The Official 2004 Los Angeles Dodgers Lovefest Thread

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Because Izturis AND Cora homered in the same game (either one of which is a rare-to-impossible event in itself. Not kidding.), which also happened to be an equally-improbable Kaz Ishii complete game shut out. A real sight for sore eyes after coming back from the Bronx cold, wet, dejected, and still sunburned from the day before.

This has to be a sign of SOMETHING--either this year is special or we are in the Last Days, one of those two.

One of my other favorite sites, dodgerblues.com, could not have said it any better:

It's hard to believe that it's late April and the Dodgers are still in first place. It's hard to believe that Paul Lo Duca is second in average to only Barry Bonds. It's hard to believe the Dodgers swept the Giants in San Francisco last weekend. And it's also hard to believe that Jeff Weaver hasn't killed anyone. However, it's impossible to believe that one game saw both Cesar Izturis and Alex Cora hit home runs and Kaz Ishii pitch a 4-hit shutout. Vin Scully said it best 16 years ago: the impossible has happened. If Krispy Creme had said before the season that they'd give every fan in attendance a Krispy Kreme franchise if Izturis and Cora homered in an Ishii shutout, no one would have thought they were crazy. Hell, if Krispy Kreme had promised each fan a franchise after simply an Ishii shutout, it would have been a reasonable marketing move.

I am certain that no more than 2 to 3 other people here will even care about any of this... but the past few weeks, especially sweeping the Giants last weekend and the apocalyptic occurrences of last night, have boggled my mind to the extent where I had to say something.

When even dodgerblues fails to bring up the imminent September collapse, I know something crazy is happening. Whatever it is, I could not possibly be a whole lot more happy with this team right now. Especially since the Yanks, from whom I expected everything, have made me so miserable, sunburned, and voiceless from futile cheering--then here are the Dodgers, from whom I expected a whole lot of nothing, giving me cause to be happy. Even though it's still only April.

I'm going to hope the Yanks' April is a deviation from the high standard they will set the rest of the season, but that the Dodgers' April is a sign of things to come.

(There will be more substance to my posts as I gradually recover from the shock that was last night. Izturis AND Cora in one game. O_o . No runs, and in 9 whole innings at that, scored on Ishii. O_o. Speechless.)

[SuperMario66]

Wow. I don't know that we need an "Official Lovefest Thread," but so be it. I still can't believe you are a Dodgers fan. Isnt that somewhat depressing?

[pachyderm]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35
Because Izturis AND Cora homered in the same game (either one of which is a rare-to-impossible event in itself. Not kidding.), which also happened to be an equally-improbable Kaz Ishii complete game shut out. A real sight for sore eyes after coming back from the Bronx cold, wet, dejected, and still sunburned from the day before.

This has to be a sign of SOMETHING--either this year is special or we are in the Last Days, one of those two.

One of my other favorite sites, dodgerblues.com, could not have said it any better:



I am certain that no more than 2 to 3 other people here will even care about any of this... but the past few weeks, especially sweeping the Giants last weekend and the apocalyptic occurrences of last night, have boggled my mind to the extent where I had to say something.

When even dodgerblues fails to bring up the imminent September collapse, I know something crazy is happening. Whatever it is, I could not possibly be a whole lot more happy with this team right now. Especially since the Yanks, from whom I expected everything, have made me so miserable, sunburned, and voiceless from futile cheering--then here are the Dodgers, from whom I expected a whole lot of nothing, giving me cause to be happy. Even though it's still only April.

I'm going to hope the Yanks' April is a deviation from the high standard they will set the rest of the season, but that the Dodgers' April is a sign of things to come.

(There will be more substance to my posts as I gradually recover from the shock that was last night. Izturis AND Cora in one game. O_o . No runs, and in 9 whole innings at that, scored on Ishii. O_o. Speechless.)

Please, check after All -Star break remember 2002.

[ChewieTobbacca]

Just amazing that even happened...

Not to mention the Dodgers have hit back to back homeruns like 3 or 4 times already this year?

Last year that almost never ever happened

I don't know whats more amazing - Beltre playing as he should (maybe he has finally harnessed his potential) or the fact the team has such a different attitude...

Come June when its Yankees vs. Dodgers i'll be there on Friday

[penfold]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35
Because Izturis AND Cora homered in the same game (either one of which is a rare-to-impossible event in itself. Not kidding.), which also happened to be an equally-improbable Kaz Ishii complete game shut out. A real sight for sore eyes after coming back from the Bronx cold, wet, dejected, and still sunburned from the day before.

