Monasterios to Start Friday in Colorado
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 9:49 AM PDT
in News
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PrintCarlos Monasterios will get the start on Friday for the Dodgers (pick your source: Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles, or Bill Shaikin of the LA Times), but Friday sounds like a bullpen game if I have ever heard of one. Monasterios last pitched one week ago tonight, May 19, so he will have eight days rest between appearances. Monasterios pitched three innings on that night, but is he really going to be able to pitch deep into the game in Colorado?
Monasterios got a spot start on May 1, True Blue LA night, and pitched four innings that night. Since then, he has only pitched four times, pitching a total of nine innings in those games. Manager Joe Torre said he plans to add a reliever by Friday's game, as the Dodgers are carrying 11 pitchers, the first time since April 23, 2008 that they have had fewer than 12 pitchers on the active roster.
Monasterios has been a nice story so far, a Rule 5 pick who has stuck around, and on the surface he has pitched quite well. His 1.90 ERA is second on the staff to Jonathan Broxton. But dig a little deeper and what do you have? Monasterios has a pretty good walk rate (2.66 BB/9, fifth on the club), but he hasn't struck anybody out (4.94 K/9; only Jon Link was worse). His FIP is 4.50, and x-FIP is 4.85, suggesting he has been the beneficiary of some good luck thus far this season. Outside of the extra-inning game in Washington, Monasterios has pitched almost exclusively in low leverage situations, and has the lowest average leverage index on the team.
In short, Monasterios is a fine option to have in the back end of the bullpen, but I don't think he should be starting every fifth day, although he is easily a much more inspiring choice than Ramon Ortiz. The Dodgers are in a stretch of 16 games in 16 days, so the fifth starter spot will come up two more times: June 2 and June 7. The Dodgers need a starter during those games that is likely to pitch deeper into the game.
James McDonald and Scott Elbert have struggled at times in Albuquerque this season, but both showed improvement with their last start. McDonald allowed four runs over seven innings on Friday, but more importantly walked none and struck out eight. Elbert walked 28 batters in his first 32 1/3 innings this year, but rebounded Sunday with a one-walk, five-strikeout performance over six innings. McDonald is scheduled to start tonight for the Isotopes, and Elbert is slated to pitch Friday. If the Dodgers want to add a 12th pitcher by Friday, make it McDonald or Elbert, and give them the ball to start next Wednesday at Dodger Stadium against the Diamondbacks.
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Cowboy Joe called two balks on Mark Buehrle today. After the first, Buehrle protested, Guillen came out, and Guillen got tossed.
West then threw out Guillen, who dropped his sunglasses and lineup card on the track as he left the field.
After the second balk call, Buehrle threw his glove to the ground, got tossed, and had to be restrained by teammates.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
So what downside is there to replacing umpires with a computer?
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I mean after all his bitching about the Red Sox and Yankees you’d think he’d want to keep Buerhle in at all costs.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I can’t wait to hear Hawk Harrelson’s unbiased account of those proceedings.
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
From Neyer:
Harrelson on West: “He’s a joke.”
More Harrelson on West: “Well, something’s gotta be done about that … The last couple of years, he’s really had it in for the White Sox.”
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Isn’t the criticism that Joe West has it in for everybody except Joe West?
I know that when I buy a ticket for a game, the first thing I look at is who’s umpiring.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 26, 2010 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Since Joe West is an accomplished singer and recording artist, I would like to think he sings while arguing. It adds flair.
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
A limerick from Cowboy Joe West
Critics from Ozzie to Hawk
Think that I just like to talk.
But a move imperceptible
is unacceptable.
That’s why I’m calling this balk.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 26, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
The balk is like the rule on blocking home plate. Rarely are they enforced well
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Has a team ever walked off the field and forfeited a game in protest against what they see as egregious umpiring? It sounds like the sort of thing that might have happened back in the day 1900-30, or earlier anyway.
What kinds of calls can be protested, reversed, and re-played from that point? I would think that if the umpiring got that bad, the manager would play the game under protest in the hopes of getting everything wiped off the books before he forfeited. I imagine the league would look on a forfeit with a jaundiced eye.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 26, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I don’t believe you can protest an interpretation call like this. You can protest what you think is an incorrect ruling or application of an incorrect rule, but an interpretation of what the balk looked like would be difficult.
