2011 Dodgers Exit Interviews: Starting Pitchers
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 7:01 AM PDT
in Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
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Our look back at the 2011 Dodgers begins with the strength of the team, its starting pitching. Led by National League Cy Young favorite Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers starters put up a 3.41 ERA and 110 ERA+, both third in the National League behind the Phillies and Giants. The Dodgers were fourth in the NL with 94 quality starts, and nobody in baseball got more starts from their top four pitchers than the 130 starts by Kershaw, Hiroki Kuroda, Chad Billingsley, and Ted Lilly.
The Dodgers had four pitchers make at least 30 starts for the first time since 1993. Here is a look at all nine pitchers who started for the Dodgers this season:
Clayton Kershaw
What went right: Everything. I have been asked in the last few years what kind of ceiling Kershaw has, and though my preferred answer was "he has no ceiling," Kershaw's 2011 campaign was the tangible manifestation of everything you want from a pitcher. He won the pitching triple crown in the National League, leading the majors in ERA (2.28), and leading the NL in strikeouts (248) and wins (21).
On July 3, the All-Star Game rosters were announced, and Kershaw deservedly made the squad as he was 8-4 with a 3.23 ERA and ranked in the top five in the league in most categories. All Kershaw did after that was give up 15 earned runs in 15 starts, go 13-1 with a 1.22 ERA, average a strikeout per inning, and have nearly five times as many strikeouts as walks.
A lot of time gets spent on the semantics of what is an ace starting pitcher. But no matter the definition, the 23-year old Kershaw fits the bill.
What went wrong: He gave up a home run to Cody Ransom, which came on August 7, the last time Kershaw lost a game. Unheralded Giants' catcher Chris Stewart had five hits in nine at-bats against Kershaw in 2011, including a home run. MLB schedulers didn't make the Dodgers and Giants play more often, so Kershaw only got to beat Tim Lincecum four times.
2012 status: Kershaw is about to make big money as he is arbitration eligible for the first time. He is an ideal candidate for a multi-year contract extension this winter.
Hiroki Kuroda
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What went right: He was a steady number two pitcher behind Kershaw, not missing a start and surpassing 200 innings for the first time. Kuroda set career highs in starts (32), innings (202), wins (13), ERA (3.07), ERA+ (121), SIERA (3.51), and strikeouts (161).
With the Dodgers out of contention in late July, Kuroda was the one guy on the roster who could have fetched a good return at the trade deadline. General manager Ned Colletti had discussions with the Boston Red Sox about Kuroda -- and boy could Boston have used him in September -- but Kuroda exercised his no-trade clause, choosing loyalty to the team he signed with in November 2007 over a chance at a potential playoff berth with a new team.
What went wrong: Kuroda battled neck pain later in the year and not coincidentally gave up a career high 24 home runs, the first time in his four big league seasons he gave up more than one home run per nine innings (he gave up 1.07 per nine in 2011). Kuroda allowed four home runs to the Nationals on Labor Day in Washington D.C., one of seven games this season Kuroda allowed two or more home runs. He allowed two home runs in five games in the previous three seasons combined.
Kuroda had a weird year of run support. In the middle of the year, he had an 18-start stretch during which the Dodgers scored just 38 total runs, so despite a 2.96 ERA Kuroda's record was 4-12. At one point, the Dodgers lost 13 straight times when Kuroda allowed a run (he was 5-0 in the six starts during that stretch when he allowed no runs). All that led to 16 losses for Kuroda, making him the first Dodgers pitcher to lose 16 games since Orel Hershiser went 16-16 in 1987. However, beginning in August, the Dodgers started scoring for Kuroda, averaging 6.2 runs per start over his final nine starts, including seven or more runs six times.
2012 status: Kuroda will be a free agent after the World Series, but his destination for his age 37 season is really down to two places: either back with the Dodgers, or back to Japan.
Chad Billingsley
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What went right: Billingsley on the year had three signature performances. On April 17, he matched zeroes with Chris Carpenter, and struck out 11 in eight shutout innings in a no-decision (Matt Kemp won the game in the ninth inning with the first of his three walk-off home runs this season). On May 14, Billingsley allowed only one hit in eight innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but unfortunately got hung with the loss as he also allowed an unearned run. Then, on July 24 against the Washington Nationals Billingsley allowed the first four runners to reach base and trailed 1-0 with the bases loaded and nobody out in the first inning. Billingsley got out of the jam by striking out the next three hitters, then retired 21 of the final 22 batters he faced, allowing only a walk the rest of the way.
What went wrong: At least Billingsley didn't slip on ice and break his leg. But unfortunately for Billingsley, after that July 24 start, Billingsley put up a 4.85 ERA with 33 walks and 38 strikeouts in 59 innings over his final 11 starts. It was a disappointing end to what became a rather ordinary season for Billingsley, who expressed his frustration to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. "It definitely wasn’t what I wanted," Billingsley said. "When I was going rough and was inconsistent, I was worried about staying on top of the ball and my mechanics changed. I was struggling with my arm slot and delivery this year."
2012 status: Billingsley will make $9 million in 2012 in the first year of a three-year contract.
Ted Lilly
What went right: Much like in 2010, Lilly ended his season strong over the final two months. In August and September, Lilly made 11 starts and put up a 2.09 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 21 unintentional walks in 69 innings. Lilly gave up his 28th home run of the season on August 26 and seemed a lock to join the 30/30 club (allowing both 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a single season, something that has happened only 18 times in MLB history), but Lilly went his final six starts and 43 innings of the year without allowing another home run.
What went wrong: While the final third of the season was fine and dandy for Lilly, the first two thirds of the year were not good, especially not from a 35-year old in just the first year of a three-year contract. Lilly had a 5.02 ERA through July, and his strikeout rate of 6.84 per nine innings at that point was his lowest figure since 2005. On the season, Lilly averaged fewer than six innings per start for the first time since 2006.
Lilly has always been a control pitcher, a must for someone with an average fastball of 87.4 MPH, and has walked just 66 in his 45 total starts as a Dodger. In the first 37 of those starts, Lilly never walked more than two batters in one game. However, he walked three or more batters four times in a five-start stretch in August and September.
2012 status: Lilly will make $12 million in his age 36 season, the second year of a three-year contract.
