Winter Meetings Recap from a team travel perspective
What Do Traveling Secretaries Do At The Winter Meetings?
If you did not know, the Winter Meetings are not just about trades, free agents, GMs, team meetings, and news conferences. There is actually a whole lot more from medical meetings with physicians and trainers, job seekers/interviews, a huge baseball goods trade show, club publicity meetings, and also a host of activities for the traveling secretaries. In essence, everything that is baseball happens here. For my counterparts and I, it’s meeting-after-meeting and reception-after-reception.
Here is a brief look at our agenda:
Sunday night – All-Traveling Secretaries dinner hosted by MLB
Monday morning/afternoon – Marriott Luncheon and Traveling Secretary of the Year Presentation
Monday afternoon – All-Traveling Secretaries Meeting
Monday pre-dinner – Enterprise Rental Car Reception
Monday pre-dinner – Four Seasons Reception
Monday evening – Ritz-Carlton Reception
Tuesday morning/afternoon – Traveling Secretaries Trade Show (Air charter providers, hotels, bus companies, rental car companies, travel agents, etc.)
Tuesday pre-dinner – Parc 55/Westin San Francisco Reception
Tuesday pre-dinner – Hilton Reception
Tuesday dinner – Dodgers Minor League Affiliates Reception
Tuesday evening – Starwood Worldwide Reception
Coupled with that, the traveling secretaries are the point people for our own staff’s travel and hotel accomodations. In truth, it was a little more complicated here in Indianapolis due to the cold weather and snow.
On Wednesday, I spent virtually the entire day in my hotel room working. I had missed some time in the office recently and I tried to play catch-up with all of my work. In a few hours, I will be boarding a plane back to Los Angeles while keeping tabs on our staff’s travel out of Indianapolis back to Los Angeles, Phoenix, Newark, Baltimore, Tampa, and San Diego.
Traveling secretaries meet a lot of people during these meetings and we collect a lot of business cards. It’s a chance for us to say thank you to those vendors who have helped us over the years and also an opportunity to make new contacts to help our respective teams. The meetings are enjoyable yet hectic and I look forward to them every year.
Sidebar: Ellen Harrigan is our Winter Meetings MVP because she keeps all of our team events and meetings organized/on-time — she is a huge help to all of us and did a great job of putting together our minor league affiliates reception on Tuesday night. She is our Director of Baseball Administration and has spent time with Baltimore and Toronto with over 20+ years of baseball experience.
— Scott Akasaki
Inside the Dodgers 
Frank…say something…ANYTHING.
Man, talk about tying to change the subject. Pathetic.
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Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Josh ~ I’m glad to see you were busier than Ned!
Scott – It sounds like you had a busy, but fun week. Thanks for the update on your role in this week’s events.
Josh – I know we have been a handful lately, but like all things, it will pass (hopefully). However, it might pass faster if Frank sells the team 🙂
Hello gang!!! LOL Trumom!!! Call me cranky and cold in Ohio!!! Nothing warm about the Dodger Hot Stove!!!! I enjoyed and agree with all your earlier comments from the last thread!! Thanks!!! I just wish Frank and Furter(Ned) had Bears kahoona’s!!!!
I have to apologize, I called you Josh and you are Scott. Anyway, I am glad to see you were very busy, Scott.
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Just call me Cranky from the Central Valley!
Gang, let’s not take our frustrations out on Josh and the other Dodger personnel posting the new threads. They are not the problem. Besides, I enjoy reading about how the organization goes about its business on a day to day basis. What a job it must be to get players, staff and equipmkent from one place to another, dealing with hotels, buses, drivers and such. Keep these stories coming!
lbirken ~ I, for one, am not taking my frustrations out on Josh or the rest of the staff…..Josh did say he reads what we have to say and passes it along to the higher-ups. So, I am hoping it is true and Frank and Ned understand exactly how we feel.
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I also appreciate the new threads and the information passed along to us.
With all the world turmoil, TigerGate, and Frank and Jamie(Dodger turmoil), I find myself becoming somewhat detached and disillusioned with the situations that we adults create. It’s Christmas, and I just hope that less fortunate KIDS all over the world have enough to eat and some presents on Christmas Day!!! It’s about the kids!! I still remember and love the memories of Christmas when I was a youngster. That is when it is truely magical!!! Thanks Mom and Dad!!! Donate or buy a toy for the various organizations that are pursuing that goal.
Excellent point, Jhall. And, thanks for reminding all of us 🙂
Me, too, Jhall.
Thanks Trumom!!! It just breaks my heart to see/think about little kids with no food and presents on Christmas or throughout the year for that matter!!!
I truely believe that if we take care of the little kids(food, education, and love), the world will be a better place down the road!!!
