Putting a tough loss into perspective
Tonight’s game was a very tough loss to the Padres, but it’s hard to think of much else other than Don Hawkins, the gentleman who passed away this evening after collapsing on the field at Dodger Stadium. Mr. Hawkins was the group leader of Mormon Community Night and more than 4,000 fans from the group were in attendance, with a contingent set to take part in pregame ceremonies.
Shortly before they began, Mr. Hawkins collapsed on the field and we learned part way though the game that unfortunately he passed away. The family’s wishes were for us to continue with the pregame ceremonies and ask the fans to keep him in their thoughts and prayers, which we did and they certainly remain there with his passing.
Inside the Dodgers 
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Hawkins.
:))) Pathsednik!!! Doesn’t matter Nelly, we’re toast!!! No butter, no jelly!!! Very sad to hear about Mr Hawkins, my conolences to his family!!!
Why do I always seem to post last when there is a new thread?
I know Jhall, but it just seems Joe’s decisions are getting crazier and crazier these days, regardless of the outcome.
Why Ned should had known better for making those trade.
Sad news. I’m sorry to hear about what happened tonight in regards to Mr. Hawkins. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family as well. It puts a lost game into perspective. Take care everybody…
You are aware James McDonald pitched a great game tonight…………………..for the Pirates. As we see more and more of our players go away and actually become better, it really is beginning to look like the coaching staff needs some major overhauling.
Repko hit his 3rd homeruns this for the Twins and batting .319 thanks Ned.
No reason for that Dotel trade.
By The Numbers: 12?Pinch hits this year for Garret Anderson, tied for the most in baseball through Aug. 1. His slash line of .184/.208/.276 put him on track for one of the worst seasons in Dodgers history, despite the pinch hits.
Who’s the hell is he tied with and surely that guy must be 15 few ab’s to?
Last 3 years Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2008 LAD 22 18 0 3 1 0 0 0 2 9 1 0 .167 .250 .222 .472
2009 LAD 10 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 .000 .143 .000 .143
2010 MIN 16 47 9 15 5 0 3 6 3 11 0 1 .319 .385 .617 1.002
Bring back Repko
My prayers are also with the Hawkins family.
Condolences to the Hawkins family and friends.
I’d need more of a sample size from JMac, but the fact that many of the guys that Ned’s traded or let go do well for other teams is an indictment of the coaching staff. The fact that the core group regresses or doesn’t progress more quickly is also an indictment of the coaching staff.
Given the poor pitching and pathetic hitting, I’d say that 95% of other clubs woul’ve canned both the hitting and pitching coaches long ago, but not this club. Hell no, they send Mattingly to go be a manager this winter, and Bunnynutt’s sage advice still runs the staff. Just about any pitcher that’s been guided by Hough credits him for their advancement. I’d like to see old Charlie get a crack at the major league level.
Of course with all the bad signings and trades, Ned should’ve been gone long ago also, but they award him with a contract extension.
This team’s broken in so many places that all you can do is select a few of the pieces and start all over from the ground (minor leagues) up.
I doubt this club makes the playoffs again until sometime in the mid to late teens.
Sorry to hear about Mr. Hawkins. My prayers and thoughts go out to his friends and family. Thanks Josh!
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This year is NOT the year for the Dodgers. It will be great if they atleast get the WildCard. But I doubt it. We need the team to be more stable.
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LET’S GO DODGERS!
