Homestand kicks off tonight...

This is the line-up we need all the time. Jones has had his eyes checked and they are fine. He just having trouble getting started, and I hope that happens before September. Maybe this is the night. He needs a 3 for 4 night to get started.

Since when does Ethier not deserve to start? This is stupid.

Hey guys. Just got in and have been reading your comments. LOL. Some good ideas. I'm not sure how long Joe will stick with Jones. If he is still performing this poorly in June, Joe is going to have some difficult decisions to say the least. I believe Jones will get at least that long and I fear probably more. I'm praying that Jones gets his s**t together soon or we're freaking screwed. Probably not wise to take a player that Atlanta gave up on. They are dead on the vast majority of the time. Keep your fingers crossed. At least Pierre is playing well for the time being.

Sorry, no Ethier is a bad line-up. Guy hits a home run yesterday...could do no wrong the first month...and now he has trouble cracking the line-up in favor Pierre and Jones. Granted, Perez is a lefty. But....................WHO CARES? Free Andre!

I feel awful for Ethier. He doesn't deserve this s**t!!

Perez isn't pitching tonight. It's RHP Figueroa.

Sorry rlglyn, but if Andre Ethier is not starting then it's the wrong lineup plain and simple.

Jones or Pierre have to sit.

Ethier sitting 3 of the last 4 games, are you kidding me??

FU Joe Torre.

well pierre, ethier, and kemp deserve to play. while jones should watch

Nevermind. I guess it is Perez.

it's obvious that pierre is going to play as long as he produces. the $9M contract has everything to do with that. so, who do you sit? kemp, who is on fire right now, or ethier? it looks like it is ethier for now. kemp took it on the chin earlier in the year. now, it's ethier's turn. it sure puts a perspective on things when the players with the highest salaries play, and not the players with the most talent and performance don't.

This is horse Sh%t and Torre can bite me. And Ned deserves to wait tables, It's probably the only job he wouldn't screw up. Ouch wait a minute, I just insulted Waiters and Waitresses, I appologize that was wrong of me. Ned couldn't even hold thier aprons !!!

I can't wait until Jason Schmidt comes back and looks like Brett Tomko. And then Schmidt winning the 5th starter spot over Kershaw in the NEXT spring, even though Schmidt will be a gas can this second half and Kershaw will be mowing people down.

Book it. You all know it to be true.

Things should be fine however, Nomar will be back soon.

And I don't care if they win by 40 runs, it sets a bad precedent. This Line up is CRAAAAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, Ethier has earned three of the last four games off? What a load of garbage!

I thought with Grady gone we might be through with the lineup BS, but here we are one month into the season and it's been even worse this year.

Remember, Joe did play Tony Womack quite a bit a couple years ago and we all know he was a total piece of crap for a player so maybe we shouldn't be surprised.

Since April 24.

When Pierre complained, he had started 4 of 12 games.
He has now started 5 of 6.

Ethier's avg has dipped 20 points.
Juans has gone up 80 points in that time.

I was making plans to bring my kids down (7 hour drive from Sacramento) to Dodger Stadium to see thier very first Dodger game in person, but there is now way I am putting out $500- $700 or more for gas, tickets, hotel, food, etc.... Not for this drivel that Torre and Nedster keep putting out. It would be much cheaper and a lot less stress to introduce my kids to the Oakland A's. At least they put the best team on the field.

Let me first start by saying I think Ethier should play. He earned the job that was up for grabs in ST. Now I know everyone is hot, but what does Torre do? Should he give up on AJ? I know its been 5 weeks and I'm starting to wonder if he will ever snap out of it. He wont snap out of it sitting on the bench. So how long does this go on? 3 more weeks? Pierre is playing too well to sit. Kemp is playing too well to sit. Does Ned do what they did to Frank Thomas? Its a tough situation.

All I have got to say is that this really sucks!!
Sorry, PierreEW (wherever you are right now), I know you want us all to think positive, but this is so depressing that Ethier has to sit after hitting that home run yesterday. This whole idea that Ethier can't hit of left-handed pitchers is fine, but Jones isn't hitting off of anybody. I'd rather take the chance that Andre is at least going to put the ball into play.
ANDRE - WE(THE FANS) KNOW WHO SHOULD BE PLAYING!!