I am sure Frank and friends know exactly how we feel. Perhaps the pressure will work to get him to sell but right now he really can’t since ownership still has not been decided. Once that issue is resolved, we will see what happens.
jhall, you have the right idea.
Want/hunger, ignorance, and desperation/hatred, breeds violence and turmoil!!!
Thanks lbirken, from your comments, I believe you do also!!!
If I may get on my soapbox for a moment and put our toy store in perspective. Yes, I love Dodgereric’s thinking when he calls this our toystore………………..very fitting and I love it so much. Anyhow, this past Tuesday morning, I was listening to the morning news and heard a story about a man being shot at a local Foster’s Freeze (It’s in Atwater, which is about 10 minutes north of Merced). A guy got out of his car walked up to him and shot him. I thought………..great another gang thing. Then after school that day, one of my dear friends on campus was asking if I had seen my fellow male 1st grade teacher colleague, and I told her he had been home sick. Well, come to find out one of his students was the nephew of the man who was shot. So, my friend proceeded to tell me it was some sort of gang initiation, and that the student’s uncle was at the wrong place at a very wrong time. I guess this boy spent a great deal of time with his uncle and he can’t do that any longer.
So, I love this team, I love these players, and I just can’t help it. Yes, I am mad that our owners are both idiots and our GM even more of one at times, but I am going to stick with this team through it all. It may require a paperbag at times, but I really do love the toystore because the toys in it are so much fun!!!
Now, I need to figure out how I am going to walk out to my car in the pouring rain in my pajamas so I can get home. It was Polar Express Day here at school, and it requires you wear pajamas, drink hot chocolate and graham crackers and bring your favorite stuffed animal (my stuffed animals are already). The life of a first grade teacher definitely has it’s fun moments. However, my student teacher is gone, and now I have to teach myself. Like I told Dodgereric earlier today, may the Dodger brainwashing begin :)))
I will come back again once I get home and dried off, but until then, take care if I don’t see you later on tonight. This is such a great forum…….. ITD is awesome!!!!
Great post, Nellyjune. Sounds like you had a great day. And, like you, I also love our Toy Store.
Well said Nelly!! ITD is great because of Josh, Scott, and the good people we are fortunate to have on this board.
I think most of the people here would let a motorist over if they put on their turn signal, not speed up and cut them off!!!
Wow, some story, Nelly. Kind of makes what kind of deal Randy Wolf can get or who might be the 5th starter not terribly important in the grand scheme of things. Thank goodness for our health and the fact we have this big toy box called sports to help us get through. And I am glad I don’t have to buy the batteries for it. Well, now that I said that I guess I actually do help buy the batteries when I buy tickets.
Signal, yes….no signal, they are dead meat! lol
LMTO Trumom!!! I’m with you!!! It amazes me that they don’t seem to put turn signals on Beamers and Lexus’s!!!
What really makes me the angriest is when a lane is closed, everybody knows traffic will be merging into one lane, and yet, some yahoos always speed by you and cut in right at the last second.
Yep Tru!!! People do really stupid and aggrevating things on the highway!!! I love when the truckers take both lanes to stop them. However, I’ve seen them go into the berm or median to get around that. It just makes me wonder what in the hell’ they are thinking. Or not thinking!!!!
LOL…..so true!
Well, we definately need some Dodger news as we are reduced to talking about peoples road habits and experiences!!! I’m OK with discussing mundane things like that when there is no relevent Dodger news. I enjoy interacting with you all and getting perspectives from different parts of the country. I know some people don’t especially like it as they think we should only discuss baseball on a baseball blog!!! To them I say, expand your horizons!!! On that note, I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what DeWitt can do at 2nd given a real shot!!!
I’d like to see what DeWitt could do for a full season, Jhall. I just have a feeling, we will get a washed up second baseman and, poor Blake won’t get the chance.
Hell’, if we don’t talk about traffic, road rage, and turn signals, what will we do!! Bash Frank, Jamie, Ned, and Juan Pierre. LOL!!! That seems to also aggrevate our baseball purists as well!!!
trublu4ever, I had that very same thing happen to me yesterday with a guy trying to squeez by on the right as the lane merged and almost had it happen again today. Geez! What is the rush?
I am all for DeWitt getting a shot but it is up to him to stay there. He is the type of player fans like to see and get behind. He may never be a superstar but he would be a fan favorite because of the way he approaches the game. Have a great evening, everyone and stay safe.
Unfortunate but true, Tru!!! They will waste enough money chasing pipe dreams in the outfield and 2nd base, to actually get a decent pitcher, which is our biggest need!!!
