Spring Training Is Here: Dodgers Pitchers & Catchers Report Today, Including Opening Day Starter Clayton Kershaw
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:01 AM PST
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It has been 136 days since the Dodgers have collectively worn baseball uniforms in an organized fashion, but the time has come for them to do so again. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training today and while the first workout isn't here yet -- that will come tomorrow -- today marks the day we have been waiting for all winter. Baseball is here, again.
In the few hours that the Dodgers camp has been open, there has already been big news. Clayton Kershaw has been named the opening day starter, per Don Mattingly today. At 23 years, 12 days old on March 31, likely against Tim Lincecum and the Giants, Kershaw would be the fifth-youngest opening day starter in Los Angeles Dodgers history.
It's funny, last spring Kershaw was in the running for opening day starter, but the nod somehow went to Padilla, and it wasn't announced until March 25, 11 days before opening day. Here we are, 43 days before the opener this season, and we already know Kershaw will open the season on March 31. That's a comforting thought.
For those of you going to spring training this year, it will be a fun experience. Two years ago, I wrote about my first experience at Camelback Ranch, and JJ24 had a great fan post last month detailing the ins and outs of attending spring training. Here are a few general dates to remember: 
- Today: pitchers and catchers report
- Thursday: pitchers and catchers first workout
- Monday: position players report
- Tuesday: first full-squad workout
- February 23: minor league early camp begins
- February 26: first spring training games: Dodgers have split squad games in Tempe against Angels, and in Scottsdale against Giants
- February 27: first game at Camelback Ranch, against the Angels (on Prime Ticket)
- March 3: pitchers and catchers to report to minor league camp
- March 5: minor league pitchers and catchers first workout
- March 9: minor league position players report
- March 11: first full-squad minor league workout
The Dodgers have 33 Cactus League games in 30 days, including one in Las Vegas on March 13 against the Cubs. The Dodgers play 17 games at Camelback Ranch; 15 home games and two "away" games against the co-tenant White Sox.
With pitchers and catchers reporting today, that means 35 players are set to check in to Dodgers camp today. The Dodgers open camp with five bona fide starters (Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Ted Lilly, and Jon Garland), and I'm sure Vicente Padilla would say there are six starters. Whatever Padilla's role shall be, that makes six locks for the opening day roster. Add in Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, and free agent acquisition Matt Guerrier, and that brings us to nine pitching roster locks.
As for the other three bullpen spots:
- Ronald Belisario: he is not expected to report today (making him a late arrival for the third year in a row), but it doesn't necessarily mean Belisario is out of favor. Getting a work visa can have several complications (certainly not helped by Belisario's 2009 DUI arrest), but as long as Belisario is complying on his end by making the necessary appointments on time (unlike last year), his late arrival won't be a big issue...yet. He is out of options. UPDATE: Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times is reporting that there are concerns whether or not Belisario will ever get into the U.S. this year. Hernandez writes,
[Belisario's agent Paul] Kinzer said he didn’t think Belisario would be able to enter the United States at any time this year. “Unless some things change drastically, I’m not very optimistic at this point,” Kinzer said.
- Kenley Jansen: if I'm constructing the bullpen, Jansen is a lock; but he does have options, and it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have Jansen get regular work as a closer in the minors rather than being the sixth-inning option in Los Angeles
- Blake Hawksworth: every pen needs a swing man and/or long reliever, and Hawksworth fits that role. Since he's out of options, he will be given every opportunity to earn a roster spot
- Scott Elbert: a strong Arizona Fall League performance has propelled Elbert back into the mix as a second lefty reliever behind Kuo
- Ron Mahay: the soon-to-be 40-year old (on June 28) is here on a minor-league deal, looking to pitch for his ninth major league team. He figures to battle Elbert for one spot
Ramon Troncoso and Travis Schlichting will be in the mix for bullpen spots as well, but both have options and are likely further down the depth chart. Similarly, John Ely and Carlos Monasterios are down the depth chart as starters, but will likely start in Triple A, barring injuries. Jon Link is in the mix as well, and while he is being stretched out like a starter, he could be a bullpen option if a need arises at the major league level.
As for the catchers:
- Rod Barajas: the hometown boy will be the primary starting catcher, though it wouldn't surprise me to see something like a 108/54 split with the backup catcher
- Dioner Navarro: the 2008 All-Star hasn't done anything in the majors in the last two years (.212/.263/.306), but unless he falls flat on his face during the spring, Navarro is a lock for the opening day roster. The Dodgers didn't give Navarro a $1 million contract just so they can cut him during the spring
- A.J. Ellis: he ended 2010 on a high note, but seems headed for Triple A to start the season. The life of a man with options
- Hector Gimenez: he is out of options, but is really just insurance in case another catcher gets hurt
JD Closser and Damaso Espino are the other two catchers in big league camp, and are both on minor league contracts.
Welcome back baseball!
Dioner Navarro photo: Andy Lyons | Getty Images
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our national nightmare is over
LETS DO THIS
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Feb 16, 2011 11:03 AM PST reply actions
Scratch that about Belisario
Kinzer would not specify why Belisario was still in his native Venezuela. But asked if Belisario was having trouble securing a visa, Kinzer replied, "It goes a little deeper than that."
Kinzer said he didn’t think Belisario would be able to enter the United States at any time this year.
"Unless some things change drastically, I’m not very optimistic at this point," Kinzer said.
/facepalm
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
“so scratch him off the list”
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
I just added that as an update to the article above.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 16, 2011 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
You probably finished yours first, then mine overwrote yours. Sorry about that.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
No problem
It was almost the same, but yours had the blockquote.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:27 PM PST up reply actions
Especially when in the middle of an unordered list!
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:59 PM PST up reply actions
do they
put him on the restricted list?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 11:10 AM PST up reply actions
Wouldn’t you just add him to the restricted list instead?
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
That’s what I was thinking.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 16, 2011 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
From a BP article
Under Major League Rule 15, a team may petition MLB to place a player on the restricted list if he is unable to render his services to his club through some action of his own. Typical circumstances include failure to report, visa problems, domestic abuse situations or treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. A player on the restricted list does not count against the 40-man roster, is not paid, and does not earn service time. A team may keep a player on the list indefinitely until he is reinstated under Major League Rule 16.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:16 AM PST up reply actions
Josh Hamilton spent
the 2004 and 2005 seasons on the restricted list.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:18 AM PST up reply actions
No
there is no minimum, the maximum seems ambiguous.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:38 AM PST up reply actions
That one guy was on the restricted list for a few years….after he retired?
