!”
ndeschenes ~ I can’t believe we got to hear from you three evenings in a row – Wow! It means our boys are doing a spectacular job right now. It was a very impressive game once again on both sides of the ball today. Billz did a fantastic job and he finally got the run support he needed, and it all added up to a win in the end. Well, we move onto San Francisco tomorrow and throughout the weekend – never an easy series regardless of where the teams are in the standings, so we will hope that Nomar and Andruw come in ready to go, and our beloved Dodgers will bring some wins for us this weekend. Have a wonderful evening, and Happy 4th of July!!! 🙂
Plaschke is busy bashing the Dodgers young men again:
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http://tinyurl.com/5curae
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I wrote him:
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Well Bill,
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You’ve once again misidentified the problem with the Dodgers. It is not the young guys but the old guys, their old vet-lovin’ manager, and their vet-lovin’ GM who are undermining this team.
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Let’s start with the old guys. If Juan Pierre really wanted to see the team win, he wouldn’t ever spend time whining for unjustified playing time. He would spend time working on a fundamental of the game at which he is especially poor — bunting. If Mark Sweeney cared about the team winning, he would retire.
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Now the old manager. If he cared about winning, he would send the best lineup out every day regardless of age or money. He doesn’t do that. He would have stopped sending Mark Sweeney up in clutch situations months ago. He would build the young players up instead of constantly feeding negative lines to reporters like you.
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Now the old GM. I have to give him credit for resisting the suggestions of some such as yourself that he trade away the youth. Thankfully, he has kept the players that will (if allowed) be the core of a Dodgers Dynasty that could begin as soon as this year.
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How about the young guys? I have read or heard very little grumbling by them this year while Torre continues to blame them for everything but the high price of gas and pulls them in and out and all over the lineup continually replacing them with clearly inferior players for no discernible reason. Meanwhile Kent and the batless wonder Mark Sweeney continue to denigrate them for their alleged lack of knowing how to play the game while the press joins in the bash-the-kids-fest and sits blithely by never alluding to the possibility that the veterans might be the major cause of low run production; constantly noting the low production of the shortstops who have replaced Furcal in the field, but taking no notice of the sad performance of the guy who replaced him in the leadoff spot for almost two months (In case you didn’t know Pierre has a .294 OBP as a leadoff hitter this year).
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Meanwhile all the young Dodgers just go out there and play damn good ball.
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Maybe the Dodgers young guys think they’re good BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD!!
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As for trading Kemp, that move would go down in Dodgers history with trading Pedro Martinez and Mike Piazza. Kemp may not be the most charming guy, but there is nothing to show he is any kind of a troublemaker. We put up with that old grouch Kent; we can certainly put up with Matt Kemp who figures to be one of the game’s best for the next decade.
Sincerely,
“I think with each passing year we want to spend less on free agency. I can’t tell you how much we’re going to depend on it and how much we’re not going to depend on it, but the plan is to depend less and less on it. Sometimes you have to fill a hole that way. But in ’06 we had many holes to fill, in ’07 we had somewhat as many holes to fill, and in ’08 we went into it thinking we had fewer holes to fill. Hopefully next year, we’ll feel the same way. It’s a precarious route to go.
But coupled with that — and this is important — is if you’re of a mind to build from within, to give young players the opportunity to play, to mature, to make mistakes, to learn from their mistakes and to get better … if that’s the path that you hitch your wagon to, which we have, the only other way you’re going to be able to fill that hole is to disband some of that group. And that’s where we always think twice and say, “You know what? Let’s be patient.” ”
– NED COLLETTI
read the rest of a very detailed interview by diamond leung..
http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_web_colletti_04.476c46e.html
Have I been maybe one of the toughest guys here on Ned Coletti? I would say yes. I would like to say that offically as of this moment, I am now in his corner. If you want to know why read this. http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_web_colletti_04.476c46e.html
But like a main star in a movie I am still a little weary. How will it turn out????? Will he be the devil in disguise that I have to kill (or be killed) in the end? And this is all a trick to get me on his side….Or will he be like a wise old wizard who leads me to the promise land though I question him and rebel along the way?
beat me to it Sara!
haha, jungar i beat you by a minute. he did seem to say a lot of the right things..
i’m not fully in his corner like you are now, but i am at least less critical of him..
well said mlk. glad you spoke your, and our, mind. haha.
after reading that I have to give him a little room. I am down with Jones, always have been. I loved him w/Atl and he is only 30 and for 2 years. If he comes back and i keep seeing a lineup which has 6 of the first 7 hitters include Kemp, Ethier, Martin, Loney, Young etc..ok time to lay off and enjoy the ride. Now for me the only thing to solve is SS.
mlk – nice job.
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Funny, I just finished reading that interview in the P-E as well. As Sara says, Ned does actually says quite a bit that many of us can agree with. It helps that Diamond Leung asked some good questions and allowed Ned to have a full voice rather than write a T. J. Simers-style hatchet job. The big-name columnists in this town may stink, make illogical arguments and lack credibility (see the Plaschke link by mlk, above, plus the aforementioned Simers), but the Dodger beat writers – primarily Diamond Leung, Tony Jackson, Dylan Hernandez – do a tremendous job keeping us informed and covering the team. Their insights into the day-to-day ebb and flow of the team is invaluable.
“If [Jones] comes back and i keep seeing a lineup which has 6 of the first 7 hitters include Kemp, Ethier, Martin, Loney, Young etc”
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jungar – With Nomar AND Jones playing tomorrow, don’t you think there are only FOUR spots in the top seven after three of them are filled with Kent, Jones, and Nomar. I predict Torre has LaRoche hitting 8th tomorrow. Or worse Maza, with Nomar at 3B.
no westernmost. torre said specifically that nomar will be playing SS tomorrow. so no maza (unless kent’s back is bad). i’m just hoping that he considers putting jones or nomar or both lower in the order. they are still rehabing after all.. but knowing torre, i know it’s a longshot. nomar and jones will probably flank kent.. thus moving all our kids around..
u could be right. I think (hope) they will go with…
Kemp
Ethier
Martin
Kent
Jones
Loney
Nomar
LaWitt
The last time Nomar came back he hit in these spots (in order):
7, 8, 6, PH, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3
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With a LH throwing for SF tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised by anything Torre puts out there. We’ll also see if the Ethier/Young platoon is still happening.
“torre said specifically that nomar will be playing SS tomorrow.”
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Sara – yes, I know, he also said they would go to a six-man rotation, that Kershaw wasn’t going to be the first one sent back down, and that Juan Pierre was the fourth OF. What Joe Torre has taught me is that I have to see it to believe it.
Just read the Colletti interview with Diamond Leung. Colletti has always talked a better game than the product of his moves have thus far proved. Reading that article reassured me about Ned’s general philosophy, not so much about his GM skills.
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Ned has refrained from trading away the prospects we love.
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He did trade away Dioner Navarro for mostly garbage — although to be fair to the string bean, Mark Hendrickson was for the most part a serviceable starter. In any case Dioner had no place on the Dodgers after Russell took over.
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He traded away Joel Guzman who may turn out to be a very good ballplayer, but one who demonstrated a crap attitude.
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He also traded Edwin Jackson for Danys Baez and Lance Carter. Edwin has yet to really flourish on any kind of a consistent basis, but that trade has got to be considered a loss since Baez and Carter were so dang useless.
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I personally was sad to see Cesar Izturis go, but there is no question that Ned won that trade for Greg Maddux. (It looks like Cesar has lost his starting job in St. Louis, so maybe we can get him back.)
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As long as he doesn’t trade away our core players (see my list from a few weeks ago), I guess I’m willing to give him a chance to quit signing useless oldsters. It would really help if he would cut Mark Sweeney. Maybe with Andruw and Nomar back, losing Sweeney won’t break JoJo’s heart too much.
Nice commentary mlk. I’d like to point out something.
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Chuck Tiffany, a 2003 #2 pick and top prospect from Charter Oak HS in Covina, was also in that Edwin Jackson (who is still in the rotation of the team with the best record in baseball) deal. Check out his minor league stats:
http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=29152
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When the trade was made, Tiffany had two seasons plus a little rookie ball with the Dodgers and he put up those nice 2005 numbers in a hitter paradise for a home park. No one knew that his arm would explode a few games into his Tampa minors career. Jackson/Tiffany was too much in prospects to get only a glorified middle reliever who had some saves and a crappy middle reliever. (Don’t forget Aybar had to be thrown in with Baez to get Betemit, who begat Proctor !)
Oh, so the final scorecard on that is:
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Lose: Aybar, Jackson, Tiffany
Get: a crap month from Carter, a crap half-season of Baez, a bit of a tease of about a season of Betemit, a half-season of decent middle relief from Proctor, a really crappy half-season from Proctor.
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Most GMs trade three prospects like that, they get one decent player out of it.
mlk – fabulous statements! With stuff like that, you would hope this media of ours would start seeing this team for what it is – a wonderful group of talented young ball players who are performing in leaps and bounds over their veteran counterparts. Thank you for being one of the voices of this board that can so eloquently put your thoughts into writing and send it outside of this board. 🙂
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sara/jungar – great article! In regards to Ned and company, I am of the mindset that I need to see it to believe it. What he says sounds great in writing, but I will wait until after the trade deadline to see if he keeps to what he says in the article and not trade away the young players.
Time: Right now (1:55 a.m., July 4, 2004)
Location: Joe Torre’s San Francisco hotel room
Scene: Mark Sweeney begging Torre to save his behind
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Original Song: Total Eclipse of the Heart
Original Artist: Bonnie Tyler
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JUST A USELESS OLD FART
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Turnaround, every other night I go to hit
but all my bat does is go round
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit tired of listening to the sound of the boos
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little terrified when I see the look in fan’s eyes
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Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
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(Instrumental)
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Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit restless and my swing gets really wild
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit helpless and I’m lying like a child in your arms
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit angry ‘cuz I know my career’s about to die
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little terrified when I see the look in fan’s eyes
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Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
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And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you’ll only hold me tight
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right
Cause we’ll never be wrong together
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Can’t I keep playing until I’m thirty-nine?
Your love for vets has been saving my *** all of the time
I don’t know how to hit and I’m swingin’ in the dark
We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
I’m gonna start hitting tonight
I promise I’ll start hitting tonight
I swear I’ll start hitting tonight
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(Instrumental)
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Once upon a time I was mediocre
But now I’m just a useless old fart
There’s nothing I can do
I wonder if they’re hiring at KMart
Once upon a time I was mediocre
But now I’m just a useless old fart
Nothing I can say
I wonder if they’re hiring at Kmart
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(Fade Out)
Original Song: Lover’s Cross
Original Artist: Jim Croce
Time: About an hour later (After Sweeney stopped crying)
Location: Joe Torre’s San Francisco hotel room
Scene (I hope): Torre breaks up with Sweeney
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Groundhogs said it was bound to happen
Was just a matter of time
But now I’ve come to my decision
And it’s a-one of the painful kind
‘Cause now it seems that you wanted a martyr
Just a regular coach wouldn’t do
But Sweeney I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
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Yes, I really got to hand it to you
‘Cause girl you really tried
But for ev’ry time that we spent laughin’
There were ten times the fans cried
‘Cause I’ve been a martyr for Bubba Crosby before
But I can’t keep pinch-hitting with you
And Sweeney, I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
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‘Cause tables are meant for turnin’
And people are bound to change
And bridges are meant for burnin’
When journeyman outfielders deserve so much blame
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So I’ll hope that you can find
Another who can take what I could not
He’ll have to be a super coach
Or maybe a Super God
‘Cause I’ve been a martyr for Bubba Crosby before
But I can’t keep pinch-hitting with you
And Sweeney, I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
Terrific MLK!!! And a twofer at that – OUTSTANDING!!!
OK, so Colletti says he’s down for the youth movement. Then why isn’t your manager on the same page? For God’s sake Juan Pierre isn’t a franchise player or even a good one. Why was he leading off for almost two months with a .294 OBP? Mark Sweeney hitting in the O-nineties. Why does he get the lion’s share of PH opportunities? If the piano didn’t fall on Jones, Andre and Matt wouldn’t have gotten the playing time they have. If it didn’t fall on Pierre, JoJo would still have him in the line-up. It’s no coincidence that in the four games JP’s been out they’ve scored in the first inning each game and are 3-1. Proctor, Nomore, Berroa… each have taken their turns eating up playing time better served by youth. Its Frank & Furter’s usual bassackwards approach to want one thing and hire the opposite to get it done.
You can’t light a fire with a wet blanket, and you can’t have a youth movement with JoJo The Clown.
good morning, enchanted
The article just doesn’t sound anything like what they are doing on the field. It sounds great, but seeing is believing and I am not seeing it. There certainly isn’t any indication that Joe is changing his viewpoint any time soon, and if he was, he wouldn’t be so happy, happy, joy, joy over Nomar and Andruw coming back. He would be saying he’s happy the way it is right now. Something is just not adding up, and until the trade deadline comes and goes, I am not giving them any credit for the job they are doing right now. Jeff certainly had done a 180 on the kids too, and where is that coming from. The articles are indicating that he is actually having fun. Did he not like having JP in the clubhouse either? hmmmm!
MLK – fanatasic songs!!! Between the songs and the comments you wrote, you were on some roll last night, or early this morning (lol). Job well done!!!!!!!
Well I have not posted in a while and it has been a very interesting week to say the least.
A few observations.
1. As for Torres comment the team is playing with more determination. Could it be Joe that they have confidence in that they do not have to look over there shoulder if they go 0-4 or god forbid hit a home run just to be benched the next day. Confidence is the key to anything in life, if you believe you can achieve. Ethier looks so much more relaxed and he is hitting the ball with authority.
2. Kent seems to be invigorated, maybe a coincidence with Pierre getting hurt, but he was much more involved with Kershaw and animated on the mound with Kersh. And he is hitting the snot out of the ball. Maybe he really enjoys the youthfulness of this team.
3. I am not a Pierre basher to the extreme that some of us are, but the facts are the facts, he was not a positive force at the top of the lineup. As someone mentioned Joe and Ned he has a .297 OBP as the leadoff guy. Yes, he can run but you cannot steal first and he hits way too many easy outs.
When was the last time we scored 4+ runs in 3 straight games? Kemp is a bigger threat in the 1 spot and even if he does strike out he puts fear in the other teams pitcher.
4. Kemp really seems to struggle with off speed pitchers. Backe kept lobbing that curve and he kept missing. Throw him a fastball and he is all over it.
5. Sweeney, this should be your last day on the team. You have to give him credit for consistency, he has exactly 2 hits in each month this year. Just try and do that 3 months in a row. That is a hard accomplishment to achieve.
6. Billingsley is the horse we have needed to ride for several years. A true ace, not a wannabe like Penny or Lowe. They are solid vets but not ACES. Trade Lowe this month and get some solid prospects.
7. Kershaw being sent down, I just wish they would have communicated more with him. It is a part of the business, but in reading his comments he was not led to believe this was a possibility. I am not saying they were wrong, but keep the communication and feedback open so the kid is not shellshocked when it happens.
8. Last but not least, I am actually kind of excited about Nomar and Andruw coming back. I have been a fan of cutting Nomar, but if he is to play SS and not 3B I can live with it. I just hope he can stay healthy and I would keep Maza as a late inning defensive replacement.
Sorry for the long post just wanted to air out some observations.
Well, Ned may have had good answers in his interview, but, when he puts in action and gets Torre to do the same thing in an actual ballgame, only then will I believe he’s trying to take the Dodgers to a Division title, National league championship and World Series.
