text:
A big announcement
Be sure to check out Jaime Jarrin's web chat at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET, as he'll be making a big announcment at the start of the chat.
Also, I was approached by Steve Dittmore, a professor in sport management at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, and Clay Stoldt, a professor in sport management at Wichita State University, who are conducting an academic study of sport organizational blogs, such as this one, and their effectiveness as a communications vehicle. Dr. Dittmore contacted me to see if we would agree to link to his secure survey on our website. This study is not affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but if you are interested in participating in the study, which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, please click this secure link and you will be directed to it.
Also, to answer some of yestserday's questions, we still have not received even a tentative schedule for MLB for 2008. We usually get it around this time, so as soon as we do and I'm allowed to make it public, I will. As for the Women's clinic in Vero Beach, usually it's around St. Patrick's Day (middle of March) but it has not yet been set for next season.
Here's tonight's lineup in Philly:
Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Ethier, RF (second career start batting third)
Kent, 2B
Gonzo, LF
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
Hillenbrand, 3B
Tomko, P
468 Comments
i knew i will see gonzo here…
it's shows you how much love grady has for gonzo…
Thanks Josh for answering my question about the 2008 schedule. I hope we play in Yankee Stadium 🙂
Little cares more about keeping washed up veterans happy than winning games!
Little is pathetic joke!
about the ARod thing in Anaheim, I thought the deal was that the Angels wouldn't give out ao huge paycheck to ARod out of respect to Vlad (because Vlad wouldn't be getting paid as much).
That line-up would look so much more imposing with Kemp in the 5 hole. Good luck to Ethier, I'm glad he is finally getting a shot to hit where he should be (3,4, or 5)
not only is gonzo playing over Kemp, he's batting ahead of Martin and Loney. Why not bring Lowe back today on regular rest?
I think Grady should have switched Loney and Gonzo. Other then that the lineup is ok by me.
don't be so sure about that…
i might be wrong, ofcourse…
but i think putting gonzo in the lineup today is the right thing to do…
i have the feeling that he will be a big part of a 6-10 run game…
i do hope my prediction is right…
Perhaps they want to give Lowe extra rest for his hip that is not yet 100 Percent!
Gonzo should sit on the bench and if he complains, then release him! He is beyond useless:
1) No Power
2) No Speed
3) Not hitting for average since June.
4) No Skills
5) No Use for Gonzo!
Gonzo needs to be Gonzo!
Today's Oldtimer: Al Oliver
I have an unpopular theory that Bill Buckner's (my personal all-time favorite player) gaff in the '86 Series has a silver lining around it. Perhaps no other player better demonstrates the validity of this theory than Al Oliver. The younger fans among you are likely wondering, "Who the heck is Al Oliver?" And that's my point.
According to baseball-reference.com, the player second most comparable to Al Oliver is Bill Buckner; likewise the player second most comparable to Bill Buckner is Al Oliver. Both came to the big leagues in the late '60s. Their career statistics are remarkably similar.
Oliver — 2,368 Games, 9,049 AB, 2,743 Hits, 529 Doubles, 219 HR, 1,326 RBI
Buckner — 2,517 Games, 9,397 AB, 2,715 Hits, 498 Doubles, 174 HR, 1,208 RBI
Each played more than 1,300 games in the outfield and more than 640 at first base.
Each owns one World Series ring — Oliver with the '71 Pirates, Buckner with the '74 Dodgers.
They played for opposing teams in the 1974 NLCS.
It's true that Buckner is remembered first for "Game 6", but that mention is generally followed up with a comment to the effect that Buckner was a player of near-Hall of Fame caliber. And that is the silver lining.
Al Oliver? Just some guy who received MVP votes in ten different seasons.
seriously van playing gonzo over Kemp. Don't you think Kemp would be a big part of our offense.
mpdclarke don't insult Grady that way. He is our manager and if you were a true dodger fan you would stand behind him not call him a joke!!!
diehard, 250 to left? Are you talking about Santa Ana?
you forgot no arm for gonzo.
yep Santa Ana we lost the first round to them. That field was BS.
Hey jspelk2, I don't know about that. It's just frustrating reading all this around the baseball sites and blogs. If A-ROD does opt out, you can bet Yanks won't bring him back since Texas pays alot of that contract, yanks only pay about 13 million a year. So if he opts out, Texas will be of the hook. I guess the price is close to 30 million a year. I think he is the only player that is worth that. Look how much money we have given to bad players over the years. Why not just pay all that money to a guy that you know will continue to do what he does. Frank McCourt will make it up with all the new merchandise and I think Jamie McCourt will see her wish come true, which is 4 million fans come to the stadium. With A-rod and all the young guys that we have, I think it will be a great time. But of course, I don't think this will happen. I really believe he is heading to the Angels. Did anyone notice Scott Boras at the game last night? He is behind the batter standing up in the dugout on his cell phone. When A-rod bats, he watches him closely as if he is the hitting coach. What a bum….
diehard aside from Gonzo can we agree that the lineup looks pretty good today?
i know that…
but i just have this feeling that gonzo will have a great game…
I love how grittle finally decides to change the lineup at the end of August. That's a proactive manager for you. /sarcasm
We got knocked out in the semi's that year at Santa Ana. Cerritos beat us 16-15 with a walk-off 2-run jack in the bottom of the ninth. I think their were 8 HRs combined in that game.
I wonder what's Jaime's big news about ?
why bat him fifth in front of Martin and Loney. Our five hitter has to produce.
I hate how some of you people just insult Grady with out legit reasons! I have been doing this blog for a couple of months and I have heard legit gripes from only Charris, Omar, and Scott. If you are gonna hate on Grady you better have a better reason then him batting Gonzo fifth for one game or else I won't stand for it.
im not basing this on numbers…
i told u im just going with the flow and i think it will be fine…
we will find out if im correct with this prediction after the game…
I think Boras goes to alot of Dodger/Angel games just because. If ARod goes to Anaheim it will be another blow the Dodgers franchise like Vlad was. But I am still of the mind that he won't leave NY.
I wish we had a dependable 7th inning guy. Instead, we've got Bomko-lite–I mean, Proctor, giving up leads while Jon Meloan mows down AAA hitters.
If by some miracle we reached the playoffs, you do realize that the first game one of Ethier/Kemp would be sitting right? As long as this season goes on Gonzo will pretty much play everday, even if we think its hurting the team's chances.
nice one swood…
if grady is reading this blogs…
i wont be surprise if u'll receive a gift sometime after the season from grady…
ur so affected by this…
Don't worry Meloan will be coming September 1
what do you mean im so affected by this van? I just feel like some of these people blindly insult Grady and I don't like it.
Thanks for answering my question about Vero Beach. A few of us that made it to the WIN event will be going to Vero. For me it will be my second trip. Need to say goodbye to the other "Heaven on Earth" (Dodger Stadium being the first). Hope the new location in Az will be as fan friendly.
One more question, Is Vin Scully in Vero about the same time (ST Patrick's day)? The time that I went, I happen to see him there when the Dodgers were playing the Red Sox.
Go Dodgers! Hope Tomko has a good game. In his last starts,only one inning has done him in.
ur so affected…
ur attacking almost everyone in this blog who said grady is a bad manager…
im not saying it's bad…
actually ur giving me a great laugh when i see ur comments about grady coz ur like his son!
Hey swood, you're not Grady's wife, are you?
Why isn't a guy who's hitting .323 with 8hr in 63 games and hits in his last 5 starts playing?
Answer me that Grady lovers!
How do you bench Kemp? He is superior to Gonzo in every phase of the game.
Utter and complete BS.
Grady clearly promised Gonzo, along with Ethier and Kemp, that they would get X amount of playing time no matter what. It is clear that honoring that promise is more important to Grady than winning games. Its just not fair to the fans.
Look guys…the main thing I think we have to worry about tonight is Tomko..pitching in that ballpark…do we trust him?…I would like to, but seeing is believing…All of these games are SOOO important now…hope Bomko doesn't screw us up…
I'm definitely no Grady fan, but I'm thinking this fact has something to do with why Gonzo is playing today:
Gonzalez is .462 (18-for-39) with four homers, five doubles and six RBIs in his career at Citizens Bank Park.
I'm not saying the season is over but let's talk about 2008 Luis Gonzalez is gone! Will Kent be back ? Is Abreu ready to take his spot. What about Nomar? I think he should come in next year he is a utility player and let LaRoche play… The pitching…. I have no idea. We are in trouble.
Gonzo 5th? Is Little really that stupid? I have defended him for awhile, but that's ridiculous. He has been AWFUL.
those people who are going to the chat i suggest u go and enter ur questions now…
the earlier u ask questions the higher the chance it will be answered…
In all fairness to Grady, he knows that Gonzo would probably not take too well to being "benched" so to speak. He certainly wasn't happy about it last year in AZ. But in being a players manager kind of guy, he puts the team at a disadvatage.
I think it should be…
Furcal- Switch Hitter
Martin- Righty who can hit behind runners.
Loney- Lefty that is a good contact hitter
Kemp- Righty that is a stud in the making
Either- Lefty probably the most complete youngster as of right now.
Kent- Righty who maybe still has a little left in the tank.
Those career numbers don't mean squat because Gonzo is not the same player these days.
I don't give a rat's *** if Gonzo doesn't like sitting. This isn't the Los Angeles Gonzos for crying out loud.
Chariss and die hard, from what I can remember, Golden West had a pretty sweet yard.
well yeah I mean I don't care if Gonzo doesn't like it but Grady probably prioritizes veteran's feelings more than he should.
I agree 100% with your assumptions about Grady. If I'm Kemp, I'm wondering what in freaking heck I have to do to play every day, no?
if i'm kemp i wouldn't mind that thing…
coz he is in this team to help…
TEAM! u need to trust your mates…
and the fact that trying to think of those things will make u lose ur concentration…
Oh, By the way.
