Put a tent over this place...

Responding to DNel from last thread:
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I could go on for pages. Suffice it to say I couldn’t handle the Nedliness of the bureaucracy which is especially acute in the low-income neighborhoods I preferred to teach in.

I feel a big game from Mr Brad Penny tonight.

when raffy is ready to return, Hu needs to go back to AAA so he can play everyday and learn to hit again.. staying up here isn't doing anything for his confidence..

Evaluating today’s lineup:
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Seen better, seen worse. If you flipped 1 thru 8 UPSIDE DOWN it would be just as good. I don’t know if that speaks more to the quality of our young hitters up and down the lineup or JoJo’s incompetence.

Maza
DeWitt
Kemp
Loney
Kent
Martin
Ethier
Pierre

Let's go Dodgers!

Let's go Dodgers!

MLK - That is the sadest part of this job - it's really is government that is screwing us up. If they would just let us teach, these kids would be so much better off then this insisting on testing with the standard that they all have to be 80% or higher in order to be considered successful. What a waste of some good artistic kids who will never stand a chance because they haven't quite gotten how to read a chapter book or write a 3 paragraph essay by the time they are 7. That's why I have tried to get so much fun into this classroom when the testing is over - it's the experiences they will remember (baseball and Beatles), not that I taught them how to read, write and do math.

Okay. I'll blog you all later. It's time to get some actual studying done!

Let me be the first to complain about the leadoff spot. To be fair, his glove has been better than last year, even good most of the time. Just drop him in the lineup if you're going to play him. Even put him in the two hole. That's where he's done virtually all of his best work with the lumber.

DNel,
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Couldn't have summed it up better.

OK, I didn't make first.

This lineup just isn't going to cut it. There is just no life and no excitement. We are in big trouble this weekend. This could be just what the Mets need to get back on track.

This is the trouble with JoJo in a nutshell. Because he's fast and can steal bases that makes JPs a leadoff man. Because Kent's a veteran and used to have some pop, that makes him a clean-up hitter. Because Sweeney's high on the list of all time PHers, that makes him the primary PH. You're never going to get JoJo to think outside his own world despite what statistics (and his own eyes) show. He truely is the wrong manager for this young team.

Why don't they use Manny Mota to pinch hit? He's high on the list and I'll bet he can do better than .098.

AND ANOTHER THING! FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, GIVE HIM ANOTHER NUMBER SO HE STOPS SCREWING UP THE 22 OF BILL BUCKNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

We will keep losing until Raffy gets back I'm afraid. Jp has had a couple good games this year, but overall he's the same ol' Slappy Mc Groundout.

Wecome back to New York
I just hope we're going through the last stages of the Dodgers untimely hitting, or to be more precise untimely outs.
I'd give some credit to the effective opposing pitching, which even better teams face.
I think it's caused more by inexperience than by lack of knowhow. They know how but they need more experience at the major league level.
It's anybody's guess how long this period of ineptness will last.

With the anticipated return of Furcal, a slumpless Andruw and a seemingly aging but still productive Kent, there is some hope that this period will end sooner rather than later, but it is the present young talent in the lineup that are expected to pick up the torch.

I feel it's going to be another rough 4 days with the Mets, who we usually find very hard to beat.
GO DODGERS(don't embarrass me)!!!!!!!!

the dodgers need mattingly to help the hitting ,they all look lost ..,at least some are getting higher into the count .But Sweeny looks the worst .someone has to figure that he is through ,the old (soldiers never die) and the old ball players never quit .it must be the money as they don't have any pride ..

eric,

I was worried about Sweeney ruining Franklin Stubbs' #...

eric,
Did you get my post from previous thread? We got your pictures.

Scott& Eric - you'll be happy to know Sweeney changed his # to 21 since loaiza is gone. Kershaw now has 22.

Ive enjoyed reading you guys I readit everyday hilarious.

Hey dnelson you said your from the bay area right? Where do you teach? My son goes to Washington high in Fremont & there's a teacher there her name is Dana nelson..weird

Great number for Kershaw!

Sweeney's new uni number and batting average may soon meet.

Need a good Penny tonight.

Let's Go Dodgers!!!

Who called .100 the Sweeney line? - that was funny.

Bravo Jhall! I was beginning to do the "Imagine" song but yours is much better.! Thanks!
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Pierre: Are you going to the games? I hope you will catch Kershaw on Friday.

