text:
Millersville: Welcome
Ville Collects All-Division and All-Tournament Awards
Ville finished its season with a 32-9 overall record, and was 31-6 against D-II teams. Ville's only losses in D-II came at the hands of NIRSA top 10 teams: #9 Messiah (twice), #5 King's (twice), #5 Ohio Northern, and #5 Boston College.
During the season, Ville collected a number of wins over top 10 teams itself: #9 Messiah, #5 King's, #5 Susquehanna (twice), #9 Weber State, and #5 Winona State.
Ville won the West Division of the MACVC for the third time in four years, besting Messiah, SusQ, and Ship for the honor of "Best in the West". Ville was ranked #1 in the MACVC through most of the season, and had maintained an undefeated MACVC and D-II record into its final regular season match against Messiah College.
Ville players received many awards throughout the season, as Nate Gajecki picked up his third NIRSA All-Tournament honor (at setter) in Kansas City to go along with his awards from 1998 (Austin, TX) and 1999 (College Park, MD). Gajecki (setter), Duston Gladfelter (middle), and Tracey Schafer (libero) took 1st-Team All-Division honors for the West, while John Wagaman (middle) and Matt Shetzline (opposite) joined them at Honorable Mention. Erick Macek (outside) and Wagaman also collected honors as All-Tournament selections at the MACVC Championships at Messiah.
Ville Finishes 3rd at MACVC Championships
Ville overcame the absence of three-time NIRSA All-Tournament setter Nate Gajecki and NIRSA All-Tournament middle Duston Gladfelter (who were both taking their teacher certification tests), plus a nagging back injury to All-Division opposite Matt Shetzline to sweep its pool at the MACVC Championship Tournament at Messiah.
Keith Kohler - the setter of the future, here today - led the Marauders to sweeps of Penn State Berks (25-23, 28-26) and Kutztown (25-21, 25-18), and then helped Ville retain its cool in a hotly contested and emotionally charged match against MACVC black-sheep Lehigh (17-25, 25-19, 15-13).
The match against Penn State Berks featured the biggest come-back in a rally-score game in Ville history, as the Marauders found themselves in a 19-24 hole, and on the verge of being forced to play a 15-point deciding game. Instead, Ville toughened up every aspect of its game, serving tough, blocking well, keeping every ball off the floor, and executing their offense with flawless precision to fend off 7 game points and finally push to a 28-26 win.
Ville had an easier time with Kutztown, even though Matt Shetzline had to be pulled from the line-up due to a nagging back injury. All-Division Libero Tracey Schafer stepped in to swing for the Marauders, and Adam Hoke and Clee Brun filled in for Gladfelter as Ville swept Kutztown.
The match against Lehigh was nasty from the start - with insults and trash-talking continually exchanged between the teams from the time that Lehigh walked into the gym (late as usual). Ville was unable to keep up with Lehigh in the first game, as the constant barrage of insults across the net took Ville out of its game, and allowed Lehigh to forge a 9-2 lead that Lehigh carried to a 25-17 victory.
Ville responded to the challenge in the second game, and played their brand of ball: smart-hitting, strong blocking, and superb defense to thwart Lehigh's aspirations for a sweep. Ville then got down to serious business, as the third game turned into a slugfest on serve-receive. Ville was able to maintain its composure, and its intensity, and "engineered" a 15-13 win to take the match, and sweep its pool.
By finishing first in its pool, Ville earned a bye to the quarterfinals, where it awaited the winner of the Bloomsburg-Penn State Altoona challenge round match. PS-Altoona won that challenge match, and faced Ville for the fourth time this season.
Ville brought a ferocious block and attack to the court in the first game, as John Wagaman built the Great Wall of Ville - having a hand in all six of the Ville blocks in the first game to take a 25-13 win. PS-Altoona toughened up in the second game, but Ville still prevailed, 25-19, to sweep the match and meet King's College in the semifinals.
The King's match was punctuated by repeated kills from three hitters - Adam Lewis and Jimmy Ott for King's, and Erick Macek for Ville. Mace, disappointed with his exclusion from the MACVC West All-Division team, put on a hitting demonstration unlike anything that had come before in his three year career with Ville.
Mace hit .500 for the match, with 12 kills and only 2 errors on 20 attempts, and single-handedly kept Ville in the match. King's jumped to an early lead in the first game, but Ville fought its way back on energetic defense and Mace's flying attacks out of transition.
However, King's outside hitting tandem of Lewis and Ott, combined with some powerful Mike Falter kills at middle, overpowered the Marauders to take the first game, and then build an insurmountable lead in the second.
King's won the match 25-23, 25-19 and advanced to the finals against Messiah, who had just vanquished West Chester in three games to avenge an earlier season loss to WCU.
Keith Kohler made his debut as the starting setter for Ville, and did an excellent job in leading the Marauders throughout the tournament. Keith will "finally" grab the setting reigns from Gajecki this coming Fall, as he has followed "the red-haired kid" throughout his high school career at Warwick, and then at Ville.
King's won its second consecutive (and fourth overall) MACVC Championship by sweeping Messiah in the finals. King's truly took the hard road to victory, as it swept Shippensburg in pool play, Susquehanna in the quarters, Ville in the semi's and Messiah in the finals. Going into the MACVC Championships, Ship had been ranked 6th, SusQ 4th, Ville 2nd, and Messiah 1st. In addition, SusQ had just finished 5th at Nationals, while Ville and Messiah had both finished 9th.
Congratulations must go out to King's coach Bernie Kachinko for collecting his fourth MACVC title while at the Monarch's helm. Bernie is stepping down as coach of the men's team after 10 years, during which time his teams captured third-place (2000), fifth-place twice (1999, 2001), and two consolation championships (1996, 1997) at the NIRSA Collegiate Club Volleyball Championships.
Ville Takes 9th Place in D-II at Nationals
Ville fell to Boston College in its opening match of eliminations in Division II Gold Bracket at Nationals. Ville and BC remained close throughout the first game, with Ville hodling a 2-3 point lead through much of the game. Ville played steady offense, with Ryna Wood putting down 6 straight kills to lead Ville to a 20-18 lead. To that point, Ville had committed only one hitting error in the game.
BC closed the gap on a Ville error, and a kill off of serve receive, and then the teams traded side-outs for several plays. Ville held the advantage point while serving, and stopped BC twice, getting two swings at game point, but failing to convert. BC held on until Ville committed to hitting errors to end the game - the first a BC block on the outside, and the second a Ville hit in the net. BC picked up the game 28-26.
The wind had been blown out of Ville's sails, and the Ville offense was not able to gain momentum in the second game, as BC jumped to an early 5-point lead. Ville stayed withing five points to 17-12, but was unable to close the gap, and could no longer fend off the BC attack, as BC ran away with a 25-13 victory to knock Ville out of the tournament.
Ville Earns #12 Seed in D-II Gold Bracket at Nationals
Ville survived the toughest pool in the Championship round of pool play at Nationals, coming out second in the pool, behind Ohio Northern, as the #12 seed.
Ville forged a great come-from-behind victory against upstart UW-Stevens Point in its first match of the day. Stevens Point jumped all over Ville in the first game, winning it 25-18.
Ville got off to a rough start in the second game, but pulled back from 4 points down to even the score at 18-18, before Matt Shetzline served out the game with three aces, and the Ville defense came up with some extraordinary plays.
The start of the third game went Stevens Point way, as well, as Ville fell behind 1-4 and 3-6, before pulling even at 6-6, and again relinquishing the lead at 6-9. Ville then stiffened up its defense, and executed to perfection off of serve-receive to take the lead and put Stevens Point away 15-12.
The Ville bench and the Ville fans were key in the win, as they helped pump the team up for the come-back win.
Ohio Northern was up next, and Ville used the big pump from the UW-Stevens Point win to steamroll over ONU in the first game 25-15. But ONU was unphased in the second, as they did some rolling of their own over Ville, 25-17. THe third game featured another poor start for Ville, with three attacks into the net, and three aces on miscommunication among the passers giving ONU a 6-1 lead. Ville fought back, but ran out of time in the shortened third game, and dropped the match 15-11.
Ville recovered against Winona State in its final pool play match - the match that determined whether or not Ville would advance to the Gold Bracket. Both teams started out strong, and the game was a battle of side-outs. Ville gave up a late lead, then pulled back in front, and held the advantage point to 26-25, when it was able to put Winona away on a stuff block to end the game.
Ville adapted to Winona's offensive strategy in the second game, concentrating on their two outside hitters and their left-handed opposite, and controlled the second game for a 25-18 victory and the #2 spot in the pool, behind Ohio Northern.
Ville advances to the Gold Bracket elimination round tomorrow, where it will play #6 seed Boston College at 8:00 AM.
Ville Sweeps Through First Day at Nationals
Ville held its #12 seed by sweeping all three teams in its pool on Thursday at NIRSA Nationals in Kansas City.
Ville swept the #3 seed in the pool (#44 overall) UConn 25-21, 25-23, followed by a record-setting crushing of #4 seed Carnegie-Mellon (#53 overall) 25-8, 25-6. Ville then closed out the sweep by besting #2 seed (#21 overall) Weber State 25-22, 25-22.
Ville advances to Championship Pool Play with #5 Winona State and the winners of Ohio Northern-Ithaca and TCNJ-UW Stevens Point, who play in challenge round matches Friday morning.
Ville At NIRSA Nationals in Kansas City
Ville opens first-round pool play on Thursday against #44 UConn at 4:00 PM (CDT), followed by #53 Carnegie-Mellon at 6:00 PM, and closes with #21 Weber State at 8:00 PM. Ville is seeded #12 for the tournament, and holds the #1 seed for its pool.
Check back for updates throughout the tournament. You can check all of the results for the tournament at
Ville Wins West Division but Loses to Messiah
In its last conference match of the season, Ville dropped a heart-breaking, see-saw battle to Messiah on Senior Night at Brooks Gym. Ville failed in its bid to close out both an undefeated West Division schedule (6-1) and an undefeated MACVC regular season (14-1) in its final conference match.
Ville had previously clinched the West Division title, and had beaten Messiah in a non-West match at Messiah earlier in the season, while Messiah had already dropped West Division matches to Susquehanna and Shippensburg, and finished at 5-2.
