A savvy post
For those who haven’t had a chance to read the original Dodger blogger over at Baseball Savvy, check out his great post from last night on a topic more important than Cactus League action.
Many of us in the front office often say that the best part of this job is the ability to really have an affect on other people – both through the day-to-day interactions at the ballpark and the special circumstances like Christopher Ramirez earlier this spring.
Well, as Baseball Savvy points out, it’s not just those in the front office with a chance to make an impact…and congrats to the site on its 10th anniversary of “covering” the Dodgers.
UPDATE:
We talk a lot in the Dodger organization about community and giving back, but it’s really cool to see that our players buy into the concept. MLB just announced that the Dodgers are the winners of the 2010 Bobby Murcer award, which goes to the team whose players donate the most money to the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.). That organization makes the rounds each spring to ask players to donate for the members of the baseball family who are in need and they have come through every time we’ve turned to them for help.
Players from across baseball donated nearly $2 million to the cause and we’re very proud to see our team step up for those in need.
Inside the Dodgers 
Awesome article! I would much rather read this kind of stuff than the bickering McCourts.
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Happy Birthday, Dodgereric!
Great articles and great video! Trumom, I too would much rather read this kind of stuff than hear the McCourts bickering.
Happy Birthday, Dodgereric!
Hey I just noticed this on the homepage about Stults. Good luck Stultsy…
http://kengurnick.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/stults_scratched_move_likely.html
Yup – Good luck to Stultz – My guess is he’s going to Japan so Frank can pay for a years worth of spa sessions for Jamie!
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Gosh have I become jaded!!!
Collie ~ I read where he is going to Japan. We are all becoming a little bit jaded, aren’t we?
Also has any else noticed that there has been no reports about Russ & how he did yesterday in the Minor league game. Seems sort of quiet on the homepage for such an important thing.
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Hopefully it’s just due to the writers were enjoying their last few days in the desert.
The Hiroshima Carp is where he is supposedly going.
I wonder. Is Stultsy getting “traded” to the Carp to where we would get someone in return? Or would Stultsy be released from the Dodgers and be like a FA in Japan? I’m not sure how that works…
I think it is just a sale, CP. Afterall, Frank and Jamie need more money to out in their pockets.
That’s true Trumom. How are you?
Yes it is Tru. Watching those TMZ videos upset my stomach. It reminded me of the movie War Of The Roses. That or some kids from the school ground. I guess we could call it War Of The Blue Roses.
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I wish they would be civil about the whole thing but as mentioned before it’s like how in divorces it’s the kids who often are the biggest looser – in this case the kids are our Dodgers.
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I do understand how it must be painful for them as having your spouse who was your partner/teammate/lover for 20-30 years become your enemy be really tough and make you do things you might not ordinarily do or just act stupid. I know this was their choice based on their actions but it still would be really tough to have your spouse who you’ve loved and shared such a close intimate relationship with become someone you despise.
I’m great, CP. And, you?
Oh fine Trumom. Still got a lot of “stuff” to do, but got to stay busy, huh?
Just remember, the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference. You can’t have something this messy without there being strong passionate/emotional feelings. Right now they’re in the “I’m going to take everything you have and you’ll never see the kids again” stage. They can just play it on a grander scale than most.
Oh, and Collie. I agree that it would be tough to (1) look at who was your spouse for a long time and (2) turn that person from someone you loved to someone you despise in such a short turnaround. I mean divorce is not a pretty thing; I know, I went through it myself. On a personal level, it can’t be easy. But to be doing all this in the public eye is, well, I just can’t imagine it…
Well, I’ve got things to do, so I’ll catch up with y’all later…
GREAT JOB BOYS IN BLUE…great contribution….keep it up!
Great post by Baseball Savyy!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DODGERERIC….remeber to THINK BLUE when blowing out the candles and making a wish…. need new owners and pitchers!
& the Dodgers are very grand aren’t they E!!!
Stults’ contract will probably be sold outright to the Japanese team, if that is what’s really going on. I hope he does well.
In our hearts Collie, but with these two I fear not so much in reality anymore.
Can you sell a GM and a manager to Japan? If so I have two nominations.
I think the Carps would be great for them, Enchanted 🙂
I just hope the commissioner/judge has the good sense to see through all of this. Frank and Jamie are big time manipulators…..They have a history of contradicting themselves, now is no different. I root for the organization as a whole…..I do this because of my past, and in my past, I have been proud of what I was a part of. There are still many good things coming from inside this organization as Josh has stated in this post.
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Frank’s Lawyers referring to the Staples Center as a place where the circus comes to town….was just more love being spread through our city by Frank. Jamie saying ask the lawyers when confronted with a difficult question was more revelation that she loves the fans and this community.
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These are the supposed leaders of this organization…..no matter how you slice it up!!!!
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Give us all a break……Please!!!