Lefty, righty, lefty batting orders are pure BS.
Let me see, Ethier is available, but I just have to have a righty in there. Ah Ha! I can put Saenz in and solve my right handed bat problem to boot! YEAH!
No ****, van.
Exactly why Grady shouldn't be messing with the minds of the truly talented players on this team by sitting them in favor of washed up vets who have naked pictures of Mrs. Little (AKA Swood).
And just think first place Arizona could be going thru this whole should we or shouldn't we start Gonzo over our kids thing if they would have been luck enough to sign him for 8 million dollars.
Let's see what Gonzo can do tonight. Last time you guys complained about him batting 5th, he had a monster RBI double if I remember right. He's had some time off recently, let's see if he can regain his stroke from earlier this season.
Something I think is funny around here. Gonzo, who was quite good for a good portion of the 1st half, goes through a hard time and many on this blog call for him to never play again. However, whenever one of the young players struggles, the argument is that they should be out there every day to work through it. Why can't a veteran work through a slump? Is this impossible?
again this team is hard to figure out…
u don't know who is going to deliver big…
last game who would think martinez will be the hero? no one!!!
right now we can only hope that gonzo is the hero of the night…
Well make up your mind Scott. Do you want the young guys to play or not. I've got all of them in there. And your right, lefty righty match-ups don't mean anything…until late in the ball game. Then the managers have to pick pitchers according to the next hitter.
Alternating righty, lefty, righty is more than a late inning strategy, it can prevent a pitcher from finding a groove or comfort zone from 1 hitter to the next.
On a team with very little power to sit the only real power threat in Kemp is ridiculous. That's one of the many reasons that Grady stinks as a manager. There are plenty of others only I don't feel like typing all day to list them. Go ask the Red Sox what they think of Grady.
The big announcement was that Dodgers are moving their spanish radio station to 930 am starting next year. They got a 3 year contract. What about the english station, what's going to happen ?
apparently, yes. We have given him the last 128 ABs puppyhead, were down 6 1/2 games. How much time do u want to give him to pull out of it?
In the meantime while he is doing this:
128abs .230avg/288obp/.580ops
Two replacements are doing this:
106ab .285avg/330Obp/855ops
91 abs .330avg/.400obp/.927
while providing better baserunning and much better defense.
california, Golden West was alright, they were our rivals though so I liked our park a lot more.
It's Little's decision to make: "to live or die by Gonzo". And so it should be – I think the results by the end of the season and whether we make the playoffs will determine whether Colletti and Little stay and are praised or whether they're both fired.
sorry cameron.
I did like your lineup and I wasn't really directing any criticism toward you. Grady's got me upset today as usual.
If Gonzo does well, then good for the Dodgers, but after his 2B the other night, he couldn't score from second on Martin's single and was lucky that didn't cost them.
The main thing to worry about tonight is Bomko….in that park with their hitters, pray that he doesn't continue to give up hits…that's the main worry.
In answer to
Why can't a veteran work through a slump? Is this impossible?
Way to hype up that lackluster "big announcement."
Some of us, even knowing better that Jaime wouldn't be delivering earth shattering information still get our hopes up when something like this is said.
If you decieded to keep the young players (and rightly so) Then PLAY THEM!
What was the lackluster big announcement?
i really don't have questions… so i ask him about Manny Pacquiao… LOL
Gonzo over Kemp again?! Unbelievable!
yeah mikey…
but right now u can see it so it is believable… LOL
I answered it already scurtis. Go up and read it.
Changing Spanish radio stations.
None taken Scott. I'm as pissed as you guys are because my cousin is Jonathan Broxton and I'm a huge Dodger fan. The young guys should be playing everyday because of the simple fact that they are better. They've got guys like DY and LaRoach sitting in the minors tearing the cover off the ball and they have Nomar and Kent (even though he's doing a little better over the last couple of days) doing nothing in LA. They let Tomko and Hendy lose 2 out of every 5 days when we've got you pitchers like Hull and Stults that could at least do that good not even really get a chance. The old guys are dead but they play over the youth because of how much they get paid. I've got news for them though. They better let the young guys play so the seats will fill up and they can pay those overpriced grandpa's.
It doesn't matter who's starting, all i know is that the Dodgers have to take 2 out of 3 from both the Phils and the Mets. Back to back sweeps would be awesome, but i think just asking to much.
Great stats as usual jungar.
If the Dodgers were cruising into the playoffs with no worries, I could see the point in rotating guys and keeping everyone fresh and happy. But the Dodgers are fighting for their lives!
Or are they?
oh cool thanks dude. must have missed that.
Hi Cameron, I met your cousin last Saturday. Really nice guy.
hey you guys we have here the cousin of our future superstar closer…
can u tell ur cousin im proud of him… he is the best…! woot! woot!
Yeah he is a good guy. Laid back, quiet and just goes about his business. Yeah man I'll tell him.
Hey, is there anybody out there related to Juan Pierre?
We have a few messages that need to get relayed to JP…
Well, if Broxton's cousin is here, it's not too far fetched to think that swood is Mrs. Grady Little…
Im Steve Garvey's son.
Right Kiper,
You tell JP that he's right and that OBP is for those crazy baseball know it alls!
Here's to someone who knows how to make an out!
scurtis, we're brothers…
im ned colleti's pet… LOL
I'm Olmedo Saenz' personal chef. I'm overworked.
that was funny man… LOL
I'm Grady Little's son, anybody have any messages for my dad?
P.S. Only positive words will be accepted!!
I agree…that made me laugh..
You guys seem to be a little harsh on the man making out the lineup for the Dodgers. Last I checked he still has the highest winning percentage of all 30 active managers that have managed at least 3 years. The players obviously enjoy playing for him.
Let's hope that Bomko lasts 6 innings and we don't see Hernandez tonight…
kiper ask your dad why Loney didn't bunt on Saturday night?
ericlittle, thanks for those nice words about my dad
i'am jungar's son…LOL
say what?! LOL
I'm Brett Tomko's second cousin's uncle twice removed on his mother's side and I say he makes great charcoal drawings and that's good enough for me.
kiper…please don't steal my identity.
Nice Kiper. Im sure we haven't met our other brothers and sisters
So eric,
Why does you dad/uncle/brother playing Gonzo so much when it is clear that he can't hold Matt Kemp's jock?
Now if in some roundabout way-now I am not talking about something pre-determined or something even after the fact , no that's not the kind of person I am but, hypothetically speaking however if you were to ask me if my father was Jim Tracy well then, I would have to say, man to man that the answer is yes.
if u are saenz's personal chef…
im actually Julio Lugo's personal chef… im not overworked at all…
How far will Ryan Howard's Homers be tonight off Bombko?
scurtis i'm calling upper deck. Tomko is going to get roughed up tonight and I'm expecting an L unfortionately =(
I think we are going to hit Kendrick around too. I expect the over to hit tonight!
Anything can happen in baseball, especially in any one game!
However, he look at Gonzo's numbers since June 25, he is without question the WORST PLAYER IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL…
Since Gonzo is old, slow, and terrible in LF, there is no longer any reason to play him. When you are 40 years old, the party is over, we are not talking about a 25 year old going through growing pains, Gonzo is Toast!
swood i thought ur grady's son?
it is not the right thing to say… ur dad will get mad at you… LOL
Players that enjoy playing for Grady:
Players that aren't sure yet:
Grady's lineups are a joke and not in a funny way….
They are quite sad!
As a fan I would prefer the best lineup on the field not the biggest contracts or vets, just because they are vets!
As a fan, I want to win!
scurtis..did u see this in the LA times. Or did your nightmares not need prompting? LOL
Fortunately for the Phillies and their cleanup batter, the Dodgers will start right-hander Brett Tomko in tonight's series opener. Howard has four hits in five at-bats against Tomko, and what makes their previous battles interesting is how quickly they were over. Through Sunday's games, Howard ranked second in the majors in the percentage of at-bats that reached two strikes. A ******** 60% of his at-bats have passed through a two-strike count. The league average is 47%. But in five plate appearances against Tomko, Howard has rarely seen a second pitch, let alone a second strike.
Aug. 23, 2005 0-0 Fastball Double
Aug. 23, 2005 0-0 Slider Taken strike 0-1 Curve HR
April 7, 2006 0-0 Fastball Single
April 7, 2006 0-0 Changeup Taken Strike 0-1 Fastball Single
April 7, 2006 0-0 Fastball Flyout
If Grady was my dad I would tell him to get Tomko the **** out of our rotation!!!!!!
Did you guys all move from Boston to LA after the 2003 playoffs of what? Let's be a Little optimistic. The dodgers can obviously do this with a great trip and the first three next week against the Nationals while the Dbacks and Pads are playing four against each other.
Do you think that if the Dodgers changed managers, the new manager would come in and sit JP and his $9 mil a year contract? NO!!! As long as Colletti is the GM, Pierre will play everyday.
tonight is a huge game. all joking aside.
Wow Jungar. I did not see that. HA!
Lets just say I bet he will see a lot of cutters, sliders and splitters tonight and no first pitch 2 or 4 seamers.
so now u admit he is kinda stupid by putting wash ups?
Gonzo's slugging percentage, not batting average is .290 since the end of June…
Take a look at Gonzo's stats since late June and you guys can get back to me if you think he should be starting, and if you do, should he bat higher than 7th or 8th?
Kiper you are right on the mondey there.
no utley
no vicotorino
but they have J. Werth.
Stop complaining about Grady he managed 17 years in the minors 2 years in Boston and 1 year with us and he still has never had a losing season. I think he knows how to manage a little better then most of you!!!!!!!
Gonzo has to play otherwise he gripes. That's what happened last year in Zona, and that plus he's older is the reason they didn't resign him. If only Grady didn't give in to this kind of BS and put the team and winning first.
it's another laugh for me swood…
i can't help but think that u are really related to grady…
Swood…Thanks for the backup. Are you really my brother?
swood, 17 years in the minors should tell you something. And why was he let go in Boston? Not because of his great managing skills.