The match featured wild swings in momentum, as Ville completely dominated Messiah in the first game, hitting .536 (28-17-2), while out-blocking Messiah 2-0, and serving 2 aces to Messiah's 1. Middle hitters John Wagaman and Duston Gladfelter, playing in their last match in Brooks Gym, combined for 7 kills on 13 attempts with one error (.500), while outside hitters Erick Macek and Ryan Wood combined for 9 kills in 11 attempts with no errors (.818).
The second game was a tale of frustration, as Messiah jumped to an early lead, and Ville fought back at the end of the game to within a single point four different times, eventually tying the score at 23-23. But Messiah was not to be denied, as a Ville ball-handling error, followed by a Messiah kill closed the game. Ville still hit .379 for the game, and again out-blocked Messiah 2-0, but could not close the game. Messiah held the edge in aces at 2-1.
The third game was Messiah's from start-to-finish, as the Ville accounted for four of Messiah's first five points on hits in the net, while the the remaining point came on an ace between the primary passers - the result of a communcations error. Ville had just spotted Messiah a 4-point lead (the eventual losing margin). That lead opened as wide as 7 points later in the game, as Ville committed three more hitting erros, and missed a serve, before Ville began to close it late in the game - too late to win the game, but soon enough to generate momentum for the next game. Ville hit a season-low .153 (26-12-8) for the game, but continued to out-block Messiah 3-0. The aces were even at two a piece.
The fourth game was a complete reversal of fortune, as Ville carried its late game momentum from the third game and stormed out to an early lead, extending that lead throughout the game. John Wagaman continued to be a force at the net, collecting three stuff blocks (one solo) that demoralized the Messiah hitters.
The precision returned to the Ville attack, as the team hit .391 (23-13-4), and Ville continued to dominate Messiah at the net, out-blocking them 3-2. Ville also collected 2 aces to Messiah's 1.
The fifth game saw another reversal of fortune, as Ville's passing deserted them, and they could not mount a sustained attack. Messiah collected 11 kills in the shortened 15-point game, while Ville could manage only 3, to go along with their 3 blocks (Messiah had none). Messiah held an 8-4 lead at the change-over. Ville closed to 10-12, but missed their serve to give Messiah its 13th point. Messiah answered with a missed serve of their own to make it 11-13, but Ville could not stop Messiah's attack on the next serve, and could not terminate on the following receive, with Messiah putting down the final point in transition. Ville hit .272 (11-3-0), and out-blocked Messiah for the fifth straight game, this time 3-0. There were no aces by either team.
For the match, Ville hit .359 (117-60-18), and out-blocked Messiah 13-2, while also collecting 7 aces to Messiah's 6. The difference in the match was that Messiah was better able to maintain its composure on the court, whereas Ville lost their focus at crucial times in the second, third and fifth games.
Although Ville out-played Messiah in every positive statistical category - kills (60-56), blocks (13-2), and aces (7-6) - Messiah won the battle in the negative categories - hitting errors (16-18), missed serves (6-10). Messiah also executed the basic skills of ball-handling and serve-reception at a higher level, and despite an almost complete lack of blocking, was able to generate crucial kills when they needed them.
The two honored seniors, John Wagaman and Duston Gladfelter led the team. John hit .389 (18-8-1), and collected 7 blocks (3 solo, 4 assist), while Duston hit .480 (25-15-3), and totalled 4 assist blocks. Freshman Matt Shetzline hit .400 (15-9-3), and had 8 total blocks (2 solo, 6 assist). Junior Erick Macek had his best match of the season, hitting .363 (33-16-4).
Messiah: 15 25 25 17 15
Millersville: 25 23 21 25 11
King's Gains a Measure of Revenge Against Ville at UMBC
King's College (#2 MACVC, #13 NIRSA D-II), playing without injured NIRSA D-II 2nd-Team All-Tournament setter Craig Doughty, put forth a gutsy effort against Ville (#1 MACVC, #7 NIRSA D-II) in the semi-finals at UMBC on Saturday, coming away with a hard-fought 25-23, 21-25, 15-11 victory over the Marauders.
The Ville block was simply unable to contain Adam Lewis (2-time 1st Team NIRSA All-Tournament), as he collected over 20 kills in the contest - the first time any opposing hitter has been able to do so this season.
Ville destroyed its pool play opponents by the average score of 25-15, earning the top seed in the playoffs, and a bye into the semi-final round. This proved to be a curse, however, as Ville then had to sit for four hours while King's pool finished it schedule.
King's controlled the first game of the match, forging a 5-point lead in the middle of the game, 15-10. Ville stormed back, to pull within one, at 19-20, but a Ville hitting error, followed by a blocking miscue allowed King's to pull ahead to 22-19. The teams exchanged side-outs to move to 24-21, and then Ville tried to pull off a repeat of its recent come-back against SusQ, with Duston Gladfelter getting a kill on serve-receive to pull within 2 points at 22-24, and Nate Gajecki and Gladfelter putting down a huge block to cut the deficit to a single point, 23-24. But Ville was unable to stop the next King's attack, and King's took the first game 25-23. Ville hit .241 (29-14-7) as a team in the first game.
In the second game, the teams traded side-outs, before Ville managed to open a 2-point lead at 12-10, on 3 kills by Matt Shetzline and a double block by Gladfelter and Gajecki. Ville extended the lead to 18-14 on a solo block by John Wagaman, along with a couple of King's hitting errors.
Ville then went into side-out mode with King's, getting kills off of serve-receive from Shetzline, Wagaman, Ryan Woood (2) and Gladfelter. Shetzline and Erick Macek then put up a BIG roof to stop Lewis , and Shetzline put down his fifth kill of the game for the win, 25-21. Shetzline hit 5 for 5 in that game, and Ville hit .500 (24-13-1) overall.
King's jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the shortened third-game, before Gajecki "threw" a power dump to the King's floor. The teams traded side-outs until Wagaman put down two consecutive kills to pull the game even at 6-6. Shetzline collected three more thunderous kills, countering two Ville hitting errors, keeping the Marauders close at 11-9. Craig Campbell served an ace to pull the team within one at 10-11, but Lewis thundered a hit past the Ville block to open the score up for King's, 12-10. A crucial hitting error by Ville, followed by a kill by Wood brought the score to 13-11, but King's countered with a kill off of serve-receive, and a Ville ball-handling error sealed Ville's fate, with King's winning the contest 15-11. Ville hit a paltry .160 (25-8-4) for the game, contributing to its downfall.
For the match, Ville hit .295 (78-35-12), and out-blocked the Monarchs 4-1. The Ville setting contingent of Nate Gajecki and Keith Kohler led the team at .667 on 4 kills in 6 attempts with no errors. John Wagaman led all hitters at .500 (10-6-1), followed by Matt Shetzline at .313 (16-9-4). Duston Gladfelter chipped in at .250 (16-6-2).
Ville Reaches 15-0 in D-II with Hard-Fought Win at SusQ
Millersville (#1 MACVC, #7 D-II) travelled to Selinsgrove last night to take on Susquehanna (#3 MACVC, #22 D-II) in a rematch of their early season contest. In that first match, SusQ gave Ville everything they could handle, as they spread the ball around to all of their hitters, and played spectacular defense for three out of the four games.
Since losing that first match of the season, SusQ had dropped only one other match, to King's, 15-13, in the deciding game of the finals match at King's tournament. If not for those two points, SusQ would hold the #2 ranking in the MACVC, and a certain top 16 spot in NIRSA D-II.
Ville was quite aware of that fact, and anticipated another great effort from SusQ, especially on SusQ's court, in front of SusQ's normally rowdy home crowd, and with SusQ's two coaches in attendance (as opposed to none when they visited Ville). SusQ didn't disappoint.
Similar to the first match, SusQ came out fired-up on defense, and clicked on every aspect of their game, as they handed Ville its worst single-game defeat this season, 25-17. SusQ, arguably the best defensive team in the league, constantly frustrated the Ville hitters with precise defensive coverage and great digs that kept Ville from mounting any kind of sustained attack.
Ville had come out a little flat in the first game, but answered SusQ's wake-up call in the second, rebounding for a 25-19 domination of its own to take the second game.
Tied at a game a piece, the stage was set for one of the most exciting games that Ville has played this season. SusQ held early 6-3 and 8-4 leads in the third game, and appeared on the verge of running away with it, when Ville began to fight back and pulled within one point at 9-8. From there, SusQ tightened up its defense, Ville could close no further, and SusQ widened the gap as the game progressed.
With SusQ holding "certain" victory in its hands, and serving for game point at 24-21, Ryan Wood hammered a set from outside, off of serve receive, to fend off one game point and draw the score to 22-24.
Nate Gajecki stepped back to jump serve, and dropped an ace on SusQ, to bring the score to 23-24.
Gajecki jump-served again. Tracey Schafer dug SusQ's middle attack, sending the ball directly to Gajecki, who set Duston Gladfelter for the kill, evening the score at 24-24.
Gajecki jump-served a third time. John Wagaman got hands on the SusQ attack, Ville got a pass off to Gajecki, who set Wood, who in turn put another ball down for a 25-24 lead (Ville's first lead of the game).
Gajecki served his fourth straight jumper. SusQ set Scott Trumbauer outside, and Wagaman and Gladfelter stuffed Trum for game point. The entire Ville contingent erupted in cheers, as Ville had ripped the game from SusQ's hands and sealed the crucial come-back victory, 26-24.
It was a huge turn-around in momentum, and completely changed the complexion of the match - as Ville was now completely pumped, and SusQ was completely deflated going into the fourth game. Even SusQ's crowd had been taken out of the match, as they spent more time yelling at Ville's "belligerent" Matt Davis on the sidelines, than they did cheering for their own team.
Ville went on to dominate the fourth game, building up an insurmountable 23-14 lead on superb blocking, combined with efficient hitting, before "coasting" to victory, 25-18.
The victory raised Ville's overall record to 16-3, as the team remained undefeated in NIRSA D-II (15-0). Ville closes out its MACVC regular season schedule against Messiah this coming Wednesday at Ville in a match that will determine the undisputed MACVC West Division Champion.
Ville Advances to 6-0 in West, 13-0 in MACVC, 14-0 in D-II
Millersville (MACVC #1, NIRSA #7) defeated Dickinson College at Brooks Gym on Monday to remain undefeated in the MACVC West Division (6-0), with one divisional match yet to play against Messiah College on April 4th.
Keith Kohler served, set, hit, and blocked Dickinson off the court, with strong support from Tracey Schafer at outside hitter (stepping out of his normal role as the Ville libero).
