Cautionary tale as the abomination begins
by Phil Gurnee on Sep 1, 2010 5:44 PM PDT
in Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Report
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PrintAs the abomination of increased rosters takes place today, tread lightly when you start to get carried away with the players who show up all bright and sparkly. The new toys don't have warranties and break rather easily. What follows is a story that could be yours, so save yourself some aggravation and don't get "Sudsied" by the Sandman.
I've tried to grow up; I've tried to give up the prospects. I know that most will break my heart; the list is endless: Sudakis, Billy Grabarkewitz, Stinson, Von Joshua, Tom Paciorek, John Hale, Ivan De Jesus, Glenn Burke, Rudy Law, Mickey Hatcher, Candido Maldonado (one of my fav's), Gregg Brock, Franklin Stubbs, Karim Garcia, Mariano Duncan, Ralph Bryant, Jose Gonzalez, Mike Devereaux, Dave Anderson, Jeff Hamilton, Jose Offerman, Billy Ashley, Henry Rodriquez, Roger Cedeno, Wilton Guerrero, Angel Pena, Joel Guzman, and James Loney.
My spiral into despair started 42 years ago.
In the summer of 1968 I was nine years old: smart, funny, simply brilliant in all facets of a nine year old's life. Little girls wrote their love for me on the chalkboard, boys chose me to pick the teams, older woman asked me to be their Saturday Night skating dates. My aura shined so bright I could walk the Black Forest at night without any fear of the danger that lurked within its perimeter. It was said by those who know such things, that I was the most interesting nine year old in the world. I didn't always drink Kool-Aid but when I did, I drank cherry.
All of that changed on September 3rd, 1968. It was a dark day of discovery for this nine year old. I was already a baseball fan, reading everything I could get my hands on. However, in 1968, only baseball cards, the annual Baseball Register, and the weekly Sporting News were available. Living in Germany, one had to wait about two weeks after the games were played, for the Sporting News to deliver their box scores. But it was worth it, as every beautiful box score for every game of the prior weeks, were ready to be devoured.
I had begun my Dodger fandom just as the Dodgers ended their reign of mid -60's supremacy; 1967 having been a season of transition, and the transition was lost in translation. By 1968, things were getting worse, not better. Only Don Drysdale's heroic efforts made that 1968 season bearable. One of the better bar bets for the last 42 years was Len Gabrielson leading the 1968 team with 10 home runs. It actually was better then it sounds because in 1968, no one was hitting home runs. For two long years, I had only known misery, while all of my older brothers told me story after story about Koufax, Drysdale, Podres, Tommy Davis, Maury Wills, JIm Gilliam, Willie Davis, and Frank Howard.
One day, after wowing my new 5th grade classmates (I was young for my class) with my utter brilliance., winning the Spelling Bee, kicking the game winning home run, nailing Carl in Dodgeball, and unfreezing all my friends in tag, I went home - having had enough childhood whims - hoping that my Sporting News had arrived, so I could indulge in my newest hobby, finding out what misery the Dodgers had brought me this week.
During the year, the Dodgers added players from their minor leagues, players like: Bart Shirley, Jim Fairy, and Ted Savage. Shirley and Fairy were as bad as the baseball cards they adorned. The trio was terrible even for 1968 standards, so I just assumed the minor league system was as bereft of talent as the major league team, and paid it no mind.
This time however, something was different with the box scores. They were littered with runs. The Dodgers had won on September 3rd, 10 - 9. The Dodgers hadn't scored 10 runs all year, heck, they had only scored nine runs once! There it was, 10 - 9, and they had hit three home runs in the eighth inning. Willie Crawford had led off with a home run. Wes Parker had made an out. Then some player named Bill Sudakis hit his first major league home run, and Ken Boyer followed with his 2nd home run of the game. That would be Ken Boyers 282nd major league home run, and his last.
Bill Sudakis, who was that? I had no idea, and had no way to find out. Google didn't exist, and the only news I had about the team, was what I read in the Sporting News. Luckily a little weekly recap was written by a beat writer for each team, and they mentioned Sudakis. That was it, no Brandon detailing his status from the time he was signed as a free agent in 1964, to his time before hitting the Dodgers on September 3rd. The information was sparse, 22 year old switch hitter, who played 3rd base, with some power. However it did enlighten me about something I didn't know existed. Teams on September 1st were able to flaunt the normal roster and bring up as many new players as they saw fit. What an interesting wrinkle I said to myself. So this baseball game which revolves around rules, simply changes the rules for 30 games a year. Being young and naive, I figured every sport must do the same. Much to my surprise, only baseball changes its rules while the season is being played. At the time, I thought how cool was this, and for most of my life, September baseball became my favorite time of year. Everything is so new, shiny, and warts have yet to be discovered.
Back to Bill Sudakis. The key word to me was "some power". Some power! What was power? Baseball to me in 1968 had no power, especially the Dodgers. Big D was throwing 58 scoreless innings, Bob Gibson was going to put up a 1.12 ERA for the season. No one could hit the ball.
