ESPN's Karl Ravech speaks pretty highly of Russell Martin's defensive ability as a catcher--though it is a little weird that one of the two highlights they show in the video is Martin covering third base...
I had the perception that Martin was not that effective at throwing out baserunners at second; perhaps that was wrong? In any event, more rest during the season may give Martin a chance to be even more sharp in 2009. Didja hear that, Torre?
Ah, opening day is right around the corner. There's no feeling quite like it. But let's take this moment to think - between opening day, the Final Four (which this year falls into April), and the upcoming NBA and NHL playoffs, are we approaching the best time of year, sports-wise? Here's a visual approximation of when the major US sports come and go, with both regular season and playoffs indicated:
My personal vote is for Quarter 4. Playoff baseball, the NFL and college football in full swing, and, as gravy, the opening of college and pro hoops all fall in Q4. And if I followed hockey, that would be kicking off too (in fact I hear it still kicks off in Q4 even though I don't follow it).
But that's just me. We want to hear from you. And don't just vote - let us know your specific thoughts in the comments section.
Getting his b--- squishing vice ready, Boras is about to blow the roof off the rookie market with his rumored $50 million price tag on Stephen Strasburg. The kid sounds like the real deal. Though for that cost, I'd rather get...
The Dodgers just picked up free agent Will Ohman, nailing the coffin shut on fan favorite and 2008 Dodger Bobblehead recipient Joe Beimel (who signed with the Nationals for $2M recently):
The deal calls for Ohman to receive $1.35 million plus appearance incentives in 2009 with a $2.2 million option for 2010 or a $200,000 buyout. But it also comes with an April 14 player opt-out clause if he's not in the Major Leagues, because he agreed he won't start the season there.
Ohman has missed all but the last week of Spring Training and the Dodgers feel he needs game action before he's promoted. So, he is scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers on Tuesday in Tucson against the D-backs, go with the club to Los Angeles for exhibition games the rest of this week, then return to Minor League camp and join the Triple-A Albuquerque team for a few more appearances leading up to the April 14 deadline. PHOENIX -- The Dodgers signed free-agent left-handed reliever Will Ohman to a one-year Minor League contract plus a one-year option, the club announced Monday.
Today the Sports page of the WSJ had some nice statistics on spring training records, and why the Dodgers' 14-17 record is not a meaningful predictor of 2009 season performance (no link):
The baseball establishment would tell you not to bet on it. Spring Training, they say, is nothing more than a place to evaluate players, regain your timing and work off the lovehandles. Half the players on the field are nobodies with jersey numbers better suited to a football team. So is it possible they've missed something?
James Cochran, a statistician at Louisiana Tech, calculates that over the last six years the average correlation coefficient between a team's winning percentage in the spring and its winning percentage in the real season is .18.
Simply put, that number is a lot closer to 0.0, which suggests there's no correlation at all, than to 1.0, which it would be if the spring standings and final season standings were always identical. In 2005, the number was slightly negative, meaning teams that did poorly in the spring were actually more likely to do well when it counted.
Not so fast, though: Last season, Tampa Bay went 18-8 in the spring before shocking everyone by making the World Series. The correlation coefficient for that season, overall, was a respectable .32, which wasn't even as high as the .43 recorded in 2003. By way of comparison: a recent College Board study of students found a .53 correlation between their SAT scores and their freshman-year grade point averages.At Spring Training this year, the typically horrendous Kansas City Royals have a 16-11 record -- one of the best marks in the American League. Does this mean the Royals will defy all odds this year and make an heroic run at the World Series?
Hat tip to Jon W for linking through to this classic Steve Garvey commercial, found by Walkoff Walk:
"Not as big as that hit, my friend!"
Cut-rate import vehicle + adhesive plastic letters = rock the house. Although the owner must have meant SUZUKI SWIFT. Or did he have another product in mind?
More Freeway Fun at SoSG: Because I♥JDREW Must Have Been Taken, What on God's Green Earth Needs Tires This Big?
Who is Andrew Lambo? Only the Dodgers' top prospect, according to Baseball America (via Diamond Leung). Lambo hasn't made it past AA ball, but any minor leaguer who can handle the stick is always worth watching.