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m sure this can’t be the only one, but likely the most prominent. According to Wikipedia, “Game 2 of the 1885 World Series was forfeited when St. Louis pulled its team from the field to protest the umpiring.” I don’t think they called it the World Series then – it must have been between NL champ and AA champ. Maybe I should ask over on DT and hope Bob Timmermann is reading.
More recent
“During the September 15, 1977 game between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays at Exhibition Stadium, Orioles manager Earl Weaver claimed a tarp being used on the bullpen mound endangered his players. After arguing with umpire Marty Springstead, Weaver was ejected and he responded by pulling his team from the field, forfeiting the game to the Blue Jays.”
Dodgers
Not quite the same, but it did involve umpires, a manager arguing, a forfeit – and the Dodgers!
“On August 10, 1995, the Los Angeles Dodgers gave out baseballs to paying customers as they entered the Dodger Stadium gates for a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals were leading the game 2-1 as the Dodgers came to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning. The first batter, Raúl Mondesí, was called out on strikes and promptly ejected by home plate umpire Jim Quick for arguing, as was Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda moments later. Dodger fans, fuelled by a series of close calls and a few rounds of alcohol, immediately began throwing the baseballs onto the field. The Cardinals left the field due to safety concerns and the umpires forfeited the game to St. Louis 15 minutes later. Following this incident, Major League Baseball mandated that should baseballs or any throwable object be given away as a promotional item, the giveaway should take place after the game.”
Was anyone here there?
Did your ball make it on the field from there? :)
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Since JMac's last good start in ABQ
he now has a better FIP on the year than Ely did in ABQ.
FIP in ABQ:
JMac: 4.23
Ely: 4.48
So we are thinking that the extra bullpen guy comes at Green’s expense. Who are the logical options for the call up.
J-Mac
Link
End of list?
Depends if they perceive a need for a 2nd lefty
If so, add Elbert and Leach, and that’s probably the list.
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Not sure. I mean JMac and Elbert have both shown the ability to get major league hitters out (out of the bullpen.) Not sure too many other clubs would have such better lists that it would render the Dodgers the most underwhelming list ever. It would be sexier if someone like Withrow was dominating in AA, but it’s not the worst crop of pitchers I’ve ever seen.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
McDonald hasn’t walked many in AAA, relatively. 17/41 BB/K ratio
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
In ABQ, his BB/PA is 8.9%, which is comparable to what he put up in Las Vegas in 2008 and an improvement to what he did last season. It compares favorably to what Ely did in ABQ as Ely posted a BB/PA of 10.1%.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
I saw that. I should have stated too many hits JMac Too many BB Elbert. I’m telling you, JMacs problems are that the ball is up, and he is getting knocked around. I know he has previous bullpen successes but I am not holding out much hope this time around.
Of course he is always welcome to prove me wrong.
You mentioned the other day, that JMac has been getting hurt since last season wrapped by getting hit up in the zone. Though, since October, he has pitched in the Dominican Republic, Arizona, and ABQ. Those are all pretty extreme hitters environments. Moreover, JMac has really always been a flyball pitcher, so his game should frankly play better in D.S than it does currently in AAA. The monitoring point for him is the velocity. Last September when he was pitching brilliantly in relief, he was routinely touching 97. The gun at AZ had him at 88? Logan White expressed his disappointinment that he felt JMac did not show up to camp is as good of shape as he could have—- to which ther is no excuse. So (IMO) if McDonalds velocity is back (and his K rate has been impressive of late) I think he’s back in game shape and warrants a role in the starting rotation.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Those stadiums in DR are pretty big. 15’+ walls for all the ads. But let’s say your point that his velocity may be back is correct. You would then still rather see him start instead of get a chance to take over Tron’s role?
I’d rather give him another shot to start, at this point. The need is there for the Dodgers, I do think he would do a better job than Monasterios and Ortiz so I think its worth a shot. I’m still comfortable that he can fill in the bullpen if the starter experiment is scrapped, but now that the bullpen (actually the pitching staff as a whole) has stabilized I wouldn’t surrender the JMac to the rotation experiment quite yet. Really, with Towers flaming out magnificently and Elbert going through his issues, McDonald is the next man on the organizational depth chart to be a starter; it wouldn’t be prudent to convert him now.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
I do not see the Dodgers need for him to start unless they plan on seeing him in the rotation 2011 and beyond. Padilla will be back soon, and IF Ely can continue to be just average at worst, they have a rotation barring injuries.
