Know what's lacking around here? A little verve!
(When the time comes to kick off a totally meaningless three game, season capping series between the fourth and fifth place teams in a division, the term "important news" in relation to ballpark scuttlebutt becomes an extremely relative term. Bear that in mind as you read what follows.)
Given the lineup changes we've seen over the last ten days or so, unusual sights on the field are always a little more intriguing. Consider the motley crew (as opposed to the Motley Crue) taking grounders at short during B.P. You had your Chin-Lung Hu. No surprise there. Ramon Martinez. Makes sense. Nomar Garciaparra. Retro is in. Why not? From there, it gets more interesting. Luis Gonzalez? Well, he played some third base back in the day, remember? Mike Lieberthal? He's probably got the freshest legs on the team. But my personal favorite was Takashi Saito. Much to the delight of his teammates, Saito, while able to pick it reasonably well, seemed to struggle with the throw. He bounced a couple, threw wide once or twice, and generally found it difficult to get the ball to Mike Sweeney at first on a line.
"He was throwing sliders," Sweeney laughed.
I asked Grady, after missing the first part of the pregame confab because of my total absorption into the developing controversy surrounding the position change of arguably the NL's best closer, who he would put there first if actually forced to play either Gonzo, Lieberthal, or Saito at short.
"I don't know," he replied. Thousand one, thousand two... thousand five... "Anyone else have anything they need?"
And with that, I had officially killed the pregame media session.
What actually was fairly interesting was the reaction that actor Zac Efron- that dude from Hairspray and High School Musical (my wife works for Teen Magazine, so I'm up on all this stuff) was on the field before the game. Needless to say, he drew a lot of attention from all the 7-13 year old girls who managed to make it out to B.P. He was also a hit among the thirtysomethings in the Dodger dugout. Efron signed a couple balls for Gonzo, another for Rudy Seanez, posed for a bunch of pictures, and generally won brownie points for any Dodger with a daughter.
I joked with Gonzo that this could make him extremely popular at home.
"I'd like to think I was popular at home before," he smiled. But you can't be too careful.
In other news (see above disclaimer), apparently Barry Bonds is wearing a walking boot. Didn't have a chance to find out much beyond the basics (he's got a hyperextended toe, or something in that area), but those of you hoping for a chance to boo your televisions, sorry to disappoint.
Let's see, what else do I have...
It's 25% off all weekend on Dodgers merchandise at the Ravine, so that's nice.
Tonight's press meal? Chicken.
I need to do some laundry tomorrow, in a big way.
Yep. That's about it.
LINEUPS-
DODGERS-
Juan Pierre- CF
Wilson Valdez- 2B
Matt Kemp- RF
James Loney- 1B
Andy LaRoche- 3B
Andre Ethier- LF
Chad Moeller- C
Chin-Lung Hu- SS
David Wells- P
GIANTS-
Rajai Davis- CF
Kevin Frandsen- 2B
Randy Winn- LF
Pedro Feliz- 3B
Daniel Ortmeier- 1B
Nate Schierholtz- RF
Eliezer Alfonzo- C
Omar Vizquel- SS
Kevin Correia- P
BK
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I have been a Dodger fan since 1955. I have seen good seasons and those like this year. Where is Koufax when we need him. Mr. Little, I sure would like to have back ALL the games that you guys traded for, for both of those lousy pitchers from the "Elevated Challenged" pumpkins. Tomko was and IS the worst pitcher that has taken the mound in Dodger Blue. So is the other clown. My heart is broken again and I am bleeding internally again Dodger Blue.
Posted by: Jeff Kessell | September 28, 2007 at 09:28 PM
I'll say it again. If we don't pickup a major bat in the off season, we have our clean up hitter. Loney is going to be a joy to watch for years to come. And the thing is, he will get even BETTER with experience. Although it's hard to imagine him hiting much better than this. And gold glove potential to boot!
By the way, how does a young player turn into a veteran?
HE HAS TO PLAY!!
And I have a feeling about LaRoche. I think this kid is going to have a decent career. In a full season I'm betting on around a .270 average with 14-15 HR's. And I will give up a few points in average and a few extra strikeouts for his defense in the corner. He also will get better with experience.
I could have watched this line up all season long. Plug in Martin of course and Abreu and Kent at second. I'm guessing that would have really ticked off Kent, platooning with a rookie.
It's hard to argue they would have done any worse. Vinny mentioned we had the 2nd worse record (next to the Tigers) after the all star break.
Just fix the pitching! When you have starters that need a glove, Polygrip, and Metamucil, something needs to change...
I do have to admit I get a kick out of Wells. I always thought he was (is?) such a flake, but it seems like he's a welcome personality in the dugout.
Dude is a gamer!
I wonder if there is anything left in the tank for next year?
Posted by: Andy B | September 28, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Wouldn't mind seeing Boomer back. He's a smart old guy, and hasn't he won a ring before? Good guy to keep around.
Posted by: Ben Jones | September 29, 2007 at 06:02 AM