Every player in uniform for Ville made key contributions to the outcome, including first year players Clee Brun, Adam Hoke, Brian Myers, Matt Davis, Craig Campbell, and Mike Witwer.
Ville raised it overall record to 15-3, and remained undefeated in MACVC competition (13-0), as well as in competition against all D-II teams it has faced this year (14-0). Ville travels to Selingsgrove on Thursday to face Susquehanna (MACVC #3, NIRSA #22) in a key match for both teams.
Ville Moves Up to #7 in NIRSA D-II
In the latest NIRSA D-II rankings, released on March 21st, Millersville (#1 MACVC) moved up one spot to #7. Ville has a chance to continue improving its ranking next week when it travels to Selingsgrove to face #22 Susquehanna (#3 MACVC). Ville then plays at UMBC on Saturday, March 31st in a 15-team tournament that features D-I teams Navy (#3 East D-I) and UVA, as well as nationally ranked D-II teams King's College (#13) and Susquehanna (#22).
Ville Takes a Break at 13-0 in D-II
Millersville goes on Spring Break riding a 13 match winning streak against D-II teams. The 2001 edition of Ville Men's Volleyball is 14-3 overall, is undefeated this year against all D-II competition, and carries a 12-0 record against MACVC teams. It leads the West Division at 5-0, and is the #1 ranked team in the conference, as well as the #8 team in the latest NIRSA D-II rankings (3-1-01).
Ville will be on Spring Break this coming week, and returns to action on Monday, March 26th at 8:00 PM against Dickinson College in a West Division match. The Marauders then travel to Selinsgrove on Thursday, March 29th to face West Division rival Susquehanna (#23 D-II, #3 MACVC) in a pivotal conference match. Ville then travels to UMBC on Saturday, March 31st for a pre-Nationals tune-up tournament.
#1 Ville Remains Undefeated in D-II with 3 Sweeps at York
Millersville swept through its three opponents in a quad-match on Saturday at York College, defeating Villa Julie (25-14, 29-27), Drexel (25-10, 29-27), and York College (25-18, 33-31, 25-12). Ville improved its record against D-II teams to an unblemished 12-0.
Everyone on the Ville roster saw court time as each of the seven games featured a different Ville line-up. The team also demonstrated its mettle under pressure by coming from behind late in all three of the second games, fending off a total of 11 game points to maintain its sweep of all 7 games it played.
#1 Ville Adds #7 Messiah to its List of Victims
#1 Millersville defeated #7 Messiah at Messiah in a hard fought four-game match Wednesday night. The match was characterized by powerful hitting on both sides of the net.
The first game went Ville's way early, with Ville building up a 17-7 lead, before coasting to a 25-19 victory. In the second game, Ville again opened an early lead at 7-2 on 5 kills and 2 double blocks, before play turned sloppy, and Messiah found their inspiration. With Ville hitting balls out-of-bounds, in-the-net, and unable to serve, Messiah patiently opened an imposing 22-17 lead. However, Ville came back to win the game 26-24 on the strength of 2 key blocks, and several crucial Messiah hitting errors.
Ville again took an early lead in the third game, holding it until Messiah pulled even at 18-18. From that point it was a see-saw contest until Messiah put the game away 25-23.
The fourth game was all Ville, as the Marauders put together their most impressive offensive performance for a single game this season. Ville hit .654 (26-18-1), while also collecting 3 blocks and an ace. Messiah simply could not keep pace, and Ville won the game 25-17.
For the match, Ville hit a respectable .366, while out-blocking Messiah 11-3 and out-acing them 4-2.
Millersville Regains Top 10 NIRSA Ranking
In the latest NIRSA D-II rankings, 'Ville earned its first Top 10 ranking (8th) since they were the pre-season #1 team in January of the 2000 regular season.
By defeating West Chester University earlier this week, Millersville completed a sweep of the #2 (Kings), #3 (Susquehanna), and #4 (WCU) ranked teams in the MACVC. 'Ville regained the top spot in the conference by sweeping Kings last week in a huge victory in Brooks Gym.
Previous to last season, 'Ville had been ranked in the Top 10 in NIRSA D-II for over two years, going back to the NIRSA National Championship Tournament in April of 1997. 'Ville had finished 9th (1997, Tucson, AZ), 3rd (1998, Austin, TX) and 3rd (1999, College Park, MD), before slipping to 25th last year at Reno, NV.
With the team returning 2-time (1998 and 1999) NIRSA D-II 1st team All-Tournament setter Nate Gajecki and 1st team All-Tournament Middle Hitter (1998) Duston Gladfelter, as well as veteran starters John Wagaman and Erick Macek, and combined with an infusion of young talent, the team looks as strong as ever.
Millersville (#1) Completes Sweep of MACVC #2, #3, #4 Teams
Millersville defeated #4 West Chester University last night at West Chester to complete a sweep of the #2, #3, and #4 teams in the MACVC, 'Ville is currently ranked #1, and has defeated #2 Kings (25-22, 25-21, 25-20), #3 Susquehanna (29-31, 25-23, 25-13, 25-23), and #4 West Chester (25-20, 27-25, 18-25, 18-25, 15-9) in route to a perfect 7-0 record against MACVC opponents, and 8-0 against all NIRSA D-II teams this season.
'Ville has also defeated #6 Shippensburg and HM Juniata this season, and faces #7 Messiah College on March 7th at Messiah.
'Ville Advances to 5-0 in West Division
Millersville travelled to Altoona on Sunday to face Penn State Altoona and Juniata in West Division matches. Using everyone on the 16-person roster, 'Ville knocked off PS-Altoona first, 25-17, 19-25, 25-15, 25-12 and followed that up by downing Juniata 25-21, 23-25, 25-15, 25-16.
Millersville is now 5-0 in the MACVC West Division, with two divisional matches remaining to play: Dickinson (3-26) and Messiah (4-4), both at Millersville's Brooks Gym.
'Ville "Kicks" Kings Out of Brooks Gym in Sweep
Millersville "kicked" Kings out of Brooks Gym Friday night in a three game sweep, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20. 'Ville avenged its only home defeat in four years, at the hands of Kings last season, and with the victory will most likely assume the #1 ranking in the MACVC (which Kings held - 'Ville was #2).
The match was punctuated by a number of stunning defensive efforts, including this incredible rally halfway through the third game:
With 'Ville serving and holding a 12-9 lead, Nate Gajecki pounded a jump serve at Kings. Kings received the ball, and their setter put up a perfect back-set to Adam Lewis, who blasted the ball high off of the 'Ville block of Ryan Wood and John Wagaman. The ball sailed back toward the left corner of the court, where Erick Macek made a high diving desperation lunge to save the ball.
Macek's effort redirected the ball toward the 'Ville bench, where Tracey Schafer's dive carried him into the bench, but not before he managed to again redirect the ball toward the middle of the back line.
With the ball heading toward the back wall and already passed the end line, Nate Gajecki, running at full tilt toward the ball and the wall, threw himself into the air, sailed feet first under the ball, and executed a perfect round-house bicycle kick from off the court that propelled the ball back over his head, toward the net, and high up near the rafters.
Barely missing the rafters, the ball crossed the net into Kings court, and travelled passed the three meter line, where Lewis delivered a near perfect pass to his setter.
Kings setter then delivered the ball to his middle hitter, who cut the ball back to his left. Matt Shetzline dug the hit, passing the ball to the left center of the net. Gajecki came racing in to set, but Wagaman had already stepped in, and waved Gajecki off, setting Shetzline near the right antenna. Shetzline buried the ball inside of Kings double block for the point.
The already frenzied home crowd exploded with exhaltation, as the entire 'Ville bench lept into the air in unison with the players on the court. As Gajecki ran an impromptu victory lap around his teammates, Kings stood in stunned disbelief at what had just transpired. A shaken Kings team called time out to regroup and the 'Ville bench flooded the court to join their comrades in savoring the moment.
That play drove the final nail into Kings coffin.
'Ville Loses to Navy in Championship Round at MD
'Ville finished 3rd in pool play (4-4) behind D-I teams Penn State and Maryland and moved on into the championhsip round quarterfinals to face Navy. 'Ville displayed a refreshing sense of sportsmanship when, at 24-23 in their favor, on an apparent Navy out-of-bounds hit giving 'Ville the game, 'Ville called their own touch on the hit after the ref had signalled out on Navy. Navy eventually came back to win the game 29-27, and the following game 25-19 to move on to the semifinals.


text:
The No. 24 Creighton Volleyball team improved to 7-1 on the season with a hard-fought five-set win at Denver on late Friday night at the Denver Invitational. Scores of the match in favor of Creighton were 25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 15-11.
Creighton won its third straight match to improve to 7-1 on the year, while Denver lost its third consecutive and dropped to 5-4.
"I'm proud of the way we battled back tonight to prevail in the fifth set," said CU head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth. "It would have been easy for our kids to hang their heads after losing the third and fourth sets and getting down in the fifth, but we remained calm and were able to beat a good team on their home court in a high-altitude situation."
Leah McNary had three kills and three blocks in the fifth set to key Creighton's victory, and would end the night with 15 kills and seven blocks. She was one of four women with double-digit kills for the Jays, and was joined by Lauren Smith (a career-high 13 kills), Kelli Browning (10 kills, eight blocks) and Jess Bird (10 kills). Michelle Sicner ran the offense and recorded 49 assists, nine digs and eight kills.
Creighton led nearly the entire first set. With the score even at 10-all, the Bluejays went on a 5-1 run and would not trail again. DU made it interesting late, closing within 23-22, but Smith had a kill before teaming with Melanie Jereb for a stuff on set point. McNary and Bird both had three kills, and Smith had a hand of three of CU's five stuffs that helped limit the Pioneers to .083 hitting.
Creighton won the most lopsided set of the night, 25-18, to take a 2-0 lead into intermission. Smith had six kills in the second set to key that win.
In the third set Denver led 17-14, only to watch CU score the next five points to move ahead. Denver returned the favor by tying the score at 21-all. Creighton then had a service error, and Denver countered with an ace that hit the back line to move up 23-21. The Pioneers came out of a Bluejay timeout with two more points to earn the 25-21 set victory and force a fourth set.
The teams played even early in set number four before Denver built a 14-11 lead midway through the frame and force CU to use a timeout. Sicner served a crucial 4-0 run to help Creighton tie the score at 22-all late. With the score tied at 23-all, consecutive hitting errors did in the Jays as Denver evened the match.