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
Josh Hamilton
2010 AL MVP.
No. 1 Overall Draft Pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:50 AM PST up reply actions
I believe
that Maddz is referring to Pat Borders.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Dude is done
unless he gets there in like a week , I can’t imagine the Dodgers want to keep dealing with his shit.
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
I am interested to hear
what Bob T has to say as to whether or not Belisario will ever pitch in a meaningful game for the Dodgers again.
by Xeifrank on Feb 16, 2011 11:31 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
I find myself strangely amused and slightly bemused but not irritated
it is a shrug for me
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
I know this is in jest, but having a 4th known commodity must be some relief to Ned and D2X. If they went in with just Broxton, Kuo and Soapbubble as the pen with let’s-hope-for-4-guys, they’d be sweating.
it’d be different if he got DFA’d from America in the middle of the season. It’s prior to the start of Spring Training, really, so it doesn’t really matter.
Plus we have good options for the ‘pen; I imagine if the other options besides Belisario started with the letter “O” and rhymed with “mortiz”, then we’d be slightly more panicked/upset/Humma’d.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
Well....
The team would be better with Belisario than it will be without him. I think SW is right; Hawksworth replaces him. Belisario is better, I think.
That said, he’s not all that much better, and they are middle relievers, so any of them could have a mind-blowingly great season and/or fall off the cliff at any moment. It can’t really be predicted.
So, the official Humma position is: That’s not good, but ultimately, whatever.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 11:26 AM PST up reply actions
I was under the impression that Bellisario and Hawksworth were both going to make the team, because neither have options. In which case, Bellisario’s spot gets taken by someone else like Jansen, Schlicting, Troncoso, or Link
We have enough relievers
even without him. Jansen Kuo Brox should lock the 7-8-9 down pretty good
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
This is bad. We need late-inning power arms. Our offense and possibly defense aren’t that good. Let the record show the first real news of 2011 ST was bad.
It might, but we have plenty of reinforcements. I think it goes:
Broxton
Kuo
Padilla
Guerrier
Mayhay
Hawksworth
Jansen/Elbert/Troncoso/Schlicting/Link
Plenty of power arms in that group.
with no Belisario
I gotta think it increases Jansen’s chances.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 12:23 PM PST up reply actions
Hahaha
Tripon, where you at son?
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
Note that this is only
2 minutes behind. :)
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
that 6,000 internet years to you and me
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:10 AM PST up reply actions
wow
where’d you pull that reference from?
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
Duh
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
yeah, but what is the logic for that search
“things that are two minutes late?”
“people who are loved for being two minutes late”
“visa commercial olympics hamstring dad runner two minutes late”
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
Derek Redmond is forever burned in my memory
I was going to make a John Carlos reference, but the difference in that was milliseconds, but the Olympic section of my brain was spinning and I thought of Redmond instead.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:20 AM PST up reply actions
On the other hand
someone may have to revise their Belisario preview story
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
competition for ugliest dodger just got more competitive
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Feb 16, 2011 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
Best bullpen
Broxton
Kuo
Jansen
Guerrier
Padilla
Elbert
Hawksworth
by silverwidow on Feb 16, 2011 11:13 AM PST up reply actions
calls you the wrong name
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
You said best, not best properly utitlizing remaining options
by Michael White on Feb 16, 2011 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
Best constructed; Troncoso probably shouldn’t be the long man.
by silverwidow on Feb 16, 2011 11:27 AM PST up reply actions
Troncoso and his 4 inning save in 2009 disagrees with you!
by Michael White on Feb 16, 2011 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
Yep, that was a terrific performance. But he’s pitched more than 2 innings only once in his last 119 appearances.
by silverwidow on Feb 16, 2011 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
Hard to pitch that many innings when you are pitching every other day.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
Agreed, that’s why I think he’s a middle reliever.
by silverwidow on Feb 16, 2011 11:43 AM PST up reply actions
He could do it if he wasn’t pitching every other day.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
If they make Padilla a short reliever or even a closer (as has been hinted at), it’s best to construct the pen with a guy who has started some ML games at the back end.
My argument is based on construction, not talent. If I wanted to throw the best arms out there regardless of role, I might be tempted to use Rubby right now.
by silverwidow on Feb 16, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions
I'm not sure Bellisario is better then any of those guys
Hawksworth doesn’t really count unless Belly can do long relief.
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
...
You want a young guy to become your ace, you treat him like an ace.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
I avoid...
like the plague. I don’t know him, but from what little I have allowed myself to read, he seems to pander to the lowest common denominator of baseball speculation and fandom
He like wallows in that shit
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
Dear other receptionist
Perhaps before you strand me alone at the front desk for an hour by myself, YOU CAN ASK ME IF I’D LIKE TO USE THE RESTROOM BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
Signed,
Maddz
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
No plants or large cups around?
Oh, wait…
by KellyStephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
My thought exactly
If you discretely and quickly pee’d in her chair she’d learn a lesson that she would not soon forget
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
Grrr.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
I once covered a reception desk
I disconnected an important client while transferring the call. I never covered the desk again.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:37 AM PST up reply actions
Haha, that’s rough, I’m sorry.
A guy just called to ask if there was any incentive to paying all 4 years of tuition at once. Meaning he could probably do it. Undergrad tuition here runs about 56k. My eyes were all big.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
Well, if you can lock in tuition rates, it makes sense
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
When I cover the front desk, I have to sit near the women’s restroom. Some women pee really loud, and there is one lady that comes in and hawks loogys better than a 400lb male
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
gross
I like to imagine that ladies never do any of those things, confronted by evidence to the contrary is stomach churning
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
One of my coworkers pees like an Elephant. It seriously sounded like she was pouring a big gulp in…I cried on the inside for experiencing it
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
Males. /eyeroll
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
The world is our outhouse.
