FedEx was acquired last summer when Ned Colletti was asked to facilitate a trade between the Mariners and Boston. Seattle wanted something Boston did not have so Boston got Ned involved and by the end of the day the Red Sox had Eric Bedard, the Mariners had our Trayvon Robinson, and we had Fed Ex(Tim Federowicz), ScrapMetal (Juan Rodriguez) , and a Fife.
FedEx was originally a 7th round draft pick in 2008 by the Red Sox. His game is defense, and if the scouts are to be believed he might be the best defensive catcher Dodger fans have seen since Steve Yeager. Which basically means most of you have never seen a defensive catcher as good as FedEx play for the Dodgers. Time will tell if the scouts are right. Baseball HQ had this to say:
Solid offensive contributor, with a quick bat, moderate power, and decent plate discipline. Defensively has good footwork and a strong throwing arm. Nailed 37% of baserunners in '11 and made his mlb debut. Will compete for the starting job in LA in 2012.
The question is, will his bat be enough to be a major league starter
on a competitive team? He has many doubters, he may be the one prospect with the most varied expectations. Ned doesn't trade prospects for prospects, so his scouting department clearly saw something they wanted and went and got it when the opportunity arrived. There was a lot of howling when the trade went down, but given the initial struggles of Trayvon Robinson, he might have traded high. While I was once a huge critic of the deal I've become a believer, hopefully he won't make a monkey out of me or I'll be taking the last train to Clarksville.
Coming into 2012 FedEx is not a top prospect and this does not bother me at all. Baseball America ranked him our 10 best prospect. Baseball HQ ranked him number 14. TBLA voters ranked him 9th. He will probably be somewhere between 10 - 20 on Brandon's list. So while not a top prospect he is the Dodgers top catching prospect.
For fun I took a look at catchers who had posted a career OPS+ > 100 since 2000 who had caught at least 200 games. Eighteen catchers made the cut.
Eleven of the Eighteen were ranked by BA (top 100 prospect list) before they became full time major league catchers (Mauer, Martinez, McCann, Piazza, Javier Lopez, Soto, Montero, Pudge, Varitek, Leiberthal, and Weiters).
Mauer and Weiters were both ranked number one. Of those Mauer and Weiters were number one picks so they basically were in the top 100 from the time they were drafted.
That means seven of the eighteen were never ranked in the top 100. These players include Mike Napoli, Jorge Posada, Alex Avila, Greg Myers, Ryan Doumit, Nick Hundley, and our own Russell Martin.
Pudge skews the age since he started catching in the major leagues at the age of 19 but for most of these catchers full time work came in the age 23 - 25 seasons. Jason Varitek did not become a full time catcher until age 26.
Anyway the point is not to worry to much about FedEx not being ranked in the BA top 100. His calling card is his handling of pitchers and shutting down the running game. Plenty of catchers have done as little damage as he has in the minor leagues and gone on to have solid major league careers. I think his glove will get him the opportunity that others never get, his bat will be secondary, and like Yeager it will be enough to ensure he has a long career but maybe never a 400 at bat per season career.
Got nothing on FedEx but my favorite comp for him is Steve Yeager. By 1981 Steve was basically done and had only 86 at bats in our Championship season. Okay that was a strike season but still Mike Scioscia had almost four times as many at bats. During the 81 season Yeager hit three home runs and had on OPS of .598. In the postseason he hit two home runs and had slugging percentages of .600 / .500 / 1.052 in the three postseason series. He played in all six games in the World Series and ended sharing the World Series MVP with Cey and Pedro. Impressive post season work for a washed up backup catcher.
Under Dodger control for a long long long time
None
| Year | Age | PA | HR |
Runs | RBI | BA | OBP | SLG | wOBA |
| 2010-Salem A Ball |
22 | 450 |
4 | 47 | 67 | .253 | .324 | .371 | .315 |
| 2011- Portland AA Ball |
23 | 382 | 8 | 46 | 52 | .277 | .338 | .407 | .334 |
| 2011-Isotopes AAA Ball |
23 | 102 | 6 | 17 | 17 | .325 | .431 | .627 | .448 |
| 2012 Projections - Age 24 Season | |||||||||
| Year | PA | HR |
Runs | RBI | BA | OBP | SLG | ||
| Pecota | 62 | 1 | 6 | 13 | .230 | .278 | .334 | ||
| ZiPS | 540 | 9 | 37 | 43 | .236 | .289 | .345 | ||
FedEx is only an injury away from being the Dodger starting catcher. FedEx is only a bad start by AJ Ellis from being the Dodger starting catcher. At some point FedEx is going to become the Dodger starting catcher. Or AJ Ellis is going to be one of the few players who became starters at the age of 31 and held on to it all season.
At some point this spring, the talk will be about how pitchers love throwing to FedEx. Many will say this is unimportant, ex-pitchers will nod quietly to themselves, remembering the difference between throwing to a great receiver and throwing to MIckey Tettleton.
0 recs | 988 comments
I started wondering if FedEx would become the blogosphere’s least favorite Dodger if he starts, a la Pierre, then I remembered all the better, better paid candidates.
Little Blue Bicycle - February 17, 2012
I don't get the comparison...
Why would FedEx become a least favorite? Because he was traded for Trayvon?
underdog - February 17, 2012
Yes, I fear that has his starting well behind the starting line.
Little Blue Bicycle - February 17, 2012
Hm maybe but I think fans will forgive and forget rather quickly if he looks like a solid hardworking player
not like LA fans really saw Trayvon at all, just knew about him. As Phil said, after Tray’s memorable first week he kind of struggled a lot in his debut and the K’s are a major concern, so this could end up looking like a solid trade. I think he’ll be ok with the fans.
underdog - February 17, 2012
If FedEx plays well, I agree. I talked him up to an extent last summer. But if he struggles, specially as a starter, he’ll be regularly chased with pitchforks and torches here. But my larger point is, he’s still safe as long as Uribe and Harang are around.
Little Blue Bicycle - February 17, 2012
Nah, Trayvon lost his luster last summer. If he had never gotten to whiff at major league pitching and continued to tear up the PCL I believe you would be 100% correct but he did get to face major league pitching and he did not look any better then Xavier Paul, so I think most have put their faith in our scouts that they did the right thing.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Didn't he look worse the X Paul?
nolander - February 17, 2012
as in significantly so
he could bounce back but I wouldn’t put money on it
nolander - February 17, 2012
August – 69abs – 261/301/420
September – 74 abs – 162/203/257
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
If he plays well defensively I will mostly LOVE him
JP played a defensive position meh, and an offensive position better than meh
Fedco doesn’t have to hit much, if he is great behind the play
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
hopefully one day
Him and Griff form an awesome catching tandem
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
Agreed. I’m a believer in Fedex and think he has the potential to be a starter some day. If the defense is there all he needs to do is produce some consistent offense. There are signs he is improving with the bat. Catcher might not be the organizational void many of us think it is.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Top 10 reasons FedX makes it big...
1) He’ll sell a lot of shirts
2) We never need to learn how to pronounce his name
3) He’s gotta end up being good with a great nickname
4) The motto “He Delivers” moves from Salt Lake in the NBA to L.A. in MLB
5) I’m not gonna make it to ten
BaldBilly - February 17, 2012
6. He’s In-Fed-ible!
kinbote - February 17, 2012
7. He’s going to Torborg the hell out of Kershaw’s no hitters
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
JR Smith to the Knicks
yar…
Julio Nievas - February 17, 2012
“BUT CAN HE PLAY WITH JEREMY LIN!!!?”
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
I think he would have wrecked the Clips anyways
delias man - February 17, 2012
I don’t mind not having to root for him, but it is going to be tough to do much damage in the playoffs if Foye is our SG.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
They have to at least try and trade for a wing. Bledsoe got another DNP-CD yesterday so it’s pretty clear he’s not going to crack the rotation in a tough game (and I don’t really disagree with that) but he’s young and was held out of the Paul trade for some reason. I have to think he has some value on the trade market.
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Not sure if anyone is on the market that we could get with our trade exceptions/Bledsoe that is a clear upgrade to Foye. Mo Williams may need to be sacrificed. Not sure how that works either. He kind of bugs me.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Bill Simmons (noted Boston Celtics homer) just tweeted that he would trade Ray Allen to the Clippers for Bledsoe, Foye (expiring contract) and Cook (expiring contract.)
Uh, hell yes. Celtics get Bledsoe. Clippers get a championship. Works for me.
Michael White - February 17, 2012
to bad he does not run the Celtics
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
If FedEx makes it to the point where he’d be washed up I’d be ecstatic.
He seems like a good candidate to make it into the brotherhood of backup catchers which will fill his bank account 800K at a time, but won’t make one lick of difference to the Dodgers.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
“We’re screwed!”
.
“Think positive……..”
.
“I’m positive we’re screwed!”
iiidown - February 17, 2012
I’m sorry I don’t think our 15th best prospect has any future?
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Do you think any of them do?
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
I’m not as high on Lee as most but he can still make it is a mid rotation guy, same with Webster. Eo and Withrow probably will slot in the bullpen at the very least.
After that we’re getting down to projection and wishes.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Gould?
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Projection and wishes. His numbers really weren’t any better than Lee’s and people aren’t nearly as high on him.
Only 5% of minor leaguers ever make it to the show. Only 14% of people that make it to the show have any kind of notable career. If your farm system has more than a couple future regulars in it you’re ahead of the curve.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
I’m sure those percentages are correct, but I’d be more interested in what percentage of teams top 20 prospects actually make it to become contributors. I mean really we are not talking about all minor leaguers, we are talking about our highest rated, for whatever that is worth. I would think the rate would be higher. Just this year we are going to see Gordon, Sands, Guerra, Jansen and Lindblom become regulars.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
Right, assigning that 5% to all minor league players seems misleading
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
For example in our TBLA top 20 last year:
Gordon, Rubby, Jansen, Lindblom, Sands, DeJesus, Paul, and Eovaldi all made the major leagues.
Not to mention Guerra who did not make the top 20, and Fed Ex from another teams top 20.
Jansen, Guerra, Gordon, Sands all played significant parts.
Lindblom and Eovaldi did there share.
Paul, DeJesus, and FedEx just got tastes.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Making the big leagues honestly doesn’t mean a whole lot for me. If you make it to the big leagues but could be easily replaced by Todd Coffey I don’t really care. I’m looking for difference makers from a far system, the kind of guy you can’t easily replace in free agency and the only one of the guys you listed that I’m positive will reach that status is Rubby.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Hell, almost half the time top 10 prospects, the best of the best, never amount to squat.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Difference maker from a far system...
like the Dagobah system?
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
Dagobah?
I’ve never heard of Dagobah.
Maddz - February 17, 2012
my French catholic grandmother has a retort
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
hm
do I watch Warrior tonight or Empire Strikes Back? Choices choices
nolander - February 17, 2012
I saw that Phantom menace in 3D, didnt even seem like it was 3D to me.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
usually movies that weren’t shot in 3D just have added depth, like looking at one of those crosseyed posters
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
that sucks
You were hella excited about it too. The Phantom Menace just never disappoints in disappointing.
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
haha, well I said it was my least favorite of the star wars movies, but I was just excited because I thought the 3D would be better. I realize it wasnt shot for 3D, but thought they’d atleast be able to do something with the lazor beams, and light sabers, but not really. I also realized nothing goes into hyperdrive in that movie, so hopefully they can do something with that in the other movies… if they cant make that into cool 3D, then that sucks.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
princess and the frog is also a candidate
nolander - February 17, 2012
By notable career I mean made it to 5 WAR. This either means a couple years as a decent starter or several years of bench work. None of the guys you listed are anywhere near guaranteed to reach that level.
I don’t have that number for top 20 prospects in an organization but I do have this. ~75% of the prospects rated 20-100 overall bust. Not even in my don’t start for more than a couple years definition, I mean in a not even make it top 1.5 WAR status bust. The most likely scenario for the guys that are just one step below the elite is never amounting to anything. You can extrapolate from there.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Sorry, misrepresented that. Meant to say that 75% of the time a top 100 prospect won’t average 1.5 WAR during his cost controlled years.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Okay
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Luckily the non top 100 prospects like Kemp, Andre, and Martin make up for it:)
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
We’re bound to get some good results from all our pitching prospects.
latenite - February 17, 2012
I can answer that for Reg
no.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
I think he makes into the Barajas world
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
If you believe being a strong defensive catcher makes a difference -- and I certainly do--
I think you’ll be wrong, and probably wrong this season. Now if his bat improves, too, that’s all the better obviously.
underdog - February 17, 2012
Brotherhood of backup catchers is filled with guys that are good defensively that can’t hit a lick. It’s not a terrible thing it’s just a very replaceable thing.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
At $3.25M a pop.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
Not really
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
OK, so we didn’t overpay for a backup catcher this year. We decided to overpay for crappy middle infielders.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
yeah
Get it right dude. :)
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
traenor cost..
nolander - February 17, 2012
I guess I suspect he'll hit better than a lick
and be better than solid defensively, but possibly excellent.
underdog - February 17, 2012
.246/.321/.369
3 HR
178 PA
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
Treanor released late June. Fed called up and shares catching duties pretty evenly with Ellis for the remainder of the season.
