Looking to sweep the homestand…
Coming off an incredible evening in which the premiere of Bluetopia seemed to go over very well with those who saw it…at least from my conversations afterward. Hopefully you will get to see it, too. One thing that seemed to surprise people was how much the movie was done from the viewpoint of the fans, not the players. Rather than a recap video of the 2008 season, this is more about the people who dedicate their lives to the Dodgers, and there were a lot of very touching moments throughout.
That’s not to say there’s something wrong with recap videos at the end of a season. I collected them all as a kid — still have the ones from 1986, 1988 and 1990 on my shelf at home — but I think this movie will have a longer shelf life beause it could have taken place in any year…it just so happened that it was during the most successful season we’ve had in two decades and that we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the move to Los Angeles.
In any event, we’ll leave the judging up to you all but my kudos go out to Tim Marx (an all those involved). Tim basically lived with the team for the last year and, in my opinion, captured the true essence of what it means to be a Dodger fan…
Here’s the lineup for today:
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
McDonald, P
Inside the Dodgers 
S…W….E….E….P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 would be really great!!!!!! Go “Jimmy Mack”!!!!! GO DODGERS!!!!!!
Good afternoon ITD, Dodgerfaithful
.
Manny and Dre just Awesome yesterday!!!
.
Billz remarkable outing!! Good homestand from all š
.
James McDonald today and I feel a stellar performance from the youngster this afternoon, Lets give him some run support early.
.
Happy Flight Night š
.
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!
BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!
Hello everyone!!! Let’s get 8!!!!! Very different from last year at this time when we would have already seen 10 different lineups. I’ve always believed that a team thrives on a set lineup day in and day out. Players will have good days and bad days throughout the season, but they don’t need to be worried about striking out a couple of times and going to the bench. I’m very happy that we have a set lineup and are getting off to a great start. They say you can’t win a championship in April, but you can lose one. Hope you all are well and having a great weekend.
GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to a Dodgers invitation, I was able to attend the Bluetopia premiere last night. Here’s my review with a few photos:
http://www.trolleydodger.com/2009/04/19/at-the-bluetopia-premiere/
Good Afternoon ITD readers and writers!!!!
LET’S GO FOR THE SWEEEEEP DODGER BLUE!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing the photos and review trolly_dodger. It must have been a very cool experience. Jhall, it is nice not to see a different lineup every game. I think it is part of why they have a great chemistry already and it’s not even May yet.
I totally agree Bleu Fille’!!!!
Great stuff Trolley!!!! Thanks!!!!
Nice song yesterday Beav!!!! Kudo’s once again.
bluecrewgirl – my trip was fantastic!!! Thanks for asking.
Thanks Trolley!!
Hey Nelly!!! Glad you had a nice trip.
Nelly, sorry I broke the rules of engagement yesterday. Don’t follow my lead on that one. LOL!!!!!!!!!!! I just couldn’t resist. A moment of weakness, haha!!!!!!!!!
And besides, it was your boy Andre!!! Couldn’t let it go!!!!
:))))))))))
Thanks jhall/Wally – you and Beav HAVE GOT to meet Ward Dear. The price of the ITD tour would be money well spent just to see the three of you talk for real.
LOL Nelly!!! One of these days!!!!
jhall – I know………..I couldn’t help it ethier, and I am sure Ward Dear will be mighty sore at us for doing it too.
…but thank you (and everyone else who came to his defense)…..I really do appreciate it!!!
I figure, you can only take so much abuse and then you have to fight back. It’s one of my bad traits. Then again, sometimes I think it’s a good thing to have the fighting spirit!
I think Dad would have been ripping his hair out to refrain from commenting also Nell’!!!!
I’m with you Trumom!!!!!!!!!
i know it’s not about individual accolades.. but i really hope matty can keep his hitting streak going.. it really just shows how much he’s grown as a hitter.. he’s not swinging for the fences, and he rarely chases that low slider.. thanks donnie baseball! š
LOL!!! Yes, he would have jhall, and I am not so sure he would have refrained ethier.
The bad part is I think Badge is just doing it to get a rise out of us. He can’t truely believe what he was saying, it is just so ludicrous. And if he does believe it, he is too far gone anyway.
Isn’t it odd that he shows up when Nells and Enchanted aren’t around?!
Hi’Ya Sara, nice post. I’m totally with you on that one.
….drinking waaaaay too much Koolaid then if you believe that crap.
sara – I agree. Matt is doing a fabulous job.
thanks jhall, dnelly.. his ceiling is just so high, it’ll be amazing as he continues to progress.. our team is in a great place right now as the “kids” continue to mature..
i wouldn’t worry about the idiot badge.. i mean, we’ve done the pierre vs anyone else argument over and over again.. there really is no way that anyone can objectively say that pierre should be starting over ANYONE
it’s such a beautiful day in LA today.. great day for a ballgame.. work on that tan amy!! š
Dcollins, from the last thread about the minors…I have always loved the minors. I have been afforded the opportunity to spend quality time with the A ball teams for 2-3 days at a time for the last 3 years. I now have a new respect for scouts, I was at the 06 Gulf Coast Dodgers site for 3 days and when I saw these kids and how young and undeveloped they are, how can a person project how they will develop…it is a crap shoot and you can never tell.
Anyway back to the big team…
Joe needs to use Troncoso more..2 appearances in 12 games is not good for a sinkerballer….the kid has good stuff, use him instead of Mota…
Do not let Badge get to you today folks…ignore him and he will go away.
Sara, I hope Matt keeps the streak going too. He has really grown since last year and I guess the new contacts aren’t hurting either. I think all the “young guns” are going to have big years. It’s going to be tough for me today switching between the Lakers and Dodgers. I hope my remote is up to the challenge ):
bluecrewgirl, i’ll be switching back and forth too.. but the lakers are in control of the game, so it won’t be close enough to stress over.. haha
Sara, yes it’s good to have Bynum back and see them at full strength, but I’m bummed that Garnett is out for the Celtics because I wanted a finals rematch with both of them at full strength since Bynum was out during the playoffs last year. I wanted them to have a chance to beat the Celtics with both of them having their best players in there. Oh well, I can’t complain. The Lakers and Dodgers are looking great, so life is good.
