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All-Star Week approaching…
The Dodgers should have quite a contingent at the All-Star Game, even if Russell Martin is the only person on the field. Heading to Yankee Stadium to represent the club are Jaime Jarrin, Tommy Lasorda, Ned Colletti, and numerous others. I'll be out there helping with media relations duties and looking for this statue in New York City (located at 57th and 5th Ave. in front of Niketown).
But, there are two big games to play before the break (three, if you count the annual media game where members of the print and electronic media will square off tomorrow after the Dodger game). Here's the lineup for tonight:
Nomar, SS (batting leadoff for the first time since July 15-16, 2002 with Boston…he was their primary leadoff hitter in 1997 and early '98)
Ethier, LF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Jones, CF
Loney, 1B
Kemp, RF
DeWitt, 3B
Kuroda, P
369 Comments
The statue should be in freaking Brooklyn!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nomar batting leadoff. Wow, I didn't see that coming.
The statue is cool. Nothing like those classic Dodger colors.
Nomore batting leadoff after JoJo said he'd not even consider him there… more Torre bullshit. Jones has earned clean-up as well. Yea, go team.
Oops miscounted, not that Jones needs to bat 5 either.
Like you said earlier E, when Phew gets back he will lead off with Nomore 3rd, Kant 4th, and Jones 5th. Swim or sink!!!!! Good luck Ned.
Of course I would start Sweeney at 1B two or three times a week and bat him 6th so he can work on his stroke. Move Bloerra up to the 2 hole and we're set.
OK, so JoJo likes speed at the top of the line-up. Here are your choices: Kemp or Martin. Nomore? Friggin joke. So in a couple more weeks Joe's going to say he wants speed at the top of the line-up so he can justify putting Trigger back there. I am so sick of his crap I could puke.
By the way, that means Nomore plays 3rd and DeWitt sits.
You know jhall, I wouldn't put it past him to put Sweeney and Berroa in there along with Nomore, Kant, The Curacao Cow and Trigger. I guarantee you one thing though, the kids would still get blamed for letting the team down.
The perfect NedCo™ lineup. Except Ethier and Kemp screw it up because they don't get it. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
This team just needs one more useless hack to be perfect. LOL!!!! I'm sure Ned is working on it as we speak.
And of course if this team is ever in a close game, JoJo can bring in Procto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nomar at leadoff just once again belies JoJo's retarded prejudices in favor of old guys and against the young guns. Supposedly, the whole reason that Pierre had to be at the top of the order was because "you have to have speed at the top of the order." When he chose Kemp to lead off after Pierre went down, that was consistent with the "speed at the top" requirement.
Nomar, on the other hand has a total of 7 stolen bases and 2 triples in his three season with the Dodgers.
Plus Nomar portrays the exact opposite of what Torre claims to want in a hitter — patience that is. Nomar is the model of a firs-pitch swinger. Now the reality is that there's nothing inherently wrong with swinging at the first pitch. It works well for Nomar, and nobody says a thing.
It also works very well for Matt Kemp, and people can't stop telling him to cut it out. (1.288 lifetime OPS when swinging at the first pitch)
It's hard to imagine that JoJo would have dropped Pierre if he produced as Matt has for the 11 games since he became the leadoff hitter.
Matt as leadoff:
11 Games 53 PAs 47 ABS 6 Runs 12 Hits 2 Doubles 1 Triple 1 HR 5 RBI 6 .255 BA .340 OBP .404 Slugging .744 OPS
Team record with Kemp leading off: 7-4
Snakes won. we need to win tonight. Don't want to be 3 or more back after sunday, and that could happen.
You know, Torre's supposed to have the stature and clout that he shouldn't have to play "Ned's guys" if they don't measure up. That means beyond a shadow of a doubt that JoJo actually believes Ned's guys are the better ballplayers. How sick is that?
And Ned should have the cajones to cut guys like Berroa and Sweeney so that JoJo can't use them, which means HE thinks they're the better ballplayers. How sick is that?
And Frank doesn't know a damn thing about baseball and is taking advice from BOTH of them. How sick is that?
Might as well hire Leonardo to play the lead in the film version of Dodger Titanic.
Damn Snakes. If they'd have just played decent ball Ned would probably be gone in a couple days.
I guess JoJo put Nomar at leadoff because he's on a tear. Let me check that out.
Hmm … Nomar is 1 for his last 11. I gues that's not it.
Stuff that is backwards:
1. A sandwich with peanut butter and jelly on the outside and bread on the inside.
2. The baseball watch my Grandma gave me that had the players running to third base first.
3. Nomar leading off.
Holy Crap I did Nomar leading off and he does have lead off experience in that spot since he's day with the Red Sox but Jones need to be swap with Kemp.
This is crazy.
We're 2 in few runs allowed but I wish we couldn't scored more than 378 runs and if we scored over 450+ runs we would be probably been up 10 games in the west.
oops should be 2nd.
this is a great article
1 for 11 don't mean jack and you know it but Kemp need to stay out of that lead off spot.
i did NOT see this coming.. nomar at leadoff? yeah, maybe in 1997 or 1998 or whenever the last time he led off was.. more than a few breaks in his body ago, and many more years off his current state.. this is beyond insane. if you didn't want kemp leading off anymore, there had to be a better option in mind over nomar. torre says he wants speed at the top of the order.. so how much running has nomar been doing these days?
sigh, it should be interesting. i'm off to dodgers stadium now. hope you guys enjoy the game. hopefully we get a win. i will be there to witness the amazingness that is nomar leading off and andruw batting 5th above loney and kemp. sigh again =P
Kemp should lead off is bs and he shouldn't never bat lead off. You don't want to see a lead off person k's alot and I bet Torre got tired of it.
If this line-up change is due to Kemp's .256,.315,.368 against RHP with 74 K's in 255 PA for 29%, it will be the first evidence I've seen all season that Torre looks at stats. (Unlike Grady whose line-up, as I've pointed out before, Alex, by looking at stats, would post before it was officially announced-admittedly there were a handful but only a handful of exceptions) But, since Pierre's BA and OBP against RHP are worse than Kemp's at .240,.294 (no need to look at SLG) and Torre stuck with him batting leadoff from Furcal's injury to Pierre's own injury I doubt that Torre has finally insisted the Dodgers hire someone with a computer.
However, all our problems against RHP pale when compared with Kent's .244 BA and Jones' .162 BA. Although as I said in my last post here, this is a bizarre cult;(by which I mean you have constructed an ideology of how Torre and the Dodgers' FO make decisions and then you thrill yourselves everyday by repeating the constructed ideology) I'm sure we can agree that Kent and Jones should move down in the batting order against RHP and Loney should move up.
Now that I know that Lasorda & Colletti will be in town for the All-Star Game break I think I'll head over to Bamonte's.
after the game.
I'll also take a peek on Monday & Thursday nights after I leave Our Lady of Mount Carmel & San Paolinos' feast which is right around the corner.
I usually can tell when I see this black Limo, which might be a stretched one this time parked in front of the place.
Something tells me Lasorda just might drop around for some of the best Italian food. A place he always brags about. They might even take you Josh.
I'll let you know how I make out.
Bamonte's Restaurant has pictures of the Dodgers when they were in Brooklyn splattered all over the walls.
Leo Durocher & the team use to eat there on many occasions. Tommy's picture hangs just before you enter the men's room. Joe DiMaggio & Sinatra were also pretty steady customers.
I met Tommy, Piazza, and Karros there one night and still treasure their autographs.
shad, I agree that it is less than ideal to have leadoff hitter who strikes out a lot. I've always thought Martin was the best available choice. But strikeouts are really beside the point. Strikeouts are only important in a leadoff hitter to the extent they effect the truly important leadoff stat — ON-BASE PERCENTAGE. In other words what does it matter HOW a leadoff hitter fails to get on base? It only matters IF he gets on base.
miketink — The veracity of a "cult"/religious belief can be tested by its ability to predict the future (not unlike science). The ITD "cult" has consistently predicted that Juan Pierre would suck, that Joe Torre will make idiotic decisions favoring playing underperforming veterans over young studs, and that JoeNed will blame the young Dodgers for losses regardless. These predictions have consistently proven to be true. Therefore I submit to you that this is a "cult" of truth.
We the Churck of ITD seek only the Salvation of the Beloved Blue and urge all True Followers Of the Dodgers to join us in our Holy Crusade to rid our holy place Chavez Ravine of all Evil, especially the Dark Sith Lord Colletti and his padwan Darth JoJo.
martinloneykemp and don't forget the most important stats that he has 20 k's in 47 AB's in that spot batting 6th he has 24 k's in 82 AB's. He was k's at 42.5% and batting 6th he k's at a 29.2%.
Yep I agree I would love to see Martin because Nomar won't steal as much as he used to.
But Kemp OBPed at .340 in the leadoff spot, and while that certainly isn't good enough, it'sa heck of a lot better than PopGun Pierre who OBPed at .294 while leading off — a stat that never inspired JoJo to consider sitting him or moving him down in the order.
BTW, shad, I see you're enjoying baseball-reference.com. I might not agree with your conclusions, but I totally respect your facts!
The only thing Nomore be stealing is his $9 million from Frank.
Well put MLK!!
In simpler terms…
Now, Kool Aid for everyone!!!
Well said ML!!!!
Get out the new sneakers, there's been a Hale-Tink sighting.
… And The Ned said, "Let there be PVLs and scatter them to ALLl the far reaches of the field" and it was so…
And The Ned said, "Let me heap upon them riches of unfathomable proportion" and it was SO.
And then The Ned said, "Let me bestow upon them a manager befitting such a fine array of veterans" and it was so.
And on the last day of his creation The Ned rested.
But The Ned proved to be a false savior of the great organization, and is indeed the Anti-GM!! who's foul dealings and false promises have started it down the road to damnation!! Can I get a hallelujah?!! And I say to this Anti-GM, "Daemon be gone!" I cast ye out and back to the gates of hell (also known as San Francisco)…
Torre is counting the days till JP comes back. And so are Kemp and Ethier.
Make my Kool Aid sugar-free, Enchanted, lol. I was surprised to see Nomar in the lead off spot, especially with the risk of injury trying to steal a base. I'd rather have Matt in another spot than lead off, but as mentioned by someone else, he got on base more than Pierre did in the lead off. I agree that Martin would be the best choice without Furcal.
FYI Joe: Nomar is batting .000 0-4 against Nolasco for his career.
