A very historic day…

I hope that all of you have taken part in the election process today, as polls are starting to close in various parts of the country.  I’m actually in the Midwest, which explains some of the gaps in posting, which I expect will continue throughout the week. If there is any news coming out of the GM meetings, I’ll certainly try to weigh in and/or let you know first, but as many of you who have followed the game for a long time know, rarely does anything major happen during this first round of discussions.

So with that, enjoy the election returns, the hot stove rumors and the next couple days. 

749 comments

  1. trublu4ever

    Thanks, Josh for the new thread. I did my civic duty and did vote. It has really been slow on ITD today. Hope everyone is having a good afternoon/evening.

  2. thinkingblue

    Josh thanks for the new thread…you are still with us…yeah!
    .
    Enchanted, TRU..it has been slow here at ITD. I think most of the people are into the elections right now. Well I hope the Dodger’s do select players that will benefit our team. Well I am out to vote, I’m out to make a difference. Have a good afternoon and I’ll check in tomorrow.
    .
    Rose

  3. crzblue2

    Thanks Josh for a new thread!

    Hello ITD!
    i was sick with a cold and have this lingering cough. I also did my civil duty early this morning and voted. Longest line I’ve seen at the polls.
    .
    Can’t believe I have read 7 paperbacks since the last Dodger game. None have been baseball books which a surprise. Last book I read was by Delinsky “the accidental woman”. Now I think I want to read another of her books “the Lake News”. Afterwards I’ll go back to reading baseball books. anyone here have read “Haunted Baseball” by Mickey Bradley and Dan Gordon. I have not but I might look into it.
    .
    Well, enough of working. Just finished figuring out why I was getting a divide by zero error on a report. Now the user in N.H. can get her Overtime file for the month and I can go home.

  4. junkyardjamie

    Good Evening ITD night crew!!!!!!

    I hope everyone had a great day!! Thank you Josh for the new thread, and have fun in the midwest.

    GO DODGERS!!!!!
    365 DAYS A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    7 DAYS A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    24 HOURS A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    THINKING DODGER BLUE EVERYDAY!!!!!

  5. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    Not much luck. I got derailed at the Sushi place. I did see who I thought were Chone Figgins and Matt Holiday but it could have been anyone i guess.

  6. northstateblues

    I was dreading long lines, but only one person was ahead of us in line. Of course, that was at 3, so I’m sure that’s not the story now.

    Hope everyone’s having a good night

  7. northstateblues

    Jungar, good try, if you come across Boras, don’t look him in the eyes, and if he starts saying “Kahlimah”, cover your chest. That’s how he got Walt Jocketty.

    Hey Nelly, I’m doing good, just enjoying a relaxing night after a wild day. Getting a kick out of hot stove reports.

  8. junkyardjamie

    No kidding!! It was this time last year I started reading ITD, so this will be the first time I have actually paid attention to the Hot Stove reports and will actually be able to engage in the conversations.

  9. aeversw

    Ha well they both offer more of the same. We’ll be in a depression before the end of his first term and it probably won’t be his fault. It’s the system that will fail sooner rather then later. Obama will be in the White House when it fails.

  10. trublu4ever

    You are probably right, Max. Here where I live we are losing several stores…….Linens & Things, Mervyn’s (a department store) and our Circuit City. And, there will probably be more after the first of the year. Kind of sad to put all those people out of work.

  11. sl7180@hotmail.com

    Wow some Blue Jays fan proposed this on the main Dodgers board. I don’t know Martin/Kershaw/Jones for Halladay/Wells. I wish we still had Santana.

  12. junkyardjamie

    GO DODGERS!!!!!
    365 DAYS A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    7 DAYS A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    24 HOURS A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    THINKING DODGER BLUE EVERYDAY!!!!!

  13. Dodger4life

    Good-Evening ITD, The nation has spoken!!!!

    Boras has spoken, both on the Manny situation and on the Maddox’s situation!

    GO DODGERS ALL THE WAY IN 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. junkyardjamie

    In regards to Maddux – is Glavine and Smoltz retiring too? – that may have something to do with it. My Braves friend felt all along they would want to go into the HOF together.

  15. junkyardjamie

    Well that’s good about Russell. Now the Dodgers need to add 3rd base to their list of “what we need”, yes?

  16. Dodger4life

    Hi Nelly, I can’t say, on either situation?

    All three of those guy’s deserve the hall, if that is thier wish cool with me!

  17. junkyardjamie

    I will look into it and ask tomorrow at school. She will definitely know about Glavine since that is her favorite all time player. I have a picture of the three of them on my baseball wall. What a moment in time that was – those three pitching, Braves fan or not.

  18. junkyardjamie

    Much, much better – thanks. They knew I went home not feeling well yesterday so I think there was a little guilt involved in the better behavior today. Many asked “Did we give you a headache today?” – LOL!!! I think I may have solved my storytellers problem. I told him if he writes it out, he can share it during share time after writing it. I figure if he is going to tell us all about his adventures, then he might as well start writing them down. They will make some good stories some day. Also, I found out that the theme for his party (mind you he is turning 7) is “Fear Factor.” So, yes, he will be involved in eating some rather unusual things. Just to put his life in perspective, most boys are doing Spiderman, batman, and all those wonderful superheros we all love.

  19. kpookiemon

    Now that the nation has signed Obama…let’s sign Manny…for no other reason than he made Dodger games fun again. Very happy voter, here.

  20. junkyardjamie

    Dodger4life – I am having so much fun with my two boys in my reading class who are NASCAR fans. It’s a good extra to add to the Dodger/baseball stuff we do everyday with my regular class. Everyday after their main assignment, we look up a different driver. Today we pulled up all of Kasey Kahne,s information, and they are just loving to read it. It’s great!!! I am learning alot too. I gave them each a NASCAR trading card today (Jimmy and Carl) – I got some good brownie points from those two today 🙂

  21. Dodger4life

    I like your style Nelly. It sounds like you have a lot of fun teaching. I had to laugh at the new Kasey Kahne commercial! I found spell check on my toolbar just now.

  22. junkyardjamie

    I do like that commercial too. I figure if their reward is to read something they enjoy, the stuff that is what they consider boring won’t be so hard to get through if they have fun reading waiting for them on the other end. It’s how I became an Ethier fan. I started looking up A’s information for a student I had 3 years ago now, and he told me about the trade one day and I’ve been an Andre fan ever since.

  23. Dodger4life

    That makes sense they need a push, there’s not many Abe Lincoln’s out there these day’s. I think Denny finished third at Pheonix earlier this year? Don’t forget to look up the King sometime this year.

  24. junkyardjamie

    Oh, I think we will get there – no doubt about it 🙂 I kind of been going based on what the two of them decide.

  25. Dodger4life

    How is the weather there? It felt like 32 here all day stinking wind!!!! My best friend is a Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin fan.

  26. junkyardjamie

    It is very cold, but compared to you, probably not nearly as cold. I am just becoming a huge Denny Hamlin fan (Kyle Busch too). I do like Jimmy and Ryan Newman as well. Kasey I didn’t know much about until today – lol!!!!

  27. Dodger4life

    I’d like to see Gordon win this week. I stopped betting in the pool this year, so I am pulling for Hendrick again. I used a similiar strategy with my girls. One has Gordon, the other has Kyle and I took JR. Every time one wins, we all win off to the store for M&M’s, Pepsi and Budwieser. I had to settle for Mountain Dew this year. LOL!!

  28. Dodger4life

    I not familiar with DeGrassi, but the two that come see me often are 11 and 13 so maybe soon. The other one is 17 and she informed me of Good Charlotte .That was an eye opener.

  29. junkyardjamie

    I know Good Charlotte – good music for the most part (a little dark) DeGrassi is a show about life in high school. The name of the school is De Grassi.

  30. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    oy vey.
    ———-
    Schmidt=15
    Jones =22
    Pierre =08
    ———=45 million

    One of the issues here is the Dodgers still owe Andruw Jones, whose career couldn’t have looked more over last season, $22.1 million, including salary and deferred payments. Boras said Colletti has not revealed that the club is seeking to dump Jones and a portion of his salary in order to clear money for Ramirez, but why wouldn’t it be? “I haven’t had anyone tell me of that kind of contingency,” Boras said.

  31. Dodger4life

    Ahh I see now. It was just a shock to see the whole room covered with guy’s with tatoo’s. It was a few years ago. I tried to talk her in to Tim McGraw or Kenny Chesney but she said ” NO DEALS.” Oh well!!

  32. dodgereric

    Good evening, ITD!!!

    The Nation has spoken and now we need to all get back on the same end of the rope. The USA has again demonstrated the greatest process in the history of the world. God Bless America!

    June Darlin’, I got finally got home tonight after a long and trying day and what do I find? Another Care Package from my favorite first grade class! “Our Baseball ABCs” in a marvelous notebook! I cannot believe for an instant all of the labor that went into this! Astounding! A thousand thanks are not nearly enough! Dodgereric impressed! (I hope they don’t know where that’s from! LOL!!)

    While I mull over what I can contribute next, I have a challenge for this wonderful group of kids: Learn all the words for the Greatest Song Ever Written!

    “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” as originally published in 1908, 100 years ago. Lyrics by Jack Norworth, music by Albert von Tilzer:

    Katie Casey was baseball mad,
    She had the fever and she had it bad;
    Just to root for the home town crew,
    Every cent that Katie spent
    On one Saturday, her young beau
    Called to see if she’d like to go,
    To see a show but Miss Kate said “No,
    I’ll tell you what you can do:”

    Take me out to the ball game,
    Take me out with the crowd.
    Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,
    I don’t care if I ever get back,
    ‘Cause it’s root, root, root for the home team,
    If they don’t win it’s a shame.
    ‘Cause it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out,
    At the old ball game.”

    Katie Casey saw all the games,
    Knew all the players by their first names;
    Told the umpire he was wrong,
    All along
    She was strong.
    When the score was two to two,
    Katie Casey she had the clue
    To cheer on the boys she knew just what to do,
    She made everyone sing this song:

    Take me out to the ball game,
    Take me out with the crowd.
    Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,
    I do not care if I ever get back,
    ‘Cause it’s root, root, root for the home team,
    If they don’t win it’s a shame.
    ‘Cause it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out,
    At the old ball game.

    Take me out to the ball game,
    Take me out with the crowd.
    Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
    I don’t care if I ever get back,
    ‘Cause it’s root, root, root for the home team,
    If they don’t win it’s a shame.
    ‘Cause it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out,
    At the old ….ball ….game.

    For an assist, here’s a link to the wonderful Carly Simon’s version that she recorded for Ken Burn’s “Baseball”:
    http://earfarm.com/features/daily-feature/wednesday/762

    Just scroll about halfway down past the Harry Caray tribute and click on the Carly Simon link.

    And again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

  33. junkyardjamie

    Ward Dear….. you are so very, very welcome Dodgereric, and that thank you goes very much both ways. They loved doing that project for you, and I am sure the song will be just has well received. So, your wish is our command. At this point they will do anything for their favorite Dodger fan. As for the book, I made several copies so they are part of our classroom as well. Also, like I said, you have made some NASCAR fans as well.

  34. junkyardjamie

    Ward Dear…..sorry about your hard day. That was me yesterday, but today was much better. Does your job get harder due to the change in weather – more issues that come up?

  35. dodgereric

    Although I will deny having a favorite to my dying day, I love Hannah’s Home Run followed closely by the Quality Start scorecard!

    Work is driving me into insanity. I take a lot of pride in delivering the goods on time, but cutbacks – both in personnel and lack of overtime – is creating a very uncomfortable situation. Our department has gone from 6 in my group (with me averaging 400 hours of OT for the past 3 years) to 3 without a single hour of OT since last November. It’s gotten to the point where I’m giving them 1-2 hours a day extra. A sad state of affairs.

  36. junkyardjamie

    I am so sorry about your job circumstances. That sounds really awful.

    Hannah is my non-reader – literally just learned the sounds in the alphabet, but the pictures she draws are to die for on any day. Kagai did the scorecard. That one took alot of talking through and making sure she understood what it was supposed to look like. She is my only non-talker of the class, but once again, her artwork is beautiful.

  37. dodgereric

    Work is work and I’ll get used to it. With so many people looking for jobs (including my wife), I won’t complain too much. I appreciate what I have, I know I’m very lucky.

  38. Dodger4life

    Good-night Everybody,

    Eric I know the feeling a lot of us in construction are going backward’s these day’s. But live to play another day is a good thing, it will all work out.

    God Bless us all!

  39. junkyardjamie

    That is very, very true. Is Matt ready for his big day tomorrow? I know he is but still… I wish him the best.

  40. junkyardjamie

    Good Night Dodger4life – thanks for the NASCAR talk and Good Charlotte isn’t so bad. I bought the CD before my daughter did because of a song I heard on the radio. However, she like Tim McGraw and a few other country artists as well.

  41. dodgereric

    Goodnight D4, we all just have to hang on, don’t we? The alternative to not hanging on stinks.

    Yeah, he’s ready. He’s stressing a bit these days but he’s as ready for this as can be. He’s been pointing at this for 8 years.

  42. dodgereric

    I can just hear your class singing that song in an assembly. It’s totally unrecognizable right away.

    It’s late again, Junie! See you tomorrow! God Bless!

  43. enchantedbeaver

    Morning All.

    I see Borass wants Manny paid until he’s 42. I only have one thing to say –
    .
    C-Ya Manny.

  44. junkyardjamie

    …the funny thing is that Borass wants to give Manny Barry Bonds money. Well, the Giants couldn’t wait to get Barry off their hands. Different problems,but same result – the organzation was tired of him and wanted him gone, but they were stuck. I guess they were better than Boston, they were able to stick it out, and to some point benefited. However, they didn’t exactly win anything with Barry ethier. Dodgers will be in the same predicament if they sign Manny long term.

  45. enchantedbeaver

    Morning Nells!!

    Think you’ve got to figure that even this coming season, you’d only getting 90% of Manny as many times he’ll miss an AB because of him being replaced defensively late in the game. Now that [let’s say] $25 mil/yr is almost $28 mil/yr in reality. That’s an ever increasing proportion with the less and less playing time he gets as he gets older.
    .
    2 years max is all I’d give him. At his age, he belongs back in the AL so that he can at least earn part of his keep as a DH. My fear is that Ned will bite on Borass’ snake oil again and we’ll be stuck with a 42 year old Manny being Manny doing nothing.

  46. trublu4ever

    If Borass doesn’t change the length of Manny’s contract, he may be sitting out for a long time……….because nobody is going to give him that kind of deal. Right now, the Dodgers are the only team that even wants him.

  47. junkyardjamie

    Good Morning, enchanted ~
    I would top out at 3 years, but you are right, it’s too risky to give him 5 years. Even ARod was out part of the season with Quad muscles issues. So, the best of them can get hurt, but we are dealing with a player that already has a past of not necessarily giving 100%.

  48. dodgereric

    Goooood morning ITD!!!

    This Manny/contract length issue has been reminding me of something and I couldn’t place it until now.

    Shaq.

    Jerry Buss was faced with basically the same problem – having to decide whether to overpay for a long period of time for a very popular player whose skills were still good for the coming year or two, but was insisting on a mega-deal that would obviously carry him into his declining years and into oblivion. Buss chose wisely. It hurt, but no one would say that Shaq is worth the $30 mil a year now. If he would have signed for a couple of years, the Lakers probably would have another banner or two. But right now they’d still be saddled with huge albatross.

    Same story today. Boras’ job is to get Manny as much as he can. I really don’t think anyone’s going to give him a 6-year deal, and anyone in the NL especially would be totally foolish to do so.

    I want him, but I don’t want to be paying him at 42. I say two years. Just because Bonds was a freak doesn’t mean that Manny will still be crankin’ at that age.

  49. thinkingblue

    Good Morning ITD,
    .
    Wow we are waking up to a whole new country. A lot of the people’s hope have been boosted! I just pray that our country recovers and people stop loosing their homes and jobs. God bless America. And just wanted to point out…there were a lot of blue on to maps on tv yesterday. I think people were thinking BLUE….lol.
    .
    Dodgers news…Maddux is retiring! Is it for sure? Who knows? He might do the “Favre” and come back…LOL. But wish Maddux the best.
    .
    Manny til he is 42 yrs old…wow…I don’t know if that is good….
    .
    I’m with Ned…”Martin is not available”… he is a Dodgers!
    .
    Have a wonderfule day!
    .
    Rose

  50. trublu4ever

    I remember all the Shaq goings on as if it were yesterday. I agree with you, Dodgereric, that Manny would be the same type of problem with a long term contract. I think if Manny doesn’t get signed with the Dodgers, it will be BORASS who will get the blame, not us………we would have at least tried.

  51. dodgereric

    There were a couple of guys on talk radio a few days back who were asking the question, “If McCourt offers Manny a 2 year/$60 mil contract or something similar and Manny says no and goes elsewhere, is McCourt off the hook from Dodger fans?”

    He will be to me. I think that’s as far as I’d go, but I don’t want to step on enchanted’s toes here.

  52. messagebear@msn.com

    I’m reading that the Rangers are looking to trade one of their catchers, including Saltalamacchia, for some pitching. My suggestion would be to exercise the option on Penny and to then deal him to the Rangers for a decent catching backup to Martin. The move would need to be made quickly, because our decision on Penny is due very soon.

  53. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    If we sign Manny for 6 years like Boras wants, will he come with robotics or the next wave of roids or things to cheat with?

    And I am gonna learn agent talk…

    I am gonna speak like an agent from now on!!