Jealousy…tsk, tsk.
by KellyStephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:53 AM PST up reply actions
Come on….that was a comment that could be made by any gender. I have her plenty a gentle pee from the front desk area, but this lady turns on a hose…it is strange no matter what
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions
Sure, it’s strange, but I’m not sure it would make me “cry on the inside” while experiencing it. :)
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
well, it did because she is a co-worker and already annoys me…so I have to see her on a daily basis. Just a stranger, no big deal…but now I know, and I will hear again
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 12:04 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
with your sentiment regarding his comment.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Opening in fantasy league
(Sorry for the double-post, but just missed the NPUT. )
I have a slot open in my 12-team 5×5 league. $125 buy-in. Sabr-friendly categories. Slow draft via email. Quality league running for 10+ yrs. PM me if you have any interest. bigcpa@gmail
any real chance the dodgers land albert pujols?
"the man who created a legend; the legend who resurrected a franchise."
zero
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Feb 16, 2011 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
Ned must have known
about the possible complications, which now makes his acquisition of Guerrier much more understandable. It also now makes his comment about them possibly carrying three left handers make more sense.
Oh Well, Belisario was nice surprise for one year. Two years ago at this team, he was just another NRI.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
It does seem likely that Ned knew something when he signed Guerrier. I guess there is a method to the madness sometimes.
I am just glad that we have 6-7 good arms that could fill that spot.
When you have Belisario (off-the-field issues) and Kuo (injury history)
as part of pen plans, extra arms is always the way to go
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:52 AM PST up reply actions
From Tony Jackson
Is there a Tim Lincecum or a Ubaldo Jimenez among this group? Not yet.
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/columns/story?id=6125532
WTF?
by stevesaxaphone on Feb 16, 2011 11:43 AM PST reply actions
This is the part that gets me
New manager Don Mattingly can pick ’em in terms of how the five starters — Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Lilly, Kuroda and Garland — will line up. Garland figures to be the fifth guy if only because he is the newcomer. Any of the other four could legitimately get the ball for Opening Day.
Tony must have really bought Joe Torre’s bullshit when he announced Padilla as last year’s starter.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Rosenthal says the Cards offer to Pujols was only likely $19-21 million per year.
As absurd as this may sound, that is a slap in the face.
Big slap.
The big downside in all of this is that next offseason we’ll be inundated w/the media fascination of the Yanks/Sox battle for him.
by KellyStephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
i don't see the yankees getting him
they have texiera until 2016, and neither one of those guys should be wasted as a DH – the red sox make the most sense to me (money wise, winning wise, position wise) but that assumes that they don’t renew A-Gonz, or he is willing to DH – which I think won’t happen.
by stevesaxaphone on Feb 16, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions
I hope the Yankees get him
You are not really a great baseball player unless your a Yankee, so Albert deserves it for historical purposes
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 11:58 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
that's Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford money
those deals hurt the Cards as much as anything that happened this off-season.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 11:53 AM PST up reply actions
The Cardinals deserved to be absolutely ripped to shreds if that is the case. I understand the hesitancy to give him a ton of years, but the money shouldn’t be much of an issue per year.
The funny thing is that Albert was ready to sign a pretty team friendly extension a a few years ago. Danny and the union wouldn’t let him do that, and now Albert really does want to be paid as the best player in the game. we’ll see where this goes.
by UCLADodger32 on Feb 16, 2011 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
I don’t believe this price
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 12:05 PM PST up reply actions
dodgerthoughts
Mattingly told reporters today that he doesn’t plan to move Kemp from CF.
Was there ever any doubt?
No doubts but the possibility of Tony Gwynn moving there for the defense
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 11:52 AM PST up reply actions
Gwynn’s gotta hit like his dad instead of his mom to make that happen.
by KellyStephen on Feb 16, 2011 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
Yep
May we have this problem
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 11:57 AM PST up reply actions
Now I just need to convince my wife that the tax incentives we got should be spent to help the economy
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 12:13 PM PST up reply actions
You’re doing it wrong
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A4186750&~ck=baynoteSearch&baynote_bnrank=4&baynote_irrank=0
Or better yet
http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-HD66-2500ANSI-Lumens-4000/dp/B002ZWU33U/ref=pd_cp_e_1
by DodgersKings323 on Feb 16, 2011 9:44 PM PST up reply actions
and has already said
he’d use it.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 12:16 PM PST up reply actions
Tony Jackson chimes in on Belisario
on ESPN LA:
Belisario then left the team for personal reasons in early July — neither he, Kinzer, nor anyone in the Dodgers organization ever revealed the reason for that departure — and was gone for a month. Asked on Wednesday if the reason Belisario’s current problems securing a visa from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is similar to the reason for his absence last summer, Kinzer said simply, “Yeah.”
So he is possibly being denied because of a rehab stint? I guess the embassy can reject for a number of reasons so that seams plausible.
Or maybe he spent that month in jail in Venezuela.
by Michael White on Feb 16, 2011 12:27 PM PST up reply actions
The act continues
Brian Wilson is driving to the ballpark in a decked out squad car these days.
The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions.
All kidding aside
this is why it is difficult to repeat, the extra attention and benefits that come your way after winning just have to be distracting even if you insist that they are not.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 12:31 PM PST up reply actions
Can we ban discussing his off-field antics here?
by delias man on Feb 16, 2011 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
The following just happened on fb chat
Maddz Daddz: Hey Maddz, FB tells me you are a lesbian and not a hetero.
Maddz: Nah, that’s just a joke.
MDaddz: Oh.
Maddz: (realizing her father doesn’t know she’s coming to visit) Oh hey, guess what
MDaddz: Preggers?
FML
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
after telling him no
MDaddz: …engaged to be preggers?
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
see why I
choose to stay away from it?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:01 PM PST up reply actions
I’m laughing my ass off, I’m totally ok with it.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
since you are
LOL
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:03 PM PST up reply actions
MDaddz: You’re coming home? You should go visit your sister.
Maddz: I would love to but that’s really expensive. not so expensive to go to the baby
Maddz: er BAY! BAY AREA! NOT HAVING A BABY!
MDaddz: baby! BABY!!!
I can’t stop laughing
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
If the times comes when you become with child
Just call MDaddz up and say you are going to the Bay area.
Lol. My Pops is funny as hell too.
by Julio Nievas on Feb 16, 2011 1:02 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Lida Rose, I’m home again, Rose, without a sweetheart to my name… everybody!