Tbooklv, Ethier WAS playing too well to sit, but Slappy had his Mommy call Ned. Juan is playing above his average right now and it won't last, he needs to go. I would rather see AJ in CF with his horrible AB's than have slappy and his horrible Defense.

dnelson,

Ethier actually has hit lefties very well in his shirt career to the point of there being little difference for him versus righty or lefty if that makes you want to shoot yourself....

Well if you want to see AJ instead of JP, I have no problem with that. I guess my main question is how long does AJ get before it's time to bail?

It seems like Ethier is getting the same treatment that Kemp got a few weeks ago. I know it's not fair. I really hope none of them get hurt, but that or Pierre getting traded, this might go on for awhile.

As long as Ethier isn't getting the pinch I don't care what is done with AJ and Juan. they both suck but at least AJ can play his position.

jnv,
I have been to the A's games quite often, and yes, they do put out their best. They are playing mostly the young kids (with a couple of veterans) and they are taking their chances with the young kids and so far it is paying off for them. They are right up there with the Angels. It's going to be a fun team to watch, especially since nobody was counting on them to do anything but be at the bottom of the standings.

Nice way to reward Ethier for a HR yesterday.

Makes no difference who's pitching, JP and E are both lefty. Only platoon that makes sense that way is JP/Druw or JP/Kemp. Guess Ethier is paying his dues now for JP & AJ.

Ned must think the fans are yelling Druw instead of boo.

Ned has a total dsdain for the young guys. He undervalues their achievements, their contributions and most of all their talent. On the otherhand, he vastly overvalues those same three things in veterans. Guaranteed when Nomore's able to come off the DL, DeWitt's gone again. Not only that, LaRoche will still be in Vegas. Fortunately when NG's hurt again in a week or two, we'll get one of the kids back.

Another guarantee - We'll be buying at the trade deadline instead of selling.

Any other organization would be like Pavlov's dog hearing a dinner bell if they had the young talent the D's have, but I'm totally surprised Ned hasn't traded most of it away [yet.] I think Logan should get a shot at GM, but honestly, I'll take just about anyone now (except Sabean.)

REPOST FROM THE PREVIOUS THREAD (I hope this is interesting enough to merit the repost. If not, I apologize.)

This post will be a long one, but I hope you guys will enjoy. It is a story about, among other things the genesis of the James Loney Song. First a quick piece of background information: leekfink and I are brothers.
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On May 6, 1983 Lee and I attended a Dodgers-Cardinals game with a group that included my then girlfriend Jennifer. BTW, I was 19 at the time and Lee was 7. The game was a classic battle that ended 16-10 Dodgers. It was at that time the longest 9-inning game in National League history (not sure about the AL), and still would be if not for the introduction of mile-high Denver into the league. Although, the box score will tell you that Ozzie Smith committed one error that night, Lee and I distinctly remember that the Wizard of Oz committed two, a failing that could not have happened more than a very small handful of times in his career.
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See the box score here: http://tinyurl.com/3tc2u4
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But it was a small, otherwise insignificant moment that changed our lives forever. At some point during the game, the umpire made a bad call. The crowd booed and hissed, and called the umpire names and made all the usual comments about his eyesight and perhaps his parentage. Then, out of the blue, Jennifer yelled, "The umpire is stinking and unshaven!"
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That solitary "cheer" has led to 25 years of bizarre cheers. From that time forward, we have complained of bad and questionable calls with those famous words: "The umpire is stinking and unshaven." But that was just the beginning. In the ensuing 25 years we have invented numerous cheers. They could be organized in many ways. One way would be to organize them according to the amount of sense they make. Thusly they could be divided into three categories:
1) Those that are weird, but make sense
2) Those that make little if any sense (At least not to the poor saps sitting near us).
3) Those that make perfect sense
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Below are a couple of examples from each category.
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WEIRD BUT MAKE SENSE
1) "The umpire is …. (you know by now)
2) "Stop Thief!" (Opponent stolen base attempt)
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MAKE LITTLE IF ANY SENSE
1) "Pepto Bismol!" (For an opponent caught stealing. Originated when Lee mispronounced "Picked him off!")
2) "Et tu Ceasar" (Used to applaud Cesar Izturis)