The fifth set featured five ties before a 3-0 serving run from Ashley Jansen gave CU a 9-7 lead it would never surrender. McNary had three kills and a solo block down the stretch as Creighton capitalized on its second match-point chance to win 15-11. The Bluejays hit .429 in the final frame while also getting their lone ace of the day from Lizzy Stivers.
Denver hit .167 and finished with 55 kills, seven aces, 52 digs and 10 blocks. Colleen King led DU with 16 kills, while Brea Muhle had 10 kills and hit .389. Kate Acker owned a match-best 26 digs for the Pioneers.
Creighton had 61 kills, one ace, 53 digs and 17 blocks on .203 hitting in the victory. CU's eight solo stuffs tied its most in any match since 2007.
Creighton closes out play at the Denver Invitational on Saturday at 1 pm Central with a match against No. 11 UCLA (7-1). UCLA is 2-0 this weekend with a four-set win over Denver on Thursday and a five-set win over Cal State Northridge earlier on Friday evening.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Global Supply Chain Managers
By Sarah Marshall '15
March 18, 2014
Jacob Dust, Timothy Osborn and Joshua Wallrich will be the first graduates of the marketing major's newest concentration, global supply chain management. The concentration, in its first year, focuses on supply chain efficiency.
These students as well as the marketing department are excited about the new opportunities this concentration can provide for future employment. Because the supply chain covers a large area of logistics, there are numerous jobs available to students with this concentration. By focusing on the supply chain, graduates will help businesses achieve long-term sustainability.
"Because supply chain management is critical to firms for both business and environmental sustainability, demand is high," said marketing department chair Dr. Ed Bond. "Recently, I was looking at a list of a dozen positions noted by our Smith Career Center and about one-third of them were supply chain positions."
All of the students had similar reasoning for adding the supply chain concentration, including the high demand in the job market and the benefits of the diverse working environment.
"For me, it's the mix of engineering and business concepts that are applicable across an entire corporation," said Dust. "Supply chain is all-encompassing. About 75 percent of a business's cost can be placed under the supply chain umbrella. That's exciting and I want to be a part of it."
The global supply chain concentration consists of a variety of classes, including MTG 388 Global Supply Chain Management, IME 385 Introduction to Logistics Engineering and IB 402 Global Trade Management. These courses ensure that future Bradley graduates will be well equipped to meet the growing demand for supply chain specialists.
"You get to learn about the details of a business you would never think about as a means for competitive advantage and cost savings," Osborn said. "They open up all the operations of how a business is managed as something to be examined and improved."
This new concentration is off to a swift start with the promise of even greater future enrollment in the program. Students understand the benefits of adding this concentration and the vast opportunities that await them.
"The new concentration gives the Foster College of Business another dynamic, involving international trade, supply chain management, and the whole marketing department," Wallrich said.


text:
How to import MKV to FCP with MKV to FCP Converter for Mac?
As we know, Final Cut Pro is a popular video editor for the rising Mac users to edit their videos or make their own videos for sharing. MKV is similar in conception to other containers like AVI, MP4 or ASF, but is entirely open in specification, with implementations consisting mostly of open source software.
Some Mac users may have many videos which are in .mkv video format. So what should you do when you want to import MKV to FCP for editing? The thing you must do is converting MKV to FCP supported video formats like MP4, MOV etc on Mac.
Mac MKV to FCP Converter is designed for Mac users to convert MKV to FCP so that they can import MKV files into FCP on Mac. With the MKV to FCP Converter for Mac, you can do some things more than just converting MKV to FCP on Mac. You also allowed to convert MKV to AVI, convert MKV to WMV, convert MKV to FLV, etc on Mac.
After MKV to FCP conversion on Mac, you can import MKV to FCP for editing, you can make your own videos and share them with friedns and family.
Step 1. Add videos into this Mac MKV to FCP Converter
After downloading and running Mac MKV to FCP Converter, click "Add" button to upload MKV files which you want to convert from your Mac.
Step 2. Choose the output format and set the destination
In this step, you can chooose the output format form the "Format" drop-down list. Here you can choose "Common Video" > "MPEG-4 Movie (.mp4)" as the output fornat. Then chooose the destination from the "Browse" drop-list.
Step 3. Start converting MKV to FCP
Of couser, if you would like, there are some editig functions to allow you make you videos before convert MKV files, like add watermark, trim video, crop video. When all things are ready, just click "Convert" button to convert MKV to FCP on Mac.


text:
Knots 3D v4.4.1 3D Knot, our app nodes placed at the top, shows the nodes in a new light ! Fun with a piece of rope ! + Learn to perform 101 unpublished nodes + Location in Dutch, French , German, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Russian , Danish, Chinese, Portuguese , Japanese, Swedish, Turkish , Hebrew and English! + Sort your …DOWNLOAD NOW
Home / Tag Archives: Knots 3D v4.4.1 premium apk


text:
It's only the fourth day of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 but already a number of sides are looking to seal a second-stage berth. In fact, two of them – Spain and France – can progress if they win again, while Portugal or Korea Republic could take a significant step in that direction with victory in their meeting.
For United States, Ghana, Nigeria and Cuba, all defeated in their opening matches, a win is the only option. Of these, Nigeria appear to have the best chance of going forward, particularly after the excellent impression they left while narrowly losing to Portugal. After an opening round with a 4.25 goal average, fans in Istanbul and Kayseri will be hoping the group's second matchday delivers more of the same.
The Schedule
Monday 24 June (all kick-off times are local)
Group A
France-USA (Istanbul, 18:00)
Spain-Ghana (Istanbul, 21:00)
Group B
Cuba-Nigeria (Kayseri, 18:00)
Portugal-Korea Republic (Kayseri, 21:00)
The Match of the Day
The first round winners from Group B, Portugal and Korea Republic, are both looking to close in on the quarter-finals. In their opening games, both teams played some quality football but also left their coaches with some cause for concern. Edgar Borges, for his part, lamented his side's defensive frailties: "We left happy with the three points, but I didn't like a number of a things," the Portugal coach said. "We made mistakes at the back that we cannot afford to make."
Similarly, Lee Kwangjong, coach of Korea Republic, had reason to demand more from his players. "They started nervously, although they improved as the game wore on. I'm not happy with their performance; I know we can do better."
The Other Highlights
Of course, part of the reason both the Portuguese and the South Koreans were made to suffer was down to the quality of their rivals. Consequently, Nigeria and Cuba will not let their heads drop and will hold nothing back in the knowledge that another reverse could spell elimination for the defeated side. While both teams are physically imposing, the Africans have experience on their side – as well as the fine form of their captain Abdul Ajagun.
In a tough Group A, the situation is marginally clearer after emphatic performances by France and Spain. The former will be hoping to build on their good start, confident in both the defensive solidity and finishing skills of their midfield as they aim to delight the Turkish fans again with their celebratory dances. Meanwhile, USA, who fell to Spain in their opener, are expected to keep faith with their high-tempo passing game which, at times, caused the Spanish defence problems.
Unsurprisingly, Spain were one of the most eye-catching teams in the opening games, and they will again be looking to the in-form duo of Jese and Gerard Deulofeu. Facing them will be a wounded Ghana side that know they have no margin for error if they are to become a two-time world champion in the category.
The Player to Watch
Kang Sangwoo (Korea Republic)
The diminutive South Korean striker still plays for the Kyunghee University team, but already appears to have enough experience to lead Lee Kwangjong's side. Player of the Tournament at the last AFC U-19 Championship, when he scored two goals, he powered his side to victory against Cuba in Kayseri. Despite not finding the target himself in the first game, his precise passing allowed Ryu Seyungwoo to grab the opener, while his pace attacking from out wide caused no end of headaches for the Cuban rearguard.
The Number
Four players who will take to the turf this Monday have scored twice in Turkey and emerged as candidates for top scorer award. One of these is Nigeria skipper Abdul Ajagun, who became the 13th player to hit the back of the net in two editions of the competition, having also been on target at Colombia 2011). Others include Portugal's Bruma (Sporting) and Spanish duo Jese (Real Madrid) and Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona).
The Words
Great game yesterday against USA! First three important points to get us on the road to winning the World Cup! Team Photo! pic.twitter.com/kMrCNo0dRF
Gran partido ayer contra EEUU! Primeros 3 puntos importantes para llegar a conquistar el Mundial! Foto del equipo! pic.twitter.com/kMrCNo0dRF
— gerard deulofeu (@gerardeulofeu) June 22, 2013


text:
Determination of chemical communication among epibiotic Bacteria associated with the bloom forming cyanobacteria Trichodesmium
Tracy Mincer, Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry
Benjamin Van Mooy, MC&G
Grant Funded 2008
Members of the Genus Trichodesmium are globally important nitrogen-fixing photosynthetic bacteria that form immense blooms in oligotrophic surface waters, and affect multiple trophic levels. These filamentous buoyant cyanobacteria are covered with other microbes, that have been presumed to consume their hosts reduced carbon and nitrogen exudates, yet these epibionts remain poorly characterized. Recently, we discovered strong evidence that chemical signaling may be occurring on various Trichodesmium spp. filaments. This epibiotic signaling could impact the behavior of Trichodesmium itself since they possess genes that could enable this host to listen in on these signals. Support for this study will enable us to develop a model system for epibiosis and possible microbial community cooperation using this ecologically successful and globally dominant microorganism that thrives in a harsh environment.


text:
Date: Monday 30th April 2018
Time: 10:00
An open drawing class for all levels and abilities -
This week -
All welcome, materials included but feel free to bring your own.
Booking advised, £10 per session (£7.50 concs.)
Tickets in advance :
Standard: £10.00
Concessions: £7.50
Click on here to buy tickets or phone 01726 879500
NB Tickets are non-refundable. We have a TicketPlan option that, for a modest sum, covers the cost of your order if you are suddenly unable to attend a booked event. Please call us about the TicketPlan service.
Enter Tickets required below to book Online
Phone CRBO on 01726 879500
Buy over-the-counter at Tourist Offices in St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, St Mawes, Truro, St Austell, Bodmin, Looe, Liskeard & Launceston plus 'Heartlands'Pool Redruth or 'The Well House' in Fowey.
Barnoon Workshop
Barnoon Workshop
Click here to Book Online
Call CRBO on 01726 879500
Barnoon Workshop is a dedicated space for arts and crafts activities in the heart of St Ives in Cornwall
It is surrounded by stunning scenery, overlooking Porthmeor Beach, and a short walk from Tate St Ives, the Babara Hepworth Museum, beaches and shops.
