Seriously, my brother wasn't lying
Just as he reported yesterday, there ain't jack going on before a game these days. I mean, nada. Nothing particularly interesting to talk about. Nothing particularly intriguing to analyze (I think you can figure out on your own why Delywn Young is in the lineup). Zip in the way of material. Save a few guys scattered around the clubhouse signing a bunch of pics and gear (which is every bit as enthralling as it sounds), there would have been nothing for me to watch except for the USC-Washington game on the picture box. And even that wasn't all that fun for this blogging Trojan alum, since USC is playing like dookie right now (as I type this sentence, John David Booty threw a "pick-six"). 14-14. Of course, Washington is universally recognized as a powerhouse, what with their 2-2 record and all.
Oh, wait! Something is happening right now! Huzzah!!! James McDonald is being presented on the field with the Award for the Dodger Minor League Pitcher of the Year. And your very own Chin-Lung Hu is getting the Dodger Minor League Player of the Year honors. Congrats to both guys. Were I Grady Little, though, I'd make Hu play tonight's game while keeping his glass trophy in hand the entire time. If this kid really wants a spot on the roster next season, he'll figure out a way to make it work.
Oh, and Emeril Legasse is throwing out the first pitch to Mike Lieberthal. It's good thing he managed to find his niche as an annoying TV chef, because his bounced toss indicates his luck would have been considerably worse pursuing a career as an annoying baseball player.
USC's now up 17-14 at the half. Weak.
Tonight's Lineup
Giants
Dave Roberts - CF
Kevin Frandsen - SS
Randy Winn - RF
Ray Durham - 2B
Fred Lewis - LF
Daniel Ortmeier - 1B
Pedro Feliz - 3B
Eliezer Alfonzo - C
Travis Blackley - P
Dodgers
Pierre - CF
Valdez - 2B
Kemp - RF
Loney - 1B
Martin - C
Young - LF
LaRoche - 3B
Hu - SS
Bills - P
-AK
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Re: 20-20 Hindsight
In business we call that a performance review.
Posted by: David | September 29, 2007 at 07:22 PM
Bud Black is starting to sound like Grady. He is opting to use Tomko in tomorrow's game with the season on the line as opposed to Peavy. Huh? That's the kind of move Grittle makes. Yeah, I know he is saving Peavy for a possible Monday playoff, and I could understand this reasoning if this wasn't in the Pods' hands. But it is. A win tomorrow clinches the wildcard. You are not relying on anybody else. It is all up to you, and you go with Tomko. He was even quoted as saying that "tomorrow will probably not be the last game of the season" so we need to save Peavy for what really counts????? Wow, come to think of it, he's making Grittle look good in comparison. First of all, he just conceded the loss tomorrow by saying that, and put absolutely NO faith in Bombko. Wow, then why use him.
I'd be scratching my head right now if I were a Madres fan, just as I have been all season as a Blue fan.
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 29, 2007 at 07:28 PM
DODGER FREAK-
Honestly, I kind of like the decision. Take a shot at the game before using the bullet you might need to have a prayer getting through the playoffs. Tomko has pitched well for them (remember, his MO is to do well initally, then suck, and he's still in his "initially" phase), and given how bad Milwaukee has been lately, it's a coin flip. Meanwhile, you make sure that if you need it, you have the big weapon for the biggest game. That one isn't a must win. The playoff would be.
I like the confidence he's showing in the team.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 29, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Then why, BK, did he say that tomorrow probably would not be the last game of the season. I understand your point, but that comment does NOT show much confidence.
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 29, 2007 at 08:15 PM
I saw the quote, but I wasn't in the room so I don't entirely know the context- but depending on when he said it, it could mean a lot of things. Could be a misplaced "probably"- take it out and then he's saying that Sunday won't be the last game of the season. Could be that he means that no matter what happens Sunday, it won't be the last game of the season- there will be a playoff, or there will be playoffs. It's not an elmination game for the Padres.
However you want to take it, I certainly don't think he's writing off the game in the sense that they're expecting a Monday playoff. Don't forget, the Pads have to lose AND the Rockies have to win. So two things need to happen.
Like I said, if I saw footage of the whole conversation, I might interpret it differently, but I'm just thinking of the move itself, which makes a lot of sense to me. Could come back to bite them, but so could starting Peavy on Sunday.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 29, 2007 at 08:27 PM
OK, nuff said.
How sad is it that we are discussing pod strategy on our beloved Dodger blog. When the game is going on, nonetheless.
Oh well, I do bleed blue, but I have to admit, there are a lot more interesting things going on right now in the MLB than my Dodgers...
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 29, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Mike Soscia's comment during the Angels' game tonight "I'll take talent over experience every time." Guy has what, something like 700 wins already. Are you listening Colletti?
Posted by: LossLeader | September 29, 2007 at 08:38 PM
Dodger Freak-
Oh, I don't know about that (haha)...
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 29, 2007 at 08:40 PM
you guys this reminds me of last year trojans offense falls a sleap and helps the other team out , the offense owes the defense 100 push-ups and 500 lines ahla coach CARTER
Posted by: PK-IN-THE-MESA | September 29, 2007 at 09:59 PM
PLUS THAT WAS THE WORSE CALLED GAME SINCE SC TEXAS
Posted by: PK-IN-THE-MESA | September 29, 2007 at 10:00 PM
a sleap..... classic typo, love the space
Posted by: benzo jones | September 29, 2007 at 10:13 PM
BK-You're probably not old enough to remember when Walter Alston saved Sandy Koufax for the playoffs only to lose the game he needed to get there.
If that was Gonzo's last AB as a Dodger, he went out a winner.
When they ask the Rockies why they fell just short in their late-season drive for the playoffs, they'll have to say, "We just ran out of games with the Dodgers."
Any connection between the Mets El Foldo Supremo and the fact they have so many former Dodgers?
I know Loney couldn't hit this well every month but you have to wonder what he could have done in a full season at first. I'm just surprised Grady hasn't decided to rest him. If Drew doesn't leave they don't resign Nomar and Loney probably makes the team out of camp. Blame it all on Boras.
Some teams go out like mighty oaks, the Dodgers go out like little beeches. Thank God for the Giants.
Posted by: uclart47 | September 29, 2007 at 11:17 PM
UCLART,
I don't know if I'd call them little beeches. They're not mighty oaks yet, but kids battled over the last couples of games (especially tonight's game) to pull out two wins over the Giants and finish with a winning season. So you might say they're "young oaks."
I heard on Ken Rosenthal's Full Count today that he thought it would be stupid for the Dodgers to move Matt Kemp, but that he'd also heard that the Dodgers were looking to move both Juan Pierre and Esteban Loaiza and would consider including a prospect in the trade. The Dodgers have so much talent in the minors at short stop and second base (Ivan De Jesus, Preston Mattingly, Blake DeWitt), I wonder if he means Hu or Abreu or perhaps even Delwyn Young. And if they move Pierre, it sure would be nice if the Dodgers went out and picked up a solid center fielder like Aaron Rowand.
Posted by: Dodgers '81 | September 30, 2007 at 12:02 AM
uclart47-
I know the story. Except this isn't that situation, becuase even if they lose and Colorado wins, there's still a playoff. If they had to win to get in, then Peavy should pitch.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 30, 2007 at 12:25 AM