For the record, I don’t want Halliday!! I don’t want to give up the farm for a 32 year old pitcher. The best we get is one or two good years and then pay thru the nose for his twilight!!! Think Kevin Brown. I don’t want to pay Halliday 18-20M a year when he is 36-38 and for what he did when he was in his prime. That is what most long term contracts to star pitchers end up being when they reach their mid to late 30’s.
Jhall – great post up above about the kids and Christmas. I have the priveledge to be around those kids everyday and see how life is through their eyes. As rough around the edges as some of them try to be, there is something about this time of the year where their innocence shows through.
As for the drivers, there is nothing scarier than driving with learning how to drive teenagers – LOL!!! (jk)
As for the Dodgers, I am still concerned why we are signing outfielders, even if they are for minor league contracts. That shouldn’t even be an issue of concern at this point.
Fortunately, the money situation may eliminate that!!! Gotta stick with Billz and the kids. I’m good with that!!!
Thanks Nelly!! It really is magical.
The brother of the former pitching coach for the Blue Jays, Brad Arnsburg, works with my husband, and he says that Brad is now the Astros pitching coach. Houston is his where Brad his family is. At one time, Halliday wouldn’t pitch for anybody but him. Now that Arnsberg is not in Toronto anymore, it remains to be seen where Halliday will end up. I don’t think he will be a Dodger. I don’t think we need to spend the money on him (not that we have the money). I really would like to see Billz and Kersh kick some butt this year.
I don’t think you have to worry about us getting Halliday, Jhall. He is not in our price range.
I thought it would be so, but the Andre, Matt and Manny Action Figure giveaways are for kids only 😦 I still have May 18th off though 🙂
Hi ya everybody,
I just got home from seeing the play “Juan and John” and I enjoyed it immensely.
Roger Guenveur Smith, creator, does a fantastic one man performance of 1965 Los Angeles, the world at that time, his own life, John Roseboro and Juan Marichal.
I won’t say much more because I want you all to enjoy it the way I did.
I recommend everyone to see it, Giant fans and especially Dodger fans of all ages. If you can get out of bed you can not miss this play.
I tell you one thing, he’ll need a bigger auditorium when he comes home to LA.
That’s great Oldbrooklynfan!!!!! I am so glad you enjoyed it!!!!
Nellyjune ~ that really sucks….kids get all the good stuff! I’m sure they will sell some in the Team Store.
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I’m so glad you had a good time, Oldbrooklynfan. I was waiting to see what you thought.
“The Dodgers have signed pitcher Josh Towers to a minor league deal, according to the Associated Press. Towers, who turns 33 in February, put up a 2.74 ERA in 19 appearances (18 starts) with the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2009. He started 2009 in the Nationals’ system, but was released after just one appearance with Triple A Syracuse. The Yankees called up Towers twice during the season, but he appeared in just two September games in mop-up duty. He is a low walk, low strikeout pitcher, averaging 1.5 walks and 4.8 walks per nine innings in his major league career.”
So is Towers the new Estes, Vargas, or Milton? Keep ’em coming, Ned.
Yes it does Tru!!!! What if you are a kid at heart, which most of us are?
Who are these people? I rather take a chance on McDonald, Elbert, etc. At least they should have some upside to them.
Thanks for the information, Kahli. I’m sure that signing will put us over the top!
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Nellyjune ~ maybe we can adopt two kids for the day, just for the bobblehead…lol
Yea we could, but the percentage is too high for them to become Ethieraholics. Then we would be going home with nothing.
http://www.mlive.com/loons/index.ssf/2009/12/catcher_kenley_jansen_added_to.html
oops – I was on the wrong thread a minute ago.
Well, this sounds an awful like ITD talk……………………
http://www.truebluela.com/2009/12/10/1195546/mccourt-smells-like-an-old
I’m getting an uneasy feeling about this lack of activity. To let Wolf walk is poop. Can the team really be that short of cash?
I found this a very interesting comment from one of the posters over on truebluela:
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“I?ve always thought ? and even more so now ? that Selig wanted and guided the sale of the Dodgers to the McCourts because he didn?t want a deep pocketed owner in the second biggest market bidding up player salaries.”
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Hmmmmm…
Hmmmmmmmmmm, indeed!
Useless trivia:
Everyday 200 million couples make love, 400,000 babies are born and 140,000 people die.
Once again, we are not the only ones thinking these things.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-12-12/five-questions-coming-out-winter-meetings&ct=ga&cd=LB_rbcedmlY&usg=AFQjCNF39K1Ps8BPRdNzMJZPz4QScMvcXg
1. Where are the Dodgers?
Despite claims from general manager Ned Colletti and other front office personnel that the team’s ownership situation — owners Frank and Jamie McCourt are going through a divorce — won’t affect the payroll, the evidence says otherwise thus far. Los Angeles didn’t make any noise at the winter meetings and still has gaping holes in its rotation and at second base.