Rubby De La Rosa
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What went right: The 22-year old started the year in Double A, and was called up to the Dodgers after putting up a 2.92 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 40 innings in the Southern League. After a few relief stints with the big club, De La Rosa stepped in for the injured Jon Garland and showed flashes of brilliance. Throwing 96 and inducing ground balls at a higher rate than every other non-Eveland starter, Rubby provided hope for the future, a true diamond in a rough season. De La Rosa had 10 starts and three relief appearances for the Dodgers, and struck out nearly a batter per inning while putting up a 3.71 ERA.
What went wrong: The human arm wasn't meant to throw a baseball, and De La Rosa found out first hand, having his season cut short by a torn elbow ligament and Tommy John surgery.
2012 status: Rubby had surgery on August 9, and recovery is expected to take nine to 12 months. His last major league start came on July 31, and if he takes the Stephen Strasburg recovery path De La Rosa's next start for the Dodgers will come sometime in the middle of August.
Jon Garland
What went right: Though his time on the mound was brief in 2011, Garland did allow three runs or less seven times in his nine trips to the mound, leading the Dodgers staff in quality start percentage. Garland allowed one run to the Braves on April 20, the first complete game for the Dodgers on the season.
What went wrong: Unfortunately for Garland, that win on April 20 was his final victory of the season. He went winless with a 4.39 ERA over his final seven starts, then had shoulder surgery in July to end his season. After nine straight years with 32 starts or more, Garland made just nine starts for the Dodgers in 2011.
Garland hit a run-scoring single on May 12 in Pittsburgh, but it was wiped out as the Dodgers game with the Pirates was called due to rain. Garland is 0 for 23 at the plate in his two stints with the Dodgers.
2012 status: The Dodgers declined Garland's $8 million option for 2012, opting instead to pay him a $500,000 buyout. Don't rule out a return for Garland, though it would be at a reduced rate, likely an incentive-laden deal starting with a base salary less than the $5 million guaranteed he got in 2011.
Nathan Eovaldi
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What went right: Eovaldi allowed two runs or less in five of his six starts with the Dodgers, before being moved to the bullpen to limit his innings. Eovaldi struck out 122 batters on the season between Double A Chattanooga and Los Angeles, in a combined 138 innings.
What went wrong: Eovaldi walked 20 batters in just under 35 major league innings, 5.14 per nine innings. He pitched four times in relief in September, but struck out none of the 15 batters he faced out of the bullpen.
2012 status: Eovaldi, who turns 22 in February, will likely be in the mix for the fifth spot in the starting rotation heading into spring training.
Dana Eveland
What went right: In three starts on the road with the Dodgers, Eveland allowed one run and picked up three wins. Between Triple A and MLB, Eveland had a 2.71 ERA in 15 road starts.
What went wrong: In his two starts at Dodger Stadium, Eveland allowed nine runs in nine innings, and picked up two losses. Between Albuquerque and Los Angeles, Eveland had a 5.77 ERA in 15 starts at home.
2012 status: Should the Dodgers decide to tender Eveland a contract in December, he will be arbitration eligible this winter with just over three years of service time. He is a candidate for fifth starter as well.
John Ely
What went right: Ely pitched a total of four scoreless innings of mopup relief for the Dodgers in September. After making 18 starts for the Dodgers in 2010, Ely only got one start for the big club in 2011, a loss at Petco Park on April 10.
What went wrong: Through his first seven major league starts, in 2010, Ely was 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA with eight walks and 37 strikeouts in 46 innings. Since then, in a combined 261 innings between Triple A and the majors, Ely has a 6.59 ERA.
2012 status: Ely has one option year remaining, and will almost certainly use it next year.
Pictures of Kuroda, Lilly, Billingsley, De La Rosa, and Eovaldi courtesy of Getty Images.
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I really hope Chad can turn it around, he is still plenty young enough.
GFO List: Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti, Mike Ashley, Dan Guerrero
by BetterDeadThanRed on Oct 6, 2011 7:20 AM PDT reply actions
For reference
Chad Billingsley in (what we hope is) a down year last year put up a fWAR of 2.1. In good years (2008, 2010) he put up fWARs of 4.4 and 4.4.
Loney’s best year was 2011 with an fWAR of 2.3.
I can see your point that you hope both reach their potential going forward, and with the salary Chad is paid, 2011 was obviously a huge disappointment, but in terms of sheer production, Billingsley has shown that he can put up satisfactory numbers worth his salary. Loney hasn’t yet, so it’s more of a hope.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Most definitely
Chad is much better than Loney has ever been. Chad is similar to Ervin Santana for his every other year plan it seems, while Loney had been consistently bad the last few years.
the last few years?
Loney wasn’t “bad” he was just mediocre.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Bad= bottom 25% of first baseman
Medicore= middle of the pack first baseman
He’s been bad.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions
if you say so
never been my assessment
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions
There’s basically no way to manipulate the numbers that doesn’t put Loney in the bottom quartile of first basemen that have been allowed to keep a job. This doesn’t mean he’s absolutely terrible, anyone that bad couldn’t keep their job for very long but it does mean he’s been skirting the edge of being a useful player for a very long time.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
I’m impressed by the use of the word quartile
"They will never ketchup to all of the energy that I've mustard"
it's early
give him time
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
His best year was this year?
That was some September
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
and August
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
And hitting was down league-wide, so I’m guessing replacement level was a little lower than in the years prior.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Kershaw
He is an ideal candidate for a multi-year contract extension this winter.
I don’t really agree with this. As you mention earlier, he basically hit his ceiling this year with the triple crown and possible CYA. You’d be negotiating after a year when Kershaw is the most valuable pitcher in baseball. Really, how much better could he be after next season when it might be a better time to negotiate with him. On top of that, Matt Kemp has to be the priority right now (for an extension) and I doubt there’s enough money to go around for Kemp, Kershaw and to actually improve the team—- and since I don’t want to punt next year, improving the team is paramount.
You do the deal with Kershaw now to avoid artificial arbitration bumps and the risk of losing to him up to three times in arbitration. I guess it really depends on the figures both sides are working from this offseason, but you sign him to a long-term deal now to get him closer to your number for the first year (say $7 million) rather than have him win in arbitration this year and go something like $9.5m/$14.5m/$22m over his three arb years.
So are you saying negotiate to lock in the 3 years (sort of like with Kemp, Broxton and Ethier- though those guys only got two) or are you saying going for the big score and trying to buy out a handful of free agency years?
