Appreciating Vin…
When I first met DodgerTalk co-host Josh Suchon, we were covering the Giants as reporters in 2002. He had been covering the team for several years and was a beat writer when Barry Bonds hit his 73 homers in 2001 (I was covering the Dodgers at the time for MLB.com). To get myself up to speed on the Giants that winter, I read Soosh’s book, This Gracious Season, and one of the underlying themes was that his “laptop was down” whenever Barry was hitting. That is to say, he and another writer realized that they might never get to see someone hit the way Barry does and therefore, whenever he came up, they stopped writing, surfing the net, or doing whatever they were doing and they watched the at-bat intently.
Last night, ironically in a game against the Giants at AT&T Park where Bonds has stopped by the night before, I found myself thinking the same thing about Vin Scully. And I wondered, what is the equivalent of having your “laptop down?” Unlike Bonds, Vin is on for three hours a night and the gems he comes up with can come at any point in the game. Like the way he can show Bengie Molina blocking a ball and matter-of-factly say, “I can hear Campanella talking about getting the glove turned over.” Or the way he referred to Russell Martin framing Broxton’s pitch as “larceny,” in reference to the fact that quite obviously, he stole a strike from the home plate umpire.
There are a number of websites that have sprouted up that pay homage to the best that there has ever been in this business, which is pretty cool. But I know how much Vin hates the hooplah that goes along with having perfected your trade better than anyone that came before you. He’s as humble as anyone I’ve ever met and so we honor his wishes by not going over-the-top with things (though it sure was awesome to see him throw out the first pitch on Opening Day).
I just hope that everyone finds the time whenever they’re watching a game to appreciate his story-telling ability night in and night out. I consider it an honor to work with him, listen to him, and learn from him every game.
—–
On a completely unrelated note, Andre Ethier was profiled in the Daily News today for his food passions and he promises me he’ll post a new blog soon for Dining with ‘Dre. As long as he keeps getting game-winning hits like last night, it’s hard to get on his case too badly!
UPDATE:
Tonight’s lineup has Juan Pierre batting ninth…
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Blake, 3B
Stults, P
Pierre, CF
According to Elias’ John Labombarda, the last time a Dodgers pitcher did not bat 9th was August 15, 1965, when Don Drysdale batted 7th vs. Pittsburgh.
That day, catcher John Roseboro hit 8th (1-for-4) and shortstop John Kennedy hit 9th (0-for-2, BB, K).
The Dodgers lost 4-2, and Drysdale went 0-for-2 with 2 strikeouts before being pulled after 6.0 innings of work.
Inside the Dodgers 
Woohoo! New thread
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
Josh, We really appreciate Vin and that is the reason I carry my radio to the games. I miss that when I am on the road on a game that Vin is broadcasting. I will also miss hearing Vin t when we can no longer hear the TV audio on the radio. When he is on the local channel I get to see the game at the stadium and listen to Vin for the whole game. I know I could always go to the restroom and listen to Vin. WE LOVE YOU VIN!!!
.
I just finished talking about Andre’s article in the Daily News my newest thread in my blog.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
Hey Josh!
Oh, I SOOOOO appreciate Vinny’s story-telling ability every time I hear him. Personally, I think, no, I know that Vinny is a big a reason why I’m such a Dodger nut right now! Don’t get me wrong, I was a teenager during the 70’s and loved our 70 teams, but I remember the stories Vinny tells, even as a little girl. And mind you, that was a long time ago.
I read that article on our Everyday Dre! To say it is nice to see Andre hitting and producing the way he is early on, well, that is a gross understatement. But I am thrilled that he is finally getting the publicity he so richly deserves. I definitely believe that he’s going to be an All-Star outfielder this year.
Oh, and I’m looking forward to Andre’s new Dining with ‘Dre thread!!!
Hey Emma, how ya doing today?
Josh – I, unfortunately, live where I have to listen to the Giants announcers when it’s a Dodgers/Giants series if I am going to watch the game. However, I am fortunate to have mlb.com so I can at least listen to Charlie and Rick instead of Kruk and Kuip, but I am so very thankful for Vin and all of his stories and just plain fun announcing the game, not to mention his wealth of knowledge not only for the Dodgers but for the visiting teams as well.
As for Andre………………………… do I even have to say at this point………..probably not, but I will anyway. I am just so very happy for him that he is getting the recognition and accolades that he so very much has deserved for a very long time IMO. I have a strong feeling we will be seeing him in an All-Star uniform this year.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090429&content_id=4479616&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
My Nellygirl! So how was your birthday yesterday? Hope your gnat family didn’t give you too hard of a time!
One more thing about Andre. My student (a future ITD songwriter) who wrote the song about Andre won first prize in our Merced County Writing Festival. She had already won first place in our school one, but this is every school in the county she was up against. Also, the poem my class did for Dodgereric got honorable mention in the county contest, where it got first place here at school.
Concerning the bullpen – it’s kind of amazing, if not unbelievable, how Joe determines his confidence level for people in a crucial game situation. Right now he professes Wade to be the critical setup man. Not Wade’s fault with his carry-over injury, but what has Wade shown so far this season to earn that distinction. Kuo, poor guy, seems virtually useless based on his couple of appearances, at least in Joe’s mind. Kuo according to Joe cannot pitch in back to back games and cannot pitch in cold weather. If that portends his future, why not ready him for either being a starter again or being the long relief, so he only has to pitch every three or four, or five days. Right now he’s doing nothing but thinking bad thoughts about his career. If you don’t want to use him at all, Joe, then let’s trade him and get somebody that you’ll use. Joe apparently thinks that Belisario can be one of his two designated setup men. I also don’t see what Belisario has done to merit that distinction at the major league level. I like his stuff all right, but I don’t see him ready for that critical game situation.
Oh, what the heck. what I’m really frustrated about concerning the bullpen is that I don’t see Torre capable of managing that critical game situation with the bullpen. And where’s Honeycutt in all this? Right alongside Torre on the rail and shooting off his mouth, but not knowing what to do about it either. Far as I’m concerned, Honeycutt has been useless at his task for more years than I can count, but he must be a good a**-kisser, because he’s still around no matter who else comes and goes.
CP – I had a great birthday!!! My family was great (cards and a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my husband), my students got me all Dodgers and Baseball things (in Dodger blue bags of course!!), our wonderful ITD writers who gave me birthdays wishes, videos (dodger4life), dodgereric’s family singing Happy Birthday to me, while having dinner with my mom and Mariya, and then to top it off Andre getting the game winning hit in last night’s game. So, yes, it started out fabulous and ended Ethieriffic!!!!
So, how are you doing?
Hey Carol, I am doing good! How are you this fine day? Did you read in my blog about the speeding tickets I got in AZ? Well, now I got additional envelopes from the car rental. I have to pay them $30 for each ticket for violating the agreement I signed. No AZ trip for me for a while.
messagebear – just terrific 🙂
Sounds like you had a great time Nelly! Video from D4? I must have missed that (so what else is new?) I’ll go back and see. Nice of Andre to hit that bomb in the 9th to win the game for you!!!
