On July 29th, two days before everything in L.A. revolved around Manny Ramirez, a noteworthy Blue day in its own right took place, as Juan Pierre stole his 100th base as a Dodger.  The theft made Pierre just the fourth player, along with Otis Nixon, Brett Butler and Tommy Harper, to hit the century mark with three different teams (in JP's case, the Dodgers, Marlins and Rockies).   Pretty interesting achievement and I, along with a couple other writers, talked with Pierre about it the next day. 

I meant to post the transcript much sooner, but then Manny-Mania hit and, to be perfectly honest, it slipped my mind.  I had some free time today, however, so I thought I'd share with everyone Pierre's thoughts on the milestone.  He didn't react with quite the excitement I expected, but as we learned a few days later, this season probably doesn't rank among the speedster's career faves.  Or it could just be that Pierre, with his famously outstanding work ethic, isn't the most easily satisfied player in the league.  Or both.  Or neither.  Whatever the case, here's what he had to say.

As is customary after a deal, Ned Colletti met with the media before Saturday's game to discuss the Casey Blake trade and other items of import.  The high points of the conversation follow.  Note, not all questions come from me, but the media pool generally, just so you know.  But should you believe any question was particularly insightful, assume I asked it.

On Blake:
"He doesn't take a play off, he doesn't take an at bat off.  He's a guy that's won.  He's a great character guy.  I think we improved ourselves.  I think he's a solid player.  He gives a little more offense.  I think the defense over there has been fine, I just think we need a little more offense.  He's a veteran, who has been through a lot of (the big moments) before."

On worries about infield D with Blake, Nomar, and Kent:
"There's some trade off to that, yeah.  But again, we felt that the acquisition of him, and the offense he can bring and who he is was worth doing."

Thursday night, as the Dodgers were getting righthanded pitcher Ethan Martin to officially inked to his first pro contract, I had a chance to talk to Logan White about LA's 2008 #1:

Brian Kamenetzky: Ethan told us that he's only had a couple years of real pitching experience.  (Note: He was also considered a serious prospect as a third baseman.)

Logan White: He's pitched off and on when he was little, but really when he started thinking he's a pitcher?  Yeah, a couple years.  He's always hit, and (Thursday) when you saw him in batting practice he was pretty good.  He's got a good swing, but we like him better as a pitcher. 

BK: What goes into that decision, of deciding whether a player will pitch or play the field?  You had a similar decision with James Loney.

White: I think the thing with Loney was that I was so convinced that he was so much better of a hitter than he was as a pitcher.  He was good as a pitcher, but I just felt that he had a chance to have a special glove and a special bat.   Ethan's bat is quality, but he's so good on the mound.  He's ahead of where James was on the mound at the same age.  He throws harder, better curveball, and things like that.  And I think James was ahead of him as a hitter at the same age.  That's what goes into it, but it wasn't just me.  It's Gib Bodet, Tim Hallgren, Paul Fryer, all our scouts.  We had so many people see him, and we're all on the same page about him being a pitcher over a hitter.

BK: Loney loves to remind you that he can throw. 

White: He loves telling you, and reminds me all the time, "Hey, if you can help me, someday, get an inning on the mound?"  I think the funniest thing in the world would be if he gets his inning and gives up three bombs.  Then I can really rag on him (laughs). 

I mentioned in yesterday's pregame that I had a revealing exchange with Joe Torre about Matt Kemp, Juan Pierre, and the philosophy of the leadoff spot.  Here's the transcript.  It's interesting to see him say that as a manager, he's comfortable with a lower OBP from a guy like Pierre (though I doubt he's comfortable with the figure he's put up this season in the top spot) because once he's on, Torre can more reliably utilize his running ability, both as a base runner and base stealer.  Kemp is less predictable but more powerful.  In the end, Torre talks a lot about feel and comfort, words that many fans might not like to hear. 

I'm sure, too, that his position on this is more nuanced than a three minute pregame conversation might reveal.  But anyway, it's fun reading nonetheless.

