Thanks...

I'm first??? Here's a repost from the last one...

dnel,
you're nickname is still intact! But I love the ae16 on your name!!!

enchanted,
you're on your own for dinner tonite; I'm being taken out for my birthday dinner tonite!!! :)

and iheartaethier16, welcome to you and I LOVE YOUR NAME!!! :)
By cpompe1@yahoo.com on June 23, 2008 1:02 PM
Report any abuse or spam

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CP
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
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With the name - I owe the nickname to jhall and I figure Andre can use all the moral support he can get so I combined the two. Speaking of moral support, here is another article (out of San Jose) that talks about the positive, including another comment about Andre's fabulous play yesterday.
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http://www.sbrforum.com/Recaps/MLB/20080622ML---LADODGERS-0.aspx
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The Indians' potential tying run in the inning was nullified by a superb defensive play by right fielder Andre Ethier.

David Dellucci lined a two-out double down the right-field line with Jhonny Peralta on first, forcing Ethier to make a sliding stop near the stands to prevent the ball from reaching the outfield fence. He quickly hit cut-off man Luis Maza, who fired home to Martin to get Peralta at the plate by a couple of steps.

"If (the ball) gets past him, I think Jhonny is going to score," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

"We had a nice defensive play by Andre to cut that ball off," Martin said. "That's was the ballgame right there."

enchanted - I would cook for you, but you are too, too far away. When/If you come back to Oakhurst someday, then we'll talk. You said yourself you are a pretty good cook.

Josh,
Thanks for listening to our comments about the magazine. Living up here in the central valley, I do get the magazine at home. This blog and the magazine keep me, an out of town fan, feeling part of the Dodger experience when I can't be at the games as often as I would like. Once again, thanks for listening to us and giving us this forum to discuss and have fun (some more than others) while really having one thing in common - a passion for Dodgers Baseball. :)

Thx for the birthday song dnel!!! My birthday is actually tomorrow. Maybe it'll be a good birthday for me because I have a job interview tomorrow!!! Could definitely use some of my ITD buddy-love!!! :)

I only saw bits and pieces of Saturday's and Sunday's games. But I saw a replay of Dre's play on Sunday; very nice play AE!!!

It sure would be a nice thought that he and Kemp would stay in the lineup TOGETHER when Druw comes back. I still love Druw's CF play; I just hope that the surgery took care of his knee and that he can actually contribute offensively!!! I wouldn't mind it if DY was put in there. You know how I feel about JP...

The Los Angeles Times reported that while the Mariners haven't called to ask about any of the potential Dodgers candidates, Los Angeles GM Ned Colletti said he would grant permission if asked. The Dodgers personnel include Kim Ng, an assistant GM for the past seven seasons who is seen as the most highly qualified woman when GM jobs are talked of, and Logan White, who has run the L.A. scouting department the past seven years. "They're both worthy," Colletti told the Times. Ng is believed to be interested in the job and White, who played in the Seattle minor league system, told the Times he would be interested in discussing the job.

ATTENTION FRANK: Don't let this talent escape the Dodgers! Currently you have a team comprised of two elements: One is the result of Logan White's (and Kim Ng's)work and has the Dodgers poised on the brink of a dynasty. The second is the result of Ned Colletti's work and is HOLDING THE TEAM BACK from reaching that dynasty. If you want a bright future for the Dodgers, you NEED Logan White. If you want a future of failure, Ned can handle it. You need to make the hard choices that the Mariners have made if you want a bright future. Indecision will lead to more of the same, namely ridiculously poor decisions that have cost you millions and millions of dollars and have produced VERY POOR RESULTS! The future is in the KIDS, and you desparately need a management team that realizes that.

I wish you the best in your interview tomorrow, and as for your birthday, I will repost the song tomorrow so you can have double singing. As far as the game tomorrow, lefty White Sox pitcher, Buehrle is pitching so one would have to assume Andre will be taking the day off. However, my mom watched the game on Saturday, and she said that DY looked horrible at his at-bats, and he did go 0-5, along with Pierre that day. So, we can always wish for the chance that Andre would play. I wonder if we will ever get the wish of having Ethier, Kemp and Young out there before Andruw comes back. We can keep hoping, I guess.

redfox - that statement is absolutely INCREDIBLE - thank you!!!