Making the financial situation worse, L.A. figures to hand out big raises in arbitration to the likes of outfielders Andre Either and Matt Kemp, catcher Russell Martin, first baseman James Loney, starting pitcher Chad Billingsley, closer Jonathan Broxton and setup man George Sherrill. The $20 million the team owes left fielder Manny Ramirez also doesn’t help much.
When you blush, the lining of your stomach also turns red.
Good afternoon everyone………….
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I sure would like to hear some good news concerning this ballclub. Other than the normal spins we get. I would like to say that my negativity lately is just from bad PR and in no way a reflection of the boys on the field.
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Well here to a good day!!!
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GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s to a good day…………..Josh that was not directed at you either…..We do appreciate the job you do.
Dang can’t get the whole spelling of team in there.
I’m trying my best to remain positive and not let my feelings of our owners and GM reflect how I feel about the players. However, it’s hard, as a whole, to remain positive when everyone in the baseball world feels the same way we do about our owners especially.
However, we can hope the players entering arbitration are given the respect they deserve and hopefully they are paid accordingly. That would definitely be a positive to see some good numbers come from the front office on what our arbitration candidates will be making this upcoming 2010 season.
Is Martin sucking going to help us I don’t think he would get a raise?
Sherrill have to be kept after giving away Bell and Johnson and those fool didn’t even protect the dad son and lost them in the rule 5 draft to the Giants. I still think we should’ve had traded for him in the first place.
Shad – is that you?
Then again………………………maybe it’s enchanted :))
I’m positive today……..
You got the name right the first time lol
Just when you think it can’t get any weirder, Jaime’s driver/lover is giving Dodger jackets to a Taiwanese politician:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mccourts12-2009dec12,0,7431924.story
Well it couldn’t be enchanted since he’s name didn’t change today,
he’s=his
I seen that Eric, makes me wonder if they were trying to give Frank a little nudge of of the cliff……in all do respect, that would get my blood flowing…..did in a way
Shad – you would be surprised at what enchanted is capable of doing. Anyhow, I thought it was you, but there is always that chance that somebody else decided to change their name considering our owners right now 🙂
Dodgereric!!!! Scary isn’t it? I saw that this morning. Nothing like getting Frank’s attention, don’t ya think? Are you relaxing? :)))
Off of
Somewhat. There’s nothing more I can do for the time being. I have some molding on order, but it won’t get here until Thursday. I’m tempted to do the drywalling myself, which isn’t that hard. But I know from experience that I don’t have the ability to do the knockdown work. Wish you were here, D4!
Positive………….
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRsXHDYXafM
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GO DODGERS!!!!!
I will send you some tips Eric….It is pretty simple
Well, I am glad that you are relaxing somewhat. It’s better than not at all. Maybe Dodger4ife can talk you through it somehow 🙂
You are positive it’s been raining nonstop since last night? LOL!!!!!
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Brail, or morse code???
it’s not brail 🙂 He must be chewing out the ownership in Morse Code or some other encrypted code 🙂
I need an attitude adjustment, rain, shine or sleet of snow….Theres only one way to go and that is Dodger Blue Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1….I don’t like the other options.
That was a delayed post, I think they may have broken the code………..LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Jhall is needed. He seems to be our ITD foreign language expert who may be able to translate.
Wow this is impressive a volleyball team won 100 matches in a rows.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4737365
Penn State women’s volleyball team (36-0) won its 100th consecutive match, beating California 25-18, 25-17, 25-22 in the NCAA Gainesville Regional Final.
The win gives head coach Russ Rose 999 match victories in his career, according to Penn State’s athletic Web site.
Penn State senior Megan Hodge was named the region’s Most Outstanding Player. Hodge led the team with 14 kills on .429 hitting, according to Penn State’s athletic Web site.
The Nittany Lions advances to the national semifinals for the third straight season. They will face either Hawaii or Michigan on Thursday in Tampa.
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S.O.S.
S.O.S.
Our Neddy Frozen
Our owner tite…
The rest is garbled sir, but I think there might be an iceberg right ahead…
LOL!!!
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!
So, what he means Enchanted is that we are screwed?
An article on Blake DeWitt. I would like to see them give him a real chance. Look what the chance did for Andre.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-blake-dewitt13-2009dec13,0,3348159.story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JvJJCw4Plg&NR=1
(play this in the background as you read this post.)
