You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here
You may, however, want to make your way to the local tavern to drink off Sunday's 11-2 season-ending loss to the Giants, where in a few hours a bartender can tell you the same thing. The writing was on the wall in the first, when San Francisco plated Rajai Davis on a Randy Wolf double. Sure, the score wasn't out of control at that point, but unfortunately the aforementioned writing said, "The Giants will hang a five spot on the Blue in the fourth, drop another three on them in the sixth and a deuce for good measure in the ninth." And, as we know, the writing never lies. On a positive note, in the footnotes, the wall mentioned there'd be bacon in the press box for the media to put on their hot dogs. So the wall taketh away, but the wall also giveth.
All hail the wall.
In the clubhouse after the game it was like the last day of school. Lots of dudes cleaning out and packing up, lots of handshakes and guy hugs. (It was also Christmas for the clubhouse guys, who received their bonuses from the players.) Many will be back next season, some won't. All will wonder what might have been for a season that looked awfully promising as recently as mid-July.
"Our pitching wasn't the way we wanted it to be, we weren't swinging the bats the way we wanted to, and the other teams were just playing better than us," Russell Martin said about the stretch drive (or, more accurately, the stretch dive). "In September, we didn't play as good as we needed to to make the playoffs."
That losing contributed to the tension we all saw.
"It was tough. We had a good mix, I think, of young players and veteran guys, but we kind of lost it for a second and had a hard time regrouping and re-gelling together," Martin said. "There's been a lot of talk about guys not getting along. We got along as a team, but it's always easier to get along when you're winning ballgames. When you're getting down to the wire and the pressure's heating up and you're not winning, it's going to be frustrating, and there's going to be a hard feeling inside the clubhouse. You can say whatever you want, but you've just got to get it done on the field. We just didn't play as good as the other teams down the stretch.
"When you're winning, it's easy. Life is great. But when you're losing, it's not going to be fun. That's just how we are as competitors."
If nothing else, I think we can all be thankful that Martin will be around for a while.
So now we move on to the "why?" and the "what now?" We've had about a 10-day head start to really get the conversation started -- and another six months to keep it going.
More on the game, and the season, tomorrow.
-- BK
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BK,
That was nice of "wolf" to help out the giants...just kidding...1st year w/ the blog and i had to give a hard time at least once...decided to wait until the last so it would be hard for you to get back at me..."Tag your it" .
Seriously nice work on the blog would have been better if we won more.
On a parting note we have to find a spot for Delwynn Young in the lineup...Man I really like the way this kid swings the bat...from both sides of the plate.
Posted by: K T USN | September 30, 2007 at 06:08 PM
It seems kind of quiet in Dodger land. Too quiet. (As they used to say in the Westerns.) What do you folks think about this Johan Santana for Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw rumor that has popped up?
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/09/kempkershawn-fo.html
Posted by: Tom in AZ | September 30, 2007 at 06:13 PM
What is it with the dodgers making up new "Gell" words....re-gelling?
I think they un-gelled in the pre-gell stage, and now they are the anti-gell.
Can Bill Cosby coach the team?
Posted by: Ben Jones | September 30, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Kemp and who for who? I'm hoping we don't make a trade like that. To me, it'd ammount to ditching one of our best prospects for an aging pitcher who, at best, would play once a week and, more likely, would conjure some mystery injury after losing a bunch of games only to turn into a high priced excuse all year on the DL.
I'm for improvements higher up in the organization's chain of command. When a team goes from great to bad to "huh?" the way this year's did, it's futile to lay the blame on any given player we have or wish we had. You don't blame the sails when the skipper sails into the rocks. It's fair to pick on players for blowing a game. For a season though, pick on those who were steering the ship.
Posted by: Steve | September 30, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Re; Martin's comments about getting along.
Next year just win and you can avoid all these problems, lol.
One thing that worries me is in Shaiken's article he mentions Grady needing to be signed an extra year (2009) so he's not a lame duck manager next year,
Please for the love of all that is holy, do not give this man 2009 with out seeing how 2008 goes. If Little can't deal with it, tough.
Stults needs to figure out if he wants to pitch in the majors. The guy is lousy sometimes and brilliant others. But barely mediocre in between.
"What's it gonna be, Jerky"?
Posted by: Andy B | September 30, 2007 at 07:17 PM
Bye all.
Wait till next year.........................................................