Play the Youth with a sprinkling of veteran ballplayers that are playing good, and if not playing good, then bench them. I’m from Missouri and you’ll have to show me (as the ol saying goes) before I believe Ned and Torre are doing a good job. I am definitely not sold on Torre as I watched him manage St Louis for a few years.
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Let’s sweep the Giants and turn this division around in the 2nd half.
I also wanted to comment on the Furcal injury. Lord knows I am not a Stan Conte fan and never will be, but I do not think anyone can question the treatment of Furcal. The last thing a player wants to do is go under the knife and they always try rehab first. You see all the time with elbow injuries they try to rehab and then 2 months later they undergo surgery. Furcal was probably the decision maker in that he wanted to rehab 1st.
Now, with this being said FIRE STAN CONTE!!! Rehire the REAL STAN….STAN Cowboy Johnston!!!!!!!
Lets kick the Gnats ****! Maybe Ned will get kidnapped, since they miss him so much in SF! Just kidding, but Ned go back with that organization that has so much tradition as compared to the lowly Dodgers!
Also, I just got back from a 3 day visit to Midland Michaigan to see my friend Juan Bustabad the manager of the Loons, low A team for the Dodgers. Andrew Lambo is going to be a great hitter and he has a passion for the game. He is their best ballplayer and he is only 19 years old.
Bryan Morris, number 1 pick in 06 and coming back from TJ surgery threw his best game Friday night, he had great command and was 93 all night with a high of 97.
Got to meet Josh Lindblom the number 2 pick of the Dodgers this year. He is a big kid and has a great looking arm.
The Loons have been struggling scoring runs, they literally score 2 runs or less a game. But they play with intensity and they are very young. They maybe the youngest team in the Midwest league.
Mattingly is struggling and it is all confidence. He just have to believe in himself, because he has the physical tools. That is the difference in this game your mental toughness, they are going to fail 70-75% of the time and the ones that do not dwell on the negative are the ones that will make it. Preston is a very nice young man and I am rooting hard for him. He has a father that was a great ballplayer and I hope he does not try to hold himself to his Dads standards.
Parker Dalton is a 24 year old infielder who may never make the big time, but his love for the game and the way he runs on and off the field is refreshing. I loved to watch him play over the weekend.
The stadium in Midland is a Major League quality staduim. It was built by Dow Chemical and they did not spare any costs. The locker rooms to the suites are all major league quality and the people of Midland Michigan are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
Danny Darwin the pitching coach is a true gentleman and he is doing a great job teaching the young pups what it takes to make it to the majors. Busty and Chicken (Garey Ingram) the hitting coach, showed me a great time and they are doing a great job teaching these guys how to play the game. Busty is a very aggressive manager. He realizes his teams problem scoring runs so he hits and runs and double steals, and everyone runs even the catchers. He reminds me a little of Scioscia’s style of managing.
If anyone is in the Midland area and want to have a great time at an affordable price go see the Loons play.
Ok 2 long posts in one day. That is all for me. Thanks and have a great day.
Dodgerboy – it’s good to see you back!!
I just wanted back up your comment about Pierre stealing 1st with a few stats. Pierre is 11th in the NL for groundouts with 111, and he is 2nd for all outfielders in the NL (which is supposed to be a power position, in which he has no homeruns and only has 10 extra base hits) Shumaker is 1st among outfielders, but he has 26 extra base hits with 6 homeruns. Andre and Matt didn’t even make the 1st page, which is the first 50, among all players, Andre is 21st among outfielders with 73 and Matt is 25th with 70. Now, Matt is pretty high with strikeouts (87), but he has the extra base hits (29) and homeruns to allow for that, and Andre is only high in fly outs, which leads to him being 2nd in sac flys, among outfielders,and 9 homeruns with 28 extra base hits. So, it goes back to I will believe Ned and Joe want to play the kids once JP comes back and they are still out on the field playing everyday. We are saying Pierre can’t steal first, and he can’t steal 2nd if not getting on in the first place. However, Ethier and Kemp can’t hit doubles and home runs sitting on the bench either (they both lead the team in doubles with 18). This is just offense we are talking about – Pierre has no outfield assists (Matt has 8 and Andre has 5). Sorry for the long post, but this whole Pierre thing really gets me going.
Great story Dodgerboy – WOW!!! And to your post above – to the idea of Ned being kidnapped because the gnats want him back – My husband and son say No way in Hell do we want him back – lol!! As much as I hate that team, their management is doing something right, and the Dodgers need to be careful because they are right on our ***. We are worried about the dbacks, but the gnats are right there too. YIKES!!!
It is good to be back and it was fun trying to catch up with the posts. Pierre, god bless him, is a tireless worker and a great guy, but Ned ask yourself this. If Pierre was making 1 mil a year and Ethier was making 1 mil, who would you play? If you answer Pierre, then you really do not know baseball. Ethier is a more complete ballplayer who is going to get on base 35% or better and he is going to slug .450 or higher. Not to mention that he is 2x the defensive ballplayer that Pierre is.
Forget the money and play the best 8 ballplayers. 34 steals did not win us games, but weak groundballs with men on and weak popflys costs us runs.
Pierre is not the reason we were 6 games under 500 but he is not the answer. We have the best 8 out there now and hopefully the new and improved Andruw will be the slugger we had hoped for. I for one, I am going to act like Andruw just got traded and has a clean slate. I hope he took advantage of the last 6 weeks to clear his mind and is in better shape physically.
totally agree – the outfield should be Ethier, Jones and Kemp, just like it was on day one, and with a new and improved Andruw, it can only be better. As far as Nomar, if he stays healthy to play SS, then his bat can only be better for us too. I just hope they are both ready for the gnats and Sanchez’s pitching – he’s doing very well right now. He’s the one I worry about most now that Lincecum is out of the way.
Happy 4th of July!!
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Thanks for the compliments on the songs. I really could imagine Sweeney begging Joe (and Ned) not to be cut today.
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We’re off to a parade, so I’ll talk to y’all later.
No I blelieve playing a terrible hitter leadoff is the reason your offense blows….Look I am not nieve..I have not turned over a huge leaf..but for 2 years i have griped. as of now, the kids are playing and JP is not. I am just tired of bitching and for 4-6 weeks other than stuff on the field or until Ned makes a stupid move, i have gotten what I wish for (other than the devestating Furcal injury)
Morning nells, Dboy, et al.!
From a Gurnick column: “Torre said he will continue batting Matt Kemp leadoff and would not consider Garciaparra for the role.”
I want to know who the m0r0n is that even suggested Nomore as a leadoff man.
More unbelievable, I’m surprised JoJo isn’t considering it.
Happy 4th of July to all and I hope we all realize how lucky we are to be in the United States of America. God Bless this great country and the Dodgers!!!
enchanted – the question remains – Where are they in the lineup? LOL!!
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jungar – I totally hear you, and it does feel good having the young players out there, and they are all doing well on top of it so, I will cherish those moment for 4-6 weeks – thanks 🙂
We all know who should get cut today too for Druw and Nomar – Sweeney & Berroa. Who will – Repko and LaRoche. Yes, more quality kept on the bench for those crucial ABs and defensive replacements.
I guess I’m just incredulous to that Colletti article when for half a season you refuse to put your best players out there, and only as a result of mass injuries to you finally field that team for the last 4 days.
How’s your boy doing jungar?
Dodger 16…this post is late, but sorry to hear about your injuryand I hope it heals properly and quickly so you can get back out there. I was reading you went 4-4, I presume this was before the accident happened if not you are my hero!
enchanted – In the back of my head, I keep thinking that Pierre isn’t going to be out as long as expected and the 4-6 weeks is just wishful thinking. So, as I remain happy that our outfield is going to be as it should for a while, there is still an end to that tunnel and JP is standing at the end ready to take his “given-away” spot in left field because he certainly hasn’t earned it from any of the current outfielders and with Andruw’s fielding, he can’t even compete with him.
Like I said yesterday, I can see the D’s making a run with this line-up and maybe even being 3-4 games up, then JP will re-enter the picture, Idiot Joe will use him no matter what for the stretch drive because he’s a “proven veteran”, the D’s will slip back in the standings and fall by the wayside, and the kids will get blamed for the collapse.
It’d be comical if it weren’t so predictable.
If Ehtier and Kemp continue to produce it should not even be a question. The onus is on these guys to show their worth. They are going to get at least 4 weeks of playing everyday and they have to prove their worth. No excuses/looking over their shoulder. Hopefully the team wins 8 out of 10 or better and the atmosphere of the team will be so high that even Joe/Ned will see the light!!!
Also the BP with Wade/Troncoso/Beimel has been outstanding. Brox and Saito are scaring me. Saito’s command has not been as good as in the past, but he is a warrior and is fighting thru it. This team is really young and exciting. The city of LA will embrace this team, so Ned/Frank do not do anything crazy!
With the various articles and comments by reporters, pundits, and constantly our own management, I have to think that what we’re continually experiencing is a generational divide. Our youngsters may be performing statistically, but many of them aren’t apparently conforming to what the older generation like Torre is used to seeing among younger players on a major league ballclub. The articles generally single out DeWitt as one who “gets it” or is “with it”, but typically point to Kemp as being on the other side that is rather cocky, self-assured, and generally not wanting to take advice from the older generation. While Torre was surrounded by enough veterans, he seemingly had enough of his kind of people on his side, so it’s not surprising that he considers it important to hold onto everyone of them, even the likes of Sweeney to preserve that balance. That’s why he obviously can’t wait to get Nomar and Jones back. I hope that both make a positive difference to the Dodgers, but they certainly make a big generational difference to Torre. I don’t think that Torre knows how to deal with the younger element, and the more of them we have and he has to depend upon, the more he feels and acts like a fish out of water. Well, if we’re really committed to the youth movement, the best thing would be for Torre to retire early, because he’s not a leader or even a good influence on the young players of today. He just “doesn’t get it” that the game of baseball and attitudes have changed from 30, 40 years ago. So, either start adjusting, Joe, or get out of the way, because your way is DONE. Needless to say, Ned is from the same era no matter what he spouts in an interview, and he should have been GONE a year ago.
I don’t know just how far our young players will take us this season, but I think we’re best off riding it out with them. If anything, let’s trade off Penny and Lowe and get us a couple of more young studs that can fill in the positions where we do have an acknowledged weakness. For all we know, and as close as we are to the divisional lead, we might make it into the playoffs yet without Pierre and Furcal, and hopefully having seen the last of the likes of Sweeney and Berroa, and NED.
Dodgerboy – Ethier and Kemp were playing their worth before JP started playing everyday, and this playing everyday thing started before Furcal went on DL (that just compounded the issue). He began playing everyday after complaining to the media, agent or his mama (as some would say) about playing time, so there has got to be something in that conversation that changed Torre’s mind. Both Matt and Andre were still batting .300+ at the time. Right now, it was because of Furcal’s absence and I guess the pressure really is on the lead off spot to prove to Joe that Pierre is not needed even for that role. Matt has already done the same as Pierre (1 for 4 days), and all it would take is a few homeruns and some doubles and a half a dozen or so steals, and everybody should realize Pierre is not needed to fill that role. Then again, we are talking about Torre, and like many said, he hasn’t seen it yet, so what makes us think he will see it when JP comes back.
Good morning all, God Bless America!!! I won’t be in front of a TV or computer for today’s game, but will be checking the score on my phone. Let’s hope one of our beloved Dodgers splashes down in San Francisco today! I hope you all have a great day with family and friends!
Are Druw and Nomahhhhhhhhhh gonna start today?
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy 4th of July, Independence Day to everyone.
Great songs ML!! Outstanding!!®.
Great posts and insights by everyone.
Let’s grab the reins, whip on the G’nats and make a run for the NL West title. It is there for the taking.
Very anxious to see the roster moves associated with Jones and Nomar activation. We all know what should be done. We’ll see!!!?
Dnelly, I agree with you and your assertion that they were already outplaying Pierre. I was just trying to say this is the time to make Joe/Ned realize that they are the answer, not Pierre. No more looking over their shoulder, to sieze the opportunity given, so JoeNed will have no option to go back to Pierre.
Torre can say early in the season he did not have enough to go by or some asinine reasoning….Carpe Diem Kemp/Ethier!!!!! So Mr Torre can finally see that you get it! We will go from 6 games under to 10 games over with the ones that DO NOT GET IT!!!!
I really feel good about this team…Youth will be served! And I believe Mr Kent is a believer after watching his interaction with Kershaw the other day!!! That was the most assertive action that I have seen him have with a young player….Maybe it was the Texas connection or something but it was fun to watch…..
Would be neat to DFA Phew and see if anyone claimed him. LOL!!! Of course, we all know the answer to that one. Sorry Amy.
Happy 4th Everyone. Let’s go for 4 straight wins today!It’s cool Jhall. What I am More concerned about is Kemp getting playing time. He has proven that he is starter material and I would really really hate to see him sit out more often. That would hurt!
it would not surprise me if they moved furcal to the 60 day dl… he would be off the roster that way, that way there only needs to be one cut… sweeney please. but thats what i think
haha. Goodbye sweeny. Come back when you can consistently hit over .300!
You are very wise Amy!! I applaud your team first attitude.
AWW. A compliment, I’ll take it 🙂
Like the article said, lets gt Lowe some run support today. The Giants are a terrible team this year. There is no reason why we can’t sweep. If Jones is back let Kemp take Left and Either right and lets play some ball. 4 for 4 today Russell!
Good Afternoon, jhall – Happy 4th!
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Dodgerboy – I do understand you, honest. This Pierre topic really gets me all worked up – sorry 🙂 Plus, it messes with my favorite player so it just is that more infuriating at times.
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good afternoon to you too, Amy 🙂
sorry Amy – it’s morning for you still LOL!!
I’m not going to be happy if Ethier is not in the lineup today because the SF pitcher is a lefty. He needs to be able to stay in rhythm. I am more hopeful he will be since with Pierre out , he’s the only lefty in the outfield.
Hey Nelly!!!
I’m with Jungar on Ned. I’ve actually thought that, pretty much since the trade deadline last year, Ned has been saying and mostly doing the right things–keep the kids, sign only short-term deals. It’s not Ned’s fault if Torre can’t figure out a decent batting order. It’s his fault for signing guys that maybe should not be there (Pierre), but his moves, and more importantly, goals, seem right.
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My concern really is more Torre. That Plashke article that MartinLoneyKemp linked to sort of displays this. It noted that the Dodgers have better talent than the Angels, and their ERAs and Runs scored are close to equivalent. Is it possible that the problem is that one manager can get good results out of his players and one cannot? I thought MartinLoneyKemp’s response was good (and the two songs too), but I think that you have to consider that the big diference is managers.
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As for the idea that Nomar would lead off, he did that for many years in Boston, so it’s not a surprise that it came up–it’s unclear who you hit lead-off (I’m happy to go with Kemp, though it’s not necessarily who I would choose), and it’s certainly a question about where in the order Nomar should hit. Torre has appropriately put Martin and Kent 3-4 (I would put Kemp 3rd, and Martin 2d or 1st, but this works), and has Loney 5th, where he should stay. And unless Joe is willing to put Nomar and Jones down in the order (where, they belong at least right now), I could see how it came up. I am, however, glad that he rejected that.
BlueGirl, if Ethier isn’t batting 2nd and playing it will be stupid!!!!
Remember gang, Ned is a freaking spin doctor!!!!!
