Sayonara Hiroki Kuroda
When David Young did the community preview of Hiroki Kuroda last spring, he also delved into how Kuroda became a Dodger, and he did it so well that I don't feel any need to rewrite what he did.
What Kuroda has turned out to be is a solid middle of the rotation starter that has avoided a serious arm issue over the course of his first contract. According to his fangraphs statistics page, Kuroda has averaged 92.2 MPH (about the midpoint of the range White stated) with his fastball, has thrown the slider 28.2% of the time as his secondary pitch, and has mixed in that hard "forkball" (or split-finger fastball) at 87.3 MPH. That adds up to a pitcher who creates his fair share of ground balls (1.64 career GB/FB ratio) and has increased his strikeout rate by a significant amount each season.
Stats
| Year | Age | IP | BB/9 | K/9 | ERA | FIP | x-FIP | tERA | ERA+ | WHIP |
| 2008 | 33 | 183.1 | 2.06 | 5.69 | 3.73 | 3.59 | 3.93 | 3.92 | 112 | 1.216 |
| 2009 | 34 | 117.1 | 1.84 | 6.67 | 3.76 | 3.58 | 3.66 | 3.52 | 106 | 1.142 |
| 2010 | 35 | 196.1 | 2.20 | 7.29 | 3.39 | 3.26 | 3.57 | 3.15 | 113 | 1.161 |
| 2011 | 36 | 202 | 2.18 | 7.17 | 3.07 | 3.78 | 3.56 | 4.22 | 121 | 1.21 |
| 2011 Projections - Age 36 Season | ||||||||||
| Year | IP | BB/9 | K/9 | ERA | FIP | WHIP | ||||
| Bill James | 209.0 | 2.41 | 6.20 | 3.66 | 4.04 | 1.24 |
||||
| Marcel | 169.0 | 2.34 | 6.92 | 3.65 | 3.55 | 1.22 |
||||
| Baseball HQ | - |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||
| ZiPS | 164.3 |
2.08 |
6.52 |
3.56 |
1.19 |
|||||
| (Photo by Jae C. Hong - AP) | ||||||||||
Given how solid Kuroda's peripherals are, I'm guessing most of us would be shocked to find out that Kuroda will end his Dodger career with five more losses then wins. Given that the Dodgers went to the NLCS in his first two years I find this even more amazing. So I decided to see how many other Los Angeles Dodger starters managed to win at least 40 games and be sub .500 pitchers. Not many.
Rk Player W L From To Age GS ERA+
17 Bill Singer 69 76 1964 1972 20-28 179 106
23 Tom Candiotti 52 64 1992 1997 34-39 159 106
24 Darren Dreifort 48 60 1994 2004 22-32 113 95
28 Hiroki Kuroda 41 46 2008 2011 33-36 114 113
29 Kevin Gross 40 44 1991 1994 30-33 95 103
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 1/16/2012.
I'd say Kuroda was better then any of the pitchers on that list. Whenever Kuroda took the mound during his four years you could always count on him keeping you in the game. While Kuroda did not delve deep into games, you knew he'd be around come the sixth inning. Rarely did he implode, and even if the wins did not pile up, he was an excellent second banana to Clayton. In his last three years he gave up five runs or more only eight times. Some called him a warrior but that is probably being gracious. He was a pitcher though, through and through.
One final Dodger note. among pitchers who have started at least 100 games, Kuroda ranks number 12 using ERA+ as the metric.
Rk Player ERA+ GS From To W L W-L% OPS
1 Kevin Brown 148 129 1999 2003 58 32 .644 .619
2 Sandy Koufax 135 286 1958 1966 156 77 .670 .581
3 Clayton Kershaw 135 116 2008 2011 47 28 .627 .612
4 Andy Messersmith 129 123 1973 1979 55 34 .618 .603
5 Derek Lowe 120 135 2005 2008 54 48 .529 .679
6 Tommy John 118 174 1972 1978 87 42 .674 .647
7 Tim Belcher 118 119 1987 1991 50 38 .568 .618
8 Don Drysdale 118 424 1958 1969 187 152 .552 .643
9 Orel Hershiser 116 309 1983 2000 135 107 .558 .642
10 Ismael Valdez 115 158 1994 2000 61 57 .517 .689
11 Bob Welch 114 267 1978 1987 115 86 .572 .649
12 Hiroki Kuroda 113 114 2008 2011 41 46 .471 .673
13 Jerry Reuss 113 201 1979 1987 86 69 .555 .649
14 Burt Hooton 113 265 1975 1984 112 84 .571 .635
15 Chad Billingsley 110 163 2006 2011 70 52 .574 .704
16 Don Sutton 110 533 1966 1988 233 181 .563 .626
17 Ramon Martinez 109 262 1988 1998 123 77 .615 .669
18 Chan Ho Park 109 181 1994 2008 84 58 .592 .700
19 Fernando Valenzuela 107 320 1980 1990 141 116 .549 .655
20 Al Downing 107 120 1971 1977 46 37 .554 .652
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 1/16/2012.
Kuroda is probably the second best free agent staring pitcher the Dodgers have ever signed, trailing only Derek Lowe.
While the rest of baseball has struggled with failed Japanese imports at exorbitant salaries the Los Angeles Dodgers have been blessed with three of the best in Nomo, Saito, and Kuroda. They were always classy. 'm going to miss him, the Dodgers are going to miss him, the fans are going to miss him.
I may even find myself rooting for a Yankee every fifth game for the first time in a long time.
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Individual Yankee’s i have rooted for:
Mantle
Murcer
Bonds
Guidry
Mattingly
B Williams
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Baiting Nolij, eh?
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 10:42 AM PST up reply actions
One of my first gloves
(somehow I ended up with two before I was ten – and no, I didn’t lose one) was a Mickey Mantle (signature) that was red, white and blue (!) and was acquired by redeeming Blue Chip Stamps. The other glove was a Curt Simmons. Damn I’m old.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
Once upon a time the world was split between Green S&H Stamps and Blue Chip Stamps.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:48 AM PST up reply actions
2001
I rooted for the Yankees against the Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series. It was the first and only time I’d ever done so, and it was mostly because I was caught up in the emotion of 9/11. Whenever I root for a team I usually don’t, for whatever special reason I deem worthy of altering my sentiment, the team loses. It happened to USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl, Notre Dame in 1991 Orange Bowl, Alabama vs. LSU in the regular season, LSU vs. Alabama in the BCS Bowl, Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State in the 2007 and 2008 BCS Bowls,
Off-topic: It appears as though my copying Lasorda’s Bevaqua rant has gotten me banned from DT! I wonder if this affects my DT roster status for the softball tournament? I’m saddened by my dismissal from DT because I’ve been a member since the Baseball Toaster days, and I should’ve known better, but not being allowed to post any comments on any ESPN article precludes me from reading the comments and saves me from the aggravation.
That is funny, you are on the DT Roster and have been banned from DT?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I rooted for the Diamondbacks in 2001. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt worse for a player than I felt for Byung-Hyun Kim.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:51 AM PST up reply actions
only Tommy’s best rant of all freaking time!!!!!! You have to find the youtube because the transcript doesn’t fully capture his disgust.
Guys, I’ve only been a fuckin Dodger fan since Two Fuckin Thousand and Fuckin Five, and even I know the Bevacqua rant.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:58 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah I got them mixed up
I remember this one, its impossible to forget, I just love the way tommy says the dudes name
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
There was a time when I considered myself a good softball player. I played on three different teams, three nights a week. Then I turned 30, and playing softball became more a reason to drink with my buddies and get away from my GF (now fiance). I also got back into hardball, which means now I suck at two sports, three if you consider what I do on the golf course “golf”.
If it isnt professional ball, then it doesnt matter if you suck man, its all about having fun.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
Until you step between the lines
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
you should email Jon, it might not be DT that banned you, but ESPN….
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
or I can post and ask if he did ban you
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
I could email him. I kinda interested to see what happens when I show up for duty at the softball tournament.
I doubt anyone cares you play for them but if you hit a home run to beat us, then I will file a protest:)
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
the.sports.dude
I didn’t actually post the curse words though. I edited out a vowel. I might’ve let an"ass" slip in there, but it’s nothing compared to the drivel that normally populates the ESPN comment boards.
yeah but that stil violates rule 1… 1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity…. So you cant even disguise the bad words, abbreviate, or any of that. He didnt seem upset about it when you posted it, though he did mention rule 1, thought he wrote a smiley face after it though. I think it was ESPN.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 10:16 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah I know =T
I should’ve known better. I’d been a model DT citizen my entire time, but when someone mentioned a talking Tommy Lasorda bobblehead doll that said the Bevacqua rant, I hastily posted the transcript without realizing the ramifications of my actions.
that sounds to me
like an autoban issue with the commenting system. just my feeling would hav ebeen in this was toaster days, jon or whomever would have just deleted the post and MAYBE emailed you but my guess is this was an automated thing
damn that's pretty lame
I’m sure if there’s room (i’d imagine over 3 games like Phil said everyone would get enough playing time) the TBLA team would be better with you.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
There was no last time
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
by mleadman on Jan 16, 2012 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Its amazing with all the super hyped Japanese starting pitchers that've come over
Kuroda is arguably in the top two (and definitely top three) as far as MLB success. Daisuke had one semi-fluky season but was otherwise mediocre to bad, and other than him theres what, Tomo Okha? Other than Nomo of course.
