Attention: Blue Notes is moving!
Hey folks. There are some things afoot regarding Blue Notes in which (we hope) you'll be interested. The first is some excellent news for LAT.com baseball readers:
Jon Weisman's Dodger Thoughts is joining our ever growing blog family. (It can now be found here!) Many/most of you who read Blue Notes also read DT, and know the outstanding work Jon does over there. He's an outstanding writer with a passion for the Blue, an appreciation of the team's history, and a fantastic core audience that knows and loves the game.
We (meaning Andy and I) are not disappearing, though. Blue Notes- or at least the guys who once hosted it- will now become part of The Fabulous Forum, and we'll continue to write about baseball and the LAD. To be perfectly honest, neither one of us knows exactly how this is going to shake out (Will there be a "Blue Notes" tab? Can people click on "Kamenetzky, and Bam! there we are? Will there be a secret handshake required?), but our hope is that those of you who enjoyed our work for Blue Notes will continue to read us on the Forum, and will at the same time take advantage of Dodger Thoughts as the LAT's newest resource for fans o' the Blue.
Andy and I look forward to working with Jon, and welcome him to the LAT.
BK
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OK, its official.
I can't take any more of the blabbering comments in Dodger Thoughts. I don't have any problems with the moderator, but it needs to be split into two different blogs, one on the Dodgers, and one on babbling on all things related to anything anyone who has ever watched a Dodger game can think of. Pass it on to the Mothership. You know, the Mothership that is just about to explode like in Independence Day?
Posted by: Dodger Dude | February 13, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Very disappointed in DT. Too much garbage that it's not even worth sifting through to get to the good stuff. I am removing LA times from my favorites and sticking to Tony Jackson.
Posted by: Michael C | February 14, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Can we just keep the dialog going over here?
Weisman is fine, albeit a bit humorless. But it's terribly dull to wade through all the dippy twitter-like comments about the site functionality, not to mention Top chef and Lost and UCSB basketball are starting to bother me.
If there are 200-plus comments on a Tuesday afternoon thread in February, what's going to happen when there are actual games with actual boneheaded Joe Torre moves to dissect?
Is anyone at the LA Times taking notice, or are they merely counting clicks?
Posted by: SaMo | February 18, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Hey SaMo
I will keep writing if you will. I have read your posts on Dodger thoughts and know you are also frustrated. I gave up trying.
I think the Dodgers have a big problem with not enough pitching. The rotation is weak and needs some additional help. The bullpen is also not as good as last year. Anyone have thoughts? Who is with SaMo and me. Maybe a Kbro. once in awhile?
Anyone else with us??
Package
Posted by: Package | February 20, 2009 at 04:25 AM
Hey guys,
I'm here as well, always reading, not always posting. I'm actually getting a little excited about this team. The lineup seems to be getting better, the Manny issue hopefully will be resolved soon in the Dodgers' favor, and I think the pitching isn't going to be as bad as it seems right now. Schmidt seems to finally be on track, we got some hope with Elbert and McDonald, and maybe one of the other former all-stars will step up.
Posted by: Artful Dodger | February 22, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Package: When a blog falls in the forest, but there's nobody around to moderate it, does it make a sound?
Frankly, I can't believe there are that many comments on days when nothing happens in Dodgerland.
But I'm happy to continue posting here in hopes that we can restore a more intimate community of REPKO fans. I share your opinion about the weak Dodger pitching, but it seems few others do.
Posted by: SaMo | February 23, 2009 at 03:56 PM
SaMo, Artful Dodger
Yes, I am skeptical about the pitching as it is young for the most part. I think the jury is till out on Schmidt and Kershaw and McDonald and Elbert are yet to be proven.
If the Dodgers do not sign Manny the Dodgers should give Repko a try! If he didn't play with reckless abandon he would be pretty good.
Having Manny in the lineup would overcome some of the questionable pitching as he would generate more runs.
Hey, lets keep posting until they take us off. At least we won't have to continue to read through foolishness and other subjects. I really miss bluenotes.
Package
Posted by: Package | February 24, 2009 at 06:45 AM
Package, P'fresh, VA Blueblood, SaMo & others,
As KT has pointed out earlier, we have a blog for Blue Notes Castaways. There's not a whole lot of activity during the offseason, but there are some lengthy, and often funny, comments and counterpoints for those who are not so enamoured with the Twitter Style blurps over at Dodger Thoughts. Our blog is hosted by longtime Blue Note friend, Lolo, so feel free to contact him as the Site Admin if you would like to join us.
http://lakerdodgerfanatics.com/blog/?cat=11
All the best,
DBB
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | February 24, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Hey Everyone
Just wondering about some things. In looking at the roster, I am wondering who will fit.
Example
Catchers
Russell Martin
Brad Ausmus
Infielders
James Loney
Orlando Hudson
Rafael Furcal
Casey Blake
Blake Dewitt
Mark Loretta
Outfielders
Juan Pierre
Manny, if he signs
Matt Kemp
Andre Ethier
Pitching
Bills
Kuroda
Kershaw
Wolf
Broxton
Wade
Kuo
Who am I missing?
And then it gets sticky. How many pitchers are carried,(12,13) and who?? My feeling is 13 should be carried due to potential injury and youth. Should another outfielder be carried and who (Repko,Young).
It looks very much in the air to me. What say you??
Package
Posted by: Package | February 24, 2009 at 09:45 AM
Package,
Assuming the Dodgers go with 13 pitchers on their 25-man roster, that leaves six more openings on your list of players. Unfortunately, I've got a sneaky suspision that one of Claudio Vargas, Jeff Weaver or Shawn Estes will make the club as this year's "Chan Ho Park."
