One last WBC entry from Mark Langill

With more than 50,000 fans in the stands and a worldwide television audience, Monday’s World Baseball Classic thriller between Japan and South Korea arguably is the most significant international event at Dodger Stadium since “The Three Tenors” concert on the eve of the 1994 World Cup soccer final in Pasadena. It also might’ve been the loudest since The Beatles made their second-to-last concert appearance as a group in August 1966. Thunder sticks, flags of all sizes, painted faces, whistles and drums provided an unforgettable setting for Japan’s eventual 5-3 victory in 10 innings.

Nobody could’ve predicted the future nearly 15 years ago when pitchers Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo joined the Dodgers in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Park became the first Korean to appear in the Major Leagues, although it took time for him to establish himself as a consistent performer. Off the field, Park was a natural ambassador to the Korean American community. In attendance at Monday’s game was professional golfer Charlie Wi, who grew up in Southern California and excitedly recalled watching Park’s early years with the Dodgers.

Nomo’s career path took a fateful turn after stalled contract negotiations with the Kintetsu Buffaloes following the 1994 season. At the time, free agency did not exist in Japan and no player had appeared overseas in the Major Leagues since Giants pitcher Masanori Murakami in 1964-65. Murakami was a 20-year-old playing for the team’s Single-A Fresno team when a September promotion to the Majors caused both surprise and international drama as Japan didn’t want to lose its player. Murakami missed the first 23 games of the following season while the issue was debated and he eventually returned to Japan after the 1965 season.

When the Buffaloes agreed to release Nomo, it provided an opening to the Major Leagues. The Dodgers didn’t have any active scouting reports on Nomo, but Director of Asian Operations Acey Kohrogi checked his sources in Japan. Fred Claire, the team’s general manager at the time, was impressed someone with Nomo’s credentials in Japan would sign a minor league contract with the Dodgers because in Nomo’s words, “I haven’t proven anything yet.”

0 comments

  1. knouffbrock@frontiernet.net

    The pitching is starting to concern me too. Weaver was a favorite of mine, so I’m prejudiced, but I’d give him a shot as a starter.
    Stultz is a mystery to me. You know he’s capable, so where is it?

  2. roberto6

    In no particular order. My pitching staff. I’m not worried.

    Hiroki Kuroda
    Chad Billingsley
    James McDonald
    Randy Wolf
    Clayton Kershaw

    Let’s rock !

  3. nellyjune

    Good Evening ITD readers and writers!!!!

    Boy….slow, slow night. You must all be thinking about our BP and how wonderful it’s looking right now.

    Roberto – I don’t think too many here are worried about the SP. It’s the BP that is a little frightening right now IMO, of course.

  4. seeskybout2rain@comcast.net

    Well, roberto, if you’re not worried, you’re in very limited company!! Assuming that Bills is o.k., the starters should be fine but the bullpen and the 5th spot are areas of huge concern. If by no other reason than default, McDonald should lock up the 5th spot in the rotation with a solid performance tomorrow. The performances of the other PVL candidates have been mediocre at best, embarrassing at worst. McDonald is young and has an upside, something none of the others can claim. As for the bullpen, Kuo and Wade have been physically shaky all spring. Hopefully, they will right themselves. By being part of the WBC, Brox didn’t get enough work this spring so he has some catching up to do. In fairness to him, he got squeezed on a couple of pitches on the first hitter in the 9th Tuesday night. If he gets either one of those, the inning might have ended differently. Management missed the boat(again) by not resigning Beimel. He would have given us a solid situational LH, something we definitely don’t have now. All in all, there are lots of pitching question marks as we go into the last 10 days of ST. Hopefully, Bills, Kuo, and Wade continue to get healthy and McDonald steps up and takes the 5th spot. That would go a long way towards ending a lot of the uncertainty.

  5. seeskybout2rain@comcast.net

    I was hoping Lindblom might be an answer, nelly, but he’s only pitched 34 innings in professional baseball. That’s way less than even Kershaw had at this time last year. He’s definitely got a terrific upside but I’d hate to take a chance on screwing him up in the short term due to management’s inability to get us enough quality pitching for this season. Even if we signed Pedro tomorrow, he probably hasn’t pitched enough this spring to be up to speed for Opening Day. He’d have to have extended ST for a couple of weeks or more. Not a lot of options right now.

  6. nellyjune

    If you are one of the 4 SP for the Dodgers right now, what must be going through your mind as you are watching the game get completely out of control once you leave the game. Not so much today, but yesterday and the day before. Both Wolf and Kershaw had leads when they left the game. If this BP problem doesn’t get fixed, what will be their mental state?

  7. dodgerzona

    Hey all,
    Been along time since i posted…Time to get back in the groove

    For those of you that don’t know i live in Tucson,Az…I’m sure some of you are like…Where in the hell is that lol….About 110 mile’s south of Phoenix

    I’m going to see the Dodgers and Rockies tomorrow here in Tucson at Hi Corbett field….Can’t wait to see Andre….McDonald is scheduled to pitch tomorrow

    Can’t wait đŸ™‚
    Before i go…Ned get some pitching ok

  8. dodgerzona

    Thank’s Nelly….Let’s hope McDonald pitch’s well and we say bye to Vargas,Estes,Milton….I can hope right lol

  9. nellyjune

    Enchanted has to at least write about 300 more songs to get us to 1000, and he will need Vargas, Milton and Estes to move those songs along. However, I think he we gladly accept their walking papers. There’s plenty of pvl material out there for him to write songs about. Then there is always Joe, Ned, Frank and now Jamie.

  10. nellyjune

    Good night dodgerzona – Once again, have a great time at the game tomorrow. I am sure our pitching will make it interesting for you to say the least.

  11. shad78

    Think we could use Chan-Ho back?
    .
    C Park 1 0 2.87 4 3 0 0 0 0 15.2 14 5 5 1 0 1 18

    I didn’t think letting him go would be of much concern, but after watching Weaver et al., I’d even take Tomko back.
    .
    B Tomko NYY 0 1 1.46 6 1 0 0 0 0 12.1 9 2 2 1 0 1 11

    By enchantedsunset on March 25, 2009 5:46 PM

  12. nellyjune

    I have heard this song alot lately and the rhyming of the original word in the song “roam” and my new JP name “gnome” just had to be made into a song. I took liberties in how the song is sung to make it fit my needs for some of the wording.