As for me, well, I think (not sure yet) but I think that my census days are coming to an end. A bunch of us address canvassers (yes, that’s me) met with our crew leader (CL) yesterday afternoon. Our CL said that work within his territory is running out. I knew that would happen eventually. I mean, it’s still a temporary job. Anyways, he asked a bunch of us if we’d be willing to drive! And I mean drive a LONG way; like from Ventura to, well, north west of you. I said no. I told him that I need to start looking for a regular job again. I’m technically “on call” right now, but I still think my census days are over. So, back at the same old grind: looking for a job.
No, Emma, I didn’t read in my blog about the speeding tickets. I’m online, but I’m back to looking for a job, so I said I’ll read your blog later. And $30 for each ticket? That’s steep.
Emma – I meant “in your blog.” Red pen, red pen, red pen…
Bear,
I feel your frustration. I don’t express it here but infront of the TV, I am just going crazy talking to myself or anyone in the family that cares to hear my rants.
And messagebear, I also echo your frustration. The bullpen is going to be a huge bug-a-boo we’ll have to deal with this season.
CP – Best of wishes always in your search for a permanent job.
Weaver
Emma – I just read your AZ fiasco. You sure do have a way with words! I clicked on that link where cameras are; that’s a lot of cameras!
Nelly – thx for the well wishes. Oh, and I looked at yesterday and it looks like the video from D4, I’m guessing, are on FB. Right?
Knouffbrock – What about Weaver?
Well, I’ll be back later. I’m hungry and gotta eat. I’ll catch up with y’all later…
Here it is CP!!!
Nelly ~ I’m so glad today is your birthday, I love a good party…..Unfortunatly I cant be there in person but if I was the margarita’s would be plentiful……
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY2-u6GYats
.
We would also have cake…..
.
http://msp326.photobucket.com/
.
And if I could swing it we would have presents too…..
.
http://www.chatterbalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ethier.jpg
.
You know we all love ya and appreciate your commitment to ITD, Andre and the Dodgers……Gotta take care of the Team Mom, now!!!
.
So I hope you have a wonderful day today, and it end’s with a bang!!!
.
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fRn5Qi0lH7i9/610x.jpg
.
Life is good today!!!!
.
http://zacbrownband.com/discog/?v=&a=1&id=1
.
Happy Birthday Nelly
.
GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!
.
By Dodger4life on April 28, 2009 10:31 AM
Report any abuse or spam
messagebear, on the previous thread I, too, bemoaned the possibility of Wade being set-up guy, suggesting Weaver as veteran who strikes people out, doesn’t walk batters, is durable, and was actually born prior to the emergence of Boy George. The Fragile Twins–Kuo and Wade–are going to absolutely kill this bullpen if Joe carries them, but doesn’t use them. I mean, not counting Broxton, look at the rest of this group…Mota, Troncoso, Belisario, Elbert, Ohman. NNNNNNNEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thirty-five years ago, soon after hearing Vin for the first time, I decided I wanted to be a baseball broadcaster. My parents wrote to him and he invited me to the booth. When we went to my first Dodger game–August 1, 1974, against the Padres–I got to go into the booth with him, stand there as he opened the pre-game show, and just gape at him. When he looked down at me, he said, “So you’re the guy who wants my job!” I’ve been imitating that line ever since, though, at the time, I stood there in my Dodger helmet with my Dodger glove on my hand, with my mouth wide open. He probably figured at that moment I wouldn’t end up working with him!
But the point is he was just as warm and classy as I would ever have imagined him being, and I cherish every broadcast where I get to hear him. In Las Vegas, we get 100 Prime Ticket telecasts and no radio (what’s up with that, Josh?), so we get a good dose of Vin. But there can never be enough.
greenm, I wish I had written Vinny and got to come up to the booth! It was so wonderful back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s listening to Vinny EVERY night on the radio. With little TV he and the transistor radio made my summer nights, whether I’d be tooling around on my bike or holed up in my room. Different world now. Sure, the endless telecasts are great, but no Vinny on the radio after the third inning is a real sorrow…and it’s a TV simulcast, to boot, so less great stories.
This one’s for Knouffbrock. Gary Wright – Dream Weaver.
JEFF WEAVER
.
Joe just closed his eyes again
picked himself out another name.
Tryin’ to take away the worries of the e-eighth.
And leave our sorrow behi-hind.
.
Ooh ooh ooh Jeff Weaver
I believe you can get me to the ni-inth
Ooh ooh ooh Jeff Weaver
I believe you can make it all alri-ight.
.
Flies so high through the starry skies
Lead us to another way-ane.
Kuos got issues and Will’s a fantasy
help us to forget Monday’s pain.
.
Ooh ooh ooh Jeff Weaver
I believe you can get me to the ni-inth
Ooh ooh ooh Jeff Weaver
I believe you can make it all alri-ight.
.
Though Cory may be coming soon
He may still need some ti-i-i-ime.
Take me away so we don’t hear from the mo-oons
Give him a chance to save our hi-i-i-ides
.
Ooh ooh ooh Jeff Weaver
I believe you can get me to the ni-inth
Ooh ooh ooh Jeff Weaver
I believe you can make it all alri-ight.
.
Jeff Weaver
Jeff Weaver
Wishful Thinking
Help Me Make it to the Ninth
©NedCo Broken Records 2009
Well, it’s about time you wrote another song. You know we are hanging by the edge of our seats waiting for your next release. Fantastic enchanted!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, it’s about time you wrote another song. You know we are hanging by the edge of our seats waiting for your next release. Fantastic enchanted!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not really sure why that double posted, but maybe it was because you deserved double the applause 🙂
Check out this opinion piece in the LATimes — the writer takes a shot at Vin because he occasionally misses pitches (calls a slider a fastball, etc.):
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/04/ted-green-a-problem-with-vin-scullys-pitch-calling.html
To that I say: Listening to Vin is a privilege. Hearing him miss a pitch or two is a small price to pay when enjoying the color, storytelling and history he brings to the game. Vin Scully is a legend and second to none. I hope he calls Dodger games for many more years.
A new tribute book about Vin is filled with great stories told by Hall-of-Famers, former Dodgers, friends and and fans: “I Saw It On the Radio”
http://www.vinscullybook.com/
Pretty darn good, enchanted. I am, after all, calling for Weaver. Be careful what I wish for, huh?
I’m also on a war path today for Joe’s incessant batting order changes, hence:
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Put your stats away)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out, another batting order
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Put your stats away)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon we’re gonna explode here
Joe may change teams
But we can’t escape Joe
I said that Joe may change teams
But we can’t escape Joe
Can you say Ethier on pace for 119 walks?
You guys have a beast in the making, hitting and drawing walks.
Also, the Manny trade was very win win.
Bay has been paying the bills for the Sox, and Manny seems to fit well for you guys.
-Mike
http://taleoftwoleagues.mlblogs.com
ENCHANTED – that was a wonderful song….it has been awhile since I read a song here (but then again..I need to visit more often)
*
KAHLI – hopefully all these Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes is confusing the hell out of the pitchers on other team. Wh-wh-wh-wh-what???
*
NELLY – the #1 Ethieraholic got her b-day wish come true…It was a great game and ETHIER really came through for you last night! I will have to miss this Ethier Carne Asada event…man it sucks….my cousin had tickets. But can’t go.