Personally, I think the Dodgers have to gamble that he doesn’t continue to be the best pitcher in baseball (and if he is, I guess that’s a good problem to have) and try to swoop in when he actually struggles a little bit. Of course, the Dodgers haven’t gone that route in the past (and perhaps it’s not even practical) since they didn’t lock up Billingsley after 09 when he struggled or Kemp in 10 after he struggled, instead working a deal with Billingsley after 10 when he was good and hopefully Kemp after 11 when he was MVP caliber.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Okay, I see where you are going with this. I guess he’s young enough that you can go crazy and try to win the deal by tacking on extra years of security in exchange for lower money in the first year or two (as you suggest.) Then, you negotiate a similar deal with Kemp (though he’ll be paid very well right off the bat) and add some other talent. By the time Kershaw and Kemp’s deal get more expensive you hope there’s a rich owner or rich TV deal to fund it.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Off the top of my head is Mondesi the only great Dodger home grown player who signed an extension into his Free Agent years since 1988? Not counting Dreifort as great.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Billingsley
Oh, you said great, not solid.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Hell, I’d take solid at this point from him.
But unfortunately for Billingsley, after that July 24 start, Billingsley put up a 4.85 ERA with 33 walks and 38 strikeouts in 59 innings over his final 11 starts.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yes, Billingsley was bad at the end of the year.
Fortunately, the Dodgers were eliminated from post-season contention by late May, so at least he had his run of peripherals being worse than ERA (though the peripherals sucked too) in a year that didn’t matter.
/looking on the bright side
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Also, for purposes of this does Dreifort really count anyway? They let him get all the way to free agency before forking over $55 million for five years.
Not to me, but I felt someone would use him as a comp to my question which is why I wanted to nip that in the bud.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I can’t think of any others off the top of my head that signed any sort of extension with the Dodgers other than Mondesi, Karros, and Billingsley.
Yes
It is more of an indictment of the farm system that Billingsley was the first draft pick in 15 years to even get extended, Broxton is probably the first since maybe Steve Sax to leave via FA.
Guy named Beltre you might have heard of.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’d include Chan Ho, it is not like he didn’t come up via our farm system
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=park—001cha
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Fan graphs listed Jerry Sands as the disappointing prospect for the Dodgers out of the NL West, and dissed him pretty good. I disagreed with the assestment, but what was nice was seeing the plethora of responses in the comments section that sided with my point of view. I think Sands will be fine, especially after having a full season under his belt.
Withrow, Martin & Miller would have been the clear cut choices in our disappointing prospect department. Pick your poison of the three, and you’d have plenty to vomit about.
"They will never ketchup to all of the energy that I've mustard"
Hah I saw that populist uprising. Ivdown joined the fray as well.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 8:12 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Strange, not like Sands had great expectations coming into this season. The only way he could be a disappointment is if they thought he’d be the starting LF from the get go. Eric didn’t even think he’d see the major leagues until Sept. Add in the fact he dominated in Sept, the choice for Sands as our most disappointing prospect is even stranger.
As you said Joe, we took a number one pick and turned him into a relief pitcher. Our supplemental pick Aaron Miller was ranked higher then Martin by a few folk. They both blew some big chunks. Lemmerman was a bit disappointing was he not? Landy? Garcia?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Some people seem down on Late Night
But I think he did pretty well this year, perhaps solid play, lol. I see him being an MLB starter some day.
Why?
Solid in the minor leagues does not usually translate to squat, you can’t be as good as everyone else you have to be better, and not just a little better but a lot. At this point he did nothing to distinguish himself from any of the other minor league shortstops dotting the world of A/AA ball.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yep.
It’s important to remember that Your Prospect Sucks. This isn’t anything against Lemmermann or any other prospect, just the odds of anyone becoming a useful big leaguer are astronomically small.
I read somewhere that on average only two players on a rookie ball roster will ever touch the bigs, so right there we’re looking at 96% of minor leaguers gone. But just making the majors isn’t enough. What percentage of players ever reach five WAR in their career. Roughly 14,000 people have come to the plate in major league history and only 12.8% of those guys stick around long enough to make a real impact.
So, on average one out of every 200 minor leaguers ever make an actual difference in the bigs. When you’re looking for the top .5% “solid” isn’t nearly good enough.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
depressing but it really makes you appreciate the fact that
Mitchell
Sellers
DeJesus
AJ
FedEx
Gordon
Sands
Trayjon
Javy
Kenley
Lindbloom
all saw action this year.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Dodgers had 9 players make their major league debut this year. That seems like a lot. Might be worth a post at some point.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
1969 might be the starting point
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/1969.shtml
Russell
Grabarkewitz
Hutton
Stinson
Joshua
Garvey
Buckner
Valentine
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
The best was yet to come, in 69 it was mostly position players.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Heck
I forgot Ted Sizemore who made his debut and won ROY in 69
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
2006 was awesome
Chad Billingsley
Andre Ethier
Joel Guzman
Matt Kemp
James Loney
Russell Martin
Takashi Saito
Eric Stults
Delwyn Young
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
1992 was awesome for two reasons
Billy Ashley
Pedro Astacio
Rafael Bournigal
Pedro Martinez
Mike Piazza
Henry Rodriguez
Eric Young
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Rafael Bournigal, the best light-skinned Dominican Dodger since Jose Gonzalez!
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Jose Gonzalez, in his second major league game, scored the winning run on sock day in 1985 (September 7). My brothers and I went to the game, and Greg was stung on his lip by a bee that hid out in his Coke can all the way from Tommy’s to Dodger Stadium.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I was a game one time where a throw of his from right field sailed into the seats behind 3b. Great arm; little control of where the ball was going.
I was at German Rivera’s major league debut (or first start at least). He had two hits. I expected big things. I did not get big things.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
he was going to be Beltre before Beltre.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
He was the PTBNL that yielded Enos Cabell, who treated me to the best birthday ever.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
4 all-stars (wait, was Saito ever one?), 1 great and underrated closer/relief pitcher, 1 starting outfielder (on an awful pirates team), and a starting 1B. Not bad at all.
Saito was an all star in 2007. 5 all stars.
by dodgerpreacher on Oct 6, 2011 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions
1995 Dodgers had the most MLB debuts
among LA Dodger teams, with 13…
Jim Bruske
Mike Busch
Juan Castro
Roger Cedeno
Chad Fonville
Karim Garcia (who?)