Im sorry Van if I get a little carried away but I feel so frustrated with these people not giving Grady a decent chance.
I guess it would be Groundhog Day to say that we need to find a way to get Kemp in the line-up every day, and Ethier in the lineup nearly every day.
I am worried about Gonzo, because he has fallen off precipitously since the break, but can't really otherwise argue with the line-up. Alot of people have suggested moving Kent down in the order–but the thing is, when he's on, he can flat-out hit. And he seems to be getting back on. He lives for Pennant races, and he has the second highest OPS on the team (number 1–Matt Kemp).
We should have a good chance toinght. Tomko is a wild card, but has done alright. I think part of letting Penny go Sunday was to let Tomko start on the road. Let's get some first inning runs and let his settle in–plus, he gets prety badly booed at Dodger Stadium these days (more than he even deserves), even when it's just a small shortcoming.
Diehard asked why not have Lowe go on regular rest–I thought about that too, but with his hip, they probably don't mind the extra day.\
Actually, at first I thought that we would just end up flipping Lowe and Tomko, and there would be no benefit. But, we could have Lowe go today, and skip Tomko's spot instead of Stults, pitch Stults tomorrow, and then Lowe could come back against the Mets–but then Tomko would have to go in the weekend against the Mets, and Stults still has good feelings pitching in New York against them. And if we just flipped, we have Tomko at home against the Nationals. While they are a lesser team, I think it's probably wise to keep Tomko from pitching at home too much. So I am back to where I think it makes sense.
In the end, I bet the big part of the decision was just Lowe's hip.
Thats my take Kiper. That's why I hardly ever harp on Grady. Nothing will get you fired quicker than not playing the players the GM signed. Even if you were right and played those other players and win, you still might get fired.
Kiper I thought you were on my side… and ericlittle I can't tell if you're joking or not.
Good post above by charris at 02:00 above on R,L in batting order.
I have read all the above posts on the line-up and not one has even mentioned Kendrick's splits. Don't you think that's the first and easiest thing to look at? 7 HRs in 32.1 innings to LHs,2HRs in 43 innings to RHs. 14 walks 13 Ks to LH, 4 walks 14 Ks to RH.WHIP 179 vs 88,SLG 551 vs 316,OBP 382 vs 267, BA 324 vs 224. I say get as many LH hitters as possible in there and since I think alternating is worthwhile then it's Gonzo and Loney for 5 and 7. Now tell me why Grady is a ***** because he should have Loney 5 and Gonzo 7. There,s a lot of junk posted on this site every day but today is the worst I remember;is it soo early in LA that the grown-ups aren't around yet?
hey i like grady…
but i wanted to see more of him…
Nice post Mike. There's an explanation for Grady's lineup.
Look, i'm not harping on Grady Little, i think the team has to accept their share of the blame for what's happened this season. Ned Colletti is also a big part of the problem, but Grady Little has made some decisions this season that make you wonder if he's watching the same game. I believe he is a good manager, but he has to give the team a chance by fielding his best team every day and i don't think he does that. Gonzo is a class guy as good as they come, but he is a liability on both sides of the ball. Kemp is young, strong, fast good arm, he gives us a better chance…Grady is a winner, as you said he's never had a losing season, but he just doesn't always make the right calls…
Maybe there's a reason Grady was stuck down in the Minor's for 17 years.
firstname.lastname@example.com No mike it's not because of where Gozos batting , it's that he's batting at all, in place of an up and coming young power hitter (Kemp) Gonzo's career is almost over and Kemp is just beginning.
yeah solid post Mike….VAN nominates you to be the GM now.
Leekfink: Lowe said he felt 100% after the game last Thursday. It is nuts not to pitch Lowe tonight and Stults tomorrow(Philly 20-22 against LH;Mets 22-17)
"What's best for the team" isn't the same 8 guys out on the field every day. We'd all love it if Kemp started today; but chances are that he'll play the last 3 innings and get 1-2 abs still. Managers generally don't bench proven players indefinitely, simply because if you do that, they get 0 playing time and have no chance to break their slumps. What's best for the team would be if Gonzo, Kemp, and Ethier were all 3 tearing it up, so that we have more hot players on the roster. If Luis is ever going to get hot again, now is his chance; Grady is giving him that chance. Benching him indefinitely would waste any potentially good games he has left in him this season. If he continues to start and continues to fail, then he should be benched for certain. But he's not an everyday starter right now, anyway, and if these extra ABs help him be a more productive player down the stretch, then it's not a waste.
My last comment about this, but why would you designate for assigment Marlon Anderson and trade Wilson Betemit to keep Saenz and Martinez…SO many things Ned does I can't stand..Betemit is really contributing to the Yankees because they let him play…
Ned has never kept the right players…They let Werth go too when he hurt his hand…and Cody Ross…any of those are better than our bench.
Lefty right is great as long as you are not sitting good hitters in favor of just anyone who bats from the other side. (see Jim Tracy)
Are winning seasons what really matter in L.A.? I think Frank McCourt said something about championships, not "winning seasons."
Fliegel: their pitcher adds 100 points to LH hitter BA did you see the splits? And 235 to SLG
I could care less if Diamondback Gonzo got another AB the rest of his life. Play Kemp, and when he needs a rest, then play Young.
Agree with drpded (a first) about Werth and Ross and Betemit but (when will they ever learn?) Martinez was on DL when Anderson was DFA. We kept Abreu over Anderson which was smart at the time, very stupid in hindsight
Well said miketink. Oh, but anyone who defends a Grady decision doesn't care about stats. Just so you know. By defending his decision you henceforth shall be known as an "outdated good-old-boy."
*re: your lineup splits post.
Mike, I saw your stats and a lefty has a better chance according to them, but we're talking a 40 year old who's bat has slowed ,and who doesn't hit for power anymore, compared to a young power hitter. I guess that's what baseball is about second guessing the numbers and moves. Along with being great entertainment as well. That said I hope Gonzo has a great game and we can beat Philly.
Plus Edwin Jackson. I guess I am the only one who saw him beat the Unit as a 19 year old.
Gosh he is only 22 and has a better 2nd half era than any dodger starter we have. Penny included. We gave up on him for freaking middle relivers that aren't even on the team anymore. that one really gets me. It really does. Meanwhile all of us fans think Jackson wouldn't make it here because he need a change of scenery, thats just NED GM speak for I got robbed.
Jackson was ATROCIOUS in the first half. 8 or 9 solid games doesn't make him a sure bet now. Reserve judgment until it plays out, maybe?
I can't see how anybody can complain about this lineup, although their is no KEMP, it contains about 60 homers & about 339 RBI.I'd like to see SAITO get another night off and I'd like to see us get enough runs so we don't have to use BEIMAL nor BROXTON either. It's going to be tough as it usually is against the East. LET'S GO MEN OF THE BLUE & WHITE.
The main thing to worry about tonight is Tomko..If he doesn't keep us in the game we probably don't have a chance…In that park he could get killed..Let's hope not..You know he says he wanted to be traded to a team to be a starter..Well, now is his chance to prove he belongs..!!! lol
puppy: You defended me but come on. It was Baez and Carter for Jackson and Tiffany. We needed a closer and Baez had good #s but fire that scout. The good thing was Baez's "badness" led to Saito getting more work.
agreed drpdeblnd, I don't think Tomko will be very effective tonight, I just hope our offense can score enough runs to keep us in the ball game.
Hopefully Tomko drew up some charcoal images of hot and cold hitting zones of Phillies' hitters last night.
The Dodgers are 44-11 when scoring 1st, the best record in MLB.
Lets hope the brew crew can have another win tonight in the dessert because the only way we're gonna get back in the division race is if AZ goes on a losing streat in a hurry and we start winning.
puppy he is 22. We wont be able to judge him until he is 28 IMO. But thats sorta my point. He mad 19 starts for the dodgers and was awful in most of them. He obviously wasn't ready for MLB hitters yet, few are. Heck, Kershaw is in double A at the age jackson was called up….
But just as 9 starts are not enough to judge, either are 19. And particularily not for the garbage we got in return.
On a lighter note, I saw an article some days ago on Joba Chamberlain. The article quoted an unnamed scout who said something like -if his 4th pitch doesn't improve he'll be another Jon Broxton. Since I didn't tell that so well the article seemed to be saying Joba could be the greatest pitcher in history; it was high praise for Broxton.
Scott do you coach baseball also, or are you just a fan?
The Dodgers are 44-11 when scoring 1st, the best record in MLB.
wow. good stuff.
In his last four starts, Tomko has allowed 16 earned runs in 22 innings, an ERA of 6.55.
In that span, over the first two innings he has allowed 11 earned runs in 8 innings, an ERA of 12.38.
Over the next four innings — he has not reached the 7th in any of those games — he has allowed 5 earned runs 14 innings, an ERA of 3.21.
However, all 5 of those runs came in the 6th inning in his most recent start. He did not retire anyone in that inning . . .
If he can reach the 3rd inning without having been hammered, we have a chance.
thanks jungar, I guess its imperative to score 1st.
Although it doesn't look good with the #s you just threw out there
hey swood,
Just little league for now.
oh, and I coach Grady through telepathy…
I'm sure Grady knows quite a bit more than me, but there's something fishy with guys not playing that should. Anyone who has ever played knows what it's like to watch someone play over you who doesn't deserve it. Gonzo is that guy.
Hey you never know maybe Tomko will go out there and throw a gem… or maybe not…
totally charris I was thinking based on your post about our record, that we better have a huge first inning..lol…
Lloyd: Hit me with it! I've come a long way to Philly to see you, Brett. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Brett: Not good.
Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Brett: I'd say more like one out of a million.
Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance.