    Song : “Gnome”
    Original Song: “Roam”
    Artist: B 52s

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyj6t-5THic
    This live version does not have the opening lines of the song.

    I hear a gnome
    whistling air
    whispering
    in our ear

    Joy! juanpy slappin through every at bat
    See juan speedin’ down those DIRTY and DUSTY trails
    but taking hit for hit to the infield grass
    back to the mound the hit becomes a miss

    A gnome if you want him
    this gnome can be yours
    A gnome if you want him
    without pop, without throws
    A gnome if you want him
    this gnome can be yours
    A gnome if you want him
    without anything but the love we feel

    ship the pop gun to the sunset
    can’t hide the arm which will throw rainbows
    they take hit for hit rockin in the outfield grass
    around the field the batter gets an extra base

    A gnome if you want him
    this gnome can be yours
    A gnome if you want him
    without pop, without throws
    A gnome if you want him
    This gnome can be yours
    A gnome if you want him
    without anything but the love we feel

    He tries the great big cries, here comes the real Juanpy
    kickin and pouting calling his mommy
    they take it hit for hit, rockin thru the outfield grass
    around the field the batter gets an extra base

    A Gnome if you want him
    This gnome can be yours
    A gnome if you want him
    without pop, without throws
    A gnome if you want him
    This gnome can be yours
    A gnome if you want him
    without anything but the love we feel

    take it hit for hit pop it to the infield grass
    take it hit for hit pop it to the infield grass
    take it hit for hit pop it to the infield grass
    take it hit for hit pop it to the infield grass
    take it hit for hit pop it to the infield grass

  13. Dodger4life

    I believe that’s another hit for JP, Nelly was really selling him this time. LOL!!!!
    .
    Dodgers take on the Rockies with MacDonald on the hill.
    1:10 PT.
    .
    Good Night and God Bless us all đŸ™‚
    .
    GO DODGERS!!!!!
    BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!

  14. boblee4014

    Well Vargas and Stults are certainly not the answer to our pitching problem. Maybe Mcdonald will have a great game today. Otherwise, we are going to be in trouble.

  15. enchantedbeaver

    Great song Nells!!

    Yes Tomko.

    Can anyone say he’s any worse than the crap we’ve trotted out there? Milton – Estes – Weaver – Stults – Vargas.

    ERA – WHIP – OPP BA (ST 2009 Only)
    .
    Tomko 1.46 / 0.81 / .213
    Vargas 8.22 / 1.96 / .419
    Milton 4.91 / 1.98 / .400
    Weaver 7.88 / 1.75 / .395
    Estes 8.44 / 1.97 / .426
    Stults 12.96 / 2.64 / .500

    Is Tomko going to keep those numbers up all year? – of course not. But if he were on the Dodgers right now we wouldn’t be looking for a 5th starter or swing man.

    Look at those numbers… I prefer WHIP as a true indication of pitching because ERAs are misleading (see Milton’s 4.91)… Weaver’s the cream of the crop, and he’s pitched just about every bit as awful as Milton and the rest.

    I think by default, McDonald’s going to be #5. I can see Lindblom being the swing man. But someone(s) from that illustrious list above is going to have to fill out the pen and be the situational lefty.

    Nice job Ned.

  16. nellyjune

    Good Morning ITD readers and writers!!!!!

    It’s good to see you Boblee…………yes, pitching is a bit disturbing at the moment as enchanted just pointed out once again.

    enchanted – not only that what happens if a SP gets injured. We are going to be really screwed. McDonald should be that guy if someone gets injured, but now if he is put into the starting rotation, then what? What a shame to have the best lineup in the entire league, but they will have to score at least 10 runs a game to keep their BP in the game. What a change from last year where we were begging for 3-4 runs a game and couldn’t give pitchers enough run support.

  17. nellyjune

    ..oh and enchanted…….. thanks!!!! it’s hard living up to your uniqueness ……………………well, I guess I owe some credit to yougnomewho a tad too đŸ™‚

  18. messagebear@msn.com

    Management was obviously hung up on dealing with Manny over the off-season and nothing else – at least nothing else that cost money, even if it was a couple of million in comparison. Juan Cruz was available, and I kept pointing out that he was an established BP guy with an improving three year major league record. That could have solved a major BP problem, especially if we also re-signed Beimel. Management thought we’d do better with a bunch of PVL’s and Mota instead of Cruz. So, we’ve got what we bargained for, and no surprise to me. Let’s hope that Wade can come through and that Brox is ready to be a closer.

    The lack of total management planning is there as always when it comes to the outfield situation. If we’re going to have JP around as the 4th OF’er, what’re we going to do with the Repkos, DY’s and Pauls and anybody else that’s pushing up through the system. They’re all blocked by somebody irrelevant to the team, except that he’ll still be around for three whole years. If we don’t keep DY on the major league roster, he’ll get picked up by somebody else. If JP is to remain a permanent fixture, then we need to trade a couple of guys like Repko, DY and maybe even Paul and get some pitching.

    I used to put all the blame on Ned, but I’m getting to think that he’s just a perfect fit for the McCourts. They don’t have any baseball sense, and they don’t care about the team in the sense that most owners seem to. I continue to hope that this recession will bring Frank and his brilliant new CEO down to where they have to sell the team and maybe even a mansion or two.

    In the meantime, we all love the team however it will shape up for the season. I’m afraid that it will be just mediocre, and that is clearly the fault of the owners and the management. I don’t even feel that Torre really gives a Schmidt at this stage in his career. It’s just a good thing we’re not in a more competitive division, so anything can happen yet.

  19. trublu4ever

    Enchanted ~ I think you are right about all of our pitching woes. And, McDonald probably will be #5. According to Joe, Lindblom will not be on the starting roster but, he loves the kid and will call him up if needed. I think he is needed now.
    Right now, he is better than Huggy, Estes, Milton and Weaver. Here we finally have a team capable of scoring lots of runs but a BP that will give the runs back, So sad.

  20. nellyjune

    Good Morning trublu!!!! ….have to agree, it’s sad.