.....


(There will be more substance to my posts as I gradually recover from the shock that was last night. Izturis AND Cora in one game. O_o . No runs, and in 9 whole innings at that, scored on Ishii. O_o. Speechless.)

Not only that, the game was against the Giants and there was a free giveaway: light blue suede Dodger caps courtesy of Farmer John's.

Yup. I was there.

SWEET game.

[nyyfanatic85]

I really want to go to the Yanks-Dodgers game in June. It's a great old rivalry and I want to see this team against Weaver

That said, congrats on the early season start, Natalie. At least one of your teams is playing well

[penfold]

FYI, the Yankees/Dodgers games are completely sold out. In fact, if you try calling the Dodgers info line, they announce that the series is sold out while you're on hold.

I'm not advocating scalpers or ticket brokers but they are probably your only choice if you haven't already gotten seats.

[nyyfanatic85]

Originally posted by penfold
FYI, the Yankees/Dodgers games are completely sold out. In fact, if you try calling the Dodgers info line, they announce that the series is sold out while you're on hold.

I'm not advocating scalpers or ticket brokers but they are probably your only choice if you haven't already gotten seats.

Damn...

OK, who's got tickets?

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by pachyderm

Please, check after All -Star break remember 2002.

Yup, I remember it clear as day. I remember last year as well, when we went into the break tied with the Giants, then lost something like 15 straight. Which is why I said, that I HOPE the Dodgers' April is a sign of things to come. In none of the past 2 seasons at least, have they had both solid pitching (not as great as last year though, at least not the starters) AND solid hitting at the same time, all backed up by that still-awesome bullpen that has not missed Paul Quantrill in the least. If continued, this CAN be special.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by nyyfanatic85


Damn...

OK, who's got tickets?

You know I do. I'll PM you about this.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by ChewieTobbacca
Just amazing that even happened...

Not to mention the Dodgers have hit back to back homeruns like 3 or 4 times already this year?

Last year that almost never ever happened

I don't know whats more amazing - Beltre playing as he should (maybe he has finally harnessed his potential) or the fact the team has such a different attitude...

I think Jose Lima's presence in the dugout and the clubhouse has a LOT to do with their new attitude. Not the greatest pitcher, but, when he's not pitching, he's there in the dugout cheering everyone on, always the first to hug and congratulate anyone on a great play. So far in the season, this team is having FUN playing baseball.

[WCNYY]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35


I think Jose Lima's presence in the dugout and the clubhouse has a LOT to do with their new attitude. Not the greatest pitcher, and, when he's not pitching, he's there in the dugout cheering everyone on, always the first to hug and congratulate anyone on a great play. So far in the season, this team is having FUN playing baseball.

Lima is awesome maybe he'll rub off on Weaver

[penfold]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35

So far in the season, this team [The Dodgers] is having FUN playing baseball.

Yes, indeed. I only wish some of that sense of fun could rub off on the Yankees. And before June!

[nyyfanatic85]

I'm happy for the Dodgers. The players and their fans deserve better after all the sh*t they had to put up with these last few years.

[penfold]

Originally posted by nyyfanatic85
I'm happy for the Dodgers. The players and their fans deserve better after all the sh*t they had to put up with these last few years.

That darned Walter O'Malley!

[ChewieTobbacca]

yep tickets were sold out in teh first 3 days or something but i grabbed a bunch =D

living in So Cal gets one spoiled with the bullpen

I mean we know how great Rivera is but when the two teams down here in LA have the bullpens they do.... its just amazing what a luxury it is to know the bullpen rarely gives up a run at all. The Angels have Donnelley, Frankie Rodriguez, Percival, and others - and the Dodgers have Shuey, Dreifort, Alvarez, Gagne, Martin, and more - sometimes i think we take it for granted.

[OMGCurse]

Posting in this thread so that I can look back at it in September and cry. As of today we are 12-6, WORLD SERIED HERE WE COME!

[ChewieTobbacca]

good news with the mets and expos in town the Dodgers can expect to win 6 more with these weak hitting and mediocre pitching teams

this is weird when the dodgers are actually lighting pitchers up... the NL right now seems so devoid of pitching outside of the Cubs and Astros and Randy Johnson

[penfold]

FYI -- for anybody driving to Dodger Stadium... the parking's $10 this year.