    Though Paul Kinzer said that Furcal’s value shouldn’t be affected by his surgically repaired back because he has been medically cleared by the doctor who performed the midseason operation, he was told that Dodgers owner Frank McCourt doesn’t share the same thoughts.

    “It’s no secret that they’ve had a lot of injuries in the last few years,” Kinzer said.

    “It’s no secret that Furcal has had a lot of injuries in the last few years,” Kinzer said.

  54. enchantedbeaver

    Frank’s got to make his decision whether he wants to contend now or in 2011. If he wants to contend now, then he better open up that checkbook wide because he has half a 25 man squad to replace. If he wants to play it close to the vest and let somemore youngsters develop while he saves up some money for the green girdle or whatever it is, then he needs to come out and level with people that 2009 and 2010 are rebuilding years. He’ll still draw 3 million fans to the stadium either way.

  55. edwcarter

    Not sure it would be a good thing to have Manny till 42. I can see that to be a deal we all regret half way into next season when he has a knee injury. Six years is a long time…lets let someone else take the risk.

  56. cpompe1

    Good afternoon ITD boys and girls!
    I know, it’s been a while, but wanted to check in and see how everyone’s doing? Yeah, I read about Maddux probably retiring. If those three (Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz) retired at the same time, I think it would be great to induct all three into the HOF, all at the same time. They were SOOOOOO good for SOOOOOO long with the Braves that I think it would be very fitting if they did that. Personally, I believe that all three of them WILL retire this same postseason.

    And if Borass is gonna stick to his guns to get Manny a 4-5-6 year deal with someone, well, EnchantedGM, you said it best: C-Ya Manny. But on the other hand, I really don’t believe that anyone will offer Manny a 4 to 6 year deal. If we do resign Manny, it’s only because that’s the best offer they get. Even if Ned didn’t offer that rumored 2-year, $60 mil contract, that $30 mil per year maybe better than anything else that some other team would be willing to offer. So, you never know.

  57. edwcarter

    I love Manny. I think he has been the best thing thats happened to the Dodgers in years, at least the past 5 years. But I think that if we are not careful about this situation we run the risk of crippling the franchise with dead weight and a ton of money for 6 years in LF.
    We all thought JP was a bad move right out of the gate; imagine having Manny and all of his baggage and salary tied up for that long. Could be real bad.
    CC (Captain Crunch is what his initials stand for, I think), on the other hand is a deal we must pursue. If by some miracle we could add him Peavy we would have a solid rotation.

  58. cpompe1

    Yes edwcarter, I love Manny and what he did for us in the last 3 months of 2008. But I too don’t want to cripple the Dodgers with dead weight and a ton of money yet to pay. I’m not sure who said it on ITD recently (maybe EnchantedGM?) – it’s not a matter of “if” we get bad Manny, it’s a matter of “when” we get bad Manny. And once bad Manny rears his ugly head, we won’t want anything to do with him.

    Just from a pitching point of view, I would love to sign CC. But again, I am too afraid, too gun shy to offer CC the 5 or 6 year deal he’s seeking. I’ve seen in baseball in general (Zito) and with the Dodgers specifically (Brown and Dreifort) that long-term contracts to pitchers usually are a bust.

  59. cpompe1

    Yes edwcarter, I love Manny and what he did for us in the last 3 months of 2008. But I too don’t want to cripple the Dodgers with dead weight and a ton of money yet to pay. I’m not sure who said it on ITD recently (maybe EnchantedGM?) – it’s not a matter of “if” we get bad Manny, it’s a matter of “when” we get bad Manny. And once bad Manny rears his ugly head, we won’t want anything to do with him.

    Just from a pitching point of view, I would love to sign CC. But again, I am too afraid, too gun shy to offer CC the 5 or 6 year deal he’s seeking. I’ve seen in baseball in general (Zito) and with the Dodgers specifically (Brown and Dreifort) that long-term contracts to pitchers usually are a bust.

  60. junkyardjamie

    Good Afternoon, ITD writers and readers!!!!!

    I was just checking in, but I don’t have anything to add that hasn’t already been said. Manny is great, but he’s not 5-6 years worth of great.

    CP – How are you doing? I am hoping they go retire and go into the HOF together. My Braves fan would like nothing better. She’s already saving for Cooperstown for the year Glavine goes in so having Maddux and Smoltz there too would just be a dream come true for her.

    edwcarter – great seeing your name around here again!!!

    Ward Dear….. Your challenge was enthusiastically accepted, and I hope you are ready because it’s going to be fantastic!!! I hope you are having a good day. 🙂

  61. northstateblues

    4-6 years? Sounds like Borass is getting a little too big for his britches, perhaps he forgotten the whooping he took a year ago.

    C’mon Manny, I thought you liked it in L.A., you’re Hollywood. Just take a 2-3 year padded deal, and then you can make a killing in the A.L. after that.

    This non-GM-minded guy wouldn’t balk at anything up to 33 mil a year, especially after the millions we’ve spent on people who have proven nothing before putting on a Dodger uniform, and have not performed anywhere near expectations. We’re paying more and more every year to be Dodger fans, we might as well see something for it besides benchwarmers.

  62. junkyardjamie

    Good Afternoon ITD writers and readers!!!!

    How is everyone?

    GO DODGERS!!!!!
    365 DAYS A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    7 DAYS A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    24 HOURS A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    THINKING DODGER BLUE EVERYDAY!!!!!

  63. junkyardjamie

    nsblues ~ I don’t see why Manny wouldn’t take a 2 year deal in LA if he really likes it there, and then after the two years, if he is still hitting the lights out of the ball, then he can sign for another 2 or move onto the AL. Sounds good to me

  64. junkyardjamie

    Now that I finally got back on, I am heading out to run errands before heading home. Catch up to all of you later if you are on ITD late night. If not, have a wonderful evening!!!!

  65. northstateblues

    Yeah, and if he really wants to stick it to Boston, he can go to the Yankees in 2-3 years after taking our money, and take their money too 🙂

    Ah yes, the hot stove league, only there can Andre Ethier join the Friar’s Club:

    http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=yhoo-timeondodgerssideinmannyrac&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

    ” The Dodgers could even make a play for Jake Peavy, who the San Diego Padres are shopping to a handful of NL teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. The Dodgers would be long shots because the Padres are loathe to help their intra-divisional neighbors to the north. It would take Clayton Kershaw or Jonathan Broxton, plus DeWitt and Ethier, just to pique the Padres’ interest. ”

    C-YA Peavy!

  66. cpompe1

    Good late afternoon ITD boys and girls!
    Yeah, I was talking briefly before, but then the mlblog server must’ve had a hiccup (a very, long hiccup) and I couldn’t sign on at all. Well, at least I can now.

    NSB – If that’s what it’s gonna take to trade for Peavy, then I’m with ya: C-YA Peavy…

  67. sparkleplenty_1

    Hi there, ya all.
    .
    I just voted for the MLB-sponsored 2008 This Year in Baseball Awards. Two things really surpised me. One is that the Dodgers were hardly mentioned. That was very disappointing. The second thing that surprised me (so much so that I almost had to have my jaw pushed back into position with a hydraulic lift) is that Ned was actually on the ballot for executives. For a guy who was that close to being fired . . . this is one of those things that makes me say “hmmmmmm”. Can’t help but wonder who was behind the ballot choices.
    .
    See everyone later!

  68. knouffbrock@frontiernet.net

    As much fun as he was, and as much as I’d like to see him stay, I don’t think a long contract for Ramirez is a good idea either. That other Manny would show up eventually.

    Good to have Lenny Harris back, though, and I’d like to talk Maddux into staying as coach/5th starter.

    I wonder where Penny will wind up. I’d like to wish him well, but then again….

  69. amyw27

    I’m sad to part with Dodgers. I know that the Brad situation was most likely handled the right way on both ends (i hope) he’s a dodger to me. He had a stinky year, but I will miss him. Thanks for the nice Picture BP- I have you on my memory board and I will always remember you as the best hug from any Dodger I’ve ever gotten. Thanks friend. Good luck! Just don’t beat us if you ever pitch against us! Not cool!
    .
    Good Luck Greg. I’m glad that you played for us your last half season and that you got your historic all time win in Dodger blue. Have a happy retirement. And if you are looking for a coaching gig– just speak with Enchanted or GM. He might be able to make you an offer.
    .
    Good night ITD.

  70. lbirken@aol.com

    Interesting to see how the willingness to sign Manny has shifted a bit on this blog and I think common sense is taking over for emotion. Sure, we would love to have the Manny that we saw while wearing a Dodger uniform but the likelyhood of him doing that well over the course of a season is slim. If the guys hitting in front and behind him can get the job done, Manny will be quite productive. However, I disagree with Boras that Manny deserves a contract until he is 42 just because Boras has been able to secure deals for other players. Those deals were good for his clients but not so good for the teams in terms of wins and championships. Notice Boras never talks about a team winning with his clients and not too surprising because he does not care at all about the team’s success, only his client’s success. Therefore, one has to be careful when dealing with a Boras client.

  71. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    As long as the dodgers can say they are willing to pay him more than anyone over the next three years (or darn close) that’s all we can ask.

  72. junkyardjamie

    Good Evening ITD writers and readers!!!!!

    I would like to wish Brad Penny the best of luck wherever he ends up. I know his year wasn’t what he or the fans wanted, but I still wish him the best.

    Congratulations to Greg Maddux on his Gold Glove Award. If you really are retiring then I hope you and your buddies, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz retire with you so we can see the three of you go into the HOF together. That would be an awesome sight.

    I hope all of you are doing well. I see there are some articles to read, so I will be back shortly.

  73. Dodger4life

    GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    WAY TO GO ANDRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  74. junkyardjamie

    That is good, but did you see what it said next to it? This time of year is both fun and stressful at the same time. Will they or won’t they be traded.

    Good Evening to you Dodger4life!!!!!

  75. Dodger4life

    I seen that, anything’s possible, but I’d like to see our youngster’s stick around!

    Good Evening to you Nelly!!!!!

  76. edwcarter

    Hey Dodger4life, thanks for posting that sporting news article. It was a good read.
    I really think that Borass is a growing cancer in the sport of baseball. These multi-year deals can bankrupt a team, and guarantee the play the cash regardless of performance. To Ned and Frank’s credit, I like their approach with the superstar athletes. The 2 year contract offered to Andruw is looking better and better with each passing day. We are lucky Borass didn’t lock us into a 5+ year deal there.

  77. junkyardjamie

    edwcarter – I couldn’t imagine being stuck with Andruw for another 4 years. It’s hard enough thinking we will may have to deal with him for one more, and JP for three.

  78. edwcarter

    How much time do you think Joe is going to give Andruw next year? Its a year that will make or break Andruw. If he puts up (or is given the chance to put up) numbers remotely similar to last year, his career is all but over. Nobody will take a chance on him. However, if he puts up a solid .260 avg with 25 HR’s and 90+ RBI’s…he’ll prove there still may be some gas in the tank.
    The question is…how is Joe going to manage the situation. My guess is that there will be ample opportunity for Andruw to prove himself.

  79. edwcarter

    Good point Nelly. I just hope its not long and drawn out like it was this year. It seemed like it was apparent 100 AB’s in that there was a major problem beyond just a slump. Think of how better we could have been this year had we stuck with Ethier, Kemp, and Pierre/Manny for 3 quarters of the season.

  80. Dodger4life

    Hey edwcarter, My thoughts exactly. There was another one in there about bigger signing bonuses this year due to the tax hike.

  81. Dodger4life

    I missed that one with Peter Gammonds. Thank’s

    Id like to see them have to perform to collect!!!! Don’t perform league minimum, get hurt get a percentage, something to that effect. performance based pay!!!!!

  82. edwcarter

    Your right nelly…probably shouldn’t use the word hate. But I really, really, really, really don’t like him!
    Dodger4life- It would be nice to see the pay structure similar to the NFL’s. They have guaranteed deals too, but if they get cut for performance they loose a big chunk of it.

  83. junkyardjamie

    edwcarter – he is one of the few people in this world that deserve that word – honestly. Just the thought of him managing some of these players makes my skin crawl. I think all the teams should boycott his players for a year and just see what happens. I bet the teams would be just as well off without some of these overpriced players. Tampa Bay didn’t have any and look where they ended up.

  84. crzblue2

    D4life,
    that would be nice a perform to collect clause.
    .
    Based on what Minaya said on one of the articles links, the Mets are not going to look at Manny. The Yankees, well they need lots of pitching there too so their priorities is pitching. so besides the Dodgers, who is putting a legit offer on Manny? Not the Red Sox so that leaves the Angels if they do not sign Tex. I don’t think the Cubs will. Might be another surprise team out there but you got to think that Bora$/Manny would consider the Dodgers offer.
    .
    I also want to wish Penny good luck. He was nice to me, the times I got to talk to him and also taking the time to pose for pics. Not getting D.Lowe and Penny, I would think that Peavy is a posibility but we probably will need to take Greene also.

  85. crzblue2

    Congratulations to Greg Maddux on yet another GG! What a thrill and pleasure has been watching him on the mound! I still remember the first time he became a Dodgers. I left work extra early that day and watched him warm up in the Bullpen.

  86. Dodger4life

    WE LOVE OUR DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    24 HOUR’S A DAY
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    DODGER BASEBALL IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    GO DODGER”S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  87. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    Yeah that’s true. shame on us. To value people at a level where Jones was paid more this week than most Americans make all year is absurd. We all complain about alot but some of the power is in our hands. We don’t have to show up, buy the gear, pay 15 for parking etc…No one complains that Tom Hanks made 20 million to shoot a movie all over Europe for 6 months. A bad movie I thought in which there will be a sequel…But to the greater point, baseball as a community is in pretty great shape compared to the rest of society and i fail to see how Boras hasn’t been a big part of that in a positive way even from the owners perspective. They obviously have the money if they are paying. Or understand how to generate it…

  88. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    That all said. As a person I can’t stand people like him. He sells such BS. He gets under my skin etc. Can’t stand him.

  89. junkyardjamie

    …and like you said, jungar, the Dodgers are one of the “big boy” markets and they should be able to get what they want if they want it badly enough.

  90. dodgereric

    Thanks all! He’s excited, proud, relieved, all of that and more! LOL!!

    Regarding Boras and all the rest of the leeches, it’s all just negotiation. We shouldn’t take it too personal. Listening to an agent requires the same block of salt you need to chew on when you listen to a politician. 95% crap. Or more. Listen to Furcal’s agent, calling him the picture of health. LOL!!! I love Raffy and I hope we keep him, but he’s got a long way to go to prove that he’s healthy.

  91. crzblue2

    yesterday for the first time in a while, I drove to work so that I could vote early and still make it to work not too late. Well, on my way home, the traffic was heavy on the 210 so I exit in Pasadena and took the streets home. It was kind of depressing going thru some places where they are closing like where Linen’s and Things, and others smaller business where they have closed and seeing places where Mervyns is (Monrovia), Shoe Pavilions and now Circuit City closing many of their stores. Is very scary what is happening to our econony.
    .
    I was hearing on the radio that the food banks are starting to run low. I’ll buy a few more staple items each time I go to the market to donate. We do a food colection at work in December and an auction in November from employees and local companies donations. We have a meeting with the committee next week. Perhaps I’ll suggest that we should do something more often.
    .
    good night everyone.

  92. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    “The Dodgers have $60 million coming off their payroll, and Manny pays for himself,” Boras reasoned. “He’s not a payroll item for the Dodgers. He doesn’t in any way tax their payroll. The evidence is there. You saw it.”

    Boras meant that Ramirez would pay for himself in added attendance, enthusiasm for the team and apparel sales, as well as the extra money the team would make by qualifying for the playoffs more regularly.

    Colletti smiled as he disagreed with that sentiment.

    “Players don’t pay for themselves,” he said. “I don’t believe it. It’s a pretty big leap. That’s one man’s opinion. I don’t share that opinion.

    Also with Boras, Colletti discussed expectations for Andruw Jones, who would find the outfield crowded if Ramirez did re-sign. He added that trading Jones to free up salary was “something to contemplate.”

    You get me Jones traded and not a total salary dump and we will sign Manny.

  93. Dodger4life

    I am not cut out for these type of decision’s. I hate this time of year, but I’ll trade the Dodger’s all the players on my over 40 league for Andrew. Equiment included!!!!
    I will even pick up his salary!!!!!!!

  94. Dodger4life

    WE LOVE OUR DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    24 HOUR’S A DAY
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    EVERYDAY WEARING DODGER BLUE IS A GOOD DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

    GO DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  95. dodgereric

    Getting rid of Jones a year early will require more imagination than Steven Spielberg possesses.

    Junie, he’s going to have a talk with our Scoutmaster. He wants to continue in Scouting but he wants to do something more interesting than just getting more merit badges. They pretty much bore him. He just might be in charge of one of the younger patrols. I think he would like to be the Senior Patrol Leader, which would require way too much of his time. IMO.

  96. Dodger4life

    Good night everybody I need to relax.

    God Bless us all, and God bless our Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!

    Dodger Eric once again congrat’s on the accomplishment!!

  97. junkyardjamie

    Good Night Dodger4life – A pleasure as always and God Bless to you as well.

    Ward Dear…. I am sure he will figure it out. You have taught him well, I’m sure.

  98. dodgereric

    Thanks again, but I’m having a devil of a time posting. I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow! Good night D4 and June Darlin’! And may God Bless you both and your families and may God Bless America!