Tomko will indeed give up runs early, i look for the Phillies to have 2 to 3 runs by the third inning. The real question though is, can the Dodgers score runs tonite? I believe that on this particular road trip the Dodgers are gonna have to score 5 to 7 runs a game to have a shot at some wins. The Phillies and the Mets are in pennant races and are teams that can score. The Dodgers are in a situation where they have to score regardless of who's pitching for them.
Scott you're right, I was a sophmore and last year on my high school team I was used only as a pinch hitter and played behind someone that I was better then because the coach had promised the senior playing time. I knew it wasn't right but I had to respect the decision and only hope that when I was a senior I would receive the same loyalty. Even though I disagree with it I think this is what Grady is doing although I think slowly but surely he will give Kemp and Ethier more playing time.
Hey, even if Bomko gives up runs early, Kemp can get us back into it with one swing!
Uh, oops, my bad. Maybe Gonzo can score someone on a FC groundout to second to get one run back then.
Nice, Tomko isn't even as good as Sex Panther, I'd say "17% (2-10) of the time, he works everytime."
haha charris I love that movie. nice analogy. by the way charris did you ever play against diehard in college or did you ever hear about him when he was in college. Im just wondering because I read a couple articles about diehard and it sounds like he was really good.
Just an observation from "Down Under" before the game starts. I thought that you played your best 25 players available in your major league squad. If that is so are the Dodger Management team telling us that there is no better relief pitcher available in our minor league system than Hernadez? .. or Ramon Martinez is the very best option as the utility infielder? and given today's starter there is no one else in our entire system that is a better starter, right now, than Tomko? I except there are reasons but I'm not sure we're being given the real reasons.
I don't like the loyalty thing at all. What gives your HS team the best chance at winning? Isn't that what teams are supposed to do? You are being a better team player than your coach.
It's our job to complain on behalf of Kemp and Ethier, etc. since they need to keep quiet and act professional.
rodmky I agree with you about the starters thing I think we should call up Houlton to replace Tomko. I think we should also call up malonan or hull to replace hernandez but I guess the organization obviously thinks they're not ready or else they'd be in the bigs now.
I don't know who diehared is but I can only really remember guys that played in my conference: C.J. Wilson and Gerald Laird (both on the Rangers now) were the biggest standouts. I'm also good friends with Bobby Crosby, I met him while he was at Long Beach State (my catcher back then is his best friend).
Gonzo over Kemp? wow now i've seen everything. Whats next? Is he going to start batting Tomato clean up? wait he already did that.
what's diehard real name?
I will leave it to diehard to tell you his real name but I think if he did you might recognize it just because I think he lead his league in average hits and stolen bases.
Ask diehard its not my place to be giving that info. out.
diehard what's your name?
It is now "nitty gritty" time, as the expression goes. We need to win these two series to make any impact in the standings. Within that context we'll need to look to Tomko as much as anybody to give us two decent starts. If he can go five inning each time with no more than two or three runs given up, we have to count on scoring four or five to come away with a win. Letting Tomko go more than five usually asks for getting us too far behind to win. I hope that Grady remembers that and has the bullpen prepared.
Lets go Blue!!!
Interesting reactions from people seeing today's lineup for the first time.
More power to you swood for backing Little. Maybe you will get the last laugh when he leads thew Dodgers to the WS title…What choice do we have???
Omar Villasenor but I played in a weak conference. I played with a lot of guys that got drafted. No one's made it big. The stat I most proud of I was a lead off hitter with no pop. yet had 36 walks and six K's.
californiaauto did you play in the mexican league? Charris what type of pitcher were you and can show me a link with your stats( you can email it to me if you don't fell comftorable posting it to everyone)
Gonzo is such a joke to me anyways. For one he has this whole mr nice guy persona which for me is very annoying. Secondly, he has made some rather outlandish remarks about the young players on the team. He said in a LA Times article at the beginning of the year that most young kids only care about stats and not winning. He couldn't be more wrong. Lastly, I don't buy that bull **** story about how he widened his stance and he all of a sudden started hitting home runs! Have you seen pictures of his 2001 season? Im not a doctor or anything but any ***** could tell he was using Steroids. Gozno is a joke. Get rid of him NOW! Send him back to arizona for some dirt.
nice, the year we won state 1990, we had a record of 51-5, that's what I am most proud of. That was one sweet year.
Swood that's BS if your better than somebody I don't care if he's a senior or a freshman the better player should start.
nice thats a good ratio diehard, yeah their were a ton of guys that got drafted out of my conference but only the 2 I mentioned above cracked into the bigs.
no, i only played here in the states.
diehard did you read my post to scott about my high school team? What do you think I should've done about it?
wow 51-5!!!
swood is your manager grittle. keep working hard and produce when you get a chance make him not be able to take you out! Always hustle and get dirty!!!That worked for me I was a dirtbag!
See my problem was diehard I'm kinda big and i've been into weight lifting my whole life and this other kid he was short and a contact hitter… and i guess thats what the coach wanted out of a second baseman… although I think he started cuz he was senior and I was sophmore.
I grew up on the same street with Tim Worrell, but I only remember him throwing a rock through my window…
I struck out too much and i still can't hit a fastball over 90.
my fantasy team has Martin,Furcal, Ethier, and Loney I need a big day! See why I want grady to start the young guys!
O now i see your motivation diehard and why you don't like Grady. Ok gtg the game is starting.
Swood, the years I was playing, I was being looked at by a couple of teams, but during my time they were looking for power hitting catchers. And I was a gap to gap hitter, so I was basically at the wrong place at the wrong time, cause I had great feet work and a good arm.
swood you have a long swing. You say your strong you don't need a big swing. I hate to say it but Bonds has the ideal swing short and compact but still hits the ball hard.
Sounds like you took the high road and that was the right thing to do, but you don't have to like it.
Ok, GO DODGERS!
swood, I played so long ago that my stats aren't even archived on my school's team page. I can tell you that I was a LH reliever with a heavy sinker, off the table changeup and a decent 12-6 curve. I topped out at about 88 in my junior year then played for awhile in the now defunct Western Baseball Independant League for the Solano County Steelheads before tearing my labrum and retiring from pitching. My best season was probably my 2nd year at Coast, where I went 4-1 with a 3.86 ERA and K'd 32 in 26 IP. I still play in a competitive adult league and I can show you my stats from this year if you want(all hitting of course).
Ethier at 3rd? Guess we'll see how that works tonight. Was glad to see the Dbacks get shutout last night
WHAT an AT BAT!!!!!
That's my boy producing when he has a chance!!!!
That's was an usual at bat for any Dodger from ETHIER
Well that answers my earlier question! Nice job Andre!
PLEASE walk gonzo!!
My Sister went to prom with Mike Lieberthal.
He is two years younger than me. I once watched him hit 4 bombs in a high School game along with two doubles and it was a close game. He also threw a runner out at 2nd while squatting behind the plate and threw a runner out at 1b the same way.
He was by far the most talented player I have ever saw when I was younger. I also played with Dimitri Young and Matt Franco who used to play for the Mets.
My cousin coached Kevin Elster, Shawn Green and Barry Zito among others down here in OC.
I was never very good. I couldn't hit that well. I was a good SS and then 2b in HS but couldn't hit to save my life.
da GONZ who some people think belongs on the bench.
jungar, are we gonna go 45-11?
who do we blame for taking the bat out of Martin's hands gonzo or Little?
???? WTH was that… he shouldnt be trying to steal without his walker.
there is always a chance charris!! LOL get gonzo outta there! LOL
diehard, a missed hit and run maybe? I'd rather see us aggressive like that early when we're up 2-0.
you think Martin missed a 2-2 hit & run when he's running on the next pitch anyways?
Maybe Gonzo lost track of the count?
Miketink–Good points on the rotation. I am probably turned around on that to your view again. Though at least I understand the decision-making process here.
drpdedblnd–I doubt it's your last comment about Betemit. Maybe a bad move, but at the time we DFA'd Anderson, Saenz was still hitting, as he did from 2004-early June 2007. As for Martinez, he's a good utility infielder–not an everyday player. And the Betemit move was made to make room for LaRoche. It's much easier to find fault with both moves now, but given everything that we knew or should have known at the time, it made sense. We'll see how Betemit pans out for the Yankees, but since their left side of the infield is Jeter and A-Rod, it's not like they expect him to play much.
Whoever said that tonight's game rides on Tomko is right.
Great AB by Ethier. We need more like that.
BOMBA!!!!!! Thanks gonzo
oh man, that really hurts.
Nice! 5 more to go for 20/20
Hey, I'll still take 3-0 in the 2nd.
Nice start for the offense. Something tells me we need to keep it up today!
Jungar–you seem to be king of the stats. How many catchers have been 20-20 men? Any 30-30 men?
naiye, that "something" thats telling you is logic. We still do have Bomko out there.
Hey, Tomko has no hitter going.
madres down 2-0
off the top of my head I don't think any 30-30 men and I belive there is only 1 20-20 guy ever at catcher and that was Pudge a few years ago.
leekfink, no 30-30s maybe Kendall or Pudge on 20-20???
what a bout Benito Santiago when he was young?
Pudge did it in 99. diehard, I don't think Benito swiped bags, even when he was young.
****! i didn't know the game was on already. I started playing Sims 2 and got side tracked. Oh well.
blogger formerly known as max, you're slippin dude.
In 1987 benito swiped 21 bags and hit 18 bombs
okay I didnt think Tomko would actually take me seriously on that no hitter comment.
nice, that was his rookie year right? Back in '87 20 jacks was a BIG DEAL.
No on Kendall. He has never had more than 14hr. His best was 14hr and 22 steals. Those steals sound good until you realize he was caught 12 times.
Pudge went 35hr and 25 sb in 1999 but thats when the Rangers had Conseco and his mobil balco lab. (that year, pudge hit 16 more HR than he ever had previously and 16 more steals than he did previous or since) he too was caught 12 times out of 25.