[chanman7483]

looking for shawn green to hit 40+ HRs again... i got him on my fantasy team and i'm really really hoping that he can give me a solid hand

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by chanman7483
looking for shawn green to hit 40+ HRs again... i got him on my fantasy team and i'm really really hoping that he can give me a solid hand

I have him on my team as well. He hits last season, LA takes the division. My bf calls him "The Offense", and with good reason--so him being pretty shut down last year was devastating. So far this season though, we have a few guys who are picking up the slack when someone else in the lineup doesn't hit.

It's not a stretch to say that LA has the best staff and bullpen in the division again--add that to hitting, and we could make things interesting, to say the least. Especially when you consider that it was the games against division opponents that did them in last year--so far, we've only played division opponents and have won all but one series. Looking good, man.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35


I have him on my team as well. He hits last season, LA takes the division. My bf calls him "The Offense", and with good reason--so him being pretty shut down last year was devastating. So far this season though, we have a few guys who are picking up the slack when someone else in the lineup doesn't hit.

It's not a stretch to say that LA has the best staff and bullpen in the division again--add that to hitting, and we could make things interesting, to say the least. Especially when you consider that it was the games against division opponents that did them in last year--so far, we've only played division opponents and have won all but one series. Looking good, man.

An interesting article that says all these things better than I ever could:
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1...109927,00.html
Keys so far:
1. Bradley trade made possible a longer lineup.
2. Rotation exceeding expectations + bullpen still stellar (2.02 ERA, 3-0, 6 SV so far)
3. Beltre
4. Healthy Dave Roberts (.281, 14 BB, 13 SB)
5. Clubhouse harmony (no more Brown or Ashby, add in Lima) spilling over onto the field.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

I don't care if it's only May, but, in light of last year, when I can feel like the Dodgers can be down a run or 2 with 2 outs in the 9th and then come back and tie and then win the game, AND THEN THEY ACTUALLY DO IT, things have changed--in a very, very good way. Especially when Adrian Beltre is playing a key role in that comeback. It took him 70 games to hit his 9th HR last season--he hit that last week.

Last 2 seasons, heck, if we went down 2 runs in the 1st, we felt like they might as well hang 'em up.

Finally, Gagne is going to be the death of both my bf and I. Talk about nail-biting. You feel bad for doubting, but you also can't believe someone can't keep being perfect game after game--yet he does it. Amazing. 3 K tonight.

[ChewieTobbacca]

Gagne is just too damn good to be a closer!

Everytime he goes out you know he's going to get at least one K - but truly last year dominating was 10 pitches striking out the side like 3 nights in a row

[JeanC]

For Years before I could get MSG or MLB playing the Dodgers in the World Series was the only retort I could give my schoolchums/coworkers afterr all their "Dodger Talk" & believe me they werent happy to know that they had a So Cal Yankee fan in their midst!

Yes this series is gonna be talked about even thru September & remebered for years to come till the next chance the 2 rival teams get!

No I dont have tickets to this game........ Do I wish I had ....not really not for the price of parking & to have cold beer splashed around me & to hear the chants & raves of "Yankees su...." mext to me & this aint even Boston!



Oh yes there is one think Ill miss seeing Yankee fans wish they still had Robin on their team when he hits the homeruns for the Dodgers!

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by JeanC
Oh yes there is one think Ill miss seeing Yankee fans wish they still had Robin on their team when he hits the homeruns for the Dodgers!

He DOES seem to be getting more used to his PH role so far this season and has been filling that role quite nicely.

Last season I was continually up in arms over the fact that he wasn't starting, but was PH-ing for the likes of fat Ron Coomer, but this year, I can safely say that, when all our regulars are healthy, there just isn't room on the field for him to start.

By the way, I think the presence of a Gold Glove 3B on the bench, whether or not he's lost a step, is at least partially responsible for lighting a fire under Adrian Beltre. Last year and the year before, he didn't get his act together until the midsummer trades for Ventura and Tyler Houston, respectively, but, having brought back Ventura for this season, what little threat there is to him is a constant one. I'm digging.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Watch out for Wilson Alvarez, who returned to the starting rotation last night. 7IP, 1H, 0BB, 0ER, 5K (Jose Hernandez's crappiness blew the perfect game in the 6th). In his 9 appearances so far this season, he's sporting a 1.52 ERA with a 0.76 WHIP in 23.2 IP.