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 2:02 PM PST up reply actions
just as it was in the past, so it is now
bullet Dodged (pun intended)
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:07 PM PST up reply actions
though Reed's departure
caused D4P
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:10 PM PST up reply actions
was it a good run?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
sez you!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:15 PM PST up reply actions
or freedom, is that right?
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
i know
why ruin a perfectly good coke?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:23 PM PST up reply actions
Did you eat there?
It’s a more defensible move if you can simply dump it and refill at no extra cost.
Otherwise, either one by itself would have been better.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:29 PM PST up reply actions
i do not like Mr Pibb
Freedom is great though. You know, like freedom of choice :)
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:22 PM PST up reply actions
Freedom gives you the right to make the correct choice, Tommy.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:23 PM PST up reply actions
I feel I have Eric
I feel I have.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:24 PM PST up reply actions
“Mr. Pibb is a replica of Dr. Pepper, but it’s a bullshit replica. Dude didn’t even get his degree.”
/Hedberg
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:25 PM PST up reply actions
“I didn’t go through eight years of Pepper Medical School to be called Mister.”
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 2:06 PM PST up reply actions
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Yet, Podboy is probably a better option then anything we ultimately ended up with.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Me to
I didn’t like him, and I didn’t like the fact we traded for him.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Thanks
It was the mutual option he turned down. Nice move, Pods. Or maybe he had a Handshake Special with Ned.
Pods definitely thought he could get more $$$
The Dodgers wanted him back, at $2 million, and picked up their half of the mutual option.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 2:17 PM PST up reply actions
Guys, that is Varsity level pessimism. Actually wishing for the team to be worse so that we don’t have to watch Podsednik? Oooh. You gotta leave that kind of hating to the professionals.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 2:13 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think the team is worse w/o Podsednik
The problem with a guy like Scotty Pods is that no matter how he produces (shittily, most likely), he will be written into the lineup every day.
At least now there is flexibility. It’s not that difficult to replace slap hitting and bad defense.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 2:16 PM PST up reply actions
I was mostly kidding around — like always! — but the point refers back to the meercat’s tweak: Podsednik is likely a better option than anybody we ended up with. Yes, Podsednik is most likely to produce shittily, but so is every single other option we have, and maybe even to a greater extent.
Look, nobody was hoping Podsednik would be back, and the schadenfreude is nice, but that doesn’t mean that the joke’s not on us.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 2:25 PM PST up reply actions
this might be misguided
but I tend to see Eric as my emotional barometer as far as signings and trades go…and he seemed adamant that Scotty Pods was terribad, so I’m alright with it. :D
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
One of our worst fears has subsided
Scott Podsednik signed with Toronto. He got a minor-league deal.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I think next year will be the year I finally make it to ST.
by Skunkburner on Feb 16, 2011 1:07 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Sounds like you will beat Belisario!
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You and every other minor league player that hopes!
by Julio Nievas on Feb 16, 2011 1:10 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Navarro
“the 2008 All-Star hasn’t done anything in the majors in the last two years (.212/.263/.306), "
I still don’t get why we signed this guy. I’d rather run with Ellis as the backup.
Did he say that before or after asking you if you wanted to apply for a Target card?
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
the difference between the two is likely so small I have a hard time caring
and the fact that Ellis is a punch and judy hitter just bums me out
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
So I somehow got on one guy’s email list, even though I don’t really know him. Like 99.5% of his emails are bullshit jokes and forward-y type stuff. So my opinion of the dude I only spoke with briefly one time has been very, very low. Almost a hatred level for these emails.
Then he sent an email to his list today that said his wife unexpectedly passed away. I thought that would make it harder to hate the dude for his emails.
Turns out it is still easy to harbor ill will.
do you really like the closet or are you just looking around saying you like things.
Also, are you coming Saturday night?
The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions.
Peaches are always best in the summer.
Unless Marty murders their father.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:56 PM PST up reply actions
Hahaha, horticulture callback
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
You can lead a horticulture, but you can’t make her think.
— Dorothy Parker
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 2:27 PM PST up reply actions
Guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.
- D. motherfuckin Parker
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
“Men seldom,” not “Guys don’t.”
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 2:30 PM PST up reply actions
this is false, btw. glasses are hot
The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions.
+1
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 3:48 PM PST up reply actions
awesome callback
took me a full minute
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
That is a 93 MPH fastball right down the middle, Eric.
But because I respect you, I’m going to let it go by.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
I knew it roughly .000000001 seconds after I hit post.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 1:43 PM PST up reply actions
i was gonna make a reference to that Heinekien commercial, but with Dr. Pepper, but I didn’t know how many would get it.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 1:47 PM PST up reply actions
This is kind of funny
and totally OT, but Michael Cera is actually hot here
(and totally ’shopped, obvi)
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
An Alabama fan poisoned all the trees at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn.
The best response ever came from Everyday Should be Saturday:
Alabama, just when I think you’ve redefined batshit, YOU MAKE BIGGER BATS THAT MAKE BIGGER SHIT.
Also, my iPhone wanted to correct “toomers” to “topless.”
That would be way more fun.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 2:08 PM PST up reply actions
whoever poisons trees typifies “bitch of a jackass”
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
I think the full term is “really small penis bitch of a jackass”
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 16, 2011 2:29 PM PST up reply actions
Al from Dadeville
Or so he said when he called Paul Finebaum. So they have his phone number, and you have to have a license and EPA permit to handle that kind of herbicide. So I’m guessing the local cops and the Feds will be knocking on his door in no time.
I don’t know how to adequately explain the mood here, because I can’t think of a good Dodger equivalent. Mugging Vin, maybe.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Feb 16, 2011 4:48 PM PST up reply actions
I'd be pretty pissed
I guess Keel Hauling is out of the question, but if you catch them yourself, I’ve always like the nicking them a few hunders times with a razor blade then dunking them in rubbing alcohol. No permanent damage but the pain will last a lifetime.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Would you really want to see what East Alabama has to offer in the way of topless women, though?
The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions.
I’ve lived there 11 years. It’s not so bad.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Feb 16, 2011 4:39 PM PST up reply actions
It is all relative, Kinbote would also be frightened by East Los Angeles
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I was frightened by Interstate 5, so I’m not casting stones.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Feb 16, 2011 4:42 PM PST up reply actions
lol, East L.A. here, saying it aint so bad either :P
by DodgersKings323 on Feb 16, 2011 9:48 PM PST up reply actions
because you never misspell “topless”.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 16, 2011 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Angelina got engaged!!