Martin 20 steals, caught 5 times.
Bengie Molina did it for the Angels. Just kidding.
yeah rookie year looking at his stats he had 16 BB's in 545 AB's! crazy
Jayson Werth:: Couldn't get his autograph at Shea but I got him the next time in Chicago in 2005.
wow and we thought Pierre's OBP was bad.
I hate Charlie steinner!
I'm spoiled listening to vinny my whole life.
I miss that about Werth. He was an enjoyable player to watch.
nice hustle, but dont ever make an out at third, he could have gotten home on a single, oh well, cant blame him for what the Phillies did well.
Kendrick's getting hit hard in all three innings. That fly out by Furcal could have been a HR; Piere had that 2b; Ethier 2b; Martin HR…this game could help pad the team's SLG.
Tomko still stinks. Grady should get him out after 5 no matter what.
Ethier must have been taking notes on the Rockies.
Another awesome AB from Ethier.
A 10 pitch walk by Ethier. 2 great ABs from him already.
I am still waiting for the day when Ethier, Kemp, and Loney are 3,4,5 in the line-up.
What a strange team this is. The third spot in the order is supposed to be the best hitter, and we have a right field platoon occupying that slot. So when either of those guys in playing he is the best hitter on the team, but neither is good enough to play every day.
I agree Curtis, but grady is not going to pull him after 5 just because he ALWAYS falls apart after 5, if he hasnt already.
That is a strange one jungar
okay, thats it, Tomko cant even throw a no hitter to the Phill's what a horrible pitcher…. and the wheels are comin off the wagon.
That's the Bombko we all know.
C'mon Tomko! Hold it together now. Don't implode.
Someone tell Tomko to stay out of Martin's way
LOL a scoring fly ball to shallow center, move Pierre to Rover.
There's the old tomko we've come to know.
I missed the old tomko… glad he's feeling like himself again.
Are all the Tomko comments really necessary? I mean, we know what we usually get when he pitches…is there any point to harping on it like this? A look at the preceding comments might describe why some people think this blog has gotten very negative. Sarcasm directed at your own pitcher usually comes off that way.
That wasn't unexpected by Tomko. If he can go another two and not allow more than another run, we should be able to make it. Just make sure that Grady takes him out after five. It's when the batters get their third look at him that they really pile on.
Agreed message.
There are 41 players who have more assists at centers field this year than Pierre. That's pretty amazing considering he plays every inning and everyone and their grandmother runs on him.
That's a really good stat jungar considering we didn't already know Pierre had a weak arm… haha.
Can anyone tell me what hotel the Dodgers use in Philadelphia?
Hamels is hurt. To have MRI tomorrow.
I love russell but that was not a good play considering Tomko was coming up next. Now he is gonna have to lead off the next inning.
just because you have a weak arm dosent mean you don't throw runners out….The crazy thing about that stat is there are only 30 starting CFers.
New Rule: Dont try to advance on Werth
I could have told them Werth can throw. I saw him play for the Dodgers. Do we have scouts?
Two bad outs at 3rd already. I hope those outs don't come back to haunt the team in the final score.
Lots of outs on the bases today. It would have been nice for Martin to hold in that case, since Tomko would have been up, and he'll have to lead off now. Not much added value to having Martin take 3rd base on that play.
It looked good for a while.
im sorry if I offended you Puppyhead….
Hey look another lead off double!!! Good job Howard. Someone needs to remind him, it is Tomko that he's facing.
where's Donelly on these plays? Lets rag on him for a while!
I meant the game looked good for a while.
wow, really bad news for the phils on Hamels. Great news for the rest of the wild Card and Dodgers. Imagine their injury excuses..loosing Victorino is tough. Loosing Utley (maybe an MVP front runner before he got hurt?) and now maybe loosing a legit ACE 14-4, 3.5 era….
I meant 14-5
Seems to me the Dodgers could make a few of those same excuses, jungar.
Tomko is a terrible pitcher who can mostly only miss the plate completely or thow it over the heart of it when he falls behind in the count.
If the Dodgers even think about signing him again …
Rules question:
The Phil's announcers keep complaining about Martin sticking his elbow out to get HBP last inning. That pitch would certainly have been ball 4 anyway; would it still have been a BB if the ump had ruled that he intentionally stuck his arm out?
"I feel way better," Wolf said. "This is just for my peace of mind, to be absolutely sure we're on the right path."
Wolf said he does not expect to start another game for the Dodgers this year, but is hopeful he can return in a relief role. Wolf has only four relief appearances in 212 games and none since 2001.
Finally! An out.
I don't know if it's just me but many of the opposing pitcher seem to get off to bad starts and then settle down against us.
Tomko's so clearly lost it. Taking him out now will put our bullpen on the rear foot for the whole series, but what can you do? Little gotta yank him while the game is not completely out of reach.
oh god please be hurt!
wait NO! NOT HENDRICKSON! AHHHHHHHHH.
This is horrible to watch.
tomko is horrible!!!!!
this is going to get bad, and fast. Tomko and then Hendrikson
I'd rather have Hendrickson start and Tomko sweeping up the peanut shells in the stands after the game.
Why doesn't Little find out what HENDRY has by now? As I was typing that Little finally gave up.
I think I smell DFA, goodbye Tomko it was nice knowing you!!!!
It is really hard for this team to play consistant ball when you know you are not going to get a solid performance from Tomko every fifth day.
It's funny everyone was talking about the dodgers depth at pitching but no one ever pointed out that it was good depth.
Good Tomko always gives away to Bad Tomko eventually..all you gotta do is know something about baseball. He is like a can of soda that is continually being shaken. At some point, when the lid comes off, he explodes. I know our choices are limited, but for Pete's sake, bring up somebody, anybody, from Triple-A or Double-A and give him a shot.
Any team that has Tomko pitching this way, and continues to run him out there when there are other options doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs….
MARK can't do much worse then TOMKO.
And here I thought a 3 run cushion would take some pressure off Tomko, and he would do ok. Boy! Was I wrong!
The thing that really gets me about Tomko is how he just seems to give up and then there doesn't seem to be any spine in there. Can't make them swing and miss? Can't hit the corners? Just serve it up right down the middle.
Jungar, I think anyone can do better then him.
Tomko was always garbage. I was against signing him from the beginning. Any team that has a 10 or 11 game loser in their rotation , and keeps him there, is not serious about winning.
"He's like a can of soda…"
actually Tomko's like one of those hookers you pickup and when you get back to the hotel room you feel a lump.
We did the same thing last year with him and Hendy. They always get one more chance. Grady will say he set down 6 straight to start the game so that earned him another start.
it's an absolute joke that Grady keep trotting tomko out there to start. he was garbage last year and what a surprise…even worse this year. this might be the most important series of the season and we're completely blowing it.
remember when Grady let Hendrickson lose 7 straight decisions last year. Or was it 8? Might have been 6.
oh yeah max? tell us about that…were you wearing "Sex Panther"
3 in a row is to many.
Were all gonna have a real laugh one days when we say, do u rememeber how it was before Frank got rid of Ned and Grady?
hahah actually …the hooker was 😦
What must Tomko be thinking as he lets his team down yet again?
haha jungar i really hope so. my only concern is if they both get fired in the offseason we'll spend so much time finding replacements and we won't have enough time to sign the premier free agents
Tomko don't care, he probably painting with his crayons as we speak.
Bring up McDonald, bring up Kershaw, sign David Wells! Anyone would be better than Tomko.
Hendrickson has ice in his veins!!!!!
Go job Hendy, nice damage control.
Tomko & Hendy – Ned & Grady….
These four sure have a lot in common…
#1 being – THEYA ARE ALL LOSERS…
this should be enough to guarantee hendrickson another start! haha
What a job by Hendrickson. I haven't been his biggest fan (to say the least), but one has to give credit where credit is due.
I sure had my doubts with Hendy coming out of the pen with the bases full. He did a helluva job. Got out of that inning cheap.
No Hendrickson is pretty good for 1 or 2 innings.
Hendrickson at least applies himself. Tomko doesn't look like he cares anymore. He's made enough money so he can draw pictures for the rest of his life.
Isn't it odd to send up a PH with the bases loaded in the 5th inning while you are ahead 5-3?_______ Nice inning for HENRY.
If we DFA Tomko, you just know he'll latch on somewhere and probably pitch 8+ shutout innings against the Dodgers to eliminate them in late September game. THE HORROR!!!
Hendrickson is so much more reliable out of the bullpen. I'm glad to see him back there. These middle innings can mean the difference in our season down the stretch; I like him better than Hernandez and Seanez for the 5th-6th innings.
Let's hope that long bottom of the 5th helped Hendrick get a little stiff in the arm.
Or should I say mid-September game?
Hendy has some value. Tomko is completely worthless. Remember he lost 15 games for the Giants 3 years back. Any pitcher who can lose 15 games is no good.
Oops NM on that Hendrick comment.
Dobbs has horrible numbers against lefties, and Helms has always had a reputation of being a lefty-masher. That's why they make a substitution there.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KENDRICK THAT PITCHED THE FIRST TWO INNIMGS? I seen too many games like this.
Dodger hitters are beginning to panic… Starting to hit very early in the count… Thus giving the opposing pitcher a much better chance to go more innings in the game… Thise team just never seems to learn from their mistakes…. Lots of base running mistakes also in this game have cost them some crucial runs …
After a shaky start, Kendrick has settled in and done well. C'mon! Score some runs!
Kendrick pitches by inning:
He lost 15 games because the Giants were a horrible team.
And this year he has lost 10 games because he is horrible.
pierreseastmeetswest–to answer your question, here's the answer: pitches thrown in the 4th=9 (Loney first pitch swining, Gonzo and Hillenbrand second pitch swinging).
