Sunday, April 15, 2012

Game 10 Thread: April 15 vs. Padres, 1p (Jackie Robinson Day)


Today's game is much anticipated in Dodger-dom for two key reasons:

1) Vin Scully is returning to the broadcast booth after having missed the rest of the homestand due to illness. Though Vin historically has hated that people get so upset and worried about him, he's going to have to understand that this is because he means so much to Dodger fans the world over. Don't tell the Dodger ticket sales this fact, but I was going to go to the game again today until I knew Vin would be back in the booth; instead, I'm staying home so that I can hear him call the game. Welcome back, Vinny. I'll be on the sofa, as per usual.

2) It's marvelous that Vin will be back just in time to help walk us through one of our favorite days of the season: Jackie Robinson Day. 65 years ago today, Jackie broke the so-called color barrier in baseball. Today, not only the Dodgers but every team around the league pays tribute to the life and legacy of Mr. Jackie Robinson. Players all don the hallowed #42, and many wear items specially designed for the day only to auction them off for the benefit of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
The main idea behind holding the annual Jackie Robinson Day is not only to recognize the contributions he made both on and off the field, but to learn from them and, hopefully, pass along such knowledge to future generations. Hats off to the Dodger organization for always prioritizing this charge. This week, the Dodgers visited John Muir High School in Pasadena, Robinson’s alma mater. Dodger panelists included Dee Gordon, Tommy Davis and “Sweet” Lou Johnson, who spoke about Robinson’s impact on baseball and on American society. The players and former players answered questions from students and presented them with tickets to today's game. Hat tip, too, to MLB, who always focuses much attention on the importance of this day to baseball and to our country's social fabric.
John Muir High School event

Speaking of Dee Gordon, here's a great picture he Tweeted of himself a few minutes ago:

MVP Matt Kemp:

Here is what some of our Boys in Blue are saying this morning re: Jackie Robinson Day:

@skinnyswag9: #Blessed to wear the #42 today!!! Thank God for giving #JackieRobinson the strength and courage to break the color bearer.

@TheRealMattKemp: Thank u Jackie Robinson!!!

@TommyLasorda: Thank you Jackie for your contributions to the @dodgers, to @MLB and to our country. #42

@JoshLindblom52: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." #JackieRobinson. Honored to be able to wear #42.

And Big Papi weighs in, too:

@davidortiz: Honored and Proud to go out and play on Jackie Robinson Day #42 #ThankYouJackie

Let's get back to this one. Today's game features a re-match from the season opener, with Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw going up against Edinson Volquez for the series sweep. This time, presumably Clay won't be throwing up at warmup and between innings. Though the way the Padres have been playing, that might actually make it a fair fight. Dodgers go for win number nine, which would equal their best start in franchise history (1981, a year in which they went on to win the World Series). Should be a great day for baseball, so either get out to the Yard or catch Vinny's comeback if you can (but don't call it a comeback).

UPDATE: Dodgers will be honoring their and Jackie's Brooklyn roots by sporting Brooklyn Dodger caps for today's game. Here, manager Don Mattingly is seen wearing one in a pre-game interview:


Photos: 1-Courtesy MLB, 2-Courtesy Dodgers, 3- Skinny Swag tweet, 4- MVP tweet, 5- SoSG Dusty

293 comments:

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Dusty Baker said...

#42 Gordon-SS
#42 M Ellis-2B
#42 Kemp-CF
#42 Ethier-RF
#42 Rivera-LF
#42 Loney-1B
#42 Uribe-3B
#42 AJ Ellis-C
#42 Kershaw-LHP

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Let's get a win today!

Dusty Baker said...

I'm really hoping we're sporting our Brooklyn caps today.

Fred's Brim said...

Go Blue!

rbnlaw said...

Love those clears in UCLA colors.

This is the day I remind my children why being a Dodger fan is better than being a fan of any other team in MLB.
Jackie, Vin, Fernando, Tommy, Sandy, The D.
But it all starts with Jackie.

Paul said...

Thanks for the recap guys. Love that pic of Dee.

NicJ said...

Jackie Robinson day!!!

The day the Mets try to steal the Robinson legacy as their own.

rbnlaw said...

Just noticed that I got auto corrected on cleats.

Meanwhile, nice showing by Chelsea, eh DB?

Dusty Baker said...

