The Stench Of Betrayal Is At The Heart Of My Discontent
by Phil Gurnee on Sep 13, 2010 10:12 PM PDT
in TCWCITTBW
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Where did it all start?
Was it counting on a 38 year old left fielder to be the center of the offense?
Was it counting on the same production from a 37 year old 3rd baseman?
Was it counting on a career minor league knuckleballer whose work the previous summer had offered some hope?
Was it sending a perfectly serviceable back end starter to Japan instead of finding a spot for him on the roster?
Was it being too enamored with a Rule V pitcher with no apparent upside, thus taking a roster spot from the home grown talent that was sent to AAA to percolate and ferment to their hearts content as they watched their spot being taken by some outsider who had done nothing to deserve it?
Was it wasting innings on the Ortiz Twins?
Was it wasting at bats on an old left handed outfielder whose skills were so long gone only two people in Los Angeles felt he belonged on the team?
Was it the stubbornness that persisted in giving pointless at bats against left hand pitching to those starters who can't hit left handed pitching?
Was it the GM chiding the Gold Glove/Silver Slugger center fielder about his contract, and defensive indifference while he was in the midst of knocking the crap out of the ball?
Was it the childish behavior of the check writers whose off the field antics were the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to this proud franchise?
In the end it was all of those things but the one that hurt the most was the one very few saw coming, counting too much on the offensive core to actually perform when the crutch in LF was unable to play. My optimism has been shattered, I no longer feel I can trust these players with my hope. These are players that I begged for management to play. Betrayal is how I feel. It is not the players fault I expected so much, it is my own. That is even harder to deal with.
I like to think I know something, what I know, is that I know nothing.
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It all sucks, Phil. I feel your pain this year.
The Spirit of MeatTrain'10!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Sep 13, 2010 10:50 PM PDT reply actions
I agree
We counted on our young offensive core to progress, they went the other way…
"I still love my ex-wife, but only when we're not talking"
It's just amazing to think about all the shitty players this team has sported this year
No wonder this team is sitting in 4th place just toiling away right now.
Ortiz I
Ortiz II
GA
Haegar
Monk
Pods
Ellis (though there wasn’t much choice)
None of these players should have ever even been considered an option for this team…at all…Yet because of the lack of being able to spend by the McCourts we were stuck watching this trash for a good portion of the season (ok, I’m being hard on Pods, but come on). Of course it didn’t help that we did have this offense centered around that 38 year old LF who seems to be made of glass now.
I wonder what could have been done different this offseason to have changed the fortune of this pathetic team.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Somehow, Anderson seemed worse, simply because everyone but Torre could see that he was done.
"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 14, 2010 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions
No doubt about that
GA was historically bad. But if you make a list of 7 guys, you might as well make it a list of 9 guys.
That being said, #10 should be something along the lines of “Not giving your bests etup man from a year ago the best opportunity to succeed. George Sherril was wasted on right-handed hitters”.
I dunno
I feel your pain as well, but there is another angle to look at this. The core looked extremely bad for a couple of months, but they also had their moments early on. The fact that they slumped at the exact same time amplified the failure considerably, but I’d like to give them one more shot, hopefully with some considerable changes at the coaching level. I mean, with the budget we have to work with and the next batch of prospects still not ready yet (assuming they ever will be), is there really a better alternative now? And don’t think for a moment that any of these guys will get sent out of town in the hopes for a better tomorrow- I almost wouldn’t put it past Ned to trade Kemp for Torii Hunter, adding some soundbite on how he’ll give the rest of the crew “clubhouse leadership”. (Along with throngs of cheering journalists, marveling at how Ned actually got rid of the lazy kid AND managed to get the Angels to pay for a chunk of Torii’s remaining contract.)
At the very least, let’s see if these guys can give them a reason to cheer them on for the next three days. If this opportunity in an otherwise lost season doesn’t give them (and us) a reason to get amped up again, I don’t know what will.
Dark, Phil,
dark. And yet so right on. It really is tough to watch this team flounder.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
tragically accurate
There was even more that could be dredged up by the author but the worst part is trying to look forward with any optimism. That the future is even bleaker than today is the really hard part of all this – that there is no silver lining in the gloomy clouds.
Payroll will shrink, player quality will also diminish and the 2011 team will look more like a quad A team than MLB.
Beyond shameful for this market.
by kimo from kauai on Sep 14, 2010 12:45 AM PDT reply actions
That is a bit pessimistic. I don’t think it is unreasonable to hope that Kemp and Either bounce back next year and form a solid, if not spectacular, offensive core. Combine that with a good top of the rotation, a strong back end of the bullpen (Kuo, Jansen, Brox) and I don’t think it is impossible that we compete next year. While I wouldn’t predict a playoff team right now, I would give higher chances to that than us performing like a quad A team.
by CarolinaDodger on Sep 14, 2010 5:43 AM PDT up reply actions
This was a compelling piece
I really like how you wrote this.
Re this part: “Betrayal is how I feel. It is not the players fault I expected so much, it is my own. That is even harder to deal with.”
It’s the only part I question. I don’t question you not being sure you can trust again, in the sense that we can never be sure about anything. But betrayal to me implies that someone meant to do you wrong. And blaming yourself for having high expectations seems harsh.
Hopefully, the Dodgers will have more young talent rise through the ranks. No, we shouldn’t assume they’ll be the greatest thing ever. But if the foundation is there, we should still be allowed to believe. And if the competition is made up of Pierres and Podsedniks, we shouldn’t be shy about throwing our support to the kids.
