Vicente Padilla says hi to Jose Lima

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 10, 2009 5:40 PM PDT

Many people are comparing what Vicente Padilla did today to what Jose Lima did back in 2004, and while they both beat the Cardinals in a Division series, I consider what Padilla did today much more impressive. Jose Lima was facing a team who had a 2-0 game lead in the Division series, and since no team had ever come back from a 0 - 2 deficit in a division series was not feeling much pressure. Plus Lima pitched his gem in front of 55,000 screaming Dodger fans that he fed off of.

Padilla had to pitch his game against a team who was down 2 - 0 in the series with their backs to the wall. He had to pitch on the road with 55,000 Cardinal fans rooting against him. Those were the differences.

The similarities were how easy they shut down an excellent offensive team. How expectations were zip but they shocked Dodger and baseball fans everywhere. Lima was lucky to make the team out of the bullpen when the season started and then became a key part of the rotation. Padilla was so despised by Texas management they cut him loose and ate the rest of his 12, 000,000 salary. His teammates congratulated Texas management for getting rid of him. No one was very interested in him but the Dodgers gave him a shot because Bowa/Wolf felt he could help this team.

Bloggers were dubious but Padilla has been huge from the moment he joined the rotation. His numbers were nothing extra - ordinary but unlike Sherrill and Garland he cost us nothing and gave us everything. He took the ball every four days and did his job every four days, however many considered his job done when the season ended. In a bit of surprise Joe Torre decided that Padilla was the man for the job for game three in the Division series. Not Billingsley, Not Garland but the man who had been cut loose by a team desperate for pitching and willing to eat millions to make sure he never toed the rubber for their team again. Rangers loss, Dodgers gain.

And man for the job he was. Welcome to Dodger lore Mr. Padilla, Jose Lima will enjoy your company.

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Vicente Padilla is a pig.

That’s why the Rangers got rid of him.

The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com

by 44FAN on Oct 10, 2009 5:43 PM PDT reply actions

Well, considering Andruw Jones spent the season on the Rangers this year, I’d say that our pig is much better than their pig…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Oct 10, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe it is the Texas heat?

He’s been the perfect teammate since joining us. But as long as you were fine with your team cutting off their nose to spite their face that is cool. I’m sure his replacements did an excellent job watching the Angels run away with the Division.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 10, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

he is an angels fan...not rangers

by figgifig on Oct 10, 2009 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn't bother to read his sig

Fact is I felt Padilla was also a pig and not someone I’d want on our roster. I’ve been wrong before and I was certainly wrong in this case. The funny part will be this winter when someone gives him big money again.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 10, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions

He still is

He just needs to be on his best behavior or he’s not getting money

Not that I care, since my god he was good today.

Doesn’t make me want him once he has a big contract again, but for now? Whatever! woot.

by Chad Moriyama on Oct 10, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Vicente Padilla is making a strong case for winning the Conn Smythe trophy this season…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Oct 10, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions

we traded padilla for fatdruw

nice deal

by hirambocachica on Oct 10, 2009 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

My second post ever on TrueBlueLA

http://www.truebluela.com/2009/10/10/1079465/nlds-game-3-chat#22586535

by DodgerGlue on Oct 10, 2009 6:24 PM PDT reply actions

nice

Padilla is gonna be our road-game Lima.

by DodgerGlue on Oct 10, 2009 3:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice early call, and welcome to True Blue.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 10, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions

GOOD JOB PADILLA!!!!

Good job everyone, I know we have a way to go…but I am very proud to be a Dodger Fan…

by dodgerglory on Oct 10, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions

He had to pitch on the road with 55,000 Cardinal fans rooting against him.

Well, not quite. Attendance was 47,296. Busch’s official capacity with standing room is 46,861; this probably includes a lot of people standing in suites, etc.

by StolenMonkey86 on Oct 11, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

You really felt the need to correct that?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 11, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Um, yeah

I felt it was important to stick to the facts.

And I think it also bears repeating that 55,000 fans is not common around the majors in an era of shrinking ballparks down to 45,000 ish in capacity.

by StolenMonkey86 on Oct 11, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Next time I'll just say a shit load of fans

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 11, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions

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2012 Dodgers Payroll

Italics denote estimates
Pos	No	Player	2012 Salary
C	17	Ellis	$500,000	team control
1B	7	Loney	$6,375,000
2B	14	Ellis	$2,500,000
3B	5	Uribe	$8,000,000
SS	9	Gordon	$485,000	team control
LF	21	Rivera	$4,000,000
CF	27	Kemp	$10,000,000
RF	16	Ethier	$10,950,000

IF/OF	6	Hairston	$2,250,000
OF	10	Gwynn	$850,000
2B/3B	3	Kennedy	$800,000
C	18	Treanor	$850,000
IF	12	Sellers	$485,000	team control

SP	22	Kershaw	$8,500,000	arb
SP	58	Billingsley	$9,000,000
SP	29	Lilly	$12,000,000
SP	37	Capuano	$3,000,000
SP	44	Harang	$3,000,000

CL	54	Guerra	$485,000	team control
RHP	74	Jansen	$500,000	team control
RHP	55	Guerrier	$4,750,000
RHP		Coffey	$1,000,000
RHP	66	MacDougal	$650,000
LHP	57	Elbert	$485,000	team control
RHP	36	Hawksworth	$500,000	team control

TJ	41	De La Rosa	$485,000	team control

		Manny	$8,087,432	deferred
		Andruw	$3,375,000	deferred
		Pierre	$3,050,000	deferred
		Furcal	$3,000,000	deferred
		Kuroda	$2,000,000	deferred
		Garland	$1,500,000	option buyout
		Blake	$1,250,000	option buyout

Totals			$114,662,432
For more detailed information, click here.
Players on 40-man roster used as roster fillers until moves are made. Current 40-man roster count: 40 (not including Belisario)

2012 Non-Roster Invitees

No	Player	Age*
63	Jose Ascanio rhp	27
61	Alberto Castillo lhp	36
60	Matt Chico lhp	29
35	John Grabow lhp	33
59	Angel Guzman rhp	30
47	Wil Ledezma lhp	31
72	Shane Lindsay rhp	27
62	Fernando Nieve rhp	29
73	Scott Rice lhp	30
70	Will Savage rhp	27
71	Ryan Tucker rhp	25

30	Josh Bard c	34
82	Griff Erickson c	24
81	Matt Wallachc	26
67	Jeff Baisley 3b/1b	29
62	Luis Cruz ss/2b	28
33	Josh Fields 3b	29
64	Lance Zawadzki if	27
56	Cory Sullivan of	32

*Age on June 30, 2012
NRI count: 19 For more info, click here.

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Vicente Padilla says hi to Jose Lima

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