Bill Plaschke of the LA Times wrote today that there should be NO talk of replacing Grady Little this offseason if we do not make the playoffs. For starters, if LA loses 2 of 3 to AZ this weekend and misses the playoffs, I'll bet you its Plaschke writing the Fire Grady article in October. He's such a hack sometimes. The Steve Hartman of print journalism.
Grady Little is not a great manager. He may be ok at keeping a team together and doing something with a whole lot of crap but he's not this baseball genius. He either leaves pitchers in too long, not long enough or makes other mistakes. Its not like after ANY win we're saying, "Damn, Grady really managed that game well and won it for us!"
Anyway this is of note now because he pulled Penny last weekend and cost us. He left in Loaiza too long this week and cost us. He almost left Wells in too long last night yet we got lucky. Now I hear on Tuesday in the thin air of Colorado, we're starting Wells in a doubleheader and then bringing him back on 3 days rest vs. AZ??????????????? Jake Peavy, the probable NL Cy Young got destroyed on 3 days rest and didn't have one of those starts in COL. Yet we're going to throw out a fat, 44 yr old with diabetes, after pitching in COL on 3 days rest in what could be the biggest series of the season? COME ON! Don't be stupid! If I had a bookie I'd wager 10k on this game if it happens.
Nice 2 of 3 vs. SD but if we don't sweep AZ, its not going to matter. CLUTCH UP!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Looking towards 2008
Well, after this weekend's choke job in SF and last night's loss, or should I say, butt kicking by the Padres, I think its safe to say this season is probably over. About our only hope is to beat SD in the next 2 (surrrrrrrrrrrrre) and then to sweep AZ this weekend (highly unlikely). Its time to sit down Gonzo and Nomar, to give LaRoche, Lu, Ethier and Kemp more ABs. Also, based on the last week, maybe Broxton needs the rest of the season off because his arm is as dead as Tomko's. We could of and should have beat SF 3 times.
I am going to write Webster's Dictionary to see if "pulling a Dodgers" can be added to the vernacular. The definition would be: when one team in baseball gets players on base, in scoring position, with favorable counts and yet never, ever, ever scores those runs. We left 24 guys on base yesterday. The bases were loaded or we at least had 2 guys on several times with the batter then doing nothing. Weak popouts, strikeouts, just total failure to do anything productive. One other note on this point, can we just electrocute any player from here on out that SLIDES into First Base?!?!?! There have been scientific studies that PROVE this slows you down and makes it MORE likely you will be out and not SAFE!!! (Andre, you're first!!!!)
And finally, here's another F U to McCourt and MLB. I just received my email to "register" for the chance to buy playoff tickets. Ah, register? You mean I cannot line up with 200 other Doyers fans at my local ticketbastard or the stadium to buy the tickets? This is ridiculous. MLB has pretty much killed any chance for Joe Fan to get tickets to games for face value. We used to be able to line up or call or maybe be the first through the internet but now its all luck. I'm sure preference is given to season ticket holders and other groups that buy many tickets in bulk so the rest of us get to pay double on Ebay or Stub Hub to watch us lose yet another playoff game. OH WAIT, we're not playing in the playoffs this year (thanks to the last 6 days) so who cares!
I am going to write Webster's Dictionary to see if "pulling a Dodgers" can be added to the vernacular. The definition would be: when one team in baseball gets players on base, in scoring position, with favorable counts and yet never, ever, ever scores those runs. We left 24 guys on base yesterday. The bases were loaded or we at least had 2 guys on several times with the batter then doing nothing. Weak popouts, strikeouts, just total failure to do anything productive. One other note on this point, can we just electrocute any player from here on out that SLIDES into First Base?!?!?! There have been scientific studies that PROVE this slows you down and makes it MORE likely you will be out and not SAFE!!! (Andre, you're first!!!!)
And finally, here's another F U to McCourt and MLB. I just received my email to "register" for the chance to buy playoff tickets. Ah, register? You mean I cannot line up with 200 other Doyers fans at my local ticketbastard or the stadium to buy the tickets? This is ridiculous. MLB has pretty much killed any chance for Joe Fan to get tickets to games for face value. We used to be able to line up or call or maybe be the first through the internet but now its all luck. I'm sure preference is given to season ticket holders and other groups that buy many tickets in bulk so the rest of us get to pay double on Ebay or Stub Hub to watch us lose yet another playoff game. OH WAIT, we're not playing in the playoffs this year (thanks to the last 6 days) so who cares!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
I'll take credit for the current streak
After watching LA lose two to SD, I took the wife and some friends down to SD to will Chad Billingsly to a victory over my wife's beloved Padres. Tough luck honey, I win again!
They followed that big Sunday win up with 2 more wins in Chi-town (so far) with Loaiza looking good and Peso bouncing back nicely! For us to have any chance, the hitting needs to get red hot, Lowe, Loaiza, Penny and Billingsly have to keep up the good pitching and keep us in the games. A few HRs or some more SBs wouldn't hurt either. We have 2 more in Chicago (hoping for a split) and then 3 in SF (hoping for 2 of 3). On that note, does Bonds still play? I haven't heard much from him in weeks. LOVE IT!
