They Say The Third Time Designates "Charmed" Status
And playing by those rules, the Dodgers have officially reached Alyssa Milano/Holly Marie Combs/Shannen Doherty/Rose McGowan territory, depending on which was your favorite witch. (As for the players poll results, Milano's obviously a landslide winner.)
Today's 4-3 win over the Nats marked the team's third straight victory (the first series sweep in eons), three more than Mark Hendrickson seems destined to ever get while donning a Dodger uni. I'm totally convinced I'll notch a "W" next to my name before the lanky lefty breaks through (which says something, considering how buried I am on that pitching staff. Then again, Grady Little used to regularly warm me up in the pen before giving Odalis the call, so I guess you never know.). But like a couple Hendrickson non-win outings, he didn't particularly hurt himself while on the hill. Although he came seriously close on a rather bizarre balk, falling ass over tea kettle when his cleat got caught on the mound. Luckily, as Little pointed out, "just his feelings were hurt."
Actually, were it not for the run scored off the mishap, Hendrickson's pride would have been just ducky. "I would have laughed it off," Hendrickson shrugged. And even if Hendrickson never finds it hilarious, Toby Hall plans on laughing enough for both of them in a couple days, if not sooner. I'll give Hendrickson this much. I'm not sure John Ritter in his "Three's Company" prime could have pulled off such a sweet pratfall. But the overall result lingered more on the starter's mind, content with the team's "W," but not thrilled with his own performance. "Did you see how many walks I had today?" Reminded that he got himself out of a jam after walking the bases loaded, Hendrickson wasn't impressed. "I'm gonna battle," he reminded the reporter. "It's just one of things, that's not how I pitch...I kind of got a little pissed off at myself."
Well, there's no "P.O." feelings when it comes to the 3-4, 2 double-debut of Wilson Betemit. If this is the indication of things to come, Dodger fans are way psyched. "I don't know how you could not like what you saw out there today," smiled Little. "We knew what the kid's capable of doing and he's a big addition to this club." Happy to be here," Betemit didn't see the swap coming, having heard more rumors about San Diego (and the Yankees, since heaven forbid anyone ever think a player won't be traded their way). But the fast start brought a smile to his face matching the size of those watching him. The huge cheers from the crowd also felt great, if a little overwhelming. How would Betemit describe the feeling? "Oh my God."
I asked Little if the proverbial monkey was now off the team's back. He wasted no time responding. "It's gone. There's a lot of confidence in his ball club out there right now. The changes in personnel that we've had have all been positive for our ball club and that's a step in the right direction. And then you've got to win some games, which is what we've started here and we've got to continue." Andre Ethier agreed. "I think the monkey was there early, but then we kind of grabbed onto it and held onto it and let it ride us for a while. We weren't headstrong enough to just come out and play our game and not pay attention to what was going on around us."
To clarify a couple issues (issues fuzzy to me, if nothing else), some seemed to think that Takashi Saito might not be available, a notion clearly dispelled when he took the mound to rack up a save. "We were given the go ahead early on, right before game time, that he was ready," explained Little. "And when he's ready, he's in there for that ninth inning and he did his job again." A couple writers had wondered if Broxton's Saturday appearance during the 9th was an indication of Saito potentially losing his spot. Doesn't appear to be the case. As for Nomar's newly acquired D.L. status, that emerged after the staff grew concerned by today's pre-game running session. "When he goes to turn left, he's having trouble making the pivot," said Little. "There's a lot of left turning going on in our game. So we're not gonna take any chances..." Given Nomar's fragile past, I can see why they'd prefer him play at full strength, even with the roster so depleted.
Finally, a random observation. There was a The Name of the Rose DVD in Olmedo Saenz's locker. You'll probably find that info totally unamusing unless you're a big fan of Trainspotting (and Sick Boy's explanation regarding Sean Connery's Oscar win for The Untouchables).
More to come later.
AK
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Mmmmmmm...Alyssa Milano.
Posted by: LoLo | July 30, 2006 at 06:44 PM
Actually, keep Alyssa Milano away from the Dodger players; she's bad news. Didn't she derail the careers of the men baseball players he has dated (ala Tara Reid)?? Just like Mariah was hurting Jeter?
Mmmmmm...Mariah Carey.
Posted by: LoLo | July 30, 2006 at 06:47 PM
Hey AK/BK, congrats on your Cards for landing Belliard.
I don't know what Mark Shapiro was thinking, but it looks like Jocketty completely ripped off the Indians, wampum for Manhattan style.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 30, 2006 at 06:53 PM
Thanks for the great update, as usual, AK.
So as the clock continues to tick, this three game sweep makes me wonder ...ars we BUYING or SELLING? Like last July, and next July, every MLB team is looking for one or more of three things:
1. a HITTER
2. an ARM
3. prospects
We could use a hitter, we could use an arm, but let's not undervalue our prospects. It is HERE where we are RICH.