Among starters I meant
Yea theres been a handfull of relievers that were pretty good, and Hasegawa was probably the best of the lot. Saito could give him a run for his money though if only for the fact thta when he was good, he was really, really good.
Hasegawa is 4th in career MLB wins for Japanese-born pitchers with 45, though he only ever started 8 games. Hmm.
Tells you how poorly the few starters have done.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Was he a starter in Japan? Seems like the sort that might’ve been and just (either in reality or simply the perception) couldn’t handle starting with the longer schedule and such.
Tomo Okha is arguably the third best Japanese starter soooo
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Jan 16, 2012 9:47 AM PST up reply actions
Reposted
Which would you take, scenario A or B
Scenario A:
Sellers starting 2B, Fielder signed to 8 year deal, Loney traded for scraps, Sands/Gwynn platoon in LF, Kuroda ($13M), Eovaldi 5th starter. With neither Kemp nor Kershaw signed to long term deals.
Scenario B:
What has happened so far with Kershaw extended for 6 years at some fair but pretty high amount.
I think you have limited the scenarios so I’d pick neither.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I took
a very popular scenario around here during the early off-season rosterbation and compared it to what has currently happened plus a Kershaw deal. I am not going to go through hundreds of scenarios.
The thing though,
Kemp’s only being paid $10mil this year in his extension, right?
So the extension is more or less payroll-neutral for this year, in fact, i think it even lowers his 2012 salary.
I know this isn’t your point, but we could have had our cake and ate it too.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 12:29 PM PST up reply actions
Extending Kershaw is no top priority for me. If you got Kershaw’s arm locked up for 3 more years, why not make sure it stays healthy the next 2 years before locking him up? Now that he has won a Cy Young, would Dodgers get any discount locking Kershaw up now over 2 years from now?
His extension could go from 16-18 mill per year to 25+ a year by then
That risk is why I’d try in the next year
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
That’s a good question. Risk on both sides not to do anything now given the plateau he is at now. Either way, the Dodgers need to be planning for it.
Right now he's at Verlander and Felix levels
I’m worried that with another awesome year (yeah, suuuuuper worried about that, lol) it would push him above that threshold, especially considering both pitchers in Felix and Verlander hadn’t won their Cy Youngs yet at the time of their deal*.
*I believe Felix’s deal was the year before he won.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
There was a
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
I figured i'd seen that somewhere before :P
Ok so it was 2 seasons later Felix won the CY. If he had done that the season before, there’s no way he’d be less than 140 million for 8 years in my mind.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
here's a comment Mike will like
How great was Kevin Brown. So under appreciated because of his contract, which he completed lived up to as a Dodger. He may have been a jerk and had some injury problems, but he was a beast.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
Kevin Brown had a career that easily could have been a HOF career if he could have been a little nicer to people and maybe bloodied a sock. Instead, he was a jerk and fell off the ballot on the first go.
He belongs in the Hall, but at the moment, I only care so much about the Hall. Ask me again in 20 minutes. I haven’t had any coffee yet. Maybe I can get myself fired up about the Kevin Brown Injustice.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:49 AM PST up reply actions
I was being flip, but I kind of meant it. Schilling, Mussina, and Brown all have similar careers and I think all of them deserve the Hall of Fame. In real life, Schilling will get in, Mussina might or might not, depending on how things go, and Brown will have to buy a ticket.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:53 AM PST up reply actions
Are you reacting to this?
Kuroda is probably the second best free agent staring pitcher the Dodgers have ever signed, trailing only Derek Lowe.
I think Kevin Brown has to be in that discussion, despite being a bit overpaid. Sure the injury hurt, but LA still got, over five seasons, 129 starts of 148 ERA+ pitching, 3.52 K/BB, 7.6 H/9, 20.2 rWAR, FIP in the low 3s, etc. Then he was dumped before it was too late, for some salary relief, a couple league average starter seasons from Jeff Weaver the First, plus Ghame Over. In the end, that all turned out to be OK.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 10:58 AM PST up reply actions
Actually that hadn't occured to me
I was just looking at his numbers and thinking how great he actually was
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
And you're right
He could likely be the best or second best FA starter signed. It’s amazing how we got so much out of him and dumped him right before the end of his usefulness.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
You're right, it is going to be hard to root for a Yankee
But if there’s anyone I’d do it for, it’s Hiro.
The first two playoff games I ever went to were his starts in the NLDS and then the NLCS, both game 3s, both wins where Kuroda pitched great. I will definitely miss him as a rotation mainstay that could always be counted on for a solid 6+ inning 3 run or less start.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
I won’t root for a Yankee. But I will give him the courtesy of doing what I do with players I do not hate who are on the Yankees: I will ignore him.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:50 AM PST up reply actions
I guess you can never excise completely the Red Sox fan within yourself.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
>>>>>>><<<<
Bevacqua?
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:23 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m just a tiny ball of hate. Love can grow cold, but the hate it engenders will never die.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
Kuroda is probably the second best free agent staring pitcher the Dodgers have ever signed, trailing only D Lowe.
1 Kevin Brown 148 129 1999 2003 58 32 .644 .619
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
Well, sure, now I get here.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
ha ha
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
Aiming for them
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
They'll take a shot with Padilla
(repeating my lame joke)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
These teams refuse to negotiate
timdierkes
Deadline to exchange arbitration figures: Tuesday at noon eastern. File & trial teams: TB, WAS, MIA, CHA, TOR, ATL, HOU
Weird strategy, right?
Not necessarily
Makes the deadline firm. Both sides no it going in.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 9:58 AM PST up reply actions
OTOH
May not be good business strategy to limit your options sooner than you must.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:01 AM PST up reply actions
I can’t remember but last year I thought I looked up Tampa and/or Atlanta because of this strategy and I thought they ended up winning a good amount of their arb cases. I could be wrong though; I don’t remember the specifics.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 11:04 AM PST up reply actions
I wonder how many dollars the difference is between winning and the amount they would have settled for. I wonder if it is worth putting an employee through the grinder for, and the cost of hiring Alex Tamin-esque outside consultants, etc.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:17 AM PST up reply actions
Probably more setting aside specific times to do certain things. If both sides know of the policy, which they do, it could create more of a sense of urgency to get a deal done by January 17.
On first glance though, it does seem unnaturally rigid. Not sure I would implement the policy; everything is negotiable, at any time, so whenever we can get a deal done, I’m for it.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
ive been MIA
but any talks of softball tournie? i paid! i’m responsible!
do we have details yet? i need to get in the loop! (even thou its almost a month away, oh yeah)
I need to pay the fee still. I was about to pay fee until I realized I might not have a team anymore.
Yes, just got the list this morning.
So far 13 have paid, with Bobby and Gary going to make it happen soon.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:02 AM PST up reply actions
Paycheck just came into the office 30 minutes ago
Not sure what’s up with the banks today but I should be able to pay today if the ATM gives me 100 of the check from the deposit like normal.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
I wish there was, but we look filled, we can always use fans
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
John Smoltz is selling his house for $7.2mil
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/john-smoltz-giant-mansion-worth-every-penny-7-182402349.html;_ylt=AsbCwt.mFjdGWgGJPEzSGKkHU84F
Crazy house.
Yes, just got the list this morning.
So far 13 have paid, with Bobby and Gary going to make it happen soon.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yes
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
Yes, but between now and then you have to expect two no shows due to schedule complications or injuries. I don’t plan on playing other then in an emergency. Over three games everyone should get plenty of time.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
But we already have 13 so no SOL for us.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:14 AM PST up reply actions
i feel like i hav
the busiest life ever right now but img onna make it! no matter what!
painting house, organizing house, working full time (starting at 7am instead of 9am), building houses in arizona for five days, and going to a conference in sacramento right after the tournie… im sure its nothing compared to most of you but… zzzzzzzzz
That sounds busy to me. We are also painting in our house, which we spent all w/e doing. The prep is interminable! I am also not allowed to handle wall paint, so the remainder of the job is my wife’s. Except for brush cleaning, fetching supplies, etc.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:05 AM PST up reply actions
I hate prep work with a passion.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
This is why
the telephone was invented
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Is the house building like a Habitats for Humanity type thing?