Two more reasons NOT to go after Holliday (in case anyone asks):
2. Clutch Hitting: Matt Holliday suffers from the same malady that the rest of the Rockies hitters are afflicted with – the lack of patience at the plate. The Kid Rocks are free swingers that have yet to grasp that once you have a pitcher on the ropes that you make him sweat and work him hard. Instead, and especially with runners on base, Matt and the rest of the Rockies like to swing at first pitches.
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(sound familiar?)
1. Scott Boras
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(Need I say anything further?)
His freaking b*tt is on the line and he knows it. He is justifiably using his only strong point to save his freaking job!!!!
The gnats are not as bad as people thought they were going to be so we can’t assume anything with the gnats, bad or not. They could be at the bottom and still beat us just because of the circumstances of having to play at AT&T park. The only good thing about today is that we are at my mom’s this afternoon, who are Dodger fans, too with some Dodger blue support because I personally hate this series everytime it comes around because there is no letting up if we lose to them.
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I feel though, that if we can get through today, the Dodgers will be fine – Sanchez is the biggest threat for pitching in my opinion just from what I have watched. Cain is very off and on lately (with very little run support), and Zito is just Zito (nothing more to say)
Ned was full of sh*t and incompetent before the interview, and as far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed. Key word, INCOMPETENT!!!!
this musical chairs in the outfield is not hurting more than helping.
Wow. you dnelly, you are living in the future, Who’s winning the Dodger game?? lol
My guess on the lineup today
Kemp RF
Jones CF
Martin C
Kent 2B
Loney 1B
Nomar SS
LaRoche 3B
Ethier LF
Lowe P
enchanted – Holliday’s a hot head too. He had a horrible start and that’s all they kept referring to was his temper. And we are going for power so-to-speak, he only has 10 this year with none this week so far and they are at home. Also, in my fantasy league my competition has Holliday and guess who is high point guy for the two fantasy teams? None other than Andre Ethier himself. He has three points over Holliday and Martin who are tied for second in points right now. So, even fantasy life, I wouldn’t take Holliday – LOL!!
Good stuff Nelly!!!!
Just saw Ellsbury lay down a perfect bunt…if only Pierre could do that….Ellsbury is what i want in a leadoff hitter…good power, drives the ball and is a better base runner.
i like it scurtis- but I want DeWitt instead of LaRoche. And hasn’t proven himself my friend yet. Blake is a winner in my book. I want him to get the start, lefty or not. Like Either, lefty or not! They have proven themselves so let them play!
Amy – I was saying good afternoon to jhall because he is not in California – it’s afternoon where he is at. I don’t have future knowledge of anything unfortunately. LOL!!
Dodgerboy – Grady Sizemore is a wonderful lead off hitter, but yes, Ellsbury is good too 🙂
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thanks jhall! Pierre and Holliday – my favorites 🙂
LOL!!!
It’s the Grambo in me today!!! Still laughing over that damn thing – thanks eric, wherever you are (up in Tahoe I believe) LOL!!!!
dnelly- maybe a bad joke on my part. If someone’s not in CA- they are in the future! If only we could know what happens team wise before it happens.
jhall – did you go to the fireworks show last night? Also, do you think Grady can play SS for a year and half until Andruw is done? (jk) LOL!!!
Amy, I don’t like DeWitt against Sanchez. Sanchez is nasty and lefties will have a hard time hitting him. Dre and Loney will probably struggle today.
Amy – it would be great to know the future – it definitely would save alot of pain and agony over this team on some days. LOL!! We would definitely know when to and when not to watch.
Ned – INCOMPETENT – FIRE NOW!!!
Would that not be the best fireworks for July 4th?
Yep, fireworks were great. Thanks for asking. Yes, Grady S. is on par with Marty. I think he could play anywhere and be successful. LOL!!!! The ground hog is funny, but I can’t shed the Enchanted crooked thong thing. It just cracks(pun intended) me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
good luck Nelly, hopefully the boys will give u a great effort today and kick the Gnats butt!!!!
messagebear – like the direct approach – totally awesome!!!!s
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scurtis – I have to actually agree with you on what you are saying about Sanchez. He will be bringing it, and I think everyone will have a hard time with him, but yes, lefties inparticular. I was at the A’s game last weekend and he took it to all of them except for one mistake, which was the homerun by Cust.
DNelly, yup he’s got a great arm. Should be a low scoring quick one today. I miss Barroids! HA
LMAO!!! thanks for the image once again, jhall LMAO!!! Here I go again – too, too funny!!!!
Ellsbury just laid down another perfect bunt in front of Arod, Pierre should be watching….Nelly, Sizemore is a stud…if only we could be so lucky to draft or trade for someone that good….
Dodgerboy – The only thing that is good about this weekend is that the gnats will still be behind us even if they take all of them (which they won’t). My son is the worst – he really lets me have it. However, he is a lefty and he was very impressed with both of Ethier’s homeruns. He appreciates those that have a great swing and can hit opposite field.
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Sweeney’s on DL and they sent Repko back to AAA
E/Jim Jones is the leader of the crooked thong cult. LOL. New sneakers and an ill fitting thong to wait for Ned Bopp.
I am not a Red Sox fan, but I do like Ellsbury and he would definitely be an improvement over Pierre, but then I have stats that show almost every leadoff hitter in the MLB has better hitting stats than JP does.
Interesting how they use the DL to let the washed up old vets save face around here.
LMAO!!!!!!
Lol, jhall. I was thinking the same thing. What malady did he suddenly come down with?
What did Sweeney do? Those strikeouts must have taken it’s toll – LOL!!
Must have injured his ego/oblique swinging and missing so much.
Is it just a way to put Sweeney somewhere until they make sure Nomar and Jones don’t go back on the DL? That’s what I would have to assume – yes?
Good assumption Nell’.
My guess is they have more questions about Nomar being the one that stays healthy. If he goes back on DL, they will just bring Sweeney back up because you still have Maza and Aw Hell who can be SS. If it was Andruw they were worried about, they would have sent down Maza and kept Repko.
Flawlessly logical Nelly.
Sweeneys on the DL? Classic. Can’thithideous?
Happy 4th everyone. Thanks for asking about the kid enchanted.All is well…Not totally sold on Dodgers/Ned etc..don’t do 180’s that fast. not a flip floper lol..willing to just be happy though until JP rears it’s ugly head again is basically how I feel for now. Ned basically blamed others for his bonehead moves, challenged a sportswriter who isnt paid to run the dodgers to come “up with something better” and said he has to be patient and wants (was told if you consider the cash he was wasted) to move away from free agency. So I say…Cool u made the bed, lay in it for a while. I would still like to see him go after this year for sure, even if we make the postseason.
That’s the point probably – who on this management thinks logically – lol!! I really do wonder about that issue sometimes – common sense and logical thinking are definitely not this management’s strong suit. We have seen sprinklings of some, but it’s been based on injuries, not based on what’s been best all along.
LOL Jungar!! It was classic Ned spin. Just more bullsh*t trying to save his job.
OH BTW time for the over under game again…With Nomar I think you cant just ignore the last 5 years. And SS. Oy Vey. Snap. And with Jones he IMO will come back and be old AJ who plays well or he will be horrendus but we will keep throwing him out there
Nomar is back on DL…………..July 18
Jones is back on the DL………Sept 1
oh BTW for my money…..
Nomar:under
Jones:over
under on both jungar 🙂
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I will say this again, Sanchez is not a pitcher we want Nomar and Andruw taking batting practice with. My gnat family feels he is their number 2 next to Lincecum. I want them in there, I’m just not too sure today is the day to do it. I would have waited for tomorrow and let them hit against Zito. I, of course, hope I am wrong, but they both have been out a long time, vet or not.
Here’s the lineup
Kemp RF
Dre LF
Martin C
Kent 2b
Jones CF
Nomahhhhhhhhh SS
Loney 1b
LaRoche 3b
Lowe P
Under for Nomar and Andruw…I hope they did not rush Andruw back.
Sweeney came down with Hitteritis…if you get to many outs you get boils all over your butt and cannot sit on the pine anymore….he was having nightmares going to the plate in his thong and would wake up in a cold sweat screaming…No Joe do not bat me anymore I cannot take it!
Its official – Sweeney went on the DL with a bruised ego and hurt feelings (those thongs aren’t make for everyone!) Pulled a G-string to I heard.
LOL!!! very funny dodgerboy LMAO!!! that’s a good one!!
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that lineup is one I wouldn’t have guessed – Loney batting 7th – hmmmm!! I worry abot Dre at the top with the lefty – oh no!!
hey dnelly, i forgot to ask yesterday.. but did you hear the good comments about andre’s defense from charley steiner during the 9th inning yesterday? it was after he made the great running catch of pence’s little blooper, and charley said what an exceptional defender andre is, how he gets a great first step, and how he’s got a great arm with 5 outfield assists.. it was nice to hear them actually compliment him during the broadcast.. especially about defense. that’s why i want jones, kemp, ethier daily. the offense is cool, but the defensive upgrade is what i will love the most. no more pierre. ever.
Happy 4th everyone!!
One thing I think will be rough this weekend, I don’t think Josh will change the thread and that will mean long scrolls and mouse spins.
I can’t wait for the lineup and to find out the roster changes.
Hopefully Kent is O.K. as he says he is, I wouldn’t want him out just as the other two come in.
I’m happy, to say the least, about the way the team is playing and for the latest turns of events with the exception of the news of Furcal.
The offense seems to be improving but this has to be an ongoing thing. The pitching is continuing to hold up very strongly.
We have a very good chance for the Division title but it still looks tough for us to get through the first round if we get there.
I’m thinking of getting four statues, namely the Brooklyn & LA Dodgers for myself and two Mets, one regular & one last season each for my daughter & a friend of mine in that order.
WELL LET’S GET THEM G N A T S!!!!!!!!!
i would like to say, at least torre is learning some. with three wins in a row.. he’s managed to keep the exact same top 4 in the lineup. i’ll take baby steps with torre, over no steps at all..
okae, so i lied.. i think the first win.. had DY at the top, and andre took over the two spot the next day.. but regardless.. some consistency..
LMAO Dodgerboy and E!!!!
Thank Scurtis.
A convenient injury for Sweeney. I like the explanation that he strained his side swinging and missing too much. But DNelly’s logic is right–Jones they figure is fine physically (no injury history), so Repko goes back. Nomar, however, is made of balsa wood, so they don’t want to lose Sweeney just yet. In general, the right roster moves.
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I don’t like Torre moving the Dodgers hottest hitter in June (maybe the NL’s) from 5th to 7th to make room for guys who are of questionable health, and even when playing were not playing that well. I know we’re facing a lefty today, but are Jones and Nomar really better than Loney? Otherwise, the lineup makes as much sense as is possible .
sara – yes I did! It was great to hear!! The announcers for Houston were very complimentary towards Andre too, especially his ability to use the entire field when batting – his two homeruns were one on each side as well as his doulbes (double to left field, double to right field). He has really turned a good corner since JP’s departure – as much as he won’t admit it, the pressure was obviously there, which isn’t there right now. He seems to be having fun again 🙂
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Today’s Russell’s Day – home run into the cove would be sweet!!!
Pulled a G-String trying to get those black over the calf dress socks up. LOL!!!!!
I hope everyone has a great 4th of July. Hope we can keep the momentum going.
from tony jackson:
So I had the players right in my prediction, but I was wrong about Sweeney being DFA’d. Turns out, he has had a strained right hamstring for the past three or four weeks. Sweeney says it isn’t the reason he is hitting .094. Torre says it is. At any rate, the Dodgers were able to activate Nomar and Andruw, both of whom are in the starting lineup, without losing a player from the organizational inventory.
Here’s the lineup, but it’s subject to change if Kent is scratched with the back thing
RF Kemp
LF Ethier
C Martin
2B Kent
CF Jones
SS Garciaparra
1B Loney
3B LaRoche
RH Lowe
i think the note that kent might be scratched due to the back thing scares me.. i hope he’s fine.. he’s really been turning it on lately..
enchanted!!! LMAO!!!!! you and your one liners again – too funny!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!!!!
Agree with you Leek. Moving Loney down does not make sense for two guys coming off the DL and were not really raking when they left. Oh well. At least Dre is in there and batting 2nd.
that last line was my thought, not tony jackson’s.. haha
I really hate this team. Loney has been our b est hitting and he gets put behind two guys that have hardly played.***** the Dodgers.***** Ned,***** Joe and **** frank. This is pathetic. Sweeney isn’t hurt! and even if he is who cares! He’s usless. Ned just wants to keep his former Giants around. This is pathetic. The Dodgers are pathetic. The whole organization except for the scouts and the grounds crew (and logan white and Kim Ng). Everyone else in the front office should be gathered up on a chuck of ice and be sent adrift.
yeah dnelly, i don’t know how anyone could dislike andre.. he’s just a ball player. and a good one.
i really do hope it’s russell’s day. he could use a day. haha.
Im wearing my Sheffield Dodger jersey today! lol
jhall – LMAO!!! – horrible visions I tell you, just horrible – LMAO!!
Not as horrible as his freaking at bats. LOL!!!
I guess not!! LMAO!!!!!
I just love all this; “I’ve been injured for 3 weeks” crap when they have been stinking up the joint.
I tried to say something to Joe, but he didn’t ask the right questions. Yeah, right!!!!
Not a bad lineup. I understand why he dropped Nomar. Maybe with a hot hitter behind him, Nomar may get better pitches to hit.
LaRoche needs to start producing and take advantage of his opportunity. Hit the ball hard and drive in runs that is how you earn more time. This is the big leagues and you only get so many chances so start earning it. However limited the chances are.
where’d you read those sweeney quotes jhall?
My gnat hell just got worse – I have to watch the game with the gnat announcers – we are blocked out of mlbtv, but I can listen to KABC so there is some reprieve – my son’s raring to go.
Somebody posted something earlier about Sweeney saying he had a strained hammy for the last few weeks and then I just took off with it. LOL!!!!
G’nat and hell is redundant Nelly.
Somebody said that Andruw has lost about 15 lbs. and it’s noticeable. I don’t get to see the game on TV, so, please let me know if it’s true. If so, I’ll at least give him credit for trying something positive.
LMAO!!! so true!!!!!!
oh, haha.. i thought there was an article or something, i wanted to read how much BS he could pull off
as soon as i spot him messagebear, i will alert you 🙂
This line up looks just about right, only I’d prefer DeWitt, but it looks like Torre is platooning him with LaRoche, who hasn’t shown me anything yet.
Okay Lets get to work on Jon Sanchez and get some runs for Lowe.
GO TEAM GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG SWEENEY is on the 15 day DL… what has the world come to? everythings just too good…. not that I would wish anybody to be hurt or unhealthy… just… that…. well for his sake he won’t be able to reach .50 this weekend 🙂
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Jones & Nomar are back… let’s sweeeeeeeeo the giants!! Happy 4th!
LOL Heart. I don’t know what we would call .50 BA.
Andre is back to LF where he belongs, his rightful spot : )
Andre is back in LF… his rightful spot : )
Happy Fourth! Have the muted Giants broadcast on TV, and Vin Scully on my computer. Time for the great rivalry to start again. GO BLUE!!!!
good start matty!
it looks weird that the giants are wearing navy blue caps
Way to start Kemp. Come on Ethier, just a hit.
matt’s helmet always flys off.. haha.. good steal!
good job dre!! lots of pitches, and moves kemp over!!
Nice AB…
Very nice AB, Andre – got Matt over, just as good as a sacrafice – very nice
Utterly great at bat by Andre – do you think he gets it, JoJo?
Excellent AB by Dre. That erased an inning off Sanchez, I hope.
Good at bat by Dre. Did what you’re suppose to do.