MAKE PERFECT SENSE
1) "Pizzaman, he delivers!" (Mike Piazza)
2) The James Loney Song

I actually went to an A's game a couple of years ago, I got to see Zito when he was really good. I go to Rivercats games all the time (AAA for A's). The only problem with going to the A's games is I feel like I am dishonoring the Dodgers!!! LOL I guess I shouldn't considering they don't care about the fans.

Lol!! Scott - thanks!!
This is so very frustrating!! I have been looking at stats and not seeing this whole lefty thing, but maybe I was missing something - thanks for the clarification that this has nothing to do with Ethier's batting but who is getting paid more. lol!!

1) Andruw had flashes of having it together in April and July last year, but now such luck in 2008. If it's not his eyes, that's bad, because his numbers would indicate that's the case. He's failing in two of the three true outcomes - his K% is a staggering 34.7% of PAs. Well out of the ordinary. What's alarming is that thus far, out of about 26 fly balls he's hit, one of them has left the ballpark. If his vision is bad, then either he's mentally lost, or he's hiding a nasty injury.

2) Andre Ethier is having a tougher time against lefties this year. Remember how in 2006 we all were amazed how well he hit left handers? Fact is he had an absurd average on balls in play against them, which regressed, perhaps below the mean, last year. This year, his BABIP against lefties is matching the housing market at .182, meaning he's due for a huge spike against left handers. Particularly mediocre to bad left-handers.

3) Speaking of BABIP, Billingsley still has some regression to the mean to come. If only the 5th inning would just stop being so troublesome. Why the 5th anyway? That just screams randomness.

4) Furcal continues to be super awesome. But as Vin Scully reminds us, Chipper Jones is super awesomer, although in more eloquent words. If Jones is not an all-star, there is something deeply wrong with major league baseball. Nomar is our main 3B guy on the ballot (and he may not be healthy for the allstar game), so why not vote for Chipper Jones.

5) "Perez has honestly got to step up and know that we've just used every guy in our bullpen the night before,'' [Mets closer Billy] Wagner said at the time. "He can't come out there and decide that, `Gee, he hasn't got it today and so be it.'''

This is called idiocy. Major leaguers play to win every time. If I got to play a scene from Bruce Almighty, Wagner would blow the save on a walk-off homer to Andruw Jones.

The funny thing about the A's right now, is that most of the players on the field were playing with Andre before he got traded to the Dodgers. I do feel a little weird being at an A's game, knowing I am a Dodger fan, but I am also a baseball fan, and I love to see good players play. I think that's why this issue is so frustrating because the "best" players are not playing.

I agree with you completely DNelson, I am a student of the game and love everything about it. I manage my sons little league team (AA Dodgers) The name was easy to get up here in NoCal!! LOL. And I have to play everyone for the most part, but I feel I am more loyal to the players that can play than Torre is, If it's not broke don't fix it!!
But the one thing that is constant with A's fans and Dodgers fans is the knowledge. Every A's fan I have met knows a lot about baseball and they expect Bean to put a product on the field that shows results. Nedster and Torre keep shoving these over the hill and worthless old timers down our throats and say "we are commited to winning". I say BS they are commited to thier collective mistakes!

I added on to MartinLoneyKemp's post in the last thread. But it was a great game, and we've been doing this for 25 years now. In honor of that game, we'll be there for the 25th anniversary Tuesday night--Top Deck, Aisle 6. We'll also be there Friday, along with our uncle, on the Field Level.

Anyway I am off to practice, We should go to an A's game sometime Dnelson!
Lets Go Dodgers!!!
PLAY ANDRE NOW~!

