And afterward, he pulled cats out of a burning building and read to the elderly
Yesterday we asked where the Dodgers would be without Russell Martin, and of course nobody on, connected with or rooting for the Blue wants to find out. So when balls start flying in the general vicinity of his head, as they did in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Brewers, folks get upset. The trouble came in the fifth, after a Martin home run bid was correctly ruled foul. The next pitch from Milwaukee's Carlos Villanueva flew over Martin's head like a wayward offering from a $.50 batting cage. Villanueva then tossed ball four, sending Martin to first. That's when the yapping started between the Brewers dugout and first base coach Mariano Duncan, then Duncan and Prince Fielder. Benches and bullpens cleared, players generally stood around (this is baseball, after all), then left the field. Much ado about nothing. Of course, the box shows by his point Martin--who beats Brewers starter Chris Capuano like John Bonham did a snare--had already doubled in three, scored a run and almost homered. He'd add a sac fly just for some extra icing on that cake. Which is why, as we mentioned, nobody wants to learn about life without Russell.
Not that Dodgers starter Brad Penny really needed that much help. Spotted a four-run lead after the first, Penny held the Brew Crue (Motley style spelling intentional, but we're short an umlaut key) at bay, allowing only six hits and a pair of walks over seven scoreless innings and further enhancing his status among National League starters. Add to that mix some excellent table-setting from the top of the order--this time Furcal first, Pierre second--and everything at the Ravine was hunky dory.
Except for Brett Tomko, that is. The writing was on the wall when Hong-chih Kuo was sent back to Vegas to buff up his starter's arm, and yesterday it became official. Assuming nothing goes wrong in Kuo's next start, Tomko is out of the rotation. He was not pleased.
Much happier was Yhency Brazoban, who made his first appearance in the bigs since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. Brazoban was recalled to take the spot of Chin-hui Tsao, who landed on the DL with tightness behind his throwing shoulder. MRI results were negative.
T.J. Simers has some new buddies. The good news is if they have to carpool to games together, it won't take them long to get in and out of the lot, as the parking situation has improved.
Not that you really needed us to tell you this, but from a fantasy perspective, it's best to stay away from the Dodgers' third-base situation for the time being.
It's getting near draft season. Good a time as any to read up on Scott Boras.
The Blue are off today, and will open a three-game set against the Cubs tomorrow at Dodger Stadium.
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Glad to hear that they finally woke up and demoted Bombko. Duh!!
Hope we can trade him. It would be good for us to clear his salary and roster space and I believe a fresh start and new scenery would benefit him as well. He's not a bad guy, just a less than average pitcher. Would like to see him do well, but I don't believe it is going to happen in LA.
Posted by: Jim | May 24, 2007 at 10:22 AM
TJ Simers' article and interview with Pierre were horrible. I know Pierre isn't the best CF out there but he's contributing and there was no need for Simers to harrass him. The "interview" sounded more like a bully trying to start a fight.
...and Martin rocks. He should be the starting catcher at the all-star game.
Posted by: luxx80 | May 24, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Lost in all of the deserved love for Russell Martin was a small play by someone who could use some props. In the first inning last night, Juan Pierre hit a routine grounder to 3rd. The 3rd baseman took too long and Pierre beat the throw to first, helping to set up the four run inning.
Had Pierre just jogged to first, as so many players do, the big inning might never have developed. I've been critical of Pierre's performance, but his hustle can't be questioned.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | May 24, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I thought that TJ's article was just right.......Luxx80, how can say that Pierre is helping the team when the guy makes 9 mil a year and he has the worst on base pct. out of all the starters, he has the worst arm in all of baseball and yet he is still our CENTER FIELDER???? He's also been quite unproductive in hitting pct.w/runners in scoring position......etc........Its time for him to acknowledge that he better start working on his flaws and although it sure seems that gets the time in everyday, the guys has been a HUGE dissapointing, HE CANNOT HIT, CANNOT FIELD, CANNOT THROW, CANNOT EVEN BUNT, CANNOT EVEN FACE A REPORTER???? making 9 mil a year, now that's a rip off!!!!
I wonder when he's going to get a BREATHER and allow him to put things in perspective and start playing like a true center fielder, BUT I definitely agree with TJ, we're probably asking for a MIRACLE !!!!!