*
EMMA – Nice pic of you and Garciaparra…my husband was there that day….he did NOT take me…grounds for divorce…LOL….I am glad the Ethier is continuing Parra’s tradition. I will NOT go this time but hopefully I can attend the next Ethier Carne Asada event. ENJOY and just give Ethier a kiss from me…and of course share the pic 🙂
JOSH – Vin is one of the best. Thanks for sharing with us. He is irreplaceable…he is truelly the voice of the Dodgers. And listening to Vin comment on Dodgers game is just wonderful, you learned a lot and of course he makes you smile and sometimes laugh. (like the time he mentioned something about an earthquake after a chubby player of the opposite team jumped to catch the wall – this was last season). And also thanks for the clip on Ethier for the Daily News. Hopefully soon he returns to his blog, but hey it is more important for him to concentrate on the game and of course the Family.
*
And talking about ETHIER, I can not believe that his baby is already 7 months old…time flies when we are having fun!
*
Is it just me or those it seems that just about all our top players are nominated for the ALL STARS….DODGERS FAN TIME TO VOTE!
RED PENCIL: Ball instead of Wall (like the time he mentioned something about an earthquake after a chubby player of the opposite team jumped to catch the BALL- this was last season).
I biught the Vin Scully book at vinscullybook.com– It is what I thought it would be—a tribute to Vin–He deserves it —lloyd –Anaheim
Josh thanks for the post.
.
I echo you sentiments.
.
Living here in Northern California I’ve listened to Vin at nights on the radio in my car or radio outside when I was younger. I’d get him for the 1st 3 innings & that was a treat. Of course I was able to listen in the 70’s when I was little & lived in the LA area.
.
I’ve had to endure the Giants announcers for years and the last 3 I’ve had the pleasure to have the Extra Innings package and get to hear Vin more than ever.
.
When you hear Vin after listening to know it all homer announcers who do nothing but complain about the strike zone & calls, as well as talk about how awesome their team is (Even when in 4th place!), and all the while classlessly making fun of the other teams fans (By “eliminating” them), players (By making comments such as “Grab some pine meat” after they strike out) and organization in general (Such as when they pop off about Lasorda, etc…), it makes you realize how fortunate I’ve been to of listened to him.
.
I went to the game on Monday night and the women sitting next to me was in her late 80’s and from Brooklyn (I thought of you Joe P.). She lived there back in the day when the Dodgers were there and grew up loving the Dodgers. Well she is now a Giants fan but loves Vin. She listens to him on the internet including past games and even tapes some of his comments onto her cassette recorder. She went on & on about stories from listening to Vin & how special he was. I was sitting close enough so I was able to get an okay photo of Vin announcing in the booth from my seat and will blow it up and probably frame it one day.
.
I am an Ethieraholic but I can also say I’m a Vinny.
.
Thanks again for running the blog and take care!!!
How ironic that Josh would lead with a tribute to Vin Scully. As I watched last night’s game I was thinking what a great job Vinny did calling that game and the one the night before. His references to the catchers and just the way he called the game stood out for some reason. The best moment occured last night after the Dodgers took the lead and Vinny mentioned all the Giants fans who were leaving! Priceless.
As for Joe and his lineups, I must admit I have never really been as concerned as many on this blog about who bats where. However, I think I understand some of the frustration expressed here and wonder why Joe tinkers so much. I did not read the overnight posts so forgive me if someone else already brought this up but I hope Joe has learned that Russell Martin does not belong in the clean up spot. Martin had problems last season hitting in front or behind Manny and that problem was quite evident last night. Martin is struggling no matter where he hits. I like the idea of Manny hitting third with Ethier hitting fourth. While Ethier may not hit for power he usually has good at bats.
Josh, if you read the posts with any frequency at all here, you know that no one loves Vin Scully more than we do. There are constant tributes and references here.
I read the link provided above by vinscullybook to the Ted Green article. First, let me say that everyone has a right to their own opinion. Second, here’s mine about yours: I’m guessing that he spends his days with a magnifying glass looking the Mona Lisa over for a bad brush stroke. Get a life Ted. If his minor errors bother you so much, all I can say is that it must be wonderful to be so perfect. I’d hate for anyone to listen to me talking off the cuff for 4 hours, writing down my mistakes. What a loser.
And to the critics of Vinny, I say a pox on you. We all know Vinny is not perfect and he makes mistakes. This is not to say an icon cannot be criticized; however dissing Vinny over the type pitch seems a bit trivial. Yes, I know Vinny sometimes mixes up names now and then but he still can tell a great story and no one calls two (or more) games at once better than Vinny.
Eric, you beat me to the punch by a minute but well said.
Now that I got that off my chest, here’s a little ditty to fill your time until the first pitch:
Butchering The Police’s “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”
Every Little Move He Makes Is Tragic
Though I’ve tried before to tell him
Of what I think of him in my heart
Every time that I watch a game
I just lose my mind
‘Cause he’s just not very smart
Every little move he makes is tragic
Everything he does just makes me mad
Even though my life before warn’t magic
Now I know his fame is just a fad
Do I have to tell the story
Of the thousand lousy moves since Ned signed him
He’s a nice enough ol’fella
But I’m thinkin’ that he’s really kind of dim
Every little thing he does is stupid
Everything he does just flips my lid
Even though he loves Pierre through Cupid
How much is a one-way to Madrid?
It really seems I’ll question him a thousand times a day
They say he’s got 4 Series rings (I say he’s on ebay)
But my silent fears now grip me
When Honeycutt reaches the phone
“Get up Broxton for the eighth frame”
ITD sits back and groans
Twenty-four-year-old athletes need resting
Slumping hitters need to bat cleanup
“You’re an IDIOT!” I am protesting
Even though to some I’m an insolent pup
Every little move he makes is tragic
Everything he does just makes me mad
Even though my life before warn’t magic
Now I know his fame is just a fad
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little
Every little
Every little
Every little thing he does
Every little thing he does
Every little thing he does
Every little thing he does
Every little thing he does is tragic
Oh, Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
oh-Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
oh-Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
oh-Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
Oh, Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
oh-Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
oh-Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
oh-Joe-no, oh-Joe-no,
Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing he do is tragic, tragic, tragic,
Tragic, tragic, tragic
Uh-oh, Uh-oh,
Uh-oh, Joe – no, no…………
So, I guess this is the night the gnome comes out to play. At least he’s batting 9th, if it has to be this way 🙂
Obviously Kemp must be exhausted after running out his triple last night.
I’m sure it has been said so many times before but Vin has respect from Non-Dodger fans aswell.
*
GO DODGERS!
*
YEAH VINNY…WE LOVE YA!
Joe must have consulted the genius Tony LaRussa to find a place in the lineup for Pierre.
Hey!!! A song too…………….wow!!! Very cool!!!! You mean I wasn’t supposed to be counting mistakes – LOL!! (jk) Fabulous posts to you, lbirken and dcollins.
Runs are going to be at a premium for the Blue tonight, so naturally you want your best defensive and offensive CF out there.
Maybe Kemp is getting “Time-Out” for running into Ethier the other Day…LOL! Yeah he needs a rest that triple was awsome. They should rotate top players time off and NOT have more than one out at a time.
lbirken, you said it just as well!
Oh, the lineup!
I rest my case. Is it Groundhog Day again?
no kidding 🙂
Heck, after watching the games Monday and Tuesday night I think even I might need a rest!
BTW, terrific song Eric my friend!!
Joe can do anything he wants with the lineup, because he’s the manager!
One big reason that I want the Dodgers to go all the way this year is because it has been speculated that Torre just might retire after this season, if the Dodgers can cap off his career with a WS victory. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful combination – finally a World Series and a victory, and NO MORE TORRE.