Except Bill Sudakis
Sept 4th - two hits including a triple, Dodgers win 3 - 0, could this guy also run?
Sept 6th - DoubleHeader (Remember those) - 1st game - No hits, my worst fears were starting to be realized, simply a fast starter. Dodgers still managed to win 6 - 4.
Sept 6th - Nightcap - three hits, two doubles, Dodgers win again 8 -6, the excitement was building again.
Sept 7th - Dodgers lose 4 - 2, winning streak over, but Sudakis manages two hits, including a double. I was a little irritated to see him batting 7th. What the hell was Alston thinking?
Sept 8th - Dodgers win 3 -2 to get back on the win track but Sudakis goes hitless.
Sept 9th - Dodgers win 10 - 1. They scored 10 runs for the 2nd time in the season, the 2nd time this week, and Bill Sudakis was the reason why. Sudsy hit a grand slam off Dodger Killer Larry Jaster.
Sept 10th - Dodgers win 3 - 0 behind Bill Singer. Sudakis is now hitting 3rd, he collects two hits.
The gloom of the 1968 season had been wiped clean by one week of Bill Sudakis heroics. For the rest of September, I would pounce upon the Sporting News to find out his latest exploits. Sudakis finished the season hitting in seven of his last eight games. I went into the winter firmly convinced that Bill Sudakis would be the great Dodger hitter for my generation and no longer would I have to listen to how great Tommy Davis would have been if he hadn't broken his leg.
1969 was different but it wasn't because of Bill Sudakis. Sudakis never again came close to having a month like he had in his debut. He was a regular third baseman in 1969, and garnered over 500 at bats. It would be the only time in his career that he would be a regular. His star had only shined for a brief moment, but others came to fill the void. Ted Sizemore would win ROY of the in 1969, and new names showed up by the half dozen. Garvey (20), Russell (20), Valentine (19), Grabarkewitz (23), Buckner (19), and Joshua (21) would all get some playing time in 1969. Many of them would not show up again for several years, but if you loved prospects, 1969 gave you a taste of the future.
From that point on, prospects became my focal point. It also became my undoing. I've spent my life daydreaming about the Dodgers, reading about the Dodgers, reading even more about the prospects, getting my hopes up, getting my hopes dashed. My brain crashed under the strain of false hopes. My aura dimmed, my brilliant brain unable to process all of my prospect information rebooted with nary a memory of of my prior brilliance, only Dodger prospects remained. Girls no longer wrote my name on the chalkboard, only the teacher for being late, or failing to turn in assignments. A productive life was no longer in the cards. I had been "Sudsied".
Don't let it happen to you.
Postmortem:
When I look back, I had a right to be excited. Bill Sudakis put up an OPS+ of 165 in 102 plate appearances. By the summer of '69, I had moved back to the States, and was able to watch baseball for the very first time. On TGOTW of May 25th, I saw the Dodgers play on TV for the first time in my life. Bill Sudakis hit a home run and Don Sutton threw a shutout.
It seemed only fitting
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Dejesus has already broken your heart huh?
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
His Dad was supposed to replace Bill Russel.
We traded him for the infamous Rick Monday.
The Cubs then traded him for a nothing prospect named Ryan Sandberg as a throw in the Larry Bowa deal.
That is a great story Phil.
I too had love for Candy Maldonado. I thought Mike Deveraeaux was going to be the next big thing in LA.
I never had girls write my name on chalkboards though. It was good to know you might’ve been a kickball prospect if a
League had ever formed.
:)
I don’t see Andy LaRoche anywhere. That certainly has to be one of my biggest disappointments. I remember obsessively watching following him on milb.com. I just loved seeing a guy combine awesome plate discipline with raw power. It’s a shame that hasn’t translated in the majors.
is that what kept him out in 08
or was it his wrist? I can’t remember.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions
The broken wrist in spring training is what
caused him to lose the job to DeWitt but then his back flared up again and seems to have been a problem for him ever since.
Broken wrists in spring training have had huge cause and effects on the Dodger fortunes:
Werth 2005 – No broken wrist maybe he’s still here kicking ass.
LaRoche / Nomar 2008 indirectly lead to Santana getting dealt for Blake
I'll add him, he should certainly be on the list
in fact as members come up with names not on the list I’ll give them their own spot.
I was wondering if
Darren Dreifort belonged on the list. While he had minimal success at the ML level, expectations and that contract led me
to believe that he was going to be an All Star year in and year out.
i feel bad for him
I hear he’s still dealing with injuries.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
But Manny's worse
right Media?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions
quite a clothesline
from Gaby Sanchez
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Unbelievable. Nyjer Morgan is out of control.
Bases clearing brawl.
Dude is seriously nuts. did you see him as he was walking off of the field? The Nats need to do something because he cant be playing anymore.
Nyjer Morgan stole 2nd and 3rd down by 11 runs earlier in the game. Not to mention took out the Marlins catcher at home plate yesterday.
Volstad threw behind him. Morgan charged the mound and threw a punch.