Up the Chels! 5-1 and we're going back to Wem-ber-ley!

Dusty Baker said...

Dodgers LIve is now on. Interviewing Tommy Davis.

Dusty Baker said...

We're definitely wearing the Brooklyn caps today. Will post a TV screen capture of Donnie Baseball sporting one in a pre-game interview.

Dusty Baker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
spank said...

Time for Vin

Dusty Baker said...

Where my dawgs at? Let's do this.

spank said...

VINNY!!!

Steve Sax said...

Happy Jackie Robinson Day, everybody!

Paul said...

Vinny!!!

Dusty Baker said...

On the sofa, Vinny!!!!

Dusty Baker said...

Back at you, Sax!

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Im wearing my Brooklyn hat today!

Dusty Baker said...

I'm wearing my 42 hat and my Brooklyn/Robinson tee. (Thanks to MDIL for the tee as an xmas gift)

Dusty Baker said...

Volume set to level 42 on my sound system.

spank said...

Newk

Dusty Baker said...

O-Dog hitting .097. And out-hitting Loney.

Dusty Baker said...

Newk was sporting his Brooklyn gear - nice!

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

How david little Dee Gordon get such a strong arm? Gets it from his pops?

Dusty Baker said...

@DBT

Usually that's very true. He was off last night, though. His first throw was low and yielded an error and two bases. Other throws last night were the same way, weak and low. Hopefully it was just an off night.

Paul said...

Nice BUNT.

Dusty Baker said...

Jackie would be proud of that steal, DG!

Now, pull your pant legs up!

rbnlaw said...

Number 42 looking good.

rbnlaw said...

Kemp is that player you stop what you're doing to watch.

sanfrandodgerfan said...

DRE!

Dusty Baker said...

Come on, 'Dre! Rancho Ardiendo there for your taking.

spank said...

Come on,Dre!

rbnlaw said...

Just another reason why.
KeMVP

rbnlaw said...

Rancho Dredondo

Paul said...

Let it fly Dre!

Dusty Baker said...

Nancy Bea playing theme from Jaws.

Dusty Baker said...

3-1 swinging, surely.

Paul said...

Damn.

rbnlaw said...

Ribbie

sanfrandodgerfan said...

One zip...nice play by Guzman

Dusty Baker said...

Did Vin just say "our" hitter? He NEVER uses "us" and "we" and "our."

Maybe his illness stripped away his famous neutrality.

rbnlaw said...

I like Ethier's patience, and his confidence to swing 3-1.

spank said...

nice catch.

(cries)

Dusty Baker said...

2-0 already. Can we play you every night, Pod Rays?

sanfrandodgerfan said...

RALLY KILLER

Dusty Baker said...

I like how even the umps are #42.


I don't like how shitty a batsman Loney is.

spank said...

Loney sucks.

Jason said...

Epale y'all.

Loney is THE FUTURE OF THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES ORGANIZATION!

Dusty Baker said...

Loney both sucks and blows, and perhaps bites. Good lord.

spank said...

Lakers holding their own again without Kobe against the Mavs.

Jason said...

@DB

I caught Vinny's use of "our" as well. I believe he was referring to the collective viewing audience, as in: our batter in our game was thrown out.

Dusty Baker said...

@Jason

Hmmmmm...that would be an interesting tense perspective for him to be using but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Dusty Baker said...

Got out of that jam, Kid. Now don't let it happen again.

Ever.

Dusty Baker said...

Vin has a story going!

spank said...

James Brown- Super Bad playing at Dodger Stadium. Right on.

Dusty Baker said...

Urine double!

spank said...

Urine double

Dusty Baker said...

"That fat tub of lard got a double?" - MDIL

rbnlaw said...

Even Vin disses Urine. Then he hits a double.
What is going on here?

rbnlaw said...

Just opened my first Black Butte porter.

Cc: Spank

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Hey, we're winning!

spank said...

kid k almost beat that out. nice bunt,holmes.

rbnlaw said...

Volquez in the soup. And almost gives Kersh a bunt hit.

Hideo Nomo said...

Standing O for a sac bunt.

Hideo Nomo said...

Also, epale y'all.

Dusty Baker said...

Epale, Nomo! Finally make it out of traffic from yesterday?

ps- I have a stadium replica for ya.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Spee-Dee!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Happy Jackie Robinson Day, peeps! Thank goodness Vinny's back, too. Wouldn't be right without him.

spank said...

i can go for a Black Butte right now.