What’s the alternative – relentless pessimism? I don’t really think that’s an answer. That’s a betrayal of its own kind, to why we come to the game in the first place.
I basically agree with Phil here. While one could blame GA, the Ortiz twins, or Monasterios if the season came down to 1 or 2 games, the Dodgers are currently back 10.5 and 2 games under .500. For that much failure, you can’t blame the guys on the margins, but instead the blame goes to the core.
Out of the guys that we consider the “core”, I think only Kershaw and Bills can sidestep the blame. The rest have underperformed in multiple facets of the game.
Andre Ethier
2008: 132 OPS+
2009: 132 OPS+
2010: 130 OPS+ to date.
He hasn’t really improved (offensively or defensively), but he hasn’t really underperformed either.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 14, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Biggest problem
was that his season was so lopsided. He was a beast the first couple months, but the rest of the way he’s been largely horrible. For all the talk Kemp gets of being horrible this year, he and Either have been nearly identical since June, just Either’s hot months were historically great, while Kemps were just really, really good.
Isn't Ethier always streaky?
In 2009 he had OPSs of .601 and .729 in May and Sept, respectively. .746 and .643 for May/June 2008.
He had an .872 OPS this August.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 14, 2010 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions
His numbers still seem propped up by that first month
he hasn’t exactly been that good in the 2nd half.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
He had an .872 OPS this August.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 14, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
…which was supported with a 28.9% line drive rate
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
At the very least, Ethier’s season is quite bizarre and very fragmented, with a dose of broken pinkie mixed in as well. Probably deserves its own post at some point.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Its seemed for the last 4 years
that this offense is super freaking streaky.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
hard to say since the offense changes kind of a lot even from the start of the year to the end. 2008 we started with Andruw Jones and Blake DeWitt and ended with Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake. This year started with DeWitt and Ramirez and ended with Podsednik and Theriot.
While yes, they seem to go from hot to cold, I feel like some of it is never having the same lineup going for us.
Either definitely has more room for benefit of the doubt
then Kemp does, even though I think one season is too early to consider Kemp a bust.
That would be the outlier
Since May Kemp’s best month has been .714, while Either has had one good month since then. Both are under .600 this month so far.
Great Point and Kemp is not far behind
David, Great point on Ethier and while Kemp’s numbers are down. His two main power numbers 2bl’s and HR’s will be very close to last year.
Real problem in my mind is not so much under performance, but OVER PERFORMANCE. Outside of Kuo and perhaps Kershaw, none of the 2010 Dodgers in my mind has over performed their expectations. That s what you need for a championship team.
Sisyphus
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the myth of Sisyphus. I first thought of it last Monday night when my Virginia Tech Hokies barely lost to Boise. Another big game, another fourth quarter collapse, another Top 5 loss. I felt like I had just pushed that rock just to the top of the mountain, only to have it roll back down again. The next morning a college friend emailed me out of the blue about…Sisyphus.
Needless to say, last Saturday, the rock pretty much crushed me in the low point of the valley.
But the Sisyphus analogy works for the Dodgers too. So close the last two years, but not quite to the summit, followed by this year watching that accursed rock roll back down into the valley—watching all the points Phil named, from the core’s regression, to Ned’s regression, to Torre’s increasingly cryptic management style. At a certain point, I started wondering how I can bear the hope of starting the push up the slope again. I will of course this—that’s what Sisyphus must do—but in the meantime, I’m left feeling not betrayal, but helplessness at the seeming capriciousness of the sports universe and the team I chose as my rock so long ago.
"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 14, 2010 7:30 AM PDT reply actions
You get more enjoyment out of the process than Sisyphus does, I would imagine.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Depends on what day it is.
"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 14, 2010 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I've always loved using Sisyphus as a metaphor
often applied to my workplace.
LBB – that’s not a comment, that’s a FanPost, or at least the basis of one. Great concluding sentence.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 14, 2010 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks David.
"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 14, 2010 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
all of the above
Plus baffling decision after baffling decision from Joe Torre, and the stubbornness to seemingly not play the top 9 more than a couple games in a row, and benching of your best hitter for multiple days every time he has an 0-4.
It hasnt been that bad.
And the team has been on a run the last few years. Bills and Kershaw have really stepped their games up, and have been alot of fun to watch. We had Ely Mania for a little while there. Manny is no longer a Dodger (which is a beautiful thing, according to this fan). Its not until just recently, that I felt the team was out of the race. I guess, in the end, it just wasnt our year.
I look foward to next year… there should be alot of changes, which should be a good thing. the Russ Martin era is probably over, (which is rather dissapointing, to this fan). Theriot and Pods may not be back, weve only got 2 pitchers under contract, so some turnover there should be expected as well. The pen should get worked a bit too. Something needs to be done about the serious lack of power at our corner infield positions. Loneys 40 doubles are great, but 80 rbis isnt great when you are amongst the league leaders in coming to bat with runners in scoring position.
And for all the Dodger farm bashing weve heard the last few years, we really improved our farm this year. I feel that we had an absolutely fantastic draft, and it should get our farm system back to being productive, and pushing out ML talent.
I guess I can understand where you are coming from Phil, but trust me, it could have been worse. This team still has a great foundation to it. Maybe the sting of watching the playoofs at home for some of these guys will be a good thing, and put the fire in their guts, that seemed to be lacking this year. I dont think you should feel betrayed though. In the game of baseball, you need to embrace failure. The best hitters in the game fail 7 of 10 times, right? A few plays here or there, a big hit, here or there, could have made this season turn out much different. I think we will be right back in the hunt next year. Just tip your hat to the Padres, Giants and Rockies… they beat us this year. Im sure we will be right back in the fight in ’11.
