Vagabonding

Thanks Josh for the update. Think Blue- Nomar get better ASAP!

Thanks Josh. I love the daily info you bring to us fans.

My post from the last thread and my feelings about this situation:

MESSAGEBEAR FOR DEWITT!!!

DeWitt is my man for third. I hope he gets his big chance.

If Nomar comes back, I hope it is to fill a utility role. When LaRoche comes back, I hope he has a real fight for the job with DeWitt.

I'm just for DeWitt!!!

Does anyone have any faith in Stan Conte to diagnose anything?

I'm with messagebear on DeWitt IF Ethier's in left. My guess is that DeWitt's the weak bat in the line-up then. If JPs in the line-up, he's the weak bat and I don't think the D's can afford two, especially if Kent's down as well.

I don't know of anyone outside of Dodger management who can maintain any confidence in Conte. Unfortunately Conte will probably be around as long as Colletti is. I, of course, also agree that Ethier's got to be in the lineup for us to get any kind of a start this season.

Any chance Ethier learns to play 3rd base ? I just can't believe this dude will be on the bench.... Sad.

I agree with the assessment of Stan Conte, I did not like the hire, never will, we have Schmidt thanks to him knowing and feeling confident in his medical history. Way to go Stan!!! Bring back the real Stan as in Stan Johnston!!!! Go Cowboy I hope you are happy in whatever you are doing now!!! Down with Conte!!!

Anyway in the Nomar article, it mentions that Abreu had to be called at the hotel and was late. There is something going on with this kid, he just does not comprehend how big an opportunity he has. He is blowing it and will have no one to blame but himself.

I hope that Dewitt can be up to the task. He seems like a gamer and if he does get the opportunity and does not succeed, how will he react? It is always dangerous with young kids. Maybe we will catch lightning in a bottle. I would be happy with 250-260 avg with a little pop and good defense until Laroche gets healthy.

If Nomar is not ready, let alone Kent, the Dodgers can't afford to start Slappy McDribbler in LF with a young rookie at 3B and maybe 2B as well. They need Ethier's experience and all around good play.

Why do we need an extra crappy lead off hitter when Raffy is already one of the best?

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Uh, Andre's a southpaw.

Yes, in order to accommodate Ethier at third base, we'd have to re-arrange the bases so as to run them counterclockwise - too revolutionary a concept, I'm afraid.

Anyone get the feeling that if the D's get out of the box slowly with JP in left that we'll be seeing Ned's and Joe's pictures up on the wall in the post office?

counterclockwise... Anyone ever remember playing hippie baseball?

Sorry, we do run the bases counterclockwise, so we'd have to run them clockwise in order to put lefthanded throwers as third basemen.

messagebear - that could be why the D's are so confused on the basepaths :)

Let's hope Joe uses his infinite wisdom and throws the best lineup out there. I don't want to be coming here every day during the season like last year hoping and praying Ethier and Kemp are in together.

Why is this so hard for them?

$$$$$$ scott

Schmidt for brains?!

Hey, this clock-wise thing can be done - Gary Cooper was righthanded, so he had to learn to swing and run up the third base line in Pride of the Yankees. They just flopped the film to make it look like he was running to first.

Relatedly, maybe in highlight reels we can run the film backwards and make it look like JPs throwing lasers back to home plate.

Maybe we should run it far enough backward that we never signed Phew and Schidt.

I forgot Ethier was a southpaw... Too bad.

It's hard to talk about how awful the Giants look up here in NorCal (eventhough I still am - lol!!) when we may be end up with a similar problem if the line-up isn't done the way it should be.

Ned is a Giant clone. Doesn't bode well for the Blue.

dnelson, I agree with you. I am up here in NorCal also and I give my friends **** for the Gnats this year but if Slappy Mcdribble is the starting LF'er we are going to be in a race with the Gnats for the cellar.

Jhall, Ned is running the D's just like Sabean runs the Gnats.

Yep, JNV, the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree. Rats!!!

What on earth was "hippie baseball"? Did you run the bases with your hash pipe?

When the dude shows up at the press conference to announce his hiring with a runners up ring all proudly shown, u know your f-ed.

Ask Tommy what he thought about the 2002 Angels..u think tommy would be wearing Kingman's ring?

I can't imagine what was going through McCourt mind when he hired Ned.... That he wants to be just like the Gnats? He should have just kept Depodesta.