Hideo Nomo said...

Traffic out was a fucking breeze.

Thanks DB. You da man.

sanfrandodgerfan said...

NICE CHOKE, DEE

Dusty Baker said...

WHOA! DG with an E.

Dusty Baker said...

It seems like we should be up 6-0, doesn't it?

Cliff Beefpile said...

That's how you slide, Uribe.

Dusty Baker said...

Was it Urine or Rivera with that "slide" at the plate?

sanfrandodgerfan said...

@DB...yeah...wasted opportunity and some bad D making this way to close so far.

Dusty Baker said...

Clay is def off today.

spank said...

Did Vin just snark on Kid Ks strikeouts?

sanfrandodgerfan said...

Yeah, Spank...my GF (padres fan) sez "I am shocked at Vin today...he never ranks Dodgers or anyone but he is today"

Dusty Baker said...

Kid is just not going at batters today. He's pitching around them too much.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Feels kinda lucky to get outta that inning having given up just one run.

Cliff Beefpile said...

@DB, maybe it was Riviera...but somehow it was still Uribe's fault.

rbnlaw said...

Kersh is making me nervous today.
Kemp is making me happy.

Dusty Baker said...

Completely agree, Cliff.

Dusty Baker said...

KEMP BOMB!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Kemp is on friggin' fire.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

FYFST

spank said...

MATT FUCKING KEMP

rbnlaw said...

And that's why.
KeMVP

rbnlaw said...

Ditto Spank.

If it weren't for Urine, that would've been a grand slam.

Trust me.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kemp will never get 50 steals if he keeps hitting homers.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Kempthier!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Double-Dre!

rbnlaw said...

Ned,
Extend Ethier now.

Hideo Nomo said...

Kemp can settle for a 100/1 season.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The RBI Machine produces.

Cliff Beefpile said...

4-1, bishes.

Cliff Beefpile said...

I dare say Ethier is the Ethiest of Dodgers.

Dusty Baker said...

Come on, JLo. No pressure in this AB. Just get an easy hit.

Dusty Baker said...

That's Ethiey for you to say, Cliff.

rbnlaw said...

Your dead, Jim.

Paul said...

Urine get a hit.

rbnlaw said...

Hoping Uribe was the solution at third? That does not compute.

Paul said...

Two strikes on Urine, might as well be 3.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Vin - "Uribe HOPES to be the Dodgers answer at third base."

Ha. HA! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Paul said...

Loney and Uribe the dilapidated duo.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Ajellis is scaring the crap out of opposing pitchers.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

"Your dead, Jim."

What about his dead?

Cliff Beefpile said...

D'oh!

spank said...

Fucking smart baseball right there.

Paul said...

That wasn't good. No speed to orchestrate that.

Dusty Baker said...

The yin and the yang:

Kemp/Ethier

Urine/Loney

They were the best of times, and they were the worst of times.

Cliff Beefpile said...

It's his dead and he'll do with it as he damn well pleases.

MR.F said...

I'm not gay, but I'd marry Matt Kemp if I could.

Cliff Beefpile said...

@DB, I believe that's from the Paul Coffey classic, 'A Tale of Two Man Titties'?

Dusty Baker said...

Nice one, Cliff!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Kershaw pitched better when he had the shits.

spank said...

Matt Barnes!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Double play!

Orel said...

Just caught up on the DVR. In the living room, Vin!

Orel said...

Great GT, Dusty!

Dusty Baker said...

Cheers, Orel.

Orel said...

trivia: What position did Jackie Robinson play when he made his debut in 1947?

Dusty Baker said...

1B

spank said...

Right guard.

Dusty Baker said...

Old Spice

Cliff Beefpile said...

First Base

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

BBison.

MR.F said...

Bison patience!

Dusty Baker said...

Come on, E. Tack a few on so I can wander around the house and listen. I'm getting sofa butte.

Dusty Baker said...

Molly Knight reporting from Coachella on competing cell phone service.

Orel said...

Stay where you are, Dusty.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Dee's a little off, too. It's like someone from the Padres' dugout slipped a mickey into the Dodgers Gatorade.

Orel said...

trivia answer: 1B. Did not play 2B until 1948.

Orel said...

That double just reinforces your point, CB.

MR.F said...

