Extra! Extra! (5.25)
There are good home stands, great home stands, and first ballot inductees into the Home Stand Hall of Fame home stands. After their 7-1 win Wednesday night against the Rockies capped off a perfect 6-0 stint at the Ravine in which the Dodgers outscored their opponents 52-10, it's clear this home stand was an HOFer.
Not surprisingly, the center of attention after the game was starter Aaron Sele, whose seven shutout innings continued his remarkable run from the nonroster invitee scrap heap to (hopefully long term) success. Since replacing Odalis Perez in the starting rotation, Sele, traditionally good early in seasons, has surrendered a grand total of five earned runs in four starts. The veteran righty was probably just trying to keep pace with the rest of L.A.'s starters, who haven't given up an earned run in their last 28 IP. Perez, who has been banished to the hinterlands of Dodgerdom, understands Sele is pitching well and says he's trying to stay patient.
Offensively, Rafael Furcal and Jeff Kent paced a hit parade that produced all seven Dodger runs with two outs. The box score also shows another big game at the plate from Nomar, and a key contribution from Russell Martin.
On the injury front, Dodgers team trainer Stan Johnson was on hand yesterday to give the rundown on L.A.'s walking wounded. Needless to say, it took a while. The news was worst for Jayson Werth, who received a third cortisone shot in his bad left wrist and was placed in a cast. Johnston acknowledged it was a setback for the long injured outfielder.
As for the rest? (Deep inhale... and go!) Dioner Navarro will also receive a cortisone injection to help aid the healing of his bum wrist. He's hoping to be swinging a bat by June 1. Jason Repko's cast comes off today, but he's at least a month away from seeing action. Ricky Ledee continues to progress, but still can't swing a bat and is at least 10+ days away from a return. Bill Mueller is rehabbing in Arizona, Brad Penny's back is fine (he just needs some good stretches and a core program), Yhency Brazoban is using his rehab as an opportunity to improve his overall fitness, and Cesar Izturis and Eric Gagne are both headed off for their respective rehab assignments.
Whew...
One guy who isn't banged up? Jonathan Broxton, who has been overshadowed some by the play of fellow rooks Andre Ethier and Russell Martin, but is blowing folks away out of the pen.
If the Dodgers leave Dodgertown, the folks in Vero won't waste time looking for another spring training tenant, though presumably they'd have to change the name.
A great article about late Dodger great Roy Campanella, and a visit with former GM Buzzie Bavasi.
Finally, it looks like the Dodgers didn't miss T.J. Simers while he was annoying/covering the Clippers.
The Dodgers are off on Thursday.
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Our offense has been hitting like crazy…and that’s great!! But the unsung heroes have been the pitchers. They have allowed 12 runs in 7 games for a whopping 1.71 per game. I’m not even going to try to determine how many of those are unearned because you already catch the drift.
I can get very used to seeing 6-1, 7-1, 8-1 wins.
Nomar made an error. BENCH HIM!!! Hahaha!!! Seriously though, the guy is batting .375. It would be the icing on the cake if we had him chasing .400 at the end of the year. McCourt is wetting his pants just thinking about the possibilities.
Broxton’s ERA is 0.69. Sele’s ERA is 1.69. What’s up old timer? Are you spotting the youngster a whole run, or is he out-pitching you? Haha!! Brox and Sele have been lights out.
Same old story. Pitching looks somewhat wobbly in the first couple of innings but they manage to keep the flood gates from opening. The offense spots them 3-4 runs and it’s smooth sailing for the pitchers after that. Then in the latter innings the offense spots them a couple of more runs, just in case the bullpen decides to go UA (unauthorized absence) and make things interesting. The latter hasn’t happened since Broxton has been dope with his 0.69 ERA.
Who’s this Odalis guy everyone is talking about?
I hope Mr. McCourt understands the HONOR and PRIVILEGE he had yesterday of being interviewed in the booth by the greatest broadcaster in history, during a game no less. There are two thing I want to do in life that I am sure I will never accomplish; fly in the back seat of a jet fighter with 4-G’s pressed against me, and sit next to Vin Scully in the booth for one game while he works his magic.
Anyone seen the “Skeleton Key” with Kate Hudson (HOTTIE!!!)? I will gladly give up the remaining years of my life so that Vin Scully will continue to broadcast for 40+ more years, so long as they get good reception of his broadcasts in heaven.
I’ll be at RFK all weekend watching our blue crew beat down the Nats. AK/BK, care to join me? First round is on me! Haha!!
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 09:42 AM
WHOA!!! What the heck was that "preview-your comment-and-enter-the-following-code" trash I just saw!!! Hahah!!!
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 09:43 AM
Lolo is fired up!
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 25, 2006 at 09:54 AM
BK,
So what is that? Some kind of new mechanism to stop the flooding of posts? I didn’t get the screen the second time I posted. Weird.
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Lolo-
I don't know exactly what that is, either. It pops up for us, occasionally, too. I guess it's to filter out counterfeit bloggers or something.
Everyone wants a piece of the blog, right? (hahahaha)
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 25, 2006 at 10:06 AM
BK,
So what’s up with Lofton? I know “hammies” are tricky just like high-ankle sprains, but is there a plan to get him some rest to heal? I would have him sit for a week or so, just to get that hammy stronger. Besides, I am sure Colletti and Little knew they were probably only getting 100-110 games out of him (although Little did joke in spring training about “riding” him). I like what Lofton brings to the team and I sure hope they don’t overuse him, or facilitate an injury.
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 10:24 AM
I love how nobody is talking to Simers! I wouldn't doubt it if the subject came up at a team meeting early in the season. A great way to deal with a negative hack like that is to give them no fuel for the fire. Simers' stuff (coincidently?) is getting drier by the day. I actually use to get upset when I read his pieces, now I am just bored stiff.
Oh yeah, I am fired up too. This is really turning out to be an exciting team. In that we are not even into June yet it might be a good idea to temper the enthusiasm. As a long time Dodgers fan this is hard to do...
Go Blue!!
Posted by: SantaMonica4Ever | May 25, 2006 at 10:32 AM
SantaMonica4Ever,
Simers who? Hahaha.
I used to find him funny, but just like any old hag, the act gets tired. I find it amusing how some people try to justify his “writing” by saying “you just don’t understand what he’s trying to do” or “there’s a reason why he does what he does”. What’s there to understand? The guy is incapable of doing any real research because he has burned just about every bridge he had the luxury of having. You are right; his columns have become dry and senseless. He basically writes about nothing and his tired act of “I’m just motivating the local team by making them hate me” is burnt out. Bottom line is that the guy has become what he is; Page 2 garbage.
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 10:48 AM
In fact, this must be the pre-made outline Simers uses for his column:
Went into Dodger clucbhouse.
Saw Jeff Kent reading MotorCross. Said hello to him.
Kent tells me to shut up.
I tell Kent “(insert witty remark here)”.
I see Lofton floating around. Say hello to him.
Lofton punches me in the face.
I say to Lofton “(insert witty remark here)”.
I see Nomar putting on his jock. I say “nice to see you can put on your jock without getting hurt.”
Nomar hits me with a bat.
I tell Nomar “(insert witty remark here)”.
(Am I at 1000 words yet? No,...OK, here’s some more)
Todays’ last word:
(Insert fake letter telling me to die and go choke myself)
(Insert fake name and city, maybe spice it up with a foreign city and exotic name)
(Insert witty remark here, possibly making fun of Plaschke or Adande, or AK/BK if they don’t bring their lunch money)
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 11:04 AM
I thought TJ is HILLARIOUS. His column cracks me up. I'm a Dodgers fan, and I just think that you guys are taking him way too serious. Love the hate emails at the bottom of every column though...hahah. Chill out Lolo!! I don't know what you do for a living but you sure do have alot of time at work writing those novel columns u posted.
Posted by: Jv | May 25, 2006 at 11:04 AM
JV,
You “thought” Simers was hilarious, as in past tense??
As for my job, I can assure you I am very important. I’m kind of a big deal. People know me. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 11:14 AM
LoLo,
I had no idea that people were making the argument that there is 'deeper' or subtextual meaning to Simers' pieces. Hmmm...
I don't believe that any player or team is above criticism. Surely a critical perspective is an intrical part of sports talk and analysis. My beef with Simers is that the foundation of all of his writing is cynicism and criticism. This is great to read on occasion (and again, an essential part of sports 'dialogue'); yet when you get it day in and day out it begins to get old.
He has backed himself into a corner for if this team continues to play well (and indeed if they win the division and are able to advance in the playoffs) he will be out of material. Let's only hope it turns out this way...
Posted by: SantaMonica4Ever | May 25, 2006 at 11:16 AM
Jv,
To me, the fact that the players won't talk to Simers is a pretty good indication of what a creep he is.
It is one thing to be critical, it is another thing to base all of your interpretations on a critical perspective. This borders on what I would call cynicism; and last I checked there is way too much of it out there already.
Posted by: SantaMonica4Ever | May 25, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Lolo,
I think the plan with Lofton is going to be equal parts aggressive baserunning/decent amount of rest considering he's 110 years old. This is a quote from Little after Tuesday night's game, when asked if he gritted his teeth over Lofton running so much that game (a triple, 13 total bases), considering he had just rested a bad hammy...
"If we sway from our program, maybe he won't be able to give us that kind of production."
I think that sums "the program" on both ends. Obviously, if he doesn't run like he's capable, the team loses a big asset. But if he's hurt, they don't asset, anyway. Thus, they gotta balance it and hope things work out. Little is pretty big on rest anyway (he's generous with keeping Drew fresh, for example).
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 25, 2006 at 11:27 AM
Hope this blog doesn't turn into a cockfight event it's better when we ALL pick on AK/BK, not each other.
Posted by: MrsThinkBlue | May 25, 2006 at 11:30 AM
Have you ever eaten a piece of chocolate cake after a good dinner while sipping on a cup of hot coffee? The interaction of the sweet chocolate and the bitter coffee is great. Now, think of Plaschke as chocolate and TJ as coffee... get it? We can't have Page 1 and Page 2 both singing everyone's praises; Plaschke does enough of that for everyone on staff. TJ is on Page 2 for a reason: his sarcastic, witty pessimism is a welcomed departure from the average sports column and something I've enjoyed for years. If all you had for dessert was chocolate cake, you'd get tired of it pretty quickly. The coffee helps to wash it down.
That said, how about that R-MART? Is this kid poised or what? Sure, he probably should have held up at second last night, but how many rookies this season have hit a two-out, base-clearing double so far? I'm guessing one and he's the same guy that just called three consecutive games from behind the plate allowing only one total earned run. I've got a fever and the only prescription is available at the local R-MART!
(Please, let this nickname catch on... It's so awesomely cumbersome to say...)
Posted by: Mike | May 25, 2006 at 11:32 AM
AK,
I’m just worried that Lofton keeps “tweaking” his hammy “just a bit”. Pretty soon that “just a bit” turns into “Lofton: 15-day DL – Pulled Hamstring”. He is such a big part of our success that I’d hate to see him go down for a prolonged amount of time. But if Little isn’t worried about it then I shouldn’t be either. In Little We Trust!!!
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 11:38 AM
It's a looooooong season & rest is a good thing, especially with so many vets & accident prones on the team. Did anyone see Lofton's explanation of "Kenny speed"? I found it quite entertaining when he said something like .. well there are different types of speed you have for instance Olmedo Saenz speed ...or Cruz Jr. speed then you have Kenny speed. Killer tomato doesn't need to run too fast, hit bat's his game. But the comment was hilarious to me none the less.
Posted by: MrsThinkBlue | May 25, 2006 at 11:39 AM
Broxton can pitch. He added a splitter like 2 games ago. crazy. He's been great out of the bullpen. He said he rather be a reliever than a starter. Nice to know he is comfortable where he's at.
Posted by: MrsThinkBlue | May 25, 2006 at 11:41 AM
SantaMonica4Ever,
Believe it or not many Simers loyalists claim there is a method to his madness. I just tell those people that if you like the guy because your life sucks and you enjoy the cynicism, and him making other people miserable makes you feel better about your life, then go for it. But don’t try to justify his comments as some sort of artistic journalism that I just don’t comprehend. I think it was an act that served him well at first but it has run its course and now he has nothing else to write about and is too deep into his own hole to change. As you said, there is enough cynicism out there already and his has gotten old and not worthwhile to read anymore. As sarcastic as my post was about the “outline” for his column, it is sadly very accurate to what it looks like in real life.
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Plaschke sings everyone’s praises? The same guy that coined “Shame on you, (insert name here)”? Are we reading the same newspaper?
If Plaschke is the chocolate cake of the meal then I’m diabetic and Simers is the poison that makes me puke my meal.
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 12:11 PM
MrsThinkBlue,
The guys are having a great time, thus the Lofton “speed” comment. Personally, I enjoyed the Sele “you didn’t know I looked that good on TV, did you?” reply to Cruz’s “get a hairstyle” comment. Classic!! Haha!!
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 12:14 PM
Dear sir/madam who wastes time publicizing his/her dislike for TJ Simers,
You're right. Your inability to appreciate Simers is clearly TJ's fault. I swear, the only thing that must bother you more than his unique, tongue-in-cheek take on the sports scene is the fact that he wastes so much time raising money for sick children. Seriously! Maybe if he spent more time writing like every single other boiler plate sportswriter in the country and less time generating thousands of dollars for a local hospital, he could finally earn your respect, which he no doubt covets far above all other things. It is purely impossible that you don't get his humor that so many others in the LA area appreciate and you are doing righteous work by spending time publicly criticizing such an obviously one-dimensional, heartless cynic.
Posted by: Mike | May 25, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Raise money for charity and you are forgiven for any wrong-doings, because that is how we as a society measure who is a boiler plate sportswriter.
Write anybody a check and anyone will appreciate your “righteous work” despite what a creep you really are.
If I learn to like Simers will that make me a better multi-dimensional person so I can fit in with the rest of the cool L.A. crowd that has the ability to appreciate Simers?
Maybe I should show my kids what a wonderful person looks like by making them read his column everyday. Better yet, why don’t I just act that way towards them so I can have something to say when there is nothing negative to conjure up. After all, everyone is doing it and that covets far above all other things. Especially when I can be praising him instead of wasting my time publicizing my dislike for him.
Posted by: LoLo | May 25, 2006 at 12:42 PM
Simmers is just a big fat man to big for sports. Yes I said it, yes I went there. Its not comical and I dont take it to heart its just boring and above all old. Its the same song and dance every time.
Anyways on to the more important dodger baseball. The boys look to be playing well AND pitching well which is a good sign. I was wondering with the upcoming return of "Game Over" would that put Baez in the 8th slot as the set-up and move Broxton/Saito to the 7th/6th? I think that COULD solve some of our early bullpen problems, to bad Yhency is out.
I was secretly hoping we could dump O. Perez on the Mets but it looks like they just made their trade for a picter and El Duque will be returning to the NYC.
Anyways good day off for the dodgers, much earned, heres to a good roadie!!
Posted by: jon | May 25, 2006 at 12:50 PM