LOL Jungar.

Nice point Jungar.

jnv - so true so true, and the scary thing is I live with Giant fans, and they are laughing because the decisions for the Dodgers should be so easy. It is going to be one interesting season of baseball, but hopefully it all gets worked out and the Dodgers are on the winning end.

hippie baseball - was actually a softball, but basically you could hit the ball wherever and run to anybase you'd like (as long as you still touched all the bases before going home.) Kept a raucus bunch of 2nd graders entertained for recess anyways.

Hey, a thought just occurred to me. Maybe Pierre's parents couldn't afford the right glove for little Juan and he's really a right-handed thrower. That would explain that lousy arm.

And maybe he's really a right-handed bat with POWER!

dnelson, time will tell. Lets hope we are all being overly pessimistic about it all.
Where in NoCal are you? I am in Roseville, outside of Sacramento.

Down in the valley in Merced - went to Sac State though so I know your area very well.

I predict either Kemp or Ethier won't play today. Intead of fielding the best possible outfield, we get to see the One Trick Pony in LF. How fun.

dnelson - I used to live in Oakhurst.

Good chance you'll get to see Kershaw in Fresno.

I know the area a little. Hopefully Kershaw will be in AAA that way I can go to The Sacramento Rivercats and watch him pitch.

I saw DeWitt play in all his games in Vero, and he is not yet ready to handle 3rd base in the Majors. His fielding, or lack of, led to 3 runs in 1 game alone. Balls get by him too quickly, before he even reacts. He was steps too slow on balls that major league 3rd basemen would have easily made the plays. Needs lots more work - not ready.

When he's ready, Kershaw will jump from Double-A to the majors. I think it's in his best interests to avoid the PCL's rough parks.

When I was about ten years old I had a baseball field watch. The second hand was a guy running the bases backwards.

I hope to see Kershaw pitch, too. I do like watching the Rivercats when we can get up there. I haven't been too many Fresno games, though. We tend to go to SF to see the Dodger/Giant series. I also go to watch the A's play as well since they are close, and they usually aren't a threat to the Dodgers. I go to Dodgers games mostly during the summer when I am out of school. However, I will be at Dodger stadium for the San Diego series in mid April.

Just saw the pics of the 1st workout in Arizona....it is a depressing looking place compared to Dodgertown. I sure hope the new site is spruced up better than what they are showing of the A's ballpark.

I think I letting my bias for dodgertown is showing.

This may be harsh, but if Dodger fans treat Pierre like they (and rightly so) treated Tomko maybe management will get the message. All we want is the best players to play.

Pierre's probably giving the team the best he has to offer. Unfortunately for him he's going to get caught in the crossfire because this is about who is the best LF and whether or not the GM and manager are going to sack up, swallow their pride and do what's best for the Dodgers and their fans.

dnelson, I used to live in merced too. I went to high school in merced, gvhs. now im in minneapolis... dodgers need to get rid of juan pierre lets send him to another team for bats, balls and rosin bags...

That's exactly right Scott. Phew's best is not as good as Ethier's. It might play well on some teams, but not on the Dodgers. Even if we didn't have Ethier, I would rather see Repko or Young than Phew. I simply don't like his game, or lack thereof.

I think Scott hit the nail on the head!!! As everyone else has said, I am sure he is a nice guy but nice doesn't get the job done!!

Nice plus a .400 OBP would be nicer. And a nice job. Or something like that.

dodge16_12
If you went to GVHS than you are younger than me (MHS was the only school back then). It's good to see a Dodger fan in Minneapolis. The farthest east I got was I lived in Memphis for three years. As for the Dodgers, I am a huge Ethier fan so I kept thinking my view of him was bias, but from the look of this blog, that isn't the case. It's like most of you, it has very little to do with Pierre. It's just the right now, Ethier is the better fit for this current team. I can't wait for opening day!! I am having an all out baseball day in the classroom. My bell rang - gotta go teach P.E.!

Here's today's lineup:

Furcal SS

Ethier LF

Martin C

Jones CF

Kemp RF

Loney 1B

Hu 2B

DeWitt 3B

Hey guys, check out the lineup at mlb.com scoreboard. I sure wouldn't mind this one on a regular basis - at least until the injuries are healed.

You beat me to it, momo!

Doesn't the game start at 3:00? where is the line up?

Thank you momo! Now that looks like a good line up!

Yep, I'd take it for opening day.

