NFL Playoffs Game Thread: Jan. 20

"Just because I root for a San Francisco team doesn't mean you have to!"
12n PST 49ers @ Falcons
3:30p PST Ravens @ Patriots

Superstuds

• From "For Clayton Kershaw, work in Zambia only just beginning" by Bob Nightengale at USA Today:
  

  Washington Nationals All-Star pitcher Gio Gonzalez, filming a video-game commercial Tuesday with Kershaw, was briefly informed of Kershaw's trip and orphanage, and stood momentarily in silence. His eyes widened, and almost in a whisper, reached back and fired the greatest possible praise.
  

  "He used to be my favorite left-handed pitcher in baseball," Gonzalez said. "Now, he's my all-time favorite player. I guess if Roberto Clemente can do it, why not Clayton?
  

  "He's like our Roberto Clemente."

  
  
• From "Kemp named grand marshal for MLK parade" by Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com:
  

  Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp will serve as celebrity grand marshal for the 28th annual Kingdom Day Parade in recognition of Martin Luther King Day. The parade will be held Saturday in South Los Angeles. [...]
  

  The Dodgers are a sponsor of the parade, whose theme will be "His Dream Will Never Die." The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. PT from the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Western Avenue and will be televised live locally on KABC-TV Channel 7. [...]
  

  He has raised more than $400,000 for families affected by autism at his annual Spring Training fundraiser and participated for several years in the Dodgers' annual Community Caravan and Dodgers Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza.

Pretty impressive on and off the field, boys.

A Bird's Eye View of Dodger Stadium Renovation

Thanks to loyal SoSG reader BJ Killeen for passing along this video of Dodger Stadium construction taken when her husband visited to buy some tickets. The video ends in the area where the home clubhouse is being expanded.

Your Diversion Of The Day

We know you come to SoSG to escape the drudgery that is work, or chores, or off-season hot stove. So here's another thing to steal your time: the iOS RPG / puzzle game, 10000000.

It's great fun, sort of like the way Puzzle Quest 2 was when it came out; however this has a retro feel (video and audio) that's also kind of funny. Took me about six hours of gameplay to beat the game. Good luck!

We're #1! (In 2013 Payroll)

Forget all that talk about the new-look Dodgers being the Yankees. Rather, at this stage, they're trying to be us

"Baseball's opening-day payrolls will exceed $3 billion for the first time this season, jumping more than 7 percent from last season and redistributing the windfall from landmark local television deals across the sport, according to a Yahoo! Sports analysis.

Using Baseball Prospectus' contract database, arbitration projections from MLB Trade Rumors and expected salaries for the remaining free agents likely to garner major-league contracts, Y! Sports estimates opening-day payrolls of teams' 25-man rosters will total about $3.15 billion, a 7.1-percent increase from last year's opening-day figure of $2.94 billion.

More than half of the increase comes from the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose projected $213 million payroll is the highest in the major leagues – and a 123.9-percent increase over their $95.1 million from opening day in 2012. The Dodgers signed the richest free-agent deal of the offseason, giving starter Zack Greinke a six-year, $147 million deal.

The Miami Marlins, on the other hand, have shed nearly three times as much as any other team, going from a $118 million opening-day payroll last season to an estimated $45 million this year, a 61.9 percent decrease.

Despite promises to get beneath the luxury tax threshold of $189 million before the 2014 season, the New York Yankees are projected to spend more at the start of this year than last. Their estimated $210 million payroll is more than $12 million ahead of 2012's and second to the Dodgers'. The two are in their own payroll stratosphere, far ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies ($158 million), Los Angeles Angels ($152 million) and Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers ($150 million).

I know that money doesn't necessarily bring championships. But it certainly can't hurt our chances, either. Keep it up, Stan!

Angels Announcer Recognizes the Best

Angels announcer Victor Rojas has a blog. He also has Vin Scully's phone number. He asked Vin for an interview. Vin obliged. Here's an excerpt (read the entire piece here):

VR: It makes sense & to a certain extent, may be similar to how writers today have to deal with the steroid era. Were you surprised that no players were voted in?

VS: No. I was not surprised. In fact, there was a sense of gratification that baseball stood up and made a declaration. So, no. I can’t say that I was happy that these players are being denied but I did feel deep inside, 'good for baseball...good for the writers...I'm glad they stood up.' Now, when it comes to just some kind of a suspicion, I'm wondering about several players who didn’t make it this time but maybe over the years they eventually will get in. And I specifically think of somebody like Mike Piazza, who had an incredible career. There is suspicion but perhaps that will disappear over the years.

Dodgers Unveil Tiered Ticket Pricing

From a Dodgers press release:

Single-game tickets for the Dodgers' 2013 regular season will go on sale Saturday, January 26 at 10:00 a.m. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase regular season single game tickets for all 81 home games including Angels, Yankees and Red Sox games at Dodger Stadium and on dodgers.com. A limited number of Opening Day tickets will be available. This marks the first time in several years in which the Dodgers have made all regular season home games available for purchase on a single-game basis.