Rats!!®

Pierre is losing a little speed, too - his only weapon. The mets announcers even mentioned it. He needs to join "the party" - lol!!

Your very welcome CRZ. Keep working on it. Its fun.

Nellie - and it'll only get worse next year, and the year after and in 2011 when we still have him out in left.

kemploney - I'm from central valley (Merced - home of Brian Fuentes - Rox closer), and I teach first grade. However, I do know where Washington High is - been to Fremont a few times with my son's baseball travel team. We used to live in Pleasanton when I first married.

Yep, Furter better get rid of Phew now while he is still living off his reputation. In a year or two he will be truly worthless.

here we go again

That's great news about the 22, although I thought the 54 Kershaw was wearing fit nicely between Drysdale's 53 and Hershiser's (and Martin's) 55.

dnel, I saw your note. I'm glad they got there in good shape, I've had some of them for over 40 years. As a father, thanks for everything that you're doing. Here's another one from Billy Joel. It's so obvious, I should have done this one yesterday:

It's nine o' clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There's an old man sitting next to me
Makin' love to his tonic and gin.

He says, "Son can you take out some veterans?
I don’t really care who they are.
But I’m sick and I’m tired of these fools Ned acquired.
Can you do it while I stay in this bar?"

Da da da da de de daDa da de de da da

Help out the team, you’re the Piano Man,
Help out the Dodgers tonight.
Well, we're all in the mood for a DFA.
The team’s getting younger, all right.

So I tug on my block and tackle rope
And I haul the piano on up
And I wait for Estaban Lo-a-i-za
To spill latte from his Starbucks cup

He says "Ned, I believe that my back is sore,"
As a smile ran away from his face.
"Well I'm sure that you’ll start feeling better
Once that Kershaw kid can take your place."

Da da ...

Help out the team, you’re the Piano Man,
Help out the Dodgers tonight.
Well, we're all in the mood for a roster change.
The team’s getting younger, all right.

Now Bennett’s a steroid abuser,
Who’s not had a decent career.
Now he can’t throw a lick and he’s making me sick
So that piano is between his ears.

And Nomar is stealing his salary
While he sits and his bones hurt like hell
I’ve lined him up while he films bits with his wife
Now he’s also on the 60 DL

INSTRUMENTAL

Help out the team, you’re the Piano Man,
Help out the Dodgers tonight.
Well we're all in the mood to cut Andruw Jones.
The team’s getting younger, all right.

It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday,
And the manager gives me a smile.
'Cause he knows that it's me who’s been helping the team
So the youngsters can play for a while.

And the piano is rising back up again
And is really straining the rope.
It’s waiting for Sweeney, that really big weenie
Man, it’s time they got rid of that dope!

Da da ..

Sing us a song, you’re the Piano Man
Sing us a song tonight
That man’s crapping all over the 22
Have him clean out his locker, all right……

I liked the last line too much to remove it.

Go Dodgers!!!

Torre seems to have found a line-up that he likes. The strange thing about it is that it's not hitting very well. I don't get it.
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Seriously, does anyone really think that it was just coincidence that when the Dodgers went on their winning streak that Matt Kemp was hitting third? Admittedly, everyone needs to get hitting, wherevery they are in the line-up, but it seems it could be done better.
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Good news is that with 4 excellent starts in a row by our starters, that seems to be improving. Hopefully, the Jeff Kent that is back in today's line-up is the one that we had in 2005 (and '06 & '07, when healthy), and who is going to the HoF. Otherwise, find a piano and call up LaRoche.
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And get Furcal healthy.
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Have fun at the games Pierreseastmeetswest.

No matter how well Penny pitches, we have to score runs.

Thank you Leefink I will.
I'll be there over the weekend.

This series is truly a colossal struggle between two underachieving teams. May the worst team lose. Mets have homefield advantage, but Dodgers have manager advantage, as in manager-least-hated-by-fan-base-and-front-office.

Eric - best part of the was the break for INSTRUMENTAL - caught me off guard. LOL

Don't know if the statistics will bear me out, but it seems Kent sees a lot more pitches this year. Unfortunately, I don't think its as much new found patience at the plate as it is he can't get around on a fastball anymore.

I notice Loney & Kemp taking a lot of pitches.
It always seems like the pitcher knows it and throws strikes.

Bravo Eric!!! LOL. Another masterpiece.