Padres just lost to Phillies…………FIRST PLACE FOR THE DODGERS TODAY!!!!!!!!!!
it’s about time they lost a game
I know, Bluecrewgirl They lost it in the bottom of the 9th, too!
That’s good news, trublu. Now the Dodgers just need to keep winning and stay there.
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO
.
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO
.
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO
.
Ethier Shall Rock The House!!!!
.
Manny Shall Rock The House!!!!
.
Kemp Shall Rock The House!!!!!!
.
Loney Shall Rock The House!!!!
.
Hudson Shall Rock The House!!!!
.
The Dodgers Shall Rock The House!!!
.
Rock Me Baby!!!!! GO DODGERS!!!!!!!
Is anyone else having problems with MLB.tv today. Not getting the game in high defination and is really jumpy.
that hudson signing looks better and better everyday..
Hey Bob!! I had so many problems with MLBTV last year that I just got the audio this year. I think you need RoadRunner or something compareable for it to work well. I only have DSL and it was always jumpy and would just freeze up. Hope yours works out.
Another E-bomb!!!!!!!!! WooHoo!!!!
juan-who?
Another RBI for Andre!!!! ALRIGHT!!! Keep talking with your bat Andre, keep talking!!!
LOL Sara!!!
š
Man, that would have burned a hole in the infielder’s glove if he had caught it. Off to a great start.
That’s funny Sara š
yeah bluecrewgirl.. andre ripped that ball
Boblee ~ I’m having a lot of problems with mlb.tv today. The Phillies/Padres game was pretty good, but our game sucks!
My picture got better. I have a 64 bit system and I had problems today getting the game to load. Kept saying I needed to download adobe player but then said adobe wasn’t for a 64 bit system. I finally got on and the game now thru orime is in HD and finally working tight.
Nice play by Ethier!!!!! Good job Mac!!! Wiggled off the hook.
That’s a big sigh of relief!!!
Whew!!!!! We Dodgered that bullet!!!!!
Nice to have the off day tomorrow. We’re probably going to have to use the bullpen alot. Pull out all the stops Jojo, get the sweep!!!!!
Whew and heavy sigh is right Sara and Nelly!!!!
Glad to see James work out of that jam. Settle down James!
McDonald’s already thrown 53 pitches. He’ll be lucky to get to the 5th.
O-Dog!!!!!!!
Woo Hoo. O-Dog!!!!!!
O-Dog is rakin’ it lately. He’s turned out to be a great acquisition.
OOOOOOOOOOOH-DOOOOOOOOOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s playing like Ferk did last April. When Ferk gets heated up we will really be sleeping in 4 leaf clovers!!!
Anyone watch the Boston game? I wonder if Saito did his pump fist when he got that save for the Red Sox? I hate to see him do that in another unform.
Well, that was nice!!!
That was a great scoop by Blake to turn the double play! I didn’t realize what a great defensive player he was when we first got him last season.
OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!® Casey!!!! I love great defense.
I hate to see Saito in another uniform too, Shad.
Juan Pierre .375 “e” .289. Juan Pierre 0 GDP “e” 3. Juan Pierre… aw nevermind.
How are y’all today??
You scared us for a minute, enchanted, lol.
Keep it up J-Mac!!!! getting some insurance runs for our bullpen would be nice š
Jimmy Mack is pitching the shakiest shutout in the west.
Alright Matthew Ryan Kemp – Game #13 – yeah!!!
The streak continues….. Congrats, Matt!
Man enchanted you scared me.
Just keeping you guys on your toes Shad!!!
Raffy!!!!!
LMFTO Beav!!!!!!!!!!
very funny enchanted š LMAO!!!! However, that stat is correct
Raffy got all of that one. There have been some really hard hit balls in this game. I’m surprised there aren’t any homeruns yet. I guess today is doubles day as Vin was just saying.
enchanted – when I see the “e” like that, I think of you because that’s one of your names around here.
I just got finished watching the Jazz/Lakers game and they were chanting we want taco lol.
Come on, Jimmy Mack, get yourself a win!!!!
enchanted – “e” and Pierre are tied with 1 SB a piece too š
Yeah, there’s big “E” and little “e.”
You of course are big “E” – LMTO!!!!!!!!!
Smart move, make Jiminez run the bases on a 95 degree day!!!
Really though, does James just seem lost out there?
Here I thought I was little “e” (thaough at about 220 there ain’t much little anymore.)
The Gnats are being shut out by The Unit in the 6th. No surprise there.
McDonald hung in there though, helped out by some good D. He has shown flashes of how good he can be and it’s a great learning experience for him. That kind of shows how everything seems to be going right for the Dodgers now when even a young pitcher can have an up and down outing and he still goes out leading 4-0. May their luck continue.
You can be whichever “Ee” you want – LOL!!!
Let’s go Scott!!!
Alright Matthew!!!!! Thank you!!!!
OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!® Bison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All I can say is WOW that catch.
The defense has sure saved our bacon today!!! Nice catch, Matt!!!!
Now let’s see if standing out on the bases took anything out of Jimenez.
“Juan Pierre could’ve made that catch…”
Juan Pierre pouty dugout thought bubble 2:57 PM
Defense has been stellar today for sure, seesky.
…as dodgereric says, pitching and defense wins championships. We just may have that with some great hitting too š
Glad to see Russell get a hit there. I think he’s been pressing a bit, but he’ll come around.
So, you are now ndeschenes and obi?
ALRIGHT MATTHEW RYAN KEMP!!!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR!!!!!!
I wonder why Ned can’t find anyone that will trade for me? I’ve got a WS ring and I come to the ballpark early everyday. My game is what it is. Some people like it and some, well, DON’T!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rats!!!!
Pile thought bubble..
Yeah, Matt! Our offense is so much fun so far this season.
WooHoo!!!!!
Welcome to the hitting club Scott!!!