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
its part of my job
but yeah, we go to arizona and build places for native americans who DONT benefit from billion dollar casinos. its part of the school program i work for
Cool. One year I was one of the “chaperones” for a bunch of HS kids, including my daughter, and we did a house build in a poor section of Tijuana. The extent of it (poorness) was quite the eye opener for a bunch of the kids. Seemed like an excellent program; the people become eligible for construction by earning credits in working on projects for others.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
Driving to the TJ airport in 1982 was an eye opener. I thought I’d seen poor, after that I realized I had no idea what poor was. And I’ve driven through the DC slums going to Senator games.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
When my daughter was around 10, and back when it seemed reasonably safe to do so, we walked across the border at San Diego into TJ and made the walk over to and up and down Avenida Revolución. After a bit, we could see that she was looking a bit overwhelmed, so we stopped and asked her what was going on. We thought we had prepared her for the fact that we were going into Mexico and it would be quite different. Eventually it became clear that seeing the poor little children begging for money (offering to sell gum) had really weighed on her and was something she was completely unprepared for.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:33 PM PST up reply actions
dude I was maybe 18 or 19 my 1st time and it got to me too… 1st thing you see when you cross is little babies trying to sell you gum. Then moms laying on the sidewalks all bundled up.. even saw a 3 legged dog. Its very sad, and I’ve only been to TJ one time in my life, and never plan to go back again.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 12:38 PM PST up reply actions
We used to drive down to Ensenada to surf, way back in the 70’s. You could drive on the ‘Cuota’ (toll road), or you could take the ‘Libre’ (free road) to get there. The Cuota went straight to the coast and was a beautiful drive. The Libre went through Tijuana and meandered down Baja.
The thing that opened my eyes was the area just on the Southern outskirts of Tijuana. Driving through little villages of cardboard boxes taped together on the side of the road, that were the houses of those dirt poor people. Thousands of these little shacks made out of junk and pieces of wood nailed and taped together. It made me appreciate my life.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
yeah we used to do Mexico until people started dieing (not our people, but you know). we are waiting for it to cool down a bit more there and are doing Arizona in the meantime
I saw a video of 2 mexican cartel guys getting their heads caught off over the weekend. Now its stuck in my head. Yeah I dont think ill be going to mexico anytime soon, though im probably overreacting.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 12:40 PM PST up reply actions
We should do massive carpooling for this event.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:45 AM PST up reply actions
I think a funeral like parade of cars should work
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 10:45 AM PST up reply actions
yeah you guys should roll up all cool, like the movies….
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 10:47 AM PST up reply actions
I like this
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:48 AM PST up reply actions
you guys should have a cool song blasting too, come late so everyone has to look at your guys, get intimidated. Blast that song Here Comes the Boom by Nelly, like in The Longest Yard when Micheal Irving and his crew showed up to play football… Love that scene.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Or have the weaker players on the field first, so that everyone thinks “thats it??” THEN have the good players arrive to “here comes the boom”…. haha
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 10:55 AM PST up reply actions
I don’t want to have to show up early though.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
neither
Humma nor I will allow such crass music, we will demand some Neutral Milk Hotel or maybe a Halo Benders tune
Ride of the Valkyries Apocalypse style
The Meercat as Killgore!
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
Maybe the theme from The Magnificent Seven? No, wait, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
two out of three ain’t bad
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:10 AM PST up reply actions
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
I always wanted that to be Broxton’s closer music. That bullpen gate would swing open — oooeeeoooo… wah wah wah — and he walks out, slowly, slowly to the mound.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
Would have
fit in nicely with this:

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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
crap ass music? Pretty sure if Adam Sandler chose it to be in the Longest Yard, then its good enough for TBLA….. ok fine, then just do Real American like Kenny Powers did then.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Pretty sure if Adam Sandler chose it to be in the Longest Yard
I LOL’d
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
I dont even know what Neutra Milk Hotel is, but guarentee it will strike fear in nobody if thats what you play… Infact it will give the other teams more confidence that they will win.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
I'm getting chills just reading the lyrics
And your mom would stick a fork right into daddy’s shoulder
And dad would throw the garbage all across the floor
As we would lay and learn what each other’s bodies were for
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
(scream-sings)
and in the dark we will take off our clothes and they’ll be lay-ee-ay-cing fingers through the notches in your spine and when all is breaking everything that you can feel inside now your eyes ain’t movin now they just linger in their climb
…. no idea if those are the actual lyrics but it’s fun to sing even if you don’t know the words.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:16 AM PST up reply actions
Two-headed boy
With pulleys and weights
Creating a radio played just for two
In the parlor with a moon across her face
And through the music he sweetly displays
Silver speakers that sparkle all day
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 11:17 AM PST up reply actions
Here is The Mountain Goats covering that song.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:20 AM PST up reply actions
He has even less of an idea of the lyrics than I do, which is saying something.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
Hitchhike. With baseball supplies in a bindle, using a bat as the stick.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
Seth Smith now an Oakland A. Now there's a good move for them
(possibly first one of the off season?)
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/athletics-acquire-seth-smith.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
for Moscoso and Outman.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Wait they traded two young starters for a guy that’s at best an average platoon player?
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Jan 16, 2012 10:45 AM PST up reply actions
Granted Moscoso and Outman aren’t all that good either.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Jan 16, 2012 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
As a Dodger fan I’d much rather our hitters get to face these crappy pitchers, then our RHP have to face Mr. Smith
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
whats the Rockies OF right now?
CarGo, Cuddyer, and?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 10:48 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Fowler
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
Blackmon
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
Eric Young Junior
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
Tim Wheeler
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
Tyler Colvin
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
seems to me like they have plenty, and with an outfield as big as theirs, and with their offense already being okay, they need to just stick with Fowler in CF and let him go get everything.
You may have missed my point :)
It must be nice to have that many options (that you don’t need Juan Rivera).
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
thought of him
But they never seem to want to commit to him
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 10:50 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
They seem committed this year
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
I guess I'm higher on smith than that and don't think much of those two pitchers
but yeah, maybe it’s too much.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
PS, fwiw, Klaw reaction
keithlaw @keithlaw
Indeed. Outman’s no great fit either. RT @bleachers146: @keithlaw Um, Moscoso at Coors Field… Yikes
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Seth Smith,
very poor man’s Andre Ethier?
Career vs LHP: .202 / .269 / .319 / .588
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah from what others are saying (including Ken Arneson) if they platoon him properly
he’s very useful. If he’s full time, he’ll be replacement level. Those splits are bad.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
And Happy MLK Day to you all! (If it's appropriate to wish a Happy MLK Day?)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
:-P
What are you, Ricky Gervais and I’m Colin Firth? ;)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
that was just one of his few cutting remarks. Wasn't really that funny and the GGs are generally a snoozer otherwise.
I watched about 40 mins of it. A few good moments but {shrug}
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I got bored
really quickly and I generally enjoy watching movie awards shows. This one was particularly bad I thought
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
What happened? Did they inexplicably tighten up the alcohol spigots?
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
Honestly I usually don't even watch the GG's
everyone was tweeting about it last night and they at least had a few interesting categories this year so I gave it a try.
But last year I’d basically sworn it off after they gave the horible The Tourist 3 nominations. And the TV noms are often even more idiotic. The best TV comedy category was basically the humorous Modern Family and 4 mediocre to terrible shows.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I thought the Tourist was fun
I guess it got trashed and it was a flop, but I didn’t take it seriously and thought it was a Hitchcockian entertainment piece.
"I'm telling you, y'all created a monster."
a tame Ricky is a boring Ricky.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 10:43 AM PST up reply actions
thanks tripon! ;)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
by underdog on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You also almost nailed the projection:
I will guess that Kuroda stays healthy again, at least for the most part, accumulates 200 innings, while posting a 3.49 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
That ERA is 0.42 high, which is quite a bit.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
Is anyone here happy about the POS pairing we have headed into the finals? All of our favorite teams have been knocked out. I guess a Patriot / Giant match up might have some appeal.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I grew up hating the 49ers
Partly because they always beat the Rams, but mostly because my loathing of the Giants extends to all things San Francisco. Unfortunately, I have a lot of family from the Bay, and it appears there are TONS of 49ers fans in the South Bay. The way they’re playing, especially at home, I could easily see them making it to the Super Bowl, where I will have to choose between the lesser of two evils if they play the Patriots, who receive my scorn because of my loathing of the Celtics and all things Boston.
I've always tolerated the 49ers
and would normally root for them this year, but that prick Harbaugh presents a conflict I need to overcome.
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Yeah I'm in the same boat.