I know he didn't do anything but stink it up when he was playing early this year, but I would still be willing to give Druw a chance once he comes off the DL. But that would be an extremely short leash. If he starts to stink it up again after a week, put DY in there. As much as I would love for Ethier and Kemp to play together, I see that as more of a pipe-dream. I really don't believe that will happen. In order for that to happen, JP would be sitting; something that Torre would never do... :(

As far as DY not looking good at his at-bats, he's a kid that doesn't play very often. If you have a kid that doesn't play often, well, he's not going to get any better on his own if he's only playing once a week, at best. There is no doubt that DY can hit; he just needs a position to play. Hey, Torre, how 'bout LF!!!

Happy Birthday cpompe!!

And goodluck on the interview.

thx enchanted...

and redfox,
I totally agree --- DON'T LET LOGAN WHITE OR KIM NG GO ANYWHERE!!! I don't want to see the Mariners become the 2nd coming of what the Dodgers gave the Angels!!!

Dear Frank,

It has come to our attention that Logan White and Kim Ng are being considered for jobs elsewhere in MLB. Do not let this happen. You're going to need them when you FIRE NED COLLETTI.

FIRE NED COLLETTI!

FIRE NED COLLETTI!!

FIRE NED COLLETTI!!!

FIRE NED COLLETTI!!!!

Thanks nells! Maybe in about 8-10 years when I move back to Oakhurst.

Happy Birthday CP!!!

If (and that's a big if) Andruw comes back healthy and hitting the ball, I have no problems what so ever with him being in centerfield. That's what I know him to be (an awesome centerfieder). And like you said, unless Furcal comes off the DL, Pierre is there indefinitely - We can always hope for a miracle!! As for DY, the kid needs to play somewhere :)

enchanted ~ I can see us being up there in 8-10 years (Mariposa, though). Our kids will be out of the house by then, and we always wanted to live up there somewhere. So, in 8-10 years, plan on it, even if were not up there, the invitation will be there for you.

thx jhall...

dnel, yes, it is a big if about Druw. Yes, that's a tall order, but hey, if it works, great. But honestly, bottom-line, my starting outfield would be DY in LF, Kemp in CR, and Ethier in RF. But like I said, that's probably a pipe dream.

And like I said, DY is a talented kid. If Joe's not going to play him, then they might get someone for him in a trade. No, I don't like the idea of trading DY, or any of our kids. But baseball is a business and as much as we don't like to think about it, trades happen. I just hope and pray that Ned wakes up and gets someone (or someones) in trade. Again, another pipe-dream, I know...

and yes, I meant Kemp in CF, not CR... Did I ever say that I hate it when I don't proofread??? :)

CP - we can always hope for a piano or a reindeer - right? LOL!!!!!

yeah, you're right dnel... LOL!!!!!! :)

CP - enchanted, jhall and eric (along with others) have really corrupted my thinking (in a good way, boys) LMAO!!!!! However, I have probably had these thoughts bottled up this whole time, and they are now spilling over like a volcano. LMAO!!! Some of these images I can't get out of my head - JP and pianos, JP as flat stanley, JP colliding with Andruw, and now JP getting run over by a reindeer. LMAO!!!! hilarious!!!!!!!!

LOL!!!!!

Ya'll know what's going to happen:

1 - Druw returns, plays center
2 - Pierre stays in left and leads off because he's so damned good at it
3 - Kemp/Ethier platoon in right
4 - Joe says he'll need a couple of months to sort it out

Joe: They say we're old and we can’t see
Anything good about walks or OBP.
Juan: Well I don't care if all that's true
'Cause you got me, and baby I got you

Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Joe: They say our love won't win no games
But I don’t care if we go down in flames.
Juan: I guess that's so, I don’t care either
as long as I get to start instead of Ethier

Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Juan: I got 8....point 8 mil, and I put you…. in my will.
Joe: And when I'm sad, you're a clown
And if I get scared, you're always around
Joe: So let them say your hat’s too big
'Cause I don't care, let them call me pig
Juan: Then put your little hand in mine
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb

Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Juan: I got you to write my name
Joe: I got you to lead the game
Juan: I got you to pull up my socks
Joe: I got you to take me on walks

Both: I got you babe

LMAO!!! That's why I love this blog so much; it's just too much fun!!! dnel, I didn't think that we had so many JP misfortunes on this blog (although, they wouldn't be misfortunes for us; just for him).

But please remind me; what was the reference to a flat stanley???

and eric, that "I got you babe" song is great!!!

Way to go Eric!!

