2011 Dodgers Player Profile: Javy Guerra, The Pitcher Who Has Trouble Finding (and Washing) The Plate
by Brandon Lennox on Feb 21, 2011 7:00 AM PST
in Community Projections
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Back on November 19th of 2009, the Dodgers added 3 players to their 40 man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft, but Javy Guerra was not one of them. This caused a small uproar among the TBLA community because Guerra had plus fastball and was coming off a very solid year in which he had a 2.60 ERA and a 10.9 K/9. Luckily, the very next day the Dodgers decided that Javy was worth the roster spot, and that is how he made his way onto the 40 man.
Unfortunately Guerra’s 2010 season was limited to just 29 innings due to an ongoing case of shoulder tendinitis. While he was healthy in AA he did maintain a solid ERA, but his FIP and BB/9 told a different story as Javy had a lot of trouble with walks. Control issues have been Guerra’s calling card since early in his career when the Dodgers removed a “crop-hop” from his delivery. Ever since then he has struggled to repeat his delivery, which causes him to be wild. Most had hoped that he would overcome this problem and he got older, however that doesn’t seem to be the case as Guerra continues to walk batters at an alarming rate. He was sent to the AFL after the season to get in addition work, and DeJon Watson said, Guerra never made it to the Mexican Winter League because suffered a deep cut on his hand while washing dishes toward the end of the AFL season. He said he was injured doing the dishes in soapy water, but wasn't sure what exactly did the damage. Guerra didn’t end up throwing again until the Dodgers Winter Development Minicamp in January, and although he looked fine when I saw him throwing, Ken Gurnick recently wrote:
Guerra didn’t really make it into the TBLA top 20 prospect ranking this offseason, but he did rank #26 in Baseball America’s 2011 handbook and I personally had him at #29. He has a very strong fastball that has been recorded anywhere between 93 and 98 mph, and he also has a hard slider that he uses as a strikeout pitch. In addition, he throws an average curveball and changeup. As I already mentioned, the one thing holding him back from being a big league reliever is his sporadic control. His career walk rate is 5.3 free passes per 9 innings, and he was even worse at 7.3 walks per 9 during his 2010 season in AA. Javy Guerra kept a blog during the 2009 season where he made exactly 5 posts over a 5 month period. You can visit the blog here, and you might learn some interesting things about Guerra including the fact that “holds the Dodger minor league record for highest single fine: $500 last spring for missing curfew before a day off.” Guerra is obviously under team control as he has yet to make his major league debut. He was added to the Dodgers 40 man roster after the 2009 season and his first option was used in 2010, so he has two options left. Guerra has spent parts of two seasons in AA, and despite being on the 40 man roster he might end up returning to Chattanooga to start 2011. However, there is also the possibility that Javy will spend next season in AAA. If Guerra has a strong season in 2011 and shows better control, he could end up making an appearance in Los Angeles when rosters expand next September. Does the TBLA community think that Guerra will make his major league debut in 2011? If so, how many innings will he throw for the Dodgers?
“He was off-and-on with his health this year [shoulder tendinitis]. He has a chance to be a legitimate bullpen piece. He has a 94-mph fastball and a tight slider with a change. He needs innings. And he's more than likely going to Mazatlan to play in the Mexican Winter League and carry that into Spring Training to make up for the innings he missed while he was out.”
Right-handed pitcher Javy Guerra is behind schedule. He threw off a mound Friday for the first time since undergoing surgery on the knuckle of the middle finger of his pitching hand, the result of a dishwashing mishap that left him with a tear and infection. Because he encountered shoulder problems last summer, the decision was made to bring him back slowly this spring, even though the finger is now healed.
Trivia
Contract Status
Stats
Year
Level
Age
IP
Wins
Losses
ERA
WHIP
K
K/9
BAA
FIP
2008
HiA
22
66.1
5
4
4.07
1.69
63
8.5
.262
3.47
2009
LoA
23
41.0
3
1
1.54
0.93
55
12.1
.161
2.00
2009
AA
23
28.1
3
1
4.13
1.69
29
9.2
.291
3.76
2010
AA
24
27.0
2
0
2.33
1.70
27
9.0
.240
4.24
2011 Outlook
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Comments
No ML debut for Guerra
Relief depth is too stacked this year. Guerra could be a thrown in for a July 31 trade.