    Good Morning to you too messagebear and very well said as always.

  21. enchantedbeaver

    Fortunately after the first week we can skip the #5 the next two, so let McDonald start, then be the swing man for a couple weeks.

    I agree bear, trade DY or Repko or both for some pitching. Trouble’s going to be is that with the contract they gave Manny, he may or may not be here next year. That leaves us with JP and little else unless we keep Paul. Lambo’s also up and coming and if he keeps progressing, he should be ready by mid 2010, 2011 latest.

    Of course we’ll still have JP the Whining Wonder blocking him.

  22. trublu4ever

    It’s my understanding that we are going to lose DY if he is not on the roster. He can’t be sent to the minors…..if this is true, why not either trade him, as you say, Enchanted, or use him?

  23. enchantedbeaver

    WW – Whining Wonder vs. Wonder Woman:

    Wonder Woman can have bullets bounce of her bracelets.
    Whining Wonder can have baseballs bounce off his glove.
    .
    Wonder Woman flies around in her invisible airplane.
    Whining Wonder has an invisible OBP.
    .
    Wonder Woman has a lasso of truth.
    Whining Wonder has a noose of a contract.

    Feel free to add your own comparisons.

  24. dodgerzona

    Good Morning all,

    The lineup today

    75 Xavier Paul (L) RF

    12 Brad Ausmus C

    7 James Loney (L) 1B

    27 Matt Kemp CF

    33 Blake DeWitt (L) 3B

    17 Jason Repko LF

    60 Chin-lung Hu SS

    14 Juan Castro* 2B

    52 James McDonald (L) RHP

    I’m going to the game…It’s in Tucson

    By the way…Get some pitching Ned….I don’t want Vargas,Milton or Estes on this team

  25. shad78

    Messagebear I think the problem with Juan Cruz is that he’s not a SP and would cost us another draft picks. I still think the bullpen is ok is that #5 spot I’m worry about like most of us here.

  26. dodgerzona

    I really wanted to see Manny today…But no way he and other reg’s make the trip from Glendale to tucson

    Have a good day all

  27. nellyjune

    Have fun dodgerzona!!! Too bad Manny and Dre aren’t there, but you get Kemp, Loney, DeWitt, Paul, Repko, and no Pierre đŸ™‚

  28. dodgerzona

    Nelly,
    Glad i’m not seeing Pierre…But i’m sure he will stumble up to the plate in the later inning’s lol

    Gotta go…I’ll let you all know how it went

  29. trublu4ever

    Zona ~ I’ll be JP is mad that he’s not playing…..even in ST games, he wants to play all the time! LOL

  30. dodgereric

    Great song, nelly! We’re well on our way to 1000. And enchanted only wrote about 125 songs to get us to 500, so another 125 should suffice! Get busy, e!

    All of our griping about the staff and the reserves is well-founded. Bear and enchanted, your arguments are always logical and well thought-out. Our potential predicament this season is reminding me of watching the San Diego Chargers for the last 25 years. A killer offense under Fouts with no defense whatsoever, then a lockdown defense with no offense. It’s quite frustrating.

    A temptation for a casual reader of this site would be to criticize us for 20/20 hindsight. But regular readers know much better. I think bear was the first of us to champion the signing of Cruz way back in the fall. I agreed with him then and still do, especially after we signed Hudson. At that point, all Cruz would have cost us was a second-round pick and a couple of million dollars. A bargain in any market. But no. We’ll regret that.

    As far as DY is concerned, his release would be shameful. As a lifetime fan, my concerns are easily broken down into two: 1) Win the World Series and 2) Build for the future. Pierre does neither, IMO. DY should be part of our future as well as our present.

    If you have a car that is in good shape but, for whatever reason cannot keep, do you park it on the curb with the keys in it?

    I know this is a baseball blog, but there’s a great article on goalies in hockey in the Times today. As the father of one, albeit only a high school one, I think it’s a great insight. If you’re interested:
    http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-streeter-kings26-2009mar26,0,7283940,full.column

  31. nellyjune

    Eventhough I just skimmed it for now, I will definitely go back and read it during lunch. Thanks for article and the Kudos. It seems like enchanted has written a lot more, but that is good………it means the rest of us are doing pretty good as well. What a group. BTW – speaking of hockey goalies……….I heard Matt was somewhat hurt last night after a great block……..is he okay?

  32. kpookiemon

    Let’s hope Repko and Paul go a combined 10 for 10. At some point, if the Dodgers truly want a BALANCED team, Pierre can not possibly be chosen as the fourth outfielder for defensive purposes. And not wanting to lose DY on the waiver wire, look for the Dodgers to slap that “convenient” DL tag on either DY or Loretta when the season starts.

  33. nellyjune

    He already has the DL tag……….for now. From an article yesterday.

    Add to the growing list pinch-hitter Delwyn Young, whose surgically repaired right elbow flared up on a swing Friday night and has taken him out of action. An MRI on Tuesday showed no damage more than irritation from the area that underwent offseason cleanup and the relocation of the ulna nerve.

    Young is out of options, meaning the Dodgers can’t send him to the Minor Leagues without risking losing him off waivers to another club. Until this week, it seemed he had lost his job as primary pinch-hitter to Mark Loretta, but Loretta is sidelined with a groin strain he suffered Monday. He reported improvement Wednesday but will still miss several more days.

  34. dodgereric

    Yeah, he’s ok. Big sissy. đŸ™‚ They were more upset with the crappy refs (again) and the fact that they were undermanned. They hit a stretch late in the second period where they just ran out of gas. They lost one to bad grades and three others just didn’t show up, so they only had one sub for the whole game.

    Although the coaches say no, I think that the school being on spring break had something to do with it. I think those 3 boys assumed that there wasn’t a game and didn’t even bother looking at their schedule. Last year they didn’t play games during these two weeks, but it seems that this year all the schools are taking these two weeks differently. Aren’t they?

  35. nellyjune

    LOL!!!! ….for your big sissy remark only because when I asked Mariya if he was okay , Mariya’s comment was “he said don’t worry about me……I’m a man!!!” He was very proud of his block. Well, I am glad top hear he is okay, sissy or not đŸ™‚

  36. dodgereric

    Backing up a little, I agree with enchanted about the WHIP being a better indicator than ERA. But an even worse indicator of a pitcher’s success is wins. Very, very overrated. By the way, if anyone doesn’t know (because it’s a newer term), WHIP is a ratio like ERA. Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched.

