I Don't Mean to Panic...
...but this team hasn't won a game since Odalis Perez was traded. Not a single game. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I think at this point, it's fair to say that he was the glue that held the squad together. They cannot win without O.D.! He's like a left-handed-throwing Paul LoDuca!
OK, we're not quite at that stage yet, but after Wednesday afternoon's 10-3 loss to San Diego, the Blue's 13th in 14 outings since the All-Star break, it's getting pretty hard not to give in to wild, irrational notions about what's wrong with the team.
So what is the problem? Let's hit the checklist. Bad hitting? Check. Bad pitching? Check. Lousy defense? Check. Mental lapses? Hella check. Lack of passion? Check. Lack of dugout arguments between your starting pitcher and veteran centerfielder? Good news, that's not a problem anymore. Brad Penny and Kenny Lofton had to be separated after it looked like Penny felt Lofton didn't put in a great effort on a shallow fly ball to center that fell in between Lofton and Willy Aybar. UPDATE: Your fearless reporter bricked this hard. It was a ground ball past Aybar that Lofton played into a Dave Roberts double. Bad mistake. Thanks to those who pointed out the error.
Things got very finger pointy and yelly (I'm sure television viewers appreciated the first bit of heated action from the Dodgers in a while), but by the end of the game, they said it was talked about and done with.
"It was frustration," said Lofton. "It's over with. When you're going through a losing streak, that can happen. It's over." (As for the play itself, both Little and Lofton pointed out that its tough to pick up balls against the new, pale painted seats at the Ravine. It's a complaint that we've heard from home and visiting teams all year, so it is, at least, a viable excuse. Granted, it doesn't explain the balls Lofton has misplayed at night, but one thing at a time.)
Little also blamed the blowup on frustration. The kind that can sink in when the opposing pitcher not only not only goes seven strong, allowing only five hits and striking out eight, but out-RBIs the home squad 4-3, as San Diego's Jake Peavy managed to do today. Or the kind that sinks in when your team seems to be BASE jumping to the bottom of the NL West without a parachute.
One programming note — the Dodgers didn't end up making the anticipated roster move to activate Brett Tomko. They're gonna marinate in that decision until Friday. The blood tests on Danys Baez came up clean. Just a stomach virus. He told me he'll be fine when the Nats come to town.
Wish I could say the same about the Dodgers.
—BK
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Oh good! Baez is fine! For a minute I was worried that we might not have his erratic pitching waiting for us in the bullpen!
Can anyone confirm the press conference at 7pm?
Posted by: Andrew the Great | July 26, 2006 at 06:12 PM
Andrew the Great-
I assume you mean Colletti, Little, and McCourt on 980 AM. They'll be on at 7:30.
BK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 26, 2006 at 06:17 PM
you know it's bad when they do damage control. bummer!
Posted by: Faith | July 26, 2006 at 06:25 PM
BK,
Dude, easy on the Perez sarcasm. A few of the blog members might take you seriously. HAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 26, 2006 at 09:09 PM
Is there something wrong (again) with Repko?
Seems to me that having him play CF over Lofton (who is truly looking his age not only offensively, but now also defensively) is a no-brainer for Grady.
Particularly since the team is going so badly right now, what more could go wrong with Jason in CF? Seems to me that he could be the one guy to help get us jump started with his agressive play and more potential for driving in runs.
Also, in Tues. night's game did anyone else but me think that Izturis had beat out the grounder to second base in the 6th(?) inning when they had runners at 1st and 3rd with no outs??
Had Izturis been ruled safe then they would not have had to send Hall from second on Drew's pinch hit. To me it looked like Cesar beat the throw--the bad call by the ump was troubling enough but what really irked me was Grady's failure to come out of the dugout to argue!
At least he did come out in today's game to argue the call at second base, although Furcal was correctly called out.
