The Los Angeles Red S....Dodgers

[Ghoulish Delight]

Wow, I don't even know where to begin. I'm a bit mystified by the whole thing.

First of all, with the acquisitions they've made, and projecting forward to Izturis returning around the All-Star break, here's the proposal as it stands: A shortstop playing 2B, a 2Baseman playing 1B, and a shortstop playing outfield. And 3 of those 4 are over 30.

But even if I accept that (Izzy's shoulder's going to be questionable, so it makes sense to give him the shorter throw, 1B is a huge question mark and a proven veteran, even out of position, is understandable, and what team wouldn't do anything to find a place to let Nomar play?), wtf is with Mueler? What happened to Oscar Robles. Was he Beltre? No, but he as consistent as they come. He didn't light the world on fire, but he was one of the few players last year the Dodgers could count on to make the play on the field and do something useful with his at-bats on a regular basis. And here they've got 2 heavy-hitting acquisitions, that kind of solid fundamental, young talent seems like the perfect choice for third.

And speaking of young, what's with the geezers? Meuler, Nomar, Kent, Lofton? I'd put down money that one of those 4 is going to have a major injury during the season, if not a couple of them.

So I'm a little worried about this season.

On the other hand, it may also be brilliant. Through all of this, they have managed to retain a good chunk of their young talent, both at the major league level and in the farm system. IF (and that's a big if) this veteran lineup can hold together through the season, the Dodgers have a shot of making a pretty respectable run this year, meanwhile all the young talent will have the year to mature without the pressure of saving a pathetic team, and under the guidance of some top-notch vets. If that's the thought process, more power to them, I certainly hope it works.

[Kevy Baby]

My thoughts exactly GD. I've been scratching my head over the recent moves.

Although it makes it easier to not get my hopes up for the season :D

[Drince88]

A shortstop playing 2B, a 2Baseman playing 1B, and a shortstop playing outfield. And 3 of those 4 are over 30.


No - WHO's on first, WHAT's on second....


(I can't believe there is actually a BASEBALL thread started in December, boys!:rolleyes: )

[Ghoulish Delight]

Squee! Opening day is in sight!

I gotta say, I like the Dodger's prospects this season. Starting pitching is for sure stronger. Gagne's still a question mark, but looking pretty confident. They've got a heap of talent all over the place. I am a bit concerned that by speeding up his recovery, Iszturis has bought himself a trade. That would be disappointing. But as long as they can keep at least most of those geezers out there in one piece, it should be an exciting season.

[BarTopDancer]

Are you going to bring your seats inside to watch the game on?

[scaeagles]

I actually am going to have to follow baseball this season - to a point. My youngest 4 daughter is in a preschool class with the daughter of Rod Barajas, catcher for the Texas Rangers. They just left for Arlington this morning following the end of spring training and will return for the beginning of next school year.

I've talked with him a few times - pretty nice guy. My daughter and his daughter play together a lot, so she was distressed that she had to leave, so I promised her we'd try to watch her dad.

[Isaac]

How much stock or cash do you have invested in the team ?

[innerSpaceman]

Or you perhaps you guys invest game-by-game in the form of wager?

Though that would still leave the question of why people refer to it as "my team."



And then of course there's my question, namely ... unless you're betting money on the outcome, what is the interest in other people playing a childhood game?

[Alex]

And then of course there's my question, namely ... unless you're betting money on the outcome, what is the interest in other people playing a childhood game?
Is it possible that the person who asks this question is the same one who posted this:

Waaaaaa! No Kwan!

And someone who bitches because a teacup doesn't spin as fast as it used to?

[Isaac]

The teacup is something he was able to use, unlike a sports team.

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, but I don't care to watch other people spin.



(Unless, of course, it's cupmaster €)

[Alex]

The teacup is something he was able to use, unlike a sports team.

Yes, but I find the caring about how fast the teacups spin to be far sillier than enjoying watching athletic events.

It's all personal preferences.

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, but the spinning is something that's happening to ME, and the baseball is something that's happening to someone else.

Sure, there's the differences of personal preference. But that's apples to the oranges of the difference I am talking about - - namely, the diff between watching and doing.