I have an easy time rooting for Giants in that game anyway just because my dad is a big fan. Normally I wouldn’t mind this 49er team if I didn’t live here. But so many Niner fans here are so obnoxious to deal with even when their team was terrible.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
seriously? POS?
We get 4 teams playing great football, and thats POS to you? Yeesh.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Only thing I hate is that the SB is in Indy, weak sauce…. but I think the 2 games this sunday should be solid, I hope.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
right. Its just my opinion that football is meant to be played outdoors, and a big game such as the SB should only be in outdoor stadiums, but oh well.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
so you are also against all New Orleans superbowls?
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
I am
I like watching bright outdoor football, not dim indoor dome ball
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I wouldn’t mind a snowy New York Super Bowl.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
SB is in NY in 2014 my NYG buddy just told me.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:26 AM PST up reply actions
That would be fun
football isn’t sterile, thus domes are an abomination. Or something.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
football isn’t sterile
Thus answering the question, what is the difference between football and urine?
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:27 AM PST up reply actions
Yes, indoor football blows big chunks
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:26 AM PST up reply actions
it is very different than outdoor football
4 teams left, none of them are dome teams
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:27 AM PST up reply actions
I don’t disagree
just curious if his hatred extended to the dozen or so New Orleans superbowls
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:26 AM PST up reply actions
I dont know, not saying im against anything, and I would be happy with my team playing anywhere for the SB. But I like when the SB, or BCS title game is in CA, or Florida…. maybe Texas.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
seacrest won't be able to od his red carpet show in the snow
duh
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
So yeah
I’m excited. Pats and Ravens should be a fun matchup, great passing D vs great passing O. Giants and 49ers are playing D at a very high level, and both can pound the rock. Sounds like fun to me.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I don’t even know which of the four teams he likes
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
what a noob
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
I root for eli for some odd reason
I think its because his skills as a QB tend to be unfairly maligned.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I like Eli and like the Alex Smith redemption saga
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
My good friend Stuart Scott told me
don’t hate the playa, hate the game
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
I used to dislike him for that too
but since then he hasn’t done anything to annoy me, and I love a team with a great D line and good running game, so I guess by association my opinion of him has swayed.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I am on team NFC
Ravens and Patriots can both GFT
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:21 AM PST up reply actions
I'll be pulling for the Ravens next week
but go NFC in the super bowl
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Ditto. Agreed. Especially the latter.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
screw the giants
screw them and Eli all day long.
Should have been Packers/Patriots or Packers/Ravens in the Super Bowl.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
Eli is in the group
Rivers is tottering out of the group
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
When that whole discussion happened didn't Eli just get
the highest QB contract in football?
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
he got a fat contract in 2009
but by now most other qbs have gotten raises.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Yeah I’m sure a few have passed him, but at one point he was the highest paid, and especially at that time it was insane.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
he only got 11 million this year
“highest paid” basically means nothing in the NFL.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
At the time he got it i remember all the talk saying he was the highest paid QB in the league because of it. I think that Eli convo happened 1-2 years ago in here.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
look at the breakdown here
I bet you 100 megabucks that by 2014 they restructure his contract, or that by then making 17 million will make him at most the 5th highest paid qb http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-giants/eli-manning/
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Going off average salary for an nfl contract is silly
usually the last year or two are some rediculous number designed to make the contract look bigger then it really is since they player will never get paid that amount that year.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I'm not sure if the signing bonus is considered part of the 35 million guaranteed or not
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Honestly I never knew the ins and outs of the contract
I just went off the story that he was the highest paid QB in the league when he wasn’t a top 10 QB at the time. Yes he’s certainly gotten better, but it won’t stop my irrational (though I feel justified) hatred of him.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
I ridiculed the contract at the time
like I did for Zito, Soriano, Wells, Carlos Lee, Zambrano, etc…
Unlike all of these guys though, unfortunately Eli has gotten better.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
how is that unfortunate?
sometimes you overpay early to lock up later (or if you are the dodgers, you underpay early to over pay later)
Oh most definitely not irrational
He’s knocked my team out the playoffs twice when they were a top 2 NFC team
:)
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
wah wah wahhhhh
At least I got a super bowl win last year :)
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
Then Packers should have chosen a different day to suck at catching and holding onto the ball
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jan 16, 2012 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
How much did the OC son dying hurt them in this game?? Or was it maybe the bye week layoff that hurt them more? They just didnt seem that into winning this game. Or maybe was just NYG D making it look that way, I dont know.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
My pat answer
How much did the OC son dying hurt them in this game?
Likely none, but either way really doesn’t matter. These things strike me as more coincidence than either inspiration or distraction
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:37 AM PST up reply actions
the OC coordinator didn't make rodgers miss open throws
or cause the recievers to drop 8 balls
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
exactly
I had a friend try to tell me that the Steelers lost in part due to RB coach setting himself on fire
I told them they lost because they were injured and stupid
I like my theory better
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah I agree… I think it probably has more to do with NYG basically playing in cant lose football games for the past 2 weeks before this game, so they were already at a high level. Packers havent really had a must win game for awhile now, and IMO its hard to flip that switch.
by uschris0304 on Jan 16, 2012 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
packers never stopped playing at a high level
they just didn’t show up yesterday
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
and really you can't blame a 1 week rest
for them looking so poor. Teams coming off a bye during the regular season tend to do just fine.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
you cannot fuck with some narratives
facts that should destroy myths that somehow get overlooked
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
He was really impressive with his legs
And it seemed like he really had to be with how passes weren’t being caught or him overthrowing receivers.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
I think that is yet another coincidence that often gets cited as causation
there are plenty examples of teams clinching early and playing well and plenty of examples of teams needing to win every game to get in and then shitting the bed in the post season
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:44 AM PST up reply actions
right
everyone was all over the narrative that the year the colts won the super bowl it was because they started poorly and then had to play hard till the last week of the season. Then 2009 happened and they rested for the last 2 and a half weeks, and had a bye and still went to the super bowl.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
the need to explain is strong in humans
“Shit happens” doesn’t work for most people
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:52 AM PST up reply actions
Embracing “shit happens” is freeing.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 11:58 AM PST up reply actions
it is
really to figure out causation requires a bunch of work, and the memes are usually wrong, so “shit happens” is a nice alternative to the lazy who don’t also want to be stupid
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 12:00 PM PST up reply actions
I keep going between embracing shit happens
and lamenting Jacoby Jones and Albert Hayensworth’s very existences. Ugh
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I can't remember watching them do a worse job at holding onto/catching the ball in the last 5 years
3 fumbles (lost all 3) 2 more fumbles I remember seeing that were lost but overturned. Then just countless balls tipped or dropped by GB WRs. I couldn’t believe it.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
“Should have been”
are words I do not understand. The Packers are lucky the game was that close, it could have been even worse
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
Better team winning and all that. I’m going to be sick to my stomach when the Giants inevitably make it to the Super Bowl and win as an 9-7 team.
Really I blame the Cowboys for failing so hard, lol.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
by Ivdown on Jan 16, 2012 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Where you sick to your stomach last year when the Pack won the SB?
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
kuroda
I was at that near perfecto/no-no he pitched against the cubs like 2-3 years ago? I blame the lady sitting in front of me calling her daughter about being at a no hitter for ruining it.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Jan 16, 2012 11:13 AM PST via mobile reply actions
I was at DS two seasons ago when he took a no-no into the 8th against the Phils. Fucking Victorino broke it up with one out. Closest I’ve ever come to seeing a no hitter.
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened
I was there too!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 12:33 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
As was I. Looking at the box score, I get reminded that the first two hitters in the Dodger lineup were Podsednik and Theriot – ugh.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:47 PM PST up reply actions
Rod Barajas > Roy Halladay.
Was that the first day of the divorce trial? I remember there being some bad/depressing news that day.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 12:49 PM PST up reply actions
That was both the day of Manny’s departure to Chicago, and the first day of the McCourt divorce trial.
Kuroda, coming up big when we needed a pick-me-up. Yet again.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
I was at a game in 2010
Padilla had a 5 inning no-hitter against the Cubs. Closest i’ve ever come.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201007110.shtml
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 12:41 PM PST up reply actions
Phil
fun Ramona Shelbourne article about one of the potential dodger bidders.
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/7455184/josh-macciello-wants-own-los-angeles-dodgers
Josh Macciello is a 36 year old gold mine owner who says he has the money and passion, but lacks the contacts to get through the MLB vote/pre-approval process alone.
Did you know
Pasadena claims to have invented the Cheeseburger, and is holding a competition for best cheeseburger this week as part of Cheeseburger week?
I’ll tell you what I did know.
I knew this was a Josie story before I ever got to your name
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
is it just something in my sentence construction that puts my voice in your head before you know it’s me?