Is James Loney stance more crouched than it was last season?

Dusty Baker said...

Trivia Question:

Which one of the Three Stooges is Urine?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

James Loney... walks?

Dusty Baker said...

@Mr. F

Will pay more attention next time he's AB. Regardless of stance, same lack of effectiveness, needless to say.

Cliff Beefpile said...

From now on Uribe's new nickname is The Answer.

Dusty Baker said...

Statisticians: Urine doesn't deserve a hit on that play.

Dusty Baker said...

Great watermelon vignette. Sometimes a nice slice of watermelon is just a nice slice of watermelon. Well told, Vinny.

MR.F said...

Vin's telling the Public Enemy #1 story!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Ugh.

Dusty Baker said...

This is just to set up the poetic 4-2 win for us.

rbnlaw said...

Damn, just saw the czar caught my grammatical gaffe.
Well played.

Dusty Baker said...

Too many pitches in this AB.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Balls.

Dusty Baker said...

That was Kershaw's problem, Czar.

rbnlaw said...

Guess Kersh can't dominate everytime out.
Why, I do not know.

Dusty Baker said...

Lindblom has a giant jaw, like the dad from The Incredibles or like The Tick.

Hideo Nomo said...

Hrrrm.

Dusty Baker said...

That ball was in there!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Let's get some runs!

Dusty Baker said...

Ok, we got out of that. New ballgame. Lot of game left; we just need to pound their relief pitchers.

Where's Karina today?

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Dee Gordon swinging at garbage

Dusty Baker said...

He was swinging at Urine?

Dusty Baker said...

That might have been a pitch to try to drive.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

FYFST

Dusty Baker said...

Bring this side-arm, walking'-ass bitch up.

Orel said...

Just transcribed the watermelon story. Another ND for Kershaw.

Dusty Baker said...

What are you swinging at, E?

EasyForMeToSay

rbnlaw said...

So much Dre's patience.

rbnlaw said...

Can I like the FSwest girls without Facebook?

Orel said...

I do.

rbnlaw said...

Loney did not get out. Film at 11.

Orel said...

Loney walk! Uribe single! Pigs flying!

rbnlaw said...

Now Uribe with a hit? Seventh seal broken; end is nigh.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Cats and dogs living together! Mass hysteria!

Dusty Baker said...

(carries sign proclaiming that the end is near)

rbnlaw said...

So we are basically saying, "we'll wait until the 8th."

Dusty Baker said...

I'm not going to wait until the 8th to get another beer.

Steve Sax said...

Loney AND Urine on base at the same time

Take a picture!

rbnlaw said...

If Kennedy drives in a run, I'm heading to Barstow.

Dusty Baker said...

Rancho Nailbitiendo

Orel said...

Why do pitchers lick their fingers? And why is it legal?

Steve Sax said...

Hurry Dusty! No beer after Gordon GIDPs!

rbnlaw said...

That was close. I'm heading to the fridge as a compromise.

Dusty Baker said...

You'd need one of those paranormal investigation cams to capture that image, Sax.

Steve Sax said...

Oh wait, youre at home

Orel said...

Damn, so close on Gordon's shot down the line.

Dusty Baker said...

Licking one's fingers is legal as of a few seasons ago. Used to umps had to give permission, and it was only given during times of inclement weather. It was too subjective and too inconsistent so they changed the rule.

Dusty Baker said...

Licking anyone else's fingers during a game would generally be frowned upon.

Dusty Baker said...

Pie Rats beating SF 4-1 in 9th.

Dusty Baker said...

Dammit.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's hard to lick that habit.

Orel said...

Ah, shit.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I just noticed that Gameday lists every player as #42.

sanfrandodgerfan said...

"Licking anyone else's fingers during a game would generally be frowned upon."

I'd lick Milano's fingers after a 'dip'...

Orel said...

Ha! Kemp momentarily ticked off by Gordon there. Nice over-the-shoulder catch by Dee.

Orel said...

Adventures in the outfield?

Cliff Beefpile said...

Nice play by Dee! Awkward one by Dre, but still effective.

Cliff Beefpile said...

I've been known to lick a lot of things on the playing field.

Orel said...

I've about had enough with this Pujols commercial.

Orel said...

201

Orel said...

Mellis gets it started with a single up the middle!

Orel said...

Guess who's up?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Mellis sets the stage for Kemp.

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