Sure, but with a full rotation of Padilla, Ely, Bills, CK and Kuroda, if any gets injured McDonald is your next man up, particularly as the season wears on. Later in the year, it would make even less sense for the Dodgers to have these “bullpen” games so spot starts would preferably be made by a guy working as a SP all year. Of the minor league SP’s who would be called upon in a spot start, Towers has been cut, Haeger is about to follow him, Withrow is not ready, and Lindblom and Elbert have certainly be out pitched by JMac on the year.
With the bullpen no longer a concern, I wouldn’t take the best (and pro ready) starter in the minors and convert them.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
makes sense – but they will trade for 10 Jon Garlands if somebody goes down later this year before they give it to a kid from ABQ.
Ely shakes his head
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 26, 2010 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
JMac will lower his walk rate in the majors by simply being in the same rotation with Ely.
Hey, it worked for CK and Bills.
I don’t mind Monk starting, even though I agree his chances for succeed are somewhat slim. What bothers me is that Ramon Ortiz’s role as mop-up man is being protected for some reason I don’t understand. As Eric says, keep Monk, but keep him as a back end of the bullpen guy. If you want a starter, bring up J-Mac. I’m not waiting on pins and needles for Padilla to return, so it would be nice to get a little continuity out of that #5 spot. Seriously, what Ely has done for our rotation is amazing. Let’s not mess around with the #5 spot anymore than we have to.
Agreed
I’m a little more bullish on Padilla’s ability to come back soon. He will throw (to Ethier) on Saturday, and could start a rehab assignment after that. Assume 3 rehab starts…
June 3
June 8
June 13
Then he’s ready to pitch on June 18 for the Dodgers. The Dodgers have a couple of off days, so they can skip the fifth starter if needed.
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Is Ethier going to stand in and simply look at pitches to keep his batting eye in practice
or actually take some hacks? If Ethier makes a lot of solid contact, will Padilla lose his cool and come up and in? :-P
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 26, 2010 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I am wondering why they don’t just swap Ortiz for Jusin Miller. He has that same veteran quality but is actually pitching well and then make Monk the mop-up guy with McDonald in the rotation.
That does accomplish the dual tasks of removing both Green and Ortiz, too :)
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
And tattoos!!!
Which fascinates Vin to no end.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Buster Olney has his feature on Ely up
on ESPN.com (insider). A brief nugget:
“Our reports pretty much described him perfectly,” Colletti said. “He doesn’t have overwhelming stuff — but he’s an ultracompetitive strike-thrower, and he pretty much figures out a way to win a game.”
Genius. Ultra competive and the ability to figure out how to win a game. I wish CK had that ability last night.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Kershaw has that same problem that Sanchez and Cain do, they just aren’t born winners. If only they could give up 1 or no runs and MAKE his team score for him. Oh well, he’s obviously just not good enough.
Isn't this more to the point that
he learned early in his career that he wasn’t going to make it on stuff alone, he had to pick his spots, change speeds and specifically learn to get hitters to get themselves out.
Again, we’ll see what happens when he doesn’t get those same strikeout numbers but I do think that the ability to recognize what one has to do to compete as you advance in baseball is a sign of maturity and make up and that counts a lot.
As Kevin Goldstein once said, poor make up won’t necessarily deter the high ceiling guy with lots of tools but it can help someone with less tools be able to be successful in the big leagues.
by bhsportsguy on May 26, 2010 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
You know there's always going to be
a knee-jerk reaction to Colletti’s “old-school” baseball-speak. Of course what you wrote and Ned’s “figures out a way to win” should be interpreted as synonymous.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 26, 2010 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Rookies can too. As long as they are not super-talented. See DeWitt circa 2008.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
So if everything goes right, Ely just might be the next Paul Byrd!
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
We'd take that wouldn't we?