Because media dining isn't exactly heart smart, when I move around Dodger Stadium, from the press level to the field, back up to the top level to get my car after the game, or whatever, I always try to take the stairs.  Monday, it finally paid off.  I popped out of the stairwell on the fifth level just in time to see the beginning of the great procession of former Dodgers that would soon end up on the field for the pregame ceremonies.  I didn't grow up in Los Angeles, but I did grow up with baseball and its history, and being so close to what seemed like an endless string baseball history from recent years and deeper into the past, both All Stars and role players, then seeing both the incredible response they received from everyone in proximity combined with their obvious appreciation of it, the day, and the chance to be together and celebrate the game and their place in it?  I found it moving, and not just as a guy who will cry at a commercial if it tugs at the right string. 

Young lefty Clayton Kershaw been enjoying himself a prosperous spring training coming into this afternoon's final tuneup matinee against the Saux.  Ten innings tossed.  A scant three walks and an even scant-er one run surrendered.  A baker's dozen's worth of K's.  A certain curve ball that managed to blow the mind of one Vin Scully, a fella who's see his share of baseball.  Kershaw's definitely got the stuff and potential, but whether's he's got a roster spot come 24 hours from now remains up in the air.  I tend to err on the side of allowing him to get some more minor league seasoning unless absolutely necessary, at least to kick off the season.  The success he's enjoyed thus far could easily reverse once hitters become more familiar with his stuff.  Plus, there's always a danger involved with rushing prospects.  But regardless of Joe Torre's impending decision, you'll be seeing plenty of him with the big club at a point looking more "sooner" than "later."  Here's what he had to say. 

Andrew Kamenetzky: Can you what this experience has been like for you, in terms of being up with the big club for all of spring training?

Clayton Kershaw: Yeah, you know.  It's been awesome for me, just to be up here, be a part of all this.  I'm gonna soak it in for as long they'll let me be up here.  I'm having a great time.  It's been fun.

Clever, huh?

Last night, after dissecting what he felt was a poor performance on the mound in '07, Derek Lowe spoke to the assembled media about the season in general, what went wrong down the stretch -- perhaps you've heard there's been some turmoil -- and, most importantly, how it can't happen next year.  And while normally Lowe is about as grounded and serious as your average fourth-grader, he was very frank Wednesday night.  Many of his comments echo things he said earlier in the week but are worth reading again. 

Click below the jump for the quoteage. 

-- BK

When a pitching staff features an ace like Brad Penny, a name like Derek Lowe, a 300-pound fire baller like Jonathon Broxton and All-Star closer Takashi "Eric Who?" Saito, it can become easy for hurlers succeeding via workman-like consistency to skirt hoopla.  But those guys indeed make their mark, and it's safe to say this Dodgers squad would have been a heckuva lot worse off without Joe Beimel.  The Blue's best lefty is rarely flashy but typically reliable, an asset that will come in handy during the Dodgers' (hopeful) playoff push.  I caught up with Beimel before the first game of the Washington series, the squad now home from a .500 roadie.  Mind you, this was before the current four-game winning streak, which explains some "losing"-themed questions.  But I imagine Dodger fans would rather the victorious ways continue, context for a few of my questions be damned.  Here's what Beimel had to say:

Andrew Kamenetzky: You guys come back from an important road trip 3-3.  Depending on how you look at the closing window of time, the Dodgers either stood in place or actually lost ground.  Do you feel the urgency growing game by game?

Joe Beimel: Yep.  Definitely.  Every game is important, and when we lose it kinda gets to you a little bit, just because we have a little bit over a month left and we still got some games to make up if we want to make the playoffs.  As far as winning division, that's getting a little bit further and further out of reach every day that we're not gaining ground.  So I think we really have to concentrate on the wild card and just getting in the playoffs.

Ned Colletti met with the media Wednesday to discuss the signing of Esteban Loaiza.  Interesting stuff on a couple of levels.  Not only does he explain the motivations for bringing in Loaiza, but some of his remarks on the big-picture stuff show his perspective on the current climate for player acquisitions and hint at what we might look for this summer. 

Click below the jump for the Q&A. 

-- BK