  99. junkyardjamie

    Good Night to you Ward Dear….. I am very happy for you and Matt. Get a wonderful night’s sleep, and I will see you tomorrow. God Bless to you and your family 🙂

  100. Dodger4life

    I went back and read Andre’s last post. He say’s that he didn’t get it done, and he is right. He nor the rest of the team accomplished thier goal. He did’nt make an excuse he said he would figure out in the offseason how to do that.
    That is what I want to hear. He has some off season issues it is just part of the game. Why would we trade a player who wants to win that put up the type of year he did, and has more potential in the coming years. Whether
    we sign Manny or not he produced for us bigtime. He was a good influence on the younger player’s. They have had a taste let’s let them finish the meal.

    GO DODGER”S ALL THE WAY IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!!!!!!

  101. trublu4ever

    Good morning – well, the ball is in Manny’s court now. I think the 2 and 3 year deals offered to him were more than fair.

  102. junkyardjamie

    Good Morning ITD writers and readers!!!!

    Dodger4life – great thinking late last night 🙂

    Come on Manny!!! If you love LA, then take the deal. I don’t think you will be disappointed. The Dodger Fans want you to stay.

    WE LOVE OUR DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    24 HOUR’S A DAY
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    EVERYDAY WEARING DODGER BLUE IS A GOOD DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

    GO DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  103. northstateblues

    Good morning! Just found out Chico State actually observes veterans day, so I don’t have to come here for a week! That’ll help decrease my carbon footprint, or whatever they call it these days…

    Scott Borass was supposed to be on Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” show on ESPN Radio this morning. Anyone get a chance to listen? Curious as to what his spin was on the Dodgers offer. Like I said last night, I think he’s getting too big for his already-Baby-Huey-sized britches if he refuses an offer that size. That’s a huge payday for Borass for 2 years of Manny’s work.

    Wonder if Maddux will retire after hearing Colletti glow about him.

  104. dodgereric

    Goooooood morning, ITD!!!

    Boras will only take this deal if no one offers more. And we’re not going to find that out for a while.

    I wonder if Coletti would hard-ball and make a quick big deal to CC and tell Boras the offer’s off the table if CC signs?

  105. northstateblues

    I don’t like these “trading Ethier” scenarios… it’s just not right that someone like him, who performs, who has a good head on his shoulders, and who says and does all the right things, could be traded while “trade me” Juanpy and “L.A. Fans suck” AnDruwish princess stay on the team to sulk another year about all that annoying green papery stuff cluttering up their wallets.

    Baseball is business, I guess. Walter O’Malley understood that better than most. It’s kinda ironic that I’d chastise the owner of one of my teams for cutting a highly paid player (except DeAngelo Hall was arguably the best defensive player Oakland had this season), while I’d welcome a release of any of those two who don’t want to wear the uniform.

    Wherever Andre might go if he leaves the Dodgers, he’ll eventually end up back home in Phoenix, and be a thorn in our sides for a few seasons. Might as well at least let him have springs at home in Blue, right?

  106. junkyardjamie

    This is going to be one of the toughest off-seasons, isn’t it? I think it’s because they came so close, and I just want to see this young core finish what they started. To see in writing what might be on the back of Colletti’s mind is just frightening that he might screw with our core group of young guns for two worthless PVL’s who don’t give a damn about being a Dodger right now.

  107. northstateblues

    Hey Nelly and Eric! I’m good this morning, took an energy drink to get me there, but I’m up for anything today.

    Thinking about checking in on my blog account, since I haven’t for a few weeks. I’ve struggled over what direction to take drawing-wise in the offseason. Grambo’s are fun, I could crank those out quick (and will next season 🙂 ), but outside of that, I’m on the fence between doing drawings of historical figures, or doing drawings of topical events in baseball.

    I’ve just been unsettled by the fact that after MLBMark gave me that MLBlogosphere exposure, time became a premium in my life with school. Between schoolwork and workwork and whatever life throws at me any given day, I haven’t had the time to sit and draw a detailed drawing, especially since I have no idea where to go with it.

    It’s like you have a habit of singing in private, then someone hears you, then a lot of people hear you and think you’re great, and then you have a bunch of people listening. Then you get a cold, your voice gets gruff, and on top of that, you don’t know what to sing anymore, because you’re thinking too much. All the while, that Joe Cocker songbook is sitting on the bookshelf, and instead of lamenting about the situation, you should just bust out with what you got.

    This Rockstar drink is making me think too much

  108. northstateblues

    Yeah, I don’t want to see him screw up the future for people who complain as their pockets fatten (among other things for some).

  109. saralovesrussell@losangeles-dodgers.net

    hey everyone~
    i think the dodgers made a more than generous offer.. i also think that it’s interesting that colletti has some quotes to make it sound like the deal won’t be on the table for long.. i like that. don’t wait around for him to make a decision, potentially hesitating on other moves. make him make a decision. he deserves a decent amount of courtesy, but he doesn’t deserve the world.. either you’re staying or you’re going. it’s not that difficult.

  110. dodgereric

    June Darlin’, that scenario would have me on the Internet searching for the exact method of tying a hangman’s noose.

  111. 636566cy

    I think that the offer made to Manny is the type of offer that I would like to see: big money, short term. However, most people know that Manny wants a longer term deal. I think it is quite interesting that Ned put out there that the deal would make him the second highest paid player in the game, but he wouldn’t speak to the length of the deal. The Dodgers know full well that many wants length and dollars. IMO, this is the organizations way of getting ready to say they did everything they could to sign Manny, but he just would go for the deal. Keep in mind, I think this is the only type of deal that should be done for Manny, but I know there are plenty of people out there that feel we should do “whatever it takes” to keep him in LA.

  112. junkyardjamie

    nsblues – a little wired, are we?? LOL!!!!!!

    Ward Dear…. Thanks for the cheer up. I wasn’t expecting to read that. I was trying to be strong, but that one hurt. 🙂

    sara – I think you are so right. If he really wants to stay in LA, then he would take the deal. If he doesn’t, then all the talk about him loving LA was just what it was, talk.

  113. saralovesrussell@losangeles-dodgers.net

    nsb, cut and dry is right. that’s the only way for us to handle it. there should be no waiting around and catering to him. just say, this is our best offer, it’s a generous offer, take it or leave it so we can move on..

    dnelly, i’m pretty sure we can all agree that the lovefest quotes from manny were at least somewhat talk.. marketing for himself for the offseason. i personally believe it was all BS, but i can see how others might not agree. that’s fine. believe what you will, but the dodgers made a good offer, and it is nothing the organization should be ashamed of if he goes elsewhere. they know they tried. all that give him what he wants stuff is ridiculous. no educated sports fan would say that.

  114. enchantedbeaver

    Hey ITD!!

    How about a little GM song for Ned? To the Beatles’ Christ You Know It Ain’t Easy:

    FRANK YOU KNOW IT AIN’T EASY
    .
    We’ve got no starting rotation,
    At second and short we do lack.
    Towers called me to say, there’s a prem-yum to pay,
    Peavy’s gonna cost Kersh and ‘Dre in the pack
    .
    Frank! You know it ain’t easy
    You know how hard it can be.
    The way things are goin’,
    The fans’ll crucify me.
    .
    Need to talk to Genske about CC.
    Gotta get Ben Sheets on the line.
    The bloggers all said, they’ve got no faith in old Ned
    I’ve still got 25 mil ridin’ the pine.
    .
    Frank! You know it ain’t easy
    You know how hard it can be.
    The way things are goin’,
    The fans’ll crucify me.
    .
    Saving up your money for arb’tration day,
    Decline the option Brad Penny.
    Last night the wife said,
    “Oh Ned, let Logan do it instead, Boras is gonna end up with your soul –”
    Think!
    .
    Make a lightning trip up to Las Vegas.
    Sammy, Kent and Blake won’t be back.
    The newspapers said, my career’s all but dead,
    Its muscle in the line-up we lack.
    .
    Frank! You know it ain’t easy
    You know how hard it can be.
    The way things are goin’,
    The fans’ll crucify me.
    .
    Caught a glimpse of Schmidty last April,
    Fifty million gone in one whack.
    The leaks in the pen need to be stop-gapped again,
    Before the press goes back on the attack
    .
    Frank! You know it ain’t easy
    You know how hard it can be.
    The way things are goin’,
    The fans’ll crucify me.
    .
    The way things are goin’
    The fans’ll crucify me!

    Artist: Ned and the Gnats
    CD: Here We Go Again
    ©NedCo Broken Records 2008

    Nedco – spreading the wealth again and again.™

  115. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    The Bill James Handbook also projects the expected bang for the buck for the team that wins the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes. According to James’ projections, Ramirez at age 37 will produce a .301 average, 34 home runs, 113 RBIs and a .955 OPS, which would put him in MVP territory.

  116. northstateblues

    clhuerth, yeah, the deal does seem like Colletti’s “get out of jail free” card, with the amount of money offered. I wouldn’t like to go more than 3 years (It would hurt us and hurt his chances at another big-money contract). He’s coming off a long-term contract, it’s funny that after all the Media mess in his Boston tenure that he’d want to be tied up for so long again.

    Eric, I know a site for that (the hangmans’ noose), let’s just hope we’ll never have to use it.

    Nelly, yep, just a little wired. Of course, the long crash is starting to set in… lunchtime soon.

  117. enchantedbeaver

    Hey Nells. Read the article… what’s this guy smokin’? I don’t think there was one deal on there I would make.

  118. dodgereric

    Woo hooo!! Home run, e! #101 for you and #423 for ITD!!

    “Caught a glimpse of Schmidty last April,
    Fifty million gone in one whack.”

    Classic! LMAO!!!

  119. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    IMO you get Manny. If they want more years it’s less per. Even at 5 years and say a 20 million a year contract, might be better than 3 at 30. Because if Manny hits (and i know some guys are risky but Manny will hit till he is 45, dude is just a pure hitter) then the GM trades Manny in two years for young players to an AL team once the Kemp’s and Loneys fully develop

  120. northstateblues

    E – “A long fly ball, and she iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssss… GONE!” Great Beatles cover, I could even hear the guitar in the backgroud. I’d imitate it, but wouldn’t work in text, heh.

    Sara, I’m sure a lot of the loving L.A. was good press for the Free Agent push. I think he does enjoy it more than Boston, though. If anyone in baseball is Hollywood, it’s Manny. But I don’t think any other team has the pocketbook + the need for Manny like we do. If he holds out for a long-term contract, though, it could be a huge turnoff for other teams. With the way the economy’s going, this could be a huge turning point in the way contracts are viewed, and how teams value a player.

    of course, that energy drink has my mind racing, so I have no idea what I’m talking about.

  121. saralovesrussell@losangeles-dodgers.net

    eric, btw, yesterday you asked.. guess who’s the father of an eagle scout? my mental response was, umm.. my dad? haha.. congrats to you and your son. i remember when my brother got his eagle scout, it was such a big deal. it will look great on his college apps! 🙂

  122. saralovesrussell@losangeles-dodgers.net

    well said nsb. i agree. i think that baseball contracts have definitely gotten out of hand, and now should be the turning of the tide..

  123. enchantedbeaver

    Thank you everyone – some things just write themselves.

    Hey Eric – congrats to your son making eagle scout!!

  124. dodgereric

    Thanks e and sara, it’s been a long time getting here. He feels great about completing what he started. He’s leaning towards the Fire Department nowadays but he wants that degree first. We’re probably going to start with the local SoCal schools and probably AZ. He loved the campus at Northern AZ when he was thinking of Engineering last year. We’ll see.

  125. saralovesrussell@losangeles-dodgers.net

    whatever career aspirations he may have, a college degree can only enhance his opportunities..

  126. trublu4ever

    Good afternoon – I believe Manny was offered a two year deal and even a three year offer. So, right now, as it stands, three years is the maximun length of contract…..that could change, however, because of back and forth negotiations.
    .
    EnchantedGM – you are brilliant, as usual!

  127. ucscslug

    Hey everyone, this is ucscslug/dodgerdude17. It’s been a while sine i last posted, but I just wanted to comment on the Manny negotiations. If rumors are indeed true, and we offered Manny the $25-27 million a year contract, even for less years that he wants, then management is doing right by the fans. If Manny declines this we need to move on and target CC, or others if we can. If Manny is still avail later, and we fail to sign CC or anyone of significant importance, then maybe we make another run, but we need to be prepared to move on if he declines this initial and more than fair offer.

  128. lbirken@aol.com

    Interesting to read all the sentiments about Scot Boras but let us not forget one important fact: in order for him to make a deal he needs a partner. He is talented enough that he not only asks for the moon he ends up with the universe. He utilizes facts and figures while at the same time he must really get into his counterpart’s head. No one forces the clubs to agree to his terms; Boras isn’t holding a gun to anyone’s head. If you were a player, wouldn’t you want him for an agent? The question to ask is why clubs continue to fall for his way of doing business? Why did that moron Tom Hicks ever agree to the contract with A-Rod? Remember, Boras talks a good game. Listen to his interviews; he does not come off abrasive or arrogant. He strikes me as being well prepared and quite smart. Also, I have never known him to say anything in an interview that later proved to be untrue.

    Don’t get me wrong, I am not sticking up for him or any agent. The players do make too much money in terms of their importance to society. The same can be said for many in the entertainment field. The sad truth is they earn these high rates of pay because an organization is willing to pay them.

  129. enchantedbeaver

    I think Holliday’s Coors numbers would translate quite well to Philly. Seems like a good match to me.
    .
    Also gets him out of our division.

  130. trublu4ever

    lbirken – you are right about Boras. He was on ESPN today and said that Manny carried a sub-par team on his shoulders into the playoffs and is worthy of a huge salary. I still don’t think there is a team out there willing to give him a 6 year deal.

  131. lbirken@aol.com

    Trublu, Manny was terrific in a Dodger uniform and most of us would like to see him again in a Dodger uniform but only if the deal makes sense for the Dodgers. Sure, Manny will put fans in the seats but for how long? I think Ned’s offer is generous and obviously has Frank’s approval. If Boras can find a willing partner for a long term deal, good for him and good for Manny. No one said being a GM is an easy job.

    I like the idea of Peavy in a Dodger uniform only to get rid of him as an opponent but not at the price of our young arms.

  132. trublu4ever

    ibirken – Boras did mention how Manny put 5,000 more fans per game into the seats. He is really a good salesman. I think after the 14th, things will get really serious. Then we will see how far Frank wants to take this. Peavy does want to pitch for us. I’ll bet CC does too!

  133. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    so according to the dodgers, after what they saw in 2007 and 2008 they determine that Manny is only worth 9 million more than Andruw Jones….lol. yeah slap in the face really.

  134. northstateblues

    Tru, I heard that Boras interview with Dan Patrick on ESPN Radio. It was hilarious, I loved how Patrick was raking him over the coals, and correct me if I’m wrong, but Borass sounded a little flustered in that interview… the answers weren’t as clean-cut as usual. Especially when he asked if Manny would play in Boston again.

    In so many words, Borass said no, and when asked why, answered he didn’t like the city area. Then Patrick asked why he didn’t move to the suburbs like everyone else who plays for Boston teams, and Borass said something about he didn’t feel comfortable in Boston.

    Then he asked if it rules out Boston, Borass said yes, than he asked about New York, and Borass sounded how Juan Epstein looked when Kotter got to “Signed, Epstein’s Mother.” “… :: shuffling/shuddering for 3 seconds :: I’m not gonna answer questions about individual cities.”

    Good times

  135. saralovesrussell@losangeles-dodgers.net

    jungar, just because andruw jones received an albatross contract doesn’t mean the dodgers should up manny’s offer in correlation. the amount they offered him is more than generous, and if he wants to compare his money to andruw jones’ (which they agreed to pay him prior to seeing him play here) then there’s really nothing they can do about it. that whole comparison slight is the reason almost all contracts are ridiculously unreasonable to begin with..

  136. lbirken@aol.com

    nsblues, I did not hear the Patrick-Boras interview but I have never heard Boras get flustered before. Patrick has a way of asking tough questions without getting aggressive and Boras always seems to be quite comfortable with the media. Sorry I missed it.

  137. northstateblues

    More Beatles:

    Borass Man (to the tune of “Taxman” by the Beatles)

    Let me tell you how it will be
    $90 mil for you, 19 for me
    ‘Cause I’m Borass, man
    Yeah I’m Borass, man

    If one client should opt out this fall
    Be thankful I don’t trade them all
    ‘Cause I’m Borass, man
    Yeah, I’m Borass man

    If you start too low, I’ll sell ’em high
    When I’m through with you, your wallet’s dry
    If they fire me, I won’t break sweat
    I’ll just catch a ride on A-Rod’s jet

    Borass, man

    Don’t ask me how much he’ll go for (ah-ah, Mister Ned)
    Just know I’ve made many Front Office’s poor (ah-ah, in the east)
    ‘Cause I’m Borass, man
    Yeah I’m Borass, man

    Now my advice for those without the cash
    You can lose my number lightning fast
    ‘Cause I’m Borass, man
    Yeah I’m Borass, man

    And you’re dealing with no one but me

  138. ramslover

    Hello everyone…this is an exciting time of year….I feel Manny has to be signed I would go 4 yrs 104 mil….or we trade for Holliday and hope he can be the big bat….

    Glad to see Penny gone he was a pain in the arsse…a big freaking baby!!! Ned you have to move Jones and Pierre at any price….they will kill the team next year….