Unbelievable. Though Matt leads the team in RBI's, he should be demoted to batting 7th behind Jones. Huh??
Either Joe is hoping Nomar gets injured or he's hoping the team collapses so that a trade will be made.
Nomar has an OBP% of .320 over the last two years and has no speed.
Way to shake things up.
If Jones or Kent can get and rbi tonight combined they will tie Kemp.
AMEN Brother E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not only that havoc, but Juan Pierre sees more pitches per AB. Now that's saying something. I acutally liked Torre before he was our manager.
We really shouldn't be all that surprised. After all, JoJo started Sweeney and batted him cleanup. Geez!!!!
He was hurt for the last 2 yrs let talk about that obp in 2006 .367.
I need LOTS of Kool Aid. I still have the misinformed opinion that Joe Torre is NOT the man to guide this team. Don't like his line-ups, don't like his personna, don't like his stubborn dependence on non-prodcuing vets…don't think I ever will LIKE him….unless I get some of that Kool Aid.
or the career obp of .364.
or the last year Grady with Saenz. I remember Scioscia let Figgins bat in the clean up spot but Figgins won a bet.
you would think 110 million in payroll would buy you more than 1 all star who makes 550k but apparently thats Matt Kemp's fault.
I've lost all respect for Torre.
Maybe he's trying to be ironic by saying:" this is what stuck with, then i'll show you how pathetic you are Ned "?
Nomar, Pierre, Laroche, Jones should be packaged in a deal for arthritis medicine.
Shad78, that was a joke when Grady had Saenz batting clean up in that key series against Arizona. I really think that game was the start of the downfall of our season last year.
And The Ned has his dark minion. Oh Yes brothers and sisters. Don't be fooled and drawn in to his charming folksy demeanor. Many a young lad that strayed too close has found himself in purgatory and limbo whilst his and The Ned's demon seeds get all the praise and glory. [gasp] Calm down. Calm down. Its true brothers and sisters. Let us pray for the young lad's salvation that they may someday be led into the light and the promised land… Hallelujah!!!
Ughhhhhhhhh, perhaps Frank needs a flowery leaf shaped bronze spear in his a** to wake him up!!?
I don't know I thought it was the pitchingdefense.
Grrrrrrrr sub LaRoche name with Sweeney and Proctor there.
Which half Shad? Of 06? The second half where he hit 220 with a Pierre like .294 OBP? Nomar has been hurt since 2003.
I have a good feeling Kemp going to have a good game.
joeyp is a failed human. thats why he is a ********.
I like Kemp much better out of leadoff for the record. I just think there are much better choices than Nomar. Martin and Ethier come to mind. Heck even Jones, this way at least once a game he won't fail with runners on.
Take the ball out of his hands McCourt. He has thrown wild pitches, balked, hit batters and ruined the chances of your team winning.
AJ Burnett is on the radar and has all the characteristics of a Ned deal. Missed most of the past two seasons with elbow injuries after a "career year" in Florida.
"He could regain that all-star form and help our club," says Ned.
Really? I guess that 2006 first half was a fluke. Why did you have to bring Pierre into this? I bet Nomar could do better than that .294. I think it's a crime to compare Nomar stats with Pierre stats. Wow it was even worst at .285.
Shouldn't we just hope Nomar doesn't get hurt and improve in the 2nd half and have 1st half number just like in 06.
Though I dislike the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels etc., you have to ask if Nomar, Pierre, or Laroche, etc would even be on their roster. The resounding answer would be NO!
Winning teams can't be built on hopes that a player will regain past form or jump into superstardom.
Ned is horrible and should be fired tonight.
Though I dislike the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels etc., you have to ask if Nomar, Pierre, or Laroche, etc would even be on their roster. The resounding answer would be NO!
Winning teams can't be built on hopes that a player will regain past form or jump into superstardom.
Ned is horrible and should be fired tonight.
Nomar is a good singles hitter now when healthy Shad, but there is plenty of evidence to show he wont be healthy for long. Really he was comeback player in 06 so that tells you what 04 and o5 were like and then 07 and 08..So i am just not that glass is full type. let alone half full..but I like Nomar and is an upgrade at SS on offense. Just hit him 7th before Jones where they both belong.
for fun: as leadoff…
Pierre: .256/.294/.290/.583
Kemp: .255/.340/.404/.744
Come on Ethier you had no chance at home.
Joe, for a guy so insistent on instruction and communication, do you think the camera could catch you JUST ONCE sharing a moment with a player…and NOT leaning on the rail like a zombie, which is what you do 99% of the time?
Yep I totally agree with you on that one and his past history is not good anyway.
I feel I've been transported to some boy's fraternity on the planet Idiot…
Damn it Vinny I know you old but Nomar is not cleaning up lol.
lol nice speed Nomar.
my boy Nomar,lol
Off to a good start. I noticed Andre shaved the 'stache.
Wrong again.
.172 average
5 homers
21 RBIs
125 strikeouts
64 hits.
This is what Jones will do if he repeats his first half numbers.
my boy Nomar,lol
Tremendous, exceptional lead-off at-bat from Nomar, then Ethier and Martin somehow got on…and then a fantastic, extraordinary roller by Kent. GO PVLs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey joey. You should come to NC sometime. Give me a call. I'll lick your taint.
Thank God. Jones K's. Nalasco needs to bear down here with Loney.
And hey, while we're at it, wasn't that a great final swing by Andruw? He's definitely coming around. Good move, Joe, batting him 5th. Wonderful vet.
Joey should go out in the traffic and suck the muffler of a large Peterbilt
How long are they gonna let Jones go out there and crap all over himself? Till 2009?
Not until, but THROUGH 2009, jungar…
I can't even watch this crap anymore. How can you?
The guy who won't spend 100 bucks at your stadium anymore.
I realise Player payments have escalated over the past 20 years but I'm still searching and to date I haven't found any position player in the past who earn't more than $15million a year that batted under .200 for the year. Guess Andruw may set another ecord.
Tony Glaus for the Cards hit a Homerun in the top of the 9th inning to gve the Cards a 11-10 lead over the Pirates and Michaels hit a walk-off Homerun with one on in the bottom to win it for the Pirates 12-11
from ESPN…
"Sheez, what happened to this man? If Andruw Jones's second half resembles his first half, he's potentially heading for (ready for this?) the Worst Offensive Season in Baseball History. At this rate, he'd finish with a .172 average, .261 slugging percentage, five homers, 21 RBIs, 125 strikeouts and only 64 hits. And you shouldn't be flabbergasted to learn that the all-time list of players who have had numbers that gruesome consists of, well, nobody. Heck, only three other players in history have even had twice as many strikeouts as hits (in a season of 100 or more whiffs): Rob Deer (175-80 in 1991), Dave Nicholson (126-60 in 1964) and Mark McGwire (118-56 in 2001). But at least those fellows made a few home run trots, or finished over the Mendoza Line."
LOL, good point Rod.
Come on Torre Loney should bat ahead of Jones.
After attending 25+ games this year I can confirm that half of all Dodger fans are there to get drunk or waste time and are not avid observers of the game.
They cheer at Nomar, Pierre, Jones etc regardless of their contributions to the team. In brooklyn that wasn't the case. 3 Million fans are paying 4 bucks a piece to watch Andrew Jones flail at pitches + three dollars for Pierre to ground out+ 3.50 for Schmidt to laugh on the sidelines. My example is crude and not calculated to scale. However the number of Jones or Pierre shirts sold can be counted on one finger.
take that Bill Plaschke!
Nice Kemp. That was all because of Jeff Kent.
Oh that not good hoping for a speed recover Hanley. hahahahahaha Kempppppppppppppppppppppp
Here comes Big Matt. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice going Matt! I'm thinking taking him out of the leadoff role may take some pressure off his shoulders.
nice matt.
Attention MLB General Managers. For a limited time only…two players for the price of one! Yes, it's true. But you must act NOW! Two bona fide centerfielders–one a power-hitting golden glover, and the other, a fleet-footed, base-stealing game-changer. The trading deadline approaches…so don't delay. Trade now, and don't even name a player for 24 months!! That's right, 24 months. INCREDIBLE!!! Hell, we might even take gas coupons in lieu of players. And if you call in the next ten minutes, we'll throw in one year's salary for each AND a small Swiss Army knife. So call Ned Colletti NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, or whoever else has might have that job in the next ten minutes.
yay nomar.
LMAO, kpookiemon! Maybe jhall can throw in some ITD Thongs to sweeten the deal.
Anything that'll move the merchandise, bluecrewgirl…I'm here to help.
Here's a petition to fire Colletti.
Guys please let them know that there are hundreds of fans upset.
Forget a trade for Jones. How about a pair of cement shoes? LOL.
LMAO!!! kpookiemon 🙂
If Mattingly can't get Jones to start hitting, this team's in deep kimchee. Jones has been a HUGE bust, and a total BUM for the Dodgers so far. What a waste spending all that dinero for nothing!!
Jones SUCKS BAD!!!
I see Jones has found his groove again, but I guess if you're not going to DFA a guy hitting .094, you're not going to DFA a guy hitting .170 with a bazillion K's.
Damn Dewitt was safe there.
Hey, FRANK, if you want to talk about accountability, when are you going to hold your manager accountable for his idiotic lineups and player selections? What manager in his right mind bats a player FIFTH who is hitting .170 and strikes out over a third of the time? Come to think about it (as if anyone in Dodger management does), why is he even playing when you have MUCH BETTER hitters sitting on the bench? Your manager is making many more mistakes that your young players are. Start holding HIM accountable!
Andruw Jones and Jason Schmidt make more money this year than all of the Florida Marlins.
lol thinking Frank read this board man you wasting your time post here just email Frank and tell him. Jones would bat 5 and 6th no matter what any managers would probably do regardless of batting average and is not going to change.
Keep an eye on the owner's box as frank shows up to about 5 of the 81 home games and actually watches 3 of them. He schmoozes and lets his wife run the show. I've been to the dugout club twice and both times vs the mets/braves mccourt didnt show. I saw penny get drunk and baez run wild, but the worst experience ever. Managing the entire experience ruins baseball. He doesn't know baseball- only $$$$. Mccourt hopes we look back to '88 so we don't expect anything. Colletti is the worst GM. Jones, schmidt pierre nomar proctor,
it was a joke shad. frank can care less. obviously.