07:19 AM ET 08.06 | Newly acquired James McDonald made quite an impression in his Pittsburgh debut. The last time a Pirates pitching debut peppered so many Ks around a ballpark north of the Allegheny River, [Tim] Wakefield was striking out 10 St. Louis Cardinals at Three Rivers Stadium on July 31, 1992. The last time there came more strikeouts in such a debut was Zach Duke in Milwaukee July 2, 2005, with nine. McDonald, acquired on trade-deadline Saturday with minor-leaguer Andrew Lambo for Octavio Dotel, had never struck out more than five in any of his previous 53 major-league games with the Dodgers. That many came in his only prior start this season, July 19 in five innings of a 5-2 loss to San Francisco. This 6-foot-5 right-hander was 1-2 with an 8.35 in five career starts with Los Angeles, but he went 1-0 with four hits, one walk and a 0.00 ERA in his first one with the Pirates. He reached 96 mph with the fastball, comfortably ringing up 94 throughout his six innings and 89 pitches. He struck out the side in the first inning. He struck out six of the first seven Rockies he faced. And the eight total — all swinging, by the way — came on three changeups, two curveballs, two fastballs and one on a work-in-progress slider.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
There’s a rumor circulating that the Dodgers are the team that claimed Adam Dunn off of waivers.
It is so easy to adapt anything said about Mark Sweeney two years ago to Garret Anderson. Here is an adaptation to two paired parodies I wrote in ?08. DodgerEric, please don?t even think about adding these to DodgerLyrics as they are mere minor adaptations of past parodies.
JUST A USELESS OLD FART (Tune of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart”)
Time: Right now (3:32 p.m., August 6, 2010)
Location: Joe Torre’s office
Scene: Garret Anderson begging Torre to save his behind
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Turnaround, every other night I go to hit
but all my bat does is go round
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit tired of listening to the sound of the boos
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little terrified when I see the look in fan’s eyes
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Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
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(Instrumental)
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Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit restless and my swing gets really wild
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit helpless and I’m lying like a child in your arms
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit angry ‘cuz I know my career’s about to die
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little terrified when I see the look in fan’s eyes
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Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
Turnaround JoJo, Every single night
I fall apart
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And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you’ll only hold me tight
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right
Cause we’ll never be wrong together
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Can’t I keep playing until I’m forty-nine?
Your love for vets has been saving my *** all of the time
I don’t know how to hit and I’m swingin’ in the dark
We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
I’m gonna start hitting tonight
I promise I’ll start hitting tonight
I swear I’ll start hitting tonight
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(Instrumental)
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Once upon a time I was all-star
But now I’m just a useless old fart
There’s nothing I can do
I wonder if they’re hiring at KMart
Once upon a time I was all-star
But now I’m just a useless old fart
Nothing I can say
I wonder if they’re hiring at Kmart
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(Fade Out)
__________________________
LOVER’S CROSS (To the tune of Jim Croce’s “Lover’s Cross)
Time: About an hour later (After Anderson stopped crying)
Location: Joe Torre’s office
Scene (I hope): Torre breaks up with Anderson
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Groundhogs said it was bound to happen
Was just a matter of time
But now I’ve come to my decision
And it’s one of the painful kind
‘Cause now it seems that you wanted a martyr
Just a regular coach wouldn’t do
But Garret I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
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Yes, I really got to hand it to you
‘Cause, girl, you really tried
But for ev’ry time that we spent laughin’
There were ten times the fans cried
‘Cause I’ve been a martyr for Mark Sweeney before
But I can’t keep pinch-hitting with you
And Garret, I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
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‘Cause tables are meant for turnin’
And people are bound to change
And bridges are meant for burnin’
When former all-stars deserve so much blame
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So I’ll hope that you can find
Another who can take what I could not
He’ll have to be a super coach
Or maybe a Super God
‘Cause I’ve been a martyr for Mark Sweeney before
But I can’t keep pinch-hitting with you
And Garret, I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
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For about 500 other Dodger parodys, most of which were written by far more talented writers, go to: http://dodgereric.mlblogs.com/
Thanks for brightening my day, lny4loney.
Too bad about Martin. I’ll bet the reference to Bo Jackson got his attention. It would me. He has not exactly been the greatest lately, but I hope he does not leave LA on that note. I hope he makes it back in a Dodgers uniform. I would not be making a deal for another catcher either. Let’s find out what Ellis is about.
By the way dodger32, we did claim Dunn….just means we prevented the Giants or Padres from signing him…we can work out a trade or give him back to the Nationals..