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 30, 2007 at 07:25 PM
MCCOURT SAYS GRADY LITTLE WILL BE BACK
U KNOW ITS ONE THING IF MCCOURT WANTS TO BRING BACK GRADY LITTLE........BUT.........THIS OWNER DOESNT SEEM TO ADMIT THAT GRADY LITTLE IS A REASON THIS SEASON WENT DOWN THE HOLE............I MEAN.............HOW IS IT THAT US FANS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE RIDICULOUS LINEUPS THAT GRADY LITTLE HAS PUT OUT SO MANY TIMES THIS SEASON.............AND YET THIS OWNER, AND GENERAL MANAGER, DONT WANT TO ADMIT IT?...........(IF THEY HAVE THEN I APOLOGIZE)
Posted by: Aryan | September 30, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Thanks AK and BK for the free mental health sessions again this year...see ya next April. Hopefully without Bonds on the roster.
Posted by: phat2zday | September 30, 2007 at 08:49 PM
Well, at least I got my wish for the last few games - the kids got to play, and get some more expeirence. There's always next year...
Posted by: Jen | September 30, 2007 at 09:01 PM
Man, if you don't think Santana for Kershaw and Kemp, with the promise of a long-term extension designed into the deal, is a move you'd make, you're crazy! Johan Santana has been the pitcher of the decade and is under 30. There will be no better pitcher available on the free agent market for several years.
Every pitcher is a gamble, but with an ace like Johan, you have to go for it. If the Dodgers make the move and Santana gets hurt, nobody will bash them for it; if they don't, they're going to suffer the consequences for a long, long time.
Posted by: Tully Moxness | September 30, 2007 at 09:54 PM
The final days of every season brings us games with teams that are out of it going up against contenders. At times like these much is said about maintaining the integrity of the game. The Dodgers' line-ups against the Rockies didn't exactly reinforce the concept but how about Washington and Florida. These clubs who were out of it at the break made life miserable for the Phils and especially the Mets the last two weeks. That remaining schedule that looked so favorable turned out to be a minefield.
The Tomko experiment ended badly, as we knew it must, but compared to Tom Glavine he looked like Cy Young. Peavy may go ahead and win tomorrow but now he won't be able to pitch until the 3rd game by which time the Phils may be ready to put it away.
Dear Ned Colletti-Please assemble a team so strong that even Grady can't mess it up.
Posted by: uclart47 | September 30, 2007 at 10:37 PM
"If the Dodgers make the move and Santana gets hurt, nobody will bash them for it;"
correction: I'll bash them for it.
Posted by: Steve | October 01, 2007 at 12:11 AM
ethier and kershaw for santana is as far as we should go. santana is going to test the FA market. minnesota knows that and needs to get something for him. we can't give up the number 1 prospect in the entire league and our only legitimate power hitting prospect for a pitcher, i don't care how good he is. if we are going to trade are two best bargaining chips in one deal it had better be for someone who plays more than 30 games a year, i.e., a 150 game, 40 home run middle of the order clean-up hitter!!!!!
Posted by: KO | October 01, 2007 at 03:01 AM
It's time for next year, no more excuses.
Posted by: Mel Paulhamus | October 01, 2007 at 05:20 AM
ANSWER TO RIDDLE FROM PREVIOUS THREAD.
What do Ned and the Statue of Liberty have in common??
They both have the same motto!! (poetic license please).
'Give me your tired , your poor(or rich), the huddled masses, the wretched refuse from your team.'
Today's question
If Padres miss the playoffs, is it fair to say that Bombko kept TWO teams from making them??
David
Posted by: David | October 01, 2007 at 07:30 AM
UCLA,
In the previous thread, you wrote that Pierre gave the Dodgers pretty much what they expected. That's the problem. It is essentially "settling", as opposed to striving for greatness. He's serviceable. He did have 2 assists yesterday (was Benjie Molina trying to score from first on a pop fly?).
The Dodgers will go nowhere if they continue to rely on so-so talent. Kind of like the Lakers with Smush. Never missed a game, had moments, but overall, not the answer.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | October 01, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Tully,
Color me crazy. I'm willing to gamble on the futures of both Kemp and Kershaw. The Dodgers need power, and I believe that Kemp will be one of the primary sources of that power. Add speed, and a cannon for an arm (that will get more accurate with time). The Dodgers need a consistent high powered offense to support their pitching (that will hopefully include Kershaw in the next couple of years), and preclude the need to go to the bullpen as early and often as they currently do.