I just looked on dodgers.com and Ken Gurnick posted his mailbag with questions from fans. One fan asked, "With all the attention given to Clayton Kershaw, how has someone with much less fanfare like Cory Wade make the same jump from Double-A and enjoyed immediate success?" Gurnick mentioned that being 5 years older than Kershaw is a factor but take a gander at one of Gurnick's responses:

"... teammate Scott Proctor for helping define the role of middle reliever to understand that job one is to get the ball to setup man Jonathan Broxton and closer Takashi Saito." Proctor giving advice, really??? The way he's been stinking it up???

scary~~~

DodgerEric--Congratulations to your nephew. As a Cal man, I can't stand Stanfurd, but as a Dodger fan I am happy for you and him.
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Jungar--Yeah, I guess you're still riding on your reputation, but every once in a while, you come through. No, I kid, but I thought that was funny. I think there is a season missing or out of order on the list, but your point is still well-taken. I could not really put together an attendance pattern. 1982 was a combo of the prior year's world series and Fernandomania--which is funny, because it came right after a strike year, and I thoguht that would have hurt attendance. So, I am not sure.
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There are 3 over-reaching factors, over time. 1) If you go back another 20 years, attendance was much less, so I think that has to be simply the growth of the LA metro area.
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2) At some point between 1985 and 2000 (and I don't remember when) all of baseball started counting attendance the American League way. The NL used to always count attendance by the number of people through the trunstiles, while the AL counted the tickets sold. Today, the NL counts the tickets sold, so attendance figures are exaggerated (I doubt that Opening Day really had exactly 56,000 fans come through, for instance). This has another unseen effect on revenue--if 3.6 million fans came through the gates in 1982, and 3.8 million bought tickets, but did not necessarily come through the gates, what year was better for the team? Might have sold more beer and hot dogs in 1982. In fact, concession sales probably made Eric Gagne one of the Dodgers most valuable commodities, because instead of people leaving in the 7th, they would stay to the end. How many extra Dodger Dogs was Eric Gagne worth? (seriously, this would be interesting--I had an Economics professor who encouraged this type of study, and it would be fun to figure out);
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3) I think (and, I can't prove this), that the variable ticket pricing has driven up attendance. you can get a pretty cheap mid-week ticket to see the Dodgers play the Brewers, but if you want to see the Giants on a weekend, it will cost you. And, they have a lot more packages, season ticket specials, etc. The O'Malley's used to set much more uniform pricing, and that was typical around baseball. But now, teams (like the Dodgers) are trying to be more accurate in ticket price setting (there is an economics concept about this--something like perfect demand pricing, but I forget the name--which is that supply and demand is based on the aggregate, so I might be willing to pay $50 for a pund of butter, but the aggregate demand price is $25, so I only pay that, whereas someone who wants butter for $10 won't get it. In most markets, it is hard to capture that, but if you can find a way to sell something for exactly what it's worth to each individual, you sell more. That's part of what's going on with ticket pricing, and I think increasing sales.
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Anyway, all that being said, I am going to stick to the principled, if unproven, idea that a winning team with homegrown players will, in the long-term, be a bigger revenue driver throguh ticket sales, TV, merchandising, etc.

tonight begins the 3 game red sox - d'backs series.. and i have a couple reasons to care..

first, and best reason, is that the dodgers gain ground with each d'backs loss (hoping that we can win some games starting tomorrow)

second, it helps my fantasy team!
i'm sure that you guys don't care about my fantasy team, haha, but i am proud to say that i am in first place! in my league, we do head to head match-ups each week.. and the team i'm playing this week starts the d'backs pitching staff, and i start the redsox pitching staff. wins are the most important factor for points from each pitching staff. although i can't stand the red sox, i have to start them in my fantasy league because it's what's best for my team. and these next few days, red sox wins are what's best for the dodgers too! so needless to say, go red sox!! ;)

Sorry Ned, but when it comes down to it, your record is horrendous with FA pickups. I won't sit idly by as we watch the man who put the kids together (you know, that neglected bunch who warms the bench whenever an aging Kent or Nomar decides that it's okay to play at 65% and complain that the youngsters don't want a championship as bad as them?) leave for another team.

You're a smooth talker, you're a savvy guy, but I just don't think it's gonna work out, and I don't want to see the Assistant GM who realizes that building a team from the inside is the way to go leave for another team. Of course you'll grant permission to let Ng or White leave, then no one can protest if you want to give Kemp and Loney to Cincy for Adam Dunn, or to Colorado (Seriously, WTF?!!) for Holliday, or to the Yankees for Mike Mussina.