Pass me the mustard, grandma, it’s grand salami time!!!! Matty K!!!!!
I would ask if there is a mercy rule in mlb, but then I remember the Cleveland game yesterday (jk) LMAO!!!!!!
I bet JP plays today so he can work on that batting average š
Who is this team, and what have they done with our Los Angeles Dodgers?
Too bad we only have 7 games at home this month.
You really gotta like our line-up this year – no weak links, no easy outs…
Kent and Nomar are better than Hudson and Blake.
Signed Badge!!!!
Just like we thought…….they are all capable of hitting the long ball, and even our pitchers aren’t easy outs.
It has been home sweet home so far, northstate. Hopefully, the road will be kind to them this season.
WooHoo, another E-Bomb!!!!
This Dodger offense is not your father’s Dodger offense. Then again, it could depend on how old your father is.
This is just too fun!!!!
told ya!!
Doesn’t even matter who the pitcher is. I was kind of disappointed that they took the other pitcher out before Andre’s at bat, but didn’t make a difference. I know I shouldn’t be that greedy as we already had 10 runs, but I love it!
Ohman and Elbert .1000 Pierre still below .400 lol.
And, Jp gets to come in and pinch run for Everyday Dre!!!!
Sorry, it was Manny!
I can’t believe the Rockies signed that ex Red Beliste maybe they wanted Milton. We owned Belisle the past 2 games and heck we not playing in Colorado.
I got so excited by all the scoring I lost my head for a moment! lol
This is what this offense was designed to do, Ned, I know a lot of folks give u crap but you put together what could become the most feared lineup in all of baseball this year. We are absolutely blowing teams out or coming from behind to win, this team will never be out of a game with this talent. Matt, if the world doesn’t already know who you are they will by the end of this year. Hudson, welcome to the good guys and you are doing an incredible job. We have to be leading the National league if not all of MLB in offensive categories now. GO DODGERS!!
This is when JP should play, and I have no problems with him playing under these circumstances. When he came in to pinch run for Mienkeweitz on Thursday night, I cheered for him because that is his role now. As long as he doesn’t start, I am okay with him coming in for pinch hitting, pinch running or if we are smashing (like right now) or being smashed on (which I don’t think will happen).
I dont think JP could come in for Ethier that would put Manny over to RF or you can move Blake there and put Dewitt at 3rd..
Well, Elbert is obviously not ready for prime time.
Don’t let em back in it Elbert, lets lead the league in Offense and pitching
Make you felt really bad for McDonald.
The Pirates were #1 in ERA now they going to dropped alot of spot.
Okay – so it’s not a shut out – Oh well š
He has some good stuff and throws hard, but he needs to learn not to serve up multiple fat ones over the plate to major league hitters. LMAO, Vin just called Matt Jeff Kemp.
All my guys in Dodger Blue sure helped my fantasy team today! Thank-you!!!!
Bluecrew ~ I’ll bet Matt wouldn’t like that at all! LOL
We, definitely, have the offense and defense. As for pitching…..well, especially where the bullpen is concerned, the jury’s still out on that score.
Hi Folks
Just got in, I generally miss most of the game on Sunday.
Well 11 more runs, I hope I get to see some Dodger action, since I missed yesterdays game.
Probably not, trublu. He was a great player, but I don’t miss his grouchiness at all.
hey oldbrooklynfan!!! Glad you can join the action now. Did you get to go to any of the Mets games yet?
Scott, briefly, did his best Fat Elbert impression. At least, it was in a laugher.
way to get that walk JP!!
Did hell just freeze over or did JP walk??
Wow, that looked like an intentional walk to JP.
Oh that was soooooooo close!!!! Nice Sac Fly Andre!!!!
James joins the party! I was hoping he would.
LMAO enchanted and messagebear š
Andre just had his 16th rbi and his 6th multi-run game. Just the facts.
That was close, Nelly. At least he got an rbi out of it.
Yeah James!!!!
My Loney has a first name,
It’s J-A-M-E-S
My Loney has a second name,
It’s L-O-N-E-Y
I love to watch him every day
And if you ask me why I’ll say
‘Cause James Loney has a way
With H-I-T-T-I-N-G!
By leefink and martinloneykemp
Sorry multi hit game!
Damn, missed the extra point.
Andre now leads the NL in RBI’s.
Go Dodgers!!!
just a fact digthedodgers š Thanks!!!!
..and how are you today?
Really good, thanks. Just heard that and I thought I’d stop by and share the good info.
Yes Nelly, opening day.
If this gets much more out of hand, the Rockies will be getting position players to pitch.
That’s great olddodgerfan!!! So, you are part of history once again….fabulous!!! I have the Mets for my pitching staff for my fantasy team this year, so I am paying attention to them more this year even when the Dodgers aren’t playing them.
Good digthedodgers š
And now, this next Oldie but Goodie’s a dedication to the Rockies baseball club of Colorado, from Motown’s own Marvin Gaye, here’s “Mercy Mercy Me”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxgeYXCjM8
In tribute to Kasey Kasem, we say Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the sky.
MATTHEW RYAN KEMP ONCE AGAIN!!!!
There it is!!!
Matt, you are the man, 3 Dodgers with multi-homerun games in 2 days!! I love it!! GO DODGERS!!
The best think about Citi Field is the Jackie Robinson Rotunda
and ofcourse the field itself replicating good old Ebbets Field.
That’s the 3rd Dodger in 13 games to get 2-HR’s in a game. Wow!
And Andre’s done it twice!
Another multi-home run game for a Dodger in back to back games. Awesome.
WOW This team is powerful.
nsblues – LOL!!! That’s good š
olddodgerfan – just fantastic!!!!
digthedodgers – yes, he has!!
Actually the building itself looks like they took Ebbet’s Field out of mothballs. The playing field and stands are not the same.
What does Troncoso say???
SWEEP!!!!! WHAT A HOMESTAND!!!!! GO DODGERS!!!!!
.
THUNDERSTRUCK!!!!!
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f1cwycSWq0
.