Re: his short-lived blog
I asked Javy about it last spring when I met him at Camelback. He said that he personally “hated it” and that he was made to keep it. Sounds like he was asked by someone with the team or MiLB to do it. He was glad that he didn’t have to do it anymore.
He wasn’t mean spirited about it. Rather, I take it that it seemed to take away focus for him and that he’d rather spend his time working on his pitching or just hanging out with his friends.
Yup
a post a month is hard to keep your focus. He should have kept it in 2010 when he had plenty of free time on his hand.
FTR I do not believe the slicing knuckle in dishy soap story. A cut perhaps but not a slice where he needs surgery. You need to be playing with a very sharp knife or cutting meat on an automatic meat slicer. Top of the knuckle? I guess if he plunged his hand into the sink and the extremely sharp object was sitting on the bottom so that when his knuckle hit it, it had no give. The story just seems all wet to me.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
LBJ
was a man among boys when we first saw him play basketball in high school
was a man among boys when we next saw him play basketball at the NBA level in his rookie year
Is still a man among boys while playing with his peers, the best the NBA has to offer.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
what did you think
of BG’s car dunk?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 21, 2011 7:54 AM PST up reply actions
I thought McGee’s first double dunk with two baskets was the dunk of the night.
The car thing was okay, but at that point I just wanted him to not get hurt, however if he was going to dunk over a car then he really needs to go over the highest point of the car, and not the hood but then you don’t get Baron putting the ball up out of the sunroof which was cool The choir was lame which I blame on Kenny Smith and the NBA.
Some point someone will get seriously hurt and that will be the end of the spectacle. I doubt hanging the elbow in the rim was worth the pain in his arm on Sunday. I’d rather let the back up players like McGee do these things, not the super stars.
I thought the hoopla over the free throw dunk was ridic, it has been 30 years since DJ did it and you’d expect athletes to have evolved more then six inches in that time. They have in every other sport.
I’m just glad he got through three days of all-star activity unscathed.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
I thought overall the dunk contest was very exciting, and the first round was just awesome. The double dunk was great, as was DeRozan’s pass to himself reverse, and Serge Ibaka’s dunk from the free throw line, which got shit on.
The problem with the contest is that it never ends well. The bullshit fan balloting leads to a wrestling-type decision making in the end. They should just keep the judges for the whole contest.
And I hate the two minute rule during which players try dunks over and over again. Here’s an idea: if you miss your dunk, that’s it. I give Griffin credit for completing both final round dunks on the first try (DeRozan too on his fist round 50), but all the other cool dunks were preceded by several attempts, which make it all anti-climactic.
Also, I like Kenny Smith in the studio, but he should never be given a microphone inside an NBA arena ever again. Two TNT screw-ups during Blake’s dunk: (1) Smith trying to hype the dunk, saying “lots of thinks have been tried, jumping over people, jumping over cars…” HEY KENNY, NOBODY HAS JUMPED OVER A CAR. THAT’S WHAT MADE THIS TIME UNIQUE; (2) TNT nearly missing showing the dunk live because it was showing the damn choir!
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 8:15 AM PST up reply actions
Agree with most of this
This is the first time I’ve watched it in it’s entirety and was shocked they were allowed to retry the dunk over and over. At most three times that is it, but then you wouldn’t have them trying incredible hard dunks but the basic run hard jump as far as you can and dunk.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
“Wow” factor drops after every missed dunk
by Julio Nievas on Feb 21, 2011 9:25 AM PST up reply actions
Kind of
then you realize just how hard it is that these guys need multiple attempts to get it done.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
….Then you realize that there are only so many ways to stuff a ball in a hoop………and ALL OF THEM have been done before. (Except for dragging cars, ladders, trash onto the court, and jumping off or over it.) Next year, they’ll figure out how to get a speeding car onto the court, and have some kid jump it while dunking. What a bunch of hooey.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
Then you realize that there are only so many ways to stuff a ball in a hoop
…and I say that any boob can take and shove a ball in any pocket, and I call that sloth, the first big step on the road to the depths of degreda— I say first, medicinal wine from a teaspoon, then beer from a bottle!
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
I think...
