BlogsManny Ramirez Audio from 04:30 PreGame
Click on 03 July Manny Ramirez pregame raw
Dodgers & Fans Invade San Diego To See Manny
by Eric Stephen
on Jul 3, 2009 4:00 PM PDT
in Game Previews
2 comments
I'm not sure if you heard this or not, but the Dodgers are adding a player tonight after a long absence, followed by rehabilitation games in the minors. Yes, Claudio Vargas has been activated for tonight's game in San Diego, giving the Dodgers 13 pitchers to start their nine-game road trip. Since fifth starter Eric Milton won't be needed until Saturday, July 11, the Dodger bullpen is effectively nine deep.
The Dodgers also welcome back Manny Ramirez, who will start in left field for the first time since May 6. Who knows what to expect from him at the plate? Did he get his timing back in his minor league rehabilitation games, or will Manny be rusty out of the gate? For what its worth, Manny does currently have a streak of nine straight games reaching base.
Manny will face Padres' starting pitcher Chad Gaudin, the reigning co-Player of the Week in the NL. Gaudin has been great of late, allowing two runs over 15 innings in his last two starts, including a one-hitter over eight innings in Texas, the start which garnered him the MLB honors. Manny Ramirez is five for 11 with two home runs lifetime against Gaudin.
Hiroki Kuroda takes the mound for the Dodgers, returning to the site of his MLB debut. I was in the stands at Petco on that night, as Kuroda was brilliant, allowing one run and three hits in seven innings. He has pitched well despite his 2-4 record, striking out more (7.3 per 9 IP) and walking less (1.5 BB/9) on his way to an expected Fielding Independent Pitching (x-FIP) of 3.25.
Game time is 7:05. See you there (Section 227, rows 10-14).
Get your guesses in for our new July contest, "Clogging The Bases" here.
2 comments
| 0 recs
|
It's Official: Manny, Vargas Activated; Kuo to 60-day DL
The Dodgers have officially activated Claudio Vargas from the 60-day DL, and have moved Hong-Chih Kuo to the 60-day DL to make room.
Oh yeah, some guy named Manny was activated too.
Dodgers vs. Padres Series Preview
by Brendan Scolari
on Jul 3, 2009 12:36 PM PDT
in Game Previews
4 comments
Well, July 3rd is finally here. That means Manny Ramirez's 50 game suspension is over and we can finally watch The Dreadlocked One smash the ball all over the park again. The Dodger offense wasn't quite the same without Manny, losing over a run per game of scoring (5.55 runs per game with Manny, 4.40 runs per game without him).
But what about the Padres? The Padres come into the series struglling a bit, having lost 3 of their last four and 6 of their last 9 games. In the month of June the Padres only managed to go 9-16 The Dodgers have won 6 of their nine games against them this season. Their only series at Petco was the first four games of the season and the Dodgers split the series. But one important difference this time around is that the Dodgers don't have to face either of the Padres best two pitchers, Jake Peavy and Chris Young. The Padres best player, Adrian Gonzalez, has also slowed down from his torrid pace at the start of the season. Gonzalez has 24 home runs on the season but only 2 in the past month.
The first game of the series is tonight with Hiroki Kuroda facing off against Chad Gaudin. Kuroda is coming off a loss in his last start against the Mariners, although iin his start before that he was one out away from a complete game shutout against the White Sox. He is 1-4 since his return from the DL and his only other win on the season was against the Padres on Opening Day. Gaudin is coming off three straight superb starts. Over his last three starts he's gone 21 innings while allowing only 5 runs and 11 hits with 5 walks and 28 strikeouts. The Dodgers will hopefully end this streak.
On Saturday, Randy Wolf will go for another no-decision against Josh Geer. Seriously, Wolf has only three wins so far this year despite his superb pitching. Although he might be able to get one against Geer, who isn't very good. Geer has earned his 5.68 ERA this year (5.70 FIP). He is a control artist who forces the opposing team to put the ball in play. Unfortunately, he hasn't been very successful doing that this year, allowing over 2 home runs per 9 innings. That number should regress but ultimately he's just not a very skilled pitcher, his fastball averages less than 86 MPH.