I just hope that come SEPTEMBER, a bad throw, he's innability to hit with runners in scoring position or a just single turned into a double will not HURT US..........we shall see......
JC Blue
Posted by: JC Blue | May 24, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Good point DD.
Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbitt out of my hat.
Posted by: Jim | May 24, 2007 at 11:50 AM
May 23, 2007 taken from mlb.com:
“He was the first guy I saw, but all of those guys were yelling at Russell because after he walked because he looked at the pitcher and made some comment," Mariano Duncan said. "That's when I started yelling, and then I heard Prince Fielder tell me to back off.
"I've got a great relationship with Fielder," Duncan added. "I remember him when he was 14 years old and I was playing with his dad in New York, so I can't believe that he was acting like that to me. But he knows that if he hit a home run that was questionable like that, then he came back to the plate and the pitcher threw a ball like that at him, I'm pretty sure that he would go out there and fight him -- because I know his attitude."
You always were and continue to be thug in my book. Being a Yankee pretty much says it all. You are clueless to the fact that when someone buzzed by Prince Fielder’s head after hitting 2 bombs in a game (ever done that Duncan?) this year a mature respectful Prince just took his base. Although you seem to be Mr. Cool on the field, you may want to think back to your own actions before inserting foot securely in mouth.
July 21, 2006
NEW YORK (Ticker) - First base coach Mariano Duncan of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for his inappropriate actions in last Monday's game against Arizona.
The announcement was made on Friday by vice president of baseball operations Bob Watson.
Duncan was in the dugout when he was ejected in the first inning by third base umpire Angel Hernandez. Duncan was so outraged by the ejection that he confronted and tossed his hat at Hernandez, who picked it up and gave it to a fan.
Who has the attitude now, Mariano? Couldn’t even wait until the latter innings to get tossed? FIRST INNING WAS TOO MUCH TO HANDLE? You are a true sore for the baseball community. Keep your trap shut and respect the game!
Posted by: Sabowa | May 24, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Whoa whoa whoa Sabowa - I've got no problem with Duncan defending our MVP...they threw at his head and it was completely unprovoked, then the pitcher stared Martin down? Huh? We all know Grady Little is Mr. Laid Back so someone has to take up the slack. Honestly, the Brewers have got to be happy that was the last game of the season against them, cause they would have gotten their best player (whoever that is this week) plunked at the next one...
that's how baseball works kid....it's part of the game.
Posted by: Lex Stryker | May 24, 2007 at 02:08 PM
Honestly, when are they going to fire Simers? I don't care if he was right about Pierre. Don't you think Pierre knows he's not performing to expectations? Simers is a cranky bully whose ego gets in the way of his reporting. Please fire him. There are hundreds of guys out there with more talent who would love to have his job.
Posted by: LLCoolL | May 24, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Hey Guys
The only thing I got from the Boras article was that he thinks respect and money is the same thing. Seriously though, I felt that he has had it out for the Dodger Organization for a long time. I like Lowe but I hope that Ned continues to stay away from that nothing of a character. NO CLASS!! Definitely not a man of his word. He calls it just business.
Posted by: Package | May 24, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Mariano Duncan is a great first base coach. There are no other fiery personalities on the Dodgers' coaching staff, and what better field position than a guy standing right outside the visitors' dugout to get under the opposition's skin? If I remember correctly, the last time Duncan did his thing, he severely upset Jake Peavy in the early-middle innings of that 4 HR comeback game. And of course last night, he had every right to say something after that pitch at Martin's head.
LLCoolL,
Simers is not going to get fired from the Times any time soon. Love him or hate him, if he gets reactions like yours by even half the people who happen to stumble on his article every day, that means he's selling papers.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | May 24, 2007 at 05:06 PM
good moves my little to bring up brazoban, send bombko to long relief, and insert kuo. if kuo falters, the next move is billingsley to the minors for some tuneup and then back in the saddle as a starter. wolf is a real surprise so far. the pitching rotation looks optimized at this point.
with respect to batting, we need to bring up kemp and loney and we'll be in good shape until we make a trade for a power hitter later in the season.
Posted by: luke | May 25, 2007 at 03:44 AM