… and so it was told as the winter meetings drew to a close, twas not Ned’s failings as a GM, but Frank’s hubris in thinking that nothing on this earth could sink the Dodger Blue…
… had only someone seen the signs of distress, perhaps they could’ve reached the franchise in time, but alas BS (that’s Bud Selig) thought it only a lark…
… and as the great franchise slowly slipped beneath the waves of overleverage and community property, we are left but to wonder what could have been…
…someday, somewhere in a greater place than L.A., the spirit that once was the great franchise will be resurrected under different names, different places, but always Dodgers…
The music added so much more drama to your post Enchanted. Simply marvelous!!!!!
The decibals were to high…. I could’nt hear the music, I watched the show though….Got the message as well.
Enchanted – I think your last line speaks volumes to what is ahead if some major changes aren’t made when it comes to our current financial state.
I really do like Blake DeWitt a lot. I’d like to see both he and Repko on the team, for their attitude alone. As for DeWitt’s defense, it’ll be really tough matching the famous gold glove hands of Kent and Belliard…but he’ll try!!??!??!?!?!?!?!
MLBRumors does’nt have anything on the tenders for the Dodgers, kind of late isn’t it???
No big names yet, but the Isotopes retained two of their pitchers.
http://www.examiner.com/x-31603-Albuquerque-Isotopes-Examiner~y2009m12d12-Isotopes-retain-two-pitchers
We are 15 minutes from a deadline in which 9 players are affected and not a word yet. Something is just not too comforting here.
Well, if we are going by ITD time, the deadline has passed 🙂
I couldn’t find any news at all, Nellyjune. I’m getting worried. What else is new? lol
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All I found was the same old stuff about Halliday (and, yes, the Phillies are interested) and Lackey.
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Cust was not asked back by the A’s and a few other teams let players go but, no news about our Dodgers.
And, poor Holliday was only offered around $18 M per and apparently Boras thinks that is a slap in the face!
Okay People – where are the contracts?
As far as I’m aware, there’s nothing to worry about regarding our 9 players. Assuming all the correct procedures have been followed, they’ve been tendered their contracts by the D’s and those who are arbitration eligible can go that route if they’re not satisfied with management’s offer….I’ve read through most of the recent postings regarding the ownership issue. Like most all of you, I would like to see the Dodgers sold to an individual or individuals whose primary focus is putting a team on the field that is capable of winning the WS every year. It is truly pathetic and sad to see a major market team being run (and I use that term loosely) like the Royals and the Pirates. But I’m realistic. The team will not likely be sold tomorrow, next week, next month, or maybe next year. The legal issues surrounding the McCourt’s divorce will have to play out in the courts before anything will happen on that issue. So I’ve prepared myself for a long, uncomfortable bumpy ride….glad to see that DeWitt is finally going to get his chance to win an everyday position. Management did him a big disservice by jerking him back and forth between Albuquerque and LA last year….we’re actually only a couple of good quality starters away from having a good chance of going to the next level. Our offense, defense, and bullpen are solid. I just wish I had more confidence in Ned’s ability to get what we need. But I keep hoping. At this point, I’ve got nothing better to believe in.
Seesky – thanks for the explanation, and you are right, all we have is hope right now 🙂
No specific amounts, but the contracts have been tendered.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp%3Fymd%3D20091213%26content_id%3D7804736%26vkey%3Dnews_la%26fext%3D.jsp%26c_id%3Dla&ct=ga&cd=36LSQqKmU3k&usg=AFQjCNEWK0QPSUPhgUzFn8Eai6O26p_KNw
Uh, oh…….receiving no contract from the Yankees, Wang is a FA……since he pitched for Joe, the injury plagued pitcher may be a perfect fit in LA! LMAO! Or, maybe I should cry! lol
Nellyjune ~ I am hoping it was a legitimate amount offered…not just a token to say take it or leave it.
Colletti’s interview on the homepage is better when you play this in the background:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPbmR4sK_gY
“Its tough to find someone who can make a hit for the money we have to spend.” “That DeWitt, he moves like he’s got on a pair of cement shoes, but we know what he’s gonna bring to the party so to speak.” “We have faith in our younger guys and then they turn around and stab us in the back.”
“I coulds been a contenda”
Oops, wrong movie.
“I’ve read ? how there are plenty of issues going on with the team right now. It’s not my job to speculate on these things. But if these things are hurting the club, it’s unfortunate because it’s a historic ballclub.”
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?LHP Randy Wolf, after signing with the Brewers, telling the L.A. Times how the pending divorce between Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt is affecting the team.
Nice.
SELL THE TEAM FRANK.
LOL!!!! Well, if Randy is thinking that way, how do you think the players that are staying feel?
Microsoft Word doesn’t like Morse Code. Let’s see if Notepad does… http://morsecode.scphillips.com/jtranslator.html
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SOS SOS
12-12-2009
OURNEDDYFROZEN,
OUROWNERBITES,
SAVETHEDODGERSBYXMASNITE.