The Bo Jackson reference go my attention as well. Jackson did come back to play baseball but clearly he was not the same player. Martin seems to be a tough guy with a lot of determination so we will see what happens. Say what you will about how Russ’ game has declined but at least he left everything on the field every day.
DUNN?? Think this pretty well sums up what goes on in Ned’s head:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bUiPB3je_I
Oh that Ned.
I’m already over Dunn.
Why are you so shock about that? Is to block the Phillies, Giants and Padres and isn’t like we going to get him.
My condolences to the Hawkins family (it must’ve been quite a shock) and those who knew him.
Hi ITD.
Another game and I’m just hoping, as usual, for another win regardless of our place in the standings.
GO DODGERS!!!!!!
Hello gang!! Beav, well said, and I agree totally!!! Right now, I am resigned to the fact we will not be playing October. We don’t deserve it. I am hoping that we can wreck the G’Nats chances down the stretch!!! LOL!!!! It ain’t a championship or playoffs, but, I would derive some satisfaction from it.
OBF, I like your attitude. I want a win no matter what, 20 games in front or 20 games behind, first game of the season or last.
He Dunn it.
Hey all, quick question. Brox is appearing in Burbank tomorrow, and I wonder how early someone should get there, cost involved,etc? Any tips would be great!
No shock shad, but why bother? This team has no hope of making the playoffs, so why is it any skin off Ned’s nose if one of the contenders gets him? Its like Kansas City claiming him = what’s the purpose of it other than to be an A-Hole? And if Ned actually thinks this team has any hope of overpassing 3 teams ahead of it AND whoever else is in contention for the wild card, then he’s delusional and needs to be locked up in a padded cell.
Ned needs to be locked up anyway. What a great haul we got in Posednik, Theriot, Lilly and Dotel. The only one that’s even been worth a tinker’s damn is the one guy who only plays every fifth game. Ned wasted more prospects on total crap for a team going nowhere, obtaining the very same type guys that he let go before the season started. Show me exactly how the guys Ned just got are any different than JP, DeWitt, Wolf and Mota. The man’s a bigger idiot than JoJo, and that ain’t easy to do.
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=300425120
Remember when everyone used to bat over .300. To bad Ethier and Manny didn’t played in that last game vs the Nats when we lost 1-0.
Gosh I hate infield single especially to 1st.
Holy crap!!! Unbelievable!!! My butt isn’t even warm in my seat and I’ve got a 3 alarm hemmoroid!!! Geez!! Could be a Scotch night!!!
Gosh I hate a THREE RUN BLAST especially in the 1st.
The Dodgers would like to thank you for your attendance. Please drive safely going home.
Hello gang!! Beav, well said, and I agree totally!!! Right now, I am resigned to the fact we will not be playing October. We don’t deserve it. I am hoping that we can wreck the G’Nats chances down the stretch!!! LOL!!!! It ain’t a championship or playoffs, but, I would derive some satisfaction from it.
By jhallwally on August 6, 2010 7:17 PM
I got time warped!!
You really can’t hate him when Dunn just totally owned Kershaw
Come on Ethier tied it up.
What is this? Theriot rarely ever take a walk.
lol the O’s beat another good playoff contender team.
Gosh
Total crap!! Kemp doesn’t have two brain cells to rub together!!! It’s early, get the freakin’ run in dip-sh*t!!!
Dodger’s offense. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……………………
So far it looks like another rough night.
WOW
Turn out the lights, the partys over!!!! Unload the sh*t now if you can Ned!!!
Like I said Dunn just owned Kershaw.
Single, walk & HR then walk, single & HR by the same 3 guys and that’s 6 runs..
oldbrooklynfan ~ Do we look bad or what?
Adam Dunn is now 7 for 10 with 3 home runs lifetime against Kershaw.
No, but the Nats look good., especially Adam Dunn, he’s hot.
Kershaw’s struggling, as we all can see.
ETHIER ties Kemp.
We’re coming back . . . . .
Ethier should had done that with 2 runners on bases in the 1st.