I love that song….great job ERIC!
I’ve got to say that Ethier’s AB in the top of the ninth last night was one of the finest pieces of hitting I’ve seen in a while. In a clutch situation, he just fouled off everything he didn’t like. Then, when he got a pitch to his liking, drive the heck out of the ball. Let’s hope the offense continues that momentum.
Well CRASH hitting has been wonderful this year…hopefully our Pitcher can keep others from hitting. But I agree Ethier’s AB was great…last night Ethier was just on a roll…but I think he did it because it was the b-day of the #1 Ethieraholic…
Good to see you all here today. I don’t like the idea of JP playing tonight….not in that park! If he were in the game last night the Giants would have plated at least 3 or 4 more runs. With Tim pitching tonight, we need to have our best team out there.
.
Loved your song Dodgereric and I’m glad you are back Echanted.
.
And, Crash, this Ethieraholic couldn’t agree more with your assessment of Dre’s last at bat. I was counting off the number of pitches to my husband telling him that we are doing that more and more this year……..not just hacking away. Patience at the plate means lots of pitches for the opposing starter.
.
BEAT SF……BEAT SF…..BEAT SF…..BEAT SF….. !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Enchanted I swallowed your “n”!
So does anyone think the Giants will pitch around Stults to get to JP?
I find that pretty hard to swallow Tru.
lbirken – Nah, Joe put JP down there to give Stults protection – he’ll get some decent pitches to hit tonight.
I don’t care where you hide him in the line-up, there’s still no hiding JP in the outfield, especially center.
By my calculations if we had a go-to set-up man, instead of 14-7 this team could be 17-4.
I agree with you Enchanted. It would be considered the perfect team if we had a go-to and set-up man. I like it best when JP bats 10th.
Well… that’s a rare lineup.
I have a good feeling about tonight. Lincecum can’t “own” us forever. No swinging at the first pitch, it’d be best to make him work. We need to get into that ripe bullpen.
GO DODGERS!!!
Tru Blue i agree with you that we need to put our best team out there but it is lincecum tonight and matty is a rigghy so i like that pierre is in the lineup…and truthfully pierre has earned it doing a great job as a ph and keeping quiet! dont get me wrong i was a pierre hater but i have to say that he has earned my respect because he hasnt made any problems. and yes he has complained but i think its been minimal. the other day i got into a fight with my mom and she told me that complainging is the worse thing to do. she said that shes learned that taking it in is the best thing to do not only for yourself but for those around you.
anyways remember to vote for your dodgers!
On another note for all of you Ethieraholic female types…
.
My friend & Giant fan met me at the stadium on Monday to have a sandwich & hang out with me while I got autographs of the players when they entered the stadium.
.
Dre pulls up and autographs for everybody and spends time talking with all of us, for about 10 minutes. While he was doing this my friend Kim says, and I quote…, “He is gooooooood looking!”!!!! I just started laughing.
.
Kemp had just gone by a few minutes before and autographed for everybody.
.
She also mentioned when she was talking about how good looking Dre was the she thought Kemp was really “hot” as well. I think we might get a new convert!!!!
SR99 — I agree with your post completely. I guess we will get to see Matt as the pinch hitter as well as the late inning defensive replacement.
.
I don’t think Kemp needs a night off but he does have a tough time with pitchers such as Lincecum.
.
Let’s go Dodgers!! Let’s make the Giants Cecum to our offense!!!
.
Go Blue!!!
.
Bring the Ring to LA in 2009!!!!
Just an ode to our favorite super sub, seeing as how it seems to be music day:
“Speak out, you got to speak out against the madness,
you got to speak your mind,
if you dare.
But don’t, no, don’t now try to understand Joe Torre
If you do you you’re living Joe’s nightmare.
`Cause it appears to be a Juan,
appears to be a Juan,
appears to be a Juan,
Pierre, such a long long long long shot to get it done.”
Hey Colly, I guess we could say that the Dodgers look good on and off the field – LOL.
Lol, sparkleplenty. No argument here for sure ): Dcollins, I agree Matt doesn’t need a day off.
Hello there Sparkle! I guess… I myself think my wife is a hottie, but I’m comfortable enough to say we have some handsome players.
Nelly, they’re interviewing Andre after the commercial break. I’ll take notes and give you a report after it’s over ):
About tonight, all I can say is that we’ve beaten Peavy and Randy Johnson. We can and will beat Lincecum!
Well the day finally arrived, with Torre Alla LaRussa, batting Pierre 9th.
Drysdale was moved up in the batting order, that night, because he was one of the better hitters on the team.
Was Pierre move to accompany Stults, who’s not a bad hitter in his own right?
It might as well be a pitcher to bat in front of Pierre, they might not pitch around him.
This also means three speedsters batting in front of Manny.
BEAT SF
Wow I was waiting for this day but I would had Martin batting 9th and Pierre batting 8th.
Michael Eaves just interviewed Andre and he first talked about how productive Andre has been this season with RBI’s so far and asked him if he envisioned himself becoming a run producing machine. Andre said that hitting cleanup behind the great hitters that are in front of him presents a lot of opportunities and you need to take advantage of them when the time comes. Michael commented on how many great patient at bats he’s had and even when he doesn’t get a hit he makes the pitcher throw a lot of pitches. Andre said that he learned the patient approach going back to when he was with Oakland and he just tries to be confident and wait for good pitches to hit. The last question was about facing Lincecum and he mentioned that Andre has had some success against him so far. Andre said he’s a great pitcher and that he just needs to be patient and not chase after pitches out of the zone. Last, but not least, he said he’s looking forward to seeing everyone when the Dodgers come home for the homestand.
cpompe1-this may be wishful thinking on my part. We need Mac in the pen and Weaver has had success as a starter. Not that he did not goon out himself at times. He should have stayed in St Louis with Duncan, but we’ve got him now. Brox needs a little more help, and it is just my opinion it should come from Mac and Weaver takes his place in the rotation.
Great song enchanted. another great one as well from eric. Two in one night!! Maybe the boys will be as hot as the bloggers.
That was quick!!!
Good evening ITD boys and girls!
I’m not going to be able to stay long, but wanted to say hi to my friends!
Nelly – thx for the links! They were great!
So yougnomewho is batting 9th. Well, if he’s gotta bat anywhere, that’s the place to put him, I guess. And I’m glad that Joe moved Russ down. And if you’re reading this Russ, know that I love you dearly, but putting you in the 4th or 5th spot isn’t best for you right now.
Oh, and this Ethieraholic thought that double in the 9th was a GREAT piece of hitting!
I would like to see Weaver get a chance too Knouffbrock. He gave the Dodgers a lot of solid innings when he was with them before and I can’t ever remember him being injured. He’s had his ups and downs since, but I think he can help this team.
All 3 balls where hit solidly though so that is a good sign!
Yes Stults is a way better hitting than Pierre to bad the numbers won’t say it with his sample size lol. I was hoping Stults would get some PH’s ab’s and Sweeney would been released to keep Young on the roster.
dcollins ~ I think all the Dodgers are “Hotties”!
.
Sammie ~ I understand what you’re say about Juan. My problem with him is his defensive abilities. They don’t run on Matt or Andre.