He's basically picking up from where he left off last season, when he finished with a 2.37 ERA in 23 appearances, 12 games started after the all-star break. If you look at his career stats, he seems to be pitching his best ball in over 10 years. I advocated him being in the rotation again from the beginning of the season, but Tracy is concerned about having more than 1 lefty in the pen. A lot of people are waiting for him to self-implode into the pitcher he was when he left Tampa Bay after a few injury-erased seasons, but I'm all for letting him pitch until he shows he can't. Because so far, he can--and very, very well at that. Starting OR out of the pen. This also enables LA to give Edwin Jackson the extra time he might need in AAA before calling him up for good.

[ChewieTobbacca]

Alvarez should defenitely get the start.. or trade him to the Yanks lol he's pitching better than anyone in the Yankee rotation right now...

The Dodgers are just so spoiled with their pitching... I mean what other team can bring out a guy to replace the 5th man in the rotation who has a 1.52 ERA and pitches a one-hitter? Then you have Dreifort who can start in the bullpen along with Mota, Shuey, and Gagne to close the door

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

7-3 win last night behind Jeff Weaver over Kerry Wood.

The fact that Wood went down hurt after 2IP isn't the important thing, but Jeff Weaver's line for the game is:

8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. His ERA is now at a less-horrible 4.84 on the season.

And that Adrian Beltre shirt I bought in February, half as a huge joke, half with the hope that this would finally be his year, is looking a lot less stupid and making me look pretty prescient right now.

Congrats, guys. Keep it up. Go Blue.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

18-pitch at-bat, 14 fouled off, ending in a home run... by Alex freaking CORA, who's like career .250ish and averages like 5 HR a year, off Matt Clement. He's been a hot hitter of late, but normally he has the offensive talent of an armless squirrel, but his glove is great, and he plays tough. An at-bat like that for a guy like that... huge.

Meaning...Tim Wallach is a demigod. This hitting coach is truly having a HUGE impact so far. I read about the specific things he did with Beltre to better his pitch recognition (if you thought Sori was bad last year in that respect... man...), and it seems to be working. As for the rest of the team, I don't know what it is--Dodger Blues said he introduced them to the "hit the f*cking ball" drill after the dismal offense of last season--but whatever it is, it's working so far.

[ChewieTobbacca]

I don't know what to say but LOL because of what I just saw..

Alex Cora had an 18 pitch at bat against Matt Clement, one of the best Cubs pitchers this year, and after so many pitches on a 2-2 count, he knocks one out of there (for a guy who has averaged 4 HRs a year, he's already got 2 this year)

Log from Gameday:
Pitch 1 - Ball
Pitch 2 - Called Strike
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Foul
Pitch 5 - Foul
Pitch 6 - Foul
Pitch 7 - Foul
Pitch 8 - Foul
Pitch 9 - Foul
Pitch 10 - Foul
Pitch 11 - Foul
Pitch 12 - Foul
Pitch 13 - Foul
Pitch 14 - Foul
Pitch 15 - Foul
Pitch 16 - Foul
Pitch 17 - Foul
Pitch 18 - In play, run-scoring play

Alex Cora homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Jason Grabowski scores.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Alvarez is one of my fantasy pitchers.

I took him as a reliever, hoping he'd get moved back into the rotation, and, happily, he was. Keep him there until he shows he shouldn't be.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Vin Scully just pinpointed the Dodgers principle advantage this year stating,"The entire Western division is miserable...the Central Division has kicked them from pillar to post." He then recited the horrendous performances served up by the west this weekend.

I appreciate that the Dodgers are much better than expected, but realisticly, winning the west this year won't be that great an achievement unless they do it by 15 games (which may be possible).

Long term, I am concerned that new ownership is determined to keep the payroll in the 80mil range, adopting a middle market philosophy.

This is inexcusable for a team that draws 3million fans, and dominates the second largest TV market. Spending anything short of the maximum under the luxury tax is an insult to those fans. Only that nasty traffic on the 405 and 5 is preventing the Angels from putting a serious dent in their fan base.

As long as they continue to do fairly well in their mediocre division(especially beating the Giants), fans and media will tolerate this approach. It might be best if they went in the tank in the short term so that the McCourts would be forced to give the fans what they deserve.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper
Vin Scully just pinpointed the Dodgers principle advantage this year stating,"The entire Western division is miserable...the Central Division has kicked them from pillar to post." He then recited the horrendous performances served up by the west this weekend.