    Actually a decent, informative article without a bunch of hooey:
    http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090325&content_id=4066774&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

    However, I have a question. Since (at least right now) 1) McDonald and Lindblom are the two best candidates for the #5/long jobs, and 2) since McDonald has been a starter most of his career and 3) since Lindblom has been a reliever most of his career and 4) absolutely no one else has shown even a glimmer of ability to produce and 5) since there is enough to adapt to in just making the big leagues …. (here comes my question) ….. why on God’s green earth are we asking them to reverse their roles and push Lindblom into the rotation and McDonald into the pen? Can’t management put their ‘creative’ egos away and let these two kids enter the big leagues in the job that they’ve been most comfortable?

    And I truly hope that, if they send Lindblom down, it’s not so that his arbitration eligibility gets delayed. That seems to be a new management practice for some people now. We all know about ‘Super Twos’ now, right? Here’s the rule:

    “A player with three or more years of service, but less than six years, may file for salary arbitration. In addition, a player can be classified as a “Super Two” and be eligible for arbitration with less than three years of service. A player with at least two but less than three years of Major League service shall be eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the immediately preceding season and he ranks in the top 17 percent in total service in the class of Players who have at least two but less than three years of Major League service, however accumulated, but with at least 86 days of service accumulated during the immediately preceding season.”

    Put a little more simply, if a GM does his homework, he can keep a player (especially one who figures to stay once he makes it) in the minors until he cannot qualify to be a Super Two. And if you can avoid arbitration for a year, well, look at Andre Either for example. If he didn’t qualify as a Super Two, he’d probably be making $500,000 – $600,000 this year instead of $3 million (or whatever it is, I forget already). It’s smart money management, but lousy if you’re really trying to put your best team on the field every day. So, depending on the calendar in each year, anyone called up around July 1st may or may not get in those 86 days. Kershaw just popped into my head, but it looks like we called him up at the end of May, so he got his 86 days in last year. But I’m going to start paying attention, because it’s going to happen to someone.

  37. dodgereric

    I know where the ‘p’ came from. It’s right next to the ‘o’. My fat finger hits it all the time.

  38. nellyjune

    …thanks for the insight – LOL!! đŸ™‚

    As far as your thinking, it will interesting to watch for things like that now knowing how Frank doesn’t seem to like to spend money, or perhaps, doesn’t have the money to spend.

  39. enchantedbeaver

    Of course all of the Super Two nonsense would be moot if you didn’t sign crap like JP, Jones and Schmidt. That’s $127M wasted.

    That’s a lot of super twos.

    Ned obviously was going for the super screw instead.

    He succeded.

  40. jungar@wsgcorp.com

    “It’s tough because I’m used to playing every single day,” Pierre says. “Last year was torture for me. If this organization thinks I’ll be happy making money and sitting on the bench, they signed the wrong guy.”

    Translation, I don’t care if we have a better team that does not excite me, i care about Juan Pierre.

  41. nellyjune

    Did you see the video on the homepage where they talk to JP, Ethier and Kemp on their roles in the outfield?

  42. enchantedbeaver

    “If this organization thinks I’ll be happy making money and sitting on the bench, they signed the wrong guy.”

    Don’t we all know that.

  43. enchantedbeaver

    Poor me. Poor me. Poor me. That’s all you ever hear from JP. You want to know why you can’t trade the guy?

    1. Ability
    2. Contract
    3. Attitude

    Ned should have his *** kicked everyday for signing him. Now if he’d just grow a pair and cut the guy, I might actually have some respect for him.

  44. enchantedbeaver

    Looks like DC’s fears are coming true with Billingsley – first it was a mild twinge, now its a groin strain that’ll keep him back a start. Next it’ll be a “setback” followed by the 15 day DL.

    BTW Vargas has been eliminated from 5th starter candidacy because has a sore elbow due to a new grip on his slider.

    I’m sure the 6 HRs allowed in 15 innings had nothing to do with it.

  45. gomartin55

    hey guys, it’s sara..

    i was reading back on your posts and for a sec i thought i was back to last off-season.. JP whining about being a bench player?? some things never change.. what is wrong with that guy? i guess he thinks that we’ll all care that wants to play so badly and feel sorry for him.. even if it’s at the expense of the team’s success.. GROW UP

  46. gomartin55

    emma,
    i didn’t change it.. i still have the other email address.. but i guess i was signed in with this name because of my fantasy league.. so i just posted with this one instead of signing out and signing back in..

  47. enchantedbeaver

    Another 3 RBIs for Xavier Paul to go along with a .352 BA. How can you not carry this guy in favor of JP?? Any club that lets contract dictate a spot on the roster over the best players for the team is PATHETIC.

    McDonald another three shutout innings today. Give him the 5 spot already and let’s be done with the PVLs.

    Hey Emma and Sara!!

  48. enchantedbeaver

    Got that right Tru.

    Ned won’t learn that guys like Chan-Ho and Sele are the exceptions, not the rule.

  49. trublu4ever

    Vargas is just a bad, Enchanted. We are really in deep (you know what) and I don’t know if we can get out of it. Real fine planning by Frank and Ned!

  50. nellyjune

    Hey Sara – love the name, but I like the other one too đŸ™‚

    I can see X. Paul is doing well, once again. So, three years of seeing guys like him come close but don’t make the big club because of yougnomewho. Just simply unacceptable!!!!!