One more thing. I don't know if you're old enough to remember, but just keep the following in mind: Ernie Broglio for Lou Brock. And that was one-for-one, NOT two-for-one.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | October 01, 2007 at 09:31 AM
Let me add to my previous comments concerning Santana for Kemp/Kershaw.
I'LL BASH THEM FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for yelling.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | October 01, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Got to echo the worries about this touted Santana for Kemp and Kershaw trade.
This is *even* if there is a longer term deal, which is not guaranteed. The Twins don't want to take a chance on him not testing the FA market next year, and that worries me. The Twins likely know more than we do here (as the Giants likely did with Schmidt).
But let's say there is a deal. Kershaw and Ethier maybe would be one thing (LaRoche even better, but the Twins are surely not that stupid) --- but Kemp in the mix is too much for me. Santana only plays every 5 games. He might get hurt, and if he did it would add to the long line of times a trade for pitching trade burned the Dodgers -- and I'm only going back a few years here. That's why if he did get hurt people *would* blame the Dodgers. It's happened before. He might not like LA and want out of a deal etc.
But the main reason is that the team this year suffered a lot because of lack of run production -- in the form of legitimate power. I've changed my mind on this over the last few years. I used to like the small ball approach, but this season has killed it.
Talk about 'scattering' hits (when a pitcher wins) -- this is the best way of describing the Dodger offense for long parts of the season. 1500 some hits (4th in the NL) but only 735 runs (9th in the NL). If reaching the playoffs were a 'number of hits' game we'd have made it. Kemp is one of the only genuine power hitters we've seen come through in the last few years (though Loney's half season seems to show that he might be a 25-30 HR guy in a full season).
I for one would like to see these two players get better and better as Dodgers.
The team ERA, by the way, put them 6th in the NL -- even with the injuries to Schmidt and Wolf (and the resulting reliance on Tomko and then Hendrickson). I do think that those injuries played a major part this year, but signing Santana will not make us immune to that. The rotation might already be better next year (Penny, Lowe and Bills joined maybe by Schmidt and/or Wolf or .... ). If one or other of Schmidt and Wolf does not make it then why not look at signing Wells again? Or do what the Twins are contemplating and give Kershaw a shot in spring training? Would those two scenarios be worse than Tomko and Hendrickson were? Worse than Loaiza looks to be?
Posted by: CleoMG | October 01, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Chunkdog,
I don't know why some people keep saying Pierre is a problem. Besides his slow start, he has been pretty solid. Plus, he is a proven champion and a really hard worker. He has never stepped out of line ONCE this year, which can't be said for many other players. In fact, I can't remember hearing one bad word about him from anyone about his character ever.
Could the Dodgers upgrade the outfield by getting rid of Pierre? Yes. But it doesn't take away from him being a good, solid player both on and off the field. He has skills only a handful of other players in this league have.
Posted by: Steve M. | October 01, 2007 at 10:46 AM
ChuckDog,
Great analogy to Smush and Pierre.. they look alike too... they're both funny looking dudes. haha One mention though is that I think the Dodger brass like myself didn't realize just how bad Pierre's arm is. Running turning singles into doubles really does hurt in the overall scheme of the game.
Regarding Santana,
I would wait and not give up Kershaw or Kemp. Granted that Santana is the premier pitcher of this decade and Kershaw and Kemp are just huge potentials BUT Santana is only contracted for one more year. I'd wait and see if you could pick him up in the FA market after next year. It might be for a little more $$$ and he might sign a long term contract w/ whoever owns his contract this year but I'd be willing to take that chance and not give two of the biggest prizes in baseball in Kershaw and Kemp.
Package,
It's not surprising that McCourt is giving Grady and Ned another year. Ned didn't make any moves that really helped the team but he didn't make moves that totally crippled the team for the future... like trading away Loney and Kemp and Kershaw for Texiera.... and b/c Ned said Grady would be back this year, McCourt has to take BOTH back otherwise he is undermining Ned and that itself would be bad... Ned would have no authority and would need to be fired or would need to quit.
I think that McCourts are ok w/ not making the playoffs b/c they are still seeing the MONEY. They put out a very disappointing team..(the most dissappointing team ever to me) but still fans came out and spent money. Next year he's going raise ticket prices again??!!! I love the fact that McCourt justifies these raises by making RENOVATIONS??!! to the stadium, meanwhile the parking still sucks, food lines are ridiculous, and the urinals are dirty, ancient, and small. The renovations as he calls them has not really done anything to better my Dodger Stadium experience... if anything it's been worse. The only renovation that has been a success is the DUGOUT CLUB seats. Great experience but likely too pricey for the average fan... spend $2000 taking a family to a Dodger Game?!! That's a Las Vegas vacation for a week.