.260/.312/.345 plays excellent defense.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
Scouts really call him the best defensive catcher since Yeager?
.212/.300/.365 in 220 plate appearances
Michael White - February 17, 2012
No
May have worded that poorly but if the scouts are right about his defense, in my opinion he’d be the best starting defensive catcher since Yeager.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Got it. I misread it, thanks
Michael White - February 17, 2012
It has been hammered in my head
that Charles Johnson was the best defensive catcher the dodgers ever had.
delias man - February 17, 2012
I remember the rep when he came but was unimpressed while he was here.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I’m very intrigued by what AJ Ellis does. Given his minor league numbers he should be drummed out of major leagues in no time at all. His only skill was his on base skill and why pitchers in the major leagues would not throw him strike after strike given his inability to hurt them would be a mystery to me.
On the other hand he has more than held his own so far at the major league level but with such limited at bats I’m not sold. I hope he is the ultimate late bloomer and can really get on base at a .350 clip which he will need to do since he has such limited power to be useful. His catching skills seem okay. Pitchers seem to like throwing to him. Plus Kershaw seems to really like him.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
If he turns into what Russell Martin was his last two years with us, but at a lot less money, i’d be stoked.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
FedEllis might en total = a good catcher, eh?
underdog - February 17, 2012
Semper FedEllis!
(hat tip, GScott)
David Young - February 17, 2012
LA is just getting those new coke dispensers?
shoot we have had them in OC for quite awhile now.
nolander - February 17, 2012
Yes
I saw in an article that were put in Orange County back in 2009. But that was part of a test market phase, it was limited to 3 areas. Coke is able to do get much more specific marketing feedback from these machines and also test new flavors.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
I was always worried they would cause longer lines at the machines since it takes longer to make your choice
but I’ve only actually used them at Pei Wei so there haven’t been any issues yet, we’ll see what happens when they arrive in say del taco
nolander - February 17, 2012
my favorite thing about them is they have a large variety of Coke/Fanta zero flavors
yay dieting. (What do you mean eating at Pei Wei isn’t dieting!?)
nolander - February 17, 2012
if you’re dieting you should just not drink soda.
Maddz - February 17, 2012
but it has zero calories!
I don’t stock any soda at home, but I will induldge in a diet soda(just one, no refills) on “go out to eat with coworkers for lunch” mondays
nolander - February 17, 2012
I just learned “meatless Mondays” is a thing. I’m down.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I will never conform to such madness
nolander - February 17, 2012
It is conformity but I could use the push. I just happened to be at a restaurant on Monday and noticed a separate menu. Thought I’d be a good patron and follow the chef’s desires.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Mrs HJ and I tried fasting Mondays for a while
tough with my travel schedule
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
Us old Catholics remember meatless Fridays, not just during Lent. My father to this day refrains from meat on Fridays as much as possible.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Right, I’d forgot about that.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
health is overrated anyways, shit were all gonna die anyways, but atleast im eating and drinking what the fuck I want.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Everyone says that until the first heart attack and than it is holy shit
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I had the same attitude
Then I turned 50 and things started to breakdown. It’s amazing how that changes your attitude.
mleadman - February 17, 2012
moderation
means you get to eat for of what you like for longer
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
moderation! nice
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
I believe in moderation in all things, including being excessive. It’s ok to be excessive a moderate amount of the time.
David Young - February 17, 2012
What are y’all talking about?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
these
http://www.jeremyperson.com/new-coke-dispensers/
nolander - February 17, 2012
Thanks and welcome to the 21st century
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
According to the text at that link, it seems to dispense expensive string musical instruments as well.
berkowit28 - February 17, 2012
if i can get inka cola from a fountain
i will wet myself
delias man - February 17, 2012
Yeah I've only seen those in the Anaheim area
Specifically at The Block in Orange at the movie theater. Pretty cool.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
The only place I've seen those
Was at the [Rave?] movie theater in the Howard Hughes complex near Sepulveda, Centinela, and the 405. They are pretty cool.
David Young - February 17, 2012
They’re at the Qdoba at the former Fox Hills Mall and I’m pretty sure I saw one at a McDonalds somewhere too, but I can’t remember which one.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
J Sullivan with the 10 Worst Pitches of 2011
Raffy gets some gif time
link
nolander - February 17, 2012
#8 is really great just for how blasé everyone reacts to the pitch
nolander - February 17, 2012
5 HR 100 PA .274/.334/.401
DodgerofTrolleys - February 17, 2012
That looks like a great Sept
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
10 Favorite Weezer songs
Duplicates allowed per member
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Anything from pre 2004
nolander - February 17, 2012
that is very useful
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I don't follow them closely enough to remember 3 songs off the top of my head
let alone 10. If I hear anything they released in 2004 or later though I immediatly run away screaming.
nolander - February 17, 2012
I remember the popular ones I liked:
Buddy Holly
Say it ain’t so
That song “I’ll take my car to work, you take my board”
Michael White - February 17, 2012
all blue album!
nolander - February 17, 2012
has not stood the test of time for me.
delias man - February 17, 2012
Of the newer stuff, I liked Troublemaker
Michael White - February 17, 2012
I forgot about say it aint so, but the other ones came to mind as well for me.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
That’s Surf Wax America IIRC
Nolij - February 17, 2012
it is
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
that song’s about alcoholism!
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Tracks 1-10 off the Blue Album.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
But does that have the song from rock band?!
nolander - February 17, 2012
Yes.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
well then I can easily get behind this
nolander - February 17, 2012
Buddy Holly
If You’re Wondering
Surf Wax America
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
Say It Ain't So or El Scorcho
I love Buddy Holly but think it’s in large part due to fondness for video
underdog - February 17, 2012
Buddy Holly
Surfwax America
Sweater Song
El Scorcho
Across The Sea
Hash Pipe
My Name is Jonas
Tired of Sex
Mykel and Carli
Jaime
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
ha ha, the Sweater Song
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
“Take it easy brah”
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Say It Ain’t So
Maddz - February 17, 2012
And I guess Buddy Holly and My Name is Jonas
Maddz - February 17, 2012
Thanks to all the contributions
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
In the Garage
My Name is Jonas
Buddy Holly
Island in the Sun
Troublemaker
Only in Dreams
Say It Ain’t So
Pork and Beans
Perfect Situation
Holiday
Nolij - February 17, 2012
ew
nolander - February 17, 2012
everything from Pinkerton!
eitherethier - February 17, 2012
Say it ain’t So
My Name is Jonas
I used to LOVE Weezer. In fact, the first place online that I posted often was the Weezer messageboards.
fbihop - February 17, 2012
I bet they were big into the fight games
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
So many Rampage fans over there.
fbihop - February 17, 2012
I have heard of Weezer
But I am unconscious as to what songs I may have heard are theirs. And the titles in this thread are not helping.
/old,butnotolderthanthemeercat
David Young - February 17, 2012
mediocre band
not worth getting up off the couch to find their songs
mleadman - February 17, 2012
They’re no Al Jolson.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Exactly other then the Sweater Song I do not know which songs I’ve head in the past are their’s. I’ve been told for a decade that I would like them, this morning I decided to find out.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
most songs you would know are on the Blue Album
nolander - February 17, 2012
I will buy the vinyl and put next to my White album
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I have the White, Red and Blue albums pressure on the matching colored vinyl. A white vinyl record is pretty trippy.
David Young - February 17, 2012
pressure = pressed.
David Young - February 17, 2012
You probably have also heard Island In The Sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C3zgYW_FAM&ob=av2e
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012
Entire Blue Album (start to finish)
robotmadeofnails - February 17, 2012
ROBOT
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
missed you this past Saturday, I think you’d have been the difference between us advancing to the playoff round
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
You have no idea how sad I was to not be there.
robotmadeofnails - February 17, 2012
You would have had a lot of fun.
David Young - February 17, 2012
as long as he played on the TBLA team and not the DT team
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I would have played with you all
robotmadeofnails - February 17, 2012
It is going to happen again this summer.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
bless you
robotmadeofnails - February 17, 2012
amen
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda"
Pogues’ version, Skids’ version, or other? Just sent the Pogues’ to my World History class after the expressed surprise that Australians fought in World War I. But perhaps I missed a better version.
Little Blue Bicycle - February 17, 2012
Pogues version is awesome
to bad the singer couldn’t handle the drink
mleadman - February 17, 2012
Used to love the Pogues but have not listened to them going on 15 years
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
A gallery
of all the DS anniversary patches
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
you should start a SBNation fashion blog
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I’ve pitched Tyler on starting an SBNation Entertainment blog
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
And call it Uni Watch Watch
Nolij - February 17, 2012
I actually like the newest one best
nolander - February 17, 2012
the 96 patch was terrible
delias man - February 17, 2012
the bats and balls are not only redundant, but make it way too busy
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Prospects
I’m starting to get a little bullish on our minor league system. Obviously the depth of mid-level arms is our strength, but he also have some real high-end pitchers with a lot to prove this year. Even a level like AAA where it seems we often have little in the way of prospects could feature Van Slyke (ready for a shot some time this year?), Castle (a true wild card), Fedex, IDJ2 (not a believer), Tolleson, Eovaldi, and perhaps Silverio. These are hardly the ’29 Yankees but there is some upside there.
As for the lower-level outfielders, we have some cause for optimism. By all accounts, Joc, Baldwin, & Garcia have the tools to succeed. I realize they are longshots to make it but if one breaks out, yippee. 3b remains a tough spot. It’s hard for me even to recognize Santana as more than a zygote in the prospect sense. Signing (or trading for) a long-term solution there is a must.
Finally, there are the Sands and the Gordons and the Guerras who have to give us at least faint hope that our system is capable of producing serviceable players. Bottom line: I think our system is on the uptick, however incremental, and the willingness of management to plug these guys in when there’s a need bodes well for the continued development of our young players and our overall talent level.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I agree. We have some interesting players even if we don’t have a sure-fire stud down there. I think we have some players that can play big roles for this team.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
yes
nolander - February 17, 2012
sun’ll come out tomorrow
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
With all the crappy reviews on the Dodgers so far, and it seems unanimous, are we talking a mircale here for the Dodgers to make playoffs? Would it be one of the biggest upsets in Dodger history if they win the division? Also, I’d like to know if anyone can tell me the last team that was reviewed this poorly that ended up making playoffs, and even more so, won it all??
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Not a Dodger team, but any team in MLB.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
See 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Padres 2010 came close to meeting this requirement
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
on the flip side
The 2011 Red Sox were called the best team since the Murderer’s Row Yankees, and missed the playoffs
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
Only because of one of the greatest final days in baseball history
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
sometimes baseball is haha funny
and other times its throw yourself off a building funny
nolander - February 17, 2012
also
“I can’t see the Cards really making a good run if Wainwright is out for the year.”
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
Detroit once was supposed to have The Greatest Offense in Baseball History.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Their pitching was miserable though
I actually drafted a bunch of Tigers that year in fantasy. I think I did alright in the end.
nolander - February 17, 2012
2011 Phillies: greatest rotation ever assembled
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
Sweet, so very recently. Thats good. Im just looking for angles to feel confident about this season and have hope. I just want to make sure its not miracle level hope I need to have.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
If our young players pan out
and our old players have one last dying gasp of a good season and billingsley goes back to awesome it could work out well
nolander - February 17, 2012
Shoot
If Mark Ellis is a good 2b, Uribe legitimately bounces back, Capang don’t crap the bed, and we have production from LF, we in this!
kinbote - February 17, 2012
all that has to happen AND the K & K boys have to have the same success.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I think there’s a statistical term for when you need a lot of variables/conditionals to occur in order for something to happen. What’s it again?
kinbote - February 17, 2012
a REG?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
miracle
nolander - February 17, 2012
I was thinking Longshot but yours works too.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
While some teams have better talent on paper, cant you say the same thing about every team?