The problem is the foundation
is no longer cheap. It was expected that as they progressed they would be worth the money, now we are getting less production at a much higher cost. With each year that passes the question comes up, should we simply let some of them walk and sign cheaper but more productive players? Martin and Loney are certainly on the cusp of being replaceable at the price they might command in 2011.
The best hitters in the game fail 7 of 10 times, right? A few plays here or there, a big hit, here or there, could have made this season turn out much different.
Made me think of:
Know what the difference between hitting .250 and .300 is? It’s 25 hits. 25 hits in 500 at bats is 50 points, okay? There’s 6 months in a season, that’s about 25 weeks. That means if you get just one extra flare a week – just one – a gorp… you get a groundball, you get a groundball with eyes… you get a dying quail, just one more dying quail a week… and you’re in Yankee Stadium.
Which reminded me of the 2010 Padres. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they go the other guy’s way. That’s just baseball. It’s all the other crap that has made this season harder to watch than most. I can deal with losing. I have a hard time dealing with the team not being given its best opportunity to win.
I'm sure some rookie hazing is in order
but what does TCWCITTBW mean?
Also, were the Loons eliminated last night?
I won’t let you hang out there on your own.
I don’t know what it means either.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions
We don't have a category
for a column like this, so when I write something that isn’t news or research or whatever I put it in my own writing category.
Ha
the real answer is embarrassingly egotistic in that when I actually write something I’m not mortified over, I put it in a place with the others.
Not true
http://www.mlive.com/loons/index.ssf/2010/09/lake_county_forces_a_deciding.html
The deciding game is tonight.
my disappointment
I got to think it’s a matter of heart with some of these guys. How many times the young hitters failed in the clutch. It was to the point where you expected them with two on and two out to take strike three or ground weakly to the pitcher. Usually you weren’t surprised as that followed your expectations.
Same with Broxton. The guy came in with no edge, no closer mean streak, just throwing very hittable fastballs and giving up crushing late inning defeats.
Bowa seems to be a knucklehead, but you got to think his baseball pedigree is with guys like Rose who would spike a crippled kid to win. You can’t pamper young guys forever. I would think this winter some of these guys need to do some soul searching . Do they have the intestinal fortitude to do what it takes to win?
I remember reading how Mike Tyson used to put a ski mask on and wander the streets of New York scaring and intimidating people before fights.
Bowa must really suck at his job if he’s actin a fool and our players still have no heart.
This team was clutch as hell last year, were there heart transplants, or was Juan Pierre the real leader?
by regfairfield on Sep 14, 2010 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions
I see what your saying but don't think "heart" is the right word
Having the fire to win at all costs is not having heart it usually means having a competitive spirit that would shock most of us.
This was really good, Phil
I was sick yesterday and went to sleep early, and woke up in a haze to find this well-written piece of clarity.
Right now
Only 3 of last year’s playoff teams will repeat.
2010 – 3 out of 8
2009 – 4 out of 8
2008 – 4 out of 8
2007 – 1 out of 8
2006 – 4 out of 8
2005 – 6 out of 8
2004 – 4 out of 8
2003 – 4 out of 8
That is actually kind of cool…except for that it includes us as not repeating
I am rooting for Texas right now
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 14, 2010 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Twins winning it all would be fine by me
They are a fantastic organization
That which is in constant motion contains all possible forms.
In the NL
From 2003-2009
Wild Card Teams
Houston – twice
Colorado – twice
Florida – once
Dodgers – once
Milwaukee – once
Division Titles
St. Louis – 4
Chicago – 3
Philadelphia – 3
Atlanta – 3
Dodgers – 3
San Diego – 2
New York – 1
San Francisco – 1
Arizona – 1
if we played in the nl central we’d be a powerhouse!
then again we’d have to play in stl all the time and lose every game!
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Sep 14, 2010 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions
In the AL
Wild Card
Boston – five
Detroit – one
New York – one
Division Titles
New York – 5
Angels – 5
Minnesota – 4
Oakland – 2
Chicago – 2
Cleveland – 1
Tampa Bay – 1
Boston – 1
Since 2000
For the NL, only the Reds, Nats and Pirates gave not been to the playoffs in the NL, for the AL, Texas, KC, Toronto and Baltimore.
The Nationals/Expos
Will be longest without a playoff appearance (1981 was there first and only one.) Along with the Nats, KC, Pittsburgh and Toronto are the 4 teams not to make the playoffs in the Wild Card era.
How did it lack sense?
Division winners went to the playoffs. Doesn’t seem nonsensical.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Just to clarify, I meant the period from 1995-1997 (I was okay with the two division winners meet in the LCS format from 1969-93).
I didn’t like it because of the haphazard home field advantage rules and the Division Series being 2-3 as opposed to 2-2-1.
by silverwidow on Sep 14, 2010 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Also, there was a pre-determination on playoff match-ups (e.g. the AL West would face the Wild Card, unless it was in the same division) as opposed to going by record.
by silverwidow on Sep 14, 2010 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
I hate that “home field advantage,” especially because the Dodgers couldn’t take advantage of having the first two games at home against the Reds and Braves in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
You mean pre-1995?