Sanchez is nasty. Bad at bat by Russ
I feel like Sweeney isn’t really hurt, he’s just on the DL to save himself from humiliation… or maybe he is.. either way OMG… no appearances from him to save the day! haha..
We need to get on top of Sanchez
messagebear – We know Dre gets it now, but I think we need to wonder if Joe gets it – LOL!!!
ugh, russ and kent couldn’t produce 😦
Andre had a 14 pitch at-bat!!!
Too bad we didn’t score but that was a real nice AB by ‘Dre.
Did anyone notice that Andre had a good AB. LOL!!!!
messagebear, they flashed jones briefly, and it’s a little noticeable.. but i don’t think i’ll truly be able to tell until they show him from the side, not the front..
haha yeah, jhall.. there were like 10 comments about his productive out.. hopefully joe took note too
wow, that was nightmarish.. not a good start
damnit lowe u idiot
I might be late with this comment, (i tried going up the thread to see if there was a conversation on it already) but I just now read today’s article in the LA Times talking about how the Dodgers should be more like the Angels. They said we have a bunch a little boys who look in the the mirror rather than playing baseball and we are no committed to winning. Do you read this? Are you mad too? What do you think of this?
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Damn it Lowe. why did he miss that throw 😦
jhall – yes, I noticed – could you tell!!!! LMAO!!!
dodge 16 – how’s your hand?
yeah, amy.. we talked about it, and martinloneykemp wrote a letter to plaschke telling him he’s an idiot.. it’s towards the top of this thread..
its better but im about to break the other one on that stupid play by lowe that stupid idiot
I can’t stand listening to the Gnats broadcast. They are a complete joke!
after the last few games.. i forgot what it felt like to be down first.. we NEEDED to get kemp in from third.. ugh..
Well, that’s 2 runs Lowe can’t fault the offense for. Although we should’ve (could’ve, would’ve) got a run in the 1st.
thanks sara. I’ll look again. I was late with it, but it sucks so bad! They shouldn’t be hating on our team. “Dewitt is the only ballplayer on the team” PLEASE!!!
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Come On Dodgers…not a good inning!
you could go back by timestamp.. i think it was like around 11:30pm last night..
Lowe is very tradeable in my book.
OMG Jones looks like he lost a little weight!
There were some good points in that article Amy, but they missed the real points as to why. Yes, the Angels are more like the old Dodgers and the way they used to do things. That is why they are having success. They failed to really pin the fault on the true culprits however. Ownership and GM ineptitude. Instead they groveled about the kids needing to learn quicker or their supposed bad attitude. It was, for the most part, more crap.
scurtis, put the SAP broadcast on. It’ll be in spanish, but at least it won’t be Krukow and Kuiper.
Also, I don’t know where you are, but up here in Marysville, I can sometimes pick up the Dodgers broadcast on 1560 AM out of Bakersfield. Staticy, but 10 times better than those Jints Jokers.
messagebear, andruw’s still very large.. but you can tell he’s lost some weight..
Same old Jones…
sanchez is nasty right now..
I will just watch and not listen. Got the package here in Chicago, and I get the Gnat broadcast.
good news jones still sucks
enchanted, i’m trying not to judge him after one at bat..
You are right jhall. Last season, yes, there was a lot wrong with the kids vs. vets and things were said that shouldn’t have made it to the media. I get that. But to me at least, things have changed on that front and there seems to be more unity among the team. I agree that with the correct management, they can tie up all loose ends and polish off the talent that we know is there. I will not accept we have a team of diva’s taking their big league careers for granite.
scurtis – I have earphones on with mlbtv audio (vin announcing) and watching the broadcast. It’ the only way I survive this series. plus alot of laughing thanks to the comedy of jhall and enchanted.
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strikeout for Jones – oh my!!
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Told you this pitcher is somebody we don’t want to have Andruw and Nomar taking batting practice.
scurtis, gotcha. I HATE these announcers. They always seem like they’re five seconds away from snapping eachother in the butt with towels.
MY LONEY HAS A FIRST NAME…
nice loney! he’s still HOT with the bat ~
wow if loney was batting 3rd or 4th like he should be we would have scored in the first
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My Loney has a first name,
It’s J-A-M-E-S
My Loney has a second name,
It’s L-O-N-E-Y
I love to watch him every day
And if you ask me why I’ll say
‘Cause James Loney has a way
With H-I-T-T-I-N-G!
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By leefink and martinloneykemp
My Loney has a first name,
It’s J-A-M-E-S
My Loney has a second name,
It’s L-O-N-E-Y
I love to watch him every day
And if you ask me why I’ll say
‘Cause James Loney has a way
With H-I-T-T-I-N-G!
Case in point, we saw Kent go support Kershaw during the game and in his post game interview. They are coming together more and support one another. We just need to get our game on the same page.
Dnelly Nice idea. I need to get that.
Northstateblues: I wonder what these 2 announcers do on the road trips? lol
That Jones struck out, as he has been prone to all season long, and Nomar struck out, which he is supposedly not easy to get, are not good signs.
Lowe would be on top of my tradeable list. He doesn’t want to be here and clearly won’t be next year. I don’t think he’s a team player in any case. Actually I think he’s pretty much a jerk. So, let’s get something for him now instead of just draft picks for the future.
Thanks, sara for the report on Jones. Anything in the weight and conditioning department would be a benefit – it’s probably hard to lose after any operation, and at least it shows that he might care.
YEAH D-LOWE!! Way to help your own cause!
I will say Jones looks in better shape.
Nice at bat by Kemp
Should bunt Dre here.
good at bat for matty too..
yeah, andre! come on RUSS!!
Nice line drive Andre!!! very nice!!!
scurtis.. they wouldn’t ask andre to bunt.. i don’t think you have players bunt when they never do it.. it’s a difficult thing to execute if you never practice..
It’s the D.R.E. !!!!!!
Good eye Russ!!!!
wow that ump helped us… ill take it, come on kent
Good call by Torre to take the bunt off.
Hope we get a big inning now.
Wow, that looked like a strike on Russ.
Great AB for R U S S E L L
This is very good that we are getting to Sanchez – this can be a great weekend if we get through him. Wow!!!
Big at bat already here by AJ
Viva Los Dodgers!
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Watch out here comes Jones
oh great jones is up… come on
Come on NOMAHHHH
okae, maybe i’ll judge andruw after 2 at bats =P
fat piece of crap… i hate you jones
The Rally Killer™
Normar and his Toe Dance.. awww it’s been so long.
Nobody would be happier than I if Nomar & Andruw were productive in the second half but I’m skeptical. Nomar’s recent physical history doesn’t inspire confidence nor does Jones’s reluctance to make adjustments either physically or baseball-wise….loved the article on Kim Ng. did’nt realize she had as much experience as she does. Sad to say it but she’ll probably have a GM job somewhere else by the end of the year. Ned says all the right things but actions speak louder than words.
strike two for andruw – ugh!!
Is there any other organization that just seems to constantly leave runners in scoring position with less then 2 outs then we do?
Year in and year out its the same damn story.
wow, we tied the game on 2 RBI walks.. i’ll take it..
Nice at bat NOMAHHH
Can anyone tell me why Sanchez is wearing a blue cap? not cool. It’s too close to Dodger Blue!!’
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YESSSS!!!! we are tied 🙂
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Come on LONEY
GREAT AB for NOMAR
Brand new game.
My gnat family says its because it’s for the 4th of July
amy, i think all the caps are the same today.. it’s a flag inside your logo, and all the caps are the same navy blue.. i think the caps look more padres blue than dodger blue..
Two gifts and our PVL’s blew it. Should have blown them up there.
looks like jones lost about 10 lbs and is now down to 275. fat girl.
Ok, it’s like using pink bats for mother’s day. It is a deeper blue, but the stupid Giants shouldn’t be allowed to wear the color at all!
That sucks. We should have blown this game wide open. Unacceptable. Andruw same ol Andruw. Hasn’t changed a bit. This guy is not going to help the Dodgers. I would rather have DY in every game and let AJ sit.
**nice try Nomar***
The Curacao Cow©, The Rally Killer™ and Oh Crap Not Again!® are trademarks of NedCo. NedCo – where the past is our future.
lol. I forgot how tight Nomar wears his pants!!
Typical Lowe after we tie the game…
Amy, I don’t think the rest of us are checking that out about Nomar! lol
nomore sucks… that should have been 2
enchanted – “seems like old times” with Andruw
augh, bad throw russ..
Russ forgot to check the runner on 3rd.
Did Martin forget Lewis?
lol. I am not checkin him out..it’s just damn they are the tightest in baseball.
That was a real “rock” by Russell.
the stupid fans are chanting beat la… our team is beating themselves
Wow alot has been happening in the game. We have had the chance to be up 3 or 4 runs….Come on big game Lowe…get some outs….this guy needs to go….double steal great!!!!
Andre and kemp are doing the job at the top of the line up!!! I see jones is still doing what he does best and that is help the Santa Ana winds!!! Swing and Miss feel the breeze!
Great at bat by nomar!
Terrible lack of concentration on Martin’s part.
Let’s go Dodgers. Remember Lowe needs “run support”
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PierreEW – are you trying to be funny because it worked if you are? LOL!! I am not old enough to remember Martin and Lewis too well, but I do know who they are.
We will get to the gnats bullpen by the 5th, so Im not worried.
lowe suck, jones sucks, ned sucks… they all suck
Please trade Lowe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lowe is killing us. They was way too many base hits, and now a homer. oye 😦
Lowe – piece of crap – not the New Dodger material – TRADE HIM.
Lowe’s pitching like he’s one step out the door.
Lowe is up to his same old S*** again. We claw our way back into a game and he makes it easy for the Giants to get ahead again.
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I say we should say adios to mr Lowe at the end of this year and let him find greener pastures.
Where was the homer, I missed it.
The GNATS look better in Halloween than the 4th of July.
LET”S GO GUYS Get those runs back.
scurtis – that will be a good thing – they’re bullpen sucks, and if we can get Sanchez out of there, we may have a chance. That’s the only thing my gnat family is worried about so it makes me a little more comfortable, but Lowe needs to get his act together too.
Good one, Pierre. A little before my time, however.
boblee, it will probably be adios at the tradine deadline, not the end of the year.. we need to get something for him, since he’s gone regardless..
It was a ground rule double – not a homer!!
Dodge 16 I have to disagree the chopper by Winn who runs well, it looked as if Nomar did all he could. Maybe Furcals arm would have made the difference, but Nomar had a great exhange.
Lowe is up to his old tricks!!! I agree trade and bring the Kid back.
screw that just dfa him… let kershaw have his starts… he complains about run support because he needs it… billz doesnt need run support because billz doesnt suck
hey ned are you watching this? or are you shmoozin with your old employer dreaming about the good ol history you claim the giants have… fix this team you jackass
Well, we sure didn’t make Me. Sanchez work that inning, did we class. We need to do better next hour..
Dodge 16 how is the hand?
The way I see it, that should be Jonathan Sans’ last 1-2-3 inning.
This club was so inspired, so spirited, having won 3 straight, almost as if celebrating the demise of the vets…Pierre gone, Andruw gone, Nomar gone…the page being turned. And now they return, two anyway, and throw in “hard luck” Lowe if you’d like…luck, of course, being the residue of design. It’s almost as if the vets are toxic to this team. On this weekend of the Twilight Zone Marathon, welcome to L.A.’s own version of weirdness. As the 60’s slogan went, don’t trust anyone over 30, including Torre, Ned and Frank.
Definitely trade Lowe by the deadline for somebody’s top 2-3 prospects. I’d say the same for Penny but he’s physically questionable.
Is Lowe pitching batting practice? I hate the Damn Giants and I despise ever losing to them ever, ever, ever………..
kpookiemon – our own version of Logan’s Run – everybody past the age of 30 is gone. If you reach the age of 30, you either escape or you die. LOL!!!
lowe forgot about a 40 year old base stealer??? omg, that’s painful..
Nice Lowe
sigh: say goodbye now while you have a chance.
Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti will be looking for a shortstop among other things before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, and the team is willing to adjust its philosophy of keeping their young players off-limits.
“We’re more open-minded to who we may have to move,” Colletti said.
Asked if he were referring to the young players, Colletti said, “They’re not really young kids anymore.”
I’m ready for Logan’s Run…Logan White, that is!
Way to focus Lowe, the runner took off before you pitched and it cost us a freaking run….Joe does he freaking get it…what he should get is a freaking one way ticket to Las Vegas…the big baby….what a waste!!!
Lowe can surely wreck momentum!!!
kpookimon – that is so true!!!! LOL!! that’s a good one!!!
Lowe’s head is definitely not in this game. It must be where the sun never shines. It would be ok, if you left the game now, Lowe
Nice Rookie mistake by Lowe. We need to trade him before the deadline. He has said before he is going to test free agency so why not! Lowe for a guy like Renteria in Detroit would be fine with me.
The wheel’s have come off the buggy and Lowe’s going south.
Max I could live with that trade….Viva Columbia (my wife is Columbian).
not good news jungar.. i hope he’s not talking about being drastic..
Oh god, here come the Dre comments! lol
ANDRE EVERRET ETHIER!!
en fuego
and off a lefty
ANDRE EVERETT ETHIER
SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#10 #10 #10
The L.A. Times reported “whispers” in the offices about Kemp and wanting “ballplayers.” Ned, please define ballplayer? Lowe, falling asleep on the mound? Andruw, eating himself out of a knee and a career? Pierre, unable to hit a cutoff man on the fly? Cut me a break. And oooops, there goes one of those dang kids blasting a home run!
i stole your full name caps, dnelly 😉
Ethier does not get it!!! Great job Andre….Bowa will probably yell at him!
Go young guns!!!!
3 STRAIGHT HOMERUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
ANDREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Number 10 FOR ‘D R E
Andre you are playing yourself into a trade! Stop it!
I said it early in the year, when Dre left spring training that this was the best hitter we had and he would have 15 to 18 hr’s if he player every day…..Way to go Dre
Leads the team with 10 and he is now tied with Matt Holliday!! eduardo – take that !!!!!!!
Vin just said himself “Andre will be hitting a lot more of those if he plays everyday”
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How’s that Mr. Joe Torre? Andre with a homerun off a LEFTY! ….
Jungar..
Oh no..just read that Coletti is open to trading the kids…God help the Dodgers…What shortstop is out there that is worth anything…?..damn….This could be the beginning of the end….Don’t mind if we trade Lowe because even before the game started I knew Lowe can’t pitch to left handed hitters….as I am writing Ethier hits a home run…Let’s trade him Ned….great….Let’s get Logan White as GM and leave the team alone, except for Sweeney, Lowe, Borrea, and not sure LaRoche is ready for prime time yet…I really fear what “stupid” decisions Ned
will make now….Last year I suggested if the Dodgers wanted a center fielder, Rowand would be a good choice…Guess we couldn’t get him because he is TOO good a hitter and fielder…We needed Andruw… LOL…
Anybody know who isn’t on the team now that Andruw and Nomar are back on the team?…I saw Sweeney in the dugout…Why is he still on the team?…why????
sara – we can share lol! I have Russell’s ready to go 🙂
LMAO Nelly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish Torre was like Ozzie Guillen. We would be reading quotes like ***** yeah its ******* frustrating. two ******* months.***** that. they ******* making ******* play Pierre. I don’t want to play that guy over Ethier.***** that. But **** what can I do, I am have a boss man”
This isn’t Vegas AJ
drpdedblnd.. sweeney is on the DL now.. and repko was optioned.. so sweeney is still there, but he can’t come up to hit.. oops, i mean he can’t come up to get out
Yep, that’s our Joensy. Nobody can do it like AJ can……
and Andruw is the same as when he left…..3 strike outs…WE REALLY NEEDED HIM BACK….Maybe the Las Vegas pitchers aren’t as good as the big leagues…!!!!