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
No, because some teams don’t need so many breaks for things to go their way. And some need more. I mean, if every member of Baltimore’s rotation has a breakout year, they could compete. :)
kinbote - February 17, 2012
always the ifs
If Uribe can just kinda suck rather than be a black hole of suck. If Andre is healthy and regains his form. If its “Jim”
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
Throw in #2 starter Bills too.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
If Uribe even plays average I will be surprised. One of the worst acquisitions in Dodger history. (With apologies to Jones, Schmidt, DeShields, Stanhouse & Goltz)
iiidown - February 17, 2012
I’m expecting the worst, hoping for something approaching below average.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
T-shirt material
kinbote - February 17, 2012
BANNED FOR MENTIONING DESHIELDS
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
(But you’ll notice that I put him in good company.)
iiidown - February 17, 2012
Gaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
I’m very confident that the current team would not be very good if they got to chance to play 162 games.
I can also buy into the idea that the new owners will not setttle during their first summer that many changes will happen this summer and what we see on opening day will not resemble Sept 1st.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Yeah, but for every one team that defies the odds and makes the playoffs, there are another 20 teams that do as bad as they were expected to.
fbihop - February 17, 2012
Yeah, I remember team previews of the Dbacks saying they were going to be terrible, almost assured of fighting the Padres for last place.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
My opinion is complete BS, but I picked them for last. In my poll for where the Dodgers would finish, I wrote this as one of the choices:
Ooops.David Young - February 17, 2012
Way too many realists here. We need some fans! This is our year! Kemp and Kershaw will carry us!
iiidown - February 17, 2012
You are too old not to be a realist. Dude, just take a look at ivdown. ;-)
David Young - February 17, 2012
2010 SF Giants, sort of.
David Young - February 17, 2012
2002 angels?
nolander - February 17, 2012
Never underestimate the xxxstein factor, the 2001 team won only 75 games
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Good call
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Chamionship.....
Maybe the 2003 Marlins, coming off a 79 – 83 season
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
foiled!
nolander - February 17, 2012
Borrowing from the collective wisdom of this site, the NL West is our potential salvation. There is no clear favorite and we could easily catch some breaks and compete. Smart moves at the deadline would likely be needed to be serious players.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Jurassic Park performed well despite poor reviews
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
not true
nolander - February 17, 2012
Yeah, everyone was like holy fuck this is awesome. Other than AJ
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
ds;ts
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Hey, congrats our your Golden Bears. Thought we had you beat. No coffee for the Ducks.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
we were up against it, but as we say in Berkeley, “The Bear does not quit; the Bear will not die” : )
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
We simply make them extinct
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Jurrasic Park was awesome… Another movie I think got bad reviews was Armageddon, and I fuggin love that movie!! I remember people shitting on it, and giving that other astroid crashing into earth movie with Elijah Wood much better reviews, and IMO they got it twisted. Deep Impact sucked, and Armageddon rules!!
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
I agree with this. I found Deep Impact to be fairly boring, but Armageddon is a guilty pleasure of mine.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
steve buscemi
is really all you have to say
nolander - February 17, 2012
Yup, I found MCD to be pretty good in this too.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
If you guys didnt cry in that scene where Bruce Willis says goodbye to his daughter because he is about to blow himself up, then you arent human, or have no emotion…. That shit makes me ball everytime.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
The part that got me was when Will Patton’s character goes to see his estranged son before the mission.
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
Yeah, that is a good part.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
That movie was loaded with good character actors………. and Ben Afleck
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
There is nothing wrong with Affleck
save perhaps his role choices
nolander - February 17, 2012
sometimes he’s okay, sometimes he’s wooden. I liked him in Town though I thought the ending was incredibly bullshit. I am also one of the few who seemed to enjoy Daredevil.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I used to think he just didn't try if he wasn't in a movie with Matt Damon
but yeah you are right sometimes he is pretty good other times he doesn’t seem to be trying, but usually thats in really shitty movies.
nolander - February 17, 2012
Daredevil is not bad at all, the director’s cut is particularly good.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
I've never seen it
but I did watch part of Elektra, and it was in fact terrible
nolander - February 17, 2012
Agreed, Electra is just bad.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
Yes, I think Elektra was the reason why Marvel Studio’s was born, they could not take a chance on another studio fucking up a franchise. They storyline had everything going for it. One of the hottest actresses in town, a cool character, and they screwed it up royally.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Another reason to dislike Fox.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
eh
I doubt that to be honest. I think they would have their own studio regardless, they just couldn’t do it sooner because they needed Fox to pave the way for comic book films to be profitable.
nolander - February 17, 2012
I think it definitely played into the creation of Marvel Studios. They wanted more creative control over their characters and less involvement from studio execs.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
this is the reason
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
my ex-girlfriend
Had a ton of nerd rage towards Jennifer Garner as Elecktra. It was awesome
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
I've said it before
The one Frank Miller Daredevil comic book when he fought Bullseye and saved him from dying is the best comic book I ever read.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
was there a hooker in it?
Bet there was a hooker in it
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
hah
beat me to it. its a shame Frank turned out to be a crazy asshole and misogynist
nolander - February 17, 2012
woah woah woah
some of our great writers are misogynists? No way. Tell me more!
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
I don’t know what a misogynist is, but I’m guessing someone who draws big tits on woman and gets paid big money to do so?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
misos is greek for hatred. If you know what a gynecologist is you can figure out the rest.
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
there are other issues with him
but they get political.
nolander - February 17, 2012
I know nothing about him other than he was a great comic book penciller and writer.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
yeah that was good too. I just love action movies with action and emotional stuff mixed in…. Feels good to cry something, I enjoy crying when I watch TV shows or movies haha
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Armageddon was fun but way too long
nolander - February 17, 2012
I fucking hated Deep Impact
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
not my thing
but I heard “Sunshine” (the non-Rafie Fiennes one) was supposed to be good.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I keep hearing about how great the first half of the movie is
and how terrible the 2nd half is
nolander - February 17, 2012
Danny Boyle’s not for everyone. I liked the beginning of Trainspotting (a classic opening sequence) and respect the accomplishment of 28 Days Later but could leave the rest.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
liked 28 days later and slumdog millionaire
haven’t seen the rest of his stuff
nolander - February 17, 2012
It's almost true, though better than that. Basically
(spoiler alert) it’s 2/3 really good and interesting and then there’s a WTF?? ending that kind of effs it up. Still worth seeing though.
underdog - February 17, 2012
One of my favorite first 20 minutes of a movie was “Always” (1989), the rest was forgettable, but the beginning kicked fire fighting ass in an airplane.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Saving Ryan’s Privates anyone?
kinbote - February 17, 2012
The Loin King
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Bend Hur [original]
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Or Shaving Ryan’s Pirates
Nolij - February 17, 2012
But I liked that whole movie even though the premise was irritating. Hell the fight death scene is literally the most incredible scene I’ve squirmed through.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
The opening minutes (is it about 10?) to Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first time I saw it, which was a sneak preview, was amazing.
David Young - February 17, 2012
True
I have the ball
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
maybe the only time a movie starring Robert Duvall is preferred.
I’m shocked to find that the actor who made Armageddon worth watching has not been mentioned. Liv Tyler FTMFW
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Did you just dis Duvall?
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I got it backwards.
Maybe the only time a movie starring Robert Duvall is not preferred.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
{whew}
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I know, right:)
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I love Robert Duvall, Days of Thunder is one of my favorite movies… Walk? Hell, I’ll race your ass!
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Both movies were very enjoyable and took radically different approaches to the same general idea.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Shoot, I’d settle for a pennant. The worst-to-first Devil Rays of 2008 are our heroes.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I’d settle for number 7 draft pick:)
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Spoiler
We’d take a 6’3’ 195 lb. projectable HS RH with a clean delivery, advanced secondary pitch, and good makeup.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
we'll take Clayton Kershaw the 2nd
nolander - February 17, 2012
#1 or #30 or bust
nolander - February 17, 2012
Speaking of the Rays
Check out Longo’s new squeeze. Giggity-giggity.
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
I hope he sends her more then a basket with an autograph
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
hope he catches herpes
delias man - February 17, 2012
why? So he tests positive on his PED test?
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
because I am hating on him?
delias man - February 17, 2012
genuine hate?
Or hate as in he’s living the life I wish I had?
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
i dont know anymore
delias man - February 17, 2012
Haha
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Isn’t he a dirt bag, you are turning on a dirt bag?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
i only like the basketball team
so much so i got it in writing from them that my donation this year ONLY goes to the men’s basketball team
delias man - February 17, 2012
Wow
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I do the same thing. I assumed that was a standard practice.
Michael White - February 17, 2012
That was not my Wow, I was just stunned they cared enough to give him a signature on a $5 donation:)
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
they force you to give a donation for my bad ass season seats that cost as much as the season seats.
delias man - February 17, 2012
blows
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
tax write off, so i get half of it back
not the end of the world. and i get to be called a “booster”
delias man - February 17, 2012
but since you’re a booster, you can never ever ever contact a potential recruit, even on twitter : )
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
thanks for the reminder
delias man - February 17, 2012
What about our scandal-ridden cheerleading team?
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
it is scandalous
how thick some of the girls are
delias man - February 17, 2012
Just make the check out directly to Casper Ware.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
that is illegal!
delias man - February 17, 2012
Did I say check?
I meant duffle bag full of cash, Matt Nover style.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
casper is already old news
this guy only has like 8 games left in an LB uni. looking forward to give out cash.
delias man - February 17, 2012
Do they have any junior college help or recruits coming next year?
Seems like Ennis and Caffey at guard, then not much else.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Del Ennis and Jason Caffey?
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Ennis Del Mar and Charlotte Caffey.
David Young - February 17, 2012
yes they do....
Dan Jennings from West Virginia 6-9 250ish
Keala King from Arizona State is really good
2 other not so exciting transfers and a couple promising players that were on redshirt this year. They can be fully loaded for 2013-14, but i think solid at least next year.
delias man - February 17, 2012
I forgot about King; he got kicked off the team in January just before ASU played USC.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
i guess this coach at ASU keeps losing players?
seems like a reflection on him more than the kids
delias man - February 17, 2012
Longo and Tulo are my two favorite non-Dodgers because of the Dirtbag connection. Interestingly enough, I don’t feel the same affinity toward Weaver even though he had the more accomplished college career. I guess my distaste for the Angels is stronger than my ties to my school.
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
I'm an Angel fan and I've never really loved Weaver
nolander - February 17, 2012
crazy
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
probably colored by things I heard about him when he was at LB
nothing scandelous, just not flattering. No real stories just general impressions.
nolander - February 17, 2012
i understand that he had his own
golf cart to drive around from class to class
delias man - February 17, 2012
well thats just awesome
nolander - February 17, 2012
and only girls like this were allowed to hitch a ride with him
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
yeah my bro was going to LB State when those 2 were on the team I believe, and wasnt their atleast one season where Jered Weaver was on the team with those 2 as well?
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
all 3 where never on the same team
but there was some overlap
nolander - February 17, 2012
oh, yeah I wasnt sure… Bro went there from 2002-2006, something like that.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Weaver 2001-2004
Tulowitzki 2002-2005
Longoria 2005-2006
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
Correction
Weaver started in 2002 and Tulo in 2003
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
That is the start to one hell of a team. I’m sure this has been done but a team full of college alma maters, who wins?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
probably long beach right now
nolander - February 17, 2012
I think they actually would have a good 1-3 rotation if we put them all on the same team
weaver, vargas and whorley?
nolander - February 17, 2012
Damn, Worley is also a dirt bag?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
yeah
so was espinosa. Shit they have a full infield if you count giambi.
nolander - February 17, 2012
and Danny Espinosa was the guy who replaced tulo
nolander - February 17, 2012
And
fucking Cal State Fullerton stilled owned us.
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
they did
but they still do to :-p
nolander - February 17, 2012
*too
nolander - February 17, 2012
Long Beach trivia
Largest California city with a non-Spanish derived name.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
But is there a there there?
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Oaklan’d
kinbote - February 17, 2012
great name for a playmate
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Wouldn’t be that big of a deal if the Dodgers won the NL West. Probably along the lines (or less so) as the Diamondbacks winning last year.
Xeifrank - February 17, 2012
I still can't do the Magic Eye posters : (
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
never could
I finally broke down one time and told this one girl Yes I saw the dinosaur. She would not let me away from it until I saw it.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I could never do it either, still dont get it.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
It’s a sailboat
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
I read once where anal types could not decipher these while slackers easily could.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I think Tommy just proved that right:)
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
it’s not a sailboat
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
schooner?
nolander - February 17, 2012
frigate
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
It’s supposed to be a shark, but I can’t see it
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
spoiler
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
It is a shark and this is the only one of these that I have ever been able to see.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
maybe he’s a lousy slacker?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
lol
Burn
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
if anal types do magic eye pictures do they get magic pink eye?
underdog - February 17, 2012
just the magic stink eye
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
or brown eye
kinbote - February 17, 2012
I never could until
I saw one that was framed with a glass front. The trick was to focus on my reflection (people always told me not to focus on the picture, but on a point beyond it), then the magic eye image popped out. Once you’ve “felt” how to do it, it becomes much easier to do ti.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Shark
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
I never could and refuse to spend any more time trying
my coach would have called me a quitter, but screw him
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
See my tip above.