I guess we all know who the 4th outfielder is.
I can't see why they don't just trade Ethier to a team that will appreciate him.
I'ts obvious Jones has CF nailed down whether he hits or not and no matter how many times he strikes out.
All Pierre has to do is keep his OBP up and he's guaranteed to stay off the bench even if most of us feel he is unnecessary since we have Furcal.
The only good news I have is the Mets bullpen has been struggling so far this year and although this didn't help us in the past maybe now since our offense has picked up recently we may be able to take advantage of it.
Let's hope Bilz can keep up the strikeouts but cut down on his pitchcount so he can bring us to the 7th inning.
GO YA' BUMS BEAT MY HOME TEAM.

Lol!! jnv - so, true, so true!!
The A's fans are very nice to opposing teams. I went to the Red Sox/A's series, and I was floored by how nice they were to them. I kept telling the people around me, "this would not be happening at Dodger Stadium." A week later, I went to the Dodger series against the Padres, and the experience was the exact opposite. Dodger fans were horrible to the Padre fans (some of it deserved, I must say).
Well, as much as I am mortified by this lineup, I do hope we win tonight.

Although sitting Ethier regularly makes more sense than sitting Kemp, it's still beyond dumb.

Also, about tonight--obviously, Kemp MUST start. I get starting Pierre how he's playing now. But just a week ago, it was reported the Torre thought that Ethier had been the guy who had proven to be the most consistent and be in there everyday.
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What the heck changed? It's not like Andre started tanking.
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I would have played Jones Sunday in Colorado, but he's still not hitting. I don't care about $9 Million or $18 Million a year contracts, you simply can't hit .160 and be a major league starter--just ask Mario Mendoza.
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Jones needs to sit a few days to get his head straight and work with Mike Easlier in the batting cage. Then, he and Pierre need to split time until Jones wins the job or Pierre loses it.

Sweep the freaking Mets! These games are always more important for some reason. HATE THE METS! Tonight is the first start for Billingsley against the Mets. Oliver Perez is either amazing or awful, there really is no middle ground. He has the ability to strike out the side and walk the house. Patience is the key and we've been really great at that all season. Also, congrats to Matt Kemp for winning N.L Player of the Week!

GO DODGERS!

Andre will start tomorrow and Wednesday or something IS very wrong. Just win.

I have got to go home. I will catch up to all of you later. Have a great game, and thinking positive, maybe Andre will get in the game in the later innings (after Andruw's usual 2nd/3rd strikeout).
Have fun up on the TopDeck (MLK/Leefink) - I want to hear those cheers up here in NorCal.
GO DODGER BLUE!!!!

I know all about career numbers but look at these split vs. lefties this season:

Pierre: (9 for 19) .474
Jones: (7 for 33) .212 1 HR
Kemp: (18 for 45) .400 2 HR's
Ethier: (4 for 28) .143

Lineup is fine and this team has the best batting average in baseball against left handed pitching. Sit back and relax.

I will say that JP has been able to back-up his mom's words in his last few starts, and has actually EARNED some playing time. But that time should be at the expense of Jones, not Ethier or Kemp.

Seriously, if Jones hasn't gotten his average over .200 by Memorial Day, DFA the bas-tard. No matter what you're on the hook for his salary - no one's going to claim him (like Ned did Loaiza - Beane must still be smiling about that.) Hell, just make AJ Ned's "special assistant" like they did Mueller.

There's enough dead horses now to last us rest of this season and into next, especially when Nomore comes off the DL. I'm sure though that Ned will find us somemore the end of July...

I will be there Top Deck Aisle 3, last row like always.

Leekfink:
Pierre is not competing with Jones, I wish that was the case.
Horrible as it sounds, Ethier is still competing with Kemp.
It's pretty obvious both Jones & Pierre have their positions NAILED DOWN.