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GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup E. The thing for me is I’ve never really rooted for the Dodgers because I liked the owner or GM, etc. I’ve rooted due to the wording on the front of the jersey. That being said if we had great owners it would be even easier to root for the team to be successful.
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I think it’s funny that last year when we were hoping for a Manny or CC or both, that Jamie said spending millions on a baseball player in this economic climate with people unemployed etc wasn’t the right thing to do.
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I guess however it’s okay to ask for a million a month living expenses! Does she even realize how stupid that sounds?!!!!
Is there a Japanese team called the Skunks, or perhaps Sewer Rats? Just trying to find an appropriate home for our Dynamic Duo.
I hear you Collie!! And don’t think I haven’t thrown that back in her face here on ITD as well because, “doesn’t it seem, you know, a little weird for one person to need $1 million a month in alimony?”
I put it to you Jamie, which would you rather have – a million a month alimony or another baseball field?
Your true colors come out don’t they? I’d say they’re all shades of green.
Hi Everybody
Except for Loney,a few others, we’ll get a good look at the Dodger secondary, today.
Have fun.
Jade green E!
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Looks like Lindy is getting all litty up so far.
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I still love him and think he’s going to be real good.
Boy, this is a busy place this afternoon. Thanks for the good reading ITDers, and thanks for the new thread Josh.
I’m disappointed but not at all surprise, reading about what looks to be the end of Shults as a Dodger.
I’ll always recall a fantastic outing he had at Shea stadium, when he first came up after two complete games I always thought he was a keeper.
But it always seemed he had to excel, more than others, in order to please Torre.
Good luck to him in Japan.
It’s probably just me, but Paul looks like Kemp, batting left handed.
Sure am glad we’re gonna find a place for Belliard and Green.
Thanks Ned.
O.K. start for Lindblom.
WoW Switch pitching Pat Vanditte debuted for the Yankees.
My daughter Claudine and I saw him pitch for the Staten Island Yankees.
Dodgereric – Your now second grade fan club just came in at recess time to wish you a Happy Birthday. They remembered today you turned four 🙂 I know you read this most every night, but just in case………..lots of birthday wishes on the previous thread as well. I hope you had (are having) a fantastic day!!
Unbelieveable – submission errored again 😦
I have to assume Stults has to approve a “trade” or “sale” to Japan. Is it possible the money the Dodgers would get for Stults is worth more than trying to make a trade to another team here in the States? According to Gurnick’s post, Stults would earn more money in Japan than what he currently earns. I still think it is a tough position for him. All of this points out why free agency and/or long term guaranteed contracts mean so much to the players.
Clearly, the Dodgers love the personality of Blake DeWitt but have reservations about his playing abilities, especially as a second baseman. I read earlier in ST that Blake had not had any game opportunities to turn the double play as the pivot man. The question is, will his offensive production make up for any defensive deficiencies he may have. The only way to tell is give him a shot and see what happens.
Bye-Bye…..Repko, waived.
Love the story Josh!
Good afternoon ITD!
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Good luck Stultz!
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I’ve been so busy with monthend but Thursday the boys will be back at Dodger Stadium! woohoo!
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD/ERIC!!!! Hope you are having a great one my friend!!!!
So maybe DeWitt can be the second coming of Jeff Kent (great hitting and limited fielding skills) but with a better disposition and better communication skills. What do you all think?
Happy BD to dodgereric.
Really bummed to see Repko waived. I’ve defended him a lot on here. Why stop now. He’ll get claimed, stick somewhere and have a damn good career. The guy plays HARD…the paradox being, that’s what fried his career to this point–injuries from playing all out. I sometimes (well, all the time) scratch my head at what the Dodgers do, bench wise, under Torre and Ned. Repko is a home-grown, former first-round pick, with a great attitude, tremendous speed, glove and arm, and whose only drawback has been an inability to hit consistently. The guy is SO anxious, that when he DID get at-bats, he swung at just about everything thrown at him. Knowing this, when Repko came up last season for a few games, where did Joe bat him? Top of the order. Nice move. So Repko is sent packing, Paul will be out-righted to AAA, leaving Ned and Joe to salivate over their PVLs, Johnson and Anderson, who will both be retired before you can say “Jayson Werth.” If that’s not maddening enough, get ready for the parade of pitching PVLs, led by the Ortiz twins. It’s enough to make Jamie’s $900,000/month welfare check demands seem inconsequential…
sparkle, I love DeWitt…which means Joe and Ned will probably blow him out in the near future.
Hi’ya Sparky!!! I think DeWitt will be more than adequate. He won’t win a gold glove but will be much better than Jeff Kent. Especially in the team player, communication, and disposition!!! Kent was a life sucking albatross on our team and I am so happy he is history!!! The only thing I liked about Jeffy was that he got in Barroids face!!!!
Hi’ya Kahli!!! You’re probably on it. Repko will go somewhere else and be the next Jason Werth!!!
I guess that’s what you get when you have a clown, high maintenance loose woman, and organ grinder monkey in the front office!!!!