Not that I get to read a lot of American sports journalists columns but I did read one recently written by Bill Plashke (sp?) that pointed out that Frank listens too and highly respects the advice he receives from Joe. Sorry but that tells me that JP is back in the leadoff spot (when healthy), Kemp/Ethier sits and Andruw plays and hits 4/5th. Makes me wonder why and more so makes me doubt that without a "Yankees type lineup" Joe couldn't beat time with a stick.
If an owner doesn't know baseball, he, at the least, has to have the intelligence to hire people who do. That leaves Frank out.
I know I was just playing around.
rodmky – you hit that nail right on the head – very sad, but definitely true
I was watching the game on the Marlins telecast and they mentioned the D's were interested in Jason Bay…any news on that?
Jones should never bat 5th. Loney and Kemp are much more deserving of that spot than him. We all know how Torre loves vets though…ugh
Torre cost the Dodgers the lead now by batting Jones fifth. Loney's groundout in the first would have scored a run from third that Jones' strikeout stranded. Nice going, Joe!
Joeyp why don't you take your foul moth somewhere else .. I've got just the place for you sport why not go out onto the road and play with the trucks.
even vinny is punking jones.
Give Jones a steady diet of breaking balls, and he can't hit a lick!!! Pathetic!!!
You know if Jones had been able to play the whole year, he'd probably have a good shot at 200 Ks. I'm sure looking forward to having him in center again next year.
LMAO!!!! You can also count the ground balls by Pierre,too, and we get to keep him for another 3 years- Woo hoo!!
Somehow this organization deserves to have an outfield of Pierre & Jones. We don't deserve it as fans, but they do.
Frank, I did not realize Al Campanis was Director of Scouting before being promoted to GM…hint, hint.
lol enchanted. yeah and trade Kemp for Wilson and then play Nomar at 3b.
I think seriously, this games lost. I just have no faith that the Dodger's are going to come from behind in any game. Florida doing to us what we did to them earlier. a Sweep
It's already been 20 minutes since the last pre-pubescent profanity-laced gibberish. Who dropped the ball????
Stick a fork in Kuroda. He's done. Too bad he can't get any run support like ALL Dodger pitchers.
Must be lights-out at the asylum pookie. Either that or the meds have finally taken effect.
Jones is a great defender even when he's not hitting, but he's looked slow in the outfield tonight on both the fly ball that Ethier ended up catching and on the single that scored the go ahead run. It was probably going to be a single anyway, but Matt would have hustled more for it. Welcome back, DNelly.
Well he made me eat my words on that one. Great catch.
Three innings to score a run – think we can do it??
Sorry! All the great defense, and fielding doesn't make up for a buck sixty-two batting average. He still sux!
Well hopefully the blog masters got our complaints and kicked them off. Jones can still play pretty good defense.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Jones and wonder out loud if he was ever hurt and if really had surgery. Seems to me it was a paid vacation and some PR.
Time for some runs. Let's go!!!!!
I can't take it anymore. Good nite. When I wake in the morning I want to see a comeback win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to battle Blake!
jungar – I did read what you said about Ethier, and as much as I would be crushed to see him go, I really do understand what you are saying. I feel that if he is going to sit over JP and Jones for no good reason other than to satisfy whoever needs to be satisfied over this idiotic plan of playing veterans because it is their right to be there, stats or not, then I rather see him playing with a team who will benefit from him. He certainly won't benefit the Dodgers sitting on the bench. It is a pathetic situation for him to have to be in when all of us, including him, knows the real story, and it's too bad he can't speak up and say it himself. I commend him for being professional about this, and I have know doubts when JP comes back, he will once again say all the right things to make it appear it doesn't bother him. I truly hope that Joe sees the light before JP comes back, but we all know that is just wishful thinking. Anyhow, I know you were being giving a bad time about the DeWitt thing the other day and then there was the discussion about Ethier as well. I am still not sure about the DeWitt/LaRoche situation, but when I have got the right thing to say, I will chime in eventually. Sorry for the long post, but I noticed you were on and just wanted to give you my thoughts and to let you know that I do know where you are coming from when it comes to our outfield situation. I am probably the biggest Ethier supporter on this board (well Bluecrewgirl and CP, too), but I do understand the politics of baseball too. 🙂
However, I must say – I don't want to see Ethier traded, or any of our young players, and I hope all these rumors are just rumors for all the young players involved.
Great atbat by Dewitt!!
Why isn't joeyp banned on this blog yet and his other fake email.
Did they go away? Thank goodness – lol!!
Hey bluecrewgirl – it's good to be back, especially now that all that other stuff is gone. I was beginning to wonder what in the world happened.
jungar – it does make you wonder about the surgery. Maybe when JP comes back, they can think of another surgery for Andruw to have – the other knee perhaps 🙂
That's why DeWitt will be a major leaguer. Just give him a little bit of time to develop – after all he's about two years ahead of pace.
come on boblee.
1 run in 2 innings – anyone think we can do it?
I love Dewitt. I agree he's going to be a great player for many years to come.
dnelly, reading between the lines, I believe Ethier has moved higher into Joe's mancrush heirarchy. Kemp and Loney seem to be the rotton flavor-of-the-month right now. enchanted said earlier that this organization deserves a starting outfield of Pierre and Jones…and he's right. This organization is the Teflon society. It's always someone else's fault…and the when all else fails, blame the kids. As much as I despise Ned and Joe, Frank is equally at fault for hiring all these guys. I'd respect Frank more if he canned Ned, hired Logan, let Logan pick his own manager, and then Frank took a four-year vacation in the Bahamas. And just before I can hit the button…ETHIER!!!!
Ethier makes'em pay. Sweet!! Way to go Andre!!
Andre!! Bummer, I only saw it. We missed Vin's call on KCAL channel 9 in LA due to a thunderstorm and flash flood announcement.
I agree, bear. He's already got the work ethic and the tools to make it as a hitter. His glove work is already sterling….ANDREEEEE!!! GO NELLY!!!
I'm afraid that's something we wont see as soon as JP returns.
Andre just can't hit lefties, Joe.
Off a lefty, too!!!
Way to go Andre!!
Drumroll please for Jones…
E T H I E R #11 burns up another lefty.
Is only because we're losing lol.
Geez, is Jones pathetic. Yeah Joe. Lets' start him and bat him freaking 5th ahead of Loney and Kemp. Duh!!!
Andruw reminds me of those firecrackers that don't explode.
Whatdaya callun again?
kpookiemon – yes, I do feel he is safer now, especially because he seems to be one of the ones that "gets it" whatever the hell that means. Then again, in probably these three years, I wouldn't doubt he has learned how to play the game, politically, too.
in all your years of watching dodger baseball and baseball in general have u ever seen such a fall off from a player in the way Jones has? I know I talk alot but i value your opinion and your perspective you bring here each game….Is it even fixable? I mean seriously everyone, Jones was my favorite NON Dodger (and I don't have many, a handful thru the years, but when I first saw Jones in that WS I said this guy is unreal and he was 19!(allegedly). I am sad that he looks this bad. But I bleed blue first and it's gushing at this point.
If they ever had a Designated Fielder rule in the NL, Jones would be a prime candidate.LOL.
That's 12 Ks in 28 ABs since "the comeback."
In all fairness, Joe's OK with 'Druw striking out because its his "plan" to make the pitcher feel overconfident. Gawd you gotta like these veteran athletes that know how to play the game…
You know what–Joe Torre can go **** himself. *******.
I gave him a HUGE benefit o the doubt two days agao when, I thought, he did not panic the day after taking a loss.
But two in a row, and he puts Nomar in the lead-off spot so that he can have "quality" at-bats. BULLSHIT! Just listen to Vinny, and you know that he is a notorious first-ball swinger. Tonight, in what should be an 0-4, he has 13 pitches, which is probably a record for him, since his 3.19 pitches per at bat is a team low–lower than that awful, .364 OBP, .811 OPS, team as a lead-off man, team RBI-leader Matt Kemp.
And, then there is that nonsense the MartinLoneyKemp points out that he asks Loney THE NEXT DAY what his plan was, without mentioning that Loney single-handedly put the Marlings pitchers through the ringer. Even my WORST Little League coach would tell me what to do at the plate BEFORE I went to hit, not the next day.
And Loney now gets dropped to sixth in the line-up, despite having the second-best average on the team (only Russell Martin's is better), and there are three guys hitting in front of him who are AT LEAST 40 points worse (and don't even start with Jones, of course).
Gee Joe, could it possibly be that the reason that the team is having trouble scoring runs is that you have your two top RBI men hitting 6th and 7th????
And it's not like it's guys who you expect to be 6th and 7th hitters happen to lead the team–it's guys you expect to be 2-5 hitters. But you know what would happen if Mike Scoiscia were the manger of a baseball team, and he had two guys hitting 6th and 7th leading the team in RBIs at the All-Star break? THEY WOULDN'T BE HITTING 6th and 7th ANYMORE! They would be hitting 3 and 4.
That would be the case if Bobby Cox were the manager, or Willie Randolph, or Art Howe, or Bob Brenly, or Clint Hurdle.
Or if Grady Little were the manager.
Or Jim Tracy.
Or a bag of **** (which I guess I mentioned already).
Or certainly if Kirk Gibson were the manager.
And then Torre says this:
"We've got to think about getting help with the history of Nomar and injuries," Torre said. "If we do get a shortstop, we know Nomar can play there, at first and at third. If he swings the bat, we'll find a spot for him."
Great, so Torre the moron is going to make sure that if we get the light-hitting Jack Wilson, we'll make sure that balsa-wood Nomar gets his three or four pitches a game to replace James Loney, Blake DeWitt, or Andy LaRoche (sorry MartinLoneyKemp–he is, I am happy to get Wilson, but since Torre wll just play Nomar instead of players who, as you know and agree, are much better than Jack, it's not worth it).
I make no apologies for my profanity in this post–it is all well-deserved and far less profane than watching what Torre is doing.
Will Sammy says work if we score in the bottom of the 9th?
And to be clear, the first starred out word rhymes with Duck. The second is the part of your body where poop comes out, and the third is another word for poop.******, *******, ****.
seesky, GREAT IDEA! pierreseast, a firecracker that doesn't explode is called a NedSigning.
Sammy Says; Ouch!!
Geez, that's all we need.
That doesn't sound or look good – oh Sammy!!
Joey are you back??? LMAO leekfink.
That's all we need. I hope it's nothing serious.
DeWitt's AB against that blazer showed me a lot.
oh yeah Lee that was awesome, I owe you a beer sometime (or whatever)
Nope Nelly. He has to close it out for a save. LOL!!
Leek, we're with you buddy.