Pierre vs Ethier; lefties vs righties:

2006 - Pierre vs LHP = .293, vs RHP = .291
2006 - Either vs LHP = .351, vs RHP = .298

2007 - Pierre vs LHP = .274, vs RHP = .301
2007 - Either vs LHP = .279, vs RHP = .286

2008 - Pierre vs LHP = .474 (19 ABs), vs RHP = .265
2008 - Either vs LHP = .143 (28 ABs), vs RHP = .366

Source: www.baseball-reference.com

Conclusion: Not much to choose from as 2008 statisics are too small of a sample and the other two years are very close.

PS - Pierre has 12 HRs in 9 years and a worse arm than my grandmother. Ethier has a good arm and 27 HRs in two years and a month.

New conclusion: Never mind. Start Ethier. Now.

I think Torre has realized how special Kemp is because he's starting Kemp in the three spot against lefties and righties. Ethier is the odd man out because Pierre is hot and they have to hope Jones turns it around. You just can't give up on him. Ethier leads the outfielders in at bats, so lack of playing time is not an issue. I just don't see a big deal here.

Ethier needs to play over little Juan. I don't care that Pierre is playing good, was Ethier playing bad? As stated by everybody, Ethier is the future and I hope Pierre is not, also which one is the more complete player ,and can actually throw out a runner?

It doesn't matter dodgereric.
It would be good if you & others on this blog were running this team but you're not.
I am just calling what I see and what I see is the team favors Pierrre LF__ JONES CF __& KEMP/ETHIER RF
I don't like it ethier but it looks like we have to accept it.

i know this line-up is bad because now ethier has sat 3 of the last 4... and obviously we all want ethier and kemp in there everyday... but trying to be optimistic about joe and his baseball knowledge... i can't help but feel like he already knows what he has in ethier, and he's still trying to figure out jones and pierre... so he figures he needs to play them to see what he can get, and then when he reaches a conclusion about which is the lesser of two evils, he will plug in kemp, ethier, and whoever the 3rd person is... at least that's what i HOPE is true...

Man I wish I could dream like you.
What are you smoking Saralovesrussell?

Kemp has actually forged ahead in OF ABs, but it's close. From the Ds website as of now:

Kemp 105
Ethier 99
Jones 98
Pierre 68

My concern is that less than a month ago, Andre supposedly earned the starting position. Now he's sitting more and more. He hasn't earned the demotion. It's not like Pierre is crushing the ball, is it? Granted, I haven't been able to watch all the games lately, but a bloop here and a drag bunt into left field there and VIOLA, he's HOT! Have a seat, Andre! I gotta play this tornado!

Alex, I respect your opinion very much. But I don't agree that Pierre should be playing over Ethier. Now or ever. Make your case on Pierre vs Jones if you like.

I'm trying very hard not to be negative.................

Just like last season Alex beats me to it see above 4:53.

Eric: Hasn't it occured to you that Torre, when he has to make such a tough decision, possible prefers to go with recent stats as they indicate how a player is doing currently.
LHH's batting .083 against Perez in 2008. Ethier is a more typical LHH than slap hitting Pierre.
2008 OBP against LHP Ethier .273, Pierre .545.

I'm not baseball smart enough to know what to do with Jones. So if he has to start in the hope it will bring him around, I'd at least think about starting DY in left, Martin at 3rd, and Bennett who is 4 for 9 with 2 walks against Perez to get as few LHH's in the line-up as possible.

Sad truth is that Ned's saddled us with two subpar OFers, paid them millions of dollas to be subpar, and paid millions of dollars for a manager who'll play the subpar. Any other organization in baseball, save the Gnats, would field their best team period.

Ned must have been one of those kids that didn't play with his new toys and just sat them on the shelf to look at them...

The only positive though that has come to my mind at this moment but I'm having trouble believing it is:
Pierre is being showcased.
It's a wild dream but maybe some team can use him as a perminant DH.
Otherwise Ethier will be getting splinters before long.