We need the man who will build the team for the future, not the one who will necromance from other team's dumpsters to roadblock a youth movement. One does not wait outside a dumpster at In-and-Out burger, watch someone throw away the remainder of their meal and go "HEY!!! Those dopes threw away 3/5 of a Double Double, that'll be the perfect compliment to this Veal Parmigiana Logan's bringing to the potluck!!"

Nothing personal, Ned, this is my team I'm talking about. So I must say:

LOGAN WHITE FOR DODGERS GM
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Oh, and

FIRE STAN CONTE

sara, good luck on your fantasy team and congrats that you're in first place!!!

northstateblues, I second your notions; all of them. Are they really considering Mussina??? Yeah, we can use starting pitching and no, I don't know a lot about him, but at what cost? Honestly, I love Holliday, but there is no way that I want to see any of our kids playing for the Rox for years to come. And I've never liked Adam Dunn; way too many strikeouts for my taste.

And yes, FIRE STAN CONTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, gotta go. Got some research to do on the company I'm interviewing with tomorrow. I'll talk to y'all later...

Yes, indeed:
FIRE NED
FIRE CONTE
LOGAN OR NG FOR GM - I'll take either one; just get rid of Ned.

Release Sweeney, Proctor and Nomore.

So, Ned is making Logan and Kim available to interview with Seattle? Why doesn't Ned make himself available? Maybe we get lucky and they sign Ned for 10 years or so.

sara - good luck with fantasy team. I know the feeling. I have Atlanta pitching and they played the Dbacks the same week in fantasy as well. I am not even close to first place, but I learned alot this first year for next year.
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leefink and northstateblues - always look forward to your take on things - very insightful as usual :)

Leefink, I always find your posts thougtful and interesting. I agree with your idea that homegrown players can ultimately lead to increased ticket sales/attendance for the if they stick around for a while and produce exciting results on the field. However, I don't think it would be hard to argue against the idea that a superstar free agent such as an A-Rod or Vlad Guerrero could also lead to increased interest in a team. Unfortunately, that caliber of player is few and far between and expensive.

I do know people who still can remember the Dodgers of the 70's and early 80's because the roster did not turn over the way it does now. I would not call these people big time followers of the Dodgers but at one time they knew who the players were. They don't seem to know anymore.

On another subject, would anyone out there who is not a kid love to get a chance to run the bases (and risk personal bodily harm doing so?)

Bye CP - good luck, and happy birthday tomorrow if we don't hear from you.

Ibirken~Yes, I would love to run the bases! It wouldn't be pretty, but it wouldn't matter - it would be awesome! All the things the kids get free when they go, I want those too. Aren't we just overgrown kids enjoying baseball as much as they are? I am still collecting baseball cards as a 40 year old - it's like opening Christmas gifts every few weeks for me, especially today when I got a Blake DeWitt rookie card, a Furcal card and a DY card (I also got a Joe Torre card, but we won't go there). They really should have days that adults can do those things too: Run out with the players, sit in the dugout and run the bases. I gave up a James Loney BP ball to my nephew and I am still upset about it. My husband made me do it - LOL!!

I should not complain; I have been down on the field two times, once to throw out the first pitch (my wife won the True Blue promo they used to run a few years back) and then again when my daughter won a drawing and we got to run out on the field with Shawn Green and get his autograph on a ball just as the little kids do. I also have been to Dodger fantasy camp and got to play at Holman. I would like to shag balls in the outfield during batting practice.

If you could run the bases, would you slide into home?

thanks for the well wishes cpompe and dnelly.. it's my first year trying fantasy, so i'm happy that i'm doing well..

oh and happy birthday cpompe and good luck on your interview!

i agree dnelly, that they should allow adults to do all the things the kids get.. all the kids promos are so cool! i've been lucky to be down on the field several times for work or for ceremonies, etc. but it would be SO much fun to be allowed down there for interaction with the players like the kids get :)

lbirken, i would DEFINITELY slide into home.. haha

I have never been down on the field, and I am VERY jealous of those who have.

I would do ANYTHING to be on that field just once. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid wanting to meet Mike Scioscia and all the players that I have admired up until now with Andre, Russell and James. I kind of got to meet Steve Yeager as a young adult so I kind of scratched him off the list. Yes, sara, I'm with perumike, it is pure jealousy of those of you that have.

