Talking With: Derek Lowe
The Dodgers have been plagued all season by starters who have been unable to go deep into games, putting serious strain on a bullpen that has been inconsistent all year and faded badly down the stretch. One relatively consistent exception has been Derek Lowe, who has lasted at least seven innings in seven of his 10 starts since Aug. 1 and has been L.A.'s most consistent starter this season. His team leading 212 IP beat runner-up Brad Penny by 24 innings, and the innings difference has been even more pronounced in the second half.
As a member of the '04 championship Red Sox (as he'll remind you from time to time), Lowe is one member of the Blue with plenty of postseason experience, and he hopes to make it back this season. We had a chance to sit down with him before Wednesday's game.
—BK
Brian Kamenetzky: Have you been on many teams with this sort of night and day, multiple personality problem?
Derek Lowe: I've never been on a team that has had this much change, either. I think that has something to do with it, from the standpoint of, as we all know there's only three guys on this team that started the year on the pitching staff. So with all those changes I think you're going to get ups and downs, but at this point in the season, this is who you are. We've got 11 to go, and hopefully we get hot the last 11, instead of being the team that didn't win many for 11.
BK: So what's good about who you are? What works?
DL: The fact that we could get hot, and reel off seven or eight. Obviously the negative side is we've shown that maybe we lose more games in a row than we should.
BK: You mentioned turnover in the clubhouse, and chemistry. How important is the mix of guys that come through and consistency there, and how much are chemistry issues or the troubles of incorporating new guys fixed by winning?
DL: You can win for short stretches with bad chemistry and guys that don't get along, but in our game, with 162 games, I think it's impossible (to win over the long haul without it). So it's very important to have guys, not necessarily to be your best friends, but guys that root for each other. You can't be cliquey. You can't have this group over here saying bad things about this group over here. And I don't mean by nationalities, I mean like pitchers talking about hitters and vice versa. You've got to have everyone on the same page, and I think we got that when we got our new guys.
BK: Have you been on teams where that's a problem?
DL: Yeah, and we didn't win. 2000, I believe it was (with the Red Sox). It's just so draining every day to have everybody not get along, and certain guys aren't playing and then they're mad. So I'm a firm believer in chemistry.
BK: So how have you been able to do that this year, when there's been so much turnover?
DL: We have a lot of young kids too. So I think they can kind of fit in anywhere. Maybe if you brought in different veterans — there's no black book you can go to and say, "This is what you have to do to win." This year, it was unique. The only way they felt we were going to win was by changing, pretty much the majority of the team. And you've got to give them credit, because at least with 11 games to go we've got a chance.
Andrew Kamenetzky: Do you see yourself as having a specific role, as either the glue guy, someone to keep guys in line, someone to keep things light?
DL: These are just my beliefs, but I don't believe a starting pitcher can keep people in line. Who am I to tell 162 games what to do when I play 32. What I try to do every day is just be myself, as far as in the dugout. Crack jokes, keep things loose, maybe say something along the line as far as motivation, but as far as keeping guys in line, that's not a starting pitcher's job.
BK: A common criticism of the team is that your position players aren't the rah-rah guys, or the kind of guys who stand up in front of the media.
DL: Most of the teams that I've ever played with, the rah-rah guys are the bench players. Again, that's what their role was for the team. A perfect example was Kevin Millar (with Boston). He was the most vocal and kept everyone loose, and he didn't play that much. There's no one person who has to be a leader among the position players. It can be a young guy, it can be a veteran guy. Just because your veterans don't talk doesn't necessarily mean you can't have a younger guy be the more vocal leader. And I think as the year has gone on, Russell Martin has kind of taken that role not as far as he's gonna take it, but for a first-year player, guys respect him because he's out there playing every single day. He's getting beat up, and a lot of players always respect the catcher because of what he has to go through over the course of the season.
BK: Is it a question of things he says on the field or the clubhouse, or a question of literally getting out there and playing every day?
DL: Getting out there and playing every day, but again, he's getting more vocal. He's getting more comfortable. And I think it's hard for a rookie to step in and tell the veteran guys, "Hey, let's go." You think you may be stepping on people's toes, but again, if you have the type of team that your veterans are more quiet, there's nothing wrong with that.
AK: Is it doubly impressive because he's both a rookie and a rookie catcher?