Now Iam home, and I am still of the mindset that Ethier should be playing. I don't care that he has had enough at bats, he hasn't deserved to lose his job. This isn't just a matter of giving him the day off, it's just politics. It's like when my son used to play little league (and sometimes now even in highschool and travel ball), the parents that seem to have the loudest voices are the ones that think their kid should be playing everyday, whether they have the talent or not. In this case it is Pierre's mom (maybe she is talking on behalf of andruw too). I am sorry, this is just ridiculous. I teach young children, and you want them to know that there is merit in true competition, but I guess that isn't the case in this particular issue. The three best outfielders at this point in time are Kemp,Ethier and Pierre,and that is who should be playing. I would feel differently if one of these three were struggling along with andruw, but currently, they are not.
Sorry for the long post, but my class (as young as they are) are following this issue along with me. They don't get it either.

Should have said plate appearances, also Ethier > Pierre for life don't get me wrong. I'm a member of the Dead Horsemen. Kemp without a doubt is our right fielder. Ethier should start every game. But, we have this little issue of Pierre playing well and Jones well...isn't but that's a whole other horse to beat to death. But it's a lefty pitching tonight so either Pierre or Ethier had to sit tonight and Joe chose to play Pierre. But with Pierre in the lineup and Ethier on the bench we put up 23 runs in two games. Most of that had nothing to do with Jones, but you just can't NOT play him. He's not THIS bad. He's just not. Ethier will play a lot, it's just a week in a long season. That's why I believe it's not a big deal.

has anyone caught this article on yahoo? Interesting read about how the economy affects Dodger fans.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jo-mlbandrecession043008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

dodgereric - to gauge playing time, I'd suggest using plate appearences instead of at-bats, since ABs don't include BB, HBP, Sacs, SF. Including yesterday:
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LA OF - PA
Ethier - 122
Kemp - 113
Jones - 113
Pierre - 78

pierres... i'm not ON anything... i'm just trying to envision a silver lining... i used to get all angry about the little things, and the lineups, and be super negative... but i found it did me no good... so now i've just been trying really hard to be optimistic and hope that the things we all hope for come true... the main thing is, that as long as we keep winning, we should all be decently happy.

Eric: Pierre hit .563, 9 for 16 in the last 4 games with 6 runs scored and 3 RBI's.

Regarding the split numbers, lefty / righty for Ethier and Pierre that Alex and dodgereric posted: The important thing to remember is that Torre and company have only witnessed the 2008 and what they see appears to mean much more to them than past performance that they did not witness.

Sara - not a bad hope... Joe does seem a litle slow on the uptake. Sometimes with these line-ups it seems like we're still in ST.

All I know is with JP AND AJ in the line-up, we're giving away outs AND defense. If its only JP OR AJ, we're only giving up outs OR defense.

PierreEMW, if I respect Alex, (and I do) I respect you more. You certainly have the right to your opinion as much as anyone else, and I'm glad that you have no qualms about giving it.

I know that it's really easy to sit on the sofa and watch these games and play GM or field manager and think that you're as good or better than the people that they pay for those jobs. I love Tommy, but that guy used to drive me nuts with some of his decisions sometimes. I know, who am I? But that's part of being a fan, isn't it? Goodness knows that if I were in charge, the first thing I'd do is abolish the 100-pitch limit and establish something more individual. But that's just me.

You are absolutely correct in that it's obvious what the Ds management is thinking, but I don't have to like it. At work, they pay me to do a job. If I don't like the way that they want me to do it, I tell them. Then I go do it their way because they pay me. But I don't have to accept it. If I keep my mouth shut, they think that everything's OK. Every once in a while, they listen to what I say and agree with me. Every once in a while, I find that they were right. Funny how that works out.

I need to go home now so that I can watch the game. Catch up with you later, Pierre. Go Dodgers. Let's get a new streak going.

i completely agree enchanted.. if only we could combine jones and pierre into one decent outfielder.. sigh

JP over his last 17 games:
.396 .475 .472 .947
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His inevitable regression to the mean will have us howling.
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With only 4 extra-base hits for the season, he is hitting them at about the same rate - 1 every 17 AB - as Andruw Jones, 1 every 16.33.