Gaby Sanchez came out of nowhere and decked the shit out of Morgan.
would have like to have seen him
try that shit with Josh Johnson.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Volstad is a pretty big dude, too. I really think there i something wrong Nyjer, because this pattern of behavior is just really strange.
He needs a brain scan
Because you never know
by The Dude Abides on Sep 1, 2010 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions
68 Dodgers
Phil nice post, definitely my era. I started following the Dodgers in 67. Sad thing about then and now, I always felt that the Dodgers were trying, they just couldn’t find the formula. There always seemed to be legitimate prospects at Triple A.
Not sure now and we now have the confirmation of what we already knew, McCourt in his plan to buy the Dodgers admitted to MLB that he would cut the payroll significantly. Hence why Bud gave him the Dodgers.
From 69 - 74 it was a good time to be a fan of the prospects.
From 69 – 83 quite a run of contending teams.
So. He throws hard. Big deal.
Does he have the mental makeup of Rob Dibble. That is the real question. I mean Dibble pitches through pain. He won’t
let a little pressure in his arm stop him from airing it out.
:)
by keithc13 on Sep 1, 2010 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well X-Man won't be getting called up
He’s out for the year with a neck injury. I wonder if that makes it more likely for Trayvon to get called up.
oh shit
that sucks, poor X
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Did Joe say we weren’t calling up any SP? I thought I read that somewhere today. I wonder if he thinks we need OF help?
I think we do. But I don’t make decisions that matter with the Dodgers.
:)
Wow
That might result in him getting DFA’d next spring
by Michael White on Sep 1, 2010 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's the Morgan Brawl, courtesy of JA Adande
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKFpkAtfx0o&feature=youtu.be
Wow! Sanchez totally clotheslined him!
Thanks Julio
If the baseball thing doesn’t work out, Gaby Sanchez could put together a nice professional wrestling career.
Seriously Nyjer had it coming
and then for him to charge the mound after being thrown it, what a moron
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I'm not making excuses for him
but he’d already been hit once in the game. You throw it behind a crazy mofo, after you already hit him, you’ve got to expect
him to react like a crazy mofo.
Again, he is an idiot and deserves everything that is about to happen to him.
too bad
Volstad didn’t do a Nolan Ryan.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
He tried to get a couple of licks in while they were on the ground. It must’ve been hard to hit his head with it detached from his body after the clothesline from Sanchez.
lol
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions
anyone here think
Adam Dunn is a possibility for LF next season?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
was just talking to my Dad about what Kensai said about Kemp's swing
my Dad’s words
“You can never do that. So few players can get away with that.”
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
tikes
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions
5 of the teams in the playoffs
are averaging less than 62% capacity in attendance (other 3, Yankees, Phillies and Twins).
There should be plenty of tickets available for the first round of the playoffs.
Especially the Braves. I’d be surprised if the Reds don’t sell out.
Braves and Rays putting less than 20,000 in the seats is so sad. I believe the Rays sold out their playoff games in 2008. They had to open up sections to sell more seats.
The Braves attendance issues shock me. I know nothing about the city of Atlanta, but they have a great recent baseball history, a nice stadium, and a fantastically run organization, but every time i see that stadium it is like 1/3 full at best. The Rays make more sense to me because the Trop is a shithole, but with that team they should be averaging a ton more fans.
The Rays have some weak ass fans. They have been pretty good for 3 years now. I am with you that their stadium is shit.
But less than 12,000 at a game for a team tied for the best record in baseball at the time is stupid.
Agreed. They get really good tv ratings in that area, but I guess the stadium is so far out of the way (and a piece of garbage) for most people that they just sit home and watch it on tv. It really is sad to watch highlights of these games with first place teams and see totally empty bleachers and foul lines and nobody sitting in the top 2 decks of the stadium.
I wouldnt want to sit in that shit hole for 4 plus hours.
I thought that a majority of that fan base was old timers?
I hope I can get some Manny dreads still
What is the difference in terms of % capacity compared to the past two seasons?
Wonder if there is a trend related to the overall economy?
If so, might this impact the value of free agent contracts being awarded this off season?
by 68elcamino427 on Sep 1, 2010 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
No one in florida cares about baseball
yet we insist on giving them 2 teams.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
probably not true
but it feels that way
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
looks pretty true
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions
They do have two of the crappiest parks in the majors.
So there’s that.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
indeed, especially the Marlins park
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 2, 2010 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions
My parents were in Tampa for a while. I’d visit sometimes and go to a game with them. It would take us over an hour each way and once there it was like watching a game in a convention center. Having done that a couple times, I fully believe I’d be one of the TV watching fans. Even if it was free, it wouldn’t be worth the effort. Whatever city planner decided that stadium in that location was a good idea should be shot.
I did get to see Wade Boggs 3000th hit there though so glad I made it for that.
by CarolinaDodger on Sep 2, 2010 5:40 AM PDT up reply actions
the weather gets real nasty in Atlanta
with all the heat and humidity. I’m sure that has a lot to do with the low attendance.