The most important thing about the car dunk is that if he failed by clipping a toe on the car and eating major shit, it was going to be remembered forever in blooper reels, etc. It takes big ol balls to even try that on that stage.
Yup
not thrilled it was our guy attempting it, as I said, leave that shit to the McGee’s of the world not to the guy who has a chance to be the player of the decade.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
wait wait wait
Baby Bron Bron hasn’t done the dunk contest?
I like to think you killed a man. It's the romantic in me.
?!?!
Really? I would that that it would be a natural arena for him. What a bitch.
I like to think you killed a man. It's the romantic in me.
I guess
but we have a right to be leary about injuries.
So it looks like Blake’s first commercial was for Subway? How can he not have a shoe? Or have I missed that?
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
i am not sold on griffin yet
until he goes the whole season injury free. like you, i was holding my breath the whole time he was in the rookie vs. sophmore game and the dunk contest. the microfracture surgery worries me.
by Ian Capilouto on Feb 21, 2011 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
Tough Injury History for Clippers
Career changing badly being defined as they never were ever as good as they were before the knee injury.
Derek Smith – career changing badly age 23
Danny Manning – career changing badly age 22
Elton Brand – career changing badly age 28
Ron Harper – career changing badly age 26
Lamar Odom – bounced back – age 22
Marques Johnson – really career ending age 29
Shawn Livingston- really career ending age 21
Norm Nixon – really career ending age 30
Bill Walton – age 27 greatness was history
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
4th quarter of last night’s game he just dominated. His series of rushing his way to the basket from the other end of the court to the next in four seconds was amazing to watch. He’s the only person that can do it that way with his size and talent.
by Julio Nievas on Feb 21, 2011 9:24 AM PST up reply actions
Yup
speed and strength out of this world. If some day, he simply peels off his outer skin to reveal a robotic body, I would not be surprised.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Hey GScott -
Can we reschedule the range for tomorrow? Can’t make it today.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Guerra
will not appear with the big club this year.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
When a player says he cut himself washing the dishes
or some such similar thing, why do I always think, at least in the back of my mind, that he actually cut his knuckle on some other dude’s jaw, forgetting the important lesson Crash taught Nuke, never punch with your pitching hand.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Guerra cut his hand when Jeff Kent fell off his truck while washing it, causing Joe Beimel to break a glass in his hotel room, the shards of which sliced Guerra.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 8:08 AM PST up reply actions
Sherlock Stephens
how do you do it?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 21, 2011 8:10 AM PST up reply actions
That has an even better ring to it then Uncle Google.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Oh great, now I get to hear, “No shit” at every TBLA event! :)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 8:26 AM PST up reply actions
Elementary.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
Because
that is the much more likely scenario when we are talking a knuckle, however he did not break or crack the knuckle he sliced it. So I think they or he were simply playing with a knife. It would have to be a Blake beard to slice a knuckle like that.
Also because you and I have 100 years on this earth and I’d wager we don’t know anyone who ever sliced their knuckle enough to need surgery washing dishes. If anyone sliced their hands doing dishes, they sure as hell would want to know what the hell did it. Human nature.
Also human nature to say BS to a story that may be true, but seems doubtful.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
JG will not pitch one inning for the Dodgers this year or any year.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
/timmermann’d
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
Kevin Millwood still looking for work?
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
I read
he rejected a minor league deal from the Yankees.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 21, 2011 8:25 AM PST up reply actions
Right
that is how I realized he is still looking for work.
Eric has anyone done a study on who has lost the most money in salary from one year to the next? Is Manny in the lead?
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Right
not forced into retirement, but played the next season at a huge discount to the previous long term deal. Millwood reminded me of it, because he turned down a minor league deal after earning $12,000,000 last year.
Manny hasn’t made less then $18,000,000 since 2003.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
I would imagine nobody else can top Manny’s $18 million loss. I would guess Gil Meche and his $12 million decision ranks second.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 8:32 AM PST up reply actions
I think he counts since he had a 2011 contract.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 8:37 AM PST up reply actions
I read a headline saying that
on the right sidebar on this page!