Early returns on Andruw are not encouraging. Geez!!!
This must be what it feels like to flunk and have to repeat third grade. Weren’t the Dodgers well on their way to distancing themselves from this veteran mess?
Looks like Jones didn’t forget how to strike out.
Comes back the same way he left.
I’m rooting for him though.
LET’S GO ANDRUW.
(insert sarcastic tone of voice here)
Wow…3 strike outs for Jones…who saw that coming?
Alston, Lasorda, Russell, Hoffman, Johnson, Tracy, Little, Torre. Of all of these characters ove the course of 50 years in L.A., I have been MORE disappointed in Torre than any of them. What a stubborn mule.
Maybe we can get to their bullpen and get back some runs!!!
GO BLUE!!!
Guess who’s carrying this ballclub, Torre, you f***ing imbecile. You left your brains behind in NY, what little you ever had of them. If you take players like Ethier out of the lineup for some garbage veterans of yours, I’ll personally find you and knock the living shidt out of you. I’m only 72, so it ought to make it a fair fight. You can call Ned for help, and I’ll be glad to take him on next.
I get so gd*mn pissed off with this whole management team.
Wow–Andruw, just like he never left. Makes me long for Juan Pierre.
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And then I see Jungar, after posting Ned’s good interview basically adopting the right philosophy, then quotes him opening up the possibility of doing everything he says he should not in the interview.
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And, clearly, we need some proven veterans to drive in runs with the bases loaded like Jones and Kent did.
thanks sara…
Thankfully we won’t have to watch Sweeney for awhile….I wish it was forever.!!!
What the hell kind of catch was that suppose to be. Good for us…
What Bear said. LOL!!!
Torre enjoyed finally writing their names (Andruw and Nomar) back into the lineup after such a long absence.
“It was nice to get some experience in there,” Torre said. “I think we’re starting to get a better feel for ourselves.”
JOE! TURN THE PAGE!!!! PLAY THE KIDS!!!! THEY’RE THE WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bad at bat Loney
Bad swing on 3-1 Loney…it has to be your pitch….dammit
CRAP.
I wasn’t joking around, but that did come out funny.
It look like Martin forgot all about Ted Lewis on 3B base when he threw down to second to get Winn.
(Ted Lewis) remember him?
Pinch hit Sweeney! lol
after reading that article about potentially trading for a shortstop.. i’m in pain. i cringe when i read crap like that. crap that makes no sense. i guess now, all i can do is hope that nomar stays healthy and is decent there, because that is the only hope for the young guys..
long shot.. i know..
weatherman right Pierre on Mary Tyler moore show?
if it was not him then I have no clue!!! that was knight anyway wasnt i…tv trivia not my game!
Gut move there by Bowa!
omg, SO glad that throw was off.. they really took a risk there
Ted Baxter….sorry…
Who is this person that has taken over Eithier ‘s body. Where was he earlier? When is he ever going to hit a homer when someone is on? Rihgt now … i take it.
great job DY our number PH….way to be agressive Bowa I thought Ethier was dead! Winn has a weak arm..
good hit by delwyn.. gotta give him credit.. such a professional hitter.. SO glad sweeney couldn’t take that at bat..
Come on Kemp. Smash it..
OKAY>>>>D Y
Kemp = Raul Mondesi
dodgerboy.. that was nomar running.. ethier’s up right now
Geez, Kemp just needs to learn to just make contact, He doesn’t have to kill it.
ANDREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
andre hitting unconcious right now!!! yeah andre!!
Dear lord here come the Dre comments!
Andre is doing a fabulous job today – what is Torre thinking by not playing him everyday – Where would he be now?
And Dre is not starting everyday because…..
Yeah, that’s the kid that can’t hit Mr Torre and I use that term Mr. very loosely.
here’s your run support lowe.. save you a loss.. stupid lowe 😛
A N D R E >>>E T H I E R
The B I G E
HA D Lowe in line for the win now!
yeah russ!!!
RUSSELL NATHAN JEANSON COLTRANE MARTIN JR!!!
good time for your first hit today~
Thanks Fred Lewis!
Andre 🙂 🙂 🙂
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RUSSELL MARTIN
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MATT KEMP
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Amazing. Period.
RUSSELL NATHAN COLTRANE JEANSON MARTIN
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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he deserved that sara!!!!
Guillen continued….”he hits for ******* power, can hit to ******* all fields,***** me whats that other **** do? ground ball to ******* 2nd? no, no longer **** it. i dont care if he got hurt, he aint ******* coming back.***** the owner he can fire me.***** Ned he can fire me.***** that. i know baseball and ethier is ******* playing. no more horsehit around here…”
i know it wasn’t a homer dnelly.. but i figured i’ll pull out the full name anyway..
YEAH KENT!!
RUSSELL NATHAN COLTRANE JEANSON MARTIN
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
for you again sara!!!
.
my gnat family just got real quiet LMAO!!!!!
You gotta love these 2 out rallies! I hope they bury the Giants today!!!!!!!
Well that rally was nice while it lasted. Andruw will kill it. Thats why joes got him batting 5th and if he fails? we’ve got Nomas batting right behind him.
You’ve got to love that Gnats bullpen!!! Nice hitting guys, let’s keep going.
I am sure it is the competition of knowing Jones is back that has made Andre hit again. Or it could be, constant playing time. I don’t know.
sara – they deserve it for any extra base hit 🙂
Well, the rally will end here, as AJ is due up. At least we scored 5 runs
M A R T I N….&….K E N T
a new vaudaville act.
Ethier is making Torre look like a FOOL! If Andre had played everyday from Day 1 the Dodgers would have been leading the NL West for a long time. Now Joe can hardly wait to get Pierre back so he can platoon Andre with Kemp. Great thinking, Joe! You really know how to analyze what it takes to win.
Torre doesn’t want to admit how WRONG he is bekus I think he knows how much potential the younger players have on this team.. he doesn’t want to acknowledge that fact & likes to stick with his vets. I mean since Andre has debut with the Dodgers he’s done exceptionally well… I’d like to see Pierre produce something close to what Andre has been doing in the past couple of games…. This is only the begining …if the lineup continues to what we’ve seen I wonder where we’d be at the end of the season.
.
.
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dnelly, i think coltrane and jeanson are flipped 🙂
4th K by jones.. knew that was coming.. sad
AJ has definitely lost weight or has on a bigger shirt…
Who strikes out more Dunn or ***** Man Jones?
My take is from seeing both come up is that Kemp is better. My take is that if Kemp is only as good as Mondesi i’ll be stoked and a little disapointed. I loved Mondesi. His numbers were always below what they should have been given his talent and he frustrated me at times but I loved watching him play.
Jones, another strike out. are we surprised?
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.
.
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It just sucks bekus I know Torre is not convinced he’s still waiting for his all star lineup to return… Pierre, Jones, Sweeney.
Im starting to think I can strike Jones out. He’s probably the only guy on the team who strikes out when he’s hitting off a tee! Well maybe him and Sweeney.
Kinda figured Jones would kill the rally.
oh andruw! – What are we going to do with you?
This bears reposting:
FAT ANDRUW:
.
Aaaaaare we gonna see you there tonight?
Ahhhh out in center, left or right?
Aaaaaare you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed ‘Druw you make the Dodger world go round (your big butt)
.
(Guitar and heavy beat)
.
Hey!
I was just a skinny lad
Once was good but now I’m bad
But I knew Ned and so I left Atlanta G
Grew a hefty big fat fanny
Lost a step out of my tranny
Krispy Kreme ya dun made a fat boy out of me
.
(Guitar, heavy beat, clap-clap)
Hey hey!
.
I’ve been swinging with my bat
Across the plate, around the fat
I’ve missed every nasty slider down away
But the beauty of it all
Still get my million dollars haul
I don’t care ’bout what any blogger’s got to say
.
(Quick drum solo)
.
Ahhhhh will you be playin’ there tonight?
Ahhhh out in center, left or right?
Aaaaaare you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed ‘Druw you make the Dodger world go round
Fat bottomed ‘Druw you make the Dodger world go round
.
(Guitar solo)
.
Hey listen here
Now with your spoon and with your fork
Try some salad, try some pork
Ain’t no fatty dudes in this locality (I tell you)
Bein’ thin would bring us pleasure
Not an oversized tape measure
Great big Andruw try not to hit one forty three
.
(Drums)
.
Aaaaaaaare you gonna be in there tonight
Ahhhhh out in center, left or right
Aaaaaaaare you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed ‘Druw you make the Dodger world go round (your big butt)
Fat bottomed ‘Druw you make the DODGER world go round
.
Get off the bench and try
Fat bottomed ‘Druw
Get ’em plowboy
Fat bottomed ‘Druw…
.
(Guitar out)
see.. that lazy attempt to catch the ball by fred lewis, is something by a kid that should drive you crazy.. but andre, and our guys, don’t do stupid things like that, and yet they’re criticized more than any of the other young kids in the division.. lewis, upton, etc.. these kids do kid like things.. and yet play everyday.. and our guys get kicked around by our own management.. blah
0-4 with 4Ks. I hate this man. Trade Colletti for a bucket of balls.
Go E!!! Outta Sight Dude!!!
0-4 4 k’s yeah we need that pvl bat in our lineup… andruw sucks…
and if we trade for **** and kemp is involved the name coming to us better be hanley ramirez
I sure hate to see this Jones signing blowup in our face. I really thought that last year was a fluke. Let’s hope he can get back to form because it doesn’t look like Joe is going to bench him.
Let’s Go Blue!!!
sara – baseball reference has it Coltrane Jeanson, but I will take your word for it and change it next time. You know more than they do I’m sure 🙂
you know that torre and ned will defend jones and say it’s because his rehab was cut short by a couple weeks.. and he was so great for wanting to come back early to help the team.. and it’s going to take some games for his swing to be back.. blah blah blah.. nonsense..
enchanted – LMAO!!!!! LMAO!!!!!!! grambo’s out LMAO!!!!
dnelly, i’ve heard it both ways.. but the dodgers website has jeanson coltrane.. so i’m gonna go with that. they also have JR. at the end.. haha 🙂
enchanted….that is AMAZING!!!
i’m sure when you have 5 names, you just confuse people anyway..
and i put ss not the curse word
Sorry that should be Fred Lewis.
sara – I will make the corrections LOL!!!
I’d be willing to give Andruw the benefit of the doubt if it looked like he actually cared about baseball. Instead he just laughs when he goes 0-4 with 4 K’s. Andruw Jones is the model character for everything that is wrong with baseball. Big contracts, spoiled players and overall lazyness. Only in America do the lazy get rewarded. Gotta Love this country!
Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Ethier is our most well rounded player. Too bad, JoJo and Ned most likely had trouble with Tinker Toys®, much less and Erector Set®. LOL!!!!
Ring. Hello? Piano movers? I have an emergency move I need done up in San Francisco AT & T Park… How soon can you be there?
yeah nomar!
remember, we have to root for nomar’s success to save our young guys from ned’s trades!
Nomar, just don’t get hurt. We need you.
wow, fred lewis is lucky rowand was johnny on the spot
My thinking is that is Andruw wanted to come back early so he can hang out with his Atlanta buddies when they come into town on Monday. He did the same thing when the Dodgers went there. It has nothing to do with basebll. Just a thought 🙂
“Indians closer Joe Borowski, last year’s American League saves leader, was designated for assignment on Friday.”
if borowski was on the dodgers he’d be our on DL.. see other team’s GMs aren’t afraid to part with veterans and make moves necessary.
the giants need to get fred lewis a new glove. or teach him “squeeze the glove”
yeah nomar!
remember, we have to root for nomar’s success to save our young guys from ned’s trades!
By saralovesrussell@losangeles-dodgers.net
Good insight Sara.
are they really walking kemp to get to andre? are they crazy??
andre a triple away from the cycle for the second time this week.. interesting..
Yeah, pitch to Dre with the bases loaded.
vinny commenting again about the impressive 14 pitch at bat by dre in the 1st inning
thanks jhall 🙂
Has any dodger ever K’ed 5 times in a game?
looked low and away to me.. ump gave the giants a gift..
Give Rowand credit that wasn’t easy.(catch of Lewis’s glove)
Score that 78
Gnats announcers are umpiring the game, alot.
Mondesi probably did.
Repko tried to the other day.
jungar – Bill Russell
Thankfully Pierre is hurt. After that K Joe would probably have benched Ethier Tomorrow. BUT HE CAN’T :)!!!
Erick Aybar for MVP!!
Kuo is $$$$$$$$$$
kuo dependable as always
Hottest Hitter of the Game goes to …. Andre Ethier 🙂 🙂
.
They should just Sweeney behind in SF, where he came from…
Mondesi probably did.
lol
u hate that guy huh?
but here we go. Jones is gonna try..my guess is breaking ball away, high fastball, high fastball (foul), breaking ball away (ala Mondesi) and k.
I think it’s a safe bet to say AJ will strike out 5 times this game. I used to tell my kids when I coached as I’m sure several of you have also, is to cut down on your swing and just make contact. The ball will still be hit hard and have a chance to drop in.
Actually Repko struck out 5 times in a row the other night, when he started in center but had a chance to go back to the plate when a balk was called, he than pop out.
I loved Mondesi except for him never adjusting to swinging at the slider down and away.
By the way, I think I just met my future wife last weekend here in Chicago! 🙂
Max, Most Valuable Piano!!!!
Amazing.
so jones looks like crap, but at least nomar looks good
Nomahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I bet Berroa and Maza will be in defensively in the 8th.
Welcome back Nomar!
God Andruw looked like he just wanted to get that AB over before he even had a chance to strike out. What a waste of space. And this guy makes 18 million a year! For all the crap Kemp gets thrown on him not making adjustments at least he can still be taught that. Jones is a shadow of his former self. We need to really consider cutting our loses with him. I know this is his first game back but the work ethic is just not there. He has never had good work ethic. He’s 30 now and his natural talent is diminished and there is no way in Hell he will work hard enough to get any better. Jones should just retire.
Nomar, I’m glad your back. You could have left your sidekick back in Vegas for all the good he’s doing.
N O M A R Two Doubles two RBI
Nice homecoming.
hey! he’s learning! two handed.. haha.. poor fred lewis.. even vinny was all over him..
Jones is reminding me more, and more of one of the last big outfield bust/waste of money out fielders to ever play for the Dodgers minus the drug abuse – Strawberry!
And Nelly Says!!!?
Nomar probably could hit as a toddler. He was (talking historic Nomar here) a tad overaggressive for me, but as far as see ball hit ball there are few better. He is a huge upgrade at SS if he can last. Not to go X-files but Jones is back awfuly fast from surgery. Jones looks the same but in a little better shape. hmmm. If someone didn’t see the surgery I might not believe it ever took place. A few more games like this and a “set back” is in order.
At least if Jones had the same drug problems as Strawberry he wouldn’t be such a fat piece of crap. He’d be a skinny Piece of crap!
If truth be known, I bet that Jones is a year or two older, seeing as he comes from the Carib. It was nice to hype him back ten years ago as such a young phenom, and easily done the way they work with the birth records.
wow, killing ourselves right now. a walk, 2 errors, and a basehit.. they better pull themselves out.. 3 runs is not a huge lead..
questions for ned… are you proud of your old veterans stinking up the team?
also.. what do you think of the young kids carrying the team?