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
Josie, for Clips
http://twitter.com/isaaclowenkron/statuses/158987849964859392
Paul, Mo out today
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
cool, working on the probable starter article now
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 11:38 AM PST up reply actions
also, I read over the Clips “how to request a credential” rules. Archaic
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
Funny, because I thought it was silverwidow at first.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:04 PM PST up reply actions
I can’t believe that a) it wasn’t him b) he hasn’t commented about it yet c) delias man hasn’t said how stupid this is.
:)
I can, as it’s not about fast food and entirely about history and civic pride : )
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
it’s not about fast food
Cheeseburger? The Rite Spot seems like the fast food of its day.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:36 PM PST up reply actions
chains
you needed the word “chains” somewhere in there I think
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 12:47 PM PST up reply actions
piss off, silverwidow can’t match my syntax
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 12:07 PM PST up reply actions
why we gotta bring the girls I dated in high school into this?
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
What
you don’t think it’s an awesome line of thinking that since you are genius enough to buy cheap food that you are smart enough to do other shit?
:)
Mcdonalds commercials are idiotic
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
Those are pretty bad
Geico’s gecko commercials are the worst, they just aren’t funny or interesting. At least the non-gecko ones are funny sometimes.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
It’s a perfectly cromulent word
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 1:18 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yes I did
and I knew the location too. It is now a restaurant called Stoney Point
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
the Stoney Point is built on top of The Rite Spot?
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
I ate at the Stoney Point on New Year’s Eve. Pretty great.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
Last time I ate there
they told us the souffle machine was broken. The fuck is a soufle machine?
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
I had a blind date at Stoney Point once, many years ago (obviously)
As I recall the food was good. The girl had a huge chip on her shoulder though.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
One of these guys

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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:41 PM PST up reply actions
James West
had a tighter ass than she did.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:49 PM PST up reply actions
Like Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids.
/not really
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:55 PM PST up reply actions
Cue John Belushi
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 11:53 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
I went after Laker game – scene was packed
great time
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
Heard it was good
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
small plates were the best
Pizza ok – better than most, but just ok
small plates rocked. White beans with Sausage, Polenta with ’shrooms, shaved brussel sprouts, and maybe my favorite brocollini with garlic and red chillies. All were fantastic.
wine list was small yet fairly priced with good selections
Went big and had a great Borolo
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 11:58 AM PST up reply actions
Another QB that everyone hates but I find hilarious
Jay Cutler
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I hate him but find him hilarious. So, both.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Dioner Navarro got a minor league deal with a spring training invitation with the Reds.
Padilla’s deal with the Red Sox is also a minor league deal, with a salary of $1.5 million in the majors.
Why exactly could we have not given him that deal?
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 12:42 PM PST up reply actions
I’m assuming you are talking about Padilla. Probably because of his injury history and they simply didn’t want him back
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 12:45 PM PST up reply actions
They may think he’s done. He might be.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:49 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, but a minor league deal?
Not much risk there.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 1:17 PM PST up reply actions
Padilla was refusing requests to button his shirt one or two holes higher. Malcontent.
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Navarro gets $800,000 if in the majors, per Heyman, plus up to $200,000 in incentives.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
I wonder if Walt Jocketty outlooks on philosophy are better aligned with Splash’s.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 12:56 PM PST up reply actions
once Braun gets suspended, if Navarro strolls into the clubhouse whistling in celebration, he will make the team.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 12:58 PM PST up reply actions
Arbitration settlements
Any thoughts on percentage chances that Dodgers settle their three cases either before tomorrow’s deadline or hearing date? I’m thinking Loney and Kershaw get settled for sure, with Eithier going to a hearing.
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened
I expect all three to be settled in the next day or so.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 12:58 PM PST up reply actions
and if they could wait until later this evening to get those deals done, I would appreciate it, as I have some work still to do at the office. :)
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 1:00 PM PST up reply actions
Eric wrote earlier that the Dodgers haven’t gone to a arb hearing since 2007. SSS, but it seems like the best odds are they all settle before it gets to the arb board.
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It just seems that Eithier can be so quirky sometimes that they may not come to an agreement. Nothing more than a hunch, plus no Kim Ng.
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened
“plus no Kim Ng” was EXACTLY what I was thinking
"They will never ketchup to all of the energy that I've mustard"
She’s not the only good negotiator in the world.
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It did get down to the last minute with him before.
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Over at ESPN
they rank the NL West by position based on starters. They have the Dodgers above second to last only at SS, CF, RF, 4 of the SP spots, and overall bullpen. I think I would rank Ethier over Cuddyer though.
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I wish they had ranked Ethier 10th out of 5. Totally, mercilessly, bash the guy. Dude needs a chip to play hard, so be it.
and a bottle of Paul Mitchell to keep those curls in check
"They will never ketchup to all of the energy that I've mustard"
He’s gonna need Propecia more pretty soon.
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Paul Mitchell
Paul got traded and Mitchell won’t make the team.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 1:38 PM PST up reply actions
Huh, we rank 1st at 3 of the SP spots.
Interesting.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
Well, he didn't have to
He won the Cy Young.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 1:39 PM PST up reply actions
Don’t have to defend putting the Cy Young winner first.
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Most teams don’t have a very good 4th or 5th starter. We at least have guys who have at some point had success.
I don't know enough about the other 5th starters to say this for sure
But i feel like harang is gonna suck enough to not end up more than the 3rd best in the division.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 1:51 PM PST up reply actions
5th starters
Hard to pin down who they are in our division, but they are of the likes of….
Zito – SF
Pomeranz – COL
Miley – ARI
Volquez – SD
Harang – LAN
He went with
No. 5 starter
1. Aaron Harang, Dodgers
2. Wade Miley/Trevor Bauer, Diamondbacks
3. Dustin Moseley, Padres
4. Juan Nicasio/Tyler Chatwood, Rockies
5. Barry Zito, Giants
He really hedged with the Rockies, having White/Pomeranz as the No. 4 starter.
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BUT HOW DOES GUILERMO MOSCOSO CHANGE THE MATH?
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Jan 16, 2012 2:36 PM PST up reply actions
The Reds haven’t been in the West since there were only two divisions and Bench retired awhile back.
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Umm, let’s just say we’re starting to see why Clayton Kershaw won the NL Cy Young Award. Not a lot of offense in this division.
GFY
It was weird to see that in the list of shortstops.
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Interesting comment on Jansen being the No. 1 closer if he gets that role. Agree on Eithier over Cuddyer. I know I am probably higher on Ellis than most, but I would have him higher on this list I think, maybe as high as 2.
He likes the back end of the rotation pretty well, too.
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened
I do agree with his conclusion that this division could go almost any way.
Even though our team is a lot of meh, there’s still enough interesting prospects/youngsters down there in Webster, Withrow, Rubby, Eo, Sands, Castle, Tolleson, Fed, etc, etc that this team could see a turnaround and make it exciting for us.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 1:37 PM PST up reply actions
Humma’s First Law. Anything can happen, but it won’t.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
Isnt the Dodgers getting a new owner, probably new GM, and most likely the ability to make a major aquisition during the season an intangible? If so we should be higher then 5th…
but then he might have to come up with better reasons
and that takes effort
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
The dumbest part
Is that he uses tangible evidence as part of the so called “intangibles”
“and while their offense doesn’t appear great, guys like Cabrera, Pagan and an improved Belt could provide big upgrades over 2011.”
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 2:04 PM PST up reply actions
The more I think about it, the more Cuddyer over Ethier is ridiculous.
Cuddyer: 111 career OPS+, last 3 years hit .276 / .341 / .465 / .806, 117 OPS+, age 33 season in 2012
Ethier: 123, last 3 years .284 / .364 / .477 / .841, 128 OPS+, age 30
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You know
Hawkeye, Gopher, Hoosier, Wolverine, Buckeye…these are all familiar state nicknames, all of which were adopted by the state university.
Less familar early nicknames include the Sucker State, the Puke Sate, and the Greaser State
Article above made me want to throw down a prediction
Kershaw: 2.50 ERA/220 IP
Billingsley: 3.80 ERA/190 IP
Ethier: .270/.350/.475/.825
Kemp: .300/.375/.525/.900
Loney: .280/.340/.475/.815
Rivera: .270/.320/.400/.720
Guerra starts off shaky, gets better, but blows 4 saves in May and flip-flops roles with Jansen.
Harang: Arm falls off after two supbar 4.50 ERA months, Eovaldi: 4.00 ERA/120 IP
Kennedy gets injured in spring training and never stays on the active roster for more than a month.