Now, if sports has an entertainment value - like Kwan's figure skating - I can grok the urge to watch. But I don't grok any entertainment value in watching something that is designed to be done.


Are the sports guys are into determined by the ones they played in their youth? Do they like the ones they were good at ... or the ones they were bad at?

[Isaac]

Yes, but I find the caring about how fast the teacups spin to be far sillier than enjoying watching athletic events. Watching a sport event, you have no effect on the outcome.
Spinning a ride vehicle you're sitting in at an amusement park, you control the outcome.

[Alex]

Baseball is the sport I most love. I haven't ever played a game of baseball in my life.

Soccer is the game I most loved to play and really have no interest in watching. If you don't see the entertainment value in watching people, who are the best at what they do, compete then there is no common ground on which to explain the appeal. Though I don't see how figure skating is any more designed to be watched than baseball is. The only reason that baseball evolved into its modern form is because enough people were interested in watching that a few people realized they could make a living doing it. Baseball, when it was purely something done and not watched was a very different game.

Just as I don't understand the entertainment value of spinning in a circle, so you'll never be able to make me care how fast the teacups go.

[Alex]

Watching a sport event, you have no effect on the outcome.
Spinning a ride vehicle you're sitting in at an amusement park, you control the outcome.

Watching a movie or TV you have no effect on the outcome. Am I to assume these are never entertaining for you? I would posit that the appeal of watching sports is not only that you have no effect on the outcome but rather that (just as with a good movie or TV) you have no guarantee of what the outcome will be.

[Prudence]

Some years the Mariners have funny commercials. Some years the commercials suck. Thus ends most of my annual baseball involvement. (It just hasn't been the same since Edgar retired.)

Although Safeco Field is a pretty spiffy stadium. If I can scrape together funds, spare time, and an opponent about whom I give a damn, we might go to a game this year. My dream is to sit somewhere other than the nosebleed section. We've got a lot of new blood this year, so I should probably check them out. Kenji Johjima seems to actually have a sense of humor and is apparently willing to speak English (unlike a certain teammate with whom I am seriously disenchanted...)

[Moonliner]

All I care is that I have tickets to ONE dodger game this year, well three if you count games at the Nat's stadium, but one game at Dodger Satdium.

Ahhh the memories..

Go Blue, beat SF.

[Kevy Baby]

Twas a true pleasure to listen to Vin Sculley calling the game as I drove home this evening. Even if it was a pre-season game against the Mariners who scored two in the first.

I cherish every inning he calls because I know we do not have many years left from Vinny. I think he's about 147 years old. But what a wonderful voice and the man knows how to call a game.

[Alex]

Yeah, we up around Oakland lost Bill King during the off season. It is a weird transition (I mostly listen to games rather than watching so his voice is inextricably tied to thinking about the game).

[Ghoulish Delight]

I cherish every inning he calls because I know we do not have many years left from Vinny. I think he's about 147 years old. But what a wonderful voice and the man knows how to call a game.I was a bit surprised when the Dodgers renewed his contract. For another 5 years, if I recall correctly. After last season, I was surprised he was even back for this. But I'm glad. Even with his increased rate of confusing names and the count, I can hardly stand to listen to a game called by anyone else. His voice IS baseball to me.

As for :ism:

1) Why did you open this thread?

2) Alex hit the nail on the head. Professionals performing amazing feats of athleticism, the best in the world plus the unpredictable live aspect = excitement for me.

Now, I'm not one to talk about "my team" or say, "We made the playoffs!" I am quite cognizant of the fact that I'm sitting on my butt drinking a beer, not playing the game. But at the same time, the only games I actually watch on tv or listen to on the radio during the regular season are Dodger games. I'd go seem any game in person, and I'll watch any playoff game (I can watch championships of just about any sport) on tv. But only the Dodgers hold my interest on TV. Part of it is the Vin Scully factor, and part of it is that it's just fun to care, even though I'm well aware of the pointlessness.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Sigh, and so it begins.

The Dodgers started with two key off-season acquisitions (Kenny Lofton and Nomar Garciapara) on the bench with injuries. Color me not surprised. The good news is, they scored 9 runs! The bad news is, the Braves scored 11. And to top it off, Saenz, Garciapara's replacement at 1st, hit into the final out with a man at 3rd. Figures.