  51. dodgereric

    Breaking news! (in the near future)

    Camelback Ranch, AZ –

    The Dodgers announce their 2009 pitching staff as they break camp

    Starters

    Kiroki Kuroda – 34
    Chad Billingsley – 24
    Randy Wolf – 32
    Clayton Kershaw – 21
    James McDonald – 24

    Bullpen

    Jonathon Broxton – 24
    Hong-Chih Kuo – 27
    Cory Wade – 25
    Guillermo Mota – 35
    Scott Elbert – 23
    Ramon Troncoso – 26
    Josh Lindblom – 21

    Jason Schmidt will start the season where he’s spent the vast majority of the last two – on the 60-day DL. Writers and broadcasters were quick to note the obvious youth program and the lack of lefthanders in the bullpen. General Manager Ned Colletti was quick to reply, “We have always had total confidence in our youngsters, but we decided early on that we’d sign a bunch of losers, um, veterans and scare the kids into thinking they’d be riding buses again. They have really responded to the competition and pushed themselves to find new levels of their ability. We thank all of the flotsam, er, Proven Veteran Leaders for their contribution to our young player’s development and hope they find employment elsewhere in Major League Baseball. We’re sure there are still a lot of jobs in the broadcasting booths.”

    Asked about the potential overload of the bullpen due to the starters being either very young or injury-prone, Colletti said, “As John McKay, the former head coach of the USC Trojans football team once said when asked why he had OJ Simpson carry the ball so much, ‘Why not? It’s not heavy!'”

  52. messagebear@msn.com

    Just how many more times does Torre need to see guys like Vargas and Milton pitch before he can make a decision? It’s really beyond laughable. If he doesn’t have enough pitchers in camp to finish out Spring Training, let’s just bring up a couple more from the minor league camp, and we just might find another Lindblom there. I’m getting so sick of winning games after three or four innings and then giving them up because Torre is managing the team right into the ground. What a damn waste!

  53. ramslover

    Hello everyone, I have not been on lately. I see everyone has the same cncerns the BP…If Wade and Kuo are not healthy we are in deep S…!! Lindblom, I think can be a n asset in the BP, but I hate to see his confidence shaken if it does not work out…but he has the closer mentality from college, so 1 bad outing may not affect him as much..It is just alot to ask for a young kid with only 34 innings in the ML…

    I remember asking Juan Bustabad, manager of the Loons about him last year and he said he had really good stuff and had a good head on his shoulders…He thought he would move quickly.

    With the rosters to be trimmed in the next week or two, it may be an opportunity to pick up someone that can help us in the BP…Some good arms get crunched in roster numbers and are released or traded for PTBN., much like DY may become….It is early and I have faith in the following

    1. Chad…if he has to miss one or 2 starts in April, I am ok with that, he has groin issues every year and seems to know when to back off. Still think 16-19 wins…
    2. Kuroda…looking real good 15-18 wins
    3. Wolf…will be a very good 3 and will win 1-2 games with his bat…14-16 wins
    4. Kershaw is the real deal and wil win 10-13 games
    5. McDonald looks like the winner by default and it will be a blessing…10 plus wins out of 5 spot which would be a big improvement over the last 3-4 years..

    BP
    Broxton, not happy he missed valuable camp time for the WBC, not a fan of it…he will be ok and yes he will blow some but will convert 85%..
    Wade and Kuo are the keys…both have swing and miss capabilities, if injured, wow big trouble
    Mota…will be consistent not great
    2nd lefty…I am rooting for Elbert because of his swing and miss capabilities but has to get the command. NOt enanmored with the others..this is where a lefty being let go may be the answer this week…
    The last 2 spots Lindblom is looking good but it is alot to ask and Weaver I was hoping his stuff would work for 1-2 innings, Keeping my fingers crossed.

  54. gomartin55

    emma, i think one league is all i can handle right now.. but thanks for asking!

    i think it’s clear that james mcdonald has, and will win the 5th starter spot..

  55. enchantedbeaver

    I think Torre is very much the PVL-M (manager) Bear.

    Exactly how much more of Milton does Joe need to see before letting him go? He’s toast.

  56. gomartin55

    i don’t expect penny to do well.. during the season.. but his ST numbers have been good so far, haven’t they?

    and we already know what chan ho’s been doing..

  57. gomartin55

    okay, about penny.. i think he only had one actual outting.. it was a stellar one.. but just one.. so nevermind..

  58. enchantedbeaver

    Might we have a winner in the situational lefty derby?

    B Mazone
    LAD 0 0 1.13 10 0 0 0 2 2 8.0 3 1 1 1 0 4 5

  59. ramslover

    Penny may be great for the Red Sox, but his arrogance and prima dona attitude will not be missed…Great arm but….

    Enchanted good numbers on Mazone, I have not seen him to see what type of stuff he has. I like the hit to innings ratio, the walks are a little scary, but it is the best lefty so far…

  60. nellyjune

    Good Evening ITD readers and writers!!!!

    It’s good to see you again ramslover. A great post by the way too.

    dodgereric – you have had me laughing all…….day……..long. Hilarious once again đŸ™‚

  61. jhallwally

    :))) Great Songs!!! LOL!!!
    Beav, my answer to your earlier question about Frank and Ned, D. Dumb and Dumbest.
    Hope everyone is having a great day/afternoon/evening/night.

  62. colliethec

    Good evening ITD!! I hope everybody is well!
    .
    Good to see you Ramsfan & everybody else! I wish I had your (Ramsfan) positiveness about the pitching! I do think that they won’t be as bad as they’ve been because ST #’s in Arizona are inflated. The concern is that the BP has allowed many runs and they are going in the late innings against A-AAA players.
    .
    I think a large problem from what I’ve seen has been walks. Many of them have lead off innings. The worst thing you can do as a relief pitcher is to walk the leadoff batter when you come into the game. Especially when your team has just put up some runs. You want that “shut down inning”. I hope the coaching staff works on these with the pitchers.
    .
    Bad news about Bills. Hopefully he’ll be okay.
    .
    I think it’s pretty clear there are some pitchers that need to be trimmed for the cattle call. I guess that’s why the call it Camelback RANCH!
    .
    Go Blue!!
    .
    Bring the Ring to LA in 2009!!!

  63. nellyjune

    Good Evening jhall/Wally and dcollins!!!!!!

    I was just thinking about you jhall seeing how tomorrow you are a year older, as well as joepierre.

  64. jhallwally

    LOL Nelly!!! Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!!!
    Maybe its just me, but I really think we could swing a Pile for Dontrell Willis trade with Detroit. Swap two bad contracts. Detroit could actually use Pile and he would be back with Leyland who he won the Series with in Florida. Willis, if physically OK, could be turned around and possibly be a good 5th starter. If his problems are not physical, he definately has shown he can get it done. I haven’t heard about any physical problems so I can only surmise most of his dysfunction is mental and mechanics. Just a thought. Either way, we’ve got nothing to lose. Pile is obviously not going to be a major player on our team.