LIFE IS GOOD TODAY!!!!
.
http://www.cmt.com/videos/unplugged/zac-brown-band/324236/toes.jhtml
.
WAY TO GO DODGERS!!!!!
BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!!!
Ho-Hum..another day and another Dodger win…Yabba Dabba Dooooo!
Take care ITDers.
Go Dodgers!!!
8 in a row! Enjoy the off day and lets get back to sweepin in houston. GO DODGERS!!
I don’t know what Tronscoso says, do you? LMAO!!!!
EXTRA EXTRA – LOS ANGELES DODGERS TAKE OVER FIRST PLACE on this the 19TH Day of April 2009. Led by Matt “THE HITMAN” Kemp’s 2 Tremendous HOME RUNS!!! All hail BATMAN Hudson AND RAFAEL FURCAL our dynamic duo at the Top of the Order. Scott Elbert comes in for the Win. BLAKE, MANNY and Captain Marty all with two hits. Two for Juan BENCH BEASTS Castro and Pierre. Troncoso back to being the dominant sinkerballer he is. ITS COMING BOYS AND GIRLS – A CHAMPIONSHIP IN OCTOBER!!!
Hasta la vista BABY!!!!
Hey!!! You forgot Andre, the NL RBI leader, in your speech!!!
LOL!!! (jk) enchanted – you are doing an outstanding job!!!
…and Hasta la vista BABY definitely works for me š
Oops.
I orded the “BLUETOPIA” early this morning, I can’t wait to see it.
LMAO!!!! seriously – I am just playing enchanted š
Wow! I know the season has just started, but right now The DODGERS have proved they can score runs (even without Manny may I say) have starting pitching (who thinks about Brad Penny) and a Bull pen that can keep us in the game. What a week when I think back to Monday till right now, I am just smiling and enjoying. Disneyland isn’t the only place with fireworks in Los Angeles!
Keep it up and stay healthy Boys in Blue
:))))))))))))
1st Place Baby!!!!!!! This team rocks!!!!! We certainly rocked the Rockies!!!!!
There is something about the smile that makes me LMAO!!!!!
koufax – This is our Disneyland IMO!!!!! Great post!!!!
It’s time for ice cream, and this time it’s by ourselves š
I guess what Dre contributes on a daily basis goes without saying…
Nelly, that’s because you know what is in between each smile. LOL!!!
OK – who wants to be ndeschenes this week???
Okay enchanted -you are forgiven š
jhall – yes, I do š
enchanted – you are doing a marvelous job, so I think you should keep the job.
Go with it Beavdeschenes!!!
Was that bitcthin or what?
I got to feeling bad for the Rocks (but not real bad) after awhile. I watched the game on Fox Rocky Mtn and it was tough for the announcers to put any kind of positive spin on this series. It made me think of some lyrics by the Drive by Truckers. The best thing the Rockies can do is “shut your mouth and get your *** on the plane.”
It’s simply amazing how much I enjoy seeing the Dodgers in their home whites checking in at home plate (Kemp’s slam) and heading for the dugout. Let’s enjoy this. The entire season cannot go this way, but maybe enough of it will to get us way deep, and I mean WAY DEEP into the playoffs.
It’s your row to hoe my brother Beav. Actually, his posts always left me wondering where he was getting his weed. JMO!!!!
I forgot to mention that I think it must have been some good s**t!!!
That sounds kinda ooky Jhall. Almost like Herpierres.
Ice cream sounds good, gonna grab a spoonful right now, heheheheh.
It’s nice to feel like we’ve picked up where we left off. Of course, we’ve only mainly played the West at this point, but we’re winning the games we should be winning. In L.A., no matter the sport, that should NEVER be taken for granted (I’m talking to you, Laker performances in the Portland Rose Garden. Let’s step it up a notch in this second season!).
Great to hear Randy Newman bumping in two arenas today.
jhall – perfect name for him!!!!!!!
knouffbrock – The only Rockie I felt bad for is Ianetta. He was .045 until he finally got a hit, and now he is back up to .083. Boy, have we been there with some of ours in the past. It doesn’t look like too much of that is going to happen this season.
LMAO!!!! now that you mention it enchanted š
How “sweep” it is. Exciting game – loved every minute of it.
LOL my brother!!! Actually Pile was used very appropriately today. Pinch runner, defensive replacement for Manny (only one he could defensively replace on our team). Would be great if it didn’t come with an 8M price tag. Geez!!!!!!!!!
I have to admit I’m shocked that Joe keeps JP on the bench as much as he does.
me too š
I ain’t afraid of Piles mama!!!
Signed Jojo.
And Ned is a lame duck!!! It was really me that orchestrated the trades and signings that got us here.
I really do think Frank and JoJo did more of the GM work on the deals than Ned did. At least they had the final say so. JMO!!!!!!!!!
I think we’re all afraid of piles – mama. š
:)))))))))))))
I think enchanted should keep the job. Nelly, last season we spent a good part of it upset at Andre’s playing time and now he’s the National League rbi leader. I know it’s early, but still very cool.
Great game, take care everyone.
LMTO!!!!!!!! watch out for wooden spoons and spatulas!!
Take care Bleu Fille’!!!
Great game today…the lineup is as solid as one that the Dodgers have ever had…it is early but Matt Kemp looks like he is blossoming into the ballplayer many of us thought he would be…He looks so much more relaxed than he ever has…and he is hitting his home runs to right center is a great sign..Keep it up Matt…
McDonald needs to trust his stuff, he has the ability, just pitch to contact…we need you to step up…or when Kuroda gets healthy keep Stults in the rotation and put James in the BP and get rid of Mota…
Great day the Dodgers, Lakers and the Loons won!!!
It is very cool bluecrewgirl. We can’t go back, but he certainly is making himself known, in his own quiet way, and letting everyone know “I am here too” š
I just realized that JP is a 5-pule player.
Duh for me for not noticing that there was another thread so I’ll repost what I posted on the prior one a few minutes ago.
DC! thanks for reading my blog. I just came back from the game. It was really hot today but at least my seats are in the shade and we get a nice breeze there!