Adam Morrison has more rings than Lebron, Bosh, and Wade combined?
1-0 Rockies
Carlos Gonzalez HR off Lincecum. Opposite field to left center.
He’s a beast.
30
he has 30. mother fucker
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Posada
just pulled a Manny. Kicked out of a game for arguing the pitch. HOW ABOUT THAT BUSTER OLNEY?!!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
Jorge Posada is a seasoned veteran who knows how to win. He’s won World Series. What has Manny Ramirez ever won?
Besides some World Series.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 1, 2010 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bob, I don’t know you like the other posters on here do.
I am going to guess you aren’t a huge Yankees fan?
:)
I actually don’t mind the Yankees per se. I dislike the YES Network and their Yankeehagiography series.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 1, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
He missed the base
realized it and went back. That’s a physical mistake, not a mental one. We’ve all done it.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Dodgertalk callers kept on slamming him for it.
Then declared that Larry Bowa is right for being a dick.
Do I appear to be a person that give a horse's patootie
what Dodger Talk callers think?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Kyle Russell is 3-3 with 2 homeruns tonight, woot!
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Fantasy 2011 Dodger lineup - Ultra Cheap version:
SS – Furcal
CF – Kemp
RF – Ethier
1b – Sands
LF – Russell
2b – DeJesus
C – Martin
3b – Blake
Starting Rotation:
Kershaw, Billingsley, Rubby De La Rosa, Jorge De La Rosa, Jon Ely
On 2nd thought, I’d swap out Kyle Russell for Trayvon Robinson…moving Kemp to RF, Ethier LF.
Furcal
Robinson (.408 OBP at AA)
Ethier
Sands
Kemp
DeJesus
Martin
Blake
I dont want to see Pods, Theriot, Blake next year. But I think Blake will have to play 3b.
martin would also be too expensive...
barajas and ellis as back up is a cheaper beter choice
he is having to come back from a serious injury
his price may have dropped.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
What to do about Martin this offseason is very, very tricky
1. If there’s anything we learned, it’s that 350 OBP catchers don’t grow on trees
2. That said, Martin was bad and he’s about to be expensive
3. The injury won’t help anything
Tricky.
The Omar Moreno of this blog
I think he comes back next year.
My theory is that I have no theory. I am only guessing.
That is why I don’t know jack shit.
i think he's back next year
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Can I give my insane, 0% chance, divorced-from-reality prediction?
I think he’s non-tendered AND back next year. Team is very clear that they want him back, just at a lower price, as he’s non-tendered. Free Agent Martin is eager to come back on a one-year deal to LA and show what he can do, and the deal gets done quickly.
The Omar Moreno of this blog
I don't know much about swing mechanics
but Martin used to be a line-drive machine. Not the case lately. Not sure why…According to Fangraphs his BABIP is down from his prime years, but his ld%, fb% and gb% are all very close. His HR/FB% is way down.
Not that I disagree with you but where have you seen that it is clear the Dodgers want him back at a lower price?
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 2, 2010 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions
I do really like the idea of getting a new CF next season instead of a LF. Either in left and Kemp in right could be a very good defense with the correct CF. Do you think Trayvon is good enough?
by CarolinaDodger on Sep 2, 2010 5:44 AM PDT up reply actions
woot indeed
wants teh powahhhhhhhhhh
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
yeahhh
keep it up Kyle, show them you ain’t a bust!!!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
what's his TSL
since the AS break?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
still
IMPROVEMENT!!!!!!!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't care how much he Ks if he puts up that line
I have teh faith!
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Same here, I love his power potential. After today his AA OPS may just be over .800.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
MiLB hasn't updated his season stats yet
But todays game has his BA up to .258. Given how horrid he was the first couple months, thats one helluva turnaround.
Magill had a great night as well
6 Innings 3 hits 2 runs 1 walk 6 ks 1 HR
Very nice.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
happy birthday!!!!!!!!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions
where has he been the last few days...
hasnt played in a while
who is everyone rooting for to win the AL?
I lean toward the Rangers, but I’ll take anyone but the Yankees.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
see
same for me sorta. Rangers have never been there, but man, they got a good team. Man I would like a Josh Hamilton. Guy is a monster.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Players who have played the most games w/o making it to the playoffs is interesting.
Randy Winn 1,686
Michael Young 1,477
Aubrey Huff 1,444
Mike Sweeney 1,442
Adam Dunn 1,415
Vernon Wells 1,358
There are a couple of guys that are gonna get to take their name off this list in October.
the list of losers
if they were real winners, they’ed be there
Joe Morgan
by 68elcamino427 on Sep 1, 2010 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
The Rays
and the Twins.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 1, 2010 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
boom headshot
agree completely
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Raffy
2 for 3 with a 2B and 3B, 2 runs…
A good sign I guess…
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
i likes
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I am behind on soccer this week. I just got finished last night watching the EPL action from this week and only watched the
first half of the Real Madrid and Mallorca match. I should have a couple of Serie A games recorded when I get home tonight.
I am going too slow this week.
