MLB '07 (Go Dodgers!)

[BDBopper]

I'm a Braves' fan. Is that allowed here? LOL

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

What a wonderful day for the Dodgers. A loss and 2 injuries. At least it was no one important, just their most expensive free agent signee and they're top young prospect player.

Yea, um... damn.

Originally Posted by BDBopper

I'm a Braves' fan. Is that allowed here? LOL

No

[Ghoulish Delight]

Gotta be happy with 2 out of 3 from the Padres.

Watched the whole game yesterday. It was the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. There was a ceremony before the game that I missed, and the Dodgers all wore #42 for the game. Vin Scully told the story of a game in Cincinnati at which Robinson had received a death threat letter at the stadium. In the clubhouse, everyone was obviously in an uneasy mood because of it, unsure what to do, when the left fielder came up with a great solution. "Why don't we all wear #42, then whoever it is won't know which one's Jackie." That broke the ice (think about it for a second) and that's why the team yesterday all wore #42.

Meanwhile, during the game the ESPN broadcasters had a continual stream of people in the booth to interview. Jackie's widow Rachel Robinson, Hank Aaron, etc. In theory it was great, but it was nearly the whole game and after a while the interviews just became a drone of talking, hearing the same stories over and over, listening to Joe Morgan kiss everyone's ass and pretend that he's a personal good friend of everyone who came in. Ugh, it would have been much better if they kept it a little shorter and spread the talking out.

[thecorndogwalker]

If anyone is ever in SF and wants to see the Giants play let me know.. One of my best friends is a season ticket holder (4 seats) on third base side, but he lives in L.A. so he ends up selling most of the season....

[Ghoulish Delight]

The key to last night's Dodger win, imo? 7th inning.

Even though they were already leading 4-1 going in, that Dodgers half of the 7th was huge. Penny looked tired in the 6th. He wasn't throwing strikes and when he was, they were getting hit hard. He got out of it cheaply enough, but gave up that first run.

So I was pretty surprised to see him at the plate to lead off the 7th. You could see him talking to someone in the dugout (Honeycut, I would guess) as he walked off the field. I guess he won the argument because there he was. And then he got a hit. And then he was forced out at second.

And that's when the inning got good. The Dodgers knew Penny was tired. He was tired coming off the mound after the 6th, and he had just run from home to second, including a take-out slide a second. So the Dodgers slowed the game down. You could see it. They were taking more pitches, getting deeper into at bats. The D-Backs obliged by changing pitchers twice. And Penny got himself a good 30 minute rest, which allowed him to come out and get one more quality inning. The insurance run didn't hurt either. It doesn't seem like much, but over the course of the season, a 7 inning starts vs. 6 inning starts make a difference, physically and psychologically, for a bullpen.

That's the kind of subtle team play that a lot of people miss if they don't know the game. And that's the kind of team play that's sorely lacking in the American League with the DH.

[SacTown Chronic]

How are you liking the Penny trade these days, GD? Still p*ssed about it?

[lizziebith]

It's a strange world when I find myself checking the LoT for Dodger scores...well? Last I saw was 3-1??? Don't make me go to...a sports site. Please!

[Ghoulish Delight]

D-Backs rallied to tie it at 4 (thanks in part to some piss poor outfield play by Juan Pierre), but JP made up for it with a triple. Dodgers went on to win 6-4, no decission for starter Lowe (who was slightly better than mediocre, which is about what you want out of a #5 starter).

To answer Sac's questions...I'm liking it slightly better But only because they got lucky that Russel Martin turned out productive ahead of schedule. And yes I'm still pissed.

I'm nervous about the Dodger's outfield. Juan Pierre and Gonzalez are looking like they're gonna be giving up a run or two about every other game. It's entirely possible that the Dodger's pitching and offense can be good enough to overcome it...but I'm still nervous. It reminds me too much of the Jose Offerman days (shudder).

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I'm nervous about the Dodger's outfield. Juan Pierre and Gonzalez are looking like they're gonna be giving up a run or two about every other game.

Jeebus, it looks like I might have to up that estimate .

You know, when they picked up Juan Pierre, I was unaware what kind of fielder he was. All I knew was that he was fast and could steal a base from the Dodgers in his sleep. I figured that would translate into being a good center fielder. I was thinking a younger, faster Grissom.

But holy crap does he suck. I mean, this is his 8th season and he looks as lost on some fly balls as the little leaguers shagging balls during the home run derby. You'd think he'd have learned how to get a jump on a ball by now. And he's so damned fast it's not even like he needs to get a good jump, just any jump. But he looks clueless out there, complete liability.

[Kevy Baby]

So, I am pulling out of the parking structure this evening to hear that the Dodgers have a 5-1 lead over San Diego going into the bottom of the ninth down at Petco Park. Cool - sounds like they are going to avoid a sweep.

By the time I hit Ball and Harbor, I decide to stop in the Chevron station for a snack since I am a little peckish. As I going in, the Padres have a runner on first. No biggie; they only need to get three outs and I am a happy camper.

By the time I get out (I was stuck behind a flat-bed hauler driver who is carrying a brand spanking new Maserati and the guy doesn't have enough money to buy a pack of cigarettes - I just loved the irony), the bases are loaded and there are no outs. OK - not a great situation, but they have a four run lead - they can afford to give up a run or two.

So, I have a painful ride home listening to the Dodgers give up one run, then two more on a ground-rule double and then another to give up the lead (the score is now tied). I listened as Jonathan Broxton pitched to a full count to Russell Branyan.

And then I heard Charlie Steiner announce the pitch and then simply, "the game is over."

Sonofabitch.