Uh oh! Cranial Rectal Inversion strikes again……
Colletti’s comments echoed what owner Frank McCourt told me earlier in the week when asked about the possibility of trading some of the kids. He said the ones they will hold onto are “the ones who are prepared to put in the work, listen to coaches and get better every day.” The kids who they would be willing to part with are “the ones that can’t do those things.”
such as Jones?
Another great JoJo move – take Kuo out when he’s throwing great.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8313060/Dodgers-join-Brewers-in-pursuit-of-Sabathia
WE DON’T NEED A PITCHER NED YOU F’n RETARD!
I’m guessing that Brox needs to head for the DL next. Somebody is probably not tuning in to what’s wrong with him.
Are we going To Frig*** give the game back to the gnats?Come on guys, get tough…………..
Looks like Brox isn’t himself again. Going from bad to worse with the errors to the inability to get anyone out.
wow… good one Torre, good one Broxton … wow.
we’re pretty lucky molina is running first and station to station so they haven’t scored again yet.. but we’ve got problems right now..
Geez, if we blow this lead, I’m going to puke….
whew.. got out of it cheaply..
Broxton, what’s your problem?? Thinking about the buffet after the game…
hu, mcdonald and laroche for cc wouldnt be all that bad… ide do it
whew.. got out of it cheaply..
oops, don’t know what’s with the double post..
Whew! boblee I was even getting my barf bag ready..lol
We don’t need C.C. dodge! We have the best pitching staff in the NL! It would be a waste of talent and then He might not even stay around after next year! It is completely stupid to even inquire about C.C. We need to focus more on dealing one of our expiring contracts (D. LOWE) for a short stop!
yeah andy!! get a run back!!
dnelly, andrew christian laroche? 🙂
I wonder who’s going to come in for the save? Sammy??…
Yeah, A N D Y
Thanks Beach Boy!!!
i know we dont need him max… what im saying is if ned does it i could live with that trade…
oops I just saw the answer to my own question. Sammy !!
Broxton hasn’t looked good lately.
He’s got nothing.
He’s missing the strikezone alot.
and when he gets it over, they slam it.
.
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THANK YOU A N D Y we needed that.
Andre for another homerun? 🙂
You could live with Ned trading away our best third base option, a defensive whizz at short who can hit the ball better then he did this year and a young arm like McDonald for a guy that won’t make any difference if we get him? C.C. can’t play short stop and he sure as hell doesn’t have any power.
Damn Kemp, get with the hitting coach. Oh, I’m sorry, we don’t have one. Just don’t sit next to AJ anymore on the bench…
Is Kemp thinking that if he strikes out as often as Jones he might get the same fat contract?
i like dewitt over laroche, hu showed nothing this year… and mcdonald gets hurt to much so yeah i could live with it
Let’s close this one out, Sammy!!!
GO BLUE!!!
well you’re an idiot then. Sabathia makes no sense for the Dodgers regardless of who is traded. WE have the best pitching staff in the NL. Please. Trading a bag of baseballs for Sabathia would be a waste. We don’t need him!
Dewitt over LaRoche HAHA.
I like Dewitt and would like to see Laroche work on getting good at 2nd base in the spring
Kemp can’t help thinking that he only K’d twice and had a hit and two walks, while the guy making 20 times more had 4 K’s and an out. Not necessarily good thinking, but there’s something wrong with the management that lets this happen continuously with certain guys.
Since we won’t have a starter at the All-Star game this year, who do you all think will be our token player since every team is represented?
nice play berroa.. nice play
max I DONT THINK WE NEED HIM, my point being IF NED WANTS HIM, I COULD LIVE WITH THAT TRADE… atleast kemp, martin, ethier etc… arent going anywhere… i dont want to see the trade though.
Bye Bye Gnats!!!
Dewitt is more suited for second then Andy is. Dewitt is a solid guy but the league has caught up to him and he doesn’t project to have much of a bat for third. LaRoche hasn’t been given a chance to claim the starting job. In the last two season he’s been given sporadic at bats at best. Kershaw and LaRoche have been handled horribly this season.
Y E A H. 4 I N A R O W…….
SAITO-SAN!!!!!!!!!!!
Sammy Says!!!!????
http://www.tombell.net/sammy.png
4 in a row.. it wasn’t pretty today, but i’ll take the win.. good job boys..
Now that my computer issues are past… I’m down for getting a shortstop if it isn’t a rental and we don’t give away the store. However, in keeping with the future, I’d much rather bring up DeJesus and see what we’ve got internally. Max is right. Starting today, we have the best ERA in the NL.
Happy 4th everyone. Talk to you all Monday night!
Fu-Q!!!
Dodge…It is a waste of time! The only way I’d even consider asking the Indians about C.C. is if Penny is seriously injured. If thats the case ok, if not then Ned is dumber then I thought.
Us trading for a pitcher right now would be like the Colts trading for a Quarterback. It MAKES NO SENSE!
At least Kuo and Sammy came through great, and our team really hit that ball – look at all the extra bases, but I won’t try to take a page from ndeschenes. We’re now 4-1 since Pierre went down for the count.
I’m singing
“We don’t need no stinkin’ Pierre” – actually I don’t mean that personally, Juan, but Torre is such an idiot to play you every day, when you could maybe be a decent pinch hitter, if he’s ever let go of Sweeney.
LMAO E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T A K A S H I
NICE WIN
WE’RE ON A ROLL
Welcome back Andru & Nomar
Got to get to that boxscore, then to the fireworks down at the Greenpoint Piers
Happy 4th of July EVERYBODY.
Happy 4th of July, be safe!!!
You too PierresEW!!
Max – never underestimate the dumbness that is Ned.
Sure appears Andre is coming around lately doesn’t it? Maybe less stress with JP on the DL knowing he’ll get more playing time. I hope he stays hot, and in the lineup on a regular basis.
So does this prove that Andre CAN start every game lefty or righty? It would have been cool if he pulled off that triple and hit for the cycle.
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And- come on guys. Pierre would NOT have gone 0-5. I don’t care what you say. The boy can make contact.
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And when the outfield boys did their “victory jump’ and it included Jones- I was like “he did not contribute to this win!!!!”
Since I’m assuming that we’ll get only the minimum allowed on the All-Star team, Martin should be it. He’s been our most consistent player all year.
Woo-Hoo, Win Streak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have fun PierreEW. Happy 4th everyone!!!
You too jhall !!
Amy – its just the kids way of getting Andruw to work off some of that flab. 🙂
Amy, you are right Pierre would have gone his typical Juan for Four and he still wouldn’t have had any impact on this game. The best part about Pierre being out is that we don’t have to sit there and watch him TRY to throw the ball back to the cut off man without bouncing it. That’s embarrassing! Especially considering that a fan in Houston threw the ball from his seat to second base on one bounce when he threw back Loney’s home run ball.
I was thinking Martin too, but I wonder if Beimel and his 1.05 ERA might sneak on to the team. I sure wish Russell was starting again this year on the All-Star team!
A Golden Sombrero for Jones. The more things change…
Chad Billingsley should be an All-Star this year. Hopefully Hurdle does the right thing and pick him. But he is Clint Hurdle so I doubt it. Heck, Torre probably wouldn’t even pick Chad. I think he forgets he’s on the team sometimes. The PR department does.
LOL Max- I know exactly where you all are coming from. I really do. The boy can’t throw. But I do think he could’ve impacted the game. Remember when bases were loaded and Jones struck out again..Pierre could’ve make contact, heck an infield bunt! I just don’t think he’s terrible, he keeps his average up..and isn’t fat lol 🙂
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I am happy to see my Matthew and Dre starting. I love them and they are awesome.
Great win by the Dodgers, glad to see Nomar get off to a decent start, and Andre is out of his mind right now! He can hit anybody! Unfortunately, it looks like Jones is back to his old self.
Amy, have you watched Pierre try to bunt? He’ll have a good one every now and then but most of them go right back to the pitcher or right at the first or second basemen the only reason the plays are so close is because of his speed. And yes Pierre makes a lot of contact but it’s usually a weak grounder to second or an even weaker pop up to left. It’s ok though. You’ll come around to the “dark side” I’ve been a Pierre “basher” since the minute he was signed. I was calling for Colletti’s head seconds after the Dodgers announced his deal. It is in my opinion the WORST free agent signing in Dodger history. It’s only gotten a little better because Pierre got hurt and can’t hurt the team right now. But he’ll come back and play his little heart out for 3 more years and the Dodgers won’t be any better for it.
Amy, I agree. I think Phew would have done better than Jones today.
When i heard 5 years 44 Million and Juan Pierre’s name after it I was put on suicide watch by my family.
thanks jhall 🙂
.
Max-I wasn’t saying I’d have him bunt in that situation. It’s just that he is one of he few that can get infield bunt singles. Every bit helps. I’ll take contact hitters if our power hitters are failing us! And however weak that is, it’s 1 million percent better than almost 5 strikeouts!!! I will resist the dark side and stand up for my
“Little Piernas”- cause damn he can run too and isn’t fat!!
lol Max- I’m glad ur still with us 🙂
.
Again- a least he’s performing to earn some of that money. Unlike number 25!
If ‘Druw has the same kind of day against Zito that he had today let’s face it, his career is toast (not that it isn’t already.)
Ha you are right that Pierre is at least a little more valuable then the Hippo we rented from the LA Zoo to roam around in center.
If Jones puts up numbers similar to last year I’d play him over Pierre just for his arm. At least we won’t have to worry about people scoring from 1st on a single up the middle.
Here’s one about Pierre’s mama to Polk (Poke) Salad Annie:
‘OL MAMA SLAPPY
Some of y’all never been out L.A. way too much…
I’m gonna tell you a little story, so you’ll understand where I’m talking about.
Out here we have a little guy that roams around the outfield,
and he looks something like a ragamuffin.
Everybody calls him Slappy. Now that’s Slap-Py.
Has himself a mama likes lookin’ out for her boy
cuz’ her little Slappy don’t like it much on the bench…
Next thing you know he’s out there e’vry day slappin’ and a slidin’
Yeah mama did all right.
.
Down in Alabama
Where the alligators grow so mean
Lived a old girl I swear to the world
Made the alligators look tame
.
Ol’ Mama Slappy
Don’t say her boy is crappy
Everybody said it was a shame
Cuz her Slappy was a workin’ for Mr. Ned’s gang
What a mean, vicious woman
.
Every morning ‘fore gametime
She’d drive her Slappy on down to the field
And have her a talk with the Neddy
Sayin’ benchin’ wasn’t part of his deal
.
Ol’ Mama Slappy
Don’t say her boy is crappy
Everybody said it was a shame
Cuz her Slappy was a workin’ for Mr. Ned’s gang
Whoo, a wretched, spiteful, spatula wielding woman,
Lord have mercy.
.
Stick a little spatula to him
Yeah, you know what, yeah, yeah
.
His daddy was a speedy with no clout
Claimed it was power he lacked
All his brothers were fit for
Was pinch runnin’ and as first pitch hacks
.
Ol’ Mama Slappy
Don’t say her boy is crappy
Everybody said it was a shame
Cuz her Slappy was a workin’ for Mr. Ned’s gang
.
Sock a little Ma Slappy to ‘em
You know she’s a mean dealer hmmmmm
Ma socks a little…
Hey, hey, hey, yeah, yeah
Em em em-m-m
Em em em-m-m
Sock a little Ma Slappy to ‘em
You know she’s a mean dealer hmmmmm
Sock a little Ma Slappy to ‘em
You know she’s a mean dealer hmmmmm
Em Em Em-m-m…
OUTSTANDING!!® E. But what else is new. LMAO!!!
This was posted on Dodger Thoughts so it should be posted here…
Games where Pierre has 0 ABs:
10-3 record, 6.85 runs scored per game
Games where Pierre has 1 or more ABs:
32-41 record, 5.08 runs scored per game
an interesting piece of news from our buddy ken rosenthal. if the brewers really are offering laporta in their trade package, the indians would be fools to take our bundle of players. i really hope all this talk is nonsense (especially about jack wilson), but i think colletti senses all his little failures has handcuffed the organization a bit and he’s ready to roll the dice again. ——-> http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8313060/Dodgers-join-Brewers-in-pursuit-of-Sabathia?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49
failures have******
What is worse watching A.Jones at bat or Kemp.?!? How can a guy get his knee scoped, play three AAA games and come back and START, much less bat in the five hole…what is Joe thinking?!!?
Loney, the team leader in hits bats SEVENTH. Bat Jones 8th. He did it to A. Rod in the playoffs before. Jones needs a wake up call, and the team is already suffering with the strike out machine at the top of the order.
Bat Russell in the leadoff spot. He takes pitches . He steals and he doesn’t strike out nearly half as much as Kemp. I love Kemp’s talent, but the guy really looks totally lost up there – esp now leading off. Plus he doesn’t bunt – ever.
Bobby Cox sent Jeff Francoer to Clas AA because he was in a slump. BA 234; 8 hrs ; 41 rbi”s.
Our fat Andrew: BA 159. 2 hrs. 7rbi’s.
Are you watching Joe?
Max no name calling, we all have different opinions on ideas. I agree with Dodge 16 if we can get Sabathia for Laroche, Hu and Mcdonald do it. Sabathia is a horse, both in size and talent. He is nasty and he can hit. He is young and we have a good pitching staff but Lowe and Penny are not dependable. You put Sabathia, Kershaw and Bills together that will be a great post season rotation.
Laroche is expendable with the development of Dewitt, Hu will never hit in the majors. He was very overmatched. Who knows on McDonald.
I am more concerned about giving up alot for Wilson. Not enamored with him. He is overpriced and has no power. Nomar hopefully can stay healthy and be replaced for defense.
Again only my opinion and I respect yours, but Sabathia is the real deal and Frank knows what it is going to cost to sign him. If the Dodgers get him we are the favorites to win the West this year and many more…A true ace to go with our Ace Bills. Penny is a number 3 at best and Lowe needs to go. I actually liked the prosposed trade someone else mentioned Renteria for Lowe. He is a better all around SS than Wilson.
Great win by the boys..
Kemp reached base 3 times…I can live with his growing pains, they actually walked him to get to Andre, because he is a threat. With Pierre that would have never happened.
Ethier was great, as was Marty and Laroche did well. Nomar was great and from what I could see played good defense. It was nice to see some offense out of SS.
The negatives were Andruw, he still looks lost. Broxton is worrisome. Although a little defense, someone covering 2nd and Loney catching the foul pop and he gives up 0 runs.
4 in a row without the Pierre machine. Ned we have a good thing do not lose your head and trade anyone on the 25 man roster unless it is Lowe, Penny. They are playing with confidence and with a swagger. They fell behind 2xs and came back something new for them. Go Dodgers!!!
Good evening ITD boys and girls…
First and foremost, Happy 4th of July to everyone!
Today was a gutsy, if not a very pretty win for us today! Too many errors (physical and mental errors). But I’m thrilled that Dre was able to hit and hit a lefty hard! Plus his 3rd HR in as many days, that’s great! Now, let’s hope that the snakes lose so we’ll only be 1/2 game behind. But that would necessitate us depending on the Pads to do that. Oh well, miracles can happen, huh?
I was glad to see Nomar back and contributing. I know, I know Druw is just that, Druw. I personally am going to give him a short leash, a VERY SHORT LEASH (like no more than a week) to see that (1) the surgery helped and (2) he can start contributing offensively. He’s still the best defensive CFer in my mind. But we didn’t pay him $18 mil a year just to play a great CF. We brought him here to HIT!