DL: Very. It's not easy to be a rookie catcher. You don't know the hitters, and you don't even know the pitchers, especially this year with as much turnover as we've had. That goes to preparation, which he does. He prepares and he understands the hitters. He's only going to get better. There really haven't been that many true rookie catchers step in and dominate not only catching and hitting. You look at it, and he's still almost hitting .290, which is impressive in itself.
BK: And he's been there all year.
DL: Correct.
BK: You get a lot of grief in the clubhouse and from some members of the media for the amount of time you talk about the '04 Red Sox. With that in mind, what can you pull from that experience that's useful for the team right now? Is there anything?
DL: There really isn't a lot you can do, because you have to be there. You have to go through these last 11 games to understand what it's really like and to have success. Not just go through it and say we tried and it didn't work. I'm talking about having to win games when you have to win. You can tell people, "Hey, we've got to win today!" which is great, but until guys can relax and play under pressure, that's up to each individual to understand what they have to do to be able to perform. I just bring up the '04 season because it's fun to mess around, but is a lot to be learned from that team. Because we were down 3-0 (in the ALCS versus the Yankees). We had to play four consecutive games that we had to win, and we were able to pull it off. So you've got to look at the ability to bounce back, the ability to focus not on what happened yesterday, but the now. So there's something to be learned from that.
BK: Getting back to what you said before, being a starting pitcher, can you deliver that message?
DL: Yes and no. It's tough. Maybe the day I pitch I can say something, but the other days I'm sitting on the bench rooting for the guys. It's a drastic turnaround from last year, that's all I know. We're in a spot to win, so it's up to us.
BK: You came out of eight years in Boston and nothing last year worked.
DL: Nothing worked. Nothing good came about last year, and that's frustrating because when you sign to play somewhere, you sign to win. There's no guarantees wherever you go, but you want an opportunity like this year to win. Last year was a whirlwind. A lot of changes, we had a lot of young guys. We never jelled. It was actually embarrassing that we were still in it eight, nine, 10 games below .500. It was embarrassing that we still had a chance, but as you saw, we didn't make it.
BK: Was there the feeling that you could turn it around, or did you know that the team just wasn't good enough to get it done?
DL: I think guys always believed we had a chance to win, but I think if you asked each individual at the end of the year, "Did you really feel like we were going to win?" No. I think the majority of the the guys would say no, and I'm of the belief that we weren't good enough to make the playoffs and then somehow if we got in, we definitely weren't good enough to even win a game in the first round. So we probably ended up where we should have.
AK: Have you found this season to be more enjoyable, in terms of the guys around you, the place you're in?
DL: Absolutely. For me personally, bringing in Grady, Nomar, Billy Mueller hasn't been (playing) but he's been around, these are guys you play with before, and you know what they're all about. They brought in a lot of veteran players, so it has been more enjoyable. But yet, just because you enjoy the year, you still want to win. That's why you play the game. So it's been a more fun year, but we haven't gotten where we want.
BK: Were you worried after last year, coming into this year?
DL: No, just because of the changes they did make. If they would have come back with the same team, then I would have said, "Hey, this isn't going to work. It didn't work last year, there's no way it's going to work this year." But the amount of changes they made, they brought in guys for the right reasons, and I felt like this team had a much better chance than last year.
AK: Had you heard rumors that the organization might bring in Grady?
DL: Yeah, I had spoken with a couple people in the front office, just kind of giving my advice about him, about how good he is with the players and the type of manager he is. There's a lot of guys that aren't even with this organization that called on his behalf, because we saw what happened in Boston where he kind of got the short end of the stick. So it was definitely a good day when they called. They called a lot of us, I believe, and said we named Grady Little the manager before they announced it to everyone else. It was a step in the right direction, I believe, as far as getting a new guy.
BK: How hard is it as a player when you have to sit and watch a manager often get punished for the failings of the players?
DL: That's the one thing that I even said in '03 when it happened, and you even see it now. Managers and coaches get blamed before the players get blamed. They're just standing there. They fill out the lineup, they put out the guys they think are going to have the best chance at success. And if it doesn't work, they boo Grady. They boo the manager. I've never understood that. So they always get the heat for our lack of performance. That's what happened in Boston. We didn't win, and he got blamed for it. So he got to come here.
BK: So when you think about what makes a good manager, what do you look for?