Wow knouffbrock, you happened to post your response to my question at the same time that I posted this evening! I actually like your idea of having J-Mac in the pen and have Weaver as a starter. The BP needs a lot of help and J-Mac would be a good candidate. I think he’ll be a very fine starter some day, but having J-Mac in the pen and having Weaver as the 5th starter would work well.
Look at that, Lincecum finished the inning with as many pitches as it took Stultz to retire the first batter.
That’s gotta end quick.
To be honest Russ has been move up thanks to Kemp not playing but he need to bat behind Blake.
I told you this would be a quick visit. I’ve gotta go. I’ll catch up with y’all later…
Hey, CP! Hope you are doing well. trublu, maybe the Dodgers should make player pictorial calendar and sell it to make money for Think Cure.
http://www.myarchive.us/richc/et.jpg
“ouuuuuch”
Okay, I said I was going, but then I saw BCG’s last post! BCG – I’m doing fine. I’m back to the ranks of the unemployed, but I’m fine. And I love your calendar idea!!!
Okay, NOW I’ve gotta leave – meeting to go to tonight…
What the heck I thought Favre was going to retire?
Pierre couldn’t catch his A** with both hands.
BCG ~ that would be a fantastic fund raiser!!
I thought he was retiring too, Shad. He was a great player, but I think he needs to call it a career once and for all. Boblee, even if he could catch it, he couldn’t throw it very far, lol.
I’ve got Vin on Gameday Audio, while the game is on NBC. With the Peacock in the corner, I imagine this is what it was like when Vin did the Game of the Week.
Rockies beat the Pods, that’l ease the night.
trublue i agree with you with the defesne for juan. its not just his arm but as you saw there in the 1st inning…hes what do you call it? ummmm shaky? inconsistent? but mann you know kemp would have caught that!!!
trublue i agree with you with the defesne for juan. its not just his arm but as you saw there in the 1st inning…hes what do you call it? ummmm shaky? inconsistent? but mann you know kemp would have caught that!!!
Boblee, here’s a pic I saw on a blog that I thought you’d like, a Cowboys team picture taken at Dodger Stadium:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3418634649_0cd8d86748_o.jpg
Sammie ~ So, I was right. lol Even if Matt doesn’t get a hit, he is more valuable on the field.
Sammie ~ I also think that Manny, Andre, James, Rusell and the rest can drive in enough runs to cover for Matt.
nsb, thanks for the pic. I certainly don’t like the way this game is going. We stink against good pitching. Did I ever mention , I hate the gnats.
Come on Stults, just throw strikes.
Good Evening ITD readers and writers!!!!!!
bluecrewgirl – thanks for the play by play of Andre’s interview.
dcollins – according to my mini Ethieraholics……..Andre is just soooo handsome.
That’s enough for me. Good night all.
Hate to say it, but Stultz probably has already had the two or three decent games a year that he’s capable of in the major leagues. I don’t see him being a major leaguer, but then we don’t have much choice right now. Seems to me like it could be a good game to put in Kuo and see how he can do without a pressure situation.
It’s pleasant to think the Dodgers can only move up on the Padres and they can’t drop back.
Inning #2 started with a leadoff walk to their #8 hitter.
.
Can you guess what happened???
He scored…
Of course we do signed Pedro moved McDonald in the bullpen.
lol that why Martin need to be in that 8th spot.
ITD dont worry about this game i already predicted that we would lose against lincecum! i jnow theres 6 more innings but not asgainst lincecum!
Just think……………tomorrow they will be home and playing at Dodger Stadium. I am not too concerned about this game, win or lose. Like oldbrooklynfan said, Padres have already lost, and the gnats aren’t going anywhere.
Well isn’t that just special…
.
Still lot’s of game left. Lincecum or not.
.
Maybe the good news is Torre will see that we got a but kicking in Denver and now in SF.
.
What is the constant of these 2 games?
.
Other than bad starting pitching, you tell me.
Come on Ramon!!!!!!!!!!
Well, if you hate to say Bear, Don’t.
coming into the series i thought that wolf and bills should win and lose to lincecum but we got air screwed in wolfs game. we’ll still be 14-8. as long as we double our wins vs losses we should be good. we should win the series against the pads so our record should be 17-9. thats a guarantee.
True Nelly, but I do hate to hear people pop off daily.
.
Of course this is their World Series. They will finish in 3rd and be happy that they took the season series from our beloved Blue.
.
Me I’d rather make the playoffs, and beyond and loose the season series to the Little Ones (AKA Giants)!
d collins im going to have to correct you on the colorado series. i know we got our butts kicked 10-4 but we still won the series 2-1…
WELL, NO NO-HITTER
We haven’t lost this one yet. It is still early and with our hitters, this is still winnable!
I am with you dcollins……..too early to call it a game yet. Ramon can shut them down…………….we can still get to their bullpen and things can change real quick as we know with our own BP.
SR99 – My point was in both games that we got our but kicked, Pierre started. Not that we lost the series.
Dcollins ~ I think Juan changes the chemistry of the team! And, not for the better!!!!
They’ve made the Giants look too good in this series. They are a crappy team. It will be good for them to go home, but I haven’t give up on this game yet.
With Sandoval going out, if something happens to Benjie, the Giants don’t have a catcher. Sandavol is Benjie’s backup.
Maybe we should had started Tronocoso.
They backup is Holm
The dbacks made them look good too – this division is just scary at times.
That’s what I was thinking Tru. Baseball is such a mental game. I wonder if not having your best players playing when going against a great pitcher can affect your confidence.
oops their
Way to work that walk Loney.
Dcollins ~ I saw the game last night and when the final out was recorded, Manny, Matt and Andre all did a chest bump! So cool! It’s like they really like each other and get along great.
Pop up has entered the building!
That’s true Shad, but the last time Benjie had the day off, Sandavol was catching.
JP – first pitch, out – nice 🙂
Hello Gang!!! Disappointing game so far, but not really a big surprise. So far, I’m pretty happy about our performance. Considering our crippled pitching staff, we are doing very well. I’ll be glad to get Wade back. Geez, really puts in perspective how valuable he is and was last season. Great thing is, we haven’t hurt our chances of winning the division even with the injury racked pitching staff. Overall we’re playing very good to great defense and it is making a big difference. We had a defensive lapse Monday or we would have had that game. Lot’s to smile about. Not to mention that Martin, Blake, and Ferk haven’t found their groove yet.
Nellyjune ~ what else is new? lol
jhall is in the ITD house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How are you sir?
Howdy, Jhall ~ glad you are here. I’m not concerned about our team. I think we will cruise to the championship.
Lincecum Looked a little more human in the 5th inning.
Great Nelly!! And yourself!!! Hope you and everyone had a nice day!!!!
I think this is a good spot for Kuo.
If you say so jhall………………….I guess we can expect to win all the games – LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (jk) You are very right……..we are doing very well so far.
red pen – “can’t” not “can”
Hi Trumom!!! Thanks, glad to see you!!!
I was waiting for Kuo to be used this inning.
Time for rally caps >>>:o)+–<
LOL Nelly!!! Actually, I think we do expect to win every game sometimes. HaHa!!! It’s just not going to happen. Even the great teams lose 60 games a year. And the worst ever win 60. Just depends on what you do with those other 42 games.
Hey, jhall! Good to see you.
I think we should try to bunt on Lincey.
He could make some mistake, like anybody else.
