Some quick notes, plus PHOTOS!!!
As we'll be live-chatting soon enough in anticipation of the live blog. And I'm even live in person at Wrigley Field. Here at Blue Notes, we're all about the "live."
Joe Torre explain the last minute James McDonald-Ramon Troncoso switcheroo, one that placed the greener of the two rooks on the 25-man roster. Looking slightly sheepish, Torre chalked it up as a case where he "jumped the gun" and named Troncoso before truly making up his mind. "While you're going through this process, you're thinking of all the pluses and minuses of the situation," explained Torre, who assessed the Troncoso "pros" as an ability to induce a grounder and get warmed up, then sit down without it being problematic." But after telling McDonald he was out, Torre met with the kid five minutes later and told him that nothing was set in stone, so stay ready. Turns out, Torre decided to honor his second guess, given the guessee's talents. "What McDonald brought to the table was a variety of stuff. Yeah, he's inexperienced, he's 23-years old. But the fact that he can throw a fastball in the 90's. He has a good breaking ball. He has a good change up." Plus, there's a temperament that outweighs his young age. "We felt that he could handle it emotionally."
Chad Billingsley, who takes the hill tommorrow, knows all about being a rook in the postseason pen, his role during the '06 playoffs against the Mets. But this time around, he's a starter and I asked him what felt different, outside of just the job description. Basically, back then he had no idea what to expect. This time around, he's got a better idea what the score is. Thus, he can just treat it like an everyday start. "I don't want to go out there and try to do too much. i"m just really going to concentrate on staying within my game.
And finally, a few pics from around the park. See y'all in a bit.
Dude, ain't no "easy in & out" about that price tag.
You may not like the sentiment, but you gotta admit, that's pretty funny.
Johnny Galeski and his son Nic, who sported this sign when I called in to "Purple, Gold and Blue." They'll be in left field, giving Manny the business while hoping he throws them a ball.
That would be me in front of the marquee. And lest there be any confusion, the Blue I'm wearing is Dodger, not Cub.
Audio
Joe Torre: Download joe_torre_presser_10.1.08.mp3
Chad Billingsley: Download chad_billingsley_presser_10.1.08.mp3
AK
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Yo AK,
Be safe up there. Having lived in Chi for the past year and gone to 6 dodger games @ wrigley, best advice is to keep the blue close to your heart.
Then again, I got tix for tomorrow's game and I plan on wearing my pop's 1975 dodger jacket. Let's hope it stays blue and that my face doesn't turn purple.
Posted by: Alec | October 01, 2008 at 03:03 PM