A firecracker that doesn't work is called a DUD – we need an acronym for that – LMAO!!!!
Nelly, there has to be a finality to it for the full effect. LOL!!!!
I hope Saito's problem isn't major. Now let's win in a walk off!!
No CF, No SS and now no closer. Writing's on the wall Ned, just stand pat – nothing's going to save this team this season.
Frank – Fire Ned. Fire JoJo. Then quit.
hello ITD bloggers. That Saito injury is scary… When Conte came out, Sammy shoulda said "Fah-Q, I have my own doctor!!!"
That's right Nelly. Get this one for Sammy guys!!!
******* myopia at it's finest. were the ******* oakland raiders.
We'll sacrifice speed for someone that gives us some quality at-bats," Torre said about Garciaparra. "We need to get something started. I remember how he was locked in as a rookie [in 1997], 97 or 96 RBIs, of course that was the American League where the pitcher doesn't hit. He's not the prototypical leadoff hitter. He's aggressive, he's not going up there walking. But that puts pressure on the pitcher."
LOL North!!
leefink – awesome post once again – We hear you loud and clear, and we will hope others hear you too.
grandpa is talking about 1997. I was single and partying everynight. Now I am Frank the Tank. Wife, kid…We would have went to bed bath and beyond today but we ran out of time.
[Joe] Of course that was 10-11 years ago, but we feel he's coming into his second childhood…
(cough, cough)
Fire Joe
Fire the guy who hired Joe
Fire the guy who hired the guy who hired Joe
Josh, when you're looking at that L.A. statue in NYC at 57th and 5th, maybe you all should check out THIS lovely lady too, outside the Topps building at 1 Whitehall St.
It's not exactly in Brooklyn, but the East Coast hasn't forgotten the Boys of Summer.
(that flickr album has all the MLB statues. The orphaned Jints also have an east coast and west coast statue, but that one's wearing much uglier colors)
DeWitt's walk saved us from another inning of getting Falked.
Hey – welcome back Dodgereric! – how was your trip?
Still breathing! C'mon Nomar!
Extra inning boys – here we go again!!
Another PVL quality at bat.
Betcha he would have gotten a hit in 1997…
Can't get blood from a turnip.
Did you all see what Nomar's approach was there? He was trying to emulate Ken's approach earlier. Such a wek grounder to SS that he would be safe. Oh well. Good try though.
Welcome back Eric!!! Hope you had a great trip.
Can't they ever make it easy just for once? I would love a few games in a row that I could just kick back and relax.
We're still in this, we'd better turn one of these four games into a W.
How come on a Saturday night most of the regulars are in here? jungar said it best, "wife, kid…"
bluecrewgirl: If they made it easy, they wouldn't be the Dodgers, heh.
Well, other than
Wow, quality at-bat there, Nomore………..
Well, other than my wife's lost $130 sunglasses, water all over the inside of my trailer from a leaking waterpump, a busted doorframe, more smoke than you can shake a stick at, and two blowouts on the way home sandwiched around the electrical line between the trailer and the truck somehow falling down and being ground away ………….. only to come back and find out that you-know-who found a fellow moron to play with here……………at least no one died……………
Once again, lee is the conscience of this blog….I have full confidence that, given enough rope, the Nedster, eventually, will hang himself.
kpookiemon – teenage kids no-less (it's called "I don't sleep until they are asleep even when they are at home for the night themselves")
Glad you made it home okay, Eric. We had a trip like that when I was a kid. I think we went through 3 rental cars by the time we got home.
How come on a Saturday night most of the regulars are in here? jungar said it best, "wife, kid…"
By email@example.com on July 12, 2008 10:03 PM
lee, wouldn't you just love to have the opportunity to sit down with that manager of ours and ask him the questions that we want to ask and not let him get away with the usual horsemanure answers?
Game over but going to have some faith.
Well there goes the game.
Eric; "Other than that Mrs Lincoln, how did you like the play?"
Please! Not another extra inning letdown.
Well, Double Rats!!®
eric – I'm sorry about your trip. It was great down in San Diego and Los Angeles – lol!! (jk) I hope some of it was fun, anyway 🙂 I was very impressed by the drive you did. I mentioned it on here a few days ago when we got to San Diego. The drive you did from San Diego area to Tahoe is a long-a**ed one no doubt.
Quiet everyone – Andruw's going for the tie.
That cracks it. We all had to figure that the only way for Jones to get on base was to strike out.
My Loney has a first name…………
He's done it!!! 5 Ks ties the franchise record!!!
Got the base and the record.
Okay – what did I miss – how did Andruw get on?
WTF? Jones steps in sh*t, and comes out not so smelly. LMAO!!
nevermind – figured it out -what luck, now he will be player of the game with 5 K's if we happen to pull this off.
Yeah nelly, longassed, no doubt. Pulling a trailer at 55, 14 hours up, 15 back.
My Kempy has a first name………….
Winning without hits, striking out and ending up on 1st base, a series with two games perfect through 6, and one a no-hitter through 4… well, that last one didn't turn out so good, but this team is showing signs of life that could build to something, if given the oppurtunity.
My Blakey has a first name………..
2:1 Torre in tomorrow's papers praises Andruw's consistency…
eric – I was driving to San Diego from LA thinking how in the world you did that drive – amazing!!
=_( Dodgers lost =_(
Sammy Says: Aah-So you can't score a run for me.
I know how you feel eric – drove 14.5 hours up to northwest Kansas this past Tuesday, and drove 13.5 hours back Wednesday. Sorry things got sucky on your trip.
Another extra inning meltdown…………
Eric, sorry to hear about your misadventures. Hope it was still a good trip overall.
Was greatly disappointed we didn't tie the game – really wanted 'Druw to get that record by himself.
LMAO!!!! jhall – that's good!!! LMAO!!!!
If Jones was allowed to hit 10 time tonight he may have more K's tonight than RBI for the year. As it stands he lost 9-5.
Hey eric, glad to see you back. The smoke was really terrible this week in the valley, I'm sure it was as bad up in the Tahoe area. I hope you still had fun in spite of it.
The N.L. East is really tightening up, everybody going while around here over the Mets winning 8 straight and now the Marlins right with them.
Win or lose tomorrow it will be good for the Dodgers to get away from these guys before the break.
Maybe Bilzy can salvage one.
Imagine Jones striking out while he was already wearing a golden sombrero. I think he better get another eye examination because it sure don't look like his foot has anything to do with it.
Bill Gallo, Daily News (N.Y.) cartoonist would really have a ball with this guy.
This team has got to have the most pathetic conglomerate of PVLs in the history of the game.
It is a sad bunch E!!!
How bad does it have to get before you fire Ned, DFA Sweeney, Berroa and Jones, and tell JoJo that this just ain't working out like we'd like and we want to go with someone younger?
I can't think of any team that has worse enchanted, not one, and that is truly, truly sad and very pathetic to say the least.
e, if anyone can get that record, it's Our Man Jones.
nelly, if there's one thing I learned by commuting 160 miles a day for 6 years, it's that I can drive anywhere anydistance.
And don't get me wrong, I still liked the getaway. I love to go to places that are renowned for their beauty. The "triangle" (Grand, Zion and Bryce) is our favorite trip. There was a day (Wednesday, I think) that the smoke was just about gone and the water was incredible on the lake. I just wish, for more than my selfish reason, that the fires hadn't been started. The other crap (doors, tires, waterpump, etc) I can deal with. See the problem, solve the problem. I'm on a first-name basis with some of the hardware store guys in Tahoe now.
Well, I'll catch up with all you cultists tomorrow.
Kent had a little spurt when he hit well on the road trip, but overall has not been good at the plate at all this year. We have gotten so much less than we could be getting out of the clean up spot this year. How much longer is he going to get a free pass? With Jones being such a bust so far, we really need someone consistent in 4 spot and Kent has been just the opposite. Why not give Andre or Russ a shot there? They have more home runs than he does.
G'nite E. Quite an evening to say the least.
The "triangle" (Grand, Zion and Bryce) was one of my fondess memories as a kid. We moved my cousin to Colorado Springs who my dad was more like a father too. I was like 10..We went everywhere on that trip thru the Southwest it seems. I bought picture books and all sorts of things from the three parks.
How can Joe possibly think the vets are coming around or out or getting it or whatever he wants to call it?
I was really suprised last year to see Nomar HR production disappear, I never saw anyone fall off so quickly but at least his hitting didn't suffer much.
I have to say, that I seen a lot of Jones during Met games and also during the Braves telecast and this is not him.
N O , In over 60 years of watching this game I can't recall anyone falling into a slump such as Andruw Jones.
Good Night enchanted!!!
in doing the math, Jones made between 120k and 150k tonight.
Good eric – I'm glad you had some enjoyment, but I would expect that from you – you seem the adventurous type anyway 🙂
bluecrewgirl – Andre is the only one in the lineup since JP went on DL that hasn't moved in the lineup (other than one game against a lefty). He's doing good where he is at. He's patient enough with all the comings and goings of the the runner trying to steal bases (whether it's Matt or JP), and he doesn't strike out a whole lot, meaning he puts the ball in play even if it's just to advance a runner (I think he has only hit into 1 or 2 DPs).
from the 'to the surprise of absolutely no one' department:
"Honoring the very best (and worst) of the first half"
Least Valuable Players
NL LVP of the half year: Andruw Jones, Dodgers
Sheez, what happened to this man? If Andruw Jones's second half resembles his first half, he's potentially heading for (ready for this?) the Worst Offensive Season in Baseball History. At this rate, he'd finish with a .172 average, .261 slugging percentage, five homers, 21 RBIs, 125 strikeouts and only 64 hits. And you shouldn't be flabbergasted to learn that the all-time list of players who have had numbers that gruesome consists of, well, nobody. Heck, only three other players in history have even had twice as many strikeouts as hits (in a season of 100 or more whiffs): Rob Deer (175-80 in 1991), Dave Nicholson (126-60 in 1964) and Mark McGwire (118-56 in 2001). But at least those fellows made a few home run trots, or finished over the Mendoza Line.
Night all. Keeping my fingers crossed they'll win tomorrow since I haven't been to a game in person in a couple of months. I pray it doesn't rain tomorrow. I heard a little thunder earlier, but nothing since then.
Maybe someone who can get the "insider" on ESPN.com can give this story to Torre. It looks interesting. I wish I could read the whole thing, but I'm too cheap.
Older players less productive in post-steroid era?