  65. nellyjune

    …especially if we are going to have to put up with three more years of players like X.Paul, Repko and DY being blocked. Boy, it’s gotta suck to be them right now. All three have been literally busting their *ss out there for virtually nothing.

  66. enchantedbeaver

    Hey Wally, Mom and DC!!

    How many more games they gonna let Milton pitch?

    Here’s a job for someone – what’s the staff ERA WITHOUT Weaver, Milton, Estes and Vargas. Gotta be a good run, run and a half better a game.

  67. northstateblues

    Jon Weisman’s most recent post, “Juan Pierre Adrift” (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgerthoughts/) PERFECTLY sums up my feelings about Juanpy and his role on the team. As an ex-Journalism student, I know how you can pick and choose what quotes you put in a story, and if you don’t care how you might be perceived, you can really manipulate that sucker. BUT it’s what Juanpy HASN’T SAID in ANY OF HIS INTERVIEWS that bugs the hell out of me.

    I won’t unleash personal attacks against him for it. As long as he’s in Dodger Blue, I’ll respect that. Hell, I even respected Kent after the beating he took out on the Dodgers in Orange and Black. As I’ve said previously, I don’t take joy in beating the dead horse into glue, which has broken down and seeped into the ground over the course of the past 2 years. His performance says more than I ever could.

    But I have the feeling that I respect JP and the Dodger uniform a hell of a lot more than Juan does. I doubt every single sportswriter who chooses to write about Juan Pierre is leaving out comments about sacrificing for the good of the team.

    I’ll let Jon’s quotes do the talking (regarding JP’s USA Today quote “Last year was torture for me. If this organization thinks I’ll be happy making money and sitting on the bench, they signed the wrong guy.”). Excerpt:

    ——————

    I don’t know how closely quotes like Pierre’s deserve to be analyzed. This might simply have been Pierre’s grim way of saying he wants to play every day, like anyone else, and nothing more. We don’t know what he also said that Nightengale didn’t print. And not for nothing, Pierre has some respect from me for his candor.

    Somehow, however, in all the interviews conducted with Pierre since the Andruw Jones signing first put his starting position in jeopardy, you never get the sense that Pierre is excited about the Dodgers’ potentially improving themselves, even though it’s at his expense. Instead, there’s an overwhelming feeling that Pierre’s happiness depends solely on his own well-being.

    ——————

    C’mon Juan, GET WITH THE PROGRAM. Be proud to wear that uniform. You don’t have to be happy for your situation, but you’re getting paid $45 million to BE HAPPY ABOUT YOUR TEAM.

  68. enchantedbeaver

    Didn’t Jon Weisman violate one of his own rules??

    He’s probably dying to say stuff like we do LOL!!

  69. nellyjune

    Beav- If your father were around, he would be figuring out your stat right now, and he still might if nobody beats him to it.

  70. jhallwally

    Hi’Ya North. Nice Post!!! I think Pile is having a real problem dealing with the reality that he is really not a front line starting major league baseball player. No one wants him at any price and that has to hurt his ego. He needs to accept it and try to find a way to contribute and do the uniform and Dodgers proud. It really is the only way he can come out of this looking good.

  71. ramslover

    I am hoping the Dodgers pick Troncoso as one of the BP, I know he has been a little erratic, but he did a good job last year and his upside is more than Weaver or whomever else they pick…I still believe a waiver wire or a deal could be had this next 10 days with the rosters being pared down…..

  72. trublu4ever

    What stuff do we say about Pile, Enchanted?! lol Isn’t it funny that not one day goes by without him being mentioned.
    .
    Good to see you Jhall.
    .
    Te starting pitching will be okay. It’s thr BP that is in shambles.

  73. ramslover

    Personally I would rather not read or talk about the little guy with no pop….why waste the time…he will be gone soon…thats all that needs to be said..

    Ignore it and it might just fade away into the wild blue yonder…

  74. trublu4ever

    Ramslover ~ you’ve got to admit, it”s pretty difficult not to mention him……….after all, he was the inspiration for at least 100 of Dodgereric 500+ songlist. And the countless names he has conjured up……..Popupaholic, yougnomewho, Phew and Pile just to name a few. Oh, I almost forgot Slappy.

  75. jhallwally

    At least this year we don’t have to worry about JoJo the “So There” clown taking starting time and AB’s away from Kemp and Ethier, obviously better players to passify Pile and his Mama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  76. enchantedbeaver

    What I can’t figure out is why JoJo only wants to carry 4 OFers when everyone knows damn well JP can’t field and he can’t hit the ball out of the infield. Its a waste of a roster spot when any one of 10 other players could fill it better and contribute more. What’s the difference? Cut him and if someone picks him up, you get the league minimum back that you’d be paying Paul to fill his spot.

    I’m sorry, but I’m gonna ride JPs sorry *** (a word you can’t say) all freakin’ season.

  77. nellyjune

    The outfield right now is the least of our worries. The bullpen seems to be the top priority right now and making sure Billz is healthy as well. We aren’t going to need an outfield if the BP keeps giving up bombs all season.

  78. jhallwally

    Amen Beav!!! Its time to Stop the Ignorance!!!©
    Thanks Ram, likewise. I’m with you, opening day can’t come too soon.

  79. trublu4ever

    I don’t mean to be harping on JP but, how in the heck can he be a team guy with those feelings? How can he not want wants best for the team? And how can he not feel like s*** when he knows DY, Repko or even XPaul deserve to be playing and probably would be if it weren’t for his outrageous salary?

  80. jhallwally

    :))) Beav!!! Isn’t it refreshing not to have to think about the PVL’s like Kant, Nomor, Procto, Sweeney, etc.. this year. Geez, I am so glad they are gone.

  81. nellyjune

    I must admit it is very strange seeing Nomar in green and yellow……..Holliday too for that matter. We tend to see and hear about them more often up here in gnat land.

