NFL Playoffs GameThread: Seahawks/Falcons, Texans/Patriots

Seahawks @ Falcons, 10a PT

Texans @ Patriots, 1:30p PT

NFL Playoffs GameThread: Ravens/Broncos, Packers/49ers

Ravens @ Broncos, 1.30p PT

Packers @ 49ers, 5p PT

It's been a while since we've done GameThreads, but let's see what happens here. If nothing else it will help me practice rooting against San Francisco.

Pardon Our Dust, Says Janet Marie Smith

Bison + Mac = Imagine the Possibilities

Matt Kemp and Mark McGwire at the Dodgers' Winter Developmental Camp at Camelback Ranch in Arizona.

photo by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers

Mike Piazza Thinks You Hate Him

"We're caught in a trap."

2013 IBWAA Hall of Famer Mike Piazza has been in the news lately. From "Suspicious minds might keep Mike Piazza out of Hall of Fame" by Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times:

Although the decision is the Hall of Fame's, Piazza has said he would want his plaque to depict him wearing a Mets cap.

"He thought he was treated better when he was with the Mets," Lasorda said. "I can’t say anything to him because that's his feeling."

But Lasorda is trying to change Piazza's mind about something else. He wants him to return to Dodger Stadium, something he hasn’t done since retiring in 2008.

The Dodgers wanted to honor Piazza with a bobblehead night last season. Piazza declined the offer.

"He doesn't want to come back because he thinks the fans will boo," Lasorda said. "I've got to make him believe they will not boo."

Piazza received a standing ovation in his first game at Dodger Stadium as a Met, but was booed in subsequent visits.

Lasorda's goal is to get Piazza to work for the Dodgers in an official capacity. He said he introduced Piazza to Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter last year and that Walter took a liking to him.

"I will continue to try to get him here," Lasorda said.

The Mets cap in the Hall of Fame? Understandable — even Tommy won't argue that one. But getting booed as a returning favorite son? Man up and come home, Mike. You have nothing to be afraid of.

Matt Kemp Has Some Cool Fans

Matt Kemp has been campaigning to get on the cover of MLB 13 The Show (vote here!), and some of his higher-profile supporters are helping him to get out the vote:

Fam! Let's get @therealmattkemp on the cover of @mlbtheshow! Vote for him! #MLB13KEMP mlb.com/covervote

— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) January 7, 2013

Let's get my boy @therealmattkemp on the cover of MLB The Show!#mlb13KEMP Retweet to vote!

— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) January 7, 2013

Vote for my man @therealmattkemp for the cover of PlayStation's @mlbtheshow 2013 by tweeting #MLB13Kemp

— COMMON (@common) January 9, 2013

Dodgers Get A Sandoval Of Our Own

So claims Yardbarker via Fox Sports: Dominican prospect Ariel Sandoval:

A week after signing Mexican prospect Alfredo Amezaga, the Dodgers dipped into international waters once again, signing 17-year-old prospect Ariel Sandoval from the Dominican Republic.

According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Sandoval’s signing includes a $150,000 bonus.

“Sandoval is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds and impressed the Dodgers with his potential to hit for both average and power from the right side of the plate,” Badler wrote. “He’s an above-average runner who should begin his career in center field, though he has the arm strength to play right field if he outgrows the position.”

So wait, it isn't a fat Ariel? Then I can get back to knowing my fonts:

For Howell, Showing Up Is (A Little Less Than) Half The Battle

Turns out the J.P. "Thurston" Howell deal, whose terms were released today, is pretty incentive-driven, with many incentives based on appearances:

Howell can earn $750,000 based on relief appearances: $75,000 for 50, $125,000 for 55, $150,000 for 60 and $200,000 each for 65 and 70. He also can earn $300,000 for innings; $50,000 each for 50, 55, 65 and 70, and $100,000 for 75.

Howell also has $700,000 in games finished bonuses: $100,000 each for 30, 35 and 40, and $200,000 apiece for 45 and 50.

This collective $1.75M is incremental to the $2.85M one-year deal, I assume. Wow.

Dodger Stadium Is Gonna Be Sweet Next Year

Just check out the awesome work underway that Stan Kasten and the Guggenheimers have initiated (covered by Beth Harris, AP/Yahoo News):

President and CEO Stan Kasten said Tuesday the goal is to improve the experience for fans while preserving the history of the third-oldest ballpark in the major leagues.

''This is more than a Band-Aid,'' he said. ''I think this will stand up for a very long time.''

Kasten said he planned to talk with Commissioner Bud Selig this week about holding a future All-Star game at the stadium now that it's undergoing one of Hollywood's biggest makeovers. It last hosted the Midsummer Classic in 1980, with new ballparks having long surpassed it in the pecking order.