Have fun tomorrow bluecrewgirl – maybe you'll be their good luck charm. Too bad they couldn't win for sara. Have fun!!!!
So,for us is the official age 30 due to JP. However, with JP it's not that he is playing bad for JP, he's just not playing better than Kemp or Ethier.
Well, Congratulations, Joe! You've done it again. The game could have been won in regulation time if you had a decent lineup and batting order. Jones batting fifth cost us this game all by itself. When are you going to face reality? Oh, and it's nice to see that the veterans have a plan when they come to bat. Nothing like their quality at-bats. That veteran impact is really winning games – you sure do have great baseball insight!
Hey guys–I think I just got an e-mail from Joeyp. As if his inanity is not enough to read on the blog.
PierreEMW–Hopefully, you can run Tommy down when he's in town for the All-Star game.
Careful, lee. Don't open it or the slime will get all over the keyboard!
leefink – you must be the chosen one if you got an e-mail from him. It's all those posts you do that actually make sense and have some value in their validity. He, and the rest of his roommates, don't seem to care for people who can actually validate what they are saying.
redfox – very well said 🙂
Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing – I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right – I wont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
sad that Joe thinks these veterans are providing good examples for these kids to learn from…. more like these vets should be learning something from MARTIN, LONEY, ETHIER, KEMP, ETC….
Well Saito was a little ray of light for the game but then bye bye he went…
Andre, AMAZING like always. Kemp is going to rise above every single negative and doubtful comment people are saying about him… give him some time… to grow. it's the vets who have stopped growing and are wasting time.
i want some bob marley. i'm currently out 🙂
I ain't worried, 'bout a thing
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now
singin: I ain't worried 'bout a thing
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now
I used to love that song… now it makes me want to puke.
iheartethier – it's great to hear from you. Andre did do great tonight, along with Matt's homerun as well. This is the first game I got to see since Wednesday, so it was nice to see him put that ball over centerfield. All Andre can do is keep playing the way he can, and at least when JP comes back, we will all definitely know who belongs out there, and there won't be any questions about it. 🙂
Hey Dnelly You forgot me! I'm also a huge fan of Mr. Andre Ethier 🙂 haha… I hope u had fun at DS.. I didn't get to go to any of the games this week been too busy with work but when they come back from the All Star break I will be back at the happiest place on earth (and its not Disneyland) for me. Did u catch a glimpse of Andre's family? Sometimes they're there… His Mom, Dad, Uncle, and Brother….
Anyways goodnight ITD bloggers. Have faith in our team 🙂
dnelly – sorry! I didn't see ur post til after I posted mine. I'm so glad to got to see him! =) Maybe with wishful thinking Stan will say JP needs to be on the DL til……….. the SEASONS OVER… hahhaa =) Just a thought he can enjoy a paid vacay like Jones =) jk..
The last time a guy struck out five times in a game, he got two more at-bats and was sent down to the minors. (Repko, although he got a reprieve on the fifth one when a balk was called microseconds before strike three.) The same fate should await Fat Andruw.
Vaunted PVLs Nomar, Kent, and Fat Andruw batting first, fourth and fifth in the lineup went 1-for-15 tonight. According to the official scorer they went 2-for-15, but anybody who saw Nomar's alleged single in the first inning knows that the official scorer must have been Mia Hamm.
With two outs in the ninth inning Friday, Kent drove the ball to right field, but his potential game-tying home run died at the warning track. Torre said that if Kent was at full strength, the Dodgers would have been looking at least at extra innings.
"He's struggling just to feel good," Torre said. "He's a perfect example of a player. He's a team guy. If I had my druthers you would probably want to sit him down and get that back to start feeling better. But we're looking to score some runs and we know we're going to get a professional at-bat every time he gets into the batter's box.
me last night:
"In 2001 that ball was gone"-Says Ned. Oh how close.
By firstname.lastname@example.com on July 11, 2008 9:55 PM
Hello… my name is Kevin, and I'm a Dodger addict. I got sucked in again this year by the senseless blather of Ned Colletti's off target reasoning. He lied to me again. He told me that Andruw Jones was going to be the power bat in the middle of the order that we'd been hoping for since the departure of Adrian Beltre. Jones hasn't been able to find the baseball this season. He swings and misses an awful lot for someone who used to hit homeruns. Andruw was supposed to be fixed by now. He still looks like the same old Jones we signed this year and overpaid for. He's a pretty good outfielder with a good glove, but he looks like a minor leaguer at the plate. For this we paid 36 million dollars for two years? Heck, we could have had the same thing with Jayson Werth for a whole lot less money and a whole lot more production at the plate. Ned Colletti has ripped my heart out for the last time. He doesn't know what he's doing and it's time to make a change for someone who belongs within the Dodger organization. It's time for Logan White to make the necessary changes and return the Los Angeles Dodgers to the "Dodger Way" of playing baseball. The legacy is almost dead… it's time to ressurect it once and for all. Mr. McCourt… I truly feel you want this for your franchise… please do what is right and make the change now while you still have the pieces to do so.
Oh, yeah. Theoretically (as every alternative universe), if Kemp hit ahead of Jones tonight he would have batted in the first with two on and his solo shot would have been a three-run job and the Dodgers would have won the game.
Now let me go browse the papers to see how JoJo and Plaschke spin this loss into the fault of the kids.
Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing – I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right – I wont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
great song kssparkuhl!!!
Trying to catch up on the comments from the past few days where I missed some of the conversation. All the comments are just amazing, with a lot to think about. If only this Dodger management team can think like this – what a crime and a waste of such talent we currently have. These talented, young guns are being wasted by a management team who only thinks about money and how the PVL's will benefit. We would all be fired from our jobs if we thought and acted this way.
iheartethier – where does the family sit? And I am sorry to forget you on the list, as I am sure I forgot others as well. I was just trying to make a point with jungar about his thinking and that I understood what he was saying from an Ethier fan point of view.
jungar, I laughed my *** off when I read that quote last night. Torre would be setting the October rotation by now if we had the players we have now in 2001. Maybe THAT'S why the kids are neglected, in Ned's eyes, he sees a bunch of 14-17 year olds taking up space in the clubhouse.
It's like he carries a dog-eared, yellow-paged copy of a Baseball Weekly from 2001, and consults the hallowed tome whenever he needs to confirm a gut-feeling.
i haven't made it through today's comments yet, but did anyone post this?
NL LVP of the half year: Andruw Jones, Dodgers
that's from espn's midseason awards article.. oh joy, we made the list 😛
here's the full link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3483646
sara – I am assuming you were at the game- yes? I am catching up on the posts too – a few days worth. 🙂
dnelly… you do realize… THAT is THE song…
…that Andruw Jones comes up to bat with…
Even when he continually swings and misses???
Five strike outs tonight??? That's not a sombrero… that's a canopy!! And he has the audacity to tell us EVERY FREAKING TIME HE COMES TO THE PLATE…
…don't worry about a thing???
Oh… excuse me Mr. Andruw "I don't need to worry about a freaking thing because I'm making 36 million dollars a year… and just to show everyone how committed to winning I am, I'm gonna show up to Spring Training looking like some version of the Pilsbury doughboy with a bum knee… at no extra charge of course… which will make me even more patient at the plate to sit and watch curveball after curveball and then swing at the worst pitch I can find that's at LEAST a foot off the outside of the plate so I can go back and sit on the bench and think of how I can possibly spend so much of all this easy money that's coming my way" Jones. Us fans don't have the luxury of the patience you seem to exhibit… especially this habit you have of continually swinging and missing!! We've paid our hard earned money to see the team perform and, you're one of the biggest non-performers thus far! So do us all a favor and start worrying about something!! Because you obviously don't feel the need or desire to win any longer, otherwise you'd do SOMETHING to get yourself out of this slump you're in… whether it be glasses or extra film study or whether you just need to go back to the minor leagues and learn how to hit the damned baseball again!
I don't know about you guys… but four games under .500 isn't going to cut it and to be as close to first place as we are is only because the D-Backs are similarly inept right now… and it's either going to be them or us who take charge of this division. I'd rather it be us but, it won't be if we keep having our "veteran leaders" perform like they don't care or don't have any worries about the state of the way the team is playing right now.
Andruw… it's time to change your batting song… it mocks the fans every time you come to the plate. Can't you see this… or are you really that stupid?
Is there anyway that we can trade for Jones????? Seriously!! Its gotten to the point where I can pencil him in for a stike out every at bat. 36 MIL for this guy, really? This acquisition is the worst ever, worse than the Pedro fot Delino trade!
Seriously, is there a possibility that we can trade him? At this point he is hurting us more than helping us.
I do realize that – I heard it every time he came up to bat during the time I was there. LOL!!! Isn't that why he can smile when he strikes out while Andre and Matt both walk off in pure frustration too the point of breaking bats and helmets. Andruw truly has nothing to worry about – Joe has made that perfectly clear to us, Andruw, Andre and Matt.
I ain't worried, 'bout a thing
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now
singin: I ain't worried 'bout a thing
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: I ain't worried, 'bout a thing
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now
singin: I ain't worried 'bout a thing
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: I ain't worried, 'bout a thing
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now. Don't worry.
Singin: I ain't worried 'bout a thing. I won't worry.
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now!
Singin: I ain't worried, 'bout a thing,
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now – I wont worry!
Singin: I ain't worried, 'bout a thing,
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now.
Singin: I ain't worried, 'bout a thing, oh no!
'cause I'm makin' thirty-six million dollars now!
And the scary thing too, is that Joe will do the same thing when JP comes back. He will get full go-ahead to play every game and he won't have to worry about a thing ethier (either).