DL: Winning. You look at most managers that stay around, they win. Which means they have good players, and they get the most out of the guys that they have. I think one of (Little's) strong points is that he's so even keel, never gets too high or too low. As players we follow his lead. When we were winning a lot he never got too high, and vice versa when we were losing. Especially when things are going bad, you kind of look to your manager. How's he reacting? Is he putting his head down? Is he making excuses? He never did that, so we want to follow him.
AK: How much does it say about his ability to get quality out of players when you consider the roster turnover you've had all year?
DL: How he relates to people, how he keeps everyone (comfortable). I think people perform best when they're relaxed and not stressing. He's always cracking jokes, he keeps guys loose in the clubhouse, loose during the game. I think he does a great job of playing everybody as much as he possibly can to try to keep everyone involved in the game. I mean, I'd never want to be a manager. I couldn't do it personally.
BK: What characteristics do you think you lack?
DL: Probably patience, more than anything. Dealing with all types of personalities. Some guys you have to kiss their butt to get the best out of them. Some guys you have to ride them a little. He's dealing with 25 different individuals, and his goal is to get them all working in the same way. I don't think I'd probably do too good at that.
BK: What was your lowest point as a pro?
DL: Wow. Probably my first year (with Seattle), when I was struggling so much. I finally got an opportunity to make it. I got like seven starts, then you get sent back to AAA thinking you just blew your shot. You blew your shot to have success, you're back in the minor leagues. But since I've been in the major leagues, I've had way more positives than negatives. Obviously you have bad games throughout your years, but nothing where you can really say — besides, like I said, when I got sent down — no game, or no moment where it's like, "this sucks."
BK: And the flip side. Your best moments?
DL: There's a lot of playoff games we've been in as a team. I think beating New York was all as exciting as beating St. Louis. Beating New York, being down 3-0, and then throwing a no-hitter for an individual (moment), has been the two greatest moments in the game.
AK: Where do you keep your ring?
DL: At my house. Obviously you can't wear it a lot here, (laughing) because I can't even talk about the team, let alone wear (the ring). So it just kind of sits there and collects dust. Like in a sock drawer.
BK: Last question. I know you're a huge fan, and basketball season is coming up. What's the story with the Pistons? No Big Ben?
DL: No. And they're going to miss him. He was, to me, and I'm not in the locker room so I'm speaking third person, he was the identity of that team. When you thought of that team, you thought of Ben Wallace. You thought of the intimidation factor, the rebounds, the hair. He was kind of their identity and now you take that away? Time will tell how they do. But I figure they're not going to be as good as they've been. I don't know enough about Nazr Mohammad, but I suspect he's no Ben Wallace. And we need to get the Michigan Wolverines back going too.
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AK/BK,
Ummm, yeaaahh, I going to need you to go ahead and have your Cards take care of that San Diego problem. That would be greeeaat.
Posted by: LoLo | September 25, 2006 at 09:57 AM
BTW, class "A" interview, guys, as always!
Posted by: LoLo | September 25, 2006 at 10:12 AM
I don’t know. I feel it. I don’t why I’m feeling it. But I’m feeling it. This needs to happen, this needs to happen so bad. This team has been fighting, but this team has it inside of them. We just need to pull this off. Honestly.
Rafael Furcal is playing better baseball than anyone else in the league. Do you realize that he reached base in all five of his at bats on Sunday. Five. He can do this. He is this good. I’ve had more fun watching him than anyone since Beltre. And we all know that was the best baseball season that we’ve ever seen played. I Love Beltre, still…
Kenny Lofton is pushing, he’s healthy, but tired. But he has that edge, he wants to lead us.
Nomar can’t walk. He can’t even walk, but he’s playing, and he’s hurt, and he’s fighting, but he’s playing And not only is he playing, but he’s winning. And he’s hitting walk off home runs.
Two of ‘em…in 5 games.
He’s so selfless, he loves the Dodgers. Jeff Kent’s a weird one, he’ll go 4 for 5 with 3 balls off the ball, or he’ll go 1-4 and not matter. But he can do it, he has that strange power that we all kind of trust. We’re not sure why, but we trust Jeff Kent, he’s a veteran. JD Drew I used to hate. I mean I hated him, he had the job to replace Adrian Beltre and he sucked. I hate DePodesta.