''That will never be an excuse again,'' Kasten said.

He unveiled the changes for the upcoming season - estimated to cost $100 million - as heavy equipment rumbled around the field.

''We do still think we're going to get done by Opening Day, but it's going to be a scramble,'' Kasten said. ''It might leak into the season.''

Among the upgrades are two high-definition video boards in left and right field that will be 22 percent bigger with the original hexagon shape of both being restored; a new sound system that will be heard on the concourses and in the restrooms; and an improved Wi-Fi and cell antenna system so fans can better use their mobile devices inside the ballpark.

The video boards' viewing area will be 66 percent larger, allowing for more video content and stats to be shown. [...]

The changes also include wider concourses; more locations for fans in wheelchairs and their companions; new food stands and menus; and new field level entry plazas and bullpen overlooks to create standing room areas with views of the game.

''You're going to feel like you're in a place that you love,'' Kasten said.

The players haven't been forgotten, either, with major changes to what Kasten described as ''these really awful clubhouse facilities.''

The home clubhouse is being doubled in size, the training and conditioning areas are being expanded, and new batting cages are being installed. The visitors' clubhouse won't be made over, but opposing players will have a weight room and batting cage on their own side for the first time. Previously, visiting teams had to enter the Dodgers' clubhouse to use those areas.

''The players are loving it, and we've involved them every step of the plan,'' Kasten said.

Two to four rows of seats are being removed from the back of the field, loge, reserve and upper reserve levels to create an additional 8 to 15 feet of room for walking the concourses, but it won't change the stadium's capacity of 56,000.

Smith said the Dodgers are going through their historical items and will be putting many on display for the first time, including MVP, Cy Young and Gold Glove awards.

The team's 10 retired numbers will be part of a display at the Top of the Park level behind home plate, while a kids area on the reserve level will include life-sized bobbleheads, and six oversized World Series rings representing each of the Dodgers' championships will be installed on the first base side of the stadium.

The Dodgers had a hot dog taste test on Monday, but Kasten was quick to say they won't be messing around with the famed Dodger Dog.

This stadium upgrade sounds a heck of a lot better and more meaningful for the fans (and players) than Frank McCourt's obsession with secret urinal rooms. Wider concourses, kids area, HD video boards, standing room areas, improved clubhouses (for former players like myself)...wow.

This is going to rock. Thanks, Stan!

photo: AP/Reed Saxon

Think Spring

Some beautiful sunsets going on behind Matt Kemp in Arizona (screenshot taken from the Dodgers' website):

I'm starting to get really fired up for 2013.

Dodgers' Pen Mightier; Than The _____? [S-Word]

rbnlaw's favorite ESPN pundit, Buster Olney, has the Dodgers' 2013 bullpen ranked seventh in the majors (the Giants slot in at number five) (link insider only):

7. Los Angeles Dodgers

J.P. Howell agreed to terms with the Dodgers on Friday, another good piece to an already deep bullpen; the left-hander saw his velocity increase markedly in the 2012 season, in his first full year back from shoulder surgery, to the point that his highest radar gun reading came in his last appearance of the season. Don Mattingly's weapons include Brandon League (who posted a 2.30 ERA for the Dodgers after being acquired from Seattle), Kenley Jansen (99 strikeouts in 65 innings despite some heart issues) and Ronald Belisario.

The force of the pens is strong with the NL West, with the Padres coming in ninth and the Diamondbacks in eleventh ("10a"). I'm still waiting for the top ten on flush-free urinals by MLB club, Buster.

Sarah McLachlan and The Plight of Pau Gasol

Via Deadspin, Ballerball Films' video and the post, "Pau Gasol Needs To Be Rescued From The Lakers, And Sarah McLachlan Is Here To Help"

JP Howell and SoSG

Turns out that new reliever J.P. Howell has a lot in common with us here at Sons of Steve Garvey. Picture if you will, a monkey named...Dangles.

Dangles is inspired from a gift Heather Hennessy-Howell received from her husband, J.P. Howell, who is a Major League Baseball pitcher. The book shares the tales of their true-life adventures and travels shared with the beloved monkey.

Inspired by fellow Son Nomo and his reference to Howell's wife, Heather Hennessy, it looks like there will be even more monkeying around next year with the Dodgers.

Bring it on! Dangles, unchained!

Oh, and about that wife:

Dodgers Sign Millionaire Howell

Rather than casting anyone away, the Dodgers are still signing people up: in this case, former Tampa Ray J.P. Howell:

Left-hander J.P. Howell has agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers for is $2.85 million in base salary, plus performance bonuses, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Howell, 29, had a 3.04 ERA in 50 1/3 innings last season out of the bullpen with the Tampa Bay Rays. He had success against left-handed hitters, who batted a mere .200 against him.