Would you like to know more? Prospect Profiles 2009: Andrew Lambo (Fire Ned Colletti Now)
photo by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers
WARNING: GEORGE BRETT'S TALE GETS A LITTLE SALTY. Not Quite Safe for Work (DEPENDING WHERE YOU WORK)
Okay, I think the point is clear. And it's not about sex. When Mr. Pine Tar was asked if he had a new sponsor in his future, he responded "DEPENDS." Enjoy.
Well, the Final Four is set:
Satiating our bottomless need to quantify and rank anything and everything, SoSG's stat department has compiled the following ranking of the fastest commenters, based on average time-to-comment (remaining competitors in bold):
Ranking |
Speed1 |
|
| cigarcow (19) | ||
| Neeebs (8) | ||
| Wicks (14) | ||
| djansson (11) | ||
| Steve (3) | ||
| Dave (6) | ||
| w.d.d.i.m. (4) | ||
| Loney Fan (1) | ||
| fanerman (17) | ||
| Damon (16) | ||
| M.S.T.I. (12) | ||
| Brandon (15) | ||
| QuadSevens (2) | ||
| Dr. Geek (10) | ||
| Dusto Magnifico (5) | ||
| Felix Pardalis (18) | ||
| DanGarion (7) | ||
| Alex (9) | ||
| Bryan (13) |
Here is what this data tells me:
So now let's see what you think:
Anyhow, rest up this weekend in time for the Final Four next week!
1computed from a commenter's 1st comment in each Comment-Time thread, and only while the commenter remains in the competition.
See rules here
top photo by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers
bottom photo by Chris Carlson/AP
Will not a single top 7 seed make it to the Final Four? Halftime scores:
Halftime is over. Start commenting. Immediately.
See rules here.
 |
|
From Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts:
"Frost/Nixon," eat your heart out.No, I won't be uncovering any Watergate secrets, but I will be interviewing actress, clothing czar, blogger and now author Alyssa Milano about her new book, Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic at this year's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. This will take place April 25 at 1 p.m. on the UCLA campus, at the Festival's L.A. Times stage.
The some-but-not-all-holds-barred interview is scheduled to last approximately 30-35 minutes, followed by five minutes of audience questions and then a booksigning for both Milano and myself. So for those of you who can't make the May 2 Dodger Thoughts/100 Things gathering, here's an alternative. Come to see this once-in-a-lifetime pairing.
That last five minutes could get pretty interesting! What would you ask Alyssa? Or Jon, for that matter?
Vin Scully Is My Homeboy had it first: Carne Asada Sundays will continue...under Andre Ethier's watchful eyes. The first event is May 3; information and ticket links here.
Taking the place of Charley Steiner (who has moved to radio only), Eric Collins will join Steve Lyons in the booth for 38 Dodgers road games this year (covering when Vin Scully does not travel with the team).
The Dodgers.com article is here. But I kid you not, the press release squeezed an extra paragraph in between the second and third graphs that was conveniently left off the website news item:
One of the nation’s preeminent voices for women’s softball, the Cleveland native has called the sport’s World Cup for ESPN in each of the past three seasons and served as a play-by-play announcer at the Women’s College World Series in 2007 and 2008.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the broadcasting team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a legendary franchise with a legacy of pioneering and innovation,” said Collins. “I cherish this opportunity. I’m humbled to join an organization with such class, professionalism, and tradition.”Collins, 39, was the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC in its baseball coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. For the past five years, he has called ESPN’s College Baseball Super Regionals, and also performed radio and television play by play for the Chicago White Sox on occasions in 2004 and 2008.
I know Steiner can't discern a high infield fly ball from a home run. But does replacing him with one of the nation's preeminent women's softball voices really represent an upgrade? I suppose we'll find out soon enough.
Sweet Sixteen 1st half results:
Time for the 2nd half!
Huh? What is this post all about?? Find out here.
I love Tommy, but I think he is getting up there in age and he is losing his filter. Sure there were some technical difficulties at the start, but this was sort of painful to sit through. Thanks for the words of wisdom, coach!
Baseball bloggers rejoice! Diamond Leung has started a blog, Diamond Notes:
Two weeks after losing my job as Dodgers beat writer, I was back at the stadium to catch up with old friends that I won’t get see as much of in the future.I’ll still be writing, at least on this blog. But I’m moving home to San Francisco.
It’s been overwhelming to hear from people in the industry - and especially the readers. It gives me great hope that there is a future in a business I still believe in. I’m not sure what’s next for me, but I’ll always remember the kind words.
Welcome back, Diamond! We've updated our sidebar links for what's sure to be another daily read.