I’ve read some stories about about possible trades. Now, I know I mentioned a trade earlier for **** (my pick is Miguel Tejada from Houston). Max you said it (1) we don’t need CC and (2) a trade for him would be disastrous as far as who we would need to trade to get him. Now, we do need a starting SS. Like I said before, forget about Raffy’s injury – I am quite certain that the Dodgers wouldn’t be resigning him after 2008 anyways, so we would need to address the starting SS area eventually. I know I’ve heard here on this blog about bringing up DeJesus to see what he can do. I’m all for that. I don’t know how well DeJesus would handle playing in the biggies, but trying wouldn’t hurt. At least this way we can really see what we have in him. If he does well, well then great; if not, well then we can take it from there. But if we need to trade to get a good, starting SS, Tejada or Jack Wilson (who’s the other name that has been kicked around) wouldn’t be bad in my mind. But again, we have to be careful about who we give up in trade.
enchanted – just got in from BBQ and read your song. You have outdone yourself once again. FABULOUS JOB!!!!!!!
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jhall – thanks for thinking of me during the game with the whole “Nelly says” 🙂
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sara – Russell did great today too, and thank you for putting up Andy’s full name – very nice!!!
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Amy – I am giving Andruw at least one day to figure things out. We all jumped all over everybody who gave Repko a hard time after his first game back. After tomorrow, if he is still the same Andruw – then open season (jk). I am for an outfield of Ethier, Jones, and Kemp. I believe JP is a liability in the outfield from a defensive standpoint, and in those close one run games we have to be able to rely on the best defense we have, and Ethier needs to be in left field. And as much as Andruw may strike out and not do what he is supposed to do with a bat, he’s best quality is his defense – he has golden gloves to prove it, and any fan in Atlanta would tell us the same thing. Yes, of course we want Andruw hitting home runs, but frankly, Pierre isn’t hitting home runs either.
dodgerboy, actually I forgot that Renteria for Lowe possibility. That might work. And heck, we can have Park start for the time being until Kersh comes up for good…
dnel,
what is that (jk)??? I’ve seen it from time to time on this blog, but I still don’t know what it is…
just kidding – how are you?
dnel,
Sounds like you had a great time with your BBQ! Thx for the clarification on (jk)! 🙂
I’m fine. We’re just lounging around here in the house. Our dog (her name is Rita) is scared sh**less of fireworks. She gets all nervous, shakes and just hates the loud noises. And now, it’s even worse because she’s 10 years old and for the last couple of years has been suffering from a degenerative (is that how you spell it?) eye disease where she’s just about blind. So, of course, her sense of hearing is heightened. Not good on a night like tonight, so we’ll just stick around the house, trying to calm her down.
cp – nice post by the way – I just saw the question first.
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I really don’t know what to think or belive about the trade issue – too many stories and rumors right now, and I think I was told not to believe Rosenthal and what he has to say. Hopefully today Andre proved we don’t need Matt Holliday, but with Ned’s thinking, who knows. Andre now has the same number of HRs he has and can have a career high year if he keeps it up, which makes you wonder where he would be now if Pierre didn’t play every single day.
No, we DEFINITELY don’t need Holliday. Hey, has eduardo been sighted around here lately? 🙂 I know all the speculation and rumors on trades are confusing, but for me, I am looking at the Dodgers and what are their needs. Right now, we need a starting SS. I think we have enough young guns (Kersh comes to mind!) in the minors for pitching, but I really think we need a starting SS. But with Ned at the helm and his track record, I am not sure if we would be getting the most quality SS (or whatever player we trade for) for what we give up. Not much we can do here but hope and pray that he doesn’t mess this team up…
cp – I don’t do well with fireworks unless it is a show. When I was little, we were at some friends of my parents having a bbq and the field behind them caught fire from a bottle rocket and then it proceed to catch their roof on fire. So, needless to say, it’s not one of my favorite activities to do on the 4th. Also, we have 3 dogs with sensitive ears, etc, and it is very windy here right now so we decided to come home and not go to the races, which have a fireworks show. So, my pets came first tonight just like you – LOL!!
And one more note about Holliday/Andre. It’s great to see Andre take off. Honestly, like most everyone else here, I want the young players to play together. They grow up together and they’ll mesh as a team together. Right now, we may now have many HRs as a team but I think we have enough, with the potential for a lot more. Trading for a big HR hitter (like Holliday) doesn’t make much sense to me. I think we’ve got enough offense, if Joe would just let them play together. I just would like to have a starting SS, whether it comes from within or outside this organization. But Ned, just don’t use this as carte blanche to trade away the farm.
“They did a good job pretty much diving across the plate expecting every pitch away and I didn’t make an adjustment. I’ll look into it seriously and pitch differently next time.” – Derek Lowe showing you his great veteran attitude!
He basically said “Eh”.
“They grow up together and they’ll mesh as a team together. Right now, we may now have many HRs…”
I meant, “They’ll grow up together and they’ll mesh as a team together. Right now, we may not have many HRs…” Did I ever say I hate it when I don’t proofread??? 🙂
Can I just say that it looks great to see Ethier’s name all over the home page. It’s about time!!! He deserves it for putting with his left field job being giving away in the first place.
well, I can start hearing the fireworks. Gotta go and calm my dog down…
Cp – We talked about this last night. If you take the lineup from last night, there is not one player from #1-7 who isn’t capable of hitting a home run. Even Maza has hit one and he was the 8th batter last night. And now, if we can just get Andruw going, it could be the same thing with him. Nomar looked good today, and if he stays healthy, then I can see him providing some power. Even if you take our top 6 batters (Kemp, Ethier, Martin, Kent, Loney, Dewitt or Laroche) and they each double what they have now, we could have over 100 HRs for the team, and it will make it much harder on an opposing pitcher because that pitcher knows everyone can hit with power. Isn’t that better than just worrying about you 3,4 and 5 guy?
good night cp!!!
from tony jackson’s blog:
… due to space limitations, I wasn’t able to get this into tomorrow’s paper, and I wanted to make sure I got it in somewhere … Andre Ethier had a single, double and home run today for the second time in three games, and he has now homered in three consecutive games. This guy has really been on fire lately. He is 9 for 19 over his past five games, and he has four HRs in his past eight games. Seven of his past 10 hits have gone for extra bases. His HR today came off Giants lefty Jonathan Sanchez, significant because the LH-hitting Ethier came into the day batting .167 (10 for 60) against lefties for the year. He is now hitting .281 overall. … Also, Jason Schmidt got knocked around in his rehab start at Las Vegas last night, but by all accounts, he pitched well and his velocity was good. He admitted to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that is still a little gun-shy about really letting it go for fear of re-injuring his shoulder. That’s something he’ll have to get over, but that’s what rehab is for. … Torre also said Andruw Jones and Nomar Garciaparra will sit out Sunday’s game. He wants to be cautious with those guys, and that’s understandable.
i love how he says that “due to space limitations..” he can’t say nice things about andre in the paper, but rather just on his blog, where less people will see it. he said VERY nice things about andre, but let’s be serious, if this was pierre or some other vet, he would’ve created space for it in the paper..
i see that jones and nomar will be sitting on sunday. good to know they won’t be playing EVERYDAY~
Max–I would not waste too much time on worrying about the CC trade–it was rumored by the excrebale Ken Rosenthal. The only thinkg surprising about that is that is that, if we were to try to get Sabathia, that deal would potentially make sense. But, you are definitely right that gettin Sabathia is probably a waste so long as Penny is actually coming back. We have Bills, Penny, Lowe, Kuroda, Stults, Kershaw, and Park all as legitimate starters, and probably Hong Chih Kuo if he were to be used on that situation, and supposedly Jason Schmidt sometime too.
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But the idea that Penny is coming back soon–well, so was Schmidt, Furcal, etc.
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A Jack Wilson deal would be interesting. MartinLoneyKemp loves him, he’s a local boy, and definitely “plays the game right.” But he’s probably overpaid and is not nearly the impact player that others are, and I fear would be subject to the drop-off that a lot of guys who come to LA are subjet to. So, I prefer that we don’t make the deal, but that’s contingent on Nomar being able to do the job. (I would think that were also likely to pursue Christian Guzman, as I mentioned earlier.) Even though Torre gives Nomar late innings and days off (and, then complains when the replacements don’t do the job right), we would still be OK with Nomar 5 of 6 games a week, and Maza, Berroa, Hu (don’t write him off because of his first big league stint–Loney only hit .225 his first time up–heck, Mike Piazaa hit only .232 when he first came up in September 1992). That’s probably better than even Jack Wilson 6 games a week, Nomar 5 games, and LaRoche/DeWitt once a week.
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Also, Max, I was thinkiing of our All-Star representatives, and you are right that it should be Billingsley and Martin (I assume that you agree with Martin too).
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Sara–I am definitely rooting for Nomar. I always root for Nomar. As a player, he has been great, as a person and a community member, he is great. And while I can say that I always root for any Dodger (almost–there were probably a few times with some real mistakes . . . .), I really like rooting for Nomar. I just don’t have faith that his body can hold up any more. I root for Andruw and Pierre too. I even root for Torre. But, yeah, if he does well, it helps our future too. And so far, a good return (I saw the attempted DP on Randy Wynn–we just did not have a chance with him running, but I understand he turned 2 later on).
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Rintinjim–careful what you wish for, who knows what they will do (Torre has tended to bench Ethier days after hitting home runs, so . . .). But we can’t option Andruw. A player with 5 full years of major league experience has the power to decline an optional minor league assignment (even if he is not technically out of options).
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prepress–I agree that Kemp is slumping and needs to learn better contact. But I’m totally with Jungar–if he were equivalent to Raul Mondesi, that would be both good and disappointing, since he has such tremendous talent. I am mostly disappointed at how Kemp is playing right now because I think he has Willie Mays potential (and, don’t forget, he’s only 23 and still very much learning how to play). But, numbers-wise, since being inserted into the lead-off spot, he has a 4-game hitting streak, an OB% of .409, an OPS of .820, and the Dodgers are 4-0. MartinLoneyKemp can quote the stats about Pierre leading off, but his OBP is something like .293 as a lead-off hitter and the Dodgers record with him leading off is the worst of any of the players who have led off more than once. Admittedly, some of Kemp’s walks are intentional, but no one in the world would walk Pierre to get to Ethier, and even though Ethier has burned them, it makes sense to walk Kemp and take a chance with Andre. Fundamentally, I don’t think that the Dodgers winning games with Kemp in the lead-off spot is a coincidence. (I don’t want to take away Andre’s just unconscious hitting of late, but all of these are factors.)
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Anyway, if you are looking for a great read for today, here’s a link. It’s a little old, but still one of the best pieces of writing I’ve ever read:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
If you’re looking for power, this provides a good idea of who should be playing regularly. Of course, Joe’s favorites are at the bottom, joined only by Young because he doesn’t get the opportunity to play much. And of course, even though those two don’t produce any power, they have the most ludicrous contracts.
HRs/AB:
LaRoche 1/17,
Furcal 1/27,
Ethier 1/27,
Kent 1/29,
Martin 1/33,
Garciaparra 1/35,
Kemp 1/43,
Loney 1/45,
DeWitt 1/48,
Jones 1/69,
Young 1/94,
Pierre 0/274.
If Pierre plays ANY games over Ethier, Joe is a complete idiot. There is absolutely NO logic for not making Ethier a fixture in the outfield. Torre’s stubborness is costing the Dodgers dearly, as can be clearly seen by the run production in the last four games.
sara – even the group from the Giants (Jon Miller and co) couldn’t say enough about Andre today, and that doesn’t happen too often, especially when they are talking about the Dodgers. That’s the one thing that can say about the Gnat announcers and media, they are fair to all when they are talking about their own. They were giving Omar a horrible time about his batting average, while giving Lewis the riot act over that dropped ball. I am going to get a SF paper tomorrow, just to see what is said about yestersday game as far as their players and the mistakes they made. Well see if they point out both vets and young players.
yeah, dnelly. vinny is the only person in our organization or media that i actually think says what he means and believes. no sugarcoating, no lying, no doubletalk. he tells it like it is, regardless of which player he’s talking about.
redfox – that 0/274 really stands out!!! LOL!!
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leefink – always love reading your stuff and thank you for reminding me not to read too much into what Rosethal says.
sara – holliday hit 2 homeruns tonight at Coors field. The score of that game in the bottom of the 8th is 17-16 Marlins winning.
Acquiring Sabathia would be amazing. First off, you can NEVER have too much pitching. Especially if it means we would then be able to use Penny as the centerpiece of a trade to acquire some hitting. I would say goodbye to Hu, LaRoche and MacDonald so quickly to get a pitcher of his age and caliber. Having an ace like that will only strengthen the ’09 and ’10 teams, which will be much more developed than this year’s.
the padres beat the d’backs 5-1 and now our dodgers are only 0.5 games back! see what a little winning streak can do! glad we managed the comeback today..
don’t worry dnelly.. i’ll still take either over holliday. especially with ethier’s 3 consective homer games, and 4 homers in his last 8 games. also seven of his past 10 hits have gone for extra bases.
ethier > holliday
at least in my opinion 🙂
http://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1042299.html
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very good write up from Jon Weisman from Dodger Thoughts. At least we aren’t the only group frustrated with this ongoing debacle of our management and all the double talk.
sara – I just rewatched all the highlights of the game because I usually don’t enjoy them while they are happening because I am trying to be the good wife and mother and not overreact to the Dodgers putting the screws to the gnats. The only time I went crazy was when Andre hit his homerun and double – other than that, I remained calm and kept typing throughout the game and just let the game speak for itself. After the Dodgers went ahead 8-5, they decided it was time to go over to my mom’s. That is why I had such a quick departure from the board. As we got to my mom’s, the gnats had given the Dodgers a little scare in the 8th, and then I sat down just in time to see Andy’s homerun. Once again, I sat there quietly and let the game speak for itself. How fun was that, especially knowing all the talk was going to be about Ethier’s play for the day. My son’s girlfriend was even at the game today so it was really putting salt in the wounds when I said “So, she got to see my Andre hit that homerun – how cool!” That is the only wise crack remark I made and I was very proud of myself because there were many I could’ve made. 🙂
jon weisman put it perfectly. it’s even more frustrating because the fact that many recognize the same things.. makes you wonder why the rest don’t agree.. i think it’s sad that we all have to sit here worried and uncomfortable because we don’t trust management. it’s really unfair that we have to hold our breath hoping they don’t tear apart our team..
dnelly, i’m proud of you. you were a much bigger person than i could have been. i would have gloated all day 😉
do i know torre or what? i made a comment earlier how torre would excuse andruw’s bad performance saying how it’s because he cut his rehab short..
Torre excused the performance, saying, “He’s rehabbing right now, as far as I’m concerned.”
I hear you on that. Even the Sons of Steve Garvey writers feel the same way, and some of them used to play. So, if actual players of the game have the same thinking, we would have to assume we do have the common sense thinking and our management team is just a bunch of idiots like we have been saying all along.
If he’s still rehabbing,then why is he up here and not in Las Vegas. It’s so he can play with his Braves buddies on Monday – lol!!! I really do want Andruw to snap out of this, but I don’t know how much I am willing to put up with, this time around. He better figure it out a little bit tomorrow against Zito, or Monday back at Dodger Stadium is not going to be a very welcoming place for him once again.
Hey, Happy Fourth! Got off of work a couple of hours ago, and have been partying a little, but wanted to say that I’m glad that ANDRE THE GIANTKILLER has returned to ruin the fun at pier 31. The Dodgers took the lead right as I pulled into the parking lot at work, and that’s the best feeling ever. The rest of the day at work flew by, and NO ONE was talking baseball. And thanks to the D-backs playing worse than us lately, we’re only half a game back. It’s anyone’s division, hope we’re the first ones to snap out of it and take advantage.