I agree there was something weird about the Braves being in the West, but the playoff system itself was fine. I enjoy the Wild Card so I’m not complaining, but the system was fine before too.
"betrayal"?
phil: i’m with you on most of this. and, as a regular reader of your minor league updates, etc., i’ll admit to feeling a lot of the same emotions…. dodgers management was pretty awful this season and that, in turn, messed with my head….
but i’d argue that what you describe as “betrayal” might be a simple case of misjudgment. the players described in this thread as the “foundation” – kemp, ethier, bills, broxton, loney, martin – are role players guys at best…. kershaw is the exception – he’s a star; the others are solid to avg. (or, in a couple cases, slightly below avg.) major leaguers. the dodgers need at least two more above avg. bats and one more arm in the rotation. it’s pretty simple.
to me, the bigger issue – the true betrayal – is what’s ABOUT to happen…. i’m guessing in a week or two we read that logan white is GM of, say, the diamondbacks…. meanwhile, fairly soon after that, we’ll learn that Ned has some kinda longer-term contract to stay in his job….for me, that’ll be the dagger in the heart….
i realize the mccourts probably don’t view GM of the dodgers as being as important to their futures as, say, their real estate development guy or their accountant… but letting white leave will be crushing to the team’s long-term future and, for this fan, that’ll sting.
Can't agree with you
the players described in this thread as the "foundation" – kemp, ethier, bills, broxton, loney, martin – are role players guys at best…. kershaw is the exception – he’s a star
Kemp and Ethier last year were stars. Ethier at the beginning of this year was the best hitter in the league. Broxton, the vast majority of the last couple years, has been the best closer in the NL. Billingsley is a very good #2 starter who is still trying to find out what kind of pitcher he is.
Loney and Martin may very well be role players, but even at his worst Martin is still better than most of the other options.
Grouping together the whole team because of a down season seems to be a bit of tunnel vision.
fair tunnel point
i guess i was frustrated when i wrote that. i agree that kemp and ethier are better than avg. players and broxton’s only horrible moments have been the past six weeks and the blow up games in the playoffs….
and i’d agree that lumping them together is somewhere near the heart of my frustration…
… like a lot of dodgers fans, i’ve looked at these players as a collective; as a group that rises and falls in unison…(the dodgers i fell in love with were the cey/lopes/garvey dodgers)…. but, for all the lip service given to the topic, baseball isn’t a team sport. it’s a collection of individual achievers. and i guess i’m saying it’s time to realize that the non-achievers in our current “foundation” include bills (ERA+ of about 102 over the past two seasons) Loney (OPS+ of about 104 over the past 1,800 plate appearances) and martin (OPS+ of about 90 over the past three full seasons). and, as much as i want those three guys to become big league stars, or even better than avg. players, the time has come to realize that they probably won’t.
Ethier, again
his 130 OPS+ ties him for 15th in the NL, min. 400 PA. There are only two team that has two bats better than that in their lineup, St. Louis (Pujols and Holliday) and Washington (Dunn and Zimmermann). Ethier is, at the very least, a very, very good second-best bat in the lineup.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 14, 2010 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
I missed that one
That means there are three teams that don’t have a bat with an OPS+ as good as Ethier’s either.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
the core really regressed
pretty disappointing seasons from each of them except Bills. The bullpen has really taken a fall too.
Adam Morrison has more rings than Lebron, Bosh, and Wade combined?
Kershaw isnt really part of the core
the core players (Loney, Kemp, Ethier, Martin, Bills, Brox) came up to the team in 2005/06.
Adam Morrison has more rings than Lebron, Bosh, and Wade combined?
Seems like an arbitrary distinction. Or at least, by “core”, you mean “our 05/06” guys.
Kershaw will always be part of my core =)
This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man.
Man, I really hope the Loons win tonight
It really does mean a lot to the team and I hope Wilborn’s curveball is effective tonight.
Yeah. Really no chance of making tonight’s game.
Wait a minute... Statue of Liberty... that was our planet!
Love your name.
Just watched Motherboy XXX again last night
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 14, 2010 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
What sucks is that if the Dodgers finish the season 18-0, they still need help to make the playoffs.
as I understand life, neither the Giants nor the Padres can win more than 8 games, and the Rockies have to disband and get jobs at Disneyland
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Disappointment > Betrayal + Hope + Faith = Dodgers 2011
Great thoughts Phil. I’ve let my disappointment get the best of me this season as well. I’ve stayed away from commenting here just because I’m so disappointed at the teams performance I didn’t want to talk about it. The team that was put together in Spring Training was not a team that could go to the playoffs- UNLESS everything went perfect. But, as stated earlier, baseball is a game of failure and eventually the true talent level gave way to the game. Looking back I can’t believe I seriously kept hope alive that the roster put on the field was going to succeed.
There is enough blame to go around. I would exempt a couple players from the blame meetings but then when you really think about it- there were moments(as stated above) in games where luck just ran out, bad pitches, bad decisions, bad swings, bad throws… just not enough good playing to overcome the deck of cards the Joe/Ned/Frank casino dealt.
I look at the other teams around us like the Rockies and Padres and the team which shall not be named and I see a lot of good baseball players and good baseball teams. I look at the Dodgers and see players that play baseball.
Needless to say. I’m still a big fan. There are still players on this team I love(and a very few I close my eyes to when they are on the field).
Only 6 months still Spring Training 2011. Maybe the McCourts can stop destroying the Dodger legacy soon and build back some trust or get out of the way. Let’s look forward to a new coaching staff and manager, hopefully a few REAL IMPACT baseball players to help the struggling core. Go Dodgers! 2011 Let’s WIN FOR VIN.