The Dodgers' 2013 individual game pricing starts at $8 per ticket for One-Star games, $10 per ticket for Two-Star games, $20 for Three-Star games, and $30 per ticket for Four-Star games. Auto Gates A (Sunset) and E (Stadium Way) will open at 6:30 a.m. and fans are encouraged to come to Dodger Stadium to purchase single game tickets. Fans will receive wristbands as they enter Lot G to determine purchase order. Fans must obtain a wristband by 8:30 a.m. for a chance to purchase tickets for Opening Day. Opening Day at Dodger Stadium is Monday, April 1 at 1:10 p.m. versus the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants.

What's it all mean? Let's go to True Blue LA for the breakdown:

The tiers of games at Dodger Stadium is broken down as follows:

• Four-star (6 games): Tickets ranging from $30 to $160
  
• Three-star (26 games): $20 to $120
  
• Two-star (33 games): $10 to $115
  
• One-star (17 games): $8 to $100

The six four-star games are Apr. 1 against the Giants, July 30-31 against the Yankees, and Aug. 23-25 against the Red Sox.

The three-star games include five games against the Giants, including Apr. 3 during the opening series. There are eight Saturday home games in the three-star games, one Friday game (Sept. 13 vs. San Francisco) and one Sunday contest (May 12 against the Marlins). All 11 bobblehead games are three-star games.

The two-star contests include 11 Friday games, 10 Sunday games, and four Saturday games.

One of the one-star games is the lone home exhibition game against the Angels on Friday, Mar. 29. Another one-star game is Sunday, Sept. 1 against the Padres. The remaining one-star games are either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

More information on individual game tickets can be found here.

Giants Dominate Top 5 List...Of Offseason Moves That Will Backfire

To be fair, the Giants allegedly won a title or two using lineups consisting of retreads and washed up players. I can't confirm the allegations, as I didn't watch any of it. But here they are again, flirting with two new deals that ESPN's Jim Bowden believes will go awry (link insider only):

1. Angel Pagan | CF | Age: 31 | San Francisco Giants
Contract: Four years, $40 million | AAV: $10 million

Giants senior vice president/general manager Brian Sabean is one of the best in the business, with two world championships in the past three years. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t make his fair share of mistakes on long-term contracts, such as Barry Zito’s seven-year, $126 million deal or Aaron Rowand’s five-year, $60 million albatross. Sabean’s history also includes being loyal to players (read: overpaying) who helped him win rings. After winning the World Series in 2010, he overpaid Aubrey Huff by re-signing him to a two-year, $20 million deal.

Likewise, fresh off winning the 2012 World Series, Sabean handsomely rewarded Pagan, who had a solid defensive year while serving as an effective table setter who got the job done on a consistent basis. It was easily the best year of his career. But this offseason was the first during which scouting reports on Pagan didn’t include phrases such as “loses focus,” “continuously gets bad jumps and leads” and “very inconsistent.”

The length of the deal is more troublesome than the dollars. Pagan has not been a consistent enough player to think he’ll be able to repeat what he did last season, let alone for four more. With financial security, I’m also not convinced he won’t revert back to the player who loses focus on occasion. His decline years are coming soon, and I think the last two years of this deal could end similarly to Rowand’s, which led to his unconditional release well before the contract ended.

[...]

5. Marco Scutaro | 2B | Age: 37 | San Francisco Giants
Contract: Three years, $20 million | AAV: $6.6 million

Scutaro is a solid player who knows how to play the game and is fundamentally sound. He can turn the double play, make the routine plays, hit and run when called upon and lay down a bunt when needed. And yet, he came to the Giants because of what his teams thought he couldn’t do. In 2011, the Red Sox decided to trade him to the Rockies because they thought he’d lost some range and bat speed. The Rockies traded him to the Giants after only 95 games when they decided his bat was slow and the adjustment back to second base wasn’t going as smoothly as planned. However, once Scutaro became a Giant he put it all together and ended up as the NLCS MVP.

So why not a three-year deal? Scutaro’s performance was only a snapshot of success, a period of time when he played at his optimum level but not a true reflection of the player he’ll be over the next three years. If he was showing signs of decline with both Boston and Colorado, what will he look like at age 39?

This contract is way too risky. They might get one solid year out of Scutaro, but I doubt he’ll be able to give them three years of the level they witnessed last season and in the postseason. Scutaro made about $20 million over the course his entire major league career from 2002-12. And now, at age 37, will make $20 million for the final three years of his career.

To be fair, when Sabean hasn't gone and rewarded Giants players on his own, he's often dumped them on the Dodgers who have been happy to oblige (Jason Schmidt, Juan Uribe). But it was nice not to see the Dodgers, or any other NL West team for that matter, on this list.

Which One of These Doesn't Belong?

From @Dodgers:

Downton Abbey GameThread: Season 3, Episode 2 (9p)

Carson @ Grantham, 9p.

After Lord Grantham lost all his money with last week's Jason Schmidt (an investment gone very bad), it's up to Matthew Crawley to step up and save the home team. And all he has to do is inherit some money from his deceased ex-fiancee's father's estate. (Well, now that he's finally ambulatory, after spending a season on the DL, you'd think that's the least he could do.)

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.