White Sox vs. Dodgers Lineups for today's game:

Owens, Cabrera, Swisher, Konerko, Dye, Pierzynski, Crede, Uribe, Buehrle

Furcal, Ethier, Martin, Jones, Kemp, Loney, Hu, DeWitt, Penny

One question? Is that our opening day lineup? I like it if Kent and Nomar are sidelined. I might do play by play, I'm a huge March Madness nut, so my focus could be on that. I may find a way to balance the two.

I think JP will start hearing boos from "knowledgeable" fans if he "hits" like he's been doing in ST and/or makes some lollipop throws that allow runs to score (and to those points, he'll earn a few jeers.)

Unfortunately, that then will prompt the casual fan into joining in without really knowing the reason why. Once that happens at the game, the sportswriters will start chiming in in their columns and the whole thing will snowball.

Sad thing is that he'll still be the same player he was last year.

The "culprit" if you will in this situation is Ned, and shame on him if he puts JP in that position by not trading the man.

I'll give Ned these two weeks to make the move - who knows, maybe he's just waiting to see who's available to make a trade for, but if it goes beyond that and it comes down to fans booing their own player, then one seriously has to question the one in charge. In large part, we'll be shooting the messenger (JP) and not the author.

Looks like a good test, the Whitesox are playing their regulars.

i wonder what pierre is thinking *giggle*

He should be thinking....."hmmm this bench is mighty comfy".....

White Sox vs. Dodgers Play By Play Coming Up!

"I'm the fastest man in the dugout!"

Hu/Furcal up the middle is pretty tough to beat.

its actually proven impossible....

hey maybe pierre's already on his way to the whitesox dugout (wishful thinking)

I like that JSpelk. LOL

Jspelk, I was wondering the same thing, maybe he was traded to the whitesox and he wasn't allowed to play.... I think a tear actually formed!! :-)

I have a feeling that Phew will become somewhat of a clubhouse distraction if he doesn't get his way. Ned needs to do the right thing and unload him at any cost to a team that will appreciate/tolerate him.

God help our next stinkiest player when Phew is gone. LOL.

Interesting that Josh never updated the post with the lineup like he said he would. Maybe something's cooking behind the scenes?

Top 1: White Sox Batting: Brad Penny Pitching: Russ Langer (voice of the 51's is doing play by play subbing for Steiner, in my opinion he's excellent, he really does a tremendous job painting the picture for the listener)
Jerry Owens grounds to Hu at second

Orlando Cabrera grounds to Furcal at short

Nick Swisher strikes out swinging

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 1/2 inning No Score

Crisis intervention for Phew.

jhall,

The point has always been that he's the weak link and anyone else would suffice. Maybe Nomar is next on the chopping block, but he WAS a great player at one time at least.

Agree Scott, Nomar was a great player at one point in his career, where as Slappy has always been what he is.... Servicable at best.

Yep, Scott, if Nomar stinks it up early, then he will be next. Or Kent. They won't get it as bad as Phew because at least they will be gone after this year. Part of the problem with Phew is that we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. If we knew this was his last year, it would be somewhat tolerable.

Ferk and Andre both with singles to start the game. Go Andre.

I like Ethier in the 2 hole with Ferk leading off. Perhaps Joe does also.

Boo-Ya!

Bottom 1: Dodgers Batting: Lefty Mark Buehrle Pitching:
Rafael Furcal singles to right taking the outside pitch and going the other way

Andre Ethier singles to center, Furcal to second

Russell Martin on a full count strikes out looking on a run and hit, Furcal thrown out at third, Martin thought it was outside, Ethier advances to second

Andruw Jones walks on four pitches

Matt Kemp forces Jones

0 Runs 2 Hits 2 LOB End of 1 No Score

Top 2: White Sox Batting: Penny Pitching:
Paul Konerko singles to center

Jermaine Dye 6-4-3 Double Play

A.J Pierzynski grounds to Hu at second

0 Runs 1 Hit 0 LOB End of 1 1/2 No Score

You guys don't really think JPs moving on do ya???

Bottom 2: Dodgers Batting: Buehrle Pitching:
James Loney strikes out looking

Chin-Lung Hu strikes out swinging

Blake DeWitt walks on four pitches

Brad Penny forces DeWitt

0 Runs 0 Hits 1 LOB End of 2 No Score

Wishful thinking enchanted.