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
All my
knowledge now comes via the TBLA sidebar
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
So lets talk about Dee Gordon:)
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Furcal says
he plans to work with him during ST
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 21, 2011 8:30 AM PST up reply actions
Ha Ha
the situation we all are faced with even if we don’t play roto, do we believe or not?
http://www.truebluela.com/2011/2/21/2005549/someone-please-un-kemp-me
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
I think I will read it when such post is complete.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
They played baseball when the dinosaurs walked the earth?
/ducks
I like to think you killed a man. It's the romantic in me.
When I hear youngsters spout off like this
I for one am pleased that we have squandered their birth right as Americans and doomed them to a cycle of declining living conditions, ever growing debt, and the threat from countries that used to be global lackeys and also rans
Enjoy the future young ones!
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 21, 2011 8:48 AM PST up reply actions
Happier times
I always knew Barney was the catcher.
You make me go through the full range of mother fuckers.
But with Dino as the pitcher? Ewww, as the kids say.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 21, 2011 10:02 AM PST up reply actions
significantly grossed out by the whole thing
but glad to see we have photographic evidence that finally refutes the whole abner doubleday myth
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 21, 2011 10:07 AM PST up reply actions
this ball is clearly in the double-horseshoe stitching too. the whole 3 stitch thing was a gimmick to sell tickets.
You make me go through the full range of mother fuckers.
Barney and Dino
the 100% southpaw battery
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 21, 2011 10:18 AM PST up reply actions
Fred
really disrespects Dino’s heater, cheating that far up.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 21, 2011 10:21 AM PST up reply actions
I’d call him “Shoeless Fred,” but none of them are wearing shoes. Maybe you got famous back in that day by wearing shoes instead of not wearing them.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:23 AM PST up reply actions
I wonder when humanoids developed the 4th and 5th digits on the foot – that 3-toed look is so sloth
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 21, 2011 10:26 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
What is my era?
60’s
70’s
80’s
90’s
2000’s
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Wait... what century?
This is important information here!
Is this wishful thinking or is he really scheduled to pitch?
by Julio Nievas on Feb 21, 2011 9:36 AM PST up reply actions
Consider the source
Silverwidow’s fuel is wishful thinking
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 9:40 AM PST up reply actions
and Frappuchinos
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 21, 2011 9:41 AM PST up reply actions
go get’em Giggles!!!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 21, 2011 9:51 AM PST up reply actions
tommy likes him some pitching
i swear he is every photo of the young pitchers
Hating the Giants for going on a half century and counting!
by MammothDodger on Feb 21, 2011 9:51 AM PST up reply actions
ouch.
could be the angle of the photo, but that looks painful for his right scapula and left hip.
You make me go through the full range of mother fuckers.
Can’t see left hip, that looks somewhat natural to me, though maybe it’s because his pants aren’t fitting well.
I like to think you killed a man. It's the romantic in me.
I’m sure it’s fine. Hard to tell without it being a photo from in front of or behind. He just seems really stretched out and under-rotated for having already pushed off the rubber.
Since he throws 100mph, I’m gonna go ahead and assume I’m wrong.
You make me go through the full range of mother fuckers.
or easy choice
Mattingly: who has the most power on the team?
[checks roster]
Mattingly: Kemp is my cleanup hitter
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 9:33 AM PST up reply actions
Tough choice
Assuming Ethier is the #3, that leaves you the option of Kemp, and, uh… Gibbons? Uribe?
The most intriguing thing to me will be whom is batting second. It’s safe to assume Furcal leading off, Ethier 3rd, Kemp cleanup, and catcher eighth, with the rest filling in the remainder of the lineup.
That might be worth a separate post later this week. I would guess Loney for #2.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 9:57 AM PST up reply actions
Xavier Paul of course
Thames could also bat fourth
Casey Blake might be an option, he is the only one left who makes semi contact.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Believe me, I would love for Paul to beat out Gibbons for the LHB LF role.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
Against LHP
Thames wouldn’t be a horrible choice.
Maybe not a good one, just… not horrible, given the current lineup.
Batting 2nd
Gwynn whenever he starts; Uribe most of the other times.
by silverwidow on Feb 21, 2011 10:02 AM PST up reply actions
Uribe has started 15 games in the last six years batting second.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
I'd bat Uribe cleanup before I'd bat him second
I don’t know enough about Donnie’s style to predict anything, but if Torre were still in there, I’d say Uribe #2 would be a distinct possibility.