The series finale will pit Dodger ace Chad Billingsley against 26 year-old right hander Josh Banks. Banks was called up a couple weeks ago putting up a 2.47 ERA in 14 appearances, including eight starts, for Triple-A Portland. Banks is not a great player but he is quite interesting to watch. Banks has a 8 pitch reportoire! He throws a four-seam fastball, a sinker (two-seam fastball), slider, 2 different changeups, splitter, cutter, and even a knuckleball. Here's his ridiculous movement chart:
The catcher doesn't even have enough fingers to call all of Bank's pitches, so he has to improvise. Banks said about his reportoire, "If they got a hit on a certain pitch, I try to throw something that looks like that, but at a different speed. Or I'll try to think of a pitch that I haven't thrown 'em. ... The days that I'm throwing well and able to throw 'em all for strikes, you don't really think about, 'This pitch might be the best pitch,' because if you're throwing 'em all over for strikes, it's kind of hard to guess what pitches are coming." So this should be a really interesting game to watch, with the righty going against our even younger ace.
This is a very winnable series for the Dodgers. They are going against some fairly marginal starting pitchers with the Dodgers' three best arms on the hill. With Manny back to help out the offense I fully expect that the Dodgers will win two or even all three games this series.
Pitching Probables:
Friday: Hiroki Kuroda (2-4, 3.77 ERA) vs. Chad Gaudin (4-6, 4.97 ERA)
Saturday: Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.61 ERA) vs. Josh Geer (1-3, 5.68 ERA)
Sunday: Chad Billingsley (9-4, 3.12 ERA) vs. Josh Banks (1-0, 3.38 ERA)
4 comments
| 0 recs
|
Manny Is Back - Morning Links Edition
by Eric Stephen
on Jul 3, 2009 7:00 AM PDT
in News
9 comments
Its been 58 days since Manny Ramirez has played in a game -- it was Blogger Night at Dodger Stadium -- and tonight marks his return in front of a Dodger-heavy crowd at Petco Park. Here's a look at some news around the web regarding Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers:
Manny's return expected to be a spectacle - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
Bernie Wilson forecasts Friday night in San Diego, which might include more Dodger fans than Padre fans:
"I wouldn’t be lying to say that when he steps to the plate here he’s going to probably feel like he’s at home," said Padres reliever Cla Meredith, who’s been disappointed with the dwindling crowds during San Diego’s dismal season. "There’s no doubt about it."
Dodgers eagerly await Manny's return | dodgers.com: News
Ken Gurnick chronicles the Dodgers' reaction to Manny's return, and provides this classic quote from Rockies' manager Jim Tracy:
"Let's face it, it's like acquiring a player in a trade that you haven't had for the past 50 days."
Thanks, Jim!
When it comes to Manny, what would Nietzsche do? - Los Angeles Times
I had the pleasure of meeting Kurt Streeter covering Sunday's Dodger game, and here he has a unique way of looking at the Manny Ramirez situation: by incorporating the works of Socrates, Plato, and other famous philosophers.
"Gentlemen, this is simply a matter of what I long ago called the categorical imperative," chimed Immanuel Kant (Manny-applicable quote: "By a lie, a man annihilates his dignity as a man.").
Glenn Dickey: Ramirez’s return tonight will be greeted with forgiveness by Dodger faithful | San Francisco Examiner
A look at the difference between sportswriters' outrage and fans' acceptance regarding performance enhancing drugs.
There’s a serious disconnect between fans at games and most baseball writers, as well as mostly older fans who watch on TV and revile the "cheaters." The stay-at-home fans revere the records, which I don’t because they’re affected by the vast changes in the game. Pitching records were mostly set in the early part of the 20th century, the "dead ball" era. The hitting records are mostly being set in this era because of steroids, overexpansion, a livelier ball and more hitter-friendly parks, not necessarily in that order
Anyone Think It's Time to Add A Hall of Fame Bat? - Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness
MSTI points out the reasons why the Dodgers desperately need Manny's bat back into the lineup
Optimist Bell ready for Manny
Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune tells us that Padres' closer and quote machine Heath Bell sees opportunity for the Padres with Manny Ramirez in town:
"I think it's a good thing for San Diego because it'll mean sellouts," Bell said. "We'll be on national television (Saturday), be on the ESPN highlights. San Diego and L.A. are rivals, so everybody gets amped up for this anyway.
ESPN - The B.S. Report
Keith Law joined Bill Simmons to discuss all things baseball, and they both had nice things to say about the Dodgers. Law stated the Dodgers were the best team in the National League, one that could hang with any team in American League, and Simmons, the well-known Red Sox fan, mentioned he would pick the Dodgers if he were forced to pick a new team to root for. Also, Simmons called Jonathan Broxton "terrifying."
It's back to the bench for Dodgers' Juan Pierre - Los Angeles Times
Dylan Hernandez reports on perhaps the one Dodger not enthused to see Manny back.