Bon Joir Bleu Fille’!!! Great to see you also!!!
C’mon guys, let’s get a couple of runs and make this a game. Still got some time to make it interesting. At least make Lincecom work for it. Could take its toll down the road.
He looks like he’s weakening.
Lincecum doesn’t seem as strong as he did at the start of this game, he may be tiring and anything can happen.
I am doing great jhall 🙂
Great Nelle’, mon amie!!! Glad to hear it!!! Hope you had an awesome Birthday!!!
Hey Nell’, isn’t it interesting that a nice start and Andre kicking serious butt, causes so many lunar eclipses?!!!! LMTO!!!!
I was hoping Elbert would got out of that but didn’t I always say I hate 2 outs walk esp when we owned Lewis in this series.
Sure hope some good old home cooking has a positive effect on Marty, Ferk, and Blake. And Stults, Bellisario, and Kuo for that matter. Hurry back Wade and Kuroda!!!!!!!!!!!
No doubt this kid can pitch.
Well, somedays you get the bear, and somedays, the bear gets you!!!
jhall – I had a great day. Like I said this morning, it started out fabulous and ended Ethieriffic (with Andre’s game winning double), with a lot of fun in between.
BTW – I went to see two of my 12, yes……12 students (out of 20) who are playing either softball or baseball this year. It was so darn cute and it reminded me of the pure innocence of playing this game, just to have fun and not having a care in the world about the score.
As I am typing this, Benjie just hits a homerun – crap!!!!!
jhall – moons galore at times for sure 🙂 🙂
We don’t have to outrun the bear however. We only have to outrun the G’nats, Rocks, Puds, and Snakes. I think we’ve got a great shot!!! LOL!!!!
Too cool Nelly!! Sounds like a great day!!!
Hey Nell, must be Dad and Beav that bring out the Moons. LMTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh I am sure they do jhall – Who would know that better than Beav’s older brother, Wally 🙂
Trumom also has a way with aberrant celestial bodies!!!! LOL!!!!
Here is our inning – GO DODGERS!!!!
Awwwwww shucks mom, what’s a guy supposed to do when the fellows are giving you the business?
That is true jhall 🙂
Yeah for a non shut out game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manny is due for a 3 run homer.
Give it right back Wally!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have all tried to ignore it, but I think we have all failed miserably at times – LMTO!!!!!!!
Thatwas o Dawgs 10 RBI
Just great!!!!!!!!!!! Come on Andre………poor guy 🙂
Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well let’s hope it ain’t to late.
He was too tough tonight.
Lincecum pitch a brilliant game.
S***!
Agreed Nelly, no shut-out, yeah!!!!!!!
Getting your rear end hand to you by a defending Cy Young and very good to great pitcher is going to happen and although it suck’s, doesn’t hurt too bad. Tip your cap and get on with it. Last year, we tended to make every journeyman pitcher with an ERA of 5.00 and over look like a Cy Young candidate early in the year and until September. Now that was Unacceptable!!!™ and really frustrating.
Would had been nice if Elbert didn’t give up those 2 runs.
Tough night for Andre. Oh, well. Can’t win ’em all. I have a feeling he’s going to have a great homestand.
That is true boys………………Linsecum was his Cy Young self tonight, which hasn’t always been the case this season so far.
Well, at least we are making a game of it.
If Casey could connect on one it would make it exciting.
Makin’em sweat a little at least!!!!!!!!!!! C’mon Blake!!!!!!
Come on Casey, put a charge in it.
Looks like we’re making a ball game out of it.
He has been his CY young self for the last 3 games go figure but I wish we had him on this team and to think him Scherzer and Kershaw were all in the same 2006 draft together.
Damn, I thought that was going to be out of his reach.
Sigh
The good thing is that Lincecum ERA was at 2.96 after all of that his ERA is going to go up to 3.16.
I don’t want anymore former Giants for a while. We have enough issues with our current GM and trainer to make me want to steer clear of any players that have played for the black and orange.
Were still in it…
Imagine pulling this game out.>>>>Think hard now.
Especially on the road, Wow that’ll be something.
Since we need pitching, maybe we should take a look at this guy!
.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/101051-irabu-attempting-comeback
Here’s a tough quiz. Name the two Dodger regulars who have more strikeouts than hits. Hey, Joe, there’s a guy named Blake DeWitt just itching to play. And you could play him a lot. Casey Blake is looking more and more like another of Ned’s high-priced bench players. Oh, the other guy with more strikeouts than hits? Our, ahem, All-Star, catcher.
then again, maybe not…………………… Would Matt being out there created a different situation? maybe, maybe not
Yes it would Joe.
.
& sorry about harping on this but if Kemp was in the bases would be loaded. The run wouldn’t of gone home there.
Gosh Mota is annoying sometimes.
.
Our bully is the pits.
Nelly, I think it does change the dynamic of our offense when you take a power bat like Matt out, not to mention a strong throwing arm. I really like Matt batting behind Andre. That worked well last year when they were back to back for a time too, not to mention in the big inning last night. I think he should be moved up to the 5 spot.
I am thinking the same thing dcollins. I know we are way out of this game, but still, defense is defense 🙂
SOB let Elbert finished the inning.
Who ever stole the Mota from along time ago say around 2002-2004 please returned him to us asap.
GO JUANPY
Still wished we didn’t give up 4 runs the last 3 innings.
Well, we didn’t get shut out, and now we get to go home to Dodger Stadium where the Dodgers are 6-0. Get out of the Bay Area and go back home boys. Your home town is waiting for you.
We are still 2 1/2 up.
Don’t leave your hearts in SF.
Oh great leaving a runner on 3rd bases with less than 2 outs is unacceptable but at least we was down by 1 run than I would be piss off.
was is wasn’t
The story was Lincecum and our pitchers didn’t have it tonight.
Nice inning for Kuo.
Wow it didn’t beep out that word.
Well just like we can’t beat him but Cain can’t beat us so I guess it’s turn out fair played.
Exactly Shad!!! Doesn’t matter what the score is. Leaving a runner at 3rd with less than 2 out is always Unacceptable. And the bullpen (Elbert and Mota) giving up 4 freaking runs in the last 3 innings is total crap!!!! Battling back to make it a close game and then the bullpen imploding just sucks the life out of a team. Just look at the Mets last year.
LOL!!!!! I am impressed jhall 🙂 🙂
:))))))))) Nelly!!!!!!! You crack me up!!! I do have a big soft spot!!! LMFTO!!! Don’t tell Beav mom!!!!!
I am trying jhall, but I am slow to learn the foreign language I suppose. Rosetta Stone may be needed for me – LOL!!!!!!
Except Troncoso and Kuo.
Oh, and your secret is safe with me, and just so you know, Beav has his moments too – LMTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…..and he will never say, but Ward Dear has his moments too 🙂
Nelly, my friend that was in SF last night for the game missed the big inning because he had to leave to catch his flight back to So Cal. Go figure. He was going to watch a replay of the inning on mlb.com tonight.
LOL Nelly!!! I can be very patient when I see a good effort that brings progress and change. I think you have alot to do with it!!!!
Well, that really kind of sucks bluecrewgirl. I had a teacher friend who was going to tonight’s game. Her husband’s birthday was today, and he is a Dodger fan. She’s a Met’s fan (grew up there). So, they didn’t get the Andre show I guess.