Greg Hansell
Todd Hollandsworth
Noe Munoz
Hideo Nomo
Antonio Osuna
Felix Rodriguez
Todd Williams
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
I think he was a catcher. Probably just the emergency 4th catcher sort of callup in September?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I’m dead serious when I say my defense was that I was out of the country. That was during the peak of my fandom.
Oreste Marrero is the guy that I only know was a Dodger in retrospect. I have absolutely no memories of him ever playing a game.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
John Paciorek could go 0 for his next 4 and beat it
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Gack
I hope our 2011 list doesn’t read like that one in 2025
Gordon = Cedeno
Hollandsworth = Sands
Kenley = Osuna
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Very. But while we’re talking about leaps the jump from “making the bigs” to “cashes in at arbitration” is the biggest.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Is it true (I might’ve read it from you) that the jump from A to AA is the biggest in all of baseball? It’s why I don’t really consider Songco that much of a prospect. At the lower levels, it has to be largely about physical tools. You have to have something special or unique that can set you apart from all the good hitters in the minors.
i saw that article
the Sands support in the comments was cool.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
The only way it would be that disappointing is if anyone thought he would hit like Brett Lawrie in AAA
or if they thought he would hit like Hosmer or Freeman actually ended up hitting.
Right
Maybe they HAD to pick at least one player from each team and he was the closest thing we had to a high ranking prospect disappointment. Were we really expecting any possibly big contributions from a prospect/rookie heading in to this year?
I honestly think it was because his OBP was so low in AAA and he was so awful his first stint in LA
They probably didn’t really even notice his great september.
the blurb about him
really seemed to read like someone who didn’t actually watch Sands play.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions
it’s Fangraphs not a College thesis. Though what better subject than baseball could there be for a college thesis. I’m sure Dave would say bikinis and he might have me on that one but it’d be close.
It's something they write every two or so days with the Disappointing prospects series
It seems like they could do some better scouting of their own since they are only doing 1 prospect per team per division with a couple days in between articles. Doing something like this maybe they could have checked the last few years of top team prospects lists and seen some of the higher ups, then checked the stats and known that E. Martin is the biggest disappointment for the Dodgers prospect wise in a while.
Great Recap Eric
However, he walked three or more batters four times in a five-start stretch in August and September.
Maybe Lilly should walk more hitters, if he was the best he could be in Aug and Sept.
Much like in 2010, Lilly ended his season strong over the final two months. In August and September, Lilly made 11 starts and put up a 2.09 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 21 unintentional walks in 69 innings
Maybe he was trying to be to fine, I’ll take a walk over a home run any time.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I assumed his walks where
related to his neck thing, but perhaps his diminished home run rate was more then him just regressing to the mean of average laws.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Kuroda had a neck thing, I’m unaware of Lilly having a neck thing.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Homerun whiplash?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 6, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
August 20th
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/20/sports/la-sp-0821-dodgers-fyi-20110821
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
before this game lilly hadn't walked more then 2 in a game
he walked 3 on the 20th and then 3 or more 3 more times after.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Non-Baseball Question:
For any American qualified to answer: How much do you pay for “basic” cable TV? That is, without anything like HBO, Showtime or Starz?
My cable(Cox Orange County) costs almost 100 bucks
with hd and 2 recievers and dvr. I’m cancelling it this month.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
If I remembewr correctly
mine is so expensive because I had to get “advanced” services to get prime ticket.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Gibson did some great managing last night
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
pinch hitting for Saunders in the third was ballsy
but damned if it didn’t work like a charm
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Watching the ball off the bat I thought he had simply hit a weak grounder to the left side but it found a hole. Even if he does not get a hit, getting Saunders out was the right move.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
same here
also thought Corey Hart hit a Grand Slam when it just went to the track and into Parra’s glove.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions
lol
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes Nolander, Phil be smug
Brewers will now close it out
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
3 Game Fives, nice
But in the AL series they are both going with vice president’s so whoever wins will still have their Ace available for game one against CJ. No one is going to earn more money this fall then EJax, and no one is going to lose more money this fall then CJ.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Girardi says CC is available out of the bullpen, so that might screw up his availability to pitch game 1. When is game 1 anyway?
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
I also do not believe Leyland. If they need Verlander they will use him.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
did you see what I wrote in the last thread about Verlander?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Me to, best thing Selig has ever done.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Hopefully
The League Championship series go at least 6 games since the World Series is set to start on 10/19 regardless of when they end.
Boggles the mind
All Kershaw did after that was give up 15 earned runs in 15 starts, go 13-1 with a 1.22 ERA, average a strikeout per inning, and have nearly five times as many strikeouts as walks.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
he good
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
That's just so insane
I wonder how Kershaw’s numbers overall had looked with the blow up in Cinci and I think either Philly or St Louis. In Anaheim for that matter as well, lol.
Mattingly was on the Dan Patrick show this morning
He asked D2X about the Brewers and D-backs, and Donnie said he thought the Brewers would win as they were really built for their ballpark. He commented how when the Dodgers were in MIL, during BP the Brewers would hit balls like 30 rows deep. Then in LA, they would the ball just as hard and not understand why they would only go to the warning track.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
Eovaldi walked 20 batters in just under 35 major league innings, 5.14 per nine innings. He pitched four times in relief in September, but struck out none of the 15 batters he faced out of the bullpen
.
Kind of the opposite effect you’d expect. Eovaldi was quite uninspiring to me.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I didn’t realize until yesterday that Webster topped out at 95. Considering Webster actually has some secondary pitches, from a scouting perspective, you have to have Webster ahead of Eovaldi on the depth chart.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
But Webster's Topping Out At 95...
is apparently not something that happens often. Like Billingsley, Webster is mostly 90-92. Eovaldi is 94-96, topping out higher. Webster’s curve doesn’t sound any better than Eovaldi’s slider, and may be worse. So, basically Eovaldi throws the harder fastball, and Webster has a good change-up. I would say those things cancel each other out, but then Eovaldi is the same age as Webster but performed better in Double A AND has pitched with some success in the majors. All things considered, I have to put Eovaldi in front of Webster.
I would too. SSS but in the few games I watched Webster pitch once he got to AA and games were on tv, his fastball looked very hittable. I’m not sold on him being more than a 4th/5th starter right now. Hope he proves me wrong though.
