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Werth and Victorino lead demolition of Dodgers

2005 minor league Rule Five pick from the Dodgers Shane Victorino watches his two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Clayton Kershaw. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

More photos » Rob Carr - AP

2005 minor league Rule Five pick from the Dodgers Shane Victorino watches his two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Clayton Kershaw. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Congratulations to the Phillies, they have a great team, augmented by two ex-Dodger who have become all-star outfielders and postseason stars in Philadelphia.  Is anything more painful to watch then what Victorino and Werth have done against us? They combined to hit five home runs and drive in 12 runs, including three home runs and seven runs batted in tonight. Some of you may hate Victorino but I have nothing but respect, the man can play the game. Next time someone tells you that what a 23 year old does in AA doesn't mean jack, tell them to ask PaulDeposta if that is true or not. And Ned whatever scout told you not to pony up the $850,000 for Werth in 2006, I hope like hell you've fired his ass by now. Especially if he was the same scout who recommended that Juan Pierre at 5 years and 50 Million was a good idea during the same winter.

After 31 years Dodger fans finally we get to feel what Philly fans felt like after 1978. Except the Phillies played us tougher in 77 and 78 then we played them in 2008 and 2009.

Hated to see the season end before bringing it home one more time, even down 10 - 4 I thought maybe we could do some damage when we loaded the bases. We just needed to extend the inning one batter between Loney, Martin, and Blake to allow Thome to try to do what he was brought here to do.  Just one batter, but it was not be,  and Thome was left helpless on desk as Blake did what he's done the whole post season. Nothing.  Did he hit the ball hard even once this postseason?

Orlando Hudson may have only played for us for one year but he had a hell of a start and finish. Cycles on Dodger Stadium opening day and then hits the first pinch hit post season home run since Gibson, and man did he crush it. I have no idea why Belliard played every single post season game other then the guess that Hudson was hurt but he sure didn't look hurt.  Belliard had a decent postseason, and I doubt Hudson would have made much difference, but it was one of the more puzzling moves I've ever seen any manager make in the postseason.

Andre can't hit lefties on the road to save his life all year and hammers Hamels in the 1st inning. Andre is well on his way to making those Paul O'Neil comparisons come true except he got better sooner. Everyone wants to sign Matt Kemp but I think Andre has the kind of skills that would be quite productive over the next 3-5 years.

Manny simply looks like an old 37 year old HOF left fielder. He's still got some bat but the elite skills are probably gone except in bursts. We were lucky enough to see the best of him, now we will be unlucky enough to see the worse of him, but at least it will only be for one more year and he should hit just enough that he won't be a total downer. Plus in all his goofiness I like watching him play when he's not menstruating.

Matt Kemp for all his growth in 2009 has more growing to do. Striking out in 1/2 your postseason at bats is not unlucky it is bad work. Our best player has to do more to get us into the World Series. That is a lot to put on him but he's the franchise player and his job is to pound LHP, and he didn't. At all. Still he had one hell of a 2009 and it will be fun to watch the best home grown centerfielder in the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he continues to develop his game.

James Loney had his 2nd straight productive postseason, taking Hamels deep twice and keeping his career postseason slugging over .500% while hitting against some of the best pitchers in baseball. I was more surprised he popped up with the bases loaded in the 8th then any other at bat tonight.

Casey Casey Casey

Furcal Furcal Furcal

Martin Martin Martin

You wouldn't be wrong to say that Furcal, Blake, and Martin are better then Feliz, Rollins, and Ruiz, but man oh man did the latter kick the formers butt when it came time to play the game.

This is the last I'll talk about these playoffs until next year when we prepare for them again.

===================================================================================

I had a great year, thanks to Eric and everyone else who contributed to making TBLA a place to read about our favorite team. TBLA's growth from the day the Dodgers showed up in Arizona for spring workouts until tonight has been amazing to watch. Tonight we had more visits then we did for the whole month of postseason baseball in 2008. I don't know who you all are because many of you are lurkers but I hope you keep coming back for Eric's take as we move from the painful post season to the promise of 2010.