Yep Shad, Troncoso and Kuo did their freaking jobs. Kudo’s to them.
LMFTO Nelly!!!!!!!! Somehow, I kind of figured that!!!!!!!!!!!
Molina’s triple was his first since May 23, 2007, and just the fifth in 4,016 career at-bats for the portly catcher.
Damn you Pierre and Molina won’t get another triple this year until they played us again and someone had to sit again.
You’re probably right Shad. Oh well, let’s get back home and commence to whip up on the Puds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am having a hard time diciphering. I think I need a tutor.
It’s easy Nelly. Have a couple of more cocktails!!! It starts to come together. LMTO!!!!!!!!!!
I alway knew Dad/Chevelle was just a big teddy bear. A little gruff now and again, but a big softy!!
Now Beav, he’s the the young house cat that hasn’t been spayed or declawed. Big softy, but only when the hormones aren’t kicking it. LOL!!!!
Yeah me to but I just wish Torre would had gave him one more inning and it’s not like he didn’t need them and like I said early I think Elbert could’ve finished the inning after he struck out Lewis and if would had gave up a hit yanked him. I like Mota but he’s not the same person that he was back in 2003-2004 when he was Gagne set up man
Goodnight all. I think they will get well on home cooking and it will be a long meal, I think Vin said 17 out of the next 23 are at home.
Goodnight Bleu’!!!! Great seeing you, catch you later!!!
The problem is I was never good at foreign language in school and this isn’t any different – LOL!!!! It’s kind of carrying over here. And yes, for this issue, I am probably the hard *** out of the group, and you three are the teddy bears 🙂
Good Night bluecrewgirl – thanks again for the play by play of the interview with Andre during the game. He has his bad days, but seems to bounce right back these days, which is a good thing 🙂
So, the Indians aren’t having that great of a start.
Don’t mess with the mama bears cubs!!!! LOL!!!!!
Or sentences and paragraphs!!!
No Nell’, they aren’t. Still early though, and no ones going to run away with that division either.
It’s been fun. Gonna hit for now. Catch you all down the road. As someone said earlier, Rack Me!!!! Goodnight and have a great tomorrow!!!
Well, I am a softy too (really I am), unless someone has crossed some line, which usually involves trust.
…in this case with the foreign language, it’s just pure annoyance for me at times.
Good Night jhall!!!!!!!!!!! It was great seeing you,and I am sure the boys will be sad they missed you. Thanks for stopping by yesterday morning for the birthday wishes…that was wonderful! Take Care and God Bless my friend, and as you say, we will see you down the road.
Or <f|:-0 Nell’? LMTO!!!
Merci Nelle’, Bon Noir mon amie!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow no badge today and I was sure he would had posted something stupid about Pierre starting.
………..or Andre going 0-4. However, we have to let them have their bad nights. We can’t expect them to be perfect all the time 🙂
LMTO!!!!!!!!!! Good night 🙂
Oh my and I guess Bochy is going to try batting the pitchers in the 8th spots but it look like they would do it with Lincecum and Cain see what your have done LaRussa. Yost and LaRussa did it last year and let’s see how many times does Torre does and for one game or maybe two games I would love to see what Martin can do down there.
Damn look like Afraud in trouble again did anyone read this yet? It was posted 1 hrs 22 mins ago.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-a-rod-book&prov=ap&type=lgns
It look like someone rat Arod out in high school of taking steriod.
Stults is a puzzle to me. A couple of good starts and he goes to some other place. Anyway, it looks as though help is on the way.
I do not think Pedro is the answer, but it would be interesting to find out. At some point we’ll get some pitching from outside the organization. It’ll be a matter of who we give up to get it.
I have to agree with you and messagebear knouff. Stults pitches great for 2-3 starts, then pitches like… well, Stults.
To his credit, Torre wanted pitching, pitching, pitching this past offseason, and Ned got him nothing, nothing, nothing.
Anyone that could’ve looked at Mota the past 5 years and signed him obviously doesn’t know their *** from a hole in the ground. Wolf is what he is – a #4 pitcher. Jury’s out on Ohman, but he is what he is too – a journeyman lefty. As for the rest of the crap Ned tried out – pathetic.
Let’s hope the team can hold it together long enough to pick-up a decent arm or two in June/July. Fortunately in our division, there’s not much competition.
Hi all!
,
,
,
From MLB.com:
As Torre explained last week, he intends to implement a plan of getting Pierre into the lineup at least once or twice a week.
,
,
,
Ok, Joe, and who are we sitting once or twice a week?
,
,
,
Hey, Kemp, nice triple and nice diving catch and nice assist, but I need to get this singles guy with no arm into the lineup, you understand, right?
,
,
,
Fire Joe!
Fire the guy the hired Joe!
I have to agree Scott. Wanting to insert a noodlearmed slap hitter in place of:
(A) A HOF hitter
(B) A 5-tool player poised to come into his own
(C) A player that HAS come into his own, will draw 90-100 BB, drive in as many or more, and hit .300+
is completely assinine…
Doing it against last year’s Cy Young winner is unconscionable.
Enchanted & Scott ~ I agree with you 100%. I still say that if Noodlearm was making minimum salary, he wouldn’t even be considered starting a game. Heck, he probably wouldn’t even make the team!
From the L.A. Times: “Pierre said he had no problem with the alignment (batting 9th), joking that he would bat 11th if that’s what it took for him to crack the lineup.”
Juan, Juan, Juan, you still don’t get it. The proper thing to say, the teammate thing to say, would have been, “I’ll bat 11th if that’s what it takes to help this club win a championship…” What on Earth gives Pierre the impression that he deserves to start over Kemp, Ethier or Manny? Did he watch Sports Center and see the game-changing non-catch in the first inning? Sure it was a tough play…but guys who deserve to start make that play and help their teams win games against the other guys’ ace. Pierre, you’re a slap-hitting, defensive liability with an un-tradeable contract. Keep hitting over .300 and maybe the Dodgers can bluff someone into taking your selfish act.
Kahli ~ APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Juan being in the lineup changes the entire chemistry and it doesn’t make for a compatible blend.
Just thinking about Yougnomewho makes my blood boil! What an egotistical a**!
Maybe JP can bat 10th and go crack a softball line-up.
No matter where they bat him, no matter if he hits .400, this team is always the lesser WHENEVER he is in the line-up.
For the life of me I can’t see how any rational manager would prefer to play him on a weekly or bi-weekly basis over any of the other three, who in my opinion make up the best hitting OF in the majors.
No fool like an old fool eh Joe?
I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Weaver, Milton, or Estes to come back and be successful major leaguers. Any one of them may have a good game or two left in their careers, but I think that all their decent days are past. Why could they not show something during Spring Training, and why have all the other teams given up on them? It’s just against the odds that any of them could help us more than the arms we’re already trying. I think we already have one such a has-been on the team in Mota, and we’ll probably wake up to his uselessness in another month or two. In the meantime, we might as well try out a few of our younger minor league pitchers to see if any help is available internally like with did with Elbert. Unfortunately the answer with him was NO.