But he’s here, JD Drew has arrived. He’s one RBI away from tying his career high…the year he finished third in the MVP voting, behind Bonds… And Beltre.
But o boy, can he work a count, he makes pitchers throw strikes, and I wish everyone else would do that. He’s funny, and he’s hot.
Betemit, I’m waiting. He was great at first, he hit jacks, that was cool…we weren’t used to those. But he hasn’t gotten a big hit in a long time. And he strikes out, a lot.
Lugo’s not much better, he cant buy a hit. And he’s pissed, he is so pissed. But, they both want to win, most of the time.
But we need them, this off day is huge, they have time to think, and we need them, if they come through, we are set. Those two are THE key.
Left field. Vin says that Marlon should change his name to Merlon, “because he’s been magic since he’s joined the Dodgers.” And he’s been great, Thanks Merlon.
But we need Andre. Andre Ethier needs to come through and step up. It’s time for him to return. I miss him and I love him. ANDRE ETHIER WILL STEP UP. Write it down.
I Like Russ, I Love Russ, he’s a gamer. I swear Russ has Paul LoDuca written all over him. But he’s tired and he’s nervous. But Russ can be such a big dawg sometimes. Catchers are tough, look up their stats, he’s working. He’s a catcher, and he’s tight.
Matt Kemp come back. Toby Hall loves it, Did Grady just start trusting Oscar Robles out of nowhere? Trace loved him.
The pitching staff is crazy.
Greg Maddux. Greg Maddux. Greg Maddux is a Dodger. HA. Greg Maddox is a Dodger. He’s crafty. He’s good. Imagine Greg Maddux in his prime. He likes it here. He thinks we’re quick. And…Greg Maddux is impressed. Just Win Please.
Derek Lowe’s a superstar. And we don’t even know it. We are kinda in denial of Derek Lowe. There, I said it.
But Derek Lowe hasn’t lost in 10 chances, He’s winning and he’s pitching deep into every game. He’s helping. Brad Penny’s a mess.
He’s a mess, he can’t pitch past the fifth anymore. But he’s the best pitcher on our staff, and he’s pitching in two of our remaining six. So lets go Brad. We need him.
So, I guess Hong Chih Kuo has arrived huh? He’s got to start one more game for us, and he’s striking out more than anyone right now.
Chad Billinglsey is the future, he’s my early pick for next years Cy Young, but not now, Hong Chih Kuo is starting now.
The Bullpen is tough, they struggle some times. They all make me nervous, but that’s what a bullpen does. You can’t always have Eric Gagne in is prime.
Saito’s strong, Broxton’s shaky, but he’s powerful, and he’s capable of a lot. Beimel can do this, and Gio is back. Sele and Tomko are trying. And they both want to win, probably more than anyone, except Russell Martin, Russell Martin want to win.
The fans are behind it, LA is involved.
They are behind this team, and they are trying to support. Remember in 2004, The Finley Team. The city loved them, even after the BS trades, that city loved them. And Steve Finley left for the Angels. And then the Giants, he didn’t care.
But the city of Los Angeles loved that Home Run, it was the second greatest moment in recent Dodger history.
But last week beat that, Last week, that game, that game beat the Finley moment, it beat the shit out of that moment. And we saw it, we saw every part of it. Didn’t miss a pitch. This city wants this team to win. They support them, Let’s Go.
Six games. Six games left, we need this. Think Blue.
Posted by: Aaron | September 25, 2006 at 10:46 AM
nice, "office space" LoLo.
im with aaron all the way, hopefully we get a half game back today with the pad's and phil's losing.
Posted by: bmurph | September 25, 2006 at 11:12 AM
So what the heck happens if the Padres, Dodgers, and Phillies all end up with identical records? Will they go to a playoff system, or do they have some sort of default tie-breaker for 3-way ties? Kind of confusing when you're dealig with a division champ and wild card all into one.
Posted by: LoLo | September 25, 2006 at 11:13 AM
Aaron, I was tired, I was feeling down about my boys, but that was a beautiful speech. I'm feeling it. LET'S GO BLUE!
AK/BK, awesome interview. Great to hear what Lowe's feelings are about the team.
Let's do it!