Inside the Shell -- Manny being Manny, being cheap | The Hive
There are reports that Manny Ramirez bucked tradition by not paying for the postgame spread at both of his minor league rehab stops - in Albuquerque or with Inland Empire. If true, that's pretty weak.
Sons of Steve Garvey: Ethier Muscles In On Martin's Yoga Mat Turf
Steve Sax of SOSG details the latest promotion by the Dodgers.
I will be in San Diego tonight in a group of 20 True Blue LA faithful Dodger fans, as we try to bankrupt the Padres in the AM/PM all-you-can-eat section. If you are there, stop by section 227, rows 10-14, to say hello.
9 comments
| 0 recs
|
Handling Manny Ramirez The "Major League" Way
by Eric Stephen
on Jul 2, 2009 10:26 PM PDT
in News
1 comment
Friday is the day we have all circled on our calendars for months, the return of Manny Ramirez from his 50-game suspension. The entire baseball world will descend upon San Diego to view Manny's first game back. Many Dodger fans will make the two-hour trip south to Petco Park, to root for their favorite team. In fact, True Blue LA will roll 20 deep in the AM/PM All You Can Eat Section in right field (section 227, rows 10-14 if you want to say hello).
We will all be there to cheer for our favorite team. And we will be there to cheer for Manny Ramirez.
Cheering for Manny doesn't condone steroid use. We just want the Dodgers to do well, and Manny Ramirez will help them in that regard. Its as simple as that. Manny, and the Dodgers, paid a price for his transgressions. Manny lost about $6.8 million in salary, and he probably won't be elected to the Hall of Fame for quite a long time, if ever. The Dodgers lost their best player for nearly a third of the season (and did amazingly well, thank you very much). But, for now, the price has been paid. Its time to move on.
I'm conflicted about this. I have enjoyed Manny Ramirez for years, even before he came to the Dodgers, because he always seemed to be having fun on the baseball field, and he just seemed like a quirky guy. He elevated the Dodgers last year to the precipice of the World Series, and I loved him for it. On the other hand, he screwed up. On some level, we all want our favorite players, on our team to be clean. I want to be able to stand up and cheer for a player that I believe is a good guy.
In the end, however, the bottom line is what happens on the field, not off. None of us know these players personally, and I'm sure despite any type of boyhood dream, none of us would want to. Rafael Furcal has two DUIs on his record. Yet I cheer for him all the time. Is that wrong? I don't know, but it seems to me Furcal already paid his price for those transgressions.
Manny has paid his freight, and now is ready to come back. How do we handle this, as fans? I suggest we give him the "Major League" treatment. Allow me to set the scene:
We are Roger Dorn. For years, we took our relationship with baseball for granted. We saw all these inflated home runs totals, and turned a blind eye toward the burgeoning steroid problem in the game. By neglecting the problem, we helped baseball, our love, get hurt. As a result, baseball got back at us by getting one of our own...
Manny Ramirez is Rick Vaughn. He is the one all the fans stand up and shout for, the guy I can't really imagine being dressed in a suit. He was doing something he shouldn't have, and got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He was unaware of the potential problems it would cause for us, Roger Dorn the fans.
The role of Duke Temple will be played by Steve Yeager.
Manny has been off hiding in the bullpen for seven weeks, avoiding us every chance he gets. His appearance is about to happen, and somewhere off in the distance we can hear Journey singing "Don't Stop Believin'."
99% of the Dodger blogosphere will play the role of owner Rachel Phelps, as they chime in with, "I hate that fucking song."
Just before our reunion with Manny tomorrow, we call time out. We walk over to him, and utter these words: "I only got one thing to say to you, Manny. Hit this [ball] out!" Then we walk away as Manny gets a relieved, yet knowing smirk on his face.
Manny crushes the ball, well over the fence at Petco, and perhaps even takes his bat with him around the bases. I wouldn't put it past him.
That's about as far as I would go. I don't suggest punching Manny in the face as we are celebrating afterwards before picking him back up. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find 1989 Rene Russo. Hopefully, she will tell me to root for Manny Ramirez because he will help the Dodgers win.
Major League photo courtesy of The Juice blog on the old Baseball Toaster
1 comment
| 0 recs
|
Xeifrank Brings Us Christmas In July
As a fan of parodying Christmas songs (a family tradition for years in the Stephen household), I have a special love and respect for Xeifrank's "Twas The Night Before Manny," over at the wonderful Dodger Sims site. A must read.