David Young - February 17, 2012
30 Rock
finally made me laugh out loud this year. Liz Lemon was on fire.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
absolutely
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
I stopped watching after season 4
I would love for it to get awesome again
nolander - February 17, 2012
Yeah, it has been awful this year but last night was awesome
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
“Irish Arguments Weekly, America’s only all-caps magazine.”
Also, it had Steve Buscemi. He looked so out of place, I had to blink.
berkowit28 - February 17, 2012
I liked him better in his previous stint when he tried to track down Jack’s dad.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Whither Mike Scioscia?
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Just my opinion, Mike was awesome at one thing, blocking the plate. I may simply be holding onto the past but I have never seen a catcher as good as Steve Yeager, other then prime time Pudge and a young Johnny Bench.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Of course your point is valid. Very good chance that FedEx will never measure upto Mike defensively. If I did not say anything controversial we would be discussing Weezer all day
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Fair enough.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Was Benito Santiago more flash than substance? Cuz he sure looked cool.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
He could throw from his knee’s. Johnny Bench looked like he could your 90MPH heater barehanded.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
with the patch for josie
delias man - February 17, 2012
that’s the funny thing about patches. They date authentics for the collector types, but it photo’s they’re usually just smudges of color, same thing from the stands.
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
they also look stupid on hats
I’m looking at you Angels throwback hats from last year
nolander - February 17, 2012
oh those World Series hats where you can have like four patches going on? Total hot mess tranny hot mess.
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
oh no no
like this:
The patch looks terrible in person
nolander - February 17, 2012
yes I know my son, I was just riffing off that onto the WS hats
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
where is the mlb logo in the back??
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
tranny hot mess?
delias man - February 17, 2012
I dunno, I saw it on the SNL skit making fun of Project Runway
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
kinda like it
delias man - February 17, 2012
I think hot mess is bad, tranny hot mess is really bad, and fierce is good
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Make it work.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
You think the runner would be somewhere in that photo or did Mike knock him into the stands?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
You raise an interesting point. We’re supposed to READ these posts we comment on?
kinbote - February 17, 2012
140 PA, .270/.315/.350, 2 HRs
Fedex plays serviceably but not well, Treanor stays on the team much longer than he should, as we’ve seen in dodger teams of old, but eventually his back or knees give out, forcing their hand
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012 via Android app
111 PA
.255/.315/.353
2 home runs
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Oh wow, this one's original.
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012
64 PA, .161/.188 /.226 with uninspiring defense
Nolij - February 17, 2012
dirtbag
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Popeyes Chicken
I had two of the greasiest pieces of fried chicken last night from Popeyes (leg & thigh for 99 cents on Tue and Thurs). Also had to wait forever because the place was overrun by people ordering massive amounts of this shit.
Not my highest recommendation.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
Only Popeyes I ever went to was in Inglewood.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
The biscuits are good I think.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
You were clearly more baked then they were
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
Fried Chicken is all about timing. If you get the first chicken fried in the new lard, you will rejoice, if you get the fifth batch you will not. You want goo chicken you go first thing when they open or 04:20, most places start cooking the dinner batch at 04:00.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
yeah, 420!!
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
step 1=get faded, step 2=?, step 3=get fried chicken
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Step 2:
Repeat Step 1
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
if anything, it would probably be 1 get faded, 2 eat chicken, 3 get re faded…. personally I like getting faded after I eat, because if you smoke before you eat, the food will counter act your highness, you wont be that high anymore, and I dont like to waste weed. However smoking after I eat gets me hungry again, so I guess either way im screwed. Hopefully weed growers are producing a weed that doesnt make you so hungry.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Jack in the Box will kill the chemist
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I know we don’t have rules about these things, but do you want to tone down the daily drug comments?
Michael White - February 17, 2012
really?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Yes. I find it tiresome anyway.
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Then I’d suggest the Z K, I honestly find the wrestling and fight comments tiresome but I’m not asking anyone to stop doing it, I simply make fun of it.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I should stop but I can’t. Drinking comments are cool, pot comments are not. It is like I’m back in high school in 1975 as someone explains to me how a drunk is okay but a pot smoker, will fuck, put him the fuck in jail.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Okay
Michael White - February 17, 2012
yeah thats cool with me man, I mean, Im not the one that usually brings it up 1st though IMO, I just comment on it when it is brought up, but no problem.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
You’re my new favorite poster.
Rihanna's Ex-Boyfriend - February 17, 2012
for content who was your previous poster
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Corncake
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
ornake*
:)
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
Ahh, narcissism.
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
Raquel Welch replaced Rita Hayworth.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Do any of those chain places use lard anymore?
David Young - February 17, 2012
I doubt it
which is why it doesn’t taste good
mleadman - February 17, 2012
I doubt it too.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Have you ever tried Church's Chicken?
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
I havent, would like to… Whats the name of the chicken place Puff Daddy says he owns 20 of in that movie Get Him to the Greek?? I cant remember the name but never even heard of the place. Would like to try it though.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
KooKooRoo is the name I found out, never had it.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
delicious
Maddz - February 17, 2012
They're biscuits rule
Julio Nievas - February 17, 2012
This brings to mind the Carl’s Jr fresh again biscuit spot.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
“I am what I am.”
-Popeyes Chicken
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
I miss the old school Pioneer Chicken. By far the best fast food fried chicken place. The ones that bear that name these days are a far cry from the original.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
I didnt really like the skin from what I remember of it.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
You are not old enough to remember the old school Pioneer Chicken. Those days are farther back than the last Dodgers World Championship.
David Young - February 17, 2012
The last time I ate KFC
was about 20 years ago. I bit into a thigh and got a grease facial
mleadman - February 17, 2012
I don't usually use this "word", but
Ewww.
David Young - February 17, 2012
HOW HAS NO ONE SAID….
TWSS?
jesus half way around the world on a few hours sleep and I gotta pick up the slack around here
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
Because I couldn’t get past the Marty getting a facial part.
David Young - February 17, 2012
WAIT
You are in India, WITH YOUR WIFE, and you are commenting on here? Sick bastard.
I guess it is something like 3:50 A.M. Saturday out there, though?
David Young - February 17, 2012
7:30
she is sleeping
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
maybe so then… The Pioneer Chicken im talking about was in reseda close to Reseda HS, close to Las Fuentes sort of. Cant remember those streets now, maybe Vanowen and Lindley??
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Damn I miss Las Fuentes. I used to live in Reseda, about 1 mile from there.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Love Las Fuentes
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
I was a Pioneer Chicken Asst Manager
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Steve Yeager and I share a birthday not birthdate
Still I was more a Fergy fan back then because I loved the offense. However Yeagers 1981 postseason dramatics made him one of the most important of 72 – 81 Dodgers and for that I’ll always have fond memories of him.
Joel Guzman will always be an extra disappointment to be because we also shared a birthday
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
SS—>3B—>RF—>1B—>Oblivion
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Joel Guzman was the reason I started following our farm system, which is how I found DodgerDugout, DodgerThroughts, then eventually TBLA.
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
Dodger Throats would fit with The Loin King and Shaving Ryan’s Privates above.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
ha
TBLAid
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Dodger Dugout
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
6-9-2 Double Play blog
underdog - February 17, 2012
Eric, have you ever met the guy that runs dodger dugout at a blog night at dodger stadium??
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
TBJLA
Nolij - February 17, 2012
I love Steve Yeager – as I have said a million times – he was my manager at Dodger Fantasy Camp and the coolest, foulest, saltiest guys ever
and Phil – I smiled
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
Ha, no else got that far:)
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I also liked using Mickey Tetttleton as the example of a shitty catcher to pitch to. I just forget most of what I read in the article when I don’t comment until after catching up on 300 comments.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Memories
http://mlb.mlblogs.com/2011/12/07/dodgers-line-up-bard/
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Key to Dodgers 2012
Bard is not the answer. IF AJ can be consistent and play good defense, and the Dodgers are able to stay close through June, then I think there is a good chance that new ownership might be willing to try and do something with this roster. Giants over under number for wins according to info up here is 87.5. Does anyone know the Dodger number?
wineracquet - February 17, 2012
7 1/8
iiidown - February 17, 2012
The same numbers are used as the over/under for both teams’ managers hat sizes.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Coincidence? I think not!
iiidown - February 17, 2012
Xie had it somewhere between 77 and 80 depending on who you ask.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Fed Ex prediction:
.245/.290/.328
Only about 70 PA.
And at least 10 “Fed Ex delivers!” when he does something good.
fbihop - February 17, 2012
.215/.275/.320 120 PA.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Hey Eric, are you going to have access to the post game spreads now? That must be pretty sweet.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
are you talking about food again? Good lord.
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
bias
nolander - February 17, 2012
Until Pedro Guerrero comes around. (Please note the word “around.”)
Nolij - February 17, 2012
there should be a relevant gif of stifler for trhis
but for the life of me I can’t find it
nolander - February 17, 2012
No, not at all. The players (and coaches) have their own separate eating area both at Camelback Ranch and Dodger Stadium.
The media has a separate area for eating in both places (attached to the press box in LA) where we can purchase a meal. Drinks are provided for free in both press boxes, and at Dodger Stadium popcorn, cookies, and soft serve (and hot dogs around the fifth inning or so) are free, too.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
It is important to note that the free hot dogs for the press are steamed, not grilled.
David Young - February 17, 2012
You guys
should all walk out in the fifth in protest
mleadman - February 17, 2012
Right, I focus on the ice cream, popcorn, and cookies
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Fast Start?
Our first 10 games are against SD/PIT. Then we get MIL/HOU for the next 6. (Braves, Nats, Rockies follow.) If we’re not above .500 after 16 games I might panic.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
16-0
Let’s get it.
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012
May looks to be easiest month
I split the 162 games up in to six 27-game chunks. Here are the win,loss,wpct for each chunk.
(1-27) 13.19 – 13.81 0.4886
(28-54) 13.46 – 13.54 0.4985
(55-81) 13.19 – 13.81 0.4884
(82-108) 12.70 – 14.30 0.4703
(109-135) 12.93 – 14.07 0.4788
(136-162) 12.21 – 14.79 0.4522
Xeifrank - February 17, 2012
30-21
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
42 – 9
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I like em a little bustier than that.
Xeifrank - February 17, 2012
only if she’s 5’3"
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Maybe Coffey was necessary to bulk up the twitter lineup.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Coffey will become a fan favorite
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Toddsanity!
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Coffey’s around to bulk up a lot of things now that Broxton is gone.
fbihop - February 17, 2012
I’ve already unfollowed two of those.
David Young - February 17, 2012
why does @SellBlock_12 not surprise me
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
maybe its the tattoos
nolander - February 17, 2012
He also may be known to drop the soap……………
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
Hue Jackson is a Bengal
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
something something
criminals something something
nolander - February 17, 2012
Hue G. Rection would’ve been better.
kinbote - February 17, 2012
There was a wrestler called that in WCW over a decade ago.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
I think I got it from the Simpsons. Along with Haywood J . . .
kinbote - February 17, 2012
Those predate The Simpsons. We laughed over “names” like that in grade school.
Signed,
Miguel Caza
David Young - February 17, 2012
Who?
fbihop - February 17, 2012
from Eli Kaberon (PFW)
underdog - February 17, 2012
I thought he was an offensive coach, thats weird. Not sure ive seen a fired NFL HC or OC/DC switch to the other side of the ball before.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
It happens more than you think
Even ex players… I used to think it was weird that ex-Broncos linebacker Rick Dennison became an offensive line coach, and a good one, but he used to play both sides of the ball in college or HS I think. And if you know the game well, you know all facets of it. Especially if you had a good mentor above you.
underdog - February 17, 2012
yes it happens a lot when they are assistants
nolander - February 17, 2012
Baking with GScott. This can only go well.
Maddz - February 17, 2012
Only use a dash or you will have to much
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Hris' ears just perked up
he’ll be over at 4:20.
underdog - February 17, 2012
bro, can you tell me where this Hris came from? I must of been absent that day but am dying to know now lol
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
usc hris0304
nolander - February 17, 2012
It’s not complicated. There’s only one C in your screen name. So since you are uschris and a fan of USC, it follows that you must be USC Hris.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
yep ^^^^^
sort of like my twitter handle.
underdog - February 17, 2012
right, yeah I understand all that but ive seen others call me Chris so figured people knew its Chris, but started this Hris stuff lord knows why. But its all good, could be worse…. Now I go by The Chrisuation.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Lord help us.
iiidown - February 17, 2012
*Hrisuation
nolander - February 17, 2012
haha, that works, cuz everyone knows when I walk in the room, or blog, we got a Hrisuation on our hands.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
baking update
letting the cakes cool, hopefully is not a disaster
Maddz - February 17, 2012
tell G
real men bake bread
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
Someone dug up an old Sabean quote that shows where Ned got his offseason plan from.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
The Giants did win 100 games in 2003.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
A) Which had very little to do with the presence of Jim Brower
B) AJ Pierszyski on the list says that’s from 2004.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
That’s weird. Why’s he talking about Vlad then?