From Kershaw's gem on April 15th to Padilla inexplicable domination last Friday this team gave us a  seasons worth of memories. What was your favorite one or combination?

Mannyslam

Andre walk off after walk off - which one to choose

Padilla game three in the NLDS

Padilla game two in the NLCS

Hudson's Cycle

Kemp's grand slams

Broxton's utter domination at home

Juan Beast Mode Pierre in May

1 recs  |  Comment 40 comments |

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who is the person responsible for robbing us of pedro martinez??

and who was the idiot person who implicated the NL AL alternate first pick in the draft which robbed us at the chance of getting a-rod??

the best position player and pitcher of this generation could have and should have been in dodger blue… instead they are going to be facing each other in the WS while the dodgers watch on TV..

by matthewmafa on Oct 21, 2009 11:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

likely the yankees woulda got one of them at one point

but yeah
a team with
piazza, karros, arod, and pedro makes u wonder sometimes where they coulda gone….

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 22, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

From Previous Thread:

Man I saw a lot of stuff this year – repeat what I posted on DT
1. Going to Spring Training w/Eric Stephen and JJ24
2. Seeing the Cycle with JJ24 as we called out his triple
3. Book signing night w/Kim Ng and a walk-off win
4. Seeing a rare missed base and a walk-off error with PS
5. Watching an Ethier walk-off against Lidge
6. Meeting HJ and hearing the Reuss story
7. Heading down to Petco w/Eric and some True Blue guys to see Manny’s return
8. Spending games with Marty, Brock, Sporky and JPG
9. Meeting Underdog and LouisinSF, watching AT&T empty out as the Dodgers take 2 out of 3
10. Watching the BobbleSlam with Jon and Sporky
11. Seeing Belliard Slam out Penny
12. Ethier’s big HR off of Lincecum
13. Late night walk-off by Ethier to beat the Pirates
14. Weaver vs. Weaver
15. Seeing the Dodgers win the West w/True Blue Gang
16. Going to Game 1 of NLDS, hearing HJ’s nephew tell us how he knew Kemp’s HR was gone, seeing Game 2 w/HJ and the feeling of excitement as Lorretta’s ball got down.
17. Even though they lost, the battling back Dodgers trying to win Game 1 of the NLCS.

by bhsportsguy on Oct 21, 2009 10:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 22, 2009 12:02 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I thought watching DreamWeaver

wiggle out of so many bases loaded jams was one of the more bizarre notations on the season.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 22, 2009 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about

1. Matt Kemp’s ‘Willie Mays’ catch to end the game against the Brewers?
2. Manny’s “fooled you” catch in St.Louis?

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 22, 2009 12:40 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Beautiful

My favorite moment of the year was Clayton Kershaw maturing into the “ace” echelon in June. He’s still growing and learning, but man, when he’s on… He’s going to BE on. And he’s only 21!

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 22, 2009 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

One thing I'll add

The core of the Phillies is really there day to day lineup, sure Cliff Lee has been great but like the Dodgers they rely on mixing and matching a bullpen and I’ll add if you told me that only Lee and Martinez would go past 6 innings in the first 5 games, I would have thought this would have had a different outcome.

But the thing about the Phillies (and Rockies in 2007), their core players were still a few years older than the Ethier, Kemp, Loney and Martin group. An old fantasy baseball strategy was to try and find up and coming players about to turn 27/28, they would be due for a big upswing in production.

The last two NL pennant winners had players who grew together and finally had the right additions to make them a contender.

Phil is right on one thing, Kemp and either Bills or Kershaw (preferably both) need to move up another few levels to be able to carry this team, I think the Dodgers will be able other pieces but any superstars will have to come from within.

by bhsportsguy on Oct 22, 2009 12:02 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

True

And I believe Kemp, Ethier, Billingley, and I would say Loney (assuming he stays with us till Spring training) will evolve into something great. It’s amazing to watch these guys grow and finding their inner nature. All the potential that we all saw from each of them a couple years ago is starting to come out, and I’m really happy where this is going to.