They followed that big Sunday win up with 2 more wins in Chi-town (so far) with Loaiza looking good and Peso bouncing back nicely! For us to have any chance, the hitting needs to get red hot, Lowe, Loaiza, Penny and Billingsly have to keep up the good pitching and keep us in the games. A few HRs or some more SBs wouldn't hurt either. We have 2 more in Chicago (hoping for a split) and then 3 in SF (hoping for 2 of 3). On that note, does Bonds still play? I haven't heard much from him in weeks. LOVE IT!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Don't get carried away now
Yes 4 in a row is nice but it was against the NATIONALS. Yes, one of the worst teams in all of baseball. AND we were losing in 2 of the games by a margin we do not usually overcome.
On a good note, to follow up the Boomer Wells signing, Dead Head Ned plucked Esteban Loaiza for free off the A's roster. I guess I shouldn't say "free" because we do have to pay him 8.5 million over the next season and a 1/4. Oh well, hopefully he'll be better than Tomko and Hendrickson.
On to San Diego now. The Pads are presently about to sweep AZ out of first place. We also play like shit in SD and SD seems to own us in any big game/series. (Except for the tail end of last year! 4 HRs in a row!) Wells goes Friday vs. some kid with a 7.30 ERA. This should favor us but the kid could easily shut out the Dodgers while the Pads feast on Wells. Saturday is a no-chancer. Peavy vs. Lowe. Victory to Padres. Sunday is Billingstudly vs Germano. I like our chances. Here's hoping for a clutch 2 out of 3 because we head out to play the Cubs in CHI next.
Oh yeah, bet on Milton Bradley to bat .750 with 3 HRs and about 10 RBIs this weekend regardless of how his team plays.
On a good note, to follow up the Boomer Wells signing, Dead Head Ned plucked Esteban Loaiza for free off the A's roster. I guess I shouldn't say "free" because we do have to pay him 8.5 million over the next season and a 1/4. Oh well, hopefully he'll be better than Tomko and Hendrickson.
On to San Diego now. The Pads are presently about to sweep AZ out of first place. We also play like shit in SD and SD seems to own us in any big game/series. (Except for the tail end of last year! 4 HRs in a row!) Wells goes Friday vs. some kid with a 7.30 ERA. This should favor us but the kid could easily shut out the Dodgers while the Pads feast on Wells. Saturday is a no-chancer. Peavy vs. Lowe. Victory to Padres. Sunday is Billingstudly vs Germano. I like our chances. Here's hoping for a clutch 2 out of 3 because we head out to play the Cubs in CHI next.
Oh yeah, bet on Milton Bradley to bat .750 with 3 HRs and about 10 RBIs this weekend regardless of how his team plays.
Monday, August 27, 2007
A Day that will live in Infamy
Some would sight to the 4th of July, D-Day, V-Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Opening Day for baseball and Christmas as great dates. Yeah, those are all well and good but you know what day goes down as better than all those?
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007!
The day the Dodgers cut loose that sack of crap, Brett Tomko!!!!!!! Two years OVERDUE! OH HAPPY DAY ANYWAY! Ding done the wicked witch is gone! May he bring his lack of skills, heart and guts to another NL West team so that we can begin to get back all that he has cost us in 1.5 years!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007!
The day the Dodgers cut loose that sack of crap, Brett Tomko!!!!!!! Two years OVERDUE! OH HAPPY DAY ANYWAY! Ding done the wicked witch is gone! May he bring his lack of skills, heart and guts to another NL West team so that we can begin to get back all that he has cost us in 1.5 years!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Loser Re-treads
Afraid to win? Afraid to not be like every other team? Come on Dodgers, what is this David Wells crap? Really, he's going to be our 4th starter and get us to the playoffs?
Why is it that so many teams, Dodgers included, would rather keep running out a bum like Tomko, Hendrickson or Wells, when you know what they are going to give you, instead of taking a chance on a kid with upside? Someone please explain this to me.
Wells in 22 games for SD, pitching at home in PETCO PARK (!!!????!!!!??!!) on a 2nd place team was 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA. This is an upgrade?
Down on the farm LA has 1 guy that has been here before and 3 high level, high ceiling prospects, all ready to give it a go. D.J. Houlton, while not an ace, pitched well for us a couple years ago and is currently 6-4 with a 3.87 ERA at AAA. First Round Sandwich pick from a couple years ago, Justin Orenduff is 8-4 with a 3.86 ERA between AA and AAA. Stud lefty Clayton Kershaw and local Long Beach product James McDonald are both tearing through the system.