  82. jhallwally

    I’m loving the fact that the RedSux are starting to get what they will see more of in the future. Lugo, either injured or underperforming and Princess on the DL most of the time. I hope they truely regret the day they signed both those bums.

  83. trublu4ever

    And, Enchanted, we can have a new beverage in his honor……the Piledriver delivered in a Gnomemobile.

  84. ramslover

    Tru, understandable, but why put ourselves thru the misery of speaking about him…There is nothing more that can be said that has not already been said…We surely can find better things to talk about….Like the article in ESPN magazine about Manny…Great article!!! I for one will not use his name or mention him from here on out….

    As for the others, have fun with it!!!

    Dewitt is having a great camp…love the kid!! XPaul made me a believer last spring in Vero…he just stings the ball!!

    Really hate the fact that we gave up Carlos Santana for 36 yr old blake..I saw Santana in an intrasquad game last year gun down 2 runners he had a cannon..and he get freaking hit….Blake Dewitt should be the 3rd Baseman..for many years …He will be a .280 15 plus hr and gold glove caliber player.

    Good night all!!!

  85. enchantedbeaver

    Monkey Whiskers has been on fire this last week. I’ve got no problem with him on the team as long as he keeps that up. I’m just afraid the clock will strike twelve as soon as the season starts and he’ll turn into Sweeney.

  86. nellyjune

    A pvl BP with the best lineup in the entire league. This will be a season not short of another crazy rollercoaster ride that we keep riding over and over again because it’s too much fun to get off.

  87. jhallwally

    Frank should buy the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile to drive Ned around. LOL!! And Pile should be the driver as that is probably the best use of him. Instead of Little Oscar, we’ll have Little Juanpy!!!!!!

  88. trublu4ever

    Ramslover ~ I know what you mean and believe me as soon as the season starts we will have lots of good things to talk about. I for myself am just venting and having some fun before the season starts and we are on our way to the division championship and beyond.

  89. enchantedbeaver

    Nells – we’re just going to have to hope that another Wade or Troncoso comes out of nowhere to help stabilize the pen.

    It would help tremendously if Troncoso himself could right the ship with a few weeks back in the minors and comeback strong.

  90. jhallwally

    Oh, I’d love to be a Ned Colletti PVL.
    That is what I’d truely love to be-e-e!!
    Cause if I was a Ned Colletti PVL.
    I’d get paid to and not succeed!!!!

  91. nellyjune

    Okay – it’s officially midnight on the east coast. Now I can officially say…………………………..

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JHALL!!!!!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEPIERRE!!!!!

    BEST WISHES ALWAYS TO BOTH OF YOU!!!!!!

  92. nellyjune

    LMAO!!!!! too funny jhall!!!!

    enchanted – I think we will be okay. Hopefully our lineup fuels the fire once the season starts, and keeps everybody, including the pitchers going strong. We do have one wicken lineup if they are all in sync together.

  93. trublu4ever

    Me too…………HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JAHLL & JOEPIERRE, HAPPY BIRTDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!! Don’t I have a great singing voice?!

  94. enchantedbeaver

    Did you guys see the article about McDonald being the frontrunner for the 5th spot, but that its “too early” for Joe to write off Vargas, Milton and Stults? PATHETIC. Stults I’ll give a pass to because he lost his mom a couple weeks ago and doesn’t appear to be coping with it very well, but Milton the Toaster and Huggy Bear are strictly glue factory material.

  95. jhallwally

    Didn’t see that one Beav. I agree, give Stults a pass and cut the other two. We don’t need more glue.

  96. nellyjune

    Wow!!! enchanted – sounds kind of like last season and this time he can’t blame it on being in China.

  97. enchantedbeaver

    “But one by one, Jason Schmidt, Shawn Estes, Claudio Vargas, Eric Stults and Eric Milton have been unable to win the job. Schmidt and Estes have been ruled out of the running, but Torre said no decision has been made on the remaining four and probably won’t be until next weekend.”

    “Everybody has to be in [the running],” Torre said. “It’s the only fair thing to do. We won’t make a decision until we have to. Everybody’s still in it. It’s not fair to eliminate anyone.”

  98. enchantedbeaver

    Sometimes I wish we could have a manager like old Billy Martin who wasn’t afraid to call a spade a spade.

  99. nellyjune

    ……………but he had no problems making Pierre the 4th outfielder in the first few weeks of spring training. I am sorry…….I can’t help it. This topic drives me crazy!!!!!

  100. enchantedbeaver

    That’s another thing that irks, no it pisses me off about JP – he’s never even felt like he’s had to compete for the 4th OF position. He’s always assumed that he was entitled to it.

  101. jhallwally

    I agree Beav!! He’s playing the big contract card because Ned and the Clown let him. Furter and JoJo are the enablers.

  102. jhallwally

    Well, when you’ve got a big freaking zit on your face, you don’t talk a heck of a lot about how good the rest of your complexion is. Geez!!!!

  103. nellyjune

    I watched an episode of “Leave it to Beaver” and I can’t watch them anymore without LMAO. Too funny Beav…………….LMAO!!!!!

  104. jhallwally

    Herpierre’s, the gift from Ned, that keeps on not giving. Just pops up at the most unopportune times. Unbelievable.

  105. nellyjune

    Wally ~ Not to change topics or anything, but the Indians were having some pitching issues today, but with their starter today. I always let my class watch a game from about 1:20-2:00. Most are done with their math,and the rest are doing free activity time. They like watching vs. listening so we turned it to the Angels/Indians game, and in the short time we were watching….three home runs had been hit off of whoever was pitching for the Indians….two were back to back.

  106. nellyjune

    Well, now most can tell time, so I have one little boy everyday who will come and ask if the Dodgers are playing about 1:15. He sits at my computer and watches from there while the rest of us go about our business,but we can watch it on the tv monitor. So, he sits there pretty much every afternoon usually with something built from legos or magnetix and watches which ever team is on the computer and let’s us know what number is up and if they are switching sides. He’s my smallest student and he’s got a life-threatening immune disorder so it’s pretty cool he has taken a liking to baseball.