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 22, 2009 12:15 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hurting......

I’m upset this morning, I’m angry, and man it sucks losing to those Phillies especially when I live only 1 hour from Philly and there nut job fans!!! I moved out here a few years ago (job) and believe me they have some of the worst fans, crude I should say in all of MLB, I miss Dodger stadium….the closest I come to that is the Orioles which is 30 minutes from me but they suck royally and they’re hard to watch. Anyway here is to another year, we need a few additions to push us over the top and we will get our revenge on those Phils in 2010, “oh how sweet it will be” ala Gibson ’88……

by F4PhantomPhreak on Oct 22, 2009 12:13 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Man...

In the past week, I’ve read people’s comments of how the Philedelphians are. Being crude, obnoxious, dirty, blah blah… Truth of the matter is, EVERY team has “those” fans. It’s part of the baseball culture. I bet they think we’re nut job fans, that we always get to the stadium late and leave early… But whatever, I know what kind of fan I am. Those Phillies fans are on cloud 9 right now, as well they should be, after going through 162 games+, they should very well celebrate. I know I would.

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 22, 2009 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did Loney hit another hr tonight? I love that kid. My favorite Dodger by far.

by NotJoeTorre on Oct 22, 2009 12:17 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yup

Road Loney struck again

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 22, 2009 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

A few adds to the list of memorable moments

Kershaw – striking out 13 Giants in his first home start of the year and striking out ten Rockies to clinch the Division and home field

Wolf – retiring 20 consecutive D’Backs

The whole team – tearing a Brad Penny sporting a Giants uniform a new one

by prosellis on Oct 22, 2009 12:34 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

well not the ending we hoped for but a great year

Like many, I really put life on hold for this playoff series, especially being that I was more confident than I’ve ever been heading into the playoffs. Now, a couple weeks later, my grades in the shit house, but I’m glad I didn’t miss a second of these playoffs, the Holliday nut job will live on as one of the great bloopers by a Dodger playoff opponent.

My best memory of the year was a loss in fact, monday august-17 against the cards. It was the 1 game in 15 or so I attended that I went to with just my dad. I meant him downtown at his office and we grabbed a bite to eat at Phillipe’s. The two had pretty good seats along the first baseline, and watched Charlie throw a pretty good game. One mistake he amde was probably the best hit ball I’d seen all season, a lazer from Pujols into the left field bleachers.

Anyway, I had alot of great times following this team, with my family and friends, a first date, and of course sneaking game-cast under the dinner table, just to be polite. Thanks for a great year Eric, Phil, and Brendan..should be an interesting off season : )

William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.

by Ollie on Oct 22, 2009 1:35 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

History of TBLA

I was looking at past blogs just for fun and I noticed a user named “Andrew” was like, the main manager of the site. Whatever happen to him? I’m just curious. He had good insight.

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 22, 2009 1:51 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

A year ago

Andrew was the manager of TBLA until last December. In October of 2009 he was inundated with work and simply stopped writing or communicating. He was a great writer and did some excellent analysis but when he stopped producing SB Nation had no choice but to replace him.

If you check out Dodger Thoughts he shows up once in a while as Regfairfield. I have no idea what happened and why he simply abandoned TBLA but I do miss his insight and cleverly thinly veiled insults.

by meercatjohn on Oct 22, 2009 7:44 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But I'm also glad he left

because otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to bring in Eric, and Eric is the bomb.

by meercatjohn on Oct 22, 2009 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

adding to the list

the Kemp Slam/“Willy Mays” Catch combo in Milwaukee

Has there ever been a player better than Detlef Schrempf?

by bucknellbruin on Oct 22, 2009 4:45 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

This season huh

I hate shane victorino and jayson werth (I hated them before they crushed us), but yesterday they were just taking batting practice… I hope that scout who missed jayson werth gets fired, oh not to mention whoever thought about signing jason schimidt to multi year deal when he can’t even throw 90s when he is suppose to be a power pitcher, and whoever thought scott elbert was worth was first round pick should get fired too, he is suppose to be a major leaguer, but plays like freaking high school kid. CAN’T THROW STRIKES!