Posted by: MattC | July 26, 2006 at 09:38 PM
I've gotta say - that "Dodgers Roundtable" was a pretty big waste of my time. It's sad for me to hear hardcore fans calling in and pouring their hearts out, to only have McCourt-Colletti-Little repeat the same things they've been saying all year.
To me, the biggest issue is accountability in the organization - or lack thereof. McCourt said that he was just the owner, and that he would stay out of Colletti and Little's jobs. Colletti basically said that he's done the best he can, but the team isn't doing as well as he had hoped, especially with all the injuries. Little basically just pointed his finger at the players, saying that they're the ones on the field who aren't performing.
McCourt - if you're really letting Colletti do his job, why did he repeatedly say that he would double-check with you before making any moves?
Colletti - if the players you originally got to fulfill certain roles (such as when you had planned for Mueller to be a veteran leader) are unable to fill those roles, then it's your job to go back out there and replace that player, not just to sit around feeling bummed about the situation.
Little - if the players aren't performing to their capabilities, it's your job to motivate them. It's also your job to put the players who are going to perform out on the field. So you can't put Baez (who has consistently blown small leads) out on the mound when you're up by one run and then act shocked when the game gets tied up and then the Dodgers fall behind. You're the manager - do some managing!
Overall, the discussion told me nothing, except to not expect much for the rest of the season. This is not to knock the guys like Ethier and Martin who go out there every day that Little lets them and push themselves hard - I appreciate their hustle. It's the guys like "J.D. Ghost" (thank you Plaschke) who go up and strike out when we need a hit, or jog after balls hit up the line when we need to keep runners from advancing - those are the guys who are dragging this team down.
Oh well! As the old Dodger fan saying goes - "Wait till next year..."
Posted by: Andrew the Great | July 26, 2006 at 10:41 PM
I am officially going to stop thinking "it can't get any worse". Of course it can!
I'm in shock at this point...
Since the all-star break, this is the worst streak of bad pitching I ever remember seeing in all the years I have watched them play.
Is it a virus or something?
Nogutticulosis...?
Each opponent is b***h slapping the Dodgers big time. I guess the players don't mind it much. Maybe they like it. Maybe THAT'S the problem.
This Garvey bobblehead thing is hilarious! They don't even have a current Dodger worthy of a bobblehead! They have to use an old star instead.
That is priceless!
And lastly, Lolo, what the heck does "squadoosh" mean?
You still crack me up.
Posted by: Andy B | July 26, 2006 at 10:52 PM
odalis,
if you're reading this, im sorry, please come back, it wasn't you, it's me. you were right all along, if the dodgers had given you a chance to start again, it would not have come to this...a pathetic, lifeless group of individuals who happen to play baseball. please accept my apologies and come back. mike t was right. you are the only one who can right this sinking ship. heck, id give all the highly-touted rookies just to have you back. kemp, eithier, chad, willy, guzman, loney, etc. just to have you back. by the way, take hochevar with you as we welcome you guys back in la.
once again, im sorry
levy
Posted by: Levy | July 26, 2006 at 10:58 PM
At least we got news seats
Posted by: buytheredcar | July 27, 2006 at 12:24 AM
I didnt even bother listening to that roundtable nonsense. What is McCourt going to say? He is a politician/con-man.
He needs to spend the money on the PLAYERS, not redecorating Dodger Stadium.
Hes like a guy who spends money to fix his house while his children starve.
He is a joke.
Why are people still going to Dodger Stadium?
He is no different than the terrible football owners of the past in LA.
DONT support this ownership!
Posted by: i_see_dead_pickles | July 27, 2006 at 12:28 AM
I have to disagree with Andy B. on current Dodgers worthy of a bobblehead. Why not do Drew and Furcal dolls and send THEM to the plate? If anything, the strike zone will be smaller so they might actually GET on base.
Man, I can feel the excitement building for Friday already. And Pablo has me looking forward to Saturday's lip gloss giveaway, too. Who said last place wasn't any fun?