@TElciram
Others
Lilly: 3.90/160 IP
Capuano: 4.10/160 IP
Rubby: 3.40/50 IP
Uribe: .250/.315/.400/.715
Gordon: .280/.320/.360/.680
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Jan 16, 2012 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
3 minute video
of the prospects from the minicamp visiting “A Place Called Home.”
Observations: Griff and Fife seem like good dudes, and Webster looks like he’s 14.
I am working on a monster Kuroda fan post
I’m still in the 2008 playoffs and i’m 1,100 words in. lol
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
You may want to edit that down a bit.
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Hiroki Kuroda: was pretty good but the most notable thing he did was get hit in the face with a baseball.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Jan 16, 2012 2:39 PM PST up reply actions
age 5-24: mayo, dill pickles, tuna, original doritos on white
age 25: grey poupon, mayo, diced dill pickles and celery, tuna on wheat.
Add mustard, onions
gouda cheese and jalapenos to that
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
it has – but I might be off this weekend
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 2:52 PM PST up reply actions
I'm curious
Cortisone (a flesh-eating steroid) shots to the wrist before every game so one can play better (or at all) make one person “courageous” and “tough”, while taking steroids like HGH to recovery from injuries faster, or simply to play better (or at all) make you a cheater and a plague on your psort. Is it just the difference between baseball and other sports? Is it because people have a set expectation and image of Kobe as a tough competitor who will do anything to play and to win and this is just one more example of that? I don’t get it, why is one PED-user a hero and another a cheat?
If he was healthy would cortisone make him a better player?
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
to the extent that loading up on ibuprofen would let a reliever pitch everyday, thus increasing performance.
I like 4 advils on Sunday morning
I am sure I run faster and throw harder because of it
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 2:58 PM PST up reply actions
i'm in the same boat
it certainly increases my performance. Not because it builds any muscle between 9am and 10am, but because i get sore later that night, rather than in the 4th inning.
You should try an experiment. Over a year’s time, have Mrs. Joe substitute placebos for the ibuprofen for 12 different random weeks. Record how felt each Sunday. At the end of the year, see if there is a correlation or not.
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Anabolic steriods (that boost testosterone) and corticosteroids (cortisone, an anti-inflammatory) are different things.
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True
but just allowing someone to play without (or with less) discomfort/pain is increasing their performance.
let's make this simple
One steroid is accepted as business as usual and one isn’t. Also though no direct connection can be made to PEDs, the performances of 39* years olds Bonds, Sosa , McGwire and Clemens gave “evidence” that something was amiss.
If you are looking for a logical or fair reason, you won’t find one.
by bhsportsguy on Jan 16, 2012 3:07 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
one
Is a banned substance and one isn’t. Also players being shot up is certainly not new and being numbed up to play vs taking something to gain an edge are two different things.
by bhsportsguy on Jan 16, 2012 2:52 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
I get what gary is driving at though
HGH would be greatly beneficial to helping players recover faster would it not? But how can you draw the line and say, hey he is just taking it to recover from injury, but that other guy was using it to cheat.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Right
if breaking the rules kept you out of the hall of fame, there wouldn’t be a hall of fame. It’s an issue of principle for the BBWAA writers/voters, so why is taking one steroid to get back on/stay on the field okay, and one isn’t? it can’t just be about the rules, can it? It has to be about some sort of injustice that is damaging to the game and/or our sensibilities.
There is a big perception difference between using something to heal and using something to build muscle mass.
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what about if you are born with shitty eyesight and you use lasik to see better?
or you are born with perfect eyesight and you use lasik to see even better than that?
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 2:57 PM PST up reply actions
Some do with regard to Jack Morris.
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thats not the point
I don’t like steroids because they are harmful to your body, and once one group of players starts doing it everyone else is pressured to do it to keep up.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I dont see how thats our problem though. They know what they are getting into, if they feel shrunk balls is worth it, who am I to say no??
I want to watch baseball without other people having to ruin their bodies for my enjoyment
I know its not 100 percent possible, but I have something called empathy and I think of the players as more then just hunks of meat playing a game for my enjoyment.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I'm not against attempts to reduce helmet to helmet blows
I am against the unfair and inconsestent way it is currently being enforced.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
See, I dont have that. These players dont give a shit about you or me, but im suppose to care about them??
They didn’t give a shit so much that a bunch of Dodger players came back out onto the DS field with champagne bottle to spray the fans and celebrate with them. Packers Lambeau Leap because they don’t give a shit about the fans.
There are certainly those that don’t seem to give a shit (Kevin Brown), but a lot of players at least like to be liked. If nothing else, they might get paid a bit more for being likeable as well as good and putting even more butts in seats.
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by David Young on Jan 16, 2012 3:11 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldnt take it too literal, but I just dont have any feelings torwards people I dont know personally. Matt Kemp isnt at home right now thinking “I wonder if David Young will be able to pay his bills this month” or “I would sure hate to see David Young’s balls shrink over doing roids to play better for TBLA”. I meant more they have no clue who we are but im suppose to feel bad if they chose to do HGH/roids because of the healthy issues it may cause?? They knew exactly what they are getting into and obviously feel the reward is worth alot more then the risk to them. However as far as other players who dont want to do it but are forced to, to compete. Yeah thats a good point, not really sure what to say about that.
I try to remember how lucky I am
And on this day, I am reminded of the great Jackie Robinson quote “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
by bhsportsguy on Jan 16, 2012 3:26 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
That quote hangs in the Dodgers clubhouse.
Right above the whiteboard that says “no fat chicks”
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 3:27 PM PST up reply actions
The whiteboard does not say this.
Probably.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 3:27 PM PST up reply actions
there are three whiteboards, stacked one on the other. The top one says “Visitors Please See Attendant Before Entering”. The middle one says “no fat chicks”. The third says “no really, no fat chicks”
So you wouldn’t do things that help people that you don’t know, like raise money to help the poor?
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Why?
You “dont have any feelings torwards people I dont know personally.”
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I guess it comes down to situations like the 2011 MVP. We all want our team to win, but when we lose and the winner cheated, don’t you wish they were playing on a level playing surface? Would you rather your guys cheated to keep up or the other guys have to play fairly so we truly know who is better?
What about the ones that don’t think it is worth it? Do they end up forced to risk it in order to keep up with the rest of the league?
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And corrective contacts are probably an equally, though less convenient, alternative for the competitors that don’t want to take the risks of laser eye surgery.
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Another good reason to wear shower shoes. Cortisone is contraindicated if you have a fungal infection.
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don't get me started
PED inconsistencies is the tip of the bullshit iceberg
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 2:55 PM PST up reply actions
Publc Perception
It could also be that the lack of physical contact in baseball does not lend itself to public sympathy the way football and basketball do? Football’s violence typically leads the public to look the other way in terms of PEDs. Though not nearly as violent as football, basketball is a very physical sport that most have played growing up. While millions of kids play baseball, the injuries are typically of the “wear and tear” variety, and most have not played enough games at a high enough level to truly know how is excruciating it could be to pour a cup of coffee the day after a game. Now, if pitchers were getting injured because they had to tackle hitters before they reach first-base, the public would probably be okay with them taking PEDs to heal up for the next game. I don’t know where I’m going with this. I thought I had a point when I started writing, but I think I’ll just shut up now.
by ishXdavid on Jan 16, 2012 3:22 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
what a nice day
Today I ran some errands, practiced yoga and had a nice pork ramen lunch with Marty and Maddz.
Love sunny but brisk days.
by bhsportsguy on Jan 16, 2012 2:56 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
If anyone wants to read a tribute to Kuroda
http://www.truebluela.com/2012/1/16/2711823/why-hiroki-kuroda-is-a-dodger-hall-of-fan-fame
I had an idea a couple of weeks ago that people in here should write fan posts about players who weren’t necessarily Hall of Fame or perennial All-Star talents, but who have done enough to make a difference in the history of the Dodgers.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
I've always sorta almost rooted for the clippers!
except the part where I don’t really like basketball
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I don't like basketball either.
I love the Lakers and I love my Bruins, but I’d rather watch Animal Planet than watch an NBA or NCAA game that doesn’t involve my teams.
according to NBA media tweets they kept saying Deron didnt show up to play at all…. guess he is trying to play his way out of NJ….
Hate to thread-jack
but is it just me or do Bynum and Pau have a hard time fighting for position? So much is made of Kobe jacking up shots, but our bigs just don’t seem committed to establishing position.
i’ve seen kobe and the guards given shit lately for not using the bigs, and even when they do get the ball it’s in the wrong spots. I too think this is more about their ability to get to their spots than kobe somehow needing to force them the ball. I’d rather see kobe shoot 50% on 28 shots than give Pau or Bynum the ball at the elbow a dozen times.
I think NBA players know how to get into position to score from a young age.
"I'm telling you, y'all created a monster."
There was certainly inserting going on
with those two.