Have a safe and happy rest of the Fourth!!!!!
Fire Joe
Fire the guy who hired Joe
Fire the guy who hired the guy who hired Joe
I knew you were lurking around here somewhere – too much activity over at the “dodger lyrics” that gave you away. 🙂
Just caught up with about 400 posts. A great Dodgers victory and another great day here at the ITD board.
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Too many people and comments to commend or I’ll be here another hour just doing that.
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I will take the time to compliment enchanted on “Ol’ Mama Slappy”. I don’t know what the heck the original song is, but the parody is another classic by our #1 Rock Star.
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saralovesrussell pointed to a ludicrous comment by JoJo at 10:37 p.m. (BTW sara, thanks for pointing Amy to my Plaschke letter). JoJo, making an excuse for Andruw’s 0-for-5, 4-strikeout game said, “”He’s rehabbing right now, as far as I’m concerned.”
See this L.A. Times article: http://tinyurl.com/5nynlp
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And dnelly correctly commented, “If he’s still rehabbing,then why is he up here and not in Las Vegas.”
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I just want to add: “If he’s still rehabbing,then why in the name of all that is good and right is he hitting fifth?”!!!”
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You gotta make up your mind, JoJo. He’s either “rehabbing” which means he should be doing it in the minors or at best in the 8-hole or he’s a better hitter right now than Loney and LaRoche. Which is it, JoJo? I better not see a guy in “rehab” in the 5-hole again tomorrow.
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I wasn’t able to catch much of the game today, but I did catch most of the Dodgers’ third inning, starting with Martin’s bases loaded walk. Then Kent flied out. And I said to myself, “Here comes Jaaaaaaaammmmesssssss Loooooooonnnneeeeeey!!” But instead it was Nomar. And I said to myself, “Huh?” Well, Nomar walked in another run. So then I thought to myself, “”Here comes Jaaaaaaaammmmesssssss Loooooooonnnneeeeeey!!” But instead it was Andruw Jones. And I said to my wife (who could careless BTW), “What in the hell is this idiot thinking? I swear that our manager is the biggest moron living on the planet today …” I went on at some length about the stupidity of batting Andruw Jones before James Loney and JoJo’s lack of brainpower generally. And Andruw struck out at which point I mumbled, “Big friggin’ surprise.” And then Loney flied out too, and a potential huge inning was foiled in large part by inserting a guy who according to the so-called manager is “just rehabbing” right in the middle of the order.
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On the other hand, I enjoyed the little bit of the sixth inning I was able to catch. With one on and one out, it was clear that our number one pinch hitter would be coming up to bat for Derek Lowe. Not yet knowing what roster moves had been made, I anxiously and prayerfully awaited the name of that person. Great was my joy when I heard the name of Delwyn Young!! And DY immediately rewarded my prayers with an RBI single to right and some heads-up baserunning!
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Final note: Matt Kemp has now gotten on base 3 times in a game twice in his four starts as our leadoff hitter. Pierre managed the same feat just four times in the 50 games he has led off. (Not counting by error or by forcing another runner out. I don’t have the time to do that kind of research)
P.S. As leekfink pointed out I do love the way Jack Wilson plays the game. He’s my favorite never-been-a-Dodger of all-time. But even I wouldn’t trade him for any of our young guns with the possible exception of Delwyn. And that has more to do with the appearance that DY is never going to have the chance to start for the Dodgers on a regular basis anyway.
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My thinking in going after JW is that we might be able to get him on the cheap in terms of prospect because he is overpaid ($7 million/yr thru 2009) and the small-market Pirates might like to unload that contract.
P.P.S. In their anxiousness to get “rehabbing” PVL Druw up, NedJo mistreated the all-out, all-heart Jason Repko. Classy, guys.
P.P.P.S. I wonder if there was anybody who attended bothe the Dodgers no-hit victory over the Angels and the Rockies 18-17 victory over the Marlins last night. If so, that person may own some kind of a record for seeing the greatest extremes in two baseball games in the shortest period of time.
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Here’s a link to the mlb.com story of the Rox-Fish game: http://tinyurl.com/6bsnff
P.P.P.P.S. Apparently Mike Easler is drinking the NedJo Kool-Aid too.
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Easler: “With Nomar, Andruw and Kent in the middle, we can put the supporting cast around them, and that should make us a lot better.” (at the bottom of the article: http://tinyurl.com/5eq6gv)
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Say what, Mike? Help me understand. Nomar, Andruw, and Kent are the stars of this offense and Martin, Ethier, Loney, Kemp and DeWitt are the “supporting cast”?
MLK, I was thinking along those lines yesterday. Can’t see how a Dodgers-Giants game on the Fourth of July would be a great time to experiment with Jones back and Nomar at SS. Of course, I was treated to some barbequed crow thanks to Nomar’s showing. But 1.5 GB as the D-Back are playing worse than us is no time to be screwing with what works.
That being said, it was GREAT to see the Dodgers take it to the Giants. Again. In their house. Again. Go three-for-four, Andruw, I’d love another helping of Heckel and Jeckel!
And all I can do is pray that the management sees that the solution to some problems we have is to let Dre play everyday. Even Krukow and Kuiper (Giants ***hat announcers) could see that, and they’re lobotomized invalids.
My prediction for Nomar/Two Possibilities:
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1) He’ll play really well for up to two months and then return to the DL for the remainder of the season.
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2) He’ll play really well for up to two months and then suck for the remainder of the season.
MLK, that Easler comment borders on inane. Far be it from me to pretend to know as much about baseball as him, but really, Supporting cast?!! I guess Tito was the star of the Jackson 5 as well? Sting was an excellent supporting cast to Andy Summers. Hell, without the support of Lennon and McCartney, how could Pete Best have led the Beatles to superstardom?
Without Luke Skywalker’s support, Wedge Antilles could’nt have saved the Rebels from the Death Star. And Janice Soprano ran Northern Jersey with the support from her brother Tony. I’ve been looking at this all wrong!
LOL, northstate.
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Yep, we never could have celebrated the 4th of July if George Washington hadn’t supported Betsy Ross.
MLK – if management thinks the vets are the stars and the young guns are only the supporter staff, we are going to be in serious trouble. How ridiculous of a statement is that! Well, it’s time to start working on more stats, not like any of us need to see them, but maybe it’s time for me to write a letter with a little statiscal backup, and maybe a northern-California fan (girl no-less) can get their attention. How can you after yesterday’s game say that Kemp, Ethier, Martin, Loney and LaRoche/m DeWitt are your supporting cast. They have been carrying this team since day one (win or lose) and have been taking he brunt of all the media exposure, which in their case has all been negative. That statement just kills me – how utterly ridiculous and stupid these people are.
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Northstateblues – I thought of all of us up here when the Dodgers were turning the screws on the gnats. It’s always a wonderful feeling. I am glad we made it through Sanchez – the rest of the weekend “should” be a lot easier, but I know never to take the gnats for granted no matter how bad their pitching or defense may get.
Yeah, the saddest thing about it is, our team is in their hands.
Today’s Dodgers Math Lesson from Professor Easler:
2+2=5
I swear, I’m waiting for management to start dropping Joe Scultz quotes (from Jim Bouton’s “Ball Four”): “F**k ’em, they’re just the same as anyone else. Let’s get this game in, get back and pound the Budweiser.”
LOL!!! northstateblues – that’s good analogy – what idiots these people are. They can honestly watch yesterday’s game and say Andre was just a part of a supporting cast. He hit the double for the go-ahead run, and he is among the supporting cast – OMG!!!! That statement has me all riled up – LOL!!!!! These people are idiots to make statements like that!!!
dnel, I was really happy to come home to that score, after watching them battle in the first few innings. They pulled ahead in the score right as I pulled into the parking lot at work, Jon Miller didn’t sound too pleased, heh. There wasn’t any Giant fans at work, either, so they had Wimbledon on the TV.
Dodgers-Giants is my favorite time of the year.
Northstateblues – it’s not my favorite time – it gets pretty intense in here because of my family dynamic of me being the only Dodger fan in the house. However, it was a much safer place to be at my mom’s in the later innings. They are the reason I am a Dodger fan in the first place. To Jon Miller’s credit, though, he was better than normal. I think he seemed more frustrated with the gnats than he was not so excited about the Dodgers winning. He was not too happy about Lewis dropping the ball, and the mistake Bochy made in the pitching (not putting in the lefty to face Andre). They were more vocal about it in the postgame show. I am planning to get the cronicle today to see how they represented the mistakes – if they pointed out kids and vets alike.
Even though DeWitt has been absolutely horrible since the beginning of June, he STILL gets a free pass from fans.
But if LaRoche does something wrong, sound the alarm!
It’s very hyprocrital. DeWitt simply played over his head in May (a.k.a. fluke) and what you’re seeing now is a guy who isn’t ready for the big leagues.
LaRoche has NOTHING LEFT TO PROVE IN THE MINORS. He’s ready, period, and needs to play everyday.
*hypocritical
Sorry, I just woke up.
Let’s not go overboard on LaRoche . It’s too early to bury Dewitt.
LaRoche has had one hit in his last 11 at-bats, batting 2.12 overall with two home runs and two RBIs.
And don’t forget, last year LaRoche hit all of 2.26 in his stint with the Dodgers.
DeWitt is batting 2.79 against lefties; LaRoche – 2.08
Thanks for proving my point. By the way, Dewitt has only 5 HR in almost 250; that is very, very little power. LaRoche has 2 in 33 ABs.
Also, since when has LaRoche EVER gotten a chance to play everyday, on a consistent basis, with the Dodgers? How can you expect a guy to sit on the bench all week (when he’s been a starter his entire career in the minors) and all of a sudden hit top notch left handers?
Until LaRoche gets the same treatment that DeWitt got in April & May (starting against all comers), then you absolutely cannot try to belittle his ability.
And when I say “everyday, on a consistent basis,” I mean more than just the last 10 games of September 2007.
I have concerns about DeWitt, because it looks like the league has caught up with him. I still think that he’s our best answer for third base, because of the ability that he has shown. I assume that when the pundits and management single him out as one who “gets it”, that he is coachable and shows the best chance for development. I do agree that LaRoche is deserving of a chance to play and show what he can do on a prolonged basis at the major league level. If either LaRoche or DeWitt were to be switched let’s say to second base, that would really need to be accomplished on any convincing basis during the off-season, probably in some winter ball.
In the meantime, I can understand that LaRoche would be on our trading list, and I would also put DY on that list, only because he’ll not get any solid field position to play with our team. I would have Lowe and Penny on that trade list way above either of the two young players, because I think their usefulness to our team is done. As always, my concern for any trade is the guy who will be making it – don’t trust Ned in any encounter with his counterparts, just as I don’t trust him to evaluate the talent that we would be getting. The way that Torre handles the talent, or non-talent, on our team, I don’t trust him to evaluate anybody either.
From June 1 until today, here are DeWitt’s stats:
.184/.234/.230
Nearly 100 plate appearances, so it’s a decent sample. Yet, people just ignore it because he had a good May.
I’m just tired of it. Take the blinders off and realize that he doesn’t have the power to stick at a power position. LaRoche does.
Let’s face it bear, talent and playing time are pretty much mutually exclusive with JoJo.
I really like DeWitt, but I wouldn’t see it as a setback if they were to option him to Vegas to get some full time experience at second. That however would be a proactive approach to Kent’s imminent departure after the season, so we know that won’t happen. Still if they do keep him the rest of the season, he’s 1000% better than having Sweeney PH.
Sometimes I wonder though if “gets it” and “coachable” is the equivalent of “brown nosing” in the vernacular of D’s management.
I believe Laroche is our answer to third base and let Dewitt play 2nd base at Vegas till he gets the needed experience and bring him back to the Dodgers when kent is gone. I don’t know when Hu will be able to hit major league hitting, and I think Dewitt is going to be a major leaguer for years to come.
In light of Andruw’s triumphant return yesterday, I give you Bobby Darin, Splish Splash:
SWISH SLASH
Swish Slash
I was makin’ a crash,
Long about Saturday night.
.
A flub dub
Lookin forward to some grub,
Leavin’ runners stranded alright.
.
Well I stepped off the bench
And waddled into the box.
I took a couple beauties
Thinkin’ ‘bout some bagels n’ lox.
And then a swish slash
I sat back on the bench,
Well how was I to know
There was a ballgame goin’ on?
.
I was aswishin’ and a slashin’
I was awheelin’ and areelin’
I was awettin’ from a sweatin’
I was collectin’ my paycheckin’ (ye-ah)
.
I was awheelin’ and areelin’
I was awettin’ from a sweatin’
Swish Slash
.
Say Ned
When will this game end,
So I can get me to the buffet?
High pop
I’m a free agent flop,
Only double I have got is my chin.
.
There’s some Cool-A-Roos,
Nacho’s too,
Good golly hot doggies
And some Dinty Moore stew
Wella Swish Slash
still got me all Frank’s cash
I went and put my lobster bib on (ye-ah)
.
I was aswishin’ and a slashin’
I was awheelin’ and areelin’
I was awettin’ from a sweatin’
I was collectin’ my paycheckin’ (ye-ah)
.
I was awheelin’ and areelin’
I was awettin’ from a sweatin’
Swish Slash
.
I was aswishin and aslashin one time
I was aswishin’ and aslashin’ two, three…
I also see LaRoche as a 20-30 HR man year after year whereas I see DeWitt as more of a 10-15 who might spike to 20 a year or two.
LOL!! Good one E!!! I would also like to see DeWitt get some time at 2nd. But your propably right about our management. Nothing proactive about that bunch.
GOOD MORNING ENCHANTED!!!!
SPECTACULAR SONG , HON SPECTACULAR!!!!!
I was at least willing to give Andruw one day, but I see you thought differently LMAO!!!!!!!
.
Good morning, jhall 🙂
enchanted – if DeWitt is kissing *** then what is Andre doing? He obviously has gotten it and has actually had it for 2+ years now. truthfully – I think with Andre, it’s the Pierre factor – he does well when Pierre’s not in the game, period, at least for this year anyway. Everybody in the outfield should be competing with Andre, and not the other way around, but he’s just a kid and doesn’t know better. Well, I have read over 30 articles between Thursday and Friday that say it differently.
.
I am on the fence with DeWitt and LaRoche – best case for them is having DeWitt go to 2nd next year after Jeff is gone, so the only hole to fill is SS.
Hey Nelly. I think you said it a few weeks ago. The team plays better without Phew in the lineup. Especially the kids. Like you said, Martin knows when Phew is starting and leading off, we are not putting our best team on the field. It has to have an effect on the team.
Hate to be a downer this early, but it would not surprise me if Ned resigned Nomar and Kent for next year. LOL!!! And keeps Sweeney. Arrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!
A win tonight and DB loss and we’re in first place. Hard to believe.
I told sara, I think who’s on the field affects Martin the most. It shows in his body language when things are not going according to plan. I can just see him day after day having to keep the pitchers calm knowing that any shot to left field could be a run scored if Pierre has to throw the ball. How aggravating would that be? Also, I expect to hear from our dear friend eduardo today – Holliday had 2 homeruns one being a grand slam – coors field and obviously no defense or pitching in that game with a score of 18-17.
jhall – that is a downer LMAO!!!! We need to show Ned Grambo, and tell him we don’t want to take your crappy decisions anymore. LOL!!!!
Turn Grambo loose on Ned!!! LOL!!!
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