YETTOREALLYSAVEOURBLUE,
WEHAVETOOUSTBUDSELIGTOO.
SOS SOS12-13-2009
THEDOUGHBOYFLIESTOTAIWAN,
JAMIEDESPERATE,CLINGINGON.
WHILETHEFLOURCOUPLEPRIMPS,
FRANK’SAUTHORITYHASGONELIMP.
-WESTERNSCREWNION”
LMAO North!!! (I think it was the Western Screwnion that did it.)
LMTO!!!!!
In short……we are screwed!
LMAO!!!!! We have had so many different languages here on ITD, and now, we have Morse Code to add to the mix. Only on ITD would this be possible. Fabulous Northstateblues, and the same goes for you Enchanted for the interpretation 🙂
LMAO!!!!Love the Morse Code posts, nsb, and thanks to Enchanted for the translation. Sort of like Morse haiku. All I can add to the Morse messages is “Burma Shave”.
PVL UPDATE:
Colletti has, however, indicated that the club is interested in signing several rehabbing pitchers, as it did a year ago with Eric Milton.
Rest of article:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091214&content_id=7807484&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la&partnerId=rss_la
That’s an absolutely shocking revalation Scott – Ned dumpster diving.
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Can’t say we didn’t know this was coming.
Cust? For Godssake a PH should at leat be able to make contact. Might as well call Sweeney back to active duty. What’s wrong with resigning Monkeywitz?
Wang and Redding almost certainly will be signed. They can go right on the list with Kuroda as a fragile pitcher that can’t go a full season.
You put crap in, you get crap out. Something Ned and Frank just don’t get… or maybe they do and just don’t care.
…………just wonderful – blah!!!!
Sorry to shatter kahli’s dreams of Ned standing pat.
Good Morning All……..
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I am not excited about the words… rehabbing, innings eater and workhorse, pertaining to the same person.
These “new options” are hardly new nor do they look like they will be of much help. I really have no real desire to see JP leave, but moving him for a pitcher may be our best hope.
I am quoting one of the commenters on the front page…………….
Ned’s Goals: Construct a rotation of 5 number 4 starters.
That about sums it up.
Ned reminds me of Charlie Brown shopping for Christmas trees.
Lacky takes physical with Boston…….
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http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-lackeyphysical121409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
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Halladay and his agent are in Philadelphia, Halladay might take a physical sometime this week
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http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies_zone/Halladay_and_agent_in_Philadelphia.html
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Indications that Cliff Lee will be traded, although he states he will give no discounts to sign an extension
* Lackey
In related news, the LAPD is reporting that a man pulled from a dumpster over the weekend has been identified as Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti.
If I know Ned, I’m sure we’ll probably end up with a sore Wang here in the next few weeks.
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Don’t lose hope though – maybe we can balance it out by picking up a randy Johnson.
Send a memo to Ned…
while the Phillies are close to landing Holliday and the red sox close to signing lackey what are we doing?..and wwhere suppose to be competing with the phillies next year?…will be lucky if we compete with the giants. Don’t blame Ned for this, Mccourt is the real **** in this whole situation. Where the f*ck is he anyway?….hear the crickets
LOL!!!! That’s good Scott 🙂
i just love being part of the large market LA fan base and reading about how colletti is excited about the oncoming thrifty non-tenders. i wish selig would step in and do something already. there’s just something about dropping 20 bucks on 2 dodger dogs, peanuts, and a coke and seeing that our upper management has moldy spaghetti and fishbones in it’s hair while dumpster diving for somebody to fill out the rotation.
nothing against dewitt, but this team shouldn’t be in a financial situation to hope that a guy who has a .717 OPS and limited major league experience to step in and fill the void. i’m sure he’s a gamer and has a great attitude, but what it comes down to is how well you perform on the field. it’s a pleasure to watch him play, though. thank god we’ll have jamey carroll to hold the fort down. -_-
then again, maybe it’s for the better the dodgers are financially handcuffed. it’ll save ned from spending 100 mil on lackey only to realize his shoulder resembles a pile of mashed potatoes.
happy holidays, everybody.
scott, Ned standing pat is still a dream of mine! His dumpster diving was to be expected…it’s the McCourt way. In keeping with my dream, I just hope Ned makes 1) NO DUMB TRADES and 2) NO DUMB FA SIGNINGS. A dumb signing would be akin to JP and Schmidt. Signing a useless PVL for minimum wage to pique our curiosity is, as I say, business as usual for this keen ownership group. It takes the focus off the divorce and increased stadium prices…kind of like the way a root canal takes the focus off the shattered knee cap for a while.