I appreciate that the Dodgers are much better than expected, but realisticly, winning the west this year won't be that great an achievement unless they do it by 15 games (which may be possible).

Long term, I am concerned that new ownership is determined to keep the payroll in the 80mil range, adopting a middle market philosophy.

This is inexcusable for a team that draws 3million fans, and dominates the second largest TV market. Spending anything short of the maximum under the luxury tax is an insult to those fans. Only that nasty traffic on the 405 and 5 is preventing the Angels from putting a serious dent in their fan base.

As long as they continue to do fairly well in their mediocre division(especially beating the Giants), fans and media will tolerate this approach. It might be best if they went in the tank in the short term so that the McCourts would be forced to give the fans what they deserve.

Great post. The thing is, we all thought we WERE going in the tank this season, which is why I started this thread--it's been such a surprise to have done well so far. We thought letting Brown go in the trade WAS the beginning of a firesale.

Winning the division is not an unrealistic goal. The Padres have been utterly owned by the Cubs this weekend, while the Dodgers took 2 of 3 from them, beating Wood and Clement. We also won the Marlins series, so not all the wins are just beating up on crappy division opponents.

The starting pitching is not as good, which really had to be expected in light of how stellar it was last season. But the only guy we lost was Brown, so a close approximation to last season from the other 4 guys might have been expected, but so far Nomo has lost 10mph and gotten lit up, and Ishii's control is STILL horrendous (how he walked 7 in 4 innings and ended up losing only 2-1 is a testament to luck and our outstanding pen), Jackson, the expected #5 guy, is stinking it up in AAA after showing promise in September last year. The only consistency has come from Odalis, Wilson the Whale, and our pen. Well, and Weaver, if you consider it consistency knowing that every other start will be outstanding, with all the others in between being horrendous.

The only guy who seems hopeless so far, though, is Nomo. Colby, our widely acknowledged pitching coach/guru, is working with him to fix whatever needs to be fixed, so hopefully that can be done. He was this bad after his last shoulder surgery, so hopefully he just needs some time. Almost every guy in the bullpen can toss 2-3+ innings in relief (Lima put up about 5 scoreless cleaning up for Nomo the other night. Falkenborg put up 3 or 4 in relief of Ishii)--couldn't we do a "starter by committee" until Nomo comes around? How would this be a problem? Or pull a Colorado and go to a 4-man rotation?

As for the recent offensive woes--not an inability to hit altogether like last season, but an inability to hit in a timely manner--I think the injury to base-stealer extraordinaire Dave Roberts has to be considered a key, if not THE key, factor in that. Once again, I hope for improvement when he returns... AND when Green is fully healthy again. Shawn Green is not even close to being 100% back to form. His year-long injury that we the fans didn't know about until September was extremely key in the debacle that was last season's offense. How many of those 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1 losses would have been wins with him swinging a healthy bat?

Gradually, though, with moves like the Bradley trade and shipping some of our worst offensive trash of to other places in exchange for mostly minor leaguers, PDP IS overhauling the team, without holding a firesale. And we have some nice guys in the minors, especially James Loney and Greg Miller, if he can ever get healthy again. However, the hiring of PDP, the brains behind Billy Beane, in itself is a big clue to a new philosophy of trying to make do with a cut payroll. Where did the hefty payroll get us recently? Nowhere. We watched over 10M per year of it sit on the DL much of the past few seasons in Darren Dreifort, who is now the most expensive non-closer reliever (maybe even including closers) in the majors.

It is interesting though that a lot of our losses so far have been the pitchers letting the offense down, rather than the reverse like last season. I'm hopeful that this shall be fixed. We will know soon enough, right?

Believe me, those of us fans who actually know what's going on are NOT content just to accept mediocrity. We've been resigned to expecting it, but we don't like it or accept it.

But this is supposed to be a lovefest thread, so... Go Blue! Beat dem Phillies next week!

[SoCal Pinstriper]

One would be foolish not to be pleasently surprised with results this year.

My concern is long term direction. Frankly, although I hope that my feelings are misplaced, the McCourts give me the creeps (possibly because they are admitted Redsox fans).

I simply do not want the Dodgers to settle for being competetive with the underspending slugs in their division. They must view themselves as competetors of the Yankees, Red Sox, and ANGELS. Any less is an insult to their fans, and a disservice to the game.