They used him really sparingly
wonder if he just couldn’t get back into a groove?
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Yeah i agree. Cant expect Eo to be sharp w/o regular playing time. Specially since as a starter he doesnt know how to prepare for relief. It was a Donnie experiment gone bad.
by Venergy on Oct 6, 2011 12:25 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
It wasn’t an “experiment”. The Dodgers wanted to limit Eovaldi’s innings, but they didn’t want to shut him down and wanted him to still get a little more major league experience, so the pen was the only choice. The only other option was to shut him down for the year after his last start. I got no problem with this and am glad Eovaldi continued to get his feet wet in the bigs.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Gil Meche = Edwin Jackson before Free Agency?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
What better place than St Louis
as a pitcher, is a year or so before you hit free agency? #DaveDuncan
Could Eovaldi just be the next Billingsley?
Billz: 90 IP, 3.80 ERA, 4.88 FIP, 5.43 xFIP, 5.9 K/9, 5.8 BB/9 = 1.02 K/BB, 9.2 H/9
Eo: 34.2 IP, 3.63 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 4.80 xFIP, 5.97 K/9, 5.19 BB/9 = 1.15 K/BB, 7.3 H/9
They have different arsenals and obviously Billz pitched a lot more innings that first year, but they have a lot of statistical similarities and were both 21 years old.
Too small of a sample size. You’d be better off comparing minor league stats or scouting reports which would both heavily favor Billingsley.
Using just Ely’s first 34.2 IP, did he compare more favorable to Kershaw?
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Mike is white, Chad was the best pitcher during his minor league stints from the day he signed. This was the first year EO was even recognized by BA that he might be a prospect.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
like Miss Libby’s car
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions
she’s yours
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Eo’s ss is a little small, but there are at least comparable minor league stats. Chad of course had better scouting reports and always had the distinction of being a 1st rounder.
Ely doesn’t relate in any way here.
I didn’t see that second line with Ely / Kershaw so I withdraw my Mike is White support.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I brought up Ely because smart analysts were noting early that his stuff wouldn’t hold up. The league would adjust and he’d get hammered. That’s precisely how I felt about Eovaldi and the fact that he didn’t strike out anybody in his relief oppurtunities could indicate that the league is figuring him out.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Eo’s stuff is a lot more electric. Sure he needs to develop his secondary offerings and refine command, but he can miss bats and won’t need pinpoint control for success like Ely does. I don’t see think Ely is remotely relevant here.
Sure it was. Your argument was statistics based since you immediately pointed out that Billingsley and Eovaldi have different arsenals. I was pointing out that one particular shitty pitcher also had elite statistics based on a small/meaningless sample size of innings. That’s the only thing I was objecting to. I’m not in any way suggesting Eovaldi is inferior or comparable to Ely.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
AA comparison
Billz: 146 IP, 3.51 ERA, 10.0 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 = 3.24 K/BB, 7.2 H/9
Eo: 103 IP, 2.62 ERA, 8.7 K/9, 4.0 BB/9 = 2.15 K/BB, 6.6 H/9
Chad was always the better prospect, but there are still a lot of similarities and its way too early to cast off Eo based on not striking guys out at the end of the year.
Chad
Was the highest ranked pitcher in his league in 2003-2005. In half a season, he was the second ranked pitcher in the PCL in 2006 behind Jered Weaver.
The biggest tradedy of the 2011 season (non-Dodgers related)
was that Livan Hernandez didn’t pitch after September 4, ending his season at 29 starts. It ended a streak of 13 consecutive years of at least 30 starts for Livan.
The longest streak now belongs to Mark Buehrle, who has made at least 30 starts for 11 straight years.
I’ve always thought Livan was eventually going to find himself a Dodger, maybe this winter it will happen.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
From the sounds of things, Livan wants to come back to Washington, even if it as a long man / mentor.
He wants to be on a team that isn't very good
where he won’t be starting and won’t be making a ton of money because he enjoys being on the team and wants to help the younger pitchers learn.
Yeah, fuck that. I’m gonna go respect someone like Brett Favre for never wanting to retire, not wanting to teach young players, and wanting a truck load of cash.
Nationals might actually be good next year
they have some real offense and having strasburg for a full year should really help their pitching.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
They could have a scary offense next year
Zimmerman, Morse, Pujols/Fielder, Werth if he decides to stop sucking.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I thought their offense was better then it was
if we go by ops for the season they are in the 20s…
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Same 89 OPS+ as the Giants. Same 89 wRC+ as the Astros.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't know if it's just me
After nine straight years with 32 starts or more, Garland made just nine starts for the Dodgers in 2011.
But I don’t remember Garland making more than about 4 starts. I figured he was done quick.
Jon Garland is like an umpire, or a good waiter. He is doing his best when you don’t realize he is there.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
or a pro wrestling referee
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
didn't he get fired
for selling merchandise illegaly?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions
uh maybe
I stopped following everything once they had HHH rape a mannequin in a coffin.
Plus people getting fired in wrestling is like characters dying in comics. They’ll be back..
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
that didn't happen on the show
he just wasn’t there and I read online that was what happened.
yes, that necrophilia angle was idiotic on the grandest of scales
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
many
i just don’t comment on them. :)
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions
I stopped watching Wrestling as a kid….I remember when the Undertaker put the Ultimate Warrior in a coffin. I was horrified and thought that he was going to die. Mind you I was a 3rd grader
"They will never ketchup to all of the energy that I've mustard"
I had a friend in elementary school who was into professional wrestling, heavy metal, He-Man, and Intellivision. Our friendship couldn’t withstand those obstacles. (I think his mom put popcorn in tomato soup too.)
(I think his mom put popcorn in tomato soup too.)
[sound of record screeching]
What?
My mom used to put popcorn kernels in the refrigerator, and I thought that would be the strangest popcorn-related use of my lifetime.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
My mom used to put batteries in the fridge, too, but I have seen multiple people do that.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions
I never have enough for that
I use the just in time method for batteries. Of course I often have a dead flashlight or something on my hands
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
because?
to eat later
to cleanse the frig of smells like arm N hammer
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I never got a good answer. It wasn’t kernels that just didn’t pop, it was the jar of yet-unused kernels that resided in the fridge.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I have enjoyed Goldfish crackers in tomato soup before.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
When I was in San Diego my office was within walking distance of a mall, and the Nordstrom Cafe had one of the best tomato soups of all time.