Dodger #2 hitters under Torre
486 games in three years:
Rk Player #Matching PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS SH SF IBB HBP GDP
1 Andre Ethier 117 Ind. Games 544 484 153 33 6 23 68 54 89 .316 .385 .552 .937 1 3 1 2 8
2 Matt Kemp 86 Ind. Games 388 347 96 16 4 18 49 35 84 .277 .340 .501 .842 0 5 3 1 9
3 Orlando Hudson 57 Ind. Games 261 229 67 14 5 5 25 28 40 .293 .377 .463 .840 1 0 0 3 7
4 Russell Martin 46 Ind. Games 215 183 41 7 0 0 10 26 39 .224 .336 .262 .599 1 0 0 5 3
5 Ryan Theriot 40 Ind. Games 176 152 38 3 0 0 7 16 20 .250 .327 .270 .597 5 1 0 2 5
6 Rafael Furcal 40 Ind. Games 184 163 38 9 0 2 9 18 29 .233 .309 .325 .635 3 0 0 0 2
7 Juan Pierre 26 Ind. Games 119 106 34 3 1 1 11 7 5 .321 .376 .396 .772 2 1 0 3 0
8 Jamey Carroll 17 Ind. Games 74 66 16 1 0 0 4 5 11 .242 .306 .258 .563 2 0 0 1 1
9 Xavier Paul 9 Ind. Games 38 32 11 3 0 0 6 2 4 .344 .371 .438 .809 3 1 0 0 1
10 Andruw Jones 7 Ind. Games 32 30 7 0 0 1 2 2 7 .233 .281 .333 .615 0 0 0 0 0
11 Blake DeWitt 7 Ind. Games 32 29 8 1 0 1 2 2 4 .276 .344 .414 .758 0 0 1 1 0
12 Reed Johnson 6 Ind. Games 26 25 7 1 1 0 0 0 7 .280 .280 .400 .680 1 0 0 0 0
13 Delwyn Young 5 Ind. Games 22 20 3 2 0 0 0 2 4 .150 .227 .250 .477 0 0 0 0 0
14 Ronnie Belliard 5 Ind. Games 22 18 7 3 0 2 2 3 1 .389 .476 .889 1.365 1 0 0 0 1
15 Garret Anderson 5 Ind. Games 22 21 2 1 0 0 0 1 6 .095 .136 .143 .279 0 0 0 0 1
16 Luis Maza 4 Ind. Games 16 15 5 0 0 1 1 0 2 .333 .333 .533 .867 1 0 0 0 1
17 Mark Loretta 3 Ind. Games 15 13 4 1 0 0 4 2 1 .308 .400 .385 .785 0 0 0 0 1
18 Casey Blake 3 Ind. Games 13 10 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 .300 .462 .300 .762 0 0 0 0 0
19 James Loney 2 Ind. Games 7 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .286 .286 .286 .571 0 0 0 0 0
20 Jeff Kent 1 Ind. Games 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 .500 .500 1.000 0 0 0 0 0
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 2/21/2011.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
This will be interesting
I’d go with Loney against RHP, Blake against LHP, unless Gwynn is playing, they I’d use him.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:18 AM PST up reply actions
Gwynn really is the wildcard here
Two years ago he showed some promise as a guy who could be an acceptable #2. If ‘09 is a better indicator of what he’s capable of then ‘10, then he’s a decent option. Just… not in LF.
Dee Gordon article at Dodgers.com
Ten Questions with Dee Gordon.
Dee address his errors.
MiLB.com: When people talk about your defense, they always bring up two things — your great range and the high number of errors you make. How do you respond to the criticism about the errors?
Gordon: You know, numbers don’t lie. I have [made a lot of errors]. I’ve made them on tough plays, and I’ve made them on some plays where people say, “Hey, I’ve seen you make that play before.” … I promise it’ll be a different scenario this year, though. I’ve been out here [in Arizona] working that out. I’ve been finishing and finalizing my defense, and I feel like I’m ready to go.