5th inning – pitches = 8 (Tomko first pitch swinging)
6th inning – pitches = 9 (Kent and Martin first pitch swinging–Martin right after Gonzo walked).
We had plate discipline to start, and then it disappeared. We were going to knock Kendrick out of the game and get into the bullpen (i.e. fat city), and instead apparently every hitter got bored and decided to get out on the first pitch.
I got mad at Grady this weekend for the lineups, but this is the real problem with this team. Zero work on the fundamentals that win games.
My Loney has a first name,
It's J-A-M-E-S
My Loney has a second name,
It's L-O-N-E-Y
I love to watch him every day
And if you ask me why I'll say
'Cause James Loney has a way
With H-I-T-T-I-N-G!
Nice job by Hendy! Should be it for him with him up 3rd.
The Giants were a horrible team and he was and is a horrible pitcher.
come on Gordo hit the ball one time please.
junger: you should attibute the quotes you are copying from elsewhere, such as the example below, where you repacking what scooplew posted on a different board:
Good Tomko always gives away to Bad Tomko eventually..all you gotta do is know something about baseball. He is like a can of soda that is continually being shaken. At some point, when the lid comes off, he explodes. I know our choices are limited, but for Pete's sake, bring up somebody, anybody, from Triple-A or Double-A and give him a shot.
Any team that has Tomko pitching this way, and continues to run him out there when there are other options doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs….
Posted by: email@example.com | August 21, 2007 05:35 PM
152. scooplew 2007-08-21 17:30:08
It is absurd that Tomko is still a starting pitcher on this team. He is like a can of soda that is continually being shaken. At some point, when the lid comes off, he explodes. I know our choices are limited, but for Pete's sake, bring up somebody, anybody, from Triple-A or Double-A and give him a shot. It would be far less annoying to have a rookie or near-rookie lose than to witness the Tomko show with numbing regularity. Whether he pitches from behind, while he is ahead, or if the game is tied, he cannot do the job.
no big thing leek but, Martin saw 5 pitches in the 4th – total 10
Gordo is going deep.
deep on a philly cheesesteak.
Yeah, Miketink, I counted wrong. But I see that alot of people have the same point. Have to see more pitches. Espescially with bullpens today. Other than us and San Diego, the earlier you get to the Bullpen, the better chance you have to win. Almost all pitchers have pitch counts these days, so the more pitches you see, the quicker you get to the bullpen. I would be thrilled if Pierre and Furcal never got on base but always had ten pitch at-bats.
Nice dinger by Loney. Hope that means his batting funk is over.
That's the second time Grady used Saenz when Sweeney seemed like the better choice. Since I truly don't think Grady is stupid, there must be some reason but what?
I seen this with a number of managers. The pitcher reaches 100 pitches, he's getting hit a little harder, thats it. They take him out. LITTLE waits till his guy get bombed. HOOKLESS.
And the Philly pen is something the Dodgers should want to get to – they stink.
Might need Sweeney in a higher leverage situation later. Here it's one out, nobody on.
Charlie Manuel is stalling for a rain delay!
Pinch hit Kemp.
Sometimes , I think he's afraid to use too many pitchers.
sometimes i think grady uses a magic 8 ball.
I should have thought twice.
Maybe GRADY uses a crystal ball.
miketink is right, pinch hit Kemp for Pierre there. Heck, this game might not go nine due to the weather.
Kemp was the right choice to bat for JP. Unfortunately Grady didn't think so.
We all have beaten our heads against the wall for several months now, but has Grady Little watched the past 125 games?
Moreso than even starting Tomko yet again, is why not use Sweeney to PH vs. a righty, with only 8 outs left in the game and pouring rain, down just one run, you use Saenz who has proven over an over again that cannot hit, especially vs. righties instead?
You cannot even argue that you are saving Sweeney because you may never get a chance to use him and you are only down by one run at the time!
I think Grady Little actually is a robot and just repeats the same mistakes over and over again!
This team is on autopilot!
Tigers started a 21 year old up from AA tonigh. His 2nd start.
he pitched well mike.
In 7 innings the Dodgers have no RISP
That's what we should do. Any young pitcher has more upside than Tomko. Why can't management see this?
Would you guys let him do what he want he's the manager and your not.
Nice job by the pen so far….
Gonzo looks like the dude from tales from the crypt.
Yep, your right, i typically do when i copy stuff like that, which i don't do often but got lazy this time. i was on my way out the door at work. Wont happen again.
if we lose, remember we ran ourselves out of *3* different innings. That was the difference the game.
We came out of the box like our house was on fire then………
In 7 innings the Dodgers have no RISP
Posted by: firstname.lastname@example.com | August 21, 2007 06:33 PM
Gonzo singled home Ethier from second base in the first inning.
Technically, Martin and Pierre were runners in scoring position when they reached second base but were thrown out at third.
Hi: I mean tomko, come on how many more games does he have to loose before you let him go, Mr manager what are you thinking, have you seen tomko stas lately? are you watching the games? do you know something we ain`t? please do tell, cause I still don`t get it, as many a Dodger`s fan do.
Martin…Loney …Hillenbrand next.
Boy these Vets really give us a boost. That is why we can never win more than 3or 4 games in a row. Grady doesn't use his best every night.
if we lose, remember we ran ourselves out of *3* different innings. That was the difference the game.
Posted by: email@example.com | August 21, 2007 06:40 PM
I don't fault Pierre's basepaths out – he was trying to get to third with one out, the play was close with an excellent throw to get him, and the Dodgers led at the time, 3-0; that was a good risk.
Gonzo's CS in the 1st is puzzling.
Martin making the last out trying to go 1st to 3rd on a single is not a good play at all.
pierreseastmeetswest: but I hope it's Martin, Loney, Sweeney, Kemp next. Or do you save Kemp in case you get all the way around to Pierre, say bases-loaded and two outs?
Broxton's dominance continues! One of the best setup men in the majors.
old_fogey–Depends on the situation as to when you use Kemp first. To hit a home run or to stay out of a double play, you use Kemp.
Can't agree about Pierre because Werth has a good arm and you'd think we'd know that.But as I said above,don't we have scouts?
Kemp now.
HUGE mistake. 2 outs, down by a run, and we need a home run. And the guy with the best slugging percentage is . . . sitting on the bench???
This would have been like Tommy letting Dave Anderson hit in Game 1.
who is the worst third base coach in baseball?
Have to PH Kemp here.
I play for a win here, not a tie. PH Sweeney here (left vs. right) hope he gets on, then Kemp for Broxton next, BUT NOT HILLENBRAND!!!
you guys see Kemp in the dug out with his batting gloves on. Grady needs to find a clue. Two Solo bombs from Martin and Ethier put those guys in the middle with kemp.
Not a good start for the road trip. Hopefully they turn it around tomorrow.
And Kemp sits on the bench! Another great game by Grady.
old_fogey–Playing for a win on the road is the conventional wisdom, so hitting Sweeney and hoping is defensible. But I would be happy to match up our bullpen with theirs, so I am willing to play for a tie.
Unfortunately, we played for a loss.
Tough one to lose, but no surprise with Tomko starting. One consolation I find: it may be one day closer to when Colletti and Little are shown the door.
I think that McCourt has already made up his mind, and he will have Logan White available right away as soon as the season ends, so there will be no big disruption in getting ready for the off-season dealing.
Great news! Hoffman blew the save opp for the Pads in the rotten apple against the Mets.
At least Mark Sweeney will be well rested to Pinch Hit tomorrow!
Great Job Little…
News Flash!
Marlon Anderson just ties the game for the Mets off of Trevor Hoffman!
It would be nice to get a couple mulligans and have Anderson and Betemit back!
You have to admit every single move Ned Colletti has made as GM this year has not worked!
Colletti is O for 2007!
Even one of his better moves getting a top flight backup catcher has backfired because Grady never uses him!
News Flash!
Marlon Anderson scores the winning run off Hoffman!
It would be nice to play exciting games like that!
leekfink – that's not unreasonable either. I think we all agree that letting Hillenbrand hit was the least acceptable choice. (Outside of PH Martinez there.)
pads lost. grady stinks!
messagebear: I don't think McCourt is firing his buddy Colletti anytime soon. McCourt called Colletti the best decision he's made as owner of the Dodgers. They're traveling together right now, visiting some of the minor-league affiliates, watching guys like Kershaw and McDonald pitch. Get used to Ned, he's here for a while.
The problem with losing a game like this is that we were in it right from the start. When Penny and Lowe go, we are supposed to win. When Bills pitches, we're in good shape, even if Bad Chad shows up. But to pull this thing out we have to take advantage of every opportunity we have when the 4th and 5th starter goes.
Here, we took the lead, but then started first pitch hacking, and never got deep into the bullpen. And at the end, we have Kemp sitting on the bench, even though we need one run and he's our biggest home run threat. And the one pinch hitter we used was a righty vs. righty when we have a lefty (Sweeney) who is a pinch-hit specialist.
Bad fundamentals and bad decisions.
We have all the talent we need to win the pennant (even with the injuries to the starting pitchers)–yet we seem to have none of the fundamentals or good decision-making.
Gibson, Girardi, even Hershiser to consider for manager.
PH Martinez. Old-Fogey, that's genius!!!
Trevor Hoffman must really be getting sick of Marlon Anderson. Remember the 4+1 game?
Bottom of the 9th, Dodgers Batting, Behind 5-9, Jon Adkins facing 4-5-6
Jon Adkins replaces Jack Cust pitching and batting 9th
R — 2 J Kent Home Run (Fly Ball to CF)
R — 4 J Drew Home Run (Fly Ball to RF)
Trevor Hoffman replaces Jon Adkins pitching and batting 9th
R — 1 R Martin Home Run (Fly Ball to LF)
R — 1 M Anderson Home Run (Fly Ball to RF)
O — 1 J Lugo Flyball: CF
Andre Ethier pinch hits for Takashi Saito batting 9th
O — 7 A Ethier Popfly: SS
O — 1 R Furcal Flyball: RF
4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Padres 9, Dodgers 9.