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
so sayeth twitter. amen.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
CNN retweeted it. I don’t know.
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
…were they hunting trips?
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
All I can think of is the hunting trip on Parks and Rec
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 3:35 PM PST up reply actions
starting? STARTING?
STARTING?
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
Buh bye Belisario
Dude has some wicked movement on his pitches but is not always that reliable on the mound and is rarely reliable off the mound so I am not having a hard time moving on.
As noted above, gives KJ (and even Elbert) a better shot at making the team and t hey have some other good options as well.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Easily the dumbest show I have watched (last night)
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 2:32 PM PST up reply actions
I’m still pissed at the whole Kasparov/Deep Blue kerfluffle. I bet my graduate professor that Kasparov would win, but then they went and changed the rules around and reprogrammed DB after the first game. Yes a computer can have advanced “thought,” but only if programmed by a human. Jeopardy’s a trivia show. Of course a computer can know trivia.
Exactly
And, if anything, it proved the computer is super fast at buzzing in….oh, and apparently the computer did not know Toronto was not a US City. Classic!
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 2:39 PM PST up reply actions
I would think that reflexes have a lot to do with it..
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
You had to see it. Both guys were pressing the buzzers way early to no avail
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 2:49 PM PST up reply actions
As I said last night
It is less about the computer knowing trivia and more about it interpreting the questions. questions on Jeopardy often involve plays on words or puns, that before this program was developed would have been very difficult for a computer to interpret. Watson is a step forward in its ability to interpret language accurately.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed. But the show was a weak way to show it and was really boring.
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
I'll start
Belisario projection:
Two to four with time off for good behavior.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 2:40 PM PST up reply actions
Eric has to do a small re-write
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Just a tad
The perils of working ahead!
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
A simple dependent clause like
“Although he is currently unable to enter the United States,” should suffice ;)
Was debating whether or not to post this
Today saw my second, and strangest encounter with a Major League baseball player. I work at a non-profit institute for disabled people and one of our guest instructors is a former Dodger. I’m sitting at lunch with a co-worker whom I dated until very recently. The former Dodger approaches us and says to the woman “I’ll be back at 5 to pick you up,” and walks away. I do not know the man well and I did not realize he knew this woman. I found the whole thing extremely entertaining and one of my first thoughts was to post it on TBLA.
My first thought was
Did he know this woman before this encounter?
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
I hope it’s Don Newcombe.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Feb 16, 2011 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Ha Ha
could be the mystery girl, wouldn’t that be a bloody hoot?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
60s / 70's
he’s still a “player”
lives in LA
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
interesting
talking on MLBN about replacing Pujols. Like what would you do with the money? Two of the three people talked about getting Broxton.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 3:41 PM PST reply actions
I think they meant
how will they spend the 20 million they won’t be giving to pujols next year. they are fools if they offered him only 20 million.
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
yeah
except they were using 30M
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 3:48 PM PST up reply actions
which is stupid
you’d think if they had $30mil to spend, they’d give it to Ol’ Albert.
The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions.
Yes but the argument is whether its worth the risk
to give someone that much money on an 8+ year deal.
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
Yes. He is Albert Pujols.
Other than Holliday the Cardinals spend their money on stupid things like Nick Punto so whatever they do with the money they freed up won’t come anywhere near replacing him.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 4:30 PM PST up reply actions
Harold Reynolds suggested
using it on Fielder and Rollins
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 4:34 PM PST up reply actions
Fielder is worse than Pujols and Rollins counts as a stupid thing (seriously, he’s been incredibad the last two seasons) so this is a much worse idea than Pujols.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 4:38 PM PST up reply actions
How about they simply trade Pujols for Teixeira. The Yankee’s want the better player and will pay him, while the Cardinals get what they are willing to pay for. If the Yankee’s throw in $ Mill per year this would work.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
not the first time i've heard it
but Tex has a NTC
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
It’s probably the best case scenario for the Cards but it’s still a big downgrade.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 4:46 PM PST up reply actions
Pujols
himself will be a huge downgrade in a few years.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
He has a lot further to fall than Teix.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 4:48 PM PST up reply actions
I guess
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact they are both 30
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
For Pujols I would do it
but it still hard to say, yep, in 8 years I’m totally excited to pay this guy 30 million dollars. I might be alone in this, but I prefer fat signing bonuses up front but with the rest of the contract non guaranteed.
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
Yeah, the man isn’t gonna be worth it by the end, but you’re killing yourself in the short term to avoid a decline at some point in the future.
It’s better to possibly be bad in the future than to be bad now.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 4:57 PM PST up reply actions
Would 6/200 get it done
I will toss you in slow-rec softball
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 16, 2011 4:57 PM PST up reply actions
defer it
Dodger style
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 4:59 PM PST up reply actions
It’s not when you consider that alternative of being a really bad team.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 4:59 PM PST up reply actions
And no, I think 200 million guaranteed isn’t enough. I think he’s gonna need record breaking numbers. You can probably cheat it by giving him a ton of opt out clauses.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:02 PM PST up reply actions
Since 2001
he’s only not finished in the top 3 MVP vote twice. Thinking no one can match that.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Those two times?
4th in his rookie year and 9th the other time. Wowza.
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
Think about that
seriously. His worst year? He was the 9th best player in the NL. his 2nd worst year? His rookie year when he was “only” the 4th best player in the NL.
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
And he was actually the best player, writers just didn’t think so.
Since his 3rd season, the only time Pujols wasn’t the best player in baseball was when Barry had a .600 on base percentage. He out WARed Barry in a year when Barry had a .530 on base.
I don’t think any player other than Ruth has had a run of best player in baseball like this.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
Is it possible to do a B-Ref search on most consecutive years leading your league in WAR?
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
Quick check
Mays had 7 consecutive years of leading the NL in WAR (and he led 11 out of 13 consecutive years).
Honus Wagner led 8 consecutive years.
So unofficial leader boards:
Wagner: 8
Mays: 7
Pujols, Ruth: 6
Bonds, Schmidt, Mantle, Hornsby: 4
Boggs, Gehrig, Cobb: 3
Guys like A-Rod, Dimmagio, and Ted Williams are at 2. This is nuts.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:19 PM PST up reply actions
Who’s the strangest name that lead the league in WAR? Tony Perez? Craig Biggio? Bobby Grich?