Posted by: Jen | September 25, 2006 at 12:11 PM
I love your enthusiasm Aaron! I was at all 10 games from the homestand! It was great seeing the Monday game and having the season eand with a Grand Slam! We were celebrating a bday at the top deck. My friend brought the cake and the napkings read "Grand Slam" it was awesome! We kept showing our napking and there it happened!
BTW Great interview!
Go Dodgers! Go Cards! Go Astros!
Posted by: Emma | September 25, 2006 at 12:59 PM
LoLo:
I hear you are having a problem with your TPS reports...did you get the memo?
;)
Posted by: grumpy3b | September 25, 2006 at 02:45 PM
i believe, if the pad's phil's and dodgers are all tied, the dodgers have a one game playoff with the padres and the loser would play the phil's for the wild card. correct me if im wrong but i think that's how it goes.
Posted by: bmurph | September 25, 2006 at 03:24 PM
Lolo,
If it ends up that way, the Dodgers and Padres play one game for the west division and the loser plays the Phillies for the wild card. It basically gives us two chances to get into the playoffs. C'mon Dodgers you got this!!! I bleed Dodger blue and so should everyone else now.
Posted by: Brian | September 25, 2006 at 03:39 PM
Lolo, I think I remember Vin talking about that one game. If all three teams tie, then the Dodgers and the Padres play a one game playoff at LA, and the loser goes to Philly to compete for the Wildcard. Philly plays at home in any WC playoff game, but LA won the cointoss against SD.
The Dodgers could end up playing 4 games in 4 nights in 4 cities if they're stuck in such a situation. At least San Francisco is close to LA, and Philadelphia and NY are a stone's throw away from each other as well.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | September 25, 2006 at 04:20 PM
GO CARDNALS!!!!! THANK YOU, MR. EDMONDS!!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | September 25, 2006 at 06:31 PM
Astros take the lead in the 7th!!! Come on Stros!!!
Posted by: Jim | September 25, 2006 at 06:58 PM
Cardinals are coming back. Tie game. Yes!!
Posted by: Jim | September 25, 2006 at 07:01 PM
What the hell, AK/BK? are you're redbirds going to come through?
Posted by: bmurph | September 25, 2006 at 07:26 PM
Typical padres victory. You score 3 they score 4. You score 5 they score 6. Tell me Baseball God is not in their dugout.
Posted by: mti | September 25, 2006 at 09:01 PM
Looks like someone's having a case of the Mondays
Posted by: mti | September 25, 2006 at 09:12 PM
ok one last reference..
And I told -I told Bill that if that if they move my desk one more time then- I am quitting- and I am going to quit ;and I told Don too because they have moved my desk four times already this year and I used to be over by the window and I could see the squirrels and they were married but then they switched- from the Swingline to the Boston stapler but I kept my Swingline Stapler because it didn't bind up as much and I kept the staplers for the Swingline stapler..
Posted by: mti | September 25, 2006 at 09:14 PM
I wonder if the K-bros can make sense of the wild card scenario for me...
Now that the Dodgers and Phillies are tied in the Wild Card race, if they end up finishing tied, who would wind up going to the playoffs and why?
Thanks K-bros.. you've get the best sports blogs on the Net!
Posted by: IBleedBlue | September 25, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Lolo,
i don't know if i've given into your anti-grady viewpoints but i've just finished reading bill simmons book on the 2004 sox (yeah, i know i hate the sox too, but simmons is fun to read) and reading his chapter on the 2003 sox is painful. talented team, shoddy bullpen and grady's constant mismanagment which climaxes in a blown chance to go to the world series. AK/BK, talk me back from the edge.
Posted by: bmurph | September 25, 2006 at 10:37 PM
IBleedBlue-
Thanks. I believe the coin flip has the Phillies hosting a playoff, so the Dodgers would go there. The Blue won the playoff coin flip between them and San Diego, not that it's looking like that'll be an issue.
And by the way, anyone looking for help from the Cards? Probably not coming. They're sad.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 26, 2006 at 03:54 AM
Bmurph, et all,
Just want to make something clear; I am NOT anti-Grady. I am critical of some of his baseball decisions, but I am certainly not anti-Grady. In fact, I don’t recall ever saying “Fire Grady” or anything like that.