Marlon Anderson just got the winning hit for the Mets over the Pads
Too bad you still hasn't have a brain that Ned contract is up until 2009. Ned won't be going anywhere. Ned is here to stay regardless.
Ned for executive of the year 🙂
Gibson, Girardi, even Hershiser to consider for manager.
Posted by: firstname.lastname@example.com | August 21, 2007 07:11 PM
As long as it isn't Kevin Kennedy. The more he talks on Fox, the less I think of him.
Did you know that after Clemens stuck out 20 for the Red Sox on over 150 pitches, Kevin Kennedy originally wanted for his next start to be on three days rest?! They changed their minds later, but that was the plan.
well, Kennedy just ripped grady a new one for not having kemp in the lineup, ESP. in that park. THat was alright by me fogey!
LeeFink –
You are exactly right when you say "we have all the talent to win" both on the active roster & at Triple AAA… But we also have Ned & Grady who don't seem to have a clue on who should be on the roster & who should be in the lineup every day…
We all know that Tomko shouldn't be on this team & we all know that Kemp should be playing every day along with Ethier – Our best power hitter & and our best overall hitter…
It should be a no brainer….
It is so frustrating to be in a tight race & have our managment refuse to give us the best possible chance to win…
I honestly think that neither Ned or Grady have the knowhow or smarts or whatever it takes to do what is needed to make this team a winner… Im certain that they are both nice guys – but as we know, in sports, nice guys usually finish last….
Worst Dodger Starting pitchers since 1980:
Dave Goltz
Carlos Perez
Brett Tomko
Seriously, at what point will the Dodgers release this guy? It's a guaranteed loss every time out. McDonald has to be better than Tomko-at least we'd give him experience to compete next year.
I think LITTLE makes up his lineup a few days….maybe a week in advance. He's biggest interest is in who plays and who don't. A hot bat don't count. If a hitter has a big night at the plate and he's not schedule to bat the next day, even if he went 4 for 4 with 2 homers, he will sit. Every day people squawk about the lineup, but he does what he does. ____Ofcourse that just what I think____I'm just guessing.
Call up Meloan and McDonald ASAP
How is a pitcher with 100+ innings and a 5.80 ERA allowed to stay in rotation? Tomko's ERA is 6.29 since his first two starts in April. How is he in the roster?
If I EVER see Tomko make another start in a Dodger uniform I will shoot myself. Good job by the pen tonight on a higher note.
I am expecting a win tomorrow night with Lowe going. Hopefully we can get him some run support in that ballpark. Omar if you're reading this please tell me for once you agree with me that tomko *************!!!!!
Please Ned and Grady if you're reading this… GET RID OF TOMKO ASAP!!!!!
OLD FOGEY::: my comment at 6:33 meant they didn't leave any runners in scoring position in 7 innings…and I now extend that to the entire game. I'm responding to your comment at 6:40PM
I'm so mad right now we have made some of the STUPIDEST roster moves of all time by starting a bum like Tomko every fifth day and keeping that fat *** tomato on this team. If I ran this organization I wouldn't be putting up with all this ****, there would be some major changes and they would happen IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!
what do you think of that ^^^ pierreeast?
Only one problem, swood, you don't.
Does anybody know what a contact number is? I want to vote for Russell Martin for the Hank Aaron award but they won't accept my telephone number.
I dont know if anyone else saw this but :
Arizona's Mark Reynolds tied the major league record for consecutive strikeouts by a non-pitcher Tuesday night when he struck out for the ninth straight time.
boy he would be off this team in a hurry. We hate strike outs!
Hey diehard I sent you an e-mail under my other email address firstname.lastname@example.com… so read it cuz its from me lol.
We're right where we were when we all woke up this morning and Brett Tomko does not pitch tomorrow. That my friends is reason enough to be happy.
yeah but we lost a day.
What does lol mean? Lots of luck?
Yes, true. But if you had told me on a day where Tomko and Chris Young pitched on the same day that we wouldn't lose ground in the Wild Card race, that would have been a win to me. I'm upset we lost as always, I'm tired of seeing Tomko out there. We gave him a 3-0 lead and instead of settling him down it made him worse. I spent most of the day in Santa Barbara on the beach, hence why I wasn't online at all today. Saw most of the game and while he's had a few nice starts we cannot keep throwing this guy out there. Also, way too many mistakes on the bases today. I like our chances these next two games. Especially with Hamels not available.
Alex agreed we need to get Tomko out of the rotation and pierreeast I can't tell if you're joking or not…
In case anybody's interested the snakes just lost.
No, I'm not.
It means laugh out loud (lol)pierreeast… you say it when you think something is funny… By the way I hope you don't mind me asking but how old are you…?
OK…To say I'm mad would not even cut it…Why is Bomko ever pitching for this team again….??..and why is Gonzo in the lineup instead of Kemp?
Does Grady even want to win?
And how about Ned…Betemit another 3run pinch hit home run last night..and Anderson hitting up a storm for the Mets…Oh..I guess Ned would rather have the slow ineffective Saenz and Martinez on our bench…This is pathetic and the reason we have no chance..The manager and front office gave us NO chance.
Thanks Ned and Grady
Instead of bringing up a young guy who would probably have around a .500 record and a 4 era we let Tomko pitch with his 2-11 record and his 5.80 era.
Ned always trades the guys that can help us…Furious about Betemit and Anderson..that's why the Tomato pinch hits and is a loser…They just don't give up on him, instead they give up on all the right ones..
All these comments are true!
It is almost hard to believe that EVERY move that Ned makes backfires!
This has to be one of the worst GM Years in MLB History!
I did not disagree with all of Ned's moves, but at this point in time you have to question Ned's judgement because he is getting paid to make good decisions.
As of today, Colletti owes McCourt a refund!
that should have been an easy win…
my prediction is at least 6 runs…
it should have been at least six or more if they didn't mess up and not being so much aggressive…
the dbacks and the padres lose.. and we should have win this game to get some ground…
i said yesterday that the 9-0 lose against the brewers is the start of a 1 week slump for the dbacks and so far im right…
we need to win…
we need good pitcher…
tomko can only go at least 3 innings…
by the way… MVP of the night for me is Hendi…
i said this before and im saying it again…
we need hendi next season coz we don't really have a long reliever… right now he is providing us a bills performance coming from the bullpen…
This is a badly mismanaged team. The Pads released Wells because he stunk. Why do the Dodgers keep Tomko? The Mets released Franco because he stunk. Why do the Dodgers keep Seanz? The Indians released Hernandez because he stunk. How come the Dodgers picked him up? Dodger management is happy with mediocrity as long as they sell tickets. The only way anything will change is if the stadium is empty come September. If not then you'll continue to get this inferior product on the field and the fans will be partially responsible.
QUOTE This is a badly mismanaged team. The Pads released Wells because he stunk. Why do the Dodgers keep Tomko? The Mets released Franco because he stunk. Why do the Dodgers keep Seanz? The Indians released Hernandez because he stunk. How come the Dodgers picked him up? Dodger management is happy with mediocrity as long as they sell tickets. The only way anything will change is if the stadium is empty come September. If not then you'll continue to get this inferior product on the field and the fans will be partially responsible. QUOTE
Well Said!
You can add the fact that two other playoff contenders released Shea Hillenbrand and yet he now plays everyday for us because Ned Colletti was stupid enough to trade Betemit for a washed up RP.
Does anybody have an email address for McCourt or Coletti?
don't bring up the betemit trade…
ur saying it's a bad trade coz of the way that is happening rayt now…
before they traded betemit our offense is in a Hot Zone and betemit is not a part of it… and that makes him expendable…
and the fact that before the trading deadline what we badly need is a pitcher(reliever)…
i think it is a good trade…
are you saying that we should not support the dodgers anymore by not coming to the home games?
i got the point about the managament, but why would u do that?
it's mismanaged right, but it is still the dodgers…
the Betemit trade was awful..he was our spare infielder and best bench hitter…Proctor is a used up has been middle reliever..Why do you think the Yankees wanted Betemit and got rid of Proctor..?..because he was so good…NO>..they have wanted Betemit for a long time..We just didn't let him play enough…would rather play Nomar or get a stiff like Hillenbrand…You are wrong about this.
betemit had his chance slap in to his face… he wasted everything…
he became our primary pinch hitter but that's about it…
and as i said we need a reliever that time…
Proctor is the only one available…
ur just saying that coz betemit is doing a great job in NY which is a place where he is not getting booed alot…
here in L.A the fans had been tough for him…
he is a good player but he does not belong here in L.A…
email@example.com The reason I'm saying not to go to the games is because if people go to the stadium McCourt makes money. If people stay away he loses some money. If he's losing money he'll eventually come around to thinking the best way to make money is to put a better team on the field. I can't go to Dodger games, I live on the East coast,but if I could go no way would I sit in traffic and pay good money to see such a mismanaged team. I love the Dodgers and it hurts me to see how some other teams are run compared to ours.
It's just sad what we have done. Our record this year is one thing but in general over the last two years we have traded away some youth or signed veterans stalling the growth of the youth we have for veterans and will most likely have no playoff wins to show for it.
That bugs me, more than loosing.
Beyond the general idiotic philosophy of our GM, the biggest concern I have actually is Ned's ability to evaluate pitching.
If it matters, I set my own rule back in the mid 90's (having nothing to do with Coletti or McCourt).
I only go to one game a year usually on opening day..
I will then only go to playoff games. (went vs cards; lima time game; didnt get tickets for last year vs Mets)
I was the type who would go to 15-20 games a year but vowed not to until we have won a playoff series.