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:21 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah I’m a huge Biggio supporter, but never thought of him as a guy who was actually the best player in the league, especially in Piazza’s best year.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:25 PM PST up reply actions
Piazza led the league in Offensive WAR but
got dinged minus .4 for defense. Biggio went by him with his combined offense and defense WAR
And that was probably Piazzas best defensive year :)
Biggio had a .916 OPS in the Astro dome that year as a second baseman. Jesus that guy was good.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:32 PM PST up reply actions
Don't take this
wrong but really, WAR which uses defense for old time guys? Come on, who can really justify any defensive metric for Honus Wagner?
Can’t we simply look at offensive output when looking at stuff like this?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
k
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_off_leagues.shtml
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
so wagner gets 9 then
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
9.5 he tied some dude once
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
It’s surprisingly similar. Albert and Mays gets worse, Hornsby looks like even more of a stud.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:38 PM PST up reply actions
The system B-Ref uses for historical players is surprisingly good, but I’m okay with this.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:35 PM PST up reply actions
Is he already a hall of famer?
How many more years would he need at his production level to be a hall of famer if not?
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
If Ralph Kiner is a Hall of Famer, Pujols is easily in. I think five years of elite performance and five years of being pretty good gets you consideration, and Pujols has more than surpassed that.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:27 PM PST up reply actions
There was a fact before this season where the leader in home runs in your first 10 years was Kiner, and Pujols was like 6 behind him.
Pujols had only played nine years at that point.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:29 PM PST up reply actions
Yup
he could go Puckett blind and be in without the sympathy vote.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Pujols could rape a priest on live television tomorrow, then sodomize a nun with a baseball bat and he would still get voted in first ballot.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 6:46 PM PST up reply actions
in 2004
Pujols, Rolens, and Edmonds finshed 3-4 in voting. Jebus
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
The 2004/2005 Cardinals are the greatest non Yankees collection of elite talent in my life time.
I just threw this out so feel free to tell me I’m wrong.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:28 PM PST up reply actions
In my lifetime though I did not see them
probably those Giant teams with Mays, McCovey, Cepeda, Marichal and Perry.
Teams I saw, Reds with Rose, Bench, Morgan, et. al.
Yeah those were definitely better. The 90s Indians with Thome, Belle, Manny, Lofton and Giles/Sexson on the bench are the only team I can think of that compares.
That the Cardinals had three guys with a 1.000+ OPS and elite defense + Larry Walker is god damn frightening.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:41 PM PST up reply actions
And that the best player they gave up to get all those guys was Placido Polanco.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:42 PM PST up reply actions
And hell, that the 5th outfielder on that team could very well out OPS Matt Kemp this year.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:43 PM PST up reply actions
They missed their chance to win the WS
by trading Adam Kennedy
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
i gotta wonder this, barring injury
you think with a 10 year deal, you’ll get about 5 years of standard Pujols production, but then what? Does his defense go down, but that is not the reason you are paying him. Is he like Manny, “Who will be able to hit even when he’s 60”? When he gets older, would it not be possible to trade him to an AL team?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 5:20 PM PST up reply actions
Yep, I think you can plan for that.
I would like to know if Pujols’ drop in defensive numbers were just a glitch in the system or a real decline. That Albert is still a 7 win player on bat alone is scary.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:26 PM PST up reply actions
how much
did he decline?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 5:28 PM PST up reply actions
Went from 10-15 consistently to -2.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:30 PM PST up reply actions
and yes
that’s pretty damn scary.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 5:28 PM PST up reply actions
Who
is going to pay a DH 33 Million per year?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
…….The Yankees?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 5:35 PM PST up reply actions
Someone eats part of the salary. I’d structure the contract like A-Rods so he’s “only” making 20 or so by the end of the deal.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:36 PM PST up reply actions
Do you need the best player to make the playoffs? No.
Does it really help? Yep.
Do I trust the Cardinals to use their newly freed up resources wisely? Nope.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
Just imagine if Jerry Buss owned the Dodgers today…
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 6:45 PM PST up reply actions
Count the wars!
7X4 = 28
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
El Hombre has a nice truck
have you seen this Delias Man?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 3:59 PM PST reply actions
Surprised I hadn't seen this here yet (but maybe I missed it)
Dodgers sign Lance Cormier to minor league deal. Another vet reliever on a minor league deal.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/02/dodgers-sign-lance-cormier.html#
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened
It came up in the comments, but wasn’t deemed front page news. Perhaps every NRI should have had at least a front-page FanShot, if not an actual article.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I was shocked to find he was only 30
and unable to get a major league deal with someone. Then again how many guys in 2010 posted an ERA+ > 100 walking more then striking out because the K rate sucks and the B/rate sucks even more?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Dodgers sign Lance Cormier? Unsurprising
Dodgers sign Rheal Cormier? Now that’s news.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
Is it racist that it took me years to figure out they were different people?
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
All French Canadians(?) look the same.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 5:26 PM PST up reply actions
Robert. So? Anyway, I just looked him up. He’s from Louisiana, which makes much more sense. While, yes, that means that 250 years ago his forebears were French Canadian (or at least French Acadians/Nova Scotians/New Brunswickers, not then part of Canada), that’s a long time ago. Lance is an American name.
Rhéal Cormier, on the other hand, really is French Canadian, coming from – yes – New Brunswick, now very much a part of Canada, with more francophones than most people realize (40%). Rhéal Cormier is very, bona fide, French Canadian name.
You don’t play with the boys from New Brunswick.
Not a good idea.
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:20 PM PST up reply actions
a yacht
to float on the swimming pool of his bigger yacht
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 5:59 PM PST up reply actions
Scotty Pods signs a minor league deal with the Blue Jays
Sub Title: ERIC STEPHEN FINALLY WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING.