If the fans are ready to boo Pierre, at least we ought to qualify those boos and carry a bunch of signs that say:
BOO FOR NED!!!

That would be only fair.

Is a little odd that he's not in the lineup on the first day the team is together again... but lets not ready into it yet.

Did you happen to notice that he is not in the lineup? Does anyone know when he started a game last? I mean in America?

THIS is game I actually want Pierre playing; "showcase" him for Ozzie Guillen! ;)

jegiboney, Slappy didn't go to China.

Old Fogey, If he played and went 0-fer that wouldn't "showcase" him to well.

Ok! Sorry. I got mixed up. I didn't know Slappy meant Juan Pierre.

Top 3: White Sox Batting: Penny Pitching:
Joe Crede pops to Kemp in right

Juan Uribe grounds to Furcal at short

Mark Buehrle strikes out looking

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 2 1/2 No Score

Bottom 3: Dodgers Batting: Buehrle Pitching:
Furcal HOMERS to deep left, 1-0 Dodgers

Ethier pops foul to third

Martin singles to left center

Jones 6-4-3 Double Play

1 Run 2 Hits 0 LOB End of 3 1-0 Dodgers

jnv828, you're right! The true showcase is to PR him later and have him swipe a couple of bags.

Furcal making his bid for the leadoff spot!

Top 4: White Sox Batting: Penny Pitching:
Owens flies to Jones in center

Cabrera grounds to DeWitt at third

Swisher pops to Furcal at short

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 3 1/2 1-0 Dodgers

furcal is SO superior to Pierre in the leadoff spot it's a freaking joke. What were they thinking batting him 2nd with one out already every game?

I know we all cringed everytime grittle made a line up last year, BUT he did bat Ferk leadoff. So I guess he wasn't completely off his rocker.

A healthy Raffy is so superior at leadoff that it probably gives us a couple of extra wins this season. There are just so many reasons to have Pierre on the bench, or better yet off the team for good.

Bottom 4: Dodgers Batting: Buehrle Pitching:
Kemp flies to right

Loney grounds to second

Hu grounds to short

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 4 1-0 Dodgers

Someone post their ideal lineup would be.

Ideal lineup?

Same as today with LaRoche at 3B and Kent for one more year at 2B. If not Kent then Hu.

Top 5: White Sox Batting: Penny Pitching:
Konerko grounds to DeWitt at third

Dye strikes out swinging

Pierzynski foul flies to Ethier (interference called as bullpen interfered with Ethier's path to the ball)

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 4 1/2 1-0 Dodgers

Diamond Leung reports on his Press-Enterprise blog:

"Like I reported before, THE DODGERS see Ethier as an inexperienced player who does not have a full season's worth of starting under his belt."

================================

Paging Colletti, Torre and company ---- Ethier QUALIFIED FOR THE BATTING TITLE LAST SEASON, despite being blocked by Luis Gonzalez too often, thanks to MANAGEMENT'S decision. He has 946 career PAs! Hello! McFly! He's not some wet behind the ears rook like, oh, Hu.

==============================

Diamond's whole post is worth reading:

"Nomar Garciaparra is "doubtful" for opening day due to a microfracture in his right wrist, according to Manager Joe Torre. That leaves Tony Abreu as Torre's first option to start. Blake DeWitt, Chin-lung Hu and Ramon Martinez are also in the mix, though Hu has yet to work out at third. Second baseman Jeff Kent started jogging today.

Torre said he recently spoke to the four outfielders as a group and told them to understand it won't be an easy decision for him. "I have no lineup in my mind until I have to," Torre said. The Torre described it he had two groups of outfielders - two guys who are experienced and talented, and two guys who are inexperienced and talented. Torre said he has always leaned toward experience, but would withhold a final decision until he sees Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp more during these final 11 exhibition games. Like I reported before, the Dodgers see Ethier as an inexperienced player who does not have a full season's worth of starting under his belt."

Penny has faced the minimum through 5 innings. He is mowing them down apparently. Awesome.

Furcal
Ethier

Kemp

Jones

Loney

Martin

Kent

Laroche.

Furcal
Martin (assuming he actually gets to rest some this year)

Loney

Kemp

Jones

Kent

Ethier

LaRoche

thats Coletti feeding Joe garbage.