I used to hate tomato soup until something like 8 years ago when I had some dental work done. I couldn’t chew for a 24-hour period or so so I had to get a smooth soup and the tomato soup I got just hit the right spot, and I have liked it since.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I am and will always be pro tomato soup jokes.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
When I was the right age (c. 20) I had my kitchen/living room shelves filled with artistically placed Quaker Oats cylinders. Better than Warhol.
Note: this was during Warhol’s heyday (c. 1970 – I’m old now, but wasn’t then) so this was both more pertinent, and fun, at the time. Also I lived in Philadelphia (studying) at the time, so it was location-appropriate (Quakers) too.
The Eric Stephen ledger
now looks something like…
The good: Fish n Chips, Sushi
The bad: British girls, tomato soup
Nature has evened things out again.
If I had a list of things on TV that I’d be least likely to watch more than one time, professional wrestling would likely be ranked pretty high. It would probably even surpass Dancing With Stars and Professional Teatherball.
I would watch professional tetherball, if only to see if the tale of the tape mention anything other than height.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
but I can brush my back teeth better with them.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Only because you don’t have a flip-top head.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
geez Eric
just hit me in my sore spots…..
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
yeah
i imagine the World Wildlife Foundation would have some boring tv. Can only watch Koalas so much
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
But think of the opportunities to punch cute animals!
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Koalas deserve punching
especially Kwicky, speedy little shit.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I lasted from ages 9-22 or something
kind of ashamed of it but from ages 15-20 it was truly a golden era of insanity.. then dudes started breaking their necks every other week and they stopped having mind blowing matches and got really boring.. along with the regular levels of stupidity..
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
and then some
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I watched as a kid, gave it up, then came back in my late high school years in the golden era of insanity as you say.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
BTW
In answering the question of whether Dan Uggla was rated in the Top 20 of Southern League prospects (BA) in 2005, you do have to account for that year being one of the best seasons for prospects in one league. However, not only did Uggla not make the top 20, according to the author of the rankings, he would not had made the top 40. Uggla had a very good AFL season too but again, he did it in one of the more talent filled years so again, he didn’t make the top20.
In BA’s preview of possible Rule 5 draftees, Uggla wasn’t listed among 25 possible players. Finally, in their review of that draft, BA said that they thought the Marlin’s would probably give Uggla a shot since their system was so weak.
So, in review, Dan Uggla was probably as big a whiff BA has had in a while.
his second half this year was amazing
and he still barely scrapped together a .750 ops.. he should be fine going forward but it was an awesome study in the law of averages working themselves out. I bet Adam Dunn wishes he was so fortunate.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Heck, I’m sure I can find alot more, he’s just easy to pick out because he was left off the roster by the Diamondbacks. Was Victorino listed in any top 20 lists? Casey McGahee? Mr. Parra?
You simply look for players who are older then the competition in the minors. were discounted, and then had successful major league careers. Every team has one of them on their roster.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I feel like the reason we cut Cody Ross loose was because we had a roster jam and we had to choose between him and former #1 pick Repko.. We chose.. poorly.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions
so you're saying
Scott Van Slyke will be a sucess?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
No, just saying that just because BA does not recognize a player in their top 20 lists, doesn’t mean anything. For three years they ignored Nathan Eovaldi who had made the all-star team. A year later he’s one of the top pitchers in the Southern League.
Heck they have Jose Altvue at the back end of the top 20 in the California League. A guy who was starting for the Astro’s from July on compared to Jean Segura who missed most of the year.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Also see Carlos Santana who they never liked compared to Matt LaPorta who they slobbered about since the day he was drafted. Only one of them will be the Indian first baseman going forward.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
If Baseball America could predict the future they wouldn’t be writing for Baseball America.
Their rankings do mean something, but they aren’t the gospel.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
Tigers/Yankees
84% of the money in Vegas is on the Yankees at -158 right now (That is around 61% win expectancy). I’m kind of blown away by that. I guess all the Yankees fans are betting with their hearts. Hopefully, the opportunity it opens up for the rest of us comes true.
In fairness, trying to figure out Nova has been a year-long theme. At a certain point, Yankee fans just decided to go with him and believe. I’m on Detroit’s side this series, but betting on Nova to fall apart is a risk to be sure. (I think he will.)
his fip is 4.0
but this one game is truly a case of sss. anything can happen. I just hope leland doesnt put out a dubious lineup and that he finally learned which relievers he can trust.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Nova lives by the ground ball
his peripherals are very Tim Hudson (2010 version) like (another GB pitcher)
K/9: 5.33
BB/9: 3.10
GB/FB: 1.83
Fister meanwhile is,
K/9: 6.07
BB/9: 1.54
GB/FB: 1.48
so Fister has much better peripherals and also tends to get a decent amount of ground balls. How much better is the Yankees offense?
anything can happen in that bronx bandbox
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
I bet last night at -140 now its -158
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Eric's right that going long-term with Kershaw makes the most sense
Verlander and Felix both signed 5 yr deals after signing 1 year deals in their first year of arbitration. If the Dodgers work out a deal where he gets $5m, $8m, $12m, $20m, $20m, $20m, that will fit in with the rest of the pack and still pay him more than Verlander or King Felix got in their first year of arb.
But if they go to arbitration, then he starts to draw comparisons to Lincecum, especially if Kershaw wins the Cy Young, and it could cost the Dodgers an additional $10m over the next 2 years not to guarantee the next 6.
I think the dream of a $5 million 2012 salary for Kershaw is already dead.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
what if they make it $6m and then add another year at $20m in 2018? Then it’s also bigger than the Kevin Brown deal
by StolenMonkey86 on Oct 6, 2011 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Presumably, Kershaw’s agent is reasonably intelligent and will know the same thing. For the Dodgers to get him at anything under market value in the immediate future, they need to provide him either with significant long-term security or maximized potential market value in the less-immediate future.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Heh
Kershaw gave up three different three-run homers during the season, and three more two-run shots. Take away his one two-run double and three of his (four) two-run singles, and you have…
20 fewer earned runs, plus three fewer unearned runs.
Let’s give Kershaw the benefit of the doubt and turn all those hits into outs, too. He would have a 1.48 ERA.
