The Dodgers happy flight has landed and the boys in blue are ready to face off against the 5-8 Astros. The Dodgers, at 10-3, trail only the other Lone Star state team, the Texas Rangers, who have a 11-2 record.
Head over to Tony Jackson’s site for a more professional summary of the upcoming series.
Outside the Dodgers 
We need to win these games against the ‘Stros….at least two of the three…..facing the Braves when we return home will not be an easy task. I believe, Matty & Dre will carry us through…..Go, Dodgers!
Dang, I wish I was around last night to join in with e and jhall’s conversation. Wally, loved your links to objective Ned articles instead of the usual claptrapcrap you usually read from people who merely want to stay on Ned’s good side for whatever reason. I particularly like the last sentence in the one article:
“However, given the fact that the Dodgers job has to be one of the most currently appealing GM positions in the majors, the far preferable solution would be to replace Colletti with one of the game’s many bright young minds in either scouting or analytics.”
People are forever quoting the Dodgers’ two playoff appearances for defense of both Frank and Ned’s “success”. I’ll do the math someday, but I’m sure that if you subtract one brief shining moment (the success of Mannywood) and the effect he had on the team, everything changes. If Manny hadn’t burn his BoSox bridges enough that Ned got him for virtually nothing, no way does either of those teams make the playoffs.
Hi’Ya Dad/Eric.. Would have been fantastic to have you join us last night. Glad you enjoyed the links.. Ned really is a bonehead. Sure hope you can drop in more often. It is always great to see/read you.. All the best my friend….
And that leads us to the current status of the team. I’m delighted that we have a 10-3 record even allowing for the poor quality of teams we’ve faced so far. That’s also due to the fact that Matt and Andre have had a wonderful start to the season, but it’s unlikely that they can maintain the same pace throughout. Our pitching overall is all right, but not great. Aside from the two stars and the pitching, this is less than an average team, which is about par for what Ned is able to put together. The first order of business if any of us were advising the new owners would be to get rid of Ned.
My fear, however, is that having grossly overpaid for the franchise, the Guggenheimers are simply waiting to see how many billions they can secure for the new TV rights. Don’t forget that unlike other ownerships there is no MLB enforceable requirement that this money be put into the baseball operation. I will not be surprised when much of that money is sucked out for the Guggenheim investors and we’re essentially left with results similar to what Ned has procured for us all along.
Great reading from last night and this morning! I have nothing to add other than hopefully there comes a day when Ned is shown the door. We need to stock up the farm system and get the future of the Dodgers back to the way it should be.
T minus ten days….
After last night’s game, can we just name Jerry Hairston as the starting third base man, already?
That would be the a logical and smart play. So that probably rules it out with Nedcompoop and Dildon….
Dodgers Team Report
“They said he can play defense but not bat.”
– Manager Don Mattingly on 3B Juan Uribe, who missed two straight games because a sore left wrist.
I think we’ve been saying that ever since Nedcompoop signed him.
Gift for Tru – Tattoo is batting leadoff tonight.
Cool! Thanks……maybe Donnie is smarter than I thought….granted, Tattoo isn’t the best player. However, if somebody is in a slump, he replaces them.
We all knew going in that Dee was going to be a work in progress. This is a good year for him to play and grow as I don’t think this is a legitimate payoff team. And, we really don’t have another viable option.
I’m sure Dee will play 99.9% of the games. They just give him a day off every now and then because they are afraid, with his tiny body, that he wil wear down on a 162 game schedule …..that’s what the so-called “experts” have said 😉
Hi’Ya Tru… Yeah, I think it is a good idea to give him a day off once a week. Especially when he is struggling.
If you recall, the reason they traded away Pedro Martinez was because Lasorda thought he was too small and wouldn’t hold up. One of the biggest blunders in Dodger and baseball trade history….. I have never forgiven Tommy for that one…..
Damn, I almost forgot about Pedro! We have done a lot of dumb-ass things, haven’t we?!
Yep!! Trading away Konerko and letting Beltre get away via FA are way up on the bonehead scale.
How would this team look now with Konerko at 1st and Beltre at 3rd? Not to mention how much better we would have been the past 7 years.