I wish I had those kind of worries…
Love those "quality at-bats" Nomar gave use. 16 pitches in 5 plate appearances, including one gift-from-the-official scorer hit. 3.2 pitches/PA
Compare Matt Kemp, he of the NOT "quality at-bats" per JoJo. 14 pitches in 4 plate appearances, including a homerun. 3.5pitches/PA
yeah dnelly i was at the game, and i was in the MOST AMAZING SEATS! my friend works for dodgers, and so when i get employee will call seats, it's a mixed bag (where ever they have extra seats) but they're almost always on the loge level. but today.. i was in the baseline box. ROW ONE. i was next to the ball boy who sits by the tarp. and near andre!
andre looked very good and was clean shaven. i yelled some things at him when he threw his warmups, and he nodded. i'm pretty sure he heard me since i was right there. he did have a bad moment late in the game though. it was his last at bat, when he flew out near the warning track. and when he came back out, he was talking angrily to the ballboy (javier) and was very upset about something. javier wouldn't tell me what he was angry about, he just said he was very mad. then after one warmup toss, he decided he was going to chuck the ball into the stands. the problem was, no one knew he was already going to throw it so they weren't ready. and he didn't really put any loft on the ball, so there wasn't time, and the ball hit someone in the head. andre didn't care.. he didn't wait to see it land. he just threw it and turned and went to his spot. it was weird to see him so worked up.. thought you'd be interested in that dnelly..
oh, and i have jorge cantu's homerun ball 🙂
the fan who caught it threw it back, and javier gave it to me. i figured it wasn't bad luck to keep it since i'm not the one who caught it off the bat. also, i figured russell touched the ball when throwing it back to kuroda on the previous pitch. so i wanted it. haha
Speaking of no worries… this is posh… and who'd HAVE to EVER work again living like this??? Truly lavish, expensive and I guess that's why they play the game these days.
And here I thought it was because they loved the game… respected the game… honored the game. Crap… sounds like a Kevin Costner movie or something. I'm living in dreamland again…
And here it is. The Times spins Nomar's 1-for-5 (due to incredibly generous scoring, unless you're Ricky Nolasco) night into "immediate results".
" Manager Joe Torre's experiment to use Nomar Garciaparra as a leadoff hitter produced immediate results," wrote the Time's Dylan Hernandez, "as the shortstop reached base on an infield hit and eventually scored …"
Look, I'm glad Nomar scored. But who's kidding who? I guess you could call JoJo's idiotic experiment a "success" if you give credit to Nomar for Hanley Ramirez's inability to accurately throw a ball 50 feet, and ignore the fact that Nomar failed to get on base the rest of the night.
sara – I don't know what gets into that boy sometimes. My last game there, he had one of his angry moments at the plate, too. He had hit the ball, left field, and it almost went out, but was caught. He threw his helmet across the infield and then he ripped off his gloves like there was no tomorrow. I rather see that then see Andruw smiling after striking out. At least we know Andre cares about winning the game, or in his case, his position. Sounds like great seats – Wow!! I am coming back in August for the Dbacks series with my mom, but I got loge deck this time on 3rd base side between home and 3rd. I didn't want to test fate on left/right outfield field level because I'm betting JP will be back by then so I may not even see Andre play.
Here's the latest from the LAT blog with AK and BK
oh and i said before the game that jones would go 0-4 with 4 Ks. little did i know he'd get a 5th at bat. and K again, although he reached base on that one. i'll tell you, the standing ovation he got for reaching on a strikeout wild pitch was really something.. i chose not to boo him the first two times up, and i chose to try and cheer him on the second two times up.. but that last one.. i had to join in on the sarcastic standing ovation to see the guy reach base once..
You have to wonder if Torre took Andruw aside anytime during last night's game to inquire about his "plan" while at bat. Presumably "swing at anything that moves" was a good strategy, except for the darn pitchers that won't throw the ball at Andruw's bat.
LOL!! very funny thought to wake up to messagebear 🙂
Also, how about all those first pitch hit balls by our vets, in which when the young players do it they are titled "impatient." Wouldn't you like to know the vet's strategy in that? Or at least enlighten the young players so they know what not to do next time.
Let's face it boys and girls, this team is beyond pathetic. Hiring Nerd and JoJo to run this club is like hiring Hitler and Stalin to run a tolerance seminar.
Speaking of which, I believe they also control the L.A. media ala TASS… Kemp goes 1 for 5 leading off and gets demoted. Nomore goes a gift 1 for 5 and gets praised. Da comrades, youth center burns down to make way for glorious new tractor factory. Sadly, the only brainwashing that seems to be taking place is to themselves [Nerd, JoJo and Frank] as they sink deeper into megalomania. Watchout at the stadium girls, Ned's KGB probably will be listening for any anti-veteran sentiment. Thank goodness we still have radio free Dodgers to expound the real truth.
I'm also inclined to believe the steroid rumors about our incumbent centerfielder. No way any athlete's skill deteriorates that fast without a legitimate reason, and I'm not talking fat (though a sign) and a bum knee. Boo, hiss, catcall all you'd like – no way does this man belong in a baseball uniform, let alone sully the Dodger's.
Yes, quite a show from messers. Nomore, Kant and Jones. Can hardly wait to see what JP brings back to the show. Quite a legacy you're building for yourself Ned.
Quite a legacy indeed.
Yep E, Ned has made a mess of this team.
And now he will probably make it a bigger mess trying to cover his a**!!!
And now he will probably make it a bigger mess trying to cover his a**!!!
We need the DBacks to bury the Dodgers coming out of the break for the good of the future. It is hard to say, but we would be much better off in the long run if we fall out of it and become sellers at the deadline.
Good Morning, boys! So, I am assuming that since Nomar got such praises for doing such an outstanding job at lead-off, it will be his for a while, unless, of course, he needs the day off for rest, since he is old and can't play everyday like the younger players.
Actually, Jungar, I love the idea of our guys in 2001. Think about it–2001 Nomar at shortstop, in the middle of his batting crown years. 2001 Jeff Kent coming off his MVP season. 2001 Andruw Jones hitting good average and lots of home runs. 2001 Jason Schmidt who still had velocity and pitched. It's perfect!
They say that some people are forever tied to the best years of their lives. Well, Torre, in 2001, had just won his 3rd consecutive world championship and 4th in 5 years, and on his way to a 5th pennant. So, he apparently sees the entire world as it was in 2001.
Heck, if I saw the world as it was in 2001, I would make the same line-up and be very confused as to why these great All-Star players weren't winning. I would also be confused about why these great All-Star players weren't named to the All-Star team. I'd be confused why I could not play 33-year old Jeff Kent every day, and why 27-year old Nomar was constantly getting injured. I'd be confused why Barack Obama was running for President when he was just a little-known member of the Illinois Legislature, and it was not even a presidential election year. I'd be confused why my 4-year-old nephew was playing on the 11-year olds little league All-Star team.
In other words, I'd apparently be as clueless as Joe Torre.
But here's what I don't understand. If we're going to live in the past, why live in 2001? Here's my idea of a great team.
First Base – 1975 Steve Garvey. I mean, you see him around the ballpark all the time. He just won the MVP and has a Gold Glove, so let's send the Iron Man version out onto the field. Plus, there will be none of his infidelity or financial dealings to distract him.
Second Base – 2001 Jeff Kent. Another guy coming off an MVP year. This is amazing. We can stack this team with MVPs.
Shortstop – 2001 Nomar. Joe's right about this one.
Thrid Base – 1978 Ron Cey. Going back to Brooklyn, the Dodgers have never had such a consistent 3rd baseman as him. And he's around the ballpark all the time.
Left Field – 2001 Barry Bonds. Just to keep with Joe's 2001 visions, he just came off another 40+ home run year. And he's a Free Agent for goodness sake. Sign him right away!
Centerfield – 2001 Andruw Jones. He hit .300 the year before with 34 home runs. Ignore that his average fell 50 points, he'll be back.
Right Field – 2011 Matt Kemp. OK, Joe does not get this, but trust me.
Catcher – 1998 Mike Piazza. He just hit .362 with 40 home runs and 124 RBI, and an OPS (whatever that is, says Joe) of 1.062. And he's a free agent. (Or, we could stick to Joe Torre's 2001 view of the world, where he also had just hit 40 home runs and 124 RBI, and played his heart out in the World Series against me). And he's a free agent too. It's amazing! All of these great players unsigned!
Right-Hand Pitcher – 2004 Jason Schmidt. Hey, last year, he had a 2.34 ERA and a fastball in the high 90's.
Left-Handed Pitcher – 1966 Sandy Koufax. that guy was here Opening Day. And he just threw a perfecto last September. And he's so young, he'll play forever!
I'd like to have the 2001 version of Joe Torre managing. You guys remember him. He's the guy who looks alot like the current Dodger Manger, only he's not walking around with his head up his bum.
Hey Nelly. Good morning. That Nomore stuff is total crap and hypocrisy. Certainly is a double standard on our team. Unbelievable. They need to stop this insanity and just get on with the rebuilding now. If we start now, we will be a perennial contender in a year or two. If we continue this charade, we will just spin our wheels and in two years be no better off than we are now.
I tell ya jhall its like Torre lives in a bizarro world where good is bad and bad is good, and we have to go along for the ride. What I can't for the life of me figure out is why the media CHOOSES to live in JoJo's world along with Frank & Furter. ANY OTHER CITY and the media is all over JoJo, Ned and all the vets, especially Jones; and I don't care if its even KC, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh or Tampa Bay, they don't let this BS slide, let alone extol is "virtues."
Why should we be surprised by Nomar getting all the glory for one good lead off day (which really wasn't) when all along they continually praised JP for his substandard performance as lead off as well? This thinking is so beyond idiotic!!!
It is beyond reason and way beyond pathetic at this point. And with Ned still at the controls, it could get worse before it gets any better. I'm on pins and needles waiting for the next shoe to drop and Ned digging the hole even deeper. Very discouraging time to be a Dodger fan. I don't ever recall feeling this frustrated and discouraged with the Dodgers. I have no confidence in the owner, GM, or field manager as well as some of our coaches.
ivan de jesus 1-1 in the futures game…he is the leadoff hitter
Plus if Josh doesn't do something about the complete idiots that posted on here last night, I will lose confidence in him as well. Totally unacceptable!!!!!
The scary thing is at the beginning of the season we thought our only problem was Ned, and now it seems the problem is just as severe, if not worse, with Joe as manager. And then who's to blame for both, Frank. Like you said, frustrating and beyond at this point because I don't see it getting better when JP and Sweeney come back.
leekfink, you had a great post on TJ's blog. wanted to give you props 🙂
Interesting, I just got an e-mail from the Abuse people and they have deleted the comments and banned that user account. I guess the best thing to do is to click on the abuse link everytime one of those comments is posted.
That's good to know jhall – thanks!!
Well, wherever our kids end up I wish them well and hope they comback to haunt the D's for the next 10-15 years. Anyone that can bring us the constant parade of tripe that Ned does and still blame the kids for the clubs woes, as does JoJo, whom now that I have witnessed everyday for half a season can comfortably say that he is the worst manager I've ever seen, along with cluless Frank have just about destroyed a once proud franchise.