At least the 31 and older version who dropped his walkrate down to 1.6 or lower for the rest of his career.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 26, 2010 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
If John Ely becomes Paul Byrd, I’ll be totally happy. It’s just that Byrd, along with Maddux are the two righties I could find that throw under 88 and were successful. I guess if you really want to stretch it you can drop Livan in there.
Even then, both those guys were late in their career when they lost their velocity, it doesn’t seem like a good place to start.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Jon Garland is the guy I what to compare to, but even he averages over 89 on his FB 2006 to the present.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 26, 2010 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
There isn't much to that quote
but I did like the “Our reports pretty much described him perfectly” part.
It has the “look how good we are at evaluating players” feel to it, and it made me chuckle, at least.
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe Ned was just reading my posts on Ely and mistook those for “reports.” :)
by silverwidow on May 26, 2010 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Ethier
has 140 PA on the season, which right now is the minimum required to qualify for the leaderboard (3.1 PA per team game). If Ethier comes back Sunday, he will be 12 PA short, and if he comes back Monday he will be 15 PA short. Giving him an 0-for, his numbers would be…
12 PA short: .358/.421/.679 (would be a close 2nd in OBP; 1st in BA, SLG, OPS)
15 PA short: .350/.413/.664 (1st in BA, SLG, OPS)
He wants to play. Torre mentioned Sunday seemed “too soon.”
Ethier will face Padilla on Saturday in a simulated game.
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions
People were trying to tell me last night that Werth>Ethier for the All-Star Game
and that Ethier’s hitting stats were slightly better than Werth’s this year…lol. Werth may have better defense, but offense is what makes the All-Star game, not defense. In one game or a short series I’ll take the guy who’s better on offense than better on defense.
I would have no problem with Werth getting more votes. Victorino having more votes makes me want to tear some sack cloth and put ashes on my head.
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Werth be good, he's an all-star
and when he’s playing RF for us in 2011, you will be on his bandwagon.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 26, 2010 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Ok, I keep seeing people say that
or something to the effect of us getting Werth at some point. Is this just a running joke or is there some merit to it? He came up in our farm system, correct?
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Depo acquired him in a trade
He’d been kicking around the minors for six years (Baltimore before Toronto), then came to the Dodgers in exchange for… Jason Frasor, as I recall.
Wishful thinking mostly. I can’t see us out bidding the Red Sox for a guy that tried to sue us.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I think we had this discussion on DT not long ago
Drew
/ Hermida
Cameron
Ellsbury
Not sure where he fits in, he can’t play center, Ellsbury proved he can’t play center.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I don’t think we did, but I could have forgotten.
Cameron’s gone next year right? He hasn’t given the Red Sox a very compelling reason to re-sign him.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
No
# 2 years/$15.5M (2010-11)
* signed by Boston as a free agent 12/16/09
* $1M signing bonus
* 10:$7.25M, 11:$7.25M
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Huh, I guess I thought there was no possible way Mike Cameron would get two years.
I think the lawsuit thing is still a huge issue, but it’s not impossible to me anymore.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I was on his bandwagon back in 04…man I loved that guy. Then 05 happened and it all just faded away :(
Then he became a Philly so fuck him.
"Then he became a Philly so fuck him."
I like you. :)
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
I would have though you would have loved a guy that can grow a hobo beard.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh I do love facial hair.
But fuck Philly.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
That love affair never ended.
Even if I couldn’t call him “Beard”, I could certainly call him “Wake and Blake”.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Werth is close to my favorite non Dodger
Never thought he’d hit RHP enough to be an all-star caliber player but he proved me wrong. Love players who are good at all aspects of the game.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 26, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
His team prevents me from liking him. There are no Phillies I like. No Giants I like. One Yankee I like. I use to really like Halladay…now not so much.
One Yankee you like?
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart! 5
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 26, 2010 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Werth will be a free agent in 2011...
Can we afford him??
Manny will leave, so a vacant spot on the OF will be perfect for him…
3 year/40M will be fair in my mind??
What do you think??
Colony Capital sucks... Paris est magique...
I know some of you can't wait to chide Ned
But what he is saying is pretty much what Baseball America said about Ely in it’s last Prospect book.