.
I feel… well a little sad once the team leaves. I always feel that way once a homestand concludes. I know I am spoiled that way. Time for me to catch up with other things I neglect when the team is in town.
.
Great song Enchanted!
.
Ran into Tony Jackson from The Daily News http://insidesocal.com/dodgers/ He told me he mentioned me in his blog on Friday when he saw me with my 70’s outfit. He also said that he heard my name but I was not shown on the big screen like the other contestants. Well I told him the mixup was with the Dodgers that they had me waiting with a Dodger personnel in a different location. When I went back to my seat that night all the season ticket holders around me were asking me also what happened as they heard my name but did not see me. One of them was telling me that I should have complained so I did and will be compensated with tickets to a future game.
.
So today during BP, a gentleman told me “What happened to the outfit?” “I would have voted for you yesterday.” Well, I explained to him the mixup when my friend noticed his name tag. Guess who we were talking to? Andre Ethier’s dad! We stayed there talking to him about baseball, Andre, Arizona and other things. He was very nice. I’ll share more in my next blog.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
Also I wanted to say that I loved the movie “Bluetopia” I laughed, I cheered and got chocked up. I loved it!
.
Tim Marx is the nicest man! I, along with many Dodger fans are glad that we got to meet him.
.
Tim: You just got to make Bluetopia 2!
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
wow, our team looks so promising right now.. they really are rollin’.. it is SO exciting and such great baseball to watch.. i think the best part is that this is what we’ve been predicting and waiting for.. all the young guys’ talent to materialize and to add to the right veteran talent.. hudson was such a great addition.. keeping raffy was key.. we are so strong right now.. and can continue to be strong as the majority of our core is very young..
i know it’s a LONG season, and we will have our ups and downs as every team does.. but it’s hard not to get excited thinking of the possibilities.. i love this team! i love the young guns.. GO BLUE!! š
emma, i definitely read what tony wrote about you the other day on his blog.. i was like, he’s talking about emma!
Good evening ITD boys and girls!
No, itās, āGREAT evening ITD boys and girls!!!ā What can I say about todayās game that Matty, Dre, and the rest of our BIB (Boys in Blue) didnāt say with their bats today? Not much. Matty, I look forward to many more multi-HR games, and more Grand Salamis!!! My husband and I were at yesterdayās game and it was great to see Mannyās 1st and 2nd HRs of the year and for Dreās 3rd and 4th HRs of the year! We even got there early to take pictures on the field! Oh, how exciting that was! Heck, even if JP hadnāt dogged it from the other side of the field, coming to our side, I wouldāve even taken a picture with him! As it was, many players leaned in and my hubby got pics of me with a bunch of them. Too bad the sun was behind them so the bill of their caps shaded their faces. But maybe Iāll learn how to remove shadows. Many of them are keepers!!! But it was a great day!
So how are my ITD friends today???
Hey CP!!! How are you this evening? It sounds like you had a great time at the game yesterday. The game today was just awesome. Our boy is leading the NL in RBIs right now.
Yes, I know Nelly! Itās a great feeling right now! Yes, itās VERY early in the season, but we love what we see! We all know that the season is long and yes, we will see losing streaks that we donāt want to see, but knowing what this team is capable of offensively can only give us hope! Iām fine. Iām tired as heck, as Friday was my actual āfirstā day on the job; you know, walking the streets, verifying addresses. So how was your trip to So Cal?
Our trip to So-Cal was fabulous! The Dodger game was awesome, Del Mar was beautiful, and Eric’s family was wonderful.
Wow!! I can imagine how tired you must be then.
This is going to be a remarkable Dodger Blue year. I can feel it!!!
It sure has started on the right foot! This is going to be a year to remember!
So how are Mariya and Matt these days?
Oh….. they are doing just fine. I think it’s the adults who are trying to figure out what happened – LOL!!! Seriously, I must admit, they make a very cute couple, no doubt about that!! Not to embarrass Eric (and Chris), but Matt treats her like royalty. They did their job as parents very well because he totally respects her for who she is (she is very opinionated at times), and how could you not, as a mom, like that in a guy your daughter is dating. Mariya thinks the world of him, and how can I blame her, really? Matt is everything that Eric has described on this forum countless times before. I guess only time will tell at this point. If you are keeping track of time…it was 2 months last Tuesday the 14th š
No Nelly, I wasnāt keeping track of time! (Yeah, right, sureā¦) Iām glad that things seem to be going well for them. And you say that Mariya is opinionated? I wonder where she got that??? I donāt know about her, but her mom definitely has her own mind (and mind you, I mean that in a VERY GOOD way!) I mean, I read your posts on here a lot (certainly a lot more than I post) and with all that youāve had to put up with defending our Everyday Dre, you do very well in that category, for sure! Just remember, donāt engage, donāt engage, donāt engage!!! š
jhall started it!!!! LOL!!!!! I know…………………..how many times have I been told not to engage, and I will hear it I’m sure. Just a fact š
Okay, gotta go. Gotta get up early in the morn. Iāll catch up with ya later Nelly!!!
Good Night CP!!! Take care and God Bless š
i know a lot of people like to bag on coletti but i think hes been a very smart gm in one huge aspect,keeping the young guys.think about the offseason before last year.miggy cabrera and johan santana were on the block.and the dodgers were players in both hunts.so many people were saying we should make a deal for miggy.and that was tempting,miggys great.but we would of had to give up so much for him or the ace johan.both teams wanted a deal including a few guys from this list:broxton,bills,loney,kemp,eithier,mcdonald,and kershaw.now look.bills is our best pitcher,kershaws off to a hot start,and while mcdonald has struggled hes getting good experience at a young age.broxtons our closer,and a solid one,with upside.hes 5 out performance was impressive and he was solid in the playoffs.eithiers got 16 rbi’s already,kemps got a 13 game hitting streak,and loneys the best young contact hitter in the league. i do admit,the jones and schmidts signings will always be regreted,and giving pierre that much money to be a backup was not smart, i tip my hat off to coletti.not to mention the manny trade,signing wolf and hudson,and not re signing penny.the best moves hes made are the moves he hasnt made.and right now im enjoying the way the dodgers a playing.over powering offense,solid starting pitching,good fielding,and decent bullpen aside from 2 games.hopefully they can keep this going.i expect great things this year from our boys in blue
So, do they purposely take pictures of JP in the dugout looking like he really is thinking those thought bubbles? I swear it looks like they do this on purpose. Everytime they take a picture of him, he is never, ever smiling. It really does look like he is in deep thought and wondering “Can somebody get me out of here, please!!?” – LOL!!!!!! Hilarious!!!!!
mdavis – Welcome to ITD if you have not been on before. That is the one thing I can say about this organization is they did keep the young guns in place, and I think it just might pay off very soon.