Thanks old fogey, Ethier is no snot nosed kid, we traded Bradley for him 2 seasons ago. And might I add, since the day he got here I have been waiting for him to get his shot. I think he is going to be a very good ball player with a great attitude!

or what Charris said. either way is fine by me. get er done.

I cannot for the life of me understand how the Dodgers can think Ethier is "ineperienced".. and even if he was, he's clearly superior to pierre anyways. Does anyone actually expect fans to buy that explanation?

Bottom 5: Dodgers Batting: Buehrle Pitching:
DeWitt strikes out looking

Penny strikes out swinging

Furcal doubles off the wall in right

Ethier robbed by Owens in left center of a double, hit it well

0 Runs 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 5 1-0 Dodgers

Hey Josh -- I was curious when the parking opens at Dodger Stadium? I noticed you said 11 once and then more recently said noon.

Thanks! Looking forward to the event and I'm really glad to see the Dodgers doing this kind of thing.

Thats the funny thing about our team this season jungar, if the right 8 guys are in the line-up- 6 of them can be put anywhere from the 2 to 7 spots and our production would probably be close to the same.

Furcal is blowing up

Furcal
Loney

Jones

Kemp

Kent

Ethier

Martin

LaRoche

I don't want to see Martin in the 2 hole. He will get to beat up. I think Loney has the potention to be a great # 2 hitter except no speed.

Ned to Joe: "What do you think about Pierre? Isn't he fast? and to think I got him at a bargain price of 5 years and 45 million! I had to outbid that smart Giants front office."

Joe: "Don't the Giants $uck?

Ned: "That's because we got Pierre first!"

Joe: "I mean, didn't they $uck when you were there too?"

Ned: "Uhh....."

loney (or Kent to be fair) may be our best three hole guy really..3 hole is guy who can come close to .300/.400/.500

or martin

I switched up Jones and Kemp.
Kemp 3rd and Jones 4th

If we were to get rid of Pierre who would be the 4th outfielder?

DY is out of options so it would more than likely be him.

Top 6: White Sox Batting: Penny Pitching: Abreu replaces DeWitt at third and Crede grounds to him, Loney scoops the throw out of the dirt for the out
Juan Uribe singles to right (breaking the string of 12 straight set down by Penny)

Uribe steals second and goes to third on a throwing error by Martin

Alexei Ramirez pinch hitting for Buehrle singles to left, Uribe scores, 1-1 Tie

Owens 4-6-3 Double Play

1 Run 2 Hits 0 LOB End of 5 1/2 1-1 Tie

Furcal
Martin (I don't see why he'll get more banged up here than elsewhere in the lineup)

Kemp

Jones

Loney

Kent

Ethier

Third Baseman

Speed at the top.

Kemp is our best all-around offensive player.

Respected power in Jones.

Loney!! -- 'nuff said.

Kent before Ethier because they're about even so respect the old guy.

Furcal
Martin

Loney

Jones

Ethier

Kemp

DeWitt

Abreu

Pitcher

The team that's on the field right now is very good looking, if I may say so as I hear it on the auto.

I mean MLB-TV Audio.

Their is absolutely nothing wrong with batting Martin at the top, how many years did Piazza bat 3 or 4? Pudge and Kendall used to do it too. My main concern with Martin is getting the kid some rest, I don't want to see him prematurely burn-out like Kendall did (and no it wasn't because of where he hit as much as how often he played).

Isn't Hu on 2B?

Your right charris,
If Torre gives the kid some rest then batting at the top of the order is no big deal. but if he is abused like last year than it is too much IMO.

At the top of the batting order?

Yeah jnv its tough because Martin is such a good hitter but he faded quite a bit in the second half last year and I think it's pretty obvious why. If he's well rested he has 5-tool potential.

Bottom 6: Dodgers Batting: Righty Mike MacDougal Pitching:
Martin reaches on a two-base throwing error by Cabrera at short

Jones walks

Kemp grounds into a double play, Jones out at second, Martin to third

Loney walks

Hu triples down the right field line, Martin and Loney score, 3-1 Dodgers

Tony Abreu strikes out swinging

2 Runs 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 6 3-1 Dodgers

Am I right Abreu is on third? He replaced De witt last inning Right? Nice 3-bagger by Hu. 3-1 we're ahead.

Martin is what drives this team, He is the Dodgers in my opinion. He handles the pitching staff well, He runs like a rabbit, hits the ball for average and power and he can gun down runners at second. I just want to see him play as hard in October as in April. Thats