Khali, at least there is no chance of blowing a lot of money on FA’s that are no good. Dodgers prices are too high for dumpster diving though. We get high prices, 2nd place if we’re lucky, and PR lies. Oh, and don’t forget MANNYWOOD!!
Yuck.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
ok, so maybe it’s my undying love for the Dodgers that is making me believe this, but am I crazy to think that the list of free agents out there just really isnt that impressive? It seems like most these guys are coming off injuries or are a couple years past their prime. What happens when those players pull an andruw jones and totally crap out on their new team, that team will be finacially handcuffed with a non-productive player. If the phillies get halladay but trade lee then they are really just trading an ace for an ace and losing some prospects as well, so go ahead cause that might cripple them for the next few years seeing as how they already let some go to get lee in the first place. So maybe standing by and watching these other teams dump money into aging players is the best option right now, we have a core of young talent that will keep us in the running then maybe at the trade deadline we can steal a few from teams alredy out of it. Tell me if i’m wrong please, but i’m just trying to survive the winter any way I can.
GO DODGERS!!!
it’s official…this just in our owner ir broke and lied to us all
It is oddicial according the ESPN……Halliday is a Phillie; Lee, for now goes to Mariners and Lackey is a Red Sox.
* sorry official
JOSH FREAKIN’ TOWERS…. IF THE DODGERS LET ROY HALLADAY SLIP AWAY, AND NOW CLIFF LEE FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN THE SAME YEAR, THEN COLLETTI IS WORTHLESS AND MY YEARS AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER ARE OFFICIALLY OVER. IT PAINS ME TO SAY IT BUT THIS ORGANIZATION IS ON THE FAST TRACK TO NOWHERE… I AM OUTRAGED.
Bluesplash, not sure if there is a right or wrong way to do things. There are no sure things when it comes to signing players and as I have said before, being a GM means being an optomist and a bit of a gambler. Having thick skin helps as well. In theory, your assessment might be correct. The reality is somewhat different. Teams have different objectives. Clearly, all major league teams want to put people in the seats. We assume they all want to win as well and while I am sure they do, clearly a large number of MLB teams have no real expectations of winning anything. However, they may be willing to take a chance on a player that can get them to the next level and entice fans to buy tickets. Other organizations have money to risk on the higher priced free agents and might even do so to keep a player from signing with a rival in the division. Some of these organizations might be willing to overpay or give a player a longer term deal than might seem reasonable.
So the Dodgers may very well be doing the smart thing by not making certain trades or signing high priced free agents to long term deals. The problem is how do the Dodgers respond if their competitors are willing and/or able to do so? By signing bargain basement or marginal players? I think what angers many Dodger fans is the impression that the Dodgers do not have the resources to take some calculated risks and make deals that have a reasonable chance of taking the organization to the next step. The fans see other teams making moves that at least look as if that team has improved. Anyway, I tend to agree with you that it is a huge risk to offer a 32 year old pitcher anything more than a two year deal but obviously some teams are willing to take the chance.
Ned can pull trash out of alot of dumpsters, paying them peanuts for one year. Hoping to find one needle in a hatstack. Lackey, Lee and Halladay require more than 1 year contracts…..It sucks, that as we have stated before as a large market team this is the case. What will suck even more is that if we are’nt in position to make a good run at the play offs instead of attaining help in the way of an ace… we will be giveing help to someone that has one. Ned said last year it was up to the kids to produce. I see no reason to believe that isn’t status quo again this year.
I don’t really care if they don’t sign the “big name” free agents. Ned and his team have shown that they can’t judge talent anyway, so why bother.
What I do find beyond objectionable is that this organization can’t even afford to offer Type A FAs arbitration in order to receive the extra draft picks and restock the farm system (which they’ve depleted because they can’t afford a prorated season salary for guys like Blake) not because they’re afraid of having to resign the player, but because they can’t pay the draftees.
This organization is screwed from the top down period. And no wishing or waiting or hoping is going to fix it, save Frank selling the franchise. Get ready to become the new Cubs.
I’m not trying to be negative, or bring everyone down….I just remember how the kids felt after the all star break and near the trade deadline last season. Our finances are in worse shape now.
The good news is we still have a fighting chance, all the younsters are still in place and as long as they believe in their ability and play to the potential they posess, things will be looking good on the field. Heck Vinny is coming back, have to admire his heart and dedication to the blue. 60 years is a long time, let alone 61 or 62……Gotta Keep on Believing, like it or not…..
Dodger4life, that is what is so great about the game of baseball and the fact that spring training brings that chance to believe even when things don’t look so good. Anything can happen.