Thought this appropriate in light of last night’s conversation. From the Sound of Music, Julie Andrews, A few of My Favorite Things:
A FEW OF NED’S FAVORITE THINGS
Washed up old vets and gray whiskers he’s smitten
Rat-ling around like old farts in a mitten
Turf top bad rugs and old arms fraught with dings
These are a few of Ned’s favorite things…
Outfielder’s arms that are that of a noodle
Like to throw out the whole kit and caboodle
Blocking the rookies and clipping their wings
These are a few of Ned’s favorite things…
Overpriced hitters with fat lazy asses
Broken down catchers and porn star moustaches
Utility players with nothing to bring
These are a few of Ned’s favorite things…
PVLs bite
Vet-er-ans stink
Hurlers that throw bad
Are simply Colletti’s most favorite things
And that’s why our team’s so sad
[EVERYBODY SING ALONG]
Washed up old vets and gray whiskers he’s smitten
Rat-ling around like old farts in a mitten
Turf top bad rugs and old arms fraught with dings
These are a few of Ned’s favorite things…
Outfielder’s arms that are that of a noodle
Like to throw out the whole kit and caboodle
Blocking the rookies and clipping their wings
These are a few of Ned’s favorite things…
Overpriced hitters with fat lazy asses
Broken down catchers and porn star moustaches
Utility players with nothing to bring
These are a few of Ned’s favorite things…
PVLs bite
Vet-er-ans stink
Hurlers that throw bad
Are simply Colletti’s most favorite things
And that’s why our team’s so sad.
© NedCo Broken Records 2012
F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C !!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely love it!
You’re in fine form once again beav!
Too good! A million seller for sure!!
Absolutely amazing!!!
OUTSTANDING!!! LMFAO!!!!!!
Mattingly said: “Uribe is our regular 3rd baseman….he is the best defender”.
Heh, heh, heh… Not surprising. He said the same thing about Broxton last year. Hope we get the same outcome…
Me too, Jhall. I’m just hopng that he said what was expected…not what he really meant.
Tattoo 😉
Speaking of tattoo…how many dingers from Lilly tonight?
Bison….again!
Woo hoo!
WTG MATT!!!
Wow!!!
Lilly’s getting squeezed. Hallion is not calling the corners.
Exactly! And, that’s where he has to throw the ball to be successful.
I admit I find it amusing anyone worries about how Dee Gordon’s little body will hold up to the rigors of playing everyday. Yes, Tommy made a mistake with Pedro but we will never know how things would have turned out had that idiot Jody Reed accepted a generous contract from the Dodgers. No one seems to worry much about the big guys.
There are just as many big guys (maybe more) that fizzle out as little guys. Brox is big.. GMaddux is small.
I’m not making the connection with Pedro and JReed. Pedro was traded for Delino DeShields…..
32/53 clued me in. Good call Birk….
I despse hitting into double plays!
Shit happens… He hit it pretty good….
Andre got it done… WTG!!!
Thank=you, Andre!
10 rbis against lefties.
Dre is hitting the lefties well this year.
What a play from Hairston!
Juan who?
Wow…Hairston, again!
trublu4ever says:
April 20, 2012 at 4:54 pm (Edit)
Mattingly said: “Uribe is our regular 3rd baseman….he is the best defender”.
Better think again Dildon….
( ( 🙂 ) )
Hey, Donnie….we don’t need Yawn!
Way to go Teddy!
WTG James!!!!
Loney showing signs of snapping out of his funk…..
I sure hope so!
With his home town roots in the greater Houston area, it seems fitting for him to break out there. 🙂
So how we all doing tonight? Thought I’d stop by and say hey for a little while.
“Hey”
Hi’Ya Beav.. How’s it hangin’?
Leanin’ mostly to the right as usual!!
Right On!!!
Did Zito get hurt? Cain PH for him.
Hey Shad. Zito was at 100 pitches. I don’t think he got hurt.
This rather long article tells the story of Reed and Martinez.
http://thegloryofbaseball.blogspot.com/2009/10/pedro-martinez-revisited.html
Thanks 32/53…. I got my timeline mixed up. I see what LBirk was referring to now…..
Good at bat, Tat!
Sellers may not hit a lick, but he generally gives you a good AB.
All his at bats have made the pitcher work…his single in the first was a nice start to the game.
When they going to figure out Rivera isn’t an everyday ballplayer anymore and give VanSlyke/Sands a shot?
Last I heard, Sands was struggling at AAA.
That is crazy complain over someone that is actually hitting. I’d rather they do starting him over Loney at 1st.
Good point…..
lol I don’t want to singled him out but I wouldn’t be complaining right now.
He’s supposed to be providing some power and protection in the line-up. His average is OK, his K rate is exceptional, but the power is nonexistent and his fielding is below average. I’d just like to see what one of the kids can do rather than another one of Ned’s retreads.
Good point..
I know Beaver I was just playing around I wouldn’t be worry about the power but you know it won’t happen. Can we release Kennedy now? I want to see Josh Fields and he can played 1st/3rd and the OF.
That was a wasted opportunity! Ugh!
Unacceptable!!!
Chalk up more base running blunders for this road trip!
Lilly is not doing well at all. Those darned walks will eventually score.