    As far as the economy, I am in the car business and took the chance to move my family 1300 miles to Texas and now I worried that I will not have a job in the next 30days, business is so bad we closed one store yesterday and afraid we may not make it thru the winter…My income has already taken a 50% cut…I love Texas the 90 plus days I have been here and I hope we can hold on….

    I agree with you Dodgereric and we should all be glad we have jobs right now because this is getting bad!!!

  139. northstateblues

    Thanks E! I just looked through DodgerEric’s site, and apologies to Jhall for sharing Taxman with his stellar classic Nedman. I think we’ve all covered most Beatles songs twice by now, though, heh.

  140. ramslover

    As much as we moan about Boras…you have to admit he is darn good at his job!!!

    Nelly how is the batting cage going? Is it open yet…you may have already updated it but I have not been keeping up to date on everything….

  141. bluecrewgirl

    Good job, ns. DNelly and enchanted. I read that article earlier and I agree with enchanted. I wouldn’t make any of those deals and definitely wouldn’t trade Andre. He was one of the highest performers on the team. He deserves a big raise and to be treated with the respect he has earned 10 times over by now. I was glad to hear they bought Penny out.

    Sara, I agree with you about Manny. The Dodgers shouldn’t wait too long for him to make a decision while other deals might pass them by.

  142. enchantedbeaver

    Boras is brilliant at his job. With his staff working practically round the clock, he knows everyone’s contracts, when they expire, who’ll be free agents when, what each team needs…

    I’ve always thought he’d make an awesome GM because he’d know where he’d be 3-4 years ahead of time.

  143. northstateblues

    Ramslover, sorry to hear that, these times are rough. My girlfriend hasn’t been able to find a job for a few months now, and not for lack of trying/applying/resumes/etc.

    Good luck, I hope the situation gets better.

    JP/Druw should be happy they’re getting paid, whether or not they’re starting, more than many of us will make in our lifetimes. probably combined when you look at the sum of the contract.

    I have a distinct feeling that, although sports has always and will always be strong during trying economic times, this time there will be a bit of a change [forgive the oft-used word 🙂 ] as to public attitudes over the size of these contracts and how much money players bicker over, how much they get taxed under the new system, how much owners will even be able to pay, as their investments probably turned south with everyone else.

    Borass may not have gotten his last whooping from the business.

  144. ramslover

    Enchanted I agree about Borass…NSblues I think if the economy continues to tanks sports will feel it in the next 6-12 mos…companies are literally going out of business every day and we cannot continue to lose 200, 000 jobs a month…

    I am a Republican, but I am hoping Obama can do what he says and unite Washington (tough job), and help us get thru these tough times…I am not close minded as some people are about Obama, I like his charisma and he seems to be very driven and organized…I actually feel good about him in office.

    Enough with the political talk…lets go Dodgers!!!!

  145. enchantedbeaver

    With all the FAs and declined options, as near as I can figure, here’s our 25 man right now:

    SP – Billz, Kuroda, Kersh, McD and Schidt
    RP – Brox, Wade, Troncoso, Stults, Procto, Kuo and Elbert
    IF – Loney, DeJesus, Hu, DeWitt, Abreu, Ozuna (hasn’t filed yet)
    OF – Jones, Pierre, Kemp, Ethier, DY
    C – Martin, Ardoin

    I’m not seeing much more than a AAA team here.

  146. northstateblues

    E and RamsLover, yeah, Boras is excellent at what he does. So was Iago in “Othello” (reading the play in class, ITD helped with my homework!). Both could “seduce” players and GMs into doing things they’d never imagined in dreams AND nightmares. Parts of Iago’s “seduction” of Othello (to kill his wife Desdemona) could have been spoken by Boras to Manny this year or A-Rod last year (when seduced to kill their contracts):

    Othello: [. . .] Thou shouldst be honest.

    Iago: I should be wise; for honesty’s a fool,
    and loses that it works for.

    (“Othello” Act III Sc. iii Ln. 80)

    okay, no more Shakespeare…

  147. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    If they want the player they have to pay. The cost of not getting Manny might be greater than getting him now for more than u may want to spend. Without him, who are they gonna go get? What free agents? none really that are any good. Maybe they have to trade Loney and try for Tex. In 2 years loney could still be making next to nothing putting up almost Tex like numbers while tex is 20 million. Or, fine that wont work, trade Ethier for ****. or Kemp for a 2b…Play Jones in center and Pierre in LF…You pay the guy and then build your team around the rest of our young players because without him, to be good, were gonna have to trade some players. thats my fear. who cares about the Money. The dodgers make money. All this BS in the press is posteruing. Were over a barrel. if the 2009 dodgers are to be good they need Manny (because trading for Holliday or the like takes away too many good players) and Mannys agent, frank McCourt and Ned know it.

  148. enchantedbeaver

    I don’t know about Manny jungar. Take him and plug him into the roster above and without any better starting pitching, we’re still not much more than a AAA team.

    We’re WAY worse off now than at the end of last year. We’re lacking 2-3 starters, half an infield, a bullpen arm or two, an entire bench, a viable back-up catcher that can take some heat off Martin, and we have 2 OFers that don’t want to be here.

    I think you have to address the pitching problem, then the IF before anything else. If those issues aren’t met first, I don’t think 2 or 3 Manny’s would make any difference. Manny I think can put you over the top, but I don’t think he can get you there. Not with three starters that’ll be lucky to average 5-5.2 innings per start. At that rate the bullpen’s toast by the end of July.

  149. ramslover

    Jungar I agree money should not be an issue….at least it is not mine….I would spend the money to sign Manny….because you lose 38 mil in Schnidtass and Jones next year, so you lost this year (not really), but next year you have the extra money….

  150. trublu4ever

    I must say, the reading since I’ve been away has been very interesting, indeed. Manny will be a Dodger because, in the long run, he won’t get a better offer anywhere else. There may be a little more negotiation, but, even though Boras is a “magician”, he can only do so much and, Manny, himself will have to decide where he wants to play. However, Frank has stated that he will not break the bank just to sign him.

  151. junkyardjamie

    I just got home myself. Looks like you guys had a lot to talk about earlier. I guess it’s just a wait and see game right now. I really hope they don’t mess with the young core.

  152. junkyardjamie

    trublu – our district just got put on a Budget Freeze late yesterday, but we aren’t sure why. The grapevine says it’s our federal funding, not state. Interesting this happened the day after the election. Only emergency spending will happen and the reason needs to be justified. It doesn’t affect me too much because I tend to spend more out of pocket anyway, but I know some teachers it will hurt alot.

  153. northstateblues

    Listening to some pre-Beatles oldies tonight…

    “Never Let Your Agent Run Your Life” (to the tune of “If you wanna be happy” by Jimmy Soul)

    If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
    Never let your agent run your life
    So from my personal point of view
    Make the deal that’ll work best for you

    A loudmouth agent makes his client look small
    And very often causes a GM’s downfall
    As soon as you sign their man
    Then he start the process over again

    But if you don’t let the agent run your life
    You might end up somewhere you like
    The media hawks will ease up in time
    And you just might find peace of mind

    If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
    Never let your agent run your life
    So from my personal point of view
    Make the deal that’ll work best for you

    Don’t let your agent say you have no taste
    Go ahead and take the contract anyway
    Though the contract’s small, the cash don’t match
    Take it from me, that’s a lotta cash

    If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
    Never let your agent run your life
    So from my personal point of view
    Make the deal that’ll work best for you

    “Say Manny!”
    “Hey baby”
    “Saw your agent the other day”
    “Yeah?”
    “Yeah, it was uuuugly!”
    “Yeah, he was ugly, but he knows his books, baby!”

    If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
    Never let your agent run your life
    So from my personal point of view
    Make the deal that’ll work best for you

  154. junkyardjamie

    Great Song Northstateblues!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel when you do a song, your whole name needs to be used 🙂

    Dodger4life – that is good news about Jimmy on the Tonight Show – fun stuff!!!

  155. junkyardjamie

    Dodger4life/Ward Dear too.. Have you seen the NASCAR Sporting News- Special Collector’s Issue? I bought it for my classroom tonight at the book store. It features the 60 most beautiful people in the sport. Kasey Kahne was number one. Jimmy’s wife (Chandra) was 3rd and Jimmy, himself, was 11th (I thought a little low for him, but who am I to judge). All 60 and then some seem like pretty great people.

  156. junkyardjamie

    Our school was having a fundraiser at Barnes and Noble tonight, so anything we bought, a portion of it went to our school. I never have a hard time finding stuff there – imagine that!!! I was on a search for some kids magazines and some more baseball books.

  157. junkyardjamie

    Jeff’s wife was number 2, and he was number 9. Carl Edwards was number 4 and Krissie Newman (Ryan’s wife) was number 5.

  158. Dodger4life

    Yeah the lady’s husband recently passed, and they took his guns and money. I heard about it on tv, but it is across the street and 4 houses down I hope she is allright.

  159. Dodger4life

    Yes it will Enchanted touched a lot of holes in our system earlier.

    I looked the news article up on the web, she is allright but I sure feel for her. I feel violated and I can imagine how she feels, poor thing.

  160. junkyardjamie

    That must really be a little frightening. It sounds like this one was planned, yes? Just the fact that she recently lost her husband may have prompted this one. That’s just very sad.

    Enchanted is good about touching on all the holes. That is why he is our ITD GM – LOL!!!!

  161. junkyardjamie

    My day went pretty good I must say. Not too much drama in first grade. They have taken to Dodgereric’s challenge pretty well of learning the whole version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” They sing the chorus all day long. Their time reference is not so good so they keep asking when the Dodgers are going to play again. I told them after football season is over. My NASCAR fan (Andres) came decked out in Jimmy Johnson attire today – very cute. The cute part is he had to come and show me before school started since I don’t really see him until an hour later in the day.

  162. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    DANA POINT, Calif. — As was the case with Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers are hoping to keep free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal with a two-year deal, as well. The Dodgers are offering Furcal a two-year contract for about $25 to 30 million, according to a person familiar with their thinking.
    However, a source close to Furcal said “they know that isn’t going to fly.” Furcal is said to have interest from “eight to 10” teams after hitting .357 in an injury-shortened 2008 season. The Orioles and Royals are believed to be two of the other teams involved.

  163. Dodger4life

    Uneventful for the most part, I am still bieng considered for the custodial job.

    That’s cool that makes me feel a little better. I dont think I’ve ever heared that version of the song. Jimmy gear I am jealous LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I did read that Furcal has a lot of interest.

  164. junkyardjamie

    That’s great about the custodial job. There are two long versions – one with Katie Casey (the original done in 1908) as the girl, and one done with Nelly Kelley – hmmm, which would be a fun version too, but I don’t think they would get the whole nickname thing. They know the chorus very well so it’s just a matter of teaching them the two verses, which they seem to be willing to learn it. It’s definitely keeping their mind on baseball, which I am sure their parents are thrilled. It’s better than all those Christmas songs they will be singing soon, which I happen to love by the way. I play Christmas music Thanksgiving day on… it’s just so much fun. I like the classics and the fun stuff as well. We will definitely have to ITD a few. CP has already got one in the vault – “Pierre Got Run Over By a Reindeer”

  165. junkyardjamie

    Furcal with the A’s? hmm!!! That’s Bobby Crosby’s spot. Boy, my A’s friend would be happy about that. She does not like Bobby Crosby.

  166. junkyardjamie

    See…. so many possibilities LOL!!!!!

    I can almost handle anything if they would just keep the core young players intact. Let them just see what would happen.

  167. junkyardjamie

    That’s true – they are just rumors for now. Look how many rumors came to pass last year. Then look at how Manny just showed up at our door one day, almost out of nowhere when most were thinking shortstop.

  168. Dodger4life

    I did’nt have my computer until about the time of the playoff’s, and it is hard to follow just by watching Sportscenter. So I am learning new things daily.

  169. junkyardjamie

    I didn’t know so much until I started reading ITD back a year ago. I still have a lot to learn, especially about contract issues and things like that. Stats I have pretty much got figured out – at least how to navigate to find them now. Some of the stuff I was laughing and angry about then, are the same things most people are laughing and angry about now – Ned and our not so proven veteran leaders in Pierre and Andruw to name a few.

  170. Dodger4life

    No we had breaking news across the street.

    Gas prices$ 1.89 a gallon in Idaho.

    Take the Dodger’s money Manny!!!!!!!!

  171. junkyardjamie

    Well, that’s no fun!!! Gas prices here are $2.37 – $2.59, depending on if we go to Valero or Chevron.

    I agree with you about Manny – take the money Manny!!!!!

  172. Dodger4life

    Yeah Andrew and his $20+ mm contract, with a buck something batting average, asking to be traded, because he is unhappy was making me mad last night.

  173. Dodger4life

    That was up in N.Idaho but still.

    I did have a good morning when NS called him Andruwish princess, I laughed all morning.

  174. junkyardjamie

    Especially when you have Matt and Andre right in the middle of it and always thought of as trade bait because they won’t be able to get rid of Andruw. Because if the Dodgers go through all this trouble to get Manny only to trade away Andre or Matt, to be left with one of them with Manny and Andruw or Pierre, then what good did that do.

    So, if we manage to keep Manny, Pierre is pretty much out of a job as a Dodger unless you trade Matt. If you trade Andre then Matt moves to right and JP/Andruw fight for Centerfield, which is a total loss ethier way – noodle arm vs. strikeout king.

  175. junkyardjamie

    There have been times I have laughed all day over something somebody has said on here or an image placed in my head. The latest was when jungar tried to go to Dana Point, and enchanted reminded him to take Pierre’s sign to be traded. I laughed all day picturing jungar holding a poster with JP on it saying”Take me Please!!!!!”

  176. Dodger4life

    Yeah not much leadership in those two is there.

    Maybe Andruwish princess can wave her magic wand and they will both be off to Atlantis!!!!

  177. junkyardjamie

    Enchanted has a way of putting images into my head that stay there for days. Others are just down right funny.

  178. Dodger4life

    WE LOVE OUR DODGER’S!!!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    24 HOURS A DAY
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    EVERYDAY TALKING DODGER BLUE IS A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  179. junkyardjamie

    No, they just talked about where he is in the Chase (#1). they talked about him and what he was like as a student. He claimed to be somewhat of a class clown. Jay also asked him about superstitions. He used to wear lucky underwear, but doesn’t do that anymore, but he said his crew has quite a few. Also, talked about the physical condition you need to be in to be a race car driver – not as easy as it looks., Jimmy did a very good job – very personable, but he is normally so I didn’t expect anything different.

  180. junkyardjamie

    Kasey Kahne and Andre Ethier have the same birthday – useless information, I know 🙂 Kasey is older though – he is 28.

  181. Dodger4life

    Well Nelly it is getting late, I hope your Friday goes well. If your self consumed pupil is not sick on Monday he will have plenty to write about I’m sure. Have fun with the song and all the other stuff. God-Bless to us all, Good- Night

    GO DODGER’S ALL THE WAY IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!!!!!!!!!!!

  182. junkyardjamie

    Good night Dodger4life – thanks for the chat. I am going to bed too. God Bless, and I will check in tomorrow sometime.

    Good night ITD!!!

  183. trublu4ever

    Good morning ITD – Hope you all have a great Friday. Wouldn’t it be pleasant to go through a day without Manny being the main topic of conversation? Yea, sure! We should talk about what if we don’t sign him………who do we go after? CC? Holliday? Sizemore? Peavy?

  184. messagebear@msn.com

    I’ll leave the Manny discussion alone. Max that I would go for him would be a three year contract, and I don’t think that will get it done. In the meantime, I don’t want us to fall behind with getting some other people that we badly need to fill out the ballclub.

    I think we absolutely must get Hudson and also Juan Cruz. Especially if Furcal will also delay in making a decision to stay with us, we need to settle at least one position with a solid player like Hudson. There are no really solid shortstops on the market, so we may have to go with DeJesus and Hu, but DeWitt should be a good third base option, so with Hudson on second and Loney at first we should be improved overall in the infield compared to last year. I like Cruz for the bullpen as a definite improvement to Proctor and Park, and he could become a legitimate closer prospect. Let’s not wait to put these couple of guys in play through free agency while we’re waiting to see how Manny and CC and couple of other “big names” work out in the negotiations.

  185. craigary

    Goo morning Josh, bloggers and all ya — I know everyone’s on Manny overload but since the LA Times and Jon Heyman’s piece this week intimated that the Dodgers would look at fan reaction to their Manny offer when mulling it over, well dunno if that’s true but if it is, then here’s what I think:

    Two years is too short, it’s a pointless offer if you want to keep him because he’s not gonna take it. I would go THREE YEARS or maybe FOUR (MAX). With a bit lower per year average than the current offer.

    If that’s not enough then see ya later. Manny. None of us want to see him playing OF in his 40s but we also know he’s going to mash for awhile longer and provides the power the team desperately needs. Even if you write off one of those years as an inevitable loss, 2-3 years of mashing is worth the risk. So I consider the 2 year offer kind of embarrassing, not in per year average but in length, but also would consider anything longer then 4 ridiculous too.
    Just MHO.
    Happy TGIF.

  186. junkyardjamie

    Good Morning ITD writers and readers!!!!!!

    Great posts messagebear and Craigary!!!!!

    Have a wonderful day everyone, and I will check in when I can.

    GO DODGERS!!!!!
    365 DAYS A YEAR
    7 DAYS A WEEK
    24 HOURS A DAY
    EVERYDAY TALKING DODGER BASEBALL IS A GREAT DAY!!!!!
    DODGER BLUE ~ WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

    CEO Ethieraholics, dnelly, EnchantedGM’s secretary, ITD Historian, June Darlin’, Junie, Miss Debbie, Mrs. Nelson, nelle, nells, nelly, nellygirl, nellyjune, and Team Mom.