Suck it, Doc Gooden.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Roy Halladay allowed one non solo home run this year, so Kershaw totally wins by this metric.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Jesus, Halladay allowed 8 extra base hits this year with men on base.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Clayton Kershaw allowed a double to Melvin Mora with Chris Young on second base. Young advanced to third.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
It was a pop fly down the right field line that somehow dropped. Young had to wait.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions
[checks schedule]
sweet, no Ducks and Kings tonight.
/needs hockey writer
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Kings and Ducks both play tomorrow at 10 am but not against each other. Kings play the Rangers and Ducks play the Sabres.
They can’t start the game at midnight over there?
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Or more practically, do it on a Saturday.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Both teams are actually playing a back to back. Friday and Saturday. Kings go to Berlin on Saturday and the Ducks come to Stockholm.
And they’re both considered home games for the Kings. Only one home game for the Ducks.
The Kings didn’t realize they would have plenty of ability to schedule games at Staples this year.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions
we aren't the target demo
but it just seems to screw over their actual fanbases
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
hah
if you don’t want to meet up thats fine, I have to go to alahambra later in the day anyways so it will be a lot of driving. I’m cool either way.
Man the Texans on CBs twice in two weeks, don’t think thats ever happened for me.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I would have no problem
but i always have a fear in going to a place I am unfamiliar with and missing out on a good seat to watch my game. especially in this case when i could just watch at home in glorious HD.
Since hockey was brought up I figure I’ll ask here. Why the hell does the NHL charge more for online streaming than MLB does?
That question is for anyone and doesn’t really need to be answered. I’m just kind of annoyed. I’d like to watch Kings games here but not sure I want to pay $19.95 a month.
Seems odd with half the games of baseball
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Plus, they have to keep the ice cold over the internet. That isn’t easy.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 6, 2011 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Hi!
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 6, 2011 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I almost channeled my inner Humma earlier with a ruthless rant against lemurs, but I resisted. People were talking about animals that deserved to be punched, and I’ve always had it out for those furry primates.
I don’t hate lemurs, but lemurs deserve to be hated by somebody.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 6, 2011 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
what about squirrels?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
The squirrels and I, like North and South Korea, have reached a rough, and tentative, peace. I do not wish to further disrupt Humma-squirrel relations by taking any position here.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 6, 2011 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
it has a twitter account
LOL
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Missing something — oh, are you talking about the squirrel from yesterday’s game?
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 6, 2011 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
yes
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
And fewer games can result in the consumer feeling they need to see all those games, since each game matters more. That’s why people like myself shell out for NFL Sunday ticket. Each game is more meaningful.
Plus hockey is a niche market with a very passionate fanbase.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
because hockey tickets are more expensive?(no idea if true)
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I hate apartments
The people upstairs are watching Sons of Anarchy at a sound level so high that i can hear the dialogue.
Go upstairs and watchit with them
It’s an excellent show
They call me the tread killer
by Greg Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
The next ESPN Films movie is “The Dotted Line,” to air on Tuesday. It is about sports agents, and was made by Morgan “Super Size Me” Spurlock.
So it will be really biased and distorted
but really up front about how biased and distorted it is?
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Eric how can I get a Getty Image of Fernando from 1981 to use in the story?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
There should be one already saved (the one with Lasorda interviewing him), but I’ll see if I can find another one.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
I just uploaded another one from 1981…really poor early Fernando selections.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Writing the 1981 Fernando
season is sending chills down my spine as I relive his season. Man I feel sorry for anyone who was not able to live through that. That is how you become a passionate lifelong Dodger fan.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
im annoyed they wont retire his number
I understand the HOF limitation, but Fernando means more than just counting stats.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
if mccourt is looking for positive pr
this is a slam dunk
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
He'd fuck it up
and retire Sheffield’s number or something
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
The thing that I don’t get is that the number is for all intents and purposes retired, since they won’t allow anyone else to wear 34. Either let people wear 34 again, or retire it while Fernando is still alive and can be honored.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Frank missed his chance for a sellout game on a dead ass Wednesday Night by not having a night to celebrate the retiring of Fernando’s number. The one thing Josh should have been pushing for good PR was this move.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
wasn’t born for three more years.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions
I was born in 81’…..met Fernando a year and a half later and took a pic on his lap in the dugout at Holman Stadium. I must have been nervous because I was chewing the hell out of my plastic Rawlings glove and was rocking the short/short dodger blue shorts (diaper on underneath) topped off with the LA cap. Met him several times after that when I can actually remember being alive.
I also have a cool picture on the golf course of my Pops, Hershiser, Koufax & Fernando all holding their drivers….they still have it up in the bar at the restaurant 20 years later).
I’m out of here fellas! Have a great day everyone!
"They will never ketchup to all of the energy that I've mustard"
Is'nt this what E wears to games he doesn't cover?
the short/short dodger blue shorts (diaper on underneath) topped off with the LA cap
They call me the tread killer
by Greg Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Soon, very soon
They call me the tread killer
by Greg Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
It was truly a great year.
Living in Palm Springs, listening to Vin with my grandma, hearing the crowds going nuts. The season both started and ended great.
They call me the tread killer
by Greg Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions
What was it like going through the strike that year? I know MLB had a mini-strike in 1972, but for the most part wasn’t that the first major work stoppage of any major pro sport? That had to be devastating, and kind of a weird time since free agency was still in the early years and people didn’t know what the fuck was going on with the salaries going up.
I want to watch that 33-inning minor league game from 1981, the one with Ripken and Boggs, that was suspended because of curfew, then had the resumption covered by everyone because it was in the middle of the strike and people needed baseball news.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I wan't an Expos fan, so it didn't really have any effect on me
I was 15, and while I was a fan, I wasn’t obsessed with it like I was a few years later.
That plus I had a snot-nosed 5 year old that my mom used to make me look after.
They call me the tread killer
by Greg Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
The best part
was laughing at Cincinnati
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Thought that was the Expos in 81 with the best record
They call me the tread killer
by Greg Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Reds were 66-42 and had the best record in MLB, but like the 1994 Expos they did not make the playoffs. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, there were actually playoffs in 1981.
Dodgers won the NL West first half by a half game over Cincy
Astros won the second half by a game and a half over Cincy
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions
The Dodgers’ championship in 1981 really is on shaky ground in terms of legitimacy.