(Cue song)
Don’t stop believin’ Hold on to that Feelin’ !!
(Fade to black)
Can I have a moment also?
I feel betrayed. Before joining TBLA, I wrote a “dodger newsletter” that I sent to my few Dodger friends. I wrote every day, starting the week leading up to the Yankees series. Writing it was cathartic. Perhaps not as eloquent as what you all post here, but here is what I wrote on Aug. 3:
“You’re Breaking My Heart Blue”
I believe Vin Scully said it best when he said this about last night’s game: “Everything the Dodgers do turns to mud; everything the Padres do smells like a rose.”
It did feel karmatic that nothing went our way last night. Like, 7 hits and 0 runs. Like, Loney getting tagged out at 3rd seconds before Kemp made it home. What bothers me is this situation happened in June (remember that lousy game against the Angels?) Lesson: when running towards something good, don’t look back; don’t hestitate – just run.
Blue looks defeated on the field. You can see it in their face. Blue, we all know what it feels like when mole hills indeed become mountains, when the momentum feels backwards, when we simply don’t feel the tide shifting in our favor. I get it. I also get that I am heartbroken. You made me believe. You spent 2 years making us all believe that you would be awesome through the regular season and not
screw up until the playoffs. You’re breaking my heart, Blue – like a breaking ball that fails to break, or a ball that is caught at the wall by the other team (like that amazing catch Ichiro Suzuki made for the Mariners a few games ago; amazing!)
I’ve run out of inspirational things to say and it’s not like me to write such negative rants. Am i the only one who feels this way? Is there any hope left out there? I don’t think I
can handle this losing streak. Seeing that look on Weaver’s face last night when he gave up that 3-run homer nearly drew a tear. . . . At the end of the 5th inning, it was 10 – 2. It crushed my spirit.
Baseball is a game that emulates life. It wounds, but it can also heal. I look forward to the healing process.
//End [then, the Ted Lilly makes his debut the next night… see next post.]
K-Rod sounds like IVdown with money
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5571340
"We were never friends"
I want to feel bad for the guy
but without knowing what exactly set him off to smash the dudes head into a wall its hard.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Do we even know the details of what happened with his Father-in-law? I mean, what if his father-in-law did something to warrant the action? I am not defending his behavior, but it would be really sad if somehow her parents have turned her against him and that is why the confrontation happened.
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 14, 2010 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Awesoke.
He has been tagged with the title “the Dick Vermeil of TBLA” by Michael White.
Greatest nickname in history.
I am openly rooting for Carlos Peña to finish under .200
So he can have the best under-.200 season in history. Since 1901, there have been two players hit under .200 and achieve a 90 OPS+ or higher:
Rk Player OPS+ BA PA Year Age Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO HBP SH SF GDP SB CS OBP SLG OPS Pos
1 Carlos Pena 101 .200 522 2010 32 TBR AL 127 434 62 87 16 0 26 79 77 4 140 7 0 4 2 5 1 .328 .417 .745 *3/D
2 Rob Deer 92 .179 539 1991 30 DET AL 134 448 64 80 14 2 25 64 89 1 175 0 0 2 3 1 3 .314 .386 .700 *9
3 Mike Schmidt 92 .196 443 1973 23 PHI NL 132 367 43 72 11 0 18 52 62 3 136 9 1 4 8 8 2 .324 .373 .697 *5/463
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 9/14/2010.
Three true outcomes
for these three:
Deer: 53.6%
Schmidt: 48.8%
Peña: 46.6%
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I've been so busy lately
my grip on the team has been slipping, but certainly they made it easy on me to forget them. You know, a team goes out of their way to bring in this stranger, and all you hope is let’s make things interesting again. And they are for awhile, but something keeps the team from going all the way. The that man’s legs fall out from under him, and everyone’s wondering if he’ll ever be back.
Occasionally that guy is Manny and you give him away for cash without ever seeing a world series. And occasionally that guy is David Beckham, and you have to wrench control away from his handlers before you can start winning trophies. I’ve seen it go both ways, and the Manny way definitely hurts more. Because it’s the quick to temper young talent like Andre and Landon Donovan that suffer in this model, and you hate to throw away their future talent for winning now.
Of course there’s also the Shaq/Kobe model, so there’s always another way it can go.
Awesome
If I didn’t know any better, that sounds like the beginnings or a good column. You know, if one had a platform to write such a thing…
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
a multisport column, from me? Horizons = expanding : )
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions
This is the perfect week to have #1 Waiver Priority in my league: Brandon Jackson, new Green Bay feature back.
Sorry, Ryan Grant fans.
I don’t watch much pro football but came to the independent conclusion last night that Ray Lewis is the best player of his generation.
Best player of his generation
ever arrested for murder, too.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 14, 2010 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Best player of his generation
ever arrested for murder, too
/Fixed
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Hope
I’m an Auburn football fan and they were very bad for a couple years . Now things are on the upswing. Sports is such a fickle thing to give yourself to. Who knows what next April will bring?
dylanohernandez
King: I never got mad at the white man for what he did to the black man because I got a PhD in caucasianism and I graduated summa cum laude.
Don King.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Sep 14, 2010 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Or Ray Lewis.
"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 14, 2010 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Little surprised this wasn't mentioned yesterday or today
or did I miss it?