  187. trublu4ever

    Messagebear, Craigary and Dodger4life – Good points. I’d love to get Manny but, as you have stated, there are other options out there. Torre wants pitching and I think that is what he will get. I want to keep Andre, Matt and Russell….. hope that’s what I get!

  188. cpompe1

    Good morning ITD boys and girls!
    Ned was right the other day when he said that we can’t wait forever to have Manny make up his mind. He’s not gonna make it up any time soon. He’ll get offers from other clubs in the next few weeks, but I really don’t think this Manny issue will be resolved until closer to Christmas. That’s just too long to wait for one man. But we MUST get one or two quality SP and shore up our BP. To me, pitching would be my #1 priority. Again, I wouldn’t mind getting Fuentes and moving Broxton back to the 8th inning. I like Sammy, but he is 39. And if we lose out on the CC sweepstakes, we can go after Burnett. I wouldn’t mind it if we saw Burnett in a Dodger uniform.

    Again, I want Raffy to an incentive-laden contract. I like the idea of that two-year contract for about $25 to 30 mil that Jungar posted earlier. I’d like it a lot more if there are a lot of incentives in that! Nelly, I’m with ya girl – I’d like to see who those 8 – 10 teams that are interested too. I can see that Raffy would command a lot of interest, but 8 – 10 teams worth? Not sure about that?

    And the more I think about it, no, I STILL wouldn’t make a major trade within our own division (Peavy, Holliday). No, not at all…

  189. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    For arguments sake. We just got CC and F-rod and Juan Cruz..—posted by Bear….

    There are no really solid shortstops on the market, so we may have to go with DeJesus and Hu, but DeWitt should be a good third base option, so with Hudson on second and Loney at first we should be improved overall in the infield compared to last year

    Loney
    Hudson
    Hu
    DeWitt
    Martin
    Pierre/jones
    Ethier
    Kemp

    Is that offense gonna get it done? Dewitt and Loney will combine for the number of homeruns that ryan howard will hit in a half. Add Hu and Hudsons 15 bombs between them and our whole IF will be lucky to hit the number that Texiera, Fielder, Howard will hit by themselves.


    we should demand more.

  190. enchantedbeaver

    For today’s selection, Mama’s and the Papa’s Creeque Alley:

    Blogger’s itchy and gettin’ kinda bitchy
    Just to get Manny Ra-mirez signed.
    Frank has Neddy jettison Brad Penny
    Tryin’ to get his wallet unbind.
    .
    In his lonely office Logan sat
    And rolled his eyes around while Frank passed the hat.
    Maddux and Kuroda just a gettin’ olda
    in L.A. you know where that’s at.
    .
    And nothing’s getting fat except Andruw’s ***. [burro]
    .
    Neddy said, “Franky you know there aren’t many
    Who can screw the pooch the way that I do; let’s call Joe.”
    Franky said, “Neddy, you’ve got to get us ready,
    sign us a PVL or two.”
    .
    In the dugout ‘lil Juan P sat
    Because his every season’s worse than his last.
    D.Lowe and DeWitt and don’t forget J.Schmidt
    One’s: gone, hurt and too young to hack.
    .
    And nothing’s getting fat except Andruw’s ***. [burro]
    .
    When Ned was a sophomore, raided him the vet store
    And came back with Berroa and Jones.
    Kansas City turnpike, Georgia couldn’t hit right,
    Get us Casey Blake right away.
    .
    When Neddy saw Man-he gave up Andy.
    Called Frank and Joe and things turned out quite dandy.
    Marty and An’dre trying to get more penny
    In arbitration that’s where they’re at.
    .
    And nothing’s getting fat except Andruw’s ***. [burro]
    .
    Sal’ry dumps, big bumps, long slumps, pay jumps –
    And now two guys that don’t want to play.
    Wake up, shake up, half the team it break up;
    Guess it just ol’ Neddy’s own way.
    .
    Blake and Ferk took the plunge into the big pool
    Leaving Frank and Ned looking like the big fools
    Jones and Pierre-a they just don’ta care ‘bout L.A.
    You know where that’s at.
    .
    And the only one getting fat is Scott Borass.
    .
    Frank’s busted, disgusted, Ned he can’t be trusted
    And CC wants to live near the sea.
    Manny won’t take it, a better offer make it
    We think he’ll come eventually.
    Financin’ on American Express cards;
    Parking lot is full, but keepin’ out the goon’s hard.
    Franky’s good intentions, without player sensations
    Can’t go on indefinitely.
    And only the green girdle is becoming a reality…

    Artist: Ship of Fools
    CD: Here We Go Again
    ©NedCo Broken Records 2008

    NedCo – Spreading Frank’s wealth one player at a time.™

  191. messagebear@msn.com

    I agree with jungar that the lineup is still pretty feeble, if that’s what we wind up with, and if we expect not much more than the 2008 productivity. It still needs a Manny, but not if it takes more than a three year contract at $75 million, and Furcal would make a big difference if he’s healthy, but I’d be reluctant to take a chance on him with more than three years and another $45 million contract. The other issue is that it’s time to expect some of the youngsters to make a leap in their improvement. I would specifically include Loney, Martin, and Kemp in that list. If they can’t show a significant improvement next year, including their power numbers, then we just may have the wrong nucleus for a championship and WS drive. In that case none of them should remain untouchable in terms of a trade for an unqualified Ace starting pitcher and a proven power bat.

  192. messagebear@msn.com

    I’m also getting the feeling that Frank will not sanction a big contract lasting more than three or four years, and just look how he’s been burned by Ned in the wasted money department. I can believe that Ned doesn’t have the necessary credibility to build this team with high priced talent. I’ve always thought the guy was incompetent and should have been replaced, so that we could start with a clean slate. I fear that Ned will only be able to repeat with some more PVL selections for next season. He’s not the guy I would trust to bring back Manny or bring a CC to the club. That’s why I at least want him to get a couple of guys like Hudson and Cruz, who at least are not already washed up at the outset. Ned’s style and capabilities SUCK, and that will still be the problem as long as he’s around.

  193. trublu4ever

    enchantedGM – Fantastic song! I needed that today to lift my spirits. Nothing really wrong with me, just a case of the blahs.
    .
    .
    You are so wise Messagebear. Hope Frank and Ned are too.

  194. junkyardjamie

    enchanted ~ Wow!!!! #102!!!! You are on a nice roll these last couple of days – Very Nice!!!!!!

    messagebear – love your direct approach 🙂

  195. junkyardjamie

    Ward Dear…..Matt did a remarkable job!!! I remember most of those pictures the first time, and it is just as touching now. What a proud Dad you must be. Congratulations again to Matt. He is going to do something big some day. I hope you are having a good Friday.

  196. junkyardjamie

    Dodgereric – I did show my class the one picture of Matt standing next to the flag pole with his well decorated uniform. They were very impressed by all the badges. I am hoping it will convince some boys to get involved. Some of them (if not all of them) would benefit immensely from it.

  197. dodgereric

    Hi June Darlin’! The merit badges that he has are actually only two over the minimum for Eagle. He’s never been too much into them, a lot are just too much like school work to him. Most of the really fun ones are the Eagle-required ones – swimming, lifesaving, camping, first aid. I’ve seen boys with so many badges that they are running down their backs!

  198. Dodger4life

    DodgerEric thanks for posting those picture’s. I can just imagine how proud you must be. That was a wonderful thing for Matt to participate in, I truly enjoyed seeing them.

    God bless the scout’s, God bless the soldier’s and God bless the U.S.A

  199. junkyardjamie

    Dodgereric/Ward Dear – You have mentioned that about the badges before, but my students don’t know that – shhhh!. I think they were more impressed seeing Dodgereric’s son to be honest – LOL!!!! Seriously, just the flag project alone is amazing!!!

    Good Afternoon Dodger4life!!!! How is your neighborhood today? On edge a little bit I would assume.

    Enchanted – That might be too big of a request for God to help Ned. However, more power to God if he can keep Ned from making any stupid decisions.

  200. thinkingblue

    Eric…Congratulations to you and your son and thanks for sharing your pictures with us here at ITD. Those pictures are beautifully taken. Where was the flag pole installed? I did noticed the Dodger blue t-shirt.
    .
    Hey some paint company should start naming their blue “Dodger Blue”….LOL!
    .
    Hello ITD…Yeah I’m reading all the post and the updates on Dodgers…Penny is now a free agent. Manny wow…I’m still amaze at the amount of money they are offering him for such little time. And I agree with TRU, Ethier, Martin & Kemp are keepers and non-tradeable…LOVE MY GUYS.
    .
    How is everyone doing?

  201. Dodger4life

    Nelly quiet as usaul I have noticed alot of people down the road, which is good.

    I will talk to you later tonight, Bye

  202. Dodger4life

    WE LOVE OUR DODGER’S!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    24 HOURS A DAY
    EVERYDAY DODGER BLUE IS THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    GO DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  203. northstateblues

    Hello ITD! Sorry I crashed on ya early last night, thanks for the song comments 🙂 I was in a songwriting mood last night. Tonight, I’m in more of a guitar mood, and just got home from grocery shopping, so I’m having a little fun, working on original stuff.

    As far as Dodger things go, I’m just hoping that whatever’s done, the young guns aren’t broken up. This future we’ve been talking about the last few seasons is swiftly coming upon us. If we break that up, our past 3-4 years have been a bust, and we should’ve fought for A-Rod or whoever else were the big-money FA’s over the last few years.

    I’m barely sports minded tonight, and I can’t bring the stats the way Jungar, MessageBear, E, Eric and others can, so I’ll close my mouth on such matters for fear of appearing a fool, for fear that I should open my mouth and remove all doubt 😉

    Hope everyone’s having a good night

  204. northstateblues

    Hey Dodger4life! Glad you liked that AnDruwish princess crack last night, it’s a play on when we used to have JD Drew, and ITD’ers refered to him as the Drewish Princess (although he hasn’t had any fear of getting his pretty uniform grass-stained since going to Boston). I have to say, though, the idea of AnDruw in a dress is a lot funnier than the idea of JD Drew in one.

    “And for my next trick, with my lovely assistant Nedina, I’ll make Frank’s money disappear, teehee”

  205. junkyardjamie

    nsblues – fabulous!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!! and good evening to you sir!!!! Good way to start a Friday night. LOL!!!!!

    GO DODGERS!!!!
    DODGER BLUES ~ WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

  206. junkyardjamie

    Good Evening Dodger4life!!!! I left school pretty early today. Once I am home on Friday, I am pretty much done, unless there’s a HS football, which there isn’t.

  207. Dodger4life

    Friday is usually night out with friend’s for me, but I missed the phone call, so tommorrow is drinking and dancing night.

    I don’t drink at home so I look foward to it.

  208. junkyardjamie

    LOL!!! So, you will catch up tomorrow night 🙂
    Friday night is usually highschool football night for my husband and I, but they are out of town. However, with the new business, I don’t know that we would’ve gone anyway. Once the business really gets up and running, the three partners are going to alternate weekends off and such. So, it’s just my daughter and I home tonight. We are watching some reality show. I am actually reading a magazine and obviously on the computer – LOL!!!

  209. Dodger4life

    What’s the buisness? Daughter’s are cool and fun, I enjoy time with mine. they have’nt been over since school started. Im watching Fresno and Nevada football, Boise State has both coming up.

  210. trublu4ever

    Nstateblues – I can’t wait for Nedina!!
    .
    Good to see you Dodger4life – by the way, love your name….it could very easily be me!!!
    .
    Hi Nellyae – got my Dodger shoes…..fantastic!

  211. junkyardjamie

    We just started Valley Sports Academy. It’s an indoor training facility for baseball – indoor batting cages (with live pitching and machines), pitching mounds and workout machines (treadmills, weight training, etc.). My husband runs the business end, and the other two are coaches who are the experts in teaching techniques of baseball. One coach pitched for the Astros a long time ago, and he is now a pitching coach at a local highschool during the day, correctional officer at night. The other coach is my son’s pitching coach, and he was just hired as a varsity coach at an area highschool. The three of them are a good mix of young and old.

  212. junkyardjamie

    Well, well, well, PierreEW/JoePierre – Where have you been sir? It is so good to see your name on here once again. We have missed you!!!!!!!

  213. Dodger4life

    Thank’s True Blue, I like yours too. Dodger Shoe’s cool!

    Good evening JoePierre!

    That pretty awesome Nelly!

  214. trublu4ever

    Being a Dodger fan sometimes seems like a life sentence…..some good years mixed in with some really awful ones. Let’s hope this next season is what we deserve……a championship once again!!!

  215. junkyardjamie

    Dodger4life – I, who have never played baseball before other than wiffle ball, actually had batting lessons this week for the first time ever. I was actually a water sport athlete (waterpolo and swimming).

  216. trublu4ever

    We should do batting practice Sunday. Throwing the ball wouldn’t be a bad idea either. At least if I don’t hit the ball, I won’t have to run. LOL

  217. Dodger4life

    I grew up in a pool ,but never tried waterpolo, I used to watch my high school team play.

    Its fun to watch.

    I was to busy with baseball and basketball and work.

    Now my summer’s are spent on the golf course.

  218. junkyardjamie

    trublu ~ I am throwing and catching the ball too. Ben has me warming up doing that, then I do the batting.

  219. trublu4ever

    Dodger4life – I want to look good! Then nobody will notice how bad a player I am! I used to have a pretty good throwing arm but that was a long time ago, now I get sore blow drying my hair! lol

  220. junkyardjamie

    dodger4life – I was more of a swimmer. I played waterpolo to keep in shape for swimming – I swam the long distance races and butterfly. That’s great that you are playing golf as long as your are relaxing and enjoying it, which I think you have mentioned you do.

  221. trublu4ever

    I used to play golf with my Dad and his friends. I was really a good player. That was before girls were allowed to play in high school. When I was in high school, girls basketball was played half-court, forwards on one half and the guards on the other. You couldn’t dribble the ball full court. In fact, the girls teams never got to travel like they do now. We weren’t considered worthy enough to be in an actual league…..it was called Girls Athletic Association and we just plasyed locally. Times have really changed.

  222. trublu4ever

    Bowling is a sport where you can drink and bowl at the same time. Before they banned smoking in the bowling alleys, you could light up, take a swig and then throw your bowling ball…….now that’s a sport!!!

  223. Dodger4life

    I didnt start till I was 21 I was working for my dad stocking sheetrock, and he said if you go golfing with me you can have your paycheck early. or you can work and get it later. Tough choice huh! I have been there ever since. last year I called in sick to work only to find my boss waiting for me on the first tee. I am pretty predictable I guess. LOL!!!!!!!!!!

  224. oldbrooklynfan

    Hi ya Nellie, just been following the Manny reports everyday,
    No surprise, knew it would be tough.
    I’m just hoping the other teams, if any, find the Dodger offer too tough to top.

  225. Dodger4life

    I played golf in a tournament for work one time in L.A. and there was one girl there. She shot 68 to win and I shot 69 for 2nd, at the award’s banquet everybody was laughing at me. I was like oh yeah” how much did she beat you by.”
    I also took a date bowling one time and got my a__ handed to me, and I have a 180 average. So girls can compete!

  226. junkyardjamie

    Dodger4life can bowl – Wow!!! not a bad average at all.

    PierreEW – I know you are keeping on top of things. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you 🙂 It’s just good to see you around again.

  227. Dodger4life

    The girl that beat me golfing was pretty cool! The one that beat me bowling rubbed it in pretty hard, so neeless to say that was our last date! lol!!

  228. trublu4ever

    When I was a young lass, I also had a 180 average. I got to travel one season with a friend of mine in the Western Women’s Professional Bowling Association…….what an experience! I was so nervous the first tournament, I could feelk my knees knocking and could barely get to the foul line. After the first ball, I settled down and managed to bowl my average, which I felt was pretty good the first time out.

  229. Dodger4life

    give Manny too much. Sorry

    I know the feeling TrueBlueThe knee’s knocking, not traveling with the girl’s, not that there is anything wrong with that! lol!!!!

  230. trublu4ever

    Dodger4life – the best part of bowling was traveling with my local team to state and national tournaments. We had the best time………met a lot of really nice people and ate some great food……especially in Baton Rouge, LA.

  231. junkyardjamie

    Dodger4life – This is what most real Dodger Fans are afraid of when we talk about Manny being Manny. It’s not a matter of “if”. It’s a matter of “when”

    BTW – I maintained a high 160/low 170 average while bowling.

  232. Dodger4life

    That’s impressive I have’nt bowled for quite some time. I get so sore the next day now. It is still fun though. TrueBlue are you from the cajon state?

    I read another article about us bidding against us for Manny. So buyer beware of course.

  233. trublu4ever

    Dodger4life – we just bowled the Nationals there. It was the best time I ever had on a bowling trip. I got to see the LSU campus and it was quite impressive. We fell in love with the cajun food and music and the people were the best!

  234. Dodger4life

    Pretty state I went there after Katrina for a week. A good friend of mine grew up outside of New Orlean’s.

  235. northstateblues

    I’m horrible at bowling. I like bowling, I’m just horrible at it. Golfing, it took me half the day to complete a 9 hole course. I’m good at Horseshoes, though.

    I can see how that Sportsline writer has a point, but I have a feeling if Babe Ruth played today, many ESPN-era writers would say he was childlike, a philanderring drunk, a horrible influence on children and had no place sullying the pinstripes of America’s team.