[The errors] were mainly me. It was me learning. If I get to a ball I should get that out, but just because you got to it — just because you caught the ball, doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get the out. Don’t give him second on a bad throw. Let him stay on first and then get the double play instead. That’s something I’ve been learning. I’ve been learning the game, the speed of the game, the timing the different plays. I’ve been learning a lot out here, and I’m ready for a good 2011.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Feb 21, 2011 9:03 AM PST reply actions
Ha Ha
still it is a good thing to recognize the problem, now we will see if he can do something about it.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Solid interview
MiLB.com: What part of your game do you think needs the most improvement, and what can you do to grow in that area?
Coming into the season it was my defense, now it’s just my all-around game. I feel like I’ve responded [to the need to improve] my defense this winter [in Arizona]. Now it’s just stealing more bases, getting caught less times, getting on base, everything. I’m not going to have a ton of power, so it’s hitting balls in those alleys, taking the extra bases, scoring runs for my team.
He certainly knows his weaknesses and what his strengths are.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
I’m skeptical of a guy who thinks he can go from 50 errors to “welp, that’s fixed”
You make me go through the full range of mother fuckers.
I thought we were pulling for the first 50/50/50 season?
You make me go through the full range of mother fuckers.
Only if he’s traded, otherwise I want Dee Gordon to become the Greatest LA Dodger SS ever
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Now everyone in camp (sans Eveland) has thrown a bullpen session
Kuo threw his first bullpen session today:
Also, Gurnick says Kuroda was the first starter to throw live batting practice, today.
When/how did Guerra use up his first option?
Confused… Since he wasn’t called up to LA last year I assume options can be used up in other ways? Injured list?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Added to 40 man burns an option, doesn’t it?
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 9:38 AM PST up reply actions
Ahhh, that's what it is then.
{goes back to sipping coffee and mumbling}
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Was on 40-man roster
optioned to AA during the spring
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 9:40 AM PST up reply actions
there was a good story on the radio this morning
about rafael furcal and some incentives in his contract. apparently he demanded a new red fire truck for his home town because people have died there from lack of a firetruck. he also pays for all medical bills of anybody from his hometwon if they need to have a procedure done or some other major medical problem.
this made me like the guy more than i already do. i hope he stays healthy and really pushes the team forward.
That is awesome. I love watching The Best Shortstop in LA Dodger History™.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 9:41 AM PST up reply actions
There was nothing about “demanded” a red fire truck. The report I read said that Josh Rawitch (VP Communications) noticed Fircal was interested in firefighting, and suggested to Ned (or someone else involved in negotiations, I forget) that they offer him a fire truck for his hometown during the competition with the Braves to (re-)sign Furcal as a FA. They did, and (maybe) it worked.
For Presidents Day, Here is Some Presidential Trivia
Below are the real names of several people who became famous by different names — all of which are presidential. Can you give me their more famous pseudonyms?
Ruth Jones
Archibald Leach
Pauline Phillips
Neill McMillan
Anna Marie Wooldridge
…I’m sure there are others, feel free to add.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
That is correct. The others are tougher. The toughest might be Wooldridge, since she is probably the least famous to this crowd — but except for her, the others are all famous enough and gettable.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 9:59 AM PST up reply actions
Oh we are allowed to search?
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
It’s your game, but it’s better if you don’t. I’ll give you some hints…
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:01 AM PST up reply actions
No it is your game, and I got my one which is more then I usually get in these things. The rest will be up to the intelligentsia of this group.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
Ruth Jones was a singer two generations ago. You could classify her as jazz.
Archibald Leach is, of course, Cary Grant.
Pauline Phillips is, famously, a twin, and she and her twin separately became famous for doing the same thing.
Neill McMillan is a rock star, if you have a liberal definition of star.
Anna Marie Wooldridge was a jazz singer.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
Pauline Phillips – Ann Landers, Dear Abby don’t know which one Pauline is
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
That’s right. She’s Dear Abby — Abigail Van Buren.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
The Twin hint
was good
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:10 AM PST up reply actions
Is Ella Fitzgerald one of them (assuming JFK’s middle name counts for purposes of this contest)?