With the EPL off this week, hopefully FSC will play some French League action. Hoping for PSG. Who do they play this week?
No French Matches this week end...
this is the start of qualifying for Euro 2012. On Friday, France will face Belarus then next Wenesday they will face Bosnia…
Next French Ligue 1 Match on FSC will be Olympique de Marseille vs AS Monaco (09/12/2010)
I saw Real vs Mallorca, it was not good for Mourinho because his men struggled to find Higuain… Ronaldo was the best player again… Lassana Diarra too…
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
Good point
I forgot about Euro 2012. I need to see more of PSG if they are going to my team in France!
I am only halfway thru RM and Mallorca. It is a little slow so far. I was going to post earlier that I was shocked how
little Higuain had touched the ball.
Looks like the only international action available on FSC this weekend is the Bulgaria at England Euro qualifier.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 1, 2010 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks Bob
I looked on Monday I think and all they had listed was “Soccer”.
That just means more college football for me this weekend.
This means it’s a weekend when Everton won’t lose.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 1, 2010 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Forget Mark Cuban, let’s get a Russian oil tycoon to buy the Dodgers.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 1, 2010 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions
opulence
he has it
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions
About PSG
I was really upset about PSG lately… They are on 3 game-losing streak, they allowed 9 goals, thanks to a weak defense and a weak goalkeeper…
Kombouare appears increasingly isolated in the team because his message is getting less and less from his players …
He is tactically very limited and choices are very questionable … He even played with the goalkeeper because he blamed his recent performances, including those against Bordeaux Sochaux …
On the side of transfers, it did not obtain the central defender as desired for Colony Capital, a shareholder of the club has more money to give to PSG … They tried to turn Bisevac (Valenciennes), Diakhate (Dinamo KVIV) and Basa (Lokomotiv Moscow), but all these approaches have been aborted for various reasons:
- Bisevac: the president’s refusal to cede Valenciennes form of loan for lack of liquidity.
- Diakhate Lyon has doubled in the last minute so that the PSG was in the process of enlist in the form of the loan, but more pronounced interest in Lyon made the difference.
- Basa: A few hours of the end of the transfer market on Tuesday, Basa had agreed to join the PSG but the Lokomotiv Moscow at the last moment refused to lend for sporting reasons …
Therefore, the last recruit notable is Here, Ivorian international, left rear of Valenciennes for a ridiculous price (€ 500,000), it was expected since three months but the case has dragged sideways for financial reasons …
The defense remains the big question of the GMP, it lacks a boss in central defense because Sakho is still too tender to undertake this responsibility …
The position of goalkeeper is also a black spot for Coupet and Edel is currently no standard for settling in Paris aims … Maybe that tenure of the young and talented Areola (17) can be called into question …
The month of September will be decisive for Kombouare as the timing seems very affordable in the league (Arles, Avignon, Rennes, Lens), cons by the Europa League will surely count in organizations and the opponents are very high (FC Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund) …
If PSG negotiate well this September, then Kombouare may breathe in, otherwise it will be more threatened than ever …
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
Is this your way of making me look for another team? :)
I have a question for you about Anelka. I am wondering what a Frenchman thinks about him. He seems to be
hated by the French. Or I should say, he seems hated by the office governing French Soccer. He is always in
trouble and is suspended for a crazy amount of games. I am sure he will never play another game for France.
I find it odd that he is a model citizen at Chelsea. He plays multiple positions, never complains when he
doesn’t start. The players love him. That is odd to me. I want to know what you think.
You know PSG it's very special team...
On Anelka, I am very torn, because it is both a talented player and arrogant at times …
In addition, he had a difficult relationship with the France team for various reasons, including because some breeders have taken as a reservist, he was never agreed …
In 2003, he released this statement: “Let him fall on his knees for me back in the Blues,” a phrase to enccontre Jacques Santini, the coach of the team who had to replace an injured player …
At the 2010 World Cup, Anelka comes a new shock sentence: “Fuck, dirty son of a bitch”, against Raymond Domenech at halftime of France / Mexico …
The sentence marked the end of the tumultuous history between him and the Blues …
I feel qu’Anelka has messed his career in France team for reasons of ego, he believed himself superior to many players of the time but its too aggressive and arrogant behavior has played tricks …
I wish to make another career qu’Anelka in Blue, because he has the talent to do so but failed to mature at times, especially in the early 2000s where he connected the club (Real Madrid, PSG, Bolton , Fenerbahce, Liverpool, Manchester City) …
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
Too little too late
And we get another one to two years of wondering if his back and/or the rest of this body will hold up over the season.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOO
lets go white sox… i wanna see manny in the playoffs along with hawk!
If only I could go back in time
and see some of the stuff I’m sure Hawk musta said about Manny B. Manny.
The Omar Moreno of this blog
heh
I’d like to see the Twins win on the last day of the season.
With Manny the last AB for the Sox in a critical situation.
by 68elcamino427 on Sep 1, 2010 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
UNC may be without 16 players
this week vs LSU due to suspensions.