We lose any of the kids for more PVL crap and I can honestly say I'm through for good. Baseball will become for me what football and hockey have, just a bunch of teams that I don't care who wins or loses, but I'll sit and watch a game now and then. If I'm really lucky, maybe I start following the Angels.
i have the same frustrations as you all do.. all the double standards, and the saying what's convenient at the time.. i really can't stand it. whenever i read joe torre quotes or ned colletti quotes, i find myself sitting there rolling my eyes, or even saying bullsh** or yeah right. it's just sad that they think they're getting away with it.. and we can't actually do anything to stop the nonsense..
last night.. i swear andruw got one fastball all night. the rest were curve balls. my friend kept yelling, it's going to be a curveball, and look at that it's another curve ball! and yet, andruw can't figure it out.. even when andruw was running in from CF we all yelled, druw it's going to be nothing but curveballs, figure it out!! but alas, he did not. hard to believe he doesn't know he's not getting any fastballs.. so either he refuses to believe that he's only going to get curveballs, or he knows it's coming and still can't hit it.. i'm not sure which is more discouraging.. i'm going to have to go with both explanations stink.
No way E. You'll still bleed blue. LOL!!! I will always be a Dodger first and way down deep. However, over the past 10-15 years or so of futility, my enthusiasm for the team has lessened and baseball which was my clear favorite sport has sunk into a dead heat with College Football.
thanks for taking care of that jhall. i mean, that was out of control last night.
Jones' bat is much slower than it used to be for whatever reason. E pointed out the most obvious reason earlier. At 31 or 32, Jones should still be in the tail of his prime and producing. I don't recall ever seeing a player fall of this drastically, especially in their early 30's.
No problem Sara. When those kinds of comments/posters come on, everyone needs to hit the abuse link.
E and Nelly were working on it also last night.
enchanted- it's sad to hear people talk like that, but it's totally understandable. It's like what jungar was saying a few days ago about trades. Why have certain players just sitting and wasting away on a bench for at least another year with Torre as manager? The Ethiers/Youngs/Kemps of the baseball world deserve better than waiting for some PVL to prove they really can go below a .100 average, strike out 5 times in one game, or ground out and pop up everytime they are up. And not only that, these PVLs do not have a single thing to worry about because Joe thinks, eventually, they will provide the professional at-bats that the young players don't, and so they are hands down, in his book, the better player. What an absolute idiotic way of thinking.
Future Stars game is on ESPN2.
i know that andruw's bat is slower.. but he's not getting fastballs.. so as long as he is properly recognizing pitches, he should be able to, AT MINIMUM, make contact. the problem is that he can't even do that. i think he maybe fouled off 2 balls last night.. and they were fouled at the plate.. i mean like BARELY got a piece.. so if he can't even hit a hard foul somewhere, or hit a ball at someone.. then what are we hoping for? he's still off balance, and his rear leg still moves back first.. there is no hope that he will fix anything anytime soon.. it's like he's never played before.. that's what he looks like at the plate sometimes.. ridiculous
Of course you all are aware that JoJo will probably move Jones up to the 2 hole in the order so he will see better pitches. And of course he'll move Ethier down to 7th.
No doubt Sara. Good observations. He is a total mess!!!!
Andre and Marty are our two most well rounded, consistant, and best players presently. Loney and Kemp are getting there but are still very streaky. DeWitt, DY, and LaRoche need playing time and I believe they will also get there.
sara – you are so right – when I was sitting behind home plate for those three games, he got nothing but curveballs then too. You know the scouts around us were just rolling their eyes, too – lol!!
jhall – the funny thing is that Ethier is the only one (other than one game against a lefty) who hasn't moved in the lineup, so it will be interesting to see what they do today with it being a lefty pitching. I wouldn't doubt your theory at all.
If we stop this PVL crap and rebuild with the kids, in 2010 we could have a team of players all in their prime years or nearing them with plenty of experience.
Yep Nelly, Andre is doing too well. You know JoJo will have to mess with it.
The really sad thing nells, is that JoJo ALREADY thinks they're giving quality ABs.
JoJo's World:
Jones = model of consistency
Nomore = professional patience at the plate
Kant = Always has a plan
JP = knows how to hit in any situation
Sweeney = professional hitter
Real World = Friggin pathetic.
I would love to see the Dodgers fire Ned and move Lowe, Penny, Phew, Kant, and even Nomore before the deadline. I doubt we can get rid of Jones or Phew for that matter. If we eat half of Phew's contract, we may get a taker. Oh well, I'm dreaming again. LOL!!!!
LOL E!! Like Leek said earlier, they're living in 2001.
Yes jhall, a real oddessy.
sara – one of the best/wierdest pictures I got from where I was sitting. Andre had walked and was standing on first base, so while taking a picture of him, along the right field wall they were showing a picture of Russell's eyes. So, the picture has Andre standing off first base in half the picture and one of Russell's eyes on the other half. An accidental picture that turned out to be one of the coolest.
It'd be nice to be able to sit and talk about Andre's and Matt's dingers and not be so negative, but its such an overbearing cloud that looms overhead that there's not even much joy in their accomplishments. Hell, there's not the joy in a win that there should be because you know they're winning in spite of JoJo and Ned, not because of them.
And last night's game was lost in the first inning with Jones' first K.
LMAO!!! I know- just trying to make sense of it all, and it's NOT working.
Yep E, 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and the Cow strikes out.
Unacceptable. Those things tend to come back to haunt you. Especially in a close game. We had them on the ropes and let them off the hook.
Well, enchanted – even the media treated their homeruns as it was no big deal. They kids still can't produce runs, eventhough two were hit out by kids and if I am not mistaken Nomar wouldn't have even scored if Andre and Russell hadn't done the work they did in moving him over. So, who really is "not getting it"? And then when Andruw came up and blew the rest of the inning, it came back to be about batters (not Andruw specifically) who can't hit with RISP.
E, we need HAL to take over the Dodger ship. LOL!!!
haha dnelly.. cool picture. as much as the eyes thing is interesting.. it's also weird. it's weird to have your gigantic eyes on the boards everytime you come up to bat. =P
Sounds very cool Nelly. Good for you. Better share that one with the ITD gals.
i think this is the funniest thing:
To be fair, Jones looks like he's lost maybe 10 pounds or so, perhaps a few more.
So at this point, he's just terrible. Not terrible and fat.
that's from BK on the latimes blog. everyone keeps calling jones fatty or something like that.. and that was his response.. haha
Nelly, they hit home runs but their approach at the plate was not right. LOL!!! Of course one of the vets strikes our or hits a weak dribbler, but they approached it correctly. Geez, what a load!!!!!
AK and BK are a good read.
Nells – A lesson I learned about 16-17 years ago while after getting involved with a manic-depressive (unbeknownst to me at the time) and later being stalked – you can't make sense of the insane, and you can drive yourself crazy trying to apply reason to their chaos. JoJo is like that. His reasoning defies all logic and hence is impossible to figure out. Unfortunately, Ned and Frank rather than stepping back and seeing the sickness, have delved into Joe's world and have become lost themselves. Hell, their own neurosis have fed JoJo's and visa-versa. The L.A. media on the otherhand, are subject to hero worship and extreme laziness, and real journalism is something they only heard about in college.
sara – my friend thought it was down right creepy, but I think I have gotten used to the eye thing and they are not bad eyes to look at ethier (either). After the first couple of times, she thought that Blake's were the best. So, I think it's an acquired taste thing – after a while it's not so bad anymore.
Oh and BTW boys – at Petco they had the closest thing to a cheerleader for a baseball game. The had the Pod Squad – a bunch of girls in short shorts who went around giving out free tshirts and stuff. They had a similar thing at Angel's stadium too, but their name wasn't as catchy.
Nelly, did you get us pics of the Pod Squad by any chance? LOL!!!! C'mon, throw us ITD dudes a bone. LOL!!!!
Another great at-bat by DeJesus – 2 for 3 today so far.
Bring back Grady. I liked his simpleton approach. Not the BS that Torre spewes.
Guess who is hitting leadoff today. Mr non approach himself. After all that blather about whatever torre was blabbering about. Nomar is our clean up hitter today. lol
No – sorry LOL!! I didn't take too many pictures once the game started, and it was kind of unexpected. I believe they started showing up in the 4/5th inning.
Another thing they did before the game is in addition to the stats for the entire league, they also showed all the stats for the Padres team as well, which I thought would be a good thing Dodger Stadium to do. However, it would show how great our young players really are doing, and maybe that is something the organization wants hidden from the casual fan. That way the casual fan can go on believing Nomar and the rest of the PVLs are still the best.
Jones back in the 5 hole. Sweet. I am thinking 4 ks today.
I see they put Loney in his normal spot behind Jones and Nomar. Wow!! James must be thrilled about that. Nomar at lead-off. He hits one ball that doesn't leave the infield and that credits him to the clean up spot the next day – NICE!
I am glad to see Andy in playing though. That is a good thing, along with the top three batters. I am glad they didn't mess with Ethier with the lefty pitching.
gnats game started – bottom of the 1st
Where you all getting the line up?
Today's lineup (from DodgerThoughts):
Kemp, RF
Ethier, LF
Martin, C
Garciaparra, SS
Jones, CF
Loney, 1B
LaRoche, 3B
Maza, 2B
Billingsley, P
Makes about as much sense as last night's. Gains points for replacing Nomar at leadoff with Kemp. Loses points for having Maza anywhere near a major league field. Basically, I'm looking forward to the Curacao Cow (sorry, don't know how to create the copyrights symbol) destroy rallies again.
I, for one, have never seen as precipitous a decline as the one we are witnessing in Jones. Granted, the man's numbers had declined the past couple of seasons but noone could have predicted this. The players mentioned earlier, Rob Deer (a poor man's Dave Kingman) and Dave Nicholson, were never at the talent or achievement level as Jones. Mcgwire's performance problems were injury-related, as I recall. Clearly, the man is a total mess, athletically, and, I'm sure, emotionally. He's of no help to us from an offensive standpoint. Even if we offered to pay all of his salary, no GM with any brains would take him in a trade. Given these circumstances, management needs to give him a reality check : you will accept a demotion to the minors in order to see if you can get your stroke back or we pay you off and release you. Caveat: this is what SHOULD happen. But, eventually, as Andruw's failures and the boos increase, even the clueless JoJo & the Nedster will not be able to ignore the problem forever. I could almost feel sorry for the guy if he didn't have such an obscenely large paycheck and actually looked like he gave a damn. I mean, throw a batting helmet, break a bat, destroy a Gatorade cooler, anything. IMO, he's always been able to rely on his immense talent all during his career and has never had to deal with long-term adversity. Facing it now, he doesn't have the skills to deal with it.