    Not that Manny Ramirez is Babe Ruth, but I”m just saying…

  236. Dodger4life

    I had my own drywall buisness for a few year’s and every time I’d turn around my guy’s were on thier cell phone’s. Beetweeen that and bathroom breaks I was Losing a lot of time and money.

  237. trublu4ever

    We drove down to New Orleans while we were there and walked Bourbon Street and bought some souveniers. I found that every state we’d go to, I tried to visit the college or university there and buy a sweatshirt. At the time, sweatshirts were my collectible…..much better than an ashtray or mug.

  238. Dodger4life

    That’s cool TrueBlue I’m not collecting anything but dust these day’s I’m afraid.

    North I agree with you just play and produce I just dont want to be locked into something that does’nt work.

    Or up the ante when none else is. Manny can hit a baseball and has for the Dodger’s.

  239. northstateblues

    Spellcheck is highly overrated, although the Firefox browser has automatic spellcheck that underlines all the words you misspell. It’s like English class away from English class!

    As they say in Iceland, “Neyiuy Ouiece”!

  240. northstateblues

    Not so far tonight, Dodger4life, today’s hot stove news hasn’t been as song-worthy as yesterday was.

    But that can change very quickly, heheh

  241. Dodger4life

    I majored in drywall North and have been typeing less than Manny has been a Dodger. So I’m learning all over again. When I go to fast I create mistakes, but I’m having fun!

  242. trublu4ever

    That sounds like a good idea, Dodger4life. I’ll bet one of our talented song writers will come up with something.

  243. junkyardjamie

    I could write all my songs about JP. He and I just don’t get along. Then again, Ned and I probably wouldn’t get along ethier because he was responsible for the signing of JP. Just the thought of being stuck with him for three more years is just frightening to say the least. So, I can see plenty songs being written about him if he doesn’t find a home who cares about him.

  244. junkyardjamie

    I think it’s time for them to have a new head coach personally. I am not a huge Bulldog Football fan, but I do think they need a changing of the guard.

  245. junkyardjamie

    LMAO!!!!!!! I just picture a poster with his face and his crooked little hat – LMAO!!!!!! “I Need a Home”

  246. Dodger4life

    I’m starting to believe that when I go back to work, I’m going to have ITD withdrawls, I hope the side affect’s are not to severe. LOL!!!!!

  247. junkyardjamie

    The hard part is when the whole group is on a roll and you have to be somewhere. That’s hard, but it’s part of life and it’s not too hard to catch up.

  248. junkyardjamie

    I remember when they were doing that. It was a process to get approval so it was a big deal when it finally got done.

  249. Dodger4life

    Nelly being hard of hearing all my life, I am allway’s playing catch up. I have allway’s been pretty good at it. I can read exceptionally fast, so I should be okay. Yes it is diffucult to miss out on the good times.

  250. junkyardjamie

    That is true about you and catching up. There are some that go back through many days that they have missed as well. I play catch up throughout the school day. My school e-mail lets me know I have a new e-mail, and while I am checking that, I check ITD as well. Also, because my monitor is hooked up to my television, if my television is on, then the students know what I am doing too. If I am laughing they know it’s Dodgers related (usually thinking it’s Dodgereric I am talking to). My husband tends to text me more than talk to me by computer and so do my kids and a few other people.

  251. Dodger4life

    I’d say your plugged into the world then. I know the laughing at the computer feeling ,it has happen to me a few times. LOL!!!

  252. junkyardjamie

    A few times – no kidding!!! There have been some days where it has been an all day thing. The day the calendar got mentioned by jhall – that was an all day LMAO day. The development of the ITD staff was pretty good too. And those are just recent days really.

  253. junkyardjamie

    It’s a good thing he is good with words seeing how he is an English major. He will be a famous author/writer someday, and we will be able to say “We knew him when…..”

  254. Dodger4life

    Is that what he want’s to do? He will still be blogging on this site, we can say we know him, the talented Northstar.

  255. junkyardjamie

    I am not sure what his plans are, and yes, I am sure he will still be blogging with us. He’s hooked just like the rest of us…..Ha!

  256. Dodger4life

    WE LOVE OUR DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    365 DAYS A YEAR
    7 DAYS A WEEK
    24 HOURS A DAY
    EVERYDAY BLOGGING DODGER BASEBALL IS A GREAT DAY!!!!

    GO DODGERS ALL THE WAY IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  257. Dodger4life

    Nelly- I am getting sleepy so I must say Good Night,

    If I dont see you tommorrow have a great day and God Bless You and Yours.

    Peace Out!!!!!

  258. junkyardjamie

    Good Night Dodger4life!!!! It was great chatting with you. Get a good night sleep,and have a great day tomorrow!! God Bless!!!!

  259. junkyardjamie

    ITD rewind….. same old problem with this same veteran player.

    The Pierre signing was so bad you couldn’t have even began to defend it. It was a huge mistake that made our team worse and severely limited the ability to make it better. The nice thing about this mistake though is that we can fix it. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice Ethier’s production because of Pierre’s contract.

    If we sign another outfielder and keep Pierre in the outfield his poor production and defense would basically cancel out the new productive outfielder we got. He’s useless, he needs to go away. I feel bad for saying this cuz he does seem like a nice guy but he just doesn’t belong in a major league outfield.

    By max_power_05 on November 8, 2007 12:39 AM

  260. enchantedbeaver

    Good Morning ITD!!

    New song for the morning – Seekers, Georgy Girl.

    NEDDY BOY
    .
    Hey there Neddy boy.
    Plotting in you’re office 9 to 5.
    Of all the ath-a-letes you meet, you got us Juan Pierre – and Andruw Jones .
    .
    Hey there Neddy boy,
    Why do all GMs just pass you by?
    Could it be your deals don’t fly?, or is it your moustache there?
    .
    You’re always window shopping for PVLs you can buy.
    Those that you’ve got have all come up dry – like Esteban
    .
    Hey there Neddy boy,
    There’s another Neddy deep inside,
    One that won’t make all us cry, and Oh! What a change there’d be,
    The team we’d see! A new Neddy boy!
    .
    [Instrumental Interlude]
    .
    Hey there Neddy boy,
    Dreamin’ of the guys that we could get.
    But whenever you try, they all seem to turn to Schmidt…
    .
    Don’t be so unrelying and undermining our kids.
    Tell Frank to ante up on the bids – Sabathia
    .
    Hey there Neddy boy,
    There’s another Neddy deep inside,
    One that won’t make all us cry, and Oh! What a change there’d be,
    The team we’d see! A new Neddy boy!
    .
    (Hey there, Neddy boy)
    Wake up, Neddy boy
    (Hey there, Neddy boy)
    Come on, Neddy boy
    [Fade]

    (Hey there, Neddy boy)
    Wake up, Neddy boy

    Artist: One Trick Pony
    CD: I Am Mr. Ned
    ©NedCo Broken Records 2008

    NedCo – Where the past is new again, at least to us.™

  261. junkyardjamie

    Good Morning, EnchantedGM ~ Wow!!! 3 songs in 3 days – You are kickin’ butt right now. You have gotten your song writing bug back for sure. NICE JOB once again!!!!!!

  262. junkyardjamie

    Good Afternoon/Evening ITD writers and readers!!!

    GO DODGERS!!!!!
    365 DAYS A YEARS
    7 DAYS A WEEK
    24 HOURS A DAY
    THINKING DODGER BLUE IS THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO!!!!

    Dodger4life – thanks for the Denny update. It looks like Jimmy won the pole, yes?

  263. junkyardjamie

    Dodger4life – too early to be drinking and dancing? 🙂

    THINKING DODGER BLUE MAKES FOR A HAPPY DAY 🙂

  264. Dodger4life

    Everybody was hungover? I am listening to Troy call Usc Cal Game on Internet radio. Watching Oklahoma State~Texas Tech on ABC

  265. junkyardjamie

    LOL!!! I am leaving to go to church at 6:00. Have fun watching your college football. The same games are on here in the house as well – More Cal/USC, but they are switching back and forth. I will catch up with ITD when I return. I am kind of excited about the race tomorrow – should be a good one. Talk to you later… 🙂

  266. trublu4ever

    Dodger4life, Nellyae & Tru……..we are the Three Musketeers!!! All the ITD bloggers have been traded!!! lol

  267. Dodger4life

    Thank you. We play Idaho next week, then Nevada and finish with Fresno State at home Nov. 28th. We have to go undeafeted and somehow jump ahead of Utah for a BCS bid.

  268. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    “When you look at Manny Ramirez, he’s probably the greatest right-handed hitter in the game, and he’s a historic hitter, a future Hall-of-Famer. He’s helped two teams get to their respective League Championship Series. His pedigree in the post-season is, frankly, unmatched..”

    Ok. So when I read this is sigh. I hear the tone Boras says it in and sigh. I get angry. Boy oh boy Boras makes my skin crawl…BUT I get angry at Frank McCourt. First Vlade, then no chance at ANYONE of true impact for 5 years, and now Mannny. Fire the fraking owner. What if any part of this statement above is false?

  269. junkyardjamie

    I grew up a Dodger fan in my house and married a Giants fan. I was a casual fan up until about 3 years ago when I started looking up stats on teams for a little boy in my class at the time. He was an A’s fan and knew I liked the Dodgers. One day he came and told me about the Andre Ethier/Milton Bradley trade, and from that day I was hooked. Also, my neighbor teaching is also a female baseball fan (Braves/A’s) so we started incorporating baseball into the classroom. Now, I have surpassed her into a baseball fanatic, along with other sports. She’s just baseball (no other sports).

  270. trublu4ever

    Jungar – I think Manny is the best right-handed bat in the game, as do all of the baseball analysts, I’ve heard speak of him. I think Frank will do whatever it takes to get him signed. And, I am right all the time! LOL

  271. junkyardjamie

    I have a lot of Dodger memorabilia in the classroom. My hallway is all Dodgers, my desk area is all Dodgers (with Ethierbear who is signed by Andre), and my baseball center has all baseball stuff, but has alot of Dodger stuff as well (most of that is from Dodgereric). So, anyone walking into the classroom knows I am a baseball fan/Dodger Fan.

  272. Dodger4life

    I need to get with the program. I have one beat up old Dodger hat. That’s all that’s left after all the moving.

  273. Dodger4life

    My cousin Mike, is one of these people who never played with any of his toy’s as a kid he has some remarkable stuff. One your teaching neighbor would love, is an orange baseball signed by the 75 Oakland A’s. He got the ball at spring training in Palm Springs and Vida Blue took him on the team bus to get all the signature’s. Still in great condition.

  274. junkyardjamie

    See, it’s those teachers you remember (like your 2nd grade teacher). I am a teacher who likes for them to have experiences while learning. Doing the ABC Baseball Book was an experience, all the programs we do are experiences, the Super Bowl Party, Opening Day of the MLB Season – all experiences. This is what they will remember – not that I taught them how to read, write and do math problems. It’s what I remember as a student – all the fun stuff.

  275. trublu4ever

    The teacher I remember was for high school Geography. We were told never to turn around during a test……..might be cheating and, of course I had to turn to look at my friend. He caught me and for my punishment, I had to draw a map of the United States without looking at any reference. I did such a fantastic job, he posted it on the wall for the entire year! Thanks Mr. Collins!

  276. dodgerzona

    Hello,
    I have a question for Josh or any itd’s readers. What month does the spring training schedule come out

    Thank you

  277. junkyardjamie

    dodgerzona – I don’t know the answer to that question, but it’s a very good question. I am sure some around here knows that information, though.

  278. trublu4ever

    If the pitchers and cathers report in February, you’d think the schedule would come out right after that. Come to think of it, it might come out in January.

  279. Dodger4life

    The teacher I remember was Mr Berg High school english.
    He was funny, One day he told this story. He said it was his mother’s 85th birthday, and he asked her what she wanted. Her reply was Eddie the only thing ive never had has a doobie. Mr Berg said that he loved his mother and wanted to make her happy but he couldnt do that for her. The next day he said there were 9 doobies in an envelope in his teacher’s box. Good ole Mr. Berg!!

  280. junkyardjamie

    That is great Dodger4life! I am teaching at the grade school I was a student at so that in itself brings up a lot of good memories. When i first started teaching there, my principal was my 4th grade teacher. The teachers that were/are there from when I was a student there I still can’t call them by their first names.

  281. Dodger4life

    It was pretty funny, He also had an old Cadallac hub cap and a black ski glove. If a student fell asleep in class he would pull them out go over to the student all while continuing to talk to the class, and beat on it with a steel rod!.Good ole Mr Berg!!

  282. trublu4ever

    Okay, you night owls, I’m going to leave you now……my CSI Miami and New York reruns are starting and, I’m a fan. So, I’ll see you guys tomorrow.

  283. Dodger4life

    My high school was in a rural logging town in Washington. we had 400 freshman and about 35 seniors. Big drop out rate so Mr berg did what he could to get our attention.
    Good ole Mr Berg!!!

  284. junkyardjamie

    So, are you ready for the race tomorrow? Looks like Jimmy might lock it up tomorrow. My Redskins have their bye tomorrow and the Chargers are playing KC, which should be easy for SD, but who knows. So, I will probably watch the race mostly.

  285. junkyardjamie

    Did you see the photo gallery with all the pictures of Torre Gala? He sure does look good taking pictures with all of the Yankees 🙂

  286. Dodger4life

    Yes I am allway’s ready for Nascar I did’nt drink tonight so I should ba awake for the race.

    No where are those picture’s at?

  287. junkyardjamie

    Homepage – bottom – photo gallery (picture of Joe standing in between Derek Jeter and Tino Martinez. There are no Dodgers in any of the pictures.

  288. junkyardjamie

    I wonder if Andre will go to the race. He is a big NASCAR fan too. He is a Jeff Gordon fan, but not sure if he likes any of the newer drivers.

  289. Dodger4life

    We can only hope, I want Gordon to keep his winning streak alive so I’m Pulling for Jeff from here on out and of course Jimmy for the cup.

  290. junkyardjamie

    There doesn’t seem to be too many (or any for that matter) guys I don’t want to see win. There are no equivalents to the Giants so-to-speak in NASCAR, are there?

  291. junkyardjamie

    I have noticed that about Kyle. He didn’t make the list of the 60 most beautiful people in NASCAR, and that wasn’t surprising.

    As far as concerts – country I have seen Garth Brooks, George Straight, Alabama, Diamond Rio, Mark Chestnutt and Tracy Lawrence – all when I was living in Memphis (early 90’s). In my younger days I saw REM, YES, Duran Duran. Now, I go to Contemporary Christian Concerts (Rock style music) – 3rd Day, Newsboys, Kutless, Hawk Nelson, and Matthew West is singing at our church next weekend. However, if given the opportunity, I would love to see the Eagles in concert. They are one of my all time favorite classic rock bands. James Taylor would be another one, along with Elton John and Billy Joel – I could go on and on about music – I like it more than movies really. I buy music over movies.

  292. Dodger4life

    James Taylor is awesome, Elton brings the 70’s to mind. I win ticket’s quite often on the radio. I took my daughter to Third Eye Blind with Cypress hill a few years ago. Van Halen with Sammy Hagar is one of my favorites, but mostly country these day’s. I did see Pink Floyd at the Oakland colusiem in the 80’s that was different. Bieng in the bay area, lot of wierdo’s so to speak.

  293. junkyardjamie

    ….definitely Van Halen (with ethier Sammy or David) and we would love to see AC/DC – We just got their new album – very old style and very good. Never saw Pink Floyd, but I could imagine……

  294. Dodger4life

    I unplugged my modem had to start all over again, yeah AC/DC is good havent heard the new stuff. I seen Van Halen at the Cow Palace. That was interesting there was a homeless guy taking a shower at about noon stark naked in the fountain at city hall. LOL!!!

  295. Dodger4life

    WE LOVE OUR DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    24 HOUR’S A DAY
    EVERYDAY WITHOUT BASEBALL IS JUST ANOTHER DAY !!!!!!

  296. Dodger4life

    I was thinking about giving Andre a review on my cooking which would be a negative one and how much I look foward to his review’s LOL!!!!

  297. junkyardjamie

    lol!!!! I am trying to think of something clever, but no such luck yet. I could tell him his name gets mentioned at least 100 times in my class (usually along with Dodgereric), and it’s not by me(add another 10-15 times if you include me – LOL), and that we sing his song once a week by request.

  298. junkyardjamie

    One of my students is a future ITD song writer. She took the chorus to “You are My Sunshine” and turned it into a song about Andre. She doesn’t know we do stuff like that all the time on ITD.

    You are our Andre
    Our only Andre
    You make us happy
    When you play ball
    You’ll never know Dre
    How much we love you
    Please don’t trade
    Our Andre away

    a first grader wrote that – only word I helped her change was “take” to “trade”and explained what trade meant.

  299. junkyardjamie

    Yes, I have- I think it was during the playoffs some time. I think it was the thread before this current one where the Phillies fans were misbehaving.

  300. Dodger4life

    I was trying to find Kenny Chesney’s old Blue Chair and maybe do a song about Jaunpy and Andruwish princess fighting over it LOL!!!

  301. junkyardjamie

    The song we normally sing is a medley with “This Little Light”. She wants to do the whole song eventually. I told her I would work on it during the winter break if she doesn’t do it herself, and then we can post it when he comes back as a Dodger ethier for Opening Day or his birthday, which is April 10th (her birthday is April 2nd).