And if someone else makes this deal
I think some of you would be giving praises on how smart the GM was for getting Ely (albeit to replace the bad signing of Pierre).
by bhsportsguy on May 26, 2010 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, Ely could still be a pumpkin
And he was not their top 10 list (BA).
by bhsportsguy on May 26, 2010 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I thought my internet wasn’t working for a second
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 12:08 PM PDT reply actions
I’m covering the front desk right now, so nothing to do…and I am looking for new jobs :)
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I did that
and found a posting for my job from my company on craigslist. lol?
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Well
it was really funny because I brought it up to my boss, as was like, “Should I be worried?” He didn’t even know that our company put it out. In any case, even if I were scared for my job, it wasn’t my job that was on the line. It was a co-worker’s. :)
This was prior to my discovery that I was going to be moving to the South, btw.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
LOL
Did you tell your coworker about this or are they just paddling in the water with the violins going off and Jaws coming for him, haha.
Where do you live right now? and Where are you moving to?
I'm going for graduate school.
The funny part is that I have a friend from UG down there and the first thing he says to me (after, omg congrats, can’t wait to see you…of course) is, “I hope you are ready to drink. They go hard down here.” Hooray!
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Master of Theological Studies.
I’m not religious, either, it just happens to be a degree that will help me get a PhD. Which will then allow me to teach and sound AWESOME.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
So your major didn’t help you get the job with the Video Game Company, it was basically because you had the degree?
Exactly.
For some reason, you need a Bachelor’s in SOMETHING to qualify for the job. I have no idea why, though.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Demonstrates
the commitment to stick to and complete something. In baseball terms, you’ve proven yourself at a certain, high, level.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Because hiring practices are retarded these days
S’why I’m back in school. Worked in computers for fifteen years and had a whole list of credentials and references, but 90% of the jobs I applied for ignored all of it cause I didn’t have a piece of paper that said I could do all the stuff I’d been doing for fifteen years.
This is pretty funny. I have an MAT, but now I want to work in IT
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I work in IT
and want a MAT. TWINSIES!!!
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Have you read Snow Crash?
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Is this for Phil or me? No, I have not read it. I basically apply to any tech jobs near LA on a daily basis.
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions
It's for Phil.
But I recommend it if you like cyber punk. :)
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Well, I didn't tell my coworker about it
as he was aware of it already; someone else in the company did and freaked him out. Fun times all around!!!
I live in Sherman Oaks (lol, Reg knows the trials and tribulations of the past 6 months) now, back at home with my parents. They gave me 2 weeks before they started treating me like a 16 year old child again. If my mom tells me to comb my hair one more time, I might purposely go out looking like a wreck. I work in Northridge. For a video game company. Greatest use of a bachelor’s degree, ever.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Just to warn you, the treating you like a 16 year old will never ever end. I haven’t lived at home since I was 18 and I still get lectures about driving too fast in the parking lot and why I’m gonna die for eating non-wheat pasta.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah but I was hoping since they have my brother at home
they would leave me alone. GUESS AGAIN
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
As a parent, I say parenting never ends
It does evolve however. The fact that my 20-year old daughter traveled alone to Europe for summer session (and lived off-campus this year) sort of forces that issue, but she has earned the change in my parental behavior.
Reg, on the other hand, I could imagine parents nagging the hell out of. :-P
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I understand that...
I lived in Ireland for 6 months and I was away at college for 4 years…I lived in my own apartment for 6 months (LOL POOR LIFE DECISIONS) and have had a job since I was 15. But I’m also the oldest. And as such, my mom will never ever let me alone. Ever. I complain but it’s alright, she feeds me.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
I'm the oldest also
so I understand a bit of where you are coming from, although I don’t doubt my parent were less protective of me because I had a “Y” chromosome. Our daughter is an only, so it could be a double-whammy for her.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Dammit, I’m a rocket scientist, I can drive as fast as I want in a parking lot.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
You're probably the guy
that I’m always tempted to roll a shopping cart in front of. Damn kid, get offa my lawn parking lot!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
It’s only in the work parking lot, so if I run over an engineer, you know, no big loss.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh that’s a pretty nice area I believe, but I’ve only been there a couple of times. DAMN. That must be a kick ass job…I’ve been thinking of doing something in that field. What was your major exactly, graphic design?