Our Workshops are led by experienced professionals, in a relaxed an informal atmosphere. They're usually available for all ages and abilities. Ticket prices include all the materials for the workshop.
Our Gift Vouchers make ideal presents!
Just select the Gift Voucher 'event'. The voucher can be spent on any Barnon Workshop course at anytime.
Barnoon Workshop Facebook


text:
Perhaps you've noticed that the 31-year-old weekend shoutfest known as The McLaughlin Group has lately made itself scarce during the heavyweight Sunday morning talk-show line-up.
Well, true fans need to roll out of bed earlier. After decades of prominence on Saturday nights and, more recently, Sundays at noon, "the Group" is now being broadcast at a less-than-prestigious 6:30 a.m. on Washington's CBS affiliate WUSA-TV.
Some in the highly competitive world of small-screen punditry might call it a "metaphysical certitude" that the Reagan-era panel chaired by a former Nixon White House speechwriter is fading to black.
Not so, says longtime panel member and resident liberal Eleanor Clift. "It's not unusual for the Group to be preempted during football season -- and the assumption is that we will return to our usual time slot following Face the Nation," she told Government Executive. "One complicating factor is the expansion of [Bob] Schieffer's show to an hour, which had pushed the Group to noon on Sunday."
So perhaps it's not yet time for McLaughlin's final "BYYYYE BYYYYE."


text:
Regardless of whether you fly high the Apple banner, or have chosen to defiantly enlist yourself within the rank and file of the Android Army, the fact remains that Apple has had quite the influence on the smartphone world. Don't believe us? Ask Samsung. But like any really successful company (Coca Cola, McDonalds, Starbucks) the degree of how successful you have well and truly become isn't measured in mere dollar signs alone, but rather how far reaching the influence of your product is. According to a BMW executive, it is in this respect that Apple's influence cannot be matched.
In a recent interview with Motoramic, BMW Designworks lead designer Sandy McGill declared that Apple's influence extends far beyond trendy retail locations, smartphones, and tablets, but into the automotive industry as well.
How so? As it turns out, it's a matter of color. For nearly a decade, silver has remained the top choice of automakers wishing to exhibit the finer qualities of their autos. Now, white has overtaken silver, a fact McGill attributes to the late Steve Jobs and Apple's expansive influence, and the fact that many of Apple's products, from the original iPod to the iPad, are all available in white. Even Apple's old colorful and silhouetted commercials highlighted the Cupertino-based company's iconic white headphones.
"Prior to Apple, white was associated with things like refrigerators or the tiles in your bathroom," McGill said in an interview. "Apple made white valuable."
Interestingly, and perhaps rather ironically, rumors have persisted for some time now regarding an eventual push into the auto industry from Apple. Speculation swirled prior to, and after, Steve Job's death that the former Apple boss had cast more than playful glance at the automotive industry. J. Crew CEO and Apple board member Mickey Drexler hinted that those rumors were indeed true when he revealed during an interview that Steve Job's "dream before he died was to design an iCar." And earlier this month, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, lent further credibility to the rumblings when he revealed during his testimony against Samsung that the electronics giant had considered entering the automotive arena prior to the release of the iPhone and iPad.
So in a way, it appears Apple has already influenced the automotive industry. They just didn't realize it. And perhaps most annoyingly to those who vehemently opposed all things Apple, they did it without even trying.
Editors' Recommendations
- Apple iPad Mini 5 vs. iPad Mini 4: What's new in Apple's long-awaited refresh?
- The best shows on Netflix right now (March 2019)
- The 10 most droolworthy concept cars of the year, and 1 big cringe
- Apple sheds 200 employees from its mysterious self-driving car program
- Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar review


text:
A long day
It's been a long day but a fruitful one by all accounts. While I don't exactly have a ton of details to share with everyone, I can tell you guys that we're on the verge of signing Luis Gonzalez and hopefully there will be news on him and Jason Schmidt tomorrow. So far, this team is loaded with pitching, a pretty solid offense and Ned has yet to trade a single one of the kids, which is hard to fathom.
I hope you're all as happy as I am…it's been a long day, but a very good one for Dodger fans everywhere.
83 Comments
Keeping the kids around is something special, and it appears that Ned is really some kind of magician.
Now if he really wants to pull a rabbit out of his hat, how about Ned figuring a way for Eric Gagne to sign? Or is it that the club doesn't want to commit the closers role to him at this point? I read somewhere that this point is something Eric wants guaranteed more than the money, which might explain why he turned down the 4 million with incentives to 10 million.
So far, so good… I love what Ned has done to this point and we really do have a good core team heading into… shoot! …it's not even 2007 yet!! lol…
Go Ned!!
Go Dodgers!!
Let me reiterate by simply stating the obvious…
Ned… YOU'RE A GENIUS!!
Gonzo will be a great addition for a year… just enough time for Matt Kemp to get his head on straight.
I love Gagne as much as any other Dodger fan, but I think everyone just needs to let him go. He's severely damaged goods and I don't want to see this team stuck with another big guaranteed contract with the guy, just to see him sit out the whole season. He was great for us in his prime without a doubt. But those days are done. He may never be that same guy again. Kiss him goodbye. We're moving on.
i dont know about you guys, but i think our outfield is suspect, BUT we kept our kids… i like the team, i hope the next 4 months go by fast, i'm ready to go!
thank you ned, what a great off seson, we can will it all next year, great starting 5 with schmidt, lowe, penny(minus 20 lbs) wolf, and bills
look at this bullpen, saito, broxton, brazoban tomko, from the right, hu, beimel hendrickon from the left. stults another lefty and hamulack, and houlton as extra.s in case of a trade.
toby hall can be traded or released.
a lineup of pierre(l) martin(r),fural(s) kent(r), normar(r) gonzo(l) betemit(s) and either(l)
bench with saenz, martinez, anderso repko, and Loney(1b and of) great look to me, and we still have our prospects
I am happy can see some minor tweaking, but that could only even make us better. great job
Outfield is a bit suspect but with Repko filling in the later innings and Kemp getting at bats in AAA waiting to come up, I think we'll make do. Plus with Werth, Loney and LaRoche getting some spring training games in the outfield I think we'll be safe. 162 games, I say Gonzo starts about 120, 130 at most (similiar role Lofton had), allows the kids to ease in. Had Ethier been brought up a month later, I wonder if he wouldn't have tired out by September like he did.
Great Job Ned in keeping the kids!!! Now lets trade the excess bulk for some pitching prospects or draft picks for Logan White to turn into more diamonds!
It's official, Luis Gonzalez has signed for one year, $7 million. It's a good one year signing, he had 62 doubles, 73 RBI, 15 HRs.
The Dodgers have to be the front runner to win the NL West. What have the other teams in the division done? Maddux to SD, SF gets Roberts, Aurilia, Molina, AZ gets Davis, CO gets, uh, no one.
1) It's nice that he's not trading any of the prospects, but is he going to give Little a chance to play them? Grady will play the vets over them unless they're dying; he plays the kids essentially if there is nobody available who plays everyday – like how he went with Nomar over Loney down the stretch, or if whoever is available hits under .240 (like Jose Cruz).
2) Gonzalez is a terrible signing. There, I said it. We can't trade him or Pierre until at least June or so, so the only thing you can do now in the other outfield spot is trade or bench Ethier, or just face that we won't have a power hitter. James Loney could easily equal his performance in the other outfield spot, at least with regards to OPS. All that's left for Loney to do is start developing some home run power. The Dodgers best chance may be that Stan Conte cannot keep the aging veterans healthy.
3) As far as the pitching, this is an interesting puzzle. We have Brett Tomko, Mark Hendrickson, Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Jason Schmidt, Hong-Chih Kuo, Chad Billingsley, Randy Wolf, Eric Stults, and DJ Houlton as potential starting pitching candidates. What if we don't trade any of them?
Here's my idea:
I like Billingsley in pressure, so I put him as a 7th inning guy and jam reliever. At the deadline, then, we can trade one of the starters to put Billingsley back in the rotation, and trade either Gonzo or Pierre while we're at it, maybe both, and get a power hitter and let some of the younger players take over.
4) I would like to retain Gagne, but it looks like Boras is going to try to talk him out of it. Eric, fire Scott Boras. Please.
5) Here's the lineup I see now:
If Loney isn't getting playing time, then send him to Vegas and have him work on bulking up to become a home run hitter (but moderately so he can still play defense), while Kemp should be able to write the book on the strike zone.
2007 should be annoying.
Go Dodgers in 2008!
gnorm – the rotation has settled in much more nicely. There is less uncertainty – only Wolf, and Billingsley will likely be the guy to come in to pick up for him. Kuo will be awesome, but have starts skipped because he's going to pitch more professional innings this coming year than his entire career combined.
After calming down at hearing of Gonzo, I'm guessing the offense on the net will probably actually be about even. We have to remember that it took a while to set the offense; Mueller, Navarro, Cruz came and went. While Gonzo and Pierre are a downgrade from Drew and Lofton, they'll net for the 2006 offense at least, and I would guess that Kent picks up some more power, given his desire to get in shape for the coming season. We have Anderson on the bench, Lieberthal to back up Martin. I think Martin will improve a bit, as will Betemit. Ethier could do anything next year, although I think that we can expect something from .800-875 OPS and 10-19 HR. There's still decent balance in the lineup, though.
As for the rest of the division,
* the Giants still refuse to rebuild, but won't be good either, so they'll just be flat out awful, not quite New York Knicks awful, but definitely basement-level.
* The Rockies have some decent players, and their pitching wasn't bad, so I can see them playing .500 ball. That they have not done much this offseason will not hurt.
* Arizona has some good younger players, notably Stephen Drew, but other than Webb who's pitching for them? Their best bet is to nauseate their opponents with their new uniforms, although the red snakes remind me more of Satan for some reason.
* The Padres will lose Piazza, but Bard is a good offensive catcher. Adrian Gonzalez is good, and Peavy's gonna win more than 8 games next year. Maddux will be a bit better than Woody Williams, but Trevor Hoffman will probably bounce his 24mph fastball in the dirt. I think they'll win about 88 or so again.
Predicted Standings:
I'd love to have the Luis Gonzalez of a few years ago. NOT the one pushing 40 who hits only 15 HR.
While the Schmidt signing is a good one, the Gonzo signing is about as wrong-headed as possible, especially with the LA Times reporting that Uncle Ned has assured Gonzo that he will be the starting left-fielder. Ned, is your toupee on too tight?