The reliever spent seven seasons with the Rays, posting a 21-22 record with 21 saves and a 4.42 ERA.

Howell joins Brandon League as the second major addition to the Dodgers' bullpen this offseason. League agreed to a three-year deal worth $22.5 million in November.

Actually, League was with the team last year, but I guess ESPN's other "sources" hadn't caught that point yet. More from the Dodgers:

The Dodgers want a veteran lefty because Scott Elbert is returning from elbow surgery and Paco Rodriguez has only one month of Major League experience. Those are the only other lefty relievers on the 40-man roster.

Howell, who attended Southern Cal and the University of Texas at Austin, was a first-round pick of the Royals in 2004 and was traded to the Rays in 2006.

With about 96 people on the roster at this point, spring training is going to be awesome. I can't wait.

One More ESPN Top Ten: Dodgers Sixth Overall; Giants In Catbird Seat

Building off of Buster's more granular assessments, Olney came up with his overall top ten teams ranking for the 2013 season. And the Dodgers end up sixth (link insider only):

6. Los Angeles Dodgers

NL evaluator: "A tremendous rotation and outfield (if their health keeps), Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, a good bullpen -- and tons of money."

Ah yes, the money thing again. That's certain to be a common cliched harangue (though not a Harang) this year from the national baseball press (both Olney and that other guy).

But in fact, Olney got some yips over his choice of the Giants as the favored ones for 2013:

After the initial power rankings column was posted, with the Giants at No. 1, I got a lot of feedback from readers wondering why I had San Francisco at No. 1, rather than Washington or Detroit or the Dodgers or Reds. Some readers felt that given the questions about Tim Lincecum and other parts of the team, San Francisco doesn't appear to be as good on paper as some other teams.

In my opinion: After winning two titles in the past three years, they've earned the credit we should give them -- and it's evident that the Giants have become very adept at playing in close games, from the depth of their bullpen to the ability of manager Bruce Bochy to maneuver. They may not be as dynamic as the 1976 Reds or the 1927 Yankees, but they've been the best team in the National League playing in close games, and this cannot be dismissed as just luck; it's a trait.

Justin Havens of ESPN Stats & Information dug out these numbers:

In one-run postseason games over the past three years, the Giants are 8-1, which is in keeping with their regular-season success in close games. The Giants are 91-66 in one-run games over the past three regular seasons, which is the second-best mark by win percentage over that span (to Baltimore). It is first, however, in total wins.

Most Wins in One-Run Games (2010-12)

• Giants 91
• Reds 87
• Twins 84
• Phillies 82
• Orioles 80

In total, the Giants have a .580 win percentage in one-run games over the past three seasons, while the other 29 teams cumulatively have a .497 win percentage.

I thought that the general rule was that one-run wins, like BABIP, would revert to the mean over time. I'm still thinking this is the Dodgers' division to win in 2013.

Congrats, George!

Not a bad year for George Lucas. First he announced his plans to donate billions to education, and now he's engaged to a lady 25 years his junior.

• George Lucas Engaged to Mellody Hobson (People)

photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Sizing Up The 2013 Dodgers

It's Top Ten season for ESPN.com's Buster Olney. And the Dodgers don't end up too bad, all things considered.

First up, the pitching rotations. And Buster Olney places ours third in the majors: (link insider only):

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Josh Beckett, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly/Chris Capuano/Aaron Harang/Hyun-Jin Ryu. For Greinke and Beckett, this is the perfect situation, because they don't have the burden of being The Guy. Kershaw is the National League's best pitcher and he fully embraces all that comes with being the staff leader, from the media responsibilities to those moments when retaliation is needed. Greinke and Beckett can just worry about pitching, which is probably how they prefer it to be. The reason the Dodgers are ranked third -- and not higher -- is that it's not really clear what Don Mattingly is going to get out of Billingsley, Lilly or the starting pitcher who isn't dealt.

Linchpin guy: Beckett. Like other veteran starters who have moved from the AL to the NL, he should benefit from the shift, and Beckett is smart and savvy enough to be able to take advantage of those weakest spots at the bottom of the lineup. Beckett had a 2.93 ERA in his seven starts with the Dodgers, after being acquired from Boston, and now he gets a full-season reset button. He could be excellent. It's evident from Beckett's FanGraphs data that he relied a lot more on his cutter in his last few starts; it's a small sample size, but his strikeouts-per-9 ratio jumped from 6.64 with the Red Sox to 7.95 with the Dodgers.

Olney's got Detroit and Washington ahead of us, with only the Giants mentioned from the rest of the NL West (ninth).