This team is really rolling now. However it’s early in the season and if they want to get past the Phillies & Cubs in the playoffs, they need to trade Ethier for Holliday. Holliday can rake compared to Ethier. Ethier just doesn’t have any power!
I joke I joke!!!!!!
very funny dc š
Remember that conversation last year?!
….besides, we had that argument with Holliday last season. How is he doing as an Athletic this year? It doesn’t look right seeing him in green and yellow, really.
Yes, I do very much so. I engaged quite a bit in that one too, if I recall. I guess I still haven’t learned my lesson and followed my rules of engagement very well, have I?
you’re lucky you said you were joking dcollins.. there are a lot of ethieraholics on this board who would be all over you.. haha.. i believe that was a hot topic on this board last year.. some people coming on asking for a trade for holliday.. i’m not convinced he’ll be a stud away from coors yet.. and even if he is, i still like andre on this team..
No he doesn’t. Hopefully he wont go to the Giants. They keep talking on KNBR that they are going to go or should go after him. I wouldn’t want to see him in black & orange. I like him to much!
oh oops.. you guys said the same things while i was posting mine.. i’m a bit late on the response..
I do like Holliday, and no, I definitely don’t want to see him in black and orange.
Don’t worry Sarah. I’m one of the original Ethieraholics.
.
I was the keep Dre camp last year!!
.
Oh & Nelly you didn’t engage. You smashed…
.
As did NSB with that video. I was dying laughing at that.
.
Also your posts this morning were checkmate!
I can be a bit sarcastic sometimes and that is hard on a keyboard if you know what I mean!
Thank you dc – It was just the facts – LOL!!!!
of course i knew you weren’t serious.. even if you hadn’t said you were joking, the regulars would have understood.. haha
I just stopped by for a short hello. Time to hit the hey!
.
Great game today! Have fun with the day off and enjoy the ice cream!!
.
Take care…
I don’t know……….I have been known to be gullable around here before so I might have believed it. Maybe not right away, but if you kept it going I might have š
I thought it was interesting that jhall was the one who taught me NOT to engage idiots like Madge.
Take care dcollins!!!! Good night and God Bless š
I thought it was you who taught us? We were worried about you being sore at us because we didn’t listen to our own rules of engagement.
dc – The difference between you saying something like that and the other person, is if you really believed that, you would have had everything to back it up, just like you always do. I fully understand our young Dodgers may not be with us for the duration of their career, and I will let go when I need to. It will be hard, but I will do it without crying too much š
Ah, you know – a father’s love. I can’t stay mad at my family! Besides, I don’t like to be a hypocrite. I probably would have engaged the pathetic little loser myself. I had enough trouble keeping my mouth shut 24 hours after his mommy must have found him playing with her laptop.
I know what you mean. I made sure I was ready for him today just in case.
Wouldn’t you think our moron politicians would have something better to do?
“Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has called for congressional hearings to examine the legality of the 12-year-old BCS system….”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-bcs-meeting20-2009apr20,0,2093675.story
Angels got swept by the Twins.
You would think our politicians would be working on our country and it’s economy, among other things.
Nascar ? – I didn’t even realize NASCAR ran yesterday instead of today until I saw ESPN news this morning. Not that I would have been able to see it anyway, but any reason? I lost my head to head competition by two lousy points. I rather lose by 100+ I am still in 2nd by myself, and I am 2nd in total points as well.
It’s pretty cool seeing the gnats and the dbacks sharing the bottom dwellers role for the time being anyway.
Hi nellyjune, r u still awake?? I’m texting you.
They schedule a few Saturday night races throughout the season. I could hazard a few guesses, but that’s all they would be. I don’t have enough NASCAR history knowledge (yet). š My team didn’t do so well – other than Johnson. His team kind of let him down yesterday. He lost a lot of spots in the pits. He had a car that could have won it, I think. But he was constantly having to restart in 26th, 18th, 32nd, etc. But having said all that, I’m thrilled that Mark Martin finally won one. If you can’t be happy for him, you’re overdosed on the Kool-Aid.
Back to baseball, I see that Kemp ditched the cool-looking shades for the ol’ flip-downs today. I’d like to know who ripped him yesterday for having those Oakleys (or whatever they were) on the bill of his cap when he lost that flyball in the sun. Must have been Bowa.
i.e. :
Richmond, May 2
Darlington, May 9 (something’s going on that day, right?)
Daytona, July 4
Chicagoland, July 11
Bristol, Aug 22
Richmond, Sept 12
Charlotte, Oct 17
They schedule a few Saturday night races throughout the season. I could hazard a few guesses, but that’s all they would be. I don’t have enough NASCAR history knowledge (yet). š My team didn’t do so well – other than Johnson. His team kind of let him down yesterday. He lost a lot of spots in the pits. He had a car that could have won it, I think. But he was constantly having to restart in 26th, 18th, 32nd, etc. But having said all that, I’m thrilled that Mark Martin finally won one. If you can’t be happy for him, you’re overdosed on the Kool-Aid.
Back to baseball, I see that Kemp ditched the cool-looking shades for the ol’ flip-downs today. I’d like to know who ripped him yesterday for having those Oakleys (or whatever they were) on the bill of his cap when he lost that flyball in the sun. Must have been Bowa.