Hey, ITD! Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! They all came true because I had a great day, one of the best. Started out sleeping late, had an incredibly indulgent breakfast (apple pancakes at the Original Pancake House for those who know what those are like), a visit to Bass Pro Shop, a great dinner with my family (at least the ones that aren’t in dnelson’s house), a great after-dinner viewing of the Koufax-Torre show that I have on the DVR with my mom (she thanks you for the Dodger gnome, tru! I told her that gnomes usually go in the garden, but she said, “No, it’d get dirty out there”), and last but not least, a shower in $7000, two and a half months to get to not leak shower!
Oh, and sell the team Freak, er …. Frank.
Just went back and hit Josh’s links at the top. Some really sobering stuff there. I echo the sentiments of the importance of talking to your family about your feelings towards organ donation. When you reach a certain age, most of us will know someone who has either donated or received organs.
Christopher Ramirez, may God Bless you and your family. We will pray for you.
On to the less-important matters of the impending season……
I agree with (was it lbirken?) who said this 11-man staff is short-lived. In fact, I don’t think it will happen at all. Torre blows through waaaaaay too many relievers to get by with only 11 pitchers, especially when one of them isn’t the rubber-armed Bellisario.
I also agree with kahli about Repko. I hope he somehow has a fine career, but unfortunately a often-injured young player seldom loses that injury bug. Unless, of course, you delve into PEDs.
Finally, isn’t it amazing how Torre will give a veteran umpteen bazillion chances to get on track (who could forget Sweeney?) but a young player has to continually EARN his way into regular play (Ethier, DeWitt).
Now to the seedy side, if you have a strong stomach, there is this:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mccourt-20100330,0,6102708.story
………and this:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mccourts-20100331,0,5542745.story
Ward Dear ~ I am happy to hear/read you had a great birthday even though you were missing Matthew. I had heard at one point you were at the Bass Pro Shop. Did you buy anything fun?
I am with those that hope DeWitt really gets a legitimate shot at 2nd base, and I wish Jason Repko the best.
………….Ohhh!!, and so very happy to hear/read about the shower!!!
I read the first article last night. It’s like many divorces these days…………………….the two sides fighting leaving the kids in the middle trying to go through everyday life like nothing should affect them. Coming from a teacher’s perspective……………..IT DOES AFFECT THEM whether you think so or not. The only difference in this case, the children are the Dodgers (the team of players).
Yeah, I miss the big lug. But when I told him to not change any plans because of my birthday, I meant it. Love means you want the happiness of others more than your own, right?
Nah, didn’t really get anything fun. A couple of shirts. They had some Tommy Bahamas on sale, but at $70 they were still out of my price range.
This divorce thing, I keep trying to think of similies. There must be one. Being the child of a divorce, I take them very seriously.
Being a long-time fan who remembers the O’Malley era as if it were yesterday, I mourn the loss of that time. Players wanted to play for us. Before free agency it had to be a trade, but both before and after 1975, we were a very desirable team. Even after the sale of the private jet, you’d hear it over and over, “I’ve always wanted to play for the Dodgers”. And our management would usually try to get the best players, regardless of how well our minor league system were developing players.
Now we’re being fed a load of clap-trap from a flim-flam man. He bought the Dodgers in one of the most-leveraged purchases ever, blessed by the most biased commissioner ever, who has a financial interest in keeping the best west coast franchise from joining the salary escalation. He sold us on making his wife the president, claiming she knew what she was doing only to now claim she’s a do-nothing incompetent. Now he’s continuing to tell us that the divorce has no effect on the team while the payroll drops, and at the same time we lead the league in attendance. Either he’s the most insanely stupid person ever, or he thinks we are.
Of course, we are living in different times and we have to allow for that. O’Malley sold us to a corporation because he couldn’t afford the escallating costs of ownership. But we went from family-owned to corporate-owned and BACK to family-owned. What’s the difference? The family.
It’s getting late and I have to go back to work before they realize they can do it without me. Again, thanks to all for your wishes. It’s very touching.
Sell the team. We deserve better than you.
No way Repko is done don’t compare him with Werth because Werth did more than what Repko have done in 10 yrs with the club
We should’ve try using him as a pitcher and see if he can still clock it at 95 mph.
Yeah, I miss the big lug. But when I told him to not change any plans because of my birthday, I meant it. Love means you want the happiness of others more than your own, right?
Yes, you are most certainly correct about that.
Fantastic posts BTW 🙂
Good Morning ~ I’m glad you had a good birthday, Dodgereric. I’m also pleased your Mom liked the gnome. Have a great week!
Eric,
Again happy belated birthday. I like how you put it that “O’Malley sold us and that we went from family owned to corporate owned….. ” so true!
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Rewatching the Koufax Torre event was more icing on the cake for your birthday. I thought my brother had put the recording on a CD but he did not. Do you have a copy? I am looking for one! Pleeeeease!
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com