The Dodger look like they got a shot against Lannon.
Aside from the two hits Kersh looks like he’s getting better.
We just have to take advantage of Lannan while he’s still in there.
B Wagner relieved J Venters. 1 2
A Huff hit by pitch. 1 2
B Posey safe at first on error by shortstop A Gonzalez, A Huff to second. 1 2
J Uribe flied out to right, A Huff to third. 1 2
P Sandoval safe at second on error by third baseman C Jones, A Huff scored, B Posey to third. 2 2
P Burrell intentionally walked. 2 2
T Ishikawa grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, P Burrell out at second.
Those *** keep on getting lucky. Atlanta should’ve had won
Oh nice 2-1 Dback win. Maybe the Padres should’ve had saves those runs last night for tonight.
Another pisspoor effort from a pisspoor team. Sorry, but these guys need to get boo’d off the field. They’re not only an embarrassment to L.A., they’re an embarrassment to baseball.
O.K. Another scoreless inning for Jansen.
K Jansen 1.0 0 0 0 2 1 0 21-7 0.00
I don’t like that and please tell me he got squeeze on some of those pitches. Look like he had 14 balls and 7 strikes isn’t right.
I surely known he wouldn’t walk anyone that was 4/44.
Giants took the lead 3-2
Look like Dunn was walk intentionally so I can live with that one.
Boy, it’s getting hard to score runs.
Boy, It’s getting hard to score runs.
Look like Troncoso going to give us 2 innings.
Gosh another SB’s.
Georgie come lately –too lately
lol fielder’s indifference for Dunn when the score is 6-3 Nats. That’s a new one for me.
Can’t win for losing, as they say.
Just getting outplayed and our offense just can’t seem to do much with the opposing pitching.
The wins are very, very hard to come by.
Maybe tomorrow.
Hunter just pulled a Bradley for throwing the bags of balls on the field.
Just curious. Is there anybody here who believes the Dodgers have more than a 2% chance of making it to the post-season?
I knew Adam Dunn hit the first three run shot, but I didn’t realize until I read the homepage, he hit a 2nd one. Nope, I did not see the game at all (other than what my phone was messaging me), and other than Andre’s 2-run jack, I didn’t miss anything. It seems like the same old story that has pretty much been in replay mode most of the season now.
Other than wishing Adam Dunn was a Dodger tonight, I am not sure what to think about the Dodgers interest in him off the waiver wire. All I know is I was at the Arizona/Washington game where he launched one into the bleachers, and it is pretty amazing. However, I am not sure if he is the answer either. As much of a Ethier fan I am, I really do like James Loney as well. I would hate to give him up only to see him flourish with another team, but maybe this is just a sign of things to come and needing to brace ourselves for the day when all of our young guns are gone.
lny4loney – great revisions to those songs earlier today, and I am pretty sure we are over 600 songs now. Also, I am not quite ready to throw in the towel on the season just yet only because I wouldn’t want to give any gnat fans the satisfaction this early, but it’s really not looking so good at the moment. Our schedule is pretty tough throughout the rest of the season even if the Dodgers were playing their best, but it even looks harder since we really haven’t been playing so well. However, until we are mathematically out of it, anything is possible and nothing is impossible đŸ™‚
nelly — Love the optimism. I am not blessed/cursed with any close friends or family who are gnats fans, so I don’t have to worry about that. Although I do have an orange shirt that I will not wear during the baseball season in case it is used against me by some random gnats fan. Love your optimism. Suffice it to say my pessimism about this team stretches well beyond this year. Fortunately my love for baseball is even greater than my love for the Dodgers, so I can still enjoy the game even while my team disintegrates.
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Good night, nelly and all.
When it was 6-zip, I went to bed in St Lous. Glad I did,as The game was oer then. All I can say is I’m glad the Cowboys start play sunday evning as I’ve had it with the Dodgers.
When the going gets tough, the dodgers choke. This is not a very good team. We can’t beat lefties and we can’t hit in the clutch. And our pitching stinks also. There, I feel better.