He is definitely ballzy tonight 🙂
He’s been walking the tightrope, and using nothing but deception using smoke & mirrors. The defense has kept him in this game.
Well, that is the MO of a “Crafty Left Hander”…
At least, we seem to have and above average defense to support that approach…
You mention ‘crafty lefty’, and I instantly think of Spahn. I can’t put Lilly in the same sentence.
Nor would I… Spahn is the top of the heap…
He sure was!
I remember seeing Spahnie on an old rerun interview with Roy Firestone a while back. A true gentleman, and an all around class act. Two words come to mind. Consistency & durability. I went on baseball-almanac.com, reviewed his career stats, and was blown away by his numbers. The greatest lefty of all time.
Uh, oh…..downing some Alka-Seltzer!
Plop, plop, fizz, fizz,,,,,
….oh, what a relief it is 😉
I’m afraid the only time we’ll get relief is when Lilly is off the mound and someone else is pitching 😉
Hairston is the MAN!
Whew……thanks again, Jerry!
Adios Uribum!!!!!
You watch, Donnie will start him tomorrow!
Didos will be dildos…..
You all know we are headed for a McDooDoo appearance?
I really like A.J. …… good job!
I hope he stays healthy & holds up. I don’t have that much confidence in Treanor.
Lillys at 94 pitches…. I’d send him back out for the 7th….
Come on, guys, make this a big inning….at least bring Matty home!
The Giants just blew a save.
Ouch the winning run got thrown out.
COOL!
Shit!
😉
Quite a few Dodgers fans at the game…however, who in the hell would wear a Manny jersey?! I threw everyting away that had Manny or Martin on it…the only ones I would ever wear would be Dodger hall of famers.
Well played Tru!!!
Sure do like those DP’s. Lindblom is outrageous!
Lindblom! Cool as the other side of the pillow. . 😉
:).
OK, what I miss while I was gone?
Doesn’t look like much.
You missed me, didn’t you? 😉
That goes without saying Tru. 😉
Come on Kenley….do your thing….yes, way to go!
KKKenley
Damn! I thought Tony would leg that one out!
Now, it’s your turn, Javy.
…..wow, that pitch was nasty!
Fantastic job! Pitching was very good tonight….even Lilly. He got out of all his scrapes and the BP closed it down!
Javy says “AMF!”
Nice win, but somebody besides Kemp and Dre has got to start hitting and driving in runs.
It does seem like the scoring gets pretty sparse after the 4th inning so far this season.
Woo-Hoo, win streak!!
Lindblom instead of GrrRear/McDooDoo=Win….
Maybe Dildon gets it….
I honestly think Dildon gets it most of the time, but somebody we know interferes or lets say, puts pressure on him play a certain salary over the better player.
I think you are right.
Looking forward to maybe seeing Tolleson sometime this year. Granted he’s only tossed 5 innings at Chat., but his whip is 0.20.
Look like another team got career win #10,000 congrats Reds.
Cool Shad… Thanks… Congrats Reds…
YW can’t believe the Yankees isn’t up there yet shocking.
It’s hard to believe until it’s over, We dd it again.
Way to go Dodgers!!!
Kemp and Ethier have been a breath of fresh air for all Dodger fans relegated to the back burner these many years. Kemp is show we won’t see again for a long, long, long time. Truly a magic moment in Dodger history.
Pretty big drop off after Kemp and Ethier. Somebody else besides these two will have to produce if we are to compete.
32/53, thanks for posting the story about the trade of Pedro Martinez for Delino DeShields. I hear people discussing this trade all the time as if Martinez was a sure hall of famer at the time of the trade and the GM was just stupid. But more often than not people forget why the Dodgers made that trade and the article broke down the transaction in more detail than I have ever seen. This deal had so many dimensions to it. I did not realize Claire acted so quickly once Reed balked at the deal he was offered by the Dodgers. But I thought at the time the Dodgers made a good deal. DeShields should have been a big upgrade for the Dodgers. Unfortunately, things did not work out well for anyone except Pedro.
At the time, I remember that DeShields was a top rated 2nd baseman. Nobody could have predicted the amazing career that Martinez would have. Hindsight is 20/20.
Reed is now back with the Dodgers as a coordinator at Camelback Ranch.
I cringed when I saw Jody Reed was back with the Dodgers only because of what happened. If he can help the Dodgers develope players and win, so be it.
Dang that rookie for the Mets cost them 2 runs and the Giants tied it up.
Ahhh…but the gnats lost it in the bottom of the 9th…..love it!
Poor Yawn must still be hurt….Tattoo is playing 3rd today and Kennedy is playng 2nd….the rest is the same….let’s hope we give Kersh his first win, he deserves it!
WOW! Tremendous catch by Matt!
New thread….