JMac with a 74 game score against the Mets yesterday. 8 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 4 K , 2 BB, 100 pitches. No decision.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Good for James. Can’t help but think the trade worked out great for him. Going to a team out of the race (from a team who still thought they were in the race) and being told that no matter what you get to pitch every 5th day.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
If the Dodgers didn’t trad him, he would have had this opportunity here. Ned needs to be punched for that trade.
Word. Especially since the rotation currently contains Ely and Monk.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
No he wouldn't have
after his first start they gave the ball back to Carlos Monastarios. I mean I’m 24 and what is this?
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I don’t think he would’ve gotten a shot in the rotation. After his opportunity this season he became Eric Stults in management’s eyes. He was done in this organization. The unfortunate part is that we didn’t get more for him.
I love that “his oppurtunity this season” is defined as 5 innings as a starting pitcher where he didn’t even look that bad.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I have no idea what the team sees in Monk that they can’t see in McDonald.
You don’t think McDonald is still not ready to pitch in the majors? Option him back to Triple-A and then call him back up in Sept.
I have no idea what the team sees in Monk that they can’t see in McDonald.
McDonald had options. Sad but true.
Technicality: Monk can’t be optioned in 2013 without going through optional waivers (3 years since ML debut). But he’s not much of a talent, so this doesn’t matter.
The optional waiver only applies if he has not been optioned for a consecutive three-year period
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
They soured on him after they gave him the slot in ’09 and he faltered. I just wish they got something for him.
"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 14, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
They couldn’t have soured too much in 09 since he spent almost the entire year with the club including down the stretch (just out of the bullpen.)
If anything, you could say it really pissed them off that he allegedly showed up to camp out of shape in 2010.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
My thought process: he was supposed to move into the rotation coming out of spring ‘09, but couldn’t hang on, and ended up back in the pen. After that, most of the discussion of JMac in the rotation seemed perfunctory, at least to me.
"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 14, 2010 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't have traded him
but I always wonder about local kids and how they’ll play for the Dodgers, it is not like the Dodgers have a strong history in this regard.
GA killed it!
I’d actually love to see a breakdown of local kids and how they fared with the Dodgers.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Riverside, yes. San Diego, no.
I’d say within the LAD media footprint.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Ya, but I found that picture bullshit. Dodger territory is way too small there.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, where’s the tiny blue dot in Alabama?
"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 14, 2010 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Just think of it being more about total people
we have more total people in that small slice of pie
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
gnat country extends to Oregon? Foul.
This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man.
Maybe parts of Southern Oregon, but definitely not as far north as they draw. FoxSportsNW is shown througout the state and it shows the Mariners.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Turns out, Giants games are broadcast on the radio as far north as Portland. Interesting stuff.
Television wise, the Giants are broadcast on KFBI in Medford, OR which is the far southern part of the state.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions
y’all do see the Swoosh on the picture right, definitely grain of salt territory. That said, the Dodgers go further into D-back’s country than that
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah like into Phoenix
Go to a Snakes-Dodger crowd in Phoenix, the crowd is split about 50/50
by preacher roe on Sep 14, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Giants are also broadcast on the radio in:
Reno, NV
Honolulu, HI
Hilo, HI
Dodgers radio broadcast unusual places:
Albuquerque, NM
Bend, OR
El Paso, TX
Mt. Carmel, IL
Nashville, TN
Sikeston, MO
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Enseneda/Tijuana
but not in Hawaii.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions
In Central Arkansas
we get Cardinal, Royal, and Yankees games.
We used to get Rockies games, but I don’t know when they stopped.
I’m using the term ’kid" pretty liberally here, but just on the 2010 team local kids included, JMAC, Weaver, Barajas and GA.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Except Lambo was drafted the same year.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Not addressing this comment in particular (more in general)
I get that the Dodgers missed out on Stanton the local kid, but technically every team passed on him, including Florida, since Stanton was a second-round pick.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, but not every team brought him in for a workout like the Dodgers did.
Its not that they missed the guy. They missed the guy after seeing him in person, and then drafted Adkins.
and we’re mad Logan White might leave, why? :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I know you’re joking, but I’m with you on that.
Every draft guy will hit and miss. I don’t see the need to worry about losing White. The Dodgers will move on.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I think the worry is that we don’t know any of White’s Asst. that can be promoted into the role and can do the job.
It takes years to find out if a person is good and bad at drafting minor league talent, and by then the system is fucked if you find out he sucks at his job.
Honest question: do we know Logan White is good at drafting talent since 2003?
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions
To be fair
that draft we had the #7 pick, and of those selected in the first round were Luke Hochevar, Greg Reynolds, Evan Longoria, Brad Lincoln, Brandon Morrow, Andrew Miller, Kershaw, Drew Stubbs, Tim Lincecum, Max Scherzer, tyler Colvin, ian Kennedy, Daniel Bard, Chris Coghlan and Joba Chamberlain.
Is he responsible for making a great pick, or was he just the benefactor of a high pick in a deep draft?
And if Kershaw was selected by the Tigers
he was going to take Morris as opposed to the other guys you mention.
by Michael White on Sep 14, 2010 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Even a perfectly working clock is wrong twice a year.
by kinbote on Sep 14, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
You, sir, have flipped this metaphor on its ear! :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions
rage building...
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Anyone know where I can find the all-time records for the Dodgers vs. other teams? I’ve tried google and B-R.com.
a lot of that is New York though, right?