James Worthy liked to post a double-double in Houston.
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Amazing
I can’t think of a good player in MLB who, if they purposely faked injuries or played poorly to force a trade, that I’d actively root for him to be on my team.
Oh wait, Manny happened.
NBA is different… players play their way off teams all the time… but the give max effort once they know they can do something as a team. Not saying I like it, but thats how it goes.
Would really love DWill on the Lakers
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 3:43 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Over at
Dodger Thoughts, Jon noted several ex-Dodger draftees high on the BA list of college players for the next draft:
5) Kevin Gausman, RHP, Louisiana State — 2010 round six
6) Brian Johnson, LHP/1B, Florida — 2009 round 27
13) Richie Shaffer, 1B, Clemson — 2009 round 25
14) Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford — 2009 round 45
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so we really should try to sign the guys with the draft picks they use. I realize we can’t give a 45th rounder 1st round money, nor can we convicne them to sign in lieu of college and potential draft status, but considering a 5-10th rounder gets smewhere between 50-100k to sign, and a 45th rounder gets $500 bucks and a handshake, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to hand these guys 75k and the promise to pay for schooling later to keep them from being someone else’s lottery pick later.
They have to be willing to sign for that, too. I would bet none of those guys would have signed for anything close to $75,000 out of high school.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 3:51 PM PST up reply actions
And now with
The new CBA, any bonus over $100K counts against your assigned draft bonus pool regardless of where you were drafted.
Vincent Catricala
Wish we could get Catricala to play 3B for us (down the line). He’s one of the best hitters in the minors and nobody knows about him.
Never heard of him, but when I looked him up I noticed that Baseball-Reference now has minor league service time listed, at least in whole years. That’s kind of cool.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 4:16 PM PST up reply actions
From BA chat on 9/7/2011
Moe (New York): Hey Jim, I have a question about a lesser known prospect: Vincent Catricala. The guy had a RIDICULOUS season hitting .351 in high A then .347 in Double A with a lot of pop and good SB:CS ratio. The only thing is even after he proved it in Double A I don’t hear anything about him. Is he a prospect? What are scouts saying about his hit / power tools and what defensive position would he be most apt to play? Thanks Jim!
Jim Callis: Catricala’s numbers are a lot better than his tools, though hats off to him for having the .349/.421/.601 season he did. He’s an all-bat guy who belongs at first base, and scouts aren’t sold he has the bat speed to produce on an everyday basis in the big leagues.
I like that he's a paisano
Otherwise, never heard of him
"I'm telling you, y'all created a monster."
Born in Maui, bet Chad knows about him. :o
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Played LF as much as 3B in AA in a half-season last year. Guessing that’s not a good sign about his defensive viability at the hot corner.
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He’s having unprotected sex with lots of Annies?
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Just watched the UFC fights from Saturday. Pretty good card, but not much relevance in the bigger scheme of things outside of Aldo-Mendes and maybe Vitor-Rumble.
I saw the one knockout kick to the head early. That was pretty sweet.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 4:17 PM PST up reply actions
From MLBTR - no comment needed
Giants Avoid Arbitration With Angel Pagan
By Mike Axisa
The Giants and Angel Pagan have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $4.85MM, reports The Associated Press (via ESPN). He can earn an additional $50K each for 550, 600, and 650 plate appearances. MLBTR’s Matt Swartz projected the Legacy Sports Group client to earn $4.7MM next season.
Would you drop $1,000 on a watch you had never seen in person?
Remember how I wanted to spend $500 on a watch? And remember that “$500” watch I posted a couple of days ago?
Well, turns out the watch I found isn’t $500. It’s more like $750 from web discounters. But I talked myself into it. I said, “You know, Humma, you never spend money on yourself. Just do it. You’ll love it. Go see it so you can see it in person, make sure it’s what you want, know what size to get, then get it.”
Well, it turns out that the web discounters aren’t authorized dealers, so you don’t get the manufacturer’s warranty. Seems like a bad idea. Maybe better to buy from an authorized dealer. They will want more money for it.
So I go to the authorized dealer. He doesn’t carry the watch. Only special order. So I have to decide, sight unseen, which size I want (when size is a big factor for me and my tiny wrist), and the price he wants (no returns, it’s a special order) is $1,000.
Would you do that? Am I just being too conservative here? I know it’s a good watch — the brand is very good — but………
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
something that looks great in a picture can look totally different in person
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I wouldn’t spend $1,000 on a watch if it was my best friend since kindergarten.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 4:56 PM PST up reply actions
I am in the wrong demographic here though, so I recuse myself.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 4:57 PM PST up reply actions
If i'm spending a grand
its not on something as fleeting as my next bowl movement
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I spent $1,000 on food earlier this year. It is the most memorable meal I’ll ever eat in my life, a truly special night. No regrets, really glad I did that.
Huh. When you look at it like that, spending $1,000 on a watch that I can enjoy for 40 or 50 years and then give to my grandson someday doesn’t seem like a big deal….
Hmm. Makes me wonder why I am bickering with myself over the matter of $500.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:40 PM PST up reply actions
you cant see it
you cant test it. if you drop a k… and then it doesnt fit. you better hope your grandson has thicker wrists and gets here quick.
because you have never seen the darn thing in person
spending the grand makes sense to me, this is a long term investment. Doing it sight unseen though, doesn’t.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Go for it - but see it first
I don’t have a problem with the $1,000 – I think for somethings it pays to buy quality. I have a pair of dress shoes that are 18 years old, I paid $500 bucks for them 18 years ago. Do the math, quality is a bargain.
That said, I’m obsessive and would likely do the leg work on put that sucker on my wrist before I bought it.
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 5:48 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, of course — I gotta see the thing first. But I think I have talked myself into the price.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:54 PM PST up reply actions
Price isn't the issue
Who cares what it costs if its what you want. But a no see it before, no return policy is a deal breaker for me
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
strangely enough - when I was a single man
I had the same policy with hookers
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 6:25 PM PST up reply actions
Go for it
Completely different but my last car through a broker. So he found the car at the price and he was picking it up from the dealer. I had fill out the paperwork and fax it back to him. The next morning, my car was my font door.
The no returns worries me though.
Another difference
Had you test-driven that make of car at a dealership before telling your broker what you wanted? I mean, I assume that you relied on the broker to get the specific accessories/color/fine tuning that you were looking for, but that you had already seen and driven another version of the car, right?
I have never seen the watch in real life. I was ready for the special order — ie not seeing my specific watch before plunking down the money — but not for not ever seeing anything like it.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:00 PM PST up reply actions
Not that I would ever root for anything negative to happen to you, Humma, but let’s consider this a $1,000 investment toward you eventually taking over for David Horowitz as television’s most tenacious consumer reporter. Your show’s name: “Watch Out.”
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 5:02 PM PST up reply actions
Not to mention that high end watches are one more thing about which prices are negotiable. Cars, mattresses, watches. You walk into the store, you see the price tag, and then he says, “Yes, $1,200, but for you, $1,000.”
Fuck that shit. I am bad at it and always, always feel like I’m getting ripped off, whether I am getting ripped off or not. Tell me how much it fucking costs, and I will decide if I want to pay that price.
When I run the world that shit will be outlawed.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:05 PM PST up reply actions
Rolex takes a dim view of this – a Rolex dealer that bargains can have the privileged of selling the watches revoked
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 5:52 PM PST up reply actions
I
Had driven a Prius about 3 years before but not the model I needed up buying. But of course I had seen them.
The real question is, did the authorized dealer open both sides of his oversized leather jacket to show you his inventory in stock, or just one side?
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 4:58 PM PST up reply actions
He buzzed open both sides of the locked front door when I rang. And I almost yielded my place in line to a very big Hollywood big shot. But he yielded to me instead.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:01 PM PST up reply actions
why don’t you just get a Longiness? Also expensive, but at least you could walk in and try it on
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 5:20 PM PST up reply actions
Longines, they used to sponsor the clocks in a lot of stadiums.
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 5:33 PM PST up reply actions
nobody is going to notice their watches if they keep getting such attractive models
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I like Longines but they are even more expensive than the watch I’m looking at.
That is my problem. Everything is being made big now. I have a tiny wrist so I can only go up to 38mm, and I’m into retro styling, and the watch makers who are into that are at a price point higher than I’m willing to go.

That is a gorgeous watch. At 39mm, I could make it work. It is $2,200 from the web discounters (no warranty).
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:35 PM PST up reply actions
This is my $1,000 watch
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date.

Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:57 PM PST up reply actions
Well, I like it. I think. Have to see it in person!
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 6:03 PM PST up reply actions
can’t really go wrong there. I just printed it and taped it to my wrist, Nice bleeping watch
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 6:04 PM PST up reply actions
If it's a trusted watch-maker
You can go test-drive the watch model at a jeweler. Just make sure the model number match up.