Butch Davis must have the shitty face right now. :(
BTW - The Dodgers are now SIXTH in the wild card race
Florida’s win today, featuring the TKO of Nyjer Morgan, got the Marlins to 67 – 65. Their winning pct. is .508 compared to the Dodgers .507. With all the teams ahead of LA having more games remaining – more opportunities to gain a win – the Dodgers are in even worse shape than the standings indicate. (SF/Col result from today not included.)
Team W L GB Games Remaining Philadelphia Phillies 75 58 -- 29 San Francisco Giants 73 60 2.0 29 Colorado Rockies 69 62 5.0 31 St. Louis Cardinals 69 62 5.0 31 Florida Marlins 67 65 7.5 30 Los Angeles Dodgers 68 66 7.5 28
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Mathematically, the Dodgers should be able to hang on to a chance for another three weeks. If they really tank, it could be two weeks.
I’m tabbing September 26 as Elimination Day.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 1, 2010 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Man, I was in the wrong thread for a while, and missed like 50+ comments. Haha. Anyway, Tony Jackson thinks Justin Sellers will be the INF called up Friday, assuming he’s healthy.
interesting
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Forgot the link
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/columns/story?id=5521644
The infielder the Dodgers plan to recall from Triple-A Albuquerque along with catcher A.J. Ellis on Friday might be Justin Sellers, although that would be contingent on Sellers’ being OK after a slight leg injury he suffered Tuesday night against Iowa.
Sellers was drafted in 2005, so I believe he would need to be placed on the 40 man this November if the Dodgers don’t want to risk losing him. Might be a Russell Mitchell “see what we got” situation.
Sellers isnt on the 40 man roster.
Does that matter?
Also, I see he played in the A’s orgaization..until 2009.
How did the Dodgers get him?
He was acquired via minor league trade with the Cubs on April 2, 2009. That’s all I got.
Dodgers are currently at 39 on the 40-man, and also have the option of transferring Martin to the 60-DL to make room for another spot, if needed.
With guys as marginal as Sellars
I sometimes wonder if the PTBNL or “future considerations” is just a polite way of saying “we’re giving you away son”. Although it would seem like something would have to exchanged to not run afoul of labor rules, e.g., you have to trade him for something, otherwise you have to release him and he gets to be an FA and negotiate with anyone.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
in the case of Krebs, it was supposed to be Krebs plus a PTBNL, but the other player ended up being $1.
Which came first? Maybe Sellers’ PTBNL also became $1 and that same dollar went from Pittsburgh to LA to Chicago!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I hope they marked that dollar
with that dollar bill tracking website!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I'm guessing it was cash
because the Dodger media guide lists specific transaction details, for instance it has Eric Krebs as being acquired for Pee Wee, but for Sellers it just says, “Acquired in trade with Chicago (NL) on April 2, 2009”
Sellers, hmm.
Colletti couldn’t re-acquire his buddy Nick Green for peanuts? Or did SD demand a “within the division” premium? ;-)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Sellers has some nice stats at AAA...
He’s 24yrs old.
.293/.379/.515
14 hrs in 270 ABs.
He’s always had pretty good patience in the minors, but had no HR pop (until this year)
2005- 0HRs in 175 ABs
2006 – 5HRs in 411 ABs
2007- 4HRS in 475 ABs
2008 – 6HRs in 439 ABS
2009 – 2HRS in 393ABS
He’s really looked like at best case another Jamey Carroll. But maybe his power spike this year is legit..who knows.
Sellers
will play three different roles for the Dodgers.
He’ll be at bat and draw a bases loaded, walk-off bases on balls. He will then end the game by shouting to Torre, “Mein Fuehrer! I can walk!”
The Omar Moreno of this blog
by Humma Kavula on Sep 1, 2010 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd and LOL
I was trying to work up a reference but gave up. You are the man, even if you are sleep-deprived.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
He was in Lolita, too. Hmm, where is Humberto Quintero these days?
Also this: I would love it if the Dodgers gave him a uniform with “Bat Guano” written across the back. Yeah, yeah, I know that was Keenan Wynn who played Bat Guano.
The Omar Moreno of this blog
I seem to recall stories about Keenan Wynn being one hell of a drinker
“Bat Guano” – one of the great character names.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
What if Sellers gets to bat against
Merkin (Valdez)?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 1, 2010 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
He will be introduced to several Dodger "Legends"
and repeat one name as hhROO-dee Luh.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
He will sit on the bench a lot and say
“I like to watch.”
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
It was funny, I was in that thread for a while, or had it open, then I clicked over to the fan posts for a bit, then I saw 52 new comments. Whoa! I figured my browser just didn’t load them or something, but it turns out I was in the wrong thread. :)
not for much longer
bankruptcy
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 1, 2010 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions
You were bagging on us about writing checks
but you drive to a fucking brick and mortar store to watch movies??? Even I at least have Netflix mail the DVDs to me, although I haven’t gone the streaming route yet.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
It’s such an infrequent effort that I often don’t think about a movie until the moment I want to watch one.