OBTW, I think that you are right on about Roberts. If only there was a way to allow him to play hard without the injuries.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper
I simply do not want the Dodgers to settle for being competetive with the underspending slugs in their division. They must view themselves as competetors of the Yankees, Red Sox, and ANGELS. Any less is an insult to their fans, and a disservice to the game.

I think the McCourts creep everyone out. The consensus is "better than FOX", but I'm sure if we'd stuck that out another year someone better might have come along. At least he did the right thing and fired Dan Evans (FIRE EVANS could have reached FIRE SATHER proportions if this hadn't happened... and if our fans as a whole were smart enough) and brought in PDP. We'll see.

While I agree with the part of your post that I quoted, the funny thing is the way some apparently already believe the Dodgers are turned around just because of their great start. I know the Daily Quickie is the king of bandwagoning, but here's a quote from Friday's edition:

"Losing ain't positive": Between his batting slump (.091 in May) and his team's shoddy performance, how frustrated will Barry Bonds get?

Frustrated enough to leave San Francisco in the offseason for a team he knows can be a winner? (West Coast: Dodgers, Angels; East Coast: (ugh) Yankees) ...

Dodgers included in teams "he KNOWS can be a winner"? Made me happy to hear someone say something like this about them, even if it's just the Quickie, but I am by no means counting any pre-hatched eggs. By the way, how ironically hilarious would Bonds in Dodger blue be? Would the hatred transcend the uniform? Or would the lemmings (the most accurate description for many Dodger fans) forgive the past immediately and embrace him?

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

They haven't done it as much as the Yanks yet, but the boys in blue have been putting up a lot of come from behind wins themselves lately... all of their wins after the break so far have been of that variety. 3-2 win over the Padres tonight off a walk-off homer from Beltre.

For a team that couldn't come back from even a 1-0 deficit to save their lives last season, this is big.

The past few seasons, the annual decline was already in full force by the beginning of July. Even the most pessimistic of Dodgers fans are beginning to hope, so I'm just giving the team some props.

[nahzo]

Oh GAG me...

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by nahzo
Oh GAG me...

Only about 3 months and 1 week until the one day a year when orange and black are in style...sorta.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Hey Nat, what a coincidence.

On the heels of tonight's Yankee triumph, I went to the Farmers Market here in LA to here a cool Hispanic/Acoustic band called Bandeleros. While they were on break, we all watched the incredible walkoff HR that Beltre hit.

I immediatly thought that I would come home, and revive the "Dodger Lovefest". I should have known that you would beat me to it.

I know that it is unpopular with Dodger fans, but Jim Tracy deserves NL manager of the year. They really play as a team.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

The dodgers did something on their telecast tonight that I've never seen before.

Perhaps in recognition of the fact that they shipped, Paul LoDuca, the player around whom 75% of their marketing campaign had been built this year, to Florida at the deadline, they covered Eric Gagne's entrance into the game after the top of the ninth to Guns n' Roses "Welcome To The Jungle " without going to commercial. Gagne's entrance has become huge at Dodger Stadium, causing Dodger fans, notorius for leaving early, to stick around.

Let me make this clear. THEY DID NOT AIR EVEN ONE COMMERCIAL BETWWEEN HALF INNINGS.

I have never seen this in 30+ years of watching baseball on TV. It may have happened before, but I was shocked.

The Dodgers have been raked over the coals here since Saturday. I assume that letting the TV audience in on what has become a huge stadium event is their way to reengratiate themselves with the fans.

Whatever their motivation, it was a breath of fresh air. I hope that it sets a precident that others follow. (I'm really not that naive', but one can hope.)

[penfold]

On the local news here, they had a quick segment in which they interviewed ticket sellers at Dodger Stadium. They said they received a LOT of phone calls of angry and disappointed fans....

Personally, I'm still peeved that they got rid of both Lo Duca AND Roberts.

grumble, grumble, grumble....

[yanksphan]

Originally posted by penfold
On the local news here, they had a quick segment in which they interviewed ticket sellers at Dodger Stadium. They said they received a LOT of phone calls of angry and disappointed fans....

Personally, I'm still peeved that they got rid of both Lo Duca AND Roberts.

grumble, grumble, grumble....

The local radio (690 and 1150) have been filled with angry callers bashing the Dodgers (or more specifically DePodesta) for getting rid of Mota and LoDuca

I just don't get it...Lo Duca has ALWAYS fallen off the 2nd half, and Gagne is MORE than capable of pitching 2 innings.

I'll bet Penny's 2hit shutout last night will quiet some folks, and as soon as Finley gets comfortable, that should shut the rest of them up.

[sanfranciscojetergirl]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35


Only about 3 months and 1 week until the one day a year when orange and black are in style...sorta.

Nat, leave the orange and black alone baby.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper
The dodgers did something on their telecast tonight that I've never seen before.

Perhaps in recognition of the fact that they shipped, Paul LoDuca, the player around whom 75% of their marketing campaign had been built this year, to Florida at the deadline, they covered Eric Gagne's entrance into the game after the top of the ninth to Guns n' Roses "Welcome To The Jungle " without going to commercial. Gagne's entrance has become huge at Dodger Stadium, causing Dodger fans, notorius for leaving early, to stick around.

Let me make this clear. THEY DID NOT AIR EVEN ONE COMMERCIAL BETWWEEN HALF INNINGS.

This struck me immediately last night, too. Your speculation as to why is definitely an interesting possibility. Amazing experience, especially in person.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper
The dodgers did something on their telecast tonight that I've never seen before.

Perhaps in recognition of the fact that they shipped, Paul LoDuca, the player around whom 75% of their marketing campaign had been built this year, to Florida at the deadline, they covered Eric Gagne's entrance into the game after the top of the ninth to Guns n' Roses "Welcome To The Jungle " without going to commercial. Gagne's entrance has become huge at Dodger Stadium, causing Dodger fans, notorius for leaving early, to stick around.

Let me make this clear. THEY DID NOT AIR EVEN ONE COMMERCIAL BETWWEEN HALF INNINGS.

I have never seen this in 30+ years of watching baseball on TV. It may have happened before, but I was shocked.

The Dodgers have been raked over the coals here since Saturday. I assume that letting the TV audience in on what has become a huge stadium event is their way to reengratiate themselves with the fans.

Whatever their motivation, it was a breath of fresh air. I hope that it sets a precident that others follow. (I'm really not that naive', but one can hope.)

They did this again tonight. What a great way to let the TV audience share a high energy ritual at the Game. Maybe more people will want to go and be a part of it. I credit the Dodgers with a shrewd marketing move.

As an aside, Vin Scully really dosn't know how to call this. It's funny to hear, because he has called every situation thousands of times. Maybe the GNR throws him off.

OBTW, Jose' Lima wins his tenth tonight, giving up one run? Go figure.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Adrian Beltre's first 5-5 game, including his 42nd home run. So what if it's his contract year; I'm taking this all in and relishing it, regardless. A great season is a great season. And he's doing it, including playing great defense, with bone spurs in his ankle.

I noticed last weekend leaving a game that the Dodgers have finally started selling Beltre shirts, so I'm no longer the only one who has one (I got mine customized, in February). After the All-Star snub, everyone has started to take notice.

What a guy.

[Soriambi]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35
Adrian Beltre's first 5-5 game, including his 42nd home run. So what if it's his contract year; I'm taking this all in and relishing it, regardless. A great season is a great season. And he's doing it, including playing great defense, with bone spurs in his ankle.

I noticed last weekend leaving a game that the Dodgers have finally started selling Beltre shirts, so I'm no longer the only one who has one (I got mine customized, in February). After the All-Star snub, everyone has started to take notice.

What a guy.

He's having an amazing season. He's an easy top-5 MVP guy, I think. Bonds, Pujols, Rolen, and him are the top 4 as far as I can see. (Though I could just flat out be forgetting someone right now.)

I don't think he beats Bonds, but he's having a season where a very good case could be made for runner up.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

Beltre is a beast.

Doing all this while injured, he can barely make it around the bases

Go for the MVP kid!!!

[JDPNYY]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35
Adrian Beltre's first 5-5 game, including his 42nd home run. So what if it's his contract year; I'm taking this all in and relishing it, regardless. A great season is a great season. And he's doing it, including playing great defense, with bone spurs in his ankle.

I noticed last weekend leaving a game that the Dodgers have finally started selling Beltre shirts, so I'm no longer the only one who has one (I got mine customized, in February). After the All-Star snub, everyone has started to take notice.

What a guy.

It was against the Mets. The Mets are no better than a mid level Triple A team right now.