  302. junkyardjamie

    You would have fun doing the songs for ITD. It’s addictive just like the rest of it. Enchanted started it last year and 400+ songs later, he (and the rest of us) are still doing them. Some are positive, some are not so positive – LOL!!!!

    You should do it……….

  303. Dodger4life

    I can see the video now! Taking place in the dugout, maybe with Manny getting tired of them and taking it out to left field. LOL!!!!!!!

  304. junkyardjamie

    LOL!!!!! That must just kill JP when he does stuff like that. I can see Andruw maybe having the sense of humor for it, but JP doesn’t seem like someone who would have fun with it at all.

  305. junkyardjamie

    nsblues definitely started something that will have many songs and other fun things done until they are traded, and if not, God help them. Not to mention what the others (enchanted, eric, etc. ) have up their sleeves if they don’t find homes for these two (Dodger) useless outfielders.

  306. junkyardjamie

    I told them back when they first started writing these songs, they should publish somehow. These songs are no different than what Weird Al Yankovic does.

  307. junkyardjamie

    GM – enchanted
    Manager – Dodgereric
    Trainer – jhall
    Bench Coach – sara ( and Erica Durance)
    Head Bat Girl – cpompe/CP
    Head of Security – Scott (assts – Jessica, Angelina and Halle)
    Aesthetics Coordinator – kpookimon/Kahli
    ITD Merchandizer – trublu
    ITD Activities Director/Spanish Translator – dodgersrule
    Royal Usher/ITD Video Choreographer – Dodger4life
    Groundskeeper – Diggie/Sparkleplenty
    Team Artist – northstateblues
    Chief Garbage Removal Engineer (unruly Fans) – dcollins
    Team Psychologist – Obi (appointed)
    ITD On-Site Event Reporter – Emma/crzblue
    Team Mom/CEO ETHIERAHOLICS/ITD Historian – dnelly/June Darlin’
    Team nurse – xoxrussell
    massage therapist – bluecrewgirl
    Community/Media Relations – Jeanette
    Director, Hospitality and Ambassador Program – Amy
    Scorekeeper and Assistant Trainer – Biddyboo ?
    Director of Concessions – Max Power (appointed)
    Team Photographer – acardona

  308. junkyardjamie

    NO KIDDING!!! Where in the world is everyone? hmmmm!! Seriously, how much can be said about Manny at this point. Everyone has said what they feel should be done. Josh needs to come up with another talking point so we have something else to talk about other than Manny. We know what has to happen in order to get Manny so we need to move on and discuss other things until that issue is figured out one way or another.

  309. Dodger4life

    We are the cheering section.

    WE LOVE OUR DODGERS!!!!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    24 HOUR’S A DAY
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    DODGER BASEBALL ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!

  310. Dodger4life

    Get your Manny dread’s, take my juanpy shirts and Andruwish princess tutu’s at the ITD souvenier store now!

  311. junkyardjamie

    We could have our own ITD merchandise store at Dodger Stadium and help support “Keep the Young Guns and Manny Fund”

  312. kpookiemon

    Aesthetics Coordinator, here.

    “I think he’d like to come back, but I think he’s at a point in his career where he wants some longevity, and I understand that,” Joe Torre said… “It may take awhile. Manny is a special player, and I don’t think this is going to be done overnight, because I think he has to explore.

    “I know he enjoyed being with us. We certainly enjoyed having him. Hopefully it makes sense.”

    As promised…when Manny signs…player dresscode will stipulate dreadlocks, Torre included. Further, as Aesthetics Coordinator–also as previously promised (redundant as that might be)–tie-dye batting gloves for 2009. Perhaps wrist bands, too. I know that traditionalists are cringing, but hey, you know…Frank’s gotta recoup some coin and I see replica souvenirs becoming a cash cow. Anyway, Joe’s got two years left on his contract; it would make sense for Manny to ride that train and see what happens. Let’s hope Uncle Joe’s optimism comes to pass. That frees enchanted to “recycle” Juan and Andruw. It’ll take genius…but that’s why he’s GM.

  313. junkyardjamie

    Good “Late” Evening Kpookiemon/Kahli – great points as always – If anybody can find a way to keep Manny and get rid of Andruw and JP, it would be enchanted – too bad he’s just ITD’s GM.

  314. junkyardjamie

    ….maybe instead of having a telethon to keep Manny, we can have a telethon to get rid of JP and Andruw. That way we aren’t tying ourselves up with having to have Manny. Not saying I don’t want him, but if the goal is to find a home for Andruw and JP, then that frees up money for 3rd base/pitching too.

  315. kpookiemon

    Bill Veeck and Charles Finley liked to ruffle style feathers. Manny and tie-dye would be great for the sport. Baseball’s becomes a bit stodgy. Humbolt County would flock to AT&T to see Manny swat the Gnats.

  316. junkyardjamie

    LMAO!!!!! that would be cool!!!!!!!! So much better than the Padres and their camoflauge. The camolflauge was a good idea. Maybe they needed a different style or color to pull it off better.

  317. junkyardjamie

    It’s three o’clock in the morning in Idaho…. jhall will be getting up in Ohio soon – scary thought!

  318. kpookiemon

    A telethon is genius–I’m surprised enchanted didn’t think of it! Purging Juan and Andruw via public donations will foster community spirit and create shared involvement. “Buy ’em out…set ’em free.”

  319. junkyardjamie

    ITD rewind….many were thinking this was a possibility a year ago.

    Personally I would love for A-Rod to sign the dotted line and come to the Dodgers no matter the cost. Far more so than trading off the kids to fill one hole, while opening up more along the way in the process.

    If you put a winning product on the field Los Angeles will come and watch, regardless of ticket prices. Heck even when we’re losing we still draw 45,000 a night. A-Rod will come with a big contract, but he’s box office. And he’d be coming to a team headed in the right direction.

    By alex41592 on November 9, 2007 11:50 PM

  320. Dodger4life

    My buddies are duck hunters and are to tired to clean them so Ive been doing that for beer when we go out 🙂

  321. junkyardjamie

    Well, I do have a first grader who hunts deer. The same one who had a “Fear Factor” party today. My husband was thinking about that and wondering if the mom is just going to make everything appear like it’s gross by using real food, but making it look nasty. I guess I will find out on Monday.

  322. junkyardjamie

    ….however, his parents do own a ranch and do have access to animal organs and a live gold fish isn’t hard to come by…..

  323. junkyardjamie

    …back to the ITD fundraiser to free Andruw and JP. We could have an ITD bar, come up with specialty drinks like you were talking about for every player, and then sell those to make money for our “Free JP and Andruw” Fund.

  324. Dodger4life

    I have eaten a lot of stuff on construction jobs since coming here but no insides. Black bear taste like roast beef bielve it or not. Many indian friends.

  325. junkyardjamie

    I eat sushi, shellfish and calamari/squid – enough said on that, and the strangest game animal I have eaten would have to be elk. My father-in-law used to hunt elk and pheasant. Our church has a men’s night called “Wild Game” Night where they get to try all those types of foods, but it’s for boys only. My husband said the strangest thing was rattlesnake sausage.

  326. junkyardjamie

    Good night Dodger4life – it was fun tonight. We came up with some ideas for enchanted to work on to help in the moving of JP and Andruw. Maybe Dodgereric will be back tomorrow. He must have had a busy weekend planned.
    Good Night and God Bless!!!!

    kpookimon/Kahli – it was good to see you 🙂

    GO DODGERS!!!!!
    THINKING DODGER BLUE THE WHOLE YEAR THROUGH

  327. Dodger4life

    I cant get pass the gamey smell of elk, deer is allright but give me In and Out any day. There is’nt any here though.

    I have’nt tried rattlesnake yet .

  328. trublu4ever

    EnchantedGM – I knew you would come up with the specialty drinks. LOL I’ve been thinking but, couldn’t come up with anything as clever as yours. The telethon idea by Dodger4life, Nellyae was very good too. Bet we’d raise a fortune!

  329. enchantedbeaver

    Cue Pacabel in the background (softly.)

    In these trying times, many of today’s Dodgers are finding it harder to cope with lack of playing time due to diminished skills. Through no fault of their own, there is now an abundance of outfielders that bring much more to the table than these two [un]loveable mascots – Trigger and Cow. What could be more American than farm animals? That’s why we’ve created the TAKE MY JUANPY and TAKE MY ANDRUW PLEASE! telethon. It’s not just Jerry Lewis crying… We’re all crying at the thought of these two. When Sally Struth, I mean Andruw Jones showed up to camp overweight, it was a cry for help (trust me, we all cried.) And look at poor innocent Juan Pierre with his little crooked hat and noodlearm. He really got the business. That’s why we need your help to get them out of Los Angeles and back on the field where they can be of real help to the team – by playing on someone else’s. So give generously and give often. Contributions are not tax deductible, but it will bring you, and especially us, much joy if you pass it on to 25 people you know.

    Thank You.

    © 2008 The NedCo Take My Juanpy/Andruw Please Foundation.™

  330. enchantedbeaver

    The JoJo: Your choice of 9 of 25 ingredients, but it takes you 6 months to figure out the right combination.

  331. trublu4ever

    LOL, EnchantedGM. You will be receiving many, many donations. Just the ITD family alone should donate almost enough to get them out of town! Ah, yea, the money will be flowing……….so, please, SHOW US THE MONEY!!!!

  332. enchantedbeaver

    The Colletti Confetti – Just a bunch of old run of the mill ingredients that you spend big bucks on trying to put together.

  333. enchantedbeaver

    The Jason Schmidt – Old eye of gnat with a Muddled Cider chaser. (Don’t stir too hard or you’ll develop a sore shoulder.)

  334. enchantedbeaver

    The ManRam – Red Bull with a dash of Sangria, taken with a grain of Scott Boras salt. Goes down easy at first, but may come back to haunt you later.

  335. enchantedbeaver

    The Green Girdle – Creme de menth and a few nuts with high expectations. (Can be tough to hold in and control.)

  336. trublu4ever

    Love the Man-ram and Schmidt! My thought process is in a fog……….hey, I’m muddled cider!
    .
    Nomar has to have a drink with a lot of cracked ice.
    .
    I think Jeff Kent is just an Old Fahioned.

  337. junkyardjamie

    Good Morning, EnchantedGM!

    I see you got all of my notes. Good!!! You are coming up with some fabulous drink names, and your Telethon Public Service Announcement is remarkable as well. Do I need to catch you up anything at this time.

    Nells,
    Secretarial Affairs for EnchantedGM

  338. enchantedbeaver

    The Jeff Kent – Old Fashioned served with salt and sours in a trash can by a waiter with an untucked shirt.

  339. junkyardjamie

    You are doing a mighty fine job of talking to yourself. Kpookiemon left you some suggestions as well about clothing – tye dye perhaps.

    LMAO!!!!!!

    I will make sure all of these drinks are filed away for easy access when needed.

  340. junkyardjamie

    If we can get 50,000 people (which is just over the max. capacity at DS) to give an average of $25, then we could raise $1,250,000 and that is just donations straight up.

  341. junkyardjamie

    If we sell our drinks at $8 a shot (cheap for Dodger Stadium), and we sell an average of 1 per customer, we can earn another $400,000. Then you take in the merchandise which can be sold an average cost of say $25 per item (also cheap for Dodger Stadium), and everyone buys two items, that would earn us $2,500,000 more. That’s a total of $4,150,000. I think that is a significant chunk of change for a very worthy cause.

  342. enchantedbeaver

    The Ned Donkey-Yoti – Curacao, Creme de Schmidt, plus a plethora other lesser ingredients. Too many of these has you proving that you’re an ***.

  343. junkyardjamie

    We think you are doing a fabulous job as our ITD GM. Always on top of the situation and willing to listen to suggestions.

  344. enchantedbeaver

    The Mark Sweeney – Bourbon with a little sage and a rusty nail. Drink as many as you want because when you fall off the stool, you still won’t hit the floor.

  345. enchantedbeaver

    The Matt Kemp – Good old homemade bathtub gin. Big kick, but may cause you to run irratically now and then.

  346. junkyardjamie

    Keep them coming EnchantedGM – I have to go out of the office for a little while. I will be back and catch up with the rest of your drinks. That is some list so far – LOL!!!!

  347. enchantedbeaver

    The Gary Maddux – Crevosier mixed with Dom Perignon. May have to fight the urge to pee on someone’s leg.

  348. junkyardjamie

    LOL!!! That’s very good EnchantedGM. You are earning your title for sure. Thank you – I will make sure I update the list.

  349. trublu4ever

    EnchantedGM – I’m wondering if you suffer from insomnia….the way your mind is running on full speed all the time, you must have many restless nights.

  350. junkyardjamie

    I can’t imagine why enchanted 🙂 There is always the late, late version of ITD to take care of any insomnia issues you may have. We are busy at night coming up with things for you to do – LOL!!!!

  351. enchantedbeaver

    The And-roid – Georgia peach schnapps and a creme or clear chaser. Be wary of de-tox from these as you believe you hear boos coming from every direction.

  352. junkyardjamie

    My goodness EnchantedGM – Who do you have left? Boy, give you a job and you really take it to heart – fantastic job you are doing. Your staff will be very pleased.

  353. junkyardjamie

    Just recapping our EnchantedGM’s productive day……
    .
    Cue Pacabel in the background (softly.)
    .
    In these trying times, many of today’s Dodgers are finding it harder to cope with lack of playing time due to diminished skills. Through no fault of their own, there is now an abundance of outfielders that bring much more to the table than these two [un]loveable mascots – Trigger and Cow. What could be more American than farm animals? That’s why we’ve created the TAKE MY JUANPY and TAKE MY ANDRUW PLEASE! telethon. It’s not just Jerry Lewis crying… We’re all crying at the thought of these two. When Sally Struth, I mean Andruw Jones showed up to camp overweight, it was a cry for help (trust me, we all cried.) And look at poor innocent Juan Pierre with his little crooked hat and noodlearm. He really got the business. That’s why we need your help to get them out of Los Angeles and back on the field where they can be of real help to the team – by playing on someone else’s. So give generously and give often. Contributions are not tax deductible, but it will bring you, and especially us, much joy if you pass it on to 25 people you know.
    .
    Thank You.
    .
    © 2008 The NedCo Take My Juanpy/Andruw Please Foundation.™
    .
    By enchantedsunset on November 9, 2008 7:38 AM
    .
    Here is a list of the drinks for our current Dodger Organization and some other noteables: All invented by our ITD GM – EnchantedSunset
    .
    The Frank Going For Broke: 99% Muddled Cider and 1% Loganberry.
    .
    The JoJo: Your choice of 9 of 25 ingredients, but it takes you 6 months to figure out the right combination.
    .
    The Colletti Confetti – Just a bunch of old run of the mill ingredients that you spend big bucks on trying to put together
    .
    The Jason Schmidt – Old eye of gnat with a Muddled Cider chaser. (Don’t stir too hard or you’ll develop a sore shoulder.)
    .
    The ManRam – Red Bull with a dash of Sangria, taken with a grain of Scott Boras salt. Goes down easy at first, but may come back to haunt you later.
    .
    The Green Girdle – Creme de menth and a few nuts with high expectations. (Can be tough to hold in and control.)
    .
    The Larry Bowa – Old Grandad and red chile peppers. Agitate and serve hot.
    .
    The Broxton – Johnny Walker straight up.
    .
    The Joe Torre – Jack Daniels. Sip leaning up against the bar rail.
    .
    The Andruwish Princess – Curacao & Milk.
    .
    The Derek Lowe – too many highballs and you get hammered.
    .
    The Nomar – The finest Tequila served over cracked ice in a crystal vase
    .
    The Big Juan – Near beer served with a dash of bitters
    .
    The DY – A smooth little drink that mostly gets ignored on the menu
    .
    The Jeff Kent – Old Fashioned served with salt and sours in a trash can by a waiter with an untucked shirt
    .
    The Martin – Start out slammin’ beers, but by the end of the night you’re too tired to finish
    .
    The Dre – Kahluha with some cream and a little stardust……..smooth and dreamy! (official drink of Ethieraholics)
    .
    The Ned Donkey-Yoti – Curacao, Creme de Schmidt, plus a plethora other lesser ingredients. Too many of these has you proving that you’re an ***
    .
    The Mark Sweeney – Bourbon with a little sage and a rusty nail. Drink as many as you want because when you fall off the stool, you still won’t hit the floor
    .
    The Matt Kemp – Good old homemade bathtub gin. Big kick, but may cause you to run irratically now and then
    .
    The Kershaw – Southern Comfort and Habaneros. Served by your rocking chair. (I.D. required.)
    .
    The Gary Maddux – Crevosier mixed with Dom Perignon. May have to fight the urge to pee on someone’s leg
    .
    The Loney – Sloe Gin with coffee grounds. Order two at a time and make it a doubleplay
    .
    The Parking Lot Attendent – Blue Curacao on the rocks. Cost – $15
    .
    The Bud Selig – Old sour mash and rainwater. Takes three days to finish one
    .
    The And-roid – Georgia peach schnapps and a creme or clear chaser. Be wary of de-tox from these as you believe you hear boos coming from every direction
    .
    The Vin Scully – Aged Johnny Walker Red. Savor to the last drop

    gladly submitted by Nells
    Secretarial affairs for EnchantedGM

  354. amyw27

    Good evening everyone. I haven’t been on in a few days so I thought I’d stop by.
    .
    Enchanted: you are hilarious my friend 🙂 this is my favorite one…
    ….