Do the great majority of you who constantly post your nonsensical reasons why Grady last year,Colletti ,and Torre do the things they do really believe your crap. Every game last year Alex would post the line-up before it was out yet you would always say Grady is a moron with no basis for his line-ups. If Alex could predict the line-up at least 19 times out of 20 then you have to concede that Grady was being systematic. Now we have posts that say Colletti who grew up dirt poor is willing to risk his career because of what dnelson calls politics. Give a break please.

miketink
Politics do exist in youth programs ( I live it everyday), but the politics turn to money when you get up to the big boy level. The money the Dodgers have spent on players in these last few years have been astronomical, and the player isn't living up to the cost. I hear the same thing every day from the gnats and Zito. The funny thing is about the gnats right now is that Rowand is playing with broken ribs and is still doing better than Jones.

interesting read from tony jackson's blog, for those of you who don't read it: (about matt kemp)
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To me, what really jumps out at you about his numbers last week was the fact he stole six bases. That represents more than a quarter of his career total, which presently sits at 23. It speaks to the fact the Dodgers are a more aggressive club this season. Matt told me in the clubhouse that he has the green light to steal unless a no-steal sign is on, which intrigued me to the point that I asked Torre in his pregame session who else had the green light. Turns out Kemp, Furcal, Martin, Pierre and Andruw Jones all have the green light, and the rest of the team at least some degree of freedom, as well.
``Paul O'Neill was never on his own, but he would steal 14 or 15 bases a year,'' Torre said. ``If they're giving you something, then we tell all of them to take what the other team gives you.''
Going into tonight, the Dodgers have stolen 32 bases, tying them with the Angels for the second-most in the majors. That puts them well ahead of last year's pace of 137, especially when you consider that 110 of those steals were by three players (Furcal, Pierre and Martin).

Thanks Sara. And good for you for being optimistic and looking for the silver lining. Ethier will get 400-500 PA's. Pierre is just on fire right now and they won't sit Jones no matter what.

I am with dodgereric - If we keep quiet, everybody will think everything is okay. I am a Dodger fan till the end, but I am just frustrated with these recent issues. I want the best players out there, win or lose, and that is not what is happening.

One way to gauge when all is lost: Sara will come over to the dark side...

saralovesrussell - that pace would yield 167 SBs this year, with 47 CS. The good news is the success rate is up. Last year the Dodgers were had a 73.26% SB success rate, so far this year 78.05%. Personally, I like 80%+, but allowing for a few ill-advised blown hit-and-runs (remember Loney running with Jones batting?), the 78% is very, very good.

It is ashame, but they're not going to sit Furter's $18M Jelly Roll. Ethier should be playing. Oh the sweet green icing flowing down.

Sara,
I will try to remain positive. It is a nine inning game and anything can happen.
Enchanted, let's hope she is right - the dark side is a scary place - lol!!
Are you working on a poem/song for us tonight?

Actually we are the good side of the force. Frank and Ned are the Evil Empire. I guess that makes Sara, Princess Leah.

jhall - Ethier had more than 502 PAs last year; he qualified for the batting title. I'd be disappointed if he didn't qualify this year, barring injury.

May the force be with us - and Andre!! - lol!!

i've been to the darkside.. it's not much fun.. i hope i can stay where i am =)

"Enchanted, ... Are you working on a poem/song for us tonight?"
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I want to see a rhyme of "lee.k.fink" and "miketink"

Go for it, enchanted!! It will be great for sure!

Yep Fogey, Ethier will get his PA's. I'm not worried yet.

Ha! I thought this was hilarious. As reported by "The Onion."

May 01, 2008
Nomar Garciaparra Tells Wife
To Meet Him On Disabled List At 8 p.m.

LOS ANGELES—Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra left a voicemail message for his wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm, asking her to meet him on Major League Baseball's disabled list for a date Friday night. "Hey, after you're finished grocery shopping, why don't you swing over to the DL to grab a bite—I'll be hanging out in my usual spot, right below Kason Gabbard and right above Alex Gonzalez," Garciaparra reportedly said, stressing that she should meet him on the 15-day DL, not the 60-day DL. "Mark [Prior] and Mikey [Hampton] will be there too. Should be fun." Upon hearing the message, Hamm complained that Garciaparra "always" wants to hang out on the DL, and expressed frustration that she has to tear her hamstring every time she wants to spend time with her husband.