Somebody tell me that there is no way that Loney/Kemp/spare parts won't be able to put up 15 HR, 73 RBI's and a .271 batting average? This is a stupid, stupid, unnecessary signing that will block another talented young player for another year, unless we trade a Penny/Ethier or Loney package for a LEGIT power-hitting right fielder.
I was willing to forgive the long term contract to Juan Pierre on the condition that we also get somebody to knock him in (and several years under 40 so at least one of our "power hitters" could stay healthy), but Ned, you blew it on this one buddy.
I just read the LA Times article and have completely changed my tune on Gagne…I guess the great satan Boras got to Eric afterall…If its true that the Dodgers offered him 4mill guaranteed with incentives to push that to 10MILLION? and he turned it down, then he can go…guess his true colors went from Dodger Blue to Boras Green. its sad. I could understand if he gets some ridiculous deal like 10 million guranteed, but the Dodger offer is said to be one million less than hes going to get elsewhere…wow. Adios you injury prone Boras slave
Wow is right. Ned's offer to Gagne more than fair, much better than I ever expected. If Eric's choice is based on a guarantee to close then he could prove that by signing with someone else at the offer Ned made to him. Sorry to lose Eric but Ned gave him a great chance to remain a Dodger. The article in the Times mentions that Gonzo's signing means Ned can more comfortably trade Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Ethier. Guess we will never get out of that sort of talk. I knowone will have to go but hope it is in a trade for a still young player. Ned apparently offered Gonzo a two year deal but Gonzo chose one. Thank heavens. One will get us closer to the youngsters playing.
It baffles me how Ned can be so high on Kemp, who never played AAA ball and who looked TERRIBLE after that first month he had in LA, yet continues to block Loney who in my mind proved is MLB ready right NOW. And I just know Gonzo is going to be a big mistake. I watched him last year and he is a shell of his former self.
Kemp is one of the best OF prospects in baseball. Spend a little time looking over baseball America, or looking at minor league A, AA, AAA #s. He is a mega stud. He was, however, probably rushed up last year to the bigs (skipping AA, AAA basically) His isn't ready. Still remains to be seen if he can learn to lay off the outside breaking stuff…. but if he can- oh boy!
Hate this Gonzo- another mediocre OF blocking prospects… yuk.
Hello? Doesn't anyone here remember the rate at which Matt Kemp was depositing baseballs into the left field pavillion when he first came up? Yes the opposition found his weakness, however the kid is still a baby by baseball standards, and hopefully he's smart enough to make the necessary adjustments at the plate… i.e… good coaching.
So, I'm thinking about this and trying to figure out the logistics in my head. What's our batting order gonna look like? Since Little seems to like the idea of Furcal in the 3 spot and we want to alternate L/R a little bit, here's my idea:
Pierre – L
Nomar – R
Furcal – S
Kent – R
Gonzo – L
Betemit – S
Ethier – L
Martin – R
Nomar's High OBP is good to back up JP, and we still get Kent's power at cleanup. Gonzo's there to slap doubles behind Kent and we still have the alternating sides of the plate thing happening. I think Grady may be on to something with the Furcal thing. He just may hit 20-25 HR batting there w/ 100+ RBI. I like the Gonzo deal, I don't care what you guys say(to be said in the voice of a spoiled 5-year old boy). With real hitters in front of him and all those doubles, he would have had 110 RBI last year. But, he had Eric Byrnes, Orlando Hudson, and Chad Tracy hitting in front of him. Oh, and sometimes Shawn Green or Conor Jackson. The top of the D-backs lineup was not exactly stacked with effective leadoff guys. I watched him play a few times in Phoenix and I really like his game. There's no denying that he plays every fly ball with heart and runs out every ball in play as best he can.
dualtone – Betemit is for all practical purposes a left-handed hitter
pearljam – Ned is blocking both of them anyway
Nomar in the two slot? Not going to happen… he's lost a step or two these days.
if we dont trade ethier or whoever for legit power like the times reported the gonzalez signing would definitely rank up there in all time stupid free agent signings…i agree with whoever stated that loney would have no problem putting up gonzo's old deflated numbers. does anyone remember that 9 rbi game loney had???? if that doesnt say im ready for the big leagues than i dont know what does. NO TRADE FOR POWER=DUMB MOVE.
sometimes you wonder if there are powers at be stopping ned….in all fairness with our pitching depth….you mean to tell me ned couldnt have made a deal for freddy garcia happen too?? the white sox got gavin floyd who is only 24 but not too great, and a minor league lefty??if hes stockpiling for a trade that would have improved our rotation and gave us even more opportunity to trade a penny or a kuo.??? dodgers should be competing for the NL pennant every year with our assets.
Signing Eric Gagne is a must for a number of reasons.
1. From published reports what he wants is very close to what the Dodgers offered.
2. He is the most popular player that the Dodgers have had in years. He brings people into the park and they stay longer. Historically, the only other players who did this were Koufax and Valenzuela. That's an added bonus to the Dodger's front office which should be factored in when negotiating the contract.
3. The Dodgers must prevent him from going to another club in their division and since both sides are so close in terms of a contract, signing him is imperative.
4. Coletti has done a great job this off-season, but losing Gagne should not be because he doesn't like his agent.
Graffiti… are you a genius? Remember that we still have 10 weeks before pitchers and catchers report and the start of the season, last I checked, was still in April. Point is there's still a long time to go before the first pitch is thrown.
I don't think that Ned is finished yet. But one thing I do know, from what we've seen from him during the past year, is that Ned is going to give Grady Little as many pieces of the puzzle as he needs to make certain we're not hurting for players come August.
Also, who's been in the Diamondbacks lineup to help protect Gonzo? Nobody. And now with the Dodgers, he has some class hitters batting around him with the likes of Kent and Nomar… heck, we have some solid hitting as it is. Gonzo will get some pretty fat pitches to hit.
Chicks did the long ball this is true, but how many World Series teams actually led the leauge in home runs? We're solid and only going to get better by the start of the season.
i do know chicks dont dig 40 year old outfielders with steadily dropping numbers that is blocking one of the best MLB ready offensive prospects the dodgers have had since konerko….i just said at this point unless someone is shipped and the lineup is set as is with no position for loney to play is a stupid move…he doesnt need to go back to vegas again and work on anything. thats not beneficial to the dodgers or james loney.
and him being on the bench is worse.
After the signing of Gonzo, I believe all signs point to Seattle. Seattle is not going to trade without getting a bat back, but they want pitching badly.
So…it is going to be Betemit, Penny for
Beltre and a minor leaguer.
We might throw in Hendrickson or Tomko for the heck of it.
This deal would make the most sense with the current roster. It would up grade third base.
If not Beltre…its Sexson and Nomar moves to third base. This might be better for the long run, with LaRoche taking over in two years at third.
Any thoughts…
I really doubt Beltre will come back & were Dogdger blue but i've seen crazier things.
I hope we don't trade Ethier. I had a jersey made with his name on it. Oh man!!!!
Does anyone remember last year if after the Holiday Pack tickets went on sale did they offer the same packages with different dates? I am reluctant to buy one because it says "seats to be determined"/. I don't want to be in the back row unless I know it ahead of time.
Isn't anyone concerned that the Dodgers are turning into the Giants? Old and overpaid. Great, Ned isn't trading any prospects. Instead, they're just stuck in the minors blocked by retreads and has-beens like Gonzalez and Pierre and Garciaparra and Lieberthal. Give the kids a shot!
a dodger official quoted as saying " we are not going to take that tour twice " referring to beltre…why would we? the sexson move doesnt make sense either moving nomar to third. I think Toronto might bite on Wells with all the pitchers they were targeting signing eleswhere.( meche, lilly ). that would be a spectacular deal that would erase the memory of Judy Drew from dodger fans minds for eternity.
Alright, kss and pats, you're both probably right. Nomar has lost a step and Betemit is basically a LH-hitter. But we have so many stinking LH-hitters now! It's impossible to really alternate them. Unless Betemit learns to really hit from the right side, we can't do it. We're gonna have the same problem that the Mets did last year. A LH-heavy lineup isn't often a good thing.
Sexson's not gonna come to LA, at least I hope not. Dude's a DH that tries to pass as a first baseman. Plus, I've never been fond of power hitters with a batting avg. under .275. All that says to me is that if he hits the ball really hard he can do something with it. If that's what we're looking for, sign me to play 1b. I can hit the ball a mile, I just don't hit it often:-). Maybe Beltre would come back, but I doubt it. Besides, he's not the power guy that he used to be. The last two years he's looked like he was finally getting his swing back at the end of the season, then the next one starts and… nothing! The guy hit 9 HR in the first 4 months of the season. If we're looking for a power bat so badly, we should get one that's a little bit more consistent.
I think graffiti's right. Ricciardi loves Penny, he didn't get any pitchers off the FA market, and Wells has stated that he doesn't want to re-sign with Toronto next year. Did they sign Zaun to be the starting catcher or the backup? Maybe they'd take Toby Hall too. Then we send Penny/Ethier/Hall and get the big bat we've all been craving.
khgates you must be reading my mind. With the signing of Gonzo I don't see Ned trading for another OF. That can only leave 3B as the logical answer and if that's the case then Beltre would be the target Ned must be going for. Sexton could be an alternative but that requires a lot of moving people around. I don't really think Ned wants to move Nomar off 1B.
Let me say that I like the Gonzo signing. It's one year and this guy knows how to hit !!! This guy has a lot to prove and he's in great shape. Good role of the dice Ned, especially nice that it doesn't cost us one of our kids !!
Ned, I only ask that you not give up on Gagne. He's still available and could have a change of heart. Don't let Boras keep him away !!
I guess we'll know more by the close of business today !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
whatever you do ned do it big…no mediocrity. Brad Penny right now coming off sixteen wins and a low 4 era has very high value, and is not making that much money. i like our chances i think neds got one or two more deals coming and then hes going on vacation with the pieces set.
No doubt that Beltre's defense is coveted, but how else can one explain the severe power loss without thinking that it also coincided with the league's steroid policy being inforced? Beltre off of steroids… can he still hit? The numbers say emphatically… NO!
enforced that is…
Beltre wasn't the only one juicing. There's a long list of other hitters (Gonzo included) and a longer list of picthers. Let's not that make the decision for us. Beltre is not the power hitter we're looking for. Betimit will be fine, maybe LaRoche will get some playing time with him at 3rd. Trade Penny, Hall and a rook to get 35 HRs.
back off gonzo haters.
sure, loney/anderson/kemp/whoever would get more than 15 homers, more RBI, maybe more dbls, but gonzo has the off the field intangibles. nomar was a great one year signing for the same reason EVEN IF HE DIDN'T PERFORM LIKE HE DID.