    The JoJo: Your choice of 9 of 25 ingredients, but it takes you 6 months to figure out the right combination.
    By enchantedsunset on November 9, 2008 7:46 AM***
    .
    I love it. So funny, So true 🙂

  355. junkyardjamie

    enchanted – trublu and I were in Fresno yesterday shopping and we thought of you when we got to the corner of Shaw and Blackstone – no Bob’s Big Boy 😦

  356. junkyardjamie

    Good Evening Amy!!! How are you doing? I hope all is well with you.

    THINKING DODGER BLUE MAKES IT A GOOD DAY!!!!

  357. northstateblues

    Good evening LonelyTru and Dnelly! Hi Amy, sorry I missed you, hope things are well PopLegend

    longish weekend so far, but now it’s coming to a close, and new Family Guy to boot! And no terrible Dodger news, but rumors might be another story. I’m sure Rosenthal has us trading half the farm for Magglio Ordonez and Todd Jones.

    Enchanted (if you’re still around by any chance), Up in Chico, they have a place called Panama Bar Cafe that has around 35 different drink mixes, and until a few years ago, you could pay 25 bucks to try to drink them all, and if you did, you’d get a spiffy t-shirt touting your achievement. Do I get a t-shirt if I knock back all those concoctions? Or just a September ’07-sized headache?

    Be back later 🙂

  358. junkyardjamie

    I just had to post to get rid of the 666 post 🙂

    THINKING DODGER BASEBALL 24/7 – MOST PEOPLE SAY IS HEAVEN

  359. junkyardjamie

    nsblues – I don’t know what you would get, but it would certainly be fun to watch (or not) depending on how you hold your alchohol – LOL!!!!

  360. junkyardjamie

    Well, as long as you are not sick, that’s good. It’s impossible to just observe – you won’t be able to stop the urge to say something so don’t even try. It’s too late, you are addicted – LOL!!!!! Enchanted did a great job with our suggestions last night, don’t you think. He is turning out to be a great GM. However, it seems like much of his staff has disappeared. Hopefully they haven’t been traded.

  361. junkyardjamie

    Good Evening Ward Dear….. enchanted has been keeping himself busy today. Maybe the knowledge of alcohol will do him well in his new position as GM. It looks like Dodger4life can help him in that capacity, and maybe nsblues as well.

    ….and how has Dodgereric been? Jimmy did awesome today. I was pulling for him all the way. Denny did well too – 5th.

  362. Dodger4life

    GO DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  363. junkyardjamie

    Dodger4life…so I am assuming all we can manage are cheers tonight? Well, that will be your job tonight then – spirit leader 🙂

  364. Dodger4life

    WE LOVE OUR DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!
    365 DAY’S A YEAR
    7 DAY’S A WEEK
    24 HOUR’S A DAY
    TAKE MY JUANPY PLEASE!
    MANNY TAKE THE DODGER’S MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  365. junkyardjamie

    I suck at playing instruments. I can play very little piano, but other than that, I have a much appreciation for anyone who can play an instrument. I had to take a music class in college – I can read it, just can’t play it. ..not such a great singer ethier. It’s good I teach 1st grade – they don’t know the difference yet.

  366. junkyardjamie

    We are 4th!!!

    MLB PRO BLOGS

    1. Hot Stove Blog 10x runnerup, 100x top fan blog, a must RSS for ANY blogger
    2. Shane Victorino’s Postseason Blog
    3. Bombers Beat
    4. Inside the Dodgers
    5. The Max *
    6. Carlos Pena’s Postseason Blog
    7. Mets in the AFL
    8. The Baseball Collector
    9. Brownie Points
    10. Down the Line with the Phillies Ballgirls

  367. Dodger4life

    Manny take the Dodger’s money and you can party like a rock star!!!!!!

    GO DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  368. junkyardjamie

    How are you doing Dodger4life? Maybe you and nsblues can try all of enchanted’s concoctions. Enchanted may have the knowledge but it appears maybe the two of you have the stomachs for it.

  369. Dodger4life

    GO DODGER’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  370. dodgereric

    I’ve been busy-busy……I spent most of yesterday at Magic Mountain. Man, do they ever have some interesting rides in that place! I haven’t been there since just after they built the Colossus, somewhere around ’84-’85. That X2 ride was wilder than sky diving!

  371. junkyardjamie

    Wow!!!! How fun!!!!! I love that place!!! The last time I was there was when they built The Viper – a long time ago, but after the Colossus. So, was the X2 your favorite? I heard it’s pretty wild like you said. We tend to go to Great America in Santa Clara – just closer 🙂

  372. junkyardjamie

    LOL!!!! Go to bed Dodger4life – too much drinking and dancing tonight I think, or was it 5 hours of drinking during the race because it was a long one with to red flags today.

  373. dodgereric

    Matt and I were standing in line for what we THOUGHT was the Viper when we saw the people going up on X2. We looked at each other and said, “No way are we going on THAT thing!” Then later it became obvious that we were in line for X2. Gut-check time! Now it was, “no way are we wimping out!”

  374. junkyardjamie

    Ward Dear…Good for you!!!! LOL!!!!! That’s great!!!!!!

    Dodger4life – so you are not going to bed? Monterey of the Rockies? That brings up pleasant thoughts – love Monterey.

  375. dodgereric

    June Darlin’, I’ll always be able to remember the day I went sky diving. It was a Saturday and my best buddy talked me into going to the airport in Lake Elsinore and go do this stupid thing. When I got home, I watched Saturday Night Live and Chevy Chase announced that this was the only day in the century that you could write the date 12345678. At 12:34 on 5/6/78.

  376. junkyardjamie

    Ward Dear.. That is incredible!!! That’s definitely a day that goes down in YOUR history book. I don’t think I could ever do that. I can do any roller coaster, but I can’t do Ferris Wheels – something about falling vs. height I would assume. I don’t mind the height, it’s the falling that bothers me. In roller coasters, I feel secure – ferris wheels I don’t.

  377. junkyardjamie

    Are you kidding?!? Must be nice!!!! Well, you definitely deserve it, and I shouldn’t complain, I have the whole Thanksgiving week off 🙂

  378. dodgereric

    Well, tomorrow is Matt’s next checkup and I guess it’s time to tell that tale. I’ve been getting kicked off here lately so I’m switching to Word. I’ll be back in a spell. 🙂

  379. junkyardjamie

    You said you were coming up on a year anniversary of Matt being in the hospital. I am assuming you got through the weekend pretty good with the anniversary of your dad’s passing. We are coming up on my father-in-law’s, which is actually on Thanksgiving this year (my youngest brother’s birthday too). It will have been three years. I will get coffee 🙂

  380. dodgereric

    Yeah, I made it through that just fine. The excitement of Matt’s Eagle stuff put a huge dent in it!

    I’ll try to make it short, but there’s no real chance of that! LOL!!

    It started last August. Matt complained that his left nostril was plugged and he couldn’t get it cleared. We spent the next couple of weeks trying the usual over-the-counter stuff. Nothing made a dent. We asked the pharmacist if there was anything else stronger. He told us about some stuff that I had to show my driver’s license and sign for. We tried that for a couple weeks. No go.

    We went to our doctor and saw a nurse-practictioner. She examined him and prescribed the usual antibiotic for a sinus infection. Ten days later, no change. We went back and they said we’ll be seeing the nurse again and I said, no thank you, we want to see the doctor this time. He examined him and prescribed a stronger antibiotic and a nose spray. Ten days later he was still plugged up and he had a couple of nose bleeds. We went back to the doc.

    He started the procedure to get us to an Ear-Nose-and-Throat guy. That took a while. Now the other nostril is blocked too. We finally saw him and he said that we’ll try this stuff and if it works, then his ‘turbinates’ will need to be shrunk up. We tried it and nothing changed. Now he says that he needs to get the authorization to use a special tool. We wait for a few more days until that happens, go back and he looks up his nose. He says that he needs a catscan. His nose bleeds are getting more frequent now. Bear in mind that he’s going through football practices every day, at least until his nose starts bleeding again.

    We wait until the authorization for that comes through and then we get the catscan done. The results go to the doctor and we go back to the ENT. He says that Matt has an ‘angiofibroma’. It’s a tumor that is almost always benign, but a very invasive critter. It’s full of blood vessels that bleed profusely and needs to be worked on at a major medical facility due to the massive blood loss that occurs during the surgery. Now we wait for THAT authorization.

    We’re well into November by now. We have an appointment to see a doctor at the Irvine Medical Center (about 70 miles away) for the Thursday before Thanksgiving. By this time, Matt is getting 4 – 5 nose bleeds a day. And they’re not the ordinary bleeds – they don’t occur in the nose. They’re back in the sinus cavity. He has to plug his nose and wait for the blood to coagulate enough to create a plug. Insane. It would start whenever he sneezed. At the end, all it took was to chew food. All of his clothes were bloodstained. There were Kleenexes and toilet paper with blood on them all over the house.

    The day before that appointment, he walked into our bedroom at 3am, saying that he’s had a bleed for that last 3 hours and it won’t stop. I call our doctor’s service. They tell us to go to an emergency room. Now I know that there’s nothing they’re going to do for him in an ER. I also know that as soon as this new doc sees him for himself, he’ll get moving on this thing. So we quickly pack for a few days and head out for the Irvine Medical Center in Anaheim. We’re fighting the early morning drive and we finally get there around 7am. We checked into the ER there and tell them what’s happening and who our doctor is. They get him into a room and one of the nurses tells me that if our doc was a baseball player, he’d be Willie Mays – a no-brainer, first ballot Hall of Famer! Now he’s speaking my language and I’m instantly feeling better.

    I think I’ll cut and paste this now to keep you from falling asleep. More to follow………..

  381. junkyardjamie

    ITD rewind….. a year ago Martin moving to 3rd was a topic of discussion just like it is today.

    Just an off-the-wall thought, as long as everybody is speculating. What if we returned Martin to his original 3rd base position and signed Posada as the catcher for 3 or 4 years? Don’t think that would damage our productivity at catcher, and it would fill the hole at third without giving up the farm for Cabrera or $350 million for A-Rod.
    .
    By messagebear on November 10, 2007 6:47 AM

    Just an off-the-wall thought, as long as everybody is speculating. What if we returned Martin to his original 3rd base position and signed Posada as the catcher for 3 or 4 years? Don’t think that would damage our productivity at catcher, and it would fill the hole at third without giving up the farm for Cabrera or $350 million for A-Rod. messagebear, I had the same idea in the middle of last season and people told me it was ridiculous. I still think it makes sense. It would prolong Russ’s career and he’d probably be an even better hitter.
    .
    By fliegel on November 10, 2007 7:23 AM

  382. junkyardjamie

    More ITD rewind from a year ago today…..

    MESSAGEBEARER: How do you guy come up with this stuff? I never thought of it. Martin back to 3rd, and Posada behind the plate. Messagebearer, You’re the man. I thing Jorge has a mancrush on Torre and it could happen. You got you’re wish with Little so you never know(Maybe you do). I thing he along with Mo will stay here in N.Y. But like I said Mes, your wishing well does have some magic.
    .
    By pierreseastmeetswest on November 10, 2007 10:43 AM
    Report any abuse or spam

    If Messagebearer’s wishing well doesn’t respond and the Rodman ends up at third, it proberbly would be great for old Dodger fans like me in Brooklyn. Like it’s being said A-Rod will make headlines all over, including here and maybe the N.Y. papers will have more than a paragraph everyday on what the Dodger’s did the night before. I of course will be interested, not only in A-Rod but the entire former N.Y. team.
    .
    By pierreseastmeetswest on November 10, 2007 10:54 AM

  383. dodgereric

    The doc comes in around 8 and he starts in on checking him out. He suctions all that blood out enough to see what he needs. He said that we did good in bringing him in and he’s going to take care of him. It’s going to take two procedures.

    The first one involves plugging up the blood vessels feeding that thing. Around 6pm, they go into his groin with a cathader and send it up into his sinus cavity. He shoots little plastic pellets into all the veins they can get to in order to stop the blood flow. This takes six hours.

    The next day is the Thursday before Thanksgiving. They work him into the doc’s schedule and finally take him into the OR around 7 or 8pm. The doc takes us into a private room. He says that they’re going to try to remove the tumor by going into through the nostrils. If that won’t let them get the entire thing, Plan B is to (ready?) cut the skin at the upper jaw, lift his face off his skull and go in through that way. If that doesn’t work, Plan C is to (ready?) break the upper jaw off and move it out of the way. Plan D is to simply go right in through the face. This should take 4-6 hours.

    Four hours go by. About half-way through those four, Chris’ sister shows up. She’s an RN and Chris is visibly better. Five hours. Six. Now I’m thinking that they’re on their way to Plan B or C by this time. At the six and a half mark, doc comes out and takes us back into the same private room we were in before. They got it all through the nostrils! Praise the Lord! He lost 0.4 liters of blood, even with the procedure the day before. They took it out in one piece, pushing it out the back of the sinus and pulled it out through his mouth!! It was over 7 centimeters wide, nearly 3 inches. It had started to get into the bone. They had to grind off some of the top of the roof of his mouth. It got to within ¼ inch of one of his eye sockets and a half inch of his brain.

    He spent the next 3 days in the ICU – the ones with the little kids since he’s under 18. A fifteen-year-old, six-foot, 250 lb monster next to infants! He couldn’t keep any food down due to all the blood draining into his stomach, but I was watching him sleep and noticed that he was breathing with his mouth closed for the first time in months. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. A nurse asked if I was OK. I told her that I couldn’t be happier. Chris and I were getting pretty tired sleeping in chairs, so they hooked us up at a Ronald McDonald House. What a wonderful place that is! I still tear up thinking about how nice they were to us.

    Sunday comes and they move him out of the ICU. I get to watch Jimmie Johnson win the Nextel Cup on the TV in his room while Chris slept at the McDonald house and Matt slept through everything. I simply raised a triumphant fist.

    Monday comes along and he can finally get food down. They released him that afternoon and we take him home. He still can’t eat much, but he gets to take “the best shower he ever had” and sleep in his own bed. Thursday comes, it’s Thanksgiving and he’s finally ready to eat. He’s the star of the show at my in-laws with about 30 in attendance. Everything’s back to normal again.

    We took him back every month for a while so that the doc can make sure it’s not returning. It does in about 20% of the time. We last took him in back in June. Tomorrow we go again. So far, so good. Interesting enough, they say that these angiofibromas only occur in males from 12 to 20. I guess the onset of puberty must touch them off. One in 60,000.

  384. junkyardjamie

    Wow!!!!!! Eric – that is an incredible story!!!! That definitely brings new meaning to Thanksgiving for you, doesn’t it? My goodness, I have goose bumps just thinking about what you and Chris must have been through.

  385. dodgereric

    Well, we sure didn’t have to make up some vanilla “I’m thankful for…..” speech around the table last year!

  386. junkyardjamie

    ….Just to think of all the things Matt has done since then with the scouts, just makes him that much more impressive and to you and Chris for being such good parents.

  387. dodgereric

    You’d think that out of two kids, I could get one of them out of their teens without being in the ICU! But I’m not about to complain, really. There’s way too many people who’d love to trade places with me. I never forget that.

  388. junkyardjamie

    The race is on again – I watched it from start to finish today. The Chargers game was too hard to watch,but I did see the end – barely won 🙂

  389. junkyardjamie

    I am not a big Edwards fan. It’s nothing he does or doesn’t do, he’s just not a favorite I guess. I was pulling Jimmy all the way.

  390. junkyardjamie

    You need to go to bed, I need to go to bed. One of us has to work tomorrow, and it’s not you. However, Jimmy is being interviewed again. Did you see him on the Tonight Show the other night. He did a great job – very personable, and he was pretty funny too.

  391. dodgereric

    I was watching it too. I missed a good portion of it live earlier. My step-dad screwed up the TV so bad that I had to get tech support to straighten it out.

    Runs like Johnson is experiencing don’t last forever in any sport and he knows it. One more to go. He’s amazing. His team really clicks. Knaus is a genius. They communicate so well together and make the changes in-race to make things better.

    I was impressed that McMurray didn’t let his teammate roll past him at the end to get Edwards 5 more points. I was disappointed to see Kenseth wreck so many cars at the finish. He’s better than that.

  392. junkyardjamie

    I wasn’t too impressed with Kenseth either. I do like Knaus – he definitely knows what he is doing. You are right, he is a genius.

  393. dodgereric

    “One of us has to work tomorrow, and it’s not you.” LMAO!!!! It’s been a while since you were the first one to cave in!

    God Bless you and your family June Darlin’! And all of you out there that read and don’t post, that goes for you too!

  394. junkyardjamie

    Good Night Ward Dear….. wonderful and heartfelt story for sure. Get a well deserved good night’s rest and have some fun on your day off tomorrow after Matt’s check up. God Bless to you and your family as well.

  395. dodgereric

    We’re combining that visit with a trip to the Council office. We have to turn in his paperwork so that he can get all of the final approvals. We’ll be buying the invitations and some more fun stuff! It’s all downhill now! Hoo-rah!

    Good night my friend! Get some sleep and I’ll probably talk to you tommor……later tonight!

  396. trublu4ever

    Good morning! Hope everyone has a good day. Thank-you Northstateblues for the Roy Orbison video. That is exactly how I felt last night. And, when I leave, you all show up. From now on, I’ll take a break and come back late at night.
    .
    Dodgereric – I wish the best for your son. I never had a nose bleed growing up. But, a few years ago, I got one that lasted a day……..really bad, like Matt’s. Mine was a sinus infection but, it scared the he** out of me!

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