I don’t subscribe to Netflix because when I did, I found I would go several weeks without watching anything.
Blogging takes time!
The wife loves movies
I like them. We make time for them. Sometimes that is in spurts, however.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
When we had Netflix
I was always pissed bc I would get the list set and then movies come in the mail.
I open them and its something she put on there. She would just change them bc she knew I would
act like a child about it. So I cancelled it.
The wife manages the list
Sometimes when she’s on the computer I mention a movie to add. We get a good balance because she is considerate about my taste, e.g., no three-in-a-row chick flicks.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Your wife cares about you is what I’m getting from this…..
My wife would literally LOL at me when I’d come back from the mailbox. She thought it was
hysterical.
I go out to the mailbox
thinking one of the Bourne trilogy is coming and I open it up and it’s
The Devil wears Prada.
Real freakin funny.
I don't track the queue
I never know what’s coming next. It’s like Christmas every few days!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Streaming solves that problem
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I liked Blockbuster over Netflix because of the added feature that if you dropped off your movie at a store, you could rent a movie there for free, and they would mail it back for you.
Greencine was awesome too BTW :)
In the offseason, I might rejoin one of them, especially for The Wire.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 1, 2010 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd!
;-)
Btw I just sent Kick-Ass back if anyone is on GC and wants it ;-)
I am watching FNL Season 4 via iTunes though and am pissed because they just took the last few eps off of cable on demand so I can’t watch em for free. Need to get the DVDs now, or pay for the rest online sigh.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
but you have to pay for that level of membership now no?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Just flipped it over to the Angels/Mariners game
That Brandon Wood is striping the ball right now!
.165/.190/.220/.410 195 plate appearances
.293/.353/.557/.910 428 plate appearances last year in AAA
I reply about PSG above...
It will be interesting for you
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
More on Nyjer Morgan
from Jim Riggleman, who is quickly becoming the most candid manager this side of Ozzie F. Guillen, as told by Mark Zuckerman:
Riggleman was OK with Nyjer’s two steals after HBP: “The Florida Marlins will not decide when we run. We will decide when we run.”
More Riggs: “There will be no free shots, I can guarantee you that. Nobody’s going to throw at our guys without somebody getting thrown at.”
MLB Offices
are going to be all over Riggleman’s behind like Paris Hilton on a coke mirror (allegedly).
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 1, 2010 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
WARNING!
That is Plaschke on video. I didn’t watch, but I assumed smug arrogance in the delivery.
BTW, Josh Fisher of dodgerdivorce.com was on ESPN 710 radio yesterday (or was it Monday?) afternoon and sounded pretty darn good.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Probably both days
Fisher was also on Outside the Lines today; did very well. He was on a 4-man panel with Buster, Rosenthal, and Jon Weinbach.
Good to hear
He seems like a together dude. Nice to know not all the talking heads are the usual suspects. Going to Plaschke is lazy. At least go to Shaikin who has been researching this stuff, if you need an LA-based writer. And they have Molly Knight there as writer; she can comment on-screen.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
the link wasn't posted as an endorsement of Plaschke.
been reading/following tweets from Fisher and Knight for McCourt updates
Do male looks matter on sports TV?
How long has Gammons been on television? In fact, why restrict to sports – Larry King?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
And sports televisions target demographic is?
Men, 18-45, I imagine.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Therefore
the male sports reporter’s looks don’t matter. Although Gammon’s teeth have made me turn my head away from the screen on more than one occasion.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I'm trying to figure out how the Dodgers could ever have a sub $80 million payroll.
Especially after McCourt fired DePodesta, and hired Ned Colletti. Colletti’s MO has always been to fill holes with high priced free agents.
I meant, as established with his career with the Dodgers.
Although, you could argue his time with San Francisco colored him to look at veteran free agents first.
So, does Ng and/or White get painted with the same brush as Colletti for their time here, or is the AGM responsible for moves only when it’s convenient to make a point?
Sure. We're all made up by our experiences.
I think you’re reading way too much into my comment here, or you’re trying to be argumentative.
yes
I’m getting fired up just reading the LA times article about the McCourt’s pre-plan to put us into debt. I can’t believe that kind of leveraging went unnoticed for so long. When Citibank says no, there are problems…
The article says even if they sell the team, there’s so much debt, they’ll probably only walk away with 10 cents on the dollar or so.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodger-finances-20100902,0,7260669.story?page=1
Bud did not want to answer the Times questions
Hope some other owner who was with MLB at the time, but now not with them will answer the question, why was such a highly leveraged individual allowed to own a baseball team, going against basic MLB policy?
Sadly best thing for Dodger fans who want to see new ownership is for the trial to be long and drawn out with many details. Next few years are going to be tough, especially after next year when the Dodgers will have no real money to pay for their best players or get new ones.
Quite the clothesline shot Gaby Sanchez put on Nyjer Morgan
In case you haven’t seen it already:
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Somewhere
Jack Tatum and George Atkinson are applauding that shot.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Rob Dibble just lost his job
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I give Nyjer credit for going after the big boy.