The best option at this point is probably to focus on a couple of pitchers that might come available in June/July, but it will be at a price, since we’ll have to go the trade route. Since we are now committed to Blake for another year or two and Hudson seems like a good fit at second, we should have some infield prospects available for the right pitcher deal. If it was a Halladay, I might even cut Martin loose for a trade, given the Canadian connection. While we’ll probably keep waiting for him to resurrect himself, my longer range outlook is that he’ll be a typical good catch/ low hit catcher who never quite lived up to his early “potential”.
messagebear, agree with most of what you say. But I still believe Weaver can contribute….but from the bullpen. As I’ve said before, I think he could be the 8th-inning guy. Kuo will NEVER be that guy–not for a lack of talent but durability. While committed to Blake for three more years (thanks, Ned) I see him as a bench player REAL SOON. Give me DeWitt over the long haul. A for our “fading” catcher, he just might be a bargaining chip soon. What is up with him, anyway???? My previous post blasting Pierre was not penned because this blog loves to hate him (which it does) but rather because his selfishness seems to seep out, even when he doesn’t mean to. Hey, ANY athlete wants to play. Period. But just because Ned gave him an outrageous five-year “vote of confidence” doesn’t mean he’s a great player. It just means Ned was a geek.
I considered myself one of the strongest DeWitt supporters during last season, but I am clearly disappointed in his performance level late last season and during this Spring Training, etc. Indeed, there are a lot of prospects who develop gradually and don’t really make a big splash at the outset. I’m probably one of those guys who likes to see a prospect come up and take hold of a position whereby even a Torre can’t sit him down anymore. That’s the kind of season Andre produced last year even when given only half a chance. I don’t see DeWitt with that kind of ability, much as I too would have liked to see him displace Blake in the everyday lineup. I think that there should be another one or two third base prospects knocking on the door (ringing the Bell might be a more appropriate way of saying it), which could make DeWitt available for trade at this point in my mind.
enchanted/tru/kahli,
,
,
The chemistry was so awesome the night before with Manny, Ethier and Kemp doubling and tripling the team to victory and then you take all the air out of the balloon just to appease Pierre?
,
,
Fire Joe if he keeps playing Pierre!!!
,
,
Fire the guy who hired Joe!!
,
,
Fire the guy who hired the guy who hired Joe!!
Funny, now that Manny is signed and delivered, Ned’s marginal talent as a GM is rearing its ugly head again. Three years for soon-to-be 36-year-old Casey Blake, a train wreck of a bullpen, and starting pitching that was always marginal, at best. And we need not chronicle his past transgressions…
Agree – FIRE the guy who hired Joe, and the guy who hired the guy who hired Joe, as long that includes the guy who hired JP and the guy who keeps playing JP, even if only occasionally.
It probably wouldn’t be appropriate to all wear t-shirts with that slogan on ITD Dodgers Stadium tour day would it?
I think that Mannywood is too expensive for me, but I’ll pay $5 to sit in “Pierrewood” right next to him on the dugout pine.
You might get cooties Scott.
Hey, someone wants to print those T-Shirts up and I’ll even come out to So Cal for the tour as long as I get to wear one.
lmao Pierrewood
I got tired of the Joneswood lol.
I’d wear the shirt too! I’d wear it proud!!
Courtesy of dodgereric. Its “make your own caption” day on ITD. Here’s the pix, you make the caption and add it below:
.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-giants30-2009apr30,0,4776159.story
Dodgereric: “What the hell is that hard round thing?”
.
Enchanted: “Unfortunately for Juan Pierre, he chose to wear his velcro uniform on precisely the same day they relined the outfield wall with the same thing.”
.
Eek, a mouse!!!!
Courtesy of dodgereric. Its “make your own caption” day on ITD. Here’s the pix, you make the caption and add it below:
.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-giants30-2009apr30,0,4776159.story
Dodgereric: “What the hell is that hard round thing?”
.
Enchanted: “Unfortunately for Juan Pierre, he chose to wear his velcro uniform on precisely the same day they relined the outfield wall with the same thing.”
.
David Letterman: “I had that idea first!”
http://media.photobucket.com/image/letterman%20velcro%20man/digger48/velcro5B45D.jpg
Enchanted ~ You’re right………….as in Elvis Presley’s song, “I’m Stuck On You”!!! lol
Or MC Hammer’s “You Can’t Touch This”!!!
Sorry, Scott it was you, not Enchanted! I was laughing so hard at the photo, I lost my concentration!
That photo is classic – just like the one where he’s dropping the pop fly.
I feel terrible. Juan was merely drawing attention to the “UNITED NATIONS OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAMME FOR IRAQ”.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/ik404.doc.htm
Hello, hello? Is this thing on? Anybody get that?
Dodgereric ~ I’m here but I don’t get it. Help me please!
JP looks like a starving child is all I can muster.
The UN press release is labeled IK404.
OK, so I took a little liberty with the “I”, but when I Googled “!K404” it drops the “!” and all you get are phone ads. In the photo (left to right), there’s an exclamation point, Juan makes the letter “K”, and the 404 sign.
Thanks, Dodgereric! Now it’s funny!!!!!
lol…only Eric
“Who put that fly tape up on here???”
You see, we’ve been totally unfair to Juan. If he doesn’t get to the park early every day for his work out, he never gets stuck that high on the wall.
.
Way to go JP!!
“Look what I can do!”
“Help! The wall is falling!”
Actually, I still like tru’s “Eek, a mouse!”
Break time’s over. Back to work…..
As Yukon Cornelius says, “Juanpys BOUNCE!”
Photo caption: “Dodger fans…stop crucifying me!!!!”
“Maybe if I blend in, no one will notice I’m not on the bench.”
“You got it, Andre!”
PHOTO CAPTION:
Juan Pierre’s attempt to execute a grand jete fails to impress the judges at the San Francisco audition of “Dancing With The Overpaid Bench Ballet All-Stars” Note the three judges posted scores of 4, 0, and 4.
Juan can’t even do the Y-M-C-A right…
“Leave it alone! Maybe it will roll foul…….”
“O-o-o-h no! I ain’t pickin’ that up! They’ll want me to throw it back, and that sign ain’t in inches!”
“You got it, Andre!” – why is it that one cracks me up the most????
Enchanted ~ it’s probably because it’s closer to what he was really thinking! lol
“Maybe if I hide up here the killer baseball won’t eat me!”
“Outfielder Juan Pierre of the LA Dodgers confuses baseball with dodgeball in San Francisco Wednesday evening”
We know you want to be a steady fixture in the outfield, but isn’t this going a bit too far?
“Man, I didn’t think the wind was that strong!”
“Did you see what the wind did to me?”
LOL Sparks & Birk.
Scott – Juan’s doing ITD’s version of Y.M.C.A.. Its called Y.U.C.K. Its only played when Juan’s in the game.
That’s too funny Enchanted – ROFLMAO!
I love how Vin likes to say
“Edgar Renteria
the boy from Barranquilla.”
Hey, after the yucky game last night we have to laugh about something. Talk about a throw-a-way game.
And I love it when Vin says “Darnit!” or “Aw, schucks!”
VIN SCULLY: WE LOVE YOU!’
from the two crazy fans that say that to you a lot but .. you did tell us “You are not crazy, I love your enthusiasm….”
Emma & Erik
Nice songs boys (catching up on my reading)
.
Carol, Your hubby did not take you to the event but he took himself!? I probably ran into into him that day.
Emma
Vin Scully rocks!!
Emma, I found myself saying the same things last night. Well, maybe not exactly the same things but close enough since I was not on TV.
New thread.