CWS update - top of the 3rd:
Bulldogs 1 - Bulldogs 1 LOL!!! just had to do it - sorry!!
A FSU player just hit home run to tie up the score 1-1

cpompe1 - thanks for the welcome & Happy Birthday! :)
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So I was reading the article on Dodgers.com & it's made me cringe at what Joe Torre-ment has to say.. Ew.
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"We've been scuffling right from the get-go," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said of the division as a whole. "The thing that's interesting, after April ... we have a better record than Arizona ... which doesn't make sense. We haven't put anything together. That's why I'm saying you win five games in a row, all of a sudden you have a whole different personality and a different status in the division."
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- WE haven't put anything together????!!! this makes me so mad. It's not the players it's his own stupidity. Maybe if he'd get over his alzheimers or no common sense syndrome there would be a well put together team. wow what a lame a**.
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"Six of the Dodgers' injured players account for nearly $72 million of their payroll this year, higher than the total payrolls of 11 teams -- including Arizona -- and more than six times higher than the combined salaries of the youthful lineup the Dodgers started in Sunday's win, even including the $8 million salary of Juan Pierre."
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"We haven't scratched out runs; that's the problem," Torre said. "That's been the inconsistency. I think overall our pitching's been good enough to win more games than we've won so far."
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- Yeah so I guess Torre thinks Proctor can get the job done :) and his lineup of his all-stars like Sweeney & Pierre should lead us to the division title! woo :)
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We agree 100000000 percent Lee on -----------"Anyway, all that being said, I am going to stick to the principled, if unproven, idea that a winning team with homegrown players will, in the long-term, be a bigger revenue driver throguh ticket sales, TV, merchandising, etc."

Add to it, lower payroll due to lower salaries leading to more revenue. I thought alot about what I said and alot of it dosen't make sense. Some of it does. Sorta like the dodgers.

Watch out!! iheartaethier is on a roll - LOL!! You have definitely made it to the deep end - congratulations!! :)

Being on the field is an experience that is hard to describe and did not last long enough. Of course, I had to be cool and act as if I had been there before. When I threw out the first pitch I took a look up into the stands behind home plate and it is an awesome sight. And running out with Shawn Green and getting his autograph in right field and then running back to the Dodger dugout was surreal.

They do let fans on the outfield grass on fireworks night and a few weeks ago they let fans on the outfield to play catch with rubber balls.

This is really a question not a comment. This is the first time I have been so involved mentally in wanting/not wanting players to be or not to be traded. Before (like with Piazza) I just kind of sulked for a while but wasn't involved in how it happened. However, this time I seem a little more informed of the process so I was just thinking of this question.
After what we have seen the last couple of months, is it possible for a young player to decide, this isn't worth it, and want out themselves? I realize this is a large market team, and if I were in their shoes, I would think I would stick it out if I knew I was part of the future. Do they have that choice or is it totally up to Ned and co? And if they do have that choice, will we know it was their choice? Remember, it's just a question with no intention of wanting it to happen. I want to see this young player dynasty happen - no doubts, and I am totally on board with wanting Logan White to lead the way. This is more of a question about the process than an actual transaction.

why does everyone get on torre??

granted he has made some dumb decisions this year...but he has a track record and players love to play for him. i think he will get the job done in the end

Basically like us fans nells, they're screwed. This is the only point in their careers where the team has total control. I'm sure they can voice that they want out, but the GM's under no obligation to do so. 3 years to arbitration (or in Marty's and Andre's case they're super 2s I believe), and what is it? - 3 years arbitration eligible before they can go FA.

Don't make me hurt you Joey!!! LOL

oh yeah and also I was reading an article online about when Frank signed Ned to be the GM... he said when he met Ned they had instant "chemistry"...
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guess Torre & Pierre musta hit it off pretty good too eh :)
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makes you wonder....
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okay I won't be so harsh and try to make my comments more thoughtful, but then again no matter how thoughtful us fans are and show our support and give input, feedback, and actually think about what's best for our favorite team.... the people who actually make the decisions don't seem to really take any of it into consideration, I mean why would they no matter what they're doing they're still getting the fat paychecks, and we would have seen a world series title already.
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anyways, hopefully Ethier will get his chance to play against a lefty tomorrow.. What do you think? I'm deciding whether or not to get tickets to the game... :) I know that's bad that my attendance is based on whether or not he's on the lineup but then going to watch -pierre, sweeney, proctor, maza and his other allstars is just oh so exciting...