LOL!! Yes, I believe so š
So, there are quite a few than…….thanks for the info.
I really don’t want to be a party-pooper, ’cause I’m as excited as most of the rest of you. But our opponents haven’t been exactly the cream of the crop yet. So far, so good. But it’s a fine start to the season.
Rankings in the NL so far:
3rd in runs scored
2nd in hits
2nd in RBIs
1st in stolen bases
1st in walks
10th in strikeouts
2nd in batting average
1st in OBP
2nd in OBS
……and this is BEFORE today’s game…….
I know…..our test will be with the teams outside of our division. I am especially looking forward to our first meeting with Philly. That should be some series.
Have you seen this?
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Nationals-bench-Dukes-after-Little-League-relate?urn=mlb,157410
Someone (D4?) used to honor the Post Of The Day here. I’d like to nominate jhall, referring to enchanted’s ndescenes impression:
“It’s your row to hoe my brother Beav. Actually, his posts always left me wondering where he was getting his weed. JMO!!!!
By jhallwally on April 19, 2009 4:42 PM”
I couldn’t agree more, buddy-boy!! LMAO!!!
LMTO!!!!! Yes, that was a classic moment in today’s events. I think it was dodger4life who was doing that at one time.
That story on Dukes is interesting. Kind of like:
A) Biting off your nose to spite your face
B) Throwing out the baby with the bathwater
C) Proving you don’t belong as a Major League Manager
D) All of the above
LOL!! I am guessing D, all of the above.
That’s my guess!
Well, this has been nice, but I gotta hit the rack. Glad you guys got home safely, Junie. The last few days have been a pleasure, and you and Bill charmed the socks off Chris! God Bless you and yours and perhaps I can make ITD Latenight tomorrow.
Good Night Ward Dear!!! Thank you for everything, and Chris was mighty incredible herself, but you already know that. And just so you know, Matt met my brother and sister-in-law, along with my nephews on Sunday, and he charmed them as well. Take Care and God Bless!!!!
If I’m expected to keep up the ndeschenes post game posts, I’m gonna need some Maui Wowie myself!!!
LMTO, Enchanted!!! Good morning!!!
…….if that’s what it takes enchanted š
I’d turn on, tune in, and drop out, but that was the generation before me.
Good morning ITD, Dodgerfaithful
.
Great homestand by the Boys ~ Lets keep this wave of fun rolling along in Houston š
.
Happy Holiday’s All š
.
GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!
BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!!
I know it’s early, but Andre not only leads the NL in RBIs, he leads the entire major league right now. Just a fact š
..and don’t worry, if Matt or Manny’s stats ever come into question, I have their information too. I take care of my Dodger outfielders.
I just happened to be printing out the league leaders for NL, AL and MLB for my baseball wall and I just happened to notice it. BTW – the Dodger Pennant looks really nice in first place right now.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090420&content_id=4352298&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
player of the week – just a fact :
Okay – I lost a post somewhere, so I am sure it will show up sometime and this will be a double post.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090420&content_id=4352298&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Andre is the player of the week – just a fact š
so what is this about questioning Matt or Ethier? There shoudl be no need to question anything about them. Like I told them they are having great starts.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
Nelly – That’s odd, I didn’t see Juan Pierre’s name on the nominee list…
Crash ~ and he’s probably ticked off because of the omission!
I didn’t either Crash!!
Emma – we have had a visitor on ITD on Saturday that claims Pierre is better than Ethier by using their averages and RISP stats only. It’s okay Emma…………..Ethier set him straight by getting two jacks in that game and three RBIs yesterday. The only reason I brought up Matt is because I didn’t want ITD thinking I only pay attention to Andre’s stats. I pay attention to all the outfielders stats. l learned through ITD that if you are going to put up an argument for your players, you better have stats to back it up. He/She obviously didn’t.
i lost a post too.. so if a similar post shows up at some time, i’m sorry..
rose, or someone said the other day that they wanted andre to take over carne asada sundays since nomar is gone.. and rose, or someone is psychic then:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090420&content_id=4352184&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
Eric–speaking as a Utahn who has never voted for Orrin Hatch, he is a complete moron who should have better things to do. Unfortunately, we are stuck with him either until he dies or chooses to give up his seat. He’s only the latest Utah public official getting after the BCS for not giving the national championship to Utah this last college football season
In the infamous tradition of JoeyP and Phan, Badge is nothing more than a simple provacateur.He/she probably did’nt even actually believe what they were saying. Ramslover is, in the words of a past Aussie visitor sorely missed on these pages, spot on; the best way to answer ignorance is to ignore it.
Orrin Hatch – isn’t that what they use in case of emergency up in the space station?
Good afternoon ITD
I am going through Dodger baseball withdrawal. No game today. What should I do? Oh, that’s right, I have to go to work.
What a week it was. I am tired but it’s a good tired. Photo Day was amazing. Nellyjune I have a few more pix for you. It was a hot weekend but it was worth it. sitting at Dodger Stadium. It’s 100 degrees today in Long Beach. How horrible is that? At least there is no day game today. I miss our guys already.
I have a picture of my Ron Cey autograph ball on my blog. Joe wanted to know if he signed with his number. The answer is in the picture. Have a good evening.
http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com
but seesky……………it is sooooooo much more fun not to at times, and this was definitely one of those times for me anyway – LOL!!! I will do my best to behave next time.
Thank you heartruss!!!
Absolutely broiling in L.A. today. Guess the Dodgers left a bit of their “hot “streak behind. The Dodgers will come back to Earth on this road trip, though I’d be more than happy if they didn’t. Still wonder whatever happened to Russell Martin. Wasn’t he their All-Star catcher a few seasons ago? Last season, you say? And that his stats this season are fine? Well, OK, but he doesn’t seem like the same guy to me. Wasn’t he going to be the face of the franchise? Eclipse them all?