If a guy throws behind you, you gotta do something. He’d have been better off taking his bat out with him to the mound though.
I agree
If there’s ever a scenario to charge, that is it. I don’t particularly have a problem with Riggleman’s post-game comments either.
Impressed that Morgan landed a punch too. Those punches are almost always missed.
by Michael White on Sep 2, 2010 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions
There is some justice in the world: Dibble axed
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5521129
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Callups yet unknown
per Christopher Jackson of the ABQ Examiner in his game recap:
Wallach said he had not been informed of any call-ups as of Wednesday night.
damn
manny presence already helping the sox..
2 game wnning homers with mannny on deck…
Sounds like a death knell for his career to me.
When the Raiders want you… its ovah.
I think the Raiders already hired someone
To iron Tom Cable’s clothes
"What's your name?" "Fuck you, that's my name"
by angelofdeath on Sep 1, 2010 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Commissioner Gordon
Please make the McCourts sell the team to Eli Broad and donate ALL the money to build baseball fields for kids.
I’m not sure what “laws” and all you can use to do that, but that’s not something I’m really good at, you are the expert sir.
Make it happen.
As Always,
The Bat Signal
Not sold that Eli Broad makes for a good baseball team owner
He has a lot of money, but he is primarily interested in finding ways of making even more money.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Then you’ll be disappointed in every owner.
by Michael White on Sep 2, 2010 7:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
Those Art Museums Are Money Factories.
Get some Kindergärtners to glue some light bulbs together, display them, then the money comes rolling on in . . . Fuck Yeah!
She's a 2006 graduate of
USC Annenberg School for Communication.
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
ATVN truly functions as a real news station, so making the transition from school to the "real world" was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Additionally, I was given the opportunity to do weather for the newscast. It was there I found my niche. I immediately pursued weather upon graduation.
She is a native Northern Californian, she is of Russian heritage, learned English by watching the Weather Channel.
If you were trying to sell it
Should you not have gotten a picture with a dopey expression and a camel toe?
Mike Devereaux! I do remember him and thinking he would be a great CFer.
Didn’t he go on to be decent for the Orioles? Maybe not an All Star but pretty decent.
Looking it up now, yeah, mostly for the Orioles. He wasn’t a Billy Ashley. But not long as a Dodger.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Hu’s hands are so tiny
sometimes it looks like he has a difficult time grasping the ball
jus say’in
by 68elcamino427 on Sep 1, 2010 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I looked up Ivan De Jesus on MILB.com
Team he’s registered for are the “Pheonix Desert Dogs”
Sounds like they’re already ready for the AFL
by Julio Nievas on Sep 2, 2010 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Your historical prospect list is all position players
What about pitchers? Didn’t we have high hopes for the likes of Sandy Vance, Eddie Solomon, Dennis Lewallyn, et al.? Sid Fernandez, one that got away? Not to mention the long string of first-round pitcher busts: Dan Opperman, Bill Bene, Kiki Jones, etc.
Would Ross Jones, Jeff Leonard and Chris Gwynn count for position players?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
1. Sid Fernandez was not a bust but one of worse trades in Dodger history
2. The number one picks who blew their arms out never got above A ball
3. The hitters list are players who actually made the Dodgers, and who I thought might be useful major league baseball players. Most of the Dodger pitchers who I’ve liked have gone on to have solid careers. Elbert is a clear exception but his future is still being written.
4. I might go back and take a look, but the list will be much smaller. John Purdin, Joe Moeller, and so on. Given the lack of comment on the hitter list I’ll probably pass on that project.
Your hitter list
is pretty damn complete. I had to work my memory pretty hard just to come up with Jones, Leonard, and Gwynn.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
My fandom started during the 1968 season
I remember the Sudakis “mania” also. He was a switch-hitter and the Dodgers tried to make a catcher out of him after his full season at 3B in ’69 to make room for Grabby at third. Dodger brass must have hated Suds at C because they trade Alan Foster and Ray Lamb to get Duke Sims, while they still had an effective Tom Haller there, as well as Joe Ferguson and Bob Stinson knocking at the door.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Claude Westmoreland
"There’s no reason I can give you that makes sense. A lot of what I do is a feel thing."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Sep 2, 2010 6:10 AM PDT reply actions
Awesome
From b-r bullpen:
In 1977 he set a Pacific Coast League record for consecutive games with hitting at least one home run, when he homered nine times in a span of seven games from June 27 to July 3, 1977 for the Albuquerque Dukes. 31 years later, his record was tied by another Albuquerque player, Dallas McPherson.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Oh man bustcity
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Where did everyone go? You guys are keeping me entertained in the city college class I am in
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 2, 2010 7:37 AM PDT reply actions
Great read!
Very depressing at times, but made me think of when I started following the Dodgers. My first memories were in 1988 when I was 7. I have been let down ever since. This season is the only year I truly don’t believe, “Next Year” because of the McCourt situation.
"If your Mr. October, I'm Mr. Spring, Summer and Winter!" - Tommy Lasorda to Reggie Jackson
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