Thanks for the answer enchanted - I kind of figured that, but I guess that's kind of a good thing - yeah? And yes, LMAO! - I'm with you on the other too, and to think I called him the "good one" LOL!!! (jk)

In case anyone was wondering, I just threw Mussina's name out there as a joke, but the fact that it was somewhat believeable is another testament to his track record.

dnel, I'm sure they'd WANT to stick it out knowing they're part of the future, but the problem is who's writing the Dodgers future. I wouldn't worry, though. If he's still around, any kids he trades this year, we'll get 'em back in 9-12 years.

(Yes, that last line was a joke, heh)

Aw joey_rock's a good one. I'm just teasin'.

Yeah northstate, I'm still waiting for us to get He-Sop Choi back so JoeyP can be happy!

I wonder if we can get Kal Daniels to play left for us? :)

LMAO!!!
northstateblues - I hear you loud and clear - thanks!!
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iheartaethier - I don't have the luxury of going to the games like you guys down in so-cal so I am always taking my chances. For the Braves series I spent money and got good seats behind home plate (1st section behind dugout club), so that way I can see all of them. My friend who is going with me is a Braves fan and wanted to see Tom Glavine pitch so I got her the good seats for her birthday. Tom Glavine is on the DL, however, but she is still hoping for a sighting. She lived in Georgia during the Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux days and knows many of them including our own Rafael Furcal and Andruw Jones. Also, before becoming a teacher, she was a photo journalist in Georgia so she promised me good pictures of Andre, Russell and James (heck! all of them). When not watching the Dodgers, I will watch Mark Texieria any day (the guy hit 3 homeruns in one day yesterday).
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Speaking of Georgia - Fresno State Bulldogs up 3-2 in the 6th inning of the 1st game of the CWS

It'd be an improvement peru.

enchanted - I know he is a good one - that's why I put (jk) after my comment. It was still funny :)

perumike, we should live so long that Colletti will pull a Dick Cheney and declare himself the best possible candidate for the Seattle GM job.

The one ace in the hole we have for the continued Youth Movement is McCourt's checkbook. He can have his "McCourtland" cluttering up Chavez Ravine's natural beauty AND have a cheap payroll at the same time. In this case, less is certainly more. Less money for better players. What a perfect world.

I'd like all the injured veterans to stay down for at least another month. Then Ned becomes a seller, we shed the fatty gristle, and get on the with the kids. As mush as Ned and Joe would have us believe hitting is a massively intricate procedure--much too heady for mere rookies and the like--I like to equate hitting with kissing. You can describe methods and ponder technique all you want, but nothing takes the place of actually doing it. So stop with Pierre and Kent (and soon, Jones) stealing all the smooches.

You do notice that nobody asks us to leave Juan Pierre alone. Sometimes PierreEW makes reference to it, and I do tend to be more positive when he is around.

LOL!! Wow!! kpookiemon - that was one good analogy - incredible!!

From CBS Sportsline...nothing new but the last line is the clincher!

"Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said the Dodgers would grant permission for the Mariners to talk to executives Kim Ng and Logan White. The Mariners haven't asked; most believe they'll wait until the offseason to choose their long-term GM. On a related topic, news surfaced Thursday that the Padres would not allow the Mariners to talk to Kevin Towers.

"Ng is the Dodgers' Vice President and Assistant GM; she seems destined to become the game's first female general manager. White is the team's Assistant GM, Scouting. He has stocked the Dodgers with tons of young talent over the past several years. I'm sure Colletti wishes the best for his top execs. But you have to admit, both might become threats for the Dodger job down the road."

Frank, we need to get Ned a piano...

O.K., I will do it; leave JP alone. Afterall, this is an off day.

Fresno State Bulldogs - 5
Georgia Bulldogs - 3
Top of the 8th - go bulldogs!!!

ibirken - LOL!!! Good Luck!! I tend to tone it down, not go cold turkey - you are braver than me. I did, however, make the claim that if Joe decides not to play him for even 1 day before Furcal comes back(which could be a long time), I would go the next day without saying anything negative about him. However, if he's not in the game, it will be pretty easy - LOL!!

looks like georgia won in game one dnelly..

and boston is losing.. AUGH

Damn Boston, they can't even win when I want them to.