That is my problem. It is only available from authorized dealers. My local authorized dealer does not carry this particular model. So now I have to call around to a ton of authorized dealers to find it, and test drive it. And then I have to talk myself into spending twice as much as I’d originally planned.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 5:37 PM PST up reply actions
Bill Singer
Was a heck of a pitcher before he got hurt,better than Sutton. No hitter, 20 wins etc. 2 bad years after comeback hurt overall numbers a lot like Hershiser.
His numbers from '67 - '70 are quite good
Too bad in 3.5 season he accumulated 882 IP, including 315 in ’69.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
since it was so hotly debated yesterday, from the mouth of kubiak himself
(on what happened on the first interception QB T.J. Yates threw in the fourth quarter) "Well, first off, I’ve seen somebody say that he checked into a play. I don’t know who wrote that, but that could not be further from the truth. T.J. ran the play we called. It came right after the two-minute warning. He ran the exact play that we called and his read told him to throw the go route if they played one safety. He did exactly what he was supposed to do. He just got a little lazy with his feet. He took two hitches and wasn’t able to keep Ed Reed at home and he covered a lot of ground and made the play. But the kid got the ball where it was supposed to go. It just got there late."
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
and addressing the hail mary on 4th and 2
(on if it was necessary to throw a hail mary with 20 seconds left on fourth down) "It doesn’t mean it’s right, but here’s my thought process. Its fourth-and-4 or 3, we could throw a short pass. I think there was 20 seconds left in the game and get a first down. We had no timeouts. We would’ve had to sprint to the line of scrimmage, okay? We could possible get out of bounds. If we get that ball knocked down on fourth-and-4, then we took no chance at winning the football game. I wanted to win the football game. I told him to throw the ball to the end zone so that’s all on me."
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
this one is for chris
(on how it felt to see all the fans waiting for the team last night) "It was awesome. You kind of know what kind of city Houston is and what kind of fan base you have when after a loss, fans show up like that and support you. It means a lot as a player and you realize the fans have your back and know what you’re going through."
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Jason Kidd this season
13 of 35 on three-pointers (37.1%)
1 of 6 on two-pointers (16.7%)
9 games. A total of 6 two-point field goal attempts
I am wearing progressive lenses for the first time
these suck
getting old sucks
I heard rumor of a testosterone and HGH cocktail that in addition to making you fit and yoked, also improves eye sight
I am close to going full Sammy Sosa
the old people commercials keep touting testosterone replacement as a way to get youth and vitality back
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 5:55 PM PST up reply actions
my progressives
are 7 levels, different prescription in each eye after cataract surgery in both.
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
is it normal to hate them the moment you put them on?
fuzzy shit man
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 6:28 PM PST up reply actions
I'm never a bellweather for normality
I loved mine the first time I put them on
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
is it normal to hate them the moment you put them on?
I was a teenager when my dad got progressives. He hated them for months. But then he got to love them.
That day is coming for me. I have also been told by the retina specialist that the cataract surgery day is coming for my. I am thirty-seven years old. Fucking hell.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 8:03 PM PST up reply actions
I was 39 and 41 when I had mine
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
I have a huge floater in my right eye. If I shut my left eye, I cannot read. This can be solved by draining the fluid from my right eye and replacing it with a synthetic fluid. This will result in a series of cataract surgeries for the rest of my life. Or I can live with the floater.
Right now, I am living with the floater, but the day may come when, say, I fail a vision test, and when that day comes…………….
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 8:51 PM PST up reply actions
In other words
you decided to float on?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Well, I am wearing powder blue right now.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:02 PM PST up reply actions
Or
You know this won’t work forever, so it’s a folly floater?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
… forever, but you can still see your kid now, so …
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
A folly floater would be disturbing.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:03 PM PST up reply actions
Russell Westbrook
love his game
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 6:46 PM PST reply actions
a very smart man
thinks he is destined for Forum Purple and Gold
by Hollywood Joe on Jan 16, 2012 6:47 PM PST up reply actions
who is this man?
and where can i subscribe to his newsletter?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 6:48 PM PST up reply actions
Hollywood Joe
thanks for the rec’s on the Pugliese wines. I bought the Sangiovese for 4 bucks and the Salice for 6, they are both full-bodied and went well with my homemade soppressata and bufala mozzarella!
"I'm telling you, y'all created a monster."
Ryan Ludwick
to the Reds
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 7:15 PM PST reply actions
one year plus an option, says Rosenthal. I forgot Ludwick was a FA
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 7:22 PM PST up reply actions
must be jumping for joy
gets to go from Petco to GAB
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 7:27 PM PST up reply actions
He couldn’t even OPS .700 on the road last year, dude is donezo.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Jan 16, 2012 8:05 PM PST up reply actions
Nice pickup
No clue on price, but odds are he came pretty cheap after the last couple years. Should do well in Cinci.
2.5 mil
with another $500K in incentives
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 7:50 PM PST up reply actions
standing O for Odom
who says Laker fans have no class?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 7:47 PM PST reply actions
did they?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 8:15 PM PST up reply actions
nope
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 8:24 PM PST up reply actions
LAL 39-35
reminds me of the 49ers/Saints game. :)
Hope Kobe gets 40+ but it will be a long road to hoe and Kobe loves his hoes.
Hoeing roads is fruitless. Rows on the other hand…. ;-)
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
22 years ago Clipper fans had their heart broken but it ended up working out for the Lakers and Bulls
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
No idea what this means. Did Danny Manning get hurt in 1990?
by Eric Stephen on Jan 16, 2012 8:46 PM PST up reply actions
i was 5
whatchoo talking bout Willis?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 8:47 PM PST up reply actions
how did that work out for the Lakers and Bulls
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 8:51 PM PST up reply actions
fleshing out
Cue Christina Hendricks
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 8:55 PM PST up reply actions
If the brilliant Ronny Harper does not blow out his knee he goes on to have a brilliant leading man Clipper career instead of simply becoming a brilliant side man for multiple title teams.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Ron Harper, Loy Vaught, Danny Manning, Gary Grant. The Clippers almost had something there.
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 9:04 PM PST up reply actions
instead, two 500 years and then caputski
by Josie Becker on Jan 16, 2012 9:05 PM PST up reply actions
At least until this guy suits up

Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:04 PM PST up reply actions
Hey Joe
How were those seats at Clippers-Lakers the other night?
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
This is a combo I wouldn't have thought of
There is a new food truck out there that specializes in Belgian waffles and french fries.
Sure. Just like in Belgium. Make sure you get the mayonnaise on the fries.
NB: I hate mayonnaise, but when in Bruges… and I gotta say, I don’t know what they put in their mayonnaise, but it was good.
Still chasing the dream of mediocrity
by Humma Kavula on Jan 16, 2012 9:16 PM PST up reply actions
In Amsterdam, there were fries stands everywhere with a chunk of mayo and ketchup on top of the fries. Good stuff when mixed
by Julio Nievas on Jan 16, 2012 10:33 PM PST up reply actions
I made fun of
Homeland winning Best Drama last night, and I still believe they should give cable series and broadcast tv series different categories, but now that I’m watching Homeland, it’s really damn good
Wow this Laker game
is seriously ugly to watch.
Heyman tweet
of all the #dodgers bidders, many see hedge fund guy stevie cohen as biggest treat. estimates of net worth are betw $5-15B
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 9:47 PM PST reply actions
sounds a rugelach to me
yum.
"I was a little scared he was into that Oakland thing. We swing here on 3-0." Grady Little on Andre
i was referring to the delicious ethnic treat. thanks for killing my appetite
/wedding diet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugelach
"I was a little scared he was into that Oakland thing. We swing here on 3-0." Grady Little on Andre
Well, I'm officially moving to enemy territory in June... damn
"I was a little scared he was into that Oakland thing. We swing here on 3-0." Grady Little on Andre
By the way, a friend of mine says his Dad just sold his house to Jaime Jarrin in SD
had no idea how rich this dude was, cause I assume Jaime’s doing pretty well for himself.
"I was a little scared he was into that Oakland thing. We swing here on 3-0." Grady Little on Andre
sweet
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 10:06 PM PST up reply actions
FISHYRIM!!!!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 10:05 PM PST reply actions
messy game, but came out on top
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 10:07 PM PST reply actions
Carter hurt himself
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 10:07 PM PST reply actions
underdog?
was that our underdog?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 16, 2012 10:20 PM PST reply actions
no arb for Andre
Agrees to one year deal for 10.95 mil
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 17, 2012 6:55 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions
w00t
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jan 17, 2012 7:05 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

