A week into August and we show no sign of making up any ground. The team is playing without any detectable spirit to speak of and time is starting to run out. There have been other years when the Dodgers suddenly took off and turned it into a race, but it does not look as though this will be one. I hope I’m proved wrong, But I would not bet very much on that. I’m starting to believe this years edition is just sort of average. If I were Ned, I’d start to target some of the players Bowa was talking about and see what we could get for them. Not pull the trigger quite yet but start thinking in those terms. Not give them away, but see what’s available. Maybe in the off season, if he still has a job.
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And no, I don’t think we have more than a 2% chance. I’ve not given up, although the Sooners are more interesting lately, but at some point you start to get realistic.
Hi’Ya Knouff!!! Nice post and I totally agree. Its still possible, but not probable. The task is greatly magnified as we have three teams ahead of us, not just one. G’nats or Puds might hit a bad streak and choke it down the stretch, but probably, not both!!! I can’t wait for College Football!!! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!
Good job on the songs 4loney!!!! I enjoyed them. LOL!!!!
One thing that is an example as to why the Giants are a game out and we are 8 out is this. Last night the Giants scored 2 runs without a hit. Do you think we could do that? Wasn’t it about a week ago we had 5 straight hits and didn’t score a run?
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Torre keeps saying that if he has to remind people what’s at stake then he has the wrong people. Well he doesn’t look like he’s engaged with this team at all. Patience is great but there are times when you as a leader need to lay down the law. The next time Kemp, Blake, or anyone else on this team has a runner at 3rd with less then 2 outs and they fail to score him, they need to be sat.
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I’m so tired of seeing that crap and it’s been going on since Spring Training. Enough of the selfish play. Time to play as a team.
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I could be wrong but as I watch this team it looks like most of them have the attitude that “I’m going to get mine”.
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Torre needs to adress the poor RISP at bats and then sit someone when they have one.
Amen Collie!!!
Anything is possible and I will be hopeful until the Dodgers are mathmatically eliminated. When that happens I will hope the Dodgers can either finish in front of the Giants or at least have a hand in preventing them from reaching the playoffs. Have to take whatever victories we can get.
Hi’Ya lbirken!!! About the only thing left is to at least wreck the G’nats chances. That’s what I’m rooting for!!!
To me Torre seems as if he is going through the motions just as the players are and have been. I feel he needs to look in the mirror and he will see not only himself but his team.
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He might feel that he doesn’t have to say anything to motivate some of the players but that is what a leader does. He finds what motivates and then strikes on it. To me Frank/Jamie have let down this team – Ned has let down this team – Joe has let down this team. Yes the players are also to blame but it starts at the top. A sailboat can have a full nice sail but without a rudder the boat will just go in all directions.
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My hope is the McCourts will be forced to sell and Cuban will buy. Not because he has tons of money but also because he is someone who has a strong desire for success and winning. Also since he wasn’t able to purchase a team in the past (I believe he also tried for the Cubs) he’ll really want to prove he is a great choice for an owner.
Collie, great idea but then who will be left to play?
Hey jhall-which team do you follow?
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Amen again,collie
Birk — LOL!
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Wally — thanks.
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To add … If a player is sat in that scenario and feels disrespected then he should be told he’s been disrepecting the game with his poor play. Don’t do this in the media (Ned) but in the clubhouse. It’s a disrespect to this game for Torre to Continue to just sit there looking like he just stepped out of a True Blood episode and do nothing.
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If you are the Manager – then Manage dang it!
Ohio State Knouff!! GO BUCKEYES!!! Again, Amen Collie!!!!!
My two cents worth – what gets to me is that the Dodgers give raises to players who have regressed! It’s like if they show up every day, whether they play well or not, they’ll get their reward. What happened to not rewarding incompetence? What happened to fining players who continually mess up? Walt Alston must be spinning in his grave.
Hello there Knouff!
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With my mini rant done as I could go on, I hope all is well with all of you! Take care break is over…
Knouff, I’m not a front runner. I grew up and still reside in Columbus, Ohio. I also attended and graduated from Ohio State.