  107. jhallwally

    Hey Gang, I’m heading for the old rack. Getting late/early here. I truely appreciate the Birthday wishes and thank you with all my heart. Being part of this blog and interacting with you all is a true pleasure and a great gift.
    Good Night and I will catch you all down the road.
    Excelsior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  108. jhallwally

    Heartwarming Nelly, give the little fellow my pats on the back and hello’s. I will keep him in my prayers.

  109. nellyjune

    Good Night/Morning Wally – Have a wonderful day tomorrow/today!!!! The pleasure is ours as well jhall. Happy Birthday once again!!!

  110. nellyjune

    Good night enchanted/Beav!!!! Thanks for the laughs today. Take care and have a wonderful Friday as well đŸ™‚

  111. dodgerzona

    Hello,
    Wow what a windy day at the ol’ballpark…We had 40-50 mph wind’s here today…Anyway on to the game….McDonald looked great i thought…He had a rough first two inning’s then he settled down. X.paul what can i say…this kid should be on the 25 man roster come opening day…He had a base’s clearing triple today…And what to say about Milton lol…NOTHING…Guy is horrible….Anybody up?

  112. nellyjune

    Good evening dodgerzona ~ I can’t imagine having to pitch in wind like that or having to catch a fly ball.

  113. dodgerzona

    Good late evening to you Nelly,

    Yes all the outfielders were having alot of problem’s today

    Could be why McDonald wasn’t doing that good the first two inning’s to

    And no sighting of Pierre…really bummed me out lol…NOT

  114. nellyjune

    I am sorry to hear you didn’t get to see JP. I know you were looking forward to it – LOL!!!. They said Kemp was getting a work out today with all the wind so I can only imagine what it did to the ball. I am not sure about So-Cal, but it was pretty windy up in the central valley this afternoon and somewhat now…….not quite 40-50 miles per hour….that’s pretty strong.

  115. dodgerzona

    We normally don’t get wind’s that bad here…I really hope we have seen the last of Milton,Estes, And Vargas…I will be going next Tues to…Dodger vs D’Back’s…Look’s like we will lose spring training down here…With everyone going up to the Phx area

  116. dodgerzona

    The White sox gave Tucson 5mil to leave…And if we don’t have 4 team’s down here that mean’s the D’Backs and Rockies can leave

  117. dodgerzona

    It look’s like it….D’Back’s and Rockies are already looking for sites in the Phx area…You know i don’t mind cause i will still go up to cbr-Glendale and see the Dodgers…Plus there’s more to do up there

  118. dodgerzona

    All we will have here is the Tucson Toros…Golden baseball league…Which start’s in May….Very low single A team

  119. nellyjune

    You would think that would make it kind of strange for the dbacks to have ST in the same area the play normally.

  120. dodgerzona

    I know…But that’s the way it look’s…I’m tired…Long day
    To much sun and wind today

    Have a great night Nelly

  121. nellyjune

    Good Night dodgerzona! I am glad you got to see a game today and a win on top of it. Get some well deserved rest. I am heading to bed in a few myself. Take Care đŸ™‚

  122. ramslover

    Gooooood Mornnnnnnnnnnnning ITDDDDDDDDDDD! Ok that is my Robin Williams impersonation…Happy 29th Birthdays to JHall and Joe Pierre….Enjoy!

    It is 61 in Dallas going to 30 tonight!!! An rtic balst coming thru, should be fun,,,

    Go Dodgers!!! And it is ok, if you are in the BP, to start pitching well, we will not get mad if you do!!!

  123. Dodger4life

    Good Morning ITD Dodgerfaithful,
    .
    I missed the game yesterday, My kids are visiting this week so my computer time has been reduced to almost nothing.
    I am happy to see MacDonald did well. How are ya Ramslover?? We have weather aproaching 60 degrees today also. I asked the girls to turn the heater down before going to sleep last night and they turned it off, so there’s a little arctic blast around here also. Brrrrrrr……
    .
    GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  124. Dodger4life

    Dodgers ~ Royals… Kuroda on the hill and free web-cast today, dodgers.com 1:05 PT. Enjoy the game everyone .
    .
    GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!!!!!

  125. trublu4ever

    Good morning Ramslover and Dodger4life ~ Looking forward to the game and hoping to see the BP settle down.

  126. nellyjune

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

    We actually get to watch a game today – YEAH!! 10 days, 8 hours and counting until Opening Day 2009. GO DODGERS!!!!!!!

  127. colliethec

    Good morning ITD’ers!
    .
    Just a quick hit & run seeing as I’ve got to get working!
    .
    Happy Birthday to Joe Pierre & Wally!!!
    .
    I hope everyone out there has a great day!
    .
    Go Blue!!
    .
    Brig the Ring to LA in 2009!!!

  128. shad78

    I’m still ********** they we could’ve had resigned Lofton to another 1 yrs deal and he was the only one that show up in the playoff against the Mets but did we really have to signed Pierre to that huge contract? Lofton would had never complaint about playing time and he does take more walks, have more pop and a better obp than Pierre. It’s so hard to believe Lofton in 1998 had 18 assists and the next year he had 11 something Pierre would had never been done.

  129. shad78

    lol at the O’s rotation. Good god do they need pitching?

    Starting Rotation
    J. Guthrie
    K. Uehara
    R. Hill
    D. BĂ¡ez
    M. Hendrickson

  130. shad78

    It look like they having problem find a 4th and 5th while we trying to find our 5th but Jmac should win it fair and square.

  131. nellyjune

    Here’s today’s lineup thanks to Kenny G’s Around the Horn…..

    Manny starts, but Casey Blake went home for the birth of his third child.

    Rafael Furcal SS

    Orlando Hudson 2B

    Manny Ramirez LF

    Andre Ethier RF

    Russell Martin C

    James Loney 1B

    Matt Kemp CF

    Blake DeWitt 3B

    Hiroki Kuroda P

  132. enchantedbeaver

    Wow, close to the real deal on that line-up.

    I think that Kuroda/Wolf/Billz/Kersh/McDonald is a pretty solid starting 5. The line up we have now should be able to put enough runs on the board to get these guys through the 6th. Let’s just hope Wade/Kuo/Brox pitch like last year and not this spring.

  133. nellyjune

    Hey enchanted!!!! – you know there is a new thread, right? (jk) I posted the lineup not knowing the thread had changed 6 posts ago.

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