Nolij - February 17, 2012
If we had spent the money on Vlad last year we wouldn’t have been able to afford a bunch of spare parts this year.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Vlad was a free agent heading into 2004, as all Dodgers fans should remember. :)
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
I thought the Angels signed him immediately after they won the WS. Obviously, I was misremembering.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Dodgers signed Vlad, then Angels signed Vlad.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
I want to buy a PS3 whenever I go to Best Buy, but I end up settling for some DVDs from the $5 bin.
/Colletti’d
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
Hey don’t sell your self short you get 60 of them.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
All the same title!
iiidown - February 17, 2012
A Pauly Shore boxed set and every Stryper CD.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Yikes
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Just learned a lot about Esteban Loaizas wife
delias man - February 17, 2012
is this innuendo
nolander - February 17, 2012
oops no title
delias man - February 17, 2012
same woman
delias man - February 17, 2012
good for her
nolander - February 17, 2012
what am i missing
she looks the same in both pics
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
you’re missing the hundred pounds that she’s missing
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
i think its just a baggy sweatshirt in the first pic..
making her appear to be bigger.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Esteban Loaiza's wife
is also a Dirtbag???
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
no
just straight gangster bitch
delias man - February 17, 2012
Westside fo life!
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Fed-Ex
wont get any time in LA this year except for September.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
I agree – barring injury to Ellis or Treanor. Otherwise, why would he be called up – for his bat?
latenite - February 17, 2012
plus I dont think AJ Ellis has ever been on the DL
and i’m counting on Grif’s bat being way better anyway if they really wanted to call up an offensive catcher.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Because Treanor and Bard suck?
And someone always gets hurt. I’m willing to bet he’s up before September.
underdog - February 17, 2012
Philosophical question: if Treanor sucks…why sign him in the first place? I would have been OK with FedEx as the backup going into the season. But since the Dodgers have Treanor, use him (my opinion). He does have years of backup experience…for better or worse.
latenite - February 17, 2012
Mr. May Treanor is insurence. Donnie 2X is not comfortable turning the team over to 2 catchers that have 3 years of time in the bigs when added together..
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
Because Ned sucks?
Okay, that’s little flippant. Treanor is supposedly a capable defensive catcher which is about all you expect out of your 2nd stringer. So yeah I’m sure they expect him to look adequate enough to make the roster, and for FedEx to start in the minors. But I don’t think they’d be afraid to cut ties with Treanor if he looks bad and if FedEx looks ready.
underdog - February 17, 2012
Regarding Gary Carter, someone reminded me today about the 1980 Denver Bears
had to have been one of the better minor league teams in modern times. Won 92 games. Had Carter, Tim Wallach, Tim Raines, Bill Spaceman Lee, Bill Gullickson, etc.
underdog - February 17, 2012
One of the all-time stacked minor league teams.
I love looking at some of Tim Raines’ early SB numbers.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
did they win the title?
delias man - February 17, 2012
They won the AA West Div title but lost in the championship series
They clinched the west title two weeks before the season ended.
cool recap here: http://www.milb.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=37
underdog - February 17, 2012
Carter would have been in Montreal then. He came up in 75 or 76 I’m pretty sure. Maybe he did a rehab stint?
Nolij - February 17, 2012
You're right! My friend is off. Carter was gone by then.
Just looking at roster now. Still an impressive team, hoo boy.
underdog - February 17, 2012
I should've heeded the warnings...
You guys are corrupting me. I’ve been spending the week going through applications for biology jobs that my organization is offering for the summer. The great majority of the applicants are college students or people that just graduated from college. I keep finding myself thinking of smartass, snide comments for some of the things they write in their cover letters. I didn’t use to do that.
75Dodger - February 17, 2012
just refer to this text book for suggested style for your response
underdog - February 17, 2012
I miss Mad magazines.. I loved that one page that you would fold together and it showed something else.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
I’m sure its funny, but I better not read it; it might make things worse. I used to read Mad Magazine a lot when I was a kid.
75Dodger - February 17, 2012
I loved those when I was a kid. If they reissued these I would by a couple.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
It was around back then?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Yeah, it must have started in the early 1900s since I’m 75. The wonders of botox and plastic surgery. My eye shape is really due to that rather then my asian heritage.
75Dodger - February 17, 2012
as the 2nd oldest commentator I’m allowed to make agist comments with impunity
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
How about posters?
iiidown - February 17, 2012
You’re 75 and you’re just not getting currupted??? Wow, you lasted way longer then most.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
now*
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Chris, if you saw my hair you might think I could be 75, but not a likely candidate for plastic surgery.
75Dodger - February 17, 2012
You should hang out with
delias man more often
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
I need to reduce the corruption, not increase it.
75Dodger - February 17, 2012
let me know if you change your mind
delias man - February 17, 2012
hahaha
Maddz - February 17, 2012
hahaha
says the woman too afraid to come for her anti-south bay tour
delias man - February 17, 2012
Yeah young people am I right.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
yes
nolander - February 17, 2012
We were all better people once. Even BHsportguy the nicest person on the planet has been a tad corrupted.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
More MLB ABs this year:
Juan Rivera or Jerry Sands?
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Sands
OB12 - February 17, 2012
Rivera
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Rivera
Michael White - February 17, 2012
I want to see Sands with more ABs but prevailing wisdom will see Rivera.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
assuming 12 pitchers
Sands may have a tough time making the team if they keep all the veterans Ned signed.
Looks like it’ll come down to Sands or Sellers, although I hope they keep both and just dump Kennedy.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
I don't think Sellers or Sands makes it
and it ends up being some other 5th of ala oeltjin. I don’t think they are going to give Sands the starting job, nor do I think they will be platooning etheir and loney enough to justify to themselves keeping sands on the roster instead of giving him regular at bats in AAA.
nolander - February 17, 2012
platooning loney and ethier should be a given
which would give plenty of ABs for Sands and Rivera to have..
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
should is nice and all
but I’m talking about what donnie and ned are likely to do
nolander - February 17, 2012
Mattingly has already shown a propensity for platooning Either and Loney.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
I though thtat
then was reminded that Loney didn’t get platooned as much as I recalled and Etheir was only getting platooned while injured.
nolander - February 17, 2012
Ethier? When?
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Maybe not Ethier so much, but they really didn’t have anbody to do that with since Rivera wasn’t acquired until the ASB.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
I do agree that if Andre was not put on the DL he would have seen some at bats taken away by Rivera or Sands.
However I think they forget this and in the beginning neither Loney or Andre are platooned until they realize we suck against LHP.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
To start, you are probably right. However, it is going to be short leash, since Ned stated that they were particularly weak against LHP. That is one of the reasons they brought in Rivera.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
why cant they just take their career numbers..
and platoon from the start of the season
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
BTFOOM
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
/nods
nolander - February 17, 2012
I remember them getting days off against lefties, but not nearly enough to be called "platooned:.
iiidown - February 17, 2012
I’m not sure why Oeljin would make much sense when we already have TGJ. I’ll concede that Sands may not make the OD roster, but I feel pretty confident that he will be with the team prior to Memorial Day.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
they are going to want to get him regular work
nolander - February 17, 2012
They are going to come to realize that Rivera is best suited as a lefty masher and Sands will be starting.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
maybe
maybe not, either way I was only talking about opening day roster. Unless Rivera or Etheir is injured or maybe even Gwynn Sands probably doesn’t make the team
nolander - February 17, 2012
Yeah, but the question was who gets the most ABs.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
If Sands doesn’t win a starting spot (which means LF), he is very likely not making the team.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
then his career as a dodger is over
and that would be a shame
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
That leap seems extreme. He has 2 option years remaining
Michael White - February 17, 2012
i just dont think the Dodgers think much of him..
If they wont put him on the roster.
Its rare for players (especially older ones) to have multiple tours in AAA and THEN finally get a chance at the MLBs after that…
I think if Sands doesnt make this team this year, he’s done as a Dodger.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
I believe Eric is only saying Sands won’t break camp with the team. He didn’t last year either and still spent quite a bit of time on the major league roster. And your narrative above doesn’t hold for Sands. He’s already had a shot at the MLBs and will certainly (in my mind) get another this year. He was not buried in AAA for multiple seasons before getting a shot at the big league squad.
Michael White - February 17, 2012
rivera wasnt on the team at the beginning of last year either...
and Sands got sent down in June and never came back till Sept…
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
the team doesn't share your enthusiasm for players making huge adjustments to their mechanics
while playing for the big league club
nolander - February 17, 2012
Right
Sands has played all of 94 games at Triple A. He is not John Lindsey.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
I just hope he’s not John Bowker
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Heh
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
I can follow his logic on this, Ned will trade him to someone for a middle reliver that we don’t need. this will be the straw that breaks the Camel’s (and Dodgers) back and it should be the last we see of deal the prospects Neddy.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
I like making jokes about Colleti too, but that cartoonish depiction of him isn’t that true. I guess that sort of happened with former top prospect McDonald, but that situation was a bit different with Logan White suggesting that McDonald didn’t train seriously in the off-season and cry-gate.
Michael White - February 17, 2012
It is my opinion, and although it does not live in reality it does live in my heart.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
Ned has traded alot of filler prospects for other filler prospects. Top 10 Prospects are limited to Carlos Santana, Josh Bell, James McDonald, and Trayvon Robinson.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
That’s 40%!
mleadman - February 17, 2012
no
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
You probably said the same thing
when James Loney was sent down to start the year when he was blocked by Nomar.
David Young - February 17, 2012
I am with Eric on this. Sands will have to rake during spring and not against spring training fillers. I do not see Jerry breaking camp with the big team, and I don’t see Sellers doing it either. I do see both of them being called up during the season due to a number of players being injured and if Jerry rakes there they will not be able to send him down. I really don’t see Sellers being more than the 7th infielder and the Dodgers will keep him in AAA to keep him playing on a regular basis.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
sellers seems more likely to see the team then sands to me
I could see him being an injury replacement sit on the bench guy when one of th emillion old infielders gets a case of being old and injured.
nolander - February 17, 2012
who else can play SS outside of Gordon?
I dont think Ellis or Hairston are up to the task.
Uribe’s not going too.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Hairston can easily do it. In 2010 he played plenty of SS.
Then you have Sellers.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
On the major league roster, Uribe and Hairston. If Gordon is hurt for an extended period, they can always recall Sellers.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Curious, what is the normal amount of pitchers? 12 or 11? What do most teams carry??
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Torre liked 13
Michael White - February 17, 2012
I had the days broken down at some point, but I’m fairly certain the Dodgers had 12 pitchers all season (the 25-man roster period here), outside of the first week or so of the year when Garland was on the DL and with an off day the team only needed four starters.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
I think most go with 12.
Though for a large part of 2009 i believe we had 13.
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012
Sands
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
what happened to dark side phil?
all of this positivity…
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Not being very positive. I expect Juan Rivera to suck as bad for us as he did for the Blue Jays. He may be the starter on April 1st, he will not be the starter by July 1st. JMO
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
This. Management is going to see that he is overmatched at RHP and not being that good defensively, he’ll be relegated to spot starts and lefty mashing.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
i think his salary
will keep him in the lineup
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
I don’t think that will mean anything in May once new ownership is here. If someone isn’t playing well, they are going to look to shake things up.
OB12 - February 17, 2012
well yeah he is getting paid more then sands
so he must be the best
nolander - February 17, 2012
ned doesnt want to look bad
which is why there’s no way Uribe gets released either
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
uribe is getting paid more then sands
so he must be the best
nolander - February 17, 2012
thats how they think
its really too bad..
guys with the guaranteed contracts get many many many chances to fail
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
david grohl is getting paid more then kurt cobain
so he must be the best
nolander - February 17, 2012
Trollolol
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
Which is why Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre played full-time until their contracts ran out. Puh-lese. One thing Ned does do eventually is cut bait. For that matter, Esteban Loaiza got released too despite his ill-advised contract.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Tomko
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Ned does cut bait
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Which I always thought must have been an interesting conversation with Frank. Sorry Frank you know that six million I asked you sign off on. well that didn’t work out. Can I have another six million?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
He’s a master.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Juan Pierre’s salary didn’t keep him in the lineup. (Eventually)
David Young - February 17, 2012
It's MJ's 49th birthday
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
Also Red Barber's
Michael White - February 17, 2012
More like
49th death day for Barber
mleadman - February 17, 2012
who
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
BA Top 100 comes out Tuesday
I’ll guess:
1) Harper
2) Moore
3) Trout
4) Darvish
5) Profar
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
BA counts Darvish as a prospect?