Inspired by last week's dip into the SoSG annals, we are pleased to present our latest retrospective: Dodgers pocket schedules! As always, feel free to send us scans that will fill in missing years (I'm looking at you, Natalie!).
UPDATE:
Thanks to Natalie for providing scans for 2002 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008! Now with commentary!
UPDATE:
Thanks to Roberto of Vin Scully Is My Homeboy for two of the 2009 pocket schedules!
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Thus endeth our retrospective. Who do you think will grace the cover of the Dodgers' 2009 pocket schedule? Hmmm, I wonder. Question answered!
Look, I've already posted that I have been interested in the World Baseball Classic, and tonight's 9-4 loss to the Japanese was disappointing from my perspective but probably a lot more depressing to the fine folks over at ESPN (who are televising tomorrow night's WBC Championship).
Or do they care, either? As if we needed any more evidence that the WBC marketing team at ESPN is too busy watching March Madness, just like the rest of America:
Okay. I'll put $100 on "Championship" to win.
One of the pleasures of being a recognized-by but not affiliated-with blog of the Dodgers, is that you get emails for each of the Dodgers' press releases. And there has been nothing like the cavalcade of emails shooting from the computer of Dodger PR representative Amy Summers, who has overloaded our mailbox with emails about this weekend's games. Someone, please take the Red Bull away from Amy. And no sudden movements.
But in all seriousness, here's a top-line on WBC info the Dodgers have shoved down our gullet like a foie gras hors d'ouevres preparation:
Let's play ball! Go USA! (For comments in a GameThread, go here.)
As for today's game...
Mutual respect between US and Japan (MLB.com)
photo by Ben Platt/MLB.com
'Duk's at Dodger Stadium! Fun and fresh: Koreans keep love alive in WBC semifinal win (Big League Stew)
second photo: BLS
From Tony Jackson:
Muhammad Ali, who lives nearby, showed up for tonight's Dodgers-Royals tilt and was honored in a pregame, on-field ceremony near the Royals dugout. He didn't go over to the Dodgers' side, but Joe Torre and a handful of players -- James Loney, Matt Kemp, Delwyn Young, Xavier Paul and Stephen Randolph -- walked across the field to meet him and pose for a group photo with him. Torre then posed for a SECOND group photo with Ali, Wayne Gretzky and George Brett. A little bit of strength there.
photo by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers
Oswalt to square off vs. Dice-K (MLB.com)
Dodger Stadium sees its first World Baseball Classic action tomorrow night tonight (Korea vs. Venezuela semifinal). Are you planning on watching on television? You're not alone. From a WBC press release:
The game between the United States and Venezuela on Sunday, March 8 posted a 2.0 rating with 2,645,000 viewers tuning in, ranking as the most watched World Baseball Classic game ever, eclipsing the 2006 second round game between Mexico and the U.S. which was seen by 2,458,000 people. In addition, it was the most watched sporting event on basic cable for the week.Domestic television ratings for the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round One games broadcast on ESPN averaged a 1.3 rating, up over 40% from 2006. The four games averaged 1,745,000 viewers, up almost 90% compared to 2006 Round One games.
Are you planning on going to the games? Let us hear about your experience at Dodger Stadium—we want pictures too!
photo by Ben Platt/MLB.com
Here's the chance for those trailing at the half to catch up. Play-In Round 1st-half results:
Comment away!
Huh? What is this post all about?? Find out here.
Yes, that's Manny Ramirez playing Britain's favourite pastime, cricket. Daft, innit? He donned the pads to shoot a DirecTV advert for their international cricket programmes. Caption what you think Manny is thinking whilst pulling off this sticky wicket of a manoeuvre. Here's one to get you started, luv.
Ramirez takes a swing at cricket (AP/Yahoo! Sports)
Chirping in (LA Times)
BLS video: A second career? Manny gets his cricket on (Big League Stew)
AP photo
And the madness begins!
Remember, this is the Play-In Round, relevant only for the bottom 6 seeds: (14) Wicks, (15) Brandon, (16) Damon, (17) fanerman, (18) Felix Pardalis, and (19) Cigarcow. Comment away, gents. All you other folks are welcome to comment as well, but needn't feel the urgency until Monday (or maybe thereafter....?).
All right, this joke may have run its course...
(By the way, this is NOT a PCS prize. Nor is the can opener. You guys are vultures.)