However, 2 young pitchers who you left off your list and I am very excited to see pitch next season are Ramon Troncoso and James "Mac the Knife" McDonald. Who else do you see making the staff?
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | February 24, 2009 at 01:47 PM
DBB
I do think James McDonald and Tronsoco will make it if Tronsoco isn't hurt. I think Weaver might come back. Schmidt has a chance but I don't think he will be back as quick as some do. This is not a strong staff in my opinion but maybe the Dodgers can trade a get a quality pitcher somewhere. Also should they carry another outfielder? There could also be injury along the way during spring training. As I said in an earlier post. It is definitely up in air.
What does everyone make of the current Manny situation?
Package
Posted by: Package | February 25, 2009 at 04:21 AM
I think what will happen is Ned is going to see how these pitchers turn out. If none of them are any good, then he will most likely make some trades during the season. I remember reading somewhere that he said something like the lineup in the beginning won't necessarily be the same lineup at the end of the season.
Package,
Regarding the Manny situation, I'm getting a little tired of it also. I really hope it gets resolved soon, but not at the expense of giving in to Boras' demands.
Posted by: Artful Dodger | February 25, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Oh and I forgot to mention... if they decide to go with Repko, I hope they put him in RF to keep him as far away from Furcal as possible!
Posted by: Artful Dodger | February 25, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Artful Dodger
Well, it looks like the Dodgers and Manny may get it done soon, although Boras says he has another client. Well see. I too am getting a little tired of the situation. I just hope Manny doesn't play Manny if he doesn't like his contract. The Dodgers need a committed Manny with the current pitching problems. If he doesn't deliver they will be in a world of hurt.
Also, you can bet that Boras will stick it to the Dodgers when he gets chance.
Package
Posted by: Package | February 26, 2009 at 07:36 AM
Package:
You've got the core group. The rest will be on a rotating basis. Repko until he's injured. Some combination of Troncoso, Mota, Brazoban, Vargas, Estes, Milton, Weaver, etc. And one more utility player, be it DeYoung, MintCaveItch, or Hu knows.
To me it doesn't look like a World Series caliber team because of the lame pitching staff.All of the question marks will have to be answered in the positive for this group to win anything.
Posted by: SaMo | February 26, 2009 at 05:58 PM
Everyone
This Manny thing is really getting nasty. I just hope that if the Dodgers get Manny he still has a positive attitude. I think he is the key to the Dodgers success in O9.
Package
Posted by: Package | February 27, 2009 at 06:53 PM
I have some thoughts on the Manny thing up at the Forum.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/02/brian-kamenet-1.html
BK
Posted by: kambrothers | February 28, 2009 at 09:12 AM
BK
Great thoughts. I think Manny is correct in not wanting to defer his money. As Benzo used to say "Pay the man his money". After all the Dodgers would be paying the actual money but over 5 years instead of 2. Thats a big difference when you don't pay any interest, especially when you say 30 or 40 million dollars. Plus Manny couldn't use all the money if he wanted.
I think it is all about McCourt as you alluded to some time ago. I think he is not willing to pay what it costs and is making a case for when he does not sign Manny.
I am getting tired of this mess but I just think the Dodgers will be in serious trouble without him. Don't you think this is true, based on the current pitching?
Package
Posted by: Package | February 28, 2009 at 12:51 PM
I had my first glimpse of Camelback Ranch over the weekend, and I have to report that I’m whelmed. Not overwhelmed, not underwhelmed, just whelmed.
It’s not the finest spring training facility, nor is it the worst. It’s perfectly adequate. Good sightlines, fairly comfortable seating, and inviting grass berms where you can sack out for $8. There’s no scoreboard behind home plate, however, so you have to look behind you to see the count or the score. Not that they matter much in a spring training game.
The food is no worse than the offerings at Dodger stadium, and there are plenty of friendly vendors roaming the isles. They don’t sell much other than lemonade, beer, or peanuts. For anything else, you’ve got to go up to the concession stands, where the lines appear to be too long.
There’s not a whole lot of shade, however. That wasn’t an issue on this past weekend, but I’ve been in Phoenix on hotter weekends when that would have been a serious concern.
Parking is adequate, but the folks taking your $5 move a bit slower than they ought to.
The practice fields are numerous and well manicured, and if you get to the stadium in the morning, you can watch workouts.
I had the opportunity to see a White Sox game on a weekday in addition to Saturday’s contest against the Mariners. In contrast with the 11,00+ for the Saturday game, there were no more than 2,000 people at Friday’s contest, many of them dressed as empty seats. Methinks the slow economy is taking its toll on spring training trips, especially from as far away as Chicago. MLB says average attendance is up, but I don’t believe it based on the Chicago game.
Posted by: SaMo | March 09, 2009 at 09:36 PM
So this was what the meeting was about. Not impressed.
Change is bad!
Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2009 at 01:10 AM
love the blog. go dodgers. i just did a preview of the dodgers on my blog if you wanna check it out! www.baseballtalktv.com peace!
Posted by: phil | April 04, 2009 at 02:17 PM
Frustrated Blue Notes followers:
I've been given the opportunity to lead the Dodger discussion at a new site called www.Dodgersdiaries.com. It's still in its very early stages, so there's not much traffic yet. That gives us the opportunity to frame the discussion. I'll be posting a new thread every Monday-Thursday (somebody else handles the weekend).
I very much enjoyed the dialog on this site before it was replaced, and look forward once again to hearing commentary from Package, Poppinfresh, Benzo,
VA Blue, Artful, and anybody else I forgot to mention.
Posted by: SaMo | April 13, 2009 at 09:56 AM