I agree lbirken, however if Commisioner Gordon, MLB, or the McCourts decided to sell the team now and put the money in a trust until the divorce was settled things would be alot more upbeat for everyone who still believes in the magic that this storied franchise brings to the game and the world in general. the divorce proceedings would take a backseat to the franchise in general. Anyhow, I Believe In Our Blue!!!
Don’t really know what to make of this….Other than Sell the Team……well that was my best case scenerio…..
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http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/1214_mccourt_wm.PDF
The fact that almost all of us want Frank to sell isn’t in doubt. Another particularly cold hard fact is that if Frank sells, he will only do so if he’s forced to by events, the divorce chiefly among them. As far as I know, that’s not even close to being resolved. Maybe waiting or hoping won’t fix things but, since we have no control over events, that’s about all we can do. Either that or patronize a different toy store.
I LOOVVVE THE DODGERS!!!!!!
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AND……………
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTXb-ga1fo
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I WANT THAT OLD TIME HEART AND SOUL!!!!!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6UJZtCz1-c
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GO DODGERS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pardon me for the interuption……
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Joy To The World
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Three Dog Night
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFypAB7nYGA
Joy To The Blue
Jamie and Frank are sad clogs
Tearing through our history
Never believed a single word they said
But their team it just happen was mine
And our boys gave us some mighty fine times
Singing
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Joy to the Blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
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If I were the king of the world
Tell you what I?d do
I?d throw away, Frank and Jamie and their parking fees
Turn it all over to Sweet Lou
Sing it now
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Joy to the blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
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You know we loved the O?Malley?s
Loved the way the team was run
They were high life flyer?s and rainbow rider?s
They were straight shootin? son -of-a -gun?s
I said a straight shootin? son-of- a-guns
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Joy to the blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
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Joy to the blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
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Joy to the blue
All believer in blue now
Joy to the blue
Joy to me and you
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Joy to the blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
..
Joy to the blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
.
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I wanna tell you
Joy to the blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
.
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Joy to the blue
All believers of blue now
Joy to the boys in the Dodger blue cleats
Joy to you and me
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(fading)
Joy to the blue
All believers in blue now
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GO DODGERS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Not all that impressed with the Phils side of the trade, which is all that concerns me as a Dodger fan. They gave up more prospects…just to swap aces. Lee was “only” 4-0 in the post season (2-0 in the World Series) and just about unhittable. Yankees, Rocks and Dodgers can attest to that. Plus, he’s two years younger than Halladay. Whatever. I’d take either one. But Frank and Ned would rather have a dinged Wang or some other reclamation project. But of course, it’s business as usual in Dodgertown. No truth to the rumor Frank and Jamie are leveraged to the freaking hilt and incapable of increasing payroll.
I wonder if the deal will still go through if the Phillies can’t sign Halliday to an extension. If they can’t, they’d be no worse off if they just held onto Lee for the year. With the Red Sox apparently about to sign Lackey, it sure is disgusting and frustrating to watch our management scrounging around the junkyard for spare parts while watching our supposed big market equals driving off the lot with brand new wheels.
Jerimiah was a bullfrong………………………
It’s one of those “Name That Tune” songs that it only takes the first note to know what the song is.
Fantastic Dodger4life!!!!!
oops – red pen “bullfrog”
:0)
I dont’ really understand the Halladay trade either. It really didn’t benefit them too much. Lee was phenomenal for them, and they gave him up only to upgrade maybe a tad. It would have been different if they would have had Halladay, Lee and Hamels. Now, that would be a lethal three starters if they stay healthy. However, what they did is just trade an ace for an ace. No big deal there.
Good night everyone………and it’s been a while but God Bless
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JPLJk-UOHc&feature=related
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GO DODGERS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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ESPN talking heads explained the deal…to a point. Lee was looking for Sabathia numbers…5 years, a zillion dollars. Halladay WANTED the Phils (lives near their Florida Spring Training site, etc., etc.) and was willing to do a very affordable, “home-town discount” 3-year extension for $60 million. Came down to $$$. Can you imagine that, Halladay choosing the Phils? Why wouldn’t Halladay want to be a Dodger? Stable franchise…charming, bright owners…unlimited budget…………………………….
Dodgers just traded Pierre to Whitesox, but had to pick up about half of his salary – which makes not offering Wolf arbitration that much more confusing.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091215&content_id=7811916&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la&partnerId=rss_la
http://www.truebluela.com/2009/12/15/1201578/juan-pierre-traded-to-white-sox?ref=yahoo
Love the infamous players-to-be named later. I’m glad for Juan and happier for the Dodgers. I think it will be a good move for us.
There went 3/4 of my songwriting…
LOL, Enchanted! I’m sure you will have plenty to fill your void.
American League pitchers are smiling knowing that the Whitesox are going to be using a designated slapper.