Have a great game everybody - I hope we win one so I can be a true Dodger fan and not have wish the Giants to win. Have fun at the games PierreEW. I will try to work on some more songs tonight - this is really addictive!!
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Blog you in the morning!!
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GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great evening Nelly.

The Dodgers are taking a lot of pitches but unfortunately they're mostly strikes.

Guess they have to learn how to take pitches before they can learn to be selective. Baby steps...

Well Crap!! You could see that coming.

Fear Luis Castillo to get to David Wright

penny wont last 5 tonight

You know, Penny's throwing hard, so its nothing physical, yet he's wild in and out of the strike zone. That would seem to indicate that a slight tweak somewhere would totally straighten him back out. Why can't Honeycutt fix it?

Don't want to say that that was the ballgame, but is this line-up capable of scoring three runs?

damn.. if the 1-run offense continues tonight too, we've already lost this game =[

Amazing Penny is up around 70 pitches and not even through 3 innings. Really frustrating.

scott, I forgot that Stubbs wore 22! LOL!

E, I'll take credit for The Sweeney Line™. Another moment for the Rain Man.

C'mon, Penny! Shut this down now!
Gotta go, I'll try and catch up before the end of the game.

two quick outs, then this

Wright's 2 run HR might mean the game.
Always seem to always follow walks.
Does anyone remember who hit the last HR for the Dodgers?

luis maza, on clayton kershaw's debut

Brett Butler wore #22 also. Good ballplayer.

good call

Great, now our rallies consist of 3 ball no strike counts.

c'mon this is claudio vargas not nolan ryan

Oh that'd right, thanks xuniquexjyz

Time to warm up Park. I want to see him pitch to Tatis.

Enchanted, who could forget Tatis and his two grand salamis in one inning! I for one would certainly like to but just seeing his name reminds me.

Time for Penny to come unglued again.

The absolute ineptness of this lineup is seriously becoming scary. When was the last time we had a legit power hitter? Shawn Green?

I do know one thing... and that is Frank Mcourt has not shown any patience with not winning.... Does anyone think that he will order something EXTREME soon?

Well THAT we know is the ballgame.

Totally unbelievable. Our offense sucks. Our defense sucks. Some of our pitching sucks. We would be pressed to beat Las Vegas. Is this the same team that won 8 in a row!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

penny wtf!?

Might I make an observation?

PENNY SUCKS.

Have we seen enough of Penny yet?

penny gets 2 outs, then the roof caves in. come on ACE

why did i start this bum in my fantasy league?

Good, I can watch all of the Laker game without distraction. I'm glad Wright put us out of our misery!

this team is offically pathetic.

Get the piano for Penny.

Two outs and OOOOH a catcher's interference call puts a guy on first. Those might be "unearned runs" but Penny coming unglued over it is beyond rediculous.

brandon..

The best thing that could happen to this team is that they would continue to be this awful all year...It's our only hope to get rid of Ned....but maybe Frank wouldn't even get it then...I cannot watch this team anymore...It is so pathetic watching what we call offense....and now Penny is as awful as usual....game over in the 4th inning....everything snowballs in the wrong direction when you don't have a good team.....I am embarrassed....At least I have my Lakers...This is the first time in years where I cannot watch them....and I really can't stand Penny...he looks like he doesn't even care...hasn't improved on anything that he's been doing wrong...he goes from best to worst in one season......TOTALLY PATHETIC....no one can hit....but at least they resigned 40 year old Jeff Kent for 9 mill....we needed that...along with Sweeney....and Nomar....and Jason...and Andruw....a joke....a joke..

I'm with you Alex... the timing was perfect. WTF!!?!?!?!?!? wHEN DO WE SAY enough is enough!?!?!?

Would you believe I left the TV after the grounder to Maza and didn't know about the catcher's interference call.
I thought the inning was over. Boy was I suprised when I got back and the Mets were still batting.
I guess that how thing Are.

KENT!!!

Yay for the HR but it's predictable we would score when we're down by six.

K_E_N_T passes Kiner with that HR.

Think Alex has the Wright idea!!!

Well, this games over. We can't come back from being down 1 run let alone 6. Well, at least the night is young and I can find something else to do yet this evening. Have a good night guys.

Go Kent.