Hahahahahaha
My BA is in Religion. My job is burning DVDs. I used to test games for bugs. While I have benefits, it is not intellectually stimulating, so back to school I go!
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
intellectually stimulating
That is what blogs are for, not work. :)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 26, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly
Work is for physically stimulating
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Work is for financially stimulating
Physically stimulating is something else entirely. Well, there are jobs that do both, but they’re mostly illegal outside Amsterdam.
Screw intellectual stimulation, I want a video game job! hahaha. That’s really fun what your actual major is, I would have expected SOMETHING in computers. I would love so much to test games for bugs, how can you get a job like that? Are there certain qualifications, besides a degree most likely.
Do you manage the process of burning dvds, or what would the actual process of that be?
Well, I believe hiring.
If you’re really interested you can email me at madeleine dot clarke at gmail dot com. :)
Basically, I master and then duplicate all the test builds for our facility. There’s slightly more to it, but basically it involves a lot of hurry up and wait and a lot of blaming if something goes wrong (pro tip, it isn’t my fault 99% of the time).
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
I had a buddy who got a job testing videogames
All he did was play videogames and eat pizza every day.
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Sounds like my ex.
No, seriously.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
But is it really a bad thing
If you’re getting paid for it?
Ok, on the surface it's fun.
And the people are hilarious. But for every funny person you have three that are not so hilarious but fancy themselves so. And after 3 hours, things can get tedious. But it’s actually a lot of fun, just grueling when the projects get close to submission. Like anything else.
It’s just an interesting environment. :)
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Yea, I did this for a while
and it can get kinda old. Actually started out just as a fan tester, signed up to beta a couple games I enjoyed, and was hired on for a time for showing some aptitude for it.
It can definitely get tedious, and even though you’re doing something fun (in theory), you basically get paid peanuts for it. At least I and the people I knew did.
Is it anything like the movie Grandma's House?
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Grandma's Boy
and kind of? Definitely that many basement virgins and definitely that sort of reception towards women.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Hm. I think we’re about the same age and from the same neighborhood, so I won’t completely rule out the idea that my buddy is your ex….
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions
The problem with testing is it’s going to go one of two ways.
1) You’re awesome at it, which means you’re way too smart to be a tester and are going to want to kill yourself in two months.
2) You’re bad at it, and all the programmers hate you.
As a software guy, I can tell you it’s impossible to keep good testers.
by regfairfield on May 26, 2010 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Even if your good at it the programmers will hate you
Hate all around for testers.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Our hate for
the “quality” people is stronger. Much stronger.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I second that
Plus testers are always at the end of the schedule, so they get all the pressure put on them after everyone else has slipped there schedule.
I have a lot of empathy for the testers, having done that job for a time.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I’m not great with video games I guess, but I know how the play the games and I’m not really bad I guess. I’ve been playing Super Nintendo, Game Boy, N64, PS1, PS2, and PS3 for all my life. But I can imagine there would be hardships.
I am right in the middle of Red Dead
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I am really enjoying it. I normally don’t play these types of games, so I am getting used to seeking out the side missions and not missing too much.
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I play it with my buddy
We’re on mission 14 on the main story. This game is flippin’ awesome
by Julio Nievas on May 26, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Each commercial I see for it makes me want it just that much more
Video games are the only thing that commercials make me actually want the product more.
From what I've heard the side missions are so good they could be in the story mode
I love a lot of the aspects of the game I’ve read about so far, I think I’m getting this next week.
That's enough
to make you flee to Knoxville?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 26, 2010 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Nashville, actually.
:P
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Right
Funny mistake since I was on that campus (briefly) two years ago and know better. I liked Nashville in general, but I doubt I could live there. Hope you can escape during the summer when the humidity will be brutal. The spring and fall should be beautiful though. You mentioned perhaps being able to see Chattanooga play (and don’t forget their road games in Jackson are about equidistant), but remember Albuquerque plays in Nashville (and Memphis) during the season as well..
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Does this qualify as irony?
Ray stung by actual ray. Ouch.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
OT but
Is there only one True Blue LA night?
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
I think there should be another one in a month or so. I went on the TBLA night, but I wasn’t in the group.
and didn't come by to say hi
as many others did. Including ElCamino who bought us a beer and some good cheer.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
He didn’t even introduce you guys to his ex-girlfriend?
by Michael White on May 26, 2010 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I figure he didn't come by
because then we’d see for ourselves why it is an “ex – girlfriend”.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
He didn't have to
Ohhhhh!!!!