I'm sorry, when did winning a minor league game, division or title become a higher priority than winning the World Series. Does anyone remember Fernando Valenzuela? Or Ramon Martinez? Or heck, Pedro Martinez? All kids when they were brought up and all turned out pretty well. My point is, you know what kind of crap Wells and Tomko will give you. 5 Innings, probably give up anywhere from 4-6 runs and the pressure will be on a still weak offense. Go out on a limb, use the kids, see what happens. Who cares if you start their "free agency clock" a year sooner. If they are good, you'll pay them, if they aren't, no loss. Quit throwing the same old shit against the wall hoping it will stick and then be surprised when it slides right off, again.
Why is it that so many teams, Dodgers included, would rather keep running out a bum like Tomko, Hendrickson or Wells, when you know what they are going to give you, instead of taking a chance on a kid with upside? Someone please explain this to me.
Wells in 22 games for SD, pitching at home in PETCO PARK (!!!????!!!!??!!) on a 2nd place team was 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA. This is an upgrade?
Down on the farm LA has 1 guy that has been here before and 3 high level, high ceiling prospects, all ready to give it a go. D.J. Houlton, while not an ace, pitched well for us a couple years ago and is currently 6-4 with a 3.87 ERA at AAA. First Round Sandwich pick from a couple years ago, Justin Orenduff is 8-4 with a 3.86 ERA between AA and AAA. Stud lefty Clayton Kershaw and local Long Beach product James McDonald are both tearing through the system.
I'm sorry, when did winning a minor league game, division or title become a higher priority than winning the World Series. Does anyone remember Fernando Valenzuela? Or Ramon Martinez? Or heck, Pedro Martinez? All kids when they were brought up and all turned out pretty well. My point is, you know what kind of crap Wells and Tomko will give you. 5 Innings, probably give up anywhere from 4-6 runs and the pressure will be on a still weak offense. Go out on a limb, use the kids, see what happens. Who cares if you start their "free agency clock" a year sooner. If they are good, you'll pay them, if they aren't, no loss. Quit throwing the same old shit against the wall hoping it will stick and then be surprised when it slides right off, again.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
M.I.A.
Where have I been the last month you ask? Well, much like the Dodgers, I took the last 4 weeks off. Took the CA Bar Exam, had a vacation, ignored the slumping jackasses and now am back to reality. Ugh!
We suck. What other words can describe this joke job. I feel like the Angels circa their title. End of July, we're in first place, now we're in 4th with seemingly no hope to crawl out. How fast it can go wrong on you.
What's wrong in LA? Well for starters our pitchers crapped the bed, Grady is an idiot and Ned makes terrible moves. The fact that Tomko and Hendrickson keep making starts just BOGGLES the mind. Penny is fine, Lowe pitches well but his teammates hate his girlfriend so they tank for him and Billingsly looks great. The rest suck. Will Wolf bounce back? Who knows. I am ready to start the Clayton Kershaw era NOW! (He's our uber pitching prospect in AA that can deal.) Will we see him though? Doubtful because Ned has a chubby for Tomsuck and Hendricksuck.
The hitting also seemed to quit too. I was ready to anoint Bill Mueller the Leo Mazzone of hitting coaches because we were doing so good but now it feels like we haven't scored since July. (Well actually, considering 4 shutouts or whatever in a week, we really haven't scored much!)
Where the hell did Russell Martin go? Just as I was about to start his MVP campaign, the guy went AWOL. Is banging Alyssa Milano that tiring? If so, give her back to Penny. Now Nomar goes on the DL for pulling a tongue while arguing with an ump. We sign Hillencancer and trade for another Giant (Sweeney), uck! I'm hating this team!
Dump the old guys, bring up the kids so if we're going to suck, at least we suck and see how they respond. Is it football season yet?
We suck. What other words can describe this joke job. I feel like the Angels circa their title. End of July, we're in first place, now we're in 4th with seemingly no hope to crawl out. How fast it can go wrong on you.
What's wrong in LA? Well for starters our pitchers crapped the bed, Grady is an idiot and Ned makes terrible moves. The fact that Tomko and Hendrickson keep making starts just BOGGLES the mind. Penny is fine, Lowe pitches well but his teammates hate his girlfriend so they tank for him and Billingsly looks great. The rest suck. Will Wolf bounce back? Who knows. I am ready to start the Clayton Kershaw era NOW! (He's our uber pitching prospect in AA that can deal.) Will we see him though? Doubtful because Ned has a chubby for Tomsuck and Hendricksuck.
The hitting also seemed to quit too. I was ready to anoint Bill Mueller the Leo Mazzone of hitting coaches because we were doing so good but now it feels like we haven't scored since July. (Well actually, considering 4 shutouts or whatever in a week, we really haven't scored much!)
Where the hell did Russell Martin go? Just as I was about to start his MVP campaign, the guy went AWOL. Is banging Alyssa Milano that tiring? If so, give her back to Penny. Now Nomar goes on the DL for pulling a tongue while arguing with an ump. We sign Hillencancer and trade for another Giant (Sweeney), uck! I'm hating this team!
Dump the old guys, bring up the kids so if we're going to suck, at least we suck and see how they respond. Is it football season yet?
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