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
the Dodgers had some real bad years in Brooklyn
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Since moving to LA
1958-Present:
Primary team the Dodgers: 477-447 in these games.
Runs for the Dodgers: 3989
Runs against the Dodgers: 3721
OT Laurence Maroney traded to Denver
New England gets Denver’s fourth-round pick in 2011 and Denver gets New England’s sixth-round pick in 2011.
I was so busy working I missed this one
Some fans on the SBN Broncos site mused about that possibility awhile back. Id always thought him a disappointment but he’d only have to be #2 or 3 back in Denver.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
The Golden State Warriors, under new ownership, are inviting new media to apply for their media day.
do the Dodgers allow new media at media day?
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess they don’t really have a media day, but yes, they open other things up. The Winter Development Program, for instance, was open to bloggers.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 14, 2010 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I think for all the grief we have
about the team and some of their thought processes, they are certainly the most forward team in MLB about bloggers that I know of (the Angels certainly do not share their viewpoint). I am not sure about the Lakers, they are bloggers that are accredited (like the K Bros) but I am guessing you need to be doing it professionally.
It may be by necessity
but MLS is pretty amazing when it comes to new media. SBN is a known property amongst the media relations people, and most of my cohorts are also writing for blogs.
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
my question
is what do they do with it? Melt it down to make new Heismans? Give it to someone else? Sell it on ebay?
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
cause that worked so well for Kurtz. Though it did work well for early London. Though they eventually lost the bridge anyway. Now it’s in Lake Havasu, AZ
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not sure
But I’ll be pissed if they award it to Vince Young
by Julio Nievas on Sep 14, 2010 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions
A couple grand worth of metal
lands on your doorstep, you at least smelt it
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I read yesterday
that Young really wanted it.
by Julio Nievas on Sep 14, 2010 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Said this yesterday
"I definitely want it, I definitely want it,‘’ Young said in a “SportsCenter” interview. "But he won it fair and square definitely, and it’s much respect to Reggie, man. He had a great career and he’s already won a Super Bowl before me. I’m already mad about that.
“But at the same time I am definitely happy for him, man, and he is definitely the Heisman Trophy winner for that year. But if they send it over to me I am not going to say no to it.’’
They said on ESPN today that he really wants it.
I don’t know why, but he does.
“I got the award that Reggie Bush had!”
Cal fan points to Aaron Rodgers then laughs at Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and Carson Palmer.
Also Cal points out that any and all forfeited Pac10 and Rose Bowl trophies can be mailed to Cal c/o academic community
by Josie Becker on Sep 14, 2010 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Whiny bitch maybe
but not really a thug
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Yeah, but Cal did not earn any Rose Bowl trophies. Why should that just be handed to them?
"We were never friends"
USC fans point to number of USC alums in nfl now and compared to CAL then ROFL
by Julio Nievas on Sep 14, 2010 2:22 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Unless Todd McNair is found guilty of knowing reggie received benefits, USC apologizes to no one
by Julio Nievas on Sep 14, 2010 2:16 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
He was just following the standard “blame the previous administration” approach. Which, given the arrogance of Mike Garrett, was an excellent path.
Can we now move on people? Nothing to see here. Just keep moving.
Please.
by KellyStephen on Sep 14, 2010 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Re-tweeted by Rob Neyer
@BorowitzReport O.J. says that if Reggie Bush ever changes his mind, he knows how to get his Heisman Trophy back for him.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Tip to MSTI
for tweeting this quote from Ramona Shelburne’s new article on Tim Wallach.
“Honestly, looking back at it now, I don’t think I would’ve been prepared [to manage at the major league level] if I would’ve done it straight from being a hitting coach,” he said.A polite and pointed zing at Don Mattingly, eh?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Made this a front-page FanShot
but feel free to carry on here.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Wow
Jeremy L (Philly)
Hey Joe, I’ve been a big fan for a while. Could you please weigh in on the CC vs. King Felix for cy young debate?
Joe Morgan (11:09 AM)
I think it’s a joke to have that kind of debate. What Sabathia has done is be the best pitcher in the AL from opening day to this point. I don’t buy into the point that if Felix is pitching for someone else he’d have more wins. They said that about Cliff Lee when he left Seattle, but he’s lost more than he’s won since he left Seattle. The name of the game is to win and he’s won. And if you’re looking at a second guy, it has to be David Price. It’s amazing to me that we have let computers define him rather than performance. His job is to win the game, not just pitch 5-6 innings. I don’t think there should be a debate between Felix and Sabathia.
Is he saying Felix only goes 5-6 innings? I know, it’s Joe Morgan, but wow.
the part about not having more wins
if Felix pitched on another team is the hilarious part. This quote is all over twitter. I am not sure what I find more annoying – the Morgan quote, or the fact that people still get up in arms about anything that comes out of the mouth of Joe Morgan.
This
Why do we give Joe Morgan credence to even respond?
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 14, 2010 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Felix must have already had 40 starts and CC 25.
by KellyStephen on Sep 14, 2010 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Phil:
Well written piece. I liked it a lot…almost poetic.
Look on the bright side…spring training only five and a half months away.
Man, I feel ya.
And it’s sad that I can’t get the energy to go see them tonight, even with Kershaw pitching, just because I don’t have much confidence that they’ll do anything but suck behind him. And I won’t enjoy that when surrounded by Gnats fans.
I’ll just watch like a coward in my hovel.