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
Nope.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:07 AM PST up reply actions
Also, I believe that Ella Fitzgerald’s real name was… Ella Fitzgerald.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
Reveal
Ruth Jones… Dinah Washington
Neill McMillan… Mojo Nixon
Anna Marie Wooldridge… Abbey Lincoln
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:12 AM PST up reply actions
I know none of those people
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
If you don't got Mojo Nixon
Then your store could use some fixin.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:14 AM PST up reply actions
Then I’d have to remove Lady Antebellum
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
Tough quiz
I have no idea who Abbey Lincoln is. I know of exactly one Mojo Nixon song:
Who built the pyramids?
Elvis!
Who build Stonehenge?
Elvis!
You know what’s going on in that Bermuda Triangle?
Elvis needs boats!
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 21, 2011 10:18 AM PST up reply actions
LOL
Elvis needs boats!
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:19 AM PST up reply actions
Debbie Gibson is Pregnant with My Two-Headed Love Child
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
Elvis is a perfect being.
We are all moving in perfect peace and harmony towards Elvisness
Soon all will become Elvis.
Everything everywhere will be Elvis.
Why do you think they call it evolution anyway?
It’s really Elvislution!
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 21, 2011 10:25 AM PST up reply actions
San Diego State is now 4th in the coaches poll, their highest ranking ever, and also received three first place votes (also first time ever).
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 9:53 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
FWIW, Ken Pomeroy has SDSU rated 11th, with BYU at #6. Mountain West representing.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 9:55 AM PST up reply actions
?
5 places higher, based on a home win? that will change this Saturday.
Hating the Giants for going on a half century and counting!
by MammothDodger on Feb 21, 2011 9:57 AM PST up reply actions
easy REC
I just hope they are in the WEST bracket 1 or 2 does not matter to me
Hating the Giants for going on a half century and counting!
by MammothDodger on Feb 21, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions
President days Theme
Greatest 18th Century President – Washington
Greatest 19th Century President – Jefferson
Greatest 20th Century President – Theodore Franklin Roosevelt
Without Jefferson doing the Louisana Purchase, who knows what the future holds, so that is my dunk over Lincoln.
No discussion just give me your three with a reason why, that way we can do this without it being called a discussion.
Or not
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
Greatest 20th Century President – Theodore Franklin Roosevelt
Way to split the baby there!
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
King David for the win?
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:12 AM PST up reply actions
Close
Solomon.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
Damn
I knew I should have read the Bible
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:14 AM PST up reply actions
Over-rated
(clap clap clap-clap-clap)
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:14 AM PST up reply actions
Originality must count for something
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
only close as it relates to succession
but significantly different as it relates to defining characteristics of the archtype
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 21, 2011 10:16 AM PST up reply actions
that is my dunk over Lincoln
Well, the 2012 dunk contest just got more interesting. I would call the dunk “The Emancipation Dunklamation.”
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 10:10 AM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Ha Ha
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
bros before
nevermind
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:38 AM PST up reply actions
Is this the start of a beautiful friendship?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Amazing what the web can bring to you
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:30 AM PST up reply actions
That is really funny.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:31 AM PST up reply actions
Just for fun
I googled Abe Lincoln dunking basketball, kind of shocked I got a hit.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:31 AM PST up reply actions
Try Abbey Lincoln dunking a basketball. If you get a hit with THAT, I’ll be impressed.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:32 AM PST up reply actions
So
I had a dream last night in which one member of the Community cast, TBLA people, and old programmer friends were having dinner at Eric’s. I was eerily uncomfortable with everyone until Señor Ben Chang sat down at my table, who then complained that he hadn’t been invited. I turned to Eric and said “way to pull a Winger” and then woke up.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
that is quite possibly the best dream ever.
by Josie Becker on Feb 21, 2011 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
Well, second-best
First best:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:26 AM PST up reply actions
This photo
It always launches me on a several hour tour of the internet for every Sophia Loren photo I can find
It is an ultimately empty pursuit but not without some significant sights along the way
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 21, 2011 10:30 AM PST up reply actions
Hard to blame Sophia for looking. Those orbs are hypnotic.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 21, 2011 10:32 AM PST up reply actions
Usually they were looking at hers, the eye shot is just awesome, one of the greatest photos ever taken.