text:
Anyone looking to do some weight pull training this week - please let me know!
I was looking at maybe this evening (Wednesday), Thursday morning/afternoon and/or anytime Friday. I'm off all week, so my schedule is pretty flexible. There's not too many classes running this week either.
Please feel free to let anyone else know that may be interested - hopefully we can find a time that works for a few people! Please contact me with the times that work best for you!
Agility Training Director DOTCORNY

subset: commoncrawl


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abrydon needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 56 designs submitted by 22 freelance designers.
Mobcentive (Mob + Incentive = Mobcentive)
Mobcentive (Mob + Incentive = Mobcentive) is a crowd-sourcing and social action platform where large crowds of people come together to make things happen. Specifically, these crowds offer $$$ that are contingent on an event happening (for example, I'll kick in $20 if Radiohead cuts a new album – total pot is up to $56,000). Ideally, the logo will contain elements of these themes.
The company is focused on all sorts of events – music, entertainment, political, etc, so the logo should not pigeonhole the company and should be broad and flexible.
Primary audience = web-savvy consumers, age 15-39 who frequently use social media and social networking sites
Specific requirements include the ability to show render in color and in black and white and on different color backgrounds. Generally prefer horizontal logos. It would be good if the logo included an element or icon that could stand alone as an icon.
UPDATE: In general, we've had a strong positive reaction to designs that depict the 'c' in Mobcentive as cents, and a negative reaction to designs that incorporate a $ sign
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
sourcednow needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 46 designs submitted by 18 freelance designers.
With the winning entry from our logo contest, we now need a website developed from it. Thanks again to all the entries from that contest. The level of talent on this website is simply amazing.
Sourced Now
Our website is targetted at store owners, distributors, and companies developing new products and brands. We provide sourcing services to companies wishing to find existing products to brand, or developing new products from prototypes or even general concepts. Regardless of where they are in their project, we provide services to get them to the next step.
We're looking for a fluid width design for 3 pages: The homepage/welcome page, an About Us page, and a "dashboard" page. ONLY A PSD is required. We will have all the coding done in-house.
All pages:
Need a title-bar with our logo, a login box, and a horizontal menu that shows dropdown boxes for additional links in each section. The menu links should be: Home, Who We Are, What We Do, Blog, Contact Us. The dropdown links will be off What We Are and What We Do, but just use dummy text. The links should also have rollover effects (simple color changing, gradient change, button that lights up, anything - use your imagination)
This page should NOT have a sidebar. Under the title-bar we want 3 large buttons taking the majority of the page (on 800x600): Development, Production, and Shipment. These outline the steps of our sourcing projects. Each should include a short blurb about the step and a list of services on each one. Again, use dummy text.
Below these buttons there will be boxes with our current blog titles, recent news, and promotions we may be running at the time. This area will change, but give us an idea of how you think it should look.
About Us:
This is where the Who We Are button will link to, and serve as the template for the majority of the public pages on our site. It will include our company's goals and a brief history of the company. It should also include a left sidebar with a multi-level menu, a rotating banner of services we provide (you do not need to design these, but we wouldn't say no if you did), a dropdown for the user to select their country, and a list of logos of associations we are members of.
This is the functional component of our website. It is the first page a user will see when they login. It will need two boxes:
1) A project box - This lists all the current sourcing projects for this user. Each one should have an icon to show it's current state, the title of the project, and a progress bar to show how far the project has come. You do not need to design the icons, but if you have ideas, feel free to include them. The progress bar DOES need to be included.
2) A messages box - the user will receive different messages about their projects. Some will be automated ("Project A has shipped - ETA 14 days"), some will be messages from our staff, and some will be messages from the user to our staff (Project Managers). Each should have a unique style that is easily recognizable.
The style we're looking for is clean and simple, with light colors. We do NOT want dark backgrounds. It should convey the ease that is working with our company. Ensure there's enough whitespace to make the site feel simple, but still presenting the information they are looking for.
The colors from the logo can be changed, but try to keep the same type of feel. The shiny version of the logo was what was picked, but if you have a design that works better with the matte, try it.
Logo: http://www.sourcednow.com/sourcednow.eps http://www.sourcednow.com/sourcednow.png http://www.sourcednow.com/sourcednow.psd
NOTE: Do NOT take our current site as inspiration. We're looking for a new (better) look and are not tied to that image.
- Bright and clean design - light colors
- 3 pages
- PSD file
- Dark Colors


text:
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Senate committee is expected to take up a bill this week that would expand DNA testing in Michigan.
The bill would require people arrested for committing or attempting to commit a felony to provide a DNA sample. It was introduced by Lawton Republican Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker last week and sent to the Judiciary Committee.
Schuitmaker's office says the bill would make DNA collection the same as fingerprint collection. If the charges are dropped or the person is found not guilty, the sample would be destroyed.
Currently, DNA samples are taken at the time of arrest only when people are arrested for violent felonies, such as murder.
Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill in 2011 requiring all prisoners to submit a DNA test within three months of entering prison.


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In a matter of weeks, pregnancy can turn you from active and nimble to achy and grumpy. Our modern, Western medical system often treats everyday symptoms with painkillers or antacids. Many pregnant women choosing to live a more natural lifestyle turn to herbal supplements as alternative remedies — but are they really safe, especially during pregnancy? The answer depends on the herbs you choose. Following are 7 herbal remedies that are safe to take during pregnancy — and since every woman, pregnancy and baby to be is different, we recommend checking with your care provider, physician or midwife before taking any herbal remedy or supplement.
According to a 2002 report from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, up to 61% of pregnant women take herbs, vitamins, and minerals to ease symptoms, but only 8% got their advice from a doctor or pharmacist. "While some supplements and herbal ingredients have undergone extensive testing, the safety and effectiveness of many have not been shown," says the March of Dimes website. The organization's official stance on herbal products during pregnancy is one of zero tolerance. Alternatively, countless pregnancy magazines and eco-baby books widely recommend certain well-known herbs to treat generalized symptoms of discomfort during pregnancy.
Bottom line: many herbs are no more or less safe than over-the-counter options available in most pharmacies. That being said, every pregnancy is different, and you should never hesitate to discuss herbal supplements with your doctor. If they lack the knowledge you are looking for, ask them to suggest someone else to talk to or seek out a professionally-trained herbalist.
The following herbs have been recommended for pregnancy for centuries and are widely believed to be "safe." Try them at your own discretion, and if you experience any awkward symptoms, cease use immediately and call your doctor.
1) Ginger
It may be hard to imagine consuming anything when you are hugging the toilet bowl, but ginger may be all you need. A vital ingredient in Asian cooking, ginger's nausea-quelling benefits are known far and wide. With numerous forms available, choosing one that doesn't turn your stomach should be easy.
The most direct way for consuming ginger is to simply chew on an organic, freshly-peeled piece of ginger root. Ginger tea is available in both tea bags or can be made at home with hot water and fresh ginger root. Ginger candies are great for traveling or being anywhere outside of your bathroom. Last but not least, powdered ginger supplement pills offer similar benefits.
Bonus: Ginger is also used to treat colds, congestion, and sore throats.
2) Peppermint
A popular partner to ever-desirable chocolate, peppermint's refreshing bite has numerous perks during pregnancy. Like ginger, peppermint offers a myriad of benefits that can make every day more comfortable. Sometimes used to treat nausea as a stomach soother, peppermint is best for relieving gas and abdominal pressure. Great at "cooling" and cleansing the entire body, peppermint can also reduce heartburn symptoms.
The easiest way to consume peppermint is via a store-bought tea. Chewing on fresh peppermint leaves has not shown to offer the same benefits, other than fresh breath.
3) Magnesium
Technically a mineral, magnesium is a vital part of any diet, especially during pregnancy. Working in-tandem with calcium, magnesium helps build teeth, bones, cartilage, and the ear canal. Low magnesium is tied to premature labor and neurological disorders.
Easy to obtain via a healthy diet (leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, milk), additional magnesium supplements can help relieve many symptoms: leg cramps, heartburn, elevated cholesterol, and insomnia. As with many vitamins and minerals, too much magnesium can be toxic – be sure to discuss your body's magnesium needs with your doctor before starting any additional supplements.
4) Psyllium
Seeds from the plantago plant genus are a fiber powerhouse. Its soluble fiber adds bulk in the intestinal track, making bowel movements easier (no more constipation). Easier movements mean less pushing, reducing or preventing the occurrence of hemorrhoids.
Psyllium pills are rare, but it is easily found in Metamucil powder and many all-natural breakfast cereals (my favorite: Nature's Path Optimum Strawberry & Yogurt). Be sure to consume psyllium with a good amount of water as its density can cause choking.
5) Nettle Leaf
Also known as stinging nettle, nettle leaf is a multivitamin straight from nature. Vitamin K, C, D, A, calcium, iron, and potassium are just a few of the beneficial vitamins and minerals this herbal contains. Its list of benefits are just as impressive: relieves low-iron related fatigue, exhaustion, digestive discomfort, increases milk production, lessens hemorrhoids, and reduces labor pains.
Nettle leaf is best consumed in boxed team form, though the dried leaves (not the root!) can be boiled at home to create your own.
6) Chamomile
Often used as a throat-soother, chamomile is another pregnancy helper. Its calming properties can help diminish general stress, treat insomnia, and relieve constipation. The use of chamomile by pregnant women is a bit controversial – some swear by it while others deem it as a no-go due to the possible (though unstudied) risk of miscarriage. If you choose to consume it, limit yourself to 1-2 cups of chamomile tea a day.
7) Red Raspberry Leaf
Along with nettle leaf, you'll often find red raspberry leaf in many "pregnancy" teas. Due to its high vitamin and mineral content (vitamins C, E, A, B, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium), red raspberry leaf has an extensive list of benefits too: helps tone the uterus, reduces hemorrhaging, increases milk production, and eases labor pains.
Red raspberry leaf tea is easy to find – my favorites are by Traditional Medicinals and Earth Mama Angel Baby. Avoid red raspberry leaf during the first trimester due to its uterus-stimulating properties.
[Photo Credits: lavandarfields ("herbs'), FotoosVanRobin (ginger), wonderferret (peppermint), MDL.hu (magnesium), Divina Pe (psyllium), arpent nourricier (nettle leaf), matsuyuki (chamomile), Ricketts Glen State Park (red raspberry leaf)]