But anyway… I have been trying to find hope and joy in whatever way I can. Seeing John Lindsey’s persona in general and then seeing his first hit, knowing the story, was such a treasure. Getting to watch some of our young pitchers mature and blossom. It’s just been a weird mix this year, of bad luck or bad karma coming back, injuries, bad moves, some lax play, etc.
Still, what keeps me going is what always does (and bless you Logan White, hope you stick around), following the young players, seeing who will make an impact, in addition to some of the guys already there.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
You're not going?
I’m going to game 3 on Thursday!
and I agree, watching our young pitchers develop has been the highlight of this season for me.
I've been on the fence about it
maybe the fact that it’s freezing and I’m underslept on top of hating being around cocky Giants fans all deter me. Plus not having a ticket and none of my friends want to go. I would like to see Kid K though.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
And my g/f doesn't want to go and the best seats are still super pricey
and other excuses :0)
(could always just go there at the last minute and/or watch from the outfield standing room only area)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
you could've gone w/ me!
I had the hardest time finding friends to go with me. I’m stuck going with 3 Giants fans… But this might be the last time I see Casey Blake and several others in Dodger blue.
I got Top Deck, in the 300 sections (not exactly sure which) from Stubhub for $25.00
haha that’s what i was thinking. “Don’t worry, you can see him next year”.
On the bright side, if we get a LHH platoon partner for him, he could still be a big part of a MLB offense. Hell, I know it’d be about a $10mil 1B but if we have Loney (.815 OPS against RHP, 116OPS) hit against righties and Blake (.943, 153OPS+) against Lefties, that’s pretty good production and it would be for a starting 1B and 1 bench bat.
Course, we’d have to go find a 3B to justify it.
Oh thanks! Maybe another time we can get a larger group of Dodger fans together
and form a protective shell ;-)
Mr F, I’m not sure I can go tomorrow either but we can chat.
Good luck DSF! Hope they win and your friends are quiet and morose. :-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
You never know how things will turn out
What do John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Cliff Lee (originally), Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, Randy Wolf, and Adrian Beltre have in common. Well if it wasn’t for a mid-season deal that the Mariners made trading Lee, they all will be sitting at home come playoff time.
If you think about the most significant additions made by teams going to the playoffs.
Yankees – was Granderson really an upgrade?
Rays – their closer via trade
Twins – Hudson and Thome
Rangers – Vlad
Phillies – the big guns – Halladay
Reds – I don’t know if Chapman counts since he just came up
Braves – resigning Hudson and signing Wagner
Padres – Garland (yeah, I know)
I hear ya. My wife and I are tentatively planning on going out to Scottsdale next weekend and catching either the Friday or Saturday game. But I don’t really know if i have the stomach for it.
by KellyStephen on Sep 14, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Against the DBacks
who are also going nowhere, it will be subs all over the place. It will be like a Spring Training game.
Are there bathing beauties out at that pool in RCF?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
If there are I will send pix.
I took my son there when he was 5. First time there for both of us; two games on the weekend. We walked around the entire stadium as soon as we got inside on the first game. He saw the pool and he looked at me and asked, “Dad, can we bring our swimming suits tomorrow?”
Awesome!
by KellyStephen on Sep 14, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh snap!
Sorry man.
I’m trying to talk the wife into spending our Ann. Tomorrow at the game. Going to Primus tonight in Sac.
by Skunkburner on Sep 14, 2010 2:43 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Well said.
But you forgot “SIP” on honor of today’s series.
Suck it Pandouche!
by Skunkburner on Sep 14, 2010 2:39 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Tix at giants.com say they are avail fir $15.
You can get a good cheap seat. I think I’m going to take the family. We will be in the area, so I’ll just casually make my way there.
by Skunkburner on Sep 14, 2010 2:59 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Your firewall blocks
Vin Scully is My Homeboy, but not SBNation?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Game Preview, posted.
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/9/14/1688156/kershaw-looks-to-enter-the-win
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Very nice job Phil
… behavior of the check writers …
To me this is the key for two reasons.
First, before the season begins, add another sevicable starter, someone like Lily
Second, when it bacame apparent that Manny could not be relied upon, go out and get another big bat.
Taking both of these actions would have meant spending money, maybe $20 mil or more.
Instead, we have a team that needed everything to go right.
The fill-in pitchers did not perform from the outset. Some will argue the problem was the bullpen, however, would the bullpen have been so taxed if there had been more depth in the starting rotation to begin with?
Second, when Manny went down sliding back into second base in the City by the Bay (Frisco), that was the time to take action for another bat (20/20 hindsight, but not that difficult to project the remaining durability of the 38 year old legs made more brittle from the use of steroids).
The ‘Check Writers’, the Owner(s) of this team have expended all credibility with me.
Blue Land, $14 mil a year
$60 mil loan against team property to by homes
$400,000 to pay the administrator of ‘The Dream Foundation’
These people want me to believe there is a ‘budget’?
They want me to believe that funds are scarce and the team needs to find creative ways to stretch their dollars used to field a team?
Many of us have bought in to this brainwashing and conjure scenarios where and how the team might manage things in order to get the best bang for the limited resources.
I have bought mini-plans of some sort for the past 6 seasons.
Last year I went to 56 games.
No More.
No More …
I will still go to a few games each year in the future, but just a few, just to enjoy the stadium if nothing else. These tickest I will buy on Stub Hub.
However, I will no longer ‘buy in’ to what the current ‘Check Writers’ are peddling.
They have been exposed and their behavior is predicable.
It is not something i want to encourage.
Love my Dodger Blue
These owners need to get out of town.
That is all
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