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Yes
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
for real? Was Nomo and Kuroda prospects??
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
This deserves a separate fan post but I don't really get how new ownership can make any substantive changes
during the season. There are no free agents and the Dodgers don’t have the kind of prospects that would get back a really good offensive player.
About the only thing new ownership could do during the season is increase spending in the international draft, use their full allocated amount in the regular draft, cut prices and show plans on how they plan to refurbish Dodger Stadium.
Major front office moves are likely to take place after the season because unless there is some person available right now, they will more than likely keep the current people in place. Could they allow more flexibility to add payroll during the season, sure but again what players could they acquire that would need that adjustment?
This isn’t 2006, there are not 5-6 players waiting in the minors ready to make an impact on this team.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
I disagree about the really good offensive player part
That is if you think David Wright is still that good. If not then nevermind. But i think David Wright will be a real possibility this June or July.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
Also, I'm off to cut my wrists after this depressing post, lol
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
Agree it will be very difficult to make meaningful changes during this season.
Good for the future – Kemp and Kershaw, Jansen
Worth one question mark – Ethier, Gordon, Billingsley, Guerra,
Worth three question marks – Loney
Every other position now is being help by a place holder C, 2B, 3B, LF, #3 SP, #4 SP.
The Major changes to the front office should take place immediately.
There is no advantage to waiting, get the new program underway asap.
68elcamino427 - February 17, 2012
Taking on salary is a thing
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
yeah we could trade for vernon wells
nolander - February 17, 2012
If the team can stay competitive through June they can trade for Wright which in my mind is the upgrade this team needs.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Wright is in the last year of his contract
He can void the club option (which may seem moot since $16M seems like a decline) if he is traded and the Dodgers would get any compensation picks for him.
So if you get him in June maybe you pick up $8-10M in salary, if you trade better prospects, maybe a little less.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
But that’s precisely the sort of thing that a new well capitalized owner can pull off
Michael White - February 17, 2012
My pessimism raises as the purchase price
climbs over $1 Billion.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Well that’s sort of a different issue
Michael White - February 17, 2012
How much debt is the new owner going to take on
There has never been this much money spent on a professional franchise in the U.S. and it could be the most ever spent on a sports franchise. They already take on the budget for this season after paying McCourt. Sure 8-10M in the universe of spending 1.5-2 billion is pretty small but it is not like the Dodgers are going suddenly start making more money this season once the new owners come in.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
if they are competative I don’t think that is true, especially if they swing a trade for a big name like David Wright.
nolander - February 17, 2012
Plus, supposedly all the prospective ownership groups were not thrilled with the long term deal for Kemp. If that is true, what makes anyone think new ownership will come in throwing money around?
latenite - February 17, 2012
Really? Is this common knowledge?
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Discussed in yesterday’s thread – from Twitter….
latenite - February 17, 2012
no its a real article
it was just found throw a tweet of a blog post that was pointing to the article
nolander - February 17, 2012
came up yesterday
http://newhanonbaseball.blogspot.com/2012/02/is-15-billion-ceiling-or-merely-floor.html
nolander - February 17, 2012
and I agree with Delias, they talked to Fred Claire
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
That was me, not delias man.
David Young - February 17, 2012
and I agree with David, they talked to Fred Claire
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
dead on on the kershaw thing
it makes no sense to buy out what they ended up buying out…maybe they just wanted to not have any hard feelings with kershaw if they had to go to arbitration
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
There is value in having known costs, even at full market value, and avoiding arb next year, for both sides. Ethier and Kemp both went this route as well. If Kershaw has a very good season again, the Dodgers may have even come out ahead.
David Young - February 17, 2012
They obviously didn’t ask Josh Macciello.
ishXdavid - February 17, 2012
Just me, but that quote I feel is BS. Not like all 11 ownership groups where queried on how they felt about the Kemp contract. I feel they talked to a couple and extrapolated that opinion.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Agreed.
David Young - February 17, 2012
I pray that it is not true. If it is, the implications are ominous.
latenite - February 17, 2012
fair warning
I may steal this line and spam it over and over again
it the structure of a sentence that can be applied to any thing, yet always seem a little over the top
I strive for that quality
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
I understand and you are probably 93.2% correct in that they will do nothing this summer other then expand the scouting department.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Machiavelli
will promise us Pujols and Fielder, fuck the Angels and Tigers
mleadman - February 17, 2012
Makaveli?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Ee4u5uXuw
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012
That should be fine with the new owner actually having money.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
Is Alfonso Soriano better than Juan Rivera one brave teams decides to find out.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
………Atlanta?
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
my question is what were we going to give up in the CC deal, or the Blake deal, had we be willing to take on the full salary?? Do we not have prospects just as good as those then??
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
since then the issue hasn't been money in trades
its that no one seems to want our prospects
nolander - February 17, 2012
well it seems that our prospects arent good enough if were trying to get a good player AND get him paid for… But maybe our prospects are good enough if we take on the full incoming salary. Or maybe not, but im not sure.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
As I speculated before, the Dodgers would have enough to get Carlos Lee, if they paid most of his salary. Certainly guys like Alfonso Soriano or Jason Bay could be had for little more than a willingness to take (some of) their costs off their teams’ hands. Better prospects means less salary relief would be needed.
In the Manny deal, the convo between Ned and Ken Williams went something like
Ned: We will eat 2M of Manny’s salary if you give us X good prospect.
Ken: No
Ned: We will eat 1M of Manny’s salary if you give us Y decent prospect.
Ken: No
Ned: Fine. The bastard’s yours.
This time we could be in the buyer shoes in theory.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
There was a rumor somewhere
That the Blue Jays wanted to accept our offer for Halladay but he wanted to go to Philly.
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012
See below
Halladay is a train only in Florida guy.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Yes. If the Dodgers are in contention in July, they could swing trades for relatively expensive players, but nobody will be available before then to help the team out, and if they are 40-50 or something, there’s no point.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Anything can happen. Who did we get for Manny?
Xeifrank - February 17, 2012
Looks like a simple waiver pickup by the White Sox
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
John Q. Salaryrelief
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Do we still have him rostered this year?
Xeifrank - February 17, 2012
We traded John Q Salaryrelief for Juan Debtordolittle
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Yes, JQS makes about ($1.9 million) this year.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
agreed....this current team is old and mediocre
Maybe new ownership can get something done at the end of 2012
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Blake DeWitt
If he clears waivers, he has the right to become a free agent (3 years of service). So it’s no given that he’ll stick with the Cubs.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
FedEx
his biggest 2012 moment will be a Clayton Kershaw no-hitter that he catches at Dodger Stadium in July.
Xeifrank - February 17, 2012
Torborg’d
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
The kids
probably think you are talking about beer
mleadman - February 17, 2012
I am, it is cheap, light weight, and you never get a buzz
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
The kids
have never heard of that beer.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Blake
Just got this in the mail from the CLippers. Evidently i and 9 other STH won this.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Sweet
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Dunks should only be worth one point! :)
Xeifrank - February 17, 2012
NCAA tried to do that to
Sweet Lou Alcindor
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
more than tried
They did it. Which contributed to Sydney Wicks’ greatest moment
mleadman - February 17, 2012
YES!
David Young - February 17, 2012
Old toledo Blade newspaper
with old fart coulmnist saying the dunk should remain illegal. Some interesting other articles on Bob Lanier, Oscar Robertson and Spencer Heywood
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19700325&id=tO9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vgEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5710,2914494
mleadman - February 17, 2012
The old fart columnist redeems himself later though
with the reference to “Southern Cal”.
David Young - February 17, 2012
And Long Beach States Ed Ratleff, called “the black Pete Maravich” (!)
David Young - February 17, 2012
The big winner on that page though
is the
that ad for the “vest suit”. Awesoke.Thanks for that link Marty.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Make layups 2 1/2 points
and see how many dunks you get
mleadman - February 17, 2012
They would be scoring layups in front of as many fans as the WNBA gets
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Zach Randolph becomes MVP
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Make basketball an exhibition of guys throwing bounce passes back and forth.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
I like the cut of your jib
mleadman - February 17, 2012
well done with the period correct compliment and all
also, Jib makes for a fine scrabble word when you need it
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
But then they wouldnt scream after a layup and screaming after dunks is one of my favorite things in bball
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
I would not disagree, traveling layups also worth only a point
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
USA Today fantasy mag
“Keep ’Em”
Kenley Jansen
“Dump ’Em”
Aaron Harang
Javy Guerra
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
Why would anyone have had Harang in fantasy anyway? He was a one-category pitcher last year, and his ERA wasn’t even that good.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
1) Because they think it’s 2006
2) Because they are in fbihop’s 14 team league
Michael White - February 17, 2012
Reg’s keeper league
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
In a league that deep, you wouldn’t dump Guerra.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Maybe not relative to the fact he was pitching in Petco but his ERA was 25th among starters in the NL and that is a category helper. He pitched enough innings to K 124 so he’s not killing you.
Mixed team, a problem NL only, he had value.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
There’s an innings cap in most leagues, so eating innings without strikeouts or wins isn’t really helping.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
He won 13 games with a mid 3 ERA
2 category pitcher last year :)
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
At this point, Guerra is worth a draft pick. Pretty much all closers get drafted and as of now he’s the closer for the Dodgers.
Michael White - February 17, 2012
I see Guerra has the doubters still… it would mean alot to me if he proves them wrong.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
I hope he’s great, then traded for David Wright:)
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Guys who show they can not blow saves are worth a lot in trade :)
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
tell that to Ryan Roberts
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
It would be great if many of us were wrong and they win 100 games, the NLCS, and the CHampionship with a team packed full of crash test dummies.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Dodgers won’t win 100 games, but Kershaw will pitch 60 consecutive scoreless innings.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
200 consecutive scoreless innings you mean
nolander - February 17, 2012
Recent Mock draft
We need these guys to step up this season!
17. Ted Lilly (LAD – SP)
18. Javy Guerra (LAD – RP)
19. James Loney (LAD – 1B)
20. Jerry Hairston Jr. (LAD – 2B,3B,OF)
21. Jerry Sands (LAD – OF)
22. Scott Elbert (LAD – RP)
23. A.J. Ellis (LAD – C)
9. Andre Ethier (LAD – OF)
11. Dee Gordon (LAD – SS)
12. Kenley Jansen (LAD – RP)
Bills was available towards the end of the draft but picking up Kuroda instead
funkyjam - February 17, 2012 via mobile
billingsley is the entire key to the season..(imo)
if he’s goes back to being great – then the Dodgers can be good.
If he just goes along with the way he’s been going…they win 75-77 games.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
One player is a ten win difference?? (Assuming “can be good” means something like 85-87 wins or more)
David Young - February 17, 2012
yeah..
i have a feeling of Billingsley goes on at his current pace, the Dodgers will go like 15-25 in his starts…and vice versa if he’s really good.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
He's going to make 33 starts at best, I think.
If they don’t skip starters, everyone starts 33 or 32 times. If they skip #5 a few times, obviously that can climb, but 34-35 is a clear max.
Sounds like BS to me. You lose enough 2-1 games and win enough 7-6 games, and have the pen blow enough times, to keep those kinds of big swings from happening.
David Young - February 17, 2012
I think you are getting to specific. If Chad can be great our chances are better that the team as a whole can be competitive.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I agree with that non-specific idea. 10 wins is too much for me to believe.
David Young - February 17, 2012
my math is off
12-22 vs 22-12
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Neither Bills nor LA were very good last year
LA was 16-16 in Billingsley’s starts. I still think your swings are huge.
David Young - February 17, 2012
They were 16-17 in Lilly’s, 14-18 in Kuroda’s.
David Young - February 17, 2012
it’s a lot closer to 14-18/18-14, but your point is valid.
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
The pitcher being good or bad isn’t the only factor in play. Bills sucked and they went .500 in his starts anyway. Some factors offset others. I think the swing based solely on Bills sucking or not is smaller than we think.
According to B-R, the swing between Bills best and worst seasons is 3.1 WAR. Not a perfect comparison, but something.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Last non-knuckleballer to make 40 starts or more
was Jim Clancy in 1982 for the Blue Jays. Before him Dennis Leonard and Mike Flanagan in ’78.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Now a days Clancy can’t even sing
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Leonard blew his shoulder out, Flanagan blew his brains out.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Left out:
“Too soon?”