I've got
two beers coming my way that says he’s been wrong twice.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I don’t remember what the second one was for.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 6:47 PM PST up reply actions
Manny being traded even if the Dodgers felt they were in contention
We may not have bet a beer but you made it kind of clear you thought that was ridiculous and the scorn alone is worth a beer.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I see a red door
and I want it painted black
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:36 PM PST up reply actions
no colors anymore
I want them to turn black
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 7:50 PM PST up reply actions
I see the girls go by
dressed in their summer clothes
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 8:17 PM PST up reply actions
and did anyone see
the D-backs signed Russell Branyan?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 6:00 PM PST reply actions
minor league
with ST invite
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 6:01 PM PST up reply actions
He had the same year he did in 2009, why couldn’t he get paid? (By us)
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Feb 16, 2011 6:02 PM PST up reply actions
can he
play LF?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 6:06 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve been practicing thowring left handed?
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 6:08 PM PST up reply actions
Put The Hot Stove Back In The Closet!
- - The Bison “Tougher Than A Robot Made Of Nails!”
Time to kick some ass Dodgers.
Go Dodgers!
Dodger Love
This year I have had little good humor surrounding the Dodgers this off season, but one of the funniest statements I have ever heard is Belisarius’ agent Kinzer when asked if Bel was having trouble securing a visa. Reply:" I think it goes a little deeper than that’
That is funny and I have been chuckling for a while.!
I thought the off-season went as well as it could have
Actually I hope for Belisario and his family, he works things out.
Yes , I really hope the D’s kick some ass El-Cam. But I have also been worried about the chains the poor players seem to have around their feet. Hope they can ignore them!
A Career Season From:
Kemp
Ethier
Loney
Furcal
Broxton
Kuo
Kenely Jansen (easy enough)
Kershaw
Billingsley
Kuroda
and that should put them in the WS?
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 6:38 PM PST up reply actions
No my bags aren’t packed, I’m not ready to go
No visa that says “Belisario”
Dodger fans, I hate to say goodbye
But the news is breaking, it’s early morn
My agent’s wailing, he’s tooting his horn
Already I’m so lonesome I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Comment like you’ll never let me go
I’m not leaving on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be in LA again
Oh Ned, I just don’t know
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Feb 16, 2011 6:52 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
TIL
It is LeVar Burton’s 54th birthday today. FIFTY FOUR?
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
One of my favorite great players that the Lakers have ever had
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Why?
and didn’t he score 30/20 tonight?
the rest of the team should be traded. ;-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Not a fan of Mountain Man Bill Walton?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
it's the beard that scares me there
looks like one of the Schrute family beet farmers.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Now that Magic sold his Lakers shares, I believe he can comeback.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 6:55 PM PST up reply actions
The highlight of 90’s Laker basketball for me was the short lived Magic comeback.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I liked the Eddie Jones/Nick Van Exel teams.
The Shaq/Kobe early teams were enjoyable to watch too.
I had no problem with the 90s Lakers.
Nick and Eddie
were different, you wanted Nick with the ball in 4th not Eddie but overall Eddie did everything well, while Nick could only shoot. But he had big balls.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’d like to think the extra week of this All-Star break will help the Lakers.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
That and the trade that’s in the works
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
Brown cuts it down to 3… Then put it back to 5.
by Julio Nievas on Feb 16, 2011 7:00 PM PST up reply actions
Lakers played like they didn’t give a crap about this game, not physical at all.
by Julio Nievas on Feb 16, 2011 7:07 PM PST up reply actions
seriously
that sucked
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
Friday I was commenting on how bad the Clippers sucked to lose to these a-holes. Who knew that the Lakers were even bigger pussies? Grow a pair, guys, and play some f’ing defense!
by KellyStephen on Feb 16, 2011 7:21 PM PST up reply actions
i got
extra blades
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
Someone needs to
shank or Schick some sense into the Lakers.
"Flame yo, hot man!"
"...Flame...yo?"
"[shrugs]"
Wow
Front page of Foxsports.com is not pulling any punches.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 7:17 PM PST up reply actions
Man, Lakers are only
going their 4th straight NBA Finals (hasn’t been done since Bird’s Celtics and Magic’s Lakers) and another three-peat (outside the Lakers and Bulls, hasn’t been done since Bill Russell played for the Celtics in 1960s).
The Spurs and TIm Duncan, everyone admires their greatness, they have never repeated going to the NBA Finals, let alone win back to back.
Last non-Phil Jackson, Jordan, Pippen, Shaq and Kobe team to defend an NBA title in the Finals, the Houston Rockets.
Artest theme song
‘Hey You! Get Off Of My Cloud!’
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
But they lost a game to the Cavs
they must be the worst defending champions of all time!
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
Truly.
This may be the most hyperbole filled season of all time!
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
BTW
I get why people are disappointed and it does seem that this year’s team is particularly ragged at times, I do think they miss Barnes because he gives them another perimeter player.
I also think Gasol (not tonight) and Bynum have not meshed yet and perhaps Odom is having his first poor month of the season.
Also, I think Kobe was worn out from the flu.
I think fans are disappointed because they know how important home series was last year, and how important it will be this year. Not so much each individual loss, but being on the road in basketball tends to be important.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
and there is the (likely mostly false) thought that the Lakers think they can simply flip a switch come playoff time. The perceived lack of effort is disturbing.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 7:44 PM PST up reply actions
Kareem could flip a switch
not sure to many others can.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Bold Prediction
The Coach is Unhappy
The Lakers will make a trade
Jus’ Sayin’
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:51 PM PST up reply actions
Except they have “Flipped a switch” and won several championships, the same talk happens every year and frankly i don’t blame the players, i’d get bored of winning all the time too, no wonder Artest just wanted to talk about cologne.
by DodgersKings323 on Feb 16, 2011 9:54 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t believe that is the case, but if it is true that they flip a switch, it doesn’t mean fans have to like it.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 10:01 PM PST up reply actions
I think you accidentally a word there.
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by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 8:04 PM PST up reply actions
To be fair, most of it is a response to when you pull out the jump to conclusions mat.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 8:05 PM PST up reply actions
Laker fans complaining are almost if not equal to
Yankee fans complaining.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 16, 2011 7:24 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I am Ronald Belisario, and I miss airplanes.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario, who didn’t report to spring training with the rest of the team’s pitchers and catchers on Wednesday, could be in jeopardy of missing the season, his agent said.
“I’m just not very optimistic,” said Paul Kinzer, Belisario’s Atlanta-based agent. “He just has a lot of things he needs to get straightened out. Right now, I’m not optimistic for him [returning] for the whole season.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=6128774
Welcome the guy from the Twins with the 3 year contract.