/quagmire
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 1:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Eric crosses the line
and we lose another member
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
My wife was with me so you were safe
she is my edit button.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I know that button
It’s in your side right? And she presses it with her elbow? Really hard?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Hahaha.
And I should have realized, it would be easy to spot you guys, or at least David. You would be wearing your white lab coat, right?
I'm a
software guy. I have a unfashionable beard, long hair in a ponytail, and wear blue jeans and sandals.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
If I had a beard
we’d look the same.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Sounds like an engineer student at my school
Except his ponytail is braided and looks exactly like Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars ep. 1
by Julio Nievas on May 26, 2010 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
<3 Ewan McGregor
He was the only part about that whole thing that was tolerable.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Yeah
this is the guy you have to watch out for, then again he was hip deep in family so I expect his sabre was also sheathed.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I would never embarrass him in front of everyone. Now if I was with just the two of them? Different story.
I'm only cutting in front of an audience
if it was only the two I wouldn’t bother.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
It was...complicated <.< >.>
Plus I don’t know what anyone looks like so unless there was a banner up saying “TBLA NIGHT”, it would have been harder to do :P
Because like I’m smart enough to figure out where you are by the seat number and section; Who am I, rocket scientist David Young?
by Ivdown on May 26, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Only after you are safely in Nashville
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’ve been working the back channels to setup a True Blue LA karaoke night at Sun Studios.
by Eric Stephen on May 26, 2010 1:05 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
:( :( :(
Why you gotta break balls?
But I’ll be back in town in late September… to see Muse twice. I have my priorities straight. :D
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
Heyward
His Isolated Discipline is .119
That has to be one of the best marks ever for a 20-year-old in MLB.
RIP Art Linkletter
And I would be surprised if anyone besides Phil and Dave Young know who I am talking about.
You say the darndest things.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 26, 2010 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
His is one of the first television shows I can remember watching
97 years young. RIP indeed.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I know the name and face
but never watched him.
Is Andy Griffith still alive?
If SNL can have Betty White then they should have Carol Burnett and Tim Conway. Harvey and Tim the best in the business for their era.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
A rarity for sure
Linkletter left his wife and two surviving daughters. They had been married since 1935.
Andy Griffith is still alive
From the leads of that show, Don Knotts and Frances Bavier (Aunt Bea) have passed away, Ron Howard and Griffith are still around.
Jim Nabors too—every time I travel the Jim Nabors Highway through Sylacauga, AL, I want to say “Shazam!” Or sing in a deep voice.
by Little Blue Bicycle on May 26, 2010 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Or as you go around a bend, shout out
Soo-prize, soo-prize, soo-prize!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I watched him when I was a kid—first time I heard of most of the LA suburbs was when he had a kid on from Azusa or some other place.
by Little Blue Bicycle on May 26, 2010 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
You're not old enough to remember Jack Benny's
Anaheim, Azusa, and Cucamonga? (Me, neither.) My dad, originally an east-coaster, told me he thought those were fake names until he moved out here.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
No, it was thanks to Art that I learned that Azusa has everything from A to Z in the USA.
by Little Blue Bicycle on May 26, 2010 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Cubs lineup
Fukudome RF
Theriot 2B
Lee 1B
Soriano LF
Colvin CF
Fontenot 3B
Castro SS
Hill C
Gorzelanny P
Everytime the CF comes up
I hope he closes his eyes and flies out (of his mind).
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
For some reason I don't think the
“Create your ZwinkY’ click through ad gets much action here.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Is Billy Butler a human being or is he secretly a computer program written by Rawlings’ front office and designed to hit a baseball?
Billy Butler is my UTIL/backup 1B, I love him
by robotmadeofnails on May 26, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Dodgers lineup
Furcal SS
Martin C
Kemp CF
Ramirez LF
Loney 1B
Blake 3B
Johnson RF
DeWitt 2B
Billingsley P
This lineup is not going to get shutout
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
We're essentially going to see a Reed/Xavier platoon until Ethier returns
Aren’t we?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
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