David Young - February 17, 2012
Some people should have the option when they have financially screwed themselves up so much they can’t bear to tell their loved ones, that they get re-identified and sent out in the world to serve humanity for a year.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
You’re gonna have to right out and say it.
iiidown - February 17, 2012
As you stand on the edge of your feather.
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
Why should I mind If I step right out of line….
.
.
(Gotcha!)
iiidown - February 17, 2012
Hey, I only dropped by to pick up a reason
:P
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Off topic.
iiidown - February 17, 2012
His mother told him a trip was a fall.
The Dude Abides - February 18, 2012
i was in a mock draft and billinsgely went in the 23rd round. somehow i think a certain Down will pick him long before then.
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
agreed on guerra
Jansen is the best reliever on the Dodgers and the best relievers almost always become the closers.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
John Carter may be biggest flop ever
http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/john-carter-early-tracking-shockingly-soft-could-be-biggest-writeoff-of-all-time/
mleadman - February 17, 2012
The Sci Fi equiv of Mars Needs Moms?
Disney should stay away from movies that involve Mars
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
But they just greenlighted
The Mars Blackmon movie!
/notreallytrue
mleadman - February 17, 2012
One of my favorite album titles
For youngsters, the title is across the bottom.
David Young - February 17, 2012
I'm actually hearing some surprisingly positive buzz on that from people secretly on twitter and from Europe
the studio is assuming they have a dud and they may not. They may not know what they’re doing either. A film blogger I know went to a screening where thy had a strict embargo— can’t talk about it and certainly no pictures of the screen, until the embargo date is clear. So strict that they took his Kindle (!!), as if one would bootleg a movie via Kindle. Anyway… it might be Conan the Barbarian type goofy fun with better effects, or it could be a bomb. But I am gonna bet it won’t be THE all time flop.
underdog - February 17, 2012
I'm intrigued mostly because its based on a sci fi book from the 30s
nolander - February 17, 2012
I read em all as a kid
Covers all had large-breasted females drawn on them which sucked me in
mleadman - February 17, 2012
There were large breasted females way back in the 30’s?? im just playin.
uschris0304 - February 17, 2012
Yeah I don't get why they changed the name from John Carter of Mars
which at least more clearly reveals the genre and makes it more fun. “John Carter” could be about someone’s accountant or like that terrible Tom Hanks movie from last year.
underdog - February 17, 2012
the embargo intrigues me. Only screening I went to with an embargo stated was Somewhere, which only made $7mill. Looking up that fact I learned that The Kids Are Alright only made $4mill. How on earth is that a true thing?
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
hollywood accounting is complete and total bullshit?
nolander - February 17, 2012
It’s bumpkis
mleadman - February 17, 2012
it looks HORRIBLE
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
not really
nolander - February 17, 2012
my opinion
your opinion.
It looks like trash to me.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
beautiful woman in skanty clothes doing heroic things, how can you say no to this?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
when the rest of the movie looks like crap
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
You will see it
You will like it
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
You can trust me when I say I will never see this movie
And if I did I would not like it.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
I've been over this before
But I don’t like ever movie I see, and that’s because I see movies I think I will like.
For most movies that aren’t good, I can still find certain things in the movie that were enjoyable. Some movies just don’t have that though.
Ivdown - February 17, 2012
No
just did it
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
I heard a Jeremy Lin pun today on the radio
that was actually new to me. I would couch it this way: A certain guard was given new life to the Knicks, he should be introduced to the song Lin-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.
David Young - February 17, 2012
that’s-a racist!
Nolij - February 17, 2012
100 at bats, hits .280/.360/.520 which sets him up to be the 2013 starter as we let Ellis walk, then he hits .220/.290/.390 over 450 at bats next season.
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
I could live with that 2013 season
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
We were cool with Samurod.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
You’re imagining an awful lot of power.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Marlon Anderson powah
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
Ha
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Does anyone know
the reason Mickey Mantle is in every Topps baseball series?
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
to piss me off
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
there is no better reason
nolander - February 17, 2012
New York City.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Topps credited the surgence of Mickey Mantles career with their own success and honor him in this way
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Also, during his lifetime, he signed an exclusive deal with them at some point, which screwed with Upper Deck. They also at one point had retired card #7, but I think they gave up on that.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
11 Catchers since 1958
have had an OPS+ > 120 by the age of 26 with over 1,000 plate appearances.
In honor of Baseball IQ can you name them?
Eight of them are names any real student will say, yup once they hear them.
One should be known but may not be
Two are “are you fucking kidding me”
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Gary Carter did not make the cut. The Kid was at 117
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Piazza, Bench, Posada, Simmons, Pudge, McCann, Mauer, Victor Martinez, Kendall, Munson…?
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Piazza 1, 151
Bench 5, 130
Posada did not start full time catching until later
Simmons did not make cut, 119 OPS+
Pudge is not even on my list, hmmm
McCann 9 , 122
Mauer 2, 136
Martinez 9, 121
Kendall, 10, 121
Munson 11, 121
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
3 and 4 should be easy
one is still nosing around here and one is just about the greatest catcher ever no matter what the age group was
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
McCarver
Freehan
Berra
mleadman - February 17, 2012
McCarver No
Freehan 14, 115
Berra – Post 1958 he was already old
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Whozitz
That guy on boston with the arm waving thing
mleadman - February 17, 2012
Fisk is one of the obvious ones.
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Yes, 3, 134
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
The other is obvious, he simply isn’t known anymore as a catcher but was at age 26
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Torre?
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
Yes, number 4, 131
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Biggio
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Napoli too old?
regfairfield - February 17, 2012
Do you like Baseball IQ? I really do because of the questions, but I think it’s a bit over-produced.
And regarding your comment above on Ferguson/Yeager, I was a Ferguson fan (mainly for the catch/throw from right field in the 1974 Series) at first, but then I really grew to like Yeager. Plus, he’s in “Major League”.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
Bless you Kelly
I liked Fergy for his home runs and in 1980 he hit one of my favorites
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I was 13 when he made that throw…was a huge baseball and Dodger fan and I can still see it in my mind. Stepping in front of the Toy Cannon, catching the ball with one hand and then throwing a frozen rope to Yeager, who got popped but held onto the ball. Fuck, that was an awesome play.
I was watching the game at my grandparents house in Palm Springs (Eric knows the house well)…ahh…the memories of youth!
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
As you know, you and I are the same age. I remember that play well. Very well.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Do you remember your first MLB moment? Mine was the 1969 World Series. We were looking for a new TV on a Saturday and one of the divisional games was on. We bought the TV and took it home and I remember watching the Series the following weekend. I already liked baseball, but then I was hooked.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
69 was the first year I could watch TV, and yeah that 69 season was a good one to cut your teeth on. That World Series was oh so awesome. I was rooting so hard for the Met’s because most of the Oriole team was the same one that had whupped our ass.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Television, no, but the ’69 WS would definitely be among the first memories. I remember seeing the newspaper headline when Drysdale retired.
David Young - February 17, 2012
’63 World series. Koufax, Drysdale and Podres. I was the happiest kid in California. Finally destroying the Yankees. A sweep!
iiidown - February 17, 2012
That must have been something, facing that lineup and Koufax setting that record.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I read The Sporting News back then and all I remember is the cartoon of Joe Pepitone with goat horns on the cover.
iiidown - February 17, 2012
Nice Job
no one is going to guess Romano or Wilkins
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 2/17/2012.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
For you Sci-Fi fans out there:
Ender’s Game is a go. Filming to start in NOLA
http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/nonso-anozie-joins-harrison-ford-ben-kingsley-and-viola-davis-in-enders-game/
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
Good to see they finally made a movie of Eric Enders baseball parks book
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
well thats going to suck
nolander - February 17, 2012
One of the best sci-fi novels I've ever read
Liked it just as much as Dune and the Foundation Trilogy, and more than Stranger in a Strange Land. I wonder how old Ender will be in the movie.
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
for some reaosn they keep giving these huge IPs to shitty directors
foundation movie is going to be shit too
nolander - February 17, 2012
Still hoping for The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
Timothy Zaun's Thrawn Trilogy is still tops for me
Though it’s tied with the original 3 Halo Novels. Holy crap those were so much better than i expected them to be.
Taylor Maricle - February 17, 2012
look
those are nice and all(ok The Flood really wasn’t that good but the first Halo novel was), but shut your pie hole and read foundation and dune. You are embarrassing yourself.
nolander - February 17, 2012
NERD RAGE!!
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
Older than in the book.
Grimjack - February 18, 2012
I hope not too much older
And it’s really important they get some kids who can act and a director who knows how to direct. Young Anakin Skywalker is the floor for bad child actors…I hope Ender Wiggin doesn’t plunge through that floor.
The Dude Abides - February 18, 2012
It’s crazy that the White Sox vs. Astros was actually a World Series. Now they’re two of the shittiest franchises around.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
How did the White Sox become one of the shittiest franchises around? They might have a better team then we do.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
wins for whitesox
2011-79
2010-88
2009-79
2008-89
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
how many games did we win last year?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
82
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Right
Then again I expect some White Sox blogger this very minute is saying the Astro’s were in the World Series this decade and the Dodgers were in the NLCS as recently as 2009 how did those two franchises become two of the shittiest franchises around.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
At least we can claim two young superstars. That gives us some hope.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
anyway a shitty franchise is a last place franchise with little hope for the future and recent crappy past. I dont’ think the White Sox qualify in any way to be called a shitty franchise.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
i agree
i dont think they are shitty…they are pretty average and have an average payroll….
shitty franchises are still the Royals, Padres, Orioles, Pirates
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
they have an average payroll so they must be average
nolander - February 17, 2012
if baseball were a completely free market
you’d be right
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
The worst farm system in recent memory, plus outside of a few bullpen pieces nobody really good that is under 35
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Wow that is so wrong
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Yeah Adum Dunn is going to be great this year
nolander - February 17, 2012
I’m fairly sure you could not name the White Sox rotation or the staring nine.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
adum dunn
do they have peavy or is that the tigers. Ordonez?
nolander - February 17, 2012
danks, floyd, humber, peavy
are all 30 or younger…their starters arent bad.
alexi ramirez, lillibridge arent bad position players that are still in their primes
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Brent Lillibridge is not remotely worth getting excited about. At least Gordon Beckham had a good year at one point.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
only 186 abs last year
i thought he has more in putting up his 258/340/505
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
sale is their fifth starter. Their rotation from top to bottom are all under 30 are all good. Sale is a ? but the kind of question mark I’d like to have.
Ramirez might be the most underrated SS in the league. Their best prospect is now the starting RF. He’s kind of like Sands. Flowers is a better catching prospect then anyone we have. Eric simply made a BS comment.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
75-87 in 2012
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
That is within the realm of possibility. I say they win more games then the Twins. Beer?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
oh boy, the Twins seem pretty bad. But sure, I’ll take that.
The usual :)
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
How ’bout a Fresca?
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
Tab for me
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
he's probably upset the Dodgers have to share camelback with them
pricks
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Foot high Melons
Yet they show a picture of a leg
mleadman - February 17, 2012
The foot is high in the air. No false advertising here – “foot high” and “melon” are shown in photo!
Just not a “foot high melon”.
latenite - February 17, 2012
I’d do her.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Ah, College Baseball opening day
it’s good to here the sounds of baseball again, too bad West Coast college baseball is almost never on TV
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
That is a good thing. College baseball blows.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Ping
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Are you saying you have never stepped foot in Jackie Robinson Stadium? :)
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
I’ve played there. Dedeaux too. Robinson was a much cooler field.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Correct
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Was watching Bauer pitch his last game as a Bruin there during the playoffs
And there was a scout behind me, he was talking about various things but once Cole was pitching he would take out the gun and record pitches. Once Cole finished, he picked up his stuff and left.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Oops should have said Cole
in the headline.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Sad but true
I work at the West LA VA and have yet to watch more than 1/2 an inning of Bruins Baseball in one game.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
which is a higher level of baseball...
Dominican Summer League
Rookie League
BCS Conference Baseball
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
no idea, and little to no interest in watching any of it.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
ha ha
I’ve tried watching college ball but have found that until the World Series is being played and I’m looking at people who were drafted I can’t get excited.
I imagine DSL baseball is awful
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I dont think the DSL Dodgers could win many D1 games…
A good rookie league team i think could advance to the college world series though.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Very rarely does everyone on a college team get drafted, whereas almost everyone on a Rookie league team has been drafted. The occasional superstars that will bypass Rookie League altogether are in college, but they are few are far between enough that I’d expect the pro ballplayers to still be better.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
yep
nolander - February 17, 2012
from the stats brandon puts up..
there doesnt seem to be much offense in the DSL
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
I’ve coached JV baseball. All of those sound pretty good to me.
