Familiar faces
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Join us for the Playoff Edition! of
Purple, Gold, and Blue this afternoon at 11 am, where we'll be
discussing Dodgers vs. Phillies with 710 ESPN Insider and Blue Notes buddy Beto Duran.
Lot of mugs in this upcoming Dodgers-Phillies National League Championship Series that are likely to trigger the ol' memory banks. For example, remember Jayson Werth, that young Dodger outfielder always brimming with potential while nursing a never-ending string of injuries (the last being one mother of a wrist boo boo). Well, he's resurfaced as a 20 homer kinda cat and among the reasons the host squad thinks they're capable of advancing to the big dance. There's also Shane Victorino, a Hawaiian originally drafted to be flyin' for L.A. The outfielder never really found his niche with the Dodgers (in part because one wasn't really offered), but hey, no hard feelings on Victorino's end. So Cal residents who either followed high school/UCLA baseball or just knew a LOT of people in the area will likely remember native son Chase Utley, Phillies All-Star second baseman who grew up worshiping the team he's now trying to bury.
The deja vu reactions, however, aren't limited simply to enemy players. Raffy Furcal is immediately recognizable to Dodger fans, but given how long he'd been off the field, the proof positive of his potential impact could very well trigger an "Ah ha!" reaction. Philadelphia has likely taken note of his presence. For that matter, they're treating the entire Dodger lineup as "I know that dude" worthy, a 1-8 that's hardly just "Manny and the Boys." And speaking of both Manny and familiar mugs, most Blue Notes readers are aware and not particularly fond of Tim McCarver. These comments will only add to that disdain (except for the part where Blue Notes gets referenced, because that's kinda cool).
Wanna know who else is familiar? Donnie Baseball.
You know what ISN'T familiar? The Angels on vakay while the Dodgers remain in the mix, which just goes to show how the ball can take a funny bounce.
Ryan Howard isn't expecting a lot of "sweet spot" pitches this series.
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I've gotten to the point where even I'm tired of seeing me type "Pay the Man His Money", but increasingly it appears to me that Manny is positioning himself to be a Dodger for a while. It also seems that he would be a much better fit than if he went to NY, where he would be amongst the pampered rather than the fun. I think Manny likes the fun more than the pampered.
Posted by: benzo jones | October 08, 2008 at 09:36 AM
I'm sure Manny would rather stay here than play in the NY pressure cooker, where he'll be required to win a world series every year. But do the Dodgers really want to extend that kind of money to a guy who'll be 37 next year? Five years? Even four seems like a lot for a player who isn't very good in left field to begin with.
We've seen good Manny; we haven't seen unhappy Manny. pay the man his money is all nice and good, but what do you do when you've already paid him and you can't motivate him to play hard any more? Boras isn't going to accept an incentive-laden contract.
Manny needs to go to the AL, where he can DH to extend his career. If he'll give the Dodgers a home team discount, then maybe you can cut a three-year deal with him. But otherwise, you may regret this signing even more than Andruw Jones.
Posted by: SaMo | October 08, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Thanks for rekindling disdain for McCarver. I remember him bashing the Dodgers before, during, and after the series with the Mets in 1988, about how they were the weaker team.
Maybe the Dodgers can sign Deion Sanders for this series or hire him as a special coach.
Posted by: dominic | October 08, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Hmm... Is there a link for the Purple, Gold and Blue? i can't seem to join in.
I see the video on the side bar, but it doesn't play any sound... =T
Posted by: Tim | October 08, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Go Dodgers!!! I can't wait to watch this. Kick the Phillies butts all the way back to ugly Philly
Posted by: jimmy bee | October 08, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Tim McCarver is a buffoon and a charlatan. I don't understand how a guy so universally reviled, and so often wrong about everything, can be taken seriously.
Posted by: pete | October 08, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Benzo--isn't it "Pay THAT man his money," with that weird Malkovich russian accent on 'that.' Yeah, I'm like that.
My disdain for Philly's patented negativism among fans notwithstanding, I actually really like this team. They impress me. Patient at the plate. Bombs abounding. Pitching not half bad. And I simply love watching Utley hit. I think this is going to be an excellent series from the objective standpoint.
I am also trying to continually remind myself that I made my peace with the season several months ago, and everything postseason is pure guava.
You know what's not pure guava? Cheesesteaks made with Easy-Cheez. Why on earth are they famous for that? They're awful. Give me provolone. Or BLUE cheese. I'm freakin' hilarious.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | October 08, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Just checking in on the left coast's opinion of the upcoming series. It's all "Manny, Manny, Manny, Manny..." out here to in Philadelphia. While he ate up the cubbies no one is giving the Phils their props for Manny's rather pedestrian stats against the Phils this year.