I’m hoping that Martin will hit his stride and get back to the form that made him the last two seasons. Fortunately we have the components of a really good team, whereby one or two guys can have and off-day or even an off-season, and the team can still win. I think that Martin may have simply got carried away with the big hype the last two years – All Star and all that captain crap. He’s apparently a very good catcher who can call a good game, but I always thought it was too early to designate him as anything but a good prospect who would hopefully continue to improve. I did not see that improvement last year, nor so far yet this season. It’s just too early to call him an All Star or to call him a disappointment. In the meantime, it doesn’t hurt to have Ellis continue in his stride, and hopefully he can give Martin somebody to compete with in a year or two. That could not be bad.
Congrats to Andre for being named NL Player of the Week. Very well-deserved. Kahliforni, you aren’t kidding about it being hot today. I had to turn the a/c on for the first time this year, but I’d rather be hot than cold, so it’s ok.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-fyi20-2009apr20,0,1157782.story
Well done, messagebear! I agree with everything you said. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Russell Martin fan. Even Uncle Joe knows Martin is a key for the Dodgers to get where they ultimately want to go. Witness Joe’s bi-weekly ****-chats with Martin all winter. It just seems Martin’s at that “groping” stage of his career. One year a party boy, the next a settled, level-headed guy in a serious relationship. All of this would be moot (as would any player’s personal life) if he’d take a deep breath, make consistent, solid contact, and throw out a runner every now and then. Oh, by the way, Honeycutt? The Dodgers are 0-5 throwing out base runners this young season. Come to think of it, that’s more an indictment of the pitching staff than it is Martin and Ausmus.
I just finished watching a replay of Andre’s Before the Bigs on Fox. Seems kind of fitting that they replayed it today following his big week at the plate.
Seeing as how it’s a rare off day, baseball’s wonderful rite of introspection comes into play. Heading into Spring Training LAST YEAR, we ached with anticipation over the seven kids who Dodger fans were anointing as the “chosen ones”…the players destined to take the Dodgers to the Promised Land. Martin, Loney, Kemp, Ethier, Billingsley, Broxton, and Kershaw. Who’d have dreamed these seven would already be stamping there mark on the National League as bona fide stars…one short year later. Unreal.
Nelly, Oh OK. I am sure it was somebody just playing games.
.
Cat, if Long Beach was 100, you can imagine how it was more inland. I am also missing my boys in Blue.
Emma
Kahli ~ I love our “Magnificent Seven”! We all knew they were the players of our future. I’m just glad Joe didn’t wait too long to figure that out. He almost blew it last year but, I think he has finally come around to our way of thinking.
Kahli – It is just awesome to see the dream become reality. I know it’s early, and like Eric says, we haven’t really been tested until we leave our division and play the others, but I guess we are about to find out starting tomorrow.
OK, admit it, you’ve been curious as to how that 14-run outburst affected the team stats.
Rankings in the NL so far:
1st in runs scored
1st in hits
1st in RBIs
1st in stolen bases
1st in walks
1st in batting average
1st in OBP
1st in OPS
…. and still 10th in strikeouts.
I know, I know. It’s April 20th, but it’s fun to look at. We’re not used to such offense.
Wow!!! That’s alot of firsts even if it is April 20th for offense. How is pitching holding up? This morning I ran the league leaders for my baseball board and the Dodgers are sprinkled all over it. It’s mostly O-Dog, Matt and Andre, and Chad for pitching, but it’s great to see as well. And then to see Andre out in 1st in RBIs for the entire league was pretty awesome even if it is only April 20th.
I love the giants offense.
The Giants rank last in the league in homers (six), RBIs (31), walks (23) and on-base percentage/slugging percentage (.646).
They’re second from last in runs (37), total bases (133), on-base percentage (.297) and slugging percentage (.349).
The worst part about the Giants offense and I know it’s early if Pierre obp .444, slg% .375 and ops .819 you’re offense is in deep trouble.
You can check this Nelly for pitching but it just doesn’t show you all of the stats but espn is much better.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/stats/byteam?cat=Overall&cut_type=0&conference=MLB&year=season_2009&sort=837
Damn Toronto 87, Cleveland 83 (thanks to the whooping they’re gave the Spankees), Texas 82, Dodgers 81, Florida/St Louis tied with 77 the Spankers 70 in that orders of runs scored in both league.
Dodgers obp .393, Indians .380, Cardinals .372, Mets .366 Tigers .365 and so on. What’s is amazing that our offense is way better than the Mets and Cubs. The Cubs just haven’t been hitting lately.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/stats/byteam?cat=Overall&cut_type=0&conference=MLB&year=season_2009&sort=723
We’re the only team batting over .300+ at .302 and this is with Martin .244 and Blake .215 slow starts.
Just a quick mention for all the old LA Ram fans out there. Nice article on Deacon Jones in the Times, and it contains one of the better quotes I’ve seen:
“The headslap was not my invention, but Rembrandt, of course, did not invent painting.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-crowe21-2009apr21,0,7878117,full.column
Dodgereric ~ thanks for the article. I do remember the “Fearsome Foursome” fondly.
Nice article Eric.
Fabulous article Eric, and glad to see you out and about during your coffee break š
Yeah! And now it’s LUNCH!
Sorry I left so abruptly last night Junie. Connectivity issues. I had made a lengthy post on our pitching (at your request) and it got lost in cyberspace. I re-wrote the whole thing and it got lost. I’m lucky I didn’t send my laptop thru the TV.
I don’t have time to recreate it here and now, but the stats don’t take long.
NL team pitching:
2nd in ERA
4th in saves
16th and last in hits allowed (that’s a good thing to be last in)
16th in runs allowed
15th in earned runs allowed
14th in HRs allowed
11th in walks allowed
2nd in strikeouts
1st in WHIPs (also good)
Back to the coal mines……
Thanks for the info, no worries, and I am glad the TV survived – LOL!! …..my lunch is over, and now we are walking to our local fire station for a tour………….one of my favorite trips……….no bus and the kids love it!!!
OK, OK, I have time for one more quickie:
NEWSLINE:
“Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Tuesday”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090420&content_id=4354034&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
REACTION:
You mean there’s a Hall of Fame somewhere that he isn’t already in?