Nolij - February 17, 2012
Probably why you didn’t make it out to the Dodger Blog softball tournament.
David Young - February 17, 2012
in order
depends what you mean by BCS Conference Baseball. If you mean a team of the best in college, or an average D1 program.
1) D1 college all stars
2) Rookie League
3) Average D1 team
4) D2 all star team
5) Good D2 team
6) D3 all stars
7) DSL
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
BCS = major six conferences (in football)
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
All part of the new Pac-12
network to be on your local cable provider.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
aluminum bat cracking!
woohoo
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
Eric probably won't be there
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Why not, isn’t he moving in this weekend?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I might end up going Monday instead of Sunday. But if I am there I will for sure be at that presser.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Sounds like a good incentive to get on Sunday
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
what are the dodgers lodgings like at spring training?
Do the players stay in dorm type accomodations on site?
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
There is no dorms on site at Camelback
As far as ever been mentioned.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
I thought they were working on building dorms on site either two years ago or last year, but it may have been delayed.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Based on the last CBA
If a player lives away from the team’s ST facility, there is a weekly allowance (plus supplemental) of about $315 a week. Meal money is about $75 per day. On top of that, players get $25 per day as room allowance.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
No dorms at the camelback
I cover this point in my thing which I wont look for now
players make too much these days
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
What the market will bear. And what collective bargaining can demand.
David Young - February 17, 2012
The one thing I'm sure of
Roy Halladay stays at his Florida home.
David Young - February 17, 2012
ASU Undergrad women’s dorms
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
Fuk’d her.
/Preston Mattingly’s twitter
David Young - February 17, 2012
I don't even know what to do with this GIF
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
no politics
nolander - February 17, 2012
I know something you couldn’t have done with it.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Like, not post it?
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
did I ruin Christmas?
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Just dinner
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
no religion
nolander - February 17, 2012
Did I just ruin Arbor Day?
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
no arbors
nolander - February 17, 2012
Fuckin hilarious
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
thats racist
nolander - February 17, 2012
It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry.
silverwidow - February 17, 2012
thats disgusting
nolander - February 17, 2012
Really?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I saw it on another board
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
and?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
My reaction too
but then I am at the point of telling folks to stay off the lawn.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Sounds like it is fortunate that it is blocked by my firewall, so I see nothing.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Joise made a
Bad Decision
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Not the first, I presume.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Sooooo
The black man that pops out of what appears to be that dudes(birthday?) present gave him Vaseline so he could apply it to his face because he’s getting ready for an MMA fight?
funkyjam - February 17, 2012 via mobile
At long last the Clippers have played 28 games, the Lakers 29.
As of this moment Portland and Utah are out of the eight spots but only two games separate the Lakers and Portland. I wonder with the short schedule if we will have separation or the last week is going to be crazy.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
The Clippers have turned many a corner but leading the Lakers in home average attendance might be the biggest shocker.
http://espn.go.com/nba/attendance
+ 1500 per game from 2011
+ 3000 per game from 2010
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
The Lakers attendance has been consistent
Their high mark since 2001 is their current attendance of 18,997, which they averaged for the last several years.
The Clippers configure Staples for a larger capacity, this season they have finally begun to reach their potential.
So it is more that the Clippers have generated more interest than the tickets sales dropping for the Lakers.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Makes sense, how do the Clippers configure Staples for that many more seats?
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
Less
press area at the bottom and on the sides I believe.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
hmmm
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
making tbones
sear both sides on a cast iron and finish in the oven?
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
Tripon'd
But that was Bh’s advice, I think.
David Young - February 17, 2012
the b looked like a h and I wondered for a minute what thones was.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
thones
skimpy undergarment that is a bit askew.
David Young - February 17, 2012
I thought the
fairer half was cooking.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
i’m trying to help, and the internet doesn’t have consistent advice for how to cook the steaks
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
To many cooks in the kitchen make for…….
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
To many chefs spoil the soup.
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
we don’t know how high the oven should be or how long to sear/bake
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
Okay, partner…slow down now…just back away from the cooking area…make sure all the flames are out…
…how long have you been using? Don’t worry, big fella, we’ll talk you down…
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
Calm down.
It should be fine as long as you don’t over cook them. My guess would be 3-4 minutes aside and then about the same in the oven (figure 375 or so). The sear is to carmelize the steak, the oven is to finish cooking without the direct heat of the pan.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
My wife has told me that if I use Calm or Settle down I will not live to see Kershaw win his 100th game
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
she has also taken “chill” off the table.
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
So…..sounds like someone had an awesome valentine’s day!
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
Wait, who isn’t calm?
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
I do 4 minutes on the stove top
flip and into the oven in one swoop for 4
or so I remember in my jet laggy ness
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
1. Are the steaks room temp?
2. If so, good, if not, let them sit out a bit.
3. Lightly salt and pepper both sides (I’d recommend some chopped fresh rosemary and garlic powder as well, but not needed)
with me so far?
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
steaks are at room temp and have been marinading for a couple hours in a wash of olive oil, rosemary, salt, pepper and garlic.
G.Scott - February 17, 2012
You’re golden.
Start the oven at 375, get the cast iron at medium-high heat, sear both sides for 2-4 minutes, then lay the pan in the oven. Watch that you don’t keep it in there too long; that will vary depending on thickness.
I am heading out to dinner; great luck.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
I prefer a grill. If unavailable, I’ve heard this approach to be good. Or you can broil in the oven…although you’ll end up with a potentially charred outside.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
Do you worry about flare ups with the grill
perhaps with steaks, there isn’t a lot of fat from the steak that catches on fire.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Nope…spray bottle handy, and a bit of flare up does the same as a hot cast iron; kinds of sears the outside. I typically start hot and taper down to get the temp I want.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
You are like
Alton Brown, fire extinguisher handy too?
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
NFW. i like him a lot but he’s to safety conscious for my taste.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
BTW, finally saw MoneyBall the other night. I liked it a whole lot more than I thought I would. After reading the book (which I liked) and hearing they were going to make a movie out of it, I kept scratching my head trying to figure out how they would make it entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised. I just wished they would have quoted, by name, Joe Morgan to show what a dipshit he is.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
What I heard about the experience of making the movie
It’s incredibly hard.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Especially in Chatsworth
meercatjohn - February 17, 2012
I had an offer about 8 years ago to go see a day’s shoot there one time. Logistics didn’t work out, and somehow I figure’d the wife would find out. I still wish I would have gone.
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
I would expect a “big-budget” shoot for a movie that attempts to have an actual plot to be rather boring with a lot of down time. I would expect being on site for the plotless scenes to be rather skeevy.
Just a guess.
David Young - February 17, 2012
Went to a shoot once in West LA
A tennis student of mine was a distributor for Vivid. The shoot was at a family’s mansion, which they were renting out to the film company. At one point, the male star urgently had to urinate mid-scene, so he took off for the bathroom with his flag flying high, but opened the wrong door…the wrong door being the mansion owner’s mother-in-law’s guest bedroom. The resulting shriek and repeated apologies had the entire set in stitches.
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
was it a porno?
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
ROFL
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
Perhaps
Flag flying high was too obscure a description
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
The dude tries not to be crude.
The Dude Abides - February 17, 2012
I refuse to believe Josie has never heard of “Vivid”.
David Young - February 17, 2012
well
I haven’t
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Largest porn film company – would be example of “big-budget” shoots I mentioned above. Have a big building with their name on it in the north end of the Cahuenga Pass, basically across the canyon from Universal.
David Young - February 17, 2012
And yet she thought
that GIF was funny.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
oh I didn’t think it was funny. Just really strange that someone made it a GIF
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Despite living in the SFV for over 25 years now
I’ve never crossed paths with what appeared to be a shoot for that industry. At one time we did own a house that we rented, and we received a faxed application once from a couple that I showed the house to that had the company name across the top of each page as a header. I don’t remember what it was now, but it seemed a bit unusual, so I looked it up and sure enough, porn company. Since the house was directly across the street from a school, I doubt they were going to use my house for production purposes, but I still didn’t rent to them. I have always wondered though which one of them worked there.
David Young - February 17, 2012
The NBA All Star Game is the same day as the Oscars?
Ahahhaha
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
Different times though right? All-Star game is daytime?
David Young - February 17, 2012
About the same time.
Game time is at 4:30 local time, Oscar broadcast starts at 5, though red carpet is at 4 or so.
Recollection is that the highest rated Oscars in recent history was the one where Titianic won all the awards.
In fact, looking it up, that broadcast was seen by over 55M whereas last year’s was about 37.6M
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Last year
The NBA All-Star game on TNT drew 9.1M viewers, the most since 2003.
The Daytona 500 starts at 10:00 a.m local time and will probably draw over 15M viewers (it is on Fox)
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
This was more of a victim of the lockout
and it is on TNT
This will be a so so year for the Oscars though Billy Crystal will help.
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
Daytona 500 is also that Sunday, usually the second most watched motor race of the year. Gonna be an interesting day ratings-wise
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
When is the oscars – have to plan to be out of town
that and the damn hollywood xmas parade are the two worst times of year for me
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
same day as the NBA All-Star Game
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
Sunday, February 26
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
missed it by that much
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
“Sir, why are you talking into a shoe?”
Grimjack - February 17, 2012
I believe you will be
2 days back from your India trip (Sunday 2/26)
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
one day back
I leave on Friday, get home on Saturday
Play baseball on Sunday
I expect to be road kill by Sunday night
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
You and the Mrs
should just head out to Santa Barbara after the game for the night
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
lemme queue up the ’copter and we should be set
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
the stretch of Hollywood Blvd in front of Kodak Theater shuts down Monday I believe. Cray-cray
Josie Becker - February 17, 2012
yeah – I miss most of the annoying part
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
It is not that bad until Sunday
I am driving north south so I miss the actual street
bhsportsguy - February 17, 2012
another reason why
Mrs HJ is, from my direct
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
well I was going somewhere here
we are in the 29th floor of our hotel, and we are right on the ocean, the window is set back a bit so you cannot see the street below from our window, only the sea
Mrs HJ approached for a look and did a whole Lucy Ricardo “woah” lurching like she was dizzy and grabbing the chair I am in for support.
when she goes into Lucy mode, I think my heart my is going explode in my chest
so damn cute
Hollywood Joe - February 17, 2012
that’s very sweet.
court168627 - February 17, 2012 via Android app
I think you meant
that you heard is going to ’splode ….
David Young - February 17, 2012
internet memes
Where does this “arrow to the knee” come from?
Who comes up with this stuff?
And how does it get popular?
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
don't know the meme you are talking about
but someone finds a funny pic, makes a joke, people laugh then decide they want to make a joke with the pic.
thus a meme is born
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
skyrim
4chan
who knows
nolander - February 17, 2012
isnt skyrim a video game?
how could you get anything from that?
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
video games have story and pictures and dialog and stuff
nolander - February 17, 2012
I have no idea how this statement was even said
As if video games aren’t things, lol
Ivdown - February 18, 2012
Feelin Kinda Blue says
Dodgers should be in on Soler
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
normally I want any Ned pick up to fail because I want that asshole fired..but since he will probably be fired once a new owner comes to town I want this one to work out
Jason Ungar - February 17, 2012
I don't agree with his team building philosophy
therefore ned is an asshole
nolander - February 17, 2012
i don't like what someone said
so i will make them sound childish
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
I used to be civil like you
then I took an arrow to the knee
nolander - February 17, 2012
lol
i don’t know what that means, but that made me laugh
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
nolander you're pretty smart
for claiming to be only 21 years old or something ;)
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
give or take half a decade or two
most of my best friends are annoyingly smart so I have to keep on my toes
nolander - February 17, 2012
yes. asshole. but he is probably a real cool guy to hang with and have a few beers with..
Jason Ungar - February 17, 2012
this freddie roach documentary is really good
too bad there’s only 6 or so episodes.
Joey Joe - February 17, 2012
yeah i can see that being interesting
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
free tacos at Staples
just barely
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
G. Scott, Maddz...
…so how’d the steaks turn out?
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
shit
it must have killed them
nolander - February 17, 2012
You think they were making steaks for each other?
KellyStephen - February 17, 2012
Probably making them for their damn cats.
Eric Stephen - February 17, 2012
lol
Tommy Blackjack - February 17, 2012
In case you haven't noticed already
New post
http://www.truebluela.com/2012/2/18/2807744/stephen-fife-2012-dodgers-player-profilehttp://www.truebluela.com/2012/2/18/2807744/stephen-fife-2012-dodgers-player-profile
David Young - February 18, 2012
Thanks. Appreciated.
berkowit28 - February 18, 2012
i like how it was so important you linked it twice :)
Ivdown - February 18, 2012
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