I’m looking forward for upcoming free-agent and next season, since I hope we’ll somehow acquire a pitching ace that can stand up to the pressure.

Best thing I saw was Matt Kemp’s catch this season, that was flat out amazing.
 
Overall, I guess it wasn’t such a bad season after all.

by LAD17 on Oct 22, 2009 6:23 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey Phil

I already posted on Eric’s post last night, but just wanted to reiterate what a FANTASTIC job you guys do on this site. This is truly the best sports website (of course I’m biased being a Dodgers fan), but the Dodgers fans this site attracts makes me truly proud to be a fan of the best team in baseball. Thanks for a great season. Spring Training is right around the corner.

by UCLAClass82 on Oct 22, 2009 7:08 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think it was a scout who recommended non-tendering Werth, but rather some combo of Ned and the medical staff.

by Eric Stephen on Oct 22, 2009 7:43 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Not inside info, just observation. When they evaluated Ethier before the trade, they relied on scouts for info because he had no MLB experience. By the fall of 2006, the Dodgers had 721 PA worth of MLB experience on which to evaluate him, plus his year plus on the DL.

by Eric Stephen on Oct 22, 2009 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

True

but Ned wasn’t around in 2004 when Werth was actually healthy and producing at a high level. If the medical staff felt his wrist was never going to come around, then maybe they should be questioned. I didn’t sleep in a Holliday Inn but I’ve seen enough major league wrist injuries to know that they take an extremely long time to heal.

by meercatjohn on Oct 22, 2009 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ahh, I see your point.

Maybe he relied on KIm Ng and she’s not as good as we think she is. (kidding) :)

by Eric Stephen on Oct 22, 2009 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Favorite Moment

Even though I’m pretty sure the Dodgers lost the game, Kuo returning from injury and intentionally walking Pujols and Holliday and then striking out Ankiel on three pitches. Just awesome.

Favorite Game
While the True Blue game was fun (for different reasons) I loved the Kemp grand slam game in Milwaukee. It was probably just me, it was a tough week at work and it was Friday. The game thread was great, the game was great, even ended on a great Kemp play in the outfield.

by Michael White on Oct 22, 2009 7:50 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The Dodgers ended up winning the Kuo IBB game! Good times

by Eric Stephen on Oct 22, 2009 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was also going to say that I had a tie for memories between that inning by Kuo, and Kershaw’s start in Anaheim.

Kemp’s Saturday 500 foot bomb at DS was also up there.

Still, hearing about Manny that night was the worst feeling ever.

by delias man on Oct 22, 2009 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Part of the great year

were the game threads before the Manny suspension. We had some great games and the game threads reflected the games with daily show like humor.

by meercatjohn on Oct 22, 2009 7:52 AM PDT reply actions   1 recs

Lurking is Good. Still a great season. Favorite Games are Ethier walk offs...

I tried blogging a few complete games but with looks from my wife and stares from my daughter(while I often LOL when reading certain posts) I tried to curtail my visits to before and after games(you know when everyone else went to bed). Plus, I don’t have the technical and statistical knowledge to always be a relevant participant. Hence, most of my offerings are one liners and mild attempts at humor. I’ve still thoroughly enjoyed this year! Go Blue 2010!
Even though I live 3 hours from the Stadium, I made it to 6 games this year. I got to see two Andre walk-off hits! How great is that? June 5 and Sept 15. June 5 was against the Phil’s so obviously that is most satisfying today. I also was at the BAD Penny game against SF on Sept 19th when we beat the poop out of the Giants(very satisfying as well). I made it to the second MannyBobble day- so now I can enjoy Manny tipping his hat at me all off season. I can just see it in his bobble-eyes now saying, “Oh well, there’s always next year. I’m hitting the shower.”
So thanks all especially Phil and Eric for the excellent Dodger insight, coverage, stats, therapy, Blue thoughts, sound baseball reason and everything else inserted to enhance the Dodger experience. It was a great season in my opinion. I’ll be lurking around and waiting for opening day 2010! Go Dodgers!

by RawhideBlue on Oct 22, 2009 8:24 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey Dodger Fan-

Just wanted to express my condolences for y’all after the series. 29 teams end the season on a loss, just remember that the dodgers did better than 26 or 27 of them, so it’s still a good place to be and nothing to be long term heartbroken over.