Good stuff Kace.

I gotta go out for a while, but hopefully when I get back, the Dodgers will be winning, and maybe Ethier will be in the game, getting his chance at a few PAs. I can think real positive and maybe DY will get in the game too!
Enchanted - can't wait to see the poem - no pressure - you are a natural!
GO DODGER BLUE!!

Shoot
I wanted watch the game on MLB-TV so that I can listen to Scully & I forgot that the Mets are blacked out so I quess I have to see the Mets Telecast.
I'll be bouncing back & forth from room to room.

Just kidding Saralovesrussell.

Bummer Pierre. At least you get to watch it. I get blacked out for Cincinnati and Pittsburg games. Not a problem when its Cincy as it is usually on tv. Pittsburg I'm screwed.

Just came from outside and watching the Mets pregame.
LETS GO BILZ.

pierreseastmeetswest -- I think you and I (and most people here) are on the same page about what we would WANT to see in the outfield. BUT--I am not even convinced that Jones and Pierre have jobs nailed down. Not just because Ethier and Kemp are good and Jones is playing badly, but it seems so strange that a week ago Torre says that Ethier is his most sure-thing outfielder and then he sits him down 3 of 4 games (and, in between, he homers). Torre's thinking still confuses me.
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I am willing to live with certain scenarios--last season, people complained about Pierre and I said that we had to just accept that he was going to be in there every day, but right now I am not sure what to think.
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Except for this:
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Go Blue!

Now, that was a great inning from Bills. Keep it up!

FURCAL! AMAZING!

Sometimes, it's like Furcal forgets that he's supposed to set the table for everyone else to drive him in!

Yeah, Our leadoff man leading in homers. Show what a healthy Furcal can do.
I just turned on mlb.tv Where's Ethier..

Ethier needs to play in place of Jones. Jones needs to sit for a few days.

I believe that Ferky's HR is some sort of record for a Dodger.
Something to do with Johnny Ferguson.

Good job Bills. Good play Dewitt. Let's get some more runs. I want nothing less than a sweep over these guys.

I hate the Mets.

Furcal is both a table setter and a power hitter.
Like having 2 players rolled into one.

Phillies take a 5-1 lead over Max Scherzer and the D'Backs in the third inning

I agree with you Leefink

Hot Dam'n!!! Go Billz!!!

I'm just saying what it seems to me.

That was a good bunt, Delgado and Perez made a great play to nip him.

Come on Billz. Stop them here.

It seems like Torre is favoring Jones & Pierre.
I don't know if it's the contracts or they are veterens.

Andruw getting a few boos. They are well deserved.

Holy Cow, what a play by Ferk!!!! Sweet!!!

OH MY FURCAL! I think we all may need to start the campaign for All-Star!

I've been voting for him. And writing in Kemp. Also Martin and Ethier.

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!

Cutain call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEWITT'S FIRST HOME RUN! OFF A LEFTY! Did anybody else see the other Dodgers sit and pretend like nothing happened and then all spring up to congratulate him? That was CLASSIC! And a curtain call! Wow, what a moment!

You're right, pierreseastmeetswest, Torre does favor Jones and Pierre. He likes Furcal and Pierre at the top of the lineup, and even though he said Ethier had won the starting LF position, he's not a man of his word. I'm afraid that Ethier is the odd man out, although he may sit Kemp to play him once in a while. It's a real shame, but there's not much we can do about it.

And they'll hand 3rd to Nomore when he comes off the DL.
Way to go Blake!!!!!! Kids gonna give LaRoche a run for it.

It's because Ned has his head up his a** and Joe went in looking for it.

KKKKKKEEEEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMPPPPEEEEERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

Unreal where Kemp hit that ball going opposite field

Opposite field again Kemp might be the best opposite field hitter in the game!!!

Sweet!!!

Matt kemp, way to hit em. Everyone needs to write in Matt Kemp for a