Hi’Ya Sparky, well said!!! LOL!!! Gonna be interesting when Martin goes to arbitration. He’s probably going to ask for and think he deserves a raise. Geez!!!
Hey Wally!! Thank you. Yes, it will be interesting. Let’s hope that he finally realizes that he’s regressed and needs to step it up. Seems to me that professional pride should be the motivating factor, not greed. But I’m just a silly blogger, so what do I know?
LOL Sparky!! You would think he would be embarrassed to actually ask for a raise. Hell, I’d show him the door!!!
Growing up in Ohio, I luckily have somewhat of a back door out. LOL!!! I saw my first MLB game in Cincinnati at RiverFront Stadium and followed the Dodgers by watching the Big Red Machine play the Garvey/Lopes/Russell/Cey Dodgers in the 70’s at RiverFront. So, I still have some affection for the Reds. I root for them when they aren’t playing the Dodgers or hurting our chances. If we totally fall out of the race, I can still be half heartedly involved if they make the playoffs!!!
I just love baseball and admire good fundamentally sound play!!!!
I’m not a big fan of Pete Rose the man or manager, however, between the lines, he was dynamic and a hell of alot of fun to watch!!!! As a player he was a real winner!!! Darn shame he didn’t bring that to the real world.
LOL!! Thanks for letting me drift off into the Dodger and my baseball glory days!!!
Love the glory days, Jhall đŸ™‚
Hi’Ya Trumom!!! Thanks my friend!!! Hope you are having a great weekend!!!
I sure am, Jhall. Went to dinner and a movie with the ladies last night and just got back from lunch with Hubby, Nellyjune and my other daughter. Glad I missed the game last night! However, as we were leaving the theater, Nellyjune told me we were losing.
My college football team is UCLA so, how shall I say this, my expectation level is a bit less lofty than followers of some other teams. However, I enjoy going to the games as there is nothing like the experience of attending a big time college football game.
The arbitration process the players enjoy along with impending free agency pretty much guarantees a raise, perhaps not always what the player wants but often significant. The parties all know what everyone else makes. In Martin’s case the issue may not be just money but his health. We will see.
Wally, I also enjoyed watching Pete Rose play the game. Those Reds teams of the 70’s sure gave the Dodgers a lot of trouble.
Good for you Trumom!!! Yep, last night was sad!!! I bagged it when Dunn hit his 2nd 3 run homer!!! LOL!!!
How much was parking back than?
No doubt Birky!!! Going to College football games has its own special excitement. It should be experienced. I’m looking for UCLA to start making a move in the Pac-whatever it is now!!! LOL!!! We used to go to scheduled Friday twi-night doubleheaders and watch the Dodgers and Reds play two games for around $10.00. That’s when players made 10s of thousands of dollars, not 10s of millions.
This year it is the PAC 10, next year the PAC 12 and counting! Not sure I could sit through a doubleheader now but what a deal: two games for the price of one. Sort of like double features at the movies. Heck, when I was a kid I used to hope for extra innings but not now. I love baseball but even for me sometimes the game drags.
LOL Birky!! That is why there is beer!!!
Wally, I choose to keep score!
Ohio St is way up there in the preseason poles.
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Maybe this would be a good year for UCLA to take back a lot of headlines in LA.
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My team, Oklahoma, had a tough time last year and wound up getting a lot of experience for their younger players. We’ll see if that means a better season this year.
lbirken,
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I agree with your comments regarding the virtual impossibility of cutting a major league ballplayer’s salary due to arbitration.
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I also agree that a doubleheader might be too long to sit through. But I attribute that at least in part to the likely length of a doubleheader as much as I do to my own (and your’s) aging.
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In 1970, a doublheader would probably last about 5 to 6 hours. Today a doubleheader would probably last 6 to 8 hours. If the Red Sox are involved, add another 1/2 hour for each inning Papelbon pitches.
New thread gang!!!