I like Grady. He seems like a great person and it looks like he gets along with his players very well. And for being so “lax”, the clubhouse seems in order. I can get over losing, but I can’t get over being an embarrassment. What made last year so bad was not so much the losing; it was all the clubhouse and off-the-field incidents that made me want stick my head in the ground. Ned has a lot to do with cleaning up that mess (he got rid of cancers like Meltdown Bradley and Odalis Perez), but Grady deserves credit as well.
For all of Grady’s experience, the guy has only managed a couple of years in the majors. He still needs to learn a few things. All I ask for is that I see fewer bonehead mistakes (like leaving a pitcher out there when he’s obviously struggling). I am also not keen on constant managerial turnover. I think Grady deserves a shot for a few years. Now, if a couple of years down the road he is still making bonehead mistakes then let the chips fall where they may.
As BK has said, it’s fun to analyze decisions and situations as baseball fans. And when I get on Little that’s what I’m doing. But I am certainly not on the “Fire Little” bandwagon. If we happen to not make the playoffs you can certainly dish Little some blame. But the players will have to take a bite out of the sh** cake as well. The collective bunch will be at fault, not just Little.
Posted by: LoLo | September 26, 2006 at 06:54 AM
"And by the way, anyone looking for help from the Cards? Probably not coming. They're sad."
NOW you tell us that!! HAHAHAHA!
Posted by: LoLo | September 26, 2006 at 06:55 AM
All,
Thanks for the "tie" clear-up. I guess that makes sense; give the teams tied for the division championship two chances to make the playoffs vise only one for the wild card team.
Posted by: LoLo | September 26, 2006 at 06:58 AM
AK/BK,
Use your considerable influence. Convince the Cards that they're actually playing the Dodgers.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | September 26, 2006 at 08:12 AM
Dodgerdog,
We've been doing that all season. The results have still remained erratic. Apparently, we're not much when it comes to the powers of persuasion. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 26, 2006 at 08:21 AM
Lolo,
sorry if i misunderstood you, but when i was reading simmons book, it was like it was authored by lolo with the 2003 sox season being interchangeable for the 2006 dodger season. same complaints (all though to be fair, it seems like grady has gotten better). anyways, go blue. and ak/bk, if youre cards don't help us out im going to be pissed. there starting to climb the ladder of my most hated teams which include: giants, padres, yankees, bosox, cards, dbacks, braves (although they seem more benign this year and i realize i was just tired of them winning rather than disliking the organization).
Posted by: bmurph | September 26, 2006 at 08:48 AM
According to Baseball Prospectus, we have a 47.2% chance of making the postseason. Phillies have a 63.71% chance and the Madres have a 89.0% chance. The Dodgers chances are lower than they have been since "the streak".
Having read that, I still like our chances a lot. I'm with Aaron. Thanks for that motivating speech.
Our magic number for the wildcard is 7. Magic number for the division is 9. Phillies of course also have magic number of 7, and Madres have magic # of 5.
Dayn Perry at Fox Sports says the Dodgers won't make it. Lets prove him wrong. He factors in several factors which are valid, but he leaves out one major factor IMO. HEART. I do believe our boys in blue have shown plenty of HEART, and even though everything else is going against them, Heart will get us there.
Believe.
Believe!
BELIEVE!!
As fans, WE MUST BELIEVE!
GO BLUE!
GO DODGERS!
We're with you all the way!
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 26, 2006 at 08:53 AM
Padres rulz, wave bye bye to Dodgers...Let's sign a petition for the owners of the Dodgers team to move back to Brooklyn, wooooooooo, yeah!!!...You nutsy Dodgers fans need to get a life, lol! GO PADS 2006.
Posted by: Padres Rulz Dodgers Stink | September 28, 2006 at 03:34 PM
Padres rulz, wave bye bye to Dodgers...Let's sign a petition for the owners of the Dodgers team to move back to Brooklyn, wooooooooo, yeah!!!...You nutsy Dodgers fans need to get a life, lol! GO PADS 2006.
Posted by: Padres Rulz Dodgers Stink | September 28, 2006 at 03:36 PM
PADRES GOIN CHOKE BIGTIME. TOO BAD SOOOOO SAD.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 03:40 PM
Grady will cost you in the long run...guaranteed. He may be great with players but he is a gawdawful in game manager. DLowe is an amazing big game pitcher but it's not gonna be enough.
Posted by: Grady Gump | September 29, 2006 at 04:21 PM