Gonzo, like leberthal, is great for yongsters. ethier, kemp, loney, and martin are key for the dodgers future. these two signings are only helping them long term.
Besides the fact that Gonzo is 40 and won't play every day…enter the aforementioned youngsters.
Off-the-field intangibles don't get you to the World Series.
shmolnick, I don't agree with you, the intangibles are just as important. A WS is not accomplished by individuals !! You get there as a team and a team has to have chemistry and all of those intangibles must come together to be a team. !!!
That's one reason why Beltre might not work, becasue he wasn't a team player before !! It's the same reason Penny is expendable today, he only thinks of himself !! Gonzo has the team player approach. I like what we have today. Unless a great deal comes up I say go with what we have ( Except I still want Gagne !! )
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
shmolnick, I don't agree with you, the intangibles are just as important. A WS is not accomplished by individuals !! You get there as a team and a team has to have chemistry and all of those intangibles must come together to be a team. !!!
That's the reason why Beltre might not work, because he wasn't a team player before !! It's why Penny is expendable today, he only thinks of himself. I like how we setup today and unless some great deal comes along I say go with what we have ( Except I still want Gagne ).
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
so what are you guys saying?? its already conceded that gonzo was juicing and his numbers dropped considerably, but are you guys saying just his attitude and outlook will make us better? thats good for the young players to a certain extent. but then you have to put the numbers up with your 40 year old vet credibility. if that veteran argument held any water the giants wouldnt be as horrible as they are. we need a solid every day guy or we need to trade what we dont have plans for if they are ready and dont have a place to showcase their skills. they arent gonna have this value forever.
dealing prospects is somewhat of a **** shoot. all i know is i am going to dread the day Joel Guzman is hitting 40 homers for another team . anyone smell konerko on that move.
what the **** dodgers? luis gonzalez? LUIS GONZALEZ? why? why? why? we should see if kirk gibson wants to play again? isnt this the same **** that kept the giants from ever winning? lets sign all the old people we can. who cares if we have a buttload of prospects if they just sit on the bench. what are you doing colletti? we dont need anymore stopgaps till the youngsters are ready. you have the minor league batting champion stuck behind mr. injury nomar, and grandpa gonzalez. i am sooo disappointed.
Chill everyone! Gonzo is a positive influence and only gets in the way by performing. If he doesn't perform, he sits. Liberthal provides much better back-up than Hall. Schmidt makes another starter available to land Wells if we throw in someone who Wells will displace. Other than some of Ned's deals with Tampa Bay, everything he did seems to have improved the team, and the last few days' activity leaves me feeling really good about 2007!
Go Dodgers
Go Ned
Bring back the Poncho
Bring back Gagne
graffiti, I highly doubt that the Gonzo acquisition is the worst signing ever…after all, it is for one year. And in the current market, $7 million is not outrageous.
Here's how it will go. Gonzo will start the season as the left fielder. If he's as bad as you haters are claiming, he will get traded (just like Cruz got benched last year) and one of the kids will get a shot at an everyday role. If he's as good as the lovers say, he will still probably only play 130 games over a full season; and if he's that good, he makes for trade bait in July to compensate for a likely hole due to injury, and likewise opens up a hole for whichever kid is playing best.
This isn't the best acquisition in the world. But paired with his experience and his intangibles, this is FAR from the worst deal ever (Dreifort? You forget him?).
I'm getting more and more excited about this team, and in another year, there will be more room for the kids (Kent's departure shifts Nomar to 2b and makes room for Loney, Gonzo's 1-year contract ends, 3b may still be up for grabs).
Let's see about the Gagne signing and see about a monster bat trade before we throw in the towel on what is already looking to be a good '07.
if he doesnt perform he will get traded?? no one is going to take on a 40 year old 7 million dollar coach on the roster.lets be real he should have stayed in the booth and just kept announcing. ned coletti would look like the best gm of all time if he didnt make those disgusting pathetic trades he made with Tampa. Imagine the tampa gm's face when he heard those proposals. right when you like a prospect….bam he gets traded, so after the guzman trade, I have no faith in ever seeing Matt Kemp hitting homers like he did for those awesome 2 weeks he was here…. and just because ned had a hunch on an athlete with tools, he dealt him for nothing basically. lots of players with great upside never made it for one simple reason…they couldnt hit anything but a fastball. so lets not get to hyped on our so called stud prospects. karim garcia was a mega stud remember!! where is he??
And Guzman did what exactly when he came up? O-fer how many?
.211 in 20 ABs.
All this whinning is making me sick. A bunch of whinners! I read this thing too much…. the whinning is bigging to seriously bug me. If you have an argument to make…let's see some stats. Otherwise….enough with the whinning.
Bugging me some much I can't spell "beginning."
Hey Harold, I think we should start the "Let's get Bonds Deal Again " !!!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!!
the stats are chuck tiffany and joel guzman for danys baez and lance carter.
two top prospects for them??
that was my argument. its not about calling other people whiners, its about posting something respectful on here and we are all in the same boat so leave that tough talk somewhere else. we all want to see the dodgers win every single game they play. I was and still am frustrated at that move…but oh well its history and hopefully he can write some new history to erase Judy Drew and those horrible trades from my mind.
Watch out, Gary's trying to start a fight again! 🙂
First off, 20 AB's is no way to judge any player. Guzman didn't show anything off when he was up this year, Kemp did at first but then he flopped. On the trade topic, what everyone needs to know is that finding a balance between potential talent and proven talent is both extremely difficult and absolutely necessary. The WS teams are usually comprised of home-grown talent AND established veterans. Let me reiterate – potential and proven talent are two completely different things. Sometimes we have to trade a little potential to get proven. Many times, these "top 25 prospects" don't actually pan out (see todd hollandsworth & raul mondesi). Chris Shelton was supposed to be huge this year, so was Oliver Perez, but they didn't do much. Dan Uggla was weak enough to be picked up in the Rule 5 draft, then he made a run at ROTY. Andre Ethier's best Minor League AVG was somewhere around .280. See where I'm going with this?
Regardless of what happens, I can't wait for the '07 season to start! I know that Ned has the best of intentions, and I just hope that he protects what he can while getting us upgrades. Personally, I think that Penny/Kemp/?? for Wells sounds like a great deal if we get an extension. Wells=proven, Kemp=potential.
graffiti – joel guzman didn't go in the carter/baez deal. He went in the Lugo deal. Chuck Tiffany and Edwin Jackson went for Baez/Carter. Oh, and you can complain about how Lugo played in LA as much as you want, but he played better for us than guzman did.
Hi Gary:
Maybe we should on compassionate grounds. Barry has no job. Maybe a one year deal with Roger Clemens. nkirby – we all have our own opinions of what should happen. I for one love the prospects but I think Gonzo can help us get to them and to play-offs. I guess whinning is part of the whole thing. My goodness some folks were willing to fully embrace it with WHAAAAAAAmirez and he'd be paid $18M to do it. We whine free of charge. I do think we are positioned for ma good season. That is always conditional on staying healthy. I also think everything is not done yet. Like Gary I really would like Gagne to sign. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!
im sorry i was mistaken. that move doesnt look as bad as i thought i forgot about jackson thats how high i was on him and his one good outing. of course lugo played better than Guzman..the guy got 20 ab's what did you want him to hit 5 homers in that span? he didnt get a chance just like konerko and he turned out to be pretty good.
I would of liked the Gonzo deal a lot better if he was a backup rather than a starter. The Dodgers are still short a power bat and i know there are talks about the dodgers going after Vernon Wells, but why? Why not get someone younger such as Adam LaRoache, or Miguel Cabrera? With all the pitching you could easily trade any of the following Penny, Tomko, Hendrickson, Dessens, and Hall. If the Dodgers really wanted to they could even go after Mark Mulder or Jeff Suppan to take Penny's place. If the Dodgers were to get Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins, you could even add Betemidt in the deal as well, but that would be a boost for the offense and the outfield would still reamain how it is. With Larouche the Dodgers could move Nomar to 3rd base, and you would have the young Adam someday playin with his younger brother on the corner infield positions. If the Dodgers are able to get a young power hitter, such as these too then the Gonzo deal would make more sense, he would be at the bottom of the lineup more of an rbi guy rather than a homerun hitter, like Russel Martin last year.
Please comment about this I would like to see what others think.
The Dodgers have had an extremely memorable winter. JD Drew, the inconsistent team killer is gone and replaced by Gonzo, someone who we've seen turn an entire organization around. Not with just his play but with his attitude. He's as solid a player as JD will ever be. Great switch. Thanks Scott Boras.
A rasberry goes out to Eric Gagne for not taking the hometown discount, like he was saying he would do a month ago, and turing into another money driven Boras player. I guess he's forgotten that he's been primarily an underachiever for us. Yes, he had the greatest two years of any closer ever but then he's not helping the team for two years of injuries. Eric show some class and take a one year offer for a million and tell Scott Boras to **** off.
It's great to see two players Wolf and Lieberthal come play for the Dodgers in the hometown instead of taking more money elsewhere. That's rarity.
We replaced Maddux for Schmidt.That's a great switch. We replaced Kenny Lofton for Pierre. Another great switch.
Nomah' is going to be back, that's a nice save to keep him on the team.
AAnd we still have all the 'kids' of the future.
Now, if the Red Sox would just trade us Ramirez for Penny. That won't happen.
No biggie, the last World Series the Dodgers won we didn't have any big time home run or power hitters. Even Kirk wasn't a power hitter. On that team Mike Marshall was the power hitter and he got hurt early.
Defense, Pitching and timely hitting wins championships.
This team is better than last years team. And we didn't have to sell the future to get better.
Colletti is THE MAN! Now we know why the Giants were so good for that recent stretch.
Our turn.
graffiti, you can't have it both ways in the prospect argument…first you say it's an awful move to trade Joel Guzman, then in the same post you remind us not to get "too hyped on our so-called stud prospects" and you suggest elsewhere that we need to trade prospects while their value is high.
You're right, I didn't mean to say that Gonzo would get traded so much as he would be benched/released if he underperforms. It's a $7 million gamble, but if he works out okay, he's still trade bait. We can eat part of his salary to open up a spot on the field for a prospect who is having a good season.