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
Clayton Kershaw was named opening day starter too :)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 7:27 PM PST up reply actions
Except insofar that Eric posted it at about 11:05 this morning (see this very post “update” and check Eric’s link to the LA Times post from 11:01 AM)
Tony Jackson's story
about 7 hours ago, though to be fair, that story may have been updated throughout the day.
He can change speeds
after all of those thousands of throws back to the pitcher
right on the web of the glove
Kenley’s got some stuff
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:38 PM PST up reply actions
Clippers
go into all-star game in a good mood. Kaman is back, Gordon should be back after the all-star game, hopefully a good 2nd half to build on for 2012/2013.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Question: What year does Ronald Belisario hit arbitration?
Answer: Never, because he’s fucking fired.
by Tripon on Feb 16, 2011 7:40 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Help!!
I’m being held prisoner
in a Chinese Cookie Factory
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
When all is said and done regarding Belisario
I’d rather be watching Jansen pitch from the get go.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’ve been up
I’ve been down
Take my word
I’ve been around
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 16, 2011 7:49 PM PST up reply actions
Same here
One of my top five moments of the 2010 season was Jansen simply owning in his first appearance. We all knew batters weren’t expecting his wicked fastball.
by Julio Nievas on Feb 17, 2011 12:52 AM PST up reply actions
Little dogs are fun when you have slowed down a step
I can run with them, and I can chase them, just a bit of a problem bending over and catching them as they run between my legs.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
At any rate, regarding the Lakers
I tweeted this:
The Lakers’ effort must have been packed in Ronald Belisario’s suitcase
by Eric Stephen on Feb 16, 2011 7:51 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
I should start saving quotations from random TBLAers
and then we can play “who said this!”
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
Clayton Kershaw - Union leader
DH story on the Opening Day starter and his first task as Dodger player rep (also we find out yet another member of the Kershaw wedding party)
Clayton Kershaw
Can’t wait to see him merk on the Giants.
by Julio Nievas on Feb 17, 2011 12:58 AM PST up reply actions
Oh hi there
Internet fiancee. How was your day?
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 8:12 PM PST up reply actions
I got up, then I had some toast, then I took a walk, then I took a nap, then I got up again…
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 8:15 PM PST up reply actions
Fry, look what you did, she won't shut up!
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 8:16 PM PST up reply actions
Wow, the able House
I bowled there like 20 years ago
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
what a perfect way to celebrate your 20 year anniversary of bowling there that one time
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 8:15 PM PST up reply actions
she did
Day to day, kickin' all the way, I'm not cavin' in. Let another round begin...live to win. YEAH! LIVE! YEAH! WIN!
it’s a fanshot, I don’t have enough words for a fan post
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 8:25 PM PST up reply actions
I'm
going to start a San Fernando Valley TBLA Chapter
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
before you say anything else, shut the fuck up. I taped the match and haven’t watched it yet
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 8:23 PM PST up reply actions
god damn it though, now I know what way the game went
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 8:24 PM PST up reply actions
Still well worth watching
it was a fantastic game, even if I didn’t have a rooting interest.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 8:26 PM PST up reply actions
whom do you consider yourself a supporter of
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 8:29 PM PST up reply actions
i’m mums until you watch. I do have a crush on free-flowing football though.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 8:31 PM PST up reply actions
Also
Sorry for almost ruining your enjoyment. =(
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 8:39 PM PST up reply actions
whom do you consider yourself a supporter of
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 8:54 PM PST up reply actions
The Gooners.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 9:06 PM PST up reply actions
so then, how did you not have a rooting interest in Gooners v Barca?
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 9:13 PM PST up reply actions
my choice of words was less than stellar. Maybe: “even if I hadn’t had a rooting interest”
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 9:17 PM PST up reply actions
y'know
Soccernomics predicted the rise of the London squads, as the former industrial town powers lose an economic grip on the game. I just didn’t think it was like at the door.
Of course, of all the London squads I coulda chosen to back, I chose West Ham
by Josie Becker on Feb 16, 2011 9:32 PM PST up reply actions
I picked Arsenal
Because I enjoy their high possession type of game
and the fact that they try and develop young talent and make shrewd transfer decisions.
But the hammers got to the semis of the league cup this year! Also, fuck Lee Bowyer.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 9:36 PM PST up reply actions
Also
I think that an influx of foreign owners is beginning, which will be interesting to see how it plays out with UEFA’s new financial fair play laws.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 9:38 PM PST up reply actions
Hilarious Lasorda story
From an old Spy Magazine:
http://books.google.com/books?id=pCfQINJRXRgC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA49#v=onepage&q&f=false
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
OH NOES RONALD BELISARIO AIN'T GONNA MAKE IT WHAT'S A DODGER FAN TO DO?
Your choice of limericks:
It seems our dear Ronald’s career
Is gonna end up on its ear.
Just as our ’pen
Needs a new friend—
Thank god for our pitcher, Guerrier!
or
So you’re sitting on needles and pins
Wond’rin’ how does our bullpen get wins?
Settle down, never fear:
Here’s Matt Guerrier
Send by heaven (well, via the Twins).
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 9:10 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
I like #2
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 9:12 PM PST up reply actions
I like pie
Some people think that they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one that can outsmart bullet.
both good
two recs for the price of one
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 9:15 PM PST up reply actions
or
the other way around
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 16, 2011 9:16 PM PST up reply actions
Doesn’t work if you pronounce his name in French :P
by DodgersKings323 on Feb 16, 2011 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
MY EARLIER THOUGHTS TAKE LIMERICK FORM BECAUSE I JUST CAN'T RESIST
Pods with the Jays? Sure does yield
Some laughs! Surely his fate is sealed.
But we’ll make a fuss
When the joke is on us:
Just look at who’s playing left field.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 16, 2011 9:22 PM PST reply actions 5 recs
Kevin O'Neil
Just called the UofA “A sleeper team to win the national championship”
LOL. Oh Mr. Tomato Head, you are always good for a laugh.
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
0oo0oo0000oo0o00ooo0oo0o0ooo0o0o0. . .. . . . . .
by Ghost_of_K3vo on Feb 16, 2011 9:52 PM PST up reply actions
Have you guys seen the new Dodger shirts “Los Angeles Dodger of Los Angeles”………………………..
by DodgersKings323 on Feb 16, 2011 10:01 PM PST reply actions
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