Next up, the outfield, where the Dodgers rank fourth (link also insider only):

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

It's the outfield with the most star power, for sure: Matt Kemp in center, flanked by Carl Crawford in left field and Andre Ethier in right. Kemp was plagued by injuries and limited to 106 games, and still managed to hit .303 with 23 homers, and Ethier finished the season with 20 homers and 89 RBIs. Crawford missed almost all of last season with elbow trouble before having Tommy John surgery, and he may not be ready for the very beginning of the 2012 season. If each of the three match their best seasons from the past, this group could be the best in the majors, with power, speed and defense. But a significant factor will be how Ethier and Crawford fare against the parade of left-handers they will see, especially in the later innings of games.

Ethier had an OPS of .606 versus lefties last season, and Crawford had even worse numbers (OPS of .566) against lefties while playing for Boston in 2011. Kemp did a ton of damage against lefties last year, with a 1.105 OPS, and the Dodgers will need him to continue that trend, because he's going to see a ton of lefties while hitting among Crawford, Ethier and Adrian Gonzalez.

Something to remember: The Dodgers' payroll is going to be far beyond the luxury tax, and the team's management has a distinct win-or-bust, Steinbrenneresque style of operation right now. If Crawford or Ethier struggle against lefties and the Dodgers suffer in the standings, it's hard to imagine the front office waiting patiently for them to figure out their swings. They're more likely to pursue a right-handed-hitting outfielder who can help balance the lineup -- which might explain why they were open to retaining Shane Victorino for 2013.

The unknown of Crawford is the key, clearly. Although a fully-healthy Kemp and a consistent performance from Ethier would also come in handy. Victorino? Come on.

Oh yeah, the Angels, Nationals, and A's are ahead of us, with the Diamondbacks at #9.

Infield? We didn't make the top ten (link insider only, if by now you haven't figured this out). Washington snagged #8, and the Giants finagled #9.

Nor did we place in today's post, the top ten lineups. Angels lead the pack, with the Nationals fifth and the Rockies seventh.

Well, two out of four ain't bad (though the Nationals certainly look pretty good, on Olney's paper). The Angels only placed in two of the four top ten lists as well. Let's see how we fare in Olney's next sets of top tens (peanut vendors, concession stand line lengths, and flush-free urinals).

Giants @ Dodgers April 1 Gets ESPN Audience

Jim Bowden over at ESPN just walked down the hall to give us this news:

Los Angeles Dodgers 2013 season opener vs. San Francisco Giants scheduled to be on @espn #ESPN

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) January 3, 2013

I'm a little surprised we beat out Padres / Mets, but okay. I'm still going to be there in person, anyway.

FanFest Reloaded

It must have been a success when they did it last year because it's coming back, and soon:

Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: Dodger Stadium, Lot 6

Join the Dodgers for the 2013 FanFest! FanFest is a free event featuring player autographs, on-stage interviews, a Kids Zone, interactive games, music, and more! Parking Gate C (Golden State Entrance off of Academy Rd via Stadium Way) will open at 10:00am to cars for FanFest.

Are you a Season Ticket Holder? Bring your MVP or other STH proof and get into FanFest at 10:30am!

INDIVIDUAL TICKET ON SALE
January 26th is the first day of individual ticket sales! Tickets to all 81 Dodger home games will be available, including Opening Day, Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox games. Parking gates A (Sunset Gate at Sunset and Elysian) and E (Downtown Gate by the 110 fwy) will open at 6:30am for fans interested in purchasing individual tickets. Fans will receive wristbands as they enter Lot G to determine purchase order. Fans MUST receive a wristband by 8:30am if they want to purchase tickets for Opening Day.

SEASON TICKET OPEN HOUSE
Interested in Season Tickets? Meet a sales rep at the Field Level entrance starting at 7am and see season ticket and mini plan locations for the 2013 season!

Linkin' In the New Year

"Hey, gimme five! Get it? Because I'm on the — oh, never mind."
The hot stove has cooled and spring training feels like it's miles away, so here are some links to help you get your Dodgers fix:

• Eric Stephen kicks off his review of the 1988 Dodgers with some obscure bench player. 1988 Dodgers player profile: Kirk Gibson, the shot in the dark (True Blue LA)
  
• Mike Petriello looks at some of the unsexier moves the Dodgers could make soon. The Dodger Offseason Isn’t Close To Being Over (MSTI)
  
• Mark Saxon wonders if the Dodgers should take a different approach. Should Dodgers just hoard their pitching? (ESPNLA)
  
• Ken Gurnick profiles new bullpen coach Chuck Crim. Christmas comes early for new LA 'pen coach Crim (Dodgers.com)
  
• Ernest Reyes digs up some vintage videos for us, including a couple of Vin Scully hosting a game show. Sunday Dodgers Videos: Drysdale and Durocher in The Beverly Hillbillies and Vin Scully in "It Takes Two" (Blue Heaven)