As for the negativity of the Philadelphia fans- it's a cultural thing. Like Dodger fans showing up to the game late and leaving early. If your not from the place you wouldn't understand.
Bleu cheese on a cheesesteak? I think you were trying to be funny, but don't ever try that if you're here. Provolone is okay.
Gonna be a great series, the pitching on both teams are at their peaks.
Posted by: Fightin' Phil | October 08, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Fighting Phil,
You seem to be the first multi-poster rooting for the Phils. Welcome and good to have you on board. It's always fun when we've got some spirited, respectful back and forth.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 08, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Phil,
Manny didn't beat the Cubs by himself. The key to the series (when LA is batting) will be how Hamels and Moyer handle Loney and Ethier. If the Phils win that battle, they can avoid Manny, and make guys like Kemp and Blake try to beat them. On the other hand, if LA wins that matchup, it makes it harder to pitch around Manny.
To the LA fans,
I understand the concerns if we sign Manny to a long-term deal, but what else are we going to do? If he leaves, we're back to Pierre, Jones or some minor league player we don't know yet in the OF, unless some other big-time hitter is on the market. Consider that the Dodgers could potentially have holes at SS and 3B, and 2 starters to replace if Lowe and Penny are gone. I just don't see how we could expect to compete again next year if we let all these guys walk just to sign Sabathia, as I have seen some suggest.
Posted by: Paul Merrill | October 08, 2008 at 01:52 PM
I agree Paul. The Phils are going to have to be careful pitching to the entire Dodger's line-up. I believe hits are going to come at a premium for both clubs as both staffs are pitching so well right now. Even Moyer, who threw a clunker against Milwaukee but he does that every 3 or 4 starts so I'm glad it's out of his system.
Back to the hitting. The key will be no multiple hit innings for either team. Obvious statement I know, but it is key. I think the "lefty heavy" Phillies line up angle in the press has been over played a little bit. On another note. Jayson Werth is just awful most of the time against right handed pitchers. I'd be a little surprised if he hit in the 6 hole. It'd be better to bat him 2nd so the Dodgers have to pitch to Rollins and Utley. It also protects Burrell a little bit because he has switch hitting Victorino behind him.
AK, I've enjoyed the work of you and your brother. Thanks for the good insights.
Posted by: Fightin' Phil | October 08, 2008 at 02:21 PM
As much as Manny wore out his welcome in Boston. Its not liked he batted .230 this year or last. It seems to me a 'nonmotivated' Manny is still a better option than super motivated Juan Pierre. If we could get a couple of good years I think we could eat the last couple of years and still come out ahead.
David
Posted by: David s | October 08, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Any info out there on who Torre is gonna start on Thursday? Going against a lefty is a good chance to sit DeWitt and get Kent some deserved ABs, but I see that lefties actually fare better than righties vs Hamels and DeWitt's better range is important with Lowe pitching. My guess is that Torre will stick with the same lineup. I'd still love for Nomar and Kent to see some action.
Hamels is obviously pitching great right now, but I think the toughest starter after that will be Jamie Moyer. Myers and Blanton are the type of power righties that the Dodgers have been shelling the last few weeks, whereas Moyer is one of those crafty guys, kind of like Doug Davis, or even BZ, that give the Dodgers problems.
Still, I think the Dodgers starting pitching is so hot right now that just a little bit of offense will win the series for them in 5 or 6 games.
Posted by: D-Web | October 08, 2008 at 02:59 PM
D-Web-
I don't think he'll change the lineup, as much for defensive reasons as anything. Plus, it shortens the bench if Kent has to come out. Beyond that, DeWitt did just fine at the plate against Chicago.
I think your point about Moyer is a good one. He's been especially good on the road, and definitely constitutes a major change of pace- literally- for the Blue.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 08, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Thursday's lineup (from the "Inside the Dodgers" official blog):
Furcal, SS
Ethier, RF
Manny, LF
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
DeWitt, 2B
Lowe, P
Joe also said he expects it to go back to the lineup we had for the Division Series once we face a right-hander in Game 2.
Posted by: esquinazo | October 08, 2008 at 04:40 PM
McCarver has said some dumb things, but he gave Russell Martin some props during the All Star game this year. Not sure, but that could have been the best one of all time...
Posted by: 88forever | October 08, 2008 at 04:57 PM
esquinazo
I like how that line-up looks, specially with Ethier batting in front of Manny. Ethier was tearing the heck out of the ball late in the season when he batted in front of Manny. I think this by far is one of the most complete Dodger line-up I seen in a while. I mean you have Blake hitting 7th or 8th. That's pretty good.
Posted by: dcerros | October 08, 2008 at 06:55 PM
we like our lefty hitters against the Dodgers' righties. We'll take our bullpen over LA bullpen. Good luck.
Posted by: philadelphia attytood | October 08, 2008 at 09:54 PM