Dodger Blogging around the World

Without a doubt, the number one catalyst for clubhouse strife would have to be the card games. I’m convinced that some players are more concerned about their win percentage in Spades than they are about their batting average.

Mechanically, I felt like I was all over the place. To borrow a phrase from Roy McAvoy, my delivery felt ‘like an unfolding lawnchair’. I can’t pinpoint when it started, but the last time I remember feeling right was in spring training. I was never pitching in pain, I just felt like something was off. It felt like I had to put forth way too much effort to sustain my normal velocity. What made it particularly tough though, was the fact that I didn’t look much different in any of the videos I watched. And I watched a ton of video. I can probably recite every pitch sequence that I had filmed that year. This is when the doubt really began to set in. I had certainly struggled at different points in my career, but never this badly. One of my strong suits has always been the ability to figure out what was causing me to struggle, but at this point, I really had no idea.

Having never pitched I found this quote very interesting.

this Brian Akin interview might be one of my favorites. Talk about straight shooting. I’m still looking for a cliche and have yet to find one.

I have seven career at-bats and have not yet drawn a walk, even though I’m fully aware of the importance of OBP. I think that this has less to do with me being a free-swinger, and more to do with me being a really bad-swinger.

Some Torre comments from today:

Opening day starter:

We have an idea what we’re going to do Opening Day. Pretty soon you will figure it out. We don’t have a 1_2-3 in the rotation yet..we’re here to figure it out. I wouldn’t put Padilla behind anyone yet. He’s pretty good.

On Kershaw:

I haven’t seen anyone handle what comes his way better at that age ever

On Kemp / Rihanna:

his attention will be doubled, maybe quadrupled. I don’t think that’ll change him. I’m sure he’s going to have to handle more non-baseball related questions. We’ve chatted about it, but I don’t feel it necessary to tell or ask him about what his priorities are. I think off his personality..what I know…I think he’ll be ok.

interview was also the excellent prospect profile that Kensai did on Lambo.

You know the next splashy FA signing I’d like to see us make? A RH power-hitting 3B. When I flesh out our future squad (which will no doubt never come to be), that’s the one spot that screams out at me.

C—Martin/Replacement
1B—Loney
2B—DeJesus/DeWitt
SS—Gordon
3B—?
LF—Lambo
CF—Kemp
RF—Ethier

What if we kidnap Zimmerman or Longoria, give them plastic surgery, and change their names? Is Kim Ng bold enough to oversee this operation?

An Interview With Brian Akin – the interview I would have loved to have done. Brian Akin may not have a major league future but he show has a great blog.

Actually Phil, the cool kids these days would say that “he sho’ has a great blog.” I do appreciate the effort to use the parlance of our times, though! :-)

Ken Gurnick with a good explanation on why the Dodgers are annoyed with Beliario’s visa problems.

Belisario is one of a handful of Dodgers out of options…. But if Belisario is missing long enough and he’s not ready to start the season on time, the Dodgers have a big problem. He can’t be sent to the Minor Leagues without clearing waivers, and there’s no chance he would clear after the way he pitched last year. That’s why management is so annoyed that he’s not in camp, although manager Joe Torre said he’s expected within a few days.

during the game now, or are spoilers not allowed?
vr, Xei

I am thinking this rain might subside and our softball game won’t be canceled!

I know, random…but I really want to play tonight.

You know, if you squint just a little while viewing the “MCCOURT ENTERPRISE FLOWCHART” (the Dodger Divorce link in the article), it really does look like a house of cards.