If someone wants to take me to a game I will go if I can…
I watch every game on TV or hear it on the radio. I obviously am online daily. So I support my team, but not support the greedy owners until they show us that they will put a winning team out there.
got the point…
but still wrong…
u don't come to the game to see McCourt…
we come to ball games coz we love the dodgers…
it's tough to take when they lose…
but we are here to support them win or lose…
there are alot of mistakes made by the management… agree…
not signing Carlos Lee frustrates me…
but it's done…
we should have moved on a long ago…
it's not that it is the last season the dodgers will play…
if we can't make it to the playoffs there is still next season…
We still need to support our dodgers!!!!
Go DODGERS!!!
Well i said it here on this blog yesterday, the Dodgers would have to score 5 to 7 runs per game to win on this road trip. Brett Tomko has to be pulled from the rotation now. The Dodgers, as far as i'm concerned, are done for this year, so then let's bring up the young pitchers now and see what they have by giving them 5 to 6 starts. If the Dodgers start Tomko again on Sunday it will tell me that they really don't give a **** about this season or their fans or winning.
I don't really think the Betemit trade was that bad. We needed pitching desperately at the time and while Proctor isn't lights out, he's durable, far from washed up (30 years-old), and could prove to be a valuable commodity looking forward. Betemit is playing great right now but its pretty obvious the Dodgers see LaRoche as the 3rd baseman of the future. Keep in mind Nomar DLed after the trade.
Talk to me about this in 19 years VAN…..!! LOL. That's along time to suffer.
If McCourt really, really truly wanted to win WS year after year he would not have hired 2 GMs with no expierence and would pony up and pay for real players in their primes…It started with Vlade Guerrro when they killed that deal and have yet to sign a in his prime impact player….
"and have yet to sign a in his prime impact player…."
Sorry, they have. They signed Furcal.
Van, nobody is coming to the games to see McCourt,but by coming you're telling him it's okay to mismanage this team and it's okay not to put a winner on the field. I will support you blindly. It has nothing to do with the guys on the field, most of them are doing the best they can.
The other point is ,with this kind of management it will always be about next year.
hey vlade signed with the Halos before McCourt took over the team. I actually read somewhere that we had a deal done but Selig rejected the deal because he didn't want to add payroll to a team that was selling.
Well maybe this is the year that Frank McCourt gets involved with the off season acquisitions. I believe that in the last 2 or 3 years he has left if to his GM's to do what they felt was in the best interest of the team. I was never a fan of DePodesta and i thought that Colletti did a great job last year. This season Colletti did nothing, he did not improve the team, i don't think he weakened it either, but by not improving the rest of the league became better than the Dodgers. The biggest problem that i have though, is the Dodgers refusal to part with any of their young talent and the fact that they're insulted if anyone mentions one of the kids in a trade, yet they don't play them everyday. We are in dire need of wins and Gonzo is starting everyday, Tomko is pitching every 5th day, i don't get it.
don't worry Jungar if they can sign A-Rod we will finally win a WS again… LOL
i do hope they wont keep us waiting…
i always read ur comments… and it shows me ur one of the greatest fans the dodgers ever had…
i also feel that McCourt is not doing a great job…
there are alot of guys that should have signed with the dodgers but he is not putting enough money on the table…
I give Colletti credit for not dealing any of the prized young players. What is really irritading about Colletti is that he doesn't see that grittle is killing the team. I an live with Colletti for another year but not if he wants to keep Little.
who should have signed with the Dodgers. Lee never considered the Dodgers beacuse he didn't want to come West. We need to sign Arod and build with the Jax five. But it all starts with a manager we need one.
I'm assuming that Mr. McCourt has a certain amount of pride factor, besides obviously wanting to make money with this historic major franchise. That being said, you would expect that his frustration with this team's performance matches that of its fans. I would expect that he also feels being taken with the $47 million on line for Schmidt that will probably never see a payback, and he has to realize who is responsible for that fiasco. Hopefully he can also see that the current GM's strategy of pulling in the so-called veteran talent does not work when those selected veterans are way past their productive years. Should he ride out Colletti's and Little's contracts and just hope for better results next year? I hope that like many fans he has exhausted his patience and will put this team on a new course. If our future is going to depend largely on our young talent, supplemented by a key FA acquisition or two, he should be able to see that Colletti and Little are not the people to to depend upon. As a good example of the importance of following a young player strategy, you can see how AZ handled the Gonzo situation. They don't have to worry about balancing playing time between a fading veteran and the upcoming young players in their system. We took on that problem and several like it, and that's just a symptom of what's wrong with this management team.
Come on, Mr. McCourt, you have a man within your organization that knows how to evaluate baseball talent and to develop a team of young players that can take us to the promised land again. It should be LOGAN WHITE IN 2008!!!
I agree with most of what you said, but I doubt McCourt gets rid of Coletti or Grady..
I would like to see Logan White too, but he won't fire C and G this soon I'm sorry to say…The balancing of old non producing vets has killed us…I do like Arizona's use of their young talent…but they also had alot of #1 picks.!!!…When I saw Gonzo batting 5th last night I knew we were in trouble…might have escaped have Bomko wasn't so awful….Did you see Bomko's explanation..He said he didn't think he was so bad, just not getting the results…DUH…he always comes off the mound shaking his head..>UNREAL.
that cutfastball is effective against the giants…
but since then it's killing him…
i think it was a cutfastball that he throw to Rowand… and he hits it out…
If you noticed in the first 2 innings Bomko was keeping the ball down…then all of a sudden it was up like it is when they kill him…what happened between innings?…He just can't be consistent, unless he's consistently bad…He wanted so badly to be a starting pitcher that he wanted the Dodgers to trade him if he wasn't going to be….too bad we didn't oblige him!!…oh, but I forgot, we only trade good players!
don't bring up the betemit trade…
ur saying it's a bad trade coz of the way that is happening rayt now…
before they traded betemit our offense is in a Hot Zone and betemit is not a part of it… and that makes him expendable…
and the fact that before the trading deadline what we badly need is a pitcher(reliever)…
i think it is a good trade…
are you saying that we should not support the dodgers anymore by not coming to the home games?
i got the point about the managament, but why would u do that?
it's mismanaged right, but it is still the dodgers…
Posted by: firstname.lastname@example.com | August 22, 2007 08:37 AM
Well to be accurate, Jeff Kent was hurt prior to the Betemit trade and Tony Abreu had not played in two weeks…
It was pure insanity for Colletti to turn the 2B job over to Ramon Martinez. Part of the reason for our post deadline collapse was the fact that Martinez has been plugged into the starting lineup over 10 times and now Hillenbrand has been in there all the time.
You just cannot afford to make terrible mistakes like that as a GM.
As for Protor all media outlets reported before the trade that Proctor was used up and ineffective for the Yankees. Proctor has been terrible as a Dodger.
If the Dodgers would have gotten fair value for Betemit than you could not complain, but to give away for a used up RP without ever giving Meloan a chance was beyond foolish!
I was on record as HATING the Betemit trade since the DAY it was MADE!
Furthermore, Betemit was one of our two or three top offensive players and his OPS which is the most accurate statistic of run production would be the highest on our team right now!
and they also said that Kent will only sit for 2-3 games only…
so colleti never thought that Kent will be gone for a week 1/2…
good post messagebear…..
The reason that Vlade didn't sign with us was because of MLB stepping in I agree, but Evans had him signed. Why did MLB step in? They took a look at the McCourts assets and realized they were all levereaged in order to buy the team. He had no real "spending money". No cash. Certainly not another 15 million a year cash to pay Vlade.
That's why Depo was hired to create cost certainty while keeping us competitive. In 2005 (yes injurues hurt but you depo haters can pile on if you want) our payroll was 33 million less than 2006 years payroll. His signings were all good and he didnt anchor us with bad long term contracts. If you didn't belive that Lee or Soriano wouldn't play out west then not sure what to say. That's all PR and spin. We simply didn't offer them the years and money they got elsewhere. They never said they wouldnt play out west, their agent never said it. Coletti did. And I belive him as much as I belive the guy at the car dealership trying to sell me a used car.
Jury is still out on McCourt to me. He has said all the right things and has spent money. Yet his handling of Evans, Depo, Ross Porter and then 100's of former dodger employees who were fired still bug me a little. The dodgers still don't have a legit franchise type superstar since Piazza left and what bugs most is still 3 years later, 1 playoff win.
His OPS is still top 5 on the team. (Wilson)
And yep MP from the start you couldn't stand that trade. Either could I.
u can hate it as much as u want…
but the trade is done…
issue close…
case close…
good or bad…
we got proctor…
they got betemit…
we are running out of time…
we need to win games…
Anyone who thinks they traded Wilson because of LaRoche is not thinking right. They traded him because of Nomar.
You and I agree about Betemit and Proctor…and lots of others….It's the ones they trade and the ones they keep that makes no sense..
But I did get a sense of Coletti's mind last year when I called in the radio show he and Grady and Tommy were on..I asked why they would give up Cody Ross and keep Jose Cruz Jr…?..He said Cruz had the experience…I rest my case…Guess who they let go…Cruz Jr..Guess who's playing well in Florida?..Cody Ross…not to mention Jayson Werth who I always liked…should never have let him go too…nice arm, eh?
jungar i agree it's for Nomar…
but i also want betemit traded to at least give way to LaRoche…
everyone wants LaRoche…
now that betemit is doing a great job suddenly everyone wants him…
it's crazy!
van 19..
It isn't suddenly that I want Betemit..He was our best reserve infielder and pinch hitter…we have no one to compare to him or his power.
If LaRoche comes up fine, we still could have used Betemit.
Why won't McCourt fire grady and Colletti after two years? He fired Depo(Thank god) and Tracy(Also thank god) after two years. What makes you think he won't do it to these two jokes?
I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think he will…PRAY I'M WRONG
trust me I'm PRAYING!
The key reason why I adhere to this blog is because I think you really do usually
give a fairly distinct slant on things to several other web sites so congrats!