My gut tells me we keep our prospects, let them develop, and compete for many years to come.
Bleed Blue!
Posted by: Orel Fixation | July 30, 2006 at 07:56 PM
I was reading the San Francisco Chronicle today, specifically the letters in the sports section. The Giants are in the midst of a 7-game losing streak (sound familiar?-except their closer has 3 blown saves in a row).
The comments sounded exactly like what we were writing during the Dodger woes. Writers used such words as "deadwood" and bemoaned the overall poor effort.
It is nice for someone else to suffer through what we did, and it couldn't be a better victim than Giant fans.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 30, 2006 at 08:16 PM
First of all, I'm freaked out that you know about charmed AK. Haha.
Second of all...it's a virus. This accountability thing, could it possibly be what's causing this, dare I say win streak? As I recall during the long and tedious streak, it was all, "we're fine, the games are just not going our way" when what it really was was bad pitching, hitting, you name it. Well I definitely like what I'm seeing. Keep it up. Go Dodgers!
P.S. the dodgers won a 1 run game today, (the opponent scored under 4)...does that freak anybody else out? Or at the very least make them glad...cause time was the dodgers couldn't win a game unless it was like 9-13. One run games won are a commodity...lol.
Posted by: Faith | July 30, 2006 at 08:16 PM
Faith,
Truth be told, I've never seen an episode of Charmed in my life (90210 and Melrose Place were my semi-embarassing vices. haha). But between flipping past it during any of the zillion daily showings on TNT and the fact that I'm a total pop culture geek, I just know who's on it. But I couldn't tell you a single plot line. I have heard it's actually decent, though.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 30, 2006 at 09:01 PM
great game
Posted by: the clucka | July 30, 2006 at 09:10 PM
AK:
don't feel to badly about the 90210/Melrose Place thing...my better half got me hooked on...Project Runway...awwwwwkkk!!
As for alyssia's milanos...well, 'nuff said...personally I kinda like Holly Marie's combs... :)
Posted by: grumpy3b | July 30, 2006 at 09:45 PM
man i love charmed! couldnt tell anyone about the plot and story, but ill watch it most times! if witches really looked like that.........grrrr. put a spell on me. probably already did, considering that i watch it....
nice to see the team finally wake up! three cheers for betemit! this kid is a player! tommorows a nice little challenge for our boys. if they can handle arroyo, im confident that this team can re-capture 1st! kick ass fellas!!!!
Posted by: THE WOLF | July 30, 2006 at 09:51 PM
Anything come down the rumor mill tonight? I bet Ned's got something cooking about someone not mentioned yet. Probably will involve Izzy/Hall/Cruz/LeDee.
Posted by: Fish Guy | July 30, 2006 at 09:57 PM
I can absolutely watch Charmed. Surprisingly entertaining television.
As to the rumor mill, it sounded to me like the Dodgers had a couple things that might be in the works- as Colletti said today, one trade that's still alive, another that's not quite dead but the undertakers have the shovels ready. I wouldn't expect a ton of movement, certainly not for a big name (I don't think guys like Zito and Willis are going to move, and frankly would you offer much for Hernandez or Maddux? Tejada is a very awkard fit here w/o moving guys like Furcal in return. Don't see it happening.).
Granted, this opinion is based on an interview that happened about 10 hours ago. With less than a day left before the non-waiver deadline, that interview might as well be 100 years old.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 30, 2006 at 10:06 PM
Makoto-
I like the deal for St. Louis- they needed some stability at second- but Luna is a pretty good player Cleveland got in return. If I were a GM, I'd love to give him a full season of starts and see what happens.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 30, 2006 at 10:09 PM
Also, Colletti reiterated that guys like Ethier, Martin, Kemp, Billingsley aren't going anywhere, and said that list goes down a little farther- presumably to Guzman/LaRoche types. It wouldn't shock me if one of the latter two moved (you can't keep all of these guys) but it'll take a pretty nice offer.
I think we're more likely to see prospects move in the offseason, if they're going at all.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 30, 2006 at 10:11 PM
Grumpy,
Oh, I'm not apologizing one iota for my 90210 fervor. I'm simply acknowledging that I SHOULD be apologizing. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 30, 2006 at 10:13 PM
Rose McGowan all the way!, everything is natural with her.
Posted by: bluebleeder | July 31, 2006 at 07:37 AM
AK:
hehehehe...you-b-absolut-lee correct...we should ALL be apologizing, at all times...if we know what is good for us that is... ;)
Posted by: grumpy3b | July 31, 2006 at 07:46 AM
Rose McGowan dated Marilyn Manson (excuse me as I almost lose my lunch). You want to put your lips on THAT? Nuff' said!! HAHAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 08:48 AM
The Soriano saga continues!! C'mon Ned, hold firm and don't give away any of our untouchables!!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 09:09 AM