Hey Harold… don't forget about me! I'm one of Gagne's biggest supporters too!
So let me condense this in a nutshell Mr. Graffiti… you're plain upset that the Dodgers got rid of Joel Guzman? Right? Well… perhaps the Dodgers were right. What did Guzman do for the Devil Rays AFTER he left? I'll tell you what he did: he went to the Rays AAA affiliate, the Durham Bulls, and somehow managed to hit .192 in 88 at bats, with 4 home runs and 9 RBI's! Is that the kind of POTENTIAL you want playing in Los Angeles?
Yes I would have wanted more for him than the two mediocre months that Julio Lug-nuts provided for us, but Joel has a LONG way to go before even he cracks that Tampa Bay lineup.
And Gary… great idea about Barry Bonds! I think he'd look fantastic in Dodger Blue! And I hear he comes cheap too… just looking to hook on with a club at this point. Do you think he'd go into the hall of fame as a Dodger if he sets the record with LA?
Fine job Ned. We're no better than last year, just maybe a little bit worse. I see the goal for the offseason was to achieve mediocrity.
According to MLB.com, the Dodgers have signed left fielder Luis Gonzalez to a one-year, $7MM deal. This one had been rumored all day.
With the signing, L.A.'s outfield appears set. It features Gonzo in left, Juan Pierre in center, and Andre Ethier in right. Sound good? It's quite mediocre. Let's compare the trio to the league averages from 2006.
Left field NL average: .277/.359/.478
Luis Gonzalez: .273/.357/.447
Center field NL average: .264/.335/.418
Juan Pierre: .292/.330/.388
Right field NL average: .268/.345/.453
Andre Ethier: .308/.365/.477
Looking at Ethier's second half, I'd say there's a good chance the Dodgers are below average offensively at all three outfield positions in 2007. And it's not like these guys are Gold Glovers.
Cornbread, as hungry as your email address makes me, I'll give you my thoughts.
First off, Luis Gonzalez would not become a reserve, because nobody would pay that much for a reserve, and he'd rather get more money and playing time.
And I doubt they go for Wells; why would Colletti get two centerfielders? Unless centerfield is the new shortstop . . .
The Dodgers have pitching to trade, but don't expect anything until the deadline. Not only will everyone be available, but they can evaluate people. Also, Brad Penny's late-season drop-off will likely go away (I think he had some kinda nagging injury), and he'll probably look more like he did in the first half.
Laroche and Cabrera really aren't good fits for the team right now; the Dodgers have Loney who's ready to go whenever Colletti will give him a shot. And with Betemit and Laroche available at third – with Laroche possibly capable of coming up this year, why go with a new plan on the corners? If the Dodgers wanted a power hitter, Marcus Thames, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, or maybe Carl Crawford would have basically been where I would have wanted to look. But Colletti didn't consider them, so no such luck.
Honestly, I've seen the idea on the DT board that there's a bit of an upside to the aging vets in their positions, and that's that the younger players will be with LA longer. After 6 years in the majors, you're eligible for free agency. If we make those 6 years for James Loney, for example, the years when he's 23-28, he'll be more productive than when he's 22-27 (you're trading age 22 for age 28). I'll also add that Colletti wants the younger players to earn their spots, as Martin and Ethier did. Then, they'll have the confidence to know they can be successful at the ML level, and he'll stop signing aging veterans. I think. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for getting Schmidt.
Guzman in 2006 (AA, AAA, MLB) age 21, .274/.327/.447
Maybe a late bloomer, but…. maybe a good miss for the Dodgers!
Kemp in 2006 (AA, AAA, MLB)age 21, 0.346/0.414/0.543
They dont show anywhere near the same potential at the same age.
Its possible that we traded Guzman because he's looking more and more like a bust. It seems his potential peaked at 16.
Gonzo was washed up 2 years ago, if he were any good the snakes would have kept him. I liked most of Neds moves, but not this one. What good is keeping prospects if you're blocking them with men's senior league candidates?
Patriot- I do like where you are coming from but i never did say that Gonzo would be a reserve. He would still be in the bottom of the lineup. I think Betemidt should just worry about being a left handed hitter and platoon him and LaRoache then if they are unable to get a power bat. Betemidt only play like 50 games with the braves or even less and still hit aroun 15 homeruns I think, you can correct me if I am wrong.
I'll reiterate…
Three potential spots opening on the field on '08. I agree with patriotacts' comment, these kids need to earn an everyday spot, not be given one based on one or two good months. If Loney can be productive consistently all next year, then shame on Ned if he doesn't open a spot for him. But as for now, it's a bigger gamble to expect a guy in his early 20s to come play ball every day for six months at such a high level. At least with Gonzo, you have someone who you know can grind it out.
As I said before, this isn't my favorite acquisition, but I can see what Ned's doing, and so far, I'm impressed with his ideas and his actions.
Go Blue!
Maybe Gonzo can grind it out , but does that make us any better than last year? Maybe on the pitching side, but the outfield is a mess!
Fliegel, I couldn't disagree more. Last year Grady was afraid to play Lofton or Drew 3 days in a row. Now we have 3 guys that can hit, field and play without fear of them breaking down !! We are whole bunch better in the outfield !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!!
The outfield comparisons indicate we are below the average, if those are the essential categories. What about the infield, are we below average in all of those too? If not, the OF is OK. If so, the OF may be a bit of an offensive problem. I would love to have our players at all positions at or above average. However, if we can be above in a selected category, I want it to be pitching. I think Ned has made inroads there. I also think Betemit, Martin, Ethier will make more progress this season. In any event comparative stats can be misleading. The situation stats such as hits with two outs or runners in scoring position are more important. So who is better – Maury Wills or Juan Pierre? My answer flatout is Maury Wills.
Here's lifetime stats
Wills BA .281, OBP .330, caught stealing 35.1% Pierre BA .303, OBP .350, caught stealing 35.7%. Someone who didn't know these players would pick Pierre, at least for fantasy baseball. My point is, we can get too caught up in individual stats such as HR to the exclusion of the team aspects of the game. I think that is where Ned is building from. He feels the pieces fit.Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!
I sgOnzo going to be better than Steve Finley this year?
Gary, our only hope is that one of them breaks down, so Ned can bring in a guy who maybe ,can throw. 🙂
ouch…throwing is going to be a problem with that outfield.
Another reason to keep Repko — the Gun! I can see Werth getting a lot of playing time also.
I like all the moves. I think Ned is on track. Wait until spring training when other teams realize that their pitching stinks and are willing to give up something good just to have some guy with ability start for them. We might be able to get something really good at that point.
I think all the whinning is because of to much wine.
Harold, it was over 80 degrees her today.
harold, that shoulde be here.
51 – That was a Freudian slip I think. Raining here today so most of the ice in our driveway is gone. Seems like we have lots of parts for 2007. Can't wait for spring training to start. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!
Johan Santana was taken by the Marlins in the 1999 Rule 5 Draft, then traded to the Twins. (Jim Mone/AP ) How about that?
I think we've upgraded our pitching and kept the young players, and as far as components of a team, the most valuable are pitching and young players," said Colletti. "[Retaining prospects] was one of our priorities/goals."
Should such a bat become available, the presence of Gonzalez on the Dodgers' roster removes the perception that the club would be desperate enough to overpay with pitchers or prospects.
Dodgers have signed 18 of there 2006 draft picks including 11 of the top 12. Kyle Orr (4), top Canadian pick signed. Alex White not signed.
51- That should be their.
i agree that we downgraded in the outfield as well..so correct me if im wrong but its Ethier in right with Loney on the bench?? thats not a positive move for Loney. I pray we can get something of the same capacity Finley did for us out of old man gonzo.i like our pitching alot though schmidt had 3 complete games to our whole teams one. thats an uprade.
Can anyone take one more push for Gagne? Is anyone that matters reading this? I really hope that Boras is the one behind the turning down of our offer. After all Eric has said about wanting to stay a Dodger I can't believe he would turn down that offer. And Lord knows we sure want him to stay. I can't tell you how many hours my husband and I have spent standing in line to get his autograph at several different places including Vero Beach. By the way, if there are others that are going to be there in March, please e-mail me. My husband and I have gone the last 2 years and love it! One last time….Eric don't go, you're Dodger Blue through and through….I have your autograph on my license plate (DJRBLU) so you have to stay….
very happy with wolf,lieberthal,less happy with pierre.gonzoles. but my main dissatisfaction is the failure to sign gagne considering what saito is being paid i think kxyou could have had both relievers for 7 million and that would have been well worth the gamble i shoud have typed gonzo
Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my website thus i came to return the favor?.I am
trying to find things to imprve mmy website!I guess its good
enough to usse a few of your ideas!!


text:
Advanced Search
Science & Engineering | News
Two universities — one in the United States and the other in the United Kingdom — have signed a $10 million memo of understanding to undertake joint research and education projects. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the University of Warwick, two hours northwest of London, expect to collaborate on subjects related to data acquisition, analysis and processing for next-generation applications.
Warwick has particular expertise in manufacturing and digitally enabled healthcare, as well as cybersecurity, energy storage, materials and surfaces and robotics. Carnegie Mellon specializes in autonomous systems, cybersecurity, digital healthcare, machine learning and sensing and data processing. Activities will focus on cross-departmental and cross-discipline research programs at both institutions, including Warwick's Global Research Priorities and Carnegie Mellon's Brain, Mind & Learning and Traffic 21 initiatives.
The funding will allow each university to support and fund the work of staff and students on joint projects and exchanges and be used to create facilities for online learning and virtual classrooms.
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at email@example.com or on Twitter @schaffhauser.
View More Webcasts
View More Whitepapers
Sign up for our newsletter.
I agree to this site's Privacy Policy.


text:
Obama to Speak at St. Paul Event, Open to Public
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - President Barack Obama will be in St. Paul this week to discuss a new competition encouraging investments to create jobs.
The White House says Obama will speak at Union Depot on Wednesday. The event is open to the public but attendees will need tickets.
Tickets will be handed out free on a first-come, first-served basis starting Monday at 10 a.m. at the Union Depot, Suite 120. There's a limit of one ticket per person.
The actual event will be Wednesday. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.
Attendees won't be allowed to bring bags, signs or banners, and they'll pass through airport-like security.
Vice President Joe Biden was in Minneapolis last week for a fundraiser at a restaurant owned by the sons of DFL Gov. Mark Dayton.