Sorry got sidetracked.... regarding Ned's comment on the above link that veterans who complain about playing time have no credibility?? Again this is why I don't like Ned. The guy will throw you under the bus to save his donkey!! You brought Gonzo in and if I remember correctly almost guaranteed him playing time. And although I believe the kids should of been playing since they were producing, the vets make a good counter argument in that they were in 1st when the vets were playing regularly. So I do agree that don't fix something that is not broken... but Grady did and it crumpled.
Grady attempts to fix things not broken.
Grady leaves broken things alone. (betemit, tomko, hendrickson, tomato, etc)
Ned needed someone to blame to save his butt and he blamed Gonzo b/c he knows Gonzo is gone anyway. No mention of Kent who might be back. Just like Murray was the scapegoat at midseason, Gonzo is the scapegoat at the end of the year.
Ned knows that when he throws Grady under the bus, he's the next to go.. so he is prolonging throwing Grady until he has no choice. The guy is just plain shady and out of his league.
Posted by: Rob | October 01, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Interestingly enough, the people at the Twins blog TwinkieTown are also against the trade for reasons other than the folks on this board. The results of their latest poll: 54-14 against.
http://www.twinkietown.com/
Posted by: Tully Moxness | October 01, 2007 at 05:27 PM
When is everyone going to stop calling these grown baseball players 'the young kids'? It's really being run to the ground! Every single article I read can't seem to do without the term 'the young players' or 'the kids'. They're all men who are of legal age to do many things. They drive, are able to vote, and may possibly gamble and drink. They're far from being 'just kids',
I can see why it was done at the beginning of the season, but enough is enough. It just seems to me that the only reason the manager and the GM, call them that is to make sure the fans are aware of the age difference between them and the experienced players. What else could it be?
Another thing, in every article I read where one or more of the experienced players that are 40+ years old are mentioned, they never fail to include the age in front of their name. I find this ridiculous! We're all very aware of their ages.
Glad it's all over. Time to rest.
Remember! 'The Young Players' will be one year older next year.
Posted by: LB | October 02, 2007 at 12:43 AM
I don't want to add much to this train of thought, but I remember the Dodegrs winning on a regular basis. Do you know when was the last time the team made the WS? I know Vinnie was around, but not many others were.
The Dodgers tanked as an organization when they gave up on their farm clubs and started bidding--late in many cases--on free agents, The tinkering here, the tinkering there. But never a real plan seen through.
I no longer live in Los Angeles but I still love the team. However, it is so frustrating to watch them piddle around. I started playing fantasy baseball to feel the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat. Should have checked the box scores in the Times' on-line edtion for the latter, would have saved me time making pitching decisions.....
In all truth, I hope the team does get younger and stronger.
And just a final jibe, the hosts of this blog, if they once rooted for the Cards, then still they must be conspirators. The Yankees have made the WS more times than any AL team. How about for the NL? Cards are ahead of a certain blue-color-wearing team by an increasing margin as of late.
If I have repeated any complaints stated previously, I apologize. Permanent jet lag has set in.
Posted by: once a Dodger fan, always one | October 02, 2007 at 05:42 AM
I've been on many blogs since the season ended and let me add my comments here. As a true blue fan, I don't want to see any trades especially if it involves any of the players we have been watching develop over the past two years. I say stay young and we can win next year and for years to come.
My opening day line-up 2008:
Furcal (SS) healthy and ready to play in LA
Repko (CF) healthy and has a gun from CF and plays defense...can bunt.
Loney (1B) Ready to be the next great 1B....liken him to Lou Gehrig
Kemp (RF) We lost Clemente, let's not make the mistake again
Martin (C) Destined for greatness as player and leader
LaRoche (3B) Will settle down and show 20-30 homer power
Ethier (LF) Let him play everyday and he will hit +300 and 25 HR
Abreu (2B) Range, speed, skills, and 15+ homers
Starting Pitchers:
Lowe Leadership and ready for great comeback 20+ wins
Penny 16+ wins, again
Schmidt Healthy and ready 15+ wins
Billingsley Ready for a great full season as starter 18wins
Kershaw (NL Rookie of the Year)15 wins, 3 shut outs, 200 innings
Posted by: Mike | October 04, 2007 at 12:44 PM