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:33 AM PST up reply actions
Normally don't like Jay Mohr that much but he did make me laugh this morning
While showering I was listening to him filling in for Jim Rome and talking about the All Star Slam Dunk contest he was talking about Griffin but wondered about the idea of having Baron Davis passing to him from inside that car. “When they introduced Griffin and Baron Davis, Davis popped his head out of the car’s moon roof and looked like a damned muppet…. Griffin had Oscar the grouch passing to him from his trash can sized car.”
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
things I never want to hear in a shower
- - Jay Mohr’s voice
by Hollywood Joe on Feb 21, 2011 10:27 AM PST up reply actions
Ha Ha
Things I’d like to see in a shower, see photo above
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:28 AM PST up reply actions
or why I need a cold shower.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 21, 2011 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Hah hah, Yeah it forced me to take a quick shower which is good
I sometimes listen to fresh air or whatever but that can also lull me to sleep.
And then Jay made his first of 100 David Caruso jokes and I quickly left.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Gah... that Indian never fails to disturb me.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
for me
it’s like GAH! Racist! but then Awwww, cute Cubbie, but then AAAAH! Racist! but then OMG! THAT CUBBIE IS SO, CUTE!
by Josie Becker on Feb 21, 2011 10:35 AM PST up reply actions
until you realize that Cubbie is Smokey The Bear’s arsonist younger brother.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 10:38 AM PST up reply actions
Cubbie actually looks like he's strung out on meth
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
He'd have to be
He’s a Cubs fan
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:48 AM PST up reply actions
I... Don't get the elephant for the A's
by Julio Nievas on Feb 21, 2011 10:37 AM PST up reply actions
Googling "elephant a's" would tell you all you need to know.
Wiki:
Elephant Mascot
After New York Giants’ manager John McGraw told reporters that Philadelphia manufacturer Benjamin Shibe, who owned the controlling interest in the new team, had a “white elephant on his hands,” Mack defiantly adopted the white elephant as the team mascot, and presented McGraw with a stuffed toy elephant at the start of the 1905 World Series. McGraw and Mack had known each other for years, and McGraw accepted it graciously. By 1909, the A’s were wearing an elephant logo on their sweaters, and in 1918 it turned up on the regular uniform jersey for the first time. Over the years the elephant has appeared in several different colors. It is currently forest green. The A’s are still sometimes, though infrequently, referred to as the “Elephants” or “White Elephants.”
The elephant was retired as team mascot in 1963 by then-owner Charles O. Finley in favor of a Missouri mule (it was also rumored to have been done by Finley in order to attract fans from the then heavily Democratic constituents of Missouri by replacing the traditional Republican mascot to one associated with Democrats). In 1988, the elephant was restored as the symbol of the Athletics and currently adorns the left sleeve of home and road uniforms. The Elephant Mascot returned briefly in the mid-’80s, under the name Harry Elephante. In 1997, the elephant returned, taking its current form: Stomper.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:40 AM PST up reply actions
They should have stuck with Harry Elephante.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 21, 2011 9:04 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Why is this comment soooo buried? It is too good not to be green.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 21, 2011 11:33 PM PST up reply actions
so back when the A’s were in Philadelphia, they didn’t draw as well as the Phillies, but they had to spend like crazy to try and compete. When Charley O Finley bought them, it was said in the press that he was buying a White Elephant, a term which means something that is more expensive to upkeep than what you can actually get out of it…..
GOD DAMN IT HUMMA I WAS DOING IT FROM MEMORY!
by Josie Becker on Feb 21, 2011 10:41 AM PST up reply actions
though I guess I had a few factual errors : P
by Josie Becker on Feb 21, 2011 10:42 AM PST up reply actions
I WAS DOING IT FROM MEMORY!
I do that often.
/lonely
I like to think you killed a man. It's the romantic in me.
/I don’t want, anybody else, when I think about you…
by Josie Becker on Feb 21, 2011 10:47 AM PST up reply actions
I also gotta point out
Isn’t the elephant on their uniform now?
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:44 AM PST up reply actions
That is cool
Here’s this, from 2009:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
by Humma Kavula on Feb 21, 2011 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
yeah that’s the ticket. The A’s are like the Arizona Cardinals of baseball, but with more success cause of steroids and greenies
by Josie Becker on Feb 21, 2011 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
Press Box Night
"I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes. "
by meercatjohn on Feb 21, 2011 10:32 AM PST up reply actions
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