They split the season into halves after the strike, and the Dodgers won the first half with a 36-21 record, which was a half-game better than the 35-21 Reds, only because the Dodgers played and won an extra game!
Same BS happened in the AL East in 1972. There was a brief strike and the final AL East standings looked like this:
Detroit 86-70
Boston 85-70
How do the Red Sox not get to play an extra game? Amazingly bad.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions
What they lack for in legitimacy they made up for with the greatest comebacks in the postseason any Dodger team has ever had.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Fuck the red sox
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Scene: The Stephen household, 1981
There is a puff of smoke and the scent of sulfur.
Young Eric: Who are you?
The Devil: Your best pal, kid.
Young Eric: What do you want?
The Devil: To make you an offer. You love the Dodgers, right?
Young Eric: Oh yeah.
The Devil: How’d you like to see them win the World Series?
Young Eric: There’s a strike.
The Devil: That can be fixed. Want to see them win?
Young Eric: More than anything.
The Devil: Just sign here. I will see to it that they win; the only thing I ask in exchange is to own the team, beginning in…. oh, sometime in the mid-2000s.
Young Eric: You are clearly committed to winning. What could go wrong?
(signs)
The Devil: One more thing you should know. You know how you have always really liked kittens and babies? Well, not anymore.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 6, 2011 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 8 recs
awesoke
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I can still remember
sitting in a bar at a Mexican restaurant watching Fernando beat the Mets during his great start of the season. The bar was electric, though the restaurant couldn’t get a table bussed for any amount of money.
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
It seems like TCU will end up paying the most of any school when all this conference movement is said and done.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Mizzou would be nuts to stay. They clearly prefer the Big Ten, but they aren’t offering, so go with the next best thing which is the SEC.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
They really want to go the the Big 10.
Not sure why the Big 10 hates them. They may be short on academics at Mizzou.
I have no idea how good or bad Mizzou is academically, but I’m guessing that’s precisely the reason the Big 10 won’t show them the love. Not sure if Nebraska > Mizzou academically, but that’s my problem. At least Nebraska can say it’s an elite program with an enormous and passionate fanbase. Mizzou is just….there.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
They have a
top notch journalism school
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
I’ve heard the academic arguement before, that is why I mentioned it. They don’t bring anything to the Big 10 or SEC IMO other than location for the Big 10 and someone else to get pounded on.
The SEC has to add somebody though, and if VIrginia Tech won’t play ball and they have that very lame “gentleman’s agreement” then I don’t know who else makes sense. At least Mizzou would border states currently in the SEC.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
True enough. Not sure of who else would be down to go.
I think Clemson wants to come bad, but South Carolina has no interest in them coming.
Prolly be Mizzou
It really should be Florida State. You can’t tell me that the freaking Florida Gators are that insecure to think they would be disadvantaged in recruiting in the 3rd best high school football state in the country (yes, Texas and California are better.) Plus, they already have to compete with them, because they’re Florida State, not some slouch program that doesn’t compete.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Does Florida State being in the SEC make the conference any more money though? That’s what it comes down to. Bringing them in wont bring in another new market to the conference. That’s why the SEC went after Texas A&M. For the Texas market. The recruiting has very little to do with it. They are already able to recruit pretty much wherever they want just on name recognition alone.
In that case, screw it, go after USC.
I understand the money argument even if I find it completely uninteresting. There’s also the fact that FSU adds another school who would compete for national titles and BCS games, which does bring the conference more money. Yay for money in “amateur” athletics!
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
The St. Louis market is notoriously terrible for college football.
But I guess it’s a long term play so that could change in 10 years or so.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Also, if the SEC cared about AAU schools, why not go after Virginia?
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Better idea
Eric convinces UCSD to bring back football and they join the SEC.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
My love for Verne Lundquist would go ever higher.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Danielson would talk up the new UCSD football program as though they were the 70s Steelers.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
THAT AAU was what I thought of first too. But apparently AAU means they are good at academics and shit.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Association of American Universities
http://www.aau.edu/about/article.aspx?id=5476
The Association of American Universities (AAU) is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization of 61 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1900 to advance the international standing of U.S. research universities, AAU today focuses on issues that are important to research-intensive universities, such as funding for research, research policy issues, and graduate and undergraduate education.
AAU member universities are on the leading edge of innovation, scholarship, and solutions that contribute to the nation’s economy, security, and well-being. The 59 AAU universities in the United States award more than one-half of all U.S. doctoral degrees and 55 percent of those in the sciences and engineering.
AAU programs and projects address institutional issues facing its member universities, as well as government actions that affect these and other universities.
AAU works to maintain the productive partnership between the nation’s research universities and the federal government. The major activities of the association include federal government relations, policy studies, and public affairs.
Membership in the association is by invitation. Information about AAU membership is available here.
Pretty much. So long as Texas and Oklahoma want the Big 12 to exist, it will exist.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Tigers lineup
Jackson CF
Kelly 3B
Young LF
Cabrera 1B
Martinez DH
Ordonez RF
Avila C
Peralta SS
Santiago 2B
yeah this lineup is ok
Kelly is having a decent series and Inge and Betemit are meh at the moment.. Still have no idea why lil meathook is batting 3rd.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 6, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Season on line, bat Don Kelly second.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Can't hold anything back
/Waterboy
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 6, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Man, the 2nd and 3rd batters in the lineup had sub .300 OBPs during the year. The lead-off guy is 0 for the post-season.
by Michael White on Oct 6, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
If it wasn’t for Don Kelly, how could Curtis Granderson misplay fly balls into highlight reel footage?
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 6, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Lineup ranked by OPS
4th
7th
5th
8th
3rd
9th
1st
2nd
6th
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 6, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Per Bob Nightengale
in USA Today:
The Diamondbacks, according to two high-ranking officials, claimed Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko on waivers near the end of August.
White Sox GM Kenny Williams and Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers had a brief conversation.
Williams gave Towers a list of players he wanted. The list included Goldschmidt.
Towers quickly declined and decided he would take his chances with Goldschmidt.
just added some info, Konerko is signed through 2013, earning $25.5 million over the next two years (plus $12 million this year)
by Eric Stephen on Oct 6, 2011 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
[last story of the day]
I was at a Visalia/Rancho Cucamongo game when they announced over the PA that Goldschmidt had hit his first major league homer off Lincecum. The crowd went crazy. I guess he was a real fan favorite the previous year. Great minor league baseball moment.
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