The Dodgers just ran into the Phillies while they had hot bats, and in all fairness, I’m not sure anybody short of the ‘27 yankees can beat the Phils when they’re hitting. That’s not to say the current roster is the equivalent of of a historic team, but when 5 or 6 guys in that lineup are raking (like they are now) you need to get really lucky to beat them. At the same time, it wouldn’t shock me for the Phils to score no more than 3 runs per game in the WS since the bats just disappear once in a while as well, and when that happens, they become the ’09 Nats.

The Dodgers have lots of exciting young kids, and I expect them (as well as the Rockies) to be duking it out for the NL West and Wildcard for a while. Ethier and Loney seem to have the Phils number, and Kershaw looked radunculous in game one, before the strike zone became tiny. I’m not sure who all on that team is tendered through next year, but a core of Ethier/Loney/Kemp seems to be quite respectable, paired with Kershaw and Broxton on the rubber.

I previously said I’d pull for the Dodgers if they beat the Phillies, owing to my admiration of ex-phils Wolf , Thome, and Bowa.

April will be here soon.

by Bilzo on Oct 22, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank you sir

Congrats on a well played series. Again.

by Eric Stephen on Oct 22, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

now we know how the orlando magic felt in the finals after they gave up on trevor ariza

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 22, 2009 3:39 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for TBLA

And the consoling thoughts, especially from Bilzo. Those Phils are a tough team, I have to say.

And thanks for TBLA. I got here from the CBS Sports Dodgers team page, and I toward the end of the season I found myself looking for posts and analysis here. Good stuff, although I don’t post a lot here.

Memories from this year? Lots; this is the first year that my family bought any kind of season-ticket plan (even if only a mini-plan). Add in a few more random games with friends, and some playoff games, and I found myself pretty invested in this team. Here are some highlights off the top of my head, without looking at my scorecards or any season recaps.

- The long home-winning streak to start off the year. Made it to one of those record-setters.
- The triple play game. Don’t remember when this was, off the top of my head, but I was there.
- Three games in three days in July. Even if I did miss the Bobbleslam the next night.
- NL West-clinching game (couldn’t make it down to the TBLA folks, unfortunately. Maybe next year.)
- Game 2 of the NLDS. Probably the best game that I’ve ever been to, in person.
- Game 2 of the NLCS. Saw them go out on a winning note, at least personally.
- Lots of good memories in general, sharing my love of baseball with my family, and hopefully nurturing a couple of new fans in my kids.

Thanks, folks! See you … well, probably see you through the whole off-season. I think Spring Training is only 120 days away or so.

by TopDeckTrueBlue on Oct 22, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

As a loyal

Phils phan, I am not here to bash or humiliate the dodgers in any way. I think that the boys in blue played hard all year and I can honestly say I enjoyed watching them and rooting for them against various opponents (especially the Cards in the NLDS). I think they had a truely great season, nothing you guys should be ashamed about. Matt Kemp is going to skyrocket and become the best overall player in the game within 2 more years, and I hope to see that happen. They just unfortunately(or fotunately for me) ran into a buzzsaw in the Phls. Good luck giving ethier, kemp, and brox more moeny, as I am sure they will look for huge pay increases next year. Aslo good luck next year, as I hope we will meet again in the playoffs, hopefully for a 7 game series. Go Phils!

by BigNig on Oct 23, 2009 5:17 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Kemps gonna be good (better) but I’m not going to say best overall in the game. That would surprise me.

by Bilzo on Oct 23, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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