Lazy a** doesn't even back up home. Penny is a baffoon!!!

the only team that finally gets a home run with no one on base....figures...that's what happens when you're going bad...Penny gives up 6....seems like lately it's 4-6 runs every outing...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bad PENNY....bye bye

Claudio Vargas vs Dodgers > Sandy Koufax
Sean Gallagher vs Dodgers > Don Drysdale
Kyle Lohse vs Dodgers > Cy Young

oh my...DeWitt with a home run....HELP.....a 2 run home run....yikes...now only down 3...lol

6-3 don't throw in the towel yet Alex. Go Dewitt!

What do you want to bet that this will be the game where we finally get 4-5 runs?

ok we have a chance to come back. Take Penny out NOW!!!

Clawing back in this thing. Get Kuo ready now. Way to go Kemp and DeWitt.

If we had just one of those runs yesterday and 2 on Monday, we would have taken 2 of 3.

2 HRs in one inning?
Thanks to D_e_W_I_T_T
Kent 5 & Dewitt 5
Go team.

tbooklv

I always say no matter who pitches to the Dodgers, they make him look like Cy Young....could be the worst pitcher in the league and they usually look like a JV team..

Kuo in the pen! We may have a chance but I doubt it.

oh goody....Sweeney up.....for some excitement.....our best .112 hitter....and he's quickly out....
How different.

I see Torre wanted to get that inning over with. No other reason to put Sweeney out there unless Joe wanted to get an out.

Good, Panty Waste is outta there.

Maybe JoJo's finally learning not to bat Sweeney in any meaningful situations.

Yea, we see Sweeney again. Get rid of that SOB, please!!!

well
good-----sweeney cant PH and hurt us late
bad-------the dodgers always...and i mean ALWAYS give up a run or 2 right after they cut the lead

Now we're all sucked back in by the power explosion that is the Dodger offense these days. Hopefully, we can scratch out 3 more runs and turn this ship around

More of my Met fan friends know DeWitt than know who Martin is.

Guess we can't expect too much when we have Laurel & Hardy running the show.

We oughta get like a 3-4 run handicap when Penny pitches.

Can we just skipped Penny started against the Mets and have Kuo pitch instead?

Loney play looked better than Delgado's to me.

dodgerdude why did you even bother having him on your team?

Stop it with the CY crap and just get over it. The Mets probably saying the same thing with CY Kuo on the mound. Is just getting too old.

A nice 3 run homerun would be nice Kent. Let's go Kent

Bite me Delgado

Good to see Martin's speed help him get back to first.
It seems everytime a starter like Penny get's banged around our offense wakes up.
They're always going in different directions.

anyone else have their gameday stop working?

I completely agree when we face the Mets Kuo should pitch over Penny.

Gameday has stopped for me. What is happening?

Great Clutch hitting Loney.

That's the first hit by a lefty for the Dodgers against Feliciano that I can remember

My Loney has a name...its H i t t i n g.

ARGH!! Are we back in it!?!? I can't tell because gameday has stopped

Yahoo Gamechannel also seems to have stopped.

Good hitting by L_O_N_E_Y his 30th RBI leads team in that dept.
It's good to see some runs for our side......eh?

I'm able to see things on CBSSPORTSLINE.... maybe it's better luck that I watch it on there instead of Gameday anyway??? I'm willing to try ANYTHING!

foxsports.com has it too, thats how im watching it.

6-4 on a loney single

Furcal, Dewitt, Loney, & Kent all have 5HRs.

Because it looks like the league has "figured out" the young Dodger hitters, perhaps Ned should swing some under-the-radar deal for a journeyman NL relief pitcher so Dodgers can see the scouting reports from opposing teams...

WOW we're giving them a battle.
Looooking Good.

there is nobody on why not let kuo stay in

Gameday seems to be working now.

Dy must really be in Joe's doghouse

I was diappointed to see Tiffee, I was dieing to see Kuo bat.
Probably not against Schoenweis.

Written May 17 in the press Enterprise concerning Penny's stiff arm:

"Over Brad Penny's past two outings, Manager Joe Torre has hinted that his ace pitcher's arm lacked the life that it had earlier in the season.

'He felt some stiffness and it was nothing more than that so we gave him an extra day,' Torre said.

Penny allowed 10 runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings in the worst game of his career May 7. On Wednesday, he allowed nine hits and five runs in six innings at Milwaukee and Torre said Penny did not look as good as he had earlier in the season."

That was two weeks ago. Anyone see any improvement? I think Penny's arm is in trouble.

kuo should still be in there. deffinately instead of proctor

So is La Roche working for time at 2nd base yet? We have our 3rd base set now.

are you serious
what is he thinkning.
there was no reason to take out kuo