1 day ago
Eric Stephen
3 comments
2 recs
The Lonesome Death Of Russell Martin's Power
by Eric Stephen
on Jul 2, 2009 10:00 AM PDT
in Research
40 comments
The Dodgers, throughout their history, have been blessed with an inordinate amount of great-hitting catchers. Roy Campanella and Mike Piazza are the two standouts, but the Dodgers have also enjoyed good to very good seasons from backstops Paul LoDuca, Mike Scioscia, Joe Ferguson, Tom Haller, Johnny Roseboro, and Babe Phelps, just to name a few.
Russell Martin seemed prime to join the pantheon of great Dodger catchers. In his first three seasons, he made two All-Star teams, won a Silver Slugger award, and even mixed in a Gold Glove for good measure. Nobody has caught more innings than Martin since he made his debut in May 2006, and from 2006-2008 Martin had the fifth-highest OPS+ among all catchers in baseball.
However, a funny thing happened on the way to the Dodger Hall of Fame. Martin simply doesn't hit for power anymore. It was a little troubling last season, when Martin followed up his breakout .469-slugging, 19-homer 2007 with a .396 slugging percentage, but I'll never be disappointed in a catcher with a .385 on-base percentage. Besides, Martin was sure to improve this year because of his improved attitude and maturity. He even started doing yoga.
It hasn't helped. In the 126-year history of the Dodgers, there have been 34 different seasons in which a catcher has posted a slugging percentage under .300 (with at least 200 plate appearances). The king of these seasons is Bill Bergen, the worst hitter in the history of baseball. Bergen played eight seasons with Brooklyn, from 1904-1911. He has the seven lowest slugging percentages ever by a Dodger catcher, and the only reason he doesn't have eight seasons is because he only had 143 PA. Only six of these sub-.300 seasons have come since 1941. Russell Martin's slugging percentage in 2009 is .298 at essentially the halfway point this season.
On the wonderful Baseball-Reference.com, you can find a stat called OPS+, which is simply on-base percentage plus slugging percentage, normalized for park and league. 100 is average, anything above is above average, and anything below is below average. It is a nice way to compare players of different eras, leagues, or parks. Another stat you can find on Baseball-Reference.com is the league slugging percentage normalized for park. Its a way to find out what a league average non-pitcher would do in the same park. From there, we can develop a normalized slugging percentage, or SLG+ if you will. For instance, Russell Martin's slugging percentage is .288, and the league slugging (lgSLG) at Dodger Stadium in 2009 is .416, so his SLG+ is 72, meaning Martin is well below average.
Here are the all-time worst SLG+ numbers by a catcher in Dodger history (minimum 200 PA):
| Catcher | Year | SLG | lgSLG | SLG+ |
| Bill Bergen | 1911 | .154 | .363 | 42 |
| Bill Bergen | 1909 | .156 | .319 | 49 |
| Bill Bergen | 1910 | .177 | .344 | 51 |
| Bill Bergen | 1906 | .184 | .310 | 59 |
| Bill Bergen | 1904 | .207 | .329 | 63 |
| Bill Bergen | 1905 | .219 | .335 | 65 |
| Tex Erwin | 1910 | .228 | .344 | 66 |
| Mickey O'Neil | 1926 | .264 | .396 | 67 |
| Otto Miller | 1918 | .228 | .337 | 68 |
| Bill Bergen |
1908 | .215 | .312 | 69 |
| Steve Yeager |
1980 | .273 | .385 | 71 |
| Hank DeBerry |
1927 | .284 | .400 | 71 |
| Jack Ryan |
1898 | .252 | .356 | 71 |
| Russell Martin | 2009 | .298 | .416 | 72 |
| Steve Yeager |
1978 | .276 | .385 | 72 |
There are still 83 games left in the season, so there is plenty of time for Martin to change the ending to this story. But when you are lumped in with the worst hitter in baseball history, the time to worry is here. Or, as Bob Dylan said in The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll:
Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Bury the rag deep in your face
For now's the time for your tears
40 comments
| 0 recs
|
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
New FanPost
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
Most Commented
20 Out Of 24 Isn't Bad - Game Thread
by Eric Stephen 3 days ago
1008 comments | 0 recs
Late Night Continuation Game Thread
by Eric Stephen 3 days ago
496 comments | 0 recs
Japanese Heritage Night - Game Thread
by Eric Stephen 6 days ago
420 comments | 0 recs
Game 50 Is Finally Here
by Eric Stephen 2 days ago
410 comments | 0 recs
Dodgers / Mariners Sunday Game Thread
by Eric Stephen 5 days ago
371 comments | 0 recs