Sara - I really wanted Arizona State to go, but since Fresno State beat them to get there, I figure, why not cheer them on. Plus, there is a pitcher on their team that was drafted by the Dodgers. I used to hate Fresno State when I was at Sac State (probably not as intense as USC/UCLA rivalry, but it was there). I have just learned to accept the fact that they are only 45 minutes away and much of our local news focuses on them, kind of like the gnats and the A's. (still can't stand the gnats, though) LOL!!

The Bulldogs are winning.....and losing!

This one's for you Nelly.

Our Managers Veteran Friend©.
Sung to My Best Friends Girlfriend by the Cars.

He's always playing left field.
With his high blue so-ocks.
And every new day he leads off.
Joe, doesn't seem to realize.

(He pops up again)
When he's hitting with the bases juiced.
(He grounds out again)
He's not capable of bunt hits.
I kinda hate when Andre sits.
Well, he's JoJo's veteran friend.
He's Ned and Joe's veteran friend.
Cause he has a ring.

He's got an inferior arm.
And a so-so glove.
Ooh, when its hit to left.
The runners move up, oh no, oh no.
(He can't hit the cut-off man)
When he's playing each day, it really makes us sore.
Yeah, he's JoJo's *****.

(He comes up again).
When he's leading off everyday.
(He is there to stay)
I kinda hate the way he plays.
Cause he's JoJo's veteran friend.
Well he's Ned and Joe's veteran friend.
Cause he has a ring.
He should ride pine.

He's always playing left field.
With his high blue so-ocks.
And every new day he leads off.
Joe doesn't seem to realize.

(He pops up again)
When he's hitting with the bases juiced.
(He grounds out again)
He can't bunt for a hit.
I really hate when Andre sits.
Well, he's JoJo's veteran friend.
He's Ned and Joe's veteran friend.
Cause he has a ring.

(He's JoJo's veteran friend)
Ouch!!
(Fire Ned we implore)
He needs to be gone.
Yeah, yeah.

(He's JoJo's veteran friend).
(Till Raffy comes back again).
(He's Ned and Joe's veteran friend).
Cause he's got a ring.

We're so,,, screwed!!!!
(Our JoJo's veteran friend)
(Our JoJo's veteran friend)

LMAO jhall !! Another classic to the best Cars song of all. Bravo!!

Thanks E!!! Coming from the master, it doesn't get any better.

LMAO!!!***LMAO!!!***LMAO!!!***LMAO!!!***LMAO!!!***
INCREDIBLE JHALL**INCREDIBLE JHALL**INCREDIBLE JHALL
.
That one needs to be reposted every game, along with eric's "I Got You Babe" - Thank you, jhall :) LMAO!!!!!

Thanks Nelly. I thought you might like it. LOL!!!

I agree enchanted - They just played the song on the radio about a half hour ago. It is one of my favorite's of theirs.
.
jhall - did you use the asterisks for the word ***** (assuming that's the word) because it fascinates me now what words the system allows and what words it doesn't.

got my answer - this system is very strange :)

Yea, LOL, it rhymes with sore. Actually, I was being very kind. The original didn't say veteran friend. It rhymed with hitch.

They put in the asterisks. LOL!!!!

LMAO!!!! My daughter comes into the room and sees me laughing and she says "You're picking on my Pierre again aren't you?" LMAO!!!! crying it's too funny!!!!!

I figured if I posted it the original way, I would get myself and E (guilty by association) kicked off. LOL.

Too funny Nelly. She needs to see more of Grady Sizemore. That will get her in the right frame of mind. LOL!!!!

Nelly, my hope was that this will get you, Eric, and E going for more late night madness. LOL!!!

I bet you Josh is laughing right along with us. I know he has to be politically correct, but come on - how can you not read these and laugh. He must have the hardest job trying to justify our behavior. :) I'm still trying to figure out why I can't type the word ******** or ******* without the asterisks, but enchanted can use the word bullshit and it comes out just fine.

The Rat Pack Lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm working on it!! I actually did a morning song first - easier and not mean (for CP).

LOL. I'm surprised E got bullshit to go thru.

Hmmmmmmmm!! I guess bullshit is OK. They can't object to it too much as that is all they keep feeding us. LOL!!!!

Speaking of which, Rest In Peace George Carlin. We have the seven words you can't say on the blog. LOL!!!!!

sara was able to get a few choice words in the other night, too. I keep asking my kids if the word gnippohw (spelled backwards) means something in teenage language maybe I'm not aware of, but they say no. Because if you turn the word and spelled in the write way then it doesn't work ******** !! Maybe it's too big of a word for JP to comprehend - LOL!! He understands bullshit LMAO!!

Too funny Nelly.

Maybe if we play all our songs backwards, Ned will go away. LOL!!!!!!!

very sad :( about George Carlin - loved his stuff. Have been listening to him for years - since his "Gotta have stuff" days with Rice Krispies, moldy food , etc.,and he just kept getting funnier as the years went on. He will be very much missed!

Agreed Nelly. He was very funny and an innovater. Unlike Ned and JoJo.

working on song :) I feel like I need the mlb.tv sign "game in progress" instead saying "song in progress" LOL!!

you think enchanted is up to something? he seems too quiet - he's going for broke LOL!!!

LOL. Yeah, when you, E, and Eric are quiet for awhile, I know something is cooking.

Sure hope we all get to meet someday!!! Along with all our ITD allies.

Been a couple days since I’ve been on. Lbirken said he’d leave Juan alone today, but jhall opened the floodgates with his song, so here goes.
.
This song has been playing through my head for those two days. Partly due to the fact that we’ve got rodmky on our board. From Men At Work’s “Be Good Johnny”
.
Be Good Juanpy
.
Slap de ball, to de hole
Off to first we go
“Don’t you be a bad boy Juannpy
Don’t you homer
Or sit the bench”
“Oh no Ma, Oh no Joe,
I’ll be at the park at six
I will always play ev’ry goddamn game”
Get told by the coaches
Not to steal third
Told by my mother:
Be good Be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good (juanpy)
Be good Be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good (Juanpy)
“Are you going to hit
a home run this year,
Juan”
“No!”
“Oh well you must be able
to throw out some runners
this year then are you
Juanpy?”
“No! No! No!”
“Boy you sure are a worthless
leadoff hitter then Juanpy,
but you know what, I like you (says Joe)
so tell me, Juanpy, what kind of ballplayer
are you, Juan?”
“I only like running
all the day long
and sometimes I’m bunting
Be good Be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good (Juanpy)
Be good Be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Be good be good be good
Juanpy

eric might be actually out - haven't heard from him in a while. Then again, he tends to show up in the later hours anyway. I know it's late where you are, but it's only 9:45 here.
.
We would love to come out and see Grady play :)

CRASH IS BACK!!!! WOW!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!
.
still working :)

Thanks, Dnelly. Can't wait to see what you've been working on.

It's about everybody's PVL - shocked I'm sure LOL!!

One for all you great gals on this blog.

Grady Sizemore©
Sung to Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield.

Andre is a kid, yeah.
I know he was a truely great find.
But lately somethings changed, cause Joe's head's in his behind.
Joe's got himself a veteran and he thinks he plays fine.

And he's playin' Phew everyday.
And he'll sit a young player, I just know it.
Yeah, he's playing that weak arm.
Every, every night.

You know, I wish that we had Grady Sizemore.
I wish we had Grady Sizemore.
Where can we get a centerfielder like that.

Joe's lineups are a charade.
He doesn't seem to see a reason to change.
You know, I feel so sh*tty when he starts Phew each day.
I wanna tell him he's a moron and to start our Andre.

Cause he's playin' Phew everyday.
And he'll sit a young player, I just know it.
Yeah, he's playin' that weak bat.
Every freaking night.

You know I wish that we had Grady Sizemore.
I wish we had Grady Sizemore.
Where can we get a centerfielder like that.

Like Grady Sizemore.
I wish we had Grady Sizemore.
Where can we get a GM.
Where can we get a GM with brains.

Like Logan White.
I wish that our GM was Logan White.
Where can we unload,
Where can we unload Juan Pierre.

And, I'm lookin' at the Indians all the time.
Wondering why we can't play like that, It's not funny.
I've been patient with the kids.
Ain't that the way to build a contending team.

(Instrumental Interlude with heavy downbeats)

Tell me, where can we get a center fielder like that.
Like Grady Sizemore.
I wish we had Grady Sizemore.

Why can't we fire Ned the G'nat.
And hire Logan White.
I wish we would fire Ned the G'nat.
I wish that we'd promote Logan White.

I wish that we had Grady Sizemore.
I wish that we would play Andre more.
I wish that we had Grady Sizemore.
I wish tha we would play Andre more.

Excellent Crash!!!!