Posted by: wmm | July 27, 2006 at 12:41 AM
You Dodger fans haven't stopped crying since my Braves used to beat up on you when we were in the West. Change your diapers already!!!Geesh!!
Posted by: Braves Fan | July 27, 2006 at 01:54 AM
can anyone answer some questions for me about dem bums?
1) because the offense is still on the DL, why hasnt grady tried to heal it by playing real small ball? ex: furcal gets a base hit. furcal steals 2nd, 2nd batter hit and run or bunts furcal to 3rd. 3rd batter gets base hit or pop fly to bring furcal in. or 2nd batter sacrifies or hit and run, moves furcal to 2nd, he steals 3rd, 3rd batter brings him home with sac fly or base hit.
-to make it work: scrap traditional lineup and place 1st, 4th, 7th hitter with a fast guy who has a decent shot at getting on base so they could steal if reached base. every 3,6,9 batters is the best hitters(or at least can hit a ball into the outfield) do this play EVERY time 1,4,7 hitter gets to the plate to perfect it--hell even practice it before games and off days( especially practicing laying down bunts--they mastered making pop-ups) if any part of this doesnt work,(getting out) depending on number of outs everyone should just try to at least hit the ball to put in play( be overly aggressive)
potenial lineup:
furcal
izzy or repko
nomar
kemp
aybar
eithier
repko or izzy
pitchers spot
martin
2)why do the pitchers continue to pitch in the middle of the plate? saito pitches away from the batter unless the opp batter cannot hit inside pitches.
-to make it work: get little to tell all pitchers pitch up and away to lefties down and away to righties(basically play "keep away" unless they suck at hitting inside or they are good at hitting outside) nothing belt high, near the middle of the plate up or down EVER. at this point they might as well walk everyone
3)put the fastest team on the field except for the spot where you dont move much(1b,c). if..no WHEN they give up base hits, the players can get to ball faster
-how it will work:
1 nomar(while hurt bring back loney/guzman)
2 izzy
ss furcal
3 aybar (or bring back guzman send him down)
cf repko
lf eithier
rf kemp
c martin
these guys can even do question 1 lineup. could awaken this team.
sorry about it being long. even i think these could work and even these guys are talented enough to pull this off. if this work out perfectly, they could at least get 5 runs(one every other inning depending on who is in the lineup in each order) per game. anyone who still cares please offer your insight on this plan. if this sounds crazy, forgive me, i cant sleep.
Posted by: THE WOLF | July 27, 2006 at 04:07 AM
Nothing surprises me when it comes to the Dodgers, When they lose they give away their best players. Look in the past who they have given away. Vlad. Guerrero, Ramon Martinez, LoDuca, and always bad trades. The people who should go are the upstairs management.
Posted by: David Castillo | July 27, 2006 at 05:46 AM
Of course things can still get worse -- we haven't been no-hit yet.
Posted by: Eric B. | July 27, 2006 at 07:24 AM
Andy,
Obviously, you have a life beyond sports. "Squadoosh" is a term frequently used on Pardon the Interruption by Tony "Stat Boy" Reali. He also uses it when he hosts T.J. Simers' favorite show, Around the Horn.
It means nothing, nada, zilch. Kind of appropriate when describing our boys in blue.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 27, 2006 at 07:40 AM
BK,
Sorry, dude, that was not a shallow fly ball that landed between Aybar and Wrong Way Lofton. It was a ground ball past Willy. Penny's right, Lofton made routine, half-assed effort to get to it. Dave Roberts surprised everyone on the planet by hustling it into a leg double--playing hard, the way the game is meant to be played, instead of loafing.
So, Kenny lost a ground ball in the seats (points for creativity). Watching the replay, I must disagree. He moves directly toward the ball after it has passed Aybar, but takes his usual, slow, circuitous route. Face it, you got outplayed, out hustled.
And how do you lose a ball in the seats when there were 44,000 fans in attendance. Oops, many of those fans were disguised as empty seats, something that will only increase as play deteriorates (if that is possible).
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 27, 2006 at 08:01 AM
Just read this in an article regarding the most runs given up in an inning in the modern era: "the record is 17 by the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers on June 18, 1953. The Red Sox sent 23 batters to the plate, had 14 hits, six walks and won, 23-3."
Gee, maybe that's a record this year's Bums can go after--on the receiving end, of course, but any way to get yourself into the record book!
BTW, are you all as embarrassed as I am?
Posted by: HA in Bangkok | July 27, 2006 at 08:12 AM
Dodgerdog-
Hey. You're right. I bricked that one in the post game, bad. When I went back to my notes later in the day, I read "lost in seats" and my mind went to fly ball. Thanks for picking it up.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 27, 2006 at 08:29 AM
Hey, Carl Everett's available, just cut loose by the Mariners. A perfect clubhouse fit.
More on the "leadership" team....not that it would have made any difference in a 10-3 loss, but what's with Brett Tomko's return?
They "can't find" a spot on the roster for him? They put forth this garbage about Baez going on the DL with the flu (did you read his response?-"They can trade someone, I'm not going on the DL")
Let's see, he had a week-long rehab assignment and you don't have a plan in place? Yeah, I know Nomar's return was initially iffy but, make a decision.
And I'm going to echo the thoughts of many. Where is Repko? He's barely played since his return from the DL. Was he not ready? Did he get hurt again? Did he catch the flu from Baez?
Maybe the leadership team has lost its vision from the glare of those bright new empty seats.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 27, 2006 at 08:52 AM
BK,
Don't worry about it. Watching the Dodgers can numb one's senses.
To your credit, you didn't make up an excuse. You took responsibilty. Something our boys haven't mastered.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 27, 2006 at 09:03 AM
Dodgerdog-
I did briefly consider "I couldn't see the ink on my notebook paper because of the seats," but I figured you guys would see through that (hahaha). Besides, I actually wrote it up after leaving the stadium, so my alibi was weak. Basically I screwed up. Thanks for the understanding.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 27, 2006 at 09:15 AM
Andy B,
As Dodgerdog (Mmmm, Dodger Dogs) pointed out, “squadoosh” means “nothing”. The term is Latin, originating in the days of the Caesar regime. Marcus Aurelias, before conquering the Germanians, turned to their leader and said “You’d better surrender because your chances of winning this war are squadoosh.”
OK, so I lied about the Latin thing. But it IS a very versatile word. It can be used as an adj, adverb, and noun. If I had to guess, it comes from the combination of the words “squat” and “douche”. Squat, as in “you don’t know squat (nothing)”, and douche, as in “you douche-bag, you’re nothing”. Plus, the “doosh” portion of “squadoosh” makes it sound like you are flushing the toilet, as in “your point just went down the drain” (enter the “doosh” sound).
That word has been around since the 80s (that I can remember). It must have been on a movie because I remember that it caught on all-of-a-sudden and everyone started using it. Then it went away for a while until I heard one of my Marines use it one day. Then, as Dodgerdog also pointed out, most recently it is used by Mr. Reali on Around the Screaming Horn.
Anyhow, our chances of making the playoffs this year are squadoosh.
The chances of Princess Drew becoming a man are squadoosh.
(As for Plaschke’s “JD Ghost” label, I liked it, but can JD be a female ghost? HAHA!!)
Posted by: LoLo | July 27, 2006 at 09:16 AM
Wmm,
I like your bobblehead idea. At least the Drew and Furcal bobbleheads will be able to take a pitch, or two. HAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 27, 2006 at 09:18 AM
I did some research. The last, and only time in LA, the Dodgers had back-to-back losing seasons was 1986, 1987. They were 73-89 both years. Then came 1988--so is it truly "Wait until next year!"?
Prior to that, 1937 & 1938 were back-to-back losing years. History tells us that the Dodgers rarely suck this badly.
So, either we're